Village Tweet - January 2020 by Village Tweet

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@VillageTweet

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January 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 January Village Tweet. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and, all being well, you will be reading this as the New Year fast approaches. So, Happy New Year! I am writing this on the evening of 14th December having just taken part in the Christmas in a Day events in Billingshurst. The Christmas Fayre at the Community Centre was packed – both with people and a huge variety of stalls – and I was able to buy some lovely hand-made Christmas gifts. The weather stayed dry for the Lantern Walk and I was amazed, once again, at the large number of people taking part. We duly arrived at Station Road Gardens in time for the Light & Music Show which also fed the throng with a variety of pop-up food businesses including one serving pizzas cooked in the back of a Land Rover! Many then left to enjoy the Christmas Cracker concert at the nearby Leisure Centre. Thank you to all involved, a huge success. Grahame

Cover: Happy New Year! Food & drink Recipe: Bacon and mushroom risotto . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Onslow Arms pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 The Kings Head pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Health & wellbeing Bluecoat Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billingshurst Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How I Beat Type 2 Diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Park & Brown, opticians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Natural Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katherine Finn, Hyphotherapist . . . . . . . . . . . . PilatesWise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tapestry Lunch Club: Supporting the isolated Louise Sloan, opticians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billingshurst Carers Group: Support for carers Holly Stone, Hypnotherapist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age UK: Nicky Fuller, Village Agent . . . . . . . .

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About the house Fowlers, Estate Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 KJ Lammas Plumbing & Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 The Odd Job People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Heath Windows Ltd (Southern) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Ovens and More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Versatile Home Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Oven Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Delta Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Flow-Serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating . . . . . . . .27 N Francis Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Norsat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 PJM, Building & Property Maintenance . . . . . . . . .28 Evans Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Goring Road Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Re-Nu Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Biji Property Services Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 DM Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Lee’s Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Millar Property Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Sussex Carpet Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Best Choice Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Cadiss, Bathrooms & Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 AC Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Alba Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 GJ Coles, Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 MPS Home Improvements Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Ron Osborne Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 1A Acclaim Floor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Oven Cleaning Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Apex Aerials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Hamilton Cole, TV & Satellite Equipment . . . . . . . .30 Park House Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBC Little Tweeters! Yvonne Fleece: A conversation . . . . . Messy Church: Celebrating ten years Kids Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renegades Youth Club . . . . . . . . . . .

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COPY DATE FOR FEBRUARY ISSUE: 3rd JANUARY 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: Witch hazel . . . . . . Bygone Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . Village Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton Turner Trees & Gardens Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery . . . REM Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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Miscellaneous Professional Services & Businesses Jim Hills Sports Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Flackwoods Solicitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Seasons Art Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 NFP Forestry, logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Dandelion Farewells, Funerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Daisy’s Dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Pest Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Rudgwick Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 A/c’s Direct, Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Community/Out & About/Farming/Smallholding Raleigh International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Horsham District Council: Crime survey . . . . . . . . . .8 Ansells Vintage Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Ingfield Manor School: Christmas Fayre report . . .10 Plaistoe Pre-School: Nativity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 St Mary’s Church: Extending the Christmas spirit .11 St Mary’s Church: January dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Community Minibus (Billingshurst) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Billingshurst Parish Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25 Rotary Club: Friends of Rotary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Billingshurst Dramatic Society: Two plays . . . . . . .28 Billingshurst Fire Station: Happy New Year . . . . . .30 Horsham Museum & Gallery: Boom and Bust . . . . . .33 John Nash’s Column: The three Seasons . . . . . . .34 Wey & Arun Canal Trust: Book a Talk . . . . . . . . . . .35 Petworth House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Wey & Arun Canal Trust: Volunteer taster days . .IBC Features Your 2020 Vision for 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Miranda Rijks, short story: The Neighbours . . . . . .20 A Good Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 SPR Centre: Keeping dogs happy in winter . . . . . .36 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

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Village Tweet Quick Crossword

Solution on page 6

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

New Year / Charity

Your 2020 Vision for 2020

indsight is a wonderful thing. We often reflect on the past year and mourn chances we didn’t take or connections we didn’t make. Instead of looking longingly backwards, perhaps 2020 is a good year to develop your vision for the future so that it’s… well… 20/20! Review your goals — short and long-term. Are your everyday activities helping you to accomplish your short-term goals? Are you working on meaningful projects? Make sure at least some of your daily activities help you to accomplish your short-term goals, and that those can build to let you accomplish larger goals and objectives. But don’t be a slave to your goals. It’s okay to change directions and shift deadlines. January is a great time revaluate. Are your long-term goals from six months ago still relevant to you today? It can be helpful to write down your goals using pen and paper, and then hang them in a place where you can see them. This acts as a visual prompt to remind you and inspire you during the day-to-day grind. Nurture relationships. Sometimes friendships and family relationships get placed on the back burner when we’re busy. Are there friends and relatives in your contacts list who you haven’t spoken with lately? Use this season to catch-up, reconnect, and nurture the relationships that matter. Request a planning meeting. It could be with your boss – or your partner! When you think about the next

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December 2019 t.co.uk www.villagetwee BUSINESS Green AND LOCAL • Wisborough

@VillageTweet

Billingshurst

• Barns

ITY THE COMMUN Loxwood • Plaistow • Slinfold CONNECTING Kirdford • Oaks • Ifold • Green • Five

It costs less than you might think to advertise in Village Tweet. For our Rate Card visit www.villagetweet.co.uk and click on the ‘Advertise’ tab or call 07762 767084 today!

Village Tweet Quick Crossword Solution Puzzle on page 5 Across: 1, SOCIAL. 4, BIGOT. 8, LEECH. 9, SPECIAL. 10, CORTEGE. 11, IDLE. 12, NAP. 14, YOGI. 15, LAUD. 18, CUP. 21, HALE. 23, LETTUCE. 25, ANTLERS. 26, NIECE. 27, HERON. 28, EMBERS. Down: 1, SPLICE. 2, CHEERIO. 3, ATHLETIC. 4, BREW. 5, GUILD. 6, TILLER. 7, ASHEN. 13, PLATINUM. 16, UKULELE. 17, SHEATH. 19, PLUSH. 20, SEVERS. 22, LATER. 24, AEON.

year do you see yourself staying at the same job? If so, do you want to be considered for promotion or a transfer? Would you like to plan a big trip with your partner, or start a family? With your boss you might mention projects you’d like to lead, qualifications you’d like to study for. With your partner you might want to talk about joining a gym together, planning a safari, or taking up ballroom dancing. These discussions are useful in both your work and your private life. They can help you understand points of dissatisfaction in your work or relationship and give you the clarity you need to explore a change. Invest in yourself. There’s a difference between being comfortable and being complacent. Try stepping out of your comfort zone and take an online course, sign up with the Open University or night classes at college. Try out a yoga class or a massage, or simply go away with a friend or a partner to a spa for a few days. Reflect on lessons learned. January is not all about new beginnings. It’s nice to think about all you accomplished during 2019. What did you learn? What did you achieve? A lot probably happened in the past tweve months, but life moves so fast that too often we don’t take time to reflect on all we’ve learned. Take note of your discoveries and think about ways you can apply those lessons with intention as you move into the new year. Anne McCarthy

Raleigh International Henry Bushell, a nineteen-year-old from Plaistow will be giving a slide presentation and talk about his recent trip to Costa Rica with Raleigh International on Saturday, 11th January in the Billingshurst Community Centre from 5.30-7.30pm. Are you the parent or grandparent of a young person who might be interested in travelling abroad for 4-12 weeks with the sustainable development charity Raleigh International, to work side-by-side with communities to create positive change? Henry warmly invites anyone who enjoys travel to join him at his slide presentation and talk. Do bring your children (14 and above) and be inspired. For details about Henry’s talk and to book tickets please go to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/perspective-and-scalecosta-rica-summer-2019-tickets-79342823521. Tickets are just £8 per person; 16 and under £6. You can also book by calling (01403) 871472 – please leave a message and we will call you back. Clarissa Bushell

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

Food and drink / Crime / Out and about

Bacon & Mushroom Risotto A simple yet tasty New Year supper

Preparation time: 10 minutes. Cooking time: 30 minutes. Serves 4

METHOD 1. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the onion and bacon gently for 5 minutes to soften. Add the mushrooms and cook gently for a further 5 minutes until they start to release their juices. Stir in the rice and cook until the rice begins to look translucent. 2. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well and waiting for most of the stock to be absorbed before adding the next ladleful – it will take about 20 minutes for all the stock to be absorbed. 3. Once the rice is cooked, season and serve with the grated Parmesan.

INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion 8 rashers streaky bacon, chopped 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 300g risotto rice 1 litre hot chicken stock Grated parmesan to serve

Share your views on crime and disorder in the district Horsham District Council is a lead member of the district’s Safe and Well Partnership and in order to plan and implement key priorities, the council needs to engage with residents across the district to gather your views on crime and disorder. To this end, a short survey has been created, which should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Topics in the survey include: • how safe you feel • whether you have been a victim of a crime • what you feel are the main causes of crime • what you feel the Safe and Well Partnership should be focusing on Your answers will enable the Partnership to respond to your concerns by prioritising the key areas identified by you, as residents. The online survey will be live from Monday 6th January and can be found at www.horsham.gov.uk/ crime-survey. If you would prefer a paper version, please email communitysafety@horsham.gov.uk or call (01403) 215173. The deadline is Sunday 16th February and all completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw for a £100 gift card that can be spent in local shops. The survey is anonymous but if you would like to be entered into the prize draw, you will need to leave either a phone number or email address so you can be contacted.

BARGAINS GALORE AT

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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

Food and drink / Private hire Voted

West Sussex Pub of the Year 2019

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CAMRA PUB OF THE MONTH June 2017

November 2019: voted West Sussex County Times

RESTAURANT OPEN WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

Pub of the Year

LIVE MUSIC IN JANUARY

for second year runing

Saturday 18th: The Magpies KingsHead Billingshurst

@kingsheadbhurst

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

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Little Tweeters! / Community

Messy Church celebrates 10 years in Billingshurst

e are celebrating ten years of Messy Church in Billingshurst! We have been holding Messy Church on the second Wednesday of the month in Billingshurst Community Centre since February 2010. Messy Church is run mainly for primary school children and their families by all the churches together in Billingshurst. Meeting at 3.30pm we start with refreshments and table games, undertake craft activities following a theme and finish with a celebration and a shared meal. All children need to be accompanied by an adult and, although there is no charge, a donation towards the cost of the meal is appreciated. There is no need to book and all are welcome to enjoy a fun afternoon together.

The original idea for Messy Church came from Lucy Moore in 2004 and Lucy came to Billingshurst in 2009 and inspired the start of Billingshurst Messy Church. There are now 58 groups in West Sussex. 2,800 across the UK and 3,500 Worldwide! If you have enjoyed being part of Messy Church over the years do come and help us celebrate on Wednesday 12th February. Messy Church is usually on the 2nd Wednesday (not held in January, August or September); dates until this summer are 12th February, 11th March, 1st April (not 2nd Wednesday), 13th May, 10th June and 8th July. Always listed in the What’s On pages. Yvonne Tooley and Irene Stallard Photo: Billingshurst Messy Church Team and children

Plaistow Pre-School Nativity Plaistow village hall was once again a hive of activity and excitement on Sunday 8th December as families gathered to watch Plaistow Pre-School’s delightful Nativity play.

Christmas Fayre raises £2000 Saturday 16th November was Ingfield Manor School’s first ever Christmas Fayre. The event – advertised in November’s Village Tweet – was a huge success with the Santa Express train and Santa’s grotto proving popular to young and old! Craft stalls and fun activities accompanied the traditional tombola and raffles, with a jam packed Christmas hamper as our star 1st prize. A silent auction was held for cakes made by school students. Our crafty corner stall included contributions from our residential students including Christmas tree decorations and treats for all. Our external stall holders bought a plethora of goodies from handbags, wreaths, chutneys, jewellery and even more cake! We would like to thank students, parents, staff, stall holders and friends of Ingfield for their generous donations. Over £2000 was raised. We look forward to welcoming you all again next year. Nicola Dodds, Principal

The children, aged 2-4, proudly took to the stage dressed as shepherds, angels, kings and soldiers and awaited Mary’s arrival on the back of Chester the donkey! Carol Krol, lead practitioner, guided the children through the play as they delivered their lines, sang their songs and performed their actions with great enthusiasm. To round off a wonderful afternoon the audience all enjoyed festive refreshments while vying for prizes in a generously donated raffle, all raising much appreciated funds for the charity-run village pre-school. For information regarding places for September 2020 e-mail the pre-school at plaistow.preschool@gmail.com. Nicola Craven-Smith, Secretary, Plaistow Pre-School Committee

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Religion

Extending the Christmas Spirit into January and beyond…

hen this issue of Village Tweet drops through our letterboxes at the end of 2019 we will be dwelling on the results of a General Election and anticipating and welcoming 2020. In other words another New Year and everything that goes with it. We will have forgotten Father Christmas, turkeys, crackers and all the other excitements of Christmas. The wrapping paper will be in the black bin liners at the end of our drives awaiting collection and all the decorations will be awaiting return to the loft for another year, if not already there. Many people seem not to know the original origins and the traditions of Advent, the coming and waiting and anticipation of the birth of a baby who will change the world. Seem not to know the meaning of the Advent candle wreath and why we light a different candle each week before Christmas. Most know of it now as 25 days of consuming a daily piece of chocolate from a calendar. This is partly to do with the fact that we are too busy thinking about the food, the presents, the guests, and the perfection and pressures and demands we have now allowed ourselves to be part of. Most of us are lucky enough now to have a ten-day holiday until we return to work in early January, some of us fearing the bills that will be waiting for us. Some of us are oblivious because our middle class lives allow us to reach out to our bank accounts and just pay what’s needed. Others will just head for another shelter of some

sort because they have lost everything and have nothing. But… it’s Christmas… it’s a time of giving… surely it doesnt matter if we spend more than we can afford… our children must have. But… is that what Christmas is really all about? Why did some of us go to Church and take part in Christingles and carols and look at the crib? Does it make us feel better? Would we like to know more? Or do we just see it as a bit of magic? We must celebrate love in every way and give of ourselves – beyond the boundaries of our families. When we give to others we receive so much back – that is when our problems fade into insignificance and we know peace. So, as we put away our decorations for another year let’s ponder and allow ourselves to go a little slower. We don’t have to be the first to buy the Valentines cards replacing the Christmas cards. We don’t have to have bought our Mother’s day cards by January. And we don’t need to have our Easter eggs by February. Let’s slow down and enjoy each moment as it comes. Our life on this earth passes quickly and is not a dress rehearsal, it is the only chance we get at it. Let’s enjoy each day, our families, our children and our world. Before its too late. Let’s not look back this time next year at the end of 2020 gasping for breath again, saying, “I wish…” Sue King, St Mary’s Church, Billingshurst

St Mary’s looks forward to 2020

fter all the excitement of Christmas when all the presents are opened (some taken back to the shops) and even the turkey and the mince pies have become are a fading memory, in January many churches will be celebrating Epiphany. This is when we remember the time when Jesus is first seen as God’s gift to all humankind. On the 5th of January St Mary’s will celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Kings or Wise men). Many Christmas cards you received will have shown the ‘three’ Magi arriving at the stable on Christmas day but the Gospel records them (three gifts but there may have been more Magi) arriving sometimes after. It is part of our tradition at St Mary’s to enjoy this occasion by having the Magi visit both services (9.30am Communion with Organ and Choir and 11am Morning Worship with Worship Band). Younger members of our congregation will be fully dressed in Babylonian splendour so that we can appreciate how Jesus received adoration from both the highest and lowest in society – shepherds at the time of Jesus’ birth would have been considered to be beyond the pale. The weekday routine of normal church life settles down again as the schools go back… Baby Zone (usually meet throughout the holidays) takes place on Tuesdays at 1.30pm in the St Mary’s room for families who have had recent additions.

Toddlers with parents or grandparents are welcomed at 12.15pm on Thursdays to a short service in the church and then for Lunch in the St Mary’s room – a meal you do not have to prepare yourself or wash up afterwards! On Fridays, MIX, our youth club will be open at 4pm and as well as a prepared activity by our youth worker, pool, table tennis and tuck are always available and always popular. Also by popular demand TOAST, the St Mary’s Women’s ministry/get together/jamboree will be back indulging themselves with Delectable Desserts on Saturday 11th January at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Room. If you qualify (ladies only) this a wonderful chance to sample some delicious food by some of the best cooks in Billingshurst. However, as your New Year starts listen out for the church bells as they ring in the new year wishing every one the grace, mercy and peace of the God and Father, our Lord Jesus for 2020 and all eternity. Happy New Year!

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

Community / Health and wellbeing *

Another Year on the Minibus! 2019 was another busy and successful year for the Billingshurst Community Minibus. During the year we… • Carried over 1,300 passengers • Covered over 7,500 miles • Had over 50 excursions • Went on around 120 shopping trips • Had over 30 cafes / pubs / tea-room visits • Attended over 20 concerts / theatre events • Provided minibuses for about 35 local community group events and outings. We’ve had glorious days at the seaside, including Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay, Worthing and Lee-onSolent. Our ‘mystery tours’ took us to Box Hill, Epsom, Farnham and Pevensey Bay. Anything involving eating and drinking seems popular: cream teas, pub lunches, fish and chips included! Our passengers have shown a liking for the cultural side, enjoying concerts at Christ’s Hospital, Chichester and Worthing, as well as productions by local amateur dramatics groups.

As a 100% volunteer-run group we’re grateful for all who help in the administration and running of the service – a team of 12 drivers and 14 escorts and also those who run things from behind the scenes. We aim “To Prevent Isolation and Promote Independence” through provision of a door-to-door service for our local community in Billingshurst. If you’re interested in travelling with us, there’s plenty of room and you’re sure of a very friendly welcome. Contact our Local Coordinator, Steve O’Dowd on (01403) 784428, e-mail: billingshust.minibus_odowd@btinternet.com or see our schedule in Village Tweet every month – January’s schedule is just below this article! Steve O’Dowd, Coordinator, Community Minibus, Billingshurst Division

Registered Charity No. 1173818

West Sussex Community Minibus Association (Billingshurst) January Schedule Thursday 2nd Tuesday 7th Wednesday 8th Thursday 9th Tuesday 14th Thursday 16th Saturday 18th Thursday 23rd Tuesday 28th

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

Wednesday 29th 10.00am Thursday 30th 9.00am

Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Christ’s Hospital lunch & concert Chichester Market Day Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm 1.00pm Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm 1.00pm Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm 1.30pm Chichester Market Day Horsham & Sainsbury’s

1.15pm

Horsham & Tesco’s

Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath Camilia Botnar afternoon tea Horsham & Tesco’s Barns Green Pantomime Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath Horsham Hilliers Garden Centre for afternoon tea Horsham & Tesco’s

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

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Double Trouble is coming to

Billingshurst Leisure Centre

he team at Billingshurst Leisure Centre are excited to announce that their new pool inflatable, Double Trouble is launching in January! The inflatable has horizontal biff bash’s that are tightly packed and they hold a high pressure which means that as the player pushes through one, the next one is immediately blocking their path. If they do not persevere though quickly and carefully enough, players get pushed into the pool! Younger children need to use their agility, rather than strength, to safely navigate through. The rest of the aqua run is fraught with more surprises along the way that either push, slide or bosh the players into the water. Great fun for all of the family! The new 13-metre inflatable will be on available on dedicated sessions on a Saturday and during the school holidays, more detail can be found on our website. You can also treat the kids to a Double Trouble party! Double Trouble is suitable from 8 years of age right up to big kids! To celebrate the launch of our new inflatable we are offering you the chance of winning an

inflatable party! Simply visit our website www.billingshurstleisurecentre.co.uk and enter our competition, good luck! Competition closes on 31.1.2020. To find out more about our new inflatable visit our website or call Reception on 01403 787500.

Swimming lessons at Billingshurst Leisure Centre We have a wide variety of swimming lessons ranging from Toddler splash, preschool lessons and after school lessons. Toddler splash is a good starting point if you are introducing your toddler to water. You are in the pool with your child and we provide some toys to help introduce confidence in the water. Our friendly teacher is on hand to offer tips and help you and your child enjoy the pool! We have sessions on Thursday at 11.00am and Sunday at 9.00am. Booking is not necessary just turn up! Billingshurst Leisure Centre

@Billingshurstlc

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Health and wellbeing

How I Beat Type 2 Diabetes

hen his diabetes doctor suggested he should share how he put his diabetes into remission, John Spring went one better, he wrote a humorous book about it. “I’ve now been in remission from type 2 diabetes (T2D) for eight years, so I must be doing something right. Being in remission means that T2D isn’t damaging me anymore. The newly diagnosed will have been made well aware of the longer-term havoc it can do to their bodies. Unless, when they were told, they put their fingers in their ears and started humming, “La, la, la, I’m not listening”. Which is exactly what I did for several years.” 5% of the UK’s adult population have been diagnosed with T2D, and another 1.3% don’t know they have it yet. By 2035, 10% of us will be T2D. New patients may not be feeling any immediate effects of T2D, so it becomes easy to be complacent. You can liken it to a mild acid flowing around your body, slowly eating away at your nerves, your organs and your eyes. It is the end of this slow production line of diabetic damage that the NHS is now contending with. “I’d read about rapid weight loss having a high success rate in putting T2D into remission and the NHS is now trialling liquid-based diets of 800 calories per day. There’s also bariatric surgery, but a patient’s bad eating habits can find ways around it. Likewise,

you probably don’t want to survive on liquids for the rest of your life, especially if they don’t contain alcohol. “I devised my own practical regime for losing weight fast and learned how to avoid temptation by becoming the master of my own food. I also incorporated exercise into my busy life. “I started by identifying the heavy hitters in my diet. I then developed workarounds to drastically reduce my consumption of those. I preprepared my own breakfast and lunch, thus avoiding the calorific temptations lurking in coffee shops and lunchtime sandwich bars. There really is no such thing as a low-calorie takeaway. They are all evil. “I discovered convenient exercise by walking set routes every day and I built up to being the world’s most unlikely runner. After four months I had lost four stone and my blood sugar came down from 60 mmol to 42mmol (48 mmol is the diabetic threshold). Most importantly I’d also equipped myself with the knowledge of how to maintain that weight loss. “The low-calorie liquids or the surgeon’s knife may well kick T2D into remission, but they’re arduous procedures to undertake. Key is sticking to my new lifestyle to beat this lifestyle related disease.” John Spring How I Beat Type 2 Diabetes by John Spring is available on Amazon. £7.99.

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Community / Health and wellbeing

Tapestry Lunch Club Supporting the socially isolated in your area

apestry Lunch Club is a new, not for profit, social enterprise Community Interest Company. We are working in the West Sussex area, supporting those in the community who may be experiencing social isolation or very early stages of dementia. Our aim is to address and improve social interaction, reduce isolation, exclusion and to support them to continue living well at home and remain active members of their community. The Tapestry Lunch Club offers high quality day care for small groups of older people. Within the supportive environment of the Tapestry Lunch Club, time and again guests gain confidence, becoming revitalised in the process, giving time and space where they can engage in valued and valuable social roles and connectedness. Friends are made, laughter exchanged, and experiences shared. Our care model is a bit different from other care providers in the area. We employ fully vetted and trained hosts who run the lunch club from their own homes – providing morning and afternoon

refreshments, a hot, home cooked lunch and optional activities during the day. This provides a more intimate and less overwhelming environment for our guests to share companionship, stories, memories and laughter with each other. Each host has a maximum of four clients per day, and using their own private car will provide transport for each guest – collecting and returning each guest to and from their homes within a five-mile radius from the host’s home – which will ensure time spent in the car for our guests is kept to a minimum. This enables the guest to spend the day away from home, enjoy a different environment, different people and it also gives their main carer a day’s respite too. To find out more information and our day rate please contact us by phone (01403) 791020 or email us at support@tapestrylunchclub.co.uk. Please also visit our website: www.tapestrylunchclub.co.uk. Anderley Wade and Clare Jones Directors, Tapestry Lunch Club

FREE trial class offer Book online at www.pilateswise.co.uk

Comprehensive 6-week beginner course At Billingshurst studio in January Early bird 15% discount, book now Billingshurst Studio, 13 Station Road, RH14 9RU

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Health and wellbeing

Looking after your eyes

orsham based, independent optician Louise Sloan says the most rewarding part of her job is helping people to get the best from their vision. She certainly has all the right experience. After qualifying in 1996, she worked in high street opticians as well as eye departments in hospitals. She even worked as a locum optometrist in the very same Horsham practice which was to become her own years later. Since taking over this established practice based in Piries Place, Horsham in September 2015, Louise has brought the clinic up to date with a fresh, clean look, upgrading the service with the latest testing technology and a wider range of frames to suit all styles and budgets. She also offers a full contact lens service. In early 2018, she was the first optician in Horsham to introduce new state-of-the-art Optical Coherence Tomography. An OCT scan looks at layers beneath the back of the eye. These layers cannot be seen by simply looking

into the eye or by taking photographs. It means the optometrist can monitor minute physical changes that can indicate the onset of conditions including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. It can reveal problems years before you notice any symptoms. Help with choosing your new glasses Louise knows how some people find it really hard to choose frames on their own. They feel more comfortable with someone to guide them through the experience. Louise and her team of qualified dispensing opticians will talk you through the options and explain which lenses are the best to meet your particular needs, and which frame types may be more suitable for your lens prescription. Louise says “My goal has always been to build a team and develop the practice based on what matters to clients. Most people want a individual service where eye health is of the utmost importance.”

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We run offers throughout the year in conjunction with Essilor – please ask for details when you come in Louise Sloan Opticians is at 1 Piries Place, Horsham, RH12 1EH Open Mon 9am - 5pm, Tue - Fri 9am-5.30pm and Sat 9am-2.30pm.

Call 01403 264682 or follow us on Facebook or visit www.louisesloanopticians.co.uk

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Billingshurst Carers Group Carers Support West Sussex (CSWS) is an independent charity, working in close partnership with West Sussex County Council and the NHS to identify and offer support to unpaid family and friend Carers across the county. We support registered carers across West Sussex: • Providing more than 50 monthly carers groups addressing a wide range of caring situations, which includes our support group for carers of those with dementia and long-term conditions in Billingshurst. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Longfield Manor, West Street, Billingshurst from 2.30-4pm. • Our Carer Learning and Wellbeing programme provides free courses such as Coping with Caring • Counselling • Carer Equipment Service to support those in a caring role • Carer Health and Wellbeing Fund • Signposting to relevant services and organisations. CSWS has a dedicated dementia team whose primary role is to support someone looking after a family member or friend with dementia who could not manage without their help. We send out a monthly free e-newsletter with details of our groups and other news of interest to those caring for someone with dementia. To find out more about our services or to register as a carer call our Carer Response line on 0300 028 8888, e-mail info@carerssupport.org.uk or visit carerssupport.org.uk.

Health and wellbeing / Funerals BILLINGSHURST CARERS GROUP FOR CARERS OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA OR A LONG TERM CONDITION

If you care for someone living with dementia or a long term condition come along to our friendly Carers Group for support, information and to meet other carers.

Long昀eld Manor, West Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9LX Second Wednesday of the month 2.30pm to 4.00pm

Dates for 2020 • January 8 • February 12 • March 11 • April 8 • May 13 • June 10

• July 8 • August 12 • September 9 • October 14 • November 11 • December 9

Please contact our friendly team to ﬁnd out more: Visit www.carerssupport.org.uk Email info@carerssupport.org.uk Call 0300 028 8888 Registered Charity No. 1123359 Company No. 6418743

Follow our social media channels to stay up to date with wellbeing information and groups: facebook.com/CarersWSussex @carerswsussex @carersSWS carerssupportwestsussex

Judith Dandy Independent Funeral Director Dandelion Farewells warmly invites you to contact us if you have any questions about the funeral you need to arrange. We are committed to enabling families to plan a funeral that is personal, meaningful and affordable.

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Health and wellbeing / Logs

‘Happy New Year’ from Age UK Horsham District

ello residents of Horsham District and Happy New Year to you all. I thought that I would write, not only to send you my new year good wishes, but to touch base and remind you that I am the Rural Outreach Development Worker for Age UK Horsham District (AUKHD) and I am here to support the older members of our community. I have been in this role now for 20 months and I have met lots of wonderful people in clubs, groups, coffee shops and organisations across the district. Once I have met a group I stay in touch and send regular information that I think might be useful to them and their members… • I might pop in, say hello to a group and pass on our generic leaflet with some information to remind people about the various ways that AUKHD supports the over 50s. • I might give a detailed talk about our services or I might bring our Dental Health video and ask the Horsham District Council Community Links Team to join me for a joint presentation on how we can both help. • I might roll my sleeves up and help a group or club with a special lunch, afternoon tea or other larger celebration. I have a special pair of marigolds and an

apron ready and waiting! • I might be asked to help organise a special activity such as a community art project or gardening afternoon. • I might set up a link between older people and their local school for reading or gardening or link with a pub to encourage regular local get togethers in a warm and comfortable space. Really, it’s about getting involved in the community as well as thinking of and supporting initiatives to support older people. If I haven’t met you yet please do get in touch. I am making my way round the district but it’s quite big so please send me directions and I will come your way. My email is NickyF@ageukhorshamdistrict.org.uk, mobile number is 07399 205899 or you can leave a message for me at AUKHD’s Lavinia House Office in Horsham on (01403) 260560 and I will return your call. I look forward to hearing from some of you soon. P.S. We have a chilly few months ahead of us so please keep an eye out for older neighbours or family members. If you are concerned about anyone in any way please ring us on (01403) 260560 and we’ll be able to help or point you in the right direction. Thank you. Nicky Fuller, Rural Outreach Development Worker Age UK Horsham District

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Short story

The Neighbours A short story written exclusively for Village Tweet by local author Miranda Rijks

arry Chowberry was sent down for murder on 11th February 1965. It was also Dorothy’s eighteenth birthday and the day she left home to marry Bill, the boy she met at The Weald. He had a mop of straw hair, eyes the colour of sapphires and got down on one knee when she told him she was up the duff. When murder is committed in a small village like Barns Green, everyone is tainted. Back then, the locals split into two groups. There were those who felt guilt that they hadn’t done more for Mary and her two daughters, Susan and Eleanor; they hated themselves for not realising that Mary’s husband was a brutal beast of a man and felt sad that his look-alike son Kevin was taken into care. And then there were the rubberneckers, those who enjoyed the notoriety that came with living near the home of a man dubbed by the media as, ‘Sussex’s Jack the Ripper’. Fifty-five years later, dead Eleanor (forever seventeen and Dorothy’s best friend) still regularly visits in her dreams, begging Dorothy to save her. But Dorothy turns her back and wakes up with a thumping heart, slick with sweat. Dorothy’s dad was a policeman. If she had been brave enough to tell her Dad what Harry Chowberry was really like, perhaps the murders would have been prevented. A couple of generations down the line, everyone has forgotten about the Chowberrys. No one likes to dredge up negative history. People have come and gone. A few have moved away; others, like Dorothy’s Bill, are buried in the quaint graveyard up at Itchingfield’s St Nicolas’ church. Cherry Close still lives up to its name with cherry trees thriving in three of the fifteen gardens in the Close. Once folk arrive, they like it so much, they rarely leave. And why would they? Barns Green has it all: the village shop and post office, the pub, the farm shop down the road, cricket on the green and the local primary school. Cherry Close hasn’t had a new neighbour in nine years. Wrapped up in her mauve M&S parka, Dorothy rings the doorbell of number five. She’s excited to meet them, and if her arthritis wasn’t bothering her so much, she would jiggle from foot to foot. She spent most of the morning watching the fit young men unload the blue removals lorry. You can tell so much about people from their possessions. The new couple have the largest television screen Dorothy has ever seen, a headboard covered in pale pink fluffy fabric and a tartan dog bed. The man, who Dorothy reckons must be the new owner, is forty-ish and has hair tied in a pony tail. He spent a couple of hours shouting into his mobile phone, as he paced up and down his small front garden. The woman owner is petite. She has pale skin, straight hair shaped in a bob the colour of claret (dyed, obviously), a trim figure in tight jeans and an oversized beige jumper. Dorothy has warmed to her already because of how she kept the removals men topped up with mugs of tea and plates of biscuits. She reminds Dorothy of someone and it has been bugging her all day that she can’t remember who it is. When the removals lorry left, the man walked out of his house with a Staffie attached to a lead. The dog had a muzzle around its mouth. Dorothy prays that it’s not vicious. Bubbles, her little Shiatsu, was almost eaten alive by a Staffie while she and Bill were on their annual holiday in Bournemouth.

Dorothy wonders whether she should ring the doorbell again. She knows they are in there. Their silver Toyota 4x4 is parked in the driveway. The woman hasn’t gone out and the man returned from walking the Staffie hours ago. It’s cold and Dorothy’s fingers are aching as she clutches the tin of her just-baked homemade scones. She steps to the left side of the front door and peers through the living room window, her breath leaving little patches of condensation. After old Frank died, the house clearance guys stripped the place of everything; even his orange curtains. The living room light isn’t on but the hall light is, and she can make out the stacks of boxes and the garish red leather sofa dumped in the middle of the room. As her eyes adjust to the low light, she notices a drum kit and a couple of guitars propped up against the wall. “Oh no,” she mutters to herself. Cherry Close is a quiet place. The neighbours won’t like loud music. She shuffles sideways back to the front door. If they don’t hurry up and answer, the scones will be cold, so Dorothy plucks up her courage and rings the little gold buzzer again. She presses it harder and longer this time. The ringing sound continues for a few seconds and the dog starts barking. “Coming!” A male voice shouts. Then she hears footsteps and the jangling of a chain. “Where the hell are the keys, Gemma?” Dorothy can’t hear the answer but soon enough the front door is pulled open. “We’re not interested in door-to-door sales,” he says, his eyes barely glancing at Dorothy. “Oh, I’m not here to sell anything. I live opposite in number eleven and just wanted to say hello. I’m in charge of the Neighbourhood Watch.” She thrusts the old Quality Street tin towards him. She hopes they’ll give it back to her because she uses it when she bakes Victoria sponges. “What’s this, then? Sweeties to butter us up?” “Oh no. I’ve made you some scones.” “Gemma!” He shouts again. “I’m Dorothy Smith, by the way.” She holds out her hand. “And you are?” “Thomas.” “Welcome to Cherry Close, Thomas. Have you come from far?” “Nah. We used to live in Crawley but the missus’ family came from around here.” He steps to one side to let Gemma pass. Her bare feet make a squelching noise as she walks along the tiled corridor. Dorothy’s eyes are fixed on the rose-shaped birth mark on her new neighbour’s left foot. She glances at the woman’s face and recalls why that small nose and broad lips are familiar. “What’s in there?” Gemma asks. “She’s made us scones,” Thomas says. “It’s well kind, isn’t it?” “Come in, come in,” Gemma says.“I’ll pop the kettle on.” “Thanks, but I can’t.” Dorothy turns and dashes back to number eleven. She surprises herself how fast she moves. “Bloody hell,” she says out loud as she sinks to the floor. “The Chowberrys are back.” 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 January’s selection introduces a local author, Steve Ford 20 West – Steve Ford Billingshurst resident and experienced pilot Steve Ford has launched his debut book, 20 West. The cover intriguingly describes it as a journey through six decades of turbulent change within aviation. Sharing the adventure, joy, and – on occasion – tragedy, that makes aviation one of the most fascinating industries to be a part of, 20 West reflects the diversity of the aerospace industry. It’s not only an absorbing read for anyone with a passion for aviation, but also for the next generation looking to embark upon a journey that has no final destination. 20 West follows Steve’s journey through aviation, from an ‘unmin’ child travelling the world on standby, training from an apprenticeship to a jet engine specialist, to his distinguished career as a long-haul commercial pilot. It also presents an insider’s history of the last 60 years of the industry, giving readers a fascinating insight into the ways commercial flight and the corporate giants that dominate it have evolved over the years. Packed with captivating stories from both above the clouds and down on the tarmac, it’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever wondered what really happens on the other side of the cockpit door. On making the decision to write and publish his enthralling career story, Steve told Village Tweet, “The reason for wanting to write this book was to provide ‘a record’; to attempt, as accurately as possible, to present a view from within the aviation industry during a period of monumental change. It spans six decades, stretching from propeller-driven transport aircraft to composite, fly-by-wire and widebody double-decker aircraft, plucked from the pages of science fiction. “Over the years, I have probably worked with and

flown with hundreds if not thousands of pilots, and one of the biggest drivers for me wanting to write this book was not because it is about me, but because it is about them. It will also allow those who have absolutely no idea what it is like to spend a lifetime in aviation to get a sense of what it looks, feels and smells like to be embraced by such a career. It is a way of life that wraps itself around you and enters every pore as you fall within its envelope.” 20 West is available in paperback (£8.99) and e-book format (£2.99) on www.amazon.co.uk. Gemma Hook, PMW Communications and Grahame Pearson, Village Tweet King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table – Marcia Williams Much has been written around the mythology of various cultures – from the Greeks and Romans to the Norse gods. All too often our own mythology is forgotten though, so this wonderfully illustrated comic strip style book is a treat. It retells the British myths of King Arthur for a new generation. Marcia Williams has gathered together a number of different stories and, with a wonderful sense of humour, presents them for young readers. There is something for everyone: the sword in the stone, the origins of the round table, and the search for the holy grail, to name a few. Familiar characters are on every page including Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere and Lancelot. She also introduces characters who are not so familiar such as Sir Pellinore, and Sir Accolon, who nearly kills Arthur in a case of mistaken identity! This is a fantastic introduction to the stories of King Arthur and is bound to inspire young readers to want to learn more about these stories that have gripped readers for centuries. Willow Coby

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

A conversation

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

ne day in December, Brody had come back looking handsome and beautiful from the groomers and was down in the paddock looking for some fox poo to roll in when he overheard a conversation between Nanny and James the gardener. The conversation ran like this: Nanny: “The place is beginning to look really good, isn’t it?” James: “Hmmm.” Nanny: “The next visit we’ll finish the compost and start on the fencing.” James: “Hmmmmmmm.” Nanny: “Then, in January, we’ll prune the apple trees and cut back some of the others.” James: “Hmmm.” Nanny: “I wonder what we should do next.” James: “Hmmm.” Nanny: “I really would like a proper pond, you know. A natural one in the corner of the park area.” James (hopefully): “You could get a small digger in and it could be done in half a day.” Nanny: “Oh really? I thought we could just dig it ourselves.” James (thinking to himself): “What’s all this ‘we’, dear lady? You mean Jacob and I could dig it don’t you?” Nanny: “Well, we can’t do anything until February and anyway I’ll have to consult with Anne and Gary.” James: “Er, yes. We’ll see about it next year. But I must get cracking. I’ve got a lot of work to do…” And off he escaped from the conversation to muck out a compost bin and relocate its contents in various parts of the garden. Brody, having found no fox poo, sat in the sun on the terrace. He really liked the terrace. Anne and Gary had had it put in two years ago and it had really made the back garden look very posh. Brody looked around. And thought to himself… The terrace was all very nice but… who usually looked after it? James of course. Who mowed all the lawns – even Sam’s footie paddock? James of course.

Who dug holes for Nanny to plant her trees? James of course. Who strimmed all the edges so they were neat and tidy? James of course. Who laid the slab pathways so the humans didn’t get their feet wet? James of course. Who moved all the ground cover stuff, barrow load by barrow load, all over the garden. James of course. Who finished the fencing so Aaron couldn’t visit the next door ladies (they’d started wooing him again). James of course. Who’d placed all the wooden edging around the park trees and then had to replace them when the mower knocked them over. James of course. Who dug over the vegetable allotment and covered it for a fruit garden? James of course. Who had trimmed the overgrown hedge and the blackberry bushes over the fence? James of course. Who had dug up the old fence and replaced it with a new one to protect the new hedge? James of course. Who had moved the old chicken house and repositioned the new in its place? James of course. Brody sent all these thoughts to Nanny’s mind-box. Then, distracted by a delivery truck he went off to do his welcoming duty. When Nanny received his thoughts she sat down gobsmacked. No wonder her earlier conversation with James had seemed a trifle one-sided. How ungrateful she’d been, how badly she’d taken James for granted. She absolutely loved looking around the garden and paddocks feeling so pleased with herself. Yet she now realised that it had been James (and Jacob, his handy right-hand man, and the team) in their distinctive orange work sweatshirts who had made it all happen. They worked so hard in rain, wind and mud, always smiling and graciously carrying out their tasks. It was because of them that visitors always commented, “How nice it is here.” So, to James, Jacob and team, thank you from all of us who enjoy our lovely small farm near Billingshurst. Yvonne Fleece

THE ODD JOB PEOPLE FOR ALL YOUR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENTS Brickwork, plastering, paving, plumbing, ceramic tiles, jet washing, fencing, decorating, carpentry. Flat packs to assemble? Roller blinds/curtain poles to fit? Shelving to erect? And almost any other type of job around the house.

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About the house

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Happy New Year! Wishing all residents a very happy and healthy 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.

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

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Loo of the Year Award – Platinum! Following success last year in which the Parish Council was awarded a Gold in the Loo of the Year Awards for its facility in Mill Lane, Billingshurst, we are delighted that this year, our rating has improved so much so that we have been awarded a Platinum, the highest grade of all! Council Clerk Greg Burt said, “The public toilets are one of the most important facilities provided by the Parish and highly valued by residents, shoppers and visitors. This improved award is testament to the ongoing hard work and daily checking of the public toilet facility by our Litter Wardens and to the service we receive from contractor Pyzer Cleaning Services in maintaining a consistently high standard of cleanliness”.

Billingshurst in Bloom 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.

Children in Need Thank you to all those who donated, knitted, baked, helped or attended our Children in Need Coffee Morning on Friday 15th November at the Billingshurst Centre. We are delighted to announce that we raised a grand total of £138.67.

Lower Station Road Recreation Ground – Entrance Enhancement Project Due to poor weather last autumn, the project to improve the entrance driveway into the Recreation Ground has unfortunately been delayed. The works are now due to commence in the first week of January and the Council has arranged for a temporary pathway to be laid across the grass from Natts Lane to assist with access to the Tennis Club and Scouts & Guides HQ.

Neighbourhood Plan update on consultation process Many thanks to all those who responded to our consultation on the draft Neighbourhood Plan in the autumn. All the responses were carefully considered by the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party following advice from its retained consultants. Amendments were made accordingly where possible. The Parish Council has now formally approved the resultant revised Plan, and it is now set to be sent to Horsham District Council as planning authority. They will then run another consultation exercise, including contacting all those who made previous representations. Future stages will include a Public Examination by an independent examiner and a local referendum for everyone in the parish on the electoral roll. We hope that the plan will be finally adopted by the middle of 2020. Thanks again for your continuing interest and involvement.

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 Bowling Club Billingshurst Bowling Club is welcoming new members for the 2020 Season which is due to start in April next year… so why not reach out to billingshurstbowlsclub@gmail.com and register your interest – it’s a great form of light exercise, can be quite competitive, but above all it’s a friendly game played by friendly local people from April to September!

We can help 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 sarah@billingshurst.gov.uk or liz@billingshurst.gov.uk and we will do what we can to help with advertising. Upcoming Meetings (January) 8th: Full Council & Trustees 9th: Planning & Environment Committee 22nd: Working Practices Committee 29th: Billingshurst Centre and F&GP Committees

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Community / About the house

Rotary: making a difference in our community

otary is one of the world’s largest and most successful global membership and humanitarian service organisations, with 1.2 million members in 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries. It’s members are people of action. Through membership of a Rotary Club, individuals volunteer their time uniting together to deliver projects in communities at home and overseas. Rotary gives you the platform to turn your ideas and passion for change into actions, develop your skills and build lasting relationships. We take pride in our local communities, using our knowledge to tackle the challenges being faced in our areas and we build community spirit through fun events. Be a Friend of Rotary One way of getting involved is to come along

and have a drink with us on the first Monday of each month at 7pm in The Six Bells where we meet to share ideas on the needs of our lovely community and how together we can put these ideas into action. So why not come along and share your ideas? No long-term commitment, just helping where and when you can to help make a difference in our community. If you would like more information please contact Sandy Duck, e-mail: sandyduck@btinternet.com or tel: (01403) 786146, or 07717 822804. Sandy Duck, Billingshurst & District Rotary Club Rotary is fun! Local Rotary ‘elves’ were at Newbridge Nurseries in December helping Chestnut Tree House. Left: Marguerite Jackson (Friend of Rotary) and Tony Priestley (Billingshurst Rotary Club ) Right: Sarah Wilson (Friend of Rotary) with Santa

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Theatre / About the house

Village dramas about village life

resh from the success of two one-act plays in October 2019, Billingshurst Dramatic Society are busy rehearsing for another ‘double’ in February. They will present two contrasting pieces: Snowed Under and Gosforth’s Fete – to explore the trials of village life in winter and summer. As reported in last September’s Village Tweet, Snowed Under was last summer’s West Chiltington Drama Festival award winning piece written by Anne-Marie Latter and directed by Caro Anderson. It is a farce that involves two librarians: Breda (played by Julia Jepps) and Sue (Ted Gooda); along with a regular customer, Mr Whitely (Peter Burton) who are stuck together in the library during a freak snowstorm. While they await rescue there are some surprising and dire consequences. It was performed at the festival during sweltering conditions on the hottest days of the year last July, so the cast (who had to don thick coats, hats and scarves) are looking forward to reviving it under more seasonable conditions. After the interval the audience will be transported to sunnier climes – though perhaps no less disastrously! Gosforth’s Fete starts like all village fetes do. But, when some personal news is accidentally broadcast over the

public-address system, chaos ensues. Alan Ayckbourn’s masterpiece (which forms part of his interconnected plays, Confusions) also descends into farce at times, so this promises to be an evening full of laughter. Rehearsals are well under way and tickets will be on sale shortly from Mansell McTaggert Billingshurst, and online via the website: www. billingshurstdramaticsociety. com. Production dates are 20th, 21st and 22nd February – at the new and improved Women’s Hall on Billingshurst High Street. We look forward to welcoming you to a pair of village dramas about village drama! And, if you would like to be more than an audience member, there are many opportunities for you to be involved. Whether behind the scenes, on stage, or helping with publicity and administration, your contribution will be valued. The BDS are always looking for new members to help continue the long theatrical history of the society (seventy-nine years young this year). So, make contact via the website and it could be you treading the boards in the next production! Ted Gooda Photo: Wrapped up well for Snowed Under

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About the house

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Community / About the house

‘Happy New Year’ from Billingshurst Fire Station

Happy New Year to all Village Tweet readers. We hope you had a safe and enjoyable Christmas. Firstly, I would like to thank the crew for being on call over the festive period. A true commitment to your job when you could potentially miss out on things because of being called out. We all know it’s part of the job, but especially around Christmas, when most of the crew have kids, it must be difficult missing out. Well done to everyone for providing cover. Luckily for us, it was a fairly quiet December although the month started with a very busy spell with ten fire calls over a Friday and Saturday, providing essential fire cover at Horsham and Crawley when needed. The New Year is very exciting for us at Billingshurst Fire Station. It won’t be long until our first car wash comes around in March, which we will promote in a couple of months. (That doesn’t mean you should wait until then to have it washed!) We hope to welcome even more groups to the

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Fire Station to learn about Fire Safety, First Aid and what to do in an emergency at home. This year we saw scouts, brownies, beavers and local school groups. The crew will always welcome any groups within the community to come and meet the crew and learn about what we do. Well behaved children will even get see the fire engine! Or we can come to you, get in touch, we would love to help. I would also like to congratulate Ben Marshall and Andrew Buddle on their latest promotions. They are now substantive Crew Managers on station, taking on new roles including being in charge of a fire appliance, training programmes, admin and general day to day responsibilities of the fire station. Twitter: @Station49Fire Facebook: Billingshurst Fire Station daniel.game@westsussex.gov.uk Dan Game, Billingshurst Fire Station Photo: Some of the crew at November’s Open Day. Left to right: Dan Game, Andrew Buddle, a Tim Wakeford & Mathew Gravell

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Boom & Bust: Horsham after the Great War Horsham Museum & Art Gallery, open now until 11th January

he first decade after the First World War was one of great change throughout Britain, and Horsham was no exception. A new exhibition at Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, Boom and Bust: Horsham after the Great War, will look at the developments and events that took place during the 1920s, and how they affected the town and the people that lived here. After four long years of war, on 11th November 1918 the notification that the Armistice had been signed arrived in Horsham via telephone. Word quickly spread around the town that the war was over, and the streets buzzed with excitement and rejoicing. After the initial celebrations Britain entered a period of adjustment. In Horsham around 420 men aged 1650 had been killed, a significant number for this small community. After the war there was a widespread desire to get back to normal. By 1918 people had been desperate for peace, yet the reality of the post-

war world was one of continued international conflict, economic stagnation, disrupted trade, and social unrest. The early 1920s saw increased leisure time, increased wages, cheaper goods and major changes in fashion and social permissiveness. The later years of the decade, in contrast, saw the General Strike of 1926 and the economic crash of 1929. It was certainly a time of great change and many contrasts. The wealth of items on display in Boom and Bust: Horsham after the Great War from the Museum’s collections that date from the 1920s help to demonstrate some of these developments, and highlight what life was like for the people of Horsham at the time. 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

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Community

The Three Seasons 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. he festivities are almost over… or perhaps just a few more days to go if you insist on celebrating Hogmanay as well. Then it’s the weary drag through the long month of January, quickly followed by the shorter, but just as dreary, February. I long ago came to the conclusion that we’ve got our long established seasons wrong. In many parts of the world summer can last virtually all year round. Just a couple of months each year offering slightly lower temperatures accompanied by rain to fill the streams, rivers and lakes. Yes...I know in some places this rain can forget to stop at times, but like the ostrich I bury my head and ignore this. My dream would be of a three-season year. I love the autumn. It’s my favourite time of the year. Nature takes on a colour range that has no equal. So, although it is slightly chilly at times, I would keep autumn. Trees that have shielded us in the heat of summer with their garlands of greens can now show their real colours. Browns, yellows, orange and reds of every hue flash in the low sunlight and carpets of crisp leaves beg to be kicked as you walk through the woods and lanes of the countryside. Fairies build their homes in rings of detached and terraced fungi and there is a great sense of peacefulness as you breath in the scent of a slight touch of frost hanging in the air. Summer is the season of enjoyment in nature at its most flamboyant. Everywhere she flaunts her ability to dazzle the senses with colour and scent. All the shades

of the spectrum dancing against a background of a multitude of greens wherever you look. The creatures of the countryside busy raising their young and fields humming with the efforts of many to raise, grow, and harvest their crops before the return of the cold. It’s the season of enjoyment too. Holidays by the sea. Walking through the beauty of the the hills and valleys of our land. Enjoying the company of friends and family in the cloak of warm balmy days and long pleasing evenings. Spring, the first season of the year, just has to remain. Many people I know regard this as the best of the seasons. The renewal of life. The return of warmth. The arrival of so many creatures who come to enjoy the months ahead. Making the long and arduous journey here just to raise their young and in turn give so much pleasure to those who follow their progress through the year. It’s the time of planting and nurturing. This is the season that those who live in much warmer climates never fully experience. To see the sudden and explosive difference in the appearance of the landscape around you is to witness a miracle of nature that we sadly so often take for granted. So....to return to my theme. I have a proposition to make. Let’s have just three seasons and leave winter out. Let’s Boycott that season. Let’s go from autumn to spring and leave out the cold one. We would still have Christmas; they seem to enjoy it in the Australian mid-summer without complaint! I know some folk love winter, but I think they might be in a minority. In which case they could perhaps take longer winter holidays in colder climes. Just a suggestion. A day dream. What do you think? John Nash

Watch oot, watch oot, there’s a haggis aboot! he Christmas festivities are over and we now try to recover over the next few days before we have the ordeal of the New Year knees up. I hope you good folk have had a great time and are looking forward to the year ahead with happy thoughts of the months to come. I have one word of warning to you though about something I have learnt that could become a severe problem to us country dwellers… In many villages signs are already being set up to warn their residents of the dangers. Locals who are in the know are already checking their gates and fences and locking their sheds as the dark of the winter evening deepens. It’s a recorded fact that since the ending of Fox Hunting we have all become complacent about the peace and tranquility of our local villages, but now we must once more prepare ourselves for trouble. Here and there the signs are becoming clearer. I have heard that in some villages the pubs have polished up their stirrup cups and re-gravelled their car parks in anticipation of the gatherings to come, and that some gamekeepers are very worried about the turmoil that could happen when the first winter rough shoots start. It shouldn’t be happening of course. Some blame the excessive cold and very wet weather that the areas north of the border have been experiencing over the last couple of years. There’s even a rumour that the SNP started it all by secretly transporting vast numbers down south out of sheer spite. Whatever the reason, we must be prepared to hunt

them down and eradicate them before they get too great a hold in our fields and woodlands as down here in the peaceful quiet of our southern countryside there are no natural predators. I refer of course to that frightening pest of the Scottish highlands: the Wild Haggis. This is now their breeding season! There are reports of them being sighted around our area already. Large, rodent-like creatures scampering about with legs that are shorter on one side of their bodies than the other to facilitate clambering over the crags of their native habitats. The males sport short kilts draped over their lower limbs and if approached will warn others with shrill cries of “Och-eye, Jimmy” and other far northern expletives. Do not try to catch them. It’s a skilled job requiring saucers of whisky and something called ‘neeps’. Just report their position to your local vet and avoid trying to communicate with them. You won’t understand what they say anyway! There. I feel I’ve done my best to get the warnings out. Sorry if I’ve alarmed you in any way, but it’s better to hear the worrying news before it gets completely out of control. I have found it very difficult to write this piece you know. What with all the wine, beer and this delicious bottle of Grouse that I keep sampling. I seem to keep seeing visions of two problems at the moment, so it was a toss up between the Haggis or the Fairies. The Haggis won! Happy New Year folks… hic. John Nash

Community / About the house

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The Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s knowledgeable speakers are now taking bookings for 2020. Whether it’s how the canal came to be and the characters behind its creation, to its recent restoration success, Trust speakers can provide local groups with fascinating and entertaining talks on many aspects of the 23-mile waterway. Presentations can span history to wildlife to canal restoration, and cover all interests and age groups. Previous bookings have ranged from gardening clubs and wine groups to Scouts and Cubs. Wey & Arun Canal Trust chairman Sally Schupke said, “Our speakers can bring to life the story of how the canal came to be; the characters behind its construction, and those who are pioneering its restoration today. “Our talks offer a unique opportunity to find out more about this historic waterway from some of those most passionate about its history, biodiversity and restoration.” There is no fixed charge for a speaker, but a £60 donation is asked for to support the Trust’s restoration work. Anyone interested in booking a talk should e-mail talks@weyandarun.co.uk, or go to https://weyarun.org.uk/content/request-speaker.

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Pets / About the house

Keeping dogs happy in winter

he long, dark winter months can present many problems for dogs and their owners. Short daylight hours mean many walks are in darkness; your favourite fields and woodlands are often a muddy swamp making walking difficult for us humans and meaning filthy wet dogs to contend with after the walk. Some breeds such as greyhounds have very fine coats and feel the cold easily, meaning they may not even want to go out at all. So what can we as owners do to get through the winter months as comfortably as possible? I hope this article gives you a few ideas. For dogs that feel the cold invest in a comfortable, ideally waterproof, coat for those winter walks. Avoid fashion items and look for a product that is easily washable. Measuring the dog from the base of his neck to the base of his tail will give you the measurement for the correct sized coat. Ensure it fits snugly but still gives room for the dog’s movement. Greyhounds and whippets have a range of coats made especially to fit their deep chests and long bodies so search around for the best fit. For those really awful evenings when the rain is lashing and the wind is howling you may want to restrict walking times. To help keep your canine friend mentally stimulated invest in some interactive toys, these can be filled with treats so the dog has to work out how to get his reward, keep and eye on his weight and adjust any mealtime quantities as needed. If you feed kibble you can prolong feeding time by putting it in a snack ball or a lick mat instead of a traditional dog bowl. Some dogs love a good chew to keep them occupied, check out your local pet store for good quality safe chews, things such as pizzle sticks, dried beef tendon, buffalo horns and antlers are popular with dogs that enjoy a chew. Many people seem to avoid rawhide products these days

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due to issues with the production of these chews. If you are managing to get out walking and frequently walk on pavements do be aware that the chemicals used in the grit that keeps them free of ice can be toxic to pets, so make sure to wash your dog’s paws after a walk to prevent any skin irritation occurring and reduce the likelihood of your dog ingesting any chemicals if he likes to lick his paws. Stay away from any frozen ponds and lakes; ice can be thin and your pet may fall through. Keep the hair trimmed between the dog’s pads if walking in the snow as it can ball up between the toes causing pain and irritation. Invest in an illuminated collar, lead or harness. If you are lucky enough to have somewhere safe for your dog to have a run off-lead these brilliant products will help you see where your dog is in the dark; having lights helps your dog be seen by traffic if you have to walk on or near any roads during murky winter days and nights. A good head-torch is also useful for night-time dog walking if you live where it’s unlit as it leaves both hands free rather than fumbling with lead, torch, poo bags, etc. To relieve some of the winter blues have a look in your area for any scent work or indoor agility classes, these are great fun for owner and dog alike and help you and your pet develop a stronger bond and keep mind and body exercised. Scent work can also be done at home and there are plenty of videos on YouTube to get you started if you want to have a go but cannot attend a class. If you want to teach your dog some tricks, now is the time and it can be done in the warmth and comfort of the front room! January will be over soon and spring will be on its way. Jeannette Douglas, SPR Centre. www.sprcentre.com

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11th January - 18th March, Petworth House, West Sussex. Booking: 0344 249 1895 or nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth

Exhibition Organised by the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. Nash, The Sun Descending Study 3, watercolour and chalk, 1945, detail. © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

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Witch hazel

anuary is a great time to plant deciduous trees and at this time of year a tree with added winter interest is always a welcome sight. Enter the witch hazel. These lovely trees with their citrus-scented spidery flowers are widely sold in garden centres as container-grown plants. Look for plants with a number of evenly distributed well-placed branches and avoid those showing signs of stress, damage or disease. Ideally choose an open, sunny position in the garden. They also work well if planted next to pathways and doors where you can enjoy their gorgeous scent on wintry days. Avoid very shady sites though or the plant may become straggly. Witch hazels need free-draining soil that doesn’t dry out in summer. A light soil mixed with plenty of organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or compost, is best. They will also grow on heavier clay soils but make sure that as well as digging in plenty of organic matter you ensure good drainage by

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planting on a slight mound, about 25-30cm (10in-1ft) high and 1m (3½ft) in diameter. The only soil witch hazels won’t tolerate is a shallow chalky soil. And make sure you don’t plant them out if the ground is waterlogged. Witch hazels grow slowly but eventually make large spreading shrubs. They aren’t fond of pruning so make sure you leave enough space around your plant for it to develop naturally. Make sure they are wellwatered throughout the first couple of springs and summers as they take a long time to fully establish and lack of moisture can cause flowers to drop. They don’t need regular feeding but applying a top dressing in late winter or early spring will help young plants to grow. Happy New Year and Happy Gardening! Rachel Leverton

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Little Tweeters! / Garden Tweet!

New Year celebrations for the Renegades

he New Year is getting off to a flying start for the Renegades Youth Group as they have been awarded several grants for new equipment. As a result, the children want to say an enormous thank you to everyone locally for the wonderful support they have received in the last few weeks – support which might help to change the children’s lives but will certainly give them a childhood to remember. You turned out in great numbers to buy the Youth Group’s homemade Christmas decorations and gifts, helping us to raise a stunning £437.56 from the Christmas Bazaar on the 30th November at the Cricketers Arms in Wisborough Green. Thanks to landlord Craig Vit and his team for their unflagging support. The money raised is in addition to two awards from Wisborough Green village. The Fête committee have awarded us £250 and the Parish Council have given us £100, plus the use of some fun games equipment. All this money will go toward buying two CPR dummies and a defibrillator training unit so that the children can learn a way they can contribute to the wider community. Thank you must also go to each of you who plays the

National Lottery because you have made such a difference to the children. We have been unbelievably lucky in being awarded a £10,000 National Lottery grant which has already bought a new telescope and some archery equipment. We have also managed to secure a £5,000 grant from CJR Family Fund at Sussex Community Foundation which bought us some much-needed camping equipment and arrived just in time for our first winter camp in the middle of December. We are hugely grateful for every penny and for every donation we have received. We started with literally nothing and, with a distinct lack of youth provision in the area, we have worked hard to create a cohesive and growing group that will have the opportunities to try a wide range of creative and physical activities. We also want to build youth connections between all the local villages. Thank you again from all of us at Renegades – you have done something wonderful here. Membership costs £10 a month. Please contact Gareth Miller on 07801 862550 or Damian Dixon on 07484 130189 for further information. Vanda Rumney

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Kids of all ages / Garden Tweet!

Village Tweet Spot the Difference

Have you got YOUR pencil ready to list your New Year resolutions? Solution on page 43 How many differences can you spot?

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TREE SURGERY

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Motoring

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Motoring

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Puzzle on page 41

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What’s On near you

What’s On – January 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 Southwater Friday Luncheon Club for the over 50s. Southwater Leisure Centre. 10am-2pm (Lunch 12-1pm). Booking essential, Lynn, tel: (01403) 733202, email: bookings@southwater.net 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 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 2 Jan

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

What’s On near you 5 Jan 6 Jan

6 Jan 8 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 9 Jan 9 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 10 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 11 Jan 11 Jan 11 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 15 Jan for 10 weeks 16 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan

17 Jan 17, 20, 24, 25 Jan 20 Jan 20 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 21 Jan

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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 Talk: ‘What was seen during the 2019 walks’ by Joise Allen & Su Reed. Horsham Natural History Society. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. HNHS have walked around various places near to Horsham on summer evenings for many years. This is the first time we are reporting what we have seen in the hope of tempting members to take part and encourage potential members to the society. 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! Parish Council Full Council & Trustees meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm 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 Billingshurst WI Talk: ‘Shops and Shopping. A History of Small Shops through the Ages’ by Dr Janet Pennington. 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: Horsham Writers Circle will tell us about some famous local Edwardian writers. 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 Parish Council Planning & Environmental Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm 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 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 Loxwood Movie Night: ‘Red Joan’. North Hall, RH14 0SF. 7 for 7.30 start. £5 on the door. Bar Billingshurst and District Wine and Beer Circle meeting. Circle 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 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 Raleigh International Presentation and Talk. Billingshurst Community Centre. 5.30pm. See page 6 HDC Health Walk. Itchingfield (2). Meet 10am. Park on the road outside the (now closed) school at Itchingfield. 4½ miles. 2 hours. Dogs on leads. Liz, tel: (01403) 263920 or Simon, tel: (01403) 260599 Ladies evening: ‘Toast’. St Mary’s Rooms, Billingshurst. 7pm. Delectable Desserts Talk: ‘Around the world in 80 birds – and more’ by John Richardson. Horsham Natural History Society. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk Laughter Yoga Club. Unitarian Hall (side door), Billingshurst, RH14 9TB. (Park Lakers Mead.) 1.50pm. Boost immune system & improve your wellbeing! All welcome. Linda, tel: (01403) 452773 Billingshurst Wednesday Group Presentation: ‘The Liners: Queen Elizabeth & Queen Mary in WW1’. Tony Turner will look at the part these great ships played in WW1. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) 10-week course: ‘Law trials through history – ten famous trials from British history 1500-2000. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre, Roman Way, RH14 9QW, 2-4pm. Tutor is Peter Blood. Fee £90 for 10 sessions (20 hours’ tuition). More info: David Daley, tel: (01798) 815601 or email: david@daviddaley.plus.com CDC Health Walk: Loxwood. Meet in the Canal Centre car park, behind the Onslow Arms, RH14 0RD, 10.30am. A level 3½ mile walk. 1½ hours. www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart 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. Contact Annette Relph (01403) 732580 Live Music: Wilson & Wakeman. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 8pm. Damian on vocals & acoustic guitar & Adam on piano, vocals & acoustic guitar. Best known as the keyboard & guitar player with Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath, Adam has released 9 albums with father Rick Wakeman & 4 solo albums. Damian is known for bands such as Headspace, Threshold & Rick Wakeman’s English Rock Ensemble. Tickets £16: (01483) 278000 (Tues-Sat 10am-4.30pm) or visit www.cranleighartscentre.org Macmillan Film night. ‘Judy’. 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) Barns Green Players: Pantomime: ‘Beauty & the Beast’. Village Hall. 17th & 24th eve, 20th & 25th afternoon & eve. Tickets: £13 (children £9) from (01403) 731566. See Village Tweet December, page 34 Talk: ‘Nordic Montane Ecology’ by Jacqui Middleton. Horsham Natural History Society. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. A slide show about how Jacqui got into all things Nordic. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk 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 Macmillan Film night. ‘Judy’. 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) St Mary’s Guild Members’ AGM with short presentation by Billingshurst Parish Wardens, Barry Faust and Glynn Thomas. St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 10.30am. We are a friendly women’s group and we welcome visitors. Beryl Peacock (01403) 782835 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

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22 Jan 22 Jan 22 Jan 22 Jan 23 Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 24 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan

25 Jan

27 Jan 28 Jan

28 Jan 28 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan

What’s On near you / Accountancy

Loxwood Village Hall. Tickets are priced at the amazing price of £10 each, available from Loxwood Village Stores or Anita Bates on (01403) 752954 Parish Council Working Practices Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm Billingshurst Wednesday Group Power Presentation: ‘The Tower of London’ by Alan Kingshott, former Chief Yeoman Warder at the Tower. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net The Arts Society Cranleigh Talk: ‘Franz Schubert – the piano and the power of friends’ by Dr Graham Griffiths. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 2pm & 7.30pm. All welcome. The Society meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, except August & December. www.theartssocietycranleigh.org Bridge Drive in aid of Bloodwise, the blood cancer charity. Warnham Park, RH12 3RP. 10.30am-3.30pm. Includes coffee, morning session, lunch, afternoon session, raffle and prizes. £80 per table (£20 each). Please contact Nicola, tel: (01403) 243492 or email: secretary.horshambloodwise@gmail.com Friends of the South Downs STROLL: Hat Hill to Levin Down. Start: The Partridge Inn, Singleton, PO18 OEY, 11am-1.30pm. 5 miles. www.friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk/public-walks 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 Classical: Mengyang Pan (piano). Cranleigh Arts Centre. 7.30pm. Pianist Mengyang Pan will perform Beethoven’s Sonata, ‘Appassionata’, Liszt’s Rhapsodie Espanole. Also Debussy, Prokofiev and Chopin. £15 (£10 under 25s): (01483) 278000 (Tues-Sat 10am-4.30pm) or visit www.cranleighartscentre.org 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 HDC Health Walk. Barns Green. Details as per 10th January walk Live Music: Leather & Lace. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 7.30pm. A dynamic new show bringing all those Classic Rock Anthems and Power Ballads you know and love. Presented by a 7-piece rock band featuring some of the finest musicians & singers on the circuit today you can expect to hear classic tracks from artists such as Journey, Bon Jovi, Star-ship, Heart, Queen, Whitesnake, Europe, Boston, Cher, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, Alice Cooper, Aer-osmith, Mr Mister, Extreme, KISS, Toto, Def Leppard, Van Halen and many more. A show for all ages that will have you singing along to every song! Tickets £18.50: (01483) 278000 (Tues-Sat 10am-4.30pm) or visit www.cranleighartscentre.org 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 Talk: ‘Gatwick Biodiversity’ by Tom Simpson. Horsham Natural History Society. Wesley Hall, London Road, RH12 1AN (park behind the hall). 7.30pm. There is a surprising variety of habitats and associated wildlife around Gatwick Airport. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk The Mary How Trust Film Society, ‘Yesterday’. 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 Horsham District Age UK Workshop: ‘Making a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney’. Lavinia House, Dukes Square, Horsham, RH12 1GZ. 1.30pm. Admission free but must be pre-booked, tel: (01403) 751304 or email: fundraising@ageukhorshamdistrict.org.uk. Tea & coffee will be provided CDC Health Walk: Plaistow. Meet on east side of Green near shop, 10.30am. A level 4.2 mile walk. 2 hours. No dogs. www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart Parish Council Billingshurst Centre & F&GP Committees meetings. Billingshurst Centre. 7 & 7.30pm Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: ‘The Sussex Equine Hospital’. Learn about the work of dedicated vets, nurses & other staff. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net

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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Community / Advertisers Index

Volunteer with the Wey & Arun Canal Trust

f your New Year’s Resolution is to get fitter, take up a new challenge, meet new people or just give something back to your community, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust has just the answer. The Trust is holding a series of Taster Days in 2020, offering more information for those looking to join its band of volunteers. There are roles to suit all levels of skill and fitness, from hedgelaying and construction, to joining the boat crew and manning the Canal Centre at Loxwood. Full training is given and as a Wey & Arun Canal Trust volunteer how much time you dedicate is down to you. You’ll be supported every step of the way, learning new skills and meeting great people. 2019 was a successful year for the Trust, all thanks to the work of its volunteers. Highlights include embarking on the creation of a 2.5km scenic towpath walk in Birtley, including the

construction of the first of two lift bridges; the construction of a bridge at Harsfold, near Wisborough Green; opening a slipway at Dunsfold; building new landing stages; and clearing many miles of towpath for the enjoyment of many. The Taster Days are being held at the restored section at Dunsfold/ Alfold off the A281, from 11am to 1pm, on Tuesday 28th January, Wednesday 5th February and Thursday 12th March. To find out more and to register go to www.weyandarun.co.uk, or e-mail events@weyandarun.co.uk. Gill Davies, Press and Publications Assistant Left: The Canal Centre at Loxwood is staffed by volunteers. Right: Volunteers getting ready to serve crean teas on one of the Trust’s canal trips

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