Meet the Partners
Our partnership is made up of residents and those with a business within the Heart of Sidley. The Partnership all volunteer their time. We meet monthly.
Jay Carroll - Chair of the partnership
Jay is a long-standing and respected member of the Sidley community. He and his father established Carroll’s Greengrocers in 1992, a beloved local business that has thrived under his leadership.
Jay’s dedication to his community extends beyond his business. Heart of Sidley Big Local area partnership has been fortunate to have had Jay on board since day 1 at the very first meeting, and he has been Chair of the Partnership for the last 8 years. Jay is also an active member of various other local groups, including serving as Chair of Sidley 1st Scouts for the past 7 years. He has managed the local youth football team and continues to volunteer in numerous capacities. Jay’s commitment to Sidley is evident in his ongoing support for local initiatives, such as supporting maintenance of the Heart of Sidley high street planters.
As a dedicated family man, Jay has raised two sons in the local area and is now a proud grandfather of three. His approachable nature and friendly demeanour have made him a trusted figure in the community, where residents feel comfortable sharing their concerns and ideas.
Recently, Jay has taken on a new role as a member of the executive board for the Rother District Council LUF Programme, further demonstrating his commitment to shaping the future of Sidley and the surrounding area.
Trevor Ramsden - Vice Chair
Trevor is a long-standing and dedicated member of the Sidley community. After serving in the Navy for six years in the 70s, he moved to Sidley as a successful Greengrocer in 1988.
Trevor's involvement in the community began early on, serving as Secretary of Sidley Sports Club. He later became Groundsman for the club before being made redundant with the closure of the club. He subsequently took on the role of Chairman of Sidley Cricket Club and captained the Saturday league side.
Drawing on his family's gardening expertise, Trevor has run his own successful gardening business for 16 years. He has been an integral part of the Heart of Sidley Partnership since its inception and currently serves as Vice Chair.
Trevor and his family were immediately drawn to the welcoming and caring atmosphere of Sidley upon their arrival. Their deep connection to the community continues today, with him, his wife and their children all remaining actively involved in the area.
Linda Seddon
Linda has been a resident of Sidley since 2000, having moved to East Sussex in 1988 from Manchester. She is currently a dedicated carer for her partner and enjoys spending valuable time with her four grandchildren who live nearby, and one of whom resides with her.
Prior to her current role as a carer, Linda worked as a Youth Worker for East Sussex County Council until 2002. She also served as a devoted Resident Board Member for Amicus Horizon (now Southern Housing) for nine years, advocating for the needs of social housing residents.
Linda has been a Trustee for Rother Voluntary Action for approximately 20 years, actively contributing to the organisation's mission.
Linda brings a wealth of experience to her community involvement and has been with Heart of Sidley since the start. In the early days of the partnership, Linda served as the Secretary for a period and played a crucial role in establishing the now-popular annual Festive and Summer Events, which have grown significantly over the years.
Linda is passionate about improving the lives of future generations in Sidley and is committed to making a positive impact on her community.
Helen Bridger
Helen is a dedicated community leader with a wealth of experience in local government and social care. She served as a District Councillor for 12 years, advocating for the needs of her constituents.
Following her time in local government, Helen spent 10 years managing a Day Centre and 6 years as a team leader, providing essential support to vulnerable individuals. Currently, she is a Safeguarding Officer for two local churches and holds the position of Lay Chair of Bexhill and Battle Deanery Synod. Additionally, she is an active member of the Chichester Diocesan Synod.
Nicola (Nikki) Collins
Nikki is a passionate advocate for children and education. After graduating as a primary school teacher, she took a sabbatical to serve as Deputy President of her university's student union. This role provided her with valuable experience in event planning, public consultation, and fundraising.
Following her studies, Nikki worked for the University of Brighton as a Widening Participation Officer, engaging with schools and colleges in disadvantaged areas to promote higher education opportunities for young people.
Nikki joined the Heart of Sidley Partnership in 2019, and in 2021 she took on the role of Lead Coordinator for HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) club sessions for children aged 4-7 years.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Nikki spearheaded a successful campaign to save a local nursery from closure. She co-founded a Community Interest Company (CIC) and successfully negotiated with East Sussex County Council and the local authority to reopen a nursery in Sidley.
In June 2021, Nikki established the All Saints PTFA as an official charity. She chaired the inaugural AGM, oversaw the voting of the constitution, and has served as Chair ever since, securing crucial funding and sponsorships from local businesses, making this project a great success.
Lynda Harvey
Lynda is a devoted community member who has been residing in the heart of Sidley for the past eight years. Despite retiring early due to ill health fifteen years ago, she remains passionate about contributing to her community.
With a background in healthcare, Lynda has extensive experience working with children and young adults. She has held roles as a Hospital Play Specialist, a rehabilitation specialist at The Children’s Trust, and a maternity nurse. Her international experience includes working in Barcelona, where she developed fluency in Spanish and an understanding of Catalan.
Lynda’s personal experiences as a disabled wheelchair user with a visual impairment enable her to advocate for the needs of people with disabilities of all ages. She is a skilled HR professional, having managed a team of carers for over a decade. Her empathetic and supportive approach has fostered long-lasting relationships with her staff.
Lynda’s upbringing in a deprived area like Sidley has given her a deep understanding of local needs and challenges. She is eager to bring her unique blend of experience, compassion, and community spirit to the board of trustees.
Steve Lucas
Steve is a seasoned chef with over 50 years of experience. He has owned and operated various culinary establishments, including a large restaurant in Maidstone for two decades. In 2015, he brought his expertise to the local community by purchasing a pub.
Initially, Steve focused on educating young people about basic food preparation. However, with the rise of food poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic, he shifted his efforts to supporting families in need. He secured grants to provide starter packs of herbs, spices, and basic equipment to those who required them. Additionally, he launched a successful Facebook appeal to collect unwanted kitchen equipment, establishing an equipment library for permanent loans. Further funding enabled him to purchase modern appliances like air fryers, slow cookers, and microwaves.
Steve firmly believes in the power of cooking to bring communities together. He advocates for accessible and user-friendly kitchen facilities to encourage shared meal preparation and social interaction. As well as being a partner on the Heart of Sidley Big Local partnership for nearly 10 years, he continues to campaign for improved community kitchen infrastructure.
Sally Ricketts
Sally has been a resident of Sidley for the past seven years. Prior to becoming a full-time caregiver for her partner who sustained a brain injury, she enjoyed a successful career as a civil servant for 14 years. She is a mother of three daughters and a proud grandmother to two grandsons. Her youngest daughter is a student at the local primary school.
Sally is a dedicated community member. She works from home as a freelancer and also enjoys expressing her creativity through crafting and online sales. She has been an active member of the Heart of Sidley partnership since 2021 and is deeply invested in improving the lives of her fellow villagers.
Sally has played a significant role in the success of Heart of Sidley’s Household Support Fund project, providing invaluable assistance to community members in need. She is also actively involved in the Holiday Activities and Food projects offered during school holidays, further demonstrating her commitment to supporting children and families within the Sidley community.
Jimmy Carroll
Jimmy is a long-standing and respected figure in the Sidley community. He has been a local business owner, running a successful shop in the area since 1975.
His dedication to public service is evident in his extensive political career. He served as a Councillor for Sidley Ward on Rother District Council for 16 years and was honoured with the role of Mayor of Bexhill in 2015. In 2017/18, he served as the Chairman of Rother District Council. His contributions to the community were recognised in 2024 when he was awarded the Freedom of the Town.
More recently, Jimmy has joined the Heart of Sidley Big Local area partnership. He is passionate about supporting both the young and the elderly in the community and believes that the partnership has made a significant positive impact on the local area. He is proud to be part of a dedicated team working together to improve the lives of Sidley residents.
Debbie Peters
Debbie brings a wealth of experience to her role in the community. She boasts 12 years of dedicated service with East Sussex County Council (ESCC), working within social services, day services, and residential care for individuals with learning disabilities.
During her tenure at ESCC, Debbie managed a team that provided job coaching to individuals with learning disabilities, assisting them in securing vocational and paid employment opportunities across East Sussex. She spearheaded initiatives such as organising non-accredited courses for all colleges in East Sussex for people with learning disabilities, successfully securing funding for these programs through the Skills Council. Furthermore, she led the development and implementation of "train the trainers" program and summer schools for three years, empowering individuals with learning disabilities.
In 2006, Debbie joined Rother District Council as a Community Officer, later transitioning to the role of Equalities Officer. This position involved a partnership with Wealden District Council, focusing on promoting equality and inclusion within the community. Debbie thrives in community engagement, assisting groups with their establishment and guiding them through funding applications.
A strong advocate for community involvement, Debbie emphasises the importance of accessibility and actively encourages community participation in local initiatives. She has been a dedicated supporter of Heart of Sidley from the start, and partner for over two years.
Julie Norris
Julie is the newest member of the Heart of Sidley partnership. She is a lifelong resident, having grown up in Sidley and has always called it home. A formal dental nurse with 4 decades of experience, she’s thrilled to be back in her hometown years later, this time serving the community through her own café!
Julie is the owner of the Corner Coffee Shop and Bakehouse in Sidley, a much-loved local establishment that has quickly become a community hub. Julie is a strong supporter of local events and fundraising activities, often using her cafe as a platform to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes within the community.
Prior to joining the Heart of Sidley partnership, Julie served as a Councillor for Bexhill Town Council for three years, representing the Sidley ward.