Village People: Jane Haughton

By Claire Cooper

From the Military Wives to the postal workers of Bristol, thousands of people across the country are experiencing the joy of singing together and many describe joining a choir as the best decision they ever made.

Now professional singer and Cuckfield mum Jane Haughton is spreading the joy in Sussex as she brings communities together to sing.

Jane is probably best known in the village for founding the popular ‘Singing Allsorts’ but few know that Jane has also been involved with choirs for people from all walks of life, including inmates from Wandsworth prison.

“That was one of the jobs I have most enjoyed and found hardest to leave when we moved from London down to Sussex,” said Jane. “It was extremely rewarding and I would love to do it again – in fact perhaps Lewes Prison needs a choir!”

Jane’s passion for music began when she was a child. “I went to a school where everyone was encouraged to sing or play an instrument and I learnt the piano and violin,” said Jane, who went on to Trinity College to train as a piano teacher. 

“I was actually more interested in singing but was advised to wait until my voice had developed, so I decided to study languages, moved to Italy and stayed for five years.”

While in Milan, Jane took singing lessons and tried to give up because: ‘I didn’t think I had what it takes to become a professional singer.’

read the full story on page 16 of Mar/Apr 2013 issue of Cuckfield Life.​

Cuckfield Neighbourhood Plan

Do you want to know what the future holds for Cuckfield over the next 20 years? 

Luckily, you don’t need a crystal ball to find out!  Just log onto your computer or visit the Parish Council offices to take a look at the Draft Neighbourhood Plan. 

The plan has been drawn up to shape the future of the village and residents are currently being invited to have another say before the final version is submitted for approval. 

Neighbourhood Plans were created as part of the Government’s Localism Agenda, designed to give local people more say about what goes on in their area.

Through the plans, communities can influence decisions that will affect them on a day to day basis. For Cuckfield, this means ensuring that the village continues to thrive and meet the changing needs of the community, whilst preserving the distinctive character, landscape, and setting that has evolved over nine centuries of history.

Sponsored by Cuckfield Parish Council, the Draft Neighbourhood Plan has been developed by a team of parish councillors and community volunteers. The team started working on the project back in September 2011, making Cuckfield the first parish in Mid Sussex to begin developing its Neighbourhood Plan and part of a Government Front Runner program.

This is an excerpt from an article on p.8 of Mar/Apr 2013 Cuckfield Life magazine.

The plan can viewed on line at www.cuckfieldplan.com, with hard copies  in the parish office.

All responses must be provided in writing and can be emailed to info@cuckfieldplan.com or posted to: Cuckfield Parish Council, The Queen’s Hall, High Street, Cuckfield, West Sussex, RH17 5EL.

The consultation period closes on 29th March.

Cuckfield Walking Race gets going

The annual walking race started out in 1927 as a “challenge” between E.Jard and F.Hoadley walking to Bolney and back. They walked “fully” dressed (Collar and Tie). The event has been held each year since, except for the odd break not least of which being during WW2.

There have been several different routes used over the years but the current five mile circular course starts at Cuckfield Rec – Ansty – Deaks Lane – Whitemans Green and finishing back at the Rec. The Independent State of Cuckfield started organising the event in the 1960s.

Some of the older residents can remember prizes such as a roasting joint, sack of coal, cartload of manure etc being awarded but we now have cups and medals for the various individual and team categories.

The event is open to all aged over 16 years but only Cuckfield residents can win any of the individual cups. Teams can be entered by any Cuckfield club, society or institution and can have as many individuals (resident or not) as you like, with the total of the fastest three times counting.

This year the race falls on April Fool’s Day (Mon 1st April), so walkers who choose to can wear fancy dress and the Mayor will award a prize to whichever she judges the best. The entry fee is £2 and walkers can just turn up on the day. Registration is from 9.15 to 9.45am. Competitors start at 10am. For more info email independent_state_of_cuckfield@hotmail.com