11:57am Monday 13th July 2009
By Duncan Eaton
FOR many years the highlight of Swanmore’s carnival festivities has been a colourful procession of fun-packed floats winding through the country lanes.
But this year organisers have blamed European red tape and soaring insurance costs for slamming the brakes on their traditional parade.
The firms who generously provided the lorries for the floats did not have any spare drivers because of the 2007 EU directive governing their working hours.
After exploring alternative options, organisers from the Meon Valley Lions Club discovered they would need a raft of permits and insurance policies for the 800m procession which raised thousands of pounds each year for local charities.
Club president John Sharpe said they decided instead to hold a “walking parade” on the theme Sport through the Ages.
He said: “The more we looked into the details, the more we realised it wasn’t worth it. The insurance was going to cost more than £50 per float, which was prohibitive.
“We made a decision to make the procession a walking parade but it has been a great success.”
Saturday’s wet weather did not dampen spirits as many of Swanmore’s 3,000 residents converged on the recreation ground for the carnival fete following the parade.
The arena was packed with activities including a bike rally, classic cars, dance displays and live music. There was also a thrilling show from The Tigers Junior Display Team.
Steve Hughes used the parade as a practice walk for his Land’s End to John O’Groats charity trek. He is aiming to raise £10,000 for the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
Armed with a tent, camping stove, and his trusty trekking poles he was setting off today for a 1,200-mile journey stretched over three months.
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