Town show's future in doubt
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 13th January 2000.
ORGANISERS have warned that The Haverhill Show may not take place this year unless more people come forward to help run it.
A crucial meeting to discuss the future of the show will take place next Tuesday at 7.30pm at the LAMP H building in Colne Valley Road.
The Haverhill Show is still the town's main event of the year but no longer has a horse show or a parade of floats through the town.
It is still the main fund-raiser which supports LAMP H, the local organisation for people with physical or learning disabilities.
Chris Hammond, the show society chairman, says this year's show would be the 32nd - but it may not take place at all unless more people turn up at the meeting who are willing to help.
"We are now at a point where we are so short of help on the committee that we must seriously consider whether we can continue. We have five active members on the committee to organise a show with a turnover of around £7,000 and which donates in the region of £2,500 to LAMP H each year.
"Because of a lack of volunteers we have already lost the horse show and, to be frank, I feel that the burden that the show imposes on so few members is too great for it to continue.
"If we were to suffer the kind of weather experienced by last year's steam rally or even if one of the helpers were to fall sick, we should be left in serious trouble.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to find attractions which are both interesting and affordable and we really need an injection of new ideas in this area.
"It would be a terrible shame to see this event which has for so long figured prominently on the town's calendar fade into oblivion," Mr Hammond said.
He said anyone with an interest in the show would be made welcome at the meeting.
A crucial meeting to discuss the future of the show will take place next Tuesday at 7.30pm at the LAMP H building in Colne Valley Road.
The Haverhill Show is still the town's main event of the year but no longer has a horse show or a parade of floats through the town.
It is still the main fund-raiser which supports LAMP H, the local organisation for people with physical or learning disabilities.
Chris Hammond, the show society chairman, says this year's show would be the 32nd - but it may not take place at all unless more people turn up at the meeting who are willing to help.
"We are now at a point where we are so short of help on the committee that we must seriously consider whether we can continue. We have five active members on the committee to organise a show with a turnover of around £7,000 and which donates in the region of £2,500 to LAMP H each year.
"Because of a lack of volunteers we have already lost the horse show and, to be frank, I feel that the burden that the show imposes on so few members is too great for it to continue.
"If we were to suffer the kind of weather experienced by last year's steam rally or even if one of the helpers were to fall sick, we should be left in serious trouble.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to find attractions which are both interesting and affordable and we really need an injection of new ideas in this area.
"It would be a terrible shame to see this event which has for so long figured prominently on the town's calendar fade into oblivion," Mr Hammond said.
He said anyone with an interest in the show would be made welcome at the meeting.
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