Volunteer drivers needed for new Sussex art shuttle bus

By Sarah JonesContributor
Published 8th Sep 2023, 11:06 BST
Updated 8th Sep 2023, 11:08 BST
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Cuckmere Buses is currently recruiting new volunteer drivers for a new hop-on-hop-off minibus that will link Towner Eastbourne, Charleston, Seven Sisters Country Park and Charleston’s new arts space in central Lewes every weekend from 15 September 2023.

Supported by Visit Lewes, the Sussex Art Shuttle is the first of its kind in the region, allowing visitors to Turner Prize 2023 at Towner Eastbourne to easily explore some of the area’s other major attractions and exhibitions during the Sussex cultural season. Business-led tourism consortium, Sussex Modern, is promoting the initiative.

The service will set off four times a day (Fri - Sun) from Towner Eastbourne, reaching Charleston and Lewes in under an hour. The Star at Alfriston, the Long Man Brewery, Cadence Cycle Club, Rathfinny Wine Estate and spectacular South Downs beauty spots are all accessible along the way, bringing the full Sussex experience to life and allowing visitors to Eastbourne to easily explore the wider region in a day or two.

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September is also ‘Catch the Bus’ month, a campaign run by charity Bus Users UK to encourage more people than ever to ‘get on board’ in rural areas, making the most of bus services on offer to access services and attractions, whilst supporting the use of more sustainable modes of transport.

Sussex Art Shuttle Bus outside Charleston in FirleSussex Art Shuttle Bus outside Charleston in Firle
Sussex Art Shuttle Bus outside Charleston in Firle

Cuckmere Buses, Managing Director, Philip Ayers commented: “We are extremely excited to be introducing this new service, which will no doubt be very popular. We are looking for more drivers to join our existing team of volunteers, most of whom have been with us for years. Our drivers enjoy the support our services offer people, as well as the social aspect of meeting our bus users. To drive the bus that showcases the best arts and cultural locations as well as heritage destinations this area has to offer, connected by one of the most scenic roads in the South East, would be a real privilege and hugely enjoyable.”

Turner Prize 2023 opens at Towner Eastbourne on 28 September, featuring the works of the four shortlisted artists – Jesse Darling, Ghislaine Leung, Rory Pilgrim and Barbara Walker. At the same time, nearby Charleston – the former country home of Bloomsbury artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell – presents ‘David Hockney: Love Life’, featuring rarely-seen