How did people get involved?
As well as the opportunity to visit and enjoy everything that will be going on during the Celebration Week, there were lots of other opportunities to play an active part in the project. We had over 250 volunteers over the project and we thank each and every one of them.
Our Tour Guide Team
Over 50 locals joined our team of volunteers guiding members of the public around this beautiful and special area during Celebration Week. Many friendships were made and the group has stayed in touch!
Walk the Chalk Music Makers
This was driven by maestro composer, John Evans and the tireless dedication of the Seaford Sunshine Strummers ukulele group. Endless hours of practice and the union with an eclectic group of local professional musicians and the Music Makers Orchestra was born.
The group played the world premiere of the whole suite of seven new pieces during the celebration week and thanks to the indomitable Jim Mortimore, the soundtrack for the Walk the Chalk documentary was created. Genius.
Workshop facilitaion
We had wonderful workshops in our Iron Age area, including a working replica Iron Age forge, clay workshops were popular and preparing wool and working with a loom using a turnip was a hit.
The lovely Jon Younghusband ran Chi Gong and Tai Chi workshops, Jamie Morgan facilitated his popular drum circle and the Poetry Sharing Circle was packed. Of course our lovely Zack Cain led impromptu sea shanty sessions down at the Coastguard Cottages and round the fire.
Stewarding
Our 30 strong stewarding team welcomed everybody who came to the Celebration Week and had a presence on site for any questions or directions.
Every guided walk had a back marker to keep the tour on course and safe. We had a many Japanese students from Easy Sussex College in this team.
Our hospitality team
We had a wonderful team led by Chelsea in our Tour Guide Tent making sure the guided walks all set off time with the right amount of people – and in the right direction!
We are also incredibly grateful to Lee from The Anchor Inn Ringmer who catered for the crew and all volunteers suppling incredible food to over 150 people per day in the most challenging of weather conditions.
The event production team
The core and engine of the event, the amazing LYT Productions had help from a number of new recruits. Special mention to Billie Early, Sam Tugwell and Lillian Waddington. Also thanks to George and John for mending the quad bike at a crucial moment!
The Performance Art Team
The amazing Betty Chequers drafted over 100 volunteer actors into her performing team for the Celebration Week. This included Coastguards, a WWI platoon, WWII Canadian Soldier regiment, a merry band of smugglers, Iron Age settlement and even a couple of French Napoleonic Soldiers!
The acting was fantastic and really brought the history to life.
We must take our hats off to Vania from Gladrags who individually costume each and every actor. It was a wonder to behold.
Electric Vehicle Driving Team
Hats off to our EV drivers who ferried less able people to the coast pat but also were used as transport all over the site. They were super busy and only running our of charge would stop them!