De La Warr celebrates photo spectacular
75th anniversary success
The De La Warr Pavilion celebrated its 75th birthday on Bank Holiday Monday, with a spectacular re-staging of a famous 30’s photo.
The original 1936 photo shows the Daily Mirror Eight dance troupe performing on the lawns of the Bexhill venue, in the early days of its long life.
On Bank Holiday Monday, photographer Sheila Burnett was hoisted 5m into the air on a Genie crane, until she reached the exact position the Daily Mirror’s photographer had adopted. Over 1500 people gathered on the Pavilion terraces and lawns to recreate the picture, with The Urban Shadows parkour outfit taking the place of the Daily Mirror Eight.
Other entertainment on the day came from a 120-piece scratch choir and orchestra, recruited from the local community and led by John Langridge and Mike Hatchard.
After a mass chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’, tea and cake were served at a giant street party.
The party concluded with DJ Nikki Beatnik playing tunes from the past 75 years until sunset.
For more Birthday Party pictures, visit the De La Warr Pavilion on Facebook.