Appeal to help Rustington festival

The two-week bonanza is set to kick-off on June 7 and is once again being organised by the Littlehampton and District Lions’ Club, in conjunction with village traders and Rustington Parish Council.

And now the Lions are looking for people to get their thinking caps on and join the popular carnival procession.

Entries can be as varied as they are colourful, from dynamic dancing troupes, to bright floats and displays.

Festival committee member Alan Kerry said he was excited by this year’s procession, which he hopes will be one of the biggest yet.

Alan, of Fircroft Crescent, Rustington, said: “The festival has become a great community event where many local organisations join us to celebrate, promote awareness and raise funds for their causes.

“This year’s theme for the carnival procession will be animal magic. We’re really excited by this.

“We honestly have no idea what kind of ideas people will come up with but I can imagine there will be some colourful and wacky ones.”

The carnival procession is taking place on Saturday, June 14.

All those interested in joining the festivities should contact Keith Mates, on 01825 872023 or by emailing [email protected]

Alan, who is helping to organise the festival with his wife June, and fellow Lions, Austen Beard, Don Rogers and Keith, said there will be plenty of other ways for people to get stuck into this year’s festivities.

Shop owners are being urged to join a village ‘cuckoo in the nest’ treasure hunt.

June said traders would need to hide a mysterious object in their store for shoppers – young and old – to find between June 7 and 14.

She said: “This is going to be a really fun way to attract people into the village’s shopping centre.

“We came up with the idea when we were on holiday in Swanage.

“We went into a local Oxfam store to try the hunt and the owners were really devious in hiding the treasures.

“They had left a tea bag inside a coffee mug, which we thought was hilarious.”

Alan added: “Everyone in the village will be looking more diligently in shop windows. So hopefully this will help to drum up trade in Rustington.”

Keen-eyed villagers, who spot the most treasure, could be in with a chance to win a cash prize ranging from £50 to £20.

Lions are also calling on groups wishing to promote their organisations to join the Grand Fête, at the Woodlands playing field.

To join in the fun, call Alan on 01903 872017 by June 6. A brochure of events will be published. Groups wishing to have their event in the leaflet should contact Keith before May 7.