Acromax gymnasts group performing at last year’s event.

Festive times in St Leonards at the Garden of Delights

This weekend sees St Leonards’ other festival – the Garden of Delights in St Leonards Gardens. As usual there will be a pulsating programme of entertainment and a fine collection of stalls providing food and refreshments, as well as community and faith groups publicising their activities. Nick Terdre reports.

Sunday 11 August sees the tenth Garden of Delights, an event which has for nearly a decade celebrated the rich cultural mix in the Hastings and St Leonards area. As ever there will be an array of talent to be seen and heard in St Leonards Gardens, with acrobatics, dance, music and magic forming the varied programme, say the organisers.

The Garden of Delights was brought to life in 2010 by the combined efforts of the Hastings and District Interfaith Forum, Friends of St Leonards Gardens and the Hastings Intercultural Organisation. Encouraged by the success of the day, the organisers continued and the event is now part of the local cultural calendar.

Slant on dancing
This year the Garden of Cultural Delights will have a notable slant on dancing, with performances from the Chinese Dancers, the Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers and the Nicola Rodmill dance school, while Chris and Viv will bring a ceilidh feel to the event. The music will include Oksana and Paul, with Kerala Community Dancers bringing a flavour of southern India to TN38.

Acromax performers.

Once again popular acrobatic troupe Acromax will go through their agile paces, while the Party Wizard will make his debut at the event, bringing magic to children of all ages.

Food and refreshments will be available but people are welcome to bring their own picnics to the gardens. There will be activities for children, and stalls from a wide range of community groups.

“This one-day festival is offering a gentle entertaining experience in our lovely Burton St Leonard’s gardens, and you can bring a picnic or buy some tea and cake,” says Mayor of Hastings Cllr Nigel Sinden.

“There will also be African, Asian and Lebanese food stalls to choose from and Will’s Italian ice-cream will be served from his tricycle.

“There will be stalls from a number of community groups and faith communities, as well as bric-a-brac and a second-hand book stall.

“There’s an entertainment programme all afternoon, with the slope of St Leonards Gardens making a natural arena and children’s games on offer. What a perfect way to while away a summer afternoon!”

The organisers wish to thank the Chalk Cliff Trust and Hastings Borough Council for their support.

Programme
13.05 Opening speech from the Mayor of Hastings, Cllr Nigel Sinden, who will be joined on stage by representatives from local religious groups
13.20 Party Wizard
13.40 Nicola Rodmell Dancers plus singer
14.00  Gizmo Kids
14.15  Acromax gymnasts
14.35  Hastings Chinese Association dancers
14.45 Oksana and Paul – music and vocals
15.05 Kerala Community Dancers
15.15 Trumpet and Ukulele
15.35 Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers – dynamic 1940s dance
15.55 Lobby and Friend – music and vocals
16.10 Twin Arts Barn Dance Band

Garden of Cultural Delights St Leonards Gardens, Maze Hill (behind the Royal Victoria Hotel). Sunday 11 August, 1-5pm. The event is free. More information from 07512009281.

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