Threat of heavy rain leads to Dalton Carnival cancellation

Carnival fever was due to sweep the streets of Dalton at the weekend but gloomy forecasts have brought plans crashing to a halt.

It is the latest blow to the carnival, which was battered by rain last year, amid fears for its future.

Neil McDougall, chairman of the carnival committee, said: "I'm very, very disappointed. My heart is in Dalton.

"Everyone on the committee spends lots of time involved with this from running around to doing it, but we've got to put people's safety first.

"We're being guided by the weather forecast, whether it proves right or wrong. We can't take a chance.

"We want the sun to shine but what can we do?"

The carnival was cancelled after discussions between the committee and police and groundsman at Dowdales School, which was due to host the gala event after the parade.

Mr McDougall said: "Health and safety is the main reason for cancelling. There's now only one gate at the school for vehicle access and we're worried the ground would be chewed up.

"It could turn into a mud bath, a slip hazard for people and a risk for drivers getting out. We didn't want to run that risk.

"We've also cancelled the parade because the dance schools have arranged a separate wet-weather plan in Barrow. Any sign of rain and we'd lose them and be left in the lurch with just commercial entries.

"There would be no real atmosphere to the parade and we didn't think it would be very well attended."

The chairman did, however, quash suspicions over the cancellation.

He said: "It's nothing to do with any terror related fears, just health and safety.

"The police were at the meeting where it was decided and there was no mention of terror."

By cancelling the carnival, the committee is set to lose around £5,000.

Mr McDougall said: "If you run the parade then we've got to pay everyone but as it stands now we've got to pay for the programmes and insurance, and give people their money back for the stalls.

"We're only a small handful of volunteers. Last year we barely broke even because of the bad weather and this year we're losing a lot.

"There's no guarantee for next year. It's so expensive and the money we're going to be left with after the last two years is very low.

"Of course we're going to try but there's no guarantee at this point."

"There's people who think we're wrong and that they know best. If they get behind us and get involved with the committee next year we will have a stronger chance of putting it on."

The chairman did, however, praise some of the generous traders due to take part.

He said: "Some traders have told us to keep the money and we really do appreciate them doing that."

A spokesperson on behalf of the dancing schools said they were disappointed the carnival wasn't going ahead and said: "Local dance schools have always been fully committed in their support for Dalton Carnival and field event.

"Late last week we received an email from their committee informing us that, unlike in previous years, they were not providing is with an alternative venue should there be wet weather.

"We understand that nothing can be done about the weather so to avoid any further disappointment we arranged an alternative venue ourselves.

"This was booked as a 'back-up' plan and would only have been used once a final decision had been made by Dalton Carnival on the day, as in previous years."

Read more:

New Dalton carnival queen looking forward to town's big day.

Crowds in a sunny mood despite the rain at Dalton Carnival

Dalton Carnival memories from the 80s and 90s.