Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet Parade details confirmed (From Thisisdorset)

Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet Parade details confirmed

11:47am Thursday 21st March 2013 in Latest By Adrianne Maslen

DETAILS for this year’s Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet Parade have been confirmed.

It will be held, as usual, on Easter Sunday, March 31 featuring a competition for the best entries and a procession through the town.

Judging of the hats and bonnets will be at 2pm in Lyme Regis Baptist Church, where the parade will leave at 3pm.

It is being organised this year by Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Committee.

Secretar Alan Vian said: “Celebrate a touch of spring with the colour and the spectacle of the Easter bonnet parade.

“This special event which was started by Barbara Austin 15 years ago will take on a new significance this year as we try to maintain the tradition that she started.

“A new cup – the Lyme Regis Easter Cup – will be presented to the best group entry in memory of her.

“Mrs Austin loved to see families coming together on occasions like this and we are presenting this cup to encourage them.”

There will be prizes in five age groups as well as those for ladies and gentlemen and special prizes for the best under five entry. The Treetops Cup will be presented to the best entry overall.

Breaking with tradition, the prizes will be awarded immediately after judging in the baptist church and the parade will proceed down Broad Street and finish on the seafront by the Jubilee Pavilion.

The parade will be led by Town Mayor Sally Holman, accompanied by the Mayoress Jane Whittington, and will include the Lyme Regis Majorettes.

Mr Vian said: “We are very grateful to Colin and Judith Pothercary who sponsor the prizes.”