Culture and Cake Q&A with Heritage Eastbourne Service Manager Jo Seaman!

     As the Redoubt Fortress kicks-off its 2016 Culture and Cake season tomorrow, we talk to Heritage Eastbourne Service Manager, Jo Seaman to discuss all the exciting and interesting subjects to be discovered during the series this year! 

Jo Seaman in his most natural 'excavation' habitat.

    Q - What is the objective and purpose behind the Culture and Cake series and what will visitors get out of the events?

       

    A - The Culture and Cake series offers a different kind of talk in an informal setting, where visitors can discover the untold stories of Eastbourne or can find out the story behind some of the amazing objects in our collections and the Redoubt Fortress itself!

      

   Q - How were this year’s subjects for Culture and Cake talks decided and for what reasons?

      

   A - The talks were carefully chosen to reflect some of the other things Heritage Eastbourne is doing this year and also in response to feedback received after last year’s series.

      

Q - How are Culture and Cakes events conducted?

      

A - The Culture and Cake talks take place in one of the Casemates in the atmospheric Redoubt Fortress, followed by cake and a hot drink in the Outpost and a chance to chat to the speaker about the talk.

      

Q - The first in the series “Learning to Live with Ghosts” takes place this Saturday (16 April), what will the talk teach people about WW1?

      

A - This talk will take an in depth look at how Vera Brittain changed lives after the First World War and discuss the effect the lost generation had on the nation.

     

Q - "Health,Wealth and Happiness" in August discusses Eastbourne’s rise to becoming a flourishing seaside resort town throughout history. How does an Eastbourne seaside holiday today, differ from seaside holidays in Eastbourne 100 years ago?

     

A - Seaside Holidays have changed massively, in some ways beyond recognition. We are returning to the sporting holiday idea though!  Seaside holidays were first popular for the so called 'Health Tourists', visiting the coast to reap the benefits of the sea air and sea bathing. It soon changed to appeal to the sporting family, enjoying a game of tennis, cycling around the parks and strolling along the prom. There are so many more things to do on holiday in Eastbourne now, Eastbourne’s early holiday makers were left to their own devices and occupied their time with leisurely pursuits. Now, we’ve got lots of theatres, heritage attractions, leisure centres and so much more.

     

      Q - In July, "Culture and Cake: Once Upon a Time" uncovers the story behind 10 archaeological discoveries in Eastbourne. Can you tell us a little about some of those amazing discoveries - and which discovery, in your opinion is the most fascinating?

      A - There really have been so many amazing discoveries made in Eastbourne over the years, but it is only recently that we have started to put these stories together as a cohesive narrative.  This story is getting bigger and more exciting each time a new site is investigated or an old one reanalysed and at the same time we are finding more and more about what this area was like in the past. All archaeological work reveals something new and unique, even if it is the simple fact that there was actually nothing going on at a given spot!  But the discoveries we will be looking at range from prehistoric hippos and elephants found near what is now Terminus Road, to lost Medieval manor houses and much more besides, in short we will be looking at what has been going on round here in the past 200 million years or so! All of the discoveries are fascinating, but the one that still intrigues me most is 'Beachy Head Lady', a skeleton rediscovered after being in storage for over a century and who has presented us with evidence of the earliest identified sub-Saharan African in Britain, her story must have been a remarkable one but you will have to come to the talk to learn more!

     

Q - Culture and Cake in September, "The Discovery of a Lifetime" delves into the discovery of a Bronze Age site here in Eastbourne, which is also the basis for the current exhibition at the Pavilion. What can people learn at the talk, which they couldn’t by visiting the exhibition? 

A - Although the exhibition is a really exciting way to learn about the incredible Bronze Age site discovered at Shinewater, the talk will have more of the personal detail of what the excavation was really like and will also include in-depth analysis of the findings that we just didn’t have room for in the exhibition.  We will also get a chance to delve more deeply into the murky world of Bronze Age ritual deposition and to discuss what the purpose of the massive and enigmatic structures may have been using theories put forward by various experts

Q - We've covered the culture, so now for the cake! What yummy cakes will be served up in The Outpost Cafe during the Culture and Cake season?

A - Well, as the series goes from May - October, I think the cakes on offer will change depending on the month as the Outpost always provides some great seasonal treats. However, you can almost always be sure to be tuck into Lemon Drizzle Cake, an amazing Victoria Sponge and some delicious Bombardier's Brownies (the Redoubt's version of a chocolate Brownie) at the Outpost!

       For more information on all Culture and Cake talks at the Redoubt this year, visit www.EastbourneMuseums.co.uk/whats-on. Tickets for all Culture and Cake talks are £6 and include cake and a drink in The Outpost and entry to the Redoubt museum! 

The Eastbourne Easter Round-Up!

Eastbourne has a basket-full of great ideas for fun family days out this Easter, from exploring the Redoubt Fortress’s Easter trail, to the opening of Drusillas Park’s new water attraction, wondrous South Downs walks and trails and much more, if you're looking for an egg-citing Easter break, then make your way to Eastbourne for a whole lot of fabulous family fun!

Eastbourne’s Redoubt Fortress is hosting a free Opening Weekend on 26 and 27 March, with the museum being completely free entry for all! Explore the museum and the brand new exhibition, For Hearth, Home and Honour?, which children can discover through an interactive detectives kit! Plus, go in search of the Redoubt Rabbit who is hiding in the fortress and discover some fun spring facts en-route on the Redoubt's Easter Trail from 25 March – 10 April. All those who find the rabbit will receive a chocolate treat at the end of the trail!  

Pop next door to the Pavilion and solve the mysteries of Eastbourne's Bronze Age story, in a brand new exhibition for 2016, Making Tracks: Eastbourne's Bronze Age Mystery, complete with a rebuild of part of the UK's largest Bronze Age track-way. 

The Seven Sisters Sheep Centre, which is now open for lambing season, will make for the loveliest of spring time experiences! The traditional farming centre is open for visitors to enjoy the miracle of birth, join in feeding time and pet new born lambs from 5 March – 2 May!

For more Easter trails, head to Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters from 25-18 March, going in search of hidden clues on Belle Tout and Lookout Hill and answering trivia questions and completing challenges, where afterwards you'll be rewarded with a delicious Cadbury Easter bunny back at the Visitor Centre! 

From 24 March - 10 April Bateman’s country house also have a Cadbury Easter Trail allowing visitors to explore the former home of writer Rudyard Kipling, in a hunt for a chocolate reward at the end! 

Drusillas Park, is getting set to 'Get Wet' as it opens its newest attraction this Easter! Get Wet, is a new splash pad collection of thrilling water jets, spiraling sprays, twirling streams and palm trees, so as the weather warms up, there are now even more reasons to head to the UK's best small zoo! The park also welcomes The Gruffalo for his debut appearance at Drusillas on 30 March, plus many more favourite characters this Easter from Hello Kitty to The Fat Controller.

On Easter Sunday (27 March), jump on board the Easter Eggspress at the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway and ride around the pretty country park on a steam locomotive, one eighth of the original size, receiving a delicious Easter egg when alighting the train.

Knockhatch Adventure Park celebrates Easter with an Easter Extravaganza of fun trails and egg hunts, alongside its usual family offering of outdoor adventure play, large petting farm, a boating lake and much more!

Why not take a lovely long family walk along the South Downs Way on any day this bank holiday weekend? Hike from Eastbourne to Alfriston, breathing in the fresh Eastbourne air and drinking in the beautiful scenery. Stop off along route in Jevington for a warm and cosy rest at the Eight Bells pub, to refuel on locally brewed real ales and delicious traditional pub grub.

And of course, Eastbourne’s 1930’s Bandstand will be hosting its annual free Easter Sunday concert with traditional concert music from the town’s own Eastbourne Silver Band. Come along and join in with the celebrations at the Bandstand from 2.30pm on 27 March.

So if you're heading to Eastbourne this weekend, you'll be completely spoiled for choice for ways to spend your days! Happy Easter! 

For more information on all Easter events go to www.VisitEastbourne.com.

A Brand New Season of Fascinating History and Heritage at Eastbourne's Museums!

Eastbourne has a wealth of interesting history just waiting for you to discover in its cultural hubs and museums! Both the Redoubt Fortress and the Pavilion re-opened earlier this month, offering visitors many fascinating new exhibitions to explore!

Read a preview of some of the exciting heritage and history to be found this year at Eastbourne's Redoubt Fortress and Pavilion.

Treasure can come in many forms, and the new 'Treasure' exhibition at the Redoubt uncovers the vast mount of objects and items which are cherished by different people. Children will love this fun sensory exhibition, with Roman coins found at Beachy Head, precious metals and the diary of a young girl on holiday in Eastbourne, kept for its sentimental value, painting pictures of years gone by. Head to the Redoubt to be wowed by this, and much more this season.

The Summerdown Camp exhibition at the Pavilion on Marine Parade, tells the never before told story of the many thousands of injured soldiers who recuperated and recovered at the UK's first and largest World War One convalescent camp in Eastbourne 100 years ago! Open daily from now until 15 November, the amazing  and uplifting stories told at this free exhibition will astound both history buffs and novices. Try on a 'Blue Boy's' uniform, decode the soldiers slang and discover the heartwarming stories told by wounded soldiers and the heroic women who worked at Summerdown Camp.

The last in a trio of 'Stargazing for Everyone' evenings will provide another magical evening for keen astronomers at the Redoubt Fortress at 8pm on 28 March! Be dazzled up-close by the night sky, with its beautiful stars, moon and planets whilst gazing through telescopes provided by the Eastbourne Astronomical Society. Don't miss this great family event, which is free to attend!

'Carry on Curator' brings a series of engaging and interactive talks, in which visitors can handle objects and artefacts that tell many different stories from Eastbourne's past. The first in the series "Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!" on 31 March looks back on the development of gas used in warfare. The Redoubt's curator, Damian Etherington will provide a 'show and tell' type talk, passing round many objects including an original German mask from the First World War. Don't miss out, book your place now!

And here's an egg-citing competition to enter this Easter! The Redoubt Fortress are giving away a Family Ticket, plus a Redoubt Guide Book so that one lucky family can explore the fascinating Napoleonic Redoubt and discover the history behind the stone walls for free this Easter Holiday! 

For more information about all the exciting discoveries to be made at the Redoubt and the Pavilion this year go to www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk!

Eastbourne Joins in National Celebration of English Tourism Week!

When tourist destinations across England celebrate all that this wonderful little country has to offer during English Tourism Week, here at Visit Eastbourne we'll be celebrating one of the sunniest places in the UK and some of the many reasons why Eastbourne is absolutely perfect for a seaside break!

English Tourism Week will be nationally recognised this month between 14 and 22 of March, and Visit Eastbourne will be giving free tours and tickets to some key heritage attractions, highlighting the wealth of culture that Eastbourne has to offer our tourists!

For a little bit of interactive fun, we've created an English Tourism Week quiz all about Eastbourne, which can be downloaded from VisitEastbourne.com or picked up from the Tourist Information Centre on Cornfield Road. See how much you know about Eastbourne and the fabulous tourist attractions on offer, learning more along the way. Once you've completed the quiz, take it back to the Tourist Information Centre, where you'll receive a prize in the form of chocolate for your efforts!

The Redoubt Fortress is a hub of fascinating history and culture, which tourists flock to every year to learn about the past life of Eastbourne and it opens it's gates for the 2015 season on March 16. On the 21 and 22 March, to recognise English Tourism Week, the Redoubt will be FREE for all to enter! There is loads to get excited about at the Redoubt this year, from a new 'Treasure' exhibition, to an interactive exhibit involving a 'Battle of Britain dogfight'.

Another central part of Eastbourne's Heritage Service, the Pavilion is opening its brand new exhibition all about Summerdown Convalescent Camp. As part of English Tourism Week, on Saturday 21 March at 11am and again at 2pm, you can go on a FREE guided curator tour, discovering all the fascinating facts about the first and largest World War One convalescent camp, which opened in Eastbourne 100 years ago!

Towner, the wonderful contemporary art gallery which is the heart of fine art in Eastbourne, is offering Art Store Tours for a reduced rate on Sunday 22 March for English Tourism Week. Instead of £6.00, book by telephone or in person to sign up for the tour for just £4.50 instead. The Art Store Tours at Towner are a more in-depth chance to discover the extensive art collections which grace the walls of the gallery!

Make the most of these great offers and take part in the exciting Eastbourne quiz, getting into the spirit of English Tourism Week, and helping us to celebrate what a fantastic town Eastbourne is!

To read more about English Tourism Week, got to VisitEastbourne.com