Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Talks

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Community Talks

Book a talk about our life-saving work

The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance is inviting local groups, clubs, societies and other organisations to book a talk (free of charge) to find our more about the work of the charity.

By inviting one of our volunteer speakers to your group, you will be helping to raise awareness of our work and therefore ensuring we can be there for those who need us, now and in the future.

For more information or to book a talk, please contact us on: 01622 833 833 or talks@kssairambulance.org.uk

Cuckfield History: Alfred Browne

Easter Sunday Hero

By Kate Fleming

In order to imagine the setting, I would like you to travel back in time one hundred years to Easter Sunday 1917, and gently place yourself in our beautiful Holy Trinity Church. The people of Cuckfield are gathering for Evensong, as indeed they still do today, but then the times were different. Great Britain was at war, and had been for over two years, the young men had gone to fight for King and Country, and those left behind were under pressure to increase the war effort. There were food shortages, and patriotism was wearing thin. Rev Maddock, officiating at the service, was recently back from the front and the congregation, in a world deprived of immediate first-hand news (unlike today), was keen to hear about how its boys were faring in the seemingly distant world of mud filled trenches and lethal flying bullets. Mothers, wives, sweethearts, daughters and sons of men at the front have gathered to worship and pray for peace in the world, their thoughts and desires busily weaving through their minds.

Also busy about the church was the Verger, Alfred Browne. Having already prepared the church for Easter with festival white altar cloths and hangings in place of the sombre violet of Lent, he had one more task to fulfil before he supposedly joined the established congregation. As compiled meticulously by him in the Verger’s List of Duties, he needed to strike the Union Jack flag at sunset, and, as this was already underway and darkness imminent, he had to make haste. He must have crept silently up the staircase to the battlements so as not to disturb the start of Evensong, and carefully opened the door. When... Shock! Horror! Flames sprang from the door accompanied by fumes which could only mean that the spire and maybe the church full of worshippers were in grave danger. Alfred Browne needed immediate help to avoid a major disaster.

[Read the full story on page 22 of April 2017 Cuckfield Life magazine]

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.