Hailsham Town Council is continuing to support the community during the pandemic and is working hard to ensure that government guidelines relating to social distancing and protection from COVID-19 are met. In doing so, some facilities and services remain closed, or remain accessible with restrictions in place.
Although the Town Council offices in Market Street will remain closed to the public, staff are working remotely where possible to keep many services running and the main phone line will be open during office hours (9am-4pm, Monday to Friday – except public holidays).
Members of the public are encouraged to follow the Town Council social media pages and the following web page for updates on Council services and facilities: https://www.hailsham-tc.gov.uk/coronavirus-postponement-of-council-activities/.
The following Council services and facilities are currently operating, but with restrictions in place:
Hailsham Cemetery in Ersham Road is open for graveside and ashes burials and, in line with the latest Government guidance, the maximum number of mourners/attendees allowed at graveside burial services is 30. Linked ceremonial events such as ash scatterings can continue with up to 6 people in attendance. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
The high street post office is currently open from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 10am-1pm. Social distancing guidelines are in place, in keeping with current recommendations. Members of the public must wear a face covering when entering building.
The Town Council’s play areas (Western Road, Battle Road, Stroma Gardens, Quinnell Drive, Maurice Thornton Playing Field) remain open. Residents are urged to follow the guidance highlighting all social distancing and other requirements in place, listed on the signs installed at entry points to each site. The outdoor gym equipment located in Western Road and on the Maurice Thornton playing field is also open for the public to use.
The James West Community Centre is closed until further notice, due to COVID-19 restrictions currently in place. Hire of the Fleur de Lys Meeting Room and Southview Community Rooms is also unavailable until further notice.
The public conveniences located in the former Cortlandt Stable Block in North Street currently has an outside contractor responsible for the opening, closing and cleaning of the toilet block on a daily basis and, to allow for more frequent cleaning of toilets, the facility continues to operate six days a week (Monday to Saturday – 10am-2.30pm each day).
The Town Council’s allotment sites in Battle Road, Station Road and Harold Avenue remain open to tenants, but people are asked to observe the latest social distancing and hygiene guidelines.
The weekly street market which takes place in Vicarage Field on Saturdays from 8.30am-1.30pm, remains open but with stringent social distancing and hygiene measures in place on-site to ensure public safety.
Public open spaces such as Hailsham Country Park, the Common Pond, Western Road Recreation Ground and Maurice Thornton Playing Field remain open to the public, although residents must follow the latest government advice relating to social distancing.
Please refer to hailshamyouthservice.org for full details.
“We are working hard to ensure that vital Town Council services are maintained and that our most vulnerable residents are protected from COVID-19,” said Town Clerk John Harrison. “Things continue to change at a rapid pace and we thank everyone for their patience.”
“It is our duty as a town council to look after the health, safety and well-being of members, staff and residents.”
“Please rest assured that we will endeavour to reinstate any services affected as early as we can, and will keep the public updated through the local press, on our website and via our social media pages.”
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk