MADhurst 2015 goes out with a bang

Crowds lined the streets to see the incredible procession floats, all fully embracing the ‘wild’ theme.

The carnival procession, organised by Midhurst Town Council, rounded off yet another hugely-successful MADhurst festival – a 
ten-day event engaging the whole community in arts and entertainment.

The Rev David Coote, representing the town council on the MADhurst committee thanked participants and spectators.

“Every participant helped make the carnival procession a really good show,” he said.

“Overall the MADhurst ten days has been a great success and the carnival procession together with the finale entertainment was a superb way to round off the week.”

Spokesman for MADhurst Alison Procter added: “In spite of the inclement weather, MADhurst 2015 proved to be a resounding success.

“Most events of this ten-day festival were a sellout prior 
to staging.

“It couldn’t be done without the massive support from the people and organisations who contributed to celebrating creativity and developing the community.

“It wouldn’t have been the same without the carnival procession organised by Midhurst Town Council, which really embodied everything ‘Wild’ and was the best carnival to date.

“With the use of the South Downs National Park Memorial Hall and the Midhurst Sports Association marquee and the emergency venues Midhurst Parish Church and the Walled Garden at Cowdray,­ we survived the weather.”

The committee also paid tribute to MADhurst co-founder Trina Duncan, who passed away in February this year.

Alison added: “It has been difficult for the committee to carry on at times, but the desire to make Trina proud, has kept us on task.

“Her husband David, as her ‘right hand man’, has had to learn to be part of a new team that doesn’t include his lovely wife. We dedicate MADhurst 2015 as a tribute to her, knowing she would never take credit for herself and always said ‘It’s a team effort.’”

Cowdray Estate workers, rugby players, dancers and young and old alike threw themselves into the MADhurst carnival procession.

Becky Taylor from Cowdray Park said: “Our theme was Austin Powers, and it was by Cowdray in association with the Midhurst Dance School, who performed a flash mob in North Street.

“All Cowdray businesses were involved. Special mention should go to Simon Laparle of the carpentry department who designed and made the car and phone box, Julian Russell-Hayes who drove the tractor, Dan Hanrahan who painted the fantastic end boards and Debbie Purves from Midhurst Dance School who attempted to teach us some dance moves to use on the float!”

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