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Disorganised mess - Vick (26th Oct 2024 - 21:39:41) The carnival committee really need to get themselves organised. Sent flyers to the residents of The Avenue to park off road for Carnival night but did not put out any cones (which used to happen on the Friday night) so then road gets rammed solid with carnival visitors parking….absolute chaos and must have made it very tricky for the floats. Happened last year as well. Shambolic

Re: Disorganised mess - Jon (27th Oct 2024 - 06:54:42) Vick, Rather than criticise the carnival committee with your post, you could have posted a reminder about cones before the event.

Re: Disorganised mess - Steven castle (27th Oct 2024 - 08:14:34) Why was Longmoor road closed 14:30 but no floats appearing for hours? New carnival committee missing something I fear Chaos though the village, know some of my friends down the avenue said it was safer for their cars to go on a holiday, me and my wife looked after them down our road for the night. How did the council sign off a 2.30 road closure for what .. maybe to fix the pot holes in the village Hampshire county council sorry

Re: Disorganised mess - I (27th Oct 2024 - 08:16:37) Justifiable criticism!

Re: Disorganised mess - BD (27th Oct 2024 - 08:18:55) Vick As you are obviously a great planner and organiser can we assume you will be joining the committee next year to offer guidance ???

Re: Disorganised mess - Russ (27th Oct 2024 - 09:36:56) Just wondering why motorists must come through the village on carnival night. We have a bypass and loads of signs week in advance. We should be able to shut the village just for one night without any problems. Bridport in Somerset shut down the whole town just about all day for their carnival. Ok some people need to get home that is catered for I think the carnival committee did a fantastic job .

Re: Disorganised mess - Ian (27th Oct 2024 - 10:04:38) Why is it that if anyone expresses some concern how the lack of planning on some carnival issue that has through no fault of their own had a negative impact on their lives it is met with shut up unless you can do better yourself? The situation in The Avenue was a mess last night, it never used to be so clearly it is an issue the current planners need to deal with next year. Why for a second year were there no cones placed?The majority of residents once again did the right thing in moving their cars of road which was completely pointless as carnival visitors by 5.30 had filled the road, often with extremely poor and inconsiderate parking.

Re: Disorganised mess - NB (27th Oct 2024 - 10:54:33) Russ: what happens if an ambulance needs to come through the square????

Re: Disorganised mess - Jen (27th Oct 2024 - 13:18:04) Ian, perhaps that was the intention, ie that the Avenue could be used to accommodate visitors from outside the village who need somewhere to park?

Re: Disorganised mess - Russ (27th Oct 2024 - 13:25:50) Same as elsewhere they are ushered through one year they actually stopped the floats to let two through. There is no problem for emergencies. Just think if the square is blocked off for any reason as it has been many times you just have to go around it can be done. Ok it’s a bind but just for one night for a few hours not the end of the world.

Re: Disorganised mess - Ian (27th Oct 2024 - 14:11:25) Jen, won’t be happening next year, I can assure you!

Re: Disorganised mess - Lifetime resident (27th Oct 2024 - 16:38:42) Goodness me can’t believe that people are moaning about the carnival. It’s a FREE night of entertainment put on by volunteers if it’s not your thing then stay away. Liphook is one of a very few places that still put on a night carnival the very hard work put in by the volunteers is amazing I for one think they did a fantastic job . The hundreds of people that turned out had a great time for free . The carnival committee are quite new so are finding their feet hopefully the community will appreciate their efforts and join in the fun next year. Everything has its ups and downs but I think the carnival is on the up again a few tweaks next year and it will be great . Everyone get their thinking caps on for next year it doesn’t take a lot to enter families especially great for the kids to participate . Onwards and upwards.

Re: Disorganised mess - Dave B (13th Nov 2024 - 12:35:37) Is it true there is once again some doubt that the carnival will continue. Perhaps someone from the committee can give an update please?

Re: Disorganised mess - Resident (13th Nov 2024 - 13:01:36) Dave where did you hear this . Because all the feedback has been so positive it was a great success.

Re: Disorganised mess - Dave B (13th Nov 2024 - 14:29:50) It was hearsay from someone who says they know someone......apparently it is the financial return that is the issue, not enough of those that thought it was lovely actually making a financial donation! As I said, hearsay which is why I was hoping to hear a factual statement from someone on the committee.

Re: Disorganised mess - Samuel Hawkins (14th Nov 2024 - 20:56:50) This must be where the moany old goats congregate. Thanks to those who support and defend the work of us volunteers. Feel free to muck in and contribute something constructive, Committee meetings in the social club most Tuesdays, my names above... I'll wait X

Re: Disorganised mess - D (15th Nov 2024 - 08:03:55) Closing roads on carnival day may have been okay when it first started in the days when you would have been lucky to see one horse and cart go by, but given the amount of traffic, shift workers, people caring for sick relatives on the other side of town......I think the carnival needs to drag itself into the twenty first century and show some consideration for the people it inconveniences. The roads weren't closed as early as this fifty years ago and there were far more floats then as well. Disrupting traffic was kept to a minimum by having the floats assemble off public roads. Such a shame to see people being verbally abusive because they don't agree with the content of this thread but that seems to be Liphook all over these days, very rude and ignorant. Not the Liphook I grew up in.

Re: Disorganised mess - Life resident (15th Nov 2024 - 10:37:26) Don’t know what all the fuss is about. We have a bypass now if you need to get from one side of the square to the other there’s no problem better than years ago. If emergency vehicles need access they are ushered through no problem. After all it’s just for one night through traffic can go round they have sat navigation these days it’s not rocket science. Think we should make it as big as we can support the carnival something special for our village just once a year fantastic. Think we should close off the village for longer and make a day off it like Bridgewater in Somerset.

Re: Disorganised mess - Samuel Hawkins (15th Nov 2024 - 10:50:02) The majority of residents have a different view point as per the independent poll conducted in 2021 on social media. The poll asked 'Should the carnival continue' a decisive YES was concluded, 988 to 14 in 3 days. I'm sure a poll even on this platform would yield similar results. You can't please everyone and lord knows the committee accept that. Although I do not speak for the entirety of the committee (especially in this tone) I do speak for myself when I say - I refuse to sit back and take unwarranted abuse from armchair solicitors and people using words like 'Shambolic' AS IF the committee get a say over the Council's requirements for the road closures. We simply stipulate what roads should be closed and the Council send us their requirements to do so. The Avenue road cones were a courtesy to the residents of said road and not a stipulation by the council. The cones were moved to Tower road to best manage the traffic from London road (not that I expect anyone to fathom this) of course, feel free to purchase the committee more road cones and I'll consider putting more on the Avenue next year as we have limited supply with priority of the road Marshalls and spectator safety coming first... outside of the road closures, residents can park where they like, we only pre-warn residents an 8-ton steam roller will be passing in close proximity to their vehicle as a courtesy, not a requirement. Personally, I have thick skin, I don't mind offending a minority in the name of putting a smile on kids faces at detriment to time spent with my family as I dedicate my spare time to the majority of happy residents. Although I feel compassion for those affected by the carnival, at the same time, it's 6 hours of 1 day a year for the past 122 years. Again, thank you to those who support the hard word of volunteers to keep one of the UKs longest running carnivals going. If anyone would like to continue this in person, please find me at the committee meetings at the social club most Tuesdays. I'll review individual needs. What I wont do is roll over and accept uneducated abuse to me or my colleagues. Thanks - Sam

Re: Disorganised mess - Mark (15th Nov 2024 - 11:49:18) Sam, don't get drawn into it mate. You have a mandate from the majority, I voted in that poll! Just continue doing what you do mate. When I was on the committee in mid 90s we didn't have the costs you guys have now but we certainly had the people giving their opinions with no input. It is what it is, many have tried to stop the carnival over the year and many have failed because of the overwhelming support for it. You and the team do a great job, got people talking about it again!! Theres no such thing as bad press, its free marketing!! Rgs M

Re: Disorganised mess - Charlie (15th Nov 2024 - 13:22:24) @ Samuel Hawkins. I have read the postings on this Thread very carefully and note understandably that you will not accept accept uneducated abuse. However as far as I can see the only abusive/derogatory language that has been used in this Thread is in your post dated 14 Nov and I quote: "This must be where the moany old goats congregate."

Re: Disorganised mess - Lesley (15th Nov 2024 - 13:52:41) Well said Sam, I am with you there. Just a thought but could the road closures start slightly later in areas away from the Longmoor Rd?

Re: Disorganised mess - Annette (15th Nov 2024 - 15:03:00) I have not missed a carnival since 1952 excluding the blasted pandemic i have seen the carnival on the brink at least 6 times but only due to lack of volunteers and never because a small group of individuals want it their way or no way. what this current committee have acheived is unprecedented with bringing the carnival from the brink to their modern thinking the only thing i would change is bringing the bonfire back but im too old to take part now but i can enjoy it nonetheless. if the only negative is a few road cones id say thats a success.thank you and long live our wonderful carnival.

Re: Disorganised mess - Darren G (15th Nov 2024 - 15:33:23) Theres some right hurty feelings going on here lol Reminds me of the saying 'Throw a brick into a crowd of Karens and only the Karen that gets hit will yelp!' moan moan moan no one cares. Dont like the carnival? can't adjust for 1 evening? Move to Bordon SORTED

Re: Disorganised mess - Samuel Hawkins (15th Nov 2024 - 17:40:11) @Charlie - I've counted 8 abusive and or derogatory comments in this thread, even more if you include mine. Good effort though. 👌 To name a couple - 1. "Shambolic" – Vick described the carnival’s planning as "shambolic," implying disorganisation or lack of professionalism. 2. "Very rude and ignorant." – D generalised the community as "very rude and ignorant," which could be perceived as derogatory. Here to help Sam

Re: Disorganised mess - Jon (15th Nov 2024 - 18:08:00) Constructive criticism can be helpful when directed at people doing something they get paid to do. When it’s directed at volunteers trying to bring a bit of pleasure to others it’s neither needed or wanted. To those critics on this post, if you want change get off your backsides and join the committee and help out.

Re: Disorganised mess - D (15th Nov 2024 - 18:36:44) Samuel Hawkins, the population of Liphook in the 2021 census is recorded as 7,129. Of this population, 1,002 bothered voting. That's one seventh of the population, it could be argued that the other six sevenths of the population are indifferent whether the carnival continues or not. You are clearly passionate and proud of what you do and as a public servant I know what it's like to get criticism from people who do not know what the job involves anyway. It's nice to see carnival committee members engaging with their critics, it wasn't long ago the only time we heard from the carnival was when asking for money.

Re: Disorganised mess - Samuel Hawkins (15th Nov 2024 - 20:27:42) Dear D, Thank you for sharing your thoughts; I truly value discussions like these and appreciate constructive feedback on our work with the carnival. Engaging in these conversations is important, as they allow us to see things from various perspectives and improve our efforts. Regarding the poll, It was specifically aimed at residents aged 18-64—primarily those who could actively contribute to the carnival or engage in local events. This represented 4,060 individuals of the 2021 populous, which translates to a turnout of approximately 24.67%. In fact, this was higher than the turnout for the Bramshott and Liphook Neighbourhood Plan referendum, which suggests a strong interest and passion for the carnival’s future among residents. I welcome and genuinely enjoy conversations about the carnival's role in our community, and I take all feedback—positive or critical—seriously. My only concern is when these conversations begin with hostility, as I believe constructive dialogue helps us all work better together. Thank you once again for taking the time to share your perspective. Best regards, Samuel Hawkins

Re: Disorganised mess - Charlie (16th Nov 2024 - 09:52:49) @ Samuel Hawkins I do not agree that calling an event shambolic or describing people as being rude and ignorant as uneducated abuse. I do call your comment about moany old goats uneducated abuse. Pot and kettle come to mind. Having said that I am sure that a very great deal of very hard work goes into organising and taking part in The Carnival but we are a country of free speech (at least most of the time) and people should feel free to criticise and make observations however divisive but not to make personal and insulting comments.

Re: Disorganised mess - Samuel Hawkins (16th Nov 2024 - 13:18:09) @Charlie Thanks for sharing Charlie. Have a great weekend. Sam

Re: Disorganised mess - Old carnival participant (16th Nov 2024 - 13:53:24) Just a massive thanks to all the hard working committee and helpers you have done a great job to keep this wonderful carnival going. Hopefully you can keep it going and it gets back to being as good as the old days it’s a liphook institution one of the highlights of the year. Thanks again.

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