The sun shone on excited crowds who lined the carnival route between the Regis Centre and West Park.

The seafront was packed up to three deep in places of all ages for the
procession.

Among them was Catherine Cade, 27, of Amberley Drive, with her two sons, aged ten weeks and seven years.

She said: "The parade was really good. It was nice to see the carnival back after so long.

"I used to come and watch it before. The carnival brings the town together and it's nice for the kids as well."

The carnival's overall prize from the 29 entrants and the winning wheeled entry award went to the only float – from Bognor Community Action Network.

Its traditional decorated lorry was dedicated to the environment and green fingers with a large scarecrow and carrots and tomatoes signifying a grow-your-own culture.

It had 67 participants of all ages.

CAN development manager Carol Fullick said: "We are absolutely elated to have won both prizes. It's made all the hard work over many months worthwhile."

The huge numbers taking part in most of the entries took the size of the procession past an estimated 600.

It was equal to the number of entries before the event was stopped in 2005 by Bognor Regis Lions Club because of increasing red tape, but the number of people involved was much higher.

This rewarded the Bognor town councillors who decided to bring back the occasion with an all-singing, all-dancing collage of colours which created a ribbon of activity along the seafront.

It took half an hour for all the entrants to pass the onlookers, who had plenty on which to feast their eyes.

The parade was led by the Batman-clad Bournemouth Carnival Band, making a return to the town.

There were mermaids, King Neptune, jellyfish and Speedo boys courtesy of Bognor Regis Swimming Club, the Party Princesses with
carnival costumes from around the world, pirates complete with a
cannon and boat from all six Scout groups around Bognor, as well as knights from the time of King Arthur, and Girlguiding just about to
celebrate its centenary.

The Antiques Broadshow was there highlighting Bognor's sunny weather, while Mosaic Magic presented a magic show with a giant white rabbit in a top hat and a large dice.

Rose Green Infant School had a maritime theme with fishes on its children's heads, the Wizard of Oz made an appearance as well
along with Ravenscroft Amateur Productions, Downview Nursery, Home-Start Arun, the Bognor Regis Music Centre samba band, the Hungry Caterpillar pre-school, Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce and the county library and music services.

Dancing came from The Regis Troopers, The Wonder Girls, Southern Starlights, Felpham Youth Wing and the ten to 14-year-olds of LGS Dancers from Laburnum Grove School – all performing in their brightly-coloured costumes.

Laburnum Grove School dance teacher Jenny Jarmyn said they had practised on Fridays after school for two months.

"It was absolutely fantastic in the carnival. The children had an absolutely brilliant time. We really loved it and we will be doing it again," she said.

One of the dancers, Jaz Selfe, 14, added: "It was quite good dancing in front of all those people."

The prize-winners

Best overall entry: Bognor Community Action Network
Best overall walking entry: Bognor Scouts
Best float: Bognor CAN
Best push and pull: The Village Pre-School
Best adult walking: Bon Bon and Brides of Sussex
Best children's walking: Mosaic Magic
Best school and youth club: Bognor Scouts
Best trader: Party Princesses
Best community group: Southern Starlights and The Wonder Girls (tied)

The judges were: Bognor town mayor Eileen Anderson, Aldwick Parish Council chairman Carol Wiseman and Lions club president Allan Pridie


For a full report see the Bognor Regis Observer on sale June 18.

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