Village Tweet - July 2020 by Village Tweet

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July 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

s the lockdown continues to ease, government announcements on what is allowed to open and what will remain closed is changing almost daily. As I write this (14th June) shops are at last allowed to open and there is much discussion on whether social distancing should remain at 2 metres or be relaxed to 1.5 or even 1 metre. For pubs and restaurants a 1-metre rule could make all the difference between staying in business or not. The truth is we simply do not know; it’s a balancing act between keeping safe and trying to restore some sense of normality in terms of leisure, social interaction and the economy. Meanwhile the all-important R factor creeps perilously close to 1… Grahame Cover: Summer in the ‘new normal’! Food & drink Recipe: Coconut ice cream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Health & wellbeing Holly Stone, Hypnotherapist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10, 11 Just Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Katherine Finn, Hyphotherapist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Safe in Sussex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 The Village Homecare Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 About the house Sussex Carpet Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 AC Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 KJ Lammas Plumbing and Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Miss Mop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 17 P&W Jordan Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Oven Cleaning Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Mike Lord Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 MPS Home Improvements Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Ovens and More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Evans Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Flow-Serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating . . . . . . . .19 GJ Coles, Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Goring Road Carpet Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 DM Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Alba Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 GB Glazing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Lee’s Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Re-Nu Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Heath Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Best Choice Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 JC Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 N Francis Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 PJM, Building & Property Maintenance . . . . . . . . .25 1A Acclaim Floor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Apex Aerials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Hamilton Cole, TV & Satellite Equipment . . . . . . . .27

Contents COPY DATE FOR AUGUST ISSUE: 3rd JULY 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! Forget Me Not Garden Care . . . . Garden View: Lockdown musings Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery . . . Fix-Up Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REM Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . Scriven Arboriculture . . . . . . . . . . Bygone Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . DW Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Village Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The paper used for Village Tweet has been responsibly sourced

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Miscellaneous Professional Services & Businesses Omni Davis Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Tulip Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Jim Hills Sports Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Judith Hall, tuition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Flackwoods Solicitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 NFU Mutual Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 9 Dandelion Farewells, funerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Pest Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Rudgwick Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Loxwood Drive-in Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34, OBC A/c’s Direct, Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Community/Out & About/Farming/Smallholding Ansells Vintage Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 St Mary’s Church: Help and support . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 St Catherine’s Hospice: Step Up this summer . . . .11 Billingshurst Fire Station: Calls on the rise . . . . . . .12 Sussex Green Living: Covid-19 and Nature . . . . . .13 Billingshurst Parish Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20, 21 Wey & Arun Canal Trust: Harsfold Bridge . . . . . . . .22 John Nash’s Column: Keep safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Motoring and Private Hire Mac’s Private Hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre . . . . . .33 Petworth MOT Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Lintott Auto Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Sussex Towing Brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 A-Team Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34, 35

Features Lockdown Lingo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 A Good Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 The Spaniel Diaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Miranda Rijks, short story: Flower Bomb . . . . . . . .32

Games and quizzes Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 11 Spot the Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24, 27

Little Tweeters! Yvonne Fleece: The Pond 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Kids Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC

Last But Not Least What’s On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36, 37 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Out & about / Accountancy / Insurance

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Covid-19 / Religion

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Have you learnt the Lockdown Lingo? Ronacoaster. The ups and downs of your mood during the pandemic. You’re loving lockdown one minute but suddenly weepy with anxiety the next. It truly is ‘an emotional coronacoaster’. Quarantinis. Experimental cocktails mixed from whatever random ingredients you have left in the house. The boozy equivalent of a store cupboard supper. Southern Comfort and Ribena quarantini with a glacé cherry garnish, anyone? These are sipped at ‘locktail hour’, i.e. wine o’clock during lockdown, which seems to be creeping earlier with each passing week. Blue Skype thinking. A work brainstorming session which takes place over a videoconferencing app. Such meetings might also be termed a ‘Zoomposium’. Naturally, they are to be avoided if at all possible. Le Creuset wrist. It’s the new ‘avocado hand’ – an aching arm after taking one’s best saucepan outside to bang during the weekly ‘Clap For Carers.’ It might be heavy but you’re keen to impress the neighbours with your high-quality kitchenware. Coronials. As opposed to millennials, this refers to the future generation of babies conceived or born during coronavirus quarantine. They might also become known as ‘Generation C’ or, more spookily, ‘Children of the Quarn’. Furlough Merlot. Wine consumed in an attempt to relieve the frustration of not working. Also known as ‘bored-eaux’ or ‘cabernet sauvign-yawn’. Coronadose. An overdose of bad news from consuming too much media during a time of crisis.

Can result in a panicdemic. The elephant in the Zoom. The glaring issue during a videoconferencing call that nobody feels able to mention. E.g. one participant has dramatically put on weight, suddenly sprouted terrible facial hair or has a worryingly messy house visible in the background. Quentin Quarantino. An attention-seeker using their time in lockdown to make amateur films which they’re convinced are funnier and cleverer than they actually are. Covidiot or lockclown. One who ignores public health advice or behaves with reckless disregard for the safety of others can be said to display ‘covidiocy’ or be ‘covidiotic’. Also called a ‘lockclown’. Goutbreak. The sudden fear that you’ve consumed so much wine, cheese, home-made cake and Easter chocolate in lockdown that your ankles are swelling up like a medieval king’s. Antisocial distancing. Using health precautions as an excuse for snubbing neighbours and generally ignoring people you find irritating. Coughin’ dodger. Someone so alarmed by an innocuous splutter or throat-clear that they back away in terror. Mask-ara. Extra make-up applied to ‘make one’s eyes pop’ before venturing out in public wearing a face mask. Covid-10. The 10 lbs in weight that we’re all gaining from comfort-eating and comfort-drinking. Also known as ‘fattening the curve’. Reproduced courtesy of Horsham & Shipley Community Project (www.horshamshipleycommunityproject.org)

The importance of help and support

illage conversations have been full of grateful tales of neighbours offering helping hands whenever they can; a bag of shopping to the doorstep, a friendly chat to check all is well, a spot of lawn mowing where nature is taking over! This support of each other will have strengthened us as a community and built deeper understanding for our future. As we move through the unfolding chapters of these hard times, we will need that outward looking aspect of our community. How to live well alongside each other is an age-old challenge! The Bible holds out to us the answer Jesus gave, “Love your neighbour as yourself”. A crowd hoping to narrow down just how many neighbours that might involve, asked, “Who is my neighbour?” only to be told a story for them to work that one out. If you would like to read this story from the Bible look up this reference: Luke 10, verses 25-37. Characteristically the stories Jesus told would have been surprising, even shocking, as they challenged assumptions of people who thought they understood God and what he expected. This famous story of the Good Samaritan made its hero a character who in those times would have been shunned and certainly not celebrated. The story makes it clear that the vulnerable person who needed help was rescued by a neighbourly stranger who came from a misunderstood and unvalued group. The thoughtful and bold response that was

offered was striking in its selflessness and costly service. A high standard to follow which might have alarmed the hearers! Our own lives may well have been blessed by some surprising Good Samaritans who cared about our needs. Across our village, nation and worldwide, individuals have gifted their skills and, in some cases, their very life to improve the lot of others. The huge and small acts of service will be remembered and will play a key part in recovery from this season of hardship. Jesus talks about loving ourselves as well. This understanding that we are important to God gives us permission to consider our own needs. In lockdown many have learnt new rhythms of rest and recreation. St. Mary’s remains active even though we can’t meet in the building. We are involved in practical projects in the village. On our website you will find weekly online resources for adults, children and youth. Also look out for art projects around. We put hearts on our front doors and created a shared artwork on our noticeboard sending a message of hope to the village (see photo). You can email our office (office@stmarysbillingshurst.org) and pop letters through the office door. If we can’t help, we know other agencies across the village that might. Keep checking our website (www.stmarysbillingshurst.org) to find out when we are able to open our building once more.

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

Food & drink / Private hire / Tuition

Coconut Ice Cream

Cool and creamy

METHOD

1. Whisk the sugar and egg yolks in a bowl until thick and creamy. Pour the coconut milk, double cream and coconut cream in a saucepan and heat until it almost reaches boiling point and pour in a slow stream over the egg yolks and sugar, whisking constantly. 2. Rinse out saucepan (important to stop any burning and tainting of the ice cream) and return to a low heat. Pour in the custard mixture and stir in the desiccated coconut. Stir constantly for 5-10 mins until it thickens slightly and you can trace a line through it with a wooden spoon. 3. Pour into a bowl and cover the surface of the custard with cling film to prevent a skin forming, allow to cool, then chill for 30 mins. 4. If you don't have an ice cream maker transfer the chilled custard to a small freezer-safe container with a lid and freeze for 1 hr, then use a fork or electric whisk to break up the ice crystals so that the mixture is the same consistency all the way through. Pop it back into the freezer for another 2-3 hrs, whisking it every half hr, then cover the surface with a sheet of cling film and freeze with the lid on until as firm as ice cream. Take out of the freezer 10 minutes before serving so it’s easy to scoop.

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Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 10 mins plus chilling and freezing time. Serves 6.

INGREDIENTS

1 x 400ml can coconut milk 150ml double cream 1 x 160g can coconut cream 50g golden caster sugar 4 large egg yolks 25g desiccated coconut, toasted

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Coffee break / Legal services

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Village Tweet Quick Crossword

Solution on page 11

HAVE YOU GOT THE INSURANCE YOU NEED? When did you last walk around your house looking in cupboards to check your contents insurance is adequate? Do you live in a larger, higher-value home, or have a number of expensive items – perhaps jewellery and watches, fine art or collections, or even designer interiors with beautiful curtains and tech. Standard insurance may not be fully protecting you. You may be better protected by an insurance product which enables you to adapt your policy to meet your specific needs – such as agreeing values, increasing cover limits. WHAT IS UNDERINSURANCE? To be ‘underinsured’ means that the amount you’re covered for is less than the cost of rebuilding, replacing, or repairing. For example, if you had a fire at your home, and your ‘sums insured’ is only £30,000, but the actual cost to replace your contents is £100,000 then you’re underinsured and the reality is your policy won’t pay out beyond £30,000, leaving you with a hefty bill. DO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU OWN? Try to take account of the true value of everything you own – both buildings and contents. If you’re unsure of the difference between the two, imagine your house could be lifted off the ground and tipped upside down. Everything that falls out is contents. The rest should be covered by buildings insurance. Also don’t forget about items such as artwork or jewellery that you might have inherited or purchased a long time ago – their value may have changed significantly. HOW CAN YOU BE CERTAIN EVERYTHING IS COVERED? Not only does Bespoke insurance from NFU Mutual offer many specialist features as standard, but unlike many other insurers who have moved online, the team at NFU Mutual value a real conversation with you to fully understand your needs, enabling them to tailor cover right down to the finest detail. Contact NFU Mutual Henfield on 01273 025715 to speak to Nick or Tracey or visit nfumutual.co.uk for more information.

Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.

Take time to walk around your house and use the table below as a guide to the amount of contents you need to be insured for. Remember, you should look at how much items are to replace from new as in the event of a claim you can get new for old cover. Exclusions may apply. Living room

Bedrooms

Curtains

Clothes – including suits

Furniture

Shoes and handbags

Books and ornaments

Jewellery

Electrical appliances

Bed linen and curtains

Pictures

Furniture

Other

Electrical items

Kitchen/utility room

Other

Electrical appliances

Bathroom

Kitchenware e.g. pans, cutlery

Bath linen

Furniture Rugs Pictures and linen

Furniture

Other cupboards Dining room

Toiletries and make-up £

Other Other rooms

Office Garage

Diningware – china, glasses, silverware

Outbuildings

Other

Attic Other electrical appliances Other

“At NFU Mutual Henﬁeld we pride ourselves on taking the necessary time to make sure we are providing the right level cover for you to protect your home and contents should the worse happen.” – Chets Modi, Agent.

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

Covid-19 / Health and wellbeing

A problem is only a problem if it’s a problem!

in ways that are not always helpful. We can become angry, obsessive and irrational in our thinking, often choosing to follow the crowd. The brain believes that we are safer if we stick together. Although we cannot change the events that happen in our lives, we can change our reaction to them, and that is what can make a huge difference to how well we can cope. It’s definitely been more challenging to maintain a good head space these past weeks, but there are steps that we can take to help us to manage better. We should: • Limit exposure to negative reporting and the media, including social media • Keep in touch with friends and families • Focus on the things that you can do, however small • Make time to notice the good things – what are you grateful for? • Look for opportunities for better things However you are managing, remember that change can be unsettling. It’s ok to not be ok, and it’s ok to be ok too. Many of us fluctuate between the two, and that’s ok too. Holly Stone Hypnotherapy

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ince the beginning of ‘lockdown’ it has become apparent that we all respond to the same situation differently. As lockdown lifts there has been a surge in people feeling extremely anxious about their own health and that of others. The isolation we’ve experienced has, in many cases, magnified our feelings of fear, anxiety and worry. Many of the behaviours that we have witnessed on the News and in our daily lives can be explained by understanding our brains’ response to change and fear. It’s important to realise that when we identify a problem, whether it be lack of toilet roll, or being worried for our lives, we activate the primitive emotional part of the brain. This results in an intensely alert state where stress hormones flood the body and we enter ‘survival’ mode. In short bursts this can be entirely appropriate and helpful (perhaps for navigating your way around the local supermarket whilst adhering to the social distancing rules) but staying in this mode for too long can result in poor sleep, panic attacks, chronic anxiety and more. When we are in a state of crisis the first thing that happens is that our ability to be rational becomes impaired and we find ourselves behaving

Charity / Health and wellbeing

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Step Up for St Catherine’s, your local hospice, this summer

Village Tweet Quick Crossword Solution Puzzle on page 7 Across: 7, SHIPPING. 8, ECHO. 9, DEVOUR. 10, SORTED. 11, ASHTRAY. 13, APPLY. 15, TABBY. 17, PIANIST. 19, ADVERB. 21, LITTLE. 23, PURE. 24, TAKEAWAY. Down: 1, SHOE. 2, SPROUT. 3, LIP READ. 4, AGES. 5, TEAR UP. 6, WHEEDLES. 12, STAND OUT. 14, DISLIKE. 16, BREWER. 18, NOT BAD. 20, BATH. 22, LOAM.

care when they need it most.” Katy Cox also decided to use her stairs at home to support St Catherine’s by climbing the height of the Shard. She said, “I decided to climb the height of the Shard because it’s the tallest building in Western Europe and somewhere I’ve enjoyed indulging in a cocktail! I’ve been climbing my stairs in fancy dress to make it more fun. I work at St Catherine’s and I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact our care has continued to have on local people during this crisis. Our services are needed now as much as they’ve always been. I’m aware of how much our hospice fundraising has been impacted by coronavirus so I wanted to do my bit to help. On a personal level it’s been great to have a challenge to focus on.” Arron Trott, Events Fundraiser at St Catherine’s said, “We need our community’s support now, more than ever, to continue to be here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for local people who need hospice care and support. As the weather gets warmer we hope lots of people will take part in Step Up, at home or as part of their daily exercise. It’s a great motivator to keep yourself active and do something to help others in your community. We look forward to welcoming you to Team STCH!” You can take part in Step Up at a time to suit you, but St Catherine’s is encouraging people to take on a challenge, and aim to raise at least £100, throughout July. Ready to Step Up and do something amazing this summer? To sign up and register your challenge please visit: www.stch.org.uk/step-up. Laura Mitchell, St Catherine’s Hospice Photo: Lauren Parker climbing the height of the Siula Grande mountain – in the comfort and safety of her own home!

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PP Co E vi sa wo d-1 fe rn 9: ty fo r

t Catherine’s Hospice is asking people in their community to step up this summer and make sure local terminally ill people can continue to have hospice care during these difficult times and beyond. The local charity is asking people to walk, jog, run or climb a distance or height to raise vital funds, so no one faces death and loss alone. Popular events like the charity’s annual Midnight Walk, aren’t possible at the moment causing a severe shortfall in funding. Step Up is a great opportunity to help St Catherine’s, and our support has never been more vital than now. Choose your own personal challenge or take on one that St Catherine’s suggests, and help your local hospice be there for others in your community. For example, you could run, walk or jog: A marathon – 50,000 steps The width of England – 150,000 steps From Crawley to Paris – 300,000 steps Or take your stairs, or some nearby steps, to climb the height of famous landmarks like: Big Ben – 632 steps The Shard – 1,326 steps Scafell Pike – 6,180 steps 11-year-old Lauren Parker has already stepped up to support her local hospice. She’s chosen to climb 6,344 metres – the height of the Siula Grande Mountain in Peru. Lauren said, “I’m learning about mountains at school so I decided to climb the height of the Siula Grande. I’ll be going up and down my stairs at home about 80 times a day! I wanted to step up and raise money for St Catherine’s because they need our help more than ever. I feel proud knowing my challenge will help patients’ get lots of

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

Fire station / Health and wellbeing

Fire Calls on the Rise!

e have experienced a very busy spring, with personnel responding to more fire calls than usual. This could be because more people are at home, but also because of the dry weather we have had in April/May and June. With the approach of summer the service have attended heathland and woodland fires across West Sussex. Crews from across the County have been working very hard in hot temperatures to bring the fires under control. We hope that normality continues to resume soon for us all as we had so much planned on station this year which has had to be put on hold for the moment. We hope that we can welcome the community back for visits at the Fire Station very soon. We are also hoping that the car wash will go head and in September.

However, we will follow the government’s guidance on this, so watch this space for further updates. During the pandemic, we carried out medicine drop-offs and welfare checks for those that were self-isolating. A change of role for us all, but a great feeling to be able to help those that were told to stay at home. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the key workers who have been working during this pandemic, and to all the crew at Billingshurst Fire Station for putting themselves at risk and keeping the community safe. Twitter: @Station49Fire Facebook: Billingshurst Fire Station Dan Game, Billingshurst Fire Station Photo: Training continues to ensure the crew are always ready for any emergency

Covid-19 / Funerals / Health & wellbeing

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What is the Impact of Covid-19 on

his was the burning question for all those who joined the Horsham Climate Café’s sixth (since lockdown) weekly Zoom meeting, which took place on Saturday 2nd May. 113 people booked from from all over the world including England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Uganda and South Africa. They tuned in to hear special guest, Dr Tony Whitbread, President of Sussex Wildlife Trust, give an inspiring talk about how nature is blossoming with less human activity. He highlighted: 1. The speed at which animals all round the world have expanded their ranges in to towns and cities 2. The bluer skies and reduction in air pollution 3. That people have slowed down and are noticing and valuing the beauty of the natural world His insights prompted questions such as what can we do to engage our children in protecting the planet, should ‘ecocide’ be unlawful, and perhaps the most pressing issue right now: how can we ensure the ‘nature recovery’ continues post-lockdown?

Tony said, “Between two and four new viruses appear every year due to humans’ unhealthy contact with animals. We must replace the ‘old normal’ of consumerism where animals and nature are exploited as commodities with a regenerative culture. All our actions now need to be carbon-positive”. The message is loud and clear: Protecting nature will reduce the risk of future pandemics. You can listen to a podcast of Tony’s talk and read Q&A from the event: www.sussexgreenliving.co.uk/ tonywhitbread_climatecafe. And you can read his blog: www.sussexgreenliving. co.uk/pressing-the-pause-button. On the first Saturday of the month, 2-3.30pm, the Horsham Climate Café online meeting takes place using Zoom. To learn more visit www.sussexgreenliving.co.uk/horsham-climate-cafe. Carrie Cort, Founder, Sussex Green Living Image shows Zoom meeting, 2nd May. Next meeting will be held on 4th July

This space could be promoting your business to 9,000 homes for just

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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.

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Covid-19 / About the house

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Businesses Offered De-Contamination Service

usinesses in West Sussex can offer peace of mind to staff, visitors and customers in the wake of Covid-19, thanks to a state-ofthe-art disinfection service. Pulborough-based professional cleaning company Miss Mop has invested in Electrostatic Disinfecting – a revolutionary sanitisation system which prevents infection and offers staff and other users of the building protection. Unlike traditional cleaning methods, Electrostatic Disinfecting uses sprayers which provide an electrical charge to anti-viral cleaning solutions. The charged particles envelop all surfaces and are able to get into hidden areas where pathogens grow. The system is eco-friendly, using water-based solutions which dry in a few minutes allowing safe entry to premises immediately. Miss Mop’s owner Debi Jones said: “As we continue to tackle the spread of Covid-19, the advice is clear about keeping hygiene standards at an all-time high. We believe businesses will want to provide peace of mind for their staff and

visitors.” Studies and tests have shown: • Desks found to have 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. • The average desktop harbours 20,961 germs per square inch in addition to 3,295 on the keyboard, 1,676 on a mouse and a staggering 25,127 on the phone. (Printerland UK 2018) • Germs on a door handle can spread within 2 to 4 hours to 4060% of people touching the same surface. (NHS Choices 2020) • Gym treadmills have 74 times more bacteria on average than a public bathroom tap (Fitrated.com) “We are able to disinfect areas where potential disease and infections, such as Coronavirus, are known or are thought to have been,” added Debi. “This is key in helping to minimise and reduce the spread, especially for companies with large work forces or high visitor numbers.” The cost of the service is calculated by the square metre and a no-obligation quote is available from Miss Mop www.missmop.net Debi Jones

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

The Pond – 2

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

he pond was filled. It took quite long time. But it site owner decreed it gone so she had to bring the looked lovely and Nanny and Izzie were very shrubs home and they were sat down by the stables pleased. High-fives all around. It only took two waiting patiently for their new role in the scheme of days to completely empty. Disappointment all round. things. The big problem with anything in a big Next step: Nanny splashed out and bought a big property like the little farm, even one small corner of sheet of black plastic. With the faithful Izzie in tow it, was whatever was planted had to be watered. So the stones at the bottom were moved around so they the shrubs, having been moved to a possible new covered the bottom and sides of the pond. They place, had to have irrigation. So Nanny set to and used pegs to secure the with all the leftover bits and sheet. Sadly a couple of pieces from previous years pegs ripped the plastic which an irrigation system was wasn’t as strong as completed, attached to a tap anticipated. The holes were and away they went. Thus repaired and once again the encouraged Nanny set up pond was filled. And once irrigation for the trees down again it emptied albeit a little by the pond, one of which more slowly. Both Nanny and sadly was not doing so well. Izzie left it for a week or so to Another of kind Barbara’s lick their wounds and think trees was planted so that again. made a red oak, red maple Finally Nanny bit the bullet and a Norway maple to add and bought proper pond liner autumn colour to the ‘park’. – with free underlay – and it Of course James was arrived quite quickly consulted and he said he considering the lockdown. At last it resembles a pond. Just needs water… would dig in the hoses so Nanny put it on the porch they wouldn’t get mowed or and asked Izzie to take the stones out of the bottom strimmed. so the new liner could be laid. “Tomorrow,” replied Just before it started raining Sara asked when the Izzie. Also, she asked James (the garden person) to swimming pool was going to be opened. All the take down the old lumps of concrete left over from children thought that the sunshine wouldn’t be when the terrace was built three years ago. complete without the pool. So that project was Two days later Nanny asked Izzie again. “I just started. Fill the pool, put in chemicals, check and have to finish this,” answered Izzie, “I’ll do them tighten pipes and hold one’s breath when the pump tomorrow morning for sure.” Then it rained so she is turned on. Whew like a rocket! Sadly no sunshine! couldn’t do it. The liner and the underlay sat on the Lockdown is proving to provide a welcome space porch waiting impatiently to do their job. of time on that little farm near Billingshurst. Eventually, after Izzie moved the stones, they had Stop Press: Report from Gary that a couple of to wait until all the water (now topped up by the rain) Canada geese decided they liked the look of the finally drained away. That took about two weeks. small farm and landed on the large field. The And the pond liner and the underlay continued to sit woollies had other ideas. Led by ‘Her Wildness’ Miss on the porch waiting impatiently to do their job. Anna-Georgia, the whole flock stalked after the Although by now a bit discouraged, Nanny had geese so menacingly that they beat a hasty retreat. other projects on the go. She had made a lovely Serves them right. They were not invited! shrubs-in-pots garden at the caravan but the new Yvonne Fleece Photo: ‘Gary’

e Pleassured s a be taking y I’m cessar e -19 all no d C viutions a c e r p

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Books / About the house

A Good Read

July’s selection from book reviewer Willow Coby Found – Erin Kingsley It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: you are waiting for your child to come home from school and they don’t. This is the situation that Claire and Matt found themselves in when their 11year-old son, Evan did not come home from school after football practice. The police are called, and the search is on. Claire and Matt are torn apart by the events and as the months drift on they give up all hope of Evan coming home. However, as the title suggests, Evan is indeed found. But the boy that returns to them is not the same boy that went missing. Refusing to talk to anyone he is withdrawn, only finding short moments of happiness and peace when visiting his grandparents on their farm. The police try to ascertain what happened but to no avail. Until another boy goes missing. What drew me to this book is the fact that the focus is on what happened afterwards. We all watch news reports of children who are abducted and sometimes there is a happy ending. For us, as onlookers, that is where the story ends. But is it possible for a a family just pick up and carry on as if nothing happened? How on earth do you rebuild those lost moments with your child? Hopscotch and Handbags – Lucy Mangan Subtitled ‘The truth about being a girl’, this book is essential reading for grown-up girls of all ages. In it, Lucy Mangan explores the subtleties of female life from school onwards – or, as the title has it, from Hopscotch to Handbags. As the cover and the chapter headings suggest, the tone is always light-hearted. This is no self-help book – instead it’s a mixture of reminiscences, cautionary

tales and laugh out loud moments. Packed with lists, diary entries, jokes and quizzes that are pure 1970’s Jackie magazine, the beauty of the book is how quickly you can place yourself within it. What girl doesn’t remember the intricate rules of teenage friendship, or the range of helpful excuses to get out of the dreaded PE lesson twice a week? And while lists may be something you would expect in a boy’s book, here they serve as a checklist and a reminder – I guarantee that you will measure your teenage self against the ‘cool and uncool’ list, and the Top Ten Beloved Books will send you back to your old childhood favourites (Malory Towers, anyone?) Mangan’s style is chatty, confidential and inclusive – you instinctively feel like you are part of a gossipy group – and her points hit home. Even when you do find yourself matching 90% of the criteria that make you a grown-up, you’ll still be safe in the knowledge that it is still ‘so much better than being a boy’! Ballerina Bella and the Lucky Locket – Jillian Harker Bella loves to dance. Bella wants to be a ballerina. But there is a problem. No matter what she is doing she finds it almost impossible to concentrate as her imagination runs wild. A cat in the garden becomes an escaped tiger from the zoo. A ribbon on the floor during her ballet class becomes a mouse. And a spider swinging from its cobweb makes her think of swinging on a swing as she forgets the exercise they are supposed to be doing. Everyone is exasperated. But can Bella focus during her dance show? Can she prove herself to be the dancer she wants to be and win best dancer? This lovely picture book will enthral young dancers with wonderful illustrations showing pirouettes, jetes, and arabesques. Any dance teacher will tell you that children get distracted and this is a lovely way of helping them understand the importance of staying focused.

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Ovens & More

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About the house

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Plumbing • Drainage • Heating All plumbing work undertaken. No job too small. Specialists in complete bathroom installations and heating systems James: 01403 823058 07737 892400 info@flow-serve.co.uk www.flow-serve.co.uk

G.J.Coles BUILDER & CARPENTER New builds • Extensions • Renovations Carpentry • Alterations • Fencing Testimonials on request Fully insured Office: 01403 782458 Direct: 07816 768419 Email: grantjcoles@gmail.com www.gcbuilders.vpweb.co.uk

GORING ROAD CARPET CENTRE 01403 783159

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

Hedge cut backs Residents are reminded of the importance of trimming back garden hedges and trees that overhang pathways. This is particularly important to allow safe passage for those with prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It is advisable for residents to trim back branches and hedgerows having first checked that there are no nesting birds.

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

Billingshurst in Bloom Local Competition Due to the Covid-19 outbreak and the difficulties that are likely to be experienced with holding our usual awards evening in September, we are not going to have our usual Billingshurst in Bloom local competition this year. Due to the lockdown, the large majority of residents have spent much more time at home since early April, so this, along with the beautiful spring weather we have experienced means those of us with gardens have spent considerably more time titivating and beautifying our green spaces. If your front garden is looking particularly pretty, or if you have a hanging basket, trough or tub you are particularly proud of, then we

would love to see a picture or two! Send your pictures to council@billingshurst.gov.uk along with your home address, and we can show them on our Twitter & Facebook social media pages. Please note that only road names will be shown but not any other address information.

Billingshurst Tennis Club Did you know that there is a public court available to hire at the Tennis Club located at Lower Station Road Recreation Ground? If you would like to join the club or enquire about hiring the public court, please telephone 01403 783430 or email info@ billingshursttennisclub.com.

NO SWIMMING at Jubilee Fields The Fishing Lake at Jubilee Fields is NOT designed for people to swim in. Not only is it extremely dangerous and detrimental to marine life but it is against Council Byelaws. If you become aware of anyone swimming in the lake please call the Police on 101 as they are able to act under Council Byelaws covering the area.

We can help Once life returns to some sort of normality, and organisations and groups start to think about holding community events, meetings or fetes, do remember that we can help with advertising. The Council has active Facebook & Twitter social media accounts and a ‘What’s On’ guide on its website. If you think this would help, please email liz@billingshurst.gov.uk or sarah@ billingshurst.gov.uk and we will do what we can to help.

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

Billingshurst Parish Council

@BillingshurstPC

Join us for a ‘greener’ Billingshurst! How lucky we are to live in and around Billingshurst. As we step into mid-summer, it is easy to be thankful for the daily wonders of nature, and the green spaces around our village which are such a blessing for our physical and mental well-being. Recent months have been a time to re-discover our neighbourhood spirit; forging new links of support to one another whilst reflecting on our connections to the natural world. Many people are appreciating more than ever how dependent we are on healthy ecosystems for our food, health and for our children’s futures. Yet our world still faces many environmental challenges. What can we all do to protect the environment at a local level, here in Billingshurst? This is an invitation to everyone who is the slightest bit concerned and would like to do something, anything, to make a difference! BilliGreen is a new initiative aimed at bringing people together to make a change through simple everyday actions.

We can be the change! BilliGreen is a group of locals who aim to share and celebrate all the great things that people are doing already to support nature and the environment in the village, and to encourage the launch of some new initiatives. We have asked Billingshurst Parish Council to back the campaign, but in advance they have let us have space in their usual double-page spread in Village Tweet to see what support there might be locally for such a campaign. You may be doing something already that you’d like to share with others. You may have an idea for a green project. Or you may just want to help out generally. We would love to hear from you. We would also love to hear from any businesses interested in exploring green avenues and see how we can work together. Get in touch. Email BilliGreenGroup@gmail.com and tell us your idea or simply say what your main interest is, e.g. Wildlife and Nature; Recycling; Food; Fashion; Built Environment; Transport or Energy. We look forward to hearing from you.

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

Community / About the house

Celebrations as Harsfold Bridge build reaches milestone moment

here were cheers all round when the steel beams went in at the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s latest restoration project in West Sussex. Thanks to the deluge of rain and storms seen over December, January and February, work on creating Harsfold Bridge, near Wisborough Green, had been “hard going”, according to project manager Dennis Gillen. The compound, which is close to the River Arun, just escaped being flooded out, but the mix of clay and rain meant the construction site was a mud bath and delivery trucks and lorries struggled to reach the site. “Water runs down the lane and onto the site,” said Dennis, “and we have constantly had to maintain the access lane to get the delivery trucks through.” Despite the setbacks, the EWG working party carrying out the construction have made good progress, and the installation of the steel bridge deck beams in early March was a key element of the construction schedule. “We’ve got the critical parts

out of the way,” reported Dennis. Since work began in September a footpath and bridleway diversion has been created, the main foundations have been laid and both abutments built and the brick/block wing walls to the north and south progressed. The next step will be the erection of the formwork and concrete pour (18 cubic metres) of the bridge deck, once socialdistancing restrictions are lifted. The accommodation bridge will replace a causeway and allow restoration of the canal beneath. It will carry hay trailers (weighing 32 tonnes and spanning four metres), and meet public bridleway requirements. All the work has been carried out by volunteers and Dennis paid tribute to them and their efforts. “Everyone comes and gets on with it and does a good job. They are all very skilled and great volunteers.” Gill Davies, Press and Publications Assistant Photo: Celebrations as steel beams go in

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Kids of all ages / About the house

Village Tweet Spot the Difference

Can you spot the 12 differences with these weapons Solution on page 27 in the NHS armoury to combat Covid-19?

Based in Broadbridge Heath, we specialise in the supply and fit of all styles of windows, doors and conservatories including PVC, Aluminum, Bi‐fold, composite, sliding and traditional. For a free, no obligation quote, please contact our friendly professional team 01403 259593 info@heath‐windows.co.uk www.heath‐windows.co.uk Staying COVID‐19 Secure in 2020. Taking steps to safer working

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About the house

Electricians for Home & Business

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Pets / About the house

The Spaniel Diaries

e are halfway through the year and what a strange year it’s been, even more strange as mum has put me on a diet! The cheek of it! Mum thinks I’m getting a bit chubby, well she’s one to talk – ha! She was blaming it on the lockdown as we have only had one local walk a day at the horses instead of our normal long summertime rambles ending in a pub lunch. Plus, we haven’t been training for a while so I haven’t been expending so much energy. Mum cut my food down so I simply nicked Mav’s; he’s such an idiot he just sat and watched me eat his food – until Mum caught me that is. Now I’m watched like a hawk at dinner time, so no chance of seconds there and I have noticed a distinct lack of tasty treats. That puppy really gets too much food, Mum says he’s a growing boy so needs it, well I’m a growing boy too, I’m just growing outwards and I see nothing wrong with that. Still, I got Mum back by having a really good roll in some fox poo and that taught her a lesson! I have been really enjoying pottering around in the garden with Mum at the moment, as she’s had a bit more free time. I like watching Mav get into trouble for pulling up the flowers – I fully encourage him too! Trouble is Mum is running out of little jobs and keeps looking at the grooming scissors and then looking at us. I really hope she isn’t planning on making me look like an idiot too – I might get mistaken for Mav, that wouldn’t be good at all. Mum is still hoping we can go on holiday in the autumn, so she keeps up with our training – or

tries to! Sometimes I humour her but I’m a Cocker Spaniel and it’s a well known fact that I know best, especially when it comes to finding bunnies in the hedge! It did backfire last week when I was rummaging in a hedge and I stood on a thorn. It was a nasty hurtie. Mum managed to get it out, something she called a Blackthorn, she said they were nasty so she washed my foot and put cream on it – and a bandage so I couldn’t lick the cream off. I looked a right Wally and had to put up with Mav the idiot dancing around and grinning at me. All I can say is revenge will be sweet – when the time is right I will push him into a burr bush and laugh as he has those pulled out of his stupid long hair! We did manage to get a lovely swim at the beach, first thing in the morning with not a soul around, there’s a good side to this social distancing as mum calls it! We both gave those pesky seagulls a good chasing too. Although I am wise to them flying away I decided to humour Mav for once and show him how to chase them, that way if he goes home tired he’ll go to sleep and leave me alone! As I write my diary Mav keeps chucking his tennis ball on the keyboard, I cannot believe how annoying he is, typing is hard enough with paws as it is. I was hoping he would have gone by now, but as he’s been with us for half a year I assume he’s here to stay, so I will try and make the best of it, even if he is irritating I’ll have to find a use for him. I hope you are all staying safe and well. Billy. Jeannette Douglas

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About the house

APEX AERIALS

Family Run Local Retailer / Service Provider

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Puzzle on page 24

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Garden Tweet!

Lockdown musings

ack in May garden centres became some of the first businesses allowed to reopen to the public. For gardeners stuck at home (even though we understood and supported the lockdown), it’s been a frustrating time. We’ve been unable to plant during one of the best springs I can ever remember. And for many of the UK’s growers it has been devastating. Millions of lost plants nurtured to be at their best by Easter were lost. The scale of the issue was mindboggling. Garden centres and nurseries usually make the bulk of their income during the early growing season as people prepare their plots for the summer but instead they’ve been forced to compost or recycle millions of plants, leaving one-in-three growers in serious financial difficulties, with little possibility of recouping their losses later in the year. I was glad to see nurseries and garden centres reopening and in spite of my own apprehension about venturing out, I decided to go to my local garden centre reasoning that the open outdoor spaces meant transmission of Coronavirus was less likely and it would be easier to maintain social distancing. There were staff in the car park and the queue markings were two metres apart. The trolleys were cleaned before being handed to the customers and social distancing was observed throughout the oneway system. There were fewer plants on display which puzzled me for a second until I realised that growers couldn’t take the risk of planting a few weeks before when they had no idea whether they would have to destroy those plants too. Such a heart-breaking decision for them to have to make. My own garden has been a source of solace throughout lockdown, but what has been particularly nice is the number of people who have

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Garden View

discovered gardening during this period. There is a lot of psychological research which concludes that nurturing plants and flowers diverts our attention away from stresses and anxieties in our lives and goodness knows there’s been way too much stress and anxiety recently. So, as we hit July is there anything easy which you can still plant, and which will still grow? The good news is yes. Nasturtiums can be sown throughout this month. They are known for their brightly coloured flowers and attractive foliage. There are trailing, climbing, and dwarf varieties. The showy flowers can be single or double and come in fiery shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. Leaves are pale green and umbrella-shaped with long stems. They are the perfect flowers for beginner gardeners so if the children have been dying to have a go at gardening these are your go-to plant. Sow the seeds and within seven to ten days you should see sprouting. They are drought tolerant and ideal for hanging baskets and containers. Even better, you can add the flowers, buds and young leaves to salads, and they have the most wonderful peppery taste. Love-in-the-mist are easy to grow too and have distinctive seed heads. These can be sown until early July and also again in September so they will get a head start for next year. And of course, you can still plant sunflowers. Who doesn’t love a sunflower? Plant one for each member of the family and see whose grows the most. You could give prizes for the tallest, the prettiest or the largest flower. Happy gardening. Rachel Leverton

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Community

Keep safe 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.

do so hope you folk have stayed safe through the trials of the last few months. For so many it has been a hard struggle to cope with the restraints and family tragedies that have fallen on them. I have felt so fortunate to live way out in the countryside where I have field and wood to wander in freedom, as well as the opportunity to potter around the farm doing odd jobs that needed attention. What a change around the villages though. The winding lanes so often filled with cars are now inhabited by a flotilla of cycles, many of their riders sporting brand new Lycra apparel that always looks so darn uncomfortable to me! Great to see though, as they can take the time to see the beautiful countryside along the way as they take their exercise. I fear for them sometimes though as they have to face the untold number of potholes that decorate our lanes which have posed a problem for us car drivers too for many a long month. Thankfully it’s been a wonderful start to the summer for the gardens. That persistent early rain gave way to some truly wonderful sunshine that ensured great pollination for the fruit trees and a surge in the early growth of seedlings and cuttings. Darn shame though that the garden centres and their nursery growing suppliers had to suffer so much and for so long before they could give us access to their stocks. I can only offer praise to the village shops in our area who managed to get so many garden plants and products into their villages for locals to buy. Speaking of these shops, I can’t express how much us villagers owe to their efforts on our behalf. They delivered wherever they could; it must have been a struggle for them to get all the daily requirements for the locked in. I do so hope that they continue to receive the gratful patronage of everyone once this virus has passed on by. Hasn’t the environment changed though! With fewer people using their cars, not to mention the vast reduction in aircraft, the sky is so clear and bright. The resulting reduction in nitrogen dioxide has given us light that is crystal clear, and air that

is fresh and clean. Birds who were once drowned by the everyday noise of living, now sing in a wonderful chorus from dawn to dusk. There is a downside of course, a very big one for many people. Those poor devils who live in tower blocks with no gardens or the chance to visit a little patch of grass to sit on. The folk who are in enforced lock down through ill health or underlying problems. Loneliness is a terrible thing to face but in normal times you can at least wander among other people and watch the world go by. In lockdown, when all you have is the continual list of repeats flickering at you from the box in the corner, how do you cope? There is a comical slant to some things though, but to appreciate these you must adopt a sense of humour that perhaps doesn’t always come naturally… Hair leaps to mind of course. You ladies I know find this more difficult than us males do. We are not so fussed about locks that have for many a year thinned and faded into wispy threads that have long ago lost their Brylcream appeal. In fact it has for many of us offered a chance to grow a comb-over that tries its best to camouflage the area on our heads where our skull is growing through the sparse thatch – until the wind blows of course! You girls, though, are pawing the ground, aren’t you? Lord help any who get in the way once the All Clear comes for the salons. The battle of the spring sales will not hold a candle to the tide of waving tresses that strive to be seated in that chair awaiting the hungry scissors. I do hope that by the time you read this awe inspiring piece of scribble, the end of tunnel is in view. As I have to write it a month ahead of publication you can appreciate that I would need to be able to see into the future to know exactly how this will all turn out. A fact endorsed by my total failure in getting the lottery numbers right! All I can do is wish you all well and pray that we can all return to some form of normality soon, and once more extend my thanks to all who have helped their fellows in their trials over the last few months. John Nash A belated Happy Birthday Hilda Clark (last month’s cover girl!). Sorry I missed your 95th birthday. Thank you for reading my scribblings. All love. John. xx

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Garden Tweet! / Pest control / Fencing

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Short story

Flower Bomb A short story written exclusively for Village Tweet by local author Miranda Rijks

“I

t’s a lovely cottage,” the estate agent said, snapping his folder shut. “You’ve done a beautiful job with this kitchen and the garden is fabulous.” He ran his fingers along the smooth white Silestone worksurface. “Thank you.” Karen wrapped her arms around herself and stood very still while the estate agent told her how much he thought the place was worth. “Are you alright?” he peered at her. Karen snapped out of her disappointment. “Yes, fine. I just expected it would be valued at a bit more.” “Unfortunately, the problem is next door. Your house is highly desirable, but your neighbour’s is rather dilapidated. And what with it being semi-detached…” Karen sighed. Shelley and Brian White weren’t bad neighbours. They didn’t turn up the telly too loudly or have rowdy parties; in fact they did nothing. Literally nothing. They just sat there all day, Brian studying The Racing Post and Shelley eating Maltesers. Karen saw the estate agent out. He didn’t know it, but he was the third agent she’d shown around and all three gave a similar estimate. For some reason she had hoped that this one would come in a bit higher. Silly, really. “I need to sell it for more than that,” Karen wailed to Nadia, her best friend. “Think how much the Carters sold their place for. Surely my lovely house is worth more than theirs.” “Let me put my thinking cap on,” Nadia said. The next day, Karen was late home from work. She saw the blue lights flashing as she indicated to turn off the main road. Her heart sunk. It was a police car. And it was parked right outside her house. Karen jumped out of her little Renault and ran up the garden path suspecting a break-in. But the front door was locked, exactly the way she’d left it. As she glanced over the hedge to the White’s place, she did a double take. Something was different. And then their front door opened, and two uniformed officers stepped out. Brian stood on the doorstep, his stomach protruding from his white vest. “But it’s vandalism,” he said. “As I explained, Sir, we’ll file the case. If you could let us know what has gone missing, that would be helpful.” And then Karen realised. Someone had taken a strimmer to the White’s garden. Everything was neat; all the weeds were gone. “What are you staring at?” Brian snapped at Karen. “Was it you that done this?” “I’ve been at work all day.” “Me and the missus went to Sainsbury’s and when we got back, it was destroyed. Everything gone. The dandelions, the thistles, the lot.” “They were weeds and it was looking a bit straggly,” Karen murmured. Brian wagged his finger at her. “Mark my words. When we find out who did this vandalism, we’ll make ’em pay.” He waddled back inside and slammed the front door behind him. Karen was delighted. She rang Nadia who denied all involvement. Not that Karen believed her best friend. Nevertheless, she decided to wait until the new year to put the house on the market and hoped that all the

weeds wouldn’t have grown back by then. It was late September. Karen had had another tough day at work and had just sat down in front of the television when the room was filled with blue flashing lights. There was a furore outside. Karen dashed outside. Shelley and Brian were peeking out from behind their front door. “We’ve found three bombs in the garden!” Shelley wailed, her quadruple chin wobbling like jelly. “And a whole load of pills.” “Bombs?” Karen asked. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Who the hell would want to put bombs in the White’s place? This was Five Oaks, not Kabul. There were two police officers bending down examining something in the front garden. Another police car skidded to a halt blocking the lane and two more men got out, walkie talkies blaring. One of the officers in the garden stood up, a wide grin on his face, clutching something the size of a large can of baked beans in his hand. “The idiot is holding the bomb!” Brian exclaimed. “It might go off!” “And look! His colleague is holding the pills. What if they’re poisonous? Don’t they need to wear gloves and put them in evidence bags?” Shelley asked, breathlessly. A policewoman strode towards them, a smile on her pretty face. “Nothing to worry about,” she said as she held open the palm of her hand. “These are filled with seeds.” “What, cannabis seeds?” Shelley asked, her eyes wide. “No. They’re probably forget-me-not, dandelion, poppy, cowslip and if you’re lucky some scabious and cornflowers.” “But, but… what about the bombs?” Brian stood with his hands on his hips. “They’re constructed from biodegradable paper and compost and filled with wildflower seeds. Have you heard of guerrilla gardening?” Karen could see that the policewoman was trying to control her sniggers. “Guerrilla?” “It’s when someone chucks wildflower seeds into an uncultivated space.” “You’re calling us uncultivated?” Brian exploded. “No, Sir. But you have nothing to worry about. Someone has done you a favour here.” Brian stormed back into the house, followed by his wife. Ten months later and the world had changed beyond all recognition. The For Sale sign went up shortly before lockdown, and Karen lost all hope of selling the house. But she was in for a surprise. Come May, the White’s front garden began to bloom. As the warm spring spilled into summer, their once weed-infested patch turned into a miniature field of stunning colour. Come July, despite not having been able to show anyone around, Karen had an offer on the house; an offer substantially over the asking price. 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.

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Motoring

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Drive-in movies / Motoring

The Loxwood Drive-In Movies Extravaganza

xperience the excitement of a drivein movie and enjoy a much awaited night out, when Loxwood Drive-In Movies launch on 9th July. The big screen is lighting up in the Loxwood Meadows this summer as the classic movie-going experience is reinvented. And, if you are more than ready for a socially distanced, safe night out, this American-style drive-in movie extravaganza is going to turn the dream into a reality. With a huge LED screen showing the favourites and sound being channelled through each individual in-car stereo system, the thrill just gets better and better as a selection of food and beverages will also be available to be delivered to your seats. Cars will be parked at least two metres apart in numbered bays and, having chosen from a selection of meat or vegetarian burgers, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, sweets, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, a food delivery service will enable you to text your order for delivery to your vehicle. For 14 days this summer from 9th to 22nd July with two performances each day: the family matinee running at 5pm, and the evening showings at 9pm each Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Sunday, this is an experience never to be forgotten.

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The first two weeks’ films are now available to book on the website, and the film days are themed, with Thursdays being historic films, Friday music night, Saturday classic favourites and Sunday as ‘date night’ films. Films include favourites such as A Knight’s Tale, Rocket Man, Finding Nemo, Despicable Me, and Dirty Dancing. Gates will open at 3:30pm for the matinee and 7:30pm for the evening film, to allow ample time to park and settle-in, in readiness. In addition, on selected showings entertainment in the form of roving entertainers and live performances will add another unique dimension to these special evenings. And, the allimportant toilet facilities will be set a minimum of two metres apart and comply with all social distancing and hygiene regulations, with hand sanitisers both inside and out and a distanced queuing system in place. Set in the tranquil Loxwood Meadows, this is the perfect way to have a unique night out and be confident of staying safe. Tickets must be booked in advance. For the full film programme, to book tickets and further information visit the website at www.loxwooddriveinmovies.co.uk. And, look out for all current news and additional film days on the Facebook page @LoxwoodDriveInMovies. (Also see back cover.)

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What’s On near you

What’s On – July 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, Shipley Men’s Shed. Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane. Part of the international Men’s Shed Tues & Weds organisation. For men interested in woodwork or wish to spend time with like-minded, local chaps. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: 07786 070939 or email philipgibbs669@gmail.com 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. Women’s Hall, High St, Billingshurst, 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 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 at Shipley Football Ground, 10.15am for 10.30 start (in the summer months & Fri meet Friday, 6.30pm). Coffee after. All equipment provided. All ages and abilities welcome. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. 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). All HDC walks cancelled due to Coronavirus Every Thurs Wildlife walkabouts. RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, Wiggonholt, RH20 2EL. 10am-12 noon. 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. Temporarily closed due to Coronavirus Every Fri Billingshurst Bowling Club Open Evenings. Temporarily suspended due to Coronavirus Every Fri Open days at The Blue Idol. Temporarily suspended due to Coronavirus. See website for details: www.blueidol.org Every Fri VMA Dance classes for children 2-18yrs. Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. Classes in Ballet, Street Dance & Contemporary. Free Trial available then £5pw pre-booked. 07879 773705 www.vmadance.co.uk Every Fri Nationwide Building Society. Billingshurst Community Centre. Cancelled due to Coronavirus Every Sat Indoor table top sale and market. Ansell’s Yard, Kirdford Road, Wisborough Green, RH14 0DD. 10am-2pm. No entrance fee. Tables £5 (must be pre-booked). Tel: (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940 Every Sun The Emmanuel Fellowship meet every Sunday at ‘The Chapel’, Spy Lane, Loxwood. 10.30am for about an hour with refreshments afterwards. www.emmanuelfellowship.co.uk SPACE IS TIGHT IN THE WHAT’S ON PAGES. IF ANYONE HAS TRIED TO TAKE PART IN ANY OF THE REGULAR ENTRIES (ABOVE) AND FOUND THEM TO BE NO LONGER AVAILABLE PLEASE LET VILLAGE TWEET KNOW

What’s On near you / Accountancy 2 Jul 2 Jul 5 Jul 6 Jul 7 Jul 8 Jul 8 Jul 9 Jul 9-22 Jul 10 Jul 11 Jul 16 Jul 20 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 23 Jul 25 Jul

26 Jul 29 Jul 29 Jul

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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 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 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 Rotary Club monthly ‘Friends’ get together for new members. Six Bells, Billinghurst. 7pm. Come along and find out about what we do! Trefoil Guild Meeting. St Mary’s Room, East St, Billingshurst. 7.30-9pm. First Tuesday of the month. Open to all ex-Brownies, Guides & Guiders. Hillary, tel: (01403) 783792 Messy Church! Billingshurst Village Hall. 3.30-5.30pm. Billingshurst churches welcome families to have fun with games, crafts, singing and stories. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Sit-down meal, donation. www.messychurch.org.uk 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 Meeting. Cancelled due to Covid-19. We wish you all well. Secretary, tel: (01403) 780810 Loxwood Drive-In Movies Extravaganza. Loxwood Meadows. More info and to book tickets please see www.loxwooddriveinmovies.co.uk. See page 34 and back cover Billingshurst and District Wine and Beer Circle meeting. Cancelled due to Corona virus 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 Barns Green & Itchingfield Women’s Institute Meeting. Barns Green Village Hall. 2.30pm followed by tea. New members welcome. Meetings 3rd Thurs of the month. For more information contact Annette Relph (01403) 732580 Billingshurst 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 St Mary’s Guild Members’ Outing. Details: Beryl Peacock (01403) 782835 Loxwood Jazz & Blues Club. Cancelled due to Corona virus Sing for Pleasure. Billingshurst Community Centre. 3.00-4.30pm. We are a friendly, informal group who enjoy a sing-along. If you are a lady or gentleman in the more mature age group, even if you think you can’t sing, we’d love you to join us for an enjoyable afternoon. £3, includes tea and biscuits Pulborough Village Market. Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, RH20 2BF. 9am-12.30pm. 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 Jazz, Gin & Blues. The Enchanted Woodland, Loxwood Meadow, RH14 0AL. Midday to 9pm. Great eclectic jazz and blues, with a little helping of gin. Info & tickets £25 from www.jazzginblues.co.uk The Arts Society – South Downs 40th Anniversary special lecture by Andrew Graham-Dixon: ‘Caravaggio’. Midhurst Rother College. 7pm. Visitors (£6) are very welcome. Hilary, tel: (01403) 785302. www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk Quiet Garden Afternoon at The Blue Idol. Temporarily suspended due to Coronavirus. See website for details: www.blueidol.org

We have been notified of some events being cancelled due to Coronavirus – these have been marked in red. For other events, where a phone number or e-mail is given you are advised to check. With Press lead times and government guidelines changing almost daily the onus is for the organisers to contact Village Tweet if your event is cancelled; we cannot make that decision for you! 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

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

Advertisers Index / Driveways, etc

ADVERTISERS INDEX July 2020 1A Acclaim Floor Care ......................26 A-Team Mechanics .....................34, 35 A/c’s Direct, Accounting ....................37 AC Decor...........................................15 Alba Plumbing...................................23 Ansells Market.....................................3 Apex Aerials ......................................27 Best Choice Roofing .........................25 Billingshurst Parish Council ........20, 21 Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre ..................................33 Bygone Gardening ............................31 Dandelion Farewells, funerals...........13 DM Handyman ..................................22 DW Gardens .....................................31 Evans Electrical.................................19 Fix-Up Gardens.................................29 Flackwoods Solicitors..........................7 Flow-serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating..........................................19 Forget Me Not Garden Care .............28 GB Glazing Ltd..................................23

GJ Coles, builder ..............................19 Goring Road Carpet Centre..............19 Hamilton Cole TV & Satellite Equipment .....................................27 Heath Windows Ltd (Southern).........24 Holly Stone Hypnotherapy ................10 JC Plumbing......................................25 Jim Hills Sports Warehouse................4 Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery ..........28 Judith Hall, tuition................................6 Just Care ...........................................11 Katherine Finn Hypnotherapy ...........12 KJ Lammas Plumbing & Heating ......15 Lee’s Locks .......................................23 Lintott Auto Services .........................34 Loxwood Drive-in Movies ..............OBC Mac’s Private Hire...............................6 Mike Lord Building ............................17 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning .....15, 17 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating .18 MPS Home Improvements Ltd..........17 N Francis Electrical Ltd.....................25

NFU Mutual Insurance....................8, 9 Omni Davis Insurance.........................3 Oven Cleaning Direct........................16 Ovens & More ...................................18 P&W Jordan Upholstery....................15 Pest Man...........................................31 Petworth MOT Centre .......................33 PJM Building & Property Maintenance .25 R Gold Construction..........................38 REM Landscapes..............................29 Re-Nu Kitchens.................................23 Rudgwick Fencing.............................31 Safe in Sussex ..................................12 Scriven Arboriculture.........................29 St Mary’s church .................................5 Sussex Carpet Brokers .....................14 Sussex Towing Brackets ...................34 Tulip Accounting..................................3 Village Homecare..............................13 Village Nurseries ...............................31

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Coming this July to the enchanted Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL To be the first to hear about all the excitingÂ filmsÂ and dates, sign up at