PLANS to revive the popular Ross-on-Wye Carnival has received a good response, the town council has heard.
At last week’s Ross Town Council’s community markets and tourism meeting Councillor Milly Boylan explained that a lot of people would like to see the Ross Town Carnival revived as a summer event and added: “A suggestion to this effect went up on social media a couple of months ago, which attracted a lot of attention.
“Over 400 people indicated that they wanted the annual event to be held again. The colourful spectacular is really missed.
“I believe the carnival increases footfall in Ross town centre. The carnival crosses all generations. It is an event that hasn’t been held since 2019, before covid-19 and it is sorely missed.
“I would love to see the carnival reinstated. I know there are at least two other town councillors who would like to see it revived. It would be worth the town council investing in it.”
The meeting was told two of the previous committee members had fallen out with each other and that one of them has since died. A team of dedicated volunteers that had been involved to make the event happen are still around.
Cllr Boylan added: “This is the ideal time to revive this popular carnival, that dates back to the late 19th century. It’s something that the entire town would enjoy.
Cllr Katie Fowler added: “It could be possible for some of the old committee to be approached and asked if they would like to help revive the carnival.”
Cllr Ed O’Driscoll pointed out: “I don’t know if we are starting afresh or whether information from past events is available to help kick start the carnival ball rolling.”
Cllr Fowler said she was hopeful previous committee members would take part in reviving the carnival while Cllr John Winder said that reviving the carnival was a great idea.
The last Ross Town Carnival was held in 2019 and featured dozens of floats and a bustling event at the Ropewalk.
Attempts to hold a carnival in 2020 and 2021 were thwarted by the ongoing lockdowns and restrictions at the time.