Sussex Exclusive Magazine Issue 5 2023

Issue 5 2023
Nature and
Nurture
Restore your sense of
wellbeing in
Historic Midhurst
Sussex summer
activities &
adventures
Adrenaline pumping
bike rides to cultural
trails
The flavours of
Sussex
Unique Sussex
foodie
experiences &
produce
Eccentric Sussex
Five weird &
wonderful
Sussex secrets
Sussex Artisans
Gorgeous Sussex wares
and ideas
82 pages of
beautiful Sussex

ESCAPE to the Country
Enjoy an idyllic break at the foot of the South Downs
A word
from the editor
Just outside the historic village of Henfield, in a countryside setting with views
across to the South Downs and a stunning lake, enjoy a break that is perfect for
families or couples. With an abundance of wildlife, a stay at these luxury hand-built
shepherd’s huts or in Robins Nest is a quintessentially Sussex break.
The Kingfisher Hut
One double bed & bunk beds
Sink unit with hot & cold running water
Electric – lights & power points
Flame effect electric heater
Hot drink making facility
Available for 2 adults and two children
The Owl Hut
One double bed
Sink unit with hot & cold running water
Electric – lights & power points
Flame effect electric heater
Hot drink making facility
Available for 2 adults
Robins Nest
Off grid – no mains electric
Solar panels provide electric
Bedroom – handmade oak bed & bunk beds
Cosy lounge room – with large leather sofa
Log burner with logs provided
Breakfast bar with stools
Hot drink making facilities
Bedding & blankets provided for all accommodation.
To book, or for more information, contact
Phone: 07767 621 376 • Email: cebvintage@hotmail.co.uk
www.sussexruraleventscompany.co.uk
Editor
Lucy Pitts
lucyp@sussexexclusive.com
Deputy Editor
Janine Marsh
Editorial Assistant and DDIP
Aifric Peachey
Design
Philippa French
Sales
sales@sussexexclusive.com
Issue 5 2023
Nature and
Nurture
Restore your sense of
wellbeing in
Historic Midhurst
Sussex summer
activities &
adventures
Adrenaline pumping
bike rides to cultural
trails
The flavours of
Sussex
Unique Sussex
foodie
experiences &
produce
Eccentric Sussex
Five weird &
wonderful
Sussex secrets
Welcome to the latest edition of Sussex Exclusive
Magazine. This year is certainly leaping on at a pace,
and I don’t know about you, but there seems to be so
much going on in our glorious county that it’s hard to
keep up.
In this edition, we deliberately chose Midhurst as our focus town. Midhurst
folk have had a tough time this year after the devastating fire in March but
it’s such a beautiful town with so much history and so much going on. It will
be a pleasure to watch it emerge from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix,
as I am sure it will. Please support the town in any way you can.
With the summer holidays looming, in this edition we’re also focusing on
adventures and activities with lots of ideas to keep the adrenaline pumping.
From hot air balloon flights across Sussex to coastal walks and boat trips,
there should be something here for everyone. And if you’re out walking the
Sussex trails this summer, I may see you there as I am planning on walking
the South Downs Way in August.
As always, we’re also shining the spotlight on Sussex food and drink with our
foodie section. Look out for our Sussex foodie experiences, unusual Sussex
producers and places to eat as well as our Sussex cocktails and our recipe
section – with two summer Sussex puds!
We’ve also been out and about looking for some of Sussex’s curiosities and
we’ve got five fascinating and eccentric Sussex places as well as two stunning
coastal walks.
There’s lots more inside including summer fashion, best buys from Sussex
artisans, gardening advice, health advice, our travel section, and of course, a
Sussex quiz. So as always, pour yourself a long, cool pint of Sussex beer or a
chilled glass of Sussex sparkling wine, pull up a chair and enjoy.
And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter where I
share lots more Sussex stuff, and we’re also now on Threads too! Have a great
summer everyone and see you in the autumn!
Lucy
Lucy Pitts
Sussex Exclusive Magazine
www.sussexexclusive.com
Sussex Artisans
Gorgeous Sussex wares
and ideas
82 pages of
beautiful Sussex
Front Cover
Secret Sussex Supper Club, at Architectural Plants
3

Contents
8
8 Rediscover Midhurst
Explore Medieval and Tudor ruins, meet ghosts
and legends and follow in the footsteps of kings,
queens and traitors
52
58
50 Happy Hour
Relax in the sunshine with our two sublime
Sussex cocktails
12 Enjoy Nature & Nurture
in Midhurst
Enjoy nature with these stunning walks and
nurture your wellbeing with these eclectically soul
soothing activities
52 In the Garden
Award winning gardener Geoff Stonebanks shares
tips for creating interest and finding inspiration
in the garden
24
16 In The Diary
Fill your summer with glorious Sussex events
from orchestras at Battle Abbey to immersive
Medieval jousting
68
56 Celebrate Year of the Coast
Grab your boots and head to the coast for
these two stunning but very different circular
coastal walks
24 Go Adventuring in Sussex
Take to the skies in a hot air balloon, cycle
the South Downs Way or step into the clouds
at the i360. It’s time for adventure!
58 Secret Sussex
Discover these five secret Sussex curiosities
from a Hobbit House at a vineyard to a bus
on a barge in Shoreham!
29 Get Active
Explore the offshore windfarm and Sussex coast,
take up polo or fly a spitfire with these nine
unusual activities
61 Fashion
From kaftans and kimonos to cool cottons
and tropical earrings, this summer is all about
feminine chic with La Vida Boutique
34
34 An Extraordinary School
A unique Sussex school’s impressive Beating
Retreat at the Tower of London
68 Sussex Artisans
Support local and fill your summer with these
beautiful Sussex products and produce
39 In The kitchen
Cook up a feast with our mouthwatering but easy
recipes and two Sussex summer puddings
75 Health
Could Solution Focused Hypnotherapy help
you tackle your health and your stress levels?
46
46 Destination Foodie
Savour some of the best foodie
experiences and unique Sussex produce
the county has to offer
77
77 Travel
Step back in time with a wild and untamed
weekend away at the incredible Puy du Fou in
west France
4 | sussexexclusive.com 5

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Private Client Tax Specialists
With a focus on the future, we will help you today by looking to tomorrow
Geoff Stonebanks
Geoff’s garden, Driftwood, has
appeared on BBC2’s Gardeners’
World, and has won multiple
awards. He writes monthly for
several websites and gardening
media and has a weekly gardening
column in the Brighton Argus and
is regularly heard on the radio.
www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk.
Janine Lowe
Janine Lowe is an author and
classically trained Feng Shui
consultant, trained in Chinese
astrology and in the arts of Bazi,
Flying Stars, Auspicious Dates, Qi
Men Dun Jia and I Ching. For the
last 19 years she has worked with
private and business clients to
enhance their wealth, relationships,
careers and everything in between.
www.janinelowe.co.uk
Stuart Ritchie
Expert Tax Advisor helping clients
manage their wealth, minimise
tax bills, and solve tax disputes
& financial problems. Stuart
specialises in private client taxation
and has considerable experience
and expertise with an emphasis
on agreeing complex taxation
issues, both onshore and offshore,
and helping clients achieve their
financial objectives.
www.ritchiephillips.co.uk
Our people are passionate about making a difference
Vanessa Jamieson
Peter Benner
Holly Stone
When you are looking for an accountant, you will want people with a passion for and
understanding of what you need or what you do. Our unique combination of specialist skills
and experience means that we will always bring fresh ideas and added value to the table.
We are team players with a focus on helping you.
Vanessa is an enthusiastic,
amateur cook who likes to make
sure no one ever leaves her table
hungry! Working full time, Vanessa
needs to squeeze in quick to
prepare food, without losing any
of the flavour. She also likes to
experiment with different cuisines,
which can take her to Morocco,
Thailand, Japan and back to
France, all in the space
of one week!
Retired solicitor and local historian,
Peter Benner has lived in Sussex
for over 75 years. A member of
the Sussex Archaeological Society
since 1956, he has a lifelong interest
in Sussex Wealden Iron as well as
building a 400 strong collection of
books about Sussex. His specialisms
include transport, and Sussex
culture.
Holly runs a busy practice in
Billingshurst and online. Specialising
in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy,
Eating Disorder Coaching and CBTi
she is hoping to bring a team to
Horsham’s Total Therapy Studio later
this year to offer 1-2-1 and group
support to those who are struggling
with stress and associated issues.
The passion that we put into what we do, and the understanding that we have for our clients,
means that our team will go far beyond simply solving problems. As well as their expertise
and enthusiasm, all members of the team enjoy working in our specialisations, and are
encouraged to share this with our clients.
Ground Floor South Suite, Afon House, Worthing Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1TL
T: 020 3195 1300 E: mail@ritchiephillips.co.uk W : www.ritchiephillips.co.uk
6 | sussexexclusive.com 7

Midhurst
From magnificent Tudor ruins and the enigmatic remains of a Norman castle
to tales of ghosts, yellow doors and the sound of horses hooves on the polo fields
In the west of our glorious county of Sussex,
is the historic market town of Midhurst.
Over the years, it’s had its share of drama
and disaster and sadly, this year is no
exception. But it remains a vibrant, resilient
and beautiful town, and the perfect base from
which to explore some of the area’s many treasures
and delights.
A little history
Roughly 19 km north of Chichester and 11 km
west of Petworth, Midhurst dates back to before
the 12th century. In such a strategic position,
there were Saxon settlements here and when
the Normans arrived, they built a motte and
bailey castle (in about 1120) on what may have
previously been an Iron Age hill fort.
These days, to the south of the town, but off the
main drag and not far from the River Rother, you
can still see the enigmatic ruins of St. Ann’s Castle.
Nearby, the Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene
and St Denys dates to about 1291. It’s one of
the oldest buildings in the town and would have
originally been in the grounds of the castle. The
castle was owned by the de Bohum family who
abandoned it in favour of Cowdray in 1280. The
castle was later dismantled.
In the 1520s, a great new house was built in
Midhurst, Cowdray House, to replace the original
that had stood on the site. The new house was
magnificent and was finally completed in 1540.
There are 106
listed buildings
in Midhurst
many of which
date from the
Tudor period
and in and
around the
town you’ll
spot some
fantastic
names like
Knockhundred
Row and
Sheep Lane.
By then it was under the ownership of Sir William
Fitzwilliam who was a school friend of Henry VIII
and on good terms with the royal family. It was
about this time that the Angel Inn was built, as a
coaching house. The Pilgrim Fathers stayed at the
Angel on their way to Plymouth.
In 1536, following the Dissolution of
the Monasteries, Sir William was given
nearby Easebourne Priory whilst in 1538, his halfbrother
and heir (who later inherited Cowdray)
received Battle Abbey.
Henry VIII visited Midhurst in 1538 and 1545,
Edward VI came in 1554 and Elizabeth I in 1591.
Two centuries later, on 24 September 1793, during
restoration work, a fire started in the carpenter’s
workshop at Cowdray House. Much of the
furniture and great work of arts were lost with only
three paintings and a few small pieces of furniture
saved and many items from Battle Abbey destroyed.
The ruins remain a central feature of the town (if a
short walk away) and are stunning. They are Grade
I listed and the house remains under the ownership
of the Viscount Cowdray.
There are 106 listed buildings in Midhurst many
of which date from the Tudor period and in and
around the town you’ll spot some fantastic names
like Knockhundred Row and Sheep Lane.
These days, Cowdray Park is a country house at
the centre of the 16,500-acre Cowdray Estate. It
has a golf course, and is home to the Cowdray
Park Polo Club, which describes itself as the
“Home of British Polo”.
8 | sussexexclusive.com 9

A few interesting facts about
Midhurst
Stories, legends and interesting facts abound
when it comes to both Cowdray House and
Midhurst. In 1605, the owner of Cowdray House
was arrested in connection with the Gunpowder
Plot not least because he had briefly
employed Guy Fawkes (from Lewes) at Cowdray
as a footman.
Meanwhile, in Cowdray Park, you’ll find the
Queen Elizabeth Oak. It has a girth of 12.5–12.8
metres and is thought to have started to grow
in the 11th or 12th century. According to
the Woodland Trust, the tree is the third largest
sessile oak tree to be recorded in the UK and
according to legend, in 1591, Queen Elizabeth
I stood under it with an arrow ready in her bow
waiting for a stag to be driven within range for
her to shoot it.
Yellow doors
In and around Midhurst you will see doors and
window frames painted in a distinctive yellow.
This indicates the property belongs to the
Cowdray Estate. The yellow represents the 1st
Viscount Cowdray’s links to the Liberal Party.
The South Pond
To the south of the town, South Pond is fed by
two streams which were once the boundaries
of Saxon settlements. It’s one of the oldest
structures of the town and was formed when one
of the Medieval lords dammed the streams to
make a breeding pool for fish in the mid-1100s.
When Elizabeth I visited Cowdray in 1591, she
was entertained on the banks of the pond.
The Spread Eagle Hotel (just north of the
pond) dates from 1430. It has an impressive
history of famous guests which include
Queen Elizabeth I, Admiral Horatio Nelson,
H.G. Wells, the Maharajah of Cooch Behar,
Hitler’s Ambassador to England, Joachim Von
Ribbentrop and Hermann Goering. H.G. Wells,
the essayist and novelist, was a pupil and then a
pupil teacher at Midhurst Grammar School in
1882 and 1883.
Ghosts and legends of Midhurst
Legend has it that in about 1538, a dispossessed
monk from Battle cursed the family of Cowdray
and the house itself with the following words, “by
fire and water, thy line shall come to an end and it
shall perish out of this land.”
The South Pond
A snapshot of
Midhurst
Two weeks after the great fire at Cowdray, the
then owner the 8th Viscount Montague died by
drowning whilst trying to ride the Rhine Falls.
Cowdray passed to a descendant of the 2nd
Viscount, Mark Browne, but he died without
children and the family line did indeed come to
an end.
There is also told of a lady in a long white dress
seen near the Cowdray ruins believed to be
the ghost of Lady Montague (wife of the 5th
Viscount Montague). Apparently, the viscount
argued with the family chaplain and then shot
him before hiding in a priest hole in the Keeper’s
Lodge. Lady Montague visited him there for 15
years!
Tragically, in March this year, a fire ripped
through the Angel Inn destroying most of the
building. Midhurst’s main road had to be closed
to traffic for some months. Work continues to
save as much of the building as possible and
redevelop the site. Meanwhile, Midhurst is once
again bouncing back from fire and disaster and is
welcoming visitors.
10 | sussexexclusive.com 11

Getting there
Take the A272 from Midhurst and Easebourne to
Petworth. Take the first right after Benbow Pond.
It’s a narrow lane called New Road and it will
take you over Ambersham Bridge to the common.
You’ll know when you’ve arrived and there is
roadside parking.
Pitt-stop
For a bite to eat, make your way to The Unicorn
Inn in nearby Heyshott – a free house pub and
restaurant, brimming with rural charm.
Iping and Stedham Common
Iping and Stedham Common west of Midhurst
is a 310-acre nature reserve and another Site of
Special Scientific Interest. With lots of heather
and an abundance of wildlife, you’re likely to
spot butterflies, dragonflies, Woodlarks, and
Dartford Warblers.
Getting there
Take the A272 from Midhurst to Rogate. Then
turn left at the third left just after the village of
Stedham and you’ll soon come to the car park.
Take Time for Nature
and Nurture in Midhurst
They say the two best things for your health are time spent outside and time
spent on yourself, and if that is the case, then Midhurst may hold the secret
elixir to wellbeing. With a heart that beats to a Tudor drum, and surrounded
by heathland, woodland and the South Downs, Midhurst makes an idyllic
location to stop, breathe and recuperate.
Woolbeding
Time for nature
Whether you want short strolls, meditative
moments, or long hearty walks, Midhurst sits in
the heart of some of the best Sussex countryside,
all just waiting to be explored and absorbed.
Ambersham Common
Ambersham Common is a 350-acre biological
Site of Special Scientific Interest south-east of
Midhurst. Mainly heathland, with a mix of gorse
and heather (but surrounded by woodland),
it’s home to a variety of wildlife. It’s great for
twitchers and you might spot Nightjar, Dartford
Warbler, Sparrowhawk and many more. There’s
an old, dismantled railway, and for the avid
walker or explorer, you can carry on either to
Heyshott Common or Graffham Common
Nature Reserve giving you miles of restorative
woodland walks. Take a deep breath in and relax.
Pitt-stop
Head to the Hamilton Arms in Stedham which
has a pub feel but serves a selection of Thai dishes.
Or for something a little more traditional, make
your way to Elsted Inn, in Elsted Marsh.
Woolbeding
The Woolbeding Estate north-west of Midhurst
is an area of heathland run by the National Trust.
Woolbeding Common and the adjoining Pound
Common are both a Site of Special Scientific
Interest with plenty of footpaths and trails to
explore and you can pick up either the Serpent
Trail or the New Lipchis Way to extend your walk.
Getting there
There is a car park right in the middle of the
common. To get to it, take the A272 west from
Midhurst, and then turn right where it is signed
to Woolbeding (second right). When you reach
Woolbeding House, turn left. Follow this lane
until you see a sign for Older Hill, where you turn
right down a little lane. After a short distance you
will come to the car park
12 | sussexexclusive.com 13

Woolbeding House
Woolbeding House is home to Woolbeding
Gardens, a National Trust property. A visit
here is a visit to the sublime, with the entrance
leading into the garden rooms (a dry garden
with formal water pools, perennials and olive
trees). From there you travel on to the Long
Walk (inspired by the classical landscape
gardens and pleasure grounds of the 18th and
19th centuries) and the stumpery, woodland
and more.
There is also the William Pye fountain – a
four-metre-high sculpture and the Woolbeding
Glasshouse and Silk Route Garden, a ten-sided
glasshouse and landscaped series of garden
zones with plants, shrubs and trees that depict
the key regions of the Silk Route.
Getting there
There is no car park at Woolbeding Gardens
and you have to get a special bus from The
Grange Centre, GU29 9HD. Pre booking is
essential.
Pitt-stop
There is a café on site which serves teas,
coffees, cake, sandwiches and ice cream.
The South Downs
From Midhurst drive south on the A286
through the little village of Cocking. A little
further south and you’ll see parking for the
South Downs Way. This is your gateway to the
South Downs and you have an abundance of
walks in either direction.
The South Downs Way is a 160 km National
Trail from Winchester to Eastbourne which
offers some of the best walking and views
in the south east. You can do long stretches
outward bound and back or explore some of
the many footpaths that lead off the South
Downs Way and will take you through
woodland paths and up and down chalky
climbs.
Pitt-stop
There are a couple of good places to recuperate
in this part of the world. The Flint Barn Café
on the South Downs Way at Hilltop serves
lunches from 12 noon until 3 pm or head back
to Cocking and The Blue Bell pub.
Philip Jackson sculpture
You cannot leave this part of the world without a
visit to the Philip Jackson studio in Cocking (near
the Medieval church). Philip Jackson CVO DL is
known for his sculptures of Queen Elizabeth II,
Bobby Moore, Young Mozart, Gandhi and the St
Richard (in Chichester) amongst many others.
You will need to check the studio is open, but the
sculpture garden is one of the most magical and
mysterious places to visit in Sussex.
It feels like a strange mix of Viennese
masquerades, and exquisite storytelling set
against the most magnificent backdrop of rolling
landscape and perfectly manicured gardens. If
you love sculpture, you will leave your soul here.
Time for nurture
Having soaked up your fill of Sussex and the
great outdoors, it’s time to nurture yourself and
Midhurst has some sublime spiritual treasures.
Sound bathing
Coincide your visit with a number of wellbeing
activities held at Cowdray Hall in Easebourne.
They have an ongoing schedule of events that
Philip Jackson
Sculptures
Sound bathing
Forest bathing
include the phenomenal deep relaxation sound
bathing with Jez Smith. Soak up the unique
and incredible sounds made by a variety of
gongs, singing bowls and gentle percussion in a
therapeutic sonic experience for relaxation and
wellbeing. Therapeutic sound has been shown
to have a number of health benefits and the
experience is profoundly relaxing, spiritual and
restorative.
Forest bathing
Forest bathing is a popular Japanese therapy,
gaining ground here in the UK. It involves
immersing yourself in a forest atmosphere and
is both a sensory and relaxing experience. Head
to The Spread Eagle and join Swedish teacher,
Helena Skoog, who will lead you to the magical
area of St Ann’s in amongst magnificent trees and
the ruins of the Norman castle. Here, she will
guide you through your two-hour forest bathing
experience. Your session finishes with a two-course
lunch at the historic Spread Eagle.
Cittaviveka and Dhamma
practice
Not far from Midhurst and hidden down
a sleepy lane, you’ll find the Cittaviveka
monastery which you can visit as a day visitor
or stay overnight. Day visitors can take part in
evening pujas, guided meditations, Dhamma
talks and midnight vigils. Guided meditations
take place each week on Sunday evenings at
7.30 pm.
For those that stay, the emphasis in the
monastery is on developing awareness through
living in community, and on following a daily
routine which includes silent meditation, social
interaction and service. There are opportunities
to talk with monks and nuns about Dhamma
practice.
Places to stay
The Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa is a beautiful
and historic hotel in the centre of town. Just
outside Midhurst, at Bepton, Park House Hotel,
is a country house hotel with a spa, golf and
grass tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pool
and croquet lawn.
Leave Midhurst reinvigorated and restored and
ready to face the world once more.
14 | sussexexclusive.com 15

In the
Diary
Enjoy our selection of some of the best
Sussex events this summer
Battle Abbey Romantic Music
under the Stars
25 July
The Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra’s first
outdoor concert at Battle Abbey. A glorious
concert of romantic music under the stars in the
beautiful grounds of the abbey. Conductor Marcio
da Silva will be joined by two virtuoso soloists
for an evening of well-known romantic opera
repertoire.
Grounds are open from 18:30 for visitors to
enjoy the sunshine and buy drinks and light
refreshments from the Battle Festival bar.
Contemporary Craft Show with
The Sussex Guild, Hailsham
28 to 30 July 10:30 - 17:00
For more than 50 years Sussex Guild members
have been showing their creative creations at
Michelham Priory. Combine a visit to the past
with talking to the Guild’s contemporary craft
makers. A wide range of contemporary crafts will
be displayed in marquees on the lawns as well
as in the Elizabethan barn. You’ll find ceramics,
textiles, jewellery, leatherwork, pewter, wood,
glass, metalwork and furniture.
Some designers will be demonstrating their skills,
so you’ll see several potters showing different
techniques, flame worked glass, jewellery making,
woodturning, embroidery and quilting.
Rooted at Wakehurst, Haywards Heath
7 July to 17 September
A celebration of the world's most recognisable and loved plants - trees. Discover a series of creative
outdoor installations across Wakehurst that will uncover the phenomenal power of these woodland
wonders. Walking around the grounds and amongst the world’s trees, you’ll have a chance to discover
artworks as you wander.
Alongside the art installations, there is a new trail of striking scorched monoliths, formed from trees
felled as a result of the fungal tree disease, ash dieback.
90s Silent Disco on Hastings Pier
29 July
A 90s Silent Disco on the spacious pier is coming
to Hastings for the first time. Expect some of the
UK's best 90s DJs playing all your favourite tunes
in this stunning Hastings location.
16 | sussexexclusive.com 17

Chichester International
Film Festival
4 to 27 August
Borde Hill
Music in the Garden: Groove
in Mind - Acoustic Trio,
Haywards Heath
30 July 13:00 - 15:00
Music in the Garden events return to Borde Hill
on selected Sundays throughout the summer.
With a different act for each date, the toe-tapping
genres range from country, bluegrass, soul and
jazz. Groove in Mind are an acoustic duo with a
full-bodied sound. They offer an eclectic mix of
jazz, bossa, funk and soul you can enjoy whether
you’re just relaxing or wanting to dance.
Cowdray's Maize Maze and
Sunflower Picking Patch,
Midhurst
Throughout August until the 23rd
Cowdray's inaugural Maze Maize is a fun
challenge for the whole family. Learn about
farming at Cowdray, along with the incredible
animals that make all the difference. At the start of
the trail, young maze-goers will be given a Maize
Maze stamp sheet to complete as they weave their
way through the trail, collecting eight hidden
stamps along the way.
A nationally renowned film festival, known for its
challenging and exciting programming.
The Loxwood Joust, Loxwood
5 to 6 August and 12 to 13 August
In the magical Kingdom of Loxwood, you will be
transported back in time to Medieval England.
Interact with townsfolk and peasants and rub
shoulders with royalty. Witness full-contact
jousting, daring displays of weaponry, archery and
cannon fire and experience the impressive knighton-knight
combat that will be waged in the quest
for the shield.
Entering the realm via the magical forest, guests
will be met by an array of colourful characters,
each with a story to tell, rumours to spread or a
favour to ask. Accept the right invitations, choose
a quest and improve your standing from Citizen
and Squire, to Vassal of Loxwood, in this unique
day of adventure, intrigue, fun and merriment.
Pottery Workshop at
RSPB Pagham
12 August
Hand build your very own bird feeder starting
with a ball of clay. You’ll be shown how to mould
the material into your own stylish bird feeder.
All tools and materials provided, just bring your
enthusiasm!
Shanty Sundays at Charles Palmer
Vineyards, Winchelsea
27 August 12:00 - 15:30
Enjoy a jolly afternoon with great food, wonderful
wine and good company. This includes a seafood
lunch cooked by Vine + Country and two glasses
of refreshing unoaked Chardonnay. Sit back and
soak up the summer sun as the music plays. The
wonderful Rye Bay Crew are back!
Astronomy Festival 2023,
Herstmonceux
1 to 3 September
Held at the fabulous Science Centre and
Observatory, this event includes viewing through
the telescopes, speakers, planetarium shows, talks
about the telescopes, local astronomy societies and
family activities. All this plus the science exhibits
and exhibitions.
Petworth House
Loxwood Joust
Dahlia Days at Pashley Manor
Gardens, Wadhurst
6 to 16 September
As summer turns to autumn, the gardens at
Pashley, on the border of Sussex and Kent, are
ablaze with colour, provided by thousands of
dazzling dahlias. Over 70 varieties of this diverse
perennial are planted throughout the garden.
The pièce de resistance is the hot reds and
oranges, interspersed with darker burgundies and
complemented by the second flowering of roses,
canna lilies, late flowering perennials and other
annuals, in the magnificent herbaceous borders,
which are at their best at this time of year.
Petworth House Late
8 September 18.30 - 20.30
Experience a magical evening atmosphere of
art and culture at the National Trust's Petworth
House during this late opening. Explore the rooms
with their vast art collection, including works by
J.M.W Turner and Thomas Gainsborough, along
with carvings by Grinling Gibbons.
Enjoy a drink on arrival, live music, highlight talks
and watch the sunset over Petworth Park. Payfor
bar also available. The highlight talks on this
evening will be themed on Joshua Reynolds, the
leading English portrait artist of the 18th century.
Wiston Summer Sounds presents
Katherine Jenkins & Russell
Watson
10 September
Enjoy two of the UK’s biggest selling classical
artists, Katherine Jenkins OBE and very special
guest Russell Watson accompanied by The
National Symphony Orchestra perform in the
stunning Wiston Park Estate in the South Downs
National Park for one-night-only.
Rye Arts Festival 2023
15 to 30 September
A packed fortnight of opera, classical and
contemporary music, drama, walks, authors,
performers and artists.
18 | sussexexclusive.com
19

BOOKWORM
The
Library
Run to
the Sea
How about a 50 km
Ultra Trail?
From Horsham to
Hove through the
Sussex countryside?
Hear me out!
By Iain Parkinson (Head of Landscape and Horticulture at Wakehurst)
with photography by Jim Holden.
Meadow “explains the intimate and complex relationship between people,
place and plants which, over many centuries, has shaped the colour and
character of the classic hay meadows of the British Isles.”
This a beautiful and sophisticated book to be treasured, with compelling
photography that will immerse you in a time and place. Parkinson’s writing is
nothing short of pure poetry as he brings together a collection of fascinating
stories from the people behind and working within our surviving meadows.
Parkinson writes with great wisdom and tenderness but also subtle humour
about both the plants and the life within our meadows. Nothing escapes his
loving gaze from the humble grass seed and spider to the microorganisms.
The pages represent both a lament and love song to the quiet army of
heroes who in a myriad of different ways are working within and preserving
our ever-dwindling meadows and also a quiet but firm call to arms. You
will be moved, inspired and educated. This book is an encyclopaedia, a
poem, a record of national importance and a sequence of storytelling all
rolled into one.
Read it from cover to cover or just dip into it when you’re desk bound and
in need of a healthy dose of nature. And leave it on your coffee table to spark
conversations which might in turn lead to more rich stories and the greater
longevity of our much needed meadow life.
One of the simplest adventures you
can have in Sussex is to go trail
running. Of course, it can also
be one of the most complicated,
rewarding, and exhausting of
adventures, and sometimes, the maddest.
For the love of trail running
I’ve never been one for road running. For a start,
I’m not that keen on being seen because frankly,
even if I may feel like a goddess when I run, I’m
fairly sure I don’t look like one. And let’s face it,
when you get to a certain age, the pounding of
pavements does bad things to your back, knees
and shins.
Oh, but the soft thud of a trainer landing on earth
is a great sound. Trail running gives you a chance
to go places and see things you might never see
from the car. You can go off piste, limited only
by your sense of adventure and ability to read a
map (or follow your Strava instructions). And you
get all the benefits of nature and exercise with the
added thrill of each run feeling like its very own
mini adventure.
If you can’t go fast, go far
I hope I’ve persuaded you to give trail running
a go because Sussex has some truly amazing
countryside ready to explore. But what about
stepping it up a little and trying an Ultra?
A 50 km Ultra across Sussex?
Before you stop reading, hear me out. I’m not a
mega athlete. I’m definitely not fast and I’m not
that fit either. Life is busy and I fit exercise in
when I can. Which is sometimes not that often.
Sound familiar? And I agree, entering an Ultra
is daunting. I’ve attempted it twice and only
succeeded once. And even that depends on your
definition of success.
But the adventure starts well before the start line.
And the sense of achievement is massive.
Training
I’m not going to lecture you about training. The
fact of the matter is that you need to do some and
you need to do some research as to the best way
to do that for you. Enough said. For my part, I
started in October for a May event. I got knocked
20 | sussexexclusive.com 21

Oh, but the soft
thud of a trainer
landing on
earth is a great
sound. Trail
running gives
you a chance to
go places and
see things you
might never see
from the car.
out of action for six weeks at the beginning of the
year and suffered a few injuries along the way so
my training was never as good as it should have
been. But is it ever?
That notwithstanding, I went running with
anyone who would have me. I made a new
friend in Petworth and went running with him.
I hooked up with a family member and went
running around Pagham Harbour with her. I
went out in gales and got lost, I went out in the
evening and came home in the dark. And when I
wasn’t running, I went walking … it’s all time on
your feet.
What that all meant was that long before the start
line, I’d had dozens of little adventures, already
met new people and was definitely a lot fitter than
I would have been otherwise. I call that a success
even if I wasn’t really race ready.
Horsham to Hove
The Run to the Sea event is a well organised event.
The departure point is Christ’s Hospital, near
Horsham and is a stunning venue. From there, the
first big section is down the Downs Link which
is more or less flat. That takes you via Southwater
and Henfield to Upper Beeding at the foot of the
Downs and about 22 km into the run.
For my Ultra, the game plan was just to finish
within the cut off time (10 hours). As we made
our way down the Downs Link, it was raining
but it was warm, and we ran / walked the first
section, keeping a steady if not fast pace. I tend to
go off like Tigger but my running buddy, Heather,
kept me in check. Keep something in the tank was
her constant and very wise advice. And from the
very get go, and despite the selection of minor
injuries we had before we’d even started, she never
doubted we’d finish (whereas I did).
My Garmin (sports watch) talks to me, so we kept
an ear on pace and distance. It was Coronation
Day and we heard the church bells peel, admired
the River Adur and watched as the South Downs
slowly grew nearer. This was the easy part, and we
knew it. So far so good.
Check point 2 and beyond
From Upper Beeding, you go up and along the
South Downs Way, via Truleigh Hill, Devil’s
Dyke, Saddlescombe, Pyecombe and the Jack and
Jill windmills.
The first part of this is a tough climb but we had
poles. Don’t look up was our motto now as you
don’t want to see how much more of a climb
there is left to do. It’s a wooded path and I was
looking forward to emerging at Beeding Hill
because I knew there are stunning views there.
But not this day.
Battling the elements
On the day of our race, there was driving,
horizontal rain, a heavy mist, virtually no visibility,
hail and a bitingly cold wind. And it stayed like
this for the whole time we were up on the Downs
in our shorts and t-shirts. It was May but it was
bitter. It was so cold that we couldn’t stop for
more than a few seconds, but we couldn’t run
because it was so slippery. Having worried about
my knees and shins, it was my hands that were the
biggest problem because I lost all circulation in
them. And I was genuinely worried that I might
have to pull out because I couldn’t get warm.
Just keep chipping away, was Heather’s constant
advice, and we did. We were slow and had lost
most of the rest of the field so there were large
sections when we saw no one and it was about as
bleak as it is possible to be. I remember leaning
into the rain and wind and looking back to see
Heather’s faint outline as she rounded a hilltop
shrouded in mist. It was completely surreal.
Leaving Saddlescombe at 32 km, I’d expected to
go south to Hove, but you don’t, you go east. For
quite a long way. That didn’t feel good. You can
see Brighton behind you. But I had energy and I
wanted to run. My legs weren’t so keen.
The rain stopped at some point near Pyecombe,
but not for long. And we watched as a vast black,
low hanging cloud swooped in towards us and
swallowed up first Brighton and then the Downs
leaving us drenched and colder than ever.
Between Jack and Jill and Ditchling Beacon,
the route turns right towards the sea at last
and down the Sussex Border Path. All hope of
grabbing some scenic shots of the windmills and
the Chattri Memorial had disappeared with the
visibility and we found ourselves in thick, sloppy
mud. But we were nearing the 40 km mark and
heading towards Hove and that felt good. I think
I started singing.
Check point 4 is at 44 km. Happy days. A lovely
lady there put my hands in her armpits to try
and revive them as I could neither feel, move or
use them at all. From there, we passed Waterhall
Mill at Patcham, and then headed down to Hove
Park and on to Hove Lawns at the seafront. I
Sussex Trail Events
If this has piqued your interest, there are the
following Sussex Ultra events:
Run to the Sea
South Downs
Sussex Seven Sisters
Bewl Water
Downs Link
May
May
July
September
October
had a short burst of energy for the last half km.
We were done. 50 km. Slow. But within cut off
and more to the point, complete. You can always
do more than you think you can, I thought, as I
crossed the line.
Was it hideous? Yes, at times it was. But it was
equally utterly amazing. A once in a lifetime
experience of freak weather, camaraderie and
teamwork, wild countryside and complete
madness. And who doesn’t want some of that?
We did it in 9 hours and 44 minutes. The fastest
runner did it in about 3 hours 44. That is epic.
22 | sussexexclusive.com 23

Sussex by Sky
Take flight in a balloon over Petworth and the South Downs
There are a few ways to enjoy Sussex from the
sky. For the very brave, you can try hang gliding,
sky diving or parachuting over the South Downs.
They all look incredible … if slightly terrifying.
For the less bold, hot air ballooning is a much
more civilised way to travel.
Don’t panic!
First things first. I’m scared of heights and
suffer from terrible car and sea sickness so I was
genuinely concerned that a hot air balloon could
be a very unhappy experience. I need not have
worried because at no stage was it at all scary
or wobbly! We may have been blessed with a
particularly smooth take off and landing but if I
can do this, anyone can.
Petworth to Madehurst
Our launch point was near Petworth and there’s
a certain amount of fun to be had checking the
flight is on and then finding the balloon and the
other passengers at the launch site. For our flight,
this was tucked away in a field down a dirt track
and through a wood. Lots of people on our flight
had had to wait several months for their flight
due to the weather but we were super lucky as
we had only booked the week before. We said
our hellos and the balloon was soon unravelled,
inflated and we were off.
Sussex from above
Once you’re in and start to climb, there is nothing
quite like it. It’s quiet. And beautiful. And surreal.
I’m lucky to have a ready-made map of Sussex
in my head so was able to identify what we were
flying over. I don’t know if that helped my fellow
passengers or not, but there was Burton Park, and
the Medieval church next to it (the one with the
fresco), there was the Bignor Roman villa and the
Roebuck Estate vines.
It’s surprising how different everything looks from
above. People, cars and towns very quickly look
minute although sound carries, and we could
hear one person on the phone. Your balloon rises
and falls with the thermals (I guess that’s what
was happening) so that one minute you’re way up
high and the next, you’re waving at people as you
brush past the spire of a church.
You drift along to the rhythmic sound of the
flame pumping air into your balloon and spot
fields of deer, hare jumping in amongst the
buttercups on the Downs and tiny sheep grazing.
The trees look like forests of broccoli and the
roads look like tiny threads weaving their magic
across the county. What a way to travel.
The South Downs
Far too quickly we were looking for a spot to
come down on the north side of the South
Downs but as the pilot couldn’t find anywhere
suitable, we had to fly on and over the Downs.
That in itself is a magnificent thing as you
gradually climb and then drift over the crest to
see the Isle of Wight, Littlehampton, and the
castle at Arundel come into view in the distance.
How the pilot spots a suitable field to land in,
I will never know. They look tiny from above
and achieving such a bullseye when coming
down … that’s impressive. And how quickly the
landowner was there to greet us! They must have
a balloon radar.
We came down to a round of applause next to
the Pig in the Downs in Madehurst. We had been
up for about an hour, but I would have happily
stayed up forever.
Bubbles and balloons
Once down you have to wait for the recovery
vehicle and have the option to help pack the
balloon away. You also get a glass of bubbly to
round off the experience.
Top tip. Putting the balloon away takes quite a long
time and takes a bit of effort. If you don’t fancy this,
have a friend meet you at the landing point and
whisk yourself away. We stayed to help which meant
we didn’t get back to the launch point and our car
until gone 10 pm.
Our balloon flight cost £169 / flight.
You drift along
to the rhythmic
sound of the
flame pumping
air into your
balloon and
spot fields
of deer, hare
jumping in
amongst the
buttercups
on the Downs
and tiny sheep
grazing.
24 | sussexexclusive.com 25

Bike-Packing the
South Downs Way
We covered
chalk trails,
steep craggy
hills, farm
tracks and
grassy
pastures,
taking in
breath-taking
views at
Chanctonbury
Ring and
Glatting
Beacon.
Zoe Holland puts the peddle to the metal
When I was invited to join this
all-female group of cyclists
on their weekend mission
to ride part of the South
Downs Way there was no
hesitation. Yep. I’m in! A bit naively I thought it
can’t be that tough … can it? But then I got to find
out just how challenging riding nearly 75km off
road really is. And I can tell you now the saddle
sore is still feeling very real!
Day 1
Route: Washington – Upwaltham (via Findon and
Burpham)
Distance: 45 km
Elevation: 918 m
We met on a gloriously sunny Saturday morning
at the Spring Farm Gardens Farm shop in
Washington in West Sussex. After introductions,
coffee, bike checks and route briefing we were off!
We covered chalk trails, steep craggy hills, farm
tracks and grassy pastures, taking in breath-taking
views at Chanctonbury Ring and Glatting Beacon.
We spotted badgers, soaring kites and wild deer.
Even the most hardened of riders in the group
found some of the uphill stints challenging. But
there was no judgement in pushing up some of
the climbs. I was surprised at how hard I found
the downhill too! The level of concentration
needed to make sure you stay on the right bit of
track avoiding holes, bumps and sticks is full on!
Overall the day was incredible. I loved the feeling
of being off the beaten track. That sense of seeing
a side of the landscape that you’ve really worked to
reach. And when we rocked up at Littleton Farm
Campsite around 4:30pm with aching legs, we
had smiles spread right across our chops.
Day 2
Route: Upwaltham – Washington (via Slindon Estate
and Amberley)
Distance: 30km
Elevation: 513m
We started the day with a much-needed pit stop
at the Upwaltham Cadence Clubhouse Cafe.
This cycle focused pop up is located right at the
entrance of the campsite with a wholesome menu
offering the likes of porridge, soda bread delights
and coffee to die for. We decided the group would
split today to suit everyone’s preferred pace. I
stuck loyally with the Back-of-the Bus crew, dead
set on just getting to our destination in one piece
rather than pushing for any kind of personal best.
I found the second day’s riding really hard. The
first 10k were okay but then the saddle sore
started to really bite. My knees were feeling every
incline and I was very aware I was starting to
hold up the group. I was gutted that my fatigue
meant I couldn’t fully appreciate the stunning
surroundings our route was taking us through –
bluebell woodland, winding lanes and sweeping
views all passed me in a blur.
With 6 miles still to go we decided we’d finish the
last stretch on road. As much as it felt like I was
the only one finding today’s ride hard the group
consensus was that we were all feeling pretty done
in by this point. The constant downhill bumps
and uphill cardio was too much. We needed a fix
of smooth road to see us home.
It was the right decision. We bombed through
the last stretch making good time on the last 10k.
It felt so good to reach the Spring Farm Gardens
Farm shop – we even got a round of applause! We
were rewarded with an incredible spread put on by
the farm shop and endless cups of tea. A hard slog
but hugely rewarding with new friendships made
along the way.
Zoe Holland is a travel and adventure writer based
in Sussex and you can find her at
www.jugglingonrollerskates.com
26 | sussexexclusive.com 27

Walking in the Clouds
Zoe Holland climbs out of the top of the i360
Walk 360 is one of three new,
extreme activities that guests
to the i360 can now enjoy.
For this experience you’ll
be harnessed up before
climbing onboard the pod and ascending to the
tower’s full height of 138 m above sea level.
Ready to exit
Once the pod is secured in this position, the
highly trained (and super friendly) climbing team
check your harness before guiding you to the
ladder leading to the pod’s exterior. Strapped in
and secured every step of the way, you’ll emerge
on top of the pod to take in the most incredible,
breath-taking views across Brighton and East
Sussex. You’ll then have around 15 minutes to
navigate your way around the 360-degree walk
right around the top of the pod and back to the
ladder point.
I was originally supposed to do the Walk 360
with my 13-year-old daughter, but she got cold
feet as we were harnessing up. I guess the lesson
I learnt is to make sure your party know exactly
what is involved when you book. I was nervous
before the climb and genuinely am not a fan of
heights – but this felt okay! No. It felt awesome!
The views were utterly breath-taking and being
up there in the cold, fresh air was about as
exhilarating as it gets!
Team awesome
There was a sense of comradery amongst all the
climbers in our group, several of which were
children aged around 10-14. We encouraged and
motivated each other when we sensed a wobble
of nerves. I thought I’d be desperate to get back
to the safety of the pod, but once I was up and
settled, I was in no hurry. Happily taking in the
sights, sounds and freedom of being above the
rest of the city. The fifteen minutes whizzed by.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Genuinely cannot
recommend Walk 360 enough.
Zoe Holland is a travel and adventure writer based
in Sussex and you can find her at
www.jugglingonrollerskates.com
Summer
Activities &
Adventures
Looking for some fun, action and adventure this summer?
Look no further than these fabulous nine Sussex activities
Get on your bike
Sussex is a great county for some off-road
cycling. From flat, easy trails at Cuckmere
Haven Beach to woodland cycles through
Friston Forest and epic rides along the South
Downs Way, Sussex suits cyclists of
all abilities.
You can hire bikes from the Cuckmere
Cycle Company at Exceat in between
Seaford and Newhaven. You’ll get lots of
friendly advice there and the cycle hire is right
next door to the South Downs Visitor Centre
so the perfect place to plan your adventures.
28 | sussexexclusive.com 29

Take a boat trip
Head down if you will to Newhaven where
you’ll find Sussex Boat Trips. From here you
can explore Sussex from the sea with a trip east
past Cuckmere Haven, Birling Gap and on to
Seven Sisters and Beachy Head Lighthouse. Or
go west to Brighton’s Palace Pier and West Pier,
and perhaps even enjoy an ocean sunset. Or sail
away to the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm where
you can meander between the 116 turbines and
discover a fantastic eco system attracting diverse
marine life.
If you want to book a Sussex Boat Trip or
find out more: visit:
www.sussexboattrips.com
Sussex Coastal Cultural Trail
Become a culture vulture and get active at the
same time, by walking or cycling this cultural
trail and visiting these three stellar galleries: the
Towner Eastbourne, the De La Warr Pavilion
in Bexhill-on-sea, and Hastings Contemporary.
There’s a map with full details on the Culture
Trail website and there’s also a good train service
between these venues if you prefer to let the train
take the strain.
www.coastalculturetrail.com
Walk the South Downs Way
The South Downs Way is a 100 mile / 160 km
national trail along the old routes and droveways
of the South Downs. It runs from Winchester to
Eastbourne and if you want to walk the whole
trail, it’s recommended that you do it over eight
to 12 days. There are lots of resources to help you
plan your walk including maps, places to stay and
places to eat. Of course, you don’t have to walk
the whole way and can just do small sections if
you prefer.
www.southdownsway.org
Fly in a Spitfire
Make your way to Goodwood aerodrome in
West Sussex and book yourself in for a Spitfire
flight and experience. They’re not cheap
(30-minute flight is £2,975) but they also offer
Spitfire simulator experiences for between £275
and £500.
www.spitfires.com
Learn to play polo
As Sussex is the self-acclaimed home of polo
what about learning to play? Oakwood Park
near Uckfield Polo Club offer lessons and
training programmes to any age and any
ability, from complete beginners, and even
non-riders with one-to-one tuition to more
experienced players with head coach Francis
Matthews. Individual polo lessons are £60
for 1-hour sessions and includes all horse and
equipment hire.
www.oakwoodparkpoloclub.co.uk
Wild swimming at Rye
At Rye Watersports they have an inland lake
with a 500 m easy-to-follow triangular course
with user-friendly entry and exit points. It’s
a fabulous way to try your fins at open water
swimming in a safe environment. Wetsuits
are available to hire and they are open
throughout the summer on Thursdays from
16:00 to 18:00 and Sundays 9:30 to 11:30.
www.ryewatersports.co.uk
Get into golf
Cuckfield Golf Centre near Haywards Heath
has a 9-hole course with the opportunity to
play both 9 or 18 holes with the use of 18
separate tees. It’s perfect for players who are
new to the game or who live a busy lifestyle
with family and work, where playing 18 holes
regularly is just too time consuming. Visitors
are welcome and they have a stunning new
restaurant, bar and terrace.
www.cuckfieldgolf.co.uk
Paddleboarding
Head to The Beach café at Littlehampton
and learn the art of paddleboarding. With
instructors catering for all abilities you can
hone your skills, or just hire a paddleboard
and muck about in the water.
www.thebeachwatersports.co.uk
30 | sussexexclusive.com 31

Are we becoming a
world of individuals?
Sarah Marsh of MagiKats talks about the personalised learning approach
Visit a restaurant or coffee shop in
your local town and watch the
groups of people who are sitting
together. How frequently do they
check their phones? Are they
engrossed in conversation, or glued to their
screens? Are the adults chatting whilst the kids
play on devices?
Jump back thirty (or fewer) years. What would
the situation have been like then? Which would
you consider the preferable situation to be?
Now let’s turn to the classroom. One buzz-phrase
at the moment is “personalised learning”. Other
phrases such as “learner profile”, “individualised
learning pathways” and “competency-based
learning” all point towards a greater reliance on
technology in the classroom. Is this a good thing?
The role of technology in
the classroom
Technology opens up all manner of opportunities
for learning, reduces printing and paper costs
(and so, in theory, the environmental impact
of education) and helps teachers manage their
classrooms. Surely we should embrace every
opportunity to provide an individualised
programme for each child, given the regular
criticisms laid at teachers’ doors that half the
class can’t keep up or is not being challenged
enough? If a school could provide a device and a
“personalised learning” programme on it for each
pupil, ensuring they were asked to tackle exactly
the right level of material for them, why would
that be a bad thing?
Let’s take a classroom environment – what makes
it fun and engaging for the kids? The teacher first
– they work extremely hard to attract and keep
the attention of every pupil, whilst delivering
a curriculum that is jam-packed with material.
They spend much of their free time determining
what additional materials might inspire Class 4B
and creating lesson plans that will keep even the
naughty boys on task and, more importantly, not
disrupting the other pupils.
Let’s now look at the room itself. Most classrooms
are laid out so that pupils sit around a larger table
for much of the time, in a group with others.
They share the pot of pens in the middle of the
table and have to work co-operatively so that
everyone can use the green pen when needed.
Finally, let’s consider the role of the interactive
whiteboard. Gone are the days of white chalk
and dust - today’s blackboard equivalent allows
for teachers and pupils alike to create material
that moves, makes noises, flashes, disappears –
almost anything can be done on an interactive
whiteboard! This tool can be used so that
pupils can demonstrate their thought processes
and understanding to the class as a whole -
collaborating and learning together.
Personalised learning v. the more
‘traditional’ approaches
The results? Well, these could be mixed, but what
is guaranteed is interesting and varied lessons that
involve all the senses and encourage engagement
between teacher and pupils and amongst the
pupils themselves.
Let’s finally consider the alternative. Personalised
learning on individual devices, ensuring that
every child reaches the targets set for them – but
at what cost? Think again about the restaurant
table. Which table would you want to be – the
one from the 1980s where, for better or worse,
people had to talk and parents had to keep
their kids engaged (and therefore well behaved)
– or the one today where devices rule and
conversation takes place in a virtual world?
By Sarah Marsh, Director of Operations
at MagiKats HQ
MagiKats offers out-of-school tutoring in
maths and English, for any child from
pre-school to GCSE and National 5.
or more Information visit: MagiKats
32 | sussexexclusive.com
33

Christ’s Hospital Band
“Beats the Retreat”
At the Tower of London
leaving, which takes place in the Quad at Christ’s
Hospital. It is, however, an unusual honour to
have been invited to beat the retreat at the Tower
of London.
“When I arrived at the Tower, I learned that
the Band had performed here in 1997 and was
determined to repeat the occasion,” said Tower
Governor, Andrew Jackson. “As a proud Old Blue
(former CH pupil), I also discovered 40 years
too late that pupils at the school have long had
the privilege of visiting free of charge if they are
wearing their uniform. The origins of this custom
are uncertain but may date to 1673 when the
Royal Mathematical School was founded.”
T
The Christ’s Hospital Band performed
an impressive Beating Retreat at the
Tower of London in June, at the
invitation of the Tower Governor,
Andrew Jackson. The 60-strong
band of young musicians entertained an audience
of over 300 with a unique display drawing
inspiration from a dual theme: the Coronation
and the 350th year of the foundation of the Royal
Mathematical School at Christ’s Hospital.
These two themes were referenced throughout
the programme and display, with many maritime
pieces played to symbolise the spirit of adventure
and discovery associated with the Royal
Mathematical School. The audience was treated
to a variety of quick and slow marches, with
complex patterns accompanied by the tosses of the
drum majors. This was followed by an impressive
performance of drum splits, before the band
marched into a fabulous Venn diagram formation,
again referencing the Royal Mathematical School.
They went on to form the cypher “CRIII” in
honour of the King’s coronation.
The CH Band rounds off each academic year
with Beating Retreat, a display of marching and
countermarching as a tribute to those who are
The Royal Mathematical School was established
at Christ’s Hospital in 1673 by King Charles II
and went on to be shaped by some of the world’s
foremost intellect, including Sir Isaac Newton
and Sir Christopher Wren. Head Teacher of CH,
Simon Reid, said: “The 350th anniversary of the
RMS provides an opportunity to mark not only
its long history but the continued role it plays in
the lives of CH pupils as we prepare them for their
place in today’s world.”
The CH Band gathers on four days a week
to march all 900 pupils in to lunch through
the school’s vast quad. This is one of Christ’s
Hospital’s unique and most spectacular traditions.
The Band was formed in 1868 when pupils
requested that instruments be purchased to
enliven their marching drill. Over the years, the
Band has grown from a small static group into a
dynamic and highly trained group of musicians.
Today, the Band has an impressive record of
engagements. It takes part in the Lord Mayor’s
Show each autumn and performs at Lord’s where
it entertains the crowds. Every year, the Band also
accompanies the school on a parade through the
City of London on St Matthew’s Day.
A unique Sussex school
Christ’s Hospital was established in 1552 by King
Edward VI and is the UK’s leading charitable
school and largest bursary charity. It actively seeks
pupils of potential, who often come from varied
and complex backgrounds and provides free or
substantially reduced cost places to ensure that
children have access to first-class education no
matter their background.
To find out more visit:
www.christs-hospital.org.uk
34 | sussexexclusive.com 35

Alfresco Dining at
The Chequers at Rowhook
The perfect place for a get together
Long, warm evenings shared with family and friends and lingering lunches
are surely what summer is all about? And The Chequers Inn makes the
perfect backdrop.
Sit on the front terrace with a cool beer or a glass of local wine after a walk
in Roman Woods and watch the world go by or soak up the evening sun on
the vine clad terrace and in the extensive gardens. Dogs are welcome too and
there are dog treats and water available.
A traditional menu with a modern twist
The Chequers Inn dates back to the 15th century and was rescued by chef
Tim Neale in 2000. The beautiful building is set in the heart of the Sussex
countryside and just a short distance from the Sussex Border Path and some
fantastic walks.
These days The Chequers has a stellar reputation for outstanding cuisine and
service, with a menu that is inspired by traditional English recipes fused with
a touch of France.
With ingredients sourced, grown or foraged locally, expect wholesome food,
oozing with flavour and beautifully presented. Savour the likes of risotto
of wild mushrooms with parmesan and white truffle oil, crispy confit duck
on mashed potatoes, Savoy cabbage, French beans, sherry vinegar & lentil
du puy jus and pavlova of seasonal red berries and red berry coulis with
Chantilly cream.
A carefully curated drinks menu
The Chequers also has a carefully chosen drinks menu with wines sourced
from all over the globe, from vineyards in Sussex to France, Italy and the
New World and a diverse range of local ales. Ask the staff to recommend the
perfect wine to accompany your meal.
Join us at The Chequers
The Chequers has featured in the AA, Michelin and Master Chefs of Great
Britain guides. The Chequers is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11:30am
to 4pm and from 6pm to 11pm and on Sundays from 12pm to 5pm.
Food is served Wednesday to Saturday 12pm to 2:30pm and 6:30pm to
8:30pm, and on Sunday 12pm - 3:30pm. There is ample free parking.
Call now to book or to find out more:
The Chequers Inn
Rowhook Road, Horsham RH12 3PY
thechequersrowhook.com
01403 790480
36 | sussexexclusive.com 37

FOOD
at South Lodge
Bubbles & Botanicals is a Sussex
sparkling wine and craft gin event,
being held at stunning South Lodge on
the 25th November 2023.
Sussex is now on the world stage with
its award-winning wines and gins, and
this is a rare chance to meet a number
of local producers.
• Try and taste superb local sparkling
wine and gins.
• Learn more about the vineyards and
distilleries.
• Speak to the growers, winemakers
and distillers who each have their
own unique story to tell.
• Buy wines straight from the
producers for the festive period
and beyond.
With more than 15 stalls representing
some of the best sparkling wine
producers and gin makers from Sussex
and the surrounding areas, there will
be samples and event-only deals for
ticketholders.
Bubbles & Botanicals is the perfect
opportunity to get together with
friends, stock up on Christmas
supplies, enjoy some great local wines
and learn more about the Sussex wine
and gin industries.
There are limited special VIP tickets
available for £20. Standard Early bird
tickets are on sale now for just £12.50.
A celebration of Sussex Sparkling Wine & Gin
Saturday Afternoon - 25th November 2023.
1 pm to 5.30 pm
South Lodge, Brighton Road, Horsham RH13 6PS
Book your ticket today
www.bubblesandbotanicals.net
Ingredients:
12 thick pork belly slices
200 g black pudding, chopped
150 g bacon lardons
1 large onion finely chopped
3 red peppers, sliced
5 tsp smoked paprika
Arroz al Horno
½ tsp dried chilli flakes, or you can add fresh
chilli if you prefer
1 x 400 g can of butter beans
4 tsp of lazy garlic or fresh cloves if you are not
as lazy as me
400 g paella rice
1.2 l chicken stock
Vanessa Jamieson shares this simple Spanish dish
This month we are heading to Spain for a classic pork belly and rice dish, Arroz al Horno.
Another simple dish that takes minimal prep time but is sure to please your guests. As usual,
it is a help yourself style dish requiring minimal washing up – always a winner in my view.
This serves 6 people.
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 180c.
2. Fry the pork belly on either side to colour and set to one side.
3. Fry the black pudding and bacon for several minutes until brown
and set aside.
4. Fry the onions and peppers until pale and soft then add the garlic,
paprika and chilli flakes and cook for another 2 mins.
5. Add the bacon, pork and black pudding to the pan and then add the
beans and stock and bring to the boil.
6. Sprinkle the rice around the pork belly making sure it is covered by the
stock and place in the oven.
7. Cook for 20 mins and check the rice. It should be tender, and the stock
absorbed – if not, put it back for another 5 mins and check again.
8. You are now ready to serve with some fresh crusty bread.
38 | sussexexclusive.com 39

FOOD
FOOD
Roasted
pepper,
sundried
tomato
and
caper
ravioli
with
puttanesca
sauce
Summer is a time for alfresco
dining, getting together with
friends and savouring special
moments. As luck would have
it, Sussex chef and forager,
Jacqueline Wise of Positively
Delicious, has shared this
fabulous recipe for ravioli which
is perfect for those alfresco
moments and a great dish to
add to your culinary repertoire.
Ingredients:
(Serves 4)
For the pasta:
300 g type 00 pasta flour
4 medium eggs
1 tbsp olive oil
Extra flour for dusting
For the filling:
1 jar of roasted peppers
30g sundried tomatoes
20g capers
5g dried oregano
For the sauce:
1 tbsp garlic purée
100g pitted black olives, sliced
(reserve some of the liquid)
20ml white wine
½ tsp salt
20ml olive oil
400g tinned chopped tomatoes
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
Equipment:
Sharp knife
Chopping board
1 pan
2 boiling pots
Pasta machine (optional)
Ravioli cutter (optional)
Rolling pin
1 bowl
2 trays
2 spatulas
1 slotted spoon or wire skimmer/
spider
Method:
1. Place the flour in a bowl and make a well in
the middle of the flour. Crack the eggs into
the well and add the oil. Start mixing the
ingredients together with a fork until roughly
combined.
2. When everything starts to come together,
use your hands to knead the dough for 8-10
minutes until smooth.
3. Once the dough is smooth, form it into a flat
disc. Wrap it tightly in cling film and let it
rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
4. For the filling, chop the sundried tomatoes,
put them in a bowl, cover them with boiling
water and set aside. Chop the peppers and
capers. Drain the tomatoes and combine all
the ingredients together.
5. For the sauce, heat some oil in a pan, add the
garlic paste and after 10 seconds add the tin
of chopped tomatoes. Slice the black olives
and add them to the sauce with some of the
liquid from the jar. Season with salt pepper
and chilli flakes. Leave to simmer for 20
minutes while you prepare the ravioli.
6. Remove your dough from the fridge, take a
quarter of the dough and keep the rest well
wrapped. With the rolling pin start stretching
out the dough into a rectangular sheet, dusting
it with flour if it becomes sticky and flipping
the dough constantly.
7. When your pasta is ready it should be a
rectangle of 5 x 14 inches and 1mm thick.
8. Fold the sheet of pasta in half lengthways and
press down lightly along the fold line to mark
the centre. Open the sheet back up again so
the pasta lies flat on your surface.
9. Drop teaspoons of the filling just above the
fold line with a thumb-width space between
each spoonful. Using your finger, dab a tiny
bit of water carefully around each spoonful of
filling, then fold the dough over so the long
edges meet. Press together to seal.
10. Using a ravioli cutter or a sharp knife, cut
along the length of the dough and between each
mound to create individual pieces of ravioli.
11. Boil the ravioli for 3 minutes and serve with
the sauce.
You can find out more about Jacqueline or join
one of her Nomadic Cookery School events
and discover her mindful ‘Connection through
Cookery’ concept, at:
www.positivelydelicious.co.uk
40 | sussexexclusive.com 41

FOOD
FOOD
Banoffee Pie
Sussex Summer
Puddings
Digging into
the Sussex
Recipe Book by
MK Samuelson
(first published
in 1937), “Mr
Shoosmith writes
of a summer
pudding made
from thin slices
of bread between
layers of any
summer bush
fruit such as
red currants,
raspberries, black
currents and
gooseberries...
served with
cream”. Here’s
our take on it:
Whilst Sussex may be famous
for its Pond Pudding (or lemon
bomb as its known in our house),
it’s better suited to frosty winter
evenings than the balmy Sussex
summer weather.
So, we dug into our dictionary
of old Sussex recipes and have
come up with these two perfect
summer puds (they may not be
exclusive to Sussex but you can
give them a Sussex twist with local
ingredients).
Ingredients:
750 g mixed summer fruit. Fresh raspberries,
blackberries, blackcurrants, red currants,
strawberries, and blueberries
150 g golden caster sugar
1 loaf sliced white bread
A splash of Sussex gin - optional
Local cream or ice cream to serve
Method:
Remove any stalks. Place the fruit in a pan,
add the sugar, and stir gently to mix together.
Place the pan over a moderate heat and bring
gently to the boil.
Simmer for about 2-3 mins before removing
from the heat. To add a little fun to this
pud, next add some gin. You can use any gin
you like of course, and you might want to
experiment with different gin liquors but to
make this a Sussex dish, we added a dash of
Sussex gin.
Meanwhile, remove the crusts from the bread
slices and line the bowl with the bread. Make
sure there are no gaps in your lining.
Spoon the fruit and its juices into the bowl
and cover the top with bread.
Cover the bowl with a plate or saucer and
place a small weight on it, like a bag of
pasta and then place the bowl in the fridge
overnight.
When ready to serve, turn a knife round the
inside of the bowl and turn out on a plate
(which has enough space for any juices).
Banoffee Pie is
a truly Sussex
pudding. It was
first created
by the owner
and chef of a
famous local
restaurant
called The
Hungry Monk in
Jevington, East
Sussex in 1971.
Originally it was
made with a
pastry base, but
the recipe has
evolved since
then and here’s
our take on it:
Ingredients:
For the base:
75 g unsalted butter
200 g digestive biscuits
For the caramel filling:
150 g light muscovado sugar
150 g unsalted butter
397 g can condensed milk
For the topping:
2 ripe bananas
150 ml double or whipping cream
100 g dark chocolate, grated
Method:
For the biscuit base, crush the biscuits, using a
rolling pin and board. Melt the butter in a pan
and add the crushed biscuit mix. Stir until well
mixed and then layer into the bottom of a 23 cm
loose-bottomed tart tin. Press down firmly and
chill in the fridge (10 to 20 mins).
Heat the brown sugar and butter gently in a pan
until melted and dissolved. Add the condensed
milk and bring to the boil. Remove from the
heat. Pour over the biscuit base and again leave to
cool in the fridge (1 hour plus).
When the caramel mix has set, slice the bananas
and layer them over the caramel, whip the cream
until thick and then spoon the cream over the
bananas.
Grate the chocolate over the top of the pie.
You’ll also need a 1 ½ litre pudding bowl.
Serve with cream or ice cream.
42 | sussexexclusive.com 43

Work Surfaces, Lighting, and Fittings. Under each
heading we then list each individual item you
choose, so that you can easily see and understand
where your spend is going.
And this works well in so many ways. It enables
you to compare different options or companies
like for like, should you wish. And you can
quickly see the cost impact of each item before
deciding the areas to reduce or increase spend.
In addition, our team are also able to suggest
suitable ‘swaps,’ and potential savings for you, to
make the process less stressful.
Other things to consider could be not placing
an oven at floor level for infirm or mobility
impaired users and installing pull out storage
drawers, rather than base cupboards, for ease and
better accessibility.
maximising space
multi use seating
Working together
to design your
dream kitchen
Shaun Pentecost from Holmewood Interiors explains the
process of maximising your space and creating the perfect
kitchen that stays within budget
When you think about it,
a large proportion of us
inherit our kitchen. We do
not design it ourselves. Your
kitchen may be part of a new
build package, or you will have moved house and
had to make the best use of the previous owner’s
style. Perhaps the family has expanded or grown
up, or your age and ease of mobility has changed
and so have some of your requirements too.
So, when the opportunity arises to create and
build your new kitchen with your own personal
‘must haves’ all included, the many options
available can be a little daunting. And this can
be especially so when you need to stay within the
budget you have set too. So where do you start?
Can we make more space?
The most common question we are asked is can we
make more space? Without knocking down walls,
or building extensions - both of which we can
arrange - our answer has to be no. But we can help
you to maximise the space you have to the full and
this can make a huge difference.
Managing your budget
Cost always comes first. Most customers will have
an amount in mind that they are able to spend.
Understanding this gives us a starting point. At
Holmewood Interiors we cost each element of your
kitchen under five headings; Furniture, Accessories,
Regardless of your choice, we pride ourselves on
only working with suppliers and products we
trust; so those who provide good quality, good
service, and fair price options.
Site visits and lots of questions!
Before we start any project, we will visit your
home, take pictures of your existing kitchen and
ask questions. Lots of questions. We start with
simple ones such as: what do you like, or hate,
about your existing kitchen? What do you want
incorporated into the new kitchen? What do you
use your kitchen for - just cooking, or entertaining
and working in too, and what aspect of your new
kitchen will be most important for you?
This is the discovery part for both parties. Our
clients are prompted to think about some aspects
that they may not have considered, and we at
Holmewood Interiors can start to build a picture
of how your kitchen is used and what part it plays
in your home.
Making it work for you
Our next step is to make it work for you! We
can create just about anything, with our skilled
craftsmen able to make bespoke, tailor-made
furniture when required too. As one of the busiest
rooms in the home, the design and style element
is key.
We guide our customers through the practicality
of a design and the materials used, depending
on the level of use your kitchen will get. And
we can suggest the best products to match styles
and durability. This can include scratch resistant
timber painted doors that often work better for
busy families with four legged friends, rather than
the high gloss finishes that can show every smudge.
Or perhaps for the avid cook, a Dekton worktop
which is heatproof up to 800 degrees so that hot
pans can be placed directly on it; or an oven that
is more practical for the connoisseur cook, rather
than a statement oven with style gizmos and
sleeker looks for an ultra-modern positioning.
What to look out for...
Our most frequent query comes with the fitting of
new taps. Remember, the fitting of a new kitchen
does not immediately improve water pressure
when running a tap, although there is often an
assumption that a new tap will resolve this. If
the water pressure to your current kitchen tap is
poor, without resolving the underlying issue it will
not improve. But a careful choice of tap type can
sometimes help.
The second biggest surprise is the amount of
detailed planning that goes into designing your
kitchen. Yes, the worktops and cupboard fronts
are obvious, but choices also need to be made
on the colour of cabinet carcases, which handle
will complete your look, which worktop design,
material and styling to go for, and do you want to
personalise a splash back? Do you need a drinks
station area? What about the energy efficiency of
any white goods and how can you light the area
to suit the kitchens different uses? The list goes
on and creating your best kitchen will take time
and planning.
Managing expectations and good
communications
At Holmewood Interiors we are proud to be a
small, ‘can do’ team of office staff and on-site
fitters. And we always try to deliver on time. We
are honest, will not overpromise, and the reliability
and loyalty given by our staff sets us apart from
many others. However, we are dependent on our
valued suppliers being able to fulfil their end of the
bargain, and on occasions delays can occur. When
they do we immediately advise you. Our clients are
always kept in the loop, up to date and informed
every step of the way.
Please visit our website
www.holmewoodinteriors.co.uk,
call us on 01403 254090 or email
info@holmewoodinteriors.co.uk and
we will always do what we can to help.
maximising space -
oven under stairs
Drinks station
maximising space
44 | sussexexclusive.com
45

Sussex Foodie
Experiences
Coastal foraging & picnic,
West Sussex
Join professional chef and hedgerow forager
Jacqueline Wise on the 3 August for a relaxing
and informative foraging walk around the coastal
village of Pagham, the beach and the surrounding
countryside. Meet for hot herbal tea and treats, to
be followed by a delicious, wild-inspired lunch on
the beach after your foraging walk. Jacqueline will
show you the local foraging spots and share her
top wild recipes. Jacqueline is passionate about
the healing properties and natural nourishment
that can be found in easy to recognize plants and
leaves all around us.
Vermouth
is a fortified
wine that is
flavoured
with a variety
of herbs and
spices
Interesting Sussex
producers
In The Loop Sussex Vermouth,
East Sussex
Fall in love with a modern and Sussex made
Vermouth. If you don’t know it, Vermouth is a
fortified wine that is flavoured with a variety of
herbs and spices. It is traditionally made in two
major styles: dry (white) Vermouth and sweet
(red) Vermouth and if you haven’t tried it, it is
time that you did!
In the Loop are a solar-powered winery in
Uckfield, East Sussex specialising in awardwinning
English Vermouth and bottled cocktails.
Everything is made on site in Uckfield using
English wine, predominantly fresh botanicals
which they grow or forage for, and spirits from
local distilleries. And we just love their branding
and fresh flavours!
Use the discount code Sussex20
on any website purchases until the
end of August:
www.intheloopdrinks.co.uk
The
Sussex Foodie
For food and drink lovers, we bring you six Sussex
foodie hotspots from across the county
Thackerys Cookery, East Sussex
In the historic town of Lewes, you’ll find
Thackerys where they offer one-to-one cookery
courses and group masterclasses for up to four
as well as workshops to refine and redefine your
kitchen skills. Chef and owner, Graham Funnell
was Executive Head Chef at one of London’s
prestigious merchant banking headquarters,
cooking for international business leaders,
royalty and well known household names.
The Thackerys’ mantra is to make ‘classic cookery
simple’ by sharing a repertoire of
lovingly developed recipes
and techniques. They
use the best local
and seasonal
ingredients
from trusted
farmers and
fisheries
- giving
you a true
taste of
Sussex.
46 | sussexexclusive.com 47

Savour these Sussex
vineyard restaurants
Tinwood Estate, West Sussex
The Vineyard Kitchen at Tinwood Estate has views of the vines and offers
British tapas-style sharing dishes which have been made from locally sourced,
high-quality produce. There’s outdoor seating aplenty on the large terrace and
the menu has been designed around their wines. The dishes are influenced by
the surroundings and season, so may change throughout the year.
Summer Kitchen at Rathfinny, East Sussex
Rathfinny’s Summer Kitchen is a large, open-sided marquee to the side of
The Flint Barns, with views over the vines and the South Downs, and tables
spilling out on to the grass. It’s a very special venue and on the menu are
seasonal lunches served to your table from a deli counter of fresh salads and
platters. There’s lots of local produce and the menu changes regularly and
of course, there’s a choice of some their award-winning wines and spirits.
The Summer Kitchen is only open until the end of August but there are two
other restaurants at Rathfinny.
Loxwood Meadworks,
West Sussex
Mead is the oldest alcoholic drink and it’s made from honey. It dates back to
7,000 BC and it’s currently enjoying a bit of a revival thanks to the passion
and hard work of the Meadworks. The team there has spent the last few years
working with a wine maker tweaking and refining a modern Mead. The
result is a Mead that is now being stocked in some of the most prestigious
venues in the south east. They have a sparkling white that is crisp, refreshing
and delicately sweet and a mulled version. Both will surprise you with their
lightness and pair excellently with a vast variety of food.
Why not
try one of
our Sussex
Vermouth and
Mead cocktails
on page 50 /51
48 | sussexexclusive.com 49

DRINK
DRINK
Sussex Cocktails
A Sussex Apéro
Another splendidly simple Sussex
cocktail and an interesting twist on the
traditional Apéro Spritz.
Ingredients
Loxwood Mead Festival 18
Ginger Ale
Lemons
Method
Fill a glass equally with 50% Mead
Festival and 50% Ginger Ale. Then
add a good squeeze of lemon and ice.
You can purchase Mead Festival at
Loxwood Meadworks
If you’d like to try this fabulous
Sussex Vermouth, you can use the discount
code Sussex20 on any website purchases
until the end of August:
www.intheloopdrinks.co.uk
Strawberry Martini
Delightfully easy to make and sublimely Sussex, thank you
to In The Loop Drinks for this refreshing cocktail recipe.
Ingredients
Strawberries
Gin
In The Loop Sussex Dry Rosé Vermouth
Sugar Syrup
Rosemary
Method
Muddle a few strawberries in the bottom of a mixing
glass, then top with ice and add a double shot of gin, a
single shot of dry rosé vermouth and a splash of sugar
syrup. Stir, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish
with fresh rosemary.
50 | sussexexclusive.com 51

GARDENING
GARDENING
In the Garden
Gardening media writer and award-winning garden owner,
Geoff Stonebanks, talks us through summer in the garden, from his own
perspective, in these challenging times of drought and hose-pipe bans.
Top: Corten steel
patio
Top Right: Nepeta or
Catmint
With the worrying trend in the last
few years of scorching summers
and the inevitable hose-pipe
bans, many gardeners are having
to think very carefully about their plots. As
someone who has opened their own garden for 14
years and seen in excess of 23,000 visitors since
2009, it is vitally important for me to ensure that
my garden looks it very best for family, friends
and paying visitors throughout the summer
months and beyond.
Meeting Monty
Until a few years ago, that meant filling the
garden with 300 plus containers, proudly
displaying hundreds of summer annuals.
Something had to give, not only was it becoming
time-consuming and extremely stressful in
times of a hose pipe ban, but it was becoming
increasingly more difficult, as I reached 70 this
year. My garden, introduced on Gardeners’
World by Monty Don, back in 2016, with
the words “we’ve been across Britain, looking at
inspiring planting and design and this week we’re at
Driftwood in East Sussex, small garden by the sea,
that’s full of character”, has had a well-established
reputation for the amazing colours, created by the
many vibrant displays each summer. I and many
other gardeners have become very conscious of
the need to find alternative ways to inspire family,
friends and visitors, encompassing the many
issues around drought tolerance. It is on this basis
that BBC Gardeners’ World have commissioned
a new film about the garden, to be shot later this
month which will be aired in the autumn.
Creating interest whilst surviving
drought
Like many garden-owners, both those who open
and I guess many others, I decided there had
to be an easier way of creating that necessary
wow factor to sustain visitor interest and make
life a little easier for myself in my 70s but at the
same time creating something that I too enjoyed
looking out on from the kitchen window, like the
new patio by the shed pictured!
This is the latest change to my garden, replacing
the sunken pond and all the planting around it
with a corten steel wall and circular pond. The
planting around involves many succulents and
more drought tolerant plants. Those included
in my garden are verbena bonariensis, grasses,
like stipa tenuissima and miscanthus sinensis,
lavender, and euphorbia to name but a few.
Catmint works well too and is growing behind
the green bench in my garden. I’ve favoured
geraniums and osteospermums this summer
instead of summer bedding plants. Another great
favourite of mine is erigeron karvinskianus, which
I have growing all over my garden, both front and
rear. The image shows it in a large trough with
geraniums
Climate change will continually present all
garden owners with the challenge of using much
52 | sussexexclusive.com 53

GARDENING
GARDENING
less water, thereby forcing us to choose plants
that suit our growing conditions becoming far
more paramount. Gardening through the use of
drought tolerant plants enables us to do our bit
for the environment with the resulting reduced
water use. Not to mention the reduction on
household bills if metered.
It has been said that around two-thirds of
domestic water used on hot summer days goes on
gardens, which is going to be extremely hard to
sustain. We have all experienced the recent low
rainfall, even in February this year, meaning water
companies then consider asking gardeners to
reduce their water consumption or enforce bans.
Beautiful displays are still possible by utilising
succulents such as aeoniums, mangave, agave,
sedums and sempervivums, all of which are great
drought resistant plants with some lovely varieties
available that equally attract bees and other
pollinators. They are able to store water in their
fleshy leaves and stems during wetter spells, and
draw on that moisture when needed.
Making the change
Back in the autumn of 2021, I personally decided
to make major changes to my own garden, in
order to facilitate more space to display my
existing drought tolerant collection, along with
many new additions. I opted to create a patio
bounded by upturned railway sleepers that
created the perfect backdrop for displaying some
Top: patio behind
house filled with
succulents ferns and
other pots
Bottom: Erigeron
Karvinskianus
of my collection, along with the extended use
of many geraniums, pelargoniums, eucomis,
osteopermum and gazania. Potted palms and
ferns greatly added to the mix.
I have found that over the years, there has always
been a small selection of suitable plants available
in garden centres. How wonderful it would be to
find our local centres brimming with ideas for a
more drought tolerant approach, with a real focus
on some of the best plants to use. Great choices
I’ve found in my garden, as mentioned above are
verbena bonariensis, perfect plants to sway in the
breeze, especially appropriate in a seaside garden
like mine.
The many colours of osteospermum work well
too, along with euphorbia, two of my favourites
being griffithii fireglow and mellifera.
I’ve got three fabulous New Zealand Flax or
phormiums too, they have been in the ground
for 15 years and need little attention or watering.
This summer the three plants have thrown up
over 20 flower stems between them, they look so
dramatic swaying in the breeze.
Many gardeners need help to make their gardens
more resistant to drought and advice about what
is not necessarily about digging up plants and
starting again, but thinking about appropriate soil
cultivation, plant choice and garden maintenance.
Using different plants may mean that the feel of
the garden will change, but dramatic plantings can
easily be achieved from plants that have very low
moisture and maintenance demands. A design trick
much used in my own garden is to plant everything
close together to make sure there's no open ground
that will dry out faster in the summer sun. The
addition of water features and fountains around
the plot also adds a cooling effect, no matter how
hot and dry the weather gets.
Get inspired
A great way to get involved and share your own
garden this summer is to host a garden party in
aid of the National Garden Scheme. The official
Great British Garden Party campaign week is
Saturday 15th – Sunday 23rd July, but you can
choose any day across the summer (or autumn or
winter!) that is best for you.
Joining the Great British Garden Party couldn’t
be simpler. Sign up on the National Garden
Scheme website, invite your guests and the
National Garden Scheme event team will support
you all the way.
Dame Mary Berry, President of the National
Garden Scheme and the Nation’s undisputed
Queen of Cakes, is
championing the Great
British Garden Party
as it enters its fourth,
delicious year.
This fundraising event
has been designed by
the National Garden
Scheme to share
the Nation’s love of
gardens and gettogethers
to help raise
vital funds for their
beneficiaries, some of
the UK’s best-loved
nursing and health
charities, including
Macmillan Cancer
Support, Marie Curie,
Hospice UK, Carers
Trust, The Queen’s
Nursing Institute and
Parkinson’s UK.
Speaking about the
initiative Dame
Mary Berry said:
“As President of the
wonderful National Garden Scheme, I am delighted
to invite you to join me in gathering friends, family
and colleagues for a Great British Garden Party
this year.
We’re inviting everyone to get together in their
garden, green space or office and to join in the
fundraising for the vital nursing and health charities
supported by the National Garden Scheme; charities
that so many of us, our family and friends often rely
on in times of need.”
Enjoy your summer!
Check out all the details at www.ngs.org.uk
Read more of Geoff’s garden at
www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk
Top left: Griffithii
Fireglow
Top right: Sedum
Puchellum Seastar
mauve flowers
Bottom: central
area Heuchera and
Euphorbia
54 | sussexexclusive.com 55

Boots and
Backpacks
To help celebrate Year of the Coast, grab your gear and join us on one of
these two stunning and very different coastal walks!
Thorney Island, West Sussex – 12 km
Thorney Island is the last bastion of West Sussex before it morphs into Hampshire although, to be fair,
it’s more of a peninsula than an island. If you’re travelling from the west, it’s also the start of the Sussex
Border Path (which threads its way across Sussex to Rye) making it a great starting point for exploring
Sussex. Park at the Prinsted car park just off the A259.
For this walk, you need Ordnance Survey Explorer 8 although you don’t really need it as you just
follow the footpath around the peninsula. It’s roughly 12 km. Points of interest include Nutbourne
Marsh Nature Reserve and St Nicholas Church (St Nicholas being the patron saint of sailors). The
church is believed to date back to the early 12th century and is one of the oldest churches in Sussex. It
also has an Imperial War Graves Commission graveyard. As you head down to the southernmost tip of
the island you find sandy Longmere Point which leads onto Pilsey Island (an RSPB reserve but with no
public access).
The island is a haven for wildlife and in particular birds (including Dunlin, Wigeon, Curlew,
Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers and Skylarks). But it’s also known to have a seal population and if you’re
lucky, you might spot them round here.
Once you’ve rounded the peninsula, you head up towards Emsworth Harbour. When you reach the
boxy holiday homes on stilts, you almost double back on yourself as you head back past some splendidly
opulent houses to Prinsted.
Page 56
Thorney island
Page 57
Top: Cuckmere
Middle: Seven Sisters
and Westdean
Bottom Friston
Exceat and Seven Sisters,
East Sussex – 11 km
One of the most beautiful parts of Sussex has to
be Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters, so for this
walk, park at Exceat at the visitor centre, just east
of Seaford and on the A259 (yes, the very same
A259 near Thorney Island). You need Ordnance
Explorer OL 25.
Cross the road and take the signed footpath south
along the banks (more or less) of the river towards
the sea. When you get to the coast, you are turning
left and up … this is the Seven Sisters and you’re
going to conquer four of them.
Just past Brass Point, a bridlepath forks off to
the left. This takes you away from the coast to
Crowlink (and another car park) and on to Friston
Church where you cross the road and head into
Friston Forest. There are various routes you can
take here but you want to go roughly northwest
(more west than north). You are heading through
these gorgeous woods to Westdean.
Westdean is very pretty and dates back to Saxon
times. It has a church that dates to the 11th
century and there are claims that Alfred the Great
had a palace here. You also pick up the South
Downs Way in the village and after a steep climb
up some steps you are rewarded with views of
Cuckmere Haven before you start your descent
back to the car park at Exceat and cake in the café.
56 | sussexexclusive.com 57

Secret & Eccentric
Sussex
From a hidden café to a Hobbit House,
check out these five Sussex curiosities
Michelangelo in Sussex
In a very ordinary street in a fairly ordinary
suburb of Worthing, you’ll find the most
extraordinary church! English Martyr’s
Church doesn’t look exceptional from the outside
but when you enter within you will find a fullsize
copy of the Sistine Chapel ceiling as painted
by Michelangelo. It was painted by sign writer
and church deacon, Gary Bevans, between 1987
and 1993. Whatever your take on either religion
or art, this is guaranteed to elicit a gasp!
Goring Way, Goring-on-Sea, Worthing
A hidden café on the Downs
Whizzing along as most of us do, it is easy to
fly past Saddlescombe’s Wildflour Cafe. It’s in a
little dip in the South Downs not far from Devil’s
Dyke. Park up where you see the National Trust
signs at Saddlescombe and follow the track signed
to the South Downs Way (east). You’ll come to a
little courtyard, far away from the world, with a
picturesque café mainly frequented by walkers and
serving an array of delights. It’s sleepy, delightful
and you won’t want to leave.
Saddlescombe Road, between
Brighton and Henfield
Houseboats and Hollywood
in Shoreham
The extraordinary houseboats of Shoreham can be
found to the south of the River Adur. Cross via
the footbridge and turn right along the towpath
and you will find an extraordinary selection of
houseboats some of which date back to before
WWII. They are all unusually decorated and have
been lovingly created out of a selection of bizarre
materials.
While you are this side of the river, head to the
beach and walk east along the seafront via the
boardwalk to Shoreham Fort. This represents the
birth place of Hollywood. In 1914 the fort was
converted into a film studio and for over a decade
a number of major films were produced here with
many of the creatives involved in the industry
making their homes in houseboats made from
what they could find.
Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex
A Hobbit House
Yes, Robertsbridge in East Sussex is home to a
Hobbit House! Buried in a bank with the trademark
Hobbit front door at Oastbrook Vineyard,
you can stay here in luxurious style, with great
views and even a hot tub! It’s all part of a wonderful
vineyard that offers extraordinary experiences.
Robertsbridge, East Sussex
A Secret Sussex Supper Club
Every few months, at various sublime locations
across Sussex, the Secret Sussex Club meets.
A ticket only event, in July they meet in the
amongst the grand foliage at Architectural Plants
near Pulborough for drinks, tours and a feast of
Mezze and conversation. They also pop up in
autumn, winter and spring but you have to be
quick as tickets sell fast.
You’ll find them on Instagram
58 | sussexexclusive.com 59

Our Sussex Quiz
Test your knowledge of Sussex adventures and activities
1 What high-flying activity is based at
Tollgate, Beddingham, near Lewes?
2 Where in the county is there an
international jazz and blues festival in
late August?
3 At Polowood Shooting Ground near
Brighton what weapon can you throw
for fun in a one-hour session?
4 Where are the many caverns that make
up the Smugglers Adventure?
5 Where will you find the home of polo?
7 What show is on at Eastbourne from
17th-20th August this year?
8 What caused Virginia Woolf to
be “overcome by beauty more
extravagantly than one could expect”?
9 Where on the county’s coastline is
there a festival of music lasting over a
month?
10 What was the name of the most
infamous smuggling gang from
East Sussex?
6 Where is the Medieval Festival weekend
held at the end of May?
Sussex
Dialect question
Adam poses a vocabulary quiz from our local
Sussex dialect. Can you guess the correct definition
from the following three options for:
What is "nunting"?
A) a pathway up a steep hill
B) awkward-looking
C) without thought, headlong
Adam Jacot de Boinod was a researcher for the
first BBC series QI, compered by Stephen Fry,
and is an author of three books including ‘The
Meaning of Tingo’
Chic
Summer
Style
With La Vida Boutique
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61

La Vida Boutique specialises in
affordable luxury in ladies’ fashion and
accessories. Their range is constantly
evolving as La Vida only stocks
collections in limited quantities so you
can enjoy unique pieces separating
you from the usual high street crowd!
This is part of La Vida’s charm so you
can select very individual products
which reflect your personality.
Kimonos and kaftans
A lovely gown, kimonos or a Kaftan dress is a
must have for a summer holiday. Available in
beautiful and unique fabrics and prints and
inspired by nature.
Prices vary. Full collection
available online.
Holiday essentials
Isabella’s White Button through
midi dress
This is possibly the most flattering cotton
summer dress ever. In the style of Princess Kate,
this 100% cotton dress is effortlessly chic.
£69.90 and available online now.
Love is All multi gem necklace
in gold
Effortlessly feminine this multi-gem necklace can
be paired with any summer look as it twinkles in
the summer sun.
£20.00 and available online now.
Pack all of your holiday essentials from make-up
to jewellery and be ready to take off with our
metallic bags.
From £14.99. Full collection
available online.
Use your
Exclusive Sussex
code of
Exclusive10
for 10% off
your first purchase over £50
or more at checkout
instore or online.
lavidaboutique.co.uk
Tropical earrings
The Boutique has a relaxed and informal atmosphere where you can browse
at your leisure or if you wish, receive personal attention from founder, buyer,
and stylist, Donna, or personal stylist Josh, who can help you uncover your
own unique style. The personal shopping service is a particularly popular
service, and new faces are always welcome in the Boutique to get your latest
fashion fix!
Embrace the summer with a quirky pair of
earrings. From cactus plants to hanging cherries,
we’ve a super fun pair of earrings to bring a
touch of fun to your summer fashion. All of our
earrings are hand beaded in India in fair trade
factories.
Prices start at £14.99 and are
available online now.
Whether you’re looking for a fabulous dress for a special occasion, something
unique and quirky to spice up your wardrobe or you fancy treating yourself
to a new bag or a pair of shoes, you’re sure to find something to suit you at
La Vida.
Visit the Boutique in The Courtyard, Stans Way, Horsham,
West Sussex or shop online at www.lavidaboutique.co.uk.
You can follow La Vida on Facebook as @lavidaboutique
and on Instagram as @lavidaboutiqueuk.
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63

Is your garden
too taxing?
Capital Gains Tax on Garden and Grounds
When you sell your home, you might reasonably expect to pay no Capital Gains Tax
(CGT) on the disposal, due to Private Residence Relief (PRR). For most homeowners
selling their home, that may be right as the PRR relief will exempt any gain from
CGT if:
• the house has been your only or main residence throughout your period of ownership;
• you have not been absent for more than an allowed period;
• the garden or grounds are not greater than the permitted area; and
• no part of your home has been used exclusively for business purposes.
However, the third requirement relating to the garden or ground is very much in the spotlight as it is
one of the methods by which HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can enhance tax revenues from
higher value residential property. This can equally apply where part of the garden is sold, typically for
residential development.
How to determine whether your
garden and grounds are greater
than the permitted area?
This brings into focus the procedure for
determining your garden and grounds. There
is a little known five step process whereby
you should:
• determine which buildings qualify as your
main residence;
• determine which land occupied with the
buildings can be described as garden or
grounds;
• determine, if the garden or grounds are in
excess of half a hectare, how much of the
land is required for the reasonable enjoyment
of the dwelling house as a residence;
• determine which part of the garden or
grounds would be the most suitable for
occupation and enjoyment with the
residence; and finally
• apportion the proceeds of disposal and
the acquisition cost between the part of
the property qualifying for relief and the
remainder.
This five step process needs to be followed in
strict order to avoid the natural process of going
straight to step four and determining the location
of the permitted area. Care should also be taken
to avoid mixing up the requirement test in the
third stage and the most suitable test in the
fourth stage. Finally, it is also important to have
addressed the first and second stages with larger
properties or estates where there may be cottages,
stables or outbuildings in addition to the main
house which together may properly be regarded
as the entity of the dwelling house.
So what does that all mean?
The basic position is that if the garden and
grounds of the residence, including the site of the
dwelling house, do not exceed 0.5 of a hectare
(5,000 sq m or just under 1.25 acres), then relief
is automatically due for the whole area.
In some limited cases involving larger properties,
if the site of the dwelling house exceeds 5,000
sq m, then an area in excess of 5,000 sq m will
qualify for PRR relief, being the site of the
dwelling and its garden and grounds.
If, as is more normally the case with larger
properties, the garden and grounds of the
residence exceed 0.5 of a hectare then relief may
be available for a larger area if that larger area
can fulfil the statutory test. Garden or grounds
will include any enclosed land surrounding or
attached to your dwelling house and serving
chiefly for ornament or recreation.
Not all land is entitled to relief
However, not all land you hold with your
dwelling house is treated as the garden or
grounds of that residence. You are not entitled
to relief for land let or used for a business, for
example, surrounding farm land. Similarly, land
which at the date of disposal has been fenced or
divided off from your garden for development,
or has been developed or is in the course of
development (for example, excavations under
way for foundations, roads, services, and so on)
won’t qualify.
Fencing off land for equestrian purposes
may point to land unfenced scheduled for
development being regarded as part of the
permitted location and therefore exempt from
CGT. This is but one of many opportunities to
reduce the impact of CGT on your garden and
grounds when you sell your main residence.
The 60 day tax return
A capital gain will arise from a disposal
where the proceeds on disposal exceed
relevant expenditure. For those with no other
chargeable gains arising in the year, an annual
exempt amount will be available to reduce the
chargeable gain and therefore the tax liability
arising.
Presently, any CGT due is payable 60 days
following the completion, and you should
remember a disposal includes not only a sale to
a third party but also exchanges of property and
gifts of property within your family.
If there is no gain due or the gain is exempt
due to PPR, then there is no CGT due and
there is no requirement to file a 60 day CGT
tax return.
Avoiding penalties and interest
Where CGT is payable, you will need to be
aware that the calculation for the gain will need
to be completed either in the run up to the
disposal or immediately after the sale, as late
filing penalties and interest will apply in cases of
not making the return or failing to pay within
the 60 days allowed.
Good records will need to be kept to calculate
the gain, for example the purchase price,
subsequent acquisitions, any improvement
expenditure and incidental professional fees.
It may also be necessary to instruct a valuer
to assist in calculating the gain and any
apportionment between permitted areas and
non-permitted area.
If you would like to discuss these elements of
Capital Gains Tax, and how they may affect
you, please get in touch.
Stuart Ritchie is a
chartered accountant
and chartered tax
adviser with over 30
years’ experience. He
is a tax partner with
Ritchie Philips LLP
based in Horsham
and can be contacted
on 020 3195 1300
or stuart.ritchie@
ritchiephillips.co.uk
He has direct experience
of securing CGT
exemption for gardens
sold for development,
multiple buildings
qualifying as a single
dwelling for CGT
purposes so that sale of
subservient buildings
are CGT exempt, and
the sale of properties
in excess of 10 acres all
qualifying for CGT
exemption.
64 | sussexexclusive.com 65

Some people need a full eight hours of
sleep, others four or five hours, but what
if you are one of those that want to sleep
but can’t?
Here are some tips for your bedroom to give
you the positive energy boost that only sleep can
bring you.
Furniture
In your bedroom you need to create positive yin
(gentle) energy to enable you to sleep healthily.
Always have two side cabinets either side of the
bed even if you sleep alone. The idea is to create
harmony in your relationships, and it also brings
a lover in if you are looking for one. As long as
the cabinets are not full of rubbish.
Avoid sleeping under heavy beams or ceiling
supports as these may bring nightmares and may
make it harder to relax.
Avoid mirrors in your bedroom unless you have
one inside a cupboard. I have a long mirror inside
my wardrobe. It is believed that if you have a
mirror in your bedroom then your soul is restless
and anything that makes you restless when you
need to sleep needs to be addressed. Even the
spider in the corner needs to be let out in the
garden - you don’t want to wake up with a leg on
your pillow and no body!
Now I know you have all heard this before but
avoid TVs in your room, and mobile phones.
The idea is to avoid EMFs and any form of
distraction, so you go to sleep quickly.
Do not have any heavy furniture in your
bedroom like your grandma’s chest of drawers
that was made of solid oak. Go for light,
breathable furniture.
all over it. This is a mistake some parents make,
and they wonder why their children can’t sleep
when they have pictures of Spiderman all over
the room. Saying that, when my son was young,
I had Thomas the Tank Engine everywhere. But
when I am called in when children can’t sleep, I
do suggest changing the bed linen to light blue.
Do you
get enough
zzzzz?
Janine Lowe talks about how to improve
your sleep with these Feng Shui tips
Janine is a
classically trained
Feng Shui
consultant in the
arts of Bazi, Flying
Stars, Auspicious
Dates, Qi Men Dun
Jia and I Ching.
www.janinelowe.co.uk
And no beds that can accrue clutter underneath
you while you sleep, as it is believed you wake up
with the world on your shoulders!
Atmosphere
To create the right atmosphere to sleep in, ensure
you have soft lights in your room, with two side
lamps and if you need a central light make sure it
has a dimmer.
Avoid bright colours in a bedroom and go for
softer shades of blue or green. Bright colours may
disrupt your sleep so avoid red.
If you want to hang pictures on the wall, ensure the
imagery creates a relaxing feeling. No shipwrecks!
Bedding should be soft to the touch and in
calming colours. No bedding with red poker dots
Sleep Direction
I am often asked which way should I sleep? So
here are some directions to help you choose the
energy of the night or the next day.
East is for people who are committed couples as
this brings romance into your relationship.
West is for creativity especially if you are writing a
book or using your artistic talents in your career.
South is for people who need a little more passion
in their lives.
North is what I call the sleep of the dead, so if
you can’t sleep, find the north bedroom if you
can and face the top of your head north. You
will sleep!
Wishing you a good night’s sleep!
66 | sussexexclusive.com 67

Best Sussex
Summer Buys
You can find
all these
producers and
items and many
more at:
Residents
Artisans
Lemon and strawberry ice lolly
on the beach (Giclée print)
Vibrant lemon and strawberry ice lolly set against
a blue sky and stormy sea, creating a gorgeous
backdrop to any vibrant interior. Limited
numbered edition of 15.
£27.00
Look no further as Residents Artisans share some gorgeous Sussex
wares from talented Sussex artisans and producers.
Pure Sussex gin gift hamper
Picnic season is here and we have the perfect
'Sussex Gift Hamper' just for you, your friends,
and your family! All packed wonderfully into
a perfect picnic basket ready for that special
occasion! Includes Pure Sussex Gin from
Harley House Distillery, Folkingtons tonic, 4
reusable picnic cups and award-winning baked
cashews and cocktail mix from Cambrook's
Extraordinary Nuts, with divine chocolate from
Rowdy & Fancy's.
£72.50
African fabric plant pot cover
Brighten up your house plants with these African fabric plant pot covers. The
covers are handmade with sustainably sourced African print remnant fabric
and upcycled hessian coffee sacks. *PLEASE NOTE all of the patchwork
designs and colours will vary. Orders will not match the fabric in the pictures
but will be just as colourful. The patchwork fabric was handmade by a team
of Ghanaian tailors. They rescue leftover off-cuts fabric from tailors in the
local area to create beautiful patchwork fabric. The patchwork fabric is then
combined with hessian coffee sacks in an East Sussex studio.
£18.00
Blue cheeky seagull A3 print
With its bold design, this poster showcases a
playful seagull carrying a chip, injecting a touch
of humour into the classic seaside imagery.
£19.00
Oak bark leather
secateurs holder
and belt
Our handmade Oak Bark belt
and secateurs holder are made
from leather from Britain’s only
remaining traditional oak bark
tannery. This is a beautiful strong
belt and is hand stitched 3.8cm in
width made with a brass buckle.
The slow process of oak tanning
enhances the qualities in the surface
creating a unique look and feel to
each hide. The secateurs holder
is very useful for keeping your
secateurs to hand. The holder is
strong and sturdy and will last you
for years.
£154.00
Summer bounty foraging course
Join expert forager in experiencing the bounty of late summer.
Learn about the fruits, flowers and fungi available this time of
year then sit down to a picnic overlooking the Downs, enjoying
the wild food you have foraged. Location near Midhurst.
Saturday 19th August, 10:30am - 2:00pm. Exact location will be
sent 2 days prior.
£100.00
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HEALTH
Sussex Health:
Are You Constantly
Exhausted?
The cause may be more complex than you thought
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HEALTH
HEALTH
The most
important thing
is to create
a moderate
exercise plan
which starts
with a short
and simple
routine, such
as 1 minute
of activity
followed by 3
minutes of rest.
This month, our Sussex health
expert takes a look at chronic
fatigue syndrome, a complex
illness affecting the brain and
body. It is characterised by
incapacitating fatigue that is not relieved by
rest, and any of the following symptoms for at
least six months:
• impaired short-term memory or
concentration significantly affecting daily
life
• sore throat
• tender lymph nodes in the neck or
underarms
• muscle pain
• joint pain with no associated swelling or
inflammation
• persistent headaches
• unrefreshing sleep
• feeling unwell for more than 24 hours
following physical exertion
Other common symptoms include: abdominal
bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, night sweats
or chills, brain fog, dizziness, shortness of
breath, visual disturbances, irregular heartbeat
or palpitations, jaw pain and multiple allergies
or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, chemicals.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in
women than men.
Nutritional supplement
treatment options
A number of nutritional supplements have been
found to help the symptoms of CFS:
Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause fatigue.
A number of research studies have shown that
CFS patients respond well to supplementation
of vitamin B12, or B12 with folic acid. These
studies generally involve injections of vitamin B12.
B12 can also be taken orally but higher doses are
required due to poor absorption.
Vitamin B6. Research has shown that people
with CFS have reduced levels of available
B-vitamins compared to healthy controls,
particularly vitamin B6.
L-carnitine is responsible for transporting
fatty acids into the mitochondria – the engineroom
of the cells – allowing these fatty acids to be
converted into energy. Some people with CFS have
a deficiency of carnitine and this has been linked
to muscle fatigue and pain and low tolerance to
exercise.
NADH (nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide) NADH is an activated form
of vitamin B3 that plays an important role in the
production of energy in the cells. Trials have shown
that some people with CFS who take NADH have
less fatigue and improved overall quality of life.
Many patients with CFS are found to be
deficient in magnesium and report significant
improvements in their symptoms when magnesium
is supplemented into the diet.
Causes
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is
unknown and there are no specific tests to
confirm diagnosis. It is believed to be triggered
by a combination of genetic mutations and
environmental influences. Multiple triggers
may be involved, such as viral infection, stress,
nutrient deficiency, toxins, and hormone
imbalances. Examples include:
• Chronic infection with viruses, such as
Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus 6,
and cytomegalovirus; or bacteria such as
Borrelia causing Lyme disease.
• Immune dysfunction, such as the
inappropriate production of inflammatory
substances.
• Decreased levels of the hormone cortisol,
which is secreted by the adrenal glands,
may predispose to inflammation and
activate immune cells. Thyroid disorders
have also been implicated in chronic
fatigue syndrome.
Dietary modification
• An exclusion diet can be useful to identify
potential food triggers. Exclusion diets are
best undertaken under the supervision of a
qualified healthcare practitioner.
• Staying hydrated is important to minimize
fatigue and brain fog.
• Removing caffeine and sugar-based foods
helps to keep energy levels on a more even
keel.
• A high intake of vegetables daily optimizes
nutrient intake. Including as many different
colours as possible ensures a broad range
of nutrients – “eating the colours of the
rainbow” every day.
The cause of
chronic fatigue
syndrome is
unknown and
there are no
specific tests
to confirm
diagnosis.
• Include healthy fats to provide energy and
reduce inflammation – oily fish, walnuts,
avocados are excellent examples.
Lifestyle modification
It is important to keep exercising in order to keep
muscles strong and prevent a worsening of fatigue.
The most important thing is to create a moderate
exercise plan which starts with a short and simple
routine, such as 1 minute of activity followed by
3 minutes of rest. As the routine becomes more
manageable, increase the total duration whilst
maintaining the rest breaks in between. If there is
at any stage a worsening of symptoms, drop back
to the last level of exercise that was well tolerated.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is another
compound found naturally in the mitochondria.
CoQ10 is involved in the production of cellular
energy and is also an antioxidant. Surveys have
shown that a high percentage of people with
CFS feel an improvement in energy when taking
CoQ10.
EPA/DHA. Double-blind, placebo-controlled
studies have shown that people taking Omega
3 had significant improvement in chronic fatigue
syndrome symptoms compared to those taking
a placebo.
Article contributed by Dr Tracy S Gates, DO,
DIBAK, L.C.P.H., Consultant, Pure Bio
Ltd. Copyright © Pure Bio Ltd 2023. All rights
reserved. Pure Bio Ltd is a leading UK supplier of the
highest quality PURE nutritional supplements, based
in Horsham, West Sussex.
Proud Winners of Southern Enterprise Awards, Best
Nationwide Hypoallergenic Nutritional
Supplements Distributor 2022. Visit
www.purebio.co.uk for all your nutritional
supplement needs.
72 | sussexexclusive.com 73

HEALTH
PURE BIO Ltd is a leading UK supplier of the highest
quality PURE nutritional supplements, organic toiletries
and healthy lifestyle alternatives.
HEALTH
Pure Bio is based in Horsham West Sussex and was
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We only sell products that have been carefully selected
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products exceed the highest professional standards and
are FREE of all binders, fillers, artificial colours, coatings,
sweeteners & stearates.
Our reputation for PURE quality products, excellent
customer service and generous practitioner benefits sets
us aside from competitors.
The Benefits of
Focusing on Solutions
How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can be used
to help with stress and improved mental health
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Best
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Have you ever wondered why you
feel the way that you do? Or had
a problem that impacted your
health and wellbeing that you just
couldn’t stop? Or wondered why
you aren’t sleeping?
These were the questions that Holly Stone found
that she wanted answers to several years ago after
a stressful period in her life, where the pivotal
moment was a trip to A&E for a panic attack.
She wanted to find out why it had happened and
most importantly what she could do to prevent it
from ever happening again. She found the CPHT
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy course and has,
in true solution focused style, never looked back.
The impact of Covid
Fast forward several years and she is now running
a successful private practice supporting others to
overcome the problems that they face. COVID
had a significant impact with more teens and
children seeking help than in previous years.
Many had developed anxieties as a result of
isolation, change in routine and loss of purpose
and were struggling. She was seeing an increase
in negative behaviours around food so undertook
the Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders
certification to better equip her in supporting
those who were suffering. She now finds that the
majority of her clients come for support with
eating disorders, disordered eating and weight
management but poor sleep and anxiety are also
familiar issues.
Holly is passionate about empowering her clients
towards their own positive change. She is aware
that there is only so much that she can do on
her own so also has a training school where
she trains others to become Solution Focused
Hypnotherapists. She is supporting a growing
number of therapists in West Sussex and hopes to
continue to grow the team.
Understanding the impact of stress
Neuroscience is at the heart of the Solution
Focused approach. Understanding the effect that
stress has on the brain helps us to explain to our
clients why they feel the way that they do and
more importantly what we can do to help. When
stress is present, we can find ourselves doing and
feeling things that we just wouldn’t chose if we
were feeling like ourselves. A little bit of stress at
the right time, is a good thing; it can help us to
improve focus, perform better and be better able
to cope. The stress that is a problem is the chronic
stress. The one that just doesn’t go away, that feels
overwhelming, all-consuming and prevents us
from being happy and healthy.
Stress can manifest itself in many different ways
– not just at work or school but also at home
and socially.
There is no doubt that illnesses caused or made
worse by stress are on the increase. *Conditions
such as anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder (OCD), eating disorders, agoraphobia,
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and migraines are
all ways that excess or sustained stress can affect
74 | sussexexclusive.com 75

HEALTH
TRAVEL
our well-being. It can also have a negative impact
on the quality of our sleep.
What is Solution Focused
Hypnotherapy?
There are parts of our brains that are very adept
at dealing with the perception of threats and our
negative reactions to stress are an evolutionary
coping mechanism which might not be helpful in
our day to day lives.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) helps
because it does not focus on a problem but looks
to a series of solutions which help to quickly
propel us towards a brighter future. SFH differs
from earlier forms of therapy by encouraging
clients to formulate a positive image of their
problem-free future rather than analysing the
cause or symptoms of the problem itself. A key
part of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is the
safe use of a trance state which is a natural way
to aid in the reduction of stress so that, after a
number of sessions, the client can start to feel
better placed to cope with life. It is a highly
effective and liberating approach and one that
instantly resonated with Holly.
Here Holly addresses some of the questions that
often arise:
Will hypnosis solve my problem?
No. YOU will solve your problem, with the aid of
hypnosis! The relaxed state of focus you experience
in trance helps you visualise your best hopes for
the future and contemplate how to make them a
reality, based on the talking part of your therapy.
This approach is more empowering than trying
to impose different behaviours with suggestions
because you will be fully engaged in creating your
own solutions. While it is important to stress that
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is not a ‘magic
bullet’, in so much as it will not miraculously
impose improvements on your life, it can offer
more enduring, profound changes by engaging
your own deepest mental processes in improving
your wellbeing.
Will I see immediate benefits
from Solution Focused
Hypnotherapy?
You may. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
can prove a quicker alternative to the more
usual problem-focused therapies because
you can immediately start to envisage your
preferred future and work towards your
goals in manageable steps. It’s important to
mention, however, that, like most things
in life, you get out what you put in, and
as mentioned above, it cannot solve all
your problems while you remain a passive
bystander, waiting to be ‘cured’! Also, if your
current challenges have been an issue for some
time, it may take a little longer – though you
may be surprised at how quickly you start
feeling better.
Is Solution Focused
Hypnotherapy an alternative
therapy?
Not really – the approach is based on
neuroscience. Hypnotherapy has been
approved by the British Medical Association
since 1892, and there is growing evidence
linking it with improved outcomes for many
issues including:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Phobias
• Panic attacks
• PTSD
• IBS
• Lack of confidence
• Weight Management
• Unhelpful habits
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Smoking/vaping cessation and more.
It is important to note that hypnotherapy is
not regulated in the UK, and anyone can set
themselves up as a practitioner. By choosing
an AfSFH member as your therapist, you
can relax in the knowledge that they are fully
trained in the theory and practice of Solution
Focused Hypnotherapy and are subject to the
Association’s stringent Code of Conduct.
Holly is happy to provide talks to businesses
and schools on stress, eating disorders and
poor sleep and how it can manifest itself, why
it happens and steps we can take so it does
not become a problem.
For more information about Holly contact:
www.hollystonehypnotherapy.co.uk
Holly is
passionate
about
empowering
her clients
towards their
own positive
change. She
is aware that
there is only so
much that she
can do on her
own..
* Recent research by
Insurance Company AXA
indicates that stress
levels have doubled in 4
years.
Mental Health Org
recently conducted a
stress survey and found
that 74% of adults have
felt so stressed over the
past year that they have
felt overwhelmed and
unable to cope. NHS – the
proportion of children
and young adults with
possible eating problems
has increased from 6.7%
to13% in 11-16 yr. olds.
According to the
Chartered Institute
of Personnel and
Development (CIPD),
stress is one of the
most common causes
of workplace absence
costing the UK economy
billions of pounds in lost
productivity
Puy du Fou: A Place
of Glorious Madness
Head to the Vendée in France for two days of magnificent
historical mayhem and madness
76 | sussexexclusive.com 77

TRAVEL
TRAVEL
If you’re looking to escape the UK albeit
for a short time, Puy du Fou in the Vendée
region of the west of France offers up an
extraordinary two days of adventures which
are suitable for children, grandparents
and everyone in between. Prepare yourself for
something that is very probably like nothing
you’ve ever experienced before. It is wild,
exciting and untamed, as well as very clever and
completely unexpected.
A unique historical experience
It’s difficult to describe what goes on at Puy du
Fou and do it justice. It’s an historical theme park
with 20 shows all on a grand scale. There is the
Medieval Secret of the Lance with galloping horse
acrobatics, pyrotechnics, Jeanne d’Arc, moving
castles and a brave maiden. You won’t mind at
all that the enemy here are the English who get
defeated in the end!
Or perhaps a bit of gladiatorial action is your
thing? Well then make your way to the vast
Roman amphitheatre and watch heroic Gauls
battle the evil Romans. Cheer on the chariot
racing and wince in fear at escaping lions!
Next, stand back while the Vikings attack with
fire and fury. The Viking boats slide quietly
towards a village where wedding festivities are
taking place before submerging into the lake, and
then surprising the villagers by arising from the
water to attack.
And let us not forget the Knights of the Round
Table and the legend of King Arthur where the
horses and knights emerge from the water and
Merlin tests the courage of the young king.
The dance of the ghost birds!
The dance of the birds is an incredible spectacle
that involves some 330 birds, some significantly
larger than a small child, swooping and diving
to dramatic music just about your head. As you
sit in the amphitheatre, the story of Princess
Aliénor and her childhood friend Eloise comes to
life with eagles, falcons, vultures, kites, owls and
dozens of other birds of prey who circle through
the sky and swoop down into the arms of the
master falconers.
Immerse yourself like never
before
In amongst the main shows are dozens of
immersive experiences. Disappear into WWI
trenches where wounded soldiers brush past
you as you tremble to the sound of gunfire and
explosions. The ground shakes, the sirens wail
and the soldiers’ love letters echo in the dark. Or
take to the high seas and become an 18th century
explorer on a legendary scientific expedition.
From the port holes you’ll catch a glimpse of
Cape Horn, feel the ice cold of Alaska before you
lurch to the pitch and fall of the ship in a storm
as it begins to sink.
Night shows
Along with the open-air shows there are also a
number of indoor performances and night shows.
Like Cinéscénie which includes 2,550 actors on
a stage spread over 23 hectares. With 28,000
costumes and special lighting and 3D effects,
the show takes you from the Middle Ages to the
Second World War in a romantic blend of true
facts and French legends.
The practicalities
Although Puy du Fou is all on one site, there
is a lot of walking between shows, and it is not
possible to see everything in one day.
Accommodation
That said, it’s a perfect little mini break and
there is themed accommodation on site where
you can stay. Do you fancy the Medieval
fortress of La Citadelle or would you prefer a
lavish Roman villa? If you’d rather be off site,
they also have a number of recommended gites
nearby and a recommended campsite. As you’d
expect there are also restaurants on site and
extensive free parking. Pets are not allowed in
the park, but they do have their own boarding
kennels if you are traveling with your dog.
Public transport in the area isn’t great and most
people arrive by car. Puy du Fou is accessible via
the A87 (exit n°28).
Other things on the area
The Vendee is a fantastic area for family
holidays with a warm and sunny climate
throughout the summer. Puy du Fou is about
one hour’s drive from the coast where you will
find fabulous sandy beaches and sand dunes,
and pretty fishing towns like Saint Gilles Croix
de Vie.
The nearest large coastal town is Les Sables
d’Olonne which is twinned with Worthing and
the cosmopolitan city of Nantes is an hour to
the north. Here amongst other things, you’ll
find the extraordinary mechanical machines - a
blend of the invented worlds of Jules Verne,
the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci,
steampunk and the industrial history of Nantes!
Ride a giant ant or a mechanical elephant if you
will. You can find out more: Lesmachines
Puy Du Fou is also fortuitously just south of
Cholet and the Loire Valley where vineyard tours
and chateau stays are a must.
For more information about Puy du Fou and the
Vendée visit:
www.in-vendee.com
www.puydufou.com
78 | sussexexclusive.com 79

The
ANSWERS
1 Paragliding
2 Rye
Our Sussex Quiz
Answers
3 Tomahawk axes
4 Hastings West Hill
5 Cowdray Park, Midhurst
6 Arundel Castle
7 Eastbourne Airshow
8 South Downs
9 Bexhill
10 Hawkhurst gang
DIALECT QUESTION
Answer B) awkward-looking
So how did you do?
Last Word
The last word this month goes to PK who wrote the following account in the
August edition of The Sussex County Magazine 1928.
A Guestling Carrier’s Adventure
There was an elderly carrier who lived at
Guestling and plied between Hastings and
Rye, delivering and collecting at the various
villages on the road. One winter’s night, about
midnight, some Guestling folk were returning
from Icklesham in their trap, and midway between
Icklesham and Guestling came across the carrier and his cart
at the corner of a by-road.
The carrier had evidently been imbibing too freely, and, I
suppose, being overcome by the cold, he was found in a
comatose state on the ground, and as the man was quite
insensible, to have left him there would probably have
resulted in his death. So the Guestling people replaced him
in his cart and drove him on to the village. Thinking that
something should be done at once to revive him, they took
him to the local bakery, where the baker had just prepared
his oven for the nightly baking. They placed the carrier in the
hot oven until he was thawed and had recovered his senses,
and he was none the worse for the experience.
I knew the man well but cannot recall his name, but he was a
well-known local character. Ever afterwards, it was a standing
joke in the village and the country around. This happened
in the late [18]60s and it is probable that there may be still
alive some old inhabitant of Guestling who may remember
the incident.
There’s a lesson for us all there
but don’t try this at home!
80 | sussexexclusive.com
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