No more floats to see at Kedington Meadowlark
Thursday, 3rd February 2011.
The parade of floats at Kedington's Meadowlark is set to become a thing of the past - the last such parade in the area to disappear.
New policing regulations brought in in 2010 mean the cost of organising the parade has become prohibitive.
Two or three decades ago many carnivals and fetes in the area began with parades of decorated floats drawn by lorries or tractors and featuring local children and adults dressed up on a chosen theme.
Many died out through lack of support, such as the parade which used to start Haverhill Show.
But the Meadowlark, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, had managed to continue the tradition and therefore attracted many visitors from Haverhill and surrounding villages who still liked to see a parade.
It traditionally began in the grounds of Risbridge Hospital, which has now been replaced by a private development, and made its way down School Lane to the Great Meadow where the event took place. It was led by that year's Miss Meadowlark in an open car.
Organisers say the show will still carry on and they are looking for alternative attractions.
The cost of the new policing for road closure would have halved their profit and they have decided, with reluctance, the parade will have to go.
New policing regulations brought in in 2010 mean the cost of organising the parade has become prohibitive.
Two or three decades ago many carnivals and fetes in the area began with parades of decorated floats drawn by lorries or tractors and featuring local children and adults dressed up on a chosen theme.
Many died out through lack of support, such as the parade which used to start Haverhill Show.
But the Meadowlark, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, had managed to continue the tradition and therefore attracted many visitors from Haverhill and surrounding villages who still liked to see a parade.
It traditionally began in the grounds of Risbridge Hospital, which has now been replaced by a private development, and made its way down School Lane to the Great Meadow where the event took place. It was led by that year's Miss Meadowlark in an open car.
Organisers say the show will still carry on and they are looking for alternative attractions.
The cost of the new policing for road closure would have halved their profit and they have decided, with reluctance, the parade will have to go.
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