About Us ECCN exists to help promote and celebrate the diverse cultural make up of the Eastbourne area and help members of the various cultural communities access services and support that help improve their quality of life. History In Eastbourne today you can walk down any street in the town and hear many different languages being spoken. Due to the growing mix of ethnic groups and the changing nature of Eastbourne’s population profile, Eastbourne Borough Council and EAVS approached some of the larger ‘BME’ communities and asked if they would be interested in forming a group. This would be with a view to sharing cultures and integrating isolated communities. An organisation to raise awareness of the many different communities now living and working in the town, particularly the Devonshire Ward. ECCN was initially funded by ESP and the European Social Fund and supported by EBC and EAVS. Our first event in June 2004 was a ‘Bring A Dish’ at Bourne School, complete with  Bouncy Castle, Face painters, plenty of food and a drumming performance and workshop. February 2007: International Friendship day at Bourne School – an enormously successful event with representation from many different countries and local long standing Eastbourne residents coming along to try different foods, crafts and meet new people. May 2007: Bring A Dish at Stafford Road School in the isolated Bridgemere estate. We then received our Big Lottery grant- Reaching Communities for 5 year project to fund a  central base and employ staff. World in Motion 2007: Our July event at the Redoubt Fortress was visited by seven hundred people, both residents and holidaymakers of all ages. It was a celebration of music, food and dance. September 2007: ECCN project begins at our new offices in Cavendish Place. November 2007: Our official office opening by the Mayor of Eastbourne Mary Pooley and Mr. Hau - local businessman and restaurant owner – a staunch supporter. February 2008: International Friendship Day and our 3rd birthday celebrations. Eastbourne Festival event in May 2008: “Eat, Meet and Move Your Feet” at Bourne School was a great success with a fantastic turnout. “Our social events help to build intercultural tolerance and understanding between communities where people can learn and interact with others they may not necessarily come across in everyday life or in a social setting.” People The ECCN committee is elected annually and contains repesentatives from a wide range of communities, cultures and backgrounds. Chair - Urszula Tompsett Vice Chair - Jay Seymour Secretary - Theresa McGhee Officers - Tim Jupadim, Lin Sirah and Manju Shresta Volunteers - Jasvinder Sirah, John Lawal, Steve Filipalski and The Shresta family Webmaster - William Tompsett Senior Project Worker - Sally Taylor Project Workers - June Sutarom and Suchila Pang Trustees - Menashe Harounoff Cohen, Subarna Pandey, Johnathon Pang Eastbourne Cultural Communities Network, Units 4 & 7, Cavendish Business Centre, 86a Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, BN21 3RR Registered Charity No: 1115365 Want to help? If you’re interested in becoming an active member of ECCN then please pop in, give us a call or click here to download a Membership Form. We’d love to hear from you!