The bank holiday weekend will have something for all the family on the Regatta Meadows and other venues in the area, in an event being initiated by St Neots Town Council.

The weekend of August 23-25 would traditionally have seen the colourful floats on parade – but 2007 was the final carnival held in town as support for the event dwindled.

Chairman of the St Neots Carnival Committee, Jean Searle, formally announced in January that due to the absence of people willing to help her small but hard-working carnival committee, and the lack of adequate funding, they had reluctantly thrown in the towel.

Concerned about leaving the summer holiday without a family event, the town council set up an advisory committee to consider the alternatives.
However, there were also concerns about the shortage of cash in the budget and so proposed a transition from carnival to festival in 2008 which, it is hoped, will lead to bigger things in 2009.

The event is in the process of being organised by the council, which is planning to stage an interim festival on the Regatta Meadows and is now appealing for business people in and around St Neots to help with sponsorship.

St Neots Town Mayor, Cllr Bob Eaton, announced that fairground operator, James Dean, had given a donation of £1,700 towards costs and many local groups have offered their services.

Cllr Eaton said he would urge charities and groups who are looking to have a stall – free of charge – on the Regatta Meadows over the weekend to get in touch with himself or the town manager at the town council offices.
He added: "We have so much talent in St Neots. Hopefully next year we will have the money to make this festival even bigger. I am looking to see a huge turnout for our new event."

Cllr Eaton said he wanted to thank Jean Searle and her committee for the sterling work they put in over many years to provide the town with its carnival.

Mr McCormick said the festival week will have several familiar carnival features, such as the darts competition at the Riverside Snooker Club and quiz at Wyboston Lakes.

>> Contact St Neots Town Council at The Priory, St Neots, PE19 2BH, or call 01480 388911.