A LANDLADY dismayed that a local scouts fundraising stall had been barred from the town carnival for the first time in 20 years because a commercial trader will pay more for sole rights has offered the scouts a lifeline with the chance to trade from her pub.

A LANDLADY dismayed that a local scouts fundraising stall had been barred from the town carnival for the first time in 20 years because a commercial trader will pay more for sole rights has offered the scouts a lifeline with the chance to trade from her pub.

Her offer comes as feelings in Stowmarket continue to run high that the scouts have been prevented from raising funds with their hot dog stall next month. Some of the thousands of carnival-goers who enjoy the summer event are even considering boycotting the commercial hot dog stall and argue that the spirit of the carnival is being lost.

But carnival organisers insist they can raise far more money to help many other charities in the town by selling sole rights to another trader, creating additional funds for other local groups, not just the scouts who pay a minimal amount for their pitch.

And they have warned the carnival may not run in future years of more people do not come forward to help with the organising.

Eileen Nunn, landlady at the Walnut Tree pub in Stowmarket, said she has had sons who have benefited form the scouts and wanted to do something for the organisation who do so much for young people.

She said: "My sons were in the scouts, the organisation is close to my heart. I value the work they do. They can use my back courtyard, we are close to the recreation ground(where the carnival is held).''

David Cutting, group scout leader for the 1st Stowmarket Scouts, who has criticised the carnival committee of commercialism by a group who should be promoting charities, will be meeting with her to discuss the offer.

Alan Parris, former group scout leader for the 1st Stowmarket Scouts, said he also feels aggrieved that the organisation has been told they are not wanted to sell hot dogs and burgers at the carnival this year.

He said: "I would have thought there was enough for all to share the spoils of the day and not for a monopoly.

"For many years the concept of carnival day was for many charities such as ours to raise funds and carry on the charitable work that we do and not for outsiders to take away thousands of pounds to far away places that do not benefit the town and nearby surrounding areas.

"What is happening now seems to be destroying the original idea or Stowmarket carnival.''

But Denise Hutton, carnival committee member, said: "We are a charity as much as they are. If we can raise more money to give back to the town, fair enough.

"There may not be a carnival next year though, we need more committee members. This year we did not even do the carnival magazine for the first time in ages, there was not enough manpower. There are only eight of us tops on the committee and it's a lot of work, there is a real risk to it.''

The carnival day this year will be held on Saturday, July 19.