Afternoon Tea with Richard Vobes & Julia Saturday 18th April
2026-04-18 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | HOPE Sussex Community, Ivyland farm, Netherfield Road, Netherfield, Battle, Hastings, East Sussex, TN33 9QB, United Kingdom
Afternoon Tea with Richard Vobes & Julia Saturday 18th April 2026 at Hope

Join us for a relaxed and engaging afternoon with Richard Vobes and the lovely Julia as they share stories, insights, and exciting updates from their latest adventure. Richard will be reading extracts from his new book, along with entertaining anecdotes from his life and work. They’ll also be giving an update on how life is unfolding for them as they embark on their latest project — moving towards living off-grid. This promises to be a warm and informal gathering with plenty of conversation, laughter, and good company.
Event Details
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Tickets: £20 non members, £16 Hope members
(please note there are limited spaces available so early booking is recommended)
Your ticket includes
Unlimited tea and coffee
A selection of finger sandwiches
Homemade savoury bites
Delicious cakes and sweet treats
Book Signing
Richard’s new book Biggleswick: The Town That Wouldn’t Comply will be available to purchase on the day for £18, and there will be an opportunity to have your copy personally signed by Richard.
Biggleswick: The Town That Wouldn’t Comply
Faced with a plethora of anti-human policies metered out by a tyrannical town council, the people of the English market town of Biggleswick, come together to work out how they might tackle the ongoing erosion of their rights and the escalating surveillance and interference in their lives. When a travelling truth teller delivers a compelling speech at the community theatre, the locals are roused into action to devise a plan to reclaim their town’s authority and reject the accepted diktats that both the government and the local councillors insist are a necessary sacrifice for the sustainability of not only their town, but the world as a whole.
While this is a novel and all characters and organisations fictitious, with any similarity to those with the same name purely coincidental, the story mirrors the crisis of today. For authority’s continual encroachment into people’s lives has made life a struggle for many. Common sense and critical thinking is desperately lacking. Where, for example, is the logic in attributing swaths of agricultural land for solar panels one the one hand and then experimenting with sun-dimming technology to fend off man-made global warming on the other?
The author sincerely believes that should one town be brave enough to stand up against the these absurd ideas and damaging policies, assert their authority to the public servants, then with the rest of the world watching via social media, others might follow, instigating a huge change for the betterment of mankind.

Adrian's Sponsored Walk for HOPE Sunday 31st May 2026
2026-05-31 08:00 - 20:00 | East Sussex
Adrian’s Sponsored Walk for HOPE Sunday 31st May 2026, from Hastings Pier to Eastbourne Pier. Join us for a powerful and heartfelt coastal walk in support of HOPE.
On Sunday 31st May, we’ll be walking 15.2 miles from Hastings Pier to Eastbourne Pier, coming together as a community to raise funds for the expansion of the HOPE Hub. We’ll meet at the front of Hastings Pier at 8:00am, setting off at 8:30am, with support stops along the route every 5 miles to keep everyone encouraged and energised.
This walk has been lovingly inspired by Adrian, a deeply valued member of the HOPE community. Despite facing ongoing health challenges, including recurrent brain tumours and extensive treatment, Adrian’s focus has remained on giving back. His strength, courage and generosity are truly humbling, and this walk is a reflection of that spirit.
Our collective goal is to raise £5,000, which will go directly towards extending the HOPE Hub — supporting home educating families and strengthening a space that brings people together. The Hub is a welcoming meeting place for connection, learning and community, and this expansion will allow us to continue growing and creating a space for everyone to enjoy.
Get involved – walk with us!
We invite you to take part in this meaningful day by joining the walk and gathering sponsorship from friends, family and your wider network. Every step you take and every pound you raise will make a real difference.
Download your sponsor form here:
Sponsor form
Share your journey, invite others to support you, and help us reach our target together.
Can’t join the walk? You can still support HOPE
If you’re unable to take part but would like to contribute, donations are warmly welcomed and deeply appreciated.
You can donate here:
Donate
Together, we walk with purpose, with love, and with HOPE.

Summer Fete at HOPE Saturday 13th June 2026
2026-06-13 12:00 - 15:30 | HOPE Sussex Community, Ivyland farm, Netherfield Road, Netherfield, Battle, Hastings, East Sussex, TN33 9QB, United Kingdom
Come and join us for our 4th Summer Fete at HOPE Sussex Community on Saturday 13th June 12 – 3.30pm.
It’s FREE entry and all are welcome. Bring the whole family, they’ll be lots for the kids to do, face painting, crafts and lots of open space to run around!
We have some wonderful things planned this year and some fantastic entertainment too!
They’ll be food in the HUB @ Hope available with our wonderful barista coffee and some homemade cakes too!
Cash Only Please
This is a CASH only event so please bring your pennies, there is a post office located in Netherfield (open until midday on Saturday) and cash machines in nearby Battle.
We have our ever popular HOPE Bar and returning again this year, the Wildside Bar serving Nettle beer, nettle and mint coolers, wildflower mocktails & cocktails! Plus this year we have a Smoothie Bike serving freshly made summer smoothies.
We also have some great entertainment lined up with DJ Fergus and band No Hat For Jo.
TOY & clothes stall
Face painting
Glitter tattoos
Tombola
Archery
Plant stall
Artisan stalls
Craft stalls
Name the teddy
Entertainment
Traditional Italian gelato
Medieval Fruit Machine
Welly Wanging
Splat the Rat
burgers
loaded fries
cakes & treats
cream tea
barista coffee
Hope bar
Wildside bar
Smoothie Bar
Fergus
DJ Fergus is a London-based DJ and broadcaster renowned for his soulful and uplifting House & Disco sets. He is the creator of The House Sessions podcast, launched in 2018, which delivers a seamless blend of classics and contemporary tracks. Fergus is also a mental health advocate, supporting CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) through his music and events.
No Hat for Jo
No Hat For Jo create their own brand of “piffle”, a punky skiffle blending acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica and musical saw with a modern folk edge. Their original songs are raw, witty and rooted in the realities of being human in changing times.
Led by songwriter Alf Wiltshire’s gravelled vocals and presence, with Pete Arciero’s charismatic banjo and offbeat sounds, the duo deliver energetic, feel-good performances that don’t take themselves too seriously and remind you how fun live music should be. No Hat for Jo will be performing at our music festival this year too!
Please Support HOPE
HOPE Sussex Community is a truly special place and your support helps keep it alive and thriving.
Every penny we raise goes straight back into this grassroots project, ensuring it remains a safe, inspiring and nurturing space for families and children to grow, learn and connect.
Thank you.

Hope Garden Work Weekend Saturday 20th June 2026
2026-06-20 | HOPE Sussex Community, Ivyland farm, Netherfield Road, Netherfield, Battle, Hastings, East Sussex, TN33 9QB, United Kingdom
The Hope Community Garden Needs YOU!
Hope Garden Work Weekend Saturday 20th June 2026 – Come along, enjoy the fun and get involved. 10am start!
(Please bring a dish to share for lunch, refreshments will be available in the Hub, cash only please.)

We have all been enjoying the wonderful, home grown organic vegetables from the Hope Community Garden this spring. After the electro culture workshop the garden is thriving (although there are sometimes competitors for the seeds that are planted from some furry friends!) Now in it’s fourth season, the Hope Community Garden was started from scratch three years ago by parents and the wider Hope Community putting in hundreds of hours of volunteer garden time. To keep the organic veggies growing there is now a hardworking, dedicated but stretched garden volunteer team who dedicate time, energy and love as they work towards our shared mission of food sovereignty and withdrawing support from big supermarkets.
Hope Garden Needs YOU!
Hope Garden Work Weekends – Next one – Saturday 20th June 2026

The dreams of expanding what we already produce and grow can only be met with more volunteers – more time. more energy and more love from all of us. The garden is a beautiful place to learn skills, connect with others and contribute to our thriving garden. Be part of the solution, contribute to food sovereignty and pick up tricks and tips to take away to your own green space. Make friends that last a lifetime and weather all storms.
What’s in it for me?
Where to start!

🌿Giving back gives us a lovely feeling inside and can boost our energy, sense of purpose and wellbeing, adding meaning to our lives.

🌿Gardening and connecting to nature have been widely acknowledged as powerful healing, therapeutic tools in their own right.

🌿As we connect with mother earth and organic soil our gut biome can heal and we are naturally grounded.

🌿We become at one with the rhythms of nature, the seasons and the weather.

🌿Boost Vitamin D and produce serotonin, maybe even sleep better too.

🌿Time offline and in real life – the very thing the elite would rather you not do, gardening is an act of rebellion – choose nature over tech!

🌿Gardening as a group means we share the workload, share skills and connect together, co-regulating reduces stress and increases wellbeing.
OK you’ve convinced me, what now?
If you feel you can offer some time, energy and love to the Hope Garden reach out via email support@hopesussex.co.uk

There are people in most Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays so if you have kids at Hope why not volunteer for an hour each week while your kids learn? If you work why not come along to one of our Garden Work Weekends, next one is on Saturday 20th June.

Look forward to seeing you in the garden!

Reggae Monday at the HOPE Freedom Music Festival Monday 31st August 2026
2026-08-31 10:00 - 21:00 | HOPE Sussex Community, Ivyland farm, Netherfield Road, Netherfield, Battle, Hastings, East Sussex, TN33 9QB, United Kingdom
Reggae Monday – 31st August 2026 at the HOPE Freedom Music Festival promises a beautiful day of sunshine, uplifting music and pure good vibes. Headlining the day is Matt Hoy, bringing his signature blend of soulful R&B and reggae, with powerful messages of hope, freedom and unity.
We’re also delighted to welcome back Sahida Apsara and Kaya Ori for their second year, alongside exciting new faces Candice Dione, Kairo and The Diamond Project, adding fresh energy and unforgettable performances to the line-up.
Reggae Monday wouldn’t be the same without the amazing Yogiman and Ayito who have played at Reggae Monday every year since it started, they both bring soulful sounds and reggae vibes to keep the energy flowing throughout the day.
And not forgetting the return of the amazing Bowls and Bass for their second year — a truly unique fusion of deeply relaxing singing bowls and sound bath frequencies blended with the uplifting pulse of drum and bass, creating an unforgettable musical healing journey.
Expect a joyful atmosphere, conscious music, dancing, connection and a celebration of community spirit as we come together for one unforgettable Reggae Monday.
2026 Lineup
Matt Hoy
Sahida Apsara
Ayito
Kairo
Kaya Ori
Yogiman
Bowls and Bass
Candice Dione
The Diamond Project
The Vibe & Voice tent will hold conscious talks and workshops from some of your favourite speakers covering a fascinating range of topics!
Our closing ceremony for 2026 is going to be awesome, with a relaxing Sound Bath with Bowls and Bass.
And not forgetting FOOD!! In true Reggae style on the menu there will also be authentic Jamaican street food for you to enjoy.
Doors open 10am and event finishes at 9pm.
For those with a FULL weekend Festival ticket Reggae Monday is included!
Adult ticket £40
Kids ticket 12-17yrs £20
Kids ticket 5-11yrs £10
Kids 4yrs and under go FREE
Family Day ticket (2 adults + 2 kids) £75
Monday night camping & parking included
Matt Hoy
Formerly a vocalist with UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro, Matt Hoy made headlines in 2021 when he was forced to leave the band after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine on medical advice. Standing by his personal and health choices, Matt has since embraced a vibrant solo career, blending soulful R&B and reggae influences.
His inspiring single “Strong (Heroes and Heroines)” reflects his journey of resilience and authenticity. Today, Matt continues to uplift audiences around the world with his heartfelt performances, powerful voice and message of hope, freedom and unity.
DJ Ayito
DJ Ayito, a trailblazer in the UK reggae scene, started as a sound woman for Unit 137 sound system. Now, as a resident with Wake Up The Lions and Rompas Reggae Shack, she shares her talent alongside renowned sound systems like Reggae Roast, Mungos Hi fi, and Lion Pulse. Ayito’s diverse music collection reflects her love for reggae, dub, and exclusive steppas, all vibrating with heavy bass.
Her focus on conscious lyrics aims to free minds and souls, making her selections a gateway to freedom. Empowering women in the industry, Ayito’s mission goes beyond music, driven by a deep love for cultural authenticity.
Kaya Ori
Kaya Ori is the fusion of Jessica Lewis, Masta Shen, and Aylon. Together they bring a magical blend and balance of musical skills, harmonic voices, and cultural inspirations, sharing their inner wisdom through their original heartfelt songs they have each received, and also unique covers of other medicine songs from around the world.
From soft and gentle heart-opening melodies to high energy, joyful and uplifting earthy vibrations, Kaya Ori are excited to unite their voices and hold the space for all present to journey through their consciousness as they share their distinctive sonic medicine.
Yogiman
YogiMan plays conscious sound musical vibes for each and everyone, aiming to reach those in need of joy, hope and empowerment.
Playing for all those who resonate with truth, rights, unity and love, aiming to gather one and all to celebrate Life in Love through the power of Music = Word & Sound with movement of the body, to help connect and rebalance; mind body & soul, with one another and the wider environment; GrandMother Nature & the Universe all coming together as ONE.
As a certified holistic health practitioner during the day, when selecting music YogiMan aims to get people into their hearts and become present through the power of word & sound and feeling connected to the wider Universe the ONE Source of Creation.
Sahida Apsara
Sahida Apsara is an Australian poet, singer-songwriter, rapper, dancer, and arts educator known for her soulful fusion of hip-hop, reggae, and world music. Born in Singapore to Indian and Malay heritage, she began traveling at 19 and eventually settled in Melbourne, where she became a prominent voice in community arts and cultural activism.
Her latest album, Prayer For My Daughters (2025), is a powerful tribute to womanhood, healing, and ancestral strength. The album features collaborations with artists like Dub FX, Alais Clay, and Paolo Baldini DubFiles, and includes standout tracks such as “Mama’s Daughter,” “Liberation,” and “Universal Mind.”
Apsara’s music is deeply rooted in themes of self-empowerment, social justice, and spiritual resilience. She has received the Victorian Government Multicultural Award for Excellence for her work in community-building through the arts and was awarded a UNESCO grant to study poetry in New York.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Sahida co-founded “Sisters for Sisters,” a Melbourne-based collective that uses art and creativity to support social change. She also runs “Jiggle Jam,” a music and movement program for toddlers in Lisbon, Portugal.
Sahida Apsara’s performances are a vibrant blend of rhythm, poetry, and purpose, offering audiences an immersive experience that celebrates cultural heritage and personal transformation.
About the HOPE Freedom Music Festival
The HOPE Freedom Music Festival 2026 will be a massive 4 day event this year and it is definitely one not to be missed! Taking place over the August bank holiday: 28th-31st August 2026, this glorious event will be a fundraiser for the HOPE Sussex Community project, with all profits being poured back into the running, development and expansion of HOPE. Our first three festivals were both outstanding successes and blasted our own expectations out of the water! The feedback was awesome, and we are now using that energy to propel us into our next celebration of freedom and love in 2026!
This festival is about Beautiful and High Vibes, Love, Community, Good Times and ultimately FREEDOM! We want to honour and celebrate those artists that have kept their integrity over the past 5 years and who have stood up bold and proud against tyranny! The purpose of this festival is to bring like-minded people together for a wonderful celebration of life. We want to empower you, inspire you and leave you feeling like you are absolutely unstoppable, because you are!
Please Support HOPE
HOPE Sussex Community is a truly special place and your support helps keep it alive and thriving.
Every penny we raise goes straight back into this grassroots project, ensuring it remains a safe, inspiring and nurturing space for families and children to grow, learn and connect.
Thank you.
PLEASE NOTE:
HOPE Freedom Music Festival Dog Policy
We have been forced to change our dog policy and we are not permitting any dogs on our site for the festival. Sadly we have made this decision due to incidents involving livestock and irresponsible dog owners.
For the safety of our festival family, local wildlife, and surrounding livestock, dogs are not permitted on site.
The only exceptions are:
Registered Assistance Dogs (e.g. guide dogs, hearing dogs, medical alert dogs), in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Each assistance dog must be trained to carry out specific tasks for its handler and remain under control at all times.
Therapy dogs, emotional support animals, and pets are not permitted.
If you require more than one registered assistance dog, please contact us in advance so we can make suitable arrangements support@hopesussex.co.uk
Thank you for understanding and helping us keep the site safe for everyone, people and animals alike.
