Hundreds celebrate Littlehampton Harbour festival and Wick Week

Ahead of the Wick Week celebrations, dignitaries unveiled new village signs at either end of Wick Street. Those pictured include the chairman of Arun District Council Alan Gammon and Littlehampton mayor Billy Blanchard-Cooper. Picture: Scott Ramsey

The Littlehampton Harbour annual Waterfront Festival took place on Sunday – but, unfortunately, many of the planned events had to be cancelled due to the stormy weather.

However, the lifeboat crew at the RNLI station were on hand to do a rescue demonstration with their two boats: the D Class Ray of Hope and the Atlantic 85 Renée Sherman.

Click here to read more stories, including a metal detectorist who found a couple’s lost wedding ring, why sewage tankers have been spotted near Littlehampton seafront, and a priest who has retired after 28 years of service.

A free family cream tea was held at Wick Hall, Wick Village, Littlehampton to celebrate the start of Wick Week 2018. Pictured: Chairman of Arun District Council, Councillor Alan Gammon, enjoye a cream tea with some local residents at the event. Picture by Scott Ramsey

A volunteer crew member was dropped into the River Arun, and a smoke flare was let off to signal they were in distress. They then were carried with the current before the crews manouvered the boats to rescue them.

Another highlight was the jetski displays, with acrobatics including backflips and barrel rolls courtesy of Daniel Foy, a two-time British and European freeride champion.

Harbourmaster Billy Johnson thanked those who braved the weather for taking part.

He said: “It is the one time of year that we get to showcase all the things that take place on the river. It was really nice to see the support there.

A free family cream tea was held at Wick Hall, Wick Village, Littlehampton to celebrate the start of Wick Week 2018. Pictured: a visitor enjoys the event.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t reschedule it, but in August the schedule is so full it wasn’t an option.”

Meanwhile, in Wick, dozens turned up to Wick Hall in Wick Street on Saturday for a cream tea to mark the beginning of Wick Week, which runs until Friday.

The celebrations are funded by Littlehampton Town Council.

Speaking ahead of the event, town councillor Ian Buckland said: “Wick Week is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience everything the Wick community has to offer.

“Many of the activities are free or low cost, it’s a great chance to try something new.”

Visit the website wickweek.org.uk for a full schedule of events.