The Camber Castle has really been rocking this year, and it doesn’t look set to rest on its laurels following the success of two major events in recent months.
Earlier this year, the pub held its first ever festival over the May Day bank holiday. The Camber Calling festival brought local bands, solo artists and a craft market together for the benefit of the local community and all for the price of a drink. Previously reported here
Over two days, the pub delivered a range of musical treats that even included a finalist from ITV’s The Voice in the form of the Olivia Rogers. Olivia delivered an incredible Abba tribute set. She has since gone on to support the likes of McFly and more.
Also in attendance was the regularly popular Ritchie “Reggae” Campbell, Groove 101 and The Fireflies who brought the festival to an explosive close on the Sunday night with a superb performance with incredible vocals, exuberant energy and showstopper displays.
The Sunday lunchtime allowed a small craft market to take place in the back bar along with a Medium who stayed longer than her allotted time due to demand. CCN took part, running a tombola stand and were pleasantly surprised with the amount raised. The festival was an incredible success, and the organisers have said that it will return in 2027.
Up to Easter and beyond saw more performances from Elvis, Mugsy’s Karaoke, DJ Olas Boss as well as standout performances from Amanda Hawkins and Donna Wilson. New to the Camber Castle was the introduction of a Quiz Night. They’ve held two so far with more planned. The more recent one was on Music Through the Decades which saw teams answer questions and listen to music introductions.
At the end of each round, each team had to take part in a team challenge which included dancing and drinking lemon juice. Julie Povey, landlady of the pub explains, “We have created a new and exciting format to quizzes that allows everyone of all ages to get involved. It’s exciting, brilliantly funny, and well enjoyed by everyone who came to it”.
Just after Easter, the team at the Camber Castle launched their most ambitious project to date, “Camber’s Got Talent” – a search for the latest talent in the area. According to organiser and host, Gaz Jones, the pub received nearly 100 video auditions that were picked through, deliberated upon and eventually whittled down to 10 finalists who would perform over the August bank holiday weekend to an audience of family, friends, local residents and three strict judges.
The Saturday night saw the first 5 finalists including Alex Hutton, Siobhan McIlroy (Shabs), Anita Peall, Louise Payne and Hollianne Herbert. The performers delivered their four songs with bravery and aplomb. Some nerves shone through, as well as powerhouse performances. The judges, Sue Munday and Elaine Longhurst delivered both supportive and constructive advice.
However, head Judge, Jay Hood, an experienced performer both in Camber Sands and around the southeast, took his position as judge to channel his inner Simon Cowell for some scathing and pantomine-esque critiques, much to the boos and jeers of the public. It was all in jest, and the finalists certainly threw back everything he threw at them.
As good as the Saturday night was, it could not compare with the Sunday night final. The pub had standing room only from around 8.30pm such was the popularity of the event. Five new finalists were revealed: Henry McNamee, Emma Barnett, Alex Moya, Rosijane Palmer, and Chantelle Taylor and, like the previous night, each had to perform four songs and provide a complete performance to impress the judges.
The competition was fierce and the judges were in conversation for a while before making their choice as to the winner – Alex Moya, who currently lives in Hastings, followed by Hollianne Herbert and Emma Bartlett. Both Alex and Hollianne will perform again at next year’s Camber Calling festival as part of their prize. The competition was incredibly well organised, advertised and executed – as were many of the recent nights at The Castle.
The competition was significant as it attracted people from far and wide. Indeed, some of the finalists were from London, Crawley as well as Lydd and Camber itself. It felt like the whole community, regardless of where they came from, really did come together for a good night.
If this is the standard that the pub is now holding itself to, then the beneficiaries will surely be those who go to these events and to the wider Camber community. Whilst going to a pub is not everyone’s cup of tea, the team at The Castle have all the right intentions to be a central point that every resident can enjoy.
Plans are already afoot for Hallowe’en, Christmas, New Year – and beyond with Camber Calling 2027 as well as Camber’s Got Talent 2027 being pencilled in. We know that businesses have, in recent months, been struggling for various and numerous reasons.
However, if this is the way that The Castle is fighting back, then we know there is a strong and bright light coming from Camber. Pete and Julie Povey have delivered a number of impressive events, and it looks like even more highlights are yet to come.
CGT from the Audience
I missed the first Camber’s Got Talent final on the Saturday and, by all accounts, I missed a great night – lots of people were talking about it the next day!
I decided to pop along on the Sunday night to see what all the fuss was about. When I got to the pub, I had to weave through a 30 or 40 strong crowd outside on the patio in order to get into the pub.
At first, I thought everyone was outside because it was such a lovely warm evening. Actually, it turned out, it was because there was no room inside! The pub was absolutely heaving with people, seated and standing, cheering on the singers.
The atmosphere was incredible. The artists introduced themselves and each sang four songs. I certainly didn’t envy the task of the judges, who had to pick just one winner. The performers were all very good, and kept everyone entertained for the evening.
The chap who won was an excellent choice and the beaming smile on his face as he sang again after the announcement was just brilliant! Apparently, we will see him again, next year, at The Castle’s May festival.
CGT from the Judges
Never having been a judge before, I was really nervous, worried about making the wrong decision (although there were 3 judges), not wanting to upset anyone – contestants or supporters by making the wrong decision, but the minute the first person sang, “wow” all I could focus on were the contestants.
The first night, Saturday, everyone was absolutely amazing and all I could think of was how am I going to make a decision. Sunday night, the rest of the contestants sang, and again ALL the contestants were brilliant, and the atmosphere was electrifying.
I did not realise there was so much talent around the area. By now my nerves were shot as I knew we all had to make a decision. After a long discussion with the judges, the decision was made. Well done to the 3 winners. In my eyes, you were all winners.
What a fabulous weekend, well done everyone and thank you for making my first experience as a judge so exciting and nerve wracking.
