Revellers have a ball

11:49am Monday 18th June 2007

Musicians, dancers and even some unexpected sunshine helped an annual party go with a swing.

Crowds turned out in force for the tenth annual Kemp Town Carnival in Brighton on Saturday.

Organisers say the fiesta gets bigger and better every year. The theme this time was fair trade and the Co-op, which sponsored the event, gave away Fair Trade bananas.

The fun started at noon with an official opening by mayor Carole Theobald and a performance by youngsters from Open Space dance school.

Music belted out from three stages placed along the far end of St George's Road.

Neighbours sold cakes, hot dogs and bric-a-brac from their front doors or stalls along the street and for the first time, a French market offered Gallic tastes and treats.

Bands played on a new stage at Fish Square as well as the regular spots outside the Dragon and Golden Cannon pubs. Members of the Max Miller Appreciation Society performed songs and played the ukelele with tribute artists.

There was a bouncy castle, donkey rides and arts and crafts stalls, Morris dancers and street performers.

Some party hopefuls were disappointed the event was cut short at 7pm rather than 9pm as in previous years.

But organiser Suzy Turner said the change meant there was less drunken and unruly behaviour to deal with at the end of the day and extra time to clear up.

She said: "We had a lot of criticism last year for the amount of rubbish which was left on the street but no one could say the same this year.

"City Clean came in and gave the place a complete scrub. They said it was the only time in the year they got to clean the street properly because it was closed to traffic. It's normally too busy to clean properly."

Stella Wild, who lives in St George's Road, has been involved with organising the event for three years. She said: "It is a big community event, a chance for local people to come and local businesses to take part. It is all about getting together.

"It is very cosmopolitan and there's a lot going on - there's even a French market now. I just love being involved with organising. It is a real buzz."

French students Peter Wucns and Amelie Malchamb have been living in Kemp Town for a year and were impressed by the carnival.

Amelie said: "It is great there is a French market so we feel a little more at home. Kemp Town is a very friendly place to live and the perfect place for a community event like this."

Holly Westbrook, of Upper Abbey Road, was selling sausages with homemade chutney and chilli. She said she visited the carnival every year but it was the first time she had taken part as a seller.

She said: "The event is all about the community so it is good for people who live here to get involved with setting up stalls in it.

"Kemp Town has a unique village feel. It is part of Brighton but feels as if it is a place in its own right, especially this far end. I think the carnival reflects that."

Dominic Grout, of Cromwell Road, Hove, said he visited the carnival with his three children every year because it was such a great event.

He said: "The carnival says everything about the area. It has a great mix of people and is vibrant and lively.

"It is great having the road closed and there's just so much to see."

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