5:41pm Monday 13th July 2009
By Ruth Lumley
The sun beamed brightly for Sunday’s Brighton Carnival as a cavalcade of colourful costumes, samba bands, steel bands, DJs and dancers took to the streets.
The festivities pulled in a crowd of thousands as the parade made its way from Middle Street to Madeira Drive.
The line up included community groups, youth clubs, secondary schools and businesses from across Brighton.
Other participants included Brighton and Hove volunteers and the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Project, the young carers’ samba band and a hen party under the name of Wedding Belles.
Ellie Whitbread, 28, from Lancing, is getting married to Neil Partridge, 32, on August 1.
She said: “We wanted to do something different and memorable for the hen weekend and we thought the carnival would be perfect.
“We have all come as different coloured brides.
I am wearing purple and there are pinks, golds and big tiaras and veils.
We wanted to be as gaudy as possible.
“One of the main reasons I am doing it is to show people that anyone can get involved.
“We are really excited and cannot wait to get out and have a bit of a dance.
There are nine brides and the groom is providing the sound system.”
Five carnival bands from across the country also joined the procession and the Concorde 2, in Madeira Drive, opened its doors throughout the day where local acts performed for free.
www.brightoncarnival.co.uk.
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