Town will sparkle

LATE night shopping in Lewes will start with spectacular but quiet fireworks on Thursday evening when nine-year-old local schoolgirl Daisy Bennett presses the firing button at the castle.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Nov 2002, 15:58 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:41 BST

Daisy, a pupil at Iford and Kingston Primary School, will meet the Mayor of Lewes, Cllr Barbara Riddihough, in the Mayor's parlour and walk with her to the castle for the opening ceremony.

Daisy designed the artwork for this year's posters advertising the late night shopping event, winning a competition among pupils at 22 schools in and around the town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Several thousand posters and handbills have been distributed and the town's traders expect they will help to bring more than 1,000 extra shoppers to the town.

There will be free parking for 1,200 cars and a regular train service to the town.

At the 11th hour a Santa Claus has been found for the event as a result of an appeal in last week's Sussex Express.

He is 63-year-old Brian Gaymer-Derham, a recently retired Lewes postman who lives in Mongers Mead, Barcombe.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Street entertainment will include madrigal groups and singers from the East Sussex Music Service, carols by school and other choirs, and the Newhaven Marching Band parading up and down the High Street.

Food in the open air will include a roast chestnut stand manned by the Scouts.

It is the 21st annual late night shopping event organised by Lewes Chamber of Commerce.

Proceeds from street collections are in aid of the appeal for the new Lewes library due to open in July, 2005.

Related topics:MayorFood