Cash boost for Carnival

The National Lottery's Awards For All programme has given a 2,730 grant for next week's themed "golden carnival" event.

Carnival treasurer George Coleman says the grant will help his committee to fund some of this year's Polegrove events.

These include junior and youth football tournaments and a tug-o-war competition on Wednesday, and next Saturday's arena entertainment when the main attraction will be two shows by the Spectacular Knights of the Crusades.

Mr Coleman says: "We are thrilled to get this award. For a group like ours this is a large sum of money and it has taken away a large part of the financial worry we all go through at this time of the year."

Carnival chairman Roy Forrow says: "With a year that includes big celebrations, we hope that our Carnival will exceed expectations.

"Falling in with the Queen's Golden Jubilee, we decided to put together the 'Golden Carnival' to bring back our reputation for holding one of the best carnivals in the South with visitors from all around."

Carnival Week starts on Sunday with the Carnival Court and committee taking part in the town's open-air community hymn singing at the De La Warr Pavilion at 8pm.

There will be a quiz evening at the Rose and Crown, Turkey Road on Monday from 7.30pm.

Galley Hill will be the scene of a soap box derby on Tuesday from 6.30pm.

A night of Carnival sport in Polegrove on Wednesday sees a five-a-side soccer tournament kick off at 5pm with a strongest man competition at 7pm.

There is a boot sale in Polegrove on Thursday from 6pm and the traditional Carnival open darts tournament at the Downs Home Guard Club, London Road from 7.30pm.

Carnival Week this year includes a Friday Party In The Park featuring live bands in Polegrove and Nick Shaw's travelling funfair before the traditional dusk firework display.

The week culminates on Saturday, July 27 with Carnival Day featuring the customary procession from Turkey Road to Polegrove for the afternoon's arena events.

Carnival procession organiser Nim Whitmarsh says: "Our adopted theme this year is 'Golden Years' in honour of the Queen's golden jubilee."

This year the four charities to benefit from the collection along the procession route will be Bexhill Youth and Community Centre, Friends of the 73A Centre, Glyne Gap School and Hastings and Rother Family Friends.

Full programme for Carnival Day in next week's Observer.