Carnival time in Barry? Two sets of plans revealed (From Barry And District News)

Carnival time in Barry? Two sets of plans revealed

8:50am Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Sharon Harris

TWO separate visions to stage a carnival in Barry next summer have been publicly floated.

High Street Traders Association said it had Vale and Barry Town Council support for a non-motorised parade through the town's West End.

But bailiff Dean Snooks, who recently launched an online petition to 'Bring Back the Barry Carnival', said his vision was one that included floats travelling a more extensive route of the town.

High Street Events Carnival Parade 2013 vice chairwoman Kath Pickup, said of their planned event: "People should think of it as a Notting Hill style carnival. "We are asking people to be as creative as possible and come up with a walking or man-powered float - for example, go-karts, stilts, prams, wagon or bicycles.

"We would urge you to have fun and let your imagination go wild!"

Organisers said the carnival-style event would be open to all in the Vale with categories listed as community and sporting groups, schools and streets, businesses and charities, individual family, Mardi Gras, and musical groups.

The committee is also looking for bands to kick off and round off the party in these early planning stages.

Vale Council events officer Sarah Jones said: "We have been in talks with the High Street Traders Association who came to us with the idea of launching a summer parade in Barry.

"This would be a completely new event for the High Street and not a resurrection of the former Barry Carnival.

"The project is still in the early stages and the council's events team is supporting the High Street Traders association while they develop this idea."

But Barry resident Dean Snooks, 45, last week launched an online petition and Facebook campaign to 'Bring Back The Barry Carnival' with the intention of traditional floats rather than hand floats and pedal power.

He said: "I have had a huge response from organisations, pubs, businesses, jazz bands, dance troupes, and stage production companies all pledging their support and participation.

"I also have the backing of the Round Table, the Memo and countless volunteers."

He added: "I have been quoted liability insurance to cover both the event, floats and general public and am willing to meet whatever criteria the Vale impose.

"The Carnival should run through the town as in previous years and be for the whole of Barry, not just the West End."

Barry Town Council clerk, Cliff Lewis said he would be interested in hearing about proposals as it would be keen to support such an event, but the Vale Council would be the authority who would be able to give any activity the go-ahead.

He said: "It would be nice to have a day where you have the Carnival and in the afternoon a raft race or something like that on the Waterfront."

For details of Dean Snooks' campaign on Facebook, visit Bring Back The Barry Carnival and to sign his petition visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-back-the-barry-carnival