Petition to save Speed Days
NEARLY 700 people have joined a Facebook group to save Eastbourne Speed Days, which will not go ahead this summer unless a sponsor can be found.
Eastbourne Borough Council has slashed the 11,000 budget for the event in order to cut costs. The council is looking for a sponsor to fund the downhill speed event, which has happened on Beachy Head Road in August for the past three years, but admits Speed Days will not happen this year if a deal is not struck.
A Facebook group called 'save Eastbourne Speed Days' has been set up on Facebook and has around 700 members.
The creator of the group is Oliver Slaughter and on the site he says, "The council has already invested over 35,000 to resurface the road and remove the cats' eyes specifically for the event.
"The event's department also talk of having more events aimed at attracting a younger audience to the town.
"The previous events have already proved to be a great success as there has been outstanding publicity and global media coverage such as Sky News, CNN, Fox News, ITN, more than one-million views on YouTube and a Blue Peter report.
"The events also attract competitors from all over the world and thousands of spectators up to the downs as last year's events saw record breaking crowds.
"This is an environmentally sustainable event unlike Airbourne."
Mrs Singer, of Blackwater Road, recently wrote a letter to the Herald.
She said, "I am mature in years and I get fed up with Eastbourne being tagged with the reputation that we are a seaside retirement town.
"We need young people here too in order to rejuvenate the area, and that is exactly what the skateboard race was doing, putting us on the map throughout the world for hosting a race that appeals to the young and young at heart."
A spokesperson from the council said, "In 2009 Eastbourne's downhill skateboarding event, Speed Days, unfortunately lost its sponsor. Go Fast Sports, who had previously sponsored the 2007 and 2008 events.
"We had already committed to hosting the event in 2009 so it went ahead as planned, during this time we actively sought a sponsor for this event but as yet have been unable to secure any sponsorship deals.
"Whilst we do not want to cancel Speed Days 2010 as we realise it is a major date in the Eastbourne calendar, we do not have a budget for this event and are unable to stage it without a sponsor.
"If a sponsor comes forward within the next few weeks then we will be keen to make the event work again this year."
Any company interested in sponsoring Speed Days and ensuring the event takes place this summer should contact the council's events team on 01323 415430.
• Herald Opinion
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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Wind direction: South east
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