September 2 2103.


The Summer By The Sea storytelling evenings hosted by the GuestHouse Storytellers and held at Newhaven Lifeboat House in July and August were a resounding success. Supported by Newhaven Town Council, the evenings demonstrated the diversity of talent within the community and the enjoyment that the evenings bring.

The event in July was opened by Trish Penney with the recounting of true rescues carried out by the volunteer crew. Amongst those listening to the stories were Seahaven fm DJ Duncan Campbell together with his wife Debbie, who was celebrating her birthday. The food for 30 of the evening's audience was supplied by Luna Rossa, the marina's local Italian restaurant.

The most recent event in August was attended by Newhaven Lady Mayor, Ms Julie Carr, and was, in part, a celebration and recognition of RAF Flight Sgt. Jack Nissenthall's Secret Role in Operation Jubilee at Dieppe, the somewhat often forgotten major achievement of the Dieppe raid during World War II. Heidi Watkins, trumpeter to The Royal British Legion, played an emotional last post on the outside decking of the lifeboat house, a moving tribute and in memory of her father. Those attending also enjoyed a fish and chips supper supplied by South Road Fish Bar.

In only the second year of being held at the Lifeboat House, the GuestHouse Storytellers saw attendance rise to an all-time high, with the boathouse reaching near full capacity and ticket sales much higher than expected. This resulted in the evenings raising an amazing £911.00 in aid of The RNLI in support Newhaven Lifeboat.