October
25
THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA. Polegate Library, Windsor Way. 10am-3pm. A 40th birthday celebration for the library.
Storytelling, face-painting, cake and a prize draw to win tickets
to the show “The Tiger Who Came To Tea”. FREE event.
26
"FAMILY FRIENDLY & FREE" FUN DAY.
Community Wise, Ocklynge Road, Old Town, Eastbourne.
12.30-5pm. Live entertainment, games zones, pamper
area, tea, coffee and homemade cakes. (Food served
from 12.30-2.30pm). (01323) 722924.
27
FREE PARENT AND CHILD MASSAGE SESSION. Kip
McGrath Education Centre, Dental Practice Board main
building, Compton Place Road, Eastbourne.
9.30am-12.30pm. Places are limited, so to apply
contact the sponsors, Kip McGrath, on (01323)
720072. (Places will be allocated on a first-come
first-served basis).
27
THE BIG PICTURE PARTY. The British Library, St
Pancras, Euston Road, London. 11am - 4.30pm. You're invited to
join authors and performers for a FREE event including drawing, storytelling and workshops in the
Library's courtyard. Visit
the British
Library website for full details.
28-31
FREE FAMILY RADIO WORKSHOPS. Kip McGrath
Education Centre, Dental Practice Board main building,
Compton Place Road, Eastbourne.
9.30am-12.30pm. To celebrate Family Learning Week,
join a former Southern fm presenter for this free radio
workshop for families. At least one parent must
accompany one or two children aged 7-14. Places are
limited, so to apply contact the sponsors, Kip McGrath, on
(01323) 720072. (Places will be allocated on a
first-come first-served basis).
29
NCT BUMPS AND BABES RELAUNCH PARTY. Community Wise,
Ocklynge Road, Old Town. 10am-12noon. To celebrate the
fact that Bumps and Babes is coming back to Community Wise every
Wednesday, all the old members and anyone who would like to join
(mums dads, bumps and babes) are invited along to the party.
For more info call Samantha on (01323) 749494. (£1 donation
requested for party).
29
BALLOON MAGIC TRAIN FREE ENTERTAINMENT. Eastbourne Railway
Station to Rye Station. 11am-2pm approx. To encourage
families to travel by train, the Sussex Rail Partnership is laying
on free entertainment (a balloon magician and colouring activities)
on the 11.08am service from Eastbourne to Rye. There will then
be more entertainment at Rye before the train returns at
12.54pm. Certainly a new experience for kids who always travel
by car! Check prices of tickets with Eastbourne Railway
station before travelling.
29
BIG DIWALI DRAW. Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Royal Pavilion Gardens. 10.30am-12pm & 1-4pm. Make beautiful
rangoli patterns in celebration of Diwali. All ages. Just
drop-in. Entrance and event FREE. (01273) 290900.
November
1
FIRE & ICE WALK. Eastbourne Rugby Club, Hampden Park. From 6pm. Watch people walk barefoot 20 feet across
burning coals or broken glass! Fire-dancing, BBQ, fun stalls,
all in aid of St Wilfrid’s Hospice. Entry FREE.
2
LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN. The first group of
cars to leave Hyde Park in London will be arriving on Brighton
seafront some time after 10am. There will be more cars
arriving all through the day until approx 4.30pm. Little boys
(or girls!) who love cars can watch all sorts of amazing vintage
vehicles appearing on the seafront in a fun, carnival type
atmosphere.
15
LIVE BETTER FOR LESS. Community Wise, Ocklynge Road, Old
Town, Eastbourne. 10am-4pm. Enjoy a happy, healthy
lifestyle while spending less! Over 35 exhibits, workshops and
demos from a wide range of organisations. Find out about
budget shopping, growing your own food, cheap entertainment, local
sports and fitness, affordable fashion and freebies. Cookery
demos with delicious samples, advice and free services from
employment and small business specialists. Children's
activities include free basketball and hip hop workshops, music,
magic and juggling. Community Wise: (01323) 722924. www.livebetterforless.org.uk
19 - 21
EASTBOURNE YOUTH RADIO 2008. Local students (aged 4-19) presenting
and broadcasting their own programmes on air. 87.7fm on your radio
or www.eyr.org.uk on the
web.
29
ADVENT WORKSHOP. St Mary’s Church, Old Town, Eastbourne.
9.30-11.30am. Make lovely ‘crafty’ Christmas presents for your
family and decorations to take home. Ends with short children’s
service (parents welcome). Ages 3-11, under 8s must be accompanied.
FREE event.
December
6, 7
EASTBOURNE’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC. Town Centre. Christmas Farmers’ Market, Father Christmas parades, music
and town centre treasure hunt with huge teddy bear prize.
6, 7
CHRISTMAS COMFORT & JOY WEEKEND. Alfriston village. 10am-4pm. Lots of old-fashioned Christmas activities around
the village. Up-to-date details at www.alfriston.org
6, 7
TREE DRESSING WEEKEND. Revive the ancient custom of dressing an outdoor tree. Decorate it with ribbons, home-made decorations, twinkly lights - it’s simply a way of showing
we value them. Even more fun if you get friends to help you!
21
BURNING THE CLOCKS. From 6.30pm. A huge parade where participants carry spectacular paper lanterns from
Brighton city centre to the seafront to burn on the beach and
mark the Winter Solstice. Ends with a FREE Firework display.
26
FREE BOXING DAY BOOGIE. Eastbourne Bandstand. 11am - 12.30pm. Get out into the fresh air and dance to the music
of ‘Sounds Easy’. A lovely Christmas tradition for all ages!
Weekly
TOYS IN MOTION TOY LIBRARY.
A mobile toy library for all children aged 0-5, in the
Eastbourne and Wealden areas.
Stay & Play Take-away. Fleur de Lys, Hailsham.
Fridays 9.30 - 11.30am. £1 entry per family. Structured
group with crafts, healthy eating and singing time. The hire
of a toy for the week is included in the price. Annual
membership for families and childminders £5. (01323) 440002.
Stop & Drop.
When the toy library bus visits your area, come inside and
choose a toy to borrow for a fortnight. Prices are 50p - £5
per fortnight, depending on the toy you choose. Annual
membership for families and childminders £5. For your nearest
stop contact (01323) 440002 or (07771) 593965.
LOCAL LIBRARY RHYMETIMES.
Singing, playing musical instruments and learning rhymes for babies, toddlers and their
parents, with activities organised by library staff. FREE.
Eastbourne Library - every Wednesday and Friday 10.30–11am.
Includes baby Bounce.
Hailsham Library - Every fortnight on Wednesday 10.30–11am.
Pevensey Bay Library - Every fortnight on Tuesday 2-2.30pm
Polegate Library - Third Monday in each month at 2.30–3pm
Seaford Library - First and third Tuesday in each month at 2–2.30pm
Lewes Library - First Tuesday in each month at 10.30-11am
LOCAL LIBRARY STORYTIMES.
For children aged under 5 and their
parents. Fun introduction to reading. The staff choose brightly
illustrated picture books and read them to the children.
Eastbourne Library - Every Monday 2–2.30pm.
Hailsham Library - Every Monday 2.15–2.45pm.
Langney Library - Every Saturday 2.30–3pm.
Polegate Library - Mondays 2.30–3pm (except third Monday in
month).
Seaford Library - Tuesdays 2–2.30pm (except first and third Tuesday in
month).
Willingdon Library - Every Wednesday 2.30–3pm.
Lewes Library - Every Monday 2-2.30pm.
Daily
If you're planning to take the kids to London, make sure
you look at this site before you go:
www.daysoutguide.co.uk/free-london
Lots of London's best attractions are free and there are
also some very good value fares for families travelling there by
train (outside peak times).
GLASS SCULPTURES. The Glass Studio on Eastbourne Pier. 10am -
6pm. Watch the craftsmen sculpting miniature models out of glass.
FREE demonstrations. www.pierglassstudio.co.uk
BEACHY HEAD COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE. Top of Beachy Head. 10am-4pm.
Enjoy the Downland Experience: meet the Talking Shepherd and the
Saxon Man, plus experience the feel and sound of local wildlife.
FREE entry - this is too good to be free - so make the most of it!
(01323) 737 273.
FRISTON FOREST. Park either at the Litlington Road car park
(signposted from the A259 at Seven Sisters Country Park, or at the
Butchershole car park off the B2105, approx 1 mile north of Friston
village. (These are ‘pay and display’ car parks £1 per hour,
max £2.) Walk, cycle, go nature-spotting, build shelters out of
fallen wood, picnic or even try your hand at orienteering (maps are
available from the Seven Sisters visitor centre). Trails are
waymarked by coloured circles, stick to the one colour and you
shouldn’t get (too) lost!
