Around 200 people gathered at Ropetackle on Friday 14th November to celebrate the venue’s 18th birthday—a lively evening filled with music, comedy, heartfelt memories and warm appreciation. Patrons and volunteers made up much of the crowd, united by their passion for the arts and their affection for the community hub Ropetackle has become.

Chairman Martin Allen opened the night with a warm welcome and thank you to sponsors: Shoreham Banking Hub, Harveys Brewery and Burgundy Wines, before the audience tuned in to “18 Voices for 18 Years” – a video compilation of performers, promoters, and partners sending their personal birthday wishes. Contributors included Peggy Seeger, Rory Bremner, Andy Parsons, Mark Thomas, Lindisfarne and Canadian folk stars Le Vent du Nord.

Former East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton then took to the stage. As a key supporter of the Ropetackle development project, he reflected on the profound impact the arts centre has had on the town. “It’s a gem of a venue on the south coast,” he said. “I would say Ropetackle is responsible for Shoreham’s regeneration – it gave people a reason to come here.”

Current East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland echoed this sentiment: “Ropetackle has been an important part of my life since its inception. It does so much for the community and can always rely on our support.”

The audience was then taken on a journey through Ropetackle’s history via a video charting its original Arts Council bid and Shoreham’s vibrant film-making past. A younger version of local musician Richard Durrant mused how the venue represented a “spiritual home” for musicians and performers. His shows are still selling out, 18 years on.

Anne Hodgson, Ropetackle trustee and artistic director, joined Martin on stage to recount the early days. “We had no chairs to start with,” she laughed. “We borrowed them from a local school when they closed and had to return them before classes began the next morning!”

She described the moment they first saw the building—an empty shell—and wondered what they had taken on. Support from industry colleagues, including Chris Williams from Komedia, helped transform the space. “He told us, ‘Curtains—you need curtains.’ We duly hung curtains on all the walls and suddenly it became a theatre.”

Anne went on to thank key people who helped launch the venue’s programming, including Louise, Joyce and Joan from the Film Club, as well as Thomas Dalton, who joined straight from college. The exceptional sound and lighting that both audiences and performers love, she noted, are largely thanks to Tom’s expertise.

As the pair reflected on memorable performances, Martin highlighted Kae Tempest as “one of the most extraordinary performers I have ever seen.” He also recalled the thrill of hosting director/comedian Jonathan Miller, a personal hero.

Anne shared her delight at witnessing rock legend Roger Daltrey unexpectedly join Simon Townsend on stage: “There he was, singing Pinball Wizard on our stage. It was magical.”

Just before the interval, Becky Pearson from the Rose Petal Café surprised Martin with a delicious celebration cake, which was shared by all during the interval.

The second half of the evening featured a vibrant mix of music and comedy from The Treason Show, Ruby and Danny from South Coast Soul Revue, Daniel Beales and Al Kerr, Charlotte Glasson and new project White Magic For Lovers, plus a beautiful Spanish guitar set from Richard Durrant. Singer Ruby Rose expressed her gratitude: “The Ropetackle team are so incredibly supportive. It was the first place I staged my Tina Turner show, and I am so grateful.”

Outreach officer—and the mastermind behind the Shoreham Panto—Tom Beard served as the evening’s entertaining compere, serving up dad jokes and organising a Mexican wave.

“We’ve come a very long way,” Anne reflected near the close of the night. “We’ve definitely had our ups and downs, but I’m delighted to say that last month—October—was the best month we’ve ever had. We put on 48 shows and sold over 5,000 tickets.”

A fitting milestone for 18 remarkable years—and the promise of many more to come.