Hailsham Town News: Community events and local updates

The Rotary Club's Santa Sleigh presented cheques to local schools and organisations after touring housing estates, and Hailsham Town Council has launched a Housing Needs Survey to inform future planning.

Several community updates from Hailsham were shared this week, covering charity work, town planning and local services. The Rotary Club reported that its Santa Sleigh toured housing estates, raised funds and held a presentation evening. The Town Council has launched a Housing Needs Survey to help inform future housing and development decisions. Other items include a pantomime at Hailsham Pavilion, plans for a pet cemetery and an ongoing neighbourhood plan consultation. Key local facts: - The Santa Sleigh travelled around housing estates on fifteen evenings, visited Tesco and the Hailsham Christmas Market, and raised thousands of pounds for charities. - On 13 January Rotary President Ron Wickson presented cheques of £250 to each of the schools and organisations that helped: Grovelands PTA, FROGS (Friends of Grovelands Schools), Hellingly PTA, Thornton Grove Academy, Hawkes Farm PTA, Hailsham Academy PTA, Herstmonceux PTA, Hailsham United Junior Football Club, HATS (Herstmonceux Amateur Theatrical Society), Eastbourne Round Table and Hailsham Guides. - Hailsham Town Council has launched an online Housing Needs Survey to inform future housing and development decisions in the town. - Hailsham Pantomime "Treasure Island" is scheduled at Hailsham Pavilion from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 January, with a range of performance times. - Work on a pet cemetery at Hailsham Cemetery, Ersham Road, is due to start in February with an intended opening by the end of March; the area will be landscaped for respectful interment of small domestic pet ashes. - The Regulation 14 revised Neighbourhood Plan consultation is running through 14 February, with a public session on 28 January (5:00–6:30pm) and earlier drop-in sessions noted as well attended. Summary: These items reflect active local involvement in fundraising, events and planning matters across Hailsham. The Housing Needs Survey and the Regulation 14 neighbourhood plan consultation are intended to inform future development choices, while community groups continue to run events and services. Planned dates in the coming weeks include the pantomime performances, the Neighbourhood Plan consultation period and the start of work on the new pet cemetery.