Published 4 August 2011
THIS is a remarkable week.
It is our annual celebration of Old Town Carnival week and we have had back to back events. The best way to raise money is to do it with fun activities. But in the Old Town we add humour to that. One of my favourite moments is the crowning of the Carnival Princess. Not for us a modest acceptance speech from a blushing young woman, but rather a faux formal pledge of allegiance, brilliantly put together by Father Ronald, that gently echoes the moving language of a baptism or communion. The humour in the serious tone was not lost on the audience.
But it wasn’t only the Old Town that was able to hold magnificent events in last weeks sunshine. I also joined many friends at the wonderful St Leonards Gardens for two events. First, a celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of James Burton, the founder of St-Leonards-on-Sea, with a spectacular tea and tree planting, and secondly the Family Fun Day the next day where everyone was able to turn up and enjoy the music, food and company. The St Leonards Gardens are one of the great wonders of Hastings. If you haven’t visited them, I urge you go and enjoy the sweeping landscape surrounded by some of St Leonards most beautiful buildings.
At my surgery in Tescos in Hollington several people told me that they were taking time off to join in the carnival. The lure of the activities and home grown fun has a tremendous pull on us all.
And today is of course Pirate Day where residents of both Hastings and St Leonards get involved and pour onto Rock-a-nore beach. An innovation in our Carnival week that all residents have taken to heart. It is fun, it will help fund-raise, and be a boost for local shops. Well done to Roger Crouch and fellow organisers. See you on the beach, cutlass in hand!
There is no related post.
