Next phase of improvements to commence soon at Hailsham Cemetery

The Town Council is preparing to undertake further improvements at Hailsham Cemetery in Ersham Road, with the next phase of works set to focus on enhancing the cemetery chapel and creating additional spaces for remembrance.

The project forms part of the Council's ongoing programme to maintain and improve the cemetery, ensuring it remains a welcoming, accessible and peaceful place for people to remember loved ones.

Following the installation of new lighting and heating systems in the chapel earlier this year, the next stage will address the building's interior. The existing pews, which have become unstable over time, will be removed and replaced with modern chairs, providing a more flexible seating arrangement for funeral services and other commemorative occasions.

The interior will also be redecorated and repainted, with new carpeting installed throughout to improve the overall appearance and comfort of the building.

Plans also include the creation of a dedicated remembrance area featuring a Book of Remembrance housed in a bespoke glass cabinet. This will provide a special place for visitors to read and reflect on tributes to loved ones. The chapel's original historic bell will also be preserved and displayed in a purpose-made glass case, helping safeguard an important part of the cemetery’s history.

The works will be funded from an underspend within the Town Council’s 2025/26 General Maintenance Budget, allowing the improvements to proceed without additional pressure on Council finances.

Operations and Facilities Manager, Tony Lee said: "The chapel is an important part of the cemetery, providing a place for families to gather during difficult times and pay their respects to those they have lost. These improvements will help us make the building more comfortable and practical for its intended use, while also giving greater prominence to its history and role as a place of remembrance."

"Replacing the ageing pews with chairs will allow the space to be arranged more appropriately for different services, while the new finishes and dedicated remembrance area will help create a more welcoming setting. Our works team will be carrying out the project, building on the improvements already made to the chapel earlier this year."

Cllr Dave Chapman, Chair of the Town Council's Assets Management Committee, said: "Maintaining the cemetery to a high standard is an important responsibility, both for the families who use it today and for future generations. The chapel improvements reflect our commitment to looking after this valued community facility with care and sensitivity."

"It is particularly pleasing that the project will include a dedicated space for the Book of Remembrance and the preservation of the chapel's historic bell. These features will help protect the cemetery's heritage while providing meaningful opportunities for people to remember those who are no longer with us."

The chapel improvements build on ongoing investment at Hailsham Cemetery. Recent works include resurfacing footpaths, refurbishing public toilets with accessibility enhancements, and converting an unused building into a visitor waiting room. A dedicated pet ashes burial ground was also established near the main entrance earlier this year.

The Town Council has brought grounds maintenance and grass-cutting services in-house, helping maintain standards and deliver long-term value for money. Previous improvements to paths and toilet facilities were funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The latest chapel works will continue the Council's commitment to maintaining a respectful, accessible and welcoming place for remembrance.