Welshpool Carnival procession is not finished… yet!

Welshpool Town Council hasn’t given up hope of having a carnival procession in future after it was cancelled this year due to a lack of interest.

Councillors were reviewing last weekend’s event at their monthly Events and Planning Committee meeting and shared their thoughts on how the annual event went.

While the general feedback was positive, the Mayor shared an update on where the council stands regarding the issue of a carnival procession prior to activities on the field at Maesydre.

“The day went really well,” said Cllr Bill Rowell. “But it’s really sad that we didn’t have a parade this year.

“We do need to get across to people just how complicated it is to get the roads closed etc, so they have to plan well in advance if they are seriously thinking of having a float.

“They would need to let us know at least two months before. People at the last minute were saying “we would have done a float”. Well that’s no good, we needed to know well before that.”

But the Mayor noted that the added impetus this year to retain people at the field longer instead worked, commenting: “In previous years we have had a carnival procession and then they spend an hour or so at the field. This year we worked hard to keep people at the field from 1pm-6pm and it paid off.”

The PA system's position, lack of signage and better advertising on social media were highlighted as areas to improve, while Welshpool’s own British Strongman Champion, Luke Weaver, was praised for performing throughout the whole afternoon.

“He really was amazing,” said Cllr Morag Bailey. “As a council we need to formally thank him. He is a local boy who has done really well and giving back to Welshpool.”

A Carnival Committee meeting will be held on July 14 (6pm) to look at what can be improved and to start planning for 2027.