October 19th, 2011
This weekend visitors are invited to be a part of BBC Reel History at Towner and the Redoubt Fortress in Eastbourne – featuring archive film footage, wartime performances and a swinging tea dance – while The Big Draw is a chance to take part in a nationwide celebration of drawing for all ages! With free vintage shuttle buses between Towner and the Redoubt on Saturday to ensure visitors don’t miss any of the fun, there’s never been a better way to celebrate the start of half term.
As part of BBC’s Reel History of Britain, on Saturday 22 October Towner will be showing archive footage of our region – featuring Films from the Home Front and depictions of rural life – alternating with new film A Picture of Sussex, a poignant short film exploring older people’s impressions and memories of living in Sussex. Made by residents of Sussex Housing and Care Homes across the region to celebrate the organisation’s 65th anniversary, the film uses artworks from Towner’s collection as the inspiration for conversation, art and poetry.
Visitors can then hop on a free Eastbourne classic bus to the Redoubt Fortress to enjoy free uplifting interactive wartime performances of Make Do and Mend and a tea dance by Ragroof Theatre Company. You will also have the opportunity to browse their Button Museum of memories, and donate your own button and memory to this growing museum on wheels. Buses will depart from Towner on the hour from 11am – 3pm, and return from the Redoubt on the half hour from 11.30am – 2.30pm.
Not only can visitors get hands on with history this weekend, they also have the opportunity to get hands on with art as The Big Draw returns to Towner – with free drop-in activities from 11am – 3pm on both days. On Saturday join artist Lynn Weddle and writer Ella Burns to turn Towner into one big drawing and create a hanging sculpture of words, while on Sunday photographer Alexander Brattell and artist Jane Henderson will help families make drawings from projected, digital creations and work on a growing sculpture to tumble around Towner.
To round off Saturday evening visitors are invited to join Eastbourne Astronomical Society for a session of free family star gazing from the battlements of the Redoubt Fortress between 7-10pm. They will be looking at Jupiter, the Moon and other heavenly bodies present in our autumn skies. In case of inclement weather society members will present an illustrated talk on what to look for in the Eastbourne sky.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Councillor Neil Stanley said “What a weekend we have in store – I’m very excited about what promises to be our biggest ‘Big Draw’ yet, while the BBC Reel History event is a truly unique opportunity to be part of living history and reminisce over those magical moments common to all our lives, whether young or old. With such a variety of activity on offer this weekend there’s truly something for everyone. Don’t forget to bring along your buttons and put on your dancing shoes!”
Towner’s Art Box activity room will also be stocked with art materials for free family drop-in throughout half term week (subject to room availability), and visitors can catch Towner’s new schools exhibition A Sense of Place – delivered with Compass Community Arts – until 30 October. The half term fun will culminate with childrens’ workshops led by artist Hannah Coxeter on Friday 28 October – visit Towner’s website to book now.
