VIEWS magazine 1

issue 07

VIEWSRo

the

Rissue 09 / suMMeR 2011

adiZonePark workout

Seafront RegenerationNext Wave almost there

Councillor Ward MapPull-out guide

2 www.rother.gov.uk VIEWS magazine 3

RotheR VIEWS 09 / Contents

4 Rother News Latest from around the district

6 Safer Rother Partnership A fresh look

7 Sun, Sea and Sand Getting hot on the coast

8 Ward Map and Councillors Your pulll-out and keep guide

11 New Restaurant Ratings Food hygiene scheme

12 Next Wave Almost Here Council seafront regeneration scheme

14 A Healthy Rother AdiZone at egerton Park

15 What’s On events in Rother

16 Relaxing on the Roof Rother’s first rooftop beach bar

Photographs © Bob Mazzer, Chris Parker, Bexhill observer, Julie Willard, tony Coombes and fotolia.com.

Distributed free to households within Rother. Copies also available from Bexhill, Battle and Rye Community help Points.

editorial by - Rother District Council. Designed by hastings Borough Council - June 2011 Printed locally on recycled paper.

this information can be made available in large print, Braille, audiotape/CD or in another language upon request.

Please telephone 01424 787000

email views@rother.gov.uk

Visit www.rother.gov.uk/views

Write to: Rother Views Rother District Council Town Hall, Bexhill TN39 3JX

Contact us...

As you might be aware, we’ve had an election since the last issue of the magazine was published. This means there are some new faces on the Council, as well as plenty of returning ones.I would like to take this opportunity to thank all past councillors of whatever party for their hard work in previous years and welcome new members to the fold. I think I speak for all councillors when I say our commitment to providing excellent, value for money services remains, even in this difficult financial climate.On that note, we’ve decided to include your guide to councillors in Rother Views magazine this year, rather than produce a separate publication. It is a more cost effective solution and still means that residents receive the contact details of local councillors. The information can also be found online at www.rother.gov.uk Please get in touch with your ward member should you have an issue you would like them to look into – I know they will be delighted to hear from you.

Lots of people have been getting in touch with the Rother Views team asking for an update on Bexhill’s seafront regeneration project to be included in the magazine. I’m happy to say you can find out in this edition how things are progressing and see some great pictures – unfortunately deadlines mean we can’t show you the completed scheme this time, but by late

summer we’re expecting everything to be finished. Visitor numbers are already up, we’re attracting national publicity and the seafront is even being used for photoshoots. Remember, this isn’t just about the regeneration of Bexhill, but something that will benefit the whole district. Please pay a visit if you haven’t already – the wild flowers are particularly beautiful.The countdown is on to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Rother is getting involved in a big way. As well as providing fitness coaching at our Olympic themed ‘AdiZone’, we are taking part in the Cultural Olympiad which promotes arts and performance in the build up to the Games. Find out about this, and much more, inside.

Until next time, best wishes and enjoy the summer.

Cllr Carl Maynard Leader, Rother District Council

Welcome to VIEWS

We ensure our decision making at Rother is as transparent as possible. That’s why all the meetings listed below are open to the public.Meetings normally take place at the Town Hall, Bexhill, but may sometimes be held at other venues. Occasionally dates and times can be subject to change. Check at www.rother.gov.uk for up-to-date details.

Meetings start at...9.30am Planning Committee

11am Cabinet Meetings

5.30pm Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee

6.30pm Improvement & Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Audit Committee, Licensing and General Purposes Committee and meetings of Full Council

Council Diary July 2011 4 Cabinet18 Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee21 Licensing and General Purposes Committee28 Planning

August1 Cabinet25 Planning

September5 Cabinet6 Standards Committee19 Full Council22 Planning26 Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee28 Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Cover image: Spitfire featured in Reds over Rye event, June 11, 2011

4 www.rother.gov.uk VIEWS magazine 5

Work has now been completed on a rejuvenated play area and green space in Rye.

Rother District Council has worked with the local residents association and AmicusHorizon to enhance play provision on the site at Kings Avenue. The enhancements include children’s play and fitness equipment, a small football goal, park furniture and landscaping. The improvements were planned in consultation with local people. An audit and assessment of open space carried out in 2006 identified that the Council should improve the quality of play provision in Rye. A small amount of play provision has historically been provided on the site at Kings

Avenue however use of the site by residents has, in general, been low. The new facilities seek to make the site more welcoming, attractive and usable to everyone, not just children. Earlier this year some local residents got together to form the residents association and, with the support of AmicusHorizon, they expressed a wish to see the site improved for the community.Rother District Council was delighted to help them deliver this scheme!

Over two years ago the first Rother Village Shops Forum event was held at Battle Memorial Hall.

Following its success, a second village event was organised this time in the more rural setting of Staplecross Village Hall.Since the first event was held, some local village shops and post offices have continued to struggle and, in order to maintain contact with village shop businesses, a dialogue had been established through the work of the Village Shops and Post Offices Working Group at Rother District Council. The aim of this second event was to continue that dialogue and assist the shops by providing access to updated information, guidance and advice.The Staplecross meeting was a greater success than anticipated. Attendees included stallholders and local producers such as Ringden Farm, Sedlescombe Vineyard, and Judges Bakery who all displayed enticing examples of their goods. National wholesalers, Bookers, were also pleased to support the event, as were Ten Sixty Six Enterprise, a number of district

and parish Councillors and Rother District Council environmental and regeneration officers. Village shop keepers networked with other shop keepers and met with potential suppliers at their stalls.

Rother District Councillor Tony Ganly as the Council’s champion for Rother Village Shops and Post Offices introduced the event. Welcoming all present he said: “Our second event follows on from the research work at Rother around the closure of our local post offices and the resulting activity. This has now evolved into a sincere wish to continue to help

village shops as much as we can in the current climate which this event has been specifically set-up to do.”Four guest speakers, all experts in their field, made presentations to those gathered at the event. Arriving early, they were on hand chatting with shop keepers whilst making them more aware of the opportunities available to them and how they could be accessed. The speakers all have highly relevant experience in helping village shops improve their businesses. They were;Alan Foley-Greaves: Regional Co-ordinator for the Rural Shops AllianceEve Reid: Director of MetamorphosisHelen Melia: Community Retail Advisor for the South East from the Plunkett FoundationUna Kane: Principal Environmental Health Officer, Rother District Council.

Shops get talking

Rother News

Play in Rye

Did You Know?

Rother District Council has made it a priority to improve play provision in the district.

Did You Know?

Rother cover an area of 500 square kilometres, much of it rural.

Village shops are crucial to Rother’s community.

ROTHER District Council’s new community help point is open!

The facility has moved from its old offices in nearby Amherst Road to the main Town Hall building.This meets the council’s aim of having one reception point in the town.It is also freeing up space for office moves as Rother District Council looks to close its Beeching Road offices by December 2011 to find some of the £1.7millon of savings it requires over the next two years following a reduced settlement from Government. The new help point provides two interview rooms, self-help computers and booths for dealing with enquiries.However the Council is keen to stress that

many of its services are available online at www.rother.gov.uk. This eliminates the need for customers to come all the way to the town hall and having to queue. It’s also a faster and more efficient way for the Council to deal with enquiries.

Lone Twin invites you to be a part of an extraordinary project.

As people all over the world gather to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a remarkable boat will set sail on its maiden voyage. The boat, crafted by a fearlessly adventurous team of boat builders and volunteers will be made from the lives and memories of the South East. But before any of this can happen, we need a piece of you…We’d like your wood - but not just any old wood. Whether it’s a pencil or a piano, extraordinary or mundane, we want something that’s a part of you, something with a story to tell. Come and tell us that story - your donated wood will be used along with donations from thousands of others to build this unique 30ft sailing boat, a living archive of our lives.Donation days are happening all over the region – it’s your chance to meet the boatbuilding team, make your donation and discover other

ways you can help with the project. The Boat Project is part of Artists Taking the Lead, a series of 12 public art commissions across the UK to celebrate the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The Boat Project is the winning commission for the South East region and is funded by Arts Council England.Sally Abbott, Regional Director, Arts Council England, sees The Boat Project as a fantastic opportunity for people to take part in the arts and feel a greater connection to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.She said: “We’re pleased to see so many people getting involved at this stage, and look forward to the sense of pride and ownership from local communities as the boat takes shape.”Part of Rother District Council’s Cultural Olympiad Weekend, donation day for the district is on July 23, from 1pm to 6pm, at:

Bexhill seafrontDe La Warr Pavilion Terrace, MarinaBexhill on SeaEast Sussex TN40 1DP

Visit www.theboatproject.com for more information or contact Donna Hall, Rother District Council Arts Development Officer, at dhall.arts@rother.gov.uk

help point opens at town hall

the Boat Project – Donation Day

Park eventsAn exciting programme of events and activities is planned for the Pebsham Countryside Park this year.Following on from a successful first year, the expanded programme now includes 48 events running from April to December 2011.Activities include nature walks, bird watching, tea with the Ranger and heritage walks, plus much more.A new brochure detailing all the events taking place in the countryside park is available to download through Rother’s website (www.rother.gov.uk) under ‘Pebsham Countryside Park Project’.The park will develop and enhance the green space between Hastings, Bexhill and Crowhurst, an area of approximately 600 hectares (1480 acres).The intention is to create a sustainable, multi-functional countryside area with space for leisure, relaxation, sport, ecology and education, comprising the following zones:

• TheActivityPark• CoastalPark• CombeHavenWildlifeArea• UpperWiltingCentre

VIEWS magazine 7

the Safer Rother Partnership is still going strong and working proactively to ensure Rother is a safe place to live, work and visit.

For those not familiar with it; the partnership includes Sussex Police, Rother District Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue, Hastings & Rother PCT, Sussex Police Authority, East Sussex County Council and Sussex and Surrey Probation Trust, as well as working alongside various voluntary and third sector organisations. 2011 brings times of change; perhaps most importantly it marks the end of our last Community Safety Plan and the introduction of our new Community Safety Plan, covering 2011-2014. The Community Safety Plan outlines how we will continue to work together to keep levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in Rother low, reduce crimes that cause you the most concern, and keep talking to you about what matters to you and what we are doing to keep you safe. The priorities highlighted for the next three years have been directed from your feedback, through various community consultation events such as Neighbourhood Panels, Satisfaction Surveys and Quality Street days of action. Over the lifetime of our last Community Safety Plan, which ran from 2008- 2011, we saw an overall reduction in crime in Rother of 23%; this translates to more than 1,200 fewer incidents of crime and therefore a significant lesser number of victims of crime. Partner agencies worked together to bring reductions in burglary, car crime, robbery and many other types of crime to achieve this. Vice Chair of the Partnership and Rother District Council Elected Member Councillor Robin Patten said:

“We are delighted with what has been achieved in the last three years by working with our partners.“We are always looking to improve and know there is work still to be done. Our new plan reflects this and will make Rother an even safer place for our residents and visitors.”

Over the next three years the Safer Rother Partnership will focusing on the following priorities:

•Anti-socialbehaviour,includingcriminal damage and arson

Anti-social behaviour features amongst the top three priorities for many of the Neighbourhood Panels across the district and can significantly affect residents ‘quality of life’. The Partnership will be working together to reduce the impact in our local communities, focusing on working closely with both victims and offenders.

•RuralCrime,includingburglaryand cross-border crimeA tough economic climate can lead to increases in these particular types of crime and therefore we will continue to prioritise burglary and will increase our work to reduce these crimes, specifically in rural areas. We will also develop working with our neighbouring districts to reduce cross-border crime.

•RoadSafetyRoad safety is identified as an issue at a local level by Rother residents. The Safer Rother Partnership will focus on key areas such as speeding through rural areas, motorbike riders and safe driving. We will work together to promote educational and information initiatives to improve road safety across Rother.

•ReduceOffendingAs a Partnership we are aware that a small number of individuals commit the most crime and anti-social behaviour in Rother. Out partners actively work to target these individuals with a variety of multi-agency structures to divert offenders from committing crime, rehabilitate or, if they continue to offend, enforcement.

•CommunicationAs a Partnership we are keen to listen to what you as residents have to tell us, and in reverse we’ll tell you what we are doing to tackle matters that concern you in your district. You can contribute to keeping Rother a safe place by contacting

communitysafety@rother.gov.uk

Alternatively, speak to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team to sign up for our new community messages.

•Wealsohavesetourselvesa target of reducing total crime in Rother by 3% in 2011/12

The Safer Rother Partnership also recently appointed the new District Commander take to the Chair. Chief Inspector Trevor Botting said: “I am delighted and really looking forward to taking up my new role as both Police District Commander and Chair of the Partnership for Rother. “It is a real privilege and I am looking forward to getting out and about to meet the communities across Rother and learn what concerns they have about their local area. “A reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour is something we all want to see in our community. As a district we all want to feel safe in our homes, in our neighbourhoods and out on the streets and I think effective partnership working is a great way to achieve this.”

“I am local to the district and it is great to be given the opportunity to oversee partnership working in an area that I know and love.”If you would like further information about the Safer Rother Partnership, visit www.rother.gov.uk/safety

6 www.rother.gov.uk

A fresh look and a new plan...

Rother Results

Total crime is down 96 incidents to 4,060 in 2010/11*

Burglary of homes - Up 4 incidents to 166

Theft from vehicles -Up 19 incidents to 268

Violent crime -Up 19 incidents to 399

Burglary of homes - Up 4 incidents to 166

Feelings of safety - 65% feel safe in Rother at night (a 4% rise on the Place Survey**)

*Sussex Police figures 2010/11

compared with 2009/10

** Online survey

Sun, Sea and SandTHOUSANDS have taken advantage of the unseasonably warm spring to visit Camber.

Sun worshippers have flocked to the popular sands, meaning a busy time for Rother District Council’s coastal control team.The council managers the beach, which is one of the most popular in the country.And when summer arrives, Camber receives an average of 25,000 visitors every weekend.We employ a small team to make sure everyone who uses the beach can do so in a safe environment.The Council has also helped to fund an additional police presence at times of peak activity.Rother head of amenities Kim Ross said: “Camber is a great place to visit, but the sheer volume of people coming to the beach requires careful management by the Council. Staff work hard to make sure people have an enjoyable day and get home again safely.”

Children from Stonegate will be pulling on their wellies following a pledge to protect the High Weald landscape.

The Stonegate Church of England School pupils have signed up to become High Weald Heroes, a scheme which encourages them to explore, enjoy, find out about, take care of and be proud of

the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which covers 1,461 sq km – with their village located virtually in the middle.The scheme is run by the High Weald AONB Unit, which advises on the management of the High Weald and acts to conserve the landscape. The unit is funded through 15 local authorities, including Rother District Council.

One of the best ways of exploring the High Weald is through a ‘welly walk’, and pupils spent an afternoon planning their expedition for later in the year.They were also presented with spotter’s guides to the High Weald and book marks which remind them of their commitments as High Weald Heroes.It followed an assembly where the children discovered more about the High Weald habitat and its history. High Weald AONB Unit education officer Laura Sweeting said: “The High Weald Heroes scheme is going from strength to strength with dozens of schools signing up to learn more about this unique landscape.“The children showed a real enthusiasm for learning about and protecting the High Weald and I look forward to working with the school again in future.”

Stonegate heroes

For more information about the High Weald Heroes scheme contact Laura on L.Sweeting@highweald.org

Camber Sands

Chief Inspector Botting

1 Bexhill - Central

Conservative

simon elford01424 736425

ConservativeJamesCarroll01424 892658

Conservative

Bridget George01424 848212

Conservative

Brian Kentfield01424 842966

inDePenDent

stuart earl01424 225386

inDePenDent

John Lee01424 219977

ConservativePatrick Douart01424 733254

ConservativerichardCarroll01424 225911

Flat 2, Highwood House60 Ellerslie LaneBexhill-on-SeaTN39 4LJ

16 Southcourt AvenueBexhill-on-SeaTN39 3AR

37 Terminus AvenueBexhill-on-SeaTN39 3LY

13 Collington RiseBexhill-on-Sea TN39 3RT

23 Duke StreetBexhill-on-SeaTN39 4JG

The Mount, 1a Cantelupe RoadBexhill-on-Sea TN40 1JG

7 Kinver LaneBexhill-on-Sea TN40 2SB

Mottynsden LodgeBurwash TN19 7HX

Meadow CroftManchester RoadNinfieldBexhill-on-Sea TN33 9JX

The BarnBurghamSheepstreet LaneEtchingham TN19 7AZ

4 Gordon PlaceBexhill-on-Sea TN39 4DW

Alureds BarnStaplecross RoadNorthiam TN31 6JJ

10 Fulmer Place2 New Park AvenueBexhill-on-Sea TN40 1QX

White Horse CottageHigh StreetRobertsbridgeTN32 5AN

Pooks FarmLondon RoadHurst GreenTN19 7QS

Hartfield House27 Hartfield RoadBexhill-on-SeaTN39 3EA

Highfield House17 Virgins LaneBattle TN33 0JH

The HurstNetherfield HillBattle TN33 0LA

Wisteria Cottage26 Collington Lane WestCooden TN39 3TA

Morgay HouseJunction RoadStaplecross TN32 5SH

12 Glyne DriveBexhill-on-Sea TN40 2PW

Dine’s WoodBaldslow Down, WestfieldSt LeonardsTN37 7NH

‘Sylvan’Pottery LaneBrede TN31 6HB

122 Buxton DriveBexhill-on-Sea TN39 4AS

Great Haven Quickbourne Lane Northiam TN31 6QY

Oak ViewSt Mary’s CloseBrede TN31 6HD

Thursley Cottage37 Terminus AvenueBexhill-on-Sea TN39 3LY

12 Christine CloseBexhill-on-SeaTN40 2RJ

96 Udimore RoadRyeTN31 7LH

Mountsfield HouseRye HillRye TN31 7NH

38 Coronation GardensBattleTN33 0DW

34 Ingrams AvenueBexhill-on-SeaTN39 5AT

5 Old Coastguard CottagesPett LevelHastings TN35 4EH

87 Battery HillFairlight TN35 4AL

2 Marlpit GardensHigh StreetTicehurst TN5 7BB

‘De Wilp’ Collington Lane EastBexhill-on-Sea TN39 3RJ

‘Medhurst’Rye RoadPlayden TN31 7UL

Cadborough Cottage170 Udimore RdRye

TN31 6AA

LiB DeM

Frances Winterborn01424 819033

ConservativeMaryBarnes01580 819142

inDePenDent

Charles Clark01424 221603

LaBoUrMaurice Watson01424 210563

Conservative

Paul Lendon01424 225430

Conservative

Martin Kenward01424 223602

Conservative

Joanne Gadd 01424 844228

inDePenDent

tony Mansi01424 845715

ConservativeDeirdre Williams01424 225386

ConservativeJoy Hughes01424 221469

LiB DeM

stuart Wood01424 222969

Conservativerobertelliston01580 200609

2 Bexhill - Collington

3 Bexhill - st Marks

4 Bexhill - Kewhurst

5 Bexhill - st stephens

6 Bexhill - sidley

7 Bexhill - st Michaels

8 Bexhill - old town

7 Bexhill - st Michaels

8 Bexhill - old town

LaBoUrsam souster01797 224305

Conservative

robin Patten01424 812479

Conservativeian Jenkins01424 883475

ConservativeJonathan Johnson01424 882414

Conservative

anthony Ganly01580 830704

LiB DeM

Kevin Dixon01424 774435

LiB DeM

susan Prochak01580 881309

Conservative

David vereker01435 882621

Conservative

Paul osborne01797 222415

Conservative

angharad Davies 01580 831969

ConservativeLordampthill01797 227106

ConservativerogerBird01424 813636

Conservative

Martin Mooney01797 253223

Conservative

Carl Maynard01424 756586

LiB DeM

Kathryn Field01424 772132

ConservativeGrahamBrowne01580 860118

ConservativeBob White01424 774284

Conservative

nick ramus01797 223088

salehurst

Battle town

ewhurst & sedlescombe

Brede vallley

rother Levels

Marsham

rye

eastern rother

9 Bexhill - sackville

ticehurst & etchingham

Darwell

Crowhurst

Ward Locator & Councillor Details

Your pull-out and keep guide.

cllr.richard.carroll@rother.gov.uk cllr.graham.browne@rother.gov.uk

cllr.john.lee@rother.gov.uk cllr.kevin.dixon@rother.gov.uk

cllr.stuart.earl@rother.gov.uk cllr.tony.ganly@rother.gov.uk

cllr.brian.kentfield@rother.gov.uk cllr.jonathan.johnson@rother.gov.uk

cllr.bridget.george@rother.gov.uk cllr.ian.Jenkins@rother.gov.ukcllr.patrick.douart@rother.gov.uk

cllr.jim.carroll@rother.gov.uk cllr.roger.bird@rother.gov.ukcllr.mary.barnes@rother.gov.uk

cllr.charles.clark@rother.gov.uk cllr.david.russell@rother.gov.ukcllr.david.vereker@rother.gov.uk

cllr.frances.winterborn@rother.gov.uk cllr.paul.osborne@rother.gov.ukcllr.angharad.davies@rother.gov.uk

cllr.joy.hughes@rother.gov.uk cllr.susan.prochak@rother.gov.uk

cllr.tony.mansi@rother.gov.uk cllr.kathryn.field@rother.gov.uk

cllr.joanne.gadd@rother.gov.uk

cllr.martin.kenward@rother.gov.uk cllr.carl.maynard@rother.gov.uk

cllr.paul.lendon@rother.gov.uk cllr.martin.mooney@rother,gov.ukcllr.deirdre.williams@rother.gov.uk

cllr.maurice.watson@rother.gov.uk cllr.robin.patten@rother.gov.ukcllr.robert.elliston@rother.gov.uk

cllr.simon.elford@rother.gov.uk cllr.sam.souster@rother.gov.ukcllr.bob.white@rother.gov.uk

cllr.stuart.wood@rother.gov.uk cllr.nicholas.ramus@rother.gov.uk

10 www.rother.gov.uk

A rating system to allow consumers to pick the most hygienic restaurants and food outlets in the district has been launched by Rother District Council.

Every takeaway, cafe, restaurant, sandwich shop, pub and hotel in the district has been given a rating under the new initiative.

The ‘Food Hygiene Rating Scheme’ gives six different ratings, ranging from zero ‘urgent improvement necessary; to five ‘very good’.

The purpose of the scheme is to allow consumers to make informed choices about the places where they eat out, and this in turn will encourage businesses to improve their hygiene standards.

All the ratings for the Rother District are published on a national website,

www.food.gov.uk/ratings

The top ranked caterers in the district attended the launch at the Town Hall where they received a certificate and medal from the Rother District Council chairman.

The introduction of a food hygiene rating scheme has long been an objective of Rother District Council and all the catering businesses are encouraged to display their stickers and certificates at their premises.

The published ratings are exactly what the Council’s Environmental Health Officers found on the last occasion they inspected a premises to check compliance with food hygiene laws.

Cllr Robert Elliston, who presented the awards, said: “Today Rother and many other Sussex local authorities are launching the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

“This is a national scheme sponsored by the Food Standards Agency. Rother chose to be a pilot for this national scheme as we believe that good food hygiene ratings will be good for business whilst poor food hygiene ratings may make their customers think twice. We also think that in being part of a national scheme, businesses across the country will be rated consistently so that they are compared fairly.

“It is also a concern to us as protectors of public health that food borne illness is still increasing and it is our hope that this scheme will contribute to reducing the incidence of food borne illness.”

A PARtY in the Park is to be held as part of the countdown to the London 2012 olympic and Paralympics.

It means Egerton Park will be full of arts, performance and sporting activities on July 23, 2011.

The event is part of Rother’s Cultural Olympiad celebratory countdown to 2012, with Rother District Council’s arts and sports development service working in partnership with Friends of Egerton Park to deliver the extravaganza.

Radiator Arts will be giving a parade of themed 2012 sculptures and handmade instruments - all created by children in workshops funded the Rother, the Friends of Egerton Park and Amicus

Horizon. They will be adding to the beats of the amazing Sambalanca and Bloco bands.

Students of St.Marys School, King Offa Primary, Sidley Primary, Chantry Primary, Bexhill High and Rye College, together with the children’s centre and our youth services, will play a part in the colourful and musical parade offering a mini finale of Olympic and Paralympic rings.

Further arts performances and sporting activities include; children’s and youth play activities, youth performances, sports fun with Active Ladies, tennis taster sessions, bowls, capoeira, basketball, street games, fitness training, traditional Punch and Judy, stalls, plus much, much more.

The event runs from 11am until 2pm.

For more details contact Donna Hall, Arts Development Officer dhall.arts@rother.gov.uk or 01424 787582 or to book a stall contact FOEP Secretary Marcia Linden on 01424 731006.

VIEWS magazine 11

New ratings help with choosing a restaurant

Party like it’s almost 2012

So how does an election work? As many of you polled votes in the recent local government elections and voting referendum, you might not have considered how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to ensure everything happens smoothly.

A team of Rother District Council officers is responsible for making sure every vote is properly recorded and the correct result is reached on the night.

The Council is charged with running every election residents in the district take part in; including general elections, district and county votes, parish elections, European elections and referendums.

This requires planning on a massive scale – everything from making sure counters and poll clerks have enough stationery and refreshments, all the way through to managing the electoral

register and running the count itself.

The figures for district and parish elections are mindboggling; an electorate of around 70,000, hundreds of candidates and agents to advise, dozens of ballot boxes to be sorted and mountains of paperwork.

It means work has to start months in advance.

Accuracy is the watch-word for the whole process. “When it comes to the count, the most important thing is to get it right, not do it quickly,” said Rother District Council’s chief executive and returning officer Derek Stevens.

The authority has three main tasks – ensuring people who are entitled to vote are registered, making sure they know where and how to vote and counting those votes.

After the district count, as with any election, ‘wash up’ sessions are held to see how the process went and what improvements can be made.

Mr Stevens added: “This is a responsibility given to every local authority in the country, although many residents won’t realise it.

“Given the size of the task involved, we want to provide value for money, but also allow our residents to exercise their democratic right in the most efficient way possible.”

Did You Know?

Every eatery in Rother has been rated through the scheme - visit the website before you go out.

Top rated caterers at the Town Hall

Review of Polling Stations

During the late summer and autumn 2011, Electorial Services will be conducting a statutory review of the Polling Stations within our District.

Details of this review will be available to inspect at the Town Hall, Battle Community Help Point, Rye Community Help Point and on our website, from the end of July 2011 until the beginning of October 2011.

Electors within the Parliamentary Constituency of Bexhill and Battle are encouraged to provide feedback and comments on the review.

Any changes to the current Polling Station arrangements will be publicised with the reviewed Electoral Register in December 2011

12 www.rother.gov.uk

‘Next Wave’is almost here...

VIEWS magazine 13

the Council’s seafront regeneration scheme ‘Next Wave’ is rapidly nearing completion and hundreds of people have already started to enjoy the new facilities on Bexhill’s seafront.

Although the scheme won’t -be finished until later in the summer, large sections of the West Parade promenade have remained open, giving visitors and residents the chance to look at and try out the seafront’s new features.

‘Garden rooms’ are one of the most obvious features, with new areas of grass, planting and seating along the length of

the seafront. Selected in conjunction with well-known horticulturalist Noel Kingsbury, a selection of unusual plants and wild flowers are already beginning to flourish.

the seafront is now more family friendly too. over weekends, bank holidays and warm summer evenings, the promenade is now full of the sounds of children playing. New equipment includes balance beams, climbing nets and blocks to climb on or under.

Unique new shelters have arrived. the architecturally-striking designs were selected following a competition held by

the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and are functional and comfortable, as well intriguing to look at it.

Construction was still ongoing at the time of writing elsewhere on the seafront, but is expected to finish in August.

the King George V Colonnade is being refurbished and extended to include a restaurant and kiosks. A new, tiered community park is being created on the Metropole Lawns, along with improved landscaping to complement the iconic De La Warr Pavilion nearby.

A new clubhouse is being built for

Bexhill’s successful rowing club, complete with public viewing gallery.

the project is part of the Council’s regeneration strategy which includes the rejuvenated De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill Museum project and investment in the neighbouring egerton Park.

All construction is due to be completed this summer, but members of the public are encouraged to visit Bexhill before and get an early glimpse of the important changes that are taking place.

take a look at the pictures for a taster …

14 www.rother.gov.uk VIEWS magazine 15VIEWS magazine 14

A personal trainer and Rother District Council have teamed up to show people how to get the best out the egerton Park ‘adiZone’.

The outdoor gym and sports area which has been built to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games, contains a range of exercise equipment, including; jogging machines, cross-trainers, pull up bars and benches.Instructor Emma Rogers has been showing people how to use the equipment and how to train on the adiZone to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

She joined forces with Rother District Council to provide the classes after many residents got in touch wanting advice on how to use the facility – paid for by the authority and sports giant Adidas.Emma said: “The Council was getting letters and phone calls from members of the public who really like the adiZone and were happy with it, but were a little bit cautious about using it at first.“It’s helpful for people to be able to see how to use what’s on offer and to ask questions. As well as showing people how to use the equipment, we can also answer questions about what exercises people should be doing if they have certain injuries or depending on what it is

they want to get out of using the adiZone.”She added: “Some people come back every week and some people just need to attend a few classes – it’s about achieving what you want out of them.”David Hodge, of Egerton Road, agrees. He had been using the adiZone for several months, but is seeing a greater benefit after starting the exercise classes.He said: “Even though I had been using the adiZone for a while, having an expert here to explain things is very beneficial. We are fortunate to have this equipment, so having the advice on hand is excellent – especially as it’s all free.”

A healthy Rother

15 www.rother.gov.uk

JulyEvery WeekendFalconry at 1066, Battle of Hastings, Abbey & BattlefieldEvery Wednesday, Then and Now on Battle High Street, Battle MuseumFriday 1 - Sunday 3 Globe Touring presents ‘Hamlet’ at Herstmonceux CastleSunday 3Bexhill Rowing RegattaSaturday 16 – Sunday 17

Brightling Park International Horse Trials, Brightling Park Nr Battle

Sunday 17Rye Raft RaceSaturday 23 & Sunday 24 Falconry in wartime Britain, Battle AbbeyTuesday 26– Saturday 30Bexhill Carnival WeekSaturday 30 Brightling Market

AugustDailyChildren’s Quests, 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey & BattlefieldEvery TuesdayChildren’s Tuesdays with Falconry fun, Battle MuseumMonday 1 – Friday 5Norman and Saxon quest, Battle Abbey and Battle groundFriday 5Pirate Day throughout HastingsSaturday 6Hastings Old Town CarnivalSaturday 6 – Sunday 7World War 1 Weekend, Bateman’sSaturday 6 – Sunday 71940’s Weekend, Bodiam Castle

Saturday 6 -7Continental Market WeekendDevonshire Road, Bexhill9am - 4.30pm

Sunday14 Rye Maritime Festival Tuesday 16 – Wednesday 17Jungle Book Days, Bateman’s Saturday 20

Rye Horse, Dog & Classic Car show

SeptemberSaturday 10 – Sunday 11Brass Rubbing, Bodiam CastleSaturday 10 – Monday 26Rye Arts FestivalSaturday 17 – Sunday 18Bexhill Anglo Continental Market Saturday 24 – Sunday 8 Jan 2012Warhol at De La Warr Pavilion

What’s on

For more information go to www.visit1066country.com Dates of events correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change.

11 June - 4 September