Cuckfield winter NGS garden opens for charity

All throughout January and February, the National Garden Scheme (NGS) opens hundreds of gardens, known as their Snowdrop and Spring Flower season, offering unique glimpses of early blossoms like snowdrops, clematis, hellebores, and irises, providing a cheerful start to the garden visiting year while raising money for nursing and health charities.

These special winter openings feature vibrant displays, expert advice from owners, and often serve tea and cake, inviting visitors to discover hidden gems across the country.

One such Cuckfield resident will be doing just that later this month; please join, Shirley Carmen-Martin who will once again be sharing her delightful garden and inviting visitors to 5 Whitemans Close, by appointment from 10.30am to 3.30pm on the following days; 26th January and 30th January and 2nd, 4th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 17th and 18th February.

Admission is £9, which includes delicious homemade refreshments. To book please call 01444 473520 or email shirleycarmanmartin@ngs.org.uk.

Ansty Village Centre opens its doors

The progress on Ansty Village Centre is still going well, with the building being used for the first time on Polling Day for the local elections, as this issue went to print. The team responsible for the building are aiming for an official opening day on 17th May.

The Village Centre opening is expected to the prelude to an exciting summer in Ansty, with the return of longstanding traditional events in the village calendar including the National Gardens Scheme Open Day on 13th June and the Anstye Village Fair, held on the Recreation Ground on 29th August.

The building will host new groups and societies including Tai Chi, Yoga and Zumba, as well as some former hirers like the well-established Gardening Club and Arts & Crafts group. The Recreation Ground will also see a further diversification of activity with fixtures for the Sussex Disability Squad, and the launch of the Ansty CC as a disability cricket champions club.

For more information, look out for the new Ansty Village Centre website or email: enquiries@anstysussex.uk.