The people behind the Sussex Day website give a good account of what is on where across the county today
“Sussex Day is a real day. Google it and you’ll find this Wikipedia page which explains that every 16th June the folk of East and West Sussex celebrate our rich heritage.
It’s a lovely idea and some celebrations do actually happen! We’d like to see a lot more of them so set up this website and assorted social media accounts to help make Sussex Day one of the biggest on the calendar.
“We” is @corphandyman, @willguv, @artistsmakers and @EwbankChristina. We’re not getting paid for this. We just love Sussex and want the world to know”.
We’d love to have you on board too. There’s plenty of ways to get involved so come and join us!”
Background
The event takes place on St Richard’s Day, the feast day of St Richard of Chichester,[1] Sussex’s patron saint. The date marks the anniversary of the translation of St Richard’s body from its original burial place in the nave of Chichester Cathedral to an elaborate shrine at the Cathedral on 16 June 1276.[3]
The idea of Sussex Day came from Worthing resident Ian Steedman who in 2006 suggested the idea to politician Henry Smith, at the time leader of West Sussex County Council. Smith liked the idea and West Sussex County Council officially recognised the day in 2007.[1]
In 2013, the Sussex Flag was flown in each of the six ancient Rapes, or sub-divisions of Sussex in the week running up to Sussex Day.[4] The Sussex Martlets flag was hoisted over the Council House in Chichester, from Maltravers Street in Arundel, from St Nicholas’ Church in Bramber, from Lewes Castle, from St Nicholas’ Church in Pevensey, and from Hastings Castle; each representing their respective historic division of Sussex.
Several other towns and villages across the county raise the Sussex Flag on 16 June, including Newhaven,[5] Shoreham and Worthing.[6] At Newhaven and Petworth, the Sussex Charter is read out[5][7] and Sussex by the Sea, Sussex’s unofficial county anthem,[8] is sung.[5][7] In 2013, at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in Singleton, an event took place celebrating Sussex culture including Sussex’s buildings, stoolball, Sussex literature and history, as well as traditional Sussex music and food from Sussex.[9] Events to celebrate Sussex Day in 2013 were also held in the towns of Worthing[10] and Bexhill-on-Sea.[11]
