WAKEHAMS/ POND FIELD ASSISTANCE

WAKEHAMS/ POND FIELD ASSISTANCE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS TO ROTHER PLANNING

Dear All,

At the forthcoming FHG/ FRA ‘Fairlight from the Air’ event on Saturday 4 Oct in the village hall from 10am – 4pm, the FRA will be offering assistance and the use of a laptop, to enable you to add your comments on the Rother Planning portal.  If you have not yet made your comments and need assistance then please feel free to approach Chris, as you leave the exhibition.  He will be located in the small hall. 

Fairlight  Trippers

Dear Resident,

I still have places on the next 2 trips .

  • Fawlty Towers, Weds 8th October leaving Fairlight at 4.00pm- £60pp
  • Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Thurs. 4th Dec. leaving at 10.00am- £20pp

If you are interested in either of these two trips, or any other outing, please contact me.

Regards

Trevor Lewing

01424812340

trevor.lewing@btinternet.com

Free Hearing Aid Batteries & Maintenance

NHS hearing aid maintenance sessions are being held this week at:

Pett Village Hall between 10am and 11.30am on Wednesday 1st October

Fairlight Village Hall between 10am and 12 noon on Friday 3rd October

This service is provided free of charge by volunteers from East Sussex Hearing (Charity No. 1101140)

Royal Military Canal

A talk on the History of Royal Military Canal – Friday 17th October at 7pm – Fairlight Village Hall

From: Archive Resource Centre (ArchiveResourceCentre@outlook.com)

Please join us for this presentation on this interesting subject that we are lucky enough to live nearby.   Some of our members were very impressed by Micheal’s talk when he gave it at Appledore earlier this year, which is why we asked Michael to reprise it for us.

As we have our AGM at 6:30pm, the doors will be open, but the talk will not start until 7pm.  Wine will be available at £3 a glass, and entry is £5.  

All proceeds help fund our Archive Resource Centre:  We recently installed a fireproof cabinet, thanks in part to an initial generous donation from Fairlight Resident’s Association.  We are currently saving for an A2 overhead scanner and an A3 printer, so we no longer need to outsource copying and also for the equipment to be available to the local community.

If you wish to support us by becoming an annual member at £15, we will have forms available.

We hope to meet you there.

Fran Rogers

archiveresourcecentre@outlook.com

Located at Pett Methodist Church

www.thearc.uk

Devil in the Detail

Dear Friends

Rehearsals are going well for our autumn production of “Farndale’s Macbeth”, and news will be shared shortly about when tickets will go on sale.

In the meantime, may I share with you some information about another production that I have persuaded to take part in.

The SHADES Theatre Company is a Christian group who have been presenting the Christian message through the medium of drama for the last forty years. 

In October, they will present “The Devil in the Detail”, a cracking comedy in which I will play … well, I won’t tell you what part I play, but let’s just say that the clue is in the title! 

The two performances take place on Saturday 4th October (Blacklands Church at 7pm) and Saturday 11th October (His Place Church, Robertson Street at 3pm).

Details, including how to book, are shown on the attached poster. 

Don’t worry, I am not deserting the Fairlight Players altogether and, following these two performances, will be throwing myself back into the chaos that is Farndale’s Macbeth.

However, in the meantime, I hope that a few will be encouraged to come along and watch me get my come-uppance.

With very best wishes

Keith Miller

The Fairlight Players

Wakeham’s Pond Field

New Planning Application for permission for 35 houses on and an Access Road to
Wakeham’s Pond Field

Here we go again! RR/2025/1462/P

The agent Welbeck is back again asking Rother Planning for permission to build houses on
Wakeham’s Pond Field, using I suspect the tactic of starting the process at a time of holidays
in order to make it more difficult for us to object within the legal timescale.

Rother planning executives, who are well behind on reaching their government targets on
new housing, are likely to do everything they can to support Welbeck, and while wanting to
ignore the Inspector’s decision in 2022 to reject 43 houses (RR/2020/151/P), will hope that
people’s support for more housing nationally in the right places, will convince the elected
members of the Rother Planning Committee to vote in favour of the Rother planning
executive’s likely recommendation, this time for 35 houses and an Access Road.

The timing of the application knocks into the long grass our campaign to have Pond Field de-
allocated in the New Local Plan, as Rother Planning executives have further put back
decisions on this well into 2026.

We now need to rise to the challenge yet again and conduct a campaign that puts forward
all the technical planning reasons, including why this will spoil the High Weald Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (Natural Landscape) and increase the threat to the
environment of raw sewage pollution and flooding in Fairlight and Pett Level and the two
Special Areas of Scientific Interest downstream including the world renowned RAMSAR
wildlife site.

Equally as important is for the Rother Planning Committee to feel the full objection of the
people, particularly those living in Fairlight and Pett Level.

This needs to be organised properly and quickly. We need to inform people via leaflets in
these areas in order to maximise the number of objections that are sent in. Comments have
to be in by 26/9/25, though we will try to get this extended.

So this letter is an appeal to people to come forward to help in any way they can. Please
email me at lorne.finegolf@gmail.com or call 07803 434283 with your name, and road in
which you live and I will try to coordinate activities. The more the merrier as mass local
public opinion is very powerful.


Many thanks

Lorne Smith,
Robin Croft, Pett Level Road, Fairlight.

Ponds Field Planning Application

A new application has been received by Rother to build 35 homes on Wakehams Farm in Fairlight on a site south of Pett Level Road and east of Waites Lane. The site is often referred to as “Pond Field”. It is an outline application with all matters reserved for future consideration, except for the access which is a full application. 

The application provides for 40% of the homes to be “affordable” – a term which includes shared ownership schemes as well as social rented housing.

The pink planning notices will be displayed this week. Members of the public will have 21 days to comment from the date that these are displayed. (It is possible but not guaranteed an extension will be granted).

Fairlight Parish Council will consider its response at the Extraordinary Planning Meeting on the 15th September.

To view the application and to comment on-line please go to –

Viewing Applications, Decisions and Appeals Online – Rother District Council

Kind regards

Fairlight Parish Council

Request for Aerial Photos of Fairlight

Fairlight History Group are holding an exhibition “Fairlight from the Air” on Saturday 4th October at Fairlight Village Hall.

If you have any Request for Aerial Photos of Fairlight you would like to share, the history group would be very keen to include them in the exhibition.

Please contact

Haydon Luke:  haydonluke@hotmail.com  01424 814748 or

 Paul Draper:    paulwdraper@gmail.com     01424 814154     

FAIRLIGHT OPEN GARDENS

A Blooming Big Thank You! 🌸

What a weekend! Huge thanks to everyone who helped make our event such a roaring (and blooming) success — from the generous garden owners who opened their gates, the tireless ticket sellers, the support from Just Property, and of course, the lovely lot of you who bought tickets and wandered happily among the flowers.

We’re absolutely delighted (and a bit stunned, to be honest) to announce a brilliant profit of £6,268.04 — not bad for a bit of garden hopping and cake eating!

We’ll be donating £3,000 each to St Michael’s Hospice and the Fairlight Friday Lunch Club — two fantastic causes that will put the money to great use. The leftover pennies will be safely tucked away in the shed (figuratively speaking) to help with expenses for the next Open Gardens in 2027.

Thanks again to everyone who helped, attended, watered plants, pointed at flowers knowingly, and ate their weight in Victoria sponge. We couldn’t have done it without you

PLIRB Drysuit Appeal

Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat urgently needs to raise funds to replace three drysuits which have been removed from service due to being old and unrepairable. Drysuits are a critical component of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that all our volunteer crew must wear to ensure their safety at sea. It is vital that drysuits are completely watertight and free from defects that may put crew at risk.

The coastline we operate on with rocks and mud also requires heavy duty boots and non-slip, reinforced protection on key areas. Each feature – such as a pocket for casualty care cards, radios or person beacons – can add to the overall cost.

Providing this level of protection does not come cheap and each drysuit costs around £700 – meaning our target is £2,100!

If you can support this appeal, you can donate through our Give as You Live page, https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/drysuit-appeal. Alternatively, please call the Boathouse on 01424 812 457 for other ways to support us. Thank you!

Fairlight Open Gardens

Fairlight Open Gardens – This Weekend!
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July

Just in case you’ve somehow missed the posters, emails, or gossip — yes, Fairlight Open Gardens is back this weekend, and we’re promised sunshine, flowers, and an above-average chance of cake.

🌞 The weather forecast is looking glorious, which means we’re expecting lots of visitors — more than usual. Possibly even more than the number of gnomes hiding in hedge borders.
So, a gentle but serious plea to drivers:
Please take it slow around the village. There’ll be lots of pedestrians, including out-of-towners who may not know our roads or realise that pavements here are more of a rumour than a reality.

👟 And for those on foot: be aware there’ll be more cars than usual, many driven by people who’ve only just discovered their sat nav doesn’t understand single-track lanes.

🚗 Please park responsibly! Keep access clear for residents and emergency vehicles. 

🎟️ The final chance to get tickets in advance is Friday! These will be from MOPP and all day until closing time at Garden Gems Nursery. After that, you can pick them up on the day at any participating garden, or from the friendly folks at the Marshalls Stand at the entrance to the village on Waites Lane.

🌷 . We’ve got 18 fabulous gardens open, plus The Circle, with plenty offering refreshments, including teas, cakes, hot dogs, ploughman’s lunches, homemade ice creams, wines, beers, and even a bit of bubbly (because why not?).

🛍️ And that’s not all! You can also browse and buy plants, paintings by local artists, garden tools, cards & prints, tea towels, and even Funky Hen clothing.

All proceeds go equally to St Michael’s Hospice & Fairlight Friday Lunch Club

A huge thanks to Just Property for their continued support — and on behalf of Kerry, Penny, Cas, and Bob, we look forward to seeing you for what promises to be a blooming marvellous weekend.

Fairlight Astronomers 10th July

The Fairlight Astronomers are meeting again this Thursday evening, 10th July at 7:00pm, in the village hall.

Our gatherings continue to be a vibrant place for those eager to expand their knowledge of the night sky, whether you are a seasoned observer or just beginning your journey among the stars. All those curious about the cosmos are warmly invited to join us at the village hall for an evening of astronomical discovery, stimulating discussion, and friendly community interaction.

This month’s topic is a look at some of the planets in our solar system. Following our exploration of the solar system, we will pause for refreshments. Tea, coffee, and a selection of yummy cakes will be provided. This break offers a perfect chance to mingle, exchange stories, or simply relax before the next part of our programme. New faces are always welcome—don’t hesitate to introduce yourself!

There will also be an opportunity for a short Q&A session after the main talk, so come prepared with your queries and curiosities.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, 10th July at 7:00pm in the village hall—don’t forget your curiosity and sense of wonder!

101 bus service on July 8th

Road Closure – Pett Level Road, Fairlight

04 Jul 2025 to 09 Jul 2025

Pett Level will be closed between the hours of 09:30 & 13:00 on Tuesday 8th July due to pole replacement works.

During these times Service 101 journeys departing Hastings Station at 09:49, 10:49 & 11:49 will serve Fairlight as normal before diverting via Ore Village then direct to Rye via the A259. These journeys will not serve Winchelsea Beach.

Customers requiring Hastings will need to change onto Service 321 at Ore Village.

Service 101 journeys departing Rye Station at 0956, 10:56 & 11:56 will serve The Ship at Winchelsea Beach before turning and diverting via Winchelsea Village and the A259 to Ore Village. These journeys will not serve Fairlight.

Customers requiring Rye will need to change onto Service 100 at Winchelsea Village.

We regret any inconvenience caused as a result of this road closure which is beyond our control, Please follow @StagecoachSE on X for regular service updates.

UK networks in the village

Dear Resident,

Some of you will be aware that UK Networks have a planned works in the Village this week, particularly on Wednesday when some of us in Rockmead Road will have a power outage.

4 poles are being replaced which probably means that there will also be access issues.

UK networks have warned those affected by power outages but not in regard to road access.

In total 8 poles are being replaced around the Village.

Trevor

MOPP AGM

NOTICE OF AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Marsham Older People’s Project (MOPP)

Notice is hereby given, that for the following purposes, Fairlight Friday Lunch Club (MOPP’s) 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held at Fairlight Village Hall on Friday 11th July 2025 at 11am:

1.   To receive the accounts for the year ended 2024 and 2025

2.   To elect Committee Members and officers

3.   To provide an opportunity for Member’s feedback

By order of the Committee

Dated 30.06.25

Annette Holmes

Co-ordinator

Marsham Older People’s Project (MOPP)

www.fairlightmopp.co.uk

If you have anything that you wish to be included on the agenda you are requested to email Annette Holmes (Co-ordinator) at mopps.fairlight@gmail.com  by noon of Thursday 10th July 2025.

Kind regards

Annette Holmes

Co-ordinator of Fairlight Friday Lunch Club

Marsham Older Peoples Project Charity

Mobile: 07703585329

email:mopps.fairlight@gmail.com

Fairlight Open Gardens

Fairlight Open Gardens is back again this year, on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th of July.

This year’s event could be our biggest and best yet, with as many as 19 gardens to view. Some are large, some are small, some mature, and some are in their very first year of development. All are unique, and each has its own special interest and character.

With so many gardens open this year, it will be difficult to visit them all in one day. However, as tickets are valid for both Saturday & Sunday, why not take advantage of both days and take the whole weekend to explore each garden at your own pace.

Various forms of refreshments will be available at many of the gardens, ranging from tea & coffee, hot dogs, ploughman’s lunches, homemade cakes and ice creams, beers & wines, and even a drop of fizz.

Hopefully, the weather will be kind and it will be a wonderful weekend.

Tickets are available from the usual village outlets, including Garden Gems, Hair Base, The Garden Club Hut, MOPP, and on Monday from DISH. They will also be available at all of the gardens on the day, and at “The Marshals” stand at the entrance of Waites Lane. Alternatively, contact fairlightopengardens@gmail.com. Please be aware that all of these options only accept cash.

All profits from this event will be donated equally to St. Michael’s Hospice and Fairlight’s Friday Lunch Club (MOPP).

Once again, this event has been kindly sponsored by Just Property.

Fairfest Video

To all those who couldn’t make it to Fairfest, and to those who need a reminder how fantastic it was, check out this link.

Many thanks for everyone’s support, either by being there, volunteering, or sponsoring, you truly are appreciated.

Celtish Concert

The fabulous Celtish are playing at St Andrew’s Fairlight this Saturday 28th June 7.30pm.
Julie plays violin and Nigel is on a variety of Irish Whistles and percussion, they are both great vocalists and have performed internationally.
This promises to be a night to put a smile on your face and have you tapping your toes along to their Celtic offerings.
Suggested donation for Celtish on the door of £5.
Any donations for interval refreshments for St Andrew’s.
Everyone welcome.

Fairfest 2025

Fairlighters celebrated the first day of Summer in style on Saturday at their Village Festival.


A true community spirit shone through as did the sun. You could feel the team atmosphere from the moment the marquee went up until the sun went down and The Kytes played their final number.


The Committee wish to thank all the many volunteers, sponsors, partners, groups and those who came to spend their money and support us and make our Village Festival such a huge success.

Jennifer Annetts

Local Government Reorganisation Survey

Dear Resident,

Here is a questionnaire about Local Government Reorganisation in Sussex. This may well lead to East Sussex County Council, Rother and all other District and Borough Councils being abolished and replaced by a single “Unitary” Authority. Other models are still under consideration, but are less likely. There would be an elected Mayor for the whole of Sussex.

You are encouraged to complete the survey. 

East Sussex Local Government Reorganisation survey

Fairfest – Saturday 21st June

The clock is ticking and we are getting excitingly close to FAIRFEST 2025

We are looking forward to seeing you there – just a few reminders.

This is a FREE community event  but there will be a bucket for donations. Please support the BBQ, run by the Pett Level Independent Lifeboat and the Fairfest Bar run by our volunteers which this year is offering real ale and cider as well as the usual cans, wine and soft drinks.

HELP is still needed on the bar please from 8 – 10 pm and for car parking during the day.

If you think you could offer help for an hour or two please let us know by contacting fairlightfairfest@gmail.com

PARKING is free on the field (weather permitting), by kind permission of the Parish Council. If you have to park on the roads nearby we ask you please to take care not to block driveways.

There will be card readers available  on the bar and bbq but we are having the £1.00 bucket game and a Fairfest raffle so some CASH is always useful!!

Finally, please bring your own CHAIR or a rug.  Thank you and see you there.