WHISPERING SMITH: Town show, a seal and much more besides...

The weather was a bit dreary but you cannot keep a happy crowd down and adults and children alike seemed to enjoy the attractions and the grub.

The Thai Kitchen was excellent, the hog roast a delight although one little girl was a bit perplexed when her mother told her, yes, it was a real live pig or, rather, it had once been a real live pig.

Pets’ corner was a predictable draw for the youngsters and adults milled around in the marquee which wasn’t quite up to last year’s offering, too many tombola stands and not enough general produce stalls.

The Town Show veg also seemed a little lacklustre and my beans and beets were as good as anything on show so, next year, watch out, there’s a new gardener in town thanks to the council’s splendid allotment scheme. A real family afternoon out and something to look forward to again next year.

THE VISITING SEAL has been seen by just about everyone in Littlehampton but by the time I get to wherever he was, he isn’t. Last week I had three tweets but each one was a no-show by the seal. Just my luck that our most celebrated visitor is shy and avoids the press, that is he was until last week, when, on my regular evening promenade stroll, there he was cavorting with a grey mullet quite close to the mouth of the river and surrounded by gulls..

AND, yes, to the gentleman in the street who told me that is no such bird as a seagull, I did know that. On the other hand I do recall a fine feathered fellow known as Jonathan Livingstone…

CALAMITY JANE is the first of the new season’s films to be shown at Jane Wood’s East Beach Café on October 3rd. £15 quid for movie and a winter warmer of a supper. The Putting Green Café is also screening a season of films for £5 plus refreshments, check with venue for titles. These are the only movies in town since we were robbed of our cinema, closed now for 226 days, and counting...