60 years of Cuckfield mayors

Founded in 1966, The Independent State of Cuckfield is celebrating 60 years of Cuckfield Mayors, elections, processions and fundraising. This year’s election takes place on Friday 16th October at The Talbot, with the Mayor’s Procession the following day. We talked to Mike Schlup, Chairman of the Independent State to find out more.

What does it take to become mayor of Cuckfield?

It’s quite straightforward. Votes are actually pennies, so whichever candidate raises the most money come election night will be elected mayor.

Do you have to raise big sums to win the election?

This varies from year to year. Some years can result in big vote counts but for most other years the election can be won with a much lower total. What is important is that whether a candidate raises £100, £1,000 or more, every penny goes into the pot for the community to support the procession floats and wider good causes in and around Cuckfield.

People often say they are too busy to run for mayor or to be mayor. What does it take?

The election is all about fun and fundraising. If a candidate has just one small fundraiser for their campaign and doesn’t win, that’s fine. It’s about having fun and contributing to the community. It’s genuinely an enjoyable thing to do to run for mayor; I’ve done it myself and we had a great time. In fact, it’s better all round to have multiple candidates raising a smaller amount of funds than just one or two trying to raise larger amounts. And if you do win then you can do as much or as little as you want as mayor, depending on your other commitments.

What happens if nobody stands for election?

Traditionally, if there is no contest, then the current mayor is automatically re-elected. But this means there will be no new funds for local groups and organisations, and eventually this could mean the end of the Independent State of Cuckfield. In October’s Cuckfield Life, we’ll meet the candidates and hear more about their campaigns.

To find out more about taking part in the election, or entering a float in the procession email info@cuckfieldstate.org or call Mike on 07736 910344.

The volunteers behind the annual Bolnore Village Halloween disco

As the summer ends in Bolnore Village, anticipation is building for one of the community’s favourite traditions - the annual Bolnore Village Halloween Disco at The Woodside.

While attendees experience a seamless night of spooky magic, lights, and music, the event is powered entirely by the hands-on dedication of its organisers and the strength of local village support.

Behind the scenes, the event’s directors work tirelessly for months to bring the celebration to life. They secure The Woodside venue, curate the eerie decorations, and design the setups that transform the hall each October. When the doors open, the director’s step straight into action - running the entertainment, managing the music decks, and hosting the games across multiple sessions tailored for both younger children and older families.

Yet, despite all the work put in by the directors, the organisers are quick to emphasise one crucial truth; the event simply wouldn’t run without the help of the local community.

From parents stepping up to manage ticket desks and serve refreshments, to husbands playing DJ, to volunteers staying late into the night to clear away cobwebs and sweep up glitter, the disco is a true collective effort. It takes a village to pull off an event of this scale, and Bolnore residents consistently rally to keep the tradition alive.

The highlight of the night remains the incredible effort put into fancy dress. Year after year, the creativity of local families blows the organisers away.

Beyond the dancing and spooky fun, the disco serves as a vital anchor for village spirit - a place where neighbours catch up, newcomers connect, and local children build lasting memories right on their doorstep.

Tickets for this year’s disco will be available soon. Space is limited, so keep an eye on local social media pages to secure your spot early.

Cuckfield Evening Flower Club

Cuckfield Evening Flower Club

Cuckfield Evening Flower Club recently celebrated 45 years with an afternoon tea, demonstration and garden tour kindly hosted by Sue Flight at her home in Framfield.

The club was founded in March 1981 by a small group of village residents with a shared love of flowers and creativity. The club’s aim was, and remains, simple: to bring together people who enjoy floral design and artistic expression in a friendly, welcoming environment.

The first meeting was well attended and featured a demonstration using spring flowers and foliage. From this successful beginning, the club became firmly established and has continued to meet on the second Friday of every month, except January.

Over the years, the club has welcomed demonstrators from across the country, all sharing their expertise, skills and enthusiasm for the art of flower arranging. In its early years, membership grew to around 70, including children, reflecting the club’s broad appeal. It has always been an active and vibrant organisation, offering a varied programme of demonstrations, talks, workshops and outings throughout the year.

In addition to learning new techniques, members value the club as an important social space where friendships are formed and creativity is encouraged. The club remains an active part of the local community and regularly decorates a tree at the Cuckfield Church Christmas Tree Festival.

The next meeting will take place on Friday 11th September from 7.15pm at the Methodist Church in Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath.

For further information please contact Sue on 01444 831602.