Letter from Bill Wicking, Hastings Old Town Carnival President
Welcome to Old Town Week and the Hastings Old Town Carnival. Our grateful thanks to all those who have supported us over the years and may this year be no exception. Thanks also to Keith Leech who has stood down as chairman having steered the Carnival through several difficult years.
This year we have a new chairman Reg Wood who has done much good work behind the scenes for the benefit of the Town, including our twin Towns in Germany. He has taken part in numerous meetings to ensure a safe Carnival and Pram race. The amount of hours the volunteer organizers have put in is unbelievable.
We have a theme this year which gives plenty of scope for the imagination “ Heroes of Land Sea and Sky”.
With the 200th anniversary of the RNLI and the 80th anniversary of D-Day surely you can all come up with something. This country has many historical heroes to tempt you to dress up as, our poor exhausted NHS staff could do with a mention as well. So recycle your old clothes, your neighbour’s throw aways ,not to forget the charity shops who also could do with the trade and put aside social media- unless it’s to ask your friends if they have something you need for your costume!
Over the years the principal street parades have increased in popularity but council monetary support for them has gone down unavoidably, also there has been a rise in insurance, security and first aid coverage which the carnival committee is obliged to pay for in order to put the carnival on. This year the ever popular firework display will not be funded so it is up to the public and business to put their hands in their pockets if they want the fireworks to go ahead .
We also need bands, an expensive item nowadays, although we are incredibly indebted to section 5 and Sambalanca who have provided vibrant entertainment over the years.
Let’s hope this year will be kind weatherwise, about the only thing we haven’t had is a plague of frogs but that’s what makes HASTINGS unique - the ability to plough on regardless. Please support all the activities of Old Town Week - it’s not what we can get out of it but what we can put in to it that counts.
HOTCA Bill Wicking President