From Joan Quirk, Shanklin:

Further to the letter from Mr Cooper (CP, 25-05-18) regarding Hullabaloo at Sandown, I would like to make some comments.

With regard to disabled parking, there were the usual arrangements in the neighbouring car parks at Yaverland and Sandham Gardens.

As well as the portable toilets, others, including disabled, were available for everyone at Brown’s Cafe and Dinosaur Isle.

Unfortunately the weather on Saturday was extremely wet with heavy downfalls of rain but the carnival parade went ahead, including music from a samba band, children from Bay Primary School, Dance Vibez Morris dancers and, of course, Shademakers.

Most of the food outlets shut up shop as visitors were not queueing in the rain, and I don’t blame them, but you could still get food at Brown’s if you wanted to.

The entertainment was moved into the large marquee, where everyone performed to the best of their ability in a small space. All credit to them.

There were also many stalls and exhibitions of interest in both marquees. If Mr Cooper had been able to attend on the Sunday he would have seen a very different Hullabaloo with the sun shining.

The bands and dancing on the main stage were brilliant, as was the demonstration of rocket power.

Many people watched the soap box derby and the entertainment beforehand.

My visitors from the mainland definitely enjoyed it.

I commend the organisers for arranging such an eclectic and free event in Sandown.

It is not a festival charging lots of money for a ticket and I think it is a shame some people feel it is appropriate to undermine other people’s hard work.

Surely, an event of this nature draws together the people of Sandown and beyond and should be applauded.

Unlike Mr Cooper I will be going again next year and will definitely tell my friends about it.