(The DL size leaflets are missing. If you are going to take part we will get those to you asap.)

And! The Christams website is live:

www,santaonsea.co.uk

All details are there, and the maps will be updated, as will the list of events you, the traders, organize for your own shops.

A presentation pack will be going to all shops in the area over the next week or so, with full details of activities, publicity, how to help, how to make the best of this years festivities.

If you don’t have a pack by the 14th* leave a message here and we will try and get one to you.

Next week I hope to post a list of committee members by street. You will then be able to talk to someone on your street about SBA stuff, making life easier for all.

*Ooops. Running late. Soon, soon….

There will be a General Meeting of all SBA members, (and anyone else you want to bring along), on Monday 5th September, Alpha Cafe, (by Warrior Square railway station), at 6:30pm

What’s needed are ideas and people prepared to see the ideas through. You can guess the next bit: there isn’t much money about from the council or elsewhere this year. So our ideas have to be really good ideas, affordable ideas and ideas we can make happen. You all can do that, I’m sure.

A few things done in the past or maybe worth a thought:
•    Best Window competition
•    Decorating empty shop’s windows
•    Street decorations
•    Competitions for kids, (this year we might have time to get input from schools)
•    Art as presents, (include the many artists in St Leonards)
•    Carols
•    Mince pie competition
•    Pirate Santa dressing up
•    St Leonards Humbugs for the scrooges…
So, please come along on Monday 5th September, Alpha Cafe, (by Warrior Square railway station), at 6:30pm and share your ideas and help make St Leonards have a good Christmas this year.

Roads that will be gritted are Primary Roads: Major routes, main bus routes and roads that connect to hospitals. More info from www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/roads/maintenance/saltingandgritting

Grit Bins will be filled and a few ‘hippo bags’ of grit will be put into primary route areas. Info from www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/roadsmaintenance/saltingandgritting/gritbins

The main Hastings and St Leonards shopping areas will be cleared, as possible, by council contractors and staff.

Clearing areas yourself, The Snow Code: Don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured.
Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves.

“…. The only person who is at risk of being sued is a person who clears the snow so badly that things are worse than before and that common sense
would indicate that this is so; an example given is that of a person who clears a path with water in freezing temperatures and pays no attention to the fact that the water left behind freezes and creates slippery ice. ..”Ministry of Justice, March 2010

Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.

Clear the snow or ice early in the day It’s easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.
Use salt or sand – not water If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery. You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt – a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don’t use the salt found in salting bins -this will be needed to keep the roads clear. Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may cause them damage. If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot. It will however need to be cleared up once the weather improves.
Take care where you move the snow to When you’re shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.

6:00 to 7:30. Corner Cross Street and Kings Road.

Refreshments are available.

Thanks to Gensing Forum for organizing this.

It is with regret, that due to the recent adverse weather conditions it has been decided to postpone the Christmas events planned for Saturday 4th December in St Leonards and consolidate them into the events already planned for Saturday 18th December.

The Christmas committee feels the safety of our volunteers, residents, shop owners, visitors and entertainers is paramount and with freezing conditions expected for the weekend it would be impossible to ensure that the events were enjoyed safely by everyone.

However, we are still planning ahead to the main event on Saturday 18th December and we look forward to welcoming everyone to what will be a truly fabulous St Leonards Christmas on Sea.

Meanwhile ideas, and more especially, offers of help are still very welcome, please leave them on the Christmas site, (link in top right corner of this page.)

It was well attended thanks to Lucy suggesting and distributing leaflets.  Thanks to everyone who turned up.

TRAFFIC

The west side of Norman Road is back to 2 hour parking (from 1 hour), thanks to the SBA. And thanks to the council listening, which won’t happen if Sussex take over traffic from Hastings. Protest! See next item.

Parking Management: there has been an agreement in place between HBC and ESCC to manage parking arrangements and share the income generated from on street parking and fixed penalties.  ESCC as the Highway Authority are the responsible body and the agreement with HBC allows for the income to be reinvested within the borough for improvements to the local roads.  ESCC now wish to terminate the agreement and have issued a notice to HBC to that effect.  This means that HBC will have no control over the on street parking costs or enforcement; there will be no effective local control or safeguards over the parking regime.  The SBA has fought hard to prevent paid on street parking in St Leonards and there is no guarantee that the current arrangement will stand.  HBC are still making representations to ESCC and it is believed that the SBA should support their efforts to withstand the changes.  Richard Homewood has offered to attend a meeting to keep the members informed.

Cross Street: Why is this still closed? Why is there no response from the council? Why was it closed at all? Who benefited? This is an essential part of sensible traffic flow and it seems that it is been ignored. Well, pressure time. It would be helpful if individual letters should be sent to Cllr. Jeremy Birch, Leader of HBC, Simon Hubbard, Head of Regeneration and to Rasoul Shahilow, Parking Services Manager. Or phone them, email, whatever. let them know that SBA members are not happy.

CHRISTMAS

The council has no money to ride to the rescue and provide Christmas. Well, …they have a bit, but it needs careful consideration and careful spending.

There is a CHRISTMAS Website where you can leave ideas of what you think might work, see what ideas were raised at the meeting, leave message, volunteer to help…..BUT, PLEASE, do it soon. We are all in this together, and unless we step up it will not happen.

More soon.

VICE CHAIRMAN

Ade Roseje who has Robyns Out of Africa on Kings Road has agreed to be Vice Chair. Full profile, (well, a few details), and a picture coming soon.