You Raise Me Up charity dog show on Lindfield Common

Lindfield Common was transformed into a ‘mini-Crufts’ last month when dozens of dogs and their owners descended on the village for a summer dog show.

Organised by resident Charlie Davies, the ‘You Raise Me Up Charity Dog Show’ attracted dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes, keen to win a rosette and a chance to become the Best in Show. Classes ranged from prettiest pooch and handsomest hound to young handler and best rescue, and there was even a chance to have a go at dog agility and shop at the doggy business trade stands.

Sponsored by Pampurr your Pets Dog Grooming, Hydrotherapy and Pet Supplies, in Haywards Heath, the event was held to raise funds for ‘You Raise Me Up’ charity which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. “The event was better than I could ever have imagined!” said Charlie. “We had so many entries and spectators, it was such a brilliant day! All of the classes were packed - handsomest hound had 29 entries! “We raised a whopping £1,052 for the charity and I couldn’t be more thrilled!”

Based in East Sussex, the charity raises funds to support families that have suffered the loss of a young person aged 16-25 years. It was founded by the late Jane Brooks and her husband Fraser in June 2011 following the loss of their daughter Megan. Next year Charlie will be trekking to Borneo to raise further funds for the charity. Photos from the show can be purchased from the ‘You Raise me Up Charity Dog Show’ Facebook page with all proceeds going to charity.

To see more lovely photos from the day turn to page 47 & 47 of October’s Lindfield Life Magazine.

New benches on Lindfield Common

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When Lindfield grandmother Carol Rieley asked councillors for a new bench on the Common she didn’t expect her request to be granted several times over!

But to Carol’s delight, visitors to the Common now have a great choice of places to sit and relax.

Carole explained how she met with Will Blunden and some of the parish and district councillors last April. “I asked whether it was possible to have a bench outside the children’s playground as, although there were seats within the play area, there were none outside for Grannies like me to sit with the dog and rest up whilst the youngsters had fun on the swings,” she said.

“Last month, there was not just the one I had suggested but all the extra seats all the way along the boundary of the Common!

“I want to say a huge thank you to both the parish and district councils. The seats are being well utilised and one rather elderly lady commented: ‘I can walk all the way round the Common as there are plenty of places to rest now.’”

Andrew Funnell, Clerk at Lindfield Parish Council, commented: “We welcome the additional benches installed by Mid Sussex District Council on Lindfield Common. The benches were installed following dialogue between representatives of both councils. The newly installed benches benefit from hardstandings and have a higher seat allowing for easier access. The Parish Council understands that S106 funds (contributions from housing developers) were utilised to help fund the project.

“In addition to the benches, work has been undertaken by MSDC on some of the footpaths on the Common. This includes the footpath at the bottom of Old School Court which has been widened. The Parish Council wishes to thank MSDC and Councillor Gary Marsh.”

New bench on Lindfield common for Chris

In January, a beautiful new bench was installed at the top of Lindfield Common.

The bench commemorates the life of Chris Paice, a Lindfield resident who sadly lost his life to cancer a year ago aged just 43.

Chris’s enthusiasm for life and love for Lindfield makes the bench a fitting tribute, providing a place for his family and many friends to reflect and remember him.

[Read the full story on page 19 of the April 2018 issue of Lindfield Life.]