Fairlight Focus

Save the next event date; Pancake Party 13 February

Dear Fairlight Residents,

Everyone welcome. The kettle will be on and there’s cake if people just want to come for some company rather than to play trains!

God bless,
Sandi

Revd Sandi Wickens
Priest in Charge
Westfield, Guestling, and Fairlight
Telephone 07395 106514

Dear Residents,

Please find attached a poster advertising this year’s Pett WI Spring Fair.  This extremely popular event is organised and catered by Pett Women’s Institute and profits are donated to local good causes. 

Kind regards

Sheila Fellows-Turnbull
Secretary Pett WI

Posted on behalf of a Cranbrook School student

My name is Matthis Swinburne and I am a Year 13 student at Cranbrook School. As part of my A Level Geography studies, I am completing a project which is titled ‘How effective is the coastal management at Fairlight Cove in East Sussex’. To help me gather the views of local residents, I would be very grateful if you would fill out the short questionnaire on the link below (please press control and then click on the link to open the questionnaire). The form will be anonymous and no personal information is requested. I am very grateful for your help.

Geography Project Questionnaire

Matthis Swinburne
SwinburneMa19@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk
www.cranbrookschool.co.uk
Cranbrook School
Waterloo Road
Cranbrook
TN17 3JD

My previous e-mail about auditions gave the wrong playing dates.

The play will be performed from 25-27 April (not 27-29 as previously advised).

Details of the auditions, this Thursday, are however correct, and we look forward to welcoming you then.

Best wishes

Keith

Keith Miller (Chair)
The Fairlight Players
www.fairlightplayers.org.uk

Dear resident

Please find attached the details of the Parish Council Grant’s scheme for 2024/25.

The application form and criteria are available on the Parish Council’s website – fairlightparishcouncil.org.uk under document library tab – policies and procedures

Thanks
Pauline

The Fairlight Players are holding auditions this Thursday for their Spring production “A Fete Worse Than Death”, a comedy thriller by Richard James.

We would love to see some new faces, so whether you fancy treading the boards or would like to be involved “backstage”, you’ll be most welcome.

We will be at the village hall from 7.30pm on Thursday. If you would like to peruse the script in advance, please drop me an e-mail.

Playing dates are 27-29 April.We look forward to seeing you.

Keith

Keith Miller (Chair)The Fairlight Playerswww.fairlightplayers.org.uk

Dear resident

With twelfth night approaching, may we congratulate the winners of the Christmas decoration competition .

First   20 W aites Lane 

Runner up    Harlo, Hill Road 

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to making Fairlight look festive to cheer up the long dark days of December.

Issy Horsley

Dear Residents.

Happy New Year.

The contractors cutting back the hedgerow on the west side of broadway and LWL junction will now take place on Friday 5th at 8am.

Thanks

Piers

Piers Cowley (formermarketgarden@gmail.com)

Dear resident

Please click here for the agenda for the Parish Council Planning Committee meeting to be held on Monday 8th January 2024 at 4.30pm in the Village Hall

This is a public meeting so please feel free to attend.  If you have any questions on items on the agenda please could you let me have them prior to the meeting.

Thanks
Pauline

Mrs P Collins
Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer
Fairlight Parish Council
Kerri, 35 Waites Lane, Fairlight, Hastings. TN35 4AX
Tel: 07487 822729  Email: fairlightparishcouncil@gmail.com
Working days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 

We would like to thank all those who volunteer in the village and neighbourhood throughout the year.

Christmas is a traditional time for doing jigsaw puzzles, and it occurred to me that our village is just like a jigsaw puzzle.

It’s made up of a lot of individuals, all with different ideas and talents. Individually they stand alone, but as they join together, groups with a clear focus start to take shape and work for common aims. When those groups start to work cooperatively with each other, the whole picture becomes clearer and looks good.

Fairlight is lucky to have many residents with diverse talents who enjoy sharing their experience to achieve a common goal. Some groups within the village need a bit more support than others. For example this could be help with small one off projects, offering help with promoting events, practical tasks, or just thanking those who regularly give their time volunteering with groups or helping neighbours and friends.

Remember all these small acts fit together to make up the jigsaw that is our Village.

The Parish Council is yet another piece of that jigsaw and we are always looking for ways to help other groups to achieve their aims.

We are looking forward to working with groups and individuals in the New Year to help to ensure that Fairlight remains a great place to live.

We are already planning joint projects with the FRA committee. 

Currently we are working with them on the new village map project, this is well under way and it should be back in its rightful place before too long.

If you would like to help others in the local area, please either approach groups directly, or contact the Parish Council who can assist you. 

Local groups and charities can be found on the Fairlight Focus website. 

Happy New Year

Issy Horsley

HEARING AID MAINTENANCE 2024

Local NHS Hearing Aid Maintenance sessions will continue on the first Wednesday morning of every month in Pett and on the first Friday morning of every month in Fairlight.

For January this means sessions will be held this week at:

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

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

So, if you have an NHS Hearing Aid come along to collect your free batteries and have your aids checked and retubed.

This service is provided free of charge by a trained volunteer from East Sussex Hearing (registered charity number 1101140).

Hearing Aid Maintenance sessions are also held monthly in Hastings, St Leonards, Rye, Bexhill and other locations throughout the county. For details of these and other services provided by East Sussex Hearing call 01323 722505 or visit http://www.eshrc.org

Dear Residents,

I am writing to give you advanced warning of a couple of things happening in the new year.

On 3rd Jan 2024 our contractor will be cutting back the hedge on the corner of Lower Waites Lane and Broadway to improve visibility and expose the existing speed sign.

Southern water/ Clancey Docwra will be laying the water main into site on the 29th January. We will have to expose the existing main outside the site entrance on the 26th Jan ready for the monday. This will cause some disruption for vehicular access but should not affect pedestrians. Once the main is layed it will need to be tested for 10 days before we can backfill.

Any queries, please let me know. 

Regards

Piers (formermarketgarden@gmail.com)

Bob and Dec would like to say a huge “thank you” to everyone who supported their Christmas Quiz last night. It was a packed and wonderful evening – we hope everyone enjoyed themselves. We are delighted to report that a very impressive £1118:27 was raised for DOM’s Food Mission. This money will make a difference to so many people over the festive period, and beyond.

We would also like to thank Just Property, The Cove Pub & Restaurant, and Hair Base for their support, together with everyone from DOM’s Food Mission who helped out on the night. Also, we shouldn’t forget Robert and Kevin for their wonderful efforts behind a very busy bar!

Over the past 9 years, as a result of your continued support, we have raised over £11,000 for local charities – thank you!

Merry Christmas

Bob and Dec, and all the wonderful people from DOM’s Food Mission xx

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tuesday Ladies Club’s members’ tea will now take place on Thursday, December 21st at 2.15 at the village hall.

The Committee apologises for this necessary change of date and hope that members can still come along and enjoy the party.

Jim Saphin will be entertaining us with Christmas music.

Shirley Gilbert

Dear resident

Please click here for a copy of the agenda for the above meeting on the 2nd January 2024 at 6pm

Members of the public are invited to attend and ask questions (except on confidential items)

Thanks
Pauline

Mrs P Collins
Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer
Fairlight Parish Council
Kerri, 35 Waites Lane, Fairlight, Hastings. TN35 4AX
Tel: 07487 822729  Email: fairlightparishcouncil@gmail.com
Working days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

There are two great opportunities to sing carols this week:

Thursday 21st December  10.30am

Christmas Café Refresh at St Peter’s Church Centre, Broadway.

Informal Carols (a chance to choose your favourite!) and Festive refreshments.Christmas Eve 4pm

Carols by Candlelight at St Andrew’s Church, Coastguard Lane. 

Our annual community carol service with organ and choir.

Free parking has been arranged in the Country Park car park. Remember a torch to walk back to your car at the end.

You will be very welcome to join us.

Fairlight Parish Church.

CCTV cameras to junction of Waites Lane and Battery Hill.

Following storm damage to the Cove sign at the corner of Waites Lane and Battery Hill, power was lost to the CCTV cameras.

One councillor spent a lot of time finding out where the problem lay and exploring possible solutions.

To restore power to the CCTV either by underground cable or by solar panels  would cost around £5000 plus annual on costs for power and/or connectivity. 

In addition the Parish Council currently  allows a budget of  £1200 for maintenance, etc.

The Proper Officer does not recall any convictions arising from CCTV footage.

The presence of the cameras is reassuring to some residents and may provide a deterrent for would be criminal activity.

Technology has progressed a lot in the last few years and good quality doorbell cameras with a recording option are widely available at a reasonable cost. These provide security for households and a deterrent effect. The PCSOs and the Parish Council at DISH can provide information and advice about these including, if needed, help with setting them up.

The Parish Council would like to hear views on what options residents would like.

1. The power to the CCTV cameras is restored at a cost of £5000 approx.
2. The CCTV existing cameras are left in situ but without power as a deterrent.
3. The Parish Council arranges for the PCSOs to work with residents to help install more door bell cameras.

The Safer Fairlight event on Tuesday January 16th will be  an opportunity for residents to make clear their preferred options, or you can e mail the Parish Council, or drop in to the village hall between 10 and 4  on Mondays to discuss with a councillor

Issy Horsley 

Dear FRA Members
For those of you interested in the Market Garden site here are our notes from our recent meeting:

Notes of Village People meeting, Sunday 10th December 2023, Coastguards Café.

Attendees: Anna, Betty, Chetz, Heather, Jo, Paul, Wendy

Reps: Lyn – Lower Waites Lane-Fairlight Cove-Maintenance Association (LWL-FC-MA), Pathfinder
Derek and Ron – Fairlight Parish Council (FPC) Police Liaison, Neighbourhood Watch
Apologies: Jeff, Jen, Lee

Summary of meeting
A lot of people are very upset and concerned about the impact of the Market Garden site on their lives; both the construction phase, and the finished development. A feeling that women’s voices are not heard fully. Difficulties with engaging with the Developer, Sussex Police and Rother District Council. The need to keep recording and reporting issues and aligning this with the Site Construction Management Plan. This Group will enable us to support each other, and there is support from people who don’t live in the immediate vicinity of the site.

1. Notes of last meeting
There were no comments. Notes are circulated via Fairlight Residents Association (FRA) email list but can be printed for anyone that needs them. Paul to print and drop a copy to Betty. Our FRA emails are then put on www.fairlight.org.uk under the Market Garden Site button.

2. Matters arising
None.

3. Fairlight Gardens Garages
Some residents lease garages shown within the plans for the Market Garden Site boundaries. They are trying to pay rent every year but cheques are not cashed by the Developer. There is a lot of antagonism on this issue. Residents have been advised to get a solicitor and collect invoices for damage to garages and other property.

4. Fairlight Gardens Water
Residents need to take photos with details of the date and comments on what the photos are showing. They can be sent to LWL-FC-MA lowerwaiteslane@gmail.com or speak to Lyn – and they will be sent on to Southern Water’s Pathfinder project.

There will be a drop-in liaison meeting with Southern Water Pathfinder Staff on Monday 18th December in the Village Hall. All welcome. (See email sent out via FRA for more information.) This is in a private quiet room and is informal.

Question: What is Pathfinder? Lyn: management of water and sewage. Chris Bunch campaigned to get Southern Water to add Fairlight to the project. Can’t make sewer bigger. Can’t put sewer pipe in stream. Sewage works towards Pett not big enough to cater for new developments. Excess water from cliffs adding to it. Water from newer parts of Fairlight going down LWL.

Anna has asked for hard copies of Pathfinder Technical Report for people without computers. Also asked for link to Pathfinder on Fairlight Focus website, so it stops being seensolely as a LWL issue and more as an important Fairlight infrastructure project. Residents have asked to see the minutes of meetings and would like to know more.

5. Bank slip stream sett
Badgers are no longer in this second sett, the works have been properly approved by the Ecologist. The stream bank has slipped and it is being worked on. The plans show this area as a car park.

6. Issues with the Market Garden site and the stream
There have been rumours that the LWL stream is to be ‘piped’ and covered by the Developers. Lyn has reported this and it won’t happen. There is no planning permission for this and it’s unlikely to be approved.

Concern expressed about the LWL stream when it’s behind gardens as flooding might cause blockages or it becomes overwhelmed. Also concerns about water running down Battery Hill due to road drains not being cleared. Warren Road used to have septic tanks but now contribute to sewer. Also concern about sewer from Market Garden Site joining LWL sewer at The Avenue and overwhelming it.

7. Noise nuisance
A lot of concern about site workers swearing with residents hearing it in their gardens, and needing to protect children. Concern about lack of Police support and action on this – need to report it to get action. We have reported it and not felt supported.

Ron has spoken to senior police officer and Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) about this – asked them to patrol occasionally, no one has seen any. However, PCSOs can only go where they are directed by the senior officer. So issues need to be reported to get this actioned. Reports that site workers are smoking cannabis off site.

Derek noted that when the PCSOs go to the Parish Council Drop In Social Hub (DISH) they are fully engaged with people on issues such as parking. Noted that Sussex Police gave a grant to DISH, but that villagers in employment or education can’t meet the PCSOs at this time. Also noted that when other Parish Councils such as Etchingham meet with PCSOs there is a full report, so people who can’t attend due to work/care commitments can keep up to date, but Fairlight doesn’t get this.

Chetz has reported radio and swearing issues to Rother Environmental Health but has not received a reply.

Action Anyone can send reports of nuisance noise/swearing to Chetz – include details of date and time, with photos/videos where possible.

8. Market Garden Site Vehicles Parking
Planning conditions allow for six site vehicles to park on-site; no site vehicles are allowed to park on adjoining roads to the site. The on-site car park is currently being used storage. Site workers can park on Meadow Way/Commanders Walk/Fyrsway/Gorsethorn Way but the Planning Conditions state there is to be no parking on Waites Lane/Shepherds Way/Smugglers Way/Broadway. Site Access route is the main road, Bramble Way/Smugglers Way.

9. Future Public Meeting
Fairlight Parish Council have offered to pay the costs of hall hire and non-alcoholic refreshments for ‘Village People’ to hold a meeting in the Village Hall, an Offer we accepted and said thank you for. However we need to decide who we want to attend and listen to our concerns. Suggestions included: Rother Planning Officers, Police, East Sussex County Council, Highways, GemSelect, Sally-Ann Hart MP, Government Planning Inspector.

Noted that our MP has previously referred us back to Rother, but she could be asked to persuade GemSelect to attend. She previously arranged for the ‘Village People’ to have a weekly phone call with Rother Planning Team – but this was declined as our conversation could not be put on the record. We asked for brief written updates for the community or a brief monthly face-to-face meeting. Regarding the format of any public meeting, there was a preference for an ‘old fashioned’ panel style meeting where you can hear what people are saying, rather than an informal ‘drop-in’.

If it was just Cllrs Meir and Grohne who might come we wouldn’t hold a public meeting as it was felt they don’t have any authority.

10. Market Garden Site Construction Management Plan (CMP)
The Market Garden Site is an “ongoing case” that Rother Planning Team are managing, so if something untoward happens this will all contribute to evidence. Anna advised that Rother Planning Enforcement can only accept complaints about specific planning conditions contained in the Construction Management Plan. We can gather issues and Paul will allocate them to the ‘Village People’ log. We need to be clear about which dates/documents/plans we are referring to in our complaints and we need to use the correct process.People without a computer can phone Cllrs Meir or Grohne.

Action Paul to contact Architect to see if they have more helpful drawings.

Action Chetz to let Site Manager know that the Market Garden direction sign is missing from the corner of Broadway/Waites Lane next to the Village Hall. We want site traffic to use the approved Site Access Route.

Action Chetz to set up WhatsApp group so that residents can quickly report any issues with the site.

11. Market Garden Site Plans
Betty outlined issues with reversing lorries and her garden fence being damaged. The Site Manager said they will replace entire fence but didn’t give this in writing. She needs the fence to keep her dog safe. Anna to contact Cllr Meir to assist.

Jo outlined issues with the oak tree at the edge of her back garden which  is at the east side of the site. it has a Tree Preservation Order. The developers had permission to remove part of a branch but they removed the whole branch. They did apologise and offered to build her a higher fence as well as plant some new tress. The mains electric cable is near the tree so care needs to be taken when planting new trees. Her house had to be built 20ft away from the tree, but the new houses are closer. She has to keep her curtains closed and the new houses block her winter sun.

Action Jo to see if she has the apology and offer of fence/new trees in writing.

Action Ron (Fairlight Parish Council tree warden) will visit Jo to look at her tree issues.

Cllrs Mier and Grohne will be able to help us, and issues of light and privacy can be followed up when houses are finished.

12/13. Neighbourhood Watch
Ron has contacted a police inspector who can be a local liaison. It is hoped a Fairlight Group will be set up in January. There was disappointment that a village Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is still not available as we’ve had to fend for ourselves for 18 months.

Action We can all sign up to Neighbourhood Watch as individuals for free – https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/joinNW. The Alerts are written by a Community Engagement Officer and are very positive about the work Sussex Police do with communities.

14. Any Other Business
A resident with building skills has made approximate measurements of the heights which suggest agreement with informal feedback from Rother that the heights of the Market Garden Site houses are correct. The Building Inspector will confirm.

Residents noted the need to get trees and roads reinstated after the build is complete. Chetz has already asked the Parish Council to remind the Developer about this. It was suggested she could do this again and Anna will try to attend Parish Council Planning Sub Committee Meetings where the Market Garden Site is a standing item on the Agenda. It would be helpful if other residents attended these meetings.

Parking issues were raised there last week and there is a Parish Council Drop-In Session on speeding issues on Tuesday 16th January.

The next ‘Village People’ meeting is on Sunday 28th January 2024, 11:00 – 12:30, Coastguard Cafe.

Please confirm you are coming either by phoning Paul (01424 812038) or emailing your RSVP to: paul.wilsonpatterson@gmail.com

Dear Resident,

Save Pett Level Lavatories – Deadline Sunday 17 Dec

Rother’s Budget Consultation closes this Sunday 17 December and it has specific questions about the lavatories, including Pett Level.

If you want to reopen the lavatories it’s important that as many residents as possible complete the consultation.

For the online form please go to 

For the background go to

Local residents have already delivered a petition with a magnificent 375 signatures (the population of Pett Parish is only 850) and have given me photos showing the huge number of visitors to Pett Level. Pett Parish Council is making vigorous representations.

Let’s keep up the pressure by completing the consultation by this Sunday, 17 December.

Best wishes,

Andrew

Cllr Andrew Mier
Rother District Council 
Southern Rother Ward
(The villages of Fairlight, Guestling, Icklesham and Pett)
07941-693737

Speed watch

I would like to forward the email below, received from the Pathfinder Project team at Southern Water. This is a chance to pop in, see more about the project and ask questions you may have. The date is Monday 18 th December 10- 4.
Southern Water  will be in one hall, DISH will be in the other hall with Lunch and/or Refreshments and a warm welcome for any one who would like to drop in.
All the best
Issy Horsley

Good afternoon

We’re going to be holding a drop-in day on Monday 18 December at Fairlight Village Hall, Broadway, Fairlight, TN35 4DA.

Our Fairlight Pathfinder team will be on hand to chat and answer your questions from 10am – 4pm, so even if you can only pop in for a few minutes, we’d love to see you.

We’ll be able to explain and update about the work we’re doing in the area including:

• Slowing the flow of surface water from households and businesses
• Our programme to install water butts -progress to date and next steps.
• The progress of our surveys to understand the surface water flow in the catchment
• Condition of the sewers and next steps
• Progress of our misconnection investigations 

We really hope you can join us.

Best wishes

Sue Cobb

Stakeholder Engagement Manager – East Sussex

Southern Water