This year's July Jazz Picnic on Becketswell Meadow may turn out to be the last. Begun in 1996 as the Wymondham Music Festival starting event, the Wymondham Rotary Club saw an opportunity to continue this popular and enjoyable event while also supporting good causes. Over the past three years, more than £5,000 from this event has been donated by the club to local charities.

Well over 1,000 people have attended to listen to traditional jazz, sit on the grass with a picnic, and even bring tables and chairs (and often candelabra!) for a family evening out. Charity stalls supporting other organisations have benefited from selling coffee, hot dogs and ice cream as well as raffle and tombola tickets. Entry has always been free to all, with Rotarians circulating during the evening asking for voluntary donations. Most or all of the costs have been covered by generous sponsorship from local businesses and individuals.

The 2024 evening in July was less well attended, with about 600 people in the audience. This was mainly because the weather forecast was poor, although fortunately, the clouds and rain cleared just before the entertainment began. As always, it was an enjoyable evening. Unfortunately, the amount of money raised for charity, which has been declining in the last couple of years, was significantly reduced. Costs have risen substantially and the risk of bad weather causing a loss on the event night is correspondingly higher. Because Becketswell Meadow is public open space, the Rotary Club cannot charge for entry and public voluntary giving has dropped from previous years. Sponsorship is also harder to obtain.

Inevitably, there is a great deal of work in arranging such an event and carrying out the work before and after the evening. For the Rotarians involved, who are getting older, this work is becoming excessive. The club has, therefore, come to the decision that it cannot organise the event in 2025. There is no doubt that the annual Jazz Picnic has become a favourite event for many Wymondham residents. It would be a pity to see it disappear from the calendar, so the club would be willing to share knowledge and expertise on running the event in future with any other organisation or group who might be interested to take it on, as a public service and/or charity event.

If you are interested in retaining the ‘picnic’ next year, please contact the Secretary of Wymondham Rotary Club, Philip Richardson, on 07715 699 211 or email prichardson@downhammanor.co.uk.