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, due to the current national lockdown set by the Government, some facilities and services have been closed once again, or remain accessible with restrictions in place.
Although the Town Council offices in Market Street will remain closed to the public during lockdown, 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 will remain 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 15 people in attendance. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
Cemetery grounds will be closed to the public, except for funerals or burials, commemorative events celebrating the life of a person who has died, or to allow a person to pay respects to a member of their household, a family member or friend.
Hailsham Town Council has moved to assure residents that the town centre post office will remain open during the lockdown period, as an essential service to the local community. Face coverings must be worn by customers. The post office is currently open from 8.30am-4pm (Monday to Friday) and 9am-2pm (Saturday).
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 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 – 9.30am-3.30pm 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. Only traders selling essential items such as food will be attending each market.
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.
The following Council services and facilities are closed for the duration of the lockdown, and until further notice:
All Square Youth Cafe, Monday Youth Hub and Hellingly Youth Hub sessions will remain closed until further notice. Friday Night Project activities are expected to resume in the New Year. Young people are encouraged to follow Hailsham Youth Service in the meantime for updates and activities on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HailshamYouthService/) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/hailshamyouth/).
The James West Community Centre will be closed for hirers until further notice. The same applies to the hire of the Fleur de Lys Meeting Room and Southview Community Rooms.
The Town Council’s outdoor gym facilities (Western Road Recreation Ground and Maurice Thornton Playing Field) will be closed to the public until further notice.
“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 after the current period of lockdown, 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