Eastbourne News, September 2025, Issue 16

SEPTEMBER 2025 | ISSUE 16

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR EASTBOURNE, WILLINGDON, MEADS AND SURROUNDING AREAS

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

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2 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2025

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news

WELCOME

I MUST start with a huge thank you

to all the readers and new readers

we met at our stand at the recent

Airbourne event.

You all certainly kept us busy as

we handed out almost 5,000 extra

copies of the newspaper.

It was so nice to receive so many

compliments about the publication,

and thanks to those who gave us new

contacts and those who just stopped

at the stand for a chat.

Being there for the full four days

just proves how important the event

is for the town, with hundreds of

thousands of people visiting the

town. We spoke to many people

from around the UK who came to

Eastbourne just for the Airshow — all

of these people spent money locally,

whether it be in hotels, restaurants

or at the event itself, so it proves how

the town relies on it every year.

In this edition, we give you an

update on ‘Poo Castle’. On my

visit to the area recently, I find it

disgusting that locals have to put

up with that stench on a daily basis.

It’s simply not fair that it got to

this point, and I agree with all the

residents, councillors and the MP,

when they say something should be

done right away!

I hope you enjoy all the incredible

photographs in this edition of the

Airbourne event, thanks to those

readers who took the time to email

us their photographs after the show

and the thousands of people who

watched our coverage on our social

media channels.

Until next time.

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

DEAN COOK – PRODUCTION

dean@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

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nor contributors can take responsibility for loss

or damage resulting from errors or omissions.

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without express permission of the editor.

Residents in uproar as

foul stench lingers after

sewage works fire

ANGER is mounting among

Eastbourne residents as the

persistent stench from the Langney

Point Wastewater Treatment Works

continues to assault the senses,

now compounded by a fire that has

further disrupted operations.

On 24 August, an electrical fault

triggered a small fire in one of

the four aerators at Eastbourne

Wastewater Treatment Works,

located on Prince William Parade.

Fire crews from Eastbourne

and Hailsham responded swiftly,

deploying breathing apparatus,

thermal imaging cameras, and

gas detectors to investigate the

site. The fire was extinguished

and control was handed back to

Southern Water shortly after 1am. No

injuries were reported.

According to

Southern Water’s

official message,

now released on

social media by

local Councillor

Kshama Shore,

Conservative

representative for Cllr Kshama Shore

Sovereign, the fire stemmed from an

electrical fault affecting one aerator.

Although the blaze was brought

under control, the incident led to

several ‘short releases’ of partially

treated wastewater into the sea via

the long-sea outfall, more than 3 km

offshore. The company claims there

is no awareness of any impact on the

coastline or bathing waters.

Though Southern Water has

issued yet another apology for the

inconvenience caused, Cllr Shore

accuses the company of failing

to adequately support affected

residents. She said: “This is woefully

too late and gives no detail about what

is happening next,” adding that she

has contacted Eastbourne Borough

Council to take enforcement action

‘at the earliest’.

In the company’s statement,

originally marked ‘restricted’ and

only now made public, Southern

Water outlined that the damaged

component has been isolated and

will be repaired as soon as possible.

Odour control systems remain

operational, and an assessment is

underway to determine if the fire has

affected broader improvement work.

Residents are promised updates once

that assessment is complete.

The fire, however, is just the latest

aggravation in an ongoing saga of

foul odours emanating from the

MP Josh Babarinde gathers

support at the Airshow event

treatment facility, now named

locally as ‘poo castle’. For months,

residents have reported the stench

with frustrations escalating rapidly

since early summer.

In June, one local described the

smell as ‘endless, ongoing, relentless,

unbearable’ and ‘beyond tolerable,’

pleading with Southern Water to do

something now, as the intolerable

odour was ‘making me physically ill’.

By mid-June, Southern Water had

announced short-term measures — a

deep-clean and the refurbishment

of odour control units to begin that

summer and wrap up by January

2026. However, frustration remained

as residents continued to report

being unable to open windows or

enjoy their gardens.

Matters came to a head at a

packed public meeting held

last month, organised after

prolonged community pressure

and intervention from MP Josh

Babarinde. At that meeting, residents

spoke candidly about impacts on

their health, property values, and

quality of life, while Southern Water

representatives listened under

intense scrutiny.

At the meeting, MP Babarinde

Water Treatment Works Fire

delivered a scathing message: “You

are failing our town. Full stop.” He

demanded accelerated repairs and

compensation for those enduring

years of negligence, pointing

to recent payouts awarded to

households in Hastings as precedent.

Josh encouraged visitors to the

Airbourne event to sign a board to

lend their support to his campaign

to stop sewage being discharged

into our seas. This was met with

hundreds of residents writing their

names on the board which stated

‘Enough is Enough’.

Southern Water pledged to

fast-track the repair of the odour

scrubbing system, aiming for

improvements by the end of 2025,

though a full refurbishment is not

slated for completion until December

2028. Babarinde called that timeline

unacceptable and insisted the

company must act faster.

He also emphasised that the fight

is far from over as compensation

talks are ongoing, and he intends

to keep up pressure via Parliament

and local advocacy until residents

see real change.

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4 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2025


Green light for next

stage of Eastbourne

town centre revamp

Lifeguards praised for

Airbourne rescues

WORK to transform a key stretch

of Eastbourne town centre is set

to move forward after councillors

gave the go-ahead to the next phase

of improvements.

East Sussex County Council’s

planning committee has approved

a series of Traffic Regulation

Orders (TROs), clearing the way

for construction on phase 2a of

the Eastbourne Town Centre

Movement and Access Package to

begin before autumn.

The multi-million-pound scheme

aims to revitalise the shopping district

while making it more accessible for

pedestrians, wheelchair users and

those with mobility aids.

Phase 2a will concentrate on the

section of Terminus Road stretching

from Banker’s Corner at the junction

with Cornfield Road through to Marks

& Spencer and Millets. Plans include:

• Upgrading the existing

pedestrianised zone

along Terminus Road.

• Extending pedestrianisation by

removing the current one-way

traffic system from Bolton Road

into Langney Road and introducing

two-way traffic at the lower

ends of both roads.

• Subject to funding, creating a

new civic space outside Marks

& Spencer, designed to match

the style and vibrancy of

earlier improvements.

The latest phase of the scheme

will complement Phase 1 work

completed in 2019 which included

improvements around Eastbourne

Railway Station, part of Terminus

Road, Cornfield Road and Gildredge

Road, as well as the ongoing work

around Victoria Place.

Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex

County Council’s lead member for

transport and environment, said: “As

well as creating a safer and healthier

town centre, encouraging visitors and

boosting the economy, the work we

are doing will also support our efforts

to reduce carbon emissions and

improve air quality.

“The town centre has already

Lottery grant boosts

Eastbourne Shopmobility

A local charity helping people with

limited mobility to stay independent

has received a welcome financial

boost from the National Lottery

Community Fund.

Eastbourne Shopmobility,

based in The Beacon Shopping

Centre, has been awarded a grant

that will help it continue offering

scooters and wheelchairs for hire to

residents and visitors.

The service enables people to enjoy

the town centre and seafront, while

also supporting the local economy by

making Eastbourne more accessible.

A spokesperson for the charity

said: “As a small organisation, we

rely heavily on grants and donations

to keep our services running. We

aim to keep our hire charges as low

as possible, so every contribution is

greatly appreciated.”

benefited from extensive work

carried out over the past few

years and this latest phase of the

scheme, which includes further

pedestrianisation of Terminus Road,

will add to the improvements already

made and make it safer and easier

for pedestrians and those using

wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

“This is an extremely ambitious

scheme and will undoubtedly cause

some disruption. We will continue

to work closely with the borough

council and traders in a bid to keep

disruption to a minimum, but would

ask the public to bear with us as the

result of the work will be a modern

and thriving town centre.”

Eastbourne Shopmobility is open

Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

THIS incredible photo, captured by

Andrea Irvine, shows just one of the

many rescues which took place over

the Airbourne event.

Lifeguards were praised for their

actions over the four days as they

reported 52 rescues by the team.

Andrea said: “I captured this

Ukrainian Independence

Day celebrated

THE Association of Ukrainians in

Great Britain (AUGB) Eastbourne

branch marked Ukraine’s

Independence Day recently with a

vibrant and emotional celebration.

The day began outside the Beacon

Centre in Eastbourne, where

gifts and treats were sold to raise

funds for Ukraine.

The gathering was officially opened

with a moving speech by the Chair of

AUGB Eastbourne, Lucy Fedorovych,

who reminded everyone of the

immense price paid for freedom,

honouring the memory of those who

gave their lives defending Ukraine.

Ukrainian songs filled the air as

participants performed elements of

traditional dance and choreography.

The culmination of the event came

when the Ukrainian community,

joined by many British friends,

carried a striking 22-metre-long

yellow and blue flag through the heart

of Eastbourne along Terminus Road.

The procession was led by symbolic

yellow and blue feathered wings

and accompanied by British flags.

It continued to the Memorial

Roundabout, where flowers were laid

in honour of all those who had fallen

in the past and those innocently killed

in the ongoing war.

The celebrations then continued at

image today of the Lifeguards

having to step in and help someone

in need. The wind picked up, and

the waves got worse. This is one of

a few incidents I witnessed with

the Lifeguards having to help. This

amazing lady is literally diving

headfirst to help others.”

The Red Lion in Stone Cross, where

East Sussex Ukraine Support (ESUS)

provided transport for Ukrainians

from Eastbourne, Polegate, and

Hailsham. ESUS, with the tireless

support of volunteers Alison and Alex

Matwijiszyn, Shiennah Moncharro

and Ian Campbell who have been

standing alongside displaced

Ukrainians in East Sussex for the

past three years, also generously

offered food and drink vouchers

for the community.

The concert featured moving

performances by the talented singers

Lana Bright and Julia Lypova, the

gifted young artist Alice, and the

energetic Ukrainian dance group

Wild Whirlwind with performers

Maira Litvinenko, Polina Sushkova,

Diana Nelep, and Anna Harazha.

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6 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2025


Post-Covid Whalebone Team in Pool

A new sustainable era for

Motcombe Community Pool

BY HELEN NICHOLS

CHAIR OF MOTCOMBE

COMMUNITY POOL

COMMUNITY INTEREST

COMPANY

PHOTOS: ROSIE POWELL

TUCKED away in Eastbourne’s

Old Town, Motcombe Pool sits

beside the historic Bourne spring

and medieval Motcombe Gardens,

echoing centuries of local heritage.

Described in 1905 by Sir Frederick

Treves as “a hamlet of gardens at the

foot of the hill,” Motcombe has long

been a place of beauty and belonging.

In 1904, following a Parliamentary

push for public baths, Motcombe

Public Baths were proposed and

swiftly embraced. Since opening on

5 January 1905, the pool has served

four generations, welcoming over

55,000 annual swim-visits in the years

before COVID-19.

But the pandemic, coupled with

ageing infrastructure and rising

energy costs, forced closure.

In 2022, the Council designated

the site an Asset of Community

Value, and Motcombe Community

Pool CIC (MCPCIC) was formed to

lead its revival.

The closure left a deep void for

the 28,000+ residents within a onemile

radius and many more who

considered themselves part of the

“Pool Family.” Vulnerable groups

— older adults, children, disabled

and neurodivergent individuals,

and minority communities — were

disproportionately affected, losing

access to a vital space for wellness,

recreation, and connection.

Reopening will be impossible

without major repairs, a new energy

strategy, and a sustainable operating

model. MCPCIC has responded

with a visionary business plan

rooted in social, economic, and

technical sustainability. Community

engagement has been central, with

outreach programmes rekindling

the Pool Family spirit and shaping

proposals for a Wellbeing and

Creative Health Hub in the former

attendant’s house.

In 2023, a Social-Capital funded

study of renewable energy potential

measures could cut heating demand

by 70%. A ground-water source

heat pump, paired with solar

panels, and other passive energy

saving interventions could reduce

annual emissions by 88%. These

findings underpin MCPCIC’s lowcarbon

strategy.

Creative engagement has

flourished. In partnership with

East Sussex College Group (ESCG),

students recorded social history from

the Pool Family in The Listening

Project, capturing memories from

four generations. This evolved into

podcasts, video stories, and an hourlong

live radio broadcast capturing

the multiple dimensions of the

project. Heritage events like The Big

Dig and collaborations with Towner

Gallery’s Eastbourne Alive 2024

brought Motcombe into the cultural

spotlight, with over 300 visitors

attending the final exhibition.

Last year, the CIC’s Sunday

Funday celebrated community

progress, while Future Youth Media

workshops taught film skills and

digital responsibility. Monthly

storytelling sessions with social

and art historians have deepened

local ties and provided updates

on the project’s evolution. ESCG’s

Construction & Building Department

now uses the Pool House for handson

training, offering students a

meaningful alternative to simulated

environments. MP Josh Babarinde

praised the initiative, calling it

Creative Partnerships ESCG & CIC

“..a wonderful way to combine

heritage with future opportunities

for young people.”

This month, a new partnership

with ESCC and The Conservation

Volunteers launches a bespoke

Motcombe Health Walk, starting

from the Pool House on the last

Thursday of each month.

Behind the scenes, MCPCIC’s

technical team continues to build a

robust business case for funding. The

£135,700 restricted funding award

from Sport England’s Swimming

Pool Support Fund was followed

by a successful £500,000 bid to the

UK Government’s Community

Ownership Fund—announced on

Christmas Eve 2024. From this, phase

1 redevelopment, comprising the

Wellbeing Hub, is now underway,

with completion targeted for

Christmas 2025.

Due to funding constraints, the

full rejuvenation plan will unfold

in three phases:

1. Reconfiguring the former

attendant’s house into a Wellbeing

and Creative Health Hub

2. Establishing a café to reinforce

the pool’s role as a community

anchor and to generate additional

revenue that will ultimately

support swim-income.

3. Undertaking substantive repairs to

the pool fabric and the introduction

of renewable energy measures that

support effective mechanical and

electrical systems.

With support from Sport England,

the Community Ownership Fund,

Heritage Lottery, and Eastbourne

Neighbourhood CIL, a new sustainable

era for Motcombe Pool has begun

Join the Journey to

Motcombe’s Future:

Motcombe Pool’s revival is more

than a restoration — our campaign

is rooted in heritage, sustainability,

and community spirit. Thanks

to generous support, Phase 1 is

now underway, with £500,000

unlocking vital upgrades and new

spaces that will bring friends and

community together. But this is

just the beginning. Phase 2 will

require similar investment, and

Phase 3, the full reopening of the

Pool will need investment of around

another £2 million.

We warmly invite volunteers,

local sponsors, and visionary

investors all to be part of this journey.

Whether you bring time, expertise, or

financial support, your contribution

will help us build a space for

generations to come. We especially

welcome volunteers who share our

passion and can offer consistent

support as the project grows. To learn

more or get involved, please visit

www.motcombepool.com, email

us directly at cic@motcombepool.

com or call at Community Wise, 66

Ocklynge Road, Eastbourne.

ESCG training Pool Refurbishment

ESCG training collaboration Pool Refurbishment

Motcombe Pool Exterior

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8 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2025


Record unbeaten at World

Championship Penny

Farthing Time Trial

Alexandre Voisine, fastest of the day finishing in 11m58

PHOTOS: PAUL GIBSON

PENNY Farthing Riders from

around the world competed

in the only event of its kind in

Eastbourne in August in front of

thousands of spectators.

Returning for its 8th year, the

annual hill climb is the only Penny

Farthing cycling event in the world

and saw almost 40 riders take on

the challenge to reach Beachy Head

in record times.

Setting off at one-minute intervals

from outside the Grand Hotel, the

fastest rider of the day, Alexandre

Voisine, reached the finish line in just

under 12 minutes, just seven seconds

slower than the 00:11:51 set by Charlie

Burrell last year. (Full results below)

The first rider set off at 10am and

competitors were ranked so that the

fastest rider set off first. The course

leading to Beachy Head was 4.69km

with an elevation gain of 150m.

A prize-giving ceremony then

took place at the finish line, where

the winner received the ‘Block of

Wood’ trophy containing the names

of past winners.

RESULTS

2 Alexandre Voisine 00:11:58 (1st)

1 Roger Davies 00:13:03 (2nd)

3 Frank Albert 00:13:36 (3rd)

8 Richard Thoday 00:13:36 4

6 Paolo Togni 00:14:07 5

7 Mark Bayliss 00:14:18 6

4 Eric Daguin 00:14:34 7

17 Bjorn Van de Plas 00:15:15 8

14 Paul Gwyther 00:15:38 9

23 Bill Pollard 00:15:48 10

18 Melissa Eisdel 00:16:12 11

10 Joran Van de Plas 00:16:27 12

16 Robert Torto 00:16:36 13

12 Arie Liefhebber 00:16:53 14

15 Simon Smet 00:16:57 15

22 Mark Jefferson 00:17:07 16

Second fastest, Roger Davies,

crossing the line in 13m03

9 Fidel Irizarry 00:17:16 17

5 Scott Nielsen 00:17:27 18

39 Doug Read 00:17:48 19

21 Steve Weddles 00:17:55 20

28 Simon Ware 00:18:00 21

31 Steve Wilson 00:18:04 22

20 Keith Read 00:18:41 23

26 Anthony W -R. 00:19:17 24

11 Thomas Hawkins 00:19:50 25

24 Richard Barr 00:19:58 26

29 Martin Wynne 00:20:13 27

19 Neil Laughton 00:20:48 28

34 Les New 00:20:50 29

30 Martin Stevens 00:21:01 30

25 Evi Dumon 00:21:46 31

Extra town centre safety

patrols this Summer

Hospice supporter

paddleboards across Channel

to raise essential funds

EASTBOURNE will see an increase

in Safety Marshal patrols this

summer, with daytime shifts

running alongside the existing nighttime

operations.

Until the end of September,

marshals will be on patrol

throughout the day as well as in

the evenings, helping to reduce

anti-social behaviour and support

local businesses.

Currently, Safety Marshals operate

in the town on Friday and Saturday

evenings, patrolling busy areas to

deter trouble, protect vulnerable

people, and support the night-time

economy. Wearing high-visibility

uniforms and equipped with bodyworn

cameras and police radios,

they are trained to step in before

issues escalate.

The extended daytime patrols,

running 8am to 4pm on Mondays,

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, are

being funded by Sussex Police as part

of the national Safer Streets Summer

initiative. The focus will be on

crime ‘hotspot’ areas, with marshals

working closely with Eastbourne’s

Business Crime Reduction

Partnership to protect shops, reduce

harm to workers, and make the

streets safer for everyone.

The scheme is funded through

the Home Office Hotspot Action

Fund via the Sussex Police and

Crime Commissioner.

Chief Superintendent Katy

Woolford said: “We’re delighted to

expand the Night Safety Marshals to

cover day patrols across Brighton,

Crawley and Eastbourne for the next

seven weeks. This will no doubt help

to make Sussex safer for residents,

businesses and the communities.”

Sussex Police & Crime

Commissioner Katy Bourne said:

“Our Safety Marshals have proved

to be a great asset for our booming

nighttime economy. It is therefore

great news that funding provided

by my office will secure additional

patrols from the marshals in

the daytime too, meaning more

residents, visitors and businesses will

benefit from their work in keeping

our streets safe.

“Sussex boasts a fantastic mix

of coast, culture and history,

so it is no surprise that during

summertime it is an extremely

popular place to be. This extra

support over one of our county’s

busiest periods will, no doubt, be

extremely valuable.”

A ST. WILFRID’S Hospice

supporter has paddleboarded

across the Channel to raise money

for the charity.

Carl Freslov’s 18.5 nautical mile

journey took just over six hours and

raised £11,100.

He decided to take on the challenge

after the hospice cared for his

mum, Colette. Carl said: “Mum was

supported by the Community Team

at home then stayed in the hospice

for her last week. It made a massive

difference to her and the family. It’s

an incredible place filled with kind

people, so I wanted to give something

back to say thank you.”

Carl spent hours training in the gym

and sea in preparation. On the day of

the challenge, he left Rye Harbour

accompanied by a boat and two

support crew. It was a hot summer’s

day, and hours of paddleboarding led

to sunstroke and exhaustion, which

took weeks to recover from.

St Wilfrid’s Fundraising Assistant,

Megan Upton, said: “I’m in awe

of Carl as I know his challenge

wasn’t easy. I think it’s the first time

someone has paddleboarded across

the Channel to raise money for us and

we’re very grateful to him.”

St Wilfrid’s Hospice provides

high-quality care and support for

people across Eastbourne, Seaford,

Hailsham, Uckfield, Heathfield

(and all points between) with lifelimiting

illnesses.

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news SEPTEMBER 2025 9

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10 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2025


The Play What I Wrote is a

Must-See at Devonshire Park

BY PAUL GIBSON

COMEDY returned in full force

to Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park

Theatre recently, and judging by

the roars of laughter which echoed

around the auditorium, audiences

could not be happier.

The Play What I Wrote, was the

sort of show that managed to be

both nostalgic and fresh, leaving

theatregoers wiping away tears of

laughter while marvelling at its slick

comic craft. I rate it a full five stars —

an absolute must-see.

Written by Hamish McColl, Sean

Foley and Eddie Braben, the man

who penned many of Morecambe

and Wise’s most famous sketches,

this Olivier Award-winning play

has enjoyed critical acclaim in the

West End and on tour. Now, under

Chris Jordan’s lively direction, it is

Eastbourne’s turn to enjoy its zany

brilliance, delivered with impeccable

timing by a first-rate cast.

At the heart of the show are three

outstanding comic performers. Local

favourite Ben Roddy takes on the role

of ‘Ben’, with Daniel Crowder as ‘Dan’

and Marc Pickering as their hapless

sidekick ‘Arthur’.

Dan has written a self-important

historical play set during the French

Revolution, pompously titled A

Tight Squeeze for the Scarlet Pimple.

Ben, however, is more interested

in keeping their double-act alive by

paying tribute to comedy’s greatest

duo, Morecambe and Wise. The only

way to reconcile these two ambitions

is to find a celebrity guest willing to

appear in “the play what Dan wrote.”

Joe Pasquale Photo Credit Mark McGee

Enter, at this performance, none

other than national treasure Joe

Pasquale. The former I’m a Celebrity…

Get Me Out of Here! winner and longestablished

comic is no stranger to

the show, having played the same

cameo in earlier productions.

His return to the role is a triumph.

Pasquale’s unmistakable voice and

natural slapstick flair made him the

perfect foil for the chaos around him,

and his deadpan bewilderment at

the madness unfolding on stage only

heightened the comedy. The night

I attended, he had the audience in

stitches from his very first entrance.

The joy of The Play What I Wrote

lies in its glorious unpredictability.

It’s a show that constantly blurs

the line between scripted gags and

apparent mishaps. Props misbehave,

cues are missed, and characters

stumble into each other’s lines — but

whether planned or improvised, it is

executed with such precision that the

audience is never entirely sure. That

uncertainty only fuels the laughter. At

times, I was laughing so hard I had to

dry my eyes, along with much of the

audience around me.

The production is also a visual

delight. Julie Godfrey’s set design

cleverly adapts between the music

hall variety routines and Dan’s

hilariously overblown French

Revolution drama. Rob Cousins’

musical interludes add another

layer of energy, reminding us

that Morecambe and Wise always

understood the importance of mixing

song and comedy.

The climax of the evening is a

heartfelt tribute to the iconic pair,

including their signature song Bring

Me Sunshine. It is a joyous moment,

with the audience spontaneously

joining in, clapping along to the

familiar tune. The ‘Breakfast sketch’,

perhaps Morecambe and Wise’s most

famous routine, is lovingly recreated

— this time with Arthur and Pasquale

woven into the action. It was the

perfect way to close the evening.

Verdict: Five stars — a glorious

celebration of comedy past and

present, and a must-see show that

will leave you grinning long after

the curtain falls.

Don’t mention the tour! Fawlty

Towers comes to the Congress

From left: Danny Bayne, Mia Austen, John Cleese,

Joanne Clifton and John Nicholas Credit: Trevor Leighton

As a seaside town Eastbourne is

no stranger to hotels, but brace

yourselves, as it’s time to check in

to one of the most famous British

seaside establishments and meet

the staff and guests of John Cleese’s

Fawlty Towers — The Play!

Following the hugely successful

and critically acclaimed West End

run earlier this year, and a return

three-month summer season from

June, this “as good as comedy gets”

production (Sunday Times) — which

first opened in May 2024 to a host

of rave reviews — is directed by

originating West End director

Caroline Jay Ranger, and will star

Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Mia

Austen as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham

reprising his role as Manuel, Joanne

Clifton as Polly, Paul Nicholas

reprising his role as The Major and

Jemma Churchill as Mrs Richards,

when it heads to Eastbourne this

October as part of a UK tour.

Nearly 50 years since Fawlty Towers

was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19

September 1975, comedy legend John

Cleese, who originally co-wrote the

“greatest British sitcom of all time”

(Radio Times) with Connie Booth, has

chosen three of his favourite original

TV episodes — ‘The Hotel Inspector’

and ‘The Germans’ from series one

and ‘Communication Problems’ from

series two — and adapted them

into a two-hour play, complete

with a new finale!

John Cleese said: “I’m thrilled with

the top-class group of comedy actors

that we’ve assembled for the UK tour

of Fawlty Towers — The Play which

begins in September. September also

marks exactly 50 years since the first

ever TV episode was broadcast on the

BBC. I never thought that all these

years later the stage show would get

the reception that it has. But here

we are, still making theatres rock

with laughter.”

Set in a fictional hotel in the

seaside town of Torquay, only 12

half hour episodes of the original

BBC comedy were ever made. The

iconic TV show won many awards

and plaudits including two BAFTAS

for Best Situation Comedy and in

2000 it was voted the best British

programme of all time in a British

Film Institute poll.

Bookings are now being taken for

seaside trips to John Cleese’s Fawlty

Towers — The Play! 7 — 11 October

at the Congress Theatre. Tickets

from £29, concessions, Under 16s

and Group prices available. Box

Office 01323 412000 or book online at

eastbournetheatres.co.uk.

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWS 11

Town set for largest ever

celebration for older residents

The Full of Life Festival is a

programme of activities taking

place in September and October

celebrating the role older people

play in our communities.

More than 80 free and paid-for

activities for the 50-plus age group

will be taking place over the next

two months to mark International

Older People’s Day on 1st October

— the largest programme of

events since the initiative was

established 18 years ago.

The programme has been

designed by the county council

with the support of East Sussex

Seniors’ Association (ESSA) to help

older people in the county to make

connections, understand how best

to look after themselves and provide

a range of activities that can boost

health and well-being.

Here’s a selection of events

happening in Eastbourne.

BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE (BSL) AND

LIP-READING TASTER SESSION:

EAST SUSSEX HEARING

Wednesday 3 September,

12:30pm to 2:15pm

Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing, 1

Denton Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7SS

Enhance your communication skills

with a BSL and lip-reading taster from

East Sussex Hearing.

Cost: Free, no need to book

Contact: sdhc.feedback@nhs.net

EASTBOURNE FESTIVAL OF

ACCESSIBLE SPORT

Saturday 6 September, 10am to 4pm

Defiant Sports Inclusion

Hub, Archery Recreation

Ground, Willoughby Crescent,

Eastbourne BN22 8RA

The Eastbourne Festival of Accessible

Sport (EFAS) is a day to celebrate

everything inclusive happening

locally. Whilst there is a focus on

fully accessible sport, we welcome

inclusive organisations, projects and

groups of all kinds.

Cost: Free.

Contact: info@defiantsports.org.uk

or 07887 755856.

OPEN MORNING: ALICE CROFT

HOUSE OVER 50S CLUB

Friday 19 September,

9:30am to 12:30pm

Alice Croft House, Cornfield Lane,

Eastbourne BN21 4NE

The clubhouse will be open. Come

and see what activities we have

running. Have a go at kurling, table

tennis or snooker. Pick up our

timetable, have a cuppa and chat to

people already attending some of the

classes and groups.

Cost: Free. No booking required.

Contact: info@alicecrofthouse.co.uk

or 01323 728157.

ACTIVE AGE HEALTH MOT

Friday 19 September and 3

October, 1pm to 2:30pm


Denton Road, Eastbourne BN20 7SS

Active Age Health MOT for older

people. Try out a free circuit

session and find out more about

staying active. We can also check

your blood pressure, balance, grip

and strength too.

Cost: Free but booking required

using contact details below.

Contact: referral@waveactive.org

or 01323 490958.

OPEN AFTERNOON AT ST

WILFRID’S HOSPICE

Wednesday 24

September, 2:30pm to 4pm

St Wilfrid’s Hospice, 1 Broadwater

Way, Eastbourne BN22 9PZ

Enjoy a cup of tea and learn about our

free end-of-life care. Join us for a tour,

find out about our funding, as well as

volunteering opportunities.

Light refreshments available.

Cost: Free. Please tell us

you are coming

Contact: vsteam@stwhospice.org

or 01323 434205.

CARE FOR THE CARERS

INFORMATION STALL

Wednesday 1 October, 10am to 1pm

Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing

Centre, 1 Denton Road,

Eastbourne, BN20 7SS

Care for the Carers is a charity

supporting unpaid carers in

East Sussex. We will be offering

information and advice about the

rights of unpaid carers and what

support is available locally.

Cost: Free, no need to book.

Contact: emmaj@cftc.org.uk

or 07356 118613.

CELEBRATION OF OLDER P

EOPLE’S DAY

Thursday 2 October, 2pm to 4:30pm

St Saviours Church Hall, South Street,

Eastbourne BN21 4UT

Socialise and get together in a friendly,

relaxed atmosphere and enjoy an

afternoon of entertainment from

popular singer Stephen Dunnett.

Coffee, tea and cake

included in entry fee.

Cost: £5 payable at the door.

Booking essential

Contact: gill.morris518@btinternet.

com or 01323 722256.

WEEKLY WELLBEING TALKS —

HOSTED BY EXPERT

LOCAL SPEAKERS

Various dates in September and October


Denton Road, Eastbourne BN20 7SS

Join our Wellbeing Talks series,

featuring expert local speakers.

The 30-60 minute talks will

be held in our purpose-built

lecture theatre and cover topics

such as scam prevention, sleep

improvement, memory care, lung

health, stroke communication,

osteoporosis, falls reduction, and

pain management. Access free

advice and resources.

Cost: Free, no booking required.


COMMUNITY TABLE

FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS


Denton Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7SS

A welcoming space to share

experiences and connect with others.

These events offer guided discussions

and access to information about

local help, promoting wellbeing and

community connection.

Cost: Free, no booking required.


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Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news SEPTEMBER 2025 EASTBOURNE AIRBOURNE 2025 13

Photo: Camera_Out_and_About

Record-breaking crowds flock

to Airbourne’s ‘best-ever show’

EASTBOURNE’S skies came

alive as the Eastbourne Airshow

(Airbourne) delivered four dazzling

days of aviation, drawing hundreds

of thousands of spectators to the

seafront in what organisers have

hailed as the most successful show

in its 31-year history.

The UK’s biggest free airshow

wowed visitors with a spectacular

line-up of flying displays, from

jaw-dropping aerobatics to thrilling

demonstrations by some of the

world’s top pilots. The combination

of perfect weather and high-octane

entertainment saw bumper crowds

descend on the town from the

Thursday, through to Sunday.

This year’s milestone event proved

a success not only in the skies but

also on the ground, with Grandstand

seating sold out, corporate hospitality

packages snapped up and premium

parking reaching capacity, with

commercial sales and advertising all

contributing vital income to sustain

the much-loved show.

Airbourne has become a flagship

event for Eastbourne, providing a

major boost to the town’s economy

as well as to the wider region and

beyond. Millions of pounds in visitor

spending are generated each year,

supporting local businesses, raising

the profile of the town.

However, organisers reminded

visitors that the spectacle comes

at a cost. The price of staging the

flying displays, coupled with the

expense of building temporary event

infrastructure, means the show relies

heavily on financial support from

businesses, sponsors and visitors to

keep it in the skies year after year.

Eastbourne Borough Council’s

Lead Member for Tourism & Place,

Cllr Jenny Williams said, “Stunning

weather — superb displays — this

has been the best Airbourne yet! We

had an exceptionally strong start on

Thursday and it continued, with the

seafront getting busier every day.

“Our thanks go to our brilliant

sponsors, partners and the many

volunteers who help to make

Airbourne such as success, from

military personnel to the emergency

services and charities, there are

hundreds of people working

incredibly hard behind the scenes to

deliver an astonishing show.

“We also thank everyone who

donated — every pound helps to

fund the flying displays and the

more we raise, the better the flying

line-up for you!”

14 EASTBOURNE AIRBOURNE 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025


Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news SEPTEMBER 2025 EASTBOURNE AIRBOURNE 2025 15

Image credit @ksg_racing_photography






16 EASTBOURNE AIRBOURNE 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025


RAF Regular & Reserve team

Army Recruitment team

How Airbourne fuels

Armed Forces recruitment

THE Airshow weekend transforms

Eastbourne into a vibrant showcase

of aviation and military prowess

across four days.

It fuels youngsters with passion

for the armed forces and is a key

event for recruitment. This year

was no different with a huge range

of services at the show to talk to the

future generation of personnel.

There was plenty to discover on

Western Lawns, and anyone with

an interest was encouraged to talk to

the teams on hand and take part in a

range of activities.

The ‘Military Exhibition Zone’,

was where representatives

from the Royal Air Force,

British Army, and Royal Navy

were on hand to chat about

careers, answer questions and

present opportunities, including

for STEM roles and military

preparatory courses.

Army Infantry

Airshow Merchandise Team

133 Divisional Recovery Company

The Royal Artilery

Adjutant General Corps

Red Arrows Support Team

RAF Tutor Display team

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news SEPTEMBER 2025 REGULARS 17

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!

YOKU SUSHI BRINGS AUTHENTIC JAPANESE

DINING TO THE HEART OF EASTBOURNE

BY GARY VAN DEN BUSSCHE

IN my early teens, I lived in London’s

West End when one of the first

Japanese restaurants opened, my

mother, who was always a fan of

anything new, treated me to dinner to

celebrate the occasion.

Japanese food at that time was a

more traditionally Japanese experience.

After that, we regularly ate Japanese

food and my children, from very young,

have always enjoyed visiting the many

Japanese restaurants, which can now be

found across the UK.

The food in the 1980s was served

by staff wearing traditional clothing

(kimino), as was quite an experience

which, I feel has become much more

westernised as time has passed.

However, I since those early days,

I have always had a soft spot for

Japanese cuisine and so last Sunday,

with a friend, I headed over to Yoku

Sushi, which is located on Seaside

in Eastbourne.

Lunchtimes (Thursday-Monday 12pm-

3pm), you can order a Bento box for as

little as £13 with many choices of filling,

including Sushi, Katsu curry chicken,

vegetarian options, Teriyaki Beef,

Chicken or Salmon. They come with

salad, pickles, sticky rice, miso soup and

chicken gyoza.

My friend & I both went for a Bento

box for Sunday lunch which we both

enjoyed, we also ordered soft shell crab

tempura (£12.80) which came with a

light soy dip and Uramaki, a type of

inside-out sushi, outside layer of rice

with seaweed inside along with our

choice of salmon and avocado (8 pieces

£10.40). We probably did not need these

extra dishes, but they were tasty and we

were feeling very greedy.

Yoku Sushi also has a nice À la carte

selection, Beef Donburi is a delicious

dish of sticky rice, onions, beef in

sukiyaki sauce (saki, mirin, ginger, soya

sauce, palm sugar) with a poached egg

(£12.50). They also do a chicken or eel

choice, warning it’s very filling.

There is also a choice of tempura

including prawn, and vegetable

(aubergine, peppers, sweet potatoes),

Spicy Korean food, Japanese currys,

noodle soups and naturally a wide choice

of various types of Sushi and Sashimi

slices of raw fish, no rice.

Whenever I mention Japanese food

to my friends, normally the first

thing they say is Sushi, yes! But so

much more, it’s tasty clean food that

once you try it, you’ll want to go back

for more. The word Sushi actually

means sour rice, which is prepared

with rice vinegar, salt and palm

sugar, then you have the choice of

accompaniments.

The restaurant is closed Tuesday

& Wednesday lunch and booking is

recommended as they do get very busy,

it’s a double-fronted shop situated at

42/44 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

Service was friendly, fast and efficient.

Our bill came to £54 which included

£5.20 glass of red wine.

42-44 Seaside Road, Eastbourne,

East Sussex, BN21 3PB

Tel: 01323 638088

www.yokusushi.co.uk

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18 YOUR MP

SEPTEMBER 2025


NEWS FROM YOUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MP

JOSH BABARINDE

Holding Southern Water to Account

AIRBOURNE once again showed our

seafront at its very best. We are so

lucky to be blessed with 94 stunning

beaches here in Eastbourne, but

our town’s greatest asset is being

tarnished by Southern Water’s

persistent failures.

Our local water quality has

plummeted from “excellent” in 2015

to just “satisfactory”. All happening

under the leadership of the

Conservative Government. Last year

alone, Southern Water discharged

raw, untreated sewage into our sea 91

times for a staggering 617 hours.

However, not only do they pollute

our sea with excessive raw sewage,

but they are failing to get a grip of the

stench that appears to be emanating

from the Water Treatment Plant aka

‘Poo Castle’ at Langney Point.

While all this is happening,

Southern Water’s CEO has been

awarded a £691,000 bonus. That is

nothing short of outrageous!

I’ve taken this fight straight to the

regulators and to Parliament. I’ve

written to Ofwat, raised the issue

in the House of Commons twice,

and recently met with Cat Fuller,

Area Director at the Environment

Agency. Together we’ve requested

a full Compliance Assessment visit,

the regulatory equivalent of an

Ofsted inspection.

I visited the site earlier this month

for a tour, where I got the chance to

see the inner workings of the plant.

I will now be waiting for the experts,

Environment Agency Officials, to

join me for another visit, where

they will be able to determine the

real source of the issue. I will keep

you posted on what the Compliance

Assessment Report finds once the

process is completed.

Over Airbourne weekend, I ran a

pop-up stall on the seafront, getting

hundreds of local residents to sign my

giant petition demanding Southern

Water to take immediate action.

In the last few weeks, we’ve seen

some breakthroughs. Following

months of community pressure,

and after I repeatedly raised this in

Parliament, Southern Water were

finally forced to attend a public

meeting in Eastbourne. Residents

spoke powerfully about the impact

on their health, their homes, and

their livelihoods.

Southern Water admitted failure.

They have now promised to refurbish

their failed odour control system

by the end of this year and to take

interim steps to mitigate the stench

in the meantime. While this is a step

in the right direction, I will keep

pushing for acceleration and ensure

they are committed to mitigating

against the odour in the meantime.

I also made the case for local

residents who have had to deal

with the consequences of Southern

Water’s failures to receive

compensation, just as residents in

Hastings have recently. Southern

Water have agreed to continue

discussions with me on this, and I

will keep fighting for local people to

be compensated.

Our community has made it clear,

enough is enough. I will continue

to hold Southern Water’s feet to the

fire until they respect our town, our

residents, and our beautiful seafront.

Pushing for improvements to

local bus services

Buses are vital to keeping

Eastbourne moving. But as many

residents have told me in recent

months, the current service

simply isn’t working.

In March, the local provider,

Stagecoach, introduced major

changes to its services, citing

‘significant financial losses’ from low

passenger numbers. Unfortunately,

these changes have caused major

disruption for local people,

something Stagecoach themselves

have acknowledged.

Recent congestion, particularly

along the seafront, has only made the

timetable more unworkable.

In May, I was able to speak about

this in the House of Commons. I

took the opportunity to demand the

Government go further with their

Bus Services Bill, as it’s not fair that

services in Eastbourne and across the

UK are unreliable, inaccessible and

unfairly priced.

In the recent Spending Review,

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed

the £3 bus fare cap will be extended

until 2027. She also announced

£1 billion in funding for local bus

infrastructure, and I’ve been clear

that Eastbourne must get its fair share

of this investment.

Last month, I met with the

Managing Director of Stagecoach

to discuss their plans to improve

local services.

Stagecoach is currently drafting a

new timetable, which is due to launch

this month, aimed at improving

punctuality and closing service gaps.

They’re also restructuring their

controller team to ensure better

communication with passengers

when cancellations or delays occur.

Encouragingly, they’ve reported

some early signs of progress in

punctuality and fewer cancellations.

While these steps are welcome, I

will continue to hold Stagecoach

to account to make sure they

deliver the dependable service our

town deserves.

As always, if you have any questions

or ideas about our water quality,

transport or any other pressing issue,

please don’t hesitate to contact me at

josh.babarinde.mp@parliament.uk.

LAURIE’S POEM CORNER

I have always been a firm believer of counting blessings and

appreciating all that we have, and this was taught to me at a very early

age by my wonderful parents. Even if we are not having our happiest

day, we will always be much better off than many who would gladly

change places with us.

Obviously, we must also look after what we have and enjoy now and

ensure that it is maintained for future years.

My poem for this month describes this and comes from my fourth of

15 now published poetry books. This fourth book is entitled Life Scene in

Verse, published 2016.

• Conveyancing & Property Law

• Mortgages and Change of Ownership

• Leases and Variations

• Wills & Trusts

• Probate & Estate Administration

• Powers of Attorney & Deputyship

Guidance you can trust, care you deserve

Welcome, our door is open for you

Reeve & Strutt,

Upstairs at The Enterprise Centre

01323 397040

eastbourne@reeveandstrutt.co.uk www.reeveandstrutt.co.uk

If you’re thirsty you may go to the well

To quench your thirst with a drink.

And you may do it automatically

Without ever stopping to think,

About how the water got there

Or the need to put something back,

Because the water may soon run dry

If the well is allowed to crack.

For in our world little comes for free

Although plenty will live for this,

By taking out everything they can

And giving help requests a miss.

For they are too busy taking all

It’s possible to get lazy hands upon,

Ensuring when it’s pay back time

They’ll be well and truly gone.

LIVING WELL

So for us in a concerned majority

Is the need to take care of our well

And other gifts passed on to us,

As they are not ours to waste or sell.

When the sacrifice of many others

Gave them up without a cost,

Only a big responsibility of trust

To see that they are never lost.

Thus this commitment is now ours

To appreciate and protect this wealth,

Of the things we may take for granted

All the time they’re in good health.

But just a little thought and effort

Will see our gifts all safely supplied,

And to know our drinking well is flowing

Will meet our wish after we’ve died.

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

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news SEPTEMBER 2025 REGULARS 19

KNOW YOUR GARDEN

By Emma Reece, Head Gardener at Bates Green Garden

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

“FAIR orchard trees wave their fruit-laden arms, And nature smiles in her Autumnal charms.” — John Askham

GREETINGS everyone, I do hope that the

summer has been good to you all.

I was fortunate to take a trip to the

West Country recently and thought I

would share my thoughts about the two

fantastic gardens I visited.

The Garden House, situated just

outside Yelverton near the edges

of Dartmoor, and Wildside Gardens,

only a short drive away in Buckland

Monachorum, represent two very

different horticultural philosophies and

visitor experiences. Yet, both share a

passion for plants and a commitment

to beauty that makes them stand out

among the region’s many green spaces.

The Garden House, with its roots

stretching back to the 1940s, is famed

for its serene atmosphere and classical

English garden design. Established on

the site of a former medieval vicarage,

its gardens have evolved under various

head gardeners, each adding their own

stamp while respecting traditional forms.

The site covers over ten acres and is a

tapestry of garden rooms, terraces, and

meandering paths.

Visitors are greeted by formal borders,

perfectly clipped yews, and vistas that

frame Dartmoor’s rugged beauty. A

highlight is the Walled Garden, brimming

with a riot of colour from perennials,

roses, and flowering shrubs. The Jubilee

Arboretum features rare trees and

provides year-round interest, while the

Summer Garden dazzles with its vibrant

palette. For many, the magic lies in the

subtle transitions between cultivated

beds and the wilder edges, reflecting the

garden’s long history and the influence of

British gardening traditions.

The Garden House is also home to a

very well-stocked used bookshop, which

I enjoyed perusing to no end.

Wildside Gardens is the living canvas

of Keith Wiley, a plantsman and designer

renowned for his rule-breaking approach

to gardening. Wiley was the Head

Gardener at the Garden House for 25

years before he left in 2003. Founded

on farmland, Wildside is a testament

to what imagination and hard work

can achieve. Wiley’s ethos celebrates

the unpredictable beauty of natural

landscapes, with planting schemes

that evoke wildflower meadows and

mountain streams.

Wildside’s design encourages visitors

to wander and discover, with sinuous

gravel paths winding through dramatic

drifts of perennials and grasses. Here, the

planting is exuberant and experimental

— spires of Eremurus burst from the

earth in summer, while swathes of

Sanguisorba and Persicaria intermingle

among grasses and shrubs. The garden’s

topography has been sculpted to create

valleys, banks, and ponds, all providing

microhabitats for an astonishing

array of wildlife.

Unlike the formal rooms of The Garden

House, Wildside is all movement and

surprise. Wiley deliberately eschews

rigid structure, instead allowing plants

to self-seed and evolve. The effect is

immersive, with visitors often feeling as

though they’ve stumbled into nature’s

own handiwork. Wildside is, in essence,

a celebration of diversity and change,

shaped by the seasons but never

quite predictable.

While both gardens are united by

a love of plants and a devotion to

beauty, they offer distinctly different

atmospheres and experiences for visitors.

The Garden House is a place of peace and

order, ideal for those who appreciate the

artistry of traditional English gardening.

Its structure and thoughtful transitions

invite contemplation and reward

repeated visits with subtle shifts in

colour and form.

Wildside, on the other hand, is

dynamic and unconventional. It is

both garden and wilderness, inviting

exploration and surprise at every turn.

The planting is more experimental,

reflecting Keith Wiley’s desire to push

boundaries and mimic the randomness

found in nature.

Both gardens have responded to

environmental concerns: Wildside’s

naturalistic approach fosters

biodiversity, whilst The Garden House

showcases sustainable gardening

practices and careful stewardship of

historic landscapes.

Whether you seek the quiet elegance

of The Garden House or the wild

exuberance of Wildside, both offer

unique journeys into the art and heart of

gardening. For visitors and locals alike,

exploring both is not just a pleasure

but an invitation to appreciate the

diversity and creativity thriving in the

Devon countryside. Plenty of pubs

nearby for lunch…..

Enjoy the bounty of your

gardens in September.

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20 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2025


Eastbourne Bonfire

Prepares to light up the Town

SUSSEX BONFIRE:

A TRADITION THAT

BURNS BRIGHT

Eastbourne Bonfire Night, which falls

this year on Saturday 4th October,

is free to attend, with a giant torchlit

procession, bonfire, and fireworks on

the seafront. The bonfire celebration

is part of a proud tradition that raises

thousands of pounds across Sussex

for local charities. To deliver their

spectacular event, Eastbourne Bonfire

Society works year-round preparing

and fundraising, relying entirely on

their own fundraising and donations

from local sponsors.

Like many Sussex societies,

Eastbourne has a history of organised

bonfire that dates to the Victorian era

and, informally, much further back

in time. Over the decades, Eastbourne

Bonfire Society has weathered

setbacks the occasional dissolution

to arrive at the current thriving

bonfire society, which is preparing to

celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026.

BURNING FOR THE

COMMUNITY

Eastbourne Bonfire Society (EBS)

is a community of about 200

members who meet regularly for

social events, from bingo to BBQs.

A family-orientated organisation,

EBS welcomes members of all ages,

proud to support one another and

to celebrate together. The Society’s

public activities include much more

than their Bonfire Night, and you will

find Eastbourne Bonfire members at

local events throughout the year.

This year, EBS held a VE Day 80

memorial procession and a beacon

lighting on the beach. Members also

take part dozens of events including

the Little Chelsea Christmas Fete,

Eastbourne Carnival, and around 20

bonfire events across Sussex.

You may have seen them at Armed

Forces Day, Pevensey Fete, or

Airbourne, where they run traditional

family games including tombola,

lucky dip, and crockery smash to

raise funds and spread the word

about all things bonfire.

Each year, EBS donates money

from Bonfire Night collections to

a local charity. For 2025, they have

again chosen ManKind, a group that

provides mental health support to

men, offering a safe environment for

men to talk in Eastbourne, Hailsham,

and Heathfield, as well as online.

The organisation, which recently

received the King’s Award for

voluntary service, also works closely

with The Old Bank in Eastbourne,

which provides professional help

and counselling.

Find out more at www.mankindcic.

co.uk — and please give generously

on Bonfire Night.

A YEAR-ROUND EFFORT

With no public funding, EBS relies on

a team of dedicated volunteers to keep

Bonfire Night and the Steampunk

Festival free. Work includes holding

a 3 – day torchmaking camp each

year, where some 3,500 torches are

made, and secretly constructing

a Grand Tableau or ‘Tab’ which is

paraded through the town on Bonfire

The Official Media Partner of The Bonfire Society


Night before being burnt on their

seafront bonfire. The Tab is built

over several months and is only

revealed on the day, having been kept

secret from the public and even the

society’s own members!

As Bonfire Chair Liz Shaw explains:

“Being an EBS member is a real

diary-filler, from fundraising, bonfire

building, costume making and

celebrations… it’s year-round. We

could not do it without community

support. With rising costs, we’re

now looking more than ever to local

businesses for sponsorship.”

SUPPORT EASTBOURNE

BONFIRE — GET INVOLVED

Be part of a unique community

tradition If you love visually striking

community events, joining EBS means

being directly involved in creating

magical torchlit processions and

fireworks displays.

Creative and fun atmosphere

Between flamboyant costumes,

themed gatherings (like Steampunk),

and festive events, it’s a space

to express creativity and enjoy

vibrant pageantry.

Socialising and friendship With

monthly meet-ups and volunteer

events, you’ll get to know like-minded

locals and make new friends.

Make a real difference Your

contribution helps deliver a free,

memorable event for thousands,

while raising funds for local charities.

Join something unique to Sussex

Bonfire season in Sussex is a historic

tradition — partaking connects you to

a vibrant cultural heritage.

Eastbourne Bonfire Night takes

place on Eastbourne Seafront and is

free to attend (don’t forget to bring

your donations). See EBS in town

during September and the days

before their even to get hold of a

programme with full details. Or

visit their website to download the

programme and find information

on membership at www.

eastbournebonfiresociety.com]

Eastbourne Bonfire Society

would like to thank the following

people and organisations that

make their work possible:

Eastbourne Borough Council, Sussex

Police, St John’s Ambulance, The

View Hotel, Nigel Hill & Victoria

Baptist Events Team, The Crown

& Anchor, Ian Gaotcher, SPG

Groundworks, Dragon Events,

Eastbourne Scottish Pipe Band,

Wealden Brass, Waterhouse Plant

Hire, Wellers, Paul’s Mini skips,

All Pallets Newhaven, Pallet Track

Logistics, Travis Perkins, Wizard

Fireworks, West Rocks Beach Club,

Nic Grainge @ o, 186, Issy O’Donnell

@Cotton Robbin Gina Leonard @

the Devonshire Collective, Michelle

Tindall, Mark @Park Farm, ARW

Photography and Eastbourne News.

And, of course… Our members!

22 ADVERTORIAL

SEPTEMBER 2025


enterprise socialise realise

@EdealSouthEast @EdealSouthEast @Edeal-Enterprise-Agency

The Eastbourne Saffrons Sports Club: A 140-Year-Old Sporting

Institution Transforms into a Vibrant, Modern Community Hub

Eastbourne, UK – August 2025 –

One of Eastbourne’s most historic

sporting institutions, The Saffrons

Sports Club, has undergone a

remarkable transformation,

evolving from a traditional

members-only sports club into

a thriving, open, and inclusive

destination for sport, leisure, and

social connection.

Founded in 1886, The Saffrons

has long been home to the town’s

oldest and most prestigious cricket,

hockey, football, and croquet

clubs – each of which continues to

flourish and offers free coaching

to juniors. Now, after significant

investment and redevelopment,

the club has expanded its offering

to embrace new sports, social

facilities, and a renewed sense of

community purpose.

The revitalised site

now features:

• Four state-of-the-art Padel

tennis courts, introducing one of

the UK’s fastest-growing sports to

Eastbourne.

• A welcoming outdoor café from

Twinn Coffee – the perfect spot

for members, visitors, and

passers-by to relax, meet friends,

or enjoy a coffee after a game.

• The Gun Brewery taproom,

offering locally brewed craft beers

in a laid-back, social setting.

New Members for July

Marbell Events • Eastbourne Acupuncture • Independent Zinzino Partner • HSBC UK Bank • The Rosy Lee • Sweet Bake Art

Justify Marketing • DataFortified • Plus 8 Digital • Bombay Avenue • Bodycare Chiropractic • Rebel Rebel Fitness and Treatments

Roo Media Marketing

www.eastbournechamber.co.uk

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news SEPTEMBER 2025 ADVERTORIAL 23

enterprise socialise realise

@EdealSouthEast @EdealSouthEast @Edeal-Enterprise-Agency

While the club’s sporting

heritage remains at its core, the

modernised Saffrons is no longer

just for members – it is a place for

everyone. Friendly staff, inclusive

events, and accessible social spaces

have positioned the club at the

very heart of Eastbourne’s

community life.

“This is a new chapter in the story

of The Saffrons,” said Roger Myall,

Chairman of The Saffrons Sports

Club. “We’re proud of our 140-year

history and our role in nurturing

local sport, but we’re equally

excited to welcome more people

than ever before through our gates

– whether they come for the cricket,

hockey, padel, the café, the taproom,

or simply to enjoy the atmosphere.”

The Saffrons’ blend of tradition and

innovation ensures it continues to be

a place where sport and community

thrive side by side – honouring the

past while embracing the future.

Chamber members Eastbourne

Town Football Club and Eastbourne

Bowls Club are delighted to

welcome Padel4All and Gun

Brewery to Saffron’s Sports Park.

Dave Shearing, Eastbourne Town

Football Club Chairman said, “The

addition of these great organisation

has really developed the sports

park.

“Padel tennis is attracting a new

client base and Gun are providing

excellent cask and keg beers to keep

everyone well hydrated!”

About Gun Brewery

Over the past few years, there has

been a quiet revolution in the way

people drink and make beer. Small

brewers working with enthusiasm

and great ingredients and without

the constraints of large corporations

are producing delicious beers

once again.

Gun Brewery are part of that

movement. Their aim is simple;

inspired by brewing styles both old

and new, to make great beer, using

the best ingredients. In September

2021, Gun were awarded the

coveted Great Taste Producer status

by the Guild of Fine Foods, so visit

the Taproom at Saffrons to try their

excellent cask and keg beers.

The Taproom is set in the historic

flint walls of The Saffrons,

surrounded by 18 acres of trees

and beautiful grounds in the very

heart of Eastbourne. It’s in this

tranquil setting that you’ll find the

Gun Brewery Saffrons Taproom.

Open to all, it combines the best of

a brewery taproom with the warm

welcome of a clubhouse.

Here you will find 12 Keg and 4

cask lines serving brewery fresh

beer (all made with Sussex Spring

water) complimented by a carefully

curated list of wines, spirits and

soft drinks.

Live sports are a key part of the

offering, which is completed by

a rotating series of street food

offerings. Quiz, music and DJ nights

are all in the mix too.

So be sure to visit, catch a game and

enjoy a pint or two in the sunshine

surrounded by glorious grounds .

For more information visit

www.thesaffrons.org

www.gunbrewery.co.uk/saffrons

Join today and reap the rewards!

Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce is the largest town based Chamber in the South East, so becoming a member will

connect you to a large business network offering support, advice and opportunities for you and your business to grow.

Our members not only benefit from the varied events programme we offer but membership also enables them to submit an editorial for inclusion in

this publication. This offer is free exclusively for our Members.

Annual membership starts from as little as £70+ VAT per year – Join today, it’s a complete no brainer!

www.eastbournechamber.co.uk

24 REGULARS

SEPTEMBER 2025


FRIENDS OF EASTBOURNE HOSPITAL

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY, AND

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Whilst the summer months are

typically a quieter time at the Friends of

Eastbourne Hospital, with fewer events

scheduled due to supporters being away

or busy with summer plans, plenty is

going on behind the scenes to make sure

that we have a wide range of events

planned for the months ahead.

One particular group of volunteers who

are braced for the start of September, is

our Open Garden team. If you’re reading

this in time, do join them on Wednesday

3 September, when they open the

delightful gardens of Knightsbridge

House, showcasing spectacularly planted

borders and a wonderful display of

ornamental grasses. Folkington Place is

the final garden in this year’s programme

and the team will be ready to welcome all

guests and supporters there on Saturday

16 September, although unfortunately

the grounds are not suitable for

wheelchairs. This garden is always

very popular, and at its best during this

month when there is a large variety of

colourful flowers and shrubs. At both

gardens there will be refreshments and

some stalls, including a raffle. Whilst we

aim to offer card facilities, it is advisable

to bring cash in case of connection

Folkington Place, opening to the Friends on Sat 13 Sept

difficulties. For more information on

these gardens, please do visit www.

friendsdgh.org.uk/events

With September here, it is also worth

the artists amongst you noting that

the deadline for submission into the

Friends Annual Art Exhibition falls on

Friday 5 September. If you have works

you’d like to exhibit, please do visit

www.friendsdgh.org.uk/events/artexhibition-2025

for full details. Set to

be a significant event, marking the 20th

staging of this exhibition, we will bring

you more details in October’s edition, but

do save the date of 24/25 October if you

are either an interested artist, or simply

an art enthusiast.

Looking further ahead, our elves are

now getting organised for our annual

Christmas Fair and Coffee Morning.

Creating Lasting

Impressions

in your Home

Again, further details will be available in

due course, but the date for your diary is

Saturday 15 November. If by chance, you

have spent any time over the summer

doing any decluttering, and have items

you would like to donate then they would

be very gratefully received. Examples

include unwanted and unopened gifts,

jewellery and unopened bathroom items.

Please do contact the Friends Office on

01323 749503 / esh-tr.friendsdgh@nhs.

net for further information.

Admission to all of the above

events is free, with donations very

welcome on entry.

Not one of our own events, but on 20

September, we’ll be cheering on a team

from Eastbourne Music Fest, who are

braving a Tough Mudder course in order

to fundraise for the Friends. If you’re

Knightsbridge House, opening to the Friends on Weds 3 Sept

the work we do on the radio, they are

always looking for ways in which they

can help. Out of 96 hospital radio stations

across the UK, Radio DGH was recently

announced as ranking in an incredibly

impressive 3rd place! The great news

is that you can listen from anywhere.

Readily available at the DGH itself, you

can also listen online or by asking your

smart speaker to tune you in.

These are just two local organisations

out of a multitude who support the

Friends. Not least Eastbourne News itself!

We are very grateful indeed. If you think

your business could get involved with the

Friends, either on an ad hoc basis, or by

signing up as one of our official corporate

members, then do please get in touch

with the Friends Office on 01323 749503

/ esh-tr.friendsdgh@nhs.net.

A rather advance notice, but we will

be holding our AGM in Eastbourne on

Thursday 27 November, so if you would

like to understand more about where all

this fundraising goes, what equipment we

have provided to the hospital and staff

this year, and what our major project for

2026 is going to be, then please do save

the date. We would love to see all who

care about their local hospital there.

in a position to help them with their

challenge, then please do send donations

their way via the link which you’ll find

on our website (but unavailable at time

of writing). We are so grateful that they

nominated us as beneficiaries for this,

and wish them the very best of luck on

the day! If any readers have any ideas

for challenges they’d like to participate

in, to raise funds for the hospital, then

please do get in touch and we can chat

all options through. We can help you set

up a donations page and support you by

sharing your news and updates.

We would also like to acknowledge

here, with thanks, the fabulous support

that the Friends receive from Radio DGH.

Whether they’re pulling a team together

to take on one of our fundraising quiz

nights, or spreading the word about

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Steer Automotive Group Limited

of

105 High Street, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR1 2HW

is applying for a licence to use

Steer Polegate, Unit 8 -12, Connect, 27 Twin Oaks Dr, Polegate, BN26 6GP

as an operating centre for

1 goods vehicle and 0 trailers.

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe

that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations

to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, stating their

reasons, within 21 days of this notice.

Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant

at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available

from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office.

PUBLISHED ON 2 SEPTEMBER 2025


Specialist trikes gifted to

help disabled riders

A NEW partnership between

Chailey Heritage Foundation and

the inclusive cycling charity Wheels

for All is opening up the joy of

cycling to even more people living

with disabilities and long-term

health conditions.

As part of the initiative, Chailey

has generously donated a fleet of

specialist trikes, giving riders of all

abilities the chance to experience the

freedom and fun of cycling in a safe and

supportive environment.

These adapted cycles will help

the charity deliver inclusive cycling

sessions, and hospital and clinical

referrals from their base at the

Eastbourne Sports Park Athletics Track.

Olivia Powell, Equipment

Administrator at Chailey Heritage

Foundation, said: “We’re keen to

support other organisations that share

our commitment to accessibility,

inclusion, and wellbeing. The trikes

were no longer suitable for use by

our current young people so rather

than scrapping the equipment,

we saw an opportunity to extend

their life and impact elsewhere. It’s

incredibly rewarding to know that

equipment which wasn’t being used

here can now bring joy and freedom to

so many others.”

Wheels for All is the largest provider

of inclusive cycling in the UK.

The Eastbourne branch was set up

11 years ago. Mainly funded by East

Sussex County Council, it caters for

riders from all over East Sussex, West

Sussex and Surrey and is run by a team

of staff and volunteers.

Peter Bryant is Eastbourne’s Wheels

for All Manager. He commented: “The

trikes from Chailey will help offer a

greater diversity and range from the

early years through to adults. These will

and already are changing our riders’

lives, giving them a feeling of freedom

and independence, sometimes for

the first time. We are so passionate

and proud about the work we do

here, and so we are truly grateful for

Chailey’s support.”

Chailey Heritage Foundation

is committed to supporting its

community. Collaboration with

charities like Wheels for All ensures its

specialised resources benefit as many

people as possible.

Chailey Heritage Foundation is a

specialist disability charity for children

and young people. Their outstanding

school, welcoming residential homes

and bustling centre create a thriving

community of support for children

and young people living with physical

disabilities, complex medical and

communication needs.

Wheels for All is delivered and

developed by the East Sussex

Bikeability team with several trusted

volunteers, who promote the initiative

far and wide across the county. More

details can be found at Eastbourne

Wheels for All — The UK inclusive

cycling charity.

Police raise the profile of

voyeurism and spiking

at Eastbourne event

OFFICERS from Sussex Police

chatted to shoppers and visitors to

The Beacon to shine a spotlight on

violence against women and girls.

The officers had a stand in the

shopping centre recently to highlight

non-contact sexual offences, such as

exposure, voyeurism and spiking.

Keri Summers, East Sussex

Partnership Manager with Sussex

Police, said: “We had a great response

from people in the Centre and were

able to chat about the threat posed by

these non-contact sexual offences.

“We were able to speak to a broad

cross-section of shoppers and

visitors to the centre, to show our

commitment to these issues and build

trust and confidence.”

Keri said that Sussex Police was

committed to tackling Violence

Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

across the county.

“Women and girls should feel safe

in private and in public, and we

have a range of measures in place to

protect women and girls and help

them access the right support should

they become victims of crime.”

Keri thanked The Beacon for

hosting the event and allowing them

access to so many different age

groups in the shopping centre.

The Beacon General Manager,

Mark Powell, said: “We are always

delighted to welcome Sussex Police

into the centre,” he said. “They

generated a lot of interest and helped

people gain a deeper understanding

of these topics.”

Officers were also at the Police Pod

outside The Beacon to promote their

Safer Streets Summer campaign on

serious violence, which includes

Violence Against Women and Girls,

drug and knife-related crime.

FALCONRY

PHOTOGRAPHY

WORKSHOPS

IN THE HEART OF EAST SUSSEX

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 with our experienced

Photographer and Falconer.

For only £100 per photographer,

the half-day experience will take

place on Tuesday, 7th October.

For more information, call

07970 245934, scan the QR code or

visit sussexairimaging.co.uk

IDEAL

GIFT

VOUCHER

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

Capturing the magic of birds of

prey — Next falconry photography

workshop announced

FOLLOWING two hugely

successful Falconry

Photography Workshops at

Herstmonceux Castle, saw

almost 20 photographers go

home with a set of stunning

images and new skills.

Our photography workshop

combines the ancient art

of falconry with hands-on

photography tuition, giving

participants the chance to

photograph hawks, owls and

other magnificent birds of

prey up close, in conjunction

with East Sussex Falconry.

It’s a rare opportunity not just

to witness these incredible

creatures in flight, but to learn

how to capture them at their

very best through the lens.

The first two workshops

in August drew rave

reviews from attendees of

all levels — from complete

beginners to experienced

photographers.

Many newcomers, who

had previously relied on

automatic camera settings,

left with the confidence to

use manual mode and a new

understanding of composition,

focus and timing.

Each workshop is kept

deliberately small and

informal to ensure every

participant gets personal

guidance. This means places

are limited and are expected

to fill quickly.

Whether you’re looking

to sharpen your wildlife

photography skills, build a

unique portfolio, or simply

enjoy an unforgettable

experience with some of

nature’s most majestic

birds, this workshop is

not to be missed.

How about treating a

loved one, who’s a keen

photographer to a place for our

2026 dates? We can provide

you with a gift certificate

on booking for your to

present as a gift.

The next half-day workshop

will be on Tuesday, 7th

October, and is priced at £100

per person. Each attendee

is welcome to bring a

spectator/guest for £50.

For more information and

to book your place, visit

sussexairimaging.co.uk, scan

the QR code in the advert, or

call 07970 245934.

6 7 3 5 1 9 4 8 2

26 PUZZLES

SEPTEMBER 2025


PUZZLES

WORDSEARCH

Rocks and Minerals

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.

AGATE

ARKOSE

BASALT

CHALCEDONY

CHERT

COAL

EMERY

JET

ONYX

PLUMBAGO

RUTILE

SANIDINE

SCHIST

SOAPSTONE

TUFF

URALITE

VESUVIANITE

ZINC

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

ROOF

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.

23 7 5 1 3 3 1 11 4 6 14 6 23 1

3 3 1 7 4 26 24

7 11 4 6 9 1 12 6 7 1 24 14 4 1

24 24 6 14 3 8 21 21

14 15 1 20 1 3 23 7 16 17 24 17 21 2

6 19 26 24 16 15

1 1 3 6 1 4 24 23 17 19 6 1 20

24 17 22 3 6 7 24 6

23 4 14 15 8 3 7 24 9 6 12 25 23

1 8 1 1 23 25

10 4 8 6 9 7 24 23 26 25 6 21 1 14

A N T

4 4 17 26 7 17 7 23

9 7 22 1 24 6 24 18 9 4 1 24 13 7

1 22 1 7 12 6 24

5 3 17 18 1 14 14 17 3 25 17 7 3 22

Check-box

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Panels Frame/Panels Conversions Replacements Cork Spray

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E D X K O W A D Q Z G R R

T R R T F S O A D A S A A

I A R Z A C C A B I J Y L

N Z R B O H P M F Z X F I

A V M N E A U J F F K X T

I Q Y R Y L S T X J U Y E

V X T R P C P O S Q Y T K

U J E T C E R U T I L E E

S M E N I D I N A S H B B

E R I F B O D A P Y Z C S

V Z K T E N O T S P A O S

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Across

1 Former name of Ho

Chi Minh City (6)

7 ABC (8)

8 At the summit of (4)

10 Song or hymn of

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12 List of contents

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17 Receptacle used

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21 Establishments where

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are served (4)

23 Distributor of

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25 State parliament

of Russia (4)

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Down

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3 Devoid of clothing (5)

4 Arrogant or

presumptuous person (7)

CROSSWORD

1 2 3 4 5 6

8 9

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Wimbledon (6)

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SUDOKU CHALLENGE

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

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1 4 2

9 7

8 6

7 8 9

2 8 4 3 1

5 3 2

5 3

4 1

7 6 2

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0800 00 33 55

20

27

SOLUTIONS

25

7 9 6 3 2 1 8 4 5

4 3 5 7 8 6 1 2 9

8 2 1 4 9 5 7 3 6

9 5 4 1 6 3 2 7 8

2 6 8 9 4 7 3 5 1

3 1 7 8 5 2 6 9 4

5 8 2 6 7 4 9 1 3

1 4 9 2 3 8 5 6 7

6 7 3 5 1 9 4 8 2

7 6 2

SUDOKU

T A P E R R E Q U T E

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T S K B R A N G H T

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CODEWORD

S A I G O N U F T

W D A L P H A B E T

A T O P K S S N

S L A M E N T T A N G

T R D A I

I N D E X P R O C E S S

K N S T R C

A S H T R A Y B A L S A

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B A R S D E A L E R B

M E P V D U M A

P A R A S I T E B R

N T T S T A Y E D

CROSSWORD

Z E R U C D E E M F C O A

M P F B A S G A T I F F G

U A W N O E L L P A Q O U

E D X K O W A D Q Z G R R

T R R T F S O A D A S A A

I A R Z A C C A B I J Y L

N Z R B O H P M F Z X F I

A V M N E A U J F F K X T

I Q Y R Y L S T X J U Y E

V X T R P C P O S Q Y T K

U J E T C E R U T I L E E

S M E N I D I N A S H B B

E R I F B O D A P Y Z C S

V Z K T E N O T S P A O S

Z Q V S A Y H V Q V V L I

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28 SPORT

SEPTEMBER 2025


Sport

Ten-man Borough beaten

late as Totton snatch victory

Manager Matt Gray

REPORT BY ANT SCOTT

TEN-MAN Eastbourne Borough

suffered further frustration after

late goals saw AFC Totton come

from behind to win in the Enterprise

National League South.

Tony Lee headed in the decisive

goal just four minutes from time after

Scott Rendell had drawn the hosts

level on 73 minutes.

That all came after Pemi Aderoju

had fired Borough into a deserved lead

in the first half, with Isaac Pitblado’s

red card on 54 minutes being the

turning point at Snows Stadium.

Matt Gray made two changes from

the draw against Slough Town, with

Camron Gbadebo and Craig Eastmond

coming into the starting eleven.

The Sports got off to the perfect

start — going in front after just five

minutes. Eastmond pressed high

and won possession before finding

Aderoju, who broke forward before

drilling the ball low into the bottom

corner from 18 yards out for his

second goal in as many games.

In a scrappy first half, it was the

Sports who had the better of the

chances. A last ditch block from

Christie Ward denied Mo Sagaf,

before the stretching Joe Oastler

prevented Aderoju from getting on

the end of Jesurun Uchegbulam’s

searching cross.

Ryan Sandford was called upon

for the first time on 24 minutes

— turning Lee’s effort on the turn

around the near post before he tipped

over another effort from the home

number 10 after he latched onto a

long ball forwards.

Set-pieces have been a weapon

for Gray’s side so far — and that

Photo Lydia Redman

continued to be the case. Eastmond

sent a looping header just over from

Uchegbulam’s corner, before the

winger floated in a free-kick which

picked out Gbadebo at the far post,

but his firm header was clawed away

by Ryan Gosney.

The hosts came back, though, and

Ralph Vigrass forced Sandford into a

smart save with his feet two minutes

before half-time.

But there was still time for Aderoju

to get on the end of Pitblado’s corner

from the right, but his downward

header was tipped over the top

before the interval.

Totton started the second half on

the front foot — with Rendell forcing

Sandford into a low save as he flicked

on a low cross at the near post —

before the game took a twist.

Already on a booking, Pitblado was

shown yellow for what appeared to

be a soft challenge on the wing by

referee Samuel Read, and Borough

were down to ten men.

Ola Ademola came on for his

first team debut in defence as Gray

shuffled the pack, but Borough went

close to doubling their lead on the

hour mark. Sagaf fired a low ball in

from the left and found Uchegbulam,

but his first time strike was superbly

saved by the diving Gosney.

But as time wore on, the hosts got

more of the ball and as Borough

sat back, chances began to come.

Substitute Hisham Kasimu could only

put his effort wide of the target when

well placed, before Totton drew level.

A ball in from the left hand side was

headed back across by Lee down to

strike partner Rendell, who powered

the ball home beyond Sandford with

his first-time strike.

Veteran Rendell then had an effort

deflect just wide of the far post,

before Totton went in front with 86

minutes on the clock. Malachi Linton

whipped the ball in from the righthand

side and Lee lost his marker to

head past Sandford.

The depleted Sports pressed

forwards searching for an equaliser,

but in the fifth minute of stoppage

time were almost done on the

counter. Linton played the ball across

to Lee, but Sandford produced a great

stop to deny him.

U15 Girls Shine in Sussex

Shield Festival Final

Eastbourne Cricket Club’s Under-15

girls have reached their firstever

Sussex Shield Festival Final,

marking an exciting milestone in the

team’s development.

The squad, many of whom are at

the very beginning of their cricketing

journey, impressed throughout the

competition with determination,

team spirit and rapid improvement

from game to game.

Earlier in the week, Eastbourne

faced Lewes in the group stage, losing

by 60 runs, but their performances

were strong enough to earn a

place in the final.

In the final, Eastbourne made

a strong start with early wickets

from Bella, backed up by tight

bowling from Jess. Despite this,

Lewes built a big partnership and,

despite late breakthroughs, reached

an imposing 176.

Chasing such a total proved a tall

order for the young side, but they

showed real promise. After the early

loss of a wicket, Yasmin and Darina

steadied the innings, taking the score

to 83 at the halfway point. Bella then

produced a superb knock, looking

in total control before falling to an

excellent delivery.

Despite further resistance,

Eastbourne were eventually bowled

out for 140, going down by 36 runs — a

marked improvement on their earlier

meeting with Lewes.

A club spokesperson said:

“These girls are making big strides

every game and improving every

single time they set foot on the field.

This journey is only just beginning,

U15 Eastbourne Cricket Girls

and it will be about enjoyment,

hard work, success, but most of

all, friendship.”

The club also expressed

thanks to the players, families,

coaches, umpires, and volunteers

who supported the team

throughout the festival.

Eastbourne News, September 2025, Issue 16

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