Littlehampton welcomes its new Carnival Queen

Chloe Bryant, the new Littlehampton Carnival Queen, with Carnival Princesses Natasha-Jane Townsend (left) and Eve Edwar PHOTO: Liz Pearce lp1500765

She follows in the footsteps of her mum, Joanne, a former Miss East Preston, while her sister, Amber and brother, Ashley, have been Princess and Prince at East Preston Festival.

And Chloe’s family were in her thoughts as she reflected on winning the competition, with prizes including £200, a designer dress, daywear, the Cuff Miller Trophy and a replica trophy to keep.

“I’m very outgoing, but sometimes don’t have enough confidence, but my family gave me the confidence to enter the competition. I’m really proud to have won and looking forward to meeting lots of new people as the Carnival Queen.

“I get on really well with Natasha and Eve (the new Carnival Princesses) and it will be nice being with them during the year.”

First, though, Chloe, from Angmering, has another challenge, the Brighton Marathon 10k race a week on Sunday, and is training hard with her dad, Jamie, and stepmum Eva.

She has just chosen her GCSE options of fine art, French, history and a BTec in sport at The Angmering School, where she is in year nine and also makes time for her passion, photography, which she hopes to develop as a career after her studies.

As the new Carnival Princesses, Natasha-Jane Townsend, 17, from Wick and Eve Edwards, 14, from Littlehampton, each receive £100, a designer dress, daywear and a trophy.

Natasha, who served as a Carnival Princess two years ago, said: “I’m pleased to be back where I belong. Being with the carnival people is like having a second family and I know it’s going to be a very good year.”

Eve was ‘really shocked’ to learn she would be a Carnival Princess. “I’m very pleased and looking forward to enjoying all the events and experiences and meeting new people.”

Carnival president Freda Hughes said the judges had had a difficult decision choosing between the eight contestants, but in the end, Chloe was a clear winner. “We are pleased with how it went, and we have a good team of three girls who all get on well.”

She thanked sponsors Ockendens, Ltd, of Littlehampton, for the £200 prize money for the Carnival Queen, and Hairlucinations, of Surrey Street, for the £100 Carnival Princess prizes.