Carnival News 2003 9th November 2003

Carnival News 2003 9th November 2003

The 2003 AGM and cheque presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday 28th October 2003. Chairman Steve Valentine opened the meeting with a review of the annual accounts. Harold Seckington informed the meeting that there was still £365 to be paid out and £88 had been banked since the account statement had been printed.

Carnival 2003 raised £2,500 and cheques were distributed to various local groups (see report) including the Sports Club, Reading Room, Brackley cottage Hospital, Acorns and C’Kers.

The open meeting was then bought to a close to continue with the AGM. There will be several changes to the committee for 2004 since Karen Valentine and Racheal Willson are both stepping down as joint secretaries. Ken Brennan thanked them for their input and commitments over the past 2 years and said how important it was to get new blood and faces on to the committee to make next year an even greater success.

Steve, Harold and Tiger were nominated and seconded to remain in their current positions. Pete Burns and Bill England joined the committee as general members, with Pete volunteering to take on board the publicity side of things once again.

Anyone wishing to join the carnival organisers for 2004 should contact a member of the committee.

The first meeting will be on Tuesday 2nd December 2003 at 8:00 p.m. in the Reading Room.

14th October 2003

The AGM and cheque presentations for 2003 will take place in the Reading Room on Tuesday 28th October 2003 starting at 7:30 p.m.. Members of the public are invited to attend.

17th August 2003

The final preparations are being laid for this year’s carnival, which is now NEXT weekend!

Hopefully everyone that’s said they’ll do something will do it, and everyone that’s said they’ll be there will be!! It promises to be another wonderful weekend with everyone having lots of fun and raising lots of money.

The carnival takes an awful lot of work to organise and it normally falls to a small band of enthusiastic volunteers. Although their main worry is normally the blood level in their alcohol system, what they really lose sleep over is the level of support the carnival will receive from the general public. Please make sure you support the committee with donations, tombola prizes, and, above all, your attendance at all the events throughout the weekend.

Enjoy!

8th July 2003

It is hoped that lots of people will be getting tanked up at the carnival – no, not in that way – Nick Mead will be bringing along one of his chieftan tanks for people to look at.

The carnival programme is shaping up nicely and there will be the traditional favourites like tug-o-war, Punch and Judy and parachutists.

The carnival will open at 2:00 p.m. with the procession through the village beforehand.

Tickets are now on sale for the Grand Draw and can be purchased from any member of the carnival committee or from the Bell.

Friends Reunited? Do you remember any of your old school friends from Helmdon? If you’re still in touch with any of them why not invite them along to the carnival on August bank holiday weekend?

You can compare haircuts, collar size and waist measurements! You could reminisce about your favourite teacher – or your not so favourite one!

On this site there are old school photos going back 80 years or more – just imagine how many children have been through the school in that time – and where are they all now?

If any old Helmdonians would like to visit the village this year for the carnival please get in touch with carnival secretary Karen Valentine.

13th June 2003

The carnival committee are delighted to announce that Alice Hearne, Helmdon’s very own centenarian will be opening the carnival this year.

And back, by popular demand, are Ackrington Stanley who will be belting out the tunes on Saturday night again. The carnival has become a weekend extravaganza and this year looks set to be just as big as ever!

5th April 2003

The Carnival Committee meeting on 18th March reports that things are really starting to take shape for the big Carnival weekend in August.

It is hoped that sheep shearing will be back on the programme, back by popular demand after an enforced absence following the Foot & Mouth outbreak in 2001.

Donations are being collected now and the committee would like to hear from anyone who would like to offer a raffle prize, or who is interested in sponsorship or advertising opportunities. For local businesses this is an ideal opportunity to promote your services to the entire population of Helmdon and surrounding areas.

The next meeting of the Carnival Committee is on Tuesday 22nd April. Please contact a member of the committee if you would like to get involved – you’ll be made very welcome!!

11th February 2003

Things are already starting to take shape as we begin organising for the 2003 Carnival. Last year we decided to put some of the money raised towards the purchase of some new marquees to replace the old ones which had definitely seen better days! Luckily we have just the man for the job and we are grateful to Curly (Phil Earl) for his contacts and organisation!

The next meeting of the Carnival Committee is on Tuesday 18th March. Please contact a member of the committee if you would like to get involved – you’ll be made very welcome!!

14th January 2003

The Carnival Committee is in session once again to start work on organising Helmdon Carnival 2003. After such a successful Carnival 2002 there is going to be a lot of work ahead to live up to our new found reputation!

The theme this year will be “Old School Days” – that should give the float organisers something to work on!

The committee for 2003 is chaired for the first time by Steve Valentine, so we wish him good luck for his inaugural year. The first of many to come!?

Over the coming weeks and months we will be pulling together events, attractions, stalls and entertainment to excite and delight during the bank holiday weekend 23rd – 25th August 2003. We hope to see you there!