The traders in the village will be holding their annual Christmas Late Night Shopping event next month.
The popular event that sees crowds turn out in all weathers is a chance for residents to spend some time browsing (and buying) from local retailers to tick off a few Christmas presents from the list.
This year’s event will take place on Thursday 3rd December 2015 from 6pm.
More information in our December issue.
A Hurst wine merchant has recently been the recipient of an industry award.
South Downs Cellars, on the High Street, picked up the award for Regional Merchant of the Year for the South & South East at the glamorous black tie ceremony at London’s Hilton On Park Lane hotel over the summer.
Business owner Lucy Driver (pictured) was presented with the award by Peter McCombie MW (Master of Wine) on the night, which also saw a raft of large and small retailers and producers from all over the country celebrating their success too.
Lucy commented: “The judges were looking at all aspects of a shop’s business, including what we were doing that was new. We have massively increased our range of craft beers this year due to customer demand and we’ve also introduced a loyalty card which creates your own online ‘cellar’ of all the products you have purchased either online or in store. Customers can make their own notes on these via the website for their future reference.”
South Downs Cellars has been open in Hurstpierpoint for over 12 years now. Later this month their Autumn tastings programme will begin again – see in-store or online for details.
Also available on page 5.
It began as a challenge to learn a new skill. As their three daughters – now aged 8, 11 and 13 – started to become more independent, Alison felt she needed an interest and so embarked on a four-year part-time degree course in vine-growing and wine production at nearby Plumpton College. This has enabled her to be as comfortable on a tractor taking in the latest harvest, as in analysing the alcohol content in the lab or marketing her range of white wines to local businesses.
At the time, she had no ambition of setting up her own vineyard, although during her stint working overseas ahe had enjoyed visiting New World producers in New Zealand and Australia. It was the course, together with the growing success and interest in English wine, that inspired her.
“The timing was perfect,” says Alison, who has already won several prestigious awards for her wines. “I was looking for a career which would fit around my family and I started vine growing when locally sourced food and drink was on the rise, with shoppers wanting to know more about the background of where their purchases came from and how they are made.”
Full article available on pages 22/23.
When Alison Nightingale and her husband Nick Cooper arrived in Hurstpierpoint 12 years ago, looking for a thriving village in which to bring up their young children, she could have scarcely imagined that she would end up helping to put Sussex wine on the map.
Alison – who runs Albourne Estate, just outside Hurstpierpoint – is one of a small number of entrepreneurs whose vintages are starting to overturn prejudices about English wine and win a reputation among connoisseurs.
However, when she moved to Hurstpierpoint after a three year stint in Singapore – leaving behind a career in marketing with Heinz and Nestlé – she had no intention of turning what was an interest into a successful business.
At first, Alison and Nick, who were living as a stopgap in London, just wanted somewhere away from the rat race, yet lively enough. “Nick was born in Steyning and knew the area well,” says Alison. “With trains from Hassocks it was easy enough for him to commute to London and we felt that Hurst was big enough to be a lively place to live but still a village with all of the benefits that this brings: a friendly community and somewhere I could easily push a pram.”
And so the family moved into Western Road in 2003. An exciting chapter was about to open in their lives which was to see them swap village life for a farm – a farm set to be transformed into one of Sussex’s few dedicated vineyards.
By Emily Volkert
With over 20 local artists showcasing a range of contemporary and traditional arts and crafts, the Hurstpierpoint Open Studios will once again be hosting its annual event, welcoming the public to view exhibitions and take a peek inside the artist’s workspace. Spread out over two weekends, starting 12th-13th September and concluding 19th-20th September, visitors can expect to take a walk through ‘a magical trail of local art’ spanning across 18 different venues throughout the village.
Often found in an old garage or the back room of a house, strewn with colour swatches, unfinished canvasses and inspirational artefacts; an artist’s workplace can really give people an insight into the creative process and the creative mind. The Open Studios experience offers up a unique opportunity to take a ‘behind the scenes tour’, whilst you absorb yourself in the plethora of local talent on our doorstep. Folk will not only have the chance to view and purchase art but will be able to meet the artists themselves and even discuss commissioning individual pieces.
Running into its 12th year, the event was first set up by local sculptor and painter Mike Cheetham, also an exhibitor, who was inspired by the Brighton Open Studios. “It was after visiting the Brighton Open Studios that I thought, ‘what a good idea for Hurstpierpoint’,” explains Mike. “I discovered that many other people shared the same view, so I got a group together, which was initially seven and it’s gone from there.”
With a growing audience and an impressive artist line up, it’s evident that Mike and his band of supporters were indeed on to a good thing. There’s going to be a pre-event taster happening 10th August - 7th September, so keep an eye out for some of the artists’ work in various shops around the village. I was lucky enough to catch an exclusive glimpse of what’s to come and meet some of this year’s contributors at the home of veteran HOS exhibitor and event co-organiser Sylvia Thornhill.
Full article available on page 13.
By Emily Volkert
The scent of freshly cut grass and barbeques fill the air; cloudless, lazy, hazy days stretch out for what seems like an eternity before us - the summer holidays are finally here. Whether you are emptying your piggy bank or saving the pennies for a rainy day, the summer is full of endless opportunities to suit any kind of budget. Armed with a little imagination and a few good ideas, you can transform any threats of boredom and squabbles into a magical whirlwind of excitement and happy memories.
As well as fun filled days at home, kids will love planning a few special trips out. September will soon be looming, so before the holidays run away with you - sit down together, put pen to paper and come up with a shortlist of fun things to do which everyone can enjoy. Luckily, with lots to do right here on our very doorstep, you don’t even have to go far. Here are a few ideas to get you started…
Many of my fondest childhood memories were those spent at our local outdoor swimming pool. It was a place to catch up with old friends, make new ones, perfect dives and practise dance routines; the fun was endless!
Pells Pool is the oldest documented freshwater, outdoor, public swimming pool in the UK. There’s a paddling pool for younger kids, a tree lined lawn and a snack bar. The queues are infamous so, unless you head down super early, be prepared for a long wait – they operate a one in / one out policy.
If you don’t have access to a car, you can catch the train from Hassocks or hop on the 273, where you will find links from Brighton.
I recently found out that in the summer the Triangle strips off its winter coat to reveal a fully-fledged, heated, outdoor swimming pool!
Full Story available on pages 22/23.
With the coast almost a stone’s throw away, we have the beauty of not having to endure too many ‘are we there yet,’ – so make the most of it! Splashing in the surf, walks along the promenade, people watching, collecting shells and stones; the seaside has a timeless allure that appeals to kids of all ages.
If you like to be in the hustle and bustle, or you have older kids to entertain, then Brighton pier is your best bet. If that doesn’t float your boat or you fancy somewhere a little quieter, then West Hove is a better option - if you’re lucky, you will even find the odd bit of sand. You can get there by car in around 20 mins, catch the train from Hassocks or jump on the 273 towards Brighton.
If you’re up for venturing further afield in search of sandier shores, then Camber Sands is well worth the drive. There are miles of unspoilt, golden sand dunes to explore and if you fancy a bit of culture on top of that, then the medieval town of Rye is a few miles from the beach. You can get there by picking up the A27 towards Eastbourne.
The puffin crossing will remain in the same place outside Fat Fish.
Further along, in the direction of Hassocks, the existing give way priority will remain in place.
During the works the contractor is hoping to reuse as many of the attractive granite kerb stones as possible.
“We are hoping that the new layout of the High Street,” Stephen continued, “will encourage drivers to park in designated spaces which will therefore not obstruct the flow of traffic.”
The Parish Council are already in discussion with Mid Sussex District Council about the possibilty of increased frequency of traffic wardens on the High Street to enable those spaces to be more readily used for shoppers ‘nipping in’ to local shops rather than all day parking.
During the period of the works buses will be diverted via Jane Murray Way in Burgess Hill, so bus users should expect slightly longer journey times. The Parish Council has also just announced that it has put on a special shuttle bus which links the west of the village to Hassocks. The ‘33C’ is a FREE service running from Willow Way through to Pyecombe and Hassocks. For more details of this service and other bus route diversions see www.hurstpierpoint-pc.org.uk
Drivers travelling from one end of the village to the other are being asked by the Parish Council to avoid using College Lane and Cuckfield Road, as these are not part of the formal diversion and will become congested very easily.
The contractor will be working on-site from 7.30am until 5pm, Monday to Saturdays during August. For any more information residents can visit the Parish Council website or go into the Parish Office on Trinity Road.
All information also available on pages 16/17.
So, after many years of talking about it, the High Street is being transformed this month to include new features such as wider pavements, a new traffic flow system and cycle racks.
The work, which has been researched and commissioned by Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Council, will start on Sunday 2nd August when the High Street will be closed to vehicles at both ends. The closure will remain in place until Friday 28th August.
It is important to note that pedestrian access to the High Street shops will remain open throughout the works period.
Parish Clerk Stephen Hoyles commented: “This work has been in the pipeline of the Parish Council since 2007, so it’s good to finally be starting the project. The primary reasons for the work to be carried out are that of pedestrian safety and to slow traffic speeds down as they pass through our village. We have been talking to residents over this long period of time and we know people are worried about this in Hurstpierpoint.”
One of the major parts of the project is making the very narrow section of pavement on the other side of the road, opposite Nationwide, wider. At some points it could be nearly twice as wide. The extra width is being created by narrowing the road on that stretch and introducing a give way priority system.
Outside Nationwide the pavement area will be dramatically increased and will continue along to West Furlong Lane.
On the south side of the High Street an entirely new pavement is being created outside West Furlong Court, which will continue up to Mansion House. The existing pavement here will be replaced with new keyblock paving and a nib is also being created in front of the steps of the house.
There will be space allocated for a new loading bay outside The New Inn. This will operate in the mornings and become a short term parking bay thereafter.
Outside the Post Office there will be a new crossing point created, and just further along the street another give way priority will be put in place. This will enable drivers to see all the way down the High Street before proceeding down the single lane.
They’ve been cutting your hair for almost a year, while Stephen’s cheeky quips have been amusing the nation on Channel 4’s Gogglebox. But what drew Daniel Lustig and Stephen Webb to Hurstpierpoint? Get to know the village’s newest hairdressers …
Daniel started hairdressing at Toni & Guy in Brighton aged 19, and since has worked at other salons around Brighton. “I used to work for an independent salon called Ash and I was the manager there for six years,” he says, “then I went to work for Rush for about three years, then I went to work independently for seven years, but the Lustig & Webb whole time I was desperate to open my own salon.”
Both harbouring the same dream, the two moved to Hurstpierpoint after meeting in a quintessentially British fashion: “We met at Hove Town Hall in the queue,” Stephen laughs. “How romantic!”
Since moving Daniel and Stephen have embraced village life. “I think Hurstpierpoint’s brilliant,” says Stephen, “because there’s a real slice of life here. I was in Hampers Deli the other day and Bob, the owner, pointed out this lady and said she’s lived here all her life, she’s 103! So there’s people who have lived here all their lives, there’s ex-Brightonians, ex-Londoners and I just think there’s a lot of people from different backgrounds. It’s a real mixed bag here and that’s what I like about it, and everyone just gets on. I just think it really works because it’s on a small scale but there’s a bit of everyone here.
See full article on pages 16/17.
By Hattie Parish
Previously an interior design shop, Lustig & Webb opened at 99b in the High Street in September 2014. Along with colleague Jacqui and their two dogs Barbara and Betsey, Daniel and Stephen feel they’ve filled a gap in the Hurst hairdressing market. Decorated with striking paintings of iconic hairstyles painted by Daniel’s father, the salon has a modern yet cosy feel.
“We were thinking about opening up in Brighton first, but then there’s five salons on every street,” Stephen explains. “Even though when we opened we were the seventh kind of hair establishment in the village, we just thought we could fit in. Every salon in this village caters for a different crowd. We just thought we could attract a different clientele that’s maybe going to Brighton or London to get their hair done.”
Stephen started hairdressing when he left school and in 1992 moved to London to train with Toni & Guy. “I moved down from London about three years ago to Brighton and I’d never heard of Hurstpierpoint,” says Stephen. “Then one day we took a drive over here and as soon as I pulled into the village I just fell in love with it right away.
In response to the increase in numbers of young children in Hurstpierpoint, the decision was taken to increase the annual intake of pupils from 60 to 90 from September 2012 onwards. Temporary changes were made to accommodation to take the enlarged cohorts in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Finally, in June this year, the building development to enable St Lawrence to increase to 630 pupils was completed.
On 4th June, the Bishop of Chichester Martin Warner, in company with Nick Herbert MP, officially opened the new buildings. The school now has six new classrooms, a library and a second hall as well as a new entrance and office space. The playing field and play areas have not only been preserved but have seen the addition of an all-weather pitch.
Head Teacher Paul Dyer said: “This has been a huge and complex project but the outcome for the children and families of Hurstpierpoint is outstanding.” Mr Dyer expressed his thanks to the community, especially new neighbours, for their understanding during almost two years of contractors‘ traffic in and out of the school. “Hurstpierpoint has wonderful children who daily display a love of learning and care for each other. They have the facilities they deserve,” he added.
The school is now seeking to raise funds to cover its swimming pool to enable pupils to swim all the year round.
See full article and all pictures on pages 10/11.
By David Tingley
This month sees a change to our team after only announcing a new editorial assistant in the June issue! Hattie Parish has left us after being offered a full-time role elsewhere, so whilst I’m sad to say goodbye, I’m also delighted to introduce Emily Volkert to you.
Emily moved to Hurstpierpoint from Brighton last year and has already fallen in love with the place! She lives with her partner Matt and their two year old son Oliver.
After studying journalism at university, she started her career earning her stripes working on The Daily Star, something she describes as “an eye-opening experience”! Her working life has been varied since those times, including working in marketing, public relations, running her own vintage business and being a learning mentor to Key Stage 4 pupils.
Emily commented: “Hurstpierpoint is a really great village with a vibrant community, which I’m delighted to be part of. I’m really looking forward to getting to know more of the people and places that make it such a great place to live and sharing their stories with you.”
As well as meeting folk and writing content, Emily will be on the other end of the editor inbox too. She will also be joining me at our ‘meet and greet’ stall at the St Lawrence Fair on 4th July - so do come and say Hi, tell us a story or give an article suggestion while you are at it!
THEIR ONLY UK FESTIVAL DATE THIS YEAR!
SUSSEX, UK (June 2nd 2015) - BOOMERANG, Hickstead is excited to announce SIMPLE MINDS will join this year's line up and headline the first night of the new two day music event on Saturday, 12th September. Following their recent UK tour, the legendary live act will bring their famed show to Sussex to perform a mix of greatest hits and songs from across their illustrious career, including tracks from their latest album 'Big Music'. As their only outdoor performance in the UK this summer, Boomerang offers fans and music lovers alike the chance to catch this prolific band on the open stage in the unique surroundings of Hickstead's International Arena.
“When we started Simple Minds, our objective was to be considered as one of the great live bands. A band that had the desire to go all around the world – playing everywhere and anywhere,” says frontman, Jim Kerr. “That challenge is ongoing and we relish touring all over the UK.”
As one of Britain's most successful bands, Simple Minds have provided the soundtrack to people's lives for the last 35 years with tracks such as Promised You A Miracle, Don't You (Forget About Me), Alive & Kicking, Waterfront and many more. Their sound has influenced acts as diverse as the Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream, Moby and The Horrors and they have provided memorable movie moments for numerous, much loved and iconic films including The Breakfast Club, Elizabethtown and most recently, Pitch Perfect.
Simple Minds join previously announced Boomerang Sunday night headliners, Jessie J and The Vamps on a weekend bill that will close the summer in style. In addition to watching some of the world’s most renowned and critically acclaimed artists there will also be an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere at gourmet pop up restaurants, indulge in delicious street food and sample alternative entertainment away from the main stage.
Further line up details for both the Saturday and Sunday will be announced over the coming weeks and with something for everyone, we guarantee you won't be disappointed, in fact, you'll keep coming back for more!
For up to date information like Boomerang on Facebook at Boomerang Hickstead and follow @BoomerangHicks on Twitter.
TICKET INFORMATION
Early Bird Day Ticket £39.50
Standard Day Ticket £45
Weekend Ticket £75
Tickets are on sale NOW and available from www.BoomerangHickstead.com
Albourne School will be holding their Family Fun Day on Saturday 20th June at the school in Albourne.
It is a traditional fair that includes stalls plus arena events throughout the afternoon set in the school grounds surrounded by beautiful countryside.
All are welcome at the event which takes place between 2pm and 4.30pm.
By Prue Heron
The final count has been made and this year’s Hurstpierpoint Open Gardens will have no less than eight gardens opening, centred around the Trinity Road car park end of the village. The charity event takes place on Sunday 14th June 1-5.30pm.
We have a real variety of gardens to welcome you - from the ‘blink or you’ll miss it’ 13 Western Road, to the splendid walled garden of Norfolk House built in the last quarter of the eighteenth century, as well as seven other beautiful gardens offering everything in between! Crammed with plants and vegetables and offering fantastic views, you won’t fail to have a happy afternoon. Two gardens are offering teas and cakes and others are offering elderflower cordial, ice cream, glasses of red wine, as well as sales of plants, jams and chutneys, cakes, lavender bags, art and energy bars.
There is free Sunday parking in Trinity Road car park and a hop-on, hop-off minibus. Last year was a huge success and St Peter and St James Hospice was delighted with the remarkably large £6,000 donation from Hurstpierpoint. We hope to make a substantial donation again this year and that you will help us by supporting this colourful and convivial annual Hurstpierpoint village event. Keep an eye out for posters around the village and see our website www.hurstpierpointopengardens.org.uk which has more details.
Also available on page 12.
reMEmber, the Hurstpierpoint/Hassocks based charity which helps people who have ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) has events taking place this month.
A VE Day Anniversary Dance takes place at Danny House, Saturday 9th May 7.30pm. Dance or listen to the Glenn Miller Big Band Sound with Michael Gverny, Jo Kimber and Helen Bartlett. Sponsored by Mishon Mackay. Tickets £20 (includes light supper) from Mishon Mackay or the Mint House. Or by post from reMEmber.
Then, later in the month, the ME Awareness Conference is on at Martlets Hall, Burgess Hill, Saturday 30th May at 2pm. Key speakers are Dr Charles Shepherd (medical adviser to the ME Association), Dr Clare McDermott on research and her work with severely affected patients, and Sue Luscombe, dietician, on irritable bowel syndrome and helpful diets. Tickets £3 available from reMEmber.
reMEmber has always operated from Hurstpierpoint and our focus has always been on local adults and children who have the disease. However, we immediately attracted interest from patients all over Sussex and beyond.
Also available on page 26.
Hurstpierpoint resident Paul Huggett made a decision to do something positive after his world collapsed around him not once but twice.
Paul’s first wife Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 and died in 1994 leaving him to bring up their two daughters aged just seven and four. He was in great need of help and support to cope with the situation he now faced but was unable to find anything that really suited him at the time.
Paul married again in 1999 and was devastated when Bridget developed breast cancer a year later. He and the family battled through the tough times all over again but in 2007 she sadly passed away.
It was at this point that Paul made a throwaway comment to Bridget’s former consultant after he asked what he was going to do now. “I’m going to start something to help support those of us caring for and supporting our loved ones and those left behind.” The response he got from the consultant was overwhelmingly positive, as he recognised the great need. It wasn’t long after that Paul gathered together eight individuals at his home to formulate a plan which would become Cancervive.
Cancervive is run from an office in Paul’s home on Western Road and it simply offers help, from personal experience, for family, friends and colleagues of cancer patients. The registered charity has five trustees and seven volunteers.
Paul continued: “We basically say ‘you don’t have to go through it alone’. Many of us, as carers of our loved ones, can’t admit that we also need support and someone to talk to. When I first found someone to talk to, I just wanted to let it all out. After I did, it actually helped me move on.”
Cancervive has a telephone helpline, runs support groups, an online forum and can also provide home visits and one-to-one support. Later this month the Charity will be partnered by The Olive Tree Cancer Support, Jigsaw 4 U and St Catherine’s Hospice to provide a drop-in centre specifically for the use of teenagers. The centre will be based in Crawley Hospital. Paul’s daughter Rebecca, and co-founder of Cancervive, quoted: “Talking to like-minded teenagers who understand without judgement and sharing their own personal experiences.”
The new Teenage Support Group will be starting on 14th May.
For more information about Cancervive and our services, please visit www.cancervive.org.uk. Or contact us on 01273 834912 or email info@cancervive.org.uk
Story also available on page 21.
Residents Anthony and Sarah Parham found these old photos in their new house when they bought Grapevine Cottage. But they didn’t have any dates - can anyone help the couple locate them in time? “We know the shop, now our dining room, has been a handbag shop, fishmongers, office, jewellers and saddlers over the years and this shot must be Victorian, along with the street shot, we think,” Anthony comments. The couple have taken up to date shots to compare them with.
Grapevine Cottage was built circa 1450 and still features one of the only village bread ovens in the back of the fireplace in the home.
Page 13.
We are pleased to announce that residents and visitors to Hurstpierpoint can now pick up a free copy of Hurst Life magazine from our beautiful stand outside The Jam Pot, 89 High Street.
The first issue of Hurstpierpoint's community magazine - Hurst Life - launched at a business networking event held at Hurst College last weekend.
The April issue of Hurst Life is out today (Monday 30th March 2015), being delivered to all homes in Hurstpierpoint, and also available to pick up in numerous shops on the High Street.
David Tingley, editor of the community magazine, is pictured at the Sussex Pages Prestige Networking event.
There is something new coming to the High Street this month as a Hurst resident prepares to unveil Morley’s Wine Bar and Bistro.
Toby Payne knows he’s got a huge task on his hands as he is completely gutting and refitting what was T’Hurst at 42 High Street. “This place has had a lot of change in recent years, so I have decided to almost completely start again,” Toby commented. The whole kitchen has been thrown out and replaced. The bar is reduced in size and redesigned, and the courtyard outside is also being renovated. The tones for the new interior will be simply pale gray and white.
“We want this place to be all inclusive,” Toby continued. “We will be serving breakfast and morning coffees, lunches and afternoon cakes right through to sophisticated dining in the evening. We look forward to welcoming mums and toddlers, dogs and their owners in the courtyard and retirees out for lunch - and anything in between!”
Toby, who grew up with both parents working in the hospitality sector, is used to the drill of running a restaurant. He spent 13 years working for Virgin Atlantic in their global catering division and, before moving down to Hurstpierpoint from Wimbledon, he was running three private members’ clubs in London.
The refitted restaurant will have capacity for up to 50 diners inside, plus plenty more in the south-facing courtyard and garden, and will be managed by Kate Howard (pictured with Toby). Morley’s opens on Good Friday and will available for reservations from Easter Saturday 5th April.
Available on page 7
By Ashley Knowles
So you’ve been watching the weather for months, your bike cowering at the back of the garage, cobwebbed and unloved? Well, it’s time for that to change; there’s a feeling in the air of a new season with fresh promise. It’s time to grease your chain, pump up your tyres and head out into the countryside.
This ride is a relatively short introduction to the beautiful, secret lanes that surround you. Avoiding the main roads, you’ll find peace, quiet and a sense of exploration. You can ride the route with any roadworthy bike and you should manage the distance if you’re at least moderately fit … but don’t underestimate the steady ascent in the middle! Take a snack and plenty to drink, and remember that you’re doing this for fun. Pace yourself, and take a break if you feel you’re overdoing it.
From the centre of Hurstpierpoint, head east towards Hassocks. After the sharp left-hand bend at the entrance to New Way Lane, turn left on to College Lane. Be careful as you pass the houses here, as there’s very little room for cars. At Hurstpierpoint College, take the left turn on to Chalkers Lane, then the first right on to Danworth Lane and relax; you’re now in countryside proper.
You don’t need to navigate now for a mile and a half, until you reach the end of the lane. Turn left on to Gatehouse Lane and almost immediately go across the Goddards Green crossroads by the Sportsman Inn. Mind your head as you cycle under the vehicle barrier, and carry on along Bishopstone Lane until you hit the A2300. Cross carefully on to the continuation of Bishopstone Lane, then immediately turn left on to Job’s Lane, a hidden back-way parallel to the A-road. After two-thirds of a mile, turn right on to Stairbridge Lane and continue north for two and a half miles, in the process crossing the A272 onto Buncton Lane. You should detect a change in the landscape; you’re seeing the same unremarkable but charming Sussex fields but the road has started to head upwards.
Read full story on pages 10/11.
By David Tingley
“It was whilst travelling on a bus in New Zealand, entertaining the other passengers with my guitar. That’s when I knew,” Chris said, as he told me when he knew he wanted to be a professional musician. Yet somehow his journey led him to become a bestselling children’s writer.
Chris Bradford lives in Hurstpierpoint with his wife Sarah and two sons Zach and Leo. Chris is an accomplished author with 23 books in print, sold around the world in 20 languages. He is best known for his Young Samurai series set in 17th Century Japan as Jack Fletcher trains to become a samurai warrior. However writing fiction wasn’t Chris’ first dream.
At 22 he left Exeter university with a degree in English Literature under his arm. “But not with any desire to write literature,” Chris explains. No, music was his thing, but first he had to get some travel out of his system. He travelled around Africa, the United States, Australia and New Zealand - where he had the ‘light bulb moment’.
On his return to the UK Chris turned his thoughts and energies into, in his words, “becoming a rock star”! He studied at the London Music School and soon formed a band with friends – Clearway. “We were a five piece rock band with a bit of funk thrown in,” Chris explained. “A kind of cross between Coldplay and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They were great years!”
He describes the success of Clearway as ‘surviving rather than thriving’. They played to packed clubs and recorded a number of albums - albeit self-funded. The band’s highlight was undoubtedly playing at the 21st Celebration of the Commonwealth in front HRH Queen Elizabeth at Kensington Gardens in 2001.
But Chris now had his heart set on becoming a songwriter and, through his carefully planned networking amongst the industry, he was invited to join the comittee of The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA). Here he represented young songwriters and found himself sitting next to composers who had written for the likes of Cliff Richard, Elton John and Elvis. One of the first ideas he brought to the table of BASCA was for them to produce a book about how to write a definitive hit song. To his surprise they all loved the concept and he was tasked with talking to publishers about the book. To his even greater surprise publishers loved the idea too, and it wasn’t long before he was offered a deal!
Read the full story in the April issue of Hurst Life
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