4:00am Friday 3rd September 2010
THE organiser of Colchester Carnival still believes the event could be staged later this year.
Ian Goldsworthy was forced to abandon the parade planned for this weekend as it became mired in red tape. Entrants have had their cheques returned.
But businessman Mr Goldsworthy says he believes the event could be salvaged and staged in October, if the police and Colchester Council back him, rather than putting “obstacles” in the way.
He said: “Reports of the carnival’s complete demise have been somewhat misinterpreted.
“For reasons I don’t really comprehend, some people have been constructing obstacles for the event, when it will be a great day for the town and raise money for charity.
“I simply don’t understand their motives. Every other town has one, so why not Colchester?
“The main obstacles at present appear to be health and safety ones.
“I believe these have been completely addressed, but any remaining issues can easily be overcome with the support of the police and the council and I am sure, as public bodies, they will want to assist me in overcoming these.”
Mr Goldsworthy has been stung by criticism over his reluctance to publish accounts for the event, which he relaunched last year.
He said: “I am simply trying to do something good for the town.
“It makes no sense for me, personally speaking, to dedicate so much time for it. To cover the costs, the decision was made businesses should pay to take part in the procession.
“After all, they are promoting themselves to thousands of people, and this allows all the money collected at the event to go to charity – more than £4,500 last year.
“If people want me to set up separate accounts, I will look into that, but it will change the nature of the event and it is hard to see charities benefitting so much from it.”
He went on: “As a gesture of goodwill to the town, Waitrose were kind enough to sponsor the event – sponsorship which my critics forget I actively sought – but I can assure people their extremely kind gesture helps cover some of the costs, and I do not personally profit from it in any way whatsoever.
“If the carnival does not go ahead, I will sit down with Waitrose and discuss what will happen with the money, but they deserve nothing but praise for trying to support the event.”
He added: “The only reason the carnival will not go ahead is if it does not receive the support of others. It will not fail because I have given up fighting for it.”
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