ROMSEY Carnival parades may be popular, but the cost of insuring the events are spiralling.

Carnival treasurer, Peter Lomer, has revealed that the organising committee had to take out a loan last year to cover the £1,029 public liability insurance premium.

Mr Lomer said: “Despite a number of requests for assistance with the cost of public liability insurance, we only received a single donation of £600 and had to take out a £400 loan and the balance came from retained 2012 monies.” He said that the committee was required by law to have public liability cover and that the cash borrowed by the committee had been paid back.

Mr Lomer warned that the cost of staging this year’s event would probably be even higher.

“This year, the insurance will cost £1,081 unless a cheaper quote is received. So far, we’ve had a £500 donation towards the cost and the loan will be available again this year if needed,” added Mr Lomer.

He added that the committee had to also pay for first aid cover, portable loos and the hire of walkie-talkies used by marshals.

On the plus side, Mr Lomer said reinstating the bed race in last year’s programme of summer events had been a good move.

He said the carnival committee planned to extend the route of the bed race this year.

“We were overwhelmed by the response. We are hoping more people will take part.”

He said the committee was considering staging a children’s home-made go-kart race on the same night.

Last week, beneficiaries of the 2013 carnival events were presented with their money at the carnival committee’s annual general meeting at the White Horse Hotel.

Organisations who received cash from the committee’s £1,500 charity pot included Romsey Scouts, Romsey Blind Club, Friends of Romsey Signal Box project, Romsey Town Council (for the Christmas lights) and Romsey and District Information and Support at Home.

Carnival chairman, John Ray, who was reelected on the night, praised everyone who helped behind the scenes to ensure the summer and winter parades went ahead.

This included town marshals and Romsey’s Air and Army Cadets who help out at the two processions and the bed race.

Mr Ray also thanked Bojangles and Liz Friedman for making and donating dresses for the 2013 carnival queen and her attendants.

Charities and organisations interested in receiving money from this year’s events are asked to apply now giving details of how the money woud be spent.

Applications should be sent to 46, Mountbatten Ave, Romsey, SO51 8DZ or romseycarnival@ hotmail.co.uk, by February 28.