1066 Times

23/01/2026

We've one happy goat this evening sunset gazing 🌅

23/01/2026

Try something new this spring! 🌱

In March, join Sussex‑based paper artist Helen at Bateman’s for a hands‑on workshop where you’ll learn to create a beautiful, everlasting crepe paper daffodil stem.

Whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience, you’ll be guided through each step of the process, with all materials provided.

📅 Tuesday 17 March
⏰ 11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm
🎫 £45 per person (includes entry to Bateman's)

Find out more and secure your spot: https://rebrand.ly/crepe-paper-daffodil

23/01/2026

23/01/2026

🎈Help Feed a CHAT Rescue Cat and Win Prizes

At Celia Hammond Animal Trust, we are currently caring for approximately 750 rescue cats across our centres. It costs us £3 a day per cat for food. Over the duration of our 7-day St Valentine’s Virtual Balloon Race, it will cost us around £15,000 to feed all the cats in our care, and we are totally reliant upon donations from the public to support our important life-saving work.

The St Valentine's Virtual Balloon Race is the first fundraising event of our 40th anniversary year. The race is an environmentally friendly event that takes place online, and there are no real balloons involved.

Digital balloons cost just £3, and every purchase represents hope and helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome cats in need of a second chance.

📍https://bit.ly/CHATballoonrace

HOW THE ST VALENTINE’S VIRTUAL BALLOON RACE WORKS

The St Valentine’s Virtual Balloon Race is a 7-day virtual (computer simulation) event where everything is real except the balloons, making it safer for the environment and for wildlife.

Each balloon costs £3. You can give your balloon a name and select its colour, shape, and pattern. You can also choose how much helium to put in and how thick you want the material to be. These decisions can help or hinder your chances of winning as the race uses real time weather data to determine the progress of each balloon. Thinner material may make your balloon lighter and faster, but it might be more likely to pop, whereas a thicker balloon may be more durable, but slower.

All balloons will be ‘launched’ virtually from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, in the 'City of Love', at 12 noon on Saturday 14 February 2026, and you will be able to track your balloons online throughout the race to see how they are getting on. Whichever balloon travels the furthest distance after 7-days will be declared the winner.

The race ends on our 40th Anniversary, Saturday 21 February 2026.

THE PRIZES

The St Valentine’s Virtual Balloon Race is organised by EcoRacing with numerous charitable organisations taking part. The overall winner from all entries will win £100 cash and the runner up will win an Amazon Alexa / Echo Dot 4th Generation. In addition, we will give a box of Celia Hammond Animal Trust goodies to the owner of the Celia Hammond Animal Trust balloon that travels the furthest.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND TAKE PART IN THE ONLINE RACE

You can buy as many balloons as you want to increase your chances of winning, and of course, indirectly donate more to support our work. You can also purchase activation codes to gift to friends, family, and work colleagues. Proceeds from the sale of balloons and activation codes will help feed and care for the animals in our rescue centres.

For more details and to enter the race, simply tap below ⤵️

https://bit.ly/CHATballoonrace

Please buy one or more balloons today, whether for yourself, for a friend or loved one, or in memory of someone special, as this will help us feed the rescue cats in our care.

Thank you and happy racing!

Our fundraising target is: £15000

20/01/2026

Valentine’s at Kiko’s is back, and how better to spend it than in the presence of our fur babies! ❤️

Tickets now online, this sold out last year so don’t ‘paws’ to think about booking 😽

20/01/2026

20/01/2026

Come and join us for a fun pancake race for children on Saturday 14th February! We have prizes for the winners, entry is £1 per child. Inside the Battle Abbey gates starting at 11am.

20/01/2026

Congratulations to the team behind Battle Christmas Sparkle for their incredible fundraising effort. When faced with the huge issue of no Christmas lights, they took it upon themselves to setup a fundraiser and with so much public support and volunteers they were able to deliver a fantastic display. I cannot think of more worthy winners of this years Presidents Choice Award for Best Christmas Display!

20/01/2026

19/01/2026

Starting this Saturday! Take a magical wander inspired by Moominvalley with a family trail around the castle. Spot beloved characters from the Moomin stories as you explore and take part in fun activities.

The event is presented by the award-winning creator of interactive theatrical events, Bakehouse Factory.

📅 17 January to 8 March
🕚 11am–3pm
💷 £2, normal admission applies

19/01/2026

What a great event today, celebrating the opening of the new Battle Pavilion!

We've waited 10 years for it but what a building. We can now look forward to bringing back all our football teams to Battle.

Sad that Solly March couldn't come. We found out very late on that he was called in to train with the BHAFC 1st team ahead of tomorrow's match v Bournmouth.

But that didn't take away the sheer delight of being able to show off the new Headquarters of BTFC to the Battle community.

Thank you to all the many many people who turned out to enjoy the afternoon. It was fabulous to see so many smiling supporters (young and old) of our great football club. Thanks for coming.

We havent seen many pictures yet. If you have any good ones please share them with us here...
..and a massive thanks to one of our biggest supporters, Jane Wood, for baking and icing that amazing cake!!! 🎂