Sussex Exclusive Magazine. Issue 7

Issue 7 2024 

A very Sussex 

Easter 

From skipping and 

chocolate to walks & wine 

Iconic Sussex 

12 landmarks like no others 

Bluebell walks & 

wild garlic 

Lose yourself in the woods 

of Sussex 

48 hours In 

Two gorgeous 

weekend breaks 

Fabulous foodie 

From foraging, 

scallops & oysters to 

chocolate truffles 

An extraordinary 

school 

The incredible 

achievements of one 

Sussex school 

96 pages of 

beautiful Sussex 

Flea market 

heaven 

The best Sussex haunts to 

grab a bargain

A word 

from the editor 

Welcome to the latest edition of the Sussex Exclusive 

magazine, which as always, has been a joy to put together. 

Although at the time of writing, winter is not quite behind us 

yet, there’s a definite feel of spring in the air as Sussex feels like it’s 

coming out of hibernation. And that means there is lots to enjoy 

and explore. 

So in this edition, we have some fabulous Easter ideas and treats 

for you, three bluebell walks, some dog friendly ideas if you want 

to explore with your hound and two fabulous weekend break 

suggestions: 48 hours in Rother and 48 hours in Chichester. The 

great thing about a short break in Sussex is that there really is 

something for everyone whether you want history and culture, or 

coastal walks and wine. And do check out our guide to bargain 

hunting on page 73 and our weird and wonderful feature if you 

want to grab some unusual photos. 

Up to 60% Off 

Ends Soon 

Editor 

Lucy Pitts 

lucyp@sussexexclusive.com 

Deputy Editor 

Janine Marsh 

Editorial Assistant and DDIP 

Aifric Peachey 

Design 

Philippa French 

Sales 

sales@sussexexclusive.com 

Sussex Exclusive Magazine 

www.sussexexclusive.com 

Talking of photos, Sussex is home to a large number of iconic 

landmarks, and if photography is your thing, they make for 

some great photography backdrops. They all definitely have the 

wow factor. 

Our front cover for this edition features one of the students 

from Christ’s Hospital, one of the most incredible schools in the 

county if not in the country. Their music department and musical 

achievements are truly remarkable. 

In this edition, Becci Combe from Hygge Style has also shared 

three fabulous (and easy) recipes that you can make from local, 

foraged ingredients and we have our usual showcase of Sussex 

foodie experiences and places to eat. 

And if you want to get out in the garden, Geoff Stonebanks from 

Driftwood by Sea has some jobs for you to be getting on with 

along with a little bit of green inspiration with a National Garden 

Scheme special. 

Discover the Joy of 

Sleeping Comfortably 

The finest range of premium beds, mattresses 

and bedding in the South-East 

Visit our stores in Bosham, Guildford, 

Horsham & Worthing 

Shop our full range online: 

jonesandtomlin.co.uk 

Front Cover 

Christ's Hospital, 

Gabriel 

© Toby Phillips 

Photography 

There’s lots more inside including health, a trip to the Scilly Isles, 

local authors and our usual quiz. So as always, pull up a chair, 

pour yourself a glass of something Sussex and I hope you enjoy. 

Here’s to longer days and warmer weather. 

Lucy 

Lucy Pitts 

3

Contents 

8 

8 In the Diary 

Fill your diary with Sussex delights with our 

pick of some of the best of what’s going on in 

the county 

12 A very Sussex Easter 

From long held Sussex Easter traditions 

to lingering lunches, Easter egg hunts and 

chocolate masterclasses 

20 Iconic Sussex landmarks 

Discover and explore 12 of the county’s most 

iconic landmarks, from ancient chalk figures 

to exotic palaces 

39 

43 

39 A forager’s delight 

Make your own wild garlic and lemon butter, 

nettle pesto and dandelion honey with 

locally foraged ingredients 

43 The Sussex foodie 

Grab a knife, fork and napkin and dig 

into our selection of exquisite Sussex food 

experiences, restaurants and producers 

51 Incredible achievements 

at Christ’s Hospital 

Discover the extraordinary school in the 

heart of Sussex where music and musical 

achievement sits at the very heart of what 

they do 

20 

24 Bluebell and wild garlic walks 

Get off the beaten track and walk through 

carpets of bluebells and valleys of heady wild 

garlic with our three spring walks 

28 48 hours in Rother 

Enjoy cocktails and jazz, harbour walks 

and cobbled streets, coupled with 

vineyards, Medieval castles and Art Deco 

pavilions in Rother 

62 

54 Good news for the 

weary walker 

Friends of the South Downs share news of 

their stunning new sequence of benches 

along the South Downs Way 

62 Create a garden with wow! 

Gardening wizard Geoff Stonebanks shares 

some ideas for creating a garden with wow as 

well as some jobs to be getting on with 

24 

31 48 hours in Chichester 

Explore Thorney Island, visit the Medieval 

cathedral and enjoy a night at the theatre 

before spending a day exploring the 

boutiques and antique shops of Petworth 

34 Dog friendly Sussex 

Don’t leave your four-legged friend behind. 

From luxury hotels, to National Trust 

properties and fabulous beaches, check out 

our dog friendly Sussex options 

73 

68 A National Garden 

Scheme special 

Get inspired in the garden and support 

a good cause with a visit to one of these 

stunning National Garden Scheme gardens 

now re-opening 

73 Flea markets 

Hunt out a bargain with our pick of the best 

places in Sussex to find retro, vintage, quirky 

and second hand finds 

31 

38 Tuscan Chicken 

Cook up memories of summer and flavours 

of Italy with this quick and easy to make 

recipe 

90 

90 Be Scilly 

We don’t want you to leave Sussex, but if 

you do, why not head to the remote and 

evocative Isles of Scilly 

4 | sussexexclusive.com 5

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Contributors 

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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 

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! 

Becci Coombes 

Becci spent her childhood holidays 

on the family farm in Denmark, and 

grew up with a love for all things 

Scandinavian. Originally she trained 

as an archaeologist (Vikings, of 

course!), before travelling the 

world and becoming a successful 

glass artist. She now runs 

www.hyggestyle.co.uk, an online 

boutique in Sussex specialising in 

Danish and Scandinavian gifts. She 

is the author of three craft books 

focusing on upcycling. 

Holly Stone 

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. 

www.hollystonehypnotherapy.co.uk 

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. 

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 

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In the 

Diary 

As winter morphs into spring, and Sussex comes to life, fill your 

diary with some of these fabulous events taking place across the 

county in the coming months 

Arundel Tulip Festival 

The Grand Hotel, 

Eastbourne 

Tottington Manor 

Daniel Defoe 

The Arundel Tulip Festival, 

Arundel 

The timing of this tulip festival is weather 

dependent but is usually in April. And 

what an extravaganza of colour it is 

against the backdrop of Arundel Castle 

and cathedral. With lots of nooks and 

crannies to explore, it’s also fun for the 

children so makes a great family outing. 

Dinner à Deux at The Grand 

Hotel, Eastbourne 

14 February 

In the most elegant of hotel settings, 

celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic 

meal for two serenaded by a harpist, 

either in the ornate Garden Restaurant or 

the blue-hued and intimate surroundings 

of the delightful Mirabelle Restaurant. 

Pre-booking essential. 

Valentine’s Dinner at Tottington 

Manor, Henfield 

14 February 

Celebrate love and Valentine’s with a 

four-course dinner and live pianist at this 

beautiful 17th century venue right at the 

foot of the South Downs. 

Booking essential. 

Laser Light Show, Chichester 

Canal Basin 

16 and 17 February, 6pm onwards 

This light extravaganza will feature a 

visual spectrum of colours in reference 

to Turner and his renowned painting of 

Chichester canal which is considered to 

be one of his finest works. The show will 

start with the 1812 overture. It is free 

to attend. 

Lewes History Group 

12 February and 11 March, Zoom 

History lovers may wish to join this group 

on 12 February for “Geoffrey Mead – Mr 

Defoe’s tour through South East England 

1724”. This talk looks at aspects of Daniel 

Defoe’s journey in SE England using 

mainly modern images of the places he 

mentions alongside his commentary. On 

the 11 March the talk is on the subject 

of “The life and times of John Whitfield, 

Cliffe Merchant”. 


Herstmonceux, 

Observatory 

Jazz Sunday Lunch, Tottington 

Manor, Henfield 

25 February 

Join the Seajam Jazz Quintet for a Jazz 

Sunday Lunch. Book your table in the 

Downs Suite for this special afternoon 

and two course Sunday lunch. 


Macbeth, Connaught Theatre, 

Worthing 

5 to 8 March 

A rare chance to see the English Touring 

Theatre’s (ETT) performance of one 

of Shakespeare's most well-known 

tragedies. A visceral and contemporary 

new production that speaks to a world 

we find ourselves living in now, and asks 

why Macbeth has haunted our fears and 

nightmares for centuries and what lesson 

is this cautionary tale still urgently trying 

to communicate to us? 

Learn to Lamb, Rye 

12 to 13 March, Hare Farm at Brede 

Get stuck in with the lambing team in 

the sheds at Hare Farm to experience 

the spectacle of lambing up close and 

personal. You will observe and get hands 

on with several jobs involved at lambing 

time. Ideal for inquisitive animal lovers 

through to vet students and aspiring 

sheep keepers. Booking required. 

Night Sky Photography, 

The Observatory, Herstmonceux 

16 March 

A one-day adult course teaching practical 

aspects of night sky photography through 

lectures and demonstrations. Aimed at 

beginners in night sky photography but 

assumes competence with your own 

camera equipment. The morning session 

will teach the basics of imaging the night 

sky and the Milky Way, followed by an 

introduction to using a portable tracker 

to get even better night sky images. 


Friends of the South Downs 

19 March, The Shoreham Centre 

Join the Friends of the South Downs who 

are hosting a free talk in Shoreham with 

Michael Blencowe about Butterflies of the 

South Downs. Michael is co-author of 

The Butterflies of Sussex and will take you 

on a guided tour of our woods, heaths, 

gardens and downs as we go in search of 

the browns and the blues, the skippers, 

admirals and emperors (with a few tall 

tales along the way). This event is free but 

donations are gratefully accepted 

at checkout. 

Easter wreathmaking 

27 March, The Kennels at Goodwood 

Wreathmaking is not just for Christmas 

and a quick walk around some of 

the historic Sussex villages and towns 

and you’ll see lots of spring wreaths 

adorning front doors. There are Easter 

wreathmaking events across Sussex 

including at The Kennels at Goodwood. 

A Town Explores a Book, 

St Leonards-on-Sea 

30 March to 14 April 

A vibrant community arts festival 

exploring The Railway Children by E. 

Nesbit. E. Nesbit had many connections 

with Sussex, the south coast and south 

London. Her parents stayed in Hastings 

when Edith was three years old because 

her father was ill and seeking the coastal 

air to aid recovery. As part of this festival 

there is an opening concert, outdoor art 

trail and workshops. 

Easter concert at the iconic 

Eastbourne bandstand 

31 March, from 3 pm 

A traditional Easter concert held at the 

Eastbourne bandstand with the Easter 

Silver Band. 

Eastbourne 

bandstand 

10 | sussexexclusive.com 

11

Easter 

Skipping, hunting and not eating your Hot Cross 

Buns until next year: it’s a Sussex Easter 

Easter is early this year but, as always, it provides a welcome beacon of warmer 

weather at the end of the long winter months. So as we slowly come out of 

hibernation, here are some curious Easter facts and our top suggestions for 

Easter experiences. 

Easter facts and folklore 

Although Easter is a Christian holiday, 

the word “Easter” is derived from the 

word “Ēastre,” the name of a pagan 

goddess of spring and fertility, and it was 

a pagan festival celebrating the arrival of 

spring. This may explain the symbolism 

behind Easter eggs. 

In our house, back in the 1970s, we 

would pin prick both ends of a chicken 

egg and carefully drain out the contents, 

and then we would paint the eggs in 

intricate designs and finish them with a 

varnish. 

Don’t eat that lucky bun 

Most people know that the cross on a 

Hot Cross Bun symbolises the cross on 

which Jesus was crucified but did you 

know that Hot Cross Buns used to only 

be baked on Good Friday? This was 

supposed to make them lucky, stop them 

going mouldy and give them healing 

properties. In Sussex, you might save a 

bun for a whole year, hanging it in the 

St Andrew's Church, 

Alfriston 

Good Friday 

and playing 

a game of 

“Kiss-In-The- 

Ring” (I’ll leave 

that to your 

imagination). 

kitchen to protect your home, or the 

fishermen might have carried one as 

protection against drowning. 

Easter skipping 

Skipping was (and still is in some places) 

a longstanding Sussex Easter tradition. 

It used to be particularly popular in 

Brighton, Lewes and Seaford on Good 

Friday. There is some suggestion that 

skipping is connected to the Bronze Age 

burial mounds of the South Downs and 

burial rituals, but it’s also associated with 

fishermen and used to take place at the 

Brighton Fish Market right up to 1939. 

Easter skipping now seems to be enjoying 

a bit of a revival with various Morris sides 

incorporating it in their routine, and one 

place you can still find skipping going 

strong is in Alciston in East Sussex. 

Other Easter traditions 

Other Sussex Easter activities used 

to include playing marbles on Good 

Friday and playing a game of “Kiss- 

In-The-Ring” (I’ll leave that to your 

imagination). Much older (but not 

necessarily Sussex) traditions included 

giving bread and money to the poor 

on Maundy Thursday and placing 

consecrated bread in an Easter Sepulchre 

(tomb). You can see an example of an 

Easter Sepulchre in St Andrew’s Church 

at Alfriston. 

Meanwhile, a much newer Good Friday 

tradition now unfolds in Hastings, where 

there is a procession through the streets 

re-enacting the story of Good Friday. 

Later in the day, there’s an Easter Marbles 

Championship held in the town! A day 

of contrasts you could say. 


If there are 

children with 

you, you can 

make a visit 

to Pooh Sticks 

Bridge or 

explore Five 

Hundred Acre 

wood before 

heading to the 

pub. 

Enjoying Easter in Sussex 

Family Sunday lunch at a great pub 

These days, nothing says Easter more than 

a long, lingering family lunch. Perhaps 

before or after a country walk? 

The Serpent Trail 

If you’re in the west of West Sussex, and 

want a walk with many twists and turns, 

try the Serpent Trail. The Serpent Trail is a 

winding, long distance path which goes from 

Haslemere to Petersfield via Petworth and 

takes you through ancient woodlands and 

across open heathlands with fabulous views. 

You can park at Petworth or Lodsworth 

and walk to the Duke of Cumberland at 

Henley for lunch and then walk back. 

Alternatively, you could park at Henley 

(near Midhurst) and walk to Woolbeding 

Common and back. Contact the pub first 

and place your order in advance. And if 

the weather is fine, you can eat outside. 

Ashdown Forest 

What about a walk on Ashdown Forest 

followed by lunch at The Dorset Arms at 

Withyham? If there are children with you, 

you can make a visit to Pooh Sticks Bridge 

or explore Five Hundred Acre wood before 

heading to the pub. There’s lots of parking 

on the forest and the nearest to the bridge 

is at Chuck Hatch. At The Dorset Arms 

they have a beautifully decorated little 

private lodge in the garden which you can 

book if there’s a large group of you and 

that means, if there’s still a bit of a nip in 

the air this Easter, you can still eat outside 

and not freeze. 

The obligatory Easter egg hunt 

and trails 

The National Trust in Sussex is always a 

good bet if you’re looking for Easter egg 

hunts. At Nymans near Haywards Heath 

Dorset Arms, at 

Withyham 


Serpent Trail 

Duke of Cumberland, 

Henley 

Easter chicks at 

Blackberry Farm 

they have an annual Springfest Easter trail 

to celebrate the joys of spring at Nymans. 

At Bateman’s they have an Easter 

Adventure trail with characters from The 

Jungle Book and at Bodiam Castle you 

can take part in an Easter egg hunt and 

enjoy discovering “the dragons at the 

castle and have a go at fun-filled and eggcellent 

activities”. 

And what could be more Eastery than 

heading to the South Downs and 

Saddlescombe Farm which opens for two 

weekends during the lambing season in 

March and April. You might see a lamb 

being born and you may be able to grab 

a tractor ride! And from there, you can 

head up onto the South Downs for a 

spring walk! 

Alternatively, Blackberry Farm Park (just 

south of Uckfield) are hosting an Easter 

egg hunt experience that involves an 

Easter themed maze and egg hunt. 

And while we’re on the subject of 

chocolate 

We have some fabulous chocolatiers in 

our county so why not book yourself a 

chocolate extravaganza! The Chocolatician 

in Worthing hosts workshops for 

children and adults. Noble and Stace host 

chocolate making masterclasses at the 

Artisan Bakehouse near Steyning, whilst 

over in Hastings, Coastal Cocoa host 

chocolatier courses and workshops. 

And what goes better with 

chocolate than wine? 

How quickly we arrived at wine! And 

Sussex is definitely the place to be for a 

little of Easter wine tasting. Make your 

way to the Wiston Estate just north of 

Worthing, Oastbrook Estate Vineyard 

near Robertsbridge or Tinwood Estate 

near Chichester. 

Happy Easter 


I 

have a penchant for both hot 

beverages and travel mugs and can’t 

even start my car engine unless there 

is a nice cup of tea in the dashboard 

mug holder. However from time 

to time I do end up buying the odd 

takeaway coffee, so who would guess that 

these little dinky Easter baskets are made 

from the paper cups that subsequently 

end up on the floor of my car? Whether 

hidden in the garden by the Easter bunny 

or used as table settings for your special 

lunch, they look adorable filled with 

moss and tiny treats. 

Easy to Make 

Easter Baskets 

Make these simple Easter decorations with the feelgood factor, 

from Becci Combe of Hygge Style 

Materials 

Paper takeaway cup 

Scissors 

Craft knife 

Hot glue gun and glue 

Moss and eggs to decorate 

Wash your cup thoroughly and allow 

to dry (if the smell of coffee is still 

strong, smear a paste made of water and 

bicarbonate of soda over the inside of the 

cup for a few hours and this should help 

to get rid of it). Peel off any corrugated 

outer cover. 

Using the craft knife, make a small 

incision halfway down the cup then cut 

it into two. 

Carefully cut the rolled rim from the top 

of the cup and set aside; now snip a 5mm 

wide strip at an angle into the middle 

section and keep cutting it round and 

round to make a long length of paper. 

To make the body of the basket, cut 14 

equal sections into the base of the cup 

and then gently bend them outward. 

(Rather than doing it by eye, the easiest 

way to do this evenly is by measuring 

the rim with a tape measure and 

dividing the total circumference by 14. 

The resulting number is the width of 

each upright, so you can measure and 

mark the cup with a pen accordingly). 

Remove every other section neatly at 

the base then bend the uprights back up 

again. 

Blob a little glue onto the end of your 

long length of paper and attach to 

the inside of one of the upright strips, 

before weaving it in and out all the 

way round. Continue to weave until 

you reach the top of the basket, then 

add a blob of glue to the end to secure 

it to the basket and trim off the excess 

working length. 

Trim the uprights so they are all level. 

Unroll the rim of the cup, fold it in half 

and flatten it with the edge of the closed 

scissors. 

Apply some glue to the inside and, 

working round the top of the basket, 

fold it over and pinch tight to make a 

neat rim (you will see there is an outer 

curve and inner curve; the outer curve 

should be the side that is glued to the 

outside of the cup). 

Cut a section from the remaining length 

and glue it to the inside of the basket to 

make a handle. 

Fill with reindeer moss and some tiny 

eggs and use to decorate your Easter 

table. 


suites (the latter with access to the Downs 

Suite gardens) for those special occasions. 


The first thing you notice 

when you arrive at Tottington 

Manor is the silence. You’ll 

find this 17th century, Grade 

II listed, timber framed 

manor down a quiet country lane in 

between Small Dole and Edburton in 

West Sussex, and right at the foot of the 

South Downs. And there’s something 

about this little corner of Sussex that feels 

very special. 

Where history meets tranquility and style 

A taste of the past 

Tottington Manor is a place that has 

a long history. The first manor here 

was owned by King Harold before the 

Norman invasion but the current building 

was built in 1604, and was owned by 

George Wyndham, Earl of Egremont, 

and his descendant family from 1827 to 

1923. During WWII, the manor was the 

regional headquarters for the Auxiliary 

Units as part of Churchill’s underground 

army and there are still secret bunkers and 

escape tunnels. 

And a taste of the present 

In 2021, Tottington Manor was acquired 

by new owners and has since undergone 

a complete transformation into a stylish 

and contemporary destination that has 

more than a passing nod to luxury but 

holds its history dear. 

Eating at Tottington Manor 

Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea 

and dinner every day, there are plenty 

of places to eat here. The main Terra 

Restaurant has the addition of the cosy 

Nook, for up to 8 guests. The restaurant 

also spills out onto a deck area with year 

round fire pits and uninterrupted views of 

the Downs. 

The menus at Tottington Manor are a 

celebration of local and Sussex produce. 

Although the menus are seasonal and 

change regularly, you can expect the 

delights of coarse game terrine, Sussex 

plum chutney, and toasted Sussex 

sourdough, Sussex Porchetta or a Sussex 

sharing platter of Seven Sisters sheep’s 

cheese, Golden Cross goat’s cheese, 

Sussex charcuterie, quail’s Scotch egg, 

pickled vegetables, Ticehurst apple, Sussex 

bloomer, onion marmalade, and chicken 

butter. All washed down with a carefully 

chosen wine from Sussex or beyond. 

For more informal dining or a light 

lunch, head to the Olive Lounge and 

sink into a comfy chair while you browse 

their collection of over 400 Sussex books. 

Although you can also book the Manor 

Room with a large fireplace and beamed 

ceilings and the Small and Large Downs 

Staying at Tottington Manor 

Because you won’t want to leave, you can 

stay in one of the 4-star boutique and 

individually styled rooms which include 

Superior Suites, Club King, double or 

single rooms. If you want to explore the 

area or enjoy walking the South Downs 

and the fabulous South Downs Way, this 

makes the perfect base, and if you need 

baggage transfer as part of your walk, just 

ask when booking. 

A venue for making memories 

The team at Tottington have a wealth 

of wedding experience and understand 

what goes into making your wedding here 

incredibly special. A beautiful room, with 

French doors spanning the length of the 

room opens onto the private garden. They 

also have a team of six professional chefs. 

Above all else, a warm 

welcome awaits 

The team at Tottington Manor have 

the gift of making you feel special, and 

you’ll be greeted at the bar with a warm 

welcome. They also have a passion for 

detail, whether that’s the beautiful Sussex 

art in the corridors of the hotel, or the 

stunning handcrafted tables in the Olive 

Lounge. And nothing is too much trouble. 

Tottington Manor has dog friendly rooms 

– look out for the stylish and fun artwork 

featuring dogs to indicate you’re in a dog 

friendly part of the hotel. 

If you’re looking for somewhere special in 

Sussex, let your feet lead you here. 

tottingtonmanor.co.uk 

18 | sussexexclusive.com Chichester 

19

Iconic Sussex 

Landmarks 

Cowdray Ruins 

The Cowdray Ruins at Midhurst are the proud remains 

of a magnificent Tudor mansion that was once visited 

by both King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. 

Sussex is famous for its iconic and photographic landscape. So, whether you 

want to snap that instant hit Insta’ shot or an evocative photo, try one of these 

quintessentially Sussex landmarks 

Beachy Head 

Just outside Eastbourne, 

Beachy Head is a chalk 

headland with a 530-foot 

cliff and a distinctive red 

and white lighthouse. 

Ouse Valley 

Viaduct 

Just outside 

Haywards Heath, 

and a masterclass 

in Victorian 

engineering, 

the Ouse Valley 

Viaduct is 96 feet 

high, has 37 arches 

and is made from 

11 million bricks. 

Chanctonbury Ring 

Visible from miles around, 

Chanctonbury Ring is a 

clump of trees on the South 

Downs (near Steyning) with 

amazing views. It’s shrouded 

in local folklore and legend. 

Brighton 

There are many distinctive 

landmarks in Brighton but 

the most elaborate and exotic 

has to be the Regency Royal 

Pavilion built in the 18 th 

century for the Prince of Wales. 

Seaford Coastguard 

Cottages & the Seven 

Sisters 

Just east of Seaford, these 

pretty cottages perch on the 

cliff above the sea with views 

of Cuckmere Haven and the 

Seven Sister cliffs beyond. 


The Long Man at Wilmington 

The mysterious Long Man at 

Wilmington, not far from Eastbourne, is 

a 235-foot-high chalk figure carved into 

the side of the South Downs. His origins 

remain unclear. 

Hastings Old Town 

Squeezed between two hills, Hastings 

Old Town is a mixture of narrow, 

climbing streets, ancient churches 

and buildings, all spilling down to the 

distinctive old fishing quarter. 

Chichester 

Cathedral 

Chichester 

Cathedral was 

originally built 

between 1076 

and 1108. In 

about 1400, the 

Cathedral’s spire, 

cloisters and bell 

tower were added. 

Herstmonceux Castle 

This 15th century brick-built 

castle hovers over a moat and 

is one of the oldest significant 

brick buildings still standing in 

England. 

Mermaid Street 

This narrow, 

cobbled street 

in Rye is lined 

with Medieval 

and Georgian 

properties and 

comes with tales 

of smugglers and 

ghosts. 

Lewes Castle 

Dominating 

the pretty town 

of Lewes, this 

Medieval motte 

and bailey castle 

was built just 

after the Norman 

conquest. There are 

great views from 

the top. 


Slindon and the Nore Folly walk 

This 5 km walk on the edge of the South 

Downs takes you through pretty beech 

woods and past the Nore Folly. There 

are all sorts of different routes you can 

take but you will need Ordnance Survey 

Explorer 10. 

Start 

Slindon in West Sussex is a very pretty 

village that dates back to the Domesday 

Book. There is parking at Park Lane, just 

south of the village or you can normally 

park roadside in the village, alongside 

the flint wall and near the church 

at: What3Words:crunch.emulated. 

winemaker 

Slindon Estate is made up of 3,500 

acres of Sussex woodland, farmland and 

downland. From the wall where you have 

parked, you walk north west out of the 

village until the narrow lane bends sharply 

to the left. Follow the bend around and 

after a short distance, you’ll see a small 

turn to your right downhill which you 

take. You’ll also start to get the first 

glimpses of the folly on the hill opposite. 

Nore Folly 

Warnham Woods 

Bluebell Walks 

Lift your spirits with a cobweb blasting winter wander 

or plan a bluebell and wild garlic extravaganza 

with one of these three walks! 

Slindon, Nore Folly 

Nore Wood 

After you’ve been walking roughly a 

kilometre, you’ll come to Courthill Farm 

and the footpath clearly signed to your 

left up to the folly. The path is easy to 

follow and from it, you take the first 

footpath to your right which takes you 

directly to the feet of the folly where there 

is a bench from where you can enjoy the 

views. The folly was built in about 1814 

to provide work for villagers during the 

depression following the Napoleonic 

Wars. Apparently, after it was built, the 

landowners held picnics there. 

Nore Wood 

When you’re ready, follow the footpath 

into Nore Wood (if you’re looking at the 

folly, go right). This is gorgeous ancient 

woodland which is famed for its bluebells 

in spring and its golden beech trees in 

autumn. Just follow the footpath that 

leads you around the wood bearing left as 

you go, back down a long path with views 

back towards the folly and towards the 

lane where you started. From there, it’s a 

short walk back to the village. 


Warnham walking 

If you want something a little longer that 

in spring will be awash with wild garlic 

and bluebells, then this 10 km walk is 

for you. You will need Ordnance Survey 

Explorer 34. 

Start 

Park in Tilletts Lane in Warnham 

near Horsham at approximately 

What3Words:protester.clouding. 

gossiped. If you are facing downhill, turn 

right into the fields and walk in a straight 

line across two large fields until you drop 

down to a path in the woods (Benland 

Wood). You turn right onto this. 

In spring, these woods are carpeted in 

blue, and you follow the path through 

them until the end, when the footpath 

reaches Northlands Road. Turn left and 

follow it for about half a km (look out for 

the rather beautiful folly on your right) 

until you see a signed footpath down 

what looks like a driveway or farm track 

to the left. Follow that past Pear Tree 

Farm until you come to the road (the 

A29). Cross straight over the road and 

drop down into a wild garlic valley. 

This is quite an incredible spot, with a 

sea of white flowers and the heady scent 

of garlic. Follow the path through and 

as it climbs gently before bending right. 

There is a footpath sign at the bend, off 

to your left, and you take this. This leads 

across open fields to another little wood 

which should be covered in bluebells 

called Charman’s Gill. Walk through 

the woods, and as you emerge, turn left 

towards Charman’s Farm. Do look out 

for the footpath signs because they are 

easy to miss. 

From Charman’s Farm, you cross a field 

and then follow the edge of White’s 

Copse woods, sticking to the footpath. 

As you enter White’s Copse, you join the 

old Roman road of Stane Street, but it 

isn’t marked or visible. 

Warnham Walk 

Warnham Tower 

The Chequers 

Rowhook and The Chequers 

The footpath eventually brings you out 

in the little village of Rowhook and not 

far from The Chequers Inn (a great place 

for a pit-stop which is also dog friendly). 

Follow the road around as it bends to the 

left (with the pub on your right) and after 

a little row of houses, you’ll see a footpath 

to your left. 

Now just follow the footpath home. First, 

it takes you through a little wood and then 

across fields and down a long gentle hill 

to the A29 which you cross. Keep going 

straight on the footpath which takes you 

across another field, down to a river and 

bridge, and then you slowly climb up 

across fields until you reach the footpath in 

Benland Wood where you started. 


Chelwood vachery 

The gardens 

have a 

magical and 

abandoned 

feel and are a 

special place 

to visit at any 

time of the 

year but in 

the spring, the 

surrounding 

woods are 

a haven for 

bluebells. 

Ashdown Forest abandoned 

garden 

In East Sussex, Ashdown Forest is famed 

for its views, bluebells and woodland 

walks. There are so many walks to choose 

from but why not try this 3.5 km walk 

at Chelwood Vachery. You can park in 

one of the many car parks off the A22. 

The one called Trees is at approximately 

What3Words:shuffles.since.tailing. You 

need Ordnance Survey Explorer 135. 

The Vachery 

Chelwood Vachery is a large mansion 

built in 1905.These days, it’s a private, 

gated residential community and you 

can’t go in. However, the Chelwood 

Vachery Forest Garden, south west 

of the house, is no longer part of the 

private estate and is free to explore. The 

gardens have a magical and abandoned 

feel and are a special place to visit at 

any time of the year but in the spring, 

the surrounding woods are a haven for 

bluebells. 

The Forest Garden was created in 1910 

and has a series of lakes, ponds and 

waterfalls that cascade down the hill from 

the house to the valley below. A “gorge” 

was added in 1925 and a folly bridge was 

added in the 1930s. The Conservators 

of Ashdown Forest now own it and it 

is considered to have special historic 

interest. 

A short walk 

With the main house in front of you, go 

left and follow the footpath and around 

the edge of the private estate. This leads 

you to the first waterfall and lake. From 

there, you just follow the cascading water 

through the woods and down to the 

valley bed. Turn right and walk along to 

the folly bridge, from where you can loop 

back to the house. 


48 Hours in Sussex 

Top: Lamb House 

De La Warr Pavilion, 

Bexhill 

Rye Windmill 

Below: Rye Landgate 

48 Hours In Rother 

Grab a holdall for a weekend 

away that includes wine, jazz, 

ghosts, castles, Art Deco art 

galleries and coastal walks 

The Rother District of East Sussex has 37 

km of coast, a dozen historic towns and 

villages such as Rye, Winchelsea, Bexhill 

and Battle, ancient castles, art galleries 

and vineyards. It stretches from Camber 

Sands in the east, up to Wadhurst near 

Tunbridge Wells and down to Pevensey 

Bay (but it does not include Hastings). 

Friday afternoon arrival 

Start your 48 hours in Rye and spend late 

Friday afternoon exploring this small but 

hopelessly picturesque Medieval town 

with its cobbled streets and heady views. 

Arrive before 4 pm and you can climb 

up the church tower (St Mary’s Church 

right in the centre at Church Square) to 

get panoramic views of the town and visit 

the town’s ancient city gate. And make 

sure you take a stroll down Mermaid 

Street before sunset - it’s one of the most 

photographed streets in Britain. 

Jazz Bar and the place to go for an evening 

of jazz and cocktails! Or, if you’re an ale 

aficionado, head to the Rye Waterworks 

Micropub which you’ll find in an old 

water pump house. 

Top: Rye 

Right: Rye's Micropub 

Join us as we explore two very 

different districts of Sussex 

The wonderful county of Sussex is divided into a 

total of 12 districts and boroughs, each bursting 

with rich pickings ready to be explored. In the first 

of our new “48 Hours In” series, we explore the 

districts of Rother and Chichester. From history 

and culture to wine and walks, if you’re looking for a gloriously 

indulgent weekend, you’ll find it here! 

Friday evening 

There are lots of places to eat in Rye 

but if it’s atmosphere and history you’re 

after then try The George (which is a 

16th century coaching inn in the High 

Street), The Mermaid Inn (which dates 

back to the 11th and 14th century and 

comes with ghosts, hidden passageways 

and tales of smugglers) or The Old Bell, 

which has an 80 year old wisteria and 

was built in 1390 (you’ll find it in the 

Mint at the other end of the High Street 

to The George). 

Once filled with a sense of Rye’s charm, 

history and dinner, make your way along 

to The Grapevine in Conduit Hill (off 

the High Street), Rye’s Champagne and 

Saturday morning 

Having got your bearings last night, it’s 

time to explore this ancient Cinque Port 

and the surrounding area in a little more 

depth. Lamb House is not far from the 

church and is a National Trust property 

and the Ypres Tower is a museum. Both 

are worth a visit before you head out of 

town to Rye Harbour. There is a discovery 

centre here but you might just want to 

enjoy a cobweb blasting walk from the 

Martello Tower past the famous black and 

red fishermen’s hut along to the sea front 

to build up an appetite for lunch. And 

for this, try the Globe in the Marsh. It’s 

eclectic and you can try local produce like 

Rye Bay scallops or Hastings 1066 Gin. 


Saturday afternoon 

After lunch, head inland toward Battle, 

and the site of the famous Battle of 

Hasting in 1066 when William the 

Conqueror defeated King Harold as 

part of the Norman invasion. The main 

place to visit here is Battle Abbey and 

the battlefield. This will take a couple 

of hours and then there is just time to 

explore some of the shops up the High 

Street. There is a tap room, an antique 

emporium and antique jewellery shop as 

well as a deli and wine shop selling lots of 

local produce. 

Saturday night 

For Saturday night, check availability at 

Oastbook Vineyard near Robertsbridge. 

They host a Summer Party in June and 

fine wine and dining evenings. You can 

also stay there if you don’t want to drive. 

Or stick around in Battle for Tapas at 

Thorpe’s Wine Bar & Gin Emporium. 

Sunday morning 

You have a decision to make now. You 

can head to the coast for some culture at 

the Art Deco style De La Warr Pavilion 

in Bexhill, where they have an ongoing 

programme of exhibitions, concerts and 

events. If you do, make time for a walk 

along the Colonnade and then have lunch 

at the Sackville Bistro. If you go inside the 

building here, there’s lots of information 

about Bexhill’s motor racing past! 

Alternatively, from Battle head to 

Bodiam Castle, a 14 th century, moated 

National Trust castle that stands in ruins 

but is well worth exploring. In summer, 

you can also take a boat ride back to Rye 

from Bodiam Boating Station. Or simply 

head to one of the local vineyards like 

Carr Taylor or Oxney Organic Estate 

for a vineyard tour and tasting, and of 

course, to stock up with some vintage 

souvenirs to take home. 

Top: Ypres Tower 

Bodium castle 

Right: Bexhill 

Colonnade 

In summer, 

you can also 

take a boat 

ride back 

to Rye from 

Bodiam 

Boating 

Station. Or 

simply head 

to one of 

the local 

vineyards... 

Places to stay in Rye 

There are quite a few fabulously quirky 

places you might want to stay in Rye. 

There is Rye Windmill on the outskirts 

of the town, or of course, the famous 

Mermaid Inn. Alternatively, try Jeake’s 

House – a 17th century hotel also in 

Mermaid Street. 

10 miles from Rye, you’ll find Railway 

Retreats at Northiam where you can stay 

in a customised train carriage. 

Places to stay in Battle 

You could stay right on the edge of the 

battlefield and within walking distance 

of the Abbey at South Lodge – a twobedroom 

holiday cottage. 

Or try Powdermills Country House 

Hotel. It’s about a mile from Battle 

centre and has acres of gardens, park 

and woodland. 

Top: Chichester 

Right: Market Cross 

48 Hours In Chichester 

Pack light and get ready for a 

weekend of theatre, Romans, 

quaint harbours, grand works of 

art, festivals and vineyards 

The Chichester District of West Sussex 

includes the cathedral city of Chichester, 

idyllic Chichester Harbour and Thorney 

Island as well the historic towns of 

Petworth and Midhurst, a section of the 

South Downs and a number of awardwinning 

vineyards. 

Friday afternoon arrival 

Spend Friday afternoon and evening 

exploring Chichester. You can walk 

around the city via the Roman perimeter 

wall and then start exploring the city 

centre from Market Cross which marks 

the crossroads of the four main streets. 

You’ll see the cathedral and the sculpture 

of St Richard outside (the patron saint 

of Sussex) and if you have time, visit the 

Novium Museum which documents the 

area’s Roman history or Pallant House, a 

contemporary art gallery. 


Friday evening 

Friday evening really has to be all about 

Chichester Festival Theatre, and it will 

be worth planning your trip around 

what you want to see here. The theatre 

also has its Brasserie restaurant so you 

can eat without worrying about being 

late. If you don’t fancy the theatre, you 

could try dinner at the Fat Fig followed 

by cocktails at the Rocking Horse in 

Southgate or head to The Duke & Rye 

which is an old church that serves pub 

grub with live entertainment. 

Saturday morning 

Start the morning exploring some of 

the shops and boutiques in Chichester. 

There’s everything from Peter Hancock’s 

flea market in West Street to the artisan 

makers in The Hornet and Draper’s Yard 

at the other end of town and a whole 

host of eclectic retro boutiques in the 

Almshouse Arcade opposite Draper’s Yard. 

Saturday afternoon 

For lunch, head out of town to 

Chichester Harbour and the Crown and 

Anchor at Dell Quay. This 16th century 

building has stunning views over the 

Marina and as you might expect, lots 

of seafood dishes if that is your fancy. 

After lunch, burn off some of the excess 

by exploring Chichester Harbour. You 

can walk all the way around Thorney 

Island (it’s about 12 km) or potter 

around stunning Bosham (remember to 

pronounce it Bozzum if you don’t want 

to upset the locals) and don’t park on the 

harbour front if you don’t want to lose 

your car to the incoming tide. 

Petworth Fringe in September if you’re 

looking for entertainment. There are 

also a few good places to eat in Petworth 

which include The Angel (a Medieval 

inn which was believed to be one of the 

main venues from which Sir Winston 

Churchill planned the Normandy 

invasions) or the E. Street Bar and Grill. 

This year, E. Street Bar and Grill are 

hosting a series of exclusive wine dinners 

- each focusing on a different wine region 

from around the globe and including 

guided wine tasting paired with a menu 

inspired by the region. 

Clockwise: 

Chichester Harbour 

Boxgrove Priory 

Tinwood and Tinwood 

accommodation 

Petworth 

Petworth hall and 

Petworth House 

Chichester Cathedral 

Centre: Bosham 

17th century National Trust property 

with vast parklands and an incredible 

collection of art along with its famous 

staircase and grand murals. 

Sunday lunch, before you 

head home 

Turn your tail back south to the Tinwood 

Estate at Halnaker for a Tapas style lunch 

in their vineyard kitchen restaurant or for a 

private picnic in the vineyard. If you have 

time, finish with a walk up to Halnaker 

Windmill with its views across the south 

and to the ruins of Boxgrove Priory, both 

within a short distance of Tinwood. 

Places to stay in Chichester 

Harbour Hotel Chichester is a boutique 

hotel with spa and in-house restaurant 

in the heart of Chichester. Or stay in 

a luxury lodge at Tinwood with views 

overlooking the vines and a jacuzzi. 

Places to stay in Petworth 

Voted one of the Best English Country 

Hotels, The Angel Inn in Petworth has 

seven beautifully designed rooms. 

Saturday night 

When you’re ready, head north east to 

Petworth for the night. Coincide your 

visit with Petworth Festival in July or 

Sunday morning 

Have a mooch around Petworth 

including the Antiques Market and 

Petworth House. Petworth House is a 

Just outside Petworth is a former 

Petworth Railway Station built in 1892. 

You can stay in their converted Pullman 

railway carriages or in the main Station 

House itself. 


Dog Friendly 

Sussex 

Want to get out and about to explore Sussex 

with your four-legged friend? Don’t worry, 

we’ve got you covered. 

Dog friendly National Trust 

We’re lucky that most of the National 

Trust sites in Sussex are dog friendly. You 

can take your dog into the grounds of 

Bodiam, Bateman’s, Sheffield Park, Birling 

Gap, Petworth, Standen, Nymans and 

Uppark. You are however nearly always 

required to keep them on a short lead. 

Dog friendly beaches 

Some Sussex beaches do have dog 

restrictions during high season but there 

are also a number of beaches where 

dogs are welcome all year round. These 

include Holywell Beach (dogs must be 

under control), Cooden Beach, Normans 

Bay and Cuckmere Haven Beach (in 

some areas your dog may need to be on 

a lead). In West Sussex, Felpham Beach, 

Climping Beach, Shoreham Beach and 

East Head Beach (dogs need to be on a 

lead) are dog friendly all year. 

The South Downs and 


Both the South Downs and Ashdown 

Forest are great places to go for a hearty 

walk with your hound. You do need to be 

aware of any livestock or sensitive wildlife 

areas where your dog may need to be on 

a lead. If you’re worried about stiles, there 

are also at least six “Miles Without Stiles” 

footpaths on the South Downs and you 

can get details from the South Downs 

National Park website. 

Other dog friendly attractions 

Borde Hill Gardens and Wakehurst, both 

near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, 

welcome dogs on leads and Wakehurst 

also has a new off-lead area. You can also 

walk in the parklands at Parham House 

in West Sussex (dogs on lead). Dogs are 

also allowed in the outside area at Battle 

Abbey (on a lead) in East Sussex and in 

Parham House Gates 


35

Judith Dandy 

Independent Funeral Director 

Dandelion Farewells warmly invites you to contact us if 

In East Sussex, at Rathfinny Estate dogs 

are welcome in their accommodation 

and there is a self-guided vineyard tour 

which is open to dogs (well they do 

like to learn). Similarly, at the Bluebell 

Vineyard Estates near Uckfield, there 

are three self-guided trails through the 

vines and woodlands, and dogs on leads 

are welcome. These are great during 

bluebell season. 

you have any questions about the funeral you need 

to arrange. 

We are committed to enabling families to plan a funeral 

that is personal, meaningful and affordable. 

We will support you to create a farewell that is appropriate 

and unique, thereby taking away much of the strain of 

Luxury doggie stays 

planning such a significant event. 

Rathfinny 

Ashdown Park 

the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle 

(although currently closed, hopefully will 

reopen soon). 

Dog friendly vineyards 

With so many vineyards in Sussex, 

it’s perhaps no surprise that many of 

them are dog friendly. In West Sussex, 

try Wiston Estate where dogs are 

welcome at outside tables at their Chalk 

restaurant, and on the estate’s public 

footpaths. At Kinsbrook not far from 

Horsham, all dogs are welcome in the 

restaurant and around the vineyard 

(although not in the farm shop). 

In West Sussex, Bailiffscourt Hotel 

and Spa at Climping offers luxury dog 

friendly accommodation. Goodwood 

Hotel also prides itself on being dog 

friendly and dogs can join you in the 

Farmer, Butcher, Chef restaurant or at 

The Kennels clubhouse. And Goodwood 

even host their own annual Goodwoof 

event which celebrates all things canine. 

In East Sussex, for a bit of canine luxury, 

The Grand in Eastbourne is open to 

hounds and gives doggy goodie bags 

to their four-legged guests. Ashdown 

Park Hotel is also dog friendly, and you 

can walk your dog in their surrounding 

parkland. Four-legged guests here receive 

their own dog basket, blanket and bowls 

for the duration of their stay. 

We will be with you every step of the way. 

Church View, Billingshurst Road 

Wisborough Green, West Sussex RH14 0DY 

www.dandelionfarewells.com 

e: judith@dandelionfarewells.com 

t: 01403 701001 m: 07769 336022 


FOOD 

FOOD 

Tuscan 

Chicken 

Vanessa Jamieson shares this quick to make 

favourite with flavours of Italy 

Tuscan chicken – serves 6 

For the chicken… 

Ingredients: 

12 large skinless chicken thigh fillets 

3 tbsp olive oil 

4 tbsp plain flour 

3 tsp paprika 

2 large onions, diced 

2 red peppers, diced 

3 garlic cloves, minced 

12 cherry tomatoes, halved 

60 g sun blushed tomatoes, chopped 

200 g baby spinach 

300 ml double cream 

300 ml chicken stock 

125 g grated parmesan cheese 

Fabulous Foraging & 

Home Recipes 

Becci Combes of Hygge Style shares three naturally wholesome and easy to 

make recipes made with locally foraged ingredients 

Wild garlic & lemon butter 

When the spring weather 

refuses to play nicely, this is 

a great winter recipe that still 

has hints of summer! 

I do love dishes that you can prep in 

under 30 mins. It’s also good to make 

beforehand and reheat if you have guests 

over. I’ve served this with Parmesan 

roasted potatoes as, let’s face it, now is 

no time to be thinking of your summer 

body, although it would also be lovely 

with French bread, pasta or rice. 

Method: 

Mix the flour and paprika and season 

with salt and pepper. Toss the chicken 

pieces into the bowl and coat well. 

Heat the oil in a large casserole pan 

and fry the chicken until each piece is 

browned and crisp. You will need to do 

this in batches. Set aside. 

Add the onions, pepper and tomatoes to 

the pan and fry for approximately 5 mins 

or until soft. Add the garlic and fry for 

another 30 seconds. 

Add in the sun blushed tomatoes and 

stock and bring to the boil. Add the 

chicken back to the pan and transfer to 

the oven. Cook at 180 degrees for around 

30-35 mins until the chicken is cooked 

through. 

Remove from the oven, add the cream 

and spinach and stir until the spinach has 

wilted. Then add the parmesan cheese 

and serve. 


FOOD 

FOOD 

Wild garlic & 

lemon butter 

Wild garlic is abundant at this 

time of year and can be found 

on damp verges and woodlands 

throughout the countryside. 

Best picked while it is still 

young, as the season progresses from February to 

June the leaves become slightly tougher and stronger 

in flavour. Add a few leaves to stir fries and stews or 

make this fabulous garlic butter. We love it melted 

over fresh pasta, spread over some crusty baguette 

with some fresh prawns or, best of all, served on top 

of a lovely steak and chips! 

There are a few rules to remember when foraging; 

only take as much as you need and try to spread 

out your picking so you don’t deplete just one area. 

Avoid areas of high traffic pollution and always 

harvest away from areas where dogs might have been 

active. Lastly, accurate identification is essential, 

especially when it comes to poisonous plants, 

fungi and berries; there are many apps and online 

resources available to help make sure you are picking 

the right thing, and a weekend foraging course is 

always a fun and educational experience. 

In terms of identification, you know you’ve got 

the right plant by the strong odour of garlic when 

harvested (the only things you might mistake it for 

are lords and ladies or lily of the valley). Both of 

these plants are toxic but don’t have that obvious 

fragrance when picked, so double check with a good 

foraging book before you head out! 

The leaves will last for a good week if placed in a 

glass of water and stored in the fridge door. 

Becci is winner of 

F:entrepreneur100, BT's Best 

Home Business of the Year and 

Remote Worker Awards and The 

Mumpreneur 100. You can find her 

at Hygge Style 


Ingredients: 

250 g unsalted butter 

25 g wild garlic (a good handful) 

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon 

1 teaspoon sea salt 

A good grinding of fresh black pepper 

Method: 

Allow the butter to come up to room temperature 

and soften. Rinse the leaves and then either give 

them a good whizz in a salad spinner or drain and 

pat dry with a kitchen towel. 

Chop the leaves as finely as you can, then beat into 

the butter along with the salt, pepper and zest. You 

may find some moisture comes out of the leaves and 

separates slightly, if so just soak it up with a little 

more kitchen paper. 

Spoon the butter out onto a piece of cling film into a 

rough sausage shape, then fold the sides of the cling 

film up so it is wrapped up. 

Roll the sausage backwards and forwards a few times 

so it becomes a nice even log, then set in the fridge 

to firm up. 

Unwrap the cling film then roll the butter in a sheet 

of greaseproof paper. 

The butter will keep for up to two weeks in the 

fridge but can be stored in the freezer (wrapped in 

cling film) for up to six months, so you can just slice 

off a piece when you need it. 

Nettle pesto 

Nettles (Urtica dioica) are a fantastic 

superfood, fun to forage and best of 

all, free. Bang full of vitamins and 

minerals, once prepared they are 

great in any recipe where you would 

use spinach. We love them stirred through fresh 

pasta with a little butter and salt, or in a quiche 

with cheese and bacon. 

This easy nettle pesto recipe is very versatile; I’ve 

made it with cheddar and cashew nuts instead 

of the parmesan and pine nuts and my son ate 

most of it with a spoon. Pick the top four leaves 

of the nettles (wearing gloves!) when they are 

young and green in the spring; avoid them after 

mid-May when they start to flower and the stalks 

become woody. 

Again, there are a few rules to remember when 

foraging; only take as much as you need and try to 

spread out your picking so you don’t deplete just 

one area. Avoid areas of high traffic pollution and 

always harvest away from areas where dogs might 

have been active. Lastly, accurate identification is 

essential, especially when it comes to poisonous 

plants, fungi and berries; there are many apps and 

online resources available to help make sure you 

are picking the right thing, and a weekend foraging 

course is always a fun and educational experience. 

(Eating nettles should be avoided if you are taking 

blood thinners or diuretics or are pregnant). 

Ingredients: 

1 colander full of nettle tips 

50 g parmesan 

1 chopped garlic clove 

50 g pine nuts 

A good squeeze of lemon juice 

150 ml olive oil 

A pinch of salt 

Method: 

Nettles need to be prepared to destroy their stinging 

hairs. Wash them well, then bring a large pan of 

water to the boil. Drop the leaves into the hot water 

and blanch for two minutes, before scooping them 

out with a slotted spoon. 

Rinse them under cold water then squeeze all the 

excess liquid from the leaves (at this stage we usually 

drink the cooking liquid as nettle tea, with a drop of 

honey to sweeten it). 

Place the nettles in a blender with the parmesan, 

garlic, lemon juice, salt and pine nuts and blitz to 

a paste. 

With the motor still running, drizzle in 125 ml olive 

oil and continue to blend until the ingredients are 

thoroughly combined. Pour into a clean glass jar and 

top with the remaining oil; if stored in the fridge 

the pesto will last 2 weeks. Serve with fresh pasta, or 

drizzle over fish or warm salads. 

41

FOOD 

FOOD 

Dandelion 

honey 

Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are 

a wonderful sight in late spring and 

early summer, as their sunny little faces 

proliferate across garden and hedgerow. 

Traditionally used as a herbal treatment 

for digestive issues, liver health and as a diuretic, 

dandelion is packed full of antioxidant, antiviral 

and antibacterial properties, and best of all it can be 

foraged for free. Young tender leaves can be added 

to salads (although they do grow bitter as they get 

tougher), the roots dried to make a coffee substitute 

and the flowers fermented into country wines. 

Dandelion honey is my favourite way to use the 

blooms, with the fragrant confection having a taste 

and texture similar to honey. Spoon over scones and 

cream, pour over pancakes, spread over croissants 

and toast, or use as a filling in a Victoria sandwich; I 

particularly love it with Greek yoghurt and muesli. 

As with all foraging, ensure the plants have not been 

sprayed with any chemicals and are picked from a 

dog-free area! The flowers are also beloved of bees as 

unusually they contain both nectar and pollen so try 

not to pick too many from any one spot. The one 

main issue with harvesting them is that as they grow 

very close to the ground, picking them involves a 

lot of bending down; for this reason I would suggest 

involving the help of some younger family members 

who can just crawl efficiently across the grass. If 

you don’t get enough petals on your first foray, you 

can always pop them in the freezer until you have 

gathered enough for the recipe. 

Ingredients: 

150 dandelion heads 

500 g jam sugar (or granulated with 

85ml liquid pectin) 

500 ml water 

1 tbsp lemon juice 

Sterilised jam jars 

Method: 

Leave the flowers spread out on a garden table for 

a few minutes so any little creatures can make their 

escape. Don’t wash them, as this will remove the 

pollen. 

Prepping the dandelions is probably the fiddliest part 

of this recipe so again I would utilise the labour of 

helpful children. Remove the petals either by snipping 

them off with scissors or by tearing the flowerheads 

in half and then pulling the petals out; the object is 

to remove them without including any of the green 

bracts, as this can make the jam bitter. 

Place the petals (bar a scant handful) in a large pan, 

add the water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 

a couple of minutes then allow to cool and steep 

overnight to make a dandelion tea. 

If you don’t have a sugar thermometer now is the time 

to pop a saucer in the fridge. Pour the dandelion tea 

through a fine mesh sieve, squeezing the petal pulp 

with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, 

before discarding the petals. Measure the strained tea 

and if necessary, top it back up to 500 ml with water. 

Add the tea, lemon juice and sugar to a large pan and 

place on the stove, stirring until all the sugar has been 

dissolved. 

Now add the remaining petals, bring the mixture to 

a rolling boil (stir in the liquid pectin if using) and 

continue to boil until the jam has either reached 104- 

105 C or it passes the wrinkle test. To do this, drip a 

little of the jam onto the cold saucer and leave it to 

cool; it should wrinkle when pushed gently with your 

finger. 

Leave the honey to cool for fifteen minutes before 

skimming any scum off the top and potting into 

warm sterilised jars and labelling. 

The 


Foodie 


FOOD 

FOOD 

As always, for fine food and drink lovers we have a round up of 

some of the best Sussex foodie experiences and producers 

Main picture: 


Left: 

Ben Griffin, bringing 

in the catch, Rye 

Oysters from Rye 

Sussex Producers and 

Foodie Experiences 

Springs’ Smokery, West Sussex 

Springs’ Smokery in Edburton, West 

Sussex was established back in 1964 as 

a family affair, using traditional smoked 

salmon techniques. And even though 

Springs’ has recently changed hands, 

those traditions hold good and are still 

used today. 

Their head smoker Nick has worked with 

them for thirty-five years. They still hand 

fillet every side, cure with just salt and 

hang smoke in their brick kilns for over 

24 hrs using only whole oak logs. 

Signature products include Smoked 

Salmon, Hot Smoked Flaky Salmon, 

Sweet Cure Gravadlax, Whiskey Smoked 

Salmon and they do tours. 

Rye Fish Market, East Sussex 

Inspired by continental fish markets, Rye 

Fish Market have their own lobster tanks 

and cook their own lobsters, crabs and 

whelks too. They also fillet and prepare 

your fish any way that you like and even 

help with preparation and cooking tips. 

They now have a fully licensed Seafood 

Bar serving fresh, locally caught, cooked 

and prepared fish and seafood including 

fresh oysters. Their fish is all caught 

by boats in Rye and along the Sussex 

coastline. Their bread is made by local 

artisan bakers: brioche by Andrew at the 

Oak Bakery and sourdough by Rye’s own 

self-proclaimed Lazy Baker Richard at 

The Whitehouse. And they have local 

wines from Charles Palmer, Mountfield 

and Chapel Down. 

MooCoco, Storrington, 

West Sussex 

MooCoco is a small boutique and 

bespoke artisan chocolaterie specialising 

in making traditional hand filled 

chocolate truffles and chocolate gifts. 

They describe themselves as “a haven 

and a sanctuary. A place of nostalgia, 

luxury and indulgence”. Where they 

can, they use local ingredients and they 

have won 2* and 1* Great Taste awards 

for their chocolate truffles, and have 

also won both silver and bronze awards 

and multiple commendations from the 

Academy of Chocolate. 

Gigi’s Bread Making Experiences, 

Hove, East Sussex 

Each bread making class here is tailored 

to the individual in small groups of up 

to four and you leave with beautiful 

warm bread to enjoy at home. The 

classes are seasonally themed with food 

to accompany the bread, and spring 

and Easter breads are described as 

representing “the return of sunlight 

and awakening of the soul”. Your host 

and teacher, Gigi, uses her own city 

garden for herbs and vegetables. She 

also supplies bread to local health food 

stores and is a member of Stoneham 

Bakehouse, a bakery run by volunteers 

in her local community. Classes include 

sourdough and focaccia making. 


Tottington Manor Terra 

Restaurant, West Sussex 

If you’re looking for a restaurant 

that majors on using locally sourced 

ingredients, then look no further 

than this South Downs restaurant. 

They cook everything from scratch 

in their own kitchen using South 

Downs cheese, butter and bread. 

Their lamb is from the fields 

opposite, their seafood from 

Newhaven and the furthest anything 

travels is their beef from Surrey. 

Their fruit and vegetables are 

sourced from Chef’s Farms, and they 

have a fabulous selection of Sussex 

wines which includes Court Garden, 

Ridgeview, Kinsbrook, Plumpton, 

Albourne, Bolney and Poynings. 

With a footpath from almost directly 

outside the restaurant, you can climb 

Tottington Mount and Edburton 

Hill to build up an appetite first. 

Top: Tottington 

Manor 

Middle: Tottington 

Manor and The Bell 

Bottom: The Bell 

So You Think 

You Know Easter 

Test your Easter knowledge with our Adam Jacot quiz 

1. Of which country does Easter 

Island form part? 

2. What is the Sunday before 

Easter Day called? 

3. In which novel does the heroine 

make an Easter trip to Rosings 

Park, home of Lady Catherine de 

Bourgh? 

4. During the 1916 Easter Rebellion 

in Dublin, which building became 

the headquarters of the leaders 

of the rebels? 

5. What is the name of the 40th 

day after Easter? 

Sussex Dialect question 

6. The pejorative phrase “bunny boiler” 

for an unstable woman is derived 

from which film? 

7. On what street in New York does 

the city’s famous Easter parade take 

place? 

8. Who was the first person to speak 

to Jesus after he had risen from the 

dead? 

9. Which is the only Shakespeare play 

that mentions Easter? 

10. Who was famous for producing 

beautifully ornate eggs? 

The Bell at Ticehurst, 

East Sussex 

The Bell was originally a coaching 

inn dating back to the 1560s. More 

recently, it was awarded two rosettes 

for culinary excellence in 2023, and 

again, uses locally sourced fresh 

ingredients, like their eggs which 

are delivered by foot (or sometimes 

by horse). 

Their menu includes wholesome 

classics like braised beef brisket, 

salted caramel tart and a Sussex 

cheese selection and their drinks 

menu includes Sussex gins 

like Generation 11, and wines 

from Chapel Down, Blackboys, 

Rathfinny, and Bluebell vineyard. 

Our quiz master, Adam, tests your knowledge of Sussex dialect. 

Can you guess the correct definition of the word: wippance? 

A) A scarecrow made of old garments 

B) The bar on which the traces of a horse are hooked, and by 

which he draws his load 

C) The second swarm of bees in the same season 

You’ll find 

the answers 

on page 94. 


47

The Chequers at Rowhook 

Fine dining at a unique Sussex gastropub 

As the days get longer and the weather improves, it’s the 

perfect time for bluebell walks, days out with family, 

catching up with friends and special occasions. So why 

not join us at The Chequers Inn for a special Sunday lunch, a 

quick bite and a catch up or an evening meal? 

Featuring in the AA, Michelin and Master Chefs of Great Britain 

guides, you’ll find a menu that offers a contemporary take on 

classic British and French-inspired cuisine, with every dish 

freshly-prepared in the country kitchen. We also have a carefully 

chosen selection of wines to pair with your meal as well craft 

beers and spirits. 

Our menu changes seasonally but you can expect the delights 

of dishes like homemade Severn & Wye smoked trout paté with 

sweet pickled Kohlrabi & horseradish cream, crispy confit duck 

on mashed potatoes, Savoy cabbage, French beans, sherry vinegar 

& lentil du puy jus and Belgian chocolate mousse with praline, 

berries & chocolate soil. 

The historic 15th century building sits on the edge of ancient 

woodland and Stane Street (the original Roman road to London) 

and just south of the Sussex Border Path, a well-known local 

walking trail. 

On a cold day, you’ll be greeted with roaring fires and a warm 

welcome at the bar. With two restaurant areas, this is where friends 

and family can come together to enjoy a superb dining experience. 

Outside, you’ll find plenty of space with a sunny vine clad terrace 

and a large garden where you can see the 

kitchen gardens and home-grown produce. 

Ideal for those warmer spring days. And of 

course, The Chequers Inn is dog friendly 

with dog treats on the bar and water on 

request! 

With an outstanding reputation for fine 

food, excellent wines and service, The 

Chequers is one of the top Sussex foodie 

destinations for 2024. 

Booking is recommended. Plenty of free 

parking available. 

Call now to book or to find 

out more: 

The Chequers Inn 

Rowhook Road, Horsham 

RH12 3PY 

thechequersrowhook.com 

01403 790480 


OPEN 

MORNING 

SATURDAY 

2 MARCH 

Transformation 

through 

education 

Christ’s Hospital: 

The leading independent 

boarding school for fee 

assisted places 

Musical excellence 

and student success at 

Christ’s Hospital 

T: 01403 246 555 

E: hello@christs-hospital.org.uk 

Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, 

West Sussex RH13 0LJ 

www.christs-hospital.org.uk 

Registered Charity No. 1120090 

All photographs 

© Toby Phillips 

Photography 

Christ’s Hospital Year 13 

student, Gabriel, has been 

offered a full scholarship to 

study for an undergraduate 

degree in Vocal Studies at 

the Royal Academy of Music in London. 

This prestigious full scholarship is 

extremely rare, particularly given Gabriel’s 

young age. 

From September and over the fouryear 

course, Gabriel will study under 

the tutelage of a faculty that includes 

international opera singers such as Sir 

Thomas Allen and Susan Bullock CBE. 

What makes this even more remarkable is 

that Gabriel only started singing a couple 

of years ago, making this a great accolade 

for the school’s music department and a 

fantastic achievement for Gabriel. 

Music at Christ’s Hospital 

Music sits at the very heart of life at 

Christ’s Hospital and is intrinsically 

linked with the school’s identity, 

traditions and vision. Of course, it 

provides an academic pathway for those 

that wish to pursue it beyond their time 


Those that 

sing or play an 

instrument may 

find themselves 

playing sideby-side 

with 

world-renowned 

English 

Chamber 

Orchestra 

musicians, 

performing 

at Lord’s and 

Twickenham 

(RFU) 

at the school but equally important, the 

immersive nature of music at Christ’s 

Hospital brings with it many pastoral 

benefits and life skills that equip students 

for future success. Music lessons are 

heavily subsidised and with social 

mobility central to the school’s mission, 

music creates an important method for 

achieving this. 

An astonishing number of 

musical opportunities 

There are over 630 music lessons held 

every week at Christ’s Hospital with 

over 60% of students learning at least 

one instrument. The school has five pipe 

organs on site, four bands, and dozens of 

different choirs and ensembles including 

the Chapel Choir, the Gospel Choir and 

the elite Schola Cantorum. From gospel 

to jazz, and from orchestra and chamber 

music to musical theatre, both planned 

and impromptu concerts take place 

throughout the week. 

Those that sing or play an instrument may 

find themselves playing side-by-side with 

world-renowned English Chamber 

Orchestra musicians, performing at Lord’s 

and Twickenham (RFU) or writing, 

directing and performing their own music 

in front of peers. All supported by the 

nine resident members of staff and 34 

Visiting Music Teachers which include 

five singing teachers; three classical 

specialists, and a jazz and pop specialist. 

Of course, the school’s famous Band 

(made up of over 100 musicians) often 

takes centre stage, playing in the school’s 

quad four days a week and taking part 

in the annual City of London parade, 

the Lord Mayor’s Show and marking 

the end of the academic year with a 

Beating Retreat. All Christ’s Hospital 

students hear live music at least five days 

a week (be that the Band, Chapel Choir 

or one of the two lunch time concerts) 

and all students also take part in the 

much-acclaimed annual house singing 

competition. 

New Director of Music 

Gabriel 

In September 2023, James Bartlett MA 

(Cantab) joined Christ’s Hospital as 

Director of Music. Mr Bartlett read music 

at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, 

where he held a choral scholarship and 

sang with Sidney Sussex College Choir 

and King’s College Choir. In addition 

to his responsibilities at school, he’s a 

professional singer, course director and 

safeguarding lead for the Rodolfus Choral 

Courses, and musical director for the 

National Youth Music Theatre. 

The importance of music 

Apart from academic excellence, Mr 

Bartlett is unwavering in his belief in the 

importance of music in student life. 

‘The ability to play an instrument or sing 

and perform with others undoubtedly 

equips students with the life skills they 

will need in the future. Discipline, 

perseverance, and internal motivation go 

hand in hand with confidence, teamwork 

and pride in your work. But as a school 

with students who often come from 

complex backgrounds, music is a great 

equaliser. It offers opportunities for 

success, and it also offers emotional safety. 

There is science that suggests playing 

an instrument or singing in a choir 

improves cognition, memory and 

health and there is plenty of anecdotal 

evidence that musical qualifications are 

valued by graduate schemes because 

of the blend of skills and personal 

characteristics employers know music 

graduates will possess.’ 

Asked about the future of music at 

Christ’s Hospital, Mr Bartlett, is 

equally clear, 

‘I am a "traditional" musician, but 

my formative years were spent in 

contemporary music. As such, when it 

comes to the future of music at Christ’s 

Hospital, I believe we have to embrace 

three key areas: tradition, innovation 

and community. 

First and foremost, we have a 

responsibility to maintain the school’s 

musical traditions and exceptionally high 

standards. That is part of who we are. 

But we do also need to make sure 

that music is relevant to students and 

everyday life, and that means we need to 

amplify opportunities for contemporary 

music, whether that’s rap, rock music 

or musical theatre. Traditional and 

contemporary music should be afforded 

the same rigour and respect, and they can 

and should go hand in hand together. 

There is 

science that 

suggests 

playing an 

instrument or 

singing in a 

choir improves 

cognition, 

memory and 

health 

Finally, and of equal importance, we 

must also think about how we can 

benefit our community. Music in schools 

nationally is in decline, and with our 

facilities and traditions, we have a 

responsibility to create opportunities for 

others. We already do a lot of work with 

local primary schools, but we plan to 

extend what we do.’ 

In the meantime, Gabriel’s success is both 

a well-deserved and exciting example 

of what can be achieved when you have 

that combination of opportunity, talent, 

support and drive. 

Find out more about this extraordinary 

school at: 

www.christs-hospital.org.uk 


Good News 

for Weary 

Sussex Walkers 

Friends of the South Downs has installed more distinctive 

benches for the weary walker along the South Downs Way 

Many walkers have 

told Friends of the 

South Downs (FSD) 

that there is very 

little provision to sit 

down and rest along the South Downs 

Way, which runs from Winchester to 

Eastbourne. Since May 2021, the day 

we proudly revealed the first bench at 

Saddlescombe, we’ve been funding and 

managing an ongoing project to provide 

seats at intervals along the entire length of 

the iconic route. 

The newest additions to this series can 

be found at Salt Hill, Tegleaze and 

Chanctonbury Ring. 

At Salt Hill, our bench installer Nathan 

Blatherwick has skilfully carved an owl 

from the unique shape of the wood he 

has used. South Downs Way walker Lucy 

Pitts commented ‘I walked the SDW. 

Day 1 was the toughest and at 10k I 

decided to have my first stop. It was quite 

a remote spot but there was a FSD bench. 

It may seem silly ... but it felt really 

special. It was at a point I was doubting 

my abilities. And there you were. And 

it sort of cheered me on. So never 

underestimate the power of a bench!’. 

At Tegleaze, a bench was installed in 

December with the image of a fox. As 

Nathan was installing it, FSD walkers 

happened to walk by, just in time to lend 

a hand! 

Now, the seventh oak seat along the 

South Downs Way has been installed at 

Chanctonbury Ring at the gate to the 

Dew Pond. This seat has been provided in 

memory of our late Policy Manager, Steve 

Ankers, who for 11 years guided our work 

on planning. 

On this bench, there is a small hidden 

carving and Steve’s wife and daughter have 

chosen a robin to remind them of him. 

Our wood is locally sourced and 

comes from the wonderful Northway 

Brothers who have a woodyard near 

Left: Salt Hill bench 

with walker 

© Tony Linturn 

Right: Salt Hill 

Bench with Nathan 

Blatherwick and 

walking group 

Chanctonbury Ring 

bench Jan 2024 

The robin on bench 

in memory of 

Steve Ankers 

Milland. Their business comes entirely 

from recommendations. FSD Trustee 

Caroline Douglas, Project Lead, had the 

recommendation from the Head Forester 

at the Leconfield Estate in Petworth, 

home of our Patron Lord Egremont, 

where the brothers get their Forest 

Stewardship Council approved oak. 

Friends of the South Downs benches for 

ramblers in need of rest can now be found 

at Saddlescombe, Ditchling Beacon, 

Salt Hill, Gander Down, Beacon Hill, 

Tegleaze and Chanctonbury Ring, so lots 

of picnic stop opportunities with a view! 

See if you can find the different hidden 

carving on each one. To find out more 

about the work of the FSD, please visit 

us here. 


BOOKWORM 

In The 

Library 

BOOKWORM 

Pull up a chair and dig into the pages of two local but very different 

Sussex authors and their books 

Tawny Owl Wood 

By Louise A Shaw 

The Tawny Owl Wood series 

are children’s books written by 

Littlehampton author Louise 

Shaw. The series were inspired by 

her childhood spent in Angmering 

Woods and the stories told by her 

very spiritual grandmother, along 

with a desire to tackle some of the complex issues that today’s 

children have to navigate. 

As a mother of four children, and a writer with dyslexia, Shaw 

deals with issues like anxiety, living with Tourette’s, personal 

identity, and diversity and inclusion. She hopes that by doing 

so she can help encourage more open family conversations and 

change attitudes. 

Each book is different, but the series includes beautiful 

illustrations and colourful characters whilst weaving enchanting 

stories and adventures of woodland folk that captivate young 

minds and sparks the flame of imagination. 

The series transport little readers to magical realms where 

talking animals, brave heroes, and fantastical adventures come 

to life on the pages. With the use of simple but clever language 

and thought-provoking tales, the author opens up some of the 

big issues of today in a thoroughly engaging way. 

Available to order: 

www.tawnyowlwood.co.uk 

Arundel The Dark Side 

By Martin Alderton and 

Karen Alderton 

Martin and Karen are collectively 

Arundel Tour Guides who love the town, 

its stories, its history and its community. 

Sharing and listening, bringing tales and 

new facts into their tours, always finding 

new ‘old’ pictures and adding them to 

their files. 

They have written a number of books 

about Arundel including Arundel, 

a Postman’s View and Arundel the 

Dark Side. 

And so to The Dark Side… 

‘Stories of ghosts and hauntings; every 

town, village, relic, ruin, church or 

manor has them and Arundel has them 

in abundance. All our stories are the firsthand 

accounts of others with one or two 

stories having been passed down through 

families growing up, working and playing 

in and around the town. 

From feelings of dread or cold, to 

visitations of nuns or the sound of 

crying, all written about, many times in 

many books, these are local, these were 

‘real’ to the inhabitants of our town. 

The spirits of lost children, a French 

Governess, manifestations of people 

who had already passed away, from 

accidental death to suicide, all leave a 

certain presence, sometimes only felt or 

seen by a few. Like the haunted woods 

of Binsted or the crying lady at the top 

of Hiorne Tower in the Park, the Godiva 

of Slindon so cruelly murdered, these are 

all stories that have been passed through 

generations, told and re-told in hushed 

tones bringing chills to listeners or 

readers alike. 

Mischievous, is a description we heard a 

lot when writing the book, whether it’s 

blowing candles out, turning lights off, 

moving things. Like the Youth Club’s 

lost keys, at lock-up time, after an hour 

or two searching, they appeared in the 

middle of a pool table, with two cues 

crossed over them. 

The Headless Ghost of the Earl of 

Arundel takes us back to Richard II, a 

story of pure fear, treason, execution 

and nightmares and the story of Jack 

Upperton, Arundel’s own Dick Turpin, 

well not quite, he tried once and failed 

miserably, being hung and gibbeted on 

Burpham Down all for £1 or so. 

Smugglers, Gibbets, Murder 

and Exorcism 

Arundel was the murder capital of Sussex 

for 30 years around the 1960s. Not just 

in the town, but the area too. From the 

bodies of men pulled from the river 

to young ladies, maids, old ladies and 

custom men.’ 

Available at Arundel Bookshops and eBay 


How to create 

sustainable living 

at home 

Shaun Penticost from Holmewood Interiors explains how 

they’re working hard to create more sustainable homes 

Sustainable living and doing what 

we can to reduce the unnecessary 

depletion of the world’s 

natural resources, is playing an 

increasingly important part in 

the way we all live. I firmly believe that 

looking after our customers, staff, and 

our precious planet to the very best of 

our abilities, are all equally important. 

Therefore, for Holmewood Interiors, 

the responsible sourcing of sustainable 

materials, eco-friendly technology 

and our reuse, recycle and reduce waste 

initiatives, play an integral part in how our 

business operates. 

What sustainable living 

actually means 

Did you know that for a room or home to 

be considered sustainable, the design must 

respect earth’s natural resources and optimise 

energy and water use too? In addition, the 

durability of low-impact, high performance 

and high-quality materials that have to be 

manufactured, shipped and installed in an 

efficient way, must also be assured. 

So our pride in our work means that we 

only use the best materials, from the UK’s 

best manufacturers, wherever possible. 

And we take care to source eco-friendly, 

sustainable material and technology 

options, wherever possible. By doing this, 

we help our customers to be proud of their 

stylish and newly created rooms, in the 

knowledge that they are helping to preserve 

the earth’s resources and reduce their 

energy consumption too. 

Using sustainable materials 

For kitchens, bedrooms and home offices, 

the predominant natural material is 

wood. This comes in many forms starting 

with solid wooden boards and laminate 

worktops through to the composite boards 

that are used in many cabinet shells. We 

work closely with our manufacturers 

to supply products sourced from FSC® 

and PEFC accredited forests. These have 

the highest environmental and wildlife 

standards, and guarantee that all cut trees 

are replaced. With some suppliers, up to 

40% of the wood used in the chipboard 

cabinets is recycled material. 

Extending this to appliances, we look at 

the impact the product’s materials have 

on the environment, as well as the energy 

saving benefits. Steel has a substantial 

carbon footprint and is a product of 

the environmentally damaging iron ore 

mining. As a result, many manufacturers 

are now trying to use more recyclable 

materials and components that include 

aluminium, glass and brass if at all possible. 

However, steel is 100% recyclable and easy 

to recycle too. 

Smart technology to cut waste 

and energy costs 

Fridges and freezers account for up to 

15% of a household’s energy usage. 

We always look to recommend energyefficiency, 

combined with good ecofriendly 

credentials, but how does this 

actually translate to sustainability in 

your home? 

Smart technology means that many 

appliances have a power saving mode. 

Some fridges and freezers include sensors 

that monitor when they are not opened 

and reduce the cooling systems running 

times accordingly. One smart fridge 

with an internal camera allows you to 

check directly from the supermarket 

to see what you have, thus avoiding 

the purchase of unnecessary items and 

reduced food waste too. 

Smart ovens also come with a wide range 

of energy saving controls. One of our 

favourites is a built-in baking and roasting 

sensor to switch the oven off at the exact 

point your food is cooked. Taking it one 

step further, some ovens also have Wi-Fi 

technology to connect to your phone and 

send you a message when the cooking 

process has finished. 

Conserving Water 

In tests conducted by Which? earlier this 

year, it was found that “dishwashers are, 

on average, four times more water efficient 

than washing by hand per place setting.” 

Most dishwashers and washing machines 

have eco modes, shorter cycles or 

economy washes, with a quick wash using 

the least water and a cold wash saving 

Taking it one 

step further, 

some ovens 

also have Wi-Fi 

technology to 

connect to your 

phone and send 

you a message 

when the 

cooking process 

has finished. 


We support people with aphasia after a stroke 

or brain injury, with drop-in groups 

acrosss the UK. 

80% in energy costs. But to be even more 

environmentally friendly, some machines 

are now made from recycled materials 

too. So take a closer look at the energy 

ratings, and the carbon footprint, if you 

are really looking to be more sustainable. 

And then Quooker taps instantly supply 

boiling and chilled water to save both 

energy and water resources. Just think 

about how much water you waste by 

running a tap to get it hot to wash up, or 

cold to drink! 

We make sure we do our 

part too. 

So going back to our reuse, recycle and 

reduce waste ethos, we do our part too. 

When stripping out old units at the start 

of a project, all waste material is separated 

into wood and metal so that each can be 

correctly recycled. In addition, we use a 

specialist wood recycling company that 

then processes our waste and recycles it 

for chipboard production. 

We have also upcycled some of the units 

we strip out and have installed them into 

local sporting and community projects, 

and we separate all packaging and recycle 

wherever possible too. 

So you can see, sustainability is 

important to us. If you would like any 

further information, or more tips on 

how you can create your room to be 

proud of in a sustainable 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. 

! * 

# ? 

APHASIA IS A COMMUNICATION DISABILITY WHICH 

OCCURS WHEN THE COMMUNICATION CENTRES OF 

THE BRAIN ARE DAMAGED. 

IT IS USUALLY CAUSED BY A STROKE, 

BRAIN HAEMORRHAGE, HEAD INJURY 

OR A BRAIN TUMOUR. 

APHASIA MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO READ, WRITE AND SPEAK 

SAYAPHASIA.ORG 


GARDENING 

Create the Garden 

Wow-Factor 

Practical advice and 

inspiring ideas to help 

you create a garden with 

wow this summer from 

gardening feature writer, 

Geoff Stonebanks. 

It’s hard to believe but this year 

marks the 16th year that I have 

been opening my own garden, 

Driftwood, to the public. It is 

also a long time to enjoy and feel 

enthusiastic about the task of getting 

it ready. I’m often asked by returning 

visitors how I renew and refresh 

my gardening enthusiasm each new 

gardening year. If I’m being honest, it’s 

not hard. Once my garden closes in the 

late summer, I start thinking about what 

small changes can be made to help create 

a slightly different feel to the space for 

visitors the following year. 

Sometimes it’s small, cosmetic changes 

and other times bigger projects, 

depending on how my imagination runs 

riot. The same rule of thumb would be 

true for me, whether I opened the garden 

to others or not, because it’s important, 

in my book, to have the garden looking 

the best it can possibly be for friends and 

family or paying visitors. But before we 

get on to the creative part, at this time of 

year, there’s some groundwork to be done. 

page 62: dogwood 

Top: planted up chair 

Garden tidy up 

At this time of the year, on dry crisp 

days, it is a good idea to clear away 

soggy, collapsed stems of perennials and 

compost/discard them. I’ve got some 

wonderful hellebores in the beach garden 

and have just removed foliage marked 

with black blotches, to limit the spread of 

leaf spot disease. 

Check that any small alpines in your 

garden don't become smothered by 

fallen leaves and other wind-blown 

debris, resulting in them rotting away. 

If you have some displays of winter 

pansies and other bedding then make 

sure you deadhead regularly, and remove 

any foliage affected by downy mildew. 

Don’t forget to check on any plants in 

your greenhouse to ensure they have not 

dried out. 

Mine is so crammed full of plants, 

it is quite difficult to get around and 

access them all. I’ve always felt like I 

was completing a jigsaw each autumn, 

trying to pack everything in. I always 

find it quite useful to employ a moisture 

meter to check the compost before 

watering. Any plants that are overwatered 

through the winter stand less 

chance of survival. 

Planting inspiration 

A perfect indoor task now is to look 

through spring catalogues and choose 

some annuals to have delivered. I 

usually buy most from a local nursery 

in Eastbourne but also get some online 

as well. I never set out with a plan of 

what colours I want to use throughout 

the garden. As far as the nursery is 

concerned, I go and look what they have 

and then buy what I like. 

Once back in the garden, I decide what 

looks best where. For the last few years, I 

have trialled several new plants from a wellknown 

company and reported back on 

how they have fared in my coastal plot. 

Keep records 

Why not list all the plants you buy so 

that you don’t forget what you’ve got! It 

is inevitable that visitors or friends might 

ask what certain plants are and it can be 

embarrassing if you don’t know. In recent 

years, I have logged mine down so that I 

can recall their names if asked. It’s a good 

idea, even if you don’t open your plot, as 

friends and family may ask! 

If you rely on plant labels, they can fade 

or go missing, so why not get yourself 

a notebook that you can record your 

purchases throughout the year! It might 

be an idea to leave a bit of space under 

each entry so you can write details about 

the plant as the year goes on. Make 

sure you record where it is planted too 

and you’ll be surprised how much of a 

valuable resource this can become over 

time! A new one I bought and recorded 

last year was the beautiful red dogwood 

which looks great at this time of the year. 

No one wants a soggy petunia! 

As part of my desire to ease the burden 

of opening the garden to the public by 

simplifying the layout and complexity of 

planting, I still needed it to have the wow 

GARDENING 


GARDENING 

GARDENING 

factor. So now, the many containers, 

packed to the gunnels with annuals, 

creating vast canopies of colour, are no 

longer a main feature of the garden. 

Part of the overall plan for creating 

the new sunken garden was drastically 

to reduce the number of containers 

throughout the plot. The weather over 

the last few years has tended to beat 

their contents down and there is nothing 

worse than a soggy petunia! 

Creating interest 

The continued challenge this spring for 

me will be to create interest from the 

amazing sculpture in the garden and to 

create mini vistas that catch the visitors’ 

eye as they wander around. A new 

piece bought last autumn creates a real 

impact. The stainless-steel fish will take 

centre stage in the back garden. I already 

have much rusty metal which goes so 

well with the bank of up-ended railway 

sleepers, and the use of specimen palms 

and shrubs, that had disappeared into the 

previous layout, will now come into their 

own and be fully appreciated. Smaller 

pieces like the metal hare also look great. 

New ideas, big impact, small 

outlay! 

How about you? Did you succumb to 

any New Year resolutions about your 

own plot? 

And are you wondering how to make 

a big difference in the garden for a 

relatively small outlay? This has been 

something I’ve tried to do every one of 

the past 16 years. My garden is made 

up of many small components, be they 

sculptural pieces to be relocated around 

the plot, creating a different feel or new 

ideas or themes to change a corner or 

Top: metal hare on 

display on garden 

shelf 

Fish sculpture 

Bottom: hellebore 

argutifolius at 

Driftwood 

vista across the garden. So, here’s a few 

recycling ideas that I’ve used over the 

years that can really make a difference in 

your own plot. 

Recycle and re-use 

If you are taking out an old fireplace, 

wooden or metal, consider erecting 

it as a set piece in the garden, placed 

against a fence. Then plant up the grate 

and decorate with succulents. You can 

see old downpipes sections here too, 

used as planters above the mantle. 

Likewise, if you have an old dining 

room chair, take the cushion section 

out and replace with a container and 

plant up with summer annuals spilling 

over the side, it will look wonderful 

on a balcony, patio or as a centrepiece 

in a larger garden display. Or you can 

use it as a stand for pots of succulents, 

as I did last summer at Driftwood. 

Alternatively, check out your local 

recycling site and see if one is available. 

Anything goes 

Look out for old enamel kitchen 

colanders, I’ve seen many for sale on 

my recent travels and they make great 

outdoor planters for succulents as a 

centrepiece on a garden table. In fact, 

think twice before you discard any old 

junk. I’ve an old vintage typewriter, 

rusting on a table, with small pots of 

succulents arranged around it, which is 

much commented on by visitors. Over 

the years I’ve gathered a small collection 

of old wooden handled garden tools and 

stuck small metal birds on the handles as 

a cheap piece of unique garden sculpture. 

You’d be surprised how many visitors 

comment on them and wish they had 

done the same, before getting rid of their 

old tools. 

Never discard leaky old metal watering 

cans either, you can repurpose them as 

a feature in amongst your planting to 

great effect. 

A fun project 

And finally, a fun idea for your garden 

this year might be to take a photograph 

from the same point, on the same date 

in each of the 12 months of the year! 

Maybe using several points of interest. 

This is something I’ve done over the 

years and it is quite surprising to look 

back at the collection and actually see 

the changes, across both the months and 

the seasons of the year! I’m planning 

to do the same throughout 2024 with 

both my beach garden at the front of the 

house and the main garden at the back. 

It also helps to remember how a corner 

looked and possibly inspire you to make 

some changes. 

Happy gardening. 

You can find out more about Geoff and 

his award-winning garden at: 

www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk 

Top left: current metal 

fireplace 

Top right:vintage 

typewriter 


Beautiful Sussex 

Windows & Doors 

Beautifully crafted 

HAND-MADE 

timber windows & doors 

Timber Windows Horsham manufacture and install beautiful, hand crafted, 

traditionally styled timber windows and doors. 

Their strength is in their 

attention to detail and as a 

result, over the last 15 years, 

Timber Windows have 

led the market in terms of 

unique design, quality of construction 

and performance. If your home is in need 

of an update and or home improvements, 

then your journey should start with 

Timber Windows. 

Explore the range 

Visit their showroom in a beautiful 

Sussex barn (which has won a Sussex 

Heritage award) just outside Horsham 

in West Sussex and view a huge range 

of high-quality windows and doors as 

well as ironmongery and other finishing 

options. You can take your time here as 

you discover the different choices that are 

available and get a feel for what you like 

and what you don’t. 

Meet the team 

Timber Windows are a small team with a 

lot of experience, and they’ll be on hand 

to discuss different options from double 

glazed hardwood sash windows for 

Victorian terraced houses to stormproof 

casements for modern apartments, 

windows for conservation areas or grade 

II listed buildings and different doors. 

They can show you plenty of before and 

after examples of what a difference new 

windows and doors can make and are 

always happy to share their expertise and 

experience. 

Traditional style with 21st 

performance 

Their windows and doors are designed 

to enhance and transform the look of 

your home. 

But it’s not all about looks and Timber 

Windows deliver 21st century technology 

and quality. You can expect 30 years 

of fungal and insect protection, 12 

years paint guarantee and 10 years 

guarantee in respect of the hardware and 

wordsmanship. They also have their own 

fitters so you know the work will be done 

by someone you can trust. 

Book an appointment to visit their 

showroom and take the first step towards 

a beautiful looking home. 

CALL 01403 732822 

THE REASSURANCE OF DEALING WITH A local SPECIALIST 

Timber Windows of Horsham install the 

award-winning range of hand-made, engineered 

timber casement windows, sash windows and doors 

throughout Sussex and surrounding areas. 

Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian 

semi, a modern townhouse or a converted barn, we 

have a range of traditional and contemporary timber 

windows and doors that will complement it perfectly. 

Our beautiful timber products do not stick, warp or 

twist, require very little maintenance, offer modern 

standards of security and significant energy savings. 

www.timberwindowshorsham.co.uk 

enquiries@timberwindowshorsham.co.uk 

visit our showroom: 

Unit 1, Blunts Yard, Newbuildings Place, 

Dragons Green Road, Dragons Green, 

Horsham RH13 8GQ 

Tel: 01403 732822 


The Old Vicarage © Judi Lion 

Inspirational 

Easter Gardens 

Support a good cause and visit some of these stunning NGS Easter gardens 

Easter is a time to celebrate new life. Outside, a surge of regrowth is turning 

land green and sprinkling it with bright bulbs, blossom-clouded trees and 

the cheerful movement of freshly woken animals. Well, here’s hoping! 

Geoff Stonebanks, Publicity Officer for the National Garden Scheme in 

East & Mid Sussex says: “Why not plan a visit to one of our beautiful 

gardens over the Easter period and get the most out of the magic in the air?” 

This year, the Easter long weekend is early and takes place between 29th March (Good 

Friday) and 1st April (Easter Monday). Why not make the most of the sparkling 

spring season and plan a visit for the whole family to one of his suggested gardens? 

Don’t forget, they all serve delicious refreshments too with full details on all gardens 

found at www.ngs.org.uk 

Maundy Thursday 28th March, 

Easter Monday 1st April & 

Thursday 5th April 

The Old Vicarage, The Street, 

Washington, RH20 4AS. 

10am to 5pm with pre-booking essential on 

28th March and 5th April. Pay on gate or 

pre book online for Easter Monday ONLY, 

entry £7. 

Enjoy 3½ acres of beautiful gardens set 

around an 1832 Regency house. At the 

front, formally laid out topiary with a 

wide lawn, mixed border and stunning 

contemporary water sculpture. The rear 

features new and mature trees from the 

19th century with herbaceous borders, a 

water garden and stunning uninterrupted 

views of the Downs. The Japanese garden 

with waterfall and pond leads to a large 

copse, stream, treehouse and stumpery. 

Each year 2000 tulips bulbs are planted 

for spring. WC available. 

Good Friday 29th March 

Judy’s Cottage Garden, The Plantation, 

Worthing, BN13 2AE. 

10.30am to 3.30pm, entry £5. 

A beautiful, medium sized, cottage 

garden with something of interest all 

year round. The plot has several mature 

trees, creating a real feeling of seclusion. 

The informal beds contain a mixture of 

shrubs, perennials, cottage garden plants 

and many spring bulbs. There are little 

hidden areas to enjoy, a small fish pond 

and other water features. There is also a 

pretty log cabin overlooking the garden. 

Easter Saturday 30th March & 

Easter Monday 1st April 

47 Denmans Lane, Lindfield, Haywards 

Heath, RH16 2JN. 

1pm to 5pm, entry £7. 

This beautiful and tranquil one acre 

garden was described by Sussex Life 

as a ‘garden where plants star’. It has 

been created by the owners over the 

past 20 years and is planted for interest 

throughout the seasons. Spring bulbs 

are followed by azaleas, rhododendrons, 

roses and herbaceous perennials. The 

garden also has ponds, vegetable and fruit 

gardens. There will be an extensive choice 

of perennial and annual bedding plants, 

plus home-made jams for sale. 

Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th April 

Butlers Farmhouse, Butlers Lane, 

Herstmonceux, BN27 1QH. 

2pm to 5pm, entry £5. Open by 

arrangement too, call 01323 833770. 

Set in a lovely rural spot, this oneacre 

garden surrounds a 16th century 

farmhouse, providing views of the South 

Downs. It is very pretty 

in spring with daffodils, 

hellebores and primroses. 

Quite a fun, quirky garden 

with surprises round every 

corner including a rainbow 

border, small pond, Cornish 

inspired beach corners, a 

poison garden and secret 

jungle garden. Plants for sale. 

Top: Judy’s Cottage 

Garden 

Denmans 

Bottom: Butlers 

Farmhouse 

Why not make 

the most of 

the sparkling 

spring season 

and plan a visit 

for the whole 

family to one of 

his suggested 

gardens? 


Weird & Wonderful 


Top: The Garden 

House 

South Grange 

BY ARRANGEMENT for groups 

of 10 plus from 15th March 

The Garden House, 5 Warleigh Road, 

Brighton, BN1 4NT. 

Entry £6. Call 07729 037182 or 

Email: contact@gardenhousebrighton.co.uk 

One of Brighton’s secret gardens. The 

garden aims to provide year-round 

interest with trees, shrubs, herbaceous 

borders and annuals, fruit and vegetables. 

There are two glasshouses, a pond and 

rockery as well. A friendly garden, 

always changing with a touch of magic 

to delight visitors, above all it is a slice 

of the country in the midst of a bustling 

city. Plants for sale. 

BY ARRANGEMENT for groups 

of 5 plus from 1st March 

South Grange, Quickbourne Lane, 

Northiam, Rye, TN31 6QY. 

Entry £6. Call 01797 252984 or 

email belton.northiam@gmail.com 

This is a Hardy Plant Society members’ 

garden with a wide variety of trees, 

shrubs, perennials, grasses and pots 

arranged into a complex garden display 

for year-round colour and interest. See 

raised vegetable beds, wildlife pond, 

water features, orchard, rose arbour, soft 

fruit cage and living gazebo. There is a 

house roof runoff diverted to storage and 

pond. Visit the small area of wild wood. 

Throughout there is an emphasis on 

planting for insects. They try to maintain 

nectar and pollen supplies and varied 

habitats for most of the creatures that 

share the garden, hoping that this variety 

will keep the garden in good heart. 

Home propagated plants for sale. 

Why support the NGS? 

In 2023, the National Garden Scheme 

donated a record total of £3,403,960 

thanks to the many visits made to the 

gardens opening for the scheme. 

This represents a superlative achievement 

by the garden owners and county team 

volunteers who together worked tirelessly 

to host open days at 3,389 gardens across 

the year. The lion’s share, £2,475,000 goes 

to some of the UK’s best-loved nursing 

and health charities, many of which have 

continued to provide vital support to the 

NHS and communities across the UK 

in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic 

and who are now struggling to provide 

services in the new cost of living crisis. 

The long-term nature of funding from 

the National Garden Scheme allows these 

charities to continue the provision of 

critical community nursing services, endof-life 

care and respite for families and 

carers across the UK. 

The National Garden Scheme relies 

primarily on the income generated 

by admission at its garden gates and 

through the sale of plants, teas and cake. 

Additional income streams include 

fundraising events such as online 

talks, garden parties, and commercial 

partnerships. 

For details of how donations are spent 

please refer to their Impact Report 2023, 

an online version can be found here: 

https://bit.ly/NGSImpactReport2023 

On our journeys around Sussex, we see many 

weird and wonderful things. Sometimes they 

jump out at you and say boo, sometimes they’re 

easy to miss, and sometimes they’re so weird they 

leave you scratching your head in wonder. So 

here are some of our favourites from the last few months! 

Weird trees 

Sussex has some wonderful trees and 

what’s not to love about these rock trees 

at Wakehurst, West Sussex and the face 

in a tree at Bateman’s near Burwash, East 

Sussex. And while you’re at Wakehurst, 

don’t forget to visit their resident 

dinosaur. 

The Piece of Cheese Cottage 

Yes, this really does what it says on the 

tin. It is a house that is shaped and 

painted like a piece of cheese. It’s in 

Hastings in East Sussex, was built in 

the 1870s and comes with a sign that 

says Mr & Mrs Mouse once spent their 

summer holidays here. 

Top: Wakehust 

Bateman's tree 

Wakehurst 

Cheese Cottage 


The Cat House 

Whilst we’re talking of unusual abodes, 

the Cat House in Henfield in East 

Sussex is so called because back in the 

18th century, the owner decorated his 

house with cats to seek revenge for the 

death of a beloved canary believed to be 

killed by the cat of Nathaniel Woodard, 

founder of the famous Woodard schools 

(Ardingly, Lancing and Hurst) and who 

lived nearby. 

The Chichester Road Gang 

Centurion Way is an 8.5 km cycle 

route in West Sussex that follows the 

old Chichester to Midhurst railway 

line. As you arrive on the outskirts of 

Chichester, you are met by an army of 

spade-wielding Roman workers called 

the Chichester Road Gang. They’re made 

from empty oxygen gas cylinders. 

Top: The Cat house 

Centurian Way 

Lullington Church 

Hardham Church 

Martyr's Church 

Wonderful churches 

You don’t have to be religious to be in 

awe of some of our amazing churches. 

Like Lullington Church in East Sussex, 

which is the smallest church in Sussex, 

and one of the smallest churches in 

the country, being 16 feet square, and 

seating only about 20. Berwick Church 

is just a short drive from Lullington 

and is decorated in the most incredible 

paintings by the Bloomsbury Set. 

Whilst over in West Sussex, Hardham 

Church near Pulborough is covered 

with Medieval frescoes and the English 

Martyr’s Church in Worthing has an 

identical copy of the Sistine Chapel on 

its ceiling! 

Now that’s weird but 

wonderful. 

North Laine, Brighton 

Grab a 


Bargain 

From flea markets and emporiums to 

charity and vintage shops, Sussex is a great 

place to look for that perfect retro find or 

money saving bargain 

Brighton and Lewes 

The obvious place to start your bargain 

hunt is in the North Laine district of 

Brighton. Tucked away in these narrow 

streets, you’ll find dozens of retro stores, 

several flea markets and all sorts of Bric 

a Brac shops. But if you don’t find what 

you’re looking for here, don’t despair, 

just head over to the Original Brighton 

Flea Market in Upper St James’s Street 

in Kemptown which is another great 

place to go for that retro bargain. 

The Original Brighton Flea Market folk 

also have a sister store in Lewes, in an 

old Methodist church in Market Street. 

You know you’re in for a treat as soon 

as you arrive because there are usually 

a number of random items on the 

forecourt. Dive in for the rummage of 

your life. There is vintage clothing, old 

records, home wares, art and furniture, 

jewellery and lots, lots more. 


73

Hastings Old Town 

The charismatic backstreets of Hastings 

Old Town are a great place if you’re 

looking for unusual finds. Try the Goods 

Depot for “20 th century antiques”, Butler 

and George which describes itself as a 

“Curiosity Shop. Antiques, Collectables, 

The Weird, The Wonderful. The Unique. 

Two floors of Curios…” (and look out for 

the snake climbing the wall), Hastings 

Antiques Warehouse (they even do 

AirBnB), Roberts Rummage (it does what 

it says on the door) and the Courthouse 

Cooperative, to name but a few. 

Chichester 

Chichester is another great haunt if 

you’re looking for retro. Peter Hancock 

offers you curio and antiques of every 

description. Then mosey on down to 

Almhouse Arcade in The Hornet. Here 

there are about 12 little shops selling all 

sorts of curiosities from vintage clothing 

to coins and collectible toys, and don’t 

miss Beyond the Fringe just outside the 

arcade. As you leave town, make one 

last stop at St Pancras / the A286 and 

Heritage Antiques. It describes itself as 

a “modern-day Aladdin’s cave” and has 

an eclectic mix of old and new furniture, 

garden ornaments, gifts, and oddities. 

Top: 

Hastings Old town 

Middle/Bottom: 

Chichester 

vintage finds from funky vintage glasses to 

Scandi jumpers, jewellery and maybe the 

occasional set of antlers. And they serve 

coffee and cake. 

Petworth 

While you’re still in West Sussex, a stop at 

Petworth Antiques Market is a must and 

they promise “Unique Antiques, Vintage, 

Kitchenalia, Memorabilia, Collectibles, 

Retro Relics, Pieces of the Past & Iconic 

Items”. There are lots of other independent 

stores in Petworth that make a trip here 

worthwhile. 

Hurstpierpoint 

For a smaller rummaging experience, 

you may be surprised to learn that 

Hurstpierpoint has a couple of little 

emporiums which include RetroSpective, 

an absolute treasure trove for the forager. 

On two floors, it’s crammed to the rafters 

with vintage items and antiques, home 

and soft furnishings, upcycled items, and 

pretty much everything in between. You 

could lose yourself for a considerable 

period of time here but when you’re done, 

hop along the High Street a few steps 

to Café Murano. Here you’ll find more 

Newhaven Flea & Carboot 

For the ultimate bargain head to 

Newhaven, where once a month (on 

the 3rd Saturday) 30 stalls are yours to 

peruse at the Hillcrest Centre. 

Charity shops of Sussex 

Almost every town in Sussex has at least 

one charity shop, and these are a great 

place for some high quality and unique 

second-hand finds. 

Happy hunting! 


in one’s surroundings. In modern 

times, decluttering has become more 

pertinent as a consumer culture has 

led to accumulation of items that can 

overwhelm both our homes and minds. 

space at a time, while others may choose 

a category-by-category method. I have to 

say, as a Feng Shui Consultant, I always 

declutter the area I need to focus on in 

my life. 

In a Feng Shui consultation, I always go 

to the area of the house/office that has 

the most clutter as this is the clue to what 

is going on in the house owner’s life. 

You need to set time aside but don’t stress 

yourself out and try and do it in a day or 

two. An hour at a time is great and you 

will not feel under pressure then. 

Why we 

all need a 

good 

declutter 

Feng Shui consultant, Janine Lowe, 

explains the importance of a good declutter 

for both our minds and our wallets 

Spring is nearly upon us, and it is the 

perfect time to declutter your home 

and office. 

So, I hear you say, what is decluttering 

and why should I do it? 

Decluttering is not just about organizing 

your physical space – it’s a comprehensive 

process that involves reassessing your 

relationship with the objects around you 

and redefining your living environment 

to enhance mental clarity, emotional 

wellbeing, and even financial wealth. 

I am sure many of you have heard of 

the “KonMari” method. Developed by 

Marie Kondo, she encourages people to 

keep only those things that speak to the 

heart, and discard items that no longer 

spark joy. This method is not just about 

creating order but also about establishing 

a more mindful and introspective 

relationship with our own possessions. 

The concept of decluttering goes 

back to ancient philosophies that 

emphasize simplicity and harmony 

Clutter in the north affects our careers. 

Clutter in the northeast affects our 

wealth. 

Clutter in the east affects our family and 

our romantic life. 

Clutter in the southeast affects our good 

fortune. 

Clutter in the south affects our fame and 

relationship with ourselves. 

Clutter in the southwest affects our 

relationship with our partners. 

Clutter in the west affects our creativity 

and the ability to have children. 

Clutter in the northwest affects our 

interaction with helpful people. 

Clutter in the centre of our house affects 

our health. 

The psychological impact of decluttering 

is significant. A cluttered environment 

can trigger stress and anxiety, whereas a 

decluttered living area helps us to make a 

clearer and stress-free mindset. 

Financially, decluttering can be equally 

as beneficial. By selling unwanted items, 

one can generate additional income. 

More importantly, the process of 

decluttering often leads to more mindful 

consumption habits, which can result in 

long-term savings. It promotes the idea 

of quality over quantity, encouraging 

purchases that are more thoughtful and 

intentional. 

The process of decluttering can be 

tackled in various ways. Some prefer a 

room-by-room approach, taking one 

1. Start small perhaps with a drawer or a 

shelf. 

2. Have four sorting boxes: keep, 

discard, donate and sell. 

3. Set times and work in shorts bursts to 

maintain focus and energy. 

4. Visualize the end result to keep you 

motivated. I also play loud music like 

Pink, but that’s up to you. 

5. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used an 

item in a year, it is probable that you 

don’t need it. 

6. Consider the lifecycles of your 

items and strive to recycle or donate 

as much as possible. What was 

fashionable when you were 20 years 

old may not suit you now, but a 

younger person may love and wear it. 

7. Decluttering is an ongoing process, 

not a one-time event. Book some time 

into your diary each month to revisit 

areas you have already decluttered just 

in case you left something out of habit 

rather than purpose. 

Decluttering is also an opportunity to 

rediscover items that you have forgotten, 

or revisit memories from the past which 

can be a cathartic experience. It is a 

chance to let go of the past and make 

room for new experiences and possessions 

that will add value to your life. 

My final word on decluttering is that it 

is an act of self-care that can improve 

our daily lives. The key is to start small, 

be consistent and focus on the positive 

changes that decluttering can bring. 

The concept of 

decluttering 

goes back 

to ancient 

philosophies 

that emphasize 

simplicity 

and harmony 

in one’s 

surroundings. 


How taxing is a 

side hustle? 

Recent alarmist headlines 

warned that HMRC were 

rolling out a new “side hustle 

tax” which would affect 

people selling on platforms 

like Vinted and Depop. There followed 

a flurry of panic that if, for example, 

you sell second-hand clothes online you 

could end up paying tax on the money 

you make. However, the headline is 

misleading, so in this post we take a closer 

look at the new side hustle rules. 

The new rules 

Although new HMRC rules came into 

force in January 2024, there is no new tax 

on side hustles. The rules relate to reporting 

requirements between various online 

platforms like Vinted or Depop and HMRC. 

They do not create new tax obligations. 

From 1 January 2024, UK-based 

online platforms are required to collect 

information about people who make 

money through their platforms and send 

this information to both HMRC and 

to the individual themselves. There is a 

specific time period within which the 

information collected must be sent. 

The information that will be collected will 

be in respect of your identity, National 

Insurance number and the money you 

receive through the platform. All new sellers 

now have to share their National Insurance 

number with the sale platforms. From 

2025, all existing sellers will also have to 

share their National Insurance number. 

Which platforms are affected? 

The rules are quite complex but UK-based 

platforms that help facilitate transactions 

between sellers of goods and services and 

customers are affected. In other words, 

platforms like Vinted and Depop. But it’s 

important to note, if you’re selling via an 

overseas platform, although they may not 

be affected by these rules, the platform 

may be caught by their own country’s 

rules, and any information collected 

there, may eventually be shared with 

HMRC in the UK. 

Which sellers are affected by the 

new rules? 

If you make money, for example by 

selling second hand clothes or other items 

via online platforms, you may be affected. 

But that does not necessarily mean you 

will have to pay additional tax. 

The rules do not apply to those who sell 

a few personal belongings every now 

and again (i.e. you’re just having a clear 

out), but you will be caught by the rules 

if you’re buying and selling with the 

intention of making profit (as you will be 

deemed to be “trading”). 

What are the tax obligations when 

selling via a side hustle? 

Regardless of the new rules, you are 

always responsible for complying with the 

UK’s tax obligations. Therefore, it is your 

responsibility to check what, if anything, 

you are required to do in order to be 

compliant. For this reason, it is important 

to keep records of any sales, so you know 

how much you have received. Thereafter, 

your obligations are as follows: 

• If you are in employment, you can 

earn up to £1,000 a year extra from 

an online side hustle without having 

to pay tax on it. This is your tax-free 

trading allowance. 

• If you are not employed (for example, 

you’re self-employed), you can earn 

up to (but no more than) £1,000 

without having to pay tax or having to 

register as self-employed and file a Self- 

Assessment tax return at the end of the 

financial year. 

• If you’re self-employed and your sales 

exceed £1,000 in a given tax year, 

then you’ll need to do a tax return. If 

you’ve never done one before, you’ll 

need to register for Self Assessment 

first. If you haven’t done this yet, 

contact HMRC as soon as possible. 

How much tax will I have to pay? 

If you do have to pay tax, how much 

will depend on your circumstances 

and how much you have earned. You 

have a tax-free personal allowance. The 

basic personal allowance is £12,570 for 

2023/24. If that applies to you, you will 

pay tax on any profits made over that. 

Profit is any money made after you 

deduct any allowable expenses. The rate 

of tax you’ll need to pay will depend on 

your income tax band. The current tax 

band for earnings between £12,571 and 

£50,270 is 20%. 

High-value items may be liable for 

Capital Gains Tax which is 10% if 

you’re earning up to £50,270 in total 

and 20 % if you’re earning above that 

threshold. 

Other points to bear in mind 

If you’re reselling old personal items for 

less money than you originally bought 

them, you won’t need to pay any tax, 

even if you make over £1,000 a year. 

Similarly, you can resell gifts and not be 

deemed as trading, because you didn’t 

buy the original item with a view to 

making money. 

Get back to your side hustle 

The new rules don’t add any further 

responsibilities or obligations, to those 

which you already had, apart from 

having to answer a few extra questions 

when you sign up to an online 

platform. In fact, they should make 

your record keeping easier because 

information will be supplied to you. 

But you should still always keep your 

own records in any event. 

If you would like to discuss any of the 

issues arising from this post, 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 Phillips 

LLP based in 

Horsham and can 

be contacted on 

020 3195 1300 or 

stuart.ritchie@ 

ritchiephillips. 

co.uk 


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By Kat ee Jonees 

Connect Within 

Spring Retreat 

Bookings close 

16th February 

so book now 

to avoid 

disappointment 

Explore how nature and imagery can bring you inspiration, 

joy and a deeper sense of connection 

19 Apr 2024 17:00 - Sun, 21 Apr 2024 16:00 

Pickeridge Farm House, Cob Lane, Ardingly RH17 6ST 

Do you lead a full and busy 

life but still yearn for 

something more? Do you 

love the outdoors, beautiful 

imagery and colour? Does 

the idea of finding a deeper sense of peace 

and connection in life appeal to you? 

Experienced coaches and wellbeing 

practitioners, Kate Jones and Sarah 

Hardman, will guide you through the 

weekend. You don’t need to be artistic or 

a hardy outdoors type to enjoy this - all 

you need is a desire to open yourself up to 

the experience. 

You will leave refreshed, inspired and with 

a deeper sense of connection in your life. 

Forest Bathing and nature 

connection 

Nature connection through forest bathing 

involves slowing down and tuning into 

natural spaces in a slightly different way 

than you might usually do. You will 

be invited to connect with the ancient 

woodland with each of your senses using 

exercises which are designed to allow you 

to be fully present to your surroundings 

and which encourage your mind and 

body to rest. 

Playing with colour and imagery 

Visual Medicine is a transformative 

creative practice designed by artist and 

psychotherapist Suzette Clough. The 

practice involves painting, meditation, 

journalling and personal reflection. No 

lofty easels or art school qualifications here. 

Anyone can do this and produce beautiful 

results. Through scooping paint onto 

dampened paper, the beauty conjures itself. 

These two practices are beautifully 

complementary and provide a unique way 

of accessing a sense of connection and 

peace inside ourselves. 

Where you will stay 

You will stay at Pickeridge Farm Retreat 

in Sussex in a newly converted and ecofriendly 

barn tucked away in the Sussex 

countryside in a secluded valley of wild 

meadows and ancient woodlands. 

A little bit about Kate and Sarah 

Kate is passionate about how we can all 

be better companions to ourselves. “We 

are so often looking outwards for a sense 

of connection and belonging. But for 

me, there is great joy and peace in the 

connection I experience inside myself 

when I am in wild places and when I am 

painting, singing or writing.” 

Kate trained to be a Visual Medicine 

facilitator in 2021. She is also a certified 

coach with a passion for using creativity to 

enhance wellbeing in her clients. 

Sarah has a love of the outdoors and is 

never happier than spending time out 

in the elements. This is why she became 

a Forest Bathing Guide alongside her 

coaching practice. 

“For me the outdoors is like a partner that 

helps me feel more connected to myself 

and the world around me. When I’m Forest 

Bathing I have a feeling of belonging. I 

don’t need to be anything other than who I 

am when I’m in the woods”. 

... treat yourself 

with the gift 

of this spring 

retreat among 

the bluebell 

woods in 

the heart of 

the Sussex 

countryside, 

for a weekend 

of magic and 

inspiration 

For more information or to book: 

Connect Within 


HEALTH 

HEALTH 

Treating Shingles 

where it remains dormant. It reappears in 

the form of shingles, only if the immune 

system is weakened, or as a result of a more 

severe or lengthy illness, extreme stress, or 

treatment that has involved suppression 

of the immune system. Overall health and 

nutrition tend to determine the severity of 

illness and length of recovery. 

Dietary modification 

Whole grains and legumes provide B 

vitamins, which are important for nerve 

health. Eggs and fish provide vitamins 

B12 and B1, which are especially 

important in treating shingles. Yellow, 

orange and green vegetables - particularly 

carrots - and citrus fruits provide vitamins 

A and C, which assist in the healing 

of skin lesions. Green, leafy vegetables 

provide calcium and magnesium, 

important for the health of nerve endings 

and the transmission of nerve impulses. 

Lifestyle modification 

Stress and depression do seem to increase 

the likelihood of a shingles outbreak. 

How a stressful event is perceived 

appears to be more significant than the 

event itself. 

Nutritional supplement 

treatment options 

Adenosine monophosphate (AMP), 

a compound that occurs naturally in 

the body, has been found to be effective 

against shingles outbreaks. Double-blind 

trials have shown that AMP promoted 

faster healing and reduced the duration 

of pain of the shingles. In addition, it 

appeared to prevent the development of 

post-herpetic neuralgia. 

Vitamin B12 may relieve the symptoms 

of post-herpetic neuralgia. Injections are 

likely to be more effective, but results 

can also be seen with oral supplements. 

Vitamin E has also been shown 

effective in reducing the symptoms of 

postherpetic neuralgia, even in those 

who have had the problem for many 

years. Vitamin E oil can also be applied 

topically to the skin to relieve the pain. 

Several months of continuous vitamin 

What is Shingles? 

Varicella zoster, the virus that causes 

shingles, is a herpes virus. Shingles, or 

herpes zoster, is an acute infection caused 

by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. 

Shingles is known for its extreme pain 

and long recovery time, although not all 

infections are so severe. It typically appears 

along the branch of one nerve on one side 

of the body – most commonly along the 

back and chest or on the face. Initially the 

skin is highly sensitive and burns with pain. 

Shingles can also begin with general flu-like 

symptoms such as aching, chills and fever. 

Over the course of several days, the skin 

becomes red and very painful to touch. 

Water-filled blisters then emerge, which 

ultimately open and form crusts as they heal. 

In most cases, recovery occurs within 

about two or three weeks from the 

appearance of the rash, although the 

nerve pain can last longer. Scarring is 

rare. Nerve pain occasionally lasts for 

years, but this is much more likely in the 

elderly. Rarely, shingles on the face may 

affect the eye and lead to more serious 

complications. Shingles is more likely 

to occur in people over the age of fifty, 

though it can arise at any age. 

Causes 

The pain of shingles is caused by an 

inflammation of the affected nerve that lies 

just beneath the skin’s surface. After causing 

the childhood illness of chicken pox, the 

virus retreats into the nervous system 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHICKENPOX AND SHINGLES 

Chickenpox 

Shingles 

Chickpox can be passed on 

New varicella-zoster virus 

Itchy rash over body 

Milder illness 

Affects children more 

Shingles can't be passed on 

Reactivated chickenpox virus 

Painful rash localised 

More serious illness 

Affects adults more 


HEALTH 

E use may be needed in order to see an 

improvement. 

Vitamin C is excellent for supporting the 

immune system and acts as an antiviral 

agent. Vitamin C should be taken up 

to bowel tolerance and withdrawn from 

therapy on a gradual basis to avoid 

a rebound deficiency. Bioflavonoids 

improve the absorption and use of 

vitamin C in the body and should be 

taken as well. 

Phenylalanine relieves pain as it inhibits 

the breakdown of the body’s own 

endorphins. 

Other supplements that may help 

include zinc and coenzyme Q10. Drink 

aloe vera juice daily, as well as green 

juices. 

Botanical treatment options 

The hot component of cayenne pepper, 

known as capsaicin, is useful to relieve 

the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia. 

Topical application of capsaicin cream 

has been shown to greatly reduce the 

pain. Two or more weeks of treatment 

may be required to get the full benefit 

of the cream. 

Licorice is sometimes used as a topical 

agent for shingles and post-herpetic 

neuralgia. Glycyrrhizin, one of the 

active components of licorice, has 

been shown to block the replication of 

Varicella zoster. Licorice gel is usually 

applied three or more times per day. 

Licorice gel is not widely available but 

an adequate alternative is to mix licorice 

tincture with an aqueous gel or cream 

and apply. 

Echinacea in high dosages works well for 

pain control. The tincture can be taken 

hourly or more often as required, but this 

is not recommended for long-term use. 

Topical therapies 

During an outbreak, apply healing clay 

or quark compresses. Once the blisters 

have started to dry: 

Vinegar compresses help to relieve nerve 

pain. After the shingles attack subsides 

and the blisters dry up, mix 1/2 cup of 

apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water, 

moisten a clean cotton face-cloth with 

the solution and rub the affected area 

upwards towards the heart 

Alternatively, use a mix of 1 part tea tree 

oil with 10 parts olive oil or any other 

cold-pressed oil. Warm the mixture and 

apply to the painful area two to three 

times daily until pain subsides 

Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to warm 

water to wash the affected areas. Pat dry 

with a cotton cloth and apply drying 

powder to open blisters or dab on 

fresh plant extract of lemon balm and 

calendula 

Cabbage-leaf poultices help absorb toxins 

and speed healing 

Other suggestions 

Intravenous vitamin C can halt shingles 

before infection becomes serious. It also 

reduces the pain associated with this 

disorder. 

Zinc ointments applied topically to the 

blisters speeds healing. 

Article contributed by Dr Tracy S Gates, 

DO, DIBAK, L.C.P.H., Consultant, 

Pure Bio Ltd. Copyright © Pure Bio Ltd 

2024. All rights reserved. Pure Bio Ltd 

are a leading UK supplier of the highest 

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HEALTH 


HEALTH 

HEALTH 

New Horsham Dentist 

Designer Smiles dental practice is owned and run by 

experienced Horsham dentist Lizet Horn. Supported by a 

team of experienced and highly qualified dentists, hygienists 

and dental nurses, Lizet has been providing dental services 

in Horsham for over 12 years. You’ll find Designer Smiles at 

28a East Street (above Smith and Western) with beautifully 

refurbished rooms and all the latest equipment and technology 

and they are currently accepting new patients. 

Looking forward to making 

people smile 

Lizet explains why she decided now is 

the time to open a new dental practice: 

“I am delighted to have the opportunity 

to return to the Horsham community, a 

place where I always felt welcomed and 

appreciated. It gives me great pleasure to 

announce the opening of my new dental 

practice in East Street, Horsham. The 

new practice has brand new surgeries and 

equipment, enabling the latest dental 

technology, as well as a comfortable and 

relaxing environment. Having spent over 

12 years delivering dental services in 

Horsham, I want to continue the same 

level of care and excellence as I have in 

the past. 

I am looking forward to welcoming back 

all my previous patients, and of course, 

opening my doors to any new ones!” 

Why choose Designer Smiles? 

Designer Smiles offers a full range of services that include: 

• General dentistry: check-ups, hygiene appointments, 

children’s appointments and mouth cancer screening. 

• Cosmetic dentistry: fillings, crowns, veneers, and bridges. 

• Dental treatments: whitening, Invisalign orthodontics, 

extractions and dentures. 

• Dental devices: sleep guards and anti-snoring devices. 

• Emergency treatment: in the event of accident, injury, or 

infection. 

Designer Smiles is an independent private dental practice. Their 

focus is on providing high-quality dental care and preventing 

dental disease. With experience of dealing with nervous or 

anxious patients or those with additional learning needs, the 

team knows the importance of good quality dental care when 

it comes to your overall health, confidence, and quality of 

life. You’ll find the team welcoming and friendly and at each 

appointment, they’ll take time to listen, understand, and explain 

any treatment plan. 

Opening offer 

This new Horsham dentist opened in January 2024 and they are 

offering a check-up and hygienist appointment for £89 (normal 

rate £126) in January and February to welcome new patients to 

the practice. 

If you’re in the West Sussex area, the arrival of this 

new dental practice is a great opportunity to ensure 

your teeth and oral health are in the best possible 

shape. You can call Designer Smiles on: 01403 913765 

or find out more here: Designer Smiles 

Spring out of bed 

this spring! 

Almost 1 in 5 people in the 

UK aren’t getting enough 

sleep and on average are 

sleeping two hours less than 

we did 40 years ago. If you 

are one of the many who experience poor 

sleep, then you will know how exhausting 

and debilitating it can be: 

chronic insomnia can lead to constant 

fatigue, lack of motivation, irritability, 

reduced problem-solving skills, inability 

to cope with stress, reduced immunity 

and weight gain. Ongoing sleep deficiency 

is linked to an increased risk of health 

issues too. Not a great picture I think you 

will agree. 

So why aren’t we sleeping? 

Maybe your stress bucket is full! You may 

remember my stress bucket from my last 

article? 

We all have a wonderful storage system 

that enables us to cope with the day-today 

stresses that we face. We can safely 

load our bucket in the knowledge that 

when we sleep at night our REM (Rapid 

Eye Movement) sleep, the phase of sleep 

when dreaming occurs, empties our 

bucket. Sadly, for one reason or another, 

REM is restricted to about 20% of our 

sleep patterns. So, if you’re overstressed 

and your bucket full, then you quickly 


HEALTH 

HEALTH 

use up your REM quota, and as a result 

you may find yourself waking up in the 

middle of the night (often between 1am 

and 5am depending upon when you went 

to sleep). And often, you can’t get back to 

sleep again. 

Then we’re stuck. We need the sleep to 

empty the bucket but the volume in the 

bucket is causing our sleep to be disrupted. 

So, what can we do? 

Take back control of what you put in 

your bucket. Most of what we fill our 

bucket with is imaginary thoughts about 

things that have happened in the past 

that we can no longer influence or future 

events that have yet to happen. 

Don’t think about sleep. You don’t want 

“sleep” to be a problem because the brain’s 

way of dealing with a problem isn’t always 

helpful. Consequently, not thinking about 

it becomes almost impossible. Therefore, 

it can be helpful to try to focus on one or 

more of the following to help: 

Positively forecast. Fully expect that 

you WILL sleep, rather than thinking, 

“Oh no, I’ll never get to sleep tonight!”. 

We often underestimate our ability to 

positively forecast our preferred future. 

Get outside and see Sussex. Look for 

the small joys like the new shoots of the 

bluebells that I saw this morning. 

Move. Whether you are an avid runner 

or move at a more sedentary pace, getting 

outside and moving more will do wonders 

for your mind and body. It is often the 

thing that we least feel like doing on a 

bad weather day, but you will be thankful 

when you have. You will find that you 

have more energy and feel more relaxed 

too. A brisk walk for 20 minutes is all 

that that is needed to reduce stress and 

inflammation in the body and mind. 

Natural light plays a central role in the 

regulation of our circadian rhythm, the 

body’s internal body clock that tells us 

when it’s time to wake and sleep each day. 

Exposure to high levels of LUX affect the 

production of melatonin, our essential 

sleep-promoting hormone. 

So what is LUX? 

LUX is a unit of measurement of light 

level intensity. Have you ever had anyone 

say “You’ll sleep well today” after a day at 

the beach, “It’s all that fresh air”. 

In fact, it’s the exposure to higher levels 

of LUX, coupled with the fact that often 

we are more active too, that makes us 

sleep well. As the mornings are getting 

lighter and we face longer day light 

hours, it becomes easier for us to get the 

much-needed exposure to sleep inducing 

chemicals. Getting out before 10 am 

exposes you to increased LUX and you 

should try and ensure you get at least 

10,000 LUX a day depending on what 

you’re doing. 

• A bright summer’s day provides 

100,000 LUX 

• Full daylight provides 10,000 LUX 

• An overcast day provides 1,000 LUX 

• A dark day provides only 100 LUX 

• Inside a house provides only 25-50 

LUX 

So, try to get out and see this wonderful 

county in which we live. I know there will 

be great ideas in this magazine. 

Boost your “feel good” chemicals 

(Serotonin, Dopamine and 

Noradrenalin). 

My daughter will often comment that 

she needs to recharge her social battery. 

This is often after a whole day at school 

or a day with family. Be mindful who you 

spend time with. Some people will boost 

you, whilst others will drain you. Choose 

who you spend time with where possible. 

Eat well. If you are able, choose foods 

that will nourish your body and mind. 

As the 

mornings are 

getting lighter 

and we face 

longer day 

light hours, 

it becomes 

easier for us 

to get the 

much-needed 

exposure to 

sleep inducing 

chemicals. 

This means choosing foods that are not 

only high in nutrients, but that you enjoy 

eating too. 

Relax. Introduce time to relax during 

the day. Truly switch off. Whether it be 

listening to some music, doing some 

exercise, reading a book … try to do more 

of what you enjoy doing. 

When we are relaxed, we can think 

clearly, and feel in control of our thoughts 

and our actions. When we relax the brain 

switches to a low resonance of Theta 

waves which allow us to process emotions, 

relieve stress and solve problems. I listen 

to a guided meditation most nights to 

support and improve the quality of my 

sleep, but I also practice breath work and 

yoga on a regular basis too. Relaxation 

doesn’t have to mean lying still and 

thinking of nothing; it can be doing the 

things that you enjoy. 

If you are a chronic insomniac, it’s always 

worth telling your GP, just so any medical 

conditions can be eliminated. If you just 

can’t seem to make improvement, then 

you may like to consider finding a good 

hypnotherapist or *CBTi specialist. They 

will help you to change the subconscious 

responses that keep your bucket full and 

look at supporting better sleep hygiene. 

Once you have your bucket under control 

(and hypnosis emulates REM so we have 

extra bucket emptying power that we can 

use too) you will find that things start to 

improve; often quite quickly. 

Life is so much better after a good night’s 

sleep. You will have a spring in your step 

and be able to look forward to the longer 

days of daylight ahead. 

*Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia 

(CBTi) has evolved over the last 40 years 

into the most widely respected and highly 

regarded treatment for insomnia across the 

developed world. The National Institute for 

Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK 

recommend CBTi as the first-line treatment for 

the management of insomnia. The personalised 

treatment provided to each client is specific 

to them, avoiding unwarranted treatment and 

focusing only on the factors relevant to the 

client. As such, the programme is more likely to 

improve adherence and compliance. It is also 

less cumbersome in terms of delivery, making the 

approach more efficient and cost-effective than 

previous first-generation CBTi. 

Holly Stone is 

an experienced 

Solution 

Focused Clinical 

Hypnotherapist, 

Supervisor and 

Senior Lecturer 

for CPHT 

Surrey with a 

special interest 

in supporting 

those with 

Eating Disorders 

and poor 

relationships with 

food. You can 

find out more 

about her here: 

Holly Stone 

Hypnotherapy 


89

TRAVEL 

TRAVEL 

The Isles 

of Scilly 

Left: 

Hell Bay Hotel 

© Adam White 

Lobster © Flickr 

Right: 

Scilly Tresco 

Abbey gardens, 

gazebo © Flickr 

Wanderluster, Kevin Pilley, explores this remote corner of 

Britain, hunting out places to eat, stay and weigh! 

The Isles of Scilly is a 

collection of 145 low-lying 

islands twenty-eight miles 

south-west of Land’s End. 

The Isles of Scilly have many 

attractions. Some better-known than 

others. Puffins, dwarf pansies, granny’s 

toenails and the world’s smallest museum. 

In a re-purposed red telephone box. 

As well as croquet on the seafloor. 

You haven’t lived until you have turned 

the Atlantic seabed into Hurlingham or 

eaten crab quiche and lobster burgers 

while standing up five hundred metres 

out to sea and raised your glass of Doom 

Bar beer or Tarquin’s Hell Bay Gin to 

toast two coastlines. 

Scilly farmers' markets and 

food festivals 

Scilly hosts low tide pop-up food festivals 

and farmers’ markets when the tide goes 

out between the islands of Tresco and 

Bryher – two of the five inhabited islands. 

Two festivals are planned in 2024 on 

April 9th and September 19th. 

The festivals are held on a sandbar, usually 

under 20’ of seawater. As well as live 

music and seafood, there are ‘sand bars’ 

serving spirits like Westward Farm gin 

from St Agnes (the southernmost point 

of Britain) as well as stalls selling local 

artisanal fudge, cakes and bakes, fudge 

and ice cream from Troytown Farm. 

Afterwards, you should walk over the 

sand flats (with trousers rolled up and 

shoes in hand) to Tresco with its famous 

Abbey Castle Gardens. Try and book a 


TRAVEL 

TRAVEL 

St Agnes Troytown 

Farm, lobster for sale 

© Rachel Lewin 

Gig rowing 

© Rachel Lewin 

tour with head gardener Andrew Lawson. 

Don’t miss Pentle Bay, one of the best 

beaches in the British Isles. Before 

returning by boat taxi to Bryher. 

At low water, you can also land at the 

quay built by Anneka Rice in her 80s 

TV show Challenge Anneka. One of 

the first things you see is an honesty box 

selling local succulents in the form of 

inedible and not very frost-hardy “cliff 

pasties”, fleshly evergreens and potted 

Aeonium houseplants. 

And on Duchy of Cornwall land, you can 

buy the Duchess of Nuremburg for £10! 

Bryher 

At 330 acres, Bryher is the smallest of 

the inhabited islands and boasts the best 

luxury hotel in the Scillonian archipelago 

and perhaps the best seaside hotel in the 

whole of the British Isles. 

One and a half miles long by half a mile 

wide, Bryher doesn’t take long to explore, 

and it’s best done with local naturalist and 

former island bird recorder Will Wagstaff 

who will get you down on your hands 

and knees to introduce you to the local 

pansies (viola only found in Scilly) and 

show you some granny’s toenails. 

The local naturalist is equally fond of 

solar-powered slugs, orange peel and 

boiled sweets. And cliff pasties and 

succulent Scilly wall cabbages. And eager 

to show off his orange bird feet. 

On Bryher, he takes you past New 

Zealand and South African crop field 

windbreaks, tamarisk trees (once used for 

lobster pots), abandoned daffodil farms 

and gig sheds. Every April, along with its 

walking festival, the Isles host the World 

Gig racing regatta. Once, there were over 

200 gig pilots on the islands. 

Will points out the Bermuda buttercups, 

Hottentot figs, Prides of Madeira and 

three-cornered leeks which look like white 

bluebells. But his tours don’t take in the 

island’s museum in a telephone box. 

The island’s museum 

‘The Bryher Community Association 

purchased the museum phone box from 

BT for £1 when it was decided it would 

Island hopping 

© Richard Smith 

Scilly Puffin © Flickr 

Bryher, worlds 

smallest Museum © 

Alex Barker, Flickr 

no longer be used for its traditional use’ 

says its curator/ organizer Issy Tibbs, who 

also works at the island’s Veronica Farm 

making fudge and selling succulents. 

‘Previous displays have included a 

behind the scenes look at the 1988 

film “When the Whales Came” which 

was set on Bryher (where we tracked 

down previous crew members to 

find out their memories of making a 

Hollywood film in a remote island) and 

the 150th anniversary of the Wreck of 

the Delaware where we tracked down a 

relative of one of the two surviving crew 

who were rescued in the most incredible 

and dangerous circumstances. 

This year’s display came about after I 

bought a couple of old postcards on eBay 

sent from Bryher in the 1930s. I then 

built up quite a collection to compare 

what people wrote 100 years ago and 

what they wrote about now. The earliest 

one is 1902. It turns out holidays haven’t 

changed … the weather is beautiful or 

misty, the scenery is fabulous, everyone is 

friendly, and most people get a bit sea sick 

now and again. 

My favourite postcard is signed from 

Mum, Dad and Hilda and is from 

1956. “Weather perfect. Spent day here, 

Tresco. We all weighed ourselves. Mum 

11.6, Hilda 9.8, me 10.5. You should 

see Mum getting in and out of the boat. 

Cheerio Mum, Dad, Hilda.” 

I don’t know why I love it so much. 

I think it’s the fact they are doing 

something as everyday as weighing 

themselves but sound like they are having 

the time of their lives. I also love the other 

end of the spectrum where postcards are 

giving essential information like their 

train time has changed and they need 

picking up at a different time. Something 

that nowadays would be so simple with a 

quick text.’ 

All money raised by the museum goes to 

the Bryher Community Association and 

The Island Haven. 

The Hell Bay Hotel 

The Hell Bay Hotel is named after a 

notorious shipwrecking site. The hotel has 

its own private art collection collected by 

owner Robert Dorrien-Smith, a fifthgeneration 

relative of Augustus Smith, 

who first leased the Scilly Isles from the 

Duchy of Cornwall in 1834, and semiseriously 

took the title, Lord Protector. 

It also has 25 suites, a spa, pool, seasonal 

pitch ‘n’ putt course and acclaimed chef 

Richard Kearsley whose restaurant is 

decorated with seascapes by local artist, 

Richard Pearce, whose studio is in front 

of the hotel on Great Bar beach. 

Rooms overlook a lagoon and afford views 

of the Bishop Rock lighthouse on the 

horizon as well as the hotel’s own wildlife 

lagoon or Great Pool (grab the two chairs 

on the Sunset Deck early). It looks out 

towards Droppy Noise Point, the Gweal 

Hill headland, the Northern or Norrard 

rocks and the rollers and white horses of 

the Atlantic. 

And what was once considered the end of 

the world. 

Built around a courtyard, (the Emperor 

and The Empress being the high end) all 

suites have Lloyd Loom furniture, Lucy- 

Tania soft furnishing and Egyptian cotton 

beds to please those who like to turn over 

their hotel room to check its makers. It 

is probably the most strenuous exertion 

staying at Hell Bay affords. 

You’ll find Chef Richard Kearsley’s 

seafood-dominated cuisine (from sardines 

and scallops to John Dory to bream) in 

the hotel 2 AA Rosette restaurant. 

You can find more information about 

The Isles of Scilly at: 

www.hellbay.co.uk 

www.stmaryshallhotel.co.uk 

www.visitislesofscilly.com 

www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk 


The 

1 Chile 

2 Palm Sunday 

So You Think 

You Know Easter 

3 Pride and Prejudice 

4 The General Post Office 

5 Ascension Day 

6 Fatal Attraction 

7 5th Avenue 

8 Mary Magdalene 

9 Romeo and Juliet 

10 Fabergé 

How did you do? 

DIALECT QUESTION 

B) The bar on which the traces of a 

horse are hooked, and by which he 

draws his load 

Adam Jacot de Boinod was a researcher for the first 

BBC series of QI compered by Stephen Fry, and is 

the author of three books including ‘The Meaning 

of Tingo’. 

Last Word 

Old news, Sussex customs 

and superstitions 

The last word in this edition goes to The Sussex County Magazine 

(April 1933 edition) which has the following entries: 

Customs and superstitions 

‘When bread was generally baked by the Sussex cottage wife it was considered essential 

that the “withe” or band of the faggot used to heat the oven must not be burnt or the 

oven would not get hot. 

Another belief was that if elder wood was burnt in the house there would shortly be a 

death in the family. 

It was also said that if a dog barked about the house at 

night a death in the family would follow. 

A popular saying was: 

“Buy a broom in May, 

Sweep your friend away,” 

Which meant that the death of a friend would follow the 

purchase of a broom in May.’ 

And in other news 

Meanwhile, in Shoreham, they were celebrating a great day on the 15th March when 

H.R.H. Prince George opened the lock at Southwick at the eastern arm of the harbour 

and named Shoreham’s new lifeboat. While Southern Railway had announced that 

they had converted their Newhaven Dieppe cross-Channel boats from coal to oil with 

a view to reducing harm that was being done to seabirds who were increasingly getting 

covered in crude oil. 

And in Broadbridge Heath, there were protests against the erection of wooden 

electricity poles, with one resident complaining “they were an aerial ugliness and 

an abomination”. Apart from appearances, he suggested that this system (of 

installing electricity) had led to property deterioration. Fellow residents 

however, decided that they wanted electricity after all! 


95

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