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! 

Get your Boots on and Head for the Hills for the Coast and Country Walking Festival!

After a very successful first year of the Coast and Country Walking Festival in 2014, Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council are bringing it back for a whole nine days this September and October!

Coast and Country Walking Festival in Eastbourne and Wealden runs from 26 September through to 4 October and is aimed at walkers of varying ages, abilities and even interests, so you're sure to find a walk which is right for you.

Although one of the main aims of the walks is to get people active, energized, fit and healthy, the festival is also the perfect way to take in the outstanding natural beauty of the South Downs surrounding Eastbourne and other areas of Sussex. Some walks are free and some have a cost, but most walks have a maximum number of walkers, so be sure to book a place to avoid disappointment! 

With over 50 walks to experience the festival offers a range of walks including historical, literary, healthy and Nordic walks. There's short walks, long walks, easy, moderate or brisk walks, so take a look at some of our favourite picks and get yourself booked onto a walk!

Two Breweries Tour - Saturday 26th September

This is a 15 mile all day walk, starting from Bedes School on Dukes Drive, Eastbourne and ending at the Plough and Harrow in Litlington. Enjoy this scenic downland walk led by an experienced guide to East Dean where you'll stop and visit the first of two breweries, Beachy Head Brewery. Discover the brewing methods adopted by Head Brewer, Roger Green and enjoy the tutored tasting whilst learning the history of the brewery. Continue the walk over to Litlington where you'll stop for lunch at the Plough and Harrow before commencing on the second tour and tasting at the Long Man Brewery! A great value walk at just £15 per person; there are 30 spaces so book your place if you have a passion for real ale and brisk country walks!

Arlington Abbots Wood Nordic Walking Taster - Tuesday 29th September

A short but brisk walk, this session will teach keen learners a fitness walking discipline which can burn over 35% more calories than easy walking and also aids muscle tone. Oakleafe Sussex Nordic Walking offers a 5-mile circular Nordic Taster from the Forestry Commission car park for Abbots Wood by Wilbees Road/Caneheath through Arlington. The taster session, led by International Nordic Walking Association accredited Nordic Walk instructor, Nigel Bentley, is a circular route which explores the forest rides, lake and higher ground to the north, ascending 225 feet along the way. Nordic Walk poles are available for loan and completion of a fitness assessment form is required prior to participation. This is a 5 mile walk, with a maximum of 15 participants, free of charge but donations are welcome.

A Photographic Walk along the Cuckoo Trail - Friday 2nd October

If capturing some natural beauty on your camera is what makes you happy, book a place on this gentle walk along the Cuckoo Trail, starting in Hailsham. You don't need to be an expert, just someone with a desire to walk and photograph. A professional photographer will be on hand to accompany the group and you'll even have the chance to download your snaps at the end of the walk, onto PC's provided, and have a short lesson on editing your images using photo editing software. This walk is free of charge, but hurry to book your place as there's a maximum of 16 walkers.

For all the details of the Coast and Country Walking Festival go to sussexwalkingfestival.org.uk or visit the Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre to pick up your complete 36 page guide to the walking festival with a full list of all walks across the nine days. You can also book a place on a walk by calling 01892 602757. Dogs on leads are allowed on most walks, children are welcome too provided under 16's are accompanied by an adult!

Time 2 Change with Visit Eastbourne

The age old tradition of making New Year's resolutions originated in Ancient Rome. Janus, the two-faced god who looks backwards into the old year and forwards into the new, made promises at the beginning of each year as how to live in the twelve months ahead. 

At Visit Eastbourne we're taking on the philosophy of Janus and celebrating everything that Eastbourne has to offer, old and new, to inspire visits to Eastbourne and help you to change your lifestyle this year.  

Over the next four weeks we'll be bringing visitors and residents of Eastbourne ideas, offers, competitions and motivational blog posts to help you all make the most of the facilities, services and most importantly, the beautiful natural surroundings which Eastbourne boasts, in order to help with making those all important positive changes in 2015.

The Orchid Rooms; for relaxation

We believe in making well-rounded changes to your lifestyle, as there are many areas of life which could often benefit from a spruce-up. 

The Green Almond, Vegetarian Buffet

Health, fitness and well-being are vital to enjoying a happy life, so we'll be focusing the first two weeks of our 'Time 2 Change' project on highlighting the best places in Eastbourne to help with the January detox, to relax and rejuvenate and to get back on the right fitness track. As well as the best eateries in town to get delicious healthy food and drink from, and ideas for sporting challenges to help set that achievable goal.

For those of you who are looking for changes in other areas of your life, we'll be spending the second fortnight of the project bringing forth ideas of places to discover, visit and explore in and around Eastbourne. There are some extremely pretty and peaceful areas in Eastbourne and we want to guide you there to discover the beauty for yourself. 

Hampden Park, Eastbourne

It's not only exploration and adventure which can enhance your life, starting something new can be a very fulfilling way to make a change this year. If you're looking for a new hobby, to learn a new skill, ways to be more creative or maybe just to meet new people, we'll be giving ideas on how and where to do this in Eastbourne in January, February and in the rest of the coming year.

So, if you're looking for ways to change or improve your lifestyle this year, look no further than Eastbourne. 'The Sunshine Coast' provides the weather and beautiful setting, and we'll provide the motivational ideas to help make 2015 your most well-rounded and positive year yet. 

Happy New Year from the Visit Eastbourne Team!