Issue No.

20 March 2007

A monthly guide for the people of Lindfield. Circulation: 4,000

• Parish Council Newsletter enclosed • Call for more Lindfield volunteers •

• Jennie Stockbridge remembered • Local knowledge on house prices •

Cover image: Old Place,
High Street, Lindfield.
© Lindfield Times 2007
Copydate for April issue of
Lindfield Times:
Sunday 11th March 2007
Editor
Jeremy Crooks
Tel: 01444 487454
Email:
editor@lindfieldtimes.co.uk
www.lindfieldtimes.co.uk
Photography by: Picsnapper
www.picsnapper.co.uk
Printed by: Swan Press
www.swanpress.co.uk
Design by: Kipper
www.kippercreative.com
Page 2
EVENTS AT
King Edward Hall
Bookings: 01444 487445
1st Country Market 10am-11.15am
(Sheila Hobbs 438896)
8th Country Market 10am-11.15am
(Sheila Hobbs 438896)
11th Central Sussex Cage Bird
Association Sale
14th Lindfield Horticultural Society Talk
15th Country Market 10am-11.15am
(Sheila Hobbs 438896)
17th Court Meadow RDA.
Murder/Mystery Event:
Mrs Anna Kerr (459944)
21st Charity Fashion Show:
Vanessa Forbes (413251)
22nd Country Market 10am-11.15am
(Sheila Hobbs 438896)
KEH Film Show
24th Lindfield Horticultural Society
Spring Show
26th Lindfield Dramatic Club AGM
29th Country Market 10am-11.15am
(Sheila Hobbs 438896)
30th The Lindfield Club AGM
3lst Lindfield Bonfire Society Craft Fair
Lindfield Times
Beyond the Village Plan
LAST YEAR Lindfield
established its Village Plan
the implementation of
which is being monitored
by the Lindfield Village Plan
Joint Advisory Committee.
One of the actions in the
Village Plan is “To prepare
and issue a Village Design
Statement” and discussions
with officers from MSDC have begun to enable
the village to achieve this.
An effective Village Design Statement:
• is developed, researched, and written by
local people
• reflects the representative views of the
community
• involves a wide cross section of residents
in its production
• describes the visual character of the village
• demonstrates how local character and
distinctiveness can be protected and
enhanced in new development
• is compatible with the statutory planning
system and its local application
• is about managing change in the village,
not preventing it
March 2007
The Lindfield Village
Design Statement (LVDS)
will build on the Village
Plan. It will comprise simple
guidance for the design of
all development in Lindfield
and will be produced by the
village community, not by
the planning authority. The
LVDS is intended to
influence the operation of the statutory
planning system; so that new development is in
harmony with the village and makes a positive
contribution to the immediate environment.
When complete it will become a Supplementary
Planning Document (SPD) and therefore have to
be taken into account by the planning authority
when it makes planning decisions.
We are now seeking a wide cross section of
residents to help in the production of the LVDS.
To be able to make a contribution you do not
need to have design or planning knowledge,
although anyone having these particular skills
would also be very welcome.
If you are interested in helping produce the
LVDS and therefore assisting in making it fully
representative of the wishes of Lindfield
residents please contact John Jesson on 01444
483367.
Page 3
We all LOVE Blackthorns
A HEART FELT thank you from Blackthorns
Primary School to local businesses who rallied
round last month in support of Blackthorns
Valentine’s Dinner Dance fundraiser.
For the second year running, Kind Edward
Hall played host to a packed house which
organisers had dressed seductively with floral
tributes and heart
shaped balloons, set off
perfectly with
tablecloths on loan from
Jeremy’s restaurant.
Partygoers feasted on
pink champagne, smoked salmon and still left
room for heart shaped pavlovas and an
indulgent chocolate fountain. Couples then
struggled to the floor to dance off their excesses
to Local DJ – Feel the Music.
Adopting the same formula as last year's very
successful fundraising event, organisers had
pulled together an envious array of raffle prizes,
including Lionel Ritchie concert tickets,
jewellery from Noodles and a very special
seduction pack. Guests were once again
encouraged to include messages of love on
heart shaped prize draw slips.
But the highlight of the evening was the Grand
Auction which this year consisted of not just one
but three amazing lots raising over £400!
Azari Spa & Beauty kindly donated
His and Her pamper day vouchers –
worth £170. Azari owner, Angela
Goodwin , also donated St Tropez
products for the raffle and extended a
“buy one get one free” St Tropez offer
to all attendees. Angela said: “There is
nothing quite as sexy as a tan and
generally taking some ‘You’ time.
When the Friends of Blackthorns
approached me for help I just knew
the Pamper Days and St Tropez offers
Page 4
were the perfect solution.”
Guests also bid on a romantic meal for two at
Limes Bistro in Lindfield High Street, one of the
local area’s premier restaurants.
Last, but by no means least, the Dolphin
Leisure Centre had generously donated three
months Joint Gold Membership. With unlimited
access to the gym,
fitness classes and
swimming, the
successful couple will
have absolutely no
reason to feel guilty
indulging themselves this spring.
Over £1000 was raised at this popular
Blackthorns event which is sure to run year on
year. Money raised will go towards the new
Library inspiring the love of reading to all
Blackthorns pupils for years to come. A place of
learning and relaxation, the Tree Room already
has a wide range of non-fiction books with an
increasing number of fiction titles, but it was
felt that it was time to branch out into a new
level of borrowing.
A computerised system will ensure that all
pupils will become independent when
borrowing books; they will be able to search for
titles, authors and have a record of books they
have read.
Lindfield Times
Opportunities at
Blackthorns School
BLACKTHORNS COUNTY PRIMARY School
currently has a vacancy for a school governor.
Governors volunteer their services free of
charge and fulfill an important role in the
development and strategic management of the
school. No special knowledge of education is
required and training is available.You will be
expected to attend five full governing body
meetings a year and serve on one or more sub-
committees which meet two or three times a
term. Meetings are generally held during the
working day term time only. The role will
appeal to anyone having an interest in our local
community of which our schools form a
significant part. Please note there is also
currently a vacancy for a parent governor. If you
are a parent of a child at Blackthorns you will
be invited to express your interest separately via
the school’s internal news letter.
If you are interested and would like to find
out more please contact Mike Nichols, Chair of
Governors by writing to the school at 3
Blackthorns Close, Lindfield, RH16 2UA or by
calling the school on 01444 454866 or by e-
mail to mnichols@wsgfl.org.uk

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March 2007 Page 5

Free Bus scheme success
MID SUSSEX District Council introduced free
bus travel for the over sixties in April last year.
At that time there was a low cost fare system in
place, and 8,960 passes in circulation. That
number had rocketed to 12,772 by December
2006, reflecting the success of the new scheme.
“Free bus travel for our older residents, and
for people with certain disabilities, is a
thoroughly worthwhile use of our Council
Taxes,” says Councillor Christopher Snowling,
cabinet member for health and community.
“Accessibility of public transport makes an
enormous difference to the lives of older
people, particularly when budgets are tight. It
can be real lifeline for people who live alone.”
A Sussex Countycard Bus Pass entitles the
holder to free travel on bus journeys throughout
East and West Sussex, from Monday to Friday
after 9 a.m. The Council has substantially
exceeded its statutory duty, by extending the
facility beyond the District boundaries.
“We are delighted with the way the service is
going,” says Elizabeth Lancaster, MSDC’s
concessionary fares officer. “The take-up of
Page 6
cards has been phenomenal – it is obviously
meeting a need and opening up new horizons
for the District’s older and disabled residents.”
MSDC also has a limited number of Taxi
Vouchers available to people who are physically
unable to use other means of public transport.
One or more vouchers can be used for up to
half the fare, with participating taxi companies.
Subsidised rail travel is still available. Senior
Railcards give over-sixties customers a third off
the cost of most train journeys, and a Disabled
Persons Railcard entitles both the holder and a
companion to travel at the same reduction.
For details of eligibility and how to apply for
the Sussex Countycard, and all the associated
subsidised travel cards, please contact Elizabeth
Lancaster at Mid Sussex District Council, on 01444
477304 or email: ElizabethL@midsussex.gov.uk
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Lindfield Times
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March 2007 Page 7

Challenges for Volunteering in Lindfield
IF YOU ARE LOOKING for voluntary work there
are currently some rare opportunities in Lindfield
and a new service that can help you.
The launch of the new Volunteer Information
Point by Mid Sussex (South) CVS will be of great
benefit to both voluntary organisations and
potential volunteers alike.
As Janice Spence, manager of Mid Sussex
(South) CVS said “We are already getting a big
response. There is a real need for an information
point to help voluntary organisations find the
volunteers they so desperately need to continue
their valuable work in the community.”
Jenny Garrad, previously the Outreach
manager with Mid Sussex Volunteering has been
employed by Mid Sussex (South) CVS to run the
new service and will be based at the old
Volunteer Centre at 38 Church Road, Burgess Hill
and cover Lindfield, Haywards Heath & Burgess
Hill. She will be available to
help voluntary organisations
and potential volunteers on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays from 9.00am till
1.00pm and can be
contacted on 01444 870711
or by email at cvsm@copperstream.co.uk.
In Lindfield there are two particular challenges
currently available as the Lindfield Parish Council
is seeking new candidates for councillors as it is
due to hold elections in May. While the
Preservation Society is seeking members for its
management committee at its Annual General
Meeting in April.
Contact details:
Volunteer Information Point: 01444 870711
Lindfield Parish Council: 01444 484115
Lindfield Preservation Society: 01444 483086

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Page 8 Lindfield Times

Jennie Stockbridge
MANY LINDFIELD RESIDENTS and members of
the church gathered at All Saints on Monday
January 29 for the service of thanksgiving for
the life of Jennie Stockbridge who died on
Saturday January 20.
Jennie was a much-loved member of village
and church life. She was secretary of the
Lindfield and District Folkdance Club and an
enthusiastic caller and dancer herself. She was
also a teacher of religious education for many
years working at the old Haywards Heath
Grammar School and then Oakmeeds School in
Burgess Hill.
Jennie was also involved for 14 years in the
children’s work at All Saints with her husband
John and she was a great support to John during
the 25 years that he was a Reader at church.
Jennie who was diagnosed with cancer in
August died peacefully at home and was an
inspiration to all who knew her including John
and their three daughters Jacqueline, Caroline
and Rosemary.
“She knew her future was in the Lord’s
hands,” said John.

Come
BALLROOM DANCING has come to Lindfield Primary School via the PTA.
A professional instructor will be taking this class aimed at beginners.

Dancing!
Classes will run every Thursday evening in March from 8pm - 9pm
+ practice time and will cost £5. The class is suitable for all ages and
abilities. Partners are required but this can be a same sex friend or
son / daughter.
Booking forms are available from Lindfield School office or contact
01444 482 037 or lindfieldschoolpta@tiscali.co.uk

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Residential Property Matters
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Family and Matrimonial Work
(including divorce, separation, children issues, pre-nuptial agreements and cohabitation disputes and agreements)

Free initial meetings available for family and matrimonial matters.

Our offices are located conveniently at 51 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath

and parking is available. Home visits can also be arranged.
Contact us on 01444 411333 or visit our web site at www.sgallico.co.uk

March 2007 Page 9

Enduring Powers of Attorney
– The changes from 2nd April 2007
The New Law
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides for
Enduring Powers of Attorney to be replaced by
Lasting Powers of Attorney. The changes will
take place in October 2007. Enduring Power of
Attorney documents already in being prior to
the changes will continue to be effective.
However, new Enduring Power of Attorney
documents cannot be created when the changes
take place. Instead it will be necessary to create
a Lasting Power of Attorney.
What will the new document cover?
1. Property and Financial Affairs
An attorney(s) can be appointed to deal with
property and financial affairs. This could
include:-
* Buying or selling a
property/maintaining a property
* Dealing with tax affairs
* Operating bank/building society
accounts
* Dealing with investments
* Access to financial information
* Receiving income and paying bills
2. Welfare
This relates to decisions over health care and
can only be used once the donor (person giving
the power) has lost their mental capacity.
Welfare powers include:-
* Decisions on where a donor should
live
* Consent to medical treatment
* Access to medical records
What if I don’t want my Attorneys to have
such specific powers?
The donor can specify/exclude specific
powers.
Page 10
What is the main difference between the new
law and the Enduring Power of Attorney?
One important difference from Enduring
Powers of Attorney is that Lasting Powers of
Attorney will need to be registered with the
Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). This is so
irrespective of whether the donor has lost their
mental capacity. This process will inevitably take
a number of weeks and there will be a fee
payable to the OPG (fee yet to be finalised but
£150 has been suggested).
How much will it cost me to prepare a new
Lasting Power of Attorney?
We can be sure that this will be substantially
higher than the fee currently charged for
Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Our Recommendation
Consideration should be given to the
preparation of an Enduring Power of Attorney
whilst they still have the chance. This will be
less expensive in terms of legal fees and will
avoid the up front registration fee with the
Office of the Public Guardian. With Enduring
Powers of Attorney the registration fee only
becomes payable once the Attorney believes that
the donor is becoming or has become mentally
incapable of managing their own affairs.
For further advice please telephone and ask
to speak with a member of our private client
team on 01444 482851
Temple Bird, Solicitors
69 High Street, Lindfield
Lindfield Times
Blue Celebrities become citizens of
Lindfield for the night!
IF YOU WALKED into a pub to order a pint and
noticed Curly Watts at the bar, you may think
you were in Coronation Street’s Rovers Return.
How about if you then saw GMTV’s John
Stapleton and ex Man City footballer Gary
Owen all in a pub in Lindfield?
Mid Sussex has seen some well known names hit
town recently and now these celebrities were found
at The Witch, on a Friday night, with the local
Manchester City Supporters club of Mid Sussex.
The event was organised by local man John
Joyce, Chairman of the club who had no
trouble in calling upon some old friends and
ex-players to join fellow supporters for their
Maine annual celebration.
During the evening about 60 members and
guests enjoyed a dinner followed by a very
revealing 60 minutes of Questions and answers.
Gary Owen started his career as a trainee with
Manchester City before turning professional in
1975. He made an impressive League debut for City
against Wolverhampton in March 1976, and scored
his first goal against West Ham later that same year.
Gary played for England at U-21, U-23 and B-level,
and won the League Cup with City in 1976
Huge lifelong city fan and household name
March 2007
John Stapleton from GMTV also attended the
evening. John and his wife Lynn Faulds Wood
presented the highly popular ‘Watchdog’
programme for the BBC for eight years and
John also anchored the ITV discussion show,
‘The Time The Place’ for eight years.
Kevin Kennedy, alias Curly Watts, has two
great interests - Manchester City FC and music.
A talented guitarist, his first band was Paris
Valentinos, which also contained Johnny Marr
and Andy Rourke, later to star in The Smiths.
Kevin revealed on Friday, that not only was he
signed up by Simon Cowell, but he also
received a gold disc for his musical talent.
After drama school he joined Irish band The
Borderline, and then formed his own country
group The Bunch of Thieves, however when this
was said, Gary Owen was as quick to remark by
wit as he was with his feet by saying that
tonight Kevin was actually sitting with the
biggest bunch of thieves.
Organiser and City Fan, John Joyce, said the lads
were great as ever, we will do this again next year,
we are all so pleased and want to thank everyone
for helping put this together, including special
thanks to Gerry Ryan and his team at The Witch.
Page 11
Lindfield Revisited
Do you remember the Welkin School?
IN 1948, Mr Noel Cook transferred his small
but successful boys preparatory school from
Angmering to The Welkin in Lindfield and
established a school of the same name. The
Welkin previously a family home, had been
used as a military headquarters during World
War II.
The new school took boys, both day pupils
and boarders, up to thirteen years. The
classrooms were on the ground floor of the
large three-storey house with dormitories and
Sampler session half price £15 (with this advert)
Page 12
The school
group photo is
1949 as shown.
Inset: The swim
pool photo, was
taken at Sports
Day circa 1955,
and was taken
by Martin Gould
then an old boy.
other facilities on the first floor. The remainder
of the building was mainly occupied by Mr &
Mrs Cook and staff who ‘lived in.’
The school made good use of the Welkin’s
extensive grounds with an excellent sports field
for cricket, football and athletics plus a tennis
court and small outdoor pool for swimming.
The first pupil to be enrolled for the school
was Martin Gould, today the well-known
Brighton artist painting under the name
Salmond. He was a boarder from September
Lindfield Times
1948 and holds the school in high regard with
fond memories of his time at The Welkin.
Martin particularly remembers one science
lesson about hot air rising. “To demonstrate Mr
Cook had made a model of a hot air balloon. It
was about four feet high with a methylated
spirits burner hung below. Mr Cook took the
class outside and we stood and watched as he lit
the wick to the burner. The balloon canopy
NEW
started to inflate; gradually it floated upwards
Starts January 6th 2007
from the land near the swimming pool. The
balloon drifted on the breeze towards Hickmans Ultimate Workout Class
Lane, which at that time was lined with tall Get into shape & Rediscover the joy of movement,
trees. Slowly it gained height but we became & of being at home in your body. Learn to move
increasing excited as we were convinced it your body the way it loves to move - the way it
was designed to move… The Body’s Way.
would crash into the trees. The balloon Through expressive movement achieve physical,
continued to rise just clearing the top of the mental & emotional health and wellbeing.
trees and disappeared from sight over Hickmans
Saturdays 10am 1hr At: Oathall Community
Lane. That was an exciting and memorable College. Cost: £5 pay as you go.
experiment!” Call Joanne for more info 07977 901383.
Mr Cook’s hobby was collecting grandfather
clocks and Martin recalls, “There were a
number of these clocks in the main entrance
hall and throughout the ground floor; it was
rather noisy when the hours were struck.”
Do you have any memories about The Welkin
School; perhaps you are an old boy? Can you
recognise anyone in the photograph? When and
why did the school close? Please contact
Richard Bryant, Lindfield History Project Group
on 01444 482136, or email
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March 2007 Page 13

The Scourge of Lindfield
WILLIAM THACKERAY in his 1852 novel The Doctor Edward Jenner discovered that
History of Henry Esmond wrote “I remember vaccination with cowpox provided immunity
in my time hundreds of the young and against smallpox without its adverse effects. In
beautiful who have been carried to the grave, or 1805 202 Lindfield paupers were vaccinated at
have only risen from the pillows frightfully 2/- each, after which the disease was
scarred and disfigured by this malady”. eliminated from the workhouse.
The malady in question was smallpox. At a Human nature being what it is, some people
time when disease was taken for granted and were prejudiced against vaccination, preferring
mortality rates were high, smallpox struck fear the tried and tested inoculation, but inoculation
into people’s hearts. Its full symptoms are too was banned in 1840 for spreading smallpox to
horrific to describe in these pages. the unprotected. Smallpox has now been
The disease arrived in England in the 16th eliminated throughout the world; but the
century and reached a peak during the 18th spectre of pandemic disease remains, and seems
century. In her book Defying the Demon*, Diana to be on the rise.
Crook relates the story of smallpox, with John Usher
particular reference to Sussex. She provides a
fascinating account of the public response to *Defying the Demon, Smallpox in Sussex
by Diana Crook, Dale House Press, 2006
outbreaks of the disease. The authorities in
Lewes, for example, even whipped those who
brought the infection with them, and charged a
man with the cost of having him watched so that
he wouldn’t bring his infected son into the town.
Diana Crook describes smallpox in Lindfield
during the 1700s as the scourge of the parish.
The workhouse had a terrible record of death
among its inmates, and the parish overseers’
accounts include many references to the disease.
Lindfield had its own pest (pestilence) house, a Experienced Teacher
place to hold smallpox victims in isolation, at a of Primary and Dyslexic
farm near Wood Knoll. children available for
During the 18th century the only treatment numeracy and
for small pox was inoculation – the injection of
matter taken from an infected person. The
literacy support.
person received a mild form of the disease,
with pustular eruptions all over the body, and
was infectious to unprotected people. The cost Sue King
of inoculation could be considerable, for sue.king38@btinternet.com
example John Dutton of Lindfield charging five
guineas a time. Tel: 01444 483598
As is well-known, the great breakthrough in
combating the disease came in 1796 when
Page 14 Lindfield Times
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March 2007 Page 15

Lindfield Parish
Council Newsletter

PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS MARCH - JUNE 2007

Thursday, 15 March Finance and General Purposes Committee 8.00 p.m.

Tuesday, 20 March Planning and Traffic Committee (Full) 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday, 27 March Full Council 7.30 p.m.
To be arranged Environment and Amenities Committee 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday, 10 April Planning and Traffic Committee (Plans only) 8.00 p.m.
[Tuesday, 17 April Parish Meeting (Not a Council Meeting) 8.00 p.m.]
Tuesday, 1 May Planning and Traffic Committee (Plans only) 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday, 8 May Full Council Annual Meeting 7.30 p.m.
Tuesday, 15 May Finance and General Purposes Committee 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday, 22 May Planning and Traffic Committee (Full) 8.00 p.m.
Thursday, 7 June Environment and Amenities Committee 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday, 12 June Planning and Traffic Committee (Plans only) 8.00 p.m.

All meetings are held in King Edward Hall, unless shown otherwise. Please check the notice board
in Denmans Lane for any additional meetings that may be called. All meetings are open to the
public and there is a period set aside at the beginning and the end of each meeting for public
questions/comments. At meetings of the Planning and Traffic Committee, up to two people for and
two against each planning application are allowed to speak, for a maximum of two minutes each, at
the invitation of the Chairman.

LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS - 3 MAY 2007

COULD YOU BE A PARISH COUNCILLOR?

Nomination papers have to be delivered to the Returning Officer at MSDC by noon
on Wednesday 4 April
We are going to hold an informal event at the King Edward Hall on Tuesday 13 March at 8.00p.m
for those thinking about standing for election as Parish Councillors. SO... come along and find out
how you can make a very positive contribution to your community and keep local democracy
active and vibrant! You will not be expected to make a commitment at this stage.

Page 16 Lindfield Times

PARISH MEETING - 17 APRIL 2007
It may not be clear to many people what a
Parish Meeting actually is. It is NOT, it must be
stressed, a meeting of the Parish Council! The
Parish Meeting is a forum for local government
electors of the Parish to discuss any public
matter relating to the Parish. The Parish Meeting
still takes place whether or not there is a Parish
Council. Some points in brief:
• A Parish Meeting must be held once a year
between 1 March and 1 June
• It must be summoned by the Chairman of
the Parish Council (where one exists) and chaired
by him/her (if present) or the Vice Chairman.
• Only those registered to vote within the
Parish have the right to speak and vote. Other
people may attend as “members of the public”.
• Parish Councillors, other than the Chairman
(or Vice Chairman if chairing the meeting),
have the same rights as any other elector
present, but they may be invited to contribute if
they have specialist knowledge relevant to an
item being discussed.
• Resolutions of a Parish Meeting are not
legally binding on the Parish Council, except in
two specific cases regarding provision of
allotments and trust instruments.
• A poll (vote of the whole body of electors
by ballot) may be claimed before the end of the
meeting on any question discussed at it. Such a
poll must be held provided that ten, or one-
third of the electors present (whichever is less),
insist, or if the person presiding consents. The
wording must be settled before the end of the
meeting and the poll must be held in
accordance with laid down procedure, through
the District Council’s returning officer.
The Lindfield (Urban) Parish Meeting is to
be held on 17 April, at 8.00 p.m at the King
Edward Hall. The Agenda will be on the Parish
Council notice board in Denmans Lane nearer
the time. The Parish Council is going to provide
some refreshments so that we can finish off
with a social gathering!
March 2007
VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN
Will be held on a Saturday towards the end
of April from 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. - date to be
confirmed. This a chance to join our small band
of stalwarts who turn out annually to spruce up
the areas of the village that are not regularly
maintained by the statutory authorities! In
previous years volunteers have undertaken tasks
such as litter clearance and washing down items
of street furniture, wherever these activities can
be undertaken safely. After your efforts you will
be welcomed back at the King Edward Hall to
enjoy the community spirit over a bowl of
warming soup. There will be more information
in the April edition of the Lindfield Times and
enquiries can be made at the Parish Office.
PARKING ON VERGES
One of the attractive features of Lindfield is
that many of its roads have grass verges, which
are maintained by WSCC Highways.
Unfortunately, a minority of people are
increasingly parking on the verges and at this
time of year this results in deep ruts which,
apart from being unsightly, make it very
difficult for the grass to be cut in the summer
months. The Parish Council is, therefore, issuing
a plea to all residents not to park on the verges.
If you badly damage a verge, you may be asked
to pay for the cost of re-instating it!
LINDFIELD POND
Although there is not any real need to feed
the ducks and swans on the Pond, we know that
many of you enjoy doing it. However, the Parish
Council would ask that you limit the amount of
bread that you throw in. Large loaves are being
left and unfortunately this does encourage rats.
If you wish to take children to feed the wildlife,
why not visit Paul's Greengrocer and buy a
small bag of food that is specifically for ducks
and swans?
Page 17
LINDFIELD CIVIC SERVICE
Sunday 13 May at 11.15 am., at All Saints Church
We would like to welcome everyone
associated with Lindfield to our annual Civic
Service, which will be followed by refreshments
in the Tiger.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE
BURGESS HILL TIP
Although there has been some delay, we
understand that the Houesehold Waste Recyling
site in Burgess Hill is still programmed to be
operational for Easter, following extensive
redevelopment. The Civic Amenity Freighter will
be calling at the Tollgate car park through the
year, but the dates (Sundays) have not yet been
confirmed. Times of operation will be 10.00
a.m. to 12.00 noon and dates can be obtained
from the Parish Office as soon as they are
known.
N.Whittaker
Landscape and Paving Contractor (Est 1979)
Brick Driveways, Patios, Paths,
Garden Walls, Fencing, Turfing etc
All Estimates and Advice Free!
Tel: Lindfield (01444) 450300
80 Savill Road Lindfield RH16 2NN
Page 18
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING
We now have our new Community Support
Officer - Stuart Clough. Stuart covers the rural
areas of Mid Sussex and is quickly getting to
know Lindfield and has established good
contact with the Parish Office. PC Geoff
Bennett, the Neighbourhood Specialist
Constable for Haywards Heath (including
Lindfield), holds a regular “surgery” in the
Parish Office. This is to enable residents to talk
to him about any policing issues in Lindfield.
If you cannot call into the office, but have a
matter you wish to bring to his attention,
then please leave a note in the Parish Council
letter box.
PC Bennett’s forthcoming visits will take
place between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and
11.30 a.m. on: Thursday, 22 March, 26 April, 24
May, 28 June, 26 July
OTHER NEWS
• 7 April 2007 is the 20th anniversary of the
first meeting of Lindfield Parish Council.
• Work is soon to commence on the upgrading
of the children’s playground on the
Common. This is a joint venture with MSDC
and we hope that it will provide a safe but
stimulating place for children to play.
• Work on the Pond Wall has been completed,
with the exception of the seating area at
north end. This work was scheduled to start
again early in the New Year but has been
delayed as contractors cannot proceed until
EDF have inspected the installation for the
electricity supply to the pond pump, which
had to be relocated. It is hoped that the
work will resume in March.
• We would like to thank everyone who was
involved in making Christmas Festival Night
on 8 December such a great success.
Lindfield Times
 A DATE FOR THE DIARY - this year’s
Christmas Festival Night will be on
THURSDAY 6 December. If you belong to a
Village organisation or run a small business
selling items that would be suitable for sale
at this event, why not have a stall?
Constructive suggestions of ways to make
this a lively family event are also welcome.
• Now that tree pruning with extensive
pollarding of lime trees has taken place in
Compton Road and some pruning of those
in the High Street, the future management
of the trees will be the subject of ongoing
discussions with WSCC and MSDC.
• Developers have been showing an active
interest in the Newton Road site recently. At
the time of going to press, we can only
report that no planning application has yet
been seen and the site has not at this time
been approved for inclusion in the Local
Development Plan.
• Denmans Lane toilets - pending the
resolution of a couple of legal issues with
the District Council over the transfer
document, the Parish Council hopes to be
able to start work on the total refurbishment
of these toilets in the foreseeable future.
They will be re-designed and re-configured
internally and will provide a modern facility
for the village.
THE MEMBERS OF LINDFIELD PARISH COUNCIL ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Cllr. Margaret Nicolle (Chairman)
Cllr. Derrick Johnson (Vice Chairman)
Cllr. Mike Allen
Cllr. Jimmy Barnes
Cllr. Will Blunden
Cllr. Michael Davies
They can all be contacted, in the first instance, via the Parish Office, or by reference to the
Lindfield Village Directory and Year Book, which contains details of individual contact numbers.
March 2007
HOW TO CONTACT THE PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council office at 6 Denmans Lane
continues to be open 3 times a week – Tuesdays
1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays
10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. – when members of
the public are welcome to come along to look
at planning applications for Lindfield, obtain
bus passes and railcard vouchers, purchase
green sacks or simply seek advice on issues of
concern. However, if you do need to speak
with someone outside our normal opening
hours, then please contact the Clerk by
telephone on 01444 484115 or by fax on
01444 484918, who will be happy to make
alternative arrangements with you.
You can also contact us by Email
clerks@lindfieldpc.fsnet.co.uk or visit our web
site at www.lindfieldparishcouncil.org.uk.
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Cllr. Margaret Hersey
Cllr. Barry Phillpot
Cllr. Roger Pickett
Cllr. Christopher Snowling
Cllr. Alison Stevenson
Cllr. Valerie Upton
Page 19
What will happen to
house prices in 2007?
HOUSE PRICES rose nationally by 10.5% last
year according to the Nationwide index,
although that was a more modest 7.7% in the
south east (excluding London). So what are the
predictions for 2007.
“As ever the market forecasters offer a wide
range,” says Ron Davidson of the financial
services company Davidson Financial Solutions.
“The low end is 3.5% top end 15%.”
The recent rate rises have yet to have an
impact on demand for housing and there is no
short term solution to the housing shortage.
The buy-to-let market, despite being talked
down for the past 2 years is still strong.
185,000 immigrants mainly from Central and
Eastern Europe are expected to arrive in the UK
for each of the next 3 years. A spokesman for
Buy-to-Let specialists Paragon Mortgages says,
“We know that less than 20% of immigrants
become home owners within 5 years which
means that a net influx of people will have a
direct impact on the private rented sector.”
“I can only see overall demand for house
prices remaining firm,” says Ron Davidson,
“there is simply not the supply of houses to
keep pace with demand.”
The UK student population is also at an all time
high which adds to the demand for buy-to-let
properties.The Bank of England have to take into
account the effect that further rate rises will have
on the economy as a whole, not just the housing
market, so how much higher can rates go? The
treasuries latest compilation of independent
forecasts suggest the base rate will be 5% at the
end of 2007 the same as it is at the start.
“It is notoriously difficult for any one to
predict rates and house prices because they are
Page 20
affected by external factors such as oil prices,
retail prices and consumer confidence” says
Ron. “My personal view is that house prices
will rise by 6% and interest rates will be 5.25%
- but I will revise my prediction as the
economic data is updated, at least every quarter.
Overall I believe the UK Housing market
remains strong. As most people’s biggest
financial investment is in their bricks and
mortar this is good news.”
Davidson Financial Solutions specializes in
property finance.You can contact Ron Davidson
on 01444 483982 or by e-mail
ron@davidsonfinancial.co.uk
62 Finches Gardens
Lindfield Haywards Heath
West Sussex RH16 2PB.
Ron Davidson CeMAP
Proprietor
mortgages, pensions
financial planning, protection
medical insurance, investments
general insurance
t: 01444 483982
f: 01444 482894
e: ron@davidsonfinancial.co.uk
Lindfield Times
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March 2007 Page 21

Grand Village
Sunflower Competition
DURING 2007 it is proposed to hold Lindfield’s
own Sunflower Competition in aid of the
Bonfire Society’s funds.
As villagers will know the Bonfire Society
gives thousands to charity every year following
its collections on November 5th. However the
Society cannot use any of the money it collects,
on the night, to stage next years event and
consequently must raise the necessary funds
from other activities. I am sure we all know just
how expensive gunpowder and more
importantly insurance is these days.
Many Villagers will remember that in 1999
when the competition was last held the Village
was awash with Sunflowers, this time they have
got to be bigger and better.
It is hoped that every Village Resident and
every supporter of the Bonfire Society will grow
a least one sunflower during 2007. Entry in the
competition will cost only £1 which will go
towards the staging of Bonfire night.
Look out for next months addition of the
Lindfield Times for how to enter and the rules
of the competition.
But in the meantime start warming up
your soil!
Page 22
AGM
Monday, 16 April 2007 at 2.30 pm
Clair Hall, Haywards Heath
Please don’t miss our AGM. We are seeking to
amend our Constitution and must have at least
125 Members present in order to ratify any
agreed changes. The formal business of the AGM
should be over in about 45 minutes, when we
will break for tea.
How long is it since you last
looked at the Highway Code?
After tea we have arranged
a presentation from the
Driving Standards Agency,
entitled “Arrive Alive”. The
Agency has developed a
road safety programme
that specifically addresses
the concerns relating to
drivers aged 50 and over,
with a particular focus on
the retired age group. The
presentation includes a
short film and
opportunities for questions and discussion on
the issues raised. Everyone attending will
receive free literature.
Preservation Society talk
on Ashdown Forest
THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY has a talk by
Mark Nash on Ashdown Forest on Tuesday
afternoon 20th March at 2.30 in the King
Edward Hall. Admission £1 including
refreshments. All welcome.
Lindfield Times
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March 2007 Page 23

What’s cooking in March?
Lindfield Times checks the weather out the window, with Caroline Young

TRADITION HAS IT that whatever weather we get in the eastern part of the country on March 1st,
St David’s Day and the Welsh National Day, we will get the opposite for the rest of the month so
let’s hope it is a blustery wet day!
St David was a very popular 2nd century monk who founded St David’s Abbey in Pembrokeshire.
Celebrate St David’s Day with a recipe
including leeks to honour his Welsh
connections. Here are two making great use of
just one chicken.

LEEK AND CHICKEN PIE

Serves 4
Put a 11/2kg chicken into a large pan with 1
onion, cut in half, a bay leaf and some parsley
stalks. Cover with cold water, cover and slowly
bring to the boil. Cook over low heat for about
45 min, or until the chicken is just cooked
through. Remove from the heat and leave to cool
in the liquid (refrigerate if overnight). Lift the
fat from the top of the liquid, remove the
chicken and measure 300ml of the cooking
liquid (use the remainder for the following
soup recipe). Remove the skin and flesh from
the chicken. Discard the skin and add the
bones to the remaining cooking liquid.
Refrigerate until needed.
Preheat the oven to 190°C.
Thinly slice 3 small leeks and layer with
the chicken pieces in a shallow baking dish,
seasoning each layer. Pour over the reserved
300ml stock.
Using a pre-rolled sheet of puff pastry, cut
out a piece to generously fit the top of the
dish. Use the trimmings to edge the dish,
brush with cold water, add the large piece and
gently press the edges together. Brush with
beaten egg.
Bake for about 50 min or until the pastry
has risen and is golden brown.
Page 24
LEEK AND RICE SOUP
Serves 4
Bring the remaining chicken cooking liquid plus
the chicken bones to the boil, reduce the heat,
cover and cook over low heat for 15 min. Pour
through a sieve into a measuring jug and add
boiling water to make up to 850ml. Check the
flavour and add a chicken stock cube if needed.
Melt a knob of butter in a large pan and stir
in 3 thinly sliced small leeks. Cook over medium
heat until soft, stirring frequently. Add 25g long
grain white rice and the chicken stock. Bring to
the boil, cover and cook over low heat for about
15min or until the rice is tender.
Add the juice of 1 large lemon plus
seasoning and serve piping hot, sprinkled
generously with finely chopped parsley.
Caroline Young
Lindfield Times
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March 2007 Page 25

The Iceman cometh to
Tavistock & Summerhill
THE YOUNGEST BRITON to reach the South message to the children of how important it is
Pole and only the 38th person ever to reach to be a team player.
both Poles, Tom Avery trekked to
Tavistock & Summerhill Prep
School in late January, in order to
inspire the children and parents
with his exciting tales of epic polar
adventure.
Sussex born Tom says it was the
story Scott of the Antarctic which
first ignited his passion for
adventure. At university, it was
mountaineering which captured
his imagination and he organised
expeditions in mountain ranges
from the Andes to the Atlas. After
graduating, he tried working in the City for a
while before the call of the wild took hold and
he became a full time explorer.
He put together a four man team to tackle
the South Pole 100 years after the first attempt Ophthalmic Opticians
and, on 28th December 2002, he reached the
South Pole having broken the speed record to Are you fed up
get there using kites to power them across the with taking
ice. Three years later, he replicated the explorer
Robert Peary’s disputed march of 1909 to the reading glasses
Alison Crowe
North Pole. Peary had claimed to reach the Pole on and off? B.Sc., M.C.Optom.

in just 37 days and Tom used the same type of

dogs and wooden sleds and managed to beat
the time by just five hours.
Tom spoke to all of Years 4 to 8 in the
afternoon before speaking to the parents in the
evening. Headmaster, John Newman, is
delighted to have captured him: “The Sunday
Times” dubbed him the ‘Great Young Explorer’
and his feats thrilled everybody here. He gave a
wonderful motivational speech which excited
everybody as well as delivering a very important
Page 26
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March 2007 Page 27

David’s Hedge
SIXTY PEOPLE, including friends and people
from the village gathered at the Bowling Club
car park on Saturday afternoon 20th January for
the short dedication service for the length of
hedge that had been planted that morning by
the South of England Hedge Laying Society in
memory of David Marsden.
After an introduction by the President of the
Society John Wilson and a short appreciation of
David by Dick Morley the Society’s Membership
Secretary, the service of dedication was
conducted by the Revd Dr James Clarke.
Photo top left: Left to Right: John Wilson, Dick Morley,
Ann Marsden & Revd Dr James Clarke. Inset: Brass plate.

St Nicholas Nursery?
The Village Archive run by Lindfield Parish
Council has received an enquiry, from a man
who as a child was brought up in St Nicholas
Nursery, Lindfield. Little is known about this
establishment other than it was a children’s
home and thought to have been run by East
Sussex County Council.
The building, demolished some years ago,
stood on the land that is now St Nicholas Court
– just off the Common beyond Lindfield
Primary School.
Can you help? Do you have any information
about St Nicholas Nursery? If so please contact
the Village Archive, Lindfield Parish Council
office. Telephone 484115
The Village Archive provides a local source of
reference material on Lindfield with access by
appointment. If you have anything relating to
Lindfield, e.g. photographs, maps, old deeds or
other documents relating buildings, people or
other aspects of village life, that you are
prepared to donate or loan for copying, please
contact as above.
Page 28 Lindfield Times
Natasha’s mime
TV NEWSCASTER, Natasha Kaplinksky, will
make a special guest appearance at a charity gala
performance of “Elizabeth’s Last Stand”
presented by international mime star Nola Rae
at Clair Hall on Sunday 4th March at 7.30pm.
Elizabeth’s Last Stand is presented by the
Inner Wheel Club of Cuckfield & Lindfield, in
aid of the Motor Neurone Association, which is
the chosen charity of President Rosemary
Hands whose son, Stephen, died of the disease.
Natasha, who comes from Barcombe, is a friend
of Stephen’s brother and she, and Nola Rae, are
giving their time so that all the proceeds will go
to fund research as well as help local MND
sufferers to obtain essential equipment not
supplied by the NHS.
Nola has produced her one woman shows
without words all over the world and
March 2007
‘Elizabeth’s Last Stand’ has
been one of the most
successful. She specialises
in comedy and has even
managed to present
Shakespeare’s tragedy,
Hamlet, to make people laugh. ‘Elizabeth’ tells
the story of a lonely old woman who develops
delusions of grandeur and tries to recreate the
Court of Elizabeth I in her living room.
Rosemary Hands is delighted that Nola and
Natasha have agreed to appear in aid of her
appeal: “They are both tremendously busy
people and I am very grateful to them. Please
come along and have a very enjoyable evening
in aid of a charity fighting a most terrible
disease.” Tickets cost just £10.00 and can be
booked by ringing 01444 455440.
Page 29
New technology – old values
DO YOU REMEMBER the days when groceries high street presence through the additional
were delivered to your door by local business business their websites generate.
and you could phone through your order, So, if you’re fed up with the weekly trudge
arrange a delivery date and then effortlessly it around the supermarket, why not stock up
would appear? Well those days are back! with groceries on line and leave yourself some
Most of the larger supermarkets now offer time for a leisurely local shop.
home delivery for on-line shoppers. You can If you want to know more about getting
browse through departments, search for Broadband, contact Tim Richardson of Cottage
specific items, use saved shopping lists and Computers.
then choose a convenient delivery date. There
are many smaller specialist outlets too such as
TechSpot by Tim Richardson of Lindfield
organic food suppliers, wine clubs, ‘luxury’
based Cottage Computers.
foods etc. that offer the same fantastic service.
Website: www.cottagecomputers.net
How safe is it? It’s actually far safer to use
Email: tim@cottagecomputers.net
your credit card on line over an encrypted Tel: 01444 484396
website (look for the padlock symbol on the
status bar of your Internet browser) than to a
third party over the phone. Also you have the
warranty safeguards your credit card gives you
under the consumer rights legislation.

Internet shopping can have a positive effect

on our local high street. Ordering large
quantities of bulky necessities on-line, leaves
you more time for an enjoyable, relaxed local
shopping experience for quality items. Also,
many speciality shops can only maintain a
Page 30 Lindfield Times
Light bulbs
WHO NEEDS SCARY FILMS for nail-biting
tension? Gardening in southern England during
the past 12 months has supplied more than
enough white-knuckle drama. Drought one
minute followed by gale force winds and
snowfall the next – plants that survive all this
are champions. Some of the best are bulbs, as
they are hiding underground when the worst of
the weather is happening above their heads.
Our mild winter has ensured that this March,
unlike last year, will be marked with an
explosion of colour from flowering bulbs.
Daffodils are a reliable and excellent spring bulb Haut Talk by Karoline Baird of Lindfield-
that can be planted in the borders or the lawn, based Haughty Culture Garden Design,
increasing in number each year. Traditionally M: 07742 731967
bright yellow, there are dozens of varieties to E: haughty.culture@virgin.net
choose from, offering different colours, scent,
double or multiple flowers and varying stem
heights. Ensure that your bulbs are visible from
viewpoints indoors. For the more diminutive
bulbs like crocus, scilla and snowdrops,
remember that the smaller the flower the larger
the clump should be.
As with any plant, consider the needs of
bulbs before planting. Many of the bulbs we
value in our gardens, have their origins on
rocky slopes that are protected from strong
winds, where drainage is sharp and summers
are hot and dry. In the heavy clay areas of Sussex
it is vital to add grit and organic matter to the
soil around bulbs, to prevent rot in our
increasingly wet winters. Pots are ideal for bulb
planting. Not only can they be hidden when
flowering is over and leaves are yellowing off,
but it means that bulbs are safe later in the year,
when accidents frequently happen whilst
cultivating the soil using spades and forks. Now
all you will have to do is sit back and watch the
bulbs lighting up the garden.

March 2007 Page 31