By Jacqueline Elmore

As colourful revellers of the Notting Hill Carnival took to the streets of London over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Cuckfield residents enjoyed their own mini festival at local watering hole the Rose and Crown, where hundreds of people gathered for a day of food, beer, music and laughter. Pub landlord, James Clark also joined in the fun as he served drinks to his thirsty customers as they queued up in front of his wooden cabin bar. “This is the second year we have run this event and the place is jam packed. Last year was the first one of its kind and we decided that it would be a good way of bringing everyone together after nearly two years of being locked inside due to the pandemic. It was our way of saying ‘it’s now time to let your hair down and have some fun.’ I can’t quite believe the amount of people that have turned up today and the music hasn’t really started yet. It’s going to be quite a night,” said James.

The free event saw the return of many mobile street food vendors like Pizza Oven selling their handmade woodfired pizzas, La Crepere with their made to order crepes, as well as Sussex Coffee Trucks serving their best frothy coffee. And to top it all, the pub cooked some delicious BBQ food and tempted customers with their sticky pulled pork and dirty fries.

The outdoor stage played host to a number of vocal bands including, Kirsty Bishop, No Strings Attached, Kat and Travis, Real Time who closed the event and the one and only Band of Dads, who performed some of their favourite hits to the dancing crowds that cheered through each of their sets. “We’ll definitely be coming back to party next year. It’s been a cracking day all round,” added James.