Finale - Celebrating 10 Years of Big Local North-East Hastings

After 10 years and  a million pounds, Big Local North-East Hastings bowed out on Saturday (5th) with an event at the Ore Community Centre to celebrate their achievements.

While stilt-walking Restoration  ladies, a pair of diminutive, argumentative back-packers, a glamorous butterfly called Dolly Delicious, an interactive snow globe and a very dodgy-looking mayor entertained passers-by in Ore Village, an exhibition recounting the resident-led project filled the main hall of the Centre alongside exhibitions from two of the local organisations that have benefited from funding, Ore Community Library and Ore Community Land Trust.

In 2013 extensive consultation took place with local residents to find out what they wanted the £1m to be spent on and this determined the programme of grants that were awarded. Since then, volunteers, in the form of the Resident-Led Partnership (RLP), have overseen the spending.

Richard Street, Chair of the RLP, one of three members who have been involved since the beginning, said:
“It has been a real pleasure to be part of this. Over the years, we have been able to provide grants, large and small, to help support our community:
   -   the Men’s Shed, Ore Community Library and Ore Community Centre have become the thriving local assets they now are;
   -   children have been able to enjoy free after school clubs and football training as well as high quality performances at Sandown School during the Hastings Story-Telling Festival;
   -   older residents have learned to use IT to connect with friends and family and access benefits and other vital online services;
   -   Ore Community Land Trust was able to purchase parts of Speckled Wood to ensure it remains a greenspace open to all.
We are so proud of all we have been able to achieve.”

Steve Manwaring, CEO of Hastings Voluntary Action the locally trusted organisation (LTO) which has supported each resident group, particularly with financial management and employing staff, said: “This project has always been about putting residents front and centre in making investment decisions. As the Locally Trusted Organisation, HVA have seen first-hand how local people have shaped each and every decision.”

Local MP, Helena Dollimore, called in to hear about the work of the volunteers involved and commented:
“Over the past decade, Big Local North East Hastings has supported vital work in our community, from purchasing equipment to supporting trips, activities, community projects and venues. I want to thank everyone who has given up their time and expertise to support the project. I look forward to continuing to support our local community groups and charities in their important work.”