Carnival-2006

A partnership between St. Christopher’s Cathedral and the Bahrain Rugby Football Club is not a concept which naturally comes to mind. Indeed, there were a few who feared that the liaison would be a disaster!

So, with courage, yet committed team resolve, the carnival organising committee decided “go for it”. In truth, it could not afford to do otherwise. Carnival 2005 had been a great success, but lack of space on the cathedral compound and lack of car parking around it were among the negative factors which stifled the carnival formula.
In a phrase, it needed space and a green environment in which to grow. Where better than on a huge grass rugby pitch? Safe for children, comfortable to sit on, and plenty of scope to ensure an action-packed family day out, and the chance to raise funds for the life of the cathedral and the community. This was Carnival 2006.
It is estimated that at least 3,000 adults and children attended. The weather was perfect: brilliant sun with a gentle wind – although the flute players would not agree!

The core theme of the carnival is to celebrate the performing talents of young people. A variety of music, singing and dance punctuated the day for over five hours, all performed on a special stage. The Indian School Marching Band was the only exception, opting first to parade around the pitch on any space it could find!
School choirs, music ensembles, Brownies singing camp-fire songs, a variety of classical dance forms - African, Indian and Irish as well as ballet – compèred by Radio Bahrain’s personality, Krazy Kevin, were part of the programme.

At the other end of the pitch, favourite games - Bean Bag Toss, Frog in the Pond, Mini-Golf, Sports’ Ball Tombola – kept the organisers busy and hundreds of young children happy. As ever, the skittle alley was popular. New attractions included Hair Hallucinations and Electrocution. Beyond the touch line, pony rides were so sought-after that supply could not keep up with demand. An emergency call to the Dilmun Club (just down the road) solved that. Three more ponies arrived so that their two hot and tired colleagues could rest in the shade.
The Rugby Club’s marquee was the ideal venue for a variety of stalls, all generating the core business sales of the day. Second-hand books and magazines, cakes and savouries, tombola, cathedral merchandise, trinkets, games, face-painting and raffle ticket sales were major contributors to the net cash proceeds for the day: BD3700.

This year, the carnival committee decided not to become involved in the Food and Beverage business. Just as well. With several thousand people to cater for, it would have been a nightmare to organise. Instead, our partnership with the Rugby Club was quite simple: F & B management would be their concern, and their profit was our reciprocal appreciation for the club being the gracious venue host.

Now, three weeks after the event, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Of course, there are more lessons to be learned. Already there is pressure and encouragement – in equal measure – to repeat the event next year.

When asked, I have to admit that the cathedral cannot now turn its back on this successful formula: the net proceeds (including advertising and donations) have generated just over BD5000 income to support the cathedral’s work. Some keen observers may say that this is much less than in fête days. True. But circumstances have changed, particularly Ministry rules which now severely curtail raffles. But don’t let us become despondent about this. Money aside, the whole carnival project was a tremendous opportunity for outreach to the community and committed teamwork. Isn’t that an admirable goal, and achievement, too?

Angela Murray