Lindfield Parish Council - January newsletter

Parish Meeting – 21st March 2023

The Parish Meeting (which, it must be stressed, is NOT a meeting of the Parish Council) is a forum for local government electors to discuss parish affairs and to pass resolutions on them, although such resolutions are not binding on the Parish Council. As this Parish has a Parish Council, it is the Council’s Chairman who must convene the meeting and, if present, chair it. This year’s Parish Meeting will be held on 21st March at 8pm in the King Edward Hall. The Agenda will be on the Parish Council’s notice board in Denmans Lane nearer the time, as well as on our website (www.lindfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk).

Lindfield Parish Council meetings - Jan to Mar 2023

Black Hill School Parking

“…it’s easy to solve, just put some pieces of concrete on the verge and paint them white…” Many have expressed concern at the damage to the verge, blocking of the road and potential danger to school children on Black Hill. All seem to agree that it needs to be addressed, but how? History - possible reasons and ‘it was different in my day’
• No one seems clear on how or why the problem started approximately 18 months ago. The best guess is that someone stopped there one day for a drop-off or pick-up, and others quickly followed.
• Many remember the ‘turning circle’ in previous years, where vehicles could enter the school, drop the children off and leave. The expansion of the school has meant that this space has been built over and is no longer available.
• West Sussex County Council (WSCC) manage the provision of school places on a demand-led basis. On-site parking or delivery is not a decisive part of that decision making and the on-site parking is insufficient for all the school’s staff.
• The school has tried a ‘kiss and drop’ approach within its car park but some drivers chose to stop and chat, blocking the area. The Principal was spending significant time trying to direct drivers, with some simply ignoring instructions and making the task impossible.
• The school should tell the parents to walk / not to park on Black Hill etc. The school has no authority over behaviour on the highway. ‘It wasn’t like that in my day, they should walk like we did.’ The reality is that all have different lifestyles, work and home pressures and expectations, it is not realistic to seek to impose the same behaviour on all; nor would most of us want that.

Looking forward and what can be done. Potential solutions include white wooden posts like those elsewhere on the common, small concrete markers, grasscrete in the verges, and yellow lines on Black Hill, along with ‘why doesn’t the council’ just get on with it. Neither Lindfield Parish Council nor Mid Sussex District Council have responsibility for highways (roads and footpaths), any solution must be approved by WSCC Highways, and meet national highways standards. Grasscrete is unattractive as it simply formalises the parking. WSCC are not in favour of the small concrete markers and both these and wooden posts would have to be placed 450mm away from the edge of the highway. That distance leaves the possibility of parking on the verge edge, and the concern is that drivers would simply park in the road, increasing the disruption for other traffic. With posts, there are cost implications, mowing the verge becomes far more labour-intensive, with manual strimming rather than mowing. Strimming damages the posts over time, with maintenance and replacement costs all having to be borne by local Council Taxpayers. For these reasons, these solutions have currently been discounted. Which leaves yellow lines, which are relatively cheap to install and maintain and, more importantly, enforceable by both the police and MSDC’s enforcement officers. Despite what several correspondents have asserted, it is not against the law to park on the pavement, except in London.
The Parish Council has agreed to support Lindfield Primary Academy’s application (known as a Traffic Restriction Order or TRO) for yellow lines to WSCC, and this was submitted in July this year. WSCC’s response is awaited. Residents may wish to contact Councillor Garry Wall (WSCC, Lindfield and High Weald Ward) to make their views clear on the solutions detailed above or any other ideas. Correspondence address: c/o County Hall, West Street, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1RQ, Mobile: 07946 549867, and email: garry.wall@westsussex.gov.uk.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Real Christmas trees can be composted in your garden waste bin. Alternatively, there will be temporary sites where you can drop off your real Christmas tree for recycling. These sites will be open from Friday 30th December until Friday 13th January 2023 (inclusive). Our local site is : Lindfield Common near the Bowling Green Car Park, Blackwoods Lane, RH16 2ED. Further details can be found at: midsussex.gov.uk/wasterecylcing/christmas-tree-recycling-sites

To read the full newsletter, pick up your copy of January’s Lindfield Life and turn to page 48.

Lindfield Parish Council newsletter - December 2022

Just keeping in touch…
Just to remind you that we really appreciate it when residents keep in touch and let us know how we can help. Do not forget that contact can be made via Facebook or via our website lindfieldrural-pc.gov.uk or email clerk@lindfieldrural-pc.org.uk or telephone number 01444 831499.

Our staff work predominately at home, however they are very willing to meet with you on site or at our offices located in the Walstead Burial Ground, they can be contacted using the details above to make an appointment.

The newsletter is available for you to read here, by clicking the pictures to enlarge or by picking up a copy of December’s Lindfield Life today.

Lindfield's own Giganta Moles origin story

Lindfield’s Chris Best and his daughter Ashleigh are excited to announce the publication of their first children’s book. ‘Giganta Moles - A New Beginning’ was conceived on weekend car journeys when Ashleigh was a very timid and shy eight-years-old. Chris used to drive her home after ‘Dad weekends’. One occasion, passing a field with a large pile of soil in it, Chris asked Ashleigh what she thought had created the mound – she thought for a few moments and then quietly, but confidently said ‘Giganta Moles’… and so these extraordinary mythical creatures were born!

Subsequently, over following months and years together they created adventures for the Giganta Moles. Chris promised that one day he would write down the story of the Giganta Moles and that Ashleigh (who loved to draw) would create the illustrations. It was while Ashleigh was travelling for a year in Australia, that Chris started penning the tale and, on her return, he presented her with the first draft.

The book is a charming, heart-warming story of adventure and the possibilities for harmony and cooperation between animals and humans. The book is aimed at children of primary school age, in the 7-9-year-old group generally, however, it is a wonderfully easy read for parents and grandparents to read to younger children with beautiful illustrations dotted through the book. ‘Giganta Moles - A New Beginning’ is published in paperback by Austin Macauley and is available to buy online now. You can also follow the pair’s journey on social media (@thegigantamoles).

Birdsong Studio opens its artistic doors in Lindfield

Birdsong Studio

By Sarah Neller

They say when life throws you lemons make lemonade! When I hit a crossroads earlier this year, I decided to seize the opportunity to pursue a dream that, quite honestly, I never believed could come true. In September, I launched Birdsong Studio… a space for all – old and young, girls and boys, men, and women – to come and enjoy the delights of learning: exploring, discovering and experiencing the joy and wonder of achieving new things.

Through the studio, for children, I offer personal tuition across the curriculum, school holiday studio workshops and weekly art classes, and for adults a varied programme of art sessions utilising materials and instructions developed by professional illustrator Jennie Maziels. I’ve just started parties for all ages and will soon be launching workshops for adults, especially with Christmas coming up.

It’s been a steep learning curve for me. Having made the decision to go for it whilst sat on a sun lounger on holiday, I returned home, signed up to a logo design course to create my Birdsong Studio logo, learned how to create and manage a website (www.birdsongstudio.art), set up a business account and all that goes with running a small business, braved Instagram and converted the conservatory onto my studio space. On 1st September I opened my doors on for a Bedazzling Birds workshop. I haven’t stopped since!

I feel very blessed to be continuing in my love of teaching, and in particular enabling others to find joy and satisfaction in creativity, realising skills they maybe didn’t know they had, or making time to pursue their artistic outlet!

Lindfield Horticultural Society's Autumn Show a success this September 2022

Click to enlarge

Her Majesty the Queen was remembered and celebrated at this year’s Lindfield Horticultural Society Autumn Show. After making the decision to continue with the show, following the announcement of the death of the Queen, organisers gave exhibitors and visitors the chance to reflect on Her Majesty’s reign with a photograph, painting, floral tribute and a minute’s silence before the trophies were presented. Artist Julie Craig, who has Parkinsons and took up painting at an Art Therapy class, created her picture of the Queen the day before the show. “I thought it would be nice do a painting of the Queen, using mixed media - acrylics, water colours, and pastels, to display at the LHS Autumn show,” said Julie. “When I brought it along, it was a funny coincidence to find that someone had produced a large photo of exactly the same image I had based my painting on!” Julie was also delighted to win best in show for photography, while her logo design was chosen, following a public vote, as the new branding for the Horticultural Society. The annual show attracted large numbers of entries, with judges impressed with how the Lindfield gardeners had coped with this summer’s extreme weather conditions. First time exhibitors included Brian Dean who won the most humorous vegetable class with his Tromboncino squash! Caroline Cogle was thrilled to pick up three awards for her dahlias, while Jeff Essen triumphed in the floral art and handicrafts classes.

The photography classes attracted a wide range of entries, with judge Alex Rickards keen to encourage more young residents to take part and show off their photography skills next year, while two Lindfield cooks created a dilemma for judges who couldn’t decide on their favourite pumpkin soup, awarding a joint first prize!

Results
Dahlia Cup – Caroline Cogle
Dahlia Championship Cup – Caroline Cogle
Harry Tester Cup – Sue Stockwell
Huddart Cup – Tim Richardson
Massey Dawson Cup – Tim Richardson
Helena Hall Cup – Tim Richardson
Ian Cooper Pumpkin Cup – Richard Watson
Penney Cup – Jeff Essen Kieron
James Toy Shield – Sam Kremer
Cumulative awards for three shows
George Murrell Photographic Cup – Jocasta Fearn
Shepherd Cup (vegetables) – Tim Richardson
Proctor Cup (pot plants) – Sue Stockwell
Ron Pickett Trophy (trug classes) – Andrea Fall
Lady Wilkinson Silver Tray (cookery) – Anne Hall Morecombe
White Cup (handicrafts) – Jess Essen
LHS Junior Perpetual Shield (aged 10 and under) – Sam Kremer
Shepherd Perpetual Shield (aged 10 to 15) – Florence Fearn-Hughes
Logo Competition – Julie Craig

Haywards Heath welcomes a Talk Club for men

Talk Club

By Gavin Demurger-Jones

It’s a simple question that starts every Talk Club. But it’s a question that’s saving lives. Talk Club is a grassroots male mental health charity. Founded in Bristol in March 2019 it has now grown into a force for good, with over 2,500 men in its community and 67 groups around the globe.

It’s a positive space for men to be vulnerable, to be themselves, to talk about what is bothering them. We concentrate on mental fitness. (Like physical fitness, but for your mind) which in turn will prevent mental ill-health. To get men to look after themselves before it’s too late. Because for many it is too late. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK. 76% of suicides are male. 16 men a day. A man every 90 minutes. One of those men was Talk Club co-founder and co-CEO Ben Akers’s childhood best friend Steve Yates. But he wasn’t a number. He was a father. A son. A husband. And a friend... Ben’s friend.

He was an everyday, funny, generous awesome bloke. He got so unwell he believed that the friends and family that loved him would be better off without him. Which, of course, is completely untrue. But that’s what mental illness does. It changes the way they look at the world. The way they look at themselves. Talk Club is all based around a question that gets men talking: How are you? Out of 10? It’s to spark that conversation. To get men to own that moment, to use it as a way to say I’m in trouble. Every man’s number is different. One man’s 5 is another man’s 8, it’s just a technique to get men to open up, but it’s working.

A typical session is held in a male comfortable space like in the back room of a pub or a sports club. There are typically 8-10 men in a group but it can be less. ‘Haywards Heath TALK CLUB’ has just started and is open to all men over 18. It’s FREE and takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month between 7.30 and 9.30pm. If you’d like to come, contact Nathan on 07525 125535 or nathan@theunsaidspace.com. www.wetalkclub.com

Become a different kind of National Trust member in Sussex

Mid Sussex Association of the National Trust

The Mid Sussex Association of the National Trust, MSANT – the local supporter group for National Trust properties in the area – is looking to welcome new members as a new programme beings at a new venue in Haywards Heath.

The Association supports Nymans, Standen, Sheffield, South Downs NT and Batemans, fundraising to enable those properties to purchase items from their ‘wishlist’. All surplus funds are donated to our local properties. Since starting in 1976, supporters have raised more than £130,000 which has been pledged to the properties. Items funded include croquet sets for Nymans, deck chairs for Standen, beehives for Batemans, also the barn doors for the NT Learning Centre at Saddlescombe Farm on the South Downs.

Supporters enjoy monthly talks by professional speakers from September to May, and coach outings during the summer months between April and September along with social events such as lunches, usually held at Lindfield Golf Club, or tea parties. Talks take place on the second Thursday of the month between 2pm and 4pm and are now being held at the Wesley Hall in Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath as the previous venue, Clair Hall is currently being used by the vaccination service.

The new talks programme begins on 8th September with The History of Sissinghurst by Steve Harmer. Subscription costs £30 for entry to all talks and meetings during the year, with advance notice about the summer trips. There is a charge of £5 to non-members for the talks. You do not have to be a National Trust member to join the Association. New members are always welcome along with previous members who have come out of hibernation and are keen to get going again! For more information contact: membership secretary Anne Tucker on 01444 455803.

Swoove Fitness and RTFJ are Muddy Stilettos winners!

Congratulations to Lindfield residents Esther Featherstone and Richard Talman who were among the winners in this year’s coveted Muddy Stiletto awards. The awards celebrate the best independent small businesses across Sussex, with customers voting to choose the winners. Esther, who runs Swoove Fitness, was chosen as the best fitness instructor. “I feel very honoured to win the 2022 Muddy Stilettos Award for the Best Fitness Instructor in Sussex as I was up against some brilliant instructors,” said Esther. “I truly love what I do and it’s a bonus when members of the Swoovy community are as supportive as they are. I have just passed the £150,000 mark that Swoove has raised for charities since I created it in 2015 so this is a special time to be receiving this award. Thank you everyone that nominated and voted for me.”

Richard Talman, who owns RTFJ Jewellers in Wivelsfield Green, was celebrating a hat-trick of best jeweller awards. “I am delighted and honoured to have received this award for the third time now,” said Richard. “I am really grateful to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for me. Being recognised for your hard work is a wonderful feeling and makes all the hours you put in worthwhile. My thanks to all at Muddy Stilettos for their work in promoting the fine businesses of Sussex.”

There were also awards for two Haywards Heath businesses, with The Green Tree Gallery at Borde Hill winning the Best Art Space Award and The Urban Sanctuary Best Beauty Salon.

Remembering Lindfield resident Ernest Mackellar Turner

By Roddy Turner

In the April 22 edition of Lindfield Life, in the article on royal celebrations in Lindfield I was pleased to see a photo of my late father, Mac Turner of Meadow Lane, in Highland dress playing the bagpipes, leading the procession through Lindfield as a part of the 1977 Silver Jubilee celebrations. Ernest MacKellar Turner, otherwise known as Mac, was a well-known character in the village, always ready to stop for a chat with anyone, whether walking to the shops or to passersby whilst tending his garden. His rich Scottish accent and warm manner made him many friends, and I know his passing, last year at the age of 88, will be felt by all those who knew him. I would therefore like to tell a little about his colourful, hardworking and very full life.

Mac was born in 1933 in the village of Minard on the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll, a place of pristine beauty with a strong community, and a lost way of life about which he never ceased to reminisce. Although the village was poor by today’s standards everyone helped each other out and his childhood was coloured by working on farms or roaming in the hills. As a child he developed a strong love of making things, be it model boats or repairing old bikes, and the skills he learned were invaluable in years to come.

Mac’s idyllic childhood was overshadowed by the outbreak of WW2. The whole of Loch Fyneside became a restricted area, as one of the places chosen for the preparations for the eventual landings of D-Day. The local children could attend home guard lectures with the adults, and Mac could strip and re-assemble a Bren gun in double quick time, to the embarrassment of the men who were finding it hard to accomplish!

in 1951 he received his national service call-up papers and took the train ‘down south’ to the RAF camp at Yatesbury in Wiltshire for his basic training, and then to learn a trade as a ground mechanic working on wireless, radar and other technologies of the burgeoning post war recovery years.

To read the full, and beautiful, piece Roddy has written about his late father, please grab a copy of Lindfield Life’s August issue and turn to page 12 and 13, where you’ll see wonderful photos and be taken around the world with Mac.

Funny That King Edward Hall hosts comedy night

Funny That comedy is the brainchild of award-winning Brighton comedian Stephen Grant, the host of the Komedia Brighton for the last 23 years. His business came to prominence putting on A-list comedians – including Romesh Ranganathan and Sara Pascoe - in the garden of a Hassocks pub during Covid times.

Using decades of contacts during his long time in the world of comedy, Stephen has put together special, small scale, high-profile comedy nights that have been selling out across Sussex since mid 2020. Back in February, Stephen’s night was the first public show at the recently converted Hub Theatre at Haywards Heath College, selling out instantly, and excitingly, on Friday 15th July they will be at King Edward Hall in Lindfield.

With its intimate capacity, Stephen told Lindfield Life it’s sure to be busy: “Our plans were to stick in Haywards Heath, but with the college closing for most of the summer and the new Haywards Heath Arts Festival desperate to find a space for our comedy night, we were so excited to find King Edward Hall and the support of the people of Lindfield has been overwhelming. I was born in Sussex and Lindfield was somewhere my parents used to bring me for summer days by the pond, while they sat in the pub! Also, as a Stand Up comedian, I’m very aware it’s the only place in Sussex that has a pub called ‘The Stand Up’. Expect many of our visiting performers to have their selfies taken in front of that sign!”

The lineup for the first show includes Ivo Graham, star of Live at the Apollo, Jessica Fostekew, well-known from Motherland, and hosting the hugely successful Guilty Feminist podcast, Mark Simmons, the expert gagsmith and gag-improvisor from Mock The Week, and Thomas Green, an award-winning Australian comedian.

Lindfield Comedy Club will be on Friday 15th July, starting at 8pm. Tickets available at: www.funnythat.co.uk

Jubilee Beacon Lighting on Lindfield Common - 2nd June 2022

Information published in Lindfield Life - June issue - by Lindfield Parish Council

The Jubilee Beacons is one of the official events of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place over the extended bank holiday, from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June 2022.

The Jubilee Beacons will provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth, to come together to celebrate this historic milestone and reflect on The Queen’s 70 years of service.

There is a long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons. A beacon chain, once used as a tool for communication, has now become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents. In 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. In 1977, 2002 and 2012, beacons commemorated the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees of The Queen, and in 2016 Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

Now, in 2022, you are invited to come together to participate in this national event. The Parish will join with over 1,500 communities within the United Kingdom and UK Overseas Territories, and light a specially commissioned beacon on Lindfield Common with the event starting at 9:30pm.

The Lindfield trail and open gardens on Sunday 12th June 2022

Gardeners in Lindfield are among the 50 who will be opening their garden gates to the public later this month to raise funds for St Peter & St James Hospice. The annual Open Gardens event, which launched on 21st May with the Hospice opening its grounds to visitors, features six village garden trails, including Lindfield, Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks, alongside several beautiful individual gardens.

The Lindfield trail will take place on Sunday 12th June from 1pm to 5pm, starting at Denmans Lane. The event promises ‘gardens full of variety and packed with interest around every corner, with a delightful mix of flowers, formal and wild areas’. Plants and refreshments will be on sale along the route.

To find our more and to book your space, visit: www.stpjhospice.org/open-garden St Peter & St James Hospice provides end of life care and support for everyone in the local community. All proceeds from ticket sales, refreshments and stalls will go towards providing the best possible care for the right people at the right time.

Haywards Heath Music Society celebrates harmonious birthday

By Ian Barras Hill

Members of the Haywards Heath Music Society gathered at St Wilfrid’s Church Centenary Hall last month to celebrate the society’s 80th anniversary, before enjoying a special concert by the allfemale trumpet quartet Bella Tromba. Birthday cake and fizz were served to over 80 guests, with speeches by Haywards Heath Mayor Howard Mundin and eminent tenor, musicologist and Society President Neil Jenkins.

The U3A Recorder Consort, led by Christine Colbourne, played short selections of music to honour Shakespeare’s 458th birthday. Founded in 1941 by Gertrude Lampson, the Haywards Heath Music Society organises music recitals in the town and the surrounding area, bringing much-needed and affordable live music to Mid Sussex from September to April each year. From classical and jazz to choral and musicals, a full range of music styles is offered, displaying the talents of gifted young professional musicians, both aspiring and established, many of whom go on to pursue international careers such as clarinettist Emma Johnson, Scottish virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie, BBC Young Musician of 2012 cellist Laura van der Heijden and, in 2021, BBC Proms piano soloist Pavel Kolesnikov. For more information about upcoming events or becoming a member, visit: www.haywardsheathmusicsociety.org.uk

Lindfield Cricket Club set up womens' cricket team the Lindfield Pens

By Jill Sayers

With womens’ and girls’ cricket beginning to thrive across the country, it is now becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. This means more opportunities than ever to get involved. Lindfield Cricket Club has recently set up their own womens’ softball cricket team, named the LINDFIELD PENS (a female swan - if that baffles you!) and despite a Covid-interrupted season it has been a welcome break for us all to be playing sport outside and meeting new people. This leads me smoothly on to the social side… we are a friendly bunch of smiley faces, keen to try a new sport and as equally eager to have a glass of bubbles afterwards, making it hard not to enjoy the relaxed format of training (with a few sneaky competitive swings here and there!). But what really makes it so enjoyable for me is it’s the first sport I’ve ever done where I’ve not felt intimidated. There’s no pressure and when you mess up you want to try it again, making it a far cry from school days where it often felt like there was nothing worse than being the last person to be picked for a team in a PE lesson. Hail the women’s new cricket revolution!

This coming season we will be entering the Women’s Softball League. I’m slightly nervous as it makes it sound like they’re upping the ante… but then I know the whole team won’t judge, they will cheer if I fluke something, and laugh with me when I miss a ball, so really, I can’t wait! Matches are local, short, relaxed and best of all the rules are straightforward. With no sign of an afternoon tea (which I have issues with, so it’s to the bar for me afterwards!) it’s not hours of time taken up, and even if you’ve never played before, women’s softball cricket is the perfect antidote to the stress and restrictions the last two years of Covid have brought. If you fancy this refreshing change, meeting new faces, learning a new sport, or - quite frankly - just having a breather from the kids, then please do get in touch as this could well be the most energising thing you’ve done since Covid shook the status quo. You can find us on Instagram @lindfield_pens_cc or email: Bobvivienne.hopkins@btopenworld.com.

How Lindfield Life helped brew micropub The Tap!

Richard, Dave, Paul

During the Summer of 2020 Lindfield Life featured local brewer Paul Swaffield and his brewery, Bestens. This article was read by the mother of local pub manager, Dave Pilling, who passed it onto her son as she knew he would be interested. Dave recalls: “My mum showed me the feature on Paul as she knows I have a passion for craft beer and would be interested in a local brewery. I ordered some beers for home delivery from Bestens, and it was Paul who delivered them. We got chatting about brewing and I offered to help at the brewery. I then spent the next few months helping Paul and his team on the canning line.”

It was during these canning sessions that Paul and Dave discussed their shared dream of opening a micropub. The plan was set in motion when they discussed the idea with Paul’s business partner, Lindfield resident, Richard Evans. The three formed a new company and found ideal premises on South Road in Haywards Heath. After navigating the planning and licencing process, followed by a rapid fit-out, The Tap opened its doors to the public on Friday 1st April. Paul said: “I started brewing as a teenager in my parent’s garage in Lindfield over 20 years ago, and now to have our own pub in Haywards Heath is a fantastic feeling. As well as having our dream pub, we have developed a great friendship between the three of us, it’s been quite the journey.”

The Tap is open from Wednesday to Sunday every week, serving Bestens Brewery beers and a variety of guest craft beers too. Also, with the help of their friends from South Down Cellars they have curated a fantastic wine list as well as offering an array of artisan spirits. Dave added: “It’s amazing to think that none of this would have happened if my mum hadn’t handed me that copy of Lindfield Life!”

Lindfield resident's genius wellbeing gifts - Not Another Bunch of Flowers

A Scaynes Hill business set up by Lindfield resident Anikka Burton following her cancer diagnosis, has received a national award. Not Another Bunch of Flowers has won the ‘Best Alternative Gift Business’ category in the annual Business Excellence Awards, run by Acquisition International. The awards celebrate businesspeople who have ‘battled, persevered and have coped with the unprecedented change and growth during the pandemic.’

“I’m really chuffed!” said Anikka. “We really pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and the whole team has worked so hard, particularly over the last couple of years since covid hit. “This is recognition of their hard work and dedication and it’s wonderful to have it publicly recognised.” Not Another Bunch of Flowers was set up in 2013 after Anikka was diagnosed with breast cancer. “Friends and family wanted to send me a little something along with messages of support, but just didn’t know what to send - apart from flowers,” said Anikka. “Not many people know that flowers are banned in most hospitals. This inspired me to set up a site selling gift alternatives to flowers, including cancer care packages, hospital hampers and get-well gifts.”

Since then, the business has expanded, moving to Scaynes Hill and offering a range of unique and thoughtful gifts for all occasions including new mums, baby gifts, mums-to-be and presents for birthdays and Christmas. “Our build-your-own gifts and care packages have allowed us to offer even more gifts including seasonal gifts, birthdays, christenings, new homes, weddings, engagements and anniversaries,” added Anikka. “And our corporate packages, with their emphasis on wellbeing, have been hugely popular since the initial lockdown.”

Lindfield Life is published by Kipper Creative Limited    |   Follow us on Twitter  |   Facebook | Instagram