Abergele Carnival axed after parade route objections

Jun 18 2009 by David Simister, North Wales Weekly News

Abergele Carnival

ABERGELE’S annual carnival has been axed this year, with organisers blaming police objections.

Abergele Carnival was scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 4, but was shelved this Monday after organisers failed to get permission for a parade to travel through the town centre, claiming North Wales Police objections scuppered the plan.

“We’re very upset about having to cancel the event, especially seeing as it’s been going for around 50 years,” said Julie O’Hanlon, one of the festival’s organisers.

“It’s not just us who are disappointed, but many of the people of Abergele who have been coming to see the parade for many years.

“It seems unfair that other events can be held elsewhere but Abergele has been singled out.”

Mrs O’Hanlon said the event was cancelled after organisers could not agree with North Wales Police over setting up the traditional route of the carnival parade, which runs along Market Street and Water Street towards Pentre Mawr Park.

She also says that a Scout parade held earlier this year along a very similar route did not suffer any similar objections.

Conwy County Council and North Wales Police did offer the festival’s organisers an alternative route along Sea Road and Kinmel Avenue, a similar route to the one used during the 2006 event.

However, the offer has been declined after fears it would degrade the event, following low turnout and revenue at the previous event.

Cllr Richard Waters said he was disappointed the carnival had been cancelled, but said the organisers could have benefited from taking advantage of the town council’s monthly liaison meetings with North Wales Police.

“When shows are forced to skip a year it can be very hard for those behind it to regain the momentum,” he said.

“Hopefully we will see the carnival make a return next year, and that the organisers will work more closely with the town council and police to make sure it goes ahead.”

A spokesperson for North Wales Police defended the decision.

“Under the Town and Police Closures Act, pre-planned events such as the Abergele Carnival require a road closure order and this falls under the responsibility of the highways department of the local authority,” they said.

“Police officers can impose temporary closures but only in the event of an emergency.

“The local authority has offered the organisers an alternative route to follow which has been used in previous years.”

david.simister