Remembrance Parade through Hurst

Remembrance Parade in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex

By Trevor Evans

This year’s parade will mark a special milestone in our country’s history; 100 years ago, on Sunday 11th November 1918, the guns fell silent and the First World War was over.

This year, as always, we remember at our village Memorial all those villagers who not only gave their lives in the Great War but those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in subsequent theatres of war.

This year’s Remembrance Parade will take place on Sunday 11th November. The parade will form up at 10.30am at South Avenue. The parade will then march through the High Street to the War Memorial. If wet, the parade will assemble in the Army Cadets drill hall, which is situated behind the Co-op in the High Street.

The police have advised that they are no longer able to provide assistance for road closure traffic control and that we provide our own marshals.

I would ask motorists to accept a short delay on their journey whilst the parade takes place.

Having carried out the duties as Parade Marshal for the Royal British Legion in the village for many years I have decided to stand down after this year’s parade. I will be handing over the baton to Colin Richardson MBE who will continue the parade organisation on behalf of the village.

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

View fullsize

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.”

Hurst Open Studios weekends - 2018

Where you can find artists in Hurstpierpoint 

Hurstpierpoint Open Studios will take place over two weekends in September during the Hurst Festival.

There will be 26 artists at 13 venues  around the village displaying their work, which includes paintings, photography, textiles, stained glass, furniture, sculptures and jewellery.

You can meet the artists and enjoy the wonderful variety of work on display, and maybe treat yourself, or someone else, to a unique piece of artwork. Refreshments will be available at two venues during the first weekend and at one venue during the second weekend.

‘Art making is a way of experiencing peace’ is a quote from artist Melanie Circle. With this quote in mind and a theme of ‘Peace’ running through the Hurst Festival, the Open Studios artists have each produced a piece of work in their own interpretation of ‘Peace’. These will be on display in shops around the village for the two weeks prior to the Open Studios.

The Open Studio venues will be open on 15th/16th and 22nd/23rd September from 11am to 5pm and will have blue and white balloons at the entrance. Please note two venues will only be open on the first weekend. 

Details of venues (with a map) are in the Hurst Festival brochure and on posters and flyers in shops in the village and in the library.

Discover more about the group online at: www.hurstpierpointopenstudios.com or search Facebook for Hurstpierpoint Open Studios.

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]

View fullsize

“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. 

Albourne Village Show - 1st September 2018

By Mick Gratton

This year’s Albourne Village Show will be held at Albourne Green (BN6 9DJ) between 12noon and 4.30pm on Saturday 1st September 2018 with free local parking.

It is a traditional Summer Fete with a Flower, Produce and Craft show at its heart. Visit the website www.albournevillageshow.co.uk for information on categories and entry details.

It has grown to be a family event for all ages and this year we will have three bands including Patcham Silver Band; a dog show you can enter on the day; steam engines, vintage vehicles and a barrel organ; birds of prey; as well as a magician, children’s entertainment, games and many craft stalls.

There’s plenty to eat and drink with a Bedlam beer tent and Clive Miller barbeque, tea and cakes and apple pressing. 

If you can’t come, you can still buy tickets for the ‘Best of Albourne’ Raffle which has a £100 first prize sponsored by Ernest Doe together with many other great prizes.

The show is generously supported by local businesses including Sweeptech, Technetix, Avtrade, Hurst College and Tracmaster and raises money for the local community.

Please come and enjoy a day out and if you want to run a stall contact me (Mick) on 01273 833978.

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.

A review of village Conservation Areas in Hurstpierpoint

As part of a programme of reviewing Conservation Area Appraisals across the District, Mid Sussex District Council has prepared the Hurstpierpoint Conservation Areas Appraisal, which covers the three Conservation Areas within the village (Hurstpierpoint, Langton Lane and Hurst Wickham). This has been prepared in association with the Hurstpierpoint Society, and identifies the qualities which make the Conservation Areas special, as well as how these qualities can be preserved and enhanced.

View fullsize

This map shows the conservation areas currently in Hurstpierpoint

The Appraisal has highlighted a number of instances where it is felt the boundaries of the Conservation Areas could be usefully extended to include adjoining areas which are considered to have sufficient special interest to merit designation, as well as one instance where it is considered the boundary could be altered to omit buildings which detract from the special interest of the Conservation Area concerned.

Once approved by the Council, the Appraisal will form a material consideration in the determination of planning applications and will inform planning practice and policies for the area. It will also give the local community clear advice on what should be cared for and preserved within the Conservation Areas.

The Conservation Area Appraisal is now complete in draft form. The next stage of the process is a public consultation exercise, in this case with the assistance of the Hurstpierpoint Society and the Parish Council, in which the Council is seeking the views of local residents and other interested parties on the Appraisal and the proposed boundary changes. The consultation included a public exhibition at the Hurstpierpoint Village Centre at the end of last month, but copies of the full Appraisal document are now available to view at Hurstpierpoint Library. The Appraisal is also available to view online at the Council’s website: www.midsussex.gov.uk/hurstpierpointcaa

MSDC are very keen to hear from anyone with their thoughts on the draft document. Comments can be sent to LDFconsultation @ midsussex.gov.uk 

The public consultation began on 16th April and will run until the end of May 2018. There will be a review of the feedback received and any required changes would be made to the Appraisal before it is adopted. 

New Vermouth from Albourne Estate

Alison Nightingale, Albourne Estate vineyard owner, has unveiled the first Sussex vermouth: an English take on the Italian favourite which is rapidly seeing a resurgence in popularity.

Named 40 after the number of botanicals with which it has been infused, this highly complex tasting white semi-dry vermouth has already won its first award in The Spirits Business Master 2017 blind-tasting competition.

As well as the regular vineyard and wine tasting tours Alison runs throughout the summer, this June - on the Father’s Day weekend - there will be a Sussex Wineries weekend of events when Albourne Estate will be open to the public.

On the Friday, there will be a pop-up cinema in its 400 year old barn, screening Sideways, with tickets including a glass of wine. And on 16th and 17th June the vineyard will be open all day for drop-in tastings, a self-guided treasure hunt trail and the chance to picnic anywhere on the vineyard with hampers full of local produce, which need to be ordered on Albourne Estate’s website prior to the event.

On the Saturday there will be a vermouth master class with Alison’s wine consultant Salvatore Leone, who helped Alison develop her recently launched vermouth.

Visit www.albourneestate.co.uk to find out more.

Time for changes to The Village Centre in Hurstpierpoint?

By Michèle Copeland

Hurstpierpoint's Village Centre

The Village Centre is considering a major redevelopment of its facilities to bring the building up to date with current regulations, carry out various repairs, enhance the facilities for its predicted use over the coming years and to improve the appearance of the centre, in terms of decor.

Michel Olszewski, chair of the Trustees of The Village Centre committee, explains: “The needs of the community are outgrowing the accommodation The Village Centre currently has and we are considering upgrading the main hall, the meeting room, the kitchen and the Club Room. The library is the responsibility of Mid Sussex District Council. The Village Centre was first extended in 1998. There was a further update, which took two years from 2004 to 2006 - nearly 15 years ago now, when the Parish Room was re-housed.” 

“As The Village Centre is very much a community building,” Michel continues, “we would like to involve the Hurst community in this important project. Our current considerations may include several changes, which could impact on the different groups and members of the public who use the centre, such as alterations to the steps and ramp to the hall, general layout and an extension.”

The team thought that the best way to interact with the residents of Hurst would be through a questionnaire and so they would be grateful for anyone who could email with responses to the following questions: 
1. In addition to current accommodation, are there any additional facilities you would like to see?
2. Would you find a changing room/cloakroom accommodation useful?
3. What aspects of the Centre would you most want or need to be retained?
4. Are they any additions to the facilities that would enable you to use the Centre more often?
5. What are the best parts of the Centre which encourage you to use the facility?

Any feedback should be sent to the current HVCA Secretary, Andrew Hair, via email to: andrewhinhurst @ gmail.com

New Hurstpierpoint gallery hosts 13 artists

Gallery 92 opened in March

There’s another new shop on the High Street. Gallery 92 opened last month when Hurst residents Clare and Joff Harms ‘took the plunge’ to start their own High Street business.

The pair only got the keys to the property ten days before they opened. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” Clare explained, “but we are really excited to have done it!”

The gallery stocks art, photography, prints and giftwares.

Hurst's Spring Show 2018

Hurstpierpoint Horticultural Society Spring Show

By Kathy Green

Early March brought the ‘Beast from the East’ blasting the spring flowers into abject submission and turning the garden to stone. With the Hurstpierpoint Horticultural Spring Show less than a fortnight away all looked very bleak indeed. But, as the thaw began, the Committee sent out a plea to all members of the Society to do their very, very best to enter something into the Show. And we hoped for the best.

Show day arrived and, would you believe it?! The Beast was back. Snow swirled around the village and a bitter east wind cut across the car park. But gardening types are a hardy lot. They arrived at the Village Hall muffled in big coats, scarves and gloves carefully protecting their precious daffodils, camellias, hellebores, orchids and, yes, even a few pulmonarias and primroses. And then there were cakes, sausage rolls, pots of marmalade and chutney, floral art and photographs and the Hurstpierpoint Preschool artwork. Yes, we had a Show!

There was close competition in all sections of the Show. Stan Cartwright beat Pat Kean by just one point to win the Stapleton Cup for Daffodils/Narcissi. The Spring Cup for the best camellia was won by Alison Chivers and the Junior Spring Cup was won by Aimee Murtagh who made a beautiful vase of paper flowers. The other Section winners were June Kentsley for Floral Art, Pat Kean for Cookery, Kathy Green for Photography, Denis Hills for the novice daffodil section and a tie for Other Flowers between Jill Mance and Denis Hills. 

Many congratulations to all the prize winners. But, on the day, everybody who contributed to the success of the Show was a winner. We collectively confronted the ‘Beast from the East’ and we won. 

James Taylor takes on London Marathon

Hurst resident James Taylor has found himself training for his second marathon, having never imagined he would take it on again after completing the Brighton Marathon back in 2014.

However, he made the decision to challenge himself after his daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last year. Amelia Taylor was about to start the final year at university in Bournemouth when she was told she had Synovial Sarcoma – which is often associated with young adults. Fortunately her cancer was low-grade and she’s now coming through all the treatment – which meant going up to London’s Royal Marsden hospital every day for five weeks.

“It is ‘off the scale’ scary to hear news that your child has cancer,” James commented, “but she’s received the best support and we’re obviously thrilled she’s now coming out the other side.”

James is running the London Marathon later this month for Sarcoma UK and has already raised more than £2,000. James has also received a generous donation from Paul Wilkinson’s Christmas Tree collection in the village.

His training regime started back in November and he’s making good progress. “Having done one before,” he said, “I do feel better prepared as I know what’s coming.” 

If you wish to support James and Sarcoma UK you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/James-Taylor165

What's on in Hurstpierpoint - April 2018

April 2018 - around and about Hurstpierpoint

10th-14th April
Dead Guilty – 7.30pm
Players Theatre, Hurstpierpoint – Hurst Players performance of the play (Tickets £10/£11 www.hurstplayers.org.uk)

11th April
Mothers’ Union meeting – 2.30pm
Long Melford, Albourne Road. Discussion on changes in women’s lives over the past 100 years. Everyone welcome. Non-members £2.

13th April
Equestrian Tack Sale – 6.30pm
Brendon Stud Farm, Pyecombe

14th April
Coffee Morning – 10am
Guide HQ, Trinity Road Car Park – Coffee morning and mini market to raise funds for St Christopher’s Home (50p entry)

15th April
Mid Sussex Ramblers – 2pm
Ditchling Village Hall car park - Three Churches Walk, 5 mile – moderate (01273 842628)

18th April
Mothers’ Union meeting – 8pm
Holy Trinity Church - Talk by Gail Millar on new charity ‘Befriended’ Everyone welcome (£2)

21st April
Coffee Morning – 10am
Holy Trinity Church - Talk at 10.30am on the work of Christian Aid by Tim Moulds. Stalls to browse.

21st April
Hurst Hedgehog Haven – 2.30pm
Guide Hut, Trinity Road Car Park - Trevor Weeks MBE, the founder of WRAS speaking (01273 833133)

21st April
The Arts Society – TBC Outing to Margate Turner Gallery (01273 833046)

22nd April
A United Kingdom (PG) – 2.30pm
Players Theatre – Hurst Village Cinema film show (Tickets £4 www.hurstfilms.com)

22nd April
Author Talk – 7pm
Newtimber Church – Author Alison Murdoch

25th April
Bowls Taster Session – 6pm
Hurstpierpoint Bowling Club, South Avenue Rec

26th April
Still Walking (U) – 7.30pm
Players Theatre – Hurst Village Cinema showing

27th April
Historical Society – 8pm
Guide Hall, Trinity Road Car Park – Roger Packham speaking on ‘Tales from old Sussex newspapers’ (Non-members welcome, £2 entrance)

28th April
Bowls Taster Session – 11am
Hurstpierpoint Bowling Club, South Avenue Rec

29th April
Sunday Morning Jazz – 11am
The Hassocks Hotel - featuring the musical talents of Julie Roberts and Michael Hinton

---

April 2018 - events taking place at Hurstpierpoint Village Centre, Trinity Road BN6 9QT 

9th April
Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group – 7.30pm
An Illustrated Talk by Amanda Millar (Free)

10th April
Horticultural Society – 7.45pm Talk by Roger Butler ‘Hydrangeas’

11th April
PPG AGM – 7pm
Patient Participation Group AGM with speaker Dr Terry Lynch

14th April
Spring Craft Fair – 10am-2pm
Heber Opera’s Spring Craft Fair (jenny.letton at btinternet.com)

14th April
Hurstpierpoint Society AGM – 2pm

17th April
Wolstonbury WI – 7.45pm
‘Gardening for the young-at-heart’ by Lesley Chamberlain. Visitors welcomed. (01273 834421)

What's On in Hurstpierpoint - March 2018

March 2018

3rd March - Best of Ballroom Class – 7.45pm
Village Centre - Every first Saturday of the month (£6)

4th March - Mothers’ Union AGM – 11.15am
Holy Trinity Church

6th March - AGM Millennium Garden Trust – 7pm
Village Centre - Afterwards a talk by Tony Whitbread (enquiries to secretary 01273 832756)

6th March - NHS Retirement Fellowship – 10.15am
Franklands Village Hall, Haywards Heath - Monthly Branch Meeting with visiting speaker

8th March - Mid Sussex Association of National Trust – 2.30pm
Clair Hall (RH16 3DN) – A talk on Georgian London by Ian Bevan, open to Non-National Trust members

10th March - Mothers' Union Ladies breakfast – 8.30am
Hurstpierpoint Methodist Church in Cuckfield Rd - Speaker Rev Jane Willis (Tickets £6 from Judy Leech 01273 833954)

13th March - Hurst Horticultural Society - 7.45pm
Village Centre - ‘Out on a Limb: My Life as a Tree Surgeon’ - Lesley Baker, a lady tree surgeon, with some interesting anecdotes from her work

17th March - Spring Show – 2.15pm
Village Centre - Hurstpierpoint Horticultural Society’s Spring Show - Home-made cake and tea all afternoon. Raffle and auction at end of show.

17th March - St Patrick’s Day Event – 7pm
Albourne Village Hall - Two course buffet supper and Ceilidh. Licenced bar and dancing to the wonderful Kate’s Kitchen Band. Tickets, £20, available from Sayers Common Community Shop

19th March - Hurst, Hassocks and Ditchling U3A – 2pm
Village Centre - Rudyard Kipling, with Geoff Hutchinson

20th March - Wolstonbury WI – 7.45pm
Village Centre - A Sussex Farm during the 1950s by Ian Everest (01273 834421)

23rd March - History Talk – 8pm
Guide Hall, Trinity Road Car Park – The Hurst Historical & Geographical Society host this talk. ‘Charles II and his escape through Sussex in 1651’ by Helen Poole - Curator at Crawley Museum

24th March - Gym Competition – 9am-12.30pm
Village Centre - Gymnastics Club Arts Festival Competition

24th March - Hurst, Hassocks & Ditchling U3A – 10am
Adastra Hall, Hassocks - Open Morning and Activities Fayre. Free entry with refreshments available. Come and join us! We have over 40 interest groups with a wide variety of activities, ranging from sewing, history & singing to badminton and walks (hhdu3a@gmail.com or www.u3asites.org.uk/hhd)

24th March - Coffee Morning – 10am
Holy Trinity Church - Popular organ music played by Ray Carpenter. Usual variety of stalls. Free Admission

24th March - Hurst Singers Spring Concert – 7.30pm
United Reformed Church, Hassocks - A celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan

April 2018

7th April - RNLI Quiz Night – 7pm
Village Centre - Annual Quiz Night for teams of 6 people (Philip Eastell on 07749 278992)

Behind the Counter in Hurstpierpoint

Nicki Newson, Sussex Osteopath and Complementary Health Clinic

In 2007 Nicki Newson decided to take control of her own destiny. At the time she was a nurse working for the NHS, but things were tough. This is the story of how an osteopathy and complementary health clinic landed on the High Street, right where they used to sell combine harvesters!

By David Tingley

Nicki has always loved working with people. Her career started when she qualified as a nurse and has worked at various hospitals in Sussex, including Southlands in Shoreham. She has worked in some particularly challenging departments but none more so than Intensive Care. “The High Dependency Unit,” Nicki recalled, “was a place where things change so fast. Clearly some tragic events took place there, but also some amazing breakthrough moments too.”

“We don’t just treat the symptom, we look at the person as a whole.”

— Nicki Newson

The frustrations of the National Health Service were taking their toll on Nicki however, and she began to look for a way out. Nicki explained: “I’d always had an interest in complementary health, and I’d seen an osteopath myself over many years, so I took the decision to retrain.”

After deciding to retrain, Nicki moved to working in the Private sector, mainly in the High Dependency Unit at the Sussex Nuffield. It took four years full-time for her to gain a BSc degree in Osteopathy, during which time she continued to work as a nurse in HDU and latterly in Casualty in Ashford, Kent. “The course was a tough one, with evenings and holidays taken up in the student clinic from year two onwards. I graduated in 2003.” It was a very difficult course, both physically and academically, but when she graduated she was awarded Best Clinician of the year.

In the early 2000s, 135-137 High Street was a retail unit for agricultural machinery supplier Harper and Eede Limited. “It may seem unbelievable to some, but there was a yard at the back (now built on) with all sorts of massive farm equipment in! The High Street was very different, even only 11 years ago,” Nicki comments. Despite a lot of interest in the site in 2007, she managed to secure it for what she was planning.

The location was perfect, as she was living in Brighton at the time but was used to working around Lewes and Haywards Heath – so Nicki had plenty of contacts.

“It was always going to be a team business,” she explains. “One of the key enjoyable aspects of my nursing career was being part of a team, so I was keen to work with and alongside like-minded practitioners who could all work together.”