Withyham Parish Council

03/11/2026

Join us for an Autumnal Amble walking in the beautiful local countryside at 9 o'clock on Saturday 21st November - all are welcome! 🌳🙂

The Community Cafe will also be open from 10am Saturday 21st November - come along for cakes, teas, coffees and treats with your hosts - the wonderful team from The Shop on the Corner . . . yum! ☕🍰

02/11/2026

We’re Recruiting! Responsible Financial Officer

Withyham Parish Council is looking for a Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) to join our team.

This is a permanent, part-time position, working 9 hours per week (annualised), based at The Old Station, Groombridge.

We’re looking for someone with financial or accounting experience who is organised, accurate and confident working independently. Previous parish council experience would be an advantage, but is not essential.

Salary: £17.47 to £19.47 per hour (NJC SCP 20–25).

Closing date: 5pm, Friday 20 November 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place during the weeks commencing 30 November and 14 December.

Interested? Find out more and download the application pack on our website

Please share this post with anyone who may be interested.

Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) Job Advert Application Form Job Description Personal Specification   Facebook Stay up to date Newsletter Stay up to date Contact the council

26/10/2026

🦌 As the deer rutting season begins, you might have noticed an increased level of movement as the deer make their way to their traditional rutting sites. They are most active around the morning and evening rush hour, meaning there is an increased risk of collisions with vehicles. However, deer movement can happen at any time of day, so caution is always needed.

Please drive carefully and anticipate that deer could appear at any moment. Be aware that more deer may be following behind... 🦌🦌🦌

In the unfortunate event that your vehicle hits a deer, here's what to do:

- If the deer is alive and either in the road or could go back onto the road, please call 999 and ask for the Police. Sussex Police co-ordinate the deer warden scheme, so by calling 999, the Police will despatch the closest warden.

- If the deer is alive but injured and unlikely to go back into the road, please call 101 and police will contact the closest deer warden.

- If the deer is dead but causing a road obstruction, also call 999.

- If the deer is dead but not in the carriageway, please contact Wealden District Council for collection: https://www.wealden.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/dead-animals/

Using an app like What3Words will help provide an exact location. It’s free to download so worth setting up in case you ever need to use it.

Movement of deer will increase over the next couple of months so please take care on the roads.

Thank you.

23/10/2026

Weather warning ⚠️

Following wind and rain warnings issued by the Met Office, we might expect to see disruptions across Sussex in the next few days.

👉 Seriously slow your speed if you need to drive, or only travel if essential
👉 Road debris and fallen trees could disrupt your journey
👉 Avoid driving through floodwater
👉 Stay away from coastal areas
👉 Stay up to date with the weather by listening to local radio stations

Our phone lines tend to be extremely busy during weather warnings, please only call 999 if it is an emergency; remember our website is available for non-emergency reports 24/7.

To report fallen trees that do not present an immediate danger or risk to life, please call the numbers pictured for your area.

23/10/2026

We’re delighted to share that Withyham Parish Council won an award at Celebrating Communities 2026, presented by Community Action East Sussex!

The event celebrates the individuals, organisations and partnerships whose commitment, collaboration and creativity make a real difference to communities across East Sussex.

We’re proud to see the work taking place across our parish recognised in this way. A huge thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy and support to help make the Parish such wonderful places to live.

This award is a lovely recognition of what can be achieved when people work together for the benefit of their community.

21/10/2026

FREE FOOD CADDY BAGS!

Running low on your food caddy bags? Wealden District Council has kindly given Withyham Parish Council a large supply to share with local residents, free of charge!

Pop into the Parish Office at The Old Station in Groombridge to pick up yours. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to noon, so pop in when you’re passing!

Available while stocks last and limited to 2 rolls per household.

19/10/2026

BE DEER AWARE!
https://www.deeraware.com/safety-advice

As the days get shorter, deer are more active around dawn and dusk. These are times when deer are more likely to cross roads, increasing the risk of collisions with vehicles.

With our rural roads and surrounding countryside, please take extra care when driving, particularly in areas where deer are often spotted.

A few simple steps can help keep you and our local wildlife safe:

Slow down when visibility is poor, especially at dawn and dusk.
Stay alert and watch for deer near verges, hedgerows and woodland.
Look out for more than one deer. If you see one, others may follow.
Use your headlights appropriately and avoid dazzling yourself or other drivers with full beam when traffic is approaching.
If a deer runs into the road, avoid swerving suddenly, as this could cause a more serious accident.
Please take extra care on our country roads, particularly during the morning and evening commute.

Stay alert, drive carefully and be deer aware.

19/10/2026

FREE FOOD CADDY BAGS!

Running low on your food caddy bags? Wealden District Council has kindly given Withyham Parish Council a large supply to share with local residents, free of charge!

Pop into the Parish Office at The Old Station in Groombridge to pick up yours. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to noon, so pop in when you’re passing!

Available while stocks last and limited to 2 rolls per household.

15/10/2026

Kent County Council - Temporary Road Closure - Bird In Hand Street, Groombridge - 9th November 2026 (Tunbridge Wells District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by Kent County Council, it will be necessary to close part of Bird In Hand Street, Groombridge, from 9th November 2026 with estimated completion by 13th November 2026.

Bird In Hand Street, Groombridge, will be closed in its entirety. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Groombridge Road, A264 Ashurst Road, B2110 Groombridge Hill and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow drainage improvement works to be carried out, works are undertaken by Kent County Council.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=GB151810867

For information regarding this closure please contact Kent County Council, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

13/10/2026

Join us for an Autumnal Amble walking in the beautiful Ashdown Forest at 9 o'clock THIS Saturday 17th October - all are welcome! 🌳🙂

The Community Cafe will also be open from 10am THIS Saturday 17th October - come along for cakes, teas, coffees and treats with your ever brilliant hosts Groombridge Film Society . . . yum! ☕🍰