Welcome to our News page
Here you will find stories of interest which Society members have been involved in.
July
2026
New shape of East Sussex revealed in councils shake-up
By Paul Bromley, volunteer writer for The Eastbourne Reporter and former national political journalist...
"The political map of East Sussex is being redrawn with Eastbourne joining most of the rest of the county in a new larger authority.
Changes to the way local government is organised have been confirmed by the Government today.
Eastbourne will join Hastings, Rother and Wealden plus most of Lewes district in a new East Sussex unitary authority which will deliver all services to residents across the area.
Peacehaven, East Saltdean and Telscombe will move from being part of the Lewes district to an expanded Brighton & Hove.
The reorganisation will replace the existing district and borough councils as well as East Sussex County Council from 1 April 2028.
It is the biggest change to how councils are organised in the county since 1974 when the current structure was set up. Elections to the new bodies are scheduled for next May."
Mar
2026
Remembering Chris Leach
On Thursday, 26th March, there was 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: Ocklynge Chapel North, 3 Willingdon Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1TL
- Contact: secretary@eastbournesociety.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