ACTIVITIES and entertainment will be scaled down for this year’s Barnard Castle Meet next month due to a lack of funds and volunteers.
Thousands of people flocked to the town last year for the three-day event when more than 300 carnival-goers donned fancy dress for the procession and families enjoyed festivities on the Demesnes which included a re-enactment group.
However, the organisers say a lack of help and the cost of extra activities have forced them to reduce this year’s event, on the last May bank holiday weekend.
Lesley Taylor, from Barnard Castle Meet committee, said: “Last year’s event, although brilliant and well received by those who attended, completely wore out those of us who worked to make it happen. We would like to keep the Meet weekend going, but we really do need input, feedback and particularly help from residents to do this. Although the parade always costs us money, rather than making money, we do want to preserve the tradition if possible.
“For the last few years the police have been telling us that if we were not to hold it one year, we would never be granted permission to close a major road through the town for two hours again. It is only because this has continued as an annual event that we get this permission.”
She added the procession, the highlight of the weekend, will still go ahead this year on Monday, May 27, after Rachel Tweddle, chief executive of The Hub, volunteered to take on the responsibility.
Ms Tweddle said: “I have always loved the meet and because I go on about it so much people just assumed I was on the committee, but I’m not. However when I found out the committee has dwindled to just Lesley (Taylor) and I love it so much I stepped into help organise the procession.”
In addition to the procession the committee say they have organised a family event with entertainment and disco at The Witham on Saturday, May 25. There will be a bands event complete with bar and raffle at the Hub in the evening of Sunday, May 26.
The Meet football will kick off at 6pm at Tens Field on Friday, May 24 and the hugely popular Not the Boat Race is expected to return to the Tees the following afternoon.
Ms Taylor added: “Many years ago the Meet used to make money, which was then given to local community organisations. It became almost too much for a small committee to cope with, meeting all rules, regulations and health and safety requirements which have become even more costly to cover.
“We’d like to get back to the stage where we can make money to help our town with a view to working towards the Make Barney Brighter Initiative, but we’re going to need to change what we do for this to happen.”
Anyone who is interested in taking helping out with this year’s event or has any suggestions can get in touch by emailing Ms Taylor on [email protected]. And anyone wishing to take
