East Preston Festival fun dog show success

Persistent rain failed to deter a crowd of about 250 who watched the show on the village green, while 20 people played croquet just a few yards away under the guidance of Philip Sherwin and Littlehampton Croque Club, and refreshments were served by the Clockhouse and Prestons.

The dog show had 148 entries, judged by Mike Kingsbury (see results at the end of this story), of the Fitzalan House veterinary practice, which also managed and promoted the show. Wendy Roberts co-ordinated the village green events for the festival.

Other highlights of the second half of the festival included:

A talk about East Preston’s workhouses.

Margaret Gilbert, of the East Preston and Kingston Preservation Society, gave a fascinating illustrated talk in the packed village hall about the village’s two workhouses, the second of which was built in 1873 and survived until 1969.

An earlier workhouse was constructed on the same site at what is now Fairlands, when a new law in the 18th century enabled several parishes to come together to build a workhouse.

Margaret will give her talk again at 2.30pm on Friday, July 6, in the Conservative Hall, Sea Road, East Preston. Tickets (£3) are available from Hedgers Newsagents and Seaview Stores, both in Sea Road.

On Thursday, there were demonstrations by the Silver Surfers Computer Club for the over-55s during an open afternoon at the Conservative Hall.

A steady flow of visitors attended the village market in the village hall during the morning. The Phoenix Big Band’s concert, with vocalist Sue Howes, attracted a full house to the village hall.

The open gardens and art trail on Thursday afternoon still attracted visitors in spite of constant rain.

It was too wet for the luncheon on the lawn planned for St Mary’s Vicarage on Friday, so the two-course meal was served in the church’s Spire Room instead, with artificial turf laid to give that feeling of al fresco dining.

Guided tours of the church were also available in the afternoon.

Arun Duplicate Bridge Club’s festival bridge drive at the village hall was won by Terry Fortesque.

* Dog show winners – best pedigree, Rocco (owner Mr Gay); best dog under two years, Bella (Mr McCullugh); best cross-breed under eight, Ruben (Mr Scotts); best cross-breed over eight, Kim (Albert Hill); best child handler, Bertie (O. Westall); best rescue dog, Alfie (Andrew Pearce); dog most like owner, Kittzie (Alfie Kilpatrick); best dog under eight, Brothock (Valerie Sharp).