A THEME for the 2020 Ledbury Carnival has been agreed - but more people are needed to help run the popular event.

'Games' was the theme picked at last week’s AGM of the Ledbury Carnival Association, where there was “a very positive feel’ about the future, according to chairman, Johnny Chan, who was re-elected.

Mr Chan said of the 2019 Carnival, which had the theme of ‘A Nautical Carnival’ and took place during a late summer heatwave.

He said: “I felt it was a successful day although attendance numbers were somewhat down, probably owing to the exceptionally hot weather and the Bank Holiday falling on the earliest possible date in August, leading to families taking late holidays, and so on.

“The theme ‘Ledbury All at Sea – a Nautical Carnival’ had been very well supported both by procession entrants and local businesses.”

But the Ledbury Carnival Committee is still not at full strength, as it looks to another year.

Mr Chan said: “There are still Committee roles to be filled, including helping to promote the event to encourage more procession entries.

“Additional help is always required on Carnival Day and this does not entail needing to join the committee and attend every meeting.”

But he added: “Plans are already underway for the next Carnival, August 31 2020, with a brand new theme of ‘Games.’

“This will encompass a wide spectrum of board games, card games, computer games, phone games, children’s playground games, sports, Olympic Games and so on and should encourage some very creative participation.”

He added: “The committee is in the process of approaching a range of entertainers to provide a wide variety of family entertainment on the day.

“There is a lot to do but we have fun along the way and the Carnival is a wonderful Ledbury tradition.”

The 2020 Carnival will be 46th to take place in the town, since its revival in the 1970s.

One of the highlights is always a large procession up New Street and through the town centre, and the event some years has attracted crowds in excess of 10,000.

For more information please contact either the chair or secretary on 07387 433323 and 01531 635129 respectively.