Joan Rivers at the Brighton Centre

JOAN RIVERS – The Now or Never Tour (Don’t wait, this could be IT!)

Joan Rivers is an entertainment legend of unparalleled accomplishment and talent. Not content with being just an internationally renowned comedienne, Emmy-winning television talk-show host, Tony-nominated actress, best-selling author, playwright, she is also currently starring in two television shows in the UK: Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best? and Fashion Police . The woman never sleeps.

With her unique gift of humour, Joan continues to dominate our screens and headline prestigious venues worldwide. She last was seen performing live in the UK in 2005 where she appeared to critical acclaim and to sold-out crowds.

We are delighted to announce that this international treasure will return to the UK for 11 shows only in October 2012 and will perform at The Brighton Centre on Saturday 20th October 2012.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Saturday 1st October and are available from www.brightoncentre.co.uk

Henfield Garden Club

Tuesday 4th October
Henfield Garden Club
Talk by David Fitton entitled "A Garden for All Seasons"
Henfield Hall 7.30pm
All welcome, admission for non-members £3.

Fostering Drop-In Session

Fostering Drop-In Session - Crawley Library Tuesday 25th October 10am-4pm

Interested in fostering? Want to make a difference? Come along and meet professionals from the Fostering Recruitment Team... Have an informal chat and find out more about what it takes to change a child's life for the better.

For more infomation, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering or call 01403 229333.

Jewellery Classes at Giraffe Gems

Jewellery Classes
Giraffe Gems, Ote Hall Farm, Janes Lane, Burgess Hill RH15 0SR
01444 248475

Tuesday 4th October 2-4pm Polymer – Clay

Wednesday 5th October 10.30-12.30 Playing with Chain.

Friday 7th October 10.30-12.30 Keepsake Key-ring.

Saturday 8th October 10.30-12.30 Beginners' Class.

NO TOWN LIKE MOTOWN

Charity gig to kick off Christmas season

The toe tapping sounds of Motown will get the Christmas season underway on Friday 16th December in the Martlets Hall, Burgess Hill with a fundraising gig in aid of St Peter & St James Hospice and Off The Fence Trust.

No Town Like Motown is the south’s premier Motown band which captures the spirit of the Motown sound. With a strong vocal line up and some really cool brass and bass, the evening will be get everyone into the festive mood and onto the dance floor.

All the profits for this event are being split between two charities. Set in 28 acres of land near Chailey, St Peter & St James Hospice has been providing care to patients with terminal illnesses from East and West Sussex for over 30 years.

Brighton based charity; Off The Fence Trust provides vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in Brighton, particularly rough sleepers and women suffering abuse.

The gig has been organised by Robert Eggleston who said, “I saw No Town Like Motown in Quench on New Year’s Eve last year and they really impressed me. A number of people then asked me to put on a Motown night and putting it on for these two charities just seemed to be the right thing to do. This will be a great party night and will help to raise cash for two great causes. Tickets are already selling so I would encourage people to book early to avoid disappointment. Who knows if it is a success it could become part of the regular entertainment calendar in Burgess Hill”

Tickets for No Town Like Motown cost £10.00 and can be bought from The Martlets box office or by calling 01444 242 888 or online at http://bookmh.freedomleisure.co.uk/martlets/

For more information contact:
Robert Eggleston
50 Ferndale Road
Burgess Hill
snowdrop1.music@virgin.net
0794 779 2033

Tiger Arts Evening Concert

2011 sees the 400th Anniversary of the printing and presentation of the Authorised Bible to King James. Our event in October  is a celebration of that very significant event.

Tuesday 1st October
‘Re-Creation’ A contemporary Oratorio for Soloists,
Chorus and orchestra to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the presentation of the Authorised
Bible to King James.

All Saints Church – Lindfield
Admission free - Collection to help cover expenses
All Welcome

HUGS: Izzy's Appeal

SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER

Izzy’s appeal, Wivelsfield Village Hall, Eastern Road, East Sussex, many stalls & games, a traditional family fun day out. Start time; 12.30pm
Contact 01342 315976, www.hugs-uk.com

Movie Showcase 2011

Tuesday 25th October at 20.00
Haywards Heath MovieMakers
Wesley Hall, Methodist Church,
Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath

Movie Showcase 2011 – Our Annual Public Showing
A selection of our award winning films will be shown at Wesley Hall, Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath on Tuesday 25th October 2011 at 8 pm
Doors open at 7.45pm.
Tickets £4 on the door, including refreshments.
A raffle will be held in the interval.

Visitors very welcome, simply come along and see what we do. For more information about Haywards Heath MovieMakers please see our website: www.hhcvs.f9.co.uk

Flu Vaccinations in Mid Sussex

Round up.....round up all patients of Mid Sussex Health Care!

Flu is unpleasant for everybody, but for the general healthy population it is a relatively short illness which people recover from quite quickly...this is why we don't offer the flu vaccination to everyone although it can be much more serious for certain groups of people. If you are: over the age of 65, are pregnant, have an ongoing medical condition eg: kidney/liver/heart disease or are a carer then please JUST TURN UP for your flu vaccicine at one of the following surgeries ( no appointment necessary)

Hurstpierpoint Health Centre
Saturday 8th October 9:30-11:30

Hassocks Health Centre
Saturday 15th October 9:30-11:30

Ditchling Health Centre
Saturday 22nd October 9:30-11:30

Mid Sussex Health Care
Telephone: 01273 834388 Fax: 01273834529

Mid Sussex Wine Society

Mid Sussex Wine Society: Dark Star will be holding a Beer Tasting on Tuesday October 4th. at 8pm in the King Edward Hall, Lindfield.

(Meeting and membership information from Angela Seward. 01444 484447)

FREE MEALS at The Sportsman, Goddards Green

Dear Valued Client,

We know that everyone’s finances are being stretched to the limit, so here’s a little help to make your money go further!

FREE Main Course Offer
Please print off this voucher to enjoy a FREE Main Course meal*

Valid TUESDAY to FRIDAY for lunch & dinner – but only until 14th October inc.
when dining from our standard menu & specials only.

*Simply purchase any TWO Main Course dishes & the lowest value MAIN is FREE
No cash alternative, bookings advisable – Please quote database offer when booking. 

Subject to availability
May not be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion / set menu
· PLEASE PRESENT VOUCHER UPON ARRIVAL –
· The BIGGER the party you book, the BIGGER the saving on the bill!

e: eat@thesportsmanpub.com
t: 01444 233460
w: www.thesportsmanpub.com

The Sportsman, Cuckfield Road, Goddards Green BN6 9LQ
Find us on Twitter (@thesportsmanpub)
and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thesportsmanpub

Lunchtime Concert at Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield

Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield, Lunchtime Concert.  A celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Franz Liszt.  Monday 24th October at 1.00pm with piano and organ music played by Ken Sagar.  Admission free but donations warmly welcomed in aid of the Church's Re-ordering Appeal.

‘Spirit of the Downs’ - Photography Exhibition at Court Gardens Vineyard, Ditchling

Court Gardens Vineyard, Orchard Lane, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8TH
10am-5.30pm: Sun 2 Oct, Sat 8 Oct, Sun 9 Oct, Sat 15 Oct, Sun 16 Oct.
FREE ENTRY

For the first three weekends in October, Court Gardens Vineyard near Ditchling is to play host to a fascinating exhibition of work by award winning Brighton photographer Oliver Perrott.

Housed in a picturesque nineteenth century barn, the show entitled ‘Spirit of the Downs’ draws it’s inspiration from the South Downs Way which stretches from the city of Winchester in the west to the chalky cliffs at Eastbourne in the east. Curated by Sussex based Fawn Art Consultancy, the exhibition portrays images of hauntingly beautiful yet commonplace landscapes that trace the influence of man. Oliver is keen to explore how this ancient landscape, moulded and shaped by human presence has developed into a natural tapestry within the South Downs National Park.

Fawn Art Consultancy have gained a reputation for their innovative exhibitions and enjoy nothing more than watching an artist’s career blossom, hoping that they can help a little bit along the way.

For more information please visit: www.fawnartconsultancy.co.uk

Exhibition sponsored by Arior Design, Butlers Wine Cellar, Spectrum Photographic & Peacehaven Framers.

One Direction coming to the Brighton Centre

1D Mania Continues Nationwide: One Direction Announce Headline UK Tour including a performance at The Brighton Centre

After months of fevered anticipation and levels of hysteria not witnessed for decades, One Direction, the UK's most exciting new pop band, announce a string of live dates across the UK and Ireland and will perform at The Brighton Centre on Sunday 8th January 2012.

Their debut single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ shot to No.1 on iTunes within 15 minutes of being released and achieved the biggest Week 1 sales of 2011, selling 153,965 copies. Their second book, ‘Dare to Dream’, released this week, also instantly rocketed to No.1.

The boys are no strangers to performing to huge crowds after wowing fans on The X Factor Live Tour earlier this year. Their first headline tour will see the band performing songs from their debut album, released this November, alongside some of their favorite covers and a few surprises.

Tickets go on sale Saturday 1st October at 10am and are available at www.brightoncentre.co.uk.

News from Hammerwood Park, East Grinstead

Dear Friends

October is a month of outstanding concerts - the first, this coming Sunday at 4pm - Neil Crossland is an exquisite pianist and composer who specialises in the emotional mastery of Schubert. He has played at Hammerwood before and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhjQSpKnQPI will demonstrate why it's a great privilege to hear him perform . . .

www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk/Neil%20Crossland%20Biography.doc gives more details.

Sunday's recital is the first of a series of recitals of the COMPLETE set of Sonatas by Schubert for piano - wonderful compositions which come to life at Hammerwood, written for the sort of keyboard tuning that we use at Hammerwood. The effect of the tuning adds most significantly to the emotion that is perceived.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTGka9jFUCU is a bad sound recording but conveys the spirit to some extent.

Children are free and adults bringing children are HALF PRICE. A great friend who doesn't come to concerts tells me that people don't come because they don't know anything about the music. . . . and that is because their adults didn't bother to bring them as children to concerts like this . . . and Schubert's music is wonderfully enjoyable even if you have not heard it before. Please TELEPHONE 01342 850594 to reserve seats.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=neil+crossland+hammerwood has many items from his last recital at which only 15 people were in the audience. Isn't his playing worth more than that? Would children who have experienced such music be rioting and looting as we witnessed in August?

The Hammerwood fashion for instrument tuning was incorporated into the organ at Cranleigh School and during the coming year there are a series of recitals of the COMPLETE works of Bach. These concerts are well worth supporting as, unlike the piano where the tuning is not of detriment to later music, the organ is a different instruments and Herbert Howells is by name and nature in the pre-20th century tuning.

http://www.organrecitals.com/1/recitals.php?regloc=Cranleigh so it will be retuned to mechanically boring blunting robotically mechanically equal spacing of notes next summer :-(

Finally this coming month at Hammerwood, on Sunday 30th October 4pm we have a very rare visit by the Master of Masters, Kazimierz Morski http://www.kazimierzmorski.com/ Of course the fashion for websites is to show glamorous photographs of youth . . . but Kazimierz is of the older generation who taught our current generation of top concert pianists. It's a great privilege to welcome him at Hammerwood. He is quite extraordinary - he visited a few months ago and upon trying the piano at Hammerwood started playing from memory all of the Chopin Mazurkas, and commented that the tuning incorporates the emotion naturally that otherwise he has to work manually into the sound of the music. He also tried the piano in the Drawing Room - (the 1854 Emerlich Betsy left to us by June Creightmore who use to live locally) and which our friend Michael Gamble has recently restrung
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk12p0eJ9uI . His playing was very magic and so I ran to get the camera - so it's a very informal recording but a fly-on-the-wall of Hammerwood when you're not around which I hope you'll enjoy.

Lastly, the concerns that I have voiced over the precipice that we face in the loss of organs and organ music were echoed this month at Zurich - http://www.zhdk.ch/index.php?id=orgel2011_home and I have put notes of the agenda, discussions and presentations, with some YouTube videos as well under the Zurich Resolution section of www.organmatters.com . I hope that we'll have some more inspirational concerts next year - perhaps the complete Widor Symphonies . . . . (I'm fed up of hearing that thing we hear at weddings in splendid isolation, as far as the general public are concerned, being the only enjoyable thing that the organ plays . . . ) It's great to be able to mix the traditional sometimes with the avant garde at Hammerwood, as Ben Scott did with the organ this summer. For those of you who enjoyed that recital, Zurich presented an interesting piece which I completely hated upon first hearing but which subsequently presented images which made for me the sound entirely addictive -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywRs__M6l4o which I hope you'll enjoy - the Organ as Instrument of Terror ! - perhaps in the late evening with quietness to listen and good speakers. Also interesting there, in the Steiner Christian Community church there is an organ with not just white notes and black notes but every note in addition between them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRmLHvtHruk There was also an experimental demonstration of an instrument with variable wind pressure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxhgZObqlLw which is being incorporated into three large conventional instruments to provide additional soundscapes. Whilst possibly considered horrid, these areas of avant garde do bring the classical instrument into the modern realm as something that modern composers can embrace and include - in film scores and other areas of modern music otherwise passing over the organ as mere dead elephants.

Best wishes,

David Pinnegar
Hammerwood Park,
Hammerwood
West Sussex RH19 3QE

Sussex Enterprise: Chambers urge Osborne to back £50bn of Quantitative Easing

Sussex Enterprise is backing calls by the British Chambers of Commerce for an additional £50bn of quantitative easing

The British Chambers of Commerce has written to the Chancellor this week calling for an additional £50bn of quantitative easing in a bid to help the economy. The call comes ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, on November 29th.

Sussex Enterprise supports their national call for this extra money which should be used to purchase private assets such as infrastructure loans and small business loans.

The letter includes other measures that business wants the Chancellor to announce in his Autumn Statement, such as:

• The Bank of England should consider negative interest rates for bank deposits – so they are encouraged to lend
• Immediate and real action to roll back regulation and red tape in the UK and Europe
• More spending on infrastructure
• Prioritise spending to use money and tax breaks to help business such as additional trade finance support for small firms and restoring the UKTI budget.

Heber Opera: Fidelio

Following a very successful production of Donizetti’s comic opera, The Elixir of Love, in May, Heber Opera turns to more weighty matters with a production of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio. The production will be performed at seven venues in Sussex during November.

The opera tells the story of the search by Leonora for her husband, Florestan, who has been falsely imprisoned by his bitter enemy, Pizarro. Leonora disguises herself as a young man, Fidelio, to gain access to the prison, and eventually discovers her husband locked away in the deepest dungeon awaiting his death. She rescues Florestan and he is freed by the minister of state along with the other political prisoners. Pizarro is banished and the opera ends with general rejoicing.

Fidelio covers all the emotions, particularly the strength of love between two people, and also deals with the triumph of good over evil. Beethoven’s music reflects the range of emotions to the full. The opera includes the famous quartet, ‘Mir ist so Wunderbar’, which we have regularly performed at concerts, the Prisoners Chorus and the closing scene, an operatic tour de force similar to the final movement of Beethoven’s 9th symphony.

The soloists are Veronica Brooks, Tim Crouch, Steve Hawksley, Mike MacKenzie, Sally Wilson, Richard Bacon and Andy Holden, supported by the Heber Opera chorus and orchestra, under the direction of Michael Withers. The opera is sung in English.

Performance dates and venues are as follows:

Friday 18 November All Saints Centre, Lewes 7.30 pm
Saturday 19 November The King Edward Hall, Lindfield 7.30 pm
Sunday 20 November The Steyning Centre 6.00 pm
Thursday 24 November St Peter’s Church, Henfield 7.30 pm
Friday 25 November Uckfield Civic Centre 7.30 pm
Saturday 26 November St George’s Church, Kemp Town 7.30 pm
Sunday 27 November Hurstpierpoint Village Centre 6.00 pm

Tickets are £12 (concessions £10) for reserved seats and £10 (concessions £8) for non-reserved seats, and are available from the box office on 01273 543709.

Peter Owen-Jones at St Swithuns, East Grinstead

Tickets still on sale for an evening with Peter Owen-Jones on 1st Oct, St Swithun's East Grinstead. £10 from Parish Office.

Sussex Orchids

Lindfield Preservation Society - King Edward Hall on Tuesday 15th November at 2.30 - an illustrated talk on “Sussex Orchids” by David Lang . (Meeting and Membership information from John Chapman 01444 484470).

Burgess Hill Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert

Burgess Hill Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert
Saturday 19th November at 7.30pm
St. Andrew's Church,
Junction Road
Burgess Hill

Programme to include:
Prelude to Meistersingers by Wagner
Symphony No. 6 by Dvorak
Elgar Cello Concerto with renound local cellist Pavlos Carvalho

Tickets £12(£10)
Available on the door, from Burgess Hill Town Help Point or 01444-243683

End summer in style at the Forest Row Festival Friday 30 Sep - Sunday 2 Oct

Almost 500 performers are descending on Forest Row for the three day Forest Row Festival next weekend. The village will be humming with activity: dance, drama, music, children's activities, and the Bike Fest (now in it's 11th glorious year). Don't forget the finals of Forest Row's Got Talent, featuring amazing undiscovered local singers and musicians.

The Festival opens with a Group Meditation on Thursday evening and the play 'Lone Star' by the Barebones Project, which opens at the Foresters' Arms on Wednesday.

Wristbands will be available at the Foresters' Arms from 7 p.m. on Wednesday 28 September (Children: £1, Teens (10-17) £5, Adults (18+) £15 for the whole three days). Includes a 10% discount from participating local businesses.

The Auction prizes on Saturday evening include: a night with Funkee Junkee, one day course at Forest Garden Shovelstrode, one session of Business Consultancy, a night in a Luxury Yurt, or a signed print of an Original Festival Illustration. There's a raffle on Sunday evening with great prizes donated by Alex Jones, Ashdown Gallery, Bishops Hardware, Bramble Corner, Brookes-Smith Antiques, Cadari, Co-op, Java & Jazz, Lennys, Neilson Boutique and The Swan.

Stalls for shopping, and hot food for energy...and the Met Office is predicting a heatwave next week.

It's a party for the whole village and all our friends...see you there!

Contacts:

Breaking news, full programme and updates are on Facebook (Forest Row Festival) or check out our website www.forestrowfestival.org.

Performers can still contact Gary Wright on 0785 4072044 / 01342826066 or by email at wright1999@btinternet.com.

To reserve or prepay wristbands, or all other enquiries, contact Cheryl Hawkins on 0771 5558998 or by mail at cheryl@forestrowletting.com.

Holiday on Ice supports Brighton’s Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

The Brighton Centre is delighted to announce that a percentage of proceeds from the opening night of Holiday on Ice’s production of Tropicana – The Passion Tour will support the incredible work of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

The show which opens on Friday 13th January 2012 has consistently helped local charities for over 30 years now with this year being no exception for Rockinghorse which raises vital funds for research, equipment and support for children’s hospitals across Sussex and Surrey.

Howard Barden, Venues Manager at The Brighton Centre, commented: “We are delighted to be able to help raise vital funds for Rockinghorse via the first night of Holiday on Ice. It is the perfect opportunity for the public to enjoy first class breathtaking entertainment whilst knowing that they are helping such a great cause.”

Analiese Doctrove, Rockinghorse Fundraising Manager, added: “We are delighted and very grateful that Holiday on Ice has chosen Rockinghorse as its beneficiary charity. Tropicana will no doubt be spectacular – and the money raised will make a huge difference to local sick and disabled children – so please go along to show your support.”

TROPICANA will be delighting audiences in Brighton from Friday 13th – Sunday 29th January 2012. Tickets are available from www.brightoncentre.co.uk or from the box office on 0844 847 1515.

Coffee morning at Jennifleur, Burgess Hill

You are invited to a Macmillan Coffee Morning in aid of cancer research:

Fri 30th September from 10 am

Jennifleur
163 Lower Church Road
Burgess Hill
RH15 9SG
Tel. 01444 257797

Soul of the City Choir

Tonight (Wednesday 28th September) sees Soul of the City Choir continue their new term. The taster sessions have been and gone but... if anyone thinks they've missed out they can still try the choir one last time tonight for £5.

If you like the choir & wish to join after the session the remaining fee is £65 and payable by cash/cheque.

Time: 7:30-9:00pm
Venue:Downlands Community School, Hassocks.
Email: hassockschoir@hotmail.co.uk for further details.

The choir sings classics from Stevie Wonder to Paul Simon and is open to all from shower singers to professional. The 12 week term culminates in charity concerts. Vanessa the choir leader can't wait to get singing some great songs with you this autumn! :)

www.soulofthecitychoir.com

Ballroom and Sequence Dance

Saturday 12th November
Ballroom & Sequence Dance. Croft Hall, Burgess Hill School for Girls, Keymer Road RH15 0EG. ‘Winter Ball’ 8.00pm. Doors open 7.45pm. £5.00. Refreshments incl. Free on-site parking. 01444 248926

Fire Walk - do you dare??

Fire Walk - do you dare?

Come and join us for the most challenging experience of your life! Friday 25th November.

8.30 p.m. (training at 7.30 p.m., advance entry only)

£10 entry fee, £100 minimum sponsorship, minimum age 16. If you are up to the challenge Tel: 01444 471598 or email: fundraising@stpeter-stjames.org.uk

Spaces are limited, so please get in touch today!

The Potters Pub, Burgess Hill
Friday 25th November 2011
7:30pm for training
£10 entry fee and £100 minimum sponsor form

Mid Sussex Ramblers

Saturday 1st October 14.30
6 mile Hurstpierpoint Circular to the south. Walk across fields via Wanbarrow Farm – Locks Green Cottages – Newtimber Church – Wolstonbury Hill – Ashen Plantation – Danny. One steep ascent. Walk will take approx. 3 hours. Contact 01273 846995.

Cowdray Ghost Walk

Cowdray Ghost Walk

Friday 30th September, 20.30

Presented by Paul Ullson. Walk with us in the twilight hours and discover the legends and legacies of historic Cowdray. Not for the faint-hearted, or anyone under the age of 11. Tickets £7, bookable in advance. Tel: 01730 810781 E-mail: info@cowdray.org.uk. www.cowdray.org.uk

New for 2011/12 ! Vintage Hen Parties

Fancy a hen party or special birthday party with a difference? Ever wondered what you would look like as Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable or Marilyn Monroe? Then throw a Vintage party!

Get your friends together and professional hair and makeup artist Clare Parker will come to your house or venue and style you vintage! For an extra treat add our scrumptious Vintage Tea; all prepared by a professional cake chef.

Go on, Va Va Vintage!

Call Clare on 07867 522786 and see marvellous makeup.co.uk/ vintage parties for details.

Centenary Gala Dinner in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

There can’t be many people who have not heard of Macmillan Cancer Support and the invaluable work it does within our community. Many families in the local area have been helped through the very difficult time of having a loved one struggling with this disease.

But did you know Macmillan is celebrating 100 years this year? To mark this momentous occasion, Macmillan is hosting a gala centenary dinner at Jeremy’s Restaurant on Friday November 18th. The special dinner, which is being sponsored by Savills Haywards Heath, is being organised by the Haywards Heath committee of Macmillan which was founded back in 1975 and has successfully raised thousands of pounds since then with a host of fund-raising activities across the region.

Now they are raising funds to build The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre in Brighton and urgently need to raise an additional £3.7 million towards the total building cost of £5.7 million and to cover staff costs for four years.

Macmillan history:

In 1911 a civil servant, Douglas Macmillan, who lived in Castle Carey, Somerset felt helpless witnessing the suffering of his father in his terminal stages of cancer. With a gift of just £40 he formed The Society for the Prevention and Relief to give help to cancer sufferers and research preventative treatments. With originally just 40 members and supported only by donations, just as today, the first 10 years were difficult but, after redefining the aims of the charity to focus on cancer care he changed the name to the National Society for Cancer Relief. Within twenty years the society was providing financial help with travel costs, medicines, clothing and home visits from “patient visitors” – as do Macmillan nurses today. Douglas Macmillan died in 1969 (ironically from cancer) but he saw his idea grow to what it is today.

The first Macmillan nurses began working in the 70’s and the charity changed its name to the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund. There are now over 3,000 Macmillan nurses providing support at home and in hospital; four working in The Princess Royal Hospital. Every penny donated, counts.

Tickets for the gala centenary dinner at Jeremy’s Restaurant are now on sale - £40 per person for a carefully-crafted 3-course dinner, arrival aperitif, coffee and petit fours. Commenting on their involvement, Sophie Wysock-Wright of Savills Haywards Heath said, “We are delighted to be able to offer support to such a valuable cause and are looking forward to being part of the centenary fund raising.”

7.30pm for 8pm, smart / casual dress code. For ticket purchases please contact David Metcalfe on Tel: 01444 415060

Free for All in England’s Green and Pleasant Land?

Local environmental campaign group, the South Downs Society, has joined a chorus of opposition to the government’s intended changes to the planning system.

The Society – unofficial “Friends” organisation for the new South Downs National Park – fears that weakening the constraints on new development could lead to acres of new housing across attractive countryside in Sussex and Hampshire.

Says Society Planning Officer Steve Ankers, “the existing planning system has served the country well. It can always be improved but why throw out the baby with the bathwater? Government is now saying that new house building should only be refused in special circumstances and council planners should no longer be carefully balancing the economic, social and environmental issues in each case. And under the new proposals local communities will have less opportunity to have their say.”

Government ministers, defending the new draft National Planning Policy Framework, claim that the new focus on “sustainable development” means that the environment will be protected. But campaigners say the term has become meaningless and there will be long, costly public planning inquiries around the country while lawyers argue about what it means.

“At least the current system provides some consistency and predictability, so house-builders, local people and interest groups like ours have some idea what to expect”, says Steve, “but the new set-up is a recipe for chaos. The new guidelines are so vague as to be meaningless, developers will want to try their luck in all sorts of locations and nowhere will be totally safe.”

The new draft Framework does contain a promise that national parks and other special areas will continue to be safeguarded but the South Downs Society is not reassured. “Even if that proves to be true in practice,” says Steve, “the prospects for the towns, villages and countryside around the national park look grim. Much of the joy of being in the South Downs comes from the gorgeous views looking from the high ground within the park towards the coast or the Weald, and that’s just where the protection is being stripped away.”

The Society, and other countryside bodies, are pressing government hard to change their mind over the changes.

If you share their concerns, respond to the government consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework taking place until 17 October at www.communities.gov.uk

Henfield Theatre Company: The School for Scandal

The Henfield Theatre Company are proud to offer for their Autumn production The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, directed by Jerry Nice.

This play is often called the greatest comedy of manners in the English language and is one of the most frequently performed of all the theatre classics. It displays Sheridan’s mastery of stage comedy, his flair for witty dialogue and his delight in satirising the pretentiousness of 18th century high society.

So, why not put the following dates in your diary and treat yourselves to an evening of 18th century comedy and be glad you live in the 21st century – or maybe not!

Performances will be on the 20th, 21st and 22nd October 2011 at The Henfield Hall,

Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9DB at 7.45pm and tickets are priced at £8.00 for elevated seating and £6.00 for ground level seating.

Tickets are obtainable from the box office at Henfield Furnishings, High Street, Henfield, BN5 9DB (telephone 01273 490080) from the 3rd October and the production has been sponsored by Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel & Spa (telephone 01273 857567)

MADE11 – Brighton’s Design and Craft Fair

MADE11 is Brighton’s Design and Craft Fair. This high quality, contemporary craft and design event offers the public the opportunity to buy original and exceptional work from the best local and national designer / makers. Tthe Fair will showcase over 100 highly original makers and designers. From colourful glassware to the softest knitted textiles, elegant ceramics to dazzling jewellery and beautiful basketry to fabulous fashion, this is the perfect opportunity for visitors to view and buy unique pieces in a friendly and informal atmosphere.


Corn Exchange, Church Street, Brighton
18th – 20th November, 2011 – 11am – 17.00
£6, under 14s free


Contact Anne-Marie Shepherd
info@made11.co.uk, 07765 255044, www.made11.co.uk

Mid Sussex Open 4 Business 2011

Mid Sussex will be Open 4 Business again this year. Mid Sussex District Council, in association with local Business Associations and the Federation of Small Businesses, is hosting the fourth Open 4 Business exhibition and networking event at the Norfolk Pavilion at the South of England Showground, Ardingly on Wednesday, 9th November 2011 (5pm-8.30pm).

The focus of this year’s event will be on growing and developing successful businesses in Mid Sussex. The event will help you to discover new opportunities within the District and is a great chance to meet other people running businesses in the District. There will be a wide range of information for starting up, growing and developing all types of business, including small, home-based businesses. Being a successful company in the District will be a key focus of the speakers at the event.

Open 4 Business 2011 will also provide a superb opportunity for local businesses to promote themselves. Mid Sussex companies providing business services who would like a trade stand would be warmly welcomed – exhibitors from previous years say the event does bring business to business sales opportunities. IT, legal and financial services, marketing and training will be among the exhibitors.

Business support organisations and associations will be there. Last year’s representatives included HM Revenue and Customs, enterprise support organisations and training colleges and universities. The Federation of Small Businesses and the Local Business Associations will also be on hand to share information about the services they can offer to local companies.

Relaxed and informal networking sessions will allow you to share experiences and promote your particular business to other local companies. There will be free refreshments and a bar will be provided throughout the evening.

Around 50 exhibitors and 150 business visitors attended the Open 4 Business 2010 event.

The event is FREE to visitors and is an opportunity no Mid Sussex Business should miss. Prior registration will be required, so keep a look out on the Mid Sussex District Council website www.midsussex.gov.uk/open4business for further information and how to register. For more information, please contact open4business@midsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01444 477007.

Sussex Living is the media partner for this event

Giant sale of books & bric-a-brac!

Friends of St Peter & St James Hospice

Registered Charity No 288522

Giant sale of books & bric-a-brac

Saturday 12th November

10-4 o’clock at the Hospice

North Common Road, North Chailey

Over the years we have received more stock than we have been able to sell. We are running out of space, and need to dispose of

Books

A library of over 5,000 in all subjects, fiction and non-fiction, sorted by subject and in good condition

Bric-a brac

Curios, jewellery, china, power tools, ornaments, electical goods etc. in great variety

plus

homemade produce

* light refreshments *easy parking

Dealers welcome Queries to Bruce Haithwaite (Chairman) – 01444 440418 or jbruce.haithwaite@tesco.net

Hurst Festival 2011 - street parade

Sussex Bootcamp!

“The Quickest, Easiest, And Most Fun Way To Jump Start Your Fitness Programme, Lose Pounds And Inches - Fast And Look And Feel Great In Just Four Short Weeks”

Next Bootcamps start 10th Oct and 14th Nov
6.15am, 9.30 am, 6.15 pm, 7.15 pm
Haywards Heath, Horsham, Lewes, Worthing, Crawley
www.sussexbootcamps.co.uk
info@sussexbootcamps.co.uk
01444 340030

Quiz Night for Amnesty International

East Grinstead & District Amnesty International Group
presents their annual 

QUIZ NIGHT
22 October 2011

Ashurstwood Village Centre
Maypole Road
 

Doors Open: 7.00
QUIZ STARTS: 7.30
 

PRICE: £8 INCLUDES SUPPER
Please bring your own drinks (and glasses!)
 

TEAMS OF UP TO 8 PEOPLE
(or come along and join a table)
 

Phone: 01342 322095 (weekends or evenings) 

to book your tickets or send email to peterellway@fsmail.net

What’s on in October for Lindfield Horticultural Society

Saturday 8 October Coffee Morning and Plant Sale
Coffee and plants in the King Edward Hall from 10 – 12. All welcome.

Wednesday 12 October Talk by Bob Brown Unusual Winter Plants. A Nurseryman in Worcestershire, Bob has a life-long obsession with hardy perennials. He is a member of the Herbaceous and Trials Committees of the RHS and writes for various periodicals. Entry 50p for members, £1 for visitors. In the King Edward Hall at 8pm. www.lindfieldhorts.org.uk

Lindfield Preservation Society

Lindfield Preservation Society - King Edward Hall on Wednesday 18th October at 8.00pm - an illustrated talk on “Sussex by the Sea” by Mark Perry-Nash . (Meeting and Membership information from John Chapman 01444 484470).

Fashion Show for St Peter & St James Hospice

 A collection of sophisticated chic clothes will be modelled at the Lewes Con Club by a group of gorgeous girls, on November 16th 2011.

Produced by noted national events organiser Travelling Trends, this fashion show is being held to support the essential work carried out by St Peter and St James Hospice.

The fashion show is being presented by the friends of Jane Goodall, who was an ardent supporter of the Hospice, but who sadly succumbed to cancer earlier this year.

Each of the ten lovely ladies modelling the clothes were all pals of Jane’s and are enthusiastically preparing for the event in her memory.

Organiser Sarah Clowes says “The girls are already in rehearsal for the big event with lots of laughter and giggling taking place as they learn to change their clothes quickly and get the hang of taking to the catwalk. We do have professional advisors on hand and on the night the show will be brilliant; an event of which Jane would be proud.”

Jane was well known in Lewes as a kindly lady, full of good humour, who dedicated her life to teaching deprived children in a poor area of London. For almost thirty years, she travelled each day on the train to school, once famously appearing on John Peel’s BBC Breakfast show as a member of the Lewes early commuter’s club, ‘The Red Eye Brigade’.

It was because of her appreciation of the care given to her during her illness that Jane was an enthusiastic supporter of the work the hospice does in caring for sick people.

So her friends in Lewes have launched the fashion show, as a memorial to Jane, while providing practical support to the Hospice.

There will be trendy togs for females on sale at the show, selling at rock bottom prices.

Sarah adds “This is an event not to be missed. Good value, good fun and a good cause.”

And four lucky people will be going to France after the show. One of the raffle prizes is free accommodation for a fortnight’s break in the Lot Valley region for a quartet of friends.

The fashion show kicks off at 7.00pm on Wednesday November 16 at Lewes Con Club. Tickets are £5.00 with a free glass of wine and are available at Sage, The Old Needlemakers and Castle Hair Stylists.

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Holiday on Ice supports Brighton’s Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

The Brighton Centre is delighted to announce that a percentage of proceeds from the opening night of Holiday on Ice’s production of Tropicana – The Passion Tour will support the incredible work of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

The show which opens on Friday 13th January 2012 has consistently helped local charities for over 30 years now with this year being no exception for Rockinghorse which raises vital funds for research, equipment and support for children’s hospitals across Sussex and Surrey.

On Wednesday 28th September, members of the cast will be meeting with staff from the charity to mark the public ticket on sale date for The Brighton Centre.

Howard Barden, Venues Manager at The Brighton Centre, commented: “We are delighted to be able to help raise vital funds for Rockinghorse via the first night of Holiday on Ice. It is the perfect opportunity for the public to enjoy first class breathtaking entertainment whilst knowing that they are helping such a great cause.”

Analiese Doctrove, Rockinghorse Fundraising Manager, added: “We are delighted and very grateful that Holiday on Ice has chosen Rockinghorse as its beneficiary charity. Tropicana will no doubt be spectacular – and the money raised will make a huge difference to local sick and disabled children – so please go along to show your support.”


TROPICANA will be delighting audiences in Brighton from Friday 13th – Sunday 29th January 2012. Tickets are available from www.brightoncentre.co.uk or from the box office on 0844 847 1515.

Forest Row Festival

The 10th annual Forest Row Festival is a delicious end-of-summer treat, presenting a bumper crop of music and fun from local and regional entertainers and performers from 30 September to 2 October. So far, we have: a bike ride, a tree walk, and fresh air activities. A dedicated children's area with face-painting, activities, crafts and fun, art shows (including one for young artists), films (some locally made), plenty of drama, a barn dance, dance tasters and workshops, a tea dance, poetry readings and talks by local authors, a drumming circle on the Green, open mic and acoustic sessions, lots of young bands, including George Gleeson and Billy Bell Ottewill (room for a few more, contact Gary Wright if you are interested), Simon Wells and Friends at the Foresters Arms, dancing to Funkee Junkee in the Marquee, Jazz from the fabulous Rabbit Foot duo, Plink, the ukulele band, classical music, ska, jazz, rock, blues, Irish, Scottish, folk, gypsy, dubstep and soul music, the winner of Forest Row's Got Talent and stalls and hot food for energy!

You'll love this year's feast of music and performance. Bring everyone you know and party!

For up to date information find us on Facebook (Forest Row Festival) or check out our website www.forestrowfestival.org.

If you are a musician, dancer, or other performer, contact Gary Wright on 0785 4072044 / 01342826066 or by email at wright1999@btinternet.com. If you have a venue available, or are interested in sponsoring part of the Festival, contact Kim Leys on 07748967194. For all other enquiries, contact Cheryl Hawkins on 0771 5558998 or by mail at cheryl@forestrowletting.com.

Lancing College welcomes Robert Quinney, Westminster Abbey’s distinguished organist for a recital in the College Chapel

Lancing College welcomes Robert Quinney, Westminster Abbey’s distinguished organist

for a recital in the College Chapel

to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the installation of the two Chapel organs

Wednesday, 28^th September 2011 at 7.30pm

A programme of music spanning over 400 years, played on the Chapel’s famous Frobenius and Walker organs

Robert Quinney is one of the finest organists of his generation, and was the organist at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April. He comes to Lancing to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the installation of the two organs in Chapel, the 2 manual Frobenius and the 4 manual Walker. With over 4,500 pipes to choose from, it promises to be an evening of fireworks!

The programme that Robert Quinney has chosen includes the glorious Bach Trio Sonatas, transposed for the Frobenius organ, and one of Bach’s grandest works, the C major Prelude and Fugue, which he will play on the great Walker organ. He will also feature two other masters of the past, Byrd and Vierne, as well as a more contemporary take on organ music.

All are welcome, and tickets can be bought at the door, priced £7

The Hawth: Rhythm of the Dance, 3 October 8pm

Monday 3 October 8pm, The Hawth Theatre
RHYTHM OF THE DANCE
with special guests The Three Irish Tenors

A two-hour dance and music extravaganza showcasing a wealth of Irish talent.

Having played to over three million people in 43 countries around the world, this stunning 10th anniversary show features breathtaking dance with the best music and song from the Emerald Isle, performed by some of the world’s finest dancers and musicians.

With stunning costumes, 22 dancers and live music from the Three Irish Tenors, Rhythm of the Dance will take your breath away as you are led through ancient Irish tales of celtic clans, power, war, peace and above all hope.

Be sure to experience Rhythm of the Dance at The Hawth this Autumn.
Tickets: £21 (discounts: £19)
You can get a taste of the show and book online now by clicking here or call The Hawth Box Office today!

Box Office: 01293 553636
Online: www.hawth.co.uk

Santas on the run

Join hundreds of other people dressed as Santa and choose a one or two mile fun run through Crawley town centre on Sunday 20 November 2011, and help a good claus this Christmas. Last year’s run raised £15,000 for Chestnut Tree House, the children’s hospice for Sussex, and we hope this year will be even bigger and better! The run starts and finishes in the Memorial Gardens and registration costs £12 per adult, £6 per child under 16 and £3 per child under 6. This includes a Santa suit for adults over 16 and a Santa hat for all children. Santas on the Run is fun for all the family and will really help you get into the festive spirit. For more information call the Events Team on 01903 871817 or register online at www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk.

Wivelsfield Flower Festival Sat 24-Sun 25 Sep

Hassocks Horticultural Society, Adastra Hall, Hassocks

Wednesday 12th October 7.45 for 8pm
Adastra Hall, Keymer Road, Hassocks.

Our guest speaker on this occasion, Harry Townsend. will be giving an illustrated talk with the unusual title of " Building a Fantasy Garden for Eccentrics". So come along to see him. Admission is £1 members, £2 visitors, which includes refreshments. All welcome.

National Trust Lectures

An Invitation to all National Trust Members living in Sussex to join our afternoon and evening lectures at clair Hall, Haywards Heath on the following dates:

2 30pm September 29th
‘Shackleton’ by Patrick Coulcher

7 30pm October 6th
‘The Bank of England’ by Tim Kidd

2 30pm November 10th
‘Wiston House, West Sussex’ by Dr. Janet Pennington

2 30pm AGM followed by Social Event

2 30pm December 8th
‘Moths & Butterflies of Rural Rye’ by Colin Payne


For further details regarding Membership and Lecture charges please contact the Honorary Membership Secretary on 01444 457648.

Flower and Harvest Festival 24-25 September

Flower and Harvest Festival at the three parish churches:
St Barholomews, Albourne
Christ Church, Sayers Common
St Peters, Twineham

24-25 September

• Walking route between the three churches (approx 10 miles), map available at each church
• Ploughman’s Lunch at Sayers Common church on 25th September, 12 noon (£5 adults, £2.50 children)
• Teas and refreshment at other churches

Grand Finale at St Bartholomews, Albourne on 25th September, 6pm. Songs of Praise with the congregation singing popular hymns.

Come and join us.

Chandlers Community Spirit

Local builders merchants, Chandlers Building Supplies illustrated the true meaning of community spirit by donating 20 bags of sand to South Malling Pre-school following an attack by mindless vandals.

The sandpit, located in the garden of South Malling Pre-school, Lewes, was set upon by vandals who scattered its contents across the garden, leaving the remainder exposed to the elements, rendering it unusable. The toddlers, aged from two to five, were devastated by the attack, which also affected the schools playhouse and pirate ship.

The donation of sand made by Chandlers has contributed to the reconstruction of the damaged outdoor space enabling the garden to once again be enjoyed by the children.

Nigel Williams, Sales Office Manager of the Chandlers Ringmer branch, commented: “When such mindless acts of destruction take place it is essential that communities come together to overcome the negative effects. Here at Chandlers we always keen to help the local community in whatever way we can. We hope that the garden at South Malling Pre-school can be restored as soon as possible so the toddlers once again have an outdoor space they can enjoy”.

Help Made Simpler

Help Made Simpler provides local, reliable, friendly and affordable cleaners @ £11.50 per hour. Our helpers are insured, reference checked and vetted. Call Nanci on 0774 0981855

Live Music at The Sportsman, Goddards Green

Sunday 25th September
Kit Bradshaw solo singer
for a perfect end to a lazy Sunday afternoon live from 630pm

e: eat@thesportsmanpub.com
t: 01444 233460
w: www.thesportsmanpub.com
The Sportsman, Cuckfield Road, Goddards Green BN6 9LQ

Find us on Twitter (@thesportsmanpub) and Facebook (The Sportsman Pub, Goddards Green)

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service News: FIREFIGHTERS CLEAN UP FOR CHARITY

Despite the adverse weather conditions firefighters from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service raised an outstanding £2978 washing cars on Saturday 17th September as part of The Fire Fighters Charity National Car Wash .

They spent the day giving hundreds of cars an emergency shampoo and polish in return for a donation to the national Firefighters Chrity, which provides pioneering treatment and invaluable support to more than 17,000 firefighters who are injured each year.

The stations that took part were:
Arundel
Billingshurst
Chichester
Henfield
Midhurst
Shoreham-By-Sea
Turners Hill

Hurstpierpoint Station will be holding their car wash day this Saturday (24th September) so if your car looks like it could do with the emergency once over get on down and support your local firefighters as they raise funds for a worthy cause.

CHAMPION TREE WALK AT BORDE HILLL GARDEN

20TH OCTOBER 2011, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Explore exotic trees flourishing at Borde Hill over the last 100 years and get top tips by Head Gardener Andy Stevens who will lead a walk around Borde Hill Garden on October 20th looking at some of the ‘champion’ trees as well as other interesting trees.

Borde Hill’s extensive collection of woody plants results primarily from the collecting of Col Stephenson R Clarke who from the early 20th century up until the Second World War sponsored numerous plant hunting expeditions around the world.

Collectors included Forrest, Kingdon Ward, Wilson , Farrer, Comber and Rock.

As a result of Col Clarkes policy of planting where he thought plants would grow best rather than where they would necessarily look their best has resulted in the collection now having 82 champion trees, believed to be the largest number in a private garden in Britain.

Some interesting specimens include;
Chamaecyparis formosensis, grown from seed sent back from Taiwan by Henry Elwes;
Discaria discolor from South America collected by Harold Comber
Aer longipes from China, collected by Ernest Wilson
Quercus coccifera from North Africa
Magnolia fraseri from SE United States

RHS Members £12, non-members £14.40
To book contact the RHS on 0845 6121253
Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XP
www.bordehill.co.uk

Star Cinema, Hassocks FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

Star Cinema, Adastra Hall
FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER - please note that the date printed in Sussex Living magazine is incorrect


Our first film will be the multi award winner The King’s Speech (Cert 12A) starring Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush and Derek Jacobi. As usual the film will start at 7.30. Refreshments and raffle. Other dates for this season are: 7 October, 18 November, 20 January, 10 February and 16 March. Ticket prices held at £4/£3.50 concessions.
Sherrian Guest Tel: 842081

An evening with Rossini in Ditchling

Beacon Parish of Ditchling,  Streat & Westmeston
7pm Saturday 1st October in Ditching Village Hall

An evening with Rossini 
“Give me a laundry-list and I'll set it to music.” Rossini

Come to to enjoy an evening of fun and frivolity!  This concert of ‘words and music’ will feature the life and music of the Italian opera composer Rossini (1792-1868), along with works by Haydn, Mozart and Wagner.

Wendy Tidman – Rossini
Sue Mileham – Soprano
Ambrose Page – Piano

This concert of ‘words and music’ will provide the audience with an account of Rossini’s ‘twilight’ years with the narrative drawing upon the rich collection of anecdotes and witticisms that emanated from Rossini’s lips.

Ambrose, who has entertained us in previous years with evenings of music by such notable composers as Grieg and Mozart, will be joined by narrator Wendy Tidman and the soprano Sue Mileham.  Come along and be entertained

Tickets £7 to include a glass of wine and canapés, from Pam Burr (01273 842133) or Catharine Robinson (01273 841732)

Hurst Festival

The seventh Hurst Festival got underway amid early autumn showers as the opening parade made its way along the historic High Street on Saturday morning. Many wore fancy dress to add a carnival atmosphere to the occasion and get the sixteen-day festival off to a colourful start.

Among the mix of entertainment on offer until 1st October are a range of music, art, film, drama, literature and events aimed at all ages.

The West Ham United Chairman, David Gold, is often to be seen in Hurstpierpoint visiting his fiancee, Lesley Jill Manning. He will be giving an insight into his busy and varied commercial life at the village social club, in Willow Way, on Tuesday 27 September at 7.30pm. Here first hand about the fascinating exploits of this businessman, entrepreneur and raconteur who has led a 'rags to riches' life and has a true passion for football including imaginative plans to use the Olympic stadium after nest year's games. The festival spreads to the neighbouring village of Sayers Common where there is a special 'two-for-one' offer for the Lewes Singers Concert, also on Tuesday 27 September at 7.30pm.

And, don't miss Book Night at 8pm on Thursday 29th September with bibliotherapists Charlotte Raby and Ellas Berthoud. Perfect for those daunted by literary choice.

Among the workshops on offer, join the Maydays Improvisation Comedy Troupe between 10am and 12noon on Saturday 1st October, for an opportunity to unleash creative potential and improve technique. Perfect for beginners as well as those with some acting or comedy experience.

Full details of all the events in this year's festival, along with booking information, are available from the box office on 01273 835886 or online at www.hurstfestival.org

Vintage Fair in Cuckfield

Saturday 29th October
VINTAGE FAIR
Village-Vintage, The Old School, Cuckfield, West Sussex.

50+ Stalls selling, Vintage & Antiques, Homewares, Furniture, Vintage Textiles & Fashion, Jewellery & Accessorie. All Vintage & Beautiful Handmade items, Plus our Vintage Tea-room with delicious Homemade Cakes.

Doors Open at 11.00am-5.00pm Entrance £2.50 under14s free.
Tel: 07773360631
email: info@village-vintage.co.uk
www.village-vintage.co.uk

60s Music Evening in Ditchling

60s Music Evening in Ditchling
Saturday October 15, 7.30pm
Ditchling Village Hall

Following the last two years’ sell-out 60s music disco in Ditchling Village Hall, we are repeating the event on October 15 featuring, as before, DJ Andy Young and all those great bands of the 60s decade.

Come and dance to the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Kinks, Supremes, Manfred Mann and all your favourites and help raise money for a wildlife charity (see below) at the same time.

Tickets cost £12 and include light refreshments. A well-stocked bar will be available, but you can bring your own drinks if you prefer. As numbers are strictly limited, it is advisable to book your tickets early to avoid being disappointed, which happened to some people the last two years. Tickets are available from August 1st at Ditchling Post Office and Parkers or by phoning 01273 845361. NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR.

The charity which will benefit is Fauna & Flora International (reg charity 1011102), backed by Sir David Attenborough. Last year we helped Indonesia’s threatened orang utans; this year we’re donating the proceeds to the very endangered Cross River gorillas of Cameroon.

Make sure you get ‘Satisfaction’ by getting your ticket early – don’t risk turning ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ by leaving it too late!

Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre Raceday – Monday 17th October

Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre is holding its successful annual fund raising raceday at Plumpton Racecourse on Monday 17th October.

The Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre is nestled in the heart of the glorious Sussex Weald country, and is one of three BHA accredited racehorse rehabilitation centres in the UK.

Adrian Pratt, Chairman of the Raceday Committee said “The Moorcroft Raceday at Plumpton has already raised over £400,000 since its inception, and the annual raceday is its most successful fundraising event contributing 20% towards the annual running costs of the Centre. The money is vital to enable us to continue to retrain racehorses for life after racing, whether as a recreational or companion horse.”

The raceday features the Andy Stewart Charitable Foundation Shetland Pony Champion Hurdle at 1.45pm where 12 Shetland ponies will line up, sponsored by many prominent owners, and the Tote will run a special pool on the race. You can sponsor a Shetland Pony for £250; for more details please contact the Plumpton Racecourse office on 01273 890383 or email racing@plumptonracecourse.co.uk.

Moorcroft Raceday is also well supported by many prominent racing VIPs who attend the Moorcroft Marquee Lunch and Auction. The auctioneer will be trainer Richard Phillips who will be persuading guests to purchase a number of exciting “money can’t buy” lots on offer. To rub shoulders with many of racing’s prominent owners and trainers, tickets for the Moorcroft Marquee Package can be purchased for £80 per person from the Plumpton Racecourse office on 01273 890383.

Further details can be found online at www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk or at www.mrwc.org.uk.

WILL KANE

Saturday 24th

WILL KANE
Solo Artist
covering covers from the 50s & 60

Clayton & Keymer Royal British Legion
Woodsland Road, Hassocks
01273 845829

The Squadronaires are back in Burgess Hill

Date: Sunday 9th October 2011, The Croft Hall, Burgess Hill School for Girls, Keymer Road, Burgess Hill

Doors Open: 6:30pm for 7:15pm

Tickets available from : 01444 417635 or P & S Gallagher 01444 451166 or 01444 239869
Cost £12 no concessions

Due to popular demand:

The Squadronaires are back in Burgess Hill to perform at a CHARITY CONCERT FOR WINGS APPEAL
The money raised from this concert goes to the Royal Air Forces Association Annual WINGS APPEAL which helps serving and ex serving members of the RAF and their families when and where the need arises including all theatres of war from WWII to the present day in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We also have a few photographs and I attach a couple of one of the serving sergeants.  He is the only sergeant that leads a band in the forces, the other leaders are all officers.  The two pictures are him serving in Iraq and as drummer in the band.  (From Basra to Burgess Hill......)

Crawley Black History Month

Every year Crawley Black History Month gets bigger and better and this year is no exception with a wide variety of events taking place across the town - many of which are free!This year there is a Barbados theme, in celebration of the Barbados Olympic Team being based in Crawley in 2012. Here are just some of the great events to look out for:

Jump Up! Blue & Gold Carnival, Sat 24 September 11am, Crawley Town Centre
Everyone is welcome to get involved. Simply come along wearing blue and gold (the colours of the Barbados flag) or why not take part in one of the FREE Carnival workshops at Crawley Library on Saturday 10 and Saturday 17 September (10am - 11.30am and 2pm - 3.30pm) where there will be mask making workshops to get ready for the parade.

Jump Up! Caribbean Style, Sat 8 October 7.30pm, The Hawth
An evening of celebration showcasing local and national talent. Party Caribbean style with headline band, Brighton-based reggae outfit, Steady Bredrens and local performers include singer/songwriter Grace Saif and Len Cameron, dance from Extreme Beatz Academy plus spoken word from 20 year old Zimbabwean poet Krphk and much more.

As well as the parade, little ones can look forward two shows in The Hawth Sudio. Droplets (16 & 17 Oct) takes audiences on a wet and wonderful journey from the West to Africa and Puppetcraft bring a mythical African tale to life in Circle of Tales (22 Oct) with African and English language, puppets, video and the sweet sounds of live music played on traditional instruments.

These are just some of the highlights of the month, other events at The Hawth include Conversations with the Blues, a chance to hear from Paul Oliver and Bluesman Michael Roach (5 Oct) and the Road to Crawley Exhibition: Kufamba-Rastor/Walking the Road will be available to view from Mon 10 – Fri 21 October detailing the personal stories of journeys made and choices taken by Crawley’s African Caribbean and South Asian communities which led them to the town.

If you would like to find out more about any of the events above please visit www.crawleyblackhistory.co.uk or call The Hawth and ask for a flyer.

Box Office: 01293 553636 Online: www.hawth.co.uk

Charity Chicago Bridge Drive at Adastra Hall

Cancer Research UK will be holding a Charity Chicago Bridge Drive with Afternoon Tea at Adastra Hall, Hassocks on Thursday 27th October 1.45 for 2pm start.

To book a table please call Stella Jenner on 01273 843390.

Hurstpierpoint Family Bonfire & Fireworks

Sunday 30th October 2011

Family Bonfire & Fireworks - Danny Park, Hurstpierpoint

Get your tickets in advance for the best value.

The 16th Hurst Family Bonfire & Fireworks evening will be celebrated with a bumper display of fireworks from our regular pyrotechnic masters, on Sunday 30th October.

Families are again welcome to share the event to be held in Danny Park, New Way Lane, Hurstpierpoint. This year the event is being organised by Hurstpierpoint Gymnastics Club with assistance from Birchwood Grove PTA, the Friends of Hassocks Infants School, Hurstpierpoint Parish Council and Oldland Mill Trust. All of these groups will benefit from your support.

The Hassocks will be running their ever popular BBQ, come and enjoy the evening.

Take a 'Guy' to the Best Guy Competition before ten to six and one child will be given free admission.

Free parking on site.

Food available on site.

5.30 pm Gates open
6.00 pm Best Guy Competition Judging
6.30 pm Fireworks Display
6.50 pm Bonfire lit with all the Guys and the Best Guy on top

Advance tickets prices are by far the best value available still unchanged at last years prices.

Children Under 3 or with a Guy are free (one Guy gives admittance to one child)

Children or adults £5 on the gate or only £3 in advance

Families including up to two adults and three children £15, but still only £9 in advance.

Advance tickets will be available in Hurstpierpoint from the Minthouse and Pierpoint Pets and in Hassocks from Marchants or the Friends of Hassocks Infants School, and in Burgess Hill from Birchwood Grove PTA.

For safety reasons - No private fireworks or sparklers etc.

Tiger Arts Lunchtime Concert

All Saints Church – Lindfield
Wednesday 12th October 2011 1.00pm

Tiger Arts presents:
Hurstpierpoint College

Light lunches served in the Tiger Lounge from 12.15 pm
Admission free - Collection to help cover expenses
All Welcome

Ditchling Film Society: True Grit

Welcome back to our new and exciting season of films with our first screening on Thursday, 6 October 2011 being True Grit – a new adaptation by the Coen Bros of the classic John Wayne movie. The story is now told from the perspective of a gutsy 14 year old girl, Mattie Ross, who persuades “Rooster”, a fat, boozy old US Marshall with an eye patch to track her father’s killer through the wilderness. The situation is then complicated by a second lawman, La Boeuf, also pursuing her father, Tom Chaney, as he wants to bring him to justice on a second count. Mattie Ross is superbly played by newcomer, Hailee Steinfeld, whilst Jeff Bridges is terrific as “Rooster”. Matt Damon plays the Texan Ranger, La Boeuf, with dandyish charm whilst Josh Brolin as Tom Chaney, completes the excellent ensemble. Although slightly violent in parts, this hugely enjoyable, spoof cowboy film manages to combine it with humour. True Grit deservedly won a BAFTA in 2011 for best cinematography.

Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen. US 2010. 110 mins.

The films will be shown in Ditchling Village Hall. Films start at 8.00pm. Doors open at 7.30 pm. Free coffee and biscuits beforehand and ample free parking behind the hall. Guests and temporary members are welcome for a small charge payable at the door.

Burgess Hill Local History Society

14th October 2011

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
After the main business of the evening Fred Avery will show a selection of slides from the Society’s archives

All meetings are held in the Cyprus Hall, Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill, starting at 8pm
Admission: Members - £1.00
Visitors - £2.00
Members of other Local History Societies are admitted at the Member's rate upon production of current Membership card.

Forest Row Festival 2011

Plans are underway to make Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October the best festival weekend yet!

There'll be marquees on the Foresters Green, with live music, performances and many other events.

The annual bike ride will take place Saturday morning, and we have planned lots of other bike related happenings too!

And dance, drama, readings, stalls, children's activities and much, much more.

If you would like to contribute to the wonderfully varied programme of events or to simply give a hand please email us on forestrowfestival@gmail.com, we'd love to hear from you.As always this festival is for the community by the community!

www.forestrowfestival.org

Pumpton College comes to Haywards Heath

Diary date: Saturday, 24th September

The Autumn term at Plumpton College has now started with record student enrolment. The college provides a wide range of courses to meet the needs of the diverse nature of land based industries. Courses are available in agriculture, horticulture, equine, wine, agricultural and horticultural engineering, forestry and arboriculture, metalsmithing, floristry, sport /outdoor education, animal care, veterinary nursing and Rural Business Management. Within each subject area are a range of levels of courses, with a course not only to suit everyone but to also reflect the diversity of each of the individual industries.

If you are keen on a practical college course at Plumpton College then go along to The Orchards shopping centre, Haywards Heath on Saturday, 24th September. College staff will be on hand to inform of the range of courses, as well as provide information on College travel, student accommodation and facilities.

There are nearly 1,300 full-time students and several thousand part-time students attending courses within the wide range of provision.

Most full-time students are on either Further Education courses or Higher Education Foundation Degree and BSc provision. The college has been a partner college of the University of Brighton and works closely with the University to provide the college’s Higher Education courses.

In addition to work with post 16-year-old students, the college provides a range of courses including the new land-based and environment diploma which it delivers in partnership with Schools in the region. Several thousand schoolchildren visit the college estate each year making use of the School Children's Centre.

The majority of the College’s activities are centred on the site at Plumpton but education and training is delivered at various out centres in the east of the county. Centres are at Netherfield near Battle, Flimwell, Robertsbridge, Stanmer Park, Brighton and Pebsham.

Plumpton College
Ditchling Road, Plumpton, Nr Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AE
t:+ 44 (0) 1273 890454|f:+ 44 (0)1273 890071
e: enquiries@plumpton.ac.uk
w: www.plumpton.ac.uk

Ashurst Wood Village Players in November

ASHURST WOOD VILLAGE PLAYERS are delighted to be back in business after an absence of 18 months and equally proud to annouce that their next Production will be Alan Ayckbourn's terrific comedy-thriller "IT COULD BE ANY ONE OF US" which will run for 4 nights in November @ The Village Centre, Ashurst Wood - Doors open 7.30 Curtain Up 8.00 - Licensed Bar & Tea/Coffee.

Tickets @ £6 for Wednesday 9th, £7 for both Thursday 10th & Friday 11th and £8 for Saturday 12th November will be available MONDAY 17TH OCTOBER onwards from either The News Store (Post Office) Ashurst Wood, Bullfrog Music in East Grinstead or by calling David Woodard on 01342 313322 or Vicki/Martin Jeremiah on 01342 300494.

So please put these dates in your Diary, pop along and get yourself a ticket and we'll see you all there!!

Hassocks WI

Hassocks WI Monday 17th October, Adastra Hall 7.45 pm. AGM, small groups showcase and book sale.

TESTIMONIAL

PR Genie have been working very closely with Sussex Living, promoting their local client McIndoe Surgical Centre and have been really delighted with the level of professional, yet friendly help and advice we have received from them, especially Emma.

The partnership the magazine have with the local radio station has proved an enormous help in securing bigger and better coverage for our clients. Highly recommended to work with and my thanks to you all.

Wendy Bull,
PR Genie, East Grinstead
www.prgenie.co.uk

Parkinson's coffee morning & sale.

Refreshments and stalls for everyone at Hurstpierpoint Evangelical Church (149 High Street - next to Players Theatre)

Saturday 22nd October, 10am -12pm

Have you say on proposed parking changes in East Grinstead

Following a public consultation held earlier this year, West Sussex County Council is now asking for comments on proposals to introduce a new Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in parts of East Grinstead. The proposals also include some changes to roads within the existing scheme.

A CPZ is an area of streets where parking is controlled through the day. Residents, local businesses and their visitors are given priority to park by purchasing permits or vouchers. This can also improve road safety, reduce congestion and prevent obstructions to private driveways by removing indiscriminate parking.

A consultation was held at the beginning of the year to ask people for their views on the operation of the scheme. Around 5,000 questionnaires were distributed to test whether there was public support for any changes. As a result a number of proposals have been put forward.

Pieter Montyn, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We have listened to the comments received earlier this year from residents and businesses and have put forward proposals which we hope will help improve the parking situation in the town and its surrounding areas.

“We want to reduce congestion and access difficulties and free the roads up from all-day parking by commuters and shoppers to improve traffic flow.”

From today (Monday September 19) letters, along with plans of the proposals and a comments card, will be posted to every resident affected by the proposals.

There will also be a series of drop-in sessions, where residents can discuss the proposals directly with County Council officers.

Sessions will be held at East Grinstead Library in West Street on Saturday September, 24 between 10am and 1pm, and Thursday September 29, between 10am and 3pm.

A further drop-in session will be held at Halsford Park Primary School in Manor Road, East Grinstead, on Thursday September 29 between 6pm and 8pm.

Plans of the proposals will also be made available for viewing at East Grinstead Library and at the Town Council offices.

The closing date for comments on the proposals will be Monday October 10

Autumnal delights at Ardingly

Hot on the heels of the flagship South of England Show, preparations are well underway for the Agricultural Society’s next big event on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October.

The South of England Agricultural Society are putting the finishing touches to this year’s Autumn Show & Game Fair programme which promises to provide the sights and sounds of the countryside at harvest time.

With country sports, crafts, falconry, dog agility show, vintage machinery, stunning displays of seasonal flowers and vegetables, a wide variety of trade stands, fun fair and a mouthwatering array of local food and drink, the Show has popular appeal for all ages.

The Game Fair element, now in its sixth year, is steadily gaining momentum as interest in clay pigeon shooting is growing year on year. Dan Kerwood of Northall Clay Pigeon Club at Fletching is once again organising the shoot which gives families the ideal environment in which to try their hand.

Deborah Barber, Director of the South of England Agricultural Society, said: “Autumn may be a little way off, but the planning for our shows is an all year round activity.”

“The Autumn Show & Game Fair is a real seasonal celebration, with something for everyone - and this year’s Show promises to offer country entertainment for the whole family.” The Show is held at the South of England Centre, Ardingly, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, and is open from 9am to 5pm on both days. Tickets cost £9 for adults, £7 for students and senior citizens, £5 for children under 16 and £23 for a family ticket (two adults and two children). For further information visit the website www.autumnshow.org.uk or call 01444 892700.

Hickstead: one name, two icons

Did you know that the showground at Hickstead, West Sussex, shares its name with one of the most famous and successful showjumpers of modern times?

Ever since the All England Jumping Course was first founded in 1961, the name Hickstead has been synonymous with showjumping. But these days, the showground has to share the moniker with another showjumping great – Eric Lamaze’s phenomenally successful stallion.

The Canadian stallion is an Olympic gold medallist and has amassed more than $4,000,000 in prizemoney – a figure that shot up following Eric Lamaze and Hickstead’s victory earlier this month in the $1,002,259 CN International Grand Prix at Calgary, Canada.

So how did a certain 16hh superstar come to be named after a venue in West Sussex?

Hickstead, a Dutch Warmblood by Hamlet out of Jomara, was born in 1996 in the Netherlands. He was bred by Jan Van Schijndel, who originally christened the colt ‘Opel’, and described him as ‘very fancy but not very big’.

He was later sold to the late Rinus de Jong when he was four months old, then as a two-year-old he was sent to Conny van Stokkum’s yard. Conny noticed his incredible jumping talent, and prepared him for Dutch Riding Horse and Pony Studbook (NRPS) approval.

It was van Stokkum who changed Hickstead’s name from Opel, as Ellen Van Guyse from the Stephex Stables in Belgium explains: “When he got approved as a stallion, his name had to start with the same initial as his father’s name, which was Hamlet. The owner was always a big fan of the show, so she decided to call the horse Hickstead.”

After his approval he covered about 40 mares a year, and then was sold to the sponsors of Gerard Franssen as a six-year-old. Franssen’s son Tim initially took the ride, noting the stallions enthusiasm for the sport – and the pair quickly progressed from 1.20m to 1.35m level. Interest in the stallion also grew, and several riders expressed an interest in buying him, only to back out because of Hickstead’s relatively diminutive size.

It was at this point that Hickstead’s route to fame was truly set. The stallion was sent to Stephan Conter’s Stephex Stables, and Canadian rider Eric Lamaze visited the yard during a European ‘horse shopping’ trip. Lamaze had initial concerns about him, feeling the stallion was too expensive to be able to produce and sell on, and too small to make a speed horse. Having passed, the rest of Eric’s shopping trip proved unfruitful so he came back and tried the stallion once again, and was eventually persuaded to buy him.

It proved to be a wise decision. The pair immediately began to notch up good results in Grand Prix classes across Canada and the United States, winning the $20,000 1.50m classic in Wellington, Florida, in Spring 2005. The following year, they helped Canada to victory in the CN Nations Cup at Wellington, as well as winning individual bronze and team silver at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2008, they made their Olympic debut – putting in an incredible performance to win individual gold and team silver, and leading Hickstead to be named FEI Show Jumping Horse of the Year. Having conquered the Olympics, the next step was the world championships – and in 2010 the pair won an individual bronze medal at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Hickstead was also awarded ‘Best Horse’ after going clear for all four riders in the final round.

The compact stallion with the incredible jump has not only amassed millions in prizemoney, he’s also in demand as a sire. Eric Lamaze’s decision to buy him has truly paid off, as he explained to one Canadian magazine: “When he was nine years old, I thought I had a good horse, but I could never have predicted what he’s done. I think he’s the best horse in the world today.”

OUTSTANDING OBEDIENCE AT THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND CENTRE

The long running Championship Obedience Show by the East Grinstead & District Dog Club will be returning to the South of England Centre, Ardingly on 15th October.

The day is perfect for dog lovers from all over Kent and Sussex, with a variety of purebred and crossbreeds being showcased in the multi development obedience show. Visitors can view dogs competing at all levels from those just starting out in their obedience training (pre-beginner classes) up to Crufts Champions in the ‘Championship C’ classes!

The show, which has been running at the centre for over 20 years, is set to get tails and tongues wagging with prizes including rosettes, prize cards and a trophy for the top six dogs in each class and the chance for two championship C winners to compete in the 2012 Crufts in Birmingham!

Visitors are welcome to come down to watch the show but they are not permitted to bring dogs with them unless these dogs have been entered into the obedience event prior to the show date.

Shirley Budgen, Show Secretary, says, “East Grinstead & District Dog Club is a long established training club in East Grinstead. We hold this championship Obedience show every year in October at Ardingly, and this is the only venue large enough to accommodate us in the area!”

The show can be enjoyed from 08.30 – 17.30pm and the event will be held in the large Abergavenny and ‘Robins’ building, perfect for dog shows and indoor exhibitions. All eight classes and 19 rings will be held in the large indoor hall and smaller Robins building. Catering will be available to all visitors and there will be a small amount of trade stands for attendees to visit.

Car parking is in close proximity to the event, with an allocated section for those registered disabled. There is no entry charge for the show.

The South of England Centre is one of the most flexible and unique venues in the country. With its extensive outdoor areas and versatile indoor venues, the centre is very popular among canine societies and hosts a variety of dog shows and training events throughout the year.

For more information please visit www.soec.co.uk

Curry & Pint Night at The Sportsman, Goddards Green

Our fantastic HOMEMADE CURRY NIGHT returns.......... EVERY MONDAY!

Freshly made curries are simmering away ready for a flavour infusion this evening, for the return of our Monday night "Curry & Pint" night

Enjoy an Indian meze starter followed by an every-changing choice of two freshly prepared curries with rice, accompanied by either a pint of any of our Cask Marque accredited real ales, 16oz draft fizzy,125ml house wine or a Pint of Fosters lager.

2 course dinner & drink
ALL FOR ONLY £10* per person,every Monday 6pm - 9pm

Tastier & more healthy than a ready meal and more convenient - with no washing up.

The only things we won't be offering are messy mircowaves or club card points!

All in all, an economical evening out at YOUR local!

Look forward to seeing you on Monday!
* Not in conjunction with any other offer, subject to availability. Limited period only.

e: eat@thesportsmanpub.com
t: 01444 233460
w: www.thesportsmanpub.com

The Sportsman, Cuckfield Road, Goddards Green BN6 9LQ

Find us on Twitter (@thesportsmanpub) and Facebook (The Sportsman Pub, Goddards Green)

Race Night in East Grinstead

Friday 21st October

Come along and enjoy a fun evening with the Friends of East Grinstead Museum who are holding a Race Night at Imberhorne Lower School in Windmill Lane, East Grinstead, starting at 6.45pm to raise funds for the museum.

The tickets which include a Fish and Chip supper cost £8.00 are available from East Grinstead Museum, tel 01342 302233.

Fairytale weddings at Nymans

by Ruth Lawrence

As far as dream wedding locations go, Nymans Gardens in the High Weald must rank as one of the most spectacular in the country. Owned by the National Trust, the Nymans Estate was created by the Messel family and their dedicated gardeners.

Surprise garden rooms, elegant vistas and intimate corners give the grounds enough contrasting variety to satisfy the most demanding tastes. The house, transformed into a gothic mansion in the 1920s, burned down to leave fairytale ruins standing next to the grand restored rooms containing 17th century antiques.

The Trust have decided to offer two areas of the grounds for civil ceremonies. Head gardener Ed Ikin showed me the stunning locations that will provide the backdrop to a perfect day. The Loggia is a beautiful gothic building, with soaring arches and ivy clad walls that wrap around the lawn, itself burgeoning with striking floral displays. To maintain the intimacy of the setting, numbers are restricted to 25 plus the registrars and the ceremony would take place in the building, using furniture that already blends with these unique surroundings. In case you think a setting like this will cost the earth, Ed quoted a surprisingly reasonable figure of £1,300 including VAT. This would include two staff, a glass of sparkling Sussex wine for each guest and all furniture. The setting is breathtaking, lending itself to the most romantic fantasy a couple could wish for. Just think of the wedding photographs – they’d be unforgettable with a background like this!

The second location is the Pinetum, a particularly open, spacious area, overlooking the Ashdown Forest. This site is ideal for larger parties, accommodating 120 people and, importantly, is near parking and toilets. There is a stunning, white, open-sided building called the Temple, where drinks can be served at the start of the evening. Discreet music, live or otherwise, is possible here. The setting is dramatic and guests can gaze across rolling acres towards trees in the distance. This site lends itself to 1920s or 30s style parties; Nymans was a great party house in its heyday and the grounds are used to the chatter and music of large, elegant gatherings.

Although the Trust supply the surroundings, Crawley based company Anise deal with catering and marquee hire and are taking bookings now for next year. As weddings are normally planned so far in advance, it is advisable to contact them soon for a spring or summer wedding for the following year.

The locations are available from March to October, but it is also possible to accommodate winter plans. The garden is more photogenic in spring, summer and autumn, packed with flowers – a horticulturist’s paradise. The famous summer borders are planted until October and lead the eye down long gravel paths, through arches and past fountains and stone sculptures. Over 6,000 plants fill this 80m display and blazing colours flank the path to a spectacular carved stone fountain. Wherever you wander, another surprise is revealed. This was my first visit to the gardens and I have already logged it as a personal favourite. The ruins soar against the sky, ivy clings about the stone and glassless windows arch like drawings from an ancient story book. It is a place to dream and wander and yet has the scope and scale to accommodate large gatherings. I can imagine everyone finding something different here. There are intimate, walled flower gardens leading towards rolling meadows, narrow paths winding to long views and archaic ruins next to formal topiary and clipped lawns.

Each season has something to offer: a Spring wedding would see Magnolia, Camellia and blowsy Rhododendrons while towards the end of April, wild flowers and evocative bluebells line the woodland floor. A Summer wedding would see Nymans packed with colour; the peaceful rose garden blooms in June, August and October and herbaceous perennials fill the borders with Alliums, Irises and Asian poppies. During Autumn, tulip trees and Limes turn gold and Acers burn with that unforgettable dark red.

Nymans was originally a series of experimental garden design; it has the feel of liveliness that accompanies curiosity and a playful mind. The original owners must have had fun designing these intriguing garden rooms. Although the fire destroyed much of the house, it inadvertently created the romantic ruins, which are unique and unforgettable. Ancient woods beckon, nurturing the tallest tree in Sussex, a giant Redwood, while wild flowers line the walks through a valley.

It would be hard to find a more romantic or varied setting for a wedding. Guests will take away memories that will last long after the ceremony itself and photographs will be effortlessly stunning against backdrops like these.

In 1918, owner Muriel Messel said that “the garden is a triumph of hope. Always full of experiments, giving endless pleasure, with careful thought bestowed on each plant.” It is her family’s vision that created this perfect piece of Sussex and you feel, strolling among the scents and sights of this special place, that she would be delighted that people were making their wedding vows in her spectacular garden.


Nymans
Handcross, Haywards Heath
West Sussex RH17 6EB
Tel. 01444 405250
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans