User:J F Butler/sandbox

Beacon Hub Brighton CIO
Beacon Hub Brighton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity Registered in England & Wales No.1159583) established to run an Eco-education & Visitor Centre focusing on the natural world, biodiversity, conservation, science and heritage in the former Rottingdean golf pavilion on Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve. A small classroom currently hosts renewable energy, conservation, arts, music and craft workshop, and is hired out for community events and functions. The facility offers a meeting place for walkers, cyclists, nature lovers, local residents & tourists, as well as a tangible focus of 'The Living Coast' Marine Conservation Zone (formerly Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere), and eastern coastal ‘gateway’ to the South Downs National Park. Planning permission has been granted by South Downs National Park Planning Authority allowing the creation of a 35 seat classroom, modern kitchen, disabled access and toilets, insulation and eco-heating. Brighton & Hove City Council who own the building, have granted a twenty five year lease.

Beacon Hub history
The Beacon Hub Brighton project began in November 2013 following an innaugural meeting of 'Friends of Beacon Hill'. Co-founders of the project, with a shared vision of incorporating the former golf course into the existing nature reserve and converting the redundant building as an Eco-education and visitor centre, included local residents Clive Bonny, Jay Butler and Libby Darling who all assumed trustee roles. They were subsequently joined by Atlanta Cook as Company Secretary, Graham Beaver as Finance Officer and Bernard Turnbull as Chair. Both Clive Bonny and Libby Darling have since resigned as trustees. Re-development of the building following a succesful bid for funding is expected to commence in spring 2019.