All posts by smugglers

Rottingdean Smugglers 2017 – Cancelled

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Winter Smugglers Night, held on the first Saturday of December for the past 5 years has become one of the major highlights in the Rottingdean calendar. Attracting between 3,000-6,000 visitors on the night and culminating in a spectacular display of fireworks. This event has always been free to attend for everyone.

Its aim is to spark (excuse the pun) interest in the rich history of the village from the 13th century when French pirates sacked the village on their way to Lewes and set light to the villagers taking shelter in the church tower to the centuries of the illegal smuggling trade which thrived here.

Organising this event and complying with the very strict health and safety requirements necessary to keep everyone safe costs a great deal of money which is raised annually by the hard working committee. Security alone costs over £10,000 and that is before the cost of the fireworks and other entertainments. The overall event costs stand at approximately £18,000.

This year we have lost 2 of the larger funders of the event, including the City Council leaving us with a large shortfall for this year’s event. Despite our efforts to attract new funds we have not been able to close the gap.

Taking everything into account we have made the decision to cancel this year’s event while we begin the process of becoming a charitable organisation to widen the sources of funding we can apply for and to strengthen our personnel resources. This is with the view to putting on the event in December 2018 with sufficient funds and resources in place so that the event lives up to popular expectation.

Smugglers will continue to need those individuals and businesses that have contributed financially and we are very grateful to them. We will also be encouraging other businesses and concerns to support an event which brings an unprecedented level of footfall to Rottingdean.

Smugglers would also like to hear from people willing to join and strengthen the management of the event. You can reach us via our website www.rottingdeansmugglers.co.uk

We are determined to put on a show next year and with your help we will make sure it lives up to expectations

Sincerely,

Christopher White
Chair

Little Smugglers – July 22nd 2017

Events

Little Smugglers is planned for July 22nd at the Rottingdean Terraces. Between 12.30 and 6pm.

We intend putting on entertainment for Children to include Music courtesy of Brighton School of Singing.

We have 8 stalls booked which can be hired through Chris White(chrisjwhite1949@yahoo.com) at £30 for the afternoon. No hot food or beverages are allowed. We will include a table.

Children’s parade and workshops throughout the afternoon – courtesy of Parc and Arthropod.

Best dressed pirate competition – open to all children up to aged 10.

Click the poster below for the full timetable:

little smugglers_A5_2017_1

Race Night – June 20th at Ye Olde Black Horse

Events

Fund Raiser planned for June 20th at Ye Olde Black Horse- Race Night. Tickets are a fiver or a table for £20. Starts at 7.30.

If you would like to sponsor a race, there are eight in all for just £25 per race let us know. Over eighteens only. Tickets are limited as are tables so get in quick. Book directly with the pub or email Chris White(chrisjwhite1949@yahoo.com).

race_night_2017

Rottingdean Smugglers AGM 2017

General

AGM scheduled for June 7th at the Plough Inn – Loft Bar 8pm. The meeting will include Chair and Treasurers Reports, Election of Officers.

If you are interested in standing for any of the positions let us know. The positions include- Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Committee Team member. Applications must be received by May 27th.