The below progress report has been supplied by Peter Platt-Chairman of Hale Carnival Committee. 

Preparation for Hale Carnival 2009 is now at an advanced stage of which will take place on Saturday 13th June 2009 commencing at 12 noon in the newly refurbished Hale Park.

Once again the Carnival Committee of voluntary village residents have planned the Carnival to include an afternoon of enjoyment for all of the family. We have continued to include our tried and tested and successful attributes, those being the fun fair, donkey rides, Waldo the Clown, free face painting and of course the inclusion of several activity groups from within the community namely Hale Tai Chi, Hale Line Dancers and junior dance troops. We also welcome the teams from Hale Bank and Hale Village to take part in a charity football match.

Each year however seems to be increasingly difficult to match similar events of previous years, mainly due to increased financial costs as well as reduced voluntary participation and help on the day. This is taking into account that the Carnival is now totally dependant of self financial support, mainly by you, paying guests visiting the Carnival during the afternoon. To support your safety and enjoyment during the afternoon it is rewarding that we can still rely on some support from our local and borough councils, political groups within the village and contributions from vendors who we invite to take part during the afternoon. The voluntary offer of marshalling on the day is a valuable asset to the success of the Carnival.

It is important to offer variety, be innovative where we can and to provide entertainment provided primarily by village activity groups. For some youngsters this is a great opportunity to show what the youth of today can really do and play an integral part of the community spirit we have created within the village. To date we can confirm that this years entertainment will include an arena falconry display as our main attraction, of which will include a marquee exhibit of these fine birds of prey. I am also pleased to welcome Reefs Reptiles which will give the opportunity to alleviate your fears of snakes and spiders and a host of other reptiles and amphibians. Reefs Reptiles will provide hands on exhibit of a good cross section species of exotic animals, a great opportunity for a photo shoot. For those up and coming racers we will be providing a scaled 24 hour

Le Mans track with the person recording the fastest lap being presented with a prize. Similarly we are confident of securing a F1 racing simulator for those who really want to put the pedal to the metal. Finally we have secured the inclusion of a four sided climbing wall of which will provide increased difficulties of rock face climbing all under the supervision of instructors.

Not forgetting the crowning of the Rose Queen, our annual fancy dress competition and raffle, Hale Village Carnival continues to be an annual event of historic and traditional proportions. However without your participation whether it is as volunteer helper on the day, a vendor or a guest during the afternoon, we would not be able to continue in this truest of English Carnival traditions of which dates back to 1952.

I will continue to update Carnival arrangements as they develop, so please if you would like to participate on the day, please do not hesitate to make it known via this web site.

I look forward in anticipation of scarecrows and sunshine.

Peter Platt (Carnival Chair 2009)