My turn cooking dinner: Belle's Immunity Friendly Mango Curry

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By David Tingley, editor

Just like every month, in April’s magazine we featured a recipe by our Hurst resident culinary expert Belle Amatt - who reminds us that mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C, two nutrients which are known to have a positive effect on our immune system - glad news at these times of Coronavirus.

Since ‘lockdown’, all of us in our house have taken it in turns to cook the dinner - a very positive change, which I am hoping might catch on AFTER lockdown restrictions have come to an end! - and I have been meaning to try Belle’s Mango Curry recipe since I saw the content come in to us.

Belle’s recipe actually says HALF a RED onion. Seems a shame not to use the whole thing, and I only had a white onion in on the day!

In yet another ‘adaption’ to her recipe, I also used the whole tin of Coconut Milk - to save wasting it. I guess it made it wetter than she had intended. But still great!

According to Belle the key to this recipe is UNRIPE mangoes: full disclosure, I bought these 3 mangoes about a week before I got chance to use them. It still tasted yummy though!

Here’s the final dinner served up! It was a really good, alternative (and vegan-friendly) to other perhaps more popular curries.

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Sri Lankan Mango Curry Recipe

See the full recipe here

Paul Dyer (headteacher, St Lawrence School, Hurstpierpoint)

Paul Dyer

After 27 years as Headteacher of St Lawrence School Paul Dyer stands down this month (at time of going to print). Mike Thatcher met up with him to hear him reflect on his time at the helm of the village school.

Paul Dyer is a fiercely private man; he told me that in so many words. So interviewing him about his life, rather than solely about his role as Headteacher of St Lawrence, proved a challenge. His skills as a speaker and for setting the agenda of any meeting far outclassed any journalistic skills I may, or may not, possess but it mattered not, as the passion and emotion with which he described his tenureship at the school was a privilege to hear. A generation of students and parents will never have seen him out of a tie and trademark blue V-neck jumper, most often congratulating pupils after a performance or assembly, his head swinging suddenly round like an owl to address all parts of the Hall. He clearly likes it that way.

He was raised in Shoreham and has nothing but fond memories of growing up: “What an idyllic childhood that was; we just played all the time in the street. I formed my own football club, Adur Royals FC, which then became Buckingham FC and we entered a local Sunday league. I then became chairman of that local Sunday League before I went to college.”

He was a Sussex athlete and, following in the footsteps of an inspiring young teacher at his school, went to St Luke’s College in Exeter to do PE, putting his academic journey on hold. “For years I was head of a PE department but I wanted to do everything else as well; so I taught French at the same time, then history and literature,” Paul continued. “Later, I took a maths degree as I wanted to teach maths. I still teach a little, but not a lot.”

Within a year of going to St Luke’s he’d became secretary of the athletics club, having turned down a request from their football club to do similar, showing clear signs of being an administrator from an early age.

“After a year as a teacher I became head of department but never wanted to be a Head. But I guess it was inevitable; I had experience in London of being an interim deputy then I took a deputy headship in Surrey as we wanted to move out of London.”

He was one of eight interviewed for the post at St Lawrence School, six of whom were serving Heads. He was offered the job at 8pm on the second evening, and a passing corridor comment of ‘you’d better be good’ left him with no illusions about the scale of the task.

“Nothing prepared me for Hurstpierpoint and Headship 27 years ago. For example, I had never had to deal with Social Services and my first term here was dominated by attending SS meetings.” However, he felt personally welcomed, and was indeed invited into many houses in the village for dinner, but he did sense an anti-school feeling in the village.

[Read the full article in April 2020 issue of Hurst Life magazine]

Immunity Friendly Sri Lankan Mango Curry recipe

Belle is a Hurst resident and nutrition consultant, author and lecturer in Naturopathic Nutrition. She holds 1-1 health consultations at The Sussex Osteopath Clinic in Hurstpierpoint and workshops on a variety of healthy eating topics.

In these uncertain times one thing that we can be sure of is that cooking from scratch with healthy ingredients bursting with flavour can support our health and fill the hours of self-isolation. This dish will fill the house with the aromatic smells of spices from far-reaching areas of the world, so take a moment to close your eyes and teleport yourself to a warm and wonderful beach somewhere.

The central feature of this dish is unripe mangoes, which can be bought from Gibson’s or ordered online. Mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C which are two nutrients known to have positive effects on our immune health. Also, it is incredibly soothing on the taste buds. The combination of sweet coconut with the sharpness of the unripe mango is unique and the tenderness of those mango chunks, cooked in their skins, shouldn’t be missed. Give it a go. This dish is deceptively easy.

It is vegan and gluten-free so works well as a main course for some or as a side dish alongside a meat or fish curry.

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4-5 servings dependent on whether the dish is a main or a side dish

Ingredients:
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• One half of a medium red onion sliced
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds
• 1 ½ tsp curry powder
• 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey
• 1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ¼ heaped tsp sea salt plus more to taste
• ½ cup water
• 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• 2 small chilli pepper slices cut lengthways or across, and de-seeded if you prefer your curry less spicy
• 3 UNRIPE mangoes
• ¼ tsp white vinegar

Instructions:

1. Wash and cut the mangoes. DO NOT PEEL. The peel helps to maintain the shape of the fruit as it cooks. To cut the mangoes - slice off the top stem, and then slice off the cheeks of the mangoes. Cut the sides off the mango stone. Then cut each mango cheek into 3 strips, so that all the mango pieces are roughly equal in size. You will end up with 8 mango pieces.

2. Heat 3 tbsp of coconut oil in a large non-stick saucepan. Add the sliced onion, garlic and mustard seeds. Saute for a few minutes until the onions have softened.

3. Add the curry powder, sugar/honey, cayenne pepper and salt. Mix for a few seconds to heat the curry powder until you can smell the spices.

4. Add water, desiccated coconut and coconut milk, and mix through and heat to simmer. Add the mangoes, peppers and white vinegar and gently mix to coat the mangoes with the spices. Cover and let the mango curry simmer for 15 - 20 minutes, stirring gently every 5 minutes, until the mango flesh has softened, but still retains its shape. Halfway through the cooking process, taste the curry and season to taste. Stir to combine, and cook for the remaining time.

Serve hot with basmati or wild rice. Enjoy!

Hurstpierpoint community rallies to support Louisa

In January 2019 Louisa Sargent, 38, was diagnosed with advanced melanoma; an aggressive skin cancer that has now spread to other parts of her body.

She has over this past year received a number of debilitating cancer treatments, with emergency spinal surgery being needed just before Christmas.

At the end February the NHS confirmed that they now have no further treatment options for her. Without support from elsewhere her time is now extremely limited. Louisa’s ability to endure the past 12 months has been an inspiration to us all. In short, Louisa is the mother and parent that we all aspire to be. In facing nothing short of a worst nightmare scenario for any parent, she has been ever present at Christmas nativities, school events and countless football and dance events that are so important to Henry (6) and Isla (8) her two incredible children.

She has simply got on with life; embracing any good news she’s received, and dealing with the bad as only one more challenge to focus on overcoming. She has remained the selfless, endlessly kind and loving person everyone has always known her to be.

At the beginning of March Lou and her family made the drive to Germany to try a new medical treatment available - Dendritic Cell therapy. The treatment alone is likely to cost £40,000 and they also need to fund accommodation and costs for her family to be there supporting her.

Fundraising activities are currently spread across friends, family, Twineham School and Hurstpierpoint residents, which was to include the now postponed Brighton and London Marathons.

We are grateful for all donations (www.gofundme.com/f/2qf7bx-lou039s-healing-fund) and other fundraising avenues.

Email chiropracticuk at gmail.com for more information on any of the following: 100km Bike Ride around the Isle of Wight (3rd May), Tough Mudder, London West (10th May), Three Peaks Yorkshire (7th June) and Serpent Trail 50k Ultramarathon (11th July). Thank you.

Neighbours Support group set up in Hurst

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Hurstpierpoint residents, Prue Heron, Ebony Buscema, Lucy Groenewoud, Hazel Constantine, Sian Tai and Ellie Carter are leading a local initiative to bring together Hurst residents to help and support their neighbours who are vulnerable or self-isolating during the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Prue initially set up the Facebook group earlier in March and said: “Before I knew it we had over 450 people join the page, and nearly 200 volunteers. It’s amazing and shows the real community spirit of the village.”

Volunteers are currently distributing fliers across the village with their contact details, and posters are on display in public areas. Four area co-ordinators are ensuring that every street is being covered. Area co-ordinator Ebony Buscema explained: “The aim is to ensure that everyone who needs support has a nominated local volunteer who they can reach out to. Volunteers are offering to collect shopping and prescriptions, walk dogs, post mail or be available on the telephone for a friendly chat.”

If you would like to volunteer, or need support and don’t know who to contact, please get in touch with the Group via their Facebook page – ‘Hurst COVID-19 Neighbours’ Support Group’ - or call Prue Heron on 01273 835064 or Ellie Carter on 07834 170669.

CV-19 - could you help on a Telephone Befriending Scheme?

By Gail Millar

 COVID-19 Coronavirus will have a huge effect upon all of our lives if not already but certainly in the coming weeks and months. This is our greatest opportunity as a nation, community and neighbourhood to care for those around us we all need to be looking out for the needs of others.  

The most vulnerable group of people who will be most affected are the elderly, very soon if not by the time you read this, they and maybe us all will be asked to self-isolate. The facts of loneliness and isolation in this country are already shocking, this will increase exponentially. There will be a silver lining to all of this, neighbours will care for neighbours, strangers will show kindness to one another, we will share what we have and support one another through difficult circumstances.

Hurst charity Befriended has created a Telephone Befriending Scheme that you can be a part of.  If you would like to ring someone who is in self isolation to chat to them, support them and encourage them please apply to be a telephone befriender.  If you would like to be a call handler and have your telephone number on a list to receive calls and take down details please get in touch.

If you would like to distribute befriended cards around your neighbourhood please contact us.  We need you.  Together we can make a difference. I look forward to hearing from you.

Call 0300 7727703 or, to be a telephone befriender, visit our website: www.befriended.org    

Marathon girls

Six friends from Hurstpierpoint are heading across The Channel to compete in the Paris Marathon at the beginning of April, mainly for fun but also to raise money for good causes. All mothers of children at St Lawrence, Mike Thatcher caught up with Katie Sharp, Michaela Oakley, Catherine Ferrer, Clare Harms, Sarah Shephard and Clare Bell to find out more.

How are you training for the event?
MO: My training consists of three runs each week, including one longer run. It takes a lot of motivation to get up on the cold, dark and wet winter mornings and this has been my biggest challenge in training, but the runs around our village on a gorgeous sunny day with views of the Danny Estate, Jack and Jill windmills and the Downs make it all worthwhile.
CF: I am training for the marathon by following a plan written for me by Hassocks runner Malcolm Roweth; his support and expertise have really progressed my running. I am approaching this marathon with a lot more confidence in my running ability and knowing that I am training appropriately.

How long have you been running?
SS: I started the ‘Couch to 5K’ podcasts in May 2017 and completed my first 5k in July. It became a bit addictive!
MO: I got into running around two years ago. I started six months after having my third child to regain fitness but found it really helped me mentally too. I completed my first half marathon in 2018 and first marathon in 2019.

Do you run alone?
CF: I sometimes run alone but I have a lovely group of friends that I do the long training runs with. I can’t talk on the tempo runs so we either do those in silence (or the sound of me struggling for breath and/or muttering profanities) or on our own.
CH: Quite often yes - I love the solitude. I enjoy running with friends too though!
SS: We run together whenever we can. It’s not always possible, unfortunately, as we’re all juggling work, childcare, etc. I always prefer to run with others on the longer ones, but when I’m on my own I stick headphones in and listen to music and podcasts.

Find the girl’s answers to: Why do you run? What has been your biggest challenge? And, What tips and advice would you like to give other runners? In this month’s (March) issue of Hurst Life Magazine.

My connection to the Hurst Pierpoint name…

By Alice de Pierpont de Burnot

When I arrived in Sayers Common in 1989 to improve my English language, I was far from thinking that I would come across places in England with the same name as my surname. Very early on in my stay, I noticed the village of Hurstpierpoint on one of my walks. I was very surprised and really interested in finding any connection with my family.

I decided to visit Lewes library, which I was told was one of the best places to find information about the area. I spent a whole day amongst old books and registers only to find that there is so much information to look at that it would take a very long time to ascertain whether Hurstpierpoint has any link with my family. There were various spellings of the name such as: Pierpont, Pierrepont, Pier Point, Pereppount, Perepond, Perpount. To this date I have no idea if these names all have the same root rather than various spelling due to the authors’ inconsistent spelling.

When I visited the little village church, Holy Trinity, with my parents who came to visit me during the year I spent in Sayers Common, we saw the two effigies of what is thought to be Sir Simon de Pierpoint in 13th century chain armour and 14th century plate armour. We were so fascinated that we asked the lady who was present in the church at the time and she led us to a gentleman who lived opposite the church. This gentleman, whose name escapes me after 30 years, welcomed us with open arms and we had a long chat with him over a cup of tea. It was so interesting listening to him that we left his company with a strong Find, follow and share us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram www.hurstlife.co.uk desire to find out more about Hurstpierpoint.

To read more about Alice’s discoveries about the village and her family, you can find the whole story inside this month’s (March) issue of Hurst Life Magazine.

New florist comes to the village

Hurstpierpoint welcomes Luba Carlton who has just opened Apple Mint Florist on the High Street.

The name Apple Mint is inspired by Luba’s happy childhood memories of growing up on a smallholding, walking in the orchard with the scent of the mint covered ground.

She qualified in advanced floristry over 15 years ago while living in the New Forest and has built up huge experience and knowledge working in different florists in the UK and even spending time in New Zealand.

“It felt like a natural progression to start my own business and when we found the shop in Hurst High Street there was no doubt that it was the right place. Derek had recently discovered a branch of his family tree that lived in Hurst in the 1800s so it felt there was a connection and meant to be! Before settling in the area three years ago with her husband Derek, she lived in London and worked at a high-end florist that specialised in designer weddings and high profile sporting/ corporate events. Working at this level gave Luba a fantastic range of experience and professional skills that enabled her to operate in all aspects of floristry.

“People have been so welcoming and many have said they are glad to have a florist back in the village,” Luba said. “Flowers are a wonderful way of expressing feelings and emotions, so I am delighted for the unique opportunity to be able to open the shop and share my passion for flowers with you.”

Linda's new venture

Linda and Floss take a break

Having spent the last two years running her own trade stand at various local shows, including South of England, Hickstead and the Kent Show, Hurstpierpoint resident Linda Wood has decided to move to a permanent base. Her new shop, Charlotte Grace, selling ladies fashions, greetings cards, gifts and other items, will open at 40 High Street in Hurst on Tuesday 3rd March.

Linda and her husband Bob have lived in Hurstpierpoint for nearly 30 years, and both their children, Thomas and Nicole, attended St Lawrence and Downlands schools. They share their home with four-year-old Cavapoo ‘Floss’. She says that when the sun is shining and the crowds are out selling at shows is a great experience. However, she is looking forward to a break from erecting marquees, battling with gale force winds and getting soaked in torrential rain, which are also all part of life when selling at outdoor events.

With over ten years’ experience in retailing behind her, Linda can’t wait to bring her offering home to Hurstpierpoint. The shop, which is next door to Morleys and an easy walk from Trinity Road car park, will stock the latest ladies’ spring and summer fashions and introduce a cute range of soft toys and gifts. Not so long ago this shop traded as ‘Vanilla’ and was run by Cath Barton-Smith. Linda is indebted to Cath for all the helpful advice and tips that she has passed on.

Linda is looking forward to welcoming old friends and new to her latest venture, and all are invited to join her for some bubbly and nibbles to celebrate the opening all day on Saturday 7th March.

Woodland Flora & Fauna Group Countryside Article

Hurst Life Magazine

Mike Thatcher met Michael Nailard, Chairman of the Woodland, Flora and Fauna Group, to find out a little bit of the group’s history, what it has been up to and his hopes for its future.

The group was founded in 2004 at the invitation of Mid Sussex District and Parish Councils to have a look at the local countryside and how it could be protected, as it was suggested by the council that the low weald between Ansty and the edge of Hurst was going to be given particular attention for future

development. The Parish Council invited lots of groups to a meeting to initiate a biodiversity study of the whole parish in order to determine whether there was anything of value that needed special protection.

Hurst Life Magazine

Michael Nailard (right) was elected as Chairman, and he estimated the study would take between 12-18 months
to complete. “However, there are 200 landowners in Hurstpierpoint parish, and they all had to be approached before any survey teams went on their land. After

a public meeting 120 people turned up, all very keen to stop any development and 60 volunteered to help with the survey.” These volunteers were trained, with the help of the Sussex Wildlife Trust, but then the number of volunteers dwindled when they realised it was hard work going round the fields identifying flowers and fauna. Numbers dropped to below 20 and the survey ended up taking six years.

He spoke at great length about the achievements of the group, which covered a multitude of areas. About 11 years ago it embarked on a bat conservation project in the woodlands. They also investigated where dormice were, and where they found indications they put in boxes, and there are currently six woodlands where they do monthly checks on them.

For the full story see page 14 of Hurst Life’s Feb 2020 issue.

Aspire Sussex Sea Turtles attempt Channel Crossing

Aspire Sussex Sea Turtles

A group of six friends from Hurstpierpoint are attempting one of the hardest swim challenges in the world - the English Channel - in a relay for a brilliant cause. The six are Zoe Collins, Guy Lovegrove, Sally O’Connor, Claire Grose, Tim Garnett and Cath Barton-Smith.

Aspire Sussex Sea Turtles

Known as the Aspire Sussex Sea Turtles, all six friends have a love of outdoor swimming and will attempt to swim the 22 miles from the British coast to Northern France at the end of September to raise money for people who have sustained a spinal injury. Every four hours someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury. Aspire is a national charity providing practical support from injury to independence.

Life can change in an instant and it can happen to anyone. Having met with Paula Craig, who was supported by Aspire when she suffered life-changing injuries, the team were inspired to take on the challenge.

“After meeting with Paula we’re all excited and determined to cross the channel together and raise money for Aspire,” says Zoe, “an amazing charity that helped Paula so much with her recovery and continues to support her and others in so many ways. Although I suspect Guy is primarily coming because he thinks he’ll get cheap wine and cheese on the other side!”

Each of them must swim in strict order for an hour at a time until they reach the French coast. They can wear only swimming costumes and are not allowed wetsuits or any artificial aids!

The next nine months will mean intense training for the team as they work on their swimming skills in the pool as well as getting used to swimming in the low temperatures of the Channel. By July the team will have had to have swum two hours in the sea at a temperature of less than 16 degrees to prepare them for the day when they are called to Dover for their Channel attempt.

They’ve already started their training in the sea!
Paul Parrish, Director of Fundraising and Marketing

for Aspire, the charity benefitting from the Sea Turtles’ heroic efforts, said: “We are so grateful to the team
for their commitment. Their hard efforts will be so important to us, and they have pledged to raise over £10,000. This will have such a positive impact on the lives of those with spinal injury. Over the past ten years our Channel Swims have raised over £1,000,000 and it’s great to start the decade being supported by the Sea Turtles.”

To commence their fundraising efforts, the Sea Turtles will be holding a Pop Up Charity Shop at 40 High Street, Hurstpierpoint (formerly Olive Antiques next door to Morleys) on Saturday 8th February 10am – 4pm. Please go along to support them on the day and help launch their fundraising efforts, have a chat to the team and enjoy tea/coffee and cake.

If you have anything you’d like to donate for the sale please contact Cath on 07816 932559.

If you wish to donate to their worthy cause please go to their fundraising page on JustGiving:- www.justgiving.com/team/SussexSeaTurtles

Special wheelchair to enable Ian’s Snowdon Push

Ian’s Snowdon Push

Local resident Ian Maskell had a bike accident while cycling on the South Downs in 2013. It left him paraplegic and a wheelchair user. Ian said: “After five months in a specialist spinal unit and then community rehab, I thought I would have to stay on tarmac for the rest of my days. But thanks to the support and encouragement of friends, family and charities I have got back into the countryside. This has been fantastic for me.”

He now wants to take part in Back Up charity’s Push Up Snowdon in 2020. To do so he needs a specialist bit of kit called a mountain trike.

He has borrowed one for occasional rides out and says: “This is a fantastic piece of British design and manufacture.”

But at a cost of £5,000 it’s unaffordable, so Ian has set up a JustGiving page, which is aimed at raising enough money to enable Ian to buy the all-terrain mountain trike. The money will be administered and managed by the charity Aspire.

With this all-terrain mountain trike he will be able to take part in the Snowdon Push, donating further sponsorship monies he receives from the Push to Back Up, one of the charities which has helped him readjust and rebuild his life after his accident.

Ian does have form: in 2017 he wheeled 100 miles from the London Eye to the Brighton i360 and raised
over £10,000 for BackUp, Aspire, Spinal Injuries Association and the Architects’ Benevolent Society.

Find, follow and share us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ all-terrain-wheelchair-for-ian

Parish Council news - December 2019

By Stephen Hand, Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Council Chairman and Tony Lank, Highways Committee Chairman

We have devoted this month’s Parish Council update to our recent application to the County Council to try and address some of the issues, large and small, raised by residents regarding traffic and parking in Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common. The scheme has now passed the first stage in the process and the full detail will be put out for public consultation and comment in the new year. This is an opportunity to give a summary of the proposed changes:

• South Avenue and Manor Road

- Designated parking bays to be marked within the existing parking zones and a small addition to the parking zone in South Avenue.

• Cuckfield Road

- 30mph signs at north end to be moved 70 metres north

- Alternate east /west side parking restrictions to be marked between the High Street roundabout and the Western Road junction (to ease peak time gridlock, and reduce off peak speeding)

- Investigate the feasibility of a mini roundabout at junction with Iden Hurst (major cost and unlikely to happen in near future)

• Brighton Road

– install “pull in” bay on east side near Washbrooks.

• College Lane/Malthouse Lane

- Extend 30mph restriction south of the College.

- Centre white line on the curve by Malthouse Farm.

• High Street

- At the junction with West Furlong Lane, remove the white line but not the “Keep Clear” wording.

- In line with the traders’ request, make the loading bay outside the New Inn loading only for 24 hours per day.

• Reeds Lane, Sayers Common

- Extend parking restrictions from roundabout and create a “pull in” bay on south side.

- “Access only 7.5t” signs to be placed at east end.

• London Road

– “Build outs” or “Refuge” to be installed near the Village Hall.

We have worked with County and District Councils to design this scheme, which hopefully will ease delays and parking to some extent. The underlying problem faced by all villages in Sussex of too much traffic on their narrow roads will remain. As soon as we have further news, especially on the consultation timetable, we’ll let you know.

As this is the last issue before Christmas, may we take the opportunity to wish our residents a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing everyone at the Christmas event on 7th December on Hurstpierpoint High Street.

Michel Olszewski: Village People

By Mike Thatcher

Michel Olszewksi bears no resemblance to Peter Falk, but I was put in mind of Colombo by the end of our meeting. “Oh one more thing, did I say I received a medal from the Polish President?” Or, “I almost forgot; I did the Everest base camp walk a few years ago and got airlifted out when my back went.” Had I been there two hours, rather than one, I suspect there would have been many more stories and he would have talked about them all with equal modesty I’m sure.

His father was a regular officer in the Polish army before the war and belonged to one of the few regiments that managed to get to England as a whole, fighting their way through France, arriving in 1940. Michel was born on an army camp in Germany to a half Belgian, half French mother, whom his father had met whilst liberating a town.

“I came to Hurst when I was two in 1948 and my first language was French. My father spoke Polish, French and English; my mother spoke Dutch and French so the common language at home was French.”

After the war, approximately 300,000 Poles were allowed to stay and, although there were areas of the UK where this caused friction as soldiers returned and looked for jobs, this was not the case for his father in Hurst. “People here were incredibly kind and understood what the Poles had done. My father never went back to Poland because he was a Lieutenant Colonel and so he would have been at risk after the Communists had taken over. He lost most of his family in the bombing of Warsaw and never wanted to return.”

It didn’t take long for Michel to learn English and soon he was off to a boys’ Catholic school in Brighton. If you ever need confirmation that things were different a generation or two ago then this is it. “Aged 6, I caught the bus from the church, would walk up the road to school in Brighton and I’d catch a bus back. The driver and bus conductor were Hurst people, they knew you and made sure you got on; they waited for you if you weren’t there. So it was very different, but wouldn’t happen now.”

Community Christmas Lunch in Hurst

By Naomi McBain

Hope and Befriended, two local charities, are looking forward to hosting their third Christmas Day Community Lunch in Hurstpierpoint this year. Both charities believe in encouraging everyone in their community to become better connected and supportive of each other.

For many, Christmas isn’t a fun-filled, family time, as presented so often in adverts. Both charities are meeting people for whom this perfect image leaves more than a slight dread of the festivities. Perhaps it’s the intense sense of being on their own, the increased financial stress or even the heightened awareness of difficult memories.

Whatever the reason people have for joining in, we work at making this event welcoming and an opportunity for people to be part of a day that’s full of others who care. We are so grateful for the support from local businesses with generous offers of food and drink, as well as the village charity shop providing a grant to subsidise the initial event two years ago.

Our charities’ work goes on through the year too, so, quite possibly, by bringing an elderly neighbour or encouraging a family who is having a difficult time to join in the fun, they may well find an ongoing community connection to help them face what the New Year brings with more hope, joy and peace.

A father, who came last year with his son, said: “It was very welcoming and had family friendly games. The entertainment was fantastic. It made a world of difference being around people, rather than spending it alone.” The wonderful thing is that they have met up during the year with the friends made around their table. They are looking forward to joining in again this year.

The event starts as people arrive from 12.30pm to spend the next few hours enjoying plenty of chatter, fun and games, good food and musical entertainment. We listen to the Queen’s Speech and round the afternoon off with a few festive carols, before people head home at around 4pm.

If people are interested in being a part of this year’s Christmas Day Lunch, they should email admin AT befriended.org

Compostable bags; not compostable at home

RECYCLE THIS...

Colin McFarlin is a Volunteer Waste Prevention Advisor with WSCC.

Thank you for all your individual enquiries about your recycling. By the time you read this I will have replied individually to all your emails to the Editor on recycling. Do keep the questions coming...

Compostable bag - Not taken in garden waste

Compostable bags

My mailbag has been busy this month with correspondence from readers who have received mail through the post in ‘Compostable Bags’.

With the outcry against plastic many organisations, such as National Trust and WI, have quickly moved away from plastic wrappers for their mailings and moved to biodegradable wrappers.

The information they put on the wrapper is not
accurate. They suggest putting them into your
home compost bin. However, not everyone has
a home compost bin, also they will not compost in a home compost bin as your bin will not reach a sufficient temperature for the wrapper to break own. There are going to be lots of disappointed National Trust and WI members emptying their compost bins in a year’s time and finding this wrapper intact! Councils will not accept this in their garden waste bin, and we, along with many other councils do not have a food waste collection service.

So where can you put it? You are left with your black top rubbish bin.

This new idea is in fact a lot worse than the original plastic wrapper; that can be recycled in major supermarkets with plastic carrier bags.

Put it in your black top rubbish bin and I do hope you will write to anyone who sends you correspondence in a Compostable Bag and point out the problems they are causing in West Sussex - and other counties!

Would you like me to give a talk to your local group on recycling? Do you have an individual question on specific items you are not sure how to recycle? One email to the Editor at editor@hurstlife.co.uk, with a picture if possible, and I can let you know.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Keep recycling!

Austyn swaps St Lawrence for Rock!

By Mike Thatcher

Austyn Emmanuelle, a Year 6 pupil at St Lawrence School, is currently starring as Billy in the West End production of School of Rock, alongside former Hear’Say member Noel Sullivan.

Already a seasoned performer, Austyn began street dance at BPM Dance Academy and performed in his first show when he was aged five. In December 2018 he performed in Jack at the Hilton Metropole in Brighton but the jump to West End stage is a huge achievement.

“He went for a couple of acting castings for TV and wasn’t successful,” said his mother Sarah. “School
of Rock was the first musical he went for, and he got through the various stages of the audition and got offered a six month contract!”

Austyn has been dancing locally with BPM Dance Academy from a young age. Luke and Kat from BPM first met him when he used to drop his older brother off at his dance classes. Even though he wasn’t old enough he would stand in the doorway and try to join in as much as he could. “After just a few classes,” they said, “we knew that there was something special about Austyn; he was always so eager to learn everything and would smile throughout class from start to finish. An extremely hard worker in class, he always took every bit of feedback we gave him and worked on it to perfect his moves.”
St Lawrence School is extremely supportive and provides him with extra work to take to the theatre for when he’s on standby. “Other than that,” continues Sarah, “he goes to school, gets changed, heads to London, performs in a show or is on standby and gets back home at midnight and then up for school again the next day!”

Austyn hopes this is just the start for him. “I’m really enjoying being in a West End show. I love singing, dancing and acting, and I hope I can go further into more musicals after this.” And it seems Dave and Sarah would not disagree: “We are so proud of Austyn for his hard working character, determination and his outgoing nature. Seeing him be able to thrive in something he loves is a joy to us.”

School of Rock is at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and is booking until January 2020.

Full article printed in the November issue of Hurst Life.

Food Bank in Hurstpierpoint reopens

The Hurstpierpoint Community Food Bank has opened again at Court Bushes Community Hub in Willow Way. Vouchers can be obtained from St Lawrence School, Hurstpierpoint Preschool, Mid Sussex Healthcare (Trinity Road), The Point church, Holy Trinity church, the Methodist church and the Good News church.

“We are hugely excited that our Hurstpierpoint Community Food Bank has now re-opened in the newly refurbished, purpose built Hurst Community centre at Court Bushes,” said Food Bank coordinator Cheri McCarthy. “In these precarious economic times, unfortunately there are still many families really struggling to stay afloat and now as well as nonperishable food, we are able to provide some sanitary products.” The local charity shop has also kindly donated clothes of all kinds and sizes (including shoes and some school uniforms).

The Food Bank runs every Wednesday from 10am until 2pm and they look forward to providing help for anybody in need.

New owners at Morley's, Hurstpierpoint

Alex and Andy Kier

Introducing Alex & Andy Kier of Morley’s, on the High Street. Andy has been the chef at Morley’s for the last 18 months and has now, with his wife Alex, taken over the helm. Serving up classic and globally inspired dishes, there is sure to be something for everyone!

Andy trained in the colleges of Oxford University and has spent his career cooking in Oxford, Brighton and France, picking up a few awards along the way.

Alex has also spent her career in the hospitality industry, with some time managing Carluccios, before Bill’s and then most recently at Glyndebourne near Lewes.

The couple said it had always been a dream of theirs to run their own restaurant business and when the opportunity to take over Morley’s came up, they thought it was too good to miss!

“We are really excited to be taking on this lovely restaurant and feel very lucky to have been welcomed so warmly,” Alex said. “Morley’s is part of the community and we want to be fully involved with local events.”

Morley’s serves breakfast from 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. The full menu runs 12 noon-2.30pm and 6- 9pm Tuesday to Saturday. For an extra treat on a Sunday, Andy also does a top notch roast beef!