Hellingly and Horsebridge Village News

HELLINGLY REMEMBRANCE SERVICE will be a community outdoor service held on Sunday 8 November from 10.45 to 11.45 mustering for the parade at Hellingly Community Primary School, North Street for the Service at the War memorial at Hellingly Cemetery. Meet at the Hellingly Community Primary School at 10.45 for the start of the procession then walk together to the War memorial. There will be refreshments after the service in the school hall.

 HELLINGLY BOWLS CLUB is based at the rear of Horsebridge Recreation Ground. Hellingly Bowling Club was established in 1968 and now forms part of the Hellingly Sports Club situated on the lower Horsebridge Recreation Ground. The Club has grown considerably since those early days, and now attracts members from surrounding towns and villages, while still retaining the friendly village atmosphere. They have an excellently maintained six rink green, which was completely refurbished for the start of the 2016 season. The green is open from April to September. The clubhouse has all the usual facilities. New members are always welcome. Renowned for their friendly approach to the game, they are always ready to welcome new members of all ages and abilities. Tuition, equipment and advice is available for those who are new to the great game of bowls. Throughout the year they play a number of friendly matches, as well as league fixtures and county competitions. Club tournaments and competitions are also held on a regular basis, alongside fundraising events and fun evenings, such as quiz nights, club drives, bingo, and fish and chip suppers. So, if you are looking for a very friendly and socially active club go along. If you are interested in finding out more, email club Secretary, Mr. Roger Simmons at [email protected] and their membership officer will be in touch.

 THE HARVEST APPEAL this year was for the Steve Willis Memorial Fund through Caring and Sharing, East Sussex. Between the retiring collection at the Harvest Festival and the surplus from the Harvest Supper £306 was raised for the fund. Details of the Steve Willis Fund can be found at caringandsharingeastsussex.org.uk/ steve-willis-memorial-fund-uganda/. Hellingly and Upper Dicker parish have supported Caring and Sharing, East Sussex for many years on a number of different projects. Some members of the congregation make regular donations to Caring and Sharing. You can find their newsletters in Hellingly Church. Valerie Pope is the Caring and Sharing rep. The motto of Caring and Sharing is ‘Live more simply that others may simply live’.

 HELLINGLY PARISH COUNCIL Groundsmen have done a brilliant job of installing a new footpath for the Baby and Toddlers play area on Burfield Grange so it can be used throughout the winter.

 GIVE BLOOD IN NOVEMBER at the Blood Donation Session taking place at the Hellingly Hub on Friday 13 November. Your session can be booked at Blood.co.uk.

 MESSY CHURCH is on Sunday 8 November at 3.30 to 5pm at the Hellingly Community Hub, The Drive, Hellingly. The theme is Noah's Ark and so expect wild animals, boat building, and even Mr Noah himself will be there. All welcome.

 SPONSOR A CHRISTMAS TREE for the Friends of Hellingly Church. This is their sixth festival and they are inviting any business, organisation or individual to sponsor a Christmas Tree. If you are, or know of anyone who may be interested, please contact Teresa Butler, Secretary to the Friends on email [email protected] or telephone 07724712213. Please keep this date free in your diary for another enjoyable Christmas Tree Festival at Hellingly Church.

The Friends of Hellingly Church is a group of non-denominational supporters who are preserving the church building for future generations. They welcome all who are interested in, and value this ancient building. Their purpose is to assist in the raising of funds to help in the maintenance of the fabric of the church. They would like to involve everyone in their quest, regardless of whether or not they have a religious affiliation.

 HELLINGLY CHURCH RAMBLERS next meet on Saturday 28 November at 10am by the RNLI shop near the Bistro Pierre on Eastbourne seafront. The walk will be to Holywell café for refreshments and then back. It is a flat walk with no stiles or gates.

 CHANGES TO PLANNING DECISIONS under new national rules came into effect on 31 October 2026, changing how planning applications are considered and decided by Wealden District Council.

Under the new National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Functions, some applications must be decided by planning officers, while others may be referred to the Planning Committee through a new national process.

The changes do not affect your ability to comment on planning applications. However, in the future the majority of planning applications are likely to be determined by planning officers, and an application will no longer go to Planning Committee simply because a parish or town council, district councillor, or a number of residents object to it.

Wealden District Council has published further information explaining the changes, how the new arrangements work and how you can continue to have your views considered. For full details, please visit Wealden District Council’s website – Changes to How Planning Applications Are Decided.

 HELLINGLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING is to be held on Wednesday 11 November at 7.30pm at Hellingly Community Hub. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Please see the agenda on the Parish Council website for more details.