Category: Sugar Loaf Field

Make your Mark Event Saturday 17th October 2026

Make your Mark on the Sugar Loaf Field!
Saturday 17th October 11am – 4pm

view of field

Every October, the Campaign for Drawing organise a national Big Draw Festival to encourage more people to enjoy being creative.

This year’s theme is Make a Mark and we thought this would be an ideal opportunity to invite Dallington residents of all ages to visit the Recreation Ground (also known as the Sugar Loaf Field) to have some fun and think about how you would like to make more use of the field and pavilion.

The pavilion will be open  all day from 11am – 4pm  with a range of resources and activities for adults and children, including hedgerow collages and prints, landscape pictures, and lots of other ways to make your mark to communicate the improvements you’d like to see on the field.

We are so lucky to have this community resource but it needs to be more widely known and used.  Its height above sea level makes it ideal for stargazing and radio activities as well as offering wonderful views towards the coast. It has good car parking and a hedge all the way round ( ideal for blackberry picking and nature trails) and a large field for all kinds of games. More information at https://www.dallingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/local-information/recreation-ground-sugar-loaf-field/

Refreshments will be available and if the weather is good you are very welcome to bring a picnic. We hope to see you there.

This Saturday – Barbecue at Sugar Loaf Field

(Posted on behalf of David Wilson)

RAYNET would like to invite Dallington Parish Council
and the people of the parish to come to a

BARBECUE
this Saturday 19th September
from 11 o’clock to 2 o’clock
at the Sugar Loaf Field Recreation Ground Pavilion
to see the equipment that
RAYNET have put in place for parish resilience in an emergency.

If you are not sure what the RAYNET project is all about,
you can read about it in this recent update at
https://www.dallingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/raynet-dallington-project-update-summer-2026/

Raynet Dallington Project Update Summer 2026

Update by David Wilson

As previously reported, RAYNET (the amateur radio volunteer group who support the police, ambulance service and fire brigade by providing a communication resource in times of emergency) have been working with Dallington Parish Council to establish a radio hub centred on Dallington.

This is a key part of resilience planning against the event of normal communication systems failing due to natural or man-made disasters .  There is no cost to the Parish Council or those wishing to be part of the project. All materials and equipment are being provided by RAYNET. It is hoped other Parish Councils will become involved in due course.

Here’s an update on our progress so far.

Phase 1 The Dallington Project made a start on the 1st March 2026. Eastbourne and Wealden Raynet (EWR) erected a simple antenna outside the pavilion in the recreation ground. Our training officer Pat and her husband Dick operated a VHF transceiver from the pavilion and members drove round the county testing the reception coverage. It was an outstanding success!

Phase 2 As the radio reception was so good it was decided to proceed with the project to install antennas and radio repeating equipment in the pavilion.    24th April 2026 was a nice sunny warm day. Members gathered on the field having previously sourced the necessary equipment form RAYNET funds.

2 men erecting an antennaPhoto 1 The first step was to erect the antennas and cabling. Here we see our intrepid members scaling the heights of the container.

The antenna in they are holding will be used eventually for the Public Mobile Radios (PMR)   which any one could use.

 

 

man at bench soldering equipmentPhoto 2 The next stage was to solder the special cable end fittings.  Here we see Tony (or G8WBI to his amateur radio friends) hard at work with his soldering iron.

The Radio equipment and battery  has its own special container (because it has to be stand-alone equipment and not rely on the mains electricity).

 

2 men assembling cabinetPhoto 3  The only problem was that the cabinet came in many pieces…..

A child is said to be able to assemble the cabinet, unfortunately we didn’t have any children to hand so two members had to have a go, they spent many a happy hour sorting it out until they found the instructions!

 

people taking a break in the sunshinePhoto 4 Here we see the members having a break before heaving the antenna into place (that is the long rod in the background)

 

 

 

 

Phase 3   11th May 2026 Not such a nice day. Four members gathered for the installation of the solar panels which will charge the battery stored in the cabinet.

solar panelsPhoto 5 The solar panels were placed horizontally on the top of the container using very strong magnets. Members were careful not to have their phones nearby in case the strong magnetic fields damaged their phone memories.

Once installed, the panels had to be connected to the battery,  but this involved a special controller attached to the back of the cabinet along with a standby battery charger in case the panels are covered in snow and cannot charge the battery.

cabinet with two battery packsPhoto 6 The small box is the solar panel controller and the bigger one is the battery charger.

Apparently, they can talk to each other by Bluetooth so if the battery cannot be charged by the solar panels the battery charger takes over. Pretty cool!

 

cabinet in placePhoto 7 This shows the cabinet in the cupboard complete with battery and radio.

It was tested and found to be relaying messages across the county.

 

 

The next stage is to set up the radio so that it can be turned off and on remotely (so I don’t have to go up to the pavilion in the middle of the night!) And install another radio for packet radio (a way of sending emails by radio without the internet) – but more about that another day.

IN THE MEANTIME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Pat 07746393788         Steve 07435221861       David 07773044719

Agenda for the Dallington Recreation Ground Meeting on 17.03.26

DALLINGTON RECREATION GROUND

REGISTERED CHARITY NO.305203

SOLE TRUSTEE: DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Trustee Members are invited to a meeting of the Dallington Recreation Ground Trust, to be held on 17th March 2026 in Dallington Village Hall and starting at 7.00pm.

Irene Marchant (Secretary/Treasurer)

St. Giles, Woods Corner, Dallington, East Sussex TN21 9LA

01424 838414 – clerk@dallington.org.uk

1. Apologies for absence

2. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting

3. RAYNET use of the DRG

4. Review of 2025-26

5. Works/actions need 2026-27

6. Date of next meeting

March 2027

Agenda for the Dallington Parish Council Meeting on 18.11.25

AGENDA FOR THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETNG TO BE HELD ON 18th NOVEMBER 2025

Parish Council Members are summoned to a meeting of Dallington Parish Council to be held on 18th November 32025, at 7.30pm in Dallington Village Hall

Members of the press and public are welcome and encouraged to attend

Irene Marchant – Parish Clerk/RFO

St. Giles, Woods Corner, Dallington, East Sussex TN21 9LA

01424 838414 – clerk@dallington.org.uk

13th November 2025

1. Disclosure of interests

To receive any disclosures by Members of personal interests in matters on this agenda, the nature of any such interest and whether the Member considers the interest as a disclosable pecuniary interest under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

2. Dispensations

3. Apologies for absence

4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting(s)

5. Open Forum

5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor E. Kirby-Green

5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor N. McLaren

5.3 Public Question Time – to receive any questions from member of the public on matters on this agenda.

6. Dallington Recreation Ground

  • To consider the request from the Eastbourne and Wealden RAYNET group for us of the DRG for their various exercises.
  • The Eastbourne and Wealden RAYNET Group was formed in 1976 with the objective of support for blue light emergency services, the Emergency Planning Officer and the voluntary emergency services, e.g. British Red Cross and the St. John Ambulance service.
  • To consider hiring charges for the pavilion and to request a schedule of usage during the year.

7. Grants and donations

To consider a donation request from the Friends of Dallington School towards their Christmas event.

8. Rother District Council Community Grants Fund

For Councillor Ridley to brief on the application for Dallington Village Hall for “Digital Dallington,” to provide IT support and advice in the Village Hall.

(COUNCILLOR RIDLEY)

9. Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation

For the Chair to brief on the meeting he attended recently at the Emmanual Centre. (CHAIR)

10. Planning

10.1 No planning applications for consideration.

10.2 Any other planning matters for discussion.

11. Enforcement

11.1 No Dallington items on RDC’s most recent enforcement list.

11.2 Any other enforcement items for discussion.

12. Highways/Rights of Way

12.1 To discuss the issues with the Woods Corner staggered crossroad and any actions that DPC can practically take.

12.2 Any other Highways/RoW matters for discussion.

13. Finance

13.1 Bank balances at 31.10.25

  • DPC deposit account – £13,686.26
  • DPC current account – £1,135.99
  • DRG current account – £362.77

13.2 To approve the following payment:

  • Clerk salary/HO Oct/Nov 2025 – £1,117.40

13.3 To approve the second quarter accounts at 30.09.25 as presented by the Clerk.

14. Dates of next meetings

  • 16.12.25 – full council meeting/planning meeting (provisional)
  • 17.01.26 – full council meeting

Agenda for Dallington Recreation Ground Meeting on 18.03.25 at 7.00pm

DALLINGTON RECREATION GROUND

Registered Charity No. 305203

Sole Trustee – Dallington Parish Council

Trust Members are invited to a meeting of the Dallington Recreation Ground Trust, to be held on 18th March 2025 at 7.00pm in Dallington Village Hall

Members of the press and public are welcome and encouraged to attend

Irene Marchant (Secretary/Treasurer)

St. Giles, Woods Corner, Dallington, East Sussex TN21 9LA

01424 838414 – clerk@dallington.org.uk

13th March 2025

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the previous meeting

To approve the accuracy of the draft minutes for the DRG meeting held on 19.03.24.

3. User Fees

There are no contracted/regular users of the DRG at present.

4. Hiring Agreements

To set formal hiring agreements for users wishing to hire the DRG for events.

5. Review of 2024-25

To consider the works carried out and usage during 2024-25.

6. Looking forward to 2025-26

To consider any major works/improvements to be carried out during 2025-26.

7. Date of next meeting

March 2026.

Agenda for DPC Extraordinary Meeting 20.03.23

AGENDA FOR THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 20th June 2023, AT 7.30pm IN DALLINGTON VILLAGE HALL

Parish Council Members are summoned to an Extraordinary Council Meeting of Dallington Parish Council, to be held on 20th June 2023, at 7.30pm in Dallington Village Hall

Irene Marchant – Parish Clerk/RFO

St. Giles, Woods Corner, Dallington, East Sussex TN21 9LA

01424 838414/07711 224150 – clerk@dallington.org.uk

1. Disclosure of interests

To receive any disclosures by Members of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any such interest and whether the Member regards the interest as a disclosable pecuniary interest under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

2. Dispensations

3. Apologies for absence

4. Open Forum

Public Question Time – to receive any questions/concerns from members of the public on matters on the agenda.

5. Damage to pavilion ceiling and actions to be taken.

6. Other DRG matters.

  • Installation of galvanised pedestrian gate adjacent car park gate.
  • Replace the shiplap base on pavilion.
  • The entire pavilion needs a coat of creosote type varnish.
  • The waste behind the pavilion needs clearing and disposed of safely.
  • The old goal posts need safe disposal.
  • The contents of the container must be looked at, presently an old, defunct mover and safe disposal considered.

7. Dates of next meetings

  • 18.07.23 – Full Council Meeting
  • 15.08.23 – Planning Meeting (provisional)