Join us for a fun-packed evening with musical bingo, games and cabaret with Brighton Drag Queen Cherry Bomb.
Friday 31st May, 7-11pm at Hassocks Hotel, BN6 8HN
£25pp - all proceeds will go to local disability charity, Kangaroos
By Michelle Binks, organiser
It is with great sadness that I announce that DOWNSFEST will not be held again. The DownsFest ambition was to bring entertainment to the community in a festival environment supporting local acts and giving the opportunity of a ‘Glastonbury’ experience whilst raising funds for St Peter and St James Hospice. DownsFest is a self-funding scheme and was run by a core team of three, who have collectively dedicated over 3,100 hours of their own time, planning and organising the 2022 event.
In 2019, the festival ran at a loss but we decided to try once again, as well as fundraising for St Peter and St James Hospice. In 2019, we gave £1,000 to the hospice and this year we managed to raise funds to pay for a days’ nursing at the hospice. DownsFest fixed costs were over £30,000 to put on! Sadly, the ticket sales failed to cover these costs. We had some great sponsors but not enough for such a big undertaking. We did not take any payment for our time, in contradiction to some online rumours.
We did extensive research in the area and DownsFest was one of the cheapest events to attend in the locality, especially with the full day on stage performances and circus programme once inside. We have realised we have achieved something amazing with DownsFest 2022. And we got some great feedback from our festival goers this year.
I am so proud and sincerely grateful to all the help and support given by my DownsFest team: Kelly and Nick who were my backbone, and to Sarah as stage manager and Phil, music director and photographer Chris. Also, thank you to all the volunteers that helped over the two days.
The Mid Sussex District Council Play Days on Tour Summer 2022 programme will visit ten locations across the district twice a week throughout the school summer holidays. This programme delivers free activities for children and families, providing a range of activities including music, arts, circus skills and sports. The target age is under 10s but all children and young people can attend.
On Tuesday 26th July, Play Days on Tour will be in Adastra Park from 1pm to 3pm and there will be lots of things to do! Sussex Clubs for Young People will have their purple bus and will offer various arts and games activities. DJ Neel will be playing great music and running DJ workshops. Circus Allstars gives an opportunity to learn new circus skills. Jolf Golf will set up a 6-hole golf park for families to play together. Little Kickers encourage under 5s to have a go at learning some football skills. Poponin, who runs creative clubs and workshops in Hurstpierpoint will offer an art experience. There will be a trail around the park organised by Liz. MSDC Recycling Trail gives families a chance to solve clues. More activities are being added all the time, and if you can’t make this date, remember Play Days will visit other villages in Mid-Sussex, too, so check out the website: www.midsussex.gov.uk/playdays
This July, Adastra Park will once again be transformed into DownsFest. Friday 15th will be Comedy@DownsFest, courtesy of ‘Funny That Comedy’. A top notch line up of comedians will be hosted by local favourite, Stephen Grant. From 5.30pm, Jessica Fostekew, Stephen K Amos, Nick Helm, Mark Simmons and Ivo Graham will be taking to the festival stage.
On the Saturday, the headliners are One Step Behind ‘The Masters of Madness’ topping the bill. Other musical treats on offer, include Loki + Zaffire Twinz, Harmonessence Choir, Cheer up Mollies, Breeze in and Stuart Barbour. Local band, Disco B’stards are sure to get you dancing. And many of you may know Thing of the Swamp, another act you don’t want to miss. Plus Stone Dark Night, Diva and the Nobodies, Nova and Overdrive. There will be plenty of choice in the FamilyZone, too. Pop into the Dance Tent, see what’s happening at the Fire show, watch Nick Cook Entertainer or get involved at Poi Passion Circus. Tickets are now available at www.DownsFest.co.uk
DownsFest 2022
Star Cinema is back
The Star Cinema and the Hassocks Community Organisation are excited to announce the start of a new cinematic season.
This November we are starting with Dream Horse, a true story following Jan Vokes, a small-town Welsh bartender and her aspirations to breed and train an unlikely racehorse, Dream Alliance. Played by Toni Collette, Jan has little experience or money to compete against the racing world elite. However, she is undaunted and has high ambitions to win the Welsh Grand National.
The Star Cinema presents this Welsh adventure on Friday, 12th November at the Adastra Hall. Doors will open at 7pm for the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and chat with your neighbours; the film presentation will start at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5.50 (£5 for those over 60).
The ever-popular raffle remains - five tickets for £1 - and wine, equally popular, will be on offer. Important, please bring cash as The Star Cinema does not yet have a card payment facility.
After losing the Orion cinema in 1964, many considered the closure a significant loss to both Hassocks and surrounding communities. The village needed a replacement. However, with Knights Budgens now occupying the original Orion’s site, a new location had to be found. At a meeting in 2002 where the Village Action Plan was undergoing review, Sherrian Guest surprised herself by volunteering to create a pop-up cinema at the Adastra Hall. Soon to be joined by fellow volunteer Janet Everest, they together made plans to show the first film, Chocolat in January 2003.
In 2004, Sherrian and Janet launched a competition to name the cinema. From the many entries received, actress Gwyneth Powell picked the name Star Cinema. Submitted by (the late) Lorraine Langridge, it communicated a connection towards the Latin translation of Ad Astra: ‘to the stars’.
Our next blockbuster showing will be A Christmas Gift from Bob. Continuing the story of Bob the Cat, this adventure was originally scheduled for its UK release in Christmas 2020. You can see this at the Star Cinema on Friday 10th December.
If you would like to know more about the work of the Hassocks Community Organisation (HCO), or would like to take advantage of the Village Discount Card (accepted by 35 High Street businesses) head on over to the HCO website at www.hassockscommunity.org.uk
Building on the Infant School Art Week theme, ‘Let there be light,’ FoHis are offering two ways to share some seasonal sparkle.
This year 26 houses around Hassocks are getting their Christmas lights up and taking part in the Hassocks Infants Festive Light Trail. Each house will have a clue displayed, and if you get all the clues you can complete the sentence and win a prize. Answer sheets will be distributed to Hassocks Infant pupils at school and can be collected from QD Stationary too. Anyone can take part and enjoy the trail!
Three of the houses are from the Light Up Lockdown Hassocks Facebook group, who are also encouraging people to spread a little joy by illuminating their houses and sharing pictures of their Christmas lights online. They hope to spread some festive cheer in these very strange times. Take part in the Hassocks Infants Festive Light Trail between the 1st - 19th December (or as lockdown allows) and hand in your completed answer sheets for £2 and get a prize on the 19th at the Hassocks Shop Local Christmas Event (we’ll be here at the United Reform Church).
We are also asking people of Hassocks to draw a ‘light up’ picture and put it in their windows to take part from home! If you want to support Your local infant school you can do so here www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fohischristmas or follow us @fohis @hassocks_infants_school_pta or fohisgroup@gmail.com.
DownsFest music festival, which was due to take place in September, has been now been cancelled. Organiser Michelle Binks said: “We have held out for as long as possible but feel this is our only option at this stage to keep everyone safe, and not knowing what’s to come in terms of guidelines.” However, on a very positive note the date of Saturday 17th July 2021 for has been confirmed for next year! “We have brought the date forward into July for the warmer weather and lighter evenings,” Michelle went on, “avoiding other local event clashes and before the schools close for their summer holidays.” One Step Beyond will be headlining and our new ‘Family Zone’ will be launched at DownsFest 2021. The event will continue to fundraise for St Peter and St James Hospice. All tickets for DownsFest 2020 will automatically be transferred to 2021. Ticket holders who cannot make it next year, will find refunds will be available through Ticket Tailor. Michelle said: “We cannot thank the community enough for its understanding and ongoing support. Here’s to 2021!”