Christmas festivities and switch-on of lights tonight

From 4pm to 6pm there is carol singing from Bexhill schools and choirs, Bexhill Wheelers will ride their festive bicycles, and Bexhill 100 Motoring Club members will drive around in a cavalcade of classic cars.

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce is helping to promote the event and encouraging town centre shops and businesses to enter into the festive spirit.

The Chamber decided not to hold late-night shopping this year because of lack of funding, although the Observer understands some town centre shops, particularly independent traders in Sackville Road, will be open until 8pm.

Bexhill Caring Community in Sackville Road will host a Festive Caring Community Christmas with Morris dancing by Hannah’s Cat from 5.30pm to 6pm and refreshments in their community hall.

Everyone is invited to join staff and volunteers in the community room. Donations of bottles, cakes, and any unwanted presents would be welcomed.

Each year at Christmas Bexhill Caring Community helps around 250 residents of all ages in the town by donating hampers as well as giving plants to those who have recently been bereaved or who are lonely. For some people these are the only gifts they receive.

The charity is appealing for donations of tins and dried goods as well as Christmas treats of puddings, cakes, mince pies, biscuits, jams, sweets, chocolate, nuts and toiletries, to pack into hampers for the needy of Bexhill.

Cash donations are also welcome to enable the team to purchase food vouchers which accompany the hampers. These vouchers can then be exchanged for fresh goods in time for Christmas.

Donations can be dropped off at the office or at TVC at 65 Devonshire Road. Closing date for receipt of donations of goods is Friday, December 4.