Hailsham News, January 2023, Issue 17

Welcome to the first edition of the year. I hope you all managed to enjoy the festive season and looking forward to a fresh new year.

Hailsham was absolutely fantastic last month with so much going on for Christmas with the excellent Christmas markets, charity events and we had a stunning flurry of snow which truly marked the start of Christmas. The effort residents went to decorate their homes and raise money for charity at the same time was incredible with some excellent results. As a keen photographer, I was straight out onto the streets with my camera and we’ve featured some of these photographs in this issue along with some of your pictures too. What I love is when snow completely changes the mood of everyone in the flick of a switch. As I walked into town, everyone was smiling, children played in their gardens people simply smiled at each other as we passed in the street - all because it was snowing! It’s such a magical thing we don’t get to see very often and I hope you agree, Hailsham looks absolutely stunning in our photos.

However, there was misery on the roads as some drivers took many hours to go a short distance and then we had more disruption as the snow melted causing flooding. It was certainly a year full of challenges, wasn’t it? So, as we wonder what this country will throw at us next, we start the new year with yet another packed edition full of local news and information.

Also, we have a couple of brand-new, exciting projects which we will be working hard on over the next couple of months which we cannot wait to announce.

Paul Gibson - Group Editor

FAMILY BUILD NEW LIVES IN HAILSHAM AFTER FLEEING WAR

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Hailsham.

Ruslana was forced to flee her home country six months ago as Putin’s bombs started to fall but she was unable to save her whole family. She made the decision that no parent would ever wish to make and to leave without her 17-year-old son.

The Ukrainian English teacher (pictured on front page) eventually managed to claim asylum and arrived in the UK with her 10-year-old daughter with not a penny to her name and were promptly put up in emergency accommodation. Although they were safe, Ruslana was desperate to save her Son, Maksym, from the war-torn county, who could not leave because of Martial Law which Putin enforced in partially occupied Ukrainian regions.

Eventually, with the help of Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani, Ruslana received the incredible news her son had been granted a visa on the day of his 18th Birthday. A flight was immediately booked and she travelled to Stansted Airport the very next day for an emotional reunion with her Son.

They are now housed in a comfortable flat in the centre of Hailsham and now the family regularly attend the Hellingly Ukrainian Support & Social Group which is held at the Hellingly Community Hub every week and is designed to help fellow refugees to learn English and assist with daily struggles they might have.

The Ukrainian Group meet every Monday at the Hellingly Community Hub between 12.30-

other refugees who have found themselves in the same situation.

At a recent meeting at the Hellingly Hub, Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani visited to see how the community has been coming together. She told Hailsham News: “We’ve welcomed over 600 Ukrainians into the whole constituency and that’s all because so many wonderful people have either helped Ukrainians get here, given them a home and taken care of them, and it’s the least we could have done considering what Putin has done in Ukraine.”

“It’s great to be here at the Ukrainian Support Group with so many local leaders, fantastic volunteers, but also phenomenal Ukrainians who want to contribute back to the village and Hailsham. Everyone I’ve spoken to wants to go home and can only go home once Putin is removed from Ukraine.”

She added: “The Hellingly Ukrainian Support Group is a great opportunity for the volunteers or the community leaders and the host families to make sure they’re getting the support they can, but obviously, there is some pressure on local resources to make sure they can access good health and education care to.”

Hub Volunteer Sharon Szczotka said: “It’s great to see everybody coming together in this environment. We run this every Monday, people from Ukraine and their hosts come in because we offer support. We have a lady who helps with referrals, they can have something to eat, they have an English lesson

homes to Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s illegal war will now receive a package of further support, as government urges new potential hosts to come forward and apply for rematching.

Over 100,000 Ukrainians have sought sanctuary in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, one of the fastest, biggest and most generous visa programmes in British history.

Now, in recognition of their ongoing support amidst the rising cost-of-living, all sponsors will receive an increased ‘thank you’ payment of £500 a month for guests who have been in the country for over a year.

‘Thank you’ payments will also be extended from 12 months to 2 years so that guests who may not yet be ready to move into independent accommodation can stay in sponsorship for longer where sponsors are willing to extend arrangements.

Hellingly Councillor David White concluded: “The Hellingly Ukraine Support Group gives them a respite from the worries that they’ve had with coming into a strange country with a different language, different people and having to live in other people’s houses. We have a small Social Fund that we’re using but we’re also getting public donations, we had a very substantial donation from a local business the other day of £3000 towards the work we’re doing. There’s a lot of support out there for people.”

Ukrainians and their host families in Hellingly

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THIS IS A SHORT HEADLINE TO FIT INTO THIS POSITION

THE FACTS AND FIGURES OF THE CHANGING FACE OF OUR HIGH STREET

Rthe village roads and putting lives at risk. Campaigners finally had enough of the constant lorries taking a shortcut via Station Road and Church Road en route to local building sites operated by Jenners. the lorries are putting local schoolchildren in danger and damaging the roads and homes in the village. They carried out protests in two locations, the first outside of the site of the Old Nursery, and the second in the village at Church Road, where HGVs were stopped and asked why they were not using the main A267 route to the sites.

which highlights the number of banks and department stores has fallen since the start of 2020, but there are a handful of other sectors which are thriving.

Residents fear the Victorian built bridge,

The survey carried out by Ordnance Survey suggests there were 9,300 fewer retail outlets in the UK before the pandemic hit in March 2020.

the local community’s fears about traffic, especially heavy lorries, using Station Road. We have made contact with local councils, including the County Council.

HEADLINE OVER DOUBLE DECK LINES

Hailsham Vicar David Bourne has hung up his robes and bible after serving the town for 17 years at Hailsham Parish Church. At the end of August, the church said a very fond farewell to its

There was a service of thanksgiving and celebration giving thanks to God for his faithfulness and kindness over the years followed by speeches, tea and cake.

The church building was packed with not only current congregation but also those who had moved away, but wanted to be there for the special service.

traded from and will be completely renovated when the florist closes this month.

The way people shop has changed two-fold over the past decade - the high street has become a place to go and do things,

There was also a good number from Riseley in Bedfordshire where David had served as Vicar prior to coming to Hailsham in 2005. A hog roast followed in the Vicarage Garden so the celebrations

During David’s time as Vicar, David’s focus was on the preaching of God’s word, the Bible and it was constant and central to everything.

There was shock when a popular restaurant in town suddenly announced its closure after seven years in the town. Ribs and Co, which was located on George Street announced on its social media pages it closed its doors for the last time, just before the Christmas rush. The owner, Colin Hazelton simply said: “My journey started alone but now as a 3, it is time to take on new challenges together.”

He has overseen many changes in the church building not least the opening of the West End entrance in 2021, which includes an accessible footpath and welcoming entrance and lobby area. Many from the community have commented on how appreciative they are of this entrance area as they are welcomed into the church building.

David and his wife Kim are retiring and moving on from Hailsham but staying in East Sussex.

Across Hailsham, there were 68 eating and drinking businesses in March 2020, and in March 2022, there were 8 more showing an increase of 12%, according to the survey. That is 8% more than the national average.

It’s not all good news though. For the same period, there were 143 retail shops in Hailsham, and by March 2022, there were 10 fewer - a decrease of 7% - 4% more than the national average. The growing trend of fast food app delivery services has paid dividends for Hailsham with a 4% increase in these establishments. This is evident with the opening of Papa John’s and Burger King outlets.

Looking at all the sectors, the survey showed beauty services increased by 5%, cafes increased by 32%, clothes shops saw a fall of 17%, whilst fast food outlets increased by 4% and restaurants by 7%.

too, but on the other hand, it also created a number of new opportunities. I wrote back in October 2021 that Hailsham saw at least nine new shops and businesses open in our town centre - much higher than many other towns.

More recently, two businesses have decided to close their doors in town. Flowers by Maybugs, which opened at the height of the pandemic, has decided to cease trading. The owners are moving the Maybugs gift store into the shop where the florist

Across Wealden, the stats are pretty consistent. Banks have been disappearing rapidly for a long time now in the High Street, with more than 5% closing, forcing customers online, over the same period.

Good news for fish and chip lovers across the district, with a 10.5% increase in outlets, proving the increasing need for fast food nationally.

Residents must continue to shop locally to ensure our independent shops remain in the town.

VIP VISIT TO TOWN’S YOUTH SERVICE

interest in the youth service’s ongoing projects, particularly at the Square Youth Cafe and the work we do with the young people in Hailsham and surrounding areas.”

“Hopefully, the High Sheriff learnt a great deal about Hailsham Youth Service as a town, acquire a good understanding of how we are continually developing, and find out about our plans for improving services even more in the future.”

partnerships with other agencies to provide innovative work with individuals or groups of young people.”

“It has been a pleasure to work with Youth Service Manager Andy Joyes and his team during my long tenure as a town councillor –the team’s positive attitude and obvious enjoyment in working with young people has ensured that Hailsham Youth Service has gone from strength to strength and continues to do so, even during the recent pandemic.”

“It is a pleasure and a privilege to have the High Sheriff visiting the Square Youth Cafe as part of her programme of stops to towns across the county, and I am confident she will be impressed by everything she has to see and hear about the work of Hailsham Youth Service.”

The High Sheriff of East Sussex, Jane King, made a special visit to the Square Youth Cafe last month to find out more about the activities and opportunities Hailsham Youth Service is providing – and the impact of this work on the local community.

Andy Joyes, Youth Service Manager said: “We were delighted to be able to meet the High Sheriff and show her around the Square Youth Cafe facility. We took this special opportunity to welcome her

Launching in 1999 with the opening of the Service’s flagship facility – the Square Youth Café in Market Square, the service has since set up further facilities including the Hellingly Youth Hub, Monday Youth Hub, Eastside Youth Hub and Safehub. Add to this, the wide range of recreational activities offered via the Friday Night Project and strong links forged over the years with other agencies, including Hailsham Community College, Knockhatch, Freedom Leisure and Sussex Police.”

Mayor of Hailsham, Cllr Holbrook said: “The development of the Town Council’s youth projects since its launch over twenty years ago proves that there are ample opportunities for developing

Photo caption

High Sheriff Jane King, Paul Holbrook and Andy Joyes

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PLANNERS RAISE CONCERNS OF ‘RISK OF LIFE TO CHILDREN’ AT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Pstorms causing ‘risk of life to children’.

The report is part of the planning application for up 241 homes on land at Summerhill on Ersham Road in which outline planning permission has already been granted. At a recent Wealden District Planning meeting, Chairman, Councillor Susan Stedman stated: “One the most extraordinary things I’ve ever read in a commentary, and I’ve been doing this for very nearly 20 years, about a significant hazard and risk of life to children. I have never read anything like that before in an Agenda Report, and It troubles me deeply. Perhaps we need to think quite hard about it.”

Head of Planning and Environmental Services at Wealden District Council, Stacey Robins replied to the worries by stating: “What that means on the ground is that the open space and the play area on the site, will flood to a depth in certain instances, not all the time, but in extreme events, then the layout allows for that part of the site to be used to accommodate floodwater.

The local lead flood authority has hinted at the appropriateness of that and whether that is right, wrong or indifferent. The committee as a collective will have to form a view on that to explain why we have continued to recommend the scheme notwithstanding that tension is rooted within the NPPF and the NPPG, which does make it clear to developers that certain lowerrisk parts of a site can be used to accommodate water during a flood event which includes open space and play areas.”

He added: “Ultimately, there is some responsibility on residents coming into the site, if we’ve got back-to-back storms, and we’re in winter when groundwater levels are particularly high and you’ve got standing water in some parts of the open areas and play areas. There is a question mark as to whether that would be used during storm events for play, or rather allowed to drain down before being used for play areas?”

The application is just one of a number of other developments south of Hailsham which equates to 400 homes, including West of Station Road, land at Oaklands also on Ersham Road and a smaller development next to the Cuckoo Line, also on Ersham Road.

I take the point entirely that the officers have made that you can flood areas of landscaping and play areas, it doesn’t matter, the thing that is ringing in the back of my mind is a residual flood risk to children.”

Before the committee voted unanimously to defer the conditions on the application, Councillor Stedman concluded: “I would be happy to support a deferral to give our officers the chance to defer and come back with a report that we would not have to put our name to a report that actually states danger to children. I’m not prepared to put my name to that.”

Wealden could get more say over planning targets set by Government Housing quotas set by central Government could be adjusted following an announcement by the Secretary of State this week.

On Tuesday (6 December) the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities confirmed in Parliament that he was listening to the council’s call and is now looking to adjust housing targets and remove the fiveyear housing land supply requirements. Wealden District Council

The plans would also see the council given greater powers to deter unjustified, speculative applications during the production of its Local Plan.

The government consultation on the proposed changes is due to be published before the end of the year. Wealden council is keen to see the finer detail of the proposals and engage fully with the consultation.

Under the proposals, housing targets set for local authorities will remain but will be a starting point instead with new flexibilities to reflect local circumstances such as national parks, heritage restrictions, and areas of high flood risk; local planning authorities will be able to tackle slow build out by developers; and there could be new financial penalties for companies failing to deliver housing despite having planning approval and give councils power to refuse further permissions across their areas.

Work has considerably progressed on Wealden District Council’s Draft Local Plan, which will shape the district’s places, plan and manage growth and infrastructure, and guide development in the district in future years.

The council needs to ensure that its emerging Local Plan fully considers these important forthcoming changes and protects the Wealden district.

Following the publication of the government consultation, the council is planning to bring an updated timetable for its Local Plan to the Local Plan Sub Committee in the new year.

Wealden District Council leader and portfolio holder for Planning, Councillor Ann Newton said: “The Local Plan is an important document and we want to progress it as quickly as possible to provide certainty to our communities, partners and developers on the future planning strategy for the district.”

She added: “However, following our successful lobbying efforts we will be working over the coming months to build these changes into our Draft Local Plan, with the central aim of protecting the natural beauty and character of our district and meeting our climate change commitments”.

Land at Summerhill ready for homes

VITAL WARM HUBS OPENED TO HELP VULNERABLE BATTLE WINTER COLD

attending are encouraged to bring along with them board games, books and other items.

SQUARE YOUTH CAFE, 1 MARKET SQUARE

Hailsham Youth Service’s Square Youth Cafe is currently operating a Warm Bank facility on Fridays from 11am to 1pm. Please note, the Square Youth Cafe will be closed for the Christmas break and the centre’s Warm Bank will therefore not operate on Friday 23rd December and Friday 30th December.

CHARLES HUNT CENTRE, VICARAGE FIELD

The Charles Hunt Centre is currently operating a Warm Bank on weekdays from 9am-3.30pm (for over 55s only). Hot drinks, refreshments and activities are available.

HAILSHAM LIBRARY, WESTERN ROAD

Whilst not a designated Warm Bank as such, Hailsham Library is welcoming visitors. The facility is open for residents as a place to read books, access computers and keep warm at the same time.

HELLINGLY COMMUNITY HUB, THE DRIVE

Hellingly Parish Council is offering a free warm space to members of the community every Friday, from 6th January between 12-2pm.

HORAM CHRIST CHURCH CHAPEL, HOREBEECH LANE, HORAM

Rthe process of, setting up warm banks in the Hailsham area. The town council’s Warm Bank Sub-Committee recently voted unanimously to provide a warm shelter for its residents. Town Clerk John Harrison said: We’re all concerned about the town’s residents and what cost-of-living issues many might face this winter. Warm banks or warm hubs are now becoming widespread everywhere,

The Town Council’s Warm Bank, situated in Meeting Room 1 at the James West Community Centre is open from 10am to noon on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of February. Everyone struggling with keeping warm at home and paying their energy bills are welcome to attend. Hot drinks are available and people

The church is working together to provide a warm space as a community dropin. There will be trials by opening one of the halls hot drinks and biscuits every Friday in December between 10am4pm. Any additional Warm Bank facilities which open up in the town will be added to the Hailsham Town Council website.

THIS IS A SHORT HEADLINE TO FIT INTO THIS POSITION

PIZZA CHAIN OPENS NEW SHOP

part of the Hellingly Village’s ancient heritage

said: “Station and Church Road residents have

FUN-RUN STYLE EVENT TO RETURN

Running races are set to make a big comeback in Hailsham this year and event organisers have confirmed people are now invited to take part in 10k, 5k, 3k and 1-mile runs, scheduled to take place in May.

Organisers Hailsham Active have partnered with Sport Systems, a specialist management company which organises races across the UK each year on behalf of running clubs, charities and local authorities, to welcome runners to the town to participate in the popular 10k, 5k, 3k or all-inclusive 1-mile runs next year.

The Hailsham Active Run is scheduled to take place on Sunday 21st May 2023, commencing at 9.30am in Hailsham High Street.

but now, running is a growing community activity, beneficial to participants’ mental health, well-being and helping to combat isolation and stress into the bargain. Of course, this will be a prestigious event that will bring in runners and clubs with their families from across the area, and this in turn will also benefit our local economy and town centre trade on the day.”

PRapa John’s officially opened its doors to the public which has revitalised an empty shop in the town.

dog for a walk, in fear of being mown down or

The local franchise which also owns a number of other branches across Sussex, including Bexhill, Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells was opened by the town’s Mayor Paul Holbrook and staff gave the Mayor a slice of the action with a tour of the kitchens.

It is the first branch in the UK to have an open seating area for customers as well as disabled toilet facilities. It currently employs 14 local people and is looking to continue to grow the team in Hailsham.

local construction traffic destroying the village roads and putting lives at risk. Campaigners finally had enough of the constant lorries taking a shortcut via Station Road and Church Road en route to local building sites operated by Jenners. They say the lorries are putting local schoolchildren in danger and damaging the roads and homes in the village. They carried out protests in two locations, the first outside of the site of the Old Nursery, and the second in the village at Church Road, where HGVs were stopped and asked why they were not using the main A267 route to the sites.

The team offered some half-price deals to celebrate opening on North Street close to Tesco.

Residents fear the Victorian built bridge,

including the County Council.

Entrants are required to be over the age of 15 to enter the 10k run and 11 for the 5k run (with no age restrictions for the 3k and 1-mile all-inclusive runs).

The route has been confirmed and will be within the Hailsham parish boundary.

“Hailsham Active is delighted to be coorganising the event with Sport Systems, complementing our mission to create a healthier Hailsham community,” said joint project lead Mary Laxton. “Yes, it’s true, we were inspired by Team GB’s success in the Olympics last year and are bringing back the ‘Run’ to our great town of Hailsham!”

“In the mid-90s we hosted various fun runs

“Furthermore, we are encouraging all Hailsham residents with any form of disability or special need to participate in the 1-mile inclusive run especially, using any form of support that they require. There will be a fully-accessible portable toilet on site. It’s so important to us to be fully inclusive as a community.”

Steve Wennington, chairman of Hailsham Active commented: “Getting people active is our objective, and we are sure the Hailsham Active Run will be a spur for many to start gentle exercise, working towards another wonderful fun day with the whole community. We are very grateful for the unanimous support with this project from race organisers Sport Systems and of course, the Town Council, which is a major sponsor of the event.”

For full details about the event and to register for the Run, visit hailshamactiverun.co.uk.

Keep a cool head on your conservatory

DRIVERS ARRESTED AT DRINK AND DRUG DRIVE CRACKDOWN

Over the course of my journalism career, I’ve spent many shifts with Sussex Police either out in the traffic cars chasing bad people or standing on the roadside near Christmas checking for those over the limit.

Thankfully, very rarely, these roadside checks result in many arrests as a majority of drivers decide to leave their cars at home if they’ve had a festive tipple.

I looked forward to joining officers from the Sussex Police Roads Policing team before Christmas in a routine stop-check exercise. My first surprise was when I was summoned to meet the team on a very quiet road, I assumed it would be done on a main road locally to ensure the most drivers are stopped as possible.

I was wrong. Officers were instructed to set up on a local B-Road which sees very little passing traffic. This is because Sussex Police wants to show the public these checks can spring up at any location, at any time around this time of year. We expected a quiet night as the checks started at 9pm on a cold Thursday evening. Again, I was wrong. Within sixty minutes of setting up, two drivers had been locked up for exceeding drink/drug limits. One man was taken away in cuffs after giving a saliva sample at the roadside which showed positive for cannabis.

Just a few minutes later, a middle-aged woman admitted she had drunk a beer about ’20 minutes ago’ which resulted in the officer asking for a roadside breath test. She blew 47mg when the legal limit is 35mg. The woman was put in the back of a Police vehicle

and taken to Hastings Police station for further testing.

This signalled the end of the check that evening as each prisoner is accompanied by two officers so we called it a night. In a way, I was delighted two drivers were taken off the road that night and will face whatever punishment is handed to them by the courts, but it made me realise how many people are actually using our roads every day and night over the safe limits.

Just in one hour, a few Christmases were ruined, but it could have been a lot worse if they had caused an accident due to their intoxication.

Sergeant Chris Ambrose said: “We’ve sadly seen a large number of people being arrested for drink and drug driving offences - more than we would like. Obviously, we’d like to be doing these checks and not be catching anyone, and just spreading the word. But, sadly, as you’ve seen tonight, we’ve had two people arrested on what is a particularly quiet road in Sussex.”

He added: “It feels to me like figures are slightly higher up than it was last year - not so much for the drink driving, but certainly much more for the drug driving side this year.”

The message is simple this new year - it’s just not worth getting behind the wheel if you’ve had anything to drink or taken any drugs - there’s far too much at stake.

In just the first three weeks of Operation Limit last month, more than 140 motorists were arrested. Meanwhile officers carried out nearly 1,700 vehicle checks and conducted 676 breath tests and

118 DrugWipe tests at stop sites across the county.

Being intoxicated through either alcohol or drugs is one of the “fatal five” factors in why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

Officers were called to the scene of a minor collision involving Campbell’s Seat at North Road, Hellingly, and could smell alcohol on his breath.

The driver gave a positive breath test for 63 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

He was disqualified from driving for one year and was ordered to pay a £200 fine, £85 costs, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The consequences of drink or drug-driving can include a minimum 12-month ban, unlimited fine, possible prison sentence, criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment, an increase in your car insurance and you could also kill or seriously injure yourself or someone else.

The Sergeant concluded: “There is no more of a destructive offence for me than drink/driving on the road. It contributes to a significant number of serious and fatal collisions, and it causes upset and devastation wherever it goes.”

“My advice is if you’re going to use drugs recreationally, or you’re going to drink, then please leave the car at home.”

EDITOR, PAUL GIBSON GETS INVITED ON A CHRISTMAS DRINK AND DRUG DRIVING CRACKDOWN TO FIND THOSE CAUSING FATAL ACCIDENTS ON OUR ROADS...

Our classes include:

HAILSHAM COMMUNITY FRIDGE AND WARM BANK GET CASH BOOST

We like dancing to be fun, creative, although not compulsory, our current graded exams achieve 100% pass success rate. Shows are great fun too, but again, not compulsory, (but who can resist our wonderful costumes)

Almost a thousand pounds has been donated to the ‘Pass it on’ Your Community Fridge and the town’s Warm Bank today from two local fundraisers.

£765 was raised following an event at the Hailsham Memorial Institute last month where a charity raffle raised a huge amount of cash by members. The money was presented by Mayor Paul Holbrook at the Community Fridge based at the James West Centre.

In addition, £200 was raised from the Hailsham Hockey Club Christmas Party and was donated to the Warm Bank by Tony Hayes from the club. The Warm Bank provides a safe place to have a hot drink, have a chat and ultimately keep warm at the weekends.

The Pass It On Community Fridge is a vital support for residents who cannot afford, or simply wants to stop food going to waste. Produce is collected from local supermarkets and is available to anyone to collect every weekend at the James West Centre. The service is not means tested and is a great way to make use of food that supermarkets may dispose of.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR TRIGGERS POLICE ACTION

Sussex Police issued a Section 60 order in Hailsham recently following several incidents in the town centre.

Five Police vehicles with Police Dogs were seen near Vicarage Fields on 15th December and an order was issued allowing officers to be able to stop and search any pedestrians or vehicles, drivers and passengers in the area who may be believed to be in possession of offensive weapons.

The order stayed in place for 24 hours - residents were warned that they would see a heightened presence from officers during that time.

RECYCLING CENTRE ABUSE CLOSES HAILSHAM TESCO SITE

Following the constant dumping of rubbish and non-recycling items, the site at Tesco has been closed by Wealden District Council.

The recycling site at the supermarket is always being targeted by fly-tippers and residents who ignore signs and do not use the proper ways of disposing of household rubbish.

All recycling bins were removed in early December and users are being encouraged to use their own household bins.

However, the move didn’t seem to deter the fly-tipping straight after Christmas as like previous years. Although there was a reduced amount, residents still left their festive leftovers in bin bags at the site, which now only houses a carton and clothes recycling bank.

A spokesperson said: “The recycling sites at Tesco, Hailsham and Co-op, Heathfield have closed due to ongoing abuse by commercial businesses and the large amounts of non-recyclable material being placed in the bins on a regular basis.”

“Residents can still recycle by placing the material in their recycling bin at home, or if they have large amounts, this can be taken to a household waste site for disposal.”

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Photo: Xmas rubbish on Boxing Day

LOCAL GROUPS BENEFIT FROM BONFIRE NIGHT COLLECTIONS

THailsham Bonfire night.

Cheques were presented on behalf of the Bonfire Society at its annual charity presentation held at the Crown Hotel in Hailsham last month.

Hailsham Youth Service received a £639 donation from the money Hailsham Bonfire Society raised. It will go towards the Service’s crafting, cookery and other activities organised at its various centres.

Andy Joyes, Youth Service Manager at Hailsham Town Council said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from the Bonfire Society and extremely grateful to them for supporting our important youth projects and activities in Hailsham and surrounding areas.”

He added: “Funding for our various youth projects is always needed to keep services running and to make sure that everyone

gets the chance to use them. The young people who attend our centres, and those who take part in Friday Night Project activities, will benefit considerably from this donation.” The second organisation which received a cash boost is Warming Up The Homeless based in Bexhill. The group received £329 to assist with its work throughout East Sussex in assisting the homeless by giving them supplies, clothes and warm meals.

A huge £59,000 has been raised by Bonfire Societies collectively across the county following this year’s events. The annual Sussex Bonfire Societies end of year carol service was held at The Holy Cross Church in Uckfield just before Christmas where the total raised was announced to the members and dignitaries in attendance.

Hailsham Mayor Paul Holbrook joined the members of Hailsham Bonfire Society for the service, alongside other Mayors from Crowborough, Burgess Hill, Uckfield and the High Sheriff of Sussex Jane King.

charities across the county.

A spokesperson from Hailsham Bonfire Society said: “HBS like to thank the Mayor for his continuous support throughout the year and we look forward to staging our own Carol service in 2023.”

Mayor of Hailsham, Councillor Paul Holbrook said: “Parents can be confident that Hailsham Youth Service-run centres provide a safe environment for our local young people, giving them a place to socialise and take part in various activities after school and on weekday evenings.”

For 23 years, Hailsham Youth Service has improved the quality of life for local young people in the town and surrounding rural villages. Such benefits have been achieved through the integrated provision of recreation, opportunities for personal and social development, information and advice.

Lighthouse fostering is a small independent organisation that was started by foster carers.

We know foster carers choose to foster with us because we’re experts in safeguarding and caring for children and young people, we provide high quality foster placements in warm and caring families for as long as they need. As well as being honest and open in our work, we strive to achieve outstanding outcomes for our children and

young people.

We offer a full support package and competitive financial allowances and rewards. Our foster carers become skilled childcare professionals through our specialist training and we use therapeutic fostering methods to underpin positive parent-child relationships.

Our commitment is to remain a small independent

service where every individual is known, and where we can provide an exclusive family feel. We value our foster carers as fellow professionals and work alongside in every aspect of the fostering role.

Interested in finding out more about fostering? Call

HailshamEvents

NETWORKING

HAILSHAM & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Monthly Networking Meeting. First Thursday of the month, 7.30am. B12 Bar & Kitchen, Hight Street, Hailsham. Members £12, Non-Members/Guests £15. Register and pay at: hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk/next-meeting. Become a member for £90pa per business.

BIZZYBIRDS NETWORKING GROUP FOR WOMEN

Thursday 19 January 2023, 10am-12 noon. B12 Bar & Kitchen, High Street, Hailsham

A networking group for women in the East Sussex area. Coffee, chat, advice, growth. Support, help and more! Meet like-minded women in business. £8 pre-booking via Paypal to jane@bizzybirds.co.uk

MARKETS

HAILSHAM STREET MARKET

Every Saturday – 9am-1pm. Vicarage Field, Hailsham Hailsham’s only weekly market! Visit and select local quality food, gifts, crafts, confectionery and more. And when you’re done you can pop into one of the town’s popular establishments for some brunch, lunch or just a drink. Make a day of it!

HAILSHAM FARMERS’ PRODUCE & CRAFT MARKET

Every second Saturday of the month – 9am-12.30pm. Cattle Market, Market Street, Hailsham

Pop by to visit and select local quality traceable produce and crafts, including fresh and cured meats, vegetables, plants, freshly laid eggs, freshly made bread, honey, chutneys, candles, beeswax body lotion and hand-made cards, plus lots more. Free on-sire parking.

CLUBS

ARE

YOU HOLDING A CHARITY OR NON-PROFIT EVENT?

TRIPLE TREAT FOR READERS AND AUTHORS

HAILSHAM YOUTH SERVICE & FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT

VARIOUS DATES, LOCATIONS & PRICES – PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE

A range of recreational activities and events are organised at venues including Knockhatch Adventure Park, Knockhatch Ski Centre, Freedom Leisure and the James West Community Centre, for young people in Hailsham aged 11-17 (school years 7-11) and are invited to attend activities and take advantage of the opportunities available through the Friday Night Project (FNP). For more details: http://www.hailshamyouthservice. org/

HAILSHAM LEGO® CLUB – INSTRUCTIONS NOT REQUIRED

Wednesday afternoons 4.15-5.45pm

With over 100kg of Lego to build with, including a selection of sets with instructions to build.

Whether you would rather free-build with the piles of Lego available, take part in the weekly build challenge or, dare we say it, build a kit model with instructions, the choice is yours. As long as you love Lego we’re here for you. Booking essential: instructionsnotrequired.co.uk/booking

HAILSHAM PAVILION

George Street, Hailsham

Advance booking is required at https://hailshampavilion. co.uk/. Friday 20 January, 2pm. Golden Oldies: Oliver!

Adults: £5, Carers: FOC – Includes complementary hot beverage. Sunday 25 – Friday 29 January. Panto: Dick Whittington and his Cat. Adults: £10, Concessions: £8.50.

Friday 30 January – Thursday 16 February

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Adults: £8.00, Concessions: £6.50.

10% OFF QUOTE ‘HAILSHAM NEWS’ WHEN BOOKING

Local book lovers and authors will be in for a triple treat at the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne with the launch of a local author’s latest offering.

Tony Flood’s crime thriller Fall Guy – who really killed his wife? will be combined with the introduction of a new book collective for several writers plus the chance for those present to have their work critiqued at the event on Tuesday 10th January.

It’s all part of a bumper start to the New Year by Anderida Writers, which covers Eastbourne and Hailsham, in the meeting kicking off at 7.30pm.

The collective will give writers the chance to join together in the production of a new book, with each of them contributing one character to a story they all agree upon.

First, local author and former Sky TV executive Tony Flood will launch Fall Guy, with signed copies at a specially reduced price. Fall Guy – who really killed his wife? is the third in a series featuring shrewd copper DCI Harvey Livermore. It tells how George Thornhill arrives home early on his wife Isabella’s 32nd birthday to find her dying of a stab wound, dressed only in the kimono he gave her that morning.

His frantic but unsuccessful efforts to save her cause him to be covered in blood and his fingerprints to be on murder weapon. George is charged and convicted of murder, with only his sister Myra believing in his innocence and begging Livermore to reopen the case.

The second-half of the Anderida meeting on January 10th will enable writers to have up to 600 words of their work critiqued by Tamara McKinley and others present.

THIS IS A SHORT HEADLINE TO FIT INTO THIS POSITION

HAILSHAM UNDER A BLANKET OF SNOW

RChurch Road en route to local building sites operated by Jenners. putting local schoolchildren in danger and damaging the roads and homes in the village. They carried out protests in two locations, the first outside of the site of the Old Nursery, and the second in the village at Church Road, where HGVs were stopped and asked why they were not using the main A267 route to the sites.

be destroyed by the weight and level of traffic passing through.

experienced a huge increase in volume and speed of traffic with much of the road and verges destroyed as convoys of lorries plough through the village leaving devastation in their wake.” mph speed limit, but residents say it is not policed.

day when they walk their children to the village school, go for a run or take their dog for a walk, in fear of being mown down or sworn at or abused. It’s horrendous.“

it’s only a matter of time until there’s a serious accident. She commented: “The lorries charge down the road sometimes up to 12 of them in a row. I can’t bear to think what would happen if they hit a child. Taking my children to school is quite literally taking our lives into our hands. Sometimes I get home and just cry, it’s terrifying.”

SUBHEAD

During the protests on 25th March, the group held placards and told the developers the issues they have with a megaphone. On one occasion during the morning, one of the HGVs stopped to throw abuse at the protesters.

local community’s fears about traffic, especially heavy lorries, using Station Road. We have made contact with local councils, including the County Council, our MP and others regarding 4-PAGE SPECIAL OF YOUR PHOTOS...

DRONE PHOTO OF ST. MARY’S CHURCH AND TOWN CENTRE BY PAUL GIBSON

HAILSHAM WONDERLAND

SNOW BROUGHT FUN, LAUGHTER AND TOGETHERNESS WHEN IT SUDDENLY HIT THE AREA BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Luckily, it was a late Sunday afternoon so traffic disruption was kept to a minimum, although it become quite difficult on the roads and pavements in the following days.

Some bus services were cancelled around Hailsham and although most schools stayed open, Hailsham Community College decided to keep students safe by not opening.

We asked you to send us photographs of you and your families enjoying the snow and you certainly didn’t disappoint.

We received hundreds of images and here are the ones we selected that show the joy the snow gave to adults, children, pets and animals. See our videos of when the snow fell and the day after via our drone, log on to Hailsham News and click on ‘Videos’.

Photos: Mel Francis - Hellingly Country Park

Photo: Becki Collins

Photo: Carole Venner Darren, Nicole & Jess John Figgins - Knockhatch Ski Centre

Photo: Katie Hynes

Sienna Aged 5 and Joshua Age 4 at Tesco

Photo: Tash Theobald

Photo: Tracey Puttick

Photo: Sarah Louise

Photo: Monica Coldwell

Photo: Lizzie Owen

Photo: Libby Jo Garwood

Photo: Lauren Stewardson

THERE’S SNOW MUCH FUN!

Photo: Sammy Norley

Max in Summerheath Road

Photo: Claire Smith

Photo: Mark Joyes

Photo: Melaine Cooper-Lloyd

Photo: Kristie Winter

Photo: Maria Brand

Photo: Stacey King

Photo: Natalie Harris

Photo: Yonghong Wang

Photo: Louise Honeysett

Grovelands School Farm

Photo: Gary Windeatt at Blackberry Farm

Photo: Tiegan Pain

FROM THE AIR...

The Hailsham News drone perfectly captured the Common Pond from 400ft almost completely frozen solid. Resident Geese had little room to swim whilst children were warned not to skate on the ice.

Hellingly

Hellingly Village from 150ft

Stunning gardens at the Hailsham Grange

HailshamArts

LAURIE’S POEM CORNER

A GRAIN OF SAND

A grain of sand, or a drop in the ocean May be enough to cause commotion, If brought together in one large amount They can be big enough to make it count.

Because small or singles can be ignored

However many times they implored, To get their point and views across So are left staring at another loss.

For at most times in this cynical world The tiny voice is lost until unfurled, With the back-up of a loud vast choir That lift their voices so much higher, And get all those points of view heard With a collective singing of the word.

Just like the raging waters of a flood, Which can harm both flesh and blood. So be very wary of the seemingly small Who could in years grow very tall, And that little dog when just a pup May really scare you when it grows up.

AMÉLIE

MR. JONES AT THE MOVIES

OLIVER

Thus one single grain of that fine sand May have the ability to form a band, Of determined people raising a voice Into a storm that removes your choice.

Thus have a care before ignoring those With a message and simple clothes, As they may have the ability to dress In uniform with others to bring distress,

That you may find very hard to take When realising your big mistake, In not seeing strength and mighty hand

Of drops of water and grains of sand!

ALL PROCEEDS FROM MADE FROM BOOKS PURCHASED AT LAURIEWILKINSON.COM ARE DONATED TO HELP FOR HEROES.

THE HAILSHAM CLUB

Amélie is in French and for that reason alone it has passed many people by.

This is a shame, I think, because it is a remarkable film which garnered 5 Oscar nominations at the 2002 awards. It didn’t win any but that was the year of Lord of the Rings (Fellowship), A Beautiful Mind, Moulin Rouge and Gosford Park.

It was directed by JeanPierre Jeunet, whose early work involved a lot of animation, and that is apparent in its crisp cinematic style and sharp, bright colourisation which I found entrancing.

Set in Paris, the plot centres around Amélie, a beautiful and enigmatic young woman, played fabulously by Audrey Tautoo, who was brought up in isolation by her, frankly, odd parents. As an adult newly emerged from adolescence, she finds a box hidden in her flat by a boy decades before and resolves to return it to him. If he is touched in the right way, Amélie will devote herself to helping others towards a more fulfilling and happy existence. She does, he does, and we’re off.

The ensemble of characters who surround Amélie provide both comedy and romance in an existentialist context that is very Parisienne.

I enjoyed it very much. You can catch it with English sub-titles, at the Hailsham Pavilion on January 3rd. It is though, a 15 certificate and definitely not suitable for younger filmgoers.

THE HAILSHAM CLUB IS A PRIVATE MEMBERS CLUB FOR THE OVER 18S ESTABLISHED IN 1920 AND CONVENIENTLY SITUATED IN THE CENTRE OF TOWN

Bingo

Fresh Water Fishing Section

Wheel of Chance

Entertainment

Themed Evenings

Darts

Drinks Raffle

Fundraisers

Snooker Tables

Meat Raffle Poker

Snooker League

Shove Halfpenny

Quiz Night

Sea Fishing Section

Whist

WE ARE A VENUE FOR LOCAL GROUPS INCLUDING ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, PROBUS AND WI. OUR KITCHEN SERVES LIGHT LUNCHES FROM 11am TO 2pm ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAYS

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME, MEMBERSHIP FORMS AVAILABLE FROM THE BAR.

MEMBERSHIP ENROLMENT HELD ON 1st THURSDAY EACH MONTH.

This is the classic musical version based on the Broadway smash hit.

Eleven Oscar nominations with 5 wins (plus an honorary award to Oona White for choreography) in 1969, including Best Picture and Best Director. A proper musical on a truly epic scale. “Consider Yourself” alone took 3 weeks to film.

I have to confess to a considerable bias. I love all things Dickens and when I was a drama teacher we staged “Oliver!” 3 times.

I think that this version is flawless, except for the obvious problem with a 9-year-old orphan making his way from the north of England to London and randomly bumping into his long-lost grandfather who didn’t know he existed. It’s Dickens. He’s allowed.

Lionel Bart’s writing is brilliant and timeless and when material like that is placed in the hands of Director Carol Reed (The Third Man), you really can’t go wrong.

Ron Moody, who originated the role on Broadway, puts in a magnificent performance as the evil Fagin, as does Oliver Reed as the even more evil Bill Sykes.

Counter balancing these are the warm hearted but tragic Nancy (Shani Wallace) and Jack Wild as the “likeable unless you think too much about how he behaves”, Artful Dodger.

Mark Lester, as the eponymous vulnerable orphan who is literally sold to an undertaker and runs away, was born to play the part.

You can catch up with this masterpiece at the Hailsham Pavilion on January 20th at 2pm only. £5 a ticket, carers free of charge and a cup of tea or coffee thrown in!

See you there!

MONKSEY’S MUTTERINGS

For quite some time we have seen roundabouts sponsored by local businesses and it’s something that we are now accustomed to seeing. I would imagine it’s a relatively good advertising strategy for many businesses and one that VeryMagic considered before opting for a run of advertisements in The Hailsham News that proved very successful for such a small outlay from my meagre marketing budget.

This set me thinking that the next logical step forward would be to have whole towns sponsored by large businesses, ideally a logical link would exist so as to maximise the exposure and marketing potential for the relevant corporate enterprise.

So here is my suggestion and it’s something I’ve given some thought to, Hailsham should be sponsored by NCP!

With average traffic speeds slower than a tortoise with bunions and a road infrastructure that’s as effective pushing water uphill with a fork then NCP is the perfect candidate to associate with a town whose traffic is often at a total standstill, having just spent 18 minutes on South Road to cover the last mile to my house then the only other sponsor is the Paris-Dakar Rally due to the state of the roads in Hailsham.

The immense pollution that slow-moving traffic creates did make me wonder if

GlaxoSmithKline would be a better sponsor as they manufacture respiratory inhalers, I also thought Sunseeker Yachts may be interested being that planning consent seems to ignore Hailsham’s known areas of flooding… although a private jetty is recommended!

As I write this we are in the last few days before Christmas so maybe a fitting sponsor would be Bernard Matthews Turkeys but not for the obvious association of the festive season, the residents of Hailsham put up with poor road conditions, constant traffic delays due to lack of road infrastructure, lack of availability of health and dental services, local areas excessively flooding, ineffective policing of the growing population and a whole plethora of other issues that could fill this column on their own.

So why do I think Norfolk’s best-known turkey farmer is the ideal sponsor for our once lovely town?

The answer is that, unlike most of his turkeys who only get their Sage & Onion once a year, the residents of Hailsham seem to get a real stuffing 365 days of the year and sometimes we get all the trimmings too such as bollards on the high street for us all to look at in admiration.

Until next time people! verymagic.co.uk

‘HUMBLING’ EXPERIENCES DURING PLACEMENT

the home have been amazing at supporting us as well as the residents during this ongoing partnership, demonstrating the passion for their work.

WEALDEN MP NUSRAT GHANI UPDATE

Agroup of six North American university students joined staff and residents at Hailsham House care home in East Sussex as part of their Bachelor of Health Sciences degree at Balder College, Herstmonceux.

The 20-year-old students, who are looking to pursue a career in either medicine, physical therapy or health policy spent one morning a week for two months at the home, which provides nursing, residential and specialist dementia care to older people in the community. Speaking on behalf of the students, Vanessa Morris said, “A number of us have never had the chance to learn about health via an immersive community placement, so we are extremely grateful to the team at Hailsham House for enabling us to spend time in the home.”

As part of the course, the students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience within a care home setting to understand the needs of the residents and learn more about life at the home and the team’s visions for the future. This is the first time Halilsham House has welcomed a placement of this kind.

Vanessa added. “The personal care team at

“They allowed us to assist with a number of activities, including live music and arts and crafts which we could see had a huge impact on their wellbeing and overall mood of the residents.”

“One of the activities we supported the residents with was colouring – by the end of our placement at the home, we had created our very own ‘colouring club’ – a lovely memory I will take away from my experience.”

Deputy care home manager Rui Santos, said, “It’s been wonderful having the students on board. They are all so caring and compassionate towards the residents and have been a fantastic support to the activities team.”

“I can say on behalf of all of us that our time spent at Hailsham House has proven to be extremely fulfilling, educational and more importantly, exceptionally fun!”

Vanessa continued, “We have had the freedom of experiencing meaningful conversations with the residents and staff where we have learned more about life at the home and what their visions are for the future – it’s been a really humbling experience.

Rui added, “Whilst many homes face staffing challenges, it is really positive to see a younger generation passionate and excited about caring for older people – we are extremely grateful for their time here at the home - they will be missed!”

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Happy new year! Winter is a beautiful time in Wealden, and I hope that you have enjoyed the festive season. Please allow me to use my first message of 2023 as an opportunity to pay tribute to our fantastic businesses, who work incredibly hard all year round, and especially in the run up to Christmas.

I am proud that Wealden is home to a huge variety of award-winning small businesses, which keep our high streets vibrant and bustling. To name just a few, I recently visited the award-winning gift shop MAYBUGS and haberdashery shop The Pumpkin Patch, both located in Hailsham; our superb Wealden Hero, Davies & Sons family butchers in Horam, which sources meat of the highest quality from reputable farms in the area; and the fabulous Bluebell Vineyard in Uckfield, home to the award-winning range of Hindleap sparkling wine and a fine example of some of the best quality wines produced in Wealden. These, and countless other small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are owned by our neighbours, friends and family, are key providers of valuable full- and part-time job opportunities, and the money we spend with them goes back into our communities. Our local businesses were instrumental in keeping us supplied

throughout Covid and Wealden District Council has done a tremendous job in supporting our businesses throughout this most challenging time, delivering over £65 million of Government funding to ensure that Wealden businesses continued to thrive beyond the pandemic. I am pleased that the Government continues to support our entrepreneurs via the Energy Bill Relief Scheme by automatically applying the discount to all eligible bills this winter.

Since I was first elected, supporting Wealden entrepreneurs has been on top of the agenda and this will not change in 2023. I continue working with the Crowborough, Hailsham and Uckfield Chambers of Commerce and meet their representatives regularly to discuss the economy, available support, and issues that impact trade and commerce to ensure that their concerns are heard in Westminster. However, the success and longevity of our businesses ultimately depends on us, loyal local customers supporting our enterprises all year round. So, if you are still looking for a new year resolution, I would like to encourage you to consider showing more support for our superb small local businesses this year by visiting our high streets in Crowborough, Hailsham, Uckfield, Mayfield, Forest Row and others, and shopping locally. I look forward to bumping into you whilst doing my shopping!

Angela Marden Estate Agents invites you to a coffee morning on Saturday 21st January 2022 to find out more about Lasting Powers of Attorney with Barwells Solicitors Partner Sophie Maloney.

COME ALONG TO OUR COFFEE MORNING ON 21ST JANUARY 2023

LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA) MADE SIMPLE

The coffee morning will be from 10.30am-11.30am at the Angela Marden Estate Agents office, Unit 3 North St, Hailsham, BN27 1DN.

Angela Marden Estate Agents invites you to a coffee morning on Saturday 21st January 2022 to find out more about Lasting Powers of Attorney with Barwells Solicitors Partner Sophie Maloney.

We look forward to seeing you.

The coffee morning will be from 10.30am-11.30am at the Angela Marden Estate Agents office, Unit 3 North St, Hailsham, BN27 1DN.

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We look forward to seeing you. We are next to Tesco by the traffic lights.

EXPERTS REVEAL HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME THIS WINTER

Over a third of the population is likely to be unprepared for worsening weather this winter, furthermore, over 25% have dealt with power cuts, and 19% experienced a broken boiler over the winter months, according to the survey.

Unfortunately for us Brits, January and February are renowned for being the ‘wetter months’, but there are some steps you can and should take now to protect your home and health from the winter elements.

Insurance experts A-Plan Insurance take you through their top tips on protecting your home this winter, and ensuring you don’t have to splash the cash on potential repairs.

If you haven’t done so yet, service your boiler. December to January is the busiest time for boiler repair callouts according to British Gas, who are called out for around 45,000 visits in Christmas week alone.

In addition, homeowners should bleed radiators and wrap pipes in insulation, seal loose-fitting letterboxes, draughty chimneys and keyholes, shut doors in rooms you aren’t using to keep the heat in, or cold out.

Consider thermal blinds or lining underneath your curtains to keep that extra bit of heat in the home.

Half of heat loss in a home is via uninsulated walls and attic, while 10% is due to no flooring insulation, so fill and seal, and use rugs.

Did you know that ‘escape of water’ damage is one of the most common claims an insurer will see? The average claim for burst pipe damage is between £6,500 and £7,500, according to the

Association of British Insurers.

Although water damage is usually covered by your buildings insurance, the disruption is better avoided in the first place. While ‘escape of water’ can happen at any time of the year, winter poses the additional threat of the Big Freeze.

Generally, pipes that are exposed to outdoor temperatures and pipes that run along exterior walls with minimal lagging tend to freeze more easily.

To avoid this happening, residents should lag pipes and water tanks in unheated interior areas, such as loft spaces and garages, consider wrapping vulnerable pipes in electric heat tape for extra lagging, ensure there are no cracks or gaps around the pipes that enter your home and fill any you find.

If you find your pipes frozen, turn your water off at the main stopcock straight away. Check to see if any pipes have burst. If not, either wait for them to warm up or thaw them with a hairdryer on the lowest setting, hot water bottles or a towel soaked in hot water starting at the end nearest the tap.

If you find a burst pipe, turn your water off at the main stopcock and open all the taps to drain the system. Switch off central heating and any other water heating installations. Contact your insurance service for advice, including arranging for professional repairs and how to go about making a claim on your home insurance.

We hope your home doesn’t flood this winter but it’s good to know what to do should the worst happen. It is estimated that 1 in 6 properties in the UK are at risk of flooding.

Here’s an important piece of advice from the makers of this

report. You’ll need to call your insurance company before you begin any clean-up operation following storm damage, and they’ll advise on what to do next, including whether you’re able to make a claim. It is important to speak to your insurer prior to clean up due to the potential biohazards involved.

To add to the issue, many homes are woefully underinsured, which is now also exacerbated by the significant rise in building materials, from timber prices increasing by 23% in just one month to a 10% – 15% rise in other materials. This could mean that the costs to repair this year, could be even higher so it’s worth checking your cover is up to date.

You will need home, or ‘contents’ insurance for your personal possessions, while buildings insurance will cover your home in the event of a storm damaging your roof or causing a leak which damages your home.

From burst pipes to storm flooding, if an event causes damage to your furniture, electrical goods and so on, you can claim for this via your contents insurance, however, you will need to check how much you are covered for.

It can be very difficult to obtain insurance for a property that has been flooded before, and you will not be covered for this under a standard buildings and contents policy.

The research was carried out by A-Plan Insurance, which has more than 100 high street branches nationwide. The company, established in the 1960s, provides a personalised service to more than 600,000 clients.

FORTY PERCENT OF BRITS ARE ‘CAUGHT OUT’ BY WINTER DUE TO A LACK OF PREPARATION, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE MET OFFICE...

HAILSHAM AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE

BY CLIVE SOPER, PRESIDENT

Last month it was warm and wet, and again, following a cold, bright, refreshing spell, we have been rained upon, creating lakes and mud baths out here in the country.

The Chamber held its Christmas Ball at B12 Bar and Kitchen last month, which was well attended and enjoyed by all. A big thanks to Melvin, Charlotte and Luke for delivering a memorable evening; we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.

Chamber’s prime function is to represent our members and lobby for them on critical issues. Still, we also have a significant social program. Operating a small business can be a lonely occupation. However, as a member of Hailsham Chamber, you have a large business family with whom to form relationships, do business and communicate. We have nearly ninety members who are friendly and welcoming.

Regarding social and networking events, the Chamber holds a networking breakfast on the first Thursday of every month starting at 7:30 am for an eight o’clock sit down for breakfast. Each month we have a guest speaker with an exciting topic and plenty of time for members to talk and do business. Booking is via our website; anyone is welcome to join us, but members get a discounted ticket.

This month, for our regular business lunch, the Chamber went to the White Hart Public House, Horsebridge and enjoyed a tasty meal and the friendly, warm welcome of Sam, the landlady. The event was well attended, with a lively and friendly discussion throughout.

We are moving to Romeo and Juliet’s in Hailsham High Street for our next lunch meeting, and booking for this event is already open on our website.

For 2023 we have a full program of speakers for our monthly breakfast meetings. We will be putting the 2023 speaker diary on our website shortly. For February, our focus is on the BID (Business Improvement District) and a presentation to accompany the launch of our new BID support document. The BID will positively impact all businesses within Hailsham and District. It will enable them to benefit from

the Zero Carbon initiative by getting advice and assistance in understanding the technology, the availability of grants and the opportunities created by the initiative. Anyone is welcome to attend the February, or indeed any of our other breakfast meetings. But bookings must be made in advance on our website.

Earlier I stated that part of the Chamber’s remit to its members is representing and lobbying for them. This month has seen the Chamber represented by several essential bodies which directly affect our members:

• SELEP (South East Local Enterprise Partnership)

• TES (Team East Sussex)

• Wealden Strategic Partnership

• TFSE (Transport for the South East)

• Hailsham Forward

What are these organisations, and how do they affect our members and the business community?

SELEP (Southeast Local Enterprise Partnership) is a partnership between business, government and education to support growth. SELEP aims to ensure the survival and stability of our economy in the short term and to drive sustainable economic growth in the medium to long term.

TES (Team East Sussex) is the local federated board for SELEP. TES’s membership comprises business, local authority, social enterprise and education representatives from across the county.

Wealden Strategic Partnership is a non-statutory, multiagency body that matches Wealden District Council boundaries and brings together the different parts of the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.

TFSE (Transport for the South East) The sub-national transport body for the South East of England. The purpose of the board is to determine what investment in transport infrastructure is needed to boost the region’s economy.

The partnership comprises 16 local authorities, five local enterprise partnerships, plus representatives of district and borough authorities, protected landscapes and national delivery agencies.

The Chamber and, therefore, its members have been represented on all these bodies in the past month, and their views and ambitions have affected their decisions and direction.

MEMBER FEATURE

Megatrend Media is a digital content creation company providing professional video production, podcast recording, and creative writing. A member of Hailsham Chamber of Commerce, the company’s director, Mike Page, is eager to meet local businesses seeking new effective ways to promote their product or service.

“We create high-quality video, podcast, or written content to attract and engage our client’s target audience. We then upload and promote their content on all major platforms”, says Mike. “Rather than a predictable sales pitch, we focus on creating content demonstrating our client’s knowledge, expertise, and values. This approach builds trust and confidence in our client’s product, people, and brand.”

One of Megatrend Media’s clients commented, “We have worked with Megatrend Media for many years. They have worked with us on several video productions and podcasts. In addition, they have researched and written monthly articles on the GDPR and the broader context of Data Privacy. Producer Mike Page started with zero knowledge of the subject. However, his systematic and detailed approach very quickly showed that we had made the right choice. Mike is now an expert on the subject and deeply understands European and US data privacy issues. The speed and accuracy of Mike’s research and knowledge acquisition are nothing short of remarkable.”

Driven by a passion for telling stories that make people stop and think, change their opinion, or alter their perceptions, Mike has written and produced corporate videos for businesses across various sectors since 2008. He has also written and produced several documentary films and is always keen to cover environmental, economic, and social issues.

Megatrend Media adopts a modern, agile business model with low overheads, enabling the company to offer genuinely competitive rates, whilst maintaining the highest media production standards.

Whatever their industry or sector, local businesses are invited to visit megatrendmedia.com for more information or call Mike Page directly on 01323 384560.

TRADE SERVICES

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VITAL DONATION FOR FOODBANK AMID CRISIS

HailshamProperty THIS IS A SHORT HEADLINE TO FIT INTO THIS POSITION

Throughout the year and in particular this time of year, we at Stevens and Carter are always keen to support our local and fantastic charity, The Hailsham Foodbank.

In recent times the demand on the foodbank has grown exponentially and with the ‘cost of living crisis’, really starting to take hold, they need all the help they can get.

To keep up the demand of the service over the coming winter and going forward for the next year with food, fuel and staff resources, Aviva Community Fund has pledged to match all donations.

This is placeholder copy which has been position to show how text will look. was a well-respected and active member of the local community, having been elected on to the Town Council in May 2011 and serving as a member until 2015.

Julie Coates, the Manageress of Hailsham Foodbank said: “We have over 50 volunteers helping our small staff team to provide emergency food parcels to those in need in our local community.”

Representing what was then the Hailsham Central & North Ward, Griph served on various Town Council committees, including the Council Projects & Assets Committee and Planning & Development Committee.

“Demand is higher than ever with a 98% increase in the amount of food parcels given out compared to the same period last year. For

THIS IS A SHORT HEADLINE TO FIT INTO THIS POSITION

the first time, we are having to buy food to be able to keep up with the demand despite an increase in food donations from the public.” She added: “We fund a Citizens Advice Advisor and Debt Advisor at our sessions to help people with income maximisation and debt. Our hope is to work towards people in our community being in a position where their income matches their essential outgoings and there is no longer a need for a foodbank.”

including planning, housing, benefits, parking and perhaps most notably, public transport – of which he was extremely passionate and was responsible for many local initiatives to enable Hailsham residents greater access to bus and rail services.

As ‘oversight councillor’ for transport links, Griph was founder and Chairman of the Nedleaw Bus Alliance (originally the Hailsham Bus Alliance), founding member of the Hailsham Quality Bus Partnership and director of the Access2Healthcare scheme, which assisted patients needing transport to doctors’ surgeries in the Hailsham area and Nedleaw district.

Griph’s funeral was held at the Nedleaw Crematorium last month.

Any funds raised will go towards the extra food The Foodbank is having to buy in, as well as running costs to be able to keep all its services running, especially with the strain of almost double the amount of parcels being supplied and an increase in people experiencing debt.

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Griph was also a local councillor for Nedleaw Dorpdn Cmndwaw, having been elected in 2011 to represent the same Hailsham ward and in 2015, the Uckfield Ridgewood Ward.

As a town councillor, Griph helped many local residents with several diverse issues,

£170,000

Hopefully, The Foodbank can become the recipient of many other local businesses’ charitable donations in the future, as it is an important local resource for the community.

Town Clerk John Harrison offered his condolences on behalf of Hailsham Town Council: “Griph was a popular and wellrespected town councillor, having served the community well and caring passionately about Hailsham and its residents. We are all greatly upset by the news that our friend has passed away.”

“I know I speak for all my colleagues at the Town Council, as well as the wider community when I say that Griph will be sorely missed.

TIMBERS COURT

or investment alike.

Inside the apartment is arranged with a communal entrance leading to its own front door, from here there is an entrance hall, open plan style kitchen-lounge area, a double bedroom and a bathroom. There is also a store cupboard in the hall and residents car park with one allocated space.

To explore this wonderful property please take a look at our 3D Virtual Tour online teamed up with our professional photography before calling us for an accompanied viewing.

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Situated within Windmill Hill within a secluded spot is this largely extended detached chalet bungalow that many people wouldn’t even know existed at the end of the driveway.

Inside it is arranged with an entrance porch, kitchen, hallway, lounge, two bedrooms, bathroom and wc. The new unfinished addition of a larger reception room and the second floor that has been first fixed creating two bedrooms and a bathroom. To the rear is a good sized sunny aspect garden while to the front is off road parking and the foundations for what will be the detached double garage or Annex STPP. Full Planning Docs available on Wealden Planning Portal REF:WD/2017/0249/F and WD/2019/0692/F. Please view our 3D Virtual Tour online and call us for an accompanied viewing.

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Absolutely Fabulous! Winners of the Best Estate Agency Guide’s top award

6 years running, 2018 - 2023

Don’t be surprised to see us plumping up your cushions, stretching out your bedding, switching on some lamps or making the curtains sit ‘just-so’.

By Mike Crane

We’ve even walked the dog and attended to some washing up to make sure our sellers homes are presented to the highest possible standards (although we might draw the line at washing up after a large roast dinner family gathering)

We take great care of our clients homes and pay close attention to every marketing element that we create.

Whether it’s our famous Presented Property Films, Property Videos, 3D Interactive Online Property Viewings or your own Unique Property Website, built and created FREE for all our sellers ... the same attention to detail runs through the core of everything we do.

Watch clips of us in action here by scanning the QR code... and if you’d like to find out more about the benefits of working with one of the country’s highest rated estate agency teams, please do give us a call, send us an email or send us a video message.

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When selling your home, it’s important to work with an estate agent you can trust, and people who have the expertise to guide you carefully along the path to a successful move.

Scan the QR code here to see our customer testimonials.

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As original pioneers in Property Film Marketingthousands of films later our expertise and ability in this field is unrivalled. We provide FREE Property Films for all our sellers.

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Great photography is critical when attracting buyers. For many years we have recognised the value of providing sellers with the very best presentation of their home.

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Your microsite is unique to you and does not contain any info on other properties for sale. Share on Social Media networks to maximise the exposure of your home.

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Our comprehensive programme of pre-marketing builds interest ensuring that there is plenty of activity and that the day goes with a bang - creating enhanced offers generated as a result of buyers seeing their ‘competition’.

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2 The Quintins, High Street, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1D 01323 440678 | sales@craneandco.co.uk | craneandco.co.uk

We’re known for creating a buzz in social media about our sellers homes - It’s something our digital marketing team excel at. Your property is presented to a global audience through films, virtual tours and your own unique property website.

BEECH HOUSE HAS ARRIVED!

Nestled away in a quiet and rural setting on the outskirts of Hailsham, East Sussex, is Hailsham House, a 90-bed care home providing residential, nursing and specialist dementia care.

Hailsham House is proud to announce the opening of Beech House – a newly refurbished 32bed care facility situated in the grounds of the home. Beech House boasts the latest automated care/ call-system for people with dementia and nursing care needs.

The beautifully designed rooms, which are all en-suite, are decorated to the personal taste of each resident before they arrive. Beech House is also home to an on-site hair and beauty salon, a deluxe spa bathroom,relaxing communal areas and beautiful landscaped gardens.

The on-site wellbeing services, kitchenettes and laundry facilities provide the perfect blend of independent living with 24-hour support – an ideal way to transition if a little extra care is required. Hailsham House has always been highly regarded for its friendly, effective care.

A beautifully appointed café called ‘Daphne’s’ is situated in the main communal area of Beech House creating a warm and friendly community atmosphere. Residents

can relax, dine and socialise with friends, family and staff throughout the day. The café was named after Daphne Marchant, a former resident of Hailsham House and the mother-in-law to John Godden, Director of Salutem senior Living – the home’s new management company.

Although separate to the main home, Beech House is set within the grounds of Hailsham House providing easy access between both homes. This allows the home to cater for couples with varying needs, allowing them to remain together and find the right package to suit them both.

Beech House is surrounded by the most beautiful gardens which can be enjoyed all year round. The site also has an allotment where many residents enjoy spending time helping to grow and produce fresh fruit and vegetables which are donated to the local food banks. If you would like to find out more about Beech House, or if you would like a guided tour of the home, please get in touch.

HailshamSport

TRAINING FACILITY SET FOR NEW YEAR OPENING

Hailsham Cricket Club has announced the club’s new training facility will be completed in early 2023 ahead of the new season.

The new facility has already attracted interest from other clubs and cricket groups and promises to be an amazing facility for practising cricket in Hailsham.

Since being built last Summer, the club has easily awaited the next phase of the installation by contractor Total-Play. When completed, it is going to offer the best facilities for the members of the club to grow and develop their skills.

The project has been a long time coming and involved

some extensive fundraising by the club, support from local businesses, Town Council and grants from the ECB. It’s preseason training in the club’s new home and will offer a mixture of indoor and outdoor training in the build-up to the 2023 season.

Rob Wilkinson from Hailsham Cricket Club said: “We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Audi Eastbourne that will see the company invest and support the cricket club for this season and hopefully many more to follow.”

“They have made a contribution towards the club’s purchase

of a new BOLA bowling machine for the new season. With the new facilities we felt we needed to maximise the opportunities and a new machine was top of the list. We are extremely lucky to have such generous and supportive local businesses that see the value in helping and backing grassroots sports clubs.”

If you are new to the area or fancy a change of scenery for your cricket in 2023, please get in touch with the club. It offers cricket for boys and girls aged 4-16 and men and women of all ages and abilities.

To attend please call 01323 315137 or email karen.milligan@careuk.com

Understanding dementia

Thursday 26th January 2023 2pm - 4pm

At Bowes House care home we believe in sharing our expertise. At our next event, Dr Nori Graham will share her knowledge of dementia, how it can affect people as they age and what you can do to support a loved one.

Trusted to care.

SPORT CHRISTMAS DELIGHT FOR STRINGERS

BY STUART FAIRWAY

Everyone loves a late present at Christmas, and Charlie Playford delivered for the Stringers at the death to seal a 2-1 win away at Seaford Town on Boxing Day.

Connor Martin put the Stringers ahead in the 12th minute with his sixth goal of the season to put Hailsham ahead with a very well taken finish.

In a cagey, competitive game both sides continued to battle in front of a healthy crowd in glorious winter sunshine - a far contrast to the frozen surroundings of last Saturday - with the hosts eventually levelling 6 minutes from time.

As with all the best Christmas stories however there would be a late twist, and fortunately for Hailsham, it would be delivered by Charlie Playford, running onto a slide rule Jermaine Neathey pass to grab a late winner which saw Hailsham take away the points.

After losing the best part of a month due to the weather, Hailsham’s win was their second in as many games after a 2-1 win against East Preston at the start of December, and they will hope to continue the good form into the new year, with a run of three home games, starting on Monday 2nd January

against Montpelier Villa (11am) before the visits of Worthing United (Saturday 7th Jan, 3pm) and Wealden rivals Forest Row (Saturday 14th Jan, 3pm).

Hailsham are then on the road with the long trip to Godalming Town, before finishing the month at home on Saturday 28th to Oakwood (3pm).

The Under 23’s meanwhile return to league action on the 11th of January, away at Eastbourne United - the side who they beat in the League Cup early in December - with Montpelier Villa the visitors in the next round.

Hailsham have added to their squad over the Christmas period, with 22 year old midfielder Henry Thompson, formerly of Lewes and Langney Wanderers, who also enjoyed a spell playing and coaching in the fourth tier of football in New Zealand, signing on Christmas Eve, and defender Harry Mills joining earlier in the month, but winger Jack Baden has returned to former club Hassocks.

Stringers; Cooper, S Townsend, McAndrew, Ridgeway, Mills, Edge, Playford, Martin, Stewart-Hunter, Neathey Subs; Davis, Thompson, C Townsend, Edwards, McDonald

LADIES 2S TOP THE TABLE

The Hailsham Hockey Club ladies 2s are currently competing in the Women’s South East Division 2 Martlets league - they have had a brilliant first half of the season winning 8 games and drawing 1 out of the 9 they have played.

On 3rd December the ladies travelled away to play a local derby against Lewes 3s, the girls knew it would be a tough game as Lewes are a strong opponent.

The game was very close and Hailsham attacked the Lewes goal littering it with shots but could not convert them into a goal however, eventually, Ciara Buckley struck home and broke the deadlock for Hailsham making the score 1-0. Hailsham played well and controlled the game but unfortunately, Lewes were able to score in the closing stages of play making the final score 1-1.

The ladies 2s are currently top of their league with 1 point between them and Southwick who are 2nd.

HAILSHAM HARRIERS RACE UPDATE

The annual Mince Pie 10 Mile is a local race organised by Seaford Striders to raise funds both for the club itself and two local charities - Waves and The Chaseley Trust.

The 2022 race took place on Sunday 4th December, starting and finishing at Peacehaven Leisure Centre.

This popular multi-terrain event is voted as one of the UK’s top ten races in ‘Runners World’ magazine and this was evident as the race sold out and 700 runners, many embracing Christmasthemed fancy dress costumes, took to the streets and hills around Peacehaven.

Once across the line, finishers were presented with a bespoke medal designed by one of the Seaford Striders junior runners, a goodie bag and of course, a mince pie.

Thirteen Hailsham Harriers took part in the run with Lianne Leakey 1:11:51 first Harrier home, followed by Marcos Jarvis

1:16:26, Helen O’Sullivan 1:18:25, Gary Smith 1:25:26, Andy Ruffell

1:31:35, Victoria Little 1:32:08, Graham Woolley 1:34:33, Hannah Deubert-Chapman 1:37:48, Steph Bassett 1:43:31, Mark Bassett

1:43:31, Katie Manley 1:45:15, Wendy HarmerQuinn 1:55:07 and Kaz Breese 1:55:47.

The Mince Pie 10 mile also formed the final race in the Sussex Grand Prix - a road running competition open to affiliated clubs in Sussex which compiles a series of thirteen road races held from March to December.

Hailsham Harriers are very proud to have finished second team overall within the league, with many members winning age category awards, top 20 male and female finishers along with top five scorers.

The awards will be presented next month.

Hailsham Harriers would like to say thank you to Seaford Striders for hosting a great event and would like to congratulate all clubs and their members who have taken part in the 2022 Sussex Grand Prix.

Charlie Playford evades a desperate challenge to score the winner

Photo: Alan Hook

Connor Martin slots the ball past former Stringer Wester Young for Hailsham’s opener. Photo: Alan Hook