Bid to boost carnival parade

Mother-of-five Kate Lane, from Broadwaters, is mounting a campaign to encourage many more people to take part in the procession of floats and walkers as it winds its way from the town centre to the Brinton Park showground.

Mrs Lane said she had made it her "quest" to make this year's parade, on Saturday, June 21 the biggest and best ever, She has introduced more categories for prizes and the £10 entry fee for floats is being waived this year in a bid to attract more participants.

"The entry charge doesn't raise a huge amount and we are worried that it might be putting off voluntary groups, who are themselves short of cash," said Mrs Lane.

Carnival chairman, Colin Hill, welcomed her as the latest addition to the small but hard-working committee, which is organising its 17th annual carnival in Kidderminster.

More than £56,000 has been raised for local charities and good causes since the present committee took over the running of the town's only annual community event in 1992.

The parade, however, has never been very big and Mrs Lane is determined to swell its ranks. "Finding a vehicle and driver for a float can be tricky these days, so I want to see a lot more walkers talking part," she said.

"They can be individuals, or from voluntary groups or commercial enterprises. They can wear fancy dress - the more ridiculous and colourful the better - or wear their corporate identity. It really doesn't matter, so long as they have fun."

New categories for entrants into this year's parade include best walking group and best decorated pushchair - with occupant. Those will run alongside best child and adult walkers, best decorated trolley float - which can be anything on small wheels - and best vintage or classic car.

The winners will receive £20, with the exception of the best walking group, which will be awarded £35.

Prize money of £60 will be presented to the winners of best sports/social club/pub float, best youth organisation float, best commercial float and best charity float.

Mrs Lane is hoping to get some friendly rivalry going between schools and is hopeful that some of them will find the time to enter a team of walkers, if not a complete float.

She is proposing to go into schools to work with the youngsters in devising ideas for parade entries and is spreading the message far and wide to other organisations, such as Scouts and Guides.

"The carnival is a great day out for all the family and taking part in street parades is enormous fun and gives people a real sense of community," said Mrs Lane, adding: "Let's make the parade just as good as the carnival. Don't leave it to someone else to do - suggest your organisation takes part - and let's make it a parade to remember."

Several hundred people line the streets to watch the parade go by and donate in excess of £1,000 each year to the street collection. Mrs Lane would like to see even more raised for this year's charities - the £25,000 Back on Track Appeal to replace equipment belonging to the Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club and Stourport Hockey Club following the arson attack which destroyed their base at the Stourport Sports Club and the special olympics gymnastics team based at Baxter College.

Mr Hill added: "The parade is an excellent way for community groups, charities and commercial organisations to promote themselves, either with a float or as walkers.

"It's a great event and people gain a lot of satisfaction from putting floats and fancy dress costumes together."

A panel of judges will pick the prize winners before the parade sets off from its assembly point in the New Road car park at noon.

People can enter on the day - they must be there by 11am - or can contact Mrs Lane in advance, on 01562 631511, for an entry form.