The Chair made the following announcements:

Ø  Since September, the Chair had met many people who gave so much time and energy to support charities and agencies across the district and she thanked them from the bottom of her heart, this would be a poorer area for so many people if it were not for them.

Ø  In September, the Chair had attended the High Sherriff’s service and reception for Sussex volunteers including an amazing charity that supported prisoners and their families, Rother Voluntary Action, Little Gate Farm as well as the emergency services.

Ø  The Chair represented Rother District Council at the annual judges’ service at St Annes church in Lewes. A procession of Mayors Chairs and Judges was impressive as they crossed the road into the small ancient church.

Ø  In her role she chaired meetings of the Rother Rural Trust, which offered support to families in the rural areas who were enduring hardship and attended board meetings and networking events run by Rother Voluntary Action (RVA).  In addition, the Chair attended the Annual General Meeting of the RVA where awards were presented to volunteers across the district including Battle, Northiam, Robertsbridge and Rye.  Councillors had the opportunity to nominate local people for awards such as these and groups that made a difference to their wards, as a nominee for the Kings Award for Volunteers.

Ø  One such voluntary group was Family Support Work and at the reception in Rye Town Hall, the Chair was pleased to learn that although numbers of families being referred by schools, doctors and Churches had increased, the early intervention had made a difference in many families.

Ø  The Chair had attended several meetings concerning 1066 Marketing, and liaised with English Heritage, receiving updates on planned improvements to sites across the South East, and she was pleased to advise that many of them were green and ecologically sound. 

Ø  The Chair continued to support the Little Gate Farm charity and was very grateful to Council officers and staff who made and sold cakes to raise monies for this charity and Super Santa who raised just under £500. Several Councillors purchased tickets for the 10-year anniversary dinner dance at the Relais in Little Common in October and their contribution helped raise an astounding £10,000.

Ø  The Chair represented the Council at St Mary’s Church in Battle laying the wreath at the memorial there, Councillor Thomas represented the Council in Bexhill and Councillor Creaser represented the Council at St Mary’s Church in Rye.  The Chair and Councillor Thomas attended a Prayer breakfast at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne hosted by the High Sherriff where Dr Krish Kandiah spoke sincerely and warmly about his experiences as a foster carer.

Ø  A rather surprising engagement was at the Emmanuel Centre in Battle where the Chair was invited to speak about how her faith helped with her role as a councillor and as a Chair.

Ø  In November, the Chair attended the Rother all-staff event at the De La Warr Pavilion and judged the competition for best home baked cake which was a courgette and lime cake decorated with raspberries and cream and she was pleased to present the prize to Elinor Drew.  Each Council department had made a video describing their role and introducing their team. The Chair hoped that these could be shown to Members, as it would help to see what they do in a different light.

Ø  The Chair was honoured to be invited to Retrotech a small industrial unit in Northiam where Mr Black and his team restored war planes and were currently building a plywood Mosquito plane which should be in the air in 2027! Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal was in attendance, and the Chair was honoured to be presented to her as Rother’s Chair.

Ø  The Chair had attended two Mayoral Carol Services at Eastbourne and at Seaford and three Christmas Concerts, at Wadhust with Battle Community Singers and Bodiam Concert Band, Bexhill Choral Society and the most amazing concert with 100 school children from Bexhill, Hastings and St Leonards singing together with the Hastings Advanced String Orchestra and an absolutely amazing percussion band from Hillview Academy in Brighton. Create music with East Sussex County Council in partnership with the De la Warr Pavilion.

Ø  In the new year, the Chair hoped to receive some invitations from some of the more northerly and westerly areas too.

Ø  The Chair wished all Members a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.