Plans well underway for carnival

Dates have been set for all the important carnival events in August, such as the popular Pram Race and the procession itself.

The theme for this year’s carnival has also be chosen and will be ‘1066 And All That’ to tie in with the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

There is a new-look carnival committee this year with a number of stalwarts stepping down to make way for some new faces.

Ion Castro, from the Carnival Committee, said: “The new Hastings Old Town Carnival Committee had its first meeting on January 27, under the chairmanship of Tom Leitch, and hit the ground running.

“Important dates were confirmed and planning started. The Carnival will be on Saturday August 6 this year and the Pram Race will be on Wednesday August 3.

“The committee is now seeking applications to become the new Hastings Old Town Carnival Queen 2016 and the winner will also gain the title Miss Hastings.

“Entry forms are now on the official website www.1066.net/carnival where information about the Carnival can also be found.

“The Carnival Queen Selection Evening will be held at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association Clubhouse, near the Lifeboat Station, on Sunday April 17.

“After many years, well-known compere Richard Stevens will be standing down and the aspiring queens will be introduced by last year’s Carnival Queen Chloe Stretton.”

Ion added: “This year is an important anniversary in Hastings and we hope to see a lot of applicants for the title. If you want to apply you must be 16 or over and live in Hastings or St.Leonards.

“Of course we also want lots of entries for the Grand Carnival Procession which we are hoping to make more pedestrian this year.

“Entry forms for the procession will appear on the web site in due course.

The procession takes place at the end of Old Town Week - a packed week of activities and special events including the annual Crown Lane cycle race and a fancy dress Treasure Hunt around the Old Town.

There will also be a number of guided walks, open houses, open art studios and talks taking place during the week.

Hastings Old Town Carnival has been in existence since 1968. In those days Hastings and St Leonards had their own carnival which missed out the Old Town so Old Towners decided to have their own, better, carnival.

Hastings Old Town Carnival is run by an unpaid band of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.

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