HOPES of Weymouth Carnival being resurrected were dashed yesterday with the news that the new organising committee has folded.
The carnival had originally been scheduled for last weekend but was postponed until summer 2022.
But in a further blow, yesterday Weymouth Carnival Committee director and chairman Seb Green announced he would be stepping down, and no-one willing to take on the role, the committee has been disbanded and the event called off indefinitely.
Mr Green said he was faced with a difficult decision but has had to step down for mental health reasons.
He also cited a lack of financial support and a shortage of volunteers - which he believes could be due to people being reluctant to step forward in the wake of the pandemic.
Next year's event would have been the first to be organised by the new committee after previous organising groups folded.
"We formed the carnival Community Interest Company back in 2019, with hopes of bringing a Carnival back to Weymouth," Mr Green said.
"We opened a new bank account, got hold of a new website domain name, and had a number of successful small-scale fundraising events, so it was not a total failure - it's just been a learning curve.
"Unfortunately whilst there were many people who expressed their desire for the carnival to return, most of that support hasn't materialised - I believe that could have been caused by the pandemic, even now people are unsure about things like social distancing, and people don't have any spare time.
"We were left with the same old issues, of lack of funding and volunteers. Once costs are covered, any remaining money will be donated to charity."
He added: "I'm sad - for me personally I feel I've failed, but I need to step away.
"Originally I joined as a volunteer coordinator. Then people left, the vice-chairman became chairman, and I was voted in as vice-chairman. Then the chairman left and in the end there were only six of us, including me, and we managed to cling on, but in reality it was futile because we were already half way through August, and running out of funds."
Mr Green said previous organisers relied on raising money during the event to help fund the following year's carnival.
However previous incarnations of the carnival have been marred with difficulties over the years as successive organising groups have pulled out.
"Unfortunately Weymouth carnival as a brand has been severely damaged', he added.
"We have contacted companies who said they will never work with Weymouth carnival again. We were having difficulty finding a flight display director to work with us in order to get the Red Arrows."
READ MORE: Weymouth Carnival organisers face financial crisis
READ MORE: Weymouth Carnival in crisis as organisers pull out
Coincidentally yesterday's sad news came on the third Wednesday in August - the day the carnival is usually held.
Mr Green added: "I'd like to say a personal 'thank you' to all the committee members past and present for their commitment, dedication and hard work.
"And a thank you to the local businesses who have supported us over the last two years."
The carnival's Facebook page will remain active, sharing updates about events in Weymouth. It can be found at www.facebook.com/WeymouthCarnival
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