THE future of Broadstairs carnival is in doubt following the decision of the organising committee to resign.

Chairman Ann King said that Broadstairs and St Peter’s Carnival Association “will cease to exist from Friday, March 15,” which was to have been the selection dance for the new queen and princesses. Instead it will be a celebration of the association’s seven-year tenure with money donated to charities in the town, and commemorative sashes presented to courts that have served under the existing association.

Mrs King said: “Our big problem is that our carnival procession on Sunday, August 11, clashes with Broadstairs Folk Festival. We have been told by Thanet council that emergency services like police and ambulance say there is not enough manpower to cover both events on the same day. It has been made quite clear that we are expected to move our date.

“Carnival has been on the second Sunday in August since before folk week moved to this date. It would be far easier for the festival to move to a slot earlier in the summer than it is for the carnival, which is packed into a very tight schedule of processions.”

The carnival committee had “been considering stepping down this year” following increasing violence shown to their court and float, with its protective double netting, at carnivals throughout Kent.

Mrs King said: “The fact that we told by the council there would not be enough emergency cover sealed our decision. Our girls have been hurt by coins hurled at them directly on the float. They have been splattered with beer and at Whitstable last year maggots were thrown at them.

“We cancelled our junior Miss Broadstairs after a ten-year-old girl on our court was hit. We are insured for £5 million public liability but we simply cannot expose our girls to such risks any more. Their safety comes first.”

Broadstairs folk week festival director Jane de Rose said: “The folk week has been on the same dates in August for 36 out of its 37 years, and we have the dates booked five years in advance.

“We are a week-long festival that falls in between similar events at Sydmouth and Whitby. We cannot change our dates and it is not up to me to make the carnival association change its date.

“It ultimately lies with the district council and the emergency services if it is feasible to cover both events from a health and safety standpoint.

“I think Broadstairs carnival is a great event for the town. If the date could be rearranged, it would be yet another attraction through the summer for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Cllr Jeffrey Kirkpatrick, mayor of Broadstairs and St Peter’s, praised the work of the carnival committee and said: “I hope they will change their minds.

“Whatever the outcome, I will do all I can to make sure that there is a summer carnival in Broadstairs this year.”