Planning to celebrate Sussex Day

Plans are in the pipeline to celebrate Sussex Day in style at Hastings and Bexhill.

The idea of Sussex Day came from Worthing resident Ian Steedman in 2006 and is marked on June 16 every year in East Sussex.

Next year it is set to be bigger than ever after a trio of community leaders decided to come together.

Brett McLean has been named as the Sussex Day leader for Hastings, Paul Lendon for Bexhill, and Sheikh Abid Gulzar for Eastbourne.

They have decided to work together and plan special events to mark the occasion.

Councillor Paul Lendon said it is a great idea.

He said: “We thoroughly enjoyed it in 2016 with many Sussex flags flying, including at the Town Hall, De La Warr Pavilion and the Colonnade to name but a few.

“We had a classic car show at the Clock Tower, I read the Sussex charter, and special flavoured ice cream was served at Di Paolo’s on the seafront.”

Brett McLean - who will spearhead the Hastings celebrations - said it is important that the three community leaders will now be working together.

He said: “Paul, the Sheikh and myself are 100 percent committed to making Sussex Day 2017 a great success across Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne.

“We will be working very closely together and we will be planning what we are doing very early so the communities of East Sussex can really get behind us.”

Sheikh Abid Gulzar bought Eastbourne Pier last October. He said: “I have always said that what I do is for the community. The pier is not mine, it is the community’s. Sussex Day 2017 fits in perfectly with me - let’s make it a great day for Eastbourne, Hastings and Bexhill.”

If you wish to be involved in Sussex Day 2017 in East Sussex, call 01424 225430.

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