Walk This Way for The Coast and Country Walking Festival!

When you think of Sussex, you immediately cast your thoughts to the boundless blue skies, the chalky cliffs overlooking the shore and the everlasting countryside. Wherever you are in Sussex, you can guarantee that with every twist and turn there will be something that makes you want to stop, breathe in the fresh air and cherish your surroundings. Forget the road trip, there's no better way to explore than by foot!

 

For the last three years, Eastbourne and Wealden's Coast and Country Walking Festival has been an opportunity for everybody to step outdoors and discover the South Downs, Sussex Weald and exquisite Eastbourne Coastline, whatever your ability. The walks cater for all audiences so whether you’re after a strenuous trek or a light jaunt, you can choose from a variety of walks from 24th September to 2nd October. The nine day event covers historical, literary, healthy and Nordic walks. 

Little feet won't be left out because 1st October marks the 90th anniversary for one special little bear, Winnie the Pooh, in their home in Ashdown Forest. The free event includes a mile long guided walk along Broadstone Amble, filled with Winnie related activities, followed by a talk by Kathryn Aalto and readings from her book 'The Natural World of Winnie the Pooh'. 

 

If your New Year’s resolution was to get fit, then get stuck in with the festival’s daily health walks. Or if you fancy yourself as a historian, you may be interested by the Historic Old Town walk or the Kipling Country walk, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Rudyard Kipling's passing. 

Fall in love with Sussex all over again by booking onto one of these wonderful walks! For more information visit http://sussexwalkingfestival.org.uk/. 

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! 

Oh We Do Like To Be b'Cider Seaside!

If you like the seaside, and you like beer and cider, then Eastbourne really is the only place to be this Bank Holiday weekend. What's more, there's a fantastic line-up of live music across the three day Beer and Cider by the Sea festival taking place on Eastbourne's Western Lawns between 22 and 24 May!

There is an abundance of local real ales and ciders available at the seaside festival; with over 100 to chose from, the festival is bigger than any year before now. Local Long Man Brewery are sponsoring the event and they will be serving up some delicious ales and ciders including, American Pale Ale, Best Bitter, Long Blonde, and Copper Hop!

Beers and Ciders are coming from local brewers, but also from far and wide so you can expect to experience a magnitude of flavours from across the UK. From Summer Lighting, Blowing Stone and Hop Rocket to Iron Horse, Toad in the Ale and Wight Knight, you'll not only be tasting delicious drinks, you'll also be amused by their great names!

If your a lover of outdoor seaside festivals, but not so much of beer or cider, then worry not. There are four cocktails to choose from, one mocktail and a selection of fine wines! Get fruity and flirty sipping on a Caribbean Fondle, Luscious Blush, Kitty or Mudslide cocktail - the perfect accompaniment for a Summer Bank Holiday weekend. For the non-alcoholic cocktail fan, there will be a 'Cardinal's Cocktail' with 'sin' alcohol (no alcohol).

A seaside cider festival would be incomplete without a line-up of super bands - and Beer and Cider by the Sea has just that! On Friday 22, get your wiggle on dancing to Wakin' Snakes, a lively American and Cajun band and then wind down a little to the sound of acoustic guitar and bass duo, Strum 'n' Bass.

The live music continues into Saturday with Decadence Sleaze Excess performing  covers form the 60's to the present day during the festival's daytime session, and Large and Sound of the Crowd blasting out the finest tunes from the 1980's and dance hits from the 90's from evening to night!

Sunday is another fun-day with the festival extending to include a Sunday evening session this year. From 11am until 9pm, ticket holders can enjoy the atmosphere of the festival all day long and still have Bank Holiday Monday to recover before the working week starts again. Dirty Martini Swing Band, Unihorn and Granny Magnet will provide the Sunday soundtrack.

Eastbourne is the sunniest place in the UK, however even the sunniest place in this country isn't pardoned from a bit of wet weather. In the event of rain, Beer and Cider festival-goers need not fear though, as this year the festival is fully undercover, with the stage and bars all under canvas in large marquees. There is still an outdoor area for visitors to sit whilst listening to the bands play and enjoying some fresh sea air. Come rain or shine, the three day event will commence with nothing getting wet - apart from appetites!

Saturday and Sunday day time sessions are family friendly; children are welcome and will be entertained by bouncy castles and land zorbing. However, the evening sessions are for over 18's only.

All drinks must be purchased using tokens which can be bought at the festival in multiples of £10, with each token being to the value of 10 pence. All real ales and ciders will cost between £3.40 and £3.80 (34-38 tokens).

Beer and Cider by the Sea tickets can be purchased here!

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. 

Beachy Head Marathon & 10K; The Final Countdown

Taking place on 25 October, the Beachy Head Marathon is Eastbourne’s top sporting fixture and a favourite amongst runners. With just a couple of days to go, the end goal is in sight!

The Beachy Head Marathon is a scenic gem, with subscribers to Runners World regularly voting it as one of the most iconic events in the country.  The marathon covers 300 steps and 14 gates, passing through Jevington, Alfriston, Litlington, Friston Forest, the Cuckmere Valley and Seven Sisters, including Birling Gap and Beachy Head.

Runners are greeted by the iconic starting hill

The thought running through most entrants mind right now is one of excited anticipation mixed with with the daunting challenge of the hilly terrain and for some, pure fear! When thinking about the marathon, one of the most iconic images is that of the 'near-vertical' looking hill start that believe me, does seem to just keep on getting higher the further you run up. One of the top tips gleamed on my first Beachy was that of to take the hill very steady and even walk it. It's worth remembering that there are another 26.1 miles to go once your at the top and you'll need every last drop of energy to finish!

With the runners entry list finalised last week, organisers are delighted to welcome runners from all round the globe including America, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Spain, Sweden and of course all over the UK.

With live music at key points along the way including the lone bag-piper at the top of the infamous starting hill, there will be plenty of viewing points for spectators to cheer entrants on around the course with the easiest accessible for spectators being at the Seven Sisters Country Park and Birling Gap.

Last year, a new additional 10 kilometre race was added and it will return again this year. Hill runners can enjoy the shorter version of the marathon with a route comprising of breath taking views and challenges, starting and finishing in the same location. Last years winner, Ben Gibson did so in a time of 40 minutes and 35 seconds. This works out at over 9mph which is an incredble feat considering the challenging and undulating terrain.

Both races start and finish at Bedes School on Dukes Drive on 25 October 2014. The Beachy Head Marathon starts at 9am with runners returning from 12-6pm. The 10k race will start shortly after the marathon at approximately 9:30am.

For more information please visit the website at www.beachyheadmarathon.co.uk