The Hassocks Robins' superior but private football season

By Scott McCarthy

It has been football, but not as we know it. Hassocks football club have spent April playing behind closed doors in the Southern Combination League’s Supplementary Shield, a competition designed to give clubs six more matches at the end of a campaign curtailed due to the winter lockdown costing four months of the season. And, in classic Hassocks style, the Robins have saved some of their best performances and results for when fans cannot be present.

Despite being the lowest ranked team in Group C, Hassocks went into their final game with a chance of qualifying for the semi finals as group winners following an excellent run of form. Their most impressive result was easily the 3-1 win over Horley Town achieved in their second fixture. You may remember – or you may have chosen to forget – that Hassocks suffered a club-record 8-0 home defeat last time they faced the Clarets, who were the favourites to win the Premier Division title before the regular season was called off.

To effect a 10-goal swing in six months is pretty extraordinary, even by Hassocks’ high standards of veering from the sublime to the ridiculous in double-quick time. The Robins also took four points from Crawley Down Gatwick, who were sixth when the campaign was cancelled.

When the competition was announced, Hassocks boss Dave John (pictured) said he wanted to use it to give his young players a chance to build some momentum ahead of the 2021-22 season. They have certainly done that and providing John can keep this squad together, then their achievements in the Supplementary Shield bode well.

There has been one other reason for their impressive performances: Pat Harding. With the Isthmian League opting not to resume, the Burgess Hill Town striker has been free to turn out for Hassocks, the club where he began his career 20-odd years ago and for whom he dual-signs every season.

Harding has five goals from five games, including passing the 200 appearances mark for the club. That no supporters have had the opportunity to see one of the most popular players in Hassocks history back in the red shirt is arguably the most disappointing aspect about empty grounds. Fans may have missed out on Harding, but his impact on the Robins has shown that they are one quality, experienced striker away from having a very good team next season.

Suddenly, the future looks very bright for when the Beacon can welcome supporters back, hopefully in the summer.

Hassocks' own Ross and Rachael story at Proper

By Deirdre Huston

Many of you may already know Rachael at Proper. She is that sort of person, very community-minded, and determined to support others and make a success of things, however difficult the circumstances. Born in Crawley Hospital, Rachael grew up in Horsham. She has since managed a variety of cafes, pubs and music venues across Sussex, spending time in places such as Uckfield, Brighton and Chichester, before settling in Hassocks.

The Bridge House was an early venture for Rachael. Located at Copsale, on The Downs Link cycle trail, the pub hummed with activity in summer, but its rural position meant it attracted little custom in colder weather. As a lover of the music scene, Rachael organised gigs, and the pub took off as a music venue.

“We went for it!” remembers Rachael “There was music seven nights a week and we held mini-festivals in the garden. It was really good fun.” They attracted some renowned artists like Frank Turner and, as the venue developed a reputation for being a friendly home-from home, some bands came from a long way away. “I was like a mother figure to these touring bands. I’d come down in the morning and there would be people sleeping everywhere.”

Around this time, Rachael first met her business partner. He had noticed The Bridge House listed as a music venue on a poster, and, hoping to arrange a gig for a band he was managing, he popped into the pub. He and Rachael hit it off and have been friends ever since. “He had a very successful recording studio in Uckfield,” explains Rachael, “and we worked in a similar way,”

Wanting new challenges, Rachael moved on from The Bridge House. “At one point, I had two pubs, a coffee shop and a music venue,” she recalls, “it was mad.” After a while, she fancied trying something different. “I got out of the pub and coffee shop business,” she explains, “and did the nine-to-five thing for six years. I loved being in an office, but I was hankering after having my own place again, because that’s my real buzz, music and coffee shops.”

One day, Ross called, and asked how she felt about opening a cycle café. “Sometimes you have to trust your gut and straight away, I knew it was the right thing to do,” recalls Rachael. The business partners undertook a year of careful planning. They were looking for three factors when choosing location: it had to be somewhere a lot of cyclists rode past, near a school and a train station. A shop in Hassocks became available.

To find out what happened next, how Rachel grew within the community and what connection could Ross have to a cycling club, pick up a May issue of Hassocks life today.

Hassocks High Street offers local customers enticing vouchers

After months of closure, shopkeepers and shoppers alike are delighted to have seen doors open again last month. Most retail businesses have been hit very hard by the pandemic with many having to shut for a second time after Christmas last year. In this special focus on the high street, we are delighted to give readers of Hassocks Life the opportunity for that sweet-tasting special offer – with 12 cut-out-and-use vouchers for businesses right here in the village. Pick up a May issue to get yours!

We also talk to those business owners as they get used to exercising that friendly smile again – although, admittedly, from behind a mask!
On Monday 12th April, a queue formed outside Humanity at Heart as eager shoppers waited to be allowed back in after lockdown. Manager Ann Heroys was delighted to see so much interest.

After three plus months, Dawn, at Indigo, is very much looking forward to welcoming you back through its doors. “We have missed you all,” says Dawn, “but while we have been closed, we have been busy sourcing lots of lovely new products that will be ready for you to come and see. We look forward to seeing you, if we haven’t already.”

There’s change up the road too, as The Purple Carrot now boasts a secluded but spacious terrace at the back with an open-sided gazebo. Plastic screens separate tables big enough for social distancing and a heater helps keep chilly evenings at bay. The café is now open Monday to Wednesday evenings as well as mornings and lunchtimes on Saturdays and Sundays. Chris and the team look forward to welcoming you back.

At Hassocks Eyecare Centre, optometrist Vicki Macken is delighted to see things easing and says: “We are so happy we are to see the smiley faces of our fellow traders back where they belong in their proper habitat, whichever shop or outlet that might be.”

Russell Thatcher comments: “It’s great to see Hassocks come alive again and be back serving our community. The support from both local businesses and customers has been absolutely amazing and we are extremely grateful. It’s been an awful year; but this community has been unwavering in its commitment to support each other, and because of that I know Hassocks will continue to thrive.”

Grab a copy of May’s Hassocks Life to find all the varied offers available.

Crime, celebrities and Graham Bartlett

In April’s Hassocks Life Deirdre Huston catches up with Graham Bartlett, and learns about his experience serving in Sussex Police, and his subsequent success as an author and police advisor to writers.

Graham Bartlett

Back in 2004, Graham Bartlett and his family moved to Hassocks, and these days, they wouldn’t live anywhere else. They appreciate the proximity to London and Brighton, and the access to coast and countryside too. Graham says, “we’re very fortunate to have lots of open spaces here. We have an active ten-year-old terrier who keeps us exploring, on the downs, in the woods and across the fields.”

Although the last year has been difficult, Graham is grateful to live somewhere with plenty of space and local facilities. “People have been working their socks off in our local shops, in quite testing circumstances,’ he says, ‘and sometimes, we forget that.’

Graham’s first career was as a police officer. He joined the force as soon as he was old enough, at eighteen and a half, and four weeks. “I can’t remember wanting to do anything else,” he says, “and I was lucky because Sussex Police accepted me.” His career spanned over thirty years, and he gained a wide breadth of experience. “I saw some terrible tragedies and sad and brutal things,” he says, “but I also got to help many people and make Sussex a little safer for everyone.” Graham is proud of an initiative that was set up during his time as Head of Police in Brighton and Hove, and says: “We devised a new drug user strategy to put more drug users into treatment placements, then enforcement-wise we could focus on the dealers. My mantra was to see users in treatment and dealers in gaol.”

Russell Brand and Graham Bartlett

The media sometimes approached the police for information. Once, Russell Brand asked Graham to contribute to a documentary on drug users. Graham remembers: “it was the first sunny Saturday in 2012 and we were walking along a Brighton street. We were mobbed, but Russell was an absolute gentleman, agreeing to do lots of selfies but then politely telling fans we needed to get on and work. But when he heard about the triplets, he insisted Julie put them on a train, and they were excited to chat with him for a good hour.”

Best-selling crime author, Peter James, had a close relationship with Sussex Police, and used to come to Brighton to learn about police procedures. As part of his job, Graham had written some blogs on subjects like the right to peaceful protest, and the bravery of police officers who run into dangerous situations while off-duty. Peter read the blogs and complimented Graham on his writing style.

To find out what inspired Graham even more to start typing pick up a copy of April’s Hassocks Life and check out Graham’s website here.

Hassocks High Street memories

A recent old photograph in Hassocks Life triggered memories for local resident David Andrews.
Seeing the photo of Hassocks Motors in the March edition of Hassocks Life, before it became National Tyres, reminded me of the time that I worked there as a petrol pump attendant from July 1969 until Christmas 1970.

By the time I started, David Hitches was the owner, and he lived in Underhill Lane with his wife and three young children. He had been a reasonably successful racing driver in the late 1950s and managed both the sales and servicing side of this small British Leyland garage.

Initially selling Mobil fuels and lubricants, we switched to a lesser known brand, Trident, at the beginning of 1970. I wonder if any of the older residents of Hassocks can remember this. A gallon (4.55L) of 4 Star was 6 shillings (30p), so 7p a litre sounds reasonable by today’s prices.

It is still obvious from the photos that two of the three workshop bays were converted into additional showroom space, which enabled 3 or 4 new cars to be displayed inside.

These included the revolutionary Austin Maxi, with its five-speed gearbox, the MG Midget, and different Mini variants including the sporty Cooper, retailing at around £600 brand new! Used stock from £150 upwards was displayed on the forecourt.

Dame Vera Lynn and her husband Harry were regular customers. On one occasion, Harry phoned to say that they had a flat tyre on their Bentley, so I was despatched in the workshop van to their home in Ditchling, to remove the offending wheel and replace it with the spare. This proved to be quite a challenge, as I was used to changing wheels on much smaller cars. I was quite skinny in those days, and Harry rewarded my efforts with a “Five Bob” (25p) tip and the advice to buy myself a couple of pints of Guinness!

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Hassocks was a much smaller community in those days, all the wide range of retail outlets were occupied and busy, the Big Four banks were all present, and charity shops had not been invented!

Project Wingman installs a treat for staff at the Princess Royal Hospital

By Jacqueline Elmore

Pilots and cabin crew have come together to provide NHS staff with a much-needed boost in the shape of a new first class lounge at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.

Project Wingman was the brainchild of two pilots, based in Moray and London, which led to 5,000 volunteers from the airline industry setting up ‘first class lounges’ in over 70 hospitals throughout the UK to help give something back to NHS staff.

Cuckfield resident Wendy Tracey-Roberts, who works in aviation crew training, had this to say about the project: “The idea for the lounges began at the height of the pandemic. Their purpose was to enable any furloughed airline crew the chance to provide a little wellbeing and care to frontline NHS staff.”

Crew from all the major UK airlines are participating and helping to run the lounges, by providing refreshments and creating a place in which NHS workers can de-stress. Wendy continues: “The PRH struggled to find space for a lounge for a while, until recently that is. It opened at the beginning of last month. They were even lucky enough to be given a donation of £50,000 from a local Haywards Heath business to allow the lounge to be fitted out.”

Supplies of refreshments and snacks for the lounges rely solely on donations; these have come in from big chain supermarkets, smaller companies and individuals. Thousands of airline staff have offered their time and skills to the project. “My involvement stems from the work I do for ‘Plane Training’. They were very much a part of the idea from the beginning and have been talking to the hospitals throughout the whole process.”

The lounges have provided a sanctuary for many carers, be that in the form of a listening ear or a hot cup of tea. Hassocks resident Maria Kontkanen said: “We all feel such deep gratitude to our doctors, nurses and all the NHS staff. Our First Class Lounge provides a great place for them to take time out from their demanding day. We welcome them with a smile. With an average of 250 NHS staff visiting the lounges every day, donations are still needed to allow the service to keep running.

Donations can easily be made through Amazon. To find out more, please email wendytrmacrae@aol.com.

500 homes, community centre, primary school and pedestrian tunnel planned

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Taylor Wimpey South Thames has announced the completion of the purchase of land off Ockley Lane with outline planning permission to build 500 new homes in the village.

The homebuilder will provide a mixture of private and affordable housing and is in the process of working up its reserved matters planning application in the coming months. The proposal is set to be one to five bedroom properties, of which 150 will be ‘affordable’. The planning permission should also see a pedestrian tunnel under the London to Brighton railway line, a community building and a primary school delivered (although not by Taylor Wimpey).

Although housebuilding is always controversial – outline permission was granted by MSDC in February last year. Taylor Wimpey state on its website, it will be investing nearly £5.5m into local education as part of the development – which will fund the delivery of a new primary school as well as expansion at Downlands School and Haywards Heath Sixth Form College.

Another £1.4m of funding is also expected to be allocated locally including development of Hassocks Library and infrastructure improvements at Hassocks Health Centre. A new bridleway connecting Hassocks and Burgess Hill is also in the scheme.

The housebuilder is hoping to deliver the first completions on the site from 2023.

New community sponsorship group in Hassocks

Deirdre Huston caught up with Hassocks resident Tom Bailey to discuss his hopes of establishing a new Community Sponsorship group in the village.

Community Sponsorship is a refugee resettlement programme set up by the government in 2016. The scheme is built on the power of local community groups coming together to welcome a refugee family to the area, supporting them during their resettlement. Tom says: “We’re lucky to live in such a lovely village, surrounded by gorgeous countryside, and I’d love to get a group together and ultimately be able to offer a Syrian family a fresh start here.”

Hundreds of refugees have now been helped by local Community Sponsorship groups and have successfully resettled in the UK. Tom explains: “In this challenging pandemic time, I’m drawn to the idea of contributing to something which will make a tangible difference to a family in need. We are at the very beginning of the process - at the moment there are three of us in the group, but we need a few more people to join us if we are to build a strong core group for the project.” Details will be worked out collaboratively, but, as a base-line, people will need to be able to make a small regular time commitment to the project over a period of a year or more, attend monthly meetings, and perhaps undertake a specific role within the project as things progress.

For general information about Community Sponsorship, see: https://resetuk.org/ Or find out more from Tom: hassockswelcomegroup@gmail.com

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.

Adastra Hall and the history and community that built what it is today

Janet Bell throws light on the past, present and future of this community focal point.

Photo by Deirdre Huston

Adastra Hall is owned by registered charity, Hassocks Community Association, with its day-to-day management delegated to a committee of volunteers. Several of the original cohort of visionaries who were involved with the task of raising funds, and commissioning the building which is still in existence today, remain active on the committee, although one can’t be surprised that they feel ready to hand the baton on. Val Purdew, now the Chair of Hassocks Community Association, and an active member of the committee, is retiring from her role at our AGM. She was heavily involved in all the initial fundraising, as was Stella Jenner, the Treasurer who still has an eagle-eyed overview of our finances. I asked Stella for anecdotes about the early days - and what a mine of information she is…

The original motivators were a local couple, Dick and Bett Hall. Hoping to replace the wooden hut in the park that was then serving as a community space, they got elected to the Parish Council (who own and manage Adastra Park) to make their case. In 1976, a first public meeting was called and Mr B. Hewer, a representative of Hurstpierpoint Village Hall, came to talk about how our neighbouring village had achieved their smart new building. That got the ball rolling and so began ten years of community effort to raise funds. Hassocks Community Association was registered with the Charity Commission and an executive committee was formed.

Local professionals, an architect and a solicitor in particular, gave the benefit of their skills and contacts. A couple of local councillors were also very supportive, and able to offer guidance about government grants. There was still a need for significant funds to be raised by the good people of Hassocks and it was important that there was local buy-in. I don’t imagine you could have lived in Hassocks at the time and not known there was a campaign on to replace the village hall!

Pick up a March issue of Hassocks Life to read how the community came together to fundraise for their adored Adastra Hall. Also, more amazing old photos.

If anyone has a bit of time to spare and thinks they can offer anything to the committee, we would love to hear from you!
To find out more, see: www.adastrahall.co.uk or contact Janet: 01273 842527 / janetb545@gmail.com

A visit to the vet before a vacation? 2021's new pet passport procedures

By Jonathan Underwood

I am writing this article in early January as my wife, Annelise, ‘de-Christmases’ the house. When I was younger this was the time of the ‘thank you’ letter – I used to fill up my Parker vector with a new royal blue ink cartridge and set to work.

It was certainly tedious but a good way of making me consider all the presents that I had received. Even in the age of the email, it would be wrong not to enforce the same regime on our two children – mainly because if we had to do it, so should they! Watching them complete the thank you letter task reminds me of how bad my handwriting has become. Granted, it was never a perfect copperplate, but now nearly everything is written on a keyboard, there has certainly been some significant deterioration. I’m not sure you could tell the difference between my handwriting and my six-year-old Owen’s – except he can’t neccessarily, necesarily, necessarily spell as well…

This brings me on to form filling. In particular, the debacle that we are now faced with in terms of the paperwork required for pet travel into the EU post-Brexit. You can imagine the joy in my heart when I (and the rest of the veterinary profession) discovered - at very short notice - that the pet passport was to be replaced with a ten page ‘Animal Health Certificate’ (AHC) as of 1st January. I had a particularly warm feeling inside on learning that this was one of those forms where use of the wrong colour, an inadvertent lower case letter where a capital should be, or a tick in the wrong box could result in having to start the whole thing again! Furthermore, each certificate is unique to the country that the pet is entering from the UK, and has to be certified, stamped and printed copies taken of the certificate and all supporting documentation.

And the best bit of all? This has to be repeated every time a pet travels to the EU. Now, I am no bureaucrat, but it would seem to me that a far simpler system would be to have a single document with the pet’s identification in it, where you could record information such as rabies vaccination status and health checks. You could then use this document every time the pet travels without the need to fill out a new one for each journey. Maybe you could make the document blue and like a little booklet and give it a name. Perhaps ‘pet passport’, or similar?!

Apologies for the sarcastic rant! Here is some constructive advice with regards the changes to pet travel. From 1st January 2021, GB pet passports will no longer be valid for travel to the EU. Instead you will need an AHC. You will need to bring your pet for an appointment with an Official Veterinarian (OV) within ten days of your date of travel. You will need to bring evidence of date of microchipping and rabies vaccination with you. The AHC is valid for four months and will allow you to return to the UK within that time frame. There are obviously many other possible scenarios, such as where you are travelling, travel through other countries and how long you are travelling for. It is beyond the scope of this article to go into all these details, but I have written a comprehensive guide on our website (www.hawthornvets.co.uk/news). We have four OV’s at Hawthorn Vets, so while it may not be our favourite thing to do, we are well set up to complete AHCs and support you and your pet on their journey – whenever that is allowed!

Please feel free to contact us (01273 495227 or reception@hawthornvets.co.uk) if you have any queries about pet travel or anything veterinary.

Henfield Surgery
Hawthorn House
High Street
BN5 9DA

Villa Adastra received their Covid vaccines

Residents and staff at Villa Adastra were pleased to have received their Covid vaccinations, which were administered over the course of two days in January.

Head of Care, Sharon Bacon, said: “Mister Wilson and his team were brilliant, and it was a smooth operation.” Resident, Reg Bond was very excited, and said, ‘I am pleased to be doing my bit to hopefully help everyone get back to some kind of normal life in the future.’

The staff too were very excited about getting their vaccines. “I am so proud of all the staff at Villa Adastra for keeping all the residents safe during this pandemic,” says Sharon, “and I know Christine, our Administration Manager will join me in thanking everyone involved. We’ve remained Covid-free, and that has been down to the dedication and hard work of the whole team, who have followed the rules, and often sacrificed their own families, to help keep the residents safe.”

Sharon adds: “For the past ten months, we have not only been carers, but entertainment, friends, and family to the residents. We have hugged them when they have felt upset or scared and held their hands. We have also had lots of fun and laughter.”

Villa Adastra | The Salvation Army

A Hassocks Excavation Part 2 - Roman structures and a seventeenth-century burial pit

Photos: Oxford Archaeology

In the second of a two-part series, Deirdre Huston talks to archaeologist, Edward Biddulph, about uncovering our local history. Following on from last month’s introduction, we discuss findings from later periods. We discuss possible implications of archaeological findings during a dig at Clayton Mills between 2005 and 2007.
If you missed Part 1 find it here.

Roman Period AD43-AD410

“This site was occupied in the early Roman period. The Romans invaded in AD43 and it probably wasn’t too long afterwards that this site was occupied,” declares Edward. “Activity tailed off in the 4th Century but, otherwise, it was occupied from mid-1st Century through the 2nd and into the 3rd. A number of ditches were found which formed rectangular enclosures, and, in one of those, there was evidence for a building. Edward comments: “these enclosures were perhaps smallholdings, maybe for animals kept close to a settlement and there would probably have been a field system nearby.

“We found a whole range of interesting pottery. Most was made fairly locally, but not necessarily on site.” There was plenty of grey ware cooking pots, a dark grey or black-surfaced pottery called East Sussex grog-tempered ware. Edward explains: “grog is crushed up bits of old ceramic. Roman recycling! Tiny fragments were put into the clay to reduce shrinkage while being fired.” This grog-tempered ware was made in various locations around East Sussex, where the practise continued into the third century, much longer than other southern areas such as Kent. During the Roman period, much pottery was sand-tempered and some of this was found at the site too.

More exotic pottery was also discovered, such as pieces of samian pottery: this glossy red-slipped pottery comes from Gaul or France, and you are likely to have seen it in museums. It is commonly associated with the Roman period and is of very high quality.

However, Edward is quick to point out that it was made on an industrial scale in France, where one firing might produce thousands of pots, so it is not necessarily an indicator of high status. He explains: “objects found at the site included cups, dishes, bowls and these are all found in fairly good numbers in ordinary dwellings such as farmsteads, not just villas. If there were decorated bowls, with patterns in relief, then these do indicate high status, something a bit more special like a villa, but there was none of that in Hassocks. However, the samian pottery does indicate that the site was locked into a wider trading network. It wasn’t an isolated settlement.

Interested in learning more about Hassocks own Roman structures? Pick up a copy of Hassocks Life Feb issue to read the whole article.

For further information, see:
A Bronze Age settlement, Roman structures and a field system at Hassocks, West Sussex (SUSSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS 148 (2010), 17–46) by David Mullin, Edward Biddulph & Richard Brown.

A cattle burial from Hassocks, West Sussex (POST-MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY 45/2 (2011), 366–7) by David Mullin, Lena Strid & Edward Biddulph.

Hassocks Junior Football Club signs record number of players

By Nick Palmer, Club President of Hassocks Junior Football Club

2020 was understandably quite a year for Hassocks Junior Football Club. But the effects of the lockdown didn’t deter either the club or the local youth from getting back to footballing activities and, by September, Hassocks Junior FC had signed a record number of 352 players to the club representing 21 different teams across the U5 to U16 age groups and playing in four different local leagues.

And it’s not just the boy’s either that make up the majority of players as the club is extremely proud to now have three girl’s teams as well in its ranks representing the U10’s, U12’s & U13’s age groups.

“Having girl’s teams in the club has been a target of ours for a number of years”, says Jason Roberts, our current Club Chairman, “And I’m delighted to now be able to say that we have no less than three of them, two of which are currently representing us in the Sussex County Women & Girls Football League.”

But getting players to sign up to the club is only half the battle as nothing we do could happen if it wasn’t for the numerous people that work tirelessly by giving up their time to make the world of youth football a reality for so many of our local youngsters. An army of volunteers make Hassocks Junior FC the club it is today. And let’s not forget our sponsors and the local authorities who have also helped us to make it all possible.

Like other sporting clubs, everyone at Hassocks Juniors takes the threat of COVID-19 very seriously and we did a great deal of work in 2020 to ensure footballing activities could take place in a safe environment for coaches, players and their families. From COVID officers being present for matches to the issuing of full PPE for all team managers, the club worked incredibly hard to keep young players playing football. And 2021 will be no different, the safety of everyone involved with our activities remains of paramount importance and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.

But everyone at the club remains optimistic for the future and if there is one thing that we all learned from 2020 it’s that the appetite for getting young people off their games consoles and outside participating in healthy sporting activities has never been stronger. That’s probably why we have a record number of players now signed to the club.

These are challenging times right now but we know full well the positive impact that team sport has on young people not just from a fitness perspective but teaching them invaluable life skills as well such as teamwork, fair play, hard work and pride. In addition, the need for positive mental wellness in our youth has never been more important and we’ll endeavour to keep Hassocks Junior Football Club providing this as well as remaining an integral part of our community.

For more information about the club please visit our website www.hassocksjuniorfc.co.uk or contact Nick Palmer at president@hassocksjuniorfc.co.uk

Community flood teams proposed for Hassocks

Following the surface flooding in November in Hassocks, local group, HKD Transition propose the formation of community flood teams. Each group will focus on key areas of the village which are prone to surface flooding, particularly during periods of leaf fall that may clog the drains as was the case in November.

The Drain Busters teams could help with leaf clearing in Autumn, to complement council efforts. They could also co-ordinate storage (and shared awareness) of brushes, rakes and sandbags, liaising with the fire brigade and West Sussex Council for any drain clearing or pumping issues. It is hoped that each ‘team’ will have its own WhatsApp group or a telephone tree (or whatever communication tool works for its volunteers) enabling the team to respond quickly if needed. HKD Transition will put the team members in touch with one another so each group can decide how best to operate.

In the meantime, the debris dams built by our volunteers in Lag Wood this year to slow the flow of flood water are holding up really well as the image demonstrates. If you would like to be involved in either project please email herring@hkdtransition.org.uk

Please visit www.hkdtransition.org.uk for more information about HKD Transition.

A Hassocks Excavation Part 1 - unearthing Clayton Mills

Photo: Oxford Archaeology

In the first of a two-part series, Deirdre Huston talks to archaeologist, Edward Biddulph, about uncovering our local history.

Many of you know Clayton Mills. Perhaps you live there, or maybe you’ve jogged along the footpath, walked your dog around the fields, played on the old bike tracks in the copse, or taken a shortcut along the banks of the stream. Some of you will remember the fields before the present housing estate was built, but did you know that, in 2005 and 2007, Oxford Archaeology carried out excavations at this site?

Like most archaeological work, this was a result of the housing development: it was a condition of planning permission being granted that some archaeological investigation took place in order to mitigate the development’s impact and was funded by Barratts. I spoke with Edward, a Senior Project Manager at Oxford Archaeology, to learn more about what was learned during the project and the processes involved.

First, there was an initial desk-based assessment of existing archaeological work in our area, using the local authority database of heritage records.
Next, during an on-site evaluation, trenches were sunk across the site and yielded evidence which suggested there would be a reasonable chance of finding evidence of past activity.
Finally, a larger excavation was undertaken, involving a team of ten or so archaeologists in the field and an office-based team behind the scenes who wash, process and mark finds, such as pottery, animal bones, tiles or marked flint. (Artefacts made of leather and wood tend not to survive unless in extraordinary circumstances.) The team also analyse environmental samples to find tiny bits of seed, charcoal or grain which give clues to environment use, for example, telling us what crops may have been grown. From this evidence, the archaeologists are able to put together a picture of what human activity may have occurred in this location in the past.

This dug up some interest? Well look out for the January copy of Hassocks Life to read more and find out what Hassocks was like during the Bronze age!

A Hassocks Excavation Part 2 now available here.

Hassocks' Robins vs Burgess Hill's Hillians for charity

Grassroots football returned from its lockdown hiatus on 5th December 2020 and for Hassocks it was an occasion to remember as the Robins raised a record breaking amount of money for St Peter & St James Hospice in the 2020 Ann John Trophy.

The annual charity match takes place each year between Hassocks and Burgess Hill Town in memory of Ann, wife of the Robins’ long-serving chairman, Dave John. In 2014, Ann sadly passed away from cancer, having been as familiar a face on the Sussex non-league circuit as her husband, thanks in part to her legendary cakes which were sold at the Beacon every match day.

Traditionally, the game takes place in the summer, but that was not possible this year. When the government announced that football could resume from the start of December, Hassocks spotted an opportunity to get the match played before the competitive business of the Southern Combination League Premier restarted.

Thanks to the willingness of the Hillians and their manager Jay Lovett, the match was organised in double quick time. Changes to the rules surrounding licensed bars and hospitality venues meant it took considerable planning: The Beacon clubhouse had to remain shut, but Hassocks could serve hot food providing it was passed out of a window without fans entering the building.

Despite the challenges of trying to organise a game of football in quick time with a host of restrictions to consider, the afternoon was a complete success. Fans of both clubs turned out in force, resulting in £1500 being raised for the Hospice. In a year in which charity donations have been severely hit by the pandemic, that is a huge amount of money for an organisation who need as much support as possible.

Things did not go quite so swimmingly on the pitch, from a Hassocks point of view at least. Lovett brought a full-strength Burgess Hill side on the short journey south and they showed why they are a division above the Robins in the football pyramid by running out 8-1 winners to retain the Ann John Trophy.

Sometimes, football is about much more than a result, and this is one of those occasions. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the afternoon, and we hope to see you in 2021 to try and raise even more for St Peter & St James.

Find Hassocks Robins at www.hassocksfc.net

Pearl's commemorative tree in Adastra Park

Children and parents using the playground in Adastra Park may have noticed the arrival of a new tree recently.

The family of Pearl BartlettBundy - a Hassocks schoolgirl who tragically died just before her 10th birthday from an aggressive form of bone cancer in 2017 – took part in a special ceremony in the village when a tree was planted in her name.

A temporary plaque, which featured a photo of Pearl on one of the rides, said: ‘This tree, planted on 15th December, commemorates what should have been the 14th birthday of our daughter Pearl. She loved coming to this park. Happy birthday Pearl, with love from the BartlettBundy family.’

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The family have planted a tree around the village every year since Pearl’s death. “The play park was a really special place for Pearl and her brother Milo and they spent many happy hours there,” Pearl’s mother Rachel said. “This is a winter flowering cherry tree, which has a beautiful pink flower. We’re extremely grateful to the Parish Council for its help – especially Tracy Forte and Cllr Jane Baker and her husband Nick.”

Rachel is already thinking about places for next year’s tree – which she’s happy to take suggestions for!

Find the Elves competition is back on Hassocks High Street

In a year when we all need some festive fun more than ever before, Marchants estate agents have organised the ‘Find the Elves’ competition on the high street, and now in its third year.

Marchants’ Bennita Adair George explained: “Find the Elves is great to bring the Christmas cheer and local community spirit to our wonderful high street. We are running the event on a voluntary donation basis this year and all monies raised will go directly to the very deserving St Peter and St James Hospice.”

Each elf is hiding in the Hassocks shop windows and waiting to be found! Clues about the location of the elves can be found on its website - www.marchantsestateagents.co.uk – where you can also download the form.

You can also collect a form from outside of the office -
Marchants Estate Agents,
1 Keymer Road, Hassocks,
BN6 8AE.

The elves will be in Hassocks until the 24th December. Happy hunting!

Hassocks Festive Light Trail this Christmas!

Building on the Infant School Art Week theme, ‘Let there be light,’ FoHis are offering two ways to share some seasonal sparkle.

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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.