The Chair welcomed the newly elected Councillor for Brede and Udimore, Councillor Neil Gordon, to the Council and proceeded to advise the Council of the following engagements she had attended since becoming Chair:

·       along with fellow colleagues she had visited the Robertsbridge Junction Station and had an absolutely fabulous day out;

·       attended the Tokyo-based artist, Minoru Nomata’s first solo exhibition outside of Asia at the De La Warr Pavilion;

·       attended the Beeching Road Studios ‘Over the fallow flood’ that brought together a range of old and new work in sculpture, text, video, audio and performance made over an extended period spent researching and reflecting the life of Cynethryth, eighth-century Queen of Mercia;

·       along with one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants and the Mayor, the Chair attended the lighting of the Beacon on Galley Hill to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.  She had been privileged and honoured to be able to take part in this long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons. A beacon chain, once used as a tool for communication, had now become a symbol of our unity across towns, borders, countries and continents and is often the central point of focus for any outdoor gathering or celebration. In 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. In 1977, 2002 and 2012, beacons commemorated the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees of The Queen, and in 2016 Her Majesty’s 90th birthday;

·       attended a luncheon at Azur to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which was also a mini expo designed for businesses, community organisations and charities to come together under one roof to promote their services and products;

·       had the honour of formally opening the new skatepark in Bexhill that was a jewel in the crown of Rother and of a high international standard; it was just amazing to feel the vibe especially for the young people and everyone involved, thanks to Rebecca Owen, Parks Officer was outstanding, way above the call of duty;

·       attended Little Gate’s lovely Summer Fayre at Beckley, whose mission was to help people with learning disabilities and autism into paid work;

·       was delighted to experience students from Bexhill’s schools and colleges raising their voices once again at the Bexhill Festival of Music’s Big Summer Sing, featuring a massed choir of Year 4 children and live band;

·       visited the SUDwell TM factory at Crowhurst, which included the observation of the current manufacturing operation of recycled paving slabs and also included a meeting with Innovate UK who were helping the business with potential funding;

·       attended a private pre-trail view of 30 large rubber ducks that were being installed across Hastings and Bexhill as a live art trail to raise money for St. Michael’s Hospice;

·       attended a Falklands 40th Anniversary Commemoration Service organised by the Royal British Legion Little Common Branch, together with Bexhill RBL Branch and Bexhill Town Council, on the green beside the De La Warr Pavilion;

·       attended the pre-show drinks and Brighton & East Sussex Youth Orchestra at the De La Warr Pavilion; on the night, the country-wide orchestra was joined on stage by members of the Hastings Area Youth Symphony Orchestra to perform an exciting selection of music;

·       had the pleasure of attending Battle Abbey School’s End of Year Service and Annual Prizegiving in St Mary’s Parish Church and then afterwards for a picnic lunch on the Sixpenny Lawn and Summer Concert at Battle Abbey School; and

·       attended a service to celebrate and give thanks to the volunteers of St John Ambulance as well as investing their new Cadets and Badgers, dedicating their newest vehicles and welcoming their new President and Chaplain at Arundel Cathedral and afterwards at Arundel Castle.