The Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade's 15th Sandcastle Competition, supported by North Tyneside Council, was off to a good start on Sunday 31 July. Although not so good weather, participants started to arrive at 10.00am to register their intent of building a sandcastle or sand sculpture.
Children, families and groups of friends as always had the opportunity to build their many varying examples of great ‘medieval ‘style sandcastles as well as sculptures such as crabs, octopus, boats, spiders, mermaids, sports car, Minion and many more.
Thank you to Startastic Entertainment Characters, who came to check out this amazing event. Debbie, Rosie Cheeks Face Painting, Turners Funfair Shuggy boats, North Tyneside Council and Bay Uke for the wonderful music during the day which could not have gone ahead with the supply of electricity from BANE.
The job of judging was not easy and especially this year standards were so high it took longer than usual. Giving their team names, winners of the Castle category were:
1st -The Amazing Sandcastle Builders
2nd -The Seashells
3rd -Team Clark
Sculpture winners were:
1st - Jackson (racing car)
2nd - Geordie Joes (Jaws)
3rd - The Dream Team (Self Portrait)
The winners receiving WB gift vouchers provided by the Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade to be spent on the high street. Children who participated received a medal. Holiday CDs music from NTC and Bay Uke was greatly appreciated and well received.
June Tolson, of the Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade, was extremely impressed with the high quality of sandcastles and sand sculptures on show.
I really didn’t think the entrants could get better but they just did!
Some participants took on the challenge to do both sandcastle and sculpture. The weather, well we did have a few showers, but this did not dampen the spirits of the participants.
It has been another great turnout for our annual free to enter competition and it is great to see so many children, parents and grandparents enjoying themselves.
This event could not continue without the support of our local community and families who come out of the area to enter this competition. A few entrants this year came from Bristol, Durham and London, but have an idea they may have been visiting.
Help and assistance is given free by our Chamber members, their families and friends. I wish to say a huge big thank you to everyone for making this annual event a success.
Nearly 500 participants took part, creating 55 sandcastles and 72 sand sculptures 14 more than last year. The Whitley Bay Sandcastle competition was another huge success which provided a great fun day for all.
Wonder what next year will bring? If anyone missed this event you can see photographs on the Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade’s Our Whitley Bay, managed by Debra Mitchell.