and more - Viva Lewes

For some, the call of the first cuckoo indicates
summer is on its way. For Lewesians, it’s the
sound of children screaming when they jump
into the cold depths of the Pells pool. As
someone who lives locally enough to walk along
in a towel and costume (but perhaps not in
May), watching the annual transformation of the
pool from slimy green to clean, fresh turquoise
is a beautiful thing to behold. The season
begins this year on Saturday 15th May, with the
official celebratory opening on Saturday 22nd.
As always, kids (and adults) can defrost after an
early season dip under the hot outdoor shower,
or with some pasta or hot chocolate from the
kiosk. Before long, the water will have warmed
up sufficiently to allow normal breathing during
swimming, and it will be ice-creams they’ll be
asking for. After holding prices for a number
of years, manager Phil Ransley tells us that the
non-profit making pool now has to put them
up a little this season. Adults now £4, juniors
remain £2, family ticket (2 adults and 2 children)
£10.50. You can also get saver and season tickets.
The pool is open from noon, and closing time
is weather dependent. For more information,
look on the website www.pellspool.org.uk or call
01273 472334.
Also on Saturday May 15th, the second ‘Fayre to
Celebrate the Feast of St. Pancras’ is being held
splash!
Family fun in May
V I VA f A M I L y
at the Southover/Western Road school playing
fields between 11.00am – 4.30pm. As with last
year’s event, various exciting medieval activities
and entertainments are planned. The Pentacle
Drummers and the Eastbourne Giants will walk
from Cliffe up the High Street, down Station
Road, and arrive at the Fayre between 10.00am
and midday. There will be live music, wet stocks,
archery, a climbing wall, swede rolling, tug-ofwar,
storytelling, as well as numerous interesting
food and drink stalls. Southover Bonfire Society
monks will be welcoming new members and
selling bonfire merchandise. The entrance fee is
50p and the event is a fundraiser for both The
Priory and Southover Bonfire Society. The first
300 families will receive a scroll depicting the
Priory Time Line.
Also in May, as usual, the Sussex Archaeological
Society have various activities for kids
scheduled, including a ‘Bread and Butter’,
cooking session in Anne of Cleves on 6th,
Rumplestiltskin storytelling in Lewes castle
on 20th May, and a Battle of Lewes Activity
Day, also at the castle, on 29th. And as part of
the national Museums at Night scheme, the
Roman Palace at Fishbourne is offering a late
night opening event entitled ‘Ancient Myths
and Mosaics’. For more details, check out www.
sussexpast.co.uk . Emma Chaplin
7 5