Cuckfield's mayoral election and procession 2021

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Here ye, here ye!

Election night will be on 15th October at the Rose & Crown from 8pm, with the result announced at 10pm. Every penny counts, so come along and vote on the night, or before, with your spare pennies and pounds, safe in the knowledge that all the mayoral funds go directly to good causes.

On Saturday 16th October, we welcome the new mayor as they process around Cuckfield supported by fantastic floats and marching bands. The procession sets off from Warden Park at 2pm, heading up London Lane to Brainsmead and then back down to the High Street. Here, at The Talbot, the new mayor will be presented with the keys to the town by the Sheriff of Cuckfield.

Ofsted awards Cuckfield Children’s home outstanding

Orchard House Cuckfield

Cuckfield children’s home, Orchard House has been rated outstanding by Ofsted.

The home that cares for children severely affected by autism was highly praised as a place where they ‘thrive’ and are kept safe as inspectors awarded it the highest rating possible. The recently published reports said children were ‘loved’, ‘respected’ and ‘nurtured’ and made ‘significant and meaningful progress’ thanks to staff that ‘truly care for them and put their needs first’.

Inspectors noted the considerable efforts from managers and staff during the pandemic, saying of Orchard House: “Staff have successfully implemented safety measures to manage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic skilfully and sensitively.” Sue Wadey, Registered Manager who has worked for the children’s home now for over thirty years had this to say about the glowing report: “Part of our success is down to our dedicated staff. They worked all the way through COVID. Nobody took any time off throughout lockdown. They couldn’t because they had to be here to look after the children. They have all been amazingly resilient and it’s thanks to them that we received the report that we did.” Sue also explained how the children are very much part of the Cuckfield community: “We spend quite a lot of time in the village with the children and we’re always at the mayor’s parade. That’s something they really enjoy being part of and all going to plan, we’ll be taking part in this year’s procession too.”

Orchard House will undergo a refurbishment next year as part of West Sussex County Council’s major investment in the three homes it runs as part of the whole children’s residential estate. They are also currently recruiting, so if you’re interested in finding out more, please email sue.wadey@ westsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 454226 for further information.

Cuckfield Museum's new jurassic exhibit

Cuckfield Museum’s dinorama

Cuckfield Museum tells the story of Gideon Mantell, a scientist who made one of the planet’s most unique discoveries; the existence of dinosaurs.

The story goes that in 1821 while waiting for her husband to visit a patient in Cuckfield, Mary Ann Mantell found some fossil teeth in a pile of roadside rubble.

The teeth were eventually traced back to the stone quarry at Whiteman’s Green and so it was that Dr Mantell gave the name Iguanodon to the first dinosaur known to science.

A number of the dinosaur fossils from Cuckfield can be found in museums throughout the world including the UK, New Zealand and the USA. Cuckfield Museum also have a number of the fossils on display. And more of the Iguanodon (dinosaur) teeth and thumb spikes, originally found in Cuckfield (Whiteman’s Green) can be viewed at the Natural History Museum in London.

Right now, Cuckfield Museum has a new dinorama display which is aimed especially at younger visitors. The scene created by local prop-maker Christopher Sutton recreates the Cretaceous period when the famous iguanodon roamed the landscape. They also have new dinosaur activities for children with dinosaur rubbings and fossil handling.

For further information about the display, please visit www.cuckfieldmuseum.org/dinosaurs