Project Brighton: Orange Lilies project commemorates the effects of the Battle of the Somme on Brighton in creative ways

On 1st July 1916, the sound of artillery could be heard clearly on the beaches of Sussex. We remember the first day of the Battle of the Somme as a dark period in history, filling the battlefields of the First World War with lost lives. Brighton’s worst day during the war had, however, taken place 24 hours earlier on 30th June 1916.

Known as The Battle of Boar’s Head (or The Day Sussex Died), a recent project from Brighton based Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage has explored and researched this recent centenary, researching the story of the worst moment in Sussex’s military history, the day its men died.

Called The Orange Lilies – Brighton & Hove in the Somme, this project has worked with local young people and researchers to commemorate the effects of the Battle of the Somme on the city, uncovering Brighton’s Great War heritage for future generations. Using archives and artefacts, we have involved young people similar in age to those who would have joined up in 1916, to find creative ways to commemorate this period of history through film and textiles, showing their response to the events of the centenary in Brighton.

The Royal Sussex Regiment acquired The Orange Lilies tag after receiving permission from William of Orange to bear orange facings on uniforms. This regimental nickname continued into the 20th century, hence our project title. Soldiers from the Royal Sussex Regiment greatly suffered at this battle, with a huge impact and loss for local towns and villages. 366 soldiers were killed and over 1000 wounded or taken prisoner. Around 70% of those that died came from Sussex with estimates including up to 12 sets of brothers.

She noticed a desire for people to share their stories

Creative Director Nicola Benge set up Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage in 2010 after working in community arts, but with a passion for history. Finding a lack of creative ways to archive memories, she also noticed a desire for people to share their stories. Based upstairs at Brighton’s Open Market, with a host of freelancers, and working at the heart of the city, we are a not-for-profit social enterprise and Community Interest Company who focus on involving people’s life stories and local memories to engage a wide range of groups and individuals in creative and heritage activities, and training and workshops.

We encourage engagement and outreach as well as making art to transform public and private spaces, with a Sussex flavour. Strike a Light also captures history and memories in creative ways through reminiscence, oral history and exhibitions, bringing together diverse communities to combat isolation, provoke creativity, and encourage lifelong learning.

Previous and current projects have included working on the celebrated Dr Blighty events in Brighton Festival, Ale & Hearty – a history of brewing in partnership with Harveys Brewery, Dancing with Dementia, Breaking Bread – baking memories in Sussex, and Mazel Tov Brighton celebrating Judaism in the city.

To commemorate the Somme centenary, we offer a free community history day on Friday 30th June at Jubilee Library, showing film footage of Brighton during the First World War, sharing memories and images of this era, talks from local historians and a drop in lunchtime session for those interested in this lost period of the city.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and project partners; Fabrica, Brighton and Hove Libraries and Information service, and Gateways to the First World War, we will host exhibitions on the day, offer research resources, and a book launch about the city in WWI, followed by a new memorial commemorating those who fell at this terrible battle.

Free to attend, but please book a place: Brighton & Hove in WWI. Free event day www.eventbrite.com/e/brighton-hove-in-wwi-free-event-day-tickets-34692314647
If you’d like to find out more about Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage, or are interested in getting involved, contact Creative Director Nicola Benge at:
07727006538 or strikealight@rocketmail.com
strikealight.org, www.facebook.com/strikealightartsandheritage