Events clash putting carnival 'in jeopardy'

Organisers fear the annual Pelsall Carnival will be jeopardised by plans to stage a veterans' day at the same spot shortly before.

The annual carnival takes place on July 4, just days after the planned Armed Forces Day on June 28.

The earlier event is being organised by Pelsall Pride. Carnival organisers are now in a desperate plea for the veterans' day to be moved because it will take potential visitors away from the carnival. Ian Rhydderch, secretary for the Pelsall Carnival committee, said he was upset that the carnival committee was not consulted over Pelsall Pride's plans.

The carnival organisers believe both events would suffer because they are being staged too close together with villagers likely to choose one event over the other.

Mr Rhydderch is now urging Pelsall Pride Partnership to change the date, possibly to August, to tie in with VJ Day celebrations.

The annual carnival always proves to be a success with hundreds of villagers descending on the village to take part in the celebrations.

Mr Rhydderch said: "We do need urgent talks with Pelsall Pride Partnership and I will be calling for a meeting. I am surprised we weren't consulted before the date was revealed.

"In the opinion of the carnival committee the two dates are just too close together.

"I think it would be a far more sensible alternative to move the Armed Forces day event and I think August would be a better alternative.

"Of course we support the staging of both events because it is excellent for the village but we don't see why the carnival should suffer due to the fact the dates are too close together."

Organisers of the Armed Forces day hope to bring together representatives from the armed forces including SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.

The event will be staged on Pelsall Common in the day with a variety of stalls and entertainment taking place. In the evening there will be war time entertainment in a marquee.