THE carnival is over for Frodsham after organisers decided to pull the plug on the town’s traditional community celebration.

Frodsham Carnival has been an annual event for more than 40 years, pulling townsfolk together to have fun and raise vital funds to help maintain the community centre.

Organised by members of Frodsham Community Association (FCA), the week-long feast of late summer attractions – including a colourful parade of decorated floats on Carnival Day itself – was once the highlight of the community calendar and attracted thousands of residents and visitors.

However, the keynote parade was abandoned several years ago as it became more and more difficult to encourage organisations to take part and public enthusiasm for the event generally has waned, claim organisers.

Attendance has declined dramatically over the last few years – and with fewer volunteers than ever willing to share the load, the FCA say Frodsham Carnival “has had its day” and they are no longer prepared to organise it.

The FCA said the carnival had raised thousands of pounds for the community centre over the years and that, although last year’s event, including the new Down Hill Run, raised £2,400, “that was mainly due to generous sponsorship.”

The Carnival Committee has been wound up and “we’re now looking for new ideas,” said Sue Thomson, secretary of the FCA’s Entertainments Committee who organise events at the community centre.

“With the demise of the carnival, we are hoping to make up the shortfall through various other events spread throughout the year.”

Silcock Funfair’s traditional and still popular visit to the town will continue, however, and will be open on September 4, 5 and 6, and the third Down Hill Race and Community Centre Open Day will be held on September 6.

Other planned events at the community centre include quizzes on September 2 and December 9; a dance evening, with the Dave Dunne Quartet on September 26; community fireworks and bonfire on November 4; cabaret evening on November 8 and table top sale next year on February 22.

The FCA is keen to enlist new members to help organise events and support the community centre in Fluin Lane, which is a registered charity relying on volunteers to keep the doors open and promote community activity in Frodsham. Anyone interested should call in or telephone the centre on 01928 732222.