Grampound Carnival


Our community in Cornwall

GRAMPOUND WITH CREED SPORTS & CARNIVAL COMMITTEE

Annual General  Meeting held in the Town Hall

on Monday 27th January 2006

Chairman’s Report

2005 was another very event packed and successful year for the Carnival. The Committee organised many well attended events including the popular auction in the Dolphin, an Easter Egg Hunt, Car Treasure Hunt, and a VE Day Celebration Dance in the Village Hall. Sadly this was not as well attended as we had hoped resulting in a financial loss for the Committee. However, everyone who attended had a thoroughly memorable and enjoyable evening and our opinion was that it was still a worthwhile thing to have done. We just have to accept that some events that we put on won’t make a profit but are nevertheless still worth putting on for the village.

Carnival week itself suffered from mixed weather and we had to postpone the Sports evening until Thursday and Mrs Ham was kind enough to let us use her field at short notice, due to the Recreation Ground being very boggy. We would like to record our thanks to Mrs Ham for her generosity.

When it did eventually take place, those families that came enjoyed a range of events including egg throwing for the first time. A messy business to be sure, probably best viewed as a spectator!

Other events in Carnival week were the Quiz night and Pig Racing in the Dolphin. Our thanks go to Nigel and Louise for their support for our many activities throughout the year.

Carnival Day dawned sunny and dry but the wind played havoc with our new gazebos, in fact some folk thought we were staging a hang gliding event. Our capable Treasurer Joe had devised a new field layout for this year and it certainly worked very well, opening up more of the field for stalls and activities. The field looked colourful and busy with everyone having a great time. Logistically, we were able to allocate pitches swiftly due to the new plan and this reduced the hassle when everyone tended to arrive at once to set up in the morning.

Evening entertainment came from the Horse Band, much liked by everyone it seemed. So many people helped on the day that it would be almost impossible to thank everyone but special mention must go to Aussie Marquees for their generous provision of marquees. The stage and beer tent benefited greatly from having spacious accommodation.

This year also saw the departure of several outgoing Committee members. I would like to thank Carole Bannister and John and Linda Hodgson for their work for the Carnival over the last few years. They have indicated that they will be around to lend a hand in 2006 although not as Committee members, due to pressure of other commitments. This will be much valued. Our chief loss this year was Ronnie McLaskey our Secretary who quite rightly felt that she deserved a break from Carnival duties. If anyone wonders what Ronnie did please come to our house and see the pile of files, folders and boxes that she passed on to me to hold for the next Secretary. She certainly put an awful lot of time into her duties and the current face of our Carnival is largely due to her efforts so thanks again Ronnie. I’m sure that we’ll all be looking over our shoulders this year and waiting for Ronnie to say “You don’t want to do it like that’ or ‘That’ll never work’. (Only joking!). I hope this hasn’t put anyone off applying for the job however! I would also at this point like to thank all the Committee members and other villagers who work so unselfishly for the Carnival and give freely of their time. It’s an old but true saying that the more you put in the more you get out and I think that we all feel a great sense of satisfaction from all the events that are arranged. Thank you everyone. Having said this however we are always in need of new Committee members to share the load so if you feel you can contribute some of your time you’ll be very welcome to join us.

Moving swiftly on we have already planned some events for 2006, including the Grand Auction, a Pasty Competition combined with Valentine’s Quiz Night, a concert by the very popular Mevagissey Male Choir and the return of Prize Bingo. These events have a twofold purpose; to raise money for Carnival itself and to provide enjoyable social events for our village. As someone from outside Grampound said to me the other day when I told them where I lived, ‘Grampound? Oh yes, you’ve got quite a Community spirit there haven’t you? There always seems to be something going on’.

I like to think that the work of your Carnival Committee has something to do with that. Thanks one and all.

 

 

 

 

 


© 2006 Grampound with Creed Parish Council