Todmorden carnival is '˜likely to go ahead next year'

There's good news on the horizon for Todmorden as carnival organisers say next year's event is likely to go ahead.
Todmorden Carnival at Centre Vale ParkTodmorden Carnival at Centre Vale Park
Todmorden Carnival at Centre Vale Park

Crisis talks between the committee, Calderdale Council and the Environment Agency were held last week and organisers say a “mutual agreement” was reached to keep the popular, annual event on Centre Vale Park.

Two weeks ago, they warned it could be curtains for the carnival because expensive tracking had to be rented, leaving no money for charity.

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The announcement will be a welcome one for the town after months of rancour over the decision to place weight restrictions on Centre Vale Park.

The Todmorden Agricultural Society has already made the bombshell decision to move the long-running show to Cliviger, near Burnley.

Philip Clarke, chairman of the carnival committee, said: “We have reached a mutual decision with the council, we will still have the weight restrictions, but we won’t need to buy the steel tracking.

“We can hire some other type of tracking, which won’t be as expensive. It’s a big relief for us.

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“The park is not going to be able to be used as it could have been as the show can’t go on there, but the main thing for us is the fair. It’s good that we do this every year.”

Mr Clarke addded that he hoped next year’s carnival would come back bigger and better, with schools and the whole town getting involved.It will be held at the end of May as usual, with a ‘Popstars’ theme.

Calderdale Council says it is committed to working with carnival organisers to make sure the event continues.

Councillor Susan Press, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and communities, said: “We want to do everything we can to keep this important event in the park, whilst minimising the likelihood of any damage to the drainage system.

“We will continue to offer our support and advice to come up with the best solution so that the carnival can go ahead.”