I agree with Richard Lindley (Letters, May 12) that the Children's Parade is a spectacular, colourful and fun way of opening Brighton Festival and a great opportunity to bring the children and adults of Brighton together.

However, not diverting traffic from the route slows the momentum and the spirit of the parade. Surely it would make sense if all schools could leave the meet-up site on time and the procession could flow. Then the gathering on the seafront and the bright spectacle this brings could include everyone.

Also, that would mean fewer tired children feeling a drop in their enthusiasm.

Pippa Smith, head of education, wrote she was on the seafront for the singing of the festival song and assures us she went on singing until the final child had left the site (Letters, May 12).

What beach was she on? Our school, Coldean Primary, arrived at the beach approximately ten minutes too late to be included in the singing of the song, as did many others after number 55. We were told we'd missed the children singing and the parade was over.

It would have been nice if the organisers had respected the hard work of the children, staff and families enough to allow them to be included.

And if they couldn't be in the recording, at least Zo Ball, Patsy Palmer and Mark Chadwick (oh, and someone could have got word to Pippa Smith on Shoreham beach or wherever she was) could have been encouraged to wait a while longer, until everyone had had the opportunity to belong to the occasion, sing, share, admire each other's efforts and see all the wonderful costumes we have seen in the pictures.

Children and staff gave up precious time to learn the words to the song and it was sad to see the excitement so deflated.

Please try to remember these children are our future.

-Gina Panayi, Coldean