VIDEO: Children lead opening salvo of Littlehampton Bonfire

For the first time in two years, youngsters from the Littlehampton Bonfire Society and marching bands from Littlehampton Nautical Training Corps TS Implacable and the Arundel and Littlehampton District Scouts were free to march through the town’s centre to celebrate the annual spectacle, which was axed last year due to atrocious weather.

Dozens of children and members of the Littlehampton Bonfire Society marched from Maltravers Road, into Surrey Street, before turning into High Street, Beach Road.

The parade followed on from the annual Bonfire Night children’s fancy dress competition, which was once again staged at the Maltravers Social Club, in Maltravers Road.

And competition was as fearsome as ever as scores of youngsters transformed themselves into wicked witches and terrific Tudors all in a battle to take the coveted top spots.

Judges for this year’s event included former Gazette editor, Brian Shewry, Gazette chief reporter Tom Cotterill, Peter Austin, project manager of Arun Coordinated Community Transport, one of the beneficiaries from this year’s bonfire.

They were also accompanied by first-time judges Turner James, 15, and Felicity James, 13, both of the Littlehampton Swimming Club, another good cause set to be bolstered by the bonfire street collection.

This year’s competition was tough to judge, with Peter saying: “The standard was excellent. It was even more difficult than ever to decide who was going to 
win.

“There was a lot of effort by everyone. It made it really hard for us judging because we really wanted to give all of them prizes.”

Turner and Felicity agreed, with Brian saying: “It was a very high standard this year.”

For the full story, plus pictures and results, see this week’s Gazette (Thursday, October 30).