The Bale House celebrates with opening ceremony

The Bale House, the Visitor Centre in Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve, is holding an official opening event to coincide with Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Groundwork South who run The Bale House for Hastings Borough Council, have organised a day of family friendly activities to celebrate the official opening of the centre and the Jubilee.

From 10am on Saturday 4 June, there will be a series of nature-themed activities and talks at The Bale House.

The first activity is a Beetles and Butterflies Embossing workshop where you can create a broach or fridge magnet of a butterfly or beetle in the centre's first embossing workshop. There are limited spaces available for the session from 10am to 12noon, please book through Eventbrite. All materials will be provided.

From 11am to 2.30pm there will be a drop-in children's activity table with various nature-based craft activities for children to take part in.

At 12.30pm the grand opening ceremony will take place. The building will be officially opened by Cllr Julia Hilton, lead councillor for climate change and natural environment.

Local historian Steve Peak will be giving a talk on the history of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Spaces should be booked through Eventbrite. Steve's book on the park will also be available to buy on the day.

From 2pm to 3pm it will be Mini-Beast Safari time. Everyone is encouraged to have a hunt around The Bale House to see what insects and bugs you can find - there will be some nets available but bring your own if you have one.

Cllr Julia Hilton (Green), lead councillor for climate change and natural environment, said: "We are excited that The Bale House is hosting this event to celebrate both the building and the Queen's Jubilee. I hope the activities planned allow lots of people to enjoy the fantastic building we are lucky to have here and be inspired by the beautiful surroundings."

Council Leader Paul Barnett (Labour) said: "Conceiving, designing, and building this innovative straw bale building has been a labour of love for Hastings Borough Council over many years. Many officers and councillors have devoted a lot of time to ensure that we raised significant funding, much of it from the EC, and found skilled crafts people able to build this excellent example of a sustainable building, the right decision for the right location and function. So now that it's proved really popular too with the public, I am delighted that we finally have the official opening and hope as many of those previously involved can be there to celebrate."

Sue Learoyd Smith, The Bale House Manager, said: "The design of The Bale House was a response to create a simple building that looked beautiful and was sympathetic to its rugged cliff top environment. It's a pleasure to welcome all visitors to the park and provide facilities for comfort and refreshment. We're enjoying bringing this special building to life through diverse activities designed for and by the community it serves."

To book events, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/chart-greener-futures-31971272203.

Hastings Borough Council is run by Labour and Green councillors working together following a Cooperation Agreement.