Welcome to this week's newsletter!
This week I added my name to a cross-party letter urging the PM to put victims and survivors at the heart of the grooming gang inquiry. I have long believed that our justice system must do more to serve victims – it is crucial that this inquiry delivers justice.
Recently, I visited Westfield Cricket Club, where I discussed fundraising opportunities for a new cricket pavilion, a requirement set out by the ECB and Sussex County League following the Clubs successful ECB Clubmark Accreditation. I’m keen to support them, so please see below for more details.
I was delighted to visit The Bright Foundation in Westfield, where I met John Bright, Oscar-winning costume designer who founded this incredible local creative charity. There are lots of craft activities as well as a lovely café – a great place for children and young people to get involved in enjoying the arts and creativity.
I’m celebrating our local pubs this summer! We have so many across our constituency that I thought it would be great for people to highlight which are their favourite. See the article below for more details!
I will be hosting a Surgery in Pevensey Bay from 1-2:30 PM on Wednesday 13th August. The Surgery will be taking place at Ethel Wood Community Centre on Coast Road, BN24 6NS. If you have an issue you'd like to discuss with me, then come on down.
St Barnabas Church will be hosting coffee mornings on the first Friday of each month from September – check out the article if you fancy going along.
This weekend has two big events on, as Mais House will be hosting their Summer Fair, and Rural Past Times will be returning for its 12th year! If you fancy getting out of the house this weekend, then take a look at what they have to offer.
And lastly, please find local road closures at the bottom of the newsletter, as provided by third parties.
Have a great weekend.
This week's newsletter:
- Grooming Gang Inquiry Cross Party Letter to the PM
- Westfield Cricket Club – Fundraising for a New Pavilion
- The Bright Foundation in Westfield
- Celebrating our Local Pubs!
- Surgery at Pevensey Bay
- Coffee Mornings at St Barnabas Church
- Mais House Summer Fair
- Rural Past Times 2025
- Local Road Closures
Grooming Gang Inquiry Cross-Party Letter to the PM
As Shadow Justice Minister, I am joining colleagues from Labour, Liberal Democrats, Reform and other Conservative MPs in signing a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister urging him to put victims and survivors at the heart of the national grooming gangs inquiry.
Too many have been failed for too long. This inquiry must not be symbolic, it must deliver justice, with the voices of survivors at its core and a renewed focus on prosecutions and trust in the system. I have long believed that our justice system must do more to serve the needs of victims, not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental principle. That belief guides my work and continues to shape my priorities in Parliament.
This is above party politics. It is about finally doing right by those who have waited far too long to be heard.
Westfield Cricket Club – Fundraising for a New Pavilion
I recently visited Westfield Cricket Club to discuss fund raising opportunities for a new cricket pavilion. This small village cricket club runs two senior teams in the Sussex County League, also playing Midweek and Sunday fixtures.
They have a growing youth section for children aged 4 to 11 and Colts section fielding five teams in various underage leagues from Under-9 to Under-14. Last year, the club was delighted to receive the England Cricket Board (ECB) Clubmark Accreditation following their hard work over a number of years.
To grow the Club and its young talent pool, they need to have facilities to match the requirements set out by the ECB and Sussex County League. However, this requires them to build a new cricket pavilion to replace the converted shipping containers they currently use as changing facilities. Fund-raising for a new pavilion is proving challenging, and I am keen to support them.
Westfield CC would love to hear from potential donors and/or sponsors who would like to support them in their ambition to build a new pavilion.
See the link above for further details.
The Bright Foundation in Westfield
I was delighted to visit The Bright Foundation Barn Theatre and Museum in Westfield. I was fortunate to meet the inspirational John Bright, the Oscar-winning costume designer who founded this local creative charity to give children and young people the opportunity to get involved in enjoying the arts and creativity.
The Bright Foundation is a fascinating place to visit for all ages. It also has an interesting toy museum with items collected by John Bright over many years. There are craft activities for children as well as a café serving delicious cakes. On my recent visit, there was the added bonus of a colourful puppet show in the theatre.
The Bright Foundation has also recently opened the Benbow Arts Space in St Leonards which is dedicated to filmmaking with related activities and courses for young people aged 11+.
Further details on their activities, courses and volunteering opportunities can be found in the link above.
Celebrating Our Local Pubs!
We have lots of incredible pubs across our constituency. I thought this summer would be a great opportunity to hear from constituents about which pub is their favourite!
I have posted on my Facebook asking for people to nominate their favourite pub in the comment section, or alternatively to email me at kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.
So join me in celebrating local pubs in the Bexhill & Battle constituency!
You can find a link to my Facebook post here.
Surgery at Pevensey Bay
I will be hosting a Surgery at Pevensey Bay, from 1-2:30 PM on Wednesday 13th August.
If you have any issues which you would like to discuss with me in person, then please come on down to Ethel Wood Community Centre on Coast Road, BN24 6NS.
I look forward to meeting you there!
Coffee Mornings at St Barnabas Church
St Barnabas Church, Bexhill will be hosting coffee mornings from 10:30-12:00 on the first Friday of each month, starting from 5th September.
If you fancy heading down to meet new people, then do join them for fresh coffee, pastries & cake!
Mais House Summer Fair
Mais House Royal British Legion Care Home in Bexhill-on-Sea will be hosting its Summer Fair this weekend on Saturday 9th August — and everyone is warmly invited to join.
Mais House is home to some of our Nation’s Veterans, and the Summer Fair helps raise vital funds for their Amenities Fund — supporting enriching activities, musical performances, and outings that bring joy and connection to those who served our country.
Expect a wonderful afternoon with live entertainment, pygmy goats and a pony, games, stalls, a bumper raffle, and plenty of community spirit. Local charities and groups will also be in attendance.
I’m proud to support this brilliant event and I have donated a raffle prize to help raise funds for the care and wellbeing of the residents.
I’d encourage everyone to come along and show their support for this fantastic cause — a chance to give back to those who’ve given so much.
- Mais House, 18 Hastings Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 2HH
- Saturday 9th August, 14:00-16:30
- Everyone is welcome!
Rural Past Times 2025
Looking for a fun, family-friendly day out this summer?
Rural Past Times returns this weekend on the 9th and 10th of August for its 12th year — and it promises to be another fantastic weekend celebrating the best of our countryside heritage.
Running from 10am to 5pm each day, this event brings together everything from working tractors, heavy horses, and classic cars to live music, traditional crafts, ferret racing, and even tractor and trailer rides for the kids. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the history of farming and rural life, while enjoying great entertainment for all ages.
Tickets are just £10 for adults and £5 for children aged 5–14, with all proceeds going to support a wide range of charities. Last year alone, the event raised an impressive £16,000 for 35 different causes, many of them local.
Whether you're a fan of vintage machinery, interested in rural crafts, or just after a relaxed day in the countryside with the family, Rural Past Times 2025 is well worth a visit.
For more information, click on the event invite below, or visit their website here.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Bexhill
- Cooden Drive: 3 February 2025 – 1 February 2026
- Gillham Wood Road: 11 August – 12 August
- West Down Road: 11 August, 08:00 – 15 August, 18:00 BST
- Collington Lane East: 11 August, 08:00 – 12 August, 17:00 BST
Battle
- Netherfield Hill: 6 August, 10:20 – 11 August, 17:00 BST
Broad Oak
- Old Heathfield Road: 23 July – 2 September
- Beacon Lane: 7 August, 08:18 – 11 August, 17:00 BST
Westfield
- Parsonage Lane: 18 August, 09:00 – 29 August, 16:00 BST
- Wheel Lane: 18 August, 09:00 – 29 August, 16:00 BST
Ticehurst
- Lymden Lane: 5 August, 13:15 – 8 August, 17:00 BST
- Lymden Lane: 11 August, 08:00 – 22 August, 16:30 BST
Northiam
- Main Street: 2 July, 19:00 – 17 August, 07:00 BST
- Beales Lane: 18 August, 08:00 – 22 August, 17:00 BST
Brede
- Brede Hill: 1 July, 19:00 – 19 October, 07:00 BST
Crowborough
- Church Road: 30 July – 29 August
Crowhurst
- Swainham Lane: 11 August, 08:00 – 13 August, 17:00 BST
Etchingham
- Church Lane: 28 July – 22 August
Ashburnham
- The Pound: 14 August, 09:30 – 15:30 BST
North Road
- North Road: 19 August, 08:00 – 27 August, 17:00 BST
