OUR NEWHAVEN
The present
By Graham Huntley
Looking through the website, entranced by the pictures of Newhaven as it was, I was struck by a sudden thought. These don't often happen with me so it was a bit of a surprise but, after a lie down, I'm now back to expand further.......It's all very well documenting our past but today's present is tomorrow's history and it got me thinking about present-day Newhaven.
Although involved in Newhaven for many years, I've only lived here for 4 and, during that time, I have heard many grandiose schemes to get Newhaven "on the map". Words aplenty, plans aplenty and even some tangible results but Newhaven, to most outsiders, is merely an inconvenient traffic hold-up en route to somewhere else. Much is being done to provide economic development in the area and housing projects, both completed and projected, are there but what about the heart of the town? We live in an age where one-stop shopping is the great god and this, of course, has sounded the death-knell of the small shopkeeper.
It was those small shops that kept Newhaven's heart beating and were, effectively, the central hub of the community. Nowadays, the High Street is far from being a place that attracts but merely a place for the odd purchase for those without a need to travel further afield. I remember North Laine in Brighton some time back: nothing special and certainly no place to make the walk from the town centre. Now, of course, it has evolved into something far more. An area buzzing with people, a myriad interesting shops, plenty of places to sit, have a drink and people-watch and a whole new community.
The problem in Newhaven is where does one start? We have a town centre invisible from outside, (from what I've been told) business rates which strangle most independent shops, larger retailers who are aiming their products at the cheaper end of the market and competition from absolutely everywhere else. Is it small wonder that Newhaven is dormant?
Having said that, imagine a Newhaven with fresh life breathed into it. We have a tremendous catchment area around us yet those people prefer to travel to other towns. More importantly, how many of us support the local shops rather than just using them for the things we forget when we've done "proper" shopping elsewhere? Picture a town centre full of people. Picture the streets as they could be; vibrant, alive and buzzing with anticipation. Pie in the sky? Well, maybe it is at the present but, let's face it, in a couple of generations time what will our families be looking at on such a website as this?
We have a town steeped in local history and we have a population who are able to help keep that history alive. I sincerely hope that people care enough to not only document all the memories but also to help create the history of the future by creating a real community of the present.
Here seems as good a vehicle as any for people to put forward their views, comments, ideas or maybe, dreams for the future of OUR town. I, for one, appreciate the chance.