Forthcoming copy dates

2025 Copy dates for Hassocks Life magazine

January’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 12th December 2024
Delivery between 28th December - 5th January

February’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 28th January
Delivery between 8th - 14th February

March’s Hassocks Life
Copy date 25th February
Delivery between 8th - 14th March

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recycle your Christmas tree for Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity - Local to Hassocks

We collect your Christmas tree from your drive or gate and take it to be recycled.

For more information and to register please visit: www.dvlcc.org.uk or phone 01444 473 274

Booking required by midnight Wednesday 3rd Jan 24

Mid Sussex Choir concert at St Wilfrid's Haywards Heath this December

This carol concert will feature some of the Manchester carols alongside some Christmas audience favourites. Cynthia, one of the choir members from Hassocks, commented: “I have loved the learning the Manchester Carols with their beautiful words and music. I am also looking forward to singing the piece ‘Sing’ with Neil Matthews from Hurst College playing the organ. It should sound fantastic.”

The choir has been performing in Haywards Heath for almost 80 years and has attracted some loyal followers. One of them said: “I have attended several Mid Sussex Choir concerts, and I like them as it’s always great to attend a concert just before Christmas.”

The concert takes place at St Wilfrid’s Church on 16 December at 7.30pm. Parking is usually available. Tickets are £13 in advance, £15 on the door (under 16s are free). Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/mid-sussex-choir

Meet The Greyhound's new owners in Keymer

By Deirdre Huston

Simon Hodges has taken over The Greyhound. He and his wife, Josie, live about five minutes away from the pub, on the other side of Keymer Church. Their three children have attended local schools. Simon and Josie have long been regular visitors at The Greyhound and felt they could make a difference to the pub. Simon says: “We wanted to turn the Greyhound into a village pub again and give it back to the community.”

This new venture is very much a team effort. Simon is the Licensee, Zoe Scozzi is the manager, and Josie provides backroom support alongside Debbie Smith. Debbie is also a local parent and already works with the Hodges in another business.

Josie says: “We want to return the pub to how it used to be: a lovely, vibrant village pub.” The strength of local support has already taken the couple by surprise. Simon explains: “Our vision has been realised quickly because a couple of residents, Kenny and Gill Packham, organised a welcome do for us, and the pub was rammed with locals who wanted to wish us well.”

The pub is over 450 years old. Simon says: “We want this to be a pub with traditional food where you can come for a drink in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.” Food will continue being served from Wednesday to Sunday, with a proper roast at the weekend, and a view to including more days in the future. Meat is sourced through Twine Butchers in Hassocks, and, as well as the beer, a lot of the wines come from the Harveys Brewery. Simon says: “We will add to our ale and lager selection with guest beers.” Look out for the dried hops on the inglenook fireplace, which are a gift from a Harveys employee.

From 1st January, the pub will hold Open Mic nights every Thursday, a pizza van will visit every Tuesday while Wednesday will be Quiz Night.

The pub is open every day from 10.30am except on Sundays when the doors open at 11am. Josie says: “We would like the pub to be a Wi-Fi hub where people can come and sit and work and be warm during the day.” Every Wednesday, there will be a drop-in surgery when Emma Warner, the IT Girl from Hurstpierpoint, will be based here.

The Greyhound are members of HCO (Hassocks Community Organisation) and offer 10% discount on Wednesday to Friday lunchtimes.

“Everyone’s been amazing,” says Josie, and Simon adds: “We want to thank everyone for their immediate support because they’ve been fast to rally around us.” Many are keen to see the pub continue in the coming years as a hub of the local community.

Buy online from Hassocks businesses, delivered to you in one hour!

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

Hassocks Parish council - All about the waterways

Living on the banks of a stream

Riparian Ownership - What does it mean? By Cllr Peter Richardson, Member of Flood Action Group – Hassocks Parish Council

In Hassocks Life issue #52 (August 2023) an article by Jonathan Taylor outlined the streams which run through the Hassocks/Keymer area. Watercourses enhance our lives in many ways and yet can pose a threat when in flood. It would seem obvious that watercourses should be allowed to flow freely and without pollution. They need to be respected, protected and maintained for the mutual benefit of the entire community.

At the time of writing, some residents may have already received (or are imminently about to receive) a booklet from Hassocks Parish Council regarding streams. This booklet outlines the significance of resident’s relationship with these watercourses and the associated legal context. Many people probably do not know that if they own land or property adjoining a watercourse (stream, ditch or culvert), or if there is one under their property, then they are by definition, a “Riparian Owner”.

This involves certain responsibilities. In our Hassocks/Keymer area it is believed there are approximately 450 properties which fall into the category of Riparian Ownership. The booklet is not intended to frighten but merely to inform. It is trying to raise the knowledge for such owners who may otherwise have been completely unaware of the issues.

It is not the intention here to duplicate the details provided in the booklet. It is probably sufficient to understand that the relevant rights and responsibilities basically follow what would merely be expected in a manner of general ‘good neighbourliness’. This would be to ensure that water can flow freely, without obstruction (causing flooding) or pollution that would affect the rights of others.

To read about the three main issues of Riparian Ownership, pick up your copy of November’s Hassocks Life or click to enlarge the picture above.

Hassocks locals complete Paddle4Pearl challenge to end Hassocks Goes Gold 2023

Intrepid brothers, Jamie BartlettBundy and John Bartlett completed their Paddle4Pearl challenge earlier this month, despite the appalling Scottish weather! Torrential rain stopped trains and emergency services across central Scotland, but the determined duo continued to paddleboard!

After three days, they had covered 100km from Bowling Harbour on the West Coast to Edinburgh on the east. Covering first the Forth & Clyde Canal and then the Union Canal, their journey took in 20 locks, several tunnels, high aqueducts, and navigation of the Falkirk Wheel. Their heroic efforts were the finale of an amazing month of fundraising in Hassocks, raising funds for research into childhood cancer. Jamie and Rachel lost their ten-year-old daughter Pearl to cancer in 2017, and have since been fundraising to find kinder and more effective treatments for childhood cancer. To date the #PearlPower fund, overseen by the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, has raised enough to fund not one but two new research projects to fund kinder and more effective treatments for childhood cancer. With the efforts of this year’s Hassocks Goes Gold campaign raising over £13,000 and the recent Paddle4Pearl, they have smashed the incredible milestone of £100K. Rachel says:
“September is always an exhausting but very exciting month of gold in Hassocks, and the Scottish paddleboarding adventure has been a wonderful finale. Although the reason behind our Hassocks Goes Gold is the worst tragedy for our family, it’s important to us we fundraise by creating events that are fun that the entire village can get behind.”

Find out more: www.bit.ly/2FZK1RF

Light Up Hassocks returns this December 2023

Ella’s winning design of Christmas poster competition

By The Light Up Hassocks Team

After Light Up Hassocks 2022, we bade farewell to Bernard O’Rourke of Sussex Vale Rotary. We take great pleasure in knowing he’ll be able to enjoy the event as a resident this year, and we hope he’ll be proud of us.

We are lucky enough to have a, admittedly a very small but nonetheless, fantastic team who have worked incredibly hard to prepare for Friday 1st December. We listened carefully to feedback and know there have been challenges with lighting near the bridge. We also faced uncertainty around Halfords which led us to think about new locations for our stage.

This year, we’ve condensed stalls into a smaller area, moved the stage to Chancellors Park, and, with thanks to the Parish Council, we’ve invested in some hefty lights. We’re taking a more environmentally conscious approach, and traders are being asked to avoid single-use plastics wherever possible. We’ll be providing recycling bins in addition to waste bins. We have all the usual favourites: a parade with Burgess Hill Marching Youth band leading the serenade at Villa Adastra, the Hassocks Infant School and Windmills choirs, funfair, games, fabulous food and drink stalls, arts and crafts and live music from the very talented Stanmer Band.

We’re kicking the festivities off with the poster competition, hosted by Sussex Vale Rotary, at Hassocks Infant School. Children design a Christmas poster, and the winning entry becomes the poster for the next Light Up Hassocks. The winning designer gets to turn the Christmas lights on! Ella won 2022’s competition and we hope she enjoys seeing her artwork here (right), and all around the village very soon!

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the fabulous window displays created by our wonderful traders each year, so we’re delighted to announce that Art Groups 1 and 2 from u3a will be judging the windows this year in the week commencing 20th November. The winner and two runners-up will be announced on the night, and competition is going to be fierce…

Let us end by saying we’ve been talking with the elves at the North Pole and they’ve sprinkled a bit of magic dust on our Santa hats, so look out for some extra sparkle!

Useful information about Light Up Hassocks

Keymer Road will close at 4pm and re-open at 8pm.

The roads that meet Keymer Road (Dale Avenue, Grand Avenue, Parklands Road, Chancellors Park, Downsview) will be closed at the Keymer Road end.

The road closure will be extended up to Clerk’s Acre between 4.15pm and 5.15pm when we march up to Villa Adastra. We ask that all lay-bys be emptied by 3pm so that our stallholders can set up in good time. Please avoid driving into the centre of the village after 2.30pm if you can.

We’d particularly ask you to avoid Chancellors Park where Mid Sussex Radio and our team will be setting up the stage next to Bennett Oakley Solicitors. If you or a neighbour have carers, please help us to make sure this information gets to the carers so that they aren’t surprised by the road closure on the night.
Of course, in the event of a medical or other blue lights emergency, we will help vehicles through, but they will have to be escorted and that takes a little time.

More information about stalls and the timetable see the Facebook page @LightUpHassocks
For more information about the event, road closures, or joining us a marshal or volunteer for this year or next year, reach us at lightuphassocks@gmail.com.

HURSTfolk – it’s not a folk festival!

When Debbie Clare put a call out for Hurstpierpoint-based musicians to register their interest in being part of this new event, she was inundated with enquiries; what she thought might be a one night line-up has turned into a sprawling three day event, featuring traditional venues as well as lesser-utilised spaces. “’HURSTfolk – it’s not a folk festival!’ should have been the tagline,” said Debbie. “This is very much a festival for all genres – featuring the ‘folk’ of Hurstpierpoint.” Taking place from 17th-19th November, this unique gathering invites local performers to come together for a weekend filled with enchanting concerts, in various locations throughout the village, including venues, homes, and breathtaking outdoor spaces. Debbie has worked in the music industry – both on and off stage – for over 20 years. A vocalist for Massive Attack, and the agent for a plethora of groundbreaking alternative music artists, Debbie is drawing upon her extensive live music career to weave together this community-focused weekend of live music performances. Performers include Taz Modi, Heather McClelland, Lou Beckerman, Adam Whitby, The Self Help Group and many others. HURSTfolk will showcase the very best of Hurstpierpoint music-makers, as well as the village’s fantastic venues, and a community that wants to get out and support local talent. The event offers a ‘pay-what-you-can’ ticket option, along with many free-entry events, making it accessible for absolutely everyone. 100% of the income for the ticketed events will be paid directly to the artists performing. For information about the full line-up please visit www.hurstfolk.org

Adastra Hall hosts Hassocks On Show

Volunteers at Adastra Hall have breathed new life into an old Hassocks event by relaunching Hassocks On Show.

This community event will take place on Saturday 28th October from 10am until 3pm, and local clubs and organisations have snapped up available spaces! With nearly 30 exhibitors, and over 70 pastimes on show, the exhibition promises to give lots of useful insights into organisations and clubs from across the village.

The event is free for residents and their friends to attend. The WI are running the tea and cakes service, and the event will be across all three of the rooms at Adastra Hall. There is also a presentation about the extension project. This is a great opportunity to come and see what the hall has to offer to potential hirers too. Here’s a schedule of all those clubs and societies attending:

• Hhd u3a
• Keynotes Music
• Know Dementia
• Let’s Dance Hassocks
• Love Art Sudios
• Museum of Gardening
• Parish of Clayton and Keymer
• Sarita Prints Joy Block Print Workshops
• Seasons Art Class
• Star Cinema
• Sussex Vale Rotary
• WI
• Adastra Hall Table Tennis Club
• Bounce Hassocks

• Girl guides
• Hasocks Circle Dance Group
• Hassocks Community Organisation
• Hassocks Community Runners
• Hassocks Croquet Club
• Hassocks Field Society
• Hassocks Good Causes Whist Club
• Hassocks Green Group (HKD transition)
• Hassocks Parish Council
• Hassocks Tennis Club
• Hassocks Twinning Association
• Budding Foundation
• Crafty Ladies
• Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Sussex

“There is absolutely something for everything,” said Chris Hobbs, Chair at Adastra Hall. “This has been such an easy thing to organise and we are in the sad position of having to turn some groups away, just because we filled the spaces without much effort at all. I’ve lived in Hassocks for 22 years and I had no idea about some of the groups’ existence!”

The raffle will feature many prizes, all donated by the stallholders, and will raise funds which will be equally shared between the Teddy and the Big C campaign and the Adastra Hall Extensions Project.

Hassocks council relaunch Adastra Park tennis courts

Park tennis courts at Adastra Park have been officially reopened after a £83,000 renovation, funded by Hassocks Parish Council, the UK Government, LTA Tennis Foundation and Developer Contributions. Tennis courts at Adastra Park hosted a ceremony attended by Hassocks Parish Council representatives, along with representatives from the LTA. There was an opportunity for people from the local community to pick up a racket and get on court for a range of tennis sessions.

Through the Parks Tennis Project, the LTA is investing across Britain to help develop grassroots tennis. The three courts at Adastra Park have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, nets and a new gate access system. As well as weekly free park tennis sessions, with equipment provided, the new courts will host Local Tennis Leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social local competitions. All courts will be available to book via the LTA website. New booking systems and gate access technology means it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability. A small booking fee will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come.

The LTA, Hassocks Parish Council and KB Tennis Coaching will work together to ensure free park tennis sessions are available on the courts, providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play. Cllr Ian Weir, Chair of Hassocks Parish Council said: “The new tennis courts are the latest step in the Parish Council’s commitment to deliver improved facilities in Adastra Park following Community Consultation. Our partnership with the LTA and their Club Spark Booking and Gate entry systems have enabled us to provide simple and easy access to the new courts which we hope will make them more attractive to occasional and first-time users as well as giving our existing users a greatly improved playing experience.”

Helpful facts: How to ‘Pay and Play’ Booking online is quick and easy. Courts can be booked up to seven days in advance.
All our courts are available for pay and play, allowing you to book and pay for a single booking at any time. The cost is £7 per court per hour. Concessions £3.50 per hour.

Play 365 days a year, subject to essential court maintenance and weather. For further details, visit: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/AdastraPark

Hassocks, Hurst, and Ditching u3a groups thriving

Many of us associate September with the start of a new academic year. U3a is a national movement which supports people in their ‘third age’ to continue their learning and interests in an informal environment, and we have a thriving local group.

Hassocks, Hurst and Ditchling u3a now has 357 members, exceeding pre-Covid levels. This great local organisation is open to anyone who is not working full-time, costs very little with an annual fee of £15, and offers great opportunities to ‘learn, laugh, live’! The local branch offers a wide range of subjects and activities.

Future Lives shares information and resources to inspire, influence and inform members about how we can improve our future lives by discussing and learning about relevant subjects. The new and very popular Men’s Meeting group meets on the second Monday of the month. The first meeting was a lunch in The Hassocks Hotel dining area. Local Outings enables members to contact others with similar interests to arrange outings or trips together, for example, art, films, live performances, places of interest, and music.
So far, members have attended events at the Ditchling Players, the Brighton Dome and the Brighton Fringe Spiegeltent, with upcoming events planned at Adastra Hall and The Old Market in Hove.

In the Board Games group, members learn and play games brought along by the group leader and members. This group meets monthly at The Purple Carrot café in Hassocks. The Russian Studies group reads and discusses Russian literature and culture. All you need is an interest in Russian culture, broadly defined, as the group works with translated materials. These are just a handful of our 40+ interest groups. We also have an open monthly meeting where all are welcome. To find out more visit www.u3asites.org.uk/hhd, or email: hhdu3amem@ gmail.com.

Teddy and the Big C campaign update - Aug 2023

By Kat and Alastair Lichten, Teddy’s mum and dad

Teddy’s campaign has continued to grow and grow! At the time of writing, we have raised nearly £175,000 towards our £250,000-£300,000 target for Teddy to access ground-breaking cancer treatment abroad.

In September, we are pleased to be supported by the wonderful Hassocks Goes Gold appeal, who will be donating the proceeds from poster sales to Teddy this year. You can also still pick up raffle tickets until 13th September from de la Casa for a gorgeous Coatimundi soft toy donated by Hassocks Pet Centre.

During August, Teddy enjoyed a wonderful day out, organised by Thameslink. Teddy got to meet the driver of the train and then he got to sit in the cab while the driver drove the train to Three Bridges. Fortunately, Teddy was on top form that day and could fully enjoy his special experience. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far by donating, taking on a sponsored challenge or organising an event.

Scroll down to see some wonderful fundraising events you can join in on…

Taste wine and fundraise for Teddy’s treatment

By Amanda Felix

An exciting new fundraising event has just been launched for Teddy and the Big C. Giles Cutlack of South Downs Cellars will host a wine tasting evening in Adastra Hall on Friday 27th October. Giles will take the audience on a lively journey through a range of wines with accompanying nibbles in aid of Teddy’s campaign.
Book early to guarantee your places on the online seating plan.

Thank you in advance for your support for Teddy and we look forward to welcoming you. Tickets cost £20 per head and are available online at www.buytickets.at/rathergoodevents or you can pay in cash at Bella & Megs Café on Keymer Road, Hassocks. If you have any questions please contact Amanda Felix on: amandajanefelix@ outlook.com.

Green fees for Teddy

Burgess Hill Golf Centre is holding a fundraiser for Teddy on Saturday 30th September. There will be prizes for ‘nearest the pin’ on the course and ‘putting hole in one’. Jess Armstrong-Kerr of Burgess Hill Golf Centre says: “Join us at the Burgess Hill Golf Centre for a family fun golf day to fundraise for Teddy and the Big C. One hundred percent of green fees will be donated to Teddy’s cause!” This wonderful event will run all day, and you can book online or just turn up on Saturday 30th September. Jess explains: “Golfers can play the nine-hole course for £20, knowing they are donating money to Teddy’s Campaign with Solving Kids Cancer.” A children’s putting competition will also run all day and cost five pounds to enter, again with all proceeds donated.

Role-Playing Games Day at Dice and Drinks Café

Reserve a space in your diaries for Teddy’s Role-Playing Games Day at Dice and Drinks Café in Burgess Hill on Saturday 14th October. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to RPGs, there will be fun for all. Tickets cost £10 per person and there will be afternoon and evening sessions available - see Teddy and the Big C on Facebook for more info or scan the QR code.

Mid Sussex Health Care - Flu Clinics 2023 in Hassocks

Hurstpierpoint Surgery -
Saturday 30th Sept 8.30 - 12pm
Monday 2nd October 6pm - 7.30pm
Saturday 21st October 8.30am - 12pm

Hassocks Surgery -
Saturday 7th October 8.30am - 11am
Monday 9th October 6pm - 7.30pm

Ditchling Surgery -
Saturday 14th October 8.30am - 12pm

https://www.midsussexhealthcare.co.uk/

Click to enlarge

Chelsea Pensioners charm Adastra Bowling Club

On 19th July, 22 members of Adastra Bowling Club travelled to London to play a return match against the Chelsea Pensioners. Last year, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Adastra Bowling Club, the Chelsea Pensioners came to Hassocks. An invitation for a return match was issued to be played on their home green at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the iconic veterans of the British Army, the Chelsea Pensioners.

Regular tours of the buildings and grounds of the Royal Hospital are conducted for both private groups and public visits, and the group were met by Alan Gill, the Secretary of their Bowls Club and an authorised tour guide. Having showed the visitors around, Alan took them to the Bowling Green on a lawn in front of the famous building. An excellent, friendly match took place, with Adastra winning. They were proud to announce that one of their players was over 90 years old, but Adastra Bowling Club had three players present aged over 90!

The visitors were treated to a meal and then convivial drinks in ‘The Covid Arms’ afterwards, where the Hassocks club presented a generous cheque as a donation. As they were waved off, Adastra Bowling Club promised to return and visit the Chelsea Pensioners again soon.

Hassocks' tennis courts upgrade

You may have noticed the work taking place on Adastra Park Tennis Courts. This is part of an exciting project to refurbish the courts and provide a new automated entry gate and online public booking system. The Parish Council, who own and manage the tennis courts, has made a substantial investment towards the refurbishment, alongside receiving additional funding and support from the LTA Tennis Foundation and UK Government as a part of the Parks Tennis Project to refurbish public tennis courts across Britain and open up the sport to more people. Weather permitting, it is hoped that the tennis courts will be ready for use by mid-August with a formal launch planned in September.

Further details about when the courts will open and public booking information will be posted on the Parish Council website when these are available: www.hassocks-pc.gov.uk

1st Hassocks Girl Guides earn gold

1st Hassocks Guides are proud to announce that four of their Guides have achieved the highest award available to Guides, the Gold Award. I was delighted to be asked to present Kathryn Blake, Charlotte Failes and Carolyn Morris with their Gold Award earlier this month. They join Emma Robinson, who achieved hers in April.

“To gain the Gold Award, we needed to complete all six Theme and Interest Badges,” said Charlotte. “To achieve this, we have completed activities such as attending camps and sleepovers, cooking outdoors, facing our fears on a zip wire and improving our canoeing skills.” They have tried rifle shooting at the Ardingly county day, where Kathryn led the renewal of the Guide Promise in front of over 400 people.

“We have also raised funds for good causes and donated to local food banks. As senior Guides, we also have extra responsibilities such as planning meetings for the younger girls,” added Kathryn. “We have all enjoyed our years in Guiding so much. We have been given so many opportunities to try out new things and we have developed new skills, had fun and made new friends,” said Carolyn.

They would also like to thank their leaders, Pennie and Dawn, for encouraging them to reach for Gold! The Guides are now looking forward to their next adventure, which is helping to raise funds for the guide hut at their Summer Fete on Sat 8th July, 12-2pm at the Guide Hut, Semley Road. For more information on Girlguiding in Hassocks and Ditchling, please email beaconguidingdc@gmail.com.

Bella June Flowers and Reflex @42 scoop Sussex awards 2023

Two businesses on Hassocks high street are winners in a county-wide competition. The Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023, in which customers nominate and vote for the local businesses they value most, romped to a close in June. Across the UK, an astonishing 77,000 businesses were nominated and 800,000 votes were cast in 2023.

In Sussex, the winner of the Muddy Stiletto Award in the florist category is Bella June Flowers. Managing Director, Kelly Harding says: “I was so excited just to have been nominated again this year for Best Sussex Florist, but to win first place is the best feeling.” The awards are particularly important in these challenging times, and Kelly adds: “Being a small business owner whilst juggling family and life can be tough and it’s easy to forget you’re not alone, and now I feel a rejuvenated sense of love and support for my little shop and the whole high street.” She wants to give huge heartfelt thanks to each and everybody that voted for all our local businesses in the village, and says: “It means so much!”

Reflex @42 won the Muddy Stiletto Award in the Hair Salon category. Owner and manager of the salon, Hayley Elphick, appreciates the support of the local community and says: “We are very honoured to have won the Muddy Stilettos Best Salon in Sussex again. I want to thank everyone because we honestly couldn’t have done this without our clients and all those around here who voted for us. This amazing achievement means more to us because it’s voted for by YOU.”

Hassocks Art Trail this July 2023

Follow the Hassocks art trail

Click to enlarge

Local artists are opening their houses on 1st and 2nd July from 11am to 4pm.

Why not begin near the High Street by visiting De La Casa, Woodsland Road, Chancellors Park and Clayton Avenue, then enjoy a short stroll around Ewart Close, Bromley Close. You could return to the high street along Orchard Lane.

There will be a range of artists on display, some of whom have been featured in Hassocks Life. Their work includes woodblock and lino prints, stained glass, painting, photography and embroidery.

For artists and addresses, please click the image.

Clayton's Jill Windmill

By Deirdre Huston

The earliest reference to a windmill on Clayton Hill was Duncton Mill in 1765. After forty and eighty five years respectively as working mills, both Jack and Jill mills fell into disuse. Simon Potter is a longstanding Trustee of The Jack and Jill Windmills society who has been involved since 1978. He first visited the mill as a boy when his mother worked as secretary to Henry Longhurst who owned the house at Jack mill. Restoration work commenced in 1979. A strong team of volunteers formed during the 1980s and, in 1986, Jill’s millstones produced flour for the first time in eighty years! Over the years, Simon has seen what a valuable role volunteers play in maintaining the mill and making her accessible to a wide cross-section of visitors, and he says: “We do tours, showing people around, do maintenance to keep her running and some of us are also actively involved in milling.”

Many volunteers find the site is a lovely, restorative place to wile away a day, an oasis of calm away from busy day-to-day life. A bank of cowslips, ox-slips, wild orchids and daffodils add colour and help attract wildlife. Nicola recalls how one day they watched a stoat. Some local volunteers help maintain the grounds and grassy area. Nineteen-year-old trainee millwright, Adam Winsor is another regular volunteer at Jill mill, and says: “I love coming to help at Jill mill, up on the downs.” He also enjoys helping with milling flour at Oldland Mill, and has been awarded a grant through the Heritage Crafts’ Endangered Crafts Fund, which hopes to increase the likelihood of endangered crafts surviving into the next generation. “Being a millwright is an endangered craft,’ he says, and adds: ‘It would be great if younger people get involved as this craft is worth saving.” During National Mill Weekend, several volunteers are busy scraping paint from the lower body because on the south side, where the sun is most intense, because the heat causes paint to peel away leaving timbers exposed. Simon explains: “Over the years, we’ve tried various options, but none has worked, now Ace Coatings South, on Ditchling Industrial Estate, have recommended specialist ‘Zinsser’ paint but the only drawback is that we have to scrape away all loose paintwork.

Over the summer, Jill mill will be open most Sundays from 2pm to 5pm, but they urgently need volunteers as there are many gaps in the schedule, meaning they may not offer refreshments on some dates which affects fundraising. Simon says: “We need people to help with the teas and coffees; some volunteers also like to make cakes with flour milled at the mill.” They also need volunteers to help show people around and get involved with maintenance. There are lots of different ways to get involved and Simon is keen to welcome in new volunteers, and create a new team to shepherd Jill mill on to future glories. He says: “Anyone interested should pop up on an open day on a Sunday or contact us through the website.” The windmill makes a wonderful landmark. If you are interested in finding out more, please see: www.jillwindmill.org.uk

To read the full article all about Jill Windmill, pick up June’s copy of Hassocks Life today.