Kendal Torchlight Carnival axed for first time in 42 years

5:23pm Monday 9th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Steven Bell, Senior Reporter

Kendal Torchlight Carnival axed for first time in 42 years Kendal Torchlight Carnival axed for first time in 42 years

SEPTEMBER'S Kendal Torchlight Carnival has been cancelled for the first time since 1970.

Organisers made the decision after struggling to attract enough funding and volunteers for this year's event.

The night-time parade of marching bands and spectacular floats attracts 40,000 revellers and provides a huge boost to businesses and charities.

But its future is hanging in the balance with no guarantee that it will return in 2013.

In a letter to sponsors seen by the Gazette, the Torchlight committee said it had been unable to attract enough money to stage the spectacle.

And the 120 volunteer marshalls needed to run the event legally have not been forthcoming.

The memo read: “Hardly a person who lives or works in Kendal or the surrounding areas will not have been touched at some time by the Torchlight Carnival.

“For 42 years, the carnival has excited children and adults alike and has attracted visitors from far and wide.

“Despite our best efforts we are unable to stage this year’s event safely and within current legislation, and therefore the committee has had to make the very painful decision that the Kendal Torchlight Carnival will not take place in 2012.”

Mayor of Kendal, John Willshaw, told the Gazette: “This is a sad day for Kendal.

"I’m disappointed as it has been such an exciting event.

“I certainly hope this isn’t the last we see of it and that it goes ahead in 2013.”

Town clerk Liz Richardson added: “It’s a massive blow for the town.”

Derek Armstrong, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce chairman, said: “It’s a great shame because it affects the local economy.

“It brings thousands of people into the town centre, not just residents but visitors, and the majority of pubs and restaurants benefit.”

Saddened South Lakeland District Council leader Peter Thornton said: “It’s important everyone focuses on what has been achieved.

“Everyone has done a fabulous job over the years and they deserve praise for what they have done for the town.

“When it started out, firms like K Shoes used to put a lot of resources into it.

"Workers would get the afternoon off to make the floats but those firms have now gone and that’s partly changed the whole nature of the procession.”

The Torchlight committee said while it would be ‘difficult’ to stage the parade next year, it was ‘hopeful of delivering a high-quality carnival’.

The letter concluded: “To survive, Torchlight will rely on the continued support of our regular sponsors, but we also need the support of more local businesses that benefit from the influx of people into Kendal for Torchlight - and we need more volunteers to help with the organisation.

“With everyone’s support, it will continue for many years.”

Committee members did not wish to make any further comment.

Comments(34)

Ambience says...
6:52pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Did SLDC contribute anything for the Torchlight?

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kendal lady says...
6:53pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Absolutley disgusting, The committee have never advertised for help to marshell the event, & buisness/council sponsor the event. The committee should be disgusted with themselves.

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Spotty Fish says...
7:15pm Mon 9 Jul 12

From memory, yes the committee have asked for help from the people and businesses, but it hasn't been forthcoming. It's one of those things that the good folk of Kendal expect every year, but probably don't actually realise the effort, time and money involved with putting on such an event. And let's not forget, they're all volunteers doing it in their spare time. They probably have jobs and families to think of as well. Other events that take place in the area have full time organisers and only need the extra workers and volunteers on the day the event takes place.

So let's cut them some slack kendal lady, we're all probably as much to blame for it, as the individuals on the committee.

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BentheBorderCollie says...
7:25pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Ambience wrote:
Did SLDC contribute anything for the Torchlight?
If you look on the sponsors page on their website, you will see that the first three sponsors listed are Kendal Town Council, South Lakes District Council, and
Cumbria County Council.

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zaney5 says...
7:53pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Great, another thing totally screwed up by the local council. OK to waste money left rightand centre on pointless schemes but when it comes to something worthwhile, there is no cash. Wonder if they spent it all on the bloody Olympic Torch instead.

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aidanm says...
8:03pm Mon 9 Jul 12

another blow to locals and businesses, the town is dead enough as it is. people will by pass Kendal soon coz there is nothing here anymore and i personally wouldnt blame them. it amazes me that the decision has been made without the people who count! The public!!!

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mlini says...
8:11pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Unfortunately the "blame game" is now going to roll on. Don't just let it be someone else's duty to run events. As usual it will be those people who never lift a finger to volunteer or help who are most vociferous in the
debate against those who have put many hours of dedication into running such a wonderful and long lived carnival in the past. This decision will not have been made lightly. So instead of grumbling show your support and do something about it!

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motherof2 says...
8:25pm Mon 9 Jul 12

It is the kids i feel sorry for. They all have been preparing for the torchlight and now have been told its been cancelled.
The lack of funding, As someone has already said. All been spent on the Olympic Torch event!!!

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blackpooldonkey says...
8:51pm Mon 9 Jul 12

mlini wrote:
Unfortunately the "blame game" is now going to roll on. Don't just let it be someone else's duty to run events. As usual it will be those people who never lift a finger to volunteer or help who are most vociferous in the
debate against those who have put many hours of dedication into running such a wonderful and long lived carnival in the past. This decision will not have been made lightly. So instead of grumbling show your support and do something about it!
Totally agree with you mlini. People are so quick to blame and moan.
It is a shame and hopefully it'll come back when businesses finances pick up again.

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Lakeuk says...
8:52pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Kendal still has Mintfest to look forward to - whole weekend of entertainment

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worldsgonemad says...
8:55pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Isn't that just typical of the comments on here? First thing is always to find someone to blame!

Lots of businesses are struggling to keep paying their staff and keep afloat and don't have extra cash to donate to things like this.

As the local council do sponsor the event I'm not sure how it's their fault either.

Every year the committee asks for volunteers to join them, I know I've seen it in the gazette. If people don't step up to help by offering their time these things don't happen.

If people are that disappointed, stop moaning and find out who is on the committee and offer to help.

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worldsgonemad says...
9:33pm Mon 9 Jul 12

https://www.facebook
.com/groups/33667105
3077298/

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kendal lady says...
9:45pm Mon 9 Jul 12

https://www.facebook
.com/photo.php?fbid=
341643295911717&set=
o.336671053077298&ty
pe=1&relevant_count=
1&ref=nf

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kendal lady says...
9:46pm Mon 9 Jul 12

https://www.facebook
.com/photo.php?fbid=
341643295911717&set=
o.336671053077298&ty
pe=1&relevant_count=
1&ref=nf

Report this post »

Spotty Fish says...
10:18pm Mon 9 Jul 12

LakeUk is right...Kendal still has Mintfest an event that receives millions of pounds of Art Council funding...doesn't involve the local community in anyway. The organisers receive wages and they still charge people to attend certain attractions. whereas the Torchlight Carnival is COMPLETELY FREE and is a community event involving thousands of local
people. I think it is a real shame for the town that this has happened as the Carnival is part of Kendal's heritage

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Lakeuk says...
10:37pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Spotty Fish - Mintfest does involve the local community, nothing wrong with charging for some shows, it helps contribute to the costs of running an expensive event that's largely free.

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Spotty Fish says...
10:45pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Are you suggesting then that it would be okay to put up festival type barriers, and start charging people to attend Torchlight? How do you propose that people should pay to watch Torchlight? It's your kind of couldn't give a monkeys attitude that seemingly has led to the Torchlight Carnival being in the position it is now in. What happens when Mintfest outgrows Kendal? Will it then do a runner like Kendal Calling?

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Lakeuk says...
10:57pm Mon 9 Jul 12

SF - No, I'm just stating Mintfest's model for their event, I've not suggested anything regarding the torchlight - try not reading into something that isn't there

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Megan19 says...
10:59pm Mon 9 Jul 12

PLEASE IF YOU WANT THIS TO CHANGE AND YOU ARE ON FACEBOOK PLEASE PLEASE JOIN
http://www.facebook.
com/groups/336671053
077298/

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onelocal says...
11:32pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Councillor Thornton's comment that it is important "everyone focuses on what has been achieved" seems particularly self serving. The important beneficiaries of the Torchlight Procession are the children. They have no interest or knowledge of what has occurred in the past, only the future.
There are plenty of sponsors for the event, CCC and SDLP are listed as main sponsors. Councillor Thornton is a key member of both. Is it that SDLP have exhausted their budget on the Olympic Torch Procession? Is this an indication of the reductions in country-wide sponsorships over the coming year as a result of the country's investment in the Olympics?
What would be interesting would be a transparent account of what led to this decision.

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caspa24 says...
7:03am Tue 10 Jul 12

best thing to do quickly get a couple of people who know what they are doing with events, get a saturday bucket day top of finkle street with a hourly rota, people will all donate a £1, let it be known what saturday, folk will come in from neighbouring outlets, a £1 is nothing but if you get 1000s donating, which you will, your more than on the way. the only problem then is with a event like this you need 12 months planning, not 11 weeks it might be a scaled down version but it will show what a enthusiastic people power movement can do. my kids love it, so i'd do my bit. caspa, sedbergh

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IanIn1 says...
10:56am Tue 10 Jul 12

well said caspa, but what did they do with all the money collected at last years event, I always thought it went towards staging the next one.
I still love to go to the Torchlight even tho I have moved.
I will offer help if needed still work for a large local haulage firm may be able to ask them for help with a float or 3.
Ian (ex Sedbergh)

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Kendmoor says...
1:37pm Tue 10 Jul 12

I had no idea they needed volunteers..I would be more than happy to help out.

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wezzyk says...
8:46pm Tue 10 Jul 12

So many questions unanswered... So is it money or volunteers?
Who can give an authoritative straight answer?
If it is money where has the shortfall come from?
is it possible to reinstate for this year?

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nickjohn says...
9:28pm Tue 10 Jul 12

we also have Kendal calling that brings in loads of people, money, entertainment - oh hang on that's in Lowther, Penrith now so guess we don't even have that - Why do they still call it Kendal Calling?

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nickjohn says...
9:36pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Over the last few months we have heard about a large business central to Kendal wishing to invest a substantial amount on a major development aimed at improving the lot for the people of Kendal.. If this business truly is keen to help the people of Kendal why have they not been asked to help fund this event, surely the amount needed would just be a drop in the ocean for the size of them..

As commented previously I feel sorry for the kids who have been working on floats / costumes for the event..

Also why was it decided that there would be no event this year, why was the issue not raised that there were steward / funding problems and that if the people of Kendal did not give greater assistance then the event would then be cancelled, this would then put the people of Kendal on the spot and they would either have to put up or shut up.

From what I have heard and read a decision has been made and its final..

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Grammers says...
9:46pm Tue 10 Jul 12

An emerging theme from these comments reference volunteers appears to be 'I would have helped if I'd known'. Where was the publicised building of concern announced? We have this paper and Lakeland radio could have been utilised to get the message out and yet I heard and read nothing personally. To me this is a sad reflection on the changing demographics of Kendal...Industry that supplied support to the community and a platform for team work now gone and little encouraged back and the average age of the town rising.

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nickjohn says...
9:55pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Grammers wrote:
An emerging theme from these comments reference volunteers appears to be 'I would have helped if I'd known'. Where was the publicised building of concern announced? We have this paper and Lakeland radio could have been utilised to get the message out and yet I heard and read nothing personally. To me this is a sad reflection on the changing demographics of Kendal...Industry that supplied support to the community and a platform for team work now gone and little encouraged back and the average age of the town rising.
From reading their web site I got the impression finance was a major problem..

I think the age problem has more to do with the youngsters of today not relating to the torchlight, a lot of the people who have fond memories are from when the torchlight was in its hey day before all the health and safety issues and when there were large companies within the town.
Its a tame beast compared to then and this has made it loose a lot of its interest.
My kids would rather go to the fair than stand on a cold street watching young kids on floats go by.

This comment is not intended to take away from all the hard work people put into their floats or the organisation but times do change and this may be an ideal opportunity to take a look at what others are doing with successful carnivals / festivals and try and inject new life into it..

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Spotty Fish says...
10:05pm Tue 10 Jul 12

nickjohn, the engineering company I assume you allude too, did indeed sponsor Torchlight in the past, but withdrew that sponsorship some years ago I believe.

I think we have to face facts, it's not going to happen this year, no matter how many meetings people have or money gets donated. It's too late.

So let's look forward, as a town and a community and plan for next year. Stop playing the blame game and, as someone on facebook bravely stated, calling the committee cowards. This typically Kendalian attitude hardly helps pick Torchlight up and put it back on its feet again.

Let's not forget, the committee is made up of volunteers who give their time for free.

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nickjohn says...
10:19pm Tue 10 Jul 12

As Spotty Fish says the torchlight needs to be put back on its feet.

How to do this is the problem, the existing format does not excite / interest as many as it used to.

The committee have over twelve months to look at the format and look at others around the country and see what they do and mimic it. They also need to look at what the people / businesses of Kendal want / need so they will all feel part of things like they used to...

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blackpooldonkey says...
9:13am Wed 11 Jul 12

There is a meeting at 6.30pm at the Fun Factory, Parkside Road for anyone who is keen on seeing what can be done to help to save it for this year. The hope is to form a commitee. (Current commitee members are most welcome and we'd really appreciate your advice) Lots of people are positive about this so it's worth a shot.

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Spotty Fish says...
9:47am Wed 11 Jul 12

There are 8 or 9 weeks to go until the usual Torchlight date. Do you really think, with or without the help of the committee, that a decent and safe event can be put on in that time? Bands come from all over the UK to take part, and all their expenses need paying and in some cases accommodation finding for them. You would have to get approval from the police and council. I'm sorry but it just isn't possible to put on an event that will do Kendal justice and encourage people to come back and help next year.

Please, please use this meeting to build on the obvious goodwill for Torchlight, and plan ahead for next year and make it a spectacular return. Let this year go,it just can't be done.

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blackpooldonkey says...
11:41am Wed 11 Jul 12

You do have a good point Spotty Fish. Ideally the original commitee will come along and take advantage of the new bunch of volunteers and use them where they can. Even if it doesn't happen this year it'll certainly help for next year.

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nickjohn says...
8:31pm Thu 12 Jul 12

just been looking at the images for the Ulverston carnival, why don't we get hold of their organisers and get some tips on how to run one properly...

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