News

The Hadlow Down Spring Market on Saturday was a resounding success, bringing together the warmth and generosity of our village community. With a fantastic total of £815 raised, the event provided a significant boost to the Hadlow Down Community Centre fundraising efforts.

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The atmosphere throughout the day was absolutely lovely. The café was as popular as ever, offering an array of beautiful home-baked cakes and snacks that were eagerly enjoyed by visitors. Our talented local bakers once again outdid themselves, creating a delicious spread that was both a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

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The stalls were a wonderful showcase of local creativity and craftsmanship. From preserves and local produce to jewelry, pressed flowers, original artwork, cards, and stationery, there was something for everyone. Shoppers also browsed through a delightful selection of handcrafted bags, beautiful clothing, and fine linens, making the market a treasure trove of unique finds.

The hall itself was bright and airy, with all the doors opened wide to welcome in the fresh spring air. Adding to the charm, posies of daffodils and camellias—freshly picked from the garden of our brilliant Jane Hissey—graced the windowsills, creating a cheerful and elegant display.

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We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came along, bought raffle tickets, and took the time to chat with us and their neighbours, old and new. Your support and presence made the event feel even more special.

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A huge thank you goes to Janet Tourell for her superb organisation of the event. We are also deeply appreciative of our wonderful local volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—baking, dressing tables, serving at the café, and making sure everything ran smoothly. The event simply wouldn’t have been possible without your dedication and hard work.

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Looking to the Future: Help Us Build a New Community Centre

While the Spring Market was a fantastic success, our work is far from done. We are appealing to local businesses to join us in our mission to build a new Community Centre for Hadlow Down. Could you fund-match our local fundraising efforts? By partnering with us, you’ll not only be supporting an important village project but also gaining the opportunity to showcase your business and be part of creating a lasting legacy for Hadlow Down.

If you would like to support our cause or find out more about partnership opportunities, please get in touch with Sarah (sarahprall@btinternet.com). Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our wonderful village.

Thank you once again for your generosity and community spirit—it truly makes all the difference. 💛

HDCC is set to transform our vital community spaces here in Hadlow Down with the introduction of a state-of-the-art Community Centre. Designed by MJB Architecture, this forthcoming facility promises to be a beacon of multi-functional design, catering to a diverse array of community needs.

A Thoughtfully Crafted Design

The new Community Centre is envisioned as a harmonious blend of modern functionality and aesthetic appeal. Nestled at the northern end of the village’s playing fields, adjacent to School Lane, the centre’s strategic location ensures both accessibility and minimal environmental impact. The design thoughtfully integrates the building into the natural landscape and leveraging the site’s natural topography to reduce visual prominence.

Key features of the design include:

• Unified Structure: The centre consolidates various facilities into a single building envelope, optimizing space and resources.
• Multi-Level Layout: Utilizing the site’s gentle incline, the design incorporates a two-storey section at the western end, seamlessly connecting to the playing fields and enhancing user experience.
• Versatile Spaces: The facility boasts a spacious main hall, adaptable meeting rooms, modern changing facilities, and a replacement sports pavilion, ensuring it meets the varied demands of the community.
• Dual-Purpose Design: The building combines the village hall space with a new sports pavilion, creating a hub for recreational, cultural, and educational activities. This multifunctional approach ensures opportunities for young and old alike, strengthening community engagement and well-being.

Community-Centric Planning

The journey to this design has been profoundly collaborative. Since 2011, a series of public consultations have been held, allowing residents to voice their aspirations and concerns. This inclusive approach ensured that the final design resonates with the community’s vision and needs.

Bob Lake, Chair of the Hadlow Down Community Centre Committee (HDCCC), emphasized the importance of this engagement, noting that the project has evolved through continuous dialogue with local residents and stakeholders.

Green Light for Development

The project has achieved a significant milestone through achieving of extant planning consent. This approval paves the way for the next phase: bringing the vision to life.

A Collective Call to Action

With an estimated build cost of £3 million, the realization of the Community Centre is a formidable yet achievable goal. Whilst currently working with our local authority, Wealden District Council, the Parish Council and other governmental bodies, HDCC is actively seeking additional support from local residents, businesses, and external funding sources to turn this dream into reality.

“This centre is more than just a building; it’s a testament to our village’s unity and forward-thinking spirit.” “We invite everyone to join us in this endeavor, ensuring that Hadlow Down continues to thrive for generations to come.”

Bob Lake, HDCC Chair

“I am delighted to support the plans for a new community centre in Hadlow Down. This facility will serve as a vital hub for local residents, fostering community spirit and providing much-needed amenities.

Rt. Hon. Nusrat Ghani, MP

How You Can Help

The success of this project hinges on collective effort. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or spreading the word, every bit of support brings the Community Centre closer to fruition. To get involved or learn more, email bob.lake@live.co.uk or visit the official project facebook page or find us on instagram

Together, let’s build a space that reflects the heart and soul of Hadlow Down.

#hadlowdowncommunitycentre #HDCC #lovehadlowdown #community spirit

 Join Our Growing Community Initiative! 🌟
Are you eager to make a positive impact in Hadlow Down?
Our charity is dedicated to establishing a new Community Centre that will serve as a hub for social and cultural activities, learning and sport. We’re pleased to share that we’ve achieved significant milestones so far, including completing two Village Surveys, hosting 4 public meetings, securing planning permission, completing drainage works and raising over £100,000 so far. However, we can’t do this alone—we need your help!

Whether by volunteering your time and skills or simply helping to spread the word, you can play a vital role in this project. Your contributions, no matter how small, matter immensely and can help us create a welcoming space for all residents. If you’re passionate about community development and are ready to roll up your sleeves, join our enthusiastic team today!

Together, we can transform dreams into reality and create a cornerstone for friendship and support in our village. Let’s unite our efforts to build a brighter future for Hadlow Down! 💪❤️

#SupportYourCommunity #HadlowDownCommunityCentre

We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow in the Village Hall, from 10 am, at The Christmas Market.

Don’t forget we will be drawing the three winning lottery tickets at this event, winners will be announced at the event and on our website. Winning ticket holders will be contacted next week.For more details about the lottery and how to join please click here