Latest News from Lewes District Council

Celebrate English Wine Week in Lewes with the Winelands Festival, 22 – 29 June 2025

Designed to showcase the world-class quality of Sussex and Southeast England’s wines, Winelands will bring together wine lovers, local producers, and industry experts for a week-long celebration of the region’s finest wines.

Organised by a dedicated group of wine professionals, enthusiasts and local businesses, Winelands will feature a series of tastings, film screening, supper clubs, and vineyard tours, all highlighting the exceptional talent and craft that is behind English wine.

Celebrate English wine, connect with producers, and enjoy the best of Sussex’s food and drink culture. Tickets are now available, and all profits made will be donated to Lewes District Council’s Exceptional Hardship Fund – a short-term relief fund to help support vulnerable customers facing financial hardship.

Winelands is generously sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter, a regional law firm deeply rooted in Sussex, and Rupert Coles Ltd, property acquisition consultants.

For tickets and more information, visit www.winelands.co.uk

Botanical Wonderland Blooms in Seaford

Prepare to be immersed in a vibrant celebration of nature and art as the Arts Charity SCIP transforms The Crypt Gallery into a captivating botanical arts festival, “The Garden Show,” this summer.

🎫 The Garden Show
📅 Wednesday – Sunday | 25 June – 13 July 2025
📍 The Crypt Gallery, 23 Church Street, Seaford – Google maps link

Visitors will be treated to a diverse collection of artworks, including the whimsical fine art of Hello Marine, the delicate ceramic creations of Frances Doherty, the intricate prints of Kit Boyd and Lisa Stubbs, and the captivating illustrations of award-winning Graham Carter, each offering a unique perspective on the floral world.

Alongside the exhibition, a range of free, hands-on art workshops for all ages will be offered, including engaging sessions for children and young people. Dive into the world of cyanotype printing or create vibrant Mexican-inspired floral headwear!

The SCIP Studio will blossom into an extraordinary paper rainforest, meticulously crafted by the charity’s youth group in collaboration with paper artist Lauren Hayes. This immersive installation, co- designed and populated by the young participants with tropical flora and fauna, promises to be a breath-taking spectacle.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors can also enjoy a selection of films, including SCIP’s co-founder Alice Carter’s film exploring the local community’s relationship with gardens, and artist Abigail Brown’s incredible film ‘Living Sculpture.’

With live demonstrations and a dedicated creative kids’ corner, “The Garden Show” offers a delightful blend of art, hands-on activities, and cultural heritage, making it the perfect destination for all ages to learn, create, and appreciate the vital ecosystems that surround us, all within the atmospheric setting of The Crypt Gallery.

For more information, please visit www.wearescip.co.uk

Reminder: Tree Festival 2025: Celebrating Trees Across Sussex

Don’t miss out on the Tree Festival 2025, celebrating the amazing value and beauty of trees in our area!

Following the success of last year’s event, this year’s programme has been expanded beyond Brighton & Hove to include the entire The Living Coast Unesco Biosphere.

Events are running from late April through summer, with two main festival weekends on 14-15 and 21-22 June.

The festival offers something for everyone to enjoy, including practical workshops, and guided walks, to storytelling, and a Branch Out symposium.

Find out more at www.cpresussex.org.uk/tree-festival/