Axminster Carnival postponed in wake of Queen's death

Axminster carnival procession has been postponed until next month following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The carnival was scheduled to take place this Saturday, September 17 but the organising committee has now been advised by police to postpone the event following the death of the Queen and arrangements for her state funeral, to take place on Monday, September 19.

The carnival procession will instead be held on Saturday, October 15 at 8pm.

Colyton carnival procession went ahead on Saturday evening, stopping for a minute's silence in honour of the Queen and playing the National Anthem.

The coffee morning on Thursday, September 15 and bingo on Friday, September 16 will still go ahead as planned. As well as this, the Misplaced Article competition will continue during the week, and Herbert's Fun Fair will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm.

A spokesperson for Axminster Carnival Committee said: "Yesterday (Sunday) the carnival committee were advised by Inspector Grey [Devon and Cornwall Police] that there could not be a guaranteed police presence at Saturday's carnival procession and the implications of this for the committee.

"The committee held an emergency meeting last evening to discuss this at length and, unfortunately, the decision to postpone was made. This advice from Insp. Grey has been reiterated today.

"In making our decision we had to consider all eventualities. Whilst we have thorough event management plans and wonderful marshals we also felt that should some eventualities occur we would not be able to guarantee future carnivals taking place if we went against the advice offered to us.

"It has placed us in an impossible situation, but we genuinely feel we had to make the decision we have made for the benefit of this and future years.

"We understand, wholeheartedly, the frustration and disappointment caused. There isn't one of us on the committee that wanted to postpone the event. But we ask for your understanding in a very challenging situation.

"The carnival procession will now go ahead on Saturday, October 15 at 8pm. This date avoids other local Carnivals in the East Devon Carnival Circuit, which many of us on the committee support in marshalling, as well as fitting in with our own personal lives.

"We are so sorry to all the local businesses that depend on the carnival night, and to Herbert's fun fair who each year provide the fabulous fair. Please support them if you can this coming week and weekend.

"We hope to see you at the procession in October if you are able to make it, and we thank everyone for the kind support they have given us over the last 24 hours. Please remember we are a group of volunteers that live in the Axminster area that work to bring the carnival together for the benefit of our wonderful town. We do not make decisions like these lightly and are heartbroken that we have had to make this decision especially after the last two years.

"We now focus our efforts on making the arrangements for October and look forward to hosting a great evening then. Thank you."