ORGANISERS of Wellington Carnival have said they will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that next year’s procession is bigger and better.

Wellington Carnival Committee chairman Paul Goodyer and secretary Valerie Burton were pleased with how this year’s event had been a success – making a triumphant return to the town following the Covid-19 pandemic.

They met with members of Wellington Town Council on November 7 and said that the Carnival collection had raised more than £3,300.

“Plans are now already in motion for next year’s Carnival,” said Mr Goodyer. “We have got a strong team of people behind us and we were novices when we started planning this year’s Carnival, but we hope we did the town proud. It wasn’t the biggest Carnival we have ever seen, but we had 34 entries. Next year we will be looking for a bigger and better parade.”

Mrs Burton told councillors that feedback they had received from the public was “very positive” and that the Carnival had been pleased with perfect weather.

Councillors were quick to congratulate the Carnivalites on the success of this year’s event.

Cllr Wayne Battishill said: “Considering there hasn’t been a Carnival for a few years, it was great to see it back in the town.

“There were a few hiccups, but without doubt it was a fabulous event. I think the whole of Wellington had come out to watch it.”

Cllr Nancy Powell-Brace added: “We are so grateful to the Carnival committee for what they did. The town was heaving with people – a huge thank you from us (the council). It was so worthwhile what the carnival organisers did.”

And Cllr Andrew Govier praised the organisers for getting the Carnival back up and running again after the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Carnival is an important date in the town’s calendar,” he said. “When something stops it is difficult to get it going again, so many congratulations for doing that and I’m sure more organisations will be looking to support the Carnival next year.”

Cllr John Thorne echoed the compliments being said and added that the town council had been very supportive of the Carnival.

He asked the Carnivalites if they would require financial backing from the council in 2023 as the authority would need to know as it was looking towards budget setting for the next financial year.

Carnival chairman Mr Goodyer said the committee was having a meeting soon and he would be able to get back to the council about the future.

But he added that they were “full steam ahead for next year” and would be looking to become self-funding as much as possible.

Other suggestions made during the meeting were about the introduction of a Carnival Queen for next year and for there to be more collecting lorries on the route for people to throw in coins.