THE Bexhill Beach Garden, a pioneering community-led project that has already transformed access to the seafront for many, will be officially opened this weekend with a special celebration inviting the whole town to mark the occasion.
The event, taking place from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, June 7th, at the far end of West Parade, will be formally opened by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex and will feature a performance by the Royal British Legion Band. Organisers are encouraging residents to come along and celebrate this remarkable achievement for the town.
The Beach Garden has already become a symbol of inclusivity and community spirit since the end of Phase 1 was marked earlier this year with a soft launch. That event was attended by volunteers, local dignitaries and residents including those who had previously been unable to access the beach due to mobility issues.
Among them was Colin Dearmer, a wheelchair user who had not set foot on the beach for nearly two decades. Colin became the first disabled visitor to the Beach Garden when he cut the ribbon during the earlier ceremony.
He said at the time: “It’s fantastic that I’ll now be able to join my grandchildren on the beach because of this wonderful development. I hope it becomes a model for other towns.”
The project was initiated in 2020 by former Bexhill Mayor Lynn Langlands, who recognised the challenges disabled people faced in accessing the shingle beach. Her vision was to create a welcoming garden space that would also support biodiversity and demonstrate how natural planting could stabilise the coastline.
Lynn said at the soft launch: “It’s so moving to see people here who have mobility issues and who have not been able to access the beach before. This space has already brought people together and given them a sense of freedom.”
Entirely funded by donations and grants, the garden has quickly become a cherished spot for both locals and visitors. MP for Bexhill and Battle, Dr. Kieran Mullan, praised the project as “a fantastic example of what can be achieved when a community comes together.”
