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Wendy Corden, the retiring Chairman of the Carnival committee said that this year's carnival was a wonderful day for Otley in her report to the annual General Meeting at the Civic Centre last week. A sentiment that everyone at the meeting and many people on the day echoed. Wendy also thanked everyone who played a part in the success including the many volunteers who help in various capacities, the supporters of the beneficiaries, the hundreds of participants in the parade and showground activities as well as the many residents and visitors who lined the streets to show their appreciation of the many floats and other entries.

Finally, Wendy pleaded for more help with the organisation of the carnival as in addition to the recent loss of two members, two more stalwarts are heading for an exciting new life in Spain after doing a tremendous job for the event for many years. The result is that the committee needs to be strengthened to spread the workload and any volunteers would be most welcome.

Michele Smallshaw was elected as Committee Chairman for the next 2 years. She is a teacher at the Whartons Primary School and has been on the committee for several years. Michele would be delighted to hear from anyone willing to help out and she can be contacted on 01943-466774.

The Treasurer, Ann Steval, reported that in spite of the financial constraints the committee raised the £8,000 needed to stage the carnival and were still able to pass on £3,000 to the beneficiaries. Although just over £2,000 came from donations, grants and sponsors most of the total was raised by the sale of programmes and draw tickets, the renting of stalls, the support of local businesses placing adverts in the programme, fund raising events and collections on carnival day.

Ann did express her disappointment at the fact that the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people who watched the parade only gave £1,674 to the street collectors. It may well be that there were insufficient collectors or that the spectators are packed too tightly for the collectors to make contact with anyone other than those at the front but considering that the collection goes to the beneficiaries and no charge is made for admission to the field one would hope for a better response.

The Otley Town Mayor, Coun. Gerard Francis accompanied by the Carnival Queen and her retinue made the following presentations:

The 3 beneficiaries: Otley Action for Older People, the Otley Branch of Arthritis Care and the local support group for Martin House received cheques totalling £3,000.

The Keith Wilkinson Memorial Trophy for the 'People's Choice' of float/tableau was presented to the Whartons Primary School.

The Hasmukh Shah Trophy for the best collection in a bucket was presented to Liz Heffer who collected £151.67, and the Bethan & Cerian Smallshaw trophy for the best collection in a tin was presented to Irene Willis who collected £52.55.

Applications are invited from any local organisation which would like to benefit from next year's carnival. Forms are available on the Otley Web site, at the Library or from Ann Steval on 01943-466995 or e-mail: steval@btinternet.com

For further information contact Geoff Wright on 01943-465179