Message to Residents From the Mayor of Hailsham

Two months after the easing of Covid restrictions and return to near-normal daily routines, the Mayor of Hailsham, Councillor Paul Holbrook has addressed the town’s residents, and looks forward to participating in further mayoral engagements in the run up to Christmas.

“There are many positives which have come about in recent months, including the reopening of society with a new and more optimistic outlook for us – and a recovery from the pandemic that continues to put us back on track both socially and economically. This itself has been a major step forward in the return to ‘normality’ in our lives!

But, as we move further forward in the fight against Covid-19, we still have some way to go – especially now as we enter the autumn months – and we should all continue to take personal responsibility when it comes to protecting ourselves from the virus and having concern for others around you.

Whilst most services and facilities run by the Town Council are up and running as normal, some remain accessible but with restrictions in place. We will, of course, endeavour to keep residents updated as soon as any further changes are made.

I’m delighted to hear that our youth project team, Hailsham Youth Service, has fully reopened – including the ever-popular Friday Night Project – whereby a range of free and fun activities for young people has been organised for the autumn months.

Parents can be confident that Hailsham Youth Service-run centres provide a safe environment for our local young people, giving them a place to socialise and take part in various activities in the run-up to Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas, families from across Hailsham and surrounding villages are being urged to mark Friday 26^th November in their diaries as the date when the town will officially switch on its Christmas lights – restrictions permitting of course.

After missing out on the big event last year due to Covid restrictions in place at the time, Hailsham is gearing up for a spectacular show in Vicarage Field featuring festive entertainment in addition to the big switch-on, which will see the town centre transformed into a winter wonderland of twinkling Christmas lights.

Santa will be handing out free sweets to children at the event as usual (courtesy of Hailsham Rotary Club) and pupils from Hailsham Community College and Grovelands Community Primary School will be carol singing prior to the official switch-on of the lights, which will take place at 5pm.

If that was not enough, there will be festive refreshments on sale including candy floss (provided by Hailsham Lions), and Hailsham FM will be playing Christmas music throughout the event. Hailsham Parish Church will be open during the event to warmly welcome visitors after the switch-on, serving free hot beverages.

Hailsham’s Christmas lights switch-on is one of the town’s biggest annual events and the traditional and tasteful entertainment line-up planned means it’s going to be the best yet!

It’s such a shame that we were unable to hold the event last year due to the pandemic and restrictions in place – disappointing for all of us. But, subject to there being no reinstating of restrictions before then, we’re delighted to be able to bring this much anticipated and amazing community event to you once again.

The switch-on event is about bringing the community together to celebrate the countdown to Christmas with their friends and family, and we are hoping that lots of people will come along, take part and join in the fun.

On a final note, I’d like to express my gratitude to Hailsham Festival organisers, including the Festival Chairman Tony Biggin, for inviting me to be part of the many events, exhibitions and competition award ceremonies, having attended them in my official capacity as Town Mayor.

Hailsham has such an amazingly rich seam of arts and culture. There is an amazing wealth of artistic talent and it’s been an honour for me to be part of this year’s festival and, as the festival draws to a close soon, I invite the local community to put the remaining festival dates in their diaries.

Festival organisers have surpassed all expectations again this year with events, despite a reduction in the number of in-person shows and exhibitions, and continuation of virtual ones.

On behalf of the Town Council, I’d like to thank those community groups and individuals in the town for all the hard work and generous support given in organising this year’s festival. A vast amount of work is carried out behind the scenes by dedicated volunteers who give their support and contribute to its success.

Thank you and stay safe everyone.”