There's ain't no party like a Glebe Road party!

Families from Glebe Road enjoyed a successful street party last month, opening the event to the whole village!
     The party followed the success of last year’s celebration, providing an opportunity for neighbours to get together for an afternoon of fun and entertainment. And with circus acts, a live jazz band, bouncy castle and barbeque, there was certainly enough to keep everyone occupied.
     Much of the entertainment was provided by the residents themselves with Sarah and her All Stars ‘Trad Jazz’ band performing all afternoon. Artist Cameron Bennett was also kept busy capturing children, adults and even pets in caricature!
     Families from Cuckfield Pre-School playgroup did a roaring trade selling cakes and refreshments, while children were given lessons in juggling, diablo and spinning plates from Dodgers Circus. 
     The idea for a street party came when Glebe Road resident Sheila Gilbert won an Affinity Sutton ‘Shine’ Good Neighbour Award, after being nominated by a fellow resident.
     “I won £1,000 which had to be used for the benefit of the community,” said Sheila. “My first idea was to buy a bench, but then we came up with the idea of a street party.” The event was such a success that Sheila, and friends June, Sarah and Jo, soon decided to organise a second event this summer. 
     “We were delighted to get generous donations from Affinity Sutton and Stirland builders which enabled us to stage the event this year,” said Sheila. “We also had some wonderful raffle prizes from village businesses including Cuckfield Golf Centre, JoJo Boutique, Cuckfield Pet & Country Store and the Wheatsheaf. I’m sure it won’t be long before we’re busy planning and fund raising for next year’s event!”

Also available on page 9.

Cuckfield Bell Ringers

For hundreds of years church bells have been ringing out over Cuckfield village marking many memorable occasions and events. Housed in the church steeple, the eight bells cast in bell metal are an impressive sight, but equally impressive are the team of dedicated ringers, who bring the mighty bells to life. Claire Cooper visited the Church to find out about the history of the bells and meet some of the volunteers who are keeping this British tradition alive.

A board in the bell tower commemorates the donors – including some families with descendants still living in the village today.
     “The casting of the bells was undertaken by Mr J. Mears Bell Foundry of London which still exists under the name of The Whitechapel Bell Foundry,” said David. “This is the same foundry that cast Big Ben.” A new frame made of oak to mount the bells was also installed.
     “Everything was completed in time for the new peel to be rung on 4th September 1815 and was no doubt a significant event and achievement for the parishioners,” David added.
     Since then no major work has been necessary, however on 1st May 1980, fire broke out in the spire.
     “The spire was completely destroyed but, due to the skill of the fire fighters, the bells survived although some of the wooden fittings were damaged.

Full article available on pages 16/17.

By Claire Cooper
This year sees the 200th anniversary of the bells in the tower of Holy Trinity Church in Cuckfield. Originally there were six bells dating from 1633 but in 1815 they were re-cast and two more added to give the set that still ring out today. “The original bells were probably cast in the church yard by itinerant bell founders who were paid according to the weight of the bells,” said Tower Captain David Wilson.
     “As the cost was based on weight and there was no way of checking it, I suspect it may have been quite profitable for them if they decided to cheat!”
     The new bells however were weighed – the lightest coming in at 5 hundredweight (250 kilos) and the heaviest 15 hundredweight (750 kilos), about the same as small car. 
     The cost of the work was met by public subscription with 63 villagers and benefactors contributing £297 - 4 shillings. The two highest donations were 23 guineas (£24.15p) and the two smallest were 10 shillings (50p).

Seamstress retires

She began selling fabric from home and after a successful year got the opportunity to buy the shop in Cuckfield High Street. “For many years it was the butchers shop run by Mr Tidy who lived with his family in the flat above,” said Jane.
     The shop gave Jane the opportunity to expand the business to include a curtain-making service.
     Jane was soon joined by Karen Sedgwick-Smith who took on most of the curtain-making, leaving Jane free to work on smaller blinds and cushions. The pair have now worked together for 23 years.
     Over the years Jane has seen huge changes in the way windows are dressed. “We have gone from very fussy Austrian blinds, which I always thought looked rather like frilly knickers, to today’s simpler styles which use far less material,” said Jane.
     “Blinds have also become very popular, but I don’t think you can beat a nice pair of long curtains.”

Full article available on page 27.

By Claire Cooper
     The curtain came down on one of the village’s most popular and long-standing businesses last month when Jane Henderson retired from Windowscene.
     For a quarter of a century Jane has been enhancing Cuckfield homes with handmade curtains, cushions and blinds.
     But Jane’s career as a curtain maker has now come to a close and she is already making the most of her new found freedom!
     Jane was taught to sew by her mother, who worked as a domestic science teacher. She made her first curtains shortly after leaving home. “When I got my first flat I couldn’t afford to buy ready-made curtains, so I made them myself,” said Jane. “I used to make my own clothes too, but often by the time I’d finished I wasn’t sure I liked them any more! And it’s so much more fun to go into a shop and try things on!”
     Jane came to Sussex 29 years ago after marrying a local whose parents lived in Cuckfield.
     After having two children, Jane decided to
leave her job in the city and look for work that would fit in with family life.