We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Janet Tourell, one of our longest-serving trustees, has been awarded “Community Champion” by the Parish Council at this year’s Annual Assembly.
Janet’s dedication and passion for our community have made a lasting impact, and we couldn’t be prouder to see her recognised in this way.
The assembly itself was a vibrant and inspiring event — parishioners came together to review the Parish Plan, share their feedback, and offer fresh ideas for the future. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed!
We were especially delighted by the strong support shown for the new Community Centre project 🙏🏻
Want to learn more or get involved? We’re always looking for new Community Champions. Drop us a message — we’d love to hear from you!
We’re delighted to invite you to our upcoming “Vintage Tea on the Terrace” – a charming afternoon of classic treats and community spirit, all in support of the Hadlow Down Community Centre.
Join us on Sunday 11th May at 3pm at Hadlow Down Playing Field, the future site of our new village hall and sports pavilion. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with freshly baked scones, jam and cream, a selection of homemade cakes, and plenty of tea – all for just £10 per person. (Children under 5 go free).
Bring your friends and neighbours, relax with a cup of tea, and soak up the atmosphere as we gather at the heart of our village to raise funds for a fantastic cause. Every penny raised goes directly towards building our new community centre – a space that will serve generations to come.
The Hadlow Down Parish Council invites all residents to attend the Annual Parish Assembly on Tuesday, 15th April at 7:00 PM. This is a key event where the priorities for our village will be reviewed, and it is a fantastic opportunity to get behind our project and show your support for Hadlow Down Community Centre (HDCC)!
We have been fortunate to receive great support from our local MP and Wealden District Council for the new Community Centre project. However, your feedback as parishioners is invaluable—as stakeholders and users of the facilities, your voices help shape how the centre evolves to best serve our community. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas, so please come along and share your views.
This year’s Assembly will focus on reviewing the Parish Community Plan—a crucial document that shapes the future of our village. What direction should Hadlow Down take? Key topics up for discussion include:
Where should future housing developments go?
How many new homes should we cater for?
What village assets do you value most?
Should the church be maintained or closed?
There are eight themes under review, and you can familiarize yourself with the current document ahead of the meeting by visiting this link. This is your meeting and your opportunity to help shape the future of our village and wider Parish.
At the end of the discussion, all attendees will be given eight votes (one per theme) to help determine the community’s priorities.
Additionally, we are pleased to welcome PCSO Sue Choppin from Sussex Police, who will provide valuable insights on community safety.
The Assembly will conclude with the Parish Council’s annual report, including an overview of the annual accounts, followed by a chance to mingle over light refreshments.
Your voice matters—don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in Hadlow Down. Join us on 15th April and help shape the future of our village!
The Hadlow Down Spring Market on Saturday was a resounding success, bringing together the warmth and generosity of our village community. With a fantastic total of £860 raised, the event provided a significant boost to the Hadlow Down Community Centre fundraising efforts. Even more good news, a generous resident has fund matched this, doubling the amount raised to £1,720!
The atmosphere throughout the day was absolutely lovely. The café was as popular as ever, offering an array of beautiful home-baked cakes and snacks that were eagerly enjoyed by visitors. Our talented local bakers once again outdid themselves, creating a delicious spread that was both a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
The stalls were a wonderful showcase of local creativity and craftsmanship. From preserves and local produce to jewelry, pressed flowers, original artwork, cards, and stationery, there was something for everyone. Shoppers also browsed through a delightful selection of handcrafted bags, beautiful clothing, and fine linens, making the market a treasure trove of unique finds.
The hall itself was bright and airy, with all the doors opened wide to welcome in the fresh spring air. Adding to the charm, posies of daffodils and camellias—freshly picked from the garden of our brilliant Jane Hissey—graced the windowsills, creating a cheerful and elegant display.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came along, bought raffle tickets, and took the time to chat with us and their neighbours, old and new. Your support and presence made the event feel even more special.
A huge thank you goes to Janet Tourell for her superb organisation of the event. We are also deeply appreciative of our wonderful local volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—baking, dressing tables, serving at the café, and making sure everything ran smoothly. The event simply wouldn’t have been possible without your dedication and hard work.
Looking to the Future: Help Us Build a New Community Centre
While the Spring Market was a fantastic success, our work is far from done. We are appealing to local businesses to join us in our mission to build a new Community Centre for Hadlow Down. Could you fund-match our local fundraising efforts? By partnering with us, you’ll not only be supporting an important village project but also gaining the opportunity to showcase your business and be part of creating a lasting legacy for Hadlow Down.
If you would like to support our cause or find out more about partnership opportunities, please get in touch with Sarah (sarahprall@btinternet.com). Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our wonderful village.
Thank you once again for your generosity and community spirit—it truly makes all the difference. 💛
HDCC is set to transform our vital community spaces here in Hadlow Down with the introduction of a state-of-the-art Community Centre. Designed by MJB Architecture, this forthcoming facility promises to be a beacon of multi-functional design, catering to a diverse array of community needs.
A Thoughtfully Crafted Design
The new Community Centre is envisioned as a harmonious blend of modern functionality and aesthetic appeal. Nestled at the northern end of the village’s playing fields, adjacent to School Lane, the centre’s strategic location ensures both accessibility and minimal environmental impact. The design thoughtfully integrates the building into the natural landscape and leveraging the site’s natural topography to reduce visual prominence.
Key features of the design include:
Unified Structure: The centre consolidates various facilities into a single building envelope, optimizing space and resources.
Multi-Level Layout: Utilizing the site’s gentle incline, the design incorporates a two-storey section at the western end, seamlessly connecting to the playing fields and enhancing user experience.
Versatile Spaces: The facility boasts a spacious main hall, adaptable meeting rooms, modern changing facilities, and a replacement sports pavilion, ensuring it meets the varied demands of the community.
Dual-Purpose Design: The building combines the village hall space with a new sports pavilion, creating a hub for recreational, cultural, and educational activities. This multifunctional approach ensures opportunities for young and old alike, strengthening community engagement and well-being.
Community-Centric Planning
The journey to this design has been profoundly collaborative. Since 2011, a series of public consultations have been held, allowing residents to voice their aspirations and concerns. This inclusive approach ensured that the final design resonates with the community’s vision and needs.
Bob Lake, Chair of the Hadlow Down Community Centre Committee (HDCCC), emphasized the importance of this engagement, noting that the project has evolved through continuous dialogue with local residents and stakeholders.
Green Light for Development
The project has achieved a significant milestone through achieving of extant planning consent. This approval paves the way for the next phase: bringing the vision to life.
A Collective Call to Action
With an estimated build cost of £3 million, the realization of the Community Centre is a formidable yet achievable goal. Whilst currently working with our local authority, Wealden District Council, the Parish Council and other governmental bodies, HDCC is actively seeking additional support from local residents, businesses, and external funding sources to turn this dream into reality.
“This centre is more than just a building; it’s a testament to our village’s unity and forward-thinking spirit.” “We invite everyone to join us in this endeavor, ensuring that Hadlow Down continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Bob Lake, HDCC Chair
“I am delighted to support the plans for a new community centre in Hadlow Down. This facility will serve as a vital hub for local residents, fostering community spirit and providing much-needed amenities.
Rt. Hon. Nusrat Ghani, MP
How You Can Help
The success of this project hinges on collective effort. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or spreading the word, every bit of support brings the Community Centre closer to fruition. To get involved or learn more, email bob.lake@live.co.uk or visit the official project facebook page or find us on instagram
Together, let’s build a space that reflects the heart and soul of Hadlow Down.
We are thrilled to announce that Rt. Hon. Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, has pledged her support to the Hadlow Down Community Centre (HDCC) Trustees in our mission to build a new community centre here in Hadlow Down.
During a recent meeting, Ms. Ghani expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I am delighted to support the plans for a new community centre in Hadlow Down. This facility will serve as a vital hub for local residents, fostering community spirit and providing much-needed amenities.”nusghani.org.uk
Ms. Ghani’s commitment to enhancing local infrastructure and supporting community initiatives is well-documented. Her backing provides significant momentum to our project, and we are grateful for her dedication to improving the quality of life in Hadlow Down.
A special thank you as well to Parish Council Chair, Michael Lunn, for his ongoing support and for joining us at this crucial meeting. Your dedication to the community is invaluable! 👏
Stay tuned for updates—together, we’re making this vision a reality! 💙 #HadlowDown #CommunitySpirit #BuildingForTheFuture #ThankYouNusratGhani #ThankYouMichaelLunn
Attention all wonderful residents of our lovely community! We are thrilled to remind you that the next HDCC Lottery Club draw is happening on 22nd March, and now is the perfect time to grab your tickets! 🎟️
By joining our Lottery Club, you’re not only in the running for fantastic cash prizes, but you’re also supporting our new Community Centre project. 💖 The total prize money will be a whopping 50% of the income raised for this draw! And here’s the best part: this amount will be shared amongst 3 lucky winners! 🤞🏆 The more members we have, the bigger and better the prizes—so let’s rally together!
50% of every ticket purchased helps us towards our fundraising goal. It’s a win-win! So, don’t miss out on your chance to help your local charity AND be in with a chance of winning some amazing cash prizes. 💰✨
Join us in this exciting journey, buy your ticket today, and let’s make a difference together! 💪💚
For more details on how to enter and support the HDCC, simply contact Janet jtourell@btinternet.com or click here for an application form.
Let’s do this, villagers! Good luck to everyone! 🌈✨
We warmly invite you to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Village Hall, taking place on 21st February at 7pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for you, our community members, to come together, share your thoughts, and hear about our progress and future plans.
As a small local charity, HDCC (Hadlow Down Community Centre) thrives on your support and participation. Your voice matters! The AGM is not only a chance to hear about our activities over the past year, but also to discuss exciting future plans and how you can get involved. We encourage all villagers to attend, as your insights and ideas are invaluable to our mission of serving the community.
We will be covering key topics, including our financial status, ongoing project status, and upcoming events. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our team, ask questions, and connect with fellow villagers who care about our community’s wellbeing.
Your involvement is essential in ensuring the new Community Centre becomes a hub for social interaction, learning, and support for everyone in Hadlow Down. Together, we can strengthen our community bonds and create a welcoming space for all.
Refreshments will be provided, so come along to enjoy some good company while we update you on progress with our new centre! We can’t wait to see familiar faces and welcome new ones to our community gathering!
🌼 Together, we can make a meaningful impact. See you there! 🌼
With warm regards, The Hadlow Down Community Centre Team
Get ready for a morning of local goodies and community fun! Join us on
Saturday, 22nd March from 10 am – 2 pm for our Spring Market! 🎉
Expect to find:
Delicious local produce 🍓
Homemade preserves 🍯
Beautiful crafts 🎨
Plus, we’ll be serving up refreshments all morning ☕🍰, and don’t forget—HDCC will be drawing the winners of the Spring Lottery! 🎟️
✨ Want to be part of the action? There are still a few stalls left! Email Janet at jtourell@btinternet.com to book your spot or grab your lottery tickets in support of HDCC! 💚
A massive thank you to all our supporters for making this event possible. Let’s make this a day to remember! See you there! 🎉
As we step into this brand-new year, we’re bursting with excitement and hope for what lies ahead in our brilliant village! 🌼 This is the perfect moment to come together as a community and make a real impact right here at home. We are thrilled to invite YOU to be part of something truly special – our project to build a NEW Community Centre right here in Hadlow Down!
Imagine a vibrant hub where we can gather, learn, create, and celebrate – a place where friendships blossom and ideas flourish. The new Community Centre will not only provide a warm and welcoming space for all ages, but it will also enhance our wellbeing and strengthen the bonds within our community. Whether it’s crafting classes, fitness sessions, or cozy coffee mornings, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!
By getting involved, you’ll play a pivotal role in enriching the lives of our villagers. Studies show that active participation in community projects dramatically boosts our mental wellbeing. With this new centre, we’ll have an incredible opportunity to increase social engagement, reduce isolation, and foster a spirit of collaboration that Hadlow Down is known for! 💪❤️
Every extra hand, every smile, and every idea counts! From helping us organise events to lending a hand in construction or simply spreading the word – there are countless ways you can contribute to this exciting venture. Together, we can create a community space that reflects our collective passion and creativity, where everyone feels welcome and valued.
So, as we embark on this year of possibilities, let’s connect, collaborate, and champion the spirit of Hadlow Down! If you’re as excited as we are, drop us a message or come to our next village meeting on 24th January to find out how YOU can get involved. Let’s make 2024 a year to remember, where we truly come together to build not just a centre, but a brighter future for all! Email Mandy or Sarah for all the details mandy.chapman45@gmail.com, sarah@downthelane.uk
Here’s to new beginnings and the wonderful journey ahead! 🌈🥳
Warm wishes, Hadlow Down Community Centre Committee 💖
