SHERINGHAM CARNIVAL LATEST NEWS

At the AGM at the Burlington Hotel, and in recognition of his support for many years, the Carnival Association appointed Tony Nelson as Hon. President. Happy to accept this newly created role, he promised to do everything he could to promote the Carnival in Sheringham. Carnival Chairman, Helena Beresford, and Vice-Chairman, Martyn Jackson, who masterminded this year's successful Carnival week, will continue in 2010. They paid tribute to the generous contribution and widespread involvement by the public this year but are concerned at the continued reduction in income from sponsorship and advertising. As a result, the Carnival has not made a profit and the Association has been forced to restrict its donations to only 16 of the charities which applied and to dip into its reserves once more.

The Carnival Queen, Felicity Farraway and her Attendants, presented a total of £2500 to the following local charities who each expressed their thanks and outlined their work:-
Age Concern providing help to people in their own homes and running the Sheringham Day Centre.
Alzheimer Society providing caseworkers and support for Carers' Groups.
Crossroads Care providing support and much-needed breaks for carers.
Different Strokes meeting regularly to help stroke victims to regain confidence.
Evergreen Lunch Club celebrating its 22nd Birthday and providing meals for 80 people each week.
Excel 2000 providing exercise programmes for the disabled and up-dating its web-site.
First Responders operating for 2 years with 9 volunteers trained to sustain life, 160 call-outs this year.
Norfolk Association for the Blind in operation for 203 years, giving help and advice to 500 people locally
Salvation Army Band delighted to provide music at key events in Town, donation helps with expenses.
Sheringham Children's Trust set up 15 years ago to help bereaved children in Sheringham.
St. John Ambulance in Norfolk for 110 years, provided 2000 hours of cover this year.
Woodfields School for children with complex learning needs, donation helps with extras, outings.
Canaan Christian Centre, Cromer Dialysis Unit, Heart Foyer and Ladybird Playgroup will receive donations.

The Association will be trying to increase the all-important advertising and sponsorship contributions to make more funds available in 2010. Any charity wishing to receive a donation from next year's Carnival Funds, is invited to apply, in writing to the Chairman, Helena Beresford, 16 Sycamore Grove NR26 8PG or John Lessels, 28 Cowslip Lane NR26 8XL by 31st July 2010.

We depend on volunteers and the Carnival desperately needs your help. Please come and join the Association at its next meeting on 5th January, 2010 at the Morley Club at 7.30 pm, when they will start to plan next year's Carnival but, if meetings are not your thing, let Helena Beresford know you are willing to help in other ways by ringing 01263 823463, or at helena.beresford@btinternet.com. Also, the Carnival Caravan, the information hub leading up to and during the Carnival is no longer serviceable and a replacement is needed. If you can help, contact Helena as above.

Many strange items appeared in the bucket collections, from lots of very foreign money and 2 Texaco England Squad medals to 5 live and 73 dead Ladybirds!