ORGANISERS of Barnard Castle’s annual Meet celebrations are ready to “go for it” – planning a two-day celebration to coincide with the Queen’s platinum jubilee in June.
After events were scaled back in 2019 due to a lack of volunteers, an appeal saw about 30 volunteers come forward to offer their assistance organising festivities for 2020.
Despite enthusiasm for a “bigger and better” event, Covid-19 lockdowns put paid to all the hard work and for the past two years the event has been run virtually.
A core group of volunteers – Martyn Maughan, Lesley Taylor, Rachel Tweddle, Amy Dobinson, Colin Glasper, John Emerson and Paula Rogers met recently at Barnard Castle’s Workingmen’s Club to discuss the 2022 Meet.
They are keen to revive the passion for the Meet and are a planning a two-day extravaganza on June 3 and 4, with live bands on the Demesnes and, for the first time the procession on a Saturday. Veteran Meet volunteer Mr Emerson said: “If we concentrate on Friday and Saturday, it will be easier to do. As it’s the Queen’s Jubilee weekend there will be a lot of street parties being held on the Sunday.”
New bunting has been ordered to ensure there are plenty of flags flying from Montalbo Road down to the Market Cross.
There are even plans to purchase patriotic Union Jack with an idea to mount them on buildings in the centre of town using Christmas tree fixings.
Ms Tweddle said: “We need to be going for it. Let’s get back to the Demesnes.”
They hope volunteers who agreed to help out on various sub-committees two years ago are just as keen to get involved. Anyone else who wishes to be involved should email martyn maughan@yahoo.co.uk.
