New appeal to help get town carnival afloat

FEARS that Sandy festival could be smaller than previous years have still not receded.

The Comet front page story two weeks ago warned the festival was in danger because of a lack of interest among residents and comapnies in the town.

Festival chairman Jan Shrieves even went as far as warning: "Either people will use it or lose it."

A princess and prince have been chosen for the festival on June 17 but there has still been a lukewarm response to Mrs Shrieves' appeal for more support from organisations and residents.

"You would have thought after the front page story in The Comet my phone would have been hot," she said.

"But I have been disappointed by the response. I have had a few calls but it looks as though we are not going to have as many floats or stalls as last year.

"I really don't know what we have got to do to wake this town up. To be honest the committee are all volunteers and have a lot better things to do if the people of Sandy do not want to support their own carnival.

"Since the last story in The Comet I have had the promise of just one more float and a couple more stalls which means we will be way below the figures we had last year. The carnival is just three weeks away so time is running out.

"Sandy is a town of 13,000 people and many organisations but even though we have written to groups and schools some have not even bothered to respond to our letters which shows how much they are interested in the carnival.

"If things go as they are it will be hard to get the carnival off the ground next year and if it stops it will be hard to get it going again.

"The lack of support for the carnival is very disappointing and with just three weeks to go to the big day we have just six floats and 16 stalls that is way down on last year."

If anyone is interested in taking part in the Sandy Carnival you can still contact Jan on 01767 682247.