Mayfield and Five Ashes Village News

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

MCC Update – September 2026

On-site building contractor, Sunninghill Construction, is now halfway through the necessary groundworks, and passers-by will have seen various activities including the digging of deep holes for the surface water/rain attenuation tank and drainage tank. Plus, with kerbs now installed, the observer can obtain an idea of the overall layout. The installation of a drainage pipe across Court Meadow field has also been completed, but, to reassure anyone who has concerns about the impact, the surface water design is such that water egress across the field should be substantially less than in the past, thereby minimising flooding and providing improvement. The next, and exciting stage, will be in November when the superstructure forming the new community and health centre is erected. The building is of modular construction, which utilises construction techniques that allow the whole structure to be erected within 2 months, which is significantly less than the timeline for traditional designs. This form of construction also lends itself to being particularly energy efficient, with maximum insulation being deployed. To provide for the annual bonfire celebrations and fair taking place on the 19 September 2026, arrangements have been made with the building contractor to widen the pedestrian access way for the period of the festivities to avoid a potential ‘pinch point’ for those attending the events. In addition, the management of the new community centre is currently the subject of ongoing discussions with the Mayfield Community Centre CIO, which will take over the running of the centre on completion of the building works in June 2027. MAYFACS will also have its new office within the hall.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: A272- A267 JUNCTION

Vehicle crashes at this hotspot are now becoming a regular occurrence. With regular daily near misses. In 2024, Clare Dowling, then ESCC Lead member for Transport and the Environment, produced a comprehensive document called the Road Safety Speed Reduction Scheme. The document outlined a Speed Reduction Scheme for 16 locations. £500k was allocated to the scheme, and we were assured the money was ringfenced. We were also assured the work would be completed by October 2026. The document mentioned several A272 and A267 sites: Wellbrook Hill speed reduction from 50mph to 40mph. A272 - A267 junction from 60 mph to 40mph. A267 Mayfield Flat from 60mph to 50 mph. A267 Horam and the A272 at Hadlow Down were mentioned in the scheme. The New A272 – A267 Road Safety Group have repeatedly asked for updates, only to be met with delaying tactics; for example, ‘consultations’ and confusion about which department was dealing with the scheme. Currently, the RSG understand that the scheme is in the hands of the Assistant Director for Community Services, ESCC. The question is: Where does the buck stop? As we understand it, there were no objections to the speed reduction at the A272-A267 junction. The speed reduction at Wellbrook Hill did receive some objections, and these will be heard at an ESCC Planning Meeting in mid-October. So why the hold-up at the above junction? We now have a new Transport and Environment council member, Cllr Peter Griffiths. He brings experience from an aviation career, where he became Fleet Manager responsible for 19 Boeing 747 aircraft with a major international airline. Hopefully, using his aviation expertise, he may be able to help in this matter. As many members know, there were two recent fatal accidents on the A267. In March 2022, an elderly gentleman was killed by a speeding motorist at the Isenhurst Junction. The vehicle was travelling at 51mph in a 40mph area. It was reported at the inquest that if the vehicle had been travelling at 40mph the victim would probably have survived the impact. The driver of the vehicle, although charged with a motoring offence, got off scot-free. On October 1 2024, a person was killed when in collision with a sewerage lorry. The driver of the lorry has been charged with several motoring offences. Both accidents above were treated as full emergencies; the cost of these accidents was £1.2 million each. Thus, totalling £2.4 million of taxpayers' money. It has been reported that, for each emergency service to attend an accident, the cost is £30k per service. Once again, I shall be writing to all the departments concerned, with emphasis on cutting through the confusion. The clock is ticking!!

MAYFACS

MONTHLY TRIPS – 2026 Trips Schedule

Monthly trip places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email or pop into the office to secure your place! If you would like to attend any of our trips but need some financial support, please talk to us in confidence. Thurs 1st October: Amelia Scott Tour of Museum £18 Thurs 8th October: Knit & Stitch Show in Alexandra Palace, London £36

LITTLE MUNCHKINS

Little Munchkins Baby and Toddler Group (term time only). Is back. Please do join us every Wednesday (term time) from 9.15am – 11.15am at Mayfield Scout Hall for just £3 per family. All carers, grandparents and parents are very welcome! Lots of toys and activities available for the little ones, and a cuppa and chat for the others.

MAYFACS Moving Sounds returns Wed 23rd September at Five Ashes Village Hall 2pm – 3pm. We are excited to be welcoming back Keith and his team of musicians to lead us in another 6 monthly sessions of Moving Sounds – this time at Five Ashes Village Hall, with thanks to funding support from Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council. Moving Sounds explores music and movement in a fun environment, and this year we are lucky to be receiving visits from our younger students at Five Ashes Primary School. Ideal for anyone with limited mobility – but welcomes everyone who enjoys music to come along and get involved as much or as little as you want. Every 4th Wednesday of each month. £2 per session, and transport is available to get to Five Ashes Village Hall if required. There is ample parking at the Hall as well. PLEASE NOTE: Extended into October with a session on Wednesday 21st October.

Bereavement Café (last Friday of each month, 10am – 12pm) Friday 25th September at Mayfield Cricket Club, Mayfield. 10am – 12pm Friday 30th October 2026 at RSM, The Institute, Rotherfield TN6 3LX 10am – 12pm MAYFACS have partnered with Rotherfield St Martins (RSM) to build a welcoming and informal space for people who have experienced loss, to come together, talk and listen and support one another at a monthly Bereavement Café. We will be holding our Café on the last Friday of each month, and it will be alternating in location between Mayfield and Rotherfield. Everyone is welcome to attend both locations, and the sessions will be run by the same team of volunteers each month. No need to book, but welcome to contact either MAYFACS or RSM for further information before coming if you prefer.

Mayfacs Matinee Films – Friday 25th September. This month we start our next season of Matinee Films at Five Ashes Village Hall. Our flyer is available to collect from our office with the programme and dates for the next 6 months or refer to our website. Everyone is welcome to come along to our Film shows.....Don't worry if you don't normally attend MAYFACS events. Films are open to everyone of all ages. Welcome to invite friends who live outside Mayfield and Five Ashes too. We ask that you pay £6 per head and bring cash on the day. Doors open at 1.30pm and the film starts at 1.45pm. Tea and cake are served at the interval

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

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