Cliffe Independence Day events

On Sunday the Cliffe district will declare its independence. I ring up organiser Phil Lucas, to find out from whom. Just Lewes? Or the whole of the country? “Oh everywhere,” he says. “We will become completely independent of everywhere else. A portcullis will be drawn up on Cliffe Bridge, and passports will be issued to anyone coming in. We will raise the newly designed Cliffe State flag, which features a white barrel on a black background, over the brewery and on the bridge.”

There are a number of events to mark the occasion. “There will be an ale trail,” continues Phil, “whereby people who get their passports stamped in all four pubs in the district will win a commemorative glass. Harveys have brewed a special ale - Independence Day Beer - for the occasion. There will be an international dwyle flunking match, between a Lewes Arms team and a Cliffe team, in Brewery Yard. There will be a number of market stalls open, and a hog roast outside the John Harvey Tavern.” The winner of the presidential election (you can still vote until Sunday morning) will be announced, too - currently Andy Thomas is in the lead. “We’ll be taking a collection for the Cliffe Branch of the British Legion,” continues Phil. “The whole event is to celebrate the independent-mindedness of the people who live in the area. And also to have a bit of fun. Not much usually happens in Lewes on a Bank Holiday weekend.” AL