HHRFC keeping all ages rugby fit this summer

Ross Chisholm and Jim Taylor make sure pre-season sessions are fun for everyone

With summer upon us, Haywards Heath Rugby Club is keen to help maintain the health and fitness of all generations of rugby players.

The senior squad returned to pre-season training earlier this month and is training every Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30pm to 9pm. The Clubhouse bar is going to be open every Thursday evening from 25 July 2019 and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the summer sunshine on the decking and watch Ross Chisholm and Jim Taylor put the squad through their paces with their short, sharp and fun methods to raise fitness levels before the new season kicks off in September.

For all juniors, there are two rugby camps at Whitemans Green this summer – a Quins Junior Camp from 5-7 August and the return of the popular NZ Experience Kiwi Camp from 19-23 August 2019. Sign up is open to members and non-members alike from ages 6 to 16 - visit www.hhrfc.co.uk for more information and to reserve your place. In addition, the older juniors at Heath have returned to their own pre-season training regime with the Under 15s and 16s training every Thursday from 7.30pm - keeping the boys active and united over the summer months. New members of all ages and abilities are welcome at any time - email rugby@hhrfc.co.uk for more information.

Heath has also been busy off the pitch and with planning permission confirmed for the new HHRFC Clubhouse, all efforts are focused on raising the funds to make it happen to benefit all children and adults in the Mid Sussex area. On Saturday 31 August 2019 there is a Festival of Rugby at Whitemans Green when the Heath U16s are playing a 4-way tournament from 11.30am against Horsham RFC and two touring sides from Leicestershire, the Heath Colts then taking on Farnham Colts at 12noon before Heath 1st XV and RAMS test themselves against Farnham RFC, last year’s runners-up in LSW2 at 3pm. The Clubhouse Bar will be open all day, with a BBQ and other refreshments – everyone is invited to come along and join a fun day before the season starts in earnest. More information always available on www.hhrfc.co.uk

Village People: Neil Tomlinson

By Jacqueline Elmore

There comes a moment in everyone’s life when we begin to question our place in the world, our role on the planet and sometimes even our ethical approach to how we choose to spend our time. The catalyst for deeper introspection often occurs after a big life event; the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, or simply the realisation that life itself is short and that whilst we are here it is important to live it wisely and to live it well.

For Neil Tomlinson, self-confessed environmental activist and owner of water brand Aquapax, that moment came when his father passed away and he asked himself ‘what is it that I am truly doing with my life? How do I want to make a difference?’. It was at this juncture in Neil’s life that his view of the world changed and he began a new journey away from the corporate tide.

At the height of Neil’s ‘corporate career he hadn’t planned’ he was Head of Group Marketing and New Country Development with a European financial institution. Most Monday mornings he would fly out on the red eye from Heathrow to Madrid, Brussels or Amsterdam and be on the return flight home on Friday evening, long after most people had shut down for the weekend.

(See the July 2019 issue of Cuckfield Life for the full story)

Fish and Chip shop coming to Cuckfield...

Cuckfish due to open in Cuckfield in July 2019

After two years the new fish and chip shop on Cuckfield High Street is finally opening. The shop – named Cuckfish - was beset with various difficulties, including planning and utilities supply, but owner Mustafa Dilek and wife Jan are now expecting to open the restaurant at the end of the month.

Mustafa, who has owned a kebab shop in East Grinstead since 1993, was drawn to Cuckfield’s village life and the surrounding countryside after having driven through it many times and was reminded of his childhood growing up in a village in Turkey. This inspired him to open a traditional fish and chip restaurant that reflected the character of the village.

“I’m really looking forward to being part of this community and getting involved,” Mustafa said. After launching a competition to find the perfect name he was delighted to have over 300 entries, including seven suggesting ‘Cuckfish’.

The first person to have given the name will receive a £50 voucher for the restaurant and the other entries suggesting the same name will enjoy a £25 voucher.

Although opening times are still to be confirmed, Mustafa is expecting to make good use of the seated terrace during the summer.