The demolition of the Memorial Hall has now been completed with debris removed, although there is still much remaining rubble to be re-distributed on site.

With the tarmacking of the south end of the car park Sunninghill Construction (SCC) has been able to install its site offices and other facilities. It has to be recognised that SCC is being very professional in the way they are going about everything they do relating to the project.

A small symbolic ground-breaking event was held on-site on 1st July with representatives from the Parish Council (PC), Wealden District Council (WDC) and SCC present (see photograph).

The next 4 months will be devoted to groundworks, which involves adjusting the ground levels and levelling as necessary with installation of a sub-ground plant – such as surface water attenuation and sewage tank along with some drainage works. Some installation of kerbs has already been completed but all the kerb work will be completed in the coming months. Finally, the footings and sub-structure will be completed by the end of October 2026, thereby enabling the construction of the super-structure in November 2026. The latter will be erected within just 6 weeks which is when the final design becomes evident. All the internal work will take place in the January – April timeframe next year, with completion scheduled for May 2027.

The construction works have inevitably resulted in the full closure of the Court Meadow car park for the duration. The temporary arrangement agreed with the Fire Authority whereby parents can drop off and pick up their children from the fire station seems to be working well and other users of the car park are parking elsewhere, or making other arrangements. As a result, whilst there is some an inevitable upheaval, it would appear that the community is also managing well. 

In addition, the PC and SCC are liaising with the Bonfire Society and the Fair with regard to the annual event in September and special arrangements to facilitate the flow of large numbers of people have been agreed between the parties.

Now that work is fully underway, we are starting to see invoices for the work starting to come through for payment, and the Parish Council will be drawing down the National Lottery Community Fund grant. The Public Works Loan Board loan is expected to be drawn down in November 2026. Speedy access to funds in the MCC Reserve account is also being addressed.

With the project moving quickly forward, formal discussions have commenced between the PC and the CIO, which will be managing the community centre once complete. This involves agreeing who is providing and is responsible for various items and a formal Lease is being drawn up between the parties. 

Given that completion is now less than 12 months away, the PC is also considering the implications for Facilities and Property management, and the necessary initial work has commenced.