PCAG News 25th March 2004


A COMMUNITY group is celebrating its success in boosting the fortunes of two villages.

The Pevensey Community Action Group (PCAG) has been at the forefront of bringing about change in the villages of Pevensey and Pevensey Bay. And a successful year ended with more than £6,000 being raised in six weeks for Christmas lights in Pevensey Bay. Chairman Carole Clark says that the main aim of the group is to promote tourism within the area. She said, 'First and foremost, the group is concerned with promoting the area to visitors which in turn helps our business community. 'In a small way I think we've made quite a good headway with the project we have undertaken. 'I can't claim that it's been all the work of our group and without the help of the Wealden Federation of Voluntary Organisation, a lot of the grants we have been given would not be in place. 'That's where most of our success has come from. 'Without gaining the grants we wouldn't be half as successful in getting all our projects completed.' Last year was the busiest for the group in recent years.

Apart from the Christmas Lights Appeal, the group held a car rally, a junior beach fishing competition, a monthly village market.This year the group has planned well ahead and next month will see a second car rally take place. Last year's event was so successful it attracted people from as far afield as Uckfield, despite only being advertised locally.

This year it is taking place on Saturday March 27.Businesses have been supporting the year's event. Representatives from both the ambulance and fire service will be attending to put on displays An art competition will be taking place in the Information Centre, the Gardeners' Club will be putting on a display at St Wilfrid's Church Hall while vintage cars will be driving through around the village at 2pm. Mrs Clark added, 'The car rally was really well attended last year and we were very lucky with the weather. 'We're hoping that this year's event will be even better. 'It's days like this which really put Pevensey Bay on the map.'