Willingdon and Jevington’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations

By Paul Healey

Willingdon and Jevington council held a three day event in commemoration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Beginning on Friday the First of June, they held afternoon tea at Willingdon Primary School and Trinity Church, then on Sunday 3^rd June they held the Music in the Park 2012 event at Huggets Lane Recreation Ground, Willingdon, which incorporated the National Big Lunch, and finally on the bank holiday Monday they held the Grand Finale Fireworks evening and lighting of the Beacon.

Visitors on the Sunday were able to enjoy a fairground, stalls, and food and refreshments.

The programme for the day was the Chairman’s opening welcome, followed by performances from Willingdon Community School pupils, the Kingfisher Scout band, Harvey Marshall of Willingdon, and then the Wealden Brass band when the Big Lunch began at 1pm. This was a ‘Bring your own’ lunch with the option of using a mobile catering hot dog and burger can

After the lunch entertainment was provided by the Howlin Blues Live Blues Band followed by a raffle and the close of the event at 4.45pm.

Monday began at 8pm with fireworks at Willingdon Community School with a live band, hot dogs, burgers and refreshments, and a sing along to Last Night at the Proms led by Trinity Church choir.

At 10:15pm The Beacon was lit on the Downs.

Chairman Councillor John Pritchard said: “Our council is keeping up our tradition to involve the whole community in national celebrations and provide a variety packed weekend of free events. We hope residents will support us in their usual way and once again prove the community spirit is alive and well in Willingdon and Jevington. We are once again proud to be a part of the National chain of Beacons and also the National Big Lunch at 1pm on Sunday 3^rd June where we will be joined by Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, Bill Shelford.”

Funds raised from Music in the Park were donated to local charities “Your Raise Me Up” in Willingdon which helps those grieving the loss of a teenage child, and to Deaf Awareness.

Nightclubbing at a museum

 

By Paul Healey

Eastbourne Towner contemporary art museum held a Museums at Night nightclub event on Saturday 19^th May.

Live music was provided by the Guillotines and the Ken Ardley Playboys – the band of artist Bob & Roberta Smith.

In a UK first, the gallery was transformed into the nightclub event which featured a set from one of Brighton’s Born Bad DJ’s, and a live broadcast from Bob & Roberta Smith’s Resonance FM radio show.

The curriculum for the ‘students’ included a variety of arty and irreverent activities, each activity earning a stamp on a certificate, where all stamps would be collected to graduate.   Attendees were asked to bring along whatever best piece of ‘dodgy art’ they had and if possible a brass instrument to take part in a special exhibition and art performance.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Councillor Neil Stanley, said:” What a great idea – the Museums at Nightclub looks set to be an amazing event full of music, art and chance to go back to your student days. It’s very unusual to hear of an art gallery being turned into a nightclub, and with Towner collaborating with an iconic artist to add a really exciting twist to the night; this event will be like nothing the south coast has seen before!”

The choice of location for the event won 55% in a public poll and the exhibition was the idea of the Bob Smith who was judge for the competition.

For more information on the museum the email address is www.townereastbourne.org.uk or they can be reached on 01323 434670.

Brighton City SIngers Head to Eastbourne For Charity Concert

By Julia Thompson

The legendry Brighton City Singers are set to take Eastbourne by storm next month in a charity concert presented by the town’s rotary club.

Sport: Brighton & Hove Albion prepare for first match at the club’s new football stadium The Amex

By Tom Stewart

Brighton and Hove Albion's brand new stadium is close to completion (Photo: Paul Hazelwood)

Horsham, Eastbourne Borough, Crawley Down and Brighton and Hove Albion are the last four teams fitting for a place in the first game to be played at the brand new Amex Community Stadium.

The two best teams will battle it out in the final of the Sussex Senior Cup on Saturday July 16.

Excitement is building among Albion fans as the long-awaited opening of the £93m stadium edges ever closer.

Thirteen years, two soul-destroying seasons at Gillingham, and many a public enquiry later, Albion fans will soon get the chance to watch their team play at a stadium worthy of its recent performances.

As with any new stadium, a series of “ramp up events” will take place before the stadium officially opens for the 2011/12 season.

The Amex will host a series of events, each with an increasing capacity ranging from 10,000 to 23,000, to prove the new ground has the ability to handle large crowds.

There continues to be much speculation among Albion fans about what these events might include, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City mentioned as possible pre-season friendly opponents for the Brighton side.

As the first event will be limited to a capacity of 10,000, it had to remain a strictly local affair. But Brighton and Hove Albion Life-President, Dick Knight, is delighted at the prospect of opening the stadium with the Sussex Senior Cup Final.

He said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for a group of players who may never go pro to look back on their career and say they played in the first-ever game at one of the most iconic stadiums in the country.”

The opening match will have a traditional 3:00pm kick-off, and ticket prices will be kept the same as at the competition’s previous home in Eastbourne.

The club is happy to have the Sussex FA on board, as its involvement in the event was doubtful at one point.

Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive, Martin Perry, said: “I am delighted the Sussex County FA and its member clubs have seen the enormous benefit of the final being the first historic fixture at the Amex.

“For the teams still in the competition, it is sure to provide an extra incentive to reach the final.

“For the Albion, it gives us an ideal ramp-up event – ahead of our own flagship friendly - which will be the official opening and that long-awaited first league game next August.”

For further details and ticketing information go to www.sussexfa.com