Village Tweet - February 2022 by Village Tweet

IS D D TE

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ILLAGE

Issue No. 135

www.villagetweet.co.uk

14 th February/2022

@VillageTweet

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

elcome to February’s Village Tweet, a month which, to me, always seems somewhat in limbo. Christmas is forgotten, as are the New Year celebrations, and spring seems tantalisingly out of reach. With an unusually warm December and early January behind us, February reminds us we cannot escape winter any longer. The one constant is the shifting of the pandemic, if that makes sense! One day we are in a relatively relaxed ‘new normal’; the next we are told to don masks again. Did we really celebrate ‘Freedom Day’ last July? Grahame Cover: But, hey! 14th February is Valentines Day! (Oh, and if you haven’t twigged, <3 is a heart on its side and is ‘text speak’ for love!)

Contents COPY DATE FOR MARCH ISSUE: 5th FEBRUARY Published by A272 Design, PO Box 371, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 4AS

Editorial and Advertising: Grahame Pearson: 07762 767084 editor@villagetweet.co.uk www.villagetweet.co.uk Distributed by

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Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6, 10 To Valentine, or not to Valentine: Alternative ways to show your love . . . . . . . . . . .7 A declaration of love: A brief history of the St Valentine’s Day card . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Recipe: Irish coffee chocolate cheesecake: Perfect for St Valentine’s Day! . . . . . .9 To Reverse Ageing Think Blue: Confused? Read the article! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 West Sussex Community Minibus: February trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Billingshurst Lions Club: Help for schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Royal British Legion, Billingshurst: Thank you for your Poppy Day generosity . . .14 Billingshurst Dramatic Society: Back to Life: Murdered to Death . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Wisborough Green Beekeeping Association: Virtual beekeeping course . . . . . . .17 A Good Read: February’s selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Horsham Museum & Art Gallery: The landscapes of Robin Alexander Elliott . . . .20 Kids Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Yvonne Fleece: The new year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 St Catherine’s Hospice: George Smith, crime thriller author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Renegades: Going with the flow! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 John Nash: Nature’s abundances… tuppence a bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 The Spaniel Diaries: The continuing adventures of Billy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Garden View: Contain your excitement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Spot the Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37, 39 What’s On near you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41-43 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

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Religion / Little Tweeters! / Aircraft noise

“Follow me and never walk in darkness”

nstructions for our recent North Devon holiday cottage underlined the need to pack a torch. Arriving in the growing darkness I was glad I had remembered one in the packing! Heading up the rocky, wooded cliff hillside on foot, light was needed. Light makes all the difference. Perhaps you have needed the guiding beams of a lighthouse. Maybe your work has meant dark night shifts when a headtorch was a lifesaver. How about the handy lights that attach to pet dogs that mean we can find them on winter walks? Light is powerful. Light in our life has many effects. It brings comfort and cheer. The gentle glow of candlelight and flickering flames from winter fireplaces. It brings joy. The fun of birthday candles lighting up a loved one’s face. Party lighting that creates atmosphere. It can be essential. Car headlights and surgeon’s theatre equipment. It is beautiful. Glowing sunsets, sparkling stars and bright sunrises. It is true that there are some people in our life and world who bring light around them through

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their attitudes and actions. They light their communities. Take a moment to think of those in your life who have had this effect upon you. Remember those in our Billingshurst community and make a point of thanking them. Recently at church we will have celebrated Candlemas. This is a time when we remember how Jesus as a baby was recognised and celebrated by Simeon as “the light”. (Luke 2 verse 32 Bible N.I.V.) Simeon had waited a lifetime with prayerful longing to see the arrival of God’s rescuer, the promised Messiah long foretold. Here, in baby Jesus Simeon recognised “the light” who had been given for all time. As a grown man Jesus shared this truth about his identity. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8 verse 12 Bible N.I.V.) Next time light is making a difference to your world take a moment to ask yourself how God’s light can be in your life.

Religion / Legal services

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WELCOME TO BILLINGSHURST FAMILY CHURCH One thing I love about cold and frosty winter months is looking up at a clear sky at night and seeing hundreds of thousands of stars. It is an awesome sight, and we are actually very lucky in this little corner of the country as the South Downs National park is internationally renowned as being one of the best place for budding astronomers to get a glimpse of galactic events such as meteor showers and the majesty of the Milky Way. I must make a trip to check that out soon! As a nation we also love films about space and things that go on ‘out there’ as the popularity of the film Don’t Look Up continued to prove over new year. I won’t ruin the plot but it centres around two astronomers who have discovered that a meteor is heading for earth and their efforts to get anyone to take it seriously. Some don’t want to listen because they’ve heard it all before, some don’t want their status quo to change so they deny anything is happening, others have very motivated reasons for keeping it quiet and some are too distracted by other events happening in their lives. We can all find ourselves caught up in situations that mean we don’t seem to ever have time to stop and look around us. Psalm 19 v 1 says ‘The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of his hands.’ So if this winter you have found yourself looking to the skies and wondering how?… what?… when?… who? then we’d love to hear from you and perhaps we can ponder it together. Or check us out on Facebook or YouTube. With Love, Craig, Lead Elder Contact@billingshurstfamily.church / 01403 786706 / www.billingshurstfamily.church Billingshurst Family Church, Billingshurst Centre, Roman Way, Billingshurst, RH14 9QW

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Coffee break / Legal services

Village Tweet Quick Crossword

Solution on page 10

Valentine’s Day / Accountancy

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To Valentine, or not to Valentine? 14th February is Valentine’s Day

y husband and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. There, I said it. Before you dismiss us as a couple of old cheapskate cynics, whose relationship is on the rocks, we’re both in our late thirties, have been married for twelve years, we rarely argue, and we laugh a lot. We just don’t feel the need to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Five years into our marriage we realised that fancy restaurants or weekends away mean less when everyone else is there doing exactly the same thing at the same time just because it’s 14th February. So, we stopped. We do like to do something romantic during February, but to be honest we like to do something romantic at least once in every other month too. Here are our favourite ideas, not restricted to February… We cook a meal. Not just a run of the mill, any night of the week meal. We each choose something from one of our cookbooks (main course and dessert) and we set aside an evening to create it. We arrange it around the children’s sleepovers with grandparents or friends. It’s our night and we buy good wine, dress up and enjoy each other’s company and the process of creating (and eating) a delicious meal. Write a poem… or a song. My husband writes bad poetry. I’m not joking, it’s terrible and stems from him insisting that poetry is not poetry unless it rhymes! I love poetry and once joked that if he loved me he’d write me an ode. So, he did, and it

was awful, but it did rhyme. Periodically he repeats the process, and the results are always hilariously bad. I stick them in a scrapbook because, dire as they are, they hold a great deal of meaning for me. Movie marathon. The die-hard films might not be everyone’s idea of romantic film fodder, but we love them and every so often we have a day where we watch all of them back-to-back and buy in lunch and supper. Sometimes we do the Star Wars trilogy (four, five and six… were there any others?) or the Lord of the Rings series (extended version) or the Bourne films. The point is, it’s an event. We set aside time to do it. Recreate a date. One of my favourite dates from before we were married was when my husband took me stargazing on a clear night. He was an amateur astronomer in his teens and knew his way around the night sky. We lay on top of his car, covered in blankets clutching binoculars while he told me stories about the constellations and encouraged me to look for shooting stars and the International Space Station (ISS). Sometimes we recreate that, and I still get a buzz when I see the ISS moving swiftly across the sky. What favourite date could you recreate? If you love Valentine’s Day then that’s fine. But ask yourself, do you make Valentine plans with your partner just because that’s the thing to do? If so, perhaps it’s time to make a change. Kate McCarthy

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Valentine’s Day / Food and drink

A Declaration of Love A history of the Valentine card

t the primary school I attended, a decorated post box (i.e. a paper-covered cardboard box with a slit cut in it) would appear in the entrance in February and we were encouraged to post Valentine cards to our friends. I don’t know if this dubious ‘popularity contest’ was repeated in other schools but I do remember the thrill when I finally received a card! The earliest surviving Valentine missive was written by a Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans during his imprisonment in the Tower of London, following his capture during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. It was a tender poem to his wife, Bonne of Armagnac, which uses the phrase, “Je suis desja d'amour tanné, Ma tres doulce Valentinée” (old French), which translates to, “I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine”. The earliest example of an English Valentine dates to 1477 and was a love letter was written by Margery Brews to her fiancé John Paston. Margery

refers to John as her “right well-beloved Valentine” and implores him to marry her despite the fact she can’t convince her father to increase her dowry. Marriage had little to do with romance in the 15th century, but apparently they did eventually tie the knot! Something akin to a modern greeting card for Valentine’s Day appeared in the 1700s. These cards were handmade, and usually handdelivered by slipping them under a door. Romantics who found it difficult to commit their feelings to paper could actually buy booklets of verse suggestions. The oldest printed Valentine’s Day card in existence can be viewed in York’s Castle Museum. It was printed in London in 1797 and features elaborate floral patterns, cupids and doves. It was hand-coloured because colour printing was not available in the 18th century, and the verse reads, “Since on this ever Happy day, All Nature’s full of Love and Play. Yet harmless still if my design, ’Tis but to be your Valentine”. Kate McCarthy

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Food and drink

Irish coffee chocolate cheesecake METHOD

1. Line the base of a 20cm springform round cake tin with greaseproof paper and brush the sides with oil. 2. Place the chocolate chip cookies in a polythene bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat then add the crushed cookies. Press the resulting mixture into the base of the prepared tin, and chill in the fridge for 1 hour. 3. Place the broken plain and milk chocolate into a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Set aside to cool. 4. Place the sugar and cream cheese into a mixing bowl and beat together until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream, then the melted chocolate, and finally the coffee cream liqueur. 5. Spoon the mixture into the cake tin on top of the biscuit base. Smooth the surface and place in the fridge to chill for two hours. When it’s firm transfer to a serving plate and drizzle with more melted dark chocolate if required.

Treat your loved one to a luxurious chocolatey dessert for Valentines

Preparation time: 30 minutes plus cooling and chilling time. Cooking time: 10 minutes. Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS

Base Vegetable oil, for oiling 175g chocolate chip cookies 55g unsalted butter Filling 225g plain chocolate (at least 70%), broken into pieces 225g milk chocolate (at least 45%) broken into pieces 55g golden caster sugar 350g cream cheese 425ml double cream, lightly whipped (just holds its shape when the whisk is removed) 3tbsp coffee cream liqueur

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Health and wellbeing / Private hire

To Reverse Ageing Think Blue What are Blue Zones and what can they teach us about ageing?

s a nation we’re obsessed with ageing. We try to turn the clock back with lotions, potions and sometimes Botox and fillers. Yet some nations seem to have solved this issue without resorting to cosmetics or surgery. These people live in the world’s so-called Blue Zones. The term ‘Blue Zones’ refers to geographic areas in which people have low rates of chronic disease including heart disease, diabetes, dementia and several types of cancer, and enjoy lifespans more than a decade longer than people elsewhere in the world. The concept of Blue Zones grew out of the work done by researchers Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain. The five Blue Zones are: Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan, The Ogliastra Region in Sardinia, Loma Linda in California (which boasts the highest concentration of Seventh Day Adventists in the US), and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Dan Buettner – author, explorer, educator and endurance cyclist – studied these regions intensively and concluded that the inhabitants all shared certain characteristics. They exercise – but not at the gym, and they don’t run. Instead, they live in environments that encourage movement. They walk, garden, and tend to use manual tools rather than electric ones when working in the house and garden. They live with purpose – the Okinawans call it ikigai and the Nicoyans call it plan de vida – both roughly translate to ‘why I wake up in the morning’. A sense of purpose adds several years to your lifespan. They take time out. Everyone, even those living in Blue Zones, experience stress. Stress is the leading cause of chronic inflammation and is associated

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with every major age-related disease. The Blue Zone populations understand how to deal with and diffuse that stress. Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors, Adventists pray, Ikarians take a nap, and Sardinians do happy hour! They follow the 80% rule – the Okinawans have a 2,500-year-old Confucian mantra: Hara hachi bu, which they recite before meals. It reminds them to stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full. The 20% gap between not being hungry and feeling full could be the difference between losing weight and gaining it. People in the Blue Zones eat their smallest meal in the early evening, and then they don’t eat any more for the rest of the day. They eat a plant-based diet – the people of the Blue Zones eat mainly plants and beans, limiting meat to small portions a few times per month. They drink moderately – apart from the Adventists, all the people living in the Blue Zones drink alcohol regularly. Moderate drinkers actually outlive non-drinkers. So, keep to one to two glasses a day, preferably drunk with a meal and with friends or family. They have a community – the world’s longestlived people chose – or were born into – social circles that support healthy behaviours. For example, Okinawans created moais – groups of five friends who have committed to each other for life. Research shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious, so healthy social networks are essential for long life. So, if you are interested in living a longer and healthier life… think blue! Louise Addison

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Community / Health and wellbeing

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West Sussex Community Minibus Association (Billingshurst) The schedule for February and into March is given below. We hope to expand our services as the weather improves and risks of COVID are reduced. Check our website at www.westsussexminibus.org.uk/billingshurst for more information about us. We recommend use of face masks and use of hand sanitiser / sanitising wipes on our minibus. We offer a friendly door to door service for anyone in the ‘RH14 9xx’ area!

February (and early March) 2022 Schedule Tuesday 1st Feb Thursday 3rd Feb Wednesday 9th Feb Thursday 10th Feb Tuesday 15th Feb Thursday 17th Feb Wednesday 23rd Feb Thursday 24th Feb Tuesday 1st Mar Thursday 3rd Mar Wednesday 9th Mar Thursday 10th Mar

9.30am Worthing 9.00am Horsham & Sainsbury’s 10.00am Chichester Market Day 1.15pm 1.15pm 9.00am Horsham & Sainsbury’s 10.00am Chichester Market Day 1.15pm 1.30pm 9.00am Horsham & Sainsbury’s 10.00am Chichester Market Day 1.15pm Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath

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To book, telephone Geraldine Pike: (01403) 786147 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

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Charity / Health & wellbeing / Recruitment

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Help for Local Schools 2022

t the beginning of each calendar year, Billingshurst & District Lions Club discuss how they can best provide financial and practical help to ten Primary Schools in the local area, namely Barns Green, Billingshurst, Loxwood, Plaistow & Kirdford, Rudgwick, Shipley CoE, Slinfold CoE, St. Mary’s (aided) CoE in Pulborough, William Penn in Coolham and Wisborough Green. Liaison Lions maintain contact with each school as the year progresses. Plans for 2022 include: • Poster for Peace – a Lions Regional art competition with Peace Now as this year’s theme. • Funding to purchase items in support of Science Week, Music, Books and Outdoor Learning. • Support for environmental work, with Wild Tribe Hero books, providing seeds and planting a wild flower garden, trees or a hedge with the Woodland Trust offering free trees to schools in November 2022. • Lions spending a half day working on an outdoor project, working with parents wherever possible, that will benefit the children, their learning, and the school. • Book giveaways whereby each child in every school can select a free book of their choice. • Lions Life Skill packages available free of charge to

teachers in all schools providing lesson plans in supporting personal, social, health and citizen education. • ROAR 2022 – an annual educational programme in conjunction with 8billionideas, sponsored by Lions, for • schools to participate during the autumn term. In ROAR 2021, congratulations to Wisborough Green Primary School, one of three finalists, being close contestants to the eventual winners, with their idea of a POSBOT Robot, designed to bring much needed joy and happiness during difficult times. Viv Diggens, Co-ordinator of the Lions schools programme says, “We always look forward to helping school children in as many varied ways as possible and bring variety into their world of learning” Follow Billingshurst Lions on Facebook and on their website www.billingshurstlions.org. Harvey Holmes – Press Officer, Billingshurst & District Lions Club Photo: The Wisborough Green Primary School finalists with their successful entry in ROAR 2021 with a POSBOT Robot, designed to help change the world for the better by bringing joy and happiness at this present time

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Charity / Health and wellbeing

A heartfelt ‘Thank you’ from the Royal British Legion, Billingshurst

he Chairman and Officers of the Royal British Legion Billingshurst Branch wish to thank all those members of the local community that supported us throughout last year and for the tremendous contribution raised for the Poppy Appeal in 2021. Last year coronavirus prevented us from selling poppies ‘house to house’ for a second year running and further COVID restrictions also reduced the number of locations available to us for our poppy boxes and tins in Billingshurst. However, the good news is that our collections at the static stall outside of Sainsbury’s and at the Railway Station raised almost £4,500. In Billingshurst, to date, we have collected £8,273 and believe that this will increase and we hope to have raised in excess of £10,000 by the end of the current Poppy Appeal period, which is August this year. In our region, the Sussex Poppy Appeal stands at almost £600,000, with lots of counting and banking still taking place. Every poppy makes a difference to the lives of our

Armed Forces community. Every donation to the Poppy Appeal goes fully to the charity. This money is used by the Legion branches across the country, helping those veterans and servicemen and women in need, covering those who served in any war involving the UK, not just the two World Wars. Last year, we marked 100 years of the Royal British Legion. We are here to provide lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. The Legion has been here since 1921 and we’ll be here for as long as we are needed. Well done Team Billingshurst, an excellent effort. For further information about the work of the Royal British Legion, Billingshurst Branch, please contact Rob Nicholl, Branch Chair, e-mail: billingshurst.chairman@rbl.community. Colin Banks, Billingshurst Branch President Photo: Julia and Colin Banks manning the Poppy Appeal table outside Sainsbury’s

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Theatre / Funerals

Back to Life: Murdered to Death Summer Follies with JS2 in

illingshurst Dramatic Society is back this month with our first full length production in two years. Murdered to Death, written by Peter Gordon and directed by Will and Ted Gooda, was originally postponed during the first lockdown of 2020 and, as long as Omicron exits stage left, this hilarious whodunit will finally be performed on 17th-19th February at the Women’s Hall. The hopelessly inept Inspector Pratt (Trevor Bishop) is sent to investigate a murder at Bagshot House. Miss Maple (Jane Brough) also gets involved in the sleuthing in this Agatha Christie spoof. Kathryn Attwood, Peter Burton, Denise Robinson, Barry Syder, Ralph Taubert and Ben Vallely all return to the stage, while Charlotte Mitchell makes her BDS debut among a cast of colourful characters. We are so grateful for the support in the community to help get the society back on its feet. We managed a quiz night in August, the Late

September, Last Orders – Murder in the Pub at the King’s Head in October and Grave Encounters, a Christmas storytelling evening in December. All raised precious funds during a period when the global pandemic prevented us from putting on full-scale productions, but it’s great to be back doing what we love best. Now we just need an audience! You can buy tickets and sign up for news updates at our website www.billingshurstdramaticsociety.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. New members are always welcome, backstage or centre stage, and everyone is welcome at our social play readings, usually held once a month at the King’s Head. Ted Gooda Photo: Rehearsing for Murdered to Death

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Issue

No. 134

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• Kirdford

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Beekeeping / About the house

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Introduction to Beekeeping Sunday 13th March 2022 – a one-day webinar course by Zoom

ave you or anyone you know ever thought of keeping bees, but needed to know more? This well established one-day course will provide enough information to answer these questions… • How much time do I need? • What equipment do I need? • How much does it cost? • Is my property large enough to keep bees on? • Where can I get bees and equipment? • Can I look inside a beehive before I start to see whether or not beekeeping is ‘for me’? • Is help available if I need it? • …and much, much more. The tutor is Roger Patterson, who started beekeeping in 1963. He has been teaching, demonstrating and writing about the craft for 50 years. This is a popular annual event, now in its sixteenth year, but adapted for webinar presentation for 2022. It is organised by the Wisborough Green Beekeepers Association, whose members live in West Sussex and South Surrey, within about 15 miles of Wisborough Green. This day makes a good grounding for the practical ‘Preliminary Sessions’ that we normally run at our teaching apiary near Wisborough Green. Further information for beekeepers and non-

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beekeepers about the course and our Preliminary Sessions, which provide the opportunity to handle bees, can be found on www.wgbka.org.uk. Contact Roger Patterson, tel: (01403) 790637 or 07976 306492 (no texts please) or e-mail: roger-patterson@btconnect.com for course details, or John Glover, tel: 07900 453750 or e-mail: wgbees@gmail.com. Booking is through the website or directly with Eventbrite who are managing bookings: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introductionto-beekeeping-tickets-227372456137. Note: Beekeeping can vary a little depending on location because of such things as climate and available forage. This course is tailored for our area and will be presented live, so attendees can ask questions. A similar course with more general information to suit a national audience can be found permanently at bibba.com/elearning, although it is preferable to register for the local one if you can. On the same BIBBA link there is a free ‘taster’ called ‘Beekeeping: What’s it all About?’ that will give basic information to help you decide if the course is suitable for your needs. John Glover, WGBKA Photo: it is hoped the Zoom webinar course can be followed by outdoor Preliminary Sessions, COVID-19 permitting

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Books / About the house

A Good Read February’s selection from book reviewer Tash Donovan All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr Marie-Laure is blind. She lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History where her father works. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris forcing father and daughter to flee to the home of Marie-Laure’s reclusive great uncle, carrying what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel. Werner Pfennig is an orphan, growing up in a mining town with his younger sister, learning about the world through a crude radio they find. Werner's expertise in fixing radios makes him a valuable asset to the Nazis as they track down the resistance. Doerr deftly interweaves the lives of these two youngsters, and along the way shows us how against all the odds, people mostly do try to be good to one another. This book is built on beautiful imagery. Both in the literal sense – vividly evoking 1940s Paris and Germany – and the metaphorical as it’s woven through with scientific and philosophical references to light, to seeing and not seeing, and the differences between the two. It’s the beautiful and harrowing story of two childhoods torn apart by war. We learn how Marie-Laure and Werner are both forced along paths they did not choose due to their desperate personal circumstances. There is a running theme of interconnectedness, of invisible lives running parallel to one another yet sometimes coming together in the strangest of ways. Marie-Laure and Werner are from different worlds, yet each influences the other. All the Light We Cannot See is a haunting novel. The elegant prose and engaging, heart-breaking stories will remain with you long after you’ve reached the final page. The title hints at the fact that

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just as we only see a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, so we are only ever aware of a fraction of the spectrum of history. But if we could look deeper, we’d see the untold stories and they would be beautiful and strangely luminescent in their own right. The Invisible – Tom Percival This is another book about untold stories and human connections. Tom Percival has blended gorgeous illustrations with his simple, clear prose in this picture book which is perfect for bedtime reading. Isabel is a happy child whose parents love her and each other but the family is struggling financially. They slip through society’s cracks and descend into poverty. Isabel discovers that poverty brings a cloak of invisibility. No one seems to see her, though she can see more than ever before. She begins to notice the other invisible members of society, and she begins to understand that alongside invisibility poverty brings something else… loneliness. Isabel decides that she will do something to tackle the problem. The book has modern social themes, but rather than being unremittingly grim or, alternatively, ridiculously upbeat and positive, Percival uses his light touch to show us the humanity and love that exist between people everywhere in society, and how we can all make a difference, whoever we are. The beautiful, heart-warming ending doesn’t rely on a lottery win, or a fairy godmother but on Isabel herself showing the way. The author has drawn on his own experiences growing up in poverty to create a gentle and thought-provoking window into a world that for many of us goes entirely unnoticed. This is another book that will stay with you and one which children will delight in hearing again because it has the magic of a fairy tale with none of the schmaltz.

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Out and about / About the house

Radically Different Landscapes Horsham Museum & Art Gallery, 20th January - 2nd April

orsham Museum and Art Gallery’s first exhibition of 2022 will showcase the work of Robin Alexander Elliott, postponed due to COVID-19 from May 2020. Robin studied Fine Art at Sidcup School of Art in the 50s under the tutelage of Frank Auerbach, but it was during his time in National Service in the Yorkshire Dales that he was inspired to capture the drama of the Dales landscape on canvas. The collection to be displayed at the Museum captures the vistas of his travels, reflecting the differences in light and colour between each place. His use of geometric sweeping lines of form and bold colours not only records the landscape, but the mood and atmosphere experienced there. From the views of the deserts of America, the remote hills of Alcaria and Val de Vaca in Portugal to the more intimate settings of French villages and rivers, Robin’s work portrays the unique ambience of each scene. Within many of his works are details of simplified

executions of nature and wildlife, often committed to the canvas using a finely balanced juxtaposition of realism against the geometry of the background. Nature has always been a source of inspiration and intrigue for Robin with the cycle of the seasons, or the relationship between hunter and prey, explored within many of his compositions. Robin’s bright and vibrant collection is the perfect antidote to the Sussex winter and Horsham Museum and Art Gallery are delighted to be able to showcase these works in the powerful and stunning exhibition Radically Different Landscapes which runs from 20th January until 2nd April 2022. Horsham Museum & Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, free admission. For more information see www.horshammuseum.org. Heather Pepper, Horsham District Council Image © 2022 Robin Alexander Elliott

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Pest control / 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 Once again, there were some brilliantly decorated shop windows to complement the lights and Christmas tree on the Village Green. Well done to K. Lous Hair which was judged to have the best Christmas Shop Window, with Rocking Horse securing 2nd place and Morgan Hair Salon taking 3rd place. Thanks to all those businesses that made the effort to make Billingshurst look and feel so Christmassy. Goodbye & Thank You Billingshurst Parish Council said a sad goodbye to Denise Acraman who has been employed as a Receptionist for the Billingshurst Centre since 2015. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Denise for her hard work and commitment and wish her all the very best with her future plans.

Billingshurst Community Transport 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.

Local Plan Update At its November meeting, the Parish Council agreed to advise Horsham District Council that its preferred location for a strategic development site in the parish was land to the west of the village.

Access for Emergency Services The Council often hears complaints about inconsiderate parking. When parking, it is important to not only think about the safety of road users and pedestrians but to also consider the needs of our emergency services should they need to get somewhere quickly.

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

Billingshurst Parish Council

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Billingshurst in Bloom Entries

Billingshurst Tennis Club

Look out for details of how to enter our local Billingshurst in Bloom competition in the next few months. Full details and entry forms will be advertised in upcoming editions of Village Tweet. In previous years, the judges commented 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, do please encourage them to enter in 2022.

Did you know that there is a public court available to hire at the Tennis Club located at Lower Station Road Recreation Ground? If you are thinking about taking up some regular exercise in 2022 and would like to join the club or hire the public court, please email billingshursttennis@gmail.com or telephone 07949 805474.

Updates from the Neighbourhood Wardens

In response to requests from residents asking for action to reduce and slow traffic in the East Street and High Street areas (following the completion of the Spine Road) the Parish Council appointed consultants to look at what could be done. They have now reported and come up with a package of works that should help deter through traffic and rat-running, slow traffic, encourage walking and cycling, and simultaneously make the High Street a more enjoyable and safer place to visit. Whilst the Parish is promoting this scheme, it will be up to WSCC as highway authority to consider and take forward, funds permitting. However, support from the community for such submissions is essential. The proposals, which are only concepts and will need further detailed study, can be viewed online at www.billingshurst.gov.uk from 17th January 2022. Please take a moment to complete the online survey telling us whether you are broadly in favour (or not!) and have any additional comments. In addition, the proposals will be on display at the Billingshurst Centre on Wednesday 2nd February 2022 from 2pm to 7pm, when Parish Councillors and Officers will be on hand to try to answer any questions. Consultation closes Monday 28th February 2022.

Monthly reports are produced by the Billingshurst Neighbourhood Wardens Barry & Julie. 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.

Hedge cut backs 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.

Billingshurst Bowling Club – Quiz Night The Billingshurst Bowling Club will be holding their annual quiz night on Saturday 26th March, 7pm at St. Gabriel’s Church Hall; to book a table contact (01403) 784599. This year will be the 90th Anniversary of the Billingshurst Bowling Club, so do keep an eye out for more details on the reopening of the green on Saturday 23rd April. The club is always looking for more members so if you would like more information on how you can get involved with the club, please email billingshurstbowlingclub@gmailcom or contact Barry (Captain) on 07858 407537 or Alan (Vice-Captain) on 01798 875737.

An opportunity to HAVE YOUR SAY say on Traffic Calming measures

Upcoming Council meetings All meetings are held at the Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre (normally commencing at 7.30pm), and agendas are always posted on the Parish Council’s website www.billingshurst.gov.uk. Upcoming Meetings (February) 3rd: Planning & Environment Committee 16th: Property Committee 23rd: Billingshurst Centre and F&GP Committees

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

The New Year

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

ome things never change despite the passing of seasons and last month’s rolling over of the year. Izzie and Sarah take turns feeding the sheep, The chickens need cleaning. The gardens need weeding. The lawns need mowing. The regular everyday chores need to be done. However, one unchanging thing that has a bit of variety in it is the ongoing battle between Magnus and now Poppy and the Oakhatch family of squirrels. Autumn acorns had not been as plentiful as previous years and so for the Oakhatches food was getting a bit scarce. They had got stuck into the crabapples, the haws and the rosehips. But it was hard work and not entirely successful. But what was available were the two birdfeeders full of peanuts. No squirrels in their right mind would not give getting that source of tucker a go. And so Jeremy and his missus Clementine took every opportunity to climb up the feeder pole and get stuck in. Alas their enthusiasm was matched by the dogs and Grandad especially at not letting them help themselves so that the birds who also rely on the peanuts weren’t having enough. First Grandad then Nanny would open the door very quietly and whisper “Squirrels”. Without hesitation, the two dogs jostled each other silently out of the door, down the steps and across the lawns and watched as one of the squirrels ran up the birch tree, jumped across to the oak branches and disappeared. Sadly the dogs really didn’t get any chance. Jeremy and Clementine were just fast. Everything settled down until the next time. Before long, the squirrel acrobatics would start again, sometimes upside down, sometimes reaching across and sometimes leaping up. If one of the humans didn’t notice, Poppy took it upon herself to bark at

them thus alerting another defence. As the new year began Nanny thought she might try putting peanuts for the squirrels out in a different place. She hoped that the peanut-feeder raids would stop. Time will tell. Meanwhile Poppy was settling into her place in the household. She pushed in front of Magnus any time there was food around. Magnus, being a gentleman, would let her. However, that began to stop when Poppy went to puppy school. The first day she was so cold she couldn’t concentrate but was able to come when called and sit and look at Nanny. The next week, warmly snuggled up in her handme-down coat from Heidi the schnauzer, she learned to wait and stay. Well, sort of. That is going to take a bit more practise because she found it very difficult to be still except when she was asleep. She liked the other dogs but terrified a puppy rottweiler. She was still having some fun times though. One day Nanny took Magnus and Poppy to the Medmerry reserve. They walked along the stock bank and, coming back, Nanny took them down to look at the pond to see if there were any snails. The pond was covered with duckweed so thickly that Poppy… yep, she fell in. At first she started to panic a bit and so did Nanny. But she suddenly started swimming! Doggypaddling furiously she reached the bank and pulled herself out. She and her coat were covered in duckweed. When they got home, Nanny gave her a bath (first one) and dried her with the hair drier. Poppy was definitely not impressed. Hopefully she will learn how to swim properly at the dog school. Magnus prefers to slumber and sniff. Like the year, some things will change on that little farm near Billingshurst. Happy belated New Year everyone! Yvonne Fleece

Jeremy – peanut thief

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Charity / About the house

Crime thriller author supports local hospice

orsham author, George Smith is donating all royalties from his second crime novel, Killers Assassins & Spies, to St Catherine’s Hospice. George, a retired Sussex Police Detective Chief Inspector with over 30 years’ police service, wrote his first novel, A Secret Existence, as a lockdown project. He donated royalties to St Catherine’s as a thank you for the care the local hospice is currently giving one of his daughters. Just six months after his first book George is back with a sequel, and once again, is generously donating all royalties to St Catherine’s. Killers Assassins & Spies follows on from A Secret Existence and features Ben Swan, a Detective Chief Inspector with the Counter Terrorism Command who is then recruited by MI5. The book follows Ben as he tracks down killers, assassins and spies in the UK and America. It also follows him as he works with FBI and M15 colleagues to disrupt an assassination attempt on the Cunard liner, Queen Mary 2. Although Ben relies on his fellow officers, he knows nothing about their true identities, families or backgrounds. When he develops a close friendship with a fellow officer how much can he trust her? George is former head of Brighton CID, and he was a Senior Investigating Officer on many murder investigations. During his career he operated, at Detective Chief Inspector rank, in

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the UK and Ireland with the Counter Terrorism Command. He was also recruited into the Security Service (MI5) and worked in the UK and USA with the FBI. As a young Detective Inspector, he was involved in the interrogation of Argentine Commander Alfredo ASTIZ during the Falklands War. He has a BA degree in history and politics and is a keen photographer. In retirement he owns and manages a 22-acre woodland in West Sussex. George said, “Having enjoyed the writing of my first novel and encouraged by the positive response I received from readers I set about writing Killers Assassins & Spies. When I retired, I had no interest in writing a book but now I’ve written two! It is an honour to once again donate all royalties from this book to St Catherine’s Hospice. The hospice’s community nursing team is currently supporting one of my daughters and their expert help has been invaluable.” George will be happy to reply to any additional questions you may have. He can be contacted at RowanLodgeUK@btinternet.com. Killers Assassins & Spies is available from Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions at £9.99 and £3.99 respectively and main book suppliers. Laura Mitchell, St Catherine’s Hospice

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

Renegades go with the flow…

ngland may be yearning for dry land after such a soggy winter, but not the Renegades Youth Club! The young members have been dipping their collective toes in the sport of canoeing. Since the club was able to buy a fleet of canoes with a generous grant from the Postcode Society Trust, the new year has started with weekly canoe sessions thanks to the Wey and Arun Canal Trust. “We have started the year with a vengeance trying out our new boats,” says Group Leader Gareth Miller. “But even I’ve been surprised to see the willingness of teenagers to drag themselves out of bed early on a Sunday morning, though the bribe of a hot drink has been a must. “I think they have enjoyed seeing us struggle to reverse a trailer the size of ours up to the slipway on Drungewick Lane. It’s a good job my ego was crushed by the kids long ago!” The young members have been learning how to handle the boats both in and out of the water. They have started learning the five main strokes of paddling, but it seems the hardest lesson is getting in and out – Gareth has already gone in headfirst. “It’s been a joy to have a paddle and view the world

from this angle,” says Gareth. “The best moment was when we all strapped together under a bridge for a chat only for my fellow leader Damian Dixon to get caught up in a branch. He fell backwards in his canoe and then lay there like a stranded turtle unable to move. “We could have helped him, but unanimously decided to photograph him instead. Something I regretted the following day when I fell down a muddy bank into a brook as I was recounting the story… buckets of schadenfreude then.” As the year warms up so will we. We will be reinstating our adventurous activities from archery to a new zipwire, beach trips to camping weekends, art and cooking to carpentry and go karting. If you have an activity idea, have something we could use or you would like to have fun with us, please just give us a call. The Renegades is a Registered Charity. Membership costs £10 a month. Please contact Gareth Miller on 07801 862550 or Damian Dixon on 07484 130189 for further information. Vanda Rumney Photos: Gareth and Renegades stop below a bridge… before Damian shows how NOT to do it!

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Community

Nature’s abundances… tuppence a bag 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. Hello my Tweet friends, This winter I have found myself financing the fine dining of a whole range of critters that were once a rare sight indeed. The resulting increase in bird seed and peanut purchases has made a distinct dent in the monthly purse. I’m not complaining though, I welcome the visits, but I am amazed at the variety of species that now frequents the bird feeders that hang from a tree that is in close view of the kitchen window. As an example… one morning, at ground level: 14 ducks, two squirrels, an assortment of crows, and a cock pheasant. Up in the tree and on the three feeders, three jays, one spotted woodpecker, another squirrel and a selection of impatient and jittery small garden birds. The ducks have been regulars for several years. They spread their favours between our garden and Sally’s up the road according to how they feel on any particular day. Keep them waiting for what they consider too long, and they get fed up and depart for the other venue in a quacking show of avian petulance. One thing that still puzzles me is the way they always travel from the reservoir to the garden – a distance of some fifty yards or so. They never fly in, instead it’s a waddling mob that noisily pushes through the hedge and onto the lawn. But… they always leave by taking off and flying back to the water. What’s that all about? The other inhabitants of the water to visit us regularly are four moorhens. Now, no matter how hard I try, I just cannot get these little fellows to trust me. The minute I appear they dive into the safety of the hedge, and only reappear once I’m back indoors. One day, maybe, one day! The little feathered fellers are fine. Tits, sparrows, finches, nut hatch, woodpeckers, etc. They feed in quick bursts, scattering a steady stream of seed and nut chips down to the waiting crows who squabble among themselves as they each try to grab the fallen titbits. It’s the bigger and more aggressive and, dare I say, more intelligent ones that cause the larger problem. The squirrels are regulars. They have an instinct for self-preservation, but they seem to know that I have got ‘softer’ with old age. Where I would once have blasted them to that great drey in the sky I now mutter darkly as they tear another hole in the feeder, and then smile as they sit and with those dainty front claws nibble at yet another peanut. Several magpies sneak in if they get a chance, but they still retain their nervousness if a curtain is moved or the sound of

movement heard. As prime nest robbers, I can’t say I encourage their presence but I guess all critters need to eat! There are a couple of plumped-up wood pigeons who are in constant conflict with the moorhens. The outcome always in favour of the moorhens who may be timid to me, but show a far more aggressive nature where ownership of the falling seed is concerned. The jays are newcomers though. These are truly woodland birds. Secretive and hidden from the guns of man. Egg stealers who will note every nest around the garden for a springtime feast. But, they are such beautiful birds. Now they are gradually losing that longinstilled fear. These three beauties flash their blue show feathers at me and then with beaks like miniature pneumatic drills they proceed to tear at the base of the nut holder until it allows them to remove the nuts whole. (See photo.) They then spend a happy half hour or so alternating between eating and burying their ‘harvest’ around the garden. With the addition of all the squirrels’ buried booty, we would have a whole forest of peanut bushes growing around the garden next year if they could actually grow! On the farm, though, we do feel so fortunate to be surrounded by this bounty of nature with a family of buzzards regularly patrolling the skies and this year the occasional visit of a lone red kite slowly circling the meadows. The rabbit population is gradually recovering from a terrible depletion in numbers over the last few years from myxomatosis, and they are trying to show their appreciation by digging up my over wintering daff bulbs and making preliminary ventures into making new warrens in my flowerbeds. It would appear that digging holes is easier in cultivated soil! Deer do their very best to help by carefully pruning my rose bushes by grazing off the developing flower buds. They seem to have a particular love of these delicacies and I can see war being declared between us if they get too confident. Not to be outdone, and to show they can be just as endearing, last year the sheep succeeded in breaking into my veg patch and helped themselves to my runner bean bed just as the flowers were starting to open, causing a complete replanting to be carried out. Thankfully, though, with our heavy clay soil, moles do seem to be reluctant at the moment to take out a current mortgage application on the lawn… but time will tell if this is a permanent situation or just a blip in nature’s persistence. All in all though, I wouldn’t wish it any other way. The older I get, the more I seem to find an acceptance to all this. It’s mainly collateral damage after all. They give me great pleasure. Well, maybe a little bit of agro at times. Worth it though! John Nash

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Pets / Vets

The Spaniel Diaries

o here we are in February already, it’s been so wet everywhere and mum is fed up of cleaning mud off the floors, walls and doors, not to mention the state of the car, inside and out, well I don’t know what she expects, we spaniels love to roll in mud and run through the puddles – sorry, lakes – that the fields have turned into over the past few weeks! Mum insists on us wearing our drying coats. I hate it, I look like an idiot, which is fine for Mav because he is one, but I am far more dignified than that. I mean, what if someone sees me in it?! Mum also keeps a very careful eye on us for some nasty thing called Alabama rot; she rinses us off after our walks and checks us over for any sores on our paws, legs and bellies, even Mav puts up with it as he knows it’s for our own good and we do walk in muddy places like the woods and fields a lot. Love is in the air this month too, with Valentine’s Day coming up. Mum says she loves us so I hope she shows us that love with a nice big juicy steak for dinner – more so for me as I’m a bit more special than Mav, well in my eyes anyway. As long as she doesn’t have any grand ideas of dressing me in any ridiculous outfits we’ll get along just fine. I also hope that mum and dad don’t decide to go out and have something to eat without us dogs, one of my favourite things is to sit and stare at them with my most mournful expression until one of them feels guilty enough to hand over some food! At last the mornings have got a bit lighter; January wasn’t very nice as our morning walk

was in the pitch black. It makes mum a bit miserable as she likes to see the sun especially when it rises. She keeps grumbling about needing to win a thing she calls the lottery so she doesn’t have to do that thing called work and then threatens to spend all day with us dogs, well that’s all well and fine BUT I have a horrible thought that would involve more training for us, and we do quite enough of that already, although in my case mum certainly doesn’t think so. Apparently that Goody Two Shoes Mav is better behaved than I am – that is purely because he is a little creep! I think mum has got an idea into her head about a new sport that we can do for the summer. It apparently involves me using my nose to track people down. I’m good at using my nose to find birdies and food, but she seems to think I’m a Bloodhound rather than a Spaniel. I may indulge her to keep her quiet, although I can’t see why she can’t make Mav do it, but apparently he’s going to be ‘Scurrying’ as he’s faster than me and actually likes bringing things back, whereas I on the other hand like to take my time and dawdle back, peeing on every bush or tuft of grass as I go – I cannot see what her issue is with that! It gets me out of scurrying though, hopefully this man-trailing thing can be done at a dawdle though! Well, I’m excited to get into next month as that means the clocks are going forward which means longer evening walks, I really can’t wait. Catch up soon, Billy. Jeannette Douglas

Billy (left) and Mav

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Garden Tweet! s, ve ted s, ol ct ce on ha la er to ta la cti u -re ow s, on ll p se y o n ( f l e d c wi n If rde ss sh ase e rde ga e s, le . W a a sin se c) p ay r G a u bu ho , et tod pul n s t o e e e r ee p gr ow Tw our m ge in lla d Vi r a u yo

Garden View

Contain your excitement!

or me, February marks the real beginning of the gardener’s year. Seed sowing starts in earnest, and we can begin to plan to bring the patio pots alive. As a gardener I do raise a lot of my plants from seeds in coldframes and greenhouses. But there is no right way to approach this. If you’re super busy and time in the garden is short, wait until late February and purchase fresh, well-grown young plants from the garden centre. Yes, it’s more expensive but it might be worth it in time and energy saved. The patio is a great place to indulge your creativity. Do you want a brilliant chaotic colour palate or a cool tranquil colour scheme, or maybe even monochrome calming greens in many textures of foliage? I think of patio pots like soft furnishings in the house… changing things up can transform the mood. While containers are conventionally planted in autumn and late spring, they can actually be planted at any time of year, and I like to get a couple planted up in February so they can become really established and give me a running a start. I use containers of all sizes but generally the large ones provide more impact. If they are too large and heavy to move easily, plant them with hardy bulbs or permanent shrubs or trees. You can then add seasonal geraniums and pansies, etc around the core planting. Small, moveable containers can be planted with bright bulbs and

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specimen plants that can be brought to the front as they reach their peak with flowers or foliage. If you have a sheltered frost-free area for a coldframe or poly cover you can plant early. Keep safe from the worst of the winter weather, and then bring them out when the frosts have finished. Good trees for larger containers are conifers. There is such a huge variety of shapes and colours to choose from. For patios it’s best to choose more compact, wellgroomed shapes in bright greens or yellows. Groups of three or five pots containing contrasting shapes and colours work very well together. Alternatively, go for similar shapes in a variety of sizes and colours. Because February tends to be quite wet, drainage can be an issue. As a guide, patio and decking surfaces should be dry, or only wet if it’s rained recently. If a patio or decking is constantly wet algae and moss will start to grow which can look unsightly and make the surface dangerously slippery to walk on. Use a strong yard brush and approved detergent to keep hard surfaces clean and safe. As anticipation in gardening provides much of the pleasure take the garden furniture out of storage this month and clean it up – then you can enjoy a cup of tea on sunny days and watch your patio begin to wake up. Rachel Leverton

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Kids of all ages! / Garden Tweet! / Fencing

Village Tweet Spot the Difference

Cold penguins have warm hearts, especially on Valentines Day! Can you spot the 14 differences?

Solution on page 39

West Chiltington Floral Club (Affiliated to NAFAS)

Tuesday 15th February, 1.30pm for 2pm. Our programme for 2022 resumes with an afternoon meeting in February when we look forward to welcoming Jennifer Allan Thompson with her demonstration Moments of Time. Unless otherwise stated, meetings are held at West Chiltington Village Hall, Mill Road, West Chiltington RH20 2PZ, 7pm for 7.30pm. Visitors are most welcome. For more information, please contact Brenda Bull on (01798) 813712

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BILLINGSHURST MOT

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Motoring

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Spot the Difference - Solution

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Puzzle on page 37

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CAR AND MOTORCYCLE MOT TEST STATION Computer Diagnostics Tuning Welding MOT Repairs Mechanical Repairs Exhausts Tyres Servicing *5% donation goes to The Mary How Trust

Motoring

What’s On near you

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What’s On – February Every Mon

Billingshurst Men’s Shed. Unitarian Hall, Billingshurst. 10am to noon. Part of the Men’s Shed movement, we are a group of men AND women who meet to talk, drink tea & coffee, make and repair things and plan the creation of our permanent home in the village. Contact us on (01403) 786284 or e-mail: davidandmar.ambrose1@btinternet.com Every Mon Knit & Natter. Billingshurst Library. 10.30am-midday. Open to anyone that likes to knit, crochet, sew and chat! Meet new friends, swap tips and ideas. No need to book. All ages and abilities welcome. Further info: drop in or call Bev at Billingshurst Library on (01403) 783145 Every Mon Horsham Matters Hub on the Move Foodbank. Billingshurst Library car park, 10-11.30am Every Mon Table Tennis. St Mary’s Room, East St, Billingshurst. 2-4pm. A sociable group for all ages. Includes tea & biscuits normally. Suggested donation to church funds £2 per session. Tony, tel: (01403) 783496 Every Mon BOOSTfit Horsham. The Forest School, Comptons Lane, RH13 5NT. Judgement & pressure free fitness for all. Clare Lawton, tel: 07983 976 601 or e-mail: clareboostfit@outlook.com. www.boostfit.com Every Mon Chair Yoga. Kelsey Hall, Ifold. 2.15-3pm. For those who want to feel the benefits of yoga, but from a chair! All welcome. £5. Kim, tel: 07780 439155 or e-mail whiterosechairyoga@outlook.com Every Mon Seniors’ Coffee Morning. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst. 10.30am to 12 noon. £3 a head. Transport available. Tel: (01403) 786706 Alternate Rotary Club. Blacksmiths Arms, Adversane. 12.30pm. Supper (£13) & talk. Visitors welcome. Social activities Mondays* & occasional business meetings. *Stuart Pullen, Attendance Secretary, tel: (01798) 873791 or 07967 159034 Every Mon Clubbercise with Hayley. Wisborough Green. 7.45-8.30pm. Aerobic exercise class for all fitness levels16 and over. Darkened room with flashing disco lights and music (90s to now). Pre-bookings only: bookwhen.com/clubbercisehayleym. Latest updates: facebook.com/clubbercisewithhayley Every Mon, Shipley Men’s Shed. Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane. Part of the international Men’s Shed Tues & Weds organisation. For men interested in woodwork or wish to spend time with like-minded, local chaps. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: Philip, 07786 070939 or email: info@HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org 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 Billingshurst Short Mat Bowls. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 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 Alan Barnes, tel: (01403) 783721 Every Tues Chair Yoga. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst. 3.45-4.30pm. For those who want to feel the benefits of yoga, but from a chair! All welcome. £5. Kim, tel: 07780 439155 or e-mail whiterosechairyoga@outlook.com Every Tues Billingshurst Choral Society Practice. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 7.30-9.45pm. New members welcome. Tel: Keith Paul on 07989 412997 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 Slinfold Concert Band rehearsal. Slinfold Village Hall from 7.30-9.30pm. Brass, woodwind and percussion players all welcome. www.slinfoldconcertband.org Every Tues Walking Football. 10-11.30am. Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane (Holbrook Club in mid-Winter). Followed by refreshments. Men & women welcome. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: Philip, 07786 070939 or email: info@HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org Every Tues Neighbourhood Warden drop-in sessions. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 12-2pm Every Tues BOOSTfit Billingshurst. Billingshurst Leisure Centre, RH14 9RY. Judgement & pressure free fitness for all. Clare Lawton, tel: 07983 976 601 or e-mail: clareboostfit@outlook.com. www.boostfit.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 Pétanque Club. Shipley Football Ground, 10.15 for 10.30am start (*spring/summer/autumn, Friday, 6.30pm) & Fri* Coffee after. Equipment provided. All ages and abilities. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: Russell, 07803 259190 or email: info@HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org 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. Improvers 6-7.15pm, intermediates 7.15-9.30pm. Details from Maureen, tel: 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! Billingshurst Centre, 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 Clubbercise with Hayley. St Gabriel’s Church Hall, Billingshurst. 7.45-8.30pm. Aerobic exercise class for all fitness levels16 and over. Darkened room with flashing disco lights and music (90s to now). Pre-bookings only: bookwhen.com/clubbercisehayleym. Latest updates: facebook.com/clubbercisewithhayley Every Thurs Wildlife walkabouts. RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, Wiggonholt, RH20 2EL. 10am-12 noon. £8 per person (£2.50 for RSPB members). (01798) 875851. www.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

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What’s On near you

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 Crafts and Natter group. The Chapel, Spy Lane, Loxwood, RH14 0SQ. 11am-3pm Every Thurs Drop in Baby Zone! St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 10.30-11.30am Thurs & Fri plus 1.30& Fri 2.30pm Thurs. Meet other parents and their babies. Every week except between Xmas & New Year. Emma: babies@stmarysbillingshurst.org. Free spaces, book at babyzone.stmarysbillingshurst.org 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. Cancelled due to coronavirus Alternate The Mother’s Fire. Nature connection group for mothers and children of all ages. 10am-12noon at a beautiful, secure farm in Billingshurst. *Contact hello@acornsandembers.co.uk or visit Fridays*, Feb-Dec www.acornsandembers.co.uk for a full list of dates, more info and to book 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 Sat Dempsey School of Irish Dancing for children aged 5+. Billingshurst Community Centre. 9 & 10am. Nicola, e-mail: dempseyirishdance@gmail.com Every Sat Amities Boules Club. Foresters Arms, Kirdford. New members always welcome. Sats: 10.45 for & Weds 11am start, finish 1.30pm. Weds (summer only, weather permitting): 2pm. David, tel: (01483) 278346 Every Sun The Emmanuel Fellowship meet every Sunday at ‘The Chapel’, Spy Lane, Loxwood, RH14 0SQ. 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 REGULAR ENTRIES (ABOVE) AND FOUND THEM TO BE NO LONGER AVAILABLE PLEASE LET VILLAGE TWEET KNOW 1 Feb Laughter Yoga Club. Unitarian Hall (side door), Billingshurst, RH14 9TB. (Park Lakers Mead.) 1.35 for 1.45pm start till 2.45pm. £6. Boosts seratonine and nervous systems & improves wellbeing! Non-profitmaking club. All welcome. Contact Linda, tel: 07806.327917, email: lstevenson201854@gmail.com 1 Feb Trefoil Guild Meeting. Meetings are temporarily suspended due to COVID but we hope to restart them again in 2022. Julia, tel: (01403) 784363 2 Feb The Arts Society – South Downs lecture by Neil Faulkner: ‘Lawrence of Arabia – Excavating a Legend’. Fittleworth Village Hall. 10.45am. Visitors welcome, £6, contact Jane Allison, tel: (01798) 813314 or e-mail: jane@theallisonfamily.co.uk. www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk 2 Feb Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: ‘Canine Partners’. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. We welcome a ‘four-legged friend’ from Canine Partners & his owner Jim, who will tell us about this wonderful charity. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhazel@gmail.com 3 Feb Wisborough Green WI Evening. Wisborough Green Village Hall. 7.45pm. Every first Thursday. Visitors welcome for taster session. Please contact WisboroughGreenWI@mail.com for our latest calendar of activities, and membership details 3 Feb Parish Council Planning & Environmental Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm Reading Friends. Billingshurst Library. Temporarily suspended due to coronavirus 3 Feb 4 Feb Night Navigation course. Near Midhurst. A fun, practical and challenging navigation course which addresses the essential and often neglected skills of navigating at night or in poor visibility. Tel: (01403) 788994. To book: www.patadventures.com 5 Feb Terri’s Macmillan Home Sale. 26 Coombe Hill, Billingshurst. 10am-12 noon. Homemade cakes, preserves, cards, craft, books, puzzles and tombola. Pre-orders can be taken terriashpool@uwclub.net or call (01403) 588996 6 Feb Indoor Antiques Market & Collectors Sale. Ansell’s Yard, Kirdford Road, Wisborough Green, RH14 0DD. 10am-2pm. No entrance fee. Tables available £5 (must be pre-booked), also storage units to let, £25 pw. Telephone (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940 9 Feb Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk by David Parker: ‘World War 2’. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. David will illustrate his talk with items from his collection of war memorabilia. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhazel@gmail.com 9 Feb 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 9 Feb Messy Church! Temporarily suspended due to coronavirus 10 Feb Billingshurst Local History Society Talk: Ian Everest on Shepherds of the South Downs, their lives and times. 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 10 Feb Billingshurst WI Talk: ‘What’s in the Basket?’ by Jan Thompson. Community Centre, Roman Way. 2.30pm. Interesting speakers, hobby groups, outings. Visitors welcome. Secretary, tel: (01403) 780810 11 Feb Billingshurst and District Wine and Beer Circle meeting. Circle meets 2nd Friday (except August) at St Gabriel’s Hall, East Street, 8pm. New members welcome. Contact Chris 07790 762052 or Linda 07806 327917. Email: edwinstevenson51@gmail.com. www.billingshurstwineandbeercircle.com 12 Feb Billingshurst Dementia Café. United Reformed Church Hall, Second Saturday of every month, from 10am-12pm. Please join us for tea, coffee and cake. All are welcome 15 Feb St Mary’s Guild Members’ Meeting. St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 10.30am. We are a friendly women’s group and we welcome visitors. Beryl Peacock (01403) 782835 15 Feb Loxwood Jazz Club. Village Hall. With candle-lit tables and a licensed bar, it has a very intimate atmosphere with international standard jazz. Tickets £15 from Peter Winney, tel: (01403) 752377 16 Feb Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: ‘My Holiday of a Lifetime’. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. A presentation by member Brenda Homden, showing photographs of the wonderful holiday she enjoyed in New Zealand, in 2020. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhazel@gmail.com 16 Feb Parish Council Property Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm

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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 Billingshurst Dramatic Society: ‘Murdered to Death’. Women’s Hall, Billingshurst. 7.30pm. Tickets from www.billingshurstdramaticsociety.com. See page 16 Macmillan Film night. ‘West Side Story’. Billingshurst Conference & Community Centre. 7pm for 7.30pm start. Refreshments, raffle and Macmillan stall. Tickets £6.50 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) CAGNE Virtual AGM. 7.30pm. Keynote speakers from politics, environment and sustainable transport including the Southeast Ambassador for the Conservative Environment Network. All welcome. CAGNE is the umbrella aviation community and environment group for Sussex, Surrey and Kent. See page 4. Details: www.cagne.org. To book: www.eventbrite.co.uk/x/cagne-2022-agm-tickets-239287935657 Slinfold Indoor Market. Village Hall. 10am to 2pm. Details: slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk/market.html Slinfold Village Cinema: ‘First Cow’. Slinfold Village Hall. Doors 7pm. Film 7.30pm. Tickets £5 from Slinfold Village Stores or on the door. For film details see slinfoldvillagehall.co.uk/cinema/nextfilm.html Macmillan Film night. ‘West Side Story’. Pulborough Village Hall. 7pm for 7.30pm start. Refreshments, raffle and Macmillan stall. Tickets £6.50 from www.touringcinema.com or Pulborough Village Hall or Terri Ashpool, tel: (01403) 588996 or on the door (subject to availability) Billingshurst Lions Club Meeting. Sports Pavilion, Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. 7.30pm. For information about the Club contact Viv Diggens on (01403) 752968 or call in at the Lions Bookshop, Jengers Mead 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 Pulborough Village Market. Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, RH20 2BF. 9am-12 noon. Fresh produce, bread, delicatessen, local honey, organic condiments, plants, local crafts 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

If your event has been suspended due to coronavirus please don’t forget to inform Village Tweet as soon as normal service is resumed! 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

ADVERTISERS INDEX February 2022 A-Team Mechanics............................39 A/c’s Direct, Accounting ......................7 Accomplish Jobs, recruitment ...........13 Alba Plumbing...................................29 Alex Newson Tree Services..............34 Barnsfold Nurseries...........................35 Bat and Ball pub..................................9 Best Choice Roofing .........................26 Billingshurst Family Church ................5 Billingshurst Leisure Centre ..............12 Billingshurst Parish Council ........22, 23 Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre ..................................38 Billingshurst Tyres .............................40 Bluecoat Sports.................................15 CAGNE ...............................................4 CJ Sewage Treatment ......................31 Dandelion Farewells, funerals...........16 DW Gardens .....................................34 Duke of Kent School ...........................4 Evans Electrical.................................27 Flackwoods Solicitors..........................6 Flow-serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating..........................................26

GB Glazing Ltd..................................18 George Potbury Forestry ..................36 GJ Coles, builder ..............................28 Goring Road Carpet Centre..............29 Hamilton Cole TV & Satellite Equipment .....................................25 Holly Stone Hypnotherapy ................13 JC Plumbing......................................28 Jef Wilson Painting & Deocrating .....17 Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery ..........37 Keywood Tree Care ..........................36 Kings Head pub ..................................8 KJ Cox Solicitor...................................5 KJ Lammas Plumbing & Heating ......17 Lee’s Locks .......................................25 LMC Auto Services ...........................40 Mac’s Private Hire.............................10 Meadow Hall Veterinary Practice ......33 Meadows Wellbeing ..........................14 Mike Lord Building ............................21 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning ...........27 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating .21 MPS Home Improvements Ltd..........31 N Francis Electrical Ltd.....................29

NFP Forestry.....................................35 NFU Mutual Insurance ........................3 Oven Cleaning Direct........................21 Oven Rescue ....................................30 Park House Kitchens.....................OBC Peacocks Builders.............................27 Pest Man...........................................21 Petworth MOT Centre .......................38 Phoenix Care.....................................11 PJM Building & Property Maintenance..................................25 Rebecca Beauty Therapist ................11 Re-Nu Kitchens.................................31 Rudgwick Cabinets and Carpentry ...20 Rudgwick Fencing.............................37 St Mary’s Church ................................4 Sussex Carpet Brokers .....................19 Sussex Towing Brackets ...................39 Titchmarsh Services, tree surgery ....35 Village Nurseries ...............................36 WG Tyres ..........................................39 ZES Brickwork...................................17

Village Tweet - February 2022

Articles inside

Spot the Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

The Spaniel Diaries: The continuing adventures of Billy

John Nash: Nature’s abundances… tuppence a bag

To Valentine, or not to Valentine: Alternative ways to show your love

Royal British Legion, Billingshurst: Thank you for your Poppy Day generosity

Billingshurst Lions Club: Help for schools

Renegades: Going with the flow

Billingshurst Dramatic Society: Back to Life: Murdered to Death

West Sussex Community Minibus: February trips

Yvonne Fleece: The new year

Recipe: Irish coffee chocolate cheesecake: Perfect for St Valentine’s Day