Fairlight Focus

Hello everyone

Tickets for the Fairlight Players’ Spring play, “Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em”, are now on sale.

Rehearsals are going very well, and the set is currently under construction in advance of the opening night, which is now less than three weeks away on Thursday 16th April. This production promises to be an extra-ordinary spectacle, with a brilliant script and all manner of surprises. At this stage, tickets are still available for all performances, but the most popular dates are filling up, so don’t delay.

As usual, you will be able to book online at Box office – Fairlight Players

Alternatively, call the ticket hotline on 07988 540757 or call into DISH at Fairlight Village Hall on Mondays between 11am and 1pm, when our lovely Sue will be delighted to help you.

We very much hope to see you there.

With very best wishes

Keith Miller 

Chairman, The Fairlight Players

Hello Everyone,

Some of you may have seen the three-part, real-life drama and Channel 4 programme series ‘Dirty Business’, which looks at the experiences of whistle-blowers and the wider practices of England’s water companies.

If you haven’t already seen it, it’s available on Channel 4 catch-up and may be of interest to anyone who would like to better understand how poor wastewater management, can impact our inland and coastal areas.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/dirty-business

Recent discussions in the media have also highlighted how discharges from treatment works can travel some distance depending on variable influences such as seasons, tides, weather conditions, temperature variations and strong winds & currents. This has been further illustrated by the recent modelled flow patterns, following the Eastbourne micro-bead sewer spill and that severely impacted Camber Sands and Rye Nature Reserve. This serious pollution event drifted as far as Dover — and beyond — and was eventually reported to have impacted areas as far afield as France.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=821941214136820

As many people in Fairlight regularly enjoy sea swimming and beach activities, it’s worth being aware that water quality can be influenced by a range of factors — not just the immediate presence or absence of a local outfall on the beach. Cumulative or repeated, untreated sewage spills can cause plumes and debris from treatment work’s that travel regionally. Spills from treatment works in Eastbourne, Pevensey, Bexhill and Hastings — as well as smaller Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) outfalls along the coast, including Rock ‘A’ Nore — can collectively drift along the English Channel under the influence of tidal currents. At times, this movement can occur quite close to the coastline and affect beaches some distance from the original source.

This post isn’t intended to discourage anyone from using our beaches, but simply to encourage greater awareness, that conditions can vary greatly and that these impacts are also not always so easily reduced by the perceived influences of dispersal or dilution.

If anyone notices anything unusual on the beach — such as sewage debris or pollution — it’s helpful to photograph it and report it to the relevant authorities immediately. (e.g. RDC, The Public Health department or the Environment Agency), including the exact location details. (Longitude/Latitude & What-Three-Words.) When making a report to an authority, please also ask for a reference number.

If you feel strongly about the issues raised in the programme, there are also a variety of organisations and forums where you can find more information or make your views known, by signing any number of different petitions.

Our local beaches are important shared spaces and are highly valued and locally protected under SSSI status. Let’s keep them that way, by staying informed and by helping everyone make their own decisions confidently and by reporting pollution incidences promptly.

Stay safe and best wishes,
M Sullivan

At 15.44 we were tasked by UK Coastguard to a report of a kite surfer in difficulty at Jury’s Gap, Camber.

Our volunteer crew assembled at the boathouse for the briefing and were on the water within 20 minutes. As they made the journey to the location, we received the news that the kite surfer had been able to get to shore with the help of members of the public and was being taken care of by crew at HM Coastguard Rye Bay.

As our lifeboat returned to station, the crew realised there was an issue with the engine. Once back at base, investigations revealed some serious complications.

We are now faced with an unexpected and significant cost to fix or replace, which we could really do without at this time. Our crew are determined to put in the hours to do what they can. But whichever option we choose, there will be a hefty sum attached.

We are not the RNLI. We do not have the luxury they have to be delivered with a new engine.

But we are determined to find the best and quickest way to get ourselves operational again. Our crew lose earnings to divert their time to keep us going.

So we are appealing to our community to please help if they can. We appreciate the support that you have invested in our new boathouse – but that becomes irrelevant if we can’t launch to serve.

Anything you can donate to help fix our lifeboat will help.

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/charity/plirb

Dear Resident,
I am told that this application for 35 dwellings behind Pett Level Road / Waites Lane / Broadway will now not be heard by Rother’s Planning Committee before 29 May. 
Best wishes,
Andrew

Dear Resident

I am organizing a trip to see “Oliver the musical” at the Gielgud Theatre London.  You may have heard about this through other channels.  I still have a few empty seats to fill. If you are interested, please see the details below and don’t hesitate to contact me.

The actual cost of theatre seats varies on the dates of performances. The seats that I have reserved are priced at £119 on certain dates!  If you visit the theatre ticket prices you will see it is not a cheap show. I have reserved seats in the stalls around Row Q for £65.  Filtering in the travel costs, I am expecting a total of about £95 pp (hoping that fuel prices remain steady).  Leaving Fairlight at about 10.00am and returning from London at 8.00pm after an opportunity for a meal.

Those of you who attend Fairlight Players shows may remember the outstanding performance of James Miller as Tiny Tim in the production of Christmas Carol in 2024, well he is starring in “Oliver” at the Gielgud Theatre London as Oliver this Spring, but as expected child appearances are limited so I now have his dates so that is the reason for picking 20^th May 2.30pm matinee and it gives me a bit more time to organise a trip!  James also appeared on BGT last Saturday so you can watch him on YouTube or the ITV hub.

Kind regards

Trevor

Fairlight Trippers

01424 812340

trevor.lewing@btinternet.com

Churches Serving Fairlight

welcome you to our Easter Dementia-friendly worship at

St Peter’s Church on Wednesday April 1st.

See the poster attached for details.

Hope the sun is shining for the Easter Egg Hunt like it was today!  

Everyone is welcome.  

There will be an Easter egg trail for the children, hot cross buns and refreshments and crafts for all to enjoy.  

Donations welcome

REMINDER TO ALL CLUBS, GROUPS & ORGANISATIONS WITHIN FAIRLIGHT

If your club or group has anything you would like included in Fairlight Village Voice, any announcements etc, I need to have the details by Monday 12 noon, for publication in the online edition on Tuesday, and the Hastings Observer edition on Friday. 

In case you are not aware, Fairlight Village Voice is a weekly article, published in The Hastings Observer and online via SussexWorld. It is also available to read on Fairlight Focus. Together, it has a potential target reading of thousands of people. 

It is a totally free opportunity for you to raise awareness of your group and any events you might want to make public. All articles should be sent to fairlightvillagevoice@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Very Best wishes

Bob Scattergood

fairlightvillagevoice@gmail.com

Activate Youth Club would like to invite you to come and see the clubhouse now that much work has been done to repair and re-decorate the building. There are still a few jobs to do but it is looking GREAT!

Our A.G.M is on March 17th at 7.30pm but we would like you to come along at 7pm to view the building and enjoy a cup of coffee before the meeting. All welcome!

Busy Art craft morning for 5-8 year olds, 10:30 – 12noon, 21st March 2026. £2 per child.

I am pleased to inform you that tickets for our Spring play, “Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em”, are on sale as from today.

As usual, you will be able to book online at Box office – Fairlight Players

Alternatively, call the ticket hotline on 07988 540757 or call into DISH at Fairlight Village Hall on Mondays between 11am and 1pm, when our lovely Sue will be delighted to help you.

Whatever you do, please book your tickets early, as we anticipate that this fantastic play will sell out in record time.

We look forward to seeing you.

Keith Miller 

Chairman, The Fairlight Players

The Fairlight Astronomers are meeting on 12^th March, in the Village Hall at 7.00pm, all are welcomed. 

The evening will comprise a talk from Royston Morgan titled “From Wispy Clouds to Shining Stars” Hear how Stars are formed, and their life cycles. 

Ray Whitehouse will be setting the “Homework Session” giving you the opportunity to hunt for nighttime targets for the following month. 

Tea, coffee, and an assortment of cakes will be available, as usual. 

Hope to see you all there!

The Fairlight Astronomers 

FAIRLIGHT WINE & SOCIAL CLUB

Dear Resident,

At this Mondays meeting we welcome Kevin Newman who is going to tell us about “Scrumptious Sussex” – sounds mouthwatering.

If you are not a member yet this might encourage you to come along.

As a guest it will only cost you £5.00, but you could join for only £15.00 per annum.

In this year’s programme of events, we have some really good speakers, a wine tasting evening, quiz night and a race night -not bad for £15.00!  Also, a cabaret and comedy night at Fairlight Lodge and the usual Christmas party to look forward to at the end of the year. (the only club in the village to hold one !)

If you are interested, please contact me on 01424 812340, email:  jill.lewing@btinternet.com or simply turn up on Monday by 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Oh, did I mention tea and sandwiches are provided free, there is a raffle but please bring with you your tipple and a glass!

Cheers

Jill Lewing

Dear Members,

You will have noticed a yellow form sent out with the recent magazine.

Along with your annual subscription of £8, this form should be completed and returned to the FRA.

The UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) stipulates that personal data (ie name, address, email, telephone)  cannot be held for marketing purposes  (eg receipt of the magazine) without explicit consent.  

Without a signed form we cannot hold your data, therefore, it is important that you complete this form if you wish to be a member.

If you have lost the form a new one is attached below.  If you have not already completed this, please do so and either email back to this email address, or drop off at one of the addresses on the form.

Kind regards

Alison Thomas

Dear Fairlight,

Please find attached a poster advertising the Sussex Beekeepers’ Association’s annual Bee Market at Uckfield College on Saturday 9th May 2026 10am-4.30pm.  Entrance is £3 for adults, payable on the door (erroneously advertised as £2 on the poster- apologies!) and free for under 16s. There are talks (including workshops for children), craft and beekeeping related stalls and trade stands, and honey and wax products for sale.  If you have an interest in becoming a beekeeper, or just an interest in bees in general, please come along.

Kind regards

Sheila Fellows-Turnbull
Secretary, Hastings and Rother Beekeepers’ Association

Dear Fairlight,

Pett WI would like to advertise two charity fundraising events which we have organised for this year.  The first is our ever popular Spring Fair which is taking place at Pett Village Hall on Saturday 11th April.  There will be 20+ craft stalls, all of the usual high calibre.  Entry is free, raffle tickets can be purchased either in advance or on the day, and refreshments are also available to purchase at the event.

The second is ‘An Evening of Bonkers Banter’ with local celebrity glass expert Andy McConnell on Friday 17th July, again at Pett Village Hall.  Tickets are £12 per head (plus a small booking fee which is automatically added by the booking site), and the link to book is shown at the bottom of the poster, or alternatively via the QR code.

Our local charities this year are the Oliver Curd Trust, Little Gate Farm and Rye Food Bank, and all profits are divided equally between them. I have attached posters for both events.

Kind regards

Sheila Fellows-Turnbull (Secretary, Pett WI)

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!

Just a reminder that NHS hearing aid maintenance sessions are being held this week at:

Pett Village Hall between 10am and 11.30am on Wednesday 4th March

Fairlight Village Hall between 10am and 12 noon on Friday 6th March

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

As you will know from yesterday’s post, work on our boathouse development has begun.

Today the trench across the road leading up to Pett Slip was dug out to allow the required electrical connection. Steel road plate is covering the trench – please take care when driving over it.

On Thursday, the scaffold structure will be erected on the Riddlecourt car park (next to the Smugglers) which will be the temporary home for our lifeboats and launch vehicle assets during the development.

The entrance will be opposite the door to St Nicholas Church.

It is absolutely crucial that the entrance to the temporary lifeboat storage is kept clear to ensure we can continue to be operational and launch on service when needed.

We appreciate that many people park next to or in front of the church to take a walk along Pett Level.

However, we kindly ask that you don’t park in front or alongside the church during the development to ensure we have full access. We understand this is an inconvenience and we are working hard to minimise the disruption to our neighbours and beach users.

We will erect appropriate signs and information to advise you – and we thank you for your cooperation as we go through this hugely important development.

PLIRB project leads

Jo O’Hara, 07546 320 558
Steve Hill, 07714 606 880

Only a few tickets left, so if you haven’t got yours yet, don’t delay! 

Tickets are available from DISh (Mondays @ Village Hall), Hairbase and PLIRB or contact Carol on 07967 396594.

The event will be raising much needed funds for the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat (PLRIB). 

Activate Youth Club is Fairlight’s own youth club, for youngsters aged 9 to 16. We meet every Wednesday in term time at the club house on the recreation ground and organise a range of activities across the year, including a club camp, summer holiday activity days and a winter party in the village hall (for children of all ages).

We’ll be holding Activate’s AGM on Tuesday 17th March up at the clubhouse (7pm for a 7:30 start). Please come and join us if you’d like to find out more about what the youth club has been up to, plans for the clubhouse and ideas for activities this summer, or see how you can get involved. All welcome! 

If you would like to find out more, either about the AGM or Activate more generally, please contact youthclubactivate@gmail.com

Car Park info for Ore Clinic.

Parking is free for patient appointments BUT only if you put your registration into the parking pod in reception. Parking fines are £100. The parking is for the duration of your appointment with some flexibility for running late. If you have to drop off patients or specimens, you have 10 minutes before you have to log your registration. Parking outside of designated bays may also be fined. The Hill Surgery does not own or manage the car park, the fines are issued by a Private Company. Bring in a copy of an unfair parking notice. 

N.B. The £100 fine also applies to Station Plaza parking.

RR/2025/1462/P

I’ve now heard that this application won’t be heard until 16 April.

Best wishes,

Andrew

Andrew Mier (cllr.andrew.mier@rother.gov)

Tickets are selling fast for this popular event, so if you haven’t got yours yet, don’t delay! 

Tickets are available from DISh (Mondays @ Village Hall), Hairbase and PLIRB or contact Carol on 07967 396594.

The event will raise funds for the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat (PLRIB).  So come and enjoy yourselves, whilst raising funds for a good cause. 

Dear Resident,

A reminder that it is easy to sign up for Rother’s weekly “My Alerts” service which gives information about bin collections, nearby planning applications, consultations, committee dates and other events – Go to –

My Alerts – Rother District Council

Here is a screenshot of part of my latest one

Best Wishes

Andrew Mier (cllr.andrew.mier@rother.gov.uk)

To all members and supporters of the Fairlight Players.

Auditions for our Spring play, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, will take place at Fairlight Village Hall from 7.30pm on Thursday 8^th January. 

As you would expect, this play promises to be an absolute riot, and one that will present significant challenges, especially to our set building team.

If you would like to be a part of this production, please feel free to come along to the audition session to learn more. The cast for this play is on the small side, but there are many roles to be filled behind the scene and, whatever part you play, I think we can promise that you will have a great time.

Copies of the script are available for anybody who would like to have a sneaky preview. Just drop me an e-mail to make arrangements to collect one.

For the moment, let me wish you all a very Happy New Year, and be sure to put 16^th – 18^th April in your diary. You won’t want to miss this one. Tickets will go on sale in early March.

With very best wishes

Keith Miller 

Chairman, The Fairlight Players

THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES 29th to 31st January 2026, Fairlight Village Hall

THE FAIRLIGHT PANTOMIME GROUP wishes you all a very Happy New Year and we hope you had a good Christmas.  If you haven’t already got your tickets for our Pantomime, THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES it’s not too late to buy tickets before Christmas but otherwise please go to our website and buy them via our website: fairlightpantomime.com, drop into DISH on a Monday or phone 07988 540757.  More details on our poster.

We look forward to seeing you there.  Oh yes we do!!