Oranges & Lemons Flingathon

Oranges and Lemons Flingathon

Type: Participatory Event

The quirky fruit-throwing festival, now in its tenth year, commemorates the sinking of the SS Indiana in 1901.
Proceeds from the event, on the beach opposite Thorn Road and the Beach Hotel, will go to Lauren Jones, 16, who hopes to represent Great Britain in tennis at the London Paralympics.
Lauren, from Offington, who attends Worthing College, was left paralysed from the waist down after falling from a tree.
Every year hundreds of people turn up for the flingathon, organised by Worthing Journal editor (or Worthing journalist) Paul Holden.
The event is once again being sponsored by Waitrose, of High Street, Worthing.
It costs £1 a throw, although you can donate more if you wish.
The SS Indiana ran aground off Worthing after colliding with another vessel.
Its cargo, tens of thousands of oranges and lemons, cascaded from a gaping hole in its hull and was washed up on Worthing beach.
Residents descended in droves to collect the fruit - a rare and valuable commodity in the early 20th century.
The first orange will be smacked towards the sea with a cricket bat wielded by Worthing Mayor Ann Barlow.
The bat was introduced in 2008 to commemorate the Ice Prince wood wreck, which left Worthing beach coverered in mounds of timber.
The flingathon starts at 2.15pm, but please get there at 1.45pm if you can.
Holden said: "The event will take place no matter how bad the weather is. We've held it in driving rain and thick fog before, but hordes of flingers still turn up.
"It is especially popular with families and young children who don't care if it's raining or blowing a gale.
"They just love being on the beach, taking part in an event they will remember for the rest of their lives."
For further information ring 01903 245674 or email paul.holden2010@hotmail.co.uk.
You can also get regular updates on The Worthing Journal Facebook page.

Contact Details

Marine Parade
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 3QJ

Tel: 01903 245674

Road Directions

Marine Parade is seafront road to west side of Worthing Pier. On-road parking is restricted.

Public Transport Directions

Close to bus stop for routes 8 or 9 which go west along Marine Parade. All bus services can be accessed from South Street or Marine Parade near the Pier and Dome Cinema (approx 10-15 minutes walk). The National Express coach service linking London and Worthing also stops at the Dome.
Worthing or West Worthing railway stations 15-25 minutes