Lindfield Village Christmas Festival Night

Welcome to Lindfield Life’s Lindfield Village Christmas Festival Night event page. Here you will find our most recent information for the festival.

Lindfield Village Christmas Festival Night is an evening in December where Lindfield High Street stays open late, we welcome fairground rides and street stalls, all organised by the Lindfield Parish Council.

See also, Lindfield Parish Council

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Christmas Festival Night 2024

This year’s Christmas Festival Night will be held on Tuesday 3rd December.

The High Street will be closed to traffic in the evening from 5pm until 9.30pm. The event will begin at 6pm and finish by 9pm. Invitations have been sent to previous stall holders and if you would like to reserve a space for a stall, please contact David Parsons, deputy parish clerk at the parish office - 01444 484115, or at clerks@lindfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk.

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!

Lindfield Arts Festival hosts blues gig at Bent Arms

As a part of their stand-alone events this year, Lindfield Arts Festival is hosting a music event on 30th June upstairs at The Bent Arms.

Together with a support act, Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow will bring a bluesy-folk vibe with their guitar and fiddle performance. Aaron Catlow is a master violinist and half of the Bristol-based duo Hawes and Catlow, with guitarist-singer Kit Hawes. Cambridge UK-based, Georgia US-born, Brooks Williams has a longstanding solo career in both North America and the UK. He is named one of WUMB-FM Boston’s Top 100 All-Time Artists.

For further information about the artists: www.brookswilliams.com Tickets for the LAF event cost £10, and are available from https://williamsandcatlow.eventbrite.co.uk

Lindfield's circular walk to Walstead via Haywards Heath

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By John Twisleton

Over twenty years Lindfield has been dear to me, so it is a privilege to be invited to supply a walk guide. Our family moved to Gatesmead in 2001, Horsted Keynes in 2009 and most recently to Bentswood in 2017. I’m a regular visitor to All Saints Church and the Red Lion and my son and namesake John works at the Bent Arms. The lime trees on the High Street always impress me, true to the name ‘Lindfield’ meaning ‘open land with lime trees’. So do our timber-framed houses, many of medieval origin, leading from the scenic pond up to All Saints Church of literally crowning beauty at the top of the street.

On this circular walk to Walstead (around 8 miles, or 9.3 km), start by heading for the tennis courts in Lindfield Common recreation ground and then left into the access footpath at the field corner. Cross Meadow Drive into the next stretch of footpath passing over Scrase stream into William Allen Lane.

Enter Scrase Valley Local Nature Reserve continuing with the stream to your right. Turn left at the junction walking up and across to Barn Cottage Lane. After the recreation ground, turn right up New England Road to Hazelgrove Road. Cross right then left into Church Road and turn left along St Joseph’s Way.

From The Orchards car park in Haywards Heath descend through the precinct and turn left along South Road. Continue to the roundabout and turn left down Caxton Way continuing straight ahead down the Syresham Gardens footpath beside the stream to St Augustine’s Way. Turn right then left along Priory Way to Western Road. Turn left and cross the road into the footpath down to the left of Haywards Heath Cemetery gates.

Continue left on the path at the bottom of the graveyard then right into Silver Birches, left into The Hollow and walk on to No. 2, ascend the track to Gravelye Lane. Turn right along Gravelye Lane and cross the road into Lyoth Lane. Continue up the steep narrow road to Snowdrop Lane and turn left walking past Snowdrop Inn on a beautiful country lane to its junction with the B2111 Lewes Road. Cross diagonally following the footpath sign through into a narrow path along a field.

At the end enter a farm track continuing to a stile. After the stile enter a large field. Walk sharp left heading for another stile accessing the footpath through Walstead Place Farm. Continue past cottages on your right following the path across an access road into another field and then across East Mascalls Lane into Snowflake Lane.

Divert to the left to visit Walstead cemetery – where you can still see both chapel buildings as mentioned above. On your return head down Snowflake Lane, the road to Walstead Forge, which narrows into a footpath afterwards. This section can be muddy after rain. Continue in the same direction to the footpath junction taking the left turn towards Lindfield.

Continue straight ignoring the right turn for Lindfield village following the path between fields which enters Bancroft Drive. Head right down the Drive, cross Newton Road and proceed down Luxford Road and Eastern Road to Lewes Road.

This walk is reconstructed from ‘Fifty Walks from Haywards Heath’ £9.99 available by emailing john@twisleton.co.uk.

The right ingredients to IMPACT Lindfield

As a local charity, IMPACT Foundation in Haywards Heath has been supporting Mid Sussex residents to cook healthy meals on a budget for 17 years.

At the beginning of the pandemic, IMPACT started providing recipe boxes which included all the ingredients necessary to make 3 healthy meals. Deliveries have been made throughout the summer and during October half term. The charity delivered just over 1,000 meals to residents in the run up to Christmas, including many in Lindfield and the surrounding area. Each box included plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables along with essential non-perishable foods to make Christmas that little bit more special for those who may be struggling. Recipes include Ruldoph’s Tasty Soup, Turkey and Vegetable Stir Fry and Bubble and Squeak Rosti.

One of IMPACT’s volunteers, Lucinda Meagher, has been the driving force behind the initiative which has included a large team of volunteers. She has coordinated the collection of donations and organised an ever growing team of volunteers. 17 of these loyal volunteers were involved in the packing and delivery of the recipe boxes.

Local businesses and residents have been keen to support the venture. In Lindfield it has been a family affair as the Chief Executive, Judi Stagg is a local resident. Her daughter, Emma, has coordinated donations from neighbours and her local school Lindfield Primary Academy, along with enormous support from Andi Frost at the Stand Up Inn in Lindfield.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed,” said Judi. “We are so grateful to the efforts of the local community in helping to make this initiative a success, particularly at Christmas. As a result of their generosity we have been able to increase the number of families benefitting from the deliveries from 40 to 70.”

IMPACT has also been running cookery sessions to give people an opportunity to learn new skills, build

confidence in the kitchen and try new recipes. Before lockdown, one to one, socially distanced sessions were held at Saltworks in Haywards Heath. These have now been replaced with online sessions and will be extended into the New Year.

If you would like more details of this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact IMPACT by email to: tastyteam@impact.org.uk.

75th VE Day celebrations in Lindfield

The residents of Lindfield were keen to do what they could to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day last week with numerous roads and houses being ‘dressed’ for the event.

Even though parties could not take place in the way that was intended, many folk were able to enjoy cream teas, cakes and bubbly from the comfort and safety of their own house boundaries. during lockdown.

Here’s a selection of photos showing the efforts and enthusiasm by many in Lindfield last Friday.

Felix John’s children prepared a VE Day Picnic in the garden

Proud of Luxford Road

Esme’s Teddy Bear’s VE Day picnic

Socially distanced in the sun on Langmore Lane

Kelly and co in Newton Close

The well-dressed Welkin - Malcolm Grace

Mark Tampion

A purpose-built air raid shelter!?

Tabitha Bird’s decs made from tablecloths!

more patriotic teddy bears

VE window in Saxon Way - Patricia Hicks

Yarrow Gate celebrations

VE Day in Lindfield (notes from Helena Hall's diaries)

Helena Hall a resident of Lindfield, kept a journal throughout the Second World War. To mark VE Day, the following has been taken from the final entries in the journal.

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May 8th - Today is V Day. The news came through yesterday evening and Tuesday and Wednesday are holidays. At 3 o’clock this afternoon an official announcement will be broadcast by the Prime Minister – Victory in Europe Day. The King will broadcast at 9 this evening. All over the world the report of the German surrender was celebrated yesterday. Londoners could not wait for today, they crowded joyfully Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus and all other big places. The lights made London look as if it were in flames. More than 100 planes roared over London in daylight, every kind from Spitfire to Fortress. Boys and girls are happily building a bonfire on the Common, they began yesterday evening. I went to the Avis’ to hear the Premier’s speech at 3 o’clock. He said Germans surrendered on Monday the 7th to the Allies at Rheims.

May 9th - Yesterday was a tremendous day in London and 8 times during the day the King and Queen appeared on the Palace balcony to acknowledge the cheering crowds. The last time was just before midnight just as searchlights flashed across the sky and bombers dropped flares and coloured lights. About 11 the two Princesses with Guards officers left the Palace quietly and mingled with the crowd when their parents made their last appearance. The King spoke at 9 o’clock in the evening and again I enjoyed listening to him. After thanking God and then everybody, Services personnel and civilians alike for their war-time efforts he said the years of darkness and danger are now ‘please God, over for ever’. On the balcony of the Ministry of Health building in Whitehall the Prime Minister conducted the thousands of people below in singing ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, a tremendous climax to a day the like of which London has never seen before. He spoke to them as a friend ‘This is your victory’ and after cheerful speaking and cheering replies, he gave the V sign and the crowd burst into ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’. Waving his hat he left the balcony. Another wonderful thing was light everywhere. A procession of flaming torches came along from Pondcroft Road, and the Common to the bonfire, which was lighted about 9.30. A very large swastika and an effigy of Hitler in an old armchair were thrown on to the blaze. It was a perfect night for a bonfire and fireworks, fine and no wind. All the village was about and singing around it went on till midnight. The Church was full. The collection was for the Fund for repairing, in some cases rebuilding, bombed churches. Officially hostilities ended at 1 minute after midnight, but in the interest of saving lives, the ceasefire began yesterday all along the Front. The Channel Islands are also to be freed today. Weather forecasts are given in the papers today for the first time since September 1st 1939. No papers will be published tomorrow.

It is impossible to give enough thanks to God for our great deliverance. Not until the war of Japan is over shall we have all our men home again. I pray that will not be a long war.

Helena Hall, Blue Gate, Lindfield.

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Extract by the editors Linda Grace and Margaret Nicolle from A Woman Living in the Shadow of the Second World War; Helena Hall's Journal from the Home Front.

Does anyone have any photos of the 1945 celebrations in Lindfield tucked away in old albums?  The editors would love to see them... email to editor@lindfieldlife.co.uk



War yesterday: Coronavirus today (a look back at notes from history)

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An ARP warden during WWII (believed to be Helena Hall) in gas protection outfit (PPE)

By Margaret Nicolle

It is revealing that the language being used to fight the current battle against the coronavirus outbreak is stirring memories of the same call to arms as during the war. A new enemy is facing us, called by the Prime Minister ‘a physical assailant’ but just as challenging because of its invisibility. Emmanuel Macron has stated ‘we are at war’; antibodies are ‘fighting’ the virus; the Queen’s Speech referred to ‘evacuees’. There have been even more direct references for example to the spirit of Dunkirk; a policeman has been called a Nazi; slogans such as Keep Calm and Pick for Britain remind us of wartime Britain.

These remarks have led me to look at parallels from Helena Hall’s Journal of the Second World War

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Restrictions

July 12th 1940
I went to Brighton today and was told that in all the streets near the sea, curfew is enforced at 9.30 the time altering with sunset time…sentries go along the streets to see that they are clear. No one is allowed on the beach – guns and forts abound.

August 8th 1942
People caught trying to visit Brighton are to get heavier penalties. Seven people were fined from £1 to £3 but the full fines are £100 or 3 months imprisonment.

August 5th 1940
The leaflet “Stay where you are” was in the letter box this morning. Copies are being delivered by the postmen to every house in the country.

Disruption  

October 15th 1940
These day raids are annoying, no doubt partly designed for that purpose. I prefer the night raids when I am not hindered in the ordinary day’s work of shopping, cooking, fireplaces, Jock’s meals etc….

Voluntary help

March 6th 1941
This morning because three helpers were ill, I went to the Hall to help with the children’s dinners which they have in the corridor. There were 70 to 80 children, all evacuated and they have a good dinner. Today it was minced meat, pease pudding, cabbage and mashed potatoes and a milky rice pudding.

Food shortages and the black market

March 19th 1942
Public barter has taken place in the Channel Islands where food is scarce. Guernsey newspapers contain such advertisements as ‘apples for paraffin’, ‘canaries, all colours for rabbits’ ‘cigarettes for a fur coat’ ‘eggs for golden syrup’. A Jersey message says ‘Conditions bearable, food scarcity.’

For stealing coupons from the GPO stores where he worked sentence of 3 years penal servitude was passed on Webb and the same time for Raphman for receiving them. Far too much ‘black marketing’ goes on with stolen coupons and the sentences get more severe.

January 13th 1943
At his weekly food conference Lord Woolton said yesterday bread would continue unrationed if the public co-operated. He wants potatoes used more than bread and the wheat stock to be conserved by using home grown potatoes. He appeals to the women of Britain to use potato dishes whenever they can.

Humour

Helena pasted into her journal many relevant cartoons taken from newspapers. Today  the restrictions on our lives give rise to a proliferation of such comment often as video clips.

BUT there were differences too. The social life of Lindfield continued.  Helena went round to a neighbour’s house to listen to important news. She made trips to London to visit the National Gallery where special exhibitions to boost morale took place. Churches remained open although bells were not rung.

Copies of A Woman living in the Shadow of the Second World War, Helena Hall’s Journal from the Home Front edited by Linda Grace and Margaret Nicolle can be obtained by phoning 0144448268 or e-mailing margaretnicolle@outlook.com or lagrace15@hotmail.com

Lindfield street created lockdown long gallery

Fieldway residents’ art gallery

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Younger residents of Fieldway in Lindfield managed the spend the time over Easter lockdown not only creating art, but also displaying it safely for others to enjoy on their daily exercise. A terrific effort by the community in Lindfield! Well done.

Parish Councils work together to object to Golf Course development

Lindfield Rural Parish Council (LRPC) & Lindfield Parish Council has lodged a joint 24-page document setting out their many objections to the development of Haywards Heath Golf Course. The list of objections makes it clear that they believe the development:

• Would be contrary to the  MSDC policy on the Protection & Enhancement of the Countryside, the Mid Sussex District Plan and the Joint Lindfield Neighbourhood Plan. These prevent building housing estates in the Countryside

• Would create unsustainable pressure as result a large population increase (approx. 65% in the Rural Parish area) in the provision of public services and infrastructure, particularly in respect of access to schools and doctors’ surgeries, facilities which are already full

• Would damage the Countryside and the Environment and be harmful to the the biodiversity of the area with the removal of 51% (294 out of 573) of the trees, many of which were planted at the beginning of the last Century, would be lost. There are also Ecology Nature Conversation concerns about the adverse affect on the Ancient woodland sites next to the development

• The Transport Assessment does not acknowledge that the local roads cannot accommodate the significant increase in the volume of traffic generated by the proposed development. It underestimates the travelling time and distances between the site and local facilities or recognises the needs of walkers and cyclists. It is also fails to  acknowledge the need for regular public transport provision to Haywards Heath especially to the station, given parking at Haywards Heath Station and the surrounding area is already very limited

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Five local parish councils all signed this letter of objection

The issue of Community involvement is also included in the LRPC submission to MSDC  where we said: “The Fairfax document on Community Involvement submitted with the application is inadequate and cannot be described in any way as genuine community involvement. In their submission they refer to following the advice in a Code of Good Practice which is highly questionable given they fail to meet the criteria in the Code which states that “The statement (of community involvement) must ensure the active, meaningful and continued involvement of local communities and stakeholders throughout both processes”.

For example, the leaflet circulated to residents regarding the application indicated that the applicants would not respond to any questions arising from this public consultation exercise. This is wholly unsatisfactory.”

Trevor Webster, Chair of Lindfield Rural Parish Council summed up the situation by saying: “We have continued to listen to the local community and gathered their views in best possible way despite the disappointment of not being hold a public meeting because of the Covid-19. Our own submission to MSDC reflect what local people and specialists planning advisors, have told us. It is also in line with what hundreds of residents have been saying on the MSDC planning online Portal. Our intention is to continue to communicate the resident’s views to MSDC Council members, to ensure the planning application is refused."

There is also now agreement between 5 Local Parish Council to issue a joint statement expressing concerns about the development of the Golf Course. The Parish Councils are Ardingly, Balcombe, Cuckfield, Lindfield & Lindfield Rural Parish Council.  All these Councils have lodged objections with MSDC planning Portal.

Local volunteer force springs to life

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Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK, working together to support Lindfield, Haywards Heath and Cuckfield.

By Jacqueline Elmore

What began as a small community support group, the Haywards Heath Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group, has now more than 650 volunteers who have registered and are offering their services to all areas around Haywards Heath, Lindfield, Cuckfield and beyond.

Redwan Chowdhury, who last month posted a simple message on Facebook asking people if they required any help during this period of isolation, has since been inundated with messages of support from people in the local area. “Last week alone we received 760 calls from people either requiring support, offering to help or just calling to say thank you. Up to today I think we helped over 200 households either with their shopping, emergency supplies or prescription deliveries. Mostly we’re providing support to people in the local area but we did do a run over to Saltdean the other day to someone who needed urgent help.”

In addition, Haywards Heath Town Council, Cuckfield and Lindfield Parish Councils have now helped to distribute 12,000 ‘COVID-19 Mutual Aid UK’ leaflets in the local area to cover 60,000 people to let them know that there is support out there for anyone who is feeling isolated during this difficult time.

Redwan continued: “Despite the generosity that has been offered, there is still so much more that can be done to help. Whether that is volunteering or donating we want to help as many people as we can. For instance, we are trying to reopen The Trussell Trust Food Bank in Haywards Heath to try and gather as much funding as possible to help those who do not have any other means of support right now.”

Redwan and some of the other organisers - Barbara King (Cuckfield), Amie Cheverst (Bolnore Village), Jo Lee (Rocky Lane), Rosie Lewis (Lindfield), Lee Goodeve and Kirsty Roo (Haywards Heath) – who were very much involved in helping to kick start the Haywards Heath COVID 19 Mutual Aid Group have been overwhelmed by the kindness offered by local people.

“We never expected the amount of support and generosity that has been extended to us over the last few weeks. Thank you for stepping up and coming together as a community. We really can do beautiful things by working together. Please pass the message on, and keep the positivity and resourcefulness flowing!”

The Support phone line is: 01444 635002 or email: HaywardsNeedHelp@gmail.com.

Volunteers please get in touch via: haywardsvolunteers@gmail.com or search Facebook for more information. Financial donations can be made here.

Thank you key workers...

A few weeks ago we asked people of Lindfield to send in photos of amazing key workers who they know, who are doing amazing jobs at this difficult time in the life of the village/country/world! Of course, we know that NHS workers on the frontline are doing an awesome job under challenging circumstances - and a lot of us will have taken part in the collective applause for them specifically. However, we also have to thank the care workers, post men and women, refuse collectors, emergency services, teachers and shop workers.

Ava Slawinska

Care worker at Chailey Heritage

Sarah-Louise White

Caremark Mid Sussex, organising Care Workers

Sarah Brown

Has worked for Abbey Care for 18 years

Felix John

Police Officer with British Transport Police

Sarah Walker

Assistant Manager at Walstead Place

Ayshea Sayers

Care Worker

Easter Gift Bags donated by Tufnells of Lindfield

A little something…

The amazing Lindfield gift shop Tufnells - currently closed - has made up six Easter Gift Bags for these six splendid key workers - and we will do our best to make sure Sarah, Felix, Sarah, Sarah-Louise, Ayshea and Ava get theirs on their doorsteps before Easter! Thank you Tufnells. And thank you ALL KEY WORKERS for keeping us going…

“We should thank the many cabin crew that helped repatriate thousands of UK citizens, and many of whom have now taken up jobs at hospitals and supermarkets!”

— Baz French

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Ali Brown made her appreciation clear!

“I would like to say huge THANK YOU to all the businesses especially the shops which have stayed open. I know they have all been working extra hard so that we can still shop safely and locally. I am sure I am not the only person to have asked you this but feel it would be a good moral boost for them if they know the whole community appreciates what they are doing.”

— Christine Clark

Clough's Deli in Lindfield - Behind the Counter

By Mary Collins

Much has changed since Albert Clough founded his laundry on Sunte Avenue in 1934. Not only has the area changed significantly but, through a series of reincarnations, the laundry became a general store, competing with the likes of Tremaine’s in Lindfield. It later added a Post Office and evolved into a delicatessen and, more recently, a wholefood store. Whatever its guise, it has been a cornerstone of village life for 85 years.

Mark Clough, Albert’s grandson, is now in charge, having taken over the business in 2012 from his father David. Now in his 80s, David still helps out in the shop a few times a week. Mark says of his father: “He is remarkable and after 55 years he still loves being here – he will never give up and I will never be able to catch him up!”

Amiably chipping in on this interview, David is full of wonderful anecdotes about the shop’s former days under his own father’s management and when he ran the shop with his friends Ernie and Norman, and recalls: “My father was so hard up he only ever had very limited stock so dotted one of each can on shelves around the shop.”

Chatting more about the shop’s history, Mark says: “It certainly had a colourful past and has long been a wonderful hub for the community. My grandfather and father built up the business by delivering food to residents around the area – the business thrived and by the 90s they were making 400 deliveries a week – they were like the Ocado of their day!”

[full article printed in December 2019 Lindfield Life issue]

Oathall's partnership with local gym

The fitness professionals behind Haywards Heath’s Switch Gym are launching a new joint health and fitness initiative with Oathall Community College.

Switch has kitted out a new £40,000 fitness facility at the college, complete with the very latest gym equipment, as part of its drive to introduce fitness to the lives of the local community. Pupils will be able to use the gym equipment during the school day as part of their physical education lessons with programmes designed by Switch coaches and PE teachers.

The installation from Switch Gym is a continuation of a package of support for the college, which recently included a £2,000 donation towards the new maths and science blocks.

Switch Academy director Chris Patch said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Oathall Community College. Providing professional gym equipment to the students is very much in line with our mission to get a positive health and fitness message out to the community.

“To be able to provide young people with the knowledge of how to look after their physical health from such an early age and take that into adulthood is very much part of our commitment to health and fitness education in the wider community. We are extremely proud to open our facility at such a centre of educational excellence.”

Village People: Adam Stone

When Adam Stone was just four years old his parents bought him a shiny new Raleigh Drifter bicycle.

“I remember being so excited as all my mates had bikes,” said Adam. “From that day my parents could hardly keep me off it.”

The bike sparked a passion for cycling that has seen Adam taking part some of the country’s most challenging rides, from Coast to Coast to London to Brighton.

But last month Adam faced his biggest and most emotional journey yet - riding 979 miles over ten days from Lands End to John O’Groats with 13 inspirational team mates, including two who are living with terminal cancer.

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By Claire Cooper

Born in Switzerland, Adam experienced travel from a very early age, moving to Uganda at the age of two. “My father worked in banking as a modern linguist, so we moved around a lot,” he said. “In Uganda we lived four doors down from Idi Amin, and I can remember seeing him go past the house accompanied by his burly armed guards!”

At the age of four Adam moved with his family to Belgium and acquired his first bike. “We lived in a little village, so everyone cycled everywhere!” he said. “It was a great place to learn to ride.”

By age 11 the family had been posted to Montreal in Canada and Adam began to cycle longer distances.

“When I was 14 I would cycle across Montreal, from one end to the other, on the Trans Canada highway,” he recalled.

“When we later moved to Holland I would head to the coast so I could cycle up and down the dunes.”

It was while studying at Imperial College in London that Adam began to enjoy cycling as part of a group.

“In the late 80s and 90s we cycled all over London,” he said. “I was told by a cycle courier that if you didn’t get knocked off your bike within the first three months cycling in London you never will! I didn’t and so far have managed to stay in the saddle. I’ve been knocked off in Haywards Heath but never in London!”

After graduating Adam moved to a village outside Cambridge where his parents were living, cycling 16 miles a day to and from work and with friends at weekends. “In 1996 I moved to London and, for a while, swapped my cycle for the tube. I also met and married my wife Claire.”

A move to Sussex in April 2005 saw Adam get back in the saddle.

“Claire was offered a job at the Body Shop headquarters in Littlehampton, so we began to look for a house in Sussex,” Adam recalled. “We picked five houses to view, including one in Scaynes Hill. The owners told they were moving to Lindfield, which we had never heard of. As they were the second people who had mentioned the village we thought it must have something going for it so we’d take a look.

[Full story in the November 2019 issue of Lindfield Life]

Pauline awarded for poppies work

A Lindfield resident who has run the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in the village for the past 20 years has been honoured with a special Community Award.

Pauline Parkyns, whose responsibilities have ranged from distributing over 6,000 poppies and ordering commemorative wreaths to co-ordinating the team of collectors and counting the cash, was nominated by Branch Chairman Val Upton.

“It was such a lovely surprise to be invited to Shoreham Airport by the RBL Fundraising Officer of West Sussex,” said Pauline. “I received a very attractive certificate mounted in a frame, which has pride of place on my wall.”

“When I became a poppy collector in 1982 I had no idea how passionate I would become about raising money for the Poppy Appeal,” added Pauline, who began by taking part in sponsored walks for the Appeal when she was younger.

“It has been a privilege to be the Poppy Appeal Organiser for Lindfield during the last 20 years. Although it could be hard work at this time of year, it is very rewarding knowing how the money raised helps our brave Servicemen and women cope with their injuries, both physical and mental. It is also a very humbling experience.”

Pauline has handed over her role to Val’s husband Gordon Upton. “I wish Gordon every success in his first year as organiser, but I am not going away as I am still a collector and will still sell my plants for the Poppy Appeal,” said Pauline.

“I’d like to thank the residents and organisations of Lindfield for all the support they have given to me over the years, and particularly the school teachers and pupils who have been wonderful. I will really miss them.”

The Bent Arms' lucky charm

The Bent Arms’ Howard Collins and Charlie Fairhead

Ireland has given the world many things – Guinness, Primark, the invention of colour photography, the world’s first armoured tank and even the cure for leprosy. While the country might not have a culinary reputation to rival the French or the Italians, it is certainly well-known for good food and, specifically, good bread, just like our next interviewee and manager of The Bent Arms, Howard Collins.

By Joe Wayte

After a string of failed attempts to make a profit out of The Bent Arms in the late 90s and early 2000s, Howard Collins stepped up to the plate in 2003 and has successfully managed the establishment ever since.

In the beginning the business had few customers but lots of potential. “I stood outside, looked through the window and saw the Rotary Club meeting,” Howard remembered. “I thought to myself – if nothing else, at least I’ve got 20-30 people coming to eat every week and decided to give it my best shot.”

[Full article printed in the October 2019 issue of Lindfield Life]

Local florist takes root in Denmans Lane, Lindfleld

Christine Bulman, founder and owner of Blooming Awesome, has joined forces with Lindfield interiors store Kell & Collins on Denmans Lane to offer customers flowers and floristry services, complementing the decorative products available in-store.

After 21 years in the banking industry, local resident Christine revisited her long held passion for floristry and started her business in 2013, servicing weddings, other special events and corporate contracts. Bringing her flowers to a wider audience has always been her ambition: “I love working on big events but have always wanted a high street presence with day to day interaction with customers. Being part of the team at Kell & Collins has fulfilled that dream. It’s great fun being part of the Lindfield high street community.”

Working with local growers to obtain seasonal blooms, Christine offers handtied bouquets and single sprays. She also offers regular workshops. Flowers are available four days a week in the shop.

Mathilda Rose: Behind the Counter in Lindfield

Behind the Counter is a series of articles we started back in 2017 to take a look at the inner workings of Lindfield’s most-loved shops, and get to know the people who run them. In this latest edition we meet Nicola O’Rourke – the mastermind behind #thewindowat62 and the worldwide renowned bridal shop, Mathilda Rose.

By Joe Wayte

Born and bred in Lindfield, Nicola’s parents owned land near Lyoth Lane. She was educated locally both at Great Walstead School and Ardingly College before moving to London to study Textile Design. “I started at Chelsea College of Art and Design to complete my foundational year,” Nicola explained, “before getting a prestigious place on a degree course at Central Saint Martins School of Art.”

If you want to be well-known in any form of art, Central Saint Martins is the place to be with courses that are incredibly sought after and incredibly competitive to get in to. “There were only eight of us on my course,”

Nicola added, “and as part of the selection process my group of applicants had to create a runway look for a model using only a deck chair, and within a very short amount of time!” Included in the eight studying with Nicola was Alice Temperely, now MBE and once described by American Vogue as ‘the designer making the biggest waves in British fashion’.

After attaining her degree, Nicola started work in the commercial world by accepting a place on the Marks and Spencer graduate scheme. She gained experience across a variety of departments and then settled as a Buyer – a role she stayed in for over ten years. She spent another six years as a Buyer for many well-known retailers before realising her dream of owning her own bridal store. “In those days, if something went wrong in a factory that was supplying your fabric you were expected to get on the next plane to go and fix it,” Nicola said with an air of exhaustion. “At that time most of my suppliers were in China and balancing being a mum while frequently flying to China became too much.”

[Full article printed in the September 2019 issue of Lindfield Life magazine]

Anne's Ugandan Adventure

By Claire Cooper

When Lindfield resident and former scout leader Anne Pieckielon travelled to Uganda to teach business skills at a refugee camp she expected the experience to be life changing.

But what struck her most was the warm welcome she received, the kindness of the people she met and the strong sense of community.

“Since coming home I’ve been reflecting on who is the richer - those that work together as a community who have nothing or us in the western world,” said Anne.

“Africa continues to surprise me and everyone we met made us feel safe and special. I have laughed but also cried at some of the stories I have encountered and I’ve vowed never to take electricity and the internet for granted too!”

Anne travelled to Moyo in Uganda with Projects Delivering Hope (PDH.) The charity runs short-term projects which give long-term aid, including training courses and setting up Micro Finance Trust funds with partners Five Talents to small start-up businesses.

[Full article printed in September 2019 issue of Lindfield Life magazine]