21 February 2011
Eastbourne seafront’s Napoleonic Fortress is getting ready for a bumper year in 2011 with a packed programme of events, including its exciting new exhibition Stitch for Victory.
The Redoubt Fortress will open for the season next month and promises visitors a real variety of ways to get hands on with history during 2011; from taking part in World Book Night to Raising the Jolly Roger, and from Eastbourne Armed Forces Weekend to RAF Ops Room Experience.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Wow! What a year there is coming up at the Redoubt Fortress in 2011 – I don’t think I have ever seen so many events at our historic landmark! Stitch for Victory sounds like a brilliant exhibition, exploring a different aspect of life during World War II, and with plenty of other events taking place throughout the year, there really is something for everyone to enjoy at the Redoubt. And it’s not all about history either! Skate jams will offer something for younger visitors and families to enjoy, while the Redoubt will offer a unique location for star gazing evenings with the Eastbourne Astronomical Society.”
Stitch for Victory is the Redoubt’s major new exhibition this year and will explore the contribution that stitching, embroidering, knitting, and needlework made to the wellbeing of civilians and servicemen during the Second World War. Opening on 9 April, visitors can discover how stitching was used to steady people’s nerves in the air raid shelters or how prisoners of war documented their experiences with secret needles and thread.
To celebrate the Redoubt’s opening weekend for 2011, visitors can enjoy a free event from 9-10 April, The Diehards on Home Service, as the fortress is brought to life with Victorian soldiers of The Diehards performing their garrison duties throughout the day.
Other highlights at the Redoubt this year include a programme of children and family workshops starting with Raise the Jolly Roger, an event inspired by the Stitch for Victory exhibition when children can use the submariner’s code to send a message via their own jolly roger flag, the Eastbourne Armed Forces Weekend honouring the contribution of the armed forces past, present and future, Secrets of the Redoubt Tours, and Halloween activities including family storytelling and a Spooky Family Trail.
And before the Redoubt opens for the season in April, the venue has been chosen as one of the 20,000 givers who will give away free books as part of the first World Book Night on Saturday 5 March. The Redoubt Fortress has been chosen to give away 48 copies of Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet On The Western Front.
For more information on what’s on at the Redoubt Fortress go to the Eastbourne Museums website or call 01323 410300.
