Town delights in 'best carnival for a long time'

Around 30 floats decked out in a myriad of colours cruised through the Old Town on Saturday afternoon, much to the delight of thronged residents and tourists.

Businesses, associations and town residents all pitched in to help revitalise this year's event after last year's disappointing procession, responding to the Observer's plea to reinvigorate the stricken town tradition.

Less than 19 floats entered the procession last year, with a third of the entrants pulling out. Organisers took key measures to improve the event, moving the procession from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon. Observer readers also pitched in with their views on how to improve the carnival, but all were determined the carnival should remain as a highlight of the town's calendar.

The disillusionment at last year's disappointment was evident in the slightly reduced attendance, with organisers reporting crowds of around 10,000, less than the 14,000 expected.

But Carnival committee chairman Ken Taylor was confident this year's improved event offered a great springboard for improvement in future years.

He said: "The feedback I've got has been brilliant. It was the best carnival for a long time. Everyone really pulled their weight and the weather was definitely on our side. It's a great chance to improve for next year.

"The attendance was down slightly but the standard of floats was better and many people have commented it was a much more family-orientated atmosphere.

"I'd like to thank everyone who took part, the Observer for their support, and the people of Hastings for turning up and helping to make the event a great success."

According to Sussex Police, Carnival Saturday also passed off without incident, with no incidents reported on the day. But the practice of coin-hurling from the crowd again attracted criticism from many quarters, and two procession entrants even reported being hit by BB gun pellets fired from windows en route.

A spokesman for Sussex Police reported officers conducted a search of the area when made aware of the incident, but found no guns or pellets. He said: "We were aware of reports of people with BB Guns but a search was made and no BB Guns or pellets were found. We believe a woman was hit by a coin and heard a cap gun going off at the same time."

But despite these incidents, many town figures expressed optimism at the revitalised event. Kevin Boorman, the council's marketing chief who took part in the first carnival in 1967, said: "I thought it was a fantastic event, and the time change was a great success. We went back to the family atmosphere of previous Old Town carnivals."

It may take time for the carnival to return to the standard of its glory days in the 1960s and 1970s - when the procession took more than an hour to pass - but entrants, crowds and organisers deserve a great deal of credit for halting the slide.