A fondly-remembered Isle of Wight seaside tradition is making a return to Sandown this summer.

Just a few decades ago, Islanders sported jaunty hats to celebrate the town's Regatta.

"It was part of the great fun of Regatta day with all sorts of hats on show… silly tiny ones, big ones with tassels, flowery ones", long-time Sandown resident and councillor Heather Humby, 88, said.

Now, Sandown Carnival has secured grant funding from the Arts Council, meaning they're set for a comeback.

Ahead of this year’s Regatta, there will be a series of free hat-making workshops.

Here's how to get involved with Sandown Regatta hat making
 

No experience is necessary if you want to help Teresa create her show stopping Regatta hats at a series of workshops in July.

You can contact hatters@sandowncarnival.com to find out more.

New headwear designs will be created by Island artists in collaboration with the public, including local primary school children and care home residents.

The results will be shown off in High Street shop windows and a Grand Hat Parade on Regatta day itself, Sunday, August 13.

One innovation, with sustainability and the Isle of Wight’s UNESCO Biosphere status in mind, is to create this year’s hats using seed paper. The idea is to plant the headwear after use so the seeds germinate and produce floral displays.

The Carnival’s great hat revival also celebrates the town’s connection with legendary hatmaker Gertrude Shilling, famous for her outlandish hat designs at Ascot races.

Half a century ago, Mrs Shilling’s creations were paraded on the Esplanade and she was invited to crown Sandown’s Carnival Queen in 1975.

Island artist Teresa Grimaldi will devise the hat-making workshops, aiming to recreate several spectacular hats in the Shilling style.

She said: "I’m delighted to be leading the Regatta Hatters into a madcap making of hats to intrigue and to nod to Sandown’s rich heritage".

Sandown Carnival chair Paul Coueslant said: "It’s hats off to the Arts Council England Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting our idea and to everyone who’s told us they’re excited to be involved.

"It would be fantastic if Sandown’s tradition of donning eccentric headwear became an annual feature of the Regatta once again."