THE CITIZENS of Cliffe will again declare their independence from Lewes in a day of dwyle flunking, presidential elections and plenty of fun.
Following the success of last years event borders will be erected on Sunday May 25, as the good folk of Cliffe turn back the clock to break away from a town which excluded them until 1881.
The community event will be organised by local organisatio
ns including Cliffe and South Street Bonfire societies, traders and residents.
The fun starts at 11am with the results of the presidential elections (following hustings on the previous day), the raising of the Cliffe flag and construction of a gateway on Cliffe Bridge.
A market will be officially opened and many of the Cliffe traders will be open.
There will be a demonstration from the Cliffe Volunteer Fire Brigade and an international dwyle flunking match against the Lewes Arms Wanderers at 3pm in the Brewery Yard.
For the uninitiated, dwyle flunking is a traditional team game which involves a large pole and a wet beer towel, and is bizarre as it sounds.
Throughout the day a collection will also be held for the Cliffe branch of the Royal British Legion and St John Ambulance.
In the week leading up to the event three talks will be given at the John Harvey Tavern.
On May 20 author Diana Crook will discuss Mrs Dudeney's Diaries; May 21 Miles Jenner, head brewer at Harveys, will give a talk about the history of the brewery; and on May 22 author Dr Jim Etherington will speak on the History of Lewes Bonfire.
Tickets for all three talks can be brought in advance for £3 from the John Harvey Tavern, Gardeners Arms, Dorset Arms and Harvey's Brewery shop.
The full article contains 292 words and appears in Sussex Express Series newspaper.
