Crawley's Mela festival cancelled for 2016

The festival has been a part of Crawley’s calendar since 1989, bringing together food and music from Crawley’s various cultural groups.

Marilyn Le Feuvre, who is one of the Mela’s organisers, told the Obby that many of their usual volunteer organisers have other commitments, and new people are needed to take their place.

“The number of people around the table and more importantly, their experience, wasn’t enough to pull off the Mela at our usual standard.

“It was a very difficult decision. We just didn’t want to do a Mela that was substandard - they expect bigger and better, because we have almost promised that year on year, but it just wasn’t possible.

However, organisers are already looking ahead to next year.

“We’ve started recruiting,” said Marilyn, “getting fresh ideas, people with energy and commitment so that we can do something in 2017.”

Although they had been asking for volunteers for some time, Marilyn said she felt people might have taken it for granted that the festival would go ahead somehow.

“For many years we have struggled, and done it with a skeleton committee, but we really can’t sustain that - we’re getting burnt out.”

News of the cancellation has already sparked a response, with people offering their help to make sure the festival is back next year.

“I really hope that in 2017 we can come back with a bang,” said Marilyn.

Anyone who would like to help can email [email protected] or call 07709 821741 to register their interest.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/crawleyobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @Crawley_Obby

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Crawley Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.