“Wine is but single broth, ale is meat, drink, and cloth.” – 16th century English proverb.
The Ale and Hearty project held a project launch for 90 people in Lewes on Friday March 8th, to promote a year of exciting, free events and activities aimed at celebrating the heritage of the brewing and related agricultural industries in Lewes. The launch event took place at the Linklater Pavilion.
The busy evening played host to talks from Miles Jenner – the Chief Executive of Harveys Brewery, and Councillor Ruth O’Keeffe, Mayor Elect of Lewes, Sussex and ale themed folk songs from the group Emily and the Hares, an exhibition and slide show, ale to drink gifted from Harveys, and local cheeses from the High Weald Dairy, the unveiling of a new logo, and a raffle which raised £185 towards a companion education pack to go out free to Lewes primary schools. The event was an opportunity to find out more about this new project, and how to get involved.
Through this event, we celebrated memories and stories, from a time when Lewes laid claim to nine local breweries, unearthing the hidden history of one of the main industries of the town over the last 300 years.
The project, from arts and heritage organisation Strike a Light, aims to encourage participants and visitors to share memories of local brewing, ale, and agricultural and brewery working life. Strike a Light said ‘We really enjoyed meeting new project participants, visitors, volunteers and all interested in Ale and Hearty activities. We had a great deal of enthusiasm for the event, and with the help of generous local Lewes businesses, raised money towards supporting local educational projects too!’
