Four times the limit
A woman from Pett who reversed her car into a house was more than four times the drink-drive limit. Sarah Adams caused significant structural damage to the property following the incident in Hastings on 9 April.
Police responded to the scene and she was taken into custody, where she underwent a breath test. It showed she had 148 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in her system. The legal limit is 35.
Adams, 67, of Pett Road, Pett, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, and at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 5 August she was banned from driving for 34 months and ordered to pay costs totalling £1,787.
Not caught on camera
Sussex Police have been deploying a portable speed detector on local roads after concerns about speeding.
A spokesperson for the force said, “A SID (Speed Indicator Device) is deployed as a visual activated by an approaching vehicle, which will display the vehicle’s speed and a reminder message to either slow down or a thank those who are driving under the prescribed speed limit.”
On Saturday 22 August officers installed the device on the A259 at Icklesham. During the checks there were no reports of drivers exceeding the speed limit.
SID will be used in other parts of the area, said the spokesperson. “SID, alongside our officers, will be moving across the district in the coming weeks as part of our ongoing commitment to road safety, focusing on areas of concern raised by local communities.”
Congratulations
Jempson’s in Rye has been nominated for three categories in the Retail Industry Awards. Francis Walker is up for Independent Store Manager of the Year, and the store has received nominations as both Independent Store Team of the Year and Independent Retailer of the Year (over 6000 sq ft).
A spokesperson for Jempson’s said, “These nominations are a fantastic recognition of the hard work, commitment and high standards demonstrated by Francis and the entire Rye team every day. We’re incredibly proud to see their efforts recognised within the industry and wish them the very best of luck at the awards.”
Get registered
Letters are being sent out urging local people to check their electoral registration details or risk missing out on the opportunity to vote in future ballots.
With elections due to take place in May 2027 efforts are being made to ensure the electoral register is accurate and up to date. Lorna Ford, chief executive and electoral registration officer at Rother District Council, said, “Keep an eye out for important updates from Rother. The annual canvass is our way of making sure the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date.”
You can find more details here Annual Canvass – Rother District Council or by contacting the Electoral Services team via email at canvass@rother.gov.uk
Bigger is better
Hastings Borough Council has agreed to rejoin 1066 Country Marketing, which promotes the tourism in East Sussex.
The news comes three years after Hastings controversially pulled out of the partnership saying it could no longer justify the annual investment and wanted to ‘go it alone’. It is understood that the significant tourism opportunities presented by the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition and 2027 Year of the Normans have been a major consideration in revisiting the decision.
Sarah Broadbent, chair of 1066 Country said, “We welcome Hastings Borough Council back into the partnership at this pivotal moment for our visitor economy. Tourism in 1066 Country is worth around £901 million and supports roughly one in five local jobs, making it a vital economic driver for communities across Hastings, Rother and Wealden. In that context, having Hastings back at the table is not just welcome – it is essential.”
Image Credits: Rye News , Sussex Police , Nick Forman , James Stewart .