Hidden Hastings Heritage project success

The Hidden Hastings Heritage project has been declared a success following a report at the end of the two-year project.
The National Lottery Heritage Foundation funded the project, which aimed to raise awareness of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve and its heritage and make it more accessible to the wider community. The project was a partnership between Groundwork South and Hastings Borough Council, highlighting the importance of voluntary sector organisations to local authorities.
There were several threads to the project, covering all aspects of the community including family activities, conservation volunteering and working with schools and education.
By the end of 2021, 63 individuals had taken part in 54 group sessions, giving a total of 969 hours of volunteering, the equivalent of 62 days. Many of these were carrying out maintenance jobs not included in the Hastings Borough Council maintenance contract. There were also 318 hours of skilled volunteering.
Cllr Julia Hilton (Green), lead councillor for climate change and natural environment, said: "It's good news for everyone that this project has been so successful as it means more people are aware of what is on offer at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. The project has had a positive effect on people's mental health, as well as giving some of the volunteers opportunities they would not have had without it.
"The pandemic has had an impact on how some areas of the project worked, but there are plans in place to continue some of this work, including working with local schools to engage children and young people with the countryside and heritage we have in the town.
"We are lucky in Hastings to have such a fantastic area of nature to enjoy. With the additional facilities of the café and visitor centre at The Bale House there are even more reasons for people to explore this beautiful area on our doorsteps."
Building on the community engagement of Hidden Hastings, The Friends of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve and Groundwork South were able to secure National Lottery Jubilee Funding to run Hastings Community Green Exploration which will continue to offer activities for community members to participate in conservation learning activities over the next year. These free of charge events will include wildlife and plant walks and talks, nature arts-based activities and heritage walks and talks as well as offering schools an opportunity to participate in outdoor learning sessions.

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