Crowning of May Queen at Barrack Hall Park

But by now organisers and public alike have come to terms with the vagaries of the May Bank Holiday.

But a cold wind could not mar the spirit of a family occasion.

Hooe Silver Band provided the musical atmosphere, Wendy Cornford's well-practiced King Offa School pupils supplied the splendid dancing round Mark Cornford's maypole and the Lions Club swing-boats were a popular and entirely traditional feature.

The May Day event is, like the Christmas Festival, an example of Old Town Preservation Society investing wisely and generously for the public good.

Admission was free. The swing-boats and elaborate bouncy castle were free. Sure Start's range of activities including face-painting, hat-making, cut flowers and modelling clay games were all part of the gesture.

An added bonus this year was the presence of Hands On History. The Horam-based group brings an insight into the past via armour and weaponry from the Roman era through to the Middle Ages.

As the wind continued to tug at Bexhill In Bloom's tents, Sandra Melvin was promoting the town's annual competition and the complementary South East In Bloom while preaching the message of water conservation.

The indefatigable Andy Bosco spent a blustery day teaching a succession of children a range of circus skills from juggling to hoola-hooping, throwing the diabolo to stilt-walking.

The marquee become the focal point of the day. It was into this shelter from the icy blast that the ceremonial throne which is a key feature of the choosing and crowning of the May Queen and her attendants was drawn.

The marquee was quickly packed to capacity. Town Mayor Eric Armstrong "crowned" Calvin Carrick with his Sweep's black topper before announcing 11 year-old Jasmine Cullen and nine year-old Bella Cornford as Princesses.

Eleven-year-old Chantry Primary School pupil Molly Sayers was summoned to the throne and duly crowned with a May garland as Old Town's May Queen for the year. Excited Molly now has a role in events such as Old Town's Christmas celebrations to which to look forward.