Bexhill News, June 2026, Issue 48

JUNE 2026 | ISSUE 48
YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR BEXHILL, COODEN, SIDLEY, PEBSHAM AND SURROUNDING AREAS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: LOCAL NEWS • EVENTS • FEATURES • MOTORING • SPORT
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2 NEWS
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
WELCOME
NOW the fine weather has finally
arrived, it makes you realise what a
special town we have in Bexhill.
The amazing sunshine has brought
people out to enjoy our incredible
coastline and just walking along the
prom makes you me feel like I’m
the other side of the world on some
paradise beach.
This is the time of year the town
really looks forward to, with people
coming from all over the country, and
indeed across the world, to see what
Bexhill has to offer.
Seeing the restaurants and bars
overwhelmed with customers is great
to see and it exactly what they look
forward to after all the cold quiet
times of the year.
In this edition, we report on the
results of the election last month which
certainly raised some eyebrows. See
page 6 for who was elected for all the
wards across Bexhill. Let’s hope these
new councillors will continue to fight
for our town to sort the issues which
affect our residents.
Also, we have a full report and photos
of the Bexhill Horse Show which took
place at the Polegrove over the Bank
Holiday weekend.
It was great to see this popular
event so busy as always — again, the
event is yet another reason people
from all over the country come to
Bexhill. These events take so much
time and effort, normally by volunteers,
to organise, so we must salute those
who continue to make sure these
happen so that the community can
gather and hold something we can
all be proud of.
Paul Gibson, Group Editor
THE TEAM
PAUL GIBSON — GROUP EDITOR
paul@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
VIKTORIA COWLEY — FEATURES AND ACCOUNTS
viktoria@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
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sports@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
DEAN COOK — PRODUCTION
design@regionalmediagroup.co.uk
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without express permission of the editor.
Residents object to
major Bexhill housing
development plans
A GROWING campaign against
controversial plans to build up to 335
homes on farmland off Ninfield Road
in Bexhill has gathered significant
support from residents and local
businesses, with campaigners
warning the development could
overwhelm roads, damage wildlife
and permanently alter the semirural
character of the area.
The outline planning application,
submitted to Rother District Council,
proposes the demolition of existing
buildings at High House Farm and
Summerleas before constructing up
to 335 residential dwellings, including
affordable housing.
Plans also include a new vehicular
access road from Ninfield Road,
internal roads, parking, landscaping,
public open space and associated
infrastructure. All matters
remain reserved apart from the
main site access.
The consultation period for the
application has now closed , but
campaigners say they secured
more than 100 signatures on a
petition opposing the plans, while 87
objections from residents and local
businesses were formally submitted to
the council’s planning portal.
Residents also attended a recent
meeting of Bexhill Town Council,
where councillors heard strong
representations against the
application before unanimously
voting to object to the proposals.
Local resident Carol Baker, who has
been helping coordinate opposition
to the scheme, said the development
would place unsustainable pressure
on local roads and infrastructure.
She told Bexhill News: “The outline
proposal to build a total of nearly
500 houses on the very edge of north
west Bexhill where new residents
will be forced onto the roads to access
amenities as Sidley lacks many.
“The road (A269) is ill maintained
and pedestrian walkways are narrow,
overgrown and only exist on one side
of the road forcing people to cross
back and forth.”
She said there had been nine
reported accidents at the junction
Bexhill man gets life in
prison for Rita’s murder
A MAN who murdered 58-year-old
Rita Lambourne in her Bexhill home
has been sentenced to life in prison
with a minimum term of 31 years.
Donald Excell, 50, a British national
of Seabourne Road, Bexhill, was
sentenced at Hove Crown Court on
Thursday, May 28.
Rita was fatally wounded at an
address in Bayencourt South on
the evening of 12 February 2025, at
around 9.30pm. Despite the best
efforts of paramedics, she was sadly
confirmed deceased at the scene.
The jury heard how Excell, a cousin
of Rita’s, entered her home
that night and attacked
her with an axe, causing
fatal injuries.
Using extensive CCTV
footage, police were
able to track Excell’s
movements in the hours
before and after the
attack, which ultimately
led to his identification
and arrest. During police interviews,
Excell answered “no comment” to
most questions.
Officers were initially unable
with St Mary’s Lane during 2025 alone,
alongside numerous minor collisions
and near misses.
Residents say two further incidents
occurred at the junction on May 20.
The petition submitted to the council
states: “North and West Bexhill will
be overburdened by recent and
planned developments.
“Our local infrastructure, in
particular the road systems, cannot
sustain this increase of up to 335
houses, circa 900 population, and
over 500 cars in an area with only
400 residents.”
Campaigners also point to
figures within the applicant’s own
documentation, which they say
estimate the development would
generate around 1,600 additional
vehicle movements every day.
Residents argue this undermines
suggestions the scheme would
represent sustainable development,
particularly given the limited
public transport and lack of
nearby amenities.
The petition warns the land is
to locate the weapon,
clothing or bag used during
the murder. However,
on 20 September, the
investigation took a
significant turn when
some teenage boys
discovered a rucksack
when fishing at a lake
north of Bexhill. Inside the
bag they found clothing
and a sheath for an axe, along with a
sandbag used to weigh the bag down.
Following a search of the lake, officers
later discovered an axe.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
To write to the editor, email:
letters@bexhill.news
important for biodiversity and
community wellbeing, while also
bordering a Site of Special Scientific
Interest containing ancient woodland.
Residents also claim the area’s
designated dark-sky status could be
threatened by additional street lighting
associated with the development.
The petition states: “This land is
vital for local biodiversity, wildlife,
community well-being and developing
this site will cause ecological
damage and destroy an area of high
environmental value.”
Traffic safety has emerged as one
of the key issues raised by objectors,
particularly around the busy stretch
of Ninfield Road close to the Sidley
bypass roundabout.
The petition adds: “It can be
dangerous exiting from Thorne
Crescent, Chestnut Meadow, Peartree
Lane and St Mary’s Lane all within
a short distance from the Sidley
bypass roundabout.
“To add another access point,
on a bend and within 50 metres
of St Mary’s Lane is an accident
waiting to happen.”
One objection stated: “I absolutely
object to this outline planning
proposal. This HAS to be considered
alongside the other planning
application for Chestnut Meadow
which, if passed, will open the
door to a further application for
another 160 houses.”
Another resident objecting to the
application said: “The project is
wholly unsuitable for its semi-rural
area, community facilities and
infrastructure.
“The roads leading to and its
proposed access and exits are already
insufficient for the amount of traffic
we receive and experience a high
number of road traffic collisions with a
number of accident hotspots.”
The plans can still be viewed
on the Rother District Council
planning portal using reference
RR/2026/0440/OUT.
Subsequent financial enquiries
revealed that Excell had purchased an
axe and a leather axe sheath in 2019,
both delivered to his home address.
Expert analysis confirmed that the
wounds sustained by Rita were
consistent with an axe of that size.
Donald Excell was arrested on 14
February and charged with murder
and possession of a weapon in a
public place. Following a trial at
Hove Crown Court, which concluded
on Friday, 19 December, he was
found guilty by a unanimous jury
on both counts.
Excell also pleaded guilty to an
unrelated assault on his father at a
previous hearing in August 2025.
He was remanded in custody
and appeared before the same
court on Thursday, 28 May, where
he was sentenced.

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4 NEWS
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Shoplifter strikes as Police &
Crime Commissioner visits
Little Common businesses
A SHOPLIFTER struck while Sussex
Police & Crime Commissioner Katy
Bourne was visiting Little Common
businesses recently to discuss crime
concerns, with the suspect being
detained on the spot by a police
officer accompanying the group.
Katy was in the village on 14th May,
alongside local ward councillors
Connor Winter and Jimmy Stanger,
as well as a local Police Sergeant,
Tom Mele, to hear first-hand from
traders about anti-social behaviour,
shoplifting and other crime issues
affecting the area.
But during the visit, a theft took
place inside one of the shops
they were visiting, prompting the
accompanying officer to intervene
immediately, giving Katy Bourne a
first-hand view of the problem locally.
Speaking to Bexhill News, Mrs
Bourne said the incident highlighted
exactly the kind of issues facing high
streets across Sussex.
She said: “We’ve been round quite
a few of the businesses in Little
Common today, just chatting to the
owners, which has been really good.
I’m always pleased to hear that people
feel safe, but obviously, they’ve been
telling me about particular incidents
that have happened, which has
been very useful.
“But one of the exciting things that
happened was while we were in one
of the shops, a theft was in progress,
and because we had the police officer
with us, he was able to deal with it, so
actually, right in front of us, you could
see shoplifting happening.
“I’ve been talking about this for
many years, as people know, and I’m
really delighted that Sussex Police
take it as seriously as they do, but
this particular individual, who they
detained today, was also caught very
recently doing exactly the same thing.
“So what will happen now, when
it goes to court, they’ll look for a
Criminal Behaviour Order, and the
individual may even have to wear a
tag as a result.”
The visit was organised by Cllr
Connor Winter as part of ongoing
efforts to tackle retail crime and
encourage businesses to make use
of reporting systems such as DISC,
which has previously been promoted
to help identify repeat offenders
and improve intelligence sharing
between traders and police.
Councillor Winter said the incident
demonstrated why visible policing
remained important.
He said: “Strong local
representation means action and
bringing senior decision-makers
directly into our communities to hear
concerns first-hand.
“The Little Common Business
Walkabout with Katy Bourne proved
extremely productive, with many
local businesses speaking openly
about anti-social behaviour and lowlevel
crime affecting the village.
“I would like to thank Katy for taking
the time to listen to residents, traders,
and the concerns I raised as the local
ward councillor.
“During the walkabout, we also
witnessed a live shop theft incident
within the village, with the individual
quickly apprehended and dealt
with by officers, a stark reminder of
the challenges facing some of our
businesses and why visible policing
and proactive engagement matter.
“This is what active local
representation delivers: visibility,
engagement, and action
on the ground.”
The visit comes after concerns
were raised by Bexhill businesses
last year over rising shoplifting and
anti-social behaviour, with some
traders saying crime had left them
questioning whether to continue
investing in the town.
Town centre road remains
closed as sinkhole
investigations continue
Man detained under
Mental Health Act
after knife incident
Eversley Road Sinkhole. Photo, Andrew Crotty
EVERSLEY Road in Bexhill
remains closed with no confirmed
reopening date, as investigations
continue into the sinkhole issue
affecting the road.
The route was originally shut after a
sinkhole appeared, with East Sussex
Highways initially aiming to reopen
the road by May 1. However, that
deadline passed with the road still
closed, and highways officials have
now confirmed the ongoing delay
is due to continued investigations
into the underlying cause, including
reports of a second sinkhole.
A spokesperson for East Sussex
Highways said: “We are aware of
reports of a second sinkhole in
Eversley Road, Bexhill and the road
remains closed to ensure the safety
of road users whilst we continue our
investigations into the root cause.
“It is important that the underlying
issue is identified before permanent
repairs are carried out and we need
specialist equipment to do this due to
a number of utilities under the road.”
The closure continues to cause
disruption for residents and
motorists, with no indication yet
as to when the road will be able
to safely reopen.
Bexhill News has contacted East
Sussex Highways for any further
updates on the repair programme
and expected timescales.
A MAN arrested after an armed
police incident in Bexhill involving
reports of a bladed weapon has
now been detained under the
Mental Health Act, Sussex Police
have confirmed.
Officers were called to Third Avenue
at around 12.40pm on Saturday (16
May) following reports of a man
with a bladed weapon. No members
of the public were harmed during
the incident, which later moved to
Ravenside Retail and Leisure Park
in De La Warr Road, where officers
deployed a distraction device to safely
detain the man.
A 46-year-old man was initially
arrested on suspicion of attempted
grievous bodily harm, possession of a
bladed article in a public place, affray,
and criminal damage.
After being taken to hospital for
medical checks, police confirmed he
has since been detained under the
Mental Health Act and remains in the
care of medical professionals.
Detective Superintendent
Jayantha Mendis-Gunasekera
said: “We understand the concern
this incident will have caused, and
I’d like to thank the community for
their patience and understanding
while officers responded
to the incident.
“Our priority is safety, and the
deployment of distraction tactics
enabled officers to swiftly detain the
man and ensure public safety.
“After a thorough investigation, the
man has been detained under the
Mental Health Act for his safety and
the safety of the public.”

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6 NEWS
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Reform sweeps all four seats
in County Council election
REFORM UK has taken all four East
Sussex County Council seats in
Bexhill following Thursday’s local
elections, in a dramatic political
shift across the town.
Voters headed to the polls on
Thursday (May 7) to decide who
would represent Bexhill East, North,
South and West at County Hall,
with Reform candidates emerging
victorious in every division.
In Bexhill East, Reform’s Martin
Kenward secured victory with
1,267 votes, comfortably ahead of
independent candidate Charles
Clarke on 604 votes. Green Party
candidate Tina Neale polled 502,
while Conservative Simon Elford
received 441 votes. Turnout in
the ward was 42 per cent, with
3,562 votes cast.
In Bexhill North, Donald Walmsley
won for Reform with 1,056 votes,
ahead of the Rother Association of
Independent Councillors’ Abul Azad,
who secured 864 votes. Conservative
Paul Peters received 484 votes, while
Liberal Democrat Jimmy Stanger
polled 410. Turnout was 41 per cent,
with 3,422 votes cast.
Bexhill South saw another
Reform gain, with Victoria Carson
elected after receiving 1,333 votes.
Conservative Ian Hollidge came
second with 978 votes, while Green
Party candidate Ariel Rathbone
secured a notable 825 votes and
Labour’s Christine Bayliss polled 704.
Turnout in the division was 44 per
cent, with 4,267 votes cast.
The highest turnout in the town was
recorded in Bexhill West, where 52
per cent of eligible voters cast their
ballots. Reform’s Pete Morley won
the seat with 1,647 votes, ahead of
independent Connor Winter on 1,307
and Conservative Joe Carter on 1,047.
A total of 5,002 votes were cast.
Across the county, the results mean
no single party holds a majority of the
50 divisions in East Sussex.
The overall results are:
• Reform UK — 22 members
• Liberal Democrats — 13 members
• Green Party — 11 members
• Conservative — 3 members
• Independent — 1 member
The new council will meet for the
first time at its annual meeting on
Thursday, May 21.
The results mean Reform
UK will now represent all of
Bexhill’s divisions on East Sussex
County Council, as the political
landscape in the town undergoes a
significant shake-up.
Call for military vehicle
owners as new club launches
A NEW East Sussex branch of the
Military Vehicle Trust has been
launched and its founder is already
appealing for more volunteers to
help support community events
across the county.
Classic military vehicle enthusiast
Rob Bryant has established the
new branch after discovering East
Sussex was one of the few areas in the
country without its own local group.
The branch held its first official
meet at The Yew Tree in Chalvington
in April, attracting eight vehicles
dating from the Second World War
through to 1972.
But despite only launching two
weeks ago, the new branch has
already received requests to attend
a number of local events and school
fetes, with organisers now urgently
seeking more military vehicle owners
to get involved.
Rob, who owns a 1955 Austin
Champ carrying the insignia of the
former Royal Sussex Regiment, said
he has so far only managed to gather
four regular local attendees.
Speaking to Hailsham News, Rob
said: “I do not want to let any of
these worthy causes down, but I
need more vehicles.
The new branch has already
been invited to support events,
including ECAT at Cross Levels Way
on May 24, Little Common School
Fete on June 27, events involving
both the Hailsham and Heathfield
Army Cadets, and a visit to Mais
House Royal British Legion care
home in Bexhill.
Rob has previously supported
Hailsham’s Remembrance events
for the past three years and
Armed Forces Day celebrations in
Eastbourne for the past two years.
The Military Vehicle Trust (MVT)
describes itself as the world’s largest
group of ex-military vehicle owners
and enthusiasts, as well as the only
charity dedicated to keeping our
mechanical veterans alive.
Founded in 1968, the organisation
supports people preserving historic
military vehicles and aims to
promote understanding of how such
vehicles contributed to Britain’s
military heritage.
Rob is now encouraging anyone
in East Sussex who owns or has
an interest in military vehicles
to come forward and help grow
the new branch.
Anyone interested in joining or
supporting the East Sussex branch
of the Military Vehicle Trust is
encouraged to get in touch by
emailing: sussexeastmvt@gmail.com
Bereavement First Aid
resources launched
to support grief
ST Michael’s Hospice has launched
new online Bereavement First
Aid resources to help people feel
more confident supporting those
experiencing grief.
Developed in partnership with
Hollington Primary School, Little
Gate Farm and Rainbow Kitchen
Magic, these resources are designed
to normalise conversations around
dying, death and loss, strengthen
community connection and inspire
compassion, understanding and care.
Ashley McCormick, Community
Partnerships and Inclusion Lead,
said: “We hope the Bereavement First
Aid resources for primary schools,
co-produced with Hollington Primary
School, can support teachers through
changes to the RSHE Curriculum,
which will include learning around
grief and loss. From September 2026,
all pupils will learn that ‘change and
loss, including bereavement, can
provoke a range of feelings, that grief
is a natural response to bereavement,
and that everyone grieves differently’.
(DfE, July 2025)”
The packs are available to
download from the Hospice’s website
stmichaelshospice.com and a limited
number of hard copy packs will be
available at the Good Grief Hastings
marketplace event at the Stade on
Saturday 23rd May.
To find out more about Good Grief
Hastings, visit www.18hours.org.uk/
good-grief-festival
Man arrested following
Police pursuit
A MAN from Bexhill was arrested
following a police pursuit
through St Leonards-on-Sea and
Bexhill on 4th May.
Officers attempted to stop a vehicle,
which failed to do so, prompting a
prolonged pursuit.
The vehicle was eventually brought
to a stop and the driver was arrested.
A 23-year-old man was arrested
on suspicion of dangerous driving,
failing to stop, possession of a bladed
article, drug driving, possession
with intent to supply Class A drugs,
taking a motor vehicle without
consent, driving without insurance,
and driving otherwise than in
accordance with a licence.
He remains in police
custody at this time.
Anyone with information,
including CCTV or dashcam
footage of the vehicle in the area
at the time, is asked to report it
to Sussex Police online, quoting
reference 47260113592.

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8 NEWS
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Debt advice service
celebrates helping
families clear
£2.5 million
A BEXHILL debt advice service
is celebrating 15 years of
changing lives after helping local
families clear a staggering £2.5
million of debt.
Freedom Church Bexhill’s debt
support centre, run in partnership
with national charity Christians
Against Poverty (CAP), has spent the
past 15 years helping people across
Bexhill, Battle and surrounding
areas who have found themselves
overwhelmed by financial hardship.
Since launching in 2011, the service
has helped 195 local households
become debt-free, either by
repaying what they owed or through
insolvency solutions, while also
providing emergency food and fuel
support to families in crisis.
But organisers say the impact
has reached far beyond finances
— restoring hope, repairing
relationships and improving
the mental wellbeing of many
local residents.
The milestone was marked with
a special anniversary celebration
service at Beulah Baptist Church
on Sunday, where supporters,
volunteers and partner organisations
came together to reflect on the
service’s impact.
The event also marked the
retirement of founder Ros Thomas,
whose efforts helped establish the
Bexhill debt centre and support
hundreds of struggling families
over the years.
Guy Partridge, manager of the
Bexhill CAP Debt Centre, paid
tribute to the volunteers and partner
churches who have helped keep the
service running.
He said: “I want to thank all the
team and volunteers from Freedom
Church Bexhill and our partner
churches who over the last 15
years have spent countless hours
supporting local people in need.
“Because of them, and the money
they have generously donated,
many lives have been changed
for the better.”
Mr Partridge said many households
continue to face immense
financial pressure amid the rising
cost of essentials.
He added: “Debt can be easy to fall
into and hard to get out of without
expert help, especially with how high
the cost of essentials are right now.
“Living on a low income, combined
with a change in circumstances that
impacts your finances, can quickly
lead you into spiralling debt.
“Our CAP Debt Centre doesn’t
just offer free debt help — we also
provide emotional support and
encouragement, and can offer
emergency food and fuel top-ups
for clients at times of crisis. This is
all part of our effort to fight poverty
in our area and help people here in
Bexhill to thrive.”
The Bexhill centre is one of a
network of CAP debt services across
the UK, offering free help to people
facing unmanageable debt.
Anyone needing support can
contact CAP’s free debt helpline
on 0800 328 0006.
Hospital charity appeals
for supporters as
membership slump
MEMBERSHIP of a charity which
in the last 25 years has funded
more than £12.5m worth of hi-tech
medical equipment for the benefit
of local patients is plummeting,
according to the League of Friends
of Bexhill Hospital.
Two decades ago, the League of
Friends of Bexhill Hospital boasted
nearly 2,000 supporters, and now, it
has barely a tenth of that number.
The registered charity was founded
in 1952. In broad terms, its purpose is
to ‘put jam on NHS bread’.
When local NHS institutions,
such as East Sussex Healthcare
NHS Trust, find a need for newlydeveloped
medical equipment or the
replacement of ageing and hard-worn
gear, it submits what are referred to
as ‘Bids to the League.
Thanks in large part to generous
legacies from supporters grateful for
the health care they have received
locally, the League has been able to
respond to these challenges.
Recent examples of the way the
charity can act include a £90,000
scheme to move the kitchens from
the main Bexhill Hospital block,
which no longer has inpatients, to the
54-bedded Irvine Unit in the grounds.
The League has also recently funded
a £25,000 project to replace ageing
exercise cycles in the Physiotherapy
Department with hi-tech devices.
These include the encouraging
facility for the patient to choose
which “environment” in which
to cycle. Thus, recovering stroke
patients can watch on-screen as they
“ride” the Champs Élysées in Paris or
around the Taj Mahal!
Under its constitution, the League
can support Bexhill patients
wherever they are treated. It funded
an £860,000 MRI scanner at the
Conquest Hospital and is investing
more than £100,000 in equipment for
the new Combe Valley mental health
hospital now under construction.
Despite its falling numbers,
the League is fighting back. It is
redoubling its efforts to ensure that
the equipment it provides bears
plaques acknowledging its support.
It is planning the creation of a new
state-of-the-art website and fronting
a new social media programme.
Volunteers are manning stalls at
public events such as Bexhill Day
and the Horse Show, showcasing the
League’s achievements.
In addition to conventional paid
membership, the League now
offers Associate Membership. This
no-cost alternative, available via the
existing bexhillhospitalfriends,org.
uk website, entitles the supporter
to view the charity’s quarterly
newsletter online.
Unlike paying members, Associate
Members forgo the right to vote at the
annual general meeting.
Bright Lights, Camera,
Action comes to
Little Common
LOCAL audiences are invited to
enjoy an unforgettable evening
of entertainment as Bright Lights
Theatre Company presents its
summer revue, ‘Bright Lights,
Camera, Action!
Promising a lively and
entertaining journey through
the worlds of television, film,
and musical theatre, the show
brings together a variety of
well-loved moments from both
stage and screen.
Audiences can look forward
to a wonderful mix of laughter,
recognisable tunes, dramatic scenes
and high-energy performances
celebrating some of the most iconic
entertainment of all time.
Performances will take place
at 7.45pm from Wednesday 3rd
June to Saturday 6th June 2026
at Little Common Methodist
Church Hall, Church Hill Avenue,
Little Common.
Tickets are priced at £8 (which
includes a programme and interval
refreshments) and are available
from Fox and Badger in Bexhill and
Little Gem in Little Common.

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Gold and Silver Jewellery in any condition
Costume Jewellery • Watches working or not
Coins, Medals and Militaria • Wines & Spirits
Oriental items – even when chipped or damaged
Antiques & Collectables • Records • Vintage Hi-Fi
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FULL Probate and House Clearance Service in Operation

10 NEWS
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Keys to multi-millionpound
Community
Hub handed to council
WITH the finishing touches
complete, the keys to a £3.4million
community facility in Sidley have
been officially handed to Rother
District Council.
Contractor BMR Construction
handed possession back to the
council after months of work to
transform a shower block on Sidley
Recreation Ground into a fully
accessible community facility.
The state-of-the-art Sidley Hub will
provide first-class sports changing
facilities for the area, as well as a
café, accessible toilets, off street
parking and spaces for hire by local
groups for sport play and informal
recreational use.
Cllr Doug Oliver, Rother District
Council leader, said: “It’s amazing to
see the transformation from an old
shower block to an amazing facility
that will benefit the community for
generations to come.
“The completion of the building is a
major milestone in the council’s Local
Regeneration Fund programme,
made possible with investment from
central Government, to improve
cultural and community facilities and
public spaces in the district.
“We are delighted to have been able
to work with Heart of Sidley (HOS)
who will ultimately lease the building
from the council and ensure that it
becomes a much-loved, well-used
community asset.”
With the building work complete,
Rother District Council will begin to
finalise the lease agreement with the
hope of handing the building to Heart
of Sidley in the next month.
Jay Carroll, Chair of HOS Trustee
Board, said: “We are absolutely thrilled
to see this building finally completed.
For the Heart of Sidley, Sidley Hub has
been a dream 10 years in the making,
born from our time as a Big Local area
and driven by an immense amount of
hard work from our community.
“Getting to this point has been a
long journey, and it has taken a lot of
dedication from all partners to make
it a reality. We can’t wait to open the
doors and turn this building into the
vibrant, living Heart of Sidley.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
OUR ‘WONDERFUL NHS’?
NO, NOT REALLY
DEAR EDITOR, I’ve worn NHS hearing
aids for over 60 years, without cause
for complaint and recently asked the
Audiology department at Conquest
Hospital about servicing my aids and
getting some new plastic tubes.
It seems audiology services have
been out-sourced and I was sent a list
of providers, the nearest being one
operating from Sidley Medical Centre.
I should register with whichever
provider I wished, as a matter of urgency.
Omitting the difficulties met with
when trying to register, what I learned
was worrying. They can’t give me new
plastic tubes, mainly because they don’t
have any. They can’t repair any NHS
aids previously obtained from a hospital,
which is how virtually all of us get them.
They will put me on the waiting list list
for replacements for my six-year-old aids,
but have no idea how long this will take;
not even approximately. On the bright
side, they will post me new batteries
on request. How, then, do existing
NHS users get their aids repaired or
obtain new tubing?
What we have, then, is the NHS saving
money by throwing us overboard and
private providers’ taking the money
for a contract and offering a minimal
service in return.
For them it’s about maximising profits.
No organisation, whether Government
or business ever makes a change for the
benefit of their customers.
DS, Bexhill
FALLING ON DEAF EARS
DEAR EDITOR, I recently suffered a
horrific fall in Bexhill town centre.
It begs the question: where is all
our tax money going? It certainly
isn’t being spent on the repair of our
paths and roads.
There is at least one fall a day in the
town centre. I am not a frail person;
I am fit and I walk daily. During the
incident, my glasses were destroyed,
and my face, hands, and knees were
badly injured. Yet, there is no one to
report this to. Highways and councils
seem deaf to complaints, and the local
MP is apparently too busy to deal with
matters that do not increase his own
self-importance.
What a mess.
Gabrielle Bolger
SEAFRONT CLOCK TOWER
NEEDS SAVING
DEAR EDITOR, In reply to Paul
Minter’s letter in last months edition
regarding installing a Centenary
Clock on the De La Warr sea frontage
wall — surely the money would be
better spent on renovating one of
Bexhill’s Heritage monuments, the sea
front clock tower?
Vast amounts of money has been spent
recently on the De La Warr Pavilion,
whereby the 1904 clock tower has been
overshadowed by the Pavilion.
The clock tower is part of Bexhill’s
heritage, and money should be allocated
to update and reinstate the clocks so
they all have the correct time for all the
residents and visitors who use the beach,
in view of the clock tower.
The good news is that all the clocks are
right. twice a day!
Spencer F. Cole
ARE WE GOING BACK TO
THE PIG SWILL DAYS?
DEAR EDITOR, My, what cute little
things the Mickey Mouse orange-topped
bins are, but, poor things are rolling
on the roads and getting in the way of
traffic and blocking pavements.
I wonder how much they all cost? And
who made the decision to have them
blowing around everywhere.
Are we back to the Pig Swill days?
Alice
LOADING BAYS ARE NOT
BLUE BADGE BAYS
DEAR EDITOR, I’ve written to this
Bexhill News on this issue before, and I
still ponder on what the actual solution
is, as it just doesn’t get any better.
I work locally as a delivery driver
and I make hundreds of stops
every day in the town centre and
surrounding areas.
It has become a constant struggle
to make deliveries that people want
to be made as quickly as possible, but
with our uncontrolled loading bays,
how do I do this?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
To write to the editor, email:
letters@bexhill.news
I’m always battling against shoppers
and blue badge holders who believe the
loading bays are simply just another
parking space.
The town has many blue park bays,
more than enough to go around. But, if I
have to use one to make my deliveries,
(because the loading bays are full of
cars), then I risk getting the ticket.
The poor staff in Jempson’s on Western
Road, also having to battle these drivers
too, as they have to put out cages in the
road to stop people parking there ahead
of their deliveries.
Maybe the current Council funded
parking wardens should step up their
game and make a few more £££ in
the loading bays?
P. Watts
Bexhill
HAVE YOU SOMETHING
TO SAY?
Send your letters to the editor by
emailing: letters@bexhill.news

If anxiety in social situations is seriously
affecting your life, being able to take part
is cause for celebration.
NHS Talking Therapies treatment gives you practical skills
and techniques to overcome social anxiety disorder and other
conditions. You can refer yourself at nhs.uk/talk

12 NEWS
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Councillor Memish Huseyin
elected as new town Mayor
BEXHILL Town Council resolved to
elect Councillor Memish Huseyin
as Mayor of Bexhill-on-Sea for
2026/27 at a recent meeting.
Councillor Paul Peters will serve
as Deputy Mayor.
Cllr Huseyin said: “It is both a
privilege and an honour to have been
elected by my fellow councillors to
serve as Mayor of Bexhill.
Having had the pleasure of
serving as Deputy Mayor for the
past two years, I now look forward
to continuing to serve the residents
of our wonderful town to the very
best of my ability.
Bexhill has always held a very
special place in my heart. My
family and I have called this town
home since 1987, when I first
came here as a young child. I have
grown up in this community, and
my family have proudly owned and
operated businesses in the town
since that time. Bexhill has given
so much to us over the years, and it
is incredibly special to now see my
own children growing up in such a
fantastic town.
We are truly fortunate to live in
a place with such a strong sense of
community, wonderful residents,
and a town full of history and
character. As our former Mayor,
Paul Wilson, often said, we are all
here to make Bexhill even better. We
already have a beautiful town, and
by continuing to work together, we
can ensure it continues to thrive for
generations to come.”
Choral Society
triumphs with
Elijah at DLWP
Hooe Open Gardens set
to welcome visitors for
village showcase
DESCRIBED by one audience
member as ‘a tremendous evening’,
Bexhill Choral Society’s performance
of Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’ at the De
La Warr Pavilion brought a storm of
applause — and rain.
On Saturday, May 2nd the De
La Warr Pavilion was the setting
for an uplifting performance of
Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio
‘Elijah’ by Bexhill Choral Society,
accompanied by the Sussex Concert
Orchestra and conducted by
Kenneth Roberts.
The oratorio presents the story
of the prophet Elijah, sung with
great expression by baritone soloist
Peter Grevatt, and includes scenes
of drought, earthquake, wind and
fire, the plea for and then arrival of
longed-for rain, and Elijah’s ascent to
heaven in a fiery chariot. During the
interval, it was discovered that Elijah’s
plea for rain to break the drought
had clearly been successful, as it was
raining quite heavily!
Soloists Claire Filer (soprano), Louise
Hunter-Bradley (mezzo) and Kristian
Thorkildsen (tenor) gave excellent
performances in a variety of roles, and
choir member Lesley Katner (alto)
joined the soprano and mezzo in a
beautiful rendition of the angelic trio
‘Lift thine eyes’.
One audience member wrote the
following comments: “We were
very much moved by the music
and the singing and it was a truly
uplifting performance, one which
we will treasure. A special thank you
must go to the conductor, Kenneth
Roberts, and the four soloists who
performed outstandingly. Thanks to
one and all for a deeply emotional and
heartfelt rendition”.
Bexhill Choral is not resting on its
laurels — rehearsals have already
started for the next concert, Handel’s
famous and much-loved oratorio
‘Messiah’, on Saturday 17th October at
St Peter’s Church, Bexhill.
With plenty of time before the
concert, this would be an excellent
time to join and experience the proven
health benefits of singing!
Bexhill Choral Society is a nonaudition
choir which warmly
welcomes new members, who
are invited to come along to a few
rehearsals free of charge to try it
out. Rehearsals are on Wednesday
evenings at Little Common
Community Centre.
For further information on
concerts, joining the choir, or to
join the choir’s mailing list, email
info@bexhillchoral.org.uk or visit
www.bexhillchoral.org.uk.
GARDEN lovers are being invited
to explore some of Hooe’s most
attractive private gardens when
the village’s popular Open Gardens
event returns this month.
Organised by the Hooe Village
Community Group, the bi-annual
event will take place on Saturday,
June 13 and Sunday, June 14, with 11
gardens opening their gates to the
public between 11am and 4pm.
Each garden offers its own unique
character and features, with
organisers promising a variety of
styles and planting schemes for
visitors to enjoy. The event has
become a firm favourite in the village
calendar, attracting gardening
enthusiasts from across the area.
As well as admiring the displays,
visitors will have the opportunity
to meet garden owners, exchange
ideas and pick up tips on everything
from successful planting schemes to
overcoming gardening challenges.
Several gardens will also feature
additional attractions, including
donkeys and homemade ice cream.
A marquee on the village Flag
Green will host a range of stalls and
exhibits throughout the weekend,
including several new attractions
alongside returning favourites from
previous years.
Refreshments, including
homemade cakes and drinks, will
be available in the garden of the
historic Elizabethan Cottages. The
refreshment area will open from
10.30am on the Saturday and entry to
the refreshments garden is free for
those wishing to meet friends and
enjoy the surroundings.
Tickets cost £5 per day, with
under-16s admitted free of charge. A
weekend ticket covering both days
costs £10. Each ticket includes a map
showing the location of the gardens,
accessibility information, comfort
stops and other visitor facilities.
All profits from the event will be
donated to local community projects.
The event is once again being
sponsored by Athelas Plants, an
independent nursery based in Hooe
which has supported the initiative for
a number of years.
Organisers say many visitors choose
to spread their visits over both days
to fully appreciate everything the
event has to offer.
For more information, look out for
ticket sales points and promotional
material around the village in the runup
to the event.

Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news JUNE 2026 13
SussexAirImaging
CAPTURING THE COUNTY
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Lighthouse Fostering is continuing its search
for compassionate new foster carers to join its
growing network of dedicated carers across
East Sussex, all supported from its new office in
Heathfield.
This reflects Lighthouse’s ongoing commitment to
strengthening support for foster carers throughout the
county and ensuring that vulnerable children can access
safe, stable, and nurturing homes close to their
communities.
For more than ten years, Lighthouse Fostering has
provided carers with dedicated 24/7 support, specialist
training, competitive financial packages, and an
experienced team that ensures no foster carer ever faces
challenges alone.
Our new East Sussex office means we now offer even
more local, hands-on support to the remarkable people
who open their homes and their hearts to children in
need.
Right now, children across East Sussex urgently need
caring foster families. If you have a spare bedroom and
the desire to make a real difference, you could help
transform a child’s future.
Whether you are ready to begin your fostering journey,
thinking of transferring agency or simply want to find
out more, Lighthouse Fostering is here to guide and
support you every step of the way.
For more details visit our website
lighthousefostering.co.uk or call us
on 01424 320036.

14 BEXHILL HORSE SHOW
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Bexhill Horse Show
beats heatwave to
deliver spectacular
123rd Annual Event
PHOTOS: JTP53 PHOTOGRAPHY
SUN-DRENCHED crowds packed
The Polegrove recently as the
123rd annual Bexhill Horse Show
delivered a spectacular bank
holiday feast of equestrian action,
family entertainment and vital
charity fundraising.
Held on Monday 25 May 2026, the
historic event united thousands of
residents and visitors for a vibrant
celebration of community spirit.
The morning launched with show
jumping, featuring Sunshine Tour
qualifiers who offered riders a
coveted path to compete at the worldfamous
Hickstead Showground.
Spectators in arena one were
treated to a diverse line-up of
entertainment, including expert
carriage driving by the Oaks Driving
Club led by Garry Docking, alongside
a fast-paced mounted games
display which finished a successful
day at the show.
Arena two hosted an array of
ridden and in-hand showing
classes throughout the
morning and afternoon.
Beyond the rings, families explored
more than 40 trade stalls, cheered on
a popular Hobby Horse competition
and admired a classic display of
vintage vehicles presented by the
Bexhill 100 Motoring Club. Dr
Kieran Mullan, MP for the Bexhill
area, also visited the grounds to
show his support.
ANIMAL WELFARE
PRIORITISED IN HEATWAVE
The defining headline of the day
was an intense heatwave, with
temperatures soaring between
26°C and 28°C.
To guarantee animal safety in the
blistering conditions, the Bexhill
Lions and the BHS Committee
made the swift decision to cancel
the scheduled Dog Show and
Flyball activities.
Organisers moved quickly to protect
competing horses by providing
dedicated water fill-up station,
while riders adapted by keeping
horse boxes wide open to catch the
refreshing northern breeze.
The event triggered a wave of
positive feedback on the Bexhill
Horse Show Facebook Page,
with attendees praising the
seamless coordination.
Local sponsor FT Care captured the
mood online, posting: “A fantastic
atmosphere today at the Bexhill
Horse Show 2026 at The Polegrove!
It’s been great to see so many
families, local businesses, riders,
and visitors coming together and
enjoying the day.”
A massive effort made the show
show committee made this tradition
possible. Organisers extended a ‘big
shout out’ to Tom Forward from
Forward Property Maintenance and
John Cleary Groundworks for their
indispensable help setting up the
arenas due to the ground being quite
firm, noting that without them, the
show would not go on.
Equestrian competitors took
to social media to praise the
unique experience of competing
so close to the beach, noting that
the thunderous encouragement
from the crowd made the day
truly memorable.
Andy Lawes, Chair of the BHS,
commented: “Although we had a
smaller turnout this year, the way
we fundraise still ensures that vital
regional causes continued to be
supported by the Committee of
Bexhill Horse Show.
“Proceeds from the gate and
sponsors will directly benefit
the Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) Air
Ambulance, RNLI Hastings, and the
Bexhill Men’s Shed.
We look forward to seeing you all
next year on 31st May 2027”.

Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news JUNE 2026 BEXHILL HORSE SHOW 15

16 REGULARS
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
SUSSEX POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER, KATY BOURNE OBE
SUSSEX FRAUD VICTIMS LOST £19MILLION
THROUGH INVESTMENT FRAUD LAST YEAR
HOW CAN YOU
KEEP YOUR
MONEY SAFE?
In 2025 across the
UK, there was a 31%
increase in reports
of investment fraud
Katy Bourne OBE compared to 2024,
with nearly 35,000 people becoming
victims and losing an average of £25,000
each. The City of London Police have said
that £2.4 million is lost to investment
fraud every day — equivalent to
£1,675 every minute.
In Sussex, 662 victims of
investment fraud lost over £19 million
pounds last year.
Police Constable Bernadette Lawrie,
Sussex Police’s Financial Abuse
Safeguarding Officer said the force
had seen “a range of scams being
reported, from fraudulent bond
schemes and trading platforms to
bogus cryptocurrency opportunities.”
Fraudsters often use AI-manipulated
deepfakes on social media which
feature celebrities endorsing
investment schemes.
Victims have been cold-called
by fraudsters posing as reputable
investment companies or banks. They
report being convinced the calls were
genuine because the criminals had
details of existing transactions and
investments and personal details — some
of which they can harvest from people
oversharing on their social media posts.
Report Fraud is the new national
platform for reporting cybercrime
and fraud to police. They have issued
advice on spotting the warning signs of
investment fraud. These include: being
contacted out of the blue via ‘phone,
email or social media; being pressured
to respond quickly to a time limited
offer; and being promised unusually high
returns. If you can’t find the company
on the FCA register, you should be very
cautious and you should attempt to
verify the company’s identity, location
and regulatory status. If a celebrity
appears to be endorsing a scheme, you
can check on their official website or
search for reports of their image being
misused. It’s worth seeking independent
financial advice and signing up for
Report Fraud alerts.
One of my key responsibilities as Police
and Crime Commissioner is to ensure
there are quality-assured and accessible
services for victims of crime. For over
ten years now I have commissioned
Victim Support to provide multi-crime
support in Sussex, including dedicated
fraud caseworkers. Last year, our Sussex
Fraud Caseworkers received 1,269
referrals and supported 1,162 victims.
Many of these victims, who had already
experienced substantial financial losses,
were vulnerable to further fraud attacks
due to their mental and physical frailties
and adult social care issues.
Over the last year, our Fraud
Caseworkers were able to help many
of these victims and recover £125,000
from banking institutions — bringing the
total recovered for Sussex victims over
three years to £2.75 million pounds.
Sussex Police was a trailblazer in
tackling fraud and supporting potentially
vulnerable people. Operation Signature,
which is led by PC Bernie Lawrie, has
been adopted by police forces nationally
as the right way to recognise victims
of all types of fraud as victims of crime
and to provide preventative measures
to support and protect them from
further targeting.
Our Victim Support Fraud Peer
Support Pilot offers one-to-one, group
work and peer support to vulnerable
fraud victims who have experienced
relationship fraud across London,
Sussex and Kent. ​Relationship fraud
includes any fraud where a relationship
has developed for example: Romance
fraud; Carer fraud; Investment/Pension
fraud; Doorstep fraud; and Financial
abuse by relatives and partners. You can
email them: FraudPeerSupportPilot@
victimsupport.org.uk or call 0303
313 2955 or you can find out more
on my specialist website Safe:Space
Sussex in this section: https://www.
safespacesussex.org.uk/about-differenttypes-of-crime/fraud/
Finally, the East Sussex Fraud
Prevention Group has recently been
established, chaired by Sussex Police.
This means there is now a dedicated
fraud focus across East Sussex too,
building on existing work in West
Sussex and Brighton and Hove. With
criminals using AI tools, deepfake videos
and, with so much of our shopping and
banking and businesses conducted
online, we need all our agencies to
sharpen our awareness of potential
frauds and scams and we need to
encourage all victims to come forward
and report every incident.
Victims who are vulnerable or elderly
should report to Sussex Police by
calling 101. Otherwise, reports should
be made to Report Fraud: https://www.
reportfraud.police.uk/ or by calling
0300 123 2040.
Sussex Police have a useful page
on their website with links to several
organisations who can help: https://
www.sussex.police.uk/advice/adviceand-information/fa/fraud/usefulcontacts-for-fraud-cyber-crime-advice/
Applications for my current round of
Safer in Sussex Funding are now open.
One of the most satisfying parts of
my job is being able to provide modest
financial grants to community projects
where local people have ideas to
prevent crime or improve community
safety. The current round of my Safer
in Sussex Community Fund is now
open and can award grants of up to
£5,000 for projects that meet the
criteria. The closing date for applications
is 6 June 2026.
You can read more and apply here:
https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/getinvolved/apply-for-funding/safer-insussex-community-fund/
or you can
email my team direct: pcc.funding@
sussex-pcc.gov.uk
KNOW YOUR GARDEN
By Emma Reece, Head Gardener at Bates Green Garden
““The wise traveller is he who is perpetually surprised.” Vita Sackville-West
GARDEN REOPENS WED 25 JUNE 2026
For details, please go to the website www.batesgreengarden.co.uk
and follow the garden on Instagram @batesgreengarden
AS Head Gardener at Bates Green
Garden, I am fortunate to spend my
days among plants, yet even for those
of us rooted in gardens there is always
something new to learn. A recent
holiday to the Greek island of Kythnos
reminded me of that very powerfully.
Kythnos has a rugged beauty: hillsides
silvered by light, stony paths edged
with wild flowers, and a planting palette
shaped by sun, wind and summer
drought. What struck me most was the
effortless harmony of airy umbels of
wild carrot, flashes of scarlet poppies,
aromatic herbs, bold thistles and the
shimmering movement of grasses. It
was a landscape both tough and delicate,
and I returned to Sussex thinking
many readers might enjoy creating
a small echo of that Greek hillside in
their own gardens.
The good news is that parts of south
east England are better suited to this
look than one might expect. We too
increasingly experience dry summers,
though our winters are much wetter
and colder than those of the Cyclades.
Success depends less on copying Greece
exactly and more on borrowing its spirit
while choosing plants that can tolerate
winter damp. Drainage is the first
consideration. If your soil is heavy clay,
create a raised mound and incorporate
generous quantities of grit, sharp sand
and organic matter. Mediterranean-style
plants dislike sitting in cold, wet soil, so
aim for a lean, free-draining root run in
full sun. A gravel mulch will reflect light,
suppress weeds and keep crowns dry
through winter.
Among the easiest plants to use are
Daucus carota (wild carrot), field poppies
such as Papaver rhoeas, and species of
Malva (mallow). These capture the loose,
spontaneous character of a Greek verge
or hillside. Wild carrot produces frothy
white flowerheads, poppies bring a burst
of red in early summer, and mallows
add saucer-shaped blooms in pink and
mauve. All prefer open, sunny conditions
and relatively poor soil; overfeeding
simply encourages floppy growth. Add
drought-tolerant grasses such as Stipa
tenuissima or Festuca glauca and
you immediately gain the soft, windstirred
texture so characteristic of
Mediterranean landscapes.
For stronger structure, thistles
and spurges are invaluable. Thistles
such as Eryngium or Cirsium provide
architecture and excellent nectar
for insects. Euphorbia characias is
especially useful because it has that
glaucous Mediterranean look yet
generally copes well with our climate
if grown in sharp drainage. The horned
poppy, Glaucium flavum, with its
blue-grey foliage and yellow flowers,
instantly suggests hot coasts and dry
banks. It needs very sharp drainage,
resents transplanting, and can be shortlived
in wet winters, but in the right spot
it is unforgettable.
Two plants on my Kythnos wish list
need more careful thought. Dittany,
Origanum dictamnus, is a delightful,
softly felted herb with pink flowers, best
in a pot or very sheltered raised bed. It
demands excellent drainage and dislikes
winter wet, so I would recommend it
only for a warm, sunny corner or for
gardeners prepared to overwinter it
under cover. Nerium oleander (oleander)
is iconic in Greece, but it is not reliably
hardy in most of inland Sussex. It can be
grown in a large container and moved to
shelter in severe weather, but I would
not suggest it for an open border here.
The secret, then, is thoughtful
selection and restraint. Choose plants
that relish sun, avoid rich feeding, and
water only until they are established.
Cut back grasses and spent stems in
late winter rather than autumn, and
allow a few plants to self-seed, because
that natural scattering is central to the
effect. A Greek-inspired border need
not be formal or crowded; it should
feel open, resilient and full of light. My
holiday on Kythnos was inspirational
not because it offered a planting scheme
to copy exactly, but because it showed
how beauty can arise from simplicity,
toughness and a sense of place. With
careful soil preparation and the right
species, a little corner of south east
England can carry the memory of a

Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news JUNE 2026 REGULARS 17
Care Home celebrates anniversary
after a year of community support
Classic car spectacular to
return for Father’s Day
A LOCAL care home in Bexhill is
celebrating its first anniversary
after a year defined by awardwinning
excellence and
community spirit.
Collington Park Lodge, part of
Crystal Care Collection, opened its
doors one year ago and has quickly
become a welcoming home in the
heart of Bexhill, providing highquality
residential and dementia care.
Over the past twelve months, the
home has had lots to celebrate,
including Jason Field, a care
assistant at Collington Park Lodge,
who was named the winner in the
Overcoming Challenges category at
the Andor Awards.
The home has also achieved
five-star food hygiene ratings from
the Food Standards Agency in
two inspections.
Community spirit has been a
defining feature of life at Collington
Park Lodge. In total, the home
has raised over £600 for charities
including Help for Heroes and
Bexhill and Battle Foodbank, as
well as offering support to Bexhill
Environmental Group on numerous
beach clean-ups.
To celebrate the home’s first
anniversary, the local community
Awesome Alfies Ice Cream
were invited to a Summer BBQ
where people enjoyed delicious food,
entertainment from Punch and Judy,
a live musician, garden games, and
an ice cream van.
83-year-old resident, Carol Franks,
said, “I enjoy living here. I have
friends, I have my own space, and
so many lovely staff members make
sure I am okay every day.”
Bianca Wilson, the General
Manager at Collington Park Lodge,
added, “We are incredibly proud to be
celebrating our first anniversary here
at Collington Park Lodge.
“It has been a wonderful year
of building a strong, supportive
Care Home Balloon Artist
community for our residents,
their families, and the wider
Bexhill area. I want to thank our
dedicated team for their hard
work and compassion every day,
and the local community for
welcoming us so warmly.”
Residents and staff at Collington
Park Lodge, on Collington Lane
East, are now inviting all to
CollingtonFest on Saturday, 18th July,
from 3pm until 7:30pm, where they
can enjoy an afternoon full of live
music, great food and drink, and lots
of fun. All proceeds from the event
will be donated to a charity to be
chosen by the residents.
FAMILIES looking for something
different to do this Father’s
Day are being invited to head
to Rye next month as one of the
area’s biggest classic car events
makes its return.
The popular Senlac Classic Car
Show and Craft Fayre will take place
on Sunday, June 21, at Rye Rugby
Club in New Road, with organisers
promising a packed day of motoring
nostalgia, entertainment and
family attractions.
Organised by the Bexhill-based
Rotary Club of Senlac St Leonards,
the annual event is expected to
attract more than 200 classic vehicles
alongside over 30 craft, charity and
community stalls.
The show will officially open at
11am with Rye Mayor, Councillor
Chris Hoggart, joined by the town’s
famous Town Cryer, Paul Goring.
Visitors can expect a wide variety of
vintage, classic and specialist vehicles
on display throughout the day,
with organisers saying there will be
something for enthusiasts of all ages.
As well as the impressive car
displays, the event will feature
live local entertainment, food
and refreshments, craft stalls and
children’s rides to keep younger
visitors entertained.
One of the major highlights
is expected to be a planned
flypast by the Battle of Britain
Memorial Flight, although
organisers say final confirmation
and timings will be announced
closer to the event.
The show has become a firm fixture
in the local events calendar and
regularly attracts visitors from across
Sussex and Kent.
Organisers say the event is designed
to provide an affordable family day
out while also supporting community
and charitable causes through Rotary
fundraising efforts.
The Senlac Classic Car Show and
Craft Fayre takes place from 10am
until 5pm at Rye Rugby Club, New
Road, Rye, TN31 7LS.
Parking and visitor details
are expected to be released
nearer the event.
Danube: The River of Kings
-
Photo: Veenus
Experience the
magic of
Moonlight Walk
Glowing lanterns. Live entertainment.
Moments of shared remembrance.
A walk like no other.
Visit stmichaelshospice.com/moonlight or call
01424 456396 to secure your ticket today.
Registered charity no. 288462
10 day Danube Cruise on board
The Gentleman
(7 nights on board, 2 nights in hotels)
9th September 2027 - from £2,825
• Full board & drinks included on the boat (Dinner, B&B at hotels)
• Luxury rail journey through scenic European countryside
• Viennese musical performance
• Guided tour of Melk Abbey
• Free time in Budapest
• Home pick up
Call now to book your place on 01323 808080
or book online at www.eastbournecoaches.co.uk

18 FEATURE
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
A night inside
East Sussex’s most
iconic landmark
BY VIKTORIA COWLEY
ONE hundred years ago, plans
were announced to build a brand
new town on the cliffs above the
Seven Sisters, one of the last truly
undeveloped stretches of coastline
on England’s south coast.
Thankfully, history had other ideas.
Author Rudyard Kipling joined
a campaign led by the Society of
Sussex Downsmen to protect the
land from development. Against the
odds, enough money was raised to
purchase the Crowlink Estate and
preserve the landscape forever.
Today, the Seven Sisters coastline
remains one of the most recognisable
and breathtaking locations in
southern England. Rolling chalk
cliffs, dramatic sea views and the vast
open landscapes of the South Downs
National Park continue to draw
visitors from across the world.
Standing proudly amongst it all
is Belle Tout Lighthouse. For most
of my life, Belle Tout has simply
always been there.
I’ve admired it from the winding
roads around Beachy Head, walked
around it countless times and stood
beneath it in every kind of weather
imaginable. Sometimes it appears
postcard-perfect under blue skies.
Other times it stands wrapped in mist
and sea spray like something from an
old maritime painting.
And yet, despite living only seven
miles away, I had never stepped
inside — until now.
FROM MARITIME HISTORY
TO PERSONAL DISCOVERY
As we turned off Beachy Head Road
and onto the private drive, a sign
reading ‘Access for Guests Only —
Belle Tout Lighthouse’, suddenly
made the whole experience feel
very real indeed.
The road climbs steeply uphill,
briefly obscuring the lighthouse
before curving sharply to the right.
And there it is — Belle Tout.
Standing proudly on the clifftop as
though greeting arriving guests with
quiet confidence.
Pulling into the gravelled courtyard
immediately felt exciting. This was
somewhere we’d known all our lives,
yet somehow had never properly
experienced for ourselves.
Owner, Ian, greeted us warmly
at the entrance and explained the
workings of the lighthouse, from
the quirks of the historic front door
lock to breakfast arrangements and,
of course, the jewel in Belle Tout’s
crown: The Lantern Room.
INSIDE THE LANTERN:
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
Our room, The Beachy Head Room,
was calm, elegant and intentionally
understated, allowing the spectacular
views to take centre stage. From one
side, rolling South Downs countryside
stretched endlessly into the distance;
from the other, the English Channel
shimmered beneath dramatic skies.
The tea and coffee facilities were
exceptionally varied and beautifully
provisioned, while luxurious Temple
Spa toiletries added an indulgent
touch that elevated the experience
far beyond what many would expect
from a traditional B&B.
The television in each room is
conveniently set up to watch a
documentary called Build a New Life
in the Country, which was filmed in
2008 and featured the then owners
battle to renovate the building to what
it Is today. It was a good opportunity
to see the struggles they went through
to complete the project, in the hour
long programme.
Exploring the lighthouse itself
became part of the adventure.
Narrow spiralling staircases led to
cosy communal lounges filled with
books, board games and oversized
chairs overlooking the coastline,
before eventually narrowing further
towards the very top of the tower.
And then came the moment
everything builds towards — The
Lantern Room — quite simply, the
ballroom of the lighthouse.
A spectacular panoramic lounge
suspended high above the cliffs,
offering uninterrupted 360-degree
views across the South Downs, Seven
Sisters and English Channel.
The weather on our visit was far
from ideal, with heavy rain and
strong winds battering the coastline
throughout the day. Yet somehow,
the dramatic skies only enhanced the
experience. Sunlight pierced through
mottled storm clouds while seabirds
fought against fierce gusts sweeping
in from the Channel.
Inside, however, The Lantern
Room remained calm, warm and
strangely mesmerising.
As darkness fell, the atmosphere
shifted entirely. The room glowed
softly from within while reflections
bounced endlessly around the
circular windows. Thick blankets
encouraged guests to remain long
after nightfall had swallowed the
coastline outside.
From within Belle Tout’s warmth
and shelter, the experience served
as a powerful reminder of why this
lighthouse has stood watch over the
coastline for generations.
The following morning brought
mist, fierce winds and yet more
dramatic scenery.
Breakfast overlooking the South
Downs towards Birling Gap and East
Dean felt wonderfully peaceful as
walkers battled the weather outside
and birds glided unpredictably
through the air currents.
Modern life rarely gives us
uninterrupted horizons anymore.
Here, however, the landscape
encourages your mind to slow
down completely.
Belle Tout, which roughly
translates as ‘Beautiful Lookout’,
could not possibly be more
appropriately named.
Over the years, the lighthouse
has appeared in productions
including Quadrophenia, The
Life and Loves of a She-Devil, The
Living Daylights, Brighton Rock
and Top Gear, cementing its place
as one of the South East’s most
recognisable landmarks.
Yet despite its fame, Belle Tout
somehow still feels deeply personal.
On leaving, we realised we had
experienced something that would
remain with us forever.
We hadn’t simply visited Belle Tout
Lighthouse — we had lived inside it.
Prices to stay at this unique B&B
depends on the time of year and what
day of the week you choose to stay.
Prices start from £210 per night, it’s
a reasonable price to pay to stay in a
building which cannot be matched
elsewhere and will stay in your
memories for years to come.
To book and more information,
visit www.belletout.co.uk or
call 01323 423185

Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news JUNE 2026 ADVERTORIAL 19
ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL NEWS
BY DOUG OLIVER, COUNCILLOR AND COUNCIL LEADER
We’re ready to work with new
councillors for the good of our district
IT’S all change at the county council
after 25 years of Conservative
control. Last month’s election left the
council with no one party in overall
control, with Reform UK forming a
minority administration.
Our focus is and always has been
doing the best for the people of Rother
and that will continue with us working
closely with the new administration on
local issues and the forthcoming local
government reorganisation.
Regardless of politics, those voted
into power give an awful amount of
their time and energy to represent
their towns and villages and I would
like to put on record my thanks to
all those councillors who leave the
county council, particularly those who
represented areas across Rother.
It’s been a busy six weeks at Rother
District Council after the county
council elections being reinstated.
Although the elections were for
county council seats, it is the district
council that runs the election —
arranging the polling stations, sending
out the voting cards, dealing with the
postal votes, and organising the count,
among other duties.
Rules around pre-election period
have prevented me from sharing news
with you during this time, but plenty
has been happening.
INVESTING IN LOCAL
LANDMARKS AND SERVICES
I was delighted to see work on the
De La Warr Pavilion begin with RTB
roofing repairing the main foyer roof
to ensure it is watertight and insulated,
while work to prepare the auditorium
roof ready for solar panels is also
being carried out.
This project to restore the De La Warr
Pavilion and safeguard it for future
Visualisation of North Entrance. Picture credit: Plane
generations has entailed a great deal
of work and is the result of a successful
partnership between Rother District
Council and the De La Warr Pavilion.
We have a long way to go until the
ambitious project is complete, but
the start of work is a huge milestone,
and my congratulations and thanks
goes to everyone who has helped us
get to this point.
A stone’s throw from the De La
Warr, work on the Colonnade has
progressed well and we were able
to partially reopen the space over
the Easter break.
Sadly, this good news was
somewhat overshadowed by some
misinformation on social media that
the council had offered some business
units free of charge. This is of course
completely untrue.
We are currently marketing the
building and seeking bids from all
interested parties — and there has
been a lot of interest, which is great
news for its future.
SUPPORTING ESSENTIAL
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
In May, my Cabinet colleagues and I
agreed to formalise the arrangements
for Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council
and Rye Town Council to continue
operating and managing 10
public conveniences.
The two councils have been
operating the Rother District
Council’s toilets since 2025 to ensure
they have been open during peak
summer months. Now we will have
in place formal licences that grant the
councils the rights to maintain and
operate the facilities for 12 months.
For Bexhill, this covers six public
conveniences — West Parade;
East Parade; Peartree Lane, Little
Common; Little Common Recreation
Ground; Ninfield Road, Sidley; Coast
Road, Normans Bay.
I’m pleased that we have been able
to formalise this agreement with
licenses while we continue to work
towards devolving or leasing out the
buildings, and I am grateful to the
town councils for their continued
efforts in keeping the public
conveniences open.
NEWS FROM YOUR CONSERVATIVE MP
DR KIERAN MULLAN
Reflection on Local Elections
BY now, I am sure we have all had a
chance to digest the local election
results. Across East Sussex, we
saw county council elections that
delivered some changes to how
things are run locally. We now have
a significant number of Reform
councillors here in East Sussex.
This now means that Reform
councillors will be responsible for
delivering key local services such
as our roads, transport, and social
care. With Reform in charge of
these services, they have much
to prove. In nearby Kent, where
Reform run the council, they have
raised taxes, despite their promises
to the contrary. I know there are no
easy answers or quick fixes to the
challenges we face locally despite
promises made during the election
campaign. I want all our roads fixed
and for us to make better use of the
money used for that. But I don’t know
anyone with a credible plan for doing
this comprehensively.
Early signs show that Reform are
already unravelling. Twentysix
Reform councillors have either left
the party or been suspended since
being elected just a few weeks ago.
That really s extraordinary! That level
of instability should concern all of
us. As I mentioned, Reform raised
taxes in every council where they
are in control, despite promising
the opposite. Meanwhile, potholes
continue to cause accidents and
damage, and their councillors
struggles over where to make the
savings they pledged.
THE IMPORTANCE OF
EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION
What we are seeing instead is a party
already struggling with internal
divisions, lacking the organisational
depth needed to govern, and failing
to meet the standards they set
for themselves only weeks ago.
Residents are right to ask what the
next four years will look like under
their stewardship.
I want to pay tribute to the hard
work and dedication of many
Conservative councillors who sadly
lost their seats. Local government
relies on people who give their
time, energy, and expertise to their
communities, and their service
deserves recognition. But looking
more closely at the results, many
contests were extremely tight, with
only a handful of votes separating
Conservative and Reform candidates
in several wards. These narrow
margins show that many voters
were torn and that there is still an
opportunity as we are rebuilding.
Thanks to the work of the
Conservatives in opposition in
partnership with campaigners,
Labour has already Uturned on
25 policies. Policies such as the
Family Farm Tax and the scrapping
of the Winter Fuel Payments for
pensioners. We also softened the
impact of the increases in business
rates for pubs and hospitality
which would cripple families and
businesses. We haven’t been able
to get all the changes we needed for
example on the jobs tax. But that is
what effective opposition looks like.
We are willing to challenge and put
forward credible alternatives like our
plans to cut welfare spending and
hold Labour to account. Reform have
done very little of this.
But we must still be honest with
ourselves. There is still a long way
to go. Voters don’t fully trust us yet.
We made mistakes in government,
that is true. Immigration was and
remains a key concern for many. We
should have acted more decisively
for example by implementing the
Rwanda plan years earlier than we
tried to. Acknowledging that is part
of rebuilding confidence. When
I was out on the doorsteps across
Bexhill and Battle many people told
me they were encouraged by the
direction Kemi is taking the party.
She is a leader with strength who
says what she thinks and isn’t afraid
to be unpopular. I know people want
a Conservative Party that is serious,
focused, and tackling your priorities.
That is exactly what she and I and the
rest of our MPs are working to deliver.
Locally I know I have to work with
whomever is in place to get things
done for residents, regardless of
politics. That is what is needed and
that is what I will do. We have all
got to work together to tackle the
funding challenges of an ageing
population and our struggling high
streets. I am always keen to support
our local community in Bexhill as
best I can. It was great to be able
to attend the Bexhill Horse & Dog
Show and the Bexhill Lions Market
by the De La Warr in the last couple
of weeks. I’ve also visited Warming
Up the Homeless and Bexhill Caring
Community on the high street to
learn more about what they do. If
you see me out and about always
feel free to say hello! Whether you
voted Conservative, Reform or
any other party!

20 ADVERTORIAL
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
BEXHILL-ON-SEA TOWN
COUNCIL UPDATE
Welcoming the new
Mayor of Bexhill-on-Sea,
Cllr Memish Huseyin
A key order of business at the
Town Council’s Annual General
Meeting — which this year was held
on Wednesday the 20th of May — is
the election of a new Mayor and
Deputy Mayor. For the Civic Year
2026-2027 the Council resolved to
elect Councillor Memish Huseyin as
Chair (Mayor of Bexhill-on-Sea) and
Councillor Paul Peters as Vice Chair
(Deputy Mayor of Bexhill-on-Sea).
Outgoing Mayor, Cllr Paul Wilson,
spoke warmly of the two years he
spent as Mayor, citing over 170 public
engagements in his most recent
tenure. Upon receiving the Chains of
Office, Cllr Huseyin, who has been
Deputy Mayor for the last two years,
thanked Cllr Wilson, saying he had
‘learned a lot’ during their time in
office. (Cllr Huseyin is pictured here
at the 2025 Christmas Light Switch-
On wearing the robes and Chains of
Deputy Mayor.)
The outgoing Mayor and incoming
Mayor and Deputy were applauded
by the Council and residents as they
took their places at the head of the
Council, as well as their respective
Chains of Office.
The Mayor of Bexhill-on-Sea is
available for booking at events local
to Bexhill. If you would like to request
his presence, please fill out a form
online via our website, request a form
via email, or visit the Hub on Western
Road for a paper version. Please
note that the submission of a request
is not a guarantee of the Mayor’s
appearance; the Mayor’s Office will
confirm with you whether he is
available to attend.
Keep an eye out for a full profile
of the new Mayor of Bexhill-on-
Sea for 2026-27 in the next issue
of Bexhill News.
Further notes from the
Annual General Meeting 2026
THIS year’s AGM saw one of our
highest ever public attendances:
• A group of residents raised
concerns about the proposed
housing developments on
land at High House Farm and
Summerleas. The Council resolved
to object to this.
• Another group asked the Council
to reconsider the decision to award
White Label CIC £1,600 towards
a forthcoming event, and not the
£4,000 they were seeking. Ten
Councillors have now signed a
motion making the request to
reconsider this decision. As such,
an Extraordinary Full Council
Meeting will be held on the 3rd of
June at 6pm, followed by the
scheduled Amenities Committee
Meeting at 6:30pm.
• A reminder that members of
the public are welcome both to
attend and speak within a time
limit at all our Full Council and
Committee meetings.
• Selected other business conducted
by the Town Council as our
Civic year begins:
• The Members of our various
Committees were confirmed.
The Amenities, Engagement and
Communications, and Finance
and Audit Committees will
continue to meet regularly. This
year will also see the addition of
a regular Strategy Committee,
constituting the Chairs of each
Committee, Vice Chairs and
the Town Clerk.
• The 2026-27 calendar of meetings
was agreed and this will shortly
be available to view on our
website. Please note that going
forward meetings will start at
6:00pm and not 6:30pm. They
will continue to be held at
Bexhill Senior Citizen’s Club
on Eversley Road.
• The four newly elected
Councillors for East Sussex County
Council attended the AGM and
introduced themselves.
Please keep an eye on the Town
Council website where the full
Minutes for this year’s Annual General
Meeting will be published.
A new website for the
Town Council
JUNE will see the Town Council
launch a new website, which we
hope will be a significant upgrade in
terms of accessibility and aesthetic.
All material pertaining to Council
Meetings — Agendas, Appendices and
Minutes — will now be discoverable
on one page. Many of our forms
will now be switching to an online
format, beginning with the Mayoral
Engagement Form (paper copies
will remain available to download,
or to collect in person from The
Hub). Revitalised pages across the
site will provide easily readable text
Rangers Roundup:
Rejuvenating Planters
in Central Bexhill
OUR Town Rangers have been
hard at work again this month, and
among other projects they have
been rejuvenating the planters in
Central Bexhill. Bexhill-on-Sea
Town Council acquired the roster
of planters placed throughout
Central Bexhill from Rother District
Council at the beginning of the
year. Since then, plans have been
in place to smarten up, excavate,
refill and replant them. Over
the last few weeks, those plans
have been put into action, with a
selection of seasonal and coastal
plants being introduced to the
refreshed containers.
We hope you will agree that the
result is a much improved ‘pop’ of
Bexhill greenery across the Central
Ward (see photos), and that residents
BEXHILL-ON-SEA Town Council
35 Western Road, Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1DU
OPEN: Monday-Friday, 10am-2:30pm
CONTACT: town.clerk@bexhilltowncouncil.gov.uk
www.bexhilltowncouncil.gov.uk
and clearly labelled content, with the
mobile version of the site also more
easily navigable.
We hope that the new site makes
accessing our information and material
easier. As with any transition, however,
there is the potential for improvement.
If while using the new site you
encounter a problem or bug — or would
simply like to suggest an area where it
could be better — do get in touch with us
via the usual channels.
The website address
remains as before: www.
bexhilltowncouncil.gov.uk
find pleasure in the restored and
replanted pots over the summer as
the the flowers and foliage start to
grow and establish.
NOTABLE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday, 15th August — Bexhill Day
Sunday, 20th September — The RAFA Wings Appeal Walk
Sunday, 8th November — Remembrance Sunday
Saturday, 5th December — Christmas Lights Switch-on / Street Market
FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR YOUR DIARY
Wednesday, 3rd June, 6pm — Extraordinary Full Council Meeting
Wednesday, 3rd June, 6:30pm — Amenities Committee Meeting
Wednesday, 24th June — Full Council Meeting

Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news JUNE 2026 REGULARS 21
BEXHILL MUSEUM with Gordon Smith
MUSIC AND LAUGHS IN THE GALLERY
BEXHILL MUSEUM hosts the world
premiere of a one-man show about
Beethoven this month — before it
gets its big premiere at the Edinburgh
Festival Fringe in August.
Local musician Mike Hatchard plays
the composer in a production called
Ludwig: Unfinished Business. It is
directed by West End, Broadway and
Olivier winner Guy Masterton.
As well as giving regular music
performances in this area, Mike is also
the man behind Bexhill Film Club.
Beethoven has unfinished business.
Pushed by his relentlessly ambitious
father as “ze next Mozart”, battling
a broken heart, broken body, broken
ears and certain he is nearing his
demise, Ludwig reincarnates “to put ze
record straight.”
Combining virtuoso piano playing
with Teutonic stand-up comedy, Mike
provides an hilarious insight into ‘The
Mad Pounder’ coming to terms with life,
death, music, Amadeus, Bach, Chuck
Berry and his wretched final sonata.
The performances will be in the
unusual surroundings of the Sargent
Gallery in the museum, surrounded
by wonderful objects from the past.
Who knows, Beethoven might
even get to play the museum’s
120-year-old piano.
The production is part of the Bexhill
Festival of Music. Performances are on
Sunday 7 June, Wednesday 17 June and
Thursday 18 June, starting at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £15 or £12 for concessions.
They are available from the museum or
online from WeGotTickets.
GENTLE EXERCISE IN THE PARK
The annual Tai Chi session in Egerton
Park takes place on Saturday
27 June at 11am.
No experience is necessary
as teacher Sally Hemmings will
explain the movements.
Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise
known to help with balance, agility
and flexibility.
Please wear flat shoes and
comfortable clothing. No booking is
required — just turn up. There is no
charge but donations in aid of the
museum will be appreciated.
WE’VE DONE IT AGAIN
The museum has
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
once again been
awarded the
Travellers’ Choice
Award by the website
Trip Advisor.
Each year the
Bexhill Museum
site examines
the public’s reviews of all
attractions worldwide.
The award means that the
museum is in the top ten percent
of positive reviews not just in the
UK but worldwide.
ANCIENT LIVES
With its mighty monuments and
strange gods, Ancient Egypt has
fascinated travellers for centuries.
In seeking immortality, the Egyptians
have preserved a wonderful record of
their religious beliefs and daily lives in
their tombs and temples.
Ken Brooks will talk about Life in
Ancient Egypt in his next informal
lecture on Saturday 13 June at the
museum, starting at 1.30pm.
Tickets are £10 (£8 for museum
members) which includes refreshments
and entry to the museum galleries.
They can be reserved by calling into the
museum or by phoning 01424 222058.
SUNDAY STROLL
Bexhill has been well known for
its number of private schools
over the years.
The sites of nine of them will be
visited in the latest museum walk called
Stepping Out to Collington’s Forgotten
Schools. Only four have buildings to see
but there are clues to the other five.
The walk is on Sunday 14 June at 2pm.
In order to manage numbers you will
need to reserve a place by contacting
the museum on 01424 222058, by
dropping in to reception or by emailing
info@bexhillmuseum.org.uk.
The cost is £5 which is paid to the
walk leader on the day. No dogs please.
BOOKS VERSUS SPORT
Buster Keaton proved popular last
time out at Bexhill Film Club so Mike
Hatchard has chosen him again for this
month’s offering. The film this time is
called College, made in 1927.
www.bexhillmuseum.org.uk
Keaton plays a brilliant student who,
at his graduation from high school,
declaims that books are more important
than athletics.
This causes uproar and causes his
sweetheart, Mary, to reject him.
He follows Mary to Clayton, an
“athlete-infested college.” In an effort to
impress her he tries his hand at various
sports, all ending in disaster.
It is a silent film with live piano
accompaniment by Mike Hatchard.
Tickets are £8. You can reserve your
seats by phoning 01424 222058, by
calling into the museum or by emailing
info@bexhillmuseum.org.uk.
The show starts at 7pm on
Wednesday 3 June.
NORMANHURST REVISITED
There is a replacement topic for the
next History Hour presentation.
Instead of a talk on Hertha Ayrton,
David Dennis will revisit a talk on
Normanhurst Estate at Catsfield,
which will incorporate new material.
The talk will start at 2pm on Thursday
11 June. Tickets, priced at £8, can be
pre-booked by phoning or visiting
the museum (01424 222058) or by
emailing info@bexhillmuseum.org.uk.
The month’s second talk will be
on a different day of the week —
Wednesday 24 June, still at 2pm.
The subject will be the Young
Simon de Montfort.
Open Gardens 2026
Bexhill Old Town - 30 th June
Cooden Beach and Little Common - 7 th July
Hastings - 14 th July
Plus, many more locations in Hastings and Rother.
Visit stmichaelshospice.com/event-diary
to find out more and download your free
Open Gardens Guide, or call 01424 456396.
Registered charity number 288462

8 1 9 7 5 2 3 4 6
22 PUZZLESw
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
PUZZLES
WORDSEARCH
Fabrics
Can you find all the listed words hidden in the grid below?
They may run either forwards or backwards, horizontally,
vertically or diagonally, but always in a straight line.
ACRYLIC
ANGORA
BAIZE
BOMBAZINE
BROCADE
CANVAS
CHINTZ
ERMINE
GAUZE
LACE
LEATHER
LINEN
MOIRE
NEEDLECORD
PLAID
SERGE
SILK
VOILE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Each letter of the alphabet has a different number. Substitute numbers
for letters to make words that will complete the puzzle. The letters at
the side and the check-box below the grid may help you keep track.
Check-box
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
A
CODEWORD
12 3 10 10 25 11 1 8 19 3 23 2 20 18
23 25 20 5 5 25 20
22 4 11 3 24 17 17 5 15 20 11 9 25 26
13 22 26 3 26 22 3
1 6 20 15 3 8 4 13 24 20 26 5 23
4 20 4 22 1 10 5 1 14
4 13 20 20 8 1 13 21 4 5 7 17 25
25 13 11 5 5 13 20 20
24 1 3 12 20 16 4
25 21 22 13 25 23
P E N I M R E P C A P C P
B L J Y J E E Z I A B T W
G C A O G H Q B L A C E B
V A C I I T N F Y Z I O O
W P O E D A C O R B M J E
Z B D Y W E L B C B M M A
M T E R W L S V A O P X S
C Q N S O G R Z I U D N X
I X S I E C I R Q U V W C
V F S H H N E A N G O R A
O S P A E C E L A K J R E
I V A Q V D I U D V L G P
L H Y S H N Z G I E R I J
E J V Y E E A U O E E U S
P T O N H Y R C S C A N L
26 20 20 16 22 24 20 11
13 1 10 11 3 23
H
1 20 4
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
A
24 1 3 18 7
1 1 17 17 22 4 4
8 13 5 11 5 25 10 13 8 11 3 9 26 20
5 24 26 20 20 26 1
11 20 21 1 24 17 15 5 11 11 7 3 23 10
M
M
H
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Across
1 Despise (6)
4 Women (6)
9 Alongside each other (7)
10 Shorten, curtail (7)
11 Lining of the stomach
of a ruminant used
as food (5)
12 Scarper (5)
14 Limited periods
of time (5)
15 Discontinue (5)
17 Bring dishonour
upon (5)
18 Casual tops (1-6)
20 Consider in detail (7)
21 Very frightened (6)
22 Niche or alcove (6)
Down
1 Scarcity (6)
2 Thin Mexican
pancake (8)
3 Relative magnitude (5)
5 Female stage
performer (7)
6 Decorated with
frosting (4)
CROSSWORD
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9
11
14
8
10
12 13
15 16
18 19
20
21 22
7 Shriek (6)
8 Ill-fated (4-7)
13 Member of one’s family (8)
14 Flat area in a series
of slopes (7)
15 Juicy fruit, such as
lemon, orange, etc (6)
16 Precious stones (6)
17 Platform (5)
19 Polynesian rain dance (4)
SUDOKU CHALLENGE
Place a number (from 1 to 9 inclusive) into each square in
such a way that every digit appears once in each horizontal
row, each vertical column and each box of nine squares.
1 4
5 9 6 8
3 2 5 9
8 6 1 3 9
1 4 2 7 5
9 3 7 4
7 8 5 2
8 9
17
SOLUTIONS
1 8 2 3 7 4 6 9 5
7 6 4 8 9 5 1 3 2
9 3 5 2 6 1 8 7 4
6 9 1 4 2 7 5 8 3
2 7 3 5 8 9 4 6 1
4 5 8 6 1 3 9 2 7
3 2 6 1 4 8 7 5 9
5 4 7 9 3 6 2 1 8
8 1 9 7 5 2 3 4 6
8 9
SUDOKU
Z I G G U R A T J I N X E D
N U E O O U E
S C R I M P P O W E R F U L
H S L I L S I
A B E W I T C H M E L O N
C 1 E C S A G4
O A Q
C H E E T A H V C O Y P U
5 9 6 8
U H R O O H E E
M3 A2 I Z E K C H5 A9
G R I N
U V 8 S6 H1 U3N 9 A E C
L E E K S M E R M A I D Y
A A P P S C C
1 4 2 7 5
T H O R O U G H T R I F L E
O9 3 M L E E7 4 L A
R7 E V A M8 P 5W O R R2
Y I N G
© Puzzle Press Ltd (www.puzzlepress.co.uk)
CODEWORD
D E T E S T L A D I E S
E O C S C C C
A B R E A S T T E R
R T L A B R I D G E
T R I P E R E A
H L C S C R A M
L T E R M S E
C E A S E O L J
I R S S H A M E
T S H I R T S T T W
R U A E X A M I N E
U L C D G V L
S C A R E D R E C E S S
CROSSWORD
P E N I M R E P C A P C P
B L J Y J E E Z I A B T W
G C A O G H Q B L A C E B
V A C I I T N F Y Z I O O
W P O E D A C O R B M J E
Z B D Y W E L B C B M M A
M T E R W L S V A O P X S
C Q N S O G R Z I U D N X
I X S I E C I R Q U V W C
V F S H H N E A N G O R A
O S P A E C E L A K J R E
I V A Q V D I U D V L G P
L H Y S H N Z G I E R I J
E J V Y E E A U O E E U S
P T O N H Y R C S C A N L
WORDSEARCH

Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news JUNE 2026 REGULARS 23
ON YOUR BIKE with Ian Hollidge and Bexhill Wheelers
MIND HOW YOU CYCLE AND CYCLING
WILL LOOK AFTER YOUR MIND
EXERCISE is known as the miracle
cure and using your own power
whilst being active and travelling
is not only physically satisfying but
mentally stimulating.
What better way to exercise
than to cycle everywhere, either
individually or in groups?
For those who say that’s not possible
please explore East Sussex County
Council’s nationally recognised initiative
Wheels for All.
Pedalling or using a hand cycle is fun for
everyone and will always aim to be fully
inclusive, whatever your ability.
By using specially adapted cycles,
the activities are both physically and
mentally stimulating and above all fun for
everyone involved.
Providing facilities for those with
difficulties will make life easier for
everyone. That goes not just for the
machine you ride, but also the physical
infrastructure.
The mental alertness required for
cycling keeps the mind in the present.
The rhythmic aerobic outlet can lower
stress levels with case studies showing
significant improvements in sleep.
In February 2015, the Academy of
Medical Royal Colleges published a
document laying out the role of doctors
in explaining why they should promote
exercise more, the benefits it would
give to patients and to wider society in
reduced need for health intervention. It’s
freely available online and worth a read
for those interested.
Interventions to make our lives easier
have always meant we do not have to
do the heavy lifting of olden days. How
did they build the pyramids? We have
moved towards a sedentary society
with changing work and domestic habits
and patterns. We now drive cars, sit in
front of computers, phones or TVs and
use domestic appliances. There are far
fewer manual jobs.
My dad and I used a gimlet, modern
workers use powered drills. This means
that physical activity is not routine
for most people. In 1949, 34% of miles
travelled using a mechanical mode were
by bicycle; today only 1-2% are.
Half of all adults spend more than five
hours sedentary every day. Fear of traffic
and fear of risks outdoors further limit
people’s activity.
Cycling will enable you to travel further
at a pace of your choice to reflect, think
and enjoy our wonderful sea fresh air.
Being active has enormous health and
well-being benefits. Physical activity
is important in the management of
long-term diseases, but, it is even
more important in the prevention of
many other common diseases. As the
population has become more sedentary,
conditions such as diabetes and obesity
have increased dramatically. The
focus of previous reports has been on
obesity and nutrition.
Physical activity with social contact is
best, groups meeting up and enjoying
themselves in a common interest. Cycling,
dancing, running all have those elements.
However only cycling serves as the dual
purpose of actually getting somewhere.
Seeking good counsel with a chat over
coffee or other beverage has served us
well over thousands of years for good
reason. North American medicine men
or African witch doctors are one way
to find wise physical or mental help.
Seeking out good Counsel or sage advice
from somebody who will listen and care,
offering guidance taking you to a better
place is the challenge.
Cycling allows you to go alone or in
groups and the repetitive movement of
legs going around pushing hard is good
therapy. I enjoy both and find it clears
my mind helping to think of what I have
rather than what could be better.
Everyone experiences loss or is down
some time in their life and at the end of a
cycle ride sitting talking to positive people
also is good therapy.
Before bicycles were invented
St. Jerome is alleged to have said
‘solvitur ambulando’ meaning — It is
solved by walking.
Unfortunately, there is no Latin
word for cycling.
The Bull Inn
To call, or reserve a table: 01424 424984
530 BEXHILL ROAD, ST LEONARDS ON SEA, TN38 8AY
www.bullstleonards.co.uk
Facebook: @bullinnstleonards
Sunday Folk Session - 7th June from 5:30pm
Monday Charity Quiz - 8th & 22nd June from 8pm
Sunday Rock ‘n Roll Bingo - 14th June from 6pm
Sunday Karaoke - 21st June from 5.30pm
Saturday 13th June from 6:00pm, join us for a DVD Horse Racing evening.
All the fun of the races, from the comfort of your pub chair! Tickets are £10.00
per person, including buffet and ownership of a horse in one of 8 races. Winning
horses will be entered into a 9th race, with a cash prize to the winner.
Tote betting available throughout the evening.
All proceeds will be used to buy a life-saving defibrillator for the pub.
Traditional freshly cooked ‘Pub Grub’ with many classic favourites,
HOMEMADE PIES are our speciality! We also serve Manze’s traditional Pie, Mash
and Liquor. In addition, our traditional Sunday Roast is served every week. Enjoy
our secluded beer garden, we have a large car park at the rear and
we’re dog friendly too!
THE
CARPET SHOP
FRIENDLY, AFFORDABLE
& PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
LONG ESTABLISHED COMPANY
PROFESSIONAL FITTING
FRIENDLY SERVICE
VINYLS, LAMINATES, RUGS
& LVT FLOORING
OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM-5PM (CLOSED WEDNESDAYS)
SATURDAY 9AM-MIDDAY
CALL 01424 218337
41 NINFIELD RD, SIDLEY,
BEXHILL-ON-SEA TN39 5AE

24 TRAVEL
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Cruising The River
Rhone on Riviera’s
Thomas Hardy
BY DAVID POWELL
RIVER cruising is becoming
increasingly popular year on year,
and after my recent cruise on one
of Riviera’s 5-star ships, it’s easy
to see why. My recent journey
onboard Riviera’s MS Thomas
Hardy combined relaxed luxury
with an ever-changing scenery as
we gently sailed along the river
Rhone through Provence.
From the moment I stepped
onboard the ship, I was impressed by
the wonderful balance of elegance
and practical comfort. Riviera’s
5-star fleet has long been known for
its luxurious and welcoming style,
and Thomas Hardy was no exception.
SUITES
My home for the voyage was a
Diamond Deck suite. Positioned on the
upper deck, these suites benefit from
floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
that open onto a French balcony. The
suites are thoughtfully laid out, with
lots of space and very comfortable. A
generously sized bed, ample wardrobe
storage, air conditioning, a safe, tea
and coffee making facilities and a
well-appointed bathroom with a
walk-in shower and a very efficient
housekeeping service all contributed
immensely to our 7-day cruise.
PUBLIC AREAS
Public areas on board Thomas
Hardy are luxuriously designed. The
main lounge and bar are the social
hub of the ship, a bright and airy space
where panoramic windows ensure
you never lose sight of the passing
scenery. Whether attending a port
talk, enjoying live music and a drink in
the evening, or simply settling in with
a book or browsing the internet, it’s a
welcoming environment that naturally
draws passengers together. There’s an
onboard boutique, reception desk and
a Spa and Wellness Centre. A lift is also
available between the upper, lower
and middle decks.
DINING
Dining was a true highlight of the
cruise. The elegant main restaurant
delivered a consistently high standard,
with menus that reflected both
international favourites and regional
specialities inspired by the itinerary.
Buffet breakfasts were generous and
varied, lunches relaxed, and dinners
suitably elegant without becoming
overly formal. A particularly welcome
inclusion was the free all-inclusive
drinks package, with wine, beer and
soft drinks served with lunch and
dinner and available at the bar, as
well as a tea and coffee and a still
or sparkling water station available
near reception.
For something a little different,
the ship’s Bistro Restaurant at the
rear of the ship provided a more
intimate setting and of course,
magnificent views!
DESTINATIONS
River cruising is as much about the
destinations as it is about the ship, and
this itinerary offered a particularly
exciting selection of excursions. We
joined the ship at Avignon and on a
walking tour the next day, together
with a Petite Train Tour, we seemed to
see history at every turn. Wandering
through its medieval streets and
visiting the imposing Palais des Papes,
the guided tour was both informative
and engaging, providing context
without overwhelming detail.
Equally memorable was the visit
to the Pont du Gard. This ancient
Roman aqueduct is nothing short
of breathtaking — its honeycoloured
stone arches spanning the
river with quiet authority. Standing
beneath it, you can’t help but
marvel at the engineering prowess
of a civilisation that flourished
two millennia ago. The excursion
allowed enough time not just to
admire the structure but to absorb the
surrounding landscape and visit the
museum and shop.
The Ardèche Gorges offered a
dramatic change of scenery. Here,
the river cuts through towering
limestone cliffs, creating a rugged
and almost cinematic environment.
The excursion through this region
felt like stepping into a different
world — wilder, less cultivated and
strikingly beautiful.
Then there was the lavender farm
and shop. A small train took our
group through rows of fragrant
lavender plants followed by a short
video about the cultivation and
distillation processes of lavender.
It was interesting to see why this
region has become synonymous with
lavender production.
SHIP FACILITIES
Back on board, the ship’s facilities
ensured there was always a
comfortable space when cruising
during the day or to retreat to after
a tour or free time ashore. Enjoying
a glass of wine on the sun deck as
we cruise past terraced vineyards
and quaint riverside villages is one
of those simple pleasures that river
cruising does so well.
A particular highlight of the
experience was the presence of
Riviera’s River cruise hosts, Tony
and Peer, who were constantly
on hand throughout the journey.
Their knowledge, organisation and
approachable manner ensured
everything ran smoothly while also
enriching the overall experience with
helpful insights and local context.
Service throughout the voyage
was first class. The crew were all
friendly, helpful and keen to ensure
all passengers had a memorable
experience. Dress code was smart
casual but on the Captain’s Gala
night the majority of guests dressed a
little more formally.
CONCLUSION
Thomas Hardy delivered a super river
cruise experience, with transfers,
comfortable accommodation,
excellent dining, thoughtfully curated
excursions, good tour guides, and a
relaxed onboard environment that
allowed the destinations to shine.
Combined with the ever-changing
scenery of the Rhone and Provence,
it made for a journey that was
deeply enjoyable.
I would highly recommend river
cruising with Riviera Travel and can’t
wait to join them again!
For more information on a
Riviera River Cruise visit
www.rivieratravel.co.uk/rivercruises
or phone 01283 893863
There is a video of David’s suite
on his YouTube channel
www.YouTube.com/yourholidaytv

Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news JUNE 2026 25
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Fiat 500 Convertible
2010, 1.2, petrol, manual gearbox, only 74,000 miles
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LOCAL MP DR KIERAN MULLAN
Listening, caring and delivering
for the residents of the Bexhill and
Battle constituency.
Regular surgeries held in person or virtually.
If you require my assistance, please get in touch by
emailing kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk
or telephone the constituency office
on 01424 736861
Further information on my website:
drkieranmullan.org.uk
Vauxhall Mokka X Design
2019, 1.4L, petrol, automatic gearbox, 110,000 miles,
sat nav, DAB, bluetooth with Apple Car Play, Cruise
control, air con, full service history.
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3 MONTHS WARRANTY INCLUDED
CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO ARRANGE A VIEWING
Nusrat Ghani
HARNESSING THE STRENGTHS
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While digital ads may disappear
from view as soon as the user
scrolls past them, newspaper
ads have a longer lifespan.
Many people keep newspapers
around for days or even weeks,
providing extended exposure
for the advertised products or
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our recent survey shows an
average of 2.1 readers see each
copy, which means more than
25,000 will see this ad.
Your business could be missing
out on this huge audience.
To make sure your business
appears in Bexhill’s favourite
newspaper, email our team on
sales@regionalmediagroup.
co.uk to get a quote.
Nissan Juke Acenta Premium
2014, Dci, long MoT, only 91,000 miles, 1.5L, diesel,
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Citroen C1
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With over 15 years experience you are in
safe hands. We aim to provide a personal
service, spending time with the customer
to make sure they get the correct products.
If the product is in our shop you can take it
away, no need to order it and wait.
Our engineers can visit your home to
carry out repairs and servicing and we offer
a free collection/ delivery service.
We are authorised by the FCA to sell
mobility aid insurance and can carry out
repairs on behalf of insurance companies.
We sell riser recliner chairs and profiling
beds from a wide range of suppliers. We
stock a wide range of new and pre owned
mobility aids like walking sticks, Walking
frames (Rollators), mobility scooters,
complex bespoke powered wheelchairs
from Quantum Rehab with specialist
seating options and manual wheelchairs.
43 Western Road Bexhill
TN40 1DT. Tel: 01424 532620

26 SPORT
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Hastings & Bexhill RFC toast
silverware success at awards
Coach’s Player, George Feeley
BY MAX MOWBRAY
AND MIKE LEGG
HASTINGS & Bexhill RFC dished
out their awards as the curtain
came down on a successful season
which saw the club end a long
silverware drought.
The entire front row scooped the 1st
XV’s Captain’s Hero award while the
Captain’s Player gong went to Quinn
McManus. The coveted Players’
Player accolade was collected by
Laurence Maynard while George
Feeley and Jack Hardy shared the
Coach’s Player award.
There were numerous other awards
handed out as efforts both on and
off the field were recognised. Roll
of honour — Captain’s Hero: Front
row. 2nd XV Captain’s Hero: David
Morley. Players’ Player: Laurence
Maynard. 2nd XV Players’ Player:
Cam Potgieter. Captain’s Player:
Quinn McManus. 2nd XV Captain’s
Player: Seb Arnold. Coach’s player:
George Feeley & Jack Hardy. Tom
Howe Sporting Spirit award: Liam
Hunt. Danny Ralph Award (Top Try
Scorer): Isaac Wales. Jack Hardy Cup
(awarded for the achievements of
a team): 2nd XV.
Clubman Awards: Mark
Horseman, Jenny O’Connor, Emily
Prince, Steve Prince, Roger Roberts,
Shaun Farley, Harry Walker, Quinn
McManus, Gary Simpson. Volunteer
H&B celebrate winning the Sussex Shield. Picture by Hollie Fitzgerald
Awards: Ian Scaife, Matt Stringer,
Kelly Stringer, Sue Hohenkirk,
Jerry Hohenkirk, Abi Kirk, Max
Mowbray, Stuart Malton.
VP award (honours ties): Jenny
O’Connor, Cheryl Stitch, Emily
Prince, Steve Prince, Ben Petty,
Sarah Ruusovouri.
There was plenty to toast after a
dramatic 30-22 victory over Ditchling
in the Sussex Shield final at the start
of last month secured H&B’s first cup
trophy since 2017.
A tense and physical contest
swung repeatedly before a late H&B
surge brought home the win at
Eastbourne RFC.
An early Ditchling penalty was
pegged back by a H&B penalty of
their own from the ever-faithful boot
of Bruce Steadman.
The boys in blue & white settled
into their shape, moving the ball with
more confidence and the pressure
told midway through the half when
Quinn McManus crossed to put
Hastings 8-3 ahead. Ditchling hit back
almost at once, then added a further
converted score to lead 15-8.
With a game on their hands and
early injuries, Hastings made changes
— George Feeley and Laurence
Maynard replaced by Lewis Sealy (to
10) and Max Mowbray onto the flank.
Quinn McManus was shown a
yellow card shortly after the restart,
and Ditchling made the extra man
count as a converted try extended
their lead to 22-8. The heavens then
opened to make the ball a bar of soap.
The situation worsened when in
true house style, older brother Frazer
McManus was also sin-binned.
Reduced to 13 men and trailing by
14 points, Hastings came to a mental
crossroads — fold or fight back.
The chosen path was clear. With
heads up and fire in their hearts,
H&B entered a period of direct,
high-intensity rugby featuring a
barrage of attacks.
Shortly into the final quarter, these
efforts culminated in a converted try
— centre Vinnie Harrison breaking
1XV: Noah Linfield, Liam Hunt,
Kaleb Wiggan take Captain’s Hero award
2XV Captain’s Player Seb Arnold
through from the back of a ruck to
close the gap to 15-22.
Back to full force, Hastings
dominated scrums and consistently
disrupted the Ditchling lineout.
Persistence paid off late on when a
well worked move put Steadman over
and he converted his own try to level
the scores at 22-22.
Momentum was firmly with H&B,
and they got the decisive score in the
78th minute when scrum-half Isaac
Wales made a signature break to
provide a 27-22 lead.
Kick-off response was crucial here,
Hastings knowing the pain of defeat
in the dying moments of a game. But
the gather was good, the clearance
Liam Hunt takes Tom Howe
Sporting Spirit award
Player’s Player, Laurence Maynard
long, and a short passage of play lead
ultimately to a penalty inside the 22,
in front of the posts.
Using every second of the final
period of play, Steadman slotted the
kick to take the score to 30–22 and
end the game. Victory brought Sussex
silverware back to Hastings for the
first time in a decade.
A hard-earned, well fought victory
built on discipline, persistence
and an ability to respond under
pressure. After a nine-year wait,
Hastings & Bexhill are Sussex Shield
champions once again.
Cadet capsize capers at BSC
BY RACHEL WYNN
BEXHILL Sailing Club’s Cadet fleet
meets on Thursday evenings — and
the novice sailors love nothing more
than practising capsizing.
Cadet Captain Malcolm Brookes and
his team of amazing assistants teach
young people to sail, gain confidence
and social skills while having fun.
Captain Brookes said: “This
picture is just them cooling off as the
heatwave hits — nothing better to do
when there’s no wind!”
There were five races in the
traditional Early May Short Series over
the Early Bank Holiday weekend.
May Short Race 1 on Saturday
morning was predicted to be a float
rather than a sail, but an unexpected
wind came up nicely.
The south-easterly wind dropped a
little on Saturday afternoon for Race
2 making the large course difficult to
get around, hampered by the strong
east-bound tide.
Race 3’s start on Sunday morning
Cadets capsize. Photo, Steve Cole
was delayed due to a sea mist
which rolled in, out and back.
The safety boat earned its keep
attending a plethora of capsizes,
including a Topper rescue
that had inverted.
Sunday afternoon’s race was just as
dramatic but for different reasons.
It was a four-way Dart 16 catamaran
race, going full blast around a
triangular course. What a sight!
Monday morning’s Race 5
was overcast and calm with just
enough breeze to get around the
‘P’ shape course.
All five scheduled races were sailed,
although not always by the same
fleets! The trophies go to: Catamaran
— Tony Lane and Hana Bolton;
Fast — Bob Palmer; Slow — subject
to review; Novice — Adrian Searing
and Robbe Dinardo.
The Saturday Series of races
continued and 12 boats took to the
water for the morning race (May 16).
A lumpy sea and shifting wind made
sailing tricky.
Colin Coard (Laser) came 1st in
Fast fleet, Novices Adrian Searing
and Robbe Dinardo (Club Laser
2000) won their fleet uncontested.
Slow fleet was won by Richard
Eagleton with crew Cristina Terrazas
(Firefly). Catamaran fleet’s Flo
Wright with crew Abi Wright
(Dart 16B) came 1st.
The Sunday (17th) morning looked
good first thing for Sunday Series
Race 3 but by launch time there was a
lot of surf and very bumpy conditions,
although the westerly wind was not
as shifty as the day before. Only four
boats finished without capsizing
— it wasn’t for the fainthearted!
Pete Bennett christened his multifluorescent
90s rave buoyancy aid!
Catamaran fleet was won
uncontested by Flo Wright with crew
Wendy Watkins (Dart 16), not their
standard pairing! Fast fleet was won
by Arne Lovius (Laser Radial). Bob
Palmer, who brushed the sand off
his Topper for the first time this year,
came 1st in Slow fleet.
The scorching heat of the Late May
Bank Holiday weekend saw a total
of 21 helms compete in the Late May
Short Series. Race 1 started towards
Eastbourne around a triangular
course. The stronger south-westerly
wind and larger swell than forecast
made the run very unstable, with
waves coming at the boats sideways.
That did mean that after the
gybe mark the broad reach was a
surfing competition.
By Sunday afternoon the wind and
swell had dropped a little. The Series
winners (provisionally) are: Slow —
Cristina Terrazas (Comet Xtra); Fast
— Eve Fifield (Laser Radial); Novice
— Fraser Tod and Rick Parker (Club
Laser 2000); Catamaran — Flo Wright
and Abi Wright (Dart 16).
In June, BSC continues the Saturday
Evening Series and starts the
Summer Series.
• BEXHILL ROWING CLUB will
attempt to host their home regatta
again on July 5. High winds meant
the original date of May 17 had
to be postponed.
Visit: www.bexhillsailing.club.

Join us for
our next
event
Bowes House care home,
Hailsham
Let’s talk about dementia
Tuesday 26th June 2026
2pm - 3.30pm
We will shine a light on some aspects
of dementia that you’re not often
told about, why a loved one might be
behaving differently and what you
can do to support them.
Trusted to care.
To book please call
01323 315957 or email
lisa.phillips@careuk.com

28 SPORT
JUNE 2026
Latest local news, visit: bexhill.news
Sport
Ramblers are rocking after
making step up in style
BY MIKE LEGG
LITTLE Common Ramblers have
made an impressive start to life in
Sussex Cricket League Division Two
after promotion last season.
Despite it being their first time at
such a high level and playing against
far more established clubs, the
Ramblers have claimed two wins in
their opening three matches to join
the early pacesetters.
A disappointing defeat to
Brighton & Hove in their opener
was followed by a thrilling and
historic five-run triumph against
Eastbourne at The Rec.
Ramblers set the visitors a target
of 185 with overseas player Kaleb
Auld making 53 and Chris Meredith
32. Eastbourne looked on course
to reel in the total but Harvey Jack
struck twice in the same over to leave
the visitors on 180-9 and Ramblers
needing just one wicket.
Then came the decisive moment.
With the first ball of the 35th
over, skipper Jon Meredith and
the team appealed for LBW and
the finger was raised, sparking
jubilant celebrations.
A far more comfortable 39-run
victory was wrapped up the following
Saturday at Ifield ((May 23).
Ramblers rattled up 261 in 45 overs
having chosen to bat with Malcolm
Johnson (61) and Auld (86) putting
together a 105-run partnership for
the fourth wicket.
Ifield’s Raminda Wijesooriya took
5-29 and then led the chase with a
superb 124 but Malcolm Johnson’s
4-56 and Sandy Kumar’s 3-15
ensured the visitors chalked up their
second league win.
Kaleb Auld. Photo credit, LCRCC
Meanwhile, Bexhill Cricket Club
started their season with a mixed but
positive set of results.
Having been promoted to the
Division 3 last season, the 1st XI have
lost their opening three fixtures
despite strong showings with the bat
in the first two matches.
Australian Danul Dassanayake
picked up where he left off in 2025
with consecutive half-centuries
in the first two games, while Benji
Hammond and Andrew Jay have both
made useful runs.
The third match saw a disappointing
nine-wicket reverse against Mayfield
in which Dominic Carey’s defiant 31-
ball 33 was the highlight.
Despite the losses, captain Ben
Phillimore is upbeat, especially after
the opening two showings.
He said: “We’ve actually played
some really good cricket and have
been unlucky. The weather has been
warm and outfields fast, so when the
ball gets hit it flies to the boundary.
We’ve taken edges and bowled well
with no luck but I’m confident that
will turn around.”
The club’s 2nd XI, however, have
had an impressive start to the
summer and sat top of their league
after three fixtures despite a hand
injury to captain Adam Smith.
Steve Phillimore is once again
in the runs as are new recruit Ben
Steadman and Taylor Wickenden. On
the bowling front, Kieran Mahon has
been a revelation.
The newly formed third team
continues to grow in stature in
their first season. Simon Catt has
impressed with the bat, as has
junior Thomas Stronghill, and the
evergreen Harry Strugnell. The team
came within just one wicket of their
first win against Westfield and lost
by ten runs in a run-chase against
Crowhurst Park 4ths.
Junior cricket has also started with
league matches underway. The
club are delighted with the progress
on their girls’ section with hugely
impressive numbers turning out
each Wednesday.
Bexhill have also started their firstever
ladies team known as the Pink
Grapefruits. The ladies have been
training on Wednesday evenings
ahead of their first ever competitive
match, which was at the Sussex
County Ground (May 31).
Thompson has
a grand night at
Common awards
BY MIKE LEGG
CAMERON Thompson cashed
in at Little Common’s end
of season awards.
The full-back pocketed a cheque for
£1,000 for taking the most man-of-thematch
awards this season.
Striker Lewis Hole, who retired
from senior football at the end of the
season, was named Players’ Player
and also picked up the Ken and
Margaret Cherry Memorial Award for
his unwavering loyalty, dedication
and commitment to the club. Striker
Hole has scored an astonishing 417
goals for Common.
The Manager’s Player was collected
by Sam Adams, Young Player was
Kieran Ludlow while Liam Ward took
the Goal of the Season gong.
Common finished 16th, avoiding
a repeat of last season’s relegation
battle, while they also reached the
Peter Bentley Cup final for the first
time, which was played on the Early
May Bank Holiday.
Huge underdogs Common led 1-0 at
half-time through Sam Ellis but SCFL
premier champions Steyning came
on strong after the break to win 4-1
to do the double.
Meanwhile, Jack Shonk did
a double at Bexhill United’s
presentation evening.
The hitman was the Supporters’
Player of the Season and also the
Player of the Season. The Manager’s
Player was Kyle Holden while the
Committee choice was Dale Penn.
Other awards — Chairman’s Shield:
Youth Tournament committee. Club
person: Toni Harman.
Bill Harrison Shield: Dean Allchin.
Pat Naughton shield: Paul Bezance.
The club’s Annual General
Meeting takes place on Friday
(June 5) at the Polegrove clubhouse
and all supporters are welcome
Lewis Hole with awards
Cam Thompson with boss Russ Eldridge
to attend (7pm).
Preparations are already gathering
pace and chairman Simon Dunne
said: “We have a great fan base here
at Bexhill United and we want to
invite all our supporters to join us at
this year’s AGM.
“We are an entirely volunteer run
club and are always looking for more
people to get involved. The AGM will
give you an insight into what goes into
running Bexhill United at all levels
and our plans for the future.
“We are already looking forward
to next season and the more people
involved, the stronger we are.”
OBs on the Raz after National Cup shootout thriller
BY MIKE LEGG AND ROB CAREY
ROB ‘Raz’ Carey was the shootout
hero as Old Bexhillians Walking
Football Club’s Seniors team
overcame Bexley in the Over-
70s National Cup.
On the eve of his 80th birthday,
goalkeeper and team manager
Carey saved all three of Bexley’s
penalties after normal and extratime
had finished with the score
still locked at 1-1.
A fine strike by Colin Searing
cancelled out Bexley’s opening
OBs Seniors
effort and Dave Fricker secured the
shootout with a well-taken penalty.
Worthing WFC are up next at Bexhill
College in Round Two.
The OBs have several teams entered
in the competition — the Over-50s
are away to Tonbridge Insulators and
fixtures are to be confirmed for the
OBs at QPR
Over-60s and Over-65s.
On July 5, the club’s own
tournament takes place at Little
Common Recreation Ground where
clubs from the South will be in
attendance to mark OBs’ tenth year.
An Old Bexhillians team
comprising Howard Whitelaw,
Bryan Fisher, Mark Cole, Steve
Merchant, Duncan Nolan, Brian
Cook, Bob Nesbit and Nick Matthews
travelled to Loftus Road, home of
Championship side Queens Park
Rangers, to take part in the annual
QPR Walking Festival.
Watford, Cove Rangers, Witham
and two QPR supporter teams
also took part.
This event was in memory of
former club member Ian Lambert,
who sadly passed away last year.
Ian was a lifelong Hoops fan and
the day was not about results but
about celebrating and remembering
those fans who have passed away
over the past year.
The club welcome enquiries
from ladies and gents about
participating. Contact club chair
Mick Davies on 07961008743 or
mickdavies48@gmail.com