A REQUEST by Wellington Carnival Committee for town councillors to sponsor a classic motor car show which has been held during the day of the procession for the past two years has been refused.
The committee asked the town council for £1,000 to sponsor the show, which is held in the car park of Wellington Conservative Club.
But economic development committee members were less than positive about the event.
Cllr John Thorne queried how many people actually attended the motor show after the organisers reported estimates placed at up to 3,500.
Cllr Thorne, who has previously questioned the reported number of people attending the annual Eat:Festival in Wellington, said: “I had to laugh at the figures quoted.
“If they had 3,500 people at the motor show last year, then the Eat:Festival must have attracted 20,000.
“I have looked at the motor show a couple of times and there is a dribble of people.
“If they said they had a few hundred people, I would accept that, but to say 3,500 is nonsense.
“They also say they have 70 exhibitors at the motor show, I think they would be hard-pushed to get 70 in there.
“I think there is a bit of ‘carnival spirit’ behind those claims.”
Mayor Cllr Janet Lloyd suggested the carnival committee could look for sponsorship from businesses involved in the car trade.
Cllr Keith Wheatley said: “If they have got a group of people who want to show off their old cars, I am sure they would be willing to pay.”
However, councillors did agree to again sponsor the comic class for carnival, which will be held on September 27, at a cost of £400.
Cllr Thorne said: “I think it is an appropriate class for us to sponsor, given what the public probably thinks of us.”