Shine in Hurstpierpoint

YOUNG thespian talent in mid Sussex practising hard for 'The Sound of White', Shine Theatre Group's Christmas 2009 show. The event has been made possible thanks to the generous support of local donors and sponsors including South Downs Heritage Centre in Hassocks. Instead of charging admission, the tourist attraction on the Brighton Road, collects for the young people's theatre group as one of its chosen charities.

"It is a real delight to see these young people enjoying themselves thanks to the kindness of visitors to the Heritage Centre", says Jonathan Tate who runs it and the neighbouring South Downs Nurseries. "I know how important Shine is in their lives and just what this Christmas production means to them.

The Sound of White is being staged in Holy Trinity Church, Hurstpierpoint on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th December, 7.30 p.m. Tickets are available from Nicky Loutit on 01273 844788 at £8 for adults and £5 for children.

The show is a collection of songs and dances all with a theme of white.  White refreshments are available.

For more information visit www.shinetheatregroup.co.uk

Profits go to Shine Theatre Trust which works hard in the county to further support inclusive children's theatre.

Photo: Bryan Hirst photography.

East Grinstead Town Council » News from the Council

http://www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk/news/

East Grinstead Christmas Shopping

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Hair + Beauty for Everyone Open Evening Burgess Hill

Hair + Beauty For Everyone Open evening

1st December 2009 From 6.30pm - 9pm
Enjoy a glass of wine, FREE Beauty treatments/Make up consultations with our professional Therapists, festive gift ideas and a Goody Bag.
7/8 Sheddingdean Centre, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8UA. Tel 01444 870800

Brighton and Hove City Brass Christmas Concert

Saturday December 19th at 7.30pm at Henfield Village Hall, Coopers Way, Henfield.

Tickets available on the door £5 / £4 concessions. Refreshments available in the interval. For more details please see www.brightonbrass.co.uk

Registered Charity number 1127580.

Mid Sussex roads passes the million pound milestone

Work starting next week in Burgess Hill and East Grinstead, will bring the total cost spent on road improvements in Mid Sussex to more than £1million in the past six months.

The biggest scheme was culvert replacements in the A272 Bolney Chapel area, costing £437,000.

Other major schemes that have been carried out in Mid Sussex include Woodsland Road, Hassocks (£152,000), Colwell Road/A272 Franklynn Road, Haywards Heath (£140,000), St Peters Road, Burgess Hill (£87,000), and Willow Gardens, Hurstpierpoint (£78,000).

Derek Whittington, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “The expenditure on roads and pavements in the last six months shows the importance of them to the County Council, despite the Government continuing to give us the lowest grant towards vital services.”

Starting from Monday November 30, the pavements will be repaired in part of Longhurst Road, Burgess Hill, where the road has subsided. Kerbs and concrete edgings will be replaced, and the pavements along the whole road will be resurfaced.

This scheme is scheduled to take up to three weeks to complete, weather permitting. Temporary two-way traffic lights will be in operation for the duration of the works.

On-street parking may be suspended during the course of the scheme.

Drainage improvements will also be starting on the same day in Harwoods Lane and Victoria Way, East Grinstead.

The three week scheme will involve installing new pipes to drain excess surface water, and laying a new Tarmac surface at the southern end of Harwoods Lane.

There will be a temporary road closure for five days in Harwoods Lane. A diversion route will be via Victoria Way, Stuart Way, Herontye Drive and Hermitage Lane.

Residents will have access to their properties at all times from the northern end where Harwoods Lane meets Hermitage Lane.

Both schemes will be carried out Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5pm, and occasionally on Saturdays from 7.30am to 1pm.

Hurstpierpoint's Christmas Extravaganza

Following the success of last year's late night shopping and Christmas entertainment, Hurstpierpoint will be running another evening full of festive excitement for all the family.

On Thursday 3^rd December from 17:30 the High Street will be closed to traffic but open to entertainment. The shops up and down the High Street will be keeping their doors open late into the evening inviting you in for a huge array of Christmas treats.

From either end of the High Street you will be surrounded by free mulled wine and festive nibbles. Carol singers will entertain you throughout the evening along with the sound of brass band that would turn any Scrooge into a model of generosity and kindness!

Father Christmas has agreed another visit from one of his real reindeers so come and say hello and try your luck at the amazing tombola at the same time.

The Players Theatre will be bringing their Treasure Island cast onto the streets in full costume, but don’t get them confused with the Town Crier whose booming voice will be updating everyone on the evening’s entertainment. The theme is continued into the children’s fancy dress competition where prizes will be given for the best panto costume.

Children, and the odd adult, can have their face painted at The Vineyard Lodge and for an evening feast why not try something from Clive Miller’s BBQ on the Green, you’ll have plenty of places to pick up a drink to wash it down with.

Chairman of the Hurstpierpoint Traders Association, Paul Harvey, said “we have be amazed with the support of local businesses and societies in organising the evening along with the Parish Council that have now committed to investing in lighting up the village each Christmas for the next four years. We had a fantastic turn out last year and now we have organised the High Street to be closed to traffic we hope to attract many more local residents and families on the 3^rd December.”

Please put the date in your diary and come and join Hurstpierpoint in celebrating Christmas. Take the opportunity to rediscover the High Street, combining a little late night shopping and supporting your local community. For further details on the evening and a sneak preview of some of the activities visit www.hurst-village.co.uk or email Paul Harvey on paul@preview.co.uk.

Christmas is coming to Hurstpierpoint and so should you!

Sussex students first in country to experience adventure of a lifetime

On Wednesday 2nd December students at the University of Sussex will get an exclusive insight into the world of Charity Explorers. Founders of the not for profit company will be visiting the Student Union to explain to the students how they can get involved in the adventure of a lifetime while raising an estimated £20,000 for Sussex charity, the Dame Vera Lynn Trust, at the same time.

Charity Explorers is organising two Indian ‘Rickshaw Romp’ adventures next year on 28th March - 17th April and 4th - 24th September which gives those with a thirst for adventure the opportunity to cross 4000km of rough terrain in a 7 HP Auto Rickshaw with a top speed of 35mph! Parties and get-togethers are organised during the 3 week expedition but this is a self-led experience which promises unforgettable experiences along the way.

The event on Wednesday 2nd December is the official launch of the not for profit company and will be the first chance for people to sign up for the challenges. “The launch event will be an experience in itself!” says Jess Thompson-Hughes, co-founder of Charity Explorers. “We are bringing along with us some amazing exotic insects including a hissing cockroach and huge tarantulas. There will also be a Curry Challenge provided by Zamans of Worthing, where those who are brave enough can taste the hottest Indian curry on the planet!”

Despite the fun and frolics, there is a serious side to Charity Explorers’ Indian missions. At the end of the journeys the Rickshaws will be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to the Dame Vera Lynn Trust, a charity which works tirelessly to help children under 5 with cerebral palsy and their families. It costs £450,000 a year to enable the Trust to continue its valuable work – and this money has to be raised from public donations as the charity receives no government funding.

But this is just the start for the brand new organisation which aims to raise millions for charity from their adventures. The vehicles will be sold at auction for around £1000 each so the more people who go on the trip the more money will be raised. Jess Thompson-Hughes explains, “We are planning to run two tours per year in India and Thailand with 200 – 400 vehicles per expedition which means we could be raising £200k - £400k on each tour.”

And it’s not just students who can get involved. If you would like to take part in this trip of a lifetime and make a real difference to a local charity visit www.charityexplorers.com.

As ex military men, the founders of Charity Explorers Jess Thompson-Hughes and Steve Hook are both admirers of the adventures Dame Vera Lynn undertook during the Second World War, and of the work she continues to do for her children’s charity.

“We were lucky enough to have the chance to meet Dame Vera Lynn recently” explains Steve “and it was fascinating to hear some of her stories about her time in India and Burma. Our experiences will of course be very different but the trip to India will definitely be one that everyone remembers for the rest of their lives.”

Artwave 2009

Artwave, the visual arts festival for the Lewes District, has ended for another year and organisers have hailed the 2009 festival as a great success.   

The annual Artwave festival, now in its 16th year, is held in open houses and studios across the Lewes District and the festival continues the tradition of artistic creativity that has thrived in the area for many years.

The festival contributes to the local economy by attracting both local visitors and those from outside the area who come into the district with the sole purpose of exploring the festival venues.   It is widely considered that these visitors not only spend in the open houses and studios but support other businesses in the district whilst visiting.

Every year a comprehensive feedback questionnaire is sent to each participating venue to enable organisers to evaluate the success of Artwave and plan future festivals and events.

75% of the venues returned the feedback questionnaire this year and artists have reported that business generated by Artwave continues throughout the year, thus generating ongoing revenue for the local creative industries.

The number of venues that took part in Artwave 2009 increased by 12%, with 88 open houses and studios exhibiting the works of 351 known artists and makers.

Recorded visitor numbers for Artwave 2009 totalled 22,572, this exceeded last year’s total of known visitors by just under 25%, and known sales of £88,970 were reported, up on last year by just under 20%.

“I am delighted that Artwave was such a hugely successful and enjoyable festival.  It was wonderful to have so many talented artists and makers taking part, offering such a wide range of art mediums. Artwave 2009 set out to inspire anyone interested in the visual arts and this truly was the case.  I’m already looking forward to 2010”   Said Angie Osborne Artwave Festival Co-ordinator.

The 2010 Artwave festival will run from Saturday 28th August – Sunday 12th September. For more information visit www.artwavefestival.org <http://www.artwavefestival.org/>

Sing Hallelujah in Lewes

13 December 6.30pm
The Foundry Gallery
32 North Street
Lewes BN7 2PH

We are one of a  huge number of communities across the country, who, inspired by ENO  and BBC Radio 3 , will  sing Hallelujah in December and share  our experience by film on the national Hallelujah Map - see  www.bbc.co.uk/sing <http://www.bbc.co.uk/sing <http://www.bbc.co.uk/sing> > . As well as singing  Handel's Hallelujah chorus, we'll come together to sing a soulful  gospel version and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.   
Sign up now for a  rehearsal afternoon workshop (2-5pm) on Sunday 13th  December, led by musical directors John Hancorn and Pippa Longworth,  followed by an early evening performance at the Foundry Gallery in Lewes  at 6.30 pm. You need no previous singing experience. All are welcome.
Handel gave us some of our most loved music – we will celebrate him and the joy of his music altogether on Dec 13th. Be there
Full details at www.thepaddocksingers.co.uk <http://www.thepaddocksingers.co.uk>   
For any other information contact info@thepaddocksingers.co.uk or  Catriona Shepard 01273 475475.
Tickets from Laportes, Lansdowne Place, Lewes: £5 & £3 concessions.
 
Run by Artemis Arts and The Paddock Singers

Plumpton Festive Fair

Plumpton’sVillage Action Plan (VAP) staged a Festive Fair in the village hall on Saturday that featured over 30 stalls offering local produce, wines, arts and crafts.  Visitors were given the opportunity to buy in readiness for Christmas or to place orders for meat, cheeses, wines, beer, vegetables etc., for the festive period,
Hundreds of visitors flocked through the doors and stallholders did a brisk trade. The occasion demonstrated the wide variety of local producers that there are and it brought together members of the community in a very convivial atmosphere, with time to chat over lunch or whilst taking other refreshments.
VAP Chairman, Cllr Tom Hawthorne, commented “Today illustrated just what a thriving community the Plumpton area is. It also demonstrated the wide and varied number of what may be called cottage industries there are that display a wealth of talent and made it possible to do the Christmas shopping on the doorstep”. He continued “This occasion is just further evidence of the value of our VAP and congratulations must be extended to the main organisers Ruth Segal, Catherine Jackson and Paul Nicholson”.


Picture: Plumpton Rector, Fr Godfrey Broster, was taking orders for his Christmas Brew, Parson's Porter

Wivelsfield Welcomes Local Traders at Food Fair on Saturday 28th November

The first food fair ran on Saturday 19th July 2008 and it was a huge success with over 500 people packing the village hall and then relaxing on the recreation ground afterwards.

Following on from this success, three food fairs have already run in 2009 and the next one will be this Saturday 28th November.

At each of the food fairs about 20 local food & produce traders come together in the village hall. On offer will be locally reared meats & poultry; eggs; fruit & vegetables; fresh bread & cakes; jams, jellies, honey, conserves, chutneys & pickles; fish; sausages; cheese; Fair Trade items; plants; ice-cream; wine & beer; and ready-meals.

Refreshments will be provided by the local support group for St Peter & St James Hospice. So stock up for Christmas and then relax with a coffee & cake while you catch up with your friends or make new ones!

To book a stall or for more information please contact:richard.spencer@wivelsfield.net

A Flying Visit for Wivelsfield Green Playgroup on 18th November

This term the children at playgroup have been looking at seasonal changes. They have talked about autumn and how it is now gets dark earlier. With this in mind one of the topics cover was ‘animals at night’ and a visit by Huxley’s Birds of Prey Centre was arranged so the children could see some owls. Although the children are read books and see pictures of owls, most of them would probably not have seen a real owl, as most come out at night when the children should be in bed!

The children in Reception class at Wivelsfield Primary School were invited to join the playgroup as they would have missed the owl visit at the school earlier in the year. Some playgroup children who don’t usually attend the Wednesday session also came, along with the older children from the Parent & Toddler group; this meant that there were about 35 children to enjoy the owls.

All the children sat amazingly still and very quietly so as not to disturb the owls too much. The first owl to meet the children was Bramble a barn owl and the second was Banda a European eagle owl who flew across the hall several times and swooped so low that everyone had to duck down! Egor another eagle owl also took a turn at flying and the children were allowed to stroke him if they wanted to; he was quite big but his feathers were very soft. Finally the children met Katie the Snowy owl, who was very beautiful, and a little tawny owl, the only owl to say twit-towhoo!

As an extra treat the children also met Kahn a Harris hawk who flew across the hall; he has to wear a bell so he can be found if he flies off too far!

The children really enjoyed their visitors and learnt lots of new things about owls.

Fun, Friends and Fitness

by Roger Linn

It was a privilege to be shown round the wonderful facilities at East Grinstead Sports Club. You can too – just come along to one of their
Open Days in December.

Before my VIP tour of thy gym with Nick Evans, one of the club’s personal trainers, I had been talking to Tania McLean, the club’s Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator about the differences between EGSC and other sports and fitness centres that we knew. “We’re about people, really,” she said. “Although we have great fitness facilities, we like to think of the club as a place our members come to be with – and to make – friends.” Craig Tonna, Sports Development Manager, nodded vigorously in agreement. “Sure, we care passionately about personal health and fitness and we’re proud of our team of trainers and independent specialists, but that doesn’t mean we don’t believe in fun!”
I knew what he meant. We were sitting in the club’s friendly little bar, looking out over the cricket field. It was a far cry from the sometimes intense atmosphere and austere surroundings of other gyms that I’d known.
The East Grinstead Sports Club is a ‘not for profit’ organisation and so the money which is raised above the club’s operating requirement is ploughed back into facilities for the members’ benefit. When I raised this with Craig, he was quick to correct me. “For the community’s benefit!” He said “we serve a wide community of people from East Grinstead and the surrounding area and although we have some 650 gym members, over 2,000 people use our facilities
on a pay per session basis.”
This commitment to getting as many people to use the facilities as possible is evident in the thought which has gone into the fees and costs structure. For instance, at only £35 a month, gym membership is already good value, but off-peak membership – which is pretty much all day –
is only £30, whilst juniors and pensioners pay only £25. Another creative idea has been to allow members, such as students who go away to university or businessmen on trips, to ‘freeze’ their membership so that they only pay when they are available to use the gym.
Spinning, Yoga, Pilates – over 30 different classes are on offer and they include my personal favourite, Cardio Salsa! No, I don’t know what it means either, but it sounds like a fun way to get fit. ■
 
East Grinstead Sports Club
Saint Hill Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4JU
Tel. 01342 321210  |  www.egscc.co.uk

FREE Open Days on 5th and 6th December Come and meet the team and try your hand at
a wide range of sports and fun activities.

GLYNDEBOURNE WIND TURBINE PROVED TO BE HOT AIR

Following the release of new data, national and regional environmental groups have today called on the world-famous Glyndebourne Opera House to abandon their plan to build a giant wind turbine in the South Downs National Park.
 
The data gathered by the wind mast, which has been measuring wind speeds for a year, shows that the power likely to be generated by the turbine is a third less than predicted.  
 
Ruth Chambers of the Campaign for National Parks said: “This data casts serious doubt on the plans for a large turbine at Glyndebourne.  With the wind resource proven to be much lower than predicted, common sense should now prevail – the turbine should not be built and the stunning South Downs landscape should remain free of such industrial structures.”
 
From the South Downs Society, Jacquetta Fewster said: “The landscape of the South Downs is far too precious to be blighted by an industrial-scale wind turbine.  Now the data has shown the level of wind to be even lower than originally estimated, we again call on Glyndebourne to drop the turbine idea and look to other ways to reduce their carbon footprint.”
 
Stuart Meier of the Sussex Campaign to Protect Rural England commented: "We always said this was the wrong place to put an industrial-scale turbine, not least due to lack of wind. Glyndebourne's own tests have now shown their claimed figures were wrong, and that we were right. They should now back down, and find a better way to invest in renewable energy."
 
Kate Ashbrook of the Open Spaces Society said: “As we predicted, the arguments by Glyndebourne for erecting this turbine have proved to be merely hot air.  It would be outrageous to desecrate the newly-confirmed South Downs National Park with such a pointless structure.”
 
David Murray of the Ramblers said: “With the confirmation of the South Downs as a National Park just last week, this large scale development in a protected landscape is sending out the wrong message to other developers who are keen to exploit this precious green space in the region. The South Downs is a real walking asset and the Ramblers doesn’t want to see that eroded by such industrial developments.”
 
The South Downs Environmental Protection Consortium was set up to discourage industrial-scale development on the South Downs and comprises the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Campaign for National Parks, the Open Spaces Society, the Ramblers and the South Downs Society.  It will continue to oppose turbines across the downs if they are inappropriate in scale or location.
 
The planning application was granted permission in July 2008 by the then Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, following an inquiry in February and March.  The decision was criticised by countryside organisations for failing to appreciate the importance of the South Downs landscape which has subsequently been confirmed as a National Park.

Charity Explorers set to raise thousands for Dame Vera Lynn’s Charity!

Ex-military servicemen, Jess Thompson-Hughes and Steve Hook, paid an important visit to the Dame Vera Lynn (DVL) Trust today. The two men, whose new not for profit company aims to raise a staggering £20,000 for the forces’ sweetheart’s charity in Five Oaks, met the team behind the remarkable School for Parents of Children with cerebral palsy. They also had the fantastic opportunity to swap their stories about India with Dame Vera Lynn and talk to the Trust’s new patron and famous opera singer Hayley Westenra about her involvement with the charity.

Dame Vera Lynn’s charity leads the way in Conductive Education www.dvltrust.org.uk/conductive-education.html for pre-school children with cerebral palsy. The Trust does not receive any government funding and relies 100% on donations from the public to enable it to raise the £500,000 needed per year to continue the service.

Jess and Steve’s organization, Charity Explorers, facilitates people’s desire for adventure, and helps to make the world a slightly better place at the same time. The pair has pledged that the profits from their first adventure to India in March 2009, will be donated to the West Sussex charity. As ex-military personnel Jess and Steve are both admirers of the work Dame Vera Lynn did for the forces during the Second World War as well as her incredible spirit of adventure.

The community interest company’s daring escapade to India is certainly not for the faint hearted; adventurous mavericks travel in pairs tackling the four thousand kilometres of rough terrain in a seven HP Auto Rickshaw with a top speed of 35mph!

“The aim of our visit today was to meet Dame Vera Lynn and explain how our India adventure will raise funds for her charity.” explains Jess Thompson-Hughes. “At the end of the journey the Rickshaws are auctioned off and the proceeds will be donated to the Trust. All our explorers will be on the journey of a lifetime knowing that they are helping the families of children with cerebral palsy back home!”

Charity explorers are organizing two Indian Rickshaw adventures next year on 28th March - 17th April and 4th - 24th September. To find out how you can take part in the trip of a lifetime and make a real difference to a local charity visit www.charityexplorers.com.

SUSSEX FOOD AND DRINK HEROES ANNOUNCED

Finalists for the Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2009/10 were announced by judges today [19 November] following their deliberations held at Harveys Brewery at the end of last week.

Said Clive Beddall OBE, Chairman of the Judges: “The awards have grown in popularity exponentially, with over 9,000 members of the public voting for more than 300 of their favourite Sussex farmers, food and drink producers, young chefs, food shops, butchers, eateries and farmers markets this year.

“This year, there are 13 finalists from West Sussex, eight from East Sussex and three from Brighton & Hove – so a great spread across the county and the quality is absolutely outstanding, demonstrating how Sussex is leading the local food revolution in Britain.”

The Sussex Food & Drink Awards, run by Natural PR in partnership with A Taste of Sussex and JustBIZ, is based on public voting and is all about promoting and rewarding the best Sussex producers and the outlets which support them.

The finalists are:

Sussex Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Musgrave Retail Partners:
Higgidy Ltd, Shoreham, West Sussex
Prosperity Brownies, Lancing, West Sussex
Real Patisserie, Brighton & Hove
 
Sussex Drink Producer of the Year – sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter:
Dark Star Brewing Company, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Gran Steads Ginger, Mile Oak, East Sussex
Hepworth & Co Brewing Company, Horsham, West Sussex

Sussex Farmer of the Year – sponsored by Knill James:
Simon Bishop, Netherfield Place Farm, Netherfield, East Sussex (who tragically died in a car accident recently)
Lyn & Jenny Jenner, Nut Knowle Farm, Horam, East Sussex
Helen & Rod Marsh, Middle Farm, Firle, East Sussex
 
Best Sussex Food Shop – sponsored by JustBIZ:
Cheese Please, Lewes, East Sussex
Pallant of Arundel, Arundel, West Sussex
Sussex Produce Company, Steyning, West Sussex
 
Best Sussex Eating Experience – sponsored by A Taste of Sussex:
Anise, Felbridge Hotel & Spa, East Grinstead, West Sussex
Simply Delicious, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
The Coach & Horses, Danehill, West Sussex
 
Sussex Butcher of the Year – sponsored by SEEDA:
Meads Village Butcher, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Renhurst Farm Shop, Mark Cross, East Sussex
Westdene Butchers, Westdene, Brighton
 
Sussex Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by Train to Gain:
Oliver Darby, Temptation, Brighton
Dan Hockaday, The Coach & Horses, Danehill, West Sussex
Bradley Jordan, South Lodge Hotel, Lower Beeding, West Sussex
 
Best Sussex Farmers Market – sponsored by Natural PR:
Pulborough Farmers Market, West Sussex
Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex
Uckfield Farmers Market, East Sussex
 
Organisers have now opened sales for tickets to attend the ‘Sussex foodie event of the year’ – the Sussex Food & Drink Awards dinner, to be held at the East Sussex Golf Resort & Spa on 28th January 2010 with host Danny Pike from BBC Sussex. This black tie event includes a Sussex bubbly and ale reception, sponsored by Harveys; a stunning five-course dinner made from Sussex produce; lots of entertainment; and a lively Oscars-style awards presentation. See www.sussexfoodawards.com <http://www.sussexfoodawards.com>   or call Natural PR on 01273 857242 for more information.

Charity Christmas Carols at The Walled Garden at Cowdray

-CHARITY
CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT
Hosted by
The Walled Garden at Cowdray

13th December 2009
5pm – 7pm
In aid of The Lions Club of Midhurst

Featuring The Choir & Orchestra
from Conifers School
www.conifersshool.com <http://www.conifersshool.com>

With special thanks to our sponsors :
 
THE WALLED GARDEN AT COWDRAY
KALM KITCHEN Tel: 01483 813 288
BUDGENS OF MIDHURST Tel: 01730 817 997
FOCUS LIGHTING Tel: 01483 200537
MAJESTIC WAREHOUSE Tel: 01428 654929
GRAYSHOTT SPA Tel: 01428 602000
THE REAL FLOWER COMPANY Tel: 0870 403 6548
THE COWDRAY ESTATE
 

Tickets are £5 per person from The Walled Garden Cafe or by telephoning 01730 816 881

Telephone: 01730 816881   Email: info@walledgardencowdray.co.uk <mailto:info@walledgardencowdray.co.uk>
www.walledgardencowdray.com <http://www.walledgardencowdray.com>

Henfield charities fayre packs village hall

Hundreds of Henfield residents flocked to the village hall on Saturday for the annual Christmas charities fayre.

Dozens of charities were represented, included the Henfield branch of the British Heart Foundation (pictured). Chairman John Pointing said: "We made nearly £200 in three hours and were delighted with the attendance."

Organisers said it was one of the best attended events they have had, despite stormy weather which hit the area on Saturday.

The hall was also packed on Saturday night for the annual village quiz, with 31 teams taking part. The winning team was captained by Digby Stephenson for the second year running.

Funds raised go towards running the village hall.

Picture:
l-r Henfield British Heart Foundation members Dawn Kent, Pauline Pointing, Ann Clark and John Pointing on the stall at the Christmas charities fayre on Saturday at the village hall.

Henfield HART responders thank Caron

Members of HART, the Henfield Area Response Team, thanked their retiring rota organiser Caron Anscombe for almost four years' service at the White Hart, Henfield, on Tuesday.

She is stepping down to fulfill other roles and responder Anne Dewdney said: "It is a very difficult job organising the rotas and Caron has carried out her duties marvellously to ensure we always have HART responders on duty in the village."

Caron was presented with flowers and other gifts during the fortnightly White Hart quiz in aid of HART, which was formed about five years ago to provide trained first responders to attend life-threatening situations in the Henfield area when called by the ambulance service.

White Hart landlord Gyles Culver said: "HART does a marvellous job and has saved many lives in the area through fast reaction to emergency calls."

The HART team are equipped with heart defibrillators paid for entirely by the public and fund-raising activities. Round-the-clock responders are on duty to attend emergency call-outs.

HART contact: Tony Anscombe on 01273 495909.



Picture: Henfield HART members Paul Hubner, Tony Anscombe, Maggie Jemmett, Caron Anscombe (with flowers), Chris Simmonds and Trevor Simmons at the White Hart, Henfield, on Tuesday.

Christmas Shopping event with a Russian twist!

You are welcome to our Christmas Open House, showcasing Russian art and Fashion Design. This year it will be a house in Kemptown, Brighton, open for 3 weekends - just in time to buy that something special for your loved ones for Christmas!

Affordable original paintings in acrylic, oil and watercolour, prints and Christmas cards and gorgeous clothes, shoes and accessories. PLUS - on one weekend there will be Russian folk songs - our Christmas carols - by Brighton Russian Choir; there will be Russian (!) mulled wine and vodka (of course!) served with snacks.

Please do come to see us - and there're many other Open Houses around in Brighton Open House trail open at the same time for you to visit as well.

The future of Hurstpierpoint Museum

As from 1st December 2009 we will be operating the museum on an unmanned basis.
Visitors will be able to view the display cabinets in the Village Centre foyer only. These are accessible from:

0930-1700 hrs Monday; Tuesday & Friday
1000-1700 hrs Saturday;
0930-1300 on Wednesdays and 0930-1900 hrs on Thursdays

Our current display “Recent Acquisitions” will continue into the New Year.

The Saturday morning manned openings will cease as the room has been reallocated.
 
Items can still be donated to the Museum Group at the Parish Council offices
For opening times see www.hurstpierpoint-pc.org.uk <http://www.hurstpierpoint-pc.org.uk/>

A Christmas Cracker from White's Restaurant, Steyning

Christmas comes to the historic Sussex market town of Steyning on 9 December – and award-winning local restaurant Whites will be adding its own sparkle to the proceedings! 

Christmas Late Night Shopping in Steyning is a hugely popular annual event. Thousands flock to the town to visit the colourful stalls and fairground rides and to enjoy the jugglers, fire eaters, carol singers and live bands. There will be plenty of chestnuts roasting on open fires – plus an appearance by Father Christmas.On the night itself, exhausted revellers can recharge their batteries at Whites Bar & Kitchen where, along with some delicious food, they will be given a complimentary glass of Bolney Bubbly.

Outside meanwhile, Whites’ very own posse of elves will be handing out candy canes and vouchers entitling any child dining with their parents to eat free of charge up to and including Saturday 19 December.

Whites Bar & Kitchen,

23 High Street, Steyning, BN44 3YE 

01903 812347 

www.whitesbarkitchen.co.uk

Fabulous Festive Finds at Brighton's Artists Open Houses

We’ve all been there: the sinking feeling as you contemplate a fruitless high street shopping trip to find the perfect Christmas presents. What do you buy for the person who has everything? How can you get something thoughtful and unusual when on a budget? How can your Christmas cash support the local community? Brighton’s Artists Open Houses has the answer.

Browsing the Artists Open Houses with a glass of mulled wine, signals the start of the Brighton Christmas social calendar.  This year nearly 100 houses will be open over three weekends (28-29th Nov, 5-6th & 12-13th Dec), crammed with all kinds of beautiful gifts. As well as artwork and sculpture, most houses offer ceramics, jewellery, textiles, lighting, home furnishings, cards and a variety of Christmas decorations. With so many talented artists and makers in the city there really is something for everyone.  

At the Happy House in Hove prices start at just £1.50 and you can pick up Tony Bowell’s signed, numbered ‘Beach Huts in the Snow’ image for under £5. Or for a new mum how about a unique custom made baby sling from the Wicked Faerie Grotto (31a Montpelier Crescent). Other highlights include eco Christmas cards (54 Osborne Villas), Mibo’s children’s craft pack (33 Coventry St), Fiona Howard’s fabulous homewares (55 Brunswick Square) and for the person who has everything how about a unique ‘House God’ to ensure they never lose the remote control again (32 Stanford Avenue)?

For details on the artists and items available in each house visit the website - www.aoh.org.uk <http://www.aoh.org.uk/>  or pick up a brochure from outlets across the city.

Viva Las Vegas at Balcombe Care Home

A care home is set to bring Las Vegas to Balcombe with a day of activities.
 
Russettings Care Home, in Mill Lane, is due to hold a Las Vegas day on Wednesday (NOV 18).
 
Residents and staff will be serenaded at the event by an Elvis impersonator, in a tribute to the popular singer.
 
A Vegas-style casino will also be set up at the home, with residents being able to gamble with chips on games such as roulette, black jack and craps.
 
Members of the Crossroads Club, a charitable organisation whose club in Balcombe visits Russettings once a month to enjoy the facilities and entertainment, will be joining the residents and their families for this fun-filled afternoon.
 
Margaret Pickering, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “The Las Vegas day is going to be a great event for everyone at the home to get involved in.
 
“We decided to organise the event as something a bit different for our residents who cannot wait to see the Elvis impersonator in action. A lot of them really enjoy listening to that style of music and being able to reminisce.
 
“Russettings is always looking for different events and activities for the residents and we hope that the Vegas-themed activities will be a big hit.”

NCT Mid Sussex Christmas shopping extravaganza!

Friday 27 November 7:30mpm - 9:30pm
King Edward Hall, Lindfield
 
NCT Mid Sussex invite you to a Christmas shopping extravaganza!
 
Enjoy gorgeous gifts from a selection of independent retailers and well-known brands, including Jo Malone, Neals Yard, Avon, Phoenix Cards and Usborne Books. There are lots of ideas for presents for the whole family.
 
Enjoy the Christmas spirit with a glass of wine and a mince pie, or indulge with the chocolate fountain! Plus we have a raffle with fantastic prizes on offer.
 
All proceeds from the event go to support our trainee antenatal teachers, breastfeeding counsellors and postnatal leader.
 
Entry is FREE but donations are welcome.

Mid Sussex Camera Cub: Competition News

The Mid Sussex Camera Club held its 2nd monthly photograph competition of the season last Monday evening (09/10/2009) at the CVS Centre in Burgess Hill, this competition was themed ‘Still Life’.
As usual the event was very well attended on the night and there were plenty of entries to be judged. The judge for this event was Jack Bates FRPS MPAGB.
There were 2 classes of entry, intermediate and advanced submitting, prints and projected images.
 
Maximum points were awarded to the following members.
 
Prints (intermediate class)
Ray Gray, Red Scarf. Neil Leighton, Home Grown. Alan Farrant, Right Shoe Shuffle.
 
Prints (advanced class)
Bryan Roberts, Shades of White.

Projected Images (intermediate)
Ray Leaney, A Pot of Colour. Neil Leighton, Ice and a Slice. Mike Rump, Read.
Michelle Knight, Red Fire.

Projected Images (advanced)
Derek Powell, Amnesty. Bryan Roberts, 3 Eggs. Charles Hobley, Warm Peppers.
 
Congratulations to all entrants for making the evening such a success.
 
For more information on the Mid Sussex Camera Club please visit our club website at http://www.midsussexcc.org.uk

Nick Herbert MP: Unlock rural potential

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has called for measures to unlock the "huge potential" of the rural economy to help create sustainable jobs of the future.
 
The Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was speaking to local community representatives from across Sussex at the annual conference of Action in Rural Sussex at Ardingly on Friday 6 November.
 
Mr Herbert called for recognition of the important contribution rural areas could make to the national economy, despite the difficulties presented by the current downturn, as well as a lack of infrastructure and shortage of affordable housing.
 
The MP said that with the right policy framework, new use could be made of redundant rural buildings and sustainable local jobs could be created, reducing commuting and contributing to the low carbon economy.
 
However, Mr Herbert said this would rely on bridging the growing “digital divide”, between broadband access in urban and rural areas.  Innovative schemes such as community broadband projects would be needed to deliver next generation connection across the whole country.
 
Mr Herbert pledged that a new Conservative Government would support the rural economy by reducing the burden of tax on small businesses and cutting red tape to give them more freedom and flexibility.
 
The MP also called for local services to be valued and communities to be empowered to take their own decisions over issues like local housing.
 
While everyone recognised the serious fiscal pressures facing the country and the need to control public spending, Mr Herbert pledged that rural areas would have a “strong voice” if the Conservatives formed the next government, with representatives who have an understanding of the countryside.
 
During his speech, Mr Herbert paid tribute to Action in Rural Sussex (AiRS) and the valuable work they do in communities across East and West Sussex.  
 
AiRS was formed in 1931 as the Sussex Rural Community Council.  Based in Lewes, its role is to champion the needs of villages in Sussex with decision-makers and provide practical help and support to enable them to be active and vibrant communities.

Public landholdings vital to new South Downs National Park

‘Public landholdings are vital to the new South Downs National Park—and no more so than at Cissbury Ring, near Worthing, West Sussex.’

So declared Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, at a rally on Saturday 14 November calling on Worthing Borough Council not to flog off its downland around Cissbury Ring.

‘There is much downland on the southern fringe of the new national park, which is owned by the local authorities and provides a grand landscape-setting for the coastal conurbations.  The land was acquired for the people of the towns—it is their place for relaxation and quiet enjoyment.

‘But now, in these financially-stringent times, the authorities too easily forget why they acquired the land in the first place.  It is shortsighted to sell it for a quick buck, when it means so much to so many people—and will have a vital part to play in linking the South Downs National Park to its neighbouring populations.

‘We are delighted that the leader of Worthing Council, Paul Yallop, has agreed to review the sale of its downland around Cissbury Ring.  But we fear that this may merely be a stay of execution.  We want the council to revoke that decision and to resolve not only to retain the downland, but to restore it to its former wildlife- and wildflower-rich landscape.

‘People have the right to walk on only one third of that downland, but they have traditionally enjoyed the whole area—voting with their feet for Worthing to retain it for the public.

‘We look to Natural England’s forthcoming review of access land, under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, to ensure the access maps embrace land which should have been included first time round. We should have the legal right to enjoy all the land around Cissbury Ring, and the many other areas of open country on the South Downs,’ Kate concludes.

Adam Boulton in Newick Village Hall Question Time

The People's Millions

Something really exciting is happening for The Bluebell Railway. It has reached the finals of the Big Lottery competition, the People’s Millions, with its project to restore a 19th Century carriage specifically to accommodate wheelchair users.
 
Projects selected by the Big Lottery will go head-to-head for a week later this month throughout the ITV regions. The public then vote by telephone for the one they would like to receive the grant of up to £50,000.

The Bluebell is looking for support for their project on Wednesday 25th November. It is not necessary to be in the region on that day as the telephone number will be on the Lottery web-site and also the Bluebell's, www.bluebell-railway.co.uk <http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk> , from 9:00.a.m. Voting continues until midnight. The result will be announced the next day. Calls on a BT land line cost 10p.
 
If successful the Bluebell’s project will see their London, Chatham & Dover Railway coach restored to its former Victorian glory, but adapted inside to carry six wheelchair users, their friends and family. This coach was originally built in 1889 and last used as a domestic dwelling.

Bluebell Director, Roger Kelly who is in charge of the Bluebell’s Lottery bid, said “The carriage will form part of our very popular Victorian set of carriages which cannot carry wheelchairs. So support for us will see our current capacity for wheelchair users rise by 1500 places a year with our existing timetable”.

Mr Murray Ferguson, chairman of the East Grinstead MS Society said "This is a much needed initiative to open up access to all."

Ham Farm launches The Christmas Village Ringmer

Ham Farm is set to premiere The Christmas Village where residents of East Sussex can gather together to enjoy a good old fashioned Christmas celebration with carol singing, Christmas shopping and merry feasting to spread good cheer throughout the weekends of December.
 
Opening on the 5th December, Ham Farm will host The Christmas Village for 3 consecutive weekends.  The  event will be a flurry of rich festive activities, offering an array of high quality food items, toys, Christmas trees, clothing, decorations and seasonal gifts. This event will be the first of its kind in Ringmer and will  be enjoyed by adults and children alike, making it a perfect family outing.  While kids enjoy making a 'wish upon a star', visiting Father Christmas  and filling their own stocking, the grown ups can soak in the atmosphere by sampling the good food and wine on offer or maybe just finishing  some last minute Christmas shopping. 
 
The Christmas Village will be a lively event to help spread Christmas spirit and with Elite Events London and Pink Buddha Events behind this experience, you can expect to see a surprise or two.   
 
Free parking will be available throughout the day. Entry will be £3 per adult, £1.50 for  under 16's  and children 8yrs and under go free.  
 
All visitors will receive a free hot drink and mince pie to get them in the festive mood and with the addition of a complimentary hessian bag, it will make your start at the Village hum-bug free!

 
Ham Farm
Ham Farm was named after the winding bend or "ham" of the nearby river Ouse.  It originally formed part of the Archbishop of Canterbury's giant manor of South Malling that stretched from the river near Lewes to the Kent border and over the years, it has been used both as a dairy and a hay farm.
In 2008 Ham Farm changed hands and the new owners are currently using the space as an events venue from weddings to corporate functions to events such as The Christmas Village, with plans to also make it the perfect summer country holiday let as renovations are being carried out.
 

Plumpton Festive Fair

SHOP LOCALLY FOR CHRISTMAS!
AS PART of its activities to promote local enterprise and bring the community even closer together, Plumpton Village Action Plan has organised a Festive Fair for Saturday, November 21. It will be held in the village hall between 12 noon and 4pm and follows on from a highly successful Green Fair earlier in the year and will bring together local food producers and growers, artists and craftsmen to show just how self-sufficient the village can be.

There will be over 30 stallholders selling locally sourced vegetables, meat and poultry, cheeses, wines, flour, wines, beers, jams, pickles, chocolates, cakes and puddings. Apart from foodstuffs visitors can expect cards, jewellery (not just budget items), art and craftwork, toys, children’s clothes, pottery and ceramics.

Thus, it will be possible to stock up, order, a whole range of food and gifts in readiness for Christmas. Special Christmas Boxes containing local produce will also be available.
Light lunches and teas will be served and there will activities to keep the youngsters safely amuse to ensure that parents can browse in a leisurely fashion.

Cllr Tom Hawthorne, VAP chairman says “This will be a chance for residents to realise just how productive and talented Plumpton is. It may also give visitors from elsewhere some ideas for their own communities”.

Plumpton Village Action Plan (VAP) was launched in 2006 and involved circulating a comprehensive questionnaire to all households in the village. It received a phenomenal response rate of 82 percent, something hitherto unknown.

The survey was designed to reveal what residents felt was necessary to maintain and improve their community amenities and covered an extensive range of topics.
Subsequently a Steering Committee was formed to further investigate and implement the wish list, in co-operation with the Parish Council. Three more village societies and a Youth Forum have been formed, a Voluntary Driving Scheme to get people to doctors, hospitals etc., has taken off and there is an ongoing programme for recycling and ‘green’ issues. As well as the 80 volunteers involved in teams established for implementation of the VAP, the activities are gradually reaching out to a wider cross=section of the community.

South Downs Finally A National Park!

It has been more than 60 years in the making but today sees the South Downs finally becoming England’s 9th and the United Kingdom’s 14th National Park .  After Hilary Benn’s announcement in March earlier this year that he had agreed in principle to the National Park, campaigners have been waiting eagerly for the final boundary disputes to be resolved.  These led to a one-day public inquiry in August with the Inspector submitting his report to Government in the same month.  Until these issues had been sorted out, the legal order, formally creating the National Park could not be signed.

The South Downs Campaign (SDC), a network of around 160 organisations is celebrating the removal of this last hurdle in the long and difficult history of the South Downs.  It now wants to see swift action to ensure that the new National Park Authority is given all the help that it needs to make it a success.

Robin Crane, Chair of the SDC, commented: “Today is a fantastic and historic day: the final milestone on the long path to a South Downs National Park.  The South Downs will now have the protection and recognition that this landscape so richly deserves.  

“We are pleased that our evidence on Green Ridge has convinced the Inspector and the Government that its exclusion was a mistake and that this has now been rectified. In West Sussex, the inclusion of Castle Goring is a victory for local people who have fought long and hard to have this area included.  We also welcome the inclusion of Alice Holt Forest, which will bring new opportunities to that part of Hampshire.  

“Overall we are delighted and look forward to working with our partners to ensure that the new National Park Authority will be a great success.”

Special Christmas events and late night openings at St Barnabas House retail shops

Browse for a bargain this Christmas and help St Barnabas House at the special Christmas events and late night opening dates at our charity shops:

Thursday 19th and Friday 20th November 2009
Durrington shop - Christmas and Jewellery Sale - normal opening times

Friday 20th November 2009 5-8 pm
Rustington's annual event - Glitz Evening serving light refreshments

Thursday 26th November 2009 5 - 8pm
Lancing shop - late night shopping event

Thursday 3rd December 2009 5 - 8pm
Storrington shop - late night shopping event

Friday 11th December 2009 open till 8pm.
Henfield shop - late night shopping event

Incredible mission undertaken for Dame Vera Lynn Trust

Ex-military servicemen, Jess Thomson-Hughes and Steve Hook, are paying an important visit to the Dame Vera Lynn (DVL) Trust on Tuesday 17th November. The two men, whose new not for profit company aims to raise a staggering £20,000 for the forces’ sweetheart’s charity in Five Oaks, will be meeting the team behind the remarkable School for Parents of Children with cerebral palsy.

Dame Vera Lynn’s charity leads the way in Conductive Education <http://www.dvltrust.org.uk/conductive-education.html> for pre-school children with cerebral palsy. The trust does not receive any government funding and relies 100% on donations from the public to enable it to raise the £500,000 needed per year to continue the service.

Jess and Steve’s organization, Charity Explorers, facilitates people’s desire for adventure, and helps to make the world a slightly better place at the same time. The pair has pledged that the profits from their first adventure to India in March 2009, will be donated to the West Sussex charity.

The community interest company arranges expeditions to exotic locations such as India, Morocco and Thailand, allowing budding explorers to satisfy their thirst for adventure while raising money for charity. March’s daring escapade to India is certainly not for the faint hearted; adventurous mavericks travel in pairs tackling the four thousand kilometres of rough terrain in a seven HP Auto Rickshaw with a top speed of 35mph!

“The objective of charity explorers is to give people the opportunity to undertake challenging and unusual adventures which they’ll never forget” explains Jess Thompson-Hughes. “At the end of the journey the Rickshaws are auctioned off and the proceeds will be donated to the DVL trust helping the team there continue their fantastic work.”

Charity explorers are organizing two Indian Rickshaw adventures next year on 28th March-17th April and 4th-24th September. To find out how you can take part in the trip of a lifetime and make a real difference to a local charity visit www.charityexplorers.com

Shipley CE Primary School Traditional Christmas Fayre!

Shipley CE Primary School in West Sussex will be hosting its Traditional Christmas Fayre on 27th November this year. The event takes place on a Friday afternoon from 3.15pm until 6.15pm and will be full of festive magic for children.
 
The schools new headmistress Catriona Bull says: “This year we really want the children to experience the wonder of Christmas. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends and family and we would love you to come and start your Christmas celebrations with us.”

The magical event is host to its very own Santa’s Grotto, a variety of stalls selling seasonal merchandise,
 a tombola, and a generous raffle. There will also be Christmas Carols and a range of fun activities for children of all ages, including a festive craft area – and not forgetting the mulled wine for the grown-ups!

As an extra treat photographer Matt Bode Photography will be there taking wonderful photos, the sitting is free and festive prints can be ordered on the night to make that perfect Christmas gift.

The Shipley Traditional Christmas Fayre is a perfect place to buy gifts for Christmas and there is still time to book a stall to sell your festive products, Please call Jo on 01903 740302 to book your stand now. The price of a stand is just £10.


Shipley CE Primary School resides in the parish of Shipley near Horsham, where influential author Hilaire Belloc lived at his ancient house ‘Kingsland’ – also home to the famous Shipley Windmill used in the TV’s series ‘Jonathan Creek’ starring Alan Davies. The school was founded in the 19th Century and has close links with the parish Church of St.Mary in Shipley. For more information on Shipley CE Primary School please visit www.shipleyceprimary.com <http://www.shipleyceprimary.com>

Cat lovers hot foot it to raise cash for Cats Protection

A sponsored ‘firewalk’ organised by Cats Protection, in which cat-loving volunteers walked barefoot across hot coals, has raised more than £4,000 to help unwanted cats find new homes.
 
On Monday 9 November, 29 brave souls gathered at Brighton Racecourse to take part in the challenge which involved walking across wood embers smouldering at 800 degrees!
 
After receiving a two-hour training session from firewalking experts, each participant made their way across the embers without experiencing pain or injury.
 
As each participant pledged to raise a minimum of £150, at least £4,350 has been raised to help the charity, which at any one time is looking after more than 7,000 cats in desperate need of a new home.  
  
Julie Sharp, Cats Protection’s Events Fundraiser, who also braved the burning embers, said: “The firewalk was quite a challenge and I would like to thank everyone who raised money for us.  Funds raised will help the charity to bring warmth into the lives of unwanted cats by finding them loving new homes, so we are grateful to our brave firewalkers’ efforts.”   
 
Apart from providing the ultimate challenge for thrill-seekers, firewalking is an ancient religious and spiritual practice with the first recorded firewalk taking place in India 3000 years ago.
 
There are many theories as to why it is possible to walk over hot coals without pain or injury – including the poor heat conductivity of wood, the short contact time between the coals and feet, and adopting a ‘mind over matter’ approach.
 
The Firewalk is one of a number of fundraising events that people can get involved in, to raise funds for Cats Protection.  For details of other fundraising opportunities on offer, please contact Julie on events@cats.org.uk <mailto:events@cats.org.uk> or 01825 741 272.  

Claim back your Care fees with Your Keepsake, Lewes

Your Keepsake is a newly formed company based in Lewes, who specialise in claiming back Nursing or Care Home fees from the NHS.

Around half of Britain’s 440,000 residential or nursing homes have residents who are self funding. Weekly fees for such care in the South of England average at between £500-800 per week, costs that are often prohibitive.

It is a common misconception that people in Residential Care or Nursing Home automatically have to pay for their own care. Every person requiring long-term care because of illness should be individually assessed on their medical needs first and not on their ability to pay. If the person is in a Home or Residential care because of a primary health need, the NHS may be responsible for their care home fees. This is known as NHS continuing Healthcare and is described as ‘fully funded care’.

Help could be at hand. Your Keepsake may be able to help you or a relative claim back these fees if you are in one of the following situations:

·     You or your relative are paying for Residential or Nursing Home care

·     You or your relative have been wrongly turned down for NHS Health care funding

·     You are managing the estate of a deceased relative and wish to claim retrospective funding.

Your Keepsake will arrange a meeting with you to discuss your case in more detail. Following this initial meeting, the team at Your Keepsake will work with an independent specialist solicitor to analyse your prospective claim. Your Keepsake will then confirm the solicitors cost structure to take the case forward before introducing you to the solicitor themselves.

Take the first step towards fulfilling your potential claim by calling Your Keepsake today on 01273 483 888, for expert advice and guidance or visit www.yourkeepsake.co.uk

South Downs National Park confirmed

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State, today joined members of the South Downs Society and other campaigning organizations to celebrate the confirmation of the South Downs as a National Park.  The celebrations took place in Ditchling, one of the beautiful villages which is now in the National Park.
 
John Songhurst, Chairman of the South Downs Society, said: “This is a proud day for the Society and all those who have campaigned for the protection of the South Downs.  The National Park means more can be done to protect our precious wildlife, and enable it to thrive.  Landscape features such as prehistoric earthworks and the dewponds will be properly conserved.  Villages will benefit too because National Parks create jobs and additional income.”
 
He continued: “We look forward to working alongside our partners the CPRE, the Ramblers, the Wildlife Trusts and others, to help the National Park Authority with the challenges it will face in the coming years.  The South Downs has been waiting for over sixty years for this protection, so there is a great deal to be done and the Authority has its work cut out.  We will be presenting the Authority with suggestions for its priorities over the first months and years and offering the skills and assistance of our members with the tasks ahead.”
 
Hilary Benn announced in March that he had decided the South Downs should become a National Park, but it wasn’t until today that he signed the order confirming the designation order with modifications making the South Downs National Park a reality in law.  The reason for the delay was his wish that additional areas be included within the National Park, and today he announced that Alice Holt, Castle Goring, the Green Ridge and Patcham Recreation Ground, all areas considered at the reopened inquiry in August, are part of the National Park, as are small additional areas of land at Plumpton, Roedean Crescent and the A27 embankments.  
 
The National Park Authority is intended to come into being on 1 April 2010 and spend a year preparing for 1 April 2011, when it will become operational.  Its statutory duties will be to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the Park’s special qualities by the public.  The Authority will also have a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of the communities living with the National Park.  National Parks are funded by Government, not by Council Tax payers, and is run by a board of members.  

AN EXTRAORDINARY FESTIVAL OF MUSIC IN THE PRESENCE OF DAME VERA LYNN

Join Dame Vera Lynn for a very special New Year evening with the Royal British Legion concert Band (Horsham) courtesy of the Capitol Theatre, Horsham, on Sunday 17th January 2010.

There is to be a private champagne reception, with Dame Vera, prior to the event in the theatre’s gallery. Tickets - limited to just 60 people – are available from the Trust office 01403 780444 or email trustoffice@dvltrust.org.uk <mailto:trustoffice@dvltrust.org.uk>
Tickets for the main event are available from the Capitol box office as of Friday 13th November, on line at www.thecapitolhorsham.com <http://www.thecapitolhorsham.com>  or call 01403 750220.

Henfield home-workers get a healthier outlook

Henfield members of the business networking group BizBN5 were told to "sit up straight" at their meeting this week.

Bad posture while sitting at a keyboard is a key cause of back and neck problems, pilates expert Liz Marks told the group.

"Sitting in the proper position improves your breathing, your well-being and helps solves back, shoulder and neck problems," said Liz.

"The number one cause of back problems is sitting in the wrong position at work, particularly over a keyboard."

Liz (liz@elizabethmarks.co.uk <http://www.elizabethmarks.co.uk> ) is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute and takes clinical pilates classes in Henfield. Pilates works by building strength from the inside out, rebalancing the body and bringing it into correct alignment by working the muscles in the abdomen and spine.

As part of a campaign to improve the health of home-workers, BizBN5 founder Jo Donne has launched a "Netwalking" session every Wednesday, meeting outside Henfield Leisure Centre at 12.30pm for a 40-minute walk round the village.

"It's an ideal opportunity for solitary homeworkers to get out, meet others working on their own and get exercise at the same time," says Jo, of Temptingsavings.

The next BizBN5 meeting at the White Hart, Henfield High Street, is at 6pm on Monday November 23. All local business people welcome. Free entry. Contact Jo Donne on 01273 495848 or e-mail: temptingsavings@telecomplus.org.uk



PICTURE CAPTION:
Henfield business group BizBN5. l-r Carey Smith, Jenny Annis, Matthew Wykes, Tom Griffiths, Sophie Baldwin, Richard Lucy, Jo Donne, Stuart Avern, Liz Marks, Trevor and Julie Watson

Stop the Cissbury Sell Off

Local environmental group the South Downs Society has today welcomed the announcement by Worthing Council that it is reviewing its decision to sell off land it owns around the famous Cissbury Ring archaeological site.
 
The Society’s Planning Officer Steve Ankers said today, “We welcome the Council’s review and we urge them to call a permanent halt to the sale.  It is essential that this important site remains in public ownership. Cissbury Ring can’t survive properly on its own. It’s essential to protect its landscape setting and responsible public access to adjoining land in the Council’s ownership. People have long had the right to enjoy this key part of the Downs and that must be retained. The Council have access to grants and other support to help them manage the land for the purposes it was bought for, and it if was sold, it could end up being fenced off into unsightly paddocks with no access for the public.”
 
Various local groups have expressed their concerns to the Council, fearing that current enjoyment of the land might end, while opportunities are being lost to improve the area’s landscape and wildlife.  They will be continuing with their planned major rally on the Council owned land on Saturday 14 November.  Protesters will be addressed by national figures in the environmental field, including Kate Ashbrook, Director of the Open Spaces Society, and author and campaigner Marion Shoard.  All are welcome to attend.
 
Says Steve Ankers, “It’s important that as many people as possible attend on Saturday to show the Council the strength of local feeling. And we call on Worthing members to reflect the importance of the new national park designation which local people have worked so hard to bring about and keep this land in public ownership.”

Gagging for Gaggenau at Designers Choice in Hassocks

It is little wonder that Designers Choice of Hassocks were chosen to represent the Gaggenau brand in Sussex.

This established kitchen retailer has always been associated with Europe's most established and innovative manufacturers and Gaggenau is no exception.

Gaggenau is Europe's foremost manufacturer of luxury built-in 'must have' appliances for the domestic kitchen and offers the very best in design and performance.

Like Porsche and Louis Vuitton and other household names it is the only appliance with 'Super brand' status worldwide.

Designers Choice nestled in Hassocks, is the perfect setting for Gaggenau, only 8 miles north of Brighton and with easy parking and their modern, light and airy showroom is the ideal setting for the Gaggenau range of products that includes: ovens, cooktops, refrigerators and coffee machines and more. In fact, all displays at Designers Choice are a visual pleasure, with contemporary style kitchens in great demand, they have something to tempt all tastes and budgets.

In our modern-world, the complete kitchen has to be so much more functional, with ultra-modern gadgetry, accessible cabinets, smart and functional work surfaces, sexy lighting, textures and flooring.
But as Designers Choice MD Geoff McCleland expresses "It is not just about great appliances, it is about the total 'living space - and the pleasure derived from experiencing it. The kitchen has become the family focal point. Friends and family gather and host and hostesses demonstrate their skills and often the very best built-in kitchen appliances are found. Almost like the old cliche, got to have the best car sitting in the drive in your street."

Geoffrey McCleland, has over thirty years experience in the kitchen industry and he and his creative team have appealed to discerning customers all over Sussex.

Looking to improve and not move - it is well worth the visit to Designers Choice in Hassocks.

Designers Choice, 9 Keymer Road, Hassocks BN6 8AD. T: 01273 841048. Email: designers.choice@mac.com or visit www.designers-choice.co.uk

Gagging for Gaggenau at Designers Choice in Hassocks

It is little wonder that Designers Choice of Hassocks were chosen to represent the Gaggenau brand in Sussex.

This established kitchen retailer has always been associated with Europe's most established and innovative manufacturers and Gaggenau is no exception.

Gaggenau is Europe's foremost manufacturer of luxury built-in 'must have' appliances for the domestic kitchen and offers the very best in design and performance.

Like Porsche and Louis Vuitton and other household names it is the only appliance with 'Super brand' status worldwide.

Designers Choice nestled in Hassocks, is the perfect setting for Gaggenau, only 8 miles north of Brighton and with easy parking and their modern, light and airy showroom is the ideal setting for the Gaggenau range of products that includes: ovens, cooktops, refrigerators and coffee machines and more. In fact, all displays at Designers Choice are a visual pleasure, with contemporary style kitchens in great demand, they have something to tempt all tastes and budgets.

In our modern-world, the complete kitchen has to be so much more functional, with ultra-modern gadgetry, accessible cabinets, smart and functional work surfaces, sexy lighting, textures and flooring.
But as Designers Choice MD Geoff McCleland expresses "It is not just about great appliances, it is about the total 'living space - and the pleasure derived from experiencing it. The kitchen has become the family focal point. Friends and family gather and host and hostesses demonstrate their skills and often the very best built-in kitchen appliances are found. Almost like the old cliche, got to have the best car sitting in the drive in your street."

Geoffrey McCleland, has over thirty years experience in the kitchen industry and he and his creative team have appealed to discerning customers all over Sussex.

Looking to improve and not move - it is well worth the visit to Designers Choice in Hassocks.

Designers Choice, 9 Keymer Road, Hassocks BN6 8AD. T: 01273 841048. Email: designers.choice@mac.com or visit www.designers-choice.co.uk

Chestnut Tree House Fundraisers Win National Award

Chestnut Tree House scooped an award for the best Fundraising Team at the national Children’s Hospices UK conference last week.  The charity was chosen for their achievement during the last financial year, succeeding in generating an increase of 15% in net income despite the downturn in the economic climate.
 
Chestnut Tree House fundraisers faced a major challenge to maintain and grow vital fundraising income in 2008/09.
 
The charity decided to its community fundraising operation in East Sussex.  Part of this expansion included the launch of The Snowman Spectacular, a new fundraising ball in Brighton – a major event to give focus to the team effort.  However, at the exact time in 2008 that the ball was launched, the credit crunch kicked in!
 
Working together, from June to December 2008, through a huge effort the team focused on the Ball, selling out and turning the year into a great success.  The event (in December 2008) raised £96,000 including £40,000 donated on the night.  It attracted new corporate sponsors resulting in three current ‘Charity of the Year’ relationships, each worth £10,000.  The team also made a very wide range of contacts from major donors to leading public figures in East Sussex as well as national celebrities. The ball generated £96,000 in PR value and will be taking place again this year on Friday 4th December 2009.  
 
Said Director of Fundraising, Stephanie Smith, “To maintain increased income and achieve growth is a remarkable overall achievement in a very difficult year for fundraising.  I am really proud of my Fundraising Team and would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication, as well as all the people across Sussex who support Chestnut Tree House.  Without their help, we would not be able to provide the vital care needed by our children and their families.”
 
We face an even bigger challenge at the moment – we need to keep expanding the Chestnut Tree House service and reaching more children and families.  Fundraising is vital and it is very tough at the moment – there’s no money around!  But I’m sure the whole team at Chestnut will work together to reach our goals.
 
Pictured here are Mariann Beach and Andy Perry receiving the award from Bridget Turner, Deputy CEO of CHASE Hospice, on behalf of the Chestnut Tree House Fundraising Team.

Sussex Honour County Business Talent

Glittering ceremony celebrates the best of Sussex business

The 21st anniversary of the Sussex Business Awards concluded with a bang this evening as the winners of the 2009 Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony held at the Grand Hotel, Brighton. The event was attended by over 350 business representatives from across the region.

Drusillas Zoo Park was one of the big winners of the night. They were awarded with the prestigious title of Sussex Company of the Year, as well as the gong for Best Customer Service in Sussex. Recognised as the best small zoo in the UK, Drusillas has been part of family life in Sussex for many years.

However, it was FDM Group plc which received the greatest recognition taking home awards for International Business of the Year and Best Employer in Sussex. Rod Flavell, Managing Director of FDM Group plc, was honoured with the celebrated title of Sussex Businessperson of the Year. FDM Group plc is a £55m international IT services company, with a winning formula. A past Sussex Company of the Year and winner of numerous awards for excellence in training and computing.
 
Malcolm Diamond, chairman of the judges commented: “This evening’s ceremony demonstrates the breadth and scope of businesses that the region offers. Those honoured this evening are truly deserving of the titles with which they have been awarded.

“Rod Flavell at FDM Group plc has done an outstanding job over the last year and it is a privilege to be operating in a region of which they are part.”

Other winners on the night were:

·         Electric Hairdressing, Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Royal Mail.

·         Paul Craig from Absolute Brighton, Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Redseven.

·         Theatre Royal Brighton, Award for Leisure and Tourism, sponsored by Midnight Communications.

·         Sussex Uniforms, Best New Business of the Year, sponsored by The Argus.

·         Brighton Body Casting, Creative Industries Award, sponsored by 021 Creative.

·         Family Investments, Business in the Community Awards, sponsored by Sussex Life.

·         Propellernet, Healthiest Workplace Award, sponsored by NHS West Sussex.

·         Southern Water, The Training Award, sponsored by Kelta HR.

·         Pureprint Group, Award for the Most Sustainable Business, sponsored by Veolia Environmental Services.

·         Propellernet, Award for Innovation in Business, sponsored by University of Brighton.