No fairy tale ending for magical carnival

Despite a brilliant turn-out for the grand parade, with more than a dozen groups from across the area taking part, high winds proved too much for stall holders and display events at the fête, on the north field of Recreation Ground, off Woodlands Avenue.

The inclement weather forced many fun-seekers to turn away and seek the shelter of the homes, said one of the event’s organisers, Austen Beard.

Austen, a member of the Littlehampton District Lions’ Club which again arranged the procession and fête, said: “If the weather would have been right I’m sure we would have raised a record amount.

“But we had such horrendous wind that some of the gazebos on the stalls were almost taking off.

“We also had to cancel the birds of prey aerial display by falconer Kevin Lochner because the winds were just too strong for them to fly.

“When we announced this we noticed a dramatic decrease in visitors to the fête, which was a shame.”

However, in spite of the inclement conditions, the magic of the grand parade still glittered brightly.

This year’s theme saw entries recreating popular fairlytales and their characters.

“It was a brilliant carnival, truly spectacular,” admitted Austen.

Pupils from across Rustington’s three primary schools were delighted to see their united efforts at the Rustington Schools’ entry rewarded, with not one but two accolades.

The team scooped the coveted Best in Parade accolade as well as the Best Youth Decorative award.

Littlehampton’s Silk Road belly dancers won the Best Adult Walking Group while the town’s division of the Nautical Training Corps (NTC) TS Implacable, picked up the Best Band.

The Bognor-based dance group, the Wonder Girls, were hailed as the Best Pom-Pom Group.

Rustington Players won the Adult Humorous with their pirate ship design, just pipping the Mod Mums to the accolade.

Special credit was also given to Rustington’s own ‘royalty’, Carnival Princess, Georgia Street, 11, and her attendants Jennifer Ewart, 10, and Molly Bird, 10.

The procession paraded from Holmes Lane, into Sea Lane, Shaftesbury Road, Broadmark Lane and The Street, before turning into Woodlands Avenue.

Austen added that the event has drummed-up about £2,000 for the Littlehampton Lions – less than the £3,000 benchmark he had hoped for.

The cash will be used to support local charities and good causes.

l For a full spread of pictures, see Thursday’s Gazette (June 20).