PICTURES: Fun in the sun at sandcastle competition

Life was a beach for hundreds of eager diggers as they soaked up the sun at the annual sandcastle building competition.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Aug 2017, 12:47 BST
Updated 12th Sep 2017, 11:30 BST
Sand Castle Competition. Littlehampton Sea Front, West Sussex. Picture: Liz Pearce 14/08/2017 LP170870 SUS-170814-185440008Sand Castle Competition. Littlehampton Sea Front, West Sussex. Picture: Liz Pearce 14/08/2017 LP170870 SUS-170814-185440008
Sand Castle Competition. Littlehampton Sea Front, West Sussex. Picture: Liz Pearce 14/08/2017 LP170870 SUS-170814-185440008

The judges were treated to a wide range of creations yesterday, ranging from wildlife like octopi and hippos to sportier creations such as a football pitch.

Among the winners of the annual event, which was held near the Stage by the Sea on Littlehampton seafront, were Ben Holliday, nine, and his sister Zoe, seven, whose sun-themed masterpiece wowed the judging panel.

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Ben said: “It was incredible. We were quite lucky that we won.” Zoe added: “I think we won because we did it on our own without any help.”

Ben Holliday, nine, and his sister Zoe, seven, were the winners of the five and overs category in the Littlehampton sandcastle competitionBen Holliday, nine, and his sister Zoe, seven, were the winners of the five and overs category in the Littlehampton sandcastle competition
Ben Holliday, nine, and his sister Zoe, seven, were the winners of the five and overs category in the Littlehampton sandcastle competition

Hot on their heels in the over-five’s category were Brisa Groves, eight, and her sister Bronte, 11, who came from Barcelona to visit their family.

Their dad Chris said it was ‘a really nice surprise’.

Another jet-setting competitor was Miranda Laviers, who flew from one ‘LA’ to another.

The 11-year-old, who is from Camarillo, California, flew from Los Angeles airport to visit her grandmother Di Brown in Rustington.

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Ben Holliday, nine, and his sister Zoe, seven, were the winners of the five and overs category in the Littlehampton sandcastle competition. They posed with members of Littlehampton's Organisation of Community Arts who helped judge the competitionBen Holliday, nine, and his sister Zoe, seven, were the winners of the five and overs category in the Littlehampton sandcastle competition. They posed with members of Littlehampton's Organisation of Community Arts who helped judge the competition
Ben Holliday, nine, and his sister Zoe, seven, were the winners of the five and overs category in the Littlehampton sandcastle competition. They posed with members of Littlehampton's Organisation of Community Arts who helped judge the competition

She made a sandcastle love heart encrusted with stones, which read ‘We Love LA’.

This was her third attempt at sandcastle victory, having made a mouse and a cat in the last two years.

She said: “I love coming back because it is much nicer here and not as hot, and I have lots of family here.”

Her grandmother Di Brown helped accessorize the sandcastle with odds and ends from her garage. She said: “It is really fun, and such a lovely atmosphere with families doing the sandcastles together.”

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Agnieszka Dybowski, 38, with her sons Kornel, eight, and Arthur, four and family friend Emilia Scholz, nine at the Littlehampton sandcastle competitionAgnieszka Dybowski, 38, with her sons Kornel, eight, and Arthur, four and family friend Emilia Scholz, nine at the Littlehampton sandcastle competition
Agnieszka Dybowski, 38, with her sons Kornel, eight, and Arthur, four and family friend Emilia Scholz, nine at the Littlehampton sandcastle competition

The judging panel included pirate-clad members of Littlehampton’s Organisation of Community Arts and the mayor, Billy Blanchard-Cooper. Prior to the judging, the mayor said he would be rewarding creations with moats and a good use of accessories.

He said the sandcastles which most attracted his attention were the hippo-shaped sculpture and one which was also a working marble run. He said: “It was a fantastic day. Lots of people turned out and had fun.”

Organisers said the turnout was believed to be around 400 people, at least 50 more than last year.

Agnieszka Dybowski, 38, from Highdown Drive in Wick took her sons Kornel, eight, and Arthur, four, built a sand version of cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants, along with their family friend Emilia Scholz. Emilia, nine, said: “We don’t have to stay at home and go on our phones and stay in and watch TV.”

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Emma London and her daughter Holly, five, with their mermaid entry in the Littlehampton sandcastle competitionEmma London and her daughter Holly, five, with their mermaid entry in the Littlehampton sandcastle competition
Emma London and her daughter Holly, five, with their mermaid entry in the Littlehampton sandcastle competition

Judge Stacey Mendoza-Quinn from the arts group said: “The creativeness of the children who were left to do it on their own was quite inspired. Ingenious.”

The winners and runners up of the three categories – five and under, over-five’s and 10 plus, won prizes courtesy of Harbour Park and the Hook-a-Fish fishing shop in Pier Road.