The Chronicle for December 2013 and January 2014 – P a g e 1 The Chronicle for December 2013 —January 2014 - Page 2 The Chronicle for December 2013 and January 2014 – P a g e 2
From the Editorial Team . . .
Our recent storms and waterlogged fields are put into perspective when we look at the horrors wrought by the Philippines tornado. We are truly lucky in this country to have weather that is a target for grumbles rather than a threat to existence. On a very different type of loss, Peter is stepping down from the Chronicle editorial team, as he explains on page 3. The rebirth of the Chronicle seven years ago after Alan gave up producing it almost single-handedly was due to Peter’s initiative, and he has been a mainstay of the team ever since. He is, of course, still much involved in other activities in our community, but we shall miss him on the Chronicle – although we hope that the odd phone call or e-mail will still come our way. Finally, may we wish to all our readers a very happy Christmas and New Year.
From Peter, Anne, Kathy, Marion and Kate
THE CHRONICLE
is published six times a year by St. Margaret's Church, West Hoathly for the benefit of the communities of West Hoathly, Sharpthorne, and Highbrook. The publication is edited, printed and distributed entirely within the parish by a dedicated team of volunteers. We welcome reports of regular and one-off events and meetings, notices of forthcoming activities, reminiscences, poems, line drawings, short stories, individual viewpoints, letters, information and news of other matters. Items for inclusion should be sent by e-mail to all five editors; typed or short handwritten items can also be delivered to any of the editors. We reserve the right to edit any articles submitted.
THE EDITORIAL TEAM: Peter Hartley, Old Timbers, North Lane, West Hoathly, RH19 4QF Tel: 01342 811238 e-mail: [email protected] Anne Thorne, Chiddinglye Farmhouse, West Hoathly RH19 4QS Tel: 01342 810338 e-mail: [email protected] Kathy Brown, Ashurst, Bulldogs Bank, Sharpthorne, RH19 4PH Tel: 01342 811866 e-mail: [email protected] Marion Jones, 6 Glenham Place, Top Road, Sharpthorne, RH19 4HU Tel: 01342 810143 e-mail: [email protected] Kate Wiseman, Dalingridge Place, Chilling Street, Sharpthorne, RH19 4JB Tel: 01342 810411 email: kate @katewiseman.com
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION ADVERTISING & SMALL ADS Goo Coomber at 01342 810298 leads the production Sue Billings at 01342 810049 handles boxed business team, collating all copies in the church on the Thurs- advertisements, which can be included for £30 annu- day afternoon before publication. ally, and also the Small Ads, which cost £1 per issue Rosemary Watson at 01342 810800 heads the team for two lines of copy. of distributors, and she can arrange for the Chronicle Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply any to be form of delivered to your home, or posted to you. Some
The Cover Next Issue Many thanks to Gary Coxall for the cover of The next issue of the Chronicle will cover the months this issue of the Chronicle. Please keep those of creative ideas and artwork coming! February and March 2014. Latest date for the The Chronicle for December 2013 and January 2014 – Page 3 The Chronicle for December 2013 and January 2014 – P a g e 3
Dear Friends A lot of helping, caring, and involvement also goes on in our normal village life, but, if we are Lionel has kindly offered his normal space to me honest with ourselves, probably it’s never on this occasion. This is the last issue of The enough. In times such as we now live in, there are Chronicle in which I shall have an “active” instances where people are finding life a real involvement as part of the editors’ team. I still struggle for themselves and maybe for their hope to write from time to time, but now seems family – for a whole variety of reasons. We will all the right time to me to be handing over my probably know of some in this situation; life can editorial role to others. be far from a ‘bed of roses’ for them and maybe We set up the new Chronicle team 7 years ago we need to be more aware of this kind of thing, when Alan Carr stopped ‘doing’ the Chronicle. for it is certainly here amongst us. We adopted a new way of working in that we The value of a village community is that it should have 7 people doing the preparation work and a be possible for us all to reach out helping hands further team of people who do the production to others. Whether we are linked together by our side; then there are all the deliverers. All in all, faith, by our neighbourhood or just by our some 40+ people from our community are association of common interests and problems, I involved in one way or another in the whole often feel that many of us, together, can do process of getting this issue to more. The example of the baby your doorstep – a goodly Jesus, born so long ago at this number! very time, stands before us: he Elsewhere in this issue, Marion was born in the stable – the talks of the many people who outside shed, in other words in are involved in different a far from comfortable place – aspects of village life; as always, and his first visitors were those the same names tend to come who were on the bottom rung up in different organisations, of society, for shepherds were but even so , these are the universally regarded as such in hearts and minds of the the Palestine of those days. community – the ‘movers and There was no tinsel, no magic shakers’ that we have here in the different parts and no wonder in any of this, except for the of the Parishes. They provide a rich variety of natural wonder of two young parents at the birth attitudes, skills and interests, yet all are different of their first child; they were probably confused, in their own right and as individuals; they provide and terrified, at what had happened to them! the ‘glue’ that holds our community together and Whatever you may think of the Christmas story, it which enables it to move forward, (sometimes it is a tale that continues to resonate down the feels at ‘snails pace!’) often trying to create ages. We, too, would do well to wonder at what better and more interesting lives for all of us and our lives have given to us. But above all, we are for our families. all here to help one another. May that spirit of The recent Bonfire Night was a prime example, more involvement, more helping, and more reported elsewhere in this issue. A small group of awareness of others, lift you all into the New Year people form the Bonfire Society: they organise with hearts on fire and resolve rekindled. everything for our enjoyment and, on a With my very best wishes to you, your families, thoroughly miserable and damp November night, and your loved ones, for a Happy Christmas and a many of us had a really good time – and there fulfilling New Year, 2014. Peter Hartley were lots of villagers there!
The Chronicle for December 2013—January 2014 - Page 5 IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR 2014 DIARY January Monday 1st School Spring Term Starts
February Saturday 15th] Local History Group Archive Annual Exhibition Sunday 16th] including WW1 Exhibits
March Wednesday 19th Emma Johnson, world class clarinet player will be in concert at Chequer Mead Theatre in aid of the Loiyangalani Trust
Saturday 29th Village Hall will be closed for kitchen refurbishment
April Friday 4th School Easter Holiday Starts Sunday 20th EASTER DAY Monday 21st Village Hall Open Tuesday 22nd School Summer Term Starts
May Friday 16th] Sharpthorne WI present “Showtime” Saturday 17th] in the Village Hall Sunday 18th] Three Performances
June Thursday to 5th] SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW Saturday 7th] ARDINGLY Monday 9th FOOTBALL WORLD CUP START
Saturday 14th West Hoathly & Sharp- thorne Garden Trail
Saturday 21st School “Masquerade Ball”
July Sunday 13th WORLD CUP ENDS th Saturday 19 STREET & FOOD FAIR, to be held in Village Hall The Church and the street from the Cat to Luctons. Theme will be the Football World Cup 2014 in Brazil with competitions for: - A Hat with a world cup theme - A Scarecrow dressed in the National Costume of a participating country - Fancy dress featuring National Costume of a participating country Teas in Village Hall organised by Sharpthorne WI Monday 21st Village Hall shut for 4/6 weeks for new heating System to be installed. Wednesday 23rd SCHOOL SUMMER HOLIDAYS START
TheThe Chronicle Chronicle for for DecemberDecember 20132013 and JanuarJanuaryy 22014014 –– PageP a g e 66
Through trains to the Bluebell – first for nearly 60 years!
Tuesday 10th September 2013, witnessed the first through train from London to Sheffield Park since 1955 operating via our new extension to East Grinstead. The train was hauled by the famous “Tornado” locomotive, a new steam engine only a few years old; this locomotive has been built as a replica of the old L.N.E.R. Class A-1 “Pacifics” which were introduced just after the 2nd World War.
At the rear of the train was a modern diesel, something we have to live with in the privatised world of today’s railway; it’s a safety net in case the steam locomotive gets into difficulties!
More through trains are planned for the future. It is very pleasing to see such trains now reaching deepest Sussex, but they are not straight forward to arrange. Today, Charter companies have to work with a rail operator to supply the engine, coaches and train crew and they in turn have to get Network Rail and ourselves to agree to a timetable.
So it will never be a simple process! But there is certainly much interest in through trains judging by the number of people who watch the train pass through each of our four stations and can be seen along the lineside. We look forward to seeing future Charters whether they are steam or diesel hauled as long as our own customers are not inconvenienced.
This is an exciting time for “The Bluebell” and we hope that local residents will enjoy these sometimes impressive sights – and sounds! Tim Baker, Commercial Director
Photo courtesy of Bluebell Railway What’s On this Christmas? There are lots of special trains and activities on the Railway this Christmas – see the website www.bluebell- railway.com/event/christmas for full details and for reservations. Some of the highlights are:- Santa Specials from Sheffield Park on all weekends and on 23rd and 24th December Golden Arrow Pullman Dinners on 7th,13th,14th,20th,21st, 22nd and 28th December Weekday Edwardian Trains with Christmas lunch at the Bessemer Arms at Sheffield Park AND after Christmas, some Fairy Godmother trains to keep you, and the children, in the festive spirit plus the New Year’s Eve Pullman and Dinner.
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“Representing Highbrook, Selsfield, Sharpthorne, Tyes Cross and West Hoathly” WEST HOATHLY PARISH COUNCIL NeighbOURhood PLAN Update Following the draft Plan consultation earlier this year, two post-consultation workshops in the summer and the input of a group of Sharpthorne residents during October, the next phase of the project is now underway. The focus of this phase is on the draft Plan policy WHP13 – Site for New Homes and on identifying alternative viable options to satisfy the parish requirements. All landowners known to be interested in developing new homes have been asked to provide more details during November. It is anticipated that those put forward together with their MSDC “site assessments” will form the basis for parish exhibitions in the New Year giving residents the opportunity to comment on the various sites. Those comments will allow one or more options to be established. Following a second formal resident consultation period, a revised draft Plan for the parish will be written and progressed through the rest of the statutory steps to a parish referendum. The other 19 policies of the draft Plan would remain in their post- consultation feedback form. (Currently available to view on the Hoathly Hub). Traffic Management and Highways safety - “Good News” and “Bad News” The bad news is that for some months your Parish Council had quite justifiably understood that the safety changes negotiated to benefit pedestrians at the Vinols Cross junction would be carried out by March 2014. It has been disappointing to learn that West Sussex County Council are now indicating that this will not now happen until somewhat later – firm date being sought - although design and consultation work is currently taking place. The good news is that your parish council put forward a strong case for further traffic calming and safety improvements on the C319 to be prioritised at the County Local Committee in October. This initiative was one of two to be prioritised (out of 16 from around this area). WSCC highways officers can now start to work with the parish on the details of what will be done. West Hoathly Village Hall Improvements As Trustee of the WH Village Hall, the parish council has agreed to carry out two major improvements in 2014. Mostly during the Easter break a new kitchen will be fitted, with new appliances and, at long last, sufficient matching crockery, cutlery and glassware for hall hirers to use. During the summer the entire heating system will be replaced with a new boiler, high- level heating units in the hall with “zones” to allow only the required parts of the hall to be heated. Further useability, energy efficiency and aesthetic improvements are also planned. New Parish Councillor At the October PC meeting Mrs Anne Helligey applied to fill the councillor vacancy and was duly co-opted onto the council. The council also recorded its thanks for the significant contribution Mrs Lynne Brough had made over the preceding 2.5 years. North Lane Playground Equipment – Youth Forum Project The Youth Forum group have been helping to decide how the existing playground area can be improved with some new and interesting equipment. This included running and analysing a survey of primary school pupils and parents. The council is now in the process of obtaining quotes and seeking grant funding to assist with the significant costs involved. Severe Winter weather – local management plan A revised Winter Management Plan has been developed for the parish in conjunction with WSCC. Details of its provisions and a handy “FAQ” (Frequently Asked Questions) guide are available on www.HoathlyHub.info/Winter or in printed form from the Parish Clerk.
Parish Clerk: Helen Schofield - The Parish Office, North Lane, West Hoathly, RH19 4QG T: 01342 811301 E: [email protected] Website: www.westhoathly.gov.uk The office is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 9am and noon. Messages can be left at all other times on the answer phone or by email.
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School reopens for the spring term on 6th Janu- West Hoathly School st ary. The School disco is on 31 January. After the October half term, the chil- Lucy Howell, Foundation Governor dren are ready to enjoy all the fun that November and December bring. Our youngest children have all settled in Tootsie Time well and enjoyed the start to their school years participating in our Harvest Festival held in St West Hoathly Village Hall Margaret’s Church and taking part in Harvest Fridays 9:30 - 11am during term time. Lunch cooked with some ingredients grown in Mums, Dads, Grandparents, carers all welcome our own school garden by gardening club. The with their little ones. No weekly commitment, juniors have been studying the Victorian era, and just drop in. Lots of toys, activity table, sing in keeping with that theme spent a day out in full song, toy library, chat and cuppa with cake! Victorian dress on the Bluebell Railway travel- £2 per family. ling between East Grinstead and Sheffield Park Lorraine Jones 07971 799 501' and turning many heads with their wonderful outfits. A drama company has also been hired to visit the school and put on a Victorian produc- A Christmas tion for the children of a Christmas Carol. Thank You This Victorian theme also plays a big role in the various activities throughout the rest of the As we are approaching the term with two Victorian fairs. One is designed Season of Goodwill, I thought it might be a good and produced by the children for their families time to give a thank you to all those people who and fellow pupils, while the other will be held by work behind the scenes keeping the organisa- the School Association as a Christmas Victorian tions in the village running. fair for the school and general public on 30th No- Over the years I have been observing vember. All welcome to come and join in the members of the community, and I notice that the merriment and festive fun. same faces appear again and again assisting at so Our yearly “making week” will see all the many of the organised events, giving their time, children in the school involved in creating Victo- and often their money, freely with no expectation rian Christmas decorations that they can take or wish to be remunerated for their efforts or to home and hang on their own Christmas trees. As receive any reward or special consideration. ever the infant nativity performance will be They are the unsung heroes of West Hoathly, much looked forward to and enjoyed, with our Sharpthorne, Highbrook and Selsfield. Without youngest children taking part and revealing their them so many of our wonderful activities would hidden acting talents, hankies at the ready. With not happen. I'm sure some will know who I am the school festively decorated the whole school talking about, some will be too modest to admit will sit down together to a wonderful Christmas it may be them, but they can all rest assured that lunch prepared by our cook Mrs Staples and there are many people who are grateful for their served by the School Association. Finally the help and assistance and appreciate all they do. Carol Service on the 20th December at St Marga- I have particularly noticed that many of ret’s Church will conclude the school’s festive those who run and support social activities for fun as we break up for Christmas. the more senior residents would also be entitled Throughout this term the school has taken to take their places at the tables and be waited part in various fund-raising events for good on. Time for some new and younger blood to causes. These included wearing a pirate hat or keep up the good work. eye-patch to school for the National Life Boat In this day and age when villages are be- Fund, a coffee morning for Macmillan Nurses, ing turned into mini-towns and losing their iden- and a Pudsey pudding at lunch time for Children tities, it is a pleasure to see that the village spirit in Need. On 3rd December the children are in- is currently alive and well here. Long may it vited to come dressed as something mathemati- continue because we will miss it when it is gone cal for a day of maths activities and problem and it may never return. solving with donations towards the NSPCC. A big thank you to you all. Have a very We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Merry Christmas and a bright New Year. a Happy New Year. Marion Jones
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West Hoathly W.I. Sharpthorne WI On 18 September a group of Sharpthorne and West Hoathly W.I. members and At our meeting last month we had a ‘dip friends boarded a coach for a trip to visit and dabble’ evening when we were all in- the State Apartments and Gardens of Bucking- vited to have a go at bead making, decorative ham Palace. Although there was much walking ribbon tying and Chinese brush painting, each involved in the tour everybody enjoyed the op- workshop being led by one of our members of- portunity to see behind the iron railings and high fering their particular skills. It was a fun evening walls surrounding the Palace and all managed to in which we all took home our beads, ribbons find the coach for the journey home at the end of and water colours. At our January meeting next the afternoon! The visit was judged a great suc- year we will have another opportunity to do cess and particular enjoyment was derived from some more Chinese brush painting and to try our the exhibition of Coronation hand at crochet. clothes. Thanks to Rosemary This month we had our Williams for making the arrange- annual meeting when we re- ments. elected Sarah Chamberlyne for Twenty-seven members another term as our president. gathered in the Village Hall for Besides the treasurers report we our October meeting when we also had a review of our activi- were treated to an amusing and ties over the past year. We have entertaining talk from Dr. Janet had talks on the crown jewels, Pennington on the history of astronomy, embroidery, a dem- travel. This was Janet’s second visit to us this onstration of belly dancing, a bowls evening in year • she is a really good speaker and we hope the summer and trips to Buckingham Palace and to invite her to return to West Hoathly again in Lingfield Races among other things. We now the near future. The flower of the month compe- have a walking group and continue with our craft tition was won by Val McKinnon with a dahlia, and book groups and Andrea keeps us up to date Viona Hopwood was second with a pink and each month with gardening tips. The music Ingrid Sethi third with a salvia. group will be revving into action again soon to Our meeting in November was our annual begin rehearsals for our revue to be held proba- meeting when we looked back at our activities bly in May next year. We look forward to our over the previous 12 months and then elected our Christmas entertainment and party next month. officers and committee for the year ahead. Rose- All in all, a busy, buzzy year. Do come and give mary Williams agreed to remain as our President us a try n the New Year, second Monday in the with Margaret Rodgers as Secretary. Val month, 8pm at West Hoathly Village Hall. You McKinnon will take on the role of Treasurer with will be very welcome. help from Ann Miller. Prizes were awarded to Fiona Hartley the winners of our annual competitions with Ann Miller winning the trophy. November’s flower of the month competition was won by Viona Primary Election in Sussex Hopwood with an alstromeria, Val McKinnon was second with an astrantia and Juliette Bartsch (Not relevant to us, but an interesting precedent) third with a choisya. We will be holding a Ploughman’s Lunch Who should be Wealden’s Conservative Can- in the Bowls Club at 12.00 for 12.30 on Wednes- didate to stand in the next General Election? day 20 November. There will be a sales table Wealden Conservatives have opened up their and a raffle. Tickets are £6 each, available at the Parliamentary Candidate selection to every voter door, and visitors are very welcome. (who is registered to vote in the Wealden Con- Our December meeting will be in the Vil- stituency) in a U.S. style ‘Primary’ election. lage Hall at 2.00 p.m. on Wednesday 4Decem- The Open Primary will be held in Uckfield ber, when we will be enjoying entertainment on 5 December. And “open” means you do not from Robert Lashmar and a special Christmas have to be a member of the Conservative party to tea. Again, visitors will be made very welcome. vote for the Conservative candidate. Margaret Rodgers
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NOTICE BOARD
Bluebell Railway Music happening in our area 3,4,5, Dec Murder Mystery evening Jazz 3,4,5, Dec Afternoon tea on board Second Monday in every month at the 31 Dec New Years Eve Golden ‘Haywaggon’, Hartfield Arrow Spectacular For more information see http://www.bluebell- Sharpthorne Organic Cafe railway.co.uk/bluebell/events/index.html Live music on Saturdays 12.00-14.00
Forest Row Film Society Village walks 28 Dec 6pm It’s a wonderful Life 26 Dec Keith Rogers 3 Jan 8pm Finding Joe 10 Jan 8pm The Moo Man Walks start at 10.00 am from Finche Field 12 Jan 3pm Doctor Doolittle 17 Jan 8pm Frances Ha 24 Jan 8pm Mademoiselle Chambon Emmaus Club Films in Freshfield Hall, Forest Row. Doors open Friday evenings in term-time for years 6 to 9 19.30 for 20.00 start. For more information see http:// www.forestrowfilmsociety.org/ 6th Dec Crafts for Christmas (WH Village Hall) 13th Dec Christmas Party (Sharpthorne Hall) Mansion Market
10th January Marble Run Michael Hall School, Forest Row. 11am-4pm 17th Jan Hand Bells Over 70 stalls selling crafts, books, toys, plants, 24th January Mystery guest organic foods. Children's entertainments. Taster 31st January Film night sessions of healing skills. Cafe open.
Saturday 14 December
Local History Group News from Vinols Cross Inn 4 Dec Christmas party As from 5th December an exciting new Thai at Upper Pendent 7.30 pm menu well be available on Thursdays, Fridays 15 Jan Rye to Newhaven Chris Rudd and Saturdays between 12 - 2.30 pm & 6 - 9pm, All meetings are in Sharpthorne Church Hall, starting at 7.45 pm. Membership is £15 for the year or £3.50 to eat in or take away. per meeting, including tea and coffee.
West Hoathly Local History Archive
The 2014 Annual Exhibition will be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 15th and 16th from 10 am to 5pm at West Hoathly Village Hall
It will include a special First World War exhibit
If you have any items such as photographs, letters, artifacts etc. which you would like included please contact: John Ralph on 01342 810458 or [email protected]
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CHRISTMAS NOTICES
Christmas Carols
Carol Service: St. Margaret's, West Hoathly. 4.30 pm on Sunday 15th December.
"The Christmas Cracker" Carols by Candlelight: All Saints, Highbrook. 4 pm on Sunday 22nd December. (Worth Abbey Carols same day and time)
Bluebell Railway at Horsted Keynes, 7.30 pm, Saturday 7 December.
Christmas Lunch Friday 6 December, 12 noon onwards West Hoathly Christmas Lunch—in the Village Hall. Would anyone who is retired and living in the parish and would like to be invited, or anyone who would like to help, contact Chris- tine Field at The Strakes or on 810310
Philpots Play
An evening with Philpots will show the Charles Dickens traditional Oberufer Shepherds’ Play As last year, Mr. Dickens in on Tuesday 17 December at 6.30 pm the form of John Tallents will in St. Margaret;s Church. deliver some of his popular All are welcome. readings, finishing off with a ghost story. Decorating the Friday, 20 December, 7.30 pm Christmas Tree at All Saints Church, Highbrook St. Margaret’s Please come and help to decorate Interval with wine and mince pies—and tickets the Christmas tree! are still only £10 Saturday morning 14th Decem- Available from Peter Browne 01444 892746, or ber at 10am. Susan Chapman 01444 892261 or Please bring a bauble or decora- The Cat, West Hoathly. tion along and help to Proceeds to Highbrook Church and Village Hall decorate our huge tree. Details contact Diana or Sophie Hill 01342 810282
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GOOD CAUSES
The Loiyangalani Trust Moral Welfare Association. In 1952 it became a registered adoption society, but when fewer chil- We are delighted to report that our dren were adopted, the society took increasing quiz night on 11th October was a interest in older, disadvantaged children, and in great success, with 100 people 1975 Knowles Tooth was purchased with this in attending and just over £950 mind. raised. A very big thank you to all FSW would like to have a qualified social those who supported the event. worker in each Deanery, along with trained play Students at the primary school in Loiyan- leaders. It would like to have a presence on high galani are currently taking exams, and if the chil- streets in larger towns, so as to make it easier for dren on the list for sponsorship pass these, then clients to access, and to publicize its work to the we hope to find sponsors so that they can start public. Interesting projects, for example where secondary school in January 2014. Please do an FSW social worker works alongside teachers, contact us if you are interested in sponsoring an enabling early recognition of, and intervention individual child. You could literally change a life in, problems, are receiving recognition and sup- and that of a whole family. Full details are on the port from statutory bodies, and a worker’s sup- sponsorship page of the website. port is still welcomed by many families. Looking forward to 2014, we are holding There still remains a need, even in what is a charity concert by the renowned clarinet perceived to be a wealthy area of the U.K., for player, Emma Johnson, at Chequer Mead Thea- gifts for children and struggling parents, and for tre in East Grinstead. The date is Wednesday food parcels. On behalf of FSW thank you for 19th March and full details will be in the next the most generous amount of food you give, and Chequer Mead programme as well as in the next for readily given financial aid Chronicle . Or please contact us for more details. Carolyn Bentley Toy Service, Advent Sunday, 1st De- [email protected] 01342 810815 cember Please could any gifts for FSW be new, and unwrapped, for children of Family Support Work all ages, or cosmetics for mothers and teenagers, or tokens or phone cards. When the Brighton press and Many thanks. Radio 4’s Sunday programme Services are 10 am and 4.30 pm (Advent broke the news that Knowles Carol Service). Tooth was to be sold, many Ingrid Sethi
people thought this was the end
of FSW, but read on... In recent years the use of this children and Ride & Stride 2013: family respite centre at Hurstpierpoint, by FSW Thank You clients and others, has reduced considerably. Running costs have increased and significant The team would like to thank all their sponsors. repairs would soon be needed to maintain re- A total of £260 was raised for the Sussex His- quired standards. With great regret the trustees torical Churches Trust. Half of this money will took the decision to sell Knowles Tooth, as FSW revert to St Margaret's and the remainder will be can no longer sustain the not inconsiderable an- distributed among the churches of the Diocese in nual operating losses, and the sale is now being the form of grants for repair and restoration arranged. It is the intention that respite breaks for work. FSW clients will be organized in alternative fa- Would you care to join the team in 2014? cilities. For over 120 years FSW has worked in John B Trueman Sussex, and has never been afraid to change to meet evolving needs. Imagine if it were still, as in 1890, The Chichester Penitentiary Associa- tion, or, as in 1930, the Chichester Diocesan
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West Hoathly British Legion Una Voce
The British Legion held a Games After- On 17 September 1983 the Made- noon on 12th October in the Sharpthorne leine Ensemble gave its first concert, Club. Attendance was not as good as was in which the main work was Fauré’s Requiem. hoped due, we think, to several keen par- On 22 September 2013 – thirty years later ticipants being away. However, a good time was – the Requiem was again performed, this time by had by all who came, and, as usual, there was a Una Voce, who sang it before an audience of lot of laughter and mickey-taking. Thank you to some 60 people in St. Margaret’s Church. This all who came to support us, and a special thank was a delightful occasion – enhanced by a glass you to Bob & Sheila Stewart for organising both of wine on arrival – and the choir gave us some the games and refreshments and to Don and Nora magical moments, not least the Pie Jesu sung by for hosting. Although the turnout was not excep- Lorna Nye, whose clear young soprano voice tional this time, by popular demand from those held us spellbound. who attended we hope to be holding this event It’s always a pleasure to hear Toby Barrett again next year. sing. He has been a soloist at West Hoathly con- Our next event will be the British Legion certs over many years, and his fine baritone Christmas Social which is being held on voice did justice to the Libera Me. It was also Wednesday 11 December in the Sharpthorne good to see and hear a strong tenor line – often a Club. Invitations are being sent out to all mem- rare commodity – which helped to make a pleas- bers as we go to press. ing well-balanced and confident choral sound. The Remembrance Day Service on Sun- The choir coped admirably with the rather dis- day 10th November was again very well at- cordant second movement, which is in sharp tended, with Ardingly College providing the Bu- contrast to the rest of the work. gler for the Last Post and the Cadets for the col- The evening ended with a performance of lection. Our thanks go to all who participated in Fauré’s enchanting Cantique de Jean Racine. the service. This is a short work with a haunting melody, May we wish everyone, members and non luscious harmonies and a running accompani- -members, a very Happy Christmas and Prosper- ment for the organ. It’s notoriously difficult to ous New Year. keep in tune, but from the first note this was a Marion Jones confident, dead in tune, magical performance and deserves a gold star. Gold stars as well for organist Nicholas Smith from Worth and con- Bonfire Night ductor and instigator of the evening Andrew Sla- ter. The bonfire night went very well. The weather in the Una Voce 2014: Exciting plans for the 2014 morning and early after- programme will be announced in January, to in- noon gave the lads and lassies a thorough clude our usual mixture of choral work, light- drenching—rain trickling down the back of one’s hearted garden parties and reflective music. If neck is not a very pleasant feeling when tents are you would like to sing with Una Voce please being erected. But come early evening, lo and contact Andrew Slater on Unavo- behold it stopped raining and started to dry up. [email protected] - Basses and tenors particu- Sales of burgers, sausages, mulled wine, and tof- larly welcome. fee apples went well. Lots of mud on boots, the odd muddy child, but every one seemed to enjoy Bowls Club Quiz Night the evening. ,The bonfire was huge but very wet after a week of rain, but once it got going it The quiz night on 16th November was, as usual, warmed the whole area. The firework package very well attended. The club was full and there was without any rockets this year, but the sky were tables in every corner. bursts were spectacular. As usual our thanks go In the category called "Cartoon Celebs", to all the organisers and particularly our many we were expecting characters like Donald Duck sponsors and last but by know means least all etc but they turned out to be caricatures of well who came to make the evening a great success. known people. A big thanks to Terry and Mau- Derek Bartlett reen who compiled the questions, to Shirley &
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West Hoathly Staggering slip catch award: Richard Blackwell. Breakthrough bowler: Jamie Scott: a wicket every 8 Cricket Club balls. Cricketer of the year: Michael Audsley: played in Thanks to all for another success- every game, scored the most runs, took the most ful and very enjoyable season in wickets (and conceded the most runs!). which we scored a cumulative 1,496 runs, David Scott, Captain smashing the oppositions’ combined 1,268. West Hoathly play village cricket at its best, with the majority of our players coming from within The Mid Sussex Older Peo- the village or being closely associated to it. Par- ple’s Council (MSOPC) ticular thanks go to Peter Johnson (President), Reaching out to older people living in Mid Peter Lowry (Treasurer), Richard Ward Sussex (membership and PR) and Rick Blackwell. Rick MSOPC has received a grant from Mid Sussex organises all the fixtures and, together with Julie, District Council and West Sussex County Coun- is the key component in holding it all together. cil Public Health to connect with older people in Without the core players there would not be a the Mid Sussex and the groups to which they team so it has been great to see Olly Greenwood, may belong. Through the connections made, it is Robin Murray Brown, Mark Slatter and Matt hoped to build up a dialogue with the aim of Taylor playing more this season (or at least play- older people getting to know more about ser- ing more for West Hoathly), and we give a warm vices, benefits and activities that may be of inter- welcome to new players – Alex Brierly, Tom est to them. MSOPC (and local decision-makers Carew-Hunt, Ed Carpenter, Hugh Coleville, Will via them) will then have a greater knowledge and Dawson, Will Heap, Alex Miller, Charlie understanding of the available services that exist Murray-Brown and Phil Stinson: we look for- in the community to support older people and ward to seeing you in white again next year. It is highlight any gaps. also good to watch the young players who are Would your group like us to visit one of not yet on the ground: Max Ward is swinging a your meetings? Please send Anita an invite to bat very nicely, as are John Charter, Rowan your meeting. Or if that isn’t appropriate or pos- Greenwood, Alfie Slatter and Tommy Heap. It sible but you have questions, please contact us is good to see the future of the club coming anyway. through.
Thanks also go to the players and their partners Mid Sussex Older People’s Council invite you who make such delicious teas – it is not only the to their annual Christmas event. friendly spirit of the club which keeps the oppo- Friday 6 December 1.30 – 4.30 pm sition coming back, but also the beautiful loca- at the United Reformed Church Hall, tion, quality pubs for lunch and delicious teas 55, South Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4LQ which make West Hoathly such an appealing A musical afternoon and seasonal refreshments. place to play. Finally, as ever, grateful thanks to Sing along with the Mr Blew Duo – songs that Andy Campbell and all at the Bowls Club for we all know and love. Enjoy listening to, and their hospitality at the end of the day. joining in with, carols sung by members of the Our teams were another great mix of experience Ardingly College Choir. Enjoy a natter and make and youth. Ollie Burrows formed a fearsome new friends, over a cuppa and a mince pie. opening bowling attack with his father; Ben If you need any more information, or Gunter took some important wickets and Will would like to come along but are not sure how Scott’s outswing is increasingly causing prob- you will get there, please contact us as below. lems to the opposition. However, the key To find out more about MSOPC’s Committee, public awards for the season go to: events or sign up for the Newsletter, visit Best Bowler: Richard Ward: 32 overs, 3 maidens, www.msopc.org.uk. Alternatively leave a message on 123 runs, 10 wickets. Tight and hard to get away. MSOPC’s helpline 01444 242 760 or email Best Batsman: Simon Nicholas: a staggering average [email protected]. of 82. We hope to see more of him next year! Mid Sussex Older People's Council is an independent All Rounder: Steve Charter: Season included his charity of older people representing older people. maiden 50, a batting average of over 20 and a bowl- ing average under 30. Shot of the Year: Charlie Ward: Thank you.
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Weather Watch and made the ground even soggier for bonfire night. September: mild, October: very Soggy ground and wind isn't wet and stormy a good combination for newly planted roses, shrubs, ornamental In the last Chronicle I noted that the first five trees etc., so re-firm soil where lifted or rocked days of September were particularly warm and over and stake if necessary. Re-tie climbers on sunny. This helped to give the average daily pergolas and fences that may have broken away, temperature for that month an above-average and if you haven't already done so remove para- value – good for ripening fruit as the year pro- sols from your patios before the wind does a gressed. Apples did very well! October, with Mary Poppins with them. Move light garden sixteen wet days was true to type as the wettest furniture and vulnerable pots to shelter, espe- month of the year so far. In fact, in the monthly cially those with evergreen plants that have rainfall figures for our parish, that I have going much more wind resistance (e.g. bay trees). back to 1979, the only three wetter Octobers than There is plenty of debris to rake and clear the one in 2013, were in 1982, 1987 (the year of up and paths to sweep and treat where they are the Great Storm) and the millennium year 2000. slippery (with Armillatox or pressure wash), but Comparisons have been made between the with the shortest day approaching, gardening October storms of !987 and 2013, but the earlier time is precious. Other December/January jobs one was far more destructive, with millions of include cutting down dead growth of herbaceous trees uprooted in southern England, but in the plants, pruning apple and pear trees and autumn recent storm (28th October) the uprootings were raspberry canes (to 1-2 inches), rolling up fruit limited to hundreds. cage top netting, cleaning garden tools (and oil- Basil Cridland ing to minimise rust over the winter), and check- Statistics for Sept ember and October 2013 ing shed roofs for worn or ripped felt and replac- ing it as necessary. Keep a spade and shovel Sept Oct handy for veg harvesting, digging out compost Sunny or bright days 23 22 heaps, and possibly snow! For vegetable growers, plant shallots any Days with measurable rain 13 16 time up to early February. Traditionally it is Month's rainfall, mm 70 182 done on the winter solstice (21 December,) but many of us are somewhat pre-occupied with Average month's rainfall,mm 62 104 Christmas matters then. Harvest parsnips, leeks, Wettest days (14th)11mm (28th) 40mm brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale and any other winter vegetables as needed, and regularly check Mildest days (5th) 26C (7th, 8th )18C stored fruit, onions, potatoes and squashes (butternut etc.) for rotten ones and mice or rat Coldest mornings Six at 6C (30th) 2C attack. Mean temp day & night 14.4C 9.8C Water poinsettias and azaleas well but cy- clamen more sparingly, standing them all in a Last year's ditto 12.6C 9.0C saucer of water to keep foliage dry. Bring hya- No. of air frosts 0 0 cinths and paperwhite narcissi potted for forcing into the light to green up and flower for Christ-
mas. Start off Amaryllis bulbs - a good present Garden Notes for the green-fingered family members who have everything, This brings me to my usual Christ- There's no shortage of rain as we move into No- mas thought – most of us adults do not need any vember, nor wind after the gales of October th more “stuff”, and whilst tickets to shows, con- 27th/28 , which dislodged much of the autumn certs and wild activities like Go Ape can be great colour. Temperatures have been mild on the fun, do consider charitable gifts instead, which whole so the grass is still growing as I write with many charities (such as Oxfam) promote. no frosts (yet!), but only mow when the ground Happy Christmas, and remember "it is is not waterlogged or you'll do more damage. A more blessed to give than to receive" (words of hailstorm on 8th November caught us by surprise Jesus recounted in Acts 20 v 35). Lindsay Shurvell
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From West Hoathly Local History Archive
This article is an extract prepared by Maureen Emer- son from her book © Escape to Provence. Many Waters refers to an area west of Philpots once used for iron working and shown on an 1873 Ord- nance Survey map as the site of three lakes and two water mills.
Many Waters Woodmans Cottage The Wartime Home of Winifred, Lady Fortescue Author of Seven Books on her Life in Provence ley with a one in three gradient which her little grey and Sussex Austin car could just about climb in low gear to the And I heard a voice from heaven as the voice of many road above - provided the ground wasn't too wet. waters.’ Revelations, Chapter 14, Verse 2 Needless to say Winifred loved, or determined to love, it all. This in spite of the constant fear of care- So did Winifred Fortescue choose the name of the lessly jettisoned bombs and the sight of Spitfires little gamekeeper's cottage that stood beside the three fighting to the death in the skies above Sussex. small lakes and their tumbling waterfalls in the valley Such was her energy and charm, Winifred was of the Stonehurst Estate on the Ardingly Road. able to persuade the manager of Woolworths in Hay- Born Winifred Beech in 1888 to the Reverend wards Heath to set up a credit account, and bought a Howard Beech and his wife of Great Bealings in Suf- set of green saucepans and wooden handled cutlery to folk, she had been an actress in her youth and then the complete the woodland theme of her new home, wife of Sir Iohn Fortescue, the author of the History which she quickly made as comfortable as possible. of the British Army and the King's Librarian at Win- In spite of being in the south of England and therefore dsor under Edward VII and then George V. In 1930 in the front line of any attack from Germany, the the couple settled happily in an old house on a hillside evacuation programme ’Operation Pied Piper’ had in Provence. But the advent of war nine years later nearly doubled the population of Mid-Sussex at the changed everything and Winifred, now a widow, sud- beginning of the war. The county was full of evacuees denly felt that ‘every bit of me was English’ and from London and Stonehurst itself was no exception. made the tortured decision to flee to England with When her dog Dominie was released from quarantine another escapee and Dominie, her adored and neu- Winifred could begin to relax and plan how she could rotic black spaniel. As the Battle of France raged, best aid the war effort. She began by helping to reset- and enduring the typically fraught adventures of such tle the victims of the Blitz but her heart lay in sup- a journey, the small party raced across France to the porting the cause of France so, when she was sent for port of St Malo eventually arriving at Portsmouth in by the embryo Free French organisation in London June 1940. she was overjoyed. Enrolled in a newly-formed pro- Now Winifred had to find a new home. Staying ject called the ‘Friends of French Volunteers’ she was with her sister in Hertfordshire, she came across an asked to be a propaganda speaker and fund-raiser for advertisement in The Times which read: ‘Weekend the ‘Fighting French’. A rather thankless task at that cottage, unfurnished, without electricity, wonderfully stage in the war when the British had small sympathy situated, hidden by woods, surrounded by streams. with France, its government or its army. Across the Low rent suitable tenant.’ It sounded perfect and, platforms of Sussex her exalted, actress's voice rang although it was not, it became her English home. It out, explaining the plight of the ordinary French man was, in fact, a run-down building ‘abandoned to the and woman in the face of their defeatist politicians jackdaws’ which she rented from the owner of Stone- and praising the courage of those few who had joined hurst, Robert Strauss – ‘for five years or the duration De Gaulle’s Free French in London, and of the of the war, whichever is the longer’. They had it just emerging resistance in France. about right. Everything about it was a challenge. It was at Many Waters that Winifred gave sanctu- Needing restoration, the little tile-hung house stood ary to Richard Hillary, the handsome Spitfire pilot so beside its lakes and waterfalls in the bottom of a deep badly burned on his face and hands in September valley. Surrounded by an expanse of rough grass, on 1940 when his aircraft crashed into the Channel. A one side were woods of pine and broad-leaf trees ris- patient of Archibald Mclndoe at the Burns Unit of ing to the rolling fields above. On the other a steep The Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead, his terrible slope of thick shrubberies, climbed up to the lawns of injuries seemed to make little difference to the allure the big house. Rhododendron and azalea bushes were he held for women, and Winifred was no exception. everywhere, dotted around the cottage and lakes, and Introduced to him by Kathleen Dewar of Dutton brushing against the huge sandstone outcrops which Homestall in Ashurst Wood, which had become a ran through the estate. The only motor access was a convalescent home for injured officers, Winifred took steep and narrow right-of-way to the west of the val-
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a convalescent home for injured officers, Winifred In Memoriam took Richard Hillary to her heart. She nurtured his ambition to become a writer, giving him the key to Donald Sidney (Dicky) Day her cottage and encouraging him to record his experi- 1922—2013 ences and personal thoughts on combat and the war. Here he declared he had found ‘his circles of peace’. Winifred wrote: ‘It was with joy in the weeks which followed that sometimes, as I returned from my walk Dicky and Jill lived at Coneybury, Hook Lane, for in the woods, I did see smoke rising from my chim- many years. After moving in 2001 to Lindfield they ney from a fire lit by Richard Hillary.’ It was at Many remained part of our community (many will remem- Waters that Hillary wrote the beginning of the draft ber that Dicky, a veteran of the Burma campaign, for his immensely popular book The Last Enemy. regularly read the Kohima epitaph on Remembrance After a period fund-raising in Devon, Winifred Sunday) until they moved two years ago to Somerset. returned to Many Waters. She now became Chair- Dicky died on 28 September, and a thanksgiving ser- woman of the Sussex Branch of the Friends of vice was held at St. Margaret’s on 4 November. The French Volunteers and flung herself into the task address was given by his stepson Roger Luscombe, ‘with the driven ferocity of the over-tired and un- who has kindly allowed us to print an abbreviated happy’, until the war ended and Europe was liberated. version. In October 1945 she began to make her preparations to leave Many Waters and return to France. Following her would be 108 cases of donated necessities, a pro- ject she had organised to help the bereft people of Provence. One small object would not accompany her. Dominie, her precious spaniel suddenly became very ill. He had contacted jaundice and, although she did everything to save him, sitting for three days by his side giving him tiny sips of water, he lost the fight and now lies buried at Many Waters. He was her last link with her old life in Provence and she tried hard to understand, calling on her faith to support her: ‘Perhaps He means His crusaders to stand alone and be of single mind and heart’. John Ralph
Post Script: Many Waters and much of the "Chiddinglye" rocks were in the grounds of the for- The last parade, closing innings and final mer Stonehurst Estate. The main house and buildings drive ... including the pavilion building at Many Waters were Dicky often used to declare that ‘getting old is constructed at the beginning of the last century to a a bore’ (actually he used a stronger epithet - also be- design by Thomas Searle for the Camp Chicory Es- ginning with “B”). But in his 80s he was still getting sence tycoon, John Stuart. The gardens and surround- that right and left and a brace of clean kills over the ing landscape (including the lakes at Many Waters) Hook valley, arranging deals in the Indian aero-space sector with his trips to Delhi, and organising that were created by the renowned landscape architect th Thomas Mawson. The attractive pavilion cottage amazing last parade of the 4 Gurkha association in became derelict before the war and was demolished, 2007 with the band, pipes and Gurkha dancers that so leaving only the more perfunctory brick and tile cot- many of us enjoyed and which at least six Indian tage occupied by Winifred Fortescue. Army generals attended – including three “3 Stars”. The property was sold in 1926 and resold ten Indeed his philosophy of life, or at least one of them, years later to the Strauss family who occupied it until was “carpe diem”- live for today, for life is not a re- 2002, when the estate was split. The cottage was sold hearsal. Why? The answer, I believe, lies in his early along with 190 acres of rocks, woodland and farm- experiences as a very young 20 year old Company land and was replaced by a sandstone and timber Commander in the Second World War, leaving him house designed by Peter Hulbert the local architect with what he perceived as a “sacred commitment” to working closely on the design with the new owners. remember and bear witness to his many Army com- The current house was designed to sit sympathetically panions and colleagues who did not make it. As chil- in the beautiful setting and reflected some of the de- dren, we were brought up on stories of those who had sign features of the original pavilion building whilst survived terrible experiences in combat and captivity creating an original and practical building from which –in Changi, on the Thai railroad , on death marches to run the now active farming business and conserva- across Sumatra, the Bilin River and the Sittang Bridge tion initiatives agreed with English Nature. - all from engagements with the pitiless Japanese war machine in WW2 in SE Asia.
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After schooling, at the renowned Royal to the Japanese at the end of 1942. He ended the war Grammar School in Guildford, and childhood in as one of the youngest battalion commanders in the Cranleigh, Dicky was just 17 – apparently adding a Indian Army. After the war, and to his death, he was couple of years to his birth certificate – when he devoted to the 4th PWO Gurkhas Association, latterly signed up to enrol in basic army training on Septem- as President. ber 26th 1939. At 18 he was posted to Officer training After the war there followed a varied but in Bangalore in Southern India in 1940 (now a hub exotic civilian life, starting with 5 years of tea plant- for the Indian technology and outsourcing industries). ing in Darjeeling, where he met his first wife Anita India in 1940/41 not only allowed Dicky to play “first and his daughter, Donita, was born. Another five class cricket” as a batsman and wicket keeper, but years followed with import/export trading in Chit- also ignited a life-long love of the country– the peo- tagong, Eastern India, and then in Singapore and Ma- ple, the cultures, the smells, the food markets, the laya. In Malacca in the mid 1950s he met and mar- ethnic diversities, the languages and the rich tradi- ried Jill, a widow with two children, Roger and Rose- tions of the Indian Army. In later years no Indian mary. The marriage lasted over 55 years. meal was complete without an exchange in Urdu or Shooting was a lifelong passion. We have Hindi with the waiters who listened with polite his six game diaries from 1956 through 2007, from smiles, but complete incomprehension! Pakistan to Malaya in the late 50s, with armoured cars Dicky joined not only the Indian Army but guarding the gun line against terrorists, to Sussex the renowned Gurkhas, then 10 Regiments strong – from the 1970s, going on to the Hook syndicates 1990 two battalions per regiment – and in particular the -2011. As a proprietor of Coneybury Game Farms, he “fighting fourth” 4th GKR just back in late 1941 from tried his hand at breeding pheasants with Jack - and NW frontier - fighting the great - grandfathers of to- later his son Guy - Pike. Jack was especially good at day’s Taliban on the Pakistan frontier with Afghani- puncturing any pomposities with trenchant Anglo- stan. To his mind, if the Gurkha Regiment as a whole Saxon observations. Sometimes there were unusual were the cream, the 4th PWO were the ‘crème de la breeds such as ‘Famous Grouse’ that were noted in crème’. Dicky was not only put in charge of 180 his accounts and came in boxes of 12 “birds” – or Gurkhas as a company commander but also earned a Kamikaze pheasants that could drown themselves nickname “Dicky” that lasted the rest of his life. It all early morning in just 2 inches of water. His shooting started with a horse called “Dick “ shared with a fel- season invariably started with a bottle of champagne low officer. In those days infantry officers needed to and, as the days got colder, a ‘whisky mac’ was a be mounted on a horse occasionally on formal pa- must. In a comfortable arm chair – whisky in hand, rades in front of their company. On a particularly wet dog drying at his legs – we would hear the ex- important parade, with a General inspecting the whole traordinary feats of man and dog. His last wish at the battalion, Dick, the horse, ignoring Dicky’s frantic Hook was to shoot one last high cock pheasant off efforts to halt him, walked to the front of the parade, Springfield Shaw in his 90th year, and, with a little turned 180 degrees and dropped an offering on the help from his friends, this was achieved at 89. General’s well-polished boots. From that moment on, Undoubtedly their happiest years were at the phrase “doing a Dicky” entered mess legends and Coneybury and West Hoathly from 1970 –2011. Dicky became his name for life. Dicky loved to sit on the south facing patio looking to Not yet 20, Dicky was transported with his Highbrook and beyond to Cuckmerehaven – often at battalion as part of the 17th division to confront, in night to see the stars. In his final year, in his nursing Southern Burma, two battle - hardened Japanese divi- home in Somerset, he showed great stoicism in cop- sions who had invaded from Thailand in January ing with the nursing staff, who while admirable, in- 1942 after the fall of Hong Kong and just before Sin- evitably challenged his strong sense of independence. gapore surrendered! His baptisms of fire were two He regretted not being able to see the stars on a sum- major engagements in February 1942. Outnumbered mer’s night or have his favourite breakfast fry ups – at the Bilin River, they were forced into a fighting although he was greatly helped by Rosemary who, retreat over 100 miles along narrow jungle tracks to living nearby, not only dealt with his emergencies but defend a bridge over the Sittang River, ambushed by kept his whisky supply topped up, chocolate rations Japanese and with much hand to hand fighting with replenished and the odd fry-up smuggled in. kukris and small arms. Arriving at the safer side of In conclusion, Dicky was a unique and special the Sittang bridge, Dicky’s battalion witnessed one of individual – “one of a kind”. We all will miss his the tragic military disasters of WW2 when the bridge understated sense of humour, that Irish twinkle in his was blown up by the British General to deny the Japa- eye, his wise unpatronising counsel, his wide interests nese access to Rangoon – leaving about 8000 of his as well as his good friendship and fellowship! BUT division on the wrong bank to swim or be captured or above all, because of his many and varied experi- drowned or machine gunned in the water. 1st/ 4th ences, an ability to focus on the really important Gurkhas then took part in an epic fighting withdrawal things in life - CARPE DIEM! CHOTA PEG – across Central Burma to the NE states of India - on AYO GURKHALI! foot and over 1100 miles. Dicky, with a serious back injury, was invalided out to India as Burma was lost
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In Memoriam tution with enthusiasm, marriage, and developed a gratitude born of love that remained until his David Pain very last days. Sophia was born in Malta and 1928—2013 Louisa by the time of Portsmouth. Soon though, it became clear that the cold war didn’t need so David and Gilly Pain lived many boats and the navy was shrinking: what at Winstons on Church Hill was a nearly 40 year-old conscientious father of for many years until they two to do to feed a growing household? The time moved some 2 ½ years ago had come to leave. to Tetbury, Gloucester- It was easy to detect the marks of the two shire. David’s thanksgiv- main professions that had come to shape his way ing service was held on 16 of thinking and habits of work; order, routine, October in Tetbury. The hierarchy, and an ability to focus on one topic to following extracts are taken from the tribute at the exclusion of all else, from the Navy; and a the service. love of numbers, marked out in long rows of hand-written, pre-computer numerals in square- David was brought up in Lincoln, the son and lined exercise books, combined with a patience grandson of a vicar. The county of Lincoln is a that would have tested Job himself, from the days of finance and banking. Here too he ex- wind-swept sort of place, with little to separate it rd from the Urals, full of medieval churches, fields celled, coming 3 in the whole of England and and far-flung villages; but the vicarage was re- Wales in his Chartered Accountant examina- membered as a happy place for the youngest of tions, then joining the merchant bank, four to grow up, and the impressions of those Schroeders in 1972. In his years of retired leisure years, particularly of the adults in his life, re- – when golf, pheasant shooting, bridge, manag- mained with him as models of maturity thereaf- ing Winston’s and throwing wedding anniver- ter, as did their values and probity. They also sary parties at Christmas allowed – he was an help to explain how a life of Christian faith was automatic and natural choice as, first a church- later sustained through a course of professional warden, and then a Church treasurer, though it life that often erodes all religious sensibility. was sometimes difficult to impress upon him that This also explains why, on first meeting, we fell the accounts of a small parish church were not to talking about the Lincoln Imp. The 14th cen- exactly the same as Schroeder’s bank and per- tury legend describes two mischievous imps haps did not require quite the same level of scru- smashing tables and chairs in the cathedral until tiny. But old habits . . . David and Gilly took up confronted by an angel, who turned one to stone traveling again in these years through his work, and set the other free to fly around the cathedral living in both Japan and then Brussels, and these on windy days looking for his friend. David journeys were reflected in the homes they later could be impish, but in a nice way. set up in Sussex and then in Tetbury. Like his childhood, school at Oxford was . That David was a skilled, practical, forth- a place he looked back upon with gratitude right and, at times, strongly opinionated man of (which not everyone is able to say of their the world is not in dispute. He was resolute and, schooling), and was immediately followed by when passions and loyalties were raised, could joining the Royal Navy at the age of 17. He un- be fiercely determined. But, especially in these derstood that there is a rule for everything, and later years, his life of faith moved beyond more that some rules are necessary and some of are dutiful and simple observance to a real and ac- not, and that we must treat the necessary ones tive participation in the things of God. He could seriously but towards the unnecessary (and pom- get the ‘bit between the teeth’ in bible study, to pous) ones we can play the imp. He excelled in be sure, and would not let go!; but only because the Navy, showing genuine gifts of leadership, he want the scriptural text to yield some preci- and served as a Fleet Gunnery Officer in Malta sion. He could be incredibly, and anonymously, and at the HMS Gunnery School in Portsmouth. generous. Love and generosity remain neces- By this time, of course, David’s personal life had sary, and these David retained and exercised become, what shall we say, more complicated? with great thanksgiving; he was devoted to Gilly No, enriched: by meeting Gilly. Most of us only and you all. know you as the couple called ‘David and Gilly,’ and here too he embraced another favoured insti-
The Chronicle for December 2013 and January 2014 – P a g e 21
In Memoriam Margaret asked that the following poem be in- cluded with her tribute to Frank. Stan Foord 20 September 1933 – 13 October 2013 The next place that I go The next place that I go will be peaceful and so still, Stan Foord’s funeral service was held at St. Mar- as sleepy as sitting in summer upon a quiet green hill garet’s. The following extracts are taken from It won't be anything like any place I've ever been be- the eulogies by his daughter Val and his sister fore, nor seen or even dreamed of, unlike the place I Margaret. leave behind. The Foord family settled in West Hoathly I won't know where I'm going, nor where I've been in1969. Stan joined the British Legion and be- before as I tumble through the always and look back came the standard bearer, a post that he filled toward the when. with pride for 40 years. He was also Branch As I drift towards the rainbows up high into the sky, I Chairman for more than 20 years. He grew and am flying into the wonder without ever wondering showed prize-winning vegetables for many years why. and later went on to judge flower shows in the I won't remember getting there. Somehow I'll just local area. On retirement 13 years ago he moved arrive. But knowing that I belong there will make me to Ardingly but still remained loyal to West so alive. Hoathly. I will be free of all the things that were holding onto He was a loving older brother, husband me. and father, made many friends and would always help anyone when he could. He will be much The next place that I go will be peaceful and so free. There will be no more darkness in that place of living missed by all. light, where the ever dawning morning will always Margaret, Val and Marion would like to shine so bright. thank everyone who attended the funeral service. The next place that I go won't really be a place at all.
No winter, summer, spring or fall.
Frank Mason I will travel empty-handed, not a single thing I take, except the love and happiness of those who cared for 18 January 1949—21 September 2013 me. The memories and magic that we shared through- out the years, the joy of all the friendships throughout Known to some as Fun Time Frankie. Margaret all my years. and her family would like to thank you all for the The next place that I go I will never be alone. I'll be many cards sent to them on the passing of the embraced by all the family and friends I've ever man they adored. known. I may not see their faces but our hearts will Frank had chosen his plot in St Margaret’s beat as one, as bright as the rising sun that's where I a few years ago and decided on his plot after ly- belong. ing down on the ground in all the available I will cherish all the friendship I was fortunate to find, spaces. Alan Carr (then Vicar) asked Frank what all the love and all the laughter in the place I leave he was doing and Frank replied that he was try- behind. ing to find the plot with the best view. “But, All these good things will go with me. They will Frank, you will be dead.” “I know,” he replied, make my spirit glow. And that light will shine forever “and I would like you to do my service - I will in the next place that I go. pay for your train fare!” And so on 5th October 2013 we celebrated Frank’s life at St Margaret’s. It was a wonderful service with many tears and Stop Press much laughter. Frank wanted to be remembered for his humour and laughter and he most certainly will Betty Harris be. He gave love and was loved by many. Betty Harris, who lived at Moatlands, Vowels Our thanks go out to you all for the money Lane, from 1942 onwards, died on 14 Novem- collected in memory of our Captain Pugwash, ber, just seven weeks short of her 100th birthday. which went to RNLI Newhaven Life Boats – we There will be an obituary in our next issue. were able to present £1,000. Margaret Mason
CHURCH SERVICES AT ST. MARGARET’S AND ALL SAINTS (and at other local churches over Christmas)
December
1st Advent Sunday
8am Holy Communion, St. Margaret’s 10am Family (TOY) Communion, St. Margaret’s January 4.30pm Advent Carol Service, St. Margaret’s 2014 th 7 Saturday 7.30pm Bluebell Rlwy Carols at Horsted Keynes Stn. 5th 2nd
Sunday of Christmas th nd 8 2 Sunday of Advent 8am Holy Communion, St. Margaret’s 9 am Holy Communion, All Saints 10am Family Communion, St. Margaret’s 10am Parish Communion, St. Margaret’s 4.30pm Evensong, All Saints 4.30pm Evensong, St. Margaret’s th 10 Tuesday 12.30pm ‘Food for Thought’ Sharpthorne Hall th st 12 1 Sunday of the Epiphany th rd 9 am Holy Communion, All Saints 15 3 Sunday of Advent 10am Parish Communion, St. Margaret’s 8am Holy Communion, St. Margaret’s 4.30pm Evensong, St. Margaret’s 9am Matins, All Saints 14th Tuesday 10am Family Service, St. Margaret’s 12.30pm ‘Food for Thought’, Sharpthorne Hall 4.30pm Christmas Carols “The Christmas Cracker” St. Margaret’s 17th Tuesday Week of Prayer for Christian Unity th th 11.30am Shepherd’s Play (for children) by Philpots January 18 —25 School, St. Margaret’s 6.30pm Shepherd’s Play (for all) by Philpots School, 19th 2nd Sunday of Epiphany St. Margaret’s 8am Holy Communion, St. Margaret’s th 20 Friday 9am Matins, All Saints School Christmas Service, St. Margaret’s 10am Family Service, St. Margaret’s 7.30pm Readings from Dicken’s , All Saints 22nd Wednesday 8pm ‘Heart and Soul,’ St. Margaret’s 22nd 4th Sunday of Advent 24th Friday 9am Holy Communion, All Saints 3pm ‘Saints and Angels,’ St. Margaret’s 10am Parish Communion, St. Margaret’s 4pm Carols by Candlelight, All Saints 4pm Family Carol Service, Worth Abbey If, in your heart, you make a manger for his birth, 24th Tuesday - Then God will once again become Christmas Eve a child on earth. Angelus Silesius 1624-77 4pm The Christingle Ser- vice, St. Margaret’s
11.00pm Midnight Mass, Where the star enlightens, Worth Abbey Light is shared around. 11.30pm Midnight Mass, God has drawn no borders, St. Margaret’s Faith sees common TH ground: 25 CHRISTMAS Peace the hopeful journey, DAY Justice without bar, 10am Holy Communion, St. Margaret’s God’s illumination 11.15am Parish Communion, All Saints From the Christmas star. 11.15am Parish Mass, from The Three Faiths Carol - Shirley Murray St. Dunstan’s
29th 1st Sunday of Christmas 10am Combined Benefice Communion Service, St. Margaret’s
The Chronicle for December 2013—January 2014 - Page 27 THE COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
December January Sunday, 1st 4.30 pm Advent Christmas Carols, Monday, 1st St Margarets Monday, 2nd 10.30 am Gravetye “Christmas Flower” Workshop & Canape Masterclass 12 pm Good Companions Monday, 6th th Wednesday, 4 SCHOOL STARTS 2 pm WH WI Christmas Tea, Village Hall 7.30 pm History Group Christmas Party at Wednesday, 8th Upper Pendent 2 pm WH WI, Village Hall Friday, 6th Friday, 10th 12 pm Parish Christmas Lunch, Village Hall Emmaus “Marble Run” Village Hall Saturday, 7th Saturday, 11th 11-4 pm Highbrook Christmas Market, 9.30 Churchyard Working Party Highbrook to 12.30 St Margaret’s 7.30 pm Bluebell Carol Service at 11-4 pm Mansion Market Michael Hall Horsted Keynes Station School Monday, 9th Monday, 13th 8 pm Sharpthorne WI Christmas Meeting 8 pm Sharpthorne WI, Village Hall Village Hall 12 pm Good Companions, The Bowls Club Tuesday, 10th 12.30 pm “Food for Thought” Sharpthorne DEADLINE CHRONICLE th Hall Tuesday, 14 Wednesday, 11th 12.30 pm “Food for Thought”, Sharpthorne Hall 7.30 pm British Legion Christmas Social 8 pm “Street Fair” Planning Meeting in Sharpthorne Club Sharpthorne Hall th Saturday, 14th Wednesday, 15 10 am Decorating Christmas Tree 7.45 pm History Group “Rye to Newhaven” at St Margaret’s A talk by Christopher Rudd Sharpthorne Hall th 11-4 pm Mansion Market Michael Hall School Friday, 17 Sunday, 15th Emmaus “Hand Bell” Village Hall th 4.30 pm Christmas Carols, St Margaret’s Monday, 20
Monday, 165h 8 pm WHPC Council Meeting, Village Hall th 8 pm WHPC Meeting Village Hall Friday, 24 Tuesday, 17th Emmaus “Mystery Guest” Village Hall 6.30 pm Philpots “Oberufer Shepherds Play St Margaret’s CHRONICLE AVAILABLE (Also at 11.30 am for staff & children) Friday, 20th Friday, 31st 2.15 pm WH School Carol Service Emmaus Film Night Village Hall 7.30 pm “An Evening with Mr Charles Dickens” All Saints, Highbrook Sunday, 22nd 4 pm Carol Service All Saints Wednesday, 25th HAPPY CHRISTMAS Post your events on The Hoathly Hub so you Thursday, 26th can ensure that your events are automatically 10 am Village Walk, Finche Field included in the Chronicle Calendar. st Tuesday, 31 For more information contact Bluebell Railway “New Years Eve Golden Arrow Spectacular” [email protected]. NEW YEAR’S EVE The Back Page Directory
Clubs and Organisations in the Villages The Churches and Services
Allotments ...... Helen Schofield ...... 811301 Beavers ...... Bev Duncanson ...... 810709 St. Margaret's, West Hoathly, and Bellringers ...... Rachel Edwards ...... 810210 All Saints, Highbrook Book Club ...... Rachel Whitlam ...... 810117 www.westhoathly.org.uk Bowling Club ...... Trevor Swainson ...... 810546 www.highbrook.info British Legion ...... Laurie Gausden ...... 810751 Vicar Brownies ...... Catherine Goodridge ...... 810937 Venerable Lionel Whatley, The Vicarage, North Lane, West Circle Club & Lunch ...... Liz Bennett ...... 01444 892731 Hoathly, RH19 4QF Costcutters ...... Carol Johnson ...... 810234 Tel: 01342 810757 Email: [email protected] Cricket Club -West Hoathly ... Peter Johnson ...... 810660 (His house is just up the track opposite the school) -Highbrook...... Patrick McGahan ...... 01444 892243 Cercle français ...... Bob Darvill ...... 810443 Church Officers at St. Margaret’s Cubs ...... Phil Glynn ...... 810559 Deputy Churchwardens: Erica Ansell Tel. 01342 811215 Explorers ...... Colby Mager ...... 01293 885530 Marion Jones Tel. 01342 810143 Football Club ...... Kirk Howick ...... 316448 Friends of the Priest House ...... Rosemary Watson ...... 810800 Church Officers at All Saints Friends of WH Churchyard ...... Brian Couchy ...... 810561 Churchwardens: Tony Osborn, Tel: 01444 892191 Good Companions ...... Liz Bennett ...... 01444 892731 Hugh Bennett Tel: 01444 892731 Gravetye Manor ...... Andrew Thomason ...... 810567 Main Services at both of these churches are Hands Together ...... Ingrid Sethi ...... 810085 listed on the inner back pages. Hot Note Stage Academy...... Sarah Wilson ...... 841919 Karate Group ...... Dorian Fretwell ...... 811044 Roman Catholic Chapel of St. Dunstan’s Kindergarten – Hoathly Hill .... Jean Kingsley-Monks ...... 810093 www.worthabbeyparish.co.uk Local History Group ...... Tony Hunt ...... 810534 Parish Priest: Local History Archives ...... John Ralph ...... 810458 Neighbourhood Watch ...... Sophie Hill ...... 810282 Father James Cutts, Tel: 01342 710313 Parish Council Clerk ...... Helen Schofield ...... 811301 Sunday Mass is normally at 11.30 am at Parish Council Chairman ...... John Downe ...... 01444 892065 PCC Treasurer ...... Trevor Swainson ...... 810546 Pericles...... Paulamaria Blaxland-de-Lange ... 810133 St. Margaret’s Community Pre-school (Village Hall) ...... Rachael Rush ...... 811046 Priest House Curator ...... Antony Smith ...... 810479 Transport Pubs - The Cat Inn ...... Andrew Russell ...... 810369 If you would like a lift to a local hospital or - The Vinols Cross ...... Becky ...... 810644 doctor/dentist, please contact:- Rainbows ...... Brenda Farley ...... 811020 School ...... Tina Allen ...... 810302 Scouts ...... Phil Glynn ...... 810559 Wednesday: Kathy Brown 811866 Sing & Play ...... Liz Shannon ...... 811400 Thursday Catherine Goodridge 810937 Stoneland Players ...... Julia Piqué ...... 01435 868245 Friday: John Trueman 810612 Tennis Club ...... Terry Cooper ...... 01444 892649 Any Day: Bill Merry 810771 Tia Chi ...... Patricia Smith ...... 01444 457488 Barbara Polhill 810877 Tootsie Time ...... Lorraine Jones ...... 810538 Valerie Fyans 810848 Una Voce ...... Andrew Slater ...... 810734 Village Hall Bookings:- Robin Ingham 810160 - West Hoathly ...... Helen Schofield ...... 811301 Carol Houston 810075 - Sharpthorne ...... Alastair Duncanson ...... 810709 Christine Graystone 810603 - Highbrook ...... Liz Bennett ...... 01444 892731 Maureen Muddell ...... 01444 892791 Please remember that these kind volunteers are W.I. - Sharpthorne ...... Mary Mays ...... 810542 only available on the day stated - West Hoathly ...... Margaret Rodgers ...... 810012 Writers Group ...... Rachel Whitlam ...... 810117 Youth Groups - Emmaus ...... Lindsay Shurvell ...... 810780
Please notify any changes to Marion Jones Post Office opening times at Costcutters Monday 9am - 2pm Wednesday 9am - 1pm Police Community Support Officer Nicola Green T: 0778 9168791 Email: [email protected] SMALL ADS FOR SALE
SCHOOL PLAYGROUND HIRE FOR PARKING To advertise small items for sale here please con- (Subject to Availability) tact Sue Billings on 01342 810049, the cost is £1 Contact WH School on 01342 810302 per issue for two lines of copy.