Village Living Magazine December 2009

Village LIVING

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December 2009

Lifestyle | Community | Business

Steyning Bramber Beeding Ashington Washington Storrington Henfield Small Dole Ashurst Partridge Green

Eat, Drink

& Be Merry Christmas recipes & top tips

Trevor Sorbie in Storrington

Make this gorgeous Christmas door decoration

High Street Heroes Discover the craft shops at Sandhill Barn

Local high street shopping ideas

WIN Panto tickets!

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18 • BaCK IN TIME

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Contents 5

Welcome to December

6-7

Village News & Events

9

Trevor Sorbie in Storrington

10-11

Try something new Make our gorgeous Christmas door decoration

13-14

High Street Heroes Discover the craft shops of Sandhill Barn

16

He’s behind you!

Todd Carty finds his feet in Worthing panto

17-23

Eat, Drink & Be Merry Our guide to the best local Christmas shopping

25

Cromwell’s Party Menu: Poached pears for your festive table

26-27

Reader’s Restaurant Review: Into The Blue, Shoreham Beach

29

Sussex in Season: Oh Christmas Tree!

30-31

Drink Local: Micro-brewing at Adur Brewery Win a case of Hepworth real ales

33

Gardening: Thinking Big from the Big Plant Nursery

35

Talk Money: With Claire Cook

37

Mind & Body: Chris Jones on phobias

HIGH STREET HEROES 13

RECIPE 25

RESTAURANT REVIEW 26 Cover photo taken by Village Living.

Where Can You Find Village Living?

Village Living Magazine is delivered to 10,000 homes and businesses in across 10 villages.

Editorial & advertising enquiries Melissa Love 07976 917363 melissa@villageliving.biz

Find us in Steyning, Bramber, Beeding, Small Dole, Henfield, ashurst, Partridge Green, Washington, ashington, Storrington as well as selected outlets in Worthing & Shoreham.

Production Toni Barrington The Magazine Production Company 01273 467579 production@villageliving.biz

We are increasing our circulation every month, so if you didn’t receive a copy through your letterbox, you will do very shortly.

© 2009 Village Living

Village Living is published monthly by Big Picture Projects.

Cornerways, Pound Lane, Upper Beeding. BN44 3JB 01903 814092 www.villageliving.biz

Village Living is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine.

Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or of Village Living magazine.

 Air-conditioned fitness studio & free weights room  Outdoor multi-sports pitch including tennis courts  2 sports halls with 5 badminton courts  Step, aerobics, circuits, pilates & yoga  Bowls Clubs  Crèche facilities & café  Children’s activities & parties

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MEET THE TEaM • 5

Welcome to December!

P

reparing the Christmas issue has put me thoroughly in a festive mood. I’ve already made a gorgeous seasonal decoration for the front door, and so can you, by following our easy step-by-step guide.

I’m also starting with an early New Year’s resolution this month. I’ll be trying to shop as locally as possible over the coming year, and there is no better time to start than at Christmas. We bring you some great gift ideas which you can find on local high streets and do keep an eye out for this year’s late night Christmas shopping events in Steyning, Storrington & Henfield. See Page 7 for details. adding an extra bit of Christmas sparkle is the nation’s favourite ice-skater, Todd Carty, who glides into Worthing to star in this year’s production of Cinderella. We went behind the scenes to see local dancers being put through their paces at the audition stage. Enter our competition on Page 16 to win panto tickets for the whole family.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your kind comments and support over the past few months and wish you a happy festive season. We’ll see you in January when we can tackle our New Year’s resolutions together.

Melissa EMAIL ME AT melissa@villageliving.biz

P.S. Don’t forget to visit www.villageliving.biz where you can visit the Village Living message board.

Have Your Say! “I just wanted to say that I really like your magazine, Village Living! We received our copy a few days ago and I am enjoying it. The articles are interesting and so far I have not come across a single typo or spelling error, a refreshing change these days.

We moved to Steyning a couple of years ago and I have never been happier - it was a very good move. People here seem to care about each other and there is a lot going on. We made a conscious decision to support everything local so I am delighted to read the articles from Nick Hempleman and the brewing guys. In fact, inspired by the article we just bought a crate of local beer for a friend’s 60 birthday!

Good luck & well done” Hilde Morris, by email Congratulations: To Brian Cain who wins October’s case of Hepworth Ales www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092 Village Living • December 2009

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6 • NEWS & EVENTS

FREE COMPREHENSIVE DIRECTORY FOR THE OVER 50s

H

orsham POP – Partnerships for Older People – has produced a free comprehensive directory of services and activities for the over 50s across the district, including many West Sussex villages. a key feature about the directory is that entries are listed by theme – such as transport, handy man services or socials – and by location.

This makes it easy to cross reference and to focus on a specific village or town in the District.

“This is an invaluable resource for all older people and is extremely attractive and easy to use,” says David Sheldon, Coordinator for Horsham POP. “although this information is available on the Horsham POP Website, many people don’t have access to a computer and prefer to use a printed directory.

For a copy of the Older People’s Directory – or more information about practical support for the over 50s – please contact the district Community Partnership Team on: 01403 213140. For a full directory of services for older people, and more information about how Horsham POP is supporting voluntary groups, visit www.horshampop.org.uk or call: 01403 249447.

Acorn Plus Scheme increases recycling

F

ollowing the introduction of mixed dry recycling to the Horsham District in June, early measurements indicate that collection rates are just a few points short of 60% and the amount of rubbish sent to landfill has reduced significantly. Known to push up recycling rates, the new mixed collection has seen a jump from 34% to nearly 60%. acorn Plus is the name of the Council’s new flagship recycling and refuse collection service, which sees all recycled

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Ashington golf prodigy wins local sponsorship

J

ack Walls isn’t old enough to drive, but the 15 year old has proven his abilities to drive a golf ball. after watching him win junior golfing competitions all over Sussex, local car dealership Toll House Kia announced that it will be backing Jack at every tee after signing a sponsorship deal with the talented youngster.

Jack Walls has been playing golf since the tender age of six and has already got an impressive 3.7 handicap. He belongs to West Sussex Golf Club and not only plays for the county but has won trophies in the Dyke Golf Club Junior Open and the Junior Club Championship at Wessex Golf Club.

Jack is currently studying his GCSEs at Shoreham College. among his golfing idols, Jack lists Columbian star, Camilo Villegas. “I’m hoping to turn professional,” said Jack. “If I do my a Levels alongside a two-year course at the Golf academy, I can make sure I’m PGa qualified. I feel lucky to have sponsorship from Toll House Kia – not many people my age get backing like that and it’ll help my future.”

materials taken to be sorted at a state of the art facility in Ford, near arundel.

The introduction of new vehicles has also meant a reduction in transport movements on the roads leading to less CO2 emissions.

In addition, new vehicles are much smaller and quieter than the traditional refuse collection vehicles. a spokesperson for the council also added. “as one bin will be used for the recycling collections it will be easier when possible in the future for new materials to be added to the list.”

For details about Christmas tree recycling points, visit www.horsham.gov.uk

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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Village Diary Village Diary is a great way to publicise an event in your village. Charitable & not for profit events are listed free of charge. a small charge applies for commercial listings.

Don’t forget to visit www.villageliving.biz to view a complete calendar of events or submit your own listing online.

FARMERS’ MARKETS

SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST COURSES

Henfield – Friday, 18th December.

9.00 – 13.00. Library car park.

Tree Dressing Woods Mill, Henfield: Saturday 5th December.

11:00 – 13:00

Horsham – every Saturday.

9.00 – 16.00. Carfax, town centre.

Shoreham – Saturday, 12th December.

9.00 – 13.00. East Street.

Steyning – Saturday 5th December.

9.00 – 13.00. High St car park.

West Chiltington – Saturday 12th December.

9.00 – 12.00. Village Hall.

Worthing – Saturday 26th November.

9.00 – 14.00. South Street Square.

Pulborough – Saturday 26th December.

9.00 – 12.00. Village Hall.

Listen to a wintery tale and sing some festive songs around the magical old oak tree. Walk around the woodland, collect natural plant material to create a willow wreath tree decoration to take home and use clay to make a tealight lamp to add sparkle to your Christmas.

Booking essential.

Please ring 01273 497561 or visit www.sussexwt.org.uk

LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Many local towns & villages have late night Christmas shopping events throughout December. From Santa Claus to samba bands, highs streets across West Sussex will come alive for evenings of shopping and sparkles.

Steyning – Wednesday, 9th December, 6pm-9pm Samba band procession, Father Christmas, fairground, carol singers, jugglers, fire eaters, school bands and local musicians, Morris Dancers, local pantomime performers, Farmers’ market, crafts, food and charity stalls, and free mince pies and mulled wine in selected shops.

Storrington – Thursday 3rd December, 5.30pm-8pm The Christmas Tree switch-on is at Place Villeray and will be performed by a local celebrity. Musical groups, small circus type events, and hot food attractions will also be available. Many shops will be welcoming visitors with drinks and snacks.

Henfield – Friday 11th December, 4pm-8pm Musical entertainment outside the Free Church, Father Christmas, charity fund-raising events and stalls, amusements for the children, including fairground rides, hot chestnuts, mulled wine and mince pies in many shops.

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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VillageLiving_1209_3:170 x 240mm 11/11/2009 16:44 Page 1

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9 • trevor sorbie

Trevor Sorbie brings ‘My New Hair’ to Storrington

I

f you’ve ever scrunched your hair to give it a bit of extra oomph, then you’ve probably been influenced by the godfather of modern hairdressing, Trevor Sorbie. Inventor of the iconic ‘wedge’ haircut for Vidal Sassoon and the concept of ‘texturising’ (ask your hairdresser about this one), Trevor Sorbie has been at the top of his game for more than 20 years.

With luxurious salons in Covent Garden, Brighton and recently Manchester and an address book full of celebrity clients, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Trevor might fancy taking things a bit easier these days. Instead, he has been working harder than ever before on a very personal project – founding and developing the charity, My New Hair.

My New Hair helps women going through treatment for cancer cope with their hair loss, providing support and helping them to get a professional wig personalised just for them. The charity also supports women through the difficult period when hair re-grows and may need specialist colouring treatments and styling techniques.

In practical terms the charity trains stylists from around the country in wig-cutting and in how to offer the right emotional support. With over 170

salons already offering the service and a training centre established in partnership with L’Oreal, it’s clear that My New Hair has achieved a lot in a short space of time.

It’s such a simple but brilliant idea that it’s hard to believe someone hasn’t thought of it before.

“No one can say this is not a good idea,” Trevor tells me. “Helping women cope with their hair loss is more than a makeover – it’s psychological medicine.

It gives them back their femininity, their dignity and their confidence.”

Trevor talks from personal experience.

He was approached four years ago by his sister-in-law, who wanted help customising a wig when she was suffering with cancer. The experience affected him so profoundly that he now concentrates exclusively on customising wigs for hair loss sufferers.

“I have found my niche,” he tells me.

“I am lucky enough to be in a position where I can influence others in the industry. I have been to Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE, but the moment when I found out that we had been granted NHS funding to roll out the programme, was a much more important moment for me.”

Julie Wales, owner of Oomoo Organic Hair Salon in Storrington, is the latest recruit to the My New Hair cause, completing her training recently after helping a local cancer sufferer. Oomoo is the perfect home for My New Hair in Sussex. Using all-organic products in a set of discreet rooms above the High Street, the salon is small, relaxing and very carefully thought-out.

“This is one of the most exciting and worthwhile things I have ever done and Trevor has been a true inspiration and support,” says Julie. So passionate is Julie, that she recently organised a fundraising event at Sussex Down Care Homes in Storrington where Trevor was the guest of honour, talking about his passion for the charity and even personalising a wig for a local cancersufferer to demonstrate what a dramatic difference a bespoke wig can make.

The evening raised over £500 and Julie’s new skills are already being put to good use, supporting local hair-loss sufferers.

To find out more about My New Hair or to make a donation, visit www.mynewhair.org or call 01798 812547 for further details.

Visit Oomoo Organic Hair Salon at www.oomoo.biz or call 01903 745616.

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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10 • TrY SOMETHING NEW

Make this beautiful Christmas door bouquet

1. Choose a sturdy evergreen branch, measuring 50-70cm.

We have chosen blue spruce which is long-lasting with a Christmassy scent, but any garden conifer will work well.

Trim the needles from the main stalk.

2. Layer 2-3 smaller branches over the main branch at an angle, to form a bouquet and tie tightly at the bases with green twine. Tip: tie the twine to the bottom branch first.

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3. add a second type of greenery – holly & ivy both work well. Insert stems under green twine and bind again with extra string. You can use a strip of plastic or ribbon to hide any workings later.

5. Wire your decorations to the branches, twisting tightly and trimming off any excess wire.

4. Choose your preferred decorations. You can use anything from dried fruits & cinnamon sticks to Christmas tree decoration. Wire them in preparation using standard green coated wire from any garden centre. Pine cones can be tricky – insert the wire into the cone half way up and bend back on itself, twisting to secure.

6. Form loops of ribbon into a large bow and secure with an extra piece of ribbon, which you can then use to secure the box to the base of the bouquet.

Christmas door bouquet demonstrated by Claire at The Clockhouse Florist, High Street, Steyning.

Wreaths and door decorations can be made to order. Custom arrangements are available from £15 - £40.

Call 01903 813438 to discuss your requirements. www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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13 • HIGH STrEET HErOES

Explore Sandhill Barn

T

he a24 roundabout at Washington might seem an unusual place for a group of craftspeople and small traders to set up home, but pay a quick visit to Sandhill Barn and the nearby traffic seems miles away.

Tucked away down a quiet track, the shops form part of a larger farm property which, in years gone by, was part of the Wiston Estate. Now owned

by Gina Wilmshurst and her husband, Sandhill Farmhouse and the adjacent barn buildings, take their name from the nearby sandpits, used for quarrying building sand until the mid 1960s.

Luckily for me, Gina is a well-known Washington historian and has compiled a meticulous album of historical titbits and official documents relating to the property, which she is planning to pass on to future owners. First mentioned in parish records in 1296, with an entry into the parish ledger noting the sale of eggs to the local vicar, the property was then a working farm.

The 44-acre acre property was bought by the Wiston Estate in 1811 for the princely sum of £2,000. Gina shows me the For Sale poster produced by the original Mr H.J. Burt and tells me that the property didn’t come onto the market again until 1971 when she

and her husband bought the residential building and barns to house their antique business.

Cosy and welcoming today, the farmhouse needed careful restoration and Gina uncovered many oddities in the process, including a collection of children’s shoes found boarded up in a wall, a Sussex tradition thought to bring good luck. Whilst some of the shoes have been given to Storrington Museum, Gina has re-hidden a couple to keep the luck flowing.

Used by the Home Guard and as a billet for Canadian servicemen during the Second World War, the barns have now become home to an eclectic collection of craft shops and specialist retailers. a small outbuilding at the foot of the sloping driveway houses the charming american Folk art shop belonging to Sheila Boreland. Whilst visiting her son in america nearly 10 years ago, Sheila was inspired by the craft shops of New England to fill a suitcase full of shakerstyle painted objects and decorative cloths to take home and sell. She was soon selling everything she could get her hands on at home parties and moved to Sandhill Barn 9 years ago to house her growing stock.

Knowledgeable and chatty, every

The craftspeople and shopkeepers here agree that the slightly slower pace of life allows them to create a more traditional shopping experience and give the kind of personal service you just don’t see very often these days.

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13 • HIGH STrEET HErOES

item in Sheila’s carefully dressed shop has a story to tell. Whilst she regularly imports stock from america whenever she visits, she now commissions several local craftspeople to make carved wooden objects which she paints by hand herself. Her inspiration is the Shaker settlements of New England, and she shows me a range of handmade cloth products and simple country crafts which represent the Shaker ideal of beautiful functionality.

The corner end of the main barn houses the sumptuous interiors and bedding shop, Biju, run by glamorous couple, Martin Huxford and Pam Hare Duke. There is more to the business than meets the eye – this year they are celebrating 10 years of trading online.

With a background in film promotion, Martin’s interest in the newly-emerging internet landed him the contract to build the first ever website for high street bank, HSBC. a speculative acquisition of the domain name, ‘towels.co.uk’ and they were in business.

Pam too was previously involved in the film business, managing art house cinemas, but has enjoyed turning her artistic sensibilities to the acquisition of beautiful gifts, linens and homewares for the shop. The couple clearly have impeccable taste, with luxurious Missoni bathrobes jostling for space next to December 2009 • Village Living

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the softest wool throws and Orla Kiely bedlinen. The showroom is an aladdin’s cave of gorgeously unique items which are shown to great advantage in the rustically chic surroundings of the converted barn. “It’s a great place for us to work,” explains Pam. “When you do most of your business online, you can start to feel a bit isolated from your customers and we really enjoy people dropping in to look for that special something. It’s how shopping used to be.”

Their next door neighbour is traditional picture framer, Nicholas Gentle, who moved to the barns from Steyning High Street nearly two years ago. Nicholas, whose father Basil Gentle, started the framing business in 1950, loves the peaceful location at Sandhill. “We’re a specialist business,” he tells me, “so people will always seek us out, but here I have a community of like-minded people around me and I can concentrate on my work with lovely views to inspire me.”

Was he destined to be a picture framer? “I actually started out as a draughtsman, but picture framing is something I grew up with, so when the opportunity to join my father came along, it seemed like the natural thing to do. My son has no interest in joining me though, so it looks like I’m the last of the Gentle framers.”

From the items on display, it’s clear that Nicholas can frame anything and he tells me that the most unusual thing he’s ever been asked to frame is a complete Caledonian air stewardesses’ uniform, complete with hat and shoes. a specialist fishing tackle shop and Gill Payne’s Curtain Workshop complete the line-up in the main barn. Mark alison and his staff are all keen anglers, often up before dawn for the best catch. “We go out on a little boat at Littlehampton,” they tell me, “but there is loads of amazing freshwater fishing round here. Our favourite is alderwood Ponds, near Steyning. Carp, perch,

tench, roach and rudd – it’s all there.”

Gill’s curtain workshop is a hive of activity. Like Nicholas, she feels that making traditional soft furnishings is becoming something of a lost art.

“People often buy readymade curtains these days or go out and buy a new sofa from Ikea, when for the same cost, they could recover or revive a something they already have.”

There’s certainly a feeling of daysgone-by at Sandhill. The craftspeople and shopkeepers here agree that the slightly slower pace of life allows them to create a more traditional shopping experience and give the kind of personal service you just don’t see very often these days.

Sandhill Barn is located on the A283 just before the Washington roundabout, opposite Toll House Kia.

Massage therapist, Hazel Guthrie, has converted the small building behind the barn in a tranquil studio.

I’ve been here since March and opened the studio in april. I was attracted by the peaceful surroundings. It’s the perfect place for treatments, because my clients really feel like they are getting away from it all.

I offer remedial massage as well as therapeutic massage, which is all about relaxation, as well as organic facials and treatments.

Most of all, I like the feeling of community out here. I often see people picking out a few gifts or dropping in a picture to be framed before they come for their treatment. and sometimes people just pop in to pick up a gift voucher from me too.

I’m really looking forward to Christmas, with the lights twinkling and people stopping by to do some last minute shopping.

Contact Hazel on 07941 520666 or visit www.feelthedifference2day.co.uk

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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  www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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16 • panto

The auditionees are a mixed bag, ranging from tiny tots with no experience to older dancers kitted out in matching dance school leotards

He’s Behind You!

Todd Carty glides into Worthing to star in Cinderella.

Melissa Love popped along to the auditions to see local hopefuls put through their paces...

T

his year’s production of Cinderella at Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre will have a truly local flavour, numbering more than 90 Sussex dancers among the cast. They will be joining former Eastender and The Bill actor, Todd Carty, who stars as Buttons, the Prince’s sidekick who never gets the girl.

Todd is looking forward to playing Buttons and says “It’s nice to play a panto goodie for once because when I played nasty guys in soaps like The Bill and EastEnders they cast me as King Rat or other baddies.”

Todd is now perhaps best known for his hilarious but untimely exit from the Dancing On Ice rink, which saw him shooting off the ice and into the nearby tunnel, winning the hearts of the viewing public. Expect plenty of skatingrelated gags then.

He will be ably supported on stage by local celebrities Anna Bingham from

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Splash FM as the fairy godmother and Dream Team’s Lucinda Kennard as Cinderella.

Swelling the ranks of the chorus will be a troupe of locally-recruited dancers, selected from nearly 200 keen auditionees. On the day I dropped in, the organisers were doing an impressive job of keeping 170 leotard-clad children under perfect control, sending them up in batches of ten to face the judging panel, composed of director, Paul Hammond and choreographer, Emma Rogers.

Perhaps most impressive of all was the juvenile choregrapher, Sabie Rainton, who patiently led the hopefuls through the same one-minute routine, to the tune of Alesha Dixon’s ‘The Boy Does Nothing.’ Having taken part in last year’s panto, Sabie knows what the youngsters are in for.

“It’s very hard work – lots of hours – but a great opportunity. Today we’re

looking for dancers who can pick stuff up quickly, get on the beat and most importantly, keep smiling.”

The auditionees are a mixed bag, ranging from tiny tots with no experience to older dancers kitted out in matching dance school leotards.

Happily, those chosen seem to represent a broad cross-section of the talents on offer and those who miss out are remarkably composed. Unlike the X-Factor, there is not a tear in sight and no pushy parents shouting at the judges.

The old showbiz caution ‘never work with children or animals’ would suggest director, Paul Hammond will have his hands full. Might he secretly be dreading his annual panto run?

“Panto season is my favourite time of year,” he tells me. It’s one of the only opportunities for families to see a live performance and laugh together.”

Win Panto Tickets!

Win a family ticket (four people including at least one child) to Cinderella in Worthing, by answering the following question: What is the name of the character being played by Todd Carty?

Please send your entries to melissa@villageliving.biz or to the address at the front of the magazine. Competition closes 15th December, 2009.

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

1/12/09 13:53:35

Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

Christmas Special

O

ne of the most enjoyable aspects of village life in Sussex is the diversity of independent retailers to be found on our local high streets. Traditional shops, pubs and post offices are the beating heart of many local communities and Christmas is the perfect time to show our appreciation for the small local shopkeepers who are often swimming against the tide of big business and e-commerce.

It’s not too early to make a New Year’s resolution to shop as locally as possible over the festive season. From stockings to stocking-fillers, we’ve picked some of the best Christmas gift ideas we could find in the local area. Don’t forget to mention Village Living when you shop locally – many retailers offer a special discount for Village Living readers.

Wall Bros

CARPETS LAMINATES VINYLS

Providing quality flooring and exceptional service since 1957     

relax

Very competitive prices Same day measure & quote 12 month fitting warrantee Deposit protection scheme Free samples to take home

VISIT OUR LOCAL SHOWROOMS AT High St, Storrington ▪ 01903 744748 Tarring Rd, Worthing ▪ 01903 503638 www.wallbroscarpets.co.uk

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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18 • EaT

All hail to the high street butcher

W

hen it comes to Christmas dinner, I find it almost impossible to choose anything other than local meat for such a special meal. Living at the foot of the South Downs, it’s hard to miss the link between the food we eat and the countryside around us. Thanks to the hard work of farmers across the county, the fields, hedgerows and wildlife of the downland are maintained by their careful stewardship of the land they farm.

In this part of Sussex, we’re lucky to have at least one butcher on most local high streets and nearly all stock good quality cuts from local farms.

Mick roberts, new owner of Steyning’s roberts Butchers talks me through the options.

We start with red meat. Forerib of beef is a great alternative to turkey and it has that lovely marbling of fat which makes it a succulent enough joint for

the Christmas table. according to Mick, all good quality beef joints should be dryaged for at least 21 days.

Poultry isn’t raised on any commercial scale in Sussex, but Mick, like most butchers, has good links with producers in Norfolk who raise all of the popular breeds that people expect at Christmas, from bronze-feathered turkeys to Gressingham ducks.

I ask Mick the difference between the main turkey breeds. “all of the turkeys we sell are good outdoor breeds. The Lincolnshire Whites have mild flavour and fine texture, whereas the Norfolk Blacks and the Bronzes tend to be slightly gamier in flavour. It all depends on what you prefer.”

The roberts’ Butchers speciality is the multi-bird roast where several birds are de-boned and stuffed inside each other to create a layered roasting joint. “You can have whatever birds you want,” says Mick, “I prefer turkey, chicken & duck with stuffing in the middle and streaky bacon on the outside.”

Order your Christmas meat as soon as possible. All good butchers will be happy to take orders over the telephone and talk through your options with you.

Tip 2 ribs will feed 6-8 people & 3 ribs will feed 8-10 people with plenty of leftovers.

Invest in a meat thermometer (£3-5), available from any kitchen supplies shop, which will make sure your beef is done exactly how you want it.

Tip When ordering a whole bird, buy 500-600g per person including the bones or 350g if the bird is boned and rolled.

Private Caterer, Jacqui Hobbs – Expert Tip! “Have a stress free Christmas lunch by planning in advance. Oven too small? Ask your butcher to ‘crown’ your turkey (remove the legs) Braise the legs the day before and then re-heat leaving more time in the oven as the crowned bird will take less time to cook.” Contact Jacqui Hobbs on 07769 617664 or find out more at www.cooking-in.com.

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“Your local butcher not only will supply you with excellent quality meats and poultry at Christmas time but will be able to confirm the source of supply, explain how to store your purchases and most of all give cooking advice.

After Christmas if you throw the Local Butcher out like the Christmas tree until next year, without support during the year, there may not be the availability of a Local Butcher next year!”

Alan Woodward, High Street, Henfield.

Tel 01273492814. www.sausagesupremo.co.uk

“At SK Hutchings, we are graziers as well as butchers, raising a lot of own meat to sell in the shop. We select & butcher the animals ourselves, so you know that the meat is of a very high quality.

Don’t forget to place your order with us in plenty of time for Christmas.”

Shaun Hutchings, SK Hutchings, High Street, Partridge Green.

Tel 01403 710209. www.skhutchings.co.uk www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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20 • DrINK

All I want for Christmas si a polypin!

BeerMatt’s Matt Wright recommends his favourite festive tipples

I

f you have never tried a polypin of real ale then make this Christmas the time to try. Now you can have pub quality local ale in the comfort of your own home. Most local breweries supply polypins and have done so for a long time, so it does work. If you opt for a polypin with sediment, it will give you great tasting ale for 2 weeks, for non sediment 3-4 days if kept cool. The advantage of the non-sediment ale is that you can move it as much as you like and drink it straight away. With sediment polypins you need to leave them to settle for up to 24 hours to ensure a clear drink.

Last Christmas I had a 20L (36 pint) polypin of Hepworth’s Prospect and it went down a treat. as I went for the sediment option it lasted over a week, and would have lasted longer if my friends didn`t help me drink it all.

Top tips to make this Christmas that bit more enjoyable and also support local drinks producers : 1. Plan and Save – Order your polypin of your favourite ale by the 10th Dec and you will save 5% as well as guaranteed delivery for the week commencing the 21st Dec – use voucher code VIL5 in your shopping cart or

Give your pudding a local flavour this year with Adur Brewery’s Black William Stout

Stout Christmas pudding Serves 8-10 (depending on how much turkey you’ve eaten beforehand!)

Ingredients 115g shredded suet 55g self-raising flour 225g soft dark brown sugar 115g fresh breadcrumbs 2tsp mixed spice 525g currants, raisins & sultanas 25g mixed candied peel, chopped 25g whole almonds, blanched (skinned) and chopped 1 cooking apple, peeled, cored and grated grated zest of 1 orange & 1 lemon 2 medium eggs, beaten 30ml rum 150ml stout

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mention this code when you phone the order through.

2. Store – Keep your polypin somewhere cool with a consistent temperature if possible. Ideal conditions are 12-14 degrees C and in a dark place. Under the stairs is the perfect place!

3. Take Away – Have a couple of 4 pint milk containers ready and if you are going out to another event; you can take your ale with you.

4. Back Up – you just don’t know how long it will take you to consume the contents of the polypin. The last thing you want to do is run out of good beer over Christmas and end up drinking something you don’t enjoy, so have a case or two of your favourite bottled ales in a safe place for emergency use.

1. In a large bowl, mix together the suet, flour, sugar, breadcrumbs and spices then stir in the dried fruit, mixed peel, almonds, apple, and orange and lemon zests. Once thoroughly mixed add the beaten eggs, rum and the stout. Leave for a couple of hours (or even overnight) so that the fruit can plump up and the flavours can start to mingle.

2. Butter a 1.2 litre (2 pint) pudding basin and spoon in the pudding mixture, levelling the surface. Take a double sheet of greaseproof paper and place a sheet of foil on top. Grease the underside of the greaseproof paper, fold a 5cm (2”) pleat across the centre so that the pudding has room to rise and place over the pudding basin, greased side down. Tie a long piece of string securely around the rim and then thread one of the ends across the pudding and under the string on the opposite rim and tie it off to form a handle.

3. Now lower the pudding into a steamer insert or onto a trivet or upturned bowl in the base of a pan with enough simmering water to come halfway up the basin – cover and steam gently for 8 hours. To re-heat the pudding, steam for 2 hours (keeping an eye on the water as before) then remove the cover, turn out onto a warm plate and decorate with a sprig of holly.

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

1/12/09 13:53:49

aDVErTOrIaL • 21

These delicious puff pastry bites are the perfect canape to serve this Christmas with a glass of Chapeldown sparkling wine. Why not use one of the many local cheeses we stock at our store in Worthing? Or order your party food from Waitrose Deliver and let us do all the hard work, while you take the credit.

Sussex Yeoman Cheese Straws Ingrediants

Method

200g plain flour

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas 6. Line 2 baking

salt and freshly ground pepper a good pinch of English mustard powder

sheets with baking parchment.

2. Sieve the flour, seasoning and mustard powder into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse

150g cold butter, cubed

breadcrumbs. Add the finely grated cheese. Add 150g Cheddar, grated finely

the egg yolks to the flour mixture and mix to a stiff dough.

2 eggs, separated

3. On a lightly floured board, roll out the dough to a thickness of 5mm. Cut into narrow fingers, about 2 x 10cm. Put on the baking trays. Lightly beat one of the egg whites (you won’t need the other) and brush over the cheese straws. Bake for 7-10 minutes until golden, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Sussex Yeoman cheese - £2.40 for 100g Chapeldown NV Brut - £16.99

Deliver WaitroseDeliver is the online grocery service that brings everything you’ll find in your local Waitrose right to your door.

Your shopping will be picked, packed and delivered with passion by Waitrose Partners – the people who own the business – so you can be sure you get exactly what you want.

Just visit waitrosedeliver.com

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22 • BE MErrY

www.onestopcomputerstore.co.uk Hyde Square, Upper Beeding.

Tel 0190 3816116

Intenso 4GB Pen Drive Was £14.95 Now £10.95 The perfect stocking filler – a high quality 4GB storage device.

Sandhill Barn, Washington.

Tel 01903 891755

www.biju.co.uk

Millefiori Scent Room Diffuser £34.

00

Intenso 4GB MP3 player Was £29.95 Now £24.95 No messy cables, just plug this MP3 player straight into your computer and load it up with your favourite songs. Holds over 1500 tracks.

Millefiori’s Gold Twist diffuser fills your room with exquisite scent – Oxygen or rose Madeleine or in 20 seconds. Made in Italy, Beautifully gift boxed. refills available.

75 aces from £25. acelets & Neckl Jackie Brazil Br Each bracelet is unique with many colours to choose from.

   www.justjane-fashion.co.uk

Just Jane is the perfect place to find Christmas party wear & accessories.

This James Lakeland dress is versatile enough to take you from a Christmas lunch to a big night out.

Open for late night shopping.

available in a choice of 8 colours. Made from stainless steel for everlasting wear and feature coloured enamel in seasonal Pantone colours.

Pantone Cufflinks £38.00

Dems House, Old Mill Lane, Storrington. Tel 01903 744644

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Looking for a perfect gift for an eager first time guitarist whatever their age? Try the fabulous Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster Electric guitar Starter Set complete with a Frontman Amp for only £199.99. Accessories include stereo headphones, an instructional DVD, a chromatic tuner, guitar strap, gig bag, guitar cable and pick sampler – everything you need to stop dreaming and start playing!

Spoil your loved one this Christmas – £3,999.99 Why not spoil someone you love, or even yourself, this Christmas?

The PRS Single Cut Limited 24.5 1957/2008 Charcoal Black Electric Guitar allows players to achieve both vintage and modern sounds through an exquisite instrument. This limited edition comes with a thick mahogany back and maple top and with the revered pickups which players will love.

Electric Guitar Starter Kit £199.99

GJ Guitars Projects 5.qxd

9/11/09

4:56 pm

Page 1

ALL GEARED-UP FOR CHRISTMAS GJs - A Genuine Guitarist’s Emporium Storrington, West Sussex Mon-Fri 10am-6pm/Sat 10am-5pm Tel: 01903 744485 sales@gjsguitars.co.uk

ALSO OPEN ON SUNDAYS THROUGH DECEMBER, 11.00AM TO 4.00PM - EASY PARKING

Great new Fe guitar/bass/ nder packs now in amp and start fromstock only

£199.99!!

and ONLINE!!! re o st in r a e g s a f great Christm Yule find loads o

m o c . s r a t i u g w w w. g j s www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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his dish comes straight from this year’s Christmas menu here at Cromwells. It uses one of my favourite Christmas tipples – mulled wine. Not only can you poach the pear in it, you can drink it. What’s not to like?

I’m lucky enough to have a pear tree in the garden at work but Conference pears work well in this dessert. Don’t be put off making the homemade ice-cream: the only equipment involved is an electric whisk and the freezer.

Mulled Wine Poached Pear with Homemade Spiced Ice-cream

Place all of the wine ingredients in a pan and simmer for about 20 mins to release all of those lovely flavours. allow to cool & keep until you are ready to serve the pears.

To make the ice-cream, place the eggs & sugar in a heat-proof bowl and place the bowl over a pan of hot water off the heat. Whisk together the egg yolks and the caster sugar until the mixture is lighter and thicker and the sugar has dissolved. add the amaretto and fold in the mascarpone. Place in a container in the freezer for at least 10 hours. If you remember, stir it occasionally as it sets to break up any ice crystals.

To serve, carefully peel the pears (cutting lengthways gives a more even finish), leaving the stalks intact. Place the pears in another saucepan and cover with the mulled wine. Poach gently in the wine until the pears are tender – about 30 mins. When cooked, you can either slice a little off the bottom of the pears so that the pear stands up, or you can slice them in half lengthways to reveal the creamy white centre, cutting out the core with a sharp knife or teaspoon.

Please note: the ice-cream recipe uses raw egg yolks which are cooked gently during the whisking process, but pregnant women may wish to substitute a bought ice-cream.

For the Pears Poached in Mulled Wine 1 bottle of red wine 1/4 pint of port a slosh of brandy juice of 4 oranges zest of 2 oranges 10 whole black peppercorns 1 cinnamon stick 5 cloves 4 star anise sugar to taste 2 earl grey tea bags (my secret ingredient!)

For the Ice-Cream 9 egg yolks 8oz caster sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 vanilla pod finely chopped zest of a lemon 1 tablespoon amaretto 500g mascarpone

Recipe courtesy of Cromwells at Golding Barn, Henfield Road, nr Small Dole. Tel 01903 815999 www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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26 • rEaDEr’S rESTaUraNT rEVIEW

Reader Review

Into the Blue

Shoreham Beach ners, Into the Blue ow ui cq Ja & vid Da

F

erry road, on Shoreham Beach, is the ideal location for a restaurant that specialises in fish dishes.

Situated mid-way between Shoreham Harbour and the sea, the marine atmosphere is established before you enter. The exterior is dominated by a conservatory area and on the Friday lunchtime we visited the restaurant, a quick look showed that this was a busy and popular place.

We had already spent an hour deciding what dishes to order from studying the restaurant’s elegant website but there were boards outside offering a choice of daily specials and menus that almost made us change our minds! There is a cool Mediterranean feel to the restaurant as you enter, with wooden floors, Spanish music and local artists’ work displayed on the walls. The main body of the restaurant flanks the cooking area which allows you to watch your food being prepared, which many find reassuring!

The chef, David and his partner, Jacqui, took over the Seafood Experience restaurant in april with the aim of giving it a ‘new lease of life’. reopening as Into the Blue, they specialise in seafood, steaks and tapas using the best and freshest locally sourced ingredients.

While we enjoyed the views we contemplated the extensive collection of dishes on offer. There was a £5 Express Menu which offered a selection of

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We liked the informal, relaxed atmosphere and the ambitious menus at this restaurant. It’s easy to see why it is so popular and developing a reputation among Sussex diners. excellent value-for-money fish and meat dishes. a Fish & Chips menu seemed to be popular with the day’s diners, offering the usual fishy suspects with hand cut chips at near-takeaway prices.

We focused on the main menu which reflects Jacqui and David’s motto: ‘From casual lunches to fine dining.’

Of course, the first task was to choose a suitable wine and the list is very impressive. There is a comprehensive selection of well-chosen European and New World wines.

We decided on the very reasonably priced house white, a Cuvee Jean Paul, which was fruity, crisp and an ideal accompaniment to fish dishes.

The entrees were extensive, from fresh shellfish to tapas and vegetarian

stuffed peppers. We settled on garlic bread and marinated olives followed by mini Thai fishcakes for me and calamari for my wife. The Fishcakes were spicy and delicious while the calamaris were cooked beautifully –tender with a hint of spice and garlic. again, we felt spoilt for choice with the main menu but settled on one of the ‘shared platters’ of lobster, crab, smoked salmon, oysters, crab, tiger prawns, scallops & mussels.

So we spent a leisurely lunch time sampling the Fruits de Mer. We were impressed with the variety of this dish and its simple tastiness. It was fun to enjoy a meal like this in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We couldn’t even think about a desert but the menu

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offers ice cream, sorbets, cheesecakes, banoffee pie and Eton Mess! after the meal, David told us that he wants to further establish Into the Blue’s reputation over the next year. They have enjoyed a ‘fabulous’ summer, he says. His favourite summer memory is of cooking twenty-two different tapas dishes for a single table one lunchtime! He and Jacqui are also offering a takeaway service and special Sunday lunches with fish and meat roasts.

He has been cooking for twenty years and loves the restaurant’s location on the beach. He feels it is a very special place. We liked the informal, relaxed atmosphere and the ambitious menus at this restaurant. It’s easy to see why it is so popular and developing a reputation among Sussex diners.

Dennis Muchmore is a researcher who has lived in Steyning for twenty-five years. He is married with two children. He is a published poet and songwriter and has contributed to the Independent, Private Eye and

3

Newsbiscuit. He enjoys travelling and the opportunities it gives to sample food from other cultures (sometimes).

Be our food reviewer & eat for free!

In 50 words or less, write and tell us why you could be our Michael Winner. Send your entries to info@villageliving.biz or to the address at the front of the magazine.

OF THE BEST… RESTAURANTS TO EAT FISH Bryce’s Seafood Brasserie The Steyne, Worthing.

Tel 01903 214317

The Fox Inn, Bucks Green, Rudgwick.

Tel 01403 822 386 Owned and run by Simon & Erika Godsland, The Fox is a beautiful early 16th century inn, surrounded by spacious attractive gardens. Specialising in fish & seafood, the pub has gained a strong following, serving up generous portions of super-fresh shellfish and south coast fish dishes.

Bryce’s Seafood restaurant has become a Worthing institution with fans travelling from all over Sussex to sample its fresh fish and seafood dishes. Those in the know also recommend Bryce’s in Ockley, Surrey, which serves up fresh fish in the village’s charming old school house building.

Fishy Fishy, East Street, Brighton. Tel 01273 723750 a new Brighton brasserie dedicated to local, sustainable fish and seafood at affordable prices. Buzzy and informal, the restaurant has been busy since it opened its doors, possibly due in part to celebrity co-owner Dermot O’Leary.

Luckily this new eaterie delivers high quality dishes with great service.

  

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The Sussex Produce Company 50 High Street Steyning BN44 3RD 01903 815045 www.thesussexproducecompany.co.uk nick@thesussexproducecompany.co.uk Voted Sussex Food Shop of the Year

Christmas Orders now being taken Free local home delivery Phone, email or pop in for details

Christmas Opening Times Mon 21 Dec Tue 22 Dec Wed 23 Dec Thu 24 Dec Fri 25 Dec Sat 26 Dec Sun 27 Dec Mon 28 Dec Tue 29 Dec Wed 30 Dec Thu 31 Dec Fri 1 Jan Sat 2 Jan Sun 3 Jan Mon 4 Jan

8am -5.30pm 8am - 5.30pm 8am - 5.30pm 8am - 3pm CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 8.30am - 4pm 8.30am - 4pm 8.30am - 4pm CLOSED 8am - 4pm CLOSED Normal opening resumes

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ne i l d ea 09 0 D 2 r r e Ord cembe e h 9t D

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29 • SUSSEX IN SEaSON

Green Christmas Tree Nick Hempleman Owner of The Sussex Produce Company, award winning produce store in Steyning, West Sussex.

“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree how loyal are your leaves” Opening two lines of the German Christmas carol ‘Tannenbaum’

N

othing embodies Christmas for me than a real Christmas tree.

The deliberations; choosing a tree that is perfectly bushy with no bare bits; lugging it home and then setting it up (repositioning crucial baubles when your other half isn’t looking), and then seeing it sparkle in the firelight while it fills the room with that soft smell of pine and resin.

Like many Christmas ‘traditions’, the Christmas tree is a relative newcomer, taking off in Britain as the public imagination was captured by the imagery of Queen Victoria’s family Christmas.

In recent times the artificial Christmas tree has soared in popularity. Originally introduced by an american company who made toilet brushes who were looking for something to do with the off cuts, the artificial tree has seen sales almost triple in the last seven years.

Getting a real Christmas tree to your door however, is estimated to produce only a quarter of the carbon emissions compared to importing an artificial tree

“Trees shed their needlelike leaves for the same reasons that cut flowers lose their petals; usually because they were cut some time ago.” from China. In addition real trees can be chipped or composted after use and another tree will be planted soon after your one has been cut.

Many people turned to artificial trees because they were fed up with trees that dropped their needles, but as local Christmas tree grower robin Golds explains, this is completely avoidable.

“Trees shed their needle-like leaves for the same reasons that cut flowers lose their petals; usually because they were cut some time ago.”

Most ‘real’ Christmas trees sold in Britain come from Scandanavia, mostly

Denmark, and because they are shipped in such huge quantities, they have to be cut many weeks before Christmas. To survive such a long time, special ‘non drop’ varieties were grown but robin Golds believes that these would be totally unnecessary if they were just a bit fresher. ‘Buy a local Christmas tree, try and keep it moist and it will last quite nicely without dropping any of its needles’ he says. Just like the Christmas carol!

The Sussex Produce Company offers free deliveries on all its Christmas trees and they can be cut to order or sold still with their roots on. Sizes start from just 2ft so they are perfect if you are short of space.

Alternatively you could go and cut or dig your own tree. Vicki and Derek Crush at Daylands Farm, Ashurst, welcome people onto their farm ever Sunday morning through December to pick their own. Give them a call to check availability and price (01403) 711057.

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 29

Village Living • December 2009

1/12/09 13:54:11

Eat, drink and be merry.

Whether it’s a festive lunch with friends or a fun filled Christmas party with colleagues, the 16th Century country house charm of Ghyll Manor, nestled in the heart of the Sussex countryside is the perfect Christmas treat.

Christmas Party Nights

Festive Fine Dining

Allow us to host your Christmas celebrations with friends or colleagues and we promise you’ll have a night to remember. Join one of our regular party nights, 70s disco wonderland or have your very own night.

Whether you’re celebrating with friends, family or business associates, come to Ghyll Manor and enjoy an exquisite seasonal three course lunch or dinner this December.

Whats included: (Prices from £25 per person) • 3 course dinner* • Decorated tables • Christmas treats • Disco

Whats on offer: • Lunch* • Dinner* • Festive afternoon tea • Royal festive afternoon tea with champagne

£23.50 £32.50 £15.00 £20.00

For further details of party nights and festive fine dining please visit ghyllmanor.co.uk/whatson/festive *Meals based on 3 courses, alcohol not included unless stated. Private dining rooms available.

Ghyll Manor Hotel & Restaurant, High Street, Rusper, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 4PX



To book or find out more, call 0845 345 3426 or visit ghyllmanor.co.uk

0605 Ghyll Christmas 7.indd 30 1 Village Living 3 32ppAd AW.indd

17/11/09 1/12/09 16:44:57 13:54:13

44:57

31 • DrINK LOCaL

Adur Brewery

I

t’s only 10 o’clock in the morning and BeerMatt and I are already on the ale.

We’ve come to visit one of Sussex’s smallest artisan brewers, adur Brewery, in Steyning.

Owner andy Dwelly, started brewing at home in 2005 and readily admits that the brewery is really a hobby that has got completely out of hand. His first big brew took place in November 2007, producing 1300 pints of Merry andrew, adur’s most popular beer.

The range has grown to 5 beers over the last 2 years to incorporate a dark stout and a Belgian abbey-style ale as well. Brewing over 800 litres of beer every week, the brewery is now much more than just a hobby.

Still, it’s a far cry from some of the large brewing operations Matt and I have visited recently. Everything is done by hand, including bottling and labelling. Where possible, the hops and barley are sourced locally. andy is particularly pleased to have commissioned some barley to be grown for him in Findon this year.

Everything is done by hand, including bottling and labelling, where possible, the hops and barley are sourced locally.

“The beers we make are truly a product of the Sussex countryside around us. Even the water we use has a certain purity. With the help of Southern Water, we’ve identified that our water source runs through a green sand bed under the West Chiltington hills and it’s perfect for making beer.” all of the beers made by adur Brewery are bottle-conditioned ales, which means the beer ferments in the

bottle just as real ale ferments in a cask.

I’ve decided I can only face tasting one beer this morning as the sun really couldn’t be considered to be near any kind of yardarm, so we settle on the perfect Christmas drink, Black William Stout. a dark, creamy ale with 5% alcohol, it reminds me of Guinness but with warmer chocolate notes which come from the high proportion of roasted malts.

See Page 21 for our Stout Christmas Pudding recipe.

Adur Brewery ales are available from www.beermatt.co.uk as well as selected branches of Threshers and a variety of independent retails. Visit www.adurbrewery.com for further details or call 01273 467527.

Beer For A Year!

Hepworth’s will be keeping the readers of Village Living in beer for a year. A different winner each month will win a case of 12 Hepworth’s ales. To be in with a chance just answer the following question: What is the name of Adur Brewery’s Belgian abbey-style ale?

Send answers to info@villageliving.biz or to the address at the front of the magazine for your chance to win. Closing date 31st December, 2009.

  Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 31

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32 • local advertising

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Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 32

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1/12/09 13:54:25

H R

F

33 • GarDENING

Evergreens For Autumn... & Christmas

W

ith winter fast approaching many of our traditional trees and shrubs are looking decidedly bare, the last flames of autumn colour are fast receeding on falling leaves. But despair not, waiting in the wings is a host of choice hardy evergreens ready to lift your spirits on a cold grey day. among them, one of my favourites is the strawberry tree, arbutus Unedo, a native of South West Ireland and parts of mainland Europe. Somewhat misnamed a ‘tree’, it rarely grows larger than a medium sized shrub making a broad spreading oval shaped plant covered in dense dark green leaves on branches, which when young, are often a deep red colour. It is particularly outstanding at this time of the year by being one of the few plants both in flower and having ripe fruits at the same time.

The delicate white flowers hang like

tiny bells in clusters amongst the leaves.

Though not strongly fragrant, they are rich in nectar attracting late flying butterflies such as red admirals and Peacocks not to mention honey bees enjoying a free lunch in readiness for their long winter sleep.

The fruits, which take a year to ripen, hang on short stalks looking like Christmas decorations. They are perfectly round, a mixture of pale green, yellow, orange and red and have a rough dimpled surface looking a bit like hanging strawberries. Unfortunately they are not quite as tasty, the Latin word unedo means ‘only eat one’, though I’m told they can be made into a quite acceptable jam. In Portugal where they are a common plant on craggy hillsides they are made into a strong alcoholic beverage called ‘argardente de Medranho’. If you don’t fancy home brewing or jam making, the local wildlife will appreciate eating

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Friendly, expert advice Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 33

the ripe fruits as they fall to the ground providing a welcome source of energy to thrushes and blackbirds.

To help your plants look their best during the coming months I recommend when weather allows, venture into the garden and sweep up as many fallen leaves as possible from paths and especially lawns. Don’t discard the leaves, if you have one, add them to the compost heap or if you haven’t room, keep a few in sealed large bags or sacks and in a year you will have wonderful rich compost which can then be added as a mulch around the base of your precious plants. Not only will this protect the roots from winter cold as the compost breaks down it releases essential nutrients, feeding your plants. It also helps retain moisture during drier months to come, helps suppress weeds and best of all looks smart whilst keeping you fit from all that raking.

www.bigplantnursery.co.uk

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

Village Living • December 2009

1/12/09 13:54:28

34 • local advertising

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Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 34

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www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

1/12/09 13:54:30

Talk

35 • TaLK MONEY

Talk Money Claire Cook

from independent mortgage and financial advisers Talk Money, gives essential advice...

Need a mortgage? Be prepared

I

f you are looking for a mortgage, then be prepared. The credit crunch has forced lenders to tighten up their act when assessing new borrowers, so it is imperative your adviser has the right facts when assessing which lender is right for you. You can play a bit part in making your application smooth and trouble free, simply by having all of the correct information and paperwork to hand.

It used to be that you could apply for a mortgage and as long as you had a good credit score the lender would ask for nothing further, but things have changed. Not only are mortgages harder to come by, the lender will normally ask for further paperwork to prove that you are a worthy borrower.

The process If you see an independent adviser, they will recommend the right type of rate for your situation, ie fixed or variable. They will then recommend the right lender for

you in terms of lending policy and rate.

Bear in mind that your adviser will be dealing with all the different lenders, so they will know the service standards and any lending policy quirks which could affect your application.

Your adviser will normally submit your case online, this ensures that your case is immediately with the lender. Your case will then be passed to an underwriter.

They will assess your file and decide what is needed in terms of paperwork from you.

Most lenders now need the following items, so be prepared. If you are employed, dig out your payslips, especially if you need to prove any bonus or overtime. Self employed people should have their net profit figures ready, normally lenders will require the last three years’. Your last one to three months Bank statements are often required. If you have buy to let properties, often tenancy agreements are needed. You should also bring your Passport or Driving Licence and a recent utility bill or bank statement showing your name and where you live.

No adviser can do a mortgage for you without checking these items. One other thing, make sure you are registered on the Voters roll, this is a requirement of most, if not all lenders.

In Summary Your adviser needs correct and accurate information to get the best deal for you. It is always best if they can send your paperwork to the lender in one go.

Sending up bits at a time can increase the chance of some going missing, or waiting several turnaround times instead of just one. Being prepared can seriously reduce your stress levels when applying for a mortgage and get you a quick and hassle free offer.

If you need advice on a mortgage or any other financial issue, for independent advice and a free initial consultation call me Claire Cook on 01273 224667. I would be very happy to assist.

Top Tip: Many lenders are asking for bank statements which tell a lot about your lifestyle and spending habits, so if you think you might want a mortgage soon, be aware.

Also, most don’t mind you being in overdraft, but if you exceed the limit this could cause real problems.

Buy to let mortgages are not regulated by the Finanicial Services authority. Talk Money is a trading style of Best Practice IFa Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. If you prefer to pay a fee for advice this option is available, the exact amount of the fee will depend on circumstances but we estimate it will be 0.5% of the loan amount. Where a rate is quoted the rate will depend on individual circumstances and not all borrowers will qualify for acceptance of the loan (or similar).Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Independent Financial Advice for an Independent You For a free initial mortgage health check talk to us on 01403 330822

Mortgages Investments Pensions Insurance

e info@talkmoney.co.uk w www.talkmoney.co.uk

Talk Money Limited is trading style of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd, which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority. If you prefer to pay a fee for advice this option is available, the exact amount of the fee will depend on circumstances but we estimate it will be 0.5% of the loan amount. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Village Living Ad 3 32pp AW.indd Talk Money (Village Living)35 0909.indd 1

1/12/09 13:54:31 08/10/2009 15:18

Chalcraft Funeral Directors circa 1870

Long established & family owned business, dedicated to making traditional funeral services as personal & special to you as possible . . .

Chequers Yard High Street Steyning 01903 812656 info@chalcraftfunerals.co.uk www.chalcraftfunerals.co.uk Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 36

1/12/09 13:54:32

37 • MIND & BODY

Mind & Body Chris Jones Cognitive Therapist and Mind Coach, Southdowns Hypnotherapy

Why suffer a phobia?

T

here are over 400 registered phobias; ranging from the commonly-known, ‘agoraphobia’, to the more bizarre, such as ‘Panaphobia’ – fear of everything, or ‘Oenophobia’ – fear of wine. To sufferers of these conditions, the fear is real and can often adversely affect everyday life.

I am often surprised at what people endure rather than take action to get rid of a phobia. For example, I read on a website forum about a woman, in her 50s, who would never have children because of an ongoing phobia about sickness. She simply could not bear the thought of having morning sickness when pregnant. Just how sad is that?

Many individuals have their lifestyle badly affected by their phobia, which can also restrict their ability to do everyday tasks. Friends and family often tell them to “snap out of it”. This works wonders for the self-esteem, as you can imagine, and does nothing to help eliminate the phobia.

There are three main reasons why phobias occur. The most common reason is a traumatic event, usually suffered in childhood, involving the subject of the phobia. a strong link is formed and maintained between the areas of the brain associated with the

emotion of fear and the memory itself, so that when an event, with similarities to the original occurs, the same response results.

The second cause is when the sufferer has a traumatic event when in the process of doing something, which as a result, becomes associated with it. For example, a person who hears some traumatic news, while in a car, may experience a panic attack and then develop a phobia about motoring.

The third category is an inherited phobia. If Mum has a phobia about say, spiders, and the child sees her reaction to any spider encountered, then a child may also acquire that phobia.

In many instances the elimination of the phobia can be immediate. a friend of mine, had a phobia about snakes and anything that crawls, including worms. Within an hour of treatment, he was able to go out into the garden and handle a worm; something he had previously been unable to do.

Chris is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner and Sports Performance Mind Coach.

He became involved with mind techniques while practicing martial arts in his younger days.

He subsequently became interested in the concept of using them to help people and found that Hypnotherapy provided the ideal tools for this work. He is based in Storrington, where he works alongside his wife, Cathy (also a Hypnotherapist), who specialises in weight-loss.

For more information on this topic, visit: www.chrisjones.uk.com or contact him on 01903 745606.

Chris Jones

Treatment of

DipChyp, HPD, NLP, MNCH

 phobias  weight & eating disorders

Cognitive Hypnotherapy & Sports Performance Mind Coaching

 anxiety & stress  compulsions & addictions  performance enhancement  healing & pain management

01903 745606 or 07740 085101 www.chrisjones.uk.com Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 37

1/12/09 13:54:33

pd kitchens

all the ingredients for a perfect kitchen

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Beautiful designs at sensible prices Exceptional & friendly service Hundreds of styles to choose from On-site workshop & craftsmen Free design service Free carparking

Oakhurst Business Park, Southwater, Horsham RH13 9RT telephone 01403 732259 ▪www.pdkitchens.co.uk

Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 38

1/12/09 13:54:34

EE

G IN K R PA FR

Computer repairs & Printer ink

e v ic ” r e e r s dvic e g m a in sto lent ompt u t c xcel ill, S a re e n h “G and .Thor K

Wow!

A computer shop IN

Upper Beeding!

NEW DESKTOP PCS AND LAPTOPS IN-STOCK

From

£199 One Stop Computer Store 6 Hyde Square Upper Beeding Steyning West Sussex BN44 3JE

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Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 39

1/12/09 13:54:35

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Village Living 3 32pp AW.indd 40

1/12/09 13:54:35