A meeting of Burnham Carnival Association was held to discuss controversial proposals to hold the Burnham procession on Friday November 1st, the night before Bridgwater, as first reported here.
A spokesman for the association told Burnham-On-Sea.com afterwards: “At the monthly meeting of the association on 9th January, attended by a full committee, the date of our 2013 Carnival was discussed at length.”
“All aspects of discussions between our Committee, the Bridgwater Clubs and other interested parties were taken onboard. At the end of the discussion a vote was taken and because of the time constraints the Committee opted for the Monday (4th November) following Bridgwater for 2013.”
“However, the Committee will be conducting a full feasibility study throughout this year and work towards the development of a detailed consultation proposal for a move to the first Friday in 2014. The Committee hopes that all parties will support this decision and help us to achieve a successful Carnival this year.”
Phil New, Chairman of Highbridge and Burnham Carnival Association, said afterwards: “I have proposed that we offer as a compromise to stay on a Monday night for this year only, as long as all the other towns and carnival representatives in Mid Somerset and Bridgwater agree to have a meeting with us to help us get a better night for our event.”
He said that a meeting would be “right and fair” given that both Bridgwater and Weston’s carnival committees were allowed to change their nights in recent years.
“This is not just for a few extra pounds, but to improve our chances at getting some sponsorship as other towns have done,” added Mr New.
“I suggest this is for the good of carnival as a whole and not just to benefit Highbridge and Burnham only. There has to be a fair way of us all getting the best deal possible and the way to do it is for us all to sit down and work it out together.”
