Interviews and reviews by an experienced journalist
Latest post on the website - I talked to the company which has been trying to redevelop this key seafront site
Eight years after the prominent seafront site in Eastbourne closed, it is on the verge of re-opening a revamped indoor play area
Last night we welcomed our new vicar The Reverend Arwen Folkes to St Mary’s. Here, Arwen is announcing her inauguration in the traditional manner by tolling one of our bells. We were very proud to have rung prior to the service for this happy and important event and to welcome our new vicar to Eastbourne
Really cool news during such a hot week!
The splash pad in Princes Park is open again after local business, Best Demolition, came forward to sponsor the facility for the remainder of the summer holidays.
This is a one-off arrangement for 2024.
A spokesperson from Best Demolition Ltd said:
“The team is delighted to be helping the summer holidays go with a splash for local children.”
Financial pressures created by soaring homelessness and temporary accommodation costs meant the council was forced to close the attraction.
Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said:
“I would like to thank Best Demolition for providing support this year.
“We are dealing with huge financial challenges currently due to unprecedented levels of homelessness and the associated costs of temporary accommodation, making external sponsorship for the splash pad absolutely key to getting it open again.
“Whilst I am delighted that due to the support of our community, we have been able to open this free facility this year, we need to work together to find a long-term solution to secure its future."
Josh Babarinde, MP for Eastbourne said:
“After the council, the community and I made public appeals to our local businesses to support with the funding of our much-loved Splash Pad, I’m so pleased that Best Demolition has stepped up to help get it re-open again.
“This is Eastbourne at its best - our town coming together to support and protect our community.”
Great feature here about why hyperlocal journalism like the Eastbourne Reporter matters
I can only continue with reader support so please donate as little (or as much) as you want to - it WILL make a difference. Donation links are all over the free-to-read website.
Thank you.
Local newspapers in the UK are disappearing fast, creating news deserts and leaving councils unscrutinised. Enter a new generation of online reporters…
My take on our town when I was asked by the Daily Telegraph:
Rebecca Maer, who runs the Eastbourne Reporter, says the town is a great place to live, but has its challenges.
“It is, unfortunately, highly car dependent for a town just five miles across, with parking permitted almost everywhere and few bus lanes. Extraordinarily, cycling is still banned along much of the seafront,” she says.
“With vision and political courage, the town would be greatly improved with an active travel approach and much better public transport.”
our most famous traditional seaside towns, examining the efforts being made to regenerate them, and reflecting on whether they are still worth visiting. This week, Greg Dickinson explores Eastbourne.Jump in a time machine and say “Eastbourne” to somebody in, say, the early 1900s, and they will p...
From seven storeys down to six - will this change be enough to secure planning permission for the Untold Living retirement apartments at Sovereign Harbour?
A controversial seven-storey “oversized” coastal retirement scheme will be lowered by just one floor, according to a revised application
Latest review just published: last night's show, Naked Hope, from the Grove Theatre. Did you go? Do you agree with our reviewer?
https://eastbournereporter.co.uk/review-naked-hope/
Cabinet councillors last night (Wed, July 18) approved work to progress the transformation of the old pumping station site in Bedfordwell Road into 100 new council homes.
The Grade II listed Victorian Pump House is a familiar landmark for train passengers using Eastbourne Railway Station. The site, which has failed to be delivered by two previous housing associations, is incredibly challenging and complex, and the council has been working hard to find the right package of funding solutions to support the scheme viability.
In May this year, Eastbourne Borough Council’s bid for £7.622m from Homes England towards the scheme was successfully confirmed, subject to conditions, and is a significant step towards closing the funding gap.
In addition, the next key objective is confirmation of a Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) bid of £2.2m made earlier in the year. This is not expected to be announced until later this year and it is only when all the conditions are met that the funding from Homes England will be officially allocated.
Last night’s approval by Cabinet councillors is a significant milestone for the project, unlocking enabling works and surveys to be undertaken to prevent any delays in construction if and when full funding is secured. An updated business case for the site was also agreed by councillors.
Councillor Peter Diplock, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This work will get the site fully ready for building to start once a decision is made on our BLRF bid, which we are very hopeful will succeed.
“Where there is a will, there is a way, and our ambition to create much-needed affordable homes for local people at this Eastbourne landmark is moving closer to becoming reality.”
A Project Board for the Bedfordwell Road site will reconvene to work through next steps with council officers in detail.
Our latest review of one of the three plays presented by Eastbourne Theatres as part of their 'Summer in the Park' season.
Shout out to two actors "who both pitched the emotional truth of the character perfectly (and very funnily!)"
Have you seen this? What did you think?
This adaptation with four actors portraying more than 20 characters is handled superbly: changes are made with a scarf, hat or jacket.
I have a beautiful calendar from Ellis Skelton Photography.
So hoping to visit this exhibition and see more of his brilliant photos!
My report from last night's hustings debate organised by the Chamber of Commerce: the £20 million town fund promised under the Conservative government looks in doubt.
Labour candidate Paul Richards: "It is an absolutely corrupt scheme ... you allocate public funds based on need. It should not be based on the colour of the rosette the MP wears.
"Scrapping the Towns Fund would be one of the first things we do. A government should be committed to levelling up everywhere, regardless of who the MP is."
The only guarantee Eastbourne would get a promised £20 million is if it has a Conservative MP and there is a Conservative government, a meeting heard.
These people do extraordinary work with very vulnerable folk - they were one of the first groups I interviewed two years ago
Here’s a reminder …
The extraordinary work of the Matthew 25 Mission in Eastbourne gives sanctuary to anyone in need of a cuppa, a hot meal or a warm welcome
Latest planning story from the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service: one large boarded-up house could be replaced by 20 flats on a busy mini-roundabout
A developer has submitted plans for an apartment building in Eastbourne to replace a large detached house in King's Drive.
How green are the candidates? The general election contenders were held to account on environmental issues at a hustings meeting last night in Eastbourne
Exclusive report here - because I was the only journalist to attend
All six candidates standing in the general election for Eastbourne were held to account at an environmental hustings in the town last night
Elizabeth Tomlins died without there being a next of kin.
The brilliant community food growing crowd at Rooted have great plans for a summerhouse hub on the plot down at Gorringe Road allotments.
Donations are match-funded in June by East Sussex County Council if you are able to chip in 🌿
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/rooted-well-being-sanctuary
Hello all,
Here's how you can really help independent journalism which asks questions continue to operate in Eastbourne.
As long as you have a local independent news source in your area, you can stay informed – but sadly, far too many news providers aren’t able to cover their costs, and have to close.
Please support us today and keep Eastbourne in the know with genuine news reporting.
Many thanks.
Fantastic work by The British Queen and its generous customers!
We'd like to give a big thank you to the team at The British Queen for holding their Charity Day in aid of St Wilfrid's Hospice on Saturday 18th May. The event featured live music, a BBQ, a raffle and multiple stalls, and raised a wonderful £6,250!
Angie, the Landlady from The British Queen, chose to raise funds for St Wilfrid's this year because of the amazing support the hospice provided to her husband Rob and family. Here is a photo of Angie and family with our Corporate Fundraiser, Debbie.
Thank you!
Will the new measures at the Victoria Medical Centre help you get an appointment?
My latest free-to-read post is on the website: a statement from the VMC outlining plans to improve their phone and appointments system.
I persisted for several weeks to obtain a response from the VMC via NHS Sussex and finally received it just before the weekend.
Independent news outlets like the Eastbourne Reporter – a Community Interest Company which reports for the community – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If my coverage helps you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly donation. The website is free to read but not free to produce.
You can give as little as £1 as a monthly or one-off donation. Pay what you feel via the link on our website.
If everyone who follows this page gave just £1 a month, it would be a game changer and we might survive...
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
More doctors are joining the Victoria Medical Centre in Eastbourne's Old Town to help address huge problems patients face in seeing a GP
Thank you for supporting the Eastbourne Reporter by reading our independent news stories.
I have reported on many issues over the past two years, such as how difficult it is to get a GP appointment, stuff you will not read anywhere else.
I interview and research, proper old-school journalism, and ask questions on behalf of the people of Eastbourne in a way no one else is doing.
But remember: no news is bad news
Independent news outlets like the Eastbourne Reporter – reporting for the community – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. I am still working voluntarily so this must become viable to continue.
If my coverage has helped you understand our community a little better, please consider supporting the Eastbourne Reporter with a monthly donation. It can be from as little as £1 - pay what you feel.
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Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
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The high costs of refusing planning applications revealed in a council committee - latest report from the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Wealden District Council has paid out more than three-quarters of a million pounds in appeal costs since January 2021. The single largest payout resulted from the council’s decision to refuse the 700-home Mornings Mill development on farmland at ...
Rain is forecast this morning but it’s set to brighten up just in time for our CHARITY DAY to take place‼️
See you all at 1pm for the fantastic
Brotherhood
Rockin Robbins
DJ Michael Duncan vs DJ Stefan Teague
Not to mention our bbq and countless stalls!
REMINDER -
BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS - WE HAVE PLENTY BUT ITS NEVER ENOUGH! THIS EVENT ALWAYS ATTRACTS OVER 500 PEOPLE
https://eastbournereporter.co.uk/, https://linktr.ee/eastbournereporter
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