Swings and roundabouts

Gareth Owen, who has worked as a volunteer on Llandudno's Victorian Extravaganza board for seven years and is the current Extravaganza Chairman, slammed Conwy County Borough Council for not supporting the May Bank Holiday event.

The council has cleared litter from the streets following the event, free of charge, for the last 22 years. Mr Owen, who is the longest serving member of the board, stressed the notice had been a "kick in the teeth" for organisers.
He said: "They don't support the event, but they will be ploughing thousands of pounds into the Penmaenmawr Boat Race and other events, and there is only £1,500 budget for the extravaganza and transport festival."
This year last minute sponsors stepped in to help with the £59,000 event. Mr Owen stressed concerns have been raised over the years that the event was swaying away from the Victorian theme, but argued without the additional funds gained by the rides the event could not go ahead.

Andrew Scarett, events co-ordinator for the extravaganza said the news of Mr Owen's resignation was a "sad loss" for the town. He said: "I can see both sides. We are all volunteers and we all work so hard and it is demoralising when things like this happen."

Andrew Scarett is a very long time member of the event, having started to participate 20 years ago, along with his father, a long-time supporter. However, it's not simply Conwy that's at fault. Successive Llandudno councils have also offered little or no support, and have in the past been swayed by insidious comments from bitter Extravaganza exiles, in particular an ex-committee member whose short-sighted and selfish actions precipitated the loss of the event's founder, Margaret Lyon, and, through sheer idleness, nearly allowed the event to founder in the following years.

Gareth Owen has worked flat out for the event, and isn't the first to resign; most only stick it for about five years. But should the event end, what - if anything - will replace it? Perhaps we should be looking for something new....