Hailsham

BEATLES TRIBUTE: Tickets are now on sale for the Beatles tribute concert to be held on behalf of Demelza Hospice Care for Children charity. The band, The Electric Beatles, come well recommended and are travelling here from Folkestone on Thursday 15 September to form part of the Hailsham Festival of Arts and Culture. The show at Hailsham Parish Church starts at 8pm, with doors open at 7.30pm and tickets at just £10. They are available from the Demelza shop, or by calling Pam on 844020. They can also be bought online at ticketsource.co.uk/friends-of-demelza-hailsham.

NEIGHBOURHOOD SURVEY: More doctors’ surgeries, improved traffic flow and more affordable housing in Hailsham in the future. These are just some of the findings of a recent survey carried out by Hailsham Town Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Team, announced last week. Residents were given the opportunity to complete the questionnaire, which is part of the Neighbourhood Planning Committee’s public consultation exercise aimed at gathering views on what is needed in Hailsham to support future housing development, also taking into consideration local environment and sustainability, design, traffic and transport, economy, services and facilities. Nearly 1,400 questionnaire responses were submitted and the majority of participants stated the need for improved infrastructure in Hailsham ahead of forthcoming housing development, with particular concern over roads and transport, schools and medical facilities. The Neighbourhood Planning Team will now plan the next phase of the project, which is utilising the information obtained from the questionnaire survey to enable various sub-groups to look at specific areas, including housing, environment and infrastructure. For more information on the Hailsham Neighbourhood Plan visit the Town Council’s website: www.hailsham-tc.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning/.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY: In July, 20 members had an interesting evening out, when they visited the Court House Museum, and St. Nicholas Church at Pevensey. We met at the old cattle market, behind the Royal Oak and the Castle, where we were greeted by Peter Harrison . We split into two groups - one going to the Court House Museum, the other going to the Church, and then vice-versa. We were made most welcome by Peter at the Museum and by Owen Visick at the Church, indeed there was a poster just inside the Church, saying welcome to the Hailsham History Society. A nice touch. Peter’s knowledge of the Court House, and of Pevensey, is immense, and he spoke about the history and events that have happened over the centuries. Owen gave us a lot of information regarding the Church, and what a lovely building it is. Both are well worth a visit , especially as this year is the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, and the 800th anniversary of Pevensey Church. Our own Museum at Blackman’s Yard (behind the Kemer Kebab shop), Market Street, Hailsham, is open on Friday and Saturday mornings between 10.00 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is free, and is well worth a visit, whether you are an “old timer” of the Town, or a newcomer. Monthly meetings of the Society, resume on the 14th September, at 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. start, at the Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Hailsham, when there will be an Audio-visual presentation (from Seaford Photographic Society) by Colin Bell. All are most welcome, visitors at £2.50p. For further information about the Society, please contact David Bourne on 01323-440359.

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS: Roadworks - Work on a major project to improve transport and access in Hailsham town centre is progressing ahead of schedule and with minimum disruption, according to feedback from local businesses.

Western Road Rec - Hailsham Town Council continues to take steps to ensure that the Western Road Recreation Ground is maintained to the highest standards for the local community. The Western Road Recreation Ground, created in 1855 as a result of an Enclosure Award for the parish of Hailsham, currently includes a football pitch, four allweather tennis courts and general recreation area (Beaconsfield, purchased by Hailsham Parish Council in the 1930s), a cricket pitch, sports pavilion and children’s play area.

Square Youth Cafe - Hailsham Town Council’s flagship youth centre, the Square Youth Café, will play host to a cardboard model town workshop next month, an event organised as part of this year’s Hailsham Festival of Arts & Culture.

Defibrillator - Two new Public Access Defibrillators have been installed outside Hailsham Library in Western Road and Hailsham East Community Centre in Vega Close, both of which are now available for emergency use, 24/7, for local residents.

Festival - Hailsham is braced for a regional line-up of exceptionally talented artists and a feast of music, dance, drama, literature and street entertainment as the town prepares to host its annual Festival of Arts & Culture in September.

Online Directory - An online shopping and services directory set up by the Hailsham Forward Town Team, aimed at supporting local traders and companies, continues to grow and more businesses are encouraged to get on board.

Information Point - The Hailsham Town Council offices in Market Street continue to house its resident and visitor information point situated in the front reception. Visitors to the town and local residents are being offered a one-stop pick-up point for all enquiries and a wide range of locally produced leaflets, brochures and other information is readily available.

90 YEAR OLD LION: Last weekend Hailsham Lions Club hosted a very special party to celebrate the 90th birthday of their oldest member Mr Lew Lovelady. He joined the Club in 2005 and has remained a tireless worker and guiding force to the membership by putting his heart and soul into all the projects associated with the Club. In fact, he is the very heart of Hailsham Lions. However, at business meetings his quick humour regularly gets him fined by the presiding officer! Among the many activities he has been involved in over the years, Lew with Joy Bowdery, was the inspiration behind the successful Lions’ annual country fairs, but there is so much more to this extraordinary man than organising ground events. Born in Rochdale, Lancashire, he passed his school examinations with flying colours. In 1944 he joined the Army and in 1953 his service was recognised when he was presented with the Queen’s Colours. The sword that was used during the ceremony was taller than Lew himself! Never one to be idle, Lew has flown in an airship 600 helicopter, took up micro-light flying and slept in an igloo at Rock Ice. As he enjoyed flying so much, he became a member of the Oxford and Cambridge gliding club. And so it goes on, one challenge after another. Next year, Lew Lovelady is one of the organisers of a Lion’s Fun Day which will be on 23 July and promises to be great fun for the whole family. Happy Birthday Mr Lovelady.

MUSEUM: Hailsham Historical and Natural History Society will be open every Friday and Saturday until the end of September. On display are artefacts, photographs, etc of local interest, and a special display to mark the anniversary of Hailsham’s Victoria Cross recipient, Company Sergeant Major Nelson Carter, who was killed in June 1916, one hundred years ago, this year. The Museum is located at Blackman’s Yard, Market Street, Hailsham - behind the Kemer Kebab shop/ Town Council Offices. It is open from 10am to 12.30pm and Admission is free. For more information, contact David Bourne at 01323 440359.

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