Tuesday 20th December at 6pm

Friday May 27th @ 6pm

We’re please to announce a LOCALS ONLY event at the RAM. Its been arranged by the FCA and Hayley (our pub landlady) to get everyone together and open the newly refurbished RAM garden.

Hayley is offering welcome drinks and Pizza. If you’ve recently moved to Firle, it will be a great opportunity to meet your community neighbours. We’ll take the opportunity to make a few community announcements (Maximum 5 minutes!) about the upcoming Jubilee weekend celebrations, the launch of Firle Community Land Trust, and other local stuff

Looking forward to seeing you there!

VILLAGE MEETING – 10th MARCH at 7pm – FIRLE MEMORIAL HALL

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2nd-5th June 2022 

Firle Parish Council is seeking to engage with all village organisations, societies, businesses and parishioners with regard to the upcoming celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

Previous events like this have been celebrated in various ways in Firle Village and have been an opportunity for all groups and individuals to get involved for the benefit of the Parish and Community.

This year there will be a four day UK bank Holiday starting Thursday 2nd June and finishing on Sunday 5th June.  

Firle Bonfire Society have already agreed to “Light” the Beacon as part of a chain of over 1,500 beacons that will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and UK Overseas Territories. This will be on the evening of Thursday 2nd June. (subject to the appropriate permissions as always)

It would be great to mark the occasion of the Queen’s amazing act of service and duty in this village as we have before.

Firle Parish Council has approached all organisations and societies for their input as to their possible involvement and we are awaiting their responses.

To get the ball rolling Firle Parish Council has arranged a meeting in Firle village Hall for all those wishing to get involved for the 10th March 2022 starting at 7pm. 

The Council would like to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in supporting or helping organise these celebrations, whether that be via their organisation or as a member of the community.

If you would like to be involved but cannot attend the meeting, please contact our new Parish Clerk Lorna Thwaites in the first instance on firleclerk@outlook.com or myself on 07974 125567

We very much look forward to seeing you or hearing from you and thank you in advance for your support. 

Kind regards

Richard Gravett

Chairman (on behalf of) Firle Parish Council

Join us in the RAM garden…… 7pm This Wednesday (21st July)

Many of us will recall the presentation made in the School before the pandemic, and the follow-up open day held in the Riding Stables last September by Ringmer Area Community Land Trust (RACLT).  The proposal was to build affordable-rent homes for local people in the village, and some preliminary work was done to look at suitable sites. 

Firle Community Association agreed to send 4 representatives to join RACLT, and at our first project meeting, Henry Gage asked us what the community thought about the project.  We explained that whilst generally people were in favour of the scheme, nobody could understand why a “Community-Led” project in Firle was being driven by a team from Ringmer.  

We’re delighted to say that the Firle Estate and RACLT have taken your concerns seriously, and agreed that the project should indeed be led by Firle.  To make this happen the community will need to set up ‘Firle Community Land Trust’ that will take over from RACLT.   This new organisation will be formed exclusively from people who live within Firle Parish, and YOU will be able to decide on who you want to represent the community.   

The Firle Community Association (FCA) conducted a survey from the 23rd to 28th June on behalf of the Village Hall and Playing Fields Committee (VHFPC). The objective was to seek the community’s views on the upgrade of the playground, in support of the VHPFC grant funding application. for the project. The online survey was open to all the of the community, not just FCA members.

THE RESPONSE

• 110 replies were received
• The 46-65 year old age group gave the most responses, 48 people (44%)
• Only 4 responses were from those younger than 25 years
• A 78% majority, 86 people, have children (not necessarily their own!) that they would like to take to the Playground

THE CHILDREN

• Not one respondent was neutral or negative on the children’s equipment improvements.
• Of the 86 parents/carers, 30 have children that go to Firle CE Primary School
• Few children are less than 2 years old, whilst the 2-5 year age group is a little larger
• The majority of the children 62%, are older than 5 years
• 68% of respondents with children have children over age 5 years

THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

• The preferred new equipment choice was very clear
• The “extras” that could be included also has some favourites
• Shade, seating for carers, and a mini picnic/play table were popular choices

PLAYGROUND UTILISATION

• Of those with children 73 % said they would use the playground once a week or more
• 45% said they would use it 2 or 3 times a week
• 6% would use it less than monthly
• For those with children, there are mixed feelings about adding adult fitness equipment

ADULT FITNESS EQUIPMENT

• From all respondents, the question about adding this equipment had a mixed response
• Equipment preference was also evenly spread, apart from not having a Walker 
• Expected utilisation of the adult equipment was less than that of the children, with 44% saying they would use it less than once a month 

AN OUTDOOR FACILITY

• There was some negative sentiment, but the majority 74% were in favour
• This is not part of the current project, but a future option for consideration

COMMENTS

• 54 people added comments and feedback
• A selection can be viewed using the link below, some edited for brevity

and FINALLY, thank you all very much

You may have noticed that some of the play equipment in the playing fields have been removed recently, and it’s looking a little sad . Some of the older gear did not pass a safety inspection and had to be removed. The Playing Fields are run by the Village Hall and Playing Fields Committee (find out who runs the VHPFC here) and we (FCA) are running a survey on what can be done to refresh and make better use of the area for grown-ups and children.

The survey takes less than a minute to complete, and will be used to help us to obtain grant funding for new facilities, so its really important that we get a positive response from everyone. The closing date is Monday 28th June so do it now!

We’ll publish the results and comments on the website next week.

All our supporters and friends can switch to cheap, 100% renewable energy from Octopus, and get £50 off their bills.

Plus £50 goes back to Firle Community for every home that makes the switch – so not only are we helping make sure our community is powered with clean, green sustainable energy – we’re also investing directly in a greener future.

Here is the deal

100% renewable electricity from British wind, sun & water. You can also switch your gas and carbon offset it for a carbon neutral home.

Great value for all customers. Unlike most big suppliers, Octopus Energy set their standard prices
below the Government Price Cap. So whether you’re a new customer, or been with them for years, you can be sure you’re getting good value.

Outstanding customer service. Octopus regularly comes out top when ranked by customers. They’re Uswitch’s Supplier of the Year for a record third year, and have been Recommended by Which? for a record four years running.

£50 on your account, and £50 for us. Octopus are so confident that once you’ve made the switch, you won’t want to switch again that they’re offering £50 credit to you for making the switch, and £50 for our Firle Community

Find out more