International Keane fans gathering in 1066 Country

Approximately 150 fans from South America, North America, Europe and Australia descended Battle for the main event at the abbey on Saturday. They visited all of the band member’s childhood haunts and inspirations for Keane songs, like the Sovereign Light Cafe in Bexhill, and their family homes. The meet-up was organised by Leah Salt, of Berlington, Canada, who thought the weekend went really well and thought the gig was amazing. “It was a dream come true for fans and it was amazing to see them live,” the 41-year-old said. The weekend began with a party in St Leonards with a Keane quiz and music from the band, plus three fans were celebrating their birthdays. Then, on Saturday, the group did a scavenger hunt along the ‘Keane trail’ from Battle to Bexhill. Fans had to answer questions and take pictures at specific spots along the trail at signification Keane-related places. “It was a great way for people who had never visited Battle to experience the trail,” Leah said. “Being able to have a cup of tea and cake at the Sovereign Light Cafe was awesome as it inspired the song. “Then we were off to the concert which was breathtaking – it seemed like Tim and Tom put a lot of time into the set list. “The Take That cover of Back For Good was incredible, maybe there was a hidden message there.” On Sunday, the group went to Rye and watched Keane Live in Berlin at the Rye Kino cinema before final drinks and goodbyes. “We didn’t want to leave as a lot of people realised what a special place this is for Keane fans,” the advertising account manager said. It started off as a small gathering of fans who missed seeing each other at Keane gig but turned into a huge congregation of fans. “It began in 2013 as we weren’t sure if the band were going to come back,” Leah said. “We would spend so much time together queuing and getting to know each other and the thought of not being able to see each other for a long time was not good.” Leah now plans to do it all again in 2017 as there has been so much feedback from Keane fans who wanted to be there and were following it online. “There has been an overwhelming amount of excitement it so we have to do it again,” she said. “There’s a great love among fans for the area and being able to reunite with old friends and making new ones has been so special.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver 3) Follow us on Twitter Text to display 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.