Stunning carnival delights crowds

GREAT weather and even greater crowds helped last weekend's Uckfield Carnival become of the most successful in recent years.

A crowd of around 16,000 was up about 4,000 on last year's celebrations, while the street collection for local good causes and charities hit 3,800 an increase of 400 on the previous year's total.

Uckfield Bonfire and Carnival Society secretary Carol Watts could barely contain her delight at the weekend's overwhelming success. 'It was fantastic,' she said, 'one of the best ever. The streets were just packed with people.

'The atmosphere was excellent and I've had so many phone calls from people saying what a wonderful carnival it was.'

Not one single arrest was made during a good-natured day which started with a procession featuring about 150 children in fancy dress and climaxed with the Grand Final Torchlight Procession along the High Street.

Revellers were entertained with music and dancing from the Holy Cross Scout and Guide Band, the Downsman Corp and Debs Dancers, while Sussex Horse Rescue brought some of their ponies along for the afternoon procession.

Before the final act of presenting the prizes for the adult's fancy dress at the civic centre, prayers were conducted by the Canon Bill Peters, Rev Brian Wilcox and Rev Chris Howarth outside the Cinque Ports Club. Prayers were said in memory of the Queen Mother, Princesses Margaret and Diana and the murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Meanwhile, Friday evening's fireworks display on Holy Cross School field produced a spectacular visual feast with 3,000 worth of pyrotechnics filling the sky. A banner to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee was lit by fireworks to read '50 glorious years'.

Results:

Children's class 1: 1, Gypsy caravan, Serennairnd and Megan Hever; 2, racing car, James Bedwell. Class 2: 1, Dan the Euro, Justin Smith; 2, Red Devil, William Simm; 3, fireman, Finley Coddington. Class 3: 1, Little Miss Muffet, Mollie Deacon Williams; 2, princess, Abby Perry; 3, Red Riding Hood, Andrea Lobley. Class 4: 1, sheriff, Harry Lacey; 2, Robin Hood, Jake Sim; 3, Bart Simpson, Conner Gun. Class 5: 1, queen, Shannon Everest; 2, princess, Poppy Ecot; 3, golden queen, Sophie Skinner. Class 6: 1, wizard, Joe McNamara; 2, Ali G, Joshua Deering; 3, Rocking Robin, Alex Gill.

Class 7: 1, Keep the world smiling, Jessica Wood; 2, Miss Europe, Laura Warner; 3, Jelly Beans, Francesa Wells. Class 8: Oh Golly, Patrick West; 2, Mel Watts, Thomas Angus. Class 9: 1, medieval lady, Louise Watts; 2, pearly queen, Jemma Stanley; 3, Kylie, Sashelle Allen. Class 10: 1, Alice in Wonderland, Joseph and Bethany Hill, Justin Gee and Issac Gauntlet; 2, Timone and Pumba, Ashleyn Doyle and Hannah Richard; 3, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Molly and Megan Benfield Class 11: Robin Hood, Jake Sim; 2, Red Devil, William Sim; 3, Oh Golly, Patrick West; 4, Mel Watts, Thomas Angus. Class 12: 1, pearly queen, Jemma Stanley; 2, queen, Shannon Everest; 3, fairy on a cake, Teagian Haffenden.

Lord Rupert Neville Cup, Robin Hood, Jake Sim; Hards Cup, Keep the world smiling, Jessica Wood; Colonel Clark Cup, pearly queen, Jemma Stanley; Blackford Cup, Robin Hood, Jake Sim.

Adults Class A: 1, Freddie Mercuary, Ray Stanley; 2, witch, Neil Harper; 3, Homer, Jeff Isted. Class B: 1, Michael Jackson, Karen Smith; 2, Charlie; 3, medieval lady, Sandy Rogers. Class C: 1, witches, T S Spartan; 2, Monsters Inc, Katie and Claire Haffenden; 3, Shrek, Barry Haffenden and Susie Stadelwieser. Class D: 1, Shrek, Barry Haffenden; 2, Freddie Mercury, Ray Stanley; 3, knight, Ian Sim. Class E: 1, Charlie Dimmock, Anne Finch; 2, knight, Teresa Rogers; 3, witch, Anna Sherwood. Class F: 1, Simpsons, Isted family; 2, Shrek, Barry Haffenden and Susie Stadelwieser; 3, Charlie Dimmock, Anne Finch. Class G: 1, Peter Pan, Woolworths; 2, Two plus One Windscreens, Thomas the Tank. Class H: 1, East Surrey Caravan Club; 2, Rocks Park School; 3, Holy Cross School; Best Youth Organisation, Little Horsted School; Best Dressed Visiting Society 1, Fletching; 2, Littlehampton, 3, Maresfield.