East Grinstead Living Oct 2021 Issue

EAST

RINSTE AD October 2021

Living

Pooh’s House © Henry Woide

YO U R L O C AL B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O RY S I N C E 2 0 0 5 T O A DV E R T I S E C A L L 013 4 2 3 0 0 1 5 2

~ Design & Build ~ Swim Ponds ~ Pondless Waterfalls ~ Ponds ~ Water Features ~ Bridges ~ Fire Pits ~ Decking ~ Patios Email: ryan@afriponds.com Mobile: 07500493793 Website: www.afriponds.com

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After You can only become truly accomplished at something, if you thoroughly enjoy what you’re doing...my passion for various water features goes back to the days when my two brothers and I helped our Dad and his team design and build a number of Ponds, both large and small, on our farm in Zimbabwe. I’ve adopted an African theme in my design work, by using various size rocks in all my Ponds and Pondless Waterfalls, thus retaining that “close to nature” look, which everyone here in the UK admires and really loves about my work

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Dear Residents, Welcome to the October issue.

Whats inside this month

We hope you’ve all had a lovely start to Autumn and are enjoying the outdoors as it morphs into the beautiful colours of the new season. Michael Leppard was the town’s foremost historian until his passing in 2019, Robin Whalley of the East Grinstead Society brings us a wonderful Local History Notes tribute feature about his life, in his honour.

Michael Leppard MA

Our What’s on page is now filling up with events both in the town and the wider area. Our front cover is a photo of the spectacular, new Pooh’s house, just opened in Ashdown Forest for people to book a ‘bearbnb’ Guardians of the Forest stay. See our article for all the low down.

Souling

There is also an important conservation piece from the forest. If you are a community group or charity and you would like more promotion please drop us a line. Thank you for supporting our local businesses this Autumn. Pooh’s Brilliant House

Best Wishes,

Quiz

Tally & Chris East Grinstead Living To advertise call 01342 300152 info@egliving.co.uk www. egliving.co.uk

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East Grinstead Living Notice: East Grinstead Living prints various articles, features, and advertisements. Although these appear in East Grinstead Living, any opinions expressed are the opinion of the author, these are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. ©Copyright East Grinstead Living 2021. The contents of this publication are written specifically for our readers, no part may be reproduced elsewhere without express and prior permission.

T I ME S GON E BY

East Grinstead, London Road & Cinema - c.1914

COMPETITION: IT’S PANTO TIME, OH YES IT IS! Come and join Jack on a GIANT adventure for another year of magic, madness, and FEE-FI-FO-FUN at Chequer Mead Theatre this Christmas. When Jack and his mother fall on hard times and Jack sells their beloved fourlegged friend for magic beans, an adventure of HUGE proportions begins. Follow the tale of our brave hero and his circus of crazy companions as they scale beanstalks, outwit a badtempered giant, and rescue the beautiful Princess Jill!

East Grinstead's GIANT Family Pantomime

silliness to CLIMB THE BEANSTALK. Have yourself some belly-ache laughter this Christmas and enjoy yourselves – you deserve it! If you can’t wait to get your hands on tickets, why not enter our competition to win a family ticket – we have two to give away, just answer this question:

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Following the cancellation of Jack and the Beanstalk in 2020, roll up and take your seats for a spectacular story with exhilarating live music, bundles of laughs and slap-stick

What animal does Jack traditionally have to sell at the market in Jack and the Beanstalk?

To be in with a chance of winning, email answers to info@egliving.co.uk by 31st October (winners will be notified a couple of days later).

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Saturday 5th February

Souling

On All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov 1st& 2nd) beggers went door to door ‘souling’; a song was sung and promises of prayers for the dead of the household made, in exchange for ‘soul cakes’, apples and ale. Apparently, this was a fusion of Pagan and Christian ritual. The soul cakes were usually filled with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger or other sweet spices, raisins or currants, and topped with the mark of a cross to signify that these were alms. In 1891 the souler’s song was recorded as containing the following lyrics: A soul! a soul! a soul-cake! Please good Missis, a soul-cake! An apple, a pear, a plum, or a cherry, Any good thing to make us all merry. One for Peter, two for Paul Three for Him who made us all. The soulers droned out their ditties monotonously and in a lamenting tone. Shakespeare remarks in the Two Gentlemen of

Verona that Speed observes a “special mark” of a man in love is “to speak, puling like a beggar at Hallowmas” - (meaning of puling: whining, whimper). Souling took on variations in different parts of the country, for instance, in Cheshire, during the 19th century souling also included performing plays and carrying an ‘Old Hob’ which consisted of a horse’s head enveloped in a sheet. The head would be put on a pole and sometimes, a candle would be lit inside and the bearer covered with the sheet. Souling is of course, the ancestor of trick or treating… thankfully we have moved on from horses heads, though we still sometimes wear white sheets and definitely go door to door asking for goodies!

Happy Halloween.

The Timeless Boo(k)shop On the 19th August 1991 I turned the key in the door of The Bookshop for the first time. It was an incredible day. The small boy, who had struggled to learn to read, to the young history graduate, who had opted not to follow a proper career path, in favour of selling second hand books on local markets, was in charge of a whole new bookshop.

in life, and where I was supposed to do it, in our fabulous town.

My immediate aim was to get through to Christmas without messing up. On Christmas Eve 1991, after everyone had left, I sat in the dark, on a revolving chair, let out a huge sigh of relief, and listened to the sound of the building. In that moment I knew that the building accepted me, and so, I am pleased to say, had you.

I am so grateful that I have been able to live out my dream of selling you books each day on the High Street for the past thirty years. It`s not always been easy and you`ve helped me through numerous boom and busts, a fire, a flood, an unexploded World War Two hand grenade, and now as we recover from this terrible pandemic you are still helping me. So, this is a heartfelt thank you East Grinstead.

I definitely found what I was supposed to do

John Pye, East Grinstead Bookshop

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Local History Notes: S & T Dorothy Hatswell of the East Grinstead Museum, brings us the next instalment, S & T, of her A through Z of local history. This month there are two villages to look at, Sharpthorne and Turners Hill. Sharpthorne always seems to be eclipsed by its neighbour, West Hoathly. It grew up around the West Hoathly station on the Bluebell Line. The station was called West Hoathly even though it was some distance away from the village of that name. It has been closed since 1958 and did not reopen when the Bluebell line did. The longest tunnel on any vintage line in the country, lies beneath the village, running for over 700 yards. The Bluebell Inn which was next to the station is now a private house. I seem to remember that it had a tree growing inside the bar, but cannot find any proof of this. Does anyone know if this was the case? Turners Hill, was called by the late Eric Dawes, the village schoolmaster and historian, “A Crossroads Village”. At the very top of the hill upon which it stands, 600 feet above sea level is the notoriously awkward slightly staggered crossroad, to be avoided in busy times of the day. The approach to it from south or north is extremely steep. The east-west road is more level, following as it does the ridge on which the village stands. The geography of its situation has made it difficult to build large estates and although,

some development has taken place recently, the village has not expanded as much as neighbouring villages have, and so retains a close community spirit. The community centre has the unusual name of “The Ark”. The present building was opened in 1993 to replace a wooden structure of the same name. The two pubs still open are the Red Lion in Lion Lane, a former coaching inn, as Lion Lane was the original road through the village. At the crossroads, The Crown was thought to have been used by drovers on their way to London. A small settlement to the south, is Selsfield Common, owned by the National Trust. It was connected to Turners Hill a by a Roman road. It enters The Turners Hill Home Park, follows its entrance road and keeps to the righthand side

before crossing the valley into Crawley Down. Two Roman coins were found on the park in its early days. The roads in Sussex were impassable for the winter months. An apocryphal story, is that a man found a hat on the road. Picking it up, revealed a traveller who had sunk into the ground. After being helped to safety he thanked his rescuer, and asked if he would help him pull out his horse. The difficulties made by these extreme conditions led to trusts being set up to surface and maintain the roads. They were then said to have been “turnpiked”. In order to finance these operations, tolls were charged. There were eventually many in the area, including at Turners Hill, but the main road though East Grinstead was the earliest in the area. It was set up by Act of Parliament in 1717. The

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12 hiring charabancs for outings. The works have now been demolished but the name lives on in the development built on the site.

toll gate at the eastern end of town operated until 1882. Charges varied according to the nature and weight of the vehicle. It also charged more in winter than summer. People on foot went free of charge. Horses and mules 1d, waggons loaded with hay or straw paid 3d and droves of oxen charged at 2d for every twenty beasts. Hogs and sheep only paid 1d for each score of animals. All charges

reflected the wear and tear on the roads made by each user.

Among the large houses built in the C19th only a few remain. Herontye, now converted into apartments, Barton St Mary, in private hands and Standen, owned by the National Trust, and open to the public throughout the year. Tickerage and Tilkhurst are still farms.

The letter “S” cannot be explored without mentioning the Sackville family, but much of their influence on the town has been written about elsewhere, as has Saint Hill. Another family that had great influence over the town were the Stennings. Owners of a large timber business they were one of the largest employers in the area. The steam hooter, which summoned workers to start work was used by most of the residents as a call to start their day, too. It is in the museum. As employers, the family was noted for its enlightened practices, which included

On special days, people dressed up in costumes, often decorated with strips of material. They would go round the villages, presenting plays which sought to explain the seasons or the mysteries of life and death. On May Day, Jack Frost would be defeated in battle by The Man in Green, symbolising spring. When Jack is lying on the ground, in comes the doctor, with his mysterious elixir. After administering three reviving drops, Jack gets to his feet and departs, fit to return the following year. How would they have explained climate change, I wonder.

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What’s On in October

If you would like your event on these pages please email us info@egliving.co.uk.

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Giants of Steam Autumn Gala. Thundering giants join Bluebell Railway’s home fleet locos for its annual autumn gala! See website for details.

WHAT’S ON AT CHEQUER MEAD (See website for more performances)

WEDNESDAY 13TH OCTOBER East Grinstead Art Society: Demonstration of oil painting using knives by Fiona Hooper. 2pm at Meridian Hall, East Court. Contact: iangraham111@ btinternet.com. FRIDAY 15TH OCTOBER East Grinstead Society Friday 54th AGM. An assessment of the year and election of a new Committee. Followed by a short talk given by Lester Porter, Chairman of the East Grinstead Museum Trustees. SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER Autumn Recital, Forest Row, in aid of Holy Trinity Church/RBL Poppy Appeal with Claire Watkins, soprano and Gareth Dafydd Morris, tenor. At 12noon. Holy Trinity Parish Church. Retiring collection & refreshments. WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER Birds of Antarctica. This presentation by Chris Collins focusses on the Ross Sea and New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands and is organised by RSPB East Grinstead group. Further information and dates of field outings are on the RSPB website. At 8pm, at East Court. Contact: pkandcjholland@aol.com. SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER East Grinstead Concert Band present their Poppy Concert, raising funds for the RBL. There will be a wide variety of music to enjoy, and we will finish with the Sunset Ceremony. With many charities including the Royal British Legion having reduced donations in the last year, EGCB would like to put on an event to remember and raise as much as possible. Tickets £10, available on the door. At 7:30pm, St Mary’s Church, Windmill Land, East Grinstead. Contact: egcb.enquiries@gmail.com. 22ND – 31ST OCTOBER The Brickworks! Adventure at the Bluebell Railway. Intrepid explorers can journey into the great unknown at Sheffield Park Station. Float among our locomotive Giants of the Steam Age in Steam Works and marvel at 15 amazing BRICKLIVE Outer Space models on display. Featuring a 310cm high Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket made with 68,583

SATURDAY 9TH OCTOBER Rave On - The Rise of Rock and Roll. The 1950’s musical sensation sweeping the nation! Featuring multiple award-winning bands, The Bluejays, a group comprised of stars from West End Productions The Buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet and Dreamboats & Petticoats, Rave On transports you back to the fabulous 50’s in stunningly authentic style. At 7:30pm. Tickets: £21. SATURDAY 16TH OCTOBER Women in Rock. Since 2016 Women in Rock have been wowing audiences across the UK & Europe with their high energy performances. Featuring soaring vocals, choreography, audience interaction, striking costumes and backed by a band of world class musicians. Tickets: £20. SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER Kerry Godliman - Bosh. Kerry’s back on tour after what she thought would be a little ‘she’ time. No chance. Her bosh-like nature will never let her rest. As seen on Mock the Week, Live at The Apollo and more. At 8pm Tickets: £17. FRIDAY 15TH OCTOBER Suzi Ruffell - Dance Like Everyones Watching. Suzi Ruffell has made a name for herself by turning tragedy and anxiety into big laughs. This year she is actually happy. This show answers the question: are all stand-ups at their best when they are miserable? Fingers crossed no. Come and see what all the fuss is about! at 8pm, Tickets: £15. CHARITY FEAST AUTUMN 2021 Monday 25th October- gurkha@the woodcock inn – Felbridge. A taste of the Himalayas – 01342 325325 Tuesday 2nd November - The Mediterranean Cuisine – East Grinstead, Italian food – 01342 303333 Please book early to reserve your place. Arrive 6.30pm for 7pm start for both restaurants. 3 course meal for £20 per head, of which £6.00 will go to local charities: Crawley open house, the East Grinstead foodbank, Crawley prison fellowship, East Grinstead mental health association, Young epilepsy and the friends of Ashdown Forest. With special thanks to all the businesses and shops that have Kindly donated prizes.

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MICHAEL LEPPARD MA The East Grinstead Society Honours its Founder and Town Historian by Robin Whalley Last month, the East Grinstead Society President Mrs Margaret Collins DL unveiled a plaque in the High Street honouring town historian Michael Leppard who passed away in September 2019. Michael was without doubt the foremost respected authority on the history of East Grinstead and surrounds. Built up over years of tireless voluntary dedication, he made a unique contribution, particularly for his unswerving effort in the establishment of the East Grinstead Society (EGS) in 1968. Following the unveiling, assembled guests, including Town Mayor Cllr John Dabell, retired to the “By the Fountain” restaurant for refreshments where life long friend, Mr Peter Freeland, shared his memories of Michael’s exceptional talent, often with a dash of humour. Much of Michael’s work was achieved by use of available literature and archive material, requiring visits to record offices around the county and beyond. In the 1990s he bought a computer which was used solely as a word processor: he never connected this to the internet.

and was Director of Sixth Form Studies before his retirement in 2005. Throughout his life he published his research in books and academic journals, but also popularised the subject through talks and articles in local newspapers. Founder Member of the East Grinstead Society (EGS)

Born in East Grinstead and educated at the former Grammar School in Windmill Lane, at Oxford he received an honours degree in Theology. Initially he taught in Petersfield and Brighton before moving to Sackville School where he taught RE

The East Grinstead Society was formed in January 1968 to protect the historic town centre and the wider area from detrimental building activity. This was in response to one of the 15th century medieval hall houses in the High Street being demolished. This interrupted what was perhaps the longest continuous row of medieval buildings in the country,

From L to R: Cllr John Dabell (Town Mayor), Shirley Knight (EGS), Peter Freeland, Mrs Freeland, Mrs Margaret Collins DL (EGS President), James Baldwin (EGS Chairman)

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despite the Urban Council resisting the application. Michael was determined to ensure East Grinstead’s heritage be safeguarded. His efforts saved many of the town’s historic buildings from a similar fate. Michael was the society’s first Honorary Chairman, was Honorary President and served in other roles. In the 50 years since the its inception, he wrote and edited over 120 East Grinstead Society “Bulletins” with well-researched, detailed information about historical aspects of East Grinstead and its environs. These “Bulletins” have now been digitised and are available on the society’s website. Founder Member of the East Grinstead Town Museum The first Honorary Curator of EG Museum (1976), Michael was founder-editor of “Compass”, a newsletter with carefully researched articles relating to the town and the Sussex area. He was a Trustee between 2006 and 2011 with responsibility for the research room. Initially the museum was housed in three rooms in the East Grinstead Council Offices where he carefully made use of the limited space, whilst campaigning for a permanent

home. On opening of the new museum Michael said: “In the 1950s, there was a museum in the tower of the parish church, which the new vicar of East Grinstead disposed of. Although I was still at school, I very much hoped that the time would come when East Grinstead could have a new museum, and one which would be protected against the treatment which it had received at his hands”. Honorary Town Historian For over 40 years Michael provided the text for East Grinstead’s Town Guide for each edition published between 1968 and 2011. Michael always walked or used public transport as he didn’t have a car. This led to his becoming the Honorary Public Transport Coordinator for the town. In this role he worked actively, specifically to represent young people, the disabled and the elderly. Taking a particular interest in East Grinstead’s Grade 1 Listed Sackville College, he catalogued the many books in the Neale Memorial Library and wrote a detailed history, which is available to visitors to the college as a useful adjunct to a tour. Michael also had what was maybe a unique hobby! In a BBC News Item in 1998 the following article appeared: ““Find a penny, pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck,” goes

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20 the old saying ... and a retired schoolteacher from Sussex has certainly taken this lesson to heart. Since 1985, the year Michael Leppard started keeping exact records of his street treasure, he has amassed £460. Picking up spare change dropped by other people is a hobby for Mr Leppard, who donates all the proceeds to the East Grinstead Town Museum. He started one morning on his way to work, to keep his 25-minute walk interesting. “I don’t bump into people or lamp posts ... and I don’t go out for walks just to look for money,” said Mr Leppard. Last year he collected £85.19, his largest amount in one year so far. Mr Leppard thinks there is a lesson in his hobby for everyone.” At his funeral a lifelong friend said that by 2004 Michael had picked up, “no less than £974”, which had all been donated to the museum. Michael‘s legacy will live on in his published works, in particular A History of East Grinstead published in 2001 and 100 Buildings of East Grinstead published in 2006.

october

Quiz Answers on page 31 1. Name the best-selling book series of the 21st century? 2. How many keys does a classic piano have? 3. Name Pixar’s first feature-length movie? 4. Which famous leader is commonly attributed to the quote 'England is a nation of shopkeepers'? 5. Which breed of dog used to be sacred in China? 6. Which philosopher coined the phrase ‘I think, therefore I am’? 7. What is the name of the dark volcanic glass that has been used as a tool for thousands of years? 8. Which country has the most tornadoes by area?

In his last contribution to the society’s 9. Who Entered The 1973 Eurovision Song newsletter in April 2019, Michael said: “It is Contest With 'Congratulations'? very gratifying that in its 50th year, the East 10. Who Wrote The Novel Under Milk Wood? Grinstead Society continues to flourish and BrainBashers - Daily Sudoku Print enjoys a reputation beyond its membership. The society continues to mean a great deal to BrainBashers Sudoku - Sep 24 - Super Hard me and is an important part of my life”.

SUDOKU

The East Grinstead Society is an independent association, which exists to maintain and enhance the town’s distinctive character by monitoring planning applications and the amenities in the town and its surroundings. Evening meetings are held during the year, with guided walks, on request, reflecting the town’s heritage, participation in cultural events and recognition of notable members and residents. For more details visit www.eastgrinsteadsociety.org or contact treasurer@eastgrinsteadsociety.org.

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POOH’S BRILLIANT HOUSE A Winnie the Pooh inspired house in the Hundred Acre Wood, is available to book on Airbnb as part of Disney’s 95th Anniversary celebrations of the loveable children’s character.

Winnie the Pooh & Friends - © Kim Raymond & ©Disney

The ‘Bearbnb’ is situated in Ashdown Forest, inspired by A.A. Milne’s original tales. Fans will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the iconic world of Pooh and Friends. Disney-appointed illustrator, Kim Raymond, who curated ‘Pooh’s house’ has been drawing the iconic bear for over 30 years. Kim, who spared no detail, took inspiration from the original decorations of E.H. Shepard: “I have been illustrating Winnie the Pooh for thirty years and I continue to be inspired by the classic decorations of E.H. Shepard and the more recent Disney stories. This is a unique experience that brings the charm of Pooh to life for fans, whilst honouring the original adventures that have been so important to many people for 95 years.”

The custom-built house, is built with exposed tree branches wrapped around the doorway

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24 Poohsticks on Pooh Bridge and locally sourced hunnyinspired meals. A host of wellness products, including yoga mats, journals and throws will be available to encourage guests to embrace their natural surroundings and live more like Pooh, who is famous for going at his own pace. Some of the house rules include: Strictly no heffalumps inside the house; Hands are to be kept out of the honey pots; A snack of “a little something” encouraged at 11 o’clock in the morning; Multiple naps are permitted; No smoking, you’ll upset the bees.

with ‘Mr. Sanders’ inscribed above the entrance. Bespoke wallpaper lines the walls and if guests take a peek inside kitchen cupboards, they’ll find shelves stocked full of ‘hunny’ pots. Alongside the charming references, the house is fully kitted out to enjoy a relaxing stay with a guided tour through Hundred Acre Wood, the opportunity to play

Holly Willoughby and family were the first to try out Pooh’s house and they loved it! For over 95 years, A.A Milnes’ Winnie the Pooh has inspired generations with his memorable words,

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

experiences and adventures. These timeless tales explore life’s simple pleasures. In that spirit, Pooh’s house was created so families can ‘be more Pooh’ for the day. A perfect place to do nothing, as Pooh said, “doing ‘Nothing’ often leads to the very best Something”.

QUICK B O N QUICK CROSSWORD 1

E Down H 1 In prison (6,4) I 2 A great quantity 11 N 3 Examine officially 4 A medicine to cure all illsD 5 Lazy, without work 15 B 6 Female bird A 9 Lazybones 12 Slender-bladed dagger R 14 Maths using letters and19 S symbols

Answers on page 4

10 11

12 13

16 17 18

CLUES ACROSS:

1 November 5th (7,5)

Across 1 November 5th (7,5) 7 Dwellings 8 The transparent part of spectacles 10 Impish fairy 11 Hospital carer 13 Toy for baby to shake 15 Financial reward or a chocolate bar 17 Gosh! 18 Indian coin 19 Hindu woman’s garment 21 Swim in the sea 22 Uncut gem, unpolished achiever (5,7)

16 Barked sharply 18 Circular finger band 20 Quite a fuss

U OM E U R O O U S

A R D 22 R O U 20

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Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

Method

• 1 whole butternut squash (peeled, de-seeded and diced)

1. Cut squash in half, peel skin and remove seeds, dice into 2” cubes, peel and dice potatoes the same size.

• 2/3 large peeled white potatoes

2. Gently sauté the onions and garlic in 2 tbsp of olive oil. When softened add squash and potatoes, stir careful not to colour or burn ingredients. Add 4 sage leaves, stalks included.

• 1 large white onion finely diced • 1 garlic clove finely chopped • 2 litres of vegetable stock (made from stock cubes or homemade) or water

3. Cover with the 2 litres of stock or water, cover pan and simmer until squash and potatoes are fully cooked, about 20-30 mins.

• salt & pepper • 8 fresh sage leaves • ¼ pt double cream or crème fraiche

4. When cooked, remove the pan from stove, using a blender blitz soup to a smooth velvety texture, if too thick add a little more stock.

• 4 oz grated fresh parmesan • 2 tbsp olive oil

5. Add cream or crème fraiche to the required consistency & colour. Season to taste.

• fraiche • 4 oz grated fresh parmesan

6. Finally chop the remainder of the sage and add to the soup with the grated parmesan.

• 2 tbsp olive oil

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

QUICK

QUICK CROSSWORD

S U N O OW D I R O 16 E P1 11 Person qualified to vote R 13 Swiss city and lake 19A R C 14 Guard against attack O 16 A fault 21 R U 17 Kingdom

8 9

12 13 16

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19 20 21

CLUES ACROSS: 3 Demerara sweetener

Across 3 Demerara sweetener 6 Castle prison 7 Weight used to moor a ship 8 Further down 9 Team ball-throwing game using leather nets on sticks 12 Infection transmitter 14 Male duck 15 Stay of execution 18 Country’s navy 19 Shopping mall 20 Condiment poured on chips 21 Cuban ballroom dance

D Down E 3 Tiny white-flowered bulb8 L 2 Mother of gems? I 3 Grab abruptly 12 4 Small tropical lizard V 5 They anchor plants E 6 Distribute the post 15 10 Salvage from rubbish R

Answers on page 4

with Parmesan

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BUSINESS PROFILE: PROVINCIAL WINDOWS

Specialist glazing and UPVC installation experts, Provincial Windows, has announced the launch of their brand-new website and products! With over 40 years of industry experience, they have built a first-class reputation in the East Grinstead area due to their luxury, competitively priced products and exceptional installation process. Provincial, who were recently announced as a finalist in the Who’s Best awards, are also a Checkatrade registered company, with over 500 exemplary online reviews and an overall rating of 9.94 out of 10.

One of their most popular products are Bi-Fold Doors; a more modern alternative to sliding patio or French doors, they are the perfect solution for large open plan living spaces to open completely out to the garden. You can enjoy natural sunlight and peaceful views with the energy efficiency benefits of double glazing, as well as Provincial’s highend security design measures to provide maximum safety. It’s even possible to convert an existing window or door into a Bi-Fold Door for minimal cost and disruption.

The Provincial Windows website has a stunning new design and layout, with innovative new features such as a custom ‘build a door’ option. It also highlights the unique services that Provincial offers, including a 12% discount for installation flexibility and a free home recommendation survey, which you can book online.

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Having simply fitted windows upon establishment, 40 years later they now offer a wide range of windows, doors, shutters, integral blinds, flat roof lanterns, and extensions, to complement any and every home! The company announced that they would begin offering shutters back in August, as a perfectly sleek and modern way to create sun shading and privacy. Provincial Windows have a wide variety of design options, so whether you are looking for a unique style to offset your bedroom, or a classic, elegant design to complement a traditional interior, there’s something for everyone.

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as the birds are vulnerable to disturbance by predators and human visitors. The Nightjar arrives in the UK between April and mid-May and migrates in August. During the day their incredible camouflage allows them to sit motionless on the ground, unseen to all but the most vigilant observers. Many visitors only encounter them by hearing their distinctive call which rings out on the heathland on warm evenings.

A group of dedicated citizen scientists have been working with two of Ashdown Forest’s rarest birds to track their populations and check on the health of forest. The Dartford Warbler and Nightjar are indicators of the vitality of the forest as they depend on the area’s unique heathland landscape. The Ashdown Bird Group have carried out their Dartford Warbler survey whilst a number of volunteers, coordinated by the Conservators of Ashdown Forest came together to survey the Nightjar population. The surveys are essential to chart the population numbers of the birds. They are protected and on the UK conservation amber watchlist. The surveys revealed that wherever there is suitable habitat on the forest the Dartford Warbler is found. With the size of the forest there should be more territories, so the longterm management of the rare heathland management is critical. Meanwhile the number of Nightjar territories is down from the number recorded in 2010. This is a concern

James Adler, Ashdown Forest Chief Executive said: “It’s so rewarding to have local people helping us get accurate population numbers of these two incredible species. The presence of these birds really highlights the value of Ashdown Forest’s lowland heathland. We will continue to work to maintain the landscape and ensure the future of these beautiful birds.” Ashdown Forest has an international reputation for its heathland and biodiversity and currently has the protection of a number of international and national conservation statuses – including Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and

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32 the UK’s Site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Two-thirds is heathland, meaning that Ashdown Forest has 2.5% of the UK’s total remaining lowland heathland which is extremely rare. It also boasts one of the largest blocks of single, continuous heath and valley bog in the UK. “Having significant numbers of Nightjars and Dartford Warblers on Ashdown Forest means that we keep this very special place protected. Without them and the protective status they bring with them, the forest and its surrounding landscapes as we enjoy them today would be under threat. They act as the guardians of the forest. We need to increase the populations of both of these charismatic bird species which will mean finding more funding for the forest and focusing deeply on our management.” The Dartford Warbler national population crashed to just a few pairs in the 1960’s following extreme winter snowfall. It continues to recover slowly; lowland heathland is crucial to its recovery. “We will shortly be unveiling our vision for Ashdown Forest and looking at how we can all work together to ensure this jewel in the crown of the Sussex landscape continues to thrive and adapt to the challenges of the future”.

Gardening:

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Help our bees & insect colonies now for 2022 The simple way to encourage wildflowers into your garden patch is to basically stop mowing that area (or the whole lawn if you wish!). Adopt a two-cut approach to your lawn, mowing once in autumn and then again in spring, removing all of the cut grass afterwards. This will lower fertility and give perennial wildflowers a chance to push through the grass. You’ll soon see species such as rough hawkbit, yarrow and selfheal coming through, depending on your soil type. Your once sterile lawn will soon be buzzing with life. Plus you’ll have the time to enjoy it, now you’re not doing all that mowing. To diversify and beautify your ‘Wild Meadow Lawn’, plant some wildflower plug plants. Plugs are best from a UK source to ensure they are native and bee/insect supporting. Plant plugs directly into your lawn after your autumn or spring cut. You can also create plugs yourself by sowing seeds into pots or a small nursery bed before planting out to the wild flower patch. Planting plugs of the semi-parasitic yellow rattle can help to reduce the vigour of your grass growth. For a display of wildflowers in a bed or border, lay a couple of inches of inert substrate, such as sand and simply sow direct at a sowing rate of 2g per square metre. Sand helps to keep competing grasses at bay and your wildflowers will thrive in these nutrient-poor conditions, creating a garden that the bees will love you for.

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