Author: Joel Cheshire

Over 850 people, a record number, visited the 2026 Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair, in association with Bexhill College and Talent Accelerator, at the De La Warr Pavilion on Friday 6 March.

Virtually the whole of the Pavilion was taken over by the annual community event with welcome and registration in the foyer, exhibitor stands in the Auditorium, and free workshops in the Studio, the Gallery Learning Space and on the Auditorium stage. There was a queue at opening with a continual stream of visitors through the day exploring jobs and opportunities, joining free workshops and receiving valuable employment support and advice.

Visitor feedback on the event included: ‘good to see a variety of roles open to all skills and ages’, ‘really helpful advice to kickstart job search’, ‘I got to speak to people I would never be able to’, ‘great to see kids and those looking for work in the community supported’ and ‘Ester’s confidence boosting course was amazing’.

Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships fair is a not-for-profit community led initiative organised by the De La Warr Pavilion, Kieran Mullan MP, Bexhill College and Rother District Council with support from Bexhill Chamber of Commerce. Fifteen students from Bexhill College and East Sussex College also helped out at this year’s event as part of a three day work experience programme organised by DLWP.

Kieran Mullan MP said: ‘I was delighted to spend time at this year’s Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair, meeting both exhibitors and visitors. The strong turnout once again highlighted the fair’s vital role in connecting jobseekers directly with employers and showcasing real opportunities. It was particularly encouraging to hear from exhibitors across a wide range of sectors who meet all their recruitment needs through the fair each year – a clear demonstration of its success and strong reputation within the local business community. My thanks also go to the workshop facilitators and organisers for delivering such a successful event, and to our 2026 sponsors – Bexhill College, Talent Accelerator, Connect to Work East Sussex, Greymoor Construction Ltd, Hastings Direct, Park Holidays UK, Ashdown Hurrey, Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, British Gypsum, East Sussex College Group, GreenBlue Urban and Home Instead – whose support makes the fair possible.’

Kim Byford, Head of Skills, De La Warr Pavilion, said: ‘Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair is incredibly important, an opportunity for everyone to discover their next step, whether that’s finding a job or developing the skills and getting the support to help them on their way. At DLWP we’re passionate about supporting people, particularly young people, to fulfil their potential. The fair is just one of hundreds of employment, skills development and work placement activities we’re involved in every year, most out of public sight, at the Pavilion and, as a partner in the Sussex-wide Coastal Catalyst programme, at school assemblies and college career events across the county. We hope everyone who came to this year’s fair got something out of the event to help them take their next step and fulfil their own potential.’

Explore careers and employment support and advice for adults and young people and their parents at careerseastsussex.co.uk. Find out more about DLWP’s skills and learning programmes and opportunities at dlwp.com.

Images credit: Phoebe Wingrove

The De La Warr Pavilion is pleased to announce that we are taking part in No Mow May, a nationwide initiative led by Plantlife that encourages people and organisations to put away the lawnmower and let nature grow. As part of this, we will be leaving our back roadway unmown for the entire month, allowing what is usually a closely managed space to be left naturally for a while.

At first glance, choosing not to mow might seem like a small gesture, but it plays a meaningful role in supporting local ecosystems. Across the UK, an estimated 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s, dramatically reducing the habitats that wildlife depends on. This loss is felt most acutely by pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which rely on wildflowers for nectar, particularly in early spring when food sources can be scarce. By simply letting grass grow, common plants like dandelions, daisies and clovers are given the chance to bloom, turning even modest patches of land into important feeding grounds.

Leaving our back roadway to grow is one way we can contribute to this wider effort. Longer grass provides not only food, but also shelter and breeding spaces for insects, which in turn support birds and other wildlife. It’s a reminder that biodiversity can thrive in everyday spaces, including those at the centre of towns like Bexhill. In doing so, we are also reducing the environmental impact associated with regular mowing.

We recognise that an unmown space may look untidy to begin with. But over the course of the month, this will gradually change, allowing wildflowers to emerge and insects to return. What might initially appear unfamiliar near the Bexhill seafront, will reveal itself to be rich with life. No Mow May invites us to reconsider what we value in our shared spaces, shifting away from neatness as the default and towards a more natural landscape.

As an organisation rooted in culture, the De La Warr Pavilion is always exploring ways to engage with the environment around us. Heather Getty, Duty General Manager, and part of our Green Team, commented: “Taking part in No Mow May is a simple step that connects us to a much larger national movement, one that highlights how collective small actions can have a significant impact.”

While the campaign focuses on the month of May, it also shows how green spaces are managed throughout the year, and how we can continue to support biodiversity beyond a single campaign. By allowing this space to grow, we are making room for nature to return and inviting our visitors to notice the changes as they unfold. It’s a quiet transformation, but an important one that demonstrates that sometimes the most positive action we can take is to step back and let nature lead.