Town Carnival cuts jazz band – other acts also under threat
TOWN carnival organisers are considering reducing the number of entertainers for this year’s event due to lack of sponsorship.
‘Already we have had to advise Stanley’s Dixie Street Jazz Band from the Czech Republic that they are not being invited back unless we find sponsors,’ executive officer Jack Honeybill said.
‘This may also apply to the Sound of Steel and the Lady Godivas [which is] a sad loss to carnival.’
Last year’s event cost £54,000, which was covered by sponsorship, private donations and the bucket collections from the public.
The Town Carnival Committee have received pledges of £34,000 so far and are approaching businesses for support of more funding.
Sponsoring one of the two acts available will cost £3,000, which will include their availability for a corporate event one evening.
‘We have also been advised that one of our performance area sponsors has withdrawn at a loss of £1,000,’ he said.
‘Thankfully [so far] we have commitments for three gold members (£1,000 each), one silver member (£500) and 12 bronze members (£300).’
Chairman of the trustees David Cherry said: ‘Last year we took a risk by providing over 300 hours of local entertainment at a cost of £11,000 [as well as] the cost of 20 professional entertainers being given contracts.
‘Thankfully, through the generosity of the Guernsey public and all our supporters, we managed to make a modest profit.’
He said the trustees did not wish to make a similar commitment this year without some assurances that the majority of the cost of the event is covered before the organising begins.
‘Hopefully, there will be some businesses out there willing to assist us this year,’ he added.
Acts confirmed for this year’s event are Il Destino, sponsored by Ravenscroft Stockbrokers; Punch and Judy, sponsored by Creasey’s; Western Valley Hot club, sponsored by the Red Carnation group; and Sonny and Smiley Clowns, sponsored by the Peninsula Hotel.
n The Town Carnival will be staged from 13 July to 27 July this year. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor at any level is asked to contact the Executive Officer Jack Honeybill on jackhoneybill@hotmail.com.
