Artwork created by young people from the Heathfield Youth Hub is now an eye-catching sight on a Lightning Fibre network cabinet on Station Road.
The art was originally unveiled at this year’s Heathfield Agricultural Show after the young people teamed up with a professional graffiti artist.
How it all began
The idea for the project was sparked when Tracy Hobden, Show Coordinator for Heathfield Agricultural Show, visited the junior sessions at Heathfield Youth Hub to invite them to be part of the Show.
Through lively discussion aided by youth workers Leesha Daniells and Ed Peasgood, the young people expressed a desire to make something visual that represented their experiences at the Youth Hub and their appreciation of Heathfield’s local environment.
To bring the vision to life, local graffiti artist Tom Goulden, from children’s rights charity Priority 1-54, was invited to lead a workshop as part of the Easter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Some boards were donated by Morgan Sindall Construction which became the canvas for the project. Local Year 5 and Year 6 pupils joined regular youth club members to graffiti the boards, each featuring natural themes tied to the local environment.
Leesha Daniells, from Heathfield Youth Hub, commented:
“The young people are really proud of their artwork and it’s great that the Heathfield community will get to appreciate it for longer, thanks to Lightning Fibre. Being part of Heathfield Show this year was so important to the young people, as they got to be part of an annual, local tradition in the town they are growing up in. Their original graffiti artwork is now on display in our brand new Youth Hub building for their youth club peers to enjoy.”
Lightning Fibre is the main sponsor of the Heathfield Agricultural Show, and Rob Reaks, Chief Commercial Officer at Lightning Fibre, spotted the vibrant boards.
“I was so impressed by the artwork that we immediately offered to wrap our Heathfield broadband network cabinet in the colourful designs. We are so delighted to provide another opportunity for these young artists’ brilliant work to be showcased for everyone to see in Heathfield.”
Unveiling the artwork
On 21 August 2025, two young artists, Josie and Finley, the Heathfield Youth Hub team, Ed and Leesha, Tracy Hobden and Rob Reaks, were joined by Councillor Roy Galley, Chairman of East Sussex County Council, and Councillor Gavin Blake-Coggins, Chair of Wealden Council, to unveil the decorated Lightning Fibre cabinet.
Tracy Hobden, the Heathfield Show Coordinator said “Our thanks must go to Lightning Fibre who went full speed ahead to use these magnificent pieces of work and create the wrap for the Heathfield cabinet”.
Councillor Roy Galley added “East Sussex County Council played a major role in establishing Superfast Broadband across 98% of the county. I, with other councillors, continue to work with our local MPs, Nus Ghani and Mims Davies, in engaging the major national companies to improve our local broadband services and mobile signals.
Lightning Fibre is playing a key role in the necessary upgrades, and their work is very important to our local communities.
I’m delighted that Lightning Fibre is so deeply engaged with the Heathfield community. The involvement of the Heathfield Youth Hub, funded by East Sussex County Council, provides an important service for our young people and the Heathfield Show is one of the key rural events in the county.
Linking all these strands together is really innovative and all parties concerned are to be congratulated.”
The Heathfield Youth Hub continues to be a cornerstone for youth engagement – fostering creativity, community and support for the young people of East Sussex.
Broadband in Heathfield
The cabinet in Station Road is part of Lightning Fibre’s full fibre broadband rollout in the area, bringing hyperfast internet speeds to homes and businesses in Heathfield.
If you’d like to find out if your home can be connected to our rock-solid network, with a local customer service team available 8 am – 8 pm, please check your postcode.
As a business, you can contact Joe Brownell to chat through your connection options – please email business@lightningfibre.co.uk.
Main picture (L to R): Ed Peasgood, Cllr Roy Galley, Josie, Ed, Cllr Gavin Blake-Coggins, Tracy Hobden, Leesha Daniells.
