HATHERLEIGH Carnival marks its 100th anniversary this Saturday — and is expected to draw in visitors from across the country with its spectacular entertainment.
As the town prepares for its centenary celebrations, organisers were given a late boost last week when a threatened steep hike in insurance costs was avoided.
Carnival secretary Louise Bater said the committee got a nasty shock when the carnival's regular insurance company refused to cover them this year and although many people worked hard to find a new insurer the cost looked like being vastly increased.
The cost of insuring the popular event has risen over the last few years. Louise said: 'Our premium had gone up from £150 in 2001, to £300 last year and now it was going up to £2,500 this year.'
One of the highlights of the carnival, Hatherleigh's famous
flaming tar barrel runs were one of the factors which made the event expensive to insure.
However, last week the committee learned that Hatherleigh-based Richard Tidball Insurance Services had managed to find insurance cover at the last minute for just under £400, instead of the threatened eight-fold increase.
Louise said: 'The new figure is on the proviso that we have more stewards who will ensure that nobody steps off the pavement whilst the tar barrels are passing. So we are desperately asking for more stewards.'
Anyone able to offer their services as a steward is asked to contact Mandy Wonnacott on 01837 810678.
The carnival committee wants to thank all at the insurers for their wonderful help and hard work.
Louise said the people of Hatherleigh had always been determined to fight on, and keep the tar barrels rolling in the centenary year and beyond.
Louise said throughout the year the whole community had been very supportive of carnival fund-raising events. 'The support we have had has been really great,' she said. Last month's Hatherleigh Business Day and Craft Fair for example, raised £226 for the carnival coffers.
An additional £10 centenary grant has been made this year to encourage more floats to take part in the evening procession, which will set off at 7.30pm on Saturday.
The floats will be led by this year's carnival queen Eliza Squire. This year's prince and princess are Ben and Hannah Anstey.
Police have insisted on strict size restrictions for the trade entries, therefore all entries must be in by today (November 6) — contact Mandy on 01837 810678.
For safety reasons, police have also requested that visitors do not bring BB guns, silly string or fireworks to the carnival.