Bolnore residents new roles on Haywards Heath Town Council

Bolnore resident Alastair McPherson has been elected Mayor of Haywards Heath, alongside fellow councillor and Bolnore resident Matt Jeffers who has become the new Deputy Mayor.

Alastair, who has been Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath for the last two years, played a pivotal role in the initial stages of Bolnore Village Primary School, working as a member of the Bolnore School Group. He was also the driving force behind the building of the Woodside Community Centre and for setting up the Bolnore Village Community Partnership (BVCP) Charity, the group that he now Chairs which runs the Woodside.

Alastair said he is looking forward to an ‘exciting’ role as mayor for Haywards Heath. He commented: “It is a great honour to be elected as Town Mayor and I am looking forward to the good work we can achieve together as a community. My mantra has always been ‘you cannot complain, if you don’t get involved’.

I am already involved in many community groups in the town and am looking forward to working with all the businesses, residents and community groups in Haywards Heath to see how we can pull together to create the future of our town.”

Bolnore CIC: April Update

By Chris Belton

As part of our landscaping work, a number of trees and shrubs have been ‘coppiced’.

As a non-gardener, this was a term I had heard but not fully understood until I saw the outcome from the work this time last year.

It did look as if the trees and shrubs had been reduced to just a few stubs and looked all set to die off. But come the spring and early summer they were beginning to grow. 

The Royal Horticultural Society, who must be the experts in the matter, define coppicing as ‘a pruning technique where a tree or shrub is cut to ground level, resulting in regeneration of new stems from the base. It is commonly used for rejuvenating and renovating old shrubs’. This is, of course, exactly what happened.

The outcome from this year’s activity is much the same and, after several years of neglect by FirstPort, our trees and shrubs will begin to look a lot stronger and sturdier than they have in the past. This can only benefit the plants and at the same time improve the Village.

Whilst on the subject of plants, it is disappointing to see cultivated areas of the Village being ruined by drivers mounting kerbs and planted areas in order to make progress. There is a cost associated with these actions which will fall to residents to cover as our contractors have to make good these areas. I know the streets are not wide and that there are many 90-degree junctions. Is it really that difficult or time consuming to give a little ground and stop the destruction of the Village?

Our regular Residents’ Surgeries continue to generate interest with a number of people attending each session. It is an opportunity to discuss specific issues with Pembroke or to ask general questions about the village with the Community Interest Company Directors. The next session is scheduled for 18th June in the evening in order to facilitate meetings with those who cannot make other times. 

If you live in the Village and would like to become a Director of the Community Interest Company please email estate at bolnore.org.uk for more details.

Military history events for the Autumn - Mid Sussex Red

By Matt Taylor

**CHANGE OF DATE**

Please note the public event on 15th September is no longer taking place! 

The public event will now be held on FRIDAY 20th OCTOBER at CLAIR HALL, Perrymount Road, (opposite new Waitrose), HAYWARDS HEATH. Doors open at 1000, first presentation at 1030, doors close at 1600. £2 for 18’s & over, Under 18’s FREE.

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We are a volunteer community group promoting Mid Sussex Military History & Education for residents of all ages. The Mid Sussex RED Military History Event 2017 has been designed to Remember, Educate and Develop knowledge and understanding of the roles people and places in Mid Sussex performed in World Wars I & II. The will be an exhibition, a museum and presentations.

• The Somme 1916 – Remembering Mid Sussex
• The Centenary of Passchendaele 1917-2017 – ‘Mud, Blood & Devastation’
• (1940) The Battle of Britain, The Blitz and Evacuee Story
• (1942) El Alamein - 75thAnniversary – Life in Mid Sussex
• Numerous Exhibitors, Mini Museum of Genuine Artefacts
• Guest speaker presentations on WWI and WWII topics

We will deliver one public event in October. There will also be three SCHOOLS ONLY events (on separate days), for over 1,500 Mid Sussex school children to attend. 

Across the six events there will be more than 25 groups displaying artefacts, exhibiting, delivering 20-45 minute presentations relating to the topics.

Please check our website - www.midsussexred.co.uk - for details of confirmed exhibitors and presentations for each event.

The delivery of these events has been made possible due to funding received from Mid Sussex District Council and Haywards Heath Town Council.