Eastbourne News, September 2024, Issue 04

SEPTEMBER 2024 | ISSUE 04
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2 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
WELCOME
HELLO and welcome to the latest
issue of Eastbourne News which
is once again packed full of
local stories.
The main event in the past month
has been Eastbourne Airbourne
which once again provided plenty of
thrills for the thousands who packed
the seafront.
The highlights were the flypast of the
legendary Red Arrows who put on yet
another outstanding display as they
celebrated their 60th anniversary.
Unfortunately, not all news is good
news, and the predicament facing
Eastbourne Borough Council and their
ongoing financial worries is clearly a
major concern.
Something needs to be done and it is
to be hoped that a suitable solution can
be found to ensure the town continues
to thrive.
It is no use playing the blame game
because that ultimately achieves
nothing. Clear heads and a clear vision
are what is needed moving forward.
There has also been good news for
the young people of our town after
A-Level results were published with
many of the students achieving their
objectives as they look to embark on
the next chapter of their lives.
Indeed, many have achieved the
qualifications necessary to get
into either Cambridge or Oxford
university which is clearly a major
accomplishment.
As editor of Eastbourne News I
wish them every success in their
future endeavours.
Finally, I want to thank to our loyal
readers who have been picking up
Eastbourne News in their droves.
We are here to serve the community
so please get in touch with your
stories at editor@eastbourne.news.
Hsin-Yi Lo, Editor.
THE TEAM
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dean@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
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THEN RECYCLE ME!
Eastbourne News is a publication by Regional
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without express permission of the editor.
Controversial plans to
develop retirement home
complex deferred once more
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build
128 care home apartments have
been deferred again as Eastbourne
Borough Council’s planning
committee stressed the developer
has yet to fulfill essential criteria.
Untold Living submitted plans last
year to develop the retirement home
complex on Site 1 off Martinique
Way on Sovereign Harbour and this
was met with vehement objections
from residents.
The proposal includes a restaurant/
bar, community space, landscaping
and parking.
At a meeting on August 20, the
planning committee required Untold
Living to engage in further discussions
with East Sussex County Council’s
over its ecological and landscape
requirements.
Other conditions the developer
must meet include ensuring the age
of occupiers must be over 55 and the
apartments must not be utilised as
second homes.
There must also be a travel plan,
car club and transport contributions,
plus a Local Labour Agreement and a
commitment to improve public open
space and walkways.
Developers had originally aimed
to build 137 apartments in a sevenstorey
complex but when the plans
were brought to a planning meeting
in March Eastbourne Council rejected
the proposal.
The committee requested the
developer revise the design. These
include a reduction from 137 to 128
residential units, change from sevenstoreys
to six-storeys, change the
palette of materials for the exterior,
separation of the buildings to improve
the aesthetics of the complex so it
does not have a “bulky” appearance
and “revisit the design to reflect the
maritime locality and respond to the
setting of the Martello Tower 66”.
Historic England (HE) had previously
voiced concerns about the potential
impact on Martello Tower but
following the revised proposals, HE
commented it has “no objections on
heritage grounds”, saying: “the recent
amendments represent a positive
change from the previous proposals.
“In particular, the reduction in
height, allowing more views through
the building via better use of the
glazed links, and the amendments
to the materials and palette allow
for the structure to be read as
smaller more separated units, in
comparison to a single monolithic wall
of development.
“The revised treatment of the
northern end of the building also
allows for an improved approach and
intervisibility from Sovereign Quay.
“These revised proposals also better
accord with the design principles
and criteria that we identified in our
January 2014 advice regarding the
outline planning application of the
Fantastic plastic solution as new
bin installed to beat pollution
A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED bin
has been installed in Eastbourne
to fight against marine
plastic pollution.
GreenSeas Trust was thrilled to
announce the installation of its first
bin in the town and it is strategically
installed outside the entrance to
Eastbourne Pier.
The unveiling of the new and eyecatching
nautical designed bin was on
August 12.
The Trust stressed the bin is the 20th
of its kind in the UK and represents
a vital addition to Eastbourne as it
symbolises the Trust’s mission to
combat marine plastic pollution.
Currently, the Trust’s bins prevent
nine tonnes of PET plastic bottles
from polluting our oceans annually.
About 700,000 plastic water bottles
are littered every day in the UK.
Mayor Candy Vaughan said: “I am
Eastbourne Mayor Candy Vaughn, East councillors and
GreenSeas Trust founder Fazilette Khan unveiled new bin
proud to be part of this important
step towards preserving our beautiful
coastal environment.
“The installation of this
new GreenSeas Trust bin
demonstrates Eastbourne’s
dedication to sustainability and
marine conservation.
“It is a privilege to support such a
worthwhile cause that keeps our town
clean and to protect marine life.”
The GreenSeas Trust promotes
environmental education and the
importance of proper waste disposal
to protect our seas.
Each bin encourages visitors and
locals to responsibly dispose of their
plastic waste to make a difference in
previously consented scheme at
the site.”
So far, 592 objections have been
submitted to Eastbourne Borough
Council planning portal since Untold
Living first put in the plans.
A petition was also launched
by Rommy Haynes on Change.
org calling for the council to scrap
the proposal.
The campaign has garnered nearly
1,000 supporters whose main reasons
for opposing the plans include the
potential impact on wildlife, the
height of the building, too many
developments already present
at Sovereign Harbour, immense
pressure on current infrastructure
and the size of the complex which
they believe threatens to reduce the
prominence of the Martello Tower.
the health of our marine ecosystems.
Fazilette Khan, founder of
The GreenSeas Trust, said:
“The placement of our first
BinForGreenSeas in Eastbourne is a
significant achievement for us.
“Every bin we install plays a crucial
role in reducing plastic pollution and
educating the public about the impact
of litter on marine life.
“We are grateful for the support
of our grant givers, to enable us to
award the Eastbourne community
with our eye-catching bin and look
forward to seeing the positive impact
it will have.”
The bin is designed to collect PET
plastic waste, a prevalent material
in single-use bottles and containers
that poses a significant threat to
marine life.
Visit GreenSeas Trust’s website,
www.greenseas.org, for more info.

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4 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
College celebrates top A-Level
results as students secure
Oxbridge admissions
Headmaster, Peter Goodyer, with Will and Megan
EASTBOURNE College is
celebrating the outstanding
achievements of its 2024 A-Level
students, as they again secured
places at Oxford, Cambridge and
other prestigious UK universities,
plus scholarships to highlycompetitive
US colleges.
With more than three-quarters of
all grades being A* to B, and almost
a quarter of pupils achieving a clean
sweep of A* or A grades, it has been
another extremely successful results
day that reflects the exceptionally
hard work of these talented
young people.
A fantastic 85 per cent of Sixth
Form leavers will be heading off to
their first-choice university to study
courses ranging from engineering,
medicine and music.
Among the great successes this
year, the college is delighted with the
excellent results of pupils, several of
whom were supported by the college
with scholarships to enable them to
join the Sixth Form from maintainedsector
partners.
All pupils applying to Oxford
and Cambridge achieved their
conditional offers.
Among them are Henry Tang,
leaving with five A*s to read history
and economics at Oxford, and Tiger
Ge, studying natural sciences at
Cambridge after achieving four A*s.
Discussing the experience they had
studying for their A-Levels, Henry,
Ingrid and her family
18, said: “The college and my mentors
were extremely supportive of my
application and devoted significant
amounts of personalised help that
proved useful in every stage of
my application.”
Tiger, also 18, added: “My amazing
teachers played a pivotal role in
my application and provided a
competitive edge.
“I was also consistently encouraged
to focus on work-life balance, with
an emphasis on the importance
of holistic development beyond
academic achievements.”
Leading the charge to elite
universities across the pond is
Zain Radwan, who achieved an
impressive four A* grades and has
From left: Eastbourne College graduates
Rebecca Fisher and Annabel McKenna
been accepted to Duke University in
North Carolina.
Also heading to the USA are Rebecca
Fisher and Annabel McKenna,
who have both secured coveted
tennis scholarships.
Rebecca will be attending
Monmouth University in New
Jersey to study history, philosophy
and mathematics.
Annabel will be heading to
Charleston, West Virginia, where
she will read English, philosophy
and politics.
Looking back at their time at the
college, Rebecca, 18, said: “The
guidance, support and understanding
by all members of staff when
balancing Sixth Form life with my
intense tennis programme made
the process of applying to American
universities so much easier.
“After being granted a 100 per cent
tennis and academic scholarship to
a Division 1 university, sharing my
achievements with my coaches and
teachers was a wonderful moment.”
Annabel, also 18, added: “Joining
Eastbourne College for Sixth Form
was the best decision ever.
“Teachers helped me keep up with
my academics and tennis. When
applying to the USA for sport and
academic scholarships, it would have
been so much harder without the
incredible support of my coaches
and teachers.”
Tom Lawson, headmaster of
Eastbourne College, said: “We are
immensely proud of all our pupils.
“Their hard work, resilience and
dedication have paid off, and they are
now set to embark on exciting new
chapters in their lives.
“Our commitment to providing
a supportive and enriching
environment has enabled these
young individuals to excel both
academically and in their passions
outside the curriculum.
“It is a joy to be able to help
these young people unlock their
extraordinary potential in the
classroom and expand their horizons
well beyond it.”
Celebrations as hard-working students achieve
series of record-breaking results at Bede’s
BEDE’S School had every reason
to celebrate as Sixth Form pupils
achieved the school’s best-ever
A-Level marks, with 78 per cent
graded at A*-B.
This year of record-breaking
results sees a quarter of all grades at
A* or its equivalent.
Bede’s School, which has
preparatory school and prepreparatory
nursery in Holywell,
Meads and Eastbourne, and its
senior school in Upper Dicker,
reported it was a particularly strong
year for STEM subjects with 78 per
cent of pupils achieving A*-B across
biology, chemistry and physics.
In maths 85 per cent of pupils
achieved A*-B grades, in psychology
92 per cent of pupils achieved the
same success while nearly 80 per
cent of BTEC Animal Management
Bede’s Sixth Formers and their results
pupils earned a distinction.
Some notable successes include
Megan Nel from Eastbourne who
achieved three A* grades and will
study at University of Bath.
Ingrid Clemo from Forest Row
achieved straight A*’s and has been
accepted at Glasgow University to
study medicine.
Heads of School, Max Samland,
Mareike Noon, Mandy Zhang and
Charlie Bennett all achieved three
top grades each. Max and Mandy
will study economics and pharmacy
respectively at University College
London, while Mareike and Charlie
will read biology and politics with
economics respectively at the
University of Bath.
Bede’s Deputy Head, John Tuson,
said: “We are delighted with the
results our pupils have achieved
this year.
“They are incredibly strong, across
the board. As always, while we are
thrilled to see that, for example, 90
per cent of our economists earned a
top grade.
“We are also equally delighted
by the success of those for whom
academic progress has not always
been so straightforward.
“We have always seen the joy that
pupils gain from their time at Bede’s
as our main priority, but that joy
must be underpinned by outstanding
academic outcomes.”
Bede’s Head and chief executive,
Peter Goodyer, said: “I am delighted
with this year’s impressive results
which are a very fitting reward for
the considerable endeavours of our
pupils and their teachers.
“Our school is underpinned by the
notion that every child can achieve
their potential and is a place where
pupils are encouraged to find joy in
their pursuit of brilliance.
“This departing cohort should
be proud not only of these
outstanding results, but also their
commitment inside and outside
the classroom during their time
with us.
“They are glowing symbols of
Bede’s ethos and values and I know
that they will be hugely successful in
all their future aspirations.”

6 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
Care worker’s determination to assist
those suffering from dementia is helping
provide crucial support network
Liberal Democrat Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde visits Connections Café
PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY
SARAH LOUISE SAVILL
A dedicated care worker has
undertaken a Herculean effort
to save three dementia support
groups from closing in East Sussex.
Sarah Louise Savill, director of
Connections Café, had worked as
a coordinator for a charity which
operated numerous dementia
support groups across the county.
However, when the charity closed,
Sarah was determined to carry on
helping those who rely on support
groups as their main social contact.
She said: “It was a very big and difficult
job to set up Connections Café but it was
worth it. I had loads of support from
café attendees and volunteers who
helped make it possible.
“I received a lot of advice from services
like Dementia Information Service who
advised me on how to set up a CIC.
“I set up three GoFundMe accounts
for cafes in Eastbourne, Bexhill and
Crowborough in order to get the
groups up and running.”
Sarah and her team of supporters’
efforts have certainly paid off. Since
Connections Café opened in April
this year, it has been supporting
Connections Café director Sarah Louise Savill (left) with
volunteers Samantha Newson and Andrew Newson
more than 100 people in Eastbourne,
Bexhill and Crowborough.
Connections Café also support
families and dementia support
workers who share advice and work
out strategies to provide better care and
support for people living with dementia.
Sarah added: “People who had used
the previous charity were upset about
the closure and that really triggered
me to save those groups.
“There is a man name Alan who
used the service. He was so quiet
and his wife said he had always been
very reserved.
“When he first attended the café, he
said he wasn’t sure about staying as he
didn’t know if he would enjoy it.
“But then, on the last day of the
previous support groups’ closure, he
said to me ‘Sarah is there anything
you can do? This is my happy place’.
“At the time I had already planned
to set up Connections Café. But after
hearing what Alan said to me, I said to
myself ‘I must do this…what else are
they going to have?’”
“Alan is now a regular attendee at
Connections Café and he has really
come out of himself. He is dancing
and singing and is there on the dot
every week.”
According to the NHS, more than
944,000 people in the UK are living
with Dementia, and one in 11 over 65
have dementia in the country.
Sarah has been a personal assistant
for ten years. When asked about
her experience as a support worker,
Sarah said one needs to be “outgoing,
hands-on and involved”.
Right now, Connections Café is a
growing support group; they have
six volunteers and between 40 to 50
people attend sessions in Eastbourne,
more than 25 in Bexhill and about 30
in Crowborough.
The support groups are open once
a week with a small charge which
goes towards purchasing tea, coffee
and biscuits.
The sessions are held at the
following venues and times:
• Christ the King Church, 3 Princes
Road, Eastbourne BN23 6HT every
Tuesday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm,
with a £2.50 fee
• St Mark’s Church, Green Lane in
Little Common, Bexhill TN39 4BZ
every Thursday from 10.30am to
1pm. The meeting is on the second
floor with a £2.50 fee.
• Crowborough Community
Centre, Pine Grove TN6 1FE every
Friday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm,
with a £5 fee which helps pay for
booking charges.
For more information about
Connections Café, visit their
Facebook page on: www.facebook.
com/ConnectionsCafeSussex
eastsussex.gov.uk/FreeTravel
*Travel restrictions may apply.

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS 7
Council leader admits
authority is facing
major financial crisis
Leader of Eastbourne Borough
Council Councillor Stephen Holt
EASTBOURNE Borough
Council is at risk of facing a
budget “black hole” due to the
“colossal financial pressure”
created by increasing levels of
homelessness and temporary
accommodation placements.
The local authority said despite
saving more than £3 million from
the 2024/2025 budget and with £2.5
million of savings in the pipeline,
the council is still in danger of being
unable to set a balanced budget.
Eastbourne Borough Council has
led a year-long national campaign
lobbying the Government about the
human and financial crisis created by
spiralling homelessness and the high
costs of temporary accommodation.
This has pushed some councils to the
brink of bankruptcy.
The council, along with more than
50 council representatives, met at
Westminster at the beginning of this
year to discuss the dire consequences
caused by the alarming increase
of people becoming homeless and
requiring local authorities’ assistance.
In Eastbourne, the council has
been spending £4.5 million on
temporary accommodation, which
equates to 49p in every £1 collected in
council tax.
However, five years ago in 2018/19,
the council had spent £1.4 million on
temporary accommodation.
To meet the cost incurred to help
the growing number of Eastbourne
families and individuals who have
lost their homes due to the cost-ofliving
crisis, the council had to take
drastic measures to create more room
in the budget.
This includes transferring the
operation of Eastbourne Downs Golf
Club to Get Golfing; transferring
The Bohemian pub, formerly The
Stage Door, to a new operator;
selling a number of council assets;
inviting expressions of interest
in running parts of Devonshire
Quarter; and reducing the council’s
events programme.
The council revealed to Eastbourne
News that this year, the current
number of households the council is
supporting is 258, which equates to
288 children and 327 adults.
The number of households in
temporary accommodation in April
2022 was 145, and this figure soared to
The council had to transfer the operation of Eastbourne Downs Golf Club. Photo by Chris Heaton via geograph.org.uk
331 by April 2023.
Councillor Stephen Holt, Liberal
Democrat leader of Eastbourne
Borough Council, admitted that if no
solution is found, this could mean
slashing more services.
He said: “The rising costs of living,
notably increased rent and mortgage
payments, have caused a UK crisis
that is impacting councils across
the country.
“Over the last 12 months I have
repeatedly warned that the increasing
costs we are shouldering are
wholly unsustainable.
“I took our concerns to Westminster
and with a cross-party group of more
than 50 council leaders, invited
ministers and MPs to engage with us.
“While we remain unwavering in
our moral and statutory commitment
to provide accommodation for those
in need, we continue our campaign
and appeal to the new government
for urgent solutions.
“Regrettably, the colossal financial
pressure and a lack of sufficient
government support over many
years, means the council is forced
to make significant cuts to services,
otherwise the authority will not be
able to set a balanced budget.”
Two capitalisation directives
were agreed with the previous
Conservative government. A
capitalisation directive allows a
council to use capital receipts and
borrowing to meet revenue costs, but
the loans must be repaid over 20 years
at a higher interest rate.
Eighteen other councils were also
left with no other option than to accept
this type of financial arrangement.
The cost-of-living crisis continues
to put pressure on households who
are having to sacrifice a lot just to pay
the bills or a mortgage, and some are
increasingly reliant on foodbanks to
help alleviate financial woes.
Eastbourne Foodbank launched a
major campaign in May, “Join us — to
make a difference”, rallying residents
and businesses across the town to
support families in crisis.
To show the grim realities of what
families are facing, the foodbank
said 5,413 children live in poverty in
Eastbourne and in 2023, the charity
provided 287,000 meals.
Councillor Holt added: “This council
has worked incredibly hard to find
savings and efficiencies and I want to
pay tribute to colleagues and every
member of staff who has worked so
hard during this time.
“Yet we are forced to further reduce
our services and council funding,
I know the impact these measures
will have on our residents and local
groups, which saddens me greatly.
“Councils everywhere are struggling
to manage factors that are beyond
their control and to date there has
been little support or interest from
central government.
“Along with hundreds of other
council leaders I hope the new
government is serious about fixing
these funding issues, because the
future of local government and the
crucial public services we deliver are
at stake.”
Eastbourne News attempted to
contact Eastbourne Liberal Democrat
MP Josh Babarinde for a comment
regarding what measures he will
take to assist the council. He had not
responded to our request at the time
when Eastbourne News went to press.
New operators celebrate the official opening
of Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing centre
REPRESENTATIVES from
organisations and public bodies
across Eastbourne turned out in
force for the official opening of
Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing
in Meads.
The event on Tuesday (August 21)
marked Wave Active and South Downs
Health and Care (SDHC) becoming new
operators of the centre.
Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde,
Eastbourne Borough Council leader
Stephen Holt, Meads councillors and
representatives from community
health and primary care were among
those who attended the opening day.
Residents of all ages also enjoyed
trying out free sports and activity
The official opening of Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing
sessions on offer.
Duncan Kerr, chief executive of
Wave Active, said: “The community
support for our opening day
was fantastic, and it was a great
opportunity for local people to
discover new activities and ways of
enjoying exercise.
“As part of the preparations for our
takeover, we have really enjoyed
meeting current and potential
members and look forward to seeing
everyone using Hillbrow Health and
Wellbeing facilities.”
Wave Active is a charity and social
enterprise that operates sports
and leisure centres on behalf of
Eastbourne Borough Council and
Lewes District Council, while SDHC is
a social enterprise that is owned by a
number of GP practices in the area.
The new team plans to combine
leisure and traditional NHS general
practice within Hillbrow and, in the
longer term, offer private healthcare
interventions as well.
Nick Harvey, a GP and chief
executive of SDHC, said, “Thank you
to everyone who came along to the
opening day.
“It is a significant step in our exciting
vision to enable our community to
have the best possible health and
wellbeing through the genuine
integration of a healthy living,
activity-focused, leisure and sports
centre with high-quality healthcare
services.”
For more information about
Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing
visit: www.waveleisure.co.uk/
hillbrow-health-and-wellbeing.

8 REGULARS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
BEXHILL
BRING & BUY BOOK SALE. Bell Room, St Peter’s
Community Centre, Church Street, TN40 2HE
Saturday 5 October, 10-4pm. To raise much needed
funds to support Alison Giblett’s Missionary Work
in Ukraine. Help is especially appreciated as the
conflict continues. A variety of books, reasonably
priced. Plus Missionary Box Opening 10am-12noon
for CMS, The Leprosy Mission and Children’s
Society. All welcome.
BEXHILL & ROTHER ENVIRONMENTAL
GROUPS TALK. Beulah Hall, Clifford Road, TN40
1QA. Wednesday 25 September, 7pm . “The
Circular Economy: put into practice” A talk and
demonstration by teacher Brock Prestney-Vaughan
from Robertsbridge Community College. Everyone
welcome, entry £2 for non-members. Email:
bexhilleg@yahoo.co.uk
COMPANIONSHIP CAFÉ. Home Instead Bexhill.
St Augustine’s Church Hall, St Augustine’s Close,
TN39 3AZ. Fourth Friday of every month, 10-
12pm. For the older members of our community,
especially those who struggle to get out.. Free but
booking is required — Caroline Aherne on 01424
401402 or caroline.aherne@homeinstead.co.uk
Autumnal Crafty Workshop. Mindful Oak Sussex
CIC. St Michael’s Church Hall, 20 Glassenbury
Drive, TN40 2NY. Thursday 24 October, 9.30-
12.30pm. A taster session of our Memory Moments
Café, including seasonal craft activities. An
opportunity for people with memory problems
to visit with a family member or carer to enjoy a
seasonal crafting session at our Memory Moments
Café. £3 — Booking is essential, contact: Samantha
Keylock — email: mindfuloaksussex@outlook.com
Phone: 07453 917399.
EASTBOURNE
BUSINESS LOCAL NETWORK FOR
ENTREPRENEURS. Hailsham & Eastbourne — all
10-12pm, £10 per person. Come and enjoy our
relaxed and natural atmosphere. At BLN, we pride
ourselves on providing a warm and relaxed vibe with
no awkward elevator pitches. Conversations flow
naturally, allowing business owners to speak freely
and engage in meaningful dialogue, brainstorm and
problem-solve. Hailsham: Abbots Wood Manor,
BN27 3AL, 17 Sept, 15 Oct — bit.ly/BLN_Hailsham.
Eastbourne: Willingdon Park Manor, BN22 0AB, 25
Sep, 23 Oct — bit.ly/BLN-Eastbourne.
EASTBOURNE BLIND SOCIETY QUIZ. Friday 20
September, 7-9:30pm. Thursday 3 October, 2-4pm.
Eastbourne Blind Society, 124-142 Longstone Road,
BN22 8DA. Join with friends and family for a quiz
and a chance to find out more about Eastbourne
Blind Society and the services we offer. £15 per
team (max of 6). Tea & coffee available or bring
your own refreshments. To book, contact Mark
Simmons, email: mark@eastbourneblindsociety.org
or phone: 01323 729511.
CELEBRATION OF OLDER PEOPLE’S DAY.
Eastbourne Seniors Forum. St Saviours Church
Hall, South Street, BN21 4UT. Thursday 3 October,
2-4.15pm. Allowing older people to socialise and get
together in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and enjoy
an afternoon of magic, comedy and song with Marco
the Magician (Member of the Magic Circle) and
Stephen Dunnett (Rat Pack type Vocalist). Tea and
cake. £3 Booking essential, contact: Gill — email: gill.
morris518@btinternet.com, phone: 01323 722256.
EASTBOURNE FOCUS DIGITAL CAMERA CLUB.
The club are holding an exhibition on Saturday
28 & Sunday 29 September. This will be held in
Gather, inside Eastbourne Beacon from 10-4.
WILLINGDON COMMUNITY CAFE. Home
Instead — Eastbourne and Hailsham. Trinity
Church Hall, Coppice Avenue, BN20 9PN.
Thursday 26 September, 2pm to 4pm. Thursday
24 October, 2pm to 4pm. A free community
café with entertainment and activities for local
people. Free refreshments and activities. Everyone
welcome! Dementia Friendly. Free but booking is
essential. Contact: Phone: 01323 819191, website:
homeinstead.co.uk/eastbourne-hailsham
HAILSHAM
STEVE’S HMI POKER CLUB. Hailsham Memorial
Institute, Western Road, BN27 3DN. Now EVERY
Tuesday, 7.15pm-close. HMI Membership/day
rates apply; £2/day, full membership £38, renewal
£28. Join Steve’s WhatsApp Chat for more details:
https://bit.ly/HMI-Poker-Club.
HAILSHAM FM SING-A-LONG GREASE FILM
SCREENING at HAILSHAM PAVILION. George
Street, BN27 1AE. Sunday 8 September, 2pm.Join
Hailsham FM for this year’s sing-a-long. The classic
film with on-screen lyrics so EVERYONE can join in.
Fancy dress strongly encouraged and full audience
participation essential! Tickets £8 & £6 (Plus
Booking Fees).
u3a SINGING WORKSHOP. Hailsham Pavilion,
George Street, BN27 1AE.Friday 20 September,
10am. A one-day SINGING workshop. £15.00.
Suitable for all levels from complete beginner —
there is no requirement to be able to read music..
For more info and to book: https://hailshampavilion.
co.uk/events/u3a-singing-workshop/
WANT TO CONTINUE PLAYING BOWLS in the
winter or try Short Mat Bowls for the first time?
If so, come along to Hailsham Community Civic Hall
on Monday 16th September at 6.30pm & give it a
try. First 3 sessions for FREE! Contact Gary Wright
Membership Secretary on 07950 962353.
WOODLAND MOMENTS CAMPFIRE SINGALONG
& COOKOUT. Mindful Oak Sussex CIC. Bushy
Wood Activity Centre, BN27 3LZ. Monday 16
September, 10-12.30pm.An opportunity for people
with memory problems to come along with a family
member or carer to enjoy a woodland campfire
singalong and cookout surrounded by nature’s
autumnal delights. Connect with nature, enjoy
seasonal activities and meet new people. A warm
welcome awaits. £5 per person, contact Samantha
Keylock — email: mindfuloaksussex@outlook.com,
phone: 07453 917399.
To submit your listing for publication on this
page, visit: www.hailsham.news/communitynoticeboard
or scan this QR Code.
The publishers cannot be responsible for any errors or
omissions in this noticeboard.
Visit the library while you’re on the go
Access audiobooks and digital publications
eastsussex.gov.uk/DiscoverLibraries

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS 9
WHAT DO
YOU THINK?
Email your comments to
letters@eastbourne.news
Dedicated campaigners
and councillors concerned
over science centre future
THOUSANDS of supporters of the
Herstmonceux Science Centre are
campaigning to save the iconic
venue since it was announced
it will have to find a new home
by 2026.
A number of online petitions
have been created, in which one
has already received more than
5,000 signatures.
The Chief Executive of Wealden
District Council, Trevor Scott, has
written to the Queen’s University
which owns the land, for answers and
for clarity on the future of the ongoing
use and preservation of the heritage
assets and historic telescope on the site.
Abbie Rumbold, interim CEO,
said: “We will be very sad to leave
the Observatory, which has been
our home for the past 30 years
but we are excited at the prospect
of finding a new location for our
many spectacular interactive
science exhibits.
In the letter from Mr Scott, it said:
“As you will no doubt be aware, the
science centre is an important feature
in our district. The science centre not
only protects the assets on the site,
but also offers educational and fun
interaction in the field of science and
space exploration.
As I understand it, the centre had
over 60,000 visitors last year and the
demand continues to grow.
Since the announcement that you
would be bringing their lease to a
close, we have had considerable
contact from concerned people
both local and far and wide who
are shocked at the prospect of the
science centre closing. At the present
time, it is difficult for us to offer any
reassurance to those people as we
only learnt about the decision when
the press statement was issued.
I am therefore reaching out to ask
if we could arrange a conversation
to get a better understanding
around the future intentions of the
university for this site. We fully
understand the challenging financial
position that you are facing at
Herstmonceux Castle, with the need
for significant renovations.
Nevertheless, the castle and the
science centre are important features
and we would like to understand
what your plans are for the future
and how we can help to ensure the
ongoing use and preservation of these
historic buildings.”
East Sussex County Councillor
Gerard Fox said: “The Observatory
Science Centre offers tremendous
educational support for local children
and people to develop their interest in
science and attracts visitors from all
over the world.
The site is of historic national
significance to astronomy and offers
considerable convening power for
those seeking to develop an interest
in STEM subjects. It remains a pretty
good dark sky site in the South East of
England — an increasing rarity these
days — for amateur astronomers &
those seeking to learn more about the
subject to meet and hold events.”
Councillor Paul Coleshill, Alliance
for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and
lead councillor for Climate Change
and Economy, who also represents
Herstmonceux, said, “I was shocked
to hear about a proposed ending of
the lease on the science centre at
Herstmonceux Observatory in the
grounds of Herstmonceux castle.
“The whole estate — science centre,
castle, and park — is owned by
Bader College of Queen’s University.
The science centre is not only a
wonderful resource for young people
provoking the wonder of science,
but also protects the heritage domes
housing telescopes from the old
Greenwich Observatory.
“We are disappointed not to have
been kept informed by the university,
which we are still trying to contact.
That said, we are in discussions with
the science centre to support them in
any way we can.”
The Queen’s University has released
the following statement: “Earlier this
year the Board of Trustees of Bader
College made the difficult decision
not to renew a long-term lease with
The Observatory Science Centre
when its lease of the observatory
buildings at the Herstmonceux
Science Centre expires in 2026.
Queen’s University continues to
assess and address the needs of the
Herstmonceux Castle Estate. We
will soon be embarking on a full
operational and strategic review
concerning the future orientation
and sustainability of the college, the
buildings, and the Herstmonceux
property on which they are located.
Signing any long-term leases in
advance of that effort would be
imprudent and premature.
The university appreciates that
not renewing the lease with the
Observatory Science Centre while
we focus on assessing the estate
and various components, creates
challenges for their operations and
we respect their decision to relocate
when the lease expires at the end
of 2026.
In the meantime, the university
values and is committed to preserving
the estate’s historic sites, including
the telescopes, domes, and
observatory buildings, which make
up vital parts of the estate’s heritage.
We hope to provide further updates
as work progresses on these and
other projects, as we recognise the
castle is a vibrant and important hub
for Queen’s University and the East
Sussex community.”
The centre says it will be business as
normal until the day it has to move,
and it will continue to welcome
almost 60,000 visitors every year.
The Science Centre has been
bringing science to East Sussex for
nearly 30 years after taking over the
Observatory in 1995. At the opening
ceremony, astronomer Patrick Moore
described it as “Saved for science!”

10 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
Eastbourne singer-songwriter
proves he is still very much at the
top of his game with great show
DAVID Ford briefly flirted with
fame with the band Easyworld
back in the day before they
imploded on the brink of major
success and he then embarked on
an esoteric solo career somewhat
under the radar.
However, he has over the
subsequent years, built up a devoted
fanbase who were much in evidence
when the Eastbourne singersongwriter
played a gig close to
home at The Piper in St Leonards on
August 2.
Having seen Ford on several
occasions ranging from venues from
York to London, fans are never quite
sure what to expect, but one thing
is guaranteed; his shows are always
entertaining, no matter which songs
from his extensive repertoire he
chooses to perform.
That once again proved to be the
case at The Piper as the accomplished
vocalists and multi-instrumentalist
put on a show which will live long in
the memory as he showcased songs
such as “When We Were Young”
from his most recent album, Love
and Death, and choice songs from
previous albums including “Devil
Come Take This Town”.
On this occasion, he stuck
primarily to guitar, keyboards and
drums, displaying once more his
outstanding versatility.
A decent crowd upstairs at The
Piper lapped it all up of course but
there was an added bonus to the show
as well.
That was in the form of Michele
Stodart, the singer, bass guitarist
and co-songwriter with the Magic
Numbers who performed a solo set
with Ford on drums before joining
the man himself on bass and vocals
for his set.
Ford often collaborates with female
artists, having previously teamed up
with the likes of Hannah Peel and
Beth Rowley to winning effect.
Stodart had the crowd in the palm
of her hand with a superb show,
underlining what a terrific singer
she is.
Once again, as is invariably the
case, Ford was at the top of his
game, engaging with the crowd and
underlining once more what a great
live performer he is.
Just one minor quibble. Everyone
agreed it would be great if he played
more regular gigs closer to home. If he
does, we will all be there like a shot.

12 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
Lightning-fast progress for
innovative internet provider
Eastbourne man
is convicted of
raping young girl
Lightning Fibre’s sales team, CCO Rob Reaks, and Enterprise Shopping Centre commercial director Denise Harwood with Cllr Stephen Holt
LIGHTNING Fibre has opened its
first retail shop in Eastbourne at
the Enterprise Shopping Centre.
The local broadband operator and
Internet Service Provider (ISP) was
founded in Eastbourne in 2018 and
has been based in Polegate since 2021.
The company also recently
celebrated a 10,000 customer
connections milestone.
Councillor Stephen Holt, leader
of Eastbourne Borough Council,
officially opened the new outlet,
along with Lightning Fibre’s chief
commercial officer, Rob Reaks, and
The Enterprise Centre’s commercial
director, Denise Harwood.
A lack of competition due to an
Openreach monopoly had left the
UK one of Europe’s worst-connected
countries.
Lightning Fibre prides itself
on being an “Altnet” (alternative
networks), which it says are critical
to breaking the Openreach
monopoly. The company uses private
investment to update Britain in the
digital age.
Deploying full fibre networks
stimulates growth, enables
businesses to operate efficiently, and
supports remote working.
Matt Goacher, Lightning Fibre’s
head of sales, said: “We know that
some people prefer a face-to-face
conversation, especially when they
have questions or reservations about
switching to a new technology that
they do not understand.
“We hope the retail unit will provide
a space for people to find out more
about fibre full broadband and
encourage more people to switch to
this faster, more reliable and greener
communication technology.”
The shop, located on the first floor
of the Enterprise Shopping Centre, is
open Monday to Friday from
9am until 5pm, but closes on
weekends, bank and public holidays.
You can contact the sales and tech
support teams by phone every day
(except Christmas Day) from 8am
to 8pm.
Lightning Fibre offers a £15 per
month social tariff for people on
means-tested benefits, with a 30-day
rolling contract and no credit checks
enforced on customers. The company
is rated excellent on Trustpilot.
AN Eastbourne man who raped
and assaulted a young girl has been
convicted in court.
Keith Matthews, 60, of Tintern
Close in Eastbourne, subjected a girl
to multiple rapes, and physical and
sexual assaults, in May, 2020.
The victim was under 13 years old of
age at the time of his offending.
The incidents were reported
to Sussex Police after the victim
confided in a family member, who
raised the alarm.
She was given support by specialist
officers and Sussex Police partners,
which culminated in Matthews
being arrested.
He was subsequently charged with
four counts of rape of a child, and one
count each of assault by penetration
of a child, sexual assault of a child and
cruelty to a child.
Following a five-day trial, he was
found guilty by a jury at Lewes Crown
Court on Friday, August 2.
He has been remanded in custody
to be sentenced at a court to be
confirmed on September 20.
Detective Sergeant Nick Green,
of Eastbourne’s Safeguarding
Investigations Unit, said: “The young
victim in this investigation has shown
incredible bravery in reporting these
horrific crimes.
“She has provided evidence under
extremely difficult circumstances and
has shown such strength throughout
the investigation.
“Thanks to her resilience, we
have been able to secure this
conviction.
“This has been a deeply upsetting
case and I hope she can now start to
rebuild her life, safe in the knowledge
that Matthews now faces a significant
custodial sentence.”
Sussex Police stressed that if you
are a victim of sexual offending,
please report it to the police online
or via 101. Always dial 999 in an
emergency.
They will support you and they
will do everything they can to get
victims justice.
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Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS 13
EASTBOURNE INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2024 SPECIAL
Thousands gather on seafront
as pilots fly high at successful
Eastbourne Airbourne event
PHOTOS: PAUL GIBSON
EASTBOURNE Airbourne
celebrated its 30th anniversary
with soaring success as the
impressive aerial line-up
continued to amaze thousands
gathered on the seafront.
The ever-popular air show which
took place from August 15 to August
18 boasted a two-mile flying display
along the seafront featuring displays
including the legendary Red Arrows
with the Squadron celebrating its
60th anniversary.
In addition, other attractions
included the RAF Typhoon, RAF Grab
Tutor, Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight which featured the Lancaster
Bomber, Bronco Demo Team,
Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, Rich
Goodwin’s Jet Pitts, Jet Provost T5, the
Rolls Royce Mustang and Spitfires
which played a key role in the Second
World War.
Spectators were immensely relieved
Airbourne was able to run this
year following fears that the show
could not go on due to insufficient
funding as running the event costs
about £450,000.
Local charities, organisations,
businesses, attendees and supporters
rallied together to ensure the town
could continue its annual tradition of
the Airshow.
Josh Babarinde, Liberal Democrat
MP for Eastbourne, said: “The Airshow
is really important for
young people, because there are loads
of opportunities for them as they can
actually meet with the RAF and other
Armed services up on the Western
Lawns, where a lot of the stalls and
displays are, and they can find out
about the opportunities that they’re
offering and get involved.
“Also, a lot of families can’t afford
to go on holiday these days, the costs
of living are so high, and the Airshow
is a chance to have a holiday at home
for families.
“It’s almost like an investment in
the town, in the same way that many
businesses wait for Christmas to do
their best trade, a lot of our hospitality
businesses, wait for the airshow to do
their best trade.
“We must remember that nearly
one in three jobs in Eastbourne are
associated with the hospitality sector,
so this event is vitally important to
the town.”
Margaret Bannister, lead member
for tourism at Eastbourne Borough
Council, said: “Our events team
scrutinise every penny they spend and
we really cut it down as far as we could.
“Obviously, the stands pay us, but
we rely so much on the parking, the
programme sales and the bucket
collections, just to break even.
“The restaurants are all busy, the
fish and chip shops were packed, the
hotels were full. It was so good for the
local economy.
“So, we’re investing our time and
energy in order to support local
businesses as the Airshow gives them
a boost just before winter.”

14 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
EASTBOURNE INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2024 SPECIAL

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS 15
EASTBOURNE INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2024 SPECIAL

16 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
EASTBOURNE INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2024 SPECIAL

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.newseastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 REGULARS 17
KNOW YOUR GARDEN
By Emma Reece, Head Gardener at Bates Green Garden
BATES Green Garden, an RHS Partner Garden, is open every
Wednesday between the end of February and late October.
For details, please go to the website www.batesgreengarden.co.uk
and follow the garden on Instagram @batesgreengarden
‘Don’t forget to drink water and get sunlight. You are basically a house plant with more complicated emotions’ (Unknown)
IN late summer I am always soothed by
the sight and sound of water in a garden.
Foliage can look weary by this time, but
water freshens all the senses no end.
There are now so many exciting and
sustainable ways you can introduce
water as a feature in your garden. (I do
wonder if Charlie Dimmock, when she
featured in that iconic show, Ground
Force, is responsible for the term
‘water feature’.)
Water has always featured in gardens
from long ago and was seen as a sacred
and precious element in an outdoor space
both for functional and aesthetic reasons.
In hot climates, such as Egypt, water
cooled the air and provided vital irrigation
in their ancient gardens.
I was fortunate to visit the Majorelle
Garden in Marrakesh a few years ago and
was struck by their use of water which
is very reminiscent of Islamic Gardens.
There is a system of rills and large tanks
which is so effective and cooling and
these also provide visual movement
which contrasts effectively with the
planting scheme. Rills are considered to
be an abstract form of a natural stream
and are still a source of inspiration to
us today.
The first importance to consider is
safety-if children or pets are to be using
the space then your feature must be
adapted to protect them, be it a raised
container rather than one at ground level,
a water sculpture with just a fine film of
water or a metal grid placed just beneath
the water’s surface.
Secondly, how much maintenance are
you prepared to put into your feature?
There is nothing worse than murky,
stagnant water or a pond clogged up with
blanket weed and so this possibility must
be addressed. Submerged oxygenators
help to keep pond water sparkling, but
smaller features will need to be hosed
down and the water replaced regularly,
especially if they are visited by birds. Do
remember that the smaller the container,
the more rapidly it heats up in the
sunshine and the more difficult it is to
create a balanced ecosystem.
Sustainability is of prime importance.
Do consider the source of your water
and try to recycle if you can. Any type
of pool can be fed and topped up with
harvested rainwater.
Now, to the type of feature. You do not
need a huge amount of space; there are
now tiny bowls fitted with solar-powered
fountains that will fit on a doorstep. The
birds and bees will appreciate this. At
home, we have a plain stone bowl outside
our window, which we top up daily. It is
quite incredible to see how many birds
use it.
Small bubble fountains erupting over
pebbles are charming and, again can be
solar-powered. Simplicity is all, in my
opinion.
Water tanks and bowls can be placed
on a terrace or within a planting scheme
for a dynamic effect. They work well in
a gravel garden. Allow easy access for
maintenance.
Consider the surface of the water too.
Still, waters will allow the shape and
textures of nearby trees or a big sky
to be reflected down into your garden.
Still, water is also a beautiful surface on
which to see raindrops fall — an important
consideration in Britain!
The addition of a rippling or bubbling
fountain can add much-needed
movement to a small space — do check
first that the sound doesn’t send you all
rushing for the loo every ten minutes.
Choose a style that will complement the
rest of your garden. Here at Bates Green
Garden, we are in a rural setting with a
naturalistic style. We garden for Nature
and wildlife and so our Wildlife Pond is
perfect. We have oxygenating plants
which are wholly or partly underwater.
They have submerged leaves and
perform several important roles in
the pond. During the day, they absorb
carbon dioxide from the water and give
off oxygen. This process conditions and
cleans the pond water without the need
for chemicals or intervention.
There is a huge Caltha palustris (marsh
marigold) at one end of the pond. I was
given this when I worked at the Chelsea
Physic Garden, and what a delightful,
cheering plant it is. It gets going really
early in the season with huge gorgeous
yellow buttercup-like flowers. The
sprawling enthusiastic foliage provides
an excellent shelter for all manner of
creatures, and moorhens particularly like
to nest here. Another useful and beautiful
habitat plant is Potentilla palustris (spot
the theme, palustris means ‘inhabiting
bogs and marshes), which is an attractive
native marginal with lobed leaves and
deep red star-shaped flowers.
Rills, troughs, tanks, basins and ponds.
The choice is yours.
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18 NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
Penny Farthing challenge
proves as popular as ever as
brave riders give it their all
PHOTOS: PAUL GIBSON
THE annual Beachy Head World
Championship Penny Farthing Hill
Climb Week proved to be another
fun and exciting event.
Setting off at one-minute intervals
from outside the Grand Hotel,
Eastbourne, the fastest rider of the
day, Charlie Burrell, reached the
finishing line in just under 12 minutes.
Second place went to Roger Davies
who completed the race in 12.48
minutes and third place went to Alex
Garrod who finished at 13.35 minutes.
The first rider set off at 10am and
competitors were ranked so that the
fastest rider set off first. The course
leading to Beachy Head was 4.69
kilometres with an elevation gain of
150 metres.
An awards ceremony then took place
at the finish line where the winner
received the “Block of Wood” trophy
with the names of past winners.
Hundreds of spectators cheered the
riders on in the gruelling challenge.
The Penny Farthing, was once
an iconic bicycle with one large
and one small wheel which was
extremely difficult to ride but was
nevertheless hugely popular in the late
19th century.
However, it became obsolete once
the modern bicycle was invented,
but it remains a symbol of the
Victorian era.
To see the full
Penny Farthing
Championship
results list click or
scan the QR code.

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS 19
A Night at The Musicals
— Cherry Dance
raising awareness
for The Samaritans
CHERRY Dance Company is proud to present
“A Night at the Musicals,” an enchanting
evening of cabaret, burlesque, boylesque,
circus, and singing. This spectacular event
be held on 19 October at the Hippodrome
in Eastbourne, featuring iconic numbers
from beloved musicals such as Moulin
Rouge, Burlesque, and The Rocky Horror
Picture Show.
Organised in loving memory of a cherished
member of the Cherry Dance community,
this event aims to raise funds for the
Samaritans, a charity dedicated to providing
emotional support to those in need. Holly, a
member of Cherry Dance since January 2019,
tragically lost her partner, Ceri, to suicide in
October 2022.
In Holly’s words: “I knew early on I wanted
to do something incredible to honour Ceri’s
memory and remember the amazing man
I’d been lucky enough to be with … Ceri had
always been extremely open about his
mental health struggles and was an advocate
for raising awareness, particularly about
men’s mental health. The Samaritans was
an obvious charity to support, and the very
one Ceri championed himself in times
of difficulty.”
Ceri, an exceptionally talented musician, left
a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Cherry Dance hopes the community will join
in celebrating his memory through a night of
unforgettable entertainment filled with love
and laughter.
To ensure the success of this event, Cherry
Dance is seeking sponsors and invites
individuals and businesses to support their
fundraising efforts for the Samaritans.
Sponsorship packages are available.
Receive tickets to the show, adverts in
the program and use of your logo on all
promotional materials: Bronze: £150 - 2 tickets,
quarter-page advert; Silver: £200 - 4 tickets,
half-page advert; Gold: £300 - 6 tickets, fullpage
advert, or simply choose to advertise in
the program only: £50 quarter-page advert;
£75 half-page advert; £100 full-page advert. (All
prices are exclusive of VAT.)
“A Night at the Musicals” offers something
for everyone, whether they’re fans of theatrical
extravagance, mesmerising dance routines,
or powerful vocal performances. The Cherry
Dance Company promises an evening to
celebrate the magic of the musicals while
supporting a heartfelt cause.
For more details and to sponsor the
event, please contact Cheryl at
cherrydance@hotmail.co.uk.
PUZZLES
SPONSORED BY
WORDSEARCH – THE PARK
CROSSWORD
SUDOKU
Playground
Swing
Slide
Trees
Grass
Picnic
Walk
Dog
Bench
Nature
ANSWERS
ACROSS
6 Prickly seed vessel (4)
7 Accentuated (8)
9 He, she and it (8)
10 National wealth letters (1,1,1)
11 Socially ill at ease (4-9)
14 Where races commence (8,5)
17 Enemy (3)
18 In mourning (8)
19 Ballistic weapons (8)
20 Young cow (4)
DOWN
1 Body fuel (8)
2 Voltage changers (12)
3 Mock (6)
4 Hard outer layers (6)
5 Rope fibre (4)
8 Import (12)
12 Woman of habit (3)
13 In an inconsistent way (8)
15 Way to buy cheaply (2,4)
16 Showy (6)
1 7 Free from bias (4)

20 REGULARS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
OPINION with Kim Mayo
DON’T ACCEPT THE PAIN OF LIVING IN
MODERN-DAY BRITAIN — JUST HEAD TO SPAIN
WHEN you finally accept with
resignation that you are closer to the
grave than the cradle it pays to adopt
a more sanguine approach to life. In
essence, what will be will be.
Let’s face it: calling the small island
we inhabit Great Britain is, to all intents
and purposes, a misnomer. Yet we
live in Britain but it sure as hell is
not great.
At this juncture, it should be pointed
out that this malaise has nothing to
do with party politics. Rather, it is the
fact that the country is in absolute
meltdown because those who have
governed over the past decade and their
recent replacements spend so much
time bickering across the dispatch box
in the House of Commons that they
fail to realise all they achieve is posing
more questions than definitive and
effective solutions.
The cost of living continues to spiral,
crime is at a record high, our prisons are
bursting at the seams, and nobody dares
mention the small boats crisis for fear of
being branded a racist.
This is why so many of us go into
“ostrich mode” … burying our heads in
the sand and pretending all is hunky
dory, which it most certainly is not.
Plaza de Espana, Seville. Photo: Sean Pavone, envato
I discussed this with my partner, who
summed up the state of play perfectly
by saying: Britain is doomed”. By and
large that assessment is spot on, sadly.
Don’t get me wrong; I love my country
but for what it was, not what it has
become, which is a shambolic mess.
Hence, we decided to get out of town
and out of the country for a short break
to discover how the other half lives. And
you know what? They have got it right,
and we have got it fundamentally wrong.
First, we walked into Bexhill, a trip that
took twice as long as it should have due
to having to avoid the piles of dog mess
that the owners had decided it was too
much of an effort to clear up after their
miscreant mutts.
To make matters worse, I nearly
broke my ankle, tripping over one of
several uneven paving stones before
somehow arriving in one piece at the
local travel agents to pick up an array
of brochures.
Having perused them at length we
set off the next day by car to book our
four-day break to Seville in Spain but
this time drove into town at a steady
12 miles an hour to avoid breaking an
axle on one of the myriad potholes
populating our streets.
And so it came to pass that we boarded
an EasyJet flight from Gatwick after
being frisked by some miserable old
git at the airport and then told our
suitcase was three centimetres too large.
Hopefully, nirvana awaited, and you
know what? It did.
The average temperature during our
stay was 35ºC, and if that is due to
global warming, then bring it on.
Every Spanish person we met was
friendly, and despite the language
barrier, they were more than happy to
help. The streets were clean, and hiring a
taxi to get around the city was as cheap
as chips.
The average price of a meal for both
of us was €12, a class of wine (large) €4
and a packet of fags €5.50.
Before the anti-smoking brigade has a
go, let me point out I have been addicted
to nicotine since I was 14, but my
favourite brand (Camel Blue) cost £17
in the UK, so I filled my boots (or rather
lungs), and they tasted great.
To put it bluntly, four days was never
going to be enough. I wanted to live
there forever, and if I had enough cash in
the bank, I would.
Sadly, though, all good things must
come to an end, and the time passed
far too swiftly. Home time beckoned,
and our hearts collectively sank as we
boarded the flight back to Blighty.
Now don’t get me wrong, there is still
much to admire about our way of life but
let me tell you this; a day’s interspersed
with a siesta, sangria and Tapas
definitely appeals.
Maybe my boss’s media empire will
one day expand as far as Spain and I
can then launch an edition of Seville
News. Now there’s a thought although
I will need to brush up on my Spanish!
Viva España!
SOARING HIGH: MY MICROLIGHT ADVENTURES
GROUP EDITOR, PAUL GIBSON,
REPORTS ON HIS ONGOING TRAINING
AS A STUDENT PILOT FLYING FROM
DEANLAND IN EAST SUSSEX
THANKS to the incredible weather
conditions we’ve been experiencing
for the past month, it’s given me a
good opportunity to get some hours in
behind the stick in the fantastic Ikarus
C42 Microlight.
In my article last month, I wrote how
I was thrown in the deep end (in my
opinion anyway) and completed my first
take-off. I knew from that moment that I
would be doing each and every take-off
from now on — which has certainly been
the case.
It’s now standard practice to
automatically start my checks as soon as
we get to the aircraft which include a full
safety walkaround (if the first flight of the
day), refuelling and completing the long
list of pre-flight checks in the cockpit.
So, we’ve got to the point where
my instructor, Luke, only touches the
controls just after take-off, and I’m doing
the rest, which I feel is a long way than I
expected to be at this early stage. I’m not
going to lie and say it’s an easy process,
but I do understand that it’ll get easier
with time as it’s simply a process — and
with any process, it should get easier the
more it’s done.
When we live in such a stunning part of
the world, it’s sometimes disappointing
when I can’t sit back and enjoy the
panoramic views across the coastline
- but I’m here to learn how to fly and
every hour in the air is 100% learning.
The club’s two Ikarus C42’s ready to go in the early sun
The pleasure flights will come when I
hopefully get licensed!
Last month, I trained in the best rate
of climb, and best glide speed - although
basic principles of flying, it’s essential
to know the aircraft’s capabilities
and how to get the best from it in
different scenarios.
Next lesson concentrated on turns in
level flight. Sounds really easy but when
a plane turns, it creates drag therefore
creating a slip. So this must be controlled
to ensure the plane doesn’t descend in
the turn. This was a lesson where I was
introduced to another stage of flying —
entering the circuit prior to landing.
Deanland is a really special place to fly
from. It’s relaxed, informal and there’s a
huge amount of lovely people who own
planes and fly from there regularly. As
a member, it’s nice just to pop down,
soak up the peaceful atmosphere and
chat to some of the other students
and instructors.
This month sees its annual ‘fly-in’
fundraiser, which supports the Kent,
Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Charity.
It’s a day where pilots from all over
literally descend on Deanland, and it
makes for a great day out for plane
geeks like me. If the weather is good,
I’m sure I’ll publish some photos in next
month’s column.
Now is a really good time to book
your experience flight from Deanland
before the winter sets in. Just give
Shellie a ring on 07519 527597 and
mention ‘Newspaper Ad’ and she’ll give
you a generous £10 discount off. We
seriously have some incredible scenery
which must be seen from above — and
it’s also a fantastic gift for a loved one.
If you’re anything like me, it’ll also give
you the bug to fly even more.

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 REGULARS 21
READERS’ LETTERS
Write to the editor by emailing: letters@eastbourne.news
Eastbourne News would like to
invite you to submit letters on
issues that matter to you, which
we will be happy to publish.
Write to the Editor by emailing
letters@eastbourne.news. We
value your opinion, and we look
forward to hearing from you!
AIRSHOW ANGER
DEAR EDITOR, I was one of the many
thousands who enjoyed Airbourne
recently, we were blessed with the
weather and there was a great turnout.
Soon after, I was reading many of
the online comments regarding how
the airshow has changed over the
years, and there are so many negative
comments from residents in a number of
online groups.
People were comparing it to what
the airshow was 30 years ago and how
there were fewer aircrafts performing
than before. But, do they realise how
lucky we are as a town to have this free
event?
I feel really sorry for all the people
employed by the council who have
worked so hard to make the show
happen, only to see all these keyboard
warriors just thinking they can do better.
So many other towns are pulling
funding for large events which is
leaving them with nothing, so let’s think
logically before we just go online and
slate everyone’s hard work and expense.
Firstly, the airshow is one of the only
times of the year when all restaurants
and hotels are completely booked out.
Throughout the winter, all these
businesses really suffer, and we
must remember all the thousands of
residents who are employed in the
hospitality sector.
Secondly, the event still brings tens
of thousands of people to the town. The
trains and buses are always packed
during the weekend which also brings a
lot of money into Eastbourne.
We live in a completely different world
from what it was 30 years ago, even 10
years ago. So let’s just all be thankful
that we still have this amazing event in
the town.
Jeff R. Eastbourne.
The Beacon Shopping Centre. Photo: www.visiteastbourne.com
EASTBOURNE RULES
DEAR EDITOR, Over the years, many have
referred to Eastbourne as “God’s waiting
room” which I believe is blatantly unfair.
The town has actually moved
impressively with the times and
has established itself as a real goto
destination.
When it comes to our South Coast
everyone bangs on about Brighton
which I have never understood because
it is a city that has more than its fair
share of problems, especially when it
comes to litter and rising crime rates.
In contrast, taking into account
Eastbourne does have its own issues it
nevertheless has so much to offer.
Take, for example, The Beacon which
has added a fantastic new dimension to
the town.
I absolutely love shopping there,
because of the wide variety of retail
outlets which ensure I have no need any
more to travel further afield.
I go to the pub regularly to meet
my friends who are far less optimistic
about the town than I am. But I always
tell them to get a grip and enjoy their
immediate surroundings.
I have no wish to travel elsewhere.
Eastbourne is my town and although it
might not be fashionable, I am extremely
proud of it and you should be too.
Samuel L. Eastbourne
ON YOUR BIKE with Ian Hollidge
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AN
OLYMPIAN TO ENJOY CYCLING
Cycling, in every day normal commuting
or elite sports, takes effort and we should
enjoy the pleasure of getting out on
our bikes.
We can’t all be gold medal cyclists like
Chris Boardman, Victoria Pendleton or
Thomas Pidcock, but we can imagine for
a moment.
For many they continue to coach
and inspire the next generation with
motivational talks.
This year Team GB achieved 11 medals
in cycling events, more than athletics,
equestrian, or rowing. We are good as
a country at sitting down pedalling and
pushing ourselves on two wheels.
Anybody can join in the fun of
cycling, bikes can be adapted to suit
different abilities.
Whether it’s on the track or the road,
two wheels or three, para cycling offers
something for everyone who wants to get
on a bike.
It starts with getting a bike, sitting in
the saddle and pushing off embracing our
beautiful coast and countryside of which
we are blessed in Sussex.
The 2024 Paralympics got underway
and one can only admire people who are
showing their ability to do their best while
dealing with something which would hold
others back.
Cycling takes many forms and you
may not want to be speeding around the
velodrome at 40-50 mph. Life is about
what you are able to do.
Most fit and able cyclists could achieve
30mph at a push, even on our Sussex
roads. Most of us however are content
with about 10-15mph.
You may not be able to be the best
but we can all try our personal best,
which is true whatever you do
in life.
Break dancing is something which
appeared in this year’s Olympics, quite
a breakthrough, what next is another
subject. Next month we will be focusing
on how to buy the perfect bike.
In the meantime, get out there on your
bike before winter is sadly upon us.
Former Olympic gold medalist Chris Boardman (right)
YOU don’t have to be an Olympian to
enjoy cycling. If you are looking at being
in the next Games however now’s a good
time to start training by getting on your
bike. Even if you are not selected you
could still have lots of fun dreaming as
you cycle along the way.
August’s Olympics were a fantastic
time to watch our elite athletes perform,
competing and trying their best for
themselves and Team GB.
The excitement in Olympians wining
gold meaning they have beaten the best in
the word and sharing in their joy gives us
all a sense of pride.
Competition cycling is not for everyone.
You may not be able to beat the best but
we can all try our personal best.
Get on your bike and enjoy the warm weather before winter arrives

22 REGULARS
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
A MATTER OF TASTE
We send anonymous members of the team to check out local pubs, cafes and restaurants to give you an honest review.
These visits are not pre-arranged, and the venues do not know they are reviewing the food and drink!
MR HAU’S: A CHINESE FOOD GEM
SOMETIMES returning to a favourite
restaurant after a long period of
absence due to circumstances beyond
your control can prove to be a major
disappointment, but that was certainly
not the case when my partner and I
made a long-awaited return to Mr Hau’s
Chinese restaurant.
The popular eatery in Terminus
Road, Eastbourne, has changed little in
appearance since our last visit more than
five years ago.
Back then, prior to the Covid pandemic,
we enjoyed a lavish array of dishes and
agreed unanimously that the food was
absolutely outstanding.
Both of us are big fans of Chinese
cuisine, and upon arrival this time,
on the face of it, little had changed
aside from temporary scaffolding
outside, which partially obscured
the exterior.
MONKSEY’S MUTTERINGS
Upon entering, however, the welcome
was as warm as ever. We perused
the menus and ordered drinks while
pondering what to order from a mindboggling
array of dishes. Talk about
being spoilt for choice!
There was much deliberation between
us but the joy of a visit to Mr Hau’s is
that you are not pressured into making a
choice of what to eat quickly.
That to us is a major plus as we like to
settle in at leisure and have a drink first
before settling on what to eat.
The decor was, as we remembered it,
largely unchanged, which suited us just
fine. All the tables were spotless and
neatly laid out, while the waitress was
attentive without being intrusive.
We had decided beforehand that we
were hungry without being starving and
therefore opted for just one course each.
But what to choose?
One major drawback for me is that
when it comes to using chopsticks I am a
complete novice so I was delighted that
a knife and fork were available whereas
my partner is a dab hand with them and
happily asked if a set could be provided,
which they immediately were. Talk
about me being made to feel inadequate!
As my partner rarely drinks alcohol,
she had opted for an ice-cold Coca-Cola
whereas I predictably opted for a large
glass of chilled dry white wine.
Our food choices were finally made
with my partner choosing the crispy
noodles with mixed meat accompanied
while I finally elected to go for the duck
with Chinese mushroom accompanied
by a bowl of egg fried rice.
We didn’t have too long for our dishes
to arrive which is always a bonus and
before tasting our meals we both agreed
the aroma alone was enough to get our
tastebuds tingling.
Both dishes arrived at our table piping
hot and my partner’s chopsticks were
a blur as she tucked in to her noodles
which she said, between mouthfuls,
were among the best she had ever
tasted. The mixed meat also went down
an absolute treat.
As a big fan of duck, I could only
concur with her assessment that the
food was indeed absolutely sensational
as I tucked into the duck, augmented
with a generous portion of the egg
fried rice.
Tummies full, we both agreed
that neither of us could eat another
morsel but I decided another glass of
wine would finish off our visit to Mr
Hau’s perfectly.
Even though we had both finished our
meals, we were left in peace to chat and
relax before leaving, which is always a
LAURIE’S POEM CORNER
major bonus.
We both agreed that Mr Hau’s has
retained its exemplary standards and the
food remains amongst the best money
can buy in East Sussex and is extremely
competitively priced considering how
fantastic it is.
After a nearly 90-minute stay, we
both needed to use “the facilities.” Yours
truly did, however, learn one valuable
lesson while descending the somewhat
tricky stairs: “ Don’t be distracted on the
way down.”
On the wall are several signed pictures
of celebrities who have visited Mr Hau’s
over the years, including one of Sir
Paul McCartney.
Being a massive Beatles fan, that
immediately caught my attention to
such an extent that I missed my next
step and nearly fell flat on my face. That,
though, was my fault entirely.
One thing is for sure. To borrow
unashamedly from a Beatles song, we
will undoubtedly be back before I turn
64 next year.
If you love Chinese food as we both
do, then Mr Hau’s is just about as good
as it gets. And that is high praise indeed
which is fully deserved.
Mr Hau’s Oriental Express
www.mrhau.co.uk • Tel: 01323 402 860
213 Terminus Road, Eastbourne,
BN21 3DH. Open: Tuesday-Saturday,
12-2.30pm, 4pm-9.30pm; Sunday
12-2.30pm, 4pm-9pm. Closed Mondays.
SPATIAL AWARENESS
BY BRAD MONKS
I will admit, as I have matured in years,
my tolerance has diminished for those less
thoughtful of others. In fact, I often wish they
would crawl back into the shallow end of the gene
pool and reduce my blood pressure to that which
is accepted as normal… if indeed we still have a
grasp of what is normal nowadays.
On exiting a supermarket recently (yes, the one
that banned me a few years ago) along with some
other fellow shoppers, we were met at the door by
three women and a small gaggle of their offspring
in deep conversation, oblivious to the fact
they were blocking half the doorway. I politely
requested if they minded moving into the shop to
allow people unhindered access and exit.
The response from one of the ladies eloquence
personified I was told that she would stand where
she wanted and for as long as she wanted whilst
she discussed matters of the most important
topics of the day with her cohorts.
I can only assume she was a high-level
businesswoman discussing matters of utmost
commercial importance, as she seemed most
annoyed that her in-depth meeting had been
interrupted by me at the head of a 5-6 person
queue awaiting the exit of the premises. I could
have been wrong, as no notes were being taken,
and she looked as though she’d be more at home
with Branston Pickle than Richard Branson.
Natalie always tells me that I am the face of
VeryMagic (available for weddings, celebrations,
corporate events, and motivational speaking) and
that I should represent the business in the best
possible way. I, on the other hand, tend to find
people like this woman more backward than a box
of reverse gears, and I have a fading tolerance of
people whose IQ is below their shoe size.
Realising she was outnumbered in terms
of opinions and with hers being as valid as a
Woolworths discount voucher, she duly moved
into the building along with her entourage
whilst mumbling a four-letter word. I then chose
the passive-aggressive tact with a response of
“There, that wasn’t too hard, was it?” which left
me feeling as if I had done my civic duty and still
retained an air of superiority.
So, if you see a queue of people looking at you
as you stand chatting in a doorway, then please
assist me in keeping my blood pressure in check
and move to a suitable space!
Until next time, people.
www.verymagic.co.uk
IF we consider world news over the last months with wars, strife and conflicts
abounding and, even very recently, riots and unrest on our own streets here in the
UK, we could all be forgiven for wondering just what is going on and where it will
it all end.
However, life and the world go on, somehow, even in the most tragic and
impoverished parts of the globe, so perhaps we should count our blessings and
reflect on times past.
To this end, I offer a poem this month that I wrote, almost unbelievably, in about 2017 and featured
in my 6th book, “Poet Reveals All” (yes, the naked cover book), and this poem offers hope, confidence
and peace as it looks back over history, what has been endured, and where we are now and is entitled
“Don’t Write it Off” appeals for hope and consideration.
I suppose I now have a mission
With my written thoughts in verse,
For as I scan the worldwide scene
I fear it’s all getting worse.
For it seems there are wars everywhere
With the world once more on the brink.
So great leaders please take care
And give lots of time to think,
Of amazing wonders, good, and values
At new risk from conceited power.
Which can lead to mass destruction
In much less than an hour.
Of course there’s been great wars before
And yet somehow we still survived.
Learning from the mushroom cloud
That insured we have now arrived,
DON’T WRITE IT OFF
At a state of chilling acceptance
Of just what harm man can do.
But now it seems we must again
Test out if it’s all true!
So what use then is my puny verse
That on a world scale’s just a jot?
But for me it’s hugely important,
To give our opinions than to just not
Do anything or our make a protest,
As generations have done before.
When on monumental occasions
It did bring an end to war.
So I will scribe away my thoughts
To let my feelings be known,
As you won’t succeed, if you don’t try
Thus I may not stand alone!
To purchase Laurie’s books, visit www.lauriewilkinson.com

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.newseastbourne SEPTEMBER 2024 BUSINESS CARD 23
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local businesses. Come and enjoy our relaxed atmosphere. At
BLN, conversations flow naturally without awkward elevator
pitches. Engage in meaningful dialogue, brainstorm, and build
genuine relationships.
CHERYL TIBBALS
CHERRY DANCE
07793 383956
www.cherry-dance.com
Cherry Dance in Eastbourne offers pole fitness, aerial hoop,
burlesque, street dance, and more in a supportive, fun
environment. Find us on Facebook and Instagram or online at
www.cherry-dance.com
LAURA SHERLOCK
FAMILY LAW & MEDIATION
WITH EMIN READ
01323 819519
family@eminread.co.uk
Down to earth advice on all areas of family law from moving
in together, buying a home, divorce, separation, Nuptial
Agreements, child arrangements and mediation. Helping you
put your family first.
RICHARD HOLLANDS
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
MANAGER AT ABBOTS WOOD
MANOR CARE HOME
07435 278302 / 01323 576100
richard.hollands@hamberleycarehomes.co.uk
Abbots Wood Manor Care Home — offering exceptional luxury
living with individualised care. Providing expert residential,
nursing & dementia care services
LIZ KELLY
ECK BOOKKEEPING
01323 348480
www.ECKBookkeeping.co.uk
ECK is a bookkeeping company based in Hailsham. Helping selfemployed,
small businesses with bookkeeping, VAT, Payroll, CIS
and Tax Returns.
MAHESHA RICE
HOLISTIC THERAPIST & COACH
07904 223056
mahesha@mahesharice.com
EFT Tapping Therapist, NLP Coach and Reiki Master guiding
you to overcome trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, burnout,
phobias, and any other barriers preventing you from true
happiness. Nurturing minds, healing souls: your journey to
wholeness begins here.
ADRIAN POTTS
AP ESTATE AGENTS
01323 382002
info@APestateagents.co.uk
www.APestateagents.co.uk
AP Estate Agents combines traditional values with a more
personal, modern approach. You can expect a fantastic service,
7 days a week. Thinking of selling? We would love to help!
KIRSTY SAUNDERS
TRAVEL COUNSELLOR
01323 660075
kirsty.saunders@travelcounsellors.com
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/kirsty.saunders
As a dedicted travel counsellor, I offer personalised planning
tailored to your unique preferences and needs, ensuring smooth,
stress-free journeys. From individuals to groups, expert itinerary
crafting, insider tips, exclusive deals, and 24/7 support, all with
100% financial protection, let us plan your perfect getaway!

24 MOTORING
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
The classic Mini
Record numbers
flock to annual
car spectacular
MORE than 500 stunning vehicles
from all eras and ages packed
into the Polegrove for the annual
Bexhill 100 Car Show last month.
Organisers have announced that
the event experienced its largest
numbers through the gates to
enjoy displays from motoring clubs
and privately owned cars from
throughout the country.
Bexhill Radio, Bexhill Lions and
‘The Other Band’ supplied the
entertainment during the day which
included a Fire Drill demonstration
from the Bexhill Fire Cadets.
Owners were on hand talking to
adults and children who were allowed
into the display cars which ranged
from vintage Minis, classic American
cars to top-of-the-range Aston Martins.
With over 60 trade stands and over
500 vehicles, organisers expect to
raise a huge amount for this year’s
chosen charities, which are the
Golden Marigold, Bexhill Fire Cadets,
Canine Partners and East Sussex
Young Carers.
During the morning, appointed
judges tried to remain inconspicuous
as they walked around the assembled
vehicles to choose which was to be the
winner in their particular category, the
final choices being:
Best Bexhill 100 Car — Winner:
John Busbridge — 1933 Riley 9 March
Special. Judged by Abul Azad
Best American Car — Winner:
Rachel Upton — 1960 Chevrolet
Corvette C1. Judged by Mark Hammett
Best Custom Car — Winner: Andy
Hogg — 1923 Ford Hot Rod Replica.
Judged by Chris and Heidi Speck
Best Commercial Vehicle —
Winner: Mike Hallett — 1968
Morris Royal Mail Van. Judged by
Andrew Terry.
Best Motor Cycle — Winner: Mick
Barton — 1949/1958 Norvin 1275cc.
Judged by Alan Timms
Best Classic Car — Winner: Adrian
Martin — 1934 Austin 7. Judged by
Mayor Cllr. Paul Wilson/Phil Hart
The trade stands enjoyed steady
custom through the day, including
the Bexhill 100’s own ‘Regalia Stand’
which in addition to its clothing range,
held a raffle and tombola to add to its
contribution to the club’s nominated
charities.
Bexhill 100 Chairman, Chris Speck,
said: “It was bit of a damp start to the
show with short sharp showers, but it
soon cleared up ahead of the official
opening by Bexhill & Battle MP Kieran
Mullen along with Bexhill Mayor, Paul
Henry Wilson.
Thank you to everyone who came
along and to all those who volunteered
to make this year yet another success.”
This magnificent Bentley was once owned by Sir
George Martin, also known as ‘The Fifth Beatle’
This classic car has a little ‘mini me’ next to it

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26 MOTORING
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
Driving instructor
waiting lists leave
learners in the lurch
WITH recent figures showing
there are still long waits for driving
tests, new research has revealed
that even finding a driving
instructor might prove difficult for
many learners.
The UK’s largest pre-17 driving
school, Young Driver, questioned 150
driving instructors and found that
two-thirds (67%) currently have a
waiting list for on-the-road lessons.
Although the average wait time is
two months, 7% said learners would
be waiting over six months to get a
lesson with 15% said they had waiting
lists of over four months.
When asked about the main reasons
for wait times, 70% of instructors said
the lack of driving test availability was
leaving learners in limbo for longer,
meaning others were unable to start
their learning-to-drive journey.
Over half (56%) said things had
never returned to normal post-Covid.
One in four (27%) said there was a
lack of driving instructors, and one
in five (20%) felt the issue lay with
youngsters needing more lessons to
be able to pass their test.
Young Driver has experienced a
surge in bookings this year, as parents
look to get youngsters learning to
drive before they reach their 17th
birthday, with over 50,000 lessons
being delivered in the first seven
months of 2024 — a 16% increase
on 2023.
The Young Driver survey also
revealed that people felt driving
opens up doors in terms of
employment, education and socially.
A third (34%) of non-drivers felt
they’d missed out on opportunities
because of their inability to drive.
Dacia Spring is
‘Bargain of the Year’
THE All-New Dacia Spring is
a big deal in every sense after
being judged ‘Best Car Bargain
of the Year 2024/2025’ by the
independent organisation, Best
Cars of the Year.
Comprising of industry-leading car
designers, engineers and executives
together with motorsport icons
and automotive media professionals,
the Best Cars of the Year judging
panel singled out the pure-electric
All-New Spring for its value
and versatility.
A star of the Best Cars of the Year
stand at the recent British Motor
Show, the All-New Dacia Spring is
priced at only £14,995 on-the-road,
making it the UK’s most affordable
new electric car. Ahead of the first
customer deliveries later this year,
orders are now open and static lefthand-drive
versions are displayed
in Dacia retailers nationwide for
customers to see, touch and feel.
The success of the All-New
Dacia Spring in Best Cars of the
Year’s annual New Car World
Championships follows the Dacia
Jogger picking up the same award at
last year’s ceremony.
On Best Cars of the Year declaring
the All-New Dacia Spring an
unbeatable bargain, judge Dr Andy
Palmer said: “The Dacia Spring
is great for several reasons —
particularly among those looking
for an affordable, practical efficient
electric vehicle. It’s especially suited
to urban environments and short to
medium commutes. So, upon full
consideration, I’m going with the new
Dacia Spring.”
Rewriting the EV rulebook, the All-
New Spring combines its incredible
value with a comprehensive standard
specification and everyday usability.
It offers a choice of Expression and
Extreme trim levels and has a range
of up to 140 miles (WLTP mixed cycle)
or 186 miles (WLTP urban cycle).
The Spring can be ordered with a
45hp, or a more powerful 65hp/48kW
motor. Using its 7kW charger, the
compact 26.8 kWh battery can be
charged from 20% to 100% on a
suitable domestic outlet in less than
11 hours, or in just four hours on a
7kW charger.
The standard specification includes
such features as a 7-inch digital
instrument cluster, cruise control,
manual air conditioning, rear parking
sensors, Media Control system with
USB port, electric front windows and
remote central locking.
New Audi A5 to
replace A4 models
Dealership provides eco
airshow transport
PILOTS, VIPs and Dignitaries
were able to travel in style
and with zero emissions
during the recent Eastbourne
International Airshow.
Birchwood Group, which operates
Skoda, Ford, Kia and Mitsubishi
dealerships in Eastbourne, provided
the travel to ensure the safe delivery
of pilots from a number of airfields
across Sussex in a number of newly
released EV models.
As an event sponsor, Birchwood
used the new Ford Mustang Mach-E
GT, Kia EV6, Kia Niro and the Skoda
Enyaq VRS which are all fully
electric and helped the airshow to
lower its carbon footprint.
AUDI has announced the popular
A4 model is now a thing of the past
after 30 years of service.
Powered by a new generation of
ultra-efficient combustion engines,
the new A5 and S5 Saloon and Avant
models have been revealed with
ultra-efficient engines and new
specifications.
Priced from £41,950 (OTR) and
£43,850 (OTR) respectively, the latest
A5 Saloon and Avant ranges are
now available to order, with the first
examples due to reach UK customers
in November.
All A5 variants will initially be
available with a choice of Sport, S line
and Edition 1 specification, while the
S5 Saloon and Avant will be offered
exclusively in Edition 1 form.
The range will be powered by
three state-of-the-art TFSI petrol
and TDI diesel engines - two 2.0-litre
TFSI units with 150PS and 204PS
and a 2.0-litre TDI with 204PS. In
the new S5 Saloon and S5 Avant, a
newly-developed 3.0-litre V6 TFSI
engine with optimised combustion
technology and 367PS replaced the
previous 3.0-litre TDI unit.

SAT 7 SEPT -
SUN 22 SEPT 2024
Hailsham Festival events at Hailsham Pavilion
SATURDAY 7
Open Morning: 10.00-13.30
Children’s Art Exhibition: 10.00-17.00
Mayor’s Concert: 14.00-15.15
The Music of George Harrison LIVE!:19.30
Art Trail - Sat 7th to Sun 22nd Sept
SUNDAY 8
Singalong – Grease!: 14.00
MONDAY 9
Downland Poets: 14.30-16.30
TUESDAY 10
Animazing in Lights: 19.00-20.30
WEDNESDAY 11
Your Stories In Song: 18.00-20.00
THURSDAY 12
An Evening of Burlesque: 19.30
FRIDAY 13
Quiz: 19.30
Carnaval: 19.30
SATURDAY 14
Open Morning: 10.00-13.30
Animazing in Lights: 19.00-20.30
Picasso - his life and loves: 19.30
SUNDAY 15
Check the website
MONDAY 16
Check the website
TUESDAY 17
Banoffi Pie and Other Adventures: 15.00
Festival Film - blur:to the end: 19.30-21.30
WEDNESDAY 18
Creative Writing awards : 15.00
Oh! We do like to be beside the seaside :
19.30
THURSDAY 19
Animazing in Lights: 19.00-20.30
Hailsham Theatres - Party Piece: 19.30
Murder Mystery Supper: 19.30
FRIDAY 20
Festival Film - LEE: 19.30
Hailsham Theatres - Party Piece: 19.30
SATURDAY 21
Nostalgia Fair: 11.00-16.00
Animazing in Lights: 19.00-20.30
Hailsham Theatres - Party Piece: 14.30 & 19.30
The Madness of George lll: 19.30
SUNDAY 22
The Madness of George lll: 14.30
Art Trail - Sat 7th to Sun 22nd Sept
Charity no. 1187850
Vicarage Field, BN27 1BJ
Hailsham Library, BN27 3DN
Hailsham Parish Church, BN27 1BJ
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
Various venues
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
Hailsham Parish Church (lounge)
St Mary’s Walk
Grovelands School, BN27 3UW
White Hart, Horsebridge, BN27 4DJ
White Hart, Horsebridge, BN27 4DJ
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
Vicarage Field, BN27 1BJ
St Mary’s Walk
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
The Laurel, BN27 1AD
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
Callenders, BN27 1AU
Charles Hunt Centre, BN27 1BG
St Mary’s Walk
Summerheath Hall, BN27 3DR
King’s Head, Horsebridge, BN27 4DL
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
Summerheath Hall, BN27 3DR
Cattle Market Site, BN27 2AQ
St Mary’s Walk
Summerheath Hall, BN27 3DR
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
Hailsham Pavilion, BN27 1AE
Various venues
The Music of
George Harrison
The Madness
of George III
Carnaval
Sing-a-long
GREASE
Picasso - his
life and loves
Blur: to the end
LEE the film with Q&A
A special screening of the movie
‘LEE’. Her son and biographer
Antony Penrose will both introduce
the film and answer questions
afterwards.
Visit the festival
website to see
all of the other
festival events
www.hailshamfestival.co.uk

28 SPORT
SEPTEMBER 2024
Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/eastbourne
Sport
Eagles prepare
for second match
with Hammers
Battling Borough
secure impressive
away win
SIYA Ligendza was the hero as
Eastbourne Borough sealed a hardfought
victory at Weymouth in the
National Division South.
Ligendza blasted home a
spectacular second-half free-kick
to secure all three points for Adam
Murray’s side.
Despite being beset by injuries,
Borough shoed plenty of spirit
and could have won by a bigger
margin were it not for some resolute
defending from the home side.
As early as the seventh minute,
Ligendza almost had an opportunity
to put Borough ahead but he
was just beaten to the ball by the
Weymouth keeper.
Borough was forced to make early
changes with Brayden Johnson,
who joined the club in the summer,
coming on for Ballard McBride
midway through the first-half and
Carson Davison, another recent
arrival, replacing Bradley Barry
shortly afterwards.
Despite the early pressure it was
Weymouth who could, and probably
should have, taken a first-half lead.
Seven minutes before the break,
they broke away following a Borough
corner but visiting goalkeeper Joe
Wright was perfectly positioned to
make a crucial save and keep the
game goalless.
But it was the visitors who almost
finished the first-half on a high
when Yahya Bamba sent his shot
agonisingly just wide of the post
after a powerful run which left
Weymouth defenders trailing in
his wake.
The deadlock was finally broken in
the 64th minute thanks to a superb
free-kick from Ligendza.
It was awarded after handball by
Weymouth’s Bearwish.
Although the free-kick was 30-yards
from goal, the Borough striker fired
the ball into the top-right corner,
giving the Weymouth keeper
no chance.
Borough defended resolutely for
the remainder of the match although
they had one almighty scare late on
when Weymouth, pressing for an
Eastbourne Borough
FC’s Siya Ligendza
scored the free kick.
Photo: Eastbourne
Borough FC
Facebook page
equaliser, had another effort on goal
only for Moussa Diarra to make a
crucial last-gasp clearance.
Boss Murray said: “When we picked
up those two early injuries it was
obviously a real blow and I thought
‘what next?’
“But the team stood strong when
they had to. Overall, I was really
pleased with the way we performed
against a very good side.
“We won thanks to an absolutely
stunning free-kick. When Siya
stepped up to take it, I thought it was
either going to land in the back of the
net or in Bournemouth!
“It was a great strike but the victory
was down to a real team effort.
I’m really proud of the way the
lads played.”
Borough will host Slough Town on
September 21 and travel to Essex to
tackle Chelmsford City on October 5.
That is followed by another road
trip to take on Tonbridge on October
12 before returning to home turf
a week later for their clash with
Torquay United.
Ed Kennett at Swindon. Photo by Loco Steve via Flickr
SUSSEX speedway legend Ed
Kennett will be back in Eastbourne
Eagles colours for a challenge
match with Thurrock Hammers at
Iwade on September 22.
The twice former British Under-21
champion, who had four spells as an
Eagle during their Arlington era, last
rode for the club in 2022.
Sussex Eagles Motorcycle Club
spokesman Michael Gray said: “We
know the supporters are delighted
that Ed will be riding for us at Iwade
and it is a massive thank you from us
to him for taking it on.”
He is part of a speedway dynasty
that includes father Dave and uncles
Barney and the late former World No
2 Gordon Kennett.
Eagles supporters are running
a campaign to revive the sport at
Arlington Stadium, near Hailsham,
with next month’s Iwade fixture the
second match they will have run at
the north Kent this season.
Kennett, who turns 38 on August
28, was among the spectators that
day but has been in grasstrack action
this season, and retained his British
Upright Championship title at the Isle
of Wight earlier this month.
In April, a crowd of around 750,
including 365 Eagles supporters,
saw the side return to the track for
the first time since 2022 against
Kent Kings.
Gray and co-organiser David
Grayling are hoping for another
big turnout of support at Iwade to
strengthen their campaign for an
ultimate return to Arlington, which
last hosted speedway in 2022.
The rest of the team will be named
shortly. They will be up against
another trackless club, Thurrock,
whose stadium in Purfleet shut
in 2018.
Eagles will be promoting the
match with an exhibition, including
speedway bikes, at Hastings United’s
Isthmian League match with
Chatham Town on September 14.
Hastings’ Pilot Field stadium hosted
speedway in 1948-49.
Do you have any sports news? Send it to editor@eastbourne.news