The decision to scale back this year’s Carnival programme came at the end of a long process where additional sources of funding were applied for to bridge the gap, unfortunately with no success. This news was received at the beginning of 2012. At that time a community meeting was arranged to inform the public of the present situation and challenges faced by the Trustees and organisers of the Carnival event.
Understandably there has been concern from the community and many questions have been raised about the decisions and actions of the Carnival board. These concerns are being listened to and responded to by the Carnival board and while we acknowledge that we could have communicated our decisions more quickly and openly, we hope that this process will clearly show what has happened, what is being done, and how this action will benefit the long-term future of Carnival and the community.
Attendance at St Pauls Carnival has increased by a massive 40,000 people over the last four years. The rise in costs to deliver the yearly Carnival is directly related to the rise in attendance.
The costs have almost doubled from £70,000 in 2008 to in the region of £120,000 for a full Carnival event in 2012. The delivery costs are based on standard Public Health and Safety requirements for events of this size and attendance, where appropriate stewarding, security, signage and road closures etc must be provided. A free access event of this size must be resourced properly to ensure the safety of everyone attending, and to safeguard the future of Carnival.
It should be noted that where other constabularies charge for their support,
The St Pauls Carnival Board are overwhelmingly local members of the community who give their time and experience absolutely free of charge because of their love of Carnival, and because Carnival has played an important part in all their lives. The basis of all decisions is the success and sustainability of the event, the safety of the public who attend and the solid financial future of Carnival.
At the public meeting it was proposed that this year we will have a scaled-down Carnival with a focus on family entertainment and most importantly children. Mandela’s Hideaway (St Agnes Park) as usual will focus on free family entertainment; face-painting, inflatables, free arts & crafts workshops and play activities with more tbc.
More money is to be invested in educational programmes for children in schools to take part in the procession which has started and finished in Portland Square since 2003, we aim to employ more artists to work in schools and greatly increase the Carnivals schools engagement programme thus investing in the future of Carnival. There will be the usual performance platform where children in the procession perform their group’s routines to the judges as part of the Carnival competition. Local artists will also be featured on this performance platform before and after the procession. Local community members will have priority access to the stall spaces available within this area.
Free costume and mask making master classes will be available for anyone who wants to attend in the run up to Carnival at the Mas Camps starting in May.
For those who enjoy the Sound systems that are a core part of St Pauls Carnival, we apologise that this element will not be part of the outdoor event this year. However, we are arranging club events in local venues with local DJ’s and artistes as part of our fundraising drive to bring back the full Carnival in 2013.
There is hope that with community’s support and understanding St Pauls Carnival will continue to be the safe, fun family day that we all love and enjoy.
FAQ's
How did we get into this situation in the first place?Attendance has increased by 10,000 people per year for the past 4 years.
The costs of running the event, which cover H&S, security, stewarding, toilets, stages, etc has increased proportionately, but funding has remained the same, in fact has decreased along with sponsorship. We have been working to deliver an event twice the size it was in 2008 with the same amount of money.
Buckets have been used for three years to encourage public donations. Text messaging was used last year and has been revised this year allowing people to choose how much they donate. Unfortunately, the income from these sources has been minimal.
If we raised £10k could we have our favourite sound system?
Unfortunately no. the cost to run the sound system is not the key issue, it is the number of people and relative events management costs and H&S requirements that are key.
How can it be Carnival without any music?There will be music with the procession, and during the day from the performance platform and during the presentations from the procession.
Why weren't the community told earlier, so we could have done something about it?Continued and focused funding application process was in action with the expectation that these applications would be successful and provide the money needed to cover the costs of a full Carnival. The results were received earlier this year and were disappointing. So the community meeting was arranged as soon as possible after this news was received.
The public funding drive was continued after Carnival and is ongoing.
Why is it all in
Is there a plan to move it to
The community won't be able to benefit from stalls:There will be stall spaces available in and around
I
s it eventually going to be moved into Cabot Circus?No
If you have more funding that you have ever had before what's that about?A common myth. SPC is receiving roughly the same funding this year as it did 4 years ago
If people hold fundraising events how much money do you need to hold the full Carnival in 2012?
We would need an additional £50,000 on top of the funding and money we can raise through selling stall space etc to hold the full Carnival this year, we fully appreciate people coming forward and offering to hold fundraising events but the deadline for submitting licences etc is fast approaching and the board feel this is an unachievable amount, therefore any money raised will go towards the 2013 Carnival which the board are committed to bringing back next year, if you do intend to hold a fundraising event please let the office know so we can advertise it on our website and facebook page
Why don't you have anyone from the community on the board?The board is made up entirely of community members and is always looking for more people to join, detail are on our website or contact the office.
Why do we have to pay an events management company in excess of £100k, can't the community do that instead?The majority of the costs are unavoidable. Costs such as stewarding, security, fencing, generators, water provision, stages, light, sound and staffing are required to run the event professionally and safely. The percentage the event management team charge for managing the Carnival is less than 10% of the total costs, and covers their time, insurance, office costs and administration to manage the event. This is significantly less than industry average for event management services of this nature. Increases in VAT and the cost of fuel have all have an effect on the overall costs of putting on the Carnival. It should also be noted that the event management company is locally based, and employs a great many local security, staff and contractors.
Some costs could be reduced by using volunteers to steward the procession, for example, and training could be provided. In the past we haven't had any people volunteer for the training we have offered but if enough people are interested we can arrange the training for the licences needed.
What happens if I bring my sound system on the day and put it outside my friends house?Unlicensed sound systems risk being removed and impounded, and potentially harm the long term future of the event.
Is Carnival a multi-cultural event?St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival is a charity who’s objective is to 'advance the practice and appreciation of African and
St Pauls Afrikan
The Coach House.
Upper
BS2 8QN
0117 944 4176
www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk <http://www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk/>
Registered Charity No; 1136561 Registered Company No; 06116890
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