Eastbourne Carnival is a community organisation, organised by a volunteer committee.
Most of the committee have been involved with Carnival since it came back in 2011.
You can make enquiries, suggestions and contact us via email, or via our social media channels.
Originally from London, but living in Eastbourne since 2004, Mina is a true Carnivalista, having been a participant in Notting Hill Carnival quite literally birth – and has gone on to participate in costume in Notting Hill, Trinidad, and Toronto Carnivals.
Mina has been involved with Eastbourne Carnival since 2016, supporting Carnival with their social media.
Stephen Lloyd stepped down after 10 years in 2021, and Mina is delighted to be the new Chair, building on the work done by Stephen and the Committee.
Mina is an active member of the Eastbourne business community, with her own business, Ditzy Media which provides social media marketing and training to local businesses and non-profits. She is also a Director of Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, and Eastbourne & District Enterprise Agency Ltd.
Mina O'Brien
Chair
Originally from London, but living in Eastbourne since 2004, Mina is a true Carnivalista, having been a participant in Notting Hill Carnival quite literally birth – and has gone on to participate in costume in Notting Hill, Trinidad, and Toronto Carnivals.
Mina has been involved with Eastbourne Carnival since 2016, supporting Carnival with their social media.
Stephen Lloyd stepped down after 10 years in 2021, and Mina is delighted to be the new Chair, building on the work done by Stephen and the Committee.
Mina is an active member of the Eastbourne business community, with her own business, Ditzy Media which provides social media marketing and training to local businesses and non-profits. She is also a Director of Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, and Eastbourne & District Enterprise Agency Ltd.
Mina O'Brien
Chair
Christina joined the Committee in 2018 and is well known in Eastbourne as Chief Executive of Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, and Director of Eastbourne & District Enterprise Agency Ltd.
Christina brings her knowledge of the local community in Eastbourne, having been involved in organising other key events in the town, together with her passion and enthusiasm for Carnival.
Christina Ewbank
Committee
Christina joined the Committee in 2018 and is well known in Eastbourne as Chief Executive of Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, and Director of Eastbourne & District Enterprise Agency Ltd.
Christina brings her knowledge of the local community in Eastbourne, having been involved in organising other key events in the town, together with her passion and enthusiasm for Carnival.
Christina Ewbank
Committee
Marcus joined the Committee in 2019, and brings his technical knowledge and experience of working as a Sound Engineer at Notting Hill Carnival – winning best Sound in 2013 at Notting Hill Carnival for Sunshine International Arts
Marcus is Trinidadian and has been an active participant in Notting Hill Carnival for many years, and his family have long roots in Carnivals in Trinidad and Toronto.
Marcus O'Brien
Committee
Marcus joined the Committee in 2019, and brings his technical knowledge and experience of working as a Sound Engineer at Notting Hill Carnival – winning best Sound in 2013 at Notting Hill Carnival for Sunshine International Arts
Marcus is Trinidadian and has been an active participant in Notting Hill Carnival for many years, and his family have long roots in Carnivals in Trinidad and Toronto.
Marcus O'Brien
Committee
Born and raised in Eastbourne, Mark has two children and is married to Tracey. Mark retired from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in 2014. Mark brings a wealth of experience in Health and Safety.
Mark is responsible for the Health and Safety of our event - crucial during a Carnival to make sure everyone is safe. Mark is also currently helping with Eastbourne's major other tourism events, including Airbourne, Eastbourne’s International Tennis Tournament and The Beachy Head Marathon.
In his spare time, Mark enjoys kayaking off Eastbourne's seafront and is an open water scuba diving instructor with Eastbourne Sub Aqua Club!
Mark Marsden
Committee
Born and raised in Eastbourne, Mark has two children and is married to Tracey. Mark retired from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in 2014. Mark brings a wealth of experience in Health and Safety.
Mark is responsible for the Health and Safety of our event - crucial during a Carnival to make sure everyone is safe. Mark is also currently helping with Eastbourne's major other tourism events, including Airbourne, Eastbourne’s International Tennis Tournament and The Beachy Head Marathon.
In his spare time, Mark enjoys kayaking off Eastbourne's seafront and is an open water scuba diving instructor with Eastbourne Sub Aqua Club!
Mark Marsden
Committee
Nigel helped is a founding member of the Committee and is our Senior Marshall. As well as the eyes on the street for the day, he looks after Logistics and Traffic Management along with the Victoria Baptist Church Event Team which he heads.
Nigel has vast experience of marshalling from his days working with Sussex Police. He and the Victoria Baptist Church Event Team currently volunteer at 10 events in the town each year, as well as running his own business, Nigel's Paint Pot (Painting and Decorating).
Nigel Hill
Committee
Nigel helped is a founding member of the Committee and is our Senior Marshall. As well as the eyes on the street for the day, he looks after Logistics and Traffic Management along with the Victoria Baptist Church Event Team which he heads.
Nigel Hill
Committee
Stephen wears quite a few hats! He has been on Carnival Committee since the beginning. He is well known in Eastbourne and currently is our Deputy Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, and Lead Cabinet Member for Financial Services. Stephen is also the Chief Executive Officer of Your Eastbourne BID, and works closely with Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastbourne & District Enterprise Agency Ltd. He says:
When first asked to help out the Carnival, I didn't realise how much of a logistical nightmare it could be. Few people, for example, have ever had to count £7,000 worth of small change from bucket collections!
So why have I continued to be part of team Carnival since joining the committee in 2011? Firstly, because there's a great team - and secondly - because there's nothing more satisfying then marching the route (often, two or three times on Carnival day) and seeing so many people enjoying themselves. with their families.
Stephen Holt
Committee
Stephen wears quite a few hats! He has been on Carnival Committee since the beginning. He is well known in Eastbourne and currently is our Deputy Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, and Lead Cabinet Member for Financial Services. Stephen is also the Chief Executive Officer of Your Eastbourne BID, and works closely with Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastbourne & District Enterprise Agency Ltd. He says:
When first asked to help out the Carnival, I didn't realise how much of a logistical nightmare it could be. Few people, for example, have ever had to count £7,000 worth of small change from bucket collections!
Stephen Holt
Committee
An award-winning & altruistic entrepreneur with years of experience in the events industry and the founder of Eastbourne’s premier Comic Con, WynterCon!
A confident team leader, Andy ensures that the ongoing projects and experiences the charity delivers enrich and enhance people’s lives. He is also a published author, an avid gamer and husband/father.
Andy Kybet
Committee
An award-winning & altruistic entrepreneur with years of experience in the events industry and the founder of Eastbourne’s premier Comic Con, WynterCon!
A confident team leader, Andy ensures that the ongoing projects and experiences the charity delivers enrich and enhance people’s lives. He is also a published author, an avid gamer and husband/father.
Andy Kybet
Committee
Eastbourne has historically had a town carnival for decades in the 20th century but did have an absence of 20 years until Stephen Lloyd, then MP for Eastbourne brought it back in 2011.
The earliest reference to Carnival in Eastbourne was in 1895 when the town celebrated ‘The Battle of the Flowers’ in May of that year.
Recently, Carnival has been affected by the pandemic and did not take place in 2020, and a smaller parade took place in September 2021.
Eastbourne Carnival held a successful big parade in 2022, celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
We are now back to our usual late May Bank Holiday spot – and the theme this year is ‘Sussex By The Sea’.