The event, which took place 11 years ago, on June 4 and 5, was organised by self-confessed Worthing scooter fanatic Darren Bradley. Including scooter displays, a ride-out, music events and a special showing of the cult 1970s film Quadraphenia, the weekend was held to raise money for Help for Heroes.
Darren said at the time: “It was absolutely fantastic. Everything went superbly. It’s difficult to put into words, It just goes to show Worthing does like dynamic events that bring something completely different to the town.”
A scooter display in the Guildbourne Centre proved popular, with managers telling Darren it was the busiest they had seen the centre for 20 years. Stars of the show included a scooter signed by Paul Weller, complete with a picture of the musician penning his name.
The Dome cinema was the venue for the screening of Quadraphenia, after which two of the film’s stars, Gary Shail, who played Spider, and Mark Wingett, who played Dave, led an auction and a question and answer session. The evening saw 800 people attend either an old ska, reggae night at the Vintner’s Parrot, a ‘classic scooterist night’ at The Warwick and a soul night at The Dome.
Splash Point was closed off for the visiting riders and was quickly filled with 300 scooters in all shapes and sizes. On Sunday, 180 scooters were ridden out to Brighton.
Darren said: “Everyone said we must do it again. It was so refreshing for Worthing. Scooterists took over the town.” But did it ever happen again? We cannot find any record of it in our archives. Do let us know if you remember the big day in 2011 and whether you have seen anything like it in the area since.
1. Souldiers by the Sea
The scooter display in South Street Square, Worthing
Photo: Malcolm McCluskey
2. Souldiers by the Sea
A scooter signed by musician Paul Weller, with a photo of the moment he penned his name
Photo: Malcolm McCluskey
3. Souldiers by the Sea
Some lovely details on one of the scooters in the Guildbourne Centre
Photo: Malcolm McCluskey
4. Souldiers by the Sea
Taking a keen interest in the scooters on show in South Street Square
Photo: Malcolm McCluskey