A NEW chairman has taken the helm to run this year’s Burnham Carnival.

Kelvin Coles, owner of The Cabin Dairy Cafe and Tea Rooms in Burnham is now the new head of the Burnham carnival committee.

The votes were cast at the committee’s annual general meeting this month where two candidates went for the spot.

Mr Coles said he thought about the role since last year.

He said: “I started thinking about being chairman in the summer last year.

“My reason for this is that I love the carnival and because me and my partner run our business seven days a week, I couldn’t do much to help on carnival day as I was working.

“I would help when our cafe closed but that was only moving a few barriers and driving a van, every little helps I know - but I wanted to do more.

“So I thought why not run for chairman, I can do things to help throughout the year in the evenings and when I do get spare time.

“I feel very honoured to be voted in as Chairman, I’ve only been on the committee three years or so.

“I feel I have great support from everyone who makes Burnham carnival what it is and that makes this special event happen each year.

“I’d like to see the Carnival grow and get even more spectacular starting this year.

“I’d like more floats to enter and to bring even bigger exciting night time carnival performers to the procession.

“Me and my fiancée Becca Tatlow have owned The Cabin Dairy for a year and six months roughly, in some ways it does but it shows that we love our community and what better way than helping with probably the biggest and best event in Burnham’s calendar.”

Former chairman Caroline Sarychkin said she was proud of the committee.

She said: “I am very happy that we have an excellent new chairman, Kelvin Coles, and vice-chairman, Terry Martin.

“The Burnham Carnival is the biggest event in our town and it was a huge honour for me to be in the chair.

“The new team will bring new ideas and energy and I’m really looking forward to this year’s carnival.

“Unlike some other carnivals, we have a growing and thriving committee which I am sure will support Kelvin and Terry as they supported me, to make sure that the carnival goes from strength to strength.”