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Christmas with Geoff
You might recall the festive post on ‘60 years of collecting Christmas decorations’ by Bishopstone resident, Geoff Stonebanks. Geoff has previously been named by ITV’s This Morning as possibly Britain’s Most Festive Man. He is a Christmas devotee extraordinaire. Geoff received an interesting call from a local man in a nearby village, just before Christmas…
A closer look at our moon.
The Moon is our nearest neighbour in our Solar System. It wasformed about 4.5 billion years ago, soon after the Earth. This beautiful celestial body is an average of 238,855 miles away from Earth and it takes 1.3 seconds for light to travel from the Moon to Earth. The moon is an important part of…
World Space Week 4th – 10th October
Today is the start of World Space Week. An international event celebrating space. The event this year is focused on living in space. Have you ever wondered what it would take for humanity to live on the moon? If so why not sign up for the free online event ‘What does it take to live…
Sussex Wildlife Trust launches legal action to stop the dumping of sediment in Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone
Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) comprises two spatially separate sites in the south-east of England. They run parallel to the East Sussex coastline extending from Brighton to the Beachy Head Cliffs near Eastbourne and protects a total area of approximately 24 km2. The MCZ partially overlap with the Seven Sisters voluntary marine conservation…
Show your love for WRAS – East Sussex Wildlife Rescue
🚨 Our team is exhausted – but still giving their all for local wildlife. Can you help give them a boost? 🚨 This summer has been one of the busiest we’ve ever faced. Our small but mighty team of staff and volunteers are working around the clock to rescue, care for, and release hundreds of wildlife…
Parents and Residents join forces to make a plea for improved Road Safety Measures
Seaford is very fortunate to have four excellent Primary Schools but there is one big issue which schools have very little control over which significantly affects the health and well-being of their pupils, and that is road safety on the journey to school. We need your help to ensurethe safety of the children of SeafordPlease…
Archaeology and History Open Weekend – 19th and 20th July 2025
The popular Archaeology and History weekend is back at the Dovecote Garden, West Dean on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July. This popular event includes an Artisan Makers Medieval Style Market with the following displays: There will be self-guided tours of the Elizabethan Terrace, Bothy, Old Manor House, Walled Garden and Orchard. There will also…
Open Garden and Art Exhibition 6th July 2025
We’re very busy getting our home and garden ready for Sunday 6th July. That’s when we open our garden to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme, to raise money for the many charities that the scheme supports (see details for Madehurst). We’ve done this for several years but in recent years we’ve…
The Summer Solstice: Nature’s Pinnacle of Light
Every year, as spring’s gentle blooms recede and summer’s warmth takes hold, people around the world turn their eyes to the sky to witness an ancient and wondrous event: the summer solstice. Steeped in both astronomical science and cultural tradition, the summer solstice marks the moment when the Earth, in its celestial dance around the…
Sussex Day – 16th June
Sussex Day, celebrated annually on June 16th, is a day dedicated to honouring the rich history, culture, and heritage of Sussex. It was established as a means to celebrate the identity and legacy of Sussex. The date, June 16th, was chosen because it is the feast day of St Richard, the patron saint of Sussex.…
Replica of the Nao Victoria visiting Eastbourne – 18th – 22nd June 2025
On the 10th August 1519, five Spanish naos or ships manned by 245 men, set sail from the port of Seville. Among the ships was the Nao Victoria. The crew of the fleet experienced all sorts of hardship, some of whom lost their lives. Over three years, the expedition crossed three oceans, reaching Brazil, Uruguay…
Strawberry Moon over Seaford
Did you look up in wonder last night at the sight of the moon? The full moon last night night (and tonight if you missed it) is commonly referred to as a ‘Strawberry Moon’, also known as a ‘Rose Moon’ or ‘Honey Moon’ by some. The term “Strawberry Moon” has captivated the imagination of many,…
80th Anniversary of VE Day
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the end of World War II in Europe. It is celebrated on May 8th, commemorating the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces in 1945. This day symbolizes the triumph of peace and the beginning of rebuilding efforts across Europe. It was announced on the…
Footprints of the Northern Lights
What is the connection between sunspots and the Northern Lights? But first a warning: Never look directly at the sun unless you are wearing protective eyewear, like solar viewing or eclipse glasses. The dark spots as shown on the image of the sun above are called sunspots. Sunspots are fascinating phenomena that occur on the…
St George’s Day 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
St George’s Day is celebrated on 23rd April every year. St George is the patron saint of England, although he wasn’t born in England and never visited the country. He was born during the 3rd century in Cappadocia, Turkey and died on the 23rd April 303 AD in Lod, Israel, known at the time as…
Seahaven Poets RNLI Workshop
May 10th 2025 Spend time indulging in the written word, inspired by the goings on of the port from Newhaven’s RNLI centre. Venue: RNLI CentreRiverside South, Newhaven, BN9 9BTDate: 10th May 2025Time: 11am – 1pmTickets: £10, Eventbrite Inspired by the view, from the huge observation window, Rich will guide you through conversation and exercises, and you’ll…
International Dark Sky Week (21 – 28 April)
International Dark Sky Week is a worldwide event that draws attention to light pollution, promotes simple solutions to mitigate the issue, and celebrates the irreplaceable beauty of a natural night sky. Dark Sky Reserves are designated by darksky.org. They are areas that offer exceptional starry nights and are specifically protected for scientific, natural, educational, cultural,…
Seahaven Poets proudly present LitFest25 at the Crypt!
Seahaven Poets is a group of like minded folk who enjoy poetry, written and spoken. Our aim is to bring together a community of poets and writers to share our appreciation. Seahaven Poets intend all events to be accessible and open to all, and we welcome everyone who’d like to find out more, listen in…
St Patrick’s Day ☘️☘️☘️
St Patrick’s day is celebrated on 17th March every year. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, although he wasn’t born in Ireland. There are various stories of where he was born, one says it was in Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland other sources claim it was in Wales. 17th March marks the day…
A light in the darkness
This photo is a perfect reminder that when life is difficult and everything seems dark that just beyond our sight is the most beautiful light. We are never alone in the dark, sometimes we just need a little help to see the beauty around us.
Commonwealth Day – 10th March 2025
Commonwealth Day is celebrated every year on the second Monday in March. The theme this year is ‘Together We Thrive’. It is a chance for people across the 56 member countries to celebrate their shared values which are enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. Commonwealth Day was originally known as Empire Day and was first celebrated…
Cuckmere Haven battle for survival against the elements
Article by Dan de Belder Cuckmere Haven, situated roughly three miles from Seaford, boasts stunning views of the world famous Seven Sisters. It is in the South Downs National Park, with ownership shared among the National Trust, Seaford Town Council and the County Council; the cottages are privately owned. Cuckmere Haven, whilst renowned for its…
Save The Havens Food Cooperative
Article by Paula Woolven B.E.M. CEO & Founder We had to make the incredibly difficult decision to announce that the Havens Food Cooperative evening collections would stop at the end of March 2025 due to a lack of funding. Accessing grants has become a perfect storm for several reasons, including the financial pressures local authorities…
1st March – A day to celebrate
Today is the first day of Spring according to the meteorological calendar. The meteorological year is split into four seasons, each made up of three months. Spring starts on the 1st March and ends on 31st May. This differs from the astronomical season of Spring which, this year, will start on 20th March 2025. The…
Have your say on the future of Seaford – Part 2
The closing date to submit your response is 28th February 2025. Our earlier post on the 28th January explained that Lewes District Council are currently holding a consultation on the creation of a draft Local Plan. That post explained what a Local Plan is, how it will affect you and asked the question should you…
Have your say on the future of Seaford.
Are you aware Lewes District Council are currently holding a consultation on the creation of a draft Local Plan? The online consultation can be found here. The consultation runs until the end of February 2025. What is a Local Plan and how does it affect you? Should you be concerned about these proposals? It would…
The Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend starts today, 24th January.
The RSPB are asking everyone to enjoy an hour in nature while counting the birds whether that is in your garden, in the park, on Seaford Head. They want people to count the maximum number of species they see together at any one time. They are only interested in the birds that land, not the…
Thank you Walmer Road Rec Friends
Thank you to everyone who turned up to help litter pick at Walmer Road Recreation Ground today. This is a place enjoyed by so many from children using the play equipment, dog walkers, football clubs and people taking time out of their day to enjoy this green space. When you are next at Walmer Road…
Celebrating Seaford, Victoria
One of our Facebook friends, John Coles, has shared photographs of Seaford in Australia, a town close to where he lives. There are many similarities between the two towns. Both beaches are attractive, however Seaford Australia’s beach has a little more sand than ours! The population of Seaford, Victoria is estimated to be 17,764. The…
Glow Wild, Wakehurst Place.
Below is a video and photographs from the 2024 Christmas light trail at Wakehurst Place. The light trail is open until 1st January 2025. Further details can be found here. Sending love and best wishes to everyone for Christmas and the New Year from Celebrating Seaford 🎅🏼🎄🤶
Do you remember hiding behind the settee when watching Dr Who?
If you are feeling brave there will be an opportunity to watch an old Dr Who series called The War Games in colour on Monday 23rd December at 9pm on BBC4 and on BBC iPlayer. The War Games was first aired between April and June in 1969 and was originally in black and white. The…
Christmas Sleigh
Sat, Nov 30th 2024 at 10:00 am- Tue, Dec 24th 2024 – 1:00 pm I have copied this from the Rotary Seaford’s website (Rotary Seaford). Please give generously when they visit Evening route collections and static collections in Broad Street SEAFORD ROTARY Christmas Sleigh 2024 BETWEEN 5.15 pm and 8.00 pm FATHER Christmas and his…
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF COLLECTING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.
For over 60 years now, Seaford resident, Geoff Stonebanks, has been creating Christmas Magic in hishomes, from the early 1980’s right up to the presentday. In addition, as a child, from the early 1960’s, inhis parent’s public house in Oxfordshire until theyretired in the late 80’s. With a vast collection, that was begun in the…
Cuckmere Haven Wildlife Habitat Clear-up – 23rd and 24th Nov 2024.
GreenSockMovement – Tales of the Riverbank THIS IS THE BIG ONE! We are attempting to remove over a tonne of plastic and synthetic materials from the Cuckmere Haven River Estuary over one weekend. There is one mile of river bank we are focusing on. We will be there from 8.30am till 3.30pm both days, the…
11th November – A day of remembrance.
Lest we forget East Sussex County Council funded a website to bring together the stories, newspaper articles and posters from WW1. So many stories of individual sacrifices and of local places. For example the blue plaques commemorating the West Indian Soldiers which can be seen at Seaford Station and at the cemetery in Alfriston Road,…
East Sussex County Council Consultation – Proposal to introduce a booking system for all household refuse sites.
East Sussex County Council is currently consulting on introducing a booking system for the 10 household refuse sites in East Sussex. This will obviously affect the refuse site at Cradle Hill in Seaford and the one in Newhaven. The idea is you book a specified time slot when you will visit. The proposal will include:…
2024: A year in the life of Driftwood By Sea
2024 has been a significant year for Geoff Stonebanks and his multi-award-winning garden, Driftwood By Sea, in Bishopstone. September marked 20 years that he and his partner had moved from North London to the coast. Having raised over £170,000 for charity and seen over 23,000 visitors, Geoff and the garden continues to have some amazing…
Why do the clocks go back on the last Sunday in October?
Don’t forget this Sunday, 27th October at 1am the clocks go back an hour. In 1907 William Willett wrote a pamphlet called ‘The Waste of Daylight’ in which he suggested the clocks go forward in April and backwards in September. William’s idea was not taken up immediately even though it had many supporters including Winston…
Rampion
I recently enjoyed a fascinating boat trip with Sussex Boat Trips where we sailed 12 miles out to the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. Firstly, are you aware how the wind farm got its name? A pupil from a school in Worthing won a competition to name it. The name she chose was Rampion, a flower…
PRESSURE
Article written by Melanie Locke A Seaford Resident is the central character in a new film – PRESSURE based on the WW2 D-Day Landings delays and some filming at the Coastguard Cottages Group Captain James Martin Stagg, CB, OBE, FRSE (30 June 1900 – 23 June 1975) Who lived at 33 Carlton Road, SEAFORD This house now displays…
🎶 Musicals Showcase 🎶
With Rhapsody Artist Development Seaford’s finest young singing talent are showcasing their work with group songs and solos from “ The Musicals”. Saturday, 12th October at in Lewes. A short 5 minute walk from Lewes station. Tickets available to the general public now @. radseaford@gmail.com Come along and support tomorrow’s stars.
The National Garden Scheme and the amazing 16 NGS gardens in Seaford.
The National Garden Scheme (NGS) gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional, mainly private, gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas, cake, plant and other related sales. Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers, and visitors we donated…
Batty about Bats
The Bat Conservation Trust have kindly allowed me to share some information from their webpage. Have you ventured out at dusk and spotted a small dark creature flying by at speed? Yes, then you may just have been lucky enough to have seen a bat. Bats account for almost a third of all mammal species…
Sewage Pollution Alerts Affecting Seaford 22nd September 2024
Southern Water have just confirmed there were three storm overflow releases from CLIFF END SEAFORD. The first started at 01:39 and ended at 02:04. This was followed by a second release at 02:11 which ended at 02:40. There was then a further release at 22:00 which lasted for 2 hours and 29 minutes finally finishing…
Autumn Equinox
This year the autumn equinox falls on September 22nd at 1:44pm. This heralds in the start of autumn and marks the end of summer. The word equinox comes from the Latin aequinoctium meaning ‘equal night’. It is the time of year when the earth is directly above the equator and we have almost an equal…
A Story of Shanties in Talk and Song – 8th Nov 7:30pm.
All proceeds go directly to benefit Newhaven RNLI You may have seen us singing on Seaford beach, or heard our dulcet tones carrying on the wind, but do you know the story of Shanties? Now’s your chance to learn the story in talk and song. Join us on Friday 8th November 2024 at 7:30pm at…
The Wreckers
We are a Sea Shanty band comprising of 6 or 7 local men who had a common interest in Sea Shanties and their history. We initially met nearly a year ago and so began our voyage of discovery. Three became, four, then 7. We found a venue and started to sing. At first we were like Church mice, quiet, introverted…
Tall ship to start sailing from Newhaven to Le Tréport, Normandy three times a week from October.
Currently, 95% of goods traded between France and the UK are transported by lorry on ferries between Dover and Calais. A pallet on a ferry emits an average of 4kg of CO2 during its journey. Have you ever considered how many pallets cross the channel every day? Would you be shocked to hear it is 135,000 pallets a…
Bob’s bird and butterfly blog
By Bob Eade Sussex Delights. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had some good interesting walks with Lisa, and also on my own. Lisa and I do try to stick reasonably local when we can, so the car can be left at home. One of the delights of living just a couple of minutes…
Controversial planning application for an 18 storey tower block plus 5 smaller blocks of flats in Newhaven has been deferred to a later date.
The planning application for the 18 storey tower block that was to be heard at the planning committee tonight (4th September) has been deferred. Neil Collins, Head of Development Management advised a supplementary report had been submitted to committee (see below). Mr Collins explained a change had come about through liaison with the applicant seeking…
Back to school – help with homework 🙇🙇🏽🙇♀️🙇🏿♀️🙇🏾🙇🏼
Seaford Library are hosting a Homework and Activity Club for children aged 5 – 11. Homework club provides: Children under 8 must have a guardian with them. There is no need to book, just drop in. Dates of Homework Club: 📚💻
‘Dancing Sunflowers’
Have you heard of ‘sunflowers dancing’? A report in a national newspaper sent me off investigating. A study carried out by a team led by Yasmine Meroz at Tel Aviv University discovered that what appeared to be random movements within groups of plants can lead to self-organising patterns that optimise growing conditions. The team delved…
Celebrating Seaford 