Carnival beneficiaries

However, many Olicanians have been condemned for 'not lifting a finger' in support of the event.

After months of careful deliberation, the carnival committee has chosen the beneficiaries for this year's event, the theme of which is Fashion Through The Ages.

Miggy Bailey, carnival president, said: "As a result of recent publicity many local groups and organisations have applied to be considered as this year's beneficiaries. The following applications which came in during the earlier part of the Carnival year will

benefit this year."

She said the remaining applications would be considered for the millennium carnival.

Those hoping for a cash boost on Monday, May 3, are:

l Ilkley Video 2000;

l Cats Protection League;

l MacMillan Cancer Relief;

l The Arthritis Research Campaign;

l Ilkley Talking Newspaper;

l 1224 (Wharfedale) Sqdn ATC;

l Ilkley Choral Society;

l 3rd Ben Rhydding Scout Group;

l Ilkley Parish Council;

l 1st Ben Rhydding (De Mohicanen) Scout Group.

Mrs Bailey said: "Regular beneficiaries are Ilkley Upstagers, Ilkley Rotary and Rotaract, Christchurch, various local Scout groups, Ilkley Rugby Club, Air Cadets, the Police Benevolent Fund and the Army Benevolent Fund. All these groups work for the carnival either before or on the day and are rewarded for their efforts."

"It is also customary for main beneficiaries, where appropriate, to send helpers on the day in return for their donation," she said.

A trickle of applications soon turned into a flood and the committee has spent several months deciding who should benefit from the 1999 event.

The three main beneficiaries from the 1998 event shared about £11,000 and Mrs Bailey is hoping for another fantastic fundraising effort this year.

"Obviously, we hope the weather will be as kind as it was last year, someone was certainly smiling on us, unlike the year before (the 1997 event was washed out)," she said.

Mrs Bailey made a fresh appeal for new sponsors and also patrons, the latter appeal has produced a very disappointing response so far.

She said the carnival was a tremendous way for Olicanians to show their generosity. "It is rewarding to think that over the past 11 years (with the exception of 1997) groups, organisations and charities in the town have benefited from Ilkley's largest community event," she said.

There was some good news for Mrs Bailey this week - one new patron. The man labelled Ilkley's Most Outspoken Resident, Frazer Irwin, has answered her plea. Mr Irwin has condemned the apathy shown by many Ilkley residents, urging them to forego the price of an evening out to become a patron.

"Charity they say, begins at home and your home is where your town is," he said. "Make a

resolution for 1999, support

Ilkley Carnival with your patronship."

Anyone wanting to support the event can contact Mrs Bailey

at Ilkley Town Hall on 01943 436212.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.