Pram race gears up for itssixtiethbirthday

The traditional festive enjoyment of the area's pram race will reach its diamond anniversary staging.

The special occasion will follow the format which has made the event so enjoyable throughout the years.

The racers will line up at Nyetimber Mill in Pagham Road at 11am.

About 40 pairs of entrants '“ one in the pram and the other pushing '“ join in the exertions.

Some will take along elaborately made entries which they will wheel sedately around the three mile circular course.

Others will be out for speed and determined to complete the task of downing pints of beer outside The Bear, The Lamb and the King's Beach Hotel before they reach the finish outside The Lamb as quickly as possible without running. A range of prizes is up for grabs for male and female racers.

Competitors take part year after year. Many spectators also turn up annually.

This year will see the race's president and nearby resident, former racing driver champion Derek Bell, once again present the prizes after a few years' absence through family and work commitments. In charge of the occasion will be the organising committee chairman, Tim Holland.

The race is claimed to be the world's oldest and continuously held pram race. Mr Holland hopes it will stay that way as its seventh decade begins.

'It is something that people are used to. It's very traditional and an event which people look forward to. It's almost part of our local heritage. I hope they will still be doing the same thing in 60 years' time. It should be kept going so that one of the old ways is kept alive. It might not be in exactly the same form as it is today,' he stated.

'But, as long as mothers use some form of wheeled transport to take their youngsters about in, I am sure the race will be held. It's a real piece of English eccentricity.'

But amid all the fun, enjoyment, crazy costumes and spilt beer, the race involves raising money as well.

This year's race should top the 3,000 raised last December.

A racing night brought in 1,600 even though it clashed with the rugby union world cup final to get the charity support off to a good start.

The causes backed are always local '“ groups for senior citizens, youth groups and Scouts, Cubs and Guides among them.

'Everything we support is local,' explained Mr Holland. 'It's important to us it stays that way. We have had sponsorship offers to take it upmarket with a company's logo everywhere. But we don't want the race to lose its identity. Our main sponsor, Newbarn/ Slated Barn Garage, has been with us for a long while and we are both happy with each other.

'Every year, it gets harder to stage the race because of health and safety legislation and the cost of insurance and the like. But we still manage to keep it going.'

It costs about 1,000 to put on the event. A enormous amount of goodwill from backers and volunteers is also needed.'