AN INTERIM chairman of Chard Carnival Committee has been elected amid assurances the show will go on in 2014.

Members elected Andy Chant as pro-chairman and he will take on the role between now and the annual general meeting on February 20, following the resignation of Helena Stone.

Andy’s connection with carnival goes back to the mid-1980s when he and his wife, Shirley, were members of Triangle Carnival Club.

Based in Ilminster, the club was run under the chairmanship of the late Bob Hurlstone, who Andy has described as ‘Mr Carnival’.

He said: “I want to assure the people of Chard and surrounding areas that the carnival in October 2014 will go ahead.

“The committee is strong in number but new members are always welcome.

“Year on year, we are seeing carnival clubs folding, and the committee does not want Chard Carnival going the same way.

“We have lost five members of the committee who, between them, have contributed to carnival for many years. We would like to say a big thank you to Helena, Maggie and Eric Stone and family for their many years of supporting the carnival.”

Anyone who is able to help in any way – big or small – is encouraged to come along to the AGM.

You can contact the prochairman via andrew.chant672@btinternet.com with any questions.