Community energy group members from Hastings, Rye, Eastbourne and Lewes who will be on hand to help at the Hastings Big Happy Energy Day.

Don’t miss Hastings Big Happy Energy Day!

Energise Sussex Coast is helping people to cut their energy bills and save up to £200 in the process – and for the Big Happy Energy Day at Sussex Coast College on Wednesday 17 February, residents of Hastings are invited to bring their energy and water bills for checking, get tips on how to make their homes cosier and get help with grants to stay warmer, healthier and safer. The event will be dedicated to the memory of Jeremy Birch, leader of Hastings Borough Council until his untimely death in 2015. Richard Watson writes.

Among the organisations attending the event are the Citizens Advice Bureau, East Sussex Fire Service, Age UK, Active Hastings, NHS Foundation Trust, Steps East, Osborne Energy, Southern Water, Amicus Horizon, Sussex Community Development Association and National Energy Action.

“I think the idea of piloting this event as a legacy in memory of Jeremy is a great idea,” said Louise Carlyle, Jeremy’s partner. “I know that Jeremy would have wholeheartedly endorsed the aims of this event. Jeremy will have worked directly with lots of the people attending and I hope my comments ring true with their experience.

“In his role as leader of the council, Jeremy constantly tried to recognise and encourage all efforts to improve the lives of the town’s residents. He was ambitious for the people of the town but he was never patronising. He had faith in people to organise themselves and he believed that people could be generous with their time and energy for the benefit of the community.

“He was motivated by his vision of a positive better future. Jeremy was the happiest person I have ever known – he loved his work and he was just as committed to his family. He led a full and healthy life. He never counted down to a holiday – always living in the present. I hope this first day’s event is successful and provides a foundation for more in the future.”

Residents will be able to explore new ways to achieve wellbeing and become more mobile. There will be taster sessions for those wishing to try kundalini yoga and Feldenkrais dance, massage and even creative writing. Active Hastings will be there with an indoor tennis court, a smoothie bike and sumo wrestling suits and there will be activities to keep small children happy too.

Richard Watson, founder of Energise Sussex Coast, said: “This is the first event to link wellbeing and energy in this way and bring together some of the individuals and organisations who are working to make Hastings a healthier and happier place for everyone. I am really excited about it.

“Last week we helped a Hastings couple in their eighties get a £700 refund and save another £340 by switching supplier. Another gentleman was paying two energy companies at the same time and will soon be getting a refund of £2,000.”

Debbie Gibbs, commercial manager at Sussex Coast College Hastings, said: “It’s really great to see the community come together to support one another. We’re always keen to support the local community and delighted that we could help Energise Sussex Coast hold this event.”

Energise Sussex Coast also run a regular energy clinic at the Town Hall in Hastings each Tuesday (9:30am–2:45pm) and at Seaview Project in St Leonards on Mondays. For more details, please email Richard Watson: Richard@energisesussexcoast.co.uk.

Energise Sussex Coast, 17 A Silchester Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0JB. Tel 07854 951325, http://energisesussexcoast.co.uk/.

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