**Dispute Over Council Fees Forces Charity to Cancel Popular May Day Carnival**
A much-anticipated Cardiff community event faces cancellation amid claims of unaffordable fees levied by the local council, sparking disappointment amongst both organisers and residents. Calon Hearts, a prominent Welsh charity dedicated to supporting heart health across the country, announced it will not be able to stage its long-running May Day Carnival at its usual location, blaming “exorbitant” road closure costs demanded by Cardiff Council.
The annual event, a fixture at Whitchurch Common for over 13 years, has grown in popularity, attracting large crowds and fostering a strong community spirit. However, Calon Hearts claims that council restrictions and soaring administration costs have now put the future of the festive gathering in serious doubt. As a result, organisers have been forced to reconsider the viability of hosting the event at other local venues.
Initially, after being told that Whitchurch Common had become “too popular” for the event, the charity attempted to move the carnival to the smaller Llandaff Green. Yet this alternative has also proven financially unworkable. According to Calon Hearts, Cardiff Council quoted a fee of £1,828 for what they describe as a “minor” road closure to facilitate the event—an amount the charity says is simply beyond its means.
With budgets already stretched, the organisation has now cancelled plans to hold the carnival at Llandaff Green. Instead, they will attempt to host a scaled-back version at Llandaff Rowing Club, though it is unclear whether the revised event can muster anything like the impact or attendance of previous years. The potential loss of the full-scale carnival has prompted expressions of regret from both the charity and members of the community.
Sharon Owen, Director at Calon Hearts, voiced her frustration, stating: “We are heartbroken at the possibility of having to cancel our May Day Carnival, which has been a popular family event for over 13 years. The council’s eye-wateringly high costs are making it unfeasible for smaller charities, like ours, to host these vital events, which not only bring people together but also help us raise essential funds to support heart health across Wales.”
Owen warned that the loss of the event would deal a serious blow to the charity’s ability to continue its life-saving work, as donations generated from public events such as the May Day Carnival are crucial to its operations. For many charities, these annual fundraisers are a lifeline, providing not only much-needed finances but also a rare opportunity to engage directly with the local community.
Calon Hearts says the funds raised through such activities allow it to provide free heart screening for people aged 16 to 25 and subsidised services for those in other age brackets. “Without these opportunities, our capacity to offer free screening and support throughout Wales will be severely diminished,” Owen added, urging for a resolution that would allow the event to proceed.
Responding to the criticism, a Cardiff Council spokesperson explained that the authority had worked closely with Calon Hearts to ensure costs were kept to a minimum. They outlined that the quoted fee included the on-the-day presence of five staff over an eight-hour period, required to manage the highway closure and ensure public safety during the event. The council also highlighted that comparable costs on private land would likely be far higher.
The spokesperson added: “On receiving the Council’s invoice last week, Calon Hearts decided not to cover the costs, thus postponing the event as it stands. Last year, in similar circumstances, the council assisted the charity in securing a sponsor to fund the fees; however, it was made clear that future events would require funding or sponsorship arranged ahead of time. We sincerely hope that Calon Hearts is able to find the necessary support to go ahead with this event, but current budget restrictions prevent us from waiving fees altogether.”
This situation reflects broader challenges faced by small charities across the UK, as rising costs and increased administrative requirements pressure organisations at a time when community engagement and charitable support are arguably needed more than ever. For now, uncertainty remains over the fate of the May Day celebrations, with organisers hoping a last-minute sponsor or solution might still rescue the cherished Cardiff tradition.