A buzzingly busy carnival day

For once Nim wasn't joking - the procession had to be diverted from the seafront because of a swarm of bees and was instead directed by Sussex Police along Egerton Park Road towards the Polegrove.

The swarm had settled on a wall on the putting green and it was decided the noise and movement of the floats and spectators could cause the bees to go into attack mode.

It was a small change to the usual Saturday afternoon route along West Parade but one that worked well according to Nim.

He commented: "We were very pleased on Saturday. It was a buzzing carnival...very good."

He was less impressed by local support for the Party In The Polegrove on Friday evening, and felt it had not been so well attended.

"People say to us there are no events for people in Bexhill, and you try and do it. If they don't then support it then it is down to them.

"But we will be back next year."

He thanked the small team which works so hard to get everything ready for the carnival weekend - including his wife Sal and nephew Paul.

"We are very pleased with it - espoecially when there's such a difficult economic climate, and that is reflected in everything. I'd like to say thanks to the people of Bexhill, the ones who supported us, and also all the sponsors."

The floats were judged before they departed from Turkey Road to make their way through town towards the Polegrove.

The theme was Films, which threw up inspiration for many imaginative and dramatic floats, and among the procession as ever was the Carnival Court - with Carnival Queen Fern Denney, deputy queen Lauren Gander, and princesses Jade Semple-Ennion, and Amber Okines.

Inspector James Scott of Bexhill's neighbourhood police team commented that Saturday was "busy" and added: "It was a very well-attended event."

Carnival committee member George Coleman afterwards ran through the list of names of those he wanted to thank, beginning with Brighton and Hove Albion for organising two football tournaments.

He also expressed gratitude to: "The pubs that entered our round the town pram push, and Bexhill Lions Club members for their support, both financial and for manning the Polegrove Gates on Friday and Saturday '“ sometimes not the most pleasant job of the week.

"Also the Old Town Preservation Society for their sponsorship towards the cost of the procession, James Scott and Ken Moore of Sussex Police, Raynet and 1066 Motorcycles for helping with the procession, Dray's and White's Brewery for their sponsorship, Enid Houghton for organising the procession, judges and judging; John and Chris Cox, Julie and Matt and Matt's mum and Tanya Walters. Ian Rushforth and Debbie Welfare of RDC, Bexhill Cricket club for hosting our visiting courts after the carnival; Nicky and Christina Shaw for their continued support, John Dupree (Borris) and his team of security marshals, Brenda Dupree and Terry Lawrence, Nick and Yvonne Croft, Jim and Mandy at the Rose and Crown.

"We are also grateful to all the committee members' 'other halves' and other volunteers and helpers, without whom staging this event each year would be even harder."

Cllr Robert Elliston, chairman of Rother District Council, said: "I thought it was brilliant. The floats were very good. I particularly liked the Titanic one. The weather was beautiful and I had an excellent time.

"There are plenty of good guys behind the carnival, who work from practically the day after the last carnival to prepare for the next one. So we're very grateful to people like Nim and Sally, and Pauline Bullock, and all the organisers."