FLOATS could be brought back to Carnival Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the Penarth Summer Festival.

During a Penarth Town Council leisure and amenities committee meeting last week (September 3) councillors discussed the success of this year’s festival and began planning ahead for next year.

Deputy town clerk Keri Hutchings said this year had been “really successful” as it competed against a number of events in Cardiff and the Vale, but with the 50th anniversary next year “it would be nice to add a few more things”.

He said that the RAF tutor display had been a great success this year, but he was considering a different air display for next year that could be a bit more expensive.

“I have got a few things up my sleeve but I don’t want to reveal them yet,” he said.

Labour Councillor Gwyn Roberts, who represents the St Augustine’s ward, said that the lack of floats played on his mind and that he would like to see their return.

“We are relying on the classic cars for the parade at the moment, but if we could get floats we should look at that,” he said.

“I know that other towns do that and if we could get floats in maybe as a council we could support it.”

Deputy Town Clerk Keri said that historically local pubs were keen on having floats and pushing beds around town, but over the years there had not been much interest.

“The pubs and schools used to be prolific in part, but not much anymore and I have been the one chasing them.”

Labour Councillor Tracey Alexander, who represents the Cornerswell ward, said that a good approach could be to approach community groups to see if they would be interested.

Keri said that he would pursue the idea and see if community groups would be interested for the 50th anniversary of the Penarth Summer Festival.

Councillor Neil Thomas added that there could be a sponsorship prize for the winning float.

When asked whether community groups put together floats and the money goes to charity or charities making floats are awarded the money he said they could do either approach.

The committee also confirmed that the annual holiday week has now been pencilled in for July 2 until July 12.

Carnival Day has been chosen for July 11 as that is the only Saturday in the month with high tide in the afternoon, at 3.32pm.

Conservative Councillor Wendy Van Den Brom, who represents the Plymouth ward, said that as the Carnival Day was now scheduled to take place during school term time it could encourage schools to get involved.

“We could find a theme that schools can be interested in and get involved,” she said.

Labour Councillor Rhiannon Birch, who represents the Cornerswell ward, added that “a lot of people were disappointed” about the Downhill Derby not taking place this year, and that its confirmation should be made earlier this year so that Sixth Formers and other people interested could get involved.

“They would need to know months in advance,” she said.

“Schools as well as young men between 16 and 30 would be interested.”

Councillors also confirmed that the Christmas Festival switching on event will be held on November 30 as it is the last Sunday of the month.