REVELLERS today may still be talking about the fun they had at this year's Felixstowe Carnival, but work is set to start almost immediately on next year's event.

REVELLERS today may still be talking about the fun they had at this year's Felixstowe Carnival, but work is set to start almost immediately on next year's event.

Organisers are to meet to assess how last weekend's big event went - and start looking at possible changes, with the axing of the air show on the cards.

The other major issue will be how to raise funds all year round to pay for the running costs and to be able to improve the celebrations with more family entertainment and attractions.

The committee also wants to give the carnival a higher profile, as it once had when Felixstowe was a much smaller community.

There are elements which will certainly remain unchanged with the procession once again proving it is the major attraction, with more than 50 entries and some stunning floats.

Langer Park was again an excellent venue for the entertainment and the funfair, music and fireworks brought large crowds.

But some organisers have doubts over whether the air show over the seafront should continue - because of the lack of donations from the public.

It is a problem the carnival has had with free shows over many years. When the Red Arrows came, there were 20,000 people on the seafront but just a few hundred pounds put in the buckets, and the fireworks from the end-of-the-pier suffered in the same way.

Not only do attractions have to be paid for, but the aim of the carnival is to raise money for charity.

Carnival secretary Sandie Doran said the visit of the RAF Hawk and a YAK 52 aerobatics plane had been spectacular but had cost around £2,000 and only a few hundred pounds had been collected.

She said: “We may well have to look at the air show.

“It seems people want to see but they don't want to pay for it. It's not a case that we want to make money from it, just cover our costs.”

Mrs Doran said people had given very generously on the first day of the carnival during the parade, when the pavements were packed with revellers. It was always more difficult to persuade people to give on the prom and beach.

The carnival costs more than £25,000 to stage. It is hoped to have a series of events through the year to try to boost the finances.

WEBLINK: www.felixstowecarnival.org

What would you like to see at Felixstowe Carnival? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

n. See Picture Weekly for more pictures of this year's carnival.