• HOW WE MAKE IT HAPPEN •
Farnham Carnival is the biggest event in the town’s calendar
and it’s great to be back!
So what does it take to make it such a success every year? Without the creativity of the participants, the encouragement from spectators, the time of the volunteers and the sponsors’ donations, Carnival just wouldn’t happen! If you’d like to get involved in any wayand would like to find out more, please do get in touch below.
• CARNIVAL ORGANISERS •
The management of Farnham Carnival is a joint venture between
Farnham Lions and The Hedgehogs, together with
strong support from other members of the local community.
The Fayre and Parade are organised by three main teams
CARNIVAL COMMITTEE
Membership of the central Carnival Committee currently consists of a chairman, treasurer, publicity and health & safety co-ordinators and representatives of the Fayre and Parade working groups. It works throughout the year as the central planning group in bringing together all the various activities essential to putting on a safe and successful event – from sponsorship to licence approvals and parade entries to stall bookings, to name just a few. Chairman: Graham Noakes, Treasurer: Sally Ross
FAYRE COMMITTEE
The Gostrey Meadow Committeeis responsible for creating and pulling together all the ingredients essential to making the Fayre a fun day out for families and friends of all ages. This includes working with others to book great local bands, a wide variety of food and drinks stalls, charity and craft stalls and children’s entertainments.
Chairman: John Beer
PARADE COMMITTEE
The Parade Committee co-ordinates all aspects of ensuring a lively and varied town procession. This includes encouraging schools and young people’s groups, charities and commercial organisations to participate, each providing their unique take on each year’s Carnival theme and raising the visibility of their organisation to the thousands who throng the streets keen to watch the noisy and vibrant parade. And that’s not all. It’s vital to ensure road closures operate effectively, with marshals also manning the Parade route to ensure that everyone involved, both taking part in and watching the Parade, has a fantastic – and safe – time.
Chairman: Chris Wilson
• SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS •
Every year, Farnham Carnival depends on all the many organisations and individuals who contribute in many ways to making both the Parade and the Gostrey Meadow Fayre a huge success. The Carnival Committee is hugely grateful to all the sponsors and supporters who play part in ensuring that everyone has a great day.
As part of this, we are delighted to announce our sponsors for Carnival 2022.
CARNIVAL PARADE PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
GOSTREY MEADOW FAYRE PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
In addition, Farnham Town Council continues to provide valuable advice and support, helping us ensure run Carnival safely and effectively. And, as the pictures on our website show, the colour and excitement of recent Carnivals remain long in the memory, thanks to the terrific work of David Fisher and his fellow members of the Aldershot, Farnham & Fleet Camera Club (www.affcc.uk) as our official photographers.
• VOLUNTEERS •
There are numerous ways in which you can play a valuable part in making Farnham Carnival a success. The reason is simple: Carnival is planned, organised and run entirely by volunteers from the local community with the financial support of our sponsors without either of these, the event could not take place.
However, key to its enduring success is that Carnival doesn’t stand still. We’re always looking for new ideas and new support to help make each Carnival the best yet. So, let us know how you could help by completing the form above. One thing is for sure: whatever you can offer to do, you’ll have a great time getting involved!
What if taking a stall or entering the procession is not for you, but you’d still like to get involved?
So, what can you do?
Are you good at making things happen or have great ideas for putting together fun events? Have you thought of joining one of the organising committee responsible for planning all the various elements of the event?
Or perhaps of joining the many friendly teams of like-minded helpers who work on the day to make Carnival the biggest and most exciting event in Farnham’s calendar?
For example, there are opportunities to assist in the setting up the Fayre on Gostrey Meadow on the Saturday morning, to help with making sure the Fayre runs smoothly during the day, or with clearing away in the evening or on Sunday
We are also always looking for help in assembling of the Carnival Parade in the Upper Hart car park during the afternoon, or perhaps later with marshalling of the busy Parade route around the town centre
Our work is generally organised into two-hour shifts, but volunteers arrange to devote as much or as little time as they feel able. There are no particular requirements other than perhaps enthusiasm, but if you have some expertise or knowledge that you think would be helpful, please let us know as below. All offers of help are gratefully received and will be acknowledged.
If you think you’d like to help, we would love to hear from you, so please use the contact form below with your contact details and we will be in touch.