Countdown to 1066 anniversary event

Friday, October 14 is the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and a special programme of events has been planned to help the town mark this historic occasion.

For the last 40 months, a group called Concorde 1066 has been busy preparing what is sure to be a memorable day.

A special dignitaries’ lunch, with guests including two senior politicians, French and Danish ambassadors and the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, will take place at 12.30pm, while representatives from 40 voluntary groups and local businesses will be attending a reception at Battle Abbey in the evening.

Tina Greene, who is behind the community tapestry project, will be at both events, urging those to make 
their mark on this unique project.

Visitors to the lunch and reception will be invited to sign a guest book to be kept for posterity.

However, without a doubt, the highlight of the day will be the Band of the Royal Engineers leading a children’s parade along the High Street at 2.15pm.

Twelve local schools have signed up for the parade, with refreshments and children’s entertainment in the Battle Memorial Hall from 3pm.

Simon Alexander, chairman of Concorde 1066, said: “The band will be leading the children out of the Abbey, which should be a highlight of the day.

“The fire station has been enormously helpful and the band is going to be based at the fire station and local volunteers are going to be feeding the band on behalf of Concorde 1066.”

The band will perform again at 5.30pm, ahead of a ceremony of lowering the flags on the Abbey Green at 6.10pm.

Rother District Council has made its car parks free for one day only.

Simon Alexander said his committee has been faced with many challenges, but is confident the event will be a success.

He said: “There have been low moments and high moments.

“But thanks to the committee, it all seems to be coming together.”

The Concorde 1066 Souvenir Handbook, commemorating the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, is on sale at The Crafty Norman on Abbey Green, priced at £5.

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