Carnival Week gets off to a great start

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week got off to a fantastic start at the weekend with bright sunshine and big crowds.
Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2015.
The 'Nearly' on the Beach Concert. SUS-150308-072434001Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2015.
The 'Nearly' on the Beach Concert. SUS-150308-072434001
Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2015. The 'Nearly' on the Beach Concert. SUS-150308-072434001

The Nearly on the Beach Concert was a great success, moving from the beach itself to the Stade Open Space and showcasing some fine local bands and musicians across Saturday and Sunday.

People were in good voice on Saturday for the Town Crier’s competition, which took place at Reeves Corner, in High Street.

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The event, organised High Street Traders, had categories for men and ladies.

Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2015. Old Town Criers' Competition. SUS-150208-075612001Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2015. Old Town Criers' Competition. SUS-150208-075612001
Hastings Old Town Carnival Week 2015. Old Town Criers' Competition. SUS-150208-075612001

Earlier in the day teams took part in a Tug-o-War outside the lifeboat house. The winning men’s team was Team McKimmie who beat London Trader in the final. The Ladies trophy was won by The Anchor Pink Team who beat The Anchor Black Team in the final.

Sunday saw the crowning of Hastings Old Town Carnival Queen Chloe Stretton and her Princesses Talitha Ford and Hannah Burgess on Winkle Island attended by MP Amber Rudd and newly crowned Town Crier Nick Lynus.

The Carnival Court then took part in a colourful procession around the Old Town, stopping off to present and award for the Best Dressed Window in All Saints Street. They were joined by Hastings Coastal Twirlers, The Phoenix Flyers and Section 5 Drummers.

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Events were continuing this week with the Whelk Eating Contest and Seaboot Race at Courthouse Street on Monday, followed by the Treasure Trail, and the Crown Lane Bike Race on Tuesday evening.

Wednesday saw the ever popular Pram Race through the streets of the Old Town with a fine array of colourful contraptions entered by local teams,

The highlight of the week comes on Saturday with the big Carnival Parade followed by a fireworks display from the Castle.

The procession leaves Rock-a-Nore at 5pm on Saturday.

The Carnival is a glass-free event and the organisers are asking people not to bring glass or bottles onto the street on Saturday.

A full list of Old Town Carnival Week events can be found at www.oldtowncarnivalweek.co.uk.

See centre pages and page 72 for more pictures of Carnival Week events.