Cross In Hand Village News

HEATHFIELD PUBLIC TOILETS

Re public loos - lavatories, toilets, whatever you'd like to call them. A new report states there are now more than 15,500 people per public loo in the UK. Numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years. Although we are told there is a council-run community toilet scheme whereby shops and restaurants can opt to provide public facilities in exchange for a small payout from the local authority. The problem is, in Heathfield certainly, you'd be hard-pressed to find out where they were. The Bay Tree Cafe operates one and there is a very small notice in the window, but it takes a braver soul than me to wander in while dozens of people are sampling their coffee, and ask, in an embarrassed voice, 'Where are your public loos please?' And the look you'd get as you emerged, hopefully with damp hands. The Co-op kindly allows people to use its toilets, but the law states it must provide them anyway as there is a cafe alongside the store. In UK bus and railway stations there are often public loos but there's also a 30p (or more) charge to use them. Who has 30p in their pocket these days? Please WDC and HWPC, can we have our Mill Road toilet re-opened please? It was extensively used and a godsend for people walking down the steepish slope to shop in town. So what is the Wealden District Council's toilet scheme?  How does the scheme work? The scheme involves businesses making their toilet facilities available to the public. Local businesses such as restaurants, cafes and pubs can work together with the Council to make clean, safe and accessible toilets available to the public, particularly to tourists in Wealden. Members of the public would be allowed to use the toilet facilities during premises opening hours, without the need to necessarily make a purchase. In return, and based on the level of facilities available, the Council will agree to pay an annual fee. Participating premises display a sticker, provided by the Council, in their window indicating they participate in the scheme and the level of services available. Assuming the annual fee that the Bay Tree Café receives from Wealden District Council is £600 per annum. The daily rate is as follows: £600 divided by 12 = £ 50 per month, divided by 30 days = £1.67 per day. Taking into consideration the operational costs of providing the service, i.e. water, electricity, heating, cleaning, soap, toilet rolls, hand drying facilities and repairs and renewals. £1.67 does not scratch the surface. The Local Government Association said the lack of public toilets disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, including older people, people with disabilities, those with medical conditions, babies and children…..and me! The maintenance of a public toilet could cost a council £25,000 a year. WDC have a very good deal indeed

HEATHFIELD AGRICULTURAL SHOW SCAM WARNING  -

Scam Attendee Trade List Emails. Scam emails offering to sell attendee, visitor or trade lists are a common fraudulent practice in the event industry. These scammers impersonate event organisers or official partners to deceive exhibitors and companies into paying for non-existent or fake data. We are aware that emails of this nature are in circulation - Heathfield Agricultural Show never sells visitor or trade lists to third parties. If you receive an email of this nature, it is fraudulent. DO NOT RESPOND: Never engage, reply, or click links in these emails, as doing so confirms your email is active and will lead to more spam.

PET FOOD SHOP STATION ROAD IS MOVING

We've got some exciting news... The Pet Food Shop is on the move! We'll be relocating to what was Cuckoo Hair (opposite Sainsbury's). The moving date is still to be confirmed, so keep your eyes peeled for more information. Thank you for all your continued support. Well done the Pet Food Shop – good to hear you are still with us and trading well. A good shop.

THE BIGGEST SUSSEX INDOOR WEEKLY MARKET.

40 covered & hard-standing outdoor stalls in Heathfield,. Every Tuesday, TN21 8RA, there’s a weekly antique market from 0600am to 1300.  It’s been established for more than  50 years! Burwash Road, Heathfield. For more information contact 01435 862132

URBAN JUMP - DRUSILLAS

Drusillas Park is delighted to announce the expansion of its attraction’s portfolio with the acquisition of Urban Jump, a well-established trampoline park in Heathfield. This addition marks an exciting new chapter for the renowned zoo Park, further strengthening its presence across East Sussex. The growing portfolio now includes the historic Drusillas Park, a much-loved attraction with over 100 years of heritage, alongside the popular Amazon Adventure soft play centre in Tunbridge Wells. Initially, Urban Jump will continue to operate as usual. In June, however, Drusillas will begin an exciting transformation, with the venue closing for one month ahead of a re-opening in July, just in time for the summer holidays. During this period, the site will undergo a full rebrand, including a new name and updated décor in the same jungle-themed style visitors will recognise from Drusillas and Amazon Adventure Tunbridge Wells. The revamped venue will also reflect the same commitment to fun and play, as its sister sites, alongside the high standards of customer service that visitors associate with the Drusillas brand. This will be the third venture of the Smith Family, who have been creating family memories and unique play experiences since 1997 at Drusillas Park. With family roots in East Sussex, Directors Cassie Poland, Ollie Smith and Caroline Steer, knew that Urban Jump was the perfect place to continue the exciting expansion of the Drusillas family of visitor experiences. Ollie Smith, Drusillas Managing Director, said: “Acquiring Urban Jump represents another opportunity for us to take almost 30 years of family-attraction knowledge and expertise to create another unique play experience for East Sussex. We know Urban Jump is already incredibly popular for birthday parties, those rainy days when you need a fun indoor activity, or if you just want to grab a coffee and keep the kids entertained while you catch up with a friend, or enjoy a few minutes of breathing space! So, we won’t be changing things around too much! Initially the venue will feel much the same, but we’ll be closing in June to make some updates to keep things fresh and fun. We want to retain as many of the features that customers love as we can, alongside improvements that will make Urban Jump a really first-class experience. We understand what makes a day out to remember and creates a superior experience for the whole family. We can’t wait to open the doors and to start a whole new chapter of Drusillas history!” Richard Hand, the previous owner of Urban Jump, said: “We started Urban Jump nearly 10 years ago and building it into what it is today has been something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s been a big part of my life and seeing it now move on to its next chapter with the team at Drusillas is wonderful. They bring the experience, energy and vision the business needs, and I know it’s in the very best of hands. I’m hugely grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey, our team, our customers and all those who have supported us along the way. It’s been a real team effort to get to this point, and I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved together. I wish the team at Drusillas every success for the future and can’t wait to see how they take the business forward from here.” The Smith family acquired Drusillas Park in 1997 and have invested heavily in the Sussex attraction to make it one of the region’s most popular destinations. In 2024, the family extended their reach beyond the Zoo Park with the opening of Amazon Adventure Tunbridge Wells, a soft-play centre, followed most recently by the acquisition of Urban Jump; their second exciting expansion outside the main park and the latest addition to the Drusillas family. For all the latest on the Go Wild! rebrand and reopening, follow Urban Jump and Drusillas Park on social media (@urbanjumphq & @drusillaspark) for updates, announcements, and behind-the-scenes highlights.