EASTBOURNE Lammas Festival returns for its 14th year on the weekend of July 30/31.

The festival marks the cutting of the first corn crop, a traditional celebration of the harvest and raises money for the R.N.L.I.

From around 10am, Gong Scourers, Rampant Rooster and Black Swan morris dancers will join local side Hunters Moon Morris and Pentacle Drummers around Eastbourne town centre.

There will be dancing on Eastbourne Pier from around 11.30am, by kind permission of Mr Gulzar. From the Pier at around 12.15, all participants (and anyone else who fancies joining in), will process along the seafront led by the figure of John Barleycorn, arriving at the Festival site on the Western Lawns at 12.45pm.

During the procession and throughout the Festival, Eastbourne Cosplay will be mingling amongst the crowd shaking buckets for donations for the R.N.L.I. and the running of the Festival. Eastbourne Lammas Festival is entirely volunteer-run and receives no funding. Please give generously!

The word ‘Lammas’ comes from the old English for ‘Loaf Mass’, a celebration of a harvesting abundance of corn. Lammas is also known as Lughnasadh, a name derived from that of the Celtic Sun God, Lugh. Do come to the Information tent to see the fabulous Lammas Loaf, handcrafted by Cavendish Bakery on Saturday – try to spot the mice!

Real ales from local 1648 Brewery, including the specially brewed “Lammas Ale” will be flowing throughout the weekend.

From 11am on both days, stalls will be open on the Western Lawns showcasing arts and crafts, including pole lathe demonstrations, displays by Sussex Dance Studios and the ever popular Matthews Mousetown. On Saturday 30th visitors can enjoy a large variety of performing arts such as belly dancing from ‘Sea Gypsies’, while folk rock band Touchstone, Lammas newcomer Neil Robert Grimes, Mr Weston and the Ironing and Lammas favourites Ragati String Band and Matt Cooper perform on stage. Saturday ends with Hunters Moon Morris leading the Ritual Celebration of Lammas at 5.30pm. Sunday kicks off at 11am in the sea with a demonstration from Eastbourne Lifeboat to remind us why we support the vital work of the R.N.L.I. We then welcome back Si McClean, Jacob Szulecki, Black Strap Molasses and The Equatorial Group to the stage before the traditional end of festival Open-Air Ceilidh at 4pm led by The Moonlighters.

For more information visit www.lammasfest.org or call the Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre on 01323 415415. To book accommodation visit www.visiteastbourne.com.