Sussex Exclusive Magazine. Issue 10. Winter

Issue 10 2024 

48 hours in 

Your winter break itinerary: 

enjoy fine wines and winter 

wonderlands 

Calling all 

foragers 

Tuck into a 

mouthwatering festive 

chestnut feast 

The Sussex 

foodie 

Enjoy home bakes and the 

best local produce 

Meet the Searles 

And their iconic 

Horsham steam engines 

9 Christmas 

Markets & 

12 Sussex Gift Ideas 

Chichester950 

Step back through 950 years 

of history at the Cathedral 

Get hygge this winter 

Embrace 98 pages the cold of with our 

25 winter beautiful things Sussex to do 

96 pages of 

beautiful Sussex

Hand-crafted beds 

for the perfect night’s sleep 

A word 

from the editor 

Order in 

time for 

Christmas 

*Order by 1st Dec 

for guaranteed delivery 

Visit our stores in Bosham, Guildford, Horsham & Worthing 

jonesandtomlin.co.uk 

Editor 

Lucy Pitts 

lucyp@sussexexclusive.com 

Deputy Editor 

Janine Marsh 

Content Editor 

Aifric Peachey 

Design 

Philippa French 

Sales 

sales@sussexexclusive.com 

Sussex Exclusive Magazine 

www.sussexexclusive.com 

Front Cover 

Dee Searle with 

Marina, running 

fairground rides 

Welcome to the latest edition of the Sussex Exclusive 

Magazine. It’s hard to believe that we’re hurtling 

towards the end of the 2024 and the beginning of 

another year but it’s a fantastic season in Sussex which starts 

with late autumn colours, dips its toes into the festivities of 

December and ends with the fresh hope of a new year. 

If the next couple of months are all about Christmas for you 

then dig in, as in this edition, we have a smorgasbord of festive 

food, Sussex gift ideas and Christmas experiences. 

If your focus is to enjoy the winter, rather than just survive it, 

we can help you embrace your inner hygge with our health 

advice as well as our 25 things to do in winter and some 

wonderful winter walks. If it’s atmosphere you’re after, why not 

visit one of the 12 amazing Sussex castles or make a date to visit 

Chichester Cathedral for their 950th anniversary. 

One of the things that makes Sussex great is, of course, its 

people and in this edition, we caught up with the Searle family 

to find out more about their incredible collection of traction 

engines. We also met up with one of the founders of Langham 

Brewery to find out more about beer, conkers and continuums 

and local author, Graham Scott, to talk about Vikings in Sussex. 

For those planning ahead for the new year, we have two 

fantastic mini break ideas as part of our 48 Hours In series. And 

for foodies we’ve got some deliciously seasonal recipes. 

As always, we also have gardening tips, travel ideas, dog friendly 

hang outs, things to do, dates for your diary and lots more. 

If you still haven’t got enough Sussex in your life by the time 

you’ve finished reading, there’s even more on the Sussex 

Exclusive website and on our social media channels, so feel free 

to join us there. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this edition 

and wishing you a stress free, happy and healthy Christmas and 

New Year. See you on the other side. 

Lucy 

Lucy Pitts 

3

Contents 

8 In the Diary 

43 Winter walks 

Climb the Devil’s Humps, meet Viking 

ghosts, spot a shipwreck and explore a 

Medieval village with these two winter 

walks 

Fill your diary with wonderful things to do 

from theatre visits to Christmas illuminations 

and art exhibitions 

12 48 hours in Mid Sussex 

46 

46 Meet the brewers 

Lesley Foulkes of Langham Brewery talks 

green tourism, sustainability, conkers, 

What3Words and all things beer 

8 

Pack an overnight bag and enjoy National 

Trust properties, country walks, interesting 

architecture, and wine and beer tasting 

16 48 hours in Lewes 

53 Chestnuts, a Sussex tradition 

Sarah Thompson of Sussex Kitchen 

shares some chestnut traditions and some 

mouthwatering chestnut recipes 

A dive into the history and culture of 

Sussex creatives and enjoy fabulous views, 

quirky ruins and wine 

19 Horsham Traction Company 

58 In the Kitchen 

Becci Combes of Hyggestyle has two 

divine recipes and a winter cocktail to 

warm your cockles 

Les and Dee Searle talk to Sussex Exclusive 

about their incredible collection of traction 

engines and their love affair with steam 

68 

68 Dog friendly Sussex 

Brush off those tender paws and head 

out to explore some of these dog friendly 

places and cafés 

16 

24 12 Sussex castles 

Step back in time and visit the atmospheric 

castles of Sussex from the ruins of Bodiam to 

the grandeur of Arundel 

60 

72 Sussex Christmas gifts 

Support local and buy something unique 

for your loved ones this Christmas with 

these Sussex ideas 

32 Christmas markets 

Our pick of nine Christmas markets with 

recommendations of how to add a little 

extra to market day 

79 Weird and wonderful 

From quirky benches to double bridges 

and unusual holiday homes, Sussex can be 

a little weird but is always wonderful 

35 Chichester Cathedral 

The Reverend Canon Vanessa Baron shares 

details of a fascinating exhibition to celebrate 

Chichester950 

81 Gardening 

Get out in the garden with tips and 

advice from Geoff Stonebanks to make 

sure your garden is ready for the new year 

35 

19 

39 25 things to do in winter 

From Mummers plays and wassailing to 

cultural trails, learning new skills, trig 

bagging and ice skating 

91 

91 Travel 

Leave the rain behind you and set sail for 

the sunshine of Crete for a family holiday 

to remember 

4 | sussexexclusive.com 5

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Contributors 

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SUBSCRIBE 

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 

Sarah Thompson 

Sarah moved to Sussex in 2008 to 

start a new career in wine & spirits. 

This quickly led to the creation 

of Sussex's first gin and distillery 

in over two centuries. Since then, 

Sarah has also mentored food and 

beverage SMEs developing brands 

and recently, returned to the 

world of TV and film working on 

productions world-wide. 

www.sussexkitchen.co.uk 

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 

T: 020 3195 1300 E: mail@ritchiephillips.co.uk W : www.ritchiephillips.co.uk 


In the 

Diary 

As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, 

fill your diary with some of these wonderful events 

the newest sculptural works, through 

which he has been exploring an interest in 

computer-modelling. 

Leonardslee Lights, Horsham 

22 November to 30 December 2024 

Explore the wonder of the woodland 

gardens awash with light, sound and 

colour. Bigger, better and even more 

magical than before! Leonardslee Lights is 

set to be a fun winter experience for the 

whole family. 

Leonardslee 

Bexhill 

Birdsong, CFT, Chichester 

5 to 9 November 2024 

Kicking off the winter season: Birdsong, 

is a gripping adaptation of Sebastian 

Faulks’s best-selling novel. Set against 

the backdrop of WWI, this powerful 

production follows one man’s journey of 

love, loss and survival. Tickets available 

from Chichester Festival Theatre. 

Katherine Ryan, DLWP, Bexhill 

15 November 2024 

Star of UKTV’s hugely popular new 

series Parental Guidance as well as 

Comedy Central’s upcoming Out of 

Order with Rosie Jones and Judi Love, 

TV’s beloved Katherine Ryan makes a 

hugely welcome return to the stage with 

her brand-new live show, Battleaxe! 

Here and Now, There and Then 

by Nigel Hall RA, Eastbourne 

16 November 2024 to 3 March 2025 

Towner Eastbourne presents a selection 

of sculpture, prints and drawings by 

internationally renowned artist Nigel 

Hall. The exhibition includes some of 

his earliest American desert landscape 

sketches from the late 1960s, alongside 

a number of large-scale drawings and 

Glow Wild, Wakehurst, Ardingly 

Selected evenings from 28 November 

2024 to 1 January 2025 

Sussex’s award-winning lantern trail Glow 

Wild returns for its eleventh year 

at Wakehurst, with an immersive journey 

exploring the hidden world of trees. Over 

1000 hand-crafted lanterns and bespoke 

art installations - including a giant owl - 

will bring trees and the vital role they play 

on our planet to dazzling life as darkness 

falls over the gardens. This year the trail 

- featuring a brand-new route - will be 

open to visitors on Christmas Eve for the 

first time. 

Eastbourne’s Lightning Fibre Ice 

Rink, Eastbourne 

29 November to 31 December 2024 

Get your skates on with a visit to 

Eastbourne’s Lightning Fibre Ice Rink, 

which returns even bigger and better 

than before! 

Brighton’s Big Drag Pageant: On 

Ice, Brighton Dome Concert Hall 

4 December 2024 

Kings, Queens and everything in between, 

Brighton’s biggest drag competition is 


Stargazing at Beachy Head, 

Eastbourne 

4 January 2025 

back with jaw dropping performances, 

infamous judges and a prize pot worth 

over £1500! 

Mid-Winter Festival, 

Langham Brewery 


Featuring the Prize Old Mummers – 

offering a traditional Mummers play, 

with a modern twist; Butser Mamas, 

a new all-female Mummers side with 

a lot of fabulous bawdy humour; plus 

Morris dancers and live music from 

Friday Street. The Mary Rose and Royal 

George Dancers from Portsmouth 

will be bringing their unique and very 

entertaining Morris dance style to the 

event. Be entertained by the selection of 

folk, pop and rock cover songs. 

promising an even more spectacular 

experience for 2024. With new dates, 

an extended route and additional 

light installations, this year’s event 

is set to be a highlight of the winter 

season. The Brighton Lights will offer 

a blend of lights, music, winter walks 

and street food. 

sparkle to Hastings this Christmas. 

The White Rock Theatre in partnership 

with Polka Dot Pantomimes is 

excited to announce actor Alexandra 

Mardell as ‘Tinks’ in The Magical 

Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan. 

Candlelit Carols, at Tottington 

Manor, Henfield 

21 to 23 December 2024 

An evening of festive fun with Candlelit 

Carols! This year’s fabulous annual 

Christmas celebration will be led by 

a professional choir. There will be all 

the usual classics followed by festive 

favourites straight afterwards. This event 

will be held outside. There is a nominal 

fee of £1 per person for Candlelit Carols. 

Explore the skies with Eastbourne 

Astronomical Society this winter. Use 

telescopes to explore the craters on the 

moon. It is also hoped constellations of 

the night sky will be observable too. 

Sussex National Raceday, 

Plumpton 

5 January 2025 

Kick-start your New Year with a day 

at the races to witness one horse, 

jockey and trainer etch their name 

into Plumpton history by landing 

the valuable and entertaining Sussex 

National. With a seven-race card this 

fixture is guaranteed to generate a 

cracking atmosphere in the stands. 

For more things to do over the 

Christmas season, visit Christmas 

Experiences and Christmas Markets. 

The Brighton Lights, 

Stanmer Park, Brighton 

Selected dates from 7 to 


The Brighton Lights is back at One 

Garden Brighton for its second year, 

Hastings Panto, White Rock, 

Hastings 

13 to 31 December 2024 

Coronation Street star, Alexandra 

Mardell, will bring some showbiz 

The Brighton Lights 

© James Ratchford 

Artist, Puppet Fingers 

Prize Old Mummers 

10 | sussexexclusive.com 

11

48 HOURS 

48 HOURS 

48 Hours in 

Mid Sussex 

Winter and Christmas bring so much to celebrate in Sussex, so why not 

embrace the season with one of our two 48 Hours In itineraries? 

48 Hours in Mid Sussex 

In Mid Sussex you’ll find the stunning 

countryside of the High Weald Area 

of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well 

as lakes and rivers, vineyards, historic 

gardens and Medieval towns and villages. 

Throughout winter, the district comes 

alive with stunning autumn colours, 

festive markets and captivating light 

shows. In short, it’s perfect for a winter 

mini break. 

Friday afternoon arrival 

Your weekend starts in East Grinstead. 

Arrive early afternoon if you can and 

head to Standen House just outside 

the town. This is a National Trust Arts 

and Crafts property with Morris & 

Co. interiors set in a stunning garden. 

It’s particularly beautiful at Christmas 

with the rooms dressed with softly 

lit Christmas trees and decorations 

inspired by the Beale family’s wishes 

for Christmas. From 16th November, 

there will be a Christmas tree in the 

courtyard and on special ‘Twilights at 

Standen” nights, there will be Christmas 

carol singing as you explore the house 

magically lit for the evening. 

Leave just enough time to head back 

into East Grinstead for the evening. 

Here you’ll find the High Street which 

is one of the longest continuous runs of 

14th-century timber-framed buildings 

in England. If you really want to feel 

festive, visit Sackville College where in 

1853 John Mason Neale wrote the Good 

King Wenceslas. It’s not open to the 

public in the winter but they do hold the 

occasional event. 

If you fancy a Michelin star meal, 

then head to Gravetye Manor nearby. 

Alternatively, try The Cat Inn at West 

Hoathly for a great sense of history. 

Saturday morning 

On Saturday morning, you have 

choices. If you want a lovely walk and 

East Grinstead 

Balcombe Viaduct 

Ardingly Reservoir 

Wakehurst Glow Wild 

a chance to take a photo of one of 

the most iconic images of Sussex (the 

famous Viaduct), then make your way 

to Ardingly Reservoir. You can walk 

along the reservoir’s edge and you’ll 

enjoy great autumn colours and an 

abundance of wildlife. 

If that’s not for you, how about romantic 

Nymans? Another National Trust 

property, Nymans is famed for its all year 

gardens and its evocative ruins. There are 

some beautiful woodland walks and from 

the 23rd November to the 5th January, 

you can step through the wardrobe into 

the world of Narnia and peek into the 

Beaver’s burrow and Mr Tumnus’ cave as 

part of their Christmas display. 

Saturday afternoon 

Saturday afternoon is all about the drink, 

as you make your way to Bolney Wine 

Estate. Established in 1972, this was 

the first commercial vineyard in Sussex. 

Their tours and tastings finish at the end 

of October, but they have a large and 

stylish shop and a beautiful restaurant 


48 HOURS 

where you might want to grab a bite 

to eat. Alternatively, not far away is the 

Wobblegate Cider Taproom. This is the 

UK’s first dedicated cider taproom and 

they will be hosting a Christmas market 

on the 7th December. 

Saturday evening 

If you’re visiting between 28 November 

2024 to 1 January 2025, then Glow Wild 

at Wakehurst is a must (early booking 

required). It’s an immersive, interactive 

trail of hand-crafted lantern displays and 

light installations inspired by the hidden 

world of trees. 

The Gardeners Arms almost opposite 

Wakehurst is a quick and easy place for 

dinner after your visit. Alternatively, 

Ockenden Manor in Cuckfield is a 

beautiful Elizabethan manor house hotel 

with an award-winning restaurant. 

Sunday morning 

Sunday mornings are for walking off 

any excesses of the night before, and 

it’s time to visit two other iconic Sussex 

landmarks, the Jack and Jill windmills at 

Clayton. Set on the South Downs, just 

east of Hassocks, there are great views 

from here, and don’t forget to visit the 

Medieval frescoes in the church that sits 

at the foot of the hill. 

Sunday afternoon 

There is just time for one last indulgence 

before you head home. The Hop Tub 

Brewery and Taproom in Hurstpierpoint 

has a street food inspired menu 

bursting with fresh locally sourced 

ingredients. Have a quick look around 

Hurstpierpoint too before you head off. 

Places to stay in Mid Sussex 

• Ockendon Manor 

• Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa 

• Kingscote Estate 

Travel 

The easiest way to travel around Mid 

Sussex is by car. However there are trains 

from London to East Grinstead and to 

Hassocks (near Hurstpierpoint). Trains 

take just over an hour. 

Jill from Jack and Jill 

windmills 

Ockenden Manor 

Hurstpierpoint 

Wakehurst Glow Wild 

Pop in store to visit 

Green People Horsham 

The home of organic beauty 

Established in 1997, Green People was born out of 

Charlotte Vøhtz’s search for a kinder way to help her 

daughter, who was suffering from eczema and skin 

allergies. 

A pioneer of organic beauty, when Charlotte discovered 

that so-called “natural skincare” was laden with harsh 

chemicals 

and synthetic 

ingredients, she 

made it her mission 

to create organic 

products that 

consumers can trust 

to be truly natural. 

Charlotte with the two Cavapoos - Eva & Saffie 

“It’s not just about 

the goodness that 

we put into our 

products; it’s about 

the harmful things 

that we leave out, too,” advises Charlotte. 

Pop in-store and take advantage of the current 3 for 2 offer on all Green People Products. 

*CHEAPEST ITEM FREE 

An online beauty brand that’s made its home in Sussex, Green 

People’s flagship store is in the heart of Horsham’s Carfax. 

In-store, you’ll find organic skin care solutions for children, 

babies, and teens alongside Charlotte’s signature Age Defy + 

collection which uses proven plant-based actives to give skin 

a natural youth boost throughout the 30s, 40s, and beyond. 

Packed with pure and proven plant extracts, Green People’s 

dermatologically tested products suit all skin types, and many 

products have been clinically proven to be kind to sensitive 

skin. 

“Being COSMOS organic certified means customers can 

shop confidently, knowing the care and quality that goes into 

every product.” 

Collect your complimentary gift with purchase on mention of Sussex Exclusive, whilst stocks last. 


32, Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1EE Weds - Sat 10am-5pm. 

15

48 HOURS 

48 HOURS 

Ditchling. 

48 Hours in 

Lewes District 

Friday afternoon arrival 

Start your weekend early in the village 

of Ditchling. It’s delightfully pretty, full 

of interesting and historic buildings and 

has its own Museum of Art and Craft. 

Ditchling’s artistic heritage includes The 

Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic and Sir 

Frank Brangwyn who lived and worked in 

the village at the turn of the 20th century. 

Some of the artists are buried in the 

churchyard next to the museum. 

Another compelling reason to visit 

Ditchling is its vineyards. There are quite 

a few in the area, including Ridgeview 

where you can enjoy a tour and tasting 

experience before you head into Lewes 

for the night for dinner at Fork in 

Station Road. 

Clockwise: 

Lewes 

Anne of Cleves House 

& Museum 

Lewes flea market 

Lewes Priory 

Ridgeview 

Historic Lewes sits at the very heart of Sussex and its history. 

The town itself has an impressive Norman castle and priory 

ruins and was the site of the Battle of Lewes in 1264. It also 

has narrow, cobbled streets, dozens of historic buildings, a 

weekly market and a riverside walk. 

Surrounded by the South Downs and not far from the coast, 

Lewes District is the place to head for stunning views, a 

vibrant cultural scene and some great eateries. 

Saturday morning 

Saturday morning is all about exploring 

Lewes town. Unfortunately, Lewes 

Castle closes for the winter but you can 

explore the cobbled streets that weave 

around the town, disappear into the 

15th century book shop and wander 

round the ruins of the Medieval priory. 

Then head to the farmer’s market (the 

first and third Saturday of the month) 


48 HOURS 

Clockwise: 

Charleston Farmhouse 

Lewes street 

Tide Mills 

yourself with silver service dining aboard 

the Bluebell Railway’s Golden Arrow train. 

Failing which, head back into Lewes for 

dinner at Dill (in Cliffe High Street) which 

gets a mention in the Michelin Guide. 

and allow time for a quick rummage in 

the fantastic flea market. 

Saturday afternoon 

On Saturday afternoon, you’ve got 

choices, depending on what you’d like 

to do. For the active, you may want to 

climb Mount Caburn which overlooks 

the town and gives incredible views 

of the river Ouse and out towards the 

sea. Or you might want to go to one of 

the world-famous Christmas concerts 

at Glyndebourne (limited dates in 

December) or head to Sheffield Park 

to see their twelve sculptures of The 

Snowman which make up their Christmas 

trail. Or perhaps you want to head a little 

further south to Charleston Farmhouse at 

Firle, which was once home to the iconic 

Bloomsbury Set. 

Saturday evening 

If your mini break is at Christmas, then 

as night falls, visit the Bluebell Railway 

and their Santa’s SteamLights display. 

At other times of the year, why not spoil 

Sunday morning 

Sunday morning means time for a little 

fresh air. If you love golf, what about 

a round of golf at Seaford Golf Club? 

The course sits on the edge of the South 

Downs National Park with glorious views 

towards the Sussex coast in one direction 

and the expansive Rathfinny vineyards 

in the other. If golf is not for you, head 

to the abandoned village of Tide Mills in 

between Newhaven and Seaford and enjoy 

a walk on the beach. 

Sunday afternoon 

There’s just time for a quick stop back in 

Lewes at the taproom at Beak Brewery. 

You’ll find it under the chalk cliffs that 

overlook the town. 

Places to stay in the Lewes District 

• The White Hart, Lewes 

• The Jolly Sportsman at East Chiltington 

• The Ram Inn at Firle 

Travel 

The easiest way to travel around Mid 

Sussex is by car. However there are trains 

from London to Lewes, Seaford and 

Hassocks. Travel time is just over an hour. 

Horsham Traction 

Company 

Lucy Pitts talks to the people behind the steam, 

Les and Dee Searle, about their incredible collection 

In a corner of Horsham is an 

impressive family collection. But it’s 

not stamps, postcards or even art. It’s 

much bigger than that. 

At the heart of the collection are 10 

traction engines. I have no idea how you 

come to acquire 10 traction engines, but 

the vehicles include a striking Foden 1922 

red steam omnibus known as “Puffing 

Billy”, a 1920 Burrell Showman Road 

Locomotive called “Princess Marina”, a 

1909 Fowler Tractor, a 1919 McLaren 

Road Locomotive "Boadicea”, a 1901 

Fowler Crane Engine from Leith Docks, 

a 1910 Burrell Gold Tractor and “His 

Majesty”, a 1920 Hickey Crane Engine. 

They are owned by Les and Dee Searle 

of the Les Searle Group - specialist 

earthmoving contractors. 

A lifestyle and a love affair 

We are standing in amongst the engines, 

dwarfed by both their size and their 

charisma and it quickly becomes apparent, 

this is not a hobby for the Searles. This is 

a lifestyle and a love affair. They know and 

understand these vehicles in the way most 


of us know our family. They know where 

they’ve come from, what they’ve been 

through, how they tick, what they need 

and what they’re good at. 

Each vehicle has been lovingly restored and 

sits polished and proud, ready for its next 

outing. It’s wonderful to see and utterly 

bonkers in equal measure. 

From New York to San Francisco 

I caught up with Les and Dee shortly after 

they returned from a 5-week road trip from 

New York to LA, Pebble Beach and San 

Francisco in a 1937 Lagonda. In 22 days, 

they drove just under 6,000 miles with no 

support crew and very little luggage. 

“It was insane” Les explains, who comes 

across as a man who looks like he very 

much takes insanity in his stride. “You 

could go for 50 miles at a time and pass 

nothing, with no phone signal and often we 

were driving on dirt tracks and back roads. 

We planned our route on a day-to-day basis 

and at one point, we accidently drove onto 

a military base. This soldier with a machine 

gun stopped us and asked us where we were 

going and when we said California, he simply 

said, ‘Not this way, you’re not.’ We had to 

turn round and drive 10 miles back.” 

But Dee adds, “We did a lot of prep before 

we went which reflected in the fact, we had 

very few breakdowns. Although we did have 

a cracked fuel tank which was unlucky and 

water in the wiring. We had some freaky 

weather and there is no top on the Lagonda. 

You’d see these big black clouds in the distance 

and think, well someone is going to get wet 

and then just like that, the car is conked out 

and you’re soaked.” 

It’s clear there is some serious 

adventuring going on in this family, 

but how on earth did it all begin? 

The Searle family were farmers when in 

1913 they moved into the 17th century 

farmhouse in Horsham (which now sits 

on their edge of their site) and diversified 

into earthmoving after the war. The 

family’s traction engines that they used 

for farming and contracting were either 

sold off or scrapped. But in 1964, Les’s 

grandfather decided to buy a traction 

engine, His Majesty, from J Hickey’s 

auction and that was the start of the 

collection. In later years Les inherited the 

New York to San 

Francisco in their 1937 

Lagonda 

Page 21 

Crunch is a 1903 Renault 

twin cylinder 10NHP 

wagonette, used for 

the London to Brighton 

round trip of 132 miles 

with Dee driving 

© Edward McNaughton 

Dee with His Majesty 

Puffing Billy, 

Santa special Horsham 

Carfax 

engine from his father and he explains that 

after a childhood love of steam had fizzled 

out, he re-found his interest in his 20s. He 

met Dee at a steam rally at Knepp “When 

my dog stole his breakfast” Dee chips in. 10 

traction engines, a lot of heavy plant and 

two children later and the rest is history. 

But still, it’s a big difference between 

one traction engine and 10? 

“Over the years, we’ve shown an interest in 

various engines and vehicles, adding to the 

collection when the right one for us came 

available. With the McLaren ‘Boadicea’, 

the owner had passed away and the family 

wanted it to go to someone who would 

continue to love and use it. Martin and 

Della Fagg who used to look after it for the 

previous owner, sort of came with the engine 

and became great friends. They continued to 

show the engine at rallies and assist with the 

maintenance.” explains Dee. 

“The bus was made by Foden’s and originally 

worked as a dray in Brighton for Rock Ales. 

Foden had a works bus that transported 

their famous works Band as a promotion 

but unfortunately this vehicle was cut up in 

later years. In 1952, a museum recognised its 

importance and rescued the original number 

plates and name recreating the bus as you see 

today. So, it’s a replica, but a 1952 replica 

with original plates and name. Our moto 

over the years is to only buy things that make 

you smile and Puffing Bill does.” 

But for a family that is already 

running a large and busy business, 

it must be so much work? 

“Yes, we work on the vehicles most evenings and 

every weekend. If we've got an event or we’re 

restoring something, then it’s every night. We love 

a deadline to keep us motivated! I’ve always got 

an unachievable list of things that need to be done 

at the weekend.” says Les. “Sunday mornings, 

we tend to take one of the vehicles to town for 

breakfast to kick off the day and then it’s back 

to work.” 


So you do all the repairs? 

“Yes, on the engines, we’re not trained 

engineers, so Leslie [their son] and I have 

taught ourselves how to do more complicated 

machining, etc. and we would probably 

make a trained engineer cry. For example, 

I’ve recently taught myself how to gear 

cut. There is a satisfaction in doing things 

yourself and Leslie’s now making gears. The 

other day, Thomas [their other son] spent 

a whole day doing calculations because we 

didn’t have the different gear ratios to make 

the teeth size. He got there in the end and 

the engine now has a great set of new gears.” 

Dee adds, “I’m not an engineer either but 

I’ve picked up quite a lot of knowledge along 

the way. I do the maths and the logistics. 

And I’m the mechanic’s assistant.” She adds 

modestly, “If I’m out on a traction engine 

there are some things I can fix, but some 

things I can’t. We all work as a team with 

both the hobby and the business.” 

How often do you take the 

traction engines out and where 

can people see them? 

“Not as often as people think as work always 

has to come first, although the boys now 

take them out quite a bit. It’s nothing for 

them to take the engines out for lunch and 

30 miles later return home. They’ve been to 

Lechlade for an end of season event two or 

three times, and they will drive up overnight 

with ‘Puffing Billy’ the bus, attend the party 

and road run, then steam it home. They’re 

going up there again in a couple of weeks 

with ‘Marina’ (the Burrell Showman Road 

Locomotive) but they’ll take her on a low 

loader. The bus can do about 50 miles on a 

tank of water and travels at about 20 mph, 

but the other engines only manage about 20 

to 24 miles with an average speed of 8 mph 

which makes a big difference on the journey 

time with the need to stop every two hours to 

refill with coal and water. 

We enter the Historic Commercial Vehicle 

Run from London to Brighton every year, 

local rallies and attend the Horsham 

fireworks display. We do the Santa Special 

in Horsham every December with the bus, 

which is always very popular and raises 

money for The Rotary’s Christmas appeal. 

Then there’s our Boxing Day outing which 

is now one of the biggest free events in 

Horsham we believe. We started it 30 years 

ago because we needed to get out of the 

house after Christmas Day - at that point, 

we only had one engine and no kids. This 

has gradually grown over the years to what 

it is now with others taking part with their 

vehicles and is one of our favourite events.” 

So Dee, you go out as part of an 

all-female team? 

“Yes, Della and I travelled ‘His Majesty’ 

nicknamed ‘Mum’s engine’ or ‘the girl’s 

engine’. One of the most memorable 

trips was when we went from Horsham 

to Malvern Hills in a day, where we 

attended The Welland Steam Rally. Then 

the following weekend, we steamed up 

to Manchester to The Astle Steam Rally 

and went on to Congleton. We left the 

engines there for a couple of weeks and then 

travelled to the Great Dorset Steam Fair 

and then finally back home. A round trip of 

560 miles and as you can imagine there was 

no competition between the girls team and 

the boys … 

I’ve got a veteran bike too, which I ride in 

the London to Brighton Pioneer Run and 

I’ve ridden in the Pioneer Run in Yorkshire 

with its challenging hills. The bike is 1913 

and needs to be assisted by pedalling on the 

steep inclines. Les has modified the bike for 

me by adding a clutch. Before that, when 

you got to a junction, you had to stop the 

engine and then you had to pedal to restart 

it. Now I have the luxury of a clutch.” 

Do you have a big back up crew if 

you’re out and about? 

“No, we or the boys normally carry tools, 

some spares, water and obviously coal. But if 

there’s a problem, all of us will try to repair 

the issue to get us home. If the problem is 

terminal, we work together to sort the best 

recovery plan. 

Some of the best times we’ve had has been 

going to and coming back from Congleton. 

Rather than go with a backup van, we train 

it up with everything we need – electric 

drills, brake blocks, etc. On the way back, 

we don’t tend to preview a route, we just 

look at the map and say, let’s go that way. 

We very often travel at night to be less of a 

nuisance to other road users. It’s fun and 

it’s a challenge, and it’s nice to be a little 

spontaneous sometimes.” 

My next question is simple 

because although I can 

understand the adventurous side 

of it, I’m struggling with the 

enormity of it. 

Why? 

“Well, it’s kept us sane and busy, and it’s also 

kept the boys out of trouble over the years 

I’m sure, with their mates all being involved 

in the engines and maintenance of them. 

These days, we get as much pleasure out of 

watching the youngsters as they go off and 

do spectacular things as we do driving the 

engines ourselves. 

In 2011, we hooked three steam engines 

together and carried a transformer from 

London to Brighton, which was 56 miles. 

It was the first time anything like that 

had been done in preservation. Two years 

ago, Leslie and Thomas recreated the same 

run with their mates. Altogether, the three 

engines they took plus the trailer with the 

transformer were115 foot long and weighed 

118 tons. They drove it 56 miles to Brighton 

and then they drove it home. 

When you do something like that, you’ve 

got to work together as a team. You’ve got to 

communicate. You’ve got to be safe. There 

is no room for error. By the time they got 

to Brighton, oh my god, the change in that 

group of lads. It was amazing to watch. 

They left as friends, but they arrived as a 

team. And they raised £3,500 for charity. 

We also work with the National Traction 

Engine Trust. We host a day for about 20 

children to come here. We get the engines 

out and they learn how to dig the fires out, 

prep the vehicles for fire, light the fire, oil 

up, clean. And then by lunchtime, they are 

driving around the yard on these engines 

and learning how to do the controls. There 

are not many places where youngsters can 

do that and a few of them are now part of 

our young crew that are fondly known as 

the ‘creche’. 

Then we have our open days and collect 

money for Horsham First Responders. We 

normally have a couple of the engines in 

steam and people can have a ride and get 

up close to the workings. We sponsor the 

events, supplying a little bit of food and 

drinks so any money put in the pot goes to 

the charity. There is always a good turnout. 

Plus, it motivates us to keep the yard tidy.” 

What next? 

“With both the boys now in the company 

hopefully we can compete in some more 

classic car rallies both in the UK and abroad 

and continue to grow the collection with 

vehicles that make us smile for the whole 

family to enjoy…remembering always, to 

only buy things that make you smile!” 

You can see the Horsham Traction 

Company on Boxing Day in Horsham 

and at the Red Lyon in Slinfold. 

Marina, (the Burrell Showman Road Locomotive) 

Crèche in Crystal Palace with the big load 

Dee and Della on route to great Dorset Steam 

Fair, for International Woman's Day 

Steam apprentices learning how to clean the 

smoke box out on Princess Marina 

Dee ready for a Pioneer Run 

Most images courtesy of The Searles 


Discover 12 

Sussex Castles 

and a Sense of the Past 

Rye Castle 

Rye Castle is also known as Ypres Tower. 

It was probably built in the 13th or 14th 

centuries and was later used as a prison. 

It’s open to the public and part of the 

town’s museum. There are great views 

from outside the castle and inside, there 

is a reconstructed women’s prison and 

a map that shows how the coastline has 

changed over the centuries. 

If you’re in Rye, don’t forget to visit the 

other attractions: 

Top Things To Do In Rye 

Camber Castle 

About a mile south of Rye and to 

the west of Rye Harbour, Camber 

Castle is owned by English Heritage. 

It was built by Henry VIII as an 

artillery fort designed to defend 

Rye. Unfortunately, the interior of 

the castle is closed for conservation 

reasons but you can view the outside 

and peep through the gates. 

Include a visit to Camber Castle with a 

trip to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. 

Discover Rye Harbour Nature 

Reserve 

Hastings Castle 

From Norman invaders and Tudor kings, Sussex is home to some 

wonderfully atmospheric and historic castles. Some of them are in 

ruins, some of them are still occupied but all of them offer a wonderful 

glimpse into times gone by, and our great Sussex heritage and history. 

So if you are looking for Sussex castles to explore, here they are 

(working our way roughly from east to west): 

Standing proud, if in ruins, at 

the top of the hill over Old Town 

Hastings, Hastings Castle is a keep 

and bailey castle built by William the 

Conqueror in 1067. It was the first 

Norman motte and bailey castle to be 

built but it was destroyed hundreds of 

years later on the orders of Henry VIII. 

There are fabulous views of the town and 

the sea! 

If you’re in the area, don’t forget to check 

out these other things to do: 

Things To Do In Hastings, 

East Sussex 

24 | sussexexclusive.com Lewes Castle 

25

Bodiam Castle 

Bodiam Castle near Robertsbridge 

is a photographer’s dream, with its 

moat, drawbridge and romantic ruins. 

It’s owned by the National Trust and 

was built in 1385 by Sir Edward 

Dallingridge during a turbulent time 

when England was at war with France. 

It’s had a chequered history, but is 

always well worth a visit. 

Visit Bodiam Castle 

Herstmonceux Castle 

Dating from the 15th century, 

Herstmonceux is one of the oldest 

significant brick buildings still standing 

in England. The parks and gardens 

are Grade II* listed on the Register of 

Historic Parks and Gardens but the 

actual castle operates as the UK campus 

of Queen’s University (Canada). The 

gardens are open to the public and 

you can hire the castle for weddings. 

You can also walk through the central 

courtyard but for tours, you need to 

follow the castle on social media or 

contact them via their website. 

While you’re in the area, why not 

visit historic Battle: 

Things To Do In Battle, East Sussex 

Lewes Castle 

Towering over the town, Lewes 

Castle is another of the great Norman 

castles and although it’s a motte and 

bailey castle, it’s unusual in that it has 

two mottes. With a museum at the 

entrance, it is open to the public from 

April to October and has amazing 

views from the towers across the South 

Downs. It’s owned and run by the 

Sussex Archaeological Society. 

If you’re in Lewes, don’t forget to have 

a good explore: 

10 Iconic Things To Do In Lewes 

Bramber Castle 

Bramber Castle is a Norman motte 

and bailey castle in the village of 

Bramber not far from Steyning. It’s 

thought to date to about 1070. It 

was held by William de Braose who 

was granted lands in England by 

William the Conqueror soon after the 

Norman conquest. Although it’s in 

ruins, it is free to visit and has helpful 

information boards and great views. If 

you’re in the area, you might want to 

check out: 

Things To Do In Steyning 

Pevensey Castle 

Another pivotal castle if you’re a fan 

of Sussex history is Pevensey Castle. 

Owned by English Heritage and just 

outside Eastbourne, it actually 

dates back to the 4th century and 

was a Roman fort before it became 

the landing place of William the 

Conqueror’s army in 1066. It’s open to 

the public. 

If you’re in the area, you may also be 

interested in: 

Things To Do In Pevensey 

Knepp Castle 

There’s not much left of Knepp Castle 

which was a motte castle just outside 

Horsham on the Knepp Estate. The 

castle was probably founded by the 

Braose family in the 12th century but 

was confiscated by King John and 

used as a hunting lodge before he 

ordered its destruction. However, it’s 

free to visit and there is some fabulous 

walking to be had on the estate where 

you’re likely to see wild deer and boar: 

Knepp Castle Walk, West Sussex 


Amberley castle 

Amberley Castle in the village of 

Amberley near Storrington was originally 

a manor house built in the 12th century. 

It was fortified in 1377 and used as a 

fortress by the bishops of Chichester. It’s 

now a privately owned hotel but you can 

visit for afternoon tea, a meal at their 

restaurant or an overnight stay. And it’s 

gorgeous. If you’re in the area, you might 

be interested in: 

Beautifully crafted 

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timber windows & doors 

Things To Do In Storrington 

Arundel Castle 

Arundel Castle was originally a motte 

and bailey castle built by Roger de 

Montgomery (a cousin of William 

the Conqueror) in about 1067. It was 

damaged in the English Civil War but 

restored in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

It has been the seat of the Earls of 

Arundel and the Dukes of Norfolk since 

the 11th century. It is perhaps the most 

spectacular of our castles inside and is 

open to the public to visit during the 

summer. 

If you’re in Arundel, you may also be 


10 Things To Do In Arundel, 

West Sussex 

THE REASSURANCE OF DEALING WITH A local SPECIALIST 

Midhurst Castle 

Not to be confused with the Cowdray 

ruins, at St Ann’s Hill (in the town), 

you’ll find the charismatic ruins of what 

was once a Norman motte and bailey 

castle thought to date back to just after 

the Norman conquest. The ruins are 

free to visit and have a very special 

atmosphere even if they don’t take you 

long to explore. 

If you’re in Midhurst, you may be 


11 Things To Do In Midhurst 

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Embrace Winter & 

the Festive Season 

at Tottington Manor 

Winter and the festive season are a magical time at Tottington Manor 

Experience Sussex at Terra Restaurant 

at Tottington 

Whether you’re looking for a get together with 

friends to celebrate Christmas or a quiet moment 

with a loved one, there’s something magical about 

Terra Restaurant. 

Looking out over the South Downs, the 

seasonal menu reflects both the moment and the 

environment with dishes like South Downs spiced 

lamb, Bolney pork trio, Albourne Vineyard mussels 

and Bury Bees honey pannacotta. 

The team is rightly proud of their locally sourced 

ingredients which are combined to create unique 

and quintessentially Sussex dishes accompanied 

by local wines and spirits. Dining at Terra is a very 

Sussex experience and one to be savoured. 

Time spent on you 

Just like their restaurant, the 4-star boutique rooms 

at Tottington are uniquely Sussex and you can 

expect Sussex art and of course, great Sussex views. 

Treat yourself to a Superior Suite or Club King and 

wake up to a wonderful Sussex breakfast, walks on 

the South Downs or snuggle up with a good book 

from the library in front of the fire. Treat yourself to 

afternoon tea and a bottle of Sussex sparkling wine 

and let the worries of 2024 slip away. 

Life at Tottington Manor is about slowing down, 

enjoying the best local produce and immersing 

yourself in the moment. What a fabulous way to 

celebrate winter. 

You can find out more or book at: 

Tottington Manor 

Wreathmaking workshop 

Enjoy memorable moments 

Tottington’s candlelit carols in December at the 

foot of the South Downs are mesmerising and 

becoming quite a feature of the local calendar 

but if you really want to capture the spirit of the 

season, this year, Tottington Manor will also be 

hosting a musical play of a Christmas Carol as 

well wreathmaking workshops. 

Then why not end 2024 in unique and 

memorable style, as well as with a touch of 

luxury with a gala three course New Year’s Eve 

Tottington dinner? Then come January, celebrate 

all things Burns, with haggis, poetry and a wee 

dram or two. 


9 Christmas 

Markets 

Wrap up warm, support local and get into the festive season. 

© Juncala from Pixabay 

dinner at the 400 years old The Fox Goes 

Free at nearby Charlton. 

Arundel Museum 

Christmas Fayre 

All across 

Sussex, artisans 

and local 

producers 

come together 

to put on 

some amazing 

Christmas 

markets. 

Ardingly Winter Fair 

Held at the South of England 

Showground in Ardingly (near Haywards 

Heath), the Ardingly Winter Fair 2024 

will be held on the 23rd and 24th 

November and promises arts, crafts and 

produce from independent and local 

vendors. Parking is free, tickets can be 

booked online, under 16s go free if 

accompanied by an adult (they will still 

need a ticket). 

Recommendation: After a visit to the 

market head down to the reservoir for a 

walk and to see the amazing Ouse Valley 

Viaduct or have lunch at The Gardeners 

Arms in Ardingly. 

Weald & Downland © Ron Porter from Pixabay 

Weald and Downland 

Christmas Market, Singleton 

In the charismatic grounds of this 

living museum, this market will be 

held on the 23rd and 24th November 

from 10 am to 4 pm, with around 100 

stallholders. Pre-booking is essential. 

Recommendation: Head to the Trundle 

for a walk with amazing views or try 

They have a month-long programme 

of Christmas events in Arundel in 

December, but their celebrations start 

on the 9th November with the Arundel 

Museum Artisan Christmas Fayre from 

10.30 am to 4.30 pm. Admission is 

free and you can expect handmade 

cards, ceramics, Christmas decorations, 

ornaments, home and garden metal art, 

glass, jewellery, original wall art and 

prints, textiles and much more. 

Recommendation: Unfortunately, 

Arundel Castle closes for the winter 

however, you might want to visit the 

cathedral in the town or walk into the 

park to see the Hiorne Tower and walk 

round to Swanbourne Lake. For lunch, 

try The George at nearby Burpham. 

Christmas Market at 

Seven Sisters 

On the 7th and 8th December from 10 

am to 5 pm, there will be a Christmas 

Market held in the Visitor Centre at 

Exceat just east of Seaford. From local 

produce, beer, honey, gifts, arts and crafts, 

this fair promises something for everyone. 

Recommendation: You can’t visit this 

part of the world without a walk at 

Cuckmere Haven or perhaps tackle 

the Seven Sisters and walk back 

via Friston Forest. The Saltmarsh 

Farmhouse café next to the Visitor 

Centre has a great menu. 

Brighton Christmas Market 

Brighton Christmas Market is part of 

the bigger Brighton Christmas Festival 


and sounds fantastic. There are going 

to be 50 festive stalls, purpose-built 

entertainment venues, live shows, and 

Santa’s workshop, of course! Brighton 

Christmas Festival is free and is 

running from 18th November to 24th 

December. You’ll find it between St 

Peter’s Church and Valley Gardens. 

Recommendation: Throw yourself into 

the spirit of Brighton with a visit to the 

Royal Pavilion. They have a fabulous 

Christmas exhibition and ice skating 

on offer. There are lots of places to eat 

in Brighton but what about treating 

yourself at Michelin rated Burnt Orange 

in Middle Street? 

Christmas Market, Rye 

23rd and 24th November, 10 am to 

4 pm at the Rye Creative Centre. Free 

admission and parking. It promises a 

winter wonderland of festive delights, 

from handcrafted arts, crafts and baked 

goods, to tasty mince pies, sausage rolls 

and hot chocolates. 

Recommendation: A good walk round 

Rye is always a pleasure but why not 

head out to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve 

for a walk along the coast followed by 

dinner at The Gallivant in Camber? 

Battle Christmas Market 

Being held at the beautiful Bluebell 

Coppice Park in Crowhurst on the 

24th November from 11 am to 3 

pm. With over 25 handpicked stalls 

selling Christmas goodies, treats, 

decorations, beauty, cards, homemade 

produce, handmade gifts and 

warming food and drink. 

Recommendation: if you’re in Battle, 

visit Battle Abbey (it closes at 4 pm so 

maybe do this before the market) or 

try walking some of the 1066 Country 

Walk. Then try The Squirrel Inn just 

outside Battle for an early supper. 

© Nicky Pe from Pixabay 

Standen House Christmas 

Selling Exhibition, 

East Grinstead 

A little different from your average 

market and taking place between the 

16th and the 23rd December from 

11 am to 3.30 pm, The Sussex Guild 

(a group of highly-skilled designer 

makers) will be at Standen every day 

for some inspired Christmas shopping. 

Combine your shopping with some of 

the other Christmas events being held 

at Standen House like their Twight 

carol singing evenings. 

Recommendation: Ashdown Forest is 

not far away if you’re looking for a great 

walk and what about afternoon tea at 

Ashdown Park? 

Petworth Christmas Cracker 

Held on the 7th December, the 

fun starts in Petworth at 11 am and 

continues through the day with live 

entertainment in Market Square and 

an amazing array of stalls and festive 

food and drink from local providers all 

day. There is a Santa’s Grotto and lots of 

children’s activities available inside the 

Leconfield Hall all day. Christmas Tree 

lights will be switched on at 6 pm by 

Lord Egremont. 

Recommendation: A walk in Petworth 

Park is a must at Christmas and with 

luck, you’ll see the local deer. Then head 

back to Petworth and eat at the historic 

Angel Inn. 

950 Years of 

Religion, Rebellion 

& Reformation 

Chichester Cathedral 

© Ash Mills 

2025 marks the 950th anniversary of the 

formation of the Diocese of Chichester 

and the beginning of the construction 

of Chichester Cathedral. Whether you’re 

religious or not, this marks a significant 

moment in the history of Sussex, both 

East and West. 

A new era in Sussex history 

It’s widely acknowledged that Christianity 

was established in Sussex with the arrival 

of St Wilfrid in 681. Charming but 

unsubstantiated rumours abound about 

St Wilfrid teaching the locals how to fish 

but what is certain is that he founded a 

monastery near Selsey (at Church Norton) 

which became the first cathedral of Sussex. 

Then the Normans arrived in 1066, and 

the life and landscape of Sussex changed 

course. In the years after the Norman 

conquest, there was prolific building of 

castles, churches and in due course, of 

Chichester Cathedral. 

In 1070, it was decided that churches 

or cathedrals in remote locations 

like Selsey should be moved to more 

populated areas thereby giving the new 

King more control over the Church. 

Using stone from both the Isle of 

Wight and Normandy in France, 

in 1075, construction of the new 

Cathedral began. It was completed and 

consecrated in 1108, 33 years later. On 

any visit to the Cathedral, you cannot 

help but marvel at the sheer magnitude 

and magnificence of the architecture. 

How must it have felt for those 

humble souls living in its shadow as it 

slowly emerged from the landscape? 

For some, they would have spent the 

best part of their adult life against 

a backdrop of a Medieval building 

site. But of course, they were just the 

first few of the huge number of lives 

that have been shaped or touched by 

the Cathedral and the Diocese in the 

centuries since. 


will be a fascinating exhibition, Religion, 

Rebellion & Reformation. The Reverend 

Canon Vanessa Baron is responsible for 

curating the exhibition and has selected 

an extraordinary collection of stories and 

artefacts from across East and West Sussex 

that pepper the history of Sussex and 

illustrate the meaning of Christianity, of 

humanity and of human endeavour. 

The Diocese of Chichester almost 

exactly covers the counties of East and 

West Sussex, stretching for nearly a 

hundred miles, and every parish in the 

Diocese has been invited to contribute 

to the exhibition. 

A constant Sussex landmark and a 

cultural beacon 

There have been many re-builds, 

alterations and extensions to the Cathedral 

over the centuries. Most notably, in 1114 

and 1187, there were devasting fires which 

resulted in remodelling work and the 

building of a stone-vaulted roof. In about 

1400, the Cathedral’s spire, cloisters and 

the Bell Tower were added. In the Civil 

War of the 17th century, the Cathedral 

was ransacked, resulting in a substantial 

restoration following the Restoration of the 

Monarchy. Then in 1861, cracks appeared 

in the masonry and the Cathedral’s tower 

and spire collapsed. A five-year programme 

of rebuilding followed. 

A place of awe and reflection 

A visit to the Cathedral today involves 

awe, emotion and reflection in equal 

measure, whatever your faith or lack of 

it, as each corner and each aisle takes you 

to another story, another work of art, 

another incredible feat of engineering, 

another poignant pause. 

The Cathedral remains home to art and 

sculpture of national and international 

importance. The Chapel of St Clement 

built in about 1300 has masonry work 

Choir in front of the 

Arundel Screen 

Page 37:clockwise 

Window in the Lady 

Chapel 

Cathedral artefact 

St Richard 

Christ in Judgement 

© Philip Jackson 

Cathedral artefact 

that looks like lace. Two carved stones 

dated to the 12th century in the South 

Nave Aisle depict Christ arriving in 

Bethany and the Raising of Lazarus 

whilst a section of Roman mosaic floor 

reminds you that people have long 

walked this way. 

Bold and brilliant stained-glass windows 

colour the air, tapestries provide pops of 

colour, while the footsteps of a thousand 

pilgrims echo in the 15th century 

cloisters. There are magnificent memorials 

(like that in the Chapel of St Michael, 

also known as The Sailors’ Chapel), and 

don’t forget to look up, not least in The 

Baptistry or in The Lady Chapel. 

The Cathedral is a living lesson in 

theology and history, in spirituality, in 

construction, in music and art, in shining 

brilliance and in humility. And it quietly 

binds together the many constituent parts 

of Sussex. 

Religion, Rebellion and 

Reformation 

Chichester950 will be a year-long 

celebration of the Cathedral’s significant 

anniversary featuring exhibitions, choral 

and orchestral concerts and community 

events. At the heart of the celebrations 

Meet the extraordinary people 

of Sussex 

Starting in 1075, the exhibition will 

first seek to explore what existed before 

the Cathedral and will then take you 

on a powerful and complex journey via 

the personalities and lives of those who 

have been shaped and influenced by 

the Cathedral. 

You will be introduced to the powerful 

bishops of the Middle Ages, with their 

wealth and influence showcased by 

their dazzling and bejewelled rings and 

intricately decorated staffs and croziers. 

You’ll learn about the saint of Sussex and 

reformer, St Richard, and how he was 

forced to live in Tarring but was well 

known and liked by the clergy and people 

of Sussex. 

Based around themes, with each theme 

represented by an artefact, the exhibition 

will introduce you to educators, 

thinkers, reformers and rebels, all 

intricately woven into the fabric of what 

it means to have faith. 

Meet Reginald Peacock, the Bishop of 

Chichester condemned as a heretic, 

and get to know the “Godly Women” 

(who supported the Sussex Martyrs) 

by reading their letters. Compare the 

stunning brilliance of a small, bronze, 


The Reverend Canon 

Vanessa Baron 

12th century 

bishops’ ring 

Medieval crucifix found in the churchyard 

at Coombes near Lancing in 1827 and 

thought to be from France with a crude 

wooden cross made in the WWI trenches. 

As time marches on, you’ll meet rebellious 

nuns doing lifesaving work in East 

Grinstead and Lewes living with and 

amongst the sick and the needy. You will 

learn about Bishop Hannington (related 

to the Hanningtons of the Brighton 

Department store) who was also the first 

Bishop of East Equatorial Africa and 

died as a martyr in Uganda. And you’ll 

be introduced to the philanthropist 

Reverend Arthur Wagner who worked 

so hard to clear the slums of Brighton. 

Finally arriving in the 21st century, 

explore diversity, and the influence of the 

Caribbean on Sussex faith. 

What is your response? 

Having curated such a sophisticated and 

diverse exhibition, The Reverend Canon 

Vanessa Baron explains the intent behind 

it and the important opportunity for 

reflection it will provide: 

“It is important to stress that this exhibition 

is not just about faith, it’s about human 

stories. The Cathedral isn’t just a faith 

building. It belongs to everybody. It’s part 

of everyone’s heritage. And the compelling 

stories told as part of this exhibition are as 

much a part of Sussex history as they are of 

the history of Christianity and faith. 

We’ve chosen key themes for the exhibition 

that tell the story of how the Christian 

faith has been articulated, whether that’s 

in words or objects or in people’s lives down 

the centuries. But we want the items we’ve 

chosen to tell stories, because at the end of the 

day, faith is embedded in people. The people 

to whom the artefacts belonged, or the people 

for whom this was their story and for whom 

this mattered. 

As visitors reflect on the exhibition, we’ll be 

inviting them to ask themselves a number of 

questions: How do you respond to suffering? 

When you see war around you, how does it 

make you feel? If you were facing death, the 

real prospect of death, what would you hope 

for? What would you be feeling? 

The fact is, we face the same problems today 

as our ancestors did back down the centuries 

even if we don’t have their vocabulary or 

world view. And although they may not realise 

or recognise it, most people have some sort of 

faith. It may not be a Christian faith, it may 

not be one that they necessarily want to put in 

a particular box but it is faith of some sort. 

These days, we often find it difficult to 

articulate the idea of faith because it may not 

be something we have encountered either at 

school or elsewhere. But when the chips are 

really down, or if you’re facing certain death, 

it’s the sort of thing, that in that moment, you 

call on. So with this in mind, ask yourself what 

is your faith? How do you respond to the same 

problems and questions that our ancestor’s 

faced? How does your faith shape that response? 

How did it shape their response?” 

Exhibition details 

The Religion, Rebellion & Reformation 

exhibition will run from 14th February 

- 15th November 2025 in Chichester 

Cathedral. 

You can read the full version of the 

interview with The Reverend Canon 

Vanessa Baron and what to expect from the 

exhibition here: Chichester 950: Religion, 

Rebellion and Reformation. 

You can find more information about 

Chichester950 on the Chichester 

Cathedral website. 

25 Winter 

Things 

To Do 

As the days get shorter and darker, and we head towards 2025, what better 

way to celebrate both winter and the new year than with 25 wonderfully 

wintery things to do in Sussex. 

1 

3 4 

2 


1. Go to a Mummers play 

Mummers plays are traditional or folk plays 

performed by troupes of amateur actors or Morris 

dancing sides. In Sussex, they were often known as 

Tipteerers. You can catch these performances around 

Christmas, New Year or Twelfth Night and they are 

colourful, funny, enthusiastic and full of good cheer. 

Perfect for lifting the spirits. 

7 

13 

2. Afternoon tea 

Afternoon tea is a wonderful way to indulge and in 

Sussex you have lots and lots of options. But why not 

head to one of the luxury hotels in the county for 

champagne and afternoon tea set before an open fire 

or with views across the countryside. 

ruins in Sussex from the impressive Cowdray Park 

ruins, haunting Bedham Church near Petworth and 

Boxgrove Priory near Chichester to Lewes Priory or 

the abandoned village of Tide Mills near Newhaven. 

9 

a list. You can get books which list all the Sussex 

trig points, or just use an Ordnance Survey map. 

Alternatively, make up your own “bagging sport” 

like windmill bagging (visiting all the windmills in 

Sussex), vineyard bagging, castle bagging … you get 

the picture. 

3. Enjoy a pint in a Sussex pub 

It doesn’t get much more quintessentially Sussex than 

an afternoon spent in a good local pub with a pint of 

craft beer or a glass of local wine. 

4. Take a break 

Winter can be a perfect time for a mini break as the 

crowds of the summer have gone. Pack a bag and try 

one of our “48 hours in” itineraries, or just head to the 

cobbled backstreets of Rye, Petworth or Lewes and enjoy 

atmospheric winter scenes and great local produce. 

5. Visit a museum 

Nearly every town in Sussex has a museum and 

many of them are open throughout the winter. From 

the grand and exotic Royal Pavilion in Brighton to 

the equally good museums of Bexhill, East Grinstead 

and Littlehampton. Just search online for the town 

you are visiting to see if they have a museum, check 

they are open and prepare to discover a world of 

wonderful facts about Sussex. 

spirits into ensuring a good harvest the following 

season. It normally takes place in an orchard 

and involves singing, dancing, drinking and 

merrymaking. You’ll find it practiced all over Sussex 

including at Michelham Priory. 

7. Wine tasting 

These days, Sussex is almost synonymous with 

wine so get yourself to a vineyard and start sniffing, 

sipping, slurping and spitting! If you don’t like wine, 

then there are plenty of taprooms, breweries and 

distilleries as an alternative. 

8. A wild walk on the South Downs 

Winter isn’t winter without a wild walk on the South 

Downs. Take your pick of spots from wintery scenes at 

Harting Down and Duncton to wild and windy walks 

at Seven Sisters and Hastings Country Park. Grab your 

hat, scarf and gloves and prepare to feel alive! 

8 

10. Visit a Christmas market or fair 

Mulled wine, Christmas carols and lots of 

wonderfully unique Christmas gifts and local 

produce…Christmas markets are not only 

atmospheric and fun but they’re a great way to 

support local and meet the local community. 

11. Star gazing and night walking 

The Dark Sky Festival takes place in February, but 

South Downs National Park is an International Dark 

Sky Reserve so it’s always a great spot for some star 

gazing. If you don’t want to head out alone, there 

are local organisations which offer organised tours or 

walks, like Pied a Terre Adventures or Rural Strides. 

12. Get cooking 

If the great outdoors is not for you, stay in and get 

cooking. You could sign up for a bread making 

course with the Artisan Bakehouse near Steyning, 

head to Hastings for a fish cookery course or 

get stuck into some chocolate making with the 

Chocolatician in Worthing. 

14. Read a Sussex book 

Of course, you don’t have to stop at one. Whether 

you want facts and information, or good old fiction 

and a rip-roaring yarn, there are hundreds of great 

Sussex books and authors, like The Sussex Downs 

Murder by John Bude. 

15. Watch the sunrise 

The joy of winter is that the sun rises late, so if you 

want to watch dawn break over Sussex, you don’t 

have to get up too early. Great spots for a Sussex 

sunrise include Chanctonbury Ring, Chichester 

Harbour, Ashdown Forest and Beachy Head. 

16. Bird watching 

With so many nature reserves and wetland sites, 

Sussex is a great place for some winter birdwatching. 

From small local nature reserves like Warnham near 

Horsham to large reserves like Rye Harbour, many 

have lots of information and purpose built hides. 

17. Watch a show at the theatre 

6. Wassail 

If you haven’t been wassailing yet, make this winter 

the year that you do! Wassailing is a Twelfth Night 

tradition with pagan roots meant to encourage the 

9. Visit a ruin 

If it’s atmosphere you are after, then why not go 

ruin exploring! We have plenty of charismatic 

13. Trig bagging 

Trig bagging is when you walk, hike, or run to 

find triangulation points and then tick them off 

From Chichester Festival Theatre, right across the 

county via Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, the 

theatres of Sussex put on diverse and compelling 

programmes throughout the winter, and of course, let’s 

not forget Sussex Christmas pantos! 


whether you want to step out into the universe at 

the South Downs Planetarium, to engage in battle at 

a Medieval reenactment at Battle or dive into some 

wild swimming with a nature experience at South 

Lodge, near Horsham. 

23. Listen to the 

music 

18. Wellness 

24 

Winter is a time for wellness! Whether you want to 

book yourself into one of the county’s top end spas, 

book yourself on to a winter forest bathing session or 

check into a wellness retreat, winter is a good time to 

take a moment for you. 

Winter is a time of 

evocative music, with 

Christmas concerts 

at Glyndebourne, 

Mediaeval Baebes 

at Horsham, gala 

Christmas concerts 

by the Hastings 

Philharmonic 

Orchestra and carols at 

Chichester Cathedral. 

23 

19. Ice skating 

We might not have much snow in Sussex, but we do 

have ice skating with rinks popping up in Worthing, 

Brighton and Eastbourne during the winter. 

20. Go on a cultural trail 

You might want to follow in the footsteps of 

William the Conqueror, learn about Lee Miller and 

Surrealism or tuck into a food trail, but you have 

lots of choice in Sussex and you can cram a trail into 

one day or weekend, or stretch out visits over the 

course of the winter. 

21. Learn a new skill 

24. Light shows 

The dark nights make 

a perfect backdrop 

to enjoy some 

spectacular light 

shows. Leonardslee, 

Wakehurst and the 

Bluebell Railway 

all host special 

light events and 

nothing quite beats 

the Burning of the 

Clocks to mark 

the shortest day in 

Brighton. 

24 

Two Wonderful 

Winter Walks 

Beat the winter blues with these two very different but utterly stunning walks 

from opposite ends of the county. 

Sussex has a number of centres of learning where 

you can book on to a course and learn a new skill. 

In West Sussex, head to West Dean for courses that 

range from metalworking to interior design or in 

East Sussex, try one of the New School of Art courses 

in Lewes or Brighton. 

22. Try a new Sussex experience 

Immersive experiences are all the rage at the 

moment and there are lots popping up in Sussex, 

25. Visit a winter 

garden 

We have some 

fabulous winter 

gardens in Sussex, 

perfect for crisp winter 

mornings. How about 

a visit to Highdown in 

Worthing? 

25 

Royal Military Canal 

Path at Pett Level 

Pett Level and Winchelsea, 

East Sussex 

This is a wonderful route with different 

options according to your fitness levels or 

the amount of time you have. 

Park at Pett Level car park (What3Words: 

inert.protrube.inhabited). To get there 

you turn off the Hastings to Winchelsea 

road (A259) where it’s signed to Guestling 

Green, Pett and Pett Level. 

Walk to Winchelsea 

12.5 km route (excluding Winchelsea 

detour). Almost opposite the car park, 

you’ll see the Royal Military Canal 

Path which you follow all the way to 

Winchelsea. If you want to detour into 

Winchelsea itself for some lunch, turn 

left when the footpath meets the road and 

then left again up the steep hill to Strand 

Gate and into Winchelsea. The New Inn 

does lunch. 


43

Without the detour turn right when the 

Royal Military Canal Path meets the road 

just outside Winchelsea. There is a short 

bit of road walking until the road turns 

hard right and almost doubles back on 

itself, but you follow the footpath signs 

straight on down a lane/track. Then take 

the first footpath right which will take 

you back to the coast (you’ll pass over two 

footpath crossroads but just keep going 

straight on). At the coast, turn right and 

walk back to Pett Level. 

7.5 km route. Set off as above along the 

Royal Military Canal Path but take the first 

footpath to your right (about 3.3 km from 

the car park). This takes you across Pett 

Level back to the coast where you turn right 

and follow the path back to the village. 

Top tips 

• There is a great little café at Pett Level 

(Eater’s@Pett). Check winter opening 

times on Facebook. 

• If it’s really wet and muddy, just 

stick to the coastal path and walk to 

Winchelsea Beach (4km) or on to Rye 

Harbour (8km). 

• For fabulous views, detour up the cliffs 

where you’ll find a viewing bench. Just 

follow the narrow path from Pett Level 

signed Coastal Path. 

• Look out for the wreck of the warship 

Anne which was wrecked in 1690 

after the Battle of Beachy Head. It can 

only be seen at extreme low spring 

tide. This area is also known for its 

submerged prehistoric forest that dates 

from about 1500 BC. 

Kingley Vale, West Sussex 

This walk is full of folklore as well as 

wildlife and the incredible ancient yew 

tree forest. It’s also another walk that 

has options depending on what you 

want to achieve. 

Park at West Stoke (What3Words: 

century.irritated.convert). To get there, 

turn off the main Midhurst to Chichester 

road (A286) and follow the signs for West 

Stoke. Pass through the village and you’ll 

see the car park. 

There are three “official” Kingley Vale 

walks of varying distances: 

The Nature Trail – You’ll find this signed 

when you arrive (from West Stoke). It’s 

just under 3.5 km. 

The Hidden Trail – You can find details 

of this on the South Downs National 

Park website where you can also 

download a pamphlet with a map. It’s 7 

km (not including the distance from and 

to the car park). 

The Exterior Trail – As you arrive at the 

park from West Stoke, there is a path that 

takes you right around the edge of the 

park up to Bow Hill, and then via the 

Devil’s Humps and back via a main path 

rather than cutting down through the 

forest. If you do this route, you will miss 

the ancient yew forest. It’s 4.5 km. 

Walking with ghosts and 

the Devil 

6 km route. From the car park, it’s a 

walk of 1.2 km to the nature reserve and 

another 1.2 km into the heart of the 

Walk to Pett Level 

Lookout 

for the 

wreck of 

the warship 

Anne 

which was 

wrecked in 

1690 after 

the Battle 

of Beachy 

Head. 

Devil's Humps 

Ancient yew at 

Kingley Vale 

Kingley Vale - bench 

ancient yew tree forest (it’s signed but you 

enter the nature reserve, walk straight on 

for a short while and then bear right). 

The path takes you into the forest and 

then winds its way around the peculiar 

twists and twirls of these ancient trees. 

This is supposed to be one of the finest 

and oldest yew forests in Western Europe. 

Legends abound that there was a great 

Viking battle nearby and the ghosts of the 

warriors that fell, haunt the forest. 

As you leave the forest, you’ll see the 

horseshoe shape bowl of the nature 

reserve ahead of you. Climb straight 

ahead and upwards to the ridge at the 

top, and then turn left and follow the 

path. This will bring you past a distinctive 

bench with views back down across the 

bowl, and then to the Devil’s Humps. 

These are impressive Bronze Age burial 

mounds that sit on a ridge with views 

in all directions. There are four in total, 

two of which are bell barrows and two of 

which are bowl barrows. 

There are two routes back to the start. 

One is along the main path which is 

slightly longer and takes you around 

the edge of the park and past the WII 

observation post. Or you can cut 

through the park. This latter path is part 

of the Nature Trail and in places it runs 

parallel to the other path. However, it 

is narrow and very slippery in winter 

– that dangerous combination of mud 

and wet chalk. 

Top tips 

• Visit the yew forest early morning 

when no one else is around and the 

only sound is your footsteps and the 

birds waking up. 

• Look out for the wooden benches in 

the park that are engraved with a verse 

and a corresponding image. 

• There is an interesting Field 

Museum at the entrance to the 

nature reserve and look out for 

the Tansley Stone near the Devil’s 

Humps. It’s a memorial. 

• There is sometimes a coffee trailer 

which parks in the car park, but failing 

that, head back to West Stoke and 

Design Vintage which has a café. 


A Pint of Bitter Please 

Lucy Pitts talks to Dot Joiner in Chief, MD and Co-Owner 

at Langham Brewery, Lesley Foulkes, about casks, 

conkers and continuums. Oh, and about beer! 

Back in 2003, three friends were 

sitting round a pub table, when 

they came up with the idea of 

starting a brewery. You have 

to remember that back then, 

the Sussex landscape was very different. 

Wine makers had yet to spread their viney 

tendrils across her gentle slopes, the word 

sustainability didn’t feature in our lexicon 

and the craft beer explosion was still a long 

way in the future. 

These days, that brewery is Langham 

Brewery, a multi award winning 

brewery producing cask-conditioned 

real ale and keg beers, with a gold South 

Downs Green Tourism accreditation. 

Turn off the main road from Petworth 

to Midhurst and you’ll find it tucked 

away in an 18th century granary barn 

with views of the South Downs. 

Snakes and ladders 

A sign for Rob’s well-rotted farmyard 

manure greets you at the door (the folk 

at Langham are very proud of this as it’s 

partly made with Langham waste malt), 

quickly followed by a brightly coloured 

wall of beer clips. It never ceases to 

amaze me how endlessly creative beer 

makers are when it comes to beer names 

and branding. 

Head brewer, James, is up a ladder 

stirring the contents of Cathy the 

Copper (next to Martha the Mash Tun, 

of course), while assistant brewer Fran, 

who is sporting shorts and a fine pair 

of brewer’s wellies recounts a story of 

1980s brewing. The brewery is small, 

rustic, eclectic and oozes that heady, 

bitter sweet smell of malt and hops. 

Lesley Foulkes is one of the three 

founding members and I first met her, 

along with her dog Rambo, as part of a 

small group walking the Serpent Trail. 

Bohemian, bubbly and ever so 

slightly bonkers 

Back on that walk, I was instantly 

impressed by Lesley’s bohemian but 

endless energy and her interest in and 

enthusiasm about everything. She clearly 

has her finger on the pulse of all things 

South Downs National Park, and within 

the first few kilometres of our walk, we’d 

discussed how to make the South Downs 

more accessible and improve cycle 

paths, the Bloomsbury Set and different 

species of butterflies. She seemed to 

know a lot about everything but in a 

very quiet, modest way and her interest 

in championing the benefits as well as 

addressing the challenges of running a 

business based within the South Downs 

National Park clearly runs deep. 

On the day of my visit to the brewery, 

Lesley’s excitement to show me around 

bubbles visibly. For a small space there 

is a lot going on and Lesley knows 

every inch of it. Before I know it, we’re 

stepping over pipes, navigating kegs and 

skirting round fermenting tanks as she 

talks me through the different hops, shows 

me their cellars, explains fermentation 

times and discusses vegan cleaning agents 

and heat exchangers. When we get to the 

canning machine that they bought with 

their bounce back loan, I am quite sure 

Lesley will burst with pride. They had to 

make a hole in the ceiling to fit it in! 

Knowing that Lesley is a chartered 

accountant by trade, it feels like a bit of 

a disconnect and I’m curious to know 

how she ended up as Chief Dot Joiner at 

a brewery. 

Accountant turned brewer? 

“I was going out with James (the other coowner) 

when he and his friend Steve had the 

idea of a brewery in 2003. Having lived in 

Wandsworth, I was aware of the big breweries 

but there really weren’t any small beer makers 

around. As soon as we mooted the idea 

amongst colleagues, a friendship group came 


together and a community formed that was 

and still is filled with camaraderie, support 

and passion. It is one of the best things about 

being in the beer business – the amazing 

brewing community and many of our 

customers have been loyal to us since the start. 

Once we found premises here on the 

Cowdray Estate and got off the ground, 

I quickly realised that you get a fantastic 

sense of pride and satisfaction when you see 

someone enjoying a pint of your beer and 

my involvement with Langham has given 

me a great sense of purpose. You just don’t 

get the same feeling as an accountant.” 

As we talk, customers drift in to collect 

beer or stay for a pint in the taproom, 

and everyone seems very comfortable 

in each other’s skin. One customer is 

sipping a pint and remembers with 

fondness his Covid beer collection. Lesley 

proudly points out some of their green 

tourism accolades but as sustainability 

is a relatively new concept, I wanted to 

understand how it was that Langham 

have been sustainable from the outset. 

Articulating the unarticulated 

“We didn’t necessarily say we wanted to 

be sustainable at the start, but we were 

always very clear that we wanted to make 

the best beer in the best way we can with 

the community and for the community. 

We want to be forward looking but we also 

want to acknowledge that beer making is a 

"...Sustainability 

was almost a 

by-product of 

this approach 

and in 2017, 

when we 

were invited 

to be the first 

corporate 

partner of the 

South Downs 

National Park 

and to become 

a sustainable 

and positive 

role model for 

others in the 

community, we 

jumped at the 

chance. .." 

continuum and tradition and heritage is a 

big part of that. Sustainability was almost 

a by-product of this approach and in 2017, 

when we were invited to be the first corporate 

partner of the South Downs National 

Park Trust and to become a sustainable 

and positive role model for others in the 

community, we jumped at the chance. 

Sustainability should involve the 

community. We have an Inclusivity page 

on our website and I’m really proud of it. 

We want to be accessible to everyone. One 

of the things we’re doing at the moment 

is working with the Book a Bus scheme 

and we’re also helping to promote and 

support a Santa dash for the Northchapel 

school, we’re part of the Sussex Six, we have 

our annual Bonkers for Conkers event, a 

Mid-Winter Festival, our walks and our 

Live at Langham events. All our events are 

fundraisers for local causes. This is all part of 

who we are. 

But it’s important to understand that 

sustainability must also make economic sense, 

given your size and we’re a small brewery 

with very limited resources. So we have to 

think laterally when we need to replace 

something, for example, our new tank is 

bigger and will enable us to re-use our hot 

water. Installing it also meant upgrading 

and improving our pipes so that they are 

better insulated. We’re also currently working 

to establish our base CO 2 

and working on 

a project with the University of Surrey to 

create a device that will capture, recycle and 

repurpose our waste CO 2 

.” 

Since you started, there has been 

a craft beer explosion. How have 

you survived? 

“Of course, we’ve had to adapt a few times. 

Covid was a great example of that, when 

we created our own ‘BeerThru’. By doing 

that, we significantly increased our retail 

base and then we opened our taproom and 

created a brewery experience, whilst at the 

same time, showcasing the South Downs. 

Our organised walks run by Malinka of 

Rural Strides are another great example, as 

Malinka shares her enormous knowledge of 

the Western Weald and local countryside on 

the walks which finish with a pint or two at 

the brewery.” 

And talking of beer… 

“We brew three or four times a week and 

produce about 2,500 hectolitres of beer 

a year. We’ve got our five main signature 

beers: Session Bitter, Hip Hop, Best, 

Arapaho and Session IPA and we cask 

condition our ale, which isn’t done by 

many breweries anymore. It’s a process that 

allows a secondary fermentation in the cask 

creating a beer that is naturally carbonated 

and is not filtered or pasteurized. This really 

helps develop the character of the beer. 

We are also very collaborative. When we 

developed our Arapaho beer, I contacted 

their heritage society and we’re still friends 

on Facebook. We also got approached by 

What3Words to work with them so we 

developed some beers around our words: 

Hence.Mute.Lizards. More recently, we 

collaborated with an American brewer for 

D-Day and we’ve just collaborated with 

our hop supplier to create a beer called 

First Swallow.” 

What’s the secret to your success 

and more importantly, what’s 

your favourite beer? 

“I guess our real secret is that we’re very 

genuine and we consistently make good beer 

crafted with love for good people. I love the 

different flavours of beer and my favourite 

is probably Rocket Juice. It’s so juicy they say 

it’s one of your five a day.” 

You can visit Langham Brewery for a 

brewery experience, tour and tasting, 

to visit their shop or for one of the 

many events they host at the brewery. 


49

FOOD 

FOOD 

The 

Sussex Foodie 

The Sussex Grazed Project: The 

Brighton and Hove Food Partnership is 

working with Sussex landowners, farmers 

and residents to run a local meat box 

scheme, as part of the National Trust 

led Changing Chalk project. 

Sussex Grazed sell boxes of grass-fed 

lamb, goat and beef, from animals that 

have been grazed on local chalk grassland 

between Shoreham and Eastbourne. 

Sussex Producers 

Sussex Saffron is the UK’s only certified 

organic producer of saffron. Tucked away 

in a hidden corner of the High Weald 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 

they also grow organic edible flowers and 

heirloom vegetables and have a selection 

of recipes on their website. 

Lychpole Farm on the Sompting 

Estate is best known as a pumpkin 

picking farm in West Sussex. In fact, 

each year they plant over 70,000 

pumpkin seeds. They also have 

pumpkin recipes on their website. In 

addition to pumpkins, they have cattle 

and sheep and grow barley which is 

used for beer production and animal 

feed, and wheat for bread. They are 

passionate about conservation and 

environmental impact, and they are 

one to look out for. 

page 50 

Rathfinny Wine 

Estate dessert 

Bottom: 

Eater's at Pett 

For the weary walker 

A favourite find this year was the Eater’s 

at Pett café. It’s a little beach-side café 

overlooking beautiful Pett Level beach 

in East Sussex, right at the foot of the 

cliffs. It has limited winter opening 

hours (check on Facebook) but serves the 

best bacon sandwich and millionaire’s 

shortbread. Perfect for hungry walkers. 

Celebrate the flavours of Sussex with the help of some 

of the county’s many wonderful producers 

Favourite finds 

Harley House “festively distilled” Sloe Gin. 

Made with their classic Pure Sussex Gin 

and locally sourced hand-picked Sussex 

sloes. A perfect tasting sloe gin, smooth to 

drink and a classic winter warmer. 


51

FOOD 

FOOD 

For Sunday lunch 

The Three Crowns at Wisborough 

Green: Full of history, very cosy and 

dog friendly, this country pub also has a 

Michelin Star chef. Tuck into a Sunday 

lunch of double cooked shoulder of 

South Downs lamb, slow roasted pork 

belly or mushroom wellington! 

In the foodie spotlight: 

Alfriston 

Alfriston is hopelessly pretty at any time 

of the year so why not enjoy a foodie 

extravaganza there? 

Start your day at the village shop which 

will take you straight back in time with 

its many original features and vintage 

feel. Stock up on a variety of Sussex 

cheeses and meats, homemade pies and 

cakes, pickles, chutneys, jams, jellies, 

marmalade preserves, sweets and biscuits. 

Next head on over to Rathfinny Wine 

Estate for some wine tasting and maybe 

a spot of lunch overlooking the Downs 

in their Michelin Star Flint Barns Dining 

Room Restaurant. While you’re there, 

pick up one of their trail maps and walk 

their Rathfinny trail (you’ll need to build 

an appetite) or walk back to the village! 

Back in Alfriston, enjoy coffee and cake 

at one of the three superb coffee shops: 

The Singing Kettle, Badgers Team 

Room @The Old Village Bakery or The 

Gun Room. Perhaps pop over to Long 

Man Brewery and enjoy a tour and 

tasting. More exploring is then required 

before you choose one of the pubs to 

eat in for dinner. 

The Star (owned by the Polizzi family) 

is perhaps the best known, but don’t 

ignore The George, The Wingrove 

Restaurant, Ye Olde Smugglers Inne or 

The Sussex Ox. 

Bon Appetit 

Clockwise: 

Sunday lunch at 

The Three Crowns 

The George in 

Alfriston 

Cake at The Gun 

Room, Alfriston 

Light lunch at 

Rathfinny Wine 

Estate 

Alfriston Village Shop 

The Three Crowns in 

Wisborough Green 

A Nutty History: 

Chestnuts, 

A Sussex Tradition 

Sarah Thompson of Sussex Kitchen shares some festive good cheer, 

a whole heap of atmosphere and some nutty know how in the kitchen 

with these chestnut based recipes. 

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your toes... 

There’s something undeniably cosy about the phrase, isn’t there? 

And at the heart of this wintry image lies a humble, yet versatile nut: the chestnut. 

Sussex’s Chestnut Connection 

Sussex, with its chalky soils and mild 

climate, has long been a chestnut haven. 

These trees have been part of the county’s 

landscape for centuries, providing food 

and timber for local communities. It’s 

no wonder that chestnuts are so deeply 

ingrained in Sussex’s culinary and 

cultural heritage. 

Festive Tradition 

Chestnuts are inextricably linked with 

the festive season. The aroma of roasting 

chestnuts fills the air at Christmas 

markets and fairs, evoking feelings of 

warmth and nostalgia. The tradition of 

roasting chestnuts dates back centuries 

and is often associated with the winter 

solstice. It was believed that roasting 

chestnuts would ward off evil spirits and 

bring good fortune. 

While chestnuts are synonymous with 

Christmas, their versatility extends far 

beyond the festive season. From hearty 

soups and stuffings to decadent cakes and 

pastries, chestnuts add a touch of luxury 

and warmth to any dish. 

Chestnut Festive Feast 

Whether you’re enjoying roasted 

chestnuts by the fire or incorporating 

them into your festive meals, this 

sustainable delicacy offers a delicious and 

nostalgic experience. This season, embrace 

the tradition of chestnuts and savour their 

unique flavour and culinary heritage. 


53

FOOD 

FOOD 

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cook Time: 10 minutes 

Serves: 6 



Serves: 12 tartlets 

Welcome Drink 

Warm Chestnut and 

Orange Punch 

A cosy, lightly spiced drink with chestnut syrup, 

orange juice, and a splash of brandy (optional) for a 

warming welcome beverage. 

Ingredients: 

1 cup / 235 ml chestnut syrup 

4 cups / 950 ml freshly squeezed orange juice 

2 cups / 475 ml water 

1/2 cup / 120 ml brandy or dark rum (optional for 

alcoholic version) 

1 cinnamon stick 

4-5 cloves 

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 

1/2 tsp ground ginger 

Orange slices and chestnut shavings, for garnish 

Instructions: 

Prepare the punch: In a large pot, combine orange 

juice, water, and chestnut syrup. Add cinnamon stick, 

cloves, nutmeg, and ground ginger. Bring mixture 

to gentle simmer over medium heat and warm for 

approx. 10 minutes, allow flavours to meld together. 

Add brandy or rum (optional): For an alcoholic 

version, stir in the brandy or dark rum just before 

serving. If you want a non-alcoholic drink, simply 

omit this step. 

Serve: Ladle warm punch into heatproof glasses or 

mugs. Garnish with orange slice and sprinkle a few 

chestnut shavings on top for an elegant touch. 

Canapé 

Chestnut and 

Blue Cheese Tartlets 

These mini tartlets are packed with creamy 

blue cheese and crunchy chestnuts, 

making them a rich and decadent appetizer. 

Ingredients: 

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed 

1/2 cup / 60 g cooked, peeled chestnuts, finely chopped 

1/3 cup / 40 g blue cheese, crumbled 

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash or plant-based alternative) 

Fresh thyme leaves (optional) 

Instructions: 

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 200°C / 180°C Fan / 

Gas Mark 6. 

Cut the puff pastry: Roll out the puff pastry 

sheet on lightly floured surface, cut into small 

squares, approx. 2 inches in size. Place squares on a 

parchment-lined baking sheet. 

Top with chestnuts and cheese: In centre of each 

square, place a small quantity of chopped chestnuts 

and crumbled blue cheese. 

Brush with egg wash: Brush the edges of the pastry 

squares with the beaten egg (or vegan alternative) to 

help them turn golden while baking. 

Bake: Bake in preheated oven 12-15 minutes, or 

until the pastry is puffed and golden. 

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves, 

serve warm. 



Serves: 4 

Ingredients: 

2 tbsp butter (dairy or plant-based) 

1 onion, chopped 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

1 leek, white and light green parts only, sliced 

2 cups / 240 g cooked, peeled chestnuts (shop or 

homemade) 

4 cups / 950 ml vegetable or chicken broth 

1 cup / 240 ml double cream (dairy or plant-based) 

Salt and pepper, to taste 

Fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish 

Starter 

Chestnut Soup 



Serves: 4 

A creamy, warming chestnut soup perfect for the colder months. 

Instructions: 

Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, melt butter (or dairy 

free alternative) over medium heat. Add chopped 

onion, garlic, and leek. Cook until vegetables are soft 

and translucent, approx. 8-10 minutes. 

Add chestnuts and broth: Stir in cooked chestnuts 

and broth. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook for 

15 minutes to allow the flavours to combine. 

Blend the soup: Blend until smooth and creamy. 

Add cream: Stir in cream and season with salt and 

pepper. Gently heat for 5 minutes without bringing 

it to a boil. 

Serve: Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley. 


55

FOOD 

FOOD 



Serves: 4 

Ingredients: 

1 cup / 120 g arborio rice 

1 onion, finely chopped 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

2 cups / 240 g cooked, peeled 

chestnuts, chopped 

4 cups / 950 ml chicken or vegetable 

broth, warmed 

1/2 / 120 ml cup dry white wine or 

dry vermouth (optional) 

1/4 cup / 40 g grated Parmesan cheese 

2 tbsp olive oil 

2 tbsp butter (dairy or plant-based) 

Salt and pepper, to taste 

Fresh parsley or thyme, for garnish 

Main 

Chestnut Risotto 

A savoury chestnut risotto with earthy flavours, perfect for an elegant dinner. 

Instructions: 

Sauté onion and garlic: In a large pan, heat olive oil 

and butter (or dairy free alternative) over medium 

heat. Add onion and cook until soft, approx. 5 

minutes. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. 

Cook rice: Add arborio rice and stir to coat with the 

oil and butter. Cook for 2-3 minutes until rice is 

lightly toasted. 

Add wine / vermouth (optional): Gradually pour in 

wine, stir until it is absorbed by the rice. 

Add broth: Begin adding warm broth, one ladle at a 

time, stirring constantly. Allow liquid to be absorbed 

before adding more. Continue process for 18-20 

minutes, until rice is creamy and tender. 

Add chestnuts: Stir in chopped chestnuts during the 

last 5 minutes of cooking. 

Finish and serve: Remove risotto from heat, stir 

in grated Parmesan, season with salt and pepper. 

Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme, serve hot. 

Dessert 

Chestnut Chocolate Cake 

A rich and decadent chestnut and chocolate cake, 

perfect for dessert lovers. 



Serves: 8 

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cups / 180 g chestnut puree (shop or 

homemade) 

7 oz (200 g) dark chocolate, melted 

1 /2 cup 60g sugar 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (dairy or 

plant-based) 

3 large eggs (or plant-based alternative) 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Pinch of salt 

Icing sugar or whipped cream (dairy or plant-based), 

for serving 

Instructions: 

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 185°C Fan / Gas Mark 4. 

Grease and line an 8inch round cake pan. 

Melt chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate using a 

double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second 

intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Set aside 

to cool slightly. 

Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together 

butter (or dairy free alternative) and sugar until light 

and fluffy. Beat in the eggs (or vegan free alternative) 

one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and 

chestnut puree until smooth. Add a pinch of salt. 

Add chocolate: Slowly fold in melted chocolate until 

fully incorporated. 

Bake the cake: Pour batter into prepared cake pan and 

smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a 

toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. 

Cool and serve: Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, 

transfer to wire rack to cool completely. 

Dust with icing sugar or serve with whipped cream. 

After Dinner 

Chestnut Mocha Latte 

A comforting and rich coffee drink, combining 

the sweetness of chestnuts with the boldness of 

coffee and chocolate. 



Serves: 1 

Ingredients: 

1 shot / 35 ml espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee) 

1/2 cup / 120 ml milk (dairy or plant-based) 

2 tbsp chestnut puree 

1 tbsp cocoa powder 

1 tbsp sugar 

Whipped cream (dairy or plant-based) chestnut 

flakes, for garnish 

Instructions: 

Heat the milk: In a small saucepan, heat milk (or dairy 

free alternative) over medium heat until it begins to 

steam. Add the chestnut puree, cocoa powder, and 

sugar, whisking until everything is well combined and 

smooth. 

Brew coffee: Brew a shot of espresso or strong coffee and 

pour it into a mug. 

Combine: Pour the chestnut-chocolate milk mixture 

over the coffee, stirring to combine. 

Garnish: Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of 

chestnut flakes for a finishing touch. 

Serve: Enjoy your chestnut mocha latte with a warm 

pastry or on its own! 

You can find more chestnut recipes by Sarah on our 

website at: Chestnut Recipes including purées and 

syrups and a chestnut espresso. 

Sarah of Sussex Kitchen is a freelance creative based 

in Sussex and self-confessed obsessive foodie for over 

20 years. Her culinary journey began as a distiller 15 

years ago. Since then, she has leveraged her skills as 

a photographer, filmmaker, storyteller, food writer, 

brand strategy, and recipe developer to create 

stunning and impactful work. 


FOOD 

FOOD 

In the 

Kitchen 

Danish Honningkage 

Honey Cake 


Becci Coombes of Hyggestyle shares two of her favourite 

winter recipes for a heartwarming feast on a cold day 

One of our favourite treats here at 

Hyggestyle, this delicious festive 

bake has all the overtones of a spicy 

and comforting Lebkuchen, but in a 

cake format! It is much denser than a 

traditional sponge, with an almost bread-like texture; 

absolutely delicious with either a cup of tea or a glass 

of mulled wine! Rather than buy a litre of buttermilk 

and then waste most of it, I often just make my 

own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon to 120ml of 

milk and then setting it aside for 10 minutes until it 

thickens slightly. 

Ingredients 

250 g plain flour 

200 g runny honey 

100 g sugar 

125 ml buttermilk 

60 ml sunflower oil 

2 eggs 

2 tsp mixed spice 

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 

1 tsp baking powder 

Zest of an orange 

For the icing 

200 g icing sugar 

100 g butter (softened) 

1 tbsp milk 

For the topping 

100 g dark chocolate 

1 tsp of butter 

30 g toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped 

Method 

Preheat your oven to 175 degrees and grease and line 

two 17.5cm sandwich tins with baking paper. 

Gently melt the honey and sugar over a low heat in a 

large pan until the crystals have melted into a smooth 

syrup. Set aside to cool. 

Once the syrup is back to room temperature, whisk 

the eggs, oil and buttermilk into the syrup and beat 

well to combine. 

Combine the flour, bicarb, baking powder, orange 

zest and spices then gently fold carefully into the 

syrup mixture until smooth. 

Divide the mixture between the two pans and bake 

in the centre of the oven until cooked when poked 

with a skewer and springy to the touch (about 15- 

20 minutes); the honey can catch quite easily so it’s 

better to cook for longer lower down in the oven to 

avoid a scorched top! 

Leave the cakes for a little while before turning out 

and leaving them to cool completely. 

To make the buttercream, sift the icing sugar into a 

large bowl. Add the butter and beat until smooth, 

adding a tablespoon or two of milk if necessary to 

loosen the icing up a little. 

Flip one of the sponges over to give you a nice flat 

surface for decorating and sandwich the two cakes 

together with the icing. 

Place the butter and chocolate in a large ceramic 

bowl set over a pan of simmering water and slowly 

melt, stirring occasionally until smooth. Pour the 

mixture into the middle of the cake and gently push 

it towards the edges using the back of a spoon. 

Sprinkle over the hazelnuts and allow the topping 

to cool before slicing; to get a really neat slice, don’t 

push the knife down vertically! If you hold the knife 

perpendicular to the serving plate and then draw it 

towards the centre of the cake you will get a much 

cleaner slice as the icing won’t be dragged through 

the crumbs. 

59

FOOD 

DRINK 

Amaretti 

The origin of this recipe began with my 

friend Curly Lisa, one of the greatest 

bakers I know, and my heart gladdens 

every time she turns up to a gathering 

with a cake tin. This is her family recipe 

for traditional amaretti biscuits that are crisp on the 

outside and chewy within; all the delicious flavours 

of marzipan but with none of the bitterness you can 

sometimes get with the ready-made version. They 

are delicious left plain, but I have taken the liberty 

of adding some chocolate, both as a decoration and 

surprise filling; quick and easy to make, the recipe 

can be scaled up very successfully so is the perfect 

batch bake for home-made gifts! 

Ingredients 

150 g ground almonds 

75 g sugar 

1 egg white 

A couple of drops of almond essence 

or a good teaspoon of amaretto 

Icing sugar 

For the chocolate version 

50 g of dark chocolate, plus 12 squares of chocolate 

(I love using Lidl dark chocolate, and a 100 g bar will 

be plenty for both jobs!) 

Method 

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and bring 

together until a soft dough is formed. 

Pop the dough in the fridge to chill for at least an 

hour, then preheat your oven to 175 degrees. 

Line 2 baking sheets with greaseproof paper and roll 

the dough into 12 equal balls. 

Sprinkle a generous amount of icing sugar 

on a plate, then roll the balls in it so they are 

completely covered. 

Lay them on the baking sheet before gently flattening 

each one with a glass tumbler or similar. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden, then allow 

to cool before serving (they’ll harden up as they 

cool down). 

To make the chocolate filled amaretti, the process is 

the same; just press a square of chocolate into each 

ball of dough, then re-roll/squidge so the chocolate is 

completely covered. 

Once the cookies are completely cold, melt 50g of 

dark chocolate along with a teaspoon of vegetable oil. 

Drizzle across the top of the biscuits using the tines 

of a fork then allow to cool. 

Becci Coombes is Winner of 

F:entrepreneur100, Winner of 

BT’s Best Home Business of the Year 

and Remote Worker Awards and 

The Mumpreneur 100. 

She is also an author and founder of 

Hygge Style. 

Coffee Liqueur 

Becci Coombes of Hyggestyle shares her favourite winter liqueur 

As you will have no doubt 

already gathered, there 

are few things I find more 

pleasurable than a liqueur 

after a long family meal 

(take that as you will); this coffee infused 

spirit is perfect for either serving to your 

guests after a dinner party, or as a little 

extra pick me up in a Christmas hamper. 

Quick to put together, it only takes a few 

key ingredients and a month-long rest in 

a dark cupboard before you have a silkysmooth 

treat to serve over ice. Drizzle 

over vanilla ice cream with a few chopped 

walnuts as a quick grown-up dessert, add 

a glug to coffee cake mixture and truffles, 

or pour a dash in your hot chocolate for 

an extra treat. It also tastes delicious in a 

glass of ice-cold milk or a basis for some 

adventurous holiday cocktails. 

Traditional shop-bought coffee liqueur is a 

little too sweet and syrupy for my taste, so 

this version has less sugar than other recipes 

for a slightly cleaner flavour. I will confess, 

however, that I do use decaffeinated 

coffee, as I do like to go to bed after 

drinking it and still be able to sleep! 

Ingredients 

(makes roughly 1.5l, allowing a little extra 

for tasting as you go!) 

750 ml vodka (there are now a number of Sussex made vodkas) 

750 ml water 

400 g brown sugar 

50 g instant coffee powder (I use Americano) 

1 tbsp good quality vanilla extract 

Method 

Place the water and sugar in a large saucepan. 

Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes over medium to high heat until all 

the sugar has dissolved, making a syrup. 

Add the coffee and give the mixture a quick whisk until all the 

powder has dissolved. 

Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before 

stirring in the vodka (this last part is important as you don’t 

want any of the alcohol to evaporate). 

Pour into sterilised jars or bottles then leave for at least a 

month to allow the flavours to mellow. At this point it is worth 

giving it a little taste and deciding if you would like to make 

it any sweeter. Add caster sugar in 100 g increments, shaking 

thoroughly and leaving it for a couple of days in between 

additions; “you can always add extra sugar, but you can’t take it 

out” as my grandmother would say. 

Strain through a coffee filter or muslin to get rid of any 

cloudiness or fine grounds from the coffee powder, then decant 

into pretty glass bottles and label ready to give as gifts. 

Once you are happy with the recipe in terms of sweetness, it is 

a great one to play with; add 50g of cocoa to the initial mix to 

make a mocha liqueur, or swap some of the vodka for spiced 

rum or brandy for more complex flavours. 


Winter at 

The Chequers Inn at 

Rowhook, West Sussex 

Our menu changes to reflect the seasons 

and you can expect locally sourced 

ingredients and elegant dishes that are 

bursting with flavour. Try our crispy 

confit duck on mashed potatoes with 

Savoy cabbage, French beans, sherry 

vinegar and lentil du puy jus. Or enjoy 

our Christmas Fayre menu and tuck into 

roast local free range bronze turkey with 

chestnut and orange stuffing, chipolatas 

and bacon, roast potatoes and seasonal 

vegetables, followed by Christmas 

pudding with brandy cream. 

We have a carefully chosen selection of 

wines and beers and are aways happy to 

recommend a wine and food pairing. 

Outstanding chefs 

We’ve featured in the AA, Michelin and 

Master Chefs of Great Britain guides 

and we have an outstanding reputation 

for fine food, excellent wines and great 

service. All of which makes The Chequers 

one of the top Sussex foodie destinations 

for 2024. 

Fine dining at a unique Sussex gastropub 

Winter at The 

Chequers is a 

fabulous time. 

Whether you 

want to warm 

up on a cold day with a drink in the 

bar in front of the fire, tuck into a 

lingering lunch in our cosy restaurant 

or get together with friends to celebrate 

Christmas, The Chequers oozes festive 

charm and warmth. 

Seasonal ingredients 

Our menu offers a contemporary take 

on classic British and French-inspired 

cuisine, with every dish freshly-prepared 

in our country kitchen. 

Make a day of it 

Our historic 15th century building sits 

on the edge of ancient woodland and 

Stane Street (the original Roman road 

to London) and just outside historic 

Horsham. The Chequers Inn is dog 

friendly with dog treats on the bar and 

water on request, so it’s a great place to 

recuperate if you’ve been out walking and 

exploring the area. 

Booking is recommended. Plenty of free 

parking available. 

The Chequers Inn 

Rowhook Road, Horsham 

RH12 3PY 

thechequersrowhook.com 

01403 790480 


est. 2017 HORSHAM 

Designing a 

Luxury Kitchen 

Shaun Pentecost of Holmewood Interiors shares insights 

on creating a functional but luxury kitchen 

Explore more 

customer projects 

Creating A Room You Can Be Proud Of 

t: 01403 254090 e: info@holmewoodinteriors.co.uk www.holmewoodinteriors.co.uk 

Luxury means different things to 

different people. But in kitchen 

design it will always encompass 

the overall appearance, the 

ease of use and, of course, the 

different features you use to fill the space. 

And most importantly … at Holmewood 

Interiors, luxury does not have to mean 

ludicrously expensive. 

Adding your personal deluxe features 

into the design, choosing your materials 

wisely and utilising your space to its best 

advantage, will ultimately result in a 

functional and luxurious kitchen space. So 

how do you make it happen? 

Creating the flow 

The first place to start your design 

process is always with the layout. Taking 

into account your kitchen’s high access 

areas of fridge, oven, hob and sink; 

you plan your kitchen’s ergonomics to 

combine both the working and relaxing 

spaces. Easy movement between the 

different zones to avoid any pinch points 

is key, along with the type of seating area 

you need to uphold your luxury styling. 

Bespoke cabinetry that is tailored to 

fit your room’s quirks; whether they be 

high or low ceilings, historic features, 


odd shaped spaces, or even just your 

own individual needs, will also use 

clever design to create a well-appointed 

expensive look and feel. 

Function and luxury combined 

Luxury is enhancing your kitchen’s 

functionality with specialised accessories. 

Choose from pull-out larder units 

through to chilled wine racks and 

utensil organisers, boiling water taps or 

concealed appliances. Custom storage 

options help maximise storage space and 

create a clear clutter-free environment. 

And the good organisation of your 

kitchen supplies, whilst also providing 

easier access to those kitchen items, 

increases efficiency too. 

In addition, smart home appliances 

can add an extra indulgence. With 

automated temperature and lighting 

settings, voice-activated controls or 

smart ovens that connect to mobile 

networks, indulgence combined with 

practicality just oozes luxury. 

Seating, socialising and space - 

worktop space 

A multi-functional kitchen island will 

make a statement when creating a space 

for entertaining, or even just for chatting 

over coffee with friends. However, it can 

be highly functional too, giving space 

for both seating and food preparation. 

Appliances can be ‘hidden’ underneath 

and concealed plug sockets included on 

top. And the choice of seating, whilst 

needing to be practical, need not exclude 

a more opulent look to set it apart. 

Countertops and splash backs 

There are all kinds of natural and 

composite worktop styles, colours and 

materials that can create the luxury look. 

Countertops range from natural wood 


that can look amazing but does need 

some care to maintain, through to the 

much sought-after and maintenance free 

high-end quartz which sports natural 

patterns, a range of colours and a clean 

modern appearance. 

Adding a splash back can also create 

styling and luxury in a number of ways. 

So accentuate your room’s richness and 

add an artistic edge, high sophistication 

or even sense of fun with an image, 

tiling, mosaic design or a mirror effect. 

The importance of correct 

lighting 

It is easy to underestimate the impact 

of correct lighting. Lighting, whether 

from a natural source or designer led, is 

important when accentuating the focus 

points in your kitchen. A variety of 

different lighting effects such as bright 

light for food preparation areas, and 

under unit and floor level lights for 

ambient lighting; in conjunction with 

strong and stylish statement light fixtures, 

can all contribute to a sumptuous feel. 

And mixing light bulb tones can play a 

part here too. Bright white light provides 

a more modern or sterile feel, whilst 

soft lighting tones will suggest a more 

relaxing mood. 

If you would like any further 

information about how we create 

luxury kitchens, please visit our website 

holmewoodinteriors.co.uk, call us on 

01403 254090 or email 

info@holmewoodinteriors.co.uk and we 

will always do what we can to help. 

The 

Sussex Exclusive Quiz 

How well do you know Sussex and how 

carefully have you been reading? 

Test your knowledge with our quiz. 

1. Where is the Lightning Fibre 

Ice Rink? 

2. Where does the 

What3Words location 

Hence.Mute.Lizards take you 

for a beer? 

3. According to the Sussex 

Exclusive magazine, what is 

the length of the Chichester 

City Wall? 

4. The Midhurst markers 

feature a 'M' on one side for 

Midhurst and a 'W' on the 

other. What does the 'W' 

stand for? 

5. Where can you see the 

wreck of the warship Anne? 

6. When does voting close 

for the Horsham District 

Christmas Magic Displays 

competition? 

7. Which castle is also known 

as Ypres Tower? 

8. Who are 'Puffing Billy', 

'Princess Marina', ‘Boadicea' 

and 'His Majesty'? 

9. 2025 marks what 

anniversary of the formation 

of the Diocese of Chichester 

and the start of the 

construction of Chichester 

Cathedral? 

10. Where can you experience 

Santa's SteamLights? 

67

Dog Friendly 

Days Out 

Pack the dog treats and the lead, and head out for a day 

exploring with your hound at these dog friendly locations 

Dogs are 

welcome 

in the 

Cathedral 

and its 

grounds 

during key 

visiting 

hours 

Chichester Cathedral 

East Head 

Chichester, West Sussex 

Chichester is the only city in West 

Sussex. It stands on the foundations of 

the Roman-British city of Noviomagus 

Reginorum. It was also an Anglo- 

Saxon settlement and in the 9th century 

Alfred the Great refortified the city 

against the threat of a Viking invasion. 

Following the Norman Conquest in 

1066, the Cathedral that had been 

founded in 681 at Selsey was moved 

to Chichester. In 1642, during the Civil 

War, the city was besieged, all of which 

means, it is a city rich in history and 

interesting things to see. 

Exploring the city 

With plenty to explore, start the day 

walking the city wall. It’s only about 

2.5 km all the way around so won’t take 

too long. Then head into the centre and 

visit the Cathedral. Dogs are welcome 

in the Cathedral and its grounds during 

key visiting hours (Monday – Saturday, 

9.00am - 5.00pm and Sunday, 12.30 - 

2.30pm). Dogs are also permitted in the 

garden of the newly opened Cloisters 

Kitchen & Garden. You will need to keep 

your hound on the lead. Then have a 

mooch with your pooch around the city 

centre before a quick bite at dog friendly 

Cafe Paradiso in North Street. 

Heading out of town 

You can walk from Chichester to the 

nearby Roman Fishbourne Palace which 

Battle Abbey 

is dog friendly. It’s about 3 km. The 

palace is open to the 30th November 

and reopens on the 10th February 2025. 

Alternatively, jump in the car and head 

to either The Weald and Downland 

Museum or West Dean Gardens. Both 

are dog friendly and open throughout the 

winter (although check opening times 

before travel). 

A blast on the beach 

Before you leave the area, head to 

Chichester Harbour for a walk along 

the coast. East Head, just west of West 

Wittering is dog friendly or head to the 

Chidham Peninsula. If you walk the 

whole peninsula route, it’s 12 km. 

If you’re staying 

If you’re staying in the area overnight, 

there are a number of dog friendly 

Airbnbs in Chichester, or for a 

little luxury, Goodwood Hotel and 

Bailiffscourt are both dog friendly and a 

short drive away. 

Battle, East Sussex 

The Medieval market town of Battle 

in East Sussex won’t take you long 

to explore but the main attraction 

is, of course, Battle Abbey and the 

battleground of the Battle of Hastings in 

1066. The grounds are dog friendly and 

a great place to start a day exploring the 

area with your hound. Apart from the 

battlefield, there are the abbey ruins too. 

The abbey was founded by William I in 

about 1070. 

If you haven’t walked enough by the time 

you have finished at Battle Abbey, walk a 

section of the 1066 Country Walk which 

passes right past the abbey gates and runs 

from Pevensey to Rye. It’s about 21km to 

Rye if you want to go all the way. 

Heading out of town 

Not far from Battle, you have the choice 

of visiting Bodiam Castle or Bateman’s. 

Bateman’s was the home of Rudyard 

Kipling and it’s open all year. Dogs on 

short leads are welcome in the garden 

and estate. Dogs on short leads are also 

welcome in the grounds of the 14th 

century moated castle at Bodiam and in 

the Castle View Café. 

If the above doesn’t float your boat, then 

try Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard where 

you walk with your dog around the estate 

and vineyards…perhaps stopping off 

at the shop for a bottle or two of wine 

before you leave. 

One last blast 

Brede High Woods not far from Battle 

is 647 acres of ancient woodland and 

forest within the High Weald Area of 

Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are 

two main car parks and 15 entrances into 

the woods from where you can explore. 

If you’re staying 

Powdermills Hotel & Restaurant just 

outside Battle welcomes dogs. 

As always, check opening times of 

venues before travel. 


Celebrate the festive windows, market stalls 

and internal displays which help to make 

Horsham District towns and villages 

a magical place 

Win a 

fantastic 

prize: 

Vote for your favourite 

Have your say from Monday 2 December 

to Sunday 15 December at: 

www.horsham.gov.uk/buylocal 

A thrilling and immersive escape room experience for 

up to eight people at Major Mindgames, Horsham 

A wonderful tour, tasting and delicious lunch with a bottle 

of wine for two at Nutbourne Vineyard, Pulborough 

An enjoyable bagel baking experience day for four with 

Jacob’s Bagels, Pulborough 

Horsham 

District 

Goes Big 

For Christmas 

With their Christmas Magic 

Displays competition 

Images from 2023 

Josh and Donna at 

La Vida Boutique in 

Horsham 

The Childrens 

Society Best Display 

Southwater 

Tottington Manor - 

Best Display 

Henfield winner 

Sakala - Best Display 

Steyning winner 

Carmela Deli 

Overall best Window 

Display winner 

The good shopkeepers, 

business owners and 

stallholders of Horsham 

District love Christmas and 

from November onwards, 

you’ll start to see the emergence of 

sparkles and bows, tinsel, glitter and allround 

good cheer. 

Their creative endeavours typify a 

district where everyone seems to love 

Christmas and from Horsham to 

Henfield and Storrington to Steyning 

(with lots of places in between) from 

the 1st December you can enjoy the 

spirit of all things festive and cheerful 

with their wonderfully atmospheric 

Christmas displays. 

Be a Christmas cheerleader – 

support local by voting for your 

favourite display 

Spend a day at one of the district’s many 

artisan markets, take advantage of festive 

late-night shopping or make a trip 

specially to see the Christmas lights and 

window displays. It’s a wonderful way 

to get into the spirit of Christmas and 

support local! 

Donna Camera of La Vida Boutique 

in Horsham is already getting ready for 

Christmas, and says, 

“We love Christmas in Horsham because 

it brings everyone together and is a chance 

to show off our beautiful town and all our 

great independent shops. 

We’re going to be adding a bit of sparkle 

and pizzazz to our shop window at La 

Vida to transform it into a Santa’s grotto 

and the shop will definitely be filled with 

some Ho Ho Ho.” 

Don’t forget to vote for your favourite 

display. Voting is open from Monday 

2nd December to Sunday 15th 

December. 

In partnership 

with 

and other 

media partners 

You can vote here: Christmas 

in Horsham District 


Your Sussex 

Christmas Gift Guide 

For her, for him, for home 

Enjoy Christmas shopping at artisan markets and in independent shops and boutiques for gifts that are 

uniquely Sussex. Here are your Sussex Exclusive suggestions. 

For her 

Sun Moon & 

Mushroom Small 

Square Scarf 

Crafted with the 

finest materials 

and a stunning 

design featuring 

the sun and 

moon, this scarf 

is a luxurious 

with a touch of 

elegance and 

exclusivity. 

£21 

For him 

Fabulous 

Feminist Small 

Pouch 

Luxurious, 

handcrafted pouch 

that expresses 

individuality 

and support for 

women’s equality. 

£20 

Available from La 

Vida Boutique 

Honesty Seed 

Pod earrings 

Sterling silver drop 

earrings 

£85 

24c gold vermeil 

drop 

£95 

Starfish earrings 

Stud earrings 24c 

gold vermeil 

£65 

Stud earrings 

sterling silver 

£55 

Julian Warrender is a self-taught jeweller based in East Sussex. 

Each item is individually made using traditional techniques, 

unusual textures and hammered effects. A number of pieces 

feature exquisitely detailed, intricate cast elements. 

You can find out more or order at: Julian Warrender Precious 

Metal Jewellery. 

Nostalgic camera 

lamps and soda 

syphons lamps 

Artist Andre 

Westerdijk 

describes the 

process of his 

work as ‘upcycling’ 

using pre-owned 

vintage and 

antique objects 

to inspire happy 

memories. 

For sale at the Horsham Artists Christmas Art Market (The Barn, Causeway, Horsham), 

23rd & 24th November and 30th November & 1st December or via Facebook. 

Brewer for a day gift voucher 

The perfect gift for a budding home brewer 

or beer connoisseur! There’s nothing better than 

drinking beer, but how about having a go at 

brewing it? Be a part of the team for the day 

and brew your favourite 

Langham beer from start to finish. 

£100 

Available from: langhambrewery.co.uk 

Mountain bikers gift voucher 

Get out on the South Downs and ride the trails. 

For bike lovers, a Marmalade MTB gift voucher 

can be used for all MTB rides, multi-day trips 

and package experiences. 

£10 - £250 

Available from: marmalademtb.com 


For home 

Mini hygge aromatherapy gift bundle 

Treat yourself to a cosy night in with a lovely little hygge gift 

bag with a beautiful aromatherapy candle, a Scandinavian 

biscuit recipe, lavender bags to pop under your pillow and 

organic lip and skin balm. 

£14.95 

In The 

Library 

“The Book Lover” winter hygge gift box 

This gorgeous gift box is perfect for 

someone who likes nothing more than 

to snuggle up with a hot drink and a 

good book. With cocoa made in Sussex 

by a Dane and with a gorgeous mug by a 

Storrington ceramicist, Sage Ceramics. 

£34.95 

Available from: www.hyggestyle.co.uk 

Cityscape in Blue 

Lose yourself in art 

with a cityscape by 

local artist Alice 

Chambers. Acrylic 

on canvas, copper, 

gold and silver 

leaf. 60x80cms. 

£350 

Faux Suede 

cushion 

40 cms square 

£35 

Available from: 

Creationsbyalice. 

co.uk 

Feng Shui Your Way to Abundance 

by Janine Lowe 

You just need to 

understand how 

to use energy to 

activate the right 

areas to bring 

about the life 

changes and 

abundance 

that you want 

– and this 

book shows 

you how to 

achieve that. 

Drawing from 

her work with clients over the past 

15 years, author Janine Lowe practices 

what she preaches. Feng Shui Your Way 

to Abundance shows how to use Feng 

Shui to attract positive energy and change 

into your life. 

Available on Amazon 

Abundance 

By Feng Shui Consultant 

JANINE LOWE 

With over 40 years 

in the media and 

communication, 

Graham Scott is 

an award-winning 

journalist, former CEO and editor, and 

has written for some big names like T 

he Financial Times and Top Gear. He 

delivers business communications 

workshops around the world and 

in his spare time writes fiction for 

young adults. His Treelogy series was 

inspired by his days as a forest ranger 

at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. His 

latest book, Leaving Valhalla, is based 

around Chichester. 


BOOKWORM 

Leaving Valhalla (Book 1) 

Heroine Dagmar is killed in the year 

895 and has earned her place in Valhalla. 

But now, she has been sent back to earth 

with a Christian boy, Willan, whom she 

despises, to find out what’s going wrong 

on earth. They arrive back at the site of 

the bloody battle that killed them both, 

namely at Kingley Vale, before making 

their way into 21st century Chichester. 

Leaving Valhalla is a fast-moving story of 

Vikings but also very much of modern 

issues. As she tries to get back to Valhalla, 

fierce and battle-scarred Dagmar wrestles 

with issues of identity and vulnerability 

as she tries to reconcile with her own past 

and copes with loss, fitting in, unlikely 

friendships and coming of age. 

You’ve driven overland across to South 

Africa, driven motorbikes at top speeds 

round test tracks, worked around the 

world and driven Lamborghinis in Italy. 

So why young adult fiction? 

I started writing for my son when he 

was about 10. He’d been reading but the 

books available had become a bit lame. 

So I thought, well, I’m, a writer. I have 

a lifelong love of the South Downs and 

a real affinity with trees, so I wrote the 

Treelogy series based around a forest. 

I found writing for young adults quite 

liberating, because I can do a bit more, say 

a bit more, explore things a bit more. And 

I have read recently that actually 70% of 

young adult books are read by adults. 

Why Vikings? After all, they’re not 

well known for being a big part of 

Sussex history 

I had become very conscious that details 

about real and specific locations can 

be compelling in fiction writing. At 

about the same time, I visited Kingley 

Vale and it made a big impact on me, 

particularly the idea that the older 

yew trees are known as the Ancient 

Watchers. The Anglo Saxon chronicles 

describe a Viking raid near Chichester 

in the 800s. But details are scarce, and 

I wanted to know more about what 

the Vikings were doing in Chichester 

and where the legend of a great Viking 

battle came from. Approaching it from 

a military perspective, a story started to 

emerge about what really happened at 

Kingley Vale and why the forest is said 

to be so haunted. 

This is a book primarily for teenage 

boys, but the central figure is a strong 

and feisty girl? 

Originally, the hero of the book was 

Willan, the gentle Christian boy who has 

been sent back to earth from Heaven. 

Dagmar was going to be a secondary 

character. But Dagmar just pushed herself 

forward. This is not the first time this has 

happened to me as part of the writing 

process, and characters tend to come to 

me in the early hours of the morning. 

That said, you cannot rely on a character 

speaking to you in that way. It just so 

happens she did for this book, and I 

couldn’t ignore her. I’m still trying to 

read her and I’m not yet sure where her 

relationship with Willan is going. 

In terms of her being female, in the 

Viking community, it was not unusual 

to have great female warriors and 

strong women. That said, it made the 

writing more complicated as I then 

had to learn more about Valhalla, how 

the Vikings operated and what makes 

a 17-year-old Danish Viking girl from 

1,000 years ago tick. 

Leaving Valhalla is available through 

Amazon, or One Tree Books 

(Petersfield) and Heygates Books 

(Bognor Regis). 

Autumn 2024 

Budget Statement 

Stuart Ritchie of Ritchie Phillips Chartered Accountants explains some of the 

changes and tax implications of the recent Budget 

£ 

? 

£ 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Budget 

on Wednesday 30 October 2024 which she 

said will raise £40 billion in taxes. 

There was a lot to digest. Employers’ National 

Insurance contributions (NICs) will be increased 

from next April while Capital Gains Tax rates will rise 

from the date of the Budget. Inherited pensions will 

fall within the Inheritance Tax net from April 2027 

while reliefs will be reformed on the passing down of 

agricultural and business assets. The Chancellor also 

confirmed the introduction of VAT on private school 

fees and the introduction of a new tax regime for non- 

UK domiciled individuals. 

However, three areas in particular are worth highlighting. 

? 

£ 

? 

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) 

£ 

The annual exempt amount will remain at 

£3,000 for 2025/26. The Capital Gains Tax 

rates will increase for disposals, other than of 

residential property and carried interest, made 

on or after 30 October 2024. The basic rate of 

10% will increase to 18% and the 20% rate will 

increase to 24%. 

The changes in the main rates of Capital Gains 

Tax brings them in line with those paid on 

disposal of residential property. This means 

that there will be no need going forward to 

differentiate between the types of property being 

disposed of. 


Business owners selling or exiting a 

business 

The increase in CGT will affect business owners 

planning on exiting the business by way of 

liquidating the business assets, although Business 

Asset Disposal Relief will mean this remains a 

relatively tax efficient option. Business owners 

considering an external sale of the business may be 

able to take advantage of the substantial shareholding 

exemption (whereby a holding company can sell a 

subsidiary without incurring corporate tax). 

A Management Buy Out disposal will also be affected 

by the increase in CGT rates. However, an internal 

sale via an Employee Ownership Trust is not subject 

to CGT although the rules relating to these are 

subject to some minor changes. 

Business owners will also need to consider the 

changes to Inheritance Tax and the implications 

these will have if the business is handed down a 

generation. Consideration should therefore be given 

to a Family Buy Out, the use of Growth Shares and 

Family Investment Companies in order to protect 

family wealth. 

Inheritance Tax (IHT) 

The nil rate band has been frozen at £325,000 since 

2009 and this will continue to be frozen up to 5 

April 2030. An additional nil rate band, called the 

‘residence nil rate band’ is also frozen at the current 

£175,000 level, as is the residence nil rate band taper 

starting at £2million. These are also frozen until 5 

April 2030. 

Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and 

Business Property Relief (BPR) 

However, from April 2026, the existing 100% rate 

of relief will only be available for the first £1million 

of property qualifying for business property and 

agricultural relief. Thereafter, the rate of relief for 

both BPR and APR will be 50% of the standard 

40% rate of IHT for any qualifying assets over the 

£1million threshold. The rules will apply to lifetime 

transfers made after 30 October 2024 if the donor 

dies on or after 6 April 2026. 

This is a significant blow for many farming and 

landowning families who wish to pass on an estate to 

the next generation as Inheritance Tax at the rate of 

20% will apply to the full value of assets. There is a risk 

that a high number of long-standing farming businesses 

will have to be sold or will fail as a result. With a 

reprieve of only 18 months before the new rules come 

into effect, it is essential that those likely to be affected 

by the new rules engage with their professional tax 

advisors now to try and mitigate the impact. 

Non-Doms and Resident Foreigners 

As had been previously announced, the current 

remittance basis of taxation for UK resident nondomiciled 

individuals will be abolished with effect 

from 6 April 2025. The default position going 

forward will be that any UK resident individual (as 

determined under the Statutory Residence Test) is 

taxed on their foreign income and gains (FIG) on an 

arising basis. 

From the 2025/26 tax year, any individual who 

becomes UK tax resident following a period of at 

least 10 years of non-UK residence can elect not to 

pay UK tax on FIG arising in their first 4 years of UK 

residence. Electing to be taxed on this basis results in 

the loss of the individual’s personal allowances and 

annual exemption for CGT purposes. UK income 

and capital gains will continue to be subject to tax as 

they arise. 

Temporary Repatriation Facility 

For individuals who do not qualify for the FIG regime 

there will be a Temporary Repatriation Facility (TRF) 

whereby FIG arising prior to 6 April 2025 which was 

sheltered by a remittance basis claim is subject to a 

reduced rate of tax. For 2025/26 and 2026/27 this is 

12%, rising to 15% in 2027/28. 

As always, the rules in respect of Non-Doms taxation 

are complex and will need to be carefully considered 

on a case by case before any action is taken. 

Full details of the Autumn 2024 Budget Statement 

and how it may affect you, please get in touch. 

Stuart Ritchie is a chartered accountant and 

chartered tax adviser with over 30 years’ experience. 

He is a tax partner with Ritchie Phillips LLP based in 

Horsham and can be contacted on 020 3195 1300 or 

stuart.ritchie@ritchiephillps.co.uk 

Weird & Wonderful 

Sussex 

Forget the forgettable. Sussex is home to some wonderful oddities 

The Long Bench, Littlehampton 

At 324 metres long, The Long Bench 

is thought to be the longest bench in 

Britain and one of the longest in the 

world. It was opened in July 2010 and 

can seat over 300 people. It is made 

up of hundreds of wooden slats, many 

of which are engraved with special 

messages. It dips, curls and twists 

along the seafront and was designed 

by Studio Weave and funded by a 

regeneration grant and a donation by 

the family of Body Shop founder 

Anita Roddick. 

The Shoal, Seaford 

The Shoal is a community bench that 

was installed between 2017 and 2018. 

You’ll find it at Splash Point and it was 

designed and created by Gabby Tofts 

and Christian Funnell. It has a number 

of large fish swimming towards the 

sea joined together by a stream (the 

benches) and hundreds of smaller 

stainless steel fish swimming in the 

“stream”. Each of the smaller fish has a 

special message. 

Re-used railway carriages 

There are a number of places where you’ll 

find old railway carriages enjoying a new 

lease of life away from the railways. One 

such place is Park Estate in Selsey where 

you’ll find the carriages lining the seafront 

as stylish holiday homes. Many of them 


have been here since the 1920s and some 

date back to the 1890s. They include a 

Pullman carriage. 

At the other end of the county in East 

Sussex at The Ridge at Winchelsea 

Beach you’ll find another small crop 

of old railway carriages used as holiday 

homes which are popular with artists 

and musicians. 

V for Victoria 

If you drive from Ditchling to Lewes via 

the B2116, you may notice a cluster of 

trees in a V shape on the north slopes 

of the South Downs to your right (just 

where you pass the turning to Streat on 

your left). They were planted in 1897 to 

celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. 

The cluster included over 3,000 trees and 

you can walk to the V via Jubilee Pathway 

from nearby Westmeston. 

Winter & Christmas 

Garden Inspiration 

Gardener and garden writer, Geoff Stonebanks, shares gardening advice and 

tips with some inspiration for spring 

It’s that time of the year, the clocks have 

gone back, the leaves are falling and it’s 

getting colder and wetter. 

As autumn begins to turn to winter in 

the coming weeks, the main jobs in the 

garden are mostly about protecting plants 

and structures from the wilder weather 

which will inevitably arrive, and planning 

ahead for spring. 

GARDENING 

page 79: 

The Long Bench 

The Shoal 

Railway Carriages 

V for Victoria 

Midhurst Markers 

Double Bridge 

The Midhurst markers 

If you’re out walking in the Midhurst 

and Woolbeding area of West Sussex, 

look out for small stone markers 

with M on one side and W on the 

other. They were installed in the late 

18th century to mark the boundaries 

between the two estates after a dispute 

between the landowners. 

The Double Bridge 

Cycle or walk down the Downs Link 

from Rudgwick to Slinfold and you’ll 

cross the river Arun via an interesting 

double bridge. It is in fact a bridge built 

over a bridge. Built back when the railway 

line was being developed, the lower 

bridge meant there was a steep climb up 

to Rudgwick for trains using the track. It 

was deemed too steep, so a top layer was 

added. It is believed to be the only bridge 

in Britain with a brick bridge arch at the 

bottom and an iron girder bridge on top. 

Preparing for the first frost 

It is always difficult to get the timing 

right, ensuring everything is safe and 

sound in the garden prior to the first 

frosts every year! Prime tasks should be to 

lift and store dahlias, cannas and begonia 

tubers that are planted in flower beds or 

containers. All the guides say lift after the 

first frost and store the tubers carefully. 

The experts say dahlia tubers must 

remain dry but not dry out completely. 

Try placing them in a dry, frost-free 

environment, evenly spaced in a tray 

or box and fill with sawdust, spent dry 

compost or vermiculite. I cover mine with 

cardboard or you can add an extra quilt if 

you live in a colder climate. 

Pansies 

A few years ago, I planted many pansies 

in the garden. Normally I would take 

them out as I planted my summer annuals 

but that year they were still performing so 

well, I left them throughout the summer 


GARDENING 

soil has good drainage. The general rule 

of thumb when planting tulips is to 

plant at twice the depth of the bulb. So, 

prepare a hole three times the depth - 

around 15cm, drop the bulb in pointy 

side up, then cover with soil. Keep a 

space of 12-15cm between each bulb. If 

growing in pots or containers you can 

plant them in clusters, closer together, 

which will result in gloriously showy 

container displays. Once planted, give 

your bulbs a good watering to allow the 

soil to settle. Then wait for nature to 

reward you next spring! 

GARDENING 

page 81 

Mums at Driftwood 

Pansies 

Agave Ovatifolia 

amongst my displays! This time of the 

year is the perfect time to plant some. 

Pansies have the incredible ability to 

survive freezing winter temperatures and 

come out strong in the spring season. 

However, they can only be so resilient 

if they’re planted at the proper time and 

in an ideal setting. Aim for a planting 

spot that will get about six hours of full 

sun each day. Pansies can grow in partial 

shade but will sprout best with ample 

sunlight. They should be well-watered 

right after planting to get them off to a 

good start. Take care to water the plant’s 

soil but avoid wetting the flowers and 

leaves, which could attract disease. A 

layer of mulch added to the pansy plant 

bed will help prevent any cold weather 

damage come winter. 

Agaves 

This time of the year is especially busy at 

Driftwood. I have such a large collection 

of succulents that need protecting 

throughout the winter months. There are 

many aeoniums which are put to bed, 

either in the front or back porches of the 

house or in the heated greenhouse. I’m 

currently in the process of ensuring my 

equally large collection of agaves are safe 

for the upcoming cold weather too. 

I have many other types of agave in my 

garden, notably Agave Montana and 

Agave Ovatifolia. The former is a rosetteforming, 

evergreen, perennial succulent to 

about 1.5m. The leaves are light greyishgreen, 

edged and tipped with reddish 

spines. Unlikely to flower in UK, but in 

the wild it produces huge, club-shaped 

inflorescences made up of tightly clustered 

yellow flowers on short branches. The 

latter, commonly called the “Whales 

tongue Agave”, can grow up to 1.5m high 

and 2m across and has almost white, pale 

blue-green leaves. The leaves are broad 

and almost egg-shaped in outline, with 

only small teeth on the scalloped edges 

but tipped at the ends with sharp spines. 

Mine is still relatively small planted in a 

large container. Both are more suitable to 

be left outside in coastal areas. 

Consider a spring display 

If you haven’t yet decided to plant some 

bulbs for a wonderful display next spring, 

it’s not too late to do so this month! 

There can be few sights as beautiful as 

tulips in springtime. 

Fortunately, you don’t need to be gifted 

with green fingers to be able to create 

your own stunning display. If you follow 

these simple steps, you’ll soon be reaping 

the rewards of these fabulous blooms. 

Tulips like sunny spots with not too 

much shade. Tulip bulbs do not like wet 

or waterlogged soil, so make sure your 

Tidying the garden 

Now is the time to cut down faded 

perennials that are looking tatty, then 

mulch the surrounding soil with garden 

compost. You’ll need to protect plants that 

are borderline hardy, such as agapanthus, 

with a thick mulch of straw or garden 

compost. You can plant bare-root hedging, 

roses, trees and shrubs this month, before 

the weather turns really cold. 

Ideally, move containers of alpine plants 

under cover to shelter them from winter 

rain. You can insulate your greenhouse 

walls and roof with bubble polythene as 

a safeguard. Make sure all your tender 

plants are safely under cover and kept 

frost free and remember to monitor 

greenhouse temperatures with a maxmin 

thermometer and turn on heating 

if needed. Wash out all empty pots and 

trays and store neatly under greenhouse 

staging, ready for use in spring. Ideally, 

check your greenhouse plants regularly 

for overwintering pests and try to avoid 

splashing foliage when watering, as 

it will dry slowly in cool weather and 

fungal diseases may set in. When it is 

not practical to lift or move your tender 

plants, the best way to protect them from 

the winter cold and wet is to wrap them 

up in fleece in situ. In exposed or cold 

areas, even relatively hardy plants may 

need protection. 

Christmas in the garden 

As we approach Christmas at a rate of 

knots, we also reach the shortest day of 

the year in on the 21st December. I must 

confess to not enjoying working outside 

in the cold and wet at this time of the 

year. Hopefully, there are not too many 

jobs left to do outside, so you will have 

time for some fireside garden planning. 

As the festive season approaches it is 

wonderful to have some plants in the 

garden that echo that theme too. One 

such shrub is a glorious Camellia × 

vernalis ‘Yuletide’. The plant pictured is 

Tulips 

Holly, Ivy, & Conifer 

Sprigs 


Embracing Winter 

with Hygge 

HEALTH 

in my garden was purchased in memory 

of an old friend, who passed away about 

12 years ago, Peggy Wooton. It is a hybrid 

bushy, evergreen shrub with glossy dark 

green leaves and brilliant-red single 

flowers with prominent yellow stamens, 

borne in late winter and early spring. 

Mine always flowers just before Christmas 

and looks striking in its container behind 

the house. It is fully hardy, but to prevent 

damage to the emerging buds and flowers, 

it benefits from protection from cold, 

dry winds and early morning sun. It is 

important to water established plants 

in dry weather to prevent bud drop. It 

benefits from a feed in mid-spring and 

again in June. After flowering, you can 

lightly trim or prune any branches that 

spoil the overall appearance of the plant. 

Their colouring is very striking - and is 

perfect for the build-up to the Christmas 

season, but the dark green foliage offers 

year-round structure and interest. If left to 

grow naturally, this is a relatively compact 

shrub with a pyramidal habit, but it can 

also be trained against a wall, or grown in 

a large pot if space is at a premium. 

The perfect combination is the use of 

both holly and ivy in the house over the 

Christmas period. I’m lucky to have a 

plentiful supply of both which I can call 

upon. If you want to vary the look, you 

can always use spray cans of silver and 

gold paint to liven up the natural look. 

Branches of both can look very dramatic, 

carefully positioned along mantelpieces or 

creating a centre piece for the dining table. 

Mix in with a few baubles and maybe 

some ribbon and you’ll be amazed what a 

difference it can make and at a fraction of 

the cost of shop bought decorations. 

Jobs to do in the garden 

If the weather holds and it’s not too cold 

there are still quite a few jobs you could 

be getting on with in the garden. If you 

have any empty borders, they can be 

dug over ready for next year’s planting. 

You can prune wisteria, by cutting 

back whippy summer side-shoots to 2 

or 3 buds. Prune climbing roses now, 

removing diseased or damaged growth 

and tying in any new shoots to their 

support. Prune older flowered side shoots 

back by two thirds of their length. You 

can prune your Japanese maple trees if 

needed, as they will bleed sap if pruning is 

done any later. 

I always find there is a debate over 

whether to leave the faded flower heads 

on your hydrangeas or not. I do reckon 

that left until spring they will help to 

provide frost protection to the swelling 

buds further down the stems. I’ve got 

about 10 different hydrangeas around the 

garden at Driftwood and tend to leave the 

old head on until spring. They look quite 

pretty too with an edging of frost on a 

cold winter morning. 

Keep checking over any stored dahlia 

tubers you may have, keeping an eye out 

for rot. Take care to check climbers and 

climbing shrubs so that they are securely 

attached to their supports with ties. 

It is really important to look after the 

birds that visit your garden. Remember 

to clean feeders if you have them, stock 

up on wild bird food and make sure they 

have access to fresh water. 

Read more of Geoff’s garden at 

www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk 

Frozen Yuletide 

Robin in the garden 

And 

Solution 

Focused 

Hypnotherapy 

As the days grow shorter 

and the chill of winter 

sets in, many people find 

themselves struggling 

with the season’s impact 

on their mood and energy levels. The 

dark mornings and long evenings can 

make even the simplest of tasks feel more 

challenging, and for some, it can bring 

on a sense of seasonal gloom. But winter 

also offers us a unique opportunity to 

slow down, reflect, and practice the art of 

hygge – a Danish concept that embraces 

cosiness, comfort and the enjoyment of 

life’s simple pleasures. 

As a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, I’ve 

seen how blending the principles of hygge 

with therapeutic techniques can create a 

powerful antidote to winter’s challenges. 

By adopting a mindset that embraces 

the season rather than resists it, we can 

cultivate a sense of well-being and calm, 

allowing us to navigate the colder months 

with greater resilience. 

What is hygge? 

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a 

Danish word that doesn’t have a direct 

English translation, but encompasses 

feelings of cosiness, warmth and 

togetherness. It’s about finding comfort 

in the little things, like enjoying a hot 

drink by the fire, wrapping up in a soft 

blanket or lighting candles to create a 

warm atmosphere. It’s a way of embracing 

winter rather than seeing it as something 

to endure. 

This concept goes beyond just physical 

comfort; it’s about finding contentment 

and joy in the moment, even if the weather 

outside is cold and dark. The beauty of 

hygge lies in its simplicity, encouraging us 

to slow down and savour the present. 

The role of Solution Focused 

Hypnotherapy 

When combined with hygge, Solution 

Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) offers an 

ideal approach to help us navigate winter. 

SFH is centred on creating positive 

changes by focusing on solutions rather 

than problems, helping individuals move 

towards a preferred future. It encourages 

us to harness the power of the mind 

to develop a more optimistic outlook, 

regardless of external circumstances. 


HEALTH 

HEALTH 

During winter, when low mood and 

lethargy can be more pronounced, 

hypnotherapy can help shift our mindset 

by reinforcing positive behaviours and 

habits. For instance, if someone feels a lack 

of motivation during the darker months, 

we might work together to visualize and 

strengthen small, achievable goals – whether 

that’s going for a daily walk, taking up a 

creative hobby or simply setting aside time 

to enjoy a cosy evening at home. 

How hygge supports a positive 

mindset 

Hygge naturally complements the principles 

of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. 

By intentionally creating moments of 

comfort and pleasure, we can counteract 

some of the stressors associated with winter. 

Here are a few ways to integrate hygge 

practices that support a positive mindset: 

1. Create a cosy space: Transform your 

living space into a sanctuary of warmth 

and comfort. Add soft lighting, warm 

blankets and calming scents like lavender 

or cinnamon. The goal is to make your 

environment feel inviting, giving you a space 

where you can unwind and feel at peace. 

2. Practice mindfulness: Being present 

in the moment is central to hygge. 

Whether you’re savouring a cup of hot 

chocolate or enjoying the crackling of a 

fire, take a moment to truly experience it. 

Hypnotherapy can further enhance this 

mindfulness by teaching you relaxation 

techniques that ground you in the present. 

3. Connect with loved ones: Winter 

can be an ideal time to strengthen social 

bonds. Host a small gathering, play board 

games or enjoy a shared meal. Positive 

social interactions are a cornerstone of 

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, as they 

help boost serotonin levels, the body’s 

natural mood stabilizer. 

4. Nurture small joys: In Solution 

Focused Hypnotherapy, we focus on 

small steps towards improvement. In the 

same way, hygge encourages finding joy 

in small, everyday moments. It could be 

as simple as reading a good book under a 

blanket or baking something delicious on 

a chilly afternoon. 

Using hypnotherapy to embrace 

winter positively 

The winter months don’t have to be 

endured - they can be embraced with 

a sense of calm and contentment. 

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy 

allows us to train our minds to focus 

on the positives, despite the seasonal 

changes. It encourages a mindset shift 

from “getting through winter” to truly 

appreciating what this season has to 

offer, with all its opportunities for 

reflection, rest and warmth. 

Through the hypnotic trance, we 

can access the subconscious mind 

and reinforce those hygge-inspired 

behaviours, making them second nature. 

This helps to create new, positive neural 

pathways that support a healthier 

response to winter’s demands. 

If you find yourself feeling the effects 

of the season, remember that winter 

can also be a time for renewal and 

growth. It’s a chance to slow down, 

find comfort in small pleasures and 

appreciate the warmth that comes 

from within. Embrace the season with 

hygge in your heart and the tools 

of hypnotherapy at your side, and 

you may find that winter can be as 

fulfilling and restorative as any other 

time of year. 

So, as the colder days draw in, take a 

moment to wrap yourself in a blanket, 

light a candle and sip a warm drink. 

Let the simplicity of hygge bring a 

little more joy to your winter days and 

consider hypnotherapy to help guide 

you towards a positive, solution-focused 

mindset all year round. 

Holly Stone is 

an experienced 

Solution 

Focused Clinical 

Hypnotherapist, 

Supervisor and 

Senior Lecturer 

for CPHT Surrey. 

Holly Stone 

Hypnotherapy 

I Can’t Sleep 

Pure Bio share tips and advice on how to sleep better, naturally 

Insomnia is a common problem thought to 

regularly affect around one in every three 

people in the UK and is particularly common 

in elderly people. It may be caused by a number 

of factors like, anxiety, change or depression. 

It can also be due to hormonal changes, age and 

medical conditions like allergies, arthritis, asthma, 

heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism 

and Parkinson’s disease. In some cases sleep disorders 

such as sleep apnoea or Restless Leg Syndrome are 

the cause. 

Contributing factors 

Apart from the above causes, there may be 

environmental factors that are contributing to your 

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HEALTH 

lack of sleep. Jet lag and working night shifts or 

long shifts can lead to sleep pattern disorders. Some 

medication can cause insomnia as can overuse of 

caffeine and alcohol. 

Environmental noise, extreme temperature changes 

and having media technology in the bedroom can 

also all cause a loss of sleep. 

Lifestyle modification 

The good news is, there is lots you can do “naturally” 

to help get a better night’s sleep: 

• Adopt a regular sleeping and eating routine 

combined with caffeine avoidance. Avoid going 

to bed hungry 

• Try behavioural therapy, relaxation tapes, 

breathing exercises or mindfulness 

• Keep telephones and other devices outside of 

the bedroom 

• Ensure that the room is a comfortable 

temperature before bedtime 

• Use blackout blinds or curtains to eliminate all 

external light sources 

• Take a hot bath before bedtime 

• Exercise 

Studies have shown that in as little as four weeks, 

individuals with chronic insomnia who begin 

regular exercise can fall asleep up to 13 minutes 

faster and stay asleep 18 minutes longer. In fact, 

research indicates that exercise was just as effective as 

prescription drugs in relieving insomnia. 

Nutritional supplement treatment options 

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) has been used 

successfully for people with insomnia, as it converts 

to the chemical messenger, serotonin. 5-HTP 

supplementation has been shown to particularly 

improve sleep patterns in those that wake repeatedly 

during the night. It has also been shown to improve 

sleep quality in people suffering with fibromyalgia. 

Magnesium is known to have a sedative effect on 

the body and helps to relax muscles and induce 

sleep. This is partly due to its ability to regulate the 

production of melatonin. Magnesium also appears to 

increase levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), 

a brain messenger with calming effects. It has also 

been shown to significantly improve sleep quality in 

people suffering with Restless Leg Syndrome. 

GABA (Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid) is the 

main inhibitory and sedative chemical in the 

brain. It assists in inducing sleep, uplifting mood 

and reducing anxiety. Many B vitamins – B1, B2, 

B3, B5, B6 – as well as zinc are required in the 

production of GABA. 

Botanical treatment options 

Valerian root makes getting to sleep easier and 

increases deep sleep and dreaming. Additionally, 

Valerian does not cause a morning “hangover,” 

which is a common side effect of prescription 

drugs. Valerian root can be combined with other 

mildly sedating herbs e.g. Chamomile, Hops, 

Lemon Balm and Catnip. 

CBD Oil – Research shows that CBD has a calming 

effect on the nervous system and can also alter mood 

because it affects the function of serotonin. Research 

suggests CBD can help with a number of sleep 

disorders, including insomnia, REM sleep behaviour 

disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder. 

Additional research suggests CBD can also help to 

improve general sleep patterns and reduce anxiety. 

Montmorency Tart Cherry has the highest 

naturally occurring content of melatonin. It helps 

to raise melatonin blood levels and can assist in a 

more rapid sleep onset and improved sleep quality. 

Montmorency tart cherry also supplies anthocyanin 

antioxidants, which relieve muscle and joint aches 

that can make it hard to fall asleep, or may wake you 

in the middle of the night. 

Lavender oil contains many medicinal compounds 

that are known to be calming and may therefore be 

helpful in treating insomnia. Research has suggested 

that inhaling lavender oil before bed can improve the 

quality of sleep and can even be as effective as some 

commonly prescribed sleep medications. 

Article contributed by Dr Tracy S Gates, DO, DIBAK, 

L.C.P.H., Consultant, Pure Bio Ltd. Copyright © Pure Bio 

Ltd 2021. All rights reserved 

Pure Bio Ltd are a leading UK supplier of the highest 

quality PURE nutritional supplements, based in 

Horsham, West Sussex. Visit www.purebio.co.uk for 

all your nutritional supplement needs 

A Feng Shui 

Christmas 

Harmonizing your home for the festive season 

The end of the year is a time 

to refresh the energy in 

your home. People always 

think about decorating 

their houses with trees, 

lights and festive ornaments, but if you 

also use the principles of Feng Shui, 

you can help create a harmonious and 

balanced space that enhances the spirit 

of the holiday season. 

Let’s start with decluttering the 

areas you are going to use for your 

Christmas celebrations. I am not 

going to tell you how to declutter 

because you already know or you 

can look it up, but what I will say 

is that if you declutter and clean 

before you put the decorations up, 

you will bring positive energy/vibes 

into your home. 


TRAVEL 

From family get togethers, 

to solitude & silence 

Every year I am asked what are the most 

auspicious/favourable colours to decorate 

the house? This year it is purple, green, 

white and tartan. Although, that doesn’t 

mean you have to use all the colours at 

the same time! 

The door 

We always think about putting the tree 

up, but this year, let’s begin with the 

entrance to your home. The entrance to 

your home is known as the ‘Mouth of 

Chi’ where energy enters your space. So, 

to invite good energy into your home, 

ensure that your front door is clean and 

well-lit. Hang a beautiful wreath or 

garland with red and green bows. Red 

is associated with prosperity and green 

with vitality. 

Hang your cards in the hallway so they 

greet you when you walk into your home 

– it’s always a lovely feeling seeing them. 

The tree 

Now the Christmas tree ... the best 

areas to place your tree this year is in 

the southwest to enhance your dreams 

for 2025 and help them to come true. 

If this doesn’t work for you, then try 

the southeast for good fortune or the 

northeast for wealth. Avoid placing 

your tree in the centre of a room as this 

is inauspicious. 

The festive meal 

If you know anyone that will be by 

themselves for Christmas, invite them 

round. The act of helping others is always 

repaid 10-fold back. Christmas crackers 

should be in silver adding elegance to 

your table and that extra sparkle. 

The dates 

The most favourable time to send your 

Christmas cards either by email or by 

post are 15th, 16th or 17th December 

or, if you are a person who is always late 

with everything, the 22nd and 23rd are 

ok as well. 

The music 

Music on Christmas Day should be 

played in the south to enhance wealth 

and good fortune in your home or the 

southwest bringing helpful people into 

your life. 

Whatever you are doing, I wish you 

a lovely Christmas. 

Janine Lowe 

is a classically 

trained Feng 

Shui consultant 

in the arts of 

Bazi, Flying Stars, 

Auspicious dates, 

Qi Men Dun Jia 

and I Ching. 

You can find 

out more at 

Janine Lowe 

Minos Beach Art Hotel three bedroom villa with pool 

Kevin Pilley explores family holidays in Crete 

Minos Beach patios 

Crete guarantees that rare 

thing, a restful family 

holiday. And the Bluegr 

Hotels & Resorts chain has 

raised the luxury family 

holiday to the status of a very fine art by 

offering the choice of three very different 

but very stylish hotels, all within five 

minutes of each other. 

Visiting Crete is a trip back in time. 

It made us remember all our earlier 

holidays when the kids were growing up, 

making us wish we had discovered Crete 

sooner and Bluegr, with their ethos of 

breathtaking locations, exceptional service 

and authentic experiences. 

They are based a mile outside Agios 

Nikolaos on the east coast, an hour 

from Heraklion airport and not far from 


TRAVEL 

TRAVEL 

Candia Park Village Agapi restaurant 

Minos Palace 

Minos Beach Art Hotel seasonal fresh gastronomy 

Elounda and Spinalonga island (the 

former leper colony and now, compelling 

tourist-attraction). 

Candia Park 

Designed to resemble a traditional Crete 

village complete with chiming clock 

tower, this is the group’s young and 

young-ish family hotel. It has views of 

Mirabello Bay and the resort is spacious 

enough to find quiet and shade with a 

separate beach area for empty nesters 

or those with slightly older children. 

It’s a multi-generational, unfussy and 

good value hotel that immerses young 

families in the culture of Crete in an 

uncomplicated way. Grandads are easily 

recognizable by their tan lines. 

The food at the Agapi Restaurant is buffet 

and plenty of it. Trips back and forth 

from the Rifi Gelateria, getting in and out 

of the huge pool and walking down to the 

beach are the main exertions. There’s also 

a market, a pool bar and a taverna. And 

local Greek food aplenty. 

now has a sculpture garden and art 

gallery and is minimalist in design. 

Stylish and chic, it is superb for slightly 

older families. With aromatic gardens, 

white-washed villa bungalows (some 

with private pools), it’s a very relaxing 

place made even more so with its 

position on an exclusive peninsular. 

Minos Palace Hotel 

At the water’s edge is the adults-only, fivestar 

Minos Palace Hotel overlooking the 

Sitia mountains, the Island of Saints and 

Kri-Kri Island (a sanctuary for endangered 

goats). It has 360-degree sea views and 

the focus here is on immersive wellness, 

with spaces for meditative relaxation, quiet 

zones and the Ananea Spa. 

When you have had enough relaxation, 

visit vineyards, the Vai Palm Forest and 

the close-by mountain villages of Lato, 

Krystas and Koustas where, at Xatheri 

Restaurant, you lunch on fennel pie meze, 

stuffed zucchini flowers, pork “souvlaki” 

skewers and traditional “gamopilafo” 

wedding rice with “skaka”. 

black Venere rice and vadouvan shallot and 

garlic sauce, red shrimp risotto, lamb and 

excellent local wines. 

You can do as much, or as little here as 

you like. Choose to spend time with 

family, choose to spend time in silence 

alone. These are family holidays but not 

quite as you know them. 

The Amar menu says it all, “As the sun 

casts a golden glow on the water, time 

seems to stand still, reminding us the 

beauty to be found in the present”. 

• easyJet holidays offers seven nights at 

the 4* Candia Park Village in Crete 

on a Room Only basis for £784 per 

person including 23kg of luggage 

per person, private transfers and 

flights from London Gatwick on 

23 October 2024 

• easyJet holidays offers seven nights 

at the 5* Minos Palace Hotel 

and Suites in Crete on a Bed & 

Breakfast basis for £1,194 per 

person including 23kg of luggage 

per person, transfers and flights from 

London Gatwick on 30 October 2024 

At the water’s 

edge is 

the adultsonly, 

fivestar 

Minos 

Palace Hotel 

overlooking 

the Sitia 

mountains, 

the Island 

of Saints 

and Kri-Kri 

Island (a 

sanctuary for 

endangered 

goats). 

Minos Beach Art Hotel 

Walt Disney was one of the first A-list 

celebrities to stay at the Minos, Crete’s 

first five-star hotel. He was making 

1964 The Moneyspinners starring Hayley 

Mills. Overlooking Mirabello Bay, it 

At the Palace’s clifftop Amar Restaurant, 

Anthimos, Eleni and Aspasia fillet your sea 

bass and bream for you and serve local and 

mainland wines. While at the Beach Arts’s 

Terpsis (Delight) and La Bouillabaisse 

seafront restaurant, chef Kyriakos Mylonas 

does the honours with red mullet with 

• easyJet holidays offers seven 

nights at the 5* Minos Beach 

Art Hotel in Crete on a Bed & 

Breakfast basis for £1,531 per 

person including 23kg of luggage per 

person, private transfers and flights from 

London Gatwick on 30 October 2024 


The 

Sussex Exclusive Quiz 

The 

1. Eastbourne. 

So how did you do? 

6. Sunday, 15th December 2024. 

Last Word 

2. Langham Brewery. 

3. 2.5 km. 

4. Woolbeding: The markers were 

placed in the late 18th century to 

define the boundaries between the 

two estates. 

5. At extremely low spring tide, the 

wreck can be visible on the beach 

at Pett Level, East Sussex. 


7. Rye Castle. 

8. They are traction vehicles which 

form part of the Horsham Traction 

Company collection. 

9. 950th anniversary - Chichester950. 

10. The Bluebell Railway. 

Ditchling, hogwash, the train and the Great Exhibition of 1851 

If you think your daily Sussex commute is bad, spare 

a thought for the writer of this article that appeared 

in the 1933 edition of the Sussex County Magazine. 

“In these days of exhibitions, it is difficult to realise 

the excitement caused throughout England when it 

became known that the Exhibition of 1851 would 

actually be held. 

This was especially the case in Ditchling, because 

it was learned that Tom Willett was to be an 

exhibitor, he having invented a way of transporting 

hogwash from the place of collection to the 

residence of ‘Piggy’ without spilling the precious 

liquid on the way. 

It was to take the form of a ‘swinging barrel with 

a floating lid’ and it was to be made at wheeler 

Mitchel’s, with both the blacksmith and the 

wheelwright trades being necessary to produce the 

swinging barrel. 

Many of the residents of this Sussex village found 

they had business at either the wheelwrights or the 

blacksmiths during the time this new thing of Tom 

Willet’s was being made, and at the finish it was 

agreed that the new invention was as near perfection 

as could be and ought to get a prize, which, as a 

matter of fact, it did. 

I, being a Ditchling boy of ten years of age, thought 

I ought to go to the ‘The Exhibition’ though as 

neither of my parents was going, my case seemed 

hopeless: but at last Mr Sinnock, who lived almost 

next door, said he would take me if I promised to 

stick to him and not get lost. So I went. 

We went from Hassocks Gate, that station having 

recently been opened. We had third class tickets; the 

carriages had seats, but no roofs. The fourth class, or 

‘parliamentary’ had neither seats nor roofs. 

Somewhere between Hassocks Gate and Haywards 

Heath my cap blew off, and was lost, and on going 

through Merstham Tunnel water came down on my 

head, the tunnel being leaky. Mr Sinnock bought me 

a new cap just outside London Bridge Station. 

I remember seeing the great diamond called the 

“Koh-i-Noor”, also a watch the size of a fourpenny 

piece, which was working.” 

The writer of this account was one Stephen Rowland 

who was born on 5 April 1841 in Ditchling and 

lived in West Street. He moved to Cranleigh in 1857 

and died in 1940, aged 99. He is still well known as 

one of the founders of modern Cranleigh and was 

referred to as “Cranleigh’s grand old man”. 

There was a Tom Willett born in Ditchling in 1793. 

Little more appears to be recorded about him and 

his great invention. 

There was also a Thomas Sinnock working in 

Ditchling as an assistant overseer in 1867. This was 

probably as a gas lighting inspector to oversee and 

administer the installation and operation of gas light 

to the village or as a collector of rates. 

95

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