Bexhill News, June 2025, Issue 36

JUNE 2025 | ISSUE 36

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

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2 NEWS

JUNE 2025

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/bexhill

WELCOME

WHAT a remarkable few weeks

it has been in our town, the sun

has been shining (mostly) and

the town has been busy with a

number of key events.

Bexhill came together in true

community spirit to mark VE

Day, with events across the town

filled with pride, remembrance

and celebration.

From schoolchildren waving flags

in carefully crafted assemblies, to

residents lining the streets in red,

white and blue, the sense of unity

was unmistakable.

The poignant wreath-laying

ceremonies and sing-alongs in care

homes served as powerful reminders

of the sacrifices made and the values

we hold dear. It was a privilege to see

our community honour the past with

such warmth and dignity.

But, as we celebrate, it’s also vital to

turn our attention to the present and

the challenges our town continues to

face. On page 14, this month’s Letters

to the Editor section features a wide

range of concerns from readers, from

potholes and parking pressures to

questions about local planning and

public transport. These are not just

minor irritations, they are real issues

that affect everyday life in Bexhill.

Your voice matters. If something’s

troubling you or if you simply want

to share your thoughts about life in

our town, I urge you to write in. Let’s

keep the conversation going.

You can email me directly at

letters@bexhill.news. We’re here to

listen, to share and to stand up for

Bexhill together.

Paul Gibson

Group Editor

THE TEAM

PAUL GIBSON — GROUP EDITOR

paul@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

VIKTORIA COWLEY – FEATURES AND ACCOUNTS

viktoria@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

MIKE LEGG – SPORTS REPORTER

sports@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

Masked robbers raid

phone shop — second

time in six months

Local figure appointed as

Chair of Trustees at Academy

BEXHILL Academy has confirmed

that a long-standing supporter

of the Academy, Christine

Bayliss, has been appointed as

Chair of Trustees.

Christine has already served as

Interim Chair, but now takes on

the role permanently as the school

continues to thrive.

Christine brings significant

expertise in education, governance

and community leadership. A

respected education consultant

and East Sussex County Councillor,

she has been instrumental in

shaping local education strategy

and has worked closely with Bexhill

Academy throughout its journey

of improvement.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses

and information following a

robbery at the Vodafone store in

Devonshire Road, Bexhill.

It was reported that four men

entered the shop at about 12.45pm on

Monday, 19 May.

The men were described as wearing

dark clothes and carrying large duffle

bags. One man was wearing a surgical

mask while the other three suspects

wore balaclavas.

Staff were threatened, and tens

of thousands of pounds worth of

devices were taken.

Dr Craig Neal, Headteacher of

Bexhill Academy, said: “Christine’s

leadership as Interim Chair has

been outstanding. Her continued

Officers attended the scene and

provided support to the shop staff.

It is believed that the men left the

store on foot via Canteloupe Road

into Brassey Road, Bexhill, running

toward the seafront, before leaving

the area in a vehicle.

Sussex Police can confirm that

a man aged 37 from Greenwich

was later arrested on suspicion of

robbery and has been bailed pending

further enquiries.

The shop was also raided back in

November 2024, when £100,000 worth

of electronic devices were stolen.

commitment, strategic insight and

passion for education make her

the ideal person to help guide the

next phase of our development.

We are appealing for witnesses and

anyone with relevant information

such as mobile phone or CCTV

footage to come forward.

Chief Inspector Simon Yates said:

“We are investigating this robbery

and are pursuing a number of lines of

enquiry. It took place in Bexhill town

centre at lunchtime.

“We are appealing for anyone in the

area at the time who may have seen

what happened to come forward.”

Information can be reported to

Sussex Police online or by dialling

101, quoting serial 563 of 19/05.

We are proud of how far we’ve

come — and even more excited for

what lies ahead.”

Christine Bayliss commented:

“It is a privilege to serve as Chair

of Trustees at Bexhill Academy.

This is a school that is already

achieving great things — with

brilliant students, dedicated staff,

and a clear, ambitious vision. I look

forward to continuing to work with

the whole community to build on

this success and support every young

person to thrive.”

Christine’s appointment marks

a continued focus on strong

governance, high standards and

a united commitment to Bexhill

Academy’s mission.

DEAN COOK – PRODUCTION

dean@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

CONTACT

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sales@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

Bexhill News is a publication by Regional Media

Group Ltd, a company registered in England

and Wales number: 13746177. We have taken

care to ensure that the information in this

newspaper is correct. Neither the publisher,

nor contributors can take responsibility for loss

or damage resulting from errors or omissions.

Bexhill News does not endorse the accuracy

of the advertisements or the quality of the

products/services being advertised.

Information provided by businesses and

community organisations are provided directly

by their own representatives; please direct any

queries or comments regarding content directly

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without express permission of the editor.

Carnival aims for the stars

— but needs your help!

BEXHILL is set to blast off into

a galaxy of fun next month as

the Bexhill Carnival returns on

Friday, 26th July, with an exciting

new theme: “Out of This World.”

The carnival, a highlight of the

town’s summer calendar, promises

to be full of colour, creativity and

community spirit. Organisers are

calling on residents, schools, clubs

and local businesses to get involved

and help bring the spectacle to

life, and they’re especially eager

to hear from more entrants for the

grand procession.

A spokesperson for the Bexhill

Carnival Committee, said: “We are

still looking for more entrants for

the carnival procession this year. We

know people wish the procession

was bigger, better, longer just like

the old days, but we can’t make it

happen without you!”

The committee is encouraging

everyone to take part, whether on

foot, bike, scooter, or any other form

of transport. The procession is not

only a key part of the week-long

festivities but also raises vital funds

for local community groups.

The organisers added: “It takes the

community and local businesses

to get together and join us for it to

change. Please consider joining us,

be that walking, running, driving,

scooting, riding a bike or any other

form of transport. We raise money

for local community groups and

have some fun along the way.”

With costumes, floats, music and

dancing, the carnival procession is

a fantastic chance to show off your

creativity and support a good cause

while doing it.

The Bexhill Carnival has a long

tradition of bringing people together

and celebrating everything that

makes the town unique. But its

success relies on participation from

residents of all ages and walks of life.

If you’d like to be part of this year’s

cosmic celebration, entries are still

open. To find out more or register

your place in the procession, visit

bexhillcarnival.co.uk or follow

Bexhill Carnival on social media.

4 NEWS

JUNE 2025


Old Mill gets a

creative makeover

DEVONSHIRE Road received a

vibrant new look recently, thanks

to a striking piece of community

art now brightening the windows

of the town’s upcoming community

hub and co-working space.

The colourful installation marks a

milestone in the transformation of

the historic Old Mill building, which

will become the future home of

Rother Voluntary Action (RVA). The

artwork, created by students from

Bexhill Academy, depicts scenes of

people walking, cycling and enjoying

what Bexhill has to offer.

Working in collaboration with local

creative talents W.Ave Arts Bexhill

and Lottie Norton, RVA helped bring

the students’ vision to life through

a dynamic collage that captures the

town’s character. Local design and

print studio Kaleidodesign handled

the printing and installation, ensuring

the final result is both professional

and eye-catching.

The mural features familiar sights

for Bexhill residents, from Galley

Hill and the De La Warr Pavilion to

the town’s iconic ice cream kiosks,

bandstand and even nods to its

motoring history.

The building itself is undergoing

a full renovation, set to reopen in

2026 as a modern, multi-use space

for charities, social enterprises and

community groups. The new hub

will offer co-working facilities and

meeting spaces to support those

working to improve life across Bexhill

and the wider Rother district.

Funding for the transformation

comes from the government’s

former Department for Levelling Up,

Housing and Communities, now the

Ministry of Housing, Communities

and Local Government, as part of a

£20 million investment awarded to

Rother District Council (RDC).

The fund targets capital projects

that revitalise town centres, improve

transport and boost cultural assets.

RVA, the driving force behind

the project, supports hundreds of

voluntary groups across Rother. Its

mission is to empower individuals

and organisations to build stronger,

more connected communities. This

includes hosting events, providing

training and helping turn grassroots

ideas into impactful action.

RVA is also the regional lead for

the Homes for Ukraine scheme,

helping to coordinate support

for Ukrainians fleeing war and

resettling in the area under the UK

government programme.

Hundreds visit health

and wellness event

AN event designed to give residents

an opportunity to connect

with a wide range of health

professionals in one place has been

hailed a success.

More than three hundred people

visited the Heath and Wellness

event, organised by Bexhill Primary

Care Network, at the De La Warr

Pavilion last month.

There were almost 50 community

teams showcasing their work,

including physiotherapists,

podiatrists, social prescribing

link workers and other

community services.

Nicky Hodge from Bexhill

Primary Care Network said: “As

pressures on the NHS continue to

rise, events like this highlight the

power of collaboration. Together,

we demonstrated how integrated,

community-based care can make

a real difference — connecting

residents with the support they need

to stay well and live independently.

Residents living with a health

condition, caring for a loved one,

or simply wanting to improve

their well-being were able to get

more information about accessing

the right support.

Exhibitor Gaby Hardwicke said:

“It was great to see so many people

at the DLWP when they were able

to easily access various teams and

organisations to help them navigate

through, often, challenging times

in their lives.”

A spokesperson from East

Sussex Hearing, also at the event

told the organisers: “Power to

The PCN! Fantastic engagement

for us with a record 38 ear health

checks performed and another 42

conversations with the public, let

alone the numerous connections

made with colleagues. Thank

you for letting us be part of

something amazing.”

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/bexhill JUNE 2025 NEWS 5

Spectacular return for Bexhill

Horse Show at the Polegrove

PHOTOS: JTP53 PHOTOGRAPHY

THOUSANDS of visitors flocked

to the Polegrove on Bank

Holiday Monday as the historic

Bexhill Horse Show returned in

style, bringing a vibrant mix of

traditional equestrian displays,

community spirit and family fun.

Back for its second year, following

a major revival in 2023, the show

drew crowds of all ages and interests,

confirming its place as a muchloved

event on the local calendar.

Organisers estimate attendance

exceeded last year’s 4,500 visitors,

cementing the show’s reputation as

the UK’s only ‘Town Horse Show’.

Originally founded in 1903, the

event was brought back to life thanks

to the dedication of Chairman Andy

Lawes, Vice Chair Emily Lawes,

and a passionate team of committee

members and volunteers. Their

efforts have restored the show’s

legacy while infusing it with fresh

energy and modern appeal.

This year’s show was officially

opened by reality TV personality

and equestrian enthusiast Kristina

Goodsell, best known for her

appearance on Married at First Sight.

Kristina, dressed in traditional

country attire, cut the ribbon to

rapturous applause, marking the

beginning of a packed schedule of

entertainment and competition.

From jaw-dropping jousting and

majestic heavy horse displays to the

elegance of carriage driving and

precision show jumping, equine

talent was on full display throughout

the day. New favourites, such as the

quirky and crowd-pleasing hobby

horse riding competition, proved

a particular hit with families. Open

to all ages, the event welcomed

homemade entries and even

offered hobby horses for hire,

thanks to support from the local

Men’s Shed group.

For a list of all the winners

in all categories, visit

www.bexhillhorseshow.com.

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6 NEWS

JUNE 2025


Bexhill Beach Garden to celebrate

official opening with Royal recognition

THE Bexhill Beach Garden, a

pioneering community-led project

that has already transformed

access to the seafront for many,

will be officially opened this

month with a special celebration

inviting the whole town to

mark the occasion.

The event, taking place from

11am to 1pm on Friday, June 7th,

at the far end of West Parade will

be formally opened by the Lord

Lieutenant of East Sussex and will

feature a performance by the Royal

British Legion Band. Organisers

are encouraging residents to come

along and celebrate this remarkable

achievement for the town.

The Beach Garden has already

become a symbol of inclusivity and

community spirit since the end of

Phase 1 was marked earlier this

year with a soft launch. That event

was attended by volunteers, local

dignitaries and residents including

those who had previously been

unable to access the beach due to

mobility issues.

Among them was Colin Dearmer, a

wheelchair user who had not set foot

on the beach for nearly two decades.

Colin became the first disabled visitor

to the Beach Garden when he cut the

ribbon during the earlier ceremony.

He said at the time: “It’s fantastic

that I’ll now be able to join my

grandchildren on the beach because

of this wonderful development.

I hope it becomes a model

for other towns.”

The project was initiated in 2020

by former Bexhill Mayor Lynn

Langlands, who recognised the

challenges disabled people faced

in accessing the shingle beach. Her

vision was to create a welcoming

garden space that would also support

biodiversity and demonstrate

how natural planting could

stabilise the coastline.

Lynn said at the soft launch: “It’s so

moving to see people here who have

mobility issues and who have not

been able to access the beach before.

This space has already brought

people together and given them a

sense of freedom.”

Entirely funded by donations

and grants, the garden has quickly

become a cherished spot for both

locals and visitors. MP for Bexhill and

Battle, Dr. Kieran Mullan, praised

the project as “a fantastic example

of what can be achieved when a

community comes together.”

The Melting Pot brings a

taste of Jamaica to Bexhill

Two people

found dead inside

Bexhill property

A NEW restaurant in Bexhill is

inviting locals to experience the

warmth, flavour and creativity

of Caribbean culture all

under one roof.

The Melting Pot, run by husbandand-wife

team Michael and Christine

Wright, quietly opened its doors

recently with the aim of offering

more than just great food. Michael,

a second-generation Jamaican, says

the idea has been years in the making

— a personal project inspired by his

heritage and a desire to share it with

the wider community.

Inside the restaurant, on Sackville

Road in Bexhill, is an array of comfy

sofas with original artwork by

Michael’s cousin, Earl Gayle. The

menu centres on authentic Jamaican

cuisine, freshly cooked each day,

with a selection of handmade

cakes by local baker Shane

adding a sweet touch.

Michael said: “We wanted to

create a space that feels like home,

where people from all walks of

life can come together. The name

The Melting Pot reflects that — it’s

about mixing cultures, stories,

and experiences.”

Open to everyone, whether you’re

after a meal, a drink, or just a place to

relax, The Melting Pot offers a warm

welcome and a laid-back vibe in the

heart of Bexhill.

POLICE were called to College

Road last month with concerns

for the welfare of two people at a

property in the road.

Officers attended and found two

people inside the property. Sadly,

a 75-year-old man was confirmed

deceased at the scene. A 90-year-old

woman was found with a serious head

injury and taken to hospital by air

ambulance, she was sadly declared

deceased on 3 May.

The matter is currently being

treated as unexplained and enquiries

have been ongoing to try and

establish the full circumstances

of what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to

contact police online or by calling 101

quoting serial 599 of 02/05.

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8 NEWS

JUNE 2025


Do you recognise anyone in

this 1945 Victory Tea photo?

A Bexhill News reader is hoping

to shed light on a piece of local

history captured in this charming

old photograph from May 1945.

Anne Anderson has shared an

image taken outside what was

then known as St. Mark’s Institute,

now St. Mark’s Church Hall

in Little Common.

It shows a large group of children

dressed for a special ‘Victory Tea’.

The event was held to mark the

end of the Second World War in

Europe, shortly after D-Day, for 200

local children.

Anne, who appears in the

photograph as a two-year-old, is

hoping to reconnect with others

who might be in the picture, or

who recognise a friend or relative

among the faces.

If you spot someone you

know, please get in touch

with the editor by emailing

letters@bexhill.news.

Official Opening Ceremony for

new disabled ramp access

RESIDENTS, community

leaders and church members

gathered recently at Little

Common Methodist Church

for the official ribbon

cutting to celebrate the

opening of the church’s new

Disabled Ramp Access.

The installation was made

possible thanks to grant funding

from Bexhill Town Council, aimed

at improving accessibility and

inclusion within community spaces.

The new ramp ensures easier

and safer access for all visitors,

including those with mobility

challenges, parents with prams and

elderly residents.

The event was attended by

local councillor Connor Winter,

to mark the occasion alongside

church representatives and

community members.

Connor said: “It’s fantastic to see

projects like this come to life—

simple, impactful changes that

make a real difference to people’s

daily lives. This ramp isn’t just

concrete and railings, it’s a symbol of

inclusivity and progress, and a great

example of what can be achieved

when councils and community

organisations work together.”

The councillor also met with

Janine, the church’s Community

Outreach Coordinator and The

Revd Crawford Logan to discuss

future community projects and

how the church can continue to play

a vital role in local initiatives.

The coffee morning provided

an opportunity for attendees

to enjoy refreshments, share

ideas and celebrate the ongoing

commitment of the church to serve

its wider community.

The church’s leadership expressed

gratitude for the support from the

town council and the dedication of

everyone involved in making the

ramp a reality.

The new access ramp is now

fully open and in use, marking

a significant step forward in

ensuring that Little Common

Methodist Church remains a

welcoming space for all.

At Collington Park Lodge

we don’t believe in add-ons or extras.

We believe in doing things properly –

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£1500

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That’s why we’re transparent with

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• Home-cooked meals

• Engaging activities

• Trips out

That’s why we’re transparent with our fees and proud to offer an all-inclusive approach that

• Personal grooming

covers not just exceptional care, but everything that makes a house feel like a home:

• Even newspapers and snacks

Home-cooked meals, engaging activities, trips out, personal grooming,

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Because we know that life’s little

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Visit us

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Collington Lane East

Bexhill TN39 3RJ

T: 01424 533445

E: collingtonpark@oystercarehomes.co.uk

W: OysterCareHomes.co.uk

Scan here to

find out more

and to register

your interest

10 COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

JUNE 2025


COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

HAILSHAM

NETWORKING BRUNCH FOR PROFESSIONALS

Abbots Wood Manor, 116 London Road, BN27 3AL.

First Friday of the Month, 10:00am — 11:30am,

2 May & 6 June. Join us for a delicious brunch

and the opportunity to connect with other local

professionals in a welcoming and relaxed setting —

all welcome! For more info: 01323 576100 | Richard.

hollands@hamberleycarehomes.co.uk

SUSSEX DAY CELEBRATION — HAILSHAM

TOWN COUNCIL

Vicarage Field, Hailsham. Saturday 21 June, 8:30am

— 1:00pm. A free community event celebrating all

things Sussex! Enjoy a vibrant market with local

traders including The Rum Infusionist, Ace Knits

& Bits, Misty Acres, Scrumdiddlyumptious, and

Dreamweaver Kids. Local groups such as Hailsham

Lions, Hailsham & District U3A, and Hailsham

Foodbank will also be there with books, handmade

gifts, games, and more. Entertainment includes

maypole dancing by local brownies, live folk music

from Ceol Na Mara, a Hailsham FM live broadcast,

and children’s face painting by Lilipops. For more

information: 01323 841702 | enquiries@hailsham-tc.

gov.uk

SUPER CAR SUNDAY

Laughton Showground. Sunday 29 June 2025.

Super Car Sunday returns with a brand new venue

and layout at Laughton Showground—known for

hosting large-scale events with excellent access

and parking. Expect an unforgettable showcase of

the world’s most iconic and exotic supercars, from

Ferrari and Lamborghini to McLaren and more.

With cutting-edge engineering, sleek designs and

heart-racing action, this is a must for any car lover

or speed enthusiast. Whether you’re exhibiting or

spectating, don’t miss your chance to be part of

this ultimate motoring experience. Advance tickets

available online—gate prices increase on the day.

HAILSHAM TOWN COUNCIL —

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN FOCUS GROUPS

Wednesday 4 June 2025 — 10.30am, 1pm, 6.15pm

Hailsham residents are invited to share their

views on two key proposals from the revised

Neighbourhood Plan: Improved connectivity

along the A22 for cyclists and pedestrians; Partial

pedestrianisation of the High Street. Join a drop-in

focus group session at one of the following times/

locations: 10.30am, Railway Club, Lower Floor,

Station Youth Centre, Western Road; 1.00pm,

Dippy Doodahs Café, 52 High Street; 6.15pm, Dippy

Doodahs Café, 52 High Street. This is your chance

to help shape the future of Hailsham before the

updated Plan is submitted to Wealden District

Council. For more information, contact Hailsham

Town Council.

HAILSHAM HERITAGE CENTRE & MUSEUM

Blackman’s Yard, Market Street, Hailsham. Fridays

& Saturdays, now until 25 October — 10am to

12.30pm. Step into Hailsham’s past at the Heritage

Centre & Museum, open every weekend. Discover

fascinating displays, local artefacts, and a glimpse

into the town’s rich history. Free entry — all

welcome.

EASTBOURNE

MORTAIN’S MUSIC FEST

Mortain Place Care Home, 93 Pevensey Bay Road,

Eastbourne. Saturday 7 June from 1:30pm. Join

us for an afternoon of live music in the garden

featuring performances by Stephen Dunnett, Guy

Sunshine — Care Singer, Tilsmore, and The Rufus

Stone Band. This free community event is in support

of Defiant Sports. Bring a picnic, enjoy the sunshine,

and grab some refreshments while enjoying the

music. More info: www.barchester.com/home/

mortain-place-care-home

EASTBOURNE SILVER BAND

Meads Hall, Meads Street, Eastbourne. Wednesday

10 July 2025, Doors 7.45pm / Concert 8.00pm. To

celebrate 75 years of music making, Eastbourne

Silver Band is hosting a special charity concert in

support of St. Wilfrid’s Hospice and Children with

Cancer Fund. Join us for a fun and entertaining

evening of music and humour, all in aid of two

wonderful local causes. Tickets are £10 and

available from Grand Flowers (Meads Street), www.

printsregent.uk/ESB, or via the QR code on the

event poster. Spaces are limited — don’t miss out!

SHARNFOLD FARM SUMMER MARKET

Sharnfold Farm, Stone Cross, Pevensey. Sunday 13

July 2025, 10.30am — 2.30pm. Join us for a vibrant

Summer Market filled with seasonal homeware,

gifts, treats and more from fabulous local

stallholders. Free entry and parking available.

Visit: www.newstyleevents.co.uk for stallholder

enquiries.

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH MARKET

Terminus Road, Eastbourne, from Trinity Trees to

Marks & Spencer’s. Every Wednesday and Sunday,

9.30am-4.30pm. The market features a variety of

stalls offering fresh produce, baked goods, crafts,

and more.

PEVENSEY BAY CRAFT MARKET

St Wilfrid’s Church Hall, Eastbourne Road, Pevensey

Bay. Second Saturday of the month, 10am-12.30pm.

A monthly craft market — Everyone welcome. FREE

entry. Refreshments available.

BEXHILL

FRIENDS OF COMBE VALLEY AND

GROUNDWORK

Freshfields, St Leonards-on-Sea (before the recycling

centre). Sunday 8 June, 1pm-4pm. Join us for a FREE

family-friendly Green Day at the Discovery Centre.

Enjoy woodworking demonstrations, children’s

games, and activities with a focus on sustainability.

Take part in our swap station—bring or take clothes,

plants, seeds, books, and recipes. Alternatively

people can take and donate if they do not have

items to swap. Local environmental groups will be

hosting stalls, and refreshments will be available in

the community garden and picnic area.

CRAFT FAIR

St Barnabas Church, Sea Road, Bexhill TN40 1JG.

Saturday 14 June, 10:00am — 2:30pm. Free entry to

a lovely fair featuring local crafters selling beautiful

handmade items. Enjoy cakes, tea and coffee while

you browse. Support local. Shop local.

BEXHILL FARMERS’ MARKET

Devonshire Square, Bexhill-on-Sea. Every Friday,

9am-1pm. The market offers a variety of local

produce, including handmade pies, fresh bread,

meats, game, smoked products, cheeses, fish,

fruits, vegetables, jams, chutneys, cinnamon buns,

brownies, plants, and flowers. On the second Friday

of each month, The French Delicatessen provides a

selection of cheeses.

To submit your listing for publication

on this page, visit: www.eastsussex.

news/community-noticeboard or

scan this QR Code.

The publishers cannot be responsible for any errors or omissions in this noticeboard.

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

Barracloughs

celebrates grand

reopening of flagship

Bexhill practice

Barracloughs the Opticians

proudly announced the grand

reopening of its flagship Bexhill

practice on Thursday, May 9,

following a three-week closure for

major improvements.

Located on Western Road, the

revitalised practice has undergone

a complete transformation—its first

significant upgrade since 2016. The

newly redesigned space features a

striking new boutique-style layout

with open-plan areas, vibrant pink

and green accents, wall foliage, and

sleek shelving for frames—creating

a warm, modern and welcoming

environment for patients.

David Cleworth, Director of

Operations and Marketing at

Barracloughs, said: “Bexhill has

always been the beating heart of our

business, first opening in St Leonard’s

Road in 1968, so it felt right that this

practice should set the tone for the

future of Barracloughs.

“From the open design to the

cutting-edge technology, every

element has been created with our

patients’ comfort and experience

in mind. We’re thrilled to welcome

everyone back.”

As the group’s flagship location,

the Bexhill practice not only serves

the local community but also

regularly hosts visits from brand

representatives and industry guests.

The recent renovations now reflect

its key role, showcasing a clean,

contemporary space tailored to both

function and flair.

Alongside aesthetic improvements,

the independent practice is now

equipped with the latest in optical

technology—including two new

virtual reality headsets designed to

elevate the standard of eye care.

One headset, part of the innovative

Kudos system, analyses how

patients move their eyes and

head to focus, allowing for highly

personalised lenses. The second

offers a more comfortable and

accessible way to assess field of

vision, colour vision, binocular

vision and contrast sensitivity

and is especially beneficial for

patients with mobility challenges.

The headset is also capable of

providing a DVLA certified Esterman

visual field test.

Patients will also notice enhanced

waiting areas, improved dispensing

zones, exciting new eyewear

collections and an overall lighter,

more spacious layout that makes

every visit more enjoyable.

Originally established in St.

Leonards, Barracloughs have been

caring for the eyes of East Sussex

residents since 1957 and now operate

seven practices across the region,

combining award-winning service

with leading-edge technology.

David added: “Whether you’re a

returning patient or discovering

Barracloughs for the first time,

you’re warmly invited to visit the

new-look Bexhill practice from

May 9 onwards.”

www.barracloughs.net

12 NEWS

JUNE 2025


Bexhill Proms hits

all the right notes

BY LORRAINE BARRY

THE De la Warr Pavilion came

alive recently in a blaze of red,

white, and blue as a packed

audience gathered for A Night At

The Bexhill Proms.

It was a spirited evening of music

and celebration led by the musically

masterful, Ken Roberts. The Sussex

Concert Orchestra, joined by a

vibrant 50-strong choir and soprano

Thomasin Tresize delivered a

programme brimming with charm,

energy and patriotic flair.

The concert embraced a Spirit of

the Dance theme, opening gracefully

with Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the

Flowers from The Nutcracker. The

Sussex Concert Orchestra performed

with poise and elegance, capturing

the swirling delicacy of the piece

while setting the tone for a night of

rhythmic vitality.

One of the evening’s standout

moments came with soprano

Thomasin Trezise, whose

commanding stage presence and

crystalline vocals lit up Bizet’s

Habanera and Danse Bohème from

Carmen. Her performance added a

touch of operatic glamour and drama

that thrilled the audience.

The choir shone in a stylish, tonguein-cheek

rendition of Mambo Italiano,

blending humour with technical

flair. Their collective energy was

infectious, and it was clear they

were enjoying every minute of it, as

was the audience.

After the interval, the second

half burst into life with a rousing

Tarantella, followed by a vivacious

Can Can that had toes tapping and

heads nodding across the auditorium.

From there, the programme

leaned into the joyful traditions of

the Proms, with flag-waving and

audience participation encouraged

in renditions of I Vow to Thee, My

Country and Jerusalem.

The evening closed on a heartfelt

note as the entire auditorium stood

together for Auld Lang Syne, voices

raised in unison in a stirring finale.

Expertly conducted, joyously

performed, and enthusiastically

received, A Night At The Bexhill

Proms was a triumphant celebration

of music, movement, and national

pride. A true highlight in the Bexhill

Festival of Music’s calendar.

If you would like to join us as

part of the Festival Choir next

year, contact Lorraine Barry on

bexhillfestivalchoir@gmail.com for

more information.

There is no audition, no charge and

we rehearse for the six weeks prior to

the Proms. We welcome all singers

over 18 from across the Rother area.

WHERE

WILL

Get there with

Flexibus!

local, on-demand public

transport for the price of

a standard bus

TAKE

YOU?

Book your ride now:

01273

078203

Powered by

eastsussex.gov.uk/flexibus

CASH OR AUCTION

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Costume Jewellery • Watches working or not

Coins, Medals and Militaria • Wines & Spirits

Oriental items – even when chipped or damaged

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14 NEWS

JUNE 2025


Bexhill marks 80th VE Day

Anniversary with moving celebrations

PHOTOS: JTP53 PHOTOGRAPHY

RESIDENTS gathered in unity and

reflection on Thursday, May 8th,

as Bexhill-on-Sea marked the 80th

anniversary of VE Day with a series

of poignant and patriotic events

across the town.

The day began with a rousing

proclamation from the Town Crier,

whose traditional call to attention

was followed by the ceremonial

raising of the official VE Day 80

flag — a powerful symbol of peace

and remembrance.

Crowds then assembled at both

the Central War Memorial and Little

Common War Memorial, where

a solemn two-minute silence was

observed, honouring those who gave

their lives in the fight for freedom

during the Second World War.

As the silence lifted, the air was

filled with the joyful peal of church

bells ringing out across the town — a

sound that echoed the celebrations

of May 1945, when victory in Europe

was first declared.

The commemorations concluded

with the lighting of the Trafalgar

Beacon on Galley Hill, casting a warm

glow across the coastline as night fell

— a symbolic act of hope and unity in

remembrance of the sacrifices made.

The day served as a powerful

reminder of the town’s enduring

gratitude and its commitment to

keeping the memory of VE Day alive

for future generations.


16 NEWS

JUNE 2025


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

To write to the editor,

email: letters@bexhill.news

A259 Barnhorn Road

A259 SAFETY FEARS

DEAR EDITOR, I read with interest

the article in Bexhill News Issue 35,

regard A259 safety concerns. I use this

road to commute to West Sussex from

Cooden Sea Road. In my experience, the

dangers of the A259 are exacerbated by

three main issues.

Firstly, there is the issue of not

indicating correctly, or not indicating

at all, which appears to me to be

the default setting for an increasing

number of drivers. The roundabouts

at Little Common and at Pevensy have

unnecessary holdups because the vast

POST OFFICE CLOSURE

DEAR EDITOR, We need this post office

not only for posting letters/parcels and

for banking. All the banks are closing,

so we need somewhere safe to go

to collect cash.

Also, the shops need somewhere

to bank their takings, you can’t do

everything on the apps. When you share

a space in a shop, it doesn’t always work

well. Please reconsider!

Lesley Routs

RECYCLE CENTRE BOOKINGS

DEAR EDITOR, I have just read the

article in the May issue, re the booking

system for the local waste and recycling

centres. I used to live in Dartford in

majority of drivers don’t indicate, or

when they do, it is in error.

It is so prevalent at these two

roundabouts, I began to wonder if the

Highway Code had been changed, or if

that owner were somehow receiving

a discount on their cars by not having

indicators at all. Not indicating correctly

is incredibly frustrating for other drivers,

not to mention dangerous.

Secondly, are the drivers who travel

at 35 miles an hour regardless of the

conditions on the road or the applied

speed limit. This style of driving is again

frustrating for other drivers and has the

Kent (we moved to Bexhill in 2023), and

our local waste and recycling centre at

Dartford Heath introduced a booking

system during, Covid and carried on with

it afterwards.

The amount of fly tipping in and around

the centre is appalling and what was

once a lovely area is ruined. So, how can

council officers say that Kent had not

seen an increase in fly tipping when the

evidence is plain to see?

You wait a few months after this

ridiculous scheme is introduced, and the

lovely green spaces close to Hastings

waste and recycling site will be ruined.

AC

80TH VE DAY

COMMEMORATIONS

DEAR EDITOR, Bexhill Town

Council(BTC) bow your heads in shame.

I’ve walked along Western Road this

past week (5 May/8 May) and seen

plenty of shops with 80th VE Day

commemorations honouring the brave

men/women who survived/sacrificed

their lives during WW2 in their

window displays.

Walk past the premises that BTC

propensity to encourage drivers to take

additional risks to overtake.

Thirdly, the use of mobile phones. Not

a day goes by when a driver in front of

me or to the rear, is holding a mobile

phone to their ear. This is made the more

unfathomable because these drivers are

invariably in modern vehicles, which will

be fitted with Bluetooth, so why do they

do it? One can always tell if the driver

in front of your vehicle is on the phone

(not hands-free) because they invariably

veer towards the oncoming traffic, then

suddenly reposition to the nearside.

R.Carson

is using in Western Road, nothing,

absolute nothing.

Mayor /Councillors of BTC, take a good

look in the mirror. If it wasn’t for those

brave men/woman during 39/45, you

wouldn’t be sitting in your ungrateful

ivory towers. Shame of you, you

should all resign.

Steve H

BUS STOP INFORMATION

BOARD

DEAR EDITOR, As a regular user of local

buses, I was impressed to see the new

Information Screen standing proudly in

Devonshire Road.

Would it not be better positioned at the

northern end of the Bus Stand - by the

actual Bus Shelter - where passengers

are sitting and waiting?

The information is often liable

to change if buses are delayed or

rerouted and can therefore need

constant checking.

Having to now carry my binoculars

in my handbag every day is

a heavy burden!

L. McCann.

A259 Marsh Road

LOW DRIVING STANDARDS TO BLAME

DEAR EDITOR, I have driven the Marsh

Road to Bexhill since the 1970s. It’s

no more dangerous than other roads,

but now there is more traffic, more

people using their mobile phone while

driving when they shouldn’t and add

to the mix the entitled drivers who

think they own the road, and that is the

problem right there.

MONTHLY FILM NIGHT

AT THE DE LA WARR

DEAR EDITOR, Just wanted to second

Carole B’s suggestion in May’s edition of

the Bexhill News for an occasional film

night at the De La Warr.

A film is so much more enjoyable when

viewed with a large audience! Hope you

make it happen.

Linda D

HERBRAND WALK PARKING

DEAR EDITOR, I have a letter from

the council following my recent

letter to them and correspondence to

yourselves, as yet unanswered, I further

comment as follows…

I’ve noticed that more younger drivers

(under 50), just don’t look before pulling

out and/or think they have right of way

when they don’t nowadays than ever

before. How many bikers have to die

before we sort these people out? Don’t

get me started on boy racers! A different

species altogether.

Linda Rozentals

A letter from Bexhill council, dated

17 April 2025, now states that they

had to ban parking by anyone in any

motive form of transport on the beach

at Cooden on account of the appearance

of a traveller encampment on the

beach in 2023.

It does seem a rather extreme measure

given the amenity that the beach has

been for decades to allow this small

group of antisocial people to spoil things

for the many, surely there would have

been another way to deal with the

temporary problem rather than penalise

the whole local community, given that

the council should be acting in the

interests of the community as a whole!

Chris Roche

WE ARE NOT ‘ALL

STRANGERS’

DEAR EDITOR, We would like to extend

our grateful thanks to members of

the public who quickly came to my

husband’s aid when he accidentally

tripped and fell over in Western Road,

Bexhill (opposite the library) during the

morning of Wednesday 14th May 2025.

Special thanks to the lady with her firstclass

skills who aided in lifting him up

from the ground, the lady who produced

a chair for him to sit on and the young

man from the Barber Shop who provided

him with a drink of water.

Our car was parked nearby, we arrived

home quickly and safely, pleased to

report that apart from a grazed knee and

elbow and ‘wounded pride’, all is well.

Best wishes and thank you all.

Maybe the Prime Minister will rethink

his recent comment, ‘We are not

all strangers’.

Phyllis and Bernard Holden


A Very Roman Farce –

Chaos in Ancient Rome!

Sidley Community Leaders discuss

road safety, crime reduction

and development progress

THE Bright Lights Theatre

Company is travelling back

to ancient Rome in their

latest production, where

taxes, treachery, and total

mayhem abounds!

In A Very Roman Family, 235

AD, playwright Roger Hodge (By

arrangement with Lazy Bee Scripts)

delivers a riotous comedy about

one man’s desperate attempt to

dodge a hefty tax bill — only to find

himself at the centre of a plot to

assassinate the Emperor!

Formaggius Vastus, an ambitious

ass breeder, just wants to climb the

social ladder, but with a meddling

wife, a vain daughter, a flamboyant

son, and a rebellious slave, life in

the Vastus household is anything

but simple. When a corrupt senator

ropes him into a deadly conspiracy,

and the Emperor himself orders him

to eliminate the traitor, Formaggius

must think fast or risk losing more

than just his fortune.

Packed with sharp wit, political

satire, and a cast of delightfully

absurd characters, A Very Roman

Family proves that family drama and

government corruption are as old

as Rome itself!

Don’t miss this hilarious journey

back to ancient Rome — where

taxes are high, morals are low,

and survival depends on who

you can outsmart!

Directed by Josh King the show

will run from Wednesday 25th June

to Saturday 28th June 2025 at Little

Common Methodist Church Hall.

Performances begin at 7:45 pm

and tickets are available for £8 each

from Little Gem (Little Common),

Fox and Badger, and Love Art by

the Sea (Bexhill).

LOCAL organisations, businesses

and community stakeholders

gathered at All Saints School in

Sidley recently for a meeting

chaired by Bexhill and Battle

MP Kieran Mullan.

The session, held as part of ongoing

efforts to support and strengthen

the Sidley community, focused on

a range of pressing local issues,

including road safety, youth services,

crime reduction and the progress of

key development projects.

One of the main topics on the

agenda was the lack of safe crossing

points near the GP surgery and across

Ninfield Road to the local nursery.

With ongoing housing developments

in the area, attendees discussed

the potential for Community

Infrastructure Levy (CIL) or Section

106 contributions from developers

to be allocated toward improving

active travel routes. Councillor Azad

is also exploring additional funding

avenues with local partners to help

address the issue.

Sussex Police provided an update

on their efforts to tackle shoplifting

and anti-social behaviour in the

area. Officers reported success in

curbing the activities of a group of

young people involved in robberies

and other disturbances, thanks to

a joint initiative with East Sussex

County Council.

Residents were reminded that crime

should be formally reported via 101

or the police website to ensure action

can be taken, as posts on social media

do not count as evidence.

Progress on two major community

projects was also discussed. The

Sidley Community Hub is nearing its

next phase, with contractors ready

to begin work once pre-contract

approval is received from the district

council. Ground is expected to be

broken in early summer.

Meanwhile, The Pelham is

preparing to begin work on the top

floor of its building, marking the

final stage of its renovation. The

centre, which hosts a wide range of

community groups and activities, has

recently launched a new youth centre

that is already being used by several

local youth organisations.

Dr Mullan reaffirmed his

commitment to supporting

community initiatives in Sidley,

praising the collaborative efforts of

all involved in making the town a

safer and more supportive place for

residents of all ages.

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

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Sunday folk session - 1st June & 6th July from 5:30pm

Sunday Rock ‘n Roll Bingo - 15th from 6:00pm

Monday Charity Quiz - 23rd June from 8:00pm

Sorry - No Sunday Karaoke session this month!

OTHER EVENTS

Ritchie Lee’s party night - Friday 13th from 8:00pm

Garden Party in aid of Macmillan Nurses - Sat 21st from 3pm

Ritchie Campbell’s UB40 & Reggae tribute

- Sunday 29th from 4:30 pm

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

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

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

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

we’re dog friendly too!

18 NEWS

JUNE 2025


TV personality officially

opens new Care Home

AUTHOR, broadcaster and presenter, Fred

Dinenage, helped to open Bexhill’s newest

care home at a busy launch event.

The Collington Park Lodge home officially

opened its 66-room care home, which boasts

not only being able to give top-quality care, but

also has the capability of being able to almost

run ‘off-grid’.

The new building, located on Collington Lane

East in Bexhill, houses entirely en-suite rooms,

a residents’ library, tearoom, a hair salon and

garden rooms. The home offers residential,

dementia and respite care.

Fred, who has been on TV for almost 60 years,

helped to cut the ribbon at the home and spoke

to the visitors at the event about his career and

reminisced about the times he met Dame Vera

Lynn and Julie Andrews.

Chief Executive of Oyster Care Homes, Tim

Buckley, told Bexhill News: “Lots of people

think care is personal care, but ours is much

broader. It’s a whole living experience. So,

whether it’s trips out, whether it’s engaging with

our residents, our residents want to be able to

maximise and enjoy life and therefore our way

of working is to make sure we can still do that.”

Councillor Sharon Blagrove said: ’As a Ward

Councillor for Kewhurst, I was pleased to

be invited to the opening of the Collington

Park Lodge care home. This is a state-ofthe-art

building and the attention to detail is

remarkable. Residents will be very happy, I

Open Gardens

June - July 2025

Bexhill Old Town – 24th June

Cooden Beach and Little Common – 17th June

To find out more, visit

stmichaelshospice/opengardens

or scan the QR code to download

your free guide.

stmichaelshospice.com

Registered charity number 288462

am sure. It was a star-studded event, we were

treated to some very nice food, and the staff

were so friendly and polite.”

The care home incorporates a combination

of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, a groundsource

heating system, and a substantial battery

storage solution. This integrated approach

enables the facility to maintain operations

even during periods of limited sunlight

or grid outages.

Meanwhile, another care home, Churchill

Living, on Barnhorn Road hosted Councillor

Connor Winter to show him the site and

the projects progress. Connor said: “I was

particularly pleased to hear that Churchill

Living is committed to using local suppliers

wherever possible, including bricks from

Ibstock and locally sourced concrete. Even

more encouraging is that many of the workers,

including Sean, the Site Manager, live right here

in Bexhill or nearby in Eastbourne.”

Who will govern

your council? Time

to have your say

RESIDENTS are being invited to take part

in a consultation on the biggest shake-up of

local government across East Sussex since

the 19th Century.

The consultation on how council services will

be delivered in our county has now begun and

residents are being urged to have their say.

ONE COUNCIL

The Government wants to reorganise local

government so that everyone in East Sussex

gets their services from just one council. This

could mean the county council and district and

borough councils, including Wealden District

Council, would be replaced by a single authority.

With a new council expected to be elected

in 2027 and start work in 2028, East Sussex

County Council (ESCC) and district and borough

councils are working on plans and are asking

residents for their views.

UNITED FRONT?

The five districts/boroughs and the county

council are presenting a united front, but a

letter to the Government from Wealden District

Council suggests the smaller councils have

been given little choice but to support their

own abolition given the time constraints and

government criteria limits.

Many expected the new single councils would

be smaller than ESCC but bigger than the

districts. But now, the interim plan is to replace

all the councils with one that covers the whole

of East Sussex — meaning the end of Wealden,

Lewes and Rother District Councils and

Hastings and Eastbourne Borough Councils.

ESCC insists all councils would be abolished,

including itself, although it’s difficult to see how

this new council would be anything other than

a reincarnation of ESCC with more powers. The

cabinet of ESCC has backed this interim plan

which it says has been drawn up with partners

from borough and district councils.

STREAMLINED LOCAL

GOVERNMENT

It says a new local authority on the current

boundaries of East Sussex appears a clear

option for reorganising local government and

could meet the government’s ambitions for

streamlined local government.

Cllr Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County

Council said: “In response to Government plans

we have worked with our colleagues in the

districts and boroughs to draw up an initial plan

for a single local authority for East Sussex that

could provide best quality and value for all its

550,000 residents.

“Final, detailed proposals will be submitted

to Government in September and we now

need to hear the views of residents, businesses

and other partners to ensure the plan we

develop will deliver the greatest benefits to

our communities.”

The consultation will be available to

complete online at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/

EastSussexLGR until Monday 23 June.

In the interim plan, ESCC says it, and the five

district and borough councils, have set out what

they believe any new local authority would have

to achieve including:

• Improving outcomes for residents

and communities

• Making best use of resources now

and for the future

• Enhancing local democracy, local identity,

transparency, accessibility, local decision

making and accountability

• Supporting and driving decision making

and public service reform at both Sussex

and local level

• Providing a stronger and unified voice to

help attract investment and tackle priorities

But the apparent united front might not be as

strong as ESCC is claiming. In a letter to the

Government, Wealden council leader Cllr

Rachel Millward said, while all six council

leaders had worked collaboratively to deliver

an Interim Plan as requested, the Governments

criteria and time-frame meant there was

only one option — a single unitary authority

for East Sussex.

Cllr Millward said: “Given this limit and

the very short time we have had to give other

options appropriate consideration, we have

agreed to the proposals set out in the plan.”

NOT A DONE DEAL

She made it very clear that the interim plan is

not a done deal. “It is important, though, that

we leave the door open for the potential to

adjust our plans as the work gets underway to

develop the proposals and, especially, in the

light of responses to public consultation. The

landscape and demography of East Sussex is wide

and varied, and the challenges we face in our

district are distinct from the challenges faced by

other districts and boroughs in the county.”

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/bexhill JUNE 2025 REGULARS 19

ON YOUR BIKE with Ian Hollidge

LEARN TO CYCLE & CYCLE TO LEARN

June is the month when we have the

longest daylight hours.

June 21st is the longest day with over

16 hours of beautiful Sussex sunshine to

enjoy getting out and about.

Bike Week this year is 9th to 15th,

as the week chosen by Cycling UK

to celebrate cycling. It’s natural to

choose this time of year to start cycling

or to go that extra mile during the

start of summer.

Some say why just a week, cycling

is for the whole year not just

one week in June ?

If your cycling journey is just starting,

a Bikeabilty course is the best way to

learn and East Sussex County Council

can provide training to all schools.

It will book as many classes as there

is demand for with the hope every

child in their year group has the chance

to benefit from this important and

valuable life skill.

As a level 2 instructor myself the

joy of seeing someone leaning and

mastering how to ride a bike with all the

opportunity it brings is as enjoyable for

the teacher as it is for the student.

Bikeability is a structured system

of learning on three levels: Level 1 is

basic control skills, Level 2 starts on

quite roads with real traffic conditions

giving confidence to make trips safely

and independently, Level 3 is for

busier streets, queuing traffic, complex

junctions and roundabouts.

Eastbourne Sports Park at their

cycle centre they have fun courses in

Mountain Biking where you can try

off road in Abbotts Wood available.

There are also regular sessions

for adapted bikes.

However you travel or whatever form

of two, three or four wheel transport

you choose there are some basics to

remember - Look where you are going

or you will go where you are Looking.

Don’t get me started on mobile phone

obsession, that’s another topic.

You definitely shouldn’t use one or be

otherwise distracted when travelling

as spatial awareness and observation

are vital to your own and others safety.

Steering for two wheels for bikes is very

different to four in cars.

Your handle bars are not the same

as a steering wheel, except you should

never cross hands with your left and

right’s confused.

Leaning a little to the left or right gives

you the correct direction. Experienced

two wheel cyclists will explain counter

steering, something drivers do not have

to use. We teach cyclists to be the

brains on the bike and to look out for the

nut behind the wheel.

Advanced drivers use IPSGA as their

guide. Information — what do you

observe, does that mud on the road

mean a tractor around the corner?

Position — are you visible to other road

users and not frustrating others by

taking more of road than you need, can

you see where you are going clearly?

Speed — Making good pace safely.

Should I slow down or is it best to speed

up? Gear — what is the right gear for

my next move, change up or down, for

cyclists without an engine to help could

mean an embarrassing chain mishap or

too hard to pedal? Acceleration — Is it

safe to put more power on the pedal and

increase your speed.

As both a driver and a cyclist, I use this

constantly when travelling, although

I must admit to not getting it right

every time but after 73 years of using

the public highway I’m still aiming

for perfection.

Every year the All-Party Group

on Cycling and Walking arrange a

Parliamentary bike ride for Lords, MP’s

and other interested affiliated groups to

cycle around Westminster, up the Mall

and around Buckingham Palace.

This is a wonderful event with the

chance to influence policy makers on

what is the best direction of travel to

reduce car dependency and encourage

Active Travel. I’ve joined them on this

ride a few times with police on their

bikes alongside, just to ensure we don’t

jump the red lights of which there are

many in London.

This year it is on 10th June and I’m

hoping to secure a place again.

Look forward to seeing many of you

out on your bike this June on the start of

your cycling journey.

Happy Wheeling. Ian Hollidge &

Bexhill Wheelers.

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HYPERLOCAL NEWSPAPERS ARE

TRUSTED, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN AND

CLOSER TO HOME THAN EVER.

LOCAL NEWS IS MAKING HEADLINES

AGAIN!

THE ROTHER FORUM

Independent bi-monthly meetings for residents

COME AND HAVE YOUR SAY!

SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2025

The National Health Service

Speaker:

Dr Sarah Jacques

Homelessness

Speaker:

Besnik Rezha, Warming up the Homeless

Local & Neighbourhood Plans

Speakers:

Cllr Brian Drayson &

Cllr Jimmy Stanger

Doors open 11:20am, meeting starts 11:45am

Town Square Social Club, 4-6 London Road,

Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3JU.

Meetings are recorded and can be seen on (YouTube)

The Rother Forum and on (Facebook). The Rother Forum, call

07828 772475. Sharon Blagrove Founder & Communications

20 REGULARS

JUNE 2025


NEWS FROM YOUR CONSERVATIVE MP

DR KIERAN MULLAN

From war heroes to high street woes:

Local MP reflects on history and justice

LAST month marked the 80th

anniversary of Victory in Europe

Day, a time to reflect on one of

the most important moments in

our history. Millions of soldiers

gave their lives in the Second

World War to secure the freedoms

we enjoy today. Their courage,

sacrifice and determination must

never be forgotten.

In Parliament, I was honoured to

take part in the VE Day procession

from the Commons Chamber

to Westminster Abbey as part of

the official commemoration. It

was a powerful reminder of the

responsibility those of us in public life

have to protect the values our country

fought to defend.

Later that evening, I joined the

local beacon lighting on Galley Hill.

It was a moving moment with a

strong turnout from the community.

It reminded us of the part our area

played in the war.

BEXHILL MUSEUM with Gordon Smith

MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN PORTRAIT

Who is this young girl?

INTRODUCING — the Cursed Portrait,

now on display in the museum is this

picture of a young girl.

It was found in 2000 during

building work at a block of flats in

Bexhill town centre.

Workmen discovered it in the

basement hanging on a wall in an

alcove which had been boarded up.

Why would anyone brick-up a painting?

On the back is written a word which

is indecipherable and what appears to

be the date 1956.

Investigations at the time failed to

reveal any more facts.

It has been brought out of storage

as a temporary replacement for the

museum’s painting of Down Mill by the

Places like Bexhill and Battle were

right on the front line of Britain’s

defences. If there had been an

invasion, our coastline would have

been one of the first places to face it.

The beach was sealed off and mines

and tank traps laid. Pill boxes were

built, some of which you can still see

today, including by Galley Hill and as

far inland as Bodiam Castle. Ex-naval

guns had to be placed on the coast

and volunteers across the community

helped man them. Notably, Bexhill

was subjected to more than 50 air

raids that led to the destruction and

famous English artist L.S. Lowry. This

has been lent to the Towner Gallery in

Eastbourne for their summer exhibition.

It will return in the autumn.

WE’RE ALL OVER

THE PLACE

TALKING OF mysteries — why does

Bexhill feature in street names around

the country in places which seemingly

have no link to us?

Paul Wright, a

volunteer with

the museum’s

Local History

Group, has done

some research

into where our

fame has spread.

There are about

30 avenues,

roads and

Paul with his maps

streets around England which are

named after Bexhill.

How about Bexhill Avenue in Hull?

There’s another one in Altrincham,

Greater Manchester and in Warrington.

Bexhill Close features in Bolton,

Lancashire, and Speke in Liverpool.

There is a Bexhill Grove in Stoke-on-

Trent and a Bexhill Walk in Derby.

The rather grand sounding

Bexhill Square can be found in

damage of thousands of buildings

and the deaths of 21 civilians and one

soldier. There was a major evacuation

of the town which led to only 5000

people remaining in Bexhill during

the Winter of 1940. That history

is still an important part of our

identity today.

Turning to a growing concern

in our communities: the rise in

shoplifting and how our justice

system deals with it.

Shoplifting has become more than

just a nuisance. It is now a serious

and growing threat to our high

streets. Last month, I visited Stephen

Jempson, whose family business

employs hundreds of local people

across our area. He told me how

much damage shoplifting is doing

to his business and to his staff. Many

shoplifters are not just chancers.

They are repeat offenders, working

in organised groups, and some use

threats or violence against shop staff.

Blyth, Northumberland, and in

Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.

Paul has compiled his research into

a folder available for viewing in the

museum’s Access Centre. Each location

is accompanied by an aerial picture with

street names superimposed.

Still, it shouldn’t come as too much

of a surprise that our name is spread

around the country. We have our

prominent seaside apartments on

West Parade named after islands of

the West Indies.

Are people there puzzling over why

we pinched their names? In our case

the reason is simple: the builder, R A

Larkin, liked going there on holiday.

TRADITIONAL COSTUME

AND ART OF UKRAINE

Vyshyvanka, means ‘to embroider’

and has a rich history in Ukraine. It has

long appeared in Ukrainian dress and is

distinctive to the different regions.

On the weekend of the 28-29

June, there will be an exhibition of

traditional clothing with Vyshyvanka,

alongside original contemporary

Ukrainian artwork in the museum’s

Education Room.

Come and learn the fascinating

background to this colourful

symbolic craft and enjoy distinctive

Understandably, local shop owners

are frustrated. They report crimes

and often see little follow up or

punishment. Systems like DISC,

which let shops share information

with each other and the police, are a

good step forward. But unless those

efforts lead to arrests, charges and

proper sentencing, they will not be

enough. Shop theft is not just about

lost stock. It affects jobs, livelihoods

and the safety of workers.

As Shadow Justice Minister, I

have been looking closely at the

Government’s recent Sentencing

Review. While there are some

positive ideas, overall, it feels like a

missed opportunity to put victims and

the public at the centre of justice.

My biggest concern is how little

victims’ voices have shaped the

review. This was a chance to really

listen to those who have suffered

because of crime and ask what

justice means to them. That has not

contemporary artwork by talented

artists from Ukraine.

Some items will be for sale to raise

funds for First Aid field dressings for

those defending Ukraine.

Admission to the exhibition is free. It

will be open during museum opening

hours, 11am-4pm.

A WALK AROUND THE

DE LA WARR ESTATE

Take a journey through the former

estate of the 8th Earl De La Warr,

situated east of Sea Road and south of

the railway line.

From its beginnings in 1882 to

the present day, you can explore its

forgotten architectural features and

plans and societal roles.

The walk is on Sunday 22 June at

2pm. Meet outside the Sailing Club on

East Parade. It will last two hours and

will be led by Alex Markwick.

Places must be pre-booked by either

phoning or calling into the museum

(01424 222058). The cost is £5 per

person, payable to the leaders at the

start of the walk. No dogs allowed.

Seaside memories

Coastal towns became popular in the

18th century when doctors began to

recommend the health benefits of sea

air and sea water.

happened in a serious way. Some

of the worst offenders, including

those guilty of violent or sexual

crimes, will end up spending less

time in prison under these plans.

That is not what victims or the wider

public want to see.

One of the proposals is to let

prisoners out earlier if they follow the

rules whilst inside. Having to work,

follow rules or study are things lawabiding

people do every day. Serious

offenders should not be rewarded

for doing the bare minimum. There

must be tougher consequences

when they refuse to engage or

cause further harm.

The Government has committed

to building more prison places

and increasing resources. That is

welcome. But there can never be

an excuse for letting dangerous

offenders out sooner than they should

be. Victims deserve better than that.

In the months ahead, I will continue

to push for a justice system that

is fair, firm and focused on the

people it is supposed to protect.

That means proper punishment,

real accountability and making sure

victims are no longer treated as

an afterthought.

www.bexhillmuseum.org.uk

Ken Brooks will give an informal

lecture on the subject called Beside

the Seaside at the museum on

Saturday 14 June.

It will cover the attractions of

the seaside from Victorian times to

the present day. These will include

piers, bathing machines, minstrels,

pierrots, paddle steamers, fashions and

local characters.

The talk will take place in the museum

Education Room. Spaces are limited to

maintain the informal atmosphere. It

starts at 1.30pm and will finish by 3pm.

Tickets must be pre-booked and are

available from the museum, priced

at £10 for non-members or £8 for

members. They can be reserved by

calling 01424 222058.

The price includes tea or coffee and

admission to the museum either before

or after the talk.

ALL ABOUT US

Bexhill Museum, in Egerton Road, is

open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am to

4pm. It is closed on Mondays except for

Bank Holidays.

Admission prices are: adults £4,

over 60s £3, children aged 5-16 £2,

under-fives are free.

There are four galleries covering

natural history, dinosaur fossils and

footprints, costumes from the last 300

years, social history, Bexhill’s motoring

heritage and the town in World War 2.

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/bexhill JUNE 2025 REGULARS 21

A MATTER OF TASTE

We send 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!

THE CARRIAGE CAFÉ

Our new Matter of Taste reviewer, Gary

Van den Bussche, is a retired, awardwinning

restaurateur who had a chain of

restaurants across the South East. Here

he writes his first review.

For lunch today, I decided to visit The

Carriage Café in Beeching Road (The Old

Ambulance Station) in Bexhill-on-Sea.

There’s easy parking right outside

the 1960s slam door, 50-tonne railway

carriage, which offers a choice between

dining inside or out — I chose to eat

inside in the buffet car within the

railway carriage.

The carriage had been used as an

eatery in Deptford since around 2008.

Then, the carriage was moved by lorry

to Bexhill, after a new kitchen and

interior were installed, it opened in

November last year.

The menu offers a quality breakfast

with their own recipe butchers’

sausages, duck eggs, among the

more traditional fare, all freshly

cooked to order.

For the more adventurous, why not

try The Savoy Hotel’s Arnold Bennett

omelette — a fluffy omelette filled

with smoked haddock in a creamy

cheese egg sauce, Croque madame and

croque monsieur.

Daily specials when I visited included

Parma Ham wrapped asparagus with

hollandaise sauce.

I chose the Croque Madame, a creamy

ham and cheese toastie with a fried egg

on top. Delicious!

Breakfasts and lunches are served

weekdays from 7am-2pm, Sat 8am-12

and Sunday 9-12.

Thursday to Saturday, the carriage is

open from 5pm-9pm where owner Mike

offers small plates designed with flavour

and taste, including wild garlic hummus

with smoked cured duck, pork belly with

a sweet and savoury marinade (char siu).

This menu changes monthly and uses

locally sourced fresh ingredients.

I’m told they have many returning

customers, and I can see why.

The café is licensed, selling local beers

and lagers, plus they have a wine list,

or you could just have a coffee and

enjoy the ambience

Very tasty and

different. Recommended.

The Carriage Café, Beeching Rd, Bexhill,

Bexhill-on-Sea. TN39 3LG

www.www.thecarriage.uk

Tel: 07968 724983

Open: Monday-Wednesday, 8am-12pm

Thursday-Saturday, 8am-2pm, 5pm-

9.00pm; Sunday, 9am-12pm.

The Crafty Collective’s Craft and Produce Fairs

Handmade and Local

SATURDAY 2PM - 5PM

l 7th June

l 5th July l 6th September

l 4th October (Big Mental Health Fundraiser)

l 1st November l 6th December

Freedom Church (Hadden Hall), Claremont Road, Sidley,

Bexhill, TN39 5BX

Free parking, free entry, refreshments and snacks

thecraftycollective3@yahoo.com

FALCONRY

PHOTOGRAPHY

WORKSHOPS

Budding or experienced photographers

are being offered the opportunity to

take part in a new series of workshops

designed to develop skills and spend time

with some stunning birds of prey.

Set within the stunning grounds of

Herstmonceux Castle and Gardens, the

workshops, in association with East

Sussex Falconry, allows photographers to

learn, or practice their skills through a

series of exercises to secure some

breathtaking photographs with our

experienced Photographer and Falconer.

For only £135 per photographer, the

full-day experience will take place on

Monday, 7th July, with a maximum group

size of ten people.

For more information, please call

07970 245934 or scan the QR code.

IN THE HEART OF EAST SUSSEX

IDEAL

GIFT

VOUCHER

22 ADVERTORIAL

JUNE 2025


ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL NEWS

BY DOUG OLIVER, COUNCILLOR AND COUNCIL LEADER

Putting Community Benefit First

MAKING the best use of residents’

money is a role that every officer

and councillor takes extremely

seriously, even more so given the

financial pressures we are all facing.

More often than not, our decisions

must always focus on value for money

— are we getting the most out of every

penny we spend? Can we increase

our income? Is there a cheaper way to

deliver a service?

But, there are times when the benefit

to a community needs to considered

higher in our list of priorities.

I was delighted to see a unanimous

decision by Cabinet to grant the

lease for the vacant Egerton Park

Bowls Pavilion to an organisation

that will improve the lives of many

families in the area.

The successful applicant plans to use

the building as a hub offering support

to neurodivergent children and their

families. The facility would support

the priorities set out in the county

council’s All Age Autism Action Plan

and Rother’s own Live Well, Locally

priorities set out in the Council Plan.

Quite rightly, Cabinet members

decided that the social and

community value form such a scheme

outweighed any higher financial

return that would be offered by other

commercial applicants.

It’s great that we will be able to

support an organisation that offers

vital support to children with special

educational needs and their families,

and I look forward to seeing how they

transform the pavilion.

Our schools and colleges are key in

the success of our district — a good

education and relevant and highquality

training helps to boost the local

economy and give young people the

best start in life.

Among the wonderful schools across

Rother is Bexhill 6th Form College and

I recently had the pleasure of a tour

around its superb facilities.

Apart from boasting state-of-the-art

facilities and amazing pass rates, I was

KNOW YOUR GARDEN

By Emma Reece, Head Gardener at Bates Green Garden

really impressed by the environment

the principal and her staff have created

at the college.

It’s great to see the college thriving

and dedicated staff working so hard to

support young people across Rother.

This week a consultation has

launched that will give residents the

opportunity to help reshape the way

local services are delivered.

There has been a lot of talk about

Local Government Reorganisation

in recent months and the possibility

of having a single council covering

the whole of East Sussex rather than

two councils — county and district,

responsible for different services.

It would be a significant change and

it’s so important that whatever route

we take brings the greatest benefits to

our residents and businesses.

We’ve worked closely with East

Sussex County Council and the four

other district and borough councils

to draw up an interim plan for a

single local authority for East Sussex’s

550,000 residents and will need to

submit detailed proposals to central

Government in September.

It’s vital that we take into account the

views of all our residents to ensure the

final plan is the one that works best for

our district, and I would urge everyone

to tell us what they think by taking part

in the consultation.

Any changes to local government

must improve the lives of residents and

communities, make the best use of our

resources, boost local democracy, local

identity, transparency, accessibility,

local decision making and

accountability and provide a stronger,

unified voice to help attract investment

and tackle priorities.

The consultation will run until

Monday, June 23 and is available to

complete online at www.smartsurvey.

co.uk/s/EastSussexLGR/

I saw the county council had issued

a warning to households who still

have a Radio Teleswitch Meter — a

system that switches electricity meters

between different tariff rates.

The signal for these meters is due

to stop working at the end of June, so

affected households have to switch

to a smart meter to avoid losing

their heating or potential facing

higher energy bills.

According to figures, there are 2,450

households in Rother still using Radio

Teleswitch Meters. Energy companies

should be contacting affected

customers about changing their

meter, and I echo the county council’s

message that residents should take

immediate action when they do.

If you’re not sure if you have a

Radio Teleswitch Meter, check with

your energy provider but you may

have one if your home is heated

using electricity or storage heaters,

if you have a separate switch box

near your electricity meter, if there

is no gas supply to your area or if you

get cheaper energy had different

times of the day.

And please, if someone contacts

you asking for payment to change a

meter you should contact your energy

company or Citizens Advice, as it is

likely to be a scam.

OPEN EVERY WED & SAT UNTIL 22 OCT

For details, please go to the website www.batesgreengarden.co.uk

and follow the garden on Instagram @batesgreengarden

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day,

listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by

no means a waste of time” — John Lubbock

It is often said that gardeners rarely

just sit in their own gardens; they are

always busily doing something despite

their best intentions.

There is so much to be gained from

just being in nature, you don’t have

to have your own garden or plot, find

your local green space or body of water

and take a wander.

Parks, public and domestic gardens

are not just spaces of greenery but

vibrant examples of horticulture that

significantly enrich human lives. From

cultivating mental health to fostering

social bonds and supporting biodiversity,

these horticultural havens are essential

for communities and personal well-being.

The horticultural elements of parks

and domestic gardens have a profound

impact on mental health. Engaging

with plants, whether admiring their

beauty in a park or nurturing them in

your own garden, has been shown to

reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

The act of caring for plants promotes

mindfulness and provides a calming

escape from current affairs and the

rigours of daily life.

Gardening tasks like pruning, planting

out, or weeding borders help us all to

focus and to find a sense of achievement.

These activities not only enhance our

emotional well-being but also connect us

all to the seasons.

Parks with curated horticultural

landscapes, such as botanic and public

gardens, encourage physical health by

providing accessible paths and yearround

outdoor spaces for exploration.

Botanic Gardens are always my go-to

destination when on holiday, I love

the fact that every plant group is

labelled which saves me a great deal of

head scratching

One of the many reasons that I enjoy

my job is the fact that horticulture

brings people together. Parks and

allotment sites often host gardening

workshops, plant fairs or tree-planting

events that unite local communities.

These collaborative activities foster

social interaction and create shared

experiences rooted in our love for

plants and nature.

In domestic settings, our gardens

serve as venues for gatherings, where

our friends and family bond amidst our

favourite plants. In my case, I spend a

great deal of time telling my loved ones

how keen I am on rewilding which I

hope then excuses the overgrown chaos.

Community allotments and shared

gardening projects further enhance

social ties by bringing neighbours

together with a common aim- to

cultivate vegetables, herbs, and

both ornamental and edible flowers.

Community Allotments sometimes

have cooking facilities so that groups

can prepare and eat their produce.

Gardening and then eating the food

together is such a gift for the soul.

Really uplifting.

The act of gardening within parks

and gardens contributes hugely to

the environmental health of the local

area. Plants act as natural air purifiers,

absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing

oxygen while filtering pollutants. So,

think of that as you bring another

barrow load of plants home from your

latest plant sale! No excuses needed;

you really are saving the planet.

Thoughtful horticulture is a

cornerstone of biodiversity in parks

and gardens. The careful selection and

cultivation of certain plants create

habitats for important pollinators such

as bees, butterflies, and birds. The more

diverse your planting the better. It is

worth remembering that plants with

single flowers which have petals in a

single row around the flower’s centre

will attract more pollinators than

doubles will with their increased number

of petals in multiple layers.

Domestic gardeners play a vital role in

enhancing biodiversity when they plant

pollinator-friendly flowers, create and

maintain ponds for aquatic species, and

leave wild corners to create habitats.

Parks, with their expansive horticultural

landscapes, contribute on a larger

scale by preserving ecosystems and

promoting environmental sustainability.

Domestic gardens are ideal spaces to

adopt sustainable horticultural practices.

Composting organic waste, practicing

crop rotation in vegetable patches, and

using rainwater harvesting systems all

reduce environmental footprints. Public

Gardens such as Great Dixter and Knepp

Castle lead the way in sustainable

horticulture by implementing

conservation projects and showcasing

eco-friendly planting techniques.

The horticultural richness of

parks and domestic gardens brings

immense benefits to us humans.

From supporting mental and physical

health to fostering community and

biodiversity, these spaces provide a

holistic way to improve life. Investing

in horticulture, whether on a personal

or community level, ensures a greener,

healthier, and more connected world for

generations to come.

So, off you all go to your nearest green

space, ( I have heard that Bates Green

Garden is extremely good) and embrace

all that June has to offer.

Enjoy your gardens in June.

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/bexhill JUNE 2025 ADVERTORIAL 23

BEXHILL-ON-SEA TOWN

COUNCIL UPDATE

Bexhill Rocks VE Day

80 with Sun-Drenched

Street Party

BEXHILL’S VE Day 80 celebrations

concluded in style over the

weekend, with live music, dancing

and a large dose of community

spirit, as a sun-drenched Western

Road closed to traffic on Sunday

and played host to a good oldfashioned

VE Day Street Party.

The gathering was the culmination

of a series of events commemorating

and celebrating the 80th anniversary

of the Allies’ victory in Europe,

which included a formal flag-raising

ceremony and bagpipe recital on the

Colonnade, concerts at the Coronation

Bandstand, and a lighting of the

Trafalgar Beacon on Galley Hill on

Thursday evening.

On Sunday, Western Road was

transformed from busy thoroughfare

to al fresco dining area, with Union

flags draped over a long row of tables

down the middle of the street, and

revellers — some dressed in eraappropriate

vintage outfits — bringing

picnics and flasks to witness the

spectacle. Proceedings were opened

formally at midday by Town Mayor

Paul Wilson and Town Crier Jon

Bartholemew, before the first musical

contribution of the day, provided by

The Royal British Legion Band. An

orchestral lineup treated onlookers to

an immaculately performed selection

of wartime themes and popular

songs, as picnickers, passers-by and

invited guests arrived and tucked into

their provisions.

The Albatross Ukulele Band were

next to take to the stage, delighting

spectators with their retro styling and

considerable skills on their diminutive

stringed instruments. As the crowd

swelled through the afternoon,

spontaneous singing and dancing

broke out, miniature Union flags were

waved, and plastic bowler hats were

donned, in a faithful recreation of VE

Day celebrations gone by. And with

temperatures soaring into the midtwenties,

many people partook of the

complimentary water on offer!

The musical offering was rounded

off by solo performer The Vintage

Rose, whose combination of swing,

trad jazz and songs by ‘Forces’

Sweetheart’ Dame Vera Lynn stirred

the assembled masses still further. A

charming collection of lindy-hopping

dancers took a corner to themselves

and showed off their moves alongside

each musical act.

Away from the main stage, the treats

continued. A fascinating display of

wartime objects from Bexhill Museum

— including a teddy bear and cornflake

box — intrigued and informed passersby,

offering a deeper understanding

of the town during World War Two.

Representatives from The Marine

Training Corps, Royal Air Forces

Association, Sea Cadets Hastings and

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

presented informative stalls with

eye-catching displays. And there were

some stylised props and inflatable

pictures on offer to those who wished

to snap a 1940s-inspired selfie.

A highlight of the afternoon was

an appearance from local favourite

Rosie the Little Grey Pony, who was

led up and down the street on several

occasions, greeting her adoring fans,

and resting in her shady enclosure

between encounters. She too was

dressed for the occasion, with a

fetching floral headscarf.

The Town Mayor, councillors

and local dignitaries mingled freely

with the public and assembled

representatives from the Royal British

Legion, including World War Two

veterans. Local writer and speaker

Clare Baldry announced the winner

of the Western Road shop window

competition, and the result of the cake

decorating contest was declared by

Deputy Mayor Memish Huseyin.

Bartholemew returned to formally

close the day’s celebrations, thanking

those who had worked incredibly

hard in the build-up to a varied and

technically demanding series of

events. Yet with dedicated organisers,

a fantastic cohort of performers

and collaborators, and a little help

from the weather gods, Bexhill

has been able to celebrate the 80th

anniversary of VE Day with real

class. We now look forward to our

VJ Day commemorations in August

— another chance to rejoice and

remember those whose sacrifice will

never be forgotten.

Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council

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

Open: Monday-Friday, 10am-2:30pm

Contact: town.clerk@bexhilltowncouncil.gov.uk

www.bexhilltowncouncil.gov.uk

24 ADVERTORIAL

JUNE 2025


BEXHILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM UPDATE

CHAMBER ECHOES

£25k Centenary Fund for

business – apply now

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce President, Howard Martin

2025 is Bexhill Chamber of

Commerce’s centenary year and in

celebration we have launched a £25k

centenary fund. We feel it’s really

important that as many businesses,

charities and social enterprises get

the opportunity to apply for this

fund as possible to benefit not only

the business community of Bexhill

but the whole town.

THE FUND: The £25k fund was

allocated to our Chamber by the

previous Government as part of

their “levelling up” agenda. It is

an independent fund completely

separate from any Town Board or

other RDC managed funds. Our

Centenary fund is managed by

Edeal in Eastbourne on behalf of

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce.

Only our panel of Chamber member

experts can decide who can

benefit from the fund.

WHO CAN APPLY TO THE FUND

AND WHAT FOR? Any limited

company, social enterprise or

CIC registered with Companies

House. Any registered charity

or association of members with

established record and accounts

can apply for the fund. The only

criteria for the fund is your proposal

must be of benefit to the business

community of Bexhill and the

town as a whole.

While applicants can be from

outside Bexhill the project

proposed for funding must

show benefit within the nine

wards of Bexhill. So, projects for

Pebsham, Sidley, Little Common,

Norman’s Bay, North West Bexhill

and Central are all very welcome.

However, the fund cannot be used

to benefit an individual business

or single charitable objectives. For

example it cannot be used to buy

a cooker for a restaurant but it can

be used to refurbish the frontage

of a restaurant as that benefits

the townscape.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a

wheelchair for a disabled person but

we can consider a wheel chair ramp

that enables access to a business. But

we want you to think big and submit

proposals for anything you feel able

to deliver that we can all be proud to

attach a Bexhill Chamber Centenary

fund plaque to.

As it is a capital fund there must be

a physical output to your proposal,

it cannot be used for wages or

ongoing running costs.

HOW MUCH CAN I APPLY FOR?

Applications can be anything from

£500 to the full value of the £25k fund.

However, we expect the average

application to be around £5k -£10k

so that we can work on delivering

key landmark projects that are long

term sustainable.

HOW DO I APPLY? Applications

can be submitted directly through

the Bexhill Chamber website:

www.bexhillchamber.org however

we recommend that you contact

the Chamber to discuss your

application with our President

Howard Martin or VP Tracey

Love (who do not sit on the

assessment panel)

to help you make

the best possible

submission or scan

this QR code to

apply directly.

Intensive Home Treatment Service launched

to support young people’s mental health

A NEW Crisis and Intensive Home

Treatment Service (IHTS) has been

launched in Sussex to provide

crucial mental health support for

young people, aiming to prevent

unnecessary hospital admissions.

This innovative service will offer a

crisis response and intensive, specialist

care in the home environment,

ensuring that young people receive the

right support at the right time, while

remaining in familiar surroundings

with their families.

Coast (Crisis Outreach Acute Support

Team) has been developed by Sussex

Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

(SPFT) and the Hampshire, Sussex

and Kent Provider Collaborative in

partnership with NHS Sussex.

The development of Coast has

been co-produced with Experts by

Experience (EBEs) who have also

recorded a podcast which outlines

lived experiences of accessing

inpatient and acute care within

CAMHS. The feedback has been

integral to shaping the new model

and the young people involved

have continued to form part of the

project group and recruitment

processes for new staff.

One EBE, Dulcie, said: “I feel really

positive about this new service

because it addresses the gap that can

often appear in between community

and inpatient treatment. If this was

offered to me, it would have helped me

enormously to maybe avoid hospital or

even just better my transition back to

the community.”

Zoe, who features in the podcast

and is part of the project, said: “I think

this service is going to have a positive

impact on young people in Sussex

by hopefully reducing the amount of

admissions, which will be beneficial

for the young people.

“For me, some of my experiences

were difficult to deal with and didn’t

always impact me in a positive way, but

that was the only option at that time. I

think if I had had this service, I would

have been able to avoid some of my

admissions -sometimes hospital isn’t

the best option for a young person.”

The service, launched in April 2025,

introduces a new way of working

with a joined-up approach to the

current home treatment team and

urgent help service. There is an

overarching multi-disciplinary

team offering an enhanced crisis

and intensive treatment service to

support very unwell young people

who might otherwise need to be

admitted to hospital.

Max Read, CAMHS Acute & ED Nurse

Consultant, said: “Coast will provide

the intensive, multidisciplinary

support that some young people

need for a period of time, but without

requiring them to be placed in a

hospital environment, which can

feel really hard”.

The aim of Coast is to provide an

alternative to inpatient care for young

people experiencing severe mental

health difficulties. By delivering rapid

and responsive interventions, the

service will help to stabilise crises,

support recovery and reduce the

pressure on hospital services.

Interventions will be delivered at

home, in the community, clinic and/

or telephone-based services for young

people and their families. Intensive

home treatment includes education

provided by the Alternative Provision

College (West Sussex County Council)

either in the home or online options

as appropriate.

Dr Anna Moriarty, Associate

Clinical Director Sussex CAMHS,

said: “We are excited to be launching

this new, innovative service within

Sussex CAMHS. Coast has been

developed in collaboration with

young people/parents and carers,

also drawing on the expertise of

CAMHS clinicians. The team will

deliver bespoke and needs-led

intervention, drawing on evidencebased

practice for young people with

acute care needs.”

The launch of the Crisis and Intensive

Home Treatment Service is part of a

broader commitment to improving

mental health care for young people

in Sussex. The service aligns with

national efforts to enhance early

intervention and community-based

treatment options.

Community-based intensive

treatment programmes like Coast offer

cost savings compared to inpatient

services and can provide timely

treatment to young people, in or closer

to their homes and communities.

Visit www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk

for more information.

4 3 5 9 2 6 7 8 1

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.news/bexhill JUNE 2025 PUZZLES 25

PUZZLES

WORDSEARCH

Lumps and Bumps

Can you find all the listed words hidden in the grid below?

They may run either forwards or backwards, horizontally,

vertically or diagonally, but always in a straight line.

BALL

BLOCK

BUNION

CHUNK

CLUMP

CONCRETION

EXCRESCENCE

GROWTH

HUMP

INJURY

KNUR

MASS

NODE

PUSTULE

SLUB

SWELLING

TUBER

WAD

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WE’VE GOT THE ANSWER ON HOW TO REDUCE

YOUR HOUSEHOLD BILLS! Call 07377 584363

G C J C C Y R U J N I O R

Q J B M O B U L S O G X M

D R A J F N G Y J D B C K

F L V S R H C G C E X H U

T K O W D Y T R V T M U O

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Q H T W O R G Y Q F H Z M

M U Y W Q F B U N I O N D

CODEWORD

Each letter of the alphabet has a different number. Substitute numbers

for letters to make words that will complete the puzzle. The letters at

the side and the check-box below the grid may help you keep track.

18 6 2 16 7 11 12 26 11 18 24 26 10 25

21 26 2 3 21 1 13

7 12 10 18 6 10 14 3 17 21 6 17 11

26 22 18 21 17 16 21 17 16 12

9 21 21 2 21 22 13 10 12 2 3 16 17

14 21 2 16 18 8 6 11 12 18

4 16 10 18 6 21 11 21 3 10 12 12

16 18 24 15 26 10 3 16 10

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8 Vessel for travel on

water (4)

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after each verse (6)

10 Surplus to need (5)

11 Principal actor (4)

12 Boundary, rim (4)

13 Sour-tasting yellow

fruits (6)

15 Overtake (4)

17 Soap froth (4)

19 Placed at an angle (6)

20 Small opening in the

skin (4)

21 Underside (4)

22 Passage between rows

of seats (5)

24 Precious red

gemstones (6)

25 Biblical first man (4)

26 Takes a nap (6)

27 Pay attention (6)

Down

2 Country, capital Zagreb (7)

3 Go in (5)

CROSSWORD

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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5 Tree of the maple family (8)

6 Female wild cat (7)

7 Localised ulcer or sore (7)

14 Special and significant

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15 Egyptian paper reed (7)

16 Germ-free (7)

18 Unhealthy state of

body or mind (7)

21 Pulse vegetables (5)

23 Exchange for money (4)

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Place a number (from 1 to 9 inclusive) into each square in

such a way that every digit appears once in each horizontal

row, each vertical column and each box of nine squares.

4 9 6 1

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1 5

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SOLUTIONS

7 1 6 2 4 9 3 5 8

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SUDOKU

T U L I P S E A S T W A R D

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© Puzzle Press Ltd (www.puzzlepress.co.uk)

CODEWORD

A C C E P T S I L I C A

R N R Y I B

B O A T O C H O R U S

A E X T R A N C

S T A R M E D G E

I L E M O N S S

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P O R E H B A S E

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U L I L N S

S L E E P S L I S T E N

CROSSWORD

G C J C C Y R U J N I O R

Q J B M O B U L S O G X M

D R A J F N G Y J D B C K

F L V S R H C G C E X H U

T K O W D Y T R V T M U O

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Z E Y O P J S T Q T D K F

U B A L L U U S G H I X I

F A D O C B S U A U P O E

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T Y Q R L Y P J U P H O G

J L R U N K Q L L L W M C

E X C R E S C E N C E P R

Q H T W O R G Y Q F H Z M

M U Y W Q F B U N I O N D

WORDSEARCH

26 SPORT

JUNE 2025


Bexhill Sailing Club

does Eurovision

Old Bexhillians

stroll to title

BY RACHEL WYNN

THE May races at Bexhill Sailing

Club began with the Early May

Short Series over the Bank

Holiday weekend, with 18 boats

on the water. The wind was

an intermittent force 1-2, and

at times, when the wind died

completely, the tide dragged the

boats backwards.

In the second race, some boats

drifted far downstream and had to

be towed back to shore by the safety

boats, though plenty still managed to

sail over the finish line.

The Series winners were: Novice

fleet: Paul Andrews and James

Todd, Slow fleet: Rachel Wynn,

Fast fleet: Richard Eagleton,

Catamaran: Mark Scheldt and Miles

Coote, Asymmetric: Dusty Miller

and Andy Bullen.

On Saturday, May 10, our planned

cruise up the coast was thwarted

by a little too much wind, but the

Sunday Series continued the next

day, bringing far more exciting racing

than the previous week.

The catamarans were given an

extra-long course to make full use

of their speed, while the other fleets

sailed a smaller triangular course.

The extended route seemed to suit

Tony Lane and his crew, Rick Parker,

as they claimed victory in both races.

Bob Palmer took first place in both

Slow fleet races, while Logan Adams

secured top spot in Fast fleet with

back-to-back wins in his Laser Radial.

On May 17, the club held its own

Eurovision party, designed and

run by last year’s Learn to Sail

graduates—our current Novice fleet.

We voted for each song, and in the

room, the UK won!

Guests were treated to sausage

and fried onions in a roll by our

excellent chef, Pete Gadsden, along

with fairy cakes, popcorn snacks,

and limoncello shots courtesy of

the Novices. Our lively compere,

Paul Andrews, dazzled in a rainbow

shimmer top while delivering

cringeworthy jokes!

The highlight of the evening? A

brilliantly choreographed dance

performance of Give That Wolf a

Banana (Norway’s 2022 Eurovision

entry) by Harriet Rapley (banana) and

Amelie Greenhouse (wolf).

The club sailed all four scheduled

races that weekend. Saturday brought

stronger-than-forecast winds and

a choppy sea, but all boats stayed

upright for the Saturday Series races 2

and 3. Hugh Stephenson claimed first

Polegrove BC off

to a flying start

place for the Novices in both races,

while Bob Palmer secured victory in

both Fast fleet races. Dave Kerr won

race 2 in Slow fleet, with Cristina

Terrazas taking race 3.

Sunday’s conditions were lighter

but tricky, with swirling gusts for

races 5 and 6 of the Sunday Series.

The safety boats were kept busy with

a few capsizes—including a dramatic

incident between races when Tony

Lane will have quite a shiner after

he took an unexpected boom strike

to the face from a surprise gybe in

his Laser Radial.

Race 5 in the Novice fleet was

won by James Todd, while Hugh

Stephenson added another victory

to his tally in race 6, narrowly edging

out Todd. Bob Palmer maintained

his winning streak with two more

Fast fleet wins. Dusty Miller and

Andy Bullen triumphed over Jim

Copeman and Simon Hookey in

both Asymmetric races. Flo and Abi

Wright dominated the Catamaran

fleet, winning both races.

Slow fleet saw Dave Kerr take race 5,

while Rosie Norman claimed victory

in race 6, finishing ahead of her

husband, Roger.

June marks the close of the Sunday

Series and the start of several new

events: the Weekday Evening

Series, the Saturday Evening Series,

the Summer Series, and the Early

Worm Series —which comes with a

cooked breakfast!

The new Learn to Sail trainees

begin their eight-week course, too.

If you’d like to join us, you can find

our contact details at

www.bexhillsailing.club.

BY ROB CAREY

THE three league teams of the

Old Bexhillians Walking Football

Club have enjoyed a successful

season overall.

The Old Bexhillians (Over-50s)

claimed the Southern Combination

WFL East Sussex League title, while

Little Common Wonderers secured a

mid-table finish. Meanwhile, the Atha

Strollers achieved a top-half finish in

the SCWFL Over-60s East Division.

The club’s two senior sides—Over-

68s and Over-70s—do not compete in

a league but instead arrange friendly

fixtures and senior events. The Over-

70s take part in the National Cup

annually but were eliminated in the

first round this month by Brighton

WFC. Perhaps a home draw will

come their way in the future! The

club’s other representatives in the

WFA National Cup, the OBs’ Over-50s

and Over-65s, also did not progress

beyond the first round this time.

A busy summer is in hand, and

the walking football fraternity is

delighted to have been invited by 1066

Specials FC (1066specials.org.uk) to

join their weekly sessions from time

to time. These gatherings offer a fun

The OB stalwarts (from left) Stevie

Croft (Over-68s), Bob Nesbit (O-70s),

Darrell Willis (LCW) and ‘Trigger’

Brown (LCW and Atha Strollers).

series of games played in great spirit

and friendship.

Walking Football in Bexhill has

grown significantly, with the club

now hosting three sessions per week.

More than 40 players participate in

league and event football, while over

60 players are registered for regular

sessions, where attendance typically

ranges from 25 to 30 players at

any given time.

For full details on the OBWFC,

including opportunities for

players aged 50 and above for

men and 40 and above for women,

please contact club chair Mick

Davies at 07961008743 or at

mickdavies48@gmail.com.

POLEGROVE Bowls Club

members have made a good start

to their season at national and

regional level.

In national competitions, Polegrove

A defeated Eastbourne 38-37 in the

National Club Two Fours and will

face Sidley Martlets in the next round.

Meanwhile, Polegrove B triumphed

over Herstmonceux 36-32 and will

now play White Rock.

At county level, two ladies’ teams

have reached the triples quarterfinals.

Alice Phillimore, Jo Watt and

Lyndsey Jamison secured their spot

by defeating Gildredge Park, Sidley,

and Hellingly. Meanwhile, Margaret

Adcock, Alison Watt and Sue Cooper

earned their place by overcoming

Gildredge Park, another Polegrove

team, and Eastbourne.

In the fours, Rosamund Wood,

Alison Watt, Jo Hearsum and Sue

Cooper have also reached the

county semi-finals after a 15-12 win

over Gildredge Park and 20-18 win

over Eastbourne.

Rosamund Wood - having

accumulated enough points last year

- played a County match at Worthing

and was awarded her County badge.

Club matches have been well

supported with mixed results and

history was made when three

generations played together in one

team in a match.

Ten-year-old Archie Jamison

teamed up with his mum, Lyndsey,

and grandmother, Denise Hodd,

securing a victory on their rink

Peter Copper and Rosamund

Wood collecting her Sussex badge

against Northiam.

The Saturday morning taster

sessions, supported by Active

Rother, have been well attended

and anyone is welcome to join us

between 10am-noon.

Next Saturday (June 7) marks

a significant day for Polegrove,

as the club proudly celebrates

member Peter Copper, this year’s

Sussex County President, who is

hosting his special President’s Day

at Polegrove. The event will feature

an afternoon match followed by a

celebratory meal.

Boxing round-up

BEXHILL Amateur Boxing Club

picked up two unanimous points

wins on a Worthing show.

Light-middleweight Cody Dorey-

Parker, 20, and 17-year-old Samier

Bepari (56kg) both produced

impressive performances.

Izzy Mitchell, 18, goes for

another gold medal this month

in the prestigious Haringey

European Box Cup at Alexandra

Palace against top opponents

from England and Germany. The

competition takes place over the

weekend of June 13-15.

Quality care,

2 weeks

free *

At Bowes House you can be sure

that your loved one will receive the

highest quality of care. What’s more,

we’re offering new permanent

residents two weeks’ free.

If you’re considering a care home,

call 01323 917384 or visit

careuk.com/bowes-house

Trusted to care

Bowes House care home

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* Subject to availability. Visit careuk.com/bowes-house for terms and conditions.

28 SPORT

JUNE 2025


Sport

Awesome results

for Bexhill rowers

Junior Senior Four winners

BY ANDREW BICKERS

BEXHILL Rowing Club host

their home regatta on June

15 after making a promising

start to the season.

They collected two wins and

two thirds at Shoreham in the first

round of the 2025 Coastal Amateur

Rowing season.

Rowers had to contend with tricky

cross winds, but the first win came in

the Men’s Junior Senior fours. Carrying

on from the pre-season Viking Shield

regatta, the Bexhill crew of Seb Ward,

Herbie Molton, Clive Bingham, Byron

Cramp and cox Taya Hutton-Mitchell

came away four boat lengths ahead of

the nearest competition.

Bexhill entered a second crew of John

Molton, Chris Golding, Phil McCorry,

Nick McCorry and cox Darren

Mitchell. Despite not rowing together

previously, they had a great race to

come home in third place.

Bexhill’s second win came in the

Men’s Double Sculls. Newly formed for

this regatta, Byron Cramp and Herbie

Molton combined to win over more

experienced boats.

Nick McCorry took third in the Men’s

Junior Sculls, narrowly missing out on

second by a few feet.

Bexhill had a string of fourth

place finishes.

In the Men’s Novice Four, Noah

Landau, Ben Lacey (in his first ever

race), Digby Cramp and Chris Golding

did well in a competitive field. The

winning Men’s Junior Fours also went

out in the Senior Fours race, obtaining

Bexhill’s second fourth place.

Bexhill’s final fourth was in

the Men’s Senior Sculls from a

battling Phil McCorry.

In the women’s Novice Fours, firsttime

combination Ceri Wilkinson,

Tiannah Macey, Lizzie Pannell and

Sarah Reader were a creditable fifth

against nine other crews.

The Men’s Junior Four of Noah

Landau, Digby Cramp, John Molton,

Chris Golding and cox Phil McCorry,

in only their second row together,

beat four other crews to claim two

valuable league points.

Seb Ward was seventh in the

Men’s Novice Sculls.

The Novice Ladies of Tiannah Macey,

Alex Dickson, Lizzie Pannell and Sarah

reader were entered in the next status

above and finished eighth, again not

having rowed in that combination

before the day and against more

experienced crews.

There was success at the pre-season

Viking Shield regatta at Herne Bay

with four wins.

The Men’s Junior Senior fours of

Ward, Herbie Molton, Botha, Cramp

and cox Hutton-Mitchell had a huge

winning margin of five boat lengths.

There was a first-ever race win for the

Men’s Novice four of Noah Landau,

Digby Cramp, John Molton, Chris

Golding and cox Hutton-Mitchell as

they left the opposition trailing over

six lengths down.

Seb Ward also secured his first sculls

win in the Men’s Novice race.

Bexhill’s final win was in the Men’s

Junior fours. Noah Landau, Digby

Cramp, Rowan Heynes, Chris Golding

and cox Hutton-Mitchell had a winning

margin of two metres. Considering

most of the crew were novices, the

result was a fantastic achievement. It

was Noah, Digby and Chris’s second

win of the day while Taya was the

regatta’s most successful cox.

There were a pair of third places

in the Ladies Junior and Ladies

Novice fours. Tiannah Macy, Emillia

Goldsmith, Lizzie Pannell, Amberley

Mens double sculls winners at Shoreham

Connor and cox Taya Hutton-Mitchell

contested both races and did well in the

junior event to get third.

Third place in the Men’s Senior

fours was a great result against more

experienced crews. Ward, Molton

and Cramp all from the Junior Senior

crew teamed up with Clive Bingham

and cox Taya Hutton-Mitchell.

The club is always looking for new

members. Email bexhillrowingclub@

gmail.com for details.

JAY Skinner-Swain has taken over

as Bexhill United’s new manager

for the coming season.

Skinner-Swain fills the post

left by Ryan Light, who stepped

down at the end of last season

following his second spell in charge

at the Polegrove.

Announcing Skinner-Swain’s

appointment, the Pirates said:

“Ryan’s efforts have again laid

strong foundations, and with Jay’s

appointment, we look forward to

building upon them. Jay steps into

this role with an impressive track

record as under-23s manager and

a deep understanding of the local

football landscape.

“His energy, vision, and passion for

player development align perfectly

with the club’s ambitions, and we

are excited for the new era he will

lead. Jay will begin working to

build the backroom staff and squad

immediately as preparations get

underway for the upcoming season.”

Phillimore

praises spirit as

the runs flow

BY MIKE LEGG

BEXHILL captain Ben Phillimore

has praised the spirit of the team

after a promising start to their

Sussex Cricket League season.

Good weather has allowed the

first XI to begin with a win and two

defeats in Division Four East.

Bexhill successfully chased

down 269 in an excellent team

performance against East

Dean, the highlights being 88

not out from Cameron Burgon

and 65 not out from Australian

Danul Dassanayake.

The following week, at Heathfield

Park, the team posted a very

competitive score of 260 with

Andrew Jay scoring 80. However,

Heathfield Park chased down

the score with four overs to go

despite captain Ben Phillimore

taking four wickets.

Dassanayake and Jay were back

in the runs in a four-wicket loss to

Chiddingly with the Aussie making

a superb 154 not out and Jay an

unbeaten 69 in an impressive 344-3.

But the visitors chased the total

down in a thrilling finish despite

Neil Priddy’s 3-54.

The defeat dropped Bexhill to

seventh but with some big names

still to come into the side, including

Byron Smith and Kieran Malone,

who will boost the bowling ranks.

Skinner-Swain takes

the helm at Pirates

Jay Skinner-Swain

Outgoing chairman Graham

Cox was among ground staff and

volunteers who were hosted by

Premier League Brighton and

Hove Albion ahead of the Sussex

Senior Cup final.

Cox said: “With the council’s sports

maintenance contract discontinued,

we were keen to learn from the

experts at Brighton & Hove Albion.

We had a fantastic day with valuable

takeaways that will undoubtedly help

us at the Polegrove.”

Bexhill United 1st team award

Danul Dassanayake

Captain Phillimore was upbeat. He

told the Bexhill News: “Our batting

has really fired but we know we

can improve on the bowling front.

“The wickets early in the season

have been excellent, and the fast

outfields have made it a run-fest.

We have some work to do with ball

in hand, but I’m delighted with the

team’s spirit and energy.”

One highlight of the summer so far

has been the progress of the club’s

juniors with none showing more

early season promise than 14-yearold

Fabian Gilchrist, who took his

first ever five-wicket haul against

Eastbourne at the Polegrove.

Other future stars include Oliver

Stronghill, Archie Monico, Stanley

Branson and Ellis Mason, who are

playing for Sussex Cricket in their

Development Pathway squads.

winners for the 2024-25 season: Player

of the Year — Dan Rogers. Players’

Player — Dan Rogers. Young Player

— Ed Ratcliffe. Supporters’ Player

— Alex Hobden. Top Scorer — Evan

Archibald (14) & Aaron Capon (14).

Committee Player — Aaron Capon.

Goal of the season — Evan Archibald

(vs Petersfield Town). Bill Harrison

Shield — Ryan Light. President’s

Award — Jay Skinner Swain. Pat

Naughton Shield — Graham Cox &

Toni Harman. Clubman of the year

— Chris Adams. Chairman’s Award —

Martin Johnson.

Bexhill College won the SSFC

Under-19 County Cup after a

5-4 penalty shootout victory

over Cardinal Newman College

(Hove) at Lancing.

Newman took a second-half lead,

but Will Harley levelled to take the

game to penalties. Keeper Alex

Hobden saved Newman’s first

before Harry Marchant slotted the

crucial winner.

Bexhill News, June 2025, Issue 36

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