Hassocks Life

Newsletter from Mid Sussex District Council - April 2025

Raising awareness of heat pumps

Heat pumps are relatively rare in residential properties in the UK – there are only around 250,000 currently. This means that the vast majority of people will never (knowingly) have seen a home with a heat pump.

Nesta, the charity that focuses on innovation including a sustainable future, wants everyone in the UK to be able to visit a heat pump near them and get the support they need.

Visit a heat pump combines a digital platform along with recruitment and training of heat pump hosts, providing a full end-to-end service for the public to visit a heat pump and get further support to help them build their confidence. So far, nearly 400 hosts are listed and Nesta is aiming for over 1,000 visits in the next few months.

Anyone interested in being a host or visiting a heat pump can register their interest at: www.visitaheatpump.com

Sign up to our digital newsletter!

Want to keep in the loop with what’s happening in your local community? Then sign up to our digital Mid Sussex Matters newsletter, a monthly email to help residents stay up to date with what’s going on at the Council and in the wider district. Scan the QR code or visit our website www.midsussex.gov.uk to subscribe and join thousands of residents who are already taking advantage of this valuable resource. Let’s work together for a better Mid Sussex.

To read the full newsletter, click the images to enlarge them or pick up April’s Hassocks Life today.

The Lost Woods project encourage wildflowers at Pheasant Field

The Lost Woods project has been working with a team of local Hassocks residents and a group from Burnside Day Opportunities Hub to rake cut grass in Pheasant Field (the meadow between Lag Wood and Butchers Wood), to encourage more wildflowers to grow this Spring and improve biodiversity.

Polly Eason, Community Development Worker for the Lost Woods Action in Rural Sussex team, said: “We were blown away by the enthusiasm of local volunteers and the nature and conservation group from Burnside. The field is absolutely huge so it was a big undertaking, but through clearing the cut grass we’re giving the habitat a great chance for more wildflowers to come through, attracting more insects - including butterflies which had an appalling year in 2024. Crucially, we’re also strengthening the habitat, which acts as a nature corridor between Butchers and Lag Woods.

“If people are interested in getting involved in other activities to support nature locally in Hassocks, please contact the Lost Woods team, and/or sign up to the Greener Hassocks and Ditchling mailing list who locally are doing loads of brilliant nature recovery activities.”

There is one last meadow raking day planned before the Easter weekend. If you’d like to join please look out for a poster or email lostwoodsteam@ruralsussex.org.uk

Greener Hassocks & Ditchling

Seedling Swap

How are your seedlings coming on? Too many tomato plants?! Come along to a Seedling Swap event at Hassocks Community Veg Patch on Saturday 26th April to swap your seedlings. Or if you don’t have any plants, you can pick some up some seedlings in exchange for a small donation, or just come and say hello! You’ll find Greener Hassocks and Ditchling behind the Age Concern building from 9am-12.30pm.

Volunteer opportunity

On the afternoon of 12 July, 2-4pm, we will be organising a ‘Kidical Mass’: a fun, safe community bike ride. There will be feeder rides from Hurstpierpoint and Ditchling, meeting in Adastra Park. From there a short three to five-mile ride will make its way around Hassocks, ending at Adastra Park.

Your kids need you! All riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. So, for now, we need you to do one or two things to make sure this ride happens Firstly, get ready to ride! Get the ride into your diary, get your bikes out of the shed, tune them up (we can help with that), and go on some safe practice rides with your kids. We will send out details on how to register for the ride during May.

In addition, we need people to sign up now to be a steward. We need as many stewards as possible. It will involve one brief training session before July; and then a two-hour commitment on the afternoon of 12th July. Please sign up by emailing greenerhassocksditchling@ gmail.com and we will give you more details.

Save the date

On 6th May, at the monthly Climate Hub Event, the former Chief Executive and now President of Sussex Wildlife Trust will speak about biodiversity. As the national spokesperson on woodland issues for The Wildlife Trusts, a Trustee of the Knepp Wildland Foundation and a long term supporter of Knepp Wildland project, he offers valuable insights into wildlife issues in Sussex. The event will take place at 7.30pm - location TBC.

Hassocks Parish Council traffic calming proposals

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Village Traffic Calming and Speed Limits – Consultation

The Council is exploring measures which could be introduced to help make Hassocks roads calmer and safer for all road users which includes motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. A working group comprising of councillors and representatives from two local community groups has been set up to explore the benefits and viability of introducing 20 mph speed limits at various locations around Hassocks and Keymer. Similar schemes are being introduced in other Sussex villages including Hurstpierpoint.

West Sussex Highways are responsible for our roads. They operate a Community Highway Scheme to encourage communities to identify highway concerns and to propose improvements such a traffic calming, Detail to be developed by West Sussex Highways in consultation with the Parish Council crossing facilities, etc. Proposals can be submitted annually in June/July and the merits and costs are assessed; successful applications are then delivered over a 1–3 year period.

We have recently held meetings with West Sussex Highways to obtain traffic data, including actual vehicle speeds, and accident data for our village to see where the issues are so that any proposed scheme is effective. Concerns have also been raised recently about children crossing Dale Avenue near The Windmills Junior School. We are therefore proposing a 20-mph speed limit which would cover the main routes through the village. All residential roads and cul-de-sacs within this zone are included in the proposal.

You may have already seen representatives from the Parish Council at the recent Hassocks Village Market on 22nd March. Consultations with parents from The Windmills Junior School and Hassocks Infant School also took place at the end of March. If you would like to comment on the proposal:
You can send an email to info@hassocks-pc.gov.uk or post a letter to us at the Parish Centre, Adastra Park. The closing date for submissions is Friday 2nd May 2025. Once the consultation is complete the results will be published on our website. Please check our website https://www.hassocks-pc.gov.uk/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hassockspc for further information.

Get involved with Greener Hassocks

Greener Hassocks Year Plan

By Diana Penly

Greener Hassocks and Ditchling started in 2009 when a handful of local people sat down together to learn more about climate change and think about ways we could respond. We started to hold events so we and others could learn more, raise awareness about climate issues and to develop practical community projects.

We have project groups which are looking for new members to help grow our activities. We welcome local residents with enthusiasm and a willingness to join in. Community projects across Hassocks & Ditchling include:

• Climate Hub – A space for discussion, education, and collaboration on climate-related issues, bringing together people passionate about making a difference, on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm, usually at Proper Cafe, Keymer Road.
• Floods & SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) – An initiative focused on managing water runoff, reducing flood risks, and increasing awareness of sustainable water management.
• HKD Community Energy – A project aimed at increasing local renewable energy generation and efficiency within our community
• Repair Café – A community-led effort based at the Age Concern on Hassocks Village Market day with an aim to encourage repairing items, and reduce waste
• Transport Initiative – Exploring ways to improve sustainable transport options in our area, with a focus on cycling initiatives
• Library of Things (in development) – A planned resource where community members can borrow useful items, reducing consumption and waste.
• Ditchling Orchard – A project that supports biodiversity and local food resilience through the planting and care of fruit trees • Community Veg Patch – A shared space for growing food sustainably while promoting local food production. The ‘Patchworkers’ meet on the last Saturday morning of every month to coincide with the Hassocks Market, as well as one weekday.

We keep in touch with the community through our monthly newsletter and social media channels, so that everyone can stay informed and get involved.

www.greenerhassocksditchling.org.uk

Hassocks Parish Council news - March 2025

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Village Traffic Calming and Speed Limits – Consultation

In the January edition we mentioned that the Council is keen to explore measures which could be introduced to help make Hassocks roads calmer and safer for ALL, and as part of this has set up a working group to explore the viability of 20 mph speed limits in various locations. In the coming months we will be seeking the opinions of Hassocks residents to ensure that any scheme we propose has broad community support. We hope to conduct this consultation in the spring and will publish the details on our web site https://www.hassocks-pc.gov.uk/ and Facebook pages.

Village Parking

Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) are responsible for managing and operating vehicle parking in the area and, as has been widely reported, they are reviewing the various schemes that operate on roads and in their car parks. They are currently consulting with Parish Councils to seek their views.
Our view is that the current parking arrangements generally work well in Hassocks. The importance of free parking to the health of the High Street businesses cannot be underestimated.

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There are some minor improvements which could be considered. For example, the Parish Council whilst open to splitting the Dale Avenue Car Park into Long Term and Short Term (4 hour max) areas is not in favour of new charges particularly as this would affect visitor numbers and tourists. Visitors could easily migrate to the local Garden Centre / Visitor Attraction where free parking is available. The current Parking Discs work well in the Orion Car Park and these should be retained and potentially used in the short-term section of the Dale Avenue Car Park even if the method of implementation changes.

Above all, any management system in the Car Parks must be simple and easy for all types of users including those who find parking technology challenging ...and must not result in any additional technology costs that MSDC then passes on to users.

To read the full newsletter, please pick up your copy of March’s Hassocks Life or click the images to enlarge them.

Have your say on South Downs National Park’s Local Plan Review

An eight-week consultation begins this month as the National Park invites people to have their say on how and where development takes place. The award-winning South Downs Local Plan is being reviewed to ensure it’s upto-date and addresses important issues such as nature recovery, climate change, affordable housing and helping local communities thrive.

The public consultation of the Local Plan Review started in January and will run until 17th March. This is the main opportunity for people to help shape the final Plan, so the National Park is encouraging the public to get involved.

Local Plans set out where future development will take place, such as new homes and locations for business growth, as well as key policies, such as protecting nature and heritage, against which future planning applications will be judged. The Local Plan will continue to prioritise the provision of clean air, water, dark skies and food and a medium level of growth spread across the towns and villages of the UK’s youngest National Park.

The National Park Authority is now inviting comments from local communities, stakeholders and the development sector. This feedback will then help shape the next version of the Local Plan, which will be published in 2026 ahead of its submission for examination by an independent inspector. Once the new Local Plan is adopted in 2027, it will be used to help decide all planning applications in the National Park.

Tim Slaney, Director at the National Park Authority, said: “Planning is the beating heart of the National Park, deciding where development takes place and how we conserve and enhance its amazing landscape, wildlife and heritage. “This is not an entirely new Local Plan and we would like to keep many of the existing policies that are working well. We need to ensure the Plan remains up-to-date and delivers on our priorities of nature recovery, climate action and a ‘National Park for All’. As part of the Review, we will also be incorporating policies around the future of Shoreham Cement Works. The Local Plan Review is still in its early stages and no decisions have been made. This consultation is a really key opportunity for people to influence what happens next and we’re looking forward to hearing people’s comments.”

Responses to the consultation can be made in the following ways:
• Online: Using the consultation platform to view and give feedback on the draft revised Local Plan at www.bit.ly/4jnDwWD
• Email: planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk
• In writing: Planning Policy Team, South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH

News from Mid Sussex District Council - February 25

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Free Playdays for February half-term

Children can look forward to more free fun Playdays for the February half-term. Organised by Mid Sussex District Council, the indoor events will be run from 2pm – 4pm and there’s no need to book, just turn up and take part. There’ll be a host of different activities for children, up to age 10, at the following venues:

• Tuesday 18th Feb @ Kings Centre, Burgess Hill, RH15 9LR
• Wednesday 19th Feb @ Jubilee Centre, East Grinstead, RH19 2HL
• Friday 21st Feb @ Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath, RH16 1LY

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Cllr Anne-Marie Cooke, Cabinet Member for Communities and Communications, said: “Our popular free Playdays are back for February half-term. We’re so pleased to be organising these free activities for local families once again. Please come along and join in. We’ll see you there!”



To read the full newsletter, pick up your copy of February’s Hassocks Life today or click the images to enlarge them.

Forthcoming copy dates

2025 Copy dates for Hassocks Life magazine

April’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 25th March
Delivery between 5th - 11th April

May’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 22nd April
Delivery between 3rd - 9th May

June’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 20th May
Delivery between 31st May - 6th June

July’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 17th June
Delivery between 28th June - 4th July

August’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 22nd July
Delivery between 2nd - 8th August

September’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 26th August
Delivery between 6th - 12th September

October’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 23rd September
Delivery between 4th - 10th October

November’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 21st October
Delivery between 1st - 7th November

December’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 18th November
Delivery between 29th November - 5th December

Young Green Briton Challenge

A number of local schools (including Downlands Community School and Woodlands Meed College) will be participating in the Young Green Briton Challenge this year. This relatively new secondary schools programme is co-led by local resident and Greener HKD supporter, Kat Crisp of Social Innovation for All CIC. They are looking for local volunteers with a passion for sustainability who excel at turning ideas into action and want to share their passion and expertise with young people to create local change. There are a range of different opportunities, from a few hours to a whole day.

You could be a Design Sprint Facilitator who supports the delivery of a one-day dynamic design workshop, engaging with students and inspiring them to think outside the box and work as a team to create their own innovative climate solutions.
Or perhaps you’d like to be a mentor, offering guidance when needed, working with student teams to implement their climate solutions in a feasible and impactful way.

How about using your professional expertise to assess student’s local climate action ideas? You could offer feedback about how they can achieve the greatest impact through their projects.

If you are an expert in a subject such as green energy and transport, future food, sustainable fashion and sport, or nature-based solutions, you could provide expert advice to teams via a Q&A style session either virtually or in-person at the school.

As well as helping students to increase their understanding of climate change and offering opportunities for students to feel more hopeful about making a positive contribution to mitigating and adapting to climate change, the programme also aims to provide students with learnt skills that may help them in their futures.

Volunteers will support young people in their own community, whilst building their own skills and joining a community of changemakers and sustainability experts. Full training, resources and support will be provided for all volunteers throughout the Challenge. Prior experience of working with young people is helpful but not required to volunteer.

Contact Kat Crisp on kat@si4a.net to find out more!

Light Up Hassocks

Welcome to Hassocks Life’s Light Up Hassocks information page. Here you will find our most recent information for all things Light Up Hassocks.

See also, Light Up Hassocks on Facebook

IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE ORGANISERS OF LIGHT UP HASSOCKS - 5th DEC

Dear Friends and supporters,

it is with very heavy hearts that we write to tell you that due to the weather warnings in place from tomorrow we’ve had dramatically reduce the scope of tomorrow's event for everyone’s safety and that will sadly change how Light Up Hassocks will operate.

We have not made these decisions lightly as it affects 200+ stakeholders involved as well as the many hundreds of residents and visitors who attend. But we need to make decisions based on the information available and within safety tolerances, as well as ensuring we give as much notice as we can.

Unfortunately, there will be no stage, funfair or parade elements, no stalls exterior to shops, and the road will not be closed. The choir performance and the Christmas lights switch-on will now take place at the Hassocks Hotel-details to follow.

Please come out and support your local shops, eat, drink and shop INDOORS and enjoy all the wonderful things they have planned. We certainly will be.

Let’s still come together as a community to kick off the festive season in the safest way possible!

The winner of the Light Up Hassocks poster competition 2024 is Quentin! Congratulations Quentin, who will be turning on the lights at Light Up Hassocks.

Light Up Hassocks 2024 are getting ready for the evening event scheduled for Friday 6th December.

If you’re a local artisan/producer/business and are interested in having a stall please contact us via lightuphassocks@gmail.com in advance.

KEYMER ROAD CLOSED:
Please remember, from 4-8pm on Friday 6th December 2024, Keymer Road will be closed from Woodsland Road to the car park entrance behind The Sussex Grocer. 

Additionally, Keymer Road will be closed from the mini roundabout by Station Approach East to Clerks Acre for the parade from approximately 4.15 to 5.15pm. The road closure will affect bus routes and a diversion will be in place via New Road. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles, but all other traffic will be asked to wait or diverted. Please advise visitors or carers well in advance.

Mid Sussex District Council December newsletter - 2024

Christmas bin collections

Rubbish, recycling and food waste collections will change between 23rd December until 3rd January for the Christmas and New Year period and garden collections will pause for two weeks.

Festive Collection Date

Saturday 21st December
Monday 23rd December
Tuesday 24th December
Friday 27th December
Saturday 28th December
No Change
No Change
Thursday 2nd January 2025
Friday 3rd January
Saturday 4th January
No Change

Normal Collection Date

Monday 23rd December
Tuesday 24th December
Wednesday 25th December
Thursday 26th December
Friday 27th December
Monday 30th December
Tuesday 31st December
Wednesday 1st January
Thursday 2nd January
Friday 3rd January
Monday 6th January onwards

To read the full newsletter click the images to enlarge them or pick up your copy of December’s Hassocks Life.

Hassocks’ Remembrance Sunday

Welcome to Hassocks Life’s Remembrance information page. Here you will find our most recent information for all things Remembrance Sunday.

See also, Hassocks Parish Council
and St John the Baptist

Keymer War Memorial

Armistice 2024

10th Nov, 10.45am
Community Act of Remembrance
Keymer War Memorial, near St Cosmas & St Damian church, Keymer.

10th Nov
Act of Remembrance before Sunday Service
St John the Baptist church, Clayton.

11th Nov, 10.45am
Armistice Day Act of Remembrance
Keymer War Memorial, near St Cosmas & St Damian church, Keymer All welcome.

Hassocks residents shine in HURSTfolk

A number of Hassocks residents are involved in HURSTfolk. This music festival takes place in Hurstpierpoint from 22nd to 24th November, showcasing homegrown talent on various local stages. Tickets are available from www.hurstfolk.org

A new album for our times

On Friday 22nd, Mike Reinstein, is celebrating the release of his latest album, The Birds Don’t Sing Around Here at The Players Theatre, Hurstpierpoint. On stage with him will be his wife Reina on keyboards, Ali Gavan on bass and Lee Humber on drums. They all appear on the album which was produced by Ali this year at Brighton Road Studios near Hassocks.
Released on November 4th, this is Mike’s fourth album for the Irregular Records label. In this latest collection, he uses his songwriting skills to cast an unflinchingly forensic gaze at the troubling times we’re all living through. With a mixture of wit, anger and a wide palette of musical styles, The Birds Don’t Sing Around Here is a powerful critique of our wounded world.
The album can also be accessed on most streaming platforms and is available as a CD from his website www.mikereinstein.co.uk

Plus support from Ian

Ian Roland, Hassocks based singer-songwriter, Ian Roland, and his band are supporting Mike Reinstein on 22nd November at the Players’ Theatre.
On 31st October, Ian released his new track about a much-loved local landmark, making the song available through Youtube. Ian references the chalk grassland slopes and wildlife which can be seen in this chalk grassland habitat. Listen out for mention of the adonis blue, meadow pipit, skylark and round-headed rampion, the county flower of Sussex. Here is the link https://youtu.be/YrhPHp_KJlU

Happy to be back

Sell-out jazz vocalist, writer and artist, Lou Beckerman is happy to be a part of Hurst Folk again, and says: “On 24th November, as the sun sets on atmospheric Danny House, we’ll be presenting an early-evening intimate concert to help people unwind.” With her background in health and the arts, Lou has a special love of bringing healing elements together in a woven tapestry of soothing jazzy sounds and heartfelt poetry.
She is also running a Saturday morning adults’ singing workshop on 23rd November. It’s for everyone - No previous experience of singing needed. Larks and frogs, carcrooooners and bathtub-balladeers - ALL are most warmly welcome! Again it’s aimed at relaxation, confidence-building, health, wellbeing, and fun! Lou delights in creating a safe, non-judgmental space where all can enjoy the rewards of music-making and singing together. For more information about Lou please visit her website: www.loubeckerman.com

Mid Sussex District Council news - November 24

Ice rink marks next steps in new partnership for Burgess Hill

Following the Council’s recent decision to progress the formation of a joint venture with NewRiver REIT plc (NewRiver), which aims to deliver the redevelopment of Martlets Shopping Centre in Burgess Hill, both parties are jointly delivering a series of activities to mark their commitment to the partnership and help enliven the festive season for the local community.

Following the success of half-term ‘Urban Events’, a series of free activities during October half-term, a synthetic ice rink will be opening in the Martlets Marquee in the run up to Christmas. Come along and get your skates on, all free of charge. The fun starts on 23rd November! Book your visit here: www.bit.ly/40cFAK1



To read the full November newsletter, please pick up your copy of November’s Hassocks Life or click the images to enlarge them.

Hassocks Goes Gold

Welcome to Hassocks Life’s Hassocks Goes Gold event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything Gold in Hassocks.

Turning the village of Hassocks gold every September to raise awareness and research funds for childhood cancer.

See also, Hassocks Goes Gold Facebook

Next year’s event information coming mid-2025.

Hassocks Goes Gold 2024 By Rachel Bartlett-Bundy

By the time you read this, the Giant Gold Bow Trail will be up! Other gold events in September include:

• The Parklands Road Art Exhibition is on all month. Come and see the wonderful dragon art poster competition entries from all ages, displayed in the windows of the generous residents of Parklands Road.
• Make sure you get your Dragon Poster! Only £1 from QD Stationery.
• Saturday 7th from 2pm to 3.30pm; Rockin’ Paul Going Gold will perform a selection of Rock’n’Roll, Rockabilly, Country & R&B hits outside 34 Fir Tree Way. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on the lawn!
• Saturday 7th from 2pm to 2.45pm; Parent & Child Yoga class from CJ Yoga at Profiles Health & Beauty (£15 per pair. Contact cjyoga@yahoo.co.uk to book).
• The Golden Gala on Friday 27th is now sold out! We look forward to our annual Golden Gala, a fabulous, themed quiz night including live jazz, pudding auction and raffle at The Hassocks Pub.
• HCO Village Market at Age Concern on Saturday 28thSeptember from 9am to 12.30pm. Don’t miss our crafts stall, soft toy tombola and the ever the popular alcohol tombola.
• Facebook Daily Auction, with different new items and services each day on a 24-hour rolling auction. Bag a bargain and raise funds for children’s cancer at the same time. New auctions start at 8pm every day!
• Follow HassocksGoesGold on Facebook or Instagram: Join in the fun! Keep up with the various gold events, news and bid on the other auction prizes!

If you can donate new items or services for the auction, please contact Rachel on hgg@pearlpower.co.uk to help raise funds. All donations to www.justgiving.com/page/hgg2024 Volunteers and helpers are always welcome. Please email!