Countdown to Battle’s Big Event

The six-week festival is a Battle Partnership initiative with the aim of celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, enabling adults and children to get involved in sport, try new sports, get out of doors and take part in and enjoy a range of supporting cultural events.

Claverham Community College, part of the London 2012 Get Set Programme, is already on board with the project, and will host a range of children’s and adults sports events.

The Battle Scarecrow Festival and an arts trail have also been confirmed for Battle’s Big Event, with other events, including a poetry competition, in the pipeline.

As well as looking for someone to manage and co-ordinate the event, Battle Partnership is also appealing for local schools, organisations, residents’ groups and societies in the town and surrounding villages to get involved.

So far various organisations, including Battel Bonfire Boyes, Cycle Battle and East Sussex Association for the Disabled, have pledged their support to Battle’s Big Event.

Margaret Leicester, of Battle Partnership, said: “If someone wants to get involved, they should get in touch with their idea and we can see where it can be fitted in to the programme.

“Existing events can be adapted to be part of the festival and can share in the group advertising.” 

Cllr Kathryn Field said: “We have had a couple of open public meetings to which all organisations and parish councils were invited to.”

The next public meeting is due to take place in the autumn, whilst the steering group meets monthly. 

Kathryn said: “It’s very much about people enjoying themselves.

“And it’s about having a go at something you have never tried before.”

Battle’s Big Event will run between June 29-September 9 2012.

For further information, or if you wish to get involved, visit www.battlesbigevent.co.uk