Welcome to this week's newsletter.
It has been a busy couple of weeks in the constituency and in Parliament.
There has been some uncertainty surrounding the funding Bexhill was due to receive as part of levelling up as the government has so far refused to guarantee we will still receive this funding.
Furthermore, the Home Office has released a notice on the future of Northeye, which has left the community as a whole unsure about the site's planned use as it says no decision has been made but doesn't even say what options are being considered.
Locally, I’ve been out and about meeting volunteers from the Royal British Legion at Robertsbridge postponed D-Day commemorations and litter picking with the Bexhill Environmental Group in Sidley. Such an important community driven activity that not only cleans the streets, but also offers a chance to keep you on your feet! I was also able to visit the Sidley Cricket Club fundraiser.
With us now deep into the summer months, I’ve included a list of some different activities and events you can do locally, so everyone can make the most of all the opportunities our fantastic constituency has to offer. If there is anything else you would like me to highlight in a future newsletter let me know.
If you have any concerns, opinions, or other issues that you would like assistance with, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
Thank you for subscribing.
Have a great weekend!
In this newsletter:
- Future of the Long Term Plan for Towns
- Update on the Northeye Site
- Litter Pick with the Volunteers from the Bexhill Environmental Group
- Postponed D-Day Commemorations in Robertsbridge
- Sidley Cricket Club Fundraiser
- Activities to Watch Out for this Summer
Future of the Long-Term Plan for Towns Funding
As you may be aware, the new Government was extremely quick to remove the term ‘levelling up’ from the name of the local government department.
However, in doing so, they have left many of the people serving on town boards, like in Bexhill, unsure if the money promised through the Long-Term Plans for Towns will actually be received.
Bexhill Town Board had been set to receive nearly £20 million from the Government as part of the Long-Term Plan for Towns funding, which would be transformative for the town. The Board's ambition had been to bring partners and community stakeholders together to promote joint working.
It provided the Town Board a platform from which they could use their considerable local knowledge and experience to put money into the areas it was most needed.
This is now under question. It is not right that Bexhill, and other towns across the country, should be left in the dark about their future financial budgets.
Therefore, together, with the Bexhill Town Board, we sent a joint letter to the Secretary of State Angela Rayner asking the Government to please confirm the future of the Long-Term Plans for Town funding.
You can read the letter in full, published on the Bexhill Town Board website - https://rdcparishsites.blob.core.windows.net/bexhilltownboard/2024/07/Ministerial-correspondence-for-Long-Term-Plan-for-Towns-240726.pdf
Update on the Northeye Site
Recently, the Home Office published a notice update on the use of the Northeye site.
In it the Government has now said that "No decision has been made on the use of this site. The Home Office will consider its strategy and broader requirements before taking a view on the future use of the Northeye site.
Personally, I don't think it really says anything. Potentially it is encouraging that they say they haven't decided what to do, but it doesn't rule anything out either.
That is why this week I took the opportunity to formally ask the Immigration Minister about what the new Government plans are for the Northeye site, expressing the uncertainty this notice has caused for local residents. It is only fair that we should know exactly what they have planned so we can best challenge it. You can hear my question in full above.
Unfortunately, the minister didn't give an answer. However, I remain clear that it is not the right place for housing asylum seekers. Therefore, I will keep pushing on this issue until I get a straight answer.
I have already sent a formal letter to the Immigration Minister, following up from my question in the House. In it I reiterated the uncertain situation residents find themselves in, now unsure on the site's future, and highlighted how the lack of information hampers our ability to challenge the Government on their plans.
You can read a copy of the letter below.
Postponed D-Day Commemorations in Robertsbridge
I attended the postponed D-Day commemorations in Robertsbridge, and had the chance to speak with volunteers from the Royal British Legion (RBL).
It is always an honour to chat to those working with charities such as the RBL as they work to provide financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, as well as their families and dependants.
Commemoration days, such as D-Day, are important so we can always remember the huge sacrifice made by so many brave soldiers on that day to achieve such victory. Huge thanks to Robertsbridge Bonfire Society for putting this on.
Sidley Cricket Club Fundraiser
It was great to join Sidley Cricket Club at their fundraiser to raise money for their planned new club house.
SCC, formed in 1901, having relocated from Hastings to their founding ground in at St Mary’s Recreation Ground (SMRG) . Since moving back the club has successfully installed basic facilities for team members and visitors, however, they want to improve the overall area including a new and much-needed pavilion.
I understand their aim is to redevelop and create a youth and ladies’ cricket facility at SMRG as well as hold a summer cricket celebration for its 125th anniversary in 2026.
Jamie and the rest of the volunteers that run the club do a fantastic job helping people stay fit and active playing cricket and keeping the ground in an excellent state for other people to enjoy.
Litter Pick with Volunteers from the Bexhill Environmental Group
Last week I was grateful to join Ros Clayton and the other volunteers from Bexhill Environmental Group to lend a hand litter picking in Sidley.
It is so important that we, as a community, make sure to look after the towns we live in. Of course, ideally everyone would make sure to put their litter into the bin. But sometimes this just doesn't happen.
That is why groups like this matter so much, as they help keep our towns clean and tidy whilst also protecting the local environment.
It's an easy way to spend an hour helping make a community a little bit better. Maybe you fancy another way of getting your steps in some time?
For more information on getting involved, please see their website here.
Activities to Watch Out for this Summer!
Now that we are properly into summer, with schools broken up for the holidays, I thought it would be good to lend the last part of this newsletter to all the different activities going on across Bexhill & Battle. For those looking to get out and explore, why not checkout:
- The Kent and East Sussex Railway - Offering the chance to ride a historic train between Kent and East Sussex that also stops off at Bodiam Castle. (Remember with each full paying adult, up to 3 children aged 3-15 can travel for free!)
- Bateman's - A 17th Century House once the home of Rudyard Kipling, now cared for by the National Trust.
- Battle Abbey - A chance to learn, or maybe just brush up, on your knowledge of 1066.
- The Observatory Science Centre at Herstmonceux - take part in interactive science & discovery whilst visiting a world famous astronomical observatory.
- Bexhill Museum - Located in the award winning Egerton Park, the museum offers a unique collection from Eddie Izzards train collection, to a history of the De la Warr Pavilion, certainly worth a look!
If you are looking for something a little more relaxed, you could always head over to:
- Great Dixtor House & Gardens or Pashley Manor - Both offer a impressive gardens to enjoy in the sunny weather!
- Sunset film screenings at the De la Warr - Free to attend and watch a family friendly film, out on the sea front.
- Bexhill 100 Classic & Custom Car Show - Sadly only for one day on Bank Holiday Monday 26th August @ The Polegrove TN39 3EX, a great chance to see some classic cars!
Whilst I don't profess to being much of an expert on wine, I do know that Sussex produces some of the best in the country! So why not take a moment to visit the vineyards themselves and find more about how it is made. This includes, but of course is not limited to:
- Oxney Organic Estate in Beckley
- Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard
- Oastbrook Vineyard in Bodiam
- Henners Vineyard in Herstmonceux
Alternatively if you are more of a beer lover, why not visit some of the local breweries, such as:
- The Three Legs Brewing Company in Bexhill
- Lakedown Brewing Company in Burwash
- Battle Brewery
- Rother Valley Brewery in Northiam
And if you feel like just taking in the local beauty of East Sussex, have a little look at the array of different circular walks you can do as advertised on East Sussex's website through the link here.
