by Sam Hawcroft
Withernsea Carnival’s chairman is stepping down after 20 years, with organisers and supporters calling for more people to help secure the event’s future.
John Patchett, known to many as “Mr Carnival”, hopes to remain on the committee as attention turns to choosing a new chairman and finding more volunteers to share the workload.
Elections were deferred at a recent meeting advertised as the carnival’s AGM, with a further meeting scheduled for Monday, November 9.
Speaking to the Gazette, John described the strain of organising events with only a few people taking on much of the work.
“I love doing it. Absolutely adore doing it. But I’m tired,” he said.
He said the carnival had always focused on providing fun for children and keeping activities free wherever possible, with treasure hunts and water pistol fights among its attractions.
“We try new things. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don’t work,” he said.
John thanked the Lions, Tesco, local shops, the Scouts and the Gazette for their support, stressing that the carnival was a team effort.
His message was simple: “Keep it going. I don’t want it to fail.”
Committee member Melissa Hayton said most of this year’s six-day programme had been organised and managed by John, Charlotte Orr, her daughter Crystal Hayton and herself.
Paying tribute to John Patchett’s work over the years, she said it was with “great sadness” that he was stepping down, and added: “The carnival desperately needs new committee members who are willing to get involved, pull together as a team, take on responsibilities and genuinely help to make the event a success.
“It cannot continue to rely on a small number of people carrying such a large workload.”
Among those offering to help is resident Rob Beecroft, who set up the Withernsea Revival group on Facebook and attended the meeting alongside Withernsea mayor Kristina Richardson and town councillor Rachel Chester-Wood.
Rob, a full-time foster carer who moved to Withernsea during lockdown, has said he would be willing to serve as interim chairman to help the carnival move forward.
In a statement on the group, he thanked John and the committee for their years of work, while calling for the committee in its present form to step aside and be rebuilt, including members committed to a fresh approach.
He later told the Gazette that he did not have a replacement team waiting to take over.
“There are people on that committee that are more than capable of doing the job with the right support, with the right people in place,” he said.
Rob said he wanted changes agreed before committing himself, but emphasised that his aim was to help the carnival succeed. He also wanted more people to share the practical work and fundraising.
“I believe that if people want the carnival to happen, we’ve got to support it as a community,” he said.
Melissa said the committee had listened to suggestions made at the meeting and was taking some on board. She had also asked Rob who would be involved in his proposed new team.
Rob said he wanted to discuss the way forward face to face, while Melissa said differences over working with existing members would need to be addressed openly and constructively.
“We welcome anyone who genuinely wants to get involved, bring fresh ideas and help us build a stronger carnival for the future,” she said.
John also welcomed Rob’s interest, saying: “I think he’s got a lot of good ideas. He’s probably got the momentum to go forward.”
Withernsea mayor Cllr Kristina Richardson called for a renewed community effort to strengthen the parade in 2027.
She said she had attended the AGM to listen, understand and consider how lessons from the past could help protect the event’s future.
She recalled generations of families lining the streets to watch colourful floats, costumes, marching bands and other participants who helped bring the town to life.
“These traditions are more than simply events on a calendar. They are part of Withernsea’s identity, woven into the rich history and heritage of our community, creating memories that span generations,” she said.
“Organising events of this scale is no easy task, particularly when relying on volunteers, and that commitment should never go unrecognised.”
John said the carnival committee had revived the parade in 2022. Looking ahead, Cllr Richardson said its future would need support from across the town.
“I firmly believe that when Withernsea comes together with a shared purpose, we are capable of achieving incredible things,” she said.
“Whether that means entering a float or group, volunteering as a marshal, joining the committee, offering sponsorship or simply lending a helping hand, we all have something we can contribute.”
The next meeting is scheduled for 4.30pm on Monday, November 9, at the Gateway in Queen Street, with people interested in helping encouraged to come forward.
