Latest press releases

December 2009

RegenerARTing the High Street

Local artists in Eastbourne have set up ‘RegenerART’ to find creative ways to reduce the negative impact that vacant shops have on the high street. The group also show cases local creative talent, by exhibiting real artworks in the towns growing number of empty shop windows.

Five shop windows in Terminus Road, Eastbourne have already benefited from RegenerART's efforts with more windows planned in the run up to Christmas.

RegenerART is working with artists, organisations and schools to deliver the project in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council's Economic Development department. It is part of 'The Royal Project' which aims to renovate and remodel Eastbourne's Hippodrome Theatre on Seaside, acting as a focal point for creative development in media and the performing arts.

Chairperson of the project, Tania Long told The Sussex Newspaper: "As a group of concerned local artists and makers, ho care about Eastbourne and its environment, RegenerART is pleased to be working in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council to bring life back to our high streets and demonstrate different ways of thinking when it comes to the use of empty shops and other spaces. This is a good opportunity for the creative community to pull together and make a difference at a grass roots level in our town for everyone to enjoy."

The group would welcome enquiries from landlords or businesses who feel that their empty properties could benefit from this scheme and help to make Eastbourne a vibrant place for visitors and residents alike.

For more information or to get involved please contact Tania Long at tarniya2003@yahoo.co.uk or join our Facebook group.

1st April 2009

Scriptwriting Competition

Following last years Great Young Ideas Competition for schools, the Royal Project, consisting of a group of local people working to preserve the Hippodrome Theatre and its surroundings, is organising a script writing competition for all ages.

Application forms are currently being sent to all local schools and shortly posters will appear welcoming entries from older age groups. Winners should see local professional actors giving rehearsed readings of their scripts and runners up a stationary reading. A £1 entry fee is asked to pay for administration costs.

The project will soon be incorporated and will seek charitable status. Script writing workshops are planned for the autumn so anyone who feels they could use a little help will be able to find it. For more information contact Brian Jones at brilou@tiscali.co.uk.

1st April 2008

Causeway group wins Young Ideas comp

The competition was aimed at senior schools in the area and asked young people to put forward their vision of the cultural development of the area surrounding - and including - the Royal Hippodrome.

This was conducted under the banner of The Royal Project, which consists of a group of local people dedicated to preserving the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Seaside Road.

The group, supported by Eastbourne Borough Council and neighbourhood groups, is pledged to see this building, the oldest theatre in the town, fully restored as a day-long, year-round community venue.

The Royal Hippodrome was designed by renowned Victorian architect CJ Phipps and is the only remaining working theatre of his which has not been fully restored.

Any work undertaken will be seen as a central element in the full social economic regeneration of the Devonshire Ward and the outline plan has the approval of the Theatres Trust.

Sixteen groups of pupils took part from Cavendish and Causeway Schools. Overall winners were a group from Causeway - Georgina Garwood, Mark Slater, Jason Kemsley and Emily Mackie - who will be presented with a camcorder for the use of their school.

The winning group at Cavendish consisted of Duncan Field, Gloria Khorrami and Miriam Verghese, and has won a digital camera for the school.

The wide range of ideas put forward impressed the judges. Much emphasis was put on sporting activity and there is a clear need for a skating rink in Eastbourne.

One surprise was the call from many groups for a café/restaurant with healthy eating options. Studios for practice and performance were also high on most lists. Pupils have been assured The Royal Project committee will consider all ideas as they begin preparation for the long process of grant applications.

Any work undertaken will be seen as a central element in the full social economic regeneration of the Devonshire Ward and the outline plan has the approval of the Theatres Trust.

Sixteen groups of pupils took part from Cavendish and Causeway Schools. Overall winners were a group from Causeway - Georgina Garwood, Mark Slater, Jason Kemsley and Emily Mackie - who will be presented with a camcorder for the use of their school.

The winning group at Cavendish consisted of Duncan Field, Gloria Khorrami and Miriam Verghese, and has won a digital camera for the school.

The wide range of ideas put forward impressed the judges. Much emphasis was put on sporting activity and there is a clear need for a skating rink in Eastbourne.

One surprise was the call from many groups for a café/restaurant with healthy eating options. Studios for practice and performance were also high on most lists. Pupils have been assured The Royal Project committee will consider all ideas as they begin preparation for the long process of grant applications.