The first of several Streets of Wealden events kicked off last weekend with a range of activities in Polegate and Crowborough.
Other events are taking place in Hailsham, Heathfield and Uckfield this month.
The Streets of Wealden initiative promotes Wealden’s high streets in a bid to increase footfall with fun, free street theatre events taking place. The events are funded through the Wealden District Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ and are being delivered by local events company, 18 Hours.
The Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Streets of Wealden project has received £41,000.
On Friday 3rd March, Wealden’s Vice-Chairman Councillor Angela Snell visited Polegate to watch the first event – a puppet show called Hulla Balloony Moon Time! The show featured 45 minutes of cakey fun, puppets and a dance with the moon all based on Pat-a-cake Baby by Joyce and Polly Dunbar, with music and songs by Tom Gray.
Wealden District Council’s Chairman Councillor Ron Reed attended the second event in Crowborough on Saturday 4th March which featured performers Salana the Seal and Marina Mudflat the Marine Biologist, Floris in her Enchanted Flower Globe brimming with butterflies and flowers, the Crimplene Crusaders and Dolly Delicious, who skated around the high street entertaining residents.
Councillor Ron Reed said,
The events at Crowborough were great. There were so many different acts which appealed to different age groups. It was a lot of fun and I would encourage residents to go along to the other events in the district this month.
Cllr R Reed
The Flower Globe and other acts will be back on Saturday 11th March, in Hailsham from 11.30am–2.30pm alongside the world’s first and only shopping trolley dance display team and Dolly Delicious.
On Friday 17th March in Heathfield town centre, there will be a Puppet Show from 4.30pm at the Union Church Hall with Woodland Tales by Pickled Image.
The final event is in Uckfield on Saturday 18th March from 11.30am-2.30pm in the High Street with Yeshe the Yak, the Whizzers and many more acts.
Councillor Philip Lunn, Wealden’s portfolio holder for Leisure, said,
I am pleased that so many people attended to show support at last weekend’s entertainment at Polegate and Crowborough. It was thoroughly enjoyed by residents and I hope that Heathfield, Uckfield and Hailsham have just as many visitors coming along and enjoying the weird and wonderful acts.
Cllr P Lunn
For full information on each event and times please visit www.explorewealden.co.uk.
