School staff 'Race for Liz'

Staff from Holy Trinity School were out in force pounding the pavements of Cuckfield last month to raise £600 on behalf of a popular colleague.

The staff took part in ‘Race for Liz,’ to show their support for school secretary  Liz Woods.

Liz, who has worked at the school for 22 years, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February this year and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. After hearing the news,  teacher Sally Smitherman and Wendy Lawrence, who works in the school office, sprang into action, joining forces with Liz to organise the race around the village. 

They were soon joined by 20 colleagues, including head teacher Jo Munn  and former teacher Miesje Jenkins, all keen to join in and raise funds for breast cancer research. Also on the start line were Liz’s  husband Richard and son Chris with his dog Pudsy. “They wanted to take part as they couldn’t join my daughter Claire and daughter-in-law Hayley in the women only Race for Life in Brighton’s Stanmer Park,” said Liz. She added that the Claire and Hayley completed the race and raised £610 for Cancer Research.

Setting off from the school, all wearing pink, the runners made their way to Whiteman’s Green where they were met by Liz who handed out jelly babies to supply energy for the route back!

The runners were also provided with bottles of water supplied by Wealden Stores in Whiteman’s Green.

“I was really touched when my colleagues suggested doing a ‘Race for Liz’, with all monies made going to Breakthrough for Breast Cancer,” said Liz who, along with husband Richard, is a former village Mayor. “Their support has been amazing!”

She added that the Independent State of Cuckfield  also donated £100 to the fund.

Caroline's Cheese & Onion Bread recipe

Following Caroline Whiteman's bread recipe in the June/July issue of the magazine, if you fancy trying something different - try your hand at this variation....​

Ingredients

1 onion

Small glug of oil.

450g/1 lb strong flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon dry mustard

A little black pepper

150ml/¼ pint milk

150ml/¼ pint warm water

15g/½oz fresh yeast OR
1 sachet easyblend yeast

170g/6 oz grated cheese

Method

1 Peel and chop the onion. Fry it in a little oil until it softens, then set aside.

2 Meanwhile, sift the flour, sugar, mustard. pepper and salt into a large bowl.

3 Combine the milk and water in a jug.

4 If using fresh yeast, put it into a small bowl or cup and mix with a little of the milk and water, till it is dissolved. If using easyblend, mix it with the flour.

5 Put a little cheese aside for the topping. Add the onions and the rest of the cheese to the flour mixture and combine. Make a well in the middle of the flour, and pour in the milk mixture. Mix together to form a dough. If it is too dry, add a little more water.

6 Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead thoroughly. Put it back into the bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave it somewhere warm, until it doubles in size.

7 Grease a large loaf tin (or two small ones). Preheat the oven to 210°C, or gas 7.

8  Take the dough out of the bowl and knead again to knock out all the bubbles

9  Place it in the prepared tin, cover again and leave it to rise a second time.

10 When it has doubled in size, sprinkle with the reserved cheese, put it into the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.

11 Tap the base of the loaf – if it sounds hollow, it is done. If not, put back in the oven for a few more minutes.

12  Cool on a rack.

Kate Foster, Cuckfield Olympian - Village People

By Claire Cooper, full article on p.22 of May/June 2013 issue

After conquering the world’s snowboarding slopes, Cuckfield Olympian Kate Foster is taking to the water in a bid to introduce Britain to a brand new sport.

Kate, who has just returned from the British Snowboarding Championships  in France where she added a second silver to her collection of medals, will spend the summer wakesurfing - and is keen to encourage others to have a go.

“I’m trying to get the word out about this amazing new sport, which is perfect for all fitness levels as well as anyone who has or hasn’t done any water sports or board sports!” said Kate.

“As much as I love the winter, I am looking forward to kicking the boots off and getting my flip flops on and heading to the sunshine!”

Kate, who works as a fitness coach in Curves gym in Haywards Heath,  is well known in the village for her amazing achievements in snowboarding. “My recent silver medal means I’ve been British halfpipe champion five times and runner up twice,” said Kate, who was also in France to support the GB Junior Freestyle team, which she coaches with her brother.

“They all did really well and I’m so proud they returned with six golds, three silvers and a bronze.”

Although the Foster family originate from Cuckfield (her grandfather arrived in the village as an evacuee in 1939 and her mum was a former Miss Cuckfield!), Kate was brought up in Canada where her parents were working. “They were only supposed to be going for two years but ended up staying for 30!” said Kate.