Welcome to this week's newsletter!
With Parliament nearing its return, and the end of summer recess, I have been around the constituency enjoying some of the events I advertised earlier this month! I will always be out and about in the constituency but I think people especially appreciate a newly elected MP paying them a visit.
I also met with Suzanne Ornsby, a member of the Pevensey Bay Coastal Community Group, to discuss the Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme. It was good to hear more about the project and exactly how it intends to prevent flooding from the sea as sea levels rise and extreme weather becomes less predictable.
My visits to the Little Commons Summer Fete and Bexhill 100 Classic and Custom Car Show, were great days out and were both showcasing for fantastic community spirit. It was a particular honour to open this years Car Show with Bexhill Mayor Paul Henry Wilson, and I was pleased to see the numerous other local groups which were able to raise awareness for their own causes.
A big congratulations to the Brickmaker's Alehouse, as they were named Surrey/Sussex regional winner in CAMRA's Pub of the Year competition. I understand they are now moving forward to the grand final for 2024 Pub of the Year, and I wish them the very best of luck!
And lastly, I wanted to take a moment to raise awareness of the NHS Healthy Start Initiative, a scheme which aims to provide free Healthy Start vitamins to women who are over 10 weeks pregnant or breastfeeding, and vitamin drops for babies and young children which are suitable from birth to 4 year olds. This is a great scheme for those who are eligible so make sure you find out today to claim fruit and vegetable payments.
That is all from me this week. Next newsletter I'll be back in Parliament making sure to challenge the Government, especially on proposals which feel rushed and ill-considered on winter fuel payments and planning.
Have a great weekend.
PS the Bexhill Heritage project are making rapid progress on the restoration of the with the Sainsbury's concrete mural on Town Hall Square. Great job team!
In this newsletter:
- Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme
- Little Common Summer Fete
- Bexhill 100 Classic and Custom Car Show
- Brickmaker's Alehouse Regional Winner of CAMRA's Pub of the Year
- NHS Healthy Start Initiative
Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme
Last week I met with Suzanne Ornsby, member of the Pevensey Bay Coastal Community Group, to discuss the Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme.
This scheme is so important as it is one of the largest coastal flood risk projects in the country, covering a 15km stretch between Cooden Beach and Holywell.
It aims to protect nearly 18,000 homes and businesses, key infrastructure, and heritage sites from flooding and erosion, which is becoming a greater risk as climate change brings more extreme and unpredictable weather.
As the project is being delivered by the Environment Agency (EA), in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council, my next step will be to make contact with the EA to discuss the project in more detail.
I look forward to continuing my engagement with the Suzanne Ornsby and the Pevensey Bay Coastal Community Group, and also working with the Environment Agency on this much needed project. To find out more about it please visit the following website - https://www.pevenseyandeastbournecoast.co.uk/
Little Common Summer Fete
Over the weekend, I had the chance to take part in the festivities at the Little Common Fete.
I would like to thank all the volunteers from The Little Commoners, Cllr Connor Winter, The Wheatsheaf, and all the groups and performers who helped make the event such a huge success.
It was great to see the community come together to enjoy all the fun activities that were put on throughout the day, such as sumo wrestling with Westerleigh Judo, and Chess against England player Sam with Bexhill Chess Club. If you are interested in getting involved with either of these groups, please find out more information through their websites linked below.
I'd also like to thank Cerys, Chris and Nick for teaching first aid and championing the community first responder role!
https://hastingsresponders.co.uk/
https://bexhillchessclub.co.uk/
https://www.westerleighjudo.org.uk/
Bexhill 100 Classic and Custom Car Show
It was a great experience to open this year's Bexhill 100 Motoring Club Classic Car Show alongside the Mayor of Bexhill, Paul Henry Wilson.
Despite some odd patches of rain, it was a brilliant day, where I had the pleasure of meeting many residents, community groups and classic car owners. It was a fantastic turnout, which raised thousands of pounds for so many good causes.
I got to meet with several local groups who helped organise or attended the Show, including the Bexhill Lions Club, the Royal British Legion, the Rotary Society, Jesus Loves Bexhill Group, Bexhill Men's Shed, the RAF Association and Air Cadets, as well as the Scouts and Bexhill Community Bus - to name a few! Sorry if I have forgotten anyone or didn't get to your stall!
Safe to say I had a busy day, but I also got to take a look at some of the amazing cars that had been brought along as well.
I have already marked my diary for next year, and would like to thank the many people involved in making this event happen. The Bexhill 100 Motoring Club are always on the lookout for new members, so if their work interests you, make sure you reach out! They really need people to help on the organising committee for the event.
For more information visit their website - https://www.bexhill100mc.co.uk/
And links for some of the groups I met with:
https://www.facebook.com/BexhillRotary
https://www.facebook.com/thebexhillcommunitytownbus
https://www.facebook.com/BexhillAirCadets
https://www.facebook.com/LionsBexhill
https://www.bexhillmensshed.org.uk/
Brickmaker's Alehouse - Regional Winner of CAMRA's Pub of the Year
I had the pleasure of visiting the Brickmaker's Alehouse last week, and congratulated them on this amazing award.
This incredible achievement highlights the hard work and dedication of their team, who have excelled in providing top-quality beer, real cider, and a welcoming atmosphere that has set them apart from hundreds of other pubs.
As Bexhill's first micropub, the Brickmaker's Alehouse has been a true gem since opening in November 2019. This former shop and showroom of a local brick manufacturer has already received numerous awards, including the CAMRA “Conversion to Pub Use” national award in 2021, and being named local CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, along with a runner-up spot for Cider Pub of the Year.
As the team moves forward to the grand final for the 2024 Pub of the Year crown, I wish them the very best of luck! Their commitment to creating a welcoming and top-quality pub experience is truly inspiring.
If you haven’t visited yet, I highly recommend stopping by to experience what makes the Brickmaker's Alehouse so special. To find out more visit their website - https://brickmakersalehouse.co.uk/
NHS Healthy Start Initiative
I am sharing an announcement by East Sussex County Council, reminding families eligible for the NHS Healthy Start initiative to claim their fruit and vegetable payments.
ESCC have informed me that over 1,200 families in East Sussex are missing out on extra funds for milk, fruit and vegetables. The NHS scheme also provides free Healthy Start vitamins to support women during who are over 10 weeks pregnant or breastfeeding, and vitamin drops for babies and young children which are suitable from birth to 4 years old.
Figures show that 333 eligible families are missing out in Wealden, while 200 families in Rother are also failing to claim.
People who qualify for help will be sent a Healthy Start card with money loaded on it that can be used in shops such as supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, and pharmacies that display the Mastercard® symbol and sell healthy food and milk.
The Healthy Start card is topped up automatically every four weeks.
Pregnant women will receive £4.25 each week of their pregnancy (from the tenth week). Families with young children will get £8.50 each week for children from birth to 1 year old, and £4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old.
The card can be used to buy plain liquid cow’s milk; fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables; fresh, dried, and tinned pulses; and infant formula milk based on cow’s milk.
In addition to the Healthy Start scheme, children in Year 3 and above may qualify for free school meals if their parents or carers have a low household income and receive certain benefits.
For more detailed information on the NHS Healthy Start initiative, including terms & conditions as well as an eligibility check, please follow the link - https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/
