Lindfield's Caroline Young shares delicious summer pasta recipe

By Caroline Young

What a pleasure it is to find so many homegrown fruits and vegetables on the supermarket shelves and know they haven’t travelled hundreds of miles to reach our kitchens! I just cannot resist all the berries, fruits, herbs and salad vegetables now available and enjoy cooking them (or serving them raw) in delicious summer recipes. I hope you enjoy some of my favourites.

Penne pasta with asparagus and plum tomatoes Serves 2

Cover 3 ripe plum tomatoes with boiling water and leave to stand 4-5 min. Drain, cut out the stem ends and slip off the skins. Cut into quarters and scoop out and discard the seeds. Cut off any woody tough ends from 225g English asparagus then cut stems into 5cm pieces. Cook 175g penne pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water until just tender.

Meanwhile, using a large frying pan bring 300ml chicken or vegetable stock just to the boil, add the asparagus and cook over medium heat for 4 min. Add the tomatoes and continue to cook for about 3 min or until the asparagus is just tender. Drain the pasta and tip into a large, warmed bowl. Using a slotted spoon, add the asparagus and tomatoes. Cover and keep warm.

Add 2tbs dry white vermouth to the stock and bring to the boil, stirring. Allow to boil for about 2 min or until slightly reduced then season to taste. Add the sauce, 15g roughly torn basil leaves and 2tbsp grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl, gently toss to combine then serve immediately.


An update from Eastern Road Nature Reserve - Aug 2024

By Jenny Baker

Sunday morning on 30th June, another conservation day dawned warm but overcast on a peaceful Eastern Road Nature Reserve. Everywhere you looked plants were quietly rushing to reach their full potential. The brambles, now growing up to three inches a day, were extending their thorny limbs across paths without prejudice.

Action was definitely needed to tame this wild growth which was without apology encroaching along all the paths. Thankfully some truly amazing volunteers arrived to help us with this task. It was a hot, sticky and sometimes prickly task but by lopping, clipping and cutting we finally mastered the out-of-control vegetation and opened up another path. Our wonderful volunteers successfully wrestled with mother nature and treated the car park to a much-needed spruce.

You may already know that Eastern Road Nature Reserve is a former landfill site. On Village Day we displayed some plastic items that had been buried in the reserve for 50 years. Although battered and squashed, these items had not degraded at all. In fact, the predecimal (1971) prices could clearly be seen on some of the plastic bottles.

So, we asked the community on Village Day to write a personal pledge to help the environment on a piece of bunting. We have now proudly displayed all the bunting in the car park for everyone to see. Next time you visit the reserve, do take a moment to read the pledges and see if you’re inspired to take action too. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute!

And finally, a huge thank you to you, the community, who support our work in so many ways. Be sure to check out our new website www.easternroadnaturereserve.org.uk where you can sign up to our newsletter and keep up to date with all our latest news and events.

Did you know?

• The amount of plastic ever made is 8.3 billion tonnes, of which only 9% has been recycled and half of which was produced in the past 13 years alone.
• In the UK, we use 5 million tonnes of plastic each year - the equivalent weight of 100 Titanic ships - but only recycle 17% of it. We throw away more plastic per person than any other country in the world, except the US.

The good news…
• The amount of plastic going to UK landfill has dropped by two-thirds since 2006
• We’ve gone from using 7.6 billion single-use plastic bags per year to just 133 million thanks to the introduction of the plastic bag charge.
Don’t forget to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle!

Walking around Haywards Heath starting in Lindfield

A walk starting in Lindfield, of approximately 16 miles

sketch map of a 16-mile walk around Haywards Heath

By Chris Best

The walk starts from the Wilderness car park. Head back out of the car park and turn left along the footpath. There are houses on the left and when you reach a high brick wall straight ahead, turn right. The signpost here is hidden at the moment behind an Elderberry bush. There are some great iron work gates on the left with a very large Redwood in the garden behind. There is a fence on the right and when this finishes, a field either side. Keep going along this path and when it joins another path, bear left. The field on the left is now Hangman’s Acre. Turn right when you reach a concrete road. You will cross a concrete bridge and go up a slight hill with Christmas trees growing on the right. Just before a metal gate blocks the road, the footpath goes left, marked with a signpost.

Cross a stream via a wooden bridge and then another which is via two planks of wood. Turn right at the end of the path and go along a tarmac road, Snowflakes Lane. At the end, cross over the road, East Mascalls Lane, and carry on across the field opposite, signposted. Cross a tarmac drive and go through a metal gate. Head right and at the end of the field go over a style, signposted. Walk with a wooden garage on the left and head straight on past a metal gate into a field. Go over a type of barrier/gate into a field of horses. Bear slightly left and follow the worn grass down the small hill through a metal gate and into a wood. Go over a wooden bridge and bear right. At the junction with another path, turn left.

Picture 1

When you leave the wood there is a wide grass track crossing you. Turn left with the electricity cables above you. When the track forks, take the right-hand route, sign posted. This route brings you out on Church Road. Turn right and go past St Augustine’s Church. Cross over the main A272 and go left with The Farmers pub on the right. The next footpath is not marked from the road but is on the right just after the bollards in the road, (picture 1). The footpath goes to the left of the houses in Swallow Rise by a fence. The path drops down here and is very wet over quite a long section before joining a tarmac road with a couple of houses. Head down the road, very short, then take the path on the right where it meets another tarmac road, sign posted. Go over the style and keep to the right of the field to the next style. Go over this and keep straight ahead.


Picture 2

Go through a wooden gate at the end of the field, the path drops to the left going down concrete blocks as steps to a signpost. Follow this to the right going up a short bank which is waymarked at the top. Follow the hedge on the right going downhill. The path further down moves away from the hedge and joins Ham Lane. Go straight over and past Hooters Garage. The footpath, which is waymarked, is immediately after the garage and to the left of the tarmac drive, (picture 2). The path veers left with a motorbike scrambling track in the trees. Cross over the tarmac drive and turn left. Go over a style, built by the Monday group. You will go over a number of these built by the Monday Group during this walk.

The path goes across the field to the right and is clear to follow. At the end of the field, go over the style and keep straight ahead. Go over another style which then takes you between two fields. Cross over a stream via a concrete bridge and then the path looks like it goes to the right. Ignore this and carry on, passing a wooden gate on the left. The path rises now in a gulley. It is an old track, which is the continuation of Ham Lane. This section is quite long and you will pass a spruce plantation on the right as you go downhill, which has lots of bluebells in it. There is a line of hornbeams on the left which forms a rough hedge. The plantation on the right changes to oak further down the hill.

When the field on the left finishes it becomes a pine plantation. It can lie very wet here. When you come out of the wood, the path goes under pylons. 50 to 100 metres further on the footpath turns left as is signposted, (picture 3). It is very wet here. The path goes uphill and is very windy and muddy. At the junction with a track, turn left and then right. The footpath sign is on a tree. You will see a metal gate ahead and the style is to the right. Follow the track on the left of the field with a wood the other side of the fence. There is a signpost about 200 metres along here on the right direction you across the field. There is a building ahead on the left and a fence coming into the field which has a hedge on its furthest point. There is a waymark on the corner post, (picture 4). Follow the direction of the arrow and walk between two oak trees and then take the left-hand path which passes just to the right of another oak tree. Follow the path up the gentle hill, going between two more oak trees. There is a wooden building to the left beyond a track. At the top of the field there is a crossroads of footpaths with a sign, Hole Farm.

Picture 3

Picture 4

Turn right before the style and keep to the left of the field. Go over the next style and bear right across the field. The next style can be seen ahead of you. This path goes between two fences heading towards some trees. On the right is Wivelsfield Hall. Go over the style at the end of the trees and head straight across the next field. At the end of this field there is a signpost with a metal swing gate. Go through this, ignoring the path off to the left. Turn left after the gate and cross over Slugwash Lane. Go through the wooden gate on the other side of the road with a footpath sign. The path goes straight ahead with a house on the right. The path then veers left to a style which takes you into a field. The next two fields are extremely rough in dry weather, as the cows have made the ground very uneven. Head across the field to the right of the lake and aiming to go between two metal animal watering troughs.

Once past these troughs the path becomes a concrete track. This is More House Farm. At the end of the concrete track, go over the style on the left and follow the signpost exactly, as this will take you to the style, which is at the end of the field with the Haywards Heath to Ditchling road on the other side. Cross the road and take the path opposite via a metal gate. There is a footpath sign here and the path is very clear to see. Go through the next metal gate, head to the right aiming for where the wooden fence meets the wall to the cemetery. (The signpost sends you straight across the field and not as I have directed. It maybe that they are trying to get you to use the other footpath rather than this one. Both paths do end up in the same place, just outside the gates to Lunces Hall.)

Go over the style and follow the path between a house and St Peter & St John the Baptist church, Wivelsfield. The path along here is over grown. The path joins a tarmac road, turn left and go through an open gate with a footpath sign on the right, just after passing the Old School. The drive goes down an avenue of Horse Chestnut trees. Just before the gates to Lunces Hall take the footpath on the right. (The left footpath takes you behind the houses you have just past on the left and then on towards the church to the point I mentioned earlier at a metal gate.)

The path goes left between a metal fence and a hedge, signposted. Go through a metal gate and down a few steps into a field. There are three paths, although the signpost for the middle path is missing. Take this path across the middle of the field. This goes downhill and into a wood via an overgrown style which you can pass to the side. Cross the stream via a concrete bridge, which has a lot of wild garlic around it and then over a style, through a narrow wooden gate, passing a house on the right. Go straight over a track to a style, signposted and the short path to a tarmac drive. Turn right and go between some wooden sheds. The footpath sign can be seen at the rear of the shed on the left. The path takes you behind this shed and then past Multon Farm on the right and a pond on the left.

Go over a tarmac drive, taking the footpath straight ahead as signposted. This goes downhill till a style with a muddy track the other side. Go over this and the style opposite. The path is clear to see going slightly downhill before going over a wooden bridge with metal hand rails. Go under some overhead electricity cables, then over a style into a farmyard with metal containers on the left and buildings on the right. Go over the style ahead of you, which is to the left of the metal double gates. Turn left onto a gravel road and keep going until you join the road from Haywards Heath to Burgess Hill, Rocky Lane. Turn right going under the railway bridge, (be very careful on this stretch of road) and then left down a hard surface road which is covered in mud and has a large tree trunk across its entrance to stop vehicles entering, signposted bridleway.

Go past a road/path off to the right and take the next left, which is signposted, going past a metal gate. Go under the electricity cables with a pylon on the right, then a brick building on the right with a small car park next to it. Keep straight ahead with a pond on the left. About 30 metres beyond the car park go down the steep brick steps on the right, (picture 5) no signpost here. The path veers right in some trees keeping the stream on your left. Very quickly you come out into a field with trees on either side. The path veers left and you can see the footpath sign pointing to go over a wooden bridge, crossing the stream and into a wood. Go up the steps and follow the waymark to the right which leads to another waymark directing you right again. Ignore the unmarked path on the left and then on the right. Go down the hill to a footpath sign. Turn right, go over a wooden bridge crossing the stream again, (picture 6).

Picture 5

Picture 6

Pass another footpath sign on the left and go up a short hill which brings you out of the wood. The path goes right with a field on the left and the wood on the right. When you reach a tarmac drive turn right and then go left, which is waymarked. This brings you out onto Isaccs Lane, another Haywards Heath to Burgess Hill, road. Turn right and walk along the road. The traffic travels fast along here, so be careful. Go past a road on the right and then turn left down a concrete drive to Hookhouse Stables. The path goes to the left of the brick building, which is straight ahead. The footpath sign is slightly hidden in the hedge on the left, with an overgrown pond on the right. Beyond the end of the barn on the right, there is a waymark. Follow the track with a hedge on the right. The path drops down into a wood, crossing a stream before rising up the other side.

Go past a pond on the left and then the tracks bends to the right past another pond on the left, which is quite well hidden. Keep on the track until you see a 3-way footpath sign on the right with a wooden gate. Turn right and walk up the left-hand side of the field with trees on the left. Go into another field keeping straight ahead. There is an entrance on the left with a sign, Private Property. Ahead, is a wood and when you reach this, the footpath sign directs you right, keeping to the edge of the same field. The path then turns sharp left along the edge of the same field with the wood still on the left. Follow the waymark to the left on a concrete track and then immediately right. The waymark is on the right here.

At the 3-way footpath sign, keep straight ahead keeping the house on the right. Keep straight ahead again at the next 3-way footpath sign. As the main track goes right in front of a wood, bear left into the wood, which has a waymark sign and a footpath sign. Keep to the main track. Go over the style and turn right at the junction with another footpath. Go across the field going downhill. At the end of the field, go down some steps and past a metal gate onto a tarmac drive with a house in front of you. Turn right and when you reach the end of the garden to the house, turn left at the signpost and go over a wooden bridge into a wood. Go up the hill into a field and turn right keeping to the edge of the field, signposted. At the end of the field bear right, signposted. Join the track and go right passing a 3-way signpost on the right. Go over a wooden bridge and pass to the left of a house.

Picture 7

The path veers left going downhill into a wood. Go down some steps, over a wooden bridge and then up some steps the other side. Leave the wood via a style and go across the field with a fence on the left. Pass a signpost on the left and go through a metal gate. Pass a sewerage treatment works on the right and go through two metal gates before you meet the Cuckfield bypass. The traffic travels very fast along this stretch of road. Cross over and take the signposted path opposite. Go past a metal gate and up the track. This turns into a hard surfaced drive and goes between buildings. At the junction with a drive at the end, turn left with The Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield on the right, (picture 7).

The track turns into a tarmac road, Newbury Lane and joins Church Platt. Cross over South Street opposite and enter the track. Immediately take the signposted path via a wooden gate on the left. Keep to the left of the field and go through a metal gate into the next field. Turn right, the signpost is just ahead of the metal gate on the left. The path is easy to see across this field going to the left of a large oak tree. Keep to the right of the field after this and not follow the path going across the middle of the field. At the end of the field go through a metal gate and turn left, indicated by a 3-way signpost. Go down the hill with the fence on the left, going past another 3-way signpost and follow the sign straight ahead which takes you into some trees.

Go down some steps, over a style and then a wooden bridge. Go up the steps the other side, ignoring the path to the right. Keep straight ahead at the next 3-way signpost and then bear left at the next sign post which is only about 25 metres ahead. The path is clear to follow going uphill. Ignore the side paths as you continue uphill and pass another 3-way signpost on the right. You are walking along a Wealden Walkway which will eventually take you to some playing fields on the left. Keep to the footpath to the side of the playing field. The path opens up into a lane with houses on the left.

Picture 8

The lane bears right, Cherry Trees Lane. This ends at the road from Cuckfield to the A23. Turn left and then cross the road taking the driveway on the right to Inholmes Cottages, signposted. The road turns into a gravel road and when you reach an oak tree on the left with a Russel’s Spinney sign on it, (picture 8) take the signposted footpath through a metal gate and across a field keeping to the right-hand side. Follow the waymark round to the right and down a hill. Go through a metal gate and into a wood where the path splits. Take the right hand one. The path splits again. Take the left one that has a metal railing fence on the left. As you come out of the trees, there is a 3-way footpath sign. Go to the left of the hawthorn bush in front of you and the path becomes clear as you walk downhill.

There are good views as you walk down the hill. Cuckfield golf course is on the left. At the bottom of the hill go up into a clump of trees. You can clearly see a footpath sign ahead of you pointing to the right. Go over the style into the field and follow the path on the left of the field. There is a house ahead and to the right which is Lower Sparks Farm. Go over a style keeping straight ahead and then over another style with a footpath sign directing you straight ahead. The path veers right at the end of the field before it turns left over a style and then right along two wooden planks, short distance. The path goes between two hedges before turning left down a couple of steps and over a two-plank bridge. There is a 4-way signpost here. Turn right, which is a bridleway and also a tarmac road, Sparks Lane.

Picture 9

Further along the lane you will pass some topiary of a rabbit on the right before going over a bridge and then up hill. At the end of the lane is the Cuckfield to Balcombe Road, Brook Street, turn right past an old red telephone box. Cross the road by Chapel Gallery on the other side of the road and go down the gravel track, which is signposted. The car park to the gallery is on the left as you enter the track. Head towards a wooden post on the right which is waymarked. Go down this track and not the one to the left. There is an old house on the right and then a property on the left with a stream on the right. You now have a choice of routes as a permissive path has been added. If you take the actual public footpath, go over the style next to a metal gate. Keep to the right of the field until you see a small gap in the hedge with a footpath sign the other side. Leave the field here and you will find you have met up with the other end of the permissive path, (picture 9). If you take the permissive path, which is probably easier, go over the style and head up the hill, keeping to the left of the field until you reach the style at the top. Go over this and bear left where you will join the route from the actual public footpath.

Turn left and keep to the left of the field which curves to the right before going into a wood. There is no signpost here but the path is clear. The path veers left passing a pond on the right and then crosses a wooden bridge as you leave the wood and go into a field, waymarked. Follow the hedge on the right and when it veers more sharply to the right, there is a footpath sign in the hedge on your right. Head straight across the field. The path is not clear here, but look ahead to the far side of the field and aim for the gap in the bracken, as this is where the style is. Go over and head towards the next field which has another style to go over or walk around to the left if the barbed wire fence is still down. Keep right going up the field with a larch plantation on the right. The path veers right between two horse chestnut trees and then across the field to the style next to a metal gate.

There is a signpost here pointing across the next field. You will see a pine tree ahead and the path goes to the right into the corner of the field. Go through the wooden gate and take the track straight ahead. There is a 4-way footpath sign here. Go through a wooden gate and keep straight ahead, signposted. After you pass a works yard on the left, you will be walking past Borde Hill gardens on the left. Continue past the entrance to the gardens, waymarked and then through a car park. In front of you is the Haywards Heath to Balcombe Road with a lodge house on the left. Turn left and walk along the road. Be very careful as the traffic moves fast along here. Turn right into Copyhold Lane, signposted to Ardingly. This stretch of road takes you over the London to Brighton railway line and it is about 0.5 miles before you take the footpath on the right through a metal gate. There is a footpath on the left which goes to Ardingly reservoir.

After about 30 metres, turn left and then bear left on the path, which is a permissive path, not signposted. This whole area has a lot of permissive paths and it also lies very wet in the Winter. Take the 3rd path on the right, about 15 metres from the public footpath, which has a bank on the left. Bear left along a track made by tractors and go up hill. Take the path on the right into the wood and follow this as it twists its way through the trees. When you meet another track going across the path, keep straight ahead. Ignore the next path to the right and go across an area of cut woodland. The path bears right at a line of oak trees. Keep these on the left with a field the other side. Watch out for a piece of wire which goes across the path as you start to face the field. The path takes you over a fallen oak tree. Keep the field fairly close on the left as the path isn’t always clear to follow.

You eventually come to the Haywards Heath to Ardingly College road. This can be busy at times with fast moving vehicles, so be careful crossing over, as you need to go down the drive towards Kenwards Farm opposite, signposted. When you reach some metal gates the path/track goes right, waymarked. Straight ahead is private. The track goes around the garden of the farm before turning right between two hedges with fields either side. You enter a wood taking the left-hand route downhill. It lies wet here for most of the year. As you start to go uphill there is a place on the right which sells eggs and has some stables. As you near the top of the hill there are some buildings on the right.

Picture 10

Just past these, take the left-hand footpath, signposted. This can be wet in the Winter and sometimes over grown in the Summer. The houses on the right are park of The Welkin. There was a metal gate at the end of this path, but it is no more. Turn right. Signposted by a garage and go between some houses. Bear left down the drive to the top of Lindfield High Street. All Saints Church is opposite on the right. Turn left, then cross the road going down Francis Road. Old Place is on the left at the top of Francis Road. Go past the church, (picture 10) and head towards a house. Go between two houses and around the back of The Tiger into The Wilderness car park.

Lindfield Village Day - June 2024

All photos by @ClareOzkan

Success - Sun, stalls and bands!

Lindfield Village Day has been a key event in the calendar for 46 years, following the successful 1977 Silver Jubilee celebrations in the village.

Whilst the principle of the day hasn’t changed since its inception, the event has grown considerably in scale in recent years.

Lindfield Village Day is still run as a fundraising off-shoot of King Edward Hall’s management committee, even though only a few from the 20-strong organising team are actually on the charity’s committee. Every year, the team volunteers, led by co-chairs Katherine Alcock and David Tingley, plan every element of the day between November and June.

This year’s event saw the return of the RTFJ Stage, which hosted headliner band Murdoch’s Crazy Eyes, among others. The UpCountry Food & Drink Quarter boasted more than 25 vendors in front of the stage.

All photos by @ClareOzkan

The stage and bands in particular are only made possible thanks to generous local businesses – which brought in over £10,000 this year. Mark Plass, responsible for the sponsorship, said: “Running an event on this scale costs a lot of money, and we are truly grateful to our business partners for helping us make Village Day bigger and better in 2024.”

Elsewhere on the Common, over 130 stallholders were set up, six different performances took place in the arena, including the Children’s Dog Show, the Competition Tent included more than 100 entries from local creatives and, of course, the Firing of the Anvil started this year’s Olympics-themed procession, featuring hundreds of people parading down the High Street.

David Tingley explained: “We were delighted with the turnout and how the big day went – it’s a testimony to our dedicated team who give their time for six months to realise this huge event for the whole community. Plus the dozens of extra helpers on the day, of course – without whom we couldn’t do it.”

Save the date: Next year – Saturday 31st May 2025.

Click the images to the right to enlarge them.


Click the button above for the full LVD guide

Children’s Dog Show

In the arena

• 2-3pm (register from 12.30-1.45pm)
• Under 12s only
• £1.50 per entry
• Max three entries

Categories are:

• Friendliest Dog
• Best Junior Handler
• Pet the judge would most like to take home
• Best in Show

Thanks go to Oathall Veterinary Group for sponsoring the dog show and for judging the pet pooches this year.
The winning pairs will take home a small prize, supplied by Bernie Taylor of Oscar Pet Foods, and a rosette to mark the occasion.


RTFJ Stage

The RTFJ Stage is back! Thanks to some generous business sponsorship, it will be positioned within the UpCountry Food & Drink Quarter - so you can relax and enjoy the musical performances with refreshments.

12.15pm DJ Greg
1pm Phoenix Fires
2.30pm DJ Greg
3.30pm Headliner: Murdoch’s Crazy Eyes
5pm Close

* Correct at time of going to print, line-up could be subject to last minute change

The Competition Tent

The Competition Tent is coming back to The Common this year, with a brand new selection of categories for everyone to get involved in!
Some of our categories are just for children, which will be judged in three age groups: 5 and under, 6-10 years, and 11-16 years. The rest of the categories are open to all age groups, so whether you’re a keen baker, poet or artist, everyone can get involved. We’d love to see your talents!

Entering is as simple as completing the registration form on our website (www.kingedwardhall.org.uk/village-day/ competition-tent) and paying your fee: it costs just £1 per item entered. Or, if you’d prefer to register in person, pop into Ounce on the High Street (exact money only please).
Registration is open now and will close at 6pm on Thursday 30th May.

The tent will be closed for judging between 10.45am and midday, when we will reopen for everyone to view and admire all of the entries, including those judged the best in each category. We invite everyone to come along and look at the village’s collective creativity and support your friends, family and neighbours! All entries will need to be collected from us at the end of the day, from 4.30-5pm.

Competition categories

Food and drink

● A Celebration Cake - For any occasion! Either a single cake to share or six individual cakes, get creative in the kitchen and bring us a cake suitable for a celebration.

● Flavoured Scones - Your take on a British afternoon tea classic. Show off your favourite flavours and submit six scones to our judges!

● Cordials, Liqueurs, Wines and Beers - Do you like to create a delicious drink? We’d love to taste your tipple. Bring a bottle!

● Jams, Pickles, Chutneys and Honey - Bring us a jar or two of your best preserves. All welcome, from homemade jam to honey from your own bees!

● Children’s Category: Six Decorated Cookies/ Cupcakes - Get creative and decorate six cookies or cupcakes. Shop bought or homemade are accepted, but decorated yourself.

Art and craft

● A Celebration of Lindfield - Celebrate our beautiful village in any medium: photography, paint, textile, digital art… it’s up to you!

● A Handmade Character - Knitted, crocheted or sewn, create a cute character and bring them to life.

● Lindfield Poetry* - Are you a keen poet? We’d love to hear your take on our village in a poem of any kind. These can also be submitted in advance via email as well as on the day.

● Children’s Category: A Lindfield Acrostic* - Write an acrostic poem to ‘Lindfield’ and share your love of the village.

● Children’s Category: Wild Fruit and Veg - From elephants to bunnies, create an animal out of fruit and/or

vegetables. Let your imagination run wild!

● Children’s Category: Modelling the Natural World - Create an animal- or nature-themed model in any medium, from Lego to Play Doh to clay.

*These poetry categories can be submitted early via email, to comptent@kingedwardhall.org.uk

Main Arena

12noon Firing of the Anvil - A traditional start to Village Day (Warning: loud bangs - take care of dogs)

12.30pm Procession arrives at the Common - Parade moves down the High Street and to the Common, finishing in the Arena for judging.

1pm Dhol Drummers

1.30pm Turning Pointe Dance School

2pm Children’s Dog Show

3.30pm Leaps and Beats

4pm Lindfield Community Voices

4.30pm Grand Raffle Draw

5pm Finish

Click the button above to open the full Lindfield Village Day Guide

Lindfield's own women’s and girls’ softball cricket

By Lyndsay Fenner

Lindfield Cricket Club’s women’s and girls’ softball cricket team - nicknamed ‘The Pens’ (after the female swan, rather than the popular writing implement) - is going from strength to strength… and is always on the lookout for new members.

Formed post-Covid by our now esteemed coach (and longstanding LCC member), Bob Hopkins, the f irst tentative foray into women’s softball cricket by the club was a one-off festival on the common organised in conjunction with the county.

Following this festival, a regular squad gradually grew through a succession of summer training sessions on the common and for the first time, the team entered the Winter Indoor League in 2021/22. Which was a lot of fun, even if we didn’t come close to bringing home any silverware.

In the summer of 2022, we played our first outdoor league season (grouped with Ansty, Edenbridge and Crawley Eagles), winning three games and with Shelley Mussett (batting) and Katie Wishlade (bowling) both finishing in the top ten performers for the season.

In 2023, we were in a league with Burgess Hill, Southwater and new entrants Haywards Heath. Again, great fun in all the games and we finished mid-table having beaten Haywards Heath (twice), Ansty and Southwater. Max Hinley and Helen Tuddenham joined Shelley in the top ten batters, whilst Max and Helen both made the top ten bowlers.

We also brought home our first trophy at the inaugural Haywards Heath Festival - a gloriously fun, sunny day (with top quality BBQ to boot). A tense deciding game was against our regular nemesis, Burgess Hill, an incredibly close match which ended up coming down to the last few balls - thankfully bowled with absolute nerves of steel by the incredible Izzy Redd.

We also had a successful winter season just gone - winning the indoor league with Burgess Hill, Ansty and Haywards Heath. Max, Shelley and Helen dominated the batting top ten and also all made the top ten bowlers.

For those not familiar with the softball cricket format (and most of us weren’t when we joined) - it’s a 16-over game with a team of eight players. There’s a real mix of experience and ages on the team - our youngest player was 12 and our oldest… well, you should never ask a lady her age, after all.

You absolutely don’t need to have played cricket before, the vast majority of the current team hadn’t and the coaching from the club is great. At winter nets, we train alongside the established men’s teams and the coaches are incredibly generous with their time and expertise. There’s also a strong social side, and plenty of opportunity to be more involved with the club if you want to - coaching at AllStars, for example, or writing copy for Lindfield Life!

If you think it sounds like it might be up your street, please drop Bob a line - bobvivienne.hopkins@btopenworld.com - and come and have a go!

Mid Sussex District Council news - July 2024

Promoting Independence: Disabled Facilities Grants

Stay in your home for longer with our wide range of Disabled Facilities Grants. We are pleased to offer various grants to help individuals stay comfortable and safe. Our grants cover a wide range of needs and improvements, making it easier for people, especially those with disabilities, to maintain their independence.



Safe, Suitable, and Warm Homes Grant

For individuals with disabilities and low income, this grant helps make necessary home improvements and repairs to reduce living risks. This includes making electrical and gas installations safe or repairing leaky roofs.


Summer Playdays on Tour returns for 2024

Following a very successful 2023, we are pleased to announce a summer of fun across the District, with 10 free events in our towns and villages.
The free events are aimed at families with children under 10, and activities at the events include puppet shows, crazy golf courses, soft play, circus skills, arts and craft stalls, DJ workshops and many more. All events take place from 1pm-3pm, and there is no need to book.

30th July - Adastra Park, Hassocks
31st July - The Haven Rec, Crawley Down
6th Aug - Whitemans Green, Cuckfield
7th Aug - John Pears Field, Ashurst Wood
13th Aug - Court Bushes, Hurstpierpoint
14th Aug - Humphreys Field, Copthorne
20th Aug - Worlds End Rec, Burgess Hill
21st Aug - Balcombe Rec, Balcombe
27th Aug - Clair Park, Haywards Heath
28th Aug - Mount Noddy, East Grinstead

For further information about what is on offer at each event, please visit: www.midsussex.gov.uk/playdays

To read the full newsletter, please click to enlarge the images or pick up your copy of July’s Lindfield Life today.

Mid Sussex District Council June update - 2024

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Work with us!

These are exciting times in Mid Sussex. Our focus is on creating a place where everyone who lives and works in Mid Sussex can thrive. We have ambitious plans to ensure we achieve this vision, and we welcome driven, motivated and forward-thinking individuals, to join us in delivering outstanding services. We are especially looking for a Senior Planning Solicitor, but all our vacancies can be found by visiting: https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/job-vacancies


To read the full newsletter please pick up your copy of Lindfield Life or click the images to enlarge them.

Cuckfield Music Festival - June 2024

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13-15th June 2024 at Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield & Warden Park Academy

Evening concerts
Schools Concert 6pm, Thurs 13th June
DIVA 7pm, Friday 14th June
Claire Martin OBE 7pm, Sat 15th June

Free Lunchtime Concerts
Molly Hord 1pm, Thursday 13th June
Paul Gregory 1pm, Friday 14th June

Tickets and more information here: www.cuckfieldmusicfest.co.uk

NEW Lindfield history book

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Life in Lindfield history book

Following more than seven years working in partnership with Lindfield History Project Group, Lindfield Life has published a series of articles which depict the previous eras of Lindfield. 

With the support of keen local historian Richard Bryant, the idea was to bring together all the previously published articles from the magazine, into one place. The book – Life in Lindfield – was launched at Lindfield Village Day on Saturday 1st June 2024, with profits from the limited first print run going to registered charity King Edward Hall. 

However, after selling out, a second edition is now in print…

Editor David Tingley explained: “It has been a real privilege to work with Lindfield History Project Group, and in particular with Richard, over the years. His gathered knowledge means that he is my go-to person for any question relating to this village’s rich history! 

“I am delighted the group has agreed to let these articles be re-published, as I know when we publish content of this nature – many readers are ready to consume it. Having them all in one place, will be a fantastic and new resource for those history-hungry Lindfield enthusiasts!”

The 130-page book will include over 60 articles from Lindfield Life, some of which have been updated since original publication.

Mid Sussex District Council May update

Planning is approved for Burgess Hill Centre for Outdoor Sport

The planning application for the new state-of-the-art Centre for Outdoor Sport in Burgess Hill has been given the green light, marking a significant milestone in the town’s sporting landscape, with works set to start this spring. Situated on an 8.6-hectare block of land within the Brookleigh development, the Centre for Outdoor Sport (CfOS) will provide first-class facilities for the district and would not have been possible without the support from Homes England. The sports mix, refined over three years through extensive engagement, consultation and data analysis, will complement the district’s existing sports infrastructure, offering a variety of sports. The development of the CfOS is one piece of the jigsaw of sports provision across the district.

Mid Sussex Matters

Sign up to our digital newsletter! We have launched a digital Mid Sussex Matters newsletter, a monthly email to help residents stay up-to-date with what’s going on at the Council and in the wider District. It will include local events, opportunities to share feedback about new initiatives, and stories that impact our communities. To sign up, please visit our website and search ‘Mid Sussex Matters’ to subscribe.

To read the council’s full newsletter please click to enlarge the images provided, or pick up a copy of May’s Lindfield Life.

Lindfield Dramatic Club presents Deckchairs and Village Fairs

Lindfield Dramatic Club

Lindfield Dramatic Club will present a triple bill entitled Deckchairs and Village Fairs as its spring production at the end of May. Pairing two comic duologues from Jean McConnell’s popular Deckchairs series with Alan Ayckbourn’s evergreen short farce Gosforth’s Fete this promises to be a thoroughly entertaining evening with lots of laughs. The opener is Day Trippers in which a seaside outing takes an unexpected turn. This is followed by Cruise Missile where opposites collide on a holiday afloat. Rounding off the event is the hilarious Gosforth’s Fete which throws five disparate characters together in a damp tea tent as they try their best to run a successful village fair despite the surrounding chaos and confusion. Deckchairs and Village Fairs will be performed on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st May at King Edward Hall, starting at 8pm, with the bar open from 7.30pm. Tickets are available priced £12 from Caragon at 69 High Street, Lindfield, or online from www.tickettailor.com/events/lindfielddramaticclub

New minister at Lindfield Evangelical Free Church

Lindfield Evangelical Free Church, on Chaloner Road, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Holloway as its new Pastor. Stuart has succeeded Mervyn Weeks who has retired from the role after serving the church for the past ten years. Stuart, his wife Katie and their two primary school-aged children, live locally and have come to LEFC from Christ Church Haywards Heath, where formerly Stuart served as an elder, alongside his full-time job. Marvyn explained: “The family made their home with us at LEFC early in 2023, and very quickly established themselves in the church, blessing the fellowship with the many gifts they have as Christians. It became clear that Stuart was a competent bible preacher and teacher. Katie has also become involved in the fellowship whilst juggling being a wife, mum and freelance writer.” Currently, Stuart is employed three days a week as a graphic designer, whilst serving the church for the remainder of the week. Stuart was formally inducted as minister on 20th April. More information about the church can be found at www.lefc.co.uk

Lindfield Wanderers are fundraising for an Italian tournament

The Lindfield Wanderers – a Lindfield Juniors’ U13s squad – have an amazing adventure ahead of them. They have entered into a three-day football tournament in Italy at the end of May – the Bariano Cup, hosted by the Barianese Football Club. With 24 teams taking part from the UK, Italy, Malta, and Estonia, there are plenty of opportunities for them to play and watch amazing football, enjoy new experiences and cultures, and make some new friends. At last year’s tournament, they made friends with local children and some are still in contact today! Sam, Wanderers’ goalkeeper, played in last year’s tournament and remembers: “The pitch in Bariano was the best pitch I’ve ever played on, with a great atmosphere and music playing!” As you can imagine, it is a mammoth task to coordinate all the travel arrangements and accommodation for 18 young players and their family members. The whole team are very grateful for all the enthusiastic and hard-working volunteer coaches that are organising everything. The Lindfield team, plus a few other teams, will all be staying at a hotel that is only a few minutes away by coach. The Wanderers are fundraising to help with these costs and many more expenses. The main fundraising event was held last month, when they will had a BBQ and raffle, a few stalls, and a sponsored penalty shootout. There is also a GoFundMe page set up, where any contributions towards their trip would be greatly appreciated: www.bit.ly/3TRDURk

Lindfield Parish Council newsletter - April 2024

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Annual Parish Meeting 2024

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The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Tuesday 16th April from 8pm at The King Edward Hall and we invite all residents of Lindfield to join us. This is the opportunity for residents to meet their local parish councillors, learn more about what we do as a Parish Council and learn more about how to get involved. The Parish Meeting (which, it must be stressed, is NOT a meeting of the Parish Council) is a forum for local government electors to discuss parish affairs and to pass resolutions on them, although such resolutions are not binding on the Parish Council. As this Parish has a Parish Council, it is the Council’s Chairman who must convene the meeting and, if present, chair it. A representative from Good Neighbours CARE (Haywards Heath, Cuckfield and Lindfield) will be attending and giving a presentation on the charity’s work. We also hope that the District and County Councillors for Lindfield will be attending. The Agenda will be on the Parish Council’s notice board in Denmans Lane nearer the time, as well as on our website (www.lindfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk).

To read the full newsletter, click the images to enlarge them or pick up April’s Lindfield Life.

Mid Sussex District Council newsletter - April 24

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Mid Sussex District Council extends food waste collection trial

The Warmer Homes Programme offers significant funding of up to £25,000 for various energy-efficiency upgrades like insulation, air source heat pumps, and solar PV panels, all aimed at lowering your energy bills and keeping your home comfortable year-round. This opportunity is available until March 2025, so take advantage of this chance to strengthen your home against weather extremes and reduce your carbon footprint.

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By joining the Warmer Homes Programme, you not only enhance your living conditions but also contribute to a more sustainable future. Get in touch now to see if you are eligible, and to experience increased comfort, lower energy costs, and a greener community. For more details and to see if you are eligible, please visit www.warmerhomes.org.uk/programme or call the team for free on 0800 038 5757.

To read the full newsletter, please click the images to enlarge them or pick up your copy of Lindfield Life today.

Easter services around Lindfield - 2024

Life out of death. Every springtime long-buried bulbs burst out of the ground in glorious colour. And creation reminds us of a simple but life-giving truth: Two thousand years ago Jesus of Nazareth was crucified for our sins. He was buried. And on the third day rose again. Today He offers His ‘forever-life’ to anyone. This Easter come and meet the risen Jesus, perhaps for the first time!

All Saints Lindfield
www.allsaintslindfield.org

Maundy Thursday – 28th March
7.30pm – Maundy Thursday Communion service at URC church, we are joining with the other two churches in the village to celebrate communion together.

Good Friday – 29th March
10am – A service for all ages as we explore the meaning of Good Friday followed by an opportunity to make your own Easter garden and enjoy hot cross buns.
12noon – An hour’s service of music, prayer, Bible readings and short reflective talks around the cross. 7.30pm – ‘Saviour of The World’ – A through-composed hour of contemporary and classical hymns, songs and performances linked together with readings from the book of John.

Easter Sunday – 31st March
8am – Holy Communion
9.30am – Easter All Age Celebration with communion followed by an egg hunt for the children in The Vicarage garden.
11.15am – Easter Communion Service
6pm – Lively Easter Celebration led by young people, also including communion.

Some of our services will be livestreamed: www.allsaintslindfield.org/live

Lindfield United Reformed Church
www.lindfieldurc.org.uk

Palm Sunday – 24th March
10am – The triumphant entry into Jerusalem

Maundy Thursday – 28th March
7.30pm – Maundy Thursday communion - a combined service with All Saints and Lindfield Evangelical Free Church, held at Lindfield United Reformed Church. Preacher Rev Ben Lucas

Good Friday – 29th March
10am – Remembering the Cross

Easter Sunday – 31st March
10am – Celebrating new life through the resurrection. You are invited to bring cut flowers to help decorate the Easter Cross on the High Street before the service begins.

Lindfield Evangelical Free Church
www.lefc.co.uk

Good Friday – 29th March
10.30am – Good Friday service

Easter Sunday – 31st March
10.30am – Easter Sunday service

St. Augustine’s Church, Scaynes Hill
www.sash.org.uk

Palm Sunday – 24th March
10am – Service for all the Family
6pm – Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday – 28th March
10.30am – Holy Communion for Maundy Thursday
7pm – Agape Meal incorporating Holy Communion followed by The Watch

Good Friday – 29th March
2.30pm – Hour at the Cross

Easter Sunday – 31st March
6am – Sunrise Service followed by Breakfast
10am – Celebration of Holy Communion

Mid Sussex District Council news - March 24

Upgrades for local leisure centres

In collaboration with Places Leisure, we are proud to announce upgrades for two of our leisure facilities. The Triangle Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill has recently undergone an impressive £765k refurbishment, while the Dolphin Leisure Centre has received a generous grant of £44,735 from the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF). The gym facilities at The Triangle Leisure Centre have been upgraded to feature cutting-edge equipment from Life Fitness. There has also been an installation of a £200k solar photovoltaic system to promote energy efficiency. In addition to the gym refurbishment, The Triangle Leisure Centre has revamped its sports hall and reopened a refurbished Costa store, creating a more enjoyable and holistic experience for visitors. Meanwhile, the Dolphin Leisure Centre in Haywards Heath, has received a significant financial boost through a £44,735 grant from the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF). This grant is a testament to the Centre’s dedication to providing excellent aquatic facilities and services to the local community.

To read the full newsletter, please click on the images provided to enlarge or pick up for copy of March’s Lindfield Life and turn to page 16.

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