Village Tweet - March 2020 by Village Tweet

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@VillageTweet

www.villagetweet.co.uk

March 2020

CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL BUSINESS Billingshurst • Barns Green • Five Oaks • Ifold • Kirdford • Loxwood • Plaistow • Slinfold • Wisborough Green

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Contents

nless you live in a bubble it cannot have escaped your notice that Billingshurst is rapidly growing, with hundreds more homes in the RH14 postcode area than just a couple of years ago, and it’s still growing. With increased infrastructure also planned this represents a period of great change for the village. If you currently advertise in Village Tweet this growth means your ad reaches even more potential customers and is better value than ever. And, if you have recently moved into one of the aforementioned new properties, welcome to Billingshurst. If you run a local business, the magazine you are now reading reaches 9000 homes in and around Billingshurst. Check out our Rate Card on our website and give us a call today to see how we can help promote your business. Grahame Cover: ‘How about a nice photo to show spring is here?’ Mrs VT said. ‘Yep, we can do that…’ Food & drink Recipe: Beef stew in Guinness . Onslow Arms pub . . . . . . . . . . . The Kings Head pub . . . . . . . . . Billingshurst Wine & Beer Circle Hepworth Brewery . . . . . . . . . . .

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Health & wellbeing Holly Stone, Hypnotherapist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Park & Brown, opticians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Billingshurst Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Katherine Finn, Hyphotherapist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 The Natural Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 The Village Homecare Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Louise Sloan Opticians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 PilatesWise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Rebecca Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Bluecoat Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBC About the house Fowlers, Estate Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AK Forrester, domestic gas engineer . . . Flow-Serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating Heath Windows Ltd (Southern) . . . . . . . . Paul Nelson Painting & Decorating . . . . . Re-Nu Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JC Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jef Wilson Painting & Decorating . . . . . . GB Glazing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N Francis Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norsat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Odd Job People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alba Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Clohessey Painting & Decorating . Biji Property Services Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . Evans Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MW Wingate Painting & Decorating . . . . Apex Aerials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hamilton Cole, TV & Satellite Equipment Oven Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oven Cleaning Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AC Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Best Choice Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goring Road Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GJ Coles, Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ovens & More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cadiss, Bathrooms & Kitchens . . . . . . . . Delta Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DM Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sussex Carpet Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning . . . . . . . . . MPS Home Improvements Ltd . . . . . . . . 1A Acclaim Floor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee’s Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PJM, Building & Property Maintenance .

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Features Saints’ Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Miranda Rijks, short story: Slinfold’s Bell . . . . . . . .22 A Good Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Ellen Bale: Injustices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Spaniel Diaries by Jeannette Douglas . . . . . . . . . .44 Little Tweeters! Renegades: Chinese New Year . . . . . . . . Yvonne Fleece: Superdog . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weald School: Book Awards . . . . . . . . . . . Weald School: Learning Resource Centre Kids Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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COPY DATE FOR APRIL ISSUE: 6th MARCH Published by A272 Design, PO Box 371, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 4AS

Editorial and Advertising: Grahame Pearson 07762 767084 editor@villagetweet.co.uk Website Design: Stephen Pearson

www.villagetweet.co.uk Printed by: The Lavenham Press, Suffolk Disclaimer: All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith. However, A272 Design cannot take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. © No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

Garden Tweet! DW Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden View: An annual fiesta . . . . . . . JMB Gardening Services . . . . . . . . . . . REM Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bygone Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery . . . . . . . . Village Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rotary Club Community Gardening Day West Chiltington Floral Club . . . . . . . . .

The paper used for Village Tweet has been responsibly sourced . . . . . . . . .

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Miscellaneous Professional Services & Businesses Jim Hills Sports Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Flackwoods Solicitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Seasons Art Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Arrow Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Dandelion Farewells, Funerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Barking Mad Pet Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Daisy’s Dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Pest Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Rudgwick Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 NFP Forestry, logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 A/c’s Direct, Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Community/Out & About/Farming/Smallholding Billingshurst Cricket Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Billingshurst Tennis Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Billingshurst Fire Station: Charity Car Wash . . . . . .10 Ansells Vintage Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Rotary Club: Car Boot Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Macmillan: Chris’ Christmas lights raise £508 . . . .12 Royal British Legion: Poppy Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Community Minibus (Billingshurst) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 St Mary’s Church: Spring Delights . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Horsham District Council: Parking discs . . . . . . . . .14 St Catherine’s Hospice: Midnight Walk . . . . . . . . . .15 Horsham District Council: Local Plan . . . . . . . . . . .16 Billingshurst Choral Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Harvest Home, folk music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Age UK: Strictly Vintage dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Billingshurst Community Transport: Recruiting . . . .23 Kelsey Hall: Quiz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Wey & Arun Canal Trust: New Guide Book . . . . . .24 Keep Kirdford & Wis’ Green: Broadford Bridge . . . .25 Billingshurst Parish Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-29 St Catherine’s Hospice: Student Volunteer . . . . . . .30 Horsham Museum & Gallery: Causeway House . . .34 Caroline Gibbs: Ometepe update talk . . . . . . . . . . .35 Loxwood Village Fête: call for help . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 B’hurst Community Partnership: Looking ahead . . .39 John Nash’s Column: Treasure trove? . . . . . . . . . .40 Missing cat: Bertie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Horsham Museum & Gallery: Major Abbey . . . . . . .43 Rotary Club Talk: Spellbound in Darkness . . . . . . .43 Junktique Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Motoring and Private Hire Macs Private Hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre Petworth MOT Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-Team Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lintott Auto Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sussex Towing Brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Games and quizzes Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 8 Spot the Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49, 51 Last But Not Least What’s On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52-55 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

70 % SO LD

GNOME SWEET GNOME A HOME FOR ALL, LARGE OR SMALL. Hammond’s Mill is an exciting development of 52 new homes in the village of Billingshurst, West Sussex. Choose your new property from either the 3, 4 & 5 bedroom Farmhouse Collection or the 2, 3 & 4 bedroom Village Collection – there’s something to suit everyone.

Marketing Suite Telephone: 07522 442374 Showhome Open Thurs to Mon ~ 10am-4pm Selling Agents: Fowlers Estate Agents, 74 High Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9QS

Call: 01403 786 787 Email: billingshurst@fowlersonline.co.uk

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d he s is ar bl ta ye Es

Jim Hills Sports Warehouse

Competing with online prices!

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Sport

Game, Set and Match to Billingshurst Tennis Club: Tennis Sussex Club of the Year Award 2019

ennis Sussex held their annual awards event on 2nd February at the Amex Stadium in Brighton. Richard Cordy, Chairman of Billingshurst Tennis Club, was proud and delighted, to receive the prestigious Club of the Year Award from Lesley Bull, Marketing Manager, RT Williams Insurance Brokers who generously sponsored the event again this year. Richard explained, “It’s always a tough category but the club successfully saw off a strong field of six other Sussex clubs in the running.” Billingshurst Tennis Club was nominated for the award by its many members who range from the enthusiastic and successful juniors through to the loyal and experienced seniors. In particular, the judges were impressed with the incredible progress the club has made over the last few years. The club now boasts a modern clubhouse, four outdoor courts, all with floodlighting upgraded to the highest specification LED technology and two with the latest artificial clay surface enabling play all year round. Members have access to some of the best

tennis coaches in the county and lots of social tennis activities for all ages and abilities. Richard Cordy continued, “These Award Plaques will have pride of place in our clubhouse, for all our members too see, in recognition of what the club has achieved and we always welcome new members so what better time to be a part of the Tennis Sussex Club of the Year! “Membership is great value and one of the courts is available for public booking. Visitors are welcome to try out the great facilities for themselves.” To find out more visit the following websites: Billingshurst Tennis Club https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/billingshursttennisclub R. T. Williams Insurance Brokers www.rtwwilliams.co.uk Richard Cordy, Chair, Billingshurst Tennis Club Photo: Richard Cordy, Chair of Billingshurst Tennis Club with Lesley Bull, Marketing Manager of RT Williams, Sponsors of Tennis Sussex Club of the Year Award, 2nd February, Amex Stadium, Brighton

Youngsters Lead The Way

espite the lack of cricketing weather both adult and youth training is well underway for the forthcoming season at Billingshurst Cricket Club. The club runs three adult league teams on a Saturday, a Sunday side, and four youth ‘Colt’ teams. Of particular note this season is the role the younger players will play in the club’s fortunes. The 1st XI will compete in Division 2 of the Sussex league, the standard is high, and so it’ll be encouraging to see three or four local young players cement their place in the team alongside existing players who made the same progression a number of years ago. The 2nd XI continues to offer 40 over league cricket to a very respectable standard and many of the fixtures see the side visit very local clubs to rejoin friendly rivalries and perhaps share a beer or two at the end of the day’s play! The emphasis within the 3rd XI is very much on enjoyment and an introduction to league cricket for the club’s younger players. The team has a group of youngsters who are showing real ability in the game and who will embark on their second season of adult cricket. Following a very successful fixture programme last season the Sunday side will include members who are

unable to play on a Saturday, club Colts, as well as other players from the 1st, 2nd or 3rd teams. Last season saw senior 1st team players assisting and coaching the club’s youngest players during Sunday fixtures and the side hopes to build on this ethos again this year. The youth section will field four teams in local leagues this year. Under 9s, 10s, 12s and 14s will be represented as Colt numbers continue to increase. For the first time, dedicated training sessions for school age cricketers take place on Sunday afternoons at the Weald School. Sessions are divided into two-hourly time slots. The first for Year 4 and 5 children, the second for Years 6, 7, 8 & 9. For further details on these sessions or any enquiries relating to youth/Colt cricket please contact Clive on cliveheyward@whsmithnet.co.uk. Adult training sessions continue during the winter at Christ’s Hospital at 8.30 on Tuesday evenings. The club always welcomes new players, members and supporters. For further details please contact the club at billingshurstcc@ gmail.com or Richard via text on 07887 603458. Richard Bown Photo: 2nd XI batting stalwart Guy Hollander finds the boundary once more during the Jim Burroughs’ hosted President’s Day

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Coffee break / Legal services

Village Tweet Quick Crossword

Solution on page 8

ART CLASS STARTS SOON

CALL NEW N OW F OR I C O U R NF OR S E MATI ON

NEW C O

URSE! We a r e enquirie now taking next A s for our rt This fu Classes. n cour se is a great w new fr ay to meet ie develo nds and p Please new skills. call no fo w r a c ha t.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS WILL LOVE THIS COURSE! GREAT NEWS for all our readers looking for something fun to do over the next few months! Our current class is full but we are now taking enquiries for our next part-time Art Class, which starts soon. The classes are held once a week for three hours.

interesting. Over the course we will explore four different media; pencil drawing & sketching, oil pastel painting and techniques, painting and blending with water colours and acrylics. Step by step tuition in the basic techniques and secrets needed to create beautiful pieces of art.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS - JUST LIKE YOU! STILL LIFE TO LANDSCAPES The course is designed to be fun for absolute beginners who have never picked up a brush before through to Improvers.

By the end of the course, students have created a minimum of 8 pieces of their very own original art they can enjoy forever, from simple still life and flower studies to beautiful STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE We adapt to each student’s needs countryside landscape scenes. and give them all the guidance YOUNG AT HEART and help they need to develop This course is a brilliant way to their artistic skills. The curriculum learn new skills you will be able is fun, comprehensive and to enjoy forever. It is also a great

S NEW LAS C ART

way of meeting new friends and to have a fun experience you will always remember and cherish! It is open to adults of all ages.

MEET NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS This part time course is over 3 months, so will give you plenty of time to master your new hobby.

LIMITED PLACES To maintain a high standard to our classes and the tuition you will receive, classes are kept to small numbers – so places available are limited! We recommend that if you are interested you call us now for details. For information on dates, course fees and bookings, call now on

01256 810 933

Bring out your inner artist BEGINNERS TO INTERMEDIATES

SA0373 17

01256 810 933 Holbrook Tythe Barn, Horsham Limited Spaces - Call now for details

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Food and drink / Private hire

Beef Stew with Guinness & Dumplings

A hearty supper for St Patrick’s Day

Preparation time: 20 minutes. Serves 4-6. Cooking time: 3 hours

METHOD

1. Heat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/Gas 2. 2. Heat a little of the oil in a large oven-proof pan. 3. Lightly flour the pieces of braising steak and fry in small batches until well browned. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate. 4. Add the onions to the pan and fry on a fairly high heat until they soften and tinge brown at the edges. 5. Pour the Guinness into the pan, letting it bubble up, then return the meat to the pan along with the thyme. Cover the pan and transfer to the oven for 2-2½ hours or until tender. The sauce will sweeten and thicken. 6. Make the dumplings (towards the end of the cooking time by mixing the grated butter or suet, flour, onion and thyme together and season well. 7. Gradually add water to the dry ingredients until you have a soft dough. Divide into 12 balls. Place the dumplings on top of the casserole and return it to the oven, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Serve with shredded Savoy cabbage.

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INGREDIENTS

For the stew 2 tbsp oil 1kg braising steak, cut into large pieces 2 tbsp plain flour, well seasoned 3 onions, sliced 500ml Guinness 2 sprigs thyme For the dumplings 75g butter, frozen and grated, or 75g suet 150g self-raising flour 1 small onion, grated 2 sprigs of thyme, leaves stripped and chopped Water for mixing

Village Tweet Quick Crossword Solution Puzzle on page 6 Across: 1, DISARM. 4, COSMIC. 9, BULLDOG. 10, BORED. 11, LOYAL. 12, ON TRIAL. 13, PENGUIN SUIT. 18, NAIROBI. 20 ANGEL. 22, ROOST. 23, UMBRAGE. 24, POETRY. 5 EXHALE. Down: 1, DABBLE. 2, SILLY. 3, RED FLAG. 5, ORBIT. 6, MARTINI. 7, CUDDLE. 8, IGNOMINOUS. 14, EPITOME. 15, SOAPBOX. 16, ENTRAP. 17, FLEECE. 19, OUTER. 21, GUAVA.

Food and drink / Out and about Voted

West Sussex Pub of the Year 2019

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THE KINGS HEAD North Sussex

CAMRA PUB OF THE MONTH June 2017

RESTAURANT OPEN WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

LIVE MUSIC IN MARCH Saturday 7th: The Alice Band, Saturday 14th: Ministry of Anthems, Saturday 21st: DJ Retro, Saturday 28th: The Radiators KingsHead Billingshurst

@kingsheadbhurst

40 High Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9NY Tel: (01403) 782012 Mon-Fri & Sun: 11am-11pm. Sat: 11am-12 midnight

Popping the cork on 2020

ur 2020 programme started with a talk and tasting by Colin Nicholson from Hennings Wine Merchants of Pulborough. Colin has entertained us for many years with his expert knowledge of different wine grapes and their countries of origin. The meeting in January entitled A World Tour, featured a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, a South African Chenin Viognier, a Californian Viognier, an Italian Frappato, a French Merlot and an Australian Grenache. Our evenings this year include outside speakers, some in-house organisers, all wine related, and an annual beer evening featuring a local brewery. Interested in wine ? The Wine Circle meets on the second Friday of each month (excluding August) at St Gabriel’s hall. Tony White, Secretary Photo: Colin Nicholson of Hennings with Chairperson Linda

Mad Mad March March Hare Hare Ale Ale 6th MARCH TAP ROOM at the Brewery

Live music with Charlie Austen hot food available our new Mad March Hare Ale from 5.30-9.30

Alc 4.5% Vol

Hepworth & Company Stane Street, Brinsbury, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1DJ tel: 01403 269696 | email: mail@hepworthbrewery.co.uk | www.hepworthbrewery.co.uk

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Fire Station / Out and about

Support your fire-fighters: charity car wash

ith spring only round the corner, we will hopefully see some better weather for our Charity Car Wash Day on Saturday 21st March. This event will take place from 10am-2pm, at the rear of Billingshurst Fire Station. The purpose of these events which is nationwide, is to raise money for The Firefighters Charity. This charity looks after Firefighters and their families for many different reasons, such as injury, mental health & social wellbeing. All subjects that are so important to talk about or see specialists to help you get back on your feet. Without this charity, the Fire Service would not be the same. This means, it’s our job to try and raise as much money as possible, and we are prepared to get

our hands dirty, to clean all of your filthy vehicles. In previous years, we have seen, horseboxes, three-wheelers, mobility scooters, motorbikes and most of the Royal Mail gang in their red vans! Come and surprise us! We would love to see as many of you as possible. There will be teas, coffees, cakes and soft drinks available while you watch us clean your cars (outside only). It's all for charity. The fire engine doors will be open for the kids to have a look inside. All we ask for is a donation. We appreciate you coming along to support a charity close to our hearts. Twitter: @Station49Fire Facebook: Billingshurst Fire Station Dan Game, Billingshurst Fire Station Photo: Come along on 21st March for Charity Car Wash day

Billingshurst & District

Car Boot Sale Monday 13th April (Easter Monday)

Car Park rear of Six Bells (off the Library Car Park) Set up time: 8-9am Trading from 9am-12 noon £10 per car, £15 per van To book your space please email: sandyduck@btinternet.com Pay on the day. Book early to avoid disappointment. All money raised will go to local good causes Future dates for your diary: Spring Bank Holiday Sunday 10th May Late May Bank Holiday Monday 25th May August Bank Holiday Monday 31st August

BARGAINS GALORE AT

ANSELLS

VINTAGE SALE & MARKET Every Saturday 10am to 2pm FREE ENTRY & PARKING Stallholders welcome (tables £5) Antiques • Hornby Trains Furniture • Bric-a-Brac • Jewellery Garden Ornaments • Crafts etc ANSELLS, KIRDFORD ROAD, WISBOROUGH GREEN, RH14 0DD Book/details: (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940

Fire protection

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Arrow can help protect your home from fire

lmost all homes in the UK have contents insurance. Most have smoke alarms and some even have carbon monoxide detectors. But very few have anything to actually tackle a fire. A house fire is almost always considered as something that happens to somebody else. According to Home Office statistics there were 30,813 dwelling fires in England alone in 2017/18. This works out at 554 fires per 1 million people. It’s a scary statistic and in most cases it is preventable. With the rise in popularity of scented candles, the abundance of electrical products in each home and an increase in people turning to DIY for home improvements, it leaves a lot of areas of risk. Fire is unpredictable; it spreads in seconds and can destroy your home in minutes. Arrow Fire Protection (based in Horsham) can help educate you on the best practices for prevention and what to do in the event of a fire. Add an extra layer of security to your home by purchasing an Arrow Home Protection Package today. For a one-off cost you can have a professional visit you in your home on a time and date that suits

your schedule and provide you with a solution for almost any size of home. You will be provided with a fire extinguisher to safely tackle fires on live electrical equipment, an extinguisher suitable for wood/paper/textiles (and could help you fight your way out of the house in an emergency). You will also be provided with a fire blanket for your kitchen and perhaps most important of all, full training on how to use all of the equipment safely and confidently. Look after your home, your loved ones and possessions. Hopefully you will never need it, but what if you did – is your home prepared? Call 01403 61 01 91 now for your comprehensive Arrow Home Protection package. Normal cost is £169+VAT but book during March, mention Village Tweet and pay just £150+VAT! (See ad below.) It’s not just home protection, Arrow Fire Protection also offers services for any size of business. With over ten years of experience, you will be in safe hands with honest, reliable and professional work. Contact us on info@arrowfireprotection.co.uk to find out how we can help you save your business money. Colin Brown, Arrow Fire Protection

Fire extinguisher sales & maintenance Fire risk assessments u Fire training Fire safety signs u Free no-obligation surveys

Special Offer: Arrow Home Protection Package • Co2 fire extinguisher • Foam fire extinguisher • Fire blanket • Full training on using & positioning the equipment Mention Village Tweet and pay just £150 +VAT! (Normal cost £169 plus VAT. Offer expires 31st March 2020)

01403 61 01 91 info@arrowfireprotection.co.uk www.arrowfireprotection.co.uk 11

Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk

Religion / Charity

Saints Days Why do we have them and how are saints chosen?

arch 1st is St David’s Day and March 17th is St Patrick’s Day. Most of us know they are the patron saints of Wales and Ireland respectively. But why do we have saints? Who chooses them and to what purpose? Saints derive from the Catholic Church; they form no part of Protestant faiths. The process the Church uses to name a saint is called canonization. Prior to the tenth century saints were chosen by public acclaim but gradually bishops and finally the Vatican took over the authority. Canonization is a complex and lengthy process which begins after the death of a catholic regarded as particularly holy. Mostly it starts many years after the death to allow for perspective on their life and work. Initially the local bishop investigates the candidate’s life then the case is referred upwards to a panel of theologians at the Vatican. If approval is granted the pope proclaims the candidate ‘venerable.’ Beatification is the next step and requires evidence of one miracle or act of martyrdom. A miracle must have taken place after the candidate’s death as a direct result of an appeal made to them. They are generally related to recovery from a deadly medical condition. For such a recovery to be declared miraculous, it must be complete, instantaneous, durable (so it can’t return) and scientifically inexplicable. If the

pope bestows beatification the person may be venerated by members of the catholic faith. Canonization can only occur, even for martyrs, after a further miracle. The title of saint means that the person lived a holy life, is in heaven and is to be honoured by the Church. Canonization does not make someone a saint; it is simply recognition by the Pope of what he declares God has already done. As mentioned earlier, St David and St Patrick are both patron saints. These are saints chosen as special protectors or guardians over certain areas of life. The areas can include occupations, illnesses, countries or causes. While the Pope decides whether someone can be canonized, patrons may be chosen by individuals or groups of people. Patron saints are often chosen because an event in their lives or a talent overlaps with a particular area. For example, David, a Welsh bishop who helped to spread Christianity across the continent was born in Wales and served his country through the church. Patrick, though not born in Ireland was taken there in slavery after being kidnapped by pirates. He became fluent in Gaelic, turned to God and helped to bring Christianity to the island of Ireland. For many people saints are still relevant in the 21st century as they act like mentors, providing people with an example of a good life to follow. Eloise Constantine

Royal British Legion Billingshurst Poppy Appeal

Chris’ Christmas Lights raise £508 for Macmillan

We will be holding our Annual Poppy Appeal Evening at Fishers Farm on the 28th April after Easter, 7.30 for 8pm. All Welcome. Our Poppy Appeal last year raised around £15,000. We are grateful to the community for their generosity. We are already looking for Volunteers for this year’s Poppy Appeal to cover static stalls and important door-to-door collections. We will be involved in the May VE Day Bank Holiday arrangements, most likely with a War Memorial service and possibly joining Scouts & Guides at Petworth Park.

Chris has been decorating his house is Ash Lane in Billingshurst for some years now, in memory of his late mum who loved the Festive Season and this year there were more lights than ever before. The wonderful light display was on for the whole of December and many people visited having read about the appeal in Village Tweet. An outstanding amount of £508.36 was raised all for Macmillan Local Cancer Care. Terri from the Billingshurst Macmillan Group thanked Chris and his family for all their continued support and said we look forward to seeing this years display. Rowena Harris

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Religion / Community

Spring Delights

he reward of a stroll around Billingshurst in March is the sight of daffodil-yellow and crocus-pink on every corner. The beauty of creation and the feel of spring sunshine is a reminder of how the seasons mirror times in our life of light and dark, times of loss and new life. As we enjoy the spring beauty around us all in nature perhaps we can rest a while longer in those breathing spaces to reflect and give thanks. Friday 6th March at 4pm offers a chance for us to stretch our thoughts to our Worldwide community. Women from Zimbabwe have created an event for us that will be used all around our country on this day. There will be a display in our Saint Mary’s Church about Zimbabwe. During Lent come and join us for a simple lunch every Friday at 1pm in Saint Mary’s Rooms. There’s a suggested donation of £5 to a different charity each week. Another chance to share a treat is a tasty breakfast served in the Saint Mary’s Rooms on 14th March from 9am-10.30am. This is an event for women and is designed to be a place for women in the community to meet and relax together.

March is the month for giving thanks for those who have nurtured us as children as we celebrate Mothering Sunday. Not everyone has easy memories of childhood or may be grieving for the loss of their children or the opportunity to be a Mother. For many there is a caring figure who has tended us with great love. Whatever your story has been, come and spend some time focusing on Mothering. In the Bible we are painted a wonderful picture of God as our nurturing heavenly Mother and Father. You are invited to join us on 22nd March for special services at 9.30am and 11am where bouquets are given, to be taken away as a gift for someone or to bring beauty to your own home. Please tell our Church office if you know of someone who would appreciate flowers to be bought to them.

West Sussex Community Minibus Association (Billingshurst) March Schedule Sunday 1st Monday 2nd Wednesday 4th Thursday 5th Sunday 8th Tuesday 10th Wednesday 11th Thursday 12th Monday 16th Tuesday 17th Wednesday 18th Thursday 19th Sunday 22nd Tuesday 24th Wednesday 25th Thursday 26th Saturday 28th Monday 30th Tuesday 31st

1.00pm 1.15pm 10.00am 9.00am 2.00pm 9.30am 10.00am 9.00am 1.15pm 10.00am 10.00am 9.00am 6.00pm 10.00am 12.00pm 9.00am 3.00pm 1.15pm 10.00am

Royal Marines Concert Band Worthing Horsham & Sainsbury’s Chichester Market Day Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath Christ’s Hospital Band Concert Worthing & Haskins for lunch Chichester Market Day Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Horsham & Tesco’s Horsham & Sainsbury’s Chichester – Cathedral concert – Kassio Trio Tangmere Aviation Museum Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath Christ’s Hospital Gala orchestral Concert Worthing Onslow Arms Pub Lunch Horsham & Sainsbury’s 1.15pm Horsham & Tesco’s ANNUAL SOCIAL – TEA AFTERNOON – ST GABRIEL’S HALL Horsham & Sainsbury’s Bognor Regis

To book your place please telephone Geraldine Pike: (01403) 786147. Annual Social – Tea Afternoon, St Gabriel’s Hall, 28th March. Please join us! If you’re interested in finding out more about our service, either as a passenger or a volunteer, please contact Steve O’Dowd, email: billingshurst.minibus@btinternet. Registered Charity No. 1173818 com or tel: (01403) 784428.

Have you purchased your new Annual Parking Disc 2020/21? The current parking disc expires on 31 March • Annual Parking Discs are only £15 fixed price for the year • Additional discs are £8 per year with a maximum of 3 discs per household • Pay and display machines for infrequent users › › ›

75p for the first hour £1.50 for the maximum permitted stay of the car park Cash, card and mobile phone payment accepted

• Long stay parking season tickets are also available for more details email parking@horsham.gov.uk Please be aware that waiting lists may be in operation. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details. Existing parking discs expire 31 March 2020.

To purchase your Annual Parking Disc and for more information please visit www.horsham.gov.uk/annualparkingdisc or call our customer contact centre on 01403 215100

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Charity

Step out under the stars in St Catherine’s Hospice Midnight Walk

ake 2020 the year you do something amazing! Go the extra mile and join St Catherine’s Hospice for its popular Midnight Walk on Saturday 6th June. Last year around 1,000 people walked through Horsham to help St Catherine’s get a step closer to supporting more local terminally ill people and their families, at a time it’s needed most. This year, St Catherine’s needs you to step out under the stars, with your family, friends or colleagues, to make a difference to others in your community. The walk starts at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, and if you can, why not go the extra mile and sign up to walk 20 miles for 2020? Or sign up for the 13 mile, 7 mile, or 2 mile family friendly route. Alongside supporting their local hospice, many people walk in memory of someone they love. Perhaps you have someone special you can walk in honour of? Maureen, whose daughter-in-law, Nicola, was cared for by St Catherine’s, has taken part in several Midnight Walks in Nicola’s memory. She said, “I always have so much fun on the walk and whenever I cross the finish line I feel proud. Everyone cheers and congratulates

you and it’s always a very poignant moment for me. I’d encourage others to take part in the Midnight Walk because raising money for our wonderful, local hospice is very important.” Rose Wood, Events Fundraiser at St Catherine’s said, “Every year it’s humbling to see so many people join us at our Midnight Walk. It’s an inspiring night where people remember their loved ones, and challenge themselves to walk as many miles as possible, to raise as much money as possible. “By supporting our Midnight Walk, you’ll be making sure that in the future our hospice can help more people. Nobody should face death and loss alone, so we hope you’ll step out in 2020 for this very special evening.” Ready to step out? Sign up now at: www.stch.org.uk/midnightwalk or call St Catherine’s Events Team on (01293) 447355. Make sure you sign up by 5pm on Monday 20 April to receive an exclusive early bird entry rate of £15. Your entry fee include a free T-shirt, finisher's breakfast and medal. Laura Mitchell, St Catherine’s Hospice Photo: Walking with a group of friends is even more fun!

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Horsham District Local Plan 2019-2036 We are reviewing our Local Plan for the Horsham District. The Horsham District Local Plan will set out how the District will deliver developments in a sustainable way and support the delivery of community infrastructures, transport links and opportunities for local jobs. The Government requires all local planning authorities to build a signi昀cant number of new homes in the coming years. This will present considerable challenges for the Council.

Public consultation 17 February to 30 March We are running a series of drop-in sessions for residents so that we can talk to you about the Draft Local Plan and explain the options we are consulting on. You are welcome to attend any session.

Monday 17 February • • • • • 4pm - 8pm Billingshurst Community Centre

Thursday 20 February • • • • 4pm - 8pm Ashington Centre

Tuesday 25 February • • • • 4pm - 8pm Hen昀eld Hall

Saturday 29 February • • • 10am - 4pm Horsham’s Swan Walk

Tuesday 3 March • • • • • • • 4pm - 8pm I昀eld West Community Centre

Wednesday 4 March • • • • • 4pm - 8pm Southwater’s Beeson House

The consultation document can be viewed on our website and copies are available in local libraries and at the Council’s o ces in Horsham. Phone 01403 215100. A summary exhibition about the Draft Local Plan will also be available to view in Horsham Library between 6 and 30 March.

Find out more and have your say by registering online at

www.horsham.gov.uk/localplanreview

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Funerals / Health and wellbeing

Dandelion Farewells celebrate 5th Anniversary and launch new Mobile Community Lounge

andelion Farewells celebrated their 5th Anniversary with the launch of their new Mobile Community Lounge and Community Connections programme at an event held in Wisborough Green Village Hall. Inviting all residents who wished to join them for sparkling wine, cake and canapés; guests, professional colleagues, friends, well-wishers and clients from their home village of Wisborough Green and many of the surrounding villages enjoyed the warm, welcoming atmosphere as they joined the celebration and the new initiative was unveiled. The mobile community lounge has been created by Judith Dandy, owner of Dandelion Farewells, to form an integral part of their new Community Connections programme. She explained that “Death, funeral services, and aftercare support are often subjects that are not discussed until required. The Mobile Community Lounge will be in regular attendance in local villages and at community events, enabling the Dandelion Farewells team to become a familiar friendly face that is on hand to help or answer any questions or concerns whenever they come up.” Sandra Donoghue, a Wisborough Green resident who

attended the celebration said, “What Dandelion Farewells do when caring for the deceased and their family is extraordinary, I will always be so, so grateful for the care and the dignity shown to us. We are very lucky to have Dandelion Farewells in Wisborough Green and to have their support for the many village activities they are involved in, as well as the caring professional service they provide.” Talking at the event, Judith was full of praise for the help shown by everyone in Wisborough Green, and the local village communities who play a key role in their wellbeing and success, and said, “I really thank you for the friendship and support you have shown to myself and my team. It makes a huge difference to us, especially as some days are tougher than others. Thank you for coming to share our celebration and for everything that you do.” For further information on the Community Connections programme, or to talk to someone regarding any aspect of funeral care or bereavement support, please e-mail office@dandelionfarewells.com or call 01403 701001. Judith Dandy, Dandelion Farewells

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Little Tweeters! / Health and wellbeing

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The Renegades are celebrating! anyone from China could understand it, but we loved the fact that they all knew which Chinese zodiac animal they were. It’s all great fun, but The Renegades youth group has a responsible side too. We have had an unbelievably generous donation of 11 CPR dummies from Hannah Alsbury-Morris at Super Medics, who are based in Petworth and teach first aid to children. As a result, the Renegade members will properly understand their role in – and their responsibility to – their community. We are truly grateful for all the help and support we get from the community – you are making such a lasting difference to the lives of these children and those who will follow them. The Renegades meet every Monday evening in Loxwood. We are also looking at creating some special interest spin off groups in art, cookery and forestry. Watch this space! Membership costs £10 a month. Please contact Gareth Miller on 07801 862550 or Damian Dixon on 07484 130189 for further information. Vanda Rumney

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hinese New Year is celebrated by more than 20% of the world – and the children of the Renegades Youth Group were no exception! To mark the Year of the Rat, the children played a specially devised game of What Have The Chinese Ever Done For Us, with football, the umbrella, toilet paper and toothbrushes leaving them open mouthed in surprise. Chopsticks and fireworks got a more “Doh” reaction… until the real fireworks began and blew their socks off! Thanks must go to the continued support of Robert and Steve at Aurora Fireworks for making it such a memorable evening for the children (and our Loxwood neighbours). If you have ever tried to make Chinese dumpling pastry from scratch, you’ll know that you need Popeye’s post-spinach muscles to get it thin enough but the children managed it – with a little help! They made the traditional pork dumplings, which were universally praised. Following the cooking the Renegades then had a go at the traditional calligraphy using Chinese ink brushes. We’re not exactly sure what was written, or if

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Choral / Music / Out and about

Not Your Average Village Choir

id you know that Billingshurst has a 90-strong choir which regularly performs locally with professional orchestras and soloists? Billingshurst Choral Society (affectionately known as BCS) has been widely regarded for the outstanding artistic quality of its performances since its foundation in 1986 and enjoys an adventuresome repertoire. BCS is a diverse community of singers committed to sharing the essential joy and power of live choral music under the baton of its charismatic conductor, Cathal Garvey. Cathal is an experienced Musical Director, currently on the conducting staff of the Royal Academy of Music, and travels down from his London base each week to direct the choir. BCS performs three concerts per year and a Christmas carol extravaganza, when it invites local town bands and the children’s choir from Billingshurst Primary School, to join the celebration. The choir’s mission is guided by its commitment to the presentation of a wide-ranging repertoire, including well-known choral masterpieces, works by great composers that are rarely heard in the concert hall and newer, culturally significant works by living composers, to give a perfect balance. This wonderful programme of demanding scores keeps the choir members challenged and the audience completely satisfied with every performance.

While the choir takes its practice very seriously, its strength lies in the cohesion and friendship between singers, who enjoy each other’s company and learn and perform together. The choir members also enjoy the opportunity to meet socially and this includes a walking group which takes advantage of the beautiful Sussex countryside and excellent pub grub on a regular basis. Newcomers are always welcome to enjoy some ‘taster sessions’ before making a commitment to join. BCS rehearses every Tuesday evening in Billingshurst Primary School Hall from 7.30pm until 9.45pm. Join BCS for its next concert on Saturday 4th April at Billingshurst Leisure Centre where the choir will perform Haydn’s Te Deum and Hummel’s Mass in B Major, accompanied by The Covent Garden Chamber Orchestra, which will also delight the audience by playing Mozart’s Symphony No.36 (Linz). Why pay exorbitant prices for your classical concert ticket and travel to the City, when you can enjoy exceptional choral artistry with a professional orchestra and soloists on your doorstep? For more information please visit the BCS website: www.billingshurstchoralsociety.org.

! ! Musical Director: Cathal Garvey

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Symphony No.36 Saturday 4th April 2020 7:30pm Billingshurst Leisure Centre with The Covent Garden Chamber Orchestra TICKETS £15 STUDENT £7.50 Available from 07785 314097 or Henry Adams, Billingshurst or from our website:

www.billingshurstchoralsociety.org BCS is a registered charity (No 801503) and is affiliated to Making Music, The National Federation of Music Societies

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Health and wellbeing

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Short story

Slinfold’s Bell A short story written exclusively for Village Tweet by local author Miranda Rijks

“I

s everyone ready?” Pete shouts. The sound levels drop as Slinfold’s residents take their places, shuffling their glasses around, shushing their friends and neighbours. The pub is tense with good-natured village rivalry. “Welcome to the quiz. As you all know, we’re raising money to support Sarah Baker.” There is a palpable disquiet as everyone thinks about the tragedy that has befallen Sarah and her remaining infant. Pete clears his throat and continues. “Anyway, I’m delighted to announce that the winning team will be treated to a meal right here at The Blue Bear Arms.” Kev cheers and several others join in. “Here goes; first question. What is the collective noun for a group of hippos?” “It’s a boat.” Eva does a little jig in her chair. “Are you sure?” Kev narrows his eyes at his wife. “Doesn’t sound right to me.” Brian shrugs his shoulders. “What is Alektorophobia?” By question number twelve, it’s obvious that the Smiths and the McKennas are doing really badly. Their answer sheet is largely blank. Mel slumps dejectedly. She catches the eye of a woman seated alone at the back of the pub. A stranger. Mel throws her a quick smile which is acknowledged by a nod. The woman has a profusion of long, grey, frizzy hair, a beak of a nose and wrinkled skin that suggests too many summers spent outside in the sun. She’s wearing all black; shapeless items that could be designer gear or cobbled together tents. The only colour comes from her eyes, which are a startling green, visible from across the low-lit room. “In the legend of the Slinfold Bell, how many white oxen accompanied the witch?” Mel and Eva stare at each other. There is plenty of rustling and whispering but not from their table. The two couples have been taking part in the village quiz for the past four years. They’ve never won but they’ve always achieved a respectable score. Clearly, not tonight. “You don’t know the legend?” Mel jumps. The woman is crouching next to her. “All the other teams have five or six people. You’ve only got four. Perhaps you’d like my help?” She has the hint of a foreign accent. “That’s kind of you, love,” Brian says. He stands up and beckons for her to take his chair. He strides to the bar, picks up a stool and carries it back to the table. “Do you know the answer?” Kev asks her. “It’s twelve.” She looks at the empty spaces where all the other answers should be. “May I borrow your pen?” Kev pushes the piece of paper and pen across the table. The woman writes quickly, her spidery scrawl filling in the blanks. She adds in the letter L to the only word on their sheet, turning boat into bloat. “You know all the answers?” Kev stares at her in amazement. “I’m know things like this,” she says, tapping the side of her nose. Her fingernails are yellow and bitten. Mel shudders. At the end of the quiz, Brian takes their completed answer sheet up to the bar. Pete marks the answers while everyone else hustles to place orders prior to

closing time. “Where’s she gone?” Brian asks as he returns, balancing two lagers and two white wines on a small circular tray. Mel looks around in astonishment. She was sure that the woman was still sitting next to her. Pete raps a spoon on the side of a glass. “The winners of the March 2020 quiz with a stunning one hundred percent correct answers are Mel, Brian, Eva and Kev. Congratulations Team Bell!” “Team what?” Brian asks. Kev shrugs. The next day, Mel is walking the dog. “Hello!” The woman appears from nowhere and makes Mel jump. Beano, her normally passive golden Labrador growls. “Thank you for helping us win the quiz. You disappeared before the results were announced. Will you join us for supper at the pub? It’s our prize.” “No thanks, dear. I’m leaving tomorrow. I have a job to do and then I need to return.” Mel frowns. She looks too old to be ‘doing a job’. As a lorry thunders past, Beano tugs violently on his lead. Mel bends down to stroke him. Two seconds later she turns around to continue the conversation, but the woman has vanished. At 3 a.m. the next morning, Mel sits bolt upright in bed. The church bells are ringing. Brian is one of the bell ringers and they never peal in the middle of the night. Never. “Brian, wake up!” she nudges her snoring her husband. “What is it?” “The bells… they were ringing just now.” “You must have dreamed it,” he says as he flops back onto the mattress. But she didn’t. Mel knows she didn’t. Later that day, when she returns home from work, there is a small crowd of people standing at the bottom of Sarah Baker’s field. Not again, Mel thinks as she considers the tragedies that have befallen one of Slinfold’s most popular villagers. She slows the car down to have a look and spots a television crew. Mel calls Eva. “They’ve found the bell!” “What bell?” “The one in the legend; it fell off a wagon into a bog in the thirteenth century.” Mel wonders if that’s what she heard ringing in the night. “And they’ve found what could be millions of pounds’ worth of gold and other treasures.” “Who’s they?” “Dunno. They want to remain anonymous. But fifty percent of the value goes to the landowner and, guess what? The land belongs to Sarah Baker! There’s talk they’ll be donating the whole lot to her.” “That’s fantastic news,’ Mel says. She thinks about the legend of the lost bell and the twelve oxen and the witch, and she wonders. Who was that old woman?” Miranda Rijks writes psychological thrillers set in West Sussex, published by Inkubator Books. Paperbacks and ebooks are available on Amazon. Find out more at www.mirandarijks.com.

Recruitment / Out and about

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Books / About the house

A Good Read March’s selection from book reviewer Willow Coby The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood You’d have to have been living under a rock over the last couple of years to have not heard of The Handmaid’s Tale even if it is just through the hugely successful TV series on Channel 4. However, the novel itself was first published in 1985 and appears on set text lists for English Literature courses from A Level to university degrees. Fans of the book have not been disappointed by the TV series and so this bodes well for people wanting to go the other way. Like the TV series, the novel tells the story of life in Gilead from the point of view of Offred, a handmaid to commander in the new political regime. A dystopian view of America presents us with a country where fertility levels have declined due to radiation poisoning and so Offred’s ability to reproduce means that she is forced to bear children for the upper echelons of society. Atwood uses a form of dual narrative to present the story to us, as chapters alternate between ‘night’ revealing more of Offred’s feelings and glimpses into her past, and ‘day’ showing us glimpses of day-today life in Gilead.

It is hard to put your finger on what has made this novel so successful, but Atwood’s sources of inspiration may offer a clue. She has said that everything she writes about in the novel is based on events that happened at some point in history. There is nothing fantastical here, but purely the uneasiness of realising what human beings might indeed be capable of. Lost and Found – Oliver Jeffers ‘Once there was a boy and one day he found a penguin at his door’. This is the opening line of this wonderful picture book. A very simple story but one that can’t help but draw you in emotionally. Finding a penguin at your door is not a normal everyday occurrence, and what happens next isn’t normal and everyday either. The boy realises that the penguin is lost and is determined to help him find his home. After checking the ‘lost and found’ and realising that no one has reported a missing penguin, he sets out to return him to the South Pole in a small rowing boat. But is the penguin really lost and will returning him to the South Pole really be what the penguin wants? This is a wonderful story of an unusual friendship and finding what is missing in life.

New edition of Wey & Arun Canal guide now on sale The Wey & Arun Canal Trust has updated its guide, Visiting the Wey & Arun Canal. The guide has been revised to include recent restoration projects such as Gennets Bridge Lock and Southland Lock, both near Loxwood, the circular walkway at Birtley in Surrey and the Thriscutt Slipway at Dunsfold on the Surrey/Sussex border. With handy maps and photos, historical background and practical advice on accessing the canal, the guide is essential for those who want to get more out of their exploration of the 23-mile waterway. It covers the canal route in detail, with maps and extensive illustrations in full colour. It highlights the unmissable beauty spots, areas of restoration

and original features and also explains the next steps needed to bring each section of the canal back into use. Wey & Arun Canal Trust chairman Sally Schupke said, “While the Canal Centre at Loxwood and the public boat cruises from there help many people explore one section of the canal, there are many other parts of the waterway that visitors have yet to discover. This guide offers a glimpse into the old and new of the canal, its route through Sussex and Surrey, and provides a practical guide to getting the most from the Wey & Arun Canal.” The 72-page guide, priced £6, was first printed in 2012 and has been written and edited by volunteers Julian Cheek and Geoff Thomas. It is available from https://weyarun.org.uk/shop.

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Community / About the house

Broadford Bridge update

lanning Committee decisions are expected P before April: WSCC planning committee will consider the UKOG application to stay for yet

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another 2 years at the drilling site at Woodbarn Farm, RH14 9EB – this is the 3rd application for an extension since drilling was permitted in Feb 2013. The drill arrived in May 2017 (See Village Tweet, Aug 2017). The firm said on three occasions that they would clear the site if they found nothing… they found nothing. UKOG asserts in their application to remain on site that no harm has been caused but that has not been the experience of residents at Adversane who have endured disruption, noise and danger from HGV traffic. Dr Jill Sutcliffe, Chair, KKWG. Tel: (01403) 700395

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

Superdog

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

“I

s that a dog or a fox?” wondered Nanny as she peered through the kitchen window and squinted to try and see the bottom paddock. “Yes, it’s that big dog fox,” replied Grandad wiping a few crumbs from his moustache. “Gosh, he looks just like a German Shepherd from here. I’m glad the chickens are safe behind that electric fence.” Mystery solved, Nanny continued on with her day, ending with a call to Magnus to “Come for a walk.” Now, they had been out that morning to a ‘Pets as Therapy’ event and Magnus was still proudly wearing his Pets as Therapy bandana. They were ambling along, Nanny with her mind busy on other things and Magnus with his nose on the job. And his nose told him a story. When Nanny went in, he stayed out “Look! It's a Bird, It's and listened carefully to the story his nose was telling him… “The chickens are out of their pen,” his nose said. “And that dog fox and another one have just caught their scent. If you want to do any thing you’d better get going NOW!” The hair rose on Magnus’ back and his little legs began to run. Soon he was in full flight and his little voice was yipping as loud as it could. “You’re getting pretty close,” his nose said. But Magnus knew that. His feet went so fast that soon he seemed to fly. By this time the foxes had been alerted to this small, noisy ball of fur hurtling at them but they were unafraid. They wanted those chickens for dinner and they were going to have them. They squared up and faced the incoming ‘threat’ yipping at them. Magnus, halfway there, saw them ahead, not moving, waiting for him, laughing at him because he was so small and insignificant. He didn’t care, he carried on.

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The foxes’ laughter soon turned to amazement as Magnus’ legs overtook themselves and he was really flying. His Pets as Therapy bandana had been transformed into a flowing cape streaming behind him as came at the foxes at great speed, his little teeth bared and deep growls in his throat. As he aimed himself at them, the foxes leaped to their feet, turned tail and without a sound scuttled under the gap in the fence, disappearing under a thicket in next door’s paddock. Magnus swooped after them nipping at their backs and growling. He pulled up as they disappeared and looked at himself in wonder – he was still in the air! “I like this,” he thought and spent the next quarter of an hour swooping and diving and riding the thermals as if he was born to a Plane, It's Superdog!” it. With the wind in his face and his little feet tucked up, he resembled a cross between a hawk and Superman. From their hideyhole in the bushes the foxes stared in awe and vowed not to cross the fenceline for a very long time, if ever again. They were truly shaken by the spectacle. Magnus’ flight was abruptly interrupted by a call for “Magger-Man” and as he skilfully landed, his cape shrank and became a bandana again. Then he strolled home for his tea as if nothing had happened. As for those chickens, they marvelled at their rescue and hopped back over the fence into their pen again. They too vowed to stay on their own side of the fence in the future. So peace and tranquillity – not to mention reality – were restored on that little farm near Billingshurst. Yvonne Fleece

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Billingshurst Parish Council Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre Roman Way, Billingshurst, RH14 9QW

Donated Bench For weary legs, chatting with friends or just pausing for breath, there is a new seat in Gratwicke Close, donated by the Billingshurst Wednesday Group. This friendly group meets between September & Easter at 10.00am in St Mary’s Room, with interesting speakers & refreshments.

in Shoreham. We know that many of our residents are very interested in animal welfare so we do hope that you will come along. We plan to have a raffle so please bring your pennies and if you are able to donate a prize please drop it into the Centre in advance or on the night. There will of course be the usual report from the Council, but the rest of the meeting is yours so come along and ask any question relating to the Parish. Don’t forget that this is YOUR Meeting, not a Council meeting! If you would like to join us please pop along to the Billingshurst Centre, Wednesday 15th April 7.00pm.

Missing Centurions!

Billingshurst WI – Crocus Bulb Planting Last autumn, on World Kindness Day, we were joined by some of the delightful ladies from the Billingshurst WI who, along with the Parish Council’s Litter Warden Colin, planted hundreds of crocus bulbs on the front bank at the Billingshurst Centre. Thank you so much ladies, we are looking forward to them flowering very soon!

Annual Parish Meeting of Electors Each year we include a presentation on a matter which we hope will be of interest to residents, and this year is no exception. We are delighted to confirm that this year's headline act will be a representative from the Dogs Trust

Following enquiries from residents, we are pleased to confirm that the two Centurions who guard the approach to the village from marauding rebels from the north, are taking a holiday and will be re-erected in due course, after their armour has been suitably polished! (They may go in new locations to reflect changes to the local road network, along with those to the east.)

Horsham District Local Plan 2019-2036 HDC is undertaking a review of the Local Plan which will be used to guide future development in the District. It will take just over two years to complete and your input is essential. The first draft is being consulted on now – the consultation runs from 17th February to 30th March 2020. Please sign up for email updates and news on www.horsham.gov.uk/localplanreview. Additionally, please keep an eye on the Parish Council website for details of meetings at which the review might be discussed. Upcoming Meetings (March) 4th: Full Council & Trustees 7.30pm 5th: Planning & Environment Committee (7.30pm) 18th: Working Practices Committee (7.30pm) 25th: Billingshurst Centre (7.00pm) and F&GP Committee (7.30pm)

www.billingshurst.gov.uk Email: council@billingshurst.gov.uk 01403 782555 / twitter@BillingshurstPC

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Charity / About the house

“Volunteering with St Catherine’s Hospice has been so worthwhile”

oife O’Driscoll, 17, from Crawley, volunteers every Friday in the coffee shop at St Catherine’s Hospice. Here she tells us more about what she’s gained from volunteering with her local hospice: “I first thought about volunteering for St Catherine’s last summer instead of applying for summer jobs. Although I’m not interested in a medical career, I love helping people and giving back to my community, so volunteering at the hospice really appealed to me. The hospice is in my local area and I realised how simple yet rewarding it would be for me to get involved. “I started volunteering as a Coffee Shop Assistant in September 2019 and it’s now an important part of my week. I knew that everyone would be friendly before I started but the extraordinary level of kindness that I’ve seen from everyone at the hospice has surprised me. All of the staff and volunteers go above and beyond, and are some of the nicest people I’ve known. A lot of people I speak to know someone who has spent time in St Catherine’s, and their reaction is always positive, I think mostly due to the incredibly warm and open atmosphere that’s created at the hospice. “For me, the best thing about volunteering is being able to help people in a way which is simple, yet will hopefully make their day a bit better – even a slice of cake and a cup of tea can cheer someone up, and I love being able to help provide that. “I volunteer with people of all ages which is something I really value. As I’m mostly with people my own age at school it’s been good to meet people of different ages. I learn so much from them and it’s fascinating to hear people’s life stories. Volunteering has taught me that everyone has something to offer

from their skills and experiences, and the power of reaching out to support others. People have offered help and guidance when I’ve not known what to do in the coffee shop, and from the start I’ve seen this sentiment reflected throughout the hospice. “I’ll always remember my first time working a training shift in the coffee shop. A family had gathered to celebrate a patient’s birthday, and I was overwhelmed by the happiness of the group in what could have been sad circumstances. Seeing that, along with the involvement of the nurses and coffee shop, gave me an insight into the community that’s built at St Catherine’s. I’ve learnt so many things while volunteering and the experience has been so worthwhile. It’s changed the way I view and treat others, and has made me consider working for a charity in the future. I feel like I’ve been given a new understanding of the need for us to always look out for and care for each other. “While volunteering at a hospice can seem challenging, and sometimes is, it’s also one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. The work is so fulfilling and the experience I’ve gained is unbeatable. I’d definitely recommend volunteering to anyone! “A few years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined myself volunteering at St Catherine’s but it’s not just medical. There are so many ways you can help out, contribute and make a difference.” If you’re interested in volunteering with St Catherine’s, please visit www.stch.org.uk, contact their Volunteering Team on (01293) 447351 or email volunteering@stch.org.uk. Laura Mitchell, St Catherine’s Hospice Photo: Aoife O’Driscoll, Student Volunteer

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

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Weald Book Award and Year 7 talk by Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander

n Tuesday 14th January the Weald Book Award students and year 7 were introduced to Herbie Lemon and Violet Parma, characters living in Eerie-on-Sea, the seaside town featured in Malamander written by Thomas Taylor. Thomas shared with the students his love of beachcombing and writing as well as his treasure chest of sea glass and Malamander scales. Two students were given the unenviable chance to hold dinosaur poo and a fossilised bone. For a few moments we smelt the sea, stood on the beach with the wind in our faces, while the waves crashed on the shore and the seagulls screamed. Thomas talked of monsters and how to make your own illustrations from a squiggle. He then demonstrated the art and magic of turning a squiggle into sea creature. The students set to

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work creating their own animals and monsters. There were some outstanding illustrations of turtles, sea snakes, the Lurvend, the Mocada, skye fly-hye and the Mellee, to name just a few. Students were able to purchase a copy of Malamander for signing. The author talk created a wonderful buzz about reading that inspires the students to talk about and share books they have read. Reading continues to be an important part of students’ development and, without the ability to read, they will struggle in every subject. So grab a good book, like Malamander, and get reading today! Mrs Jane Fella, LRC Manager Photo: a Year 7 student with her drawing of a monster called a Mocada

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Little Tweeters! / About the house

Weald School Learning Resource Centre “Reading needs to be an everyday part of our lives.” (The Reading Agency)

t the end of January, The Weald School launched “Read 20 books in 2020” with years 7, 8 & 9 with the aim of stopping the decline in reading that we see through Key Stage 3 (11-13 years old) into Key Stage 4 (14-16). The students have 26 weeks of school left to complete the challenge, which is to read as many books as they can before the end of the summer term. As with the game of ‘Bingo’, reading a line of books on the challenge sheet will win a student a house point. The completion of the whole sheet will win them a commendation (five house points), plus entry to a draw where they could win one of two book tokens. The categories to read are: a funny book, a graphic novel, a magical story, a book of a film, a historical story, a non-fiction book, a book of poetry, a picture book, a fantasy or science-fiction story, a

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book and its sequel, an animal book, a book recommended by a friend, an adventure story, an award winning book, a horror book, a book with nonhuman characters, a book from another country, a story set in World War 1 or World War 2, a book from our Life and Love section in the LRC. If students need help to find a book that fits within these genres, help is on hand to recommend a selection of books to read. Miss Rigby, Head of English, believes that, “Reading allows us to escape the daily pressures of life, it is also a good workout for our brains”. Mrs Jane Fella, LRC Manager Photo: The Weald School’s Learning Resource Centre aka LRC

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About the house

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Out and about / About the house

Causeway House: 600 Years and Counting Horsham Museum & Art Gallery, open now until 21st March

t was in 1420, or thereabouts, that the owner of a 13th century building decided to create a new home and office complex next to his timberframed barn. Little did he realise that parts of it would still be standing 600 years later and it would become the home of merchants, lawyers, an heiress, an antiques dealer, a tutor to the Romanian Royal family and used as a base for making 37,000 gas masks; all before becoming the home of Horsham Museum and Art Gallery. Now Horsham District Council’s Horsham Museum and Art Gallery is celebrating that history in a remarkable exhibition, creating a biography of an outstanding building. Standing tall, overlooking one of Sussex’s most attractive streets, Causeway House is the gateway to a tree-lined gallery of 500 years of domestic architecture. However, when built, the four-bayed house didn’t face the Causeway; it faced north into the rapidly growing market town. The merchant who owned the property had the rare privilege of being able to send two MPs to Parliament, one of 52 such properties in Horsham. He could also help in running the town, rather than the local lord; this gave him real power, to make Horsham work for the people of Horsham. As he grew wealthy he adapted and changed the building, which was both home and office. Then, nearly 200 years later, Causeway House changed direction; instead of facing north, it swung round and faced the Causeway, thanks to a major new build that was built on to the side of the building. From now on, we know the owners of the property; we also know that they were wealthy. The exhibition

ed n ne Ove pring a S an? Cle help – n I ca all me C

displays objects from the period that they probably used, for example, a late Elizabethan nightcap, used to keep warm and an early guide to the law, essential for merchants whose status in Tudor and Elizabethan England was key to the functioning of society; for their word was their bond. Little remains of the life lived in the building, apart from a magnificent 1670s table, built for the house where it has remained ever since. However, back in the 1970s archaeological excavations uncovered fragments of pottery from pots and jugs showing the owners throwing their discarded material in the garden. There was after all no refuse service. These fragments of past life are supplemented with objects drawn from the Museum’s collections. They are displayed alongside documents written by the owners, all adding to a rich and diverse exhibition. The prominence of Causeway House and its picturesque charm has attracted artists over the last 150 years, especially from a time when old buildings were no longer seen as a blight on the eye, but real assets as they add charm and historic depth to any street. The exhibition, Causeway House, Horsham: 600 Years and Counting, features a number of such paintings including the most recent one by Gordon Rushmer that the Friends of Horsham Museum commissioned to mark the Museum’s 125th birthday in 2018. Horsham Museum & Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, free admission. For more information see www.horshammuseum.org. Rachel Weller, Administration Assistant, Horsham Museum & Art Gallery Photo: Causeway House in 1940

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Charity / About the house

A Talk & Update about Carolyn Gibbs’ recent visit to

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Pause for thought / About the house

Injustices Some thoughts by Village Tweet reader Ellen Bale. Why not discuss some of the many points raised with your family and friends?

here are so many injustices and tragic unfairness in the world and around us. Some of them are of our own doings and some just creep up on us and suddenly we have a problem that we have to deal with that can affect our whole life that we never intended or imagined could happen to us. I have recently become involved, through my church, with people who have become homeless. They are not vagrants, or down and out drunks. They are ordinary hard working people but because of divorce, lack of money and current day finances and rising costs in every way they have no where to live and borrow friends’ sofas. They never imagined it would happen to them. They are people who have worked hard all their lives and they have saved hard but now suddenly they have no roof over their head. This is an injustice because nine times out of ten it is not their fault, just part of life’s pattern where things take a different path to the one expected and it can happen to anyone at any time. The real injustice and paradox is that there are so many empty houses that could be used to house needy people on a just and useful basis that would for ever eliminate squatters or illegal persons. It is an injustice when there are so many holiday homes and empty houses around for those who are homeless and yet it would be an injustice for those who may own a second home in a capitalist and democratic country to have to

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give up their homes by law. I supported the change of law when it became illegal to squat in an empty house that did not belong to you. Why should a good caring landlord suddenly find his property has been taken over and damaged and he has no rights to extricate them? In the same way that we have no rights to defend our land if a burglar attacks us, but we won’t go down that controversial road! Injustices are justifiable to some and unjustifiable to those that think they are just. If I owned two or three houses should I give up one to house those who are unlucky enough to have nothing or should I be thinking of myself and my own children and their future? Should the wealthy landowners who own millionaires’ houses have to pay a mansion tax because they own such large houses and because they have inherited or worked hard and built an empire, or should they be left to live as they choose, however selfish or self-centred it appears to those with less? I have no answers. I can’t change anything. I can get cross and frustrated with injustices. Voting for a particular political party will change nothing. It only keeps the injustices personal to that party; different ones manifest themselves in other parties. All I can do is be alert to a cause on my patch and on my doorstep for the short time we occupy this earth and are mindful of everyone’s needs and attitudes. We do not have to agree with them or how they got there.

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Out and about / About the house

Loxwood Village Fête & Fun Dog Show 2020

ur annual Village Fête & Fun Dog Show will take place this year on Saturday 6th June at North Hall, Loxwood, starting at 11am and finishing at 4pm. As many of you in the village will know, we now host a very successful fête that has raised an amazing amount of money for many local good causes. Over the last seven years we have raised over £38,000. This village event is organised every year by a very active and dedicated committee of local residents who spend many hours of their time making sure the village has an enjoyable day for all. However, like all events, we are always looking for more help.

HOW CAN YOU HELP US? • Sponsorship of various events at the fête • Advertising in the fête programme • Prizes for the Grand Draw • Bottles and prizes for the Tombola • Help running a stall on the day • Help setting up the event • Books, DVDs and games for the Book Stall • Baking a cake • Providing china for the China Smash If you could help in any of the above areas, could you please contact either Graham Moore on (01403) 751722 or Peter Winney on (01403) 752377. Graham Moore

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Community / About the house

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Looking to the future…

he Billingshurst Community Partnership has recently come to the end of another 5-year plan. The management group has decided that we need to redefine our role within the community and, with its considerable experience in many aspects of voluntary work we feel we could possibly be of help to other local organisations to help them deliver and develop their projects for the mutual benefit of the community. To that end, we have a new mission statement: The BCP will work with other local groups and organisations on projects and events that encourage cross-generational participation and more social interaction within the community. Throughout the next few months we will be inviting representatives from clubs and organisations in Billingshurst to informal network gatherings so that they can tell us, and others, what they are working on, discuss ideas, and possibly offer others who are working in the same voluntary area support and advice. We will give everyone present the opportunity to tell us about their organisation and their plans for the future and what’s stopping them doing what they want to do. The BCP sees its future role in the community as ‘enablers’ and perhaps to become the catalyst

to make more partnership working happen in Billingshurst. Representatives from organisation will be invited to attend all, or any, of the networking events that they think are relevant to what they do. These are: Arts & Culture: Thursday 19th March at the Children & Family Centre in Station Road at 7pm. Senior Citizens & Disabled: Thursday 30th April at the Billingshurst Centre at 7pm. Young People & Children: Thursday 21 May at the Billingshurst Centre at 7pm. If you are not already part of any group or organisation in Billingshurst but would like to get involved in the community in some way, please come along and tell us what ideas you have and meet other people who play a large part in making Billingshurst the vibrant place to live in it is. We’d love to meet you. And, if you’d like to join us please RSVP to June Perks, our Secretary at june.perks@btinternet.com. Denise Campbell, Chair, Billingshurst Community Partnership Ltd

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Community / About the house

Treasure trove? John Nash is a retired, well sort of retired, fruit farm manager in Kirdford who enjoys scribbling about life on the farm from the now to days gone by.

really must tell you of an adventure that happened on the farm last summer. I should have posted this before but with Christmas and the New Year, etc, it was put to one side, I hope you will forgive the time gap that has occurred. Since we grubbed all our fruit trees the fields have once more returned to meadows for sheep to graze and hay and silage to be cropped. A huge difference in appearance from a few years back, though when I stand on top of the high point of the farm I can still in my mind see those rows of trees stretching out over the vista below. Now in early August the fields are dotted with black monster bales of hay and the reservoirs are still full of the irrigation water that would once have been used to plump up the ripening fruit. This particular day Henry was walking across one of the meadows checking with his metal detector for anything that might be hidden below the heavy clay soil. A task made more difficult I would say by the fact that for over 60 years wooden boxes fastened by nails had been hauled and often broken as they were used for the harvest each year resulting in untold amounts of metal debris being scattered over the farm during those years. Later that afternoon he knocked upon my door and showed me some photos of his latest find. Around two and a half feet long, tube like, round ended, heavy, metal, and with wires sticking out of its sealed end. Not giving the appearances of something you should hit with a hammer! I called the police and then e-mailed them the photos that had been taken as they requested. They

responded after a while that they were concerned and two officers were on their way. They duly arrived and I recognised one of them from an earlier event – two perfect gentlemen. We all trekked up to the items, as by then a further, similar, object had been located several yards away. They too suspected that these two objects may be ordnance of some sort… the bomb squad was called! So, around eleven o’clock that evening a Sergeant from Explosive Ordnance Disposal arrived from Aldershot to inspect Henry’s findings. After various tests and closely inspecting the objects on his truck he said he was satisfied that they were harmless. Rather than two of Adolf’s finest they were probably some sort of ancient anchorage device dating back to the ’twenties or ’thirties when the orchards were first planted. Relief in some ways, but perhaps a little saddened that we were not going to have a couple of big bangs go off in the morning! Still, it did brighten up a windy, grey day somewhat! You never know what’s down there, do you? One of the objects was taken away by the sergeant as a demonstration item for bomb disposal classes. The other… we re-buried! I don’t see why some person in the far future shouldn’t have the fun of coming across it, and once again enjoying the thrill of seeking out its source of origin! The two policemen, who by now where nicely settled in the farm kitchen drinking cups of tea, sadly departed with thanks and best wishes. They did return a couple of weeks later though. This time they carried weapons… fishing rods! By the way, if you had a metal detector in your Christmas stocking… good hunting! John Nash

Pets / About the house

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MISSING CAT

My beautiful cat is missing. He is a massive part of our family and we miss him dearly. He was last seen in Saddlers close, Billingshurst on 19th January. He is completely black and was wearing a blue collar with a heart pendant. He has big ears and a long tail. He is called Bertie and responds to his name. If you have any information as to Bertie’s whereabouts please contact Lara on 07590 281962 or e-mail lala_binks@hotmail.com. Please help us find our boy and reunite him with his family.

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Little Tweeters!

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Out and about

Major Abbey – book collector extraordinaire Horsham Museum & Art Gallery, open now until 28th March

orn in Brighton, long term resident of Storrington, Major John Roland Abbey developed a passion for books. His interest was in the physical object, the print, the colour pictures, how they were bound, their history and who owned them; everything, it would seem, bar the content. For Major Abbey, one of the world’s greatest book collectors, was dyslexic and could hardly write a sentence, though a Director of Kemp Town Brewery in Brighton. That didn’t stop him indulging in his passion and building up, at Greyfriars in Storrington, book collections that were internationally known. Now marking the 50th anniversary of his death on Christmas Eve 1969, Horsham Museum and Art Gallery are staging a display that explores this fascinating collector. Major Abbey, born in 1894, attended Windlesham School for a short while, before being sent by his parents to Mr Mowen’s school in Rottingdean; the world’s first school to specialise in dyslexia, after it had been recognised by Dr Pringle Morgan, of Seaford, in 1896. After serving in the First World War he joined his father’s company and, with it, had access to substantial wealth. His parents would eventually move, in 1931, to Sedgwick Park House. Ten years earlier Major Abbey set up home in Storrington with his new bride, Lady

Ursula Cairns. His wife loathed book collecting as his hobby took over room after room in the house, though she showed great interest in the sales of his collection following his death, especially the profit they made. Major Abbey, as well as becoming renowned for his collection of colour plate books, loved book bindings. He commissioned the leading binders of the day and such was his fame that immediately after World War Two the Arts Council opened an exhibition, in France, of his bindings. Horsham Museum and Art Gallery recently acquired from Denmark two volumes of French book sellers catalogues probably bound by Abbey who took up the craft as a hobby. These are on display alongside books owned by Abbey that have his armorial book plate. The display at Horsham District Council’s Horsham Museum celebrates the life of a one-time resident of the District, who, through his library and the associated works of scholarship, has guided the development of libraries around the world. Horsham Museum & Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, free admission. For more information see www.horshammuseum.org. Rachel Weller, Administration Assistant, Horsham Museum & Art Gallery

Restoring and reviving the art of silent cinema. By Patrick Stanbury

Monday 9th March Billingshurst Rotary Club is holding an open meeting at The Blacksmith’s Arms, Adversane at 7pm on the magic of silent films Patrick’s interest in silent films was sparked initially when he was just 7 and had seen the film Ben Hur, in magnificent Technicolor, with surround sound, and was totally blown away by it, until his mother casually remarked “It wasn’t as good as the original silent version”. What! thought young Patrick, what could possibly be better than the thrilling film he had just seen? He determined, then, to track down this mysterious silent film and find out. It took several years, but as a result Patrick has become an expert on silent films, the medium which transfixed and occupied our grandparents, well before the days of Radio, TV and iPhones. Come and find out about the magic of Silent Films. There will be an opportunity to ask Patrick questions at the end of his talk, which will be followed by a Buffet Supper.

£10 a head including Buffet Supper. To book a place call 07730 983314 or email pete.j.hooper@gmail.com

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Pets

The Spaniel Diaries Jeannette Douglas, author of the long-running SPR Centre series of articles has now left the employ of SPR. This month is the second of her new series. am so glad February is out of the way! Such a long, dark month. But the reason I really dislike this month is that mum insists on putting me in the shower after muddy walks on the farm. I find the best, stinkiest, sloppiest mud to run through and she goes and washes it off – the cheek! She says it’s for my own good, keeping an eye out for horrible things like Alabama Rot as well as saving the carpets as she doesn’t like mud on them either – can’t think why! On the upside I have taught little brother Maverick to charge around in the mud too, it’s funny to watch him be showered as he hates it! The humans have been talking about a thing called Brexit – I don’t know what that is but I heard mum mention that if we want to go abroad I will have to have my pet passport updated at some stage; apparently I can use my current one this year, but after that we are in the hands of the powers that be, so who knows what is going to happen! With the lighter mornings and evenings mum has been taking us out more. Maverick is learning all about walking nicely on his lead – he really is an idiot and gets so excitable, I on the other hand am a gentleman so I suppose I had better show him how things are done. Mum is always super careful to keep us boys on our leads when the white woolly things are around, she calls them sheep. I personally think they are silly and boring so I ignore them as I have been taught to do, but mum says some dog owners are less careful and their dogs chase the silly woolly things and make them stressed and can even kill them, which is horrible.

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She also makes double sure she shuts gates so the silly woolly things can’t escape from their field, some people don’t do this either, how naughty. Mum came home with what she described as “extra tasty food” for us the other day. I’m positive she laced it with some sort of poison – she called it “wormer” and said it was good for us – Maverick just wolfed it down without even tasting it because he’s an idiot. I’m far wiser than that, I knew there was something in there, but to humour her I did eat it. I suspect she’ll try that one again in three months time; I might just leave it next time as it tastes funny. Then, to my horror ,out came the flea treatment! It’s absolutely yuk and is dripped onto the back of my neck. I did my very best to roll around on the carpet and wipe it off much to Mum’s frustration. How dare she suggest I have fleas, I am going to roll in some fox poo next time we’re out, that’ll teach her a lesson! We have been having some lovely beach walks too. It’s so nice in the winter with fewer people around and we can have a good gallop around and a play in the water too. The idiot Maverick tried to drink the seawater – the look on his face was priceless when he tasted it, I could have told him not to but I didn’t! I couldn’t resist letting the little pest get a taste! Mum keeps a very close eye on us on the beach in case of a thing she calls “palm oil” – big lumps of waxy stuff that is tasty to us dogs but is apparently toxic and can make us very ill; I’m pleased she keeps us safe and even I wouldn’t let Maverick eat that – I do like him really (sometimes!) That’s all for this month. I’m looking forward to spring and I really hope Mum does those “pub walk” things this year! Jeannette Douglas

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Garden Tweet!

An annual fiesta

’ve always loved an annual. From Bunty to The Blue Peter Annual, they were crammed full of interest and fun. As I grew older my taste in annuals has become more horticultural. One little pack of seeds is now my gardening equivalent of the Beano – a brief shelf-life and packed with colour. Hardy annuals are the most obliging. They don’t need a propagator or a greenhouse, or even a windowsill; all they need is a sunny spot and some welldrained soil. Just sprinkle the seeds in the ground and you can look forward to a fiesta of summer colour for very little work. The choice of plants and hue is wide. If blue is your thing try a soft shade of love-in-a-mist, or a vivid blue cornflower, or the most gorgeous tiny phacelia. For pinks try a fluffy clarkia or delicate godetia. Nasturtiums span the colour wheel from cream through yellow and orange to deep red. Annual doesn’t mean small either. Both larkspurs and amaranthus are tall and elegant, and cleomes which also provide height probably only need to be planted once as they are prolific self-seeders! Look around your garden for gaps in beds and borders which are in a sunny spot and welldrained. Don’t plant when it’s cold or the soil is wet and sticky. Wait until the weather is mild and

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soil is damp and crumbly, then fork it lightly to break it up. Use a rake to create shallow furrows, sprinkle the seeds over and rake them gently in, raking across the furrows to cover them. Bigger seeds like nasturtiums can be pushed into the soil a couple of centimetres deep and 10-15cm apart. Label the area so you know what should come up. The biggest enemy of the newlyplanted hardy annual seed is the domestic cat! They love a patch of freshly raked soil, and will happily do their business in your handiwork and then kick up all your seeds without a second thought. Thwart the moggies by laying twiggy pea sticks over the area (and particularly twiggy and thorny prunings will do!). Remove them when the shoots are big enough or stand them up and use them to support the taller annuals. Thin them out a little to one plant per 10cm and water them if the weather is very dry. You don’t need to feed them; they flower best when the soil is not rich. Food and manure will favour leaf production whereas we’re after flowers and lots of them! Happy gardening. Rachel Leverton

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Garden Tweet!

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Garden Tweet! / Pest control / Fencing

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Garden Tweet! / Out and about

Another Community Gardening Day Station Road Community Gardens, Sunday 29th March, 9am-1pm ‘Gardens are not made by singing “Oh, how beautiful!” and sitting in the shade.’ ollowing on from the successful the gardens in Station Community Gardening Day held on 12th Road with Keith Brown October last year when all involved had a and his team and help brilliant day and even wake up attracted our MP Jeremy Quin the Gardens for the spring and who joined us! summer. You don’t have to be an We are happy to announce we expert gardener, just willing to do will be holding these at regular some weeding, clipping, intervals; the next one is on deadheading and general tidying Sunday 29th March to help for a few hours. maintain this ‘Garden of Eden’ Best of all, you will not have we have in the midst of our been singing “Oh, how beautiful!” community. and sitting in the shade but As we are all aware, gardens helping to keep one of our most don’t just happen by accident precious community assets alive and Billingshurst has been lucky and well. for the last 10 years to have For more information please Keith Brown and a small team e-mail Sandy Duck on of dedicated volunteers who sandyduck@btinternet.com or have, along with the Parish call her on (01403) 786146. Council contractors and staff Sandy Duck, members, created and Billingshurst & District Rotary Club maintained our wonderful Station Billingshurst Parish Council Neighbourhood Road Community Gardens. Warden hard at work in last October’s Gardening Day. Photo: Sarah Wilson Everyone is invited to meet at

West Chiltington Floral Club (Affiliated to NAFAS)

Our evening meetings resume in March and we look forward to welcoming Kathryn Goddard with her demonstration entitled Sapphire and Steel on 17th March. To make this evening extra special we extend a very warm welcome to all visitors, who will be free this evening. Unless otherwise stated, meetings are held at West Chiltington Village Hall, Mill Road, West Chiltington, RH20 2PZ, 7 for 7.30pm (1.30 for 2pm in February & November). For more information, please contact Brenda Bull on (01798) 813712. Brenda Bull We also have our popular Junktique, Collectables & Clutter Sale on Sat 21st March at West Chiltington Village Hall,10.15am-12.30pm. See ad on this page

Village Tweet

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Village Tweet Spot the Difference

Don’t forget Mother’s Day on 22nd March. Can you spot the 12 differences? Solution on page 51

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Motoring

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Motoring

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What’s On near you

What’s On – March Every Mon

Table Tennis. St Mary’s Room, East St, Billingshurst, 2-4pm. An informal sociable group for all ages. Newcomers welcome, tea & biscuits included, £1 (goes to church funds). Tony, tel: (01403) 783496 Every 2nd Rotary Club. Blacksmiths Arms, Adversane. 7.30pm. Supper (£13) & talk. Visitors welcome. Social activities & 4th Mon & occasional business meetings. Stuart Pullen, Attendance Secretary, tel: (01798) 873791 or 07967 159034 Every Mon, Shipley Men’s Shed. Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane. Part of the international Men’s Shed Tues & Weds organisation. For men interested in woodwork or wish to spend time with like-minded, local chaps. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: 07786 070939 or email philipgibbs669@gmail.com Every Mon Wisborough Green Short Mat Bowls Club. Village Hall. Mons 2.30-4.30pm, Weds 1.30-3.30pm. & Weds New members & visitors welcome. £2.50 (includes Tea/Coffee & biscuits). Trial session free for newcomers. Further information: www.wisboroughgreen.org or contact Keith Carter on 01403 700502 Every Tues Stitch & Knit. Six Bells, Billingshurst. 7-9.30pm. Welcoming & helpful, just bring your project & make new friends. No fees. Sarah, tel: 07817 699865 (leave message) Every Tues Short mat bowls. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre (formerly Village Hall). 2-4pm. £4 per session. Come and try a game. It’s great fun with friendly people in a small club. Further details please contact Joan, tel: (01403) 785082 or Henry, tel: 07522 626566 Every Tues Billingshurst Choral Society rehearsal. Billingshurst Primary School, 7.30-9.45pm during term time. New members always welcome. For details see www.billingshurstchoralsociety.org Every Tues Slinfold Concert Band rehearsal. Slinfold Village Hall from 7.30-9.30pm. Brass, woodwind and percussion players all welcome. www.slinfoldconcertband.org Every Tues Billingshurst Youth Club. Women’s Hall, High St, Billingshurst, 7.30-9pm, term-time. 11-16 years. Varied activities such as indoor obstacle course, miniature football tournaments and crafts. £1 per session. Contact Ben Sheldon, Community Youth Worker, tel: 07763 302456, e-mail: ben.sheldon@horsham-matters.org.uk Every Tues Walking Football. 10-11am. Holbrook Club, Horsham (winter) or Shipley football ground off Dragon’s Lane. (Check website or phone for venue.) Followed by refreshments. Men & women welcome. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Tel: 07786 070939 or email philipgibbs669@gmail.com Every Tues Drop in Baby Zone! St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 1.30-3pm. Meet other parents and their babies. Every week except between Xmas & New Year. Emma: babies@stmarysbillingshurst.org Every Tues Neighbourhood Warden drop-in sessions. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 12-2pm Every Tues Preschool Ballet and street dance classes. Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. VMA Dance run fun, friendly & Thurs classes for preschool children. Free trial then £4pw pre-booked. 07879 773705 www.vmadance.co.uk Every Tues Petanque Club. Meets at Shipley Football Ground, 10.15am for 10.30 start (in the summer months & Fri meet Friday, 6.30pm). Coffee after. All equipment provided. All ages and abilities welcome. www.HorshamShipleyCommunityProject.org. Melanie, tel: (01403) 782134 or email: melcjrob@gmail.com Every Weds Horsham Accordion Band. Practises in Slinfold Chapel from 7.30-9.30pm. Varied repertoire. Band Leader Mags Fisher tel: (01403) 790717 or email: magsfisher@btinternet.com Every Weds The Millennium Bridge Club. Storrington Village Hall, 1.30-4.30pm. All abilities. Please contact: Barbara: (01903) 741365 or daisy.campling@btinternet.com Every Weds Line dancing. St Gabriel’s Church Hall 7-10 pm. All levels welcome, beginners from 7pm. Details from Maureen 07774 828282 Every Weds Billingshurst Bell Ringing practice. St Mary’s Church, Billingshurst. 7.30-9.15pm. New learners and visitors welcome, just turn up. For information email Kathy at kathyfitzp@hotmail.co.uk Every Weds The Leconfield Singers. United Reformed Church, Petworth. 8-10pm. Mixed voice non-audition community choir. Newcomers welcome. More details and term times see www.leconfieldsingers.co.uk Every Weds Billingshurst Rock Choir. Primary School. 7.30-9pm, term times. No experience required. A friendly choir singing upbeat pop, rock and Motown. Book a FREE taster session at www.rockchoir.com Every 2nd BilliUke: Billingshurst’s Own Ukulele Jam! The Six Bells, from 7.30pm. If you already have a & 4th Weds ukulele, or are thinking about getting one, please come along and join us. It’s a fun couple of hours and you also get to make new friends from the village and beyond. www.billiuke.com Every Thurs Stitch & Knit. 10am-12.30pm. We rove round local cafés & car share, lifts may be possible. Welcoming & helpful, just bring your project. No fees. Sarah, tel: 07817 699865 (leave message) Every Thurs HDC Health Walk. Billingshurst (2). Meet 11am, Library car park, Billingshurst (TQ086260). Parking free with annnual permit or 75p per hour. 2¼ miles, flat, easy. 1 hour. Chris (01403) 782745. All HDC walks are guided, free and sociable. Led by trained volunteers; no need to book, just turn-up Every Thurs Wildlife walkabouts. RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, Wiggonholt, RH20 2EL. 10am-12 noon. Our regular gentle ramble is an ideal introduction to some of our very special wildlife. £8 per person (£2.50 for RSPB members). (01798) 875851. www.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks Every Thurs Toddler Church. St Mary’s Church, Billingshurst. Term-time only, 12.15-2pm. Voluntary contribution for lunch £2.50 per family Every Thurs Spy Café. The Chapel, Spy Lane, Loxwood, RH14 0SS. 10am-4.30pm. Family-friendly. Fairtrade teas, coffee, hot chocolate, home-made cakes. Breakfasts & light lunches. www.emmanuelfellowship.co.uk Every Fri Open days at The Blue Idol. Quaker Meeting House, Oldhouse Lane, Coolham, RH13 8QP. 10am-4pm. (March-November.) www.blueidol.org, Facebook @BlueIdolQuakers, (01403) 740174 Every Fri VMA Dance classes for children 2-18yrs. Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. Classes in Ballet, Street Dance & Contemporary. Free Trial available then £5pw pre-booked. 07879 773705 www.vmadance.co.uk Every Fri Nationwide Building Society. Billingshurst Community Centre. 10am-1pm. Help and guidance on Nationwide products and services. More information: stephanie.courquin@nationwide.co.uk Every Sat Indoor table top sale and market. Ansell’s Yard, Kirdford Road, Wisborough Green, RH14 0DD. 10am-2pm. No entrance fee. Tables £5 (must be pre-booked). Tel: (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940 Every Sun The Emmanuel Fellowship meet every Sunday at ‘The Chapel’, Spy Lane, Loxwood. 10.30am for about an hour with refreshments afterwards. www.emmanuelfellowship.co.uk SPACE IS TIGHT IN THE WHAT’S ON PAGES. IF ANYONE HAS TRIED TO TAKE PART IN ANY OF THE REGULAR ENTRIES (ABOVE) AND FOUND THEM TO BE NO LONGER AVAILABLE PLEASE LET VILLAGE TWEET KNOW

What’s On near you 2 Mar 2 Mar 2 Mar 3 Mar 3 Mar 3-14 Mar 4 Mar 4 Mar 4 Mar 4 Mar 4 Mar 4 Mar 5 Mar 5 Mar 5 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 6 Mar 6 Mar 6 Mar 6 Mar 9 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar

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Wisborough Green Horticultural Society AGM, Quiz & Table Top Competition (From your own garden five flowering (preferably) or evergreen stems displayed to best effect – of one or more variety). Village Hall, 8pm. Coffee served before meeting. £2 non-members, £1 members Horsham Natural History Society Members Evening. Several members make a short presentation of around 10-15 minutes on a wide variety of topics. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Events are held every Monday, details: www.hnhs.org.uk Rotary Club monthly ‘Friends’ get together for new members. Six Bells, Billinghurst. 7pm. Come along and find out about what we do! Trefoil Guild Meeting. St Mary’s Room, East St, Billingshurst. 7.30-9pm. First Tuesday of the month. Open to all ex-Brownies, Guides & Guiders. Hillary, tel: (01403) 783792 The Arts Society West Sussex Ploughman’s Lunch and lecture by Daniel Robbins: ‘The Studio Houses of the Holland Park Circle’. Fittleworth Village Hall. Lunch 12.30pm, lecture 2pm. Visitors (£5) most welcome. Tel: (01903) 411086 or email: jackiebuckler@sky.com. www.theartssocietywestsussex.org Nelson Mandela Art Exhibition. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 10am-4.30pm. This exhibition, presented by Belgravia Gallery, displays signed artwork produced by Nelson Mandela in the early 2000’s after his release from prison and time as President of South Africa. Free. www.cranleighartscentre.org Theatre: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 7.30pm. Fast-paced adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. Tickets £14: (01483) 278000 (Tues-Sat 10am-4.30pm) or visit www.cranleighartscentre.org Parish Council Full Council & Trustees meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm The Arts Society – South Downs lecture by Mark Hill: ‘The History of the Fountain Pen’. Fittleworth Village Hall. Coffee from 9.50, lecture 10.45. Visitors (£6) are very welcome. Hilary, tel: (01403) 785302. www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk Ifold Gardening Club Talk: ‘Gardening on Clay Soil’ by Clive Mellor, from Charleshurst Nursery. Kelsey Hall, Ifold. 8pm. New members always welcome, just pop along or contact Vickie Kirby, tel: (01243) 585269 Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk by Horsham’s Well Being Team. Tips & advice to help us keep healthy and ‘safe & steady’ at home. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net Horsham District Council Local Plan Public consultation. Beeson House, Southwater. 4-8pm. See page 16 Billingshurst Horticultural Society Meeting. Talk: ‘Wildflower Meadows’ by Michael Joseph. St Gabriel’s Parish Hall, East Street, 8pm. Admission free to members. Visitors welcome – £1 (inc refreshments) Wisborough Green WI Evening. Wisborough Green Village Hall. 8pm. Every first Thurs (except Jan: 2nd Thursday). No August meeting. Visitors welcome. Ruth Isaacs, Secretary: (01403) 785402 Reading Friends. Billingshurst Library. 10.30-11.30am. Are you interested in meeting new friends, having a good chat and sharing your love of books? Everyone welcome, just turn up. Tel: (01403) 783145 Parish Council Planning & Environmental Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm Hepworth Brewery presents: ‘Mad March Hare Ale’, live music with Charlie Austen. Tap Room, Hepworth Brewery, 5.30-9.30pm. New Mad March Hare Ale and food available. See page 9 HDC Health Walk. Barns Green (1). Meet 11am, new car park (yellow road markings) near the Village Hall, RH13 0PT (TQ128272). 2 miles. 1 hour. Chatter Cheema, tel: 07720 714306 World Day of Prayer. St Mary’s Church, Billingshurst. 4pm. All welcome P.A.G.N.E. (People Against Gatwick Noise & Emissions) Public Meeting. North Hall, Loxwood. 7.30pm. Find out about Gatwick’s expansion plans. See February’s Village Tweet, page 40 Charity Lent Lunch. Talk: Refugee Crisis. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst. 1pm. All welcome Billingshurst Rotary Club Open Meeting: ‘Spellbound in Darkness’ – restoring and reviving the art of silent cinema by Patrick Stanbury. The Blacksmith’s Arms, Adversane. 7pm, followed by a Buffet Supper. £10 a head, to book call 07730 983314 or email pete.j.hooper@gmail.com See page 43 Horsham Natural History Society Talk: ‘Spiders around the home’ by Roger Mason. Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, RH12 1AN (car park behind the hall). 7.30pm. Details: www.hnhs.org.uk Laughter Yoga Club. Unitarian Hall (side door), Billingshurst, RH14 9TB. (Park Lakers Mead.) 1.50pm. Boost immune system & improve your wellbeing! All welcome. Linda, tel: (01403) 452773 Horsham District Archaeology Group talk by Dr Judie English: ‘Archaeology of the Low Weald – old ideas and recent finds’. Brighton Rd Baptist Church, Horsham, RH13 5BD. 7 for 7.30pm. The talk will discuss monuments of the Neolithic period. Members free, non-members £3. Light refreshments. Contact horshamarch@hotmail.co.uk or (01403) 731695 Messy Church! Billingshurst Village Hall. 3.30-5.30pm. Billingshurst churches welcome families to have fun with games, crafts, singing and stories. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Sit-down meal, donation. www.messychurch.org.uk Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: ‘Running Fawlty Towers & Cooking for the Rich & Famous’. A talk full of amusing anecdotes & tales by well known speaker, Susan Howe. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net Billingshurst Carers Group (for carers of people with dementia or long-term condition). Longfield Manor, West Street, RH14 9LX. 2.30-4pm. (Every 2nd Weds.) info@carerssupport.org.uk or www.carerssupport.org.uk Wisborough Green Market. The Village Hall, 9am-12.30pm. Up to 30 stalls selling high quality local artisan foods & crafts. Stalls include: fresh fish, meat, bread, cheese, turkey products, cakes & jams, flowers, skin care and more. Relax with tea, coffee and home-made cakes by Macmillan volunteers. E-mail: wisboroughmarket@gmail.com CDC Health Walk: Plaistow. Meet on east side of Green near shop, 10.30am. A level 4.2 mile walk. 2 hours. No dogs. www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart Billingshurst WI Talk: ‘R.N.L.I.’ by Martin Stewart. Stanley Room, Community Centre, Roman Way. 2.30pm. Interesting speakers, hobby groups, outings. Visitors welcome. Contact, tel: (01403) 782244

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What’s On near you

Billingshurst Local History Society Talk by Rob Wassell who wrote The Story of the Belle Tout Lighthouse will speak about the famous Beachy Head landmark. Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre, 7.30pm. Membership £20 per annum. Visitors £5 per meeting. Ms G Knight, tel: (01403) 451401, email: g.j.s.knight@btinternet.com Loxwood Movie Night: ‘Downton Abbey’. North Hall, RH14 0SF. 7 for 7.30 start. £5 on the door. Bar Macmillan Film night. ‘Little Women’. Billingshurst Conference & Community Centre. 7pm for 7.30pm start. Refreshments, raffle and Macmillan stall. Tickets £6.50 from www.touringcinema.com or Austens Home Hardware, 48-52 High Street or Terri Ashpool, tel: (01403) 588996 or on the door Billingshurst and District Wine and Beer Circle talk & tasting by Giles of Southdown Cellars. Circle meets 2nd Friday of each month (except August) at St Gabriel’s Hall, East Street, 8pm. New members welcome. Contact Tony White on (01403) 783475. www.billingshurstwineandbeercircle.com Charity Lent Lunch. Talk: Christian Aid. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst. 1pm. All welcome Introduction to Beekeeping. Rudgwick Village Hall. Tel: (01403) 751899. See March’s Village Tweet, IBC The Arts Society Cranleigh Talk: ‘What makes a great film?’ A Special Interest Morning with Richard Culpidi. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 2pm & 7.30pm. All welcome. The Society meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, except August & December. www.theartssocietycranleigh.org Wisborough Green WI Jumble Sale. Wisborough Green Village Hall. 2pm. Contact: (01403) 700284 Vivace Chorus: ‘African Sanctus’ – David Fanshawe. GLive, Guildford. 7.30pm. Immersive event puts you right in the heart of Africa. Tickets: £20, £25 (U18 £10), tel: (01483) 369350 or GLive.co.uk Billingshurst United Reformed Church Dementia Café. In the Church Hall, on the Second Saturday of every month, from 10am-12pm. Please join us for tea, coffee and cake. All are welcome Billingshurst Bowling Club Quiz Night. St Gabriel’s Church Hall, East Street. 7.15pm. Tables of 4, £5 per person. Cash prizes. Raffle. All welcome. To book please contact Beryl, tel: (01403) 784599 Macmillan Film night. ‘Little Women’’. Pulborough Village Hall. 7pm for 7.30pm start. Refreshments, raffle and Macmillan stall. Tickets £6.50 from www.touringcinema.com or Pulborough Village Hall or Terri Ashpool, tel: (01403) 588996 or on the door (subject to availability) Billingshurst Lions Club Meeting. Sports Pavilion, Jubilee Fields, Billingshurst. 8pm. For information about the Club contact Alan Ridout on (01403) 871370 or call in at the Lions Bookshop, Jengers Mead St Mary’s Guild Members’ talk by John Cann: ‘The Life of a Film Extra’. St Mary’s Room, East Street, Billingshurst. 10.30am. We are a friendly women’s group and we welcome visitors. Beryl Peacock (01403) 782835 Loxwood Jazz & Blues Club. Village Hall. With candlelit tables and a licensed bar, it has a very intimate atmosphere with international standard jazz and blues. All profits go towards the renovation Loxwood Village Hall. Tickets are priced at the amazing price of £12 each, available from Loxwood Village Stores or Anita Bates on (01403) 752954 Billingshurst Wednesday Group: ‘Getting to Know You’. With coffee & cake. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net Parish Council Working Practices Committee meeting. Billingshurst Centre. 7.30pm Billingshurst Community Partnership Informal Gathering: Arts & Culture. Children & Family Centre, Station Road. 7pm. See page 39 Barns Green & Itchingfield Women’s Institute Meeting. Barns Green Village Hall. 2.30pm followed by tea. New members welcome. Meetings 3rd Thurs of the month. For more information contact Annette Relph (01403) 732580 HDC Health Walk. Barns Green. Details as per 6th March walk Charity Lent Lunch. Talk: Uganda Missions. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst. 1pm. All welcome Junktique collectables & clutter sale. West Chiltington Village Hall. 10.15am-12.30pm. See page 48 Billingshurst Showcase. Billingshurst Centre. 1.30-4.30pm. Free entry. See page 29 Age UK Strictly Vintage Dance. Drill Hall, Horsham. 2-5pm. £13. Tel: (01403) 751304. See page 23 Kelsey Hall Fundraiser Quiz. Kelsey Hall. 7.30pm (doors open 6.45). See page 23 Billingshurst Fire Station Charity Car Wash. Fire Station. 10am-2pm. See page 10 HDC Health Walk. Lords Piece – Coates. Meet 10am car park, Lords Piece, Coates Lane, RH20 1PZ. 3.3 miles. 1½ hours. Dogs welcome. Refreshments provided. Mick, tel: ( 01903) 745971 The Mary How Trust Film Society, ‘Judy’. West Chiltington Village Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £6 (Loyalty card: watch 6 films get 7th free!) on the door or from The Mary How Trust clinic and its Pulborough charity shop; The Card Centre, Storrington; Cherilyn/Nisa Local, West Chiltington; Mary How Trust Ticket hotline: (01798) 877646 Women’s Circle Meeting. Unitarian Chapel, Lakers Meadow, Billingshurst, RH14 9QS. Meets monthly to share wisdom, experience and sisterhood in a safe and friendly space. £5 on the night includes refreshments. Dates and themes at www.intentionalhealing.co.uk/events, or Sarah, tel: 07970 976877 The Arts Society Cranleigh Talk: ‘Modern British Sculpture 1900-1950’ by Anna Moszinska. Cranleigh Arts Centre. 2pm & 7.30pm. All welcome. The Society meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, except August & December. www.theartssocietycranleigh.org The Arts Society – South Downs Special Interest Day. 2 lectures by Lars Tharp: ‘Beyond Earth – Stone Age to Space Age’ and ‘A Brief History of the World in Clay’, lunch and a Road Show. Fittleworth Village Hall. 9.45am-3pm. Guests are welcome (£35). Further info, tel: (01798) 8155824 or visit www.theartssocietysouthdowns.org.uk Billingshurst Wednesday Group Talk: We welcome Head Gardener, Paul Gallvin from the NT property Woolbeding Gardens, near Midhurst. History of the property & gardens with photos. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst, 10am. Hazel Barnes, tel: (01403) 780660 or email: buzzhaz2@talktalk.net Parish Council Billingshurst Centre & F&GP Committees meetings. Billingshurst Centre. 7 & 7.30pm Sing for Pleasure. Billingshurst Community Centre. 3.00-4.30pm. We are a friendly, informal group who enjoy a sing-along. If you are a lady or gentleman in the more mature age group, even if you think you can’t sing, we’d love you to join us for an enjoyable afternoon. £3, includes tea and biscuits

What’s On near you / Index / Accountancy 27 Mar 28 Mar 28 Mar

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Charity Lent Lunch. Talk: Jubylee Bakes. St Mary’s Room, Billingshurst. 1pm. All welcome ABC Animal Sanctuary Quiz Night. Thakeham Village Hall. 7.30pm. £10 includes two-course meal. Tickets from Maggie, tel: 07900 124841 or via www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk/events Pulborough Village Market. Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, RH20 2BF. 9am-12.30pm. Fresh produce, bread, delicatessen, local honey, organic condiments, plants, local crafts, fairtrade goods and much more. Café serving a full English breakfast, tea/coffee and cakes. Free entry. Please like us on Facebook. Market Coordinator Terri Ashpool, tel: (01403) 588996, e-mail: terriashpool@uwclub.net Cranleigh Camera Club: Annual Exhibition. Judge: Don Morley, distinguished photojournalist. Cranleigh Village Hall. 10am-4pm. Wide range of prints and digital images on show. Non-members welcome. Free entry. Refreshments available. Website: www.cranleighcameraclub.co.uk. Rotary Club Community Gardening Day. Station Road Gardens, Billingshurst. 9am-1pm. See page 48 Billingshurst Choral Society Concert. Haydn’s Te Deum, Hummel’s Mass & Mozart’s Symphony No 36. Billingshurst Leisure Centre. 7.30pm. Tickets £15, students £7.50, tel: 07785 314097. See page 20

Village Tweet will publish details of local events in this free What’s On section. Please email brief details to editor@villagetweet.co.uk together with contact or website details

ADVERTISERS INDEX March 2020

1A Acclaim Floor Care ......................40 A-Team Mechanics............................51 A/c’s Direct, Accounting ..................IBC AC Decor...........................................35 Age UK, Strictly Vintage....................23 AK Forrester......................................24 Alba Plumbing...................................31 Ansells Market...................................10 Apex Aerials ......................................33 Arrow Fire Protection ........................11 Barking Mad Pet Care.......................44 Best Choice Roofing .........................35 Biji Property Services Ltd..................32 Billingshurst Choral Society ..............20 Billingshurst Community Transport ...23 Billingshurst Leisure Centre ..............18 Billingshurst Parish Council .........28-29 Billingshurst Rotary Club.............10, 43 Billingshurst Service, Repair & MOT Centre ..................................50 Bluecoat Sports.............................OBC Bygone Gardening ............................47 Cadiss Kitchens & Bathrooms ..........37 Carolyn Gibbs, Ometepe Talk ...........35 Daisy’s Dogs .....................................44 Dandelion Farewells, funerals...........17 Delta Decor .......................................37 DM Handyman ..................................37 DW Gardens .....................................45 Evans Electrical.................................32

Flackwoods Solicitors..........................6 Flow-serve Plumbing, Drainage, Heating..........................................24 Fowlers Estate Agent ..........................3 GB Glazing Ltd..................................27 GJ Coles, builder ..............................36 Goring Road Carpet Centre..............35 Hamilton Cole TV & Satellite Equipment .....................................33 Heath Windows Ltd (Southern).........25 Hepworth Brewery...............................9 Holly Stone Hypnotherapy ................17 Horsham District Council ............14, 16 JC Plumbing......................................26 Jef Wilson Painting & Decorating .....26 Jim Hills Sports Warehouse................4 JMB Gardening Services ..................45 Jonathan Carter Tree Surgery ..........47 Katherine Finn Hypnotherapy ...........19 Kelsey Hall, Quiz.............................223 Kings Head pub ..................................9 Lee’s Locks .......................................41 Lintott Auto Services .........................51 Louise Sloan, opticians .....................21 Mac’s Private Hire...............................8 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning ...........39 MW Wingate Painting & Decorating .32 MPS Home Improvements Ltd..........39 N Francis Electrical Ltd.....................27 NFP Forestry.....................................49

Norsat................................................27 Onslow Arms pub................................8 Oven Cleaning Direct........................34 Oven Rescue ....................................33 Ovens & More ...................................36 Park & Brown, opticians....................17 Paul Nelson Painting & Decorating...25 Pest Man...........................................47 Petworth MOT Centre .......................50 PilatesWise .......................................21 PJM Building & Property Maintenance .41 Rebecca Beauty Therapist................21 REM Landscapes..............................46 Re-Nu Kitchens.................................25 Rudgwick Fencing.............................47 Seasons Art Class...............................7 St Catherine’s Hospice .....................15 St Mary’s church ...............................13 Sussex Carpet Brokers .....................38 Sussex Towing Brackets ...................51 Terry Clohessey Painting & Decorating.....................................31 The Natural Way ...............................19 The Odd Job People.........................30 Village Homecare..............................19 Village Nurseries ...............................47 West Chiltington Floral Club, Junktique.......................................48

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