SKINFLINTS who forced their way into Ilkley Carnival without paying a penny have been labelled 'despicable'.

More than 18,000 people attended the town's annual Bank Holiday party - the vast majority boosting the coffers of Ilkley-based charities as they passed through the gates.

However, the antics of a stingy minority of gate crashers have left carnival committee members scratching their heads.

Hundreds of people refused to pay the entrance fee, choosing instead to gain entry by other means.

Carnival president Miggy Bailey said: "Hopefully we will still have an excellent total for the carnival beneficiaries, but that is not really the point."

"It is astonishing the lengths some people will go to to avoid paying to get in," said Mrs Bailey.

Mrs Bailey said some visitors had been seen lifting buggies over the fence to avoid paying for youngsters while other carnival-goers had waded across the River Wharfe to attend the event.

"I think it is very sad that these people do not feel they should have to pay for an excellent day out, an excellent 'value for money' day out," said Mrs Bailey.

The carnival committee is at a loss to explain how people could object to paying a £2 entrance fee (£1 for children and concessions).

"If people did not want to spend lots of money, they could pay to get in and then not spend another penny, although we hope that they would of course," said Mrs Bailey.

She added that the minority who had refused to pay for a fantastic day were simply depriving the Ilkley community of money which would benefit many people. Fellow carnival committee member Mike Lynes said: "It is a bit humbug."

Those hoping to benefit from this final carnival of the 20th century include Ilkley Talking Newspapers, 3rd Ben Rhydding Scouts and Ilkley Parish Council (millennium projects fund).

Members of the Rotary Club of Ilkley man the entrances to East Holmes Field. The club press officer added his voice to those condemning the skinflints.

Peter Cussons said: "Those on the gate have a very difficult job. I am not sure what the answer to the problem is. However, this is really despicable, what is £2 to get in, it is the price of a pint of beer."

The carnival committee does use a limited number of professional security staff at the annual event, but much of the work is carried out by unpaid volunteers - many of whom represent charitable organisations hoping to benefit from the carnival.

Mrs Bailey said the antics of these stingy people had been upsetting, it had not ruined a marvellous day, enjoyed by the thousands (the paying majority) of Olicanians and visitors alike.

The carnival president said thoughts were now turning to Ilkley Carnival 2000 - with ideas for a theme much appreciated.

She said that whatever theme was eventually chosen for next year, the standard of the parade would have to be something special to top the spectacle of this year's parade.

Mrs Bailey can be contacted at Ilkley Town Hall on 01943 436212.

l Our Comment - Page 6.

l Special report and pictures of the carnival on Pages 12 and 13.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.