Hassocks runners prepare for the big day...

Inside March’s issue of Hassocks life we chat to a number of Hassocks residents who are tackling either Marathons or Half Marathons shortly.
In the feature we catch up with and wish all the best to:

Fiz Louden will be running the London Marathon next month and has recently joined Hassocks Community Runners.

Mel Lowin who ran the Brighton Marathon back in 2010 but this year will be running not one, but three Half Marathons: in Brighton, Gatwick and Barns Green.

Steve Roberts who will be running Beachy Head Marathon in September this year.

Read all about them and the Hassocks Marathon in Hassocks Life!

Photo by Deirdre Huston

By Deirdre Huston

Jasvir Kumar took over Hassocks Food and Wine in Spring 2017. He was already familiar with the shop as he’d done some shifts for the previous owners, relatives of his wife, Ketal Patel. Ketal works in finance, dealing with PPA claims, but she helps in the shop when needed. The previous owners were distant cousins who the couple saw regularly at the Hindu temple in Crawley. Jasvir is a Sikh, but accompanies his wife to the Hindu temple as a social thing. Jasvir has always worked in customer service, as a chef, in an open kitchen and in a staff canteen, and he likes to talk with lots of different people. He enjoyed filling in at the shop during his relatives’ holidays. Around then, he was working three jobs and wanted something more convenient. Living in Crawley, he was aware of a variety of shops setting up for business and Jas decided he would like to have his own shop.

The shop already had a good customer base. Some regulars from the time of the previous owners are still customers. Jas was drawn to the fact that Hassocks is a smaller place with friendly people. “My regular customers are all good and very supportive.” People tell Jas what they would like and he picks up items from the supplier with specific customers in mind.

He is keen for new customers to pop in too. “It’s a shame people don’t come in and see what we offer. We stock beer from Harveys and Hurst Brewery, a local supplier.” Jas stocks best-selling wines such as Barefoot, Blossom Hill, Oxford and Hardy, Jacob’s Creek, Casillero and Yellowtail. “These wines are popular all year round.” He also stocks better wines like Siglo: the bottle is covered in hessian, making it popular to purchase as a gift. Ketal enjoys Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc so, of course, those wines are stocked and plenty of others too.
To read more about Jasvir and his shop find the full article inside this months (March) issue of Hassocks Life.

Female founders in Hassocks are thriving!

Last November, Ditchling resident and founder of Lock Healthcare Recruitment, Abigail Lock launched the Thrive Meetup in Hassocks with the support of The Thrive Effect - a purpose-led, membership organisation for female founders and women in business in Sussex.

Since then, over 60 women in business have attended the Thrive Meetup in Hassocks to develop their business skills and make new connections. During the first half of the meetup, attendees learn from a
female business owner who shares her expertise or experience on a particular topic. So far, the attendees have learnt how to present with confidence, how to create a successful brand and how to develop customer personas. During the second half, members participate in a peer support session where they find practical solutions for each other’s business challenges.

The attendees come from a range of industries and include artists, business consultants, hairdressers, marketers, nutritionists, retailers, social entrepreneurs and solicitors.

Abigail explained: “I have really enjoyed building the Hassocks meetup and getting to know other women in business from the local area. Our attendees have told me that they have found the meetups really inspiring and informative and a great opportunity to meet likeminded women.” The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at the Talking Hands Coffee Shop in Hassocks. Tickets cost £6 and free drinks and nibbles are provided.

The next Thrive Meetup is on Tuesday 11th February from 6pm to 8pm. To purchase your ticket, go to: www.thethriveeffect.co.uk/our-events

If you would like to talk at a future Thrive Meetup, please email Clare Griffiths, the Founder of The Thrive Effect, at clare@thethriveeffect.co.uk or tweet @TheThriveEffect.

Snick's art exhibition

A teenager from Hassocks has found local fame through a new art initiative in Haywards Heath.

13 year-old non-binary student Snick is currently exhibiting their collection of digital art prints in the Art Hub in the Orchards Shopping Centre.

Beginning their interest in art with pencil and charcoal, Snick quickly developed a new style digitally last summer. They work on an XP-Pen Deco 01 tablet using FireAlpaca, and produce mainly portraits and caricatures. Snick’s work was originally published on social media, until a visit to the Art Hub in Haywards Heath before Christmas. The Hub’s initiative started last year, showcasing younger artists alongside more established work.

Article inside Feb 2020 Issue of Hassocks Life

Hassocks Artist

Hassocks 100 years then and now

Guiding for a new decade

Girl Guides Hassocks

The 22nd day in February is a very special date for Girlguiding, marking the birthday of the founder Lord Baden Powell and coincidentally, that of his wife, Olave, who became the first World Chief Guide.

This year, Girlguiding South Down Division will be holding an event to mark this date at Downlands School. Girls will gain a World Thinking Day Badge, raise funds for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (known as WAGGGS) and share a tea together. There will be Rangers talking about international opportunities they have successfully applied to take on: four are off to take part in the Coco’s project in South Africa and two are off to Kenya; this is designed to inspire younger members to apply for such opportunities when they are a bit older.

Between them, the two local districts which make up South Down Division, Beacon (Hassocks and Ditchling) and Wolstonbury (Hurstpierpoint) have three Rainbow units, six Brownie units, four Guide units and one Ranger group, enabling many girls between the ages of five and eighteen to participate locally in a wide range of opportunities and activities through Guiding.

Immensely pound of its heritage, Girlguiding constantly updates itself for the current age so, while there are traditional items in programmes (map reading, cooking, hikes), there is much to inspire and interest
the 21st century girl too (for example: mindfulness, vlogging, safety online, body awareness and accepting who you are, human rights, being a conscious consumer, geocaching and upcycling).

In April 2019, Girlguiding launched a new programme across all age groups. Awards can be gained within six themes including ‘Know Myself’ and ‘Take Action’. South Down Division keep it local with visits to supermarkets such as Budgens, to learn about the foods we eat, plastics and recycling as well as visits to other services like salons such as Profiles and to local hairdressers. Girls also take advantage of the wonderful nearby woods for wide games, orienteering and cooking over fires. They also raise money for their termly chosen charities and support all the local village days such as Light Up Hassocks as well as supporting the Remembrance Parades. There are also opportunities to take part in prestigious national events with South Down girls being part of the Carpet Guard for the Chelsea Pensioners at a recent Royal Albert Hall’s Remembrance Service and being on the Girlguiding float in November’s Lord Mayor’s Show. Great excitement when both events were televised!

Girlguiding now has an array of ambassadors who travel to talk to young girls about what they can achieve. One example is Sally Kettle who rowed the Atlantic and who wows her audience with her story and continues
to inspire all who hear her with her positive, can-do attitude.

An example of how Girlguiding is adapting can be seen through what is now the second line of the Guide Promise: ‘I promise that I will do my best: To be true to myself and develop my beliefs...’. Guides may attend church services and parades but, as South Down Division Commissioner Pennie Thomson points out, the Promise stresses Girlguiding’s inclusivity: “People with other beliefs or no religious belief may make the new Promise.”

The Division is hoping for another successful Thinking Day event this month and welcomes new volunteers
so, if you are interested in helping, have a look at: www.girlguiding.org.uk
Featured in Feb 2020 of Hassocks Life

Memorial Garden Keymer - We shall remember them!

Hassocks Community Organisation

By Amanda Kenhard

If you had walked past the Grade II listed war memorial in the lower garden of St Cosmas and St Damian church in Keymer early last year, you may have noticed that the sloping grass bank behind the war memorial was looking a little sad. A more attractive and inspiring backdrop for the parish war memorial was clearly needed. What better year than 2019 - the 75th anniversary of D-Day to be chosen to give this area a makeover?

Conversations were started between the Hassocks Community Organisation’s (HCO) Green Group, the church Rector, Rev Alex Baxter and the volunteer group who look after the church grounds. Whilst the church team were very supportive and agreed that rejuvenating and tidying the Memorial Garden was highly desirable, they had no budget to be able to get this work done. Father Alex agreed that completion in time for the Remembrance Service on the 10th November would be an excellent goal. We enrolled the help of local professional gardener Jenny Curling for advice on suitable low maintenance shrubs and to produce an estimate of costs involved. With funding from HCO and a further grant obtained from Mid Sussex District Council, the work could begin and volunteers appealed for. During October the grass bank was strimmed and the volunteers met on the 26th October to start the planting. Beds around the memorial itself were also created and planted up with a mixture of red cyclamen and white heather. Happily, most of the work was completed in time for the Remembrance Service. Remaining funds will be used to add more spring bulbs and plant a few more shrubs by which time, the shrubs planted last year should be in full growth and looking great!

Thanks to Sage Garden Centre for their support and to Jenny’s mum for the tea and cake which fuelled the volunteers!

A new decade for Hassocks FC

By Scott Mccarthy

Gone are the 2010s and here are the 2020s. When one decade passes over to another, it often seems like
a good time to reflect on what has been before and what we want to happen in the future.

Everywhere you looked over the past month or so we’ve been blitzed with ‘best of the decade’ lists and ‘what will the world look like in 2030?’. You probably thought you could finally escape all that by picking up the latest edition of Hassocks Life in January 2020, but Hassocks FC have other ideas. Sorry!

How will the 2010s be remembered at the Beacon? By-and-large, it was a decade of success. The Robins achieved their highest ever finish of fourth in the Southern Combination League Premier Division in the 2011-12 season.

The Under 18s lifted two Central Division titles, finished runners up on a further three occasions and won a League Cup. The production line from youth team to first team has shown no signs of abating either.

Of course, there have been low points. Only being spared relegation due to ground grading at the end of the 2017-18 campaign was a disappointment, but the Robins have managed to stay afloat in the top flight – no mean feat for a club who pay peanuts compared to some of the big spenders.

And what of the future? That’s a more difficult question. That lack of serious financial backing means that it is hard to see how Hassocks could compete for promotion to the Isthmian League in the near future at least. Success on the pitch therefore over the next ten years will look like extending their run as the top flight’s longest serving club past the 30-year mark.

Strengthening the junior section and getting even more local players into the first team is another realistic target. The long-talked-about south field development might one day find the funding and support to get off the ground, allowing the Beacon to provide improved facilities and more pitches for teams in the village.

That could turn the home of football in Hassocks into the home of football in the local area, making the football club something the community can be truly proud of. Not a bad aim for the decade ahead, is it?

Barn home to new gents clothing store

Photo: Deirdre Huston

Some readers may have noticed a new shop on the outskirts of Hassocks, along London Road. The Godfather officially opened on 30th November and stocks pre-loved and vintage men’s clothes. Stuart Levy, the owner, has been working in retail since he was 18 and previously had various retail outlets in Burgess Hill, including a luggage shop. He explains: “I saw this was the right place for me and put all the renovations into place in the space of a fortnight.” The shop is crammed with rolling stock from top brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, Lee, Ralph Lauren and more. There is also a good supply of lumberjack jackets.

Time to find the Elf on the Shelf on Hassocks High Street

Hassocks estate agent Marchants will once again be organising a fun Christmas competition to raise festive spirits and also funds for charity.

For the second year running a number of shopkeepers have placed a Christmas Elf within their window display and participants will have to spot them and write down its name on the special form – available to collect from Marchants on the High Street or downloadable from: www.marchantsestateagents.co.uk

Marchants’ Bennita Adair George explained: “We started the event last year as we thought it would be a fun idea to join the community of Hassocks together while doing some fundraising at the same time. We chose St Peter & St James Hospice as our charity partner as, having experienced its wonderful services, we realise how precious this organisation is to our community and want to support its future in helping others at their time of need.”

Completed entry forms for Find Elf on the Shelf need to be handed in at Marchants by 17th December 2019 along with a £1 charity donation. There will be a random prize draw from completed forms after this date.

DownsFest, Hassocks - date set for 2020

By Michelle Binks, DownsFest Organiser

DownsFest raised £1,000 for St Peter & St James Hospice

DownsFest is returning! We are really pleased to announce the date for next year’s DownsFest is Saturday 5th September 2020 at Adastra Park in Hassocks.

We are excited to reveal that ‘One Step Behind, The Masters of Madness’ are confirmed as our headline act, the UK’s Premier and longest surviving MADNESS tribute band. Each member of One Step Behind grew up as a Madness fan, and perfecting his portrayal of his original Madness counterpart has been a labour of love.

They cover the wide spectrum of Madness songs: Baggy Trousers, One Step Beyond, House of Fun, Our House to name a few!

Last year we were delighted to bring over 18 local acts to our Hassocks festival stage. Performing at DownsFest launched several bands’ music into our community and wider afield. Now we are looking for more local acts covering all genres and musicality.

Please contact us on: downsfest@outlook.com if you’re interested to play next year.

DownsFest has raised £1,000 for St Peter and St James Hospice, and we’re looking to increase this figure for them next year. Tickets will be on sale soon but in the meantime you can keep in touch via Facebook or website: www.downfest.co.uk

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

Hassocks Infants School Library now open...

Jane Hissey

Jane Hissey, author of the Old Bear series, officially opened the newly created library at Hassocks Infants School last month.

Headteacher Ady Bates-Holland thanked the PTA for all their work and fundraising, as well as Barratt Homes, who donated money for books. Having only previously had book shelves in corridors, he was particularly pleased to finally have a library at the school. “I am delighted that we have now got a really lovely space where children can develop a love for reading,” Ady said.

The space had been kept under wraps while the library was being created, so the School Council were excited to be the first to see it at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by a published author.

Jane Hissey – whose children went to the school over 30 years ago – wrote numerous books while she lived here, including the first in the series.

She brought Old Bear and Little Bear with her and gifted a copy of her first and most recent book to the library. “You don’t need a huge library for children to learn to love books,” she explained. “I challenge all of you to read every book in this lovely library before you leave the school!”

Light Up Hassocks - 29th Nov 2019

Light Up Hassocks

By Duncan Honeyman

Arrangements for the start of the festive season are going well. A special calendar, the sale of which helps fund the event, has been completed and will shortly be on sale. Again this year all the pictures have been provided by the U3A, and they give varied and interesting impressions of our lovely local area. Thanks are also due to all the calendar sponsors, as they are critical to help finance the event, which will take place on Friday 29th November 2019.

The event is being organised by Sussex Vale Rotary and begins at 4pm with the Children’s Torchlight Parade, which includes the Burgess Hill Marching Band, and I believe Santa may be joining in!

We are hoping for more stalls than ever before, and many high street traders will be putting stalls outside their shops as well as remaining open. During the rest of the evening, we will be entertained by live music from both ends of the street. In addition there will be over 25 stalls, with some fairground rides and of course Santa will be in his grotto. It will be a great experience, one not to be missed.

For more information, contact the organisers at: lightuphassocks@gmail.com or 07546 111996 and you can follow ‘LightUpHassocks’ on Facebook.

Hair Emporium celebrates 20 years in Hassocks

By Deirdre Huston

Hair Emporium is celebrating an anniversary! It has been twenty years since it first opened its doors on 6th October 1999. Loretta Light set up the business back in the last century (!) and the Aveda Salon continues to go from strength to strength. To celebrate the salon is offering 20% off existing Aveda stock while it lasts. The salon has many regular local clients and, if people move away, many customers choose to drive back to Hassocks rather than go somewhere new.

When I first traipsed into the salon I had two small children and was pregnant with my third! At the back of the salon there used to be a small room where toys kept restless infants or toddlers out of mischief. The décor was purple with silver mirrors whereas now the tones are more earthy and serene. But more than the décor has changed. Loretta also now has a lovely family and I have seen other young stylists develop not just their hairdressing skills but their whole approach to life. Sonya is always happy to tell tales of Italy and her young son, while Sarah will soon embark on maternity leave.

Here at Hassocks Life, we would like to congratulate them on their success and wish them well for the next twenty years.

DownsFest was the mini-Glasto in Adastra Park, Hassocks

September saw the inaugural DownsFest music event take over Adastra Park for one day only. Although originally a suggestion from Jo Ganpatsingh, the reality of making DownsFest happen came down to Hassocks resident Michelle Binks, who tells us how she is feeling now it’s all packed away…

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To say getting DownsFest off the ground has been a stressful experience would be an understatement! However, my knight in shining armour was Kelly Foley, who I’m forever grateful to for coming to my aid. Kelly was my rock, my social media champion and became my right hand man! And how can I miss out Jo, the maddest friend I’ll ever have; all I have to say to you is ‘cheese and banjo’! Love you both to the moon and back.

One thing that I love about my community is all the help and assistance from so many that have enabled me to put the festival together: Graphic Design (Su Watts), Web Design (Alex Simmons), Burgess Hill Community Radio (Steve Bird), all the volunteers and many more. And I thank my family for their support throughout this huge adventure.

Three months later, DownsFest 2019 was live!

[Full article printed in Hassocks Life magazine, October 2019]

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Family Bonfire and Fireworks at Danny Park - Sun 3rd Nov. 2019

The traditional annual Family Bonfire & Fireworks display is taking place once again at Danny Park, off New Way Lane in Hurst.

This year’s event - on Sunday 3rd November 2019 - is organised by Andrew Hair from Hurstpierpoint Gymnastics Club with assistance from Oldland Mill Trust and Friends of Hassocks Infant School.

Andrew commented: “The Oldland Mill and the Gym Club, together with local schools in Albourne, Hassocks and three in Burgess Hill will benefit from your support on the night.”

The Hassocks will be running a BBQ, there’s free parking on site (ground conditions permitting) and if you take a ‘Guy’ to the Best Guy competition before 5.50pm - one child will be given free admission.

Advance tickets cost just £3 for an adult or child (£5 on the gate). A family of five advance ticket is £9 (£15 on the gate). Tickets available from Marchants or QD Stationery.

Gates open at 5.30pm, Best Guy Competition judging at 6pm and the Fireworks Display will start around 6.30pm.

See www.hurstpierpointgym.co.uk in case of inclement weather affecting parking/postponement.

Hassocks artists host Autumn Fair

A group of artists from Hassocks are holding an exhibition of their collective work next month.

The Hassocks Autumn Fair will take place on 5th and 6th October at Garden Sage on London Road, and will feature a broad range of styles including illustration, paintings, screenprints and photography.

Featured artists from the village are: Sue Collins, Louisa White, John Gilbert, Dinah Beaton, Ashley Hutchinson, Jenny Chaitow, Linda Tucker, Linda Thompson, Dawn Mead, Abi Weatherseed and Clare Bishop. In addition to work for sale at the event, there will also be a range of cards available too.

“In the past we have run an Open Houses event in June, but this year we decided to mix it up and do a group exhibition together instead,” explained Clare Bishop. “As there will be a range of techniques and styles on display, it will be a great event to see some artwork created by local artists. We always really appreciate support from the village.”

My Vintage: Behind the Counter in Hassocks

By Deirdre Huston

Whenever I walk along the High Street my eyes are drawn to the eclectic items in the vibrant window displays at My Vintage, and no wonder! There is always something new to see and many of the objects hint at stories of other places or lives. Many of the items are pre-loved and have been given a new lease of life while others are new but individually customised or created by hand. This month I dropped into My Vintage to meet Elaine Bennett and find out more about how the shop has evolved.

Elaine is the shop manager and took on the business seven years ago. “I’ve always loved giving things a new lease of life and have a passion for transforming high quality old items into something unique.” As a child she loved collecting things, rummaging around for treasures at car boot sales and revamping old furniture, and this passion continued into adulthood. She has a background in fashion: earlier in her career she focused on her shop in Bond Street, Brighton, selling a selection of designer women’s wear but she made the choice to give this up when she had children. The family moved to Ditchling for a short while, and then about twelve years ago, in pursuit of more space and a bigger garden, Elaine, husband Pete and their three children moved to Hassocks.

As well as offering her own goods and services, Elaine leases space in the shop to carefully selected stallholders. “It’s always been important to me to get the right people in the shop. I like things to be high end, good quality and unusual.”

[Excerpt from full article in September 2019 Hassocks Life magazine]