Peoples Carnival Oldham

Tesco Sponsor People's Carnival

Carnival organisers and Tesco Extra management met recently (right) to discuss ways in which the superstore on Huddersfield Road could get involved in this year's People's Carnival on August 7th and 8th.

Carnival is funded each year by mostly private sponsorship, from companies like Tesco, small grants from Central Government and some help from Oldham Council. It is run entirely by volunteers who start early in the year to organise the event.

This year brought an early surprise for the carnival organisers. A meeting

(L to R) Paul Garforth (Carnival Financial Director), Caroline Dean (Tesco Community Champion), Dominic Carey (Tesco Store Manager), Nikki Stephenson (Tesco Senior Marketing Manager) and Paul Davies (Carnival Event Director).

with represenatives from Tesco Extra (Huddersfield Road) produced an encouraging sponsorship deal from one of Oldham's top company's.

Caroline Dean, Community Champion, explained that tesco are "proud to be working with the organisers of the Oldham Peoples Carnival" and that their support was to help the Carnival to "deliver a colourful, fun filled weekend of entertainment for the whole family - reflecting the diversity within the Borough"

Tesco will be central in the whole weekend event on August 7th and 8th. The company will have a big presence on the Carnival Parade. The Carnival Stage will be named the Tesco Stage and they will have a large marquee on the park. There are also plans for other activities in the pipeline.

Event Director, Paul Davies, said "We're delighted to have the support of Tesco this year. Its a real shot in the arm for us. The Tesco people are full of ideas and will bring a lot to the event. It's really good to know that the private sector care about our town and support community events".

Carnival organisers have set their sights on improving the quality, vigour and vibrancy of the People's Carnival parade in 2010 and in future years.

The parade in the last fours years - since the carnival was revived - has witnessed long processions and many participants. Its length has regularly reached a mile in those years with paraders still leaving the start point at Alexandra Park when the front is reaching the top of Copster Hill Road.

But organisers feel that, whilst the participation has been enthusiastic, the new parade has lacked the impact it had in previous decades.

FLOATS COMMITTED BY LOCAL FIRM

One of the problems has been the lack of float availability. Whilst they were relatively easy to come by many years ago, today, they are much more difficult to hire.

This problem, though, seems to have been solved after the organisers reached a deal with KELVIN LORD TRANSPORT to supply the floats needed for the forseeable

Carnival 2009: the parade reaches Primrose Bank. The tail end was still leaving Alexandra Park.

future. "We are pleased to be able to offer our support" said Kelvin Lord. "We wish the carnival well in the future and hope it goes from strength to strength".

MORE EFFORT ON FLOAT DESIGN

With this commitment from Kelvin Lord to supply trucks, the organisers now want some real commitments from local community groups to make best use of the trucks that will be available next year and in future years.

A spokesperson for the Carnival said "The support from Kelvin is a real shot in the arm for us. What we want is some real effort put into the floats next year. We've agreed to pay for the floats ourselves so that it doesn't bar any group from participating through lack of funds"

The Big Stage on Alexandra Park was a big
hit again. Attracting crowds throughout the weekend.

The organisers also agreed to help groups in the design of their trucks with advice and suggestions being made available on this website in the coming months. "Early commitment to a float is essential as we may well run out early for the 2010 parade" said the spokesperson.

APPLICATIONS FOR BIG STAGE 2010

Next year's BIG Stage will have some higher profile names performing!The Carnival Management Group have decided to invite ten local semi-pro bands whose names are well known in the local club and pub circuit.

"We want people to enjoy a mixture of quality acts over the weekend, mixed with local amatuer performers" said a spokesperson. Applications are already open for the stage and prospective performers should complete our online form. The Big Stage is usually booked up by mid-January so be quick if you want to be considered for a spot next year.