THE show will go on. Lockerley and East Dean Carnival will continue despite the present committee disbanding. That’s the message from carnival founder 83-year-old Madge Arthur.

Mrs Arthur who started the carnival more than 30 years ago said: “The rest of my committee has stepped down, so I’ve got to get a new one ready for next year’s carnival. The show will go on. The carnival is still as popular as when I first started it.”

This week four organisations in the village shared £1,900 between them that was raised through carnival events.

They were Lockerley and East Dean War Memorial Committee (£1,500), Lockerley Primary School (£200), Lockerley Benefice Newsletter (£100 and Lockerley Over 60s Club which received £100.

Mrs Arthur presented the £1,500 cheque to the chairman of the hall committee Mike Bowyer. Paying tribute to Mrs Arthur’s work in the community that she has lived in since 1950, villager Mike Thompson said: “November is the month of remembrance and if medals were given for long-term service, Madge Arthur should have one. She is a village institution.”

Besides running the carnival, Madge who has two sons and two daughters, has played an important part in village life since she arrived with her late husband Clem, who was a special constable.

Madge started Lockerley Brownies and Guides, the Over 60s Lunch Club and the Badminton Club and all are still going today. She is still involved with the Over 60s Lunch Club. “Until recently Madge used to do nearly all the cooking herself,” said Mike Thompson’s wife Hilary, who added: “Not many people would do a Sunday roast for 40 people every month. She has been amazing.”

The village fete and the carnival will now be run by two separate committees.