Museums at Night Festival Brings Jaws Film Screening to the Redoubt Fortress!

Duuuunnn, Duuunn.... Duuunnnnnnn Duuunnn.... Duuunnnnn Duuunnnnn.... Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Duuuuuunnnnnnn!! What is that? Its' the sound of Jaws making it's way to Eastbourne!

Not the actual shark of course, just the classic 1975 film directed by Stephen Speilberg! On Saturday 16 May at 7.30 pm, the Redoubt Fortress is taking part in ‘Museums at Night’, which is a national festival of after-hours culture and heritage. For a third year the Redoubt will host a film screening for ‘Museums at Night’, this year presenting the perfect seaside horror, Jaws.

If you aren't familiar with the film, Jaws tells the story of American tourist town Amity Island, where a series of shark attacks forces police chief, Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) and two comrades, Ichthyologist Matt Hopper (Richard Drewfuss) and ship Captain, Quint (Robert Shaw) to engage in an ambitious battle of man vs. shark, after the town's mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) refuses to close the beach. The film recounts their attempt to kill the deadly sea creature and save the residents and tourists from a fatal swim at Amity Island beach. 

‘Museums at Night’ is a celebration of heritage, arts and culture in the UK. The festival is set up to encourage visitors into museums, galleries and heritage sites across the country by hosting special events outside of normal opening hours. Events will be taking place throughout the country between 14 and 16 May 2015. At the Redoubt on 16 May, visitors can also discover a display of shark-related items. Local collector, Robert Knight will share his collection and knowledge of preserved sea-creatures, real shark jaws and Great White Shark teeth!

The Redoubt chose to screen Jaws to celebrate Eastbourne’s position as an iconic seaside tourist town. However, fear not - the bathing waters in Eastbourne are some of the cleanest and safest in Britain, earning this accolade from the Marine Conservation Society’s, Good Beach Guide numerous times. We can assure you that the sea is a lot safer to swim in than the sea surrounding fictional, Amity Island!

The film is rated 12 - so the film screening is open to all above this age! There's no need to bring your own popcorn either. The Redoubt’s vintage themed cafe, ‘The Outpost’ will be open for the evening serving cinema type confectionery, such as popcorn and ice-cream, as well as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks!

Doors will open at 7.30pm on 16 May for an 8.00pm start. Tickets are £6 and booking is essential. For more information and to book tickets for ‘Museums at Night Film Screening – Jaws at Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum’ visit www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk. 

The Big Sea Swim – Interview with Jenny Horridge

The Big Sea Swim takes place this Saturday 12 July in Eastbourne from the lifeguard beach for the third time. The swim is categorised into two distances; 1k and 3k and fundraising supports the MCS to continue their work protecting the fabulous seas, shores and wildlife around the UK and beyond. Registration closes at 5pm on Wednesday 9 July so there is still time to participate! It costs £25 for the 1km and £30 for the 3km swim and the organisers hope that swimmers will fundraise as much as possible to help our beach and coast. Top fundraisers will receive prizes too!

We spoke to a member of our team who is taking part in the race; Jenny Horridge about the event and here’s what she said…

What attracted you to take part in the Big Sea Swim?

I have been swimming seriously for the last two years and realised I had never entered a race before. This event came up and I thought the 1k would be a great distance for my first sea swim. So I thought I’d give it a go and raise some money at the same time.

How have you trained for this?

I train once a week at David Lloyd leisure centre with the Masters swimming club as well as swimming an extra two sessions a week on my own. As this is a sea event I have also been swimming in the sea once a week for the last month. Coincidently I swim the same route as the Big Sea Swim so hopefully I will be prepared.

How cold has the water been?

The water has been bearable and it is definitely warmer than a month ago. It’s still quite cold when you get in but it’s lovely after a few minutes and we are very lucky to have such a lovely coast.

With the proceeds going towards keeping the beach and water clean, is there anything you would like to see improved on our seafront?

We’ve got a lovely seafront so this is a great way to keep it that way. I often hear visitors talking about how clean our beaches are so this is a fantastic way to keep doing so. I am very confident swimming off Eastbourne beaches and it is always great to see so many others taking the plunge every year.

Providing it goes well, do you think you will take part in next year’s event?

Yes I definitely hope I will take part again. It’s a great event and as it’s local for me I will make sure it is an annual thing. Who knows, I might do the 3k next year if all goes well!

With the sea on our doorstep, do you enjoy swimming in the sea regularly?

I have always gone in the sea but I only started proper sea swimming about a year ago when I was persuaded by friends at the Masters club. Although it is harder than swimming in a pool, I really enjoyed it and it is gone from there really. I absolutely love it now and hope to keep it up!

What are your feelings about the event this Saturday?

I’m very excited to take part but also slightly nervous as it is my first one. I think the hardest bit will be entering the water and going round the buoys. Once I’ve got going I think I’ll be fine and thrilled to finish.

Thanks Jenny for telling us about the event and how you are preparing for it, we wish you the best of luck and of course good luck to all the other swimmers keeping our coast clean and safe!!!

For more information on the Big Sea Swim please go to www.visiteastbourne.com