Littlehampton Town Council has committed to lighting the town's seafront beacon on Sussex Day, 16 June 2027, to mark 1,550 years since the founding of Sussex.

Sussex Day was proposed in 2006 by Ian Steedman, a resident of Worthing, and was officially recognised the following year with support from local government leaders. It falls on 16 June each year, the feast day of St Richard of Chichester, the county's patron saint, and the date on which his body was moved to a shrine in Chichester Cathedral in 1276.

Towns across Sussex traditionally mark the day by flying the Sussex flag, reading the Sussex Charter and singing 'Sussex by the Sea', the county's unofficial anthem. The county's motto, 'We wunt be druv', meaning 'we will not be driven', is often used to sum up the independent spirit of local people.

The 2027 event holds particular significance across Sussex. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the kingdom of Sussex was founded in AD 477, when the Saxon leader Ælle and his sons landed on the coast. This means 2027 will mark 1,550 years since that founding, one of the earliest recorded chapters in the county's history, and towns across Sussex are expected to hold celebrations to mark the milestone.

Littlehampton has a long tradition of lighting its seafront beacon to mark significant moments in history, most recently for the 80th anniversaries of D-Day and VE Day in 2024 and 2025, as well as previous royal celebrations. Sussex Day 2027 will be a fitting new addition to that tradition.

Councillor Freddie Tandy, Chair of the Community Resources Committee, said: "We are all incredibly proud to call Sussex our home – from its fantastic coastlines that we get to experience every day to the hustle and bustle of Brighton and Gatwick to the spectacular rolling hills of the incredible South Downs. Lighting our beacon alongside our friends and neighbours to mark 1,550 years of Sussex will bring residents and visitors together to celebrate everything that makes our fantastic county unique."

The council is working with the Events Forum to develop a full programme of activities around Sussex Day 2027, and is inviting local groups, community organisations and event organisers to get involved.

Anyone interested in running an activity, stall or event as part of the celebrations can get in touch with the events team by emailing events@littlehampton-tc.gov.uk.