Welcome to our News page
Here you will find recent stories of interest which Society members have been involved in.
Mar
2026
Remembering Chris Leach
On Thursday, 26th March, there is to be a celebration of the life of Chris Leach, our esteemed Chairperson who sadly passed away on 19th January 2026.
Time: 1pm
Venue: The Sussex Suite at The Cavendish Hotel
Dec
2025
Questions asked over Boutique Modern contract
Rigorous credit checks and a risk assessment were carried out on a company which went into administration just as a £45 million building project was starting, a council meeting heard.
Eastbourne Borough Council’s director of housing Nathan Haffenden insisted the procurement process for awarding the contract for the Bedfordwell Road site was fully compliant.
Sep
2025
Bandstand Decision Deferred
Councillors have put off a decision on plans relating to Eastbourne bandstand until after heritage body Historic England have visited the site.
Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee had been due last night (Tuesday, 16 September) to discuss a pair of applications seeking permission for “essential safety and improvement work” intended to lead to the reopening of the Grade II-listed seafront building.
August
2025
Heritage Centre Closure
Our Society's home for the last 40 years was The Heritage Centre.
Having saved the building from demolition and getting it listed Society volunteers invested a lot of time and finance in restoring it to create a space for exhibiting the story of Eastbourne.
In January 2025 the Borough Council gave us notice that our rent would increase from £300 to £30k, which was unsustainable for our small voluntary organisation.
The Council offered some storage space and two rooms at the Town Hall rent free for 12 months to help us relocate.
During May/June and July/August 2025 we began the process of packing exhibits, artifacts and archives into boxes for an uncertain future.
JULY
2025
The Society's
Burlington Bower Project: Highly Commended
A wonderful outcome of years of planning, successful reinstating a Victorian feature and enhancing Eastbourne's heritage.
Where to find us
Second Tuesday Monthly
On the Second Tuesday in the month we host a talk at 7.30pm in the Sussex Suite at The Cavendish Hotel Eastbourne.
Visitors are welcome to come and join us as a Guest and can pay £5 on the door.
Last Friday Monthly
On the Last Friday in the month several Heritage Groups can be found displaying literature at The Gather Space in the Beacon Shopping Centre between 10am and 4pm.
A Conservation Officer is available between 1pm and 3pm to answer questions
Legal
- Organisation: The Eastbourne Society
- Registered Office: Room 11, Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne BN21 4UG
- Contact: secretary@eastbournesociety.co.uk
- Charity Number: 1142550
- Company Number: 7335791
- Regulator: Charity Commission & Companies House
Membership
- Open to all Eastbourne residents
- Annual membership fees: Individual £20; Joint £25; Under 25s £10
- Monthly talks & Social Events
- Free quality Quarterly Magazine called the Observer
- Sign Up Here