BN5 Magazine June 2024

Editor’s Letter

We were so pleased to hear that the Henfield B-P Guild were planning to organise a Grand Summer Fair for the village, and when we heard it was a collaborative event based at the King’s Field, utilising the skills of Henfield Leisure Centre, Youth Club, Football Club and Tennis Club (amongst many others) it seems even more likely to succeed! Of course, the big factor will be the weather....

After such a rainy winter and spring, we must be due some sunshine hours, and we’d like to book at least 5 of them for the afternoon of Saturday, 15th June please! Even if the rain showers appear, please do support the Fair (details on page 36), and all the other lovely outdoor events taking place this summer. The 25th anniversary of Gardens and Arts weekend, taking place 8 & 9 June, is going to be extra special this year. Read about it on page 22.

Our cover features the stunning Wonderwild event a little further afield at Wakehurst. Summertime Latin-American jazz, art, cocktails and al-fresco dining, acrobatic performers and a wonderful wilderness vibe are waiting for you at this fabulous experience. Read more on page 27.

Enjoy June!

Emma Cole, Editor

Copy deadline & contacts

06 What’s On from the BN5 area

08 News from the BN5 area

20 Local Interest Art at Ash House

22 Local Interest

Henfield Gardens & Arts

27 Local Interest Wanderwild at Wakehurst

36 Local Interest

Henfield’s Grand Summer Fair

42 Local Interest HTC’s Curious Incident

51 Local Interest Dr Lambe at the Agora

62 Index Of local advertisers

Many thanks to our editorial and photographic contributors this month; Hannah McDowell-Naylor, Alison Crowe, Clive Funnell, Mandy Ainsworth, Dr Cheryl Lambe, Sarah Butler and Jonathan Aikens. Cover photograph by Visual Air, copyright Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Wakehurst), 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 July 24 issue of BN5 magazine is Friday 31 May.

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

D-Day 80: Service & Last Post

Thur 6 June, 11am, War Memorial, Cagefoot Lane

To mark the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings there will be a short Service to include the Last Post, two minutes silence and a short prayer.

Charity Golf Day

Fri 7 June, 8am-5pm, Slinfold Golf & Country Club

18 holes at Slinfold Golf & Country Club course, to raise funds for Horsham Matters. Includes breakfast & lunch. fundraising@horsham-matter.org.uk

Henfield Comedy Club

Sat 8 June, 8-10:30pm, The Henfield Hall

Funny That Comedy brings the cream of the UK comedy circuit to the Henfield Hall for the best night out in Henfield! More information https://funnythat.co.uk/

Henfield Artisan Market

Sun 9 June, 10am-2pm, Henfield Hall Car Park

The Artisan Market is back! Delicious temptations and beautiful creations from your favourite local suppliers and producers. Go to www.hiddenhenfield.co.uk for more info.

D-Day 80: Twilight Procession & Beacon Lighting

Thur 6 June, 8:45pm, Henfield War Memorial

A D-Day tribute will be read, followed by a Twilight Procession to the Rothery Field for beacon lighting.

Garden & Arts 25th Anniversary

Sat 8 & Sun 9 June, Henfield Village

Henfield Festival of Gardens & Arts is an annual community event that raises money for local charities. See article pages 23 & 23.

Art at Ash House

Sat 8 & Sun 9 June, Henfield Village

Local artists Lyn Fryer, Alison Crowe, Melissa Birch & Jenny Wightwick will be exhibiting together at Ash House during Garden & Arts weekend. See page 16 details.

The Elgin Marbles

Mon 10 June, 2-3:30pm, The Henfield Hall

Join The Arts Society Henfield as they hear Dr Stephen Kershaw unravel the myths surrounding the Elgin Marbles.

See www.henfieldbn5.co.uk for details

Henfield Repair Café

Sat 15 June, 10am-12pm, Henfield Haven

Come along and bring your broken electrical, electronic, metal, wood, and china items to be mended by our lovely volunteers. We also repair jewellery, clothes, bags, belts and bikes.

An Evening with Revd Richard Coles & Elly Griffiths

Mon 17 June 7.30pm, Steyning Bookshop

See page 17 for further details or www.steyningbookshop.co.uk

Folk, Gospel but mainly Gershwin

Sat 22 June 11.15am, Steyning Centre

A short concert from Cantatrice, including Gershwin’s ‘Embrace Me’ and the gospel song ‘Get Happy’. Tickets on door £5. www.cantatrice.co.uk for details

Poynings Country Fete

Sat 29 June, 2-4.30pm, Rectory Garden, Poynings Pimm’s, Live Music, Hobby Horse Gymkhana, Book Stall, Bottle Tombola, Raffle and Cream Teas. Fun for all the family! In aid of the Mid-Downland Parish.

Grand Summer Fair

Sat 15 June, The Kingsfield, Henfield

The B-P Guild present the Grand Summer Fair for the village. Fun and entertainment for the whole family.

See article p36 & 37 for details.

Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting

Thurs 20 – Sun 23 June, 8am-6pm, Hickstead International and national jumping, showing and scurry driving. Bars, street food, shopping village. See advertisement p25 for details.

Tennis

Club Open Day

Sat 29 June 12-3.30pm, Henfield Tennis Club

Activities include a bouncy castle, racket display, exhibition match, fun tennis/ other games, BBQ and various refreshments.

See www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/HenfieldTennisClub

Strawberry Proms

Sun 30 June, 3pm, Red Oaks

An afternoon of music by Brass Fusion in the gardens of Red Oaks Care Home. Enjoy a Pimms or Strawberries and Cream alongside your own picnic. www.brassfusion.co.uk

Red Oaks residents celebrate National Scrabble Day

It was dictionaries at the ready at Red Oaks care home in Henfield where super-competitive residents were keen to get involved in National Scrabble Day.

Staff and residents at Red Oaks care home decided to host a tournament to decide their ultimate Scrabble Star. Both staff and residents enjoy a game of Scrabble or two and they love coming up with new and improved ways to increase their letter and word scores.

Linda Ryan

SH2030 are looking for old laptops, tablets & smartphones

Sustainable Henfield is always busy looking for new ways to stop waste and raise money for our community.

This month they are on the prowl for smartphones, laptops and tablet computers to sell for local good causes. So far sales of all items have raised over £37,000 for the Haven and children’s charities, and of IT gear alone over £2,000.

You don’t need to worry about erasing data on your device or possible security risks as Sustainable Henfield have four skilled IT

volunteers who will securely prepare donations for sale and make sure no data remains on them. It will help, however, if you are able to provide login information, such as, iCloud email and password or PIN if Windows 10, as this makes it a lot easier to erase your information. Please donate the charging lead along with your device if possible. Any other unwanted chargers will also be very gratefully received. And if you are looking for a reconditioned computer, tablet or smartphone do also contact Sustainable Henfield first.

To donate or purchase any equipment contact ruthrobotham0@gmail.com

Ruth Robotham

D-Day 80 Events in HenfieldThursday, 6th June

D-Day was 6 June 1944, the largest naval, air and land operation in history. Henfield Parish Council will be holding the following events on 6 June 2024 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

Service and Last Post:

At 11.00 at the War Memorial in Cagefoot Lane there will be a short Service to include the Last Post, two minutes silence and a short prayer. All are welcome to attend.

Twilight Procession & Beacon Lighting:

At 20.45 we will meet at the War Memorial when the tribute will be read. There will then be a Twilight Procession (bring torches) to the Rothery Field to hear the reading of the D-Day 80 Proclamation followed by the lighting of the Beacon at 21.15. Everyone is welcome.

For more information about D-Day 1944 and the commemorations taking place across the UK, please go to the D-Day Memorial website: https://www.dday.org

Elaine Goodyear, Henfield Parish Council

Jazz in the Boneyard

Saturday 13th July, 7-9.30pm

The Mark Travers Quintet are back by popular demand following last year’s spectacular event in aid of St Giles’ Church. This talented group are at the top of their game and knocking on the doors of London clubs. The group feature vocalist Sam Nixon and will perform a selection of popular Jazz, Latin and Swing.

Gates open at 6.15pm for 7pm start. Don’t forget to bring a picnic, chairs, rugs, etc. There will be a raffle, wine bar and Indian street food stall. Plenty of parking and toilets. If wet, the concert will be in the Church. Tickets £15 (children under 16 free) from Marcus Grimes, Henfield High Street from 1st June.

Richard Putnam

Fritz is available for gardening and light labouring

Some of you probably know Fritz, the lady who sells magazines outside of Henfield Sainsbury’s on a daily basis. What you may not know is that Fritz is available for light labouring jobs, such as garage or attic clearance, fence treating, grass cutting, general gardening etc. she can pretty much turn her hand to most tasks.

Fritz cleared out my double garage and did a fantastic job. She has an incredible eye for detail and is extremely reliable. Please give Fritz a go if you have any jobs that need doing, you won’t be disappointed. Fritz doesn’t have a mobile telephone so if you wish to employ her just chat to her on the High Street.

David Pryor

Music Therapy Sessions for the Community

Henfield Community Partnership has been fortunate to enlist the services of Nordoff Robbins, the largest music therapy charity in the UK, for a 6-month pilot project. The service, provided by an experienced music therapist, will be available weekly and is free to those attending.

Our aim is to offer this service to anyone who could benefit. Music Therapy helps people of all ages and ability, from babies bonding with their parents to the elderly and infirm by supporting their communicative and social needs.

The weekly service includes one-to-one sessions which are by referral from the social prescriber, an intergenerational music session for pre-schoolers and the elderly and a community choir which excludes no one. The sessions run on Tuesdays with the intergenerational group from 11am to 12pm, and the choir from 3pm to 4pm. All sessions are run at Red Oaks, Henfield.

If you are interested in attending any of the sessions on offer or would like further information, please email redoaks.community@barchester. com.

Please help us make this project a success so we can carry on after the 6-month pilot.

Sue Willis, Henfield Community Partnership

PaNDAS Henfield

PaNDAS Henfield is a support group for parents and their concerned loved ones who are or maybe going through mental health struggles as a result of planning to have, being pregnant or having children. This could be feelings of overwhelm, loneliness, depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, obsessive compulsions, posttrauma stress from birth, and more.

This group provides a confidential space where other people who have experienced similar feelings can freely share what they are going through, with the support of a trained facilitator.

Babies in arms are welcome. Please bring your own changing materials as the care home doesn’t have these provisions. Toddlers maybe welcome on exception, but please inform the organiser first (simply due to space issues).

The group meets every Wednesday from 9.3011am at Red Oaks. Please call Sorrel 07412 564421 or email sorrel.c.carmichael@gmail.com for more information.

Sorrel Carmichael

An Update from Henfield Bump to Baby Plus

Our next antenatal course starts on Monday 10th June. As well as being a comprehensive course to prepare parents for the birth of their baby, it also gives the opportunity to meet other local parents to be. The course is open to those 28 weeks or more into their pregnancy. If interested, please email henfieldbumptobaby@gmail.com or message our Facebook page, Henfield Bump to Baby. If your baby is due later, contact us and we will suggest a suitable course.

As well as our Messy Monkeys toddler group and our Postnatal group at the Leisure Centre, we now have an intergenerational music group

SMALL ELECTRICAL WORKS

for preschoolers and the elderly at Red Oaks. This runs from 11am to 12 on a Tuesday. If you are interested in attending this new group, email redoaks.community@barchester.com. The group is led by a Nordoff Robbins music therapist. We now have a trained facilitator to support those with perinatal mental health issues. The group meets in a confidential space where those suffering with similar feelings can share what they are going through. For full details see, henfieldbn5.co.uk/events/pandas-henfield.

Due to building work in the Kids Club at the Leisure Centre, we shall be running our toddler and postnatal groups in Sharky’s. The toddler service will be reduced and the Postnatal group will restricted to those with pre walking babies. Full details of what we offer are on our website, henfieldbumptobabyplus.org.

Sue Willis, Henfield Community Partnership

Blackstone Ladies Stoolball update: The ball is rolling…

Hopefully you’ve seen our article in the May edition of BN5 and caught our recent BBC Southeast news report. We’ve had responses and want to update you with a few dates for your diaries in June.

Saturday 15th June, from 12.30pm: Find us at the BP Guild Summer Fair on the Kingsfield where you can see what we’re all about, meet some of our members, get a look at the equipment and try your hand at bowling at a stoolball wicket. Prizes for anyone who can hit the square first time!

Sunday 23rd June Kingsfield 1pm - 3pm: We are holding an exhibition game on the Kingsfield by Henfield Sports Centre. Insurance allowing, we may be able to get you involved in the game so come in trainers. Thank you to Henfield Parish for the use of the field.

Find us on Facebook to see our fixture list and ‘follow’ to keep up to date with new events. As the season has now started we do not have any planned training sessions however, with enough response from BN5 we can try to arrange an extra taster session so please, do get in touch. We look

forward to meeting you and there’s always tea and biscuits after games or training! Who knows, with enough interest, Henfield might establish their own team to join our league next season. I would gladly assist in hand holding you through this process! For more information contact me on 07968 174894 soniahalls@ googlemail.com

Sonia Fry

Henfiled Youth Club Update

Back in April we hosted our first DJ workshop for our young people as one of our project nights. We had a fantastic turn out of both regular members and new faces coming down to see what it was all about.

Our evening was hosted by a fantastic company called Tons of Sound who bought all the DJ equipment, engaged with the young people and gave everyone who wanted a go, a chance to try their hand on the decks. The feedback we received was nothing but positive. Everyone, including the staff, had a great evening with a brilliant atmosphere, good music and some cheesy dancing thrown in for good measure!

We have also hosted some SEN evenings for young people who struggle with the normal hustle and bustle of our regular sessions. We have invested in new equipment for these SEN evenings and really thrive to provide a calm and

welcoming environment for those young people who need a little more space and calmness. Another great Wednesday evening we hosted was out Teen Talk with Teen Therapist Rachael Martin. She delivered an abundance of useful and helpful information to those who attended. Everyone seemed to come away having learned new ways to approach difficulties they may face with their young people.

These amazing evenings couldn’t have been possible without vital funding that we are so grateful to have received from both Stevens Estate Agents and The Sussex Community Foundation. Keep an eye out for our future project nights!

Lucy Watson

Easter Fundraising

A big thank you to everyone who supported our Easter Raffle at Henfield Funeral Services, we raised a fabulous £358.50 for Paws & Claws Animal Rescue in Sayers Common. We presented a cheque to this fantastic rescue charity in May, it was a pleasure to meet the volunteers and rescued animals. The donation will help this lovely charity to continue their good work.

Karen Jordan

St Barnabas Sunflower Appeal

St Barnabas House has launched its Sunflower Memories Appeal, with the help of the family of the late Jo Shepherd. Jo was a teacher and a lifelong learner – a friend to many, who was always first on the dance floor.

A mum of two sons – Jack and James – Jo kept diaries her whole life, was an avid reader and liked to knit and crochet. She was a rugby mum and music fan, who always thought of herself as a Mod thanks to her love for The Jam and Paul Weller.

Jo lived with breast cancer for 16 years but after her initial diagnosis, she was able to enjoy many more adventures with her family – even cycling 600 miles from Bilbao in Spain to St Malo in France. That, and her creativity – including writing journals and poems – helped Jo process her illness.

Jo’s husband, Mark, looked after her full-time at home for three months but when she came to the end of her life, St Barnabas House was there to care for her and help the family say their goodbyes. Jack and James believe that the nurses’ suggestion that they each say their goodbyes individually allowed their mum to die at peace.

They are sharing their story for St Barnabas House’s Sunflower Memories Appeal to support

the hospice, so the team there can continue to help other local families when they need it most. To support the appeal and buy your own sunflower marker in memory of a loved one, go to www.stbh.org.uk/sunflower-memoriesJenny Mark-Bell

‘Artsheimer’s’ at The Haven

On Saturday 8th June, as part of our offering for Henfield Gardens and Arts, we will be opening our doors for ‘Artsheimer’s’ – an exhibition of art, photographs and crafts made by our customers, many of whom are living with Dementia.

We will be open from 11am to 3pm so please come along. Entry is free but donations are most welcome. You can also enjoy the entertainment in the garden and a lovely snack from the café.

Lorette Mackie, Henfield Haven Manager

Henfield Computer Club: How to Stay Safe Online

Henfield Computer Club invite you to join us for our next presentation on Weds 19th June – How to stay safe Online with Daniel Sykes – Our Cyber Protect Officer for Surrey & Sussex Police. As West Sussex continues to be a hot spot for potential scams, we want to ensure our members are able to massively reduce their chance of becoming a victim of Online Fraud and Cyber Crime. Daniel will share advice to empower you to: spot Online Scams, Online Account Security, Phishing Awareness, Digital Footprints as well as an overview of the current threats and resources available. The presentation is not overly technical so will suit a wide audience.

Join us in the Garden Room at The Henfield Hall on Wed 19th June 10am-12pm, with the presentation lasting no more than hour, a chance to ask questions and enjoy some refreshments. If you’d like to come along, please let us know at henfieldcomputerclub@gmail.com. £2 for members and £3 for guests.

Dawn Butcher – Henfield Computer

Club

Welcome Caroline, new Administrator at the Henfield Hall

We are delighted to introduce Caroline Allen to the Henfield Hall team. Caroline will be dealing with your room bookings, enquiries, invoicing and events. Our new caretaker will also be joining us soon (more information next month).

Please give Caroline a friendly Henfield welcome when you see her in the village. All Hall enquiries should go to: hhenquiries@henfieldhall.org.uk

Elaine Goodyear

Henfield Hall Anniversary Quiz – a date for your diary

Early information for all supporters of The Henfield Hall Quiz. This year the Hall is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, having opened on the 16th November 1974, so this year we will hold the Quiz on Saturday 16th November to enable as many people as possible to celebrate together. We are aiming to make the evening special and hope you are able to join us.

Once again, Paul Samrah has agreed to be the Quiz Master, even though he may have to miss his beloved Football! Further details of time and cost per table (usual eight people per table) will follow in future editions.

Anne Hubner, Trustee.

Solar Update from the Henfield Hall

The Henfield Hall recently extended its successful solar panel installation with the addition of backup batteries. Housed in a purpose-built fireresistant enclosure, the batteries are designed to store excess solar power that would otherwise be exported such that it can be used when the panels are not producing sufficient energy to satisfy demand.

This is the third stage in the Hall’s long-term energy reduction plans. Our 24.6kWp solar panel array was installed 2 years ago, followed a year

later by an excess power diverter designed to force surplus solar power into heating domestic hot water. At the same time, we managed to get our existing smart meter upgraded to record exported solar power and agreed a contract to be paid for whatever we exported.

However, first-year estimates of 9.6MWhs and second-year measured 11MWhs of exported power indicated significant savings could be made with batteries, knowing that we were paying five times more to buy electricity than we were selling it at.

By reducing running costs, the trustees will be able to keep hire charges as low as possible for the benefit of all Hall users, but none of the above achievements would have been possible without the confidence shown in our project by, and the support of, our many sponsors.

We are grateful to The Rampion Community Benefit Fund at the Sussex Community Foundation, The HDC Community Climate Fund, The Henfield Parish Council, The HDC Community Lottery Grants Fund, The Kindersley Trust and anonymous individuals donating under the Gift-Aid scheme.

John Sharp, Trustee

Biodiversity at Henfield Museum

There’s a new costume display on a natural theme at Henfield Museum. The costume case is packed with items from the collection, showcasing how nature provides raw materials for garments and inspiration for their decoration.

See beautiful fabrics made in silk, wool, linen and cotton. Discover how feathers, bone, mother of pearl and glass can all be used for fashion and accessories. Stylishly joining with the Henfield Parish Council year of Biodiversity.

Stephanie Richards, Curator of Costume, Henfield Museum

Help Paul Samrah drive and donate an aid-filled ambulance to Ukraine

Paul Samrah is raising funds to refurbish an ambulance, fill it with supplies, and personally deliver it to Ukraine as part of a large convoy leaving London on Sunday 22 September.

Paul, who was a regular contributor to BN5 with his financial & business column has now retired after over 40 years with Moore Kingston Smith and lives in Henfield.

It looks as if his retirement will be just as busy as his working life, as his task is to raise £15,000 for Medical Life Lines Ukraine (MLLU) through the Moore Kingston Smith Community Foundation. These funds will cover purchasing, renovating, and stocking the ambulance with medical and practical aid, including dressings, equipment and defibrillators. He will then embark on the 1,612mile drive to Ukraine to deliver the ambulance.

So far, MLLU has delivered 52 ambulances to locations and hospitals throughout the country including Kyiv City Hospital, Boryspil Neonatal

Centre, Okhmatdyt Children’s Perinatal Unit, Kharkiv A&E and more.

To support this cause and donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/mkscf-londonto-lviv . Your contribution goes a long way to providing invaluable support for the Ukrainian people who continue to suffer terribly in the war. Editor

Award-winning live stand-up comedy comes to Henfield!

Funny That Comedy are excited to announce that live stand-up comedy is coming to the Henfield Hall during the Gardens and Arts Festival weekend, on the evening of Saturday June 8th.

Funny That Comedy is the brainchild of award winning Brighton comedian Stephen Grant, the host of the Komedia Brighton for the last 23 years, a previous Henfield resident, and winners of comedy promoter of the year 2022 and best comedy club of the year (south) 2023.

Using decades of contacts during his long time in the world of comedy, Stephen has put together special, small scale high-profile comedy nights that have been selling out across Sussex since mid 2020 when the pandemic left all the main venues mothballed. Since then, astonished Sussex locals have been entertained by the likes of Romesh Ranganathan, Al Murray, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Joel Dommett, Joanne McNally, Russell Kane, Milton Jones and countless more national names of comedy, in intimate village halls and marquees across the county.

Stephen said, “As a previous resident of Henfield, spending years living off Batt’s Pond Lane, it’s exciting and daunting to bring our comedy shows to a village that I hold dear in my heart. I still visit from time to time, for bike rides up the Downslink to soft play at Sharky’s and getting jars of bespoke salad dressing from the pub!”

The line-up for the first show includes South Coast Comedian of the year James Ellis, star of the Trusty Hogs podcast Andrew White, and previous host of the Big Breakfast Paul

Tonkinson, with award winning local comedy legend Stephen Grant as host. A full licensed bar is available.

Tickets available and more details at www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/henfield-comedy-club-tickets879652041937?aff=bn5

Stephen Grant

Safe In Sussex

West Sussex based domestic abuse charity Safe in Sussex are asking you to support their 6th annual Shocking Shirts and Funky Frocks in June to raise money to support those affected by domestic abuse across the county. Safe in Sussex provides support in our four refuges and through one to one and group sessions. We engaged with well over 1,000 adults and children last year.

How you can help us? Why not use the excuse of National Cream Tea Day on the 28th June to dress up and have afternoon tea - no one can say no to tea and cake, can they? But if that does not work for you – how about holding that tea party on any day in June, have a dress-up or dress-down day, organise a competition for the most shocking or funky outfit, or you can use the templates on our website for a colouring competition. We would just love you to get involved and have fun while helping raise funds for our service.

Fundraising Manager Kay Birch said: “One in

four women and one in six men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime – help us be there for them.” To find out more about our services or how you can support us, please visit our website www.safeinsussex.org

Debbie West, Community & Corporate Fundraiser

Walk for Malcolm

Henfield to Sussex Prairie Gardens

Everyone is welcome to join us as we walk to Sussex Prairie Gardens on 14 July from Henfield Common, in memory of Malcolm Eastwood. This whole village event is to celebrate Malcolm’s life and his vast contribution to Henfield as Parish Councillor, District Councillor, contributor to many clubs and organisations as well as friend to many. Malcolm’s family selected the charity Brainstrust for our fundraising efforts.

Malcolm and his family’s experiences showed this service of support is vital for those affected by brain tumours and their families. Brainstrust operates a 24/7 helpline and personalised coaching services 365 days a year for brain tumour sufferers, their family and caregivers, which can make such a difference to those going through the unfamiliar territory of navigating a serious illness.

Malcolm gave so much energy and commitment to Henfield and we hope that by joining in this fundraising event, you can help bring support to others affected by brain tumours as well as enjoy walking one of Malcolm’s favourite routes. Walkers can collect wristbands at the start of the walk on Henfield Common at 12.30pm onwards, which will allow them free entry to Sussex Prairies with the kind permission of Paul and Pauline McBride. There will be music, activities for children on a biodiversity theme, as well as homemade cake and refreshments to purchase. Minibus travel will be available.

Please join the walk in July, more details will follow in next month’s BN5, Parish Magazine and on the Henfield Parish Council website and social media. You can support us by donating via www.justgiving.com/page/ malcolmeastwood1711637618077.

Gill Perry

Henfield Shedders: Searching for a temporary base?

At the time of going to print, the team of volunteers from Henfield Shed are exploring multiple avenues for a temporary new home,

after suddenly being given notice on their current workshops in Henfield High Street at the beginning of May.

They are hoping that one of the suggestions put forward by kind local people, both businesses and individuals, will be viable, but as yet nothing is decided. They’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has responded to their social media appeal.

A workshop space is needed for approx. 1-2 years while the Shedders wait for planning permission and, if successful, the subsequent construction of a new workshop at the Tanyard Barn.

The Shed offers companionship, laughter and

Henfield Community Clothes Rail: Help the planet, help yourself!

The Henfield Community Clothes Rail is at Henfield Leisure Centre on the first and third Friday of each month from 8.30-11.30am.

The Community Clothes rail has free nearly new babies and children’s clothes available, please come along and help yourself! When available there will be St Peter’s school uniform including trousers, shorts and skirts.

Donations are welcomed, please bring your unwanted adult clothing too as organisers send much needed donations to charities in the West Indies and for collections for Ukraine.

Kate, Henfield Community Partnership

KINGSTON LANDSCAPES

call Matt on

Indian Summer Bazaar 2nd – 31st August 12 noon until 5pm

Autumn Plant Fair

Sun 1st September 12 noon until 5pm

Book

Botanical

For

Garden open for Charity (NGS) Sun 8th September 1pm – 5pm

Beautiful and Useful Craft Fair Sat 14th & Sun 15th September 11am – 5pm

Nestled

Art at Ash House

A group of local artists and makers are showcasing their work at this lovely house and garden this June as part of the annual Festival of Gardens & Arts on 8th & 9th June. Ash House on Barrow Hill is a stunning house and garden at the southern end of Henfield. Redesigned in 2021, the garden has a sweeping lawn reflecting the contours of the South Downs beyond. It features a wildlife pond, prairie style planting, flower beds and a raised vegetable bed.

Textile and leather designer Lyn Fryer, who lives at Ash House, will be showing her collection of handmade leather bags and quilts. Working with both new and upcycled leather, Lyn creates colourful items which are unique and purposeful.

Precious metal jeweller Alison Crowe, will show her large range of ethically produced contemporary silver and gemstone pieces inspired by natural forms and early 20th century art. Every piece is individually designed and handmade in her Henfield studio and hallmarked at the Edinburgh Assay Office. www.alisoncrowejewellery.co.uk.

Ceramicist Jenny Wightwick captures the simplicity of line and a sense of balance in her drawings of natural forms which she then

transforms into stoneware clay. This is hand rolled and manipulated with marks and colour applied to the surface which is then high-fired and glazed. Jenny’s work is often functional but she also creates one-off pieces with a fine art appeal. www.jwceramics.net.

Lino print artist

Melissa Birch creates beautiful, limited-edition prints at her Steyning studio. Living in the South Downs fuels her obsession with nature, and particularly floral structures aiming to capture the simplicity of their forms. Melissa regularly sketches in the flowerbeds of her own garden, as well as in the local countryside. www.melissabirch.co.uk

Ash House is venue 31 on the Gardens and Arts map which you can view and download at: www.henfieldgardensandarts.net. A flyer, which also includes a map of how to find Ash House, will be distributed locally.

Alison Crowe

BUTCHERY

NOW OPEN

Your local farm shop stocking fresh and seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Brand new butchery run by South Down Butchery opening at the end of May.

Locally made cakes, jams, condiments and alcohol.

A great range of affordable summer bedding plants, compost and stoneware.

Open Monday - Saturday 8.30am-6pm Sunday & Bank Holidays 10am-4pm .

25 YEARS OF Henfield Gardens & Arts

You are invited to help us celebrate the 25th year of Henfield Garden & Arts on the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June. Around 30 private gardens, as well as some of our community venues, will be open from 11am to 5pm on both days.

Apart from exploring and getting inspiration from the 30 or so private gardens that will include music and arts, some of our community institutions such as St Peter’s Church and School, the Henfield Football Club and Henfield Haven, will be hosting artists and craftspeople displaying their work and have various musicians performing. Henfield Art Club will be holding its mid-year Exhibition in the Henfield Hall’s Garden Room over the Festival weekend and the Henfield Camera Club will also be exhibiting in St Peter’s Church. Whilst entry to venues is free, most will be accepting donations for charities of their choice - in 2023 the event collected over £11,000 for good causes, local, national and international!

Some venues will be selling refreshments, plants, crafts and artwork. Please do remember to bring cash along on the days rather than relying on card payments.

This year the Tanyard field in Cagefoot Lane will be open with a mowed trail. Sussex Wildlife Trust staff will be on hand to talk to visitors and conduct short walks in this usually inaccessible nature reserve. To round off an amazing two days, the festival finale evening celebration will be held at Red Oaks, with dancing to the music of the Unreel Ceilidh Band and caller Tony Dunn. There will be a bar and BBQ to keep you refreshed!

The Festival began its life as a village event in the year 2000 as part of the Millenium celebrations, mainly as a village display of music and dance featuring Henfield’s school children and talented performers from nearby villages. But over time it has blossomed and transitioned into what you enjoy today. Although the event has changed in size and in character over the years, its main

Images © Clive Funnell & Mike Ainscough

purpose is still to celebrate and promote the community and culture of Henfield.

Held over the second weekend of June each year, the event clearly demonstrates the community spirit within the village, by involving residents and businesses to support the opening of garden spaces for visitors to enjoy. There is involvement of the wider community too, by encouraging visitors to come to the event and visit the gardens, enjoy the music, buy plants, artwork and crafts, all combining to promote Henfield as a great place to live, and to raise awareness of local businesses. Over time, a dedicated committee of villagers has run this not-for-profit event, kindly supported by local helpers and sponsors, and their generous donations cover the cost of printing the booklet and posters etc. The Festival’s organising committee is just a group of volunteers who meet at regular intervals to manage the promotion and co-ordination with the garden owners and public venues, and the artists, crafts folk and musicians, to bring it all together. This year, some of the committee members are ‘stepping down’, and the organisers are seeking some new villagers to get involved. Two or three have already expressed a keen interest and already attending the planning meetings, but more would be very welcome, particularly to maintain the website content, booklet production, and Social Media channels,

with a long-term view of continuing and evolving the Festival to keep up with the changing times. To express an interest in helping to keep the Festival going successfully into the future please contact suzanne.fisher19@btinternet.com or come and find out more at the Henfield Club on Monday 17th June at 7pm. You don’t have to be a gardener, artist or musician to help keep this village event going just some time and enthusiasm. Not only will your help be really appreciated, but you will get great enjoyment and satisfaction from being involved.

Clive Funnell

Henfield Gardens & Arts Festival takes place over the weekend of 8th and 9th of June from 11am until 5pm. You will find specific venue opening days and times and further event detail in the Blue Booklet. Entry is free of charge, with voluntary contributions to various charities chosen by each garden.

www.henfieldgardensandarts.net

Henfield Gardens & Arts Festival

We at Hamfelds hope you have a wonderful Garden and Arts weekend. Please come to see us for all your gardening needs. We have a varied stock, from seeds to specialist tools, and brands such as DeWalt, Hozelock, Spear and Jackson, Felco and many more.

3 Brick House, High Street, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9DB 01273 492388 | hamfeldshenfield@gmail.com |

Open on your High Street 7 days a week Mon – Sat 9-5pm Sun 10-2pm

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Wanderwild A twilight circus at Wakehurst

Embark on a musical journey through Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, this summer with the new, immersive Wanderwild event on 18, 19 and 20 July 2024.

Experience a summer like no-other, right on your doorstep, as the stunning landscape comes alive with award-winning live musicians, dancers, and circus performers. A fusion of music, art, and aerial performances, Wanderwild presents an unforgettable twilight circus, exclusively available after-hours in the golden glow of summer. The evening showcases a fusion of music, art, and aerial performances, providing a unique and unforgettable experience for all.

Indulge in botanical cocktails and delectable street food as you glimpse the bespoke Meadowland art installations at dusk. Be captivated by an aerial artist high in the tree canopies, and marvel at dancers gracefully drifting across the Mansion Pond. Tune into world music from Latin-American summertime jazz to vibrant rhythmic beats. Plus, add a touch of festival sparkle to your evening with the talented roving face artist.

With award-winning performers from London and Brighton on your doorstep, you can save on city train fares while experiencing the best of the season at Wanderwild. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to partake in live music, al-fresco dining, acrobatic displays, and create unforgettable memories at the beautiful Wakehurst.

Wakehurst is Kew’s wild botanic garden in the Sussex High Weald. Its ancient and beautiful landscapes span 535 acres and are a place for escape, exploration, tranquillity, and wonder. Its diverse collection of plants from Britain and around the globe thrive within a tapestry of innovative gardens, temperate woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Wakehurst is a centre for UK biodiversity and global conservation, seed research and ecosystem science. At its heart is Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, the world’s largest store of seeds from wild plant species. Whilst Wakehurst is not a National Trust property, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has a long-standing relationship with the National Trust dating back to 1965 when Kew took over the running of the Wakehurst’s 535 acres of botanical landscapes and Elizabethan Mansion. Since then, we’ve been working together to find the best ways to protect nature, prevent biodiversity loss, and build a better tomorrow. Hannah McDowell-Naylor

Entry is at 6.30pm, 6.50pm and 7.15pm and it finishes at 10.00pm. Tickets are on-sale from www.kew.org/wanderwild (Wakehurst and Kew Member tickets £12; Adult £16.50; Child (4-16) £10; Under 4s free). Wakehurst is on Selsfield Road Ardingly and is 15 minutes from Haywards Heath Station. Car-parking is included with purchase of a Wanderwild ticket.

Images: Visual Air, © RBG Kew

at

Rushfields

Get Growing!

Rushfields 40th Anniversary Flower Show, Saturday August 31st

Come and join us for a fun flower show – an opportunity to show off your harvest and compete for a rosette! Open to all: classes are Flowers, Fruit and Veg and Cooking, and kids categories – find more details on our website!

Plant Centre & Farm Shop Open: Monday – Sunday, 9.00am – 5.30pm Café Open: Monday – Sunday, 9.00am – 4.30pm

Kathryn has been working in horticulture since the age of 16 and has decades of experience in how to get the most out of your garden this month!

• Prune spring flowering shrubs and climber such as forsythia and clematis

• Manually remove weeds from flower beds and around the base of trees

• Continue mowing the lawn, but remember to raise the blades if it is very dry. If it isn’t too dry, you may want to give the lawn a feed, but it may need watering in.

• Dead head roses when the first blooms have finished to encourage repeat flowering. It is also time to feed them, check for pests and diseases such as aphids and treat these if necessary.

• Cover soil at base of dahlias with bark or compost to lock in moisture and protect against weed growth.

• Sow wallflowers and sweet williams outdoors in beds.

• Liquid feed containers and hanging baskets weekly.

• Plant out broccoli, cabbages, sprouts and leeks and sow spinach and salad crops regularly. Tie tomatoes into supports and feed weekly with tomato feed.

• Protect strawberries from birds with netting as they will be ready to pick this month!

THE WHEATSHEAF SHOP IS NOW OPEN!

Stop by to grab a coffee, as well as some local produce, wines and beers. Try our tasty baked goods, sandwiches and Brazillian Street food, all homemade by our chefs.

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... PADEL TENNIS COMING TO HENFIELD LEISURE CENTRE THIS AUTUMN!

Fantastic news, we are a step closer to bringing Padel Tennis to Henfield! After two years of hard work, we have now secured the funding, planning and support needed to complete the construction of two covered and flood-lit paddle courts at Henfield Leisure Centre. You will see the work starting in June on the north side of the Leisure Centre, with completion planned for September this year.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of Padel Tennis, please click on the QR code for a short video. You’ll also find a form you can complete so that we can stay in touch and keep you updated on our progress and the Grand Opening date. Registering your interest is important because we know the sessions will be oversubscribed. There will be FREE taster sessions available with a qualified coach if you’ve not played before.

WHAT IS PADEL TENNIS?

In a nutshell, Padel Tennis is loosely a cross between tennis and squash, played by four people on an enclosed court measuring 10m X 20m (one third of a fullsized tennis court). It’s possible to play a really good and continuous game even if the players are not evenly matched in age or in levels of experience, you’ll find it fun and fast-paced and you need zero experience to play. All the equipment will be available to hire.

CAN YOU HELP?

Henfield Leisure Centre are looking for two or three people who can offer their time and skills to help to continue to improve and increase the facilities available for all our members and visitors. If you have a background in marketing, fundraising or property management we would love to hear from you. Henfield Leisure Centre is a registered charity which relies on community support, so getting involved and giving a little of your time is a great way to give back! Please email Adrian Hillman, Henfield Leisure Centre Chairman: adrian@rushfields.com

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All the fun of the Henfield Fair!

Put a date in your diary for the Henfield Grand Summer Fair on Saturday 15 June, organised by the Henfield BP Guild and supported by various Henfield clubs and societies!

This time it’s on the King’s Field, next to Henfield Leisure Centre, which is very appropriate venue because the event is timed perfectly to celebrate the King’s Birthday.

Starting at 12.30pm, the event will bring together stalls, sideshows, entertainment, music, circus skills, games and family fun from local clubs and groups, as well as food & drink vendors.

You’ll find traditional sports and races organised by Henfield Leisure Centre for children and adults alike (make sure you wear trainers, and polish up

your sack-race skills). There will be old favourites like the Egg & Spoon, Three Legged Race, Skipping and Wheelbarrow Race, competition will be fierce but fun!

There will also be football, skate park activities and the usual activity stalls and sideshows such as ‘bat the rat’ and ‘apple bobbing’. Henfield Tennis Club will be open and offering family taster-sessions with their coach and there will be dance and music displays. It’s a village-wide celebration for all ages!

The Henfield Grand Summer Fair is also here for your four-legged friends; with thanks to Hawthorn Vets, who are organising the Fun Dog Show. There will be prizes in the following classes:

Images of various previous village events by Emma Cole & Amanda Lucas © BN5 Magazine, except below right, © Shutterstock

• Best Pup (6-12 months)

• Golden Oldie (over 8 years)

• Best Rescue

• Prettiest Bitch

• Most Handsome Hound

• Dog Most Like its Owner

• Best Child Handler.

Please remember to keep your dog on a lead at all times (and pick up your pet’s poop!).

Live music will be performed throughout the afternoon and into the evening, please do get in

touch if you have a band and would like to join in. As always, the absolutely legendary BP Guild Licenced Bar and Barbeque will be providing much-needed hot refreshments for all (including vegan and vegetarian food), while the tea-tent and ice cream stalls will have delicious sweet treats and homemade cakes.

Just a footnote to ask you to walk or cycle if you are local, (or use a Henfield village car park then walk), as parking at the Leisure Centre is limited and should be reserved for those who most need it. Please respect local homes and do not park on residential streets nearby. Many thanks.

If you’d like to help, or have a stall or sideshow or band, please contact Rob Laughton at Henfield BP Guild rlaughton24@gmail.com

It’s great to see the Henfield Village Fair back again, many thanks to the BP Guild for making it happen!

Editor

Henfield Grand Summer Fair Saturday 15 June • 12.30pm – Late King’s Field, Henfield (next to Henfield Leisure Centre)

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

HTC’s next production is the critically acclaimed ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’, winner of 7 Olivier Awards, including Best New Play in 2013. The play, based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens, premiered at the National Theatre, later transferring to the West End, moving to Broadway and subsequently touring the world, before most recently becoming available for amateur performance.

Christopher Boone (played by Ven Malyon, who is himself autistic) is a 15 year old mathematical genius who has never explored the world outside of his home or school without his parents. One night he discovers that his neighbour’s dog has been murdered with a garden fork and decides to investigate.

The play is seen through eyes of Christopher, who the audience quickly learn is neurodivergent… however this story is not about ‘labels’, but rather about difference; about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way. It tackles themes such as identity, family, adolescence, betrayal and death.

The ten-strong cast (alongside Ven are Emily Norman, Rebel Atkinson, Sarah Jenner-Jones, Helen Fyles, Jane Haines, Paul Crowe, Trevor

Hodgson, Beky Peake and Malcolm Harrington) perform as an ensemble, interacting with Christopher as key people in his life but also representing his thoughts, his interpretations of everyday life…creating a multi-sensory approach; depicting mood, changing tempo, presenting Christopher’s unique and idiosyncratic take on the world.

As Director, Karen Blunden is keen for ‘curious’ audiences to experience a production which may be a little different from the norm… sometimes strange, often amusing, occasionally baffling, somewhat bizarre and surprising, as we take a peek into a world we might otherwise not have looked at. She said: “I am hoping that, as well as everyone being thoroughly entertained, with some tears and plenty of laughter along the way, our audience will leave the theatre with a better understanding and a raised awareness. I’d invite all of us to question our own views, judgments and pre-conceptions and challenge ourselves … looking particularly at how we interact with others we deem ‘different’. At its very core, I want the message to be one of being kind, more patient, more helpful and always remaining ‘curious’.”

Mandy Ainsworth

Performances at the Henfield Hall, Saturday 13 July & Sunday 14 July, 2pm and 7pm each day. The staging will be in the round, with raised seating. Tickets, £12 per person, are on sale via www.henfieldtheatrecompany.com and at Stevens Estate Agents in Henfield. This production is kindly sponsored by Hawthorn Veterinary Surgeries.

Images © Ian Henham

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Dr Cheryl Lambe at The Agora Clinic

As many of you know, I left Henfield Medical Centre at the end of March in order to work full-time as a Consultant Fertility Specialist at the independent Agora Clinic in Hove. A huge thank you for the cards and good wishes I received, it was lovely to feel so appreciated and I have loved working at Henfield with such a great team.

I have been at Henfield for 22 years, 19 of which have been as a partner and it has been a huge privilege to live and work in this village and to play a role in the lives of my patients, many of whom will remain as friends. There have been tough times and good times, some truly harrowing experiences and some truly joyous ones. I was overwhelmed by the support from the community when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and didn’t want to leave without taking the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your kindness. I have loved being a good ‘old fashioned GP’ building relationships and looking after generations - I think the record is five generations in one family. This has allowed me a unique opportunity to share new beginnings and to follow people right through to the end of their lives.

Since 2015 I have been working as a Community Fertility Specialist in Sussex. The opportunity to work at The Agora in Brighton is an extension of this and enables me to continue serving the NHS (which I feel passionately about) as well as to develop and expand my specialist interest.

The Agora Clinic is the largest provider of fertility services in Sussex. It is a state-of-the-art new clinic and aims to support everyone who wants help to have a family, regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation. To date over 4,000 babies have been born to Agora parents.

In addition to IVF, the clinic offers fertility preservation for patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, and to patients who are about to embark on hormone treatment as part of transitioning, as well as to women who wish to freeze their eggs in order to postpone having a family. There is an expanding egg bank for couples requiring donor eggs and a growing surrogacy service.

The clinic has also recently set up a dedicated menopause service, providing education and support to individuals and workplaces. Look out for my article on menopause advice in a future issue of BN5.

For many people, the journey to becoming a parent is challenging, both medically and emotionally. It can sometimes involve invasive procedures, uncertainty over the outcome and, in some cases, difficult financial decisions. It is lovely to work as part of a team that patients can trust, with the expertise and compassion to support them through this rollercoaster and to provide them with the very best advice and support.

Thank you Henfield. This is a special village in which we live and at a time when GP recruitment has been challenging, Henfield has been really lucky to attract such high quality, young vibrant new doctors who I am confident will take up the helm and continue to offer exemplary patientcentred care.

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2024/25 Tax planning

It is always a good idea to review tax planning opportunities to ensure you are maximising the allowances available to you and that your planning is in line with current legislation. With the new tax year having commenced on 6 April, there’s no better time to consider any measures you may wish to undertake if you haven’t done so already.

Some common considerations include:

ISAs

Have you used your ISA allowance?

ISAs (or individual savings accounts) can help you to save and invest tax efficiently. Any income or growth that is generated within an ISA is received tax free, and withdrawals are not subject to tax, making them a highly effective tax planning tool.

For the 2024/25 tax year the ISA allowance remains unchanged at £20,000, which means a couple have a total allowance of £40,000.

Up to £9,000 can be contributed to a Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund.

Pensions:

Pensions do not only provide security in retirement but also provide opportunity for tax relief, reducing the tax you pay and boosting savings that can be utilised in later life.

There have been some changes to the tax rules relating to pension payments, with the Lifetime Allowance (the cap on the size of a pension fund that can be accrued during a person’s lifetime) being abolished with effect from 6 April 2024. With the Labour party having stated that they will reinstate the Life Time Allowance should they come into power (and an election expected later during this tax year), there may be a limited window for individuals with larger pension pots to benefit from these new rules.

The maximum annual allowance for tax relievable contributions (dependent on income) remains at £60,000, and it may be possible to carry forward unused allowances from the previous three tax years.

Inheritance tax

The start of a new tax year is a good time to consider if you are making the most of Inheritance Tax (IHT) allowances, and to review your will (or create one) to ensure you are maximising the IHT reliefs available to you.

Homeowners may benefit from the Residence Nil Rate Band (known as RNRB). This is an additional inheritance tax free allowance of £175,000 which can be used in combination with the standard £325,000 nil rate band, meaning a total of £500,000 of an individual’s estate can be free from IHT. In order to benefit, you must ensure that your home is passed down to direct descendants, i.e. children/grandchildren.

Gifting assets during your lifetime can help reduce you estate and in turn, the amount of inheritance tax needing to be paid. An individual can gift up to £3,000 each tax year without any tax consequences. Any unused allowance from the previous year can be carried forward, meaning a couple can between them potentially make a taxfree gift of up to £12,000 in such circumstances.

It’s worth considering charitable giving too. If you leave at least 10% of your net estate to charity, your estate could pay the reduced rate of IHT of 36% on assets above £325,000, instead of the standard 40%.

IHT can also be mitigated in various other ways, such as through simple life assurance policies written under suitable trusts.

Capital Gains Tax

UK resident individuals will not pay tax on gains of up to £3,000 during the 2024/25 tax year. This is a fairly significant reduction compared to the £6,000 entitlement in 2023/24 and the £12,300 allowance in the 2022/23 tax year that many have become accustomed to. If you have plans to dispose of any assets, thought needs to go into the amount and timing of any disposals made.

A little thought and proper financial planning can go a long way to ensuring you are managing your finances effectively.

For further advice on this or other business issues, contact Jonathan Aikens on 0204 5821881 or email jaikens@mks.co.uk

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