Beach, Carnivals and cafes

We took the dogs down to the beach today, a thing I have not done for ages (well, since the spring car park charges went up) I love the photo of all four of them galloping into the distance (below) although my IT skills couldn't quite work out how to get rid of the oval picture frame border.

Today the Prestatyn carnival took place, and what a lacklustre, shabby event it has sadly become. As a child I always remember the big parade (always organised on a Thursday afternoon) and recall it as a huge celebration within the community. There was always a score of large bands, multiple comic floats, and dozens of thigh slapping drum majorettes all weaving their way down the high street watched by a three deep crowd of locals and holidaymakers. (Right pic 1950's Rose queens )

Highly coloured bunting was strung back and forth across the high street, and from our advantage point with the family (on the roof of Dad's shop) we were always pleased that the parade seemed to take hours to pass on by.

Today, the whole thing is perhaps a reflection of the times in which we live in, as there seems to be little support from and affection by the town's population for this slightly old fashioned celebration.
Health and safety rules has meant that the bunting can now not be hung across the road.(sad short pieces of plastic bunting can be seen in short bursts parallel to the road), and only one lorry sponsored by a local social club was filled with a an aging set of cowboys and Indians, who actually looked as though they were enjoying themselves.

Today the majorettes were there (bored,glum and still accompanied by obese parents in shell suits), and a few bands livened the proceedings, but I did have the feeling that the whole thing was well past its sell by date and was in need of some strong leadership to kick the whole thing either into the 21th century or perhaps back into the 1950's where it perhaps belongs.

Anyhow, Like two old ladies Chris and I enjoy "doing" the good British Cafe, and to be honest, we have experienced some shockers around the North Wales area. The old Forties cafe on the High street has had a bit of a revamp (my mother worked there in 1942 by the way) and now looks suitably flash. I do like the fact that all the original art deco Lloyd loom furniture has been retained,but surprise surprise the service didn't quite measure up with the standards of a bygone age.Hope it is just teethiing problems..