Lightning Fibre's events calendar seems to fill up faster than Lightning itself! Last year saw a host of events both sponsored and attended by Lightning Fibre and 2023 seems to be even busier. The community engagement team will have their work cut out for them as they meet and greet the public at various popular events accross the region. And the company will take part in competitions and charity days, as well as providing funding for many other well known events intrinsic to the communities in which they serve. Take a look at the list (subject to change and be added to, over the course of the year):
March
11th Mayors Ball, Eastbourne (Sponsors)
A night of fine dining and entertainment at the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, supporting the Mayor's chosen charities for 2022/23 - Eastbourne Foodbank and Eastbourne Mencap.
Starting with a drinks reception, with bubbly, from 6.15pm, and music from Harpist Margaret Watson. A delicious 3-course dinner will be served from 7.15pm in the Garden Restaurant.
A raffle and silent auction will follow, and music and dancing with The Chandeliers.
The Mayors Charity Ball | The Grand Hotel Eastbourne (grandeastbourne.com)
April
2nd Beatles Day, Hastings (Sponsors)
Hastings Beatles Day returns to The White Rock Theatre in 2022.
This wonderful annual celebration of the Fab Four brings together professional and amateur musicians, dancers and choreographers to raise funds for local charity The Sara Lee Trust.
Hastings Beatles Day – Supporting The Sara Lee Trust
29-30th Magnificent Motors Eastbourne (Trade stand)
Magnificent Motors is established as one of the biggest FREE motoring spectaculars on the south coast. With a unique selection of vintage and classic cars, motorbikes and more expected to display on Eastbourne's Western Lawns with funfair attractions in tow throughout the weekend!
Magnificent Motors - Visit Eastbourne
May
21st Hailsham Fun Run (Entrant)
Organisers Hailsham Active have partnered with Sport Systems, a specialist management company which organises races across the UK each year on behalf of running clubs, charities and local authorities, to welcome runners to the town to participate in the popular 10k, 5k, 3k or all-inclusive 1-mile runs this year. For full details about the event and to register for the Run, visit hailshamactiverun.co.uk.
Applications Open for Hailsham Active Run! - Hailsham Town Council (hailsham-tc.gov.uk)
27th Eastbourne Carnival (Float and Platinum Sponsor, and Trade Stand)
The theme for this year is ‘Sussex By The Sea’. We live in a place for great beauty and culture, with both sea and stunning landscapes.
The theme is open to all participants to celebrate what they love about Sussex!
27th Heathfield Agricultural Show (Sponsor and Trade Stand)
One of the biggest one day agricultural shows in the UK, based in the heart of the Wealden countryside.
Heathfield Agricultural Show (heathfieldshow.org)
June
3-4th 999 Display Weekend, Eastbourne (Trade Stand)
The 999 Weekend is expected to attract thousands from across the region.
The event has become a favourite in the local calendar and gives the opportunity for visitors to meet members of the emergency services and get an up-close look at 999 response vehicles.
14-18th Hastings Fringe Comedy Festival (Headline Sponsor)
The Hastings Comedy Festival originated in 2015 from an idea by Co-directors Chris and Jake uniting their passion for Live Comedy and the community of Hastings and St Leonards.
The independent festival showcases a large variety of professional comedians and emerging comics from around the UK and the world. Shows are performed over 5 days in June at various venues throughout Hastings & St Leonards in East Sussex. Save the dates as the festival once again promises to be an explosion of laughter.
Hastings Fringe Comedy Festival (hastingscomedyfestival.com)
30th The Child of Sussex Awards, Knockhatch (Award Category Sponsor)
The Child of Sussex Awards is a powerful event celebrating the amazing achievements of children across the county. It’s an event that first took place in 2010 and went from strength to strength until the pandemic kicked things into touch for a couple of years. But this year it’s back and Sussex Living is delighted to be associated along with sister company More Radio which are both part of the Total Sense Media group.
The Child Of Sussex Awards - Sussex Living
July
15-16th Pirate Day, Hastings (Headline Sponsor and Trade Stand)
Pirate Day has been going since 2009 and sees thousands of people joining in by dressing up as pirates and buccaneers.
Hastings holds the world record for the most pirates in one place, after beating a previous record held by Penzance in Cornwall.
Aug
17th – 20th Airbourne Airshow, Eastbourne (Trade Stand)
Airbourne will celebrate 29 years of airshow excellence in 2023. Attracting huge crowds, Eastbourne's International Airshow boasts a 2 mile flying display line along Eastbourne seafront.
Airbourne - Airshow (visiteastbourne.com)
18th Eastbourne Chamber Airbourne Business Lunch (Headline Sponsor)
The lunch is one of the Chamber’s most popular networking events and tickets sell out quickly. Along with a drink on arrival and three course lunch, the View Hotel is a great venue with a roof terrace offering an unrivalled viewpoint for the displays. Visit the Chamber of Commerce website for more details.
Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce (eastbourneunltd.co.uk)
28th Le Marche Heathfield (Sponsor and Tradestand)
This fantastic all day event draws visitors into the town of Heathfield from far and wide so please do come and join in the fun – you will not be disappointed – whether it is your first visit or your tenth – it’s completely free!
Le Marche' Anglo French market in Sussex 30th August 2021 (heathfield.net)
September
2-17th Hailsham Arts Festival (Sponsor)
Hailsham Festival is a celebration of talent, creativity and imagination. It is rooted in Hailsham and the surrounding area. The arts represent a vital component of our culture, enriching our community and creating a vibrant landscape from which we all benefit. Follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for details.
Hailsham Festival 2022 | Talent, Creativity and Imagination
24th Soap Box Eastbourne (Trade Stand)
2023 sees the return of the popular Seafront Soapbox Race after two successful years!
Participants are encouraged to build their own soapbox in order to race each other along the seafront. The race will take place on Dukes Drive and finish at Helen Gardens.
Spectators are able to watch these wacky creations as they hilariously whizz around corners with the hope of staying in one piece by the time they reach the finish line! Cash prizes will be up for grabs for the fastest soap box and the wackiest creation.
Seafront Soapbox Race - Visit Eastbourne
Oct
14-15th Wyntercon X EBN (Gold Sponsor and Trade Stand)
The tenth annual outing for Eastbourne’s premier family event takes place in October 2023... WynterCon! The weekend-long event is a celebration of all things Fantasy, Science Fiction, Pop Culture, Creativity and more!
WynterCon is packed to the brim with activities the whole family can enjoy. It offers exhibits and photo opportunities, workshops, cosplay and creatives, including artists and published authors!
Nov
25th Frost Fayre St Leonards (Headline Sponsor)
The Kings Road market will be open all day for festive shopping, hand made and local products, the the cafes and shops along London Road, Kings Road, Norman Road and the surrounding area will have their doors open to welcome and warm you. At 1pm the Frost Parade starts, heralding the arrival of the Snow Queen!
St Leonards Frost Fair - Visit 1066 Country
Keep your eyes peeled for any new events, or changes to our events calendar thoughout the year. Follow us on social media:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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