Community
Wealden in a push to help promote local produce
Wealden in a push to promote local food and drink producers Shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants across Wealden are strengthening their commitment to local food and drink – and Heathfield is playing a leading role. Since the Sussex Six campaign was introduced locally last summer, 24 Wealden businesses have pledged to increase the amount of... Read more
26th February
Local government careers open doors for Wealden residents
Local government careers open doors for Wealden residents Residents across Wealden are being encouraged to consider a career in local government as a national recruitment campaign shines a spotlight on the wide range of jobs available at Wealden District Council. The Make a Difference, Work for Your Local Council campaign, funded by the UK Government,... Read more
29th January
Making Space Work: How you can be smart with hired lockable storage
Making space work: How hired lockable storage can simplify life For many households, the crunch for space arrives suddenly—guests at Christmas, a ‘For Sale’ sign out front, or a hobby collection that’s quietly taken over a spare room. Renting secure, lockable storage isn’t only for people between homes; it’s a flexible tool for taking back... Read more
11th November
Support to Help Wealden Businesses Grow and Thrive
Support to Help Wealden Businesses Grow and Thrive Small and medium-sized businesses across Wealden can now access expert, one-to-one support through the Ambition to Action programme — a new initiative helping local enterprises build resilience, boost productivity, and plan for sustainable growth. Run by Oxford Innovation and managed by East Sussex County Council, the programme... Read more
8th October
Wealden Council Rejects “One East Sussex” Proposal, Citing Risks for Local Communities
Wealden Council Rejects “One East Sussex” Over Fears of Lost Local Connection Wealden District Council’s Cabinet has confirmed it cannot support the proposal for a single “One East Sussex” authority, warning it would be too large, too remote, and financially unsound to serve local residents effectively. The plan, which suggested replacing the county’s existing structure... Read more
25th September
Let our local MP Nus Ghani know your thoughts on whether a banking hub is a good idea
The impact of local bank closures and local sentiment Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, is inviting local residents to share their views on access to banking services across the constituency. In Heathfield alone, we have seen the evaporation of banking services with all of the major banks leaving the town over the past ten years.... Read more
7th August
Sussex Six local produce initiative is launched
Sussex Six Campaign is launched in Wealden More than 60 local taste makers in the Wealden food and drink industry came together at Gun Brewery and Taproom in Gun Hill this week to launch the Sussex Six Campaign in Wealden, urging people in the district to eat and buy local produce. Local hospitality encouraged... Read more
23rd July
South East Water have announced that they are restricting the use of hosepipes for customers in Kent and Sussex and it is enforceable from 18 July.
South East Water have announced that they are restricting the use of hosepipes for customers in Kent and Sussex. The announcement read:“Demand for water is the highest we have ever seen for this time of year, reaching 680 million litres on 30 June 2025. This is 105 million litres of water a day more than the... Read more
17th July
We ask Heart and Home Property is now a good time to buy or sell your home?
Is this year a good time to buy or sell your home? As Spring is very much in the air, it’s traditionally the time that people get their homes ready to sell or set out to find a new home or both! We thought it would be a good idea to talk to property expert... Read more
13th March
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service celebrates its 30th anniversary.
East Sussex WRAS celebrates 30th Anniversary Many people will have had to call on the services of the local charity East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) for help with caring for a wild animal in distress. They will know what an important job their volunteers do. This year the WRAS is celebrating its 30th anniversary.... Read more
3rd March
Channel 4 wants YOU! Are you or do you know an undiscovered brainbox, read on…
Channel 4 are on the hunt for an undiscovered brainbox Do you have an undiscovered brainbox in your family lurking on the sofa? Because if you do – Channel 4 is about to launch a major new competition format show to spotlight the country’s undiscovered brainboxes. It is estimated that there are thousands of people in the... Read more
19th February
Rare opportunity to see behind the scenes at Wealden Crematorium
Wealden Crematorium will be hosting an open day event in August. Following on from the success of last year’s open day, another one will be held on the 16 August between 11am-3pm. The friendly crematorium staff will be offering guided tours to go behind-the-curtain and demystify the cremation process – everyone is welcome. The crematorium... Read more
3rd August
New Lib-Dem and Green Party Alliance signed to usher in a new era at Wealden District Council
New Wealden civic leaders appointed A new chair and vice-chair have been appointed at Wealden District Council. At a Full Council meeting on Wednesday 24 May, newly elected Green Party councillor Christina Coleman, who represents Danehill and Fletching ward, was appointed chair and the vice-chair named as Liberal Democrat councillor Gavin Blake-Coggins, who represents Hailsham... Read more
26th May
A peek ‘behind the curtain’ at Wealden Crematorium
Next week there is the opportunity to ‘go behind the curtain’ at Wealden Crematorium. The public will be welcomed with an open day at the Wealden District Council-run facility on Wednesday 5th October between 11am-3pm. Opened in 2019, the crematorium in Horam is set within 30 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds surrounded by wildflower meadows... Read more
28th September
Last chance to apply for the £150 fuel payment from Wealden
Have you had your £150 fuel payment from Wealden Council yet? If you are in Council Tax band A-D then you qualify and in some cases E rate payers can also get the grant. The money will be paid direct to your bank account so will be helpful in covering increased fuel costs. The deadline... Read more
17th August
Proposed waste collection and street cleansing industrial action update.
Wealden District Council has been informed by its waste collection and street cleansing contractor, Biffa, that members of their workforce belonging to the GMB union intend to take strike action from Monday 2nd May over pay. Whilst Biffa continue to negotiate with the GMB union and the staff involved to reach a fair settlement, this action... Read more
28th April
Landowners fined for failing to check Tree Preservation Orders
Wealden District Council prosecuted the landowners of the site in The Drive, Hellingly, after trees were cut down in 2018 despite them being subject to Tree Preservation Orders. The landowners said they were unaware of the Tree Preservation Orders in place which protected the woodland and trees and claimed the trees were a danger to... Read more
6th April
Blackboys School enjoy a visit from Wealden councillors
Blackboys Primary School welcomed Wealden District Council’s chairman Councillor Ron Reed and ward Councillor Ann Newton to a ‘golden assembly’. The councillors spoke to Years 5 and 6 about the work the council does within the district and their roles within the authority. During the assembly children asked questions about littering, road safety and the... Read more
23rd March
Wealden Council Tax rebate available to help many with increased energy costs.
It would be difficult not to have noticed the increased publicity around increasing energy costs, so it will be some relief to learn that thousands of households across Wealden are set to receive a £150 Council Tax rebate to help with rising energy costs. Council Tax rebate available for thousands of Wealden residents Residents living... Read more
9th March
Charity receives cheque from Wealden Crematorium 
The Children with Cancer Fund at Polegate has been presented with a £15,000 cheque from Wealden Crematorium. The money was donated to the charity’s co-founder Chris Downton after staff at the Horam facility nominated CWCF to receive a share of funds raised through the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s recycling metal scheme. The crematorium... Read more
24th February
Heathfield & District School Pastors set to benefit from Wealden grant.
Almost £300,000 in community grants and funding has been approved by Wealden District Council this week. Organisations set to benefit from a share of £20,000 in funding through the council’s Small Grants Award for 2022/23 include Heathfield & District School Pastors, Coleman’s Hatch Cricket Club, Frant Parish Friendship Group Speakers, Hailsham Horticultural Society, Crowborough Community... Read more
10th February
Free courses start for Wealden residents
Free courses start for Wealden residents From managing stress and anxiety to maths, easy-hand sewing to get ready for work, and afternoon tea baking to practical money management, Street Learning FREE courses return this January 2022 for Wealden residents. Street Learning is a partnership project providing access to a range of free courses designed to... Read more
18th January
Increased support for Heathfield Farmers’Market and others in Wealden.
Heathfield Farmers’ Market goes from strength to strength. Over the past year, Wealden farmers’ markets and craft fairs have grown in popularity as people rediscover this way of shopping amid the pandemic – and stallholders and councillors are hoping it’s a trend that will continue. In Heathfield we are lucky to have a thriving market,... Read more
30th November
Electric vehicle charging points roll out as council endorses COP26 strategy
A roll-out of electric vehicle charging points across the district will soon be underway as Wealden council also endorsed progress made at the recent COP26 conference. The momentum of the EV charging initiative was revealed at Wealden District Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday when the authority backed a motion endorsing the government’s Net Zero... Read more
25th November
Wealden’s High Streets flourish as people shop locally
High streets across Wealden market towns and villages are bucking national trends and recovering well from the pandemic, say local experts. With larger towns and cities continuing to struggle with reduced footfall and empty premises, Wealden’s smaller market towns and villages such as Uckfield, Heathfield and Mayfield have benefited from the strong support of their... Read more
27th October
Wealden Crematorium Open Day attracts a crowd
More than 350 people attended an open day at Wealden Crematorium, Horam – at the weekend. The event on Saturday 18 September was an opportunity for local people and anyone curious to see inside the building and around the grounds. The Wealden Creamtorium open day was attended by Wealden District Council chairman Councillor Ron Reed,... Read more
23rd September
Support for Afghan refugees pledged by Wealden District Council
With horrific scenes being broadcast daily from Afganistan, as the August 31st deadline for US withdrawal approaches, many people may be wondering what the local council have planned to help with resettlement. Wealden Council has announced that Afghan refugees arriving in the area will be provided sanctuary as it has pledged support to help those... Read more
27th August
Vaccinations opened up to 23 year olds amid fears of a surge of cases in Wealden.
In the latest figures published yesterday it notes that there were 64 new COVID-19 cases reported in East Sussex in the latest available 7-day period as published by GOV.UK on Sunday 13 June 2021 at 4pm. That’s up from 46 when last reported. Numbers are increasing Area Rate per 100,000 population East Sussex 12 South... Read more
14th June
Don’t miss the deadline for £2.6 million of support for Wealden businesses
Wealden businesses that were not eligible for Covid-19 Small Business or Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grants have until Friday 19 June to apply for the Council’s new Discretionary Business Grant. This support is geared towards helping small businesses not eligible for other support because they do not pay business rates. Typical enterprises which can be... Read more
15th June
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
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
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
Developers show off proposed new development next to Jubilee Fields, Heathfield
Last week, Countryside, a large developer with over 60 years’ experience, in housing developments across London, the South East, the North West of England and the West Midlands; showcased their plans for a new project next to Jubilee Fields off Ghyll Road, Heathfield. The Site is located on the south western side of Heathfield, with... Read more
16th July
New crematorium to hold open day on 15th June
Excitement is building among local businesses and residents about the state-of-the-art crematorium in Horam, developed and run by Wealden District Crematorium, which will welcome the public to an open day on 15th June from 11am to 3pm. Shorter journey times for families and mourners is just one of the many benefits the new facility offers... Read more
29th May
Horam crematorium to open in March
Wealden’s Chairman Councillor Chris Hardy laid the final stone in Wealden’s new Crematorium at a ceremony to mark the completion of the building’s structure, while local business are gearing up to help mourners with ther needs. District and Parish Council representatives gathered with the site team responsible for delivering the £5 million project. These include... Read more
22nd January
Do your bit during National Re-cycling Week
Wealden District Council residents are some of the best re-cyclers in East Sussex according to the council. Wealden residents are being thanked for the difference they make during National Recycle Week and every other week of the year. National Recycle Week, the national recycling campaign, runs from 25 September – 1 October. The theme of... Read more
25th September
Bad news for litter bugs – good news for the environment
A new law came into force this month which will see vehicle owners being issued with a fine of £75 for littering – without the Council needing to know who was responsible for throwing out the litter. “For too long drivers and passengers travelling through the District have thrown litter out of vehicles, thinking they... Read more
18th April
Crematorium in Horam to open later this year
Local businesses such as florists, funeral homes and pubs should all benefit from the new crematorium in Horam that should be open by late 2018. Wealden District Council wanted to provide a crematorium and garden of remembrance within the District to offer a local service for bereaved families. Work started on the site on 19th... Read more
11th January
