THE Maldon Carnival organisers are already looking to the community for some new volunteers to help safeguard the event's successful return next August.
This year's carnival was a huge success drawing in crowds of up to 3,000 from far and wide, and the committee behind the biggest event in the town's calendar is urging people to come forward to make next year's even better.
Carnival chairman Simon Watkins, who is stepping down, said: "We love working for the carnival, it's a great honour for us but we do need some help.
"I think we need some new blood with a fresh view on things with new ideas that can take the carnival forwards.
"It is a fantastic, rewarding feeling to know that you can put on an event like the carnival and to see people smiling at the end can really make your day – this year I was inundated with well-wishers saying what a good job we'd done."
Back in March 2012 the Chronicle started a campaign to attract eight new volunteers, and our coverage eventually convinced people to step forward and rescue the event.
Because some committee members have left, the vacancies include chairman, chaperone, programme and sponsorship manager, procession manager and event administrator, while other volunteers are needed on the day too.
But Mr Watkins said: "We are all willing to help again with the organisation, so no-one will be left on their own, but it's important that we do attract a new crowd.
"The positions available would be best filled by enthusiastic people who want to promote the carnival.
"It's a great opportunity to meet people and see what goes into arranging an event like the famous Maldon Carnival."
The chaperone position covers the organisation of the carnival queen and her court on the day and when she visits other towns throughout the year.
A programme and sponsorship manager is needed to liaise with advertisers and produce the printed schedule.
A procession manager's role would be to arrange the route and timings whilst the event admin organiser would deal with the associated paperwork and liaising with the appropriate authorities.
"The admin role would be best filled by a dynamic young graduate who wants some first-hand experience organising events and dealing with all the things an event organiser would deal with. It would be a great achievement to stick on their CV," said Mr Watkins.
Last year's procession manager Rob Slight said: "We do have a great time working for the carnival, it's a laugh and we will all be here next year but we need some extra assistance in some areas.
"Even though it is a big event there are only a few of us that help organise it."
The role would mean attending the monthly committee meetings which start this autumn and the organisers are keen to hear from as many people as possible.
For more details, contact Rob Slight on 07929 857723 or rob@maldoncarni val.co.uk. Anyone interested should attend a meeting with the committee on Wednesday, October 9, at 7pm at the Constitutional Club, in Fambridge Road, Maldon.
