LETTER: Resilience was heartwarming

The celebrations of last weekend were apparently not of interest to most people in the town until, that is, the firework display in the evening.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Oct 2016, 12:09 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:10 BST

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However, those that did come out on the Saturday afternoon were entertained by an eclectic range of events that showcased the variety of abilities, flair and skills we have to offer. Well done to those involved.

Unfortunately, the ‘Grand Promenade’ descended into farce when, as the procession reached the bottom of the High Street, the heavens opened and we were soaked by a downpour of torrential rain. This continued along the seafront and into the town centre. Imagine our surprise when, as we were turning onto the seafront again, we looked around and found that the procession consisted of just our group and Mad Jack’s Morris. What happened to the various mayors and dignitaries at the front? Where were the bonfire group? The various groups behind them had also mysteriously disappeared... Everybody – gone!

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At this point I must tell you that our group was the Hastings May Queen and Hastings Maypole Dancers, all of whom are aged between 9 and 16 years of age.

When told that they can stop any time they wanted and get under cover they said ‘No – we want to carry on’.

The sight of these young girls and boys following the marshals (the police escort also decided that they had had enough and just walked off back to the town centre), followed by a depleted by still unbowed Mad Jack’s was enough to ‘gladden the heart and fill the spirits’ of anybody.

The arrival back at the Stade was not exactly triumphant, but we all had a sense of achievement at doing what appeared to defeat the great and the good of Hastings.

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I want to say thank you to the boys, girls, mothers and a father in this group and to say well done for showing such spirit and youthful joy on this day. I could have done without Petra and Chrystal performing ‘Singing in the Rain’ though.

Barry Jones

Burry Road

St Leonards

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Related topics:HastingsQueen