Residents prepare for patriotic party
EASTBOURNE is set to show its true colours are red, white and blue with a jam-packed three day celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
A host of activities will be taking place across the town from June 2 until June 4 as well as a host of street parties as Eastbourne gets into the patriotic party spirit.
And the people behind the officially organised parts of the celebration believe Eastbourne will boast one of the biggest free festivals anywhere in the south.
The main celebration will take place on the seafront Western Lawns and include the return of the popular Fiesta weekend, along with new events like a seafront carnival, a big screen link to Buckingham Palace and a flotilla of yachts and boats.
There will also be a range of fun competitions, live music and dance events, a beacon lighting, fireworks and cookery demonstrations by 2006 Masterchef winner Peter Bayless.
Residents can also celebrate the occasion with a step back to the 1940s at the Redoubt Fortress’ Blackout & Bunting event, with the chance to take part in workshops, discover how the Second World War affected Eastbourne, sit in on a make do and mend class or get their hair fixed in 1940s style ready for the Saturday evening Blackout Dance.
Sunday sees an authentic 1940s street party take place, complete with flags, bunting and sing-alongs while the Towner gallery will play host to its planned portrait of the Queen, made up of photographs of around 10,000 people.
Residents and local school children are being encouraged to join in the fun by entering a range of competitions including the Blooming Marvellous Flower, a Fruit and Vegetable Show, a tug-of-war, fancy dress, toss the hay bale, children’s crown making and painting, and sailors can enter to join the Jubilee flotilla with a prize for the best dressed boat.
And as well as taking part in the seafront celebrations, residents are also being encouraged to hold their own street parties and can download a We Love Street Parties pack online to help with planning.
A spokesman for Eastbourne Borough Council, which is helping organise the town-wide fun, said, “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year is a fantastic opportunity for the whole community to get together to celebrate with visitors and really feel proud of our town and what it has to offer.
“Most of all we want it to be fun and whether you are celebrating with your own street party at home, at the Redoubt, or on the seafront as part of the nationwide celebrations, this is a magnificent weekend to remember for many years to come.”
For more information on all Diamond Jubilee events visit www.visiteastbourne.com/jubilee or telephone 0871 663 0031.
l Are you planning something special? Let us know by emailing eastbourne.herald@trbeckett.co.uk and we will try and send a photographer to cover your event.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
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Wind direction: West
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