Ninfield goes carnival crazy

Assembled floats stretched the length of Lower Street for judging. The procession route was thronged with spectators. And fun-seekers found a whole day of entertainment on the recreation ground.

Crowds lining the procession road up Bexhill Road to the Blacksmith's Inn, down Manchester Road to Coombe Lane and back down Bexhill Road to the recreation ground were not disappointed.

With a toot from his 1906 Aveling and Porter traction engine, farmer Hugh Clifton signalled the start of the procession.

It was timely warning of the water pistols and water-bombs of the participants who would follow.

Wild, wacky and richly-inventive, a variety of floats reflected the variety of village life.

"Call us Vitler and Co," said Elaine Vitler, spokeswoman for a family contingent which had chosen a Dr Who theme.

The Tardis had pride of place on a trailer bearing youngsters Charlie Vitler, Coby Vitler, Molly Butler, Ben Butler and Jack Poole.

Tardis and costumes were the creation of Elaine Vitler and Marion Walker.

Sandra Cruttenden of The Blacksmith's Inn together with a bevy of pub regulars were whooping it up in a be-finned reproduction American convertible as they re-enacted Grease.

Car and costumes were the product of more than a week's work by five of the 12-member "cast."

Ninfield Church of England Primary School brought s complete circus to the procession.

Amid a float crowded with pupils in costume, parent teacher association secretary Penny Masters said: "The children thought of the idea about a month ago.

"They have been doing work on it ever since. The little ones have painted all the paper plates. The middle years have produced the computer-generated posters."

Safely behind bars, the Ninfield Post Office team did the Jailhouse Rock around the village in company with a reincarnated Elvis Presley.

"We are the Manchester Road Loonies," Skipper Kevin Newnham announced gravely.

He was helming the good/bad ship Black Pearl in company with neighbours and shipmates who made up the Pirates Of Ninfield.

Ninfield's own VW specialists, the Air-Cooled Workshop, provided classic free-love-era Volkswagen transportation for a commune of Sixties left-over Hippies.

In reality, these were representing the Ninfield Beaver Scouts, Scout Leader James Graham explained.

The Hippy commune was publicising a dire need.

James said: "We are in need of leaders, for the Beavers, the Cubs and the Scouts.

"We are having to turn kids away from the Cubs because we don't have enough leaders."

Cubs and Scouts meet in the Memorial Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm and the Beavers from 5.15pm to 6.15pm. Potential new leaders are invited to come along - Hippy costume is not required, except on Carnival Day.

The children of Ninfield Pre-School have been looking forward to Carnival Day for weeks. And with good reason. They have all been working to prepare items for the group's carnival float with its Noddy theme.

Chairman Liz Walker said: "The children started work about a month ago."

Neighbours in Potmans Lane can always be guaranteed to produce something special.

Three weeks of work had gone into this year's effort. Roland Hoad said: "There were about 10 of us working on it.

Sixteen adults packed a float which, with art-work by Cherry Hoad, secured second a class first.

Procession organiser John Sinfoil was resplendent in pith helmet, bike and colonial attire. Procession marshal Peter Collins was rushing on foot.

A memorable village occasion included a massive and realistic black-and-white dog, built - it is reputed - over a Peugeot estate and loaned for the occasion by local carnival suppliers Meridian Marquees.

Making up the procession was Battle contributor Lewis Konyn in his 1936 Austin Seven Ruby "Doris."

Music was provided by the Eastbourne Kingfisher Band and the Claverham Community College Samba Band.

More automotive interest was provided on the recreation ground by Bexhill 100 Motoring Club and 1066 Cruisers Hot Rod and Custom Car Club members.

Partying on the field included a wealth of live music, a coconut shy, brick-lift competition, test-your-strength machine and a host of other stalls and games.

The Black Pearl sailed to a class first.

Class firsts were also won by Ninfield Pre-School and the Potman's Lane team.