Hadlow Down is at a critical turning point.
Our current Village Hall and Sports Pavilion
—much-loved but aging—
are no longer fit for purpose.
These buildings, the beating heart of local life, now struggle to meet the expectations and needs of our vibrant and diverse community. Their facilities are outdated, maintenance costs are rising, and crucially, accessibility—particularly for older residents—is severely limited. Parking is inadequate, and access routes are neither convenient nor inclusive at the current Village Hall.
This is not a matter of mere inconvenience; it is a barrier to community participation, wellbeing, and progress. If we are to truly serve the people of Hadlow Down, we must act decisively. We need a modern, multi-functional Community Centre, purpose-built at the Playing Field, where it can best support the entire village—from young families and professionals to elderly residents and local organisations. As outlined in our business plan, modern rural communities across the UK are embracing innovative, inclusive facilities designed for the future. Hadlow Down must not be left behind.
A Beacon for Community Cohesion
A new Community Centre is not just about replacing buildings—it’s about reimagining what it means to live well in Hadlow Down. This centre will serve as the cornerstone of village life, fostering belonging, inclusion, and engagement for all.
- A Hub for All Generations: The new space will support social groups, children’s activities, support services, and lifelong learning—all under one accessible roof. It will also champion health and sport for all ages, with indoor and outdoor areas designed for everything from gentle fitness and wellbeing sessions to team sports and active play for children and teens.
- Safer, More Accessible Infrastructure: With properly designed entrances, gently sloping entrance ramp, level surfaces, and expanded parking, older residents and those with mobility challenges will finally be able to attend events and gatherings with ease and dignity.
- A Stronger Local Economy: With flexible, modern facilities, we can support local businesses, encourage increased participation in events, and attract external event bookings—bringing fresh energy and funding to the community.
What the New Multi-Functional Facility Will Offer
At the heart of this vision is a purpose-built facility that is responsive to real needs, both now and into the future. Here’s what Hadlow Down’s new Community Centre will provide:
🏡 Community Green Space and Outdoor Activities
A thoughtfully designed environment will create a vital outdoor extension of the Centre:
- An area for picnics, and café users positioned outside the centre commanding excellent views of the playing field and children’s play area.
- Outdoor fitness classes, yoga sessions, and sports facilities.
- A new children’s playground relocated away from the roadside and pollution, offering a safer, cleaner, and more visible space for children to play. It will be within clear sight of the main hall and café area, allowing parents to relax and supervise comfortably.
- A welcoming environment for mindfulness, reflection, and informal socialising.
- Secure bicycle parking to encourage visitors to cycle to the Centre, promoting sustainable transport and providing peace of mind with safe, accessible bike storage facilities.
- The playing field will continue to warmly welcome dog walkers, who already make regular use of the space. With the addition of new facilities and enhanced surroundings, we hope it will become an even more appealing and inclusive destination for the whole community—including their four-legged companions.
☕ Coffee Hub and Mobile Workspace
Supporting modern lifestyles, the Centre will feature:
- A relaxed, welcoming café with indoor and outdoor seating.
- High-speed internet and quiet zones for mobile working, studying, or casual meetings.
- Regular events such as networking breakfasts, co-working days, and pop-up clinics.
🎭 Cultural, Educational and Creative Programmes
A vibrant programme of activities will bring the new Centre to life:
- A permanent base for Hadlow Down’s Drama and Variety Club, offering improved facilities for rehearsals, set-building, costume storage, and performances. With a modern stage area, lighting, and AV equipment, the new Centre will elevate the quality and ambition of our productions.
- The Centre will also welcome productions and performances from neighbouring villages and amateur theatre groups, creating a thriving cultural exchange and giving residents access to more local entertainment and creative collaboration.
- Educational workshops, talks, and arts classes for all ages—from painting and photography to crafts and creative writing.
- Flexible gallery and exhibition space to showcase work by local artists, historians, and schools, helping to foster pride in local talent and heritage.
🎉 Flexible Event and Community Spaces
The Centre’s modular indoor areas will:
- Adapt for everything from small group meetings to large-scale celebrations.
- Host weddings, fitness classes, markets, and charity fundraisers.
- Offer modern AV and accessibility support for inclusive programming. In a new Community Centre, high-quality AV infrastructure makes the space much more versatile, supporting everything from fitness classes with music to professional presentations, film nights, hybrid meetings, and more.
- The new building will continue to host much-loved regular activities such as dance classes and dog training sessions, with improved space, lighting, and acoustics to enhance the experience for both participants and instructors. These well-attended sessions are a testament to the active spirit of our village and will now benefit from better facilities and greater accessibility.
Health, Wellbeing and Social Impact
A facility of this kind does more than just host events—it actively improves lives:
- Mental Health: Spaces for social interaction reduce loneliness and boost wellbeing, especially for those living alone or new to the area.
- Physical Health: Safe access, indoor fitness options, and outdoor trails will encourage regular activity.
- Social Inclusion: With accessible design and a wide range of activities, no one is left behind—regardless of age, background, or mobility.
- Sporting Access and Community Fitness: The addition of modern changing rooms in the new pavilion will bring our sporting facilities back in line with standards set by sporting bodies. This will not only rejuvenate grassroots sport in Hadlow Down but also attract junior football teams and youth leagues, encouraging active lifestyles from an early age and cementing the playing field’s role as a vibrant community sports venue.
The Vision: A Future-Ready Hadlow Down
By redeveloping the Sport Pavilion and combining the Village Hall at the Playing Field, into a thriving community hub, we unlock the full potential of our village. This is not just about today—it’s about investing in tomorrow. The project reflects the most successful examples across the UK, such as those featured in our business plan, where rural communities have revitalised their social fabric through thoughtful, inclusive design.
The Centre will embody the values we hold dear:
- Sustainability: Built with long-term environmental impact in mind.
- Inclusion: Accessible for all ages and abilities.
- Creativity and Culture: A canvas for local talent and shared experiences.
- Health and Sport: With indoor activity spaces, outdoor playing fields and new changing facilities, the Centre will promote active lifestyles across all age groups—from children and teens to older adults.
And perhaps most excitingly, the new Community Centre will flow directly into the beautiful green space of the Playing Field—a rare and wonderful combination. Imagine the possibilities:
- Parents relaxing with a coffee or drink from the café or bar while watching their children play safely in the fresh air just outside.
- Events that naturally extend outdoors—summer fairs, open-air yoga, theatre and open- air cinema under the sky.
- A seamless indoor-outdoor environment where health, leisure, and community connection thrive together.
This fusion of high-quality facilities and a stunning natural setting makes Hadlow Down’s vision not only unique but truly transformative.
A Call to Action
This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make Hadlow Down stronger, healthier, and more united. It is not simply about bricks and mortar—it’s about creating a place where everyone feels they belong.
Let’s build something extraordinary. Let’s build a Community Centre that reflects who we are—and who we want to be.
Share your support on our FB and Instagram Pages and help us bring this vision to life.
Having secured Planning Permission we are currently working hard to secure the funding to move forward. Thank you to all our residents who have so generously supported us to get to this stage.