Durrington Festival enjoys a record-breaking year

Durrington Festival celebrated its 27th anniversary on Saturday (June 9) with a record-breaking turnout.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jun 2018, 17:23 BST
Updated 19th Jun 2018, 16:46 BST
Carnival Princess: Mayor Paul Baker and his wife Sandra presenting an award to Holly Elves for her donation of 12 inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust SUS-181206-143339001Carnival Princess: Mayor Paul Baker and his wife Sandra presenting an award to Holly Elves for her donation of 12 inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust SUS-181206-143339001
Carnival Princess: Mayor Paul Baker and his wife Sandra presenting an award to Holly Elves for her donation of 12 inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust SUS-181206-143339001

At its peak more than 4,000 visitors attended the annual carnival at Pond Lane Recreation Ground to celebrate the great and the good within the community.

The festival sees about 10,000 people pass through over the course of the day but is organised by a team of just five people.

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Twenty-three year old festival chairman Jack Clements, of Chesley Close, got involved through his mum Sharon, who has helped organise the event for the last ten years.

Carnival: The winning float from New Life Church and St Symphorians SUS-181206-163833001Carnival: The winning float from New Life Church and St Symphorians SUS-181206-163833001
Carnival: The winning float from New Life Church and St Symphorians SUS-181206-163833001

“Durrington Festival’s all about promoting the community, schools and businesses and showcasing our local organisations,” he said.

“It went really, really well and we had a great turnout for the day.”

Keeping with tradition, Worthing mayor Paul Baker opened the festival and was there to lend a hand throughout the day.

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Mr Baker presented Stuart Upperton with the Peter Bloxham Award, a recognition of people who have given up their time to help out in the community.

The Barnabee out in support of St Barnabas House SUS-180613-142744001The Barnabee out in support of St Barnabas House SUS-180613-142744001
The Barnabee out in support of St Barnabas House SUS-180613-142744001

Mr Upperton was recognised for work such as creating sets for St Barnabas House’s Light up a Life Christmas event and painting a mural on the ceiling of the playroom at Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

The main event was the carnival of decorated floats but there were plenty of other attractions to keep visitors entertained.

Exhibits included One Stop Party Shop, from Richmond Road, dressed as Disney characters and entertaining the crowds with song and dance, and a fun fair.

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Martial artists from Teach Me Kung Fu were also on hand to provide free tuition to children looking to master the art of self-defence.

Ghostbusters gear up for the carnival in support of St Barnabas House SUS-180613-142755001Ghostbusters gear up for the carnival in support of St Barnabas House SUS-180613-142755001
Ghostbusters gear up for the carnival in support of St Barnabas House SUS-180613-142755001

Local organisations can host events during the carnival free of charge to promote their businesses, with all proceeds raised going back into organising the next year’s event.

“As soon as the festival ends, preparations for the next one begin,” said Mr Clements, who is currently training to be a nurse.

He said none of the five-strong committee have experience of organising large events in their day-to-day lives but enjoy the challenge and are already looking forward to next year’s event.