Over the last few weeks I have spoken to several people who run local businesses in Sussex that would benefit enormously if we could persuade local residents and just as importantly the range of Sussex Public Sector agencies to secure provision from our local businesses. So today which is celebrated as Sussex Day it is a great opportunity for all of our communities to be made aware of the modern theme which is part of Sussex Day as set out a few years ago by a group of local people. This is my summary and at the bottom of this piece is the full blown text.

The people of Sussex will undertake responsibility for the general wellbeing of our neighbours, our wildlife and that through custom that we will support all local businesses.

The advantage of supporting local businesses is that we can help reduce the amount of travelling that is required if our purchasing and trading was to take place with businesses based much further away. This is also an opportunity to obtain services from Small Businesses and Micro Businesses as well as Medium Sized Businesses based in Sussex. The fact is that Sussex does have a massive number of Micro and Small Businesses so today is a great day to review where we obtain our products and services from.

Although today is St Richards day and he is the Sussex Saint, the modern version of Sussex Day was set out by a person called Ian Steedman based in Worthing who put forward the idea in 2006. So the modern Sussex Day was first celebrated in the following June in 2007 in West Sussex and 7 years later thanks to another person called Martin Ellis it began to develop in East Sussex in 2014. So a big thank you to both of these people and let us hope that our Sussex MPs and the Sussex Councils are aware of this and will raise its profile today as we seek to break through from COVID and other challenges impacting our nation. Here is the full details

For all the people of the ancient kingdom of Sussex!
Let it be known: the 16 June of each and every year shall be known as Sussex Day.
Sussex day shall be celebrated according to the rites and traditions of Sussex.
Let it be known all the people of Sussex shall be responsible for the maintenance of those boundaries that join to those of our neighbours.
Let it be known all the people of Sussex shall be responsible for all the environs within those boundaries.
Let it be known, the people of Sussex shall recognise the inshore waters that lie inside a line drawn from Beachy Head, and extending to Selsey Bill as being, the Bay of Sussex.
Let it be known, the people of Sussex will undertake responsibility for the general well being of our neighbours.
Let it be known the people of Sussex shall be guardians of our wildlife.
Let it be known the people of Sussex will, through custom support all local business.
Finally, let it be known, as guardians of Sussex, we all know Sussex is Sussex … and Sussex won’t be druv!
In God we trust.
God Save the Queen!