In the lead-up to Southbourne Revival, a group of willing volunteers set up a makeshift workshop to make bunting for the community festival.

Southbourne Revival, which will be take place on the weekend of the 27th and 28th July on Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne, will feature a range of musical talent from the likes of Hattie Briggs and Little Dave and The Sun Sessions.

Many local businesses contributed to the community spirit at the sewing session. Peter Guest at Leges, a communal workplace in Southbourne, provided a workspace for the sewers, Tasty Bakes provided sausage rolls, The Hungry Husky donated tea, the local co-operative supplied cookies and Peter from the Larderhouse helped to raise the volunteers’ spirits by giving everyone some bubbles.

Sarah Honour, organiser of the sewing group, who call themselves ‘Sew Bo’ as a play on the popular SoBo community Facebook group, said the event was a great success.

“I’ve had a lot of feedback from the people who attended the sewing morning saying they enjoyed coming together and meeting new people who shared both an interest in the Southbourne community and also in sewing.

“We had more experienced sewers teaching those less experienced and those who didn’t want to sew, we had lots of other little jobs they could get involved with. We had people new to Southbourne speaking to some who have lived here for ages – so it was definitely a nice introduction for them about the nature of the community.”

Other members of the community who couldn’t make the event donated material and dropped off bunting they had made at home in the weeks leading up to the sewing morning.

Tony Hughes, co-organiser of Southbourne Revival, said he felt “humbled” at the amount of people who came to lend a hand.

“We were only expecting a handful of people to show, but to have around 22 people making bunting and helping out. There was a really lovely community spirit and it was good fun.”

Due to the success and popularity of the sewing morning, Sew Bo, will be hosting another sewing session on Saturday June 29.

The group are still looking for more fabric, with a preference of blue, red and yellow cloth. Any donations are welcomed by the group. The drop point for fabric and supplies is the Wight Bear Ale House on the Southbourne high street.

Sarah continues: “There is only so much that a small team can do and pay for, so donations of time and supplies are critical in making these things go off without a hitch and in a way that everyone can enjoy them.