Sovereign Harbour Residents Association

SHRA and Harbour Area News

This page contains 2010 news. Click here for the news archives. Click here for Event Announcements. If you have a local news story or a local event to announce please e-mail the web manager.


credit cardsNew15 Mar - Secure your PIN and credit card! - Police are advising customers shopping at supermarkets to be extra vigilant when using the store's "Self service checkouts".

Recently there have been an series of offences where customers have paid for their goods using a credit or debit card at a self service checkout. Whilst they have done this 2 people have been watching them input their PIN into the card machine.

A short time later, the same customer is approached in the store's car park and distracted, often by being asked the directions to the local hospital or similar and the card is stolen from a handbag or purse by someone else. Very quickly the card is used at the store's cash point and the maximum is withdrawn for that day.

This is particularly nasty as is plays on the good nature of residents who wish to help others in medical need. Additionally the victim does not realise the card has gone until some time after.  Enquires are continuing as to who is responsible for this crime, but vigilance is needed by all shoppers, especially at busy times.

Insp Rachel Barrow, the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector has said "This type of offence is very rare in Eastbourne, but it does appear well organised. We are reminding people to cover the keypad when typing in their PIN and be aware of anybody standing close-by and watching them. If an individual is acting suspiciously please call Police straightaway by dialling 999".


Google Street ViewNew15 Mar - Sovereign Harbour on Google Street View -  the streets of Eastbourne and Sovereign Harbour can now be viewed on Google Street View. The feature provides users with 360° horizontal and 290° vertical panoramic street level views within Google Maps. This latest release has greatly expanded the UK coverage.

Google collects these images using special cameras mounted on the roof of cars that capture and match images to a specific location using GPS devices. Once the images are captured, they are "sewn" together to create a 360° panorama. Faces and license plates are blurred before the panorama images become viewable in Google Maps.

Click here for Google Maps...  Then zoom in (try using your mouse wheel) to street level - then drag the golden human icon (Pegman) on to the street.


South BridgeNew13 Mar - South Bridge closed daytime - Message from Premier Marinas - We have been advised our contractor will be on site from Monday 15th March until approximately Friday 19th March 2010 to carry out the painting and maintenance work we planned to carry out a few months ago on the South bridge.

We are hoping we can lower the bridge each evening for pedestrians, however if this changes I will let you know.

Dave Needham
Assistant Marina Manager Sovereign Harbour
Premier Marinas Limited
Tel: 01323 470099


New13 Mar - Beach work and Harbour dredging update - Monday (15th March) will see the start of shingle movement from Cooden and Herbrand Walk to 'White Horses' and Sovereign Harbour. There will be six trucks travelling in convoy with each return journey taking about 75 minutes.  As usual they will be restricted to 10mph. The work will last just 5 days, start at 07:30 each day and finish by 17:30.

Dredger Sospan-DauAt the same time you will see Sospan Dau working at Sovereign Harbour dredging the entrance channel for Premier Marinas. As part of a concerted move towards improving sustainability we will be trying to reuse any clean sand and shingle that is dredged from the entrance rather than see it all dumped out in a licensed area in Eastbourne Bay.

When suitable material is identified in the dredger’s hold, the skipper will divert the vessel to the area seaward of 'White Horses' and Pevensey Bay Sailing Club. Most of what will be found will be sand, which will be bottom-dumped in the area just above MLW. A bulldozer will be on hand daily to ensure that any shingle is pushed ashore and to dissipate any small amounts of silt that may be included with the sand.

Given the tidal constraints of working inshore and any waves that may develop, we have no idea how many loads may be delivered, but certainly the vast majority will still be disposed of at sea. Similarly, duration of the work will depend on the weather, but in any case it has to be completed by the end of March when the disposal license expires for the season.

If you have any queries or comments please get in touch.

Ian Thomas
Project Manager
Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd

Tel: 01323 761202
email: pcdl@pevensey-bay.co.uk
Website: www.pevensey-bay.co.uk


The Herald New 10 Mar - Eastbourne Herald & Gazette available at the Waterfront - From this Friday (12 March) copies of The Herald will be on sale at Seamoors Wine Bar on The Waterfront.


Proposed designNew 10 Mar - Medical Centre update - Peter Waugh, Project Co-ordinator, has sent us the following up-date on progress with the new Sovereign Harbour Medical Centre.

A further soil investigation has shown the best foundations will be obtained by using a large number of short piles. Pre-tender estimates for the building contract are prepared and the scheme is almost ready to go out to tender. There has been much interest from the building industry.

Discussions with Carillion have continued for the purchase of the site and a formal offer has now been made.

A landscape scheme has been prepared for the ground around the building, using a mix of grass, shingle, pine trees and shrubs, with low hedges and railings to the side and rear of the site. The pumping-station will as far as possible be visually integrated with the rest of the site and ivy is proposed to cover its walls.

A brick type is being chosen which will fit in with the wide variety of bricks found within sight of the centre.

The approach road will go into the site from the existing bell-mouth which leads into the existing temporary surgery car park, then it will loop round the back of the building. Pedestrian access will be straight in off the pavement to the main entrance. A cycle way will eventually run across the middle of the whole site and the beginnings of this will form the far boundary across the top of the site.

The building will be heated in winter and cooled in summer by an air-source heat pump, located in a separate brick-built out-house on the far side of the building , away from housing.

The building has been assessed by the infection control staff of the PCT as meeting the standards for minor operations.


dump truckNew 08 Mar - Beach work update - With no major change in the weather expected this week, recycling plans remain largely unaltered.

After a day’s work at Beachlands today (Monday), machines will return to Cooden. For the remainder of the week shingle will be taken primarily to Normans Bay East.

A week today will see the start of a long distance haul all the way to 'White Horses' and Sovereign Harbour. As has been the case for previous such hauls, all dumptrucks will run in convoy to reduce the potential inconvenience for residents and beach-goers.

If you have any comments or queries, please let me know.

Ian Thomas
Project Manager
Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd
Tel: 01323 761202 email: pcdl@pevensey-bay.co.uk
Website: www.pevensey-bay.co.uk


Crime Reduction PartnershipNew 07 Mar - Improved Eastbourne Neighbourhood Panels website - The new website gives information on Eastbourne's Neighbourhood Panels and details their local issues, priorities, meetings and other information.

Neighbourhood Panels were set up because Neighbourhood policing teams, Borough and County councillors, local people and other agencies, are required to work in partnership to ensure crime free areas in which people want to live and work.

A Neighbourhood Panel provides a solid platform from which a strong relationship can be built between local people and the police, and are mostly about identifying the root causes of problems, and trying to find resolutions to any issues. An added benefit is that any area with a Neighbourhood Panel is a safer one.

Neighbourhood Panels, driven and chaired by local people (such as the Sovereign Harbour Neighbourhood Panel), are a proven way of fostering and ensuring good working partnerships and reducing crime.


Crime Reduction PartnershipNew 05 Mar - Community working together to make real difference - Latest crime figures for the residential area of Sovereign Harbour have shown a real reduction in the number of victims.

The statistics, released after a request from the Sovereign Harbour Neighbourhood Panel (SHNP), showed that in 2009 there were 148 crimes recorded in the residential area of the Harbour; a reduction from the 183 in 2008. These crimes were wide and varied in nature and exclude those that took place in the business area of the Crumbles.

Whilst any crime can have a devastating impact on the victim, this reduction shows that the strong partnership working between the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Neighbourhood Panel, SHRA, and local Council is beginning to have to a great effect on crime in the area. The Harbour, whilst being a relatively new community, is working to ensure criminals know they are being watched, and will be caught.

Neighbourhood Constable for the area, PC Ed Faulkner, said: "This is great news; joined up thinking involving all the community is exactly what is needed to tackle all sorts of crime. These figures are a tribute to the work and dedication put in by residents who are prepared to go that little bit further to help out their community.  We intend to continue this close working to drive down the figures for 2010.  I know that stats aren't everything, but these are a measure of our work".

Chairman of the SHNP, Jan Weeks, said "These statistics show that good co-operation within the community - residents, police, the Borough Council and harbour stakeholders is essential, and has had a positive effect in keeping crime down. The Harbour is a beautiful and safe environment  in which to live; working together we can keep it that way.

"We have to thank the Neighbourhood Policing Team for being visible and approachable, and the issuing of personal mobile numbers has made contacting Neighbourhood officers easier than ever before. This means residents are able to speak to somebody they know and who knows their area; not just a faceless voice. The SHNP has been operating since May 2008 and, by prioritising residents' issues, has been an influential factor in the production of these excellent results."

New Also released today is the March Update from Eastbourne District Police Commander Jayne Dando. Click here to read it...

New And also the March edition of the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership Newsletter - Click here to read it...


Environment AgencyNew 02 Mar - Survey of bathing water at Normans and Pevensey Bays - The Environment Agency are planning a survey on the 10th March around Pevensey and Norman's Bay in which they will be using fluorescent dye (red and green) along with microbiological tracer. The dyes readily biodegrade and the tracers are high concentrations of organisms found in the environment.

There are no designated shellfish beds in the area, but as a sensible precaution you should avoid eating any fish or shellfish from the immediate area for a few days after the survey has taken place. See Notice to Mariners

The EA will put the tracer into the streams/rivers and then take a series of samples along the beach for a tidal cycle to see how the water from the streams impacts on the bathing area.

The survey is being conducted to investigate the causes of pollution to the designated bathing water beaches of Normans and Pevensey bays. We are quantifying the impact of pollution from the streams and outfalls onto the beach so that we can hopefully reduce any pollution and make the bathing waters cleaner.


Beachy Head lighthouseNew 01 Mar - Volunteers wanted at Beachy Head - Commencing in April when its summer daily opening begins, volunteers are needed to help in the gift shop of the Beachy Head Countryside Centre.

Only 3 hours (morning or afternoon) 10-1pm or 1pm-4pm, and an opportunity to meet visitors from all over the world and the UK enjoying the spectacular scenery of the South Downs.

Please call Hazel on 07903-840 287 (Email : hazel.levene@delta45.com) if you are interested.


Pacific DriveNew 26 Feb - Pacific Drive adopted at last - We have just received the good news that Pacific Drive has at last been adopted by East Sussex County Council.

This is the culmination of a long process of co-operation between SHRA, ESCC Highways Officer, Graham Kemp, and Sovereign Ward County Councillor, Cllr. David Elkin. Our thanks to Graham and David, who have both ensured that SHRA was consulted at every stage, and kept fully informed of both progress and problems.

SHRA Chairman, Jan Weeks, said: ”The recent adverse weather conditions showed the importance of this vital access road in and out of the North Harbour. When the snow arrived, I contacted the Highways officers and was told that, although adoption was imminent, the necessary documentation had not been completed, so they were powerless to do anything about it. I then contacted Cllr. Elkin who promised to do everything possible to speed up the process. I’m pleased to say that, since then, progress has been rapid and our goal has now been achieved.”

Cllr. David Elkin said: “It was unacceptable that the only route to the outside world for the residents of 2,000 dwellings was almost impassable and the County Council was unable to resolve the problem. Following the latest representation made by SHRA's Chairman Jan Weeks, I redoubled my effort to finalise the process."

"Although the delays have been frustrating, inspection showed the road was not up to the required standard. The price for the remedial work that was necessary was about £100k; it would have been irresponsible to burden the Council Tax payers with this cost. I have to say that the involvement of SHRA has been crucial.”

Now that the road has been adopted, it will be added to the ‘snow route’ which will ensure that it is kept clear when conditions are difficult.

We now need to put further pressure on the 'powers that be' for the Deed of Dedication for the remaining unadopted roads of the South Harbour.


dump truckNew 25 Feb  - Beach repair work scheduled - Since a tempestuous November all has been relatively quiet, and hence beach works for the last 10 weeks or so have been very limited.  However, the highest spring tides of the year are due in the very early hours of Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd March, so it will be a surprise if we escape as lightly as we did for similar tides in January.

Two years ago on 9th March the beach was well prepared for summer. 24 hours later, after the most erosive storm of the last 10 years, 6 weeks was needed to restore the defences to their earlier condition. With this in mind we have started an excavator and two dumptrucks to do some final reinforcement at Beachlands and Normans Bay East before the weekend.

Where they work after that depends on the weather we receive between now and Monday morning, but once they are on site they will available at a few hours notice to deal with whatever comes our way. I am sure one way and another they will work at Cooden, Herbrand Walk, Normans Bay East, Beachlands, 'White Horses' and Sovereign Harbour – all in relatively short hauls.  All things being equal they will continue in this way until Friday 12th March, although the number of trucks will be increased if necessary.

For the week commencing Monday 15th March we intend to run shingle from Cooden or Herbrand Walk all the way to Sovereign Harbour, with 6 or 7 dumptrucks running in convoy.

For the week commencing Monday 22nd March we intend to transfer shingle round Sovereign Harbour from Langney, adding it the beach by the north harbour revetment.

I have no doubt the weather will have the last word and change our plans for us. I shall endeavour to keep you updated as and when things do change.

Ian Thomas
Project Manager
Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd

Tel: 01323 761 202  Mob: 07884 234 298
email: pcdl@pevensey-bay.co.uk  website: www.pevensey-bay.co.uk


WRAS fox rescueNew 25 Feb - East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service expansion - The WRAS, who SHRA support through sales of The Crumbles Story, are looking at the possibility of taking on a larger unit at the Shaw Barn, Whitesmith where they are currently set up.

The new unit will be much bigger and better suited for separating out prey from predator as well as space for isolation. It will also provide a meeting room, office, kitchen and toilet. Before they take on the unit there will be much work needed to clear, clean, tidy and decorate the new premises as well as construct dividing walls etc.

If you are interested in helping fundraise or help with the move and any work involved and would like to visit and see the possible new unit, then please contact Trevor Weeks on the WRAS rescue line 07815 078 234.

Copies of The Crumbles Story, an illustrated history of the land on which Sovereign Harbour was built, are still available from us at £7.99. Click here for details...


Harbour FriendsNew23 Feb - Harbour Friends celebrates its 5th birthday - An excellent turnout of members attended the 5th birthday celebration and AGM of Harbour Friends on Sunday 21 February at Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club, and joined in a welcome glass of bubbly and a slice of birthday cake.

In recognition of all her hard work in starting and running Harbour Friends over the past five years, Bev Adams was welcomed into the new role of Lifetime President, and Brian Trefty was appointed as Chairman, with a committee of 6 members to manage the club's activities in 2010.

Bev thanked all those who had assisted in 2009 in running a great mixture of events. The usual Sunday evening meetings included 'not quite' bingo, beetle drives, quiz, race and Call my Bluff nights. Events away from the Sunday venue included the summer ball, Christmas dinner, bowling and a variety of coach trips. All were a success and well attended.

The club remains in a healthy state with over 150 members in 2009 and numbers on target for a similar membership this year. Members thoughts on future activities were welcomed in general discussion, and it appears the committee will be kept fully involved in planning these over the coming months!

Membership is open to all those living on Sovereign Harbour. Meetings are every Sunday evening in the bar at Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club and membership provides excellent value at only £12 per year. New members are most welcome and should email Bev for more information at bev@harbourfriends.co.uk


MV AlertNew 20 Feb - Trinity House MV Alert at Sovereign Harbour - The Alert is working in the outer harbour today (Saturday) lifting the navigation buoys out of the water for servicing. The removal of these buoys also usually indicates that the annual depth surveys and dredging of the outer harbour are imminent.


sussex police crestNew 16 Feb - Keep communal areas secure - There has recently been an increase in dwelling burglaries where access has been gained via insecure communal doors.

PC Ed Faulkner of the Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "The Harbour has a very high concentration of blocks of flats and whilst we regularly give advice over security of these properties I would like to remind everyone who lives in a block of flats that, when you come and go, to ensure the door closes properly behind you. Also if you see any doors which are insecure, close them as soon as possible.

Similarly if you have balcony doors or windows, ensure that they are secured when not in use. Burglars take every opportunity they can, and so let's not give them any. Help protect your property and that of your neighbours. Keep doors and windows secure."


CRP 15 Feb - Crime Reduction Partnership newsletter - Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership have recently published their February newsletter.

Amongst other items, it contains info on road safety and a report on an interesting and fruitful exercise, 'Operation Synergy' in Old Town. To read it click here...


SHRA 13 Feb - SHRA membership renewal - Many SHRA memberships are due for renewal in late March. If you renew your membership early (like from now!) to help us deal with the rush, we will still extend your new membership card to the end of March 2011. We can do this whether you renew by cheque or on-line by credit card via PayPal. See Join page for details, postal application form and PayPal link.


mayor 12 Feb - Visit by the Mayor - At the invitation of Sovereign Harbour Social Club, Eastbourne's mayor visited the Harbour on Wednesday, along with local councillors Margaret Salsbury and Susan Morris and Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Stephen Lloyd, to celebrate the Club's second birthday. Video...


Shoresearch 08 Feb - Shoresearch 2010 - If you enjoy being out in the open air, are interested in rock pooling and learning more about our coastal habitats and species, then this may be exactly what you are looking for. A series of field trips from March to November to nine lovely beach locations to help survey the intertidal plant and animal life. Full details in this Shoresearch information sheet.


08 Feb - Police get mobile phones - The Neighbourhood Policing Team have been issued with mobile phones which they will carry whenever they are on duty. If they are busy the call will be diverted to the Hammonds Drive office, and then to voicemail.

The numbers are:


Ed Faulkner
07787 685 813

Louis Thompson
07787 685 801

Martin Hylands
 07909 873 787


parking sign 05 Feb - Parking enforcement update  - The NSL Services Group mobile patrol unit is making regular visits during the day to both Atlantic Drive and Pacific Drive.

Eight penalty charge notices have been issued to vehicles parked on yellow lines since December. Three penalty notices were issued last weekend. Further weekend and evening enforcement is planned.


Lord Lieutenant's visit 03 Feb - Visit by Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex. The Lord Lieutenant, Peter Field, was the guest of the Sovereign Harbour Social Club, on Wednesday, February 3rd.

He spoke of his role appointed by The Queen to act on her behalf in East Sussex and explained how the title was created in the reign of Henry VIII.  Click here... to view a video of the visit made by Eastbourne Live Television


03 Feb - Thanks from Harbour Rotary Club - Photo below shows Don Perman, President of Sovereign Harbour's new Rotary Club, presenting a cheque for £530 to Kara Bishop, Chief Executive of St Wilfrid's Hospice. This sum was collected by the Club, outside Boots at the Crumbles, on 11 and 12 December and they are most grateful to local residents for their generosity.

Rotary Club donation


Cone penetration testing 02 Feb - Medical site inspection - This jacked-up vehicle was spotted on the proposed Medical Centre site yesterday (Monday), and is presumably carrying out the investigations mentioned in the report below. The contactors website suggests that these are probably Cone Penetration Tests which takes place in-situ, with virtually instantaneous results.


Proposed design 29 Jan - Medical Centre update - Dr Adoki’s project team report that detailed design is complete and the preparation to go out to tender has begun.

They also report that the ground conditions revealed by the deep site drilling have shown a need for some extra investigations which will be carried out within the next two weeks. These will consist of a number of shallower ground tests.

Finally, they say that detailed discussions with Carillion regarding the purchase of the land continue and that they are keeping in touch with the PCT over the NHS support for the project.


Dont be a mug 29 Jan - Report scams - ESCC are asking residents in East Sussex to help in the fight against con artists, criminals and scammers by taking part in a month-long ‘Scamnesty’ campaign. The Council's Trading Standards are asking the public to hand in any suspicious ‘scam’ mailings to their local library during February. All of the County Council’s libraries are taking part in the campaign which is being replicated by Trading Standards across the UK with the support of the Office of Fair Trading.
More info and advice...

Also, be on your guard against so called 'phishing', where criminals phone you or send you a fake email tempting you to reveal your account details to them.

Do not to give out your personal details or passwords to anyone you don't know, both on-line or on the phone - no matter how essential they insist it is.

Ignore emails saying your Sky, BT, mobile phone or bank account has a problem or needs updating, no matter how 'official' the email looks (the logos are easily copied). All these organisations have other ways of informing you if there is a genuine problem. More info from Consumer Direct...    More info from Bank Safe...


Eastbourne Seniors Forum 21 Jan - Sports and Leisure Directory updated - The directory lists clubs and contacts offering activates for the over 50s in the Eastbourne area. From Archery to Yoga via Creative Writing, Family History and many more. It is published by the Eastbourne Seniors Forum (ESF). Click here to view the Directory index...


pigeons 20 Jan - If it 'aint the dogs, it's the blooming pigeons! - A Harbour resident has written to us seeking suggestions for keep pigeons off his balcony. We've suggested the usual moving objects (e.g. windmills or strung-up old CDs), or model owls, or something from this web site...  Any other ideas or suggestions to pass on welcomed.


dog20 Jan - More dog fouling complaints - There has been an increase in cases of dog fouling on the Harbour pavements and footpaths. All dog owners are asked to please clear up after their dog. More info...


Beachy Head lighthouse 17 Jan - Beachy Head light to be switched off - In their recently published '2010 Aids to Navigation Review', Trinity House are proposing to "Discontinue all Aids to Navigation at this station [Beachy Head] in conjunction with increasing the range of the light at Royal Sovereign lighthouse to 24nm".

You can read the Review here...  January. More info...


Oxfam 15 Jan - Haiti Earthquake Appeal - You may like to donate at the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) website, or the Oxfam website, or via PayPal.

Or you can donate by posting a cheque made payable to DEC HAITI EARTHQUAKE to DEC HAITI EARTHQUAKE, PO BOX 999, LONDON, EC3A 3AA

Or by phone on 0370 60 60 900, or by making a payment in any high street bank or post office quoting Freepay 1449.


sussex police crest 12 Jan - New Year message from Police - Eastbourne's District Commander Jayne Dando, reports on recent police work and prepares to welcome 8 more officers to the team.
Click here to read message...


Marine traffic 11 Jan - What's the name of that ship on the horizon? Now you can find out with this live, marine tracking map. Click here...

The data is collated from information received via the vessel's AIS (Automatic Identification System). All vessels over 299GT are required to carry an AIS, which transmits their position, speed, course, name, dimensions and other details.


piano keys 05 Jan- Local choir seek accompanist - The current accompanist of the Sovereign Singers female voice choir is unable to continue after May. The choir need to find someone to accompany them next Autumn from October to December and hopefully thereafter for a while.

As the choir donate all to charity their budget is minute for anything; they really do need a minor miracle so they may continue with their future musical and charity endeavours. If you can help the choir find an accompanist please contact the Musical Director on 01323 470 445.


stagecoach bus02 Jan - Reminder - new Stagecoach bus numbers from Jan 03 2010 - Buses on the routes to and from Eastbourne Town Centre and the North and South Harbour will be re-numbered as Number 5 (ASDA & North Harbour), and Number 5A (Beatty Rd and South Harbour). More info...   New timetable (seems much the same).


02 Jan - 'Purse Buddie' alarms for free - The Crime Reduction Partnership have paid for a large number of "purse buddies" which are alarms that can be fitted easily to purses and handbags so that if they are removed a rather horrible and ear piecing alarm goes off.

Anyone who would like one free of charge can call PCSO Martin Hylands on: 0845 60 70 999 Ext 14462 or e-mail him with your name and address or contact info. Click here for more details...


The Crumbles Story 02 Jan - The Crumbles Story - back in stock - Where did the rock of the harbour arms come from? What was the Crumbles Railway? What is the wreck visible at low tide? We have a limited number of signed copies of the very informative paperback book, The Crumbles Story by local author Ann Botha that answers these questions.

If you are interested in the history of the land on which Sovereign Harbour is built, the industry and events that took place on it, and its unique flora and fauna, this book is for you, and at just £7.99, it won’t break the bank. The book contains many illustrations in colour and B&W.

To order a copy and pay with your credit card, send an email to the webmaster webmaster@shra.co.uk with your name and address and we'll email you a PayPal payment request (you don't need to have a PayPal account).

Or send a cheque for £7.99, payable to SHRA, with your name and address to:

The Crumbles Story
SHRA
PO Box 124
Eastbourne
East Sussex BN24 9AW

We will deliver the book to your door, or post it to you if outside the area.

News Archive...