Hailsham

HOPS COFFEE MORNING: Hailsham Pavilion will be open tomorrow, Saturday, for a Hailsham Old Pavilion Society fundraising event from 10am to noon. Everyone welcome, especially new members. Come for a chat, coffee and cake, take a tour of the projection room and have a go on the tombola and the lucky seat game. Refreshments. Bring friends and family.

COUNTRY MUSIC: There is a charity country music night tomorrow, Saturday, at Knockhatch Adventure Park from 7pm to 11pm for St Wilfrid’s. Entry and tickets £5pp 01323 460321 (evenings). Bring your own drinks. Hot food available.

HAILSHAM FM: Hailsham FM is proud to announce their next fund raising event. Local duo, Stray Dogs, will be performing at a specially arranged event on Saturday September 24 at Grovelands School. The evening will start at 7pm through to 11pm and will feature the duo performing two sets. Stray Dogs, comprising singer/guitarists Alex Grayson and Garry Wonfor, have established themselves as one of the most popular entertainment attractions in the area. With their superb vocal harmonies and intricate guitar playing, they will perform personalised cover versions of Hotel California and American Pie from their vast repertoire that also includes original compositions. There will also be a cash bar and charity raffle. Tickets are £5.50 each (booking fee applies) from www.eventbrite.com/stray-dogs. Due to the popularity of Stray Dogs in the area, it is recommended tickets are purchased early. For other information about the evening call 07812 337418.

INFOPOINT: Young people in Hailsham continue to benefit from free support, guidance and personal development services at the Town Council run Infopoint drop-in centre located in Market Square. Through Infopoint, a dedicated youth centre managed and funded by Hailsham Town Council, young people aged between 13 and 19 years (and older for those with special educational needs) currently have access to information and advice on all the issues that are important to them, including bullying, health and drug issues. Sexual health services run in the afternoon and evenings. Youth project coordinator Andy Joyes said, ‘Since its establishment in January 2008, Infopoint has continued to provide a vital service to help young people make important life choices. We hope that many more young people in Hailsham in need of such services will be encouraged to take advantage of the help and support we offer.’ Drop-in sessions, which offer support with relationships, pregnancy and sexual health take place at Infopoint on weekdays (7pm to 9pm). Free pregnancy tests and chlamydia tests for young people under the age of 21 years are available at the centre at these times. For further information, call 01323 843377 or send an email to [email protected]

BEATLES TRIBUTE: Tickets are now on sale for the Beatles tribute concert to be held on behalf of Demelza Hospice Care for Children charity. The band, The Electric Beatles, come well recommended and are travelling here from Folkestone on Thursday September 15 to form part of the Hailsham Festival of Arts and Culture. The show at Hailsham Parish Church starts at 8pm, with doors open at 7.30pm and tickets at just £10. They are available from the Demelza shop, or by calling Pam on 844020. They can also be bought online at http://www. ticketsource.co.uk/friends-of-demelza-hailsham.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: More doctors’ surgeries, improved traffic flow and more affordable housing in Hailsham in the future. These are just some of the findings of a recent survey carried out by Hailsham Town Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Team, announced last week. Residents were given the opportunity to complete the questionnaire, which is part of the Neighbourhood Planning Committee’s public consultation exercise aimed at gathering views on what is needed in Hailsham to support future housing development, also taking into consideration local environment and sustainability, design, traffic and transport, economy, services and facilities. Nearly 1,400 questionnaire responses were submitted and the majority of participants stated the need for improved infrastructure in Hailsham ahead of forthcoming housing development, with particular concern over roads and transport, schools and medical facilities. The Neighbourhood Planning Team will now plan the next phase of the project, which is utilising the information obtained from the questionnaire survey to enable various sub-groups to look at specific areas, including housing, environment and infrastructure. For more information on the Hailsham Neighbourhood Plan visit the Town Council’s website: www.hailsham-tc.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning/.

OPEN CHURCH: St Mary’s Parish Church continues its Open Days this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between noon and 2pm. There is an opportunity to look round the church building, and there is a colouring and activity trail for children as well as free refreshments.

U3A: During July members have enjoyed the camera club and as there have been record temperatures this year, asked the group if they have been going out and making a great opportunity of the lovely weather to take some really stunning photos. If you are lacking confidence in your technique or basic essential photographic knowledge then you can join U3A Camera Club. It might well stir your interest and give you a good reason to take your camera from the cupboard, dust it down, and get snapping. At the natural history group’s last meeting members concentrated on birds of prey and several members gave presentations on their chosen bird with illustrations and sound effects. In place of the August meeting, members will be going to the RSPBs Pulborough Brooks nature reserve where we hope to see various species of birds and dragonflies as well as summer birds and flora. This is a very well appointed reserve with very short to longer trails, an information centre and shop and an excellent cafe. Mobility scooters can be hired in advance. If you would like to join the U3A give Christine a ring on 01323 841536.

HAILSHAM RAMBLERS: There are two walks next Wednesday one long, one short. The short walk is from Barcombe along the river bank to The Anchor and return with Nobby 440624. The long walk is the Pevensey circular which is very flat with a few stiles and may be muddy after heavy rain of 4.75 miles. Walk leader is on 01323 844516. If you would like to go on either walk, please ring the walk leader in the first instance for the details.

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