Eastbourne Attractions in Running for England’s 101 Things to Do Before You Go Abroad

Several Eastbourne attractions are in the running to feature in a nationwide poll of ‘101 Things to Do Before You Go Abroad’, as part of a new Facebook app launched by VisitEngland this month.

The brand new app involves Facebook users suggesting their own favourite experiences in England, with fans voting on their top choices to decide who should appear in VisitEngland’s ultimate bucket list of 101 things to do.

With a Beachy Head adventure, Afternoon Tea at the Grand Hotel, running the Beachy Head Marathon, Boxing Day at the Bandstand and Trafalgar Day at the Redoubt, all featuring so far, we are encouraging YOU to suggest some more awesome local activities and vote for their favourites!

The new app is designed to inspire the nation into taking more holidays in England and will feature the very best experiences, only on offer in this country.  With 60% of the population feeling more British after the exciting events of 2012, research also shows that 20% of the population plan to take more breaks in England as a result of the feel good factor.

The app includes six categories of Food & Drink, Arts & Culture, Health & Fitness, History & Heritage, Wildlife & Nature, and finally Because It’s Awesome!  Facebook fans can upload their own favourites to these categories, which once approved, will feature on a map of England.

Anyone nominating or voting will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a weekend break away. So go on what's stopping you...get entering now!

The app will be live until 10 March and a selection of winners announced during British Tourism Week from 16 - 24 March.  The full 101 things to do will be announced on St George’s Day on 23 April.

View the app at www.facebook.com/EnjoyEngland or visit www.visiteastbourne.com and follow the links online.

We love to Boogie!

Who likes to boogie? We like to boogie!


Enter our brand new Theatre Thursday competition for this week ending on Wednesday 23 Jan to be in with a chance of winning an incredible pair of tickets to see Boogie Nights rock Eastbourne's Congress Theatre!
Staring huge names from the world of music & entertainment....Gareth Gates....Chico....Louisa Lytton (Ruby in Eastenders)..The Osmonds..the list goes on so need we say anymore! All you need to do is enter for free and answer a simple multiple choice question.

(L-R Andy Abraham, Gareth Gates, Louisa Lytton, Chico & Shane Richie Junior)

With a cast of 15 musicians, singers and dancers Boogie Nights – the 70’s Musical in Concert features all your favourites from the original show including Y.M.C.A. and Happy Days, We Are Family and Boogie Wonderland and promises a party atmosphere you won’t want to miss!

Boogie nights is at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne on Thursday 21 February at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office on 01323 412000 or online at www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk.

And with the opportunity of winning tickets to see this with your grooviest dancing buddy, what more of an excuse do you need! So dust off your flares, polish up your disco balls and hop in the Gran Torino and rock on down to the Congress Theatre!

Check out Eastbourne!

Just a quick update! I've just got back from an amazing evening organised by David Ruddle from thebestof!
It was an extremely useful evening and I learnt plenty of stuff that fingers crossed I can put into practise to make Eastbourne even better!
One of the top tips was to blog more and update regularly, so as they say start as you mean to go on - here's the latest blog post!
Happy blogging

BBC Antiques Roadshow to Visit Eastbourne Bandstand

Eastbourne Bandstand has been chosen to host filming of BBC One’s ever popular Sunday evening programme Antiques Roadshow this year, as production begins on the 36^th series.

With filming taking place on Thursday 23 May, the iconic 1930’s Bandstand will feature a whole episode of the programme as some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be on hand to offer free advice and valuations.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism & Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “This is fantastic news for Eastbourne, and what a great opportunity to showcase our stunning seafront on prime-time TV.  The Bandstand has a fascinating history and I am sure will make a great venue for the programme.”

Residents and visitors are invited to raid their attics and bring along family heirlooms, household treasures and car boot bargains for inspection by the experts.

Series Editor Simon Shaw says “The team are all looking forward to visiting Eastbourne. It’s always exciting to see what will come to light on the day. We regularly see between 1500 and 2000 visitors on the day. Despite the high turnout everyone will get to see an expert.”

The series will once again be presented by Fiona Bruce in her sixth year with the programme, she says “Presenting the Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and very lucky coincidences in television when you get to work on a show that you already love to watch. Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating. And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the 'what's it worth?’ moment. The AR isn't just about antiques - it's history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.”

Filming takes place on Thursday 23 May, doors open at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm.  Entry to the show is free.

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to: ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk.  It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.

Find Tiara’s and Treasures at Devonshire Park

Antiques and car boot fair collectors can look forward to a new indoor venue this winter, as Devonshire Park launches a new Sunday shopping experience from 20 January for collectables and treasure hunting.

Tiara’s and Treasures will run on selected Sundays from 20 January featuring three floors of indoor sales space in the International Lawn Tennis Centre building.

Partnered with Eastbourne Auction Rooms, owners of heirlooms and collectables will be able to receive a free evaluation and find out if their special item is a hidden treasure or budget booty.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism & Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “This is a great opportunity to get a free evaluation of some of your own hidden treasures, sell some unwanted items or pick up a bargain at this great venue.  The International Lawn Tennis Centre is getting busier every year, from tennis events, conferences and meeting room hire to shopping and special events, why not come along and get a rare opportunity to browse around this internationally acclaimed sporting venue.”

Pitches are available in a variety of sizes with pre-installed tables in some rooms.  Visitors can celebrate or commiserate their valuations over a Winter Pimms in the Hardwick Suite bar or enjoy a coffee or hot snack at Devonshire’s, the Tennis Centre’s refreshment kiosk.

Devonshire Park has two pay and display car parks and The International Lawn Tennis Centre is fully accessible.

Treasures and Tiara’s will run on selected Sundays from 20^th January from 9am to 2pm.  Selected dates include 27^th January, 10^th, 17^th, 24^th February and 10^th, 24^th March.

For further information, pitch sizes and to pre-book please call Jayne Howard on 01323 415313 or email events@eastbourne.gov.uk.

Bandstand Kicks Off Festive Holidays with Christmas Day Spectacular

Eastbourne’s iconic Bandstand will provide a Christmas Day highlight for residents and visitors as the traditional free concert returns for a triple bill over the festive period.

With more than 4,000 festive fans expected, the seafront venue will provide yuletide entertainment on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day – all completely free of charge.

A long standing tradition, the concerts date back to 1935 and have grown in popularity ever since, along with a customary Boxing Day dip in the sea for the brave bunch of hardy swimmers!

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “These concerts have such a great atmosphere and are very popular as a pre-dinner delight for both residents and visitors alike.  With many hotels packed out with festive guests, these concerts are an important part of the Christmas package in Eastbourne and it is a delight to see so many join us in our beautiful resort for their festive break.”

Christmas Day sees the return of the Eastbourne Silver Band with traditional carols and classic Christmas songs in a pre-Christmas dinner treat.

The Ray Campbell Dance Band provide a refreshing alternative to the TV repeats on Boxing Day with a lively round up of festive hits and dancing, along with mulled wine to warm up the revellers.

For the third year running, the Bandstand will see a third concert in its festive calendar with The Ray Campbell Dance Band returning on New Years Day for some celebratory hits and a conga around the Bandstand, to welcome in the new year.

Concerts run from 10.45am to 12.15pm on Christmas Day, and from 11am to 12.30pm on both Boxing Day and New Years Day.  Entry is free.

For more information visit the Bandstand website or telephone 01323 410611.  For information on Christmas events and festive breaks visit the VisitEastbourne website. 

Airbourne Wins Best Free Airshow for Second Year Running

Airscene fans have voted Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow as the best free airshow in the country for the second time running in a recent poll by one of the UK’s leading airshow websites.



Vulcan at Airbourne 2012 (c. Graham Huntley)



Voted by visitors to Airscene.co.uk, the four day free airshow beat rival Bournemouth hands down, achieving nearly double the number of votes to win Best Free Airshow 2012 in the Airscene Awards.

Despite being nominated only as a free airshow, Airbourne still received 57% more votes than Duxford, the winner of the Best Airshow category, making Airbourne the most popular airshow in the UK.





Lynx at Airbourne 2012 (c. Graham Huntley)



Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism & Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “2012 was such an amazing year for Airbourne, from the spectacular Vulcan to the once-in-a-lifetime firework finale and Olympic closing ceremony celebration.  Thank you to everyone at Airscene who voted for us, this award is the icing on the cake from a momentous year and we look forward to providing a spectacular show for fans in 2013.”

Airbourne visitors were treated to Eastbourne’s first ever Vulcan display in 2012 attracting the show’s biggest ever audience on Saturday.  Many fans enjoyed a rare close-up glimpse of the jet in a flying hold over Beachy Head, before its display along the seafront to thousands. 

The Blades at Airbourne 2012 (c. Graham Huntley)

Social media forums were inundated with photos, video and comments following the display, with over 5,000 video views and a viral reach of 57,000 for Airbourne’s facebook page.

For fans who missed the show, exclusive photos and cockpit footage are still available to view online, including the Jet Provost display and the Royal Navy Raiders Parachute jump.  Fans can also share their own photos and video on the Airbourne Facebook page.

Airbourne returns in 2013 from Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 August, for more information visit www.eastbourneairshow.com.

For news updates, competitions, exclusive footage and airshow fun visit www.facebook.com/airbourneeastbourne or follow on twitter at www.twitter.com/EB_Airshow.