Christmas in Hadlow Down has always been about community—neighbours looking out for one another, sharing traditions, and supporting the places that bring us together. This year, the Hadlow Down Village Lottery offers a simple way to give a festive gift that is warm, meaningful, and directly supports the future of our village.
The lottery was created in 2014 as a way for residents to play an active part in raising funds for a much-needed new Community Centre/Village Hall. What began modestly has grown steadily, with prize amounts rising as more people have joined. The very first draw in June 2014 offered a £100 first prize. Since then, first prizes have reached as high as £204, with recent draws averaging around £160. Three draws take place each year: Spring, Summer, and Autumn at the Christmas Market.
A single lottery number costs £12 per year. Members can hold multiple numbers, though entries are limited to 12 per entrant. Every ticket contributes directly to the Community Centre project while offering the fun of a potential win.
To date, the lottery has raised just under £10,000 towards the new Community Centre—an achievement made possible entirely by the commitment of residents and their friends and family. We extend sincere thanks to everyone who has taken part since the beginning. Your belief in the project motivates us to continue working towards realising the new centre for the whole village.
This Christmas, consider joining the lottery yourself—or giving a lottery number as a gift. It’s an easy, thoughtful present for friends, family, or neighbours, and it brings a little anticipation throughout the year. If one of your recipients wins, it becomes an even better surprise.
By taking part, you’re not just giving a gift. You’re helping build the future heart of Hadlow Down.
For more information about joining the lottery please contact Janet –jtourell@btinternet.com
for all the terms and conditions please visit our lottery pages on our website in the “Fundraising” pages www.newvillagehall.co.uk
A Final Word — A Gift for the Future
As we look toward Christmas, a season that always draws Hadlow Down a little closer together, it’s impossible not to think about the spaces that shape our shared life. HDCC plans to build somewhere that feels alive, welcoming, and built with care. Our new Community Centre aspires to be not just a structure, but a warm, beating heart for generations to come.
Imagine a place where conversations spark, where ideas gather, where memories are made—a place that feels crafted, cherished, unmistakably ours. This is what we are building together. And it is why every contribution, no matter the size, carries such meaning.
For those who told us during the village poll that you wanted to help, for those who stopped us in the lane or at the market to say “I believe in this,” there could be no better moment than now. Christmas is, after all, a season of giving—not just gifts wrapped in paper, but gifts that shape the future.
If you’ve been considering making a donation, please know that this is a perfect time. Your support today becomes a legacy for tomorrow—a place your children, your neighbours, and your future selves will gather in, benefit from, and enjoy.
To make a contribution, or simply to talk about how you might help, please contact Bob at bob.lake@live.co.uk
Or scan the QR code
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has stood with us so far. Together, let’s create something truly beautiful for Hadlow Down—something that will stand, shine, and serve long after this Christmas has passed.