Ashdown Forest Living March 2020 Issue

March 2020

Pooh Corner, Hatfield, Sussex © Patricia Hall Pictures, Sussex, England

LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY & COMMUNITY NEWS TO ADVERTISE CALL 01342 300152

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SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

Dear Residents,

Whats inside this month

Welcome to the March issue.

Spring is just around the corner thank goodness. We have a wonderful early spring walk you might like to try, which is a good reason to go out and get some fresh forest air.

The mansion of Wakehurst has an interesting story connected to it - see our history feature.

Thirty years ago, Ashdown Forest’s future was very uncertain and it could have easily fragmented. This month there is an exhibition telling the story behind its eventual purchase and how it was secured for the future.

A local chocolate guru gives us an insight into his incredible work and how he was recently featured on Channel 5’s The Wonderful World of Chocolate.

An Early Spring Walk

Beavers Back in Sussex

The Wonderful Art of Chocolate

Ashdown Forest for Sale!

If you are a local charity or community group, please drop us a line anytime.

Thank you for supporting our many local businesses, we hope you can find what you are looking for here for your spring home & garden goals.

All the best for a great start to spring.

With Best Wishes,

The Wakehurst American Dream

Recipe

Tally & Chris Ashdown Forest Living To advertise call 01342 300152 info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk www.ashdownforestliving.co.uk FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Keep this directory handy for when you need it

Although this publication does not vet advertisers, a number of complaints will mean that businesses will be barred from further advertising.

Buxted Bonfire Society

Action For Sama

Ashdown Forest Living Notice: Ashdown Forest Living prints various articles, features, and advertisements. Although these appear in Ashdown Forest Living, any opinions expressed are the opinion of the author, these are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. © Copyright Ashdown Forest Living 2020. The contents of this publication are written specifically for our readers, no part may be reproduced elsewhere without express and prior permission.

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THE WAKEHURST

American Dream Wakehurst is one of our much-loved Sussex gems and a great garden of the county. The various and particular microclimates allow flora and fauna to thrive within its boundaries which could not ‘live’ elsewhere. This, and the sizable estate that it is, attracted the worldfamous Kew, who obtained it in the 60s.

The house itself is not fully open to the public, and so is perhaps not given quite the attention it deserves, though the exterior lends to the beautiful backdrop that makes the gardens so unmistakably special.

However, in the late 19th century the mansion was

indeed given the greatest tribute to the love of its beauty and longevity, here is the story: The American sportsman and politician, James J. Van Alen, son of Civil War general James H. Van Alen, was an anglophile, having graduated Oxford University and living several years (and perhaps

Guests entered the estate through a pair of massive iron gates with decorative floral patterns and four tall iron lights.

A long, tree-lined, gravel driveway led the guests up to the main estate. They would be greeted by footmen, attired in the Van Alen family colours, who would escort them inside a red carpet would be rolled out.

the best years) of his life here.

His was a wealthy, New York family who had made money first in railroading and latterly in the world of banking.

James lead the ranks of the Newport set, the exclusive part of Rhode Island, and was described by the New York Times as the ‘American Prince of Wales’. He lead a life of consummate luxury.

The Staircase

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WAKEHURST PLACE CONTINUED

The Hall: The walls were adorned with a large tapestry, antique paintings and the extensive china collection. On one side, the handsome marble staircase led guests upstairs, while on the other was a beautiful marble fireplace.

The library was created in a different style with light oak panelling shipped from France. It was reported to be Van Alen’s favourite room. where he could spend hours reading from one of his many antique volumes. A sofa said to be from Napoleon Bonaparte was housed there.

Described as a colourful character, an eccentric who had a wonderful connoisseur’s eye, James developed an enviable collection of fine and decorative art pieces. In 1876, he married Emily Astor, of the exceedingly wealthy (and famous) Astor family; they had three children. Sadly, only

The hall connected the north and south wings of the house and featured oak panelling and stain glass windows, decorated with numerous Persian rugs.

The Den: At the opposite end of the house, was the den and the ballroom, which occupied the entire north wing of the house. The den was dressed in dark wood panelling. Portraits of Van Alen ancestors grace the walls while the floors are covered in velvet rugs. The den all so doubled as a reception room where guests would be received and on nights when Van Alen hosted dinners it would be used as the smoking room.

five years after their marriage Emily died. James Van Alen must have been inconsolable, for not soon after, his father gifted him a large plot of land on his own estate in Newport and told his son to build ‘whatever he so desired’. This project was an expensive way to help James overcome his great loss and focus his mind.

Thus, plans for a brand-new English mansion were set in motion. James approached Lady Downshire, owner of Wakehurst Place (Sussex) for permission to use plans of the Elizabethan building to create a replica on his father’s estate; this she granted. Soon after James hired architect Dudley Newton to create

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WAKEHURST PLACE CONTINUED

his new home, with expansive gardens and green houses to boot.

When the mansion and estate was finished in 1887, it had cost Van Alen the equivalent of 15 million dollars today and was a perfect replica of Wakehurst.

The large garden was a topiary playground for Van Alen who loved all plants and flowers; he was able to expand his gardens even further when his father died, after which he demolished what had been his father’s monstrosity of a home, “The Grange” (only 5 years after it had been built!) and added a large green house and an automobile garage on to the estate.

James Van Alen loved Wakehurst and lived there year round, though it is interesting to note that due to his opposition to Prohibition, he spent time away from his beloved mansion, living abroad

The Ballroom: The ballroom was the largest room in the house and occupied the entire first floor of the north wing. On nights of balls all of the furniture would be cleared out and the rugs would be rolled up to create space for dancing. The walls were covered in portraits of Van Alen family members. The iron candle-lit chandeliers blazed at night and were only put out when Van Alen made the annual routine of blowing all the candles out himself before bed.

Dining Room

Daisy with her son William and her daughter Louise (Corbis Images)

Stairway to The Second Floor Hall

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WAKEHURST PLACE CONTINUED

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in Rushton Hall in Northamptonshire, and Cannes, France.

On his death in 1923 Wakehurst passed to his son, James L. Van Alen, along with a fortune of some $26 million. James L. and his wife, Margaret “Daisy” Post, used it only as a summer home, occupying their residence in New York City during the winters.

Upon James L.’s death, he left Wakehurst to his wife Daisy who sold the New York City residence and lived year around at the grand mansion, where she presided over Newport society. The Van Alen millions combined with the Daisy’s own inheritance of $10 million (from her uncle, Frederick Vanderbilt), allowed her to live a life of vast luxury and splendour at Wakehurst.

Many Newporters of Rhode Island downsized in the 1940s, as was the international trend (especially post WWII), yet Daisy continued to keep a full staff of more than 23 people well into the 1960s. She was noted to have commented, ‘Wakehurst is the last estate in Newport to be properly run.’

Two of Wakehurst’s bedrooms

Daisy died in 1969 and an auction was held that stripped the home of close to 100 years of Van Alen accumulations. The Salve Regina University bought the home for $200,000 and continue to maintain it true to the original design. *Note all photos of Wakehurst come from the Library of Congress.

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CLUES ACROSS:

QUIC

QUICK CROSSWORD Answers on page 30

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Gates to The Gardens (Former site of James’ father’s house, “The Grange”)

1 Joiner’s fastening

Across 1 Joiner’s fastening instrument 7 Oval pudding fruit 8 Childish outburst 9 Termite 10 Reject scornfully 11 Interrupt a public speaker 13 Lubricating oil 16 Whipped with a rod 18 A sharp blow 19 Technical term for the breastbone 20 Cut a design on metal 21 Houses of Parliament borough

P

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Down 1 Fodder crop 2 Casual comment 3 Used with daub to construct walls 11 H 4 Harangues A 5 Hand or foot wart 6 Sentimental love story 16C 11 Small cutting tool K 12 Admit to crimes 19 13 Native of Munich or Bonn S 14 Skilful A 15 Dish below a cup 21 W 17 Jeans fabric

S C I L U A G E 12C O A N F T E S E S

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ANSWER

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Warming Steamed Caramel & Apple Pudding Serves 8

By Sous Chef, Adam Paice, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

Ingredients • • • • • • • •

6 oz. x unsalted butter 9oz x caster sugar 6 oz. x self-raising flour 2 x whole eggs 1 x eggs yolk ½ teaspoon ground mixed spice 3 x bramley apples 100ml of water

method Apple Caramel

1. Peel, core and chop the apple into even sizes and placed to one side.

2. Place 3 oz. of caster sugar in a heavy bottom place and place on a medium heat, do not stir, just let the sugar turn to a golden caramel colour.

3. Add your apples followed by the water to the caramel and cook out until all the apples has cooked, once cooled slightly, break it up with a fork almost to a course puree and set to one side.

4. Take a pudding basin around 6inch diameter, line with butter, then with a covering of flour.

5. Pour the apple mix into the bottom of the basin.

Pudding Batter

3. Place a small saucer at the bottom of a deep pan then place in the pudding on top and fill up with warm water ¾ of the way up the basin, put a tight-fitting lid on. Bring the water up to a simmer and cook for 2 ½ hours checking every 30 minutes that the water is still at a good level (top up if needed). Place a knife through to check its cooked, should be clean.

4. Turn upside down onto a plate, leave for 3-4 minutes then give it a shake and it will pop out, serve with custard.

1. Cream together your sugar and butter until light and fluffy, add one egg at a time and mix together, then carefully fold in your flour and mixed spice, you may need a touch of milk just to loosen the mix.

2. Pour this on top of the apple mix, top with grease-proof paper and tie up the top of the pudding basin with string to keep the steam in and the water out.

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ASHDOWN

FOREST

FOR SALE! © Dave Brooker. www.mappingideas.co.uk

It’s perhaps a little-known fact that just over 30 years ago Ashdown Forest came within a whisker of being sold piecemeal to private investors, with potentially fateful consequences for the preservation of its cherished landscape and the public’s access to it.

Forest for the nation. An appeal went out for donations, and those co-ordinating it kept a list of donors, which ranged from a four-year old boy to some of the best-known in the land, from members of the nobility to ancient institutions.

In 1987, the then Earl de la Warr decided to sell his 6400 acres of land on Ashdown Forest, offering it to East Sussex County Council for a ‘knock-down price’ of £1.2 million. The council could only raise £330,000, and thus was born the public campaign to save Ashdown

© Dave Brooker. www.mappingideas.co.uk

© Dave Brooker. www.mappingideas.co.uk

The Ashdown Forest Research Group will shortly be presenting an exhibition about the campaign, which attracted the support of celebrities like Christopher Robin Milne (of

19

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CONTINUED

Winnie-the-Pooh fame) and the film star Dirk Bogarde. We have uncovered the stories of some of the donors, and also researched other threats to the forest at that time – oil exploration and the ‘hurricane’.

© Dave Brooker. www.mappingideas.co.uk

If you would like to know more about what was happening on Ashdown over 30 years ago, or would like to revisit old memories, do come and see the exhibition. It will run from 1st April to 31st May in the Information Barn at the Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross.

To find out more about the research group please visit their website at www. ashdownforestresearchgroup.uk where you will also find a list of donors to the fundraising campaign.

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22

An Early Spring Walk

A CIRCULAR WALK FROM ELLISON’S POND, ASHDOWN FOREST AND BACK VIA CAMP HILL, THE CROW AND GATE AND BARNSGATE

by Trevor Mann of High Weald Walkers

Approx. 5 miles/8.04 km. • Moderate. • Several stiles and some mud!

Start and finish at Ellison’s Pond car park, Crowborough Road, Near Nutley TN22 3JA (being the first car park on the right over the first cattle grid on the road to Nutley from the Crowborough direction).

Ordnance Survey Map Explorer 135. Map reference TQ462287 (R = right; L = left) Begin by walking in an easterly direction round the back of the pond and straight up the hill to the trees of Camp Hill Clump. At the top and continuing in a north easterly direction take the right-hand wide forest track (known as a “ride”) and continue downhill. Near the bottom of the hill look out for an indistinct right fork which initially will take you to a seat. Walk past the seat and into a small car park. This is called Roman Road because of a small section of Roman road on the left which is worth a look.

Carry on to the modern road. At the road turn L and walk along the verge. Cross the road roughly opposite the end of the perimeter fencing of the police area on the other side and where another track emerges via a gate from the left. (Note: this other track is an alternative path from the forest to the road should you have missed the first fork but will skirt the section of Roman road). [1]

23

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2 4 AN EARLY SPRING WALK CONTINUED

Follow the path keeping the perimeter fence on your right. Eventually this joins another wider ride. Turn R. This leads to a clump of trees called Crows Nest Clump behind the police perimeter boundary. Ahead you may see a couple of houses. One of these formerly, “The Crows Nest” was the home, for a while, of the celebrated Art Nouveau artist Aubrey Beardsley. The wide ride divides at the clump so stick to the left-hand path around it. From the clump walk down the hill which can be boggy in wet weather. At the bottom of the hill the ride joins another where you turn R. [2] Cross a small bridge over a brook and begin the climb up the hill where eventually you will emerge between houses at the main A26 road. [3] Turn L and walk along the footpath towards the Crow and Gate pub.

Almost opposite the pub is a lay-by with a bus stop. Crossing the busy road with care, in the boundary behind the bus stop you will see a stile and an old concrete public footpath sign almost hidden in the undergrowth on the left. Go over the stile, along the enclosed path and over the next stile then walk ahead through the “farmyard” to a metal farm gate.

Once through the gate turn sharp R towards a pillbox in the next field. (Note: this section may house some horses and will probably be rather muddy). Before the pillbox go over the stile in the corner on the left. There is a Vanguard Way way-marker here which is a sure sign you are on the right path! [4]

Follow the path along the right-hand hedge towards a gate but before the gate turn sharp L [5] where the path becomes enclosed and plunges into a wood via another stile. More mud likely here! Follow the path as it winds through the woods keeping to the right-hand side boundary. (Note: Early on the path is a little indistinct, and you may be tempted by a track going ahead deeper into the wood but this is not your route. If you remember to stick to the right all will be well and the correct path will re-appear with a wire fence on your left). After a while the path meets a stile into a field in a corner. Once over this and sticking to the left boundary of this field you will spot another stile (and farm gate) in the far-left corner of the field. Go over this and keep on in the same (muddy) direction through the woods, eventually meeting, and continuing along, a well-defined path with a deer fence on the left. Passing a cottage on the right the path then clearly veers to the right through trees, down some steps and on to a driveway.

There is a substantial finger-post here.[6] Turn R along the driveway and up the slight incline, through the gate and to the A26 again.

Cross the A26 [7] and take the right-hand made-up driveway to Barnsgate Manor which is a public footpath. Eventually you will pass a car park on the right and the driveway veers to the left towards buildings. On reaching the buildings turn R [8] and with another large car park on your left you will see a grassy

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2 6 AN EARLY SPRING WALK CONTINUED bracken and gorse and eventually you will meet the road.

track ahead of you with a gate. Go through the gate into woodland and more mud.

Follow this track to join another forest track where you should bear L eventually joining a made-up driveway. [9] Turn L, continue along the driveway and on reaching a fork bear R following the sign to Hillside Cottage.

Walking about 125 paces you will come to a way-marker pointing to the right towards a cottage. [10] (Not to be confused with a second way-marker several paces further along the road). Turn R here and keep bearing R along a short track to a stile. (There is a Weald Way way-marker on it). Once over the stile turn R along another made-up road/ driveway. At a point where the driveway bears quite sharply right (just past a house on the right) there is a forest track to the left and another Weald Way sign. Turn L here.

[11] Follow the track which winds through

Just before you reach the road you will see a wooden bridge leading to a stile on the left.

[12] Over the stile into the field and keeping to the right-hand side you will eventually reach another stile on the right on to the grass verge of the road. Over this and turn L along the verge to the road junction where almost opposite you will see a wooden gate leading on to Ashdown Forest. (Note: this can be a busy road junction so please take care when crossing the road). Once through the gate walk straight ahead to Camp Hill Clump. At the clump and keeping left walk down the hill back to Ellison’s Pond where the walk ends.

Happy Walking!

By Trevor Mann, High Weald Walkers. Your local Ramblers’ walking group. Member-led walks on Sundays and Tuesdays to suit most tastes.

Further details from www.highwealdwalkers.org.uk PLEASE NOTE: We hope that readers enjoy this walk, details of which are published in good faith but we offer no guarantee that the route is accurate, passable, legal or safe and neither High Weald Walkers, the Ramblers’ or their officers or members can accept any liability whatsoever.

AGE CONCERN UCKFIELD & DISTRICT We are appealing for donations and volunteer drivers as the demand from the elderly in the TN22 postcode areas for our free transport service is growing daily. We take the elderly to doctors and hospital appointments, with our volunteer drivers who get paid up to 50p per mile.

Our charity has been providing this free transport service for over twenty years but we will only be able to continue if we can get donations and volunteer drivers.

More funding enables more elderly to be taken to their appointments. Should you be in a position to be a volunteer driver or make a donation, it would be very much appreciated. Please make your cheque payable to Age Concern Uckfield and District and send to: Age Concern Uckfield and District, The Oast House, Down Street, Nutley, TN22 3LG or phone Ian on 01825 278325 or Malcolm 01825 371146 to discuss our services.

27

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28

One of Sussexes finest, the Buxted Bonfire Society, has roots which go back over one hundred and twenty-five years. After a brief break, in 2017 a few Buxted residents decided to reignite the society.

Three years on and it has grown to become one that is much-loved across the county, winning numerous awards for their unique and distinct costumes; ‘Stag Warriors & Huntsmen’ is their theme and they are well and truly established as one of the favourites amongst the crowds that flock to the wealth of bonfire events across Sussex.

But it’s not just about ‘Bonfire’, they also hold several community events throughout the year, including their next quiz night which will be held on the 24th April.

Next is the Buxted Village Fete (in association with the Buxted Horticultural society, Buxted W.I. and more…) which will be held on the 27th June, with a Barn Dance in the evening.

Membership is incredible value and the society prides itself on its fun, family friendly

ethos - with a diverse range of ages and backgrounds. All are welcome.

Take a look at their website: www.buxtedbonfire.co.uk for more details.

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1 Electric razor CLUES ACROSS: 7 Dangerous 8 Paper thrown at weddings 9 Breakfast meat 10 Starter 12 Lives of a cat? 13 Milk or beer measure 14 A mutual agreement 15 Prisoner’s response to a charge 17 The A in A-bomb 19 Curd or balm 20 An angel to watch over you 21 Burn superficially 22 Public speaker 1 Large canvas bags CLUES DOWN: 2 Public declaration 3 Baby’s noisy shaking toy 4 Offer money for favours 5 Doctor treating mental disorders 6 Young swan 11 Coal mine 13 Podded vegetable 14 Furniture shiner 15 Chipping tuber 16 Divine spirit 18 Under-age person

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1 Joiner’s fastening ACROSS: 1 Shaver 7 Risky CLUES ACROSS: ANSWERS instrument 7 Oval pudding fruit 88 Childish Confetti 9 Bacon 10 Soup 12 Nine outburst 9 Termite 10 Reject13 scornfully Pint 14 Pact 15 Plea 17 Atom 19 Lemon 11 Interrupt a public 20 Guardian speaker 21 Singe 22 Orator 13 Lubricating oil 16 WhippedANSWERS with a rod DOWN: 1 Sacks 18 A sharp blow 19 Technical term for the 2 Announcement 3 Rattle 4 Bribe breastbone 20 Cut a design5 on metal Psychiatrist 6 Cygnet 11 Pit 13 Pea 21 Houses of Parliament borough14 Polish 15 Potato 16 Angel 18 Minor CLUES DOWN: 1 Fodder crop 2 Casual comment 3 Used with daub to construct walls 4 Harangues 5 Hand or foot wart 6 Sentimental love story 11 Small cutting tool 12 Admit to crimes 13 Native of Munich or Bonn 14 Skilful 15 Dish below a cup 17 Jeans fabric

QUIZ ANSWERS

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ANSWERS ACROSS: 1 Screwdriver 7 Plum 8 Tantrum 9 Ant 10 Spurn 11 Heckle 13 Grease 16 Caned 18 Rap 19 Sternum 20 Etch 21 Westminster ANSWERS DOWN: 1 Silage 2 Remark 3 Wattle 4 Rants 5 Verruca 6 Romance 11 Hacksaw 12 Confess 13 German 14 Expert 15 Saucer 17 Denim

The beavers will be released under Natural England license in two locations within a large enclosed area for a five-year period to see how they settle into and adapt to their new environment. They will have over 250 hectares of land, including extensive swathes of willow, where they can roam and do what they do 44

After an absence of over 400 years, the beaver is coming back to Sussex. These natural ecosystem engineers, which help so much with natural flood management and water quality, were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th Century. Thanks to The Sussex Beaver Trial, a partnership led

by Sussex Wildlife Trust and the rewilding project at the Knepp Estate near Horsham, there will be a re-introduction of two pairs of beaver in either late spring or autumn.

Beavers are extraordinary hydrological engineers, able to build leaky dams and lodges, and create channels and deep pools. Isabella Tree, co-owner of the Knepp Estate said ‘This is a dream come true for us. We know beavers are one of the biggest influencers missing from our landscape. Not only are they masters of water management, they’re hugely

And Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England said ‘It is great to see Sussex getting beavers back into the countryside and the formation of new partnerships to support nature’s recovery.’ beneficial to biodiversity.

Insects, birds, aquatic plants, fish will all gain from the intricate habitats they create. I am longing for the day when I hear a beaver tail slapping on Hammer Pond.’

best – natural coppicing and natural flood management.

© David Plummer / Sussex Wildlife Trust

Slightly out of the Ashdown Forest area, but important for nature in our county:

Back in Sussex

BEAVERS

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32

ACTION FOR SAMA

On March 29th local Forest Row residents Stine DegmeierDouch and Ellen HamidVerhagen will be screening the Bafta Award Winning film ‘For Sama’ in the Forest Row Village Hall to raise money to help rebuild civilian hospitals and the main cities in Syria, so the displaced can eventually return home.

The documentary is a love letter from a young mother to her daughter: Waad al-Kateab’s life is shown through five years of uprising in Aleppo, as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her.

Her camera captures incredible stories of loss, laughter and survival as she wrestles with an impossible choice– whether or not to flee the city to protect her daughter’s life, when leaving means abandoning the struggle for freedom.

time and education for the children. In one camp I saw huge rats... babies sleep in plastic boxes with lids with holes in them so the rats can’t get to them. These are people like you and me, educated; doctors, lawyers, bakers, teachers, etc. They are ‘the great unwanted’, on the run from shelling and bombing by their own government, by the Russians, by us (the West), they need help to rebuild their former lives’.

Ellen fills in some background, ‘I have for several years been involved with the refugee crisis in Greece, mainly in Athens and on the Islands in the reception centres, originally built for 2000 people, bursting at the seams with over 20,000. We are trying to make the situation for refugees from Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan more bearable by providing basic needs, but also play

SUDOKUS

We hope you can join us to watch this wonderful, awardwinning documentary to help raise funds to rebuild their country.

Furthermore, in April they are also hosting an evening ball at The Long Room at Michael Hall School on the 25th. For tickets to both events go to billetto.co.uk and search for Action for Sama. Special guest at screening: Cate Blanchett.

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5. Afrikaans was developed from which European language?

6. One and a half litres of champagne is known as a what?

7. Who is reported to have played his fiddle while Rome burned?

8. Which Greek author was famous for his fables?

9. According to the Beatles, who 'Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been'?

10. Which ground is home to the Warwickshire County Cricket Club?

Anwsers 0n page 30

Joanna Lumley comes to East Grinstead A film company contacted Michael Todd Hairdressers (in the High Street), last month with an unusual request: can Joanna Lumley pop over to have her hair done?

It transpired that a Utility Warehouse commercial was being shot at the Bluebell Railway’s station, Kingscote, and Joanna had to have her hair done in a local salon as part of the shoot. Needless to say the staff were all too happy to oblige and thrilled to have a living legend come to visit who they said was, ‘Absolutely delightful (and fabulous)!’.

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36

The Wonderful Art of Chocolate What was the highlight of the whole experience?

Chocolate mega-guru, Chris Zammit, is opening a new chocolate factory in Crowborough and owns an ice-cream parlour in Tonbridge. A few weeks ago, he was featured on Channel 5’s Wonderful World of Chocolate (WWC). Here he gives us all the low-down:

How did you get introduced to the WWC? It all started with a call from the producers wanting to get in touch with a view to shooting me creating a chocolate showpiece. At the time, I was too busy and couldn’t oblige. Persevering, the producers called again in the middle of last year. I’d just committed to producing a huge showpiece for the Hamrun Chocolate Festival in Malta, so invited them to film me there: the crew was on its way to Malta!

I am used to creating showpieces in competitions, in full view of an audience or students while giving lectures, but this was my first experience in front of the TV cameras. It was unnerving at first but the crew made it as pleasant as possible for me and my assistant. We had a lot of tense moments but the highlight was getting it down from the truck and setting it on the podium without a hitch. The relief could be seen on all our faces!

Tell us about this incredible sculpture made for the festival in Malta, was it difficult to make this masterpiece?

Why is the festival such a big deal?

The Hamrun Chocolate Festival is held annually in Malta in the main streets of the locality of Hamrun. A celebration of chocolate, it attracts various companies involved in the trade which participate with their wares.

Being a son of Hamrun parentage, I was asked by my sponsors in Malta whether I would create something for the festival. Having family

and friends there, I shifted some things and arranged to go for a couple of weeks.

The organisers wanted something impressive in size and stature, to be created at my sponsors’ kitchens with the finishing touches at the festival itself. Chocolate is a heavy medium and as much as possible, I try to avoid supportive structures, but there was no way I could keep a 100 kg, 7ft chocolate statute in one piece travelling in a truck some 3 miles from the kitchen to the display site without some good solid framework.

I set about preparing the framework, made up of plastic tubing forming the position of the legs, hands, torso and head. I had my assistant Tizziano with me and for 5 days, the filming crew were continuously on top of us capturing every minute, as we built it up slowly. It took us 4 days to create it, working from early morning till late at night sometimes. We had moments of deep anxiety when we felt the framework would not support the total weight of the chocolate; but with some adjustments here and there we managed to get this awesomeness to stand on its own two feet!

37

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38 The producers of The Wonderful World of Chocolate were really pleased with the result and they have intimated their willingness to feature another showpiece in future episodes.

The festival organisers have also indicated their wish that I create something for them next year.

What are your plans for chocolate in the local area in the future?

My company has, late last year, started the move to a new production unit into Crowborough, from where we aim to produce ice-cream and chocolate products. I am keen on having the time to be more creative in chocolate production for the retail and catering trade, and maybe also the combination of chocolate and ice-cream. Beyond this, I formed part of the England Team for the Culinary Olympics 2020 held in Stuttgart, Germany last month.

Why is chocolate such a big deal to you personally?

Why do we all love it so much?

Chocolate has been my main interest for the past 8 years… and since I moved away from butter sculpture. It is such a manageable and creative medium. Easy to shape and colour, it gives free rein to the imagination and can even withstand the test of time, once correctly stored.

According to Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Amy Jo Stavnezer, we crave chocolate because it tastes and smells and feels good when it melts on our tongue. Those feelings are the result of our brain releasing chemicals in response to each chocolate experience. May those chemicals in our brains never die out!

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1 Electric razor

Across 1 Electric razor 7 Dangerous 8 Paper thrown at weddings 9 Breakfast meat 10 Starter 12 Lives of a cat?

13 Milk or beer measure 14 A mutual agreement 15 Prisoner’s response to a charge 17 The A in A-bomb 19 Curd or balm 20 An angel to watch over you 21 Burn superficially 22 Public speaker

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N N F E O U 11P 12 4 Offer money for favours N I N 14 5 Doctor treating mental disorders C T P A 6 Young swan O E 16A 11 Coal mine 19 L E MO N 13 Podded vegetable E 20G 14 Furniture shiner I 15 Chipping tuber21 S I N G E 16 Divine spirit T L H 18 Under-age person A C O Down 1 Large canvas bagsK 2 Public declaration 10 S O 3 Baby’s noisy shaking toy

Anwsers 0n page 30

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What’s On in March

If you would like your event on these pages email info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk for information.

THURSDAY 5TH MARCH

events book throughout the year. We welcome new members to our fledgling WI. Teas and a raffle. At 7:30pm, Church Hall, Nutley.

Flower Demonstration, “Inside Out” with Jean Plaskett. Visitors welcome £5.

Refreshments and raffle. Crowborough Flower Club meet at the Crowborough Community Centre, Pine Grove. For further information contact 01892 663702 or www.cfc.sussex. weebly.com. Doors open 7pm.

THURSDAY 5TH MARCH Groombridge History Group are delighted to welcome Gilly Halcrow presenting 'Knole House' - describing the history of one of the largest houses in England and the National Trust's project to save the house, and its many fascinating discoveries. All are welcome. Nonmembers £3. At 8pm, Groombridge Village Hall.

SATURDAY 7TH MARCH Ashdown Arts at Large – Again. An exhibition of Affordable Local Art, weekends only at the Ashdown Forest Centre. Free entry.

11am - 5pm. Tel: 01342 823583.

SATURDAY 7TH MARCH Charity Ceilidh in aid of children’s charity VICTA, featuring Unreel. All proceeds to the charity which helps blind children and their families, featuring the 7-piece band Unreel and caller Tony Dunn. Tickets are available at www. ticketsource.co.uk/scaynes-hill-ceilidh. £15 per head, including pizza buffet. At 7-10pm, Scaynes Hill Millenium Centre.

SUNDAY 8TH MARCH Flower Crown Workshop and Afternoon Tea. A flower crown workshop led by Highgate florist and growers to raise funds for Hospices of Hope. The event is to celebrate International Women's Day at 2pm, Highgate Florist & Growers, 1 High Street, Rotherfield, TN6 3LL. WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH WI Talk. Our speaker this month is Moira Cook whose talk is called, "Volunteer Car Service Stories" Guests £5. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month and have speakers or

WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH East Grinstead Art Society. Demonstration of mixed media using rollers with inks, acrylics and pastels by Rick Holmes a member of the Chelsea Art Society. At 2pm, Meridian Hall, East Court.

FRIDAY 13TH MARCH FILM: Woman at War at Pine Grove Pictures.

Tickets in advance from the Community Centre or J & K Gallery or on the door, price £8 but reduced to £4 if you become a member. Doors open 7pm, film starts at 8pm. Crowborough Community Centre.

SATURDAY 14TH MARCH Mansion Market. Parking and admission are free to this interesting market held in and around a beautiful 18th century mansion.

Puppet shows, taster therapy sessions, all-day cafe.11am - 4pm, Kidbrooke Park, Priory Road, Forest Row. MONDAY 16TH MARCH Uckfield Meeting Centre SFHG. Talk by Ian Hilder entitled, "My Life as a Genealogist" followed by free refreshments. At 7:30pm, Bridge Cottage, High Street, Uckfield.

THURSDAY 19TH MARCH "Whatever Happened to Christopher Robin?", an illustrated talk by Gilly Halcrow for the Friends of Ashdown Forest, looking at the life and times of Christopher Robin. Members free. Guests £5 or join on the day. At 2:30pm, Education Barn, Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross.

THURSDAY 19TH MARCH Groombridge Horticultural Society Evening Speaker. Jacqueline Aviolet will be talking to us about hardy geraniums. All welcome - free entry for members or £3 for non-members.

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided. At 8pm, Groombridge Village Hall.

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What’s On in March

If you would like your event on these pages email info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk for information.

SATURDAY 21ST MARCH

programme includes Haydn’s The Seven Last Words, excerpts from Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, anthems for Men’s Voices and more. Tickets: Adult £15; Students £8 from Bullfrog Music and online. For further information visit www. egcs.co.uk or find us on Facebook. At 7pm, The Church of St Peter and St Paul (Lingfield Parish Church), Old Town, Lingfield, RH7 6AH.

Festa Veneziana. A celebration of the music of Venice including Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ plus works by other Baroque composers such as Monteverdi, Gabrielli and Cavalli sung

by Crowborough Choral Society, under the leadership of musical director, Mark Beesley.

They will be accompanied by Alexandra Testai, soprano, Sidonie Winter, mezzo-soprano, lute played by Robin Jeffrey and organ by Andrew Wilson. Tickets £15 per person to include drink and programme: www.crowboroughchoral. com. At 7:30 pm, St Denys Church, Rotherfield, TN6 3FD. SATURDAY 21ST MARCH Forest Row Choral Society Concert will be joined by professional soloists to perform Dvorak's beautiful work Stabat Mater.

Conductor, Tom Scratchley. Soloists: Anna Sideris, Louise Callinan, Alexander Aldren, Rodney Earl Clarke. Interval refreshments.

Tickets £12 (under-16s free) on the door or from Mansell McTaggart estate agents, Forest Row. www.frcs.org.uk. At 7:30pm, Holy Trinity Church, Forest Row. SATURDAY 21ST MARCH Haywards Heath Music Society. Local concert pianist, Caroline Tyler plays Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantasie Op. 61, Ravel’s Jeux d’eau and Trios by Rachmaninov and Shostakovich.

Tickets, adults £15 and under 18s £5, available on the door or 01444 456227. www.haywardsheathmusicsociety.org.uk. At 7:30pm, St Wilfird's Church, Haywards Heath.

WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH Hartfield & District History Group. Ightham Mote - 700 Years of Music with Philip Stott. At 8:15pm, Hartfield Village Hall.

SATURDAY 28TH MARCH Music for Passiontide. East Grinstead Choral Society presents Music for Passiontide with Meridian Ensemble (leader George Clifford).

Musical Director Richard Jenkinson. The

SATURDAY 28TH MARCH Art for All. Hartfield’s annual community art event - free creative activities for all ages. The theme this year is trees. Create a silver birch forest, sculpt forest animals in clay, print tree rings or play your part in a giant communal branch drawing. Lunch and snacks available. Drop in any time and try as many activities as you like. Organised by Hartfield Arts & Theatre Society and St Mary’s Church.

Contact 01892 770714 / 07763 188538, Email: alisonberry28@yahoo.com. 12 noon - 4pm, St Mary's Church, Hartfield, TN7 4AG. SATURDAY 28TH MARCH Monteverdi Vespers of 1610. Performance with period instruments of this significant work. At 7:30pm, Church of St Margaret the Queen, Buxted.

SATURDAY 28TH MARCH Lee Hurst The bald one from the hit BBC TV programme, 'They Think Its All Over' shows why he is even better seen live. Plus three other top acts from the comedy circuit will provide the laughs for a great local night out.

Tickets £14, on the door - £16 (if available). Bar opens at 6:30pm, starts 7:30pm. Crowborough community centre.

SATURDAY 4TH APRIL Groombridge Horticultural Society Spring Show. All welcome to come and view the many flower, fruit, vegetable, floral art and cookery entries. Free entry and delicious teas and cakes available. At 2:30pm with prize giving at 4pm, Groombridge Village Hall.

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