Open Gardens in Sayers Common

A garden in Sayers Common is opening its doors in aid of St Peter & James Hospice at the end of the month. The Old Coach House will welcome visitors for the third time in ten years on 27th & 28th April 2019.

Owner Claudine Lower is well prepared and looking forward to welcoming as many visitors as possible. “Lots of friends have all been very generous, so there will be plenty of cakes, refreshments and raffle prizes on offer.”

Claudine remembers the Donkey Derbies which took place in the 50s and which started the fundraising for what was to become St Peter & St James Hospice and is keen to support the cause.

Those who have been before will notice an addition this year; a display of bluebells and a short walk has been fashioned in the grounds. Gates open at 11am.

New Inn, Hurst, wins best wine award

Residents who took over the New Inn when it came on the market three years ago are celebrating success after beating off competition from 2,700 pubs around the UK to be named best pub for wine in national awards run by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars.

Keen to preserve their beloved local, Chris and Murray Booker gave up their jobs in teaching and finance to take over The New Inn in 2016.

The couple have put a focus on offering produce from Sussex farms and suppliers, and their exceptional range of English wines and use of local vineyards, such as Albourne Estate, helped them scoop the prestigious award.

The New Inn was judged on stringent criteria ranging from the taste, smell and temperature of its wine to the composition of its wine menu and staff knowledge and came out on top in all categories. As well as being singled out for its selection of English wines, the judges specially commended the pub for its hand-picked wine list and unusual wines, its vegan and gluten free varieties and its wine and food tasting evenings, including its popular Taste of Sussex nights.

The Bookers received their award at a glittering ceremony at The Belfry resort in Sutton Coldfield from comedian Ed Byrne. The prize was a double celebration for Chris and Murray who are also marking their 30th wedding anniversary this year.

Chris said: “We’re delighted! When we took over The New Inn our only experience of pubs was as customers, so we’ve just tried to give people what we’d like to find. We’ve learnt a lot and loved every minute of it, but it has been hard work and it’s fantastic to have this recognition. We couldn’t have done it without our staff, the support of the village’s residents and the help of local suppliers.”

Comments Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs & Bars managing director: “This is a remarkable achievement for newcomers to the pub trade and well deserved.

The New Inn is a treat for anyone who enjoys a great traditional village pub, superb wine and excellent food. And Chris and Murray don’t just care for their wine, they pull a good pint too.”

Judy Parfitt to celebrate 150 years of Hurst school

By Mike Thatcher

Hurstpierpoint Society patron, star of Call the Midwife and village resident, Judy Parfiit was recently joined by Year 6 House Captains and other residents in planting a new tree outside St Lawrence School.

Twenty years after opening the school fete with her husband she returned to take part in this ceremony organised by the Hurstpierpoint Society to mark the 150th Anniversary of St Lawrence School. “It is a delight to continue to be involved in village matters, especially here at the school which is so central to our vibrant community, and working with Hurstpierpoint Society to create a new village heritage landmark,” Judy said.

After a short blessing by Rev Will Kemp, Judy took up the spade and completed the planting job at the junction of Cuckfield and Trinity Road. 116 trees have been planted in the village by the Society over the last ten years, including most recently, two in Chestnut Grove, one in Lynton Close, one in Weald Close and one in St Lawrence Way.

Cllr Colin Trumble, Vice Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “I am sure, along with everybody in the village, that we wish our excellent St Lawrence School a very happy 150th birthday. It will be great to see once more a tree growing next to the school, replacing the much loved horse chestnut that we lost a few years ago. This is a welcome example of the continuing success of Hurstpierpoint Society’s Tree Scheme.”

The ceremony was preceded by a robust Q&A session with Judy and the Year 6 pupils. Any fears that there would be no questions were soon dispelled as a sea of hands appeared and remained in the air all through the session. Judy gave them tips for acting, lessons for life and told them many stories from her varied career. Where mentions of Olivier, O’Toole and Hopkins were met with quiet respect, being told her favourite singers were Rag’n’Bone Man, Adele and Robbie Williams were greeted with gasps of approval.

The questions ranged from either her involvement in Call the Midwife and acting to questions starting ‘What is your favourite…?’ or to the somewhat leftfield. ‘Who is your least favourite cameraman?’. She finished with some welcome tips for those who had solo parts in the upcoming Robin Hood production, which were appreciated by her young audience.

Membership forms for The Hurstpierpoint Society can be collected from Columbines in the High Street or email: hurstsociety @gmail.com.

Shows must go on at the Players Theatre, Hurstpierpoint

Productions in the Players Theatre on the High Street will continue during the summer as it is proposed that the renovations will now take place in the autumn. It is hoped that the initial work will concentrate on new seating and heating system, making it an even more welcoming place to watch plays, productions and films.

The next production is Rope, by former Hassocks resident Patrick Hamilton, which is being presented by the Players Theatre 2nd-6th April. It’s a mysterious play, a why - rather than who – dunnit! The audience knows from the onset who is responsible for the gruesome murder. The contrasting collection of guests are assembled to enjoy a macabre supper party at the mercy of their hosts’ flawed personalities. Not a play for the kiddies!

Jo Kearns, the play’s director, explained: “Whilst I was suffering from serious illness a couple of years ago, the nurses encouraged me to plan for future events, and to place on a wish list ideas that had previously only been a figment of imagination. As I was keen to direct a play, ‘Rope’ became my directorial debut, which so far has been a challenging but highly enjoyable experience.”

Parish Council news - March 2019

By Stephen Hand

As many will have seen, the new Village Gateways have been installed at the entry to the two villages of Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common and in general have been positively received. Most people have commented that they do give a stronger sense of place, which was our intention in putting them in place.

Although New Year’s Day will be some weeks past when this page is published, I would like to thank everyone who made the effort to join the ‘Hurst Meadows Guided Walkabouts’ on that day. Some eighty people in total took part in the two walks and, from the lively discussions that took place, thoroughly enjoyed the guided tours of the three meadows which make up the fifty acres that now belong in perpetuity to the community. My thanks to Cllr. Claire Majsai and Advisory Board member Helen Brangwyn for organising the event, which will be repeated at Easter when the new orchard has been planted.

At its recent January meeting the Parish Council approved its budget for the year 2019-2020. In looking to next year we have taken account of our proposed management of the new Court Bushes Community Hub which will open in the spring. The new community building will be a flexible space that can be used in different ways by local community groups. A large hall area will be available for social functions or as a venue for activities like exercise classes and it is hoped that a nursery provider will use the space to provide local childcare. While MSDC has made most of the investment in refurbishing the building, it is proposed that the Parish Council will be responsible for the day to day financial operation of the Hub. MSDC will consider our management proposal in March, but meanwhile we believe that it is right for us to make provision to fund the early days of this hugely worthwhile project. In order to make sure we can do this while continuing to balance our budget, we have increased our Band D council tax by 5% which equates to an additional £3.42 per household per year. This budget and the financial results for the year 2018-2019 will be presented as usual at the Annual Parish Meeting in May.

Finally, in May there are local elections, including the chance to elect a new Parish Council. Anyone wishing to stand for election should contact the MSDC election office for further details. The deadline for candidates to submit nomination forms is 3rd April 2019.

Hurst College students sit on 'top of the bench'!

A team of students from Years 9, 10 and 11 at Hurst College won the Top of the Bench chemistry competition held in Lewes.

Lottie Ashton, Thomas Manchester, Saoirse Osbourne and Oscar Jaffe performed well in the annual competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry, to take the title from Brighton College in second and Eastbourne College in third.

Both Year 9 students, Lottie and Tom, carried out an investigation into reactivity and displacement reactions. Saoirse investigated rates of reactions that involved reacting magnesium with an acid, and Oscar carried out a titration to determine the concentration of hydrochloric acid. The team then came together at the end to compete in the multiple choice quiz.

Tree conversation in Hurstpierpoint

By David Clarke, The Hurstpierpoint Society

Throughout the world there is concern about the vast number of trees being felled, especially in the rain forests. In Hurstpierpoint we have been planting and conserving trees.

Towards the end of 2018 the Hurstpierpoint Society planted five more trees, two in Chestnut Grove, one in Lynton Close, one in Weald Close and one in St Lawrence Way.

These continue the Tree Scheme started by the Society, on the initiative of Paddy Kehoe, in 2011.

Since then 116 trees have been planted, funded by the Society with grants and support from the Parish Council, Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council. We receive requests from residents for either a new tree to improve the street environment or to replace a dying tree. The deal is that the Society will acquire the tree and arrange planting but local residents take on responsibility for watering and caring for the tree near their houses. An oak tree on Albourne Road was funded by the family of a former chairman of the Society.

The scheme has obviously been very successful. It was thought that it would end in 2017.

Four Liquidambar trees were planted on the recreation ground. This year we will plant a new oak tree outside St Lawrence School to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the school. Watch out for more details later. If you have a suggestion about further tree planting, contact committee member Stephen Baldey, email: scbaldey at hotmail.com.

Working close to home in Hurst

Hurstpierpoint welcomes a new business venture this month with the opening of Desk Village on the High Street. It has been established by Hurst residents Matt Rosine and Danny Chadburn who, between them, currently have five children at St Lawrence School. The pair have already had a lot of interest from business professionals in the village who are looking to work in a shared space, rather than working from home.

“Hurstpierpoint has an incredibly high concentration of professionals and business owners,” said Matt. “Many who work for global brands, television and record producers, for example, and we are looking to build a business community for those looking for human interaction during their working day.”

Matt has recently returned from 13 years in the USA working within professional football. Danny’s background is in web architecture and design, and he was responsible for the logo adorning the shop front.

The space will include a conference area, and the option for a permanent desk space will be available after three months as well as 24-hour access for those dealing with global time differences. Guest speakers and special events have also been planned.

For further information see: www.deskvillage.com

Hurstpierpoint Community Hub - building progress

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Community Hub in Hurstpierpoint

Local residents had their first chance to see how work is progressing on the new Hurstpierpoint Community Hub in mid-December. The former Ex Serviceman’s Club at Court Bushes Recreation Ground has been empty since December 2017, and later that month a serious fire destroyed the interior of the building. Mid Sussex District Council is working with Hurstpierpoint Parish Council and local community groups to bring the building back into use as a community facility.

The new community building will be a flexible space that can be used in different ways by local community groups. A large hall area will be available for social functions like wedding receptions and birthday parties, as a space for social groups to meet or as a venue for positive activities like exercise classes. An area will be provided for community meetings to be held and it is hoped that a nursery provider will use the space to provide local childcare for nearby families.

Councillor Colin Trumble said: “Since November last year we’ve been working hard to bring this community centre back to life. We are hoping that by the middle of February it will be ready to use, with an opening probably sometime around Easter 2019.”

Christmas Day lunch offer to community

By Naomi McBain

It is an exciting time of expansion for Hurstpierpoint charity Hope, which aims to encourage and support family life and reduce stress and isolation amongst families.

Working with a growing team of volunteers, many lives are being encouraged and equipped through our term time programmes of parenting conversations, small support groups called Sparkle groups, playtime fun and support of individual families.

On Christmas Day we are linking up for a second year with another local charity, Befriended, for a Community Christmas lunch. Last year was full of laughter, fun and delicious food.

This year we are looking again to make Christmas Day special for families and individuals who might otherwise find the day difficult, or are simply looking to spend the day with others in the community. Do help us spread the word to people you know who would like to come.

For more information on this event please contact: admin @befriended.org.

Short back and sides - new barbers in Hurstpierpoint

Jed Berry

There’s a new barbers in town: JB & Co – which is run by brothers Jed and Jake Berry.

Jake, who already runs another barbers shop in Brighton, lives in Hurstpierpoint and loves the place.

He raved so much about it to his brother Jed, that he moved down from Banbury to run the business at 108 High Street!

Jed (pictured) has been a barber for seven years and explained that the pair have experienced a lot of support from residents and fellow traders already: “People just pop their head round the door and say Hi, wishing us good luck – it’s really nice.”

JB & Co is open from 9am Tuesday to Saturday with an earlier start on Saturdays and a late finish on Thursday nights

Natural health right here in Hurstpierpoint

Juniper Herbs, developed by Ellie Ceylan

Juniper is the brainchild of Ellie Ceylan who graduated as a Herbalist and Naturopath in 2015. As well as bringing up her two children, she spends her spare time foraging, growing herbs and making herbal remedies, with plans to develop a range of skincare products in the near future.

“My aim for Juniper,” explains Ellie, “is to provide natural health solutions so that customers can enjoy optimal health and well-being as well as participating in their own healing process.” She also believes that by promoting herbal medicine and natural healing to the local community she can increase people’s connection to the natural world, whether this is through medicine, educational walks and talks or workshops. Evidence increasingly shows that access to the natural world can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Moving to Hurstpierpoint in 2011 was a big step towards living closer to nature and bringing her children up within a beautiful, rural environment. Ellie explains: “I grew up with a love of nature and feel that our relationship with it has become obscured by our busy, modern lifestyles. I wanted to re-establish that connection and inspire others to develop a greater kinship with nature.” She believes that herbal medicine provides that opportunity – not only is it a chance to heal illness but it’s also about retuning to the natural world.

[Full article published in November 2018 issue of Hurst Life magazine]

New stone laid on The Green in Hurst

Passers-by of the children sculpture on The Green may have noticed the addition of a new stone laid in front of it – courtesy of Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common Parish Council.

Hurst resident Sylvia Thornhill (pictured) was one of many who suggested concepts for the installation, but hers eventually won the public vote and was installed in July 2013.

The new stone credits Sylvia and explains the rationale of the artwork, as the children represent the seven centuries that the St Lawrence Fair has been running.

Lustig & Webb celebrate four years in Hurst

With the High Street constantly changing, it’s great to be able to recognise business owners in Hurstpierpoint who have recently celebrated four years running Lustig & Webb – the hair salon tucked away behind Café Murano.

Originally started by Daniel Lustig and Stephen Webb as a pop-up shop - sharing the space with interior designer Angie Cheung - within a year the couple had taken on the whole shop and were employing two additional stylists.

The pair are no strangers to celebrations this year, as they got married in Bordeaux during the summer – with a three-day event including friends and family. “After two years of planning,” Daniel explained, “it was a very special time and fantastic to finally ‘tie the knot’.”

Daniel started work in the hotel industry but trained as a stylist at Toni & Guy and had worked in Brighton for 20 years before opening in the village. Stephen similarly trained at Toni & Guy and enjoyed working in London, Dubai and Brighton – before finally settling down in Hurst. They now live just up the road, in Sayers Common.

“For us,” Daniel says, “it’s all about customer experience. We know many can feel intimidated about coming to a hair salon, so we do everything we can to make clients feel welcome from walking through the door to the ‘goodbye’ as they leave feeling fabulous!”

[Full article published in October 2018 Hurst Life magazine]

The shining lights of village cinema

By Mike Thatcher

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Hurst Village Cinema gets Commendations

I gave far too much thought about which jumper I should wear to Sheffield. On the one hand I had worn the same one four years running and we had always come away with some awards. On the other hand people might think it was the only one I owned. Boldly, I chose a different jumper, albeit essentially the same colour.

Once again we had been nominated in two categories for the annual Film Society of the Year awards in Sheffield, rewarding the hard work which Manon and David Saitch put into running the Hurst Village Cinema.

I travelled up early on Friday and on arrival watched two films which are well worth a viewing; American Animals and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. I met up with David later, who was looking nervously over his shoulder for Newcastle Film Society who seem to have anointed him as their designated drinking buddy. As a group they were later to be awarded the Roebuck Cup, leaving David to muse that his shoes were too big to be filled by just one person.

David, with less than eight hours of his reign as Roebuck Cup winner left, had been asked to be on the Community Cinema Review of the Year panel entitled ‘Challenges and Success’. Unfortunately, going after Liz from Leigh Film Society meant much had already been said. What did emerge, however, was that Hurst Village Cinema is almost unique in having only three people at the helm. Other organisations have up to 30 volunteers and their scope and brief is much wider than ours. “It makes everything you do more amazing,” commented the Deborah Parker, the Chief Exective of Cinema for All.

The scene maybe changing slightly, with the emphasis now on the bigger organisation, but, as always, I came away proud to be a part of Hurst Village Cinema, as we picked up two Commendations at the awards. The last word from Deborah: “You guys at Hurst Village Cinema are a shining light. You exploded onto the scene in such a fully formed way that it seemed as though you had been there for decades, you started helping other film societies network straight away, you’ve helped out other film societies and us without a second thought; you’ve really inspired people.”

Community Christmas Event on Hurstpierpoint High Street

By Louise Lawrence

We’re excited to be able to give you a little info on the upcoming Christmas event, which will take place on Saturday 8th December between 3-7pm. Although it’s a little time away yet, we’re adding new highlights weekly so it promises to really kick start the festive period! Please save the date.

We will have something for all the family, including: Santa’s Grotto (sponsored by Marcus Grimes); traders and charity tables along the High street; live Nativity in the bus shelter; music by The Straw Dogs; theatre performances; photo booth competition and carol singing, of course!

The whole event concludes with a torchlit procession for all to join in with.

This year the event is being run by the community (local charities) and the traders. There has been no charge for table space and all the contributors have donated their time for free. We are excited that any money generated will benefit our parish.

You can see more updates by liking ‘Hurst High Street Xmas Shopping’ on Facebook or see next month’s Hurst Life magazine.

Work started on Community Hub

Mid Sussex District Council is working in partnership with Hurstpierpoint Parish Council to create a new community hub for local people.

The former Ex Servicemen’s Club at Court Bushes Recreation Ground in Hurstpierpoint has been empty since December 2017, and later that month a serious fire destroyed the interior of the building. 

The District and Parish Councils are working together to bring this building back into use as a community facility for local events, and building work is set to get under way shortly.

The new community building will be a flexible space that can be used in different ways by local community groups.

A large hall area will be available for social functions like wedding receptions and birthday parties, as a space for social groups to meet or as a venue for positive activities like exercise classes. An area will be provided for community meetings to be held, and it is hoped that a nursery provider will use the space to provide local childcare for nearby families.

Storage has been set aside to enable a Foodbank to be run from the building, and the ex-servicemen, who built the original building, will be able to relax and socialise in a new bar area.

The new facility will be built by Mid Sussex District Council before it is handed over to Hurstpierpoint Parish Council to manage on behalf of the local community.

Work started in August to strip out the interior of the building and prepare the site for renovation. Building work will start this month, and the new community hub is expected to be completed by the end of December 2018.

Councillor Colin Trumble, Mid Sussex District Council Member for Hurstpierpoint and Downs, added: “It’s wonderful to see the District Council, Parish Council, Ex-Servicemen, Clarion Housing and local community groups all working together to make this dream a reality.”

Danny House's part in WWI history

Danny House, Hurstpierpoint - where Lloyd George signed the Armistice agreement in 1918

By Michèle Copeland

Danny - we all hear the name or references to it, but how many of us have been to Danny House?

Danny is an impressive and stunning country home of the first Elizabethan age, nestled at the bottom of the South Downs at Wolstonbury Hill, south of Hurstpierpoint. It has stood the passage of time - some seven centuries - as the home of the Campion family, who played major parts in the area’s domestic and imperial history in their time, as well as housing leaders of our nation, at difficult times.

One of those most recent events was in 1918, when Prime Minister Lloyd George stayed there alongside his wife and his secretary Miss Stevenson - his reputedly ailing mistress. Danny House and its village was chosen not only to become a temporary office of the War Cabinet, between July and November 1918, but David Lloyd George’s country home.

“He effectively lived there with his family, the newspaper barons of the time, and war leaders for several months,” says Richard Burrows, today’s owner of Danny House.

[Taken from a full article published in August 2018's Hurst Life magazine]

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“I would really love to re-enact The 1918 Lloyd George Garden Party, to celebrate the Armistice centenary of 1918. It would really be great if people could attend this event in period costume of the 1920s, with dancers or dancing groups to lead the way,” he says.

The famous Alex Mendham 11 piece orchestra (who have played to royalty all over the world) and the Hot Rhythm Orchestra (who headline the Goodwood Revival) will be present, as well as the well-known vintage Harris funfair and WWI re-enactors. Enjoy Pimms and tea on the lawn and mingle with actors dressed like celebrities of the time, such as Lloyd George, Bonar Law, and Arthur Balfour – we can all re-enact history!

The 1918 Lloyd George Garden Party is on 2nd September 2018. It will open at 2pm and finish at 6pm. 

Ticket prices are £5 a head and £20 for a family ticket and can be bought via the Hurst Festival website. 

Blue Dogs victorious in final

Hurstpierpoint Football Club success in 2018

By Alex Oecken

Hurstpierpoint Football Club has been the village team since its formation in 1886, making it one of the oldest football clubs in the country. Originally playing in the grounds of Danny House, the club moved to Fairfield Rec in the mid-1900s, a ground that they still call ‘home’ today.

In 2014 Hurst won the prestigious Sussex Intermediate Cup, beating Cowfold in the final - arguably the proudest day in the club’s long history. 

This year the club looked to go and emulate the victorious feat, but this time in the Edgar German Cup. 

The ‘Blue Dogs’ found themselves drawn in the final against a very young Jarvis Brook II side that proved more than worthy of its place, despite being in the division below.

The game took place last month at Hanbury Park stadium in Haywards Heath. Hurst came into the game without a win since their semi-final victory three weeks prior but still took the lead through a Luca D’Alessio header just before half time. Luca was one of the three products in the squad who came from the club’s youth system, Hurstpierpoint Colts.

Jarvis Brook equalised with a penalty just after halftime, which made for a more tense finish.

The deciding moment came with just under half an hour to play, when Hurstpierpoint born Luke Martin arrowed an effort passed the Brook goalkeeper from 25 yards to make it 2-1 on the night.

The club has made great progress in the last two seasons, and all involved are very proud of this achievement. We are expanding and growing as a club and would welcome anyone in the village who would be keen to get involved, whether that be playing, managing/coaching or on the committee. Do get in touch (hurstpierpointfc @gmail.com).

Noel Coward play at The New Inn, Hurstpierpoint

Hurstpierpoint is delighted to be welcoming back the hugely successful and talented musical team of Sam Nixon and Alasdair Carson-Sheard. Following on from the well-received Twelfth Night, and a hugely successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, the same directorial team bring you: I’ll See You Again - the Private Lives of Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence.

Departing from Shakespeare, combining biopic with outdoor theatre magic they are bringing a wonderful celebration of the lives and talent of that essential, erudite British gent Noel Coward and his shining, talented and funny co-star Gertrude Lawrence.

This evening of razor sharp wit, laugh out loud comedy and some of the most beautiful melodies written for the stage will be in the garden of the New Inn from Wednesday 4th to Friday 6th July, with an additional special matinee performance on Saturday 7th July.

For more details and to buy tickets visit: www.ginpalaceproductions.co.uk.