Fairlight Focus

Dear Resident,

I note that within the last few days there has been a major revision of the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and I attach a copy. I have not had time to analyse the changes, but they appear directed towards achieving the government’s stated policy of building more houses.

This link (other sources are available) may help –

National Planning Policy Framework August 2026 – Key Changes | Berrys

Best wishes,

Andrew

Cllr Andrew Mier

Southern Rother Ward

(The villages of Fairlight, Guestling, Icklesham and Pett)

Thank you yet again, from The Preservation Trust,  for donating your printer cartridges.   The last box sent raised £41.66.

If you wish to drop any used printer cartridges, there is a box at the village hall, 

Please keep them coming. 

Thank you.
Jill

 A Calendar Worth Keeping

Fairlight Art are delighted to present their 2027 Calendar, featuring twelve beautiful local scenes painted by members of their talented club.

Professionally produced and printed to a high standard, this is far more than just a calendar – it’s a collection of artwork celebrating the beauty of our local area that you’ll want to keep long after 2027 has come to an end.

They cost just £10 each, or 3 for £25, with free delivery to TN35 Fairlight addresses.

Calendars are available to order now. Simply email fairlightcalendar2027@gmail.com with your requirements and leave the rest to us.

If you’d rather buy in person, they’re also available from Hair Base, DISH, and MOPP.

Best of all, every calendar sold helps support local charities and community groups – so while you’re treating yourself (or finding an ideal Christmas gift), you’ll also be helping the village.

The Fairlight Art Calendar – Twelve months of Fairlight    and not a roadworks diversion sign in sight!  

Fairlight Tennis Club has adapted the tennis court so that we can now play Pickleball as well.

Pickleball is a new fast-growing sport that is played on a smaller court, and is a mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

Through the summer we are running open sessions on Saturdays between 12 & 2pm for anyone to come and have a go.

If you would like to have a game then please turn up at the court at 12pm on any Saturday in July & August.

You can learn about the sport and play a few games.

If you would like more information then please contact me : duncan.brock@outlook.com

Thanks

Duncan

I have had confirmation that Fairlight Road will be open again by the end of today.

The 101 bus will be back as normal from tomorrow. 

No idea why highways gave out such crazy information regarding road closure dates.

Geoff Smith

A shuttle service has been arranged as of tomorrow operated by Rambler Coaches.

Note it will only be from Fairlight Cove To Rye.

I will pressure for it to go to St.Andrews/Coastguards Lane and stop at all Cove bus stops.

Geoff Smith

UPDATE ON ROAD CLOSURE.

The sinkhole has been excavated and it spread to a large void right under the entire road. It is impossible to say how long the road closure will be. I have pleaded with ESCC highways for this to be treated as an emergency.

There are no diversion signs out yet. These are being done asap. Please do not ignore road closure signs. The furthest you will get is to North Seat Picnic Site.

S/W have bern informed and  tankers are being diverted. We are still getting tanker deliveries.

I have insisted on a shuttle bus service to connecting 100/101 buses at the Ship Winchelsea Beach. I will update when I hear anything.

Please be patient with tanker movements on Battery Hill. 

Thank you

Geoffrey Smith

SUMMER ACTIVITY DAYS!

Open to all children. This will be held on the 4 Thursdays of August and will include games, activities, multi-sports, dance, craft and more. Children can be booked by email: 

youthclubactivate@gmail.com.

Cost is £3 per day  and we will start at 11am finishing at 2pm. Under 5’s must be accompanied. Bring a picnic. 

More information will be on the consent form that will be sent out on request through the email.

All this takes place at Activate Clubhouse (newly renovated!) on Fairlight Rec’ Ground.

Sponsored by Active Rother.

Dear Resident,

I’m told by the Rother Planning Officer that he is “aiming for” the Wakehams Farm / Pond Field planning application (35 houses south of the Pett Level Road) to come before Rother’s Planning Committee on 17 September. 

Details of the application are on Rother’s website – Viewing Applications, Decisions and Appeals Online – Rother District Council

Best wishes,

Andrew

Cllr Andrew Mier

Please see this week’s update attached. 

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. 

Kind Regards, 

Elle

Dear residents

At the request of the Parish Council the FRA are organising a petition on behalf of the village to reinstate a village post office.

The deadline for the petition completion is Monday 13th July.  So pop along to any of the locations on the poster and sign the petition.

Please also see the attached explanation sheet.

Dear Fairlight Residents,

Please will you share the following:

A big thank you to all who came along to the Fairlight Dementia Friends training this afternoon. It was fantastic to welcome Sally Hemmings, Chair of Bexhill Dementia Action Alliance, to share with us her wide experience of being a Dementia Friend. Sally taught us about different forms of dementia, how this can affect life and how to be a good dementia friend. Naomi from Rother Voluntary Action spoke about the ways similar groups in other areas are helping their communities. There was time for questions and sharing ideas of what next we might try in Fairlight to help people with Dementia and their carers. As there were 26 of us there was lots of discussion over cake and we will take a look at all the ideas to see what the next step in Fairlight will be. Please do let Wendy Hatch or Sandi Wickens know your ideas and needs too.

God bless,
Sandi

Revd Sandi Wickens
Rector

Westfield, Guestling, and Fairlight

Telephone 07395 106514

AFTERNOON ALL!

Activate need help providing cakes for FAIRFEST teas! All cakes gratefully accepted! 

Good Afternoon, 

Please see the weekly update.

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Kind Regards,

Elle

Dear Residents,

Thank you once again for contributing your finished printer cartridges to Fairlight Preservation Trust.  Last month, you raised £19.83 for the trust.

Please keep them coming. Every little helps.  The box is still at the village hall in front of you as you enter the hall.

Thank you to those who took a membership application form from me at the Village Hall.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

Have you thought about joining the Preservation Trust?  A good cause, helping to reduce the water in the cliffs to reduce slippage.  Please contact  me or fill in the form on our website  Fcpt.org.uk.

Thank you again on behalf of the trust.

Hi everyone.

just a quick reminder that we are due to meet this coming Thursday evening. 

Hopefully you will find the presentations entertaining, interesting and informative. 

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. There might be too many cakes at this meeting, as I know that a few of our regulars are away! As per, seconds will be available 👍🏼

Dear Resident

You are aware of the Village Hall fair tomorrow.

Just to remind you that I will have large selection of Jigsaw puzzles for sale in aid of the Village Hall.

Thank you, but I do not need anymore at the moment.

See you there.

Trevor

Hello everyone,

Just a quick reminder that the Fairlight Village Hall Summer Fair is happening this Saturday, and we’d love to see as many of you there as possible.

It’s a lovely community afternoon with: • Food and Pimms • Homemade cakes and scones • Games for all ages • A great mix of stalls • Tombola with brilliant prizes

Every penny raised goes straight back into keeping our Village Hall running for all the groups, classes, clubs, parties and events that rely on it throughout the year.

It’s free entry, family‑friendly, and a really nice way to spend a couple of hours with neighbours and friends.

Apologies for the delay,

Please see this week’s update attached. 

As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. 

Kind Regards, 

NHS hearing aid maintenance sessions are held locally on the first week of every month. This is just a reminder that for June these will be held at:

Pett Village Hall between 10am and 11.30am on Wednesday 3rd June

Fairlight Village Hall between 10am and 12 noon on Friday 5th June

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

Dear Fairlight,

This  training is being offered to everyone in the village who has an interest in understanding dementia better and knowing how to help if needed.

We hope that all the clubs, organisations and businesses will send  a rep’ who can come along to this free training.

Hopefully we will see you there!

Thank you! 

Village Hall Summer Fair Saturday 6th June 

Come and support the Village Fair on June 6th. We look forward to seeing you there.

Please find below the attached this week’s update. 

I hope you all have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

Please find below the attached agenda for the next Parish Council Meeting.

TUESDAY 26th May 2026

💛 FAIRFEST VOLUNTEERS — WE NEED YOU! 💛

Fairfest is nearly here, and we’re pulling the final pieces together. Car parking is sorted (thank you, team!), but we still need more volunteers to help bring the day to life.

Here’s where we need extra hands:

• Bar helpers — a couple of slots still open

• Tug of War support — helping the arena team keep things running

• Raffle support — extra people to help sell tickets

• Bouncy castle supervision — supporting Activate

• Field setup on Friday afternoon — marking out and getting everything ready before the big day

If you can help with any of these — either on Friday afternoon or on Saturday 20th June — we’d be hugely grateful. These are friendly, straightforward roles, and knowing exactly what’s needed makes it easy to step forward.

📞 Jennifer: 07947 791576 📧 fairlightfairfest@gmail.com

Fairfest is a proper community effort. When we all chip in, the whole village feels it. Who’s joining the team?

Some members of Fairlight Art Club are exhibiting here.

See poster for details.

Title: PettFest 2026 – Your LOCAL Beer Festival

Date: Friday 22 – Monday 25 May

Location: Royal Oak

Details:

Your LOCAL beer festival returns for its third year!

Hosted at the Royal Oak in Pett in conjunction with Pett Butchers, it is a fantastic weekend of great real ale, cider, food and music.

There will be 12+ specially selected beers and ciders, BBQ, hog roast and music from:

• The Pett Slip Buoys
• Stuart Bligh
• Admiral Finns Reloaded
• The Kytes
• The Ragati String Band
• The Rockitmen
• Matty’s Monday Club

Free to attend. Free parking adjacent to the Royal Oak.

This event raises money for Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat.

A great way to spend your Bank Holiday weekend!

Please check the Royal Oak website a week before the event to find the full beer menu on offer!

Good Afternoon,

Please see this week’s update on the water mains renewal work for Fairlight.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind Regards, 

Elle