Staindrop Carnival saved at D-Day meeting

A VILLAGE carnival put at risk because of dwindling committee numbers has not only been saved but is planning to expand.
Staindrop Carnival, one of the larger summer events in Teesdale, was facing the end because there were only seven people left on the organising committee.
But now it has a new lease of life after 11 people signed up to help out during a public meeting on Monday, November 14.
Carnival operations manager Tony Smith said: “It went very well – there are now 18 members and we have agreed to a name change from Staindrop Carnival Committee to Staindrop Carnival Events, just to modernise it a bit. We are over the moon.”
The rejuvenated group wants to host a series of events over the year and plan to introduce a carboot and yard sale at the village’s primary school, as well as a carnival concert to replace the Big Gig that used to happen at the school. Mr Smith said there was good support for the group from the school.
Other plans are to expand activities during the carnival day with games such as tug-o-war and a wheelbarrow race.
Also coming soon is a new website.
Mr Smith said: “We want to make it a bit more successful, so watch out 2017.”
He paid tribute to former carnival organiser Liz Cronin without whom the carnival might have folded many years ago.
The bolstering of the group’s numbers follows a host of successes in the village.
Over recent years Staindrop has seen its vandalised playground rebuilt with new equipment for young children, a new scout hut is being built and the Scarth Memorial Hall has undergone a complete revamp that included the installation of high-tech equipment and facilities.
A second phase of the upgrade of the children’s playground is expected in the coming months.