WOKINGHAM residents and charities defied storm Bert and rallied round at the weekend, when the Lion’s Wokingham Winter Carnival was cancelled.
Wade Day Centre’s indoor Christmas Fair was able to go ahead, and the day centre generously made room at their event for other charities whose carnival stalls were cancelled.
They were rewarded by a big rise in footfall as visitors in search of festive fun stepped inside out of the wind and rain.
Wade trustee Sallyanne Steatham, manning the charity’s homebaking stall: “It’s been an absolutely marvellous event for us – footfall has been phenomenal and the cake stall has had record sales – we’ve doubled what we normally take – and we’ve next to nothing left.
“Everyone has been very jolly, and happy to come along, despite the weather.”
Storm Bert didn’t stop Santa visiting Wade either, for family selfie opportunities, and despite the crowds, there was room for Wokingham Horticultural Association’s (WHA) stall.
“When the carnival was cancelled we approached Wade, and they were very kind and squeezed us in,” said WHA members Liz and Phyl.
“We’re super grateful and it’s been a lovely event.”
Wokingham pub The Duke’s Head also welcomed charities whose carnival plans were changed.
When Claire and Ed Deegan, pub landlords, heard about the carnival cancellation, Claire made space for three charities to transfer their stalls to the pub.
She said: “My two teens have volunteered at Jac In The Box, so I have links with the charity, which is just opposite the pub.
“One of the group’s youngsters comes in here to play darts regularly.
“He was so excited about the coming carnival – and when it was cancelled, I thought of him and how disappointed he’d be.
“So I decided to see whether the group would like to bring their stall inside the pub instead.”
Charity manager Sharon Bailey was delighted, and immediately accepted, so Claire invited two more charities: Gibson’s Go Getters – a charity that supports families affected by sudden childhood death; and Helen and Douglas House, to open up at The Duke’s Head.
“I know that The Wokingham Lions have put in more than 1,000 hours of work into preparations for the carnival, and for them to cancel must have been awful, so we’re pleased to have been able to help out a bit,” Claire said.
Speaking for The Wokingham Lions Club, Debbie Slay said: “The cancellation of this year’s winter carnival was a huge blow for all the organisers.
“Tim Hanton and his team were extremely disappointed to have to cancel the event, but high winds made it unsafe to put up the stage, operate the fairground, or allow stall holders to raise gazebos.
“We’re tough in this borough and nobody minds getting a bit wet for the carnival, but the wind was another matter.
“It has to be a safe event, and we know it was the right – though very sad – decision to cancel.
“Everyone who’s contacted us since has agreed, saying that it was a great shame, but that they totally understand.”
For information, search Facebook for: Jac in a Box, Gibson’s Go Getters, Helen and Douglas House, Wade Day Centre, The Duke’s Head, and visit: wokinghamlions.org.uk
