The Town Crier
Community Magazine for East Grinstead, Lingfield, Foret Row, Copthorne, Crawley Down, Turners Hill,Ashurst Wood, Newchapel and the surrounding areas Issue 21 June 2026
Issue 21 June 2026
Welcome the June 2026 issue of the Town Crier
The cover photograph is by our resident genius with a camera, East Grinstead photographer, Russell Prain. Find him on Instagram.
In this issue …
Hello!
For local charities, community groups, clubs, artists and businesses, the Town Crier is the place to be seen.
For its fast-growing audience that means a wealth of interesting articles, features and local news to enjoy.
If you are a charity or any form of not-for-profit group, club or enterprise, you will not be charged for being promoted in this magazine.
If you are a small local business, we provide space for you to advertise at very affordable rates which you can find here.
The door is now wide open for your submissions for the July 2026 issue so don’t miss out, send us your contributions today!
For more information, tour the Town Crier website or Email: egtowncrier@gmail.com
ChristiansAgainst Poverty page 4
Recipe page 5
All the Fun of the Fair page 9
EG Lions page 12
Crawley Down Ladies Choir page 14
Local Artist of the Month page 15
Algebra Made Simple page 17
Police Hunt Suspect . . . page 18
Alison Earnswaw page 21
Lingfield Farmers Market page 23
East Grinstead Jazz Festival page 24
Dormansland YWI page 25
JJ’s Epic Eats page 27
East Court Live 1 page 29
The RH7 History Group page 30
Feelgood Radio page 32
Mouthy Marketing page 33
TheArt of PayingAttention page 34
Learning French page 36
Portland Vets page 37
East Grinstead
Natural
History Society
On Monday15th June, 7.30pm at Trinity Methodist Church, Lingfield Road, RH19 2H, come and enjoy a fascinating talk by Southwater and Horsham Swan Rescue on their work with swans.
This will be followed by our summer social.
All are welcome!
£4.50 on the door £3.00 for members
Ways to help change your mindset on money
A lack of money can make us feel stressed, defeated, anxious and fearful, amongst many other emotions. Understanding the power that money has over our mood is the first step to reclaiming control. Read on for five practical ways you can change your mindset on money.
Build a budget
Building a budget can help you see your financial situation more clearly, meaning you’ll be able to make decisions about where to cut costs and feel more in control. There are lots of free budgeting resources and tips available online, including at capuk.org/budgeting.
Talk to others
Struggling with money can be an extremely isolating experience. By sharing our worries with another person, we start to take back control and lessen the burden that we’ve been carrying alone. You might also find that others are facing similar challenges, meaning you can both share your experiences and tools
for managing the situation.
Set goals
Having a goal to work towards can make us feel more positive. Even a small amount of progress bit-by-bit gives us something to celebrate and feel proud of. Choose an aim that’s realistic and remember to set a new goal once you’ve smashed it!
Have fun for free
There are tons of free and cheap activities and days out available in communities across the UK. Find out what events are going on at your local church, and keep an eye on capuk.org/blog where you can find useful tips and tricks throughout the year.
Get support
Everyone needs help at times. It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. If you’re struggling with your finances, support is available for free from a range of charities and organisations including Christians Against Poverty (CAP). CAP provides expert debt advice, and money
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Christians Against Poverty continued from previous page
education, all delivered face-to-face so you’ll receive an effective combination of practical and emotional support. To find out more, see capuk.org/help.
CAP is committed to fighting poverty and helping people to gain control of their finances. For more information visit capuk.org/help.
The East Grinstead CAP Debt Centre supports East Grinstead and all the surrounding villages offering free, confidential, face-to-face debt help. You’re not alone. We’re here to help! Call our FREE helpline on 0800 328 0006
Recipe of the Month
Elderflower Cordial
Here is a very simple recipe for a very pleasant and refreshing drink rich in antioxidants and other goodies.
1. Pick about 25 elderflower heads and make sure you remove any stems, leaves etc and are using only the heads.
2. Put them in a pan and add one sliced lemon plus 500g of sweetener (avoid sugar if you can and use stevia or similar natural sweetener).
3. Bring to the boil 1.5L of water. Let it cool slightly then pour it over the contents of your pan.
4. Let it rest for 24 hours. Stir it a few times to make sure the sugar has melted.
5. After 24 hours, sieve the juice into a separate container and add more sweetener to your taste.
6. Dilute a small amount in a glass with still or sparkling water as you prefer, to make a refreshing drink.
Sonnet
by Steve Cook
The flowing river of my verse ran dry
And yesterday became a turgid stream,
As if the bard within me closed his eyes
And slept perchance forsaking all his dreams.
Poetic licence could, it seemed, expire
Or be by some prosaic gods revoked,
Who of my butchery of words grew tired
Or were yet to their vengeful ire provoked.
Crossing the arid wastelands of despair,
Weighed by the corpse of poetry still-born
I smote my bardic brow and cursed the air
Whose Muse hath left him now bereft, forlorn.
When birds of rhyme have flown, beware ‘tis true!
To bring them back there’s naught a man can do.
Are you a poet?
I would very much like to feature the community’s poets so please send me samples of your work so that I can publish them. Write to me at mailto:egtowncrier@gmail.com
All the Fun of the Fair
What a fabulous day we all had at the Lions May Fair!
The weather was kind and it was great to see the town buzzing with people all day.
There was entertainment on stage throughout the day; with singers, dancers and musicians. The children were kept amused by the children’s entertainers or rides, and the grown-ups were able to browse the many, varied stalls. Multiple refreshment stalls kept us fed and watered!
A huge thank you to all the invaluable volunteers for their help, the Martell family for the use of their van and removal guys, DJ Grab Services for sweeping the road after the event and Cox Group skips - who all offered their services without charge. We couldn't have done it without your help!
Town Mayor, John Belsey and MP Mims Davies came along to support the event and spoke to many stallholders as they made their way through the packed High Street.
Finally, thank you to everyone who came along and supported the EG & District Lions Club. In the coming weeks, many people in the local community will benefit from your generosity.
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East Grinstead & District Lions Club is delighted to be one of new Town Mayor, Cllr Stephanie Reeves’, chosen charities (along with Her Move) and look forward to working with Stephanie during her year in office.
The Club would also like to thank out-going Mayor, John Belsey, for supporting the many Lions events during his time as Mayor.
Crawley Down Ladies Choir
At the time of writing the Crawley Down Ladies Choir continues to practise for our summer concert on Saturday 13th June in the Dorothy Hatswell hall at The Haven Centre starting at 7.30pm.
We will be singing a variety of songs from stage musicals and films to pop and more, plus there will be some guest acts. Tickets are £7 each with under 16s free.
We then have a summer break, returning in September to begin practising the new December programme for our next concert (I will refrain from using the “C” word - much too early).
We will be holding a “Come and Sing” evening on September 7th when we invite anyone interested in joining us to do just thatCome and Sing with us with a view to joining a friendly group of ladies who sing for the sheer joy of it, socialising and making new friends along the way.
A date for your diaries - we do hope to see you there. for more information about the choir please see our website at: crawleydownladieschoir.co.uk
Dear
Statistics show that married couples that have two incomes live longer and enjoy better health than couples with only one income.
When I told my wife about it, she was really inspired to take action and has pulled out all the stops these past few days to find me a second job.
Local Artist of the Month
Sarah Merrifield
I was the youngest of three children born to medical missionaries. Our parents went to India in 1932 where my sister and brother were born. My father served in the Air Force and after the war he became a GP in Northamptonshire. When I arrived in 1946, I had a more liberal and affluent upbringing than my siblings.
I inherited a love of art and horses from my mother, whose sculpting career came to an abrupt end after an accident in which she lost three fingers. I had my own pony at the age of 9 and went to a wonderful boarding school where we rode every day, except Sundays. Horses were my life then and I wanted to go on to work and compete. However, my father had other ideas so I was sent off to learn secretarial skills because I should get a “proper job”!
I started working for Unilever’s and tolerated working in an office for 9 months before going into catering and hotel management. For the next 7 years, I worked in a variety of places including a year in Washington DC, and travelling round Europe, followed by 6 months breaking in horses with friends.
Then came marriage to a farmer in Devon, who decided that he wanted to go and live in Spain, so the farm was sold and we packed up our belongings and headed off for Andalusia where we ran a successful boarding kennel business.
Spain was dramatic and beautiful and I loved it. We lived in the campo. In the evenings I would paint. I had taught myself to paint in oils at the age of 19. I had had no art lessons since the age of 13, so there was much to be improved.
I returned to Devon with my son after the breakup of my marriage, then helped a friend set up a ‘new age’ conference centre in Sidmouth House. It was at Sidmouth that I met Stanford, who was to become my soul companion for the next 40 years. Continued on next page
Sarah Merrifield continued from previous page
We left Sidmouth, living the “good life” on Dartmoor for 3 years. We joined a group interested in starting a Steiner school. I was lucky enough to be given a grant by Devon CC to study at Emerson for 2 years.
Stanford went to work at the Arcane school HQ and our son was accepted into Michael Hall. I went to work at Philpots, teaching handiwork, cooking, religion and English. After a break from teaching, I worked at Glyndebourne for 2 seasons as a Maitre-D until moving to Nutley where I ran a weavery for the last 7 years of my working life.
I then began to fulfil my childhood ambition to paint portraits. I took courses at the London Atelier School, painted with David Cranswick, who has a very classical approach, while Jeremy Gale had a metaphysical and Chinese influence, which was immensely freeing and for which I am very grateful.
I now work with a group run by Anne Marie Brodie. There is always something to learn. For 4 years I went to the Homeless Shelter in Crawley, where I would draw their portraits and listen to their stories until Covid intervened.
When the funding from the local council was cut, I decided to make a book with the portraits to help raise money and awareness for Open House.
I like to work with oil in a traditional way, endeavouring to find the soul essence of those I am privileged to have sit for me and to hear their stories – everyone has a story to tell.
Algebra Made Simple
Maths tutor, Helen Chisholm’s monthly column gives valuable tips on how to excel or help your children excel at maths.
Algebra for Everyone
Algebra is often the point where many children (and adults!) start to feel nervous about maths. The introduction of letters and symbols can seem like a big leap from working with numbers. However, algebra is simply another way of describing patterns and relationships and children begin developing algebraic thinking much earlier than many people realise.
Spotting Patterns
One of the first steps towards understanding algebra is recognising patterns. Young children might notice that a sequence increases by 2 each time, while older pupils may identify more complex number patterns. Being able to predict what comes next and explain why helps children develop logical thinking and lays the groundwork for future algebraic concepts.
Using Symbols and Solving Simple Equations
Algebra uses letters and
symbols to represent unknown values. For example, if □ + 5 = 12, most children can work out that the missing number is 7. Replacing the box with a letter, such as x + 5 = 12, is simply the next step. The aim is not to make maths more complicated, but to provide a powerful way of expressing mathematical ideas. As confidence grows, pupils learn how to solve increasingly challenging equations using the same logical principles.
How Algebra Appears in Secondary Maths
Algebra becomes a key part of secondary mathematics and appears throughout GCSE courses. It is used when solving equations, working with graphs, finding patterns, and applying formulas. Students who have a secure understanding of number facts and mathematical relationships often find algebra much more accessible.
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Algebra made simple continued from previous page
It's about spotting connections, thinking logically, and solving puzzles. By encouraging children to explore patterns and explain their reasoning, we can help them see algebra not as something to fear, but as an exciting tool for understanding the world around them.
Police Hunt Suspect after Beanstalk Tragedy
by Steve Cook
The Police have today announced that they are treating the sudden death of local giant, Mr Ogre (pictured right just weeks before his death), during yesterday's tragic beanstalk incident as murder.
At this morning's press conference, Chief Inspector Fable told reporters that they are hunting an Englishman, known only as "Jack", on suspicion of having caused Ogre's plunge to his death from the giant beanstalk outside his historic castle at The Land in the Sky.
Little is known about Jack at this stage except that he is of deceptively youthful appearance, armed with an axe and extremely dangerous. He should not be approached by the general public.
Happier times - Ogre pictured here celebrating the release of his latest album "Golden Harp"
Anyone who spots the suspect is urged to contact the police immediately. It is believed that he may have connections to the local criminal underworld and recently approached a local bean dealer seeking to trade a dairy cow for some so-called "magic beans".
Ogre's murder is known to have been the result of a home invasion or burglary gone wrong: several valuable items have been reported missing from his castle, including continued on next page
Beanstalk Tragedy continued from previous page
some gold coins, a pet goose that is rumoured to lay golden eggs and Ogre's beloved golden harp. He may have fallen to his death whilst attempting to give chase to the intruder. The nation's pawn shops, pet shops and music stores have been alerted to be on the lookout for anyone attempting to cash in on such items. Alternatively, the suspect may try to sell them on eBay.
Ogre - well known for his Gaelic catchphrase "Fe fi fo fum" and his talent for smelling blood at long distances - was a popular and wellloved figure in the local community and one of the nation's most accomplished harpists. His latest album "Golden Harp Volume Nine" was released as recently as last
November.
As one resident said: "He was always ready with a cheery snarl and liked nothing more than to have local children come to his castle for dinner. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone with a word to say against him. This is a tragedy that has gotten everyone thoroughly traumatised. He'll be sadly missed."
Another local told this reporter, "What's the world coming to when law-abiding giants are not safe in their own castles? Kids these days have no respect. Why, only last week the Three Bears who live in the forest just around the corner had their porridge stolen right off their dinner table!"
Mr Ogre's funeral will take place next Thursday. He is survived by a very large widow.
Health Tip
Jog for 30minutes each day. If you miss a day, add 30 minutes to your run the next day.
I have been following this strategy since January.
Tomorrow, I have to jog for 3 weeks.
Click image to visit website
Dear
Editor …
Afew months ago, my friends told me that I drink too much.
It was quite a shock to be told that.
But I decided to take decisive action and am happy to report that for the past three months I have managed to avoid my friends entirely.
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
Alison Earnshaw finds inspiration for very small growing spaces
I wonder what the category beneath ‘amateur gardener’ might be… or indeed the echelon below that.
Whilst I love a Summer garden in bloom, my own small plot is limited due to being in the shade of trees and neighbouring houses most of the day. A narrow sliver of sunlight breaks through near the house at about 10.00 a.m. before making its way back to the garden end-fence, some 25 feet distant. This small bright stripe vanishes by early afternoon, in the manner of a retreating army that knows it’s beaten, melting away invisibly into the forest with a possibility of regrouping by the next day.
It’s taken me quite a few years to work with the realities of this and with the very shallow layer of poor topsoil, however I’ve grown to love ferns and hostas which thrive in their pots under dappled shade. Apparently, there was a fashion for ferns in Victorian times (known as ‘Pteridomania’… who knew?) so I’ve obviously found my ideal gardening era.
There’s plenty of inspiration to be accessed locally for even the humblest, aspiring to amateur-status, gardener such as myself; in whichever direction I set off from East Grinstead there will be a garden centre open year-round. Head Westward and there’s ‘Dove Barn Nursery’, which has a varied selection of containers and is always my first port of call when there’s a hosta to re-pot. Groupings of matching containers lend a pleasing visual unity to my somewhat mismatched plants.
Further Westward is ‘Haskins’, a huge emporium. In addition to amazing plants, shrubs and waterfeatures, there’s an emphasis on garden-related gifts and novelties… and I once found myself exchanging pleasantries with no less a fellow shopper than Dame Judy Dench whilst admiring a display of gardener’s mugs!
Set off Eastwards and you’ll quickly arrive at ‘Orchard Nursery’, which is one of my favourites, a small familyrun gem set inside Victorian kitchengarden Continued on next page
Alison Earnshw continued from previous page
walls with the friendliest welcome and advice; much needed and appreciated in my case!
Now that Flaming June is upon us, all these garden centres have riotous ranks of beautiful flowers to admire, enjoy and choose from… and it’s exactly two years ago now that we decided to turn our attention to the tiny flowerbed located betwixt the garage and the front door. Unlike our beferned back garden, this enjoys full sun with herbs such as Rosemary and Thyme doing well here. Anyone ringing the doorbell on a hot day could be forgiven for thinking a roast chicken dinner was being prepared within, as these culinary plants are deliciously aromatic in the heat. Lavender has also flourished here; I haven’t quite got the hang of the recommended hard pruning so ours look a bit stringy, whilst still valiantly flowering.
A climbing rose to grow upwards making best use of the space seemed a good plan and for this we went to ‘Coolings’ at Wych Cross to wander in their nursery with its massed ranks of roses of all colours. Having narrowed the choice down to the final 5 favourites, we took a break at the ‘Hybrid Tea Room’ which has a
gorgeous outdoor terrace overlooking aisles of fragrant roses.
I seem to recall our discussions at this juncture were more about the generous portion sizes and fabulousness of their cakes rather than our final choice of climbing rose, but we eventually made our way back to the rose nursery for a final decision.
Hence, we became proud owners of a sweetly-scented, apricot-coloured ‘Bathsheba’ climbing rose.
Two Summers on, it’s June again and our beautiful rose is in full bloom. Now some six feet high around the front door, its glossy green leaves, new buds and scented full blooms lift my heart and spirits every day. Perhaps I can award myself a promotion to the ranks of ‘amateur gardener’ after all!
Alison is currently working on an original music and theatre production with 'Shot Full of Rock & Friends'. To find out more go to: https://www.instagram.com/shotfullofr ock/ and www.shotfullofrock.co.uk
The Lingfield Farmers Market returns!
Lingfield Farmers Market returns on Sunday 12th July, running from 9am to 1pm, and you’ll find the village buzzing with over 25 stalls of local farmers, growers, makers and producers. The market has become a much-loved monthly fixture, offering everything from fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables to artisan breads, local honey, handmade treats, cheeses, plants, flowers, meats, pastries and so much more.
Our market thrives because of you. Every time you choose to shop local, you help keep small businesses trading, support local families, and ensure we can continue attracting a strong mix
of stallholders each month. If you want the market to stay vibrant and growing, the simplest way is to come along, bring a friend, invite a neighbour, and make it part of your monthly routine.
There’s a warm, friendly atmosphere waiting for you perfect for a relaxed Sunday stroll with a coffee in hand while discovering the best produce our community has to offer.
Shop local. Support local. Keep your village market thriving.
See you on Sunday 12th July, 9am–1pm at Lingfield Primary School.
Join us for the East Grinstead Jazz Festival Friday 14th to Sunday 16thAugust
Purchase tickets for our Workshops, the Gospel Concert and Saturday night headline show. https://www.eastgrinsteadjazzfestival.com
For our popular Sunday Lunch https://www.chequermead.co.uk/shows/eastgrinstead-jazz-festival-lunch/ It’s going to be an amazing fun weekend of live music around the town. Take a look at the schedule below
Dormansland YWI News Update
by Marion Hornall
June welcomed Mary who gave a fascinating insight into her adventures in Uganda.
It’s been a busy month; we also had our fundraising fete in the Memorial Hall – welcoming everyone to come and find some good bargains and have a drink and a slice of cake with us - a successful day all round. In July, we are bringing some colour to our house or gardens and painting some terracotta pots which will be fun
In the summer months we are arranging a walk, possibly ending up in a local pub for an evening drink to finish the evening.
September we will have a talk about MGM Musicals which should be glamorous and entertaining.
So quite a variety for the summer!
We always like to welcome new members to our meetings which are held at Parish Rooms in The Platt at 8.00pm usually on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.
If you would like more information, please contact us on the membership enquiry on the website or call Fiona on 07836 334794.
Our full meeting schedule and information about the sub-groups can be found on our website.
JJ’s Epic Eats - the Best Grub Guide in Town
AFantastic Experience at La Farola
At just 14 years of age, J J Suttle is probably the world’s youngest food critic and magazine columnist. I was very
happy to feature his monthly reviews in the Horley Town Crier and now I am even more delighted that he has agreed to write for the East Grinstead edition, so it is with great pleasure that I present here JJ’s first review for the East Grinstead and area community.
My mum and I recently visited La Farola in East Grinstead, and we had a fantastic experience from start to finish.
The restaurant itself has a simple but authentic Spanish feel. The décor is basic yet charming, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere without feeling overdone. The tables and chairs were clean, neat, and wellpresented, and the dining area was tidy and comfortable, making it an enjoyable place to spend the evening. A lovely touch is that the kitchen is open so you can see the chefs cooking.
Another bonus is the convenient parking. There is a car park less than a two-minute walk from the restaurant, making it very easy to access, and parking is free after 6pm, which is ideal for an evening meal.
The menu offers an excellent choice of food, catering for a range of tastes. There is a great selection of tapas for those who enjoy sharing dishes, alongside traditional Spanish main courses for anyone looking for a larger meal.
The dessert menu was equally impressive. On the evening we visited, there was a special offering of three homemade desserts to choose from, which was a lovely touch and demonstrated the care that goes into the menu
For our meal, we shared the Raxo Pork with chips and the Prawns and Mushrooms in Garlic Sauce as starters, followed by a Seafood Paella.
Everything we ordered was incredibly tasty and clearly prepared with care.
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The garlic sauce was rich and full of flavour, complementing the prawns and mushrooms perfectly, while the seafood paella was packed with delicious seafood and cooked beautifully.
One thing that impressed me was the paella waiting time. The menu advertises a wait of around one hour, which is completely understandable for a freshly cooked paella, but ours arrived in only about 40 minutes. It was a pleasant surprise and showed how efficiently the kitchen was working without compromising on quality.
The portion sizes were absolutely massive and offered excellent value for money.
My only minor issue was the chip-topork ratio on the Raxo Pork dish, it came with a very large amount of chips compared to the amount of pork, but that certainly didn’t spoil an excellent meal. The pork itself was delicious.
The service was outstanding. Our waitress was amazing throughout the evening. As someone trying to learn Spanish, I really appreciated how encouraging and patient she was, giving me the opportunity to practise speaking Spanish with her. It made the meal feel much more personal and memorable, and she helped create a welcoming atmosphere.
Overall, the food was delicious, the portions were generous, the service was exceptional, and the experience was made even better by the friendly staff. I would happily return and would rate La Farola a strong 9.2/10
East Grinstead Lions Club East Court Live 1
What a fabulous time we all had at East Court Live 1 on Sunday afternoon. Great crowds, perfect weather and fabulous music.
The East Grinstead & District Lions, being one of the Mayor's chosen charities, were delighted to have a Membership tent and chat to many people about volunteering, what the Lions do and what causes they have been donating their funds to recently.
Well done to all the musicians, sound guys, Scouts, volunteers and Town Council for making it such a successful event.
Looking forward to East Court Live 2 on Sunday 5th July!
The chalybeate springs of Tunbridge Wells are well known, but few know that Lingfield also has such springs. Indeed, it has been suggested that, in the mid-17th century, some local men were considering opening a spa in Lingfield, but that Beau Nash beat them to it. So, we now have Royal Tunbridge Wells rather than Royal Lingfield Wells.
The springs are located in the neighbourhood of Coldwater Farm, near the north-west corner of Lingfield Nature Reserve. They are no longer accessible and were covered over many years ago.
In the past thesprings were knownas “St. Margaret’s Well”, apparently named after St. Margaret of Antioch, after whom a number of English churches are named.
At one time there was a wall round the springs and people travelled to them to imbibe the waters. Indeed, John Evelyn wrote to Samuel Pepys on 7th July 1694 from Wotton, Surrey saying, “Receive you my wife’s who is at present become a water bibber here, though we fetch it from Lingfield, about 20 miles
ST. MARGARET’S WELL, LINGFIELD
by Bill Stevenson
An illustration of how the well may have looked
distant on the edge of Sussex and is stronger than the Spas of Tunbridge”. Evidently, there was once a stone chalice or stoup (a basin for collecting holy water) on a stand beside the springs. In the 19th century the stoup and stand were relocated to the roof of “The Cage” in Plaistowe Street. The stoup has since disappeared, but the stand is still there. It was said the iron of the water is especially good for the digestive, nutritive, muscular and nervous systems, aiding, healing, and cleansing. It also helps with debility, anaemia, female complaints, abortion and sterility.
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RH7 History Club continued from previous page
For further information please refer to our factsheet at https://rh7.org/factshts/smwell.pdf.
Our next talk is on Monday 13th July at the Jennings Hall, behind the High Street, Lingfield. Sue Macdonald will speak about “The Haywards and the Guest House”.
The talks start at 8pm, with doors open from 7:30pm. Non-members are very welcome to attend our meetings - there is a £2.50 charge for visitors. For more details of future talks, see the “Events” page on our website, “rh7.org”. If you have any historical queries about our area the please contact us by email at mailto:rh7histsoc@gmail.com.
Can you help?
One of the successful ways of protecting your health and wellbeing is eating well. So, tips for healthy eating definitely need to be featured in this magazine, along with healthy recipes
I am looking to hear from anyone who would like to feature healthy eating tips and/or recipes.
Plus, a regular feature on food-growing section, so I am looking for advice, successful actions and similar input from people who grow their own crops, are a dab hand at allotmenteering, raising chickens and so forth. In particular, I am interested in articles by people who grow organically, chemical-free, no-dig permaculture and so forth. And monthly DIY tips would be most welcome too.
So, if you have anything you’d like contribute on any of these subjects, please feel free to email me at any time and I’ll be very pleased to hear from you. The address is egtowncrier@gmail.com
By Judith Thomson
As Summer approaches there are lots of lovely local events happening around us, from Village Fetes to Country Markets. I am enjoying having a stall at several of these myself, including Cuckfield, Danefold and Henfield, to sell my historical novels. I really enjoy the fun atmosphere and the opportunity to meet new people and be part of something traditional and so quintessentially British!
Perhaps you or your club is organising one. If so, we can help! The Feelgood Station is broadcast worldwide but is run from our main studios in West Sussex and Devon and we very much want to include the local people in our areas who would like the opportunity to talk to us about events they would like to promote. Interviews are conducted simply and easily by mobile phone and anyone wishing to appear on our Feelgood Morning Magazine Show, which is broadcast, every weekday morning between 9 – 11, should get in touch with us or, if you prefer, we would be happy to announce the details for you on air ourselves.
I also have my own Saturday morning Show, Judith Looks at Love and Romance, when I include a guest spot where I invite a musician or singer to come on the show and talk
about themselves and their music and I follow the interview by playing one of their tracks. I am always especially delighted to be able to involve any local talent, so do contact me if you would like the chance to broaden your audience.
You can follow us on Facebook at The Feelgood Station and listen to our Shows either on The Feelgood Station app or on Simple Radio, Deezer and Alexa Skills, as well as on our website thefeelgoodstation.uk We can be reached there or by Facebook Messenger or email us at thefeelgoodmorningshow@gmail.com
You can also discover more about my books at judiththomson.com
What your Business needs to know aboutAI in 2026
by Alice Watkyn of Mouthy Marketing
The way people search for businesses is changing fast.
In January 2026, 24 million people in the UK were using AI tools every month, and that number is still climbing. Instead of typing something into Google, people are now asking full questions in tools like ChatGPT, and asking for recommendations.
These tools don't show a list of websites they give a direct answer, and they either mention your business or they don't.
So how do you make sure they mention yours?
Start with your website. Make sure it clearly explains what you do, where you do it, and who you help. Plain, straightforward language works far better than clever marketing speak.
If you're a plumber in East Grinstead, say so clearly, and say it more than once.
Think about the questions your customers ask and make sure your
website answers them.
AI tools look for pages that get straight to the point. The more directly your content answers a real question, the more likely it is to be picked up.
Writing helpful articles or guides related to your business also makes a difference. A local florist who writes about wedding flowers, seasonal arrangements and how to care for cut flowers gives AI tools much more to work with than a florist with just a homepage.
Finally, your reputation matters. Encourage customers to leave reviews and make sure your business details are the same everywhere they appear online. Also, get mentioned on other websites where you can. AI tools use all of this to decide whom to recommend.
None of this requires a big budget or technical expertise. It just requires a bit of time and consistency.
TheArt of PayingAttention
by Ross Symonds
We live in a world that constantly competes for our attention. Phones buzz, inboxes fill, and our minds are often several steps ahead of where our feet actually are. One of the reasons I spend so much time outdoors is that nature offers an antidote to all of that.
You don't need to climb a mountain or disappear into the wilderness. Sometimes all it takes is slowing down on a familiar footpath near East Grinstead, sitting beneath a tree, or taking a closer look at the plants growing along a hedge.
As an ecologist, I spend much of my time teaching people about wildlife, but what we're really learning is how to pay attention.
The more closely we look, the more we begin to notice. The shape of a leaf. The scent of meadowsweet carried on the breeze. The different songs of birds in a woodland edge. The way a landscape changes from one month to the next.
This kind of observation is a form of mindfulness, although perhaps a
muddier version than most. Instead of focusing on breathing exercises or meditation cushions, it involves muddy boots, nettle stings, and occasionally kneeling in a ditch to identify a plant. It asks us to be fully present in the place where we are.
The landscapes of Sussex are perfect for this practice. From the ancient woodlands of the High Weald to the meadows, commons, and hedgerows surrounding our towns and villages, there is always something new to discover. The more we learn, the more we realise how much there is to notice.
Learning about nature isn't simply about memorising names. It's about developing a relationship with place. It helps us understand the seasons, appreciate local history and feel more connected to the landscapes we call home. In a fast-moving world, there is something quietly radical about stopping to pay attention.
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If that idea appeals to you, I'd love you to join us on 18th July for Gathered Words, a nature-inspired writing retreat at theYoghurt Rooms near East Grinstead. We'll be joined by nature writer and historian Charlie Bingham (author of the Life-Affirming Magic of Birds) who will help guide and inspire you throughout the day.
For more information, visit Ross the Ecologist at linktr.ee/rosstheecologist.
Ross Symonds is an ecologist, forager, and occasional interpreter of unruly hedgerows. Through AtoBee Ecology, he runs seasonal foraging walks and workshops across Sussex, guiding people through the edible, medicinal, and folklorerich layers of the landscape. April is one of his favourite months.
Ross Symonds Founder |AtoBee Ecology
The Death Whisperer Part I:
Learning French
by Dominique French tutor, translator, interpreter
Why do we have “Le” and “La” in French?
Good question! And a concept that is hard to grasp and explain to English speakers.
Basically, French words are either masculine (male) or feminine (female).
French comes from Latin, which had three kinds of words: masculine, feminine, and neuter, i.e. neither masculine nor feminine. Over time, French lost the neuter group and kept only masculine and feminine.
Sometimes, the gender fits the reallife meaning. For example, a man is masculine and a woman is feminine. But many times, it doesn’t match at all. The sun (le soleil) is masculine, but the moon (la lune) is feminine, even though neither is really male or female. These are just rules that came from the way the language changed over time.
At first, it can be tricky to remember which words are masculine or feminine because
there aren’t easy rules to follow.
Sometimes, it will be obvious that a word is either masculine or feminine:
The girl La fille (feminine)
The boy Le garçon (masculine)
And there are times when you will just have to learn that a word is masculine or feminine.
This is why when you learn new vocabulary, you must learn the gender of the words. This will help you speak better French.
Of course, it gets a little bit complicated when you try to make sentences.
If a word is masculine, then any adjectives (modifiers) that go with the word are masculine too.
And if a word is feminine, then any adjectives (modifiers) that go with the word are feminine too.
This can be mastered, it takes practice. But when you get it right, you will be that much closer to being fluent in French!
Happy learning!
