Cuckfield Walking Race on Bank Holiday (17th April 2017)

Cuckfield residents are limbering up for the annual Independent State of Cuckfield Walking Race and Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, which takes place on Easter Monday, 17th April 2017.

Don’t be caught out by the change in venue! This year the event starts and finishes at Haywards Heath Rugby Club on Whiteman’s Green (not the recreation ground).

The actual course is unchanged, going for approximately five miles via London Road, High Street, Ansty, Deaks Lane and back to the Rugby Club. 

There is an entry fee of £2 per person, and walkers must be at least 16 years old to take part. Entrants can register at the Rugby Club from 9.30am, and the first walker leaves at 10am.

There are trophies and medals to be won for the men’s and women’s handicap race, the fastest man and woman, and the fastest senior walker, which is open to those over 60 years of age. Plus there are the men’s and women’s team trophies, awarded to the fastest combined time achieved by a team of three walkers.

Walkers are also invited to wear fancy dress, and there are special prizes for the best outfits. 

While the walkers are out on the course, children are invited to join the annual Easter Egg Hunt, which starts around 10.30am. For more information, please contact Jim at the White Harte, or phone: 01444 413454, or email: independent_state_of_cuckfield@hotmail.com.

Doing our bit for refugees: Samara's Aid

By Ros Longfield

Following on from Michael our vicar’ s letter in the magazine last month, which highlighted the current appeal for Samara’s Aid, I thought readers might like to know a bit more about this charity.

In the autumn of 2014 the news of the disaster unfolding in the Middle East had reached our screens and many, like me, felt helpless in the face of such dreadful horror.

Brighton mother Samara Levy was so moved by the tragedy of the people displaced from their homes and fleeing in the clothes they stood up in that she started to send parcels of good used clothing to a charity in Turkey for distribution in Syria.

The first articulated lorry left the UK in October 2014 for Iraq and to date there have been a further 71 container loads which have ensured clothing for 170,000 internally displaced people.

Each appeal may be slightly different and specific, to ease the special requirements of packing for customs. 

The present appeal is for NEW WINTER clothes for babies, boys and girls, which will run until they are delivered in the autumn for next winter . Should you be moved to donate items, please leave the retail tags on and place in the box supplied in the church tower or leave money donations in the church office with Gill. 

Thank you so much. More info from the website www.samarasaidappeal.org

Planning for The Barn, The Parkway, Bolnore Village

Ever since The Barn, on The Parkway, had ceased to be used as a Sales Office for Bolnore Village the residents have wanted it to be used for good in the community.

In the last month or so planning has been applied for to change its use to that which could house a children’s nursery. The planning process is now closed and the residents of Bolnore will have to wait and see what Mid Sussex District Council decide.

Chris Belton, chair of Bolnore Village Community Interest Company, explained their point of view: “The BVCIC along with the Community Partnership want to see The Barn being used for the benefit of the Village and on the surface, a nursery might seem to fit the bill. However both groups objected on the grounds of a significant increase in traffic and all that this would entail.

“It should be stressed that if the issues of traffic, noise, poor road layout and parking for the nursery could be resolved we would support a new application.”

A decision is expected on 24th April 2017