Flowing through Time: The Bourne’s past, present and future

An audio recording of our panel event about the Bourne; an ancient water source that weaves its way (mostly underneath) Eastbourne before flowing into the sea.

Our speakers talk about the stream’s past, present and future, and its importance to the identity of Eastbourne’s Old Town community. Find out more about the stream beneath your feet – its history, folklore, and the role it plays in people’s lives today.

Right now, the Blue Heart team are working to understand how water – including the Bourne – moves through Eastbourne and southern Wealden, to help mitigate flooding and support communities to be better prepared. But what will the future look like?

We explore how climate change might impact water and rivers in general, and the steps we can take to be more resilient to extreme weather and other climate-related effects. 

Panellists:
Jo Seaman – archaeologist, local historian and Old Town resident
Anna Hastings – Blue Heart Project Manager
Dr Matthew Fox – Associate professor of Geochemistry at UCL

Chair: Rebecca Kesby, BBC World Service