BN5 Magazine April 2024

April

Rushfields Celebrating 40 Years

As Rushfields Plant Centre in Poynings gears up to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, James Forryan talked to founders Colin and Kathryn Langridge about the keys to their longevity and what they’ve learned over their 40 years in business

Back in 1984, when brother and sister Colin and Kathryn Langridge first purchased a small plot of land on the edge of the Sussex village of Poynings, the site of their nascent plant-growing business came with a warning. “It used to belong

to the Crown Estate,” Colin explained, “and it came with a covenant; we are not allowed to annoy the Monarch, or her successor.”

Not only have they managed to navigate the last four decades without incurring the displeasure of the late Queen Elizabeth –or indeed the reigning King Charles – but the pair have seen their modest venture bloom into one of the area’s best-loved fixtures, drawing in visitors daily from across Sussex. Beyond its large garden centre, offering everything from gardening tools to an impressive array of locally-grown plants and vegetables, Rushfields has evolved over its 40-year lifespan to include an award-winning farm shop specialising in local produce (including their legendary

pies), as well as a bustling café which has become a focal point for the local community.

It’s a long way from Colin and Kathryn’s humble beginnings, and the success of Rushfields over the years hasn’t come without its challenges – not to mention a lot of hard work.

“We both came out of school with one O-level; an ungraded in R.E.” said Colin of their early

The pair have seen their modest venture bloom into one of the area’s best-loved fixtures

years. “We weren’t really academic students… but we both went on to horticultural college and for me that was the first time in my life that I enjoyed education.” Alongside their studies at Brinsbury College in Pulborough, both worked as gardeners for local councils

From Left: Pam Langridge, Colin Langridge, Adrian Hillman and Kathryn Hillman (née Langridge)

– Kathryn in Worthing, Colin in Brighton & Hove – before renting their first acre of land together in 1981, beginning as a simple nursery growing plants in poly-tunnels. “I don’t believe that you need a university education,” explained Colin, “but what we did have is the background from our parents, which taught us the skills we needed to succeed.”

Seizing the chance to buy the ready-named Rushfields site three years later “for the princely sum of £13,000”, the pair were able to quickly expand their growing capabilities – but even then not everything went smoothly. “The first greenhouse we put up in 1986,” recalled Kathryn, “and it blew down in ’87 in the hurricane.” Not to be deterred, the pair took the setback as a valuable lesson in facing adversity. “It makes you a stronger person,” Kathryn explained, “and it

We focus on local produce and we have around 50 local suppliers, including the farm over the road which supplies us with lamb and beef

makes you more determined to achieve results.” Over the following years, several new greenhouses were installed on the site, eventually to be replaced in 1999 by the impressive glasshouse that now dominates the plant centre’s expansive layout.

No business survives for four decades on determination alone, though, so what have been the other key factors in Rushfields’ longevity? One of them is keeping their supply chains local wherever possible. “We are still grower-retailers, we still grow our own plants, whereas many other garden

centres buy in their stock”, said Kathryn. “That gives us the ability to produce a better product,” continued Colin, “but also there’s availability all the time. If we’ve run out of something by three o’clock on a Sunday afternoon, we can bring it straight in from the nursery.”

This philosophy extends to their external suppliers too. “We’re both Sussex people, we were born less than ten miles from here, and to us Sussex is very important,” explained Colin, describing the relationships they’ve developed with suppliers in the area over the years. “We focus on local produce and we have around 50 local suppliers, including the farm over the road which supplies us with lamb and

a garden centre,” explained Kathryn. “It’s a very key focal point for people to meet, people like the social activity of meeting up, having coffee and cake or some lunch. It’s even more important now than it was 10 years ago.”

Perhaps the biggest key to their success though is Colin and Kathryn themselves, along with their respective partners, Pam and Adrian. “It’s a family business and we have that family feel. Some of our staff have been with us for a long time,” said Kathryn, and it’s a familiar story with their loyal customer base too. “We’ve seen their children grow up, now their children have got children,” Kathryn added. “They’re used to seeing us, we’re always around on the shop floor.”

beef.” Those relationships were particularly important when it came to diversifying the business with the opening of their farm shop in 2010. “As a family we’re very interested in food,” said Colin of the expansion, “so we saw that as a logical progression.”

Indeed, the farm shop has been another important factor in the Rushfields success story, as has the addition of the café, which has become a popular local meeting point. “Nowadays, if you don’t have a café in a garden centre, you won’t have

So how will they be celebrating their 40th anniversary? “We’re starting off on March 23rd,” said Colin, “all our customers coming in that weekend will have a piece of birthday cake and a glass of fizz. There will be events and offers throughout the year, and we’ll be having a big birthday bash in the summer.” l

Rushfields Plant Centre Henfield Road, Poynings, BN45 7AY 01273 857445

www.rushfields.com

adrian@rushfields.com

Kathryn and Colin 1984

Kathryn and Colin 1981

Editor’s Letter

This month, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting people associated with two of Henfield’s village institutions; the Works Officers at Henfield Parish Council (aka the April BN5 cover models!) and the High Needs care team at the Henfield Haven. Both visits have reminded me how much our village relies on goodwill and community spirit, and on people going ‘above and beyond’ their job specification. For the huge band of volunteers supporting these professionals, it also relies on people giving freely of their time, without asking for reward.

When I dropped in to take photos of the High Needs day at Henfield Haven, I also saw Ann and Theresa from The Foot Clinic at the Haven, who have fairly recently moved into the annexe next to the Cafe. Theresa summed up the Haven when she said: “There’s always so much laughter coming from that room, and everyone leaves with smiles on their faces.”

When you support the Haven, you bring a little sunshine into the lives of people living with dementia and those who may be frail, alone or living with long-term healthcare issues. The Haven is hugely reliant on local support, your donations and volunteering keep the smiles and laughter resonating. Thank you for your support.

Emma Cole, Editor

Copy deadline & contacts

06 What’s On from the BN5 area

08 News from the BN5 area

22 Local Interest HPC Works Officers

28 Local Interest Henfield Haven High Needs

38 Local Interest Woods on Prescription

42 Local Interest Antarctica

49 Local Interest Annual Parish Meeting

62 Index Of local advertisers

Many thanks to our editorial and photographic contributors this month;

Digby Stephenson, Cathy Wallace, Trevor Hodgson, Kevin Wright, James Forryan, Sarah Butler and Paul Samrah. Cover photograph by Emma Cole BN5 Magazine, with additional design by Ream Creative. BN5 magazine is printed on 100% FSC approved managed forests paper at Gemini Print in Shoreham and is printed using vegetable-based inks.

Copy deadline for advertisements or editorial submissions for the May 24 issue of BN5 magazine is Friday 5 April.

If you have a local interest story for us please email editor@bn5magazine.co.uk. If your not-for-profit club, group or charity has an event you would like us to publish on our what’s on pages, please submit via our website www.henfieldbn5.co.uk, this gives you additional automatic website entry. Please note we no longer accept postal or email diary submissions due to potential inaccuracies when transcribing. Priority is given to local, charitable and non-repeating events when we are oversubscribed. Advertiser Terms and Conditions and all Disclaimers appear on our website. For advertising enquiries or to receive a media pack please email sales@bn5magazine.co.uk

Henfield Bowls Club sign-up evening

Fri 5 April, 7pm, Henfield Bowling Club

Signing night for both new and old members. For information contact henfieldbowls2016@gmail.com

Bridge Drive for Blood Cancer UK

Thurs 11 April, 10:30am-3pm, Sedgwick Park House

£100 per table (£25 each), to include coffee, biscuits and lunch. Prizes and raffle available. For more details contact Nicola on 01403 243492.

Friends of St Peter’s Brunch

Sat 13 April, 10:30am-1pm, The Henfield Hall

Annual brunch to raise funds to keep our church building in good repair. Tickets £10 from Cornerweighs and St. Peter’s Church Office.

All about Geography

Wed 17 April, 2-4:15pm, The Henfield Hall

From Henfield WI. ‘I didn’t realise geography would be so relevant (and interesting), why didn’t I listen in school?’ by Bill Avenell. Refreshments available.

Parkinson’s UK Fundraiser

Sat 6 April, 10:30am-12:30pm, The Henfield Hall

Please come along to support World Parkinson’s Day. Cake, tea and coffee and a raffle. Contact Jessica on 07841 917907

Antarctica – This Magical Place

Fri 12 April, 7:30-10pm, The Henfield Hall

A one man show performed by Trevor Hodgson highlights Antarctica in all its glory. Performed in conjunction with Henfield Theatre Company. Tickets £8 see www.henfieldtheatrecompany.com

Presentation on the NHS App

Wed 17 April, 10am-12pm, The Henfield Hall Henfield Computer Club presentation on how to use the NHS App. £2 members, £3 guests. henfieldcomputerclub@gmail.com

The Boys in the Boat (12A)

Tues 23 April, 7:3pm, The Henfield Hall

Mobile cinema from Cinemobile. For tickets www.cinemobile.co.uk or in person from Marcus Grimes Estate Agents, Henfield.

‘Once Bittern’ local play

Sat 20 April, 7:30-9:30pm, The Henfield Hall

To celebrate 25 years of Henfield Birdwatch a group of local amateur actors have come together to perform “Once Bittern” - a play by Jean Trew. Free for Henfield Birdwatch Members and a £3 donation for non-members.

Contemporary Craft Show

Sat 27 & Sun 28 April, 10am-5pm, The Henfield Hall

Presented by The Sussex Guild. Beautifully crafted handmade items and commissions. Admission £3. Free for students and children.

Come & Sing Workshop

Sat 27 April, 1:30pm, Southwick Methodist Church

Sussex Voiceworks Choir celebrates its 50th anniversary. Spend a fun afternoon mastering ‘The Armed Man – Choral Suite’ by Karl Jenkins. Tickets £15. sussexvoiceworkschoir@gmail.com

Mayday at the Ring

Wed 1 May, 7am-8:30am, Chanctonbury Ring

Come and join the Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men to celebrate the First of May. The Celebration will continue with a short tour around Shoreham after the men have had breakfast at the airport.

THE RISING DOWN

An Evening with Alexandra Harris

Tuesday 16th April 7.30pm Methodist Church, Steyning Writer and cultural historian Alexandra Harris returns to her childhood home of West Sussex to investigate the hidden cultural history beneath the familiar landscapes.

Ticket only £8 or £20 with book

From the Steyning Bookshop

01903 812062 or scan QR code

Alice runs the London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Society

Alice Joyce, keen runner and carer for her mum Katharine, is running the London Marathon in April to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Alice also happens to work at Spinfish Publishing and BN5, so will be a familiar voice on the end of the phone if you happen to call us!

Alice began running in 2011, partly for the health benefits and partly to get some uninterrupted time away from busy family life. Soon her running sessions in the Sussex countryside (mainly on the Downslink) became an essential part of her week. She slowly built her fitness towards her first ‘public’ event, the deceptively hilly Barnes Green Half Marathon.

She then took on a challenge of running 500 miles to raise money for Loui, a little boy born with Treacher Collins, who needed vital surgery to allow him to live free of his tracheotomy. She raised over £3,000 for Loui and we were thrilled with the support she received from BN5 readers when we published their story.

Alice and her family were given the devastating diagnosis of Katharine’s vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2020. As her illness progressed and Alice’s role as carer has grown, she has learned more and more about the vital support, research and campaigning undertaken by the Alzheimer’s Society. Their aim is to give ‘help and hope’ to those who have received a diagnosis, and work towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Alice said: “I’ve run three marathons, including the Brighton and Edinburgh Marathons, but London has always been the dream, I’ve entered the ballot 10 times now! I’m thrilled to be running for the Alzheimer’s Society, caring for my mum is a huge part of my life and I know that running has kept me going throughout her journey. I am a keen parkrunner, which clears my head and lifts my mood, I’ve made lots of amazing friends at the Hove Promenade parkrun and would encourage anyone who’s looking to start running to go along to their local parkrun event.”

Alice has a fundraising target of £2,500 and she’s almost there, having raised over £2,300 already. We’d love to help get her over the line; encouraging words and even the smallest donation will make a difference. Please follow the link in the QR code below if you can help Alice to reach her goal.

We know how dedicated Alice is to running and how it has helped to keep her healthy and happy while juggling the roles of care, home and work. She is passionate about raising awareness of Alzheimer’s and working towards a happier outcome for many people living with the disease. Good luck, Alice!

Emma Cole

Contemporary Craft Show in Henfield

The Sussex Guild Contemporary Craft Show are delighted to be exhibiting again in the Henfield Hall on 27 & 28 April. Delicious homemade refreshments will be available throughout the day, with seating inside and in the garden.

Be inspired by an array of exciting ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, leatherwork, metalwork, silversmithing, textiles and woodwork. Lead show co-ordinator Kate Hackett has had fun creating her ceramic designs inspired by nature, gardens, flowers, landscapes, the seaside, material patterns, and patchwork quilts. Exhibitor Diane Rogers creates one off original pieces of contemporary silk textile art. Her inspiration

is from nature and the natural environment and she captures fleeting moments in nature’s continuing cycle of creation, destruction and change. Lorraine Gibby expresses her passion for colour and pattern in her anodized aluminium jewellery. Her working process begins with observation of form and colour, usually taken from natural surroundings. Andrew Poder designs boxes around new timber stocks coming into his workshop and allows the woods to shape his designs, making each piece unique. He likes to work with other artists in ceramics, resins and metals to add another dimension to his work. Our skilled designer makers look forward to meeting you to discuss their individual work and to explain their craft techniques and inspirations. Take the opportunity to buy beautifully crafted, handmade items, or to commission an extra special one-of-a-kind piece. Admission is £3 and your ticket allows you to return throughout the last weekend in April.

Elaine Butlin

Walking Netball is now in Henfield!

Do you want to keep fit and have fun whilst you’re doing it? Do you enjoy being part of a team? Did you enjoy playing netball at school (however many years ago that was!)? Specially trained Walking Netball Hosts Jane and Vanessa have set up a new Walking Netball group at Henfield

Leisure Centre on Wednesday mornings (11am12pm) costing only £5 per session.

Walking Netball is very similar to the regular game - we don’t run or jump but we still get a great workout and the physical and mental benefits are endless. We are a very sociable group and would love to welcome some new faces. It doesn’t matter what shape, size, age or ability you are, you will be supported all the way. If you are interested in joining, please email Jane and Vanessa at HenfieldWalkingNetball@gmail.com . We may be able to also run a weekend session if there are enough people interested so please let us know.

Jane Beasley

What to do if you receive a Universal Credit Migration Notice

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has started issuing Universal Credit Migration Notices to customers in West Sussex letting them know that one or more of their benefits will be ending and inviting them to apply for Universal Credit. This will continue throughout 2024/25, with some customers being migrated as late as 2028. Customers already on Universal Credit will not receive a Migration Notice.

If you receive a Migration Notice, one or more of your benefits will end by the deadline date on the letter. If you still need financial support after this date, you will need to claim Universal Credit instead. You should make your claim before the deadline date. If your letter does not have a deadline date, this isn’t your Migration Notice and you don’t need to claim Universal Credit unless you want to. You can find out more www.gov.uk/ guidance/tax-credits-and-some-benefits-areending-move-to-universal-credit

If you need help understanding your Migration Notice or help to complete the application, you can call or webchat for free the Citizens Advice Universal Credit Help to Claim Service: Tel: 0800 1448444. Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 144 8 444.

Sarah Hogben, Horsham District Council

Henfield Bowls Club: New Members Welcomed!

Henfield Bowls Club is getting ready for the coming season and signing-on night for both new and old members is Friday 5 April 2024 from 7pm. Our first game is a club drive on Sunday 21 April followed by a chat and coaching session on Monday 22 April. We always welcome new members, come along and meet us! For more details contact our secretary at henfieldbowls2016@gmail.com.

Karen Kennedy

B-P Guild Story Competition, sponsored by Stokes

Well done to all the children who entered their work into the competition, you made the task of selecting the best stories very difficult and the judges thoroughly enjoyed reading your stories. The Judging team had a tough task picking the best stories in each of the two age categories, but finally decided that Isaac Clift (5) and Anna Debono (7) were the joint winners of the Age 5-7 category and that Lily Johnstone (6) was runnerup. The winner of the Age 8 to 11 category with a brilliantly constructed and entertaining story entitled ‘Cereal Killers’ was Ted Emery (11) and the joint runners-up were Imogen Womersley (10) and Ella Johnstone (8). Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up, you all wrote excellent stories. Thank you all for entering and thanks to Fiona Ayres of Stokes for providing prizes.

David Malkin

Henfield Computer Club

Join Henfield Computer Club in the Garden Room of The Henfield Hall on Wed 17th April 10am-12pm for our next presentation:

Need a helping hand to keep your house sparkling clean?

Our services include:

• Weekly Cleans • End of Tenancy Cleans

• Office Cleaning • Builders’ Clean

• Deep Clean

Affordable Rates. Trustworthy Staff. Excellent Customer service.

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‘How to use the NHS App and get the best from it’. There are a number of Apps and online resources to help you access your health data but we will focus on the NHS App with a brief mention of the other resources.

The NHS App provides a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. It enables you to access your digital health and care services and help you to stay well, get well, and manage your health. You can view test results, order prescriptions and much more.

The presentation will last no more than hour, plus there will be a chance to ask questions and enjoy some refreshments. If you’d like to come along, please email henfieldcomputerclub@gmail.com . £2 for members and £3 for guests.

Dawn Butcher

A May-Time Special Day

The Steyning Vintage Revival is back for 2024 on Sunday 5 May from 11am until 4pm within the closed Steyning High Street and car park. Held for the first time last year when it proved to be a gigantic success, it is set to be even bigger and better for 2024 with loads of superb vintage cars, vans, buses, traction engines, motor bikes and even a steam organ on display. To add to the pizazz of the day there will be street entertainment, bands, vintage rides and much, much more. Alongside all of this you will find antique stalls where you can search out those very special pieces of yesteryear. And, to top it all, the superb selection of High Street eateries and pubs will be looking forward to welcoming you. What a day, there’s definitely something for everybody, all organised by the ever hard working Steyning & District Community Partnership Visitor & Tourism. See you there!

Reina Alston

Meeting the Mudlarks of London Town

Please join us on Saturday 11 May in the Henfield Hall from 11am to 4.30pm for an exhibition of items collected over the years from the River Thames by the Mudlarks. There will a talk and presentation at 3pm in the Garden Room by local

Henfield Mudlark Graham du Heaume and his colleague Monika Buttling-Smith. Graham is a legend amongst London’s mudlarks. He searched the Thames foreshore in the 1970/80s and found some amazing historical artefacts, including over 800 Tudor knives. He has now donated these to the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, where they can be seen by the public.

Monika is a current mudlark, still searching the foreshore every week. She organises mudlarking exhibitions and lectures and also administers two major mudlarking Facebook groups.

Monika has found some stunning artefacts including a Roman Oil lamp and a Saxon silver penny from King Burgred of Mercia. She’ll talk about the current world of mudlarking and how some things have changed, whilst others are very much the same!

The exhibition and talk are free to paid-up members of the Friends of Henfield Museum, but there will a small charge to cover expenses for non-members and visitors (£2 for the exhibition and £3 for the talk, payable on the day). As seating in the Garden Room is limited, so please arrive in good time.

Peter Bates

Scout Hut News

We are very, very grateful to the 22 teams that took part in the February Fun Quiz and helped us to raise £1,250 for the Building Appeal. We are constantly amazed at just how wonderfully generous and community-minded Henfield folk are.

After an enforced six-month delay waiting for the building glazing to be delivered we have movement at last. By the time you read this the new building should be watertight with all the windows and doors installed. We now hope to be able to crack on and begin the interior fit-out, starting with the floor screed before installing the internal walls, lighting and electrical works. Several local and national companies have pledged materials and skilled labour, but the task ahead is still huge and a lot more is still needed, both for the interior works and the landscaping and car park area. If you or the company that you work for can help us in any way whatsoever, contact David.malkin@henfield-scout-cc.org . If all goes to plan, the building will be finished and ready for occupancy in the autumn. It’ll be a fantastic new venue for both the Scout Group and the whole Henfield community to enjoy. The Trustees look forward to welcoming groups, clubs and individuals to hire the building so that it can generate some revenue to pay back the loan. Please contact us if you are considering starting a group or are looking for a new venue for your group or club to meet at.

David Malkin

Horsham District Foodbank reaches 10-year milestone

Horsham District Foodbank, which is run by Horsham Matters (the charity that supports those suffering from food and household poverty), has reached its 10-year anniversary. When it began in 2014 the foodbank provided 119 individual food parcels a month – it’s currently providing 800 individual food parcels a month.

The charity will be running initiatives and fundraising events to mark the milestone and to raise awareness of the steady increase in food poverty in the Horsham District. Emma Elnaugh, Managing Director, said “We are proud of the work we have done, and which will continue to do, in our community… We will continue to support those most vulnerable in our community until we achieve our goal of no longer needing a foodbank in our community.”

Last calendar year the foodbank provided 10,220 individual food parcels; over 4,000 of these were for children. In addition to its foodbank services which include the Hub on the Move mobile foodbank, the charity offers a range of holistic services aimed at addressing the root cause of poverty, including household budgeting support, benefits check, advocacy support and counselling for those experiencing food poverty. The charity is grateful to the staff, volunteers

Cinema at the Henfield Hall brought to you by

and supporters who have helped them along the way, and to the residents who have come to them for support. It’s asking residents to mark the anniversary by donating £10 for the 10 years, to help it continue to meet the increased demand for support. Donations can be made on the charity’s JustGiving page:www.justgiving.com/ campaign/10-years-of-horsham-district-foodbank Amalia Lovett

Henfield Antenatal Course

Henfield Bump to Baby Plus will be starting its next antenatal course on Monday 8 April. Each course consists of four evening classes and runs over four weeks. The course is led by a practising, experienced midwife and is open to parents-to-be, 28 weeks or more into their pregnancy. For full details see henfieldbumptobabyplus.org and click Groups/ Antenatal Course or email henfieldbumptobaby@ gmail.com. We are an initiative set up entirely by volunteers and we also run a postnatal drop in and a toddler group.

Sue Willis

Easter Raffle for Paws & Claws

Henfield Funeral Services are selling raffle ticket for £1 for the chance to win an Easter Egg Hamper plus many other prizes. First ticket drawn will win the mega Easter hamper with further prizes to be won. The winning tickets will be drawn on Thursday 28 March 2024 before the Easter weekend.

We are supporting our local Paws & Claws Cat Rescue in Sayers Common, which works tirelessly to find loving homes for their cats. As animal lovers ourselves we think this is a very worthy cause.

For a chance to win our Mega Easter egg hamper & other prizes please do pop in to see us at Henfield Funeral Services, The Old Bell, High Street, Henfield, BN5 9HN. Tel: 01273 494688.

Thank you.

Karen Jordon

Free Weight Off Workshops

Our ‘Weight off Workshops’ are a 12-week programme for adults with a BMI between 25-40. The programme focuses on losing weight in a sustainable way. It is not a diet and we don’t ban any foods! We work towards a 5% total weight loss by meeting each week in a small group and setting individual goals, reviewing food diaries, and having private weigh-ins. Each weekly session includes an informative workshop and a gentle exercise class led by a fitness instructor. The workshops cover a wide variety of topics including nutrition, stress, sleep, alcohol, staying active, emotional eating and how to read food labels. We hope to equip you with the knowledge to continue making healthy switches to your lifestyle long after the programme ends.

Weight off Workshops are completely free but require you to commit to the full 12 weeks. If you feel ready for a change and are motivated to lose weight, contact us to check your eligibility and book your place. The next course is running in Cowfold on Monday afternoons, starting on the 29 April.

horsham.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk, info@ horshamdistrictwellbeing.org.uk, 01403 215111.

Olivia Griffin

Henfield Youth Club Project Nights

It’s been a great start to the year for us at Henfield Youth Club, with lots of new and exciting changes. Last month we mentioned the start of our Wednesday Evening Project Nights which are now officially up and running! We kicked off with our babysitting course, which saw a huge amount of interest and was thoroughly enjoyed by both the young people that joined us and the staff who ran it. With this course we covered what makes a good babysitter, first aid awareness and information on child development. We have also had our bike maintenance workshop and a wonderful SEN evening, which offered a more peaceful visit for those who prefer the calm. It’s been wonderful to see some new faces in Youth Club who have been benefitting from our

evenings. We hope to continue welcoming more young people who are yet to discover us. There are many more exciting project nights coming up, so please keep an eye on our social media. These project nights are thanks to vital funding from the Parish Council, that we were given to hire two new staff members to make these evenings a reality. We are always thinking of fun, new project nights, so if you think you can help in any way then we would love to hear from you! You can contact us at henfieldyc@gmail. com or find us on facebook and Instagram @ henfieldyouth

Lucy Watson

Henfield Residents Visit Ford Recycling Plant

Fourteen Henfielders enjoyed an unusual and instructive day out on 7 February organised by Sustainable Henfield 2030, with a visit to the Ford Materials Recycling Facility to see what happens to the contents of our blue topped bins.

Owned by Biffa, who operate it for West Sussex County Council, Ford is a state-of-the-art plant that processes 100,000 tonnes of recycling a year. Mixed-up recycling from our bins enters at one end and then passed through a maze of 100 different conveyor belts and sorting systems, each separating a particular type of waste and directing it into one of nine different streams. Once separated, the different materials are baled and sold on world markets to accredited companies for reprocessing into new goods. Over 76,000 tonnes of materials such as glass, paper and metal are produced in this way every year, generating income that is shared between Biffa and West Sussex Council.

Although Horsham District performs best in West Sussex for recycling, we could do better. If all of us recycled correctly the Council could save £2.5 million a year and send much less to landfill.

Recycling the right things in the right way is also critical. The Henfield group were shown a video of what happens when vapes and batteries are placed in our blue-topped bins and then enter the Ford facility, where they can explode dangerously close to where staff are working. To arrange a home collection of small electrical items including e-cigarettes go towww.horsham.gov.uk/ waste-recycling-and-bins/recycling/textiles-andelectricals-recycling-collection Ruth Robotham, info@sustainablehenfield.org.

Circle Dancing

If you want fun and exercise and good company join us at Henfield Leisure Centre every Thursday morning at 10.30 am for our circle dance session. We’re a friendly group of ladies who enjoy enacting one of the oldest forms of community

dancing. Our group has been meeting for over 20 years in Henfield and has given our dancers a great deal of enjoyment and fulfilment over that time. Circle dancing is inclusive and welcoming for people of all ages.

Modern circle dance mixes traditional folk dances mainly from European or near eastern sources with recently choreographed ones to a variety of music both ancient and modern. It’s light to moderate rhythmical exercise and is good for the memory and co-ordination, meaningful and uplifting. It broadens our understanding of different cultures through music and dance and most of all it is a wonderful way to have fun and make friends. Circle dance is very versatile and adaptable, for every energetic dance there is a gentle one to follow. In many cultures it has been traditional to have a small floral display within the centre to retain its shape and pays homage to its ancient beginnings.

There is a cost of £5 per session to cover the cost of the room. Any surplus at the end of the year, we give to charity. Your first session is free so come along and have a taster class with us.

Elle Pond-Barrett

Henfield Summer Fair is Back!

Exciting news! Henfield’s very own BP Guild are busy planning and creating a Grand Summer Fair for the village! Please keep Saturday 15 June free - yes we know it’s the King’s Birthday that day (and he will, of course, be invited) but if his schedule is a little busy, please don’t worry, we’ll still celebrate in style! Plans are still to be confirmed, but it’s likely that the Fair will take place (appropriately) on the King’s Field near Henfield Leisure Centre, and will involve local clubs and groups all contributing with some traditional fun and games, music, food and entertainment.

If you are part of a local club or group, please make sure you’re involved! Contact Rob Laughton, rlaughton24@gmail.com to register your interest and to be kept ‘in the loop’. If you’re an individual who’d like to contribute with your

time, your business or your enthusiasm, please also contact Rob, he’d love to hear from you. As always, a huge thank you to the Henfield B-P Guild, who are once again working tirelessly to make the village a better place. Editor

Donated glasses get a new life at Henfield Eye Care

For more than 10 years Matthew and the team at Henfield Eye Care have been collecting glasses for reuse in countries where these simple aids are a luxury for many. Thanks to the recycling spirit of Henfield residents, hundreds of pairs have now been passed on to people who would otherwise struggle to see or read. Every pair is a precious gift for someone, from the humblest readers to designer sunglasses and specialist prescription lenses. Even broken glasses make a valuable contribution as they can be sold to raise money for sight projects.

After donation at Henfield Eye Care, your glasses will be taken by Sustainable Henfield volunteers to a centre run by Lions International in Chichester where they are sorted. Those suitable for reuse are sent on to a washing and grading plant in France from where they are dispatched to eye camps in Africa, India and Eastern Europe for distribution.. Any glasses or components that cannot be reused are recycled with minimal environmental impact. Recovered metal is sold to generate some income for the scheme and other waste material is incinerated for energy. Please support this wonderful scheme by donating your old glasses (without cases) at the shop to help others - they could be a real life changer for someone else.

Henfield Eye Care also take back contact lenses and packaging as part of the Terracycle recycling scheme which processes them into new garden furniture - see www.gteye.net/2023/08/02/ contact-lens-recycling/.

Ruth Robotham

Kinder Living launch new projects

After seven large public home events and numerous smaller events, the Kinder Living Team have paused the Kinder Living Home Show for 2024 in order to focus on two exciting new projects to support sustainable local businesses. Launching mid -April will be the Kinder Business Network. Kinder Living Show founder Jeanette Mercer explained “It will be business networking, but not as you know it. There are a number of excellent networking options for businesses in our area, but we have seen a gap for face to face networking specifically for businesses who offer sustainable products and services, or who are focusing on making their business more sustainable.” There will be no emphasis on finding referrals for other members and no lockouts. The Kinder Business Network will focus on collaboration, support, education and practical solutions. The launch event in April will be by invitation, but if you would like to register your interest please email business@kinderliving.co.uk The Team’s second new project, the Kinder Business Directory is the result of collaboration between Kinder Living CIC and Horsham District Council. Horsham District Council are sponsoring the creation and first year’s management of the Kinder Business Directory, with its launch being timed to support the Council’s new Green Leap Sustainability Projects Grants Fund for

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Jeanette Mercer

Thank you

Sustainable Henfield would like to thank Zenlo for donating lots of gardening equipment for us to sell for the childrens good causes in Henfield. This gesture has raised over £3,000 so far. Whilst Zenlo has now closed as an online business, we would thank Kate and her team for all their support.

Ruth Robotham

Pyjama Day at Ashurst Primary

On Wednesday 28 February, Ashurst CE Aided Primary School held a Pyjama Day in support of ‘The Great Tommy Sleep Out’, run by The British Legion and Sponsored by BAE systems. The campaign is raising funds to help support veterans who are experiencing homelessness. All pupils and staff came to school wearing pyjamas with one or two cuddly toys joining in the fun too! Although lessons were as normal throughout the day, there was definitely more

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of an air of peacefulness, as slippers shuffled backwards and forwards all day. At reading time we are sure there were even one or two snores heard! Pupils requested that they were allowed to wear pyjamas every day!

Mandy Hedley

Pancake Day at the Free Church

Our pancake party is an annual free event for children up to 11 years of age with parents/carers in attendance. We offer free pancakes with heaps of toppings, hot chocolate and squash. There are cuppas for parents and we have games (how many pancakes can you balance on your head whilst walking a certain distance and how many times can you flip a pancake in a minute). This year the horrible weather didn’t keep people away and the hall was packed with families

whose children were eating pancakes, playing games and generally just having fun! It was a fabulous time with families! We love putting this event on!

Karmel Lawton

Relish Ladies’ Breakfasts at the Free Church photo

Twice a year the Free Church host ‘Ladies’ Breakfasts’ and the next one takes place on Saturday 20 April. We invite ladies from the church, the village and further afield to catch up, meet new people, listen to a speaker share from the heart about God’s goodness and eat good

food. Our time together is very relaxed with lots of loud conversation and lots of laughing. We are very blessed to have Alison and her team from Relish come and cook our breakfasts for us on our premises, providing fresh, yummy food! Alison said: “It’s always a pleasure to decamp with our Relish kitchen to the Free Church to provide a special Brunch for the ladies. We always receive a very warm welcome, as a local business we really enjoy having the opportunity to support local groups, and in return we appreciate the Free Church supporting us as a High Street business.”

Karmel Lawton

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Meet the

Henfield Parish Council

Works Team

I think we’d all agree (aside from the odd little niggle) that Henfield is a really good place to live. We know about the great community, beautiful countryside in all directions, the fabulous dog walks and the friendly people, but most of us don’t really consider some of the practical reasons why it’s a harmonious and happy place to be.

With central government cut-backs, local authority budgets have been eroded over the past few years, meaning that some of the less crucial services (and sadly some of the crucial ones, but that’s a different article) just don’t get done. Henfield Parish Council made a conscious decision to pick up on some of these areas, knowing the importance of a clean, tidy and well-maintained village. Keeping litter off the streets means less litter is thrown; keeping graffiti in check means less antisocial graffiti appearing, and keeping a place feeling loved really makes local people feel genuinely proud of their community.

The team of three Parish Council Works Officers tasked with keeping our village looking picture

perfect are Dick Nye, Paul Hopgood and Robin Wadey. They’re all part time, all very practical and all love working outside. Dick has been a Works Officer for 12 years and leads the team, Robin for five years (he used to be a social worker) and Paul is the newbie at 18 months, he used to work in garden maintenance and has lived in Henfield his whole life. I met with Dick to find out more about their day-to-day tasks.

“It’s a pretty hands-on role,” said Dick. “It’s interesting and varied, too. Although the paths and hedge clearance are generally the responsibility of West Sussex County Council, they don’t have capacity to provide as much maintenance as they used to, which could leave many of our footpaths and twittens overgrown. We strike a fine balance between letting nature take its course (and in the Year of Biodiversity this is a huge priority) and making sure places are accessible and passable safely. If a footpath is overgrown it could mean a wheelchair user or someone with a pushchair is unable to access it, and it can be very dangerous if the user is forced to go on the road instead.”

You’ll often find the Works Officers clearing pavements and footpaths, or mowing areas of grass verges to help road visibility, and looking after newly-planted trees and wildflower areas. Sometimes, if a tree is down over the Downslink or across a twitten, they have to bring in some heavier machinery (the best part of the job!), and sometimes they take on bigger projects alongside Horsham District Council, like the re-fencing and clearance of the Tanyard.

They also work closely with organisations like the Conservation Group and Commons Committee to coppice areas for environmental reasons, they have the safety training to use heavy machinery and chainsaws. Frustratingly, at times they also have to clear fly-tipped items from local beauty spots, an increasingly common occurrence.

Recently, a major project has been maintenance to the Cemetery hedge-line (if you walk through the Lych Gate, you’ll see the clearance work on your right). It’s come to light that this border houses around 40 unmarked graves of infants dating back to between 1882 and 1903. The Parish Council, in conjunction with Henfield Museum and St Peter’s Church, are planning to preserve this area and make sure the graves are cared for. Shortly, signs will be erected asking walkers to be respectful of the hedgerow, another good reason why dogs should always be kept on a lead in the cemetery.

Recently, Henfield Parish Council has had the help of the Community Payback team, organised by the court services. Dick and his team have lined up tasks for the team and their work is really appreciated.

They also take care of the four Henfield play parks; Chessbrook Green, Wantley, King’s Field and Rothery, making sure equipment is safe and the area is free of graffiti or glass. If you spot any problems with the play parks please do get

in touch with the Parish Council immediately, especially if there is a safety issue, they will respond very quickly.

They support the brilliant team of part time and volunteer litter pickers in Henfield and they make sure the loos are opened, closed and kept clean, the same with the bus shelter. A local resident volunteers to close the bus shelter each night, a huge thank you to them for this kindness.

Weather can be an added challenge, if icy or snowy weather is forecast they do their best to grit the main paved areas in the high street early in the morning to help people to stay safe. Flooding is another of their ‘emergencies’ – a blocked drain can cause a flood, so they do what they can to help when the local authorities are overloaded. They also work proactively to make sure ditches are clear for flood prevention. It’s not their responsibility as such, but we are incredibly grateful for their common-sense approach to keeping our roads and pavements safe.

The Parish Office is also proactive at informing WSCC or HDC of any larger local issues and making sure Henfield is on the top of their priority list, the Works Officers often lend a helping hand, too. All in all, we have a great team working for us.

Next time you see Dick, Paul and Robin out and about, give them a wave and say thank you, they will be hard at work making Henfield a nicer place to live!

Henfield Parish Council: 01273 492507 www.henfield.gov.uk

Emma Cole

“It’s a pretty role...interestinghands-on and varied, too.”

13:41

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Specialist Day Care at Henfield Haven

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we welcome customers living with dementia and other conditions to spend the day at Henfield Haven.

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers offers a variety of activities throughout the day including gentle exercise, target and board games, music, singing and arts and crafts. A healthy two course home-made lunch is provided, as well as snacks and refreshments throughout the day. Transport can be provided in Henfield, Steyning and some

surrounding villages in The Haven minibus, equipped with an electric ramp.

Our staff can also deliver personal care to those who need a little extra support. The paid staff are supplemented by some of the wonderful group of around 60 local Haven volunteers. They carry out roles such as caring, café and kitchen support work, and tend the beautiful Haven gardens. They were all deservedly recognised with the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Services in 2020 – the

Images

Did you know?

Since July 2021, the Henfield Haven has provided 6,450 days of care for our customers!

That’s 6,450 days where carers can have a break, customers can enjoy time at the Haven, or someone who is socially isolated can have a day of fun and friendship with us. That’s an awful lot of smiles!

Thank you all for your support.

equivalent of an MBE. If you have any spare time and would like to join the team, please get in touch.

Some carers look after their loved ones twentyfour hours a day, every day. We can give them a well-deserved break from their caring roles and the peace of mind that their loved ones are in a safe, caring and stimulating environment.

We receive numerous messages of appreciation for our services, particularly from the families of our customers. This came from the partner of one Haven customer; “The Haven has been a lifeline for our family, keeping my husband engaged in happy surroundings and allowing me to work without worry. I can never thank them enough.” A carer also commented; “The Henfield Haven is my lifeline. I look after my wife 24/7. Twice a week I get the break I need knowing that she is safe and happy.”

At The Haven we also regularly run Dementia Awareness information sessions which are free for all to attend. The sessions give an insight in what it is like to live with dementia and how we can best support those living with the disease.

Thursday Club meets every week and offers a nice day out – a relaxed sociable environment

with quizzes, musical entertainment, and stimulating games and exercises, with a tasty two-course lunch included. “I am very lonely since my wife passed away. I can’t get out much, so the Thursday Club is the highlight of my week. I smile all day.” Many Thursday Club customers live alone and can be socially isolated. For some, Thursday Club is the only day they get out of the house.

The Haven Café is open from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday. Everyone is welcome and we love seeing Haven supporters dropping by, as well as those who are bringing friends and family for lunch in our beautiful garden. We serve fresh barista coffee, so come along and enjoy a flat white or a cappuccino with some homemade lemon drizzle. We have an extensive menu including jacket potatoes, paninis and soups, and our delicious Daily Specials – such as curries, pies and quiches – not forgetting our popular Friday roasts (booking is highly advisable on Fridays).

Several support groups meet at The Haven including a Parkinson’s Café on the last Wednesday of each month and the Henfield Bereavement Support Group which meets on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Other activities held at The Haven include Creative Journal Making, Jewellery Making and the Green Garden Group, which meets every other Tuesday from Spring to Autumn. The Garden Group volunteers do a wonderful job of making our gardens look so beautiful.

We currently have some available places for Specialist Day Care days needs so please do not hesitate to contact Lorette Mackie, Haven Manager on 01273 494747 or pop into The Haven for more information about this, or the other services and groups we offer.

Digby Stephenson

How you can help...

You can help us continue to provide these vital services by:

• Making a regular donation, please see our website www.henfieldhaven.org/donations

• Volunteering in our Café, Kitchen or Care Centre

• Considering a legacy in your will.

For further details please contact the Haven at chair@henfieldhaven.org or 01273 494747

Special Light Lunch Menu Tue-Fri 12-2.30pm (not valid with other discounts).

HEY THERE FOODIES!

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offer:

• Meal Service via The Elegant Feast and Wiltshire Farm

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Meal Visits

• Companionship Visits to home or out and about – beach, garden centres, coffee shops

• Medication prompts for time specific medication

• Maintenance Interior and exterior painting, decorating, gardening, furniture assembly

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• Hoarding & Decluttering Service

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• Light housekeeping Washing, ironing, bedding and tidying

• Live in carer respite we can provide cover whilst they take their break

Returning from a hospital or respite stay? We offer a special 6 week package to settle you back into an independent life

• Concierge & medical appointments (doctors, hospital, dentist, vets, hairdressers)

• Holiday cover we can provide companionship & support to your loved one whilst you are away

• Pick up and Drop off at The Henfield Haven clubs each week

• Daily, weekly, monthly or ad hoc cover available

Are you

Are

The Lost Woods team are bringing woodland wellbeing activities to Small Dole.

The Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs is a landscape project which will bring back to life the neglected ancient woods of the Low Weald. We will boost biodiversity, revitalise traditional woodland management and reconnect local people to woods and trees.

Cathy Wallace, Lost Woods Community Development Worker, reflects on how ‘Woods on Prescription’ sessions are helping to improve people’s sense of wellbeing.

In the tussocky meadow within the woodland of a local nature reserve, something special is happening. ‘I can see one!’ A small group of people are gathering around an unassuminglooking clump of thorny twigs, wielding magnifying glasses and peering excitedly. ‘Yes! It’s definitely one.’

The group is taking part in a Lost Woods project ‘Woods on Prescription’ session, which supports people to connect with nature and each other to improve their wellbeing. Sessions take place once a week for six weeks, with group participants taking part in woodland and nature-based activities relating to one of the NHS’s ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ – Connect, Take Notice, Get Active, Learn Something New, and Give Back.

Today the group is learning something new by surveying for rare brown hairstreak butterflies, by searching for their eggs on the butterfly’s foodplant, blackthorn.

Sure enough, after a few moments trawling through the thorny stems, a tiny white dot is located and confirmed by Lost Woods Senior Community Development Worker Michael Blencowe as a brown hairstreak egg. The sessions are run by one of Lost Woods’ project partners, Action in Rural Sussex.

Several more are spotted in quick succession, confirming that this elusive butterfly, nationally scarce but with a stronghold in Sussex, is active here at West Park. Thanks to the group’s efforts, the local council can now manage parts of the habitat specifically for this butterfly, helping to ensure its future here.

The group have also taken part in practical conservation tasks to help manage the woodland.

© Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Image © Action in Rural Sussex

Image © Sussex Wildlife Trust

‘It’s made me so proud of the local area, knowing we have this special butterfly here’ says one participant happily. ‘It’s just a scrappy little wood, but it’s full of magical stuff if you know how to look.’

Over the past few sessions, the group members have made willow wreaths, removed invasive snowberries from the woodland, created beautiful woodland lanterns, spotted wildlife and fungi, and connected deeply with one another through a shared love of nature.

Using the woodlands as a base offers many health benefits such as reduced stress levels, improved mental health, boosted immunity and higher levels of Vitamin D. It’s good for the woodland too, as studies show time spent in nature leads to pro-environmental behaviour –a desire to care for and protect these special environments.

One participant shares: ‘It’s got me out of the house and got me more interested in life again following an illness.’ The group ends with tea and cake and shared thoughts and experiences, along with a nature-based task for the coming week.

‘I’ve had the most beautiful time,’ one participant says. ‘It’s something I wouldn’t have thought I’d come along to, but it’s been enjoyable, informative

and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve loved meeting different people – different types of people.’

The Lost Woods Team is in the process of setting up a new group in Small Dole with the aim to begin sessions in mid-April. If you would like to join as a participant, volunteer or have some nature expertise you’d like to share, then please contact lostwoodsteam@ruralsussex.org.uk. We’d also like to hear from groups supporting underrepresented or underserved communities who’d like some bespoke woodland activities. We can even bring activities to you, if getting out into the woods is difficult.

Cathy Wallace, Action in Rural Sussex

To find out more about the programme visit www.lostwoods.org.uk or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/lostwoodssussex

The Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs is delivered by Action in Rural Sussex, Small Woods Association, Sussex Wildlife Trust and led by the Woodland Trust. The project is possible thanks to players of the National Lottery.

Antarctica 2024

I have been given another unique opportunity to revisit Antarctica with a trip organised by The Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge. I will be visiting the British Antarctic Survey base at Rothera on the Antarctic Peninsular on the 5 March 2024 aboard a ship that includes as its guests Dafila & Falcon Scott who are the children of Sir Peter Scott and the grandchildren of Robert Falcon Scott.

I have also been asked to perform my one man show during the voyage which was first performed at the Brighton Fringe in 2022. I am hoping to add some topical additions to the show for my performance at the Henfield Hall on Friday 12 April.

Antarctica: This Magical Place is an experience using the Edwardian explorer Captain Scott to tell the story of 120 years of exploration, discovery and science from the early 20th Century to the present day. Captain Scott’s tragic expedition and subsequent legacy has helped to establish this vast continent as a constant light in the life of our planet. Using unique video and still images from Antarctica, he takes us through the ages showing how this vast continent has been explored and gives an insight to the people who have investigated its valuable climate. One we need to protect for future generations.

There have been many books written about Antarctica, its explorer’s and its secrets and recently the discovery of Shackleton’s ship Endurance has shown the amount of interest we still have in this magical place.

Here Trevor describes his visit to Antartica in 2019 which was the inspiration behind his original show: “It started well and then due to weather conditions it was decided to make two landings over a four hour period. I was supposed to be on the second landing but sneaked on the first boat to leave. I was not going to wait when we were only 300 metres from the beach and I could see Scott’s hut. So near yet so far. I could not believe I was here! What a moment for me to actually step inside his hut. I paused at the door that Scott had emerged from to start his trek to the south pole. A very moving experience. I had been thinking about putting this show together ever

since 2014 when Henfield Theatre Company performed Terra Nova. I wanted to use more visual techniques then to give a sense of beauty and poignancy to the story of Scott of the Antarctic. Technically it was difficult, so this production gives me a chance to experiment with those ideas. Following my emotional expedition to Antarctica and Scott’s hut on Ross Island in 2019, I came back with a lot of video footage and stills that could present Antarctica in all its glory. This combined with a lifetime obsession with the Golden Age of Antarctic Exploration gave me the impetus to produce this piece of theatre.”

Any profit from the performance will be donated to The Scott Polar Research Institute Field Team, to support their work in Antarctica. I would like to thank the following for their help and contributions to my production:

• The Scott Polar Research Institute

• Heritage Expeditions

• StageProjections.uk

• Peter Ingledew

• BBC

• Ian Henham

• TimeStorm Films

• Susan Solomon

• BFI (British Film Institute)

Trevor Hodgson

01273 493365

hhenquiries@henfieldhall.org.uk www.henfieldhall.org.uk

The Henfield Haven provides first class day care to customers from our community living with dementia and well deserved opportunities for their carers to take a break.

Our sevices are available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in our beautifully appointed premises in Hewitts, surrounded by lovely, tranquil gardens.

If you would like to discuss care for your loved one please contact the Haven at: manager@henfieldhaven.org; 01273 494747; www.henfieldhaven.org

All cats need a chip on their shoulder!

Last year we took on 3 rescue kittens from the CPL. Two of them are obviously sisters from the same litter, and are fairly small and shy. The third is male and as he has grown up, I have found myself drawing parallels with both the story of the ugly duckling and the natural progression of a cuckoo chick as it gradually takes control of the nest. “Rebel”, as he was aptly named by my eldest son, has become a big, fluffy, marauding, bruiser who seems to have no fear of anything two or four legged – as all of our dogs and his supposed litter mates can testify to!

This fearlessness and the natural curiosity of the cat was nearly his undoing recently when he took it upon himself to jump into a delivery van. He then ended up going on a short tour of the locale before he was spotted lounging behind an HP printer box like an escaped convict. Luckily, the driver retraced his steps and returned Rebel to sender. However, Rebel could well have continued in the trait of an escapee and done a runner into territories unknown. Had this been the case, he would have joined the ranks of many a stray cat –roaming until hopefully picked up, and bought into a vet or rescue centre for process and packaging. In this eventuality, at least we would have had the comfort of knowing that Rebel is microchipped, because the first thing that we do on being presented with a stray cat at the surgery is to scan for a chip. If one is present, as long as the owner’s details are current, then it is a fairly straightforward process to reunite the errant Moggy with their relieved cat servant.

It is for reasons like this that the government is implementing legislation which will make it compulsory to have all cats microchipped from 10th June 2024. Owners found not to have microchipped their cat after

this date will have 21 days to have one implanted, or may face a fine of up to £500. Similar legislation has been in place for dogs since April 2016. Having a microchip is a way of unequivocally identifying your cat. This has implications for the pet travel scheme (for which a microchip is already mandatory) and in the rare, but stressful situation where there is a dispute over a cat’s ownership. As I have already referenced, some cats do experience wanderlust and stray cats are all too common. If one does turn up in your garden and you’re unsure where it came from then it’s always worth getting it checked for a microchip – don’t just feed it! I should also mention the much sadder, but just as practical application of a microchip, which is when an unknown cat which has died is presented to us. If a microchip is present, we are able to inform owners who may have otherwise never known the outcome of their cat.

One thing a microchip can’t do is act as a tracking device. Unfortunately the technology is currently too small to fit in a microchip which is the size of a grain of rice. If you happen to be some kind of techno guru and think you can make this possible now, then you could make a lot of money! It’s the kind of thing that would allow you to saunter in to the dragon’s den with a justified sense of superiority and watch as Peter Jones et al try to woo you with their business connections... So, hopefully you can see both the reasons and the benefits behind getting your cat microchipped. If you need to get your cat microchipped before the law change, then good news! We’re offering a discounted price of only £15.00 for all kitty microchip implantations until 10th June 2024. Additionally, if your pet joins our Practice Health Plan, then a microchip is completely FREE! Implanting a microchip is quick and simple and can be done in a normal consultation. Please contact us for more information or to book your pet in.

Jonathan Underwood

Henfield’s Annual Parish Meeting

Henfield’s Annual Parish Meeting took place on Tuesday 5th March in the Henfield Hall, with 78 people in attendance. Chairman Elaine Goodyear opened proceedings with a few headlines from 2023, such as the family event on the Rothery Field for the King’s Coronation, the very successful Skate Jam at the skate park in September for those aged 5 to 17, and the introduction of the Henfield Community Fridge at the Leisure Centre. Henfield also welcomed the new Sainsbury’s in the High Street and the new Henfield Pharmacy to replace Lloyds.

A short presentation followed to highlight the success of the Community Fridge, which has so far saved more than 6 tonnes of food from being thrown into landfill – amazingly the weight of fully grown elephant! The food is collected by volunteers from local shops and taken to the Leisure Centre where it is distributed three times a week. All food that is past its ‘best by’ date, but within its ‘use by’ date can be distributed. More volunteers to assist this wonderful project would be welcomed.

The Chairman reminded the meeting that 2024 has been declared Henfield’s Year of Biodiversity. The village has a rich and diverse habitat, including the three commons to the east of the village and the River Adur to the west. A local ecologist spoke about Henfield’s Nature Project, which utilises the iNaturalist app and website to map the biodiversity and habitats in Henfield and Small Dole. Residents of both villages are encouraged to take part in the challenge. A pesticide amnesty is to be run by Sustainable Henfield 2030 in the summer.

Updates from the 2023 Annual Parish Meeting included the launch of the Henfield Electric Car Club in June. Cars are now available to use for short or long journeys and can be hired with or without a volunteer driver. Prices range from £5 to £45 per day once you have signed up as a member.

The newly appointed Youth Coordinator, Georgina Campsey, introduced herself and gave some background on her previous career as a Police Officer working in neighbourhood policing. She has continued to work on projects initiated by the Children and Young People Committee, such as improvements to the Skate Park, developing ideas for a Youth Hub in Henfield, as well as visiting groups and organisations in the village to understand their needs more fully.

Questions followed from the floor on topics such as illegal parking in the High Street and whether there would be improvements to public transport in the near future. West Sussex Councillor Sarah Payne confirmed that she hoped to be able to share some good news regarding the bus service very soon. It is also hoped that the B-P Guild will be organising a village event at the Kingsfield on 15th June. More details to follow on this.

The Chairman closed the meeting and thanked all those that attended. The next meeting will be on 4th March 2025.

Kevin Wright – Parish Clerk to Henfield Parish Council

z 1t Doorway diggers (750mm)

z 1.7t Narrow diggers (950mm)

z Narrow access dumpers (1200mm)

z Excavators to 22t

z Dumpers to 10t

z Self drive hire

z Operated hire

z Breakers and augers

z Competitive rates

We will give you something to smile about...

- NHS / private patients

- See patients within 24hrs

- Six Month Smiles®

- Facial aesthetics / wrinkle reduction

- Free Cosmetic consultation

- Your safety is our priority

- We follow all NHS Covid-19 protocols

- Family friendly practice

- 24 months interest free treatment

Think of Mallards...

PAIN-FREE DENTISTRY

For over 150 years the syringe has seen little advancement in its technology, the Wand pain-free injections brings the administration of anaesthesia to the 21st century! Using its computer controlled flow rates it ensures that the anaesthesia is delivered below your pain threshold.

With pain-free injections you can relax about visiting your dentist. Here are a few reasons why you might want to have treatment using the wand:

• Pain free treatment

• No risk of long term effects such as paraesthesia

• Virtually no numbness or pain after the treatment

• Able to numb just one tooth

• More comfort for you and the dentist

Managing the cashflow

As every entrepreneur knows, cash is the life blood of any business and it is therefore vital that owner managers put the management of cash near the top of their business priorities. Whether or not your business is in profit, you cannot leave anything to chance regarding managing your cash flow. You need to know that you have sufficient cash to meet the requirements of your business going forward and therefore you should have an early warning system to alert you to future problems.

Bank managers do not like surprises and they are more likely to assist you with a temporary problem, when you have warned them well in advance. This reassures them that you are that you are on top of your business and are planning ahead.

If you do need to ask for help from your bank manager, in order to resolve a crisis, make sure that you know what has caused the current problem and ensure any future problems can be addressed and resolved. For example, you may have had some recent unexpected expenditure that could not be avoided and this has put a strain on your normal cash flows. This happens to many businesses and if you do not have the accumulated reserves to ride through these setbacks, you will need to ask for some support from your bankers.

Alternatively, there could be a more fundamental problem in that your business is not trading profitably. If this is the case, you need to meet with your financial advisers and make some realistic

projections for the business moving forward. This process will involve looking at all your business costs that you incur and making cuts to save cash. In some circumstances, it may be possible to return surplus stock held to the suppliers. You will also need to predict your future sales based on previous experience.

If you do find that your business does not have enough cash going forward, do not sit on your hands and do nothing about it, as this could make things worse. Act now and take control of the problem.

Poor cashflow frequently results from poor credit control - the damage caused to your business from incurring bad debts can be considerable. Generally the cost of a single debt is equal to the net profits from a further 15 sales. By imposing some discipline at the beginning of the sales cycle and monitoring the situation through to the end of the cycle, you should be able to secure a smooth collection of debts, improve cash flow and avoid compromising the relationship you have with your customers.

1. The credit control procedure should be such that goods cannot be dispatched or services provided, unless the credit control department has positively confirmed that the sale should proceed. Up to date information must be readily available and this will often require a good computerised management information system.

2. Invoicing must be done at the earliest opportunity. Remember that a customer will rarely pay an invoice, before it has been received!

3. To reduce the potential for disputes and delays, ensure that the customer has all the necessary documentation and evidence of delivery to allow the invoice to be authorised for payment.

4. Understanding your customers’ systems can greatly assist your cash collection. For example, ensure your statement is received by them in time for their monthly payment run.

5. Take up references as a matter of course. Customers must be given a realistic credit limit, which should only be increased after receiving

good credit references and by reviewing their payment history with you. Be prepared to reduce a credit limit if necessary.

6. When you open a new account, obtain confirmation that your customer has received and understood your terms of business and payment requirements.

7. The chasing of customers should start with telephone contact before the due date to ensure all is well and there are no reasons why the invoice will not be paid on time. The first contact should not be when they fall into the 3 months’ column on an aged debtor report.

8. Inducements to improve cash inflow are sometimes appropriate. You can offer discounts for early settlement/and or interest surcharges for late payers. Adjustments to your printed terms of trade may be needed to cover these items.

9. If your business needs cash before your customer is willing or able to deliver his payment, then factoring and invoice discounting should be considered.

10. Always stop work when credit limits are breached.

For further advice on this or other business issues, contact Paul Samrah on 0204 582 1730 or email psamrah@mks.co.uk

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