Ringwood Carnival

Photos of Ringwood Carnival 2019 © CatchBox

Make Carnival 2021 the biggest and best

The chairman of Ringwood Carnival, Ben Salsbury has challenged the town to make the 2021 carnival the best since its heyday of 1983. It follows the disappointment of having to cancel this year’s event due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s believed to be only the second time in nearly 100 years that the carnival has had to be cancelled. The first time was due to the Second World War.

In a letter posted on social media, the chairman explains why he believes Ringwood Carnival is so successful and gives three key reasons for this:

• the strong financial support received from local businesses and organisations

• the hard working carnival committee

• the willingness of the ‘Great Ringwood Public’. The clubs, groups, organisations, friends and family groups or even single participants continue to get involved, participate, support, contribute and represent the town. It is these people he explains that make Ringwood Carnival parades so great.

Photos of Ringwood Carnival 2019 © CatchBox

He said last year saw 49 entries take part in the evening procession and writes: We frequently hear of the ‘good old days’ of carnival; looking back in the archives, our processions are now as big as those from the 1979 and 1980 carnivals. It then grew larger - the procession in 1983 saw 76 evening procession entries. 76!

I want to challenge Ringwood – can we make the carnival processions even bigger than 1983?

Would you like to take part in next year’s event? If so, get in touch with the committee through the website or on social media.

Photos of Ringwood Carnival 2019 © CatchBox

Plans for local events

A number of events in Ringwood town’s calendar won’t be possible this year, but the council is looking at other options.

The town’s Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces Committee agreed that the fireworks should be cancelled.

The traditional marking of Remembrance Day with its church service, parade and ceremony at the War Memorial won’t be possible either, but a ‘drive in’ event may be feasible. The council is looking into live-streaming the parade and wreath laying to screens in the main car park. The parade itself will be restricted solely to those intending to lay wreaths.

Nearer to Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, parade, light switch on and mass gathering in the Market Place won’t be possible. However, the official light switch could be filmed and put out on social media. Father Christmas might also be able to do virtual ‘shout outs’ to local Ringwood children. The Window Display Competition will go ahead.