HAILSHAM Town Football Club has announced an additional donation that will fund the reinstatement of a vital green boundary at The Beaconsfield, following an arson attack that devastated the site’s conifer hedge last November.
The grant from the Chalk Cliff Trust was secured with support from local volunteer group Environment Hailsham, and marks a significant step in restoring the club’s natural surroundings, which also serve as a habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife.
The original hedge was severely damaged in what the club described as a ‘mindless arson attack’, narrowly prevented from causing further destruction thanks to the swift response of coaches, volunteers, parents and members of the public. The loss of the hedge not only left the site exposed but also disrupted a key ecological refuge during the harsh winter months.
In the immediate aftermath, Hailsham Town Council stepped in with financial support, enabling the installation of a new, secure perimeter fence by local firm Littlewood Fencing. The fence, part of Football Association ground grading requirements, was completed with the help of Under-10s team coach, Stuart Felstead.
Now, thanks to the Chalk Cliff Trust’s funding, the club will move forward with planting laurel hedging to reintroduce the green barrier. Laurel has been selected for its environmental and practical benefits, including its function as a natural windbreak, sound buffer and pollutant filter, all while providing a safe haven for local wildlife.
The planting will also become a community effort, with players from Hailsham Town Youth set to take part in the project. Further details of the planting day and how the community can get involved are expected to be announced soon.
For more on the Chalk Cliff Trust and their local initiatives, visit chalkclifftrust.org.
Image of the new fence (Photo credit Alan Hook)
