Biggleswade Carnival sends out an urgent SOS

Last year 11 colourfully decorated lorries joined the historic procession through the town streets – but with just three weeks to go until this year’s event organisers have yet to receive any bookings.

Now they are desperately appealing for people to take part to avoid Biggleswade’s premier party day turning into a damp squib.

A carnival committee spokesman said: “We’re at a loss to know why this has happened this year as last year we had 11. We have had enquiries about entering floats but as yet nobody has confirmed.

“It’s particularly concerning as a lot of effort went into rearranging the route this year to work around the High Street bridge closure.

“We really want to put on a great show for the town. The official programme is now out promoting the carnival week, everything is in place – all we need now are people to take part.”

Biggleswade Carnival parade takes place on Saturday, July 2 from 2pm and the theme is Music Through the Ages. The diverted route sees the procession set off from the railway station before heading through the town centre, Shortmead Street, Potton Road, Drove Road and Mead End before finishing at Biggleswade Academy.

The carnival parade has taken place annually since the 1950s. It nearly folded in the early 1990s but following a meeting hosted by the Chronicle a big community effort breathed new life into it. The number of entries has remained good since then, until this year.

The spokesman said: “We are making a huge, urgent appeal to Biggleswade to help now. If you have been thinking about entering a float, please do. If you need help in getting a lorry, we can help. We welcome floats from everybody – youth and adult groups, schools, businesses, churches, pubs and charities.

“Even if you can’t arrange a float, we would love to see ‘dressed walkers’ taking part in the parade. Dancers, musicians, majorettes – we welcome everybody who wants to join in.

“We hope a real effort now will ensure we can put on an excellent parade and safeguard it for future years.”

Visit www.biggleswade-carnival.org now to download an application form, or for more details contact Diane on 07806 636021 after 7pm.