Hailsham News, April 2024, Issue 32

NEW LOOK!

APRIL 2024 | ISSUE 32

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR HAILSHAM, POLEGATE, HELLINGLY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

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

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2 NEWS

APRIL 2024

Latest local news, visit: Hailsham.News

WELCOME

YOU may recall, in

our last edition, we

asked our readers

to give us some

feedback about this

publication in terms

of what you enjoy

and what you want to see in future

editions.

I’d like to thank all those who

responded as we had some excellent

and constructive feedback from you,

which is just what we wanted.

We’ve already taken action in this

edition, as 37% of you wanted to see

a puzzles section, so we’ve done just

that, so we hope you enjoy the new

section.

The figure we are delighted about is

how many people read each copy of

the newspaper. The average response

was 2.2 readers per copy which is

well above the national average of

1.7, so thank you for making sure you

share your copy of the newspaper

with friends and family, and recycle it

when you’re finished.

We have included the details in this

issue again on how you can take part

in this survey if you haven’t already.

We go through every single response

and each one is gratefully received.

In other news, I was delighted

to see the arrival of the Changing

Places toilet block at Vicarage Field

recently. It’s been a very long battle

for Councillor Mary Laxton who has

spent all this time trying to find the

perfect location for the toilets and

also get the funding — which has all

come from the CIL find (money from

developers).

Paul Gibson, Group Editor.

THE TEAM

PAUL GIBSON — GROUP EDITOR

paul@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

KIM MAYO – REGIONAL EDITOR

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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

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without express permission of the editor.

Police campaign to

combat spiking launched

SUSSEX POLICE has joined forces

across the country for Spiking

Intensification Week, a national

week of action to raise awareness

about what is being done to combat

spiking.

Working with partners, officers

and staff carried out a range of

engagement and intensification

activities to complement the work

that goes into tackling spiking all year

round in the county.

They visited schools, colleges, and

community groups to educate on the

dangers of spiking, what to do if you

think you are a victim and the support

that is out there from police and

partners.

Engagement with licensed was

increased with venues that work

closely with the police to make sure

their customers are protected. They

were given anti-spiking measures

such as StopTopps, educated on how

to identify vulnerable or suspicious

people and advised on what to do

should someone fall victim to spiking.

Licensing teams were also on hand

to help licensed venues and taxis

adhere to their responsibilities and

help keep their customers safe.

All of this activity goes on all

year round, but the national

intensification week helps to shine a

spotlight on this important issue.

Home Secretary James Cleverly

visited Sussex during the campaign

to see how much work goes into

combatting spiking.

Our officers and partners in Crawley

talked about the importance of

community engagement and working

with licensed venues to keep people

safe and catch offenders.

At Sussex Police showed off its

keen-nosed sniffer dogs, trained

to pick out anyone carrying illegal

drugs. They are deployed around

Improvements works

continue at Common Pond

CONTRACTORS HAVE recently

completed works to improve

the pathways around the town’s

Common Pond.

Parts of the walkway have now

been resurfaced with tarmac making

it smoother for walkers and more

accessible for wheelchair users.

The work follows the recently

completed clearing of dead trees,

removal of overgrown plants and

general tidying of the pond’s two

islands in February — it’s all part of

an ongoing major upgrade project at

the Pond.

The recent clearing of the islands

and relaying of the footpath at the

pond soon follows the Town Council’s

efforts last year to tackle flooding

at the site, work which involved the

installation of a new overflow pipe

and culvert to help prevent certain

sections of the perimeter footpath

from flooding during the winter

months, which previously restricted

access to some parts of the open

space.

Other major improvements to

the 1.86-acre site have included the

DELIVERED DIRECT

TO YOUR DOOR

removal of approximately 2,500 cubic

metres of silt, the construction of a

second island and sloping marginal

wetland area and the installation of

a hard surface path, benches and

additional shrubs along the pond edge.

JUST £1.85 PER MONTH! SCAN THE CODE

the night-time economy to help stop

people sneaking harmful substances

into venues.

Detective Chief Superintendent

Richard McDonagh, Sussex Police’s

Head of Public Protection, said:

“Everyone should be able to enjoy

a night out in safety without falling

victim to predatory behaviour.

“Tackling spiking is something

Sussex Police and its partners

take extremely seriously, allied

to our commitment to protecting

women and girls, who we know are

disproportionately affected by spiking.

“That commitment extends to

making sure victims are supported

while we investigate and secure the

justice they deserve.

“If you believe you have been a

victim of spiking or any crime on a

night out, report it to bar staff or a

police officer as soon as possible. You

can also report crimes online through

the Sussex Police website, via 101 or

by calling 999 in an emergency.”

CEO raises

a grand

for sleeping

rough

HAILSHAM ROADWAYS Chief

Executive James Bailey swapped

his bed for a sleeping bag to raise

£1,100 for the Royal British Legion.

He slept rough on the streets at

‘Heidelberg Materials/MQP office in

Whitwick, Leicestershire recently,

along with around 25 members of

the National Highways who raised

£15,000 for the cause.

The money raised will help the exservice

personnel who have fallen

on hard times.

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4 NEWS

APRIL 2024


New accessible toilet block arrives in

Hailsham following six-year campaign

SCAN THE QR CODE

TO WATCH THE

DRONE VIDEO OF

THE INSTALLATION

Changing Places Pod from above

Engineers ensure a perfect fit on delivery

COUNCILLOR MARY Laxton has

spent the last six years battling

to give residents fully accessible

toilets in the town, and today, her

dream came true.

The new toilet block arrived in town

today and was carefully lifted into

place by a crane to its new home on

Vicarage Field.

It contains two modular public

conveniences and a Changing Places

disabled unit and is now housed

on the site of the old public toilet,

opposite the Health Centre.

The external look of the new

facilities fits in with the street scene

and, internally, the facility comprises

an electronic hoist, a rise-and-fall

changing table, shower toilet and

wash basin, all of which are totally

accessible.

A project originally proposed by Cllr

Mary Laxton and seconded by Cllr

Gavin Blake-Coggins several years

ago, Hailsham Town Council agreed

to the installation of a Changing

Places facility in January 2022, which

is designed in a way that they are

completely accessible and provides

sufficient space and equipment for

people with multiple and complex

disabilities, or who are not able to use

a toilet independently.

The installation of the new facility

in Vicarage Field was funded by the

Community Infrastructure Levy

(CIL), amidst a high-profile national

campaign over the past few years

to increase the numbers of these

specialist public conveniences.

The green light for the project

came as good news for residents

and visitors to the town, taking into

account the decision made by the

Town Council not to renew the lease

on the former Cortlandt stable block

building toilet facility in North Street,

Fully Accessible Changing Places Pod

Councillor Colin Mitchell and Councillor Mary Laxton

Engineers work to ensure the pod

is perfectly sat on the foundations

on cost grounds.

The Town Council has thanked

Wealden District Council for its

cooperation on the joint-working

project from the outset and for

agreeing to install the facility on

their land.

Councillor Mary Laxton told

Hailsham News: “It’s been a six-year

campaign working with all the people

in the community with hidden

disabilities. This pod will bring

equality to the forefront of Hailsham.

It will attract more into town because

of the amount of people that don’t

have access to the appropriate

facilities. There have been numerous

motions to the council over the

past six years, but I wasn’t going to

give up!”

Many of the logistics behind

the installation were organised

by Councillor Colin Mitchell. He

commented: “Rise Adapt, the

company from Doncaster that won

the tender has installed these all

over the country have been

absolutely amazing throughout the

Changing Places Pod

whole project.

We’d like the thank a number

of officers from Wealden District

Council, such as John Cooper,

Jason Hughes and Jason Miles for

making sure this happened, and to

all the Town Councillors who voted

unanimously for it.”

They will be opened to the public

in the coming weeks, once the

necessary utility service connections

have been completed.

In September 2022, The town

council’s Asset committee decided

not to progress with the project which

would have seen the toilet installed at

the Western Road Recreation Group,

as ‘no feasibility study or operational

costs had been defined’.

It was then suggested The Town

Council may wish to enter into

discussions with Wealden District

Council to discuss the potential

location of a Changing Places facility

at Vicarage Field instead.

The motion was then put back to

the council and it was approved by all

members.

Latest local news, visit: Hailsham.News APRIL 2024 NEWS 5

Teen stabbed in Polegate

TWO PEOPLE have been arrested

on suspicion of attempted murder

following a stabbing in Polegate.

Emergency services were called

to Wannock Road at around 9pm on

Monday, 18 March, where a 17-yearold

boy was found with stab wounds.

He was treated by paramedics

before being taken to hospital, where

he remains.

His injuries are serious, but

no longer considered to be lifethreatening.

A 17-year-old boy from St Leonards

and an 18-year-old man of no fixed

address have been arrested on

COUNCILLORS EXPRESSED

concerns about local transport

infrastructure when plans for

95 homes were discussed by the

Wealden District Council Planning

Committee recently.

Plans for the homes, on land east

of Battle Road, were put in front

of the committee, but discussions

were focussed around the poor local

transport infrastructure, which

according to councillors, ‘must be

suspicion of attempted murder. They

remain in custody at this time.

Green light for new homes

improved’.

The homes which were approved

will be 35% ‘affordable’ homes and

will see a vehicular entrance to the

estate from Battle Road, just south of

the allotments on the road.

However, the approval is subject

to a ‘Grampian’ condition, which

allows authorities to prohibit the

development until other conditions

are met.

Although East Sussex County

Detective Inspector Jess Langlands

said: “A thorough investigation was

launched as soon as this incident

was reported and we acted quickly to

arrest two suspects.

“I understand this will be

distressing for the community, but I

would like to assure them that this is

understood to be an isolated incident

between a group of people known to

each other.

“We are asking anyone who

witnessed anything suspicious

around that time or has relevant

CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to

call 101, quoting Operation Hutch.”

Council reported there would be a

very small increase in local traffic

congestion (3% at main junctions),

the committee decided the proposed

improvement plan for the A22

must be confirmed to allow the

development.

Planning Officers advised the

committee it would not be acceptable

to put this type of condition on the

development, as it would likely be

overturned on appeal.

Transport

worries over

McDonald’s plans

HAILSHAM TOWN Council has

expressed its concerns over

the plans to build a McDonald’s

Restaurant on South Road.

The chain has submitted proposals

for the site on Ropemakers Park,

opposite Tesco Express and KFC.

The plans were discussed at a recent

town council planning meeting

when worries over air pollution and

increased traffic in the area were

raised.

Councillors recommend that

mature, 6ft high native trees be

planted the full length of the

application site, especially along South

Road and the entrance to the site.

They want the opening hours of

the restaurant to be restricted to

7am-10pm, and not be open for 24

hours, like the current McDonalds at

Polegate.

Councillors also discussed that

the burger chain should make a

Community Infrastructure Levy

(CIL) 106 contribution and conditions

should be levied to “support the costs

of the delayed roundabout at BP

garage/ Ersham Road, which they say

will now become more urgent with

increased traffic movements and

congestion that the area currently

suffers”.

The Town Council’s comments

will be sent to Wealden District

Council where its comments will be

considered then the plans are in front

of the Planning Committee.

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6 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Closure of school

drop-off area gets

thumbs-down from

planning councillors

PAUL GIBSON

A LETTER has been sent to parents

of the Burfield Academy after its

plans to permanently close the

drop-off area were refused.

The troubled school in Oaklands

Way, Hailsham, applied to East

Sussex County Council to withdraw

the planning condition of supplying

a ‘kiss and drop’ area for parents

as it says the current area is unsafe

for children, due to untrained staff,

safeguarding concerns and failures in

the design.

The letter sent to parents just

hours after the decision stated:

“The Planning Committee of East

Sussex County Council met today

[Wednesday] and unfortunately, they

have refused the application.”

It added: “A decision to refuse would

render the site unsuitable for use as

a Primary School at any point in the

future.”

The school is suggesting parents

should use the neighbouring roads

for parking and drop-off purposes.

This was met with anger by

surrounding residents who submitted

a petition signed by 74 people, along

with 29 letters of objection, asking the

County Planning Committee to reject

the school application to overturn the

condition.

The news comes as a huge blow

to parents and pupils following the

decision last year to temporarily close

Burfield Academy for extensive safety

works, which saw pupils moved to the

Pheonix Academy on Marshfoot Lane.

After the unanimous decision at

the meeting, Cllr Gerard Fox told

Hailsham News: “The Planning

Committee turned down the School’s

application to abandon the kiss and

drop. I am hopeful that the Academy

can come up with an alternative plan

that addresses the traffic safety and

congestion challenges. I’m more than

happy to work with all parties to reach

a solution which is safe and works

well for the children, their parents,

and local residents.”

Hailsham Town Council recently

discussed the school’s request in a

recent planning meeting. It decided

to support the removal of the kiss

and drop system and recommended

a PCSO should manage any illegal

parking taking place. Councillor

Godfrey Daniel responded to the HTC

comments by saying that ‘simply

won’t happen’.

Burfield Academy concluded in the

letter to parents: “We have contacted

East Sussex County Council’s

Children’s Services team to request

their steer on what this decision

means in practice and will share a

further update once this meeting has

taken place.”

Ed Sheath, Head of Planning and

Environment at East Sussex County

Council said at the meeting: “There

have been a number of complaints

made to the council over the impact

the closure of the kiss and drop

facility has had on neighbouring

roads, and the issues around parking

to driveways and blocked drives.

The applicant has not provided

sufficient levels of information and

analysis to satisfy us that the removal

of all obligations relating to a kiss and

drop facility at Burfield Academy

would not give rise to increase

hazards the use of the surrounding

Highway Network. Furthermore,

no information has been submitted

to ascertain whether potential

improvements to the existing facility

have been explored.”

The motion to accept the officer

recommendation was moved by

Cllr Godfrey Daniel (Labour) and

seconded by Cllr Kathryn Field

(Lib Dem) both of whom had been

involved as planning committee

members in the placing of the

original planning condition in

2015. It was supported by the whole

committee.

In 2014, the original planning

application for the school was refused

by planners due to the impact on

nearby residents. However, one year

later, the plans were approved on the

basis of a kiss and drop provision. It

was then operated up until the COVID

outbreak when it was closed to allow

for social distancing.

When restrictions were lifted, ESCC

begun to receive complaints from

local residents due to high amount of

traffic, as the kiss and drop was not

reopened by the school.

Concluding the meeting,

Chair Councillor Tom Liddiard

(Conservative), said: “I think the

applicants need to take this away

and have a very careful look and

serious conversation, both amongst

themselves, but also with officers

within the Highways and Planning

department and to bring us back an

application that allays some of the

concerns of local residents, deals with

the concerns of the site and puts the

safety of children and the community

at the heart of the decision that they’re

making, rather than just transferring

the problem to the public Highway,

which will worsen the situation for

everyone else with the exception of

the applicant.”

Latest local news, visit: Hailsham.News APRIL 2024 7

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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.

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8 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Grovelands School

celebrates World

Book Day in style

STAFF AND pupils let their

minds go wild as they celebrated

the 29th World Book Day last

month.

Fantastic books, old and new,

were the recipe of day at Grovelands

Primary School, where hundreds of

pupils dressed up as their favourite

authors.

World Book Day was created on

23rd April 1995 as a worldwide

celebration of books and reading.

World Book Day is marked in over

100 countries around the globe.

Grovelands Primary School

has sent Hailsham News these

photographs of some of its pupils

dressing up for the celebrations.


Swimming pool to

get £70k cash boost

Town Centre Aspires

project scrapped

MEASURES TO make the Freedom

Leisure Swimming Pool more

energy efficient are set to be made

thanks to a grant from Sport

England.

The award of more than £70,000

will help implement interventions to

help improve energy consumption at

Hailsham Leisure Centre which run

in partnership with Freedom Leisure.

The measures will assist the council

in meeting its commitment to being

carbon net zero by 2050 or sooner.

The interventions include the

installation of PV solar to offset grid

electricity usage and installing a pool

cover which will reduce the heat loss

from the pool, in turn reducing gas

consumption and associated costs

for heating the pool. The delivery of

those interventions is estimated to

save 16t CO2 each year.

The money has come from a second

phase of funding in which £40 million

of government funding was available

for local authorities to invest in

improving the energy efficiency of

public facilities with swimming pools

in the medium to long term.

The demand for the funding was

significantly high with more than 700

facility applications received by Sport

England and four times the amount of

funding requested.

Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance

for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and

lead councillor for Public Health

and Asset Management, said, “I

am delighted we have received

this funding which will help make

environmental changes to the pool at

Hailsham.

“This funding will enable the pool

to become more energy efficient,

perform at its best and enable us to

take a step closer to becoming net

zero by 2050 or sooner.”

Freedom Leisure area manager

Toby Reed said, “We are pleased

Wealden District Council has been

successful in securing government

funding via the Swimming Pool

Support Fund and we look forward to

working with the council to support

the swimming facilities at Hailsham

Leisure Centre going forward.”

The pool at Freedom Leisure was

closed at the end of last year and

was recently reopened following an

extensive renovation project.

FOLLOWING FIVE years of

consultations, meetings and

discussions, the controversial

Hailsham Aspires project has been

shelved and will not continue.

The decision was made during a

Wealden District Council meeting

recently where the cost of living

crisis, Brexit, interest rates and the

lack of Levelling Up funding were

named as the core reasons for the

failure of the project.

The project aimed to create new

public and green spaces, with new

exercise/ leisure facilities, expand

healthcare, new community spaces

and integrate ‘energy efficient’

homes. It would have cost up to

£100million if it went ahead.

Councillor Kelvin Williams, whose

role it was to deliver the project,

said: “The Hailsham Aspires project

has proven unaffordable for the

Council’s finances in the current

economic climate. However, the

Council remains committed to

delivering a new medical centre

for the town to meet the needs of its

growing population.”

The money set aside for the Aspires

project will now be used to develop

a new medical centre which will be

located within the town centre area

and is planned to accommodate

the Hailsham Medical Group,

East Sussex Healthcare Trust and

Bridgeside Surgery.

Hailsham News has submitted a

Freedom of Information request to

find out what the scrapped project

has cost residents over the past five

years.

10 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Bluebell Walk and

Gardens prepare for

51st year of raising

funds for local causes

FOR MORE than half a century,

John McCutchan, the owner of

the Bluebell Walk and Gardens,

has worked tirelessly to make the

venue an incredible place to visit

whilst raising tens of thousands for

charity.

The walk and gardens in Arlington

give families and countryside lovers

the chance to walk around the ancient

woodland and enjoy Bates Green

Garden, which is a sight to be seen.

This time of year see’s the arrival

of the carpet of daffodils on the

Millennium Walk as you enter the

woods. This stunning site was created

in memory of John’s wife, Carolyn,

who decided to open the woods to the

public in 1972 for one weekend only,

to raise money for Park Mead School.

It was so popular, the McCutchan

family decided to continue to open to

the woods every year and has raised a

huge amount of money which has all

been given to local causes, such as the

building of the Arlington Village Hall.

Carolyn sadly passed away in 2019,

but John has continued to work in the

woods every single day.

It’s hoped that more than 25,000

people will visit the site in 2024 to see

the incredible carpet of bluebells

when they start to appear in the next

few months.

Head Gardener Emma Reece and

her talented team now look after

the Bates Green Garden which now

attracts people from all over the UK

each year.

First, a green carpet of emerging

bluebell leaves will appear

throughout the wood, then the white

display of wood anemones will come

into view.

There will then be the unique

view of green, white and blue as the

bluebells emerge, until the many

vistas of blue will appear when the

bluebells are fully out.

John said: “We open from April

10 for five weeks and the walk is of

course so beautiful, but it’s more than

just a walk as there are also the six

farm trails to explore.

“We have extended our kitchen this

year and in our cafe we have a large

screen showing a live stream of the

beautiful birds at their feeding station

in the woods.

“This year we will be welcoming 26

different charities, who take turns to

provide refreshments every day.

“There is also a Book Room, which

is being managed this year by Heron’s

Ghyll Carriage Driving for the

Disabled.

“There is a plant stall run by

Arlington Church and the chance to

see the animals, including sheep and

pygmy goats.

“We are also hoping that people

will take the opportunity to visit

Bates Green Garden which has been

awarded RHS Partner Garden status.

“People love the bluebells — we

all know that — but we also have the

most amazing Garden on site. It will

be open every day during the five

weeks of the Bluebell Walk and after

that every Wednesday until the end of

October.”

Last year, £78,000 was raised for

charities, and this year should see

the total amount raised pass the £1m

mark.

John is also keen to stress there are

18 mobility scooters available for

people who may need them.

Entrance to the Arlington Bluebell

Walk this year is £8 or £4 for children.

It’s £20 for a family of four.

Meanwhile, Bates Green Garden is

open every Wednesday 10am-4pm.

It’s a garden full of colour and one

very special to John.

The Bates Green Garden Cafe —

with homemade cakes and lunches

— is open every Wednesday, and the

Garden entrance fee also includes

entry to Beatons Wood, a 24 acre

ancient oak and hornbeam wood.

Visitors can also walk around

the six-acre Wildflower Meadow,

appreciate the diversity and sit to

enjoy the stunning views of the South

Downs.

Go to www.bluebellwalk.co.uk and

www.batesgreengarden.co.uk for

more information.


Proposals revealed for Horsebridge

Recreation Ground improvements

HELLINGLY PARISH Council is

looking to consult with residents

over plans to radically overhaul

the facilities at the Lower

Horsebridge Recreation Ground.

Several improvements are proposed

for the area which includes new play

equipment with accessible facilities,

and a new indoor hall the size of two

badminton courts along the existing

Pavilion.

The plans suggest it will be used

for a variety of indoor training,

badminton and other activities. The

indoor hall could be configured with

courts side by side, or as a longer

narrower building, with two courts

end-to-end (with netting between

the two inside). This would enable

the current clubs on site to use it for

indoor nets and short mat bowls as

well.

It’s anticipated the Sports Pavilion

toilets will be improved, potentially

including a ‘Changing Places’ toilet

for disabled people and improving

changing rooms, bar/cafe area and

kitchen.

SCAN CODE

The plans would also involve

moving the current grass football

pitch to the north of the site. There

is also space for a smaller second

pitch (for under-8s). Currently, the

proposals are simply pitch-marking,

following the existing groundlevel

contours, and do not include

drainage.

An area of scrubland could be

replaced with a large Multi-Use

Games Area (MUGA) with floodlights

and cage fencing. The approximate

area would be the size of two netball

courts with 2m run-offs, and be

able to accommodate: two netball

courts for matches and training; two

basketball courts for matches and

training; and a five-a-side football

pitch for training. The likely surface

to be Polymeric or Tarmacadam,

which can accommodate netball,

basketball and football.

There are proposals to enhance

planting in that area to create a

wildlife habitat, and for the health

pathway to wind its way through

the nature space. In time, as trees

and habitat mature, it will provide

a physical screen between nearby

bungalows and the MUGA.

A ‘Health Pathway’ around the

circumference of the whole land

area for walking, cycling, jogging,

scooting, buggies and mobility

scooters is also planned. The

pathway would be approximately

714m, and width minimum 2.5m

(except in the area behind the

rugby pitch where space is reduced,

allowing a width of 2m). The length

allows 7 laps to be 5K.

It is proposed to increase the width

of the main entrance to 5m to allow

two-way traffic. In addition, the

entrance would need to be readily

accessible for an emergency vehicle

if required. The facilities would see an

increase in parking bays to a total of

80 throughout the site.

The Parish Council is hoping

to gather views, opinions and

suggestions from local residents on

the plans. The improvements are

expected to be funded through a

number of external funding bodies.

The survey is open until 5pm on 8th

April 2024 and can be accessed by

visiting www.hellingly-pc.org.uk,

or an email version can be sent

by request by emailing

clerk@hellingly-pc.org.uk.

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12 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Families invited to tackle

Hellingly puzzle trail

SCAN CODE

OBSERVANT OR adventurous

visitors to Hellingly Country Park

in the last month may have spotted

the appearance of cryptic markers

hidden on trees, logs and posts

across the park.

The markers, about the size of a

postcard, are part of the Hellingly

Puzzle Trail, a brand new, free

activity trail for all the family to try.

The trail starts at the entrance to

the park just behind the Community

Hub and winds its way around the

extensive grounds of the former

Hellingly Hospital. The 15 markers

each contain a clue to the next

marker location and a puzzle to

solve.

Puzzlers can either access a free

map and complete their answers

online by scanning the QR code at

the start of the trail or at hellinglypuzzle.animazingtv.co.uk

or for a

small donation, get a printed trail

guide and nature trail for younger

explorers from the Parish Office at

the Community Hub during normal

opening hours.

Allow 1½ to 2 hours to complete

the trail and wear suitable footwear

for exploring off the main paths. You

can get to the Community Hub on the

1X or 51 bus and it is a short cycle ride

or walk from the Cuckoo Trail.

There is also free parking and

electric car charging point.

The what3words location is

///tolerates.publish.tint.

The trail has been produced by

local Community Interest Company,

Animazing C.I.C. and supported by

Hellingly Parish Council.

Photo of the month

JO COOPER from Hailsham

captured Spring arriving in the

town recently with the stunning

photograph.

She told Hailsham News: “Taking

photos eases my depression

for seeing the beauty in our

surroundings, which can easily be

overlooked, which at times can be

very difficult to see the colour of life.

It really boosts me.”

Do you have a photo you’d like

featured in Hailsham News?

Email it to us with your name

and story behind the photo to:

editor@hailsham.news.

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

LOCAL PROPERTY LAWYER

JOINS FORCES WITH

SETFORDS SOLICITORS

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.

Latest local news, visit: Hailsham.News APRIL 2024 REGULARS 13

EDITOR’S LETTERS

What do you think? Send your comments to letters@hailsham.news

INFRASTRUCTURE

WORRIES

DEAR EDITOR, Why are our councillors

so keen to grant planning permission

without obvious enforceable conditions

to ensure public safety from the extra

traffic?

Station Road, Saltmarsh Road and Mill

Road all lead to Eastbourne, Langney

and Pevensey as a direct route for

Hailsham residents with cars often

worth £30-50,000 ruined by deep

potholes that we are always trying to

avoid in this muddy lane.

These roads require 2ft widening and

all edges made safe, no deep potholes

hidden with rainwater. This needs to be

done by the builders — free to council

before building is allowed to commence

and before new residents create excess

traffic!

We lived in Spain and this is how they

think and work ahead of problems. Why

don’t we do it? It’s common sense and

free! Other letters point to this logic.

Mill Road resident.

TORY WALKOUT

WORTH IT?

DEAR EDITOR, I was disappointed

but hardly surprised to read in your

March edition (page four) that some

Conservative Members had left the

meeting held to discuss Wealden

District’s latest draft Local Plan.

Throwing one’s toys out of the pram

rarely helps make for mature discussion.

I am acutely aware that perceived

rampant, unwanted, unplanned

overdevelopment, sewage pouring

into our homes and rivers and wholly

inadequate infrastructure does not sit

well with any resident.

However, have these Conservative

Wealden members forgotten that it

was their administration and their

failed Local Plan at examination (failing

spectacularly in the Planning Inspector’s

eyes on lack of credible evidence and

failure to cooperate with neighbouring

Authorities) that has led to the unbridled

developer fest we are in?

It was the previous Administration

also whose Leader boldly announced

that they believed that the Minister, Mr

Michael Gove, had listened carefully

to Wealden when announcing the

scrapping of housing targets. That

turned out to be a very short-lived

assurance indeed from Government.

Does anyone else seriously believe

politicians any more?

Which now brings into focus why

Wealden needs to get on with its Plan;

and quickly if we are to avoid another

decade of chaos.

Governments of all stripes will always

stick to a firm requirement for Local

Planning Authorities to show they have

adequate land available for housing.

Playing the “ostrich” simply doesn’t help

matters go away.

For those members who apparently

left the chamber claiming not to have

had opportunity to properly consider the

Plan, this draft Plan’s general provisions

will have been available for them to

discuss and ask questions of their

officers for some considerable time now.

May I therefore suggest that they

instead take a long hard look in the

mirror and take at least some sliver

of responsibility (maybe alongside Mr

Gove) for the glaring failings of their

Conservative administration over the

previous decade.

D.Phillips

IT’S A ‘McNO’ FROM ME

DEAR EDITOR, When the item was

published that McDonalds was planning

to build a drive-through restaurant on

the plot opposite the Tesco and KFC

outlets, there were a lot of comments

made that were against it.

There is a McDonalds just down the

road on the A22 at the roundabout

with the A27. We already have a

Burger King just up the road at the BP

Garage and the Kentucky Fried Chicken

in Ropemakers, these create a lot of

rubbish, and although there are bins

provided, they are often overflowing.

Also drive drive-throughs create a

lot of congestion on the roads they

are connected to. We used to live in

Peacehaven and the McDonalds at

Newhaven in the Drove Retail Park

created havoc when people were trying

to go to the other retailers in that area.

The Costa drive-through at Hampden

Park also causes a problem with traffic

going in and out of the Retail park.

South Road is often blocked by the

traffic travelling into Hailsham, so put

a drive-through restaurant just off this

road will cause more traffic jams.

As Hailsham is growing with all the

extra building works going ahead in the

area, it would be more advantageous

to provide medical centres, it is hard

enough to get doctors appointments as

it is, surely looking to assist the already

struggling NHS would be better than

providing more fast food outlets.

In Hailsham, we have an abundance of

restaurants and takeaway outlets as it

stands. Do we really need another one?

Mr Hutchings

WE’RE UNDER SEIGE

DEAR EDITOR, All the developments are

really horrific. Permissions are granted

with no thought for service — yes l know

that is our current planning.

The aspects of flooding, sewage,

water supply, schools and Doctors have

all been ignored to allow very greedy

landowners (who sell) and developers

to make money. It is our current UK

business model.

Wildlife, trees and quality of life are all

ignored. A 300 development will have

cars per house plus all the deliveries

increasing pollution.

This shows Hailsham but Polegate and

Stone Cross are also under siege.

The properties are not aimed at local

people due to prices. This means out of

towners can buy and commute. More

pollution.

I have lived in this area for over 40

years, and if l could afford to move, l

would.

Also, our MP is not helpful or

interested. North Wealden has a lot less

development perhaps due to where she

lives.

Pat McCartney

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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.”

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16 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Long-awaited Diplocks

resurfacing finally

taking place

PAUL GIBSON

IT’S BEEN one of the town’s

hottest topics for a few years, but

East Sussex County Council has

confirmed it is to fully resurface

the pothole-littered Diplocks Way

this month.

The main route through the

busy industrial estate is used by

thousands every day, and the surface

has almost become undriveable.

Our drone images on this page show

the true extent of the broken road

surface, sunken pavements and

raised ironworks.

There have been hundreds of posts

online from residents and businesses

calling for the resurfacing of the road

from South Road right through to

the Gleneagles/ BMW roundabout.

On a daily basis, you can stand and

watch cars driving at a walking pace,

swerving all over to avoid damage to

their vehicles.

It was previously believed the

road was privately owned and not

the responsibility of the Highways

authority, but in a letter sent to

companies located on the estate, and

nearby residents, East Sussex County

Council has confirmed work is due to

start on 2 April.

The works, which will only be

carried out overnight, will be carried

out at various times throughout the

month up until Friday 3 May, and

will include surfacing, associated

ironwork adjustments, jointing,

kerb repairs, hedge cutting and road

marking refreshments.

County Councillor Gerard Fox

(Hailsham New Town) said: “We’ve

been lobbying to get this surfacing

work done for a number of years.

This winter’s weather had delayed

things for a while. Nevertheless,

thanks to the additional £15.7 million

of resources that we’ve put into the

highways budget over the last year,

we are now finally going to see this

much-needed work done. This

follows on from the surfacing and

patching work done on South Road

and Ersham Road that was conducted

last summer.”

On Tuesday 2 April through to

Friday 19 April, the road will be

closed between the hours of 7pm

and 7am to minimise disruption to

businesses in the area. The team will

be working between the Diplocks

Roundabout and the junction with

South Road. Traffic will be diverted

via South Road, A22 Hailsham Bypass

& vice versa.

On Monday 22 April through

to Friday 3 May, the road will

remain open to through traffic with

temporary traffic signals in place

between 7pm and 7am.

The works are expected to cause

some disruption to local businesses,

but ESCC says signage in the area

will advise of the latest information

and drivers can still get access to

properties by talking to the works

team.

There are no plans for weekend

working during these works.

Marshals will be putting out

‘no parking’ signs and cones on

the site to advise where parking is

restricted. Please avoid parking i

n these locations as it will delay

our works.

A spokesperson from East Sussex

Highways said: “All these works

are subject to favourable weather

conditions; for example, heavy rain

may affect the progress of the works.

Properties close to the carriageway

may experience a temporary

disturbance as this can be a noisy

process, and those properties may

experience flashing lights and

reversing sirens.

We would like to take this

opportunity to apologise in advance

for any inconvenience or disruption

this work may cause; however,

this forms part of our continuing

improvement for the East Sussex

highway network.”

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

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

KNOW YOUR GARDEN

By Emma Reece, Head Gardener at Bates Green Garden

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

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

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.

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

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.

18 NEWS

APRIL 2024


Hailsham schoolgirl stuns

crowds at Crufts 2024

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD girl wowed

viewers and captured the nation’s

hearts for the second year in a row

during her Channel 4 interview

about her experiences at Crufts.

Daisy, from Hailsham, was

interviewed by presenter Radzi

Chinyanganya as she stepped out

of the ring after competing in a

young handler class run by the UK’s

largest shooting and conservation

organisation, the British Association

for Shooting and Conservation

(BASC), on Gundog Day at Crufts.

Daisy introduced Radzi to Sail the

Labrador retriever and revealed that

she had only started handling him

that morning. When quizzed by Radzi

where Nova, the dog she introduced

him to last year was, she told him

Nova was at home because she is

expecting puppies. Sail is Nova’s

father.

Host, Clare Balding, asked viewers if

they remembered seeing Daisy Upton

on Crufts coverage last year.

She told them that Daisy had been

treated for neuroblastoma — a type

of cancer that Daisy refers to as a

“monster” in her tummy — when she

was six months old, spending nine

months in hospital.

Clare said: “It’s safe to say I think

that dogs have been Daisy’s saviour”

and labelled her appearance on this

year’s show as “brilliant stuff”.

The “monster” has left Daisy with

long-term health issues but she was

determined to take part to prove

that, despite her disabilities, she can

achieve her dreams.

Daisy showed off her skills in front

of a huge crowd and her mum Chloe

did the same earlier in the day with

Nova’s brother Rory.

Since Crufts 2023, and with her

sights set on Crufts 2024, Daisy’s

handling has gone from strength

to strength. Over the summer, she

has taken part in two working tests,

coming second in one and achieving a

commendation in the other.

Mum Chloe said: “Taking part

in Crufts has given Daisy so much

confidence in herself and her

abilities, and driven her passion for

working gundogs to new levels. I’m so

proud of her and how fearless she is.”

Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game

and wildlife management, said:

“Once again, Daisy was an absolute

joy to watch. For someone so young,

who has overcome so much, she

has shown ability and maturity well

beyond her years. She is an absolute

credit to her parents and a wonderful

advocate of working gundogs.”

MP for Wealden

Nusrat Ghani update

I RECEIVE a lot of correspondence on

planning in Wealden, and many residents

have been in touch with me to share their

concerns over the new housing numbers

proposed for our area by the current Council

leadership.

As you may be aware, the Wealden District

Council’s Draft Local Plan is now out for public

consultation and outlines where the new

Wealden District leadership, which is a coalition

of Liberal Democrats and Green councillors,

intends to build 15,729 new homes between

now and 2040. The Draft Local Plan consultation

period will run from Friday 15th March to

Friday 10th May and I would like to encourage

all Wealden residents to consider taking part

and have their say. The consultation is available

online at https://consult.wealden.gov.uk/kse

and will also be accompanied by a series of

drop-in sessions across the district. Details of

these can be found on the Council’s website.

I fully acknowledge that we do need more

homes, and a level of development in Wealden

is inevitable. I see the need for affordable homes

pop up daily in my casework and I believe that

we should be striving for sensible, affordable

housing for first-time local buyers and renters,

and those who wish to downsize locally.

However, I do recognise the level of surprise

and frustration at the numbers proposed in

the Draft Local Plan, which are much higher

compared to what the councillors have been

proposing to residents last year.

I’m always keen to hear residents’ views

on local matters, but please remember that

social media posts and emails to your MP

regarding planning do not count as objections

in a formal Council consultation and that I

have no jurisdiction over individual planning

applications or what is approved or dismissed

on local planning by councillors. The Draft

Local Plan is an initiative overseen, managed,

and implemented by the new Wealden District

Council Leadership and the most appropriate

way of shaping the final version of the Local

Plan is via the official consultation.

I continue to work hard to ensure that your

concerns are heard in Westminster.

If you are a Wealden resident and require

my assistance, please email

nusrat.ghani.mp@parliament.uk.

Your local independent

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Situated in an out-of-town location is this beautiful, charming period semi-detached

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Inside this wonderful home is arranged with an entrance hall, dining room with patio

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ERSHAM ROAD, HAILSHAM - £475,000 LOWER HORSEBRIDGE, HAILSHAM - £499,950

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Inside the house is arranged with a spacious and light entrance hall, kitchen with

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Situated within the fringes of town known as Lower Horsebridge and backing onto

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Shepherds Hut with its own shower room/WC, off road parking and garage.

Rose Cottage has been lovingly cared for and improved by its present owners with

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47 HIGH STREET, HAILSHAM, BN27 1AN

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20 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 Hailsham News, I will attempt

to provide some answers.

We all need transport to travel and in

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.

WORKING HARD FOR WEALDEN

I hold regular surgeries both in

person and virtually.

If you require my assistance, get in touch at:

nusrat.ghani.mp@parliament.uk

or, visit my website: www.nusghani.org.uk

Nus_Ghani Nusrat Ghani MP nus_ghani Nusrat Ghani

NEWSPAPER READER

SURVEY LAUNCHED

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

town’s dedicated free newspaper.

Hailsham News is dedicated to reporting on all

the local news as we approach almost three 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

Hailsham 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 10,000 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/HN-Survey-Feb24

22 COMMERCE UPDATE

APRIL 2024


HAILSHAM AND DISTRICT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE

PRESIDENT’S REPORT,

MARCH 2024

OUR AGM was held on 20 March

at The Laurel in George Street,

Hailsham and attended by over

thirty members, sponsored by

members Stevens & Carter, the

very active and popular estate

agent in Hailsham’s High Street.

President, Clive Soper reported to

the meeting: “2023/4 has been a busy

and productive twelve months for us.

The Chamber’s 2022/3 term

concluded in March 2023 with our

customary Big Business Breakfast

at B12 Bar & Kitchen. Membership

was approximately 85, and our

Event Manager, Stevens & Carter’s

Sam Beale had begun organising

successful events, hinting at greater

things to come.

The Business Improvement

District was still being promoted and

developed, but more on that later.

Unfortunately, our December

meeting last year at B12 Bar & Kitchen

was to be the last at that venue as,

immediately after Christmas the

venue closed its doors as the operators

were unable to maintain profitability

due to rising costs and falling income,

not a good partnership.

Owner, Melvyn and the staff served

the Chamber well. I would like to

thank them for their support, wish

Melvyn well with his other business

ventures and hope that we haven’t

seen the end of B12 — or whatever it

becomes.

So far this year there’s been a

worrying trend in Hailsham towards

closures of hospitality venues which I

hope will start to reverse soon.

We now have a hundred members,

which continue to attract more,

however, we must not stand still, we

need to provide our members with all

the benefits they have come to expect.

Our monthly Big Business

Breakfasts are extremely popular;

indeed, we’ve had to restrict numbers

this year due to space, selling out last

month a week before the meeting

and, this seems to be the trend for

April’s meeting too.

We also actively represent and

advocate for our members at

various levels of government.

Representatives from our Chamber

sit on ACES (Association of Chambers

in East Sussex), and hold board-level

positions on the South East Local

Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

During the past seven years, SELEP

has allocated £760 million in funding

for projects in Kent, Essex, and East

Sussex. The government has closed

all Local Enterprise Partnerships, we

await its replacement.

The Chamber also holds board

representation on Hailsham Forward,

an important organisation. An

example of our influence was seen

when Chris Bending, Head of Place at

Wealden District Council, addressed

our sell-out November Big Business

Breakfast. Chris discussed various

developments within Wealden,

including Knights Farm, the cattle

market development, Vicarage Fields,

and the new local plan. This plan has

been presented to Hailsham at the

Civic Centre.

The Chamber’s voice, and that of its

members is being listened to much

more now than in the past and the

Chamber is tasked to enhance that

representation even more going

forward.

Earlier, I mentioned grants, which

leads me to discuss the Business

Improvement District (BID). With

over 300 BIDs across the UK, it’s

evident that areas with BIDs thrive

and attract government funding.

Locally, Hastings, Rother, Newhaven,

Brighton, and neighbouring

Eastbourne have received millions

in government funding, supporting

businesses and the local community.

In contrast, Wealden has received

comparatively little funding.

This highlights the importance of

supporting the Hailsham BID.

It’s no coincidence that funding

lands in Business Development

Districts, it’s because BIDs

demonstrate both business and

local authority commitment to

development, defining areas

deserving of government support and

translating it into success.

If Hailsham’s BID had been up and

running where the Vicarage Field

project has just been cancelled it’s

likely that funding would have been

available.

Businesses must prioritise getting

the BID operational. However,

without initial financial support

from both Wealden District Council

and Hailsham Town Council,

demonstrating support for both

business and the community, the

BID is less likely to progress to the

development stage and secure the

vote of businesses, thus establishing a

Business Improvement District (BID)

in our town and local district.

We have distributed our BID

proposal document to members and

interested parties and pdf copies of

the BID prospectus is available on our

website at www.hailshamchamber.

co.uk/bid/

We recently learned that the main

road through the Diplocks Industrial

Estate will undergo planing and

resurfacing soon. While this is

excellent news for our premier

industrial area, it’s unfortunate that

East Sussex County Council has opted

for Balfour Beatty, despite having one

of the country’s top road contractors,

Hailsham Roadways, nearby. The

Chamber will be writing to East

Sussex County Council to enquire why

their procurement team didn’t choose

a local contractor, thus keeping

employment and money within East

Sussex.

Hailsham Chamber is a vital

business support organisation,

offering incredible value at just

£90 per year. While networking is

a key aspect of our activities, our

value extends far beyond that. The

relationships forged here develop

into strong business partnerships,

offering influence at all levels of

local organisations. The credibility

Chamber membership provides is

invaluable. As Chamber President this

year, I’m proud of our achievements

and look forward to another year of

collaboration with our members,

tackling new challenges together.

As our membership continues to

expand and we endeavour to get the

BID up and running by early 2025 the

Chamber looks forward to further

supporting our members, working

with the local community, and both

District and Town Council, and East

Sussex County Council to continually

enhance Hailsham and District for

everyone.”

Clive Soper, Chamber President

Hailsham & District Chamber of

Commerce

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from new, service history.


£14,250

Renault Kadjar TCE

2018, 1.2, Dynamique, Only 11,600

miles, ONE owner from new, full



SOLD

£14,150

Peugeot 308 PureTech

2019, GT Line spec, 27,800 miles,

petrol, manual, full main dealer

service history, one owner.


£14,990

Ford Kuga ST Line

2019, 1.5 EcoBoost, one owner from

new, 51,600 miles, petrol, manual,



£13,980

Audi Q2 TFSi Sport

2018, 1.0, Sport, 72,500 miles,

petrol, manual, only ONE owner,

comprehensive service history.


£13,970

£12,995

£12,995

£12,750

£12,410

£12,150

Kia Ceed GDi ISG

2019, 1.0T, petrol, manual, 39,400

miles, full main dealer service

history, only ONE owner from new.


Vauxhall Mokka X

2018, 1.4T, ecoTEC Design, 13,900

miles, ONE owner from new, main



Dacia Duster Comfort

2019, 1.6, petrol, manual, 30,500

miles, only TWO owners from new,

full main dealer service history.


Toyota Yaris Hybrid

2015, 1.5, petrol hybrid, 33,400

miles, Only THREE former owners,



Honda Jazz i-VTEC

2019, 1.3, petrol, manual, 51,400

miles, full main dealer service

history, TWO previous owners.


Citroen C4 Cactus

2020, 1.2 PureTech Flair, petrol,

manual, 20,300 miles, ONE owner

from new, dealer service history.


£11,995

Vauxhall Insignia

2018, 1.6 Turbo, diesel, manual,

36,400 miles, only ONE owner from

new, full service history.


£11,995

Volkswagen Passat

2019, 2.0 TDi S, diesel, manual,

84,500 miles, ONE company owner,

full service history.


£11,995

SOLD

MG ZS GDi Exclusive

2019, 1.0, petrol, automatic, 32,400

miles, only ONE former owner,



£11,880

Vauxhall Zafira SRi

2018, 1.4T, petrol, manual, 47,400

miles, only ONE owner from new,

full service history.


£11,750

Vauxhall Astra Elite

2019, 1.4T 16v, petrol, manual,

21,100 miles, full main dealer

service history, ONE owner.


£6,750

MINI Countryman D

2011, 1.6 Cooper, All4, 80,950 miles,

diesel, manual, only TWO former

keepers, service history.


24 REGULARS

APRIL 2024


PUZZLES

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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)

MONKSEY’S MUTTERINGS

LAURIE’S POEM CORNER

TIME IS

OF THE

ESSENCE

BRAD MONKS

IS IT just me, or does

anyone else find

it strange that our

perception of time is all

messed up?

We seem to accept

that modern life is lived

at a faster pace than it used to be, although it isn’t

always the case in our town.

We will sit at traffic lights in our cars and

remain stationary for what seems longer than

Pinocchio’s nose if he worked as a spin doctor

for the government. We seem to spend an age

sitting in traffic on South Road, London Road, and

Diplocks Way as we note the thousands of houses

being built without a second thought by our elected

authorities. Are they that daft they didn’t think an

improved infrastructure would be a good idea?

Actually, they probably didn’t.

We all spend literally hours over the course of

a month trying to navigate the last mile of our

journey to our homes in Hailsham, unwittingly and

unwillingly adding pollutants into the air along with

missing precious time with our families and loved

ones as we sit patiently waiting for the queue of

traffic to edge forward as slowly as a herd of snails

wading through peanut butter.

Compare this to the memories of driving through

our town 20 years ago, and you’ll find it’s the

difference between dial-up internet in the 1990s

and superfast fibre broadband. The ironic thing is

we used to wait 10-20 seconds for a line-by-line

image of Kid Creole and The Coconuts (Google it!) to

download, but nowadays we can get all 14 studio

albums and the artwork downloaded in nanoseconds

— UN-BE-LEIVABLE that they had 14 albums!

The irony of all this is that we happily pay

£30-£50 per month for the privilege of saving

a precious few seconds when searching for

a download of Annie, I’m Not Your Daddy or

Stoolpigeon; we also pay circa £250 a month in

Council Tax to Wealden District Council (although

they only collect it on behalf of East Sussex County

Council as they are too busy passing more daft

planning permissions that are totally unsuitable)

for the privilege of spending hours in traffic — one

saves you minutes and the other costs you hours.

The second irony is that before FTTP (Fibre to

The Premises), broadband speeds were all about

the ‘Last Mile’ connection, and technological

advancements have been immense. On the

converse side, the time taken for the last mile drive

home in Hailsham has now deteriorated quicker

than the electorates’ faith in WDC, ESCC, and The

Government.

So please feel free to give me a wave next time

you see me sitting in my car as I negotiate the car

park that is Hailsham’s road network.

Until next time, people.

www.verymagic.co.uk

SO, APRIL is now here with the very welcome longer lighter days

allowing us to feel that the weather is improving, with perhaps the

“foundation” of a summer on the way, or hopefully brighter days

anyway.

This hope requires a positive attitude though as any venture start

must have, because whether a new business, construction or a

relationship etc, if anything is only half-heartedly taken on it will be

very likely to fail, thus go for it then!

My following poem entitled, yes, “Foundation”, from the 9th of my

now 13 published poetry books will give you some hints and pointers

as well. Thus poem Foundation follows.

If anything in life is going to succeed

A relationship, building or way of living,

It is imperative that it’s all started well

From the bottom up and no leeway giving,

To allow any flaws or imperfections there

At this important statement of registration.

Because to last well and withstand assaults

It needs building on a strong foundation.

For most things in life will have their trials

Whether it is dwellings or relationships.

So we must take up our guard with this,

To ensure nothing precious to us slips

Away to be lost forever and maybe tainted,

Or perhaps has structurally dangerous flaws,

As we must protect what’s precious to us

To prevent any sad closing of doors.

FOUNDATION

Although to build a reliable, sure feature

It takes great commitment and sacrifice,

For it must be durable and rock like

As great opportunities won’t come twice.

So make your loving safe-haven secure

With much confidence in your creation,

That you can moor up to very happily

On getting to a desired life station.

But to complete this involvement well

It doesn’t have to be all effort and toil,

Because you can have some enjoyment too

And good fun the industry won’t spoil.

For with good chances of lasting content

You can just relax when you arrive,

Knowing with this strong foundation

Your love and creations will thrive.

To purchase Laurie’s books, visit www.lauriewilkinson.com

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Interest Rate Per Annum (Fixed)

APR Representative

Annual Contracted Mileage

Excess Mileage Charge

37 months

£30,115.00

£239.00

£2,000.00

£5,981.05

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6.68%

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10,000 miles

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CONTACT YEOMANS HONDA TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR

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Terms and Conditions: New retail HR-V Hybrid ordered with Honda and finance approved by Honda Finance Europe from 01 July 2023 to 30 September 2023 and registered by 30 September 2023. Subject to model and colour availability. Offers applicable at participating dealers

(excluding Channel Islands) and are at the promoter’s absolute discretion. Not to be used along with any other offers currently available. * OTR may be subject to change due to actual or unexpected changes in tariffs, duties taxes or other costs which may affect importation or other

costs of supply. ** Honda deposit contribution: £2,000 Honda deposit contribution on all new retail HR-V Hybrid models purchased through Honda Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Honda Hire Purchase (HP). 6.9% APR representative Honda Personal Contract Purchase (PCP):

Maximum customer deposit 30%. At the end of the agreement, there are three options: i) Retain: Pay the optional final payment to own the vehicle, ii) Return: Return the vehicle, or iii) Renew: Part exchange your Honda for a new one. You do not have to pay the Final Payment if you

return the car at the end of the agreement and you have paid all other amounts due, the vehicle is in good condition and has been serviced in accordance with the Honda service book and the maximum annual mileage has not been exceeded. Excess mileage charge includes VAT at

current rate. Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Honda Franchise Dealers are credit brokers, not lenders.

As the dealer offers products from a limited number of carefully selected finance providers, they are not independent financial advisors. We may or may not make a payment and / or reward to the dealer if you enter into an agreement with us. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe

Plc. Honda Financial Services is a trading name of Honda Finance Europe Plc. Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL a company registered at Companies House No 03289418. Honda Finance Europe plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial

Services Register number 312541. Calls may be recorded for quality or training purposes. We do not charge fees for our Consumer Credit services. We may receive a payment(s) or other benefits from finance providers should you decide to enter into an agreement with them. The

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26 SPORT

APRIL 2024


Fundraiser to improve

Pavilion facilities launched

Bowling Club

announces open

day events

Haisham Bowls Club Open Day

HAILSHAM UNITED Junior

Football Club has raised hundreds

of pounds in a fundraiser to

purchase essential materials to

improve the club’s facilities.

The appeal has been launched in an

attempt to raise £4,000 to complete

the improvements works on the

Club House/ Pavilion on the Maurice

Thornton playing fields.

A spokesperson at the club said:

“We have amazing help from club

coaches, committee members, and

volunteers, as well as unbelievable

donations from local businesses,

but we still have a way to go to get it

finished which includes the need to

purchase materials and specialist

labour to finish the project.

The club have worked tirelessly

for several months now to improve

the facilities for our 300+ players!

We really hope the work we have

done and the donations we have so

greatly received will serve our football

community for years to come and give

our players, coaches and supporters

the hub that they all so greatly deserve

for the effort they put into teaching

and supporting our youth.”

To donate and see the progress

of the fundraiser, visit

https://gofund.me/3537bad2

FOLLOWING ITS recent centenary

celebrations, Hailsham Bowling

Club is hoping to attract new

members with a number of open

days next month.

Residents who want to find out

more about the sport, or want to get

back into playing it, are being invited

to go along to the venue behind the

Freedom Leisure Centre to find out

more.

A spokesperson from the club said:

“It really is a sport for all ages and

abilities - getting you out in the fresh

air taking part in gentle exercise in

great company and surroundings,

which is so good for your general

well-being and mental health.”

The free open days, which will

host ‘have-a-go sessions’ will take

place on 4th and 25th May from

10am to noon.

Estate Agent

supports Hailsham

Run event with free

reusable bottles

PARTICIPANTS OF the

forthcoming Hailsham Run in

May will run away with a gift from

Roland Dunn Sales & Lettings, in

a bid to cut down on single-use

plastics.

Roland Dunn and his team will

be handing out free reusable water

bottles at the finish line of the race next

month, which attracted hundreds of

runners when it returned to the streets

last year.

The agents, based on Station Road,

say it is proud to be a ‘Hailsham Refill

station’, which is part of a national

network of ReFill locations, which

promotes the use of reusable water

bottles.

The business is listed on the Refill.

org.uk mobile app which allows

people to find them and refill their

bottles with free filtered water from

their office, as part of the scheme.

Roland Dunn said: “Walkers,

Runners and cyclists love it. It saves

them from hunting for clean taps and

using throw-away plastic bottles. They

just bring in their reusable bottles and

we fill them for free, with a smile.”

There are nine different event

options to suit all at the Hailsham

Run, which takes place from the High

Street on Sunday 19th May, from a

challenging 10K Run to an all-inclusive

one-mile route.

Visit www.hailshamrun.co.uk to

find out more and sign up or scan

this code with your

mobile now. You

can download your

‘ReFill’ App from

Apple’s App Store

or Google Play.

Harriers celebrate

at awards event

HAILSHAM HARRIERS were

delighted to be crowned overall

champions of the 2023 Sussex

Grand Prix — a series of twelve

running races held across East

and West Sussex from February to

November.

With a variety of distances from

5 miles to 15 miles, they competed

against 18 running clubs in a bid to

win the title.

The Kings Head in Hellingly

became a sea of black and red as the

club came out in full force to watch

Ladies Captain, Helen O’Sullivan

and Men’s Captain, Carl Barton lift

the Steve Ovett Trophy on behalf of

the team and their 56 members who

ran one or more races, scoring vital

points towards their success.

Alongside lifting the champions

trophy, forty-five individual awards

were presented to members

recognising their age category

achievements, notably Frances

Delves and Roberto Proietti who

joined Hailsham Harriers in the 80’s.

As the club celebrates their fortieth

anniversary this year, the Sussex

Grand Prix has always played an

important part in the club’s history.

Their 2023 win becomes their seventh

championship title since the series

began, with their last title gained in

2000.

Sussex Grand Prix Champions 2023 (team)

Sussex Grand Prix Champions 2023

The 2024 Grand Prix league begins

with the Hastings Half Marathon on

Sunday March 24th, where a record

turnout of runners is expected. For

Hailsham Harriers, their black and

red army will be looking to make it

an eighth championship title in their

fortieth year.

The club will also be planning many

celebrations throughout the year to

mark their anniversary including

their ‘class of 2024’ couch to 5K

programme beginning on Monday

April 8th in Hailsham Country Park,

a Summer beach run, team Barbe-que

for past, present and future

members, and an eighties themed

parkrun takeover, whilst the club’s

annual race — the John Faulds

Hellingly 10K will pay homage to the

founders of the club back in 1984.

For more information on their

upcoming Couch to 5K programme

or the Hellingly 10K please email

secretary@hailsham-harriers.org.

uk or visit their website.

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call 01323 917 503 or visit

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Hailsham

28 SPORT

APRIL 2024


Sport

Junior

training

resumes

for aspiring

young

cricketers

Stringers goalscorer Owen Muller

PHOTO: SPORTOGRAPHY

EASTBOURNE SPEEDWAY

campaigners have called for a

massive show of public support

when an Eagles team returns to

track action after a three-year gap.

Winning start for

Stringers new men

PHOTOS: ALAN HOOK

HAILSHAM TOWN returned to

winning ways recently with a 3-1

victory away at Rottingdean Village.

The Stringers, under the new

management of Mike Baker and

Callum Standish, conceded an early

goal against the league’s bottom club,

but were level within three minutes

after a free kick on the edge of the

area was cleverly worked to Harry

Butler to drill home from the angle.

Hailsham took the lead soon after

— a corner partially headed clear,

before a Rottingdean defender

headed the ball back towards goal,

Eagles return to track after

three-year absence

Eagles are still without a Sussex

home but will resume racing in a

special challenge match against

historic rivals Kent Kings on Sunday

April 14 (2pm).

The Save Eastbourne Speedway

Group wants a large turn-out of

The rolling hills of Sussex very much in evidence as Matt Fear shapes to cross.

and the defender on the line could

only guide the ball into his own net.

With the weather changing

throughout the game, halftime was

marked with a hail storm, with the

Stringers adding a late third through

Owen Muller from close range in the

closing minutes.

The winning start to the new regime

came after a frustrating afternoon

the previous week, when Capel

failed to fulfil their fixture against the

Stringers, meaning the hard work

of volunteers to arrange to move

the game to Newhaven’s Trafalgar

Ground in case of weather disruption

was in vain.

supporters to show there is strong

public backing for the sport’s return

to Sussex.

The Eagles last rode professionally

in 2021, before the then promotion

collapsed mid-season with heavy debts.

Spokesman David Graveling said:

New joint-manager Mike Baker has

joined the club from Peacehaven and

Telscombe, whilst Callum Standish

has stepped up from the assistant

manager post he held previously.

The managerial duo should

hopefully get their first game in

charge at The Beaconsfield on Easter

Saturday, when Upper Beeding are

due to visit (2pm), before Rottingdean

Village play the return fixture at

Hailsham on Saturday 6th April

(2pm), and the season concludes in

the grounds of the Princess Royal

Hospital, Haywards Heath on the

13th, when the Stringers visit St

Francis Rangers.

“We know there is plenty of goodwill

towards the Eagles. Our campaign

has attracted a lot of comments

and a lot of support. But this is an

important opportunity for people to

show they want their speedway back

in Sussex.

“If we can attract a good number

of supporters to the match in Kent,

it will be noticed more widely and

provide a big boost for our campaign.

If you want the Eagles back, this is

how you show it. Please come and

support us on April 14. Let’s fill the

stadium with blue and gold colour.”

The match, a six-man team event

run over 15 heats with a full second

half, is being staged at the Iwade

circuit just off the A249 north of

Sittingbourne (ME9 8SP).

Eagles have named a strong team

with plenty of Sussex connections.

Captain Nathan Ablitt rode for the

side in the ill-fated 2021 campaign

and Jake Knight was a key member

of the club during their National

Development League era.

Nick Laurence and Vinnie Joe

Foord both live close to Eagles’

former Arlington home and the

team is completed by Ryan Kinsley,

Hailsham Cricket Club is

restarting its popular training

sessions this month (17 April).

They provide an exciting

opportunity for young boys and

girls aged 4-17 to engage in outdoor

cricket activities. Held at the

Western Road Recreation Ground

in Hailsham, the sessions are

organised for children of all skill

levels to participate, with no prior

experience or equipment required.

The sessions cater to various age

groups, with teams forming and

playing local clubs from the U10’s

age category and upwards.

Notably, there are exclusive

opportunities for girls, including

the formation of girls-only

teams. This inclusive approach

aims to foster a supportive

environment for all participants,

encouraging camaraderie and skill

development.

The first session is

complimentary, allowing

newcomers to experience the

program firsthand. Following

this, sessions are priced at £4

each, operating on a pay-as-yougo

basis. This flexible payment

structure ensures accessibility for

all families, regardless of financial

constraints.

With an emphasis on fun, fitness,

and teamwork, the junior training

sessions promise to be both

enjoyable and enriching for young

people in the community.

Parents are encouraged to

register their children and join

in the excitement of outdoor

cricket activities at Western Road

Recreation Ground.

Contact Hailshamcc@outlook.com

or 07980146841 for more details.

who helped Oxford win the National

Development League title last season,

and Arran Butcher.

“All the lads were very keen to do

this meeting, for the Eagles, and the

feedback from supporters since the

team announcement is that they

feel this is a line-up that reflects the

Eagles spirit. I am looking forward to

working with them,” said Graveling,

who will share team manager’s duties

with fellow campaign frontman

Michael Gray.

The Save Eastbourne Speedway

Group are also advertising for a social

media editor.

For further information on the

position, and further details on

the April 14 meeting, go to

eesc1929@gmail.com.

Hailsham News, April 2024, Issue 32

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