Beside the Seaside offers plenty of fun

The annual Beside the Seaside event is back on Sunday (June 10) - and promises plenty of enjoyment for all ages.

New for this year will be Raven Tor, the living history group, in a camp on the mounds opposite the promenade. Plenty of sword-fighting demonstrations and other displays will bring the past to life.

The day runs from midday onwards around the seafront bandstand.

The theme of this year’s event is Pirates and prizes will be awarded to children wearing the best pirate costumes. They will also have the chance to take part in a treasure hunt and go on donkey rides.

Those with artistic flair can join in the popular pavement art section which attracted nearly 150 entries last year to stretch from the bandstand to the pier. Another favourite, Jig It, is back as well.

Sue Holmes, the town council’s head of street scene and leisure services, said:

“It is another chance for hardy - or brave, foolish, optimistic - teams to take on both a Mike Jupp puzzle and the sea as they try to complete as much of the puzzle as they can as the water rises around them.”

Registration starts at midday and the competition begins at 1.30pm. The winning team will receive a £100 cash prize. Cash prizes will also be given to first and second place in the returning two-man kayak races. Both Jig It and the kayak racing are for over 16s only.