Old Town prepares for May festival

A climbing wall will be this year's unique feature at the free-entry May Day festival on Bank Holiday Monday.

In all other respects, it will be the usual entirely traditional Spring celebration.

The gates will open at 10.30am and the invitation from the Preservation Society for this family event is "Bring a picnic and make a day of it."

Dancing around the maypole is a key element of the festival as is the competition to choose Old Town's May Queen and her court plus the boy "chimney sweep" who will accompany the court.

Entry forms for the two competitions will be available from the Observer office in Sackville Road from Friday.

Judging for the competitions will start at about 10.45am and will culminate in the crowning of the May Queen.

The May Queen and her court will then be taken in procession around the town on a traditional Sussex farm wagonette.

The wagonette is being supplied by Castle Carriages and will be pulled by the doughty heavy horse Ottawa.

Hooe Village Band will again be providing live music for the festival, which will feature Bexhill Lions Clubs' popular traditional swing boats, a children's carousel, refreshment tent and a range of sideshows.

Circus entertainer Andy Bosco will be master of ceremonies for an event which will also include a range of children's activities provided by Sure Start.

Use of the climbing wall will be free and the wall will be available between 11am and 3pm.