The return of a popular children’s event proved a roaring success as scores of families turned out at Colchester Castle Park to enjoy the activities on offer.
The Young Children’s Festival has run since 1995, but Harriet Miller, who is one of the main organisers of the event, had worried beforehand that this year’s festival could be the last due to a severe shortage of funds.
The day costs approximately £4,000 to put together and runs largely from donations and council grants.
Although further donations are needed for the vent to continue in future years, Mrs Miller said the day showed that the Young Children’s Festival is still very important to young families in Colchester.
She said: “It was so bursting with life – everyone was so pleased to be back together, and we felt that from volunteers and stall holders.
“The support we get from Colchester Council and the Community 360 group is also great.”
The Young Children’s Festival had run over Zoom in 2020 and 2021, but with the even only taking place virtually, donations dried up.
However, Mrs Miller explained that the Zoom events did keep people in contact with the festival.
“We had tried to keep people in contact with us by using videos and online Zoom stuff, but we didn’t get a great number of people.
“There was a bit of nerves if people were going to come back, but boy, did they come back – I think there were more people there than we’ve ever had before.”
Particularly pleasing for Mrs Miller, who has spent countless hours organising the Young Children’s Festival over the years, was how many people made a point of telling organisers how much they had enjoyed the event.
“So many people took the trouble to say how much they enjoyed the day – some of the comments on our ‘leaf a comment’ idea were lovely.
“I should mention that our new mayor and mayoress, who opened the event, stayed all morning.”
Perhaps most importantly, a few people could now be able to step in and help organise the event in future.
“There was also someone there I had known for many years and she was waxing lyrical about how great it was, and I asked if she would like to help out next year.
“People could volunteer just for fundraising, or just being there on the day, or just being on the committee.”
Any donations to the Young Children’s Festival can be made via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/youngchildrensfestival2022.
Anybody interested in helping volunteer at the Children’s Festival can contact Harriet Miller on harrimiller@btinternet.com.
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