Castles In The Sand

Bank Holiday sunshine and the ever-popular sandcastle competitions drew large crowds at this year’s Herne Bay Festival

Bank Holiday sunshine and the ever-popular sandcastle competitions drew large crowds at this year’s Herne Bay Festival to watch youngsters creating their masterpieces in Lydd sand - perfect for sandcastles and donated by Brett Aggregates.

A 20 tonne load of sand from Brett Aggregates’ Lydd Quarry was deposited on the beach at Herne Bay the day before the competition, providing plenty of material for the eager participants to get creative.

Almost 60 competitors were divided into four age groups and provided with the necessary buckets, spades and other tools to build their sandcastles and sculptures, although some youngsters came prepared with their own equipment and detailed plans for their creations.  This year’s festival theme ‘Take to the Skies’ proved an inspiration for many of the entrants.

The first class, for three to five-year-olds, was won by Ruby Godsell, aged five.  The six to eight-year-olds’ class had 22 competitors and was won by Danielle Riley, aged seven with second prize awarded to Toby John Williams, aged six and third to Reuben Humphries, aged seven.

Sam Newsome took first prize in the nine to 11-year-olds’ section, with Molly Rush second and Finley Dunk and Noah Wasserfall joint third.  Finally, a joint first prize was awarded to the only four contestants in the 12 and over class - Franchesca Annis, Charlotte Annis, Sophie Harris Steffi and Shannon Kemp.
 
Judging the sandcastle competition were local resident and festival veteran, Maggie Lee and Lord Mayor, Councillor Ann Taylor.

Images Courtesy of Herne Bay Times