Lewes

Lewes (pronounced Lewis) is the county town of East Sussex, England and gives its name to the Local government district in which it lies. The settlement has a long history as a bridging point and as a market town, and is today an important communications hub, and tourist-orientated town.

Biodiversity UK
There are Sites of Special Scientific Interest at Lewes Brooks and Lewes Downs.

Complementary currencies
In September 2008, Lewes launched its own currency, the Lewes Pound, in an effort to increase trade within the town. One Lewes Pound is equal to £1. The currency is a voucher, rather than legal tender, so there is no obligation to accept it as payment. Like the similar currency in Totnes, the initiative is part of the Transition towns movement.


 * The Lewes Pound

Flooding
In October 2000 the town suffered major flooding during an intense period of severe weather throughout the United Kingdom. . The commercial centre of the town and many residential areas were devastated. In a government report into the nationwide flooding, Lewes was officially noted the most severely affected location. As a result of the devastation caused Lewes Flood Action, a pressure group, is in existence to press for better flood protection measures.

Farmers' market
Lewes Farmers' Market, one of the first in the UK, was started in the 1990s by Common Cause Co-operative Ltd and is a very popular re-invention of Lewes as a market town.

Walking
The Vanguard Way, a long-distance footpath from London to Newhaven, follows the River Ouse through the town.