Ashdown Forest Living Dec Issue

December 2012

“Waiting for the Thaw” by Juliet Murray

(c) Juliet Murray. Cards & paintings available from JulietMurray/Cogcraft, see ad on page 7

ALLZONES BUILDING & ROOFING 01342 315250 07851 421104 Gutter Cleaning

Tiled Roofing

See page 3

allzonesbanner-dec12.indd 1

Call 01342 300152 to advertise

Local Business Directory & Community News

Carpentry

Guttering Building works

Kissing under the Mistletoe 21/11/2012 22:59:50 The World Famous Ashdown Mummers Seasonal Recipe Local History Notes Give the birds a Christmas present

SMJ Set of 3 Compact Timers

£8.33 + VAT

Faithfull Folding Shovel

£4.99

+ VAT

Black & Decker Mouse & Extra Sanding Sheets

£16.66

DeWalt Heat Gun plus 64mm Professional Scraper

+ VAT

White granular salt 25k

£5.24 +VAT

£24.99

Premium Wood s Briquettebag )

+ VAT

10kg (12 briquettes

.00 £5+ VAT

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR OPENING HOURS Monday 24th December All Branches CLOSED

Saturday 29th December East Grinstead open 8am-1pm

Tuesday 25th December All Branches CLOSED

Haywards Heath and Crowborough open 8am-12.30pm

Wednesday 26th December All Branches CLOSED

Monday 31st December All Branches CLOSED

Thursday 27th December Forest Row CLOSED, Branches open 8am-12pm

Tuesday 1st January All Branches CLOSED

Friday 28th December Forest Row CLOSED, Branches open 8am-12pm

Wednesday 2nd January Resume Normal Business Hours

Forest Row:

East Grinstead:

Haywards Heath:

T: 01342 822191

T: 01342 317470

T: 01444 413413

Station Road, RH18 5EL

Railway Approach, RH19 1BY

College Road, RH16 1QW

Crowborough:

Ballards Yard, Park Road, TN6 2QS

T: 01892 652725

www.mstc.co.uk MSTC-A4-NOVAD.indd 1 • December 2012

• Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

01/11/2012 10:44:54

Flat roofing

Flat roof repairs

Flat roof boarding

STOP WINTER WATER

Testimonial: “It is with pleasure that I recommend Paul and Allzones Roofing Services. We encountered a problem at our residence over the last winter during the large snowfall with an ingress of water in two dormer window areas. We requested quotes from two well known roofing companies and were told we require a completely new roof at an exorbitant sum of money. Thank goodness we had someone refer us to Paul. He identified the problem as being poorly fitted felt and loose tiles which were pushed up by the snowfall & freezing weather. He and his men attended immediately and corrected the situation at a fraction of the cost quoted by the previous two companies It is truly wonderful to meet a tradesman who is not only extremely honest but very proud of the work he performs. I am quite confident that any who employs this company will be very pleased with the final result.”

Yours truly, Richard Reuss Independent Business Consultant Forest Row

DAMAGE!

ALLZONES BUILDING & ROOFING Dear Sir/Madam, We are a professional family business with 40 years experience. Our services are cost-effective with references.

Our Roofing Services • Roof tiling works, renew/repair • Flat roofing works, renew/repair • Sheet roofing, renew/repair • Chimney repair/remove/rebuild • Guttering replacement/Fascias • Full building services

Call Paul 01342 315250 07851 421104 Chimneys

Roofing repairs

Guttering

allZonesRoofing-dec12.indd 1

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December • 21/11/20122012 09:45:45

Index: Support Local Business

Dear Residents, Welcome to the Christmas issue!

Accountant/Book-Keeping Sargents Tree Services

27

Hopefully you’re having a joyous yuletide season so far.

TNMC Business Services

5

DR Newland

7

Antique Clock Repair

7

JH Vartan

27

With lots of Christmassy features from the World Famous Ashdown Mummers to Kissing under the Mistletoe, this issue should get you in the mood for merriment. Plus there’s three panto competitions to enter!

Architects

Stone Garden Services

27

We’d like to take a moment to thank you for supporting our many local businesses throughout the year and for all your feedback too. Please try to support local businesses when you can this Christmas.

For any community groups in the Ashdown Forest area or local charities that need extra promotional support into the new year, please drop us a line so we can assist.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming year.

Keep Tally & Chris this directory handy for when Ashdown Forest Living you need it To advertise call 01342 300152 info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk Follow us on TWITTER

Contents

David Fry

5

Art Juliet Murray, Cogcrafts Concepts

7

Blinds & Curtains Penumbra Blinds

10

Curtain Craft

17

Blinds & Curtains

13

Chez Soi Interiors

13

Estate Management

27

Levade Systems

25

Home Maintenance Services/Products Local Carpenter/Joiner

7

Logs

7

SCM Building Services

5

Leon Miller Electrical Services 19

Bathrooms Intelligent Bathrooms

Sacred Tree Surgery & Rural

21

Car

Allzones Building & Roofing 1,3 Ace Plastering

21

AI Plumbing

13

Nutley Motor Services Ltd. 21

Storaheat

19

Care

EPH Plumbing & Heating 13

Sussex Health Care Homes 31

Baileybridge Construction 29

Chinmey Sweeps

Mid Sussex Timber

Scuffs Sussex

23

Bennetts Chimney Sweep 30 Milborrow Chimney Sweeps 15

Cleaning Ovenaid

15

Black Maids

15

Supreme Ovens

27

Fernwood Polishing/Wood Refurb MRM Plastering

19

MM Roofing

19

6

High Weald AONB

8

Kissing under the Mistletoe

12

Sudoku/Quick Quiz

14

Christmas Did you know

16

The English Language

16

Local History Notes

18,20

Recipe

22

Food/Drink

The Mummers Play

24,26

Wiltshire farm food

Rangers Report

26

Health/Wellbeing/Fitness

Printing

Alfie Competition

26

Lotte Berk Fitness Studio 11

Danewood Press

Whats On

28,30

Atlas Profilax

7

Probate

Toni French Pilates

5

Morgan Probate

32

Events

Absolutely Kitchens

25

Black Cat Day

Offices for Rent

14

23 5

Pottery 11

Family Chiropractic Clinic 9

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 2012. The contents of this publication are written specifically for our readers, no part may be reproduced elsewhere without express and prior permission.

• December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

Kitchens Kitchens Bespoke

Computer Studio

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

19

Geoff Boorman Heating Oil 29

Panto Competition

Computer

2

Graham Lines Sports Massage 7

Garden/Landscape/ Exteriors

Country Traditionals

11 9

Satellite TV & Aerial Specialist Norsat

PK Construction/Landscaping Services 13

5

23

Tuition Violin/Viola

5

Snow Clearing

7

French Tuition

11

Richards Fencing

22

German Tuition

11

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Violin & Viola 0Y\YV] WXYHMS &IEYXMJYP VYVEP WIXXMRK 7QEPP GPEWWIW 1EGLMRI [SVO 4IVWSREP XVEMRMRK %WLYVWX &PEGOLEQ %

8

[[[ XSRMWTMPEXIW GSQ

Lessons 30 Years Experience (LRAM, valid CRB)

Any age over 5 including late starters Advanced students to Diploma level Small groups also References available

Sundari Heller

01342 823099

The Professional Local Book-keeping Service

Santa’s Grotto Day Sunday 9 December 2012. 12–2pm

Join us for a fun-packed day in our winter wonderland including facepainting, stalls, a raffle with a chance to win a festive hamper, singers from Mid Sussex Choir, plus a visit to santa for only ÂŁ3!

Find us at: National Cat Adoption Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, RH17 7TT (for SatNav users, follow RH17 7DE). T: 01825 741 330 W: www.cats.org.uk/ncac Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

SCM Building Contractors est. 1984

`Proud winners of the Sussex Heritage Trust award 2012’

Is the thought of filling in your tax return filling you with dread?

Paperwork stopping you from making your business work?

Business papers in a box waiting for tomorrow to come?

Do you want to make MORE time for you

If you can answer “YES!� to any of the above call James at: TNMC Business Services 01825 722601 or 07753 821128

Country Traditionals The best selection of Polish Pottery

Design • Planning • Project management Renovations & extensions • New build Listed buildings Tel: 01342 850917 or mob: 07710 942123 email: scmcontractors@tiscali.co.uk www.scmcontractors.co.uk Hartfield

CHARTERED ARCHITECT Plans for all Domestic and Commercial Property including

New Buildings Alterations and Extensions Works to Listed Buildings

Services include Designs Surveys Planning and Building Regulations Applications Contract Management Contact – David Fry RIBA Tel. 01825-791799

Visit our amazing Pottery Barn at London Road, Forest Row. RH18 5EE Extended opening hours for Nov/Dec Tues-Sat 10am-4pm Tel-01342 822622 www.countrytraditionals.co.uk

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 •

C

tic We om ke ha p ts ve et to 2 iti gi fa on ve m aw ily ay *

Panto Time!

Cinderella at Chequer Mead Theatre

Who will be going to the Ball with Cinderella this Christmas?

Compet it

Friday 21st December – Sunday 30th December Get ready for another unmissable Chequer Mead Christmas pantomime from Company of Friends!

The most popular and romantic pantomime of them all, Cinderella will be brought magically to life by a superb cast, an abundance of comedy, stunning sets and costumes and fabulous special effects! Will Cinderella win her handsome Prince?

Will Buttons help her outwit the Ugly Sisters?

Answer the question below to win tickets to this magical Family Pantomime at its best!

Question: What did Cinderella leave behind at the Ball?

Email answers to: info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk, enter online or write to: Panto Time, 33 Morton Road, East Grinstead, W. Sussex, RH19 4AF. Closing Date: 20/12/12. *11am, 30th Dec performance.

Tickets: £15.00 Concessions: £13.50 Family Ticket: £54 Fri 21st December 5.30pm only Sat 22nd , Sun 23rd, Thurs 27th, Fri 28th, Sat 29th December 1.30pm and 5.30pm Mon 24th & Sun 30th December 11am and 2.30pm Chequer Mead Theatre, East Grinstead, Box Office 01342 302000 or visit the website. www.chequermead.org.uk

UK Productions & the Assembly Hall Theatre Presents:

We have ion 2 tickets to family give awa y*

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Friday 14th Dec ’12 to Sunday 6th Jan ‘13

Opening Night: All tickets £15.50 Wed 19 - Thu 20 Dec: £19.75 £17.50 Children £15 Fri 21 Dec 10.30am: £19.75 £17.50 Children £15 All other dates and times: £22 £19 Children £16.50 Concessions: Seniors £2 off Family (x4) 10% off (Front stalls) Ticket office 01892 530613/ 532072, www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk UK Productions have been producing pantomimes for some of the country’s top theatres for over 15 years.

MARTIN DODD, Director says: “Snow White is one of the most favourite pantomime stories and we have a superb cast from some of our greatest children’s and adult television comedies so I can promise that the show will be big on laughs. Don’t miss it!”

A familiar face in television comedy, JANINE DUVITSKI will be stepping into the role of the Wicked Queen. One of the UK’s best loved actresses, she is renowned for her role, among others, as Jacqueline Stewart in ITV1’s Benidorm.

Joining Janine as ‘Muddles’ will be CHRIS PIZZEY, Basil’s comedy sidekick Mr Stephen in CBBC’s BAFTA - nominated children’s comedy ‘The Basil Brush Show’.

JOSH BENNETT comes from a dynasty of little people performers and will be playing one of the dwarfs. He is best known as the goblin in the last Harry Potter movie.

NICK WILTON, BBC1’s EastEnders’ Mr Lister will play the hilariously over-the-top Nursie.

Beautiful Snow White is being played by JENNY JONES who is best known for her performance as ‘the bubbly pink body mover’ in the hit children’s show Hi-5.

Seven genuinely little people are playing the lovable cheeky dwarfs.

Competition Question: Which famous question does the Queen ask the mirror?

Enter online or email: info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk, or write to: Snow White Competition, 33 Morton Rd., East Grinstead, W. Sussex, RH19 4AF. Closing date: 10/12/12. *Tickets are for Wednesday 19th December, 7pm.

• December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Accountants and Tax Consultants Experienced accountants providing small businesses and individuals with a tailored service, including:Accounting Systems, Bookkeeping, Budgeting, Capital Gains, Company Secretarial, Management Accounts, Payroll, Self Assessment, Statutory Accounts, Tax & VAT. For a free, no obligation, quote or informal chat please call or email to discuss your requirements.

Tel: 01444 831886 email: info@vereconsulting.co.uk website: www.vereconsulting.co.uk Teagues Barn, Lewes Road, Scaynes Hill, Haywards Heath RH17 7NG

LOGS

Local Carpenter & Joiner From wardrobes/shelving to kitchen fitting/cut & pitch roofing and more

Seasoned Logs for Woodburners & Open Fires Call Trevor Jobson:

40 yrs Exp. Prompt, Professional

01342 837247 or 07952 672353

Call John Kemp on

01892 770433 07905 133092

Prompt Professional Service

Clock Repair JAntique W Carpenter & Restoration

J W Carpenter

Specialist in the repair & restoration of antique clocks & barometers Over 25 Years Experience Turret/Public clocks serviced & overhauled John Carpenter C.M.B.H.I. Tel: 01342 458475 High Street, East Grinstead

Snow Clearing Service ▪ Drives from £20 ▪ Paths from £10 ▪ Drives, Private Roads, Parking areas, etc.

▪ Pre snow salting from £10 ▪ Includes white salt Call Matthew Harriyott of Country Works on:

07958 492046 01342 826070

Aches? Tension? Injuries?

Sports Massage Therapist, Graham Lines, says:

“You’re guaranteed to feel far better after a treatment, than when you came in!”

Sports Massage, Swedish/Full body, Deep Tissue, Hot & Cold Stone, Indian Head, Ultrasound

Call Graham on: 07763 311304 or 01342 810020 Fully Qualified & Insured, Member of FHT, ISRM

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 •

News from the High Weald AONB

Our woodlands are in the news a lot these days, ‘Ash dieback’ or Chalara fraxinea is another in a long line issues to affect our woods.

The Forestry Commission, the forestry industry and conservation bodies have been working hard to understand the effects this will have on the countryside and woodland sector. At this point, we still don’t know enough to be sure of the full implications. However, if predictions are to be believed Ash may well be a less significant part of our woodlands in the coming decades.

If you are a woodland owners we would encourage you to look for signs of Ash dieback. You can find out more about identifying Ash dieback at www.ashtag.org If you are visiting woodlands, the Forestry Commission have produced the following advice: • do not remove any plant material (firewood, sticks, leaves or cuttings) from the woodland; • where possible, before leaving the woodland, clean soil, mud, leaves and other plant material from footwear, clothing, dogs, horses, the wheels and tyres of bicycles, baby buggies, carriages and

other vehicles, and remove any leaves which are sticking to your car; • before visiting other countryside sites, parks, garden centres and nurseries, thoroughly wash footwear, wheels and tyres in soapy water Amongst all this, there is some positive news. These issues have got people talking. We have all realised how much we value woodlands, both culturally and economically. This is particularly pertinent in Sussex, especially when you consider that the High Weald is still one of the most densely wooded parts of the UK. It retains more ancient woodland than any other protected landscape and still supports a small but vibrant coppicing industry.

This general concern for woodlands was ignited in 2011 after the public outcry following the government plans to sell off the forest estate. So if you are concerned about the future of our woodlands, then you might want to consider these points: • Our ancient woodlands are fantastic places to explore and enjoy.

• They are an irreplaceable feature of our landscape.

• They are host to some of our most popular wildlife.

Matt Pitts Woodland Officer

• They preserve an undiscovered wealth of archaeology.

• They could play a part in reducing our dependence of fossil fuels.

• They can sustain a valuable local woodland economy.

• The pressures from diseases are accelerating the changes but woodlands are resilient and with sensitive management, will survive.

This gives us an opportunity to work more closely together to shape the future of our woodlands and make sure they can still play a part in economic and social prosperity.

If you are interested in any of the above we want to hear from you. Contact Matt Pitts, the Woodland Officer from the High Weald AONB Unit on m.pitts@highweald.org or 01580 879959.

• December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

AtlasPROfilax®

Did you know that the Atlas bone is misaligned in most people?

What if you could Get rid of

BACK PAIN, NECK PAIN, WHIPLASH, MIGRAINES, etc... ?

A Specialist Probate Service No Obligation Consultation Fees 1¼% (VAT FREE) Qualified Solicitor Full Indemnity Insurance Regulated by the Law Society Serving the Ashdown Forest Area T 01892 740666 E ian@morganprobate.co.uk W www.morganprobate.co.uk Morgan Probate AFL Ad 95mm x 65mm.indd 1

Situated at the base of the skull, a misaligned Atlas bone can disrupt the normal flow of information between the brain and the body causing numerous painful and medical conditions.

Such conditions as: recurring back pain, stiff neck, migraines, joint pain in the hips and/or knees, trapped nerves & more.

Marie-Agnès Casalini

USING A REVOLUTIONARY TREATMENT from SWITZERLAND in only one application, safely & permanently, the Atlas bone returns to its correct position.

For more details and booking, contact: Marie-Agnès Casalini, Certified AtlasPROfilax practitioner Tel: (01342) 303279 Mob: 07828 954 304 Email: marie.atlas@yahoo.co.uk See More Testimonials: www.marieatlas.co.uk

13/06/2012 16:53

Suffering from aches & pains?

s suffer from Back pain? mayou X -Do a i ec l or Headaches?

SpMigraines All for £34 inclusive Full Examination (RRP £49) + X-rays/Nerve Scans (RRP £85)

Neck pain?

Leg ofpain?

Shoulder To take advantage this incredible offer just call andpain? book before the 20 December, 2012 & quote ‘Ashdown Forest Living Special.’

Arm pain? Arthritis? th

We give effective, friendly care...

‘I had been off work for 13 months and I am now fully back to work and able to return to some of the sports which I hadn’t played since the prolapsed disc first occurred…’ M.F. Dr. Teresa White

Free Parking • Affordable Prices • Friendly Service Old Station House, London Road, East Grinstead, RH19 1ET Tel: 01342 315298 Website: www.familychiropracticsussex.co.uk Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 •

Penumbra Blinds P

enumbra Blinds of Tunbridge Wells are proud to announce that they are now manufacturing and retailing the revolutionary new Vision blind from Louvolite.

Vision is an innovative new window blind that features two layers of translucent and opaque horizontal striped fabric. The front layer moves independently of the back allowing the stripes to glide between each other creating an open and closed effect, with limitless light control.

Sliding the fabric into a closed “opaque - opaque” position allows full Privacy and an impressive block of beautiful fabric at your window, whilst the “translucent - opaque” position creates a stunning striped statement.

Vision blinds not only look great but are practical too, enabling you to soften excess daylight and reduce the glare entering your room. Easy to

use, a single control is used to slide the opaque and translucent woven stripes past each other. the same operation is used to raise or lower the window blind to any height in the window with ease, in the same way that the classic roller blind would.

A Vision blind will also roll up fully into the attractive cassette head rail to reveal an uninterrupted view to the outside.

Penumbra also manufactures a comprehensive range of internal and external blinds for home or office.

Please contact Stuart or Steve at Penumbra Blinds for a pressure free opportunity to see this refreshing new product, either at your home or in our showroom on 01892 825522.

See advert below

Partially Open | Opaque - Opaque

Closed | Translucent - Opaque

Closed | Opaque - Opaque

VISION M A K E A S TAT E M E N T W I T H

C O N T E M P O R A R Y

W I N D O W

Penumbra Blinds and Solar Control Ltd Unit 2 Albans Farm, Romford Road, Pembury, Kent TN2 4BB.

Tel : 01892 825522

S T Y L I N G

NEW LOUVOLITE® VISION WINDOW BLINDS

10 • November 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

The Danewood Press Ltd Print

Design

Quality

Isle of Thorns, Chelwood Gate, West Sussex RH17 7LA

Wedding Stationery Business Stationery Letterheads Compliment Slips Business Cards /($)/(76 Postcards Brochures Pads Folders Books Posters Flyers Labels Plain Paper Carbonless Forms

Envelopes

sales@danewoodpress.com 01825 740302

4NBMM NPWFNFOUT HSFBU SFTVMUT

FRENCH GERMAN TUITION TUITION Adults & Children

AshdownForestLiving Ad 2012.indd 2

JODSFBTFT n FYJCJMJUZ BOE TUSFOHUI DSFBUFT MPOH MFBO TVQQMF NVTDMFT O JNQSPWFT QPTUVSF O UPOFT m SNT BOE SFTIBQFT UIF CPEZ O

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5IF -PUUF #FSL &YFSDJTF 4UVEJP .JESBOHF )PVTF $IBSMXPPET 3PBE &BTU (SJOTUFBE BMTP BU 50$ ) )BMM -JUUMF .PVOU 4JPO 5VOCSJEHF 8FMMT XXX MPUUFCFSLFBTUHSJOTUFBE DP VL

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09/10/2012 13:23:05

Adults & Children

Exams • Conversation • Business I am a native French tutor.

Home visit available Experienced • Caring • Patient CRB checked.

I teach REAL-LIFE, CONVERSATIONAL German in groups and one-to-one EASY - FUN

Christine 07957 418008

For more info call:

christine@sussexfrenchtutor.co.uk

www.sussexfrenchtutor.co.uk

01342 811099

www.easygermanlearning.co.uk

A full festive dinner and not a saucepan in sight.

What more could you want for Christmas?

Christmas is a time for putting your feet up, so leave mealtimes to Wiltshire Farm Foods.

They offer around 250 delicious, individually portioned dishes, including irresistible Christmas options.

FREE DELIVERY Honey Roast Turkey Breast with vegetables ÂŁ3.95

Meals from ÂŁ2.95

For a FREE brochure call

01732 860 018 wiltshirefarmfoods.com

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 11

Kissing under the mistletoe this Christmas?

According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss.

But where did it all start?

Shakespeare called it ‘the baleful Mistletoe,’ an allusion to the Scandinavian legend. One theory is that the Norse god Balder, the god of Peace was the best loved of all the gods. His mother Frigga, goddess of love and beauty loved her son so much that she wanted to ensure no harm would come to him.

So she went through the world, securing promises from everything that sprang from the four elements - fire, water, air, and earth - that they would not harm her beloved Balder.

Leave it to Loki, a sly evil spirit, to find the loophole which was the parisitic mistletoe which does not grow from the earth. It takes seed through bird-dung landing on trees, the birds having ingested the berries (urgh…). Loki made an arrow from its wood and what’s worse, he took the arrow to Hoder, Balder’s brother, who was blind. By guiding Holder’s hand, Loki directed the arrow at Balder’s heart, and he fell dead.

Frigga’s tears became the mistletoe’s white berries. There’s a happy ending with Balder being restored to life.

Frigga is so grateful that she reverses the reputation of the offending plant - making it a symbol of love and promising to bestow a kiss upon anyone who passes under it.

Mistletoe was held in great reverence by the Druids, they thought it a curative for everything from infertility to epilepsy... They believed Mistletoe protected its possessor from all evil.

Commonly used as a Christmas decoration, it traditionally remained hung throughout the year, often to preserve the house from lightning or fire, until it was replaced the following Christmas Eve.

Price Match Guarantee*

The Ashdown Forest Living has grown from strength to strength with the majority of our customers continually renewing because our advertising has proven results.

“I jumped at the chance to have an ad in the ‘Ashdown living’ wh en I heard about it. The fact that it is del ivered by the Royal Mail means it gets to all those properties in and around the Ash down Forest area that are hard to reach.

This was proved to me when I won a job in Crowborough, at a house with 1km drivew ay! I’ve had great results advertising in this publication and will continue to do so for as long as it is around.”

Matt Merrell, MRM Plastering and Bui lding

ASHURST GROOMBRIDGE FRANT

HARTFIELD FOREST ROW

BELLS YEW GREEN

ERIDGE GREEN

COLEMAN’S HATCH

CROWBOROUGH

CHELWOOD GATE HORSTED KEYNES

NUTLEY

DANEHILL LINDFIELD

SHEFFIELD PARK

SCAYNES HILL

DUDDLESWELL HADLOW DOWN

MARESFIELD BUXTED

FLETCHING

WIVELSFIELD

01342 300152 or 07930 251799

Reach over 18,000 households door-to-door

SAINT HILL

www.ashdownforestliving.co.uk info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk *We guarantee the best advertising prices of any door-to-door delivered publications in this area (per thousand delivered) terms and conditions apply.

12 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Blinds & Curtains *Made to Measure*

Contemporary

- Traditional

Your LOCAL Choice at the Best Prices!

For FREE Home Visits and Advice, Estimates & Fitting

Buy Direct and Save £££’s Please call for an appointment

Elizabeth Designs

01342 301060

 Boiler changes, servicing, repairs and breakdowns.  Full bathroom design and installation service.  Friendly, prompt and reliable service.  Gas Safe registered. Fully Insured.  Ring for free no obligation friendly advice or quotation.

Tel: 07972 172609

01892 750124 / 01435 872247 E-Mail: william.court2@btinternet.com

No call out charge

Construction & Landscaping Contractors • Fencing • Patios • Decking

• Extensions • Conversions • Refurbishments

er nt ow pme P ui st te Eq La ing st In sh Ju Flu

AI PLUMBING & HEATING 01342 327218

ADAM MARLOW : 07886 519342 IAN PRADO : 07727 140525 -Boilers -Oil & Gas -Underfloor Heating -Unvented Systems -Heating -Design -Bathrooms -Power Flushing

-All plumbing works -Fully Insured -Free Quotations -Contract work undertaken -24 hour Call Out -Tiling & Electrical also available

References on request Gas Safe number: 307360

Bespoke, Hand Made Blinds, Curtains & Soft Furnishings Tina of Chez Soi Interiors has extensive experience in all aspects of soft furnishings.

Most of her work comes through word of mouth, with customers local to the Ashdown Forest area. From small blind to the complete design of a house, she prides herself on giving a professional, one-to-one service. Highly experienced,Tina can offer help & recommend styles, fabrics, etc.

15% off

Your 1st order with this advert

‘Transform Any Room’ For a free quote contact Tina on: Tel: 07814 802735 Email: chezsoiinteriors@gmail.com www.chezsoiinteriors.co.uk

References for Local Works Completed Friendly Advice, Experienced

Call: 01342 458179 or 07824 532322 Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 13

OFFICES

TO LET in modern existing office in central Forest Row. Light & pleasant office.

Internet, Excellent facilities, Flexible terms.

E: mayfieldaccounts@ hotmail.co.uk or

Call Paul 07768 505 911

Quick Quiz

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the 1: Which six letter word can precede each of the following? Ship, Russia, lode and board. simplest things - not 2: Who is the premier league’s top goal scorer of all the great occasions time? give off the greatest 3: Which religious expression is also the name of the glow of happiness. floating mountains on Pandora in the film Avatar?

PrintFreeSudokuPuzzles.com Bob Hope Puzzle Set #D7658 Level: Difficult

From Summer Magic comes Christmas Magic

5: Until it was surpassed by cotton, which gratifying substance was Britain’s largest single import between 1750 and 1820?

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Plans are now afoot for a London Gala performance of “Christmas Magic” next year, mixing celebrity names with local talent in a full length inspirational show, from which el: Difficult “Summer Magic” is in fact a self standing adaptation.

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14 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

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8: Name the syndrome given to hostages that sympathise with their captors.

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6: In which American city does the movie character “Rocky” come from?

In our August issue, we told you of the new Crowborough based show, “Summer Magic,” incorporating a stunning new ballet performed by 40 members of the Caroline Wright School of Dance. This proved a resounding success and raised thousands for the Charities Prince Charles’ Foundation for Children and the Arts and Brain Tumour Research Campaign. If you or your children did not manage to see it, all is not lost however, as the professionally made dvd is available from Harvey’s Video Productions tel: 01892 668350. This makes a lovely and unique Christmas present for all ages and £5 from each sold will go to the two charities.

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info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

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Did you know?

In Britain, eating mince pies at Christmas dates back to the 16th century. It is still believed that to eat a mince pie on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas will bring 12 happy months in the year to follow – so now you have a good excuse!

Festivities were banned by Puritan leader, Oliver Cromwell, who considered feasting and revelry, on what was supposed to be a holy day, to be immoral. The only celebration was by a sermon and a prayer service. The ban was lifted only when the Puritans lost power in 1660.

The custom of singing Christmas carols is very old - the earliest English collection was published in 1521.

“Hot cockles” was a popular game at Christmas in medieval times. It was a game in which the other players took turns striking the blindfolded player, who

had to guess the name of the person delivering each blow. “Hot cockles” was still a Christmas pastime until the Victorian era.

Frankincense is a sweet smelling gum resin derived from certain Boswellia trees which, at the time of Christ, grew in Arabia, India, and Ethiopia. Tradition says that it was presented to the Christ Child by Balthasar, the black king from Ethiopia or Saba. The frankincense trade was at its height during the days of the Roman Empire. At that time this resin was considered as valuable as gems or precious metals. The Romans burned frankincense on their altars and at cremations.

Christmas was once a moveable feast celebrated at many different times during the year. The choice of December 25, was made by Pope Julius I, in the 4th century A.D., because this coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. The intent was to replace the pagan celebration with the Christian one.

Due to the time zones Father Christmas has 31 hours to deliver gifts? This means 62,919 would need to be delivered per second!

Ashdown Pantomimers: Snow White

Co m p e t i t i

Over 25 years of magic!

The WI ‘gave birth’ to Forest Row’s panto back in the 1970s but they struggled to keep it going and there were a couple of ‘dark’ years. However, such was the enthusiasm within the village that Ashdown Pantomimers was created to carry on the tradition.

on

‘We take our performance seriously, but never ourselves’ Drawing people aged 12 to infinity from such a diverse community as Forest Row (and beyond) provides loads of talent and guarantees a colourful laughter-filled evening of traditional panto. Come and boo, hiss, join in the songs and be amazed - suitable for all ages. So, at the end of January, when you’ve had just about as much of winter as you can take, come and sample the magic, have a sing-song and a laugh.

SNOW WHITE

by John Morley

23 - 26 JANUARY 2013 This winter the younger members take centre stage as the dwarves, ably abetted

by Snow White’s hilarious nurse and the thigh-slapping Prince. Our version of the panto (well, John Morley’s actually) has lots of the usual gags, slapstick, dashing costumes, funny dwarves and magnificent royalty…

Illustration: Anna Koska

Forest Row Large Village Hall

Tickets: Foresta Travel, Hartfield Road,

Wed 23 Jan & Thurs 24 Jan at 6.45pm Friday 25 Jan at 7.45pm Saturday 26 Jan at 2.30pm and 7.45pm

Forest Row (01342 822607)

Bullfrog Music, Ship Street, East Grinstead (01342 315602) Adults £7. Concessions and children under 12 years £5

Doors open half hour before performance for you to enjoy a drink from the licenced bar

Competition Question: Which fruit did the evil Queen offer to Snow White?

Enter online or email: info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk or write to: Pantomimers Competition, 33 Morton Rd., E. Grinstead, W. Sussex, RH19 4AF. Closing date: 31st Dec ’12.

Snow White at the Forest Row Village Hall Wed 23 Jan & Thurs 24th Jan at 6.45pm. Friday 25 Jan at 7.45pm, Saturday 26th Jan at 2.30pm and 7.45pm.

Tickets (Adults £7. Senior citizens and children under 12 years £5) from Foresta Travel, Hartfield Road, Forest Row 01342 822607 or Bullfrog Music, Ship Street, East Grinstead 01342 315602. Doors open half hour before performance for you to enjoy a drink from the licenced bar 16 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts â&#x20AC;˘ December 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 17

Local History Notes Rev John Mason Neale, Ashdown Forest and Good King Wenceslas

© East Grinstead Museum, reproduced with their kind permission.

Much has been written about the Rev John Mason Neale when he was Warden of Sackville College, East Grinstead. He was a prolific writer and translator, writing many carols which were popular in their day. Today he is mainly remembered for the carols, “Good Christian Men Rejoice” and “Good King Wenceslas”. The latter was a Bohemian priest, not a king. What is intriguing is how resonant the words of this carol are to the actions & thoughts of Neale himself, as he looked out across the sweeping views of the Forest landscape.

“Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen.”

The story of how Neale came to form the Sisters of St Margaret, an Anglican order of nunns, is based on a very similar scenario. As he sat in his study in Sackville College, Neale wrote in his diary “one dreary autumn afternoon… looking out on that vast tract of country which is overlooked by my study windows, along which the November rains were then driving in lines almost horizontal, I saw the poverty of those who scraped a living on Ashdown Forest”. Of course we know, Wenceslas saw a poor man “gathering winter fuel”; Neale saw people doing the same and dying from lack of care in the cottages and hovels. At that time the dread of infection was so great that no-one would nurse a case of fever. Neale thus formed the idea of a community of women who would go amongst the poor and nurse them in their own homes. At the same time they could also care for their souls. Sisterhoods undertaking such voluntary work were becoming more numerous throughout the country. The idea of voluntary nursing for the good of mankind was epitomised in the work of Florence Nightingale in the Crimea.

Neale had written “Carols for Christmas” in 1853 in collaboration with the Rev. Thomas Helmore who helped chose the music. They were inspired by the gift of a rare copy of a Swedish book called “Piae Cantiones” dating from 1582. Two years later Neale founded the Sisters of St Margaret. However, this aroused harsh feelings in East Grinstead as it was felt 18 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

by many people to smack of Catholicism.

Nevertheless Neale went ahead and set up his Sisters in Maresfield, as nowhere closer was suitable. He frequently walked the fourteen miles to visit them and back again. This was clearly not sustainable, especially given his own poor health. Fortunately, a building close to Sackville College, became vacant and the sisters moved into it. In addition to housing the sisters doing the nursing outside the convent, growing numbers of orphans were now being taken in.

The first Mother Superior was Sarah Gream known as Sister Ann. She is listed in the 1861 Census with her were six Sisters of Mercy, one of whom was a “candidate for probationer”, a cook and a housemaid. They were responsible for two visitors, a boarder and thirty three scholars, ranging in age from three to sixteen.

Surprisingly, one of the Sisters of Mercy was only fifteen years old herself. Sister Ann continued as

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Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 19

It was becoming apparent that the premises were too small to accommodate the growing numbers of orphans that presented themselves for help. This work was in addition to the nursing that took place in the community. By now Neale’s reputation had changed dramatically from his earlier one.

He began to be recognised and admired for his humanity and was supported. Money was raised to build a convent which would allow the work of the Sisterhood to expand. One day in August 1865, the foundation stone for the new convent was laid and the convent opened its doors in 1870. Sadly Neale himself would not see the completed building. He had died four years previously, on August 6th 1866, worn out by his long

© East Grinstead Museum, reproduced with their kind permission.

Mother Superior until 1864, when she was succeeded by Sister Alice.

In 1902 she in turn was followed

by Sister Erminilde, one of Neale’s own daughters.

battles against ill health, authority and his efforts for the poor.

One of Neale’s favourite quotations was: “What is difficult may be done, What is impossible must be done.”

This quotation provided the title of a book, written by one of the Sisters, outlining the history of the Convent: “Doing the Impossible”.

His legacy lies in two areas: his

contribution to the canon of hymns and carols and in the continuing work of the Sisterhood now housed in Hooke Hall, Uckfield. The sisterhood still carries out the work of helping the less fortunate to healthier and happier lives with sister convents in many other parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, South Africa and America. Given the many difficulties surrounding his life and work, he can be truly said to have achieved “the impossible”.

Give the Birds a Christmas Present!

A great way to keep the kids busy and interested in nature and help birds through the Winter!

Basic Recipe for Suet balls for Birds: Ingredients: Package of Suet plus any of the following: bird seeds, peanuts, high energy seeds, sultanas bread crumbs (slightly moist as otherwise they can swell in the stomach) and other pieces birds would like. Please remember, nothing salted or spoiled!

Gently heat the suet, do not boil, and add to a mixing bowl with the rest of the ingredients.

The mix would be approximately one-third suet to two-thirds other ingredients. The texture should be sticky, which will go solid when set.

You can fill old coconuts shells, little yogurt pots or other such containers and leave to set in fridge. If you have an old tree in the garden with ‘holes’ these can be filled with the sticky mixture.

You can use either vegetarian or beef suet.

20 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

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Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 21

Venison, Juniper & Burgundy Crumble Ingredients

Serves 4

600g Diced Venison 1 Onion peeled and finely chopped 2 Sticks Celery finely chopped 1 Leek finely chopped 10 Juniper Berries crushed 2 Cloves Garlic Small bunch of Rosemary & Thyme 15g Flour 2 glasses red wine 500ml Chicken Stock For the Crumble Topping 100g Flour 50g Butter 100g Mixed Nuts – Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts

Method 1. Preheat your oven to 160 C / 325 F / Gas 3.

2. Coat the diced venison in the flour and season, fry in a hot pan with a little vegetable oil until golden brown. Transfer into an ovenproof dish.

3. Fry the Vegetables and herbs in a little vegetable oil until golden brown and add to the dish, pour over the wine and chicken stock and mix well, cover and place in the oven for 2 ½ hours.

4. To make the crumble topping mix all ingredients together, rubbing the flour and butter through your finger tips until it resembles breadcrumbs, pour this onto a flat baking tray and bake until golden brown, this should take around 10minutes.

Recipe by Chef

Matt Sandells at The Griffin Inn

5. The venison is cooked when it just starts to fall apart and the sauce has thickened.

6. Once cooked transfer the venison onto a plate and sprinkle over the crumble mix.

7. Serve with parsnip mash, curly kale or green beans.

Recipe provided by the Griffin Inn, to see their Christmas menu view our November issue online.

The Griffin Inn, High Street, Fletching, TN22 3SS, Tel: 01825 722890

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Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 23

T h e M u m m e r s P l ay A piece of Traditional Sussex Christmas

The Mummers’ Play is a traditional folk drama that dates back to at least the Middle Ages and was popular throughout England in various forms and names.

Alternatively, recent research suggests that it is more likely to have been based on eighteenth century chapbook plays as a way of extorting funds from the rich farmers and landowners…perish the thought!

in 1973 when Simon Lewis, who had joined the recently formed Ashdown Forest Morris Men, became interested in folk traditions. Whilst researching, with Jon Checkley in East Grinstead Library, Simon came across a script for a mummers’ play and thought it would be interesting and fun to perform at Christmas. He took the initiative, made copies of the script and persuaded a few of the Morris Men and some school friends to perform the play on the Ashdown Forest Morris Men’s Christmas Tour. The following year the ‘Ashdown Mummers’ toured round the pubs of the Ashdown Forest and have been doing so every year since on the weekend before Christmas!

So 2012 is their 40th Christmas. They have never missed a year and 3 of the original group in 1973 (St George, The Doctor and Beelzebub) have been in every performance!

The word Mummer may have come from the Greek or Old German meaning a mask. Thus a labourer would don a disguise to become a mummer in much the same way as someone dress in vestments to become a priest.

The Mummers started because it was interesting and fun, and carry on for the same reasons. Over the years they have gathered a strong following, many of whom see the play every year. The play gives the people of the Ashdown Forest a real Christmas

It has been speculated that the theme of the play is the continuing cycle of death and resurrection. Thus it is part of the struggle of good against the forces of evil, and helps to ensure that Spring follows a severe Winter - something that should not be taken for granted… The actual significance of the individual characters has largely been lost and can only be reunderstood by those taking part over many years.

How the plays started and how they ended up being performed in thousands of villages across the south of England is unknown. Each village seems to have had its own version, but what is perhaps most interesting is how similar each is in script and characters. A number of plays were still being performed in Sussex into the twentieth century, but seem to have been killed off by the First World War. Perhaps the performers left for war and never came back, or had seen such sights that they felt the play was no longer relevant. When the Ashdown Mummers started there were very few other groups but these days there are a lot more, some of whom write their own modern version.

The World Famous Ashdown Mummers started 24 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

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Improving your home at sensible prices or email: ask@absolutelykitchens.co.uk Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 25

experience not tainted by commercialism. Audiences love the traditional Father Christmas dressed all in green and with the other characters, including Beelzebub, Little Johnny Jack and the Turkish Knight make it a night to remember.

Old acquaintances will turn up again after many years away, they always seem to know where to find the Mummers who are keeping a small part of England as it should be. Lots of other performers join in at different times over the weekend: singers, musicians, hand-bell ringers, which all adds up to an inspiring start to Christmas.

Many thousands of pounds for local charities has been raised over the years as it is customary that, having been fortunate to witness one of these rare performances, the onlooker contributes to ‘the Bag’.

This in turn will assure a peaceful Christmas and their good luck during the following year!

Saturday 22 December 12.00 Red Lion, Turners Hill RH10 4NU 1.00 (To be confirmed) 2.30 Laughing Fish, Isfield TN22 5XB 7.00 Royal Oak, Crawley Down RH10 4HZ 8.00 The Hatch, Colemans Hatch TN7 4EJ 9.00 The Wheatsheaf, Jarvis Brook, Crowborough TN6 2NF (To be confirmed) Sunday 23 December 12.00 The Crown, Groombridge TN3 9QH 1.00 The Anchor, Hartfield TN7 4AG 2.00 Foresters Arms, Fairwarp TN22 3BD

Catch the play over the weekend before Christmas.

Although times accurate when going to print, please check before setting out. See www.mummers.org.uk or visit their Facebook page.

Alfie the Ranger’s Report Ashdown Forest Aardvark Win 1.75 miles/3km £10 From Linton’s car park cross the road (with care) into Ridge Ashdown Forest

Remembrance Day at the Airman’s Grave marked another year in the forest’s calendar, well over 2000 people attended. We have a lot to be thankful, remembering that the peace and freedom we have on the forest now, was fought for.

This month we also have the Ashdown Forest Wood Turners at the

carForest parkCentre (summer only).and Walk out and of the rear past a by seat onto on Saturday Sunday a new exhibition a grass path and in about a ride. Remain on local watercolour artist Oliver50m Pyleturn whichleft canonto be recommended.

Winner Benjamin Barrow, this gently descending ride, ignoring another that bears off age 10 years, Five Ash Down.

The Hen Harriers are back and so are the commoners who can be right, about Last month Alfie was hidden on pages: 8, 14, 26, 28 seenfor taking their400m. estovers from the Forest. Heathland management is underway with work at Broadstone and Church Hill. Tractors from are daily tons of bracken litter from the OnWakehurst both left Place and right areremoving linear quarries, forest for compost. By doing this they activate dormant heather now filled with scrub and trees. Such seed which has been covered by bracken over the years. The quarries dot the Forest landscape and heathland will then regenerate with new heather. All the sheep are provided stonenow for roads.

Typical heathland off the forest and so are the cattle.

Our tractor drivers will be birds asgorse nightjar, stonechat, treeand pipit outsuch cutting and winter mowing rangers are busy doing permits and dealing deer.

Please andwood woodlark usually breedwith in this area andcome and see us or or email, are very happy to answer thephone ride edges inwe particular are one of the any questions about the forest. We have a good range of free guided walks available. The best places on the Forest (indeed in Sussex) office is open 8:30am to 5pm. to see, in May, the yellow flowers of the Mikespiny Yatesshrub, petty whin. small Ashdown Forest Ranger

The name of the game is to locate the 4 Alfie’s hidden on 4 pages in the magazine.

Ages 4 -13.

Let us know the page numbers, enter online: www.ashdownforestliving.co.uk or email:info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk Closing date: 19/12/12

Answers to Quick Quiz 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6:

Mother Alan Shearer Hallelujah The Dead Sea Sugar Philadelphia

The ride bears left, then right through a break in the quarries• tel: 01342 300152 info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk and continues descending for 400m to a metalled drive (Sandy

26 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

7: 8:

Claude Monet Stockholm Syndrome Isambard King9: dom Brunel 10: Volga

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www.sargentstreeservices.com Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 27

What’s On: December Tuesday 4th December Civic Carol Service.This candlelit service will take place in All Saints Church on Chapel Green, Crowborough. All are welcome to attend. At 7:30pm for 1 hour.

Tuesday 4th December The Forest Row Lifeboat Choir presents a Carol concert at the Chequer Mead Theatre East Grinstead from 1.30 to 2.30pm. The Forest Row Lifeboat Choir was formed in 1946 after the loss of the Rye Harbour Lifeboat and her 17 crew in 1928. The brother of a crew member living on Forest Row met the village postman and moved by the disaster, they formed a choir to sing carols to raise funds for the RNLI which continues today. Tickets £4.50, concessions £3.50 Chequer Mead box office 01342 302000.

Thursday 6th December Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol with Ashley Ramsden. Suitable from age 8+. Tickets £8/6 and sold at door. Ruskin Hall, Emerson College, Forest Row, RH18 5JX email: yvette@schoolofstorytelling.com Friday 7th – Sunday 9th December

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

the 8th at Crowborough Centre, Pine Grove, with a wine bar from 4pm and refreshments available all day. See: www.artistsofthehighweald.org.uk or www. crowborough-arts.org.uk.

Saturday 8th December Carols and Cakes. The Forest Row Lifeboat Choir and guests present a Christmas Carol Concert to raise funds for the RNLI at the Trinity Methodist Church at 2.30pm. Tickets £6 available from Bullfrog Music, East Grinstead, on the door, or from Roger Collins on 01342324196.

Saturday 8th December Mansion Market. Solve all your Christmas gift problems in the happy and relaxed atmosphere of a beautiful 18th century mansion housing over 70 stalls selling delicious produce and interesting and unusual crafts, clothing, toys, plants, old and new books and much else. Puppet shows and an all-day Cafe. Free admission & Parking, Kidbrooke Park, Priory Road, Forest Row, ll.00am - 4pm.

Saturday 8th December

Metamorphosis: the Language of Creative Spirit.

Interactive lecture on the breathtaking capacity of plants to transform in physical form and colour. At Emerson College, Forest Row. For more info call: 01342 827965, visit: www.healing-water.org

Carols and Cakes. The Forest Row Lifeboat Choir present a Christmas Carol Concert to raise funds for the RNLI at the Trinity Methodist Church East Grinstead at 2.30pm. Tickets £6 available from Bullfrog Music, East Grinstead, on the door or from Roger Collins: 01342324196.

Saturday 8th December

Saturday 8th December

Crowborough Arts Craft Design Show in the evening at 7:30pm.‘The Tivoli Café Band’ will provide an evening of ‘romantic café music’ with a dancing area and wine bar in the main hall. Music from the 20’s and 30’s. Tickets £10/£12 from J & K Gallery, Croft Rd or call 01892 664534. At the Crowborough Centre, Pine Grove. See: www.tivolicafeband.co.uk.

The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company presents: The Dressing Book at 7:30pm, Hadlow Down Village Hall.

From 8th December Crowborough Arts new exhibition ‘Artists of the High Weald’ which will showcase talent from across the High Weald area. The exhibition will open on 28 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

Sunday 9th December In aid of British Heart Foundation – Santa in the Park.

Hundreds of Santas running and walking around the park, you can jog 3 miles or walk a mile in style in a fabulous FREE Santa Suit. Runners register at 9:45, the walkers at 10:45. All budding Santas must register prior to event online at www.bhf.org.uk/ haywardsheathsantajog. Prizes for the best dressed Santa. Victoria Park, RH16 4HT.

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Providing a turnkey solution for all of your refurbishment needs: Interior design

Home entertainment

Architectural design & planning permission

Structural engineering & building control submission

Project Management

Bathrooms

Loft and outbuilding/garage conversions

Kitchens

Refurbishment & extensions

Landscaping

Equestrian construction

Curtains & blinds

Baileybridge is run by Sue Risley who has over 25 years experience in the field. Sue provides exceptional attention to detail and is personally involved with all projects. We work to any budget and always provide stunning results.

Telephone 01825 714 922 : www.baileybridge.co.uk : email: enquiries@baileybridge.co.uk

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GEOFF BOORMAN FUELS Edenbridge 01732 863834 Tunbridge Wells 01892 522322 East Grinstead 01342 349427 sales@geoffboorman.co.uk

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Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 29

What’s On: December

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

Sunday 9th December

Until March 2013

Santa’s Grotto Day fun-packed day in our winter wonderland including facepainting, stalls, a raffle with a chance to win a festive hamper, singers from Mid Sussex Choir, plus a visit to santa for only £3! National Cat Adoption Centre, Chelwood Gate, RH17 7TT. 01825 741 330, www.cats.org.uk/ncac.

‘Ashdown Forest - A Portrait in Watercolour’ by Oliver Pyle: The endless combinations of light and landscape that make the Ashdown Forest so magical has been Oliver’s inspiration for his solo exhibition. The Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, RH18 5JP. Weekends only from 11 – 5pm (or dusk, whichever is earlier)

Thursday 13th December Ashdown Forest Decorative and Fine Arts Society; Claire Walsh will give a ‘History of Christmas Shopping’ to get everyone in the swing for Christmas at 2.30pm in the Nutley Memorial Hall. For info call: 01342 822435.

Saturday 15th December The Forest Row Lifeboat Choir and guests present their Christmas Carol Concert to raise funds for the RNLI at Freshfield Hall, Forest Row at 7.30pm. Tickets £9 to include a supper are available from Bishops in Forest Row or Anne Hutchinson on 01825 712562.

Saturday 15th December The Uckfield Singers Community Choir & Uckfield Concert Brass - Christmas Concert of music, songs and carols. Raffle supporting HELP FOR HEROES. 7.30pm at Uckfield Civic Centre. Tickets £6 from Gale & Woolgar Jewellers or Uckfield Volunteer Bureau, High Street, Uckfield.

Tues & Wed 18th/19th December

No wonder the English language can be tricky to learn

We polish the Polish furniture.

He could lead if he would get the lead out.

A farm can produce produce.

Late Night Shopping at Cogcraft Art Studio, Clockhouse Lane, Nutley. 6 - 9.30pm. Large stock of Juliet Murray’s local, original art & prints.

Perfect presents. See www.cogcraft.co.uk, 01825 712565

The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse.

The soldier decided to desert in the desert.

The present is a good time to present the present.

The dove dove into the bushes.

Wednesday 2nd January Healthy walks are starting in Ashdown Forest right on cue for all those New Year’s resolutions.

The walks are a joint initiative of The Conservation Volunteers and the Ashdown Forest Centre and will take place every Wednesday at 10.30am and last no longer than an hour. For more info contact Tracy Buxton on 01342 823583 or Paula Hubens on 07740 899559.

30 • December 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

The English Language: Is there method to the madness?

I did not object to the object.

The insurance for the invalid was invalid.

The bandage was wound around the wound.

They were too close to the door to close it.

The buck does funny things when the does are present.

I shed a tear when I saw the tear in my clothes.

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Care A4

11/9/12

4:45 pm

Page 2

Award Winning Care Homes Sussex Health Care is an award winning group of care homes providing 25 years of healthcare in Sussex. The Group operates 20 homes, predominantly in the West Sussex area, providing nearly 550 beds, incorporating specialist care provision as well as care for older people.

Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities/Physical Disabilities/Neurological Conditions ●

● ● ● ● ● ●

Beechcroft Care Centre and Hazel Lodge Beech Lodge and Oak Lodge Horncastle Care Centre Kingsmead Care Centre Kingsmead Lodge Norfolk Lodge Orchard Lodge and Boldings Lodge

01342 300499 01403 791725 01342 813910 01403 265335 01403 211790 01403 218876

●

Rapkyns Care Centre 01403 276756

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Rapkyns Care Home 01403 265096

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Redwood House

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White Lodge

020 8763 2586

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Wisteria Lodge

01825 714080

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Woodhurst Lodge

01444 401228

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Kingsmead Care Centre Longfield Manor Rapkyns Care Home Upper Mead

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01403 790948

01403 242278

Care for older people ● ● ● ●

To find out more about our homes and the services we offer, contact: Corrine Wallace Head of Operational Care Services

01403 217338 corrine.wallace@sussexhealthcare.co.uk

www.sussexhealthcare.co.uk

Clemsfold House Forest Lodge Horncastle Care Centre Horncastle House

01403 790312 01825 712514 01342 813910 01342 810219

● ● ●

New specialist unit for people with Neurological and acquired brain injury conditions opened in July

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • December 2012 • 31

Kitchens Bespoke, based in East Grinstead is the brain child of Rachael Workman, A kitchen designer with 19 years of experience behind her. Four years ago, she decided to set up a complete service to help clients create their perfect kitchen with all the hassle taken out.

The Kitchen Bespoke showroom gives the idea of different kitchen styles, materials and colour schemes available.

Rachael has found that being a female designer gives her an advantage. ‘I design from a practical viewpoint. Most people who use kitchens are women and I can relate to the need to balance aesthetics with function.’

Rachael always keeps her finger on the pulse of new developments that can bring a kitchen to life and save time and money for her customers. For instance, back-lit glass can give a striking look and there are 50 colours to choose from.

Rachael has links to products and materials that may provide the solution to a worn-out or out-dated kitchen. She will then select what works for each individual household from simple door replacement to a complete kitchen refit; the Kitchen Bespoke service is all-inclusive.

The word ‘bespoke’ refers to the design process itself, meaning it’s designed with you, the customer, in mind.

Rachael says her kitchens are ‘more affordable than you may think. An expensive look doesn’t have to cost a fortune’.

While much of Rachael’s work is local to this area, with her years of experience her client base extends from London to Hampshire.

It is no wonder then that Kitchen Bespoke was a finalist in market leading magazine KBB Review’s ‘customer service’ award in the East Grinstead/Crowborough area category.

This last year, due to expansion within the business, Rachael has been joined by her husband Guy who says: “Seeing the business grow over the past 4 years, under this economic climate, is fantastic and I couldn’t wait to be a part of its expansion. We both share a vision of creating a family business which gives attention to detail & customer service”.

Kitchens Bespoke can design a kitchen that fits you: practically, budget-wise & aesthetically. The kitchen you imagined can become a reality.

For a free kitchen layout design call: 01342 313133 Visit their showroom: 88 London Road, East Grinstead