Mayor of Polegate Town

13/08/2026

🏆 Mayor Opens First Breatheasy Eastbourne Sports Day

I was delighted to officially open the very first Breatheasy Eastbourne Sports Day, a wonderful event celebrating the courage, determination and achievements of people living with long-term lung conditions.

It was a real honour to be invited to this inaugural event, which brought together participants, families, volunteers and organisers for a day filled with sport, friendship and community spirit.

A huge thank you to Kim, Steve, Kevin and everyone involved in organising the Sports Day for their hard work and dedication in bringing the event to life.

Today is not simply about competition or winning medals. It is about celebrating courage, determination and the incredible progress made by everyone taking part.

All of the participants live with a long-term lung condition and attend pulmonary rehabilitation every week. To step forward and take part in a Sports Day like this is a significant milestone and a wonderful example of resilience and commitment.

Physical activity can play an important role in improving confidence, independence and overall wellbeing. Events like today demonstrate that, with the right support and encouragement, people can continue to achieve remarkable things.

As Mayor of Polegate and an East Sussex County Councillor, I am always pleased to support initiatives that improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of local residents.

The day also provided an opportunity to recognise the fantastic work of Breatheasy Eastbourne and everyone involved in supporting pulmonary rehabilitation. The positive difference they make to people's lives across our community cannot be overstated.

I hope everyone enjoyed the day, celebrated their achievements and continues to inspire one another. It was a privilege to be part of such a positive and uplifting occasion, and everyone involved should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished.

I was proud to officially declare the first Breatheasy Eastbourne Sports Day open, marking an important milestone for the organisation and its participants.

The event demonstrated that sport is about far more than competition. It is about building confidence, fostering friendships, showing determination and strengthening our community.

13/08/2026

☀️Mayor and Deputy Mayor Enjoy 10th Anniversary of Weald on the Field

I was delighted to attend the 10th anniversary of Weald on the Field at Luxford Field on Saturday 8 August, alongside Deputy Mayor Cllr Dan Dunbar, and what a fantastic event it was!

This free community event brought together many hundreds of people for a wonderful day of live music, food, drinks, local produce, crafts and entertainment, creating a fantastic atmosphere for people of all ages.

There was a brilliant line-up of live performances throughout the day, including The Pentacle Drummers, The Tannens, The Kytes, Dominic Uppiah, VENN5, The Midnight Project and The Kavemen, who closed the celebrations with a fantastic headline performance.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting residents, visitors, stallholders, performers and organisers, and seeing Luxford Field filled with people enjoying the celebrations. It was wonderful to experience such a strong sense of community and to see so many people coming together to support this special event.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Uckfield Town Council, Food Rocks, all the performers, stallholders, volunteers, sponsors and everyone involved in organising the event. Their hard work and dedication helped make the day such a success.

The 10th anniversary was a wonderful celebration of community spirit, local talent and everything that makes Weald on the Field so special.

Congratulations on 10 fantastic years of Weald on the Field, and here's to many more!

10/08/2026

This afternoon myself and the Mayor of Polegate Town had the delight to spend time with the Uckfield Town Mayor and other local dignitaries as Uckfield Town Council celebrates 10 year’s of Weald On The Field.

06/08/2026

Polegate Mayor Visits New Community Sports Hub

I was delighted, together with District Councillor Oi Lin Shing, to visit the newly opened Wealden Community Sports Hub at Lower Dicker.

As a member of the Wealden District Council Planning Committee, I raised concerns during the planning process about the lack of public transport serving the site, as I felt this could limit access for many residents. I was therefore pleased to see that bus routes 28 and 500 now provide services linking Eastbourne, Willingdon, Polegate and Hailsham, as well as Forest Row, Wych Cross and Uckfield, making the Hub far more accessible than originally anticipated.

The £16.7 million Hub is an impressive community facility, featuring floodlit football pitches, tennis and padel courts, a skate park, children's play area, running and cycling trails, a community café and modern changing facilities. It represents a significant investment in sport, health and wellbeing for residents across Wealden.

During my visit, several residents raised concerns about the material used on sections of the walking trail, commenting that it is not particularly suitable for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, parents with pushchairs or cyclists. I hope these concerns will be taken into consideration as the facility continues to develop, ensuring it is fully accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Overall, it is excellent to see this major community facility now open and providing first-class sporting and recreational opportunities for residents across Wealden. I look forward to seeing local people of all ages making full use of this fantastic new facility for many years to come.

Wealden District Council

05/08/2026

Celebrating 25 Years of Care and Community at Victoria House Care Home

I was delighted, together with District Councillor Oi Lin Shing, to be invited to the 25th anniversary celebration of Victoria House Care Home, owned and run by Mr and Mrs Nathan of Supreme Care UK Ltd, on 13 July 2026.

It was a privilege to join residents, families, staff and guests for this very special occasion, celebrating an incredible 25 years of dedication, care and commitment to our local community.

Having also attended Victoria House's 20th anniversary celebration, it was wonderful to return and mark this significant milestone with Mr and Mrs Nathan and their team. Seeing how the care home has continued to flourish over the past five years was truly heartening.

The afternoon was filled with smiles, fond memories and wonderful music, with fantastic entertainment from singers from Wannock, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere for everyone.

I especially enjoyed hearing about the many years of care and support that Victoria House has provided to its residents and their families. It is clear that Victoria House is much more than a care home – it is a cherished part of our community.

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Mr and Mrs Nathan, their dedicated staff team, the residents and everyone connected with Victoria House on reaching this remarkable anniversary. Thank you for 25 years of outstanding service, and for the kindness, compassion and commitment you continue to show every day. I wish you every success for many more years to come.

05/08/2026

Mayor of Polegate Visits International Girlguiding Camp

I was delighted to visit Olave 2026, an international Girlguiding camp held at Blackland Farm near East Grinstead, alongside District Councillor Oi Lin Shing.

The week-long event, organised by Girlguiding Sussex East, brought together Guides, Rangers, Young Leaders and volunteers from across the UK and overseas to celebrate friendship, adventure and cultural exchange.

During our visit, we met inspiring young people and volunteers from around the world and were especially pleased to see many participants from Polegate, Willingdon and Eastbourne taking part.

Those attending enjoyed a wide range of outdoor activities, including climbing, kayaking, archery, zip wires and high ropes, helping to build confidence, teamwork and leadership skills.

It was a real privilege to see so many young people forming friendships across cultures. The enthusiasm, confidence and sense of community on display were truly inspiring. Oi Lin also spoke about the fantastic opportunities Girlguiding provides for young people to grow and develop.

I would like to thank Girlguiding Sussex East and all the volunteers whose hard work made Olave 2026 such a successful and memorable experience.

31/07/2026

29/07/2026

The Bernhard Baron Care Home Summer Fayre 2026 was a fantastic community event, bringing together residents, families, friends and local people for an afternoon of entertainment, activities and fundraising.
The event was officially opened by the Mayor of Polegate, Councillor Stephen Shing, alongside Cllr Dan Dunbar Deputy Mayor of Polegate and District Councillor Oi Lin Shing. Visitors enjoyed a wide range of attractions, including stalls, games, refreshments, raffles, Rosie the Grey Pony, Rockin' Mike and a lively performance from the Ragged Phoenix Morris Dancers.
A huge thank you goes to Alexandra Woolf, the dedicated staff, volunteers and everyone involved in organising such a successful event. The excellent turnout reflected the strong community spirit in Polegate and the care, kindness and compassion shown every day at Bernhard Baron Care Home.
It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the event and enjoy a memorable afternoon.

27/07/2026

District Councillor Oi Lin Shing and I were delighted to attend the Civic Service of the Mayor of Peacehaven, Councillor Aimee Harman, held at Community House.

It was a truly unique and memorable evening celebrating community, gratitude and connection. Elected as Town Mayor in May 2026, Councillor Harman has made community engagement the central theme of her mayoral year.

Rather than holding a traditional civic service, Aimee shared her remarkable personal journey through art, community service and her long-standing connection with Peacehaven. Accompanied by beautiful photographs and inspiring stories, her presentation gave everyone a fascinating insight into the inspiration behind her mosaic artwork and her commitment to making a positive difference in the town.

The evening also featured wonderful entertainment, uplifting music, thoughtful readings and heartfelt tributes from family and friends, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was evident how highly Aimee is regarded by those who know and work with her.

Thank you to Councillor Harman and everyone involved for such an inspiring and enjoyable evening.

27/07/2026

It was a pleasure to attend the Bernhard Baron Care Home Summer Fayre today alongside our Mayor Cllr Stephen Shing. Thank you to everyone who organised such a wonderful community event and to all the volunteers, staff, residents and visitors who made it such a success.