Bexhill News April 2024 Issue 22

NEW LOOK!

APRIL 2024 | ISSUE 22

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR BEXHILL, COODEN, SIDLEY, PEBSHAM AND SURROUNDING AREAS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: LOCAL NEWS • EVENTS • FEATURES • MOTORING • SPORT

BEXHILL

MOTORING CENTRE

LEVELLING UP — 2 SIDLEY BOOST — 5

NEW HOSPICE — 8 JOBS FAIR SUCCESS — 15

POOR STATE OF OUR

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2 NEWS

APRIL 2024

Latest local news, visit: Bexhill.News

WELCOME

THE POOR state of

the roads in Bexhill is

a hot topic right now

and quite right too. In

a nutshell they are an

absolute disgrace.

Every time a pothole is repaired it

seems another magically appears just

a short distance away with drivers

having to regularly take evasive

action to avoid sustaining damage to

their vehicles.

Running a car these days is an

expensive business and the last thing

anyone needs is additional repair bills.

Excuses simply won’t do. What

we need is action to get our roads

repaired and properly maintained to

ensure a smooth journey.

As we approach summer it is vital

our roads are kept in good order for

the benefit of residents and tourists

alike.

Admittedly repairs are being carried

out in some areas but in many cases

simply not quickly enough and that is

the problem.

Let’s take as an example the

junction at the bottom of Bolebrooke

Road which leads onto the seafront.

Work was started several weeks

ago and initially it seemed steady

progress was being made.

But then it stopped, barriers were

erected and workers have only been

conspicuous by their prolonged

absence.

We all pay our taxes and all we

demand in return is good service

from the relevant authorities. At

present our roads are failing to

deliver.

Kim Mayo, editor

THE TEAM

PAUL GIBSON — GROUP EDITOR

paul@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

Projects to benefit from

government funding

are confirmed

CONSERVATIVE MP for Bexhill

and Battle Huw Merriman has

welcomed the confirmation of

a number of projects which will

benefit from £20 million worth

of Levelling Up Partnership

government funding and support.

Last March, Rother was named by

the Government as one of 20 new

Levelling Up Partnership areas which

would benefit from bespoke placebased

regeneration.

Since then, the Department

for Levelling Up, Housing and

Communities (DLUHC) has carried

out extensive consultation with the

local MP, local authorities, business,

and voluntary sector organisations

to finalise a list of projects which are

set to gain from the package of direct

government funding and support.

The projects include £5 million to

establish a new health centre for

Little Common, £9 million towards

a brand-new King Offa Leisure

Centre, over £2.1 million for Rother’s

voluntary and community sector,

including establishing a new Bexhill

Community Hub, £1.7 million

to support the visitor economy,

£200,000 to support local high streets

and introduce a system to tackle

shoplifting, and £1.25 million to

Huw Merriman

complete the Queensway Gateway

Road.

Mr Merriman said: “I have long

campaigned for Rother to receive

more government investment

and intervention to ensure that all

residents, in both urban and rural

areas, and especially the more

deprived areas, have equal and fair

access to opportunities.

“Rother is a district which has

long been overlooked or lost out

to neighbouring towns in terms of

funding.

“These projects have been carefully

selected to deliver improvements

for residents’ health and well-being,

strengthen local transport links,

boost business and tourism, provide

much-needed housing, support

learning and skills, as well as extra

help for children, young people, and

families.

“I fully welcome this investment

in Rother and am pleased to have

been directly involved in identifying

these projects which will now be

progressed thanks to Levelling Up

Partnership funding.

“I have a strong working

relationship with many of the

levelling up partners in Sidley, Bexhill

and across Rother and I am confident

these projects will deliver for local

residents and businesses.”

The full list of funding being

allocated so far is as follows:

• £9 million towards a brand-new

King Offa Leisure Centre alongside

building over 50 brand new homes

in the area.

• £5 million to establish the new

Barnhorn Green Health Centre in

Little Common, Bexhill to improve

access to healthcare and £70,000

to make improvements to the

Sidley Family Hub so parents and

children can access the support

they need.

• £2.1 million of funding for

Rother’s voluntary and community

sector, including improvements

to existing community facilities

and establishing a new Bexhill

Community Hub.

• £1.7 million to support the visitor

economy in Rother, including

improving facilities at Camber

Welcome Centre and new signage

for Rother’s viticulture businesses.

• £500,000 (as part of a joint funding

pot with the Hastings Levelling

Up Partnership) to improve skills

provision across both Hastings

and Rother so that residents

are equipped to gain well paid

employment.

• £200,000 to support high street

improvements in Bexhill, Rye

and Battle and invest into an

information sharing system to

tackle business crime.

• £1.25 million for the completion

of the much-needed Queensway

Gateway Road.

KIM MAYO – REGIONAL EDITOR

kim@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

HSIN-YI LO – REGIONAL EDITOR

hsinyilo@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

LYLE ACOTT – ADVERTISING SALES

sales@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

VIKTORIA COWLEY – FEATURES AND ACCOUNTS

viktoria@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

MIKE LEGG – SPORTS REPORTER

sports@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

DEAN COOK – PRODUCTION

dean@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

READ ME, SHARE ME,

THEN RECYCLE ME!

Bexhill News is a publication by Regional Media

Group Ltd, a company registered in England

and Wales number: 13746177. We have taken

care to ensure that the information in this

newspaper is correct. Neither the publisher,

nor contributors can take responsibility for loss

or damage resulting from errors or omissions.

Bexhill News does not endorse the accuracy

of the advertisements or the quality of the

products/services being advertised.

Information provided by businesses and

community organisations are provided directly

by their own representatives; please direct any

queries or comments regarding content directly

to the organisation. Any opinion or views

expressed within this publication are solely

those of the author. © 2024: No part of this

newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole

without express permission of the editor.

Steve Hall is a local cartoonist drawing inspiration from Bexhill and the sea. His cards, books and other items can be found in local independents and the Bexhill museum shop. He can be contacted at steve54.hall@gmail.com.

Latest local news, visit: Bexhill.News APRIL 2024 NEWS 3

Road repairs in Bolebrooke Road, Bexhill

Fury over pothole carnage

with state of roads proving

to be major obstacle

THE DEPUTY leader of Rother

District Council and Labour

councillor Christine Bayliss has

launched a furious tirade over

the appalling state of the roads in

Bexhill.

Ms Bayliss said: “The state of the

roads in our town are an absolute

disgrace and it is time for action. There

are no more excuses. It needs to be

sorted out as an absolute priority.”

She has therefore issued an appeal

for residents to come forward with

information about the costs of vehicle

repairs due to pothole damage.

Ms Bayliss added: “As the General

Election approaches, the state of our

roads is likely to be the number one

issue for many voters in the Bexhill

and Battle constituency.

“Cuts to council budgets, which has

seen a spending squeeze on highway

maintenance, is leading to hundreds

more potholes appearing on local

roads and more worryingly, new

sinkholes are appearing right across

Bexhill.

“Garages and car mechanics have

been doing a roaring trade in car and

van repairs, however, it’s the motorist

who ultimately has to bear the cost.

“One angry resident, Sean from

Bexhill, has come forward to tell us

about the damage to his car when he

hit a pothole in Herbrand Walk.

“The weld and a new tyre set him

back £168. Then there is Felicity who

hit a pothole in Watermill Lane that

rendered her car undrivable. The callout

charge for the garage and new

tyre came to £170.”

Councillor Christine Bayliss standing

on pothole in Sackville Road, Bexhill

“Those are just two examples of

what motorists in Bexhill are having

to put up with and to be perfectly

frank, it is totally unacceptable.”

Ms Bayliss and the Labour team on

the council want to document the

costs of repairs and plot the most

expensive potholes on a “Map of

Motoring Misery” and they are asking

for the public’s help to pull together

evidence.

She said: “The state of Bexhill’s

roads is embarrassing and it feels

like the Conservative-run East Sussex

County Council has just given up.

“I’ve been waiting months for

Highways to fix potholes I’ve reported

in Sackville Road and Station Road

and this can’t carry on.

“That’s why I want to hear from

Bexhill’s motorists in order to gather

evidence so we can highlight the

criminal lack of investment in our

roads and hold our county councillors

to account.”

Several residents in Bolebrooke

Road have also expressed their

outrage over a perceived lack of

action after it was closed off for

repairs.

One, who asked not to be named,

said: “It is absolutely ridiculous,

especially as it is a route which is used

by many to access Bexhill seafront.

“There was an initial flurry of

activity but despite the barriers

closing off the road still being in

place, nothing has been done for days

on end. It is beyond ridiculous.”

Despite being on the opposite

side of the political spectrum to

Christine Bayliss, East Sussex

County Councillor Ian Hollidge

acknowledges that there is still plenty

of work to be done, although he says

progress has been made.

Conservative Mr Hollidge said: As

your East Sussex County Council

representative for Bexhill Town

Centre, chairman of the pothole

review board, resident and regular

cyclist like everyone else I see each

and every defect in our highway

networks.

“As poor Oliver in Dickensian times

asked for more, I’m constantly asking

the same. However, there is only so

much money to go around.

“As you can see, we are adopting a

Right First Time approach to roads

in Bexhill having a large patch or

complete resurfacing.

“There was at the last count a £300

million historic backlog of repairs,

probably considerably more today.

“The pothole review shows we

are looking at more efficient ways

of working and not just about

demanding more money.

“If anyone sees a defect, please

report it to East Sussex Highways or

your East Sussex County councillor.”

4 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Steve Parker is taking on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Children’s Respite Trust

Businessman and daughter

ready to scale heights for charity

BEXHILL BUSINESS owner Steve

Parker is preparing to embark on an

extremely tough challenge to raise

much-needed funds for charity.

Steve, who runs quirky interior

design shop Plum Crazy in Parkhurst

Road, is taking on the renowned Three

Peaks Challenge in support of the

Children’s Respite Trust along with his

daughter Daisy.

He said: “It is a challenge I have

undertaken before for the charity so I

know what I am letting myself in for.

“It is tough but rewarding at the

same time. We are just hoping that the

weather will be kind but then again, I

am clearly a sucker for punishment.

“But it is for a fantastic charity which

really needs support and we are aiming

to raise as much money as possible for

them.”

The challenge involves conquering

the three most well-known peaks in

the UK. On the charity’s website it is

described as “not just a climb; it’s an

opportunity to push your limits, both

mentally and physically, against the

backdrop of some of the most aweinspiring

scenery in the UK.

“Here is the opportunity to gain

unforgettable experiences and stories

that will stay with you forever, all while

making a meaningful impact on the

lives of those in need.”

The challenge will take place between

July 4 and July 7 and Steve and his

daughter are already looking forward

to taking to the mountains even though

they are fully aware of what lies ahead.

“It is important to get yourself out

there and take on challenges head

on,” he added. “I believe in making

a difference and this is the perfect

opportunity to do so.”

The Trust, based in 140 High Street,

Uckfield, has converted a Victorian

former print-works into a respite

facility, which is full of fun, colour and

care for children living with disability.

It is a place where families can come

together and know that they are not

alone. Parents can meet other parents

going through similar experiences and

siblings can too.

The family events held at the centre

take many forms from summer

barbecues to coffee mornings. They

tend to be held more in the school

holidays and will often take on a theme,

such as an Easter egg hunt or summer

fun day.

The centre has a large play area,

including a messy play corner with

lots of fun and messy activities, a soft

play area which is stimulating for the

children to let off steam, as well as a

family-style dining area for lunches.

Across from the open plan kitchen is

the sensory corner with bubble tower,

star curtains, sensory tiled floor and

fibre optics.

Everything in the centre is very

accessible so that all of the children

can make good use of the facilities.

However, the charity is always in

need of additional support which is

why Steve, Daisy and so many others

are doing as much as possible to raise

additional funds.

Steve added: “The CRT Three Peaks

Challenge is an amazing opportunity

for anybody to test out their own

limits while raising vital funds for the

Children’s Respite Trust.

“Over three days the climbers,

including us, will take on Ben Nevis

(1,344 metres), Scafell Pike (978

metres) and Snowdon (1,085 metres)

and we will all get to say we’ve hiked to

the summit of some of the UK’s giants.

“We took part in this challenge last

year, and challenge is definitely the

right word but for some reason we’ve

decided to tackle it again, and rope in

Daisy’s friend Tig for the ride.

“We hope that plenty of people will

donate in support of our efforts as the

charity is a truly wonderful one.”

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.

com/page/daisy-steve-andtig-1709382427729

In addition, Steve will be auctioning

off a signed guitar by renowned rockers

Eddie and the Hot Rods.

For more details visit:

www.justgiving.com/page/

eddieandthehotrodsguitarauction

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Funding to ensure Sidley Recreation

Ground revamp goes ahead

SIDLEY HAS received a major boost

with the news that a significant

revamp of the Recreation Ground

is going ahead.

Back in 2021 Heart of Sidley

consulted with residents to find

out whether they were in favour of

converting the old changing rooms

into a thriving community hub, from

which everyone could benefit, and

the response was an overwhelming

“yes”.

As a result, Heart of Sidley and

Rother District Council have been

successful in obtaining Levelling Up

Funds to make the dream a reality.

It has been confirmed that the

pitch will remain a grass pitch, with

improvements to make it level where

possible with no fence, thus keeping

the site open and accessible to the

community at all times.

Heart of Sidley is also hoping to

further improve the area with new

equipment such as football goals,

benches and other outdoor resources

for all to be able to make the best use

of the space.

Sporting groups will have a much

better experience onsite, including

use of the new changing facilities and

residents will be able to continue to

enjoy the open space for which Sidley

Recreation Ground is so well known

and loved.

Heart of Sidley and Rother District

Council know that this has been a

much-awaited update, and they are

confident that these improvements

offer a balance to both residents and

active groups.

The existing toilet block will be

completely replaced with a new stateof-the-art

Sidley Community Hub.

It will include improved sports

changing facilities and pitch,

accessible toilets, a cafe space,

function rooms to hire for local

groups and off-street parking spaces.

Labour councillor Sam Coleman,

who represents Sidley on Rother

District Council, is delighted that the

revamp will now be taking place.

He said: “Sidley has so much to offer

and confirmation that this work will

definitely be going ahead is great

news.

“I am committed to helping put

Sidley firmly on the map and if

everyone pulls together then that

is definitely achievable, especially

with other projects hopefully in the

pipeline.

“This project is set to be another

fantastic improvement in Sidley,

following on from the BMX and Skate

Park, and the St Mary’s cricket square

and RC track.

“It will be a community hub fit for

the future, making Sidley the go-to

destination for sports and recreation

in Rother. I am absolutely delighted

and I know the Sidley community are

fully behind it too.”

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6 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Battle station house opening group

New community hub is

a real boost for Battle

PHOTOS: ANDY JONES

THE DISUSED former station

master’s house at Battle has been

turned into a community hub.

The listed building, adjacent to the

station ticket office, has been unused

for many years, and had started to fall

into disrepair.

But major work by the building’s

owner, Network Rail, and the

local train operating company,

Southeastern, has transformed it into a

multi-roomed community space.

Grants were also received from

the Railway Heritage Trust and the

Community Rail Network.

The Southeast Communities Rail

Partnership (SCRP), the community

interest partnership which works

to connect local communities with

their railway, has been instrumental

in working with Battle Town Council

to develop the space and find tenants

for it.

In recent months, various groups

have expressed an interest in using

the space for the benefit of the local

community.

The space was officially opened by

Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman

who was joined by Councillor Vikki

Cook, mayor of Battle Town Council;

Baron Hendy of Richmond Hill, the

chairman of Network Rail; and Steve

White, the managing director of

Southeastern.

Mr Merriman said: “This is a

magnificent building, built in 1852

to recognise the significance of

Battle. I really welcome this project,

it’s fantastic to see the building

being brought back into use for the

community. I’d like to see this done

across the country. I wish this initiative

every success.”

Vikki Cook added: “It is my honour

and my privilege to accept these keys

for the station masters house on behalf

of the people of Battle.

“I would like to thank SCRP, Network

Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust,

Southeastern and many others for

their work on this amazing renovation

and redecoration, and fantastic asset

for our town.”

Baron Hendy, chairman of Network

Rail, said: “It’s a joy to see railway

buildings become an asset for the local

community.

“I’m grateful for the support of the

Railway Heritage Trust and all the

other partners who have worked

so hard on restoring this wonderful

building and bringing it back into

use.”

Steve White, managing director

of Southeastern, said: “We want

our stations to be an asset for the

communities we serve, as connecting

people and places helps us to add

social value and support the local

economy.

“Battle is one of the finest examples

of neo-Gothic architecture on the

railway today, and we are very proud

to be its current custodian.

“It looks fantastic following the

recent restoration work we’ve carried

out with our partners, and I’m sure our

customers will really enjoy travelling

through this stunning station and the

new facility will prove to be invaluable

to the local community here.”

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Latest local news, visit: Bexhill.News APRIL 2024 ADVERTORIAL 7

A D V E R T I S E R P R O M O T I O N

Guard against

glaucoma — regular

eye exams can spot

chronic condition

AN OPTICIAN has urged people

across East Sussex to get their

eyes examined to guard against

a chronic life-long disease, as

eye care professionals across the

world vow to ‘get to grips with

glaucoma’.

Managing Director, Jeremy Heynes,

of Barracloughs the Opticians with

seven practices across East Sussex, has

spoken out ahead of World Glaucoma

Week taking place from March 10 to

March 16, to help raise awareness of a

condition that is the leading cause of

blindness worldwide.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases

that damage the optic nerve and lead

to vision loss over time. It is caused

by an increase in pressure within the

eye, which can damage the delicate

nerve fibres that transmit visual

information from the eye to the brain.

If left untreated, glaucoma can cause

irreversible vision loss and even

blindness.

Jeremy Heynes (FBDO) said:

“Glaucoma is a life-long, chronic

disease that cannot be cured. Any

sight lost due to glaucoma cannot

be regained. But the good news is,

with effective medical treatment,

the damage can be slowed or even

stopped in its tracks.

“Glaucoma was once a disease

that would almost certainly lead

to blindness. Huge advances in

diagnosis, monitoring and treatment

now mean that, in the UK, the vast

majority of people with glaucoma will

keep useful sight for life.

“However, it’s vital we diagnose

it early to give the patient the best

possible care. That is why we are

using World Glaucoma Week to

urge everyone to get their eyes

examined so we can screen for any

eye condition that could potentially

be damaging to your health.”

Glaucoma is a widespread condition,

affecting an estimated 80 million

people worldwide. In England, about

500,000 people have chronic openangle

glaucoma but there will be

many more unaware they have the

condition. This is because glaucoma

often has no symptoms in its early

stages, which is why regular eye

exams are so important.

Anyone can develop glaucoma but

there are several risk factors which

make glaucoma more likely.

Age — Primary open angle

glaucoma becomes more common

with age. It’s fairly rare below age 40,

but rises from about two in 100 over

the age of 40 to more than one in 20

for those aged 80+.

Blood pressure — Very high blood

pressure can lead to an increase in

intraocular pressure. Low blood

pressure can lead to insufficient

blood supply to the optic nerve which

can also cause problems

Ethnicity — People of African-

Caribbean origin have about a fourtimes

higher risk of primary open

angle glaucoma compared to those of

European origin. People of east Asian

origin are at higher risk of developing

primary angle closure glaucoma.

Family history — There is at least a

four-times higher risk of developing

glaucoma if you have a close blood

relative who has it. So, if you have

glaucoma, you should tell your

relatives about the condition as they

may need to be tested.

Short sight — People with short

sight (myopia) are at increased risk of

developing glaucoma.

Long sight — People with long sight

are at increased risk of developing

primary angle closure glaucoma.

Diabetes — People with diabetes

may be at higher risk of developing

glaucoma.

Visit us at 41 Western Road,

Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1DT, or call

01424 219543. Alternatively, you can

book in for an eye examination by

visiting www.barracloughs.net.

8 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Plans to build new hospice in

Rother and Hastings in place

ST MICHAEL’S Hospice’s Board

of Trustees has announced plans

to build a new hospice in Rother

and Hastings to provide enhanced

end-of-life care and support to the

community.

The Hospice was established 37 years

ago in its current location, which was

a former Victorian convent on Upper

Maze Hill in St Leonards.

The Trustees’ decision reflects the

ever-increasing need for hospice

services and the challenge of providing

them from an ageing building that was

not designed for modern palliative

care.

Dr Karen Clarke, chief executive of

St Michael’s Hospice, said: “The local

population is growing, and people are

living longer, which means a greater

demand for our services.

“Our base on Upper Maze Hill is in a

beautiful location and holds a special

place in the hearts of many, but parts

of the building date back over 160 years

which limits the options for developing

it into the modern facility that our

community needs.”

The project is still in its infancy, with

architects currently assessing the

potential of the current site.

Meanwhile, the hospice is exploring

alternative suitable locations. A new

site would require good transport links

to ensure ease of access for patients,

their families and friends, the hospice

workforce, and the community.

The hospice has a provisional

timeline of 2030 for the completion of

the new building. While the overall

cost of the project has not been

established, the organisation will need

to raise at least £10 million to support

the construction of the new facility, in

addition to ongoing operational costs.

Dr Clarke added: “Our vision is for

a new hospice that not only meets

the practical needs of patients, their

families and friends, and our team but

also captures the care and compassion

that defines St Michael’s Hospice.”

Susan Munroe, Chairwoman of

Trustees of St Michael’s Hospice, said:

“The Board of Trustees is very proud

of the wonderful care and support

delivered by the St Michael’s Hospice

team to the people of Hastings and

Rother.

Our duty is to the community

we serve, and we believe that our

community deserves their care to

be provided in the best possible

environment. We are very excited at the

prospect of creating a new facility that

the whole community can take pride in

to ensure a welcoming and comfortable

place for people when they need it.”

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10 EVENTS

APRIL 2024


EVENTS GUIDE

BOOK SALE

Saturday 27th April, 10am to 12 noon

Little Common Community Library,

Community Centre, Shepherds Close,

Little Common.

Hundreds of used books from stock, Cake and

jigsaw stall, tombola. A library run by volunteers for

the Community. Contact Wendy on 01424 258036

BEXHILL DOWN LADIES GROUP

Come and join this friendly group of ladies meeting

every second Wednesday of the month, between

2-4 pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Cooden Drive

TN39 4SX. (Lots of free parking and on bus route).

We have entertainers, speakers, craft, fun and food

sessions along with chatting, tea and biscuits!

Do pop along to make new friends or contact for

more information call Janice 07825 085 662 or

email janice.takoor@hotmail.co.uk

BEXHILL STAMP & POSTCARD CLUB

St Augustin’s Church Hall,

Cooden Drive, Bexhill, TN39 3AZ

Wednesday 24th April, at 7.30pm

Come and join us for some friendly company and

an entertaining evening especially if you would

like to know more and perhaps join us in our

interesting and informative pastime. This month

we are being treated to a visit from members of

the Tunbridge Wells Society who will bring some

displays and information that will keep us attentive

and ‘perhaps’ quiet. It should only be interrupted

by refreshments and the excitement of our

breathtaking ‘star-dine’ raffle.

LOCAL CRAFT FAIR

Saturday 6th April from 10am - 2pm.

St. Stephens Church Hall,

Down Road, Bexhill, TN39 4HD.

We have 20 Local makers selling their beautiful

handmade items. Homemade cakes. Tea & coffee.

Hot snacks are available. Free parking and free

entry. Opens 10am to 2pm. Please do come along

and support local.

CRAFT FAIR

Saturday 13th April from 10am - 2.30pm. FREE

ENTRY. St. Barnabas Church,

Sea Road, Bexhill, TN40 1JG

We have lots of lovely local crafters selling their

beautiful handmade items. We also have a pop-up

cafe with homemade cakes, sandwiches and soup.

Tea & coffee available with a seating area. Free

entry.

LITTLE COMMON COMMUNITY

ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL PLANT SALE

Friday 10th May, 9am to 11am

Little Common Community Centre,

(adjacent to the primary school)

Shepherds Close, Little Common, TN39 4SQ.

All plants are locally grown by volunteers.

ARE YOU ORGANISING

A CHARITY OR

NON-PROFIT EVENT?

IF YOU WANT TO GET

SOME FREE

COVERAGE FOR YOUR

EVENT, BEXHILL NEWS

CAN INCLUDE IT

WITHIN ITS POPULAR

GUIDE...

This newspaper reaches more than 20,000 readers every month, and

we want to support the many events which are organised by local

groups and charities.

Therefore, we are inviting submissions to our events guide which will

appear in this newspaper and on our busy website.

All you need to do is email us with the event title, description, location,

cost of entry, times and contact information. The listing should not

total more than 75 words.

Simply email this information to events@bexhill.news.

BEXHILL NEWS REMAINS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRIES. WE WILL NOT PRINT ANY

COMMERCIAL EVENTS FREE-OF-CHARGE. ALL ENTRIES TO THE GUIDE MUST BE RECEIVED BY

20TH OF ANY MONTH TO ENSURE INCLUSION.

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WESTERN ROAD


Thriving college is rated as

outstanding by inspectors

STAFF AT Bexhill Sixth College are

celebrating having been awarded

the top ranking by Ofsted following

a recent inspection

The college is now officially rated

as “Outstanding” which is the highest

grade possible.

It was confirmed following a recent

Ofsted inspection which looked into

all areas of the college.

The Ofsted report highlights

how “students thrive in the calm,

purposeful and professional

environment staff create at the

college.”

It went on to describe how the

students “relish” the positive culture

the college offers and recognise how

this makes the environment “highly

conducive to learning”.

Students at the thriving college were

described as being “highly motivated,

arriving for lessons promptly and

keen to start learning”.

The college was also confirmed

as making a “strong” contribution

to meeting skills needs, the highest

description a college can achieve in

Bexhill College staff and students celebrate Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ grading

this area of an inspection.

Principal Karen Hucker was

absolutely delighted with the report’s

findings which underlined a superb

success story.

She said: “To be recognised as

‘Outstanding’ is an extremely

significant achievement and the result

of years of hard work, determination,

and dedication from all staff.

“I am absolutely delighted for all

the students, staff, and everyone

connected with the college.

“We strive to provide the highest

standard of education possible in a

college that welcomes, encourages,

and embraces its students.

“This report is recognition of that

and is something that not just the

college, but the town of Bexhill and the

surrounding area can be proud of.”

The report outlines the excellent

learning and teaching for students.

Inspectors’ comments included:

“Teachers plan students’ learning

with exceptional care” and they

“apply their expertise skilfully to

inspire and motivate students.”

Commenting on the students,

the inspectors said they become

increasingly confident and fluent

in their recall and application of

the knowledge and skills they

acquire as a result of the careful

way teachers structure and deliver

lessons.

Inspectors concluded that “the

standard of teaching is consistently

high across the college.”

The excellent range of courses

offered by the college was noted along

with the wide choice of social action

and enrichment activities available.

The report confirmed that “staff

provide students with plentiful

opportunities to broaden their wider

skills and knowledge, which prepares

them well for life in modern Britain.”

Ms Hucker added: “Our staff are

extremely proud of this recognition of

their hard work and the support they

give all their students to help them

achieve their potential.

“We are also delighted that the

excellent behaviour and commitment

of our students was recognised by the

inspection team.“

Students can still apply via the

college website for the September

intake online.

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12 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Plea for host families

to help Ukrainians

RESIDENTS FROM Bexhill and

across East Sussex are being urged

to consider becoming host families

for Ukrainians who have been

forced to flee their home country

due to the ongoing conflict with

Russia.

Ukrainian people still need our

help, is the message from East Sussex

County Council as Ukraine marks two

years since the start of the full-scale

invasion.

With Ukrainians still being forced

to flee their homes and those already

in the county looking for settled

accommodation, residents are being

asked to consider becoming a host

family for those seeking refuge.

Since the beginning of the conflict

in February 2022, more than 800 host

families have welcomed more than

1,800 guests to the county, with local

groups and organisations providing

support and services to help them

settle and achieve independence.

Hosts have played an invaluable

role in helping Ukrainian guests

to build an independent life in this

country.

Kathryn Pogson

Appalled by the situation in

Ukraine, actress Kathryn Pogson was

initially unsure about opening up her

home but felt it would be the right

thing to do.

“If the situation were different

and my grown-up children needed

refuge, I’d be really sad if nobody

could offer help,” she said.

“There are challenges when you

invite a stranger into your home.

There is that whole idea of it being

a stranger, and I suppose one of the

most challenging aspects is language.

“I don’t speak any Ukrainian, but

we got by with a lot of hand waving

and gestures and with her reasonable

grasp of English, we sort of managed,

and it became funnier rather than a

problem.

“You can’t follow a pattern, you

have to take on board the human

being that’s joined you and find your

way together. You just need a bit of

patience and kindness.”

Kathryn added: “I have been

impressed by the Homes for Ukraine

scheme. If I needed anything Homes

for Ukraine were very good at helping

and they set up lots of social things for

guests to get involved with. It’s a really

well-balanced, well-run scheme.”

While some Ukrainian guests are

new arrivals to the county, others

have already started to build a life

in East Sussex and have jobs and

children at local schools.

Councillor Keith Glazier, leader of

East Sussex County Council, said:

“We can’t begin to imagine how

difficult life has been for Ukrainian

people over the past two years, being

forced to flee for their own safety,

leaving behind family, friends, and

possessions.

“It’s wonderful to have seen East

Sussex open its heart and welcome so

many guests over the past two years,

but there are still so many people who

need our help, not only those who are

new to the county but those who have

started to build a life here and need

support to create a stable life for them

and their families.

Fashion

show for

museum

THE POPPY Club in Little

Common is hosting a

spectacular fashion show

later this month with all

proceeds going towards

the operating costs and

maintenance of the various

collections at Bexhill Museum,

which remains one of the town’s

best attractions.

The highly-anticipated event is

taking place on Friday, April 25

with doors opening at 7pm and

the show getting underway at

7.30pm.

Organisers have emphasised

that entrance is by ticket only and

they are expected to be snapped

up quickly. They can be obtained

from Wards in Devonshire

Road, Willow in Sea Road or the

museum which is in Egerton

Road.

There will be men and ladies

fashion as well as stalls which

will include accessories, gifts and

books.

Tickets for what promises to

be an entertaining evening are

priced at £8 and include a glass of

Prosecco or a soft drink.

A Taste of Spring! Tuesday 16th April £48pp

Grilled Razor Clams with a Chervil, Pink Peppercorn

& Sourdough Gratin (GFO)

Les Chiens Blancs VDF

Roasted Filet of Coley, Spring Leaf Hash Brown, Roasted

Vegetable Fricassee & Lovage Sauce

Domaine Mas Bahourat Viognier

Wild Mushroom Pate en Croute, Shiitake Velouté & St George

Mushroom Chutney

Avamposti Pinot Nero

Lamb Cutlet, Confit Leek with Truffle, Wild Nettle Pesto, Duchess

Potato, Rosemary Cured Egg Yolk & Local Asparagus

Argilleres Cabernet Franc

Carrot Cake, Whipped Slipcote Goats Cheese & Local Honey

Sal de Fiesta Moscato Verdejo

GOURMET

EVENING

See details

below

The Bull Inn

To call, or reserve a table: 01424 424984

530 BEXHILL ROAD, ST LEONARDS ON SEA, TN38 8AY

www.bullstleonards.co.uk

Facebook: @bullinnstleonards

Sunday Folk Session - 7th April & 5th May from 5:30pm

Monday Charity Quiz - 1st, 15th & 29th from 8:00pm

Rock’n Roll Bingo - Sunday 21st from 6:00pm

Sunday Karaoke - Please contact us for details of this event

Live Music

Party Night with Ritchie Lee - Singing hits throughout the decades.

Friday 26th April from 8:00 pm.

Gourmet Evening - Wednesday 24th April from 6:00pm

“Around the World in 8 Courses” - 8 taster courses, each from

a different country. Limited spaces available for this very popular

event (book early to avoid disappointment).

Contact us for more details.

Traditional freshly cooked ‘Pub Grub’ with many classic favourites,

HOMEMADE PIES are our speciality! We also serve Goddard’s traditional Pie, Mash

and Liquor. In addition, our traditional Sunday Roast is served every week. Enjoy

our secluded beer garden, we have a large car park at the rear and

we’re dog friendly too!


Generous donation gives extra

support to Sara Lee Trust

BEXHILL ROTARY Club has made

a generous donation to Sara Lee

Trust, presenting them with a

cheque for £1,000 to give the trust’s

funds a great boost.

The Rotary club’s president, James

Slinn, visited Nikki Hawes and the Sara

Lee Trust fundraising team at the new

Therapy Centre in Sidley.

When James took office last July, one

of the charities he nominated that he

would support was The Sara Lee Trust.

The donation comes from part of the

total funds raised by Bexhill Rotarians

from the generous public in their

Christmas collections.

Sara Lee Trust’s Therapy Centre is

tucked away behind the trust’s charity

shop in Ninfield Road and provides a

calm and therapeutic space right in the

heart of Sidley.

The centre is mobility friendly and

accessible to all, providing a serene

and welcoming environment for

individual and group therapies, plus

counselling.

In addition, a delightful walled and

sensory garden provides colour, scent

Bexhill Rotary Club and The Sara Lee Trust Team

and interest all year round.

On presenting the cheque to Nikki,

James said: “I hope the money will

help the Sara Lee Trust continue their

invaluable work supporting families

coping with cancer related illnesses.”

Sara Lee Trust has been supporting

people in Rother and Hastings, who

are living with cancer, for more than

25 years.

The trust is named after Sara, who

was a former student at Bexhill College

and Hastings College. She moved to

London in 1979 and worked as a stylist

in fashion photography.

In 1993, she was diagnosed with a

sarcoma, a rare cancer, on her wrist

and as part of the treatment, Sara

had her right arm amputated and

underwent chemotherapy.

During her treatment, Sara learnt

about diet, relaxation and meditation

at the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, now

called Penny Brohn. Sara found her

own dietician and spiritual healer in

London, who supported her through

the next two years up until the six

weeks before her death.

Sara had spoken about how therapy

had assisted her to live life to the full,

and how important it is for cancer

patients to access such therapies easily

and conveniently.

When Sara passed away, her family

and friends set up the Sara Lee Trust

to carry on her vision to give better

support to patients and their families.

www.saraleetrust.org.

MOVIES, SHOWS AND FUN FOR

THE WHOLE FAMILY

AT THE HAILSHAM PAVILION

VIVA LAS VEGAS

26 APRIL - 14:30

All musically gifted race-driver

Lucky Jackson (Elvis Presley)

wants in Las Vegas is to score

enough money for a new car

motor so he can win the Grand

Prix. When he encounters sexy

swimming instructor Rusty, he

considers staying around longer.

MIGRATION

29 MAR - 11 APRIL - 10:30 & 14:15

Creators of the blockbuster

Minions, Despicable Me, Sing and

The Secret Life of Pets comedies,

invites you to take flight into the

thrill of the unknown with a funny,

feathered family vacation like no

other in the action-packed new

original comedy, Migration.

MADAME WEB

29 MAR - 4 APRIL - 19:30

In a switch from the typical genre,

Madame Web tells the origin story

of one of Marvel’s most enigmatic

heroines. The suspense-driven

thriller stars Dakota Johnson as

Cassandra Webb, a paramedic

in Manhattan who develops the

power to see the future.

DUNE: PART TWO

5-8 APRIL - 14:15 & 19:30

The mythic journey of Paul Atreides

as he unites with Chani and

the Fremen while on a warpath of

revenge against the conspirators

who destroyed his family. Facing

a choice between the love of his

life and the fate of the known universe,

to prevent a terrible future.

LES MISÉRABLES

10 & 11 APRIL - 14:15 & 19:30

After 19 years as a prisoner, Jean

Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is freed

by Javert (Russell Crowe), the officer

in charge of the prison workforce.

Valjean promptly breaks

parole but later uses money from

stolen silver to reinvent himself as

a mayor and factory owner.

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN

EMPIRE

12-18 APRIL - 14:15 & 19:30

The Spengler family returns to

where it all started, the iconic New

York City firehouse to team up

with the original Ghostbusters,

who’ve developed a top-secret

research lab to take busting ghosts

to the next level.

DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS

19-21 APRIL - 19:30

This comedy caper follows Jamie,

an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning

yet another breakup with a

girlfriend, and her demure friend

Marian who desperately needs

to loosen up. In search of a fresh

start, the two embark on an impromptu

road trip to Tallahassee.

LUCA - K4AQ

20-21 APRIL - 10:30 & 14:15

A coming-of-age story about one

young boy experiencing an

unforgettable summer filled with

gelato, pasta and endless scooter

rides. Luca (voice of Jacob T

remblay) shares these adventures

with his newfound best friend,

Alberto.

MOTHER’S INSTINCT

22-25 APRIL - 14:15 & 19:30

Housewives Alice and Celine are

best friends and neighbours who

seem to have it all.

However, when a tragic accident

shatters the harmony of their

lives, guilt, suspicion and

paranoia begin to unravel their

sisterly bond.

TO BOOK TICKETS CALL THE

BOX OFFICE ON 01323 841414

E: info@hailshampavilion.co.uk W: hailshampavilion.co.uk

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

TREASURE ISLAND - AN EASTER

ADVENTURE

10 APRIL - 14:00

Hailsham Pavilion is proud to be offering

a brand new Easter Family Adventure!

Bursting with Swashbuckling Pirates,

Mysterious Mermaids and Dotty Dames,

this hilarious show has all the fun-raising

elements you would expect. With a

fabulous professional cast featuring the

Magic of popular entertainer, Krazy Kev, it’s the

must-see Easter holiday show for all the family to enjoy! Limited

seats and only one performance…Booking Now!

Show approx. 2hrs

TICKETS: £14.50-£16.50. GROUP TICKET

PRICE: £14.50-£54.00.

NT LIVE - NYE (EVENT

CINEMA)

23 APRIL - 19:30

Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a

surreal and spectacular journey through

the life and legacy of the man who

transformed Britain’s welfare state and

created the NHS. Confronted with death,

Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories

lead him on a mind-bending journey

back through his life; from childhood to

mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill.

TICKETS: £15 & £13

ALL MATINEES SCREENINGS AND ALL DAY SUNDAY SCREENINGS - £6.50 / EVENING SCREENINGS - ADULTS - £9 CONCESSIONS - £7

14 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Fire services hold joint

exercise to spread

wildfire safety message

PHOTOS: PAUL GIBSON

FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES from

East, West Sussex, Surrey and Kent

held an exercise recently on the

Ashdown Forest for a joint wildfire

training exercise.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue

Service organised the event, which

provided the opportunity to test

wildfire response capabilities and

collaborative working.

There was no live fire on the day,

but the incident simulated a rapidly

developing fire at the base of a slope on

open heathland.

Around 40 firefighters from across

the four services responded to the

mock scenario working together

with our Joint Fire Control, a multiservice

incident command team and

local land managers, including the

Ashdown Forest Rangers. Fire engines

and specialist appliances were also

utilised, including off-road vehicles,

drone teams and a water carrier.

Services will now work

together to develop learning and

recommendations and promote

key messages to members of the

public and landowners ahead of the

wildfire season.

WILDFIRE ADVICE

• PREVENTION IS KEY: Don’t drop cigarettes or burning materials on dry ground,

keep children away from lighters and matches, use designated barbecue areas

and dispose of glass bottles and litter properly.

• PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PROPERTY: Remove flammable materials

from your garden, check for spaces where burning embers could become

lodged, safely store flammable substances, and trim back shrubs or trees near

your house.

• HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN: Make sure you and others know what to do in

the event of a wildfire. Don’t delay — if in doubt, get out, away from vegetation

and smoke.

• WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A WILDFIRE: Stay calm, follow your

evacuation plan, and always call 999 in the event of an emergency.

Historically, UK wildfires are

most closely associated with Spring,

and this exercise provides the

opportunity to relaunch the ESFRS

campaign ‘We’re wildfire ready, are

you?’ focusing on wildfire safety,

prevention, protection and how to

respond in the event of an emergency.

Station Manager and ESFRS

Wildfire Lead Trevor Funnell said:

‘’This collaborative wildfire training

exercise provided an invaluable

opportunity for our teams to test our

preparedness and resilience. Our

crews honed their skills within a

realistic simulation, demonstrating

our commitment to safeguarding

communities and strengthening

public safety through multi-service

working.

Should the worst happen, we want

to ensure our teams are ready to

respond effectively to wildfires. With

hotter and drier summers, we urge the

public to be wildfire-ready by taking

precautions now and checking your

homes and businesses for risks in

order to keep yourselves and others

safe. By working together we can

help reduce the risk and the

devastating impact unpredictable

wildfires can cause.”


A very busy day at the Bexhill Jobs Fair

Jobs fair at De La

Warr is another

resounding success

ONCE AGAIN, the annual Bexhill

Jobs and Apprenticeship Fair at the

De La Warr Pavilion proved to be a

huge success.

The event, which took place in

March, saw hundreds of people

descend on the venue to investigate

what opportunities were on offer from

a wide variety of businesses.

Despite harsh economic times,

there are still plenty of vacancies to

be filled across East Sussex and there

was certainly plenty of interest being

expressed by would-be employees.

Bexhill and Battle Conservative MP

Huw Merriman is a big supporter of

the Jobs Fair, which was staged for the

eighth successive year.

He said: “Everyone has worked

extremely hard to ensure the Jobs Fair

prove to be a big success once more

and I was delighted to see so many

people attend.

“There were 56 organisations

in the room and each one had

something to offer whether it be

jobs, apprenticeships, training, work

experience or essential skills to help

those seeking their perfect job.

“I would like to thank everyone

involved, especially the local

organisations who offered generous

sponsorships. Once again it has

proved to be a wonderful success

story.”

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and

Tourism President Howard Martin

was in attendance along with several

other members of the organisation.

He was delighted to see a bumper

turnout once again despite the poor

weather on the day.

He said: “Bexhill Chamber of

Commerce were very pleased to once

again be able to sponsor the annual

Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeship fair

which is organised by the office of

Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman.

“Our CV review service was very

well received and we were able to help

nearly 60 candidates with their CVs

and provide advice on their career

pathways.

“We were particularly pleased to

get firm commitments for interviews

for several candidates and to get a

young person direct access to an

apprenticeship scheme run by one of

the country’s biggest builders.

“The event was very well supported

by many Chamber members among

the 50 or so enterprises that took part.

“About 800 candidates visited the

event during the day and everyone

involved considered it a great success.”

Although Mr Martin was delighted

with the response to the Jobs Fair,

he emphasised there is still plenty of

work to be done to ensure Bexhill can

encourage more businesses both big

and small to invest in the town.

He added: “We are certainly not

going to rest on our laurels. As a town

we are heading in the right direction

but we need to continue to grow and

thrive.

“It is great news that a large company

like Peacocks has decided to open

a branch in Devonshire Road. That

is a step in the right direction and of

course brings more job opportunities

to the town.

“But there are still several vacant

business premises in the town and

the objective is to get them active

again, and ongoing enterprises and

preferably sooner rather than later.

“As we all know, Bexhill has plenty

to offer but it is vital we are proactive

rather than reactive.

“Work will continue to try to attract

more businesses to our town and help

it thrive. That is the priority.”

Conservative East Sussex County Councillor for Bexhill North Abul Azad,

Howard Martin and Stewart Drew, chief executive of De La Warr Pavilion

Attendants at the Bexhill Jobs Fair at the De La Warr Pavilion

People speaking to employers about what opportunities are available

16 REGULARS

APRIL 2024


ON YOUR BIKE with Ian Hollidge

REDISCOVER THE FUN & FITNESS OF CYCLING

MOST OF us can remember our first

bike and the feeling of joy it gave us to

finally own a two-wheeled machine

which would bring us so much joy as we

learned to master balance, taking control

and with it the freedom to move around

wherever we chose to go.

So why should we opt for pedal power

while eschewing where possible other

modes of transport. For this, my first

column for Bexhill News, I will attempt to

provide some answers.

We all need transport to travel and n

East Sussex we have to deal with old

roads yet at the same time increasing

traffic in the 21st Century.

So, how best to access jobs, shops,

meeting up with friends and having fun

without too much endeavour while also

negotiating our increasingly clogged road

infrastructure? After all, who wants to be

stuck in a traffic jam on a blazing hot day?

The wheel has been around for

approximately 5,000 years while

bicycles were first introduced about

200 years ago.

Health and fitness are one of the main

reasons for taking up cycling. In a nutshell,

it is good for us.

Getting out and about on a bike enables

us to fully enjoy our lives, whether it be to

meet people for a chat or to help improve

mental health, which is of course vitally

Bexhill Wheelers and 1066 Cycle Group on ride out to Brown Bread Street, Ashburnham

important in these stressful times.

Cycling also enables us to commune

with nature among many other benefits

including helping to protect the

environment.

A motor vehicle can take up to 16 times

more space than one bicycle and weigh

up to 200 times more. They can cause

damage to vegetation and because of their

speed often prevent all forms of life from

moving around safely.

Bikes do not pollute or emit toxic fumes,

nor do they require a large, hard surface

to move around and park.

Cleaning a bike is so far easier and

cheaper with the additional bonus

that there is no need to use complex

and potentially damaging chemicals.

Therefore, getting on your bike helps to

protect what we have and cherish.

Sustainability means using only what we

need while protecting the environment.

Bicycles last for years when properly

maintained and cared for and, in addition,

there is no need to spend potentially

hundreds of pounds on costly spare parts.

Bicycles never need refuelling as the

only energy required to move about is by

human endeavour; that is pedal power!

In short, cycling is carbon offsetting at its

very best.

As concerns over climate change

continue to grow, steps are continuing

to limit the use of ‘gas guzzlers’ on our

roads. For instance, vehicles with low

CO2 emissions do not pay road tax while

cyclists have never paid road tax and are

not likely to.

New bikes can be purchased for less

than £100 and although you can invest

significantly more if you wish, there is also

a thriving second hand market. Bicycles

hold their price well and selling them on is

usually very simple.

Maintenance costs are minimal and

although insurance is not a requirement

it is advisable that regular riders insure

themselves via Cycling UK or an

alternative provider just to be on the

safe side.

Pedalling yourself to any destination

costs absolutely nothing and when you

arrive parking is easy and, best of all, free.

There are many secure places with

keycard entry and security cameras to

ensure your pride and joy does not fall

into the wrong hands.

Compare that to the cost of running

a car which averages about £4,000

per year. So, if you want to travel while

staying healthy in mind and body, help

the environment, care for future needs

by being sustainable and reducing

expenditure then getting on your bike is

the simple solution.

Cycling may not be the miracle cure for

everything but it is a mighty fine start as

far as I am concerned.

Many say that what you drive, ride and

own shows of an individual style. Do you

take note of how someone arrives at a

destination and in or on what mode of

transport and make an assumption about

them?

Getting on your bike makes a statement

about what you stand for, which is fun

on two wheels while also enjoying the

additional benefits to mind, body and

spirit.

Next month I will tell you where to go on

your bike by telling you about some of my

own favourite destinations, and detail the

clubs and groups in East Sussex who can

help you on your journey.

Care from

the heart

AT SOUTHLANDS PLACE

Imagine a place where you can be as independent as you choose,

where everything is designed with your enjoyment, health and

wellbeing in mind. Our commitment is to provide personalised

care and support as we put you at the heart of everything we do.

0808 223 5401 | ariacare.co.uk

Hastings Road , Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN40 2HJ

ACH775

Latest local news, visit: Bexhill.News APRIL 2024 REGULARS 17

PUZZLES

SPONSORED BY

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Cereal

Toast

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Juice

Milk

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ANSWERS

ACROSS

6 Sedentary kind of General (8)

8 Something of little value (4)

9 Dogma (5)

10 Look up to (6)

11 Activity necessary for scaling

Everest (4,8)

13 Disturbed men only met up for

inactivity (12)

16 The — Flyer, first heavier-than-air

powered aircraft (6)

18 “If It — Been For Love”

(Adele song) (5)

19 It’s rolled towards a jack (4)

20 In a manner free from danger (8)

DOWN

1 Members of a flock (8)

2 Beautiful (6)

3 Car exhaust pollutants (12)

4 Organised group of criminals (3,3)

5 “The Sign of ---” (Conan Doyle) (4)

7 It brings one back to Earth (7,5)

12 Don’t mention it (3,2,3)

14 Business big shots (6)

15 Venerated townspeople (6)

17 Chamber (4)

NEWSPAPER READER

SURVEY LAUNCHED

IT’S YOUR time to give us your opinions on the

town’s dedicated FREE newspaper.

Bexhill News is dedicated to reporting on all

the local news as we approach almost two years

old. We want to know what you think of this

monthly publication so we can find out how to

improve it and continue to offer you an incredible

publication.

We’ve launched a reader survey which should

take no more than a few minutes to complete and

simply asks what you enjoy in the newspaper and

what you’d like to see in any future editions.

Group Editor Paul Gibson said: “We launched

Bexhill News to fill the gap to improve local news

coverage and we have been overwhelmed by how

the newspaper has been received locally. Almost

all 12,000 copies are now picked up within ten

days, which is incredible.”

He added: “The survey is a really important

exercise for us and allows us to find out what

our valued readers enjoy and collate ideas and

suggestions to help us develop. At the end of

the day, it is a ‘community newspaper’; we feel

it belongs to the town, so it’s only right we ask

readers for some constructive feedback.”

To complete the survey, which only comprises of

eight questions, simply either scan the QR Code

here or visit https://bit.ly/BN-Survey-Feb24

CALLING ALL

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18 REGULARS

APRIL 2024


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

“April brings the primrose sweet, Scatters daisies at our feet” Sara Coleridge

SPRING IS now in full swing, and our

gardens are full of promise. Fresh

green foliage unfurls, fat buds develop,

the grass starts growing in earnest and

we should take every opportunity to

get out into Nature and soak up the

season-whatever the weather!

Here at Bates Green Garden,

we enjoy planning, planting and

curating our colour-themed Middle

Garden. The planting in this area

is always being reviewed to reflect

the change of climate that we now

experience so obviously. We also

want to demonstrate current trends

in horticulture and what better group

of plants to do this with than dahlias?

They come in all shades and shapes and

are so flamboyant and dramatic, just

what we want in these summer borders.

Carolyn McCutchan, who originally

designed and planted Bates Green

Garden, put wildlife at the forefront of

her plant choices. We therefore only

choose the ‘single’ dahlias, which have

one layer of petals forming the flowers.

This is opposed to ‘doubles’ which some

gardeners prefer as they are more showy

and the flowers last longer as they cannot

be pollinated and develop seed.

The ’double’ flowers are bred to

replace the sexual organs of the

plant with extra petals, this may look

attractive but is frustrating for the

pollinators that we garden for; bees,

butterflies and hoverflies. These

important insects are attracted to

signals given off by the flower, the

colour and perhaps the scent of the

doubles but cannot easily locate the

pollen or nectar due to the number

of petals to navigate. This wastes

important energy for these creatures

and does not benefit them. We want our

borders to be alive with insect activity

and have therefore selected only single

dahlias which include all the ‘Bishop’

cultivars.

Dahlias are pricey to buy but easy to

bulk up at home by taking basal stem

cuttings. When the tubers arrive, pot

them up into shallow trays with the

tubers visible above the level of the

compost. Place in a warm propagating

unit, a windowsill would do, and watch

them closely. Once the emerging shoots

are about 7.5cms long, remove a few

from each tuber with a very sharp knife.

This cutting must include a small sliver

of the parent tuber.

Pot them up immediately into some

peat-free multi-purpose compost and

place either in a propagator or in a

warm place with a plastic bag secured

around the pot with a rubber band. This

will keep the moisture in.

Once they show signs of rooting

and growing, they can be potted on,

regularly fed and will flower this year

for you. Why not give this a go in

2024? If you don’t remove every shoot

from the parent tuber, you will have

nothing to lose and may well end up

with extra plants for free.

Hellebores are really enjoying

themselves here this year. The

wet weather suits them, and they

appreciated the mulching they were

given last autumn. The colours are so

uplifting, but if you want to show them

off as a centrepiece in your home you

may find that they droop too readily in

a vase. The answer is to fill a decorative,

shallow bowl with fresh mains

water and then to float the blooms

individually on the surface of the water.

The display will last for a good while

as long as you replace the water every

week or so.

Now is a good time to buy hellebores

in flower so that you can see exactly

what you are getting. Visit a specialist

nursery if you can or maybe go to a

Plant Fairs Roadshow event. These

are a collective of specialist nurseries

who organise Fairs throughout the

South East. You can order from them

in advance and collect your plants on

the day. Visit www.plantfairsroadshow.

co.uk to find one near you.

Gardeners are a creative bunch and

none more so than our WRAGS student,

Emma Tee, who has been with us for

one year. Whilst carrying out various

pruning activities around the Garden,

Emma collected many and varied lichen

examples on some of the branches. She

then created this beautiful piece of art

which is on display in the Garden using

only the materials that were collected

on-site. We love it.

Come for a visit, we are open every

Wednesday from 10-4pm, the Garden,

Wildflower Meadow and Woods are so

uplifting, you will be assured of a warm

welcome and can enjoy homemade

refreshments in our Barn.

DINE IN

WITH US

All-inclusive living at the Hawthorns retirement communities means

you can relax and enjoy restaurant-quality meals in sociable dining

rooms with no need to venture out for shopping or do the washing up.

Chefs use a thoughtful approach to develop nutritional

and delicious menus, offering choices at every meal

to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.

01323 342552 | hawthornsretirement.co.uk

Call today to find out about our 28-day trial stay

4 Carew Road | Eastbourne | East Sussex | BN21 2BF

Latest local news, visit: Bexhill.News APRIL 2024 REGULARS 19

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!

THAI RESTAURANT REALLY IS

SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL

DESPITE BEING a small coastal town

Bexhill has a plethora of restaurants

with varied menus catering for all

tastes, so competition for customers is

understandably fierce.

Everyone is well aware that running a

restaurant is a precarious business with

many failing within the first couple of

years but fortunately many buck the

doom and gloom merchants by making a

real success in the local community.

My partner and I have already visited

several restaurants in the town but we

hadn’t had the chance to check out Thai

Chava in Sackville Road.

However, our first visit was hastened

when a friend, who had eaten there on

several occasions, declared the food is

Pork and Prawn Dumplings

“absolutely fabulous”.

Therefore, the time was ripe for us to

investigate for ourselves, especially as

we are both big fans of Thai food.

We decided to celebrate my birthday at

the restaurant and fortunately managed

to book a table even though it coincided

with Mothers’ Day.

Upon arrival the first good sign was

that Thai Chava was buzzing with

customers and it was immediately clear

that the sole waitress on duty that night

had her work cut out to keep up with the

orders that were being taken throughout

the evening, both for those eating at the

tables and the many others who arrived

to pick up their takeaway orders.

However, everything was being

organised with military precision, so

there was no agonising wait for the food

Pad Thai Noodles

to arrive once we had placed our orders.

The menu is comprehensive and varied

and the aromas emanating from the

kitchen very swiftly made our tummies

rumble.

We both opted for the same starter

with the pork and prawn dumplings (a

very reasonable £6.50), proving to be an

ideal appetiser.

Silence ensued as we tucked in and

they were, as we had been told by our

friend, absolutely excellent.

The steamed dumplings consisting

of pork, prawns and mushrooms,

served with a vinegar soy sauce, and it

absolutely hit the spot. In short, they

were sensational.

The waitress, despite being incredibly

busy, was attentive without being

intrusive, which is always a big bonus

Beef with Oyster Sauce

when you eat out, so top marks for that.

Following the starters we took a

breather by ordering another couple of

drinks before moving on to the mains.

It was time for the main courses and

my partner, who eats oodles of noodles

whenever the opportunity arises,

unsurprisingly opted for the Pad Thai

with chicken (£8.90).

I, being no expert, chose the beef in

oyster sauce (£13.50) with rice and upon

arrival it exceeded even my highest

expectations. Stir-fried with broccoli and

mushrooms, it certainly filled the gap

magnificently.

Ditto applied to the Pad Thai noodles

which, between mouthfuls, my partner

declared were “perfect”.

The flat rice noodles served with egg,

bean sprouts, spring onion and palm

sugar guaranteed plenty of happy

murmurings from the other side of the

table.

Both dishes had perfect combination

and balance of taste and aroma, without

feeling bloated after finishing.

The premises provide an intimate

setting without diners feeling

overcrowded which is always a bonus on

a night out.

Thai Chava is also perfectly located for

those looking to dine out before a show

at the De La Warr Pavilion as it is handily

placed in close proximity to the venue,

which hosts a number of high-profile

events.

Extra praise also for the sheer array of

dishes on offer as making a final decision

on what to order took time for the simple

reason that so many of them were

incredibly tempting.

Those will, however, have to wait for

our next visit and we both agreed that

our return will certainly be sooner rather

than later.

In a nutshell, Thai Chava simply could

not be faulted. The food is reasonably

priced, the service excellent and the

location ideal.

It left us to ponder why we had taken

so long to check it out, but, boy, we are

really glad we did. Top marks all round.

Thai Chava, 48 Sackville Road,

Bexhill, TN39 3JE

Telephone: 01424 219333.

Opening hours 5.30pm until late Tuesday

to Sunday. Booking is advised.

THE TASTE THAT

BRINGS US TOGETHER

THE GRILL HOUSE IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR

FOODIES LOOKING TO EXPERIENCE THE DIVERSE

AND DELICIOUS TASTES OF ROMANIA


LOCAL PROPERTY LAWYER

JOINS FORCES WITH

SETFORDS SOLICITORS

We pride ourselves on using only the

freshest, locally sourced ingredients

to create a range of dishes that will

satisfy even the most discerning

palate

Our chefs are passionate about

cooking and ensure that each dish is

prepared with care to bring out the

unique flavors and textures of each

ingredient

We take great care in creating an

inviting and warm environment for

our customers to enjoy.

EVENTS @ THE GRILL HOUSE

WINE TASTING EVENT

23 APRIL 2024: 19:00-22:00

See website for details

The Grill House, 45 Marina, Bexhill-On-Sea, TN40 1BQ

Tel: 01424 213333

info@thegrillhousebexhill.co.uk | www.thegrillhousebexhill.co.uk

LOCAL PROPERTY lawyer Chris Hoadley has left a local

traditional law firm to form his own company and enter

into a consultancy agreement with Setfords Solicitors.

Eastbourne-born Chris has 10 years experience in providing

legal advice on residential property law to Hailsham, Bexhill

and surrounding areas.

Who are Setfords?

Setfords are a UK top 100 law firm. Their model is to provide

background resources to support a network of 500+ qualified

lawyers covering all areas of law on a consultancy basis. This

allows consultants to manage their own clients and cashflow

without the risk and cost of starting up a new firm.

What services will be provided in Eastbourne and the

South East?

Chris is a Licensed Conveyancer who specialises in offering legal

advice tailored to residential property. These services include

Freehold and Leasehold Conveyancing, New Build and Park Home

sales and purchases, Remortgages and Lease Extensions. Whilst

Chris covers residential property, the network will allow his clients

to access all other areas of law, so that a fully serviced law firm is

provided through Setfords’ consultants.

Where?

Chris will be spending the working week balancing between his

new home office, client call outs and the co -working space at

the Foundry which is located within the new Beacon centre. He

is looking forward to showing this hidden gem to his clients and

business contacts alike.

Chris Hoadley, CH Conveyancing Services

Opening hours

Chris can be flexible to the needs of the

client. He understands that this may result

in working longer hours some days, doing

home visits, and not being tied down to a

lunch break between 1-2pm, when most

clients will want to get hold of him.

Why use Chris and Setfords

• Direct contact with an experienced

qualified lawyer

• Responsive

• Limited overheads allowing the need

for less volume and more quality

• Background admin support

• Supporting local

• Competitive transparent fees

Chris can be contacted on 01323

402542 and looks forward to assisting

the local community with their property

transactions.

20 ADVERTORIAL

APRIL 2024


BEXHILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM UPDATE

CHAMBER ECHOES

We have the back of

business in Bexhill

BEXHILL CHAMBER has had a

very busy month making sure we

have the back of business and our

community.

We have recently nominated two of

our members for participation in the

globally prestigious Kings Award for

Enterprise. These are awards given

out by Buckingham Palace to British

businesses and other enterprises

that excel in international trade,

innovation, sustainable development

or promoting opportunity through

social mobility.

Kings Awards are the highest official

UK awards of merit for business and

are recognised around the World

as a mark of excellence that can be

worth hundreds of thousands of

pounds in new business opportunities.

The application process for a Kings

Award and the scrutiny of applicants

is rigorous but we are sure that the

members we have nominated will

more than meet the eligibility criteria

and deliver outstanding applications.

Our Chamber will offer them any

support they need to get through

to the shortlist stage when it will be

appropriate to make an announcement

and celebrate their achievements.

Our Chamber were once again

sponsors of the annual Bexhill Jobs

and Apprenticeships Fair at the De

la Warr Pavilion where over fifty

enterprises came together to recruit,

offer training, information seminars

and advice to over eight hundred

delegates seeking opportunities. Our

advisory team ran our very popular

CV review workshops and were able to

help guide about sixty people on their

career pathways. It was particularly

satisfying to help several people secure

interviews at the fair and assist a young

person directly into an apprenticeship.

For April our Chamber has been

commissioned by East Sussex County

Council to deliver an information

seminar for the building trade

on retrofitting energy efficiency

improvements such as solar panels

and ground source heat pumps

during renovation, refurbishment

and expansion building projects.

There is an urgent need to upskill

established trades providers and to

train new entrants into the sector, to

ensure our area isn’t left behind when

it comes to employability and highquality

standards in the fast-growing

sustainable retrofit market.

Bexhill Chamber is continuing to

work with other local stakeholders

to prepare the strategies that will

be needed to deliver the £60m of

Government Levelling Up funding

that has been promised to Bexhill and

Rother over the next ten years.

We are particularly energetic in

attracting business investment into

our town centre with lots of interest in

the empty bank buildings, renewed

proposals for the old Market Hall on

Western Road and the Edinburgh

Woollen Mill site. However, the

biggest challenge we face is the

dilapidation of many of the properties

and the lack of investment incentives

now that grant funding to bodies

such as Locate East Sussex has been

withdrawn or vastly reduced across

the whole region. Bexhill Chamber is

run by an executive team of volunteers

who are entirely motivated by our

passion for making Bexhill a great

place to live, work and play while

working with our members to bring

prosperity to our town.

BexhillClassifieds

WANTED

Railway items and

collections

Hornby Bachmann

Basset-Lowke etc

+ Airfix Kits and Dinky

01580 200400

0777335 1868

SERVICES

BOOK YOUR LISTING


RECORDS & RETRO

5 SACKVILLE RD. BEXHILL

Record & CD

collections bought,

best prices paid, also

Hi -Fi equipment

Bexhill’s only vinyl, CD & Hi Fi Store

Records, CDs & Hi Fi equipment

Best prices paid for your collections

info@recordsandretro.co.uk. Open Tues-Sat, 10am till 4pm

Tel: 01424 222011

YOUR BUSINESS HERE

ADVERTISE TO MORE THAN 26,000

READERS RIGHT HERE FROM ONLY

£39.95 PER MONTH PLUS VAT

FREE DESIGN INCLUDED

TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS, EMAIL:


Did you work at C. Brewer & Sons Limited

between 1961 and 1965?

Mr Kennedy came into contact with asbestos between 1961

and 1965 when working for C Brewer & Sons Limited.

The shop sold paint, decorating and building materials to

tradesman and the public.

Mr Kennedy took customer orders over the counter and some

included asbestos sheets to cut to size.

He used a handsaw which generated dust. Mr Kennedy died before we

were instructed. We are looking for information from previous employees

who worked for C Brewer at the Bexhill store between 1961 and 1965.

Please contact Nikol Litvinova

on 0330 995 5759 or

nikol.litvinova@slatergordon.co.uk

BEXHILL MOTORING CENTRE

CALL: 01424 224242

bexhillmotoringcentre.com

WE OFFER

24 MONTH

FREE WARRANTY

£17,990

£17,525

£17,250

£17,250

£16,880

£14,985

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

2019, 1.6 GDi, SE, 19,800 miles,

petrol hybrid, only ONE owner, full

main dealer service.

MONTHLY COST FROM £321.86

Toyota Prius+ Excel

2019, 1.8 VVTi, 64,400 miles, petrol

hybrid, only ONE owner from new,

full main dealer service.


BMW 320d M Sport

2017, 2.0, diesel, auto, 72,000 miles,

only ONE owner from new, full

service history, new MoT.


BMW 435i M Sport

2015, auto, 40,500 miles, petrol,

only TWO former owners from new,



BMW X3 X-Drive SE

2017, diesel, auto, 112,600 miles,

only ONE owner from new, full

main dealer service history.


Nissan X-Trail dCi 4WD

2018, 2.0, N-Connecta, diesel,

80,200 miles, only ONE owner from

new, full main dealer history.


£14,940

Audi Q2 TFSi Sport

2018, 1.0, petrol, manual, only

ONE owner from new, main dealer

service history.


SOLD

£13,999

Mitsubishi Outlander

2018, 2.2, diesel, manual, 62,000

miles, only ONE owner from new,

full main dealer history.


£13,995

Toyota Rav-4 Business

2016, 2.0, diesel, manual, 70,000


comprehensive service history.


£13,995

Volkswagen Golf TSi

2018, 1.5, EVO SE, petrol, manual,


new, full service history.


£13,990

Peugeot 308 PureTech

2019, 1.2, petrol, manual, 26,100



ONTHLY COST FROM £321.69

£13,980

Kia Ceed GDi ISG

2019, 1.0T, petrol, manual, 35,100




£13,920

Volkswagen Tiguan

2016, diesel, manual, 48,100 miles,

only ONE owner from new, service

history, BlueMotion Tech Edition.


£13,875

Ford Tourneo Courier

2020, diesel, 1.5 Zetec, manual,


new, main dealer service history.


£14,995

Volvo V40 Inscription

2018, T3, petrol, manual, 27,900




£14,995


2020, 1.2, Active model, 19,400




£13,530

BMW 330d xDrive

2014, SE, diesel, automatic, 63,300




FINANCE PACKAGES TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS

£13,350

£13,350

SOLD

£12,600

£12,555

£12,220

£13,390

MINI Cooper Classic II

2019, 1.5, petrol, manual, 29,900




£12,200

Nissan Qashqai

2018, 1.2, N-Connecta model,

petrol, 26,500 miles, only ONE owner

from new, main dealer history.


Ford Fiesta ST-Line

2019, EcoBoost model, petrol, manual,

34,200 miles, only ONE owner

from new, main dealer history.


Ford Focus Zetec

2019, 1.5, diesel, automatic, 58,400




Citroen C3 PureTech

2020, 1.2, petrol, manual, 33,400




Ford Focus ST-Line

2019, 1.0 EcoBoost, petrol, manual,




Seat Ibiza FR Sport

2020, 1.0 TSi 115, petrol, manual,


new, service history, new MoT.


£11,995

£11,680

£11,600

SOLD

£11,490

£10,155

£9,999


2018, 1.2, 130 Allure, petrol, manual,

34,400 miles, only ONE owner

from new, service history.


Honda Jazz i-VTEC

2018, 1.3, petrol, manual, 58,900


full main dealer service history.


Fiat 500L City Cross

2020, 1.4, petrol, manual, 15,300


full dealer service history.


Vauxhall Corsa SE

2020, 1.2, petrol, manual, 29,600




Ford Focus ST-Line





Ford C-Max Zetec


only ONE owner from new,



£9,575

£8,725

£8,520

£7,930

£7,835

SOLD

£4,750

SOLD

Ford C-Max Zetec



new, full main dealer history.


Vauxhall Astra Design

2018, 1.6 CDTi 16v, diesel, manual,




Dacia Sandero SCe

2018, 1.0, Essential model, petrol,

40,000 miles, only TWO owners

from new, full service history.


Vauxhall Corsa Design

2019, 1.4, petrol, manual, only ONE

owner from new, full service history,

new MoT.


Toyota Auris V-Matic

2013, 1.6, petrol, manual, 45,000

miles, only TWO owners from new,



Volkswagen Up 3dr

2012, 1.0, petrol, manual, 90,100

miles, only TWO owners from new,



22 REGULARS

APRIL 2024


OPINION with Kim Mayo

THE FOCUS REALLY NEEDS TO BE

ON THE PRINCESS’S RECOVERY

IN RECENT weeks there was only one

topic on the news agenda as a plethora

of headlines and stories focused on the

Princess of Wales.

Any speculation about her health

should, however, end now following her

candid admission that she is suffering

from an unspecified form of cancer.

Nevertheless, the conspiracy theorists

and keyboard warriors sadly refuse to

be silenced on social media despite her

family’s plea to be left in peace.

Let’s look at the bigger picture for

once and let sanity prevail. The conflicts

between Russia and Ukraine and Israel

and Hamas plus the horrific attack on

a concert hall near Moscow were still

being superseded by blanket coverage

of a “manipulated” photograph of the

Princess of Wales and her children as

she continues to recover from abdominal

surgery and prepares to undergo

chemotherapy.

The initial furore culminated with

the wife of the future King issuing a

grovelling apology on social media for

making a few Photoshop “tweaks” before

the picture was released. Well, so what?

The frenzy which followed was beyond

ridiculous. Has anyone criticising her

even bothered to look at social media

recently? It is awash with manipulated

photographs. Check out the likes of

Facebook and Instagram for proof

positive that most of those posting

pictures of themselves have benefited

from digital “enhancement”.

Whether we like it or not, this is the

world in which we now live. Social media

rules the roost and will no doubt continue

to do so for generations to come.

Watching television recently something

called a Google Pixel mobile phone was

featured during an advertising break.

Apparently, this whizz-bang gizmo

enables the user to substitute a more

alluring image of oneself onto a group

photo with friends or family.

Well, all fine and dandy if that floats

your boat, but is it reality? No of course

it is not, it is just a sign of the times in our

increasingly image conscious world.

The Royals have a certain image to

project to the general public and have,

therefore, had to utilise social media to

ensure they are presented in the best

possible light.

But they are by no means the only

ones in the public eye to do so. Take, for

instance, so-called Insta “stars” who spend

hours attempting to raise their profile by

posting endless pictures of themselves in

various exotic foreign locations.

Remember the pictures of Kim

Kardashian on a beach where her cellulite

had “magically” disappeared? It is just

another prime example of distorting the

true picture. Basically, any photograph

can be successfully manipulated if you

are tech-savvy.

The days of using a Kodak Instamatic

camera of a Pentax ME-Super are long

gone, especially with the proliferation

of mobile phones equipped with in-built

cameras.

You want to look like a movie star?

Nowadays you can do at the click of

a button. I hate being photographed.

Always have and always will. But I would

never “enhance” a picture of myself. I

am me, warts and all, and that is how it

should be.

Let’s not divorce ourselves from reality.

To do so really is a backwards step and

in the real-world perfection is sadly

unobtainable.

Of course, everyone wants to be viewed

in a positive light but image is far less

important than being true to yourself.

As a member of the Royal family, Kate

Middleton understandably wants to look

her best whether attending a high-profile

function or being photographed.

If she then decides to add a few tweaks

to a photograph of herself and her family

then that is her prerogative and no

business of ours.

Newspapers have been “tweaking”

photographs for years prior to publication

for years and I know that for fact having

been working in the media for more than

four decades. No-one ever batted an

eyelid at the minor deception.

That tended to be quite a laborious

process but no more. In effect anyone

with a modicum of knowledge can do it in

a matter of minutes.

If you have time on your hands and are

inclined to do so, check out Instagram and

I guarantee you that the vast majority of

pictures have been enhanced to a greater

or lesser degree.

It is not reality and in many cases a

mirage rather than the real thing. But it

doesn’t really matter, does it?

Let’s get a grip people. There are

far bigger concerns facing us and the

Princess of Wales does not deserve

vilification for doing what most people do

on social media every day of the week.

The focus should be on her ongoing

recovery. That is what really matters.


WARBURTONS: UNDER

NEW OWNERSHIP

ESTABLISHED NEW FAMILY OWNERS

Exciting variety of all pet food and dog natural treats

Lots of new ranges of cat litter, toys and foods

Wild and domestic bird specialists

Fish Food for pond goldfish/

Koi or aquariums

See our garden and seeds,

coal logs and kindling

All can be delivered by your

local friendly driver or pop

into your new Warburtons

store in Bexhill.

Call: 01424 211560

39 Station Rd, Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1RG

www.warburtonsbexhill.co.uk

WE ARE the friendly, knowledgeable

‘Miles’ Family, the new owners of

Warburtons who are refurbishing

your beautiful historic building into

something rather spectacular.

When we purchased Warburtons

back in November, we knew that the

task of the refurbishments and new

ranges would be a long-term project. We

are also the established owners of the

number one Aquatics Shop, Maidstone

Aquatics, on Loose Road.

We are starting at the beginning with

the new suspended ceilings and lots of

new additions to the Pet Section, with

the huge variety of natural dog treats,

foods, accessories, medical products and

the continuation of the ‘Burns’ Dog Food

Scheme. It’s extended now with the

additional ‘Burns’ cat food scheme and

‘Natures Menu’ frozen loyalty scheme,

so there is always something for

everyone’s pet (including rats/mice).

Take a look at our rabbit and small

furry section with lots of variety for

your furry pet in foods/accessories/

bedding. Lastly, in this section is

our huge selection for bird/ chicken

(domestic and wild) and wildlife

sections.

This is the largest along the coast with

a huge variety of foods and feeders/

houses — also now enhanced with the wonderful locally made

bird tables/ nesting boxes.

When you have completed your browsing through this

“Aladdin’s Cave”, you will see that the Garden Centre has quite

literally grown, with different varieties of compost, seeds, lawn

seeds, tools, manures — everything for the complete gardener

or just the balcony/ beginner. Now with a great range of

seasonal plants all ready to add some colour to your garden.

You will soon see Warburtons will be including a large

seasonal plant range straight from the Nursery. A DIY dog

grooming and a professional groomer in the new ‘Dog House’.

Please let us know if you want anything delivered — IT’S

FREE around the local areas and we can deliver wholesale

sacks or just a few things either Wednesday/Friday or even

some Saturdays.

OPEN: GOOD FRIDAY: 9AM-4PM • EASTER SATURDAY: 9AM-

3PM • EASTER MONDAY: 9AM-3PM

NEVER MISS A

COPY OF YOUR

TRULY LOCAL

NEWSPAPER

WE WILL DELIVER WITHIN 3.5 MILES OF BEXHILL TRAIN STATION

We understand not everyone can visit their local

supermarket or town centre to pick up a copy of

Bexhill News for themselves. So, we’ve launched a

brand new subscription service so you can guarantee

your copy directly to your door every single month.

If you live within 3.5 miles of Bexhill Train Station,

you are eligible for delivery of each newspaper for

just £1.85 per month (£22.20 per year). We will then

hand deliver your copy within the first few days of

every month, ensuring you have the very latest news

as soon as the paper is published.

Unfortunately, due to the high cost and unreliability

of the postal system, we are

NOT ABLE to offer a postal option for addresses

outside of the 3.5m radius.

DELIVERED

DIRECT TO YOUR

DOOR FOR £1.85

PER MONTH

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

• SCAN THIS QR CODE:

It will take you directly to

our webpage, where you can

subscribe and pay.

• OR, VISIT WWW.BEXHILL.NEWS: Click on

SUBSCRIBE in the main menu.

• OR, COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW. Please include

a cheque for £22.20 made payable to ‘Regional Media

Group Ltd’ (please – do not send cash), and drop it

into your local Maybugs store, 42 Devonshire Road,

Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1AX

Full Name:

Telephone Number:

Email address:

Month start date:

Delivery address:

With this form please include a cheque for £22.20 made payable to ‘Regional Media Group Ltd’ then drop it into your local Maybugs store, 42 Devonshire Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1AX

House Subscription Full Page Ad 0424.indd 2 20/03/2024 16:05

24 ADVERTORIAL

APRIL 2024


BEXHILL-ON-SEA TOWN

COUNCIL UPDATE

Freedom of the Town award presented to Jimmy Carroll

The Carroll family with the Mayor and Deputy

Jon Bartholomew, Bexhill

Town Crier leading proceedings

The Mayor’s speech The concert band playing whilst the town council assembles Young winner Daisy Eagle collecting her award from the Mayor and Deputy

PHOTOS: JTP53 PHOTOGRAPHY

TOWN COUNCIL AGM

ON SATURDAY, March 16th,

Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council held

its Annual Town Meeting.

This is a formal council meeting

where residents can ask questions of

their councillors and is preceded by a

celebration of the achievements of the

council and its residents.

This year the event was held in St

Peters Community Centre in Old Town

and opened with The Royal British

Legion concert band of Bexhill and

Little Common. The Band evolved

from a Territorial Army Band who

were adopted by the RBL. It is now

made up of a mixture of ex-military

Bandsmen with talented local

musicians and is a true Community

Band.

The ceremony continued with the

awards presented by the Mayor,

Councillor Lynn Brailsford. These

consist of certificates and mayoral

award badges for individuals and

groups who offer great service to the

town. Two cups are also presented.

The Mullins Cup, to the community

organisation of the year and the

Coghlan Cup, presented to a young

person who has done exceptional

things for the town.

Finally, the council bestowed the

freedom award. This prestigious

award comes with a handsome framed

scroll and is presented this year to

Jimmy Carroll, for a lifetime of service

to Sidley and wider Bexhill, both as a

Rother Councillor and as an individual

member of this community.

After a short break, the town

meeting concluded with a short

question and answer session with local

councillors, deftly marshalled by Jon

Bartholomew, Bexhill-on-Sea’s Town

Crier.

CONGRATULATIONS OUR

WINNERS FOR 2023-24: Raymond

Konyn; Kaye Collyer; Steve Lucas;

Lindsay White; Frances Rowland;

Emily Ansell; and Besnik Hexha.

Organisation of the Year: The Heart

of Sidley were awarded the Mullins

Cup

Young person of the Year: Daisy

Eagle. She was awarded The Coghlan

Cup.

Jimmy Carroll received the coveted

title of the Freedom of Bexhill-on-Sea.

A WORD FROM YOUR

MAYOR, CLLR LYNN

BRAILSFORD

IT HAS been an absolute honour

this year to represent Bexhill as the

first female Mayor of Bexhill-on-Sea

Town Council.

Bexhill is a unique town with a

character of its own and a heritage

which we should all be proud of,

and I feel that the formation of the

Town Council will contribute to a

brighter and more positive future for

the residents who we are proud to

represent.

I have greatly enjoyed working with

our Councillors, who represent so

many sectors the community, ranging

from our younger people; families

with little ones and school age children

to representatives from our business

sector and many other walks of life.

These councillors have each made a

commitment to combine their many

skills and give their time in order to

make a positive impact for our town

and residents. They have recently

proposed plans for two wonderful

community projects which will

greatly benefit Bexhill. The proposals

have been unanimously agreed

by full council and I am filled with

tremendous optimism for what can be

done for Bexhill in the not-too-distant

future.

It has been such an interesting and

busy year for me, and I have had the

privilege of attending many wonderful

events which gave me the opportunity

to meet so many inspirational

community groups and volunteers.

I am so proud to present these

deserved civic awards to some local

individuals and groups who have given

up their time and energy and have

done so much to make life better for

our community. I would like to thank

all the award winners for the excellent

contributions which they have

made. This is a very special day for

Bexhill, and you should all be proud

as we celebrate your exceptional

achievements.

SERVICE TRANSFER

UPDATES

CLLR LYNN Brailsford is also

the chair of the Asset Transfer

Committee. In her annual report

Cllr Brailsford explained that the

Town Council is to take on the

responsibility for the cleaning

and maintenance of five new bus

shelters which are to be financed

by East Sussex County Council. The

remaining bus shelters in Bexhill,

are to be maintained for Bexhill

commuters by ringfencing a sum

of money from the Town Council’s

existing reserves.

The existing bus stops have been in

a neglected state for some years, and

the Town Council decided to invest

existing funds to restore them to an

acceptable condition without the need

to increase Council Tax.

The proposed lease between

Network Rail and the Town Council

is being prepared and the cleaning

contracts are being signed to improve

the appearance and hygiene of the

Devonshire Square toilet block. It

will take some time to improve the

facility however the Town Council is

committed to provided better services

to our residents.

KEANE UPDATE

WE ARE following up with Keane’s

agents to organise the proposed

benefit concert — so watch this

space!

BEXHILL-ON-SEA TOWN COUNCIL

35 Western Road, Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1DU

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am-12pm, and 12:30pm-2:30pm

Contact: town.clerk@bexhilltowncouncil.gov.uk • www.bexhilltowncouncil.gov.uk

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26 SPORT

APRIL 2024


Austin’s powers lead

to F1 dreams

Austin Newstead (inset) in European action

MIKE LEGG

PHOTOS: HELLOPHOTO

WHIZKID AUSTIN Newstead

is aiming to power to the top in

motorsport.

Although only nine years old he

already boasts a stuffed trophy

cabinet as he chases the ultimate

dream of competing in Formula One.

The kart racer is currently leading

the four-round lAMA Euro Series after

a flying start in Zuera, Spain, which

saw him finish with a second-place

last month and he is aiming high.

Austin told the Bexhill News: “My

dream is to be an F1 driver, and my

favourite driver is Max Verstappen.”

That may sound like a bold

statement but Austin finished ninth

out of 101 drivers, aged between 9-12

years old from all across the world,

last year at the lAMA World Finals in

Portugal and has been tearing up the

track ever since getting behind the

wheel as a six-year-old.

Austin is cutting his teeth in

championships where the likes of

F1 stars Lewis Hamilton, George

Russell and Jenson Button first

enjoyed success.

In 2020, Austin finished third in

the Superone Championship in his

first competitive action and followed

up to become a double champion

the following season as he won the

Super One Bambino Pro and British

Bambino Championships.

Since then, the Little Common

School pupil has moved up to

lAMA cadet class and last season

he claimed second in the British

Championship and third in the LGM

UK Championship series.

He also came a commendable 18

out of 55 drivers in the lAMA X30 Mini

class in Europe, where the engines

were unrestricted compared to the

UK.

This season he is gearing up for

the latest cadet championships over

here — where the engines are now

unrestricted and even faster — while

looking forward to competing again

on the continent.

Austin said “I have really enjoyed

racing out in Europe, the tracks are

much faster which I love.

“I was pleased to finish P2 in the

final of the first round of the IAME

Euro Series in Spain recently and

really happy to be leading the

Championship.

“My next race in Europe is in Italy at

Franciacorta at the end of April which

I am looking forward to.”

Austin’s need for speed is hardly

surprising as racing is in the family

with dad, Neil, a former Mini

Challenge champion and a team

owner who had his son crawling

round the garages at Brands Hatch as

a baby.

Mind you, Austin might easily

have been competing on two wheels

instead of four if mum Kerry had

not stepped in. As a four-year-old he

rode Oset electric bike — and won a

trials championship — then moved

on to a motorcross bike and started

racing.

But mum Kerry said: “We went to

watch the Superbikes at Brands Hatch

which was terrifying, but Austin said,

‘This is amazing’ and quite quickly

Neil went out and bought him a

go-kart as four wheels is safer than

two. However as soon as he started

karting, he loved it and hasn’t looked

back since.”

Austin races for the successful and

well-established Team BMR, which

helps in a sport that is notoriously

expensive.

Kerry added: “BMR Team owner,

Ben Platten recognised Austin’s talent

and wanted him to join their team,

he really looks after him which is just

what you want. Obviously, Austin’s

dream in the future, is for Red Bull to

come knocking on the door offering

him a drive.”

And that is not as far-fetched as it

may sound as Ferrari’s Brit teenage

talent Oliver Bearman has taken a

similar route to the top.

Kerry said: “As Austin progresses,

there is more and more time and

money that goes into making it

happen, so the goal, to enable him to

go all the way to the top, is for him to

get picked up by one of the top teams

at an early age.

“It’s all very exciting, for us

something that started as a hobby,

quite quickly turned into something

more as we recognised even at six

years old Austin has a natural talent.

There so much that goes into it

from a family perspective, with Neil

spending so many hours, both on

and off the track and, of course, the

travel, but we are fully committed

to supporting Austin in pursuing his

dream. You can certainly see that the

time spent, and Austin’s ambition are

paying off with the successes he has

had to date. We are so very proud of

what he has achieved.”

Old Bexhillians on top

ROB CAREY

BOTH OLD Bexhillians and Little

Common Wonderers remain on

course for the walking football

play-offs against West Sussex

opposition in May.

The OBs are leading their Southern

Combination division while LCW are

well-placed in third spot.

Off the pitch, the club is gearing up

for a busy summer of activity with

players from all the teams and their

families getting together to enjoy nonfootball

events such as golf. It is so

important that the club promote this

social side as it goes toward a great

club spirit and atmosphere.

In May the club holds its

prestigious presentation evening

at Highwoods Golf Club where an

evening of good music, tasty food and

club trophies is on offer. Members

eagerly look forward to the annual

Players’ Player for each OBWFC

side as well as the Club Person of

the year and valued Dave Willis

Award. Willis was the club captain

after a distinguished career with

Wimbledon AFC in its 1960s amateur

glory days.

The club hold three sessions a week

in the town — indoors and outdoors.

More details can initially be obtained

from the club chairman Mike Davies

at mickdavies48@gmail.com or on

07961 008743.

The club are grateful for the hard

work of all their managers, pictured

are (left to right): Brian Cook/Nik

Gardner (OBWF Team); Roger

Kidney/Mick Southon (LCW & Atha

Strollers Over 60s) and Rob Say/

Andrew Burton (Bexhill Seniors).

Sailors take a dip as

season begins

BEXHILL SAILING Club’s season

has started with thrills and spills.

The traditional Brass Monkey Race

curtain raiser was ‘blown off’ but the

Spring Series got off the start line

with two races in mid-March.

Milder winds supported a fleet of

ten led by Flo and Abi Wright in their

Dart catamaran on the Saturday.

Tony Witham got his Supernova

moving with new mast and fit

helm after his Bough Beech winter

sailing experiences. He took first

ahead of Rick Parker (Laser Radial)

and Michael Corzana (Laser full

rig). Dave Kerr led home Malcolm

Brookes in their Lightning and

Comet Xtra respectively.

Sunday’s race was vastly different.

Chris Heath’s Zero struggled in

force 4 conditions, leading to a

catastrophic capsize, loss of centre

board, difficulty in righting the boat

and a rescue. It is hoped insurance

will help repair the dinghy damage

from the breakwater. Both Hanna

Bolton and Eve Fifield struggled with

conditions, too. Fifield capsized, lost,

then recovered her rudder, whilst

both did not finish as a result. The

catamaran of the Wrights was the

sole finisher. Praise should be given

to the Rib crew, and shore party for

managing the situation effectively.

Expert

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28 SPORT

APRIL 2024


Sport

Bexhill edge

towards safety

MIKE LEGG

PHOTOS: JOE KNIGHT/

SEASIDE PHOTOGRAPHY

JOHN WRIGHT is looking up the

table after Bexhill United all but

secured SCFL premier division

safety with a 4-0 drubbing of

basement side AFC Uckfield.

The Pirates host local rivals Little

Common today (April 1) with the fight

to avoid the one relegation spot this

season appearing to be a shootout

between Uckfield and Saltdean.

Victory in the last midweek game

of the month (Mar 20) opened an

eight-point gap between the Pirates

and the bottom side, although that

was narrowed to seven three days

later when Bexhill slumped to a 1-0

loss to Saltdean at the Polegrove and

Uckfield drew 1-1 at Loxwood.

Although nothing is certain, beating

Uckfield was a huge step in the right

direction and boss Wright admitted

there were nerves before the crunch

clash.

A header from Evan Archibald, who

returned to the club from Eastbourne

Town during March, eased United

into a 1-0 half-time lead at the

Polegrove.

Jack Shonk lashed an angled drive

into the far corner two minutes

after the restart to put the hosts in

command, although keeper Alex

Hobden made a crucial save to deny

Ellis Wright to protect the two-goal

cushion.

Samways’ header from six yards

made it 3-0 in the 66th minute before

Charlie Playford’s determined run

into the box was rewarded as he fired

in the fourth.

Speaking after the Uckfield win,

Wright said: “I think, with Uckfield’s

run-in, it is between them and

Saltdean now.

“We want to end up mid-table now.

We’ve got Little Common here Bank

Holiday Monday and a couple of

other winnable games, so it is just

about getting up that table now.

“We were so poor against Shoreham

Little Common presentation

(4-0 defeat) but against Eastbourne

Town I felt we deserved a point, and

they are the form team in the league.

I was delighted for the lads tonight

(against Uckfield), they showed a

massive reaction and there were a few

nerves early on — not least from me!

“The lads did us proud and, apart

from their chance at 2-0, we never

looked in any trouble.”

United crashed to fellow strugglers

Shoreham (Mar 9) but fought

back from 3-0 down to lose 3-2 to

Eastbourne Town four days later with

Jack Samways and Shonk on target in

a much-improved display.

Shonk’s vital goal in the Uckfield

win proved his last for the club as

supporters were shocked when

United revealed their skipper was

leaving on the Friday to “take on a

new challenge”.

Bexhill United April fixtures

(subject to change): Little Common

(home, Apr 1); Hassocks (away, Apr

6); Crawley Down (away, Apr 13);

Horsham YMCA (away, Apr 27).

LITTLE COMMON visit Bexhill

today (Apr 1) knowing they cannot

finish below their local rivals this

season.

A Jamie Bunn free-kick made

sure of that in their 1-0 win at AFC

Varndeanians (Mar 23). That win

followed a 3-2 loss to title chasers

Crowborough (Mar 19), a 2-1 triumph

at Horsham YMCA (Mar 16) and 2-0

home loss against Steyning (Mar 9).

Sam Ellis and Archie Warmington,

with his first senior goal, scored for

Common against the Crows, while

Bunn and Joshua Turner notched

in the victory over YM. Common’s

cause at Steyning was not helped by a

red card for Lewis Parsons and also a

sin-bin which took the hosts down to

nine players.

A presentation was made by

supporter Sam Stevens to Adam

Smith (250), Sam Ellis, Lewis Parsons

(200) and Bunn (100) before the

Steyning game as they achieved

appearance milestones.

Player-boss Russell Eldridge said:

“We want to finish strong and get in

that top half if possible.

“We have had a tough season with

the goalkeeper situation, where we’ve

played a number of keepers, while we

have had players move on to Hastings

which doesn’t help our cause but is a

good reflection on the club.

“It has led to us giving opportunities

to a number of younger players

recently, which is good as they

deserve their chance and they have

shown they are worthy of their place

in the squad. That is what it is all

about for us.”

Little Common April fixtures

(subject to change): Bexhill United

(away, Apr 1); Haywards Heath

(home, Apr 6); Crawley Down

(home, Apr 9); Lingfield (away, Apr

13); Loxwood (home, Apr 27).

BRT runners have a spring in their step

JACKIE KNIGHT

MOTIVATED AND confident

Bexhill Runners and Triathletes

club members exceeded their own

great expectations in a series of

half marathons and ultra-racing

events.

There is no greater running buzz

than completing the Brighton

Half Marathon as Jack Matthews

demonstrated as he clocked a

fabulous PB of 1hr 31mins 00sec,

while Dagmara Ginter finished in

2:25:00.

The Eastbourne Half Marathon

was successfully completed by

several club runners including Oliver

Carey with a great time of 1:19:20,

Michael Pain (1:37:03), Dan Marsham

(1:40:32), John Brooker (1:48:10) and

Jeremy Sankey (1:52:30). Matt Smith

saw some historical landmarks whilst

being cheered home by an immense

crowd in the Cambridge Half

Marathon in a time of 1:55:00.

Jackie Knight took part in the

prestigious Paris Half Marathon,

running through the iconic city of

love, filled with over 43,000 runners

and thousands of cheering spectators.

Taking up this challenge provided

opportunity to meet likeminded

worldwide runners and post a new PB

of 2:21:00.

Steyning Stringer Marathon proved

a triumph for Zak Overfield, who ran

it in 4:55:56. The hilly cross-country,

slippery slopes, mud and loose stones

heightened the achievement for all

who joined this challenge. Geoff

Tondeur smashed a brilliant 5:05:59,

while Simon Leonard and David

Rogers finished together in 6:00:55.

Dagmara Ginter completed the half

marathon in an impressive 2:50:09.

Jack Matthews,

Brighton Half

Marathon

Jackie Knight,

Paris Half Marathon

All captured the scenic views running

between Steyning, Storrington and

Shoreham.

The Moyleman Marathon took

our next runners on a tough,

multi-terrain off-road course across

remote parts of the South Down

Hills. Fabulous results were recorded

by Grant Docksey (4:38:47), Geoff

Tondeur (5:03:25), Paula Chase

(5:19:26) and Neil Smith (5:22:51).

Zak Overfield took on an even

tougher ultra race in the shape

of the Centurion Hundred Hills

Steyning Stringer Marathon and Half Marathon

50km through the heart of Chiltern

countryside. This race had a ninehour

cut off with 4,000ft of climb,

traversing some incredible trails,

ancient woodlands and picturesque

villages.

Overfield, who recorded an

incredible time of 6:53:17, said: “That

was one tough race, I had to really

earn my medal and there were 102

hills to be precise!”

Finally, a record number of BRT

junior and senior runners turned

out in muddy conditions for the final

Zak Overfield,

Centurion

Hundred Hills 50k

Sussex Cross Country League run

of the season at Pett. Some notable

achievements were made as Andrea

Harwood received a financial award,

Nigel Smith came third in his age

group and Rapahel Serano was

awarded a junior prize.

If you have ever thought about

running with a friendly group of

like-minded people, please go to

the BRT webpage for more

information for both adult and

junior membership.

www.bexhillrunnerstriathletes.co.uk

Bexhill News April 2024 Issue 22

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