Tuesday 20 December 2011

Santa's Christmas Message

To our VisitEastbourne fans… you’ve stuck by us all year round, 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 I loved your A to Z of Eastbourne, a great celebration of the town - 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 reindeer 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 only 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 special indeed as we have the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee events, a new Sunshine Carnival and a fabulous gift for everyone in July when the Olympic Torch Relay makes its way through the town. 

This once in a lifetime experience will be a wonderful celebration for the town and something to behold.  I think our children will remember this for years to come as something very special indeed.

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 Eastbourne Bandstand for some festive singing and dancing.

What festive gifts will you and Mrs Claus be getting each other this year?
I have some lovely ice skates for Mrs Claus this year so she can make the most of the real Ice Rink down by the beach at Fort Fun.  She’s quite a nifty skater, so she’ll enjoy practicing her bolero routine.

I’m hoping for panto tickets to see The Adventures of Robin Hood at the Devonshire Park Theatre – Robin needs some help battling that wicked Sheriff of Nottingham as he has gotten out of control again - I don’t think he’ll be getting any presents this year!

What happens after Christmas Day – do you get time to relax?
After Christmas, I like to return to my winter cottage at Drusillas and have a little rest before I start my journey back to the North Pole.  On the door of the cottage is a letter box, where boys and girls kindly send me their thank you notes for the gifts they have received. It is very heart-warming indeed.  

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 a lovely gift for me on Christmas Eve, 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!

Thank you Santa, and a Merry Christmas from all at VisitEastbourne!

Visit Santa in his Christmas Cottage at Drusillas Park between now and 23 December or visit between 27 December and 2 January to find out “What Does Santa Do After Christmas?”.  Open from to each day.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

The 12 Days of Eastbourne Christmas!

Well to celebrate the start of the festive season we set our social media fans and followers a challenge to come up with an Eastbourne themed version of the 12 Days of Christmas! We had plenty of suggestions shared through facebook and twitter and have picked our favourites to compose the Eastbourne 12 Days of Christmas! I don't think we'll be competing for the Christmas no.1 any time soon but here it is, all in the name of a little festive fun!

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
The south east's leading art gall-er-eeeeee (submitted by Tracey Drake)

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea (submitted by Daphne Holmwood)
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
3 days at the Beer Festival (submitted by Toeknee Rose)
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
4 days of Airbourne (submitted by Bertie Bassett)
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying (submitted by @ConferenceEB)
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
6 days of tennis (submitted by @BertieBassett69)
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Seven Sisters gleaming in the sunshine (submitted by Peter Honour)
6 days of tennis
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
8 pints at The 8 Bells! (submitted by Toeknee Rose)
7 Sisters gleaming in the sunshine
6 days of tennis
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Nine reindeer in Little Chelsea (submitted by Joanna Huntley)
8 pints at The 8 Bells!
7 Sisters gleaming in the sunshine
6 days of tennis
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
10 Ride 'n' Joy quadricycles on the seafront to the harbour and back (submitted by Joan Norris)
9 reindeer in Little Chelsea
8 pints at The 8 Bells!
7 Sisters gleaming in the sunshine
6 days of tennis
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
11 players playing for Town, Utd, and Borough. (submitted by Toeknee Rose)
10 Ride 'n' Joy quadricycles on the seafront to the harbour and back
9 reindeer in Little Chelsea
8 pints at The 8 Bells!
7 Sisters gleaming in the sunshine
6 days of tennis
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
12 Sunday night proms at the Bandstand (submitted by Rosalind Ball)
11 players playing for Town, Utd, and Borough.
10 Ride 'n' Joy quadricycles to the harbour and back
9 reindeer in Little Chelsea
8 pints at The 8 Bells!
7 Sisters gleaming in the sunshine
6 days of tennis
5 Roller Dolls roller derbying
4 days of Airbourne
3 days at the Beer Festival
2 lighthouses, one on the land the other in the sea
And the south east’s leading art gall-er-eeeeee!

Emma

Thursday 8 December 2011

Top 10 Christmas Events in Eastbourne

There's just so much going on in Eastbourne this Christmas, you wont want to miss out! We've put together a top 10 guide to festivities in Eastbourne to help you. This list is by no means definitive so check VisitEastbourne.com for more festive themed events and activities that are sure to send a sprinkling of that magical Christmas feeling your way...

1. Little Christmas
Ho ho ho... Santa and his reindeers are on their way tomorrow night (Friday 9 December) for Little Christmas taking place in Little Chelsea (South Street and Grove Road, Eastbourne)! Browse a festive street market, enjoy late night shopping in the independent stores, galleries and boutiques, sing along with choirs and carol singers, munch on a hog roast and roasted chestnuts, and the kids will love the children's rides. Plus Art Attack legend Neil Buchanan will be making a special appearance at Viewpoint Art Gallery to launch his Hope Street collection.
5.30pm - late

2. Digital Christmas Carnival
Eastbourne’s award-winning Towner Contemporary Art Museum is getting ready for a bumper weekend of festivities with its first ever Christmas Carnival on Friday and Saturday night - 9 and 10 December! Towner’s exhibition halls will be transformed with popular culture, new technology and the thrill of the fairground coming together for a unique carnival event. Tickets are on sale now for Friday night's over 18s event and D GENERATE takes place on Saturday night for young people aged 14-19 and entry is free!

Christmas isn't complete in Eastbourne without a visit to one of Eastbourne Bandstand's festive concerts. The free concerts on Christmas Day and Boxing Day are a longstanding tradition so come along and enjoy Eastbourne Silver Band on Christmas Day and the Ray Campbell Dance Band on Boxing Day. Plus the Ray Campbell Dance Band will also perform for a special new concert on New Year's Day!

Make Eastbourne your winter wonderland and enjoy ice skating at Fort Fun's new ice skating rink with real ice, open until January.

Oh no he didn't... get into the spirit of Christmas with a family trip to the pantomime at the Devonshire Park Theatre starring Eastenders' favourite John Altman aka Nick Cotton. On from 9 December - 15 January.

Eastbourne Arndale Centre will be waving its wand this Sunday, 11 December, for Christmas Magic - the perfect opportunity for Christmas shopping!

Filmspot are bringing two Christmas classics to the International Lawn Tennis Centre on Saturday 17 December. Enjoy Muppets Christmas Carol in the afternoon and White Christmas in the evening. Tickets are on sale now.

Take the kids for a ride on the Santa Special at Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway from 17 - 18 December. Don't miss great playgrounds and scenic walking trails around the lake.

Make a Christmas card with a difference this Sunday, 11 December, at Towner. Drop-in to the free event with an artist helping you to put unusual designs together and you will even be able to transform your design into a digital card to email friends and family.

Pop into Santa's Christmas Cottage at Drusillas Park and watch the elves hard at work making all the presents.

So, I hope that has got you feeling festive this Christmas! If you have any top tips for what else to check out this holiday season then leave us a comment...

Emma

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Actor James Hyland on his love of Dickens and Eastbourne's Under Ground Theatre

The award winning actor, writer and director James Hyland comes to Eastbourne's Under Ground Theatre on 10th December in his one-man stage adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol – as told by Jacob Marley (deceased)”. 

We caught up with him to find out more...


What inspired you to tell this classic story from the viewpoint of Jacob Marley?
I’ve always wanted to present my own adaptation from an early age.  Having watched the story every year in films and on TV, I have a great love of the story, and so jumped at the chance to do a one man show.

I wanted to do a fresh take by removing the narrator which can be alienating and gives the feel of a work of fiction, and instead present it as a work of fact by utilising the character of Jacob Marley. 

Jacob is the other side of the coin of Scrooge, unlike Scrooge he didn’t get redemption and will be forever in chains throughout eternity.  By utilising Marley’s plight it gives the story another level of poignancy and when he tells the story, as well as experiencing your own emotions, you feel his response.  This dual empathy, gives it credibility and an emotionality that perhaps isn’t there for other shows.

The show has been a huge success and has been described by critics as “thrilling” and even “hypnotic”, what else can the audience expect from the show?
I’ve had such a fabulous response - so many positive things have been said about the show; ‘clever’,  ‘funny’, ‘powerful’, ‘breathtaking’, ‘astonishing’, and a ‘vibrant re-imagination of the classic’.

Adults and children will both enjoy the show, although a little scary in places, it’s also quite touching and emotionally uplifting.  In fact people are often surprised by their emotional response when they watch it.  Men especially are often moved by the plight of Tiny Tim, as he is fundamental to the story – in fact Tiny Tim and Scrooge are aligned.  Through Scrooge’s spiritual healing, he in turn is able to heal Tiny Tim physically. 

Dickens had such a strong message, about the importance of children, not just to your own immediate family but to society as a whole.  I have my own saying ‘Society is the child of man’ and I often find this is what Dickens is trying to say in much of his work.  It is so relevant to today, when you see the rioters on TV, we are all of society and we are just as responsible for these people as we are for our own children.


A one man show with such a physical performance must be challenging, how do you prepare before the tour?
As well as zumba, ballet and boxercise (boxers have to be seriously fit you know!) I am a keen marathon runner and completed the London Marathon in 2003 and 2010 for charities Torch, a hospital in Wales treating Muscular Distrophy; and Care for the Wild International which looks after animals in need across the globe.  The Beachy Head Marathon in Eastbourne certainly sounds like a good challenge, I’ll have to look into that one!
What made you choose Eastbourne and the Under Ground Theatre for your national tour?
Well I actually performed here in 2008 with my first Dickens adaption ‘Hard Times’, which I adapted and performed with two other actors, we played all of the parts so had lots of costume changes!

I really enjoyed the space, it was great and I felt a real connection with the audience, and met them after the performance – in fact I will be doing this again, for anyone who wants to ask me questions after the performance.


When did you first catch the acting bug, and how did you get into acting?
I’ve always loved story telling and any opportunity to dress up as a superhero, as a child I often wore red underpants over my jeans as Superman!  

At junior school I waited desperately for my chance to act in the school play, performed every year by the 4th years, however that year they decided to do a concert instead – I was so mortified I got all the pupils to sign a petition!

However I eventually got my first lead role in secondary school as Captain Stirrick – another story set in Victorian London!  I then performed every year, ending up at the National Youth Theatre, and landing a lead role at the Young Vic, before heading to the Rose Bruford Drama SchoolMy next role as feckless alcoholic Pete Polovsky took me to both the National Student Drama Festival and Edinburgh Festival, winning awards at both.

I’ve since won awards for my short films and more recently for writing the dialogue and taking the lead role in Tinie Tempah’s ‘Disappoint You’ video.  It’s quite controversial and doesn’t even feature Tinie.

You’re the brains behind the show’s production company Brother Wolf, do you have any advice for budding actors, directors and producers?
As Winston Churchill said ‘never give up’ - that’s it in a nutshell really!

For anyone who wants to work in story telling, whether it be TV, film, theatre, radio or any other form, never forget the importance of story telling.  It’s what makes us who we are.  Society is built on communication - never give up trying to be a part of it.

The greatest stories ever told are what makes us who we are today, from religious texts like the Bible and Qur’an to classic novels like Oliver Twist and Women In Love, its all about the human self.

The story of Scrooge is a huge family favourite at Christmas, what is your all time favourite festive film (or play)?
My favourite has to be A Christmas Carol (1984) featuring George C Scott – there is no better film adaption and it’s true to the book.  Despite the fact it was made for TV, it actually premiered in Leicester Square
for the Queen, it was so good!

I also love the story of Jesus, whether you believe or not, it is still the greatest story ever told - I adore the nativity.

Finally, if we were to buy you the best present ever this Christmas, what would it be?
Well I’d like to say world peace, as we all would, and of course as Dickens teaches.  However being utterly selfish, any form of chocolate is good!

Thanks James for taking time out to talk to us!
Tracey

James stars in “A Christmas Carol – As Told By Jacob Marley (Deceased)” at the Under Ground Theatre, Eastbourne on 10 December at , followed by an opportunity to talk to James.  Tickets £9/£8 from Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre or on the door. www.undergroundtheatre.org.uk

Monday 5 December 2011

Cultural and Sporting Experiences in Eastbourne - new for 2012!

Hi! My name's Joel

I have been on the Tourism Development team since June 2011, but have been employed by the council for the last several summers in Events as part of Event Crew.

Tourism Development has provided some great challenges for me. I have been able to develop my project management and graphic design skills, as well as my office banter!

I am currently working on creating sporting and cultural packages, which will be available to book through VisitEastbourne.com with the aim of increasing both sports and cultural participation in the year of the 2012 Games as well as supporting the local economy.

The packages will involve local businesses combined with local accommodation and available to book as a package through VisitEastbourne.com. We've already spoken to partners including Spray Water Sports and Watercolour Walks (who are based at Coastguard Cottages - check out the amazing view for the painters!) and will be launching these early next year. Essentially the scheme will offer a great chance for us to work with local businesses to market Eastbourne and attract new audiences too.

If you are a local business offering a sporting or cultural experience and may be interested in working with us then drop us a tweet on twitter or leave us a comment with your contact details on this blog.

My job also involves helping Emma who is forever wanting to come up with fun and exciting competitions for the VisitEastbourne page on facebook. Currently we are running the 12 Days of Eastbourne Christmas Challenge, where fans can make up their own version of the song to be published online! It's not too late to join in, so become a fan and get involved!

Here in the Tourism Development think tank, we always welcome suggestions and feedback. If you have anything to say about the sports and cultural packages or have any ideas on competitions, feel free to send us a tweet or leave a comment.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Joel