Village Tweet - February 2020 by Village Tweet

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www.villagetweet.co.uk

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@VillageTweet

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E TR E AL C IS FR0 LO

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14 th

February/2020

CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL BUSINESS Billingshurst • Barns Green • Five Oaks • Ifold • Kirdford • Loxwood • Plaistow • Slinfold • Wisborough Green

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Contents

elcome to the February Village Tweet. As will be apparent when you read John Nash’s column on page 34 February is a bit of a non-month. Christmas and the new year are a distant memory and with winter well and truly upon us spring seems a long way away. The days are still short and the nights long. Maybe those who take a winter holiday to sunnier climes have the right idea. However, there is plenty happening this month to make the time fly as a glance in the What’s On pages will show. And, of course, halfway through the month is Valentine’s Day. A day loved by many though perhaps hated by the postman. But the best thing of all about February is that it’s the shortest month! Grahame

Cover: Yes it’s the Valentine’s Day issue but whether we will have snow, who knows?! Food & drink Recipe: Crispy sticky chicken wings Onslow Arms pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy’s on the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Kings Head pub . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Health & wellbeing Billingshurst Leisure Centre . . Park & Brown, opticians . . . . . The Natural Way . . . . . . . . . . . Holly Stone, Hypnotherapist . . Katherine Finn, Hyphotherapist Rebecca Beauty . . . . . . . . . . .

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.14 .15 .15 .16 .17 .17

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.6 .6 .7 .8

About the house Fowlers, Estate Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 KJ Lammas Plumbing & Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Flow-Serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating . . . . . . . .20 Paul Nelson Painting & Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Apex Aerials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Hamilton Cole, TV & Satellite Equipment . . . . . . . .21 Heath Windows Ltd (Southern) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 GJ Coles, Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Jef Wilson Painting & Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Alba Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Norsat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Terry Clohessey Painting & Decorating . . . . . . . . .23 Biji Property Services Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . .26 GB Glazing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 MPS Home Improvements Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Oven Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Oven Cleaning Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Evans Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Goring Road Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Re-Nu Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Delta Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 DM Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Lee’s Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Sussex Carpet Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Cadiss, Bathrooms & Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 1A Acclaim Floor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 AC Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Best Choice Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 N Francis Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 PJM, Building & Property Maintenance . . . . . . . . .35 Park House Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBC Features Love’s Sweet Breath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Right to the Core . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Miranda Rijks, short story: Reeling in Love . . . . . .18 A Good Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Teen Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Games without Frontiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 The Language of Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Introducing Spaniel Diaries by Jeannette Douglas .36

COPY DATE FOR MARCH ISSUE: 7th FEBRUARY Published by A272 Design, PO Box 371, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 4AS

Editorial and Advertising: Grahame Pearson 07762 767084 editor@villagetweet.co.uk Website Design: Stephen Pearson

www.villagetweet.co.uk Printed by: The Lavenham Press, Suffolk Disclaimer: All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith. However, A272 Design cannot take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. © No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

Garden Tweet! DW Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden View: A game of two halves REM Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Village Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Chiltington Floral Club . . . . . . Bygone Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton Turner Trees & Gardens . . Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery . . . . .

The paper used for Village Tweet has been responsibly sourced . . . . . . . .

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.39 .39 .40 .40 .40 .41 .41 .41

Miscellaneous Professional Services & Businesses Jim Hills Sports Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Flackwoods Solicitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 A/c’s Direct, Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Dunmoore Group: Billingshurst Business Park .10-11 Dandelion Farewells, Funerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Daisy’s Dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 NFP Forestry, logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Pride & Groom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Pest Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Rudgwick Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Community/Out & About/Farming/Smallholding The North Singers: An evening of music & laughter .8 Ansells Vintage Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Billingshurst Community Partnership: Lantern walk .9 Plaistow & Ifold Parish Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Community Minibus (Billingshurst) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 St Mary’s Church: February dates . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Caroline Gibbs: A thank you message . . . . . . . . . .16 Rotary Club: Michael Joseph (retired pilot) talk . . .17 Billingshurst Parish Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25 Horsham Museum & Gallery: A Flock of Sparrows . .28 Macmillan: A thank you message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 John Nash’s Column: February… fill dyke . . . . . . .34 Gatwick P.A.G.N.E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Wisborough Green Beekeepers Association . . . . .IBC Little Tweeters! Yvonne Fleece: Aaron… again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Weald School: Wellbeing Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Kids Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Motoring and Private Hire Macs Private Hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre Petworth MOT Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-Team Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lintott Auto Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sussex Towing Brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Games and quizzes Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6 Spot the Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41, 43 Last But Not Least What’s On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44-46 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC

MEET YOUR LOCAL ESTATE AGENCY TEAM

Keith Hutchinson. FNAEA Director Keith has a great amount of experience. He held the role of Regional Director for a large firm and also became a Training and Development Director. Keith has held management positions locally and also in Surrey. He has won many national awards for estate agency. Hobbies include vintage motorbikes and fly fishing plus family time and walking his Cockapoo dog.

Lindsay Plummer. Associate Lindsay has worked in the Billingshurst office for over 11 years. The locals will remember her as part of the team running the Santander Agency, located within the Fowlers office, before it closed in 2014. She is very much a people person; which is handy in this industry! Hobbies include her family, walking Bob and looking after her horse.

Jon Evans. Lettings Director

Alison Diamond

Jon has lived most of his life in Billingshurst/Horsham area so has an extensive knowledge of the local area. Jon has worked in property for 25 years, and in Lettings and property management for 20 years. He has extensive local and technical knowledge on the legislative side of both lettings and property management elements. Jon lives locally with his family and is keen on sport, badminton, rugby, cars and wine! Like us all at Fowlers, Jon has an open door policy for all landlords and tenants.

Ali joined the Fowlers team a few years ago having been impressed by the level and quality of service she received as a customer of Fowlers. She is enjoying being part of a team committed to doing its best for its customers. She enjoys the outdoor life and water sports, is an animal lover with a cat and dog at home.

The areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest-established, independent family firm To arrange a free market appraisal of your property please call us on 01403 786787.

d he s is ar bl ta ye Es

Jim Hills Sports Warehouse

Competing with online prices!

25% off all items over ÂŁ20 New stock - Cricket bats - Gloves - Pads - Bags Rugby items - Tennis - Squash - Badminton - Rackets Trainers - Hockey sticks - Pads - Bags - Shoes

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remises! p w e n g in k e se y tl n e rr u C Plus 50%-65% off many items Grab a bargain now while stocks last!

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www.jimhillssports.co.uk e-mail: jimhillssports2@aol.com

Tel. 01403 741116

* Sport / Coffee break / Legal services

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Village Tweet Quick Crossword

Solution on page 6

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Food and drink / Private hire

Crispy sticky Chicken wings Inspired by last month’s Chinese New Year Preparation time: 15 minutes. Serves 4-6. Cooking time: 30 minutes + 50 minutes.

METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 120°C / 100°C Fan / Gas ½. Place a rack on a large baking tray. 2. Cut each wing at the joint so you have a mini wing and a drumette. Dry these with kitchen roll, place in a large bowl and add the baking powder, salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Remove the chicken and place in a single layer on the rack, skin side up. Discard the remaining coating mixture. Place the chicken on the lower shelf of the oven for 30 minutes to dry. 3. After 30 minutes, turn the oven up to 220°C / 200°C Fan / Gas 6, rotate the tray and place on the middle shelf in the oven for 45-50 minutes until the wings are golden and crispy. Remove from the oven to cool slightly. 4. Place all of the sauce ingredients into a saucepan, stir and bring to the boil. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly. Turn off the heat. 5. Place the cooked wing pieces in a large bowl and carefully pour over the warm sticky sauce. Mix to combine, then serve topped with chopped spring onions and some toasted sesame seeds.

Mac’s Private Hire 24 hours a day – 7 days a week

01403 701 842 07917 850 746 Airports - Social & Business - Lady Driver Available Wisborough Green Based

INGREDIENTS 1.5 kg chicken wings 2 level tbsp baking powder ¾ tsp table salt ½ tsp pepper 3 spring onions, chopped Sticky Chinese Sauce 1 tsp vegetable oil pinch of salt and pepper 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled & finely chopped 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 2 tbsp honey 4 tbsp dark brown sugar 5 tbsp dark soy sauce 1 tsp lemon grass paste (you can buy this in tubes) 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced 1 tbsp sesame seeds (lightly toasted)

Village Tweet Quick Crossword Solution Puzzle on page 5 Across: 1, FEAT. 3, SPORADIC. 9, LOGICAL. 10, BEANO. 11, FORUM. 12, ESTEEM. 14, ADMINISTRATOR. 17, BANGER. 19, SUSAN. 22, HEDGE. 23, NO DOUBT. 24, DARKNESS. 25, WAKE. Down: 1, FALL FLAT. 2, ANGER. 4, PULLED STRINGS. 5, ROBOT. 6, DEAREST. 7, COOP. 8, ACUMEN. 13, BRUNETTE. 15, MEANDER. 16, RESIDE. 18, GLEAN. 20, SAUNA. 21, CHAD.

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Voted

West Sussex Pub of the Year 2019

Food and drink / Out and about

THE KINGS HEAD North Sussex

CAMRA PUB OF THE MONTH June 2017

RESTAURANT OPEN WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

LIVE MUSIC IN FEBRUARY Sat 1st: Joe 90, Fri 7th: Murdoch’s Crazy Eyes, Sat 15th: The Jukebox 6, Sat 22nd: The Groove Aces, Sat 29th: Baby Faced Buskers KingsHead Billingshurst

@kingsheadbhurst

40 High Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9NY Tel: (01403) 782012 Mon-Fri & Sun: 11am-11pm. Sat: 11am-12 midnight

BARGAINS GALORE AT

ANSELLS

VINTAGE SALE & MARKET Every Saturday 10am to 2pm FREE ENTRY & PARKING

Stallholders welcome (tables £5) Antiques • Hornby Trains Furniture • Bric-a-Brac • Jewellery Garden Ornaments • Crafts etc ANSELLS, KIRDFORD ROAD, WISBOROUGH GREEN, RH14 0DD Book/details: (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940

Community / Accountancy

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First Lantern Walk a Dazzling Success

huge thank you from the Billingshurst Community Partnership to all who made lanterns and/or joined in on 14th December for Billingshurst’s first ever Lantern Walk. We estimate that about 250-300 people, aged from 3 to 93, joined in, making it a really cheerful and friendly community gathering. The Lantern Walk was an excellent example of a community working in partnership to bring residents together to create a sense of belonging at a time when Billingshurst can sometimes feel like it’s growing too big for its skin and is almost ready to burst! About 400 Lanterns were made in the weeks leading up to the event at the Primary School, Osmond Court, Scout and Guide groups and CC’S Emporium. Many of these were stored by Austens Home Hardware shop awaiting the Big Night. The bells of St Mary’s Church rang as we assembled in the Library car park giving Billingshurst joyful Christmas sounds; Billingshurst Lions and Rotary Clubs did an excellent job of marshalling the Walk route from the Library car park to Station Road Gardens which was headed-up by Boom Tribe, a drumming band based in Horsham. When we arrived at the gardens, a small group of young people had organised a sound and light show performed inside St Mary’s Church party tent which they had kindly loaned us for the day. The show was very much enjoyed and created a real party atmosphere. Additionally, a number of food vendors encouraged people to linger at the gardens ahead of the Christmas Cracker Concert hosted by

the Billingshurst Choral Society and Slinfold Band in the nearby Leisure Centre later that evening. A huge thank you to everyone mentioned above! (And to anyone else I might have forgotten to mention). You made the whole experience a very enjoyable community event, and we have enjoyed working with you. The event was made possible because of a small grant awarded to the BCP by Horsham District Council as part of the Year of Culture project. At present, we are undecided about whether to repeat the event again next year. We will need enough people from the community to come forward and offer to help and we will need to raise more funds to cover the costs involved. If this happens, then it is possible that the Lantern Walk could become an annual event. If you are interested in getting involved, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you and your ideas. Many thanks again for your support and every good wish for 2020. Denise Campbell, Chair, Billingshurst Community Partnership Ltd Photos: Denise Campbell, Village Tweet and Jane Cross

In June 2019 Dunmoore Group Ltd secured planning consent from Horsham District Council (HDC) for Billingshurst Business Park on land at Hilland Farm, Billingshurst. Billingshurst Business Park will be built in two phases: Phase 1, comprising approximately 50,000 sq ft, and Phase 2, comprising a further 150, 000 sq ft of space. The proposals for Phase 1 include a new petrol filling station and drive‐through coffee shop. The drive‐through would be operated by Starbucks. Six months on from receiving planning permission, we thought now was the time to update Billingshurst residents on Billingshurst Business Park progress to date: • Since receiving planning consent in June 2019, the Dunmoore professional team have been busy developing the design detail – this includes coordination of architecture, civil engineering, structural engineering, landscaping, and other consultants. • To ensure the design was developed in accordance with the Council’s expectations, the planning consent has over 60 planning conditions. In addition to developing the design for tendering purposes, the professional team have also been submitting documentation to HDC to discharge these conditions (all of which are available to view on the HDC website). • Highway works have also been developed

in conjunction with West Sussex County Council. The highway works remain the same as the detailed design submitted as part of the planning application, and works have now commenced. • The developed design for Phase 1 was completed in July 2019, we appointed a contractor in September 2019, and works commenced in October 2019. • We are targeting completion in Summer 2020 for Phase 1. Discussions are underway with a mixture of both national and local businesses who may take space on Phase 1 of Billingshurst Business Park. With regards to Phase 2, we are in advanced discussions with a number of local occupiers about the units on both leasehold and freehold terms. If you would like more information about the units available in both phases of Billingshurst Business Park please contact: David Martin Stiles Harold Williams, 1 Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GE 01273 876212 or 07860 207 453

We have a new website! https://plaistowandifold.org.uk/ We hope that it will become a trusted community resource where you can find information about what is happening in the Parish, as well as the surrounding area. Whether you are looking for the contact details of our local MP; or how to report a pothole; or what projects the Parish Council are working on – then this is the website to visit! The aim is that it will be interactive; you can engage with the work of the Parish Council and make your voice heard. Whether that be by participating in public consultations on the Neighbourhood Plan, or the regeneration of the Lady Hope Playpark; or providing information, photographs and local news to be published; or even managing your own page on the Council’s website in relation to your project, club or business! Perhaps you are new to the area and want to find out what goes on? Or are you a Riparian Owner and need to understand your legal duties? Or maybe you need to know when the Parish Council will consider your planning application? Plaistow and Ifold Parish Council invites you to visit its new website and provide feedback and information to help build this exciting community interactive space. We look forward to hearing from you clerk@plaistowandifold.org.uk | 01403 820 737

Have your say! Do you use the Lady Hope Playpark in Plaistow? Would you like to be a part of its new ‘look’? Please participate in the Public Consultation via our new website to help steer decision making.

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Community / Religion

West Sussex Community Minibus Association (Billingshurst) February Schedule Tuesday 4th Wednesday 5th

10.00am

Thursday 6th Tuesday 11th Wednesday 12th Thursday 13th Tuesday 18th Wednesday 19th Thursday 20th Tuesday 25th Thursday 27th

9.00am 11.45am 10.00am 9.00am 10.00am 9.00am 9.00am

Chichester – Cathedral Concert:– Consort of Viols & Cathedral choir 1.00pm Horsham Hillier’s Garden Centre for afternoon tea Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Horsham & Tesco’s Christ’s Hospital lunch & concert Chichester Market Day Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath Midhurst & ‘Greyhound’ for lunch 1.00pm Shoreham Airport for tea Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Horsham & Tesco’s 1.15pm Camelia Botnar for tea Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath

To book your place please telephone Geraldine Pike: (01403) 786147 We now offer a friendly door to door service for anyone in the RH14 9xx area! Please book trips at least 24 hours in advance so we can ensure our crews have correct pick-up information! If you’re interested in finding out more about our service, either as a passenger or a volunteer, please contact Steve O’Dowd, email: billingshurst.minibus@btinternet. com or tel: (01403) 784428. Thank you. Registered Charity No. 1173818

Chocs for Valentine’s Day but not for Lent!

his February the Church calendar has three important dates which allow us to celebrate the life of Christ and give thanks to God for the love that he graciously and freely gives to us. Of these three dates the one that the Church has given to the world and which the world most enthusiastically remembers is 14th February: St Valentine. Valentine’s Day is the day we demonstrate our love by sending cards, flowers and giving gifts that have miraculously become three times their usual price. Although the unscrupulous may try to exploit our remembrance of St Valentine showing our love for those God has given us to share our lives is a day to enjoy. Like the search for the perfect Christmas the perfect Valentine’s Day can bring stress to relationships but continued kindness, gentleness and faithfulness throughout the year can redeem or even enhance our Valentine’s experience. On Sunday 2nd February the church remembers the Presentation of Christ in the Temple often called Candlemas. Candlemas Sunday is the midway point between Christmas and Easter and many churches will take the opportunity to remember the incarnation (Christmas – Emmanuel God with us) and think about their preparations for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Early church writings were often focused on defending the truth that Jesus (God) had come in the flesh, led a life common to all human beings but

never committed a sin. It is the sinless life he led that qualifies him to be our Saviour and to empathise and strengthen us when we are tempted. ‘Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.’ (Hebrews 2: 18). St Mary’s will celebrate Jesus through Candlemas at 9.30am with a Parish Communion and at 11am with a more contemporary act of worship led by our excellent Worship Band. Wednesday 26th February is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Lent is the time when the Church traditionally fasts from or lets go of worldly things (giving up chocolate is often chosen) for the weeks leading toward Easter. It can also be a time when we seek to do something positive each day: give to charity, visiting someone in need of company or some act of random kindness. The Church of England website will help you to make the most of Lent 2020. (www.churchofengland.org/more/ church-resources/lent-2020-church-resources). There are booklets available for both children and adults. There will be services on Ash Wednesday at 11am and 7.30pm which include the imposition of Ashes for those who wish to make Lent a time ‘to meet with God’. During February when we wait for spring to reveal itself we would love you to join us for Candlemas, Ash Wednesday or any of our regular services. Happy Valentines from all at St Mary’s.

Whatever place you’re into

“Great new memberships.” We have had a rethink about our membership packages and we are now offering the following memberships: Student membership from £27.00 Senior membership

from £31.00

New Gym Only price from £23.00 To ﬁnd out more please call the membership team on 01403 879666 www.billingshurstleisurecentre.co.uk

Places for People Leisure working in partnership with Horsham District Council

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Health and wellbeing / Funerals

Love’s Sweet Breath Should you use mouthwash this Valentine’s Day?

o one wants to kiss someone with poor oral hygiene and bad breath. So, what can you do to make sure your mouth is kissable on 14th February? Gum disease begins with plaque. This is a film of very sticky bacteria on the teeth which, if not removed, causes gum disease. Because it is so sticky plaque can only be removed from teeth with a brush or dental floss. Mouthwash can never replace good brushing. In 2014 a study in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry found antiseptic mouthwash used twice a day reduced the build-up of plaque and gum disease over a six-month period. Mouthwash makes teeth more ‘slippy’ so the sticky plaque finds it difficult to adhere, which in turn means your mouth feels fresher for longer. Bad breath (halitosis) is caused when excess bacteria emit excess gas. Pockets of bacteria can lurk around fillings, ill-fitting crowns and impacted wisdom teeth. Halitosis requires

treatment from a dentist or hygienist, but a mouthwash can help. Use one with ingredients such as chlorine dioxide, which kills the volatile sulphur compounds that cause foul odour. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, which has been linked to oral cancers in some studies. Alcohol can exacerbate bad breath because of its drying properties, and because it is quite harsh it may also cause stinging. Most dentists and hygienists agree that if you use mouthwash it should be alcohol-free. Finally, most of us don’t hold mouthwash in our mouths long enough for it to work. The optimal time is 30-60 seconds. As part of a good dental hygiene routine mouthwashes are helpful but they will never replace the mechanical action of a toothbrush and floss for getting teeth and gums really clean. So now you know. Happy kissing! Louise Addison

Drivesafe lenses –

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Judith Dandy

until 29/2/20 with this ad

Independent Funeral Director Dandelion Farewells warmly invites you to contact us if you have any questions about the funeral you need to arrange.

Tel: 01403 784682 Park & Brown Opticians

32 High Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9PF email: parkandbrownbillingshurst@gmail.com

We are committed to enabling families to plan a funeral that is personal, meaningful and affordable. We will support you to create a farewell that is appropriate and unique, thereby taking away much of the strain of planning such a signi昀cant event. We will be with you every step of the way.

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If we don’t have an item in stock we offer an ordering service, subject to availability

info@thenaturalwayhorsham.co.uk

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Health and wellbeing / Charity

Right to the Core Why core exercises are important

e know that getting fit is important for a healthy life. Often, we equate fitness with running, cycling, walking or some other form of exercise. But there’s one aspect of fitness that is almost always overlooked; our core muscles. Whenever I talk about building muscle everyone pictures someone at a weight bench pumping iron until their biceps bulge out of their shirts. But strengthening and toning your muscles can be much more subtle. And even a small amount of work on your core strength can dramatically improve your overall fitness and well-being. What Are Your Core Muscles? Your core muscles form a ring around the middle of your body. Most people think of the ‘six-pack’ muscles in the abdomen, but the core includes a range of muscles in your sides and back as well. Their job is to keep the top and bottom halves of your body connected together while allowing them to move independently. They form a strong foundation that the majority of your other muscles depend upon when you move your body. When Do I Use My Core Muscles? Practically every movement you make and every position you put your body into involves your core muscles. They are really important. Bending over to pick something up, twisting to look behind you and sitting up in bed are more obvious moments your core is activated. But running, walking, sitting in a chair and even standing still all rely on core strength. Without it the top half of your body would simply flop over.

What Are the Benefits of Core Strength? Building a strong core provides a firm and flexible support for every activity your body performs. The stability provided gives you better balance and better posture which in turn helps prevent falls and injuries in your day-to-day life. The support from your core muscles takes the strain away from your skeleton and helps hold it in place alleviating some forms of back pain, stiffness and soreness when you move your body. Any time you move, whether it’s for exercise or doing the housework or gardening, a strong core will help you perform better and reduce muscle fatigue in the other parts of your body by giving them a firm base to attach to. How Can I Build My Core Strength? You don’t need a gym or expensive equipment to improve core strength. There are lots of exercises you can do at home. Make sure you seek medical advice before attempting any new exercise regime. Most people think of sit-ups as the prime core exercise. I advise people not to do sit-ups as they are not particularly effective and the continual flexing of the base of your spine can lead to lower back injuries. My top tips are planks, leg raises and mountain climbers. If you’re not sure what these are have a chat with your local personal trainer or gym instructor, or search on YouTube for easy-to-follow tutorials. Take your core strength seriously and it will improve every aspect of your fitness and provide the central support essential for your body. Robert Grant

Christmas event raises £590 for The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes & Volcanoes, Nicaragua We are pleased to say we raised a total of £590.74 at our Christmas event at the Chapel, Billingshurst, and very much appreciate the support that the Chapel community has given to the project during the year. Thank you to all who came along to support us. At the Chapel on Friday 17th April at 7.30pm there will be a Social evening and update on the project. Website: 2newhorizons4ometepe.wordpress.com Blog: 2newhorizons4ometepe.blogspot.com Facebook: The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes Carolyn Gibbs

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Out and about / Health and wellbeing

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A talk by Michael Joseph

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Presented by Billingshurst Rotary Club

Monday 24th February, 7pm Blacksmith’s Arms, Adversane, RH14 9JH Fasten your seat belts for an evening of high entertainment from Captain Michael Joseph* • How did he come to be walking through the terminal building in his Speedo swimming trunks? • Why were the Surrey police throwing stones at the bedroom window? • What happens when a cow confronts a Jumbo jet? Find out the stories behind these and many more hilarious happenings in the life of an airline pilot.

A buffet supper will be served after the talk. Tickets £10. Space is limited, to book please tel: 07940 590237 *Michael Joseph spent most of his working life as a BA pilot, flying Jumbo Jets. He was also responsible for leading the Weald School Team to first place in the National Electric Racing Car competition, and has spoken at previous Rotary Club meetings.

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Short story

Reeling in Love A short story written exclusively for Village Tweet by local author Miranda Rijks

“W

hen did you and Mike get together?” Sue asks Jane as she empties the cash out of

the till. “Ten years ago. We met at Collyers.” “I bet you’ll have a ring on your finger by the end of the week!” Sue nudges Jane, who scowls. “Got something nice to wear tomorrow night, have you?” “Yeah, I have actually.” Jane smiles to herself as she straightens up the pile of scarves on the front counter. She’s maxed out on her credit card but it’s worth it. Jane bought a black and tan leopard print wrap-around dress from that new shop on West Street in Horsham and it’s been hiding at the back of the wardrobe for the past three weeks. “Where’s he taking you for your Valentine’s meal?” “It’s a surprise,” Jane says, wishing Sue would shut up with her questions. “My day off tomorrow, so you have a good ’un and I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.” Sue pats the younger woman on her arm and waddles to the back of the shop to collect her coat. Mike is on the late shift but he still has time to nip into the pub behind the station after work. None of his mates drink there, so he is confident he can down a few without having to make small talk. He tips back six beers in quick succession followed by a brandy for luck. He knows if he doesn’t do it tonight, he never will. The dank, cold air keeps him sober, but when he opens the communal door and then staggers up the stairs to Flat 3b, the effects of the booze kick in. He fumbles with the lock, burps loudly and then trips over his own feet as he shuffles along the short corridor to the bedroom. It’s dark inside but he can make out the bulk of his girlfriend sleeping underneath the daisy-patterned duvet. “Wake up, Jane,” he says, shaking her with unnecessary ferocity. “What is it?” Her heart pounds as she comes to. “What’s the matter?” “Sorry,” he mumbles, clutching the radiator that clicks and hisses as it cools down. He hopes he isn’t going to throw up. “I can’t do this anymore, Jane. It’s over.” Jane frowns as she heaves herself into an upright position. “What are you talking about?” “Us. You and me. I’m moving out.” Jane looks at the little red alarm clock. It is 00.03 on 14th February. “You’re dumping me on Valentine’s Day?” she shrieks. “Sorry,” he mutters as he weaves across the room and slinks out of the dark bedroom, like a moth attracted to the light in the corridor. Jane cries until her pillow is so soaked she has to swap it for Mike’s. And then the tears dry up. The next day she wakes feeling surprisingly fresh

and resolute. At work she is her normal cheery self and none of the other staff guess a thing. Come 5.30pm, she slinks off to the changing room and squeezes into the leopard print dress. It does wonders for her curves. She runs the curling tongs through her hair, and then carefully applies her makeup, sticking on the extra-long fake eyelashes. She swipes the new pillarbox red lipstick over her thin lips and then examines herself in the mirror. Not bad, she reckons. “Wow, you look stunning!” Patrick speaks slowly, his eyes out on stalks. But Patrick’s too young and spotty and definitely not Jane’s sort. She ignores him. Half an hour later, she takes a deep breath and pushes open the door to La Belle Epoque in Billingshurst. The lights are low and classical violin music is playing in the background. Jane has never eaten anywhere so fancy, with white linen tablecloths and sparkling silver cutlery. There’s only one other couple in the restaurant. Too early, she supposes. The waiter leads her to a table laid for two near the back of the restaurant. There’s a single red rose in a small vase that looks like one of those pee bottles handed out at the doctor’s surgery. “Can I get you something to drink while you wait?” the waiter asks. “A glass of bubbly won’t go amiss.” A little smile edges at her lips. She thinks of her profile on Match.com, how she started getting likes the second her account went live. It took a couple of days to reel in ‘the one’ but after that it was child’s play. They sent messages backwards and forwards, several each day. “You’re gorgeous, Paula,” he wrote this morning. “Can’t wait to meet you.” “And I can’t wait to meet you Ian,” she’d typed, adding in lots of heart emojis. When he walks in, she leans backwards into the shadows. “I’m meeting Paula Roberts. Is she here?” “Yes, I believe she is.” The waiter takes his coat and leads him to her table. “What the…!” Mike exclaims. His mouth is agog. “Thought you had the perfect date? Two can play that game, Mikey ‘Ian Smith’. I’m glad you liked my profile, anyway. I look a lot like the woman in the photo, don’t I?” She tosses her hair over her shoulder and pouts. “Twenty-something, lustrous reddish-brown hair, voluptuous.” She raises her glass to him. “Well stop standing there like a trout. Take a seat, love!” Miranda Rijks writes psychological thrillers set in West Sussex, published by Inkubator Books. Paperbacks and ebooks are available on Amazon. Find out more at www.mirandarijks.com.

Books / About the house

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A Good Read February’s selection from book reviewer Kath Bennett Knowledge of Angels – Jill Paton Walsh Jill Paton Walsh is an extraordinarily versatile writer. Many will know her for her numerous works for children, and more recently for her work continuing the legacy of Dorothy L Sayers’ Peter Wimsey novels. In addition to this, she has written a number of intriguing and thought-provoking novels for adults, and Knowledge of Angels is an excellent example of these two characteristics. The story is set on a Mediterranean island in the fifteenth century, described in almost cinematic detail in the opening pages, as Paton Walsh invites us to contemplate the nature of fiction and storytelling. To this closed community come two strangers – one from the outside, a castaway found by local fishermen, and one from within, a girl seemingly raised by wolves in the forests of the island. One is as eloquent as the other is savage, but their fates become irretrievably tied together as their stories progress. At the heart of the book lie a number of questions of belief. Palinor, the castaway, professes to have no religion, which poses a challenge to the authority of the Inquisition on the island. Amara, the wolf child, seems unredeemably animal in her behaviour, but begins to grow under the care of the nuns of Sant Clara, raising the issue of nature and nurture. Both of their stories are also about love, and selfknowledge, and what is and is not possible. Yet the book is written in such a way, that these weighty questions are explored at the same time as creating a page-turning thoroughly engrossing story, in which the reader is drawn in

turn into the lives of Amara and Palinor. Disturbing, sensitive and deeply affecting, this is a book that will keep you thinking for a very long time. Stormbreaker – Anthony Horowitz The first novel in Horowitz’s phenomenally successful Alex Rider series, this is a must for fans of action, adventure and James Bond-style one-liners. Alex Rider is a seemingly ordinary 14-year-old boy. However, when his uncle is killed in a car accident, his world begins to unravel. An orphan, Alex finds that without the protection of his guardian he is in the hands of his uncle’s employers – and they are not a bank, but MI6! Horowitz keeps the reader moving quickly from action sequence to action sequence, with a liberal amount of humour and contemporary references along the way. The structure is familiar to Bond fans, and once you have suspended your disbelief at the idea of a teenage spy, it all becomes gripping and plausible. In particular, the gadgets Alex uses and the villainous Herod Sayle will appeal to teenage readers – while the intriguingly sinister character of Yassen Gregorovitch is introduced here, ready to be developed further through the rest of the series. Ideal for fans of ripping yarns and reluctant readers alike, you will find that one chapter is never enough, as Horowitz is the master of the cliff-hanger ending. A 12-year-old of my acquaintance told me recently that this book is “even better than the film” – if you know any 12-year-olds, then you will know that I need not say any more than that!

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Parenting / About the house

Teen Talk

Tips for successful communication with your teenager

“Y

OU’RE RUINING MY LIFE!” <SLAM> Anyone with a teen has been there. But how do you respond? In kind by yelling back? Or by ignoring? Or is there a different way? We have some suggestions. Aim to understand. Why is your daughter texting her friend when she’s supposed to be studying for her maths test? Why does your son have cigarettes in his blazer pocket? You may not comprehend, but remember they live in their reality and you live in yours. Perhaps your daughter is anxious about an argument with her friend and needs to make up before she can concentrate on her maths revision. Perhaps your son wants to fit in with his friends. Aim for understanding. Try an approach like, “I understand how hard it is when you feel you don’t fit in. I also know that smoking increases your chance of contracting lung cancer or other diseases when you’re still quite young. It’s my job as a parent to keep you healthy and safe so let’s sit down and talk about this.” It’s important not to say, “I understand… BUT… ” The ‘but’ puts teens on guard. Aim for a conciliatory tone every time and they will be more inclined to listen… not always, but more often. Don’t take it personally. Mostly teens don’t set out to annoy you, but emotions on both sides quickly escalate, and emotions are the enemy when trying to communicate effectively. Teenagers are adults with training wheels and probably require more and better parenting than toddlers. Being angry at a teen for being them is futile. They may be making a poor choice, but the truth is, they might not yet have the skill set to make a better one. Our job is to help guide them to better

choices so they can, in turn, develop better problem-solving skills. I repeat to myself, “This is the job of parenting, what’s the best approach here?” If I catch myself quickly, it works. But it’s not easy and if I don’t catch myself in time then emotions spill over and we all end up shouting! But like any other skill, it gets easier with practise. Ask questions but make them honest, not loaded: “Why can’t you be more responsible / get up on time / pick your clothes up?” These are loaded questions which your teen can’t answer. Instead try, “You know you have problems getting up in the morning? Can you think of any solutions?” If they can’t think of one offer a couple of your own and ask which they prefer. As parents our goal is to help our teen think critically. What might be the consequences of a particular action? How would they feel if that happened? This approach helps them feel empowered and gives a greater chance of a successful resolution. Finally… Don’t do or say anything until you’re both calm. You don’t have to respond to your teen when you and they are upset. You can choose to say nothing and take a few more minutes. When emotions have evened out, sit down and talk with them. Sometimes they will still want to fight. Stay firm and calm. Repeat in your head “I’m not being drawn in.” This self-talk does help and over time should calm the situation down. Staying calm isn’t easy. We all get pulled back into a fight occasionally. But deep down they love you, and sometimes they just need to hear that you love them too, no matter what. Sarah Davey

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About the house

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

Aaron… again

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

aron was lying under the pine trees in the winter sunshine. He was digesting the crunchies and hay that he had scoffed that morning. He was feeling chilled out, relaxed and perfectly happy. His lovely girls – all seven of them – were lying around him in a similar state of contentment. Unknown to them, trouble was approaching fast in the shape of a longing bleating from next door’s ewes. “Aaron, Aaron come and visit us. Aaron we need you. Aaron please Aaron.” Aaron ignored them. He was not playing hard to get but he couldn’t be bothered. He just wanted to be left alone. He’d got into too much trouble visiting them last year and he couldn’t be doing with that fuss again. But next door’s ewes would not stop. They moaned and bleated and whined all morning. “Oh, for goodness sake,” declared Siobhan, “I’m sick of them.” The other girls agreed. “Tell them to shut up,” suggested Freya. “Yeah,” the two black- Aaron and the fences: ‘If Steve faced girls, Ana-Georgia and her cousin Amy (Aaron’s sister), told him. “Tell them to shut up.” But it was too late. Aaron got up and stretched. “I’ll just go and talk to them and ask them nicely to leave us alone.” As he approached the fence (fixed by James and Jacob last year) next door’s ewes came running. They were so pleased to see him, they pressed their noses to the fence, reminding him of how handsome he was and how much they wanted him to visit them. Aaron could not resist such blandishments. He warned them he couldn’t do it right away because he had to figure out a way to get over the fence. As he wandered the fence line looking as innocent as he could (in case a human was watching him) he wondered how he could get over. He began planning his Great Escape. He put his front hooves on the new fence and leaned on it. It sagged a little. Again he

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pressed down and leaned on it again. It sagged some more. He repeated this several times until it sagged enough and with a spring from his powerful haunches he was up and over. But there was another problem… there was a space between the two properties and two fences. He still had to get over next door’s fence! Now next door had two or three cows and a couple of horses. They were no respecters of fencing; they had been able to put their heads between the barbed wire and the top of the net fence and create a gap as they ate the grass and other things on the other side of the fence. This created gaps as the barbed wire stretched. Aaron was aware of this and decided to take advantage of their accomplishments. Again he put up his hooves and leaped over the fence and underneath the barbed wire. His thick wool coat protected him. And so began a lovely visit with next door’s ewes. Nanny received a phone McQueen can do it, so can I’ call from next door to advise her of his presence but neither of the humans worried. They both knew he would come back home when he was ready and his own girls called him. After the first day Aaron snickered at his girls from the other side of the fence when they were being fed crunchies. They had a bit of a laugh and told him that it was his own fault. He was foolish to listen to next door’s ewes when there were seven of them and they all loved him much more. The next day Aaron turned up at tea time as if he had never been away. He was pleased to be back home and his own girls were nuzzling up to him with compliments and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. Valentine’s Day came and went, but love stayed firm on the little farm near Billingshurst… and would do so until next door’s ewes started tempting Aaron again. Yvonne Fleece Photo: ‘Gary’

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About the house

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Billingshurst Parish Council Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre Roman Way, Billingshurst, RH14 9QW

High Street – Christmas Shop Window Competition There were some brilliantly decorated shop windows to complement the lights and Christmas Tree on the Green. Well done to Morgan’s Hairdressers, which was judged to have the best Christmas Shop Window, with Park & Brown Optometrists and Lou’s Hairdressers taking a joint 2nd place and R. Rhodes & Sons taking the 3rd place. Thanks to all those businesses who made the effort to make Billingshurst look and feel so Christmassy.

Billingshurst Community Transport

We can help!

Do you have some spare time? Are you able to drive? Do you live in the parishes of Billingshurst, Shipley, Loxwood, Ifold or Plaistow? If so, the Billingshurst Community Transport Scheme urgently needs more volunteer drivers. To find out more about the scheme and see whether you can help, please contact Graeme at the Community Transport office on (01403) 787696.

Don’t forget, if your community group or organisation has any events, meetings or fetes coming up over the course of 2020, and you would like help to promote this, please email our staff members sarah@billingshurst.gov.uk or liz@billingshurst.gov.uk and we will do what we can to help with advertising.

Updates from the Neighbourhood Wardens Monthly reports are produced by the Billingshurst Neighbourhood Wardens. These can be found along with other info about the Wardens, what they can and can’t do and their contact information by visiting the Council’s website www.billingshurst.gov.uk and clicking on the ‘Community’ tab along the top of the homepage.

Billingshurst in Bloom Entries Look out for details of how to enter our Billingshurst in Bloom local competition in the next few months. Full details and entry forms will be advertised in upcoming editions of the Village Tweet publication. The judges commented last year that whilst travelling around to judge entries, they noted a number of gardens which looked amazing but had not entered. Even if you don’t fancy entering yourself, if you have a neighbour whose front garden looks fabulous, please do encourage them to enter this year.

www.billingshurst.gov.uk Email: council@billingshurst.gov.uk 01403 782555 / twitter@BillingshurstPC

Billingshurst Parish Council

@BillingshurstPC

Hedge cut backs

Christmas Fayre

The Parish Council has been asked to remind residents of the importance of trimming back front garden hedges which overhang pathways. This is particularly important to allow safe passage for those with prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Please arrange to carry out this work whilst being mindful of the nesting season. The RSPB advises the public not to cut or prune hedges and bushes between March and August due to the likelihood of birds nesting in hedgerows.

Many thanks to all those who supported the first Billingshurst Centre Christmas Fayre on 14th December. Judging by how busy the Centre was all day and from initial feedback from stallholders, we think it was a success. We will be now looking to see how we can make it even better in 2020.

Tree Planting in the Parish The issue of tree planting in the parish has been raised in the course of preparing our Neighbourhood Plan and by residents recently asking what we are doing to help mitigate climate change. The Parish Council has now resolved to use £5,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CiL) at its disposal, to plant trees on highway land in autumn 2020. If residents have any suggestions where they think they should go, please let us know by way of a simple sketch map by the end of February to the Parish Office. We will then ask WSCC which sites are suitable and to suggest varieties. Please confine suggestions to verges etc. only, and not other parks and gardens, as these can be looked at on another occasion.

Community Speedwatch Following training last autumn, the new Billingshurst Community Speedwatch volunteers got out and about with our Neighbourhood Wardens in December. We often hear complaints from residents about anti-social driving in the area, and further members are welcome to join our Speedwatch group. If you can spare an hour or two every month and would like to get involved, please visit www.communityspeedwatch.org to register and sign up. You will then be contacted by one of our Co-ordinators and invited along for training.

Nationwide Building Society Every Friday From 7th February – A branch team from Nationwide Building Society will be at Billingshurst Community Centre between 10am-1pm. Cash transactions will not be available but help and guidance on the full range of Nationwide products and services will be available. For more information, please contact stephanie.courquin@nationwide.co.uk.

STOP PRESS – STOP PRESS

Don’t forget to put this year’s

Billingshurst Showcase in your diary for Saturday 21st March 1.30-4.30pm at the Billingshurst Centre This is your opportunity to find out about how you can get more involved in our wonderful community, by way of joining a local charity, group or good cause or offering your services. Once again, there is sure to be something to suit every interest, talent or ability. If your group would like to have a free stall to promote themselves, please e-mail sarah@billingshurst.gov.uk Upcoming Meetings (February) 6th: Planning & Environment Committee (7.30pm) 19th: Property Committee (7.30pm) 26th: Billingshurst Centre (7.00pm) and F&GP Committee (7.30pm)

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Computer games / About the house

Games Without Frontiers The future is online gaming

lmost everyone plays computer games. On phones, tablets, computers and consoles the current generation tap away for hours on end. But all this comes at a cost. New games always push consoles and computers to their limits so you end up in a never-ending process of upgrading your hardware just so you can keep up with the latest titles. There are four versions of the PlayStation, endless Xboxes and a vast array of different Nintendo boxes all slowly going out of date, and eventually disappearing into the attic to gather dust. But what if you never had to buy another console again? What if all you needed was any device that could connect to the Internet with enough power to play a YouTube video? Well that’s the vision for Google’s latest cloud gaming service, Google Stadia. “Cloud gaming?” I hear you ask. Come closer my friend. Basically, you use any internet-capable device to connect to the gaming service – phone, tablet, laptop, etc. This becomes your screen for viewing and your gamepad for controlling the game. The actual game runs on the gaming service computers in a datacentre in the cloud. Your device streams a video of the game which you control using your local game controller or other input device. There’s no longer any need for you to own a high-end gaming PC. All that expense is taken care of by Google Stadia. This is not a new idea. OnLive launched a cloud-based service about ten years ago offering

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essentially the same deal. They had a good range of games and the whole system worked extremely well… if you had a reliably fast broadband connection! At the time people found that delays between pressing buttons and the game responding made the system unplayable much of the time. OnLive eventually petered out after a few years. But the concept was sound and now Google has brought its technical power to the problem. Along with far superior household broadband connections, Google’s extensive range of datacentres throughout around the world can provide up to 4K game play with almost zero lag on the controllers. The service costs a monthly subscription fee for access to the game servers on top of which you’ll need to buy your games. These games can then be played on any of your compatible devices, or you can buy one of Google’s custom controllers that will connect wirelessly to your TV to turn it into a games centre. A ‘free’ service should also be launching in the first half of this year which will probably offer a range of slightly older titles for anyone to play – note that this will be free games, not free subscription, which you'll still need to pay! New game titles are being added all the time so check out the Stadia website for the current library. If the kids are pestering for a computer upgrade because the latest FIFA is glitching out, this service might be just what you need. Robert Grant

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About the house

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Out and about / About the house

A Flock of Sparrows Horsham Museum & Art Gallery, open now until 7th March

true Edwardian, Dr Geoffrey Sparrow came to Horsham 100 years ago after serving with distinction in the First World War. For the next fifty years, he portrayed the countryside and town, illustrating the scenes of everyday life with wit and charm, revealing a master of the caricature, be it man or beast. Now marking fifty years since his death, Horsham Museum and Art Gallery is hosting a A Flock of Sparrows, a major retrospective of a comic genius. A doctor who could write ‘Harley Street is an address not a medical qualification’, illustrate the chaos of 1950s West Street with echoes of Hogarth and Rowlandson, the horse out-foxing the rider and be awarded the Military Cross in both World War I and World War II, while serving the community, is worthy of celebration. This exhibition focuses on his artistic life. Dr Geoffrey Sparrow was born on13th July 1887 without any public ceremony or celebration. He grew up in a Devonshire home surrounded by sporting books, prints and illustrations. He went into medicine as it was one of the professions, which in those days, was counted as just about acceptable next to army, law or the church. (All of the latter he had strong opinions about). After studying medicine at Cambridge and Barts, he served as a doctor in the Great War with distinction. An account of his experiences was published in a book he co-wrote: On Four Fronts with the Royal Naval Division. The book is noted not only for its accuracy and descriptive accounts of warfare, but also for his illustrations. In 1919 he moved to Horsham where he joined a local medical practice.

ed n ne Ove pring a S an? Cle help – n I ca all me C

Dr Sparrow lived for three things – hunting, art and medicine. It was not the ‘kill’ but the camaraderie of the hunt that he enjoyed, which so obviously comes out in the pictures on display. Some people today might suggest these pictures glorify hunting. What they glorify is not the actual killing of animals but the horse, hound and sportsman working together within the Sussex landscape. His works portray the foibles and humour that are generated when groups of people get together, be they councillors, huntsmen etc. His humour is in a long tradition of British artistic caricaturists e.g. Dr Syntax Tours by Rowlandson and John Leech. Drawn from the Museum’s collections, built up over the last 30 years, the exhibition has been supplemented by loans from members of the public who also enjoy his creativity, be it in watercolour, pencil, or burin as he transformed his rapid sketch into an engraving, or later an etching. A Flock of Sparrows is the culmination of Horsham Museum and Art Gallery’s contribution to Horsham District’s Year of Culture. Over the year, the Museum has celebrated the artistic creativity and heritage of the District and this exhibition blends the two elements together, to portray a culture out of which we still see echoes today, but is changing as new artists explore the culture with fresh eyes. Horsham Museum & Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, free admission. For more information see www.horshammuseum.org. Rachel Weller, Administration Assistant, Horsham Museum & Art Gallery ‘The West Street Nuisance’, Horsham by Dr Geoffrey Sparrow

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About the house

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Little Tweeters!

Weald School Wins Wellbeing Award

n the summer of 2018, Optimus Education advertised their new national accreditation called the Wellbeing Award for Schools and our Headteacher (Peter Woodman) immediately made enquiries to find out how to participate in the scheme. We had been working for a long time on increasing and improving our pastoral support for students who needed additional care, and we were also concerned about the increasing strains put on staff in schools due to external services being cut. We were advised by Optimus that there were two routes towards achieving the accreditation: either a school-led or an adviser-led approach. We opted for the latter so that we would receive support from an expert who visits many schools as part of their work and could ensure we adopted best practice. Achieving the award in itself was never the priority; rather, it was the work that went into achieving the award that was the most significant factor in our decision to go ahead. The first part of the process was a meeting with our adviser who talked us through the eight areas of the accreditation and asked us to set out our current provision at the time. She then provided concrete strategies for completing each of the eight stages and gave us an outline of an action plan. We appointed a wellbeing Team, made up of a Head of House (Phillipa Robins), one of our Sixth Form Managers (Dee Gammond), our safeguarding Governor (Sally Catchpole), our Head of Character and Culture (Matt Fry), a member of staff with an active interest in this area of work (Andy Cooper) and the Deputy Headteacher (Sarah Edwards). We met monthly to review the action plan, complete a SWOT analysis of our provision and set interim targets on the action plan. What quickly became clear was that our provision for staff and students for wellbeing was varied but not strategic and certainly not coherently drawn together or well advertised to those who needed it. Over the course of nine months, the team continued working towards achieving the award, and hosted an interim visit from our adviser who checked our progress in the eight areas and provided support and practical guidance on our

next steps. The most significant part of the work was in creating a coherent strategy for the award which involved setting wholeschool targets with SMART outcomes and staff responsible for achieving them. Once this was in place, the aims and objectives of what our end result was to look like became much clearer. The most evident impact of this strategy has been a new Weald Framework which moved away from our old community framework and towards a structure to underpin every aspect of our vision and ethos as a school: namely, that educating young people to become decent citizens who are successful in their chosen paths beyond school can only be done by focusing on their characteristics and not wholly on their academic pursuits. This new framework was drawn up with contributions from the wider student and staff body and has been welcomed wholeheartedly by all stakeholders. The final part of the process was the verification visit at the end of November. Our assessor required meetings with a range of stakeholders (including students, staff, parents and governors), an interview with the Headteacher and a presentation by the wellbeing Team. Finally, he reviewed all of the evidence we had put together and immediately judged our work to be unequivocally in line with their expectations to pass the accreditation. The impact of achieving this award has been very broad: it has served as a tremendous acknowledgement of the work of our pastoral team across the school which in turn has proven to be a great motivator to continue to drive our standards of care for our students even higher. In addition, the assessor provided us with some specific feedback which we are keen to follow up. While we know our aim of making our provision coherent and thorough has been met, the second critical aim of advertising this support needs further work. We look forward to working with students, parents, staff and governors to continue this critical work on behalf of the whole community of The Weald. Sarah Edwards, Deputy Headteacher Peter Woodman, Headteacher with Sarah Edwards, Deputy Headteacher and student members of the well-being team

About the house / Charity

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Valentine’s Day / About the house

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The Language of Love

love you. Three little words, which have been responsible for so much happiness… and so much angst and heartache. Did she mean it? Did he say it back? Who said it first? Does it matter? But here’s a dilemma you may not have considered, which language is the best in which to express your devotion? French. Je t’aime. It has associations with Paris, the city of love and all it has to offer: the food, the wine, the Eiffel Tower. How could your paramour not be swept off their feet? Spanish. Te amo. I once dated a guy from Madrid. When he said, “Te amo,” I almost melted, though his sexy accent and the fact we were on a yacht enjoying a Mediterranean sunset may have had much to do with it. Sadly, our relationship did not survive winter in Walsall!

Russian. Я тебя люблю (Ya tebya liubliu). Say it in a Russian accent and it sounds wonderfully seductive. You’ll feel like a spy from a James Bond movie! German. Ich liebe Dich. I confess I'm torn about this one. My husband is a blonde, blueeyed, gorgeous German yet my silly British seaside sense of humour means ‘Ich liebe Dich’ makes me giggle. But laughter is good, and he has been the love of my life for the past ten years, so I included it to be fair. So, what’s the strangest language in which to declare your love. How about Dothraki? Should you wish to declare your love Game of Thrones style this Valentine’s Day, simply breath these words, “Anha zhilak yera norethaan”. Clare Becker

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Community / About the house

February… fill dyke John Nash is a retired, well sort of retired, fruit farm manager in Kirdford who enjoys scribbling about life on the farm from the now to days gone by.

ebruary, the second month of the year and often the the one that carries the bleakest of weather hence the old country add-on to its name. For the farmer it’s often the month that requires the most effort to get through. Animals are at their most vulnerable with the wet and cold and are often existing purely on the food that the farmer has stock piled for them in the way of hay, straw and silage. So, for much of the time, the day is spent caring for their stock while trying to prepare for the approaching spring when they can once more start the cycle of life with lambing and planting. So, that aside, what about this month of February? With its 28/29 days it’s the shortest month, but why? On the internet there’s a whole load of stuff about this month, so… if you’ve got the time and nothing better to do, here’s my own synopsis of the main pieces of interest. My own view of course, but if you want to find out further details be my guest and dig away. First and foremost the name. February: this comes from the Roman (Latin) word februum, meaning purification which was a ritual held on the 15th of the month (full moon). January and February were the last two months in 713 BC to be added to the Roman calendar, as prior to that date they considered winter a monthless period. (To my mind not a bad idea when you think about it, as my last month’s article argues!) and it wasn’t until 450 BC that it became the second month of the year instead of the last month. The Roman was replaced by the Julian calendar in 27 BC. This was because they came to realise that the numbers just didn’t add up and they estimated the dates were out of line with the seasons and the true year length. So to try and solve the problem they added an extra day every four years.

In 1582 Pope Gregory introduced the Gregorian calendar as the earth’s movement was more accurately measured and the days, weeks and months were recalibrated. This showed that the extra day was now a small amount too long. To successfully overcome this problem they deleted eleven days from that first year so that the 4th October jumped to October 15th with no dates in between! However, many countries failed at first to adopt this new calendar, so when eventually they did they were often many days out of sync with it. Here in the UK it was not until 1752 that we took it on board and as a result of the time gap we had to lose 11 days that year to get into line with everyone else who had already adopted it. In fact, to this day some orthodox countries refuse to use the Gregorian so are many days out as far as the rest of us are concerned! Even now though it’s still not fully accurate. At some point time will have to be added to bring full accuracy to the world’s clocks. One day needs to be added every 3236 years! So, there we have it. A month that most of us are only too pleased to see the back of. A month that every four years is even longer, and on that extra day for some reason girls can offer marriage to their loved one, and a month that holds a whole raft of ‘special’ days around the world. To name just a few… in the United States there’s National Inventors Day, National I Want Butterscotch Day (yes, really!), National Margarita Day (sounds good to me) and National Wear Red Day (this is also here in the UK along with the aptly named Bachelors Day on the 29th). A whole raft of other events are celebrated around the world in this month, but I’m afraid I have now given up the will to live sifting through them all. I blame the month. What’s your excuse for yawning all the time then? (apart from reading this of course). Roll on March! John Nash

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About the house

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Pets

Introducing Spaniel Diaries Jeannette Douglas, author of the long-running SPR Centre series of articles has now left the employ of SPR. This month is the first of her new series. i, my name is Billy and I am a working cocker spaniel – although mum often calls me other things but I’m not allowed to repeat those words, Village Tweet being a family magazine! It’s a hard life being a spaniel. I have to keep mum and my little brother from another mother, Maverick, under control. Mum isn’t too bad, she mostly does as I instruct but that Maverick is another kettle of fish. He’s a springer spaniel so thinks he’s the bee’s knees. Well, I can assure you That I am in charge and I do have a snigger when he gets told off, but he doesn’t seem to care – the youth of today, I tell you. I hope 2020 has started well for you. We had a hectic time back in December with a thing humans call Christmas but I call extra food season! Mum spent most of December muttering about having to “do shopping” or some other such nonsense and more muttering about something called ‘money’. She does that if I have to go to the pet doctor as well. I don’t know what this ‘money’ thing is but it does seem to cause angst with you humans. Is it like doggy biscuits, I wonder, but then I think nope – they are nice so you wouldn’t be muttering about it like you do! I found it all a bit tiring as we visited mum’s relations and had people to stay – the cheeky so and so’s kept pinching my favourite armchair too, so I’m glad they have gone home! One good thing about the season was me and Maverick got taken for lots of lovely walks – we love nothing more than having a good old sniff around, although mum is extremely boring and I’m not allowed to chase wildlife. In fact, when she blows

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the whistle thing I have to stop what I’m doing and sit to attention – the cheek of it! I’m sure the pheasants and bunnies laugh at me, sometimes when I’m a bit further away I manage to have a sneaky little chase – mum isn’t pleased AT ALL and I get put back on my lead so it’s not really worth doing these days, she has eyes everywhere! I was slightly disappointed by the lack of Christmas food too; the humans all stuffed themselves silly yet not much extra came our way. Mum says we’re not to get fat. Ha! She can talk! Maverick ate a shoe and I let him. After all, it’s funny to see him get told off and I can be seen as the angel that I am! I might give him more shoes, just leave them lying around for him to find! Mum is talking about going training again, that is where I really have to mind my manners or I will be in trouble with ‘she who must be obeyed’. She gives mum tuition on how to make me become a gentleman. We do lots of fun things but I do like to keep mum on her toes, and sometimes she just gets it all wrong and then I must take over and show her how it’s done! Maverick will be starting training too; I shall snigger when he get’s it all wrong as I’m sure he will. The puppy is teething at the moment and I’m quite happy as for one thing he’s stopped hanging off my ears as his horrible little needle teeth fall out. The best thing is mum is giving both of us plenty of pig ears to chew on – she’s a soft touch as she doesn’t want me to be left out, but I’m sure my dinner portions are a tad smaller than usual, but I’ll let it pass as the pig ears are tasty! Well, that’s it for this month, I will let you all know how my training goes! Jeannette Douglas

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Pets / Logs

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Little Tweeters!

Garden Tweet! / Pest control / Fencing

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A game of two halves

or me February is where the gardening year begins… twice! First: Reaping last year’s rewards If you were industrious in the autumn, you could now be benefiting from a lovely display of snowdrops (Gallanthus) and Irises. My favourite snowdrops are G ‘Atkinsii’, which are tall with long, graceful flowers and G nivalis ‘Viridapicis’ with sweet, green tipped flowers. It’s said they’re best planted ‘in the green’ in spring but I’ve had lots of success with packaged bulbs planted in the autumn so they’re definitely worth trying. As for irises, the deep blue Iris ‘Joyce’ is hard to beat especially on my poor, free draining soil. I planted a witch hazel as soon as we moved into our present house; Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’. I can’t live without fragrance in my garden and at this bare, drab time of year the wonderfully scented pale-yellow flowers lift my spirits. I discovered we’d inherited an evergreen Clematis (C armandii). I’d never grown it before but it’s worth seeking out. It needs a warm wall or fence and well-drained soil then rewards you by being frost-hardy and producing

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Garden View

lovely creamy, scented flowers at this time of year. Second: Planning this year’s display Perhaps you didn’t manage to plan ahead last year. But don’t panic; the beauty of gardening is that the seasons keep rolling round so make sure you use February to ensure your summer display is top notch. February is definitely the month to start sowing seeds. Fill pots or seed trays with seed compost then firm and level the surface. Sprinkle seeds on to the surface of the compost then cover with a layer of fine grit. Water well with a fine spray. Cover with clear plastic (a polythene bag will do nicely) and remove it once the seeds germinate. Learn from my mistake one year and don’t forget to label the pots! Potting up summer bulbs is generally left until late spring, but I always pot up one or two pots in February. It allows them to get established and provides a nice early display for my patio. Happy gardening. Rachel Leverton

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P.A.G.N.E. – PEOPLE AGAINST GATWICK NOISE & EMISSIONS

Out and about / Garden Tweet! West Chiltington Floral Club (Affiliated to NAFAS)

Speak now or forever have no peace! P.A.G.N.E Public Meeting 6th March at 7.30pm North Hall, Guildford Road, Loxwood, RH14 0SF Find out more about Gatwick’s devastating expansion plans: 40% more flights 50% more passengers 1 million extra tonnes of CO2 emissions p.a. Guest Speaker: Charles Lloyd (of Gatwick Obviously Not)

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Garden Tweet! / Kids of all ages

Solution on page 43

Village Tweet Spot the Difference

There are 11 differences in these 5 Valentines monkeys. How many can you spot?

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What’s On near you

What’s On – February Every Mon

Table Tennis. St Mary’s Room, East St, Billingshurst, 2-4pm. An informal sociable group for all ages. Newcomers welcome, tea & biscuits included, £1 (goes to church funds). Tony, tel: (01403) 783496 Every 2nd Rotary Club. Blacksmiths Arms, Adversane. 7.30pm. Supper (£13) & talk. Visitors welcome. Social activities & 4th Mon & occasional business meetings. Stuart Pullen, Attendance Secretary, tel: (01798) 873791 or 07967 159034 Every Mon Wisborough Green Short Mat Bowls Club. Village Hall. Mons 2.30-4.30pm, Weds 1.30-3.30pm. & Weds New members & visitors welcome. £2.50 (includes Tea/Coffee & biscuits). Trial session free for newcomers. Further information: www.wisboroughgreen.org or contact Keith Carter on 01403 700502 Every Tues Stitch & Knit. Six Bells, Billingshurst. 7-9.30pm. Welcoming & helpful, just bring your project & make new friends. No fees. Sarah, tel: 07817 699865 (leave message) Every Tues Short mat bowls. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre (formerly Village Hall). 2-4pm. £4 per session. Come and try a game. It’s great fun with friendly people in a small club. Further details please contact Joan, tel: (01403) 785082 or Henry, tel: 07522 626566 Every Tues Billingshurst Choral Society rehearsal. Billingshurst Primary School, 7.30-9.45pm during term time. New members always welcome. For details see www.billingshurstchoralsociety.org Every Tues Slinfold Concert Band rehearsal. Slinfold Village Hall from 7.30-9.30pm. Brass, woodwind and percussion players all welcome. www.slinfoldconcertband.org Every Tues Billingshurst Youth Club. United Reformed Church, West St, 7.30-9pm, term-time. 11-16 years. Varied activities such as indoor obstacle course, miniature football tournaments and crafts. £1 per session. Contact Ben Sheldon, Community Youth Worker, tel: 07763 302456, e-mail: ben.sheldon@horsham-matters.org.uk Every Tues Walking Football. 10-11am. Holbrook Club, Horsham (winter) or Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane. (Check website or phone for venue.) Followed by refreshments. Men & women welcome. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: 07786 070939 or email philipgibbs669@gmail.com Every Tues Drop in Baby Zone! St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 1.30-3pm. Meet other parents and their babies. Every week except between Xmas & New Year. Emma: babies@stmarysbillingshurst.org Every Tues Neighbourhood Warden drop-in sessions. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 12-2pm Every Tues Shipley Men’s Shed. Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane. Part of the international Men’s Shed & Weds organisation. For men interested in woodwork or wish to spend time with like-minded, local chaps. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: 07786 070939 or email philipgibbs669@gmail.com Every Tues Preschool Ballet and street dance classes. Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. VMA Dance run fun, friendly & Thurs classes for preschool children. Free trial then £4pw pre-booked. 07879 773705 www.vmadance.co.uk Every Tues Petanque Club. Meets Shipley Football Ground, Tues 10.45am for coffee and Fri 6.30pm. All equipment & Fri provided. All ages and abilities. Melanie, tel: (01403) 782134 or email: melcjrob@gmail.com Every Weds Horsham Accordion Band. Practises in Slinfold Chapel from 7.30-9.30pm. Varied repertoire. Band Leader Mags Fisher tel: (01403) 790717 or email: magsfisher@btinternet.com Every Weds The Millennium Bridge Club. Storrington Village Hall, 1.30-4.30pm. All abilities. Please contact: Barbara: (01903) 741365 or daisy.campling@btinternet.com Every Weds Line dancing. St Gabriel’s Church Hall 7-10 pm. All levels welcome, beginners from 7pm. Details from Maureen 07774 828282 Every Weds Billingshurst Bell Ringing practice. St Mary’s Church, Billingshurst. 7.30-9.15pm. New learners and visitors welcome, just turn up. For information email Kathy at kathyfitzp@hotmail.co.uk Every Weds The Leconfield Singers. United Reformed Church, Petworth. 8-10pm. Mixed voice non-audition community choir. Newcomers welcome. More details and term times see www.leconfieldsingers.co.uk Every Weds Billingshurst Rock Choir. Primary School. 7.30-9pm, term times. No experience required. A friendly choir singing upbeat pop, rock and Motown. Book a FREE taster session at www.rockchoir.com Every 2nd BilliUke: Billingshurst’s Own Ukulele Jam! The Six Bells, from 7.30pm. If you already have a & 4th Weds ukulele, or are thinking about getting one, please come along and join us. It’s a fun couple of hours and you also get to make new friends from the village and beyond. www.billiuke.com Every Thurs Stitch & Knit. 10am-12.30pm. We rove round local cafés & car share, lifts may be possible. Welcoming & helpful, just bring your project. No fees. Sarah, tel: 07817 699865 (leave message) Every Thurs HDC Health Walk. Billingshurst (2). Meet 11am, Library car park, Billingshurst (TQ086260). Parking free with annnual permit or 75p per hour. 2¼ miles, flat, easy. 1 hour. Chris (01403) 782745. All HDC walks are guided, free and sociable. Led by trained volunteers; no need to book, just turn-up Every Thurs Wildlife walkabouts. RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, Wiggonholt, RH20 2EL. 10am-12 noon. We’re giving all sorts of nature a home and our regular gentle ramble is an ideal introduction to some of our very special wildlife. £8 per person (£2.50 for RSPB members). (01798) 875851. www.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks Every Thurs Toddler Church. St Mary’s Church, Billingshurst. Term-time only, 12.15-2pm. Voluntary contribution for lunch £2.50 per family Every Thurs Spy Café. The Chapel, Spy Lane, Loxwood, RH14 0SS. 10am-4.30pm. Family-friendly. Fairtrade teas, coffee, hot chocolate, home-made cakes. Breakfasts & light lunches. www.emmanuelfellowship.co.uk Every Fri VMA Dance classes for children 2-18yrs. Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. Classes in Ballet, Street Dance & Contemporary. Free Trial available then £5pw pre-booked. 07879 773705 www.vmadance.co.uk Every Fri Nationwide Building Society. Billingshurst Community Centre. 10am-1pm. Help and guidance on Nationwide products and services. More information: stephanie.courquin@nationwide.co.uk Every Sat Indoor table top sale and market. Ansell’s Yard, Kirdford Road, Wisborough Green, RH14 0DD. 10am-2pm. No entrance fee. Tables £5 (must be pre-booked). Tel: (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940 Every Sun The Emmanuel Fellowship meet every Sunday at ‘The Chapel’, Spy Lane, Loxwood. 10.30am for about an hour with refreshments afterwards. www.emmanuelfellowship.co.uk SPACE IS TIGHT IN THE WHAT’S ON PAGES. IF ANYONE HAS TRIED TO TAKE PART IN ANY OF THE ACTIVITIES LISTED ABOVE AND FOUND THEM TO BE NO LONGER AVAILABLE PLEASE LET VILLAGE TWEET KNOW

What’s On near you 2 Feb 3 Feb 3 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 5 Feb 6 Feb 6 Feb 6 Feb 6 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 8 Feb 10 Feb 11 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb

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Indoor Antiques Market & Collectors Sale. Ansell’s Yard, Kirdford Road, Wisborough Green, RH14 0DD. 10am-2pm. No entrance fee. Tables available £8 (must be pre-booked). Telephone (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940 Wisborough Green Horticultural Society Talk: ‘Garden Photography’ by Mark Saunders. Village Hall, 8pm. Coffee served before meeting. £2 non-members, £1 members Horsham Natural History Society Talk: ‘The Wonderful World of Clouds’ by local weatherman Ian Currie. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk Rotary Club monthly ‘Friends’ get together for new members. Six Bells, Billinghurst. 7pm. Come along and find out about what we do! The Arts Society West Sussex lecture by Gavin Plumley: ‘The Hungarian Metropolis: Art and Culture in Budapest’. Fittleworth Village Hall. 2pm followed by tea and coffee. Visitors (£5) most welcome. Tel: (01903) 411086 or email: jackiebuckler@sky.com. www.theartssocietywestsussex.org Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: ‘Childhood in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp’. Carolyn Phillips was six months old when the Japanese invaded the camp in 1941. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net The Arts Society – South Downs lecture by Anthony Russell: ‘The Mystery of Holbein’s Ambassadors’. Fittleworth Village Hall. Coffee from 9.50, lecture 10.45. Visitors (£6) are very welcome. Hilary, tel: (01403) 785302. www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk Reading Friends. Billingshurst Library. 10.30-11.30am. Are you interested in meeting new friends, having a good chat and sharing your love of books? Everyone welcome, just turn up. Tel: (01403) 783145 Billingshurst Carers Group (for carers of people with dementia or long-term condition). Longfield Manor, West Street, RH14 9LX. 2.30-4pm. (Every 2nd Weds.) info@carerssupport.org.uk or www.carerssupport.org.uk Wisborough Green WI Evening. Wisborough Green Village Hall. 8pm. Every first Thurs (except Jan: 2nd Thursday). No August meeting. Visitors welcome. Ruth Isaacs, Secretary: (01403) 785402 Parish Council Planning & Environmental Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm HDC Health Walk. Barns Green (1). Meet 11am, new car park (yellow road markings) near the Village Hall, RH13 0PT (TQ128272). 2 miles. 1 hour. Chatter Cheema, tel: 07720 714306 Billingshurst United Reformed Church Dementia Café. In the Church Hall, on the Second Saturday of every month, from 10am-12pm. Please join us for tea, coffee and cake. All are welcome HDC Health Walk. Roundabout West Chiltington. Meet 2pm, West Chiltington Village Hall car park, Mill Road, RH20 2PZ, (TQ083179). 3¾ miles. 1¾ hours. Refreshments. Mick, tel: (01903) 745971 Horsham Natural History Society Talk: ‘The Two Rogers’ by Roger Mason and Roger Patterson who will show what was seen on the 2019 Field Meetings. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk Lunchtime Classical Concert. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 1pm. Music Scholar Ensembles from St Catherine’s School, Bramley. Free admission, with retiring collection. No booking necessary! www.cranleighartscentre.org Messy Church! Ten year celebration! Billingshurst Village Hall. 3.30-5.30pm. Billingshurst churches welcome families to have fun with games, crafts, singing and stories. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Sit-down meal, donation. www.messychurch.org.uk. See January’s Village Tweet, page 10 Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: ‘‘Apetito’ – WSCC’s Meals on Wheels’. Taster and talk to promote this service and to provide awareness of what is available to people living in West Sussex. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net Messy Church! Billingshurst Village Hall. 3.30-5.30pm. Billingshurst churches welcome families to have fun with games, crafts, singing and stories. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Sit-down meal, donation. www.messychurch.org.uk Fundraiser Quiz. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 7pm. Come as a team of 6-8 or sign up as an individual and we will place you in a team. £10 ticket includes a fish and chip supper! All proceeds support Cranleigh Arts (registered charity no. 284186), helping us bring quality acts to the local stage and supporting social wellbeing in Cranleigh.: (01483) 278000 (Tues-Sat 10am-4.30pm) or visit www.cranleighartscentre.org Horsham District Archaeology Group talk by Emma Corke, Director of Excavations: ‘Worms, Ashes and Bones, excavations at Cocks Farm Abinger 1872-2019’. Brighton Rd Baptist Church, Horsham, RH13 5BD. 7 for 7.30pm. Members free, non-members £3. Light refreshments. Contact horshamarch@hotmail.co.uk or (01403) 731695 Billingshurst WI Talk: ‘An Insight into Silver and Silversmithing’ by Barbara Ehlera. Stanley Room, Community Centre, Roman Way. 2.30pm. Interesting speakers, hobby groups, various outings. Visitors welcome. Contact, tel: (01403) 782244 Billingshurst Local History Society Talk: Dr David Rudling on Roman Sussex. Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre, 7.30pm. Membership £20 per annum. Visitors £5 per meeting. Ms G Knight, tel: (01403) 451401, email: g.j.s.knight@btinternet.com Wisborough Green Market. The Village Hall, 9am-12.30pm. Up to 30 stalls selling high quality local artisan foods & crafts. Stalls include: fresh fish, meat, bread, cheese, turkey products, cakes & jams, flowers, skin care and more. Relax with tea, coffee and home-made cakes by Macmillan volunteers. E-mail: wisboroughmarket@gmail.com Macmillan Film night. ‘Cats’. Billingshurst Conference & Community Centre. 7pm for 7.30pm start. Refreshments, raffle and Macmillan stall. Tickets £6 from www.touringcinema.com or Austens Home Hardware, 48-52 High Street or Terri Ashpool, tel: (01403) 588996 or on the door (subject to availability) Billingshurst & District Wine & Beer Circle Talk & Tasting with a Valentine’s Day theme by Mike Bransden. Meets 2nd Friday of each month (except August) at St Gabriel’s Hall, East Street, 8pm. New members welcome. Contact Tony White on (01403) 783475. www.billingshurstwineandbeercircle.com Macmillan Film night. ‘Cats’. Pulborough Village Hall. 7pm for 7.30pm start. Refreshments, raffle and Macmillan stall. Tickets £6 from www.touringcinema.com or Pulborough Village Hall or Terri Ashpool, tel: (01403) 588996 or on the door (subject to availability)

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk 17 Feb 17 Feb 17 Feb 18 Feb

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What’s On near you

Dinosaurs Roar! Free children’s event at Billingshurst Library. 10.30-11.30am. Dinosaur stories, crafts and fun at the library this half term. Free but must be booked in advance, tel: (01403) 783145 Billingshurst Lions Club Meeting. Sports Pavilion, Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. 8pm. For information about the Club contact Alan Ridout on (01403) 871370 or call in at the Lions Bookshop, Jengers Mead Horsham Natural History Society Talk: ‘Deer in Britain’ by freelance wildlife photographer, lecturer and course leader Ian Rumley-Dawson. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk Brinsbury Taster Day. Brinsbury Campus, North Heath, Pulborough. 9.30am start. Have a go at something new! A fun way to discover new and interesting subjects that you’ve never had the opportunity to try before. Agriculture, Animal Care, Arboriculture, Blacksmithing, Equine, Furniture making, Horticulture & Landscaping. To find out more or to book a space call Jan on (01243) 786321 ext 1077 Loxwood Jazz & Blues Club. Village Hall. With candlelit tables and a licensed bar, it has a very intimate atmosphere with international standard jazz and blues. All profits go towards the renovation Loxwood Village Hall. Tickets are priced at the amazing price of £10 each, available from Loxwood Village Stores or Anita Bates on (01403) 752954 St Mary’s Guild Members’ talk by Vivienne Sleightholm (with her lovely dog, Elsa): ‘Assistance Dogs’. St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 10.30am. We are a friendly women’s group and we welcome visitors. Beryl Peacock (01403) 782835 Parish Council Property Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm Billingshurst Dramatic Society present ‘Snowed Under’ & ‘Gosforth’s Fete’. Women’s Hall. Tickets from Mansell McTaggert or www. billingshurstdramaticsociety.com. See January’s Village Tweet, page 28 Barns Green & Itchingfield Women’s Institute Meeting. Barns Green Village Hall. 2.30pm followed by tea. New members welcome. Meetings 3rd Thurs of the month. For more information contact Annette Relph (01403) 732580 HDC Health Walk. Barns Green. Details as per 7th February walk The North Singers present an evening of Music & Laughter. North Hall. 7.30pm. See page 8 Pulborough Village Market. Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, RH20 2BF. 9am-12.30pm. Fresh produce, bread, delicatessen, local honey, organic condiments, plants, local crafts, fairtrade goods and much more. Café serving a full English breakfast, tea/coffee and cakes. Free entry. Please like us on Facebook. Market Coordinator Terri Ashpool, tel: (01403) 588996, e-mail: terriashpool@uwclub.net Women’s Circle Meeting. Unitarian Chapel, Lakers Meadow, Billingshurst, RH14 9QS. Meets monthly to share wisdom, experience and sisterhood in a safe and friendly space. £5 on the night includes refreshments. Dates and themes at www.intentionalhealing.co.uk/events, or Sarah, tel: 07970 976877 Billingshurst Rotary Club Talk: ‘Clouds of Laughter – Tales from the Cockpit’. See page xx Horsham Natural History Society Talk: ‘A Few Observations of Sussex’ by Roger Patterson. The people, places and history that are part of the county. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk The Mary How Trust Film Society, ‘Downton Abbey’. West Chiltington Village Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £6 (Loyalty card: watch 6 films get 7th free!) on the door or from The Mary How Trust clinic and its Pulborough charity shop; The Card Centre, Storrington; Cherilyn/Nisa Local, West Chiltington; Mary How Trust Ticket hotline: (01798) 877646 The Arts Society Cranleigh Talk: ‘The Great Exhibition – Victorian technological prowess and self-confidence.’ by Dr Prasannajit de Silva. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 2pm & 7.30pm. All welcome. Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month, except August & December. www.theartssocietycranleigh.org Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: ‘Air Ambulance’. An exciting presentations by the Air Ambulance that serves all of Kent, Surrey & Sussex. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net Parish Council Billingshurst Centre & F&GP Committees meetings. Billingshurst Centre. 7 & 7.30pm Sing for Pleasure. Billingshurst Community Centre. 3.00-4.30pm. We are a friendly, informal group who enjoy a sing-along. If you are a lady or gentleman in the more mature age group, even if you think you can’t sing, we’d love you to join us for an enjoyable afternoon. £3, includes tea and biscuits HDC Health Walk. Nutbourne. Meet 2pm, West Chiltington Village Hall, Mill Road, RH20 2PZ, (TQ 083179). 3 miles. 1½ hours. Refreshments provided. Mick, tel: ( 01903) 745971 Horsham District Archaeology Group Group Day-school with Simon Stevens BA, MCIfA, Senior Archaeologist with Archaeology South-East: ‘Well, it isn’t that old is it?’. Dial Post Village Hall, Horsham Rd, RH13 8NJ. 10am-4pm. Members £16, non members £25. For further information and to book please contact horshamarch@hotmail.co.uk or (01903) 872309 Wisborough Green Horticultural Society AGM, Quiz & Table Top Competition (From your own garden five flowering (preferably) or evergreen stems displayed to best effect – of one or more variety). Village Hall, 8pm. Coffee served before meeting. £2 non-members, £1 members Horsham Natural History Society Members Evening. Several members make a short presentation of around 10-15 minutes on a wide variety of topics. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk The Arts Society West Sussex Ploughman’s Lunch and lecture by Daniel Robbins: ‘The Studio Houses of the Holland Park Circle’. Fittleworth Village Hall. Lunch 12.30pm, lecture 2pm. Visitors (£5) most welcome. Tel: (01903) 411086 or email: jackiebuckler@sky.com. www.theartssocietywestsussex.org The Arts Society – South Downs lecture by Mark Hill: ‘The History of the Fountain Pen’. Fittleworth Village Hall. Coffee from 9.50, lecture 10.45. Visitors (£6) are very welcome. Hilary, tel: (01403) 785302. www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk World Day of Prayer. St Mary’s Church, Billingshurst. 4pm. All welcome

Village Tweet will publish details of local events in this free What’s On section. Please email brief details to editor@villagetweet.co.uk together with contact or website details

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Bees / Advertisers Index

Introduction to Beekeeping Saturday 14th March at Rudgwick Village Hall

one-day introductory beekeeping course will be held in Rudgwick Village Hall on Saturday 14th March. The event is tailored for those who may have an interest in keeping bees, but wish to explore the practicalities before making a comittment. The day is packed with all the information needed to become a beekeeper, including the time needed, basic equipment, costs and where to site beehives. This is a popular annual event, now in its fiftteenth year, organised by the Wisborough Green Beekeepers Association, many of whose members live in West Sussex and South Surrey. For those who wish to gain further knowledge there will be subsequent free follow-up sessions at the large and well equipped Wisborough Green teaching apiary, where bees can be handled under supervision. This provides the opportunity to learn and achieve a reasonable level of competence using someone else’s facilities before buying bees

and equipment. The course is also suitable for those who may have just started beekeeping, but have had little or no guidance. If you are not interested yourself, but know someone who might be, please let them know, or maybe you are looking for an unusual, but useful present for someone – well, here it is! Vouchers are available. Further information for beekeepers and nonbeekeepers can be found on the Wisborough Green Beekeepers Association website www.wgbka.org.uk, where you can find further details of the Introduction to Beekeeping Day on the Events page. For course details, contact Roger Patterson (01403) 790637 or 07976 306492, e-mail: roger-patterson@btconnect.com, or to book a place, contact John Glover (01403) 751899 or 07900 453750, e-mail: wgbees@gmail.com. John Glover, WGBKA

ADVERTISERS INDEX February 2020 1A Acclaim Floor Care ......................34 A-Team Mechanics............................43 A/c’s Direct, Accounting ......................9 AC Decor...........................................35 Alba Plumbing...................................27 Ansells Market.....................................8 Apex Aerials ......................................21 Best Choice Roofing .........................35 Biji Property Services Ltd..................26 Billingshurst Leisure Centre ..............14 Billingshurst Parish Council .........24-25 Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre ..................................42 Billy’s on the Road ..............................7 Bygone Gardening ............................41 Cadiss Kitchens & Bathrooms ..........33 Clayton Turner Trees & Gardens ......41 Daisy’s Dogs .....................................36 Dandelion Farewells, funerals...........15 Delta Decor .......................................31 DM Handyman ..................................31 DW Gardens .....................................39 Dunmoore Group .........................10-11 Evans Electrical.................................29 Flackwoods Solicitors..........................5

Flow-serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating..........................................20 Fowlers Estate Agent ..........................3 GB Glazing Ltd..................................23 GJ Coles, builder ..............................22 Goring Road Carpet Centre..............29 Hamilton Cole TV & Satellite Equipment .....................................21 Heath Windows Ltd (Southern).........21 Holly Stone Hypnotherapy ................16 Jef Wilson Painting & Decorating .....22 Jim Hills Sports Warehouse................4 Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery ..........41 Katherine Finn Hypnotherapy ...........17 Kings Head pub ..................................8 KJ Lammas Plumbing & Heating ......19 Lee’s Locks .......................................31 Lintott Auto Services .........................43 Mac’s Private Hire...............................6 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning ...........33 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating .26 MPS Home Improvements Ltd..........27 N Francis Electrical Ltd.....................35 NFP Forestry.....................................37 Norsat................................................23

North Singers ......................................8 Onslow Arms pub................................6 Oven Cleaning Direct........................28 Oven Rescue ....................................27 Park & Brown, opticians....................15 Park House Kitchens.....................OBC Paul Nelson Painting & Decorating...20 Pest Man...........................................39 Petworth MOT Centre .......................42 Plaistow & Ifold Parish Council .............12 PJM Building & Property Maintenance .35 Pride & Groom ..................................37 Rebecca Beauty Therapist................17 REM Landscapes..............................40 Re-Nu Kitchens.................................29 Rudgwick Fencing.............................39 St Mary’s church ...............................13 Sussex Carpet Brokers .....................32 Sussex Towing Brackets ...................43 Terry Clohessey Painting & Decorating.....................................23 The Natural Way ...............................15 Village Nurseries ...............................40