Celebrating Wealden Heroes

In July 2020, I launched the 🌈Wealden Hero Award🌈 to extend my thanks and gratitude for the efforts of Wealden residents to overcome the many challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to celebrate the many acts of kindness and community spirit throughout the crisis.

From the overwhelming number of nominations I received, I know that so many people across Wealden have made personal sacrifices and put their own lives at risk to help others. I had the privilege to meet many of these individuals throughout the summer and thank them personally for their dedication and efforts.

Since summer 2020, the country had suffered two more national lockdowns and new community leaders and Heroes have emerged and stepped up to the challenge. These individuals are our ‘invisible’ heroes and it is important they get the recognition they deserve. That is why I relaunched the Awards in summer 2021.

Please see the below stories stories and media coverage of those who have provided a lifeline to our post vulnerable neighbours in the community.

🌈Wealden Hero Awards🌈 are kindly supported by Uckfield FM, Hailsham FM, Sussex Express, Hailsham News and The Hailsham Eye and I would like to thank them for helping me spread the message and sharing the stories of our extraordinary Heroes via their channels.

News

WEALDEN HERO – Dec Davies and the Davies & Sons Family Butchers

I am delighted to announce that Dec Davies has been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week. Dec, owner of the Davies & Sons Family Butchers, has worked round the clock throughout the pandemic, to ensure that Horam residents can continue to get their essential shopping.

WEALDEN HEROES - Five Ash Down Post Office

I am delighted to announce that the team at the Five Ash Down Post Office has been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week. Maggie and her daughter-in-law Kim run the Five Ash Down Post Office.

WEALDEN HEROES - The English Soap Company

I am delighted to announce that The English Soap Company has been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week. The English Soap Company is based in the heart of Wealden countryside, in Waldron.

WEALDEN HERO – Chrissie Litchfield and "Scrubbers United"

I am delighted to announce that Chrissie Litchfield has been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week. Chrissie founded “Scrubbers United”, a group who has been making and supplying PPE such as scrubs, headbands and scrub bags to local nurses, surgeries, hospitals, hospices and nursing homes, as we

WEALDEN HERO - Sarah Merriman

I am delighted to announce that Sarah Merriman has been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week. At the beginning of lockdown, Sarah identified the need for a local support group and organised the Groombridge community response to Covid-19.

MP awards village farm shop with Wealden Hero Award

Established as a commercial apple orchard in 1966, Perryhill Orchards is situated on the northern gateway to the Ashdown Forest, near Hartfield. Over time, the farm has expanded from a small self-service farm shop to now hosting a variety of attractions for everyone to enjoy. Ms Ghani said: “We ar

WEALDEN HERO – John Smith and the Perryhill Orchards

I am delighted to announce John Smith and the Perryhill Orchards have been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week. Established as a commercial apple orchard in 1966, the farm is ideally situated on the northern gateway to the Ashdown Forest, near Hartfield.

WEALDEN HERO – Wendy Coleman

I am delighted to announce that Wendy Coleman has been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week. Wendy is the manager of TN22 Plus Club, which runs bi-weekly at Hadlow Down Village Hall and is tailored to those with memory loss and dementia.