A popular seasonal event which lights up Romsey town centre could be snuffed out if more helpers are not found.

The annual general meeting of the Romsey Community Lantern Project heard that more recruits for the committee are needed to keep this popular Christmas event marching on into the future Secretary Mavis Sawdy reported on the success of the 2014 parade which saw almost 300 lanterns and 1,000 people march through the town centre during Romsey Chamber of Commerce’s Late Night Shopping Evening.

For its first three years the project has relied on a small team of enthusiasts to organise workshops, where the paper lanterns are designed and made, and to co-ordinate the parade itself.

Driving force of the event, its founder Pamela Eastwood, has had to stand down as chairperson for health reasons. Although Mavis, artist and workshop leader Jill Searl, and committee member Liz Franklin, have all been re-elected the event needs a new chairman and committee members if it is to continue.

“If we can’t find a strong chairman and parade organiser the event can’t happen,” Mavis told the Advertiser.

“Everyone is very enthusiastic about the parade but I think it’s time the town took ownership of it.”

Apart from an experienced chairperson and a parade organiser, the project is looking for people with skills in administration, accounting and finance, PR and marketing who can commit to regular committee meetings throughout the year. Additionally, helpers are also required for workshops which start in August/September and parade marshalls are needed for the night of the Parade.

The meeting heard that the Romsey Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council committed to helping the lantern team as the parade has become such an important feature of the Christmas calendars since it began three years ago.

Ongoing fundraising remains a key part of the committee’s work but the meeting heard the project’s finances were in a healthy state with a reserve about £2,000. The annual cost of the project is around £3,500 – which is kept down thanks to the voluntary input from the community.

Anyone interested in helping can contact Mavis Sawdy on mavis.sawdy@ gmail.com, tel. 07969 789013 or 01794 513301, outlining your particular skills.

A follow-up meeting will be arranged in April to decide whether or not there is sufficient support for the project to continue.