Rain doesn't dampen spirits at Littlehampton Carnival

Spirits were high, despite hours of downpour, and this year's theme of children's television proved a massive hit, though the event's grand finale on Southfields Recreation Ground had to be cancelled.

Freda Hughes, president of the carnival committee, said it would have been too dangerous to have the lorries on the grass, due to how waterlogged it was.

"I saw the field at 10am, and decided to call it off. We would never, ever cancel the procession though! Too much hard work goes into it.

"The event was very good, apart from the rain, but everyone seemed to be ignoring it and just having a good time."

She added that crowds were down by about 50 per cent, due to the weather, but the charity collection was down only a fraction.

"Last year we collected 2,600 and this year, with less people, it was 2,3000.

"People were very generous, and it was much more than we had anticipated. It was the first time ever we had more than 500 in pound coins."

Littlehampton mayor, Mark Butler, added that considering the weather conditions, the atmosphere had been tremendous.

"People have smiled through the rain and the cold, and the community support for the event has been amazing.

"All credit to Freda and her team who have managed to pull off a fantastic spectacle in the most horrendous conditions."

*For the full story and four pages of pictures see this week's Littlehampton Gazette, on sale Thursday, July 16.

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