The Royal Pinata made by artist Rachael House was a big hit at the Right Royal Bash

Join in the Outrageous Seaside Fun and make some money for Hastings Online Times!

One of the specialities of St Leonards over the last couple of years has been the extraordinary party nights presented by the flamboyantly named “Outrageous Decadence”. So far, there have been two New Year’s balls, a rollicking Right Royal Bash to celebrate Will & Kate’s wedding, a camping weekend and a couple of quiz nights. On Saturday 9 June, they are turning their hands to creating an unforgettable Seaside Special. Erica Smith caught up with Bev, Andrew and Lou from Team OD to ask them why they do it…

Q: How and why did ‘Outrageous Decadence’ start its operations?
Bev: Deborah, Lou and I were modelling for Front Row Fashion show at St Mary’s in the Castle and we started talking about how fab it would be to have a big party at a big Venue. We found out that there was a cancellation at the Masonic Hall for New Year’s Eve. It seemed like fate, so we followed it up and the rest is history. Our first ball was themed as Outrageous Decadence, and then the name stuck, so we went with it.
Lou: We like to party and it was partly so we wouldn’t make a huge mess at Bev and Andy’s house on New Year’s Eve. We were really quite surprised at OD’s popularity. Seems like Hastings and St Leonards like to party too.

Linda King was Queen for the day at the Right Royal Bash. Pictured here with the youngest OD-er, Baby Maddox

Q: How many events have you put on now, and what have been the themes?
Lou: I can’t remember, 5? We meet and make up a theme, we are all quite like minded so their are never any arguments. We had one ball / party for the Royal wedding, that was a favourite of mine and two New Year’s balls, One just dressing up and last year a Mayan theme. Then there was OD camping, that was all about the dressing up and just having fun.

Q: Why do you like the Masonic Hall as a venue?
Andy: Because they let us decorate the hall how we want to do it!
Bev: And it has a number of rooms and we can do different themes in the different rooms. They are very accommodating and allow us to try new things out.
Lou: We did get ourselves a bit of a reputation as being a bunch of swingers. Can I just put the record straight there. We are not swingers and all our naughtiness is very much tongue in cheek. I tell you, we put up a pair of beef curtains and all of a sudden we are sexual deviants! Its all good clean fun I tell you.

OD's Pink Minx with the lucky Bingo winner who got FREE TICKETS to the Seaside Special!

Q: Tell me about the Bingo and Quiz nights…
Lou: We used to have meetings at a quiet little pub and thought we would do a quiz and bingo night, just for fun. Of course it was quiz and bingo ‘Outrageous Decadence’ style. Lots of dressing up and double entendres.
Bev: They are purely for fun. We just wanted to create enjoyable events for our friends and their friends.

Q: What’s so Outrageously Decadent about a ‘Seaside Special’?
Andy: Nothing normally… until OD do it!
Lou: We can make ANY theme outrageous and decadent! We are (nearly) all 40-something and remember the seaside specials on the telly. We wanted to recreate something like that… the fun of the sea side! I’m so looking forward to The Pukes (a 16-piece all girl punk rock ukelele band) – and the synchronised swimming.

Q: OMG, what shall I wear? … costume suggestions, please…
Bev: Anything seaside…there is a rumour that someone is coming as a deckchair.  Let your imagination run free.
Andy: We are aiming for a blend of bizarre End-of-the-Pier show and wild party.
Bev: But you don’t have to dress up if you don’t want to.  Just come and have a fun time.
Lou: Come in your bathers or a towelling poncho. You can’t go wrong with a sarong.

The Outrageous Decadence Seaside Special is on Saturday 9 June at the Masonic Hall from 8pm til late. Tickets are £10 (£7 concessions) from Plenty in St Leonards and Little Treasures on the Old Town High Street. Profits are donated to Sara Lee Trust and other local charities. OD have even promised to make a donation to HOT if enough tickets are sold – so hurry to get your tickets and make all your friends come along too!

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Or visit their website to buy your tickets online.

Also in: One Long Party