Lack of volunteers puts Earlsdon May Day festival on hold

[dutchman]

A lack of volunteers means the Earlsdon ‘May Day’ street festival will not take place in 2016.



The bank holiday event, which is regularly attended by up to 10,000 people, has been an annual feature in the area’s calendar since its return in 2011.

A spokesperson said they had a small but committed team of volunteers who had worked hard in recent years to put on a successful family festival in the heart of Earlsdon.

But, unfortunately a number of key members had left the organising team and despite their best efforts they had not found replacements.

They said they had taken the difficult decision not to stage the 2016 festival and instead planned to take stock of where they were, recruit new volunteers and review what was needed to ensure the festival could return successfully in 2017.

“We know this will cause disappointment in the community and deprive Coventry of a key visitor attraction but there is simply too much work involved for the small number of volunteers we currently have available,” they added.

“We would wish to thank everyone who has been involved in recent years and to provide assurances to the local community that this decision was taken to ensure that we can put on a successful and safe festival in 2017.”

Although the ‘May Day’ street festival will not be returning there will still be a number of music and arts events taking place in April and May which may be promoted under the Earlsdon Festival banner.

A small family event is also likely to take place in the playground at Earlsdon Primary as in previous years.

Anyone interested in getting involved can e-mail earlsdonfest@gmail.com outlining their experience.

E-mail info@profoundmedia.co.uk or call 02476 67 7712 for more.

[dutchman]

Popular Earlsdon Festival WILL take place this year



THE team behind the Earlsdon Festival have announced that the May Day celebration will take place this year after all.

The festival, which draws an average of 10,000 visitors, was scrapped in December last year after an insufficient number of volunteers came forward to help prepare and stage the annual event.

Thanks to help from the Rotary Club of Coventry Phoenix, who meet in Earlsdon, the it will now take place for the sixth year in a row after it was relaunched in 2011.

Members of the rotary club will work alongside the voluntary members of the festival committee to help ensure that the event runs smoothly.

Street fair organisers now say that plans are in overdrive to ensure that stalls and entertainment are ready for the big day.

According to organisers the fair held in Earlsdon Street in 2015 was the most successful festival yet after 200 applications were received for stalls.

They’re aiming to recreate that success this year.

The playground at Earlsdon Primary School will be used to stage family activities and, as in previous years, a number of music and arts shows will take place in the run up to the festival.

Nigel Lee, chair of the festival committee and vice-president of Coventry Phoenix, said: “We thought it was important not to let a year slip by, given the success of the 2015 event.

“I’m delighted that our rotary club has been able to make a difference and ensure the stability of Earlsdon Festival.”

If you are interested in getting involved and helping the Earlsdon Festival Committee, there will be many roles available up to and on the day.

Email earlsdonfest@gmail.com if you want to do your bit.

Applications for stall holdings will also open soon through the Earlsdon Festival website .

[dutchman]

Thousands turn out for rescued Earlsdon Festival



Thousands of people enjoyed music, food and shopping at Earlsdon Festival in Coventry yesterday.

The annual event had been scrapped in December because the original committee had lost several members, but the Rotary Club of Coventry Phoenix came to the rescue.

Dozens of stalls lined Earlsdon Street, which was closed to traffic, selling everything from homemade cakes and jams, to arts and crafts, with music from a steel band.

For the youngsters, there was an art trail and Cov Kids cartoonist Nick Shingler, who designed the front cover of the events programme, hosted a cartoon workshop.

Fringe events leading up to the big day had included a bingo and poker night, a choir workshop, a mini pool tournament and darts, and a poetry evening.

The organisers said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped us to get ready for this year’s festival.

“This important community event is only made possible by the hard work and commitment of a small team of volunteers, as well as the funding and support of a number of local businesses.”

[rebbonk]

Well done all. We need more of this community spirit.