Eastbourne Baby Show - September 2010

Keely Rust & Michelle Sadler organised the first ever Eastbourne Baby Show, an exhibition to bring together everything to do with pregnancy, babies and toddlers in a convenient local setting for East Sussex parents. Following requests from visitors and exhibitors, the successful formula from the first event in September 2010 is being repeated for a Spring event on 9th April 2011 at Eastbourne’s Sovereign leisure centre.

The idea for the Baby Show stemmed from a combination of things. Many of Keely’s friends were pregnant around the same time and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff you have to buy and didn’t know where to turn to find the answers to a while host of questions about parenthood. It struck her that a local event could solve this problem as friends who had travelled to London for national Baby Fair events had said it was an ordeal to get there, not to mention a very tiring day out with the hassle of transporting bulky items home afterwards. Friends and family were encouraging and with her good friend Michelle’s help they researched the marketplace . Despite the very tough economic conditions the response was really enthusiastic. Not long after this the work began on the first ever Eastbourne Baby Show.

Keely and Michelle had other personal motives underpinning the idea of the Show. Michelle’s son Joshua was born prematurely and received excellent care from the Eastbourne Special Baby Care Unit and she wanted to raise money for them. Similarly a stillbirth in Keely’s extended family was a terrible shock for everyone and she wanted to help other families dealing with such loss by raising money for SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death

The purpose of Eastbourne Baby Show whilst fulfilling practical issues such as which pram to choose or how to wean my baby, is to give charities and support groups a voice and bring their message to visitors about the great work they are doing. This resonates with Keely particularly as she works in the insurance industry specialising in arranging insurance for charities and voluntary groups.

This time Michelle is taking time out to concentrate on her son Joshua before he starts school, but Keely is joined in organising the second Baby Show by Mari-Anne Elder who is a locally based mum, physiotherapist, pilates instructor and fitness coach. Mari-Anne believes in the importance of being able to keep yourself fit, at low cost using things you can find in your home and also in the great outdoors. Physical exercise brings real body and mind benefits which is good for you and your body and your family. Mari-Anne has built up a local programme of ‘Strollers & Toners’ classes where mums can exercise outside whilst socialising with other mums and their babies.

Eastbourne Baby Show is open from 10 – 4 on Saturday 9th April at Eastbourne Sovereign Centre. Admission is £1 per family and there is lots to see and do including meeting the baby farm animals courtesy of Claire’s Farmyard Friends. Goody bags are available for the first 250 visitors. Fathers and grandparents are encouraged to come along as well as all the mums – and they may enjoy watching the little ones have a go at the Football Penalty Shoot competition being run by Little Kickers. There are local experts who can help with everything from a baby bonnet to saving money on your household bills. We are also aiming to showcase local craftspeople as well, many of whom work from home and can be hard to find. So come along to the Eastbourne Baby Show on Saturday 9th April 2011 and be part of something amazing.

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