SPOTLIGHT: What exactly is the problem with local news?
(UPDATED JANUARY 2025 WITH LATEST READERSHIP FIGURES) I’ve just read a copy of an Eastbourne newspaper. It is a model of good local news reporting with eight stories on the front page. Inside, on packed news pages, the reports include eight court cases and three inquests. The defendants in court included a 74-year-old arsonist and […]
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SPOTLIGHT: The road from Roche to pavement politics
Brett Wright was elected earlier this month as an East Sussex County Councillor, representing Meads in Eastbourne. His success as a Liberal Democrat resulted in the Conservatives losing their overall majority. We meet the man to find out what motivated him to stand and why he’s hoping his election will lead to a more collaborative […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Concern mounts over the future of fragile chalk grassland
I visit the scarp slope of the South Downs with an ecology-trained adviser and an Old Town local who has walked the area for more than 25 years to hear their fears about how scrub is encroaching on the rare chalk grassland. A company is paid £9,300 of public money a month to implement a […]
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SPOTLIGHT: “He is a huge loss – on all levels, he was a lovely man”
An Eastbourne man who was struck by a car and killed just a week before his 76th birthday had sung in front of the Queen as a leading chorister and was an accomplished historian, artist, musician and author. Andrew Forrest died after he was hit by a car, which failed to stop, as he used […]
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SPOTLIGHT Artificial pitch approved for Eastbourne United
Artificial turf has been approved for Eastbourne United football club despite opposition from residents. People living near the ground argued the scheme would bring a huge increase in pitch use and traffic as well as adversely affecting the environment. The club has welcomed the decision as the catalyst to attract more community use to The […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Neighbour’s fears over plan for homes in old quarry
A 93-year-old woman who has lived in her home for more than 60 years has voiced concerns over a plan to build 18 houses at the bottom of a sheer drop in Ocklynge Chalk Pit next door. Silvia Verrall (above) moved to her house in Willingdon Road when it was built in 1961 and the […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Council update on Fort Fun revamp
Plans by Defiant Sports for accessible facilities at the Fort Fun site on Eastbourne seafront are inching forward as it was confirmed that quotes to install a new electricity feed are being gathered. But there is still no news on a long-awaited decision as to whether planning permission is needed for work to go ahead. […]
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SPOTLIGHT: What’s happening at Fort Fun?
The long-awaited renovation of Fort Fun on Eastbourne seafront is under way as the landmark seafront site is cleared ready for work to start. I met the people from the two organisations due to take leases at the site to find out about their plans and what stage work was at. Each lease will be […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Maltese man, 80, given settled status after 60 years in the UK
A retired hospitality worker who has lived in the UK for 60 years has spoken of his relief at being allowed to stay here under the EU Settlement Scheme. Neville Pullicino, 80, above, who has lived in Eastbourne for 40 years, was told in April he could only stay another six months unless he […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Man given six months to stay after 60 years in the UK
AN 80-year-old man who has lived in the UK for 60 years was told he can stay for only six more months unless he proves his right to live here. He was told to do this via a smartphone app he is unable to access. And the paper version of the application for EU settled […]
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