Guy Carnival Announcement

Press Release Thursday 16th April 2026

Guy Carnival Announcement.

A statement from Andy Fern of Harwich Rotary Club:

‘On behalf of the Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt, it was with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we shared the news that our club will be closing at the end of this Rotary year.

After 80 years of service to our community, this has been an incredibly difficult decision. Generations of Rotarians have given their time, energy, and compassion to make a difference in Harwich and Dovercourt, and it has been an honour to continue that legacy. Despite our best efforts and several recruitment drives, our membership has reached a point where we can no longer operate safely or sustainably.

One of our proudest responsibilities has been acting as custodians of the Harwich Guy Carnival, a tradition that has brought colour, creativity, and community spirit to the town for over 170 years. Many of our members first helped to run the Carnival through Round Table in the 1950s, before the stewardship was passed to Rotary in the 1990s, where it has remained ever since.

During that time, the Carnival has raised many thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes, a testament not only to the dedication of our members, but to the generosity and enthusiasm of the people of Harwich and Dovercourt.

We are pleased to announce that the Harwich Festival of Arts has agreed to take on this long-standing tradition, ensuring that the Carnival will continue to thrive and remain a cherished part of our town’s identity for years to come.

To the community, to our volunteers, to everyone who has built floats, rattled buckets, marched, organised, supported, donated, or simply turned-out year after year, thank you. You have made the Guy Carnival a truly wonderful event, and we are deeply grateful for the memories and the impact it has created.

As we move through these final months, we will do so with gratitude, dignity, and a commitment to ensuring our remaining responsibilities are completed properly. On behalf of the club – Thank You’.

A statement from Harwich Festival Artistic Director Peter Davis:

‘The Harwich Festival has always existed to entertain the local community by offering experiences and participation in Arts, Culture and Heritage and we are particularly pleased that we are able to take on the organisation of the Guy Carnival to maintain and develop this important tradition. Over the last few weeks we have had to do a lot of work to get to this point and I would like to thank my staff and the Harwich Rotary Club for their support. I would also like to record our appreciation of all the efforts of Harwich Rotary Club to keep the Guy Carnival going for so many years and I echo the sentiments expressed.

Since the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre obtained its 25-year lease from Essex County Council, Harwich Festival is now in a much more stable position and can take on projects of this nature. In addition our experience in running the Harwich Festival, Dovercourt and Clacton Beach Festivals, the Illuminate Parades and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be very useful for this undertaking. To keep us in tune with the traditions of the Guy Carnival we have also engaged Chris Root onto our organising team.

Furthermore the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre is an important resource for Heritage Projects as we already host the Electric Palace Archives and the Mayflower Exhibition so we will look to see how it can be used to support the Carnival. We have always considered the Harwich Festival to be a creative platform for ideas and we will be pleased to hear any suggestions for the Carnival. To this end we will be holding an open meeting in the next few weeks and we hope to meet with everyone who has supported this great tradition’.

Peter Davis

Artistic Director Harwich Festival

Thursday 16th April 2026