PUTTING POLEGATE ON THE MAP

The Polegate Partnership has received 1,025 to help with 'gateway' improvements to the town to make Polegate more appealing to visitors arriving along the A22.

The first phase of the improvements is four flower beds on the wide grass verges as the road enters the town.

"Creating a display of flowers really does help bring people into a town, there's no question about it," said Barry Knights, town co-ordinator for the Polegate Partnership.

"This is one of the measures identified in a town 'healthcheck' which will help make Polegate more attractive to visitors."

The Wealden grant has been match funded with sponsorship from two local firms, Blazes Fireplace & Heating Centres and Archer and Partners Estate Agents, with support from Polegate Town Council.

"We want to promote Wealden as a good place to live and work, and one of the best ways is by working together with our towns and villages to make the right statement," said Councillor Nigel Coltman, Leader of Wealden District Council.

"First appearances are important. By making the gateways to our towns and villages more attractive, we will improve perceptions '“ and that should have a knock-on effect in improving prosperity."

The Polegate gateway grant was one of three in the second round of Wealden's 2005/06 Community Grants to help boost the prosperity of the district. Grants to support tourism have been awarded to Mayfield Chamber of Commerce and Ashdown Forest Tourism Association.