"We are on the move this season – to a new clubhouse facility at Blatchington Mill School. After seven years at The Nevill with the cricketers, Brighton and Hove Hockey Club are looking to build a closer relationship with the school, where our pitches are, with the aim of building our own clubhouse there. That has been a vision for 40 years or more: this time we feel it is achievable. We have our 125th anniversary coming up in 2022 and this gives us something to aim for.

The move to Blatch brings a number of advantages. The school canteen is large enough to accommodate our many teams for post-match teas and hospitality; it is closer to the pitches; the changing rooms and toilets are close by and there is parking. Financially it is advantageous and safeguarding is properly in place for our flourishing junior section. We move into the new facilities fully from this weekend.

The move has come about thanks to a great deal of hard work by Cameron Heath, Ramzy Omran and Atul Patel over the summer and I would like to place on record our gratitude to them. Cameron made an excellent presentation to members at the Annual General Meeting in June, where he outlined clearly the issues regarding staying at The Nevill and the difficult negotiations that were taking place with the cricket club, answering many questions and offering alternatives.

Those negotiations broke down for two reasons – excessive financial demands by the cricket club and a continuing lack of safeguarding provision despite our entreaties over the past year - so the committee mandated Cameron to explore the opportunity at Blatchington Mill School.

The senior administrative staff there have been willing and helpful and we can now look forward to building a strong relationship. We hope to start discussions with the school and Brighton and Hove Council shortly over the provision of land to site a potential new clubhouse.

I know that this outcome may not be universally popular and I want to assure you that the decision was not taken lightly. But the long term future of the club is of the utmost importance so let's all work together to make it work in the short term.

The new season is upon us and hopes are high of further progress and success on the pitch. Off the pitch, Brighton and Hove HC has a fine reputation for great hospitality and a vibrant social atmosphere. We hope sincerely that we can count on your support and patience to ensure that continues and we look forward to seeing you all after your matches for food, drink and conviviality as we settle into our new surroundings.

Best wishes for another enjoyable and successful hockey season."

Graham Edwards, Chairman, Brighton and Hove Hockey Club
September 2019