Families upset as two carnival dates clash

Surely there should be some sensible pre-planning here, not only to support all those involved in making the carnivals such a huge success, but to support the communities, organisations and businesses that benefit from the events.

Surely some common sense should have prevailed to ensure that these events run on separate dates, allowing residents and visitors alike to be able to contribute to or attend both?

I am probably not alone in having children who wish to be involved in both carnivals in some way. For us, this means making a decision as to which one we will attend, support and enjoy – either with the after-school club carnival float in East Preston or the Rainbows float in Rustington?

Maybe I have misunderstood something, but I would be interested to gain some understanding and seek others' views.

Jules Dallimore

Sea Road

East Preston

East Preston Festival committee replied: "We have always followed the East Preston schools calendar.

The carnival procession leads up to the school gates and the school fte commences.

"Historically, this has been the procedure for many years.

"The dates for the East Preston Festival were arranged in March, 2009.

"At a recent meeting of the East Preston Festival committee, and in agreement with the East Preston schools, the festival week will always, in future, start on the first Saturday in June, with the carnival procession taking place on the following Saturday.

"Next year, therefore, the East Preston Festival Week will be from Saturday, June 4, to Sunday, June 12, and the carnival procession will be on Saturday, June 11."

Austen Beard, of Littlehampton Lions' Club, which organises Rustington Carnival, said: "Rustington Carnival is booked with Rustington Parish Council on the third Saturday in June for every year until further notice.

"The first we knew that East Preston and Rustington carnivals are on the same date was when the police phoned me to say that they would have trouble helping us to marshal the procession, as they would have a staffing problem.

"I can assure you we are as disappointed as the children, as it will surely affect not only the entries in the procession, but also the amount of money we collect for our two beneficiaries, the Help Sophie Walk appeal and Chestnut Tree House.

"We have pompom troupes, schools and other floats that all like to be in both carnivals, but this year they are having to choose."

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