Here comes the '˜Circus': Skegness carnival is saved

A massive community effort has saved Skegness carnival - with this year's themed parade to be led by Mr Fips Wonder Circus.
Skegness Carnival has been saved and will have a circus theme for the parade in August. This photo is from last year's parade. Photo: MSKP-140816-65 ANL-170220-141920001Skegness Carnival has been saved and will have a circus theme for the parade in August. This photo is from last year's parade. Photo: MSKP-140816-65 ANL-170220-141920001
Skegness Carnival has been saved and will have a circus theme for the parade in August. This photo is from last year's parade. Photo: MSKP-140816-65 ANL-170220-141920001

There were fears it could be the end for the popular event which has been part of the annual calendar for more than 70 years, after last year’s carnival was hit by a huge hike in costs following a change of route.

However, following an article in the Standard local businessman Brian Bell kicked off a fundraising campaign with a £1,000 donation – and now a new group of volunteers has been formed to carry on fundraising and bring new ideas to the table.

Friends of Skegness Carnival met last night for a social gathering hosted by the new chairman of the carnival committee, Gary Starr, at his Neverland Theatre in Skegness .

Mr Starr said: “I’m very excited about this year. Thanks to the donation from Mr Bell and support from other businesses – such as the Hildreds Centre, who let us have the grotto there at Christmas, and the Grosvenor House Hotel in Skegness that has bought some floats – we are now in a position to go forward.

“The bottom line is the carnival has been saved by the community and we are now focusing on getting them involved, which is how it should be.

“We want this year’s event to be the biggest ever and it’s only right that with it having a circus theme Mr Fips Wonder Circus should lead the parade.”

Jan Erik Brenner, who is Mr Fips the clown and owns the circus, held an extra show last year and donated all of the proceeds to the carvival.

He said: “I think it’s wonderful the carnival has circus as its theme.

“We are going to do all we can to support it this year. As well as leading the parade we’ll be holding circus workshops in Tower Gardens.

“We love Skegness and are just happy to be involved.”

Read more:

Related topics: