Market Drayton carnival in doubt

The future of the Market Drayton carnival has been thrown into doubt, with half of the committee set to resign this year.

Less than a week after this year's successful event, and just three years after the carnival was resurrected, it has emerged that five people will step down in the coming months and more are thought to be considering their future.

The 12-strong committee group will be reduced to just seven – and most of those quitting said it was because of the amount of time the event takes to organise.

Chairman Lee Ridgway will step down in September after three years in charge.

He said: "It is because of the amount of work that is involved, everybody is giving time voluntarily as well as holding down a job and family commitments. It is too much.

"You almost put your life on hold.

"We feel we have resurrected it, people are interested in it again and it is the right time to hand it over to new blood to take it forward in a new way.

"Five people are resigning and there are a few that aren't sure."

As well as Mr Ridgway, Nicola Docksey from Tuesday's Chocolate shop, Ian Kitchen from Music Land, fundraising coordinator Tracey Lowe and Roy Grimwood will all give up their duties. And Mr Ridgway said there were concerns that an event might now not take place next year.

"There is a possibility the carnival might not happen next year," he said.

"When we ask for volunteers to help out, the response is less than overwhelming and we have had no-one interested in taking it over yet."

Roy Grimwood, who is retired, has also helped out for three years. He said he was giving up because of demands on his time. He said: "We will be happy to help in the background and provide support."