A HISTORIC Scout and Guide festival is under threat after organisers cancelled this year’s event and warned future ones are in doubt unless new people can be found to stage it.

The Bedale Festival has been an annual highlight and a big fundraiser for the town’s Scouts and Guides for more than 30 years.

Generations of children have been involved in staging the event, which used to parade through the town on floats, but after health and safety concerns became a walking procession.

Despite one of their most successful events last year, organisers say they have no choice but to cancel the festival for 2017, due to a lack of helpers.

Group Scout leader Chris Hall warned: “It is going to be difficult to get it off the ground again unless we have people coming forward to help.

“We have very successful Scout and Guide groups, with Brownies and Cubs, as well as Beavers and Rainbows for the very young and Explorers for the older age group. There are over 150 young people involved, aged from five to 15.

“But the scout and guide leaders have a lot on their plate just running the groups so we rely on supporters to help take on the task of staging the festival. This year we just didn’t have them.

“It is a huge shame because it’s a big part of the town’s calendar but it becomes a really onerous task for the very few if we don’t have assistance.”

Cllr John Noone, chairman of Hambleton District council, and one of the Bedale representatives, said it will be a great tragedy if the festival ends.

“It’s been a major event in the town for decades, it’s part of the our history. So many families and children have been involved. They used to dress up the floats, but more recently they have marched through the town all the way along the High Street and into Bedale Hall with the band accompanying them.

“It really has been a highpoint of the year, it’s held in June, and come rain or shine we’ve always managed to stage the festival for residents and visitors. It really is important that this continues for future generations of youngsters in Bedale.

“When so many young people are still involved it seems astonishing that we can’t keep this going. It also raises money - up to £2,000 can be raised - and that’s a big help to support the scouts and guides.”

  • Anyone who can help should contact Mr Hall on 01677-426266