Fight The Post Christmas Blues in Eastbourne

Happy New Year from all at visiteastbourne! Don’t worry, there’s plenty to do over the next couple of months to fight those post Christmas blues.

If you’re still feeling festive, there is still time to catch the Panto; Aladdin at the Devonshire Park Theatre until 12 January! Tickets start from £12 with two performances a day!

If you are looking for something a little more tranquil, why not join the Eastbourne Astronomical Society at the Redoubt Fortress for some stargazing! The free event takes place Saturday 11 January, 8 March and 5 April. It provides an opportunity for beginners to become familiar with the night sky, learn the constellation patterns, locate hard to find star clusters, nebulae and galaxies and to explore the surface of the Moon and planets under the guidance of experiences observers – as well as for informal discussion and the exchange of ideas.

For those who want to indulge in some culture, award winning art museum Towner opens its new exhibition on 25 January, running until 6 April. The exhibition; John Skoog: Redoubt is free and incorporates works with film and video. Until then, visit Towner to see the Wonderland exhibition.

For history buffs, the Eastbourne Ancestors exhibition comes to the Pavilion on 1 February. This groundbreaking project has scientifically studied the human bones from the collection, made some amazing discoveries about your ancestors and is now ready to tell you their stories.

To bring history to life, experts have even recreated some of these people so that you can gaze into the faces of the past.

The free exhibition will put the flesh on the bones of people from Eastbourne’s distant past and will give back a little life story to those long passed.

What about a night of laughter with the Screaming Blue Murder comedy club on 7 February at the Winter Garden. Enjoy some fantastic entertainment from Rob Heeney who has been dubbed as a ‘deluded genius’ by Johnny Vegas, Jessica Fostekew who performed on Stephen K Amos’ Radio 4 show, BBC Breakfast and supported Micky Flanagan, and Elis James a bilingual stand up performer! Food and drinks are available to make an enjoyable night out.

The days will soon be getting longer and Eastbourne has another exciting year ahead. Plan your visit with these dates for your diary:

• Eastbourne Half Marathon - 2 March
• Magnificent Motors – 3 & 4 May
• Beer and Cider by the Sea – 23 – 25 May
• Eastbourne Carnival – 31 May
• Eastbourne Cycling Festival 1 June
• AEGON International Tennis – 14-21 June
• 999 Emergency Services Display – 5 & 6 July
• Eastbourne Extreme – 12 & 13 July
• Eastbourne Lammas Festival – 26 & 27 July
• Airbourne International Airshow 14 – 17 August
• Eastbourne Beer Festival – 9 – 11 October
• Beachy Head Marathon – 25 October

Find out more about all up coming events and things to do in Eastbourne on www.visiteastbourne.com

Our Exclusive Interview With Santa!

To our VisitEastbourne fans… you’ve stuck by us all year round through scorching heat waves and the December wind and rain, so here’s our Christmas gift to all you good girls and boys – an exclusive interview with the man himself…  Santa Claus!

Santa, we are delighted you are taking time out of your busy pre-Christmas schedule to talk to us today.  You must be busy at your Christmas Cottage in Drusillas Park, how’s it all going?

Everything is going very merrily indeed. I have a lot of help from my elves and we are having a lovely time meeting all the boys and girls at Drusillas Park and finding out what they would like for Christmas. My Cottage is bursting with presents the elves have made ready for delivery on Christmas Eve and children can sit on my sleigh, which is parked just outside, to have their photo taken.

Have the people of Eastbourne been good this year?

Yes, Eastbourne has such a wonderful community spirit I think you’ve all been amazing this year.  Your Santa Fun Run event for charity tickled me greatly, what fun I had jogging along! And your 12 days of Christmas Competition was a great celebration and I was happy to supply the gifts early - it’s so important at Christmas time to celebrate what we have, and to help those in need.

Your team of reindeer must be getting ready for their big trip on Christmas Eve, how do you prepare them?

Like all animals, it is very important that I care for my reindeers properly to ensure they remain happy and healthy; after all they have a very important job to do!

I always make sure they are well fed and have plenty of fresh water and during December I give them extra helpings of grass, moss, birch and willow leaves to help them through the long night on the 24th December.

My pre-flight checks involve a thorough look at their antlers and hooves! After Christmas male reindeers lose their antlers before new ones grow back again for next year. During the winter months, their hoof pads also shrink and tighten to help with the cold conditions…and reduce slipping on rooftops!

What other animals live near your main home at the North pole?

 When I’m back home at the North Pole, I see a whole host of other wildlife, including polar bears, seals, whales, arctic foxes, arctic wolves and sometimes the beautiful snowy owl, like the two at Drusillas. I have to come to the zoo though to see penguins - they live in the South Pole which lots of people don’t realise!

Do you have any special gifts for the people of Eastbourne?

Next year is going to be very exciting indeed as we have another great list of events planned with Magnificent Motors, Carnival, Tennis, Extreme, Airbourne, two beer events and much more!

How do you celebrate on Christmas Day?

Well delivering presents all around the world is quite exhausting, so I always have a little nap and feed the reindeer when I get home.  I’m usually refreshed by mid morning, so with a little Santa magic, I might take Mrs Claus to the free Christmas Day concert at the Redoubt Fortress for some festive singing and dancing.

What festive gifts will you and Mrs Claus be getting each other this year?

I have a book on Eastbourne History for Mrs Claus as she is very excited to go to the new Ancestors Exhibition at the Pavilion in February. She’ll be ready to see the fascinating reconstructions and findings that the Ancestors team have uncovered.

I’m hoping for panto tickets to see Aladdin at the Devonshire Park Theatre – the evil Abanazaar is being a bit greedy wanting the magic lamp, so he won’t be getting any Christmas presents this year!

What’s your favourite Christmas Film?

It’s got to be White Christmas, I try and watch it every year but I am extra excited this year as the stage version is on at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre! Opening on 19 December and running to 4 January, the show is based on the paramount film and includes some fantastic festive cheer and songs, including the famous ‘White Christmas’. I can’t wait!

Thank you Santa for taking the time to talk to us, before we go - any special requests?

A mince pie or two and a carrot for Rudolph would be lovely, however the most important thing is for you all to have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends, help those around you and celebrate your wonderful town of Eastbourne!

Merry Christmas Santa!

Visit Santa in his Christmas Cottage at Drusillas Park between now and 23 December, open from 10am to 5pm each day.

Drusillas Lights Up Our Festive Season

We’re blessed in Eastbourne with so much festive fun on offer, but a Christmas highlight not to be missed in your busy December diary is the fantastic Winter Wonderland at Drusillas Park!

With the kids getting so excited already before Christmas its getting tricky to keep them amused each day, but a day out at this stunning South Downs attraction is a sure fire way to keep them out of trouble.

Sunbathing Meerkats!

On a crisp but sunny winters day, we began our mission looking out for our favourite animals with the kids stamping their Animal Spotter Books with much gusto.  Monkeys, lemurs, snakes, owls, servals, flamingos and even a Red Panda were all favourites, along with the all-singing Mokomos Jungle Rock.

Great entertainment was on offer at the meerkat enclosure with the loveable creatures sunbathing and swinging on the sunlamp, much to the delight of the gathering audience.

Spectacular views of the penguins

The penguins were on fine form too with both the Humboldt and Rockhopper penguins taking a dip, giving us the most fantastic underwater views from behind the viewing window.

After an adventure play-stop at Go Wild and Go Bananas, a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine is always a must and after stopping off for hot donuts we climbed aboard this iconic engine for our leisurely trip around the park, with a lovely festive surprise in the railway tunnel.

Thomas keeps warm in cosy earmuffs!

However the highlight of the afternoon was still to come and with the audience building, the events arena was alive with anticipation.  Excited children were guided in to meet the man of the moment in Santa’s Christmas Cottage, and there were photo opportunities galore outside with children climbing aboard his sleigh.  Then a fantastic surprise for us as we turned around to see the adorable huskies, enjoying a hug from their fans in the audience.

Then a final countdown brought the most amazing turn out and a 30 minute lightshow sprang into life, all synchronised to our fave festive hits!  Set in an ice-capped kingdom, reindeers, penguins, seals and polar bears all lit up alongside trees and a stunning LED waterfall, all in tune to the music and an animation shown on the big screen.

An amazing show!

Winter Wonderland has been a huge success for Drusillas and with the promise of the brand new Hello Kitty Secret Garden opening in Spring 2014, children can look forward to even more fun with three new theme park rides.

Winter Wonderland continues until Sunday 5 January with a lightshow at 4.30pm each day.  Hug a Husky returns from 1 – 5pm every weekend in the Ice Cave and then daily from 19 - 23 December.  Meet Santa in his Christmas Cottage every weekend and then daily from 14 – 23 December.

For more info visit www.drusillas.co.uk

Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy lots of festive fun!

Tracey

Drusillas Festive Facts…

Between 60,000 and 70,000 LED lights are used to create the 30 minute festive lightshow, which took 3 weeks to build.

Huskies are found in the arctic and northern regions and are one of the oldest types of breed of dog in the world

Snowy Owls are found in the Arctic, their mottled feathers camouflage them against snowy tundra. 

Humboldt penguins, one of the rarest species of penguin in the world, all have a different pattern of markings on their chest, just like human fingerprints.

Winter Wonder in Eastbourne!

With Christmas fast approaching, why not watch the magic unfold in Eastbourne over the winter season? Each year is bringing you a bigger and better extravaganza; Be sure to visit our fantastic events to bring you some fun & laughter over the Holidays.

29^th November 2013 – January 2014

Drusilla’s Winter Wonderland

To enjoy the enchantment of Christmas visit Drusilla’s Park at 4:30pm this December to reveal a magnificent winter wonderland display for all of the family. Father Christmas will make his annual return to the zoo where he will be pleased to meet all of the children for fun and magic this Christmas. Also available are hot honey roasted chest nuts, as well as a glass of mulled wine for the adults!

1^st December 2013

Santa Fun Run & Walk, Eastbourne Seafront

For the 7^th year running, the Santa Fun Run is back to bring you some festive cheer! Santa’s will be making their appearance at the Sovereign Centre Eastbourne and ho ho ho-ing their way to Holy well Tea Chalet. The Santa’s are hoping to beat last year’s grand total of £15,000 for the fantastic charity MGA.

2^nd December 2013

Russian State Ballet & Opera House; the Nutcracker; Congress Theatre

After a successful premiere year at the Congress, the Nutcracker is back with its wonderful live orchestra to bring you an unforgettable 3 day Christmas spectacular. The Nutcracker, Swan Lake & Romeo and Juliet are set to bring you a beautiful fairytale for all of the family. Performance times are 7:30pm. Ticket prices range from £22 - £32; with discounts available for over 60’s, students, unemployed, children and disabled.

Also at the Congress Theatre is A Christmas Spectacular, presented by the fabulous Rattonians each year. Come along and join in the fun 6^th-8^th December. £12.50 per ticket; show time starts at 19:30.

3^rd December 2013

Wonderland Late Night Opening & Curator Talk, Towner

Join in with the fun at Eastbourne’s Towner Art Gallery, for a special Christmas Evening Event where you will discover more about the Towner’s Wonderland Exhibition with the collection curator. You can also find some wonderful Christmas gifts at the in store shop.

7^th December 2013

Christmas cheer at the Eastbourne Enterprise Centre

This is your chance to meet Santa every Saturday and Sunday, as well as his reindeers on the 15^th December. There is also a popular gift fair including 35 stalls selling everything you need for Christmas shopping. This takes place on the 1^st December for everyone to enjoy. Receive a complimentary mulled wine and mince pie on any visit which is free! Festive friends will also be on hand to welcome customers hoping to raise even more money than last years total of over £600 for the Chestnut Tree Children’s Charity.

Little Chelsea Christmas, South Street Eastbourne

South Street is once again coming to life for the 4^th year to bring you Christmas Magic offering great festivities for all of the family. Available will be: Santa’s Grotto and his reindeer, carol singing and dancing, a delicious hog roast, market stalls & late night shopping. You can find some special and unique gifts, and why not warm yourself up with a delicious mulled wine & mince pie. An evening not to be missed! The fun starts at 5:30-10:00pm.

Stargazing with Eastbourne Astronomical Society, Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum

Ever wanted to explore more of the night sky and become familiar with constellation patterns and galaxies? Why not join the Eastbourne Astronomical Society as they host a fun filled evening stargazing at the Redoubt Fortress. Beginners are all welcome as well as experienced; the event is free with hot drinks available. Warm clothes are advisable.

13^th December – 12^th January 2014

Aladdin! Traditional Fun Filled Pantomime, Devonshire Park Theatre  

Everybody loves A Panto! So why not join in the fun? It is back once again ensured to entertain you and the family, taking you on a spectacular adventure. Featuring your favourite characters Wishee Washee, Widow Twankey and of course the fabulous Genie the lamp. Tickets are selling fast! Contact the Devonshire Park Theatre for more details.

14^th December 2013

Historic Old Town Christmas Party & Seasonal Street Market, Eastbourne Old Town

Why not venture into Eastbourne’s Historical Old Town to visit the seasonal street market full of wonderful Christmas gifts and joy. Eastbourne’s oldest village also welcomes you to visit the historical St Mary’s Church, Manor Gardens, Motcombe Lake and Pilgrims House.

Jongleurs Comedy On The Road, Royal Hippodrome Theatre

The Royal Hippodrome Theatre welcomes Comedy on the Road on 14^th December 2014 with an exciting line up of comedians. A wonderful night out in the run up to Christmas! Tickets are £12/£10 concessions.

25^th/26^th December 2013

Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day

Eastbourne’s silver band are returning to yet again bring a morning of entertainment you on Christmas Day with 90 minutes of festive tunes and fun. Why not join in with the magical Christmas Spirit and watch Eastbourne’s longest tradition at the Redoubt Fortress at 10:45am. Also available are hot and cold drinks including mulled wine on a lovely winter’s day. 

Sid and Scrat to Switch On Winter Wonderland Illuminations at Drusillas Park

Sid and Scrat from Ice Age will switch on the spectacular Winter Wonderland Illuminations at Drusillas Park this year, when they visit the award-winning zoo for the first time ever on Saturday 30th November.

Sid & Scrat from Ice Age

The beloved duo will meet and greet visitors at intervals throughout the day before switching on the lights during a grand ceremony at 4.30pm, marking the official start to Drusillas Park’s Christmas Winter Wonderland 2013.

Sid and Scrat are sure to feel right at home as the spectacular Illuminations are set within an ice-capped kingdom and feature an animal themed light show synchronised to music. Young revellers can see a host of magical creatures within the dazzling display, adding some extra sparkle to the festive season from 4.30pm each day, from Saturday 30th November until Sunday 5th January.

Drusillas Winter Wonderland

Also making his first appearance of the year on 30^th November, Father Christmas will make a welcome return to the zoo. Visit his cosy Christmas Cottage and have your picture taken in his sleigh; for a small additional charge children can meet Santa and receive an early Christmas gift.  Plus visitors can also Hug a Husky on selected dates, or enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

Located just off the A27, Drusillas Park is open from 10:00am until 5:00pm daily, with the exception of 24th, 25th and 26th December.  For further information and dates for Santa’s Christmas Cottage and Hug a Husky events please telephone (01323) 874100 or visit the website at www.drusillas.co.uk

Ravilious Talk and Book Signing at Towner

On Saturday 9 November at 3pm, Towner welcomes Alan Powers to talk about local artist; Eric Ravilious. He will also be signing copies of his new book about the artist.

More popular than ever, the work of Eric Ravilious (1903-42) is rooted in the landscape of pre-war and early wartime England.  This new book by Alan Powers, the established authority on Ravilious, provides the most comprehensive overview to date of the artist’s work in all media – watercolour, illustration, printmaking, graphic design, textiles and ceramics – and firmly positions Ravilious as a major figure in the history of early 20th century British art.

The lecture will look at the role of the sea in Ravilious’ watercolours, murals and prints, as well as his use of coastal scenes, harbours and docks as suggestive subject matters. This aspect of his work will be explored in relation to other artists and the 1930’s Modernist cult of the seaside. 

Alan Powers is a historian and curator, specialising in twentieth century British art, architecture and design. He curated the exhibition of Eric Ravilious: Imagined realities, at the Imperial War Museum in 2003. He is currently working on an introduction to a reprint of John Piers Brighton Aquatints for Mainstone press and an exhibition ‘Letters from America: The Graphic art of Ivan Chermayeff’, for the De La Warr Pavilion which opens on July 2014.

His new book on Ravilious was recently published by Lund Humphries. There is an opportunity to buy the book at the event, have it signed and speak with the author. The book is £35 with members receiving 10% discount.

The talk is 1 hour long and takes place at Towner on Saturday 9 November at 3pm. It is £6, £5 for concessions and £4 for members.

 To book or to find out more information go to www.townereastbourne.org.uk

Top 5 most haunted places in Eastbourne!

This week we have a fantastic guest blogger who's written a brilliant in sight into Eastboune's haunted past and the ghost's that are said to roam the land - oooooooh spooky!

With Halloween fast approaching why not take a visit to one of Eastbourne's top 5 spookiest places.

Beachy Head:

By day the stunning south down cliffs make for a beautiful scenic walk, by night the strange happenings are enough to scare anyone off. Do you dare take a moonlit walk, with some unexpected company?

It has been reported on many occasions that harmless walkers have been greeted by some spooky guests. The most commonly reported is the Grey Lady who has been seen walking along the cliffs, she has been said to approach walkers, and most people mistake her for a harmless passer by, until she suddenly vanishes into thin air. One dog walker was taking an evening stroll when the lady approached him, lent over to stroke his petrified dog that ran off howling, and then disappeared in front of his eyes.

There is also the Monk in black who is said to beckon people to their death, although no known monastery has ever been discovered on the downs. He is said to appear from no where and calmly point to the edge of the cliffs.

Would you take the risk of meeting one of these two on a misty evening on the cliffs?

Royal Hippodrome Theatre:

The Victorian theatre, built in 1883, has so much history and being the oldest theatre in town there are bound to be some creepy spirits. The building has been host to many play, musicals and variety shows, who knows who is left walking the creaky boards.

There are said to be a few ghosts who haunt the historic walls, a lady has been spotted sitting in the grand circle harmlessly watching rehearsals and she will occasionally visit the stage when it's quieter, no one knows her identity or why she still visits the building.

Some people have reported being pushed and grabbed by unexplained forces, and then feeling the atmosphere around them gets remarkably colder.

Pevensey Castle:

Having been host to many battles, at Pevensey Castle you are definitely going to feel the presence of something. Many people have said to have seen the ghost of Lady Pelham who has been seen walking the crumbling walls at dust, elegantly gliding and then suddenly disappearing. In 1976, 4 young boys were left petrified after they reported seeing her, could you handle being that close to a ghost?

The dungeons of the castle are very claustrophobic and no one knows what went on in them, dogs refuse to stand anywhere near the stairs let alone venture into the dungeons. Let your imagination take over!

Gildredge Manor (Gildredge Road):

This manor, a former art gallery, belonged to a local reverend until he died and it was taken over by the local council. Medieval marks were found on the cellar walls and local architects had no clues as to where they came from or who had done them. To this day they are still unexplained. Maybe they come from the people whose voices you can still hear around the building. Staff at the former art gallery have said they have often heard muffled conversations when the gallery was closed, and clear footsteps, after searches no one has ever been found.

There are many hidden rooms in the manor house, which got blocked off when the gallery was converted. Who knows what lurks behind those walls.

Redoubt Fortress:

The fortress was built in the 19^th century as a defence against the threat of invasion from Napoleon. It was also used in the first and second world war as a base for troops and also possibly a prison/interrogation centre. With all the history and unused casemates there must be some unexplained events. Ghost walks are now being hosted at this historical location, who knows what you might discover.

Other sightings at the fortress reportedly include a strange crouching man on the gun platform, the mysterious woman in a white gown and also an eerie figure walking through the cell walls. However one of the most common reports is of cold and uneasy feelings in the cells and in particular casemate 11!

That's it for now folks, so keep those eye's peeled and let us know if you have any stories of your own or spot anything extra ordinary!