There is more advice on the Sussex Police website -

The National Property Register, for Phones, Gadgets, Bicycles & More... ImmobiMark is our complete home security and property marking kit to help you protect and mark the valuable contents of your home to easily register them on your account.

or secure them with a chain. Bikes can also be locked to the ground;
• Mark any items that could be stolen with your postcode or name so if they are taken, they can be traced and returned to you. Items with a serial number can be registered with Immobilise - https://www.immobilise.com/

A good padlock on the door is also important;
• You can buy alarms that are triggered by motion and set off loud sirens;
• Make sure the shed or garage is locked when you are not using it;
• Hide anything valuable from view - you can cover mowers or bikes with blankets;
• You can lock toolboxes

Cluttered wooden garden shed with tools, seed trays and pots, overlaid by a large chain and padlock.

Here are some top tips from Sussex Police on how to keep your shed or garage safe:
• Check your insurance covers things in your shed or garage, sometimes these are excluded;
• Think like a thief - how would you break in? Hinges are sometimes easily removable, are windows secure?

Smiling man thumbs-up: "I've applied online for my postal vote." 7 May elections — see hastings.gov.uk/postalvote

Today is the deadline if you want to register for a postal vote for the East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council elections on Thursday 7 May. 
You must apply before 5pm - https://www.hastings.gov.uk/voting_elections/postal/

Stay Smart, Grow Strong Following the success of the Start Smart, Grow Strong programme, we’re excited to introduce Stay Smart, Grow Strong - the next step programme designed for established sole traders, micro and small businesses that want to gain clarity, strengthen their foundations and prepare for growth. This new se…

No jargon. No fluff. Just expert, practical advice, that you can actually use.
● Free to attend
● Friendly, supportive environment
● Real tools and ideas to take away
May - July, across East Sussex; places are limited
Book:

Over a series of short, practical sessions, you’ll get support with:
Sales - Winning more work (without feeling “salesy”)
Marketing - Getting your business seen by the right people
Finance - Managing your money with more confidence
Growth - Planning your next stage of growth

Stay Smart, Grow Strong — eight workshops on Marketing, Finance, Growth and Sales (East Sussex Growth Hub, UK Gov).

Running a business - but not always sure what the next step should be?
That’s exactly what Stay Smart, Grow Strong is here to help with.
This free workshop series is designed for small business owners who are already up and running but want more clarity, confidence and direction to grow.

Icons showing three voting methods: in person ballot box, by post envelope, and by proxy speech bubbles; Electoral Commission logo and reminder.

Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council elections on 7 May - https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

What is Lyme disease and why do we need to be tick-aware? To help you stay safe this spring and summer, we've compiled a guide to protecting yourself from tick-borne infections. In this blog, you'll learn how to avoid tick bites, how to recognise the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and TBE and when to seek medical assistance.

Find out more at

- Keep to clearly defined paths and avoid brushing against vegetation; 
- Regularly check for ticks and brush off any you find immediately; 
- When you’re back indoors, check for any ticks on you, your children and pets; 
- If you find a tick, safely remove it as soon as possible.

Tick awareness: use repellent, wear long clothes, stay on paths, check and remove ticks promptly (check children and pets)

If you are spending more time outside with better weather, here are some simple actions to take to help protect yourself and others from tick bites. 

- Use a repellent that prevents ticks; 
- Wear long sleeves and long trousers to reduce direct skin exposure;

Thanks to Paul and Yasmin at Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society for the space to run this event.

Free health and dental event for fishermen and families in Hastings, 30 April 10am–4pm; dental, health and welfare support.

Fishermen and their families are invited to attend a free health and dental event on Thursday 30 April. 

Come along to The Stade between 10am and 4pm for dental checks and treatment, health checks and welfare support.

Smiling older business owner beside a notice to stay informed about business rates and register for a valuation account.

The government's Valuation Office Agency (VOA) sets the rateable value of a business premises, the government also sets the business rates multiplier. 

Find out more about business rates, who should pay, how to pay and any reductions you may qualify for - https://www.hastings.gov.uk/businessrates/

Blue open envelope with message 'Want to vote by post? Apply early' and Electoral Commission logo.

Don’t forget if you want to vote by post at the upcoming East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council elections on 7 May.  

You need to apply by 5pm on 21 April - https://www.hastings.gov.uk/voting_elections/postal/

If you know of anyone working with older people, or are in contact with older people who would be keen to have a voice on issues related to ageing, then invite them to connect to the network.

The monthly meeting for organisations and individuals working with or for older people locally.  

This month's focus will be on Hastings Borough Council's Age-Friendly Community Baseline Assessment report. New partners are always welcome at these meetings.

If you’d like to have (or share) a table at the mini marketplace, please email jane@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk to ask about availability.   

Hastings Ageing Network Baseline Assessment meeting - Thursday 30 April, 1.30 to 3pm, Muriel Matters House, Hastings.

Bring friends or come and make new ones! 11am to 1pm. No need to book.

There will also be a mini information marketplace between 10.30am to 12.30pm, organised by the Hastings Ageing Network.

Two older women sit at a table, smiling and chatting while holding pink mugs.

Hastings Ageing Network have two events soon as part of their age friendly community work. 

Cuppa Club & Age-Friendly mini-marketplace - Thursday 16 April, Priory Meadow Shopping Centre - Free tea, coffee, cakes, information and entertainment in the large area inside the shopping centre.

Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green celebrates the coming of Summer on Bank Holiday Monday in Hastings, with Morris dancing, music, and a procession.

The session is free, but donations are welcome.

Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green will be back from Friday 1 to Monday 4 May. You can find a full programme of events for the run-up to the festival on the website -

Ed will be at Ore Library, 467 Old London Road, TN35 5BP to share a mix of old folktales and his original stories, exploring giants in their many shapes and forms. Some will be wild, some funny, and all with have a sprinkling of Jack in the Green Summery magic.

Performer playing guitar to an outdoor crowd; poster promoting Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green storyteller event at Ore Library.

If you want to get into the festival mood for this year's Jack in the Green, join Ed Boxall for some giant-sized stories on Saturday 18 April from 2 to 3pm.

Hastings Borough Council logo over seagulls, "Job Opportunities" and hastings.gov.uk/jobs

Are you looking for a new opportunity or a job over the summer? Why not check out these current vacancies? 

- Assistant Finance Business Partner 
- Seasonal Cliff Railways Assistant 

Find out more at ats-hastings.jgp.co.uk/vacancies

Envelope graphic urging voters to apply early for postal voting; Electoral Commission reminder.

Don’t forget if you want to vote by post at the upcoming East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council elections on 7 May.  

You need to apply by 5pm on 21 April - https://www.hastings.gov.uk/voting_elections/postal/

Help for households using oil heating If you rely on heating oil and are struggling with the recent rise in prices, you may be able to get financial support. The Government has announced extra funding for low-income households.

• Phone: 0800 464 7307

Find out more at

Our privacy policy We collect and use information about you to help solve your problems, improve our services and tackle wider issues in society that affect people’s lives.

• Online: Energy self referral form - form.thesolutions.com/form/12399616-5d47-482e-...
Please tick the 'heating oil' checkbox under the reason for seeking help. See also: Citizen's Advice 1066 privacy notice -

• your main heating source is oil
• you are on a low income
• you are at immediate risk of being unable to heat your home or access hot water due to rising oil costs. 

You can apply for help through Citizen's Advice 1066:

Small wooden house beneath a heart outline labeled SUPPORT on a green background

If you rely on heating oil and are struggling with the recent rise in prices, you may be able to get financial support. The Government has announced extra funding for low-income households. 

You may be eligible if you meet all of the following: