The GazetteerThe Gazetteer
Sussex
Bentley - Wood Season of 100 woody events following the WoodFair in mid-September. A free bus service runs on the hour from Lewes railway station.
Chichester - Blessing the Plough on the first sunday after Twelfth Night.
The Cuckoo - Traditionally, the cuckoo is expected in Sussex on 14th April.
Hastings - Jack in the Green Festival, on the first weekend in May, with Jacks appearance on Monday - the Jack is the symbol of the summer. There is debate on whether it represents a garland from the 17th century or if the tradition is much older. There are now around 1,500 participants, 10,000 watching the procession, and 5,000 attending the finale in the castle where the Jack is symbolically slain. Also live music and celebration over the weekend. Contact +44(0)1424 716576 or e-mail jitg [at] talk21.com.
Lewes - Garland Day on May Day Bank Holiday Monday. Children assemble in the castle garden at 10am, bedecked in flowers and foliage. Local Morris teams including the ladies' Knots of May perform (with their U shaped garlands above their heads), and then lead the children, not just wearing but also carrying garlands of flowers down the High Street to the Cliffe. All children receive a certificate for participating; there are some wonderfully inventive outfits; parents across town have to rise early on this day to strip lilac bushes, but then get to go to the pub for lunch and more Morris dancing. Lewes also has Bonfire celebrations on November 5th: a torchlit procession of burning effigies, fireworks, a bonfire and the rolling of tar barrels down the street. This commemorates the martydom of seventeen local people burned at the stake in the reign of Mary Tudor, as well as Guy Fawkes night. For both events, contact Lewes TIC +44(0)1273 483448.
Laughton - Cuckoo Fair. Always on the second bank holiday weekend in May. Contact David Astiss +44(0)1323 811264
Aldingbourne, Aldwick, Amberley, Apuldram, Ardingley, Arundel, Ashington, Balcombe, Barcombe, Barnham, Beckley, Bignor, Billingshurst, Birdham, Bosham, Boxgrove, Brighton, Burpham, Bury, Catsfield, Chichester, Chidham, Clapham, Cocking, Coldwaltham, Copthorne, Crawley Down, Crowborough, Cuckfield, Didling, Donnington, Easebourne, Eastbourne Saffrons, Eastergate, East Preston, Elsted, Felpham, Fernhurst, Ferring, Filching, Fishbourne, Fittleworth, The Five Villages, Ford, Funtington, Goring by Sea, Graffham, Hartfield, Harting, Hastings, Haywards Heath, Henfield, Heyshott, Highbrook, Hunston, Hurstpierpoint, Iping, Itchenor, Jevington, Lavant, Linch, Lindfield, Lodsworth, Loxwood, Lurgashall, Lyminster, Lynchmere, Madehurst, Malling, Midhurst, Milland, North Mundham, Ovingdean, Pagham, Parham, Patcham, Patching, Petworth, Pevensey, Plaistow, Poling, Pulborough, Rogate, Rottingdean, Sayers Common, Sedlescombe, Selham, Selsey, Shipley, Sidlesham, Singleton, Slindon, Slinfold, South Ambersham, Southbourne, Southover, South Stoke, Southwater, Staplefield, Stedham, Sutton, Tangmere, Treyford, Turners Hill, Uckfield, Upper Beeding, Walberton, Warningcamp, Washington, Westham, Westhampnett, West Hoathly, West Lavington, West Tarring, Whatlington, Withyham, Woodmancote, Woolbeding, Yapton.
Read about the West Sussex Millennium Parishmaps Project
Tinsley Green - British Ring Taw Marbles Championship. On Good Friday, marbles played by the established rules inside sand covered rings watched by a referee. For information, contact The Greyhound Inn, +44 (0) 1293 884220.
Apple Day, October 21st
Find events in Sussex and across the country on the APPLE DAY EVENTS LIST
or read about Sussex Orchards and Orchard Produce
TELL US about an event you are holding : email info [at] commonground.org.uk
