What is Fairer World Lindfield?

By Jennifer Hiley

What is Fairer World Lindfield?

Fairer World Lindfield (FWL) is a climate action community group, established in 2019, which aims to raise awareness and encourage individual and collective action to combat the climate and ecological crisis. By promoting options for more sustainable choices and taking small steps our hope is to play our part in mitigating and adapting to climate change with a local voice and a vision for a fairer world for future generations.

How does FWL go about this?

Our actions include curating, creating and hosting events to educate and inspire people to reduce their impact on the planet through making more sustainable choices. We want to help people to reduce their carbon footprint and become more aware of what is happening in and around Lindfield, the wider community and our planet.
Part of FWL’s original formation was in achieving accreditation from the Fairtrade Foundation for Lindfield to become a Fairtrade Village in April 2018. Since then we have given many talks to schools, churches and community groups.

What’s FWL been getting up to recently?

FWL are thrilled to have been awarded Lindfield Parish Council’s very first community award, The Climate Change Award, plus a £250 grant which we will invest in creating a website to amplify our message. This award recognises FWL for sharing knowledge and information to raise awareness about the negative impacts of the climate and ecological emergency. We are honoured to have received this award which will galvanise our team’s efforts to do more!
You may also have seen us on Lindfield Village Day this year alongside Lindfield Repair Café.

In April and May this year Chris and James visited four local primary schools (Lindfield, Blackthorns, St Peter’s and Great Walstead) to talk to the children about Fairtrade and the devastating impact that climate change is having on the world’s food producers.

In April we hosted a fantastic event in the King Edward Hall, called ‘The Green Extravaganza’. The concept was to bring local folks together to showcase their efforts to help our environment. Visitors could peruse tables on organic gardening, composting, soil, eco-friendly household products and cosmetics, solar panels, e-bike conversions, setting up a wormery, upcycling, rain water harvesting, air source heat pumps, nature photography, eco floral art, garden ponds, swapping plant pots, and recycling. Several organisations were also represented including: Fairer World Lindfield, Greener Lindfield, Lindfield Horticultural Society, Lindfield Repair Café, Ounce, the Growing Network, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Fair Trade and the Hurst Hedgehog Haven. Free to all, with complementary refreshments, we provided a warm inviting setting for anyone to come along and learn more.

Last November we hosted an Energy Help Desk at The Stand Up Inn. We had over 60 people pop in for mulled wine/tea/ cake and glean information from our community of experts and Lindfield residents on subjects such as: solar panels, draft proofing and insulation, heat pumps, waste, grants, recycling, creating a garden pond and energy efficiency as well as starting a wormery. We also had support from The Stand Up’s Andi Frost who sells eco-friendly products through Fill Good online store www.fillgoodstore.co.uk – find out more about Fill Good at the Lindfield Pop Up, 16th November @ The Stand Up Inn 09:00 – 12:00.

We had incredible engagement and feedback such as “the support that this energy help desk provides is invaluable to the community” and “very informative” and “I have learnt so much”.

What’s next?

FWL will be at the October Repair Café at 10am on Saturday 7th October at the Lindfield United Reformed Church with our Energy Help Desk. As outlined above, we will have a host of experts on hand to discuss topics to help you reduce your carbon footprint. Please do come along and find out more, and don’t forget to bring along anything you need repairing while you’re there!

We are also launching a new initiative called GreenUP! - where we will be hosting bi-monthly informal get-togethers where anyone is welcome to come along and learn and discuss a topic of our collective choosing. Our inaugural session is on 14th November, from 7-8.30pm at The Stand Up Inn, on the topic ‘How green is greenwashing?’. You are invited to come along with an open mind and with any information or thoughts on the topic that you are willing to share. We hope to connect, inspire, educate and share knowledge on the subject. It would be great to see you there!

The FWL team are fundraising to build a website to provide a destination for our village, wider community groups and beyond. This would be a space where people could come and learn more and we truly hope to have raised enough funds in the near future to make this a reality. If you would like to donate or if you are a budding designer/developer or content creator who would like to help out please do get in touch at: fairerworldlindfield@ gmail.com.

We also wanted to send a special mention of thanks to Sarah Reynolds and Matt Robson who helped FWL to revamp our logo! We are looking to plan out our activities for 2024 so please get in touch if you have any ideas or would like to volunteer get in touch at: fairerworldlindfield@gmail. com – and follow us on our socials.

Reduce food waste with UK Harvest at Ashenground Community Centre

Heard of UK Food Harvest? Well, it’s a food rescue charity and I am delighted to tell you that it has come to Mid Sussex. West Sussex County Council is working in partnership with Biffa and UK Harvest to reduce food waste and provide access to affordable food, using rescued produce.

Simply bring a shopping bag and fill it from a selection of mixed groceries for a suggested donation of £3.50. Pop along to the Ashenground Community Centre in Haywards Heath on the third Friday of the month between 10am and 11am.

You will be helping to reduce food waste and grab yourself some bargains. As you are rescuing food waste there is no need for any referral and is open to all. See you at the next one! For more information please visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/ukharvest Happy recycling.

Find more recycling tips at www.lindfieldlife.co.uk/recycling

Burgess Hill Pantry tackles food poverty locally

By Claire Fuller

Many believe that food poverty is not an issue in our community, however we have pockets of major deprivation in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead. It is all too easy for anyone to find themselves struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their families, particularly with the current cost of living crisis, on your street, in your village…

There are several local organisations able to help, you can find out more at Mid Sussex Food Partnership (www.msva.org.uk/get-help-with-food). Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill Food banks are currently supporting many families who are referred to them by partner agencies including GPs, Town Councils or Citizens Advice. Bentswood Community Partnership offers an amazing range of services and support for local residents including the Community Cupboard with free access to those in need.
Burgess Hill Pantry is a less well-known charity supporting those in the RH15, RH16 and BN6 postcodes with a long-term solution to food poverty. Part of a national network, it offers an experience close to empowered supermarket shopping. Each week, for £4, members can choose 10 or more fresh, frozen or pantry items (with an average value of between £15 and £20), saving money and providing affordable healthy foods.

Pantry stock comes from multiple sources. Local supermarkets, Waitrose, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Lidl and several Co-ops donate food that is close to best before or use by date. The majority of bread and frozen food comes from these donations and a group of volunteers collect these donations throughout the week. Sussex Fareshare delivers each week, the main source of fruit and vegetables in the Pantry and occasionally some crazy products from Kefir to Mcdonalds ketchup sachets. An amazing charity, Fareshare collects surplus from the food industry and redistributes to charities across Sussex. In Kind and the Hygiene Bank also supply items from soap to toothbrushes and toilet roll.

The Pantry is fortunate to receive a number of grants and donations from businesses, charities and individuals that allow them to top-up the stock on the shelves by shopping at local supermarkets. The Pantry has a manager but is run by volunteers who collect donations, stock the shop and run sessions throughout the week. They are an amazing group of individuals.

As Helena, a Lindfield volunteer says: “Giving a little time to The Pantry helps people at a time when they are struggling. I know that we are making a difference when it brings a smile to their faces and they leave with a great bag of shopping.” A Lindfield Pantry member said: “The Pantry gives us access to a wider variety and better quality of food and has made big improvements to my mental health. As a low income family, The Pantry has allowed us to afford more for our children, better school shoes, an occasional ice cream as a treat.”

The Pantry is currently supporting over 450 people in the area and has a waiting list that grows every day. If you would like to help, they would love to hear from you. You can donate food, money or your time. Set up a collection box in your office or school, every item that is donated will make a difference. If you are interested in sponsoring The Pantry please get in touch, they are looking to work with local businesses to secure their future and increase the support and help offered to our community. Get in touch at: hello@bhlocalpantry.org.

Lindfield Cricket Club Trumpeters raise funds for Kangaroos charity

Members of Lindfield cricket team The Trumpeters swapped the pitch for the golf course to raise £360 for charity. The players used their annual pre-season meeting and golf event to support local charity Kangaroos. Player Andy Cannon explained: “The Trumpeters is a cricket team that represents Lindfield Cricket Club in the midweek ‘Sussex Slam’ competition and each year, before the season starts, players go away to discuss strategy and match tactics, usually followed by a game of golf. “This year, however, the teams’ two social secretaries, Robb Sayers and Tony Ridd decided that the golf element should be an opportunity to raise some funds for a local charity.” Andy added that club has connections with Kangaroos, a Haywards Heath based charity that provides year-round clubs and trips for people with learning disabilities and additional needs, and this was a perfect opportunity to raise some cash for them. “The golf was the normal high-quality affair and played in the Ryder Cup type format with the Reds and Blues fighting it out for the Crystal Shoe trophy,” said Andy. “This year’s tight affair was eventually won by the Blues and the trophy was collected by their delighted captain Paul Stockwell.”

An awards ceremony was held later at Tamasha restaurant and awards were given for nearest the pin, individual golfer, longest drive and the much vaunted ‘stick to cricket’ award. “Special thanks go to Murat at Lindfield Golf Club for hosting the day and being kind enough to allow some rotten golf being played on their fine course,” added Andy.

Lindfield's connection to WW2 submarine mystery - HM Triumph

HM Triumph

By Richard Bryant, Lindfield History Project Group

You may have seen newspaper articles and television news pieces in mid-June, reporting a 25-year search has finally brought to the end an 81 year old World War II submarine mystery, without realising the story had a connection with Lindfield. In All Saints church, there is a brass plaque mounted on the southern wall that reads:
Remember in Love
JOHN SYMONS HUDDART LIEUTENANT ROYAL NAVY H.M. SUBMARINE TRIUMPH WHO WITH HIS OFFICERS AND MEN WAS KILLED IN ACTION JANUARY 1942
The Lord of Hosts is with us

Lt. John Symons Huddart, known as Tommy, was 31 years old, living with his parents George and Clare Huddart at Froyls in the High Street. He joined the Royal Navy, Submarine Service in January 1934, completing his Commanding Officers course in April 1940. The command of several submarines followed before joining HMS Triumph in November 1940; a T-class 1,300 tonne submarine, 275ft long with a company of about 60 men that had been in the Mediterranean for 12 months patrolling and undertaking special covert operations.

On 20th November 1940, the submarine departed from Alexandria, Egypt for her 20th war patrol in the Aegean, which included special operational executive missions, returning to port on 11th December 1941. The crew were greeted with the news that the Triumph was to return home for crew leave and a refit. Joy was short lived as Triumph, being the only available operational submarine, was ordered to undertake her 21st mission. She was tasked with urgently landing 5,000 kilos of supplies including radios, weapons and possibly money for the Greek Resistance. The drop was to be made at Antipros, an isolated location where the supplies could be rowed ashore in a small boat. The few remaining Commonwealth servicemen that had evaded capture and were waiting at Antipros had expected to be evacuated after the unloading.
However, Triumph had only just started her patrol and it appears that this had not been advised to the servicemen. Lt. Huddart decided not to have a debate on the beach about air consumption and food and water supplies, all of which were limited and restricted operational capabilities. Instead he simply quoted a change of orders preventing him from taking on board passengers, but promised he would return in 10 days to pick them up on his return to Alexandria. Triumph signalled Naval Command confirming successful completion of the deliveries and this was the last communication.

Triumph departed and was not seen or heard from again. She failed to show up at the promised rendezvous at Antipros on 9th January. On 21st January 1942, C & C Mediterranean reported to the Admiralty ‘Regret in absence of further news HMS Triumph must now be considered lost’. The circumstances and location of the disappearance of the submarine and what happened to the crew have remained a mystery ever since, but it was assumed that all crew perished. There is no German record of a submarine having been engaged.

In June 2023, it was announced that following years of searching Triumph had now been found in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greece, lying 660ft below the surface. Images from a remotely operated submersible show her hull almost intact, although some damage to the stern is visible, possibly caused by an underwater explosion. Importantly, the images reveal that all the escape hatches and gun hatches were sealed closed indicating the crew are entombed inside. In that depth of water, crew were doomed as escape would have been impossible. Triumph was probably at a deep dive depth when the disaster struck.
The exact location of the submarine has yet to be disclosed as it must be treated with the respect of a maritime war grave. Protected by the strict archaeology laws of Greece.

This discovery brings to a close the 81 year old mystery and the location of the men’s grave. You can see a video clip of the submarine lying on the seabed here.

Contact via www.lindfieldhistory.org.uk or 01444 482136.

Another successful season for Lindfield Juniors FC

By Helen Jones

On 1st July, close to 1,000 parents, players and coaches gathered together on Lindfield Common for the Lindfield Juniors end of season barbecue. The event has become a key date for many Lindfield families whose children pass through the club each year. It’s a celebration of all that the children have achieved: the friends they’ve made, the goals they’ve scored, and the losses they’ve endured.

Since it was formed over 40 years ago, Lindfield Juniors has played a pivotal role in village life - for many families, it forms the cornerstone of their weekends from September to August. We are all used to seeing the sea of green and black on Hickmans Lane fields, on the Common and down the High Street on Saturday mornings as the club’s players make their way to training - whatever the time, whatever the weather. The club is one we can be proud of for so many reasons - not least for its popularity among local boys and girls. The growth of the club has been staggering and it continues to go from strength to strength.

Next season, there will be a total of 38 teams playing at Lindfield Juniors making it the club’s biggest year by far. Of those, 29 teams are boys and nine are girls. To put this in context, in 2009 there were just eight teams in total - meaning they’ll have more girls’ teams next season than they did at the club as a whole 14 years ago. In practice, this means that over 600 children will be signing up from September. The players start at age four and go all the way through to playing at Under 17 level - a testament to their loyalty and enjoyment at the club that they’re still playing at that age.

Many of the players started as soon as they were old enough to kick a ball. Club secretary Tony Robinson told us: “When my son was four, I used to take him to Soccer Tots in the King Edward Hall and he’d see a field full of boys and always asked ‘when can I play like the big kids?’. He started as soon as he was old enough, is now 16 and has been playing with the club for over 12 years.” Darren Hughes, who coaches the U15 boys has been with the same group since they were in reception class: “Out of the team of 17 we have now, I’ve been coaching 13 of them since they were four. The club and the team are a huge part of their lives and they’ve developed some strong friendships through playing together. I’ve seen them develop into great players and lovely young adults, it’s a real privilege.”

Since the club launched its first girls’ team in 2018 the sport has seen a massive increase in popularity for local girls. From September, there will be over 120 girls playing for the club across nine different teams - with many year groups having multiple teams. U12 Girls coach Glenn Watts said: “Coaching the girls is the highlight of my week. I was so pleased that my daughter wanted to play football and I love being involved in her team. The girls have built up an amazing team spirit and have made friends who I hope they’ll play with until they’re much older. They have such a positive attitude to the game and really believe in themselves as a team. The success of girls’ football at Lindfield is something we can all be proud of.”

If you’d like to know more about joining the club or sponsoring of a team at Lindfield Juniors, get in touch with Tony on secretarylindfieldjnrs@hotmail.com.

To read the full article please pick up a copy of August’s Lindfield Life today.

2022/23 Highlights
• Lindfield Girls U9 won the Crawley & Maidenbower Summer Tournament
• Lindfield Thunder U9 were runners up in the Russel Martin Summer Tournament
• William Hartley, Lindfield Sharks U16 won the Golden Boot for U16 Div 2
• Lindfield Girls U12 were runners up in the County Cup final narrowly losing 1-2. These were our first County Cup finalists for 10+ years
• Lindfield Girls U12s won the Red Division of the Sussex County Women & Girls
• Lindfield Sharks U11 were runners up in the MSYFL Plate final
• Lindfield Storm U9 won the MSYFL Futsal tournament.
• Lindfield Spartans U11 were runners up of MSYFL Futsal tournament

Lindfield Village Run 2023 a success

On Sunday 21st May, more than 500 runners and their supporters turned up at Hickmans Lane Playing Field for the Lindfield Village Run.

The 5k (aka ‘family fun run’) and 10k races were both well-supported on what was near-perfect weather conditions for running. The event, which is a fundraiser for registered charity King Edward Hall, was supported by two Lindfield businesses: Potential Personal Training and Six Physio. The annual community event is well-supported by individuals too, as it took over 30 volunteers all giving their time, to bring the run together on the day, whether marshalling out on the course, setting up or registering participants on arrival.

Podium finishers for the 5k race were Paul Nixon (20:50) in third place, Nate Donougher (20:40) as runner up, and Dan Celani taking the top spot with a time of 18.49.

For the 10k race, Ian Kenton (44:17) took third place, Michael Priest (43:28) was second and the winner was Ben Gibson with a time of 42:40.

For the full results listing, see www.kingedwardhall.org.uk, and if you’d like to offer your time to help at next year’s event, please email the team via run@kingedwardhall.org.uk.

Lindfield's latest defibrillator on the cricket pavilion

Numerous local groups have worked in partnership to bring a new safety device to Lindfield Common. With financial help from the Sussex Heart Charity (who have awarded grants to over 300 organisations), Lindfield Parish Council, Lindfield Football Club, Lindfield Junior Football Club and Lindfield Cricket Club - as well as support from Mims Davies MP - a new defibrillator has been installed on the outside wall of the cricket pavilion.

The defibrillator, which cost nearly £2,600 to install and is covered by CCTV, is available 24/7 and provides additional coverage for the village, which already has a number of defibrillators, including outside Selby’s chemist and King Edward Hall.
A full list can be found in June’s issue of Lindfield Life, or online: www.bit.ly/43NrKMx. The project, which has been delivered by Lindfield Cricket Club, was recently opened by Mims Davies MP and Matt Denison from the Sussex Heart Charity alongside the organisations who helped make this project possible.

Haywards Heath Golf Club host charity day for Cancer Research UK

Haywards Heath Golf Club will be hosting a ‘funky trousers’ charity golf day on Friday 14th July to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The event is being held in memory of Richard ‘Quin’ Hawtin, past club member and former secretary of the City Livery Club Golf Society, who died from oesophageal cancer in November 2022. Richard could often be spotted at Haywards Heath Golf Club sporting his favourite harlequin-patterned golf trousers, which earned him the nickname ‘Quin’.

Players at the charity event in July will be challenged to don their funkiest, most colourful golf gear in Quin’s honour. A prize will be awarded to the best dressed players – those daring to wear neutrals or monochrome may be fined! Players can enter as singles or a pair and will be grouped into a four-ball team.

Registration on the day opens at 8.30am with a coffee and bacon roll. A two-course meal will be provided once the rounds have finished. The cost is £95 per player. To enter, visit: https://forms.gle/Zrt8vfArca41yyig6 Or to donate, scan the QR code from your phone’s camera.

Scan to donate

Lindfield Juniors' girls are league champions

The Lindfield U12 Girls team have been crowned League Champions in the Sussex County Women & Girls Football League U12 Red Division. The girls finished the season with 40 points, losing just one game and drawing one game. Out of 32 teams in Lindfield Juniors FC this season, the U12 Girls are the only ones to take the coveted league title which comes off the back of their appearance in the County Cup final last month.

They’ve faced some tough opposition from teams across Sussex on their way to the title, but at all times the girls have never lost their sense of fun, enjoyment and determination to play fairly. As one of the parents said: “Playing for the team gives my daughter such happiness and enjoyment - being outside and having fun with her friends. It’s a true joy to be part of this team.”

Coached by Glenn Watts, Matt Stuart and Matt Costin and supported by coaches from the U12s wider squad, the winning girls are a close-knit group of Year 7s from local schools who have been playing together for a few years. Matt Stuart commented: “It’s an absolute pleasure being involved with this talented squad of players. From humble beginnings three or so years ago, trying to make sure we could get a team of seven out, we have now assembled a squad of 30+, winning leagues, playing in county cup finals.” Glenn Watts added: “We are so lucky to coach such a wonderful group of girls.”

Club sponsors travel company Stuba are delighted to be involved: “The togetherness, friendship and spirit running throughout the squad is so evident too, so very proud and lucky to be associated with this group of girls and the parents that support them.”

Follow @lindfieldjuniorsfc on social media next season.

The Lindfield Girls Under 16 team is welcoming new players 2023/24

With women’s football continuing to take the sporting world by storm, Lindfield is looking for to expand its own pride of budding Lionesses.

The Lindfield Girls Under 16 team is welcoming new players for the 2023/24 season. Girls starting Years 10 and 11 in September are eligible. The team plays on Sundays either on the Common or Hickmans Lane with training being planned for the next season on Thursdays at Handcross Park School. There are also occasional training sessions with professional players from Brighton and Lewes women which have been extremely popular.

The team was formed in 2018 when four Year 6 and 7 players turned up for the first training session! Since then, the club has attracted girls of all ages and now has teams from Under 9s through to the Under 16s team which is sponsored by Potential Personal Training and Haywards Heath Landscapes. The Lindfield girls are already making their mark on the local football scene with the Under 12s reaching the County Cup final this season.

“Our focus is to enable girls who start playing football in primary school to keep playing for Lindfield right through to leaving secondary school,” said coach Steve Harris. Off the field, the girls have enjoyed social events including barbeques, paddle boarding, pizza nights and, of course, trips to support Brighton & Hove Albion Women and the England team when they played at the Amex Stadium. “If you love football, have played a bit before and want to play with a lovely bunch of girls with lots of laughs, then come along for a kick around,” Steve added.

The club would be delighted to hear from all age groups. For more information, email: secretarylindfieldjnrs@ hotmail.com. For next season’s Under 16s, Steve can be contacted by phone on 07712 897309 or email: sah@harriskeane.com.

https://lindfieldjuniorsfc.co.uk/

Lindfield Arts Festival hosts blues gig at Bent Arms

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

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

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

Lindfield Arts Festival art show - 17th June 2023

Artists from Lindfield will be among the exhibitors at an art exhibition at King Edward Hall on 17th June, between 10am and 4pm. More than 20 professional and amateur artists will be showcasing their work at the exhibition, a stand-alone event for Lindfield Arts Festival (LAF). They include organiser Hilary Kennett, who has run the event for several years, together with Maggie Lloyd. Professional artist Hilary will be showing her abstract seascapes, inspired by her annual visits to Cornwall. Another artist, Wendy Wren, who first exhibited with LAF in 2019, is returning after being inspired by fellow artists and by encouraging feedback from the public.

“I am pleased to be back, showing my new contemporary work of flora and forna, using the colours and contrasts in a contemporary style,” said Wendy, who has recently become chair of Burgess Hill Artists, helping and encouraging local artists to exhibit their work. Some of the Burgess Hill Artists will also be exhibiting in Lindfield. Another exhibitor is Lindfield resident Chris Jarvest who took up plein air painting after he retired and belongs to a small group of artists painting the Kent countryside and coast. “Since moving to Lindfield I have exhibited and sold work in a local gallery and have joined the Brighton Painting Group which meets once a month to paint the wonderful Sussex countryside and villages,” he said. “I have painted views from the South Downs, Brighton, Cuckfield , Balcombe viaduct and the pond in Lindfield and enjoy the challenge of painting plein air with the constantly changing light, weather and tide,” he added. Fellow Lindfield resident Claire Gill moved to the village at the beginning of lockdown and, while social distancing made life difficult, she enjoyed the opportunity to explore the area and discover nature on her daily walks. “Up to this point, my artwork had been largely inspired by the coast, but living here and being surrounded by green has inspired me to explore landscape,” she said. “This is not an easy thing to do with digital photomontage as the process involves cutting out details from many different original photographs and combining them together to create an entirely new scene,” she added. “I am excited by this new direction in my work and look forward to taking part in the Lindfield Arts Festival. I have wanted to be part of the local art scene since moving here and am really chuffed to have the opportunity to exhibit with the LAF this year.” Visitors to the exhibition can meet, Hilary, Wendy, Chris and Claire along with the other artists, and enjoy a chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake on Saturday 17th June.

Lindfield Dads Group flourishes in community

By Claire Cooper

When Elliott Newlyn moved to Lindfield with his wife and young family, he looked forward to enjoying village life and becoming part of the local community. But with no family or friends living locally, opportunities to meet other parents and to build new friendships were limited. “I loved living in the village, but struggled to meet new people,” Elliott recalled. “I knew there would be other dads out there in the same boat, but how could I reach them?” Taking matters into his own hands, Elliott put a post on the Lindfield Facebook page, suggesting starting a new Lindfield Dads group, and setting up an initial meeting at the Stand Up. “I remember walking to the pub feeling like I was on a blind date,” he laughed. “I felt I should be wearing a flower in my lapel and was worried that I’d be stood up!” But Elliott wasn’t alone for long. He was soon joined by Ant Wood, now one of his closest friends, followed by several other dads. By the end of the evening, the Lindfield Dads Group was formed.

As friendships formed, the group has evolved to include a wide range of interests, ideas and activities. “There’s a lot of swapping of ideas of what to do with children and what’s on locally,” said Ant, dad to Blake, 9 and Scarlet, 14. “We’ve organised golf, tennis, football and board gaming nights, and last summer we enjoyed a fantastic camping trip to Hook Farm near West Hoathly,” added Elliott. “It was, of course, pure coincidence that the Missing Link Brewery was almost next door!” “It’s been great to see the children making friends too, particularly my son Blake who now looks forward to meeting up with them when he comes to stay,” said Ant. Arrangements to meet are made via the WhatsApp group, which members also use to share useful advice and information. “With quite a few or us working in London the WhatsApp was particularly useful during the recent train strikes,” said Ant. The group was also a lifeline for dads during Covid. “It was so important to have people to talk to during lockdown and to gradually meet up as restrictions were lifted,” said Elliott. Looking to the future, Ant and Elliott look forward to welcoming more dads to the group and widening the range of activities, particularly during the summer months, “I’d like to start a fishing group, arrange a barbecue on the Common and we’ll definitely organise another camping trip,” said Elliott. “It would be good to join in with events like Village Day too,” added Ant. For more information about joining the group visit the Lindfield Dads Group on Facebook

To read the full article grab your copy of May’s Lindfield Life today.

Easter Services in and around Lindfield 2023

All Saints Lindfield
www.allsaintslindfield.org

Maundy Thursday – 6th April (at URC)
7.30pm – Maundy Thursday Communion service at URC church We are joining with the other two churches in the village to celebrate Communion together.

Good Friday – 7th April
10am – A service for all ages as we explore the meaning of Good Friday followed by an opportunity to make your own Easter garden and enjoy hot cross buns.
12noon – An hour’s service of music, prayer, Bible readings and short reflective talks around the Cross.
7pm – REQUIEM Concert: An evening of beautiful music for Good Friday. New Sussex Singers perform the Rutter and Faure Requiems, joined by additional local singers for the second half. Tickets available at www.allsaintslindfield.org/requiem or via the church office.

Easter Sunday – 9th April
8am – Holy Communion
9.30am – Easter All Age Celebration with Communion ‘followed by an egg hunt for the children in the vicarage garden’
11.15am - Easter Communion Service
6pm – Lively Easter Celebration led by young people and wind band, also including Communion Some of our services will be livestreamed: www.allsaintslindfield.org/live

Lindfield Evangelical Free Church
www.lefc.co.uk

Maundy Thursday – 6th April
12noon – An Agape lunch including Holy Communion. If you wish to attend, please contact the Church Office on 01444 483576 by the latest Monday 3rd April as we’ve limited spaces.
7.30pm – Three Churches Holy Communion Service at URC.

Good Friday – 7th April
10.30am – Around the cross.

Easter Sunday – 9th April
10.30am – Family Easter Celebration Service.

Please note we will not be holding an Easter Sunday Evening meeting.

Lindfield United Reformed Church
www.lindfieldurc.org.uk

Palm Sunday – 2nd April
10am – Led by Rev Simon Franklin. The triumphant entry into Jerusalem

Wednesday 5th April
11.30am – Wednesday Worship, led by Rev Keith Morrison. Refreshments served before the service from 11am. Jesus is Blessed and Betrayed by his friends

Maundy Thursday – 6th April
7.30pm – Communion service. A combined service with the three other churches in Lindfield. Held at the Lindfield United Reformed Church.

Good Friday – 7th April
10am – Good Friday service, led by Rev Keith Morrison. Remembering the Cross

Easter Sunday – 9th April
10am – Easter Day service, led by Rev Keith Morrison. Celebrating new life through the resurrection

St Augustine’s Church, Scaynes Hill
www.sash.org.uk

Palm Sunday – 2nd April
10am – Worship for all. To be live streamed on YouTube
6pm – Holy Communion

Monday – 3rd April
10am-12noon – Easter Fun Morning

Tuesday – 4th April
8pm – Compline

Wednesday – 5th April
8pm – Compline

Maundy Thursday – 6th April
7.30pm – Agape meal, followed by The Watch

Good Friday – 7th April
10am – Walk of Witness
3pm – Hour at the Cross

Easter Sunday – 8th April
6am – Sunrise Service, followed by breakfast
10am – Easter Morning Holy Communion. To be live streamed on YouTube

What's happening with Lindfield pond?

There was something fishy going on at Lindfield pond last month and members of the Bonfire Society were quick to investigate!
Accompanied by harbour master David Riddle, the members descended on the pond to offer their support to the team of specialist contractors catching and removing fish from the village pond. The de-stocking saw dozens of fish caught using huge nets and transferred to special holding tanks before being transported to enjoy a new life in lakes across Sussex.

The de-stocking of the pond was organised by Mid Sussex District Council, which owns and manages the pond, following advice from the Environment Agency. An investigation by experts from the EA had found that poor water quality and oxygen levels, combined with over population, had left huge numbers of fish struggling to breathe. Removing all of the fish was advised to improve the health of the pond and the other wildlife including ducks, amphibians and insects.

Not all the fish have been removed, so there are plans to regularly de-stock the pond during the year. The de-stocking is the latest in a series of improvements to the pond by Mid Sussex District Council, supported by Lindfield Parish Council. They include installing a new floating island and replacing and repainting the bollards and fencing along the pond side wall. A new floating duck house, funded from a community crowd funding initiative, will be installed soon.

Lindfield Coffee Works to open on our High Street

Later this month, Lindfield Coffee Works will be expanding onto the High Street. In a move which has been in the pipeline for some months, Kris Whelan explained: “We are delighted to be taking over the shop which has been Field & Forest for many years. With our existing site on Alma Road, we have been keen to have a High Street presence for some time.”

In the short term, the team will be opening the shop as a Lindfield Coffee Works pop-up coffee shop, focusing on serving takeaway drinks and cakes. However, the shop will have a complete refurbishment and operate as The Black Duck, selling gelato, sandwiches, provisions, pastries and its own coffee. “Our Alma Road site will be more focused on being an ‘eat-in’ café for people to continue to enjoy that space in a more relaxed atmosphere with the addition of an increased space dedicated to our retail coffee bags for people to enjoy at home.”

The pop-up shop is due to open on 13th March, which will operate until the full refurb is completed around the beginning of June.

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