Lewes Speakers Festival

Next weekend sees the Winter Lewes Speakers Festival taking place in the town. From Friday 25th November until Sunday 27th November, a host of famous writers and novelists will talk about their work, followed by question and answer sessions.

Anthony Horowitz, Andrew Monaghan, Susan Williams, Damien Lewis, Lord David Owen and Colin Thubron are just a few of those speaking. The events will take place at The White Hart Hotel and The All Saints Centre, Lewes.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to www.lewesspeakersfestival.com.

Freedom and privacy close to the centre of Lewes

Paul and Kathy Myles have been opening the beautifully finished Hill Road Studios, their two detached self-contained self-catering studios apartments, to guests since 1999. They are built and maintained to a high standard – not surprisingly, since Paul, who used to be a builder, did them himself.

‘I made the first studio as a space for our teenage daughter to live in. When she left, we wondered what to do with it – and this is it!’ says Paul, who built the second studio in 2006 at the rear of the property. With their state-of-the-art heating and great insulation, they are an attractive proposition for guests wanting their privacy.

Paul and Kathy like the freedom that they and their customers get from the apartments being self-contained and self-catered. ‘They often turn up in the small hours from the Newhaven Ferry and just go straight in the studios – we leave them open and ready,’ explains Paul. ‘Also, for check out, they can leave very early – no problem. And they can eat their breakfast when they want.’

Along with the freedom, guests can take advantage of the free parking – often difficult to get in Lewes. The apartments even have their own outside spaces, yet are just 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Lewes.

And where does Paul suggest his guests go while they are staying? ‘We always recommend a walk along Seaford seafront – a hidden gem! Lewes Castle and Anne of Cleves House are great in Lewes, while Charleston and Virginia Wolf’s house in Rodmell are always worth a visit.’

So if you need accommodation, visit www.shortstaylewes.com, where you will find a range of wonderful accommodation and a warm welcome. The following accommodation are part of the new group of quality-approved bed and breakfasts for the Lewes area: Beechwood B&B, Halland; Little Norlington Barn B&B, Ringmer; White Lodge B&B, Cooksbridge; The Corner House B&B, Lewes; Murrells B&B, Lewes; Aleberry B&B, Lewes; Berkeley House B&B, Lewes; no11 B&B, Lewes

Bonfire goes off with a bang . . . or a thousand bangs!

Tony Murrell, our South Street smuggler, brings us the last instalment of his diary for Lewes Bonfire 2016.

Finally, after all the preparations, the 5th arrives, with a bang! At 6 am, a huge Maroon is set off from the castle – this is a massive explosion, which shakes the town and signifies the start of bonfire. It is followed by the early-riser bonfire boys setting off rookies and firecrackers.

The atmosphere build-up goes on through the day – people arriving, shops being boarded up, and the non-stop rookies being ignited around the town.

Day turns into night and what a fantastic night! The weather held up too: bright, crisp, dry and even the wind was blowing the best way to take the smoke away to the south.

South Street processions start with the children's one and the igniting of the kids’ street piece, which needlessly to say, also went with a bang. Following these, there were several adult (and kids) processions, which are always well-organised and professional. The kids looked great – we have the best costumes and the nicest smugglers! The night culminates in the final procession where anything goes – rookies, huge firecrackers and lots of flares.

Our visiting German Mayor and entourage thoroughly enjoyed themselves, especially the guided tour by our Chairman Steve Newman of the firesite during the day. They were then based at the Town Hall for the evening. I trigged a flare for them, as promised, outside the Town Hall front door, which I think went down well.

Eventually, to our firesite for the bonfire and the burning and blowing up of our tableaux. The Pope went with a huge bang! After that, there were fantastic fireworks!

Eventually, getting home relatively early for us at 1:30am, we were tired, a little deaf and smelling of smoke but elated. A fab night and I can't wait till next year.

With Lewes Bonfire such an exciting and popular event, we advise those thinking of coming next year to book their accommodation early. See Short Stay Lewes properties for your ideal place.