Spotlight

Interviews and in-depth features on what matters in Eastbourne. Depth and originality from a not-for-profit set-up. Please become a member through the KoFi link so I can create a sustainable news model. Many thanks!

SPOTLIGHT: Families highlight need for safe cycle routes 

More than 100 people of all ages joined a family-friendly bike ride around town to highlight the need for safer cycle routes in Eastbourne.  The ‘Kidical Mass’ ride started in Gildredge Park and followed a loop through the town, down the ‘bus-only’ section of Terminus Road next to The Beacon shopping centre, towards the seafront […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Coast lovers join sea swimmers in sewage protest march 

Some 200 people joined a march along Eastbourne seafront over May Bank Holiday weekend to protest against the use by Southern Water of storm overflows.  The protesters walked from near the Wish Tower to the beach at the Langham Hotel on Sunday, waving placards and chanting: “Stop the sewage, save our seas!”  The organisers then handed […]

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A Day in the Life: the co-ordinator of a community food project

Name: Sally Lee   Role: Project co-ordinator of Rooted Community Food How long I’ve been doing this: Six months  How I got here: Through an accumulation of factors, but mostly because I found it increasingly difficult to witness what we are allowing to happen to our beautiful planet. I had been a climate activist for a […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Three sisters rise to the occasion 

WE talk to the family who have brought European-style bread and pastries to the East Sussex coast as they mark the first anniversary of their town centre shop It’s slice, weigh, knead, shape, repeat at To The Rise Bakery, Eastbourne.  It’s soothing and hypnotic to watch 23-year-old Morgan Pollard preparing dozens of sourdough loaves as […]

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SPOTLIGHT: ‘Water companies have been getting away with blue murder’  

As Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey visits Eastbourne, we ask him about the sewage spill controversy and what he would do to address the issue Sir Ed is a busy man this month – and has a pair of wellies in the car boot to cover all eventualities.  He is touring areas where his […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Sea swimmers make waves over sewage spills

A TOP executive at Southern Water took the plunge into the chilly waters with sea swimmers in Eastbourne when he met them to face questions about sewage discharges.  Dr Toby Willison (below), the director of environment and corporate affairs, swam for a few minutes on Saturday before emerging to declare: “It was a bit cold, […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Who gives up their weekends to clear rubbish?  

Many of us would consider litter picking to involve a little light collecting of discarded crisp packets, drinks cans and coffee cups.  But eight shopping trolleys, part of a car door, a handbag, toilet brush, dozens and dozens of cans, a plastic utensil holder, clothing, two useable toolboxes and a cycle wheel were among the […]

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SPOTLIGHT: How people power saved Fisherman’s Green

The controversy over plans to earmark the seafront site for housebuilding involved thousands of residents’ objections and the intervention of a Cabinet minister. It has now been taken off the list. We unpick what happened and talk to the women who successfully campaigned against the proposals  Fiona Mullen and her neighbours had prepared for a […]

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SPOTLIGHT: How safe is our sea water? 

We plunge into the murky waters of storm overflow – or sewage dumping, depending on your point of view, for a long read on what is happening to our coast. We talk to those on both sides of the argument about how Southern Water operates the sewerage system as we examine the controversy.  The quality […]

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SPOTLIGHT: Housing allocation set to be halved   

Several potential development sites involving hundreds of homes are set to be removed from the Eastbourne Local Plan after Cabinet Minister Michael Gove indicated there would not be sanctions for doing so.  Eastbourne Borough Council says it is likely to scrap plans to develop Fisherman’s Green on the seafront, low-lying sites, Sovereign Harbour and University […]

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