The White Hart opens, new Charleston exhibitions, basketry festival & Shed Party

The October 2024 issue of the Lewes List

Food & Drink

News: The White Hart has reopened. The historic hotel has been restored by Heartwood Collection (previously the Brasserie Bar Co), the group behind Michelin star chef Raymond Blanc’s high street chain Brasserie Blanc. There’s an orangery and roof terrace that overlooks the Downs, four lower ground floor suites, 19 further bedrooms, and a dining room and bar. More here. 

News: Depot is running Supper Clubs: a film paired with a meal inspired by the movie’s locations and themes. First up, on 17 October, is a Danish film – Nikolaj Arcel’s A Royal Affair – with fare inspired by the Nordic country. More here.

News: After three years at Charleston, Caccia & Tails has now left the locations at Charleston in Firle and Lewes. A new partner will be announced soon, but in the meantime, the Bean Bike will offer tea and coffee (for more on art at Charleston Lewes, see Culture below). 

Reminder: Taith Coffee has opened at 84 High Street. It’s a gorgeous, light-filled space, which takes full advantage of its position at the top of town, with views of the Downs from its rear window. There are some pictures on our Instagram (here), but follow Taith’s page for more updates (here).

Reminder: Boho Baja is now serving burgers and tacos from a vintage Airstream at Abyss Brewery + Tap, every Thursday-Sunday. Visit their Instagram page here; for more events at Abyss, visit here.

Reminder: Field Food has some lovely events coming up at their barn, just outside Lewes. These include Slow Down Sunday on 6 October and a day of fermenting on 19 October. More here.

Culture

News: There are two new exhibitions at Charleston Lewes, both running until 2 March 2025:

– Grayson Perry, A Temple for Everyone (£6.50). From textiles and pots to ceramic tiles and woodcuts, the exhibition tells stories of home. Charleston says it asks “questions about how those stories shape who we are [and] how our definition of home affect[s] our sense of identity.” More here.

– Collecting Modernism: Pablo Picasso to Winifred Nicholson (£8.50). This exhibition from The Radev Collection tells “the extraordinary story of how a modern art collection came into being through over 80 paintings passed on between three queer homes”: those of Eddie Sackville-West, Eardley Knollys, and Mattei Radev. More here.

News: Depot has some great courses for budding filmmakers, including: Introduction to Film Theory, The Art of Directing and Script Development Monthly. More here.

18 October: Lewes Concert Orchestra is performing Shostakovich Symphony No 5 in D Minor at Lewes Town Hall. The Autumn programme will also feature Grieg's In Autumn (overture); Mills' The Ever Changing Sky and Holst's Ballet Music from The Perfect Fool. It takes place 7.30-9.30pm and tickets are £15 (or £5 for under 18s). You can book here.

19 October: Let’s Get Funked, featuring funk, soul and reggae music “for grown-up party people who like to dance” is back at All Saints. Half price bar before 8.30pm. More here.

27 October: The Con Club is hosting a Love Music Hate Racism gig featuring Attila The Stockbroker, local bands, DJs, and food. This is a community event being held in response to the rise of the far right, to “spread positive vibes and to bring people together”. There’s more on Facebook here.

1 November: Shed Party is a night of funky house and disco beats from DJ Browneyedgirl; Nigerian disco and Afrobeat from DJ Otto; and visuals from Innerstrings. Tickets are £10 here, and also available on the door.

23 November: Night market Sokoni is back for 2024 following a successful launch last year, with more local makers, designers, food producers, drinks and DJs. 4-10pm on 23 November at The Sheds, 14-15 Phoenix Place. More here. 

Sport & Community

News: There’s a new studio for tattoo, beauty and wellness coming this month. Shy, by Sabrina Falk, will open at 35 High Street, and has announced its first ‘resident artists’ on Instagram, here.

News: The Artists & Makers Fair is back for 2024, with more than 80 stalls selling gifts and original wares hand-crafted by local artists and makers, with warming winter food, drinks and fun for all ages – all funds raised go to support the brilliant Western Road primary school. Opening night is Friday 29 November (6pm-8.30pm), with the main event on 30 November (10am-5pm). More here. 

News: Lewes Climate Hub is holding a Love Local Food season, including a guest panel talk and People's Assembly on 5 October asking how we can make seasonal, locally-grown food accessible to all in Lewes. An Apple Tasting on 12 October invites you to vote on your favourite local apple variety, plus there's a Harvest Feast at Lewes Town Hall on 13 October, courtesy of  Lewes Community Fridge and the Community Chef. The Hub is also hosting a panel talk and Q&A on future-proofing your business for climate change on 26 October. More details here.

26 October: Under & Over, Lewes Basketry Festival is back for a second year for a day full of all things weaving. There will be live demos and talks from expert basket makers and bookable workshops to create your own woven designs. There will be street food and a full bar, with an evening cèilidh and live music. Kids go free. Like last year, it takes place down at The Sheds, 14-15 Phoenix Place. More here. 

Reminder: The Lewes Death Café will be open for conversations about death and dying at the Lewes House of Friendship (208 High Street) on 29 October and 3 December. Email here for more information.

Looking ahead: The Artisan Christmas Fair, organised by The Bevern Trust, a disability charity based in Barcombe, takes place on 30 November at Barcombe Village Hall, 12 noon-6pm. If you would like a stall, there’s more here.

Family

News: There’s a new Pick Your Own pumpkin patch just outside Lewes. Open weekends from 5-31 October. They promise a maze, an escape room, witch crafts and more. Visit their website here for more info. Meanwhile, South Farm Rodmell open their PYO pumpkin patch on 19 October. More here.

Half-term:  Lewes Castle is hosting a Firework Fairy and Tinkering Troll Trail, 26 October-3 November.  Expect Bonfire-themed crafts and live medieval combat. More here.

30 October: ​​There’s a Halloween Pottery Pop-Up for Kids at Malling Community Centre. Organisers say: “This Halloween-themed event is perfect for kids who love to get their hands dirty and unleash their artistic side – while dressed in their favourite costumes!” 10:30am- 12pm, tickets £20 from here.

28-31 October: The Outdoors Project will be running their half term kids clubs in Lewes for ages 5-11, school years 1 to 6. Activities include: Trick or Treat Day, Circus Skills & Spooky Fun, Harry Potter Quidditch, Wand Making & Potions. £39.50 for the day, 9am - 3pm. More info and bookings here

Now open until 22 December: An exhibition featuring never-seen-before items and artworks from the much-loved illustrator Raymond Briggs is open at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft. It’s described as a highly personal show that brings together 30 items from the late author's estate, with over 100 original artworks from his 60-year career. More here.