WHAT’S ON AT THE HILLCREST

Scroll down for detailed descriptions of our different groups, events and classes.

Groups, Events and Classes at the Hillcrest Centre

See the below timetable for our regularly scheduled classes and events, or scroll down further for our special events. For a detailed view of our timetable see the events page.

See some of our upcoming special events below:

Guesthouse Storytellers 🎭

**Beyond the Glass Mountain – Cath Little and Bronia Evers**
**Storyteller and Singer Cath Little and Crankie Artist Bronia Evers**
**Stories of love, loss and renewal told with words, song and scrolling illustrations**
**Tickets £12/£10 concessions on the door or £12/ £8 concessions advance concessions online** **https://www.tickettailor.com/events/xanthegreshamknightguesthousethegoddesslounge/2131206**
If the living and the dead could speak, what questions would they ask of one another? How can love and our connection with the natural world help us to remember and renew the parts of ourselves that have been forgotten? *Beyond the Glass Mountain* weaves traditional and contemporary tales, spoken and sung, with the simple visual magic of crankie theatre.
**More about Beyond the Glass Mountain**
*This collaboration was born out of the Covid-19 lockdown. In 2021, Bronia and Cath worked together in their separate homes, commissioned by* *Beyond The Border International Storytelling Festival, to create a digital short film ‘Cold Blows The Wind’ . This ancient ballad tells of loss, the consolation that is to be found in nature, and of emergence from grief, through winter, into spring. You can view the short film* *here.The piece has since developed into a live performance project by Cath and Bronia, featuring a collection of stories exploring the themes love, loss and renewal.*
*Cath Little* is a Cardiff-based Storyteller and Singer with “rough magic” in her voice, and in her words “the gift of the story comes through.” She has a strong belief in the power of stories to connect us to one another, to the land, and to the people who once lived here. Cath tells traditional stories from her Irish English heritage and her Welsh homeland.

Therapeutic Yoga

Starting Monday, April 20, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
A new 6 week course in therapeutic yoga for trauma recovery following Dr Arielle Schwartz's method 🧘‍♀️
Learning how to feel safe in your body through meditation, breathwork, nervous system regulation, mindfulness and movement--plus a little sound therapy with beautiful chimes!
🧘‍♀️Bring a yoga mat, a cushion, and some water.
🧘‍♀️You can do all the practices in a chair if you don't have a yoga mat.
Open Access For All - Pay What You Can
Led By Dr Fraya Wolf
Contact for more details: frayazellawolf@gmail.com

✨ Feel‑Good Craft Night! ✨

Create your own charm bracelet or necklace — perfect for beginners and packed with unlimited charms to play with. A cosy, creative evening to unwind and make something you’ll love.
🎨 No experience needed
💖 Unlimited charms
📅 8th April, 6.30 pm
💷 £25 per person
🪑 Limited spaces available
👉 Book now: www.ceemaejewellery.co.uk

April Quiz Night

Come along and test your knowledge at the latest Quiz Night at The Hillcrest Centre on Saturday 18th April.
7pm - 10pm
Doors Open 6.30pm
Tickets £3.00pp
Max 8 Per Team
To book please email: juliadunstandesign@gmail.com

Mayor’s Quiz Night

Come along to the Mayor’s Charity Quiz Night in aid of Nippers Children’s After School Club
Hosted by Deputy Mayor Mark
Friday 24th April 7.30pm
Tickets £3.00pp Max 8 people Per Team
Contact :
admin@newhaventowncouncil.gov.uk
01273 516100

Easter Bunny 🐇Pottery Workshop

Join Julia for an Easter pottery class and create your very own Easter Bunny out of clay.
Suitable for ages 5+
£15.00 Per Child
4pm - 5.30pm
To book contact : juliadunstandesign@gmail.com

6-week handbuilding course

Get creative this season with Julia’s 6‑week Handbuilding Clay Course! 🎨✨
Perfect for beginners and anyone wanting to deepen their skills.
You’ll learn pinch, coil, and slab techniques while crafting your own unique ceramic pieces 🏺💛
All materials & firings included.
Spaces are limited — don’t miss your spot!
Email juliadunstandesign@gmail.com to secure your space!

Newhaven Community Closet👖👕👗

Launching on Thursday April 23rd
3.30pm - 5.30pm
Join Newhaven Community Closet for clothing for all ages.
Tea, Coffee, Cake and Conversation
Activities For Children
ALL FREE

Dodgeball Club

We are pleased to announce an exciting brand new club at The Hillcrest Centre - Dodgeball ⚽
Ages 8 - 12 Years
£45.00 for 6 weeks starting on Wednesday April 15th until May 20th
6pm till 7pm
To book contact James on :
Tel: 07889 742573
Email: sussex@jandccoaching.co.uk

Seahaven Makers Evening

An introduction to brush calligraphy and seeded gift tag project. ✒️
This welcoming workshop is the perfect introduction to modern brush lettering.
All materials provided
£30pp

Urban Motion 🎶

A brand new Hip Hop dance class.
Build Confidence, Creativity & Friendships
Ages 6 - 13 Years
Wednesdays 4.15pm to 5.15pm
Starting 21st January
Sign up now at urbanmotiondance.com

Stay Active Longer

Thursdays 11:00 - 12:00 - £8 - drop-in
As a community of 'Movers,' we help each other stay active and healthy as we age.
Each session focuses on balance, flexibility, aerobics, and strength - with fun music and encouragement.
All bodies and abilities are welcome - Whether you're new to exercise or a regular mover, you will find the help you need to work out safely, at your level. Sit, stand or stand with support - and move at your own pace - no judgements here!
Any questions? Contact Mary at MaryMovesit@gmail.com or on 07773022429

Shaolin Qigong class

🥋 Join Rhys for Shaolin Qigong classes every Monday at 10am at the Hillcrest! 🥋
£10pp - No booking required
These sessions focus on the 8 Treasures Qigong— simple yet powerful movements — along with dynamic meditation and breathwork techniques. For more information, visit Qiphysio.co.uk or call Rhys at 07773143886

Into Art Classes

Join local artist Hayley Cox every Monday 10-12pm and Friday 10-1pm for a social art session where you can develop your skills, learn new ones and meet other local artists. Suitable for any skill level, all are welcome to this friendly and informal art group.
For more info, email wildseaarts@gmail.com or call Hayley 07751742127.

Meditation 🧘‍♀️

Start your weekend right with a calming and mindful meditation session with Scarlet. Suitable for everyone, open to all.

Tai Chi Classes

Movement and mindfulness in this ancient art
every Tuesday afternoon 2-3pm. To book email allan@thetao.study

U3A Art Group🖌️

u3a is a countrywide charity-based organisation that hosts different groups and events for retirees and those no longer working. Join your local u3a group at the Hillcrest Centre for art every Tuesday 2-4pm.

Join HYC

Haven Young Creatives is a free drama group for 8-12 and 13-19 year olds in Newhaven. Build confidence, make new friends and have a great time in this welcoming community club.

Ballroom Dancing 💃

We specialize in Adult & Private Lessons for Ballroom, Latin & Sequence and Argentine Tango Salsa!
Whether you would like to learn a 1st dance for your special day or engage in weekly lessons and fall in love with the variety of styles we offer we ensure all levels of experience are welcome!
**If you are interested in finding out more why not give us a call. 07810251391 / 01273 476565**
6.45pm **Beginners Tuition Class**
7.30pm **Social Dancing practice for all levels**
8.15pm **Follow-on Class Tuition**
9.00pm Finish

Creative Writing

20 week course. Fridays 10am to 12.30pm - Visit the website for prices. Courses run year round.
Tutor: Umi Sinha - website: https://www.writingclinic.co.uk/weekly-classes-in-newhaven.html

Email: umisinha.writing@gmail.com

Haven Harmonies is a friendly community choir that performs at community and fundraising events. We have a professional music leader Cara Barseghian who teaches and leads us in a variety of popular songs. We also have a Singalong group who visit care homes and entertain the residents with songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Our choir is organised by a very active committee.
If you would like to join us on Monday evenings at the Hillcrest Centre 7 – 8.30pm for a friendly and joyful hour and a half of making music please do contact Marian Stanley on 01273 611068 or email our secretary at **havenharmoniescommunitychoir@gmail.com** **If you want to know more we have a Facebook group and a website** **www.havenharmonies.wordpress.com**.
There are no auditions and no requirement to read music. The first week is free and then we ask a fee of £5 every time you attend. Please do come along, we would love to see you.

The Nebula is a free, peer led support group at the Hillcrest Community Centre Newhaven.

Anyone is welcome to attend and there are free refreshments. We meet weekly to chat and offer support to each other. Locally it is difficult to find supportive mental health services that are immediately available. This peer led support is people helping each other. It is a safe and confidential space.

What is said in the room, stays in the room.

We support each other with compassion and no judgement as we all understand what it is like to suffer from poor mental health.

The Nebula is run by Pinky.

You can contact Pinky on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/535810757234539/?ref=share

You can also call hillcrest reception for information on times and sessions.

*Eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart,* the ancient art of storytelling is both timeless and contemporary. GuestHouse Storytelling Club hosts diverse professional storytellers to work in a community context and provides a sustainable platform for local storytellers to share and create work.
The Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at The Hillcrest Centre in Newhaven. We have no registered membership; everyone is welcome and you become a member by attending. To find out about upcoming events you can email us on info@guesthousestorytellers.com or visit the website **www.guesthousestorytellers.com**.
There are two 7 minute floor-spots per Story Night. Tellers vary from the very well trained and experienced to people stepping into the water for the first time. Everyone is welcome and every story and teller is different, providing a varied and rich feast of tales to carry away with you and maybe even re-tell. If you would like a floor-spot, please write to us at info@guesthousestorytellers.com or catch us on a Club evening.

The rest of the evening is devoted to a professional teller, often of international renown.
**Our History**
GuestHouse storytellers began in 2006 and is inspired by a poem by the 12th century Persian mystic, Rumi, which you can read here: **www.gratefulness.org**
**Find out more:** **guesthousestorytellers.com**
**Time:** Café opens 7.00pm. Stories from 7.30pm

Mondays & Thursdays from 10am onwards
In the last hut behind the main centre

The workshop is well-equipped and, although there is no formal tuition, a lot of the members have been carving for many years and are able to give expert guidance at all stages of learning so that beginners quickly find the confidence to carve their first simple objects and gradually move on to more ambitious projects. We also have a kettle!

Our most experienced members produce beautiful carvings to a professional standard and are able to sell their work ranging from walking sticks to sporting trophies, and even our newest members are already turning out very pleasing works to be proud of!

New members are always very welcome, so if you share our love of wood and fancy trying your hand at woodcarving, or already have some experience, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Contact the Hillcrest reception for details - 01273 512376 / info@hillcrestcentre.co.uk
Or stroll down to the workshop on a Monday and see for yourself.

U3A Art - Tuesdays 2-4pm

Pilates every Tuesday 11.30-12.30