Tourism award for Bridport Carnival (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Tourism award for Bridport Carnival

5:07pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Anne Bell

Bridport Carnival has been been given an award by local tourism businesses.

Carnival committee chairman Shaun Fox was presented with the annual award from the Bridport and District Tourism Association for the best contribution to local tourism at the Haddon House Hotel in West Bay.

But Mr Fox said that he was accepting the award on behalf of the whole carnival committee.

“At the end of the day, I am only the chairman, “ he said.

“It is a big event which is organised by the ten or so regular members of the committee, who do most of the work.

“It is nice to get recognition, but it is for the event, not for me and the hard work for this year probably started the day after last year’s carnival!

“We are now looking to build on the success of last year to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever,.

Bob Smith; the outgoing Tourism Association chairman said that tourism employs at least six percent of the local population directly and 13 percent indirectly, with an annual tourist spend in the region of at least £133 million per year.

He added:“It is imperative to provide added value for our visitors to maintain a strong presence in the ever-more competitive marketplace.

“A major events-led destination, Bridport and District’s calendar is full of activities,some unique, that make the visitor experience exciting enough for them to return again and again. “An excellent example is Bridport Carnival – now in it’s 42nd year.

“Bridport’s streets are lined with holidaying families for the carnival itself, however, it is only a part of the carnival committee’s endeavour.

“The Torchlight Procession, quiz, Golf Cup, bingo, darts competition, car boot sale and especially The Carnival Royalty Contest all take time and management. “Our annual award for best contribution to local tourism, last year presented to Roger Snook for the Hat Festival, this year is presented to Bridport Carnival Committee Chairman: Shaun Fox – in recognition of the support given to the local tourism industry.”

The new Tourism Association chairman is Scott Condliffe, of the Freshwater Beach Holiday Centre at Burton Bradstock.

Mr Fox added that Bridport Carnival committee wants to hear from local organisations who want to get their hands on some money.

Members want applications from groups who would like to be beneficiaries from the funds raised from this year’s event.

“There must be organisations out there who would like us to give them some cash,” said chairman Shaun Fox.

“We would ask them to get in touch with us now.”

Anyone who would like to apply should contact Shaun on 07836 516763.

The big carnival events this year are the Grand Procession on Saturday August 17 and the Torchlight Parade on Sunday August 18.