Stoolball in Mid Sussex

by Kay Price

Warm sunshine, cloudless skies, a lush green field – these idyllic conditions have long been the setting for the ancient game of Stoolball. ‘Ancient’
may sound a bold claim but historians have identified and verified
the game being played in this country as long ago as 1450.

Early references to Stoolball are found in church records where people were fined for playing the game on a Sunday. A number of poems have been written about the game, and in a play written in the early 1600s a young maid asks her wooer to go with her. “What shall we do there, wench?” he asks, to which she replies: “Why, play at stool-ball; what else is there to do?” – what else indeed! 
In the beginning, Stoolball was associated with English milkmaids, milking stools and a ball, probably made from hardened cow dung, which was struck with the hands when defending the stool. Through the ages the game has evolved to a point where bats have replaced bare hands; a pair of opposing square targets set well off the ground have replaced the stools; and a stitched leather covered cork ball instead of cow dung – thank heavens! The game has moved on to become the focal point of most villages, particularly in Sussex, as well as in Kent, Surrey and East Hampshire. 
Stoolball owes a great debt to Major W.W. Grantham from Balneath Manor in Barcombe, a Recorder of Deal and Justice of the Peace, who promoted and publicised the game after the First World War because it could be played by injured and sometimes badly disabled servicemen as part of their rehabilitation. In 1923, he founded the first governing body of the game, The Stoolball Association for Great Britain, and he was also instrumental in forming the Sussex County Stoolball Association which is still thriving today. Inter-county games are played annually with Kent and Surrey, and records show that the first such game was played in 1797 between Sussex and Kent at Tunbridge Wells. 
Mid Sussex is rich in Stoolball Clubs, having a ‘mixed’ league of seven teams consisting of six men and five ladies who play in the Mid Sussex Mixed League and more than 20 ladies teams playing in leagues under the auspices of the Sussex County Stoolball Association. In this organisation, in addition to the Surrey and Kent fixtures, there is a full programme of inter-league/divisional play-off games, county 8-a-side tournaments, a county-wide knock-out competition and finally a Sussex league club championship, all of which are contested during the summer months from April to September.   
Over the years, the Mid Sussex area has seen some excellent players with Hiqa Betts, who played for Partridge Green, Hurstpierpoint and finally Burgess Hill, at the top of the list. She scored countless centuries and double centuries as well as being a very competent bowler – in the 1938 season she scored three double centuries and five centuries! When Stoolball resumed after the World War II, until 1960 the Burgess Hill team were practically unbeatable and had a record to be proud of. Nevertheless, many other clubs have had their stars over the years: Nellie Tester (Balcombe); Ruby Woods and Heather Pearce (Plumpton); Doreen Mayston (Ditchling); Daphne Hunt (Ringmer); Rosa Blackford, Glad Smith and Joyce Turner (Barcombe); Val Upfold (Horsted Keynes); Barbara Parsons (Hurstpierpoint); Betty Turk (Lindfield); the Towner sisters, Liddy and Di (Cuckfield); Doris Younger, Jenny Tower and Pam Weller (East Grinstead) …. I could go on. 
However, enough of the past, what is more encouraging is that there are so many young players in the game today, either taking part in junior leagues or already as part of the senior game. They are the future of Stoolball and will ensure the continuation and wellbeing of the game in the years ahead. Mid Sussex is the home of two junior leagues which are organised by Central Division and Mid Division, both affiliated to the Sussex County Stoolball Association. One of the highlights of the season is the match between the two league winners who compete for the Sussex Junior League Championship Cup. In 2009, this final was between Lindfield and Newick and it produced a fantastic game, with Lindfield scoring over 200 runs in their 25 overs and Newick only just failing to reach that score. It was a final to be proud of and one which displayed all the batting, bowling and fielding prowess of both teams. 
In every game a lot is written about the performance of individual players and Stoolball is no different. We have our prolific batsmen and match-winning bowlers, the same as other sports. League games are usually played in the evening consisting of 10-12 eight ball overs in the mixed game and a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 overs in the ladies game, depending on weather conditions.  
The game tends to be dominated by batsmen and this is even more prevalent in the mixed game where names such as Alison Yaffe, Adie Carn, Chris Best, Neville Pells, Rhys Beale and Neil Emery regularly hit the headlines with high scores. In the ladies game, Sharon Stone and Sally Bravo (Horsted Keynes) both scored centuries for Horsted Keynes in their narrow defeat by Angmering in the 2009 Sussex County League Championship final at Plumpton.
There have been many excellent bowlers, but the only recorded occasion when a bowler has taken all ten wickets was in the early 1990s when Pat Goldsmith of Lewes and Wivelsfield recorded this fantastic feat in a league match against Wealden. More recently, in fact only last season, Ley Finlayson took four wickets in four balls for Ditchling in a league match against Adastra, and in the Ditchling innings Jackie Bowles from Adastra took a hat-trick.
There are also some excellent fielding sides and, as usual, they tend to be the more successful teams with Horsted Keynes, Partridge Green, Lindfield, Barcombe, Adastra, Ditchling and Plumpton ruling the roost in Mid Sussex.
Warm sunshine, cloudless skies and a lush green field are waiting just round the corner for everyone reading this article. There is no better way of shedding those winter pounds than playing your own Sussex game of Stoolball. Good luck.

What is Stoolball?

The game of stoolball, over 500 years old, is the forerunner of cricket. It’s played with similar equipment on any grass area with a 90 yard diameter boundary.
The pitch is 16 yards long. Bowling is underarm from a bowling crease 10 yards from the batsman’s wicket and teams consist of 11 players – either ladies or mixed.
Stoolball is comparatively cheap and doesn’t need an immaculately maintained pitch, which is great for schools. The equipment can even be set up on a playground.
The wickets are wooden boards on stakes and the ball, aimed at the wicket, does not hit the ground before reaching the batter. Teams usually have eleven players, with one team fielding and the other batting. The bat is the shape of a table tennis bat, made of willow with a long, sprung and spliced handle.
The scoring and rules are similar to those of cricket, with the batting side defending the wickets. There are runs, boundaries, catches and run-outs, and also body-before-wicket (BBW). But there are eight balls in each over – two more than in cricket.
Anybody interested in taking up the game for the first time will be pleased to know that clubs hold a stock of equipment which is available for all to use. However, should you wish to purchase your own bat, these are generally available through good sports shops. Equipment can also be obtained from Kay Price on 01403 252419.

Where’s my local Stoolball Club?
For further information about Stoolball in your area, visit www.stoolball.org.uk or contact:
Bluebells
John Voller, Arkle, Valebridge Rd, Burgess Bill, RH15 0RT, Tel. 01444 241243
Chailey
Kerry Lingard, Tel. 07956 669300, Email: kerrylingard@hotmail.co.uk
Copthorne
Hilary Clough, 8 Brookhill Road, Copthorne, RH10 3QL, Tel. 01342 718563
Ditchling   
Susie Harrison, 11 Nevill Cottages,  Ditchling, BN6 8UT.  Tel. 01273 842561
East Grinstead
Doris Younger, 27 Morton Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4AF. Tel. 01342 327721
Fletching
Jo Meacher, 4 Barnet Way, Uckfield, TN22. Tel. 01825 769181
Newick
Gill Hemsley, 41 High Hurst Close, Newick, BN8 4NJ. Tel. 01825 722081
Or contact
Sarah Draper, 60 Chanctonbury Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 9HA, Tel. 01444 245159, Email draper@sky.com
for Balcombe, Blackstone, Bolney, Clayton, Crawley Down, Horsted Keynes, Hurstpierpoint, Lindfield, Partridge Green, St Francis

Sussex Coast Endometriosis Support Group

NEW support group for women with Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in the UK

Symptoms can include any or all of the following:

· Painful/Heavy/Irregular periods

· Pain when going to the toilet

· IBS symptoms

· Pain during sex

· Infertility

Come along to gain information, share experiences, hear guest speakers discussing treatments and more…

Friendly meetings held in Hove

Next meeting Wednesday 19th May at 7.30pm

Email Rachel: sussexcoastendo@gmail.com

Or see more details on the website:

www.endometriosis-uk.org/support/groups/sussex_coast.html

This weeks at Grub café & music bar, East Grinstead

Grub café & music bar
110-112 London road, East Grinstead, RH19 1EP
www.grubonline.co.uk | info@grubonline.co.uk
01342 313139

Artist: Cherry Lee Mewis plus Delta Maid Date: Friday 7th May, 7.30pm
Admission: £7.50 in advance from
www.wegottickets.com/event/77998
www.myspace.com/cherryleemewis

A double helping of blues

Chery Lee Mewis

She’s a 5ft nothing 24-year old white girl from North Wales who has helped turn roots ‘n’ blues music into a cool, swinging fusion that’s both classic and stylishly modern.
It’s 2 years on from Cherry’s first blues effort, Little Girl Blue, which was received with open arms and introduced a whole new audience to the smouldering sound of Cherry Lee Mewis, firmly securing Cherry’s place as one of the rising stars on the UK Blues scene today, taking her music from the tiny clubs of Bedford, to festivals in the UK and Europe, such as Italy’s Tropea Blues Festival, Shetland Blues Festival, The Barbican International Jazz & Blues Festival and Cambridge Rock Festival, naming just a few.
The winter of 2008 saw Cherry finally pack her bags for good and leave her tiny village hometown in north Wales, to her adopted home of Bedford. “I’ve been making music here since I was 17, so it’s not totally alien to me, but moving permanently away from family and loved ones’ was and it left me facing totally new life experiences...”
Cherry served her apprenticeship endlessly gigging in clubs and bars developing not only her powerful soulful voice, but her performance and style too.
"The concept of expressing myself creatively from the age of 9 was something I was always intrigued and inspired to do...
"Where as my mum would love motown and retro soul records, my dad would be more into the rock 'n' roll and the psychedelic, really obscure 60's stuff. He introduced me to Jeff Buckley, Edith Piaf and Janis Joplin."
It wasn't until later on, that Cherry became immersed in blues and jazz.
On her debut, Little Girl Blue, she showcased her range of different influences, singing with raw power and emotion, hurt and pain.
"Many of the oldest blues records contain gritty, realistic lyrics, no censored versions! I put my whole self into every single one of these tracks, I feel like i'm inside of them...." Her 2nd blues album, Southbound Train, released January 2010, is a heady mix of foot-stomping barnburners to bluesy slow-cooked rockers with a spoonful of jazzy shuffle, supported by a band of slick smokin’ musicians.
Accompanying Max Milligan on acoustic guitar are,Nicky Slater (acoustic guitar & dobro), Robbie Mathews (bass & backing vox) and Flow (drums), her Blues Gems as she calls them; Cherry feels more drive behind her at the live shows. “They sure as hell fuel my fire!” she laughs. Like most great blues performers, Cherry is best experienced live! As well as performing all over the UK, she and her band have just returned back from supporting Walter Trout on tour.
The great hobo bluesman himself, Seasick Steve says, "The only people who are going to keep the blues alive and kicking are the kids picking it up, these young bands out there - they got all the future."
"This is music I fall in love with on a daily basis!” concludes Cherry, “My music is all about a vibe and capturing that raw, stripped back sound that I love."

Delta Maid
Delta Maid’s love affair with roots music began as far back as she can remember. Her biggest influence emanated from her parents appreciation for all things “Country Blues” which played a major role in her early fascination for the genre she so ardently holds in admiration. From young, Delta listened and adopted a high regard for Country Greats such as Hank Williams and Patsy Cline together with Blues legends like Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Stevie Ray Vaughan to name but a few.
It was at thirteen years of age when her parents by chance bought a copy of Rory Block’s Best Blues and Originals from a tourist trip to New York that Delta’s life as she sees it, changed completely.
“I was in awe; words cannot describe the feeling I had when I heard this music. I became fascinated by the style of play, the whole feeling of it; nothing struck me more to the core than this. It was at this point that I began actively searching for the history and legends that were behind Delta Blues. After hearing the likes of Son House, Skip James, Bessie Smith and Robert Johnson for the first time I dived head first into a world that has since become a part of my own makeup.”
Delta had always sung and played guitar and piano on and off from an early age, never really pursuing the idea of making it as a performer until she began writing her own material. In the summer of 2007, Delta graduated from university and landed herself a job as a trainee vascular scientist, a career in music was far from on the cards…
Earlier, around March 2007 after playing a charity gig in Liverpool doing old blues covers with her brother Dominic as her accompanying guitarist, Delta got the bug for performing live. Unfortunately early on into their gigging, Dominic suffered a hand injury that put him out of playing for quite a while. “I really left the guitar work up to him, he was as much a fan of the blues as I was and could play like those I’d heard off the records.” Disappointed, but adamant she would keep up the performing, Delta had to really learn to accompany herself with her guitar as opposed to playing the odd chord or two. It was then Delta’s own relationship with the guitar began. Delta has created her own style of playing which she continues to develop.
Delta’s own songs are mainly influenced by the Blues, but they also have Country and Folk labels attached to them. As a white girl from Liverpool, a far cry from early rural Mississippi, it’s hard to draw any parallels but as she sees it, being from Liverpool, roots music is genetically bred. What the music means, where it’s from and the believability in the way it’s performed is paramount to her, this she feels must be encapsulated in her own music and performance.

Artist: Karyn Oliver plus Jessica Kilroy
Date: Saturday 8th May, 7.30pm
Admission: £7.50 in advance from
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/65690
www.myspace.com/karynoliver

Two amazing female singer songwriters from the USA

Karyn Oliver plus Jessica Kilroy

Karyn Oliver, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Baltimore, has been turning heads on both sides of the Atlantic with her skillful songwriting and a passionate, soulful voice that could break your heart through a brick wall.
Oliver‘s musical inspiration comes primarily from the eclectic mix of music she was exposed to while growing up in the musically diverse culture of Washington, D.C. As a child, she learned to play rock ‘n’ roll on her guitar and, being inspired by the likes of the Beatles, Everly Brothers, and Carol King to write some of her first songs. At the same time she was also being trained in both classical voice and musical theatre.
2007 marks the release of Oliver‘s debut CD, Hurricane, and critics have already begun to take notice. While showcasing a wide range of music styles is usually reserved for established artists, the diversity of Oliver’s music has been getting international rave reviews, simply because she pulls it off so easily.
"...from the sensual saxophone intro to the first track, America , i’s clear that this record is something special." Kevin Moog, Maverick Magazine, 4 out of 5 stars
‘her array of musical styles ranges from throbbing rock with a feminine tease to pure, silky love songs that will shatter your heart’ Lindsay Stroh, The Baltimore Examiner
Oliver recently ended a two-year term as President of The Baltimore Songwriters Association in order to commit more time to supporting the new album. In the spring of 2007, she completed a successful 4-week tour of Europe. Oliver will play up and down the east coast this fall, and is currently planning another European tour for early 2008. Oliver also hosts a weekly radio show in Baltimore, highlighting and providing exposure for other regional songwriters.

Jessica Kilroy
Dubbed as a "21st century Emmy Lou Harris" by Grammy nominated songwriter, Skip Ewing, Montana's own award winning songwriter, Jessica Kilroy, lives and breathes the life of a troubadour. Capturing each moment with heartfelt lyrics and a voice that Bluesman Guy Davis once described as "beautiful and pure, it takes me somewhere deep and way back" her songs have the depth of the land she is from.
After watching Jessica perform live, Grammy nominated songwriter Skip Ewing expressed, "Jessica's voice is honest and pure, it's nothing like I've ever heard before. She's a 21st century Emmy Lou Harris." In 2005, Skip invited Jessica to sing at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee where she performed "in the round" with Ewing, Viktor Krauss, Pat Flynn, Barry Walsh and Tommy Harden.
Kilroy has traveled the country performing and co-billing with diverse acts such as Tony Trischka, Darrell Scott, Guy Davis, Walt Michaels, The Wilders, Trampled by Turtles, The Drew Emmitt Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bill Nershi, Po Girl, Ben Sollee, Califone, The McCoury Brothers and many others. In 2008 Kilroy won the NW String Summit Band Competition with her bluegrass trio (fiddle player Jack Ausick and mandolin player Nate Biehl) and was invited to perform on the main stage in 2009. Also in 2008, Kilroy was selected for the Horse & Writer Invitational Scholarship Award including a week of one-on-one mentorship from five of Nashville's top hit songwriters. In 2009 she was selected as a finalist for the Telluride Troubadour Competition and performed a solo set on the main stage as well as performing with Sam Bush and the Troubadour finalists.
Kilroy's first album "Before Dawn", comprised of all original folk music and recorded in a small Montana cabin in 2003 (each song recorded with just guitar and vocals in one take) was recently re-released in 2009. "Montana native Jessica Kilroy doesn't hide behind a posse of guests and bandmates. Her voice is quietly compelling, and she doesn't distract from the songs with vocal gymnastics that I suspect she is more than capable of pulling off. Her guitar playing is subtle and understated. The focus, then, becomes the songs themselves, and there isn't a dud among the nine tracks of her recently re-released debut, Before Dawn." -The Missoulian Kilroy's sophomore album "Big Dreams" comprised of original Americana and bluegrass, released in 2007, features guest vocalist Anne Sibley, and bluegrass musicians Eric Thorin, Ben Winship, Brian Wicklund and John Lowell. "Kilroy's new album "Big Dreams" showcases her light, angelic voice and highly melodic songwriting. Fans of Allison Krauss may feel like they're witnessing a second coming when Kilroy sings." -The Missoulian
"To invite comparison of Jessica Kilroy's voice and music to another singer/songwriter would sell it short. Comparing it to someone familiar would not be enough, because her voice is her own. Clear, accurate and wonderfully soothing, her voice draws the listener in. Stop, then listen. You'll be a fan too." -John Lowell (Critically Acclaimed Guitarist and Songwriter)

Midsummer Market in East Grinstead - 24th July 2010

East Grinstead’s third Midsummer Market takes place on Saturday the 24th of July. The busy shopping street of London Road is closed to traffic for the day and the streets are given over to pedestrian access only. The shops and cafes spill out onto the street with chairs and tables much in evidence, and stalls selling crafts, and others raising funds for local charities appear up and down the roadway. The town’s famous French Market is a major attraction in itself offering a wealth of merchandise with that distinctive continental flair. Younger members of the family are not forgotten either with a selection of small fairground rides located among the other attractions. The event is now one the town’s foremost summer events with hundreds of people enjoying a traffic free shopping experience starting from 9.00 to 5.30pm.

Celebrating 50 years of the Bluebell Railway at Horsted Keynes

On Monday 17th May, at Horsted Keynes Station, The Bluebell Railway will be marking the start of it's 50th Anniversary Celebrations. The arrival of it's Terrier locomotive, Stepney, together with Maunsell coach 6575 will be recreated as it arrived from the Ardingly Branch line, originally via Hayward's Heath.

It will be exactly 50 years to the day since this happened. There will be a short ceremony at 11.a.m. attended by many founder members and others that were involved over forty years ago. Stepney will then join the E4 locomotive known as Birch Grove to front the train to Sheffield Park where the guests will have lunch.

Stepney is a small 'Terrier' Tank engine with an 060 wheel arrangement, built at Brighton works in 1875 and designed by William Stroudley. It began life working in South East London but after ten years returned to Brighton where it was prominent in the Kemptown area and had quite a chequered history before being purchased by the Bluebell Railway in May 1960.

For further details of this event, please contact Avril Gaynor on 07958 623013 or bluebellpress@aol.com

Amici Voices at Danny House, Hurstpierpoint

On Saturday 19 June the excellent and versatile Amici Voices with their conductor Zoe Peate will perform at the Elizabethan mansion, Danny House, New Way Lane, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, BN6 9BB in aid of KNOWLES TOOTH CHARITY – a charity that works to support families during difficult periods in their lives with positive, emotional and practical advice.
Be entertained with music to include Gershwin for Girls, Irish Blessing (B Chilcott) , Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Five Hebrew Songs by the American composer Eric Whitaker. They are joined by the young and talented violinist Rob Campkin and accompanist Gary Prior.
Photo taken at Bath Festival after Amici Voices won the prize for the Choir of the Day with the most potential.
TICKETS £10 from Nina Clyde (Knowles Tooth Charity) 01273 425699 or Julie Lintern (Amici Voices) 01293 401942
For more information on the KNOWLES TOOTH charity please look at www.familysupportwork.org.uk or email admin@familysupportwork.org.uk 

Adastra Bowling Club: Doreen's Corner

by Bryan Booth

I came to Hassocks in 2003 to bring myself and my wife Doreen, who by that time was already suffering with Alzheimer’s, to be close to our daughter and family. I was lucky enough to find a property close to Adastra Park. Having moved from a London Borough where I did not receive any assistance of any kind for Doreen, coming to Hassocks and registering with the local health practice I started to receive what I can only describe as kind and generous help from the Princess Royal Hospital and our wonderful Villa Adastra Home.
This help gave me the opportunity and time to join in the various local activities including the Adastra Bowling Club, and it is here that Doreen and I found many friends willing to help both Doreen and myself in any way they could. She enjoyed many happy hours walking around the bowling green while I helped elsewhere within the club itself.
Sadly, Doreen passed away in January 2008. I wanted to retain her memory within the club and it was kindly agreed that I could upgrade an untidy area next to our pavilion into an attractive sitting area for all to enjoy. This was completed in the spring of 2008 with the help of Philip Edwards, a local landscape contractor. We named this area Doreen’s Corner and, with the help of a number of club members bringing plants and flowers, it soon blossomed into a glorious colourful garden to be enjoyed by everybody.
It is heartening to know that in these days of not so good news, here in Hassocks and in Sussex there are people and institutions dedicated to helping others. My thanks to all those who helped me when I was in need.

Giraffe Gems in Burgess Hill – Classes in June

We are happy to announce our new jewellery making classes for June:

Tue 1st, 10.30-12.30 Beginners
A 2 hour course for complete beginners on the practical side for people who have ‘gone it alone’ and would like to put their theory into practice. We discuss the various stringing materials, use of crimp covers, wire guardians and how to loop head-pins. You make a full length necklace (using the above method of crimping) and earrings. As you have a choice of beads, you finished articles are of your own colours and design.

Thu 3rd, 10.30-12.30 Polymer Clay

We 9th, 2-4 Floating Necklace
A multi stranded necklace with the illusion of the beads suspended.

Fri 11th, 10.30-12.30 Lariat
Learn how to make these fantastic versatile necklaces-cum-bracelets with simple knotting and using silk thread. Think outside the box on this one, go wild as anything goes. Included in this class is how to make wrapped loops.

Wed 16th, 2-4 Seed Bead ‘Hips and Waist’
Fri 18th, 2-4 Suede and Chain
The ‘in thing’ at the moment using a combination of materials.

Ote Hall Farm Business Park, Janes Lane, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0SR.
Tel. 01444 248475

Burgess Hill Open Studios in June

Laura Does The Double!! St Peter & St James Hospice and Help The Hospices

Laura Carver of Burwash completed both the inaugural Brighton Marathon and the first ever Virgin London Marathon, running for St Peter & St James Hospice and Help The Hospices.

Laura was running in memory of her sister, Becky who was cared for by St Peter & St James in 2005. As nearly five years had passed since Becky died, Laura decided to raise as much as she could in memory of her sister for these two wonderful organisations.

Originally Laura had wanted to run both marathons for St Peter & St James but the Hospice only has one golden bond entitling it to five places in the London Marathon. By the time we knew of Laura’s intentions all our places had been allocated for London so she contacted Help The Hospices and they were able to offer her a place, whilst we were delighted to give her one of our places in the first ever Brighton Marathon.

Laura hopes to raise over £3,000 and would love more sponsors to help her reach her goal. Just go to www.virginmoneygiving.co.uk/lauracarver if you want to give her a boost!

St Peter & St James are very proud of all of their London Marathon runners and between them they will have raised in excess of £10,000 for the Hospice.

Pictured is a very proud Laura after both marathons!

London Marathon success for St Catherine's Hospice, Crawley

St Catherine’s Hospice had 40 people running on their behalf at this year’s Virgin London Marathon and they look set to raise £68,000 towards providing end of life care for the local Hospice.

Jen Wickham, Events Fundraiser said “Our marathon runners were fantastic and did us all proud. We were delighted to be able to see most of our runners along the route and cheer them on and hope that their legs recover soon!”

St Catherine’s Hospice would also like to thank Steve Swain from Southdown PSV for driving the runners to the start line in London.

If this year’s event has motivated you to challenge yourself and take part in this hugely popular event, then St Catherine’s Hospice has a number of guaranteed places available at the 2011 London Marathon. For more information contact Jen Wickham on 01293 447364 or email jenwickham@stch.org.uk

Grease is the Word for Plumpton Racecourse’s first Drive In Movie

Tickets are selling fast for Plumpton Racecourse’s first ever Drive In Movie on Saturday 15th May, in conjunction with the Have A Heart Appeal.

The giant screen will be showing Grease, the classic drive in movie for all the family with all the great sing along songs including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy and Greased Lightnin’.

The evening will have an American theme from a Pink Cadillac through to a themed retro American BBQ, plus pop corn and ice cream from car to car movie vendors.

The best dressed moviegoers will win two tickets to the West End show ‘Grease the Musical’. Heart Sussex’s Breakfast show presenter Lynsey Bartlett will help with the judging, and help Have a Heart raise loads of money for disadvantaged children in Sussex.

Gates open at 6.30pm, with the movie starting at approximately 8.45pm. With the numbers limited, buying in advance is strongly recommended priced at only £20 per car. The on the day price is £25 per car (subject to availability)

Full details can be found at www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk or by calling the Racecourse Office on 01273 890383.

This weeks at Grub café & music bar, East Grinstead

Artist: Martin Crowley plus support
Date: Saturday 1st May, 7.30pm
Admission: £5

Martin Crowley: www.myspace.com/martincrowleyuk

Martin Crowley is a Poole based Singer Songwriter/Guitarist (originally from Surrey). Currently promoting latest EP "Find Me Tonight". His music has sometimes been described as “acoustic guitar based pop/folk for adults”. While not ashamed of liking a good feel good pop song, increasingly his tracks are taking on deeper themes based on either his own life experiences or current issues, together with with a classical guitar edge to the song-writing (not surprising as he studied classical guitar from the age of 6 before discovering the electric guitar!) Having been playing guitar and singing in various forms for 20 years, Martin has found a new and successful home in the singer/songwriter acoustic world - triggered by some very good feedback from the “Live and Unsigned” regional finals a couple of years back.


 

Artist: Megson plus support from Diane Johnston and Luke Jackson
Date: Saturday 1st May, 7.30pm
Admission: £7.50
'Megson have steadily established themselves as two of the freshest, most original performers in the latest folk revival'

'This album places them in the major league' Robin Denslow, The Guardian

'A marriage made in heaven' SONGLINES

'An exceptional record' MAVERICK

Combining the talents of northerners STU HANNA and DEBBIE HANNA, the duo Megson is fast becoming 'hot property'(The Guardian Jan 09) on the British folk and roots scene. Their three albums, ON THE SIDE, SMOKE OF HOME and TAKE YOURSELF A WIFE have chronicled that blossoming creative talent.

Originally from Teesside, the husband and wife duo met singing in the local Cleveland Youth Choir. At that time, they both had very different music career paths ahead of them. Middlesbrough born and bred Debbie has been singing since she could speak! She trained to be a classical singer, taking a degree in Music at Leeds University followed by post-graduate success at Trinity College, London, gaining a distinction as a classical soprano. Billingham born and bred Stu was playing in a pop-punk band run by an American manager who had big ideas for the band. They soon found that neither of these worlds was ultimately for them and, shortly afterwards, joined creative forces in Megson.

Since the duo's genesis in 2004 the couple have played up and down the country at numerous folk clubs and festivals, initially supporting bands such as Show of Hands and Seth Lakeman but now recently sell out their own extensive tour dates. Their growing talent was recognised with nominations for Best Duo in the 2009 & 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The Guardian gave their last album TAKE YOURSELF A WIFE a 4-star lead review in the Jazz, Folk and World section of its Friday Arts supplement and followed this with a major feature on Megson (both written by leading music critic Robin Denslow) THE INDEPENDENT has listed Megson in their 5 GIGS TO SEE section on no less than 3 occasions and they recently received a 4 star review for their live show from THE FINANCIAL TIMES.

In addition to his role in Megson, Stu's talents as a producer on the folk scene are very much in demand and he has produced albums for Benji Kirkpatrick, Faustus and Mawkin:Causley and the latest album from Show of Hands.

Megson continue to deliver on the promise inherent in fellow folkie Seth Lakeman's endorsement: 'For my money' says Seth 'Megson are amongst the most exciting trailblazers of British Contemporary Folk.'

110-112 London road, East Grinstead, RH19 1EP
www.grubonline.co.uk | info@grubonline.co.uk
01342 313139

Serena Tierney meets HHDBA members 27th April Evo, The Broadway, Haywards Heath

Member Richard Moon has asked the HHDBA if Serena Tierney could be invited to speak to members during the election campaign. The good news is that we have just been told she will speak at the Lunch & Learn tomorrow. Places are now limited so if you want to attend please book now, but if you wish to come just to listen to Ms Tierney she will be giving a 5 minute address at 1.30pm, followed by a Q&A session until the end of the event at 2pm.

Please let Sandi know by midday today at the very latest if you wish to attend.

Details of the event are as follows:
Where: Evo, The Broadway, Haywards Heath

When: Tuesday 27th April 2010 at 12pm

Hot Topic: Inheritance Tax Planning

Speaker: Stephen Gallico Solicitors

Mouthwatering Menu:
Main Course
Organic pan fried chicken breast wrapped in Parma ham with a wild mushroom and tarragon sauce, wild rice and seasoned vegetables
OR
Roasted vegetable ragout with buffalo mozzarella

Desert
American vanilla cheesecake
OR
Banoffee pie

Please let us know your menu choices when booking. Thank you.

Booking closes at 11am next Monday -
26th April
Members: £14
Non Members: £19

Payments must be made at the time of booking and prior to the event.

You can book and pay online at www.hhdba.co.uk or by cheque made payable to HH&DBA and sent to the address below. If you wish to pay by BACS please see the website or contact Sandi for details.

See the May issue now!

May issue online - just released!

Roger

Ardingly Reservoir - still waters run deep

by Tom Briggs

It may sound like a tired old cliché, but it is rare to find somewhere to get away from it all these days. If, like me, you have never actually visited a reservoir before, you could be forgiven for thinking that it will just be a large expanse of water that is simply there to fulfil a human demand. Au contraire!

Ardingly Reservoir is, in fact, home to a profusion of nature and is living proof that functionality and the aesthetically pleasing beauty of nature can live together in harmony, while also offering countless ways to help you escape the apparently never-ending stresses of modern life.
This stretch of water is something of a hidden treasure. Found nestled in the hilly Mid Sussex countryside, it is home to an abundance of species from mighty oak, ash and beech trees around its perimeter to birds including Canada geese, coots and kingfishers – a superb location to enjoy the bucolic charm of the natural world. The initial observation to strike first-timers to the area, apart from the glorious scenery, is the serenity that the natural ensemble of water, trees and wildlife combines to create. This tranquillity is occasionally punctuated, but only by the soothing sounds of birdsong or light breezes fluttering through the reeds and foliage that provide the reservoir with its boundary.
Upon surveying the area and some of the wildlife which quite literally flocks to its calming waters, it is strange to contemplate that Ardingly Reservoir is actually man-made, its primary purpose being the supply of water to commuter towns like nearby Haywards Heath. Ardingly Reservoir was created at the tail end of the 1970s when Shell Brook – a tributary of the River Ouse – was blocked off with the introduction of a 17-metre-high earth dam. The result was that this once gentle trickle of water, along with Ardingly Brook to the east, flooded into what was then a wooded valley and is now the reservoir which, when full, holds a staggering 5,000 million litres of fresh water.
The reservoir serves an important purpose, not only to us but also to other life forms. As well as providing a store of water for thousands of local customers, it is also employed to help maintain the level of the River Ouse which, in turn, acts as a transportation system to carry water to Barcombe Treatment Works. Water is released via the valve tower on the south edge of the reservoir and into the Ouse where, along its way, it helps fish species – including sea trout on their annual journey to their breeding grounds – to survive. Despite the intervention of humankind, evidence of what the land once looked like still remains. The reservoir takes its V-shape from the two brooks it was formed from; the stumps of some of the trees that were felled to accommodate the sprawling area of water can be spotted breaking its surface during particularly dry times.
Due to the private ownership of some of the land that borders the vast stretch of water, it is not possible to complete a circuit around the reservoir but this is by no means a bad thing. There are plenty of footpaths and bridleways that will allow you to extend your walk into the surrounding countryside and enjoy the pastoral delights that it has to offer. The meadows that surround the reservoir are home to all manner of species from the ground up. A large assortment of plants, including common spotted orchids, sorrel and ox eye daisies, not only provides a feast for the eyes with their gamut of colour but also enables the area to support an increased ecosystem of insect, bird and animal life. During warmer months the eagle eyed will spot butterflies such as the common blue and the gatekeeper while the long grasses provide cover for smaller mammals, including mice and voles, from predators like owls. Although not a common sight to many of us, the enigmatic barn owl can, indeed, be spotted in the area, thanks to specially designed nesting boxes introduced in 1998, in an effort to encourage the dwindling species to thrive once more. This came a year after the reservoir was declared a nature reserve by the local council – proof again that our needs and those of nature can be mutually met.
In addition to the vast array of nature on display, there are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed in the reservoir and its surrounding area. From reflective pastimes, including coarse fishing and bird watching in purpose-built hides on the banks at the water’s edge, to more energetic pursuits including sailing, canoeing and rowing on its surface, there are plenty of ways to unwind. Birdwatchers are in for a treat here; along with the water birds you would expect to find, including great crested grebes and cormorants, there are numerous other avian visitors such as willow warblers, Mandarin ducks, lapwings and, during August and September, ospreys stopping off on their way to warmer climes for the winter months.
The word ‘reservoir’ is derived from the French réserver meaning ‘to save’ and saving is something that you will certainly be doing if you opt for a day out here – the only cost involved is that of the car park, unless you are participating in commercially run, water-based activities – and the French connection doesn’t end here. The wooded areas around the reservoir are coppiced – another word that we have borrowed from over the Channel. These connections give the reservoir a slight Gallic twang to its accent. Just as well that the imposing Anglocentric landmark of Ardingly College in the distance is there to remind you that, while you’re getting away from it all, you’re actually not very far from home at all. ■

Sussex Wildlife Trust - Return of the Nighingales

Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is delighted that three male nightingales have returned to their summer breeding sites at Woods Mill near Henfield after a three thousand mile flight from Africa.

Throughout the day and night, visitors to the nature reserve can hear the remarkable and powerful song of this plain, brown bird as it sings continuously to attract a mate.

Come on a guided evening walk around the nature reserve and hear their wonderful song for yourself on Thurs 6, Tues 11, Thurs 20 or Tues 25 May.

Booking is essential.
For costs and more information please ring Filma Dyer on 01273 497561.

Woods Mill nature reserve is open daily and free to visit.
For location details and further information please go to the website www.sussexwt.org.uk/reserves/index.htm

Downlands Community College students in Hassocks to quiz County Councillors

STUDENTS from Downlands Community College will be able to quiz local County Councillors next week.

Members of South Mid Sussex County Local Committee will be at an afternoon event at the Beacon Centre, Ockley Lane, Hassocks, on Tuesday April 27.

There will also be representatives from West Sussex County Council’s Youth Service, Youth Cabinet and Information Shop, Sussex Police and West Sussex Young Person Substance Misuse Service.

Laptops and a graffiti wall will be available to capture the views and thoughts of the students.

Peter Griffiths, Committee Chairman, said: “This is an opportunity for young people to find out more about what the County Council does and the services that are available to them in their community and neighbourhoods.

“But equally as important, it will also enable us to listen to and discover what young people like to do in their spare time and what they would like to see in their community.”

The County Local Committee will be holding its public meeting at the Centre, starting at 7pm. The agenda will include:

· The regular talk with us session. “This gives local people the opportunity to discuss local issues they are concerned about,” said Peter.
· Applications for Community Initiative Funding.
· The appointment of school governors.

The evening will also see the Local Youth Forum hosting a live music festival to promote the Youth Opportunity Fund, which is money that is available for local projects. The young members of the Forum decide which projects receive money.

Performers include Mid Sussex Got Talent winners Jive Turkey and local bands Outlaw Gold and Marebito and street dance group AMPD.

Celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day with Sussex Wildlife Trust

Lovers of birdsong will be out in force all over the UK on the first Sunday in May (May 2) celebrating International Dawn Chorus Day.
Book now and join the group of enthusiasts who gather before sunrise at Woods Mill, Henfield, to experience the magic of a dawn start, led by Sussex Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) bird expert Mike Russell.
The early morning fanfare of birdsong will feature common woodland birds such as blackbird and song thrush as well as newly arrived summer migrants from Africa such as blackcap, chiffchaff and whitethroat.
A special feature of this Woods Mill dawn chorus is the high likelihood of hearing the explosive and vibrant song of the elusive nightingale just arrived from Africa.
Booking for this event is essential as numbers are limited. Visitors are asked to arrive at 4.15a.m before gathering in the woodland part of the nature reserve before the chorus starts.
The dawn chorus experience costs £8.00 (members of the Trust/ concessions) and £11 for non-members and will include breakfast at the end of the walk.
Mike Russell, Head of People and Wildlife at the Trust explained, ‘Singing is top priority for the birds. It’s their first activity of the day as they need to re-establish their territories and keep their females with them.
‘I will be leading the group during the morning identifying the songs of each bird as it joins in with the chorus. After walking round the reserve, it’s back to base for breakfast and time to compare notes on how many species we’ve heard.’
Booking is essential as numbers are limited. For further information or to book tel: 01273 – 497561.

For details of all SWT forthcoming events including our popular Evenings with nightingales, badgers or barn owls visit: http://www.sussexwt.org.uk/events/event_diary/index.htm


Photos:
Robin by Sophie May Lewis
Nightingale by Roger Wilmshurst

Lewes environmental Pavilion gets conservation boost

The Lewes-based Railway Land Wildlife Trust (RLWT) which recently celebrated the ‘topping out’ of the Lewes Linklater Pavilion, a brand new centre for the study of environmental change, has the full support of the Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT).
The Pavilion stands at the entrance to the Railway Land Local Nature Reserve, in Railway Lane and will provide ‘hot desking’ space for two members of SWT staff five days a week. This will not only provide an important opportunity for collaboration and innovation between two conservation groups but also an income stream for the Pavilion when it opens formally in the early autumn.
Said, SWT Chief Executive, Dr Tony Whitbread. ‘I have been a fan of RLWT for many years so I am delighted that we are going to enjoy a closer working relationship. With our largest nature reserve Malling Down just over the river and our ‘Living Landscape’ work in the area, the Linklater Pavilion will give us not only a location from which to work but also the benefits of strong interaction with a forward-looking and like-minded body.’
Said RLWT Chairman, Dr John Parry,’ This will add great value to our work of the last 21 years and will bring a sense of steady partnership and resolve to the environmental challenges we all face. We are delighted.’  The RLWT was established in 1988 as a result of campaigning for the creation of a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) on former railway marshalling yards. Lewes District Council, which owns the land, declared the site a LNR in 1995 and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the RLWT in 2004.

www.railwaylandproject.org
www.sussexwt.org.uk

THE KEMPE WALL PAINTINGS – St MARK’S CHURCH STAPLEFIELD

Staplefield village is aiming to raise £20,000 for the restoration of Charles Eamer Kempe’s wall paintings in St Mark’s Church, Staplefield. The paintings are very important and extremely rare. Charles Eamer Kempe (1837-1907) was the most famous ecclesiastical artist of his day. Born in Ovingdean near Brighton, he is best known for his distinctive stained glass windows and it is said that you are always within 30 miles of a Kempe stained glass window. The wall paintings are of angels with stylised trees, fruit and flowers and they cover the chancel of the church (around the altar and choir stalls). There are only three known examples of Kempe wall paintings (as distinct from painted ceilings and stencilling). The Staplefield murals are by far the earliest and they are the only ones in a Parish Church.

The village is undertaking a number of fundraising initiatives including;

A Fashion Show and Clothes Sale on Friday 28 May at 7.30pm on the village green in a large marquee, with a licensed bar. This promises to be a fun, girls’ night out with glamorous jewellery and Indian head massages on offer and a raffle. The clothes will include ladies fashions size 10-16 and children’s clothes aged 6-11. Some of the clothes will be modelled by local volunteers. The clothes will be from well-known manufacturers. Tickets cost £5.00 in advance and £6.00 on the door and can be obtained from Sue Tuckwell, Silver Birches, Tanyard Lane, Staplefield, West Sussex, RH17 6EJ, Please make cheques payable to St Mark’s Church (frescoes appeal) and enclose an S.A.E. The Jolly Tanners and St Mark’s School, Staplefield and the Hardware Store in Handcross will also be selling tickets.

Anyone wishing to see the murals can visit Staplefield Church on Sunday 30 May, 2-4pm and on Bank Holiday Monday 31 May 10am-4pm.

Saturday 12 June, an evening of harp music at Nymans in Handcross. The evening will be an opportunity to enjoy the glories of harp music and to picnic in the romantic gardens of Nymans. The harp is a particularly beautiful instrument and Helen Arnold, one of the top harpists in the country is preparing an evening of sumptuous music, performed by professional harpists. This will be a rare opportunity to hear some of the very best professional harpists of today, performing together. Nymans (National Trust) has kindly donated the use of the grounds for the evening. The grounds will open at 6pm for guests to wander through the gardens and picnic and the music will commence at 7.15pm. Tickets are priced at £20.00 for adults and £ 10.00 for children. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office at Nymans and from Tony Peel-Cross, Little Ashfold Farm, Cuckfield Road, Staplefield, West Sussex RH17 6EF, 01444 401069 and Sue Tuckwell, Silver Birches, Tanyard Lane, Staplefield, West Sussex RH17 6EJ. This is expected to be a particularly popular event so you are urged to purchase your tickets early – before they sell out. Please enclose an S.A.E. and make cheques payable to St Mark’s Church (frescoes appeal).

Hand embroidered cards are also being sold in aid of the fund-raising and these can be commissioned to order. All profits will go to the appeal. If you would like to order a special card and help the appeal; please contact bendall@linone.net

Other events planned later in the year include a Clay Pigeon Shoot, a Gardeners Question Time and an Antiques Valuation Evening and Auction. More information about the fund raising activities can be found at; www.stmarkskempefrescoappeal.com, email stmarkschurchwarden@googlemail.com.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the appeal can send a cheque made out to St Mark’s Church (frescoes appeal) c/o Tony Peel-Cross, Little Ashfold Farm, Cuckfield Road, Staplefield, West Sussex, RH17 6EF.

April open day brings egg-stra help to Cats Protection at Chelwood Gate near Haywards Heath

A cat centre’s recent open day has provided a boost to their efforts to help unwanted cats.

Over 700 people attended an Egg-stravaganza at Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre in Chelwood Gate on Saturday April 10, to help find homes for unwanted cats and provide some Easter Holidays fun for all the family!

Cat-loving CBeebies television presenter Sarah-Jane Honeywell officially opened the day and along with the public took part in a range of activities, including a raffle and easter egg hunt.  Visitors also had the opportunity to tour the centre and meet some of the 250 unwanted cats in desperate need of a new home.

As well as the bumper attendance, 24 unwanted cats were reserved by owners, pending a home visit by the charity, and more than £1,300 was raised so that the centre can help other unlucky cats.   

Sarah-Jane, who has three Birman cats, said: “I really enjoyed the Eggstravaganza and wanted to say thank you to the hundreds of people who came along on the day to support Cats Protection.  It was great to meet so many of the cat-loving public and better still that many unwanted cats will find new and loving homes.”

Tania Marsh, deputy manager at the Centre, said: “The Eggstravaganza was an extremely successful day and we were bowled over by the terrific attendance!  I’d like to thank everyone who made it such a success.  For every cat the centre finds a home for, we have many more waiting to come in, so do get in touch if you would like to adopt a cat.”

Cats hoping for egg-stra good luck are Eggbert and Bunny, who were brought to the centre last October.  The centre is hoping to find them a home where they can be the only pets.  Also in need of a home is ginger cat Tom who was brought to the centre in February after his owner died.  He has special health needs and would be best suited to a home where he can stay indoors or have an enclosed garden to explore.

If you can offer a home to Eggbert, Bunny, Tom, or any of the other cats at the centre then please call 08707 708650.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat charity and helps over 193,000 cats and kittens through a national network of 253 volunteer-run branches and 29 adoption centres.

Sussex Wildlife Trust - Wardens at Woods Mill

Two Summer Wardens have joined Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) to help people enjoy their weekend and summer holiday visits to Woods Mill nature reserve near Henfield.

Woods Mill, one of SWT’s most popular nature reserves, is free to visit and during the spring and summer months visitor numbers increase dramatically.

Highlights on the reserve include nightingales, woodpeckers, warblers, turtle doves, butterflies and dragonflies with a circular all-weather path guiding visitors through woodland, meadows and alongside a large reed-fringed lake.

Working on a rota basis every weekend and throughout the school summer holidays SWT’s new Summer Wardens - Matt Freeland (photo 1) and Ryan Greaves (photo 2) – are helping visitors by providing information about the reserve, answering wildlife related questions and supervising pond dipping.

New Warden, Ryan Greaves, is one of the Trust’s volunteer Youth Rangers. For the past ten months, after graduating from Southampton University with a Zoology degree, Ryan has been learning practical conservation and wildlife gardening skills as part of the Viva Veolia Youth Ranger project at Stanmer Park, Brighton. As well as his new Summer Warden position, Ryan is continuing to volunteer with the Youth Rangers and also assist in the running of Forest School bushcraft sessions for the Trust at Stanmer Park and Hassocks Infant School.

Matt Freeland from Brighton returns as Summer Warden for his second year. He is currently studying Ecology and Biogeography at Brighton University after completing a two-year Foundation course at Plumpton College in Countryside Management.

SWT’s Summer Wardens, Ryan and Matt will be wearing Trust T-shirts when working on the reserve. Their photographs are displayed on the notice board as visitors enter Woods Mill so please feel free to ask them any questions to help you enjoy your visit to the nature reserve.

Woods Mill nature reserve is located one mile south of Henfield on the A2037 and open throughout the year (closed between Christmas and New Year). For more information ring 01273 492630 or visit www.sussexwt.org.uk/reserves/index.htm

What’s On – Voice star at East Grinstead Library

Ever wondered who the voice is on an audio book? Or how you would become one of those voices? Visit East Grinstead Library for a free event on Tuesday April 27 to find out.

Gordon Griffin, actor and star of almost 500 audio books will visit the Library to discuss the art of telling a story, showcase his skills and answer your questions.

Apart from his extensive audio book experience, Gordon once presented Play School, and is one of the people telling you to ‘Mind The Gap’ on the London Underground.

Although the event is free you will need to book. Phone the Library on 01342 410050 or email eastgrinstead.library@westsussex.gov.uk

Lewes History: Rodin's The Kiss

by Rupert Taylor

The good people of Lewes confused art with obscenity when they had the chance to make Rodin’s priceless statue The Kiss a part of the cultural heritage of the town. The famous sculpture, showing a naked couple locked in embrace, was placed in Lewes Town Hall on permanent loan in 1913.

But the local population took exception to its mild eroticism. It was circled by railings to stop anyone getting too close and finally a sheet was placed over the sculpture to preserve the town’s morality. The town hall was used for boxing matches in those days and on one particularly popular night many of the watching crowd climbed onto the precious work of art to get a better view. In the end its donor, Edward Perry Warren, was asked in no uncertain terms to take the statue back. It was placed in the coach house at Lewes House, where Warren lived, and there it remained out of sight until his death.
There is every reason to believe that had Lewes taken The Kiss (Le Baiser) to its heart Warren would have given the statue to the town in perpetuity. Today the same statue stands in the Tate Gallery in London where no-one can even begin to guess at its value.
Warren, known as the ‘mad millionaire’, was an amazing man. He drank at the old Bear Hotel with his like-minded male friends, who more often than not wore Arab clothes and conversed in classical Greek over their pints. He was happy roaming the Downs on horseback or canoeing on the river Ouse with his cronies, seeing Lewes as a safe haven after journeys to the East in search of antiquities. An exceptionally rich American – he also owned Shelleys and School Hill House in Lewes – he bought priceless antiques and modern works of art for his own enjoyment and for museums in America and Britain.
Lewes House was hardly and American’s dream country home, but Warren liked its large north-facing rooms which he could fill with vases and busts. It also had a south-facing garden which gave privacy and light and colour. The horrors of the First World War brought out the practical side to his nature when he ran the School Hill House Military Hospital at his own expense.
Warren had ordered Le Baiser direct from Rodin himself. It cost 25,000 old francs and that included the marble. The pair had met in 1903 when Rodin came to Lewes and apparently the famous sculptor and the gifted collector did not quite see eye to eye. Warren went into raptures over Greek marbles and bronzes while Rodin, a creative artist first and foremost, said: “Let me go out into the street and stop the first person I meet; I will make a work of art from him.” Unfortunately Roding did not step out into School Hill, denying some passing local the chance of being immortalised in stone.
To the modern mind the scandal lies not in the erotic nature of the man and woman so carefully chiselled out but in the fact that the town coldly rejected a treasure. Former mayor, Frank Mayhew, recalled seeing the statue in drapes at Lewes House as a boy of ten. “I can remember my father being furious that the borough council couldn’t see the beauty of the statue,” he said. “It looked colossal to me but I can’t remember being shocked at its nudity. It’s a tragedy it is not still in Lewes. It just wasn’t appreciated at the time.”
There is no record that Warren was upset in any way that Lewes rejected his statue. Perhaps he expected it. When he died in 1928, the contents of his house, including The Kiss, were put up for saleby Gorringes. Graham Gorringe, son of Rowland who conducted the auction, recalled: “It was our first major sale. There was some incredible stuff there. It was our sale of the century. But The Kiss didn’t meet our reserve of £9,000. It simply wasn’t a sought-after piece at the time and just moving it was an enormous task.”
The sculpture was bought privately by Warren’s friend H. Asa-Thomas who lived at Shelleys and later at Bineham House, Chailey (which is now demolished). He later gave it to his daughter, Mrs Pamela Tremlett, and in 1939 she in turn gave The Kiss on loan to the Tate. In 1955, the museum bought the sculpture from her for a nominal £7,500. It now has pride of place at the Tate but few people in Lewes realise that it is the same statue that once stood in their Town Hall.


Controversy over carving was to repeat itself some 60 years after the town kissed goodbye to Rodin. A large and expensive sculpture was erected in the middle of a roundabout at the entrance to the new
South Street [Cuilfail] Tunnel. The subject matter again caused offence – only this time the populace was wondering what it was supposed to be. A giant ammonite, they were told. Apparently, the local geologist Gideon Mantell used ammonites to adorn the capitals of his house in the High Street. The sculpture is still there and has been taken to local hearts. It is affectionately called ‘Brian the Snail’.

© Sussex Scandals by Rupert Taylor (Countryside Books, 1987)

Brighton Marathon Runners for St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House

We would like to say a massive thank you to all our fantastic runners that took part in the 2010 Brighton Marathon in aid of St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House. We expect to raise over £30,000 for the hospices from the Brighton Marathon and would like to say a huge thank you to all of our runners, our volunteers who went out and cheered for them all day and all the local people who have supported and sponsored the runners. If you are interested in running for Chestnut Tree House or St Barnabas House in the 2011 Brighton Marathon or any other run please contact our Events Team on 01903 871817 or email events@stbh.org.uk 

HPS Haywards Heath have now achieved Ideal Standard Gold Showroom status

Our bathroom showroom has recently been re-furbished and now displays exciting new ranges from the Ideal Standard International collection. These include Jasper Morrison, Tonic, Melange, Attitude and Simply U.

If you need a new bathroom then visit our stunning bathroom showroom in Haywards Heath, West Sussex for some honest advice and help aimed at giving you exactly what you want.

If you’re not sure how your new bathroom will look, then take full advantage of our new free Computer Design service to visualise how it will look.

So whether you are buying a new bathroom now or just thinking about it, please call in for some friendly advice and stylish fresh ideas.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Lauren Sutton
Unit 3 Bridge Road Industrial Estate
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1UA
01444 419800
Email- haywardsheath@hpsmerchant.co.uk
Website – www.hpsmerchant.co.uk

Cancer Journey - Information when you need it most

by Sian Maidment

The charity Cancer Journey is a web-based signposting service and telephone helpline directing patients and carers to helpful, useful, credible information about their disease and sources of practical advice and emotional support.

I met Jane Gambril, the driving force behind Cancer Journey, in a café in Cuckfield and we talked effortlessly for over an hour. Our conversation was engaging, full of energy, verve and laughter. Her bright, obviously dyed, red hair, those deliciously outrageous chemical colours I adore – “It makes me feel good!” – contrasts brilliantly with her electric blue eyes. A theatre sister by profession two days a week, she devotes her time to Cancer Journey. “There is now a huge amount information available on the web.” Jane developed the concept, distilled out the best available sources and wrote the website contents.
Her motivation was that 11 years ago her brother Jeremy was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Baldly given two years to live by the specialist, at 47 he was young to be told that “there are two types: the aggressive one you die from and the other type you die with and not from.” There was a paucity of information in those early days of the web. “He was my big brother,” says Jane, and I can feel the big hug, the connection and know exactly where she’s coming from. “Both as bolshy as each other, the specialist would say one thing and we would say ‘oh no you’re not.’”
The combination of Jane’s medical knowledge and background and Jeremy’s professional experience
as a writer and researcher made their teamwork a formidable force. “The ideal would be if this service was not needed. I’m not being critical but there is a gap.” Although neither Sussex nor Kent has a central NHS base for cancer services, Jane’s ambition was to serve Mid Sussex. “We’re rural here, not like on the coast where there’s access to all sorts.” Now every new diagnosis in Kent and Sussex gets
Cancer Journey’s contact details. “I want people to avoid that ‘God, I wish I’d known that’ feeling.
When people have cancer they feel they’ve lost control. It’s difficult to make decisions; it’s a roller
coaster. It’s to do with the ‘c’ word.” Patient treatment is focused on the disease process. All the questions in the world become clear the moment you get home. “They don’t feel they can go back to the hospital. Patients feel bad about not having asked the right questions.” The website points people in the right direction for information on the disease and practical advice for carers as well as emotional support.
The Helpline can deal with specific questions or is there for those who simply need to talk. But it is an information line, not an advice line, so cannot deal with medical questions. Other helplines operate Monday to Friday, but the Cancer Journey Helpline is open 10am until 4pm seven days a week, plus there’s an answer phone. “A crisis happens on a Saturday afternoon when the GPs surgery is closed – everybody knows that!”
Dealing with queries from diagnosis to hospice, the helpline is manned by Macmillan trained volunteers and supervisory support nurses. Personally, I thought the name Cancer Journey was a bit negative, implying going from A to D for Death, but Jane explained: “You don’t know where you’re going to go, it’s an amazing journey.”

Cancer Journey
www.cancerjourney.org.uk
Helpline:0 0303 333 000 3 (7 days 10am-4pm)
Cancer Journey Ball on 4th June at The Copthorne Hotel, Effingham.
Enjoy dinner, live music, a casino, raffle and auction. Tickets are £65 pp.
Call Jane on 01444 458649 for details.

Sussex Wildlife Trust - Urgent Call for White Paper on nature

Dr Tony Whitbread, chief executive of Sussex Wildlife Trust is calling on the three main political parties to put conservation issues high on their agenda and introduce a White Paper on nature and ecological restoration in their General Election manifestoes.
He is joined by Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive Officer (UK CEO) of The Wildlife Trusts and CEOs from the organisations 47 local wildlife trusts, representing nearly 800,000 members throughout the UK, who want to ensure the wildlife issues are at the heart of government decision making. The leaders are also being asked to commit to the implementation of the Marine Act and securing the designation of Marine Protected Areas by 2012.
Dr Whitbread, who recently sent a series of testing questions to the 26,600 members of the Sussex Wildlife Trust to ‘doorstep challenge’ Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, is hoping top level party political candidates will step up making wildlife issues a priority in the run up to the General Election.
He said, ‘Our natural world is precious. It inspires millions of us every day and provides us with essential services such as flood protection, food, climate regulation, carbon absorption and pollination – things which are fundamental to our health, well being and a successful economy.
‘Already seriously depleted and damaged, the pressures on wildlife and ecosystems in Sussex are increasing, exacerbated by climate change. My concerns in Sussex are echoed by wildlife trusts throughout the UK.
‘The Marine and Coastal Access Act, which recently passed through Parliament with all party support, is the first step on the road to recovery for our seas. The UK’s seas are potentially among the most productive and wildlife-rich on the planet. Marine Protected Areas should provide safe havens where our wildlife can be protected and restored. The next Government must provide strong leadership, commitment and resources to effectively implement the news legislation.
‘It has never been so important to protect wildlife everywhere and on a landscape scale. I feel a White Paper would focus attention on what the next Government should do to restore our natural environment and ecosystems.’
For more information about Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Call to Action for its members and supporters during the run up to the General Election please visit http://www.sussexwt.org.uk/conservation/general_election/index.htm

Department store Martell’s of East Grinstead is to stage its third Military Exhibition on Saturday 24 April

Department store Martell’s is to stage its third Military Exhibition on Saturday 24 April between 10 – 4 pm. Following on from the success of the last two, this will be the biggest and best so far and will be opened by Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex. The event, being staged at Queens Walk and Queens Road will showcase all things military. It is a must-see for anyone interested in military, models or the war years.

Martell’s will be raising money at the event for Help the Heroes, an organisation formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts. There will also be representation from several other charities including The British Legion, SSAFA and The Royal Naval Association. The Town Mayor has also been invited and it is hoped he will attend.

The exhibition will feature over 25 military vehicles, including one which is a 12ft x 12ft x 12ft field kitchen.

There will be demonstrations from the UK Tank Organisation featuring its large-scale remote control tanks and jeeps. Spectators will be able to stand back and admire the shock and awe tactics at close quarters.

To get everyone in the mood the 42nd Street Big Band will be performing tunes from the 1940s, while a local magician and balloonist will be performing shows (for charity) along Queens Walk.

Much-loved manufacturer Airfix will be on hand with a plentiful supply of Spitfire models for wannabe model makers to try their hand at constructing and painting - for free. But the painting won’t stop with the fuselage as Military Face Painting will also be available for little ones (or big ones!) wanting to try out some camouflage make up of the military kind.

W. Britain, William Britain or simply Britains, has been synonymous with toy soldiers since 1893. They produce authentic toy soldiers and military miniatures of outstanding quality and will be present to preview the latest models and answer questions. Two of Britain’s life sized re-enactment actors will also be on board from the first and second world wars. These specialists will not only look the part, but will be able to talk the talk while they walk the walk and will answers questions on their period of expertise.

Darren Oomen, Toy Department Manager for Martell’s explains “This idea started small, as an informal opportunity to show off a few military vehicles in our car park. But from the response over the last two years it’s clear that there is a massive interest in military, militaria and all its associations and Martell’s are proud to be a part of that”.

And if all of that whets the appetite for a career in military, would-be recruits can check out the Air Training Corps recruiting stand.

Ditchling Museum 2010

by Janet Cragg

This year’s exhibition at Ditchling Museum, opening on 1st May, celebrates the influence of the Sussex landscape, both built and natural, on artists who have lived in the village. ‘Views from Ditchling’ includes rarely seen childhood drawings by Eric Gill, works by David Jones, Frank Brangwyn, Edgar Holloway and others who belong to Ditchling’s artistic legacy.
A special feature of the exhibition is the painting Ditchling Beacon by Charles Knight, lent by the Towner Collection, Eastbourne, a familiar and well-loved view from Ditchling. Born in Hove, Charles Knight studied and later taught at Brighton School of Art where he met and was influenced by the architect John Denman. Denman’s house in the High Street is the subject of several works in the exhibition including his own drawing and an oil painting by Ethel Rawlings.
In 1934, Charles Knight too came to live in the village. In 1939, he was one of the artists chosen for the Recording Britain Scheme to record the English landscape threatened both by military invasion and development. Ditchling Beacon was completed shortly before this and, looking at the same view today, it is striking to see how it has altered, for the hills he saw were bare of trees and bushes, and yet how timeless it appears as shadows are cast in the afternoon sunlight.
This exhibition demonstrating Ditchling’s rich artistic tradition and inspirational setting opens as part of the annual ‘Art in Ditchling’ trail showing work by artists and craftspeople who continue to be attracted to the village today.

Ditchling Museum
Church Lane, Ditchling, West Sussex BN6 8TB
Tel. 01273 844 744 | www.ditchling-museum.com
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays 10.30-17.00.
Sundays 14.00-17.00.
The Museum is open from 1st May until 14th November 2010

Plumpton's Honour: Jo Taylor MBE

by Reg Stone

Community involvement was justly rewarded in the New Year’s Honours list when Jo Taylor of Plumpton Green was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
No, she is neither a pop star nor a business person who made a success and earned a fortune in the process. Jo is simply a member of the community that she has done so much hitherto unsung voluntary work for.
Now aged 69 she has played a part in her community since she was a teenager but, being very modest, would not lay claim to any such thing. Instead she simply says: “If you live in a village, you have to be part of it.”
Jo was born in Plumpton Green in 1941. She married Bob, a retired carpenter who was also born in Plumpton Green, in February 1963 and soon after moved into their present home in Strawlands. They were blessed with four children, Jonathan, Duncan, Derrick and his twin Edward. Sadly, Edward died in a tragic accident in 1988. The children still live in the area, are a very close knit family and still part of village life. There are six grandchildren who all meet on regular Cousins’ Days, often hosted by Jo during school holidays.
It is difficult to comprehend how she found the time and energy for her community involvement while raising a family.
She joined the Stoolball Club aged nine and in 1961 became, and still is, its Treasurer. Last year Jo actually turned out to play twice. In 1977 she became and still is secretary to the local Cub pack, later becoming a Leader although she has retired from that post. She performed in the first village pantomime in 1975 and continued in the chorus until 1984 when she became Musical Director, again a position she still holds. Jo is Secretary and Treasurer of the local branch of Royal British Legion and has collected for Poppy Day for about 25 years.
At 16 she started help run the Sunday School in the then village Congregational Church chapel and played the organ. She now attends the URC in Burgess Hill where she is on the organ rota. For around 20 years Jo was Team Secretary for the village cricket club, also gaining a fine reputation preparing match teas.
Then there’s the Plumpton and District Footpath Society for which she and Bob frequently lead walks. Jo still sings with the Sussex Chorus (formerly Ditchling Choral Society) and Mayfield Festival Choral Society. Hundreds of young dancers in Plumpton know her as pianist at Carole Grant’s local dancing school for some 30 years. Work with young people has meant that Jo is an official Child Welfare Inspector for the cricket club, the Pantomime Society, the village school and shortly for the Scouts.
Her career started with the Inland Revenue in Brighton but she left to start her family, later joining Plumpton Primary School as a classroom assistant and dinner lady. She still works three days a week!
On learning of the award Jo was afraid of “becoming big headed” but now treats it as a great, though unexpected honour. On New Year’s Day she celebrated with the family with a glass of champagne and then it was off to pantomime rehearsal.
Surrounding communities should note that Jo is not for sale. Plumpton will never part with her! ■

Open Day at Walstead Place care home near Haywards Heath

Nicholas Soames, the MP for Mid Sussex and grandson of Winston Churchill, will be the guest of honour at an open day being held by Walstead Place care home, located near Haywards Heath, West Sussex. The open day, which will take place on Thursday 29 April, will mark the completion of the extensive refurbishment work carried out on the home.

Walstead Place, part of the Caring Homes group, has undergone a sympathetic renovation programme that has prioritised the comforts of luxurious, modern living while retaining the charm and character of the beautiful 19th century gentleman’s residence the home once was.

Visitors to the event, which will start at 2pm, will be able to admire the recent work and meet new manager Jacquie Ferguson. Jacquie has more than 25 years’ experience of nursing care and is passionate about person-centred care. She has recently returned to care home management after a spell away because she missed it so much.

The renovations at Walstead Place included giving the communal areas a fresh modern look, and the bedrooms a premium upgrade. Each bedroom received new, high-quality furniture and the showers were changed into wet rooms to improve safety and ease-of-use for residents.

The meticulous attention to detail of the refurbishment work at Walstead Place is evident throughout. In the communal areas the extensive work included putting a new roof on the conservatory, redecorating it and improving disabled access. The main dining room and lounge area also both had considerable enhancements, including the addition of a servery area in the dining room.

Jacquie Ferguson says: “Everyone at Walstead Place is delighted with the exceptional standard of the renovation work. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our open day and telling them all about our delightful home, which we are very proud of and enjoy working in.

“I am very happy to be back in the caring profession and working with the Caring Homes group, and am sure visitors to the open day will be impressed by the fantastic facilities at Walstead Place.”

The open day event is free to all who wish to attend. If unable to join the team on the 29 April, interested visitors are welcome to drop in at another time to have a cup of tea, meet the new manager and see the beautiful refurbishments.

For more information on Walstead Place, please call home manager Jacquie Ferguson on 0808 1371522. Alternatively visit the Caring Homes website at www.caringhomes.org or email Caring Homes at: marketing@caringhomes.org

Brighton Marathon Runners for St Peter & St James Hospice

On Sunday 18th April 40 runners took part in the first ever Brighton Marathon. They were running for St Peter & St James.
First Runner home in an incredible time of 3 hrs 15minutes was Paul Moffett. Paul was running in memory of his mother-in-law who was cared for by St Peter & St James. Next was Simon Chrismas, an estate agent based in Burgess Hill, who completed the run in just 3hrs 24minutes.
Two members of staff also took part, Louise Gregory, one of our Specialist Community Team and Allan Wheeler one of our Shops Van Drivers.
The atmosphere was electric with 80,000 people cheering each one of the 7,500 runners on as the sun shone down on what could only be described as the perfect day for the first ever Brighton Marathon. Hayley Bradbury one of our Fundraisers at St Peter & St James said: “It was a really emotional day, not only being part of the first ever Brighton Marathon or to see the first set of runners, but to see our own runners as they ran past me was just such a privilege and made me very proud to work for such an amazing place”
It is hoped that the Hospice will realise over £10,000 in sponsorship.
We’d like to thank and congratulate all of our amazing runners who trained so hard and thank all of their sponsors for supporting their fundraising efforts.

Photos:
Stephen McNulty and van driver for the Hospice Allen Wheeler
Tracey Baines and her daughter after the race in the finishers’ tent
Delicious! – Runners enjoy a protein bar after the race
Happy chappy! – Warren Dodd’s in high spirits after the race
Marathon veteran Jim Marsh who has taken part in many marathons over the years
Head of Fundraising Gill Cronin and three very happy runners
Chris and Will enjoying a well earned break
Runner Laura Headicar enjoying a well earned glass of bubbly