News
Guy is king of the castle during lockdown
It’s the time of year when Herstmonceux Castle and Grounds are at their most colourful with displays of daffodils, tulips, magnolias and primroses. Normally there would be hundreds of visitors walking around the estate, people attending special events like Easter egg hunts and others enjoying the tearoom and tours of the castle. But as a... Read more
15th April
Award winning wine importer launches delivery service for Heathfield area
Mayfield based, Las Bodegas, is the UK’s leading importer of wines from South America. They also stock an impressive selection of wines from Spain and France. Normally, they supply exclusively to independent wine shops and restaurant trade customers; but the recent crisis, which has seen restaurants closed, has challenged the business to think about a... Read more
15th April
New rules for funerals during pandemic must be followed
Restrictions and guidance on gatherings are having a huge impact on the way funerals can be conducted – presenting both emotional and logistical challenges for mourners, funeral directors and funeral venues. Jeremy Field, Managing Director of CPJ Field, explains: “Funerals are about giving people emotional and physical support and the new rules are incompatible with... Read more
14th April
Alice makes plea to the public after grandfather’s death
The devastated granddaughter of a 77-year old man who died recently of coronavirus says she is determined to make more people aware of the seriousness of the disease following her loss. Alice Tripp’s grandfather Alan Varney, who lived in Brighton, was self isolating and healthy when he had a fall at his home which resulted... Read more
11th April
Cuckoo Hair talk about coping with the salon closure and the challenges ahead
“The day we closed the salon was one of the most devastating moments we have ever had to experience. It was heartbreaking. After having worked so hard to build up the business, we were in shock at having to put it on pause; plus the challenge and responsibility of trying to look after the brilliant... Read more
9th April
Foodbank service to launch for Heathfield and nearby villages
A Burwash Common woman has been recognised for her efforts to help the local community. Jilly Wingfield, a Co-op Member Pioneer for Heathfield and Horam, was awarded a certificate for her work in the community. She is currently helping to set up a foodbank in Heathfield, under the umbrella of the Hailsham Foodbank, which will... Read more
8th April
The Great Out-tours goes indoors and online
Popular, nature inspired, educational business The Great Out-tours www.thegreatout-tours.com was recently shaken by the closing down of all schools, and the cancelling of all after school club activities. Always one to rise to a challenge, Founder, John Brooksbank has sprung into action and over the past two weeks has worked long days and nights to... Read more
7th April
Heathfield solicitors busy with enquiries during pandemic
While many businesses in the Heathfield area have been busy moving to delivery or on-line business models, the town’s solicitors have been quietly working to keep people’s legal paperwork flowing. With solicitors who carry out will writing being designated as key workers, Hughes Solicitors has been finding ways to make sure the team can continue... Read more
7th April
Wealden announces COVID-19 Financial support for businesses
Many local businesses both large and small are struggling during this extreem period of lockdown, and social distancing. While some businesses have been able to move online or into a takeaway or delivery model, some just don’t have that option. Either way, the impact on business is enormous and will only increase over the coming... Read more
1st April
Volunteer to help support your community
As part of the national effort to support vulnerable people in self-isolation, Wealden District Council is asking for volunteers to help as we all work to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus. “We are working with the volunteer organisation 3VA to identify residents who are able to help reach out to self-isolating households either... Read more
31st March
Farmers urge walkers to follow the Countryside Code
The Country Land and Business Association is reiterating Government calls to limit outdoor exercise to once a day in addition to practising social distancing and, when they do so in the countryside, respect the Countryside Code which helps to protect British landscapes as well as farmers and those living there. The CLA which represents 30,000... Read more
27th March
Corona virus causes unavoidable delay in anyone’s plans to buy or sell a property
There doesn’t seem to be a business untouched by the Corona Virus, and the business of buying and selling homes is no exception. For anyone who has already exchanged with a completion date, the sale can go through and the move take place. But for anyone who is not at that stage, the sale is... Read more
25th March
More shop closures and how ‘staying at home’ will impact on your life
Last night’s announcement has extended the shops and services that need to stay closed. While it is clear that food shops, chemists and essential services can continue, there are plenty of grey areas. We will attempt to clarify some but be aware that this is an ever changing situation. All but essential shops and services... Read more
24th March
Local businesses get creative in a crisis
No one can have missed the unprecedented distruption to everyday life wrought by the Corona Virus as it causes schools to be shut, events to be cancelled, pubs and restaurants and many shops closed, and daily life as we know it to cease. Living in a rural community brings us benefits like fresh air and... Read more
23rd March
Heathfield show postponed, rescheduled for 2021
The Heathfield & District Agricultural Show Society Council have announced with sadness that the 2020 Heathfield Show has been cancelled. The Show Council has taken into consideration all the Government instructions relating to the virus and has come to the conclusion that there is no option other than to cancel. The Show Secretary, Nicola Magill... Read more
19th March
Heathfield Vets wins apprenticeship award from Plumpton College
A veterinary practice in Heathfield has won major recognition for its apprenticeship programme. Heathfield Vets in Hailsham Road recently scooped Plumpton College’s Veterinary Nurse Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Awards beating all of the practices in the area that the college takes students from. With around 100 nursing students studying through the college, winning the... Read more
18th March
Disappointment for Broad Oak School
The parents, teachers, governors and local community have been campaigning hard since last June 2019 to fight the closure of their beloved school – Broad Oak Community Primary School, Broad Oak, East Sussex. Originally, the closure was announced last year, with a consultation period to follow. The Support Broad Oak School group was formed, and... Read more
13th March
Budget headlines from Cranwell Wealth Solutions
This week the Chancellor gave his first budget since the UK left the European Union. There were many announcements made and here Cranwell Wealth Solutions of Uckfield and Heathfield summarises some of the key points: The economy is predicted to grow by 1.1% this year, revised down from 1.4% a year ago. This figure does... Read more
12th March
Why interest rates were cut – Stephen Palmer of Cranwell Wealth Solutions explains
Today Mark Carney, The Governor of the Bank of England, announced a 0.5% drop in interest rates from 0.75% down to a record low of just 0.25%. Stephen Palmer, founder of Cranwell Wealth Solutions, a wealth management company with high street offices in both Heathfield and Uckfield explains what this means and how savers can... Read more
11th March
Local businesses scoop National Rural Business Awards
Horam based outdoor education business The Great Out-tours has beaten a raft of excellent businesses to win ‘The Best UK Rural Professional Services Business Award’. The award was presented at a glittering Rural Business Awards ceremony, hosted in Manchester, last Friday 28 February. The organisers describe the award as a celebration of any professional service business... Read more
3rd March
Kick start your business with this chance to win a free stand at The Heathfield Show
A chance to win a stand in The New Enterprise Zone The Heathfield & District Agricultural Show has been a celebration of agriculture and business in the area for 73 years. In 2019 the Show won the award for the Best Agricultural Event in the South East. The organisers are offering new businesses the opportunity to... Read more
28th February
Heathfield students self-isolated as a precaution over Corona virus concerns
We understand from HCC that four students have been advised to self-isolate due to the location of their half term holiday. The school does not have any sense, at this stage, that any member of the school community has a diagnosis of concern. They remain in communication with the families who will keep the school... Read more
28th February
Heathfield pupils enjoy a collision between rap and poetry
Just before half term the Heathfield Community College was fortunate to have a visit from Karl Nova, a Performance Poet who has written an award winning Poetry book called Rhythm and Poetry. Karl gave a presentation to the Year 8 students providing them with a background into why he went into making rap music and... Read more
26th February
Katie’s CrossFit success at European Championships
Last weekend Katie Hickling was joined by a number of Isenhurst gym members, who clubbed together to support her in a major CrossFit competition. They were blown away by her mental and physical performance as she competed in the Finals of this year’s The European Championships, which she qualified for a couple of months ago. Katie... Read more
25th February
New Heathfield Tavern team celebrates first birthday with special event
A pub in Station Road has become one of Heathfield’s most popular eating spots since it was taken over a year ago. The new team has worked hard to establish a range of events and special offers on different days of the week and host special celebrations such as a New Year’s Eve party. Reviews... Read more
19th February
Kyan’s mission to improve hospital wards for children
A mother from Cross in Hand says she is overwhelmed by the response after starting a fundraiser called ‘Kyan’s Kipling Make Over Mission’ to decorate the Hastings hospital ward where her son gets treatment. In just a two weeks Lia Higgs’ £4,000 target has been smashed and the fund that will transform parts of Kipling... Read more
18th February
Beware of rogue traders – storm-hit homeowners told
RESIDENTS are being warned not to fall foul of rogue traders as they count the cost of damage caused by severe storms. Fraudsters have already been reportedly posing as East Sussex Highways staff across the county, offering to carry out repairs and remove fallen trees for cash following Storm Ciara. With Storm Dennis having caused... Read more
18th February
MPs and local councillors push for A21 to be a dual carriageway
Anyone using the A21 to get to the M25, will know the trials of being stuck behind slow vehicles on some of the single lane sections. The alternative route via the Ashdown Forest isn’t any easier. Inconvenience aside, the economy of the whole region suffers from lack of infrastructure, especially Hastings. Members of the A21... Read more
13th February
Exciting start to 2020 for The Great Out-tours
Horam based, outdoor education and pioneering franchise business, The Great Out-tours has made it to the National Final of the Rural Business Awards, which takes place on 27 February 2020 in Manchester. The business represents the South East in the Best Rural Services Business category, competing against five other businesses. Many parents in East Sussex... Read more
11th February
Worried about rural transport? Get in touch with local MP Huw, the newly elected Chair of Transport Select Committee
Last week the Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, was elected as Chairman of the Transport Select Committee in the House of Commons in a contest voted on by the 650 MPs across all political parties. With transport and infrastructure being a hot topic at the moment, brought to the forefront in our community with... Read more
5th February
Heathfield host #StandTogether Holocaust Memorial Day programme
The 27th January 2020 marked the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. To mark the occasion, the Heathfield Community College has planned a series of events for students and the wider community to take part in for greater knowledge, understanding and reflection. Most notably, on Monday 3rd February, Heathfield Community College hosted an event... Read more
4th February
New offices fit for the future of successful law firm
Around 200 clients, staff, suppliers, friends and partners gathered at Hughes Solicitors’ new offices in Heathfield High Street for a stylish ‘office warming’. The celebration marked the completion of a major refurbishment which involved turning the former NatWest Bank into the headquarters and offices for the law firm and its 19-strong team. With the growth... Read more
3rd February
EV chargers, high-speed broadband and Habitat Mitigation Tariffs no longer required after Inspector’s report
With a protest beforehand and hardly a spare seat in the public gallery, yesterday’s planning meeting at Wealden District Council’s Hailsham offices was put under the spotlight. The conditions included the Habitats Mitigation Tariff. The Habitats Regulations are the requirement to ensure no significant harm comes to any protected European site. Developers were previously required... Read more
31st January
Baroness pops in for a chat with the young people at Wealden Works, Heathfield
As part of a whistle stop tour of the South East, Lord’s Minister, Baroness Stedman-Scott, Department for Work and Pensions, popped in to Wealden Works, Heathfield, East Sussex. There she met a group of young people, who are either currently being helped by the initiative or have benefitted from help in the past. Councillor, Rupert... Read more
30th January
Two men arrested following Hellingly helicopter search
Residents in the Hellingly area were alarmed at around 5pm yesterday when a helicopter was seen hovering overhead for around 10 minutes. There were also reports of multiple police vehicles travelling down Mill Lane around the same time. Sussex Police say they are currently investigating the discovery on Tuesday afternoon (28 January) of vehicles and... Read more
29th January
Heathfield’s innovative Science Project improves learning in Primary Schools
Bringing periodic tables alive in school Heathfield Community College has led an innovative research project throughout 2018-19 with eight local primary schools, which has now been recognised to have significantly improved knowledge and outcomes. This project will form part of a national body of research on what works in education. In summer 2018, Heathfield Community... Read more
29th January
Residents organise protest and call for Wealden to halt building on green field sites
Uproar over the countryside around towns and villages such as Heathfield, Horam, Hellingly and Hailsham being turned into housing developments is reaching boiling point. A member of the Save Wealden from Over Development Team Facebook page has set about organising a protest at the next Wealden District Council Planning meeting on Thursday 30th January at... Read more
27th January
Take action now to protect water pipes and outdoor taps
As part of Citizen’s Advice Big Energy Saving Week, #BESW2O, South East Water is warning customers of the risks unprotected water pipes and outdoor taps face during icy temperatures. The company, which provides drinking water to 2.2 million customers across parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, reports that households and businesses in past... Read more
20th January
NHS urges people to take up free flu jab
People living with a long-term health condition are being urged to protect themselves from becoming seriously ill this winter with a free flu jab, after less than half of them took up the offer last year. The NHS says these people have a greater risk of becoming seriously ill from flu than the general population... Read more
10th January
A265 Roadworks announced for early 2020
Roadworks coming to A265 near Heathfield MOTORISTS are being advised of a series of roadworks taking place on roads local to Heathfield, East Sussex. East Sussex Highways will be carrying out kerbing and road repair work on the A265 at Broad Oak and Burwash Weald, in January, February and March 2020 The scheme begins with... Read more
7th January
Wealden District Council accused of a NIMBY attitude, as Local Plan is rejected by the Planning Inspector
Louise Nurser, BA Hons Dip UP MRTPI, Planning Inspector has written to Wealden District Council, to outline the reasons why the council cannot proceed with its current draft Wealden Local Plan. The letter asserts that Wealden Council has failed in a legal ‘Duty to Cooperate’ through constructive engagement with neighbouring authorities. Highlighted in particular were... Read more
6th January
PCSOs active in Heathfield after recent surge in anti- social behaviour
The new PCSOs who are now covering Heathfield have been announced. They are PCSO Dave Davies, PCSO Tom Lewis and PCSO Geraldine Hodgens. Wealden Police has confirmed that the trio has been out and about in the area along with other officers. Heathfield has started to see an increase in crime with 28 incidents reported... Read more
16th December
Eddie the Eagle delights Cranwell clients at vineyard lunch event
Who doesn’t love a story of utter endurance, determination and dedication at Christmas time? Well, that is exactly what clients of Cranwell Wealth Solutions were treated to this festive season during a delicious lunch hosted at the beautiful Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, where the inspirational Michael Edwards (Eddie the Eagle Edwards) gave a speech... Read more
12th December
New ‘zero waste’ services at Wholefoods Health Store in Heathfield
Heathfield’s only healthfood store, Wholefoods Health Store on Station Approach, is celebrating its first anniversary at their new location. Rita Quinlan, the owner has been in the supplements and healthfoods business since 1989 and this is the third location she has occupied in Heathfield during this time. The store is packed with well known ranges... Read more
11th December
Candidate round up for Wealden
We have interviewed all of the candidates and have tried to pick apart the main differences and their suitability to represent an area with a large rural component, challenges around infrastructure, crime and the needs of a significantly high number of elderly residents. The 2017 results saw a big swing for Labour, but still very... Read more
10th December
Round up of Bexhill and Battle candidates
Huw Merriman is campaigning to retain his seat. He currently has a substantial majority of 22,000, although Labour did increase their share by 10% last 2017 election. UKIP is missing from the Ballot this time around so there will be a question to be asked about where their supporters will vote this time. Both the... Read more
9th December
Heathfield Show recognised in Farming Awards
Organisers and everyone involved with the Heathfield Agricultural Show have been celebrating after being named Best Agriculture Show or Event at the 2019 Farming Awards. Chairman Rita Dingwall said: “We had a great evening. Thanks to everyone who has been involved with the Heathfield Show over the past 72 years. We were very fortunate to... Read more
6th December
Terry tackles town’s growing graffiti problem
A Heathfield man has been praised by local residents for taking the town’s graffiti problem into his own hands. Terry Hazeltine, who moved to Heathfield 16 years ago from South London, was so incensed when he saw the photos on the Heathfield News Facebook page that he vowed to do something. He explains: “When I... Read more
5th December
Heathfield Traders unite to bring festive Christmas fun to Heathfield
This time last year, shops in Heathfield were reeling from the impact of having the High Street closed for the best part of the month of November. Campaigns like the one we ran #shopheathfield which promoted the need to support our local shopkeepers coupled with the activities mounted by the businesses themselves helped to keep... Read more
27th November
Join in the climate debate. Free tickets to attend an ‘Any Questions’ style debate attended by local candidates for Wealden.
This is an opportunity for the Wealden electorate to take part in a Wealden “Question Time” Hustings, which takes place at Michael Hall School in Forest Row on 27th November, it will focus on the Green Deals of prospective Parliamentary Candidates – the main topic will be are we already too late to avoid environmental... Read more
19th November