Village Tweet - October 2020

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Tips for a Covid-safe See page 18 @VillageTweet

www.villagetweet.co.uk

October 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

B Village Tweet

ombarded daily on the News by the doom and gloom that has become the new normal of living with Covid-19 it is refreshing to be able to report on a little ray of sunshine…

You will no doubt recall the photo on our June cover of Billingshurst resident Hilda Clark who, having just turned 95, was busy knitting hats for maternity wards – her way of saying thank you to the NHS workers for saving countless lives – and in the process sadly losing many of their own – in fighting the virus.

I received a call from Kim Sherwood, Maternity Ward Clerk, St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester asking for Hilda’s contact details so she could pass on her heartfelt thanks for all the woolly hats which had arrived at the hospital. I was able to oblige and would like to join Kim in saying thank you, Hilda!

Grahame

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(95) thanks Hilda Clark knitting baby the NHS by ity wards hats for matern

@VillageTw

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et.co.uk www.villagetwe

June 2020

See page 5 for those in need.

t Group Help Green Covid-19 Suppor AND LOCAL BUSINESS • Wisborough Billingshurst CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY• Loxwood • Plaistow • Slinfold Billingshurst

• Barns Green

Ifold • Kirdford • Five Oaks •

Cover: Halloween – this year perhaps even more scary than usual… take care and keep safe.

Food & drink Kings Head pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Recipe: Cinder Toffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Sussex Free Range Turkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Health & wellbeing Feeling Amazing Nutrition . . . . . . . . .

Holly Stone, Hypnotherapist . . . . . . .

Katherine Finn, Hyphotherapist . . . . .

Rebecca Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Billingshurst Leisure Centre . . . . . . .

Get a Flu Vacinne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Louise Sloan Opticians . . . . . . . . . . .

Bluecoats Sports celebrates 30 years Meadows Wellbeing . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Just Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Obesity and Covid-19 . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Village Homecare Service . . . . .

Tips for a Covid-safe Halloween . . . .

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About the house Sussex Exteriors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 KJ Lammas Plumbing and Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 CJ Sewage Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 DM Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Heritage Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Lee’s Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Mike Lord Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Re-Nu Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Oven Cleaning Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Miss Mop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 MPS Home Improvements Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Goring Road Carpet Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 AC Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 JC Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 GB Glazing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 N Francis Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Oven Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Alba Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Evans Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 PJM, Building & Property Maintenance . . . . . . . . .31 Sussex Carpet Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating . . . . . . . . . . . .33 P&W Jordan Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Best Choice Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Flow-Serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating . . . . . . . .34 GJ Coles, Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Apex Aerials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Hamilton Cole, TV & Satellite Equipment . . . . . . . .35 Park House Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBC Little Tweeters!

Yvonne Fleece: The Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Kids Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC Features A Good Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Miranda Rijks, short story: Seeing is Believing . . . .20 Secondhand not Second Best . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 The Spaniel Diaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

COPY DATE FOR NOVEMBER ISSUE: 2nd OCTOBER 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!

Garden View: Beautiful Berberis .

JMB Gardening Services . . . . . .

Scriven Arboriculture . . . . . . . . . .

Titchmarsh Services, tree surgery Bygone Gardening . . . . . . . . . . .

REM Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . .

DW Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jonathan Carter, tree surgery . . .

Village Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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Miscellaneous Professional Services & Businesses Jim Hills Sports Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 NFU Mutual Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Flackwoods Solicitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Omni Davis Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Tulip Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 A/c’s Direct, Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 S&L Floristry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Freeman Brothers, funerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Arlo’s Toy Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Dandelion Farewells, funerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Rudgwick Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Pest Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 DGS Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 NFP Forestry, logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 CAGNE (Against aircraft noise pollution) . . . . . . . .45 Community/Out & About/Farming/Smallholding Ansells Vintage Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Billingshurst Lions Club: Successful reopening . . . .6 Macmillan: Terri’s ponytail rasies £1300 . . . . . . . . . .7 BilliGreen: Recycling made easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Royal British Legion: Poppy appeal update . . . . . . .9 St Mary’s Church: New harvest, new friendships . . .9 VJ Day: Celebrations in Billingshurst . . . . . . . . . . . .9 St Catherine’s Hospice: 3 Muppets raise £11,000! . .22 Billingshurst Parish Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24, 25 St Catherine’s Hospice: Dr Cathy Gleeson . . . . . . .26 Billingshurst Rotary Club: Scarecrow Competition .33 John Nash’s Column: Post-lockdown freedom . . . .38 Wey & Arun Canal Trust: Lottery grant . . . . . . . . . .39 Parishes Wildlife Group: Of dragons and damsels .40 Billingshurst Fire Station: What is a fire-fighter? . . .46 Motoring and Private Hire Mac’s Private Hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre Petworth MOT Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A-Team Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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, 45 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

d he s is ar bl ta ye Es

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Jim Hills Sports Warehouse

Competing with online prices!

Opening Hours 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday

2 families (or 4 persons) at a time

We have a great range of New Stock offering a MINIMUM of 20% off all items retailing at £50 plus!

Plus up to 50% off ‘end of lines’ Simply the best for Service and Price!

Large FREE car park Hillside Farm, Billingshurst Rd (A272), Coolham, West Sussex RH13 8QN Check our WEBSITE for details and directions: 5H s ou ws er ie m ev Nu R

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

Tel. 01403 741116

our competitive Advertising * Insurance / Coffee break / Legal services Check out Rates: www.villagetweet.co.uk

Village Tweet Quick Crossword

Solution on page 6

Dad’s memory might be fading but he can still tell stories about his old jag...

Make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to help to deal with his financial affairs

Creating an LPA will cost £149.00 Plus VAT at the current rate We can keep the price low because we are the local specialists in Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney and Estate Planning Flackwoods Solicitors are members of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners. Our offices have Free Parking and Ground Floor Disabled Access To get half an hour’s FREE Advice - just phone: 01403 738777 or email: office@flackwoods.co.uk

Ask foor ur ’s h half anadvice E FRE 2 2 L I N T O T S Q U A R E S O U T H W AT E R H O R S H A M R H 1 3 9 L A

01403 738777 - FLACKWOODS.CO.UK - WILLS - PROBATE - POWERS OF ATTORNEY - ESTATE PLANNING

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

Charity / Private hire / Out and about

Successful Bookshop Reopening

“W

e’re so pleased you’re back, we have missed you.”

This comment was typical of the many comments Billingshurst & District Lions Club from customers since the reopening of their Jengers Mead bookshop on Thursday, 23rd June.

The first customer was Steve Carter from Horsham, closely followed by two regular jigsaw enthusiasts from Cranleigh. Since then the club has welcomed many more loyal supporters from near and far.

As ever, there is an eclectic choice of books (fact and fiction), jigsaw puzzles and DVDs. Just to remind you, the shop is currently open only three days a week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 9.30a.m. to 3.30p.m. each day.

Prices have been simplified: paperback books, jigsaws and DVDs are £1 each; hardback books are £1.50 each and children’s books are 5 for £1. There is now a card reader for payment by cards or cash.

Many donations have been received, but please, due to lack of space still either one bag or box at a time as all donations are quarantined for 72 hours before being put out on display.

Masks need to be worn and customers are asked to sanitise their hands and use the gloves provided, making it safe when picking items up to look at and then returning them to the shelves.

Feeding the Lions Finally, a plea from Tim Woodcock, Chairman of Fund Raising, asking if people would kindly ‘Feed the Lions’ by collecting any surplus loose change they may have in a jar, available from the bookshop.

He adds, “Any additional income for our charities will be gratefully received at this difficult time, with so many of our usual fundraising events cancelled.”

You can keep up to date with Billingshurst & District Lions Club by following their website, www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/billingshurst and on their Facebook page.

Harvey Holmes Photo: Steve Carter travelled from Horsham to be the first customer after the Lions bookshop reopened on 23rd June

Village Tweet Quick Crossword Solution Puzzle on page 5 Across: 1, STRUCK. 4, WEALTH. 8, ORGANISATION. 9, PARTICULAR. 12, NEEDED. 13, PREFER. 16, FACILITIES. 17, CIVILISATION. 18, REMIND. 19, CYCLES. Down: 1, SHOPPING. 2, REGARDED. 3, CONSIDERATION. 5, EXTRAORDINARY. 6, TENOR. 7, ISSUE. 10, OFFICIAL. 11, PRESENTS. 14, RIGID. 15, UNCLE.

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

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

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BARGAINS GALORE AT

ANSELLS

VINTAGE SALE & MARKET Every Saturday 10am to 2pm FREE ENTRY & PARKING Stallholders welcome (tables £5) Antiques • Hornby Trains Furniture • Bric-a-Brac • Jewellery Garden Ornaments • Crafts etc ANSELLS, KIRDFORD ROAD, WISBOROUGH GREEN, RH14 0DD Book/details: (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940

Charity / Accountancy / Insurance

Check out our competitive Advertising Rates: www.villagetweet.co.uk

Terri’s ponytail raises £1300 for Macmillan On Friday 14th August Terri Ashpool, Chair for the Billingshurst Macmillan Group, had her ponytail cut by Kerry from K Lou’s, Billingshurst.

The hair was sent to the Little Princess Trust to help make a wig for a child with no hair and the sponsor money to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The amazing total raised so far is £1300! Terri would like to thank everyone that sponsored her and all those that supported her on the day. The event was held at the Six Bells Pub, Billingshurst.

If you would like to make a donation please visit: https://macmillan-org.charitycheckout.co.uk/ pf/terri-ashpoolponytailcut Rowena Harris Left: Kerry from K Lou’s and Terri displaying her ponytail.

Right: Terri feeling a little ‘light-headed’!

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

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Community / Floristry / Accountancy

Recycling made easy

hile having a cup of tea and munching on a biscuit, have you ever wondered what you can do with the wrapper the biscuits came in? Or what you can do with all your empty containers for beauty products?

There are many things that can be recycled besides the ones that go in your home recycling bin and there is a brand new collection point for some of these in Billingshurst.

A hub for collecting singleuse plastic has been set up in central Billingshurst at The Chapel, between the High Street and Laker’s Meadow.

Drop by any time with: • Crisp packets and non-meat savoury snack packets • Biscuit, cracker and cake wrappers • Cereal bar and rice cake wrappers • Beauty and personal care products such as pots, lids, pumps and trigger spray heads, roll-on/stick deodorant, lip balm containers, lids from sun-care products

• Baby food pouches (any brand) and Ella baby snack packets Please make sure all items are empty and if possible washed out. This will save a big job for our volunteers who will box up the items to be sent off for recycling. In addition, companies sponsoring the recycling, such as McVities, will make a donation to charity.

The collection point has been set up by new village group BilliGreen working in conjunction with Sussex Green Living.

BilliGreen is also starting some other wildlife and environmental initiatives to improve our surroundings, both for animals and for people.

Find out more on the BilliGreen Facebook page and about recycling on the Sussex Green Living website www.sussexgreenliving.co.uk.

Melanie Holliker Photo: the crisp packet bin on the left was nearly full and required emptying after just 48 hours!

S & L Floristry Ltd

Bespoke Floral Designs, Tailored To You Call us: Lauren – 07428 751883 April – 07516 700849 Email us: slfloristry@outlook.com Website: www.slfloristry.co.uk

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Religion / Charity / Remembrance

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Check out our competitive Advertising Rates: www.villagetweet.co.uk

New harvest, new friendships

askets of apples invite passers-by to help themselves and friendly sharing of homegrown veg are a sign that harvest bounty has visited us once more.

That season of fruitfulness that blesses us yearly.

On our doorstep a delightful box of jam, herbs, potatoes, runner beans was given to us by friends who had cared for plants through the strange months of lockdown and were now sharing the joy of their patience and perseverance.

These attitudes of heart, patience and perseverance have been evident around our local community in many ways and not only in gardens. This season of harvest where nature is full of bounty are an encouragement to weary hearts.

Some of the crops like blackberries have succeeded without human endeavour. A willingness to find and then pick the crop is all that is needed. Also, perhaps the ability to withstand the sharpness of the bramble plant! Other harvest has involved applied gardening and constant watering even through dry times.

Other harvests around our village come not in the shape of plants but in the new willingness to look out for each other. The gift of new friendships and

discoveries of the good relationships that are part of our identity. We may have experienced a harvest of comfort from relationships cultivated through the drought of restricted contact.

Opportunities have grown to be present with friends and family.

Perhaps seeds of new friendships are now there for planting. Seasons are ahead within our community in which these will need tending so they can grow.

Harvest has traditionally been a time to reflect on what we have and share from what has been blessed to us. After the storms of pandemic that might feel like a challenge, but loss can lead to a sense of what truly matters.

The Bible describes the ‘fruit harvest’ that God’s ‘gardening’ of our lives can produce and shown to be evident in our daily life. These fruits bless us and all we come into contact with. As you notice the harvest around you reach out for these fruits too: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23.

Royal British Legion

Billingshurst celebrates

Billingshurst Branch

Poppy Appeal direct fund-raising While the pandemic has impacted and changed the ways in which we can deliver our fundraising this year, the Poppy Appeal 2020 is very much still going ahead. Plans are underway for the public to be able to donate and wear their poppy with pride.

The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign, held every year during the period of National Remembrance.

Due to the pandemic we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel ‘door to door’ fundraising on the streets of Billingshurst. This was taken to safeguard our volunteers and members of the public in the unprecedented challenging times of Covid-19.

However, with the help of larger businesses and supermarket chains, there will be Poppy collection opportunities set up at local donation points around the country.

Our goal is to make sure that everyone who wants to buy a poppy can do so, and that all of our fundraising activities are in alignment with current restrictions and social distancing guidelines.

For further information, please contact: Colin Banks (Branch President) Email: colinbanks1940@yahoo.com Rob Nicholl (Branch Chairman) Email: billingshurst.chairman@rbl.community

VJ Day 75 It’s often said that the war against Japan which ended in August 1945 is the forgotten war. Not so in Broomfield Drive, Billingshurst on 15th August.

Kathy Fitzpatrick and Di Burroughs had the foresight to suggest a street party some weeks before the 75th anniversary of the final end to WW2 and quickly set about galvanising the lockdown weary residents into action.

On the day, the ominous forecast of rain mercifully turned out, like so many other recent forecasts, to be flawed and around 30 residents representing at least 3 generations appeared on the street (being an annexe, no through traffic was affected). There was bunting, music of the 40s (thanks Clive), finger food and cake prepared by several (willingly volunteered) contributors and drinks to suit all tastes.

Most importantly, this was an overdue opportunity for neighbours who had been relatively isolated for the past months to have a socially distanced get together and to put the world to rights.

Thanks to Kathy, Di and all those who contributed and attended. John Baker

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

Funerals / Food and drink

Independent and family-run since 1855

Coming soon Online Remembrance Service December 2020 We hope you can join us

rsvp@freemanbrothers.co.uk

Voted

West Sussex Pub of the Year 2017 & 2019

01403 254590

www.freemanbrothers.co.uk

THE KINGS HEAD North Sussex

CAMRA PUB OF THE MONTH June 2017

T.E.A. drinkers Pub of the Year 2020

RESTAURANT OPEN WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

We now have 5 luxury en suite bedrooms available to let KingsHead Billingshurst

@kingsheadbhurst

40 High Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9NY Tel: (01403) 782012. Mon-Thurs: 11am-11pm.

Fri & Sat: 11am-12 midnight. Sun: 12 noon-11pm 10

Check out our competitive Advertising Rates: www.villagetweet.co.uk

Food and drink / Christmas / Toys

Cinder Toffee Part science experiment and part sweet treat. Fun for the kids and perfect for Halloween and bonfire night

METHOD

y Re di NO our se sa W tu rv pp to rk e oi av ey nt o m id en t

1. Generously grease an approximately 24cm square tin.

2. Put the bicarbonate of soda within easy reach of the hob.

3. Place both sugars, syrup, water, and butter in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan with a pinch of salt.

(Make sure it is a deep pan or the 'science bit' will go horribly badly!).

4. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugars and butter have dissolved, then turn up the heat slightly and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until it reaches 138°C turns amber and bubbles.

5. When the mixture gets to temperature, remove it from the heat and quickly and thoroughly whisk in the bicarb. It will foam and grow alarmingly. The kids will love to watcht!

6. Pour the foamy mixture into the tin and leave to set. When cold get the kids to smash it into pieces.

Preparation time: 5 minutes.

Cooking time: 15-20 mins plus cooling time Serves: depends on how sweet your tooth is!

INGREDIENTS

165g demerara sugar 165g caster sugar 60ml golden syrup 4 tbsp water 15g butter, diced, plus extra to grease Pinch of salt 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda *You will also need a kitchen thermometer

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

£45*

(or even less with a multi-booking discount)

Call: 07762 767084 or email: editor@villagetweet.co.uk *Excludes VAT (£54 inc VAT)

Free Range Local Bronze Turkeys Hand reared from day-old chicks in Itchingfield Will be ready for collection on Wednesday, 23rd December 2020

Go to sussexfreerangeturkeys.co.uk for more information or call 07703 182971 A £15 deposit confirms the order

ARLOSTOYSHOP.COM

10% OFF YOUR ORDER WITH CODE: VILLAGE10

High quality, beautiful and unique toys for ages 0-3 years

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In January 2020, to mark our 5th anniversary, we launched our Community Connections programme and unveiled the new resources vehicle we commissioned to provide a mobile community lounge.

• We are passionate about being available for conversations regarding end-of-life wishes, funeral options and bereavement support.

• We always endeavour to provide transparent guidance, sensitive financial advice and pastoral care.

• We want to be present and visible within the local villages and towns, for our community to meet us and seek the signposting that would be most helpful for each person.

At the time of the initial restrictions upon the activities of us all, in the light of the national pandemic, we paused our community programme for being within different locations and meeting people. As government guidelines have been adapted, we are now able to move forward to make arrangements to travel with our mobile lounge. This will enable us to be available for conversation and advice beyond the limitations of our premises in Wisborough Green, at outside community settings. This was always our plan, just a little postponed.

The Dandelion Farewells team has continued to provide sensitive, bespoke care for families who have called upon us to arrange funerals during this uncertain time. We have also received an increased number of enquiries from people with personal concerns. The circumstances of recent months have, for some, shone a light on matters which have caused them anxiety and uncertainty: thinking about personal choices (of the current restrictions on these) and wondering what is possible for funerals at this time.

Judith, founder of Dandelion Farewells explains: “For us, it is important that people can have the chance to ask any questions they have, which is often made easier in a relaxed setting. Funerals can be a subject that is not discussed until required, we hope to ease this by being a familiar friendly face, on-hand to answer any questions or concerns whenever they arise. We have created the concept of our ‘mobile lounge’ to be more accessible and convenient for people to engage with us.”

This may be a helpful resource for you, or someone you know. Please be assured that our locations will be carefully selected and our presence will be sensitive, to facilitate private conversations for those who do choose to have a conversation or collect information – but also enabling people to walk by if they prefer not to engage.

Please contact our office or look at our website or Facebook page for details of the outdoor locations in the coming weeks.

Dandelion Farewells Limited Church View, Billingshurst Road, Wisborough Green, West Sussex RH14 0DY t: 01403 701001 • e: judith@dandelionfarewells.com www.dandelionfarewells.com Registered No: 9176987

* Funerals / Health and wellbeing

Check out our competitive Advertising Rates: www.villagetweet.co.uk

Feeling Amazing Nutrition

‘Changing your diet can improve your health and change your life…’

Perhaps you just don’t know where to begin?

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B

We are back!

illingshurst Leisure Centre re-opened on the 17th August 2020 and we were delighted to be able to welcome back members, and non-members to use the Gym, Pool, take part in Group Exercise classes and play Badminton. Also, in September, swimming lessons, gymnastics and trampolining courses resumed.

In line with Government and industry guidance we are doing things a little differently, all activities are bookable via our website or the Places Locker app, where you can also see our timetables. Direct Debit and annual members have 14 days’ advance booking rights and Places members (our free pay as you move membership) have 7 days’ advance rights.

We are operating a one-way system for all activities with staggered start times to restrict the numbers of people entering and leaving the building at one time, with programmed cleaning times between each booking slot, to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained, we have screens around our closely grouped equipment

and have moved equipment to help with social distancing and all activities have set maximum numbers. As we progress we will be adding additional time slots for activities and reintroducing other activities.

Various membership options are available, our Gym/Swimonly memberships start at £23 per month and our premium memberships start at £34 per month, premium memberships include Gym, Swim, Classes.

Benefits include preferential booking rights, access to workouts and programmes via our Places Locker App, use of our Swimtag swimming activity tracker, you can also add up to 4 children (under 16) to your premium membership.

If you would like more information please give us a call on 01403 787500 or visit our website www.placesleisure.org/centres/ billingshurst-leisure-centre where the team will be happy to help you.

Billingshurst Leisure Centre

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Health and wellbeing

S

Get a Flu Vaccine

ome people believe that it’s not worth having a flu vaccination. But it’s actually one of the most important things you can do for your health and others, especially in the middle of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Health professionals always advise the ‘at risk’ groups to get vaccinated. People eligible for the free flu jab include: people aged 65 and over; pregnant women; primary school aged children, two- and three-year-olds; and people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart failure.

But most experts are recommending the flu vaccine for almost every demographic this year.

Although the flu vaccination does not prevent Coronavirus, both of the viruses have an impact on the respiratory system. A combination of both viruses, or one after the other, may mean bad

news for your health, respiratory health, and overall ability to recover.

Health professionals suggest that this year we should have our shots as early as September.

Even though typical flu season begins in October and peaks between December and February, the changes brought on by Covid-19 mean that it’s important to get organised early because you will probably need a formal appointment, even at a pharmacy.

Winter is a particularly busy time for GPs and hospitals.

Vaccinating to protect against flu could help reduce the risk of the NHS becoming overwhelmed with cases of both flu and Covid19, potentially leading to another lockdown.

Cut your risk of respiratory infection. Get a flu vaccine.

Louise Addison

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Health and wellbeing

Bluecoat Sports Centre celebrates 30 years

O

n the 12th September, Bluecoat Sports Centre (BCS) celebrated its 30th birthday.

The centre, which is just a mile and a half south west of Horsham town centre in the grounds of Christ’s Hospital School was officially opened on 12th September 1990 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester who as President of Christ’s Hospital School visited the school before unveiling the plaque outside the main entrance of the new sports complex.

When BCS first opened it was designed to meet the needs of a large co-educational boarding school. Particular emphasis was also placed on the need to ensure there was optimum use of the building, not only by Christ’s Hospital pupils but by other schools, clubs and organisations within the local community. This commitment has certainly been met. Prior to lockdown, BCS was being used by 22 local schools and it was offering over 100 different fitness classes many of which take place in the magnificent 25-metre swimming pool.

Melanie Marlow is the longest serving BCS member of staff. She started work there when BCS first opened. “It was an exciting time setting up the

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Centre, we were a small team and we all had to wear a lot of different hats. I was brought in to set up the crèche but also taught swimming, gym classes, athletics to CH, set up Mighty Movers (now Mighty Minis) and did some of the marketing”.

Ros Case was the first public member of Bluecoat Sports and has seen the centre develop throughout its life. “I was the first person to join the club (Member 01). Opening times were initially very restricted but once classes started I visited several times a day for different activities. I enjoyed it as it was a friendly comfortable environment and I felt privileged to be there”.

There were plans to hold a series of events and functions around this time to properly celebrate Bluecoat Sports’ 30th birthday but because of the pandemic, these are all on hold for the moment.

Nigel Currie Photo: Melanie Marlow and Ros Case pictured in front of the plaque which was unveiled when Bluecoat Sports Centre opened in September 1990. Melanie was the first employee at the centre and Ros was the first public member. 30 years on, they are both still going strong

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Health and wellbeing

Obesity and Covid-19 chemicals, including inflammatory cytokines.

When your body keeps adding adipose tissue (fat) cytokines are released by your fat cells, triggering inflammation. Researchers even characterised obesity as ‘…a state of low-grade, chronic inflammation.’ This means that an obese body has its immune system permanently switched on and is therefore in a constant state of inflammation.

Over time this can lead to the development of both minor and major illness and conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

How does this relate to Covid-19?

Back in 2009 the H1N1 Swine Flu was at its most virulent, doctors in Spain noticed that overweight and obese patients were being admitted to intensive care units in disproportionate numbers and took longer to recover than non-obese or overweight individuals.

Their increased risk was attributed to the excess number of pro-inflammatory cytokines in their bodies.

Researchers in Canada then analysed the flu records for the previous twelve years and found that people who were obese were statistically more likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory diseases than those whose BMI was in the normal range.

They concluded that obese people were an ‘at risk’ population during flu seasons due to their compromised immune response.

As we go into the winter and the risk of a second wave of coronavirus, if you have a BMI over 30 it makes sense to try to bring it down and minimise your risk. Talk to your GP. Louise Addison

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What is the link?

ovid-19 and its effects have scared us all, health professionals and public alike.

We’re still learning about the virus, but one fact has been all over the news in the past couple of months. Obese people (people with a Body Mass Index over 30) are more at risk of complications. Why is this? Most of my friends with BMIs close to or greater than 30 seem perfectly healthy individuals. Should they be worried?

In order to answer this question, we need to look at the immune system…

When we catch a virus our body’s defence system is triggered, and inflammation occurs. This is due to our all-purpose innate immune response, which serves as the first wave against foreign invaders. Blood flow increases to the infected area causing redness and swelling. When your nose blocks and becomes red when you catch a cold, that’s inflammation. This reaction is caused by white blood cells called macrophages and the proteins they produce called cytokines. It’s the cytokines which trigger inflammation. Usually this inflammation is a simply a sign that our body is releasing the hormones and proteins which activate our white blood cells to kickstart the recovery process, and ultimately defeat the infection. No inflammation means no defence… and that’s bad.

So far so good; so why is obesity a problem?

Well it turns out that white blood cells aren’t the only type of cell that have the ability to produce those inflammation-inducing cytokines. Fat cells (adipocytes) can also do this. Scientists have learned that fat is an active endocrine organ, one that can secrete a whole host of proteins and

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Halloween / About the house

Tips for a Covid-safe Halloween!

W

ith the government seemingly changing rules almost daily you may wonder if Halloween will be cancelled this year. Follow our tips and let your children have a fun – and Covid-safe – Halloween!

Trick-or-Treat is either a fun chance to dress-up and claim free sweets from neighbours, or it’s an anti-social American travesty which has infiltrated these shores. I happen to fall squarely in the latter camp; my kids, the former. They start planning their outfits in March.

I don’t want to rain on their scary parades, but what should we do about Halloween in the face of a global pandemic?

It’s not certain that any of our neighbours will actually welcome my young visitors (or plaguebearers as I’ve come to think of them of them since their return to school) to their doorsteps, no matter how cute their costumes or beguiling their manners.

And frankly I’d freak out about them grabbing handfuls of potentially Covid-coated Crunchie bars, so I’m not exactly devastated that I won’t have to accompany them door-to-door and smile apologetically as they beg for treats. But neither am I a total killjoy, so I’ve come up with some ideas for

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alternative activities: l Hang a spooky piñata for your children in your l own back garden. l Create a haunted house for your kids at home. Let them dress up and be scared in a fun-but-safe way. l Create a spooky scavenger hunt inside and out. Leave clues, or a trail of blood, or spiders. l Snuggle up and watch a l scary movie… something like Monsters Inc or The Corpse Bride (depending on age). l Read age-appropriate ghost stories in the dark in front of the fire, or if the weather is favourable, go outside, snuggle under blankets, light pumpkins and toast marshmallows on a camping stove or fire pit. That’s the sort of trick-or-treat night I could get behind.

I suppose we should also leave a bowl of Quality Street and bottle of hand sanitizer on the doorstep and wave at the hardcore trick-or-treaters from the safety of the upstairs window.

Whatever you decide, have a Happy Covid-safe Halloween.

Sarah Davey

Books / About the house

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A Good Read October’s selection from book reviewer Willow Coby Salvage the Bones – Jesmyn Ward It was a storm that made headlines around the world. In August 2005 Katrina hit the Louisiana coast causing great loss of life and destruction to New Orleans and the surrounding area. This award-winning novel, set over a period of 12 days, tells the story of the Batiste family who live in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage.

Esch is 15 years old and lives with her three brothers and their father. Isolated from the rest of the small town due to the location of their house, they live in extreme poverty, with a largely absent father who, seven years after the death of his wife, still relies on drink to get through the day. So, with the news that a category 5 storm is about to hit they begin to prepare what they can and stockpile a small amount of food.

Each chapter is one day in the build-up to the storm. Randall, the eldest, is trying to do what he can to hold his family together. Skeetah is preoccupied with his pit-bull fighting dog, China, who has just given birth to puppies. Junior, the youngest, is trying to hold his own against his older brothers. And Esch has just discovered that she is pregnant.

This captivating story with engaging characters immerses you in their world and is illustrated by a touch of Greek mythology thanks to a book that Esch (the narrator) is reading for school. The penultimate chapter will have your heart racing but ultimately this is the story of family love that survives despite the poverty and deprivation.

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls – Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo Not a traditional novel here but definitely worth a read. This incredibly popular book (which has sparked a second volume) presents the stories of 100 amazing women who have made contributions to society. It is aimed at telling girls that they can achieve anything that they put their mind to and that their gender should not hold them back. It challenges female stereotypes and inspires girls to aim high in their career choices.

Each story is told on a single page, along with an illustration of the woman and this simple format gives a fantastic introduction to their lives.

From mathematicians like Ada Lovelace (who actually built a machine and wrote the first computer programme back in the 19th century) to authors like the Brontë sisters who defied the expectations of their patriarchal society.

There are also tales of astronomers, activists, lawyers, chefs, naturalists, journalists, motocross racers, and even a tattoo artist.

Following the huge success of this book a version aimed at boys has also been written: Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different, which challenges male stereotypes which say that you have to be tough in order to succeed.

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Short story

Seeing is Believing A short story written exclusively for Village Tweet by local author Miranda Rijks

“T

his is Tom,” my sister says, beaming as she introduces us to her new man.

“Welcome! Come in and have a seat in the living room.”

Mimi, our eight-year-old, tugs my hand as I go into the kitchen to make coffee.

“I don’t like him, Mum. He’s creepy.”

“Don’t be silly, he’s fine and Aunty Sue likes him a lot.”

When I hand him his coffee, black with no sugar, I sort of understand what Mimi means. His eyes are a little too far apart, deeply set into his skull and he licks his lips repeatedly.

“What do you do?” Craig, my husband, asks.

“I’m a grave digger.”

I wish Sue had warned us.

The night before Halloween, Sussex is struck by a massive storm. Trees are uprooted and chimneys tugged from roofs. Unsurprisingly, the power goes off and we are plunged into darkness. Even the mobile phone networks crash for a couple of hours. Craig is away working in Manchester and when he eventually calls, he sounds frantic with worry.

“It’s fine,” I reassure him. “We’re safe and as far as I can tell, there’s no damage to the house.”

“With all the disruption to the trains, I doubt I’ll make it home in time for Halloween.”

I groan. I’ve always had an irrational dislike of Halloween, so it’s Craig’s job to accompany the children trick-or-treating around the village.

“Why don’t you get Sue to join you?” he suggests.

The day dawns grey and murky, the power still off. We keep ourselves warm by wearing lots of jumpers and the kids make ghoulish masks to wear with their Halloween costumes.

I call Sue mid-morning. “Fancy trick-or-treating with us tonight?”

“Sure,” she says with surprising enthusiasm. “Tom is working so I’ll be alone.”

“He’s digging graves on Halloween?”

“He has to patrol the graveyard and appease any ghosts.”

“What’s he really doing?” I ask, sniggering.

“It’s the truth,” Sue says, flatly.

“But you don’t believe in ghosts.”

“I didn’t. I’ve changed my mind. Tom has seen lots of ghosts and apparently tonight is the night when they all make themselves known.”

“It’s a tradition, Sue. A silly, man-made tradition aimed to boost the confectionary industry.”

“You’re so cynical,” she says. “What time do you want me to come over?”

“6pm.”

Mimi is dressed as a witch, wearing a black pointed hat and a hastily constructed cape. William has chosen to be a ghost, courtesy of a sheet. They are besides themselves with excitement.

“We just need to wait for Aunty Sue and then we can go out trick-or-treating.”

6pm comes and goes. By 6.15pm the children are frantic, and kernels of worry nibble my insides. I ring Sue but her mobile goes to voicemail.

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“All the best sweets will be gone,” William moans.

“You’re right. We’ll go now and stop by Aunty Sue’s house.”

I push aside my worries, and holding the torch, we leave the house. Despite the foul weather and the lack of electricity, our village is humming. Seemingly every family is out, children dressed in spooky costumes.

There are no lights flickering in Sue’s windows, yet her silver Kia is parked outside the gate.

“Let’s see if Aunty Sue is here.” I rap loudly on her door. There is no answer. Uneasiness grips my throat.

Sue is the most reliable person I know.

The children stuff themselves with sugary sweets and when the rain turns torrential, we head home. I ring Sue every few minutes. I call other neighbours, but no one has seen or spoken to her, and no one has Tom’s number. I can sense that something is horribly wrong.

The power comes on as I am putting the kids to bed, and then just before 10pm, the front door opens.

“Surprise!” Craig grins. “I got a lift south with a colleague.”

I throw my arms around him. “I’m worried about Sue.” “Do you want me to go around to hers and check?”

“No. You’re tired. Stay here with the kids and I’ll go.”

I tug on my waterproofs and stride briskly down the street. Sue’s house is still shrouded in darkness. My heart is pounding as I put her key in the lock.

“Anyone home?” Silence. I walk through the narrow hallway into the kitchen and switch on the light. Sue’s mobile phone lies on the small kitchen table.

And that’s when I see it. Dark red fluid dripping down the front of the fridge, pooling onto the floor. I scream.

I know I should open the fridge door, but can I really bear to see my sister’s head inside? The room spins and I grab the edge of the table to stop myself from slipping to the ground. Somehow, I manage to call Craig.

“Tom’s killed her,” I whisper. “And he might still be here.”

“I’m calling the police,” Craig says. “Get out of the house.”

I edge backwards out of the kitchen, my breathing shallow and fast, my heartbeat deafening. In the hallway, I turn and bolt out of the front door, running down the path, back along the pavement and straight into Craig’s arms.

“The police are on their way.”

With his arm tightly around my shoulders we walk back to Sue’s house. “Stay here, love, and I’ll go and check.”

“I’m coming with you.”

Craig gasps as he sees the crimson puddle. We both hold our breath as he steps towards the fridge door.

“Hello! Sorry I missed trick-or-treating.” Sue stands in the doorway, arm in arm with Tom. “My phone died, and I couldn’t charge it. We’ve been ghost-spotting.”

Craig and I stand there, our mouths opening and closing. I point at the red puddle on the floor. Sue steps forwards and pulls open the fridge door.

“Damn,” she says. “The cherry sorbet has leaked everywhere.”

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.

About the house

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We have been installing packaged sewage treatment plants for over 35 years.

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Charity

3 ‘muppets’ and a home-made raft raise over £11,000 for local hospice

A

triumphant trio have returned from an incredible trip paddling from Devizes to Chelsea to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice.

In tribute to his dad, Rob, who was cared for by the local hospice, Charles Reynolds, along with his friends Kit Burgess and Bob Blackstock, (to Windsor before being replaced by Ben Perkins on the final stretch) set out on 19th August on a homemade raft.

Armed with only three paddles and their optimism, on one week they’ve tackled a journey of more than 120 miles and 77 locks. All on a raft made of floorboards and six old agricultural barrels!

Their adventurous spirit paid off and the selfproclaimed 3 ‘muppets’ have raised more than £11,000 in memory of Charles’ dad.

Charles said, “What an adventure it’s been! The journey took us longer than we thought, a week instead of four days, the weather was against us, and it was tougher than we imagined but remembering why we were taking on the challenge kept us going. We even became the most patriotic/optimistic ‘sailors’ on the Thames for a short time during a brief gust of wind going in the right direction, using our Union flag for a sail! When the wind wasn’t on our side, one of us had to wade alongside our raft, but we’re so thrilled that we completed our journey.

When my dad Rob was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour in February this year, it was completely out of the blue, but St Catherine’s were brilliant in caring for him and our entire family. They were incredible during the coronavirus lockdown too. They allowed us to

Photo: Challenge complete!

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continue to safely visit Dad at the hospice until he lost his fight in May. For me, my mum and my three sisters, Dad was an irreplaceable father, husband and role model. He was a vet who spent his life helping people, and he was dearly loved by many. We sorely miss him, and if Dad was here, he’d have been the first to both condemn this raft trip as crazy, as well as grab a paddle and join in. I know he’d be incredibly proud of our efforts though.

The trio had wonderful support during their challenge, including many donations from people who met them during their journey. Charles said, “We told people why we were doing this and the love and support we got was amazing. I’d like to thank everyone who showed an interest in our fundraising, supported us, and donated. We’ve been blown away with how generous people have been. It means so much. Initially we had a target of £1,000, but in a time where St Catherine’s needs as much fundraising support as possible, we’re ecstatic that we managed to raise so much more.”

The ‘muppets’ also attracted the attention of local and national media with appearances on BBC Wiltshire, BBC Sussex, BBC Surrey and Chris Evan’s Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio after they were spotted by a presenter paddling down the Thames! Many listeners generously donated after hearing about the ‘muppets’ incredible feat. Virgin Radio even challenged Charles, Kit and Bob to their next paddling adventure across to the Isle of Wight!

To make a donation to support the 3 ‘muppets’ please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/3muppetsandaraft Laura Mitchell, St Catherine’s Hospice

About the house

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

Our Youngest Litter Hero!

After hearing that an enthusiastic young man had been out and about with his family picking up litter in the areas near to his home, the Parish Council was delighted to present him with his own hi-viz jacket to ensure he can be clearly seen whilst undertaking this very important role.

Senior Litter Warden Colin Ellis is seen here with young Edward, our youngest litter hero!

Billingshurst Community Transport

Highway Trees Update

Billingshurst Community Transport (BCT) is open to assist members for their medical/dental appointments. If you need assistance in travelling to appointments or even if you think you could spare some time to volunteer as a driver, please call 01403 787696, Graeme and his team would love to hear from you.

The Community Transport AGM will be held during October, keep an eye on the NEWSFEED section of the Parish Council website for more information.

Readers may remember that the Parish Council asked residents for suggestions for new locations for highway trees. We had an excellent response and we have now heard back from West Sussex County Council that 27 new trees will be planted in the winter season of 2020/2021.

Check out the NEWSFEED section of the Parish Council website to see the map and list of tree types.

Updates from the Neighbourhood Wardens The Billingshurst Neighbourhood Wardens produce regular monthly reports. 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.

We can help Now that life is starting to gently return to some sort of normality, organisations and groups will be starting to think about holding community events and meetings. Do remember that our staff members are happy to help with advertising these events; 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@

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

Billingshurst Parish Council

@BillingshurstPC

billingshurst.gov.uk and we will do what we can to help.

Dog/Litter bin provision on new development land There has been much discussion about a need for new dog waste and litter bins on the new housing estates to the east of the village.

Having discussed this with Horsham District Council, we can advise that as most if not all of the roads and open spaces in this development will not be passed to local authorities to maintain, it will be incumbent on the developers (and resulting management company) to consider the provision of bins.

We have asked the developers if there are any plans for bins in the near future and once there is further news, an update will be provided.

private land but only on the official line of the path, not wider; and reminds residents they are responsible for their own actions or lack of.

Public Consultation for a replacement Skatepark at Jubilee Fields An online public consultation on the designs for the replacement skatepark at Jubilee should go live on the Council’s website and social media pages by the time you are reading this update.

Sign up to our new E-Newsletter In response to requests from residents who wanted the Council to expand on the different ways it engages with residents, you can now sign up to receive e-mails direct from the Council. This is entirely voluntary and is GDPR compliant.

You can be assured you will not be bombarded with hundreds of emails, but it could be that we want to notify you of an important planning application, a public consultation or a severe weather warning.

You can unsubscribe at any time. We do hope you will join the large number of residents who have already signed up and give it a try. You can subscribe by clicking on e-newsletter signup on our Facebook page, or by visiting the NEWSFEED page on our website www.billingshurst.gov.uk

Countryside access We have all been enjoying opportunity recently to visit our local countryside, both because of lockdown restrictions and the lovely weather. Sadly not all access has been sympathetic to those who own or manage the land – the Parish Council has received reports of horses being chased by dogs, picnics being taken in open fields, cycling on footpaths, litter and much more.

None of us would want our pets harassed or uninvited people walking across or picnicking in our front gardens.

The Parish Council encourages footpaths and bridleways to be seen as access over

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.

Lights on in West Sussex Autumn is on its way and nights are rapidly drawing in. If you are aware of footway or street lighting which isn’t working, please report it to SSE Enterprise Lighting via their ‘Lights On In West Sussex’ website www.lightsoninwestsussex.co.uk or by telephoning their Customer Service Team on 0800 048 2435. You will need the column number of the faulty light and the road name. This is an excellent service and easily accessible for all residents.

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

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Charity / About the house

“We’re still here to do the very best we can for patients and families”

D

r Cathy Gleeson works at St Catherine’s Hospice caring for terminally ill local people on the hospice wards. As restrictions slowly start to ease, she wanted to share a few reflections of what it’s been like caring for people in the community throughout this pandemic.

“I was asked how coronavirus has impacted on the care we offer local people at the hospice. And initially I thought about how difficult it’s been, and continues to be, to work from behind a mask, covered in a plastic apron and gloves.

“It’s quieter at the hospice because we haven’t got so many people working here at the moment – they’re mainly at home – and there’s not such a hustle and bustle. We usually have lots of visitors coming and going; complementary therapists and other volunteers, external visitors, PAT [Pets As Therapy] dog, all that sort of thing, and we’ve had to cut back. But then I thought, actually, that sounds a bit negative, because in so many ways, what we do has stayed exactly the same.

“We’re still admitting people from home, at times when they really need help, care and support. We’re allowing them to have visitors, albeit in PPE for their safety, and in terms of what I do, and what our nurses do, really our role is the same.

“We’re still here to listen to people, to try and sort out their problems, and to do the very best we can as doctors and nurses, working with our wider clinical team to support people when they need us.

“And if I think about the concerns that patients currently have, really, they're very similar to always.

Sadly, Covid-19 has added a complicating

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dimension for many patients and their families in terms of more worries and more tests, but the important things – like someone being comfortable, feeling secure and looked after, and working out how we can continue to support them and their family to the best we can, that’s all stayed the same.

“And so even if I feel strange at times, talking from behind a mask and worrying about whether people can hear me and whether they feel that I’m doing my best to be empathetic and caring, I know that they do feel that because they tell me.

“Indeed, sometimes we manage to laugh about it all – I was talking to one gentleman, apologising for the strange kit we all had to wear and said that I hoped he could see from my eyes that I was smiling behind the mask – he laughed and winked at me in response.

“I find these moments hugely reassuring and I hope you will too.

We still want to do the best we can to make life as good as it can be for those who have limited time.

And it’s only through the support and generous donations of all of you out there that we can still manage that. So, I’m hugely grateful to everyone reading who supports us to support others. Thank you.”

Your local hospice, St Catherine’s, has seen a severe shortfall in funding due to coronavirus.

Please consider donating today so Cathy and her colleagues can continue to provide expert hospice care when it’s needed most – www.stch.org.uk/donate.

Laura Mitchell, St Catherine’s Hospice Photo: Dr Cathy Gleeson on St Catherine’s Hospice wards

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Oven Cleaning Direct – Horsham

About the house

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

The Hole

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

T

he weather had turned a little colder and the oak leaves had just about finished falling as Brody and Magnus pottered around on the terrace in the afternoon sun. A movement down on the paddock caught Brody’s eye and he began his “Look out” bark.

Magnus was immediately on his feet searching the distance. Unlike Brody who barked, Magnus was a dog of action; he raced down the steps yipping excitedly and ran toward the movement as fast as his little legs could carry him. After a hesitation Brody followed and they both reached the source of the movement together. Together they saw something scurrying down a large hole in the ground.

The hole smelled interesting so Magnus put his head in it; then his front legs, then his body and finally his tail. Squeezing a bit further in he found himself in a large chamber. As his eyes became accustomed to the dark and with his nose twitching he ‘a shape of many eyes found the smell had a shape – of darkness swirling around and many eyes as blinking lights. It swirled around him and he was afraid. Trying to find the way out he discovered the entrance he had come in by had disappeared. He was trapped and fear paralysed him.

Meanwhile Brody was still barking at the entrance to the hole. He did not fancy putting his head in. His barking had now changed to his “Help, help!” bark but no one in the house heard. But help came in a very different guise…

Aaron and his harem were dozing in the sun under the pine trees when they heard Brody’s “Help!” bark.

Although a different language than theirs they understood the desperation in his tone. They all lumbered over to look. Even though they were not fond of the dogs – especially if they were barking – they ignored him and observed the hole. The darkness was not unfamiliar; they had faced it themselves at the same time the previous year. They looked for Anna-Georgia… there she was, as usual at the back. Aaron snickered and she came forward. She knew what she had to do.

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Closing her eyes she remembered and went back in time to that stable in the faraway land – to the baby who had smiled at her as she had put aside her wildness to visit him. The baby’s mother smiled at her too and stroked her woolly black face and silver fleece. Mother and baby nodded and Anna-Georgia opened her eyes.

She knew.

The hole looked dark and she could just see the swirl of darkness within. As the light around her glowed she stamped hard on the ground above the hole. She stamped again and transmitted thoughts to Brody who by this time was standing astonished that the sheep had not been troubled by his barking. For a moment he looked startled, then puzzled.

Anna-Georgia stamped again and sent stronger thoughts to Brody. Slowly realisation dawned on his face and then eagerness.

He had a job to do and he was to do it. as blinking lights…’ going Placing himself firmly in front of the hole he began to dig, slowly at first and then much faster. His front paws changed into big shovels as he enlarged the hole. The darkness fought back. It had its captive and did not want to give it up. AnnaGeorgia stamped again and the darkness retreated enough for Brody to continue digging. The entrance to the hole got bigger and Brody began on the passage into the dark.

Despite the dark holding him powerless, Magnus heard the digging. Hope rose and he was able to start moving. With every stamp he heard, the darkness grew weaker and he was freed more. He started to dig too. It seemed to take an eternity but finally they both broke through and Magnus crawled out into the sunshine.

Anna-Georgia stamped once more and the hole closed in, trapping the darkness yet again.

As if nothing had happened the sheep went back under the pines and the two dogs returned to the terrace and had thoughts together. And so another day came to an end on that little farm near Billingshurst.

Yvonne Fleece

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About the house

GB Glazing Ltd

Electricians for Home & Business

We supply and fit: • Quality UPVC Windows and Doors • Aluminium Windows and Bi-fold Doors • Composite Doors • Glass Splash backs • Single Glazing misted/broken double glazed units • Handles and Hinges • Cat flaps • All types of remedial work

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Buying secondhand

Secondhand, Not Second Best

T

here has never been a better time to buy secondhand for your home. During lockdown lots of people indulged in some major decluttering and many lovely items have ended up on eBay, Facebook, and similar sites, not to mention charity shops and vintage stores.

Nowadays we can buy anything we like new, online or in department stores. So why purchase anything secondhand? Well, the problem with everyone shopping in the same stores is that everyone’s home begins to look a bit like identikit furnishing or ‘home-design-bynumbers’. Then there’s the issue of landfill.

Buying secondhand means you’re not contributing to a ‘wasteful’ society. Finally, secondhand means you get to choose something different, quirky, and unique to you.

Take paintings. It’s easy to pop into IKEA and buy a nice printed canvas but buying an original vintage oil painting is significantly more worth it.

Most people think ‘Rembrandt’ or ‘Monet’ if you mention oil paintings but there are many lovely affordable original works of art or vintage prints on offer, and who knows, you might even happen upon an undiscovered old master!

Antiques rugs are another good purchase and can set the tone of an entire space. Look in antique markets for Oushaks and Serapis-style rugs. They use higher-quality wool, have a softer texture and blend with modern or antique furniture. They also tend to appreciate in value with age. Look for quality craftmanship, no sun TO DEL MO THE 9,0 IVE NT ON 00 RED HLY LY HO BY M ME R AG S IN OYA YO L MA UR IL AR EA

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damage, and no smoke and pet odours. An older rug should be worn evenly.

Leather club chairs will always be a good purchase. Look for original leather or one recovered with vintage leather. Distressed leather is lovely and adds character but avoid chairs with a lot of peeling or cracking, and (unless it is for decorative purposes only) check the support it offers!

I break plates and cups with alarming regularity. So much so that I gave up on matching dinner services many years ago. Instead I buy pretty individual vintage pieces I like.

The mix ‘n’ match look is eclectic but works for me and my family.

Vintage doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, but if you are more careful than I am go for it.

Look for patina, shape, and design to indicate whether an article is genuine.

Mirrors are some of the best items to buy vintage or antique. There are a wide range of styles in good condition that can add a touch of history or character to a room. An original mirror edged with silver or gold, even if it is distressed, is so much more interesting than anything bought new. Old mirrors may have distortions or bubbles in the glass so are best placed where ‘decorative’ or ‘increasing light and space’ is more important than ‘functional mirror’!

Buying secondhand can be fun, let you express your individual personality, save money and the planet. What could be better?

Tracey Anderson

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About the house

alba plumbing Plumbing with a Twist We’re Gas Fitters too! l Taps l Leaks l Burst pipes l Power showers l Faulty toilets l Overflows l Power flushing l Change, install radiators l Full bathroom installs l Heated towel rails l Central heating repairs l Central heating upgrade l Faulty ball valves

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Tel: 01403 785700 www.sussexcarpetbrokers.co.uk

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Community / About the house

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Billingshurst Scarecrow Competition

T

he Rotary Club of Billingshurst and District decided to set a challenge for the families in Billingshurst during the school summer break and at the same time raise much needed funds for Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, whose fundraising suffered a devastating loss of 70% during the Covid-19 lockdown.

No one is ever charged for the care they receive from Chestnut Tree House, but with less than 6% of their funding coming from the Government, the children’s hospice relies heavily on the support of the local community through donations and fund raising income.

But Covid-19 is having a devastating impact on fundraising, with charity shops closed and events postponed, leading to a threat to the care and support given to very sick children and their families.

With this in mind The Rotary Club of Billingshurst came to their aid and set a simple challenge for families to enter a competition building one or more scarecrows, placing them in their gardens where they could

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be seen and judged, at the same time help raise much needed funds for Chestnut Tree House.

It was a brilliant turn out with 17 families taking part with a range of amazing scarecrows entered. The judging was carried out on Saturday 29th August and after a lengthy debate among the three judges, consensus was finally reached to determine the top three entries.

First prize was awarded to ‘The Tranquille Family’ for their imaginative hospital scene, the Runner up prizes went to ‘The Dewell Family’ for a scarecrow on her bicycle ready for the first day at school and ‘The Smith Family’ for a scarecrow wedding.

Everyone said how they enjoyed the competition which may now become an annual event. A total of £470 was raised for Chestnut Tree House from donations given by the entrants to the competition.

Sandy Duck, Billingshurst & District Rotary Club Photos: 2nd, 1st and 3rd scarecrows

M.W. Wingate

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Pets / About the house

The Spaniel Diaries

I

t’s been a hectic time for a spaniel, summer has slipped into autumn and with the nights drawing in mum is getting even more training in. I mean, I’m already perfect, in my opinion anyway but mum seems to think that I think I know it all – well I do, I’m a Cocker spaniel so it’s totally true! I know where the bunnies and birdies are, my super-powered nose tells me.

As for mum, she can’t even smell when she’s practically burning the house down attempting that thing called cooking!

So, we have had an amazing summer, even if I have had to keep an eye on Mav the idiot. I have, however, taught him to roll in fox poo; it smells amazing and I’m glad he thinks so too – mum now has two of us to cold hose. I certainly make my feelings known about that, I mean she’s so cruel. I look at her with my beautiful melting golden eyes and she still insists on washing me under the hose, the cheek!

Mum has bought us these light-up collars so she can see us in the field in the dark. Dammit, no sneaking off for me then. I do wonder if aliens look down and wonder “What on earth…” as the pretty lights zoom around the paddock! Still, they keep us safe so I cannot complain really. As long as she doesn’t insist I wear a coat, I am not a wimp and have plenty of fur of my own, thanks. I shall let my distaste be known if she puts one on me, lying down and refusing to move usually works; Mav doesn’t mind but he’s such an idiot he’ll put up with anything!

We have a new arrival in the family, another big lump of those things mum calls horses. They are really strange creatures, frightened of flowers

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gently blowing in the breeze, I mean how stupid is that? I personally keep well away from the things, Mav does too so perhaps not such an idiot as I thought. I can’t believe mum actually sits on the things, she has a perfectly good box on wheels for going places so it can’t be she needs the horse thing for transport? Very odd.

The new one is called Harley and actually seems quite nice for a horse. He pays no attention to us dogs and spends much of his time with his face stuck in the grass! He doesn’t even mind me burying my treasure – mum calls them logs – behind his water trough, so I think Harley can stay.

I was a clever dog last month, winning a prize in a competition, well that’s simply because I am such a handsome boy and I know my job. Sometimes I have to let mum think she’s in charge, although as we all know it’s me who’s actually at the helm – still it’s worth it as I get something extra tasty in my dinner bowl, although my portion sizes still remain on the small side...

We are getting out and about super early in the mornings now and I have to say I’m loving the chilly nip in the air, I make mum laugh as I zoom around like a puppy, well I have to let my fur down sometimes, the only problem is that troublemaker Mav is so much quicker than me – must be those long skinny legs he has! But no way can he outsmart me, I know all the tricks and I still reside in the most comfortable spots in the house. He knows his place and makes do with the floor!

I’m hoping for sunny autumn days and more lovely walks. Catch up next month!

Jeannette Douglas

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About the house / Fencing

Family Run Local Retailer / Service Provider

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Garden Tweet! / Pest control

Beautiful Berberis

B

erberis thunbergii are deciduous shrubs which look particularly fabulous at this time year, producing highly coloured leaves, and often berries which last well into winter.

These berries are actually edible and rich in vitamin C, though because they are very acidic, they are not widely consumed by people. They are an important food for many small birds, however.

They get their other name of ‘barberry bush’ because of their vicious spines.

This makes them useful as an impenetrable barrier hedge and may be another reason why the berries aren’t harvested much!

Like the colourful Japanese Maple, they originate from Eastern Asia.

Berberis vary in colour according to the cultivar and variety. The common Berberis thunbergii have green leaves in spring and summer which turn rich burgundy in autumn. If you’d like the purple colour all year round choose Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea, which has purple leaves in spring that turn rich mahogany in autumn. Though Berberis are generally grown for their autumn colour, they are a hard-working shrub, and produce a mass of tiny yellow flowers in spring, providing interest at either end of the year.

There is a Berberis for most gardens: They can grow to a maximum height and spread of 1.5m, but there are now dwarf forms which grow to just 50cm, try ‘Tiny Gold’ or ‘Lutin Rouge’. They grow best in full sun but also tolerate partial shade.

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

Garden View

They do well in most soil types, and even do well in drought, but will thrive particularly well in well drained moist soil. Their easy-going nature extends to aftercare, as they are generally pest-free and require little attention, other than a trim to tidy them up periodically. If you don’t have much space or mainly grow in containers on a balcony ‘Lutin Rouge’ does very well in a pot.

Mid-September to October, and mid-March to April are the best times to plant so now is the perfect time.

Dig a hole double the width of the root ball. Sprinkle in a handful of blood, fish and bone and work into the ground. Place the plant into the hole, fill in with soil around the root ball and firm the soil down gently but firmly, finish by watering well. They will appreciate being mulched with well-rotted organic matter in late spring, but they aren’t fussy; grass cuttings will do fine.

My absolute favourite is Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Admiration’. This lovely plant has extremely attractive orange-red foliage, edged with yellow, and forms an attractive mound shape.

Its masses of small yellow flowers in the spring followed by purple-crimson berries in autumn make it the most perfect Berberis in my opinion.

Happy gardening.

Rachel Leverton

Logs / Garden Tweet!

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Community

Post-lockdown freedom 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.

W

ith the lockdown this year and the extra time that folk have had to remain in the confines of their homes, the state of the nation’s health has been forced to the front of the press on many occasions.

One of the results of this has been the mass expansion of the bicycling community. Well, good luck to them! I can only stand and admire their efforts and applaud the energy that so many have found to pound the roads and country lanes of our lovely county.

There has also been a huge increase in another form of transport. One that has no doubt been encouraged to flourish with the wonderful weather of the last three months. I refer, of course, to the motorcycle. They’ve been on a rapid and very successful breeding programme, you know.

Small, dainty Vespa and Lambretta scooters have evolved and matured into roaring monsters that congregate into restless, noisy herds at watering holes like Box Hill and Whiteways Lodge at the top of Bury Hill.

Many of the leather-clad riders I strongly suspect are old enough to fondly remember the old Beeza Bantams of their youth!

Anyway, this all brought back memories of my own exploits into the world of motorised wheels…

Over sixty years ago now I purchased my first motorbike. Four months of hard saving bought me a £10 machine of untold vintage from the local scrappy. A Coventry Eagle as I recall. 125 cc of very limited power. Girder framed – no such luxury as telescopic forks – and a gearchange lever mounted on the petrol tank.

I loved that machine. It took me and my co-worker to the farm every morning and back each night. No mounted lights, just two bicycle lamps fastened to either end of the machine with baler twine and eloquently known as ‘Bobby Dodgers’.

38

My mate and I would share the only seat and he would rest his wellied feet on the top of the twin exhaust pipes. The ever increasing smell of burning rubber would tell us how far into our journey we had travelled far better than the poor lighting ever did.

Thankfully, even our local Bobby was impressed with it! Often stopping us by the village green to gently suggest we get a couple of helmets and replace the machine’s bicycle drive chain with a proper motorbike one, he would carefully ignore the fact that there was no road fund licence on display and although it carried a pair of L plates there were two of us on board!

I guess the pace of life was slower then. There was more time to stand and stare as the poets say. On the whole, it was a darn sight quieter! Great fun though.

I never progressed further into the two-wheel experience and eventually moved on to the comfort of a vehicle with a roof!

I still look at those bikes with some twinges of longing though. Perhaps it’s something that all blokes feel as they reach a certain time of life and look back on those days long ago when such a machine gave them a freedom that they have never experienced since!

Finally my friends, do you want the good news or the bad?

OK, the good news first…

For my eightieth birthday the government in their generosity have given me a present. An extra something in my pension 25p.

I know, I know… I can hear your queries from here, what am I going to do with it? How shall I spend it? What dreams shall I fulfil with these sudden riches?

Ah ha! Fear not. I should have known. The word has spread. I still do a couple of days each week pottering around the farm… the ears of the inland revenue have twitched and they’ve changed my tax coding… I now pay an extra 60p.

Ain’t life grand!

P.S. Do they do a motorised zimmer, I wonder?

John Nash

WACT / Garden Tweet!

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Wey & Arun Canal Trust secures lottery funding after losses due to Covid-19

T

he Wey & Arun Canal Trust has been awarded £13,100 of National Lottery support in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and its effect on heritage charities’ income.

The funds will be used to repair the leaks in sections of canal bed at Long Meadow, Drungewick, West Sussex, along with paying for the necessary equipment needed to make both the Canal Centre and boat trips at the Loxwood wharf Covid-safe.

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. Some £50m has been made available to provide emergency funding across the heritage sector.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this crisis.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as the Wey & Arun Canal Trust during this uncertain time.”

Trust Chairman Sally Schupke added, “Thanks to the

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National Lottery and its players we can now push on with completing the repairs at Long Meadow. We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.

“The investment in PPE and safety screens has also meant passengers and crew can be confident they are safe when enjoying one of our boat trips this autumn.”

The canal at Long Meadow was drained late last year and a local specialist environmental consultancy was employed to move the thousands of fish living there to other parts of the canal.

At Loxwood, investment has been made in a Perspex protective screen installed at the cash desk, along with PPE and cleaning materials needed to protect visitors, passengers and volunteers.

Boat trips will run on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout September and October.

Gill Davies, Press and Publications Assistant Photo: fish being moved from Drungewick

R.E.M. Landscapes Ltd

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Nature / Logs

Of Dragons and Damsels…

I

am happy to be able to tell you that the second report on the dragonflies of the River Kird as it passes through the Parish of Kirdford has been finished by our surveyor Dr Alison Barker. This is with thanks to the landowners and to those volunteers who assisted Alison. Copies of the report have been sent to funders – Chichester District Council, the Wisborough Green Fete Society and KKWG along with the landowners, volunteers, Parish Councils and the wildlife groups with an interest in this area.

The River Kird in West Sussex is a tributary of the River Arun. It flows into a section of the Upper Arun that is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the basis of its exceptional dragonfly and damselfly fauna. In a previous survey undertaken in 2017, reported on in 2018, when we surveyed the river as it winds its way thorugh the Parish of Wisborough Green, we were able to survey over 5 km of the lower reaches of the River Kird and found that it had a diverse fauna of dragonflies typical of lowland eutrophic waterways.

These included many of the area’s specialities, with high breeding populations of Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva), classed as Near Threatened in the UK Red

Data list. The river offers a diversity of habitats from narrow fast-flowing channels to broad open areas upstream of weirs, and this contributes to the diversity of Odonata species. There were some problems with banks overgrown with scrub and trees in some areas and evidence of nitrate and phosphate pollution which impact adversely on damselflies and dragonflies. All the sightings were sent to the Sussex Biodiversity Records Office. A copy of the report was sent to the MP for this area, Rt Hon Andrew Griffith, who mentioned it in his newsletter: “We are fortunate in West Sussex to have an amazing diversity of native species – many of them now rare and endangered. One example which crossed my desk this month is a recent survey of the Upper Kird River near Kirdford by Dr Alison Barker that recorded seven species of damselflies and an astonishing twelve different species of dragonflies on just this upper section of river, with an additional two damselfly and two dragonfly species on ponds in the nearby landscape. Ecological factors simply must be given more weight when it comes to potential housing development before it is too late!” [My emphasis].

Dr Jill Sutcliffe, Chair, KKWG. Tel: (01403) 700395

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Kids of all ages / Garden Tweet!

Halloween Spot the Difference

Can you spot 12 ghoulish differences?

Solution on page 43

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Motoring

MOT TESTING CARS AND CLASS VII

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Motoring

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What’s On near you

What’s On – October 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: Philip, 07786 070939 or email: info@HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org Every Mon Wisborough Green Short Mat Bowls Club. Village Hall. Mons 2.30-4.30pm, Weds 1.30-3.30pm. & Weds New members & visitors welcome. £2.50 (includes Tea/Coffee & biscuits). Trial session free for newcomers. Further information: www.wisboroughgreen.org or contact Keith Carter on 01403 700502 Every Tues 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 Billingshurst Short Mat Bowls. Suspended until further notice due to Coronavirus 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. 10-11.30am. Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane (Holbrook Club in mid-Winter).

Followed by refreshments. Men & women welcome. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org.

Tel: Philip, 07786 070939 or email: info@HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org Every Tues 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 Pétanque Club. Meets at Shipley Football Ground, 10.15am for 10.30 start (*in the Spring/Summer/ & Fri* Autumn months meet Friday, 6.30pm). Coffee after. All equipment provided. All ages and abilities welcome. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: Russell, 07803 259190 or email: info@HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org Every Weds Horsham Accordion Band. Practises in Slinfold Chapel from 7.30-9.30pm. Varied repertoire. Band Leader Mags Fisher tel: (01403) 790717 or email: magsfisher@btinternet.com Every Weds The Millennium Bridge Club. Storrington Village Hall, 1.30-4.30pm. All abilities. Please contact: Barbara: (01903) 741365 or daisy.campling@btinternet.com Every Weds Line dancing. St Gabriel’s Church Hall 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 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. Updates: 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 1 Oct 1 Oct

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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 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

What’s On near you / Aircraft noise

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3 Oct

Billingshurst Horticultural Society Buffet Supper. St Gabriel’s Parish Hall, East Street. 6.30 for 7pm. Members & friends. 50 maximum. Contact Beryl Barraclough, tel: (01043) 784599 4 Oct 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 5 Oct Rotary Club monthly ‘Friends’ get together for new members. Six Bells, Billinghurst. 7pm. Come along and find out about what we do!

6 Oct 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 7 Oct The Arts Society – South Downs Pandemic Online Talk by Caroline Knight: ‘The History of the Royal Academy’. 10.30 a.m. We regret this online Zoom talk is for members only. If you are interested in joining the lecture please contact Hilary, tel: (01403) 785302. We look forward to returning to Fittleworth Hall as soon as it is safe to do so. www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk 7, 14, 21, Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talks. Regretfully suspended until further notice due to Coronavirus 28, Oct restrictions. Please contact (01403) 780660 for further info 8 Oct Billingshurst WI. Cancelled due to Corona virus 9 Oct Billingshurst and District Wine and Beer Circle meeting. Cancelled due to Corona virus 10 Oct Billingshurst United Reformed Church Dementia Café. Temporarily suspended due to Coronavirus 14 Oct 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 14 Oct 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 15 Oct 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 16 Oct-1 Nov Petworth Festival Special. A special online Covid-19-proof mix ‘for 2020 only’ of stellar performances and literary events. Further details: www.petworthfestival.org.uk 19 Oct 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 20 Oct St Mary’s Guild Members’ talk: ‘The History of Christmas Foods’. St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 10.30am. We are a friendly women’s group and we welcome visitors. Beryl Peacock (01403) 782835 20 Oct Loxwood Jazz & Blues Club. Cancelled due to Corona virus 22 Oct 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 24 Oct 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 28 Oct Quiet Garden Afternoon at The Blue Idol. Temporarily suspended due to Coronavirus. See website for details: www.blueidol.org IF ATTENDING A MEETING YOU MUST ADHERE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S ‘RULE OF SIX’ i.e. A MAXIMUM OF SIX PEOPLE AT ANY MEETING OR GATHERING. YOU RISK A £100 FINE FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

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

WORRIED ABOUT AIRCRAFT NOISE, EMISSIONS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND GATWICK AIRPORT EXPANSION PLANS? Then join Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emission at www.cagne.org You can trust CAGNE to be fair to all communities of Sussex, Surrey and Kent Est Feb 2014 Email: cagnegatwick@gmail.com Instagram CAGNE

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T

Fire Station / Advertisers Index

What exactly is a ‘fire-fighter’?

he popular perception of a fire-fighter is a crew sitting around on a fire station all day waiting for the alarm to ring, then kicking into action, sliding down the pole and piling into the fire engine, blue lights flashing, to extinguish fires.

But for a ‘Retained station’ like Billingshurst’s, nothing could be further from the truth. The majority of our firefighters at Billingshurst are at their daily place of work with an alerter, ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice to respond to a call. Engineers, retail workers, factory workers and the selfemployed. Each time the alerter sounds and we hurriedly depart from work our bosses have no idea when we may return.

And if our alerter calls us when we are not at work our partners and children know that mummy has to turn into both a Mother and a Father. Our partners convince themselves and family members they are still married even though we have had to rush off in the middle of a family occasion. The understanding that when we get home from a difficult call and wanting nothing more than to play with the children or catchup on the housework our bodies may be tired, or seeing the telltale signs as we walk through the door that it will be tough to switch off and suppress what we’ve just seen.

There is a saying: ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

I feel it takes a village to raise a fire crew. We would not be able to respond to emergencies if it wasn’t for the ongoing support of our employers which currently include Thomas Keating, Langrex and Sainsburys. We would not be able to function without the donations from our local shops and support of our public.

This week alone (early September) our crews have responded to 22 incidents totalling 53 hours away from family and our places of work. Field fires, Road Traffic Collisions, assisting our colleagues at Surrey Fire & Rescue with the ongoing Chobham Common incident, have been some of the calls we have attended.

Most importantly it would be impossible to be a Fire-fighter without the amazing support and understanding of our partners.

So, what is a fire-fighter? A firefighter is no one person; we are a network of support to bring the Blue Angels when you’re most in need and we thank you.

Twitter: @Station49Fire Facebook: Billingshurst Fire Station Tim Wakeford, Billingshurst Fire Station Photo: Forest fire extinguished. Top row, left to right: Jason & Matt. Bottom row, left to right: Tim, Ronnie, Connor

ADVERTISERS INDEX October 2020 A-Team Mechanics............................43 A/c’s Direct, Accounting ......................8 AC Decor...........................................28 Alba Plumbing...................................31 Ansells Market.....................................6 Apex Aerials ......................................35 Arlo’s Toy Shop .................................11 Best Choice Roofing .........................34 Billingshurst Leisure Centre ..............14 Billingshurst Parish Council ........24, 25 Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre ..................................42 Bygone Gardening ............................39 CAGNE .............................................45 CJ Sewage Treatment ......................21 Dandelion Farewells, funerals...........12 DGS Logs..........................................37 DM Handyman ..................................21 DW Gardens .....................................41 Evans Electrical.................................31 Feeling Amazing Nutrition .................13 Flackwoods Solicitors..........................5 Flow-serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating..........................................34 Freeman Brothers, funerals ..............10

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GB Glazing Ltd..................................29 GJ Coles, builder ..............................35 Goring Road Carpet Centre..............27 Hamilton Cole TV & Satellite Equipment .....................................35 Heritage Decorating ..........................21 Holly Stone Hypnotherapy ................13 JC Plumbing......................................28 Jim Hills Sports Warehouse................3 JMB Gardening Services ..................36 Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery ..........41 Just Care...........................................17 Katherine Finn Hypnotherapy ...........13 Kings Head pub ................................10 KJ Lammas Plumbing & Heating ......19 Lee’s Locks .......................................23 Louise Sloan Opticians .....................15 Mac’s Private Hire...............................6 Meadows Wellbeing ..........................16 Mike Lord Building ............................23 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning ...........27 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating .33 MPS Home Improvements Ltd..........27 N Francis Electrical Ltd.....................29 NFP Forestry.....................................40

NFU Mutual Insurance ........................4 Omni Davis Insurance.........................7 Oven Cleaning Direct........................26 Oven Rescue ....................................29 P&W Jordan Upholstery....................33 Park House Kitchens.....................OBC Pest Man...........................................36 Petworth MOT Centre .......................42 PJM Building & Property Maintenance..................................31 Rebecca Beauty Therapist................13 REM Landscapes..............................39 Re-Nu Kitchens.................................23 Rudgwick Fencing.............................35 S&L Floristry........................................8 Scriven Arboriculture.........................37 St Mary’s church .................................9 Sussex Carpet Brokers .....................32 Sussex Exteriors ...............................18 Sussex Free Range Turkeys.............11 Sussex Towing Brackets ...................43 Titchmarsh Services, tree surgery ....37 Tulip Accounting..................................7 Village Homecare..............................17 Village Nurseries ...............................41

Little Tweeters!

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