Brighton and the surrounding areas have always had something of a reputation as refuges for rebels, but generally it’s a background rumble, a knowledge that ideas are discussed and anarchy may raise the roof come fireworks season. This established walking tour places the area’s historical rebellion front and centre, as our group of two dozen curious followers trail our guide Andrew marking the steps of revolutionaries and human rights pioneers.
It’s a rich local history, cherry-picked for this fact-filled and deeply researched tour to cover parliamentary revolutionaries across the centuries, fascists, suffragettes, and royalty. From the role of the fishing village of Brighthelmstone in the fleeing of King Charles II to France, to Reclaim The Streets demonstrating at Churchill Square in the 1990s, via Harry Cowley’s dedication to establishing and protecting the rights of working men and women throughout the twentieth century – this is colourful history challenging the establishment and rooted in Sussex. It goes somewhere to explaining quite how the vibrant and sometimes radical Brighton came into being, mapping the family tree of disruption and liberty that paved the path to our current wunder-kid city. And leaves the unspoken question as to where it might lead next, concluding as it does in an establishment that currently plays host to anarchist and rebellion groups.
As Andrew waves off the sirens that speed past on the sun-scorched day, waiting patiently as the motorbikes and bus engines pass by to continue to share historical gems, it feels very much as if Brighton is reminding us that it is indeed still vital. There’s a synchronicity of stories, reminding us that history is linear and we are just a dot on its fascinating path forward.
Meet Outside Old Ship Hotel, 7 May 2024, 10.30am
https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/the-subversive-sussex-walk
