I recently had the pleasure of taking a tour around the new Battle Pavilion which is nearing completion. It is a fantastic town council project which will benefit the community immensely and Battle Town Council has done an amazing job of getting the project to this stage.
Once finished, the new facility will include changing rooms, public accessible toilets that will be open daily and a cafe facility run by independent providers, under lease with Battle Town Council.
As well as local sponsorship, including donations of building materials from local businesses British Gypsum, Howdens and Permador, the project has benefited from a number of grants.
Rother District Council were able to contribute funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy, money paid to the council by developers, and its Rural Community Grant scheme. Funding was also awarded from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund and the Football Foundation.
I am delighted that we have been able to support this wonderful project and am grateful to have had the opportunity to take a tour with Battle Town Mayor, Cllr Andrew Barton and town council vice chair Cllr Sue Burton. I very much look forward to seeing the facility up and running and being enjoyed by the community.
Just down the road from Battle Recreation Ground, a development on the Blackfriars site has reached a milestone.
Rother DC Housing Company (RDCHC) hosted a special event for local residents and house-hunters giving them an opportunity to explore the new low-carbon, energy efficient homes coming to the ‘Tapestry at Blackfriars’.
Development of the Blackfriars site has been extremely challenging and has taken years of work by public and private sector organisations to get to this stage.
Not long ago it looked likely that the affordable housing element of the development would be lost but RDCHC has worked hard to get things back on track to meet local demand for high quality, affordable housing.
Whilst there is a way to go, the development is starting to take shape, and I will be following its progress with interest.
This week we have joined other local authorities in East Sussex to urge residents to check if they or someone they know are eligible for Pension Credit.
With winter fast approaching we know that many households will struggle to make ends meet, with increasing heating costs as temperatures drops, and we want to make sure that those eligible are getting the right support.
An estimated 880,000 households across the UK are thought to be missing out on support worth on average over £3,900 per year.
Residents can check eligibility by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. You will need to have your national insurance number, information about income, savings and investments, and bank account details.
Those aged 66 or over claiming or eligible to claim Pension Credit can also apply for Attendance Allowance if they are sick, disabled or have caring needs.
This additional income can make a huge difference to someone’s life, and I would urge people to check if they are eligible.
Published: 14th November 2025
