Public liability problems threaten carnival
Health and safety regulations are threatening an Oxfordshire carnival procession this month as schools struggle to get public liability insurance to cover their floats.
Four schools have already dropped out of Witney's Carnival procession and it is reported that other participants are finding it difficult to meet stringent health and safety regulations. Those wishing to participate have been asked to provide proof of insurance seven days before the event, to be held July 12th, by The Rotary Clubs organising committee.
Helen Marshall, who is organising a procession for a primary school, said: "It's quite sad really. We're trying to ring round to get insurance but school budgets should be spent on education - not one-off events like this. In the past seven years, they've never asked us to show public liability documents. The very essence of the carnival is the schools, playgroups, church groups and children joining in. It's very frustrating from our point of view. We're trying to support an event and the regulations get so tight, it isn't easy."
Updated on 01/07/2008