Eastbourne News, May 2026, Issue 24

MAY 2026 | ISSUE 24
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: LOCAL NEWS • EVENTS • FEATURES • MOTORING • SPORT
BEACH STEPS REOPEN — P2
FROM WAR ZONE TO CAT HAVEN — P7
EXCLUSIVE TOPLOADER INTERVIEW — P14
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2 NEWS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
WELCOME
WELL, the sun has made a
few appearances here and
there and it really feels like
Summer is on the way.
It’s been a long, long winter, so I’m
sure all the hotels and other hospitality
businesses in the town are looking
forward to an influx of visitors to enjoy
our coastline.
With Summer comes the excellent
events — with the Bandstand
reopening this month, Magnificent
Motors and the build up to Airbourne
— it’s certainly going to be a busy few
months at newspaper towers.
In this edition, you can read my
exclusive interview with the lovely
Dan Hipgrave from Toploader. They’re
playing a homecoming gig later this
month on the reopened Bandstand
which should be a great day out.
It was fantastic to reminisce about
Eastbourne during the 90s in the
interview, as I’m roughly the same age
as the Toploader boys, so we often
frequented the same bars and clubs
around the town. You can see the
interview on Page 12.
Also, the Eastbourne Carnival will be
taking place on Saturday, 23rd May,
so please do come out and support
all the activities surrounding this
brilliant event.
Mina and her team work so
hard throughout the year to make
this happen for the town, so it’s
important to recognise this. This
is why Eastbourne News are Gold
Sponsors, as we understand all the
hard work involved in organising
such a huge event.
We will see you there and will
bring you lots of photos and updates
on our website and next edition of
this newspaper.
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
design@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
CONTACT
ADVERTISING SALES — 01323 33 70 70
sales@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
Eastbourne News is a publication by Regional
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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.
Eastbourne News does not endorse the
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Information provided by businesses and
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queries or comments regarding content directly
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without express permission of the editor.
Birling Gap beach
steps reopened after
repairs complete
New protections introduced
for Beachy Head marine zone
A MAJOR new byelaw designed to
protect one of East Sussex’s most
important marine environments
has officially come into force,
safeguarding wildlife off the
coast of Eastbourne.
The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and
Conservation Authority (IFCA)
has confirmed that the Beachy
Head East Marine Conservation
Zone (MCZ) will now benefit from
strengthened protections under
the Marine Protected Areas Byelaw
2023, following approval by Emma
Reynolds, Secretary of State at the
Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs.
The Beachy Head East MCZ, which
covers around 195 square kilometres
of sea off the Eastbourne coast, was
first designated in 2019. It is home
to a wide variety of marine life and
habitats, including chalk reefs, ross
worm reefs, and species such as the
short-snouted seahorse.
Under the new byelaw, towed
fishing gear, which can damage
sensitive seabed habitats, will now be
banned across a large section of the
site. These include Zone 1, 164km²,
which is fully protected from towed
fishing gear, and Zone 2, 28km² where
limited access is retained where
sensitive habitats are not present
Lower-impact fishing methods,
including nets, pots, and rod-andline
fishing, will still be allowed
across the site.
Officials say the new rules are
designed to strike a balance
between protecting marine
ecosystems and supporting local
fishing communities.
Rob Pearson, Chief Fisheries and
Conservation Officer at Sussex
VISITORS are now able to return
to one of Eastbourne’s most
popular coastal beauty spots, as
Birling Gap beach has reopened
earlier than expected following
essential repair works.
The beach has been closed for the
past two months after severe storms
triggered cliff falls, damaging the
staircase that provides access from
the clifftop car park down to the
shoreline. The closure left the site
out of bounds while safety concerns
were addressed.
Wealden District Council, which
manages the foreshore on behalf
of The Crown Estate and owns the
staircase, commissioned the repairs.
Engineering specialists Monson
Engineering were appointed to
oversee the project, while Wealdenbased
firm CJ Thorne & Co carried out
the structural works.
The council has now confirmed that
repairs have been completed ahead
of schedule, with the beach reopeedn
to the public today (April 24).
A Wealden District Council
spokesperson, said, “We are pleased
that Birling Gap beach is opening
ahead of schedule as it allows our
residents to enjoy a much-loved
scenic area especially in the great
weather we are currently having.
“We would like to express thanks
to the National Trust, RNLI and
the Coastguard for their continued
support and the contractors for
completing the works ahead of time.”
IFCA, said the authority had worked
carefully to minimise disruption to
small-scale fishers.
He explained: “While developing
this byelaw, we were conscious of
striking a delicate balance between
preserving our valuable marine
habitats and minimising impacts
on inshore fishers, who are already
under pressure.
“These measures will protect the
fantastic diversity of Beachy Head
East MCZ, while still allowing fishing
where we are confident it will not
harm conservation objectives.”
The IFCA has committed to
monitoring fishing activity within
the zone and assessing the long-term
impact of the new measures.
Detailed guidance for fishermen
and other stakeholders has also been
published, outlining where and how
different types of fishing can take
place under the new rules.
The waters off Beachy Head
are considered among the most
ecologically important along
the Sussex coastline. Protecting
habitats such as subtidal chalk
reefs and seahorse breeding areas
is seen as key to maintaining
biodiversity and ensuring sustainable
fishing in the future.
The introduction of the byelaw
marks the final stage of management
for Marine Conservation Zones
across the Sussex district, completing
a process that began with site
designations by Defra in 2019.

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4 NEWS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
Bus lane backlash grows
as protest planned
OPPOSITION to controversial
bus lane plans in Eastbourne is
intensifying, with businesses now
organising a public protest amid
growing fears over congestion,
safety and declining trade.
The scheme, part of East Sussex
County Council’s Bus Service
Improvement Plan (BSIP), will see a
new eastbound bus lane introduced
along Station Parade —
reducing general traffic
from two lanes to one.
While council leaders
say the changes will
improve journey
times, many
local traders are
warning the opposite.
Denise Harwood,
from the Enterprise
Shopping Centre, said
the plans risk causing major
disruption and traffic congestion
on a key route into the town centre.
She said: “Whilst we have no
objections to buses, this has been
sold as adding a bus lane. In reality,
it removes
a lane of
traffic from
the main artery
into Eastbourne.”
She warned the knock-on impact
would affect businesses across
the town, including the Beacon,
Little Chelsea and the professional
quarter around Hyde Gardens and
Gildredge Road.
Denise added: “Our shopping centre
is full of independent businesses
that rely on customers visiting. The
whole town will be impacted by the
congestion this will cause.”
The backlash is now becoming
highly visible on the streets with
shops along Station Approach
displaying ‘Stop the Bus Lane’
posters in their windows, signalling
growing frustration among
independent businesses.
At the centre of the campaign is That
Coffee Place, where a spokesperson
has raised concerns about the direct
impact on their premises.
“They want to expand the nearby
bus stop, which will involve cutting
down the tree and making the road
wider right outside my shop.
“That means the pavement will be
narrower and our outdoor seating
will be closer to the road.”
They also criticised the consultation
process, claiming local businesses
were not properly listened to.
The added: “I put in an objection
along with many others — but the
council did not listen.”
In response, a public gathering
is now being organised. Business
owners and supporters are being
urged to attend a ‘Stop the Bus
Lane’ and ‘Save the Tree’ protest
outside That Coffee Place on Station
Approach on Friday, May 15 at 2pm.
Organisers say the demonstration
will give traders and residents a
chance to make their voices heard
before work progresses further.
Concerns about the scheme are not
new. When the plans were approved
in December, representatives from
Your Eastbourne BID reported that
86% of surveyed businesses believed
the changes would negatively
impact trade, with many fearing
potential closures.
Despite this, councillors voted to
proceed, arguing the improvements
would benefit public transport
reliability along the A259 corridor.
Supporters say better bus
infrastructure is essential for
reducing congestion and emissions.
But critics argue the scheme could
have the opposite effect, increasing
traffic, creating safety risks and
discouraging visitors from coming
into the town centre.
Station footbridge reopened
after refurbishment
The Victorian footbridge at
Hampden Park railway station
has reopened after a three month
refurbishment.
This work will extend the life of the
footbridge and provide a safe and
aesthetically pleasing footbridge for
passengers to use at the station for
many years to come.
Network Rail contractors replaced
the stairs and decking with new, more
durable materials offering improved
slip resistance and a design life of
up to 25 years.
Strengthening work was carried
out to ensure the bridge can safely
accommodate expected passenger
use, while new handrails and safety
mesh were installed to improve safety
and prevent objects from falling onto
the tracks below.
The central span of the bridge
was removed in February and
refurbished off-site to maintain
the integrity of the bridge and that
we preserve the historic nature of
the structure. It also allowed train
services to continue operating
throughout the project.
Accessibility improvements were
also made at the station including
new tactile paving at the top of the
footbridge and on the platforms,
supporting customers with visual
impairments to navigate the station
more confidently.
Southern Rail Head of Stations
Tom Easdown said: “We’re delighted
the footbridge at Hampden Park is
open again and fully refurbished.
I’d like to thank our passengers for
bearing with us.”
Tim Leighton, Sussex Route
Infrastructure Director for
Network Rail, said: “The bridge at
Hampden Park needed significant
strengthening and refurbishment
to keep it safe for years to come. It
was a complex operation involving
lifting the structure out by crane and
transporting it by road for specialist
work. I’d like to thank passengers for
their patience while this vital work
was completed.”
The refurbishment addressed the
existing paint system, which had
reached the end of its working life.
It was fully renewed with a modern
protective coating designed to
helping to protect the steel structure
from weather damage and reduce the
need for future repairs.
The refurbished footbridge has
now reopened and is fully available
for customer use.

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6 NEWS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
Charity celebrates
£5,000 boost
following celebrity
Catchphrase
appearance
BROADCASTER, presenter and
voiceover artist, Kemi Rodgers,
recently took part in the popular
television game show Celebrity
Catchphrase, where she chose to
play for Headway Sussex.
Her appearance resulted in £5,000
raised in support of the charity’s
work with people affected by brain
injury across Sussex.
During the programme, Kemi spoke
movingly about Headway Sussex and
the personal connection her family
has with the charity.
She shared how the organisation
supported her father following
his brain injury, highlighting the
vital role specialist services play in
recovery and long term support.
By sharing her story on a national
platform, Kemi helped raise
awareness of the challenges faced
by brain injury survivors and the
importance of accessible, specialist
support services. This visibility is
invaluable in helping more people
understand life after brain injury and
ensuring individuals and families
know where to turn for help.
Headway Sussex has thanked
Kemi for her generosity, openness
and advocacy. The funds raised
will directly support the charity’s
ongoing work across Sussex, helping
people rebuild independence,
confidence and connection within
their communities.
A spokesperson for Headway Sussex
said: “We are incredibly thankful to
Kemi for choosing to support us and
for speaking so openly about her
family’s experience. The funds raised
will make a real and lasting difference
to the people we support every day.”
Headway Sussex encourages
anyone who would like to support its
work or learn more about
brain injury services to get in
touch or visit its website at
www.headwaysussex.org.uk.
AI Police cameras
to be used on roads
MOTORISTS across East Sussex
could soon find themselves under
the watchful eye of new artificial
intelligence cameras, as Sussex
Police rolls out cutting-edge
technology aimed at catching
dangerous driving offences.
The force is the latest in the country
to deploy AI-powered cameras,
designed to automatically detect
motorists using mobile phones
behind the wheel or failing to wear a
seatbelt, two of the so-called ‘fatal five’
causes of serious collisions.
The move comes amid ongoing
concerns about road safety across the
county. Over the past three years, 82
people in Sussex have been involved
in crashes where a driver was using
a mobile phone, while a further 214
people have been injured in collisions
where seatbelts were not worn.
The technology has already been
trialled in Sussex, with promising
and concerning results, according
to Sussex Police. A pilot carried
out by National Highways in 2024
detected a total of 458 offences in
just seven days.
Of those, 330 drivers were caught
not wearing a seatbelt, 118 were
using a mobile phone, and 10
were committing both offences
at the same time.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo
Shiner, who is also the roads policing
lead for the National Police Chiefs’
Council, said: “We regularly hear
from our communities across Sussex
that they are tired of seeing people
using their mobile phones whilst
driving, therefore increasing the
risk to everyone around them. And
while we endeavour to respond to
these concerns and proactively patrol
wherever possible, the reality is we
cannot be everywhere all of the time.
“These AI cameras are not
designed to replace modern-day
policing, but to enhance it. By
embracing the technology available
to us, we can build a better picture
of driver behaviour, influence
behavioural change and take action
where necessary.
“It is statistically proven that not
wearing a seatbelt and driving whilst
distracted which includes using a
mobile phone are among the five
most common causes of fatal and
serious injury collisions on our roads.
We hope that this new initiative will
help to reduce the number of these
collisions, which so often cause
absolute devastation to victims and
their loved ones.”
The cameras, supplied by
Acusensus, are funded through
Sussex Police’s road safety recovery
costs, which include proceeds from
speed awareness courses.
They will remain in place for
several weeks, before being
reviewed and evaluated.
The use of the AI cameras,
which went live in April, dovetail
with the national roads policing
Operation Spotlight campaign
running throughout April,
which has a particular focus on
seatbelt compliance.
Eastbourne Salon
helping local women
thrive together
A SMALL salon on South Street
is quietly becoming a place
of opportunity for women in
Eastbourne, offering more than
just treatments to its growing
number of clients.
At Bodiology Sussex, owner Darice
has built a team environment focused
on helping women develop their own
careers, at a time when many are
facing uncertainty in the job market.
Based at 16 South Street, the salon
has gradually expanded through
word of mouth, recently welcoming
a new team member to support
increasing demand. Behind that
growth is a wider effort to create a
supportive space where staff are
encouraged to build their confidence,
skills and long term goals.
Several members of the team have
joined the salon while navigating
personal or professional challenges
and are now working towards
establishing themselves within the
beauty industry. Darice has focused
on giving them the flexibility and
encouragement to grow, with an
emphasis on collaboration rather
than competition.
Clients have also become part
of that atmosphere, with many
returning not only for treatments
but for the sense of community the
salon has developed.
At a time when stable employment
can be difficult to find, spaces that
support self employment and skill
building are becoming increasingly
important. The team at Bodiology
Sussex say they hope their approach
shows that setbacks do not have to
define long term prospects.
The salon is aiming to provide
more opportunities for local
women looking to build careers
for themselves while contributing
to a positive, community focused
environment in Eastbourne.

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news MAY 2026 NEWS 7
From war zone to wildlife
haven — inside Kent’s
Big Cat Sanctuary
REPORT AND PHOTOS
BY PAUL GIBSON
AROUND 20 members of the
Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce
were given a rare behind-the-scenes
insight into one of the UK’s most
remarkable conservation centres
during a special visit to The Big Cat
Sanctuary on Friday, April 24.
The group were welcomed to
a facility that is quietly playing a
significant role in the global effort
to protect some of the world’s most
endangered wild cats.
The visit offered a unique
opportunity not only to encounter
these powerful animals up close, but
to understand the scale and ambition
of the sanctuary’s conservation work.
The day began with a compelling
and deeply personal presentation
from the sanctuary’s founder,
Briony Smith, who charted more
than 25 years of dedication to
safeguarding big cats. Her talk gave
Chamber members an insight into
how the sanctuary has evolved
from a specialist collection into
an internationally recognised
conservation centre.
RESCUING LIONS FROM UKRAINE
Central to her presentation was the
extraordinary story of the sanctuary’s
recent rescue mission involving five
African lions from war-torn Ukraine, a
campaign that has captured attention
far beyond the UK.
It’s Big Cats in Crisis campaign was
launched in response to the ongoing
conflict in Ukraine, the campaign set
out to provide a permanent home for
five African lions that had been living
in extremely difficult conditions.
In partnership with the
International Fund for Animal
Welfare, plans were announced in
May 2024 to evacuate lion Rori and
lionesses Yuna, Vanda, Amani and
Lira from the Wild Animals Rescue
Center in Kyiv.
The operation was far from
straightforward. It required complex
logistical planning to safely transport
the animals out of a war zone,
alongside the construction of a
purpose-built Lion Rescue Centre in
Kent to house them on arrival.
To make this possible, the sanctuary
launched a major fundraising appeal
and the response was overwhelming.
More than £500,000 was raised
through the generosity of members
and the wider public, enabling the
rescue mission to become a reality.
Today, all five lions have arrived
safely in Kent and are now thriving in
their new environment.
The emotional story set the tone for
the visit, before guests were taken
out into the grounds to meet the
animals themselves.
In a moment few will forget, three
lucky raffle winners were given
the chance to feed some of the
cats, an experience that brought
them face-to-face with animals that
many would only ever expect to see
from a distance. For the rest of the
group, the visit offered an equally
memorable opportunity to observe a
wide range of species, from powerful
big cats to rarer and more elusive
smaller wildcats.
MORE THAN JUST A SANCTUARY
What quickly became clear is that the
sanctuary’s work extends far beyond
providing a home for these animals.
At its core is a clear and unwavering
purpose, to protect wild cats and
contribute to their long-term survival.
For more than two decades, the
sanctuary has operated around
five key pillars: welfare, breeding,
education, conservation and rescue.
Each plays a vital role in a joined-up
approach designed to have both
immediate and long-term impact.
The welfare of every animal
remains paramount, with expert
care ensuring that each cat is able to
live in a safe, enriched environment.
At the same time, the sanctuary is
actively involved in international
breeding programmes, helping to
maintain healthy populations of
endangered species and preserve
vital genetic diversity.
Alongside this, the site provides
a safe haven for retired cats,
many of which have come from
challenging backgrounds, giving
them the opportunity to live out their
lives in peace.
Education is another key focus.
Through a diverse programme
of outreach and engagement, the
sanctuary aims to inspire a greater
understanding of wild cats and
the ecosystems they depend on.
This work is supported by global
conservation partnerships, which
see the organisation contributing
to projects around the world to
protect habitats and support species
survival in the wild.
Located in the village of Smarden,
the sanctuary is just a 60 to 90-minute
drive from Eastbourne, Hailsham
and Bexhill, making it a surprisingly
accessible destination for residents
across East Sussex.
Despite its relatively close
proximity, the work being carried out
there has global significance.
For those inspired by the visit, there
are a number of ways to support the
sanctuary’s ongoing mission.
Becoming a member provides
vital, long-term funding to support
the care of resident cats and the
continuation of conservation
work. Members receive a welcome
pack and pin badge, invitations to
exclusive Members’ Day events, and
regular updates through bi-monthly
communications.
The sanctuary also hosts a number
of popular events throughout the
year, including Big Cat Fest and
Wings and Whiskers — a unique
event that reflects its close links with
nearby Headcorn Aerodrome.
Whether through membership,
visits or events, supporters play a
crucial role in ensuring the future of
these magnificent animals.
For those who made the journey
from Eastbourne, the visit offered
more than just a memorable day out.
It provided a deeper understanding
of the challenges facing wild cats
around the world.
As global pressures on wildlife
intensify, the work being carried out
in a quiet corner of Kent is proving
that meaningful conservation
can begin closer to home than
many might think.

8 NEWS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
Steam locomotive brings
Sussex Belle to Eastbourne
REPORT BY STUART FAIRWAY
ONE of the railway’s great survivors
successfully steamed into
Eastbourne recently (15th April).
34028 ‘Eddystone’, a West Country
class Pacific built for the Southern
Railway at Brighton Works in 1946
hauled the ‘Sussex Belle’ from
London Victoria on a round trip via
Eastbourne and Hastings.
The locomotive was part of a class
of 48 named after locations in the
west of England, with a further 62
locomotives then built and named as
the Battle of Britain class.
It left London Victoria this morning
and headed south through the
Sussex Countryside arriving in
Eastbourne just before 2pm. It then
left Eastbourne towards Hastings
and continued on steam power
through Battle and Tunbridge
Wells to arrive back in London
Victoria early evening.
Originally designed with
streamlined air-smoothed casing, 60
of the combined classes, including
34028, were rebuilt to a more
conventional design to improve some
problems experienced in adhesion,
maintenance, high fuel consumption
and reduced driver visibility.
Following withdrawal by British
Railways in May 1964 after covering
851,549 miles in service, including
on some of the most prestigious
duties including the Atlantic Coast
Express and Devon Belle, Eddystone
languished in the Woodham’s
scrapyard at Barry in South Wales for
22 years before it was purchased by
the Southern Pacific Rescue group
and moved to begin restoration in
Sellindge, Kent in 1986.
After much work, Eddystone,
named after the group of rocks nine
miles off the coast of Cornwall, was
eventually restored to steam in 2003,
working on the Swanage Railway
in Dorset until boiler overhaul was
required in 2014.
After several years of service
following this second overhaul, the
locomotive was again withdrawn
after a crack was identified in the
frames around the leading set of
wheels, requiring further work.
The owners, Southern
Locomotives Limited, decided
to put Eddystone through the
works required for mainline use
in 2024, with return coming in
September 2025.
In their heyday, both the West
Country class and sister locomotives
could be seen in the local area,
including occasional use on the
Eastbourne to Hailsham shuttles as a
‘filling in’ turn between longer duties.
Photo Dan Jessup

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news MAY 2026 9
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10 NEWS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
£92k funding boost
to inspire creativity
in Eastbourne
BY DOMINIQUE AYLING
AN Eastbourne arts organisation
has been awarded over £90,000 in
National Lottery funding thanks to
its work promoting creativity and
providing support to locals.
Based at the Volt gallery in Seaside
Road, the Devonshire Collective,
which is celebrating its 10th
anniversary this year, was granted
£92,396 by the National Lottery
Heritage Fund to support its DC10
project of events.
Director of the Devonshire
Collective, Edward Ball told us:
“This is a hugely significant piece of
funding for us, representing around
30% of our annual turnover. More
than that, however, receiving this
funding accolade validates our
approach and attests to our collective
ambition in DC’s tenth year.
“Our DC10 project Discover,
Celebrate, Grow helps us deliver
on our strategy to inspire creativity
and connection for residents in our
Devonshire Ward: we will reach
more people than ever, share hidden
histories of the neighbourhood and
create new forms of heritage for
Eastbourne that can be preserved and
celebrated for years to come.”
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY
THROUGH DC10
DC10 will deliver a range of activities
connecting locals, children and young
people with creativity including a
series of artist-led initiatives such as
storytelling walks with Jon Norman
Mason, a project capturing the sights
and sounds of Seaside Road for young
people and a travelling allotment
celebrating local growing cultures.
All events, which take place
throughout spring and summer, are
free and open to all, culminating with
a community heritage exhibition
displaying the year’s work in October
to mark the Devonshire Collective’s
birthday celebrations.
“Besides inspiring more people
than ever to participate in creativity,
another important part of the project
is creating opportunities in the
creative sector for local people,” Mr
Ball added. “This funding supports
us also to recruit a Heritage Trainee,
a nine-month work placement for
a local resident to gain skills and
experience in working for a creative
heritage organisation.”
The Devonshire Collective is
within the Devonshire Ward, one
of Eastbourne’s nine wards with a
geographic boundary to the east of
the pier in the town centre.
The area has been ranked 391 out
of 33,755 neighbourhoods on the
Government’s Index of Multiple
Deprivation which looks at income,
employment, education, health and
crime in an area. The ward also has a
high number of Houses in Multiple
Occupation (HMOs), families
in temporary accommodation
and social issues.
The ward ranks in the top 9%
most socio-economically deprived
nationally, against Eastbourne’s
average of 22%. Child poverty in the
town is at 22%.
“We love our neighbourhood
and see the vibrancy, creativity
and community every day,” Mr
Ball told Eastbourne News. “This
is what we really want to celebrate
through the project, without ever
taking for granted the profound
socio-economic challenges many
people face here. We see our role as
bringing art, artists and creativity into
the picture—showing how they can
help bring people together, improve
wellbeing, shift narratives and create
opportunities. Devonshire Ward
is a special place, and we have the
feeling more people will catch on in
the coming years.”
A LEGACY OF CREATIVE SUPPORT
The Devonshire Collective runs
a wide range of year-round free
creative projects including DC Learn,
a programme for children and young
people, reaching over 2,000 residents
each year and Sticky Fingers, a weekly
sensory play programme for 0-4s
and their carers.
The Collective’s Networx Creative
Club is an inclusive after school
session for local 5-11year-olds
from refugee and asylum seeker
backgrounds and the Home Ed Club
provides tailored art curriculum
support for local home-educated
children. They also run the
Devonshire Youth Collective for 16-25
year-olds, offering work experience,
micro-grants and opportunities
to shape creative projects in the
Volt gallery and throughout the
neighbourhood.
Mr Ball added: “We really hope
that DC10 becomes a catalyst,
encouraging more people in the
neighbourhood to feel that creativity
is for them. By celebrating the
people who live here, the rich and
sometimes overlooked architecture,
and the cultures and stories that
don’t get heard, we think everyone
in town will realise how special
our neighbourhood is. We also
want to use this project to test out a
community-led approach, which, if
successful, we see as a springboard to
seek further funding and increase our
reach and impact.”
Mr Ball has been the director of
the Devonshire Collective for the
past four and a half years and has
celebrated many achievements
during that time.
“In 2023 we joined Arts Council
England’s prestigious National
Portfolio programme in what was the
most competitive funding round in
history,” he told us. “This programme
comprises cultural organisations
across all artforms in the UK that Arts
Council England entrusts to deliver
cultural activity for the nation. We
are one of only two National Portfolio
Organisations in Eastbourne,
alongside the brilliant Towner.
“More recently, we were honoured
to accept the Creative Excellence
Award at the Eastbourne Business
Awards in October 2025. We were
celebrated for our growth, ambition
and community-led mission.”
POLITICAL AND LOCAL BACKING
There’s no doubt that the Devonshire
Collective is doing important
work in Eastbourne.
Leader of Eastbourne Council,
Cllr Stephen Holt said: “The
Devonshire Collective has been
a hugely positive force in the
Devonshire Ward ever since it was
first established with support from
the council and local partners as
part of wider regeneration efforts.
They make a great contribution
to the community, and over the
past decade they’ve really helped
support and uplift an area that faces
significant challenges.
“This latest National Lottery
funding, which forms part of the
Collective’s DC10 anniversary
programme, will help them continue
celebrating local history, creativity
and community pride. It’s a fantastic
boost for a brilliant organisation
that has consistently delivered for
local residents.
“Alongside our backing for
the Devonshire Collective, the
council is also investing in the
wider area — from major seafront
improvements, to the Article 4
Direction that helps manage the
concentration of HMOs, and
continued close partnership work
with the police — as we strive to
improve opportunities and quality of
life for everyone in Devonshire.”
MP for Eastbourne Josh Babarinde
recently spoke in Parliament about
the importance of supporting
the arts sector.
“Arts organisations like Towner and
the Devonshire Collective face huge
funding pressures like many others
across the country, putting their
amazing work at risk,” he said.
“They’ve got loads of ideas for how
the sector can be better supported, so
I challenged the Secretary of State to
meet with a delegation of them and
I — and he accepted.
“I’m looking forward to leading
this national delegation (with strong
Eastbourne representation!) to
Westminster to make the case for
turbocharging support for the arts,
which is so vital for our communities
and our economy.”
www.devonshirecollective.co.uk,
67-69 Seaside Road, Eastbourne
(open Wednesday-Saturday
12pm-5pm).

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news MAY 2026 NEWS 11
Thousands expected as
Carnival gears up for action
Lights, camera, action — and
within a flash, the scene is again set
for Eastbourne’s hugely popular
seafront carnival.
The town will be in a party mood
and ready for an action-packed,
fun-filled afternoon, when the
carnival extravaganza returns on
Saturday, May 23.
With this year’s chosen theme
of ‘Lights, Camera, Action’, more
than 50 groups are set to take over
the length of the seafront from
Fisherman’s Green to the Wish
Tower Slopes, with the parade
beginning at 2pm.
A highlight this May will
be the return of a contingent
from the Dortmund Carnival,
alongside various groups
representing Latin America.
Organisers are also delighted
that last year’s Best Non-Sussex
Entrant — “Bhangra Smash Up” —
are back in town, together with the
Metronomes Steel Pan Orchestra
from Notting Hill Carnival
They will be proudly parading and
performing alongside numerous
Eastbourne and Sussex-based
charities, community groups, schools
and businesses — all ready to put
on a great show.
The carnival will be officially
launched in Victoria Place at 11am by
the Mayor of Eastbourne, Margaret
Bannister. Bhangra Smash Up will
then perform at The GlassHouse,
off Royal Parade, from midday,
before the main parade sets off from
Fisherman’s Green at 2pm.
At around 5pm, the parade will end
at the Wish Tower Slopes, with the
carnival street — featuring Bhangra
Smash Up, Fergus, Just Vibez and
Mr General — in full swing from
4:30pm to 8.30pm.
Spectators are encouraged to find
a viewing spot by around 2pm, to
ensure they do not miss the 50-plus
entrants as they make their way along
the seafront towards The View Hotel.
Emma Pearce, Marketing Manager
at Lightning Fibre, said: “The team
of volunteers and organisers work
incredibly hard to showcase the best
of our town through the carnival —
and it is a wonderful event for our
whole community to enjoy
“Eastbourne thrives on hospitality,
and I know we will be giving the
entrants from other towns, and
even from overseas, the warmest of
welcomes! Do join us on the parade
route and support this year’s carnival”
Mina O’Brien, chair of Eastbourne
Carnival CIC, said this year promised
to be a great parade full of celebration
— showcasing the world of television,
film and theatre.
Mina said: “We are delighted and
thankful to have had the support
this year from Lightning Fibre for
our creative workshops, and Arts
Council England.
“We are thankful to all of our
sponsors, including our Platinum
and Gold Sponsors: Eastbourne
Sightseeing, The Best of Eastbourne,
Seahaven FM, Media Attention,
Eastbourne News, The View
Hotel, Bourne Free, Custard, Your
Eastbourne BID, Mativus, Elite
Medical, Eastbourne Theatres, and
PMA Scaffolding — and to everyone
that has contributed to the event.
“We are also grateful to our partners
and volunteers who are supporting
the event this year. Carnival really is
a great example of the community
coming together.”
For updates leading up to the
event, please follow our Facebook,
Instagram and TikTok channels.
Don’t forget to bring change to the
carnival or donate on the day via
our QR Code — all funds raised go to
our participating charity and nonprofit
entrants and into the pot for
the 2027 carnival.
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12 NEWS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
“There was no guarantee of success,
no clear pathway just persistence.
“You’re doing it because you love
it. You’re not thinking, ‘This is going
to sell millions of records.’ You’re
thinking, ‘This sounds good, let’s
keep working on it.’ It’s quite pure
in that sense.”
“I think we all believed, deep down,
that we could do something. You have
to have that belief, otherwise you
wouldn’t keep going. But it’s a fragile
thing at that stage, you’re constantly
questioning whether it’s realistic.”
Toploader’s Dan Hipgrave
on Eastbourne roots, global
success and a very special
Bandstand homecoming
Dan takes some time out from preparing for the
homecoming gig, and speaks to Editor, Paul Gibson,
from his studio…
WHEN Guitarist Dan Hipgrave talks
about Toploader’s journey, from
local hopefuls to one of Britain’s
most recognisable bands, one place
keeps coming up — Eastbourne.
It’s where the friendships were
formed, where the songs were
written, and where the belief,
however uncertain at times,
began to take shape.
Now, almost three decades after
breaking into the charts, Toploader
are returning to the town for a
Bank Holiday performance at the
Bandstand, a show that, for Hipgrave,
carries a significance far beyond the
usual tour date.
He explained: “It genuinely does
feel like a homecoming. You play
all over the country, all over the
world, but when you come back
to Eastbourne, there’s something
different about it. There’s a
familiarity, a sense of history, you’re
not just turning up to play a gig, you’re
coming back to where it all began.”
GROWING UP IN EASTBOURNE
AND FINDING A SOUND
Before the charts, before the global
recognition, before Dancing in
the Moonlight became a cultural
mainstay, Toploader were simply a
group of young musicians navigating
life in Eastbourne.
Hipgrave speaks about those early
years with a mixture of fondness
and realism, a time when ambition
was high, but the path ahead was
anything but clear.
“We were just trying to figure things
out, really. We all had this shared
love of music, and we knew we
wanted to do something with it, but
there wasn’t some big masterplan.
It was just about playing, writing,
improving and hoping something
might come of it.”
Eastbourne itself played a crucial
role in shaping that journey. The
town’s venues, social scene and
close-knit feel created the kind of
environment where ideas could grow.
“There was a proper local scene
back then. Places like TJ’s and The
Rainbow, the pubs were more than
just places to go out. They were where
you met people, where you talked
about music, where you saw bands.
It all feeds into your development
without you even realising
it at the time.”
Dan reflected on his background
in Eastbourne: “When you’re young,
you don’t necessarily appreciate how
important that is. But looking back,
those places, those nights, those
conversations they all played a part in
shaping what we became.”
WRITING SONGS IN SMALL
ROOMS AND DREAMING BIG
For Toploader, the early creative
process was far from glamorous.
Hipgrave recalls long hours spent
writing and experimenting in modest
surroundings, including shared living
spaces where the band would develop
ideas that would eventually reach a
global audience.
“We had a flat in Eastbourne where
a lot of the early stuff came together.
It wasn’t anything special, just a place
where we could sit, play, write and
bounce ideas around. But those are
the moments that matter.
THE BREAKTHROUGH AND
LIFE-CHANGING OVERNIGHT
That question was emphatically
answered when Dancing in the
Moonlight exploded into the charts.
For Hipgrave, the memory of that
moment remains vivid, not just
for its scale, but for how quickly
everything changed.
He said: “It was surreal. One minute
you’re playing smaller venues, doing
your thing, and the next you’re hearing
your song everywhere. It’s on the
radio, it’s in shops, people are talking
about it, it’s quite overwhelming.”
The transition from local band to
national, and then an international
act, was rapid.
“You don’t really get time to process
it. You’re suddenly doing interviews,
travelling, playing bigger and bigger
shows. It’s exciting, but it’s also a bit
of a whirlwind.”
Even in the middle of that
whirlwind, Eastbourne remained a
grounding force.
“You always carry that with you.
Where you came from, the people
you started with that doesn’t go away
just because things have taken off.”
TWO BILLION STREAMS
AND A NEW GENERATION
Fast forward to today, and
Toploader’s music continues to
reach audiences in ways that would
have been unimaginable when they
first started out.
The band have now surpassed
two billion streams on Spotify, a
milestone that reflects not only their
enduring popularity but also their
ability to connect with new listeners.
Hipgrave admits: “It’s quite hard to
get your head around, to be honest.
When we started, it was all about
CDs, radio play, live gigs — streaming
wasn’t even part of the conversation.”
“To think that something you wrote
years ago is still being discovered, still
being listened to all over the world —
it’s incredible.”
But for Hipgrave, the number itself
is only part of the story.
“What it really means is that the
music has lasted. It’s not just a
moment in time, it’s something
people keep coming back to, and new
people keep finding.”
That continued relevance is
something he doesn’t take for granted.
“The industry has changed
massively. But if people are still
connecting with the songs, that’s the
most important thing.”

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news MAY 2026 NEWS 13
STAYING TOGETHER
AND STAYING TRUE
Longevity in the music industry is
rare, and Hipgrave is candid about the
challenges that come with it.
“Being in a band for this long, you
go through everything. Highs, lows,
changes in the industry, changes
in your own lives, it’s not always
straightforward.”
So I asked what’s kept Toploader
going for almost thirty years?
Dan replied: “A combination of
things. There’s the music itself — that
still matters to us. There’s the live side
of it, we love playing. And there are
the relationships within the band.
You have to work at that.
“You learn over time how to
navigate things better. When you’re
younger, everything feels more
intense. As you get older, you get a bit
more perspective.
“We still care about what we’re
doing. If that wasn’t the case, we
wouldn’t still be here.”
THE BANDSTAND RETURN
MORE THAN JUST A GIG
All of that history, all of that
experience, feeds into what promises
to be a standout moment in the
band’s calendar — their return to the
Eastbourne Bandstand.
Set against the seafront, the venue is
one of the town’s most recognisable
landmarks and one that holds
particular resonance for a band that
grew up nearby.
“It’s a brilliant setting. There’s
something about being by the sea,
playing outdoors, that just creates a
different kind of atmosphere.
“You know there’ll be people there
who’ve followed the band from the
early days. People who remember
those venues, those times. That
creates a connection you don’t always
get elsewhere.”
The gig at the Bandstand sold out in
under a week, according to Dan.
He adds: “It does feel different
playing at home. There’s a sense
of pride, but also a bit of nostalgia.
You’re aware of the journey that’s
brought you back there.”
WHAT FANS CAN
EXPECT ON THE DAY
With the show expected to draw a
sell-out crowd, anticipation is already
building and Hipgrave is clear about
what audiences can look forward to.
“It’ll be a proper Toploader show.
Lots of energy, lots of positivity, we
want people to have a great time.”
That means a set packed with
familiar favourites, as well
as moments that reflect the
band’s evolution.
“We know what people want to
hear,. But we also want to give them a
full experience, something that feels
like a proper event.
“Yes, Dancing in the Moonlight
will be there! That’s always a special
moment. When everyone’s singing
along, you can feel it, it’s a shared
experience. That never gets old.”
As the conversation drew to a
close, Hipgrave reflected on our
conversation about Eastbourne. He
said: “You’ve got me all nostalgic
now. I still have family in Eastbourne,
so I always enjoy coming back and
seeing the town.”
“Our record label put us all in a
house in a London suburb when
they signed us, but for me, I always
missed Eastbourne.”
Toploader will perform at the iconic
seafront venue on Monday, 25 May,
with music starting at 1.30pm with
support from DJ Fergus, before they
take to the stage.
Active Days
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CALLING ALL
EASTBOURNE VOTERS
If you:
l Voted Reform UK at the last election
l Plan to vote Reform UK next time
l Want to support your local Eastbourne branch
Scan the QR code to join our mailing list:
No Smart Phone ! Please type in “ Contact me” and
send to sec.eastbourne@reformuk.com
Printed on the behalf of Mark Ashdown-ReformUK Eastbourne Branch Chairman,
53A Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4TX.

14 EASTBOURNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
@EdealSouthEast @EdealSouthEast @Edeal-Enterprise-Agency www.eastbournechamber.co.uk
Grow your business with the
Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce
JOINING your local Chamber
of Commerce is more than just
adding your name to a directory,
it’s an investment in the growth
and success of your business and
your community.
As a member, you gain access to
valuable networking opportunities
that connect you with other
driven business owners, potential
clients, and key decision-makers.
These relationships often lead to
partnerships, referrals, and insights
that simply aren’t available when you
operate in isolation.
A Chamber also gives your business
a stronger voice. By coming together
with other local enterprises, you
help shape the economic future of
your area, influence policies that
matter, and ensure that the needs
of businesses like yours are heard
and represented.
Beyond advocacy, membership
often includes practical benefits,
training events, workshops,
marketing exposure, and
community initiatives that raise your
profile and credibility. Being part
of a trusted local network signals to
customers that you are committed,
established, and invested in the
area you serve.
In a competitive world, no
business thrives alone. Joining the
Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce
is a smart, strategic step toward
building connections, increasing
visibility, and contributing to a
stronger local economy.
Grow your business. Strengthen
your network. Be part of
something bigger.
For more information, visit
www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk or email
info@eastbournechamber.co.uk
More than a baby class:
Inside the Mamma Warrior
Club movement
The Mamma Warrior Club is a
postpartum wellness programme,
born during my own fourth
trimester when my son was just three
months old and I was navigating
both the beauty and overwhelm of
early motherhood.
Mamma Warrior founder Ella said,
“In those early weeks, I didn’t need
another baby-focused activity or a
busy ‘mummy meet-up’. What I truly
needed was reassurance, softness,
consistency, and care. I longed for
a space that felt luxurious, calm,
refined, and genuinely nurturing.
Somewhere I could arrive exactly as
I was, unwashed hair, yesterday’s
clothes, running on broken sleep and
still feel completely held. I couldn’t
find it, so I created it.”
The Mamma Warrior Club is more
than a class. It is a thoughtfully
designed matrescence programme
offering 10, 8, or 6-week courses.
Since launching in Eastbourne, we
were honoured to be named runnersup
in the ‘Baby’ category at this year’s
Eastbourne Instagram Awards.
Our classes offer a beautiful
blend of postnatal recovery, gentle
movement, coaching, relaxation,
yoga, mindfulness, breath work,
and unhurried bonding time with
your baby. Mums also receive takehome
goodies and guidance from
guest experts, covering topics from
pelvic floor health to mum-friendly
fashion. Every detail is considered.
Every mother is seen. Every baby is
welcomed with love.
A heartfelt thank you to Edeal
Enterprise Agency, whose
support helped bring clarity,
focus, and confidence to grow this
vision with purpose.
To learn more, contact us to
receive your FREE Welcome
Guide with details of all our
upcoming classes. Email: info@
hellomariella.com or visit Instagram:
@mammawarriorclub

Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news MAY 2026 EASTBOURNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE 15
Staged to Sell — Why styled
homes are winning in
today’s property market
Museum of
Water: revealing
the hidden life
of Eastbourne’s
waterways
I love staging and styling local
homes which is now one of the most
effective tools for achieving a faster,
more profitable sale, whether
your property is empty or lived
in. First impressions matter, and
staging ensures buyers see a home
at its very best.
For occupied homes, I start with
tailored recommendations, from
decluttering and furniture layout
to styling and kerb appeal. Small,
strategic changes can dramatically
improve how spacious, bright,
and welcoming a property feels,
helping buyers emotionally connect
with the space.
I stage vacant properties with
carefully selected rental furniture and
accessories that create an aspirational
space. It makes a huge difference
when photographing and showing
your property, leading to more clicks
on Right Move & Zoopla.
Staged homes sell up to three times
faster than unstaged properties,
often achieving full asking price or
exceeding it. Crucially, staging is a
cost-effective investment. The cost
of staging is significantly less than
Eastbourne Bowling Club
invites all to Annual Open
Day & Spring Fayre
Eastbourne Bowling Club in Saffrons
Road, Eastbourne, is holding their
Annual Open Day / Spring Fayre, on
Monday 4th May, from 11am – 3pm.
Why not come and give bowls a
try? Don’t worry if you’ve not done
it before, coaches will be on hand to
show you the basic’s and get you going.
You will be able to try fun bowls
activities, play a game and find
out more about the Club, the sport
and how bowls can improve your
health and fitness.
Bring a friend, a partner or your
whole family, all are welcome. Bowls
is an accessible sport, inclusive to all,
whatever age or ability and the Club
has equipment available to cater to
everyone’s needs. If you’ve never
tried a sport, bowls might be the one
the financial impact of accepting a
reduced offer or multiple price drops.
In a competitive market, staging not
only enhances presentation but also
maximises value.
I am supported by Estate Agents,
developers and investors and I work
with local hotels, Airbnb’s and shops
helping them achieve the best results.
As a member of the Eastbourne
Chamber of Commerce, I have
access to a wide network of potential
customers, and recently via the Edeal
Enterprise Agency, with funding
made available by Eastbourne
Borough Council, I have been able to
access business advice and support
to grow my business which has
been invaluable.
To find out more about my services
and make contact head to my website
www.hamiltonhomestaging.co.uk
for you. You don’t have to book, just
turn up on the day with flat shoes,
enjoy the fun and have a go. There
will be fun activities for all, with
refreshments available throughout
the day. We hope you will be able to
join us at sometime during the day
and look forward to welcoming you.
(BN21 1DG, next to Eastbourne
Town FC, parking available).
At first glance, they appear simple:
glass vessels filled with water.
But arranged together, they take
on a different quality — almost like
a series of devotional objects, each
holding a fragment of the landscape,
inviting closer attention.
The Museum of Water, currently
installed at The View Hotel in
Eastbourne, brings together 24
water samples collected from
across the town, Polegate and the
Pevensey Levels. Each sample has
been gathered, tested and carefully
presented, offering a rare glimpse
into the hidden condition of our
local waterways.
Behind the installation is a
collaboration between Compass
Arts and Strandliners, combining
artistic practice with citizen science.
Every sample has been analysed for
key indicators such as ammonia,
phosphate, turbidity and pH.
Measures that reveal the health of the
water and its impact on wildlife and
the wider environment.
What emerges is a complex and
often surprising picture. Some
waters are clean and well-balanced,
while others show clear signs of
pollution, nutrient overload or
chemical imbalance.
But the work is not only
informational. By bringing these
samples together into a single,
carefully curated display, the
installation slows the viewer down.
It asks us to look again at something
we pass by every day; the streams,
ditches and waterways that shape the
land around us.
Alongside the display, visitors are
invited to become “Water Guardians”,
taking part in simple monitoring and
contributing to a growing body of
local knowledge about water health.
Curated by Compass Arts as part of
its wider Promenade programme,
the Museum of Water sits at the
intersection of art, science and
community. It transforms data
into something tangible and
reflective. Not just to inform, but to
deepen our relationship with the
environment we inhabit.
The installation is open daily
at The View Hotel and forms
part of Eastbourne’s year-round
seafront art trail.
Contact: Fenya Sharkey 07889 805022
or fenya.compass@hotmail.com
www.compasscommunityarts.co.uk
Andy Dinsdale andydinsdale@
strandliners.org
https://strandliners.org/

16 NEWS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
Eastbourne’s biggest
celebration of cinema
returns this May
CINEMA is more than just a screen
— it opens the door to new worlds,
untold stories, and lasting emotions.
From 2–9 May 2026, the Eastbourne
International Film Festival marks
its 10th edition with a dynamic
programme across venues including
the Cavendish Hotel and Hailsham
Pavilion Cinema.
With over 90 films from around
the world, the festival offers a rich
week of creativity, discovery, and
conversation, welcoming students,
families, and film lovers alike.
With the festival just weeks away,
now is the time to discover new
voices, bold stories, and the magic of
cinema right here in Eastbourne.
The Eastbourne International
Film Festival, under the umbrella
of Crossing The Screen, was
created with a simple idea: to make
cinema accessible, inclusive, and
meaningful — especially for young
people and emerging voices. What
began as a small grassroots project
has grown into a nine-day festival
connecting international filmmakers
with local communities across
Eastbourne, Hailsham, and the
Sussex coastline.
As the festival reaches its 10th
edition, a question that has shaped
its journey feels more relevant than
ever. What if a film festival wasn’t
just an event, but a way of building
independence? What if a coastal town
could become a global cinema stage
— even just for 10 days?
A stage where local stories meet
international screens, where a
small town connects with a global
audience. For a decade, Crossing The
Screen has explored what happens
when culture is shaped from within a
community, not from the top down.
Built by volunteers, young people,
and local audiences, the festival
creates space for independent
cinema to grow, while opening
real educational pathways through
initiatives such as the Talent
Accelerator programme and digital
accreditation opportunities for
emerging creatives.
In a coastal town where
opportunities can be harder to access,
the festival has become a tool for
creative regeneration — connecting
local talent with international voices
and turning participation into
possibility. Because independence
in the arts is never created alone; it is
built collectively.
The programme spans narrative,
documentary, animation, and
experimental work, bringing
together internationally acclaimed
filmmakers and emerging local
talent. The festival opens with Once
Upon a Time in Gaza by Tarzan
and Arab Nasser, winner of Best
Director at Cannes, and closes with
A Sad and Beautiful World by Cyril
Aris, recognised at the Venice Film
Festival. Highlights also include The
Forest of the Fish Women and The Dog
in the Long Grass by Seb Cox.
Local filmmaking is strongly
represented, including Charlie
Shaw’s Revenge, shot across East
Sussex, alongside diverse short film
programmes showcasing bold and
original storytelling.
Young people are at the heart
of the festival, with workshops,
student-led screenings, and
creative projects offering handson
experience in filmmaking and
event programming. Students can
showcase their work, gain industry
exposure, and work towards
accreditation awards supported by
Talent Accelerator.
Festival highlights include
animation workshops at the
Cavendish Hotel, a student-led
mini festival on 6 May, and pitching
sessions at Hailsham Pavilion, where
participants develop their own film
festival concepts.
Supported by a wide network
of local partners and volunteers,
the festival continues to create
opportunities to gain experience,
connect with filmmakers, and
contribute to a thriving cultural event.
With screenings, workshops,
and community events throughout
the week, the Eastbourne
International Film Festival invites
everyone to be part of this special
anniversary celebration.
FOR
SCAN SCAN FOR
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FILM FESTIVAL
th EASTBOURNE
EASTBOURNE UK 2-9 MAY 2026
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Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news MAY 2026 NEWS 17
From flames to foam
as Firefighters raise
cash for charity
A community car wash at
Eastbourne Fire Station has raised
an impressive £716 for good
causes, thanks to the efforts of local
volunteers and supporters.
The event on 12th April formed
part of the National Car Wash
League, which sees fire stations
across the country come together
for a day of fundraising, friendly
competition and community
engagement. In Eastbourne,
firefighters, cadets and volunteers
rolled up their sleeves to scrub,
rinse and shine dozens of vehicles
throughout the day.
Money raised will go towards
supporting East Sussex Cadet Units,
helping to provide opportunities,
training and experiences for young
people interested in the fire and
rescue service. A portion will also
benefit The Fire Fighters Charity,
which offers vital mental health,
physical rehabilitation and welfare
support to serving and retired
firefighters and their families.
The event also gave residents the
chance to meet their local fire crews,
learn more about fire safety and show
their support for the emergency
services in a relaxed, familyfriendly
setting.
Organisers said they were delighted
with the turnout and the amount
raised, praising everyone who took
part or donated.
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18 REGULARS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
SUSSEX POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER, KATY BOURNE OBE
HELPING YOU MAKE YOUR
COMMUNITY SAFER
ONE of the reasons for the introduction
of Police and Crime Commissioners
(PCCs) back in 2012 was to bring more
robust, local accountability and better
governance into policing.
PCCs were elected to be your voice
in policing and in Sussex, I take this
very seriously. We were one of the first
force areas to introduce live, webcast
Performance and Accountability
Meetings (PAMs). During these monthly
live-streamed scrutiny meetings, I put
the publics’ concerns directly to the
Chief Constable and her senior team.
I monitor every aspect of policing in
Sussex — from police officer recruitment
progress, tackling rural and retail crime,
road safety initiatives (like our recently
launched Fatal Five unit) and the impact
of government funding changes. In
April this year, I conducted my 135th
PAM and you can watch them all in the
archive at www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/
about/how-we-work/watch-live/
PCCs also have two other key
responsibilities — working with all our
community safety partners at a local and
national level and providing qualityassured,
specialist services for victims
and witnesses of crime.
The first is addressed by my
Partnerships Team who ensure that
priorities from my Police and Crime Plan
are translated in the activities of all the
various agencies who work in this field,
including those I provide funding to.
For nearly 14 years, the Partnerships
Team has consistently worked hard to
attract and secure millions of pounds
of extra Home Office investment into
Sussex for community safety work, over
and above our core police budget.
More recently, the team have
supported three coastal areas —
Eastbourne, Hastings and Rother — to
secure Neighbourhood Board funding to
deliver £20 million in local investment
over ten years.
They have also successfully
implemented the Anti-Social Behaviour
(ASB) Case Review appeal process,
supporting victims and partners to
effectively tackle persistent ASB. The
ASB Case Review (formerly Community
Trigger) empowers repeat victims of
antisocial behaviour to ask for a review
of the actions that partner agencies have
taken, to resolve their concerns. To be
eligible, you need to have experienced
and reported three separate ASB
incidents in the last six months. You
can find out more on my website: www.
sussex-pcc.gov.uk/pcc-priorities/
partnership-working/asb-case-review/
All road users in Sussex will be pleased
to hear that my Partnerships Team
were central to delivering my manifesto
promise to provide a Fatal Five Traffic
Policing Unit into Sussex Police. The unit
is focused on targeting people driving
anti-socially, including those speeding
as well as persistent offenders. So far,
they have issued 327 traffic offence
reports and fixed penalty notices and
made 37 arrests. They are also providing
education and supporting our “Vision
Zero” ambition: that no death or serious
injury on our roads is acceptable. You
can read more about the Fatal Five
Unit here: www.sussex.police.uk/
news/sussex/news/force-news/newfatal-five-unit-launched-to-save-liveson-sussex-roads/
ON YOUR BIKE with Paul Humpreys of Eastbourne Bespoke
The Partnerships Team is also
responsible for allocating funding to
community groups from my Safer in
Sussex Fund. So far, I’ve invested over
£2.3 million into more than 600 local
initiatives to reduce crime across Sussex.
The second of my PCC responsibilities
falls to my Victims’ Services Team who
suggested two areas for this month’s
column: The Victims Code and our
Safe Spaces Scheme.
The Victims’ Code explains the rights
that everyone can expect to receive as
a victim of crime. Whoever you are and
whatever the crime, you have the right
to be informed about the criminal justice
process and the support available.
As your PCC, I have a statutory
responsibility to provide victim support
services (Right 4 in the Victims Code).
Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March
2026, I allocated £5.5 million to local
victim support services and I have
committed to providing a similar level
of funding for the next 12 months. As
a victim of crime, you have the right to
access these services whether or not
you reported to police, and you can find
all support services available to you on
my Safe Space Sussex website: www.
safespacesussex.org.uk.
Finally, our Safe Space Sussex Scheme
is a county-wide initiative bringing
together a carefully selected network
of locations offering a Safe Space for
people to go if they feel unsafe, scared,
threatened or at risk of harm, whilst out
in public. The purpose of the scheme
is to provide a space and facilities
where people can seek help, make a
‘phone call or simply wait in a safe
environment until they feel comfortable
to continue their day.
Safe Spaces include businesses,
organisations, community spaces and
various other publicly accessible, eligible
venues. Premises that have signed
up have done so voluntarily and been
assessed as suitable premises. They
can provide individuals with access to a
private or quiet area, access to a ‘phone,
a toilet and drinking water, whilst
using the space.
You can find the nearest Safe Space to
you on our Safe Space Sussex website:
www.safespacesussex.org.uk/safespace-scheme/
by using the devices’
location or entering a postcode. If you
know of a business, organisation or
community space that may be interested
in becoming a Safe Space, please direct
them to the website.
THE NORMANS ARE COMING — THIS TIME NOT
AS INVADERS BUT WELCOME GUESTS
CYCLING takes a variety of forms and
not just on two wheels. You can see
various designs for those with a disability,
tricycles, recumbents, cargo bikes and
Tagalongs.
Increasingly, they come with assisted
electric power, where the energy is stored
in a battery and charged by the grid or, as
the French invention illustrated here is,
topped up by free solar power.
One of the most exciting local cycling
events this year is themed around the
most famous date in English history,
14th October 1066.
The Vhélio Trophee, a French solarpowered
cycle event, which celebrates
the ‘European Year of the Normans’,
and commemorates the anniversary
of the birth of William the Conqueror,
Duke of Normandy.
This is not a race but a social occasion
which involves around 80 cycles, 8 of
which will be these Vhélios. The route
goes from Rouen to Dieppe, overnight on
the ferry, and then on Friday, May 15th,
from Newhaven onto Pevensey Castle and
finally finishing at Battle.
The Vhélio is a DIY, solar-assisted
electric utility tricycle designed for
suburban mobility. Its aluminium frame
supports up to 200 kg and is around 2m
long and nearly 1m wide.
It meets UK regulations, as it is powered
by a 250W motor and a 522Wh battery,
with a 50 km range, but this is extended
by the 220W solar panel. The sides
allow up to 250L of cargo, and the solar
canopy provides both energy and weather
protection. From the beginning, it was
designed for low-tech repairing and it uses
standard bike components.
2026 is a trial run for a much larger
event in 2027, where there may be
up to 500 cycles, including more than
50 Vhélios. So for this year, the route
of the UK leg is still being finalised, as
are the timings.
For the public, your best chance to look
at these cycles is either before 9:30am,
at Seaford seafront, whilst they wait for
the Friday morning traffic to reduce and
then later, in the centre of Battle, from
mid-afternoon.
To accompany the vehicles en route,
there will be seven motorcyclists with
walkie-talkies. They are responsible for the
safety of the sporting event and ensure
the whole day passes without incident.
As this will be taking place on public
roads, anyone can join in by following the
route. However, they will be responsible
for their own safety.
The convoy will progress within a
‘protected safety cocoon’, allowing it to
ensure any obstacles are signalled to the
cyclists, whilst the other road users will
be informed of the event and hopefully
everyone kept safe from danger.
In 2026 and 2027, you will hear a
lot more about the Normans, where
across Europe they will be celebrating
the Duke of Normandy who became
King of England.
William’s Millennium will be marked by
numerous events, including an immersive
exhibition and quest, a contemporary art
trail across Europe, and a large gathering
of Viking ships.
The Normans had a massive influence
on UK culture, language, government,
administration and architecture, and
nowhere more so than in Sussex.
William and his army landed at Pevensey
in East Sussex. Having rested in the
old Roman fortress, which would have
been next to the sea, and now includes
Pevensey Castle within it, they marched
in land to Battle in East Sussex, making
this journey pivotal in the overall Battle of
Hastings story.
If you are interested in other 1066
events in East Sussex then keep an eye
open in the media for details.

Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.newseastbourne MAY 2026 REGULARS 19
FRIENDS OF EASTBOURNE HOSPITAL
COME AND VISIT SOME
LOVELY LOCAL GARDENS
FRIENDS of Eastbourne Hospital are
pleased to announce that the annual
open garden programme will start at
the end of May. Once again there is a
varied selection of local gardens for
visitors to enjoy, all with their own
unique charm. At all gardens there will
be homemade cakes and bakes to savour
with a cup of tea or coffee, while sitting
and taking in the surroundings. There
will be plants and cakes on sale to take
home, along with other stalls to tempt
you. At each garden there will also be
a raffle. The gardens will be open from
10.30 am to 4 pm.
The season starts on 27 May at Carters
Corner Farm, BN27 4JA. This is a very
attractive garden with many different
areas and some interesting sculptures
that are well placed to make the most of
the natural environment.
There are two gardens in June – on
the 10th, the Friends return to The Old
Vicarage, Firle, BN8 6NR which hasn’t
been visited for a few years. For previous
visitors this will be a chance to see the
changes the owners have brought to the
garden, for new visitors it is just a lovely
place to visit. On the 17th June the Friends
will be at the very popular Friston Place,
BN20 0AH, a wonderful garden nestling
into the South Downs.
Saturday 1 August takes the Friends
to the garden at Hankham Hall Cottage.
BN24 5AH. This well-tended garden is a
riot of colour and should be at its peak.
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After a break of a few years, the Friends
are grateful to the residents of Waldron
village who have offered at least four
gardens in the village for visitors to enjoy.
This will be on Saturday 22 August and
once parked, either in the field behind the
local pub or by the village hall, there will
be plenty of indications which gardens
are open. There will be maps available to
ensure visitors don’t miss anything.
The season will end with a visit to
Folkington Place, BN26 5SD, another
garden that blends in totally with its
landscape. Hardy visitors have been
known to visit here by walking from
Eastbourne over the Downs.
In most cases there will be off road
parking available, which will be sign
posted. Spaces will be reserved for
disabled parking, but as these are all
private gardens full disabled access
cannot be guaranteed. It is regretted that
dogs cannot be admitted to any gardens.
The success of the open gardens is
completely down to the volunteer team
who are not only present on the day but
contribute so much behind the scenes to
ensure the days go well. The weather is
always an unknown in this country and
should there be extreme bad weather
any relevant updates about the openings
will be on the Friends website www.
friendsdgh.org.uk so if in any doubt,
please do refer there.
As some of the gardens are in quite
rural settings, although there will
be card machines for purchases and
donations, it is not always possible
to get a good signal, so if possible
please try to bring some cash. Entry is
by donation. All money raised at the
gardens will go towards the Friends of
Eastbourne Hospital’s general funds,
including the 2026 major project
to raise £582,000 for combined
donations to the Ophthalmology and
Cardiology Departments.
Although not part of the main
programme there is also the chance to
see some local art displayed in a garden
setting on 23 May at 4 Rochester
Close, BN20 7TW, between 10.30 am
and 2.30 pm. Libby and Abi Davidson
will be showing some of their creative
artwork, which will be for sale with
10% of any sales or commissions
being donated to the Friends. There
will be light refreshments available and
the chance to see how the challenges
of gardening on a steep sloping garden
can be overcome.
Whether you are a regular visitor, or
just have an interest in getting inspiration
from other gardens, we hope that you are
able to visit some or all of these gardens
this year. You will not be disappointed.
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20 REGULARS
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
EASTBOURNE BID (BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT) with Luke Johnson, Operations Manager
SUMMER IN EASTBOURNE IS COMING
THERE’S something special about this
time of year in Eastbourne. The days are
longer, the sun is making more regular
appearances, and there’s a real sense
of energy building across the town. As
we head into the summer season, we’re
proud to be working alongside partners,
businesses and community groups
to deliver a vibrant programme of
activity that reflects everything we love
about Eastbourne.
One of the clearest signs of that
momentum is the continued growth
of our markets. Eastbourne is quickly
establishing itself as a go-to destination
for markets across East Sussex, and May
is a perfect example of that. From the
Farmers’ Market outside the Towner (2nd
May) and the return of the ever-popular
Youth Market (30th May) on Terminus
Road, there’s something for everyone.
A huge thanks to all those who
supported the launch of the antiques
market last month. It will be back
this month on the 16th and 17th May,
and the third Saturday and Sunday
until September.
Markets are about much more than
just shopping. They create opportunities
for new businesses to test ideas, give
independent traders a platform to shine,
and bring people together in our town
centre. They drive footfall, add colour
and variety to our high street, and help
create the kind of atmosphere that keeps
people coming back. Alongside these
special events, our regular Eastbourne
Borough Market continues to offer great
value and variety throughout the week. If
you haven’t visited recently, I’d strongly
encourage you to take a look — you might
be surprised at what you find.
We’re always keen to welcome new
traders into the mix, so if you’ve ever
considered having a stall, now is a great
time to get involved. Markets thrive on
diversity and fresh ideas, and we’re here
to support that.
Of course, markets are just one part of
a packed calendar. Later this month, the
Eastbourne Carnival returns on 23 May,
bringing with it a fantastic display of
colour, creativity and community spirit.
It’s always one of the highlights of the
year, and this time promises to be bigger
and better than ever. The celebrations
won’t stop when the parade ends either -
Victoria Place will host a lively after-party
with live music and a brilliant atmosphere
for all to enjoy.
Looking ahead to June, we’re also
delighted to be supporting Eastbourne
Pride, with a special celebration planned
for Little Chelsea. Events like this are
incredibly important in showcasing the
inclusive, welcoming nature of our town.
With live entertainment, stalls and plenty
of energy, it’s set to be another standout
moment in what is shaping up to be a
fantastic summer.
While events and activities play a big
role in bringing people into the town
centre, it’s equally important to remember
the role we all play in supporting our local
businesses. Our high street is built on the
passion and hard work of independent
traders, and choosing to shop local really
does make a difference. Every purchase
helps sustain jobs, supports families and
keeps our town centre thriving.
Behind the scenes, there’s also a huge
amount of work going into maintaining and
improving the look and feel of Eastbourne.
Our ambassadorial team has recently been
out tackling chewing gum in key areas,
including the precinct outside the train
station. Using specialist equipment funded
through the Chewing Gum Task Force, the
results are immediate and environmentally
friendly. It’s a simple but effective way of
making a visible difference.
What’s more, this equipment is
available for local businesses to use free
of charge outside their own premises.
It’s a great opportunity for businesses
to take pride in their frontage and
contribute to a cleaner, more welcoming
environment for everyone.
Another initiative that continues to
make a real impact is our town centre
planters. Last year, we saw fantastic
support from businesses who helped care
for them, and I’d like to personally thank
everyone who got involved. These small
touches go a long way in brightening our
streets and creating a more inviting space
for residents and visitors alike.
We’re pleased to be investing in
even more planters this year, and it’s
encouraging to see strong interest from
businesses wanting to take part. If you’re
based in the town centre and would like to
get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Finally, it would be remiss not to
mention one of the most talked-about
recent additions to our retail offer — the
arrival of Søstrene Grene at The Beacon.
The enthusiasm surrounding its opening
was clear for all to see, with queues
forming well in advance. It’s a strong vote
of confidence in Eastbourne as a retail
destination and adds something fresh and
distinctive to the town centre experience.
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Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news MAY 2026 REGULARS 21
KNOW YOUR GARDEN
By Emma Reece, Head Gardener at Bates Green Garden
As the Head Gardener at Bates Green
Garden in East Sussex, I have the
privilege of nurturing a space that’s as
much about nature as it is about plants.
This Garden has long been a place of
beauty and connection — a haven for
both humans and wildlife. But lately, the
rhythms of nature have shifted. Climate
change is making itself felt here, and it’s
altering the way the Team here garden.
Over the past few years, we have
noticed our seasons behaving differently.
Winters are milder, summers are hotter
and sometimes drier, and unpredictable
downpours can arrive without warning.
These shifts have affected everything
from when plants flower to how pests
and diseases show up. For instance,
some spring bulbs now flower earlier,
while prolonged heatwaves have
stressed even our most established
trees and shrubs. The Garden’s
familiar patterns are changing, and as
gardeners, we must adapt.
One of the biggest changes we have
made is in plant selection. The days
of relying solely on traditional English
garden favorites are fading. Instead, we
are choosing plants that can tolerate
warmer temperatures and periods of
drought. Mediterranean plants like
rosemary and phlomis thrive in these
conditions, as do ornamental grasses
and certain succulents. We also look
for species that are naturally resilientplants
that can handle fluctuations
in weather and still provide colour,
texture, and support for wildlife. Native
plants remain important, but mixing in
adaptable varieties gives the garden
a fighting chance and broadens the
diversity for insects.
Climate change has prompted us to
rethink some basic gardening techniques.
Mulching beds and borders is more
essential now than ever before; a thick
layer of organic mulch helps retain
moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate
soil temperature.
We try to disturb the soil less,
protecting its health and structure.
Composting is a priority too—returning
nutrients to the earth and reducing
garden waste. Where possible, we group
plants with similar water and sunlight
needs, making maintenance easier and
more efficient. These small changes add
up and make a real difference in how the
Garden copes with stress.
With rainfall now less predictable,
managing water wisely is crucial. Let us
all install water butts to collect rainwater
and use it for irrigation. Drip systems
target the roots directly, reducing
GARDEN OPEN WED & SAT UNTIL 28 OCT 2026
For details, please go to the website www.batesgreengarden.co.uk
and follow the garden on Instagram @batesgreengarden
“The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never
satisfied. They always look forward to doing something better than they have ever done before.” — Vita Sackville-West
evaporation and saving water. Here, we
avoid watering in the heat of the day;
early mornings are best. By monitoring
soil moisture rather than watering on a
set schedule, we ensure that plants get
what they need without waste. These
strategies help the Garden stay lush even
during dry spells.
There are several ways gardeners can
mitigate the effects of climate change.
Planting trees and shrubs creates shade
and helps cool the area. Increasing
organic matter in soil boosts its ability
to hold water and nutrients. If you’re
planning new beds, consider raised beds,
which allow for better drainage during
heavy rain. Don’t forget to practice
crop rotation and companion planting
to naturally keep pests at bay. And
always be open to learning; gardening
is about experimenting and responding
to nature’s cues.
At Bates Green Garden, we strive to
make this space welcoming for both
people and wildlife. Leaving areas of
wildflowers (AKA weeds) provides food
for pollinators. Woody pruning piles,
wild edges, nest boxes, and log piles
offer shelter to birds, insects, and small
mammals. Even a shallow dish of water
can help frogs and hedgehogs. Native
hedges and diverse plantings encourage
a variety of creatures to call the garden
home. Creating a wildlife-friendly garden
isn’t just good for nature—it also enriches
our own experience, making the garden
more vibrant and alive.
Climate change presents challenges,
but it also offers opportunities to rethink
how we garden. By adapting our plant
choices, refining techniques, managing
water wisely, and supporting wildlife,
we can build gardens that are beautiful,
resilient, and welcoming.
Bates Green Garden is living proof
that with care, creativity, and a little
courage, we can thrive in changing times.
I encourage you to look at your own
gardens with fresh eyes and be open to
new ideas. Gardeners can nurture spaces
that sustain us—and the world around
us—for years to come.
Enjoy the beautiful month of May.
68%
NOTICE ADVERTS IN
THIS NEWSPAPER
Why wouldn’t you advertise
your business here?
A recent independent survey
showed almost 70% of people
asked in the street said they
noticed adverts printed in
Eastbourne News!
17,000 copies of this newspaper are
printed and distributed every month.
Email: sales@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
Call: 01323 33 70 70
Survey conducted in March 2026 by Insight6, an
independent research company. Figure stated is the
result of a survey of 200 people.

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MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
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WE’VE WE’VE GOT GOT THE THE ANSWER ON ON HOW HOW TO TO REDUCE
YOUR HOUSEHOLD YOUR HOUSEHOLD BILLS! BILLS! Call 07377 Call 584363, 07377 or 584363 scan QR
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SUDOKU CHALLENGE
Place a number (from 1 to 9 inclusive) into each square in
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© Puzzle Press Ltd (www.puzzlepress.co.uk)
CODEWORD
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Latest local news, visit: eastsussex.newseastbourne MAY 2026 MOTORING 23
Rare TVR Sagaris roars onto
market in Eastbourne
A car described as ‘the one TVR got
absolutely right’ has arrived on
the market in Eastbourne and it’s
already turning heads long before it
finds a new owner.
The TVR Sagaris, offered for
sale through local specialists HPC
Classics, is one of the most extreme
and desirable British sports cars ever
built, and with just 8,000 miles on the
clock, this example is about as close to
new as it gets.
Built in 2005, the Sagaris
represents the final evolution of
TVR’s no-compromise approach to
performance motoring, a car that
blends outrageous styling with raw,
unfiltered driving dynamics.
According to HPC Classics’ Miles
Hardy, it’s a machine that stands
shoulder to shoulder with some of
the world’s finest supercars, while
offering something far rarer.
He explained: “These cars are up
there with the very best machinery
from the top manufacturers. But
they’re far rarer than any Ferrari
you’re likely to buy for similar money,
more alive, more engaging and a
million times cooler.”
Even by TVR standards, the
Sagaris is a standout.
Its aggressive, almost futuristic
bodywork looks unlike anything else
on the road. Dramatic vents, sculpted
curves and those unmistakable
slash-cut side-exit exhausts, it’s a
car that doesn’t just attract attention
— it demands it.
Miles said: “People stop, take
photos, and comment wherever you
go. There’s nothing else quite like it.”
Like all TVRs, the interior is
completely driver-focused, bespoke,
hand-built and full of character. From
the billet aluminium pedal box to the
custom steering wheel and distinctive
instrument binnacle, everything is
designed to immerse the driver in
the experience.
Even the controls reflect TVR’s
quirky innovation, with hidden
buttons positioned behind the
steering wheel, a design that was
ahead of its time.
Despite its hardcore credentials, the
Sagaris is surprisingly usable. There’s
ample interior space, clever storage
solutions including door pockets that
double as bottle holders and a boot
large enough for touring.
At its heart lies TVR’s legendary
Speed Six engine with a 4.0-litre
straight-six producing around
406bhp. It’s capable of 0–60mph
in just 3.7 seconds and a top
speed of 185mph.
Fire the engine into life and it
responds with an immediate,
unmistakable bark. On the road, the
Sagaris feels alive, darting, flowing
and responding instantly to every
input. With no traction control
or driver aids, it delivers a pure,
analogue driving experience that is
becoming increasingly rare.
Miles claims: “The chassis balance
is almost indescribable. It just goes
exactly where you point it.”
TVR built just 211 Sagaris models,
and of those, only around 103 are
currently taxed and on UK roads,
making it one of the rarest modern
British performance cars available.
This particular example is
even more special.
Ordered by its original owner
before production had even begun,
it is believed to be among the first 30
cars built, one of the early deposits
that helped bring the Sagaris into
existence. As a result, it features
some unique early characteristics,
including the distinctive raised
fuel filler cap.
With just one previous owner, a
fully stamped service history, and
meticulous care throughout its
life, the car represents a genuine
collector-quality example.
Mechanically, the Sagaris is
described as being ‘on the button,
having been dry stored, carefully
maintained and serviced by some
of the most respected names
in the TVR world.
Most recently, it underwent
a full 12,000-mile service at
Powers Performance in April
2026, including tappet and valve
clearance adjustments, ensuring
it drives as tightly and precisely as
it did when new.
The car has also been ceramic
coated and protected with paint
protection film at the front,
leaving the bodywork in near
immaculate condition.
Supplied with a full history file,
original books, key fobs, code cards
and even a private registration
plate included in the sale, it offers
everything a serious collector or
enthusiast could want.
Beyond the driving experience, cars
like the Sagaris are increasingly being
seen as strong investments.
With international demand
growing, particularly from North
America, where import laws
allow vehicles over 25 years old,
specialists like HPC Classics are
already exporting cars to Canada and
the United States.
With that market set to fully open
up for the Sagaris in the coming
years, values are expected to
strengthen further.
Miles concluded: “Opportunities
to buy a car like this are few and far
between. It’s the sort of car that won’t
hang around for long.”
In an era dominated by electronic
aids, automation and refinement,
the TVR Sagaris stands apart as
something refreshingly different,
a machine built purely for the
joy of driving.
For more information, about viewing
and price, contact HPC Classics
on 07834 228821.

HAMPDEN PARK MOTORING CENTRE
£18,995 £17,977
£16,888 £16,777 £16,555
£16,550
Ford Ranger
2021, 2.0 Ecoblue, Wildtrak pickup
double cab, 4-door, diesel, auto,
4WD, 84,800 miles, one owner, full
service history.
Kia Sportage
2023, 1.6, T-GDi 2, SUV, 5-door,
petrol, manual, 20,900 miles, Yuka
Steel Grey, only one owner since
new, service history.
BMW X2
2022, 2.0, 20i Sport, SUV, 5-door,
petrol, DCT sDrive, 66,800 miles,
one owner from new, full main
dealer service history.
Vauxhall Mokka
2024, 1.2, Turbo Ultimate SUV,
5-door, petrol, manual, 10,700
miles, one owner from new, comes
with service history.
Renault Arkana
2023, 1.3 MHEV evolution SUV,
5-door, petrol, EDC, 2wd, 36,200
miles, one owner, comes with full
service history.
Volkswagen T-Roc
2022, 1.5 TSi Life, SUV, 5-door,
petrol, manual, 52,800 miles, one
owner from new, comes with full
main dealer service history.
£15,810 £15,650
£14,988 £14,850 £14,750
£14,569
Volkswagen Golf
2020, 1.5, TSi Style, hatchback,
petrol, manual, 5-door, 27,800
miles, three owners from new, full
service history.
Nissan Qashqai
2021, 1.3, DIG-T, MHEV, N-Connecta,
SUV, 5-door, petrol hybrid, manual,
27,050 miles, only one owner with
comprehensive history.
MG HS
2021, 1.5, T-GDi Exclusive, SUV,
5-door, petrol, DCT, 24,900 miles,
automatic, one owner from new,
comes with service history.
Peugeot 2008
2022, 1.5, BlueHDi, Allure Premium,
SUV, 5-door, diesel, manual, 27,700
miles, only one owner from new,
main dealer service history.
Nissan Micra
2021, 1.0, IG-T, Acenta, hatchback,
5-door, petrol, XTRON, 7,000 miles,
automatic, one owner from new,
main dealer service history.
Renault Captur
2024, 1.0, TCe techno, SUV, 5-door,
petrol, manual, 36,900 miles, only
one owner from new, comes with
full dealer service history.
£14,550 £18,888
£14,150 £13,777 £13,720
£13,330
Suzuki Vitara
2021, 1.4, Boosterjet, 48v Hybrid,
SZ-T, 5-door, 19,100 miles, petrol,
manual, one owner from new, main
dealer history.
Vauxhall Combo Life
2021, 1.5 Turbo D, SE, MPV, 5-door,
diesel, manual, 35,300 miles, one
owner from new, full main dealer
service history.
Hyundai i20
2022, 1.0, T-DGi, MHEV, Premium,
hatchback, 5-door, petrol hybrid,
DCT, 32,000 miles, only one owner,
full dealer service history.
Vauxhall Corsa
2022, 1.2, Turbo Ultimate, hatchback,
5-door, petrol, automatic,
26,600 miles, only one owner since
new, dealer service history.
Ford Puma
2022, 1.0, Ecoboost, Hybrid, MHEV,
ST-Line X, 49,800 miles, manual,
one owner from new, comes with
full main dealer service history.
Ford Kuga
2021, 2.0, EcoBlue, MHEV, Titanium
edition, 5-door, 70,000 miles, diesel,
manual, one owner from new,
dealer service history.
Established In 1980
24 Month Warranty
on all cars over £4,500
All our cars are HPI clear so you
can buy with confidence
WE OFFER
24 MONTH
FREE WARRANTY
Competitive finance rates
subject to status
Multi branches
VISIT US AT: Mountfield Road,
Hampden Park (near railway crossing)
2020 Toyota Prius+. 1.8 VVT-h Icon, MPF, 5-door, Petrol
hybrid, CVT, 38.300 miles, only one owner since new, full
service hitory, new MoT and PDI .................................£19,480
2024 Seat Arone. 1.0, TSi, Fr Sport, SUV, 5-door, petrol,
DSG, 57,800 miles, Magnetic Tech Grey, automatic, only two
owners from new with full dealer service history .....£13,995
2022 Volkswagen Polo. 1.0, TSi, Life, hatchback, 5-door,
petrol, manual, 51,700 miles, only one owner from new,
comes with full main dealer service history ..............£13,440
2022 Renault Captur. 1.0, TCE 90 Iconic, 5-door, 21,300
miles, manufacturers warranty until 03/2027 or 100,000
miles, Highland Grey, one owner from new, full main dealer
service history ................................................................£13,250
2020 Skoda Scala. 1.0, TSi, SE L, hatchback, 5-door, manual,
petrol, 38,400 miles, finished in Black Magic, three owners
from new, full service history .......................................£12,999
2021 BMW 1-Series 116d. diesel, manual, Mineral Grey,
75,100 miles, one owner with dealer history .............£12,870
2022 Vauxhall Crossland. 1.2 Turbo Ultimate, sUV, 5-door,
petrol, automatic, 33,400 miles, Diamond Black, one owner
from new, full main dealer service histrory ...............£12,830
2021 Nissan Juke. 1.0, DiG-T 114, N-Connecta, 5-door,
27,000 miles, petrol, manual, one owner ..................£12,280
2023 Renault Clio. 1.6, E-Tech Evolution, petrol hybrid,
41,800 miles, two owners, dealer history ...................£12,100
2022 Kia Stonic. 1.0, T-GDi 2, petrol, manual, 47,900 miles,
one owner with dealer service history .......................£11,950
2021 Vauxhall Grandland X. 1.5, Turbo, D SRi, Navigation,
5-door, 44,200 miles, diesel, manual, Moonstone Grey, full
main dealer service history ..........................................£11,930
2023 Vauxhall Corsa. 1.2 Turbo, GS, hatchback, 5-door,
petrol, manual, Contrast Grey, 25,400 miles, only one owner
from new, full main dealer service history .................£11,870
2021 Ford EcoSport. 1.0 Ecoboost 125, ST Line, 5-door, petrol,
manual, Race Red, 66,700 miles, only one owner from
new, comes with full main dealer service history ......£10,480
2019 Ford Kuga. 1.5T, Ecoboost, GPF Zetec, SUV, 5-door,
petrol, manual, 26,800 miles, Frozen White, three owners
from new, comprehensive history ..............................£10,460
2021 Hyundai i10. 1.0, MPi, SE Connect, 5-door, 32,200
miles, Phantom Black, petrol, manual, only one owner from
new, main dealer service history .................................£10,280
2016 Toyota Yaris. VVT-i, Icon, 5-door, petrol, only 29,600
miles, Decuma Grey, main dealer service history .......£9,310
2018 Renault Kadjar. 1.5 dCi Dynamic, sat navigation,
5-door, diesel, EDC, 70,500 miles, three owners since new,
comes with service history .............................................£8,999
2019 Nissan Qashqai. 1.5 dCi Acenta Premium, SUV,
5-door, diesel, manual, 72,300 miles, Magnetic Red, only two
owners from new, full main dealer service history, comes
with new MoT and PDI check ........................................£8,710
2019 Skoda Fabia. 1.0, Colour Edition, hatchback, 5-door,
petrol, manual, Sky Blue, 62,100 miles, only one owner from
new, full main dealer service history ............................£8,210
2020 Nissan Leaf. 40kWh, N-Connecta, 5-door, Gun Metallic,
61,500 miles, only two owners from new, comprehensive
service history ..................................................................£7,888
2020 Peugeot 108. 1.0, 72 Allure, 5-door, petrol, manual,
51,700 miles, Raven Black, only one owner from new, comes
with service history, ULEZ compliant, new MoT and PDI
Check ................................................................................£7,777
2019 Citroen C3 Aircross. 1.2 Puretech Flair, SUV, 5-door,
petrol, manual, Passion Red, 81,800 miles, only two owners
from new, comes with service history, brand new MoT and
PDI check ..........................................................................£7,380
2013 Hyundai i10. 1.2 Active, hatchback, 5-door, petrol,
manual, 42,200 miles, Ice Cream White with back interior,
only one owner from new, full main dealer service history,
comes with new MoT and PDI check ............................£5,995
CALL HAMPDEN PARK MOTORING CENTRE 01323 507307
hailshammotoringcentre.co.uk
Email: Hampdenparkmotors@outlook.com

HAILSHAM MOTORING CENTRE
£19,995 £18,888
£16,445 £16,195 £15,985
£14,850
Volvo XC40
2020, 41,300 miles, 1.5, petrol,
automatic, 5-door, T3 R-Design,
one owner from new, main dealer
service history, new MoT.
Mercedes A-Class
2022, A180 AMG Line Edition Executive,
5-door, petrol, 7G-DCT, 38,100
miles, Cosmic Black, automatic,
one owner, full history.
Seat Ateca
2023, 1.5 TSi Evo Xperience SUV,
5-door, petrol, manual, 33,300
miles, Nevada white, one owner
from new, service history.
Renault Arkana
2022, 1.6 E-Tech S Edition SUV,
5-door, Petrol Hybrid, 2wd, 28,400
miles, automatic, one owner, main
dealer service history.
BMW 3-Series
2020, 2.0, 330e, 12kWh, M Sport,
4-door, Plug-in Hybrid, Auto, 83,600
miles, Sunset Orange, only one
owner from new, dealer history.
MG HS
2023, 1.5, T-GDi, Exclusive, SUV,
5-door, Petrol, DCT, 40,100 miles,
Arctic white, automatic, one owner,
main dealer service history.
£14,840 £14,810
£14,250 £14,200 £13,999
£13,820
Toyota Prius
2019, 1.8 VVT-h, Business Edition,
hatchback, 5-door, Petrol Hybrid,
54,300 miles, Decuma Grey, two
owners, comprehensive history.
Peugeot 3008
2022, 1.5 BlueHDi Active premium,
SUV, diesel, manual, 47,500 miles,
Nera black, full main dealer history,
only one owner from new.
Hyundai i20
2022, T-GDi, 1.0, MHEV, N-Line,
hatchback, 5-door, petrol hybrid,
22,700 miles, manual, one owner
from new, service history.
Volkswagen Golf
2020, 1.5, TSi, Evo Match Edition,
hatchback, 5-door, petrol, manual,
43,600 miles, pure white, two owners
from new, service history.
Kia Stonic
2022, 1.0, T-GDi MHEV, GT-Line,
SUV, 5-door, Petrol Hybrid, Manual,
25,400 miles, Azure Blue, one owner
from new, full service history.
Suzuki Swift
2023, 1.2 Dualjet, MHEV, SZ-T,
Hatchback, 5-door, Petrol Hybrid,
43,000 miles, automatic, one owner
from new, full service history.
£13,550 £13,500
£13,450 £9,999 +vat £13,250
£12,990
Audi Q2
2021, 30 TFSi, Technik, 5-door,
51,300 miles, Navara Blue, Petrol,
Manual, two owners from new, full
service history.
Peugeot 2008
2023, 1.2 Puretech Active, SUV,
5-door, Petrol, Manual, 29,200
miles, Nara Black, only one owner,
main dealer service history.
Renault Megane
2021, 1.6 E-Tech, 9.8kWh, RS Line
Sport Tourer, Petrol, Plug-in Hybrid,
automatic, 47,500 miles, two
owners, dealer service history.
Peugeot Partner 1000
2020, 1.5 BlueHDi 100 Professional
van, one company owner from new,
38,800 miles, service history, new
MoT and PDI.
Hyundai Kona
2023, 1.0, T-GDi, MHEV, SE Connect,
SUV, 5-door, Petrol Hybrid, Manual,
43,044 miles, one owner from new,
full dealer service history.
Dacia Jogger
2022, 1.0, TCe Comfort, MPV,
5-door, petrol, Manual, 31,600
miles, Slate Grey, one owner from
new, service history.
Established In 1980
24 Month Warranty
on all cars over £4,500
All our cars are HPI clear so you
can buy with confidence
WE OFFER
24 MONTH
FREE WARRANTY
Competitive finance rates
subject to status
Multi branches
VISIT US AT: Diplocks Way,
Hailsham (next to BP Garage)
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan. TDI R-Line Tech, 5-door, Manual,
69,300 miles, 2.0l, only one owner from new, full main dealer
service history, new MoT and PDI ..............................................
...........................................................................................£18,000
2023 Ford Fiesta. 1.0T, EcoBoost, MHEV Active X, Hatchback,
5-door, petrol, 27,400 miles, automatic, 125ps, only
one owner from new, main dealer service history ...................
...........................................................................................£15,195
2022 Toyota Corolla. 1.8 VVt-h, GPF DEsign, hatchback,
5-door, petrol Hybrid, CVT, 61,600 miles, 1.8L, automatic,
three owners from new, main dealer service history ..............
...........................................................................................£14,999
2024 Citroen C3. 1.2, Puretech MAX, Hatchback, 5-door,
petrol, EAT6, 11,500 miles, Soft Sand, automatic, only one
owner from new, full main dealer service history, new MoT
and new PDI comes with the car...................................£12,980
2024 Vauxhall Corsa. 1.2, GS, Hatchback, 5-door, petrol,
manual, 32,500 miles, only one company car owner from
new, full service history..................................................£12,890
2019 Skoda Kamiq. 1.0, TSi, SE L, SUV, 5-door, petrol, manual,
40,400 miles, Quartz Grey, only one owner from new, full
main dealer service history ...........................................£12,850
2024 Toyota Aygo X. 1.0, VVT-i Edge, Hatchback, 5-door,
manual, petrol, 30,300 miles, Ginger Beige with black, only
one owner from new, ULEZ compliant ........................£12,750
2022 Renault Clio. 1.0, TCe, Evolution, 5-door, petrol,
manual, 22,900 miles, one owner, service history .....£12,750
2019 Audi A1. 1.0 TFSi, 30 Sport, Sportback, 5-door, petrol,
manual, 72,900 miles, Misano Red, three owners since new,
full service history ...........................................................£11,999
2021 Citroen C4. 1.2, Puretech, Sense Plus, 5-door, 50,000
miles, Elixir Red, petrol, manual, only one owner from new,
full service history, new MoT and PDI ..........................£11,995
2021 Nissan Juke. 1.0, DIG-T Acenta, SUV, 5-door, petrol,
manual, 31,400 miles, Pearl Black, only one owner from
new, full main dealer service history ............................£11,980
2020 Skoda Octavia. 1.5 TSi, GPF Act SE Technology,
hatchback, 5-door, petrol, manual, 61,800 miles, Quartz
Grey, three owners from new, full main dealer service history
...........................................................................................£11,888
2022 Nissan Leaf. 160kw e+, N-Connecta, 62kWh, 5-door,
automatic, manufacturers warranty until 2027, 42,600 miles,
only one owner from new, this car comes with full main
dealer service history .....................................................£11,777
2021 Citroen C5 Aircross. 1.5 Blue HDi Shine, SUV, 5-door,
diesel, manual, 48,800 miles, Platinum Grey, only one owner
from new, vehicles comes with main dealer full service
history ..............................................................................£11,750
2021 Dacia Duster. 1.0, TCe, 90 Comfort, 5-door, SUV,
27,200 miles, petrol, manual, Iron Blue, only two owners
form new, main dealer service history .........................£11,295
2022 Kia Sportage. 1.6 GDi 2, GPF, SUV, 5-door, petrol,
manual, 82,700 miles, Phatom Black, only one company
owner from new, service history ..................................£11,153
2020 Vauxhall Combo. 1.2 Turbo, Life, GPF Energy, MPV,
5-door, petrol, manual, 55,800 miles, one owner from new,
cambelt serviced, main dealer service history ...........£11,150
2024 MG MG3. 1.5, VTi-Tech, Exclusive, Navigation, hatchback,
petrol, manual, manufacturers warranty until 2031,
19,500 miles, one owner, dealer service history .........£10,999
2019 Seat ibiza. 1.6, TDi, 95 SE Technology, 5-door, 29,900
miles, Midnight Black, manual, diesel, two owners from
new, comes with service history ...................................£10,865
2018 Seat Leon. 2.0 TDi,Fr Technology, hatchback, 5-door,
diesel, manual, 60,100 miles, midnight black, only two
previous owners, comes with service history .............£10,480
2019 Volkswagen T-Cross. 1.0 TSi, SE, SUV, 5-door, petrol,
manual, 78,900 miles, Reef Blue, only two owners, comes
with comprehensive history .........................................£10,440
2021 Vauxhall Corsa. 1.2 Turbo, SE Premium, Hatchback,
5-door, petrol, automatic, 64,000 miles, only two owners
from new, wet belt service done, main dealer service history
.............................................................................................£9,450
2022 Dacia Sandero. 1.0, TCe Essential, hatchback, petrol,
manual, 37,900 miles, Iron Blue, only two owners from new,
comprehensive service history .......................................£8,999
2021 Dacia Sandero. 1.0, Stepway, Prestige, 5-door, 87,900
miles, manual, one owner, full service history..............£8,470
2018 Renault Captur. 1.5, DCi, 90 Iconic, 64,900 miles,
manual, diesel, Murcury grey and black, two owners from
new, comprehensive service history ..............................£8,160
CALL HAILSHAM MOTORING CENTRE 01323 449900
hailshammotoringcentre.co.uk
Email: ken.hailshammcentre@hotmail.com

26 SPORT
MAY 2026
Latest local news, visit: eastbourne.news
Family football day
set to culminate
in annual hospital
showdown
GET ready for a thrilling day of
community spirit, family fun, and
fierce football rivalry as Hastings
United Football Club opens its
doors on Sunday, 10th May,
from 10am, for a special Family
Football Fun Day.
The event promises excitement for
all ages, culminating in the highly
anticipated annual staff match
between Conquest Hospital and
Eastbourne DGH.
The day kicks off with a celebration
of local youth talent, as the Hastings
United Academy Kids and Youth
teams take to the pitch for a series
of friendly games. It’s a fantastic
opportunity for families and friends
to support the rising stars of local
football and catch a glimpse of the
future of the sport in Hastings.
Next up will be an inclusive
Football Friendly Match between
Hastings United and Eastbourne
Borough Inclusive and Disability
Football Teams. Highlighting
the need for more inclusive
sporting opportunities.
And finally, the hotly contested
Annual Hospital Cup. Staff teams
from Conquest Hospital and
Eastbourne District General Hospital
will go head-to-head in what has
become a legendary local fixture. The
Conquest Hospital team currently
boasts an impressive record, having
secured victory in four out of the last
five encounters. All eyes will be on the
pitch to see if they can extend their
dominance or if Eastbourne DGH can
finally snatch the trophy back.
“This event is more than just
football; it’s about bringing our
community together, celebrating
our local talent, and showing
appreciation for our incredible NHS
staff,” says organiser Jo Clark from
The Friends of Conquest Hospital
“The rivalry between Conquest and
Eastbourne is always a highlight, and
we’re expecting another passionate
display from both sides!”
Beyond the beautiful game, there
will be plenty to keep the whole family
entertained. Exciting football-themed
games the PowerShot Challenge and
FootDarts, traditional fair games,
a tombola brimming with prizes,
and a lucky dip will provide endless
fun for children. Hot food provided
by Hastings United and waffles and
ice creams from The Waffle Wagon
will be available throughout the day,
and the licensed bar will be open for
adults to enjoy refreshments and soak
in the vibrant atmosphere.
The Family Football Fun Day is a
brand-new collaboration between
Hastings United Football Club, Sussex
Police and The Friends of Conquest
Hospital, with funds raised on the day
going to support our local hospital.
It is being generously sponsored by
Lightning Fibre — Your most local full
fibre broadband provider for homes
and businesses — up to 10Gbps!
going on at the Pilot Field, home
of Hastings United FC, on the 10th
of May and is set to be a highlight
in the local calendar, offering a
perfect blend of sporting action,
community engagement, and family
entertainment. Come down, support
your local teams, cheer on our NHS
heroes, and be part of a brilliant day.
For more details visit the Friends
of Conquest Hospital website:
www.conquestfriends.co.uk
CASH PRICES PAID FOR HI FI EQUIPMENT, CD & RECORD COLLECTIONS
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Records, CDs & Hi Fi equipment
01424 222011 No.5 Sackville Road, Bexhill, TN39 3JB
info@recordsandretro.co.uk Open Tues-Sat, 10am till 4pm
HARNESSING THE STRENGTHS
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Many people keep newspapers
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our recent survey shows an
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PUBLIC NOTICE
THE LICENSING ACT 2003 (PREMISES LICENCES AND
CLUB PREMISES CERTIFICATES) REGULATIONS 2005
I Maria Shehu do hereby serve notice on 20th April 2026 that it is my intention to apply to Eastbourne
Borough Council for the grant of a new premises licence to use or permit the use of the premises known
as:
Coffee and Carrot, 42 Cornfield Rd, Eastbourne, BN21 4QH
for the following licensable activities
Sale of Alcohol by Retail (on and off the premises) 08:00 to 23:00
Any person who desires to make a representation to the grant, should send a brief written statement of
the grounds of his/her objection to licensing@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk or Licensing Team, Eastbourne
Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UG no later than midnight on 18th May 2026
The register and records of applications may be viewed at the above council office during normal office
hours; summaries are available via www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application, the
maximum penalty for which a person is liable on summary conviction is an unlimited fine.
PUBLISHED ON 1 MAY 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE LICENSING ACT 2003 (PREMISES LICENCES AND
CLUB PREMISES CERTIFICATES) REGULATIONS 2005
Regulation 25 Advertisement. To: WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
We Astrit Limited do hereby serve notice on 21st April 2026 that it is our intention to apply to Eastbourne Borough
Council for the variation of a premises licence to use or permit the use of premises known as
Morgans Wine Bar, 114 South Street, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ
for the following proposed variation:
‘Sale of Alcohol by Retail (on and off the premises), on a Friday and Saturday and any day preceding a Bank Holiday
to 11:00 to 00:00 and to permit Regulated Entertainment (Live Music, Recorded Music, Other Entertainment similar
to Live or Recorded Music or Dance Performance), on a Friday and Saturday and any day preceding a Bank Holiday
23:00 to 00:00, To update Opening Hours - Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00, Friday and Saturday any day preceding
a Bank Holiday 11:00 to 00:00
Any person who desires to make a representation to the grant should send a brief written statement of the grounds
of his/her objection to licensing@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk or Licensing Team Eastbourne Town Hall Grove Road
Eastbourne BN21 4UG no later than midnight on 19th May 2026
The register and records of applications may be viewed at the above council office during normal office hours;
summaries are available via www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum
penalty for which a person is liable on summary conviction is an unlimited fine.
PUBLISHED ON 1 MAY 2026