Lindfield Times

September 2007 Issue 26

2

www.lindfield
www.lindfieldtimes.co.uk
times.co.uk Circulation 6,000

* PRH Campaign Latest * The Poor Law & Lindfield * Bowls Club at 100 *
* Lindfield Times Photographic Competition With Great Prizes*
* Record Attendance at Horticultural Society Show *
* Lindfield Preservation Society Newsletter Inside*
 Editors Comments
Comments
Cover image:
‘Historic Lindfield’
© Lindfield Times 2007 There has been so much going on locally lately
Copydate for October issue of this August edition of the Lindfield Times is
Lindfield Times: 10th September packed with lots of interesting articles, hot off
2007 the press.
We have included full coverage of the latest
information about the destiny of the PRH, the
Editor Jeremy Crooks
Lindfield Preservation Society have included
Design Editor Kevin Elliott
their latest newsletter covering six pages and
Tel: 01444 487454 there are many articles from the press office of
Email: editor@lindfieldtimes.co.uk the Mid Sussex District Council.
www.lindfieldtimes.co.uk
See the back page for our photographic compe-
Photography by: Picsnapper tition entry form, prizes include a camera and a
www.picsnapper.co.uk free photo shoot in our new studio based in
Printed by: Swan Press Brighton and a free family portrait. Only Top
Prizes come from The Lindfield Times.
To Advertise Call Jay
Tel: 01444 487454

CANON
If you submit any photographs for print, please ensure

you have permission for use beforehand

From Our Brighton Studio

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

 King Edward Hall
Diary of Events
Events
Septmber

1st Paws & Claws Charity Event

(Carol Derham 482125)

2nd Ruwach Christian Church Service

(Janet Hilton: 459025)

6th Country Market Contact

Contact 07758 961393
(Sheila Hobbs: 483396)

9th Ruwach Christian Church Service

(Janet Hilton: 459025)

13th Country Market

(Sheila Hobbs: 483396)

15th Lindfield Horticultural Society

Autumn Show (Sheila Hobbs: 483396)

16th Ruwach Christian Church Services

(Janet Hilton: 459025)

20th Country Market

(Sheila Hobbs: 483396)

21st Charity Quiz Night

(Mike Tomes: 459626)

23rd CSCBA Bird Sale

(Don Hunter: 235736)

27th Country Market

(Sheila Hobbs: 483396)

KEH Film Show

28th Charity Ladies Night

for Court Meadow School
(Siobhan Farrell 483873)

Issue 26 Page 3
 B’Old over 100
LINDFIELD BOWLING CLUB
Over a hundred years of bowling on
the Common
Lindfield Bowling Club has been in existence since 1903. Today it has over 130 members.

The two photographs were taken in

1914 and the mid 1930’s. Bowlers
enjoying a game include Bert
Hiscock, Ralph Jenner and Harold
Philps. Can you identify any other
players?

Sadly there is no record of names to

match with the gentleman who
appear in the 1914 photograph.
This was taken in front of what was
presumably the original clubhouse
on Lindfield Common. The Latin
sign over the doorway still exists and
is kept safely on display within the current clubhouse. The inscription has been the subject of many
discussions over the years. The translation is believed to be "An honest man is without bias "

If anyone can recognise any of the bowlers, we would be extremely interested to know. Also if any-
one has a different view on the translation, then please advise.

Please contact Roger Green, Lindfield Bowling Club, 01444 484366 or Richard Bryant, Lindfield
History Project Group, 01444 482136

Why not visit ‘Our Lindfield: A

Sense of Place’ exhibition organ-
ised by the Lindfield History
Project Group to discover more
about Lindfield in years past at
King Edward Hall, 6 – 7 October,
11.00am–4.00pm. Admission:
Adults £1.00 Children free.
Refreshments available.

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 5
Fighting fund launched
Support the PRH campaign
Campaigners seeking to maintain A&E and maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in
Haywards Heath have launched a new fighting fund in a bid to step up efforts to save local health
services threatened by the Primary Care Trust’s ongoing consultation.

The fundraising appeal is backed by the four local MPs who are leading the campaign, Nicholas
Soames, Nick Herbert, Norman Baker and Charles Hendry.

Campaign organisers say that the fund will be used to prepare a detailed case to respond to the
Primary Care Trust, using the help of a professional health economist, which will cost tens of thou-
sands of pounds. Campaign material will also be distributed to every local household, including
posters and a response form, which can be sent to the PCT.The MPs, who have all backed the
fund personally, are calling on the whole community to support their hospital by displaying posters
and contributing to the appeal. Every resident is asked to give at least £1 towards the fund, and
local businesses are being asked to contribute £1 for every employee.

The campaign is planning a programme of fund raising events, and local community organisations
will be encouraged to hold their own fund raising activities, such as sponsored swims and coffee
mornings. Organisers will also be writing to larger local firms, requesting sponsorship for campaign
publicity.

Residents who are able to contribute to the fighting fund can do so by:

Sending their donation (cheques made payable to “Support the PRH campaign”) to Support the
Princess Royal Hospital, 5 Hazelgrove Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3PH
Making an over the counter deposit, or internet transfer to Support the PRH Campaign, Lloyds
TSB, Haywards Heath. Sort code 30-18-30 Account number 02094728
Speaking today, Norman Baker, MP for Lewes said: "It's now or never - we have only 14 weeks left
to put our case to the PCT, and we need everyone's support. If every household and business
puts in at least pound, we will really be able to take the fight to the Trust"

Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex said: "We must make the strongest possible case to the
Primary Care Trust and show that retention of Maternity and A&E services is a viable option.
There's no doubt that the Trust is on the back foot, but we need the resources to step up cam-
paigning and ensure that the PRH stays in the fight”

Nick Herbert, MP for Arundel & South Downs added: "Frankly, this is a call to arms. We must step
up the pressure and that means funds. I'd like to see as many posters and car stickers for the
PRH as I see for the other hospitals in West Sussex. Every pound will add strength to the case for
our local hospital, so please help"

The campaign has pledged that the fighting fund will be publicly audited, and any funds remaining
at the end of the campaign will be divided equally between the Sussex Air Ambulance and St.
Peters & St. James Hospice.

Editors Note......”Its your hospital, fight now or forever hold your peace”

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

 ITS NO PICNIC
AS HUNDREDS ATTEND LOCAL PARK

Hundreds of local residents have attended a sum-

mer picnic in Haywards Heath to support maternity
services at the Princess Royal Hospital, which are
threatened by the West Sussex Primary Care
Trust’s Fit for the Future consultation. The event,
The Big Push, was the latest in a programme of
protests designed to send health authorities the
clear message that their proposals do not com-
mand community support.
Last year, just under
2,500 mothers gave birth at the Princess Royal Hospital, all of whom
would be sent to Brighton or Redhill to give birth under the propos-
als, and according to local midwifes, there were more babies born at
the PRH in July 2007 than in any other month since it was opened in
1991.
Those attending the picnic heard short speeches from local MPs and
health professionals, who were united in their determination to pre-
vent the downgrading of local health services. Around £2,000 was
raised for the campaign, which will help pay for a professional con-
sultant to produce a robust response to the consultation document.

Speaking after the event, Dr Herry Ashby, who works as a GP in

Fighting all the way, Soames addresses
the public and gives thanks to the press
Newick, East Sussex said: “We are all here this afternoon to demon-
strate our total opposition to the downgrading of the PRH’s maternity
department. If these changes go ahead, mothers and babies will be
put at risk”

Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames said: “This was a heroic

turnout by local people who by their presence and gen-
erosity to the campaign, show how much they truly value
our local maternity services and all who work in them”

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert said: “We have

had a fantastic turnout considering people will have been
on holiday. It shows the level of support in the local com-
munity for
our hospital
and the
strength of
feeling that
we want to
keep A&E
and materni-
ty services”
Midwives from the PRH
5 year old, Linus, speaks for his twin sisters

Issue 26 Page 7
 The most celebrated festival in September is the harvest

"Hip! Hip! Hip! For the harvest home,

Now we've taken the last load home,
I ripped my shirt and teared my skin,
To get my master's harvest in."
(old Warwickshire harvest song.)

In Shropshire this would include a Fidget Pie with a

hearty filling of potatoes, apples and gammon under a
pastry crust. Other suppers would feature boiled beef or
roast mutton washed down with strong local ale and the
traditional harvest loaves shaped into corn sheaves
which even today many bakers make.

In Suffolk the bread was called Fourses Cake and was

made with lard, spices and currants.
September 3rd was Nutting Day, not only a time for gathering nuts but also the date lace makers
could start to use candles to light their work, until Shrove Tuesday. Serve this Hazel Nut and
Orange Loaf thickly sliced and generously spread with English butter - it is also good toasted.

Hazelnut and Orange Loaf

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Butter and line a 21x12x5cm loaf tin.
Sift 350g self-raising flour and a pinch of butter into a bowl. With the fingertips rub in 75g butter.
Stir in 75g soft brown sugar and 50g chopped toasted hazelnuts.
Whisk together 4tbs fine-cut marmalade, 2 eggs and 150ml milk. Beat into the dry ingredients.
Spoon into the tin, level the top and bake for 1 hour or until it tests cooked. Cool for 10 min then
tip out onto a wire cooling rack and leave until completely cold before slicing.
There should still be some blackberries to be found in the garden or hedgerow. Stir a handful into
this quick muffin recipe and
serve warm for breakfast.

Blackberry Muffins
Heat the oven to 190°C. Sit
paper cases in 12 large muffin
tins.
Beat together 100g soft butter,
100g caster sugar, 2 beaten
eggs and 2tbs milk.
Sift over 150g plain flour, 1 tsp
baking powder and 1tsp cinna-
mon. Mix just until combined.
Gently stir in 100g blackberries.
Spoon into the paper cases and top each with a teaspoon of Demerara sugar. Bake for about 18
min until risen and golden brown.
Caroline Young
If you like this recipe and make some tasty muffins perhaps the editorial staff at the Lindfield
Times should just check them for flavour !

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 9
 Record Attendance at Lindfield Show
Entrance fees showed that Lindfield Horticultural Society's July Show was its busiest ever. Over
200 people packed the King Edward Hall to see what Lindfield's gardeners had produced. Despite
the poor weather this season, there were splendid exhibits of fruit and vegetables. Both flower
growers and flower arrangers were well represented, with roses, sweet peas and flowering shrubs,
while fuschias were particularly outstanding. The children's entries included handicraft, cookery
and some excellent photos of Lindfield, while 4 year old James Yule took on the adults in the veg-
etable classes with his prize-winning french beans and carrots.
Local gardeners can now start thinking about the Society's Autumn Show, which will take place on
Saturday September 15th. Why not have a go this time? There'll be lots of classes for vegetables,
as well as for seasonal flowers like chrysanthemums and dahlias. The September show also
includes classes for the heaviest marrow, pumpkin, tomato and onion, as well as the longest run-
ner bean! Non-gardeners can enter a flower arrangement, a jar of jam, a cake or various craft
items, so there's something for everyone. To quote from the 2007 Show Schedule 'One of the
pleasures of village horticultural shows is that residents enter the best of what they have and do
not wait for the perfect flower or vegetable.' If you're not already a member - a pre-requisite for
adults entering exhibits - contact the Membership Secretary on 415270. Entry forms must be with
the Show Secretary by 10pm on Wednesday 12 September and should be delivered to 25 Eastern
Road, 66 Sunte Avenue or left at the Harmony Pharmacy in the High Street. Any enquiries to the
Show Secretary on 483236.
The Show will open to the public at 2.00pm.

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 11
 ENJOY SUSSEX GOES LIVE
A brand new website has been launched which will give residents and visitors the chance to dis-
cover more about tourism activities and events throughout beautiful East and West Sussex.
www.enjoysussex.info is launched as an introduction to the area with comprehensive listings of
over 100 featured accommodation providers and visitor attractions, along with a range of useful
contacts for potential visitors to find out more about the area. The new website contains a number
of features to attract day and short break visitors including the latest accommodation availability, a
quick ordering service for a copy of the Enjoy Sussex Visitor Guide and a direct link to book tickets
for the Transmanche ferry service to Dieppe via Newhaven.
The website has been launched by the Enjoy Sussex partnership. It will help potential visitors to
discover more about the area, covering 769 square miles of beautiful Sussex from Horsham in the
West to Wealden in the East.
As a destination, Enjoy Sussex already welcomes almost 15million visitors a year, which generates
an estimated £628million for the local economy. The launch of this brand new website will provide
further support for local tourism businesses across Sussex.
All local accommodation has been assessed according to a national standard of quality and has
received a star rating by either Visit Britain or The AA. The national assessment scheme reassures
visitors that they will receive an expected level of standard, service and quality when they choose
to visit Sussex.
For further information about Enjoy Sussex visit our new website www.enjoysussex.info or ask for
details at your local tourist information centre.

Screen shot from the Enjoy Sussex website

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 13
 'OUR LINDFIELD' EXHIBITION
Providing a sense of place
Lindfield is well known as an historic village and certainly the High Street is centuries old. However
much of Lindfield is less than one hundred years old, in fact the majority of the houses are under
fifty years old. Have you ever wondered what was there before the houses were built? Perhaps
more specifically, what was the land on which your house now stands used for, or who owned it in
the past?

The Lindfield History Project Group will be attempting to answer these questions and many others
at its 'Our Lindfield' exhibition to be held on 6th -7th October at King Edward Hall.

The aim is to uncover the past and little known facts about each road or area in today's village, in
effect rolling back time to reveal Lindfield before the houses. The exhibition will show how Lindfield
progressed from little more than one road surrounded by farms to our Lindfield that we know today.
Over a thousand years of history will be uncovered to provide a sense of place. Discover Lindfield
beyond the High Street, from the gas works to the proposed lunatic asylum at Kenwards.

To help illustrate the recent past, do you have any photographs, perhaps of your house being built,
original sale particulars or any other items relating to your house, road or Lindfield in general? If
so we would welcome hearing from you.
Please make a note of the Exhibition dates - Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October, 11.00am to
4.00pm. Contact: Richard Bryant, Lindfield History Project Group,
Tel 482136 or email Rjbryant06@aol.com
So can you work out where you live now? 737 554 ?

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 15
A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Every month 100 people fall off a ladder at work and suffer serious injury. This year the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) will be hosting Ladder Exchange 2007 which aims to remove 4000 dodgy
ladders from workplaces throughout Great Britain.

Mid Sussex District Council is a firm supporter of the

Ladder Exchange 2007 initiative and is encouraging
employers to check for safe working practices. MSDC has
issued over 40 letters targeting local small businesses to
ensure they conduct risk assessments, that users are com-
petent and that ladders are in good working order.
Environmental Health officers will follow up the letters with
scheduled inspections to maintain safe working environ-
ments in the District.

"We'd like to help as many people as possible, show them

how to check their equipment, maintain it properly and use
it safely", said Peter Smith, Senior Environmental Health
Officer for Mid Sussex District Council. "Ladder Exchange
is designed to increase general awareness of the risks
involved in ladder use and promote sensible health and
safety".

During this campaign a number of companies are offering

substantial discounts on new ladders. Ladderstore.com,
HSS Hire, SGB and Speedy Hire have all backed the cam-
paign, with HSS Hire in Haywards Heath offering a 50%
discount on all new ladders when exchanged for an unsafe
ladder.

Peter Smith added, "In 2005/06 a total of 46 workers died

and a further 3351 employees suffered major injury as a
result of a fall from height in the workplace. The 1200 fatal
and major injuries that result in a fall from a ladder cost the
economy more than £60 million. Many of these incidents
can be avoided by using the right equipment and taking
simple precautions. We want everybody involved in work at
height to use the right equipment for the job and use it
safely."

Ladder Exchange information, advice and events listings

can be found at www.hse.gov/falls where you can also
subscribe for all the latest news and updates. Alternatively
contact Peter Smith on 01444 477291 or email
PeterS1@midsussex.gov.uk

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 17
 MID SUSSEX
ONE OF THE SAFEST PLACES T O LIVE

According to statistics just produced by Mid Sussex Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership for
the first quarter of 2007, Mid Sussex is one of the safest places to live in Great Britain.

As a Home Office initiative, launched in 1998, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships were
introduced in every local authority area to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Mid Sussex
District Council is one of the partners, together with the police, proba-
tion service, health authorities, the voluntary sector, local residents and
businesses in the Mid Sussex CDRP.
The measure of success for all CDRPs is the British Crime Survey
Comparator crime indicator, which includes key crimes like burglary,
criminal damage and car crime. To compare performance of like with
like, all CDRPs are grouped with others of similar size and demogra-
phy.
June statistics indicate that Mid Sussex is the best performer in its
group with 7.2 crimes per 1000 residents. In June there were 16 bur-
glaries compared with 23 in June last year, and 24 in April last year. Criminal damage or vandal-
ism accounts for about a quarter of all crime in Mid Sussex. The first quarter of 2007 has seen an
18 per cent decrease - 88 fewer incidents - on the previous quarter. .
There has also been a drop in violent crime with 107 offences for June 2007 compared with 166
for June 2006. Mid Sussex is a low crime area and to put this into context, in June this year
Nottingham recorded 1,030 violent crimes compared with 1,121 offences in June 2006.

"The partnership approach to tackling crime and disorder is obviously work-

ing," says Cllr Christopher Snowling, MSDC cabinet member for health and
community. "It's enormously encouraging to see the positive impact that this
initiative is having - a credit to all the organisations involved and I hope that
this will go some way to reassuring all those residents who are apprehensive
about the risk of their becoming victims of crime"

To tackle anti-social behaviour more effectively, the CDRP has introduced a dedicated anti-social
behaviour caseworker to the community safety team. It has also set up an on-line anti-social
behaviour reporting facility on the MSDC website*. Following its introduction, 40 anti-social behav-
iour reports were received for June 2007, compared with 11 for April and three for May 2007.
Although some of the information received was about unreported past events, the information is
enabling the team to build up a more accurate picture of anti social behaviour in the District.
Over the next few months, the Community Safety team will also be staging a number of public
briefing events, which will enable residents to discuss the problems they have encountered in their
areas.
The team is also involved in a number of initiatives aimed at sup-
porting young people and their parents, including the develop-
ment of a joint working scheme with Streetmate - an outreach
youth work project.

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 19
 THE POOR OF LINDFIELD
History speaks to us mainly about the wealthy and powerful, but
the Poor Law records of the 17th to 19th centuries provide some
fascinating glimpses of the lives of people at the other end of the
social scale.

Help for the poor went together with measures to defend public
order against the threat of the wandering unemployed. This led
to the notion that everyone belonged to the parish in which he or
she was born, or was associated with through work or marriage.
People who couldn't support themselves were entitled to relief
from their parish. The question of where needy individuals were
legally deemed to be settled was therefore of financial importance
to the parish, and the process for determining disputed cases has
left us with records such as this:

"1752 October 12. Mary Hampton and child Sarah 10y, were
apprehended in St James, Westminster, as rogues and
vagabonds, there wandering in a loose, idle and disorderly man-
ner. On examination, M.H. said that she is 33 years old, the
widow of Robert HAMPTON, a linen draper, who served his apprenticeship with Timothy BROWN
at Lindfield and never gained any other settlement. That she has one child now living by her hus-
band, Sarah 10y. [Mark of M. H.] M H to be removed to Lindfield via St Mary, Lambeth. [Received
into the workhouse, Lindfield, 16 October]."

Illegitimacy increased in the 17th and 18th centuries for a variety of

reasons, including the incentive of increased parish relief brought by
pregnancy. The parish would naturally try to ensure that others met
the cost. Cases sketched out in the Poor Law bastardy records can
convey some pretty deep human drama, as in the following exam-
ple:

"1735 Mar. 18. Mary VINALL, singlewoman, has declared that John
COMBER of Lindfield, miller, is the father of the male bastard child born to
her in Lindfield. J.C. to pay 1s 6d a week maintenance and £1 5s 0d already
expended since the birth; the mother to pay sixpence a week."

"1738 May 21. John PINION of Fletching, who married Mary VINALL, has at
a vestry in our Parish Church of Lindfield, agreed with the parish officers and
parishioners there present, to take home to his house, to keep and maintain
… a male child born to his wife (begotten by John COMBER of Lindfield), at
his own proper cost and charge and to free the parish of Lindfield from all
charges thereof, except the 18d a week which he is to receive from the offi-
cers of Lindfield, as is paid by J.C. from 2nd May last, so long as the child is
liable or may become chargeable."

John Usher

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

 Why Not Advertise Here Next Month?
One advertiser has so much local work he
need’nt advertise again until Christmas !

Issue 26 Page 21
 Don't Cut the Grass
September can be the most stunning of months in the garden. The longer nights prompt the
autumn plants to start flowering and what a show they put on. Borders can be awash with colour
and structure, whether your preference is for
the autumnal colours or soft pinks and purples.

Hardy perennials prove what a sound invest-

ment they are at this latter end of the season.
Many like heleniums, or Echinacea with their
bright orange hedgehog-like cones, will have
started performing in July and are still flowering
their heads off as late as October.

They are such an easy group of plants to main-

tain: division every third or fourth year will keep
them at their peak and regular deadheading
during their season will ensure month after
month of rich colour. The wonderfully delicate
flowering stalks of ornamental grasses, such as
miscanthus are visible now and combine so
well with later perennials, like eupatorium.

A visit to Wisley in Surrey or Knoll Gardens in Dorset this

month, will convince even the most hardened sceptic about
the beauty and value of grasses.

It is possible to enhance the potential of even those plants

that have come to the end of their flowering period already.
By leaving seedheads uncut, the architectural beauty of
plants such as achillea and crocosmia can be extended all
the way through winter, as well as providing food for the
birds. Ornamental grasses also should be left uncut, as
they look ethereally lovely with a winter frosting.

Which all adds up to less jobs on the To Do List, allowing

more time for the serious business of enjoying the garden
whilst in a deck chair.

Haut Talk by Karoline Baird

Haughty Culture Garden Design: specialising in all aspects
of design
Tel: 07742 731967 email: haughty.culture@virgin.net

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

 Lindfield Preservation Society
Registered Charity No 237439
Autumn 2007 Newsletter
Pages 23 - 27

Lindfield Threatened by Creeping Urbanisation

Dear Members and Residents

This is the first time that we have used the Lindfield Times to circulate our newsletters, not only to
our own members, but to all local residents. We are grateful to them for giving us this opportunity
at a time when the Village is being threatened by the prospect of unacceptable large scale housing
developments around its borders.

Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will see an Appeal from us, in association with the newly
reformed Lindfield Action Group, to join the Society and give a donation to our fighting fund, so
that we can be in a position to defend ourselves against this threat. Please may I urge you all to
support us, and make a note to come to our open meeting at the King Edward Hall on 19th
September at 8pm.

As you can imagine, the Society has had another busy year. The number of planning applications
in both Lindfield Urban and Rural Parishes continues to increase as you will see from John
Jesson's report.

Members of the Management Committee continue to support the work of the Village Plan Advisory
Group, led by Martin Higgins, who are now busily preparing the important Village Plan Design
Statement, which you will read about elsewhere in this issue of the Lindfield Times. You will see
they are holding an exhibition on Saturday 24th November at the King Edward Hall from 10.00am
to 4.00pm, at which you will be able to view the draft statement. Please make a special note in
your diary.

The Lime Tree saga continues, as you will see from David Macmillan's report. The attitude of the
Tree Officer at MSDC is, in my opinion, reprehensible. There is absolutely no need to remove all
the existing trees and replace them by a smaller number of them. What is needed is nothing less
than a proper agreed annual schedule of restoration work, including pollarding, where considered
necessary. I hope that common sense will still eventually prevail..

The Society exists to help conserve the quality of life of the citizens of Lindfield, as well as the his-
toric character of the Village. We greatly value the support of our Members, and warmly welcome
new ones, particularly families, and all those who share an interest
in our aims and objectives. When we see our local amenities under threat, like the utterly disgrace-
ful proposal to downgrade the Princess Royal Hospital, at the same time as being threatened with
increased housing allocations, I believe there has never been a more important time, since it's for-
mation in 1969, for the Society to stand up against those forces who seek to destroy our heritage.

Please help us by joining today. Thank you.

Michael Anstey, Chairman

Issue 26 Page 23
 Lindfield Preservation Society - Planning News

The flow of planning applications for Lindfield is relentless. Since the beginning of this year there
have been 96 planning applications in Lindfield Parish and another 44 in Lindfield Rural Parish to
inspect.

Of course, some of you may be aware that "inspect" now means via a computer screen using a
new system that Mid-Sussex District Council launched in April and which included the closure of
the public reception point at Oaklands, where we could handle the documents and drawings and
put a scale over them to assess them properly. We have had to make a number of criticisms of
the system, all intended to help get it working as well as could be expected. A major problem ini-
tially was the absence of any method on screen to find out the size of proposals, but at our sug-
gestion the date stamp now includes a 5cm length from which it is possible to set the screen
image to scale. It may well be that the public reception at Oaklands will re-open. Of course you
can still see Planning Application for Lindfield Parish at the Parish Office in Denmans Lane during
opening hours, but here as well the system is due to move to a computer terminal format very
soon.

Although the quantity is always between 200 and 250 in the two Parishes each year, none has
related to a major development. Effort has been put into representations to support MSDC in their
efforts to prevent major development at the sites north of Newton Road and between Scamps Hill
and Gravelye Lane. It is by no means certain that both can be stopped. The Planning Inspector is
considering the matter.

Society representatives attended a Core Strategy Consultation Day arranged by Mid-Sussex

District Council to get ideas for fulfilling new and even greater housing targets for Mid-Sussex. It
is likely that in the next few years, there will be new housing near the village and we must do
everything we can to be sure that it has an acceptable impact on the Village, that the infrastructure
is in place to cope with the enlarged community and that the design of the dwellings and the over-
all layout are well done and the whole attractively landscaped. We will also need to secure green
spaces, wild places and pathways for our recreation. So far the Village has managed its expan-
sion rather well, the aim will be to continue that tradition.

The Society continues to speak at Parish Council Meetings and Mid-Sussex District Council
Meetings where we see it necessary to make comment on Planning Applications. Written repre-
sentations are also sent.

Getting the High Street Limes restored to pollards is not moving at all well, although we must bear
in mind that tree work has to fit with the seasons. In spite of delays caused by MSDC officers, we
hope it will still happen eventually!

John Jesson

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

 Lindfield's Crowing Glory - Our High Street Lime
Trees - Round 2 (or is it 3?)

Residents will be well aware that a limited pruning of lateral branches, described as 'height reduc-
tion' took place in November 2006 and that village pressure on the contractors managed to get the
large Lime tree outside the Manor House included. Originally the contractors advised interested
parties that this tree was to be left untouched as it was scheduled for felling!

Part of the Thurman Consultancy Report to the Parish Council stated that "…all the trees could be
described as mature …….. quite a variation in ages from perhaps 100 to 40/50 years
old……external visible signs suggest that all are in healthy condition with no major defects".
Evidence of this health can be clearly seen in the amount of new basal growth on all the trees and
especially on the specimen outside of The Manor House.

An entirely separate issue concerns the 23 trees on Black Hill, of which 11 sited between the
Upper Common and the road show signs of past pollarding.

Despite numerous meetings, correspondence and promises the continued care of our High Street
lime trees remains stalled in an incredible tangle of inter-council bickering and obstruction with
Lindfield caught in the middle. West Sussex County Council wants to get on with job but needs
Mid Sussex District Council's permission as the planning authority. On October 26th.2006 Mid
Sussex District Council's Planning Committee, composed of elected councillors, recommended
that the lime trees should be pollarded. However, the Tree Officer at Mid Sussex District Council
has his own agenda and, despite the elected councillors firm recommendation, refused to autho-
rise the work claiming that the Village Plan response of 78% in favour of pollarding was insufficient
evidence of public support for pollarding.

Despite previous promises to involve Lindfield in discussions it was announced at the

Parish Council meeting on 19th July 2007 that West Sussex and Mid Sussex Council offi-
cers had met, without inviting Parish Council participation, and stated an intention to
remove of all 35 trees in the High Street with 28 new plantings in replacement.

Nobody expects trees to last for ever and that felling and replanting are routine forestry manage-
ment, but it takes little imagination to visualize our High Street without trees, with road and path-
ways excavated to clear roots before replanting! Furthermore this is proposed by a District
Council who delayed any attention to our trees on the basis that it would detract from the appear-
ance of the Conservation Area!

One month after this announcement there is still no further clarification of the timescale intended,
neither are there any details on which trees would not be replaced, nor any indication of what will
happen to our existing trees this winter. Will they be further pruned to reduce their height or will
they be properly pollarded to achieve the historic appearance of our High Street Limes? Only
WSCC and MSDC know and they are not telling Lindfield, but hopefully our Parish Council
will inject a degree of urgency and courtesy into the County and District Councils in order
that the villagers of Lindfield will know what is planned and when…..!!!

David Macmillan

Issue 26 Page 25
 Appeal by
The Lindfield Preservation Society
In Association with Lindfield Action Group

Under the South East Regional Authority (SERA) proposals for the Small Scale Housing
Allocations (SSHA) over the next 20 years up to 2026, Mid Sussex faces the unacceptable
prospect of 15,000 new homes being built, nearly 4,000 of which would be in Lindfield. The
map below shows the proposed developments at (i) Newton Road and (j) and (k) Scamps Hill,
alone totalling nearly 3,000 homes.

If this is allowed to happen it would have the effect of doubling the size of the village and turning
us into a town, thereby destroying its historic character.

On the one hand, the Government is systematically reducing the financial resources available to
Local Authorities in the South East, whilst on the other, demanding more and more housing provi-
sion, which require greatly increased resources being available to build the necessary infrastruc-
ture, which has little realistic chance of being achieved.

Moreover, whilst no-one can deny that there is a shortage of available low cost housing, it is
patently obvious that such large scale developments simply cannot be absorbed within the existing
infrastructure, which is already over stretched, and is incapable of being adequately upgraded.

The Lindfield Action Group (LAG) has therefore been revived under the umbrella of the Lindfield
Preservation Society (LPS) to meet this threat. LAG will, with your support, do everything in its
power to prevent these threats being turned into reality. Steps are already being taken to secure
the services of legal and professional advisers in order to mount our campaign.
cont./...........

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

 Appeal by
The Lindfield Preservation Society
In Association with Lindfield Action Group

We have no doubt that we will have the support of our local Parish Councils and our MP. In the
Autumn and during next year there will be a series of meetings and exhibitions, the first one of
which will be a Public Meeting, open to all local residents, to be held on 19th September, at the
King Edward Hall, at 8pm. Full details of the speakers will be posted on our notice board in the
Village. Please make a special note of this date in your diary, and make every effort to come.

Those of you who answered our recent questionnaire will be interested to know that 91% of over
600 replies agreed with the statement, which said "Lindfield cannot accommodate any more
greenfield developments without losing its essential character as a village".

In our view, nothing short of a fundamental reappraisal of the whole strategy towards the SERA
policy is essential and securing a substantial reduction in the current targets that have been set.
The recent inclement weather, which resulted in flooding in some parts of the Village, thankfully
without serious damage, should serve as a warning that new housing developments are totally
inappropriate, in particular the area surrounding Newton Road.

Please join the LPS now and send your subscriptions and donations to our Fighting Fund using
the attached form for this purpose.

Thank you in anticipation of your support. Together we must succeed for the sake of, not only our-
selves, but future generations, and preserving their quality of life.

Michael Anstey
Chairman

Are the recent floods in

Lindfield a warning sign?

Issue 26 Page 27
 Our Programme of Meetings for 2007

Wednesday evening 19th September: Open Meeting

Tuesday afternoon 16th October: South Downs Society - P. Harris.

Tuesday afternoon 20th November: Below Stairs - Margaret Nicolle.

All these meetings will be held in the King Edward Hall starting at either 8pm for the evening meet-
ing or 2:30pm for the afternoon meetings. Admission including refreshments is £1.
Everyone is welcome.

Please pass on this newsletter and encourage other villagers to become members by using this
slip:

Name(s) _____________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________

Postcode _____________ E-mail Address: __________________________________

Annual membership due 1st January (Individual £5, Household £10) ______________

Individual Life Membership £50 ______________

Donation ______________

Total Enclosed ______________

Gift Aid: I confirm that I pay Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equivalent to the tax
which you reclaim on my payment (currently 28p for every £1 you give).

Signed __________________________________________ Date ________________

Cheques should be made payable to 'Lindfield Preservation Society' and sent with this slip (or a
copy) to:
Mr Andrew Fox, 4 Dukes Road, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 2JH.
Please enclose a S.A.E.

Published by Lindfield Preservation Society

33 Dukes Road, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 2JQ
Tel: 01444 483797
Visit our web site at: www.lindfieldsociety.org.uk

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

Issue 26 Page 29
 STEPHEN GALLICO
SOLICITORS

Lindfield Times Magazine September 2007

 Photographic Competition
Sponsored by The Lindfield Times
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at..............................................................................................................
send your images by email to competition@lindfieldtimes.org.uk
but remember we will need this entry form sent in by post
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Issue 26 Page 31