Events

A special night dedicated to our local waterways with talks from those who study, walk and live on them. Learn about Sussex’s lost rivers (including Brighton’s own Wellsbourne), take a psychogeographical walk along the Cuckmere and discover the highs and lows of life on a Shoreham houseboat.
With live music from The Duck Pond Sailors and the Brighton Folk Choir.

Hosted by David Bramwell

Cuckmere River – Rachel Poulton

Writer, photographer and educator Rachel Poulton takes us on an atmospheric wander along East Sussex’s Cuckmere River that wends its way from the Weald to the sea, to explore the ghosts and lore that lie en route – from the ancient burial mounds on Windover Hill, guarded by the Wilmington Giant; to the medieval ghost village at Exceat and the World War Two pillboxes, mingling with memories of nineteenth century smuggling gangs down at Cuckmere Haven.

Asteroid’s Story – Jackie Blackwell

Jackie Blackwell – a part time wedding registrar, funeral assistant and celebrant – lived in Brighton for over 30 years, until she moved to live on a houseboat in 2017. Asteroid’s Story is a true tale from the riverbank in Shoreham, where she shares part of her fascinating story as well as the history of this once grand boat.

Riverine Resurrections: A history and celebration of the irrepressible waterways of Sussex – Vera Zakharov

Whatever happened to the bournes of Brighton, and can we still find them? And what of the old ways of the Sussex Ouse? Humans have an ambivalent relationship with waterways, perceived as nourishers of the body and soul, and yet demonised (much like the deities associated with them). Vera takes a personal, cartographic and queer ecological journey along the buried and re-emerging waterways of the local area to discover what nature can teach us of our own liberation.

The Duck Pond Sailors and the Brighton Folk Choir
As we sit in Horatio’s Bar above, and surrounded by, the sea what better place for a few sea shanties performed by Brighton’s community choir and Catalyst favourites, The Duck Pond Sailors.

Dress code: large flappy bellbottoms, beard, fishing rod, inflatable life vest, rubber waders. Fish optional.