Or is it the other way around? Since 9 January, residents in Ore Valley have been able to enjoy the benefits of both.
The Bridge is an accessible, high quality building where local groups can meet and community activities take place. It has risen from the ashes of the old Priory Neighbourhood Centre and came about as a result of the community's efforts and initiative in raising the funding, agreeing the design, appointing Westridge Construction and overseeing the building process. This can be a challenge and the Chair of the Ore Valley Forum who is a long standing Farley Bank resident, recalls some rather tense design meetings. However, the residents involved have acquired new skills and confidence having negotiated with planners, funders and each other. The landmark building they have created, which is held by Hastings Trust on behalf of the community, is light and spacious. Local natural materials such as Sussex sweet chestnut wood and wool have been used throughout The Bridge, and perhaps its most unusual feature is the roof, which is planted with sedum and changes colour throughout the seasons.
It offers two training/meeting rooms, a main hall, a training kitchen and a children's area offering a free after school club or créche while mums and dads are training. Local groups are already taking advantage of this new setting. Horizons Community Learning, featured in the last issue, holds six different courses there, SureStart uses the venue for courses like 'Get Cooking' and 'Breastfeeding Support' and the Buzz youth club has found a new home there. Exhibition space is also available for budding Hastings artists and filmmakers.
One of the ways Hastings Regeneration Partnership (HRP) is supporting The Bridge is by providing government regeneration funds to employ a Community Engagement Worker. She is responsible for developing and maximising income to the centre.
As the Bridge manager said:
"We use the government funding to ensure we earn income, so the funding carries on working. You can't earn income unless you are delivering what local people need." Plans include expanding the range of organisations that use the centre and catering for corporate functions from the kitchen. This in turn will create a need for new staff, expanding local employment opportunities.
The café itself is open to all and serves delicious meals and snacks in a light and airy setting. When HRP visited, the History Group was settling down for their weekly meeting, and as a children's play area is provided, families are finding it a good place to meet friends too.
So what benefits has this new facility brought?
"It's made a lot of difference. A lot more people come here than ever went to the old Priory Neighbourhood Centre. The residents' association is here, so is the Ore Valley Forum, we have adult learning, SureStart, a café and more space."
"At last we have a beautiful building in the Ore Valley, a place where all sectors of the community can get together. You only need to look at people's faces to know The Bridge is a success. Everyone looks so comfortable and at home."
English Partnerships, European Regional Development Fund, SureStart Ore Valley and many others, as well as Hastings Regeneration Partnership have funded the Bridge.
The Bridge Community Centre and Café is located at Priory Road, Ore Valley, Hastings, TN34 3NW. If you would like to book any of the facilities please telephone 01424 433611. Or just drop in for a coffee. We think you'll like it.
The net huts on the Stade are a key part of Hastings' image. The unique 19th century structures continue to draw visitors to the fishing beach and interest people in our industrial heritage. It's therefore important to maintain their appearance. Hastings Regeneration Partnership, in conjunction with Hastings Borough Council, English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund are supporting the final phase of a refurbishment programme that started in 1996.
The Stade Trail directs visitors to various points of interest around the fishing beach area. The existing signs have been in place for some years now and a number of them are clearly showing the effects of the wind, sea and salt. Some replacement Stade Trail signs will shortly be installed as part of a £122,000 package of works approved by Hastings Regeneration Partnership. Other plans include several new fingerposts and panels aimed at visitors on foot, which will highlight the attractions of the Old Town and fishing beach; the resurfacing of the fishmarket hard standing area to improve the appearance and hygiene of the area; alterations to the fishmarket steps to improve the access to the market area, the café, and offices upstairs; clearing and levelling of the old dog pound area in Rock-a-Nore Road; a technical study for further enhancements on the Stade and a contribution to the cost of the Old Town decorative lighting schemes.
This happens when people are able to exercise their rights and have more control over their lives. This often means gaining a stronger voice in institutions, agencies and situations that affect them. To empower a community is to increase its ability to do things for itself. It means increased ability and strength. It means more skills, more confidence and more effective organisation.
The national regeneration agency. Its overall aim is to achieve high-quality, well-designed, sustainable places for people to live, work and enjoy. It has its own portfolio of projects, advises the government on the use of brownfield land and helps to create real communities.
A government programme which aims to give children the best start in life through a mix of early education, childcare and health and family support services. SureStart Ore Valley is based in Chiltern Drive and can be contacted on 01424 448143
Hastings Regeneration Partnership brings together the voluntary, public and private sectors to spend £26 million Single Regeneration Budget money provided through South East England Development Agency. With matched funding, the 100 local projects pull in a total of £128 million for social, economic and physical regeneration.
The Partnership can be contacted on 01424 451781.
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This page last updated: 22/03/2006