Goodbye Vicar

Village People
By David Tingley

I can only assume that the next door neighbours who invited James’ family to church after they moved house in 1962 had no knowledge of the long-term impact of their generous actions. Not a family of churchgoers, his parents declined the offer but pushed seven year old James forward instead. The two sisters and brother kindly took him to church twice every Sunday for several years. James was brought up in the small Welsh market town of Llandovery in rural Carmarthenshire and, in his words, ‘Its main claim to fame is being the birthplace of hymn writer William Williams (‘Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah’). His grandparents ran several small businesses there, including a hotel, bakery and café, and his father worked in the family business. After attending school at Llandovery College, James studied Political Science and Economics at University College Wales in Aberystwyth and found the change from boarding-school to student life liberating: “On my first day, I sat in my room waiting for a bell to ring as it used to at school. I soon discovered to my delight that no bell rang and I was master of my own destiny. It was a great three years.” James became interested in academic work as a career and went on to be a researcher in the David Bruce Centre in the Department of American Studies at the University of Keele while doing an MA. Part of his responsibilities at the time were helping to organise and host visiting lecturers at the David Bruce Centre, which included former Prime Minister Harold Wilson and White House Counsel and Watergate defendant John Dean – who arrived at the campus by helicopter! He went on to spend four more years at Keele working on his doctorate in American history and political theory. “I loved the academic life,” James explained. “We used to go for long pub lunches where one person would bring a paper to read and discuss before submitting for publication. It was such a collaborative and creative process.” However, two more important things took place while James was at Keele. After a period where church didn’t play a part in his life, he found the Christians he met at Keele were ‘more than Sunday worshippers’ and that piqued his interest. With a very active Christian Union at university he was soon ‘converted’ and became a Christian. At around the same time a certain young student called Chris Foster started her degree in International Relations and also became part of the bustling CU. It wasn’t long before interest turned into romance, and – in fact – the pair got married just three years after they met, in the very chapel where James had been an invigilator for Chris’ exams eight weeks earlier! During these years at Keele James’ ambition to become a professor by the age of 40 had begun to recede, as his new faith had blossomed.

To find out more about their amazing life together and James’ journey to Lindfield, look on page 36 in September’s issue of Lindfield Life for the full article.

James’ last Sunday at All Saints Church will be Sunday 4th October.

George's greeting cards

A seven year old Lindfield resident has been doing his bit for charity recently. On hearing that many families were struggling during the Coronavirus pandemic, George was inspired to try to help. As a keen artist, he decided to create his own range of greeting cards and sold them to friends, family and neighbours. With four different designs, the A6 cards enabled George to raise an impressive £215.27. He and his mother, Sophie, found out about the IMPACT Foundation from last month’s issue of Lindfield Life, and immediately knew that it was the perfect charity to donate the money to. “We really liked the idea of not only providing food parcels to local families in need but also recipe cards to help them make affordable, healthy meals,” Sophie told us. George’s fundraising efforts will help contribute to their valuable work, which benefits over 40 families in the Haywards Heath and Lindfield area. George went to IMPACT’s offices on Western Road to hand over the cheque to UK Programme Coordinator Lisa Waller. Whilst there George was able to assist the volunteer team in filling the week’s boxes before they were distributed later that morning. “We are very proud of George,” explained Sophie, “but we also wanted to thank all those who have bought cards already and the printing company – Newman Thomson in Burgess Hill – who very kindly printed the cards for free.” If you would like to buy any of George’s uniquely designed cards (blank inside), you can get in touch with Sophie via email (sophiegrimaldi2012@gmail.com).

Don't forget to Vote in our Front Garden Festival!

By Jim Stockwell

The Lindfield Front Garden Festival has been running for more than six weeks and continues until 12th September. We’ve been delighted with feedback from visitors: ‘The garden is a riot of colour that demands attention as it dances in the wind’ ‘Thank you for organising the front gardens walk around Lindfield. I enjoyed it so much I did it twice!’ ‘… I have enjoyed being able to take a virtual stroll round the village and admire the gardens’ ‘I am sure it has given many people much pleasure’ ‘They are all really lovely with lots of different styles’ ‘I’m helping to support an amazing charity. Best wishes to all those taking part.’ So, don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to view Lindfield’s delightful front gardens. We hope to raise as much as possible so, please, make a donation to the Hospice via this JustGiving page: https://rb.gy/bknfpw You can vote for your favourite front garden – all votes received by 11th September will be entered into a prize draw. The most popular garden and the first name drawn from votes submitted will both win a beautiful pot donated by Pots and Pithoi (see above). There will also be a prize for the best pot/planter/window box. Details of all 46 gardens participating, including a map guide, are available now from the Festival website (https://lindfield-gardens.co.uk) and are also shown on the notice board outside the King Edward Hall.

Harvey and Molly ‘brave the shave’

Two teenagers have joined thousands of others across the UK to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Lindfield resident Harvey Alcock (16) and his girlfriend Molly Hord (15) decided to ‘brave the shave’ just three weeks after being told of his mum’s diagnosis of lymphoma.

Katherine Alcock, who has been actively involved in school PTAs and is also co-chair of Lindfield Village Day, couldn’t believe they were prepared to do it: “I am very proud of both of them. With personal image so important at that age, I do appreciate that it’s a big (and very obvious) show of support.”

Before the shave…

Molly had only been dating Harvey for two months when she suggested the idea. Her hair has been sent off in eight pony tails to the Little Princess Trust, which makes real hair wigs for anyone under the age of 24 who has lost their hair due to illness. “It had always been in the back of my mind to do this,” Molly explained, “but I’ve never had a strong enough reason. Doing it this way supports Katherine but also raises funds for charity too.”

Harvey said: “We have friends who have benefitted from the support of Macmillan over the years, so we are very happy to be able to help fund its work.”

Each of them has a fundraising page and they have already raised over £2,100 between them since the shave took place in July – where trained hairdresser Heidi Keane was on-hand to make sure it was all done right!

“Molly and I are really chuffed with the amount raised so far,” Harvey commented. “Thank you so much to all those who have donated already.”

https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/molly-hord

https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/harvey-alcock

Thank you key workers

By David Tingley, editor

At the beginning of lockdown (I know, it seems like an eternity 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, many of us became more aware of care workers, postmen and women, refuse collectors, those in the emergency services, teachers and shopworkers too. Lindfield resident Ali Brown painted a six foot sign to show her appreciation, which stood in her garden for a time and artist Brett Hudson drew a special colouring sheet for children to add the finishing touches to and put on display in their windows. Here we celebrate seven of these superstars in our midst. And to make it even sweeter (literally) at the time Lindfield gift shop Tufnells made up Easter goodie bags for each person, which we delivered over the Easter weekend.

Carry on Volunteering

By David Wilson The coronavirus catastrophe has brought out the best in us. Immediately the lockdown started, notes were slipped through the doors of people who had been instructed to self-isolate. They were from younger, able-bodied individuals who were taking the initiative to identify vulnerable neighbours and make arrangements to help them during their self-isolation. It demonstrates that there is a massive amount of goodwill in the community for volunteering to help others. This spirit has been tapped for the last 37 years by Cuckfield and Lindfield Rotary. In the beginning, a bunch of 43 year olds got together to make a difference in the community. Over the years they have raised nearly half a million pounds for local causes and for their International projects. They have also done some serious practical work for local mental health care and other establishments. Youth work ranges from reading assistance in primary schools to teenage competitions and sponsoring candidates for leadership courses. The great thing is that all this is done with friends, so it’s a lot of fun too! Not only that, but the same things are being done by like-minded people all over the world, 1.2 million of them!

To find out more or to join in pick up August’s issue of Lindfield Life now.

Sussex Young Musician of the Year 2020

Applications for the Coro Nuovo Sussex Young Musician of the Year competition 2020 are now open, offering young musicians the chance to win up to £1,000 to help support their music studies.

For details on how to enter grab yourself a copy of Lindfield Life, August issue.

The deadline for application is midnight on Sunday 30th August and the winner will be announced in a live virtual award ceremony during October.

Poster competition for children

At a time when parents of school age children will be feeling like this is the longest period of ‘school holidays’ ever – a local collaboration means that there is something new for kids between four and 12 years old to take part in this summer. Lindfield in Bloom, supported by Sussex Wildlife Trust and with Lindfield Life magazine, has launched a poster competition. Children are being asked to design a poster which tells residents how they can encourage more wildlife into their gardens.

• Find information about how to help wildlife by visiting https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/discover/go-wild-athome where you can also find Summer activity sheets and more!

• The poster should be A4 size, with your name and age written on the back.

• Email a photo or scan of the front and back of your poster to WildlifeCompetition@heathermartin.co.uk

• Winning entries will be notified by the end of September. There will be a prize for the winner and the runner-up in three age categories: 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12

• Winning entries will be featured in a future issue of Lindfield Life!

Lindfield Front Garden Festival launched

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Last year the Lindfield Open Garden event attracted more than 800 visitors and raised over £9,000 for St Peter and St James Hospice. The event has been cancelled this year, but to raise much needed funds for the Hospice, Lindfield gardening groups have teamed up to arrange a ‘Front Garden Festival’ through the summer. Full details are shown on our advertisement on page 57 and on our website at: https://lindfield-gardens.co.uk

The idea is for lots of the beautiful front gardens around the village to join in the Festival and for the whole community to view these from the pavement at a safe distance. A map of those selected for the ‘People’s Choice’ stage will be made available in mid-July and the public will make a People’s Choice for their favourite garden in each part of the village - and there will be a special prize for the best planter/window box/hanging basket. So, owners of all front gardens - large or tiny - are invited to join by sending an email with your name and address to fg@lindfieldhorts.org.uk (or phone Sue and Jim Stockwell on 01444 459363).

We hope to raise as much as possible, so please make a donation to the Hospice via this Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lindfieldfrontgardenfestival2020

Balcombe Road closure will affect Lindfield residents

The controversial closure of Balcombe Road, Borde Hill Lane and Hanlye Lane – which was delayed from last year to give businesses opportunity to plan for the impact - is still due to take place across the summer.

As part of the new development by Redrow Homes being built at Penlands Green, work on the new roundabout at the current junction where Balcombe Road, Borde Hill Lane and Hanlye Lane intersect will now take place from 22nd June - however there is significant improvement in the time road will be closed completely.

Robert Phelps, Technical Director at Redrow, comments: “The lower levels of traffic on the roads at this time due to the pandemic meant we could again revisit plans, resulting in some local routes being kept open through periods of the works.”

Mims Davies MP explained: “I’m delighted that Hanlye Lane will remain open for most of the build weeks allowing for local access to businesses. Current estimates are that this junction will need to close for approximately three weeks from mid-July.”

More information: https://www.urbanissta.co.uk/update/penland-farm-road-closure/

Lindfield High Street begins to open up again

Lindfield High Street sees new life after lockdown

By Mary Collins

As we start to emerge from lockdown, Lindfield is gradually returning to some sort of normality with the reopening of non-essential shops and businesses during June.

Most outlets that have been shut since March have rejoined those that heroically stayed open throughout the lockdown as the High Street takes its first cautious steps towards recovery.

To get a snapshot of how traders are faring in these uncertain times and what shopping will look like after almost three months in lockdown, Lindfield Life spoke to a selection of those that kept the village going throughout the lockdown, and some that have reopened.

Those traders spoken to have primarily talked about customer loyalty and the importance of local shopping and local supply chains, and whilst there is general confidence and optimism that the High Street will begin to trade normally, there is also a note of caution as the lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Staff at Cottenham’s, who stayed open throughout the lockdown, talk of the ‘intense, long and sometimes emotional days’ and the ‘eerie quiet of the village interrupted by the incessant ringing of the phone for yet another order’. John Cottenham said: “The last few months have been extreme! When panic buying stripped supermarket shelves bare, our relationship with local suppliers ensured we kept customers supplied and happy. We have been overwhelmed by the hard work of our staff and the support from our customers.”

Demonstrating the Lindfield community spirit, John adds: “It never felt stronger, with those of us that stayed open energising each other. We worked with Paul’s Greengrocer to combine some deliveries, and the Co-op was helpful with cooking ingredients.”

[Excerpt from July 2020 magazine]

Author Nicola digs up undiscovered talent

Digger School author

By Joe Wayte

Lindfield resident and mum of two, Nicola Richardson took inspiration from her son Leo’s passion for diggers to write a short, illustrated children’s book. The aim was to prepare him for the future and going to school using the object he most enjoyed. As lockdown hit the UK, Nicola handed out free copies to her neighbours in a bid to give parents something new to entertain their children with.

What started out as a poem grew into a longer story including various scenarios. We read about the diggers getting ready, hearing their name on the register, and learn about the different skills each of them has – all unique and working together to get the digging done.

The book was illustrated by local graphic designer Alex Slack. Nicola and Alex were colleagues at the time. A chance conversation in which the book was mentioned led to a six-month partnership while Nicola was on maternity leave with her second child, Jessica.

After looking into publishing options, Nicola decided to self-print the book, initially ordering minimal copies, which mainly went to family and friends. Businesses in the area have since stocked the book, including Waterstones in Haywards Heath, which likes to support local authors. Since the first print in 2019, Nicola has now sold nearly 400 copies.

Earlier this year Nicola used the book to run a workshop at Northlands Wood Primary School and hopes to do more in the future. She is also contemplating her next short story based on her daughter’s passions to make sure Jessica doesn’t feel left out!

You can buy the book online via Amazon.co.uk and you can also download some of the illustrations for free from www.diggerschool.com to colour them in yourself.

Mid Sussex Steam Laundry opened in Lindfield 1902

Mid Sussex Laundry, opened in Lindfield in 1902 and closed in 1972

By Richard Bryant, Lindfield History Project Group

Throughout her long life the Dowager Countess of Tankerville was engaged in charitable works. Born Lady Olivia Montagu, daughter of the 6th Duke of Manchester, she married the 6th Earl of Tankerville in 1850.

One charitable venture was the establishment of laundries to provide work and a home for women in difficult circumstances, including unmarried mothers. She opened a number of laundries across the country.

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The Countess of Tankerville, while living at The Welkin, Lindfield, built such a laundry on land adjoining Gravelye Lane. The laundry opened in 1902 and was run on charitable lines by a local committee. It was taken over by the Salvation Army in 1912. Their aim remained to provide help to women struggling to regain their character by means of honest labour. The laundry home called ‘Quinta’ provided accommodation for thirty female workers.

The Salvation Army ended its connection with the laundry in 1922. It became a business and continued trading as the Mid Sussex Steam Laundry.

After WWII the business was taken over by Mr J Carter, a Quaker, who ran it until closure in 1972. After closure the buildings were demolished and the land used for the Grey Alders and Kidbrook housing development.

[Excerpt from article first published in Lindfield Life magazine July 2014]

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



MSDC Garden waste collections return on 11th May 2020

Mid Sussex District Council is resuming garden waste collections from Monday 11 May.

As part of the Council’s response to the COVID-19 national emergency, garden waste collections were paused on 13 April to enable the collection crews to meet social distancing requirements and to preserve rubbish and recycling collections.

During the past month the Council has worked hard alongside waste collection partner Serco to secure additional resources that will enable our crews to practice social distancing and collect our customers’ garden waste safely. Collections were originally predicted to be suspended for a period of 12 weeks, but new working arrangements mean it is now possible to bring the service back after only a four-week pause.

When the service resumes on Monday 11 May, customers should place their garden waste bins out for collection on their usual collection day. Anyone who is not sure when their bin is due for collection can check online at www.midsussex.gov.uk/waste-recycling/bin-collection

The garden waste collection service has been paused for exactly four weeks and during that time each customer has missed two collections. To ensure that no household is financially disadvantaged by the suspension of the garden waste collection service, the Council will add four weeks onto the end of each subscription period to cover the number of collections missed.

Councillor John Belsey, Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery said: “This has been a difficult month for everyone and we are so grateful to all our garden waste customers for their patience, support and understanding during the past few weeks.

“We know that garden waste collections are important to people, especially during this lockdown period, so we have been working as hard as we can with Serco to reinstate them safely as soon as possible. I’m delighted to say that we are now able to resume our garden waste collections.

“We really appreciate the efforts you are making to hold on to your garden waste but please remain patient for a little while longer once collections are back under way and we work through the build-up.

“Our crews are not able to collect any side waste so it’s important to make sure all your garden waste is contained within the bin and that the lid is closed. If you are unable to fit all your garden waste into your green wheelie bin, please continue to store it until your next scheduled collection. This will ensure the safety and wellbeing of our collection crews and that we can continue to offer a garden waste service to everyone.”

For more information, visit the garden waste collection page at www.midsussex.gov.uk/gardenwaste where there are answers to several Frequently Asked Questions. Anyone who is unable to find the answer to their query online should email gardenwaste@midsussex.gov.uk.

Sussex Coffee Trucks serves NHS heroes

Sussex Coffee Trucks at Princess Royal Hospital giving away free coffee during lockdown

Local resident Dan Pullen started his own mobile coffee business this year called Sussex Coffee Trucks. It was based around a bright yellow, vintage Citroen horse box. He had secured a permanent pitch with National Trust at the iconic Ditchling Beacon Car Park and things were going fantastically well for the business owner. Until lockdown came, and his business was shut down overnight. The next thing he knew was that he was unable to work, and at home looking after his 6 year old and 2 year old!

By Dan Pullen

It dawned on me that I was in the perfect position to help boost morale at my local hospital by using my vehicle. Everything's better after coffee isn’t it? So the idea was born but it took quite a bit of planning and investigative work to actually get the idea to the right people and have it signed off. 

NHS Heroes blend of coffee

I’ve known Kris from Lindfield Coffee Works for many years. He used to supply me with coffee at my last cafe in Brighton and he also sponsors my cycle race team (https://lindfieldcoffee.team/) so it was only natural that I continued that relationship in my new business. When he heard about my idea he jumped at the chance to help out with coffee beans and even offered to help run a few shifts. I put together an online fundraiser too and the response was phenomenal! I ordered up all the products I needed and we were ready to go.

 It was a huge success. I served over 1,000 drinks in the first week! Feedback was fantastic and everyone was so grateful. It felt amazing to be able to lift spirits for these hardworking heroes.

Last week I was approached by two local companies that had seen my posts on social media and wanted to donate cakes too which were gratefully received and went down a storm! Thank you to: The Garden Chef and Round Table Cookery

We’ve been doing 4 days per week throughout April and will continue until either the funds run out or that I’m aloud to return to doing what I love most: Providing amazing coffee and cake to all the lovely visitors to Ditching Beacon.

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

What is a Lifetime Mortgage?

Advertiser and Mortgage, Equity Release and Protection Adviser Nigel Urban (from Finance Planning Group) explains in more detail…

The key to giving mortgage advice is to discover the customer’s circumstances and objectives, then match those to the most suitable product – bespoke advice.

There is no better example of that than lifetime mortgages. They are available to the over-55s, but what are they and which, if any, product is right for you? We are bombarded with advertisements for ‘equity release’, we see ‘myth-busting’ articles (which are actually advertisements) and we read ‘exposés’ in the tabloid press – generalisations about products being bad. Add to this the musings of saloon bar philosophers and anybody can be excused for being confused.

Lifetime mortgages are as they say: mortgages which last a lifetime. That is not quite true, they will also end when the borrower goes into permanent residential care, but the benefit is the same – you can stay in your home as long as you want to or are able to. Other benefits are that it is not necessary (but often possible) to make interest payments during the term of the mortgage and the interest rate is usually fixed for life, giving certainty. Because interest payments are voluntary, income is irrelevant. If no interest payments are made then interest rolls up and equity reduces, although the products we recommend have a ‘no negative equity’ guarantee.

Who, then, are lifetime mortgages for? Some recent cases give examples:

A lady in her mid-70s, employed but on a zero-hours contract, needing to remortgage. Her age and type of employment made it impossible to get an income-based product. A lifetime mortgage was ideal, as interest payments could be made from earned income, if desired, but could cease on retirement.

A gentleman needing to raise money, with a reasonable pension income but a high level of credit card debt. A standard mortgage would have required nearly all the debt to be repaid to establish affordability, defeating the objective of raising money.

As well as remortgaging and capital raising, lifetime mortgages can be used to purchase a property.

The amount borrowable depends on the borrower’s age and the value of the property.

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Remote advice available during lockdown

Lenders often offer tiered interest rates, where the lower the percentage of the property’s value being borrowed, the lower the interest rate. This is good news for property owners in the south east, where large property price increases over the last few decades mean that quite large sums can be borrowed at the best rates.

For example, at time of writing, the lowest rate available is with a lender which would lend an 80 year old up to 32% of the value of a property (e.g. £240,000 on a £750,000 property). A 55 year old could borrow 6% (£45,000) of the value of the same property*.

Higher loan to value borrowing is available, although at a higher rate of interest. At time of writing the most that could be borrowed is 58% of the value of the property*, at age 83+.

Returning to the theme at the beginning, a hairbrush is a good product, but not to a bald man. Lifetime mortgages are good products if they are right for you. Get bespoke advice. As whole of market advisers, Finance Planning can draw on over 350 lifetime mortgage products* and find the right one for you.

*Source: Answers in Retirement Limited 

Contact me for a free initial discussion, with no obligation: by email to nigel.urban@financeplanning.co.uk, or call/text me on 07765 465508 (preferred) or our head office number, 01444 449200. FCA Registration Number 715721. Head Office: Hurstwood Grange, Hurstwood Lane, Haywards Heath, RH17 7QX.

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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.