Old Town May Day

For once the rain just about held off for Old Town traditional May Day...but if the weather was far from ideal, the atmosphere in Barrack Hall Park was all about spring.

The event had something for everyone - from Maypole dancing to the steam train, and the rock climbing wall to music from Hooe Village brass band, this was all about family fun.

The day was put together by Old Town Preservation Society, and chairman Eric Armstrong said: "This is the fifth year for the traditional May Day in Bexhill Old Town, and this is the first one that has been dry from the start which makes all the difference. It is very popular, with lots of people here, and we have new activities every year. We try to bring something new each year, and in today's economic climate it is wonderful to be able to take your family out and go somewhere where it is all free.

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"This year we have the Hanoverian Soceity, the Bexhill Lions, the Rother Children's Centre, the smoothie bike, tumbletots, and lots of things for active healthy children."

Popular with younger visitors is always the Rother Children's Centre facepainting stall, where Andria Horne was helping, and said: "It has been really busy, a really nice day - shame about the weather, but considering how cold it is lots of people have turned up."

A feature of Old Town May Day is always the stunning floral decorations created by Wendy Cornford who also puts together beautiful head-dresses for the newly-crowned May Queen and Princesses, who this year are Edie Freeman, Rebecca Cole and Zoe Dangounaki, all from King Offa School.

King Offa school also provided young dancers who charmed and entertained their audience with Maypole dancing as well as traditional country dance routines.

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They were led by teacher Pat King, assisted by husband Colin, who runs dance clubs twice a week at the school. There were 28 young dancers in the display which included the dances Amelia's Birthday, La Russe, Mock Turtle as well as two garland dances.

"They are very enthusiastic," said Pat.

"They really enjoy doing this...and this has been the first year we have had a boy maypole dancer as well.

"We have done two displays today, and our next thing is to take part in a spring festival at Torfield School, and we have also been asked to dance at several summer fetes this year."

Pauline Bullock of Old Town Preservation Society said: "We would like to thank all the stallholders for giving up their time and I hope it was worth their while - I hope they enjoyed themselves too. We'd also like to thank St John's Ambulance, Chantry School, Bexhill Lions and Battle Lions, Patchwork pre-school and tumbletots, Cuddlebunnies and Canine Cancer, Rother Children's Centre, the smoothie bike, and special thanks go to Pat and Colin King for the Maypole dancing."

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