Tickets now on sale for Cuckfield BookFest this October 22

Photo by: Conor O’Leary

With the 2022 Cuckfield BookFest set to open next month, the organisers are reminding readers that online booking for events is now open. Sheila Mortimer explained: “We had a terrific number of bookings, as soon as ticket sales opened at the beginning of this month – which is great news. Although we do have limited capacity in the Queen’s Hall, so one or two events have already sold out – including the talk by Richard Osman, which we knew would be popular.” There is a packed and wide-ranging programme on offer at BookFest, including court judge Wendy Joseph (Unlawful Killings), David Hendy (The BBC – a people’s history) and award-winning poet Raymond Antrobus (All The Names Given) who will be discussing his work, which has recently been added to the 2022 GSCE English Literature syllabus. For children and families there are events taking place at The Old School including authors Katie Kirby (The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks), Andrew Pettie (The Big Britannica Quiz) and Cuckfield’s own Sue Monroe (The Magnificent Moon Hare). “As usual we are very grateful to our sponsors,” Sheila explained. Luke Mitchell, teacher of English at Hurstpierpoint College, told us: “At Hurstpierpoint College we are delighted to sponsor and support Cuckfield BookFest. It is a wonderful event and we wish everyone an enriching and enjoyable festival this year.” It will be a weekend packed with interest and entertainment – starting with a Literary Quiz in The Talbot on Thursday 6th October. Cuckfield BookFest takes place between 6th and 9th October and the full programme can be found and booked online at: www.cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk

Will Cuckfield's events be able to go ahead this year?

By Bradbury Williams

A challenging year of repeated lockdowns has taken its toll on dozens of community organisations across the Cuckfield area.

Landmark annual events were forced to cancel, so many local good causes missed out on thousands of pounds worth of donations – the ever-popular Cuckfield Bonfire being one of the biggest casualties last November.

Whilst there’s now light at the end of the tunnel, organisers of the much loved Cuckoo Fayre and Staplefield Fun Day have just had to call them off, yet again.

At the start of last year Iain Pringle had made up his mind to have a go at landing the unique role of Mayor of the Independent State of Cuckfield. As a founding member of the village’s ‘Sad Dads’ group which meet regularly at Warden Park School, Iain was aiming to come first, in an election process where the biggest fundraiser gets the job. “We were planning a big sponsored bike ride to Cuckfield ‘s twin village of Aumale in Normandy and luckily I knew from the start it would be well-supported,” he said. As a second lockdown loomed in the autumn Iain had to change the plans and hastily arranged a 75-mile tour of Sussex. “We had to follow the ‘rule of 6’ so arranged to cycle in small groups, and because there wasn’t that much else on, we had 27 riders on the day,” he added.

Organisers of the election night itself, usually a very lively event held in one of the village’s pubs, were also forced into a radical re-think. But the Chair of the Independent State of Cuckfield Mike Schlup was well prepared and managed a successful virtual election event on Facebook. “In the end it was our biggest year ever, and Iain was duly elected after raising £15,000,” said Mike. “And we very rapidly distributed the money to several good causes in the traditional way.”

In October the 55th election contest will hopefully be back to normal and the new Mayor will be able to carry out the traditional ceremonial duties. “We really want anyone interested to get in touch, because after that enforced hiatus we’re going to come back stronger than ever.”

Find out about Cuckfield’s popular Bookfest and Cuckoo Choir in April’s issue of Cuckfield Life on pages 26 and 27. Also, villagers of Staplefield pick up a copy to learn about the annual May Fun Day plans.

Mid Downs Radio at the Princess Royal Hospital

Sampling the delights of Cuckfish at MDR

Mid Downs Radio has continued to broadcast 24/7 throughout the pandemic from studios on the first floor of the Princess Royal Hospital. The station is a registered charity and provides music, entertainment and regularly updated information on health, hospital, social care and community matters to patients, staff and visitors to the hospital complex as well as to the wider community.

All the MDR presenters are volunteers who host a wide variety of shows. Production Manager Paul Barnett presents his ‘Tiffin with Paul’, an eclectic mix of music, poems and lively banter with co host Cathy, on Thursday afternoons from 3-5 pm. He has also been seen regularly in the Outside Broadcast Unit compering Cuckfield Christmas Night with MDR Technical Manager Gary Simons.

MDR has been delighted to help promote the brilliant Cuckfield Bookfest since its inception as well as the Music Festival, the 100th anniversary of Cuckfield Tennis Club and the opening of Cuckfish. Since launching the Listen Live service through the website and TuneIn App there has been an increase in listeners. MDR continues to support other charities and organisations by publicising their work and events through interviews and in some cases providing promotional fillers that go out regularly on air. If you would like to know more about promoting your charity through MDR please contact Wendy Swinton-Eagle at wendy@mdr.org.uk.

MDR funds itself through Grants & Membership fees but mainly through hiring out our distinctive Outside Events Unit and now the new fully equipped Mobile Disco complete with professional DJ, Lee Gillet all at very competitive rates.

To find out more about Mid Downs Radio, to read our latest magazine or to Listen Live please visit our website at www.mdr.org.uk