Hailsham

JAMES WEST COMMUNITY HALL: This new community hall on Brunel Drive in north Hailsham help open days last week for people to look around this new facility. It certainly has the Tardis effect and having parked in the car park with plenty of spaces, I took a walk around the outside and looked over what has become a rather lovely site, with a football pitch, basketball court and recreation ground right next door. The lobby is bright and welcoming with a small meeting space and kitchen. A walk around the outer corridor takes you past several more meeting rooms and a large storage area and into a lovely big hall with ceilings that would enable badminton and other sports and activities requiring a high ceiling. There are toilets with changing facilities and showers, ample and well-designed disabled and baby changing space. You will be able to book the spaces soon via Hailsham Town Council and they are in the process of appointing a caretaker.

OUR PARKS FITNESS: Another fun and friendly meeting last week. This time we exercised to music which was a bit more motivating. Every week the exercises are different. We never know what to expect until we get there. There were 22 people this time. The class takes 30 so if you want to come along you had better sign up soon. What else would you be doing on a Saturday morning – having a lie in, cup of tea on the sofa, well why not get up, tone up and get fit for free at Western Road Recreation Ground every Saturday morning from 9am to10am. All ages from 16 years plus and focussing on the over 55s. If you would like to come along just turn up. If you are on the internet it would useful, but not necessary, if you could register at www.ourparks.org.uk. Wear loose fitting comfy clothing and bring some water.

MEMORIAL TROPHY: The final total raised at the football match between the Whiteline Wanderers and the Class of 2012 in memory of Richard Page for the You Raise Me Up charity which took place at the end of April was £2739 with special thanks to Mitch Neale who, having won the £250 top raffle prize donated it straight back to the charity. A cheque will be handed over at the You Raise Me Up coffee shop in Polegate on Wednesday May 9 at noon. If you would like to donate to the You Raise Me Up charity their website is www.youraisemeup.co.uk.

WEALDEN BRASS: Will be playing at the Hailsham Street Market tomorrow, Saturday. The band will be playing between the hours of 10am until midday. Last week they drew a good crowd and stall holders commented on the lovely atmosphere it created as people took to the benches to listen. Tickets will be on sale at the market for their upcoming RAFA concert on Sunday, May 20 at Hailsham Community Hall. This concert is in aid of the Royal Air Forces Association and will celebrate 100 years of the RAF.

FARMERS MARKET: Between 9am to 12.30pm tomorrow, Saturday, the Hailsham Farmers Market will be at the Cattle Market Site on Market Street, with fresh local, quality, traceable produce, a wide array of genuine locally farmed meat, duck and hen’s eggs, honey, garden plants, cakes and crafts. There is plenty of free parking on site; pick your goods from the range of stalls and pack your shopping straight into your car. Support your local producers and craftspeople. Traders: For information on taking a pitch please call 01892 852168 or email info@hailsham farmersmarket.co.uk.

HAILSHAM FM RADIO: In the build up to Hailsham’s FM’s launch on 95.9 FM on Saturday, May 26, the ‘I’ve got the Hailsham FM Bug’ campaign was launched last Thursday. From May 26 Hailsham and surrounding areas will have their very own full-time community radio station, broadcasting from the Cortlandt Stable Block, North Street. Bucklers Café Tapas Bar, who sponsored the yellow and green bugs (the radio station’s colours), hosted the launch party where radio presenters and guests met the new furry arrivals for the first time. The bugs will be available from Bucklers, the radio station and other venues throughout the town, with all money raised earmarked to help finance the station during the coming year. The station’s publicist Sharon Davis said, ‘This is such an exciting time for the town. It’s been a lot of hard work, long hours, and much nail biting, but huge fun. We’re a dedicated, diverse team of volunteers and we have the support of the town council who have been pretty amazing in helping us to reach this goal. The mast is up, the new studios practically finished, and we’re all gearing ourselves up to provide an informative local service with plenty of entertainment. We’re hoping Hailsham FM will be a welcome friend in every household.’ More information about the launch will be available nearer the day.