LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 1

Issue No. 9 March 2006

A monthly guide for the people of Lindfield

• Lindfield resident questionnaire results • News from the local Schools •

• Meet the new parking attendants • Lindfield Village Plan update •
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Cover image: The top of the
High Street on a bright Sunday
morning.
© Lindfield Times 2006
Copydate for March issue
of Lindfield Times:
Saturday 11th March 2006
Editor
Jeremy Crooks
Tel: 01444 487454
Email:
editor@lindfieldtimes.co.uk
www.lindfieldtimes.co.uk
Printed by: Swan Press
www.swanpress.co.uk
Design by: Kipper
www.kippercreative.com
Page 2
Editorial
Welcome to this edition of the Lindfield
Times. We hope that you, the readers,
find the magazine informative – certainly
the response from local people has been
very positive to date. May this
enthusiasm continue and please keep
sending in articles about life in the
village. Going forward we are looking to
expand the magazine to around 40 pages
by the summer so we need more
information from all circles.
Our website is now up and running
and previous editions can be found at
www.lindfieldtimes.co.uk
Our deadline for articles is now 11th of the
preceding month eg: for the April edition the
deadline will be 11th March.
If you are a small business we can also assist
you with designing adverts as well as the
creating or enhancing your own personal
website at very competitive prices. For
information about either of these services
please call 487454.
If you know anyone in the Lindfield area
who is not receiving a copy of the Lindfield
Times then please let me know and will make
sure they do!
Jeremy Crooks Editor
Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 3
EVENTS AT
King Edward Hall
4th Royal British Legion (Women’s
Section) Coffee Morning
10am – Jubilee Room (416155)
7.30pm Charity concert
Brighton Welsh Male voice choir
Plus a Harp soloist
Tickets: Bookstop (or 414664) £6.50
including glass of wine + nibbles
12th CSCBA Bird Sale
postponed from 5th February
(Mr Campell-Jenner 01273 598020)
14th Royal British Legion (Women’s
Section) Meeting, 2.30pm
Mr Dennis Barker is giving a
talk/showing some cine films. Non
Members are welcome to attend.
15th Charity Fashion Show
(Vanessa Forbes 413251)
16th WI Country Market
The Preservation Society Talk
2.30pm by Gwyn Mansfield on his
“Lindfield Scrapbook”. Admission: £1
including refreshments. All welcome.
18th Murder Mystery Event for Court
Meadow R.D.A. (459944)
23rd Film Show
25th Lindfield Horticultural Society
Spring Show
March 2006
Supporting football
in the community
Lindfield Under 8’s get new sponsor – Jetix, the
children’s entertainment network
Lindfield FC Juniors is a lively, enthusiastic,
community orientated football club, offering fun and
competitive football to almost 300 boys and girls
aged 4 to 16 years, as well as a senior ladies side.
The club has been established for ten years
and is now one of the biggest, and most
successful, junior clubs in the region. Affiliated
to the Sussex F.A., we play in the Mid Sussex
Youth & Minor Football League and Sussex Girls
Football League.
We welcome new members from the Mid
Sussex area and if you would like to join the
club or wish to view further information then
visit the club website: www.lindfieldfc.org.
The club is run by a highly dedicated team of
local volunteers who give up time to coach and
run the club. As a growing organisation, we
always need extra help and if anyone is
interested in getting involved, and giving
something back to the community, then they
can contact the Club Chair, Justin Wilkes, on
01444 483020 or see the website.
In order to keep youth football alive and
kicking in Lindfield, we rely totally on
sponsorship and fund raising activities. If you,
or your employer, can assist us in any way with
either funding or fund raising ideas then please
speak to the Club Chair or email the club on
lindfieldfc@btinternet.com.
Page 3
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Tribute concert to Stella Greenhalgh

LINDFIELD BASED classical guitar trio Trio Elan They are playing popular classics from JS Bach
are visiting Mid Sussex to perform a concert as to the 20th century all of which is arranged by
a tribute to Stella Greenhalgh. “She touched the trio.
many peoples lives in this area” said Lindfield “We want this to be success, not just because
musician and Trio Elan member Adrian King, its for charity, but more importantly for Stella”
“she was my 2nd cousin said Adrian. “She was
and I worked with her on even planning her next
many occasions.” Stella production right up to
was well known in Mid her death!”
Sussex for her work The concert is held on
through Phoenix Saturday 4 March,
Productions and also at St starting at 7.30pm at St
Paul’s Catholic School. Paul’s Catholic College in
The concert, in aid of Burgess Hill. Tickets, £8
the charity, Cancer and £6.50 concessions
Research, features three superbly talented can be obtained by contacting Adrian on 01444
classical musicians, Adrian King, Peter Woodings 482028 or email adrian.king@tesco.net.
and Nick Hunt,, drawn together to form Trio Elan.

The Ashdown Singers In GoodNEWS this month

Directed by Terence Steele
perform
• Martin Hall leaps
into Spring, and
The Crucifixion looks at the
by John Stainer
clocks change
Good Friday, 14 April 2006
Lindfield United Reformed Church, 7.30pm • Four church
members notch
up 236 years
of Lindfield
URC membership
GoodNEWS is
produced by Lindfield
• What is the global URC and available
event that is the from the Post Office
and other local shops.
Women’s World
Day of Prayer?
Admission free.
A retiring collection will be taken for St Peter & St James Hospice.

Page 4 Lindfield Times

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Chad Ballooning
helps Blackthorns
reach new heights
LOCAL HOT AIR balloon experts, Chad Ballooning, sightseeing
helped to guarantee the success of Blackthorns tour of
School’s Valentine Dance by generously donating Lindfield and
two flight tickets for auction on the night. the local area. Their balloon is likely to reach a
King Edward Hall played host to fifty couples height of up 3,000ft and should allow them to
who, whilst dancing the night away, feasted on take in sights of historic landmarks such as the
pink champagne and poached salmon followed Balcombe viaduct and the Jack and Jill
by heart-shaped Pavlovas and an indulgent windmills on the South Downs.
chocolate fountain! An amazing £1200 was raised on the night
The organisers managed to secure some great itself, allowing Blackthorns School to reach their
raffle prizes including Take That concert tickets overall target of £10,000. The work on the
and Bluebell Railway family passes as well as a outside classroom can now finally begin!
superb arrangement of flowers donated by local
florist, Flowercraft. Guests were also encouraged
to include messages of love on heart shaped
The Civic Amenity
prize draw slips. Nevertheless, the highlight of Freighter
the evening was the auctioning of the romantic ...will next be in the Tollgate
balloon flight, which alone raised over £250. Car Park on Sunday 2nd April 2006
Commenting on the event as well as the from 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon.
school’s development plans, Mike Scholes of
Chad Ballooning said: “I am a huge supporter
of the school’s determination to create an
“outside classroom” in the grounds of the
school. It’s great that children can be given the
opportunity to learn in an environment that is
closer to nature. As someone who spends quite
a bit of time listening to forecasts, I was
particularly interested to hear about their plans
to include a weather station!”
Nicky and Tony Smith, the successful auction
bidders said: “It was such a brilliant evening and
it was very easy to get carried away with the
bidding.” Tony went on to explain that the flights
will form part of Nicky’s birthday present.
The Smiths can look forward to an hour-long
March 2006 Page 5
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 6
The people of Lindfield
have had their say...
IN OCTOBER every household in Lindfield
received a Village Plan questionnaire seeking
answers to 44 questions. Residents were
invited to share their views and visions for
the future of the village. 516 completed
questionnaires were returned, something like
20% (which many pollsters would regard as
an excellent, representative return).
There are five Working Groups:
• Housing & Environment
• Village facilities & attractions
• Sports & Leisure
• Safety & Security
• Traffic & Transport
The Groups will spend the next couple of
months working to identify the key issues in
their areas of concern, draw some conclusions
and begin to tabulate these and formulate
recommendations or action points. In March a
unified Village Plan will be drafted.
Then on Saturday morning, April 1 at the
Kind Edward Hall a second exhibition will be
held to present to the people of Lindfield the
responses from the Questionnaire and the draft
of the Village Action Plan, which will set out a
number of observations and recommendations
for the future of the community. When this has
been finalised, as a result of comments from
interested parties, it will be presented to the
Parish, District and County Councils and other
bodies affected by its recommendations. The
people of Lindfield will have had their say!
Meanwhile, the responses to the
questionnaire have been analysed and are being
digested and collated by the Working Groups. It
Page 6
is too early to present the conclusions, but it
may be of interest to illustrate the information
gathered and the views expressed by quoting
some preliminary findings:
• 97% said the Post Office in the High Street is
vital (and 58% felt there ought to be another
one between Lindfield & Haywards Heath)
• 91% said we need a Public Toilet in the
village (though the District Council wanted
to close it) and 70% said there should be
one on the Common, too (though the
District Council has already closed and
demolished the one that was there).
• Two thirds of those questioned did not have
any concerns about their personal safety in
Lindfield. Of those who did have concerns,
6% said this was a serious problem, 17% said
“only slightly” and 34% said only at night.
• 42% said a village website was important.
• 77% had visited the Parish Office (most of
them on planning matters, to collect a
bus/rail pass or green refuse bags – or just
to get information).
• An astonishing 30% would be willing to
pay a higher tax to the Parish Council to
meet the needs of the village – for a wide
variety of perceived needs – proper toilets,
provision for young people, better parking/
traffic management, etc).
• The great majority believe that, before any
more housing is permitted, the
infrastructure, such as capacity of local
schools (74%) and of local health care
facilities (86%), must be improved.
• Undoubtedly traffic issues are big areas of
concern and generated pages of comments
and suggestions, which are being studied.
Lindfield Times
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These are just

some random
examples – full
details will be
available at the exhibition on April 1.
Book the date now!
For further information please contact the
Lindfield Parish Office,
6 Denmans Lane,
Lindfield
RH16 2LB
Email: clerks@lindfieldpc.fsnet.co.uk
Tel: 01444 484115.

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March 2006 Page 7

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March designated
awareness month
THE CONCEPT of a University of the Third
Age (U3A) was hatched in France by a
lecturer at Toulouse University named Pierre
Vellas. There are now branches of U3A all
over the world. The first U3As in Great Britain
were created more than 20 years ago but the
French model of close affiliation to the local
University has been replaced by a model that
uses self-teaching; utilising Members’ existing
skills and expertise. Today there are 571 U3As
in England, Scotland and Wales, with a
combined membership of 153,103 members.
The Haywards Heath & District U3A held its
inaugural meeting in 1991 in Haywards Heath
Town Hall, supported by a grant from the Town
Council of £50. The first Chairman was Charles
Cullis. By 1993, twenty four study and interest
groups were up and running and the
organisation had 246 members. In 2006 there
are 615 members, resident in Haywards Heath
and surrounding villages.
The purpose of the U3A is to promote life
long learning. It is a registered charity.
Membership is open to anyone no longer in full
time employment. All that is needed is interest
and enthusiasm. The organisation runs on a self-
help basis with Members sharing their
expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm to explore
subjects of interest. Everyone able to do so is
encouraged to contribute in some way, whether
it is by giving a talk, helping with refreshments
or assisting with group administration.
Members of Haywards Heath & District U3A
can choose from over fifty special interest
groups, catering for a wide range of interests
and activities. Some groups organise occasional
outings or field trips and there are also two
Page 8
walking groups. New groups formed in the past
year include Local History, Spanish and Yoga. It
is hoped to start a Russian Beginners group in
April 2006. All groups are informal and inter-
active and meet either in private homes or local
halls. The annual membership fee is currently
£12 irrespective of the number of groups
joined. Members of larger groups also pay a
small contribution towards the cost of hall hire.
Open quarterly meetings take place at Clair
Hall, sometimes with an outside speaker. A recent
open meeting, pictured here, gave Members a
chance to try out some new audio visual
equipment, purchased with a £4,900 grant from
the ‘Awards for All’ programme. Coffee mornings
have recently been introduced and have been well
attended. In addition, the Sussex Region organises
regular Study Days on a variety of topics, when
professional lecturers are employed.
To find out more about your local U3A,
and to obtain a copy of our current
programme, contact the Membership Secretary,
Alastair Porter, on 01444 482001.
Further details can be found on our website:
www.haywardsheathu3a.org.uk
and from the national website:
www.u3a.org.uk
Lindfield Times
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FR
EE
EN
TR
YA
ND
CO
FFEE
!

VISIT THE SECOND

VILLAGE PLAN EXHIBITION
KING EDWARD HALL
1ST APRIL 2006
9.30 AM UNTIL 1.00 PM

“THIS IS A PROGRESS REPORT FOR YOU!”

An opportunity to see the responses to the

recent questionnaire and an outline of the
proposed Lindfield Village Plan

March 2006 Page 9

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Blackthorns makes
learning fun funny
Year 1981
Prince Charles got married;
Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe;
Australia lost the Ashes;
Pope Died.

Year 2005
Prince Charles got married;
Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe;
“TRANSPORT-PAST AND PRESENT” is Year Two’s Australia lost the Ashes;
key learning theme for this term and as a result, Pope died.
class teacher Jo Tulloch recently invited well
known author and illustrator, Val Biro into the Lesson learned?
classroom. Val is best known for the series of The next time Charles gets married,
stories he has written about Gumdrop, his old someone warn the Pope!
fashioned car, and a highlight for the children
was a visit of Gumdrop itself, which was driven
into the school grounds.
This is what a few of the excited children
said about the visit: Mulcare-Ball
“We had a fun time with Mr Biro. We looked
at some of his stories on the projector. He also
drew a picture of Gumdrop for us and he drew Property Refurbishment
some of the characters from his books
including his dog Horace.” Local, friendly and professional service
“We loved looking at his car and it was shiny
and blue. It had a big wooden box on the side
for the battery. It even had wings!”
“On the next day we drew our own pictures New Bathrooms
New Kitchens
of Gumdrop using chalks just like Mr Biro did
Internal and External Decorating
and people can come and visit our school if Property Extensions
they would like to see them.” Complete Refurbishment
According to Jo, the children’s behaviour was
exemplary and what impressed her most was the For a free quotation please contact:
courtesy and respect they showed their guest.
As a half term treat, Jo also organised a
memorable trip to the Bentley Wild Fowl and Daniel Ball 01444 410 411
Motor Museum where the children were able to or Mobile 07887528853
experience historic vehicles at first hand.
Page 10 Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 11

Kitchen: key to your refurb

Whilst planning is important before
redecorating and furnishing any part of your
house, the kitchen is probably the room which
necessitates most consideration. These days the
kitchen fulfils so many different briefs, no
longer used solely for the preparation of food.
Whilst aesthetics are important, a kitchen
should be practical and functional, working
with and for the family using it. When planning
a new kitchen consider first who will be using
it and for what purpose; do you entertain a lot,
do your pets eat and sleep in it, is the space
used for homework? A realistic assessment of
your storage needs is key; do you have a
bounteous collection of kitchen gadgets, some
treasured china to display, an extensive library
of recipe books? Perhaps you hanker after a
walk-in larder, a breakfast bar which can double
as serving area or some extra wide pan drawers?
Whilst kitchens can be freestanding as well as
fitted, a combination of the two can provide a
more unique look to a kitchen. Painted wall
cabinets against wooden base units achieves a
less fitted look and free standing dressers and
sideboards made to match have the added
benefit of moving with should you decide to
move house.
If you would like to contact HomeSmiths to
discuss a new scheme for your kitchen or indeed
any other room in your house then, David and
Jacqui can be reached on 01444 484705 or via
e-mail at enquiries@homesmiths.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can visit their website at
www.homesmiths.co.uk

The husband and wife partnership bringing you award winning furniture making

and elegant interior design. Whether you are looking for a room scheme or wish to

commission a bespoke piece, call David or Jacqui on 01444 484705

www.homesmiths.co.uk
FREE initial consultation enquiries@homesmiths.co.uk

March 2006 Page 11

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 12
Watch where you’re parking!
A MAJOR CHANGE has occurred in the way
that parking regulations are being enforced in
Mid Sussex.
On Monday 23rd January West Sussex County
Council introduced Local Authority Parking
Enforcement (LAPE) with parking attendants
employed by Mid Sussex district council
replacing Sussex Police traffic wardens. The
number of attendants has increased from the
present level of 4 to 13. They are working
throughout the District, in both towns and
villages including Lindfield.
Among the key aims of LAPE are safer, less
congested streets together with the ability to
deal more quickly with areas where
inconsiderate parking is creating serious
problems. It will also help high streets
throughout the district by making sure short-
term parking areas designed for shoppers do
not get clogged up by all-day parking.
But, at the same time, the attendants will also
act as a highly visible uniformed presence on
the streets that will contribute towards
community safety by reporting incidents and
problems associated with antisocial behaviour,
Page 12
littering and the need for repairs in the street
scene (for example, repairs to benches).
Changes in the law have allowed LAPE to be
introduced. From now on, that income will be
retained by the local authorities to meet the running
costs of LAPE so that the costs do not fall on Council
Tax payers. Any surplus income would be spent
locally on public transport and environmental
improvements so that Mid Sussex residents and
its many visitors should enjoy the benefits.
Unlike existing traffic wardens, the LAPE
parking attendants will be using digital cameras
to record the contravention that led them to
issue a ticket. We expect that most disputes will
be determined locally but if this is not possible,
a simpler process to resolve them is in place.
Instead of having to go in front of a magistrates’
court, people who feel they have been wrongly
ticketed will be able to use the independent
National Parking Adjudication Service. The
decision of the tribunal is final.
The issuing of a penalty charge notice will
result in fine of £60, which reduces to £30 if it
is paid within 14 days. Late payment can see the
amount rise to £90.
Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 13

FOR SALE – Prestige convertible car

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Excellent condition, low mileage, full service history, remainder of manufacturer's warranty. £14,750 ono.

Telephone 01444 453533 or 07968 945559.

March 2006 Page 13

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 14

My life with the stars

ERIC HOLLOWAY, who has been a resident of trying to recall events
Lindfield for 37 years, has written an of the past; the detail
autobiography detailing his life as an aviator. needs to be reasonably
As a child he has a love affair with stars and correct as well. Not an
little did he know he would spend a significant easy task! Any errors
portion of his life amongst them. are unintentional
It is the story of a quite ordinary person who and it is hoped that
became a professional aviator with a career any person named
lasting fifty years, thirty eight of which were will not be
spent flying around the world, amassing nearly offended.”
20,000 hours of flying. He started in 1940, in Eric Retired in
the RAF as a navigator, literally flying by the 1990 and lives in
Stars in Wellington bombers, then moved on to Lewes Road Lindfield.
Sunderland Flying Boats around Burmah after The book “Stars are my Friends” is available
the 2nd World War. Subsequently he flew from Amazon and most book retailers
Hermes,Yorks, Argonauts and Statos Cruisers. (ISBN 1843941708).
The next stage of his career was as a
commercial pilot. He became a senior pilot
with Laker Airways (sadly Sir Freddie Laker died
two weeks ago) where he flew Boeng 707’s. He
then joined Randolph Fields to assist in the
creation of what is now known as Virgin
Atlantic Airways and subsequently became a
Director of that company.
The idea of writing his flying memoirs came
about through many people asking about his
personal experiences during the war and later
in civil aviation. He comments:
“At first it was quite difficult to recall things
that happened such a long time ago, but as I
progressed many events came back, each
triggering others, all of which became clearer
until I could put them together in a fairly
accurate and logical sequence. Discovery of
diaries kept in 1944, 45,and 46, together with
my four flying log books, helped to recall some
wartime and post war events but, even so, it
was extremely difficult to remember precisely
what really happened. It’s not just a matter of
Page 14 Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 15

March 2006 Page 15

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 16

Floral Art judge speaks

to local society
The Lindfield Horticultural Society’s evening and 9pm on the Friday or between 8am and
programme continues on Wednesday 8th March, 10.30am on Saturday.
with a talk and practical demonstration of Floral Could I also remind Members, that Spring is
Art commencing at 8pm. The Speaker and leader now just around the corner and that the
of the evenings activities is Haywards Heath's Society's Sundries Centre is open on the 11th
own Robert Tunks, a most respected and revered and 26th March and on the 1st April. The
Official Judges of Floral Art. In the early eighties, Sundries Centre is one of the many benefits of
Bob had a Ladies hair dressing salon in Cuckfield being a member of the Society and where you
where his clientele persuaded him to enter local can purchase really top quality composts,
shows displaying his floral art creations, in no fertilisers and other aids to cultivation at
time at all he went from strength to strength and extremely competitive prices,You can recoup
qualified as a national judge and demonstrator in the cost of membership in just one visit. To join
1991. As Members will know Bob judges at our the Horticultural Society please ring the
Lindfield shows and is a great friend of the Membership Secretary on 415270.
Society. Bob will be offering idea's for some of
this years show entries and his creations will be
raffled at the end of his talk. This will most
certainly be an entertaining night out for all
those interested in Floral Art.
Our main event in March is the Spring
Flower and Produce Show. On Saturday 25th
March commencing at 2pm the King Edward
Hall will be lit up with a feast of colour from
the exhibits of Spring Flowers. There will also
be vegetable, cookery, photography, wine and
handicraft exhibits and for all of you with a soft
spot there are the children's classes, come and
see what they can do with models from cotton
reels and Easter pictures with pressed flowers. Richard Harber
Plumbing Services
Entries should be in by 10pm on Wednesday
22nd and should be delivered to 25 Eastern
Road, 66 Sunte Avenue or to Harmony Small Jobs Undertaken
Pharmacy (formerly Abbots) in the High Street. 24 Hour Emergency
The Society would love to welcome new Service Available
Members and exhibitors even if you only have
one daffodil. If you would like to enter the TEL. 07786 982604
show please ring our Show Secretary on
483236. Exhibits can be staged between 7pm E-Mail: r.Harber@btinternet.com
Page 16 Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 17
Tie a ribbon round the old Oak tree
What a relief, Spring is on its way. It is not the
tiny green buds forming on the trees and
hedges that herald nature’s ecstatic release from
the grip of Winter, but the explosion of colour
from bulbous plants. Bulbs are plant larders,
providing sustenance for an intense period of
growth and flowering, whilst offering real
benefits to gardeners. Once planted, the
majority of bulbs require no maintenance: they
just settle down and multiply.
There is no better example of a naturalistic
bulb planting than to wander through a
bluebell wood: the scent and colour is magical.
It is this sensory feast that so many gardeners
wish to recreate in their own landscape.
Bluebells, like wood anemones, lily of the valley
and violets, require spring sun and summer
shade: so plant them beneath deciduous trees or
shrubs. Whilst bluebells will multiply with
astonishing vigour, try to avoid an initial sparse
planting line that will look sad and lost when
flowering. For the full impact, mass them
together. Planting in broad ribbons that weave
around
shrubs, will
give a sense
of rhythm
and
movement
within the
border.
Massed
ribbon
planting can
be used with
other bulbs
that flower at
different times of the year. Crocuses, scillias and
fritillarias in the spring, tulips, alliums and
camassias in the summer as well as nerines and
colchicum in the autumn. The general rule of
March 2006
thumb regarding planting depth of bulbs is to
cover them with double their height of soil.
Spring colours have an intensity that is never
quite duplicated during the rest of the year.
Aside from the orangey tones of a few
witchhazels and the purple of crocuses, so
many of the plants and trees flowering now are
either very, very yellow or strong pink. So when
planning a Spring display, decide if you like the
combination of pink with yellow or perhaps
need to separate the colours using white or blue
flowering plants as a buffer.
Haut Talk by Karoline Baird of Lindfield-
based Haughty Culture Garden Design,
M: 07742 731967
E: haughty.culture@virgin.net
STILLNESS IN MOVEMENT
Springtime Yoga for Beginners
Mondays 7.00 - 8.15pm (from 24 April 2006)
Hickmans Lane Sports Pavilion, Lindfield
£4 per session
Bookings: Judie Shore 01444 487618
It is a rare thing to be able to cultivate and maintain
a quality of stillness when life demands so much.
Perhaps the boom of yoga in the West answers that
need in us to find a quiet space and time for ourselves
to redress the balance?
You may be drawn to it for health reasons, for support
with stress levels or you might just be curious to give
it a try. Yoga is for everyone - respecting difference in
age, sex, culture, religion or ability - this new class to
Lindfield is open to all. I look forward to seeing you.
Judie
Page 17
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 18
A legal conundrum!
AT THE 1994 annual awards dinner given for
Forensic Science, AAFS, President Dr. Don
Harper Mills astounded his audience with the
legal complications of a bizarre death.
Here is the story:
On March 23,1994 the medical examiner
viewed the body of Ronald Opus and concluded
that he died from a shotgun wound to the head.
Mr. Opus had jumped from the top of a ten
story building intending to commit suicide. He
left a note to that effect, indicating his
despondency. As he fell past the ninth floor his
life was interrupted by a shotgun blast passing
through a window which killed him instantly.
Neither the shooter nor the descender was
aware that a safety net had been installed just
below at the eighth floor level to protect some
building workers and that Ronald Opus would
not have been able to complete his suicide the
way he had planned.
“Ordinarily,” Dr. Mills continued, “a person
who sets out to commit suicide and ultimately
succeeds, even though the mechanism might
not be what he intended, is still defined as
committing suicide.”
That Mr. Opus was shot on the way to certain
death, but probably would not have been
successful because of the safety net, caused the
medical examiner to feel that he had a
homicide on his hands. The room on the ninth
floor, whence the shotgun blast emanated, was
occupied by an elderly man and his wife. They
were arguing vigorously and he was threatening
her with a shotgun. The man was so upset that
when he pulled the trigger he completely
missed his wife and the pellets went through
the window, striking Mr. Opus.
When one intends to kill subject A but kills
subject B in the attempt, one is guilty of the
murder of subject B. When confronted with the
Page 18
murder charge the old man and his wife were
both adamant. They both said they thought the
shotgun was unloaded. The old man said it was
his long-standing habit to threaten his wife
with the unloaded shotgun. He had no
intention to murder her. Therefore the killing of
Mr. Opus appeared to be an accident; that is, the
gun had been accidentally loaded.
The continuing investigation turned up a
witness who saw the old couple's son loading the
shotgun about six weeks prior to the fatal accident.
It transpired that the old lady had cut off her son's
financial support and the son, knowing the
propensity of his father to use the shotgun
threateningly, loaded the gun with the expectation
that his father would shoot his mother.The case
now becomes one of murder on the part of the
son for the death of Ronald Opus.
Now here is the exquisite twist. Further
investigation revealed that the son was, in fact,
Ronald Opus. He had become increasingly
despondent over the failure of his attempt to
engineer his mother's murder. This led him to
jump off the ten storey building on March
23rd, only to be killed by a shotgun blast
passing through the ninth story window. The
son had actually murdered himself so the
medical examiner closed the case as a suicide.
N.WHITTAKER
Landscape and Paving Contractor (Est 1979)
Brick Driveways, Patios, Paths, Garden
Walls, Fencing, Turfing
All Estimates and Advice Free!
80 Savill Road Lindfield
West Sussex RH16 2NN
Tel Lindfield (01444) 450300
Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 19

A modern and effective approach to family law

# DIVORCE
To include all relevant financial claims

# SEPARATION
Including all financial issues and property claims

# CHILDREN
Including residence and contact disputes

# PROPERTY DISPUTES
To include applications for orders for sale and claims by
non-owners

# MAINTENANCE CLAIMS
Including advice regarding claims to the Child Support
Agency

# FIXED FEE APPOINTMENTS

£45.00 plus VAT for a limited period only

Out of hours appointments available from 7.45 am to 6.30 pm

by prior arrangement

LGM House, Commercial Square, Mill Green Road,

Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XJ
383328

Tel: 01444 416116 ~ Fax: 01444 416414

Web: Starkeandco@Btconnect.com
March 2006 Page 19
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 20

The Gallery: the interview!

The Gallery started off in Ardingly three years ago but it has now moved to
Lindfield High Street. The Gallery is a café combined with an art gallery. It
features many local artist’s work like pieces from Claire Fearon, Hannah Cole,
Steven P Brown and many more including the owner himself, Nigel Ryan.
Nigel Ryan also cooks in the kitchen and he tipped us off that the scrambled
eggs and salmon are delicious, as are the mushrooms on toast. Oathall pupils
were fortunate enough to be squeezed into his busy schedule for an interview.

What compelled you to combine a café with an art gallery?

I basically just wanted to make it a more exciting place to be with music to wind
down to and art to look at and appreciate while eating or drinking.

Why did you move from Ardingly to Lindfield?

Ardingly was a very small village and I thought that it would do better here.

Do you paint and display your work?

Yes, I do paint but my work isn’t often displayed because I don’t have the time.

How do you get the art and sculptures?

We advertise on the websites and artists come to us with paintings and CD’s for
the café.

What kind of people were/are you trying to attract here?

Mainly people that appreciate art, good coffee and good food.

Have lots of people been buying the art and CD’s?

Yes, lots.

Final question, is there any competition between you and the neighbouring
cafés or galleries in Lindfield?
No, definitely not, if anything it’s mainly about complimenting each other and
pleasing the community so that there is some choice of where to go?

Page 20 Lindfield Times

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 21

Local traders...
use them or lose them!
MID SUSSEX INDEPENDENT Business the smaller independent local business and
Association, is a locally based dynamic promote local trading to all our customers.
association of quality assured businesses. We are a growing organisation that benefits
For the consumer you can be assured that the all local people and businesses promoting
member company is a committed trader and people to shop local.
meets our criteria to join. The MSIBA logo
Membership to the organisation is open to identifies a quality
local independent businesses within Mid Sussex. assured business.
Traders within Mid Sussex have not really The Lindfield
had such a dynamic trading association until Times is a member
now and finally some local businesses have had of MSIBA.
the idea to create the e-commerce association MSIBA is a quality mark to
which actually works for them as an individual join us visit our website at www.msiba.co.uk
trader. MSIBA focuses on networking business
between trades, being a member you will be
exposed to other member’s customers and
promoted in a continuous marketing campaign DESIGN & BUILD
that is growing in size. If you are a local based
independent company within the Lindfield area
MSIBA can help promote your business
GRANT TIJOU
throughout Mid Sussex. Draughtsman, Design
& Project Management
Membership is only £24.00 per year as we
are non profit making. Membership money
helps to pay for advertising in local magazines, Extend your Home
internet directory subscriptions and public Design Consultation
awareness campaigns. Behind the public area of Plan Drawing Service
our website we have vast amounts of Planning Applications
information how you can promote your Building Regulation approvals
company even further and if you have a website Structural Calculations
we explain how you heighten your search Costing & works programmes
engine ratings for free ! We advertise your Project Management
company on the front page of the website for
no additional cost as well as promoting you Tel: 01444 451266
through other members and their customers.
M: 079 66 56 5445
MSIBA is an ideal networking tool you need
e-mail: grant.tijou@virgin.net
to help boost marketing your business at such
an affordable price. We aim our association at
March 2006 Page 21
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 22
Beyond nutrition
WHEN SOMEONE mentions nutrition, most of
us would think about the food, we eat. We are
all aware that a diet rich in fresh vegetables and
other wholesome food is likely to be nutritious
and health supporting. No doubt, those of you
that are health conscious try to keep junk food
to a minimum but have you ever considered
that the impressions that you get from your
experiences and surroundings are also a kind of
food. Just as we can be susceptible to nutritional
deficiencies from a junk food diet, we can also
suffer from mental and emotional deficiency
diseases from a perceptual junk food diet.
We live in a sea of impressions that
continually assault our senses. When we were
younger we would look, feel, smell, listen and
touch as if our lives depended on it. We would
soak in the impression of a flower, look at the
sky in wonder and experience the world in awe.
Very soon, we get too busy to stop and stare;
we get caught in a kind of consensus trance and
only receive small packets of information
through our senses, filling in the gaps with
concepts we have already formed about the
world, others and ourselves. Many moment-by-
moment impressions begin to lack taste and
very often sensation becomes dulled. Repression
and suppression can easily become our
watchwords trapping us in a kind of waking
dream of automatic reactions and negative
thinking. Subsequently our impressions can
begin to lack substance so we do not get nearly
as much mental and emotional nutrition from
them as we used to. We start spending far more
energy then we receive leaving us tired, faded
and jaded.
Really paying attention creates the kind of
impressions that nourish you. If you learn to
take time out, listen to your natural rhythms
and be present and mindful in your everyday
affairs, you will begin to nourish your soul and
Page 22
become less needy.Your relationships will
become psychologically cleaner as you will
require less attention from others to feel
fulfiled. As you learn to stop your automatic
inner chatter you will become more aware of
your own, and others real needs, and so your
responses and actions become more
appropriate. As a result, you will feel happier
and healthier and your relationship with your
family, friends and work colleagues will be
more positive and constructive as proper
nourishment becomes available. Seize the day!
Nigel Garion-Hutchings is a registered
homoeopath and stress management consultant
who runs Fullspectrum Homoeopathic Centre
in Lindfield.
Ophthalmic Opticians
Are you fed up
with taking
reading glasses
Alison Crowe
on and off? B.Sc., M.C.Optom.
Book an appointment today to discuss how
we can help you improve your quality of vision.
• Free trials of the latest contact lenses,
including multifocals (fitting fees apply)
• Varilux specialist opticians
• Stockists for Silhouette, Nautica, Flexon,
Calvin Klein, Ray-Ban & Espirit
53 High Street, Lindfield
Tel: 01444 484123
Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 23

An event venue you may not

have thought of!
THREE OF A KIND Caterers established in 1997,
based at the south of england showground as
resident caterers within the Norfolk pavilion.
A small catering company we pride ourselves
on commitment to high standards of both food
& service, combined with friendliness and
flexibility.
Within the Norfolk pavilion on the
showground we can offer unrivalled space
within the area for conferences, dinner dances
and parties, catering from 20 persons to 400
within various suites.
The setting is easily located, plenty of free
parking, with the outlook on to open grassed
areas, with a terraced lawn ideal for receptions
and barbeques.
On top of this aspect of our business we
offer an ever growing outside catering ability,
with an all inclusive price, providing whatever
you need with total reliability on the success of
the outcome.
Please call or visit our web site for further
details, we would be glad to advise on any of
your requirements.

Local based caterers established for 8 years,

operating from South of England Showground, Ardingly.
Function rooms available from 20 - 400 persons.
Also established outside caterers private parties
to weddings,full menus to hog roasts.
We pride ourselves on service,with all freshly produced
foods, andflexibility.
All our dishes, have raw ingredients sourced from local
suppliers, we care about the food you eat, and hence it is
all produced on site, with very little frozen or prepared
products used, thus you get a quality end product,
but perhaps at a little extra cost, as with all things in life,
you get what you pay for!

Please call Michael Parffrey on 01444 892410

or visit web site www.threeofakindcaterers.co.uk

March 2006 Page 23

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 24

Lindfield revisited

LAST MONTH we ran a photo which looked over fifty years old (inset) showing
some children playing on the pond. The response to this was tremendous and we
have since found out that the picture:

• Includes Ruth and Martin Palmer (12) and their late mother Phylis Palmer.
Also included was Betty Willis and the photo was taken during the big freeze
of Feb/March 1947 when the pond was frozen for six weeks. This ice was
four inches thick. During periods such as this “The Pond” became the
outdoor social centre for both villagers and outsiders who would congregate
for a chat, walk, slide, play hockey and skate on the ice.

• Martin encouraged over the years by the “Brighton Tigers” ice hockey team
has become a regular on the pond when the ice is thick enough. In 1990 he
was the only one on the pond.

• In 1997, 50 years on from the original photograph Martin brushed the

cobwebs off his skates and again ventured on to the pond (above). He was
again the only one on the pond when a police car pulled up and the officer
said “do you think you should be skating on the pond” to which he replied
“ I’ve been doing it for fifty years now!!!!”. To which the officer replied
“well I’m sure you must know what you’re doing” and drove off.

• Martin’s late Father, Martin Palmer (senior) married to Phylis, will be

remembered as a major contributor to the Lindfield Club during the years
when the original picture was taken.
Page 24 Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 25
Say ‘bonjour’ to your text books
NOW THAT HOLIDAYS are on the agenda, our
thoughts turn to learning a new language or
brushing up on rusty language skills. At The
Acorns, we have great fun teaching French to
students of all ages and stages including GCSE
and A level:You are never too young or too old
to learn and some children start as young as
two years old in our French Clubs.
Young children are like sponges and absorb a
new language with ease. Through games, songs,
fun and role play, the children quickly learn new
skills. They are excited when they go to France,
not only hearing words that they recognise, but
also being able to use their French as they ask
for the bread at the bakers or buy an ice-cream
at the beach. Always keen to mix language and
culture in the French Clubs, the children can’t
wait for snack-time when we enjoy a little taste
of French cuisine with un croissant, un pain au
chocolat, un gateau or une tarte aux pommes.
Living so close to the Channel Tunnel, a day
trip to France is a wonderful day out for all the
family. Prices on the Shuttle have recently come
down considerably and the coastline near the
tunnel exit has wonderful expanses of sandy
beaches and plenty of rock pools to explore.
Why not have lunch in one of the many
restaurants serving home-cooked food and
make time for a little bit of shopping too? What
a great way for children to have a go at their
for Children (2+) and Adults
in Lindfield
JANET IRWIN
Tel 01444 455081
March 2006
French. Praise and encouragement works
wonders and what excitement there will be, if,
on their first trip, they count how many shells
they have collected in French.
The French tuition we provide for older
children and teenagers supports their language
learning at school or at college and helps them
to achieve to their full potential in both written
and spoken French.
Adult learners are a joy to teach. Many adults
go to Evening Classes, and we have some
excellent ones locally, details of which you can
find at Haywards Heath Library. However, at The
Acorns we provide courses that are tailor made
to individual needs. We often help those who are
thinking of buying a property in France and
having had a house there for many years
ourselves, we can often help with practical issues
as well as language skills. We also help those
who have just bought a property in France and
want to be able to socialise with their new
neighbours. We also of course help those
wanting to learn French for business or pleasure.
I am often asked how long it takes to
become proficient in French. So much depends
on the individual and the level they wish to
achieve, but we provide a spring board, giving
our students the confidence to speak, enjoy
and progress.
Janet Irwin
‘Feet Treats’
Have your feet pampered in the comfort
of your own home for only £15.
• Toenail & fingernail cutting
• Foot wash & foot massage
• Hard skin reduction
Pauline Willson 01444 452533
Page 25
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 26

PAXHILL PARK GOLF CLUB LADIES SECTION

CHARITY
COFFEE MORNING
FOR THE CHESTNUT TREE
CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

on MONDAY MARCH 20TH 2006

at 11.00 a.m. at The Club
ADMISSION £3.50 to include coffee/tea/biscuits payable at door.

A FASHION SHOW OF LADIES GOLFWEAR and then purchase the items you have
just seen, plus many more. Range includes Cutter & Buck, Green Lamb, Daily Sports
etc, sizes 8 to 24. Sale Rail of previous season’s golfwear at reduced prices.
EXHIBITION OF PATCHWORK AND QUILTING by members of a local Quilting
Group, including prize winning quilts. Some small items for sale.
HANDMADE GREETING CARDS by RACHEL.

Advertise here
next month!
Competitive advertising rates
available for this magazine!
If your business is local, don’t
be left out. It’s delivered to over
3,500 homes in Lindfield.
Call 01444 487454 now to book
your space.

Page 26 Lindfield Times

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 27

Need a mortgage ?
Artistic expression Get our FREE guide
A drawing and a poem from two pupils at
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Your home may be repossessed

‘Boat’ by Bertie Boakes (aged 9) if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Out of My Window

There’s nothing out of my window!

No tree like a giraffe’s neck,

no shadows that run away,
no car like a robot,
no aerials like aliens.
Absolutely nothing because of the dark!

However if I really look ...

I can see
a road that never ends,
a lamp post on fire,
a branch like a witch’s finger
and a house with a chimney and smoke
climbing up.
The smoke now creeps
towards my window saying,
“Let me in, let me.”

Alex Tyrrell (aged 10)

March 2006 Page 27
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 28

Mid Sussex Rambling Society

WALKS IN MARCH

Page 28 Lindfield Times

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 29

Publicity Secretary: David Bishop Tel: 01273 833556

E-mail: david.bishop38@btopenworld.com
Chairman: Les Campbell Tel: 01273 846995
Secretary: Celia Parrott Tel: 01273 843715

Advertise here
next month!
Competitive advertising rates
available for this magazine!
If your business is local, don’t
be left out. It’s delivered to over
3,500 homes in Lindfield.
Call 01444 487454 now to book
your space.

March 2006 Page 29

LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 30

Taking an initiative
in plastic recycling
Dear Lindfield Times

I was interested to read your article about

recycling as I have recently been in touch with
Sainsburys about this. I knew they recycled their
own plastic carriers (there is a container in the
lobby of the store) and I asked them whether
they would take other stores’ bags too and also
plastic bread and veg/fruit packaging. The gist
of their reply seems to be that they would,
which is fantastic, so I have started taking all my
excess plastic there, including mail shot
wrappers etc. It would be interesting if
everyone started taking their plastic to
Sainsburys - and might force the council to step
in too! I know from collecting just my plastic
that I have at least a bag's worth a week.

Thanks
Verity Brown

Sainsbury’s position on plastic recycling:

“ We are pleased to confirm that you are able to

use our carrier bag recycling bins in stores for
other products such as bread and apple bags.
You may also place other companies carrier bags
The container is in the foyer of the Sainsbury’s store

Page 30
in our bins for recycling too.
” Lindfield Times
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 31
Planning meeting ‘ran out of steam’
MANY RESIDENTS of Lindfield have expressed
an interest in the proposal to demolish the
bungalow at 46 Denmans Lane and replace it
with a block of flats. Hence, significant numbers
turned up to the Central Area Planning meeting
on the 9th February to listen to the debate
about the proposal. However time ran out.
Lindfield Preservation Society commented: “The
Central Area Planning Committee was closed last
night at 10.30pm just as the Lindfield applications
and three others were about to be determined. Of
course this was a big disappointment for the public
who had turned out either to speak or witness the
meeting. However, the councillors recognised that
they were too tired after debating for three and a
half hours difficult issues on a number of
applications relating to major developments in
Haywards Heath and not able to give proper
March 2006
consideration to what remained to be done.
“Some of us were at Oaklands for nearly five
hours, getting there early to register to speak,
only to see the Chairman, very wisely in our
view, call a halt just before the matters that we
had come to speak on.
“In our experience over the last three years,
this was an exceptional meeting, the like of
which I have not seen before. Many planning
applications, the part of the iceberg below the
water, are made by planning officers under
delegated powers without them coming before
committee, but the major and contentious ones
that do, did in this case, overload the system.
Such is democracy in action.”
The Lindfield Applications will be heard first
at the next Central Area Planning meeting on
the 9th March.
Page 31
LT #09 Mar2006 14/2/06 13:52 Page 32

SH W
OW O
NO

HO PEN
ME
LITTLECOTE HOUSE, LINDFIELD
An exclusive development of 12
two bedroom apartments, just 300m walk
from the village centre.

Prices from £295,000 - £385,000

999 year lease
Sales Information Centre
open Thursday to Monday
10:00 am to 5:30pm
01444 484639
www.tryhomes.co.uk