Bake Out: The Hassocks community bakery

Linda Kianfar and her husband, Michael, moved into the bakery industry ten years ago. Linda says, “we’ve always both been very passionate about food and the hospitality industry.” Michael has always had a keen interest in bread, and the couple decided to set up a bakery in Newhaven in 2014. “We make everything from scratch, all the pastry products and cakes, and use a local butcher for the meat,” explains Linda. The couple’s enthusiasm and dedication paid off in 2018, when they won Britain’s Best Loaf! They were also category winner for Sussex Seeded Sourdough. In 2015, Linda and Michael, took over three bakery shops in Hassocks, Lewes and Southwick respectively. “We make all the pastries and savouries by batch-production in our Newhaven bakery,” explains Linda. “Everything is delivered to our shops early each morning. It’s baked-off at each shop which is why it’s so super-fresh.”

The couple work well together. “We both enjoy the industry but have our own niches.” Linda focuses on product development and retail while Michael deals with future planning, logistics and the production side of the business. They now employ 35 staff across head office, the bakery and the three shops. Jo is the Manager at Bake Out in Hassocks, Dolly is the Assistant Manager, and together with assistants, Maddie, Lottie and Lily, they are the core retail team.

Throughout Lockdown, Bake Out stayed open, doing deliveries of bread and cakes to people who were self-isolating where needed. “At first, we were just providing essential items, like bread, when we were allowed, we started providing coffee, hot savouries and confectionary again,” explains Linda. “Soon, Bake

Out became a friendly place to have a chat during Lockdown. New customers started coming along and before long we became a big part of the community, somewhere people could come and have some human contact and support. We feel very close to a lot of our customers.”

“Hassocks has been very good in supporting us through the Lockdowns. It’s been a real two-way thing and we’d like to thank our staff and the local community.”

Adastra Hall and the history and community that built what it is today

Janet Bell throws light on the past, present and future of this community focal point.

Photo by Deirdre Huston

Adastra Hall is owned by registered charity, Hassocks Community Association, with its day-to-day management delegated to a committee of volunteers. Several of the original cohort of visionaries who were involved with the task of raising funds, and commissioning the building which is still in existence today, remain active on the committee, although one can’t be surprised that they feel ready to hand the baton on. Val Purdew, now the Chair of Hassocks Community Association, and an active member of the committee, is retiring from her role at our AGM. She was heavily involved in all the initial fundraising, as was Stella Jenner, the Treasurer who still has an eagle-eyed overview of our finances. I asked Stella for anecdotes about the early days - and what a mine of information she is…

The original motivators were a local couple, Dick and Bett Hall. Hoping to replace the wooden hut in the park that was then serving as a community space, they got elected to the Parish Council (who own and manage Adastra Park) to make their case. In 1976, a first public meeting was called and Mr B. Hewer, a representative of Hurstpierpoint Village Hall, came to talk about how our neighbouring village had achieved their smart new building. That got the ball rolling and so began ten years of community effort to raise funds. Hassocks Community Association was registered with the Charity Commission and an executive committee was formed.

Local professionals, an architect and a solicitor in particular, gave the benefit of their skills and contacts. A couple of local councillors were also very supportive, and able to offer guidance about government grants. There was still a need for significant funds to be raised by the good people of Hassocks and it was important that there was local buy-in. I don’t imagine you could have lived in Hassocks at the time and not known there was a campaign on to replace the village hall!

Pick up a March issue of Hassocks Life to read how the community came together to fundraise for their adored Adastra Hall. Also, more amazing old photos.

If anyone has a bit of time to spare and thinks they can offer anything to the committee, we would love to hear from you!
To find out more, see: www.adastrahall.co.uk or contact Janet: 01273 842527 / janetb545@gmail.com

Scout group thriving in Hassocks

1st Hassocks Scouts

By Bill Whitehead, Group Scout Leader

You may not have noticed the headquarters of 1st Hassocks Scout Group between the flats and allotments on Parklands Road but you have probably seen its Beavers, Cubs or Scouts out and about in the past having fun and learning new skills.

Scouting has changed a lot over the last decade. It is now a diverse and inclusive movement that welcomes everyone regardless of their background, race, gender, sexuality or faith.

1st Hassocks Scout Group started in the early 1900s. Today it has over 140 young people aged between six and 14 years old who meet weekly to take part in activities which provide them with life skills, adventure, teamwork and fun.

Recently the Beavers participated in adventurous paddle boarding and water sports at Hove lagoon, and they enjoyed an informative walk through a local meadow discovering plants and butterflies and a singsong round a real camp fire.

The Cubs travelled to London for a fun-filled weekend, which included sleeping on a converted ice breaker ship in Docklands. The Scouts joined over 4,000 other young people from around the UK to play real life monopoly in London, visiting all the locations on the board. They also chatted non-stop for 24 hours to Scouts from around the world at an online jamboree.

If this sounds like something your child would enjoy, please register an interest by forwarding their details to waitinglist@1sthassocksscouts.org.uk.

In due course, when life returns to more normality, why not volunteer to join a friendly welcoming team?

For more information please contact me by email: gsl@1sthassocksscout.org.uk or visit our website: www.1sthassocksscouts.org.uk

Hassocks Bike ‘n’ Fun returns this month

Hassocks Bike ‘n’ Fun 2019

The community bike ride returns later this month, as resident Pippa Crouch takes over the reins this year.

The event will take place on Sunday 30th June 2019 and will feature two safe, marshalled routes – a four and eight mile ride. Both start from The Hassocks Hotel with registration at 9.30am. The shorter route will go via Oldland Mill (which will be open until 1pm) and Ditchling, ending back at The Hassocks. The longer route will go via Oldland Mill, Ditchling, Underhill Lane, Hurstpierpoint and back to the same place.

Pippa explained: “This fun event is for the whole community, regardless of age and cycling ability.” The event will be kindly marshalled by volunteers from the Proper Cycling Club, and will feature a BBQ too.

For more information pop into Proper Coffee, QD Stationery or like the Facebook page – search for Hassocks Bike ‘n’ Fun.