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Local shopping has never been so quick and easy

Marram and Bella June Flowers, sign up to offer one-hour delivery of products in Hassocks

Two high street businesses in Hassocks are tearing up the local shopping rule book, with the help of new app: DropBuy. 

Both Marram and Bella June Flowers have signed up as suppliers on the app, which promises a one-hour local delivery service from products listed on its virtual shelves. Shoppers can simply search for the nearest stores to them by postcode, and browse the products available for immediate delivery to you, or direct to the recipient. 

Millie Hampson of Marram said: “We are thrilled to be among the first to have signed up to this new way of shopping. We are always looking for ways to be able to compete with the likes of Amazon, and this super-fast delivery goes one better! We really hope this encourages local customers with busy lives to feel that they can use and support their high street without having to be ON the high street.”

Ben from DropBuy explained: “Our app enables users to support local businesses, boosting the local economy and giving business opportunities for employment of local drivers, as well as fostering the unique spirit of Hassocks.”

“As a delivering florist,” Kelly Harding from Bella June Flowers said, “DropBuy is a game-changing concept! A one-hour delivery service is something I would struggle to offer as an independent business owner, but with the help of DropBuy, we can now get our products out to our local customers fast and with little more than a click on the app.”

Find out moreby scanning the QR code or see www.dropbuy.org

Free fix if TV interference occurs in Hassocks

Mobile network services are being upgraded in Hassocks boosting speed, performance and coverage. There is a small chance these improvements may cause interference to TV received through an aerial such as Freeview, BT, TalkTalk and YouView.   

Symptoms could include intermittent sound, blocky images (pixelation) or loss of TV signal. 

For residents who are affected by the upgrades, free support is available from Restore TV. Restore TV is an independent programme created by Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), an organisation owned by the UK’s four mobile network operators: EE, Virgin Media O2, Three and Vodafone.  

Restore TV’s role is to ensure people can continue to enjoy free to view TV if mobile service upgrades cause TV interference. Restore TV reports to the Coexistence Technical Working Group, chaired by Ofcom, which monitors and advises on the programme to ensure free to view TV viewers’ interest are properly served. 

The programme offers additional support for people who are 75 years of age or older, are registered blind or partially sighted or receive any of the following benefits: personal independence payments (PIPs); attendance allowance; constant attendance allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility Support. 

Ben Roome, CEO of Restore TV, said: “We know just how important TV is to inform, entertain and provide welcome company. Restore TV exists to ensure we all can continue to access free to view TV as mobile services are improved across the country.”  

“If you see new TV interference, we’re on hand to help you resolve the issue. We can send a Restore TV filter, free of charge, for you to fit between your aerial lead and TV or set-top box to remove mobile signals and allow you to watch free to view TV as normal. Full instructions are included, and we can provide further advice online and by phone if needed. 

“In most instances, fitting the filter will resolve any issues, but if this isn’t the case, we may also be able to arrange a follow-up visit from a Restore TV engineer at no cost, depending on eligibility.” 

Cable and satellite TV, such as Sky or Virgin, are not affected. However, viewers with these services, who also watch free to view TV through an aerial, can receive a free Restore TV filter.  

Residents are more likely to be affected if they live in an area with weak digital television reception, have a TV signal booster and whose TV aerial is close to a mobile mast.  

For residents in flats or communal buildings, Restore TV provides landlords or property managers with support to resolve the problem. 

Any viewers who experience new interference to free to view TV should contact Restore TV on:  0808 13 13 800 (free from landlines and mobiles). For more information, please visit restoretv.uk 

Advertising FAQs - Print ads don’t work any more, do they?

By David Tingley, editor and company director

We’ve been in the publishing business since 2009, and so we’d like to address a few questions that potential advertisers have for us, head-on. Right here. We aren’t in business to trick or hood-wink businesses out of marketing spend, but what we want is for local businesses in the area to making more money in sales from the advertising they do with us… Sounds simple, right?

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Print ads don’t work any more, do they?

It’s true that not ALL advertisers who spend money with us in Hassocks Life (or Kipper Life family of magazine titles) make a return on their investment.

That’s always gutting for us. But there’s no point lying.

Sometimes it’s not always obvious why the advertising hasn’t worked. While, for others, there were some warnings. Your advert needs to not only look good, but look appropriate for your target market.

Years ago, I had a builder whose advert I offered to ‘improve’ with a bit of ‘slick design’ to drag the advert and his business (I thought) into the 21st century. Having designed the revamped advertisement, we ran it for a further few months, until I took a call from the customer. He explained that his enquiries had dropped off since changing the advert design, and he’d like to revert to his basic, Powerpoint slide layout which he had been using for months beforehand very successfully. So, you see, as a professional designer - I learnt a valuable lesson that day about making the advert look right for the business and the target audience. They didn’t want a ‘slick’ builder!

Having said that, if an advert has way too much text on, and really isn’t legible in print - the advert just won’t work, if people can’t read it.

We hear from customers who sometimes say that their advertising campaign with us ‘hasn’t worked’, but when we ask how the customer finds out where their new enquiries come from - they tell us that they don’t ask! On this basis, it would be hard to measure the success of any advertising campaign in any media!

Of course, smaller adverts do have to work harder than full page ads. The bigger the ad, the larger the passing impact on the readers.

Some advertisers have a seemingly brilliant advert design (bold, colourful, large headline, clear call-to-action), and they haven’t been stingy on the size either. And it still doesn’t generate the results for them. I wish I knew why this was. We had a mortgage broker who had completed an advertising campaign for six months with half page ads, and they had had no clear leads from the run in our magazine.

Conversely, and more positively, we have one customer who runs a few quarter page ads per year, and the results from it, keeps them busy for the season! And the ad is even at quarter page size!

Fortunately we have plenty of happy advertisers, many of whom have been advertising with us for years and years. You can see Richard Talman of RTFJ talking about his success with our magazines here. Similarly, Adam Bateup from House Proud Finish used Hassocks Life to launch his new carpet cleaning business. He tells us more here.

So, can I guarantee that advertising with Hassocks Life will bring in new customers? No, of course not.

But I will guarantee that me and my team will do our absolute best to make it work for your business. Whether that’s helping with the ad design, giving you a premium spot for a special month, a bit of editorial copy or even a cheeky size upgrade when we’ve got some extra. We really do just want advertising with us to work for you, so you stay a customer for years - just like Richard and Adam and the dozens of others.

5 minutes with... Bryony Mae Torney

Meet Bryony, a local mum who gave up an advertising career to launch her own floristry business in February 2020 and has been busy ever since!

Do you share your home with anyone?
My husband, two children and a cockapoo called Scout.

How long have you lived in Hassocks?
Ten years, the longest I’ve lived anywhere!

What’s the best thing about being here?
The supportive and kind community.

What would you like to see in Hassocks that isn’t here?
A family friendly restaurant or a wine bar.

Favourite film?
The Royal Tenebaums or When Harry met Sally.

Most common New Year’s resolution?
Exercise more often. Every. Single. Year!

Your most enjoyable event in the village?
Light up Hassocks. My kids still love it!

Song you play the most?
Anything from Radio 1, courtesy of my son, often an Ed Sheeran track; a guilty pleasure!

Which app on your phone do you use the most?
Definitely Instagram.

Your most frequented village shop?
I often pop into Indigo for gifts.

What’s your proudest moment?
Launching my business during a global pandemic and spreading a little happiness with weekly flower deliveries during a difficult time.

Last present you received?
A delicious Sugarlips doughnut from a good friend while we were isolating.

Your advice for life?
Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

If you would like to provide your own answers for 5 Minutes With, simply email them to editor@hassockslife.co.uk along with a photo of yourself, or do please encourage a friend to send their answers in!

Hassocks Parish Council has initiated a Flood Working Group

By Cllr Frances Gaudencio Chair of the Flood Working Group, Hassocks Parish Council

Having been experiencing some hot summer days it may be easy to forget the incessant downpours which led to surface water flooding in Hassocks earlier this year. We are then reminded - by intense summer storms that have the same effect! These have not been a 1 in a 100 years event as modelling predicted! These have been regular occurrences with waterlogged fields, surface water pooling on roads, submerged gardens and water damage to some business premises.

We live in a lovely area at the foot of the South Downs on low lying ground with lots of streams. However, many fields have been built on with more hard surfacing for roads, front drives and parking, which means less water absorption through the earth and more going into our streams and drains -  which struggle to cope in heavy rainfall. Whilst we love our abundant trees, heavy leaf fall on roads, if left uncleared, will often block the drains.

Hassocks Parish Council has sought to collaborate with  other local groups committed to finding ways of mitigating some of the effects of heavy rainfall, surface water and fluvial ( rising river or stream levels ) flooding. In January of this year, we held our first meeting of The Flood Working Group. Its membership includes 5 Parish Councillors, representatives from HKD Transition, OART  (Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust ) a Councillor from West Sussex County Council, a Councillor from Mid Sussex District Council and key officers from each of these Councils, who are invited to contribute their knowledge and respond to our questions and requests for support.

To date, we have collected a series of reports and audits on flood risk areas and maps of watercourses in Hassocks.

We have been looking at previous West Sussex County Council plans to deal with flooding and have asked for updates on what has been actioned. Many proposed ‘hard engineering ‘ interventions are very costly and so have not been implemented. So, we are exploring more natural options that we feel can be implemented quickly and at relatively low cost.

What we are doing now

• The group has commissioned Peter King from OART to survey the stream flowing through Parish Council land at Parklands Copse, near the allotments. We are planning to create a couple of debris dams which would slow the flow and reduce the amount of water meeting at Spitalford Bridge. The idea is to prevent, for as long as possible, water impacting the shops near the bridge. Doing this will not increase the risk of flooding to properties near the Copse. Peter’s team will organise the building of the dams with construction by volunteers from HKD. The Parish Council is funding the project.

• We have confirmed that West Sussex County Council has no objection to volunteers clearing leaves from drains and recommends they work safely and wear high vis jackets. These ‘first responders’ had jumped into action several times already but we needed to check the official position from West Sussex, who are responsible for drain clearances, but who may not be able to respond as quickly as local people.

• We are exploring the possibility of installing trees pits – large holes for water retention with trees planted within, or large tubs of plants and flowers that would retain water – along the central pavements of the village. However much more research needs to be done.

• Wider grass verges being converted to rain gardens will help to slow the flow of water. We are aiming to identify some pilot schemes with the consent of residents.

• We will continue to work with the District and County Councils on all these proposals and others which are emerging.

What the community can do

The fantastic community spirit that exists in Hassocks, Clayton and Keymer can be channelled into making a huge difference to the way in which we deal with flooding.

If you are concerned about flooding, there are many suggestions and ideas to be gained from looking at the HKD website. For instance, you might want to consider making your own rain garden.

From the office of the Clerk to Hassocks Parish Council

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Sources of information for more in - depth knowledge about this subject...

https://www.hkdtransition.org.uk/rain-gardens 

https://www.hkdtransition.org.uk/news

The West Sussex Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2015

Analysis identifies ‘wet spots’ where a limited number of properties are considered to be at risk. These include Hassocks.

Flood risk management

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/dealing-with-extreme-weather/flooding/flood-risk-management/

Online article - Surface water: The biggest flood risk of all

Speech by Sir James Bevan KCMG, Chief Executive, Environment Agency, CIWEM Surface Water Management Conference, 17 October 2018

What content goes into Hassocks Life magazine?

Editor David Tingley uses this video to talk through and show the amazing content that goes into Hassocks Life magazine every single month. The magazine is printed and delivered to all homes in Hassocks, Keymer and Clayton each month.

If you would like to use the magazine to promote your business or service, do get in touch with us here.

If you have a suggestion of content for a future edition of Hassocks Life, then please send us an email in the first instance to editor@hassockslife.co.uk.

Take a look at these Hassocks heroes...

Thank you key workers

We know that the people of Hassocks are superstars but just in case you needed any extra proof, take a look at the following: just a few of the amazing key workers either living or working in the village to keep it running throughout this crazy Coronavirus period. These people are doing their normal jobs while many of the rest of us are staying at home in safety.

Thank you key workers - we appreciate everything you have and are continuing to do…

Chantelle Martin & Ros French

Occupational Therapists in the area

Darren Bramley

Head of Cameras on ITV's Good Morning Britain

Jennifer McLean

Midwife for the NHS

Matt Tucker

Police Officer with the MET

Julie Wade

Midwife at St Thomas' Hospital, London

Dan Major

Part of the pandemic multi-agency response team

Helen McKimm

works at East Grinstead hospital

Julie Taylor

A&E senior sister at Croydon University Hospital

Matt Freestone

Junior Producer on Good Morning Britain

Katie Finch

Midwife at East Surrey Hospital

Hassocks business donates food luxuries to care homes

Cameron Wallis, from South Downs Nurseries at Villa Adastra in Hassocks

A Hassocks business donated food luxuries which they cannot sell during the current lock-down to local care homes as an Easter treat for staff and residents.

Family-run South Downs Nurseries donated Easter chocolate and delicacies on Good Friday.

Not surprisingly, Cameron Wallis from the Brighton Road business received a warm welcome everywhere he went, including at Villa Adastra in Hassocks and Ladymead in Hurstpierpoint.  

The garden centre's general manager, Steve Parsons said: “The garden centre is closed at the moment and with food due to go out of date before we re-open, we wanted to make sure it was sent somewhere it could be enjoyed.”

Many of the items given were from the expansive Sussex Food Hall but would likely have been out-of-date before it could re-open. A donation was also made to a local food bank.

Downlands Community School celebrates it’s 60th anniversary

Dale Avenue 1955 (courtesy of Francis Firth Collection)

It makes you wonder what the residents of Hassocks and in particular Dale Avenue and Windmill Avenue, thought in 1955 when it was proposed to build a new school right on their doorstep.

By Mark Wignall, Headteacher and Diana Hunt, Chair of Governors

Downlands School opened in September 1960 as the local secondary school for children who had failed their 11+. Then when comprehensive education started in 1965 it eventually opened its doors to all the local children and became Downlands Community School.

Back in 1960 approximately 450 pupils attended and over the years pupil numbers have grown and this September there will be 1200 students making their way up the school drive along with 130 of our staff plus 18 canteen and Freedom Leisure staff members.

From fairly small beginnings it has grown into an Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ school valued by many families in the area.

Over the years there have been many changes to accommodate the rise in numbers but we are sure past pupils would still recognise certain parts of the school.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary, we are looking to produce a photobook to show the life of the school, it’s pupils and staff from 1960 to 2020.

If you or somebody you know attended or taught at Downlands we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for old photos of the school, staff, pupils or school events. We would be very grateful if you could send them, together with a short caption, to school (Dale Avenue, Hassocks BN6 8LP) and marked 60th Anniversary. Originals would be better in terms of reproduction quality. We would then scan them at high resolution and return them to you. Please include your name and return address.

If you only have scanned copies please send them to the email address below.

If you have a special memory that has stayed with you over the years, then please send a few lines that may be included in the book.

If you are in touch with others who no longer live locally, we would be grateful if you could let them know.

We have set up an email address for this project so please send scanned photos and memories to: downlandsat60@downlands.org.

Hassocks volunteers rally round to create support group in light of Covid-19

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Call for help in Hassocks and Keymer 01273 040 111

Loretta Major, a local businesswoman, could see there would be a need to support vulnerable members of our community through the Coronavirus Crisis. She has quickly and efficiently set up a community support scheme, Hassocks Volunteers Covid19, and already hundreds of local residents have joined the group on Facebook.

If you have access to Facebook, join the group and, if you need help, you can then reach out with a post. For example, you might want to ask, ‘can anybody pick up my prescription?’ or ‘please could you get me some shopping?’

Through the group, local residents can also volunteer to help. Some local organisations are referring people to Hassocks Volunteers Covid19. It’s important to get news of the group out to as many people as possible. Perhaps you would like to be a helper?

“I’ve already met a lot of fantastic people through this,” said Lorretta. “We at Hassocks Volunteers Covid19 group want to make sure that there isn’t a single person in Hassocks who cannot access community support to help them get through this crisis.”

Two bicycles made for two

Cycling Without Age Hurst & Hassocks

Second trishaw for Cycling Without Age

Earlier this month volunteer-led movement Cycling Without Age Hurst & Hassocks celebrated the arrival of its second trishaw at Proper Cycling & Coffee in Hassocks.

Trishaws are specially adapted power assisted bikes that take two local elderly passengers out for rides to feel the wind in their hair. Rather than sitting alone at home, the trishaw offers elderly people an opportunity to get out in the fresh air, see new things, meet people and have fun. In winter extra blankets and hot water bottles keep people cosy.

The new trishaw has been kindly funded by the Burgess Hill District Lions.

Chapter captain Bridget Hamilton explained: “All Cycling Without Age trishaws, in over 40 countries, are given names. Our first trishaw is called Bunty, after Bunty Parkinson who lived in Hurstpierpoint, and our new trishaw has been named Peter, in memory of Peter Charlton. Peter had been a keen cyclist and, in later years, lived at Villa Adastra where he loved going out for trishaw rides, often with his daughter Claire as pilot and his wife Norma as fellow passenger.

Cycling Without Age locally now has over 30 volunteers trained to ride. They are happy to pick up from home and take people out. Please call Proper Cycling & Coffee on 01273 841 611 to book a ride or email: bridget AT cyclingwithoutage.org.uk.

Santa's Grotto at South Downs Nurseries, Hassocks

A Santa’s grotto, which last year raised over £23,000 for a local children’s charity, is setting its sights even higher for 2019.

Tickets have gone on sale for this year’s mammoth Toy Factory at South Downs Nurseries in Hassocks. The grotto will be open until Christmas Eve. Visiting children will meet some new helpers in the factory alongside some new animated displays.

The event, run by The Budding Foundation, will fundraise for local charitable projects – as all profits from ticket sales go to these causes. Among the recipients last Christmas were gardening and conservation projects with several local schools and clubs, as well as respite care and equipment for disabled youngsters. Smaller grants included school uniform assistance, educational laptops and course fees for young people trying to turn their lives around.

Clive Gravett, founder of The Budding Foundation, said: “We are hoping to raise more than £40,000 this year from grotto ticket sales at two sites (Hassocks and Dial Post) and other associated Christmas activities. We are also looking for more volunteer elves, so if anyone can spare a few hours or even a few days over the Christmas period, please get in touch.”

For more information and to book tickets, contact the charity via: www.thebuddingfoundation.co.uk

Skate Jam - opening of the new skatepark in Hassocks

On Saturday 13th July 2019, Hassocks Parish Council were proud to officially open the newly rebuilt skatepark on Adastra Park in Hassocks.

Attended by dozens of amateur skaters and families, the event was very popular, and also feature pro riders who did their own demostration on the ramps.

Open House and Sculpture Garden

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Artist and Clayton resident Kellie Miller is inviting locals to a very special exhibition as part of the Brighton Artists Open House Festival.

For the very first time, the renowned artist will be opening her home and gardens, which nestle on the South Downs on Underhill Lane. The house and gardens is a work in progress project and, after four years of development, she wants to share the story so far.

“Over the last few weeks we have been preparing the space, land clearing and unpacking the cabin that housed our belongings while the house has been developed,” Kellie explains. “We have enjoyed getting in touch with the land and planning the exhibition and are looking forward to welcoming guests throughout May.”

For Kellie it is an opportunity to exhibit sculpture in a natural environment other than her award-winning gallery in Brighton.

Visitors can expect to see work artists such as Alexia Weill, Félix Valdelièvre and Radek Andrle, who is inspired by the idea of conception and the beginning of life.

The exhibition will be open between 11am-5pm on weekends during May, by appointment only. Email: info@ kelliemiller.com to book a slot at address in Clayton.