Talking to landlord of the Castle Inn, Andy Skinner, here in the Bay, recently, Bay Life got the distinct feeling that we are in for a summer to celebrate
With no Pevfest for a number of years now, The Castle Inn stepped into the breach last year. We witnessed a truck load of 90 Voices singing their hearts out one Saturday in July for charity, which launched the first CastleFest.
The heavens opened mid-way through proceedings, but it was the kind of big ticket event that the Bay can do so well. It got the tills ringing with some useful funds for local charities and everyone, by all accounts, in spite of the storms, right through the rest of the weekend, had a great time.
The Castle Inn has become a permanent fixture now in the local charity stakes and it is developing for itself a cracking reputation for live music and original theme based days.
This year it looks very much like we are in for another treat as the second CastleFest weekend swings into view.
Andy told us that ‘this year the stage is to be built in the garden’ and that discussions are taking place ‘to brings some bands from as far afield as North London’.
With five bands already booked, it looks very much like the Castle Inn garden will be the place to be on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 26/27 July 2014.
Pevensey and the Bay have suffered in the last few years from the kinds of local economic circumstances that have made it more difficult to plan big ticket events.
What is interesting about current conditions is that the local economic clouds seem to be lifting a little.
As well as the successful re-launch of the Priory Court Tea Rooms and Hotel, which is doing brisk business and about to host its first big wedding reception, we are also seeing some other weekend styled big ticket events coming to town this summer.
Pevensey Castle is once again about to open up to day-long events that could draw the crowds.
The first Pevensey Food and Drink Festival is billed for the grounds of the castle in the last week in August. Whilst details are still sketchy, the jointly hosted event by English Heritage and Wealden Council is showing some promise as a potential crowd pleaser and a way for families to come and celebrate, with our unique historical assets as part of the stage set.
We don’t need to build a stage in the garden, the Romans and the Normans did it for us some time ago and it still stands.
There are to be walks around the castle and street entertainers that will work their magic with children, plus storytelling and other fun events. We are promised some special local producers, from cheese makers to trugs makers and fruit juice to cider makers, and award winning Sussex wines. Long Man Brewery will be providing the bar and selling their award winning beers.
With other community based projects starting to appear on the local horizon that are linked to re-profiling the area, things are beginning to look up for both Pevensey and the Bay.
As a visitor destination we have a great deal to offer people considering staying in the locality. There is an opportunity for us to profile and celebrate not just the significance of our place in the story of 1066 and all that, but the traditional delights of the Bay.
Who hasn’t walked on the beach in the company of long-held friends to witness one of our unique sunsets on a summer night and not thought, as they cross the tarnished groynes, that Pevensey Bay is about as good as it gets.
Of course with the backdrop of the historic castle, a great range of places to eat and public houses all with their own special atmosphere in the locality, the kinds of attraction for a big day out linked to themed weekends that everyone can enjoy, could once again become very useful tools as we work out ways to re-generate interest in our local profile.
Whether it is day trips, weekends away, holiday bookings, caravaners or overnight stays, the locality has been looking for ways to re-cast itself as a unique set of visitor destinations.
CastleFest and the Pevensey Food and Drink Festival are both moving us in the right direction.
Looks like we are beginning to get back on the local visitor map. Weather permitting, we may just be about to have a summer to remember.
CastleFest takes place on Sat/Sun 26/27 July.
Further details on 01323 764970
The Pevensey Food and Drink Festival is billed for Sat/Sun 30/31 August.
Further details here.
