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]

Denmans Lane Dash, Lindfield - 2019

Denmans Lane Dash

The fifth annual Denmans Lane Dash will once again bring festive fun to Lindfield High Street on Boxing Day.

The popular event sees villagers dashing from the Stand Up, along Denmans Lane and back again, half pints in hand. The winners are those finishing in the top six with the most beer left in the glass.

The first Dash was held back in 2015 by Denmans Lane resident Ray Gower as an idea to brighten up Boxing Day for family and friends. Since then the event has grown way beyond Ray’s wildest expectations, attracting around 50 revellers, many in full fancy dress!

The event has also raised hundreds of pounds for charities, including the Sussex Heart Charity chosen by Ray last year after he underwent a triple heart bypass operation. This year money will be donated to the Trevor Mann Baby Unit.

To join the Dash, get along to the Stand Up from midday on 26th December. The race will start at 1pm.

For up to date information search for Denmans Lane Dash on Facebook.

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.”

Well done to Blackthorns' boys

By Karl Luckhurst, Leader of Physical Education

Pupils from Blackthorns Community Primary Academy have had an extremely sporty start to the school year by taking part in seven events run by Mid Sussex Active. Our most successful event came in the form of the Blackthorns Year 6 football team and a visit to Harlands Primary to take part in the Haywards Heath area ESFA 7-a-side boys football tournament. The team beat Bolnore Village 3-1, drew 0-0 against Harlands and lost to St Joseph’s 3-1 finishing second in the group (qualifying on goals scored!).

A tense semi-final followed against Lindfield Primary in which Lindfield won by the solitary goal. Congratulations to Lindfield and Holy Trinity teams which qualified for the Mid Sussex final.

Blackthorns pupils look forward to more sporting events coming up later this month, including: the girls football tournament, a dance troupe performance at Clair Hall, Indoor Athletics and Cross Country competitions.

Lindfield Arts Festival 2019 - round-up

By Ayesha Gilani

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Lindfield Arts Festival 2019

Lindfield Arts Festival celebrated its tenth anniversary with a record number of visitors. More than 5,000 people descended on the village to enjoy the arts.

From Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd September Lindfield opened its doors to celebrate and showcase local artists and performers of all ages.

During the week highlights included a sell-out comedy night and performances from award-winning musicians Aynsley Lister and Liane Carroll.

On Saturday festivalgoers basked in glorious sunshine. The High Street and Common buzzed with bumper crowds enjoying live theatre, circus skills, visual arts, dance, classic cars, flowers, literary and drawing workshops, food and music from local DJs.

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]

The history of Humphrey's Bakery in Lindfield

Humphrey’s Bakery, Lindfield - Richard Humphrey outside his shop

By Richard Bryant with Janet Bishop and John Mills, Lindfield History Project Group

The August local history article in Lindfield Life explained that the Common and Pond uniquely defined Lindfield and challenged that similar features could not be identified elsewhere in the country. It would be remiss not to pay tribute to another Lindfield icon, Humphrey’s Bakery, about which a similar claim could be made. Namely, does any other community have a bakery that traded continuously from the same premises for 223 years?

At 65 High Street, Humphrey’s shop front proudly proclaims the bakery was ‘Established 1796’. Perhaps equally remarkable, it has been run by only three families since that date. Having regard to the bakery’s history, it is appropriately located in one of Lindfield’s oldest medieval buildings; Humphrey’s, Bower House and Carriers were all constructed between 1300 and 1343. Its age is evidenced by the massive arched timber framing on the building’s northern side, into which, rather quirkily, three tiny windows have been cut.

When viewed from the street it will be seen that Humphrey’s shop is the cross wing of No 63 High Street, known as Wyncote. This is also of medieval date, although its age is not apparent having been re-fronted.

The early history of the building is yet to be fully discovered. However, a receipt document dated 1453, found during redecoration in the late 1940s, states the property was then occupied by ‘Thomas atte Ree’, probably a farmer.

He was paying rent of seven marks per quarter to his Lord of the Manor, the Dean of the College of Canons, South Malling. A mark was a unit of currency with a value of about 67p.

Returning to the bakery business, John Meads (1759–1826), a baker, first appeared in Lindfield parish records in December 1791, when with his wife, Ann, their daughter, Mary Ann, was baptised at the parish church.

In 1793, he took on a William Murrell as his apprentice. John Meads appears again in the Poor Rate records as a ratepayer from 1797 at Humphrey’s, which he rented from Thomas Blaker, a cordwainer. Accordingly, the claim that the bakery business at 65 High Street was established in 1796 is fully justified.

[An excerpt from the full article printed in Lindfield Life, October 2019]

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.

Start of season success for Lindfield Girls football team

By Ayesha Gilani

It was a stellar start to the season for Lindfield Juniors FC girls’ teams. The under-12 squad thrashed opponents Newhaven to win 7-1 at home, playing at Hickmans Lane Recreation Ground. The squad was set up last year in a bid to raise the profile of girls’ football in the community. Luke Morrell, who coaches the U12s with Jamie Baker and Ross Stretton, said: “What a difference a year makes. The girls have improved unbelievably in just 12 months and it’s been an absolute pleasure helping them develop into a really exciting team. Our opening 7-1 victory with six different goal scorers just shows how far we have come and I know both Jamie and Ross are as proud as me of all the girls. The numbers continue to increase across all the age groups but we are always looking for new girls to come along and join the club. Our girls’ teams offer a great opportunity to enjoy a team sport in a fun and safe environment, meeting new friends along the way.” The club’s new under-11 girls’ squad also made a great start to the season, winning one and losing one in their first ever competitive matches. Lindfield Juniors FC has spaces in its U10, U11 and U12 girls’ teams. For more information contact the club on: lindfieldgirlsfootball@gmail.com.

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]

Lindfield Arts Festival - 16th-22nd Sept 2019

By Ayesha Gilani

The countdown is on as we work towards the 10th anniversary of Lindfield Arts Festival! In just under eight weeks the village will be transformed into a creative hub, with a week-long programme of arts and entertainment for all. Look out for our festival programme, making its way to your front door later this month. In the meantime you can peruse the fantastic line-up of events on our website at www.lindfieldartsfestival.com. Tickets can be bought online or through our village box office at Kell & Collins on Denmans Lane. There are many free workshops and events to enjoy too! Join us from Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd September – it’s all waiting for you!

www.lindfieldartsfestival.com

Award-winning Children’s Authors at LAF

Enjoy an incredible day of readings and workshops from award-winning, bestselling children’s authors at The Tiger Rooms, Lindfield High Street on Saturday 21st September. Meet the writers, listen to their stories and pick up signed copies of their beautiful books. Giles Paley-Phillips ‘Superchimp’ at 10am; Will Mabbit ‘I can only draw worms’ at 11am; M.G. Leonard ‘Beetle Boy’ series at 12pm; Creative Writing workshop for 11+ with Ruby Cooper at 1pm and Lizzy Stewart ‘There’s a Tiger in the Garden’ at 2pm.

BABY OPERA

O Mio Bambino Caro! Bring your little people to All Saints Church for an interactive musical adventure that offers a playful and creative first opera experience for 0-2 year-olds. Listen, sing and play with music by Debussy, Delibes and Monteverdi as well as familiar nursery rhymes and specially written songs. After the show there is a play session for everyone to enjoy. Baby opera takes place on Friday 20th September at 11am- 12.30pm and 2-3.30pm. Tickets cost £9 (one adult and one child).

The Music of Trees

Musician Geoff Robb was the winner of the 2018 Brighton Fringe Live Music Award for his solo show. His beautiful meditative compositions, inspired by the trees of Sussex, blend his training in jazz and classical guitar with his love of Spanish and Celtic music. He has performed all over the UK and Europe at venues including Buckingham Palace and Glastonbury Festival. If you love nature and enjoy beautiful guitar music then don’t miss this award-winning show on Wednesday 18th September. Tickets cost £7.50. Venue: All Saints Church.

Mind full or Mindful?

Discover the art of living well at this free one hour introduction to mindfulness. Ed Halliwell is one of the UK’s leading mindfulness instructors and writers. His workshop will give you a taste of some key practices by looking at what mindfulness is and how it can be beneficial. This free session takes place at The Bent Arms on Sunday 22nd September, 10.30-11.30am. Places are limited. Reserve your space via our website: www.lindfieldartsfestival.com

Festival Hog Roast & Live Music Finale

The Witch Inn plays host to an end of festival celebration on Sunday 22nd September. The festivities kick-off at 5.30pm with a hog roast and fresh salads @£7.50 per head. There will be live music in the bar, courtesy of local band The Vinyl Capris. Roisin Finlay, event organiser at The Witch, said: “Our chefs and front of house team are excited to be hosting the closing of the festival with great food and local tipples. Lindfield Arts Festival is a fantastic community event and we’re proud to be supporting it.” Please note this is a non-ticketed event with limited capacity. It’ll be first come, first served.

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Studio Open House and Funky Frame Art Trail for LAF

Lindfield Art Studio will be opening its doors to Festivalgoers on Sunday 22nd September.

Visitors can enjoy an Art Café and DJ Set between 11am and 3pm. Home-made cakes and refreshments will be served in the Studio Garden and art will be on sale all day.

Exhibiting artists will be on hand to chat, and soft funk music will keep the atmosphere relaxed and chilled. The Open House will be running a raffle for an art gift from one of the artists at the studio and a free prosecco hour for adults to enjoy between 1pm and 2pm. Free workshops at 11.30am and 1.30pm too.

Leesa is also teaming up with other artists and Lindfield Life to create the Funky Frame Kids Art Trail on Saturday 21st September.

“Each frame will give participants a clue – collect all 14 clues, sort the puzzle and you could win an amazing art bundle of goodies to take away,” Leesa explained. There’s also an opportunity to send in selfie snaps to the magazine for an extra prize. Pick up your free pencil and map on the day from the studio.

Crisp packet recycling in Lindfield, West Sussex

A Lindfield landlord is helping residents to be that bit ‘greener’ with the opening of a crisp packet recycling scheme in the village.

Crisp packet recycling at The Stand Up

Andi Frost from The Stand Up Inn had been considering what steps she could take to reduce the landfill waste from the pub when she discovered various schemes run by recycling giant Terracycle. “I think it was the crisp packets that got to me, but, since we’re in the service industry, reducing our sales isn’t the best option. Recycling is the next best thing,” she explained. “Talking to people across the bar made it apparent that everyone wants to do something, but they just don’t always know what or how. If we make it just easy enough to make a change then it gets people thinking what more they can do, and hopefully effects a mini revolution!”

Recycle Ella’s Kitchen packets too

The packets are weighed when collected and turned into points, which equate to money donated to a charity – and Andi has selected Lindfield Primary Academy PTA to be the recipient. The school is also now a registered collection point itself.

There is a green bin round the side of The Stand Up, with a clearly marked poster on the front. Any brand of crisp packets (empty) can be put in, but not popcorn, pretzel or meat snack bags or tubes.

Also accepted into the same wheelie bin are Ella’s Kitchen food pouches and packets, plus all brands of biscuit, cake bars and cracker wrappers. Don’t include any of the card packaging – as these are recycled by the council blue bin.

Andi cites a quote from Anne Marie Bonneau which she was inspired by: ‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.’

Biscuit wrapper reycling

Brett gets place at London gallery

Brett Hudson, artist

Lindfield artist Brett Hudson is still celebrating after being announced a winner of the Hahnemuhle Fine Art UK Award last month.

Brett submitted a piece to the Royal Society of British Artists Exhibition (RBA) earlier this year, along with 3,500 others.

“I took it up to London be to be reviewed,” he said, “and was delighted when I learned that it would be one of the 120 works of art on display.”

The exhibition, held at Mall Galleries, was officially opened by RBA President Nick Tidman and broadcaster and artist Thomas Schafernacker and ran until the middle of July 2019.

Scaynes Hill WI scoop craft awards

Talented members of Scaynes Hill WI are becoming the ones to watch at the annual South of England Show competition.

The women regularly return home with awards in the arts, crafts, story writing and cookery classes, which attract entries from groups from across Sussex, but this year they excelled themselves with one of the most successful shows yet!

The group was one of only two WIs to enter all 13 classes and members picked up awards in almost every one, collecting three firsts, three seconds and one third prize rosette, alongside a Highly Commended and a Commended certificate. Scaynes Hill also won the Visitors’ Choice in the painting.

First prizes were awarded for a hand embroidered sampler in the ‘Sew Beautiful’ class, a crochet bedspread in the ‘Cottoned On’ category and an exhibit entitled ‘My WI’ which six members had put together. The exhibit featured a slice of Victoria sponge, flower arrangement, cloth napkin and a knitted tea cosy depicting a WI member!

Second prizes went to ‘Summer Sensation’, a flower arrangement featuring natural plant materials, ‘1919: A Woman’s Story’, a story and illustration based on a woman’s experience at the end of the first world war, and ‘A Summer Picnic’, a hand knitted seasonal scene, which included a knitted bicycle, picnic basket, cricket bat and ball!

The scene was made by three main members with contributions from a further 12. The third prize rosette was proudly pinned on to Scaynes Hill WI’s very own life sized scarecrow made from recycled materials, including drinks cans and a kilt made from sewn together crisp packets, in a class entitled ‘If I only had a brain’.

Scaynes Hill’s entries were also appreciated by the visiting public who voted their painting, bedspread, knitted scene and ‘My WI’ cooperative best in class and their knitted scene overall ‘Best in Show’.

Susan Lodge, who co-ordinated the Scaynes Hill entries, said: “I am so very proud of all our members who took part. We may be a relatively small WI but we certainly pack a punch when it comes to craft!”

London to Paris riders success

By Vivian Brennan

On the weekend of 7th/8th June, five from Lindfield Warrior Cycle Club (Adam Stone, Paul Seymour, James Gairdner, Annette Smith and Vivian Brennan) rode the Duchenne Dash, a 300k cycle ride from London to Paris in aid of Duchenne UK.

The ride was really tough this year with shocking weather, relentless gale force head winds, lots of really heavy downpours of rain, a brutal ferry crossing and late ferry arrival, and therefore we were under massive time pressure to get to Paris for our time slot. But it was all so worth it!!

We rode alongside 20 mums and dads who have children with Duchenne MD who are praying for a cure to see their children live beyond the tragically short life span they will otherwise have.

For the last six months we have been fundraising and were blown away by the generosity of the local community. We want to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all who have supported us in trying to reach our massive £16,000 target, and we are delighted to say, as of 11th June, we have raised £15,847.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Warriors

Oathall School’s Rugby World Cup Bake-Off

Each year Haywards Heath Rotary Club sponsors the Oathall Community College Bake-Off competition. This year’s competition theme was the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Seventeen students entered by baking a cake at home and sending in a picture for consideration. These entries were then judged on creativity and skills with eight being selected to enter the final competition.

The competition took place in June with competitors being given four hours to bake and decorate their cake from scratch. The cake ingredients were provided by the Rotary Club and the decorations were provided by the students.

At the end of the competition the cakes were judged by a panel made up from WI members Kate Kent and Julia Vokes, and Mike Hoare and Nigel Vokes from the Rotary Club, Emily Hughes and Emma Brown from Oathall’s catering team, as well as Emily Brock, three times previous Oathall Bake-Off winner.

Cakes were judged on appearance, skill level, taste and texture as well as on creativity and originality. The winning cake (pictured with its creator) came top in all of the criteria. The judges were particularly impressed by the original use of Yuzu, a Japanese flavouring in the filling as well as the creativity and professional finish.

Every person who entered received a whisk and wooden spoon with the final entrants receiving an apron and recipe book. The top three entries also received gift vouchers as their prize.

Lindfield Gin Festival: 15th June 2019

By Anna MacMahon

Last June the Parent Teachers Association of Oathall Community College organised a super successful event in support of the school. In fact, it raised £6,000 which helped to purchase equipment for the new Maths and Science block; equipment which will help to inspire and create a new generation of mathematicians and scientists.

This year, we are incredibly excited for the return of this summer event, a highlight on the Lindfield social calendar! There will be 25 Sussex gins to sample, all with their own unique local flavour. We’ll see the return of the very popular main raffle prize: a wheelbarrow full of gin! Heartfelt thanks goes out to all the wonderful community shops, small businesses and other organisations that have so kindly donated contributions to the raffle prizes and supported us with other sponsorship opportunities. This year we are raising funds for new sound and lighting equipment for the school hall. We are proud to raise funds for our school and hope you will join us on this fun evening to help us reach our goal.

The Lindfield Gin Festival will take place on Saturday 15th June 2019, starting at 7pm in King Edward Hall. A ticket costs £15 (which includes your first gin token), with gin tokens being sold for £2 on the night. Book your tickets here: www.trybooking.co.uk/IOU