Hassocks Community

Adastra Hall is looking for volunteers from the Hassocks community

Adastra Hall

By Chris Hobbs, Chair, Hassocks Community Association, Adastra Hall Management Committee

Long-standing residents of Hassocks will remember the concerted effort of Hassocks Community Association members in the early 80s to raise funds to get Adastra Hall built. A village lottery? The lottery ticket box on Orion Parade? Hassocks Fayre? Well, the team did it and 35 years ago, thanks to a great village effort, in 1987 Adastra Hall opened. Fast forward to today, and the hall is more popular than ever. All three rooms - the Main Hall, the Green Room and the Committee Room are in regular use for music lessons, group and club meetings, art classes, exercise classes, family parties, blood donor sessions, Jazz shows - you name it, and Adastra Hall can host it.

Running the hall is the ‘hobby’ of a volunteer management committee of seven, led by new Chair Chris Hobbs, who is now looking for additional support. The group meets monthly for a business meeting, then work continues in between sessions with each person taking a specific project forward. Already this year, the team has installed free Wi-Fi, replaced all the lighting for LED, had the floor re-varnished and launched a new website at www.adastrahall.com

On the project list are new hall curtains, new stage curtains, a revamp of the “Green Room” and much more... But to keep the hall going and make it the best it can be, the Committee are looking for three new volunteers - someone to help manage the property task list, someone to help develop the community clubs the hall runs, and someone who has project management skills to help lead a potential front-of-house refurbishment in 2023.

Do you have some hours to spare and want to give something back to the community? In the first instance, drop Chris a line - chris.hobbs@adastrahall.co.uk to find out more.

Hassocks Community Runners are three years old

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By Ros Clarke

Only three years old but what an impact it’s had on so many of our lives! We go running no matter the weather – it is quite a sight to see us standing in the rain waiting for our run to start. And at the end of the run, we are always glad we showed up. We’re an inclusive group always looking for new members, we have people of all ages and abilities, with one thing in common, we want to give it a go.

We started this group with community in mind. For some time, before we started, a few of us were desperate for a free weekly running group in Hassocks. We weren’t sure how to make it happen, but so many people offered their support, including the lovely Rachel, who let us use Proper Cycling and Café as a base. In the early days, we were so worried we might get it wrong that it took a while for us to relax. We hoped people would turn up - and they did – and still do every time.

We now meet outside Keymer and Hassocks Sports and Social Club in Adastra Park. We do three regular runs in the week and one varied run on a Sunday. We have around 20 volunteer run leaders and over 500 members from Hassocks and beyond, and to this day we have never charged anyone a penny!

One of our members said: “The group supported me when I wanted to return to running in my seventies. I am even leading some runs now (although occasionally and from the back).” Another one of our members said: “I was nervous joining a group of runners, I thought everyone would be so good, and I would always be last, but it’s not like that, everyone supports each other.”

Hassocks Community Runners is more than just a running group. We bring people together, we laugh, and we create lasting friendships whilst enjoying our beautiful countryside. Oh yes and we run too! We continued through lockdown and adapted to new Covid rules, sometimes setting virtual challenges to help us stay in touch and motivate each other to keep moving.

We also actively support local organisations, through fundraising and volunteering. Another member, Lynn said: “I was a complete non-runner when I joined HCR and genuinely thought I couldn’t ever be a runner. The group is so welcoming, friendly and supportive that I never looked back. It supports everyone regardless of ability or goals. Running twice a week made me the fittest I ever have ever been and motivated me. I also made some wonderful friends.”

It’s so lovely to walk through the village and bump into people of all ages that we’ve met through the running group. We encourage each other and make people proud of any achievements, big or small. The future looks bright – we will continue to work hard to be at the heart of our community. We offer 10k, 7k and 5k runs at all paces and we offer a 3k walk/run for people who want to try out running. Don’t worry if you’ve never run, just come and give it a go. You can join us on Facebook, search for Hassocks Community Runners – or come and join us in Adastra Park on a Monday or Wednesday at 7pm or on Fridays at 9.15am.

Hassocks' community spirit at its best with surprise giveaway

During January, Natalie West, of The Little Igloo Company, had the brilliant idea of organising a giveaway amongst some Hassocks business owners, including Indigo and CakesByLara. Altogether, six businesses put together a generous package of gifts to support deserving families through this difficult winter. Natalie West says: “I am a new business and wanted to support other local businesses. I thought if we all got together, we could help each other out, and then I came up with the idea to do a local family giveaway.”

“When Natalie asked if I would like to be involved it was an immediate yes from Harry and Belle!” adds Vanessa Burnham. “It felt great to be involved with a giveaway that would help to bring some light and respite in dark and challenging times.”

Ruth Corke of the beauty salon, Profiles, comments: “I thought the competition was a lovely idea, especially at the moment, with so many families having a really tough time being separated from their extended family, job losses, illnesses, and the nation home-schooling and coping with all the challenges that brings with it!”

Briony Torney agrees: “This latest lockdown has been tough for absolutely everyone and I really sympathise with the children stuck inside, unable to see friends or go to school AND the parents doing the impossible – home-schooling and attempting to work at the same time. And, of course, it’s been even tougher for some people for a variety of reasons.
“So the idea of a beautiful igloo, packed full of goodies, magically appearing in your garden seemed like fun and an exciting treat at any age!” As owner of Briony Mae Flowers, she’s aware of the benefits of blooms, and continues: “Flowers are known to help with boosting moods so offering a bunch to the winner and runners up seemed an easy way to lift spirits a tad. Since the first lockdown I’ve been offering Friday Flowers locally every week, small bunches to perk up your home, or gift to a friend.” There’s much we share in common through these difficult times. “It’s the little things that keep us going,” points out Briony, and she admits that for her, it’s a real boost to have the occasional coffee from Proper.

Local residents were asked to nominate possible recipients for the giveaway and the businesses were very moved by the response. “Hassocks is such a caring community of people of all ages,” comments Ruth, “and it was really lovely to read what people wrote about each other and why they wanted to nominate.”

“We had some amazing nominations that were also heart-breaking,” recalls Natalie. “We decided to separate some gifts so we could give a smile to a few more families.” An outdoor igloo was set up in the winner’s garden and other gifts placed inside. Profiles donated a beauty box hamper worth over £150. “The lady that won sent me a message and was delighted with all her goodies,” explains Ruth. “The salon is currently offering a selection of ‘click and collect’ hampers every few weeks with each one having a limited quantity: themes vary from ‘New Mum’ to ‘Thank you’ to seasonal specials. They’re ideal as gifts or if you wish to treat yourself.”

Vanessa, who donated earrings, comments: “The lovely part of making and sourcing jewellery is that it has the power to give a little feel-good to the recipient. Since the arrival of Covid in our lives, we have all come to understand the importance of our immediate community. We’ve felt our worlds shrink significantly and it’s felt more important than ever to consider those close by.” Other gifts included cupcakes from CakesbyLara and a voucher for Indigo. “It was great to bring some joy when everything has felt pretty bleak,” adds Vanessa.

“I would love to do this again, maybe in the summer,” says Natalie.