Newport Carnival saved in 'make or break' meeting

An emergency "make or break" meeting was called this week after only three people turned up to Newport's annual general meeting in October.

Despite being financially stable organisers said the carnival could be axed for 2016 if no one bothered to help.

However, at the meeting on Thursday night more than 25 people showed up, following appeals in the Shropshire Star, and saved it.

Now the carnival has a full committee, the group will be busy planning the event, which should be taking place in June 2016.

Patrick Beech, vice president of the committee said: "Following on from the poor support at the carnivals AGM, I as vice president called an emergency meeting on Thursday as a make or break meeting for its survival.

"As Chairman of Newport & District Chamber of Commerce I could not afford the town to lose this major annual event, which has been going for 40 years.

"The business it brings to the town is from an estimated 5,000 people from neighbouring areas such as Stafford and Wolverhampton.

"The Chamber was the organisation who helped the Carnival years ago with that aim of additional business in mind.

"On Thursday (12) I brought one of the founders David Adams, my vice chairman to give a brief history on the carnival.

"This is not the first time the Chamber has come to the rescue of events when times are hard, which are too great to mention and our motto is that the Chamber is the insurance policy of the town - always there to assist.

"Our hard work paid off as an overwhelming 25 plus people attended.

"Not only did they attend but we formed a strong committee to organise the event for 2016 and the first meeting is November 19 at 7pm the back of The Pheasant Newport, where everybody will be welcomed.

"I have been on many committees in Newport and this attendance was outstanding proving that the people of Newport have a heart and willing to join in."

The carnival has been running for about 40 years and attracts thousands of people to the town each year, which boosts the local economy.

Many of the local schools take part in the parade with around 30 floats travelling through the high street.

For more information contact Newport Shropshire Carnival via its Facebook page or attend the meeting.