THE sun shone down for the third year running on golfers during a tournament to raise awareness of Hailsham Old Pavilion.
THE Hailsham Old Pavilion Society (HOPS) held its annual golf day at Willingdon Golf Club on August 31. Some 20 teams of four pitched up with their clubs for the fun-packed event. All the prizes were presented by the Hailsham Pavilion manager, Paul Nunney, who gave one of his now ‘legendary speeches’ afterwards. Local estate agents Stevens and Carter were the winners of this year’s event.
Tom Chapman, from the HOPS committee, said: “The course as usual was in excellent condition and a credit to the staff.
“All players enjoyed an excellent and exhausting day. The standard of play varied once again from the brilliant to the not so sublime.
“The players were treated to an excellent lunch when they arrived back at the clubhouse and partook in the usual liquid refreshments.
“HOPS would like to thank the local companies who sponsored the event. Many thanks to South East Trade Frames, Fieldskill packaging, SLS Fabrications and June Bourne.
“The event raised over £1,600 which will go to the unkeep of the Pavilion - Hailshams Cinema and Live Arts venue.”
HOPS was established in 1993 to raise much-needed funds for the prestigious Pavilion Cinema in Hailsham. The committee have always been concerned to keep the venue going for residents in the parish to enjoy their own cinema and live entertainment venue.
As the owners were in receivership, Wealden District Council issued a complusory purchase order and arranged for necessary work to be carried out to make the building weatherproof, according to the HOPS website. A 31 year lease was arranged to enable HOPS to bring the building back in to use.
HOPS having already raised almost £100,000 from the local community, were successful in their bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and were awarded £275,000. Local councils and other voluntary organisations gave a great deal of support.
Restoration was completed in November 1999 and the pavilion officially re-opened in January 2000 under the management of Hailsham Pavilion Limited, also a registered charity.