We are so incredibly lucky in Rother to have dedicated councillors and officers who work tirelessly for the good of our residents, and this has been evident over the past two weeks.

After months of planning and hard work, we welcomed more than 500 residents to the How to Age Well event at the De La Warr Pavilion, organised by Rother District Council and Active Rother.  It was great to see so organisations involved in promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle among over 50s.

The event last week took place shortly before the announcement that the council had joined the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities – further demonstration of our commitment to ensuring Rother is a great place to grow old.

And while one generation was trying their hand at circle dancing and body conditioning, another was celebrating the progression of an ambitious project to create a skate and BMX park in the heart of the district.

The plans for Sidley rec were given the green light by the planning committee meaning the project can move to the next stage.  There is still some way to go and work to be done to ensure the park benefits users and the community as a whole, but it is great to see the plans moving in the right direction. 

From one ambitious project to another – the official launch of the newly regenerated 1066 Country Walk. The history of William the Conqueror and his invading Norman army will be bought to life for those embarking on this 31-mile route from Pevensey to Rye with amazing bespoke sculptures, new signage and information boards.

The project was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the hard work of district council officers and partners, and will give a real boost to rural tourism and the local economy.

A trip to Rye last week was the perfect opportunity to find out how support and advice from our Environmental Health team was helping to boost local economy there.

Uncertainty arose following the country’s exit from the European Union and changes to trade agreements, but our officers have been on hand to guide business across the district through the new regulations and processes. 

It’s fantastic to see how officer’s support has helped wholesale fishmongers, Chapman’s of Rye, in its efforts to establish Rye as the export hub for the Kent and Sussex fish consignments to Europe.

There are too many success stories like these to mention in this column, but they are testament of the efforts of councillors and officers to ensure our district continues to thrive and our residents remain healthy and happy.

Published: 27th September 2021