Crowborough News, August 2025, Issue 01

LAUNCH ISSUE

AUGUST 2025 | ISSUE 01

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR CROWBOROUGH AND SURROUNDING AREAS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: LOCAL NEWS • EVENTS • FEATURES • MOTORING • SPORT

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2 NEWS

August 2025

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news

WELCOME

HOW EXCITING IS THIS?

Crowborough’s very own local

newspaper filled with people

and places you know, events you

attended, community initiatives

you’ve been part of — our town, our

home, our community.

This is quite a poignant moment.

Turn back the clock 35 years and

I was a trainee journalist working

in the Kent & Sussex Courier

office in Crowborough High Street

covering local news!

Since then, I’ve had an amazing

career in journalism, PR, and

marketing including a five-year

spell in the Prime Minister’s

Communications Team. But while

jobs have changed, location hasn’t —

Crowborough has been my home for

more than 20 years.

Concerned about negativity on

social media, and also the decline

of proper local news, in early

January I started a Facebook

group and website to start sharing

positive and relevant local news to

people in Crowborough. It became

Crowborough News very quickly.

I’m convinced a better informed

community is one where people feel

more strongly connected and have a

greater sense of belonging. So this is

all about informing our community,

involving our community, and

celebrating our community.

What I’ve been doing for six

months — posting news and sharing

it through social media — has had

an overwhelmingly positive effect.

There have been literally thousands

of positive comments, thanks,

and interactions.

So here we go; edition one! I hope

you enjoy it! Please contact me with

any questions, ideas, or suggestions

— especially if you’d like to advertise!

editor@crowborough.news

Iain Luxford, Editor

THE TEAM

IAIN LUXFORD — EDITOR


PAUL GIBSON — REGIONAL EDITOR

paul@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

JAKE HEASMAN — SPORTS REPORTER


DEAN COOK — PRODUCTION

dean@magazineproduction.com

CONTACT

ADVERTISING SALES — 01892 577124

sales@crowborough.news

Crowborough News is a publication by Regional

Media Group Ltd, a company registered in

England and Wales number: 13746177. We have

taken care to ensure that the information in this

newspaper is correct. Neither the publisher,

nor contributors can take responsibility for loss

or damage resulting from errors or omissions.

Crowborough News does not endorse the

accuracy of the advertisements or the quality of

the products/services being advertised.

Information provided by businesses and

community organisations are provided directly

by their own representatives; please direct any

queries or comments regarding content directly

to the organisation. Any opinion or views

expressed within this publication are solely

those of the author. © 2025: No part of this

newspaper may be reproduced in part or whole

without express permission of the editor.

Community love and support

has been a real comfort

Family says out-pouring of love and

affection since the tragic death of

Crowborough’s British Motorcycling

Champion, Owen Jenner, has

been “overwhelming”

BY IAIN LUXFORD

THE mum of the Crowborough

motorcycling champion who

tragically lost his life in an horrific

race accident in the spring says the

family has been “overwhelmed”

by the out-pouring of love,

kindness, and empathy of the

local community.

Speaking to Crowborough News,

Emma Jenner said the flood of

messages of support from local

people since 21-year-old Owen died in

May, had been genuinely surprising

but also a real comfort.

She said: “It wasn’t so much a

surprise within the racing community

because that is very tight knit,

but to know so many people in

Crowborough, in the surrounding

area, and around the world have been

so affected by what happened and so

kind, has been amazing. It has been a

massive support.”

Owen Jenner, who went to Sir

Henry Fermor School then Beacon

Academy, was a genuine star in the

motorcycle racing world. By the age

of 20 he had already been crowned

British Champion in different racing

classes. And in 2024 he graduated

to British GP2 class and astonished

everyone as claimed the crown on

his first attempt, dominating the GP2

class with 18 victories and a total of 20

podiums from 22 races.

But all this promising talent was

tragically gone in an instant when

a massive accident involving 11

riders on the first bend of the face at

Oulton Park on 5 May took Owen’s

life, and that of another rider,

Shane Richardson.

Emma, who together with Owen’s

dad Mick travelled to all his races

said: “Everything is still so numb. I

don’t really have the words. It’s such a

horrible waste and so very, very sad.

We are navigating new waters every

day. Some days are easier than others,

some days the slightest and strangest

things trigger the sadness. We’re just

plodding through each day.”

Speaking at home surrounded by

the dozens of trophies and awards

the 21-year-old had already amassed,

she added: “Owen could be very

hard work. He was always wanting

to be doing something, always

busy. He hated school but this was

all he wanted to do, all he wanted

to be. He was very focussed and

had huge amounts of confidence

and self-belief.”

She added it had been apparent to

everyone that Owen was made for

motorcycle racing. “We knew he

was good — and the championship

wins showed that — but it was

only six months ago we realised

exactly how good.”

That was when he stepped up and

joined the Rapid Honda team to

compete in the Quattro Group British

Supersport Championship, with the

ambition of adding a fourth different

title to his credit within the Bennetts

British Superbike series.

Emma said: “He suddenly matured

in six months and was totally

focussed. He was riding a bike that

was very different, and very difficult

to ride. But he believed himself and

knew he could do it.”

Emma’s not alone in thinking that

Owen, given the right support and

financial backing, could have gone on

to be the best of the best. “He had the

talent, and he had the self-belief. That

confidence wasn’t arrogance because

time and time again he proved he was

right on the track.”

But despite that confidence, Owen

was acutely aware of the risks and the

dangers of such a high speed sport.

“He had had various crashes and was

totally aware of the dangers — as were

we. But everything is done within the

sport to make it as safe as possible. My

bigger fear was a knock on the door at

2am from the police saying there had

been an accident on the road.”

Such was the popularity of the young

star that his funeral at Tunbridge

Wells Crematorium had to be livestreamed

— and was watched by

thousands in Crowborough, the UK,

and around the world. And two weeks

after the tragedy at Oulton Park,

the motorcycle racing community

came together in their hundreds for a

special tribute at Donnington Park.

Emma said she wanted to thank

Tester & Jones Funeral Directors and

the High Rocks Inn for everything

they did for the funeral and

afterwards. But even though she

admits she still finds it hard to venture

out into Crowborough, she also had

some words for the local community:

“We have been overwhelmed by how

many people he affected, and the

affection people had for him. Thank

you, that has been so comforting.”

The tributes to Owen have been

led by British Superbikes. They

said: “Owen Jenner will be fondly

remembered as a larger-than-life

character, whose smile and energy

made him a much-loved friend and

competitor within the Bennetts British

Superbike Championship paddock.”

And then there have been hundreds

of heartfelt messages on Facebook:

“The brightest light

the paddock had.”

“The racing world has lost one of

its brightest young stars far too soon.

Though his time on this earth was

short, the impact he made was lasting.

Owen earned the admiration and

affection of so many, and he will be

remembered not just for his talent,

but for the person he was.”

“…as his career began to flourish

it became clear this young man was

not only living up to the hype, but

doing so whilst remaining grounded,

humble, and spreading a sense of joy

wherever he went.”

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4 NEWS

August 2025


Deputy Mayor and his

guide dog told to leave

Crowborough Tesco

BY: IAIN LUXFORD

THE Deputy Mayor of

Crowborough has been given a

“sincere apology” from Tesco after

he and his guide dog were asked to

leave the Jarvis Brook store.

Cllr Paul Goddard said the

incident at the store in March was

embarrassing and frustrating, and

to make matters worse, Tesco was

ignoring his complaint.

Speaking to Crowborough News, Cllr

Goddard, who is registered blind and

has a guide dog, Stevie, said: “I went

into the store to hold a surgery and

meet shoppers. While I was waiting

to speak to customer services to let

them know I was there, the security

guard tapped me on the shoulder and

asked me to leave because Tesco has a

no dog policy.”

Cllr Goddard said he explained to

the guard that while he understood

the no dog policy, by law it doesn’t

apply to guide dogs. “I explained

to him I need my guide dog to live.

Stevie was clearly identified as a guide

dog with the harness and the official

markings but the security guard was

having none of it.”

Fortunately, the store’s customer

service assistant became free and

was able to intervene. Cllr Goddard

was able to hold his hour long

councillor’s surgery.

Angry at the security guard’s

attitude and lack of knowledge, Cllr

Goddard contacted Guide Dogs for

the Blind and they both made formal

complaints — to the local store and to

Tesco head office.

“I’ve heard nothing since”,

Cllr Goddard said. “I think that’s

terrible. Even if they had just sent

me a standard lip service letter of

acknowledgement, that would

have been enough. I sent my

letter by recorded delivery so they

can’t say it didn’t arrive. They are

ignoring me and are putting their

heads in the sand.

“The most worrying thing is that

this is happening more and more, it’s

almost becoming the norm. When I

first had a guide dog in 2011 I never

had any problems. I think it’s because

dogs are allowed so much more

access in public places now, which is

good, but I think shops that have no

Councilllor Goddard with Stevie

dogs rules — for very good reasons

— should make sure their staff know

guide dogs are an exception.”

Cllr Goddard said it’s unacceptable

that people who are blind or visually

impaired and need a guide dog to

carry out basic tasks, should have

to worry about being asked to leave

places. “It’s okay for me, because I’m

quite happy to explain the law and

I’m confident. But I worry about other

perhaps less confident people with

guide dogs who might not find it so

easy to stand up for their rights.”

Tesco’s lack of response has made

him even more determined to get

the issued raised and sorted. “I want

an apology from Tesco, but more

importantly I want them to stop this

happening. I want them to make

sure all their staff — even if they

are from a contracted security firm

— know the law.”

When Crowborough News spoke to

Tesco, a spokesperson said that the

company had in fact written back

to Cllr Goddard but that letter had

obviously gone astray. They had

also now apologised and responded

to Guide Dogs UK. He said the

supermarket giant wanted to be a

place where everyone felt welcome.

He added: “We sincerely apologise

for the experience Councillor

Goddard had at our Crowborough

Superstore earlier this year. It is

unacceptable for anyone to be

challenged when entering one of

our stores with a Guide Dog. We

always treat complaints like this

extremely seriously and asked

our guarding supplier to urgently

investigate to ensure that this does

not happen again.”

Parched South East

faces hosepipe ban

A BAN on hosepipe and sprinklers

has been introduced across

East Sussex and the rest of the

South East Water area following

record-breaking demand for

water and the exceptionally warm

and dry weather.

The ban, announed last month, will

affect more than 1.4 million residents

across Kent and Sussex, came into

effect on 18 July. It prohibits the use

of a hosepipe for activities such as

watering the garden, washing the

car or filling a paddling pool. Anyone

flouting the restriction could be

fined up to £1,000.

South East Water said demand for

drinking water has “reached record

levels” since May due to the extended

spell of warm and dry weather.

Chief executive David Hinton said:

“Despite asking for customers’ help

to use water for essential uses only,

we’ve been left with no choice but to

introduce this temporary restriction.”

“Water supply resources have

been significantly stretched, but

we are pleased so far we have been

able to largely meet customer

demands,” he added.

The Met Office has confirmed

England has had its driest spring

since 1893 and the dry, hot conditions

are set to continue. South East Water

said it saw the highest levels of water

usage so far on 30 June, reaching 680

million litres — which was 105 million

litres of water a day more than the

average for summer.

Mr Hinton added: “Hosepipe

restrictions are an integral part of

our drought mitigation in the UK

and are designed to protect supplies

and the environment. We are very

aware that climate change and

other factors are increasing the

frequency of these events. Hosepipe

restrictions are an integral part of

our drought mitigation in the UK and

are designed to protect supplies and

the environment.

“I would like to thank everyone

who has already taken steps to

try and reduce their overall water

use but despite this, demand still

remains very high and the forecast

suggests a dry summer is highly

likely which is why we have taken

this decision to bring in temporary

use restrictions.”

South East Water has not indicated

when the ban will be lifted, but it will

“continue to monitor the weather

forecast and will review the decision

on a regular basis”.

Grove Park gets

a new name for

a “new era”

GROVE Park School in

Crowborough which is set to get

a new £17million school building

has been renamed “Acre Wood”

after becoming an academy.

The school, which provides for

pupils aged 4–19 with a wide range

of special educational needs, has

become part of London South East

Academies Trust (LSEAT) and

has described the move as “the

start of a new era”.

Earlier this year plans were

approved for a huge £17million

redevelopment of the school which

will enable primary and secondary

pupils to be located on the same

site in Church Road. And now it

has announced that the Govt has

approved its application to be an

academy run by LSEAT.

LSEAT was chosen because

of its proven track record and

expertise in both SEND and school

improvement. The Trust has rapidly

turned around several failing schools

across London and the South East,

with a commitment to ensuring

the best possible education and

care for pupils.

The Trust has been working with

the school’s Interim Executive

Board (IEB) and the Local Authority

for several months, appointing a

new Head (who took up her post in

January 2025) and implementing

a robust school improvement

plan. Consultation and planning

with staff and parents/carers have

also been undertaken to ensure a

smooth transition — including the

school’s new name.

An Interim Executive Board (IEB)

is a temporary governing body

appointed to replace a school’s

existing governing body, typically

when a school is facing significant

challenges or requires improvement.

The IEB provides interim expertise

and governance to support future

improvements in the school, with a

focus on accelerating improvement

in standards and attainment.

Ali Causton, Headteacher at Acre

Wood Academy, added: “This is

a really exciting moment for our

school. Becoming part of London

South East Academies Trust marks

the start of a new era for us — one

that brings huge potential for

staff and pupils.

“We are confident that being part of

a values-driven Trust will enable us to

continue improving outcomes for our

pupils. W are incredibly grateful for

the support of our staff, parents and

carers throughout this process and

look forward to the journey ahead.”

£55,000

makeover

for play area

THE SILVER Jubilee Meadow Play

Area in Crowborough is to get a

£55,000 makeover.

Crowborough Town Council

is looking for quotes for the

refurbishment of its playground

at Silver Jubilee Meadow between

Green Lane and Palesgate Lane.

The council manages and

maintains five playground sites

across Crowborough. At the Silver

Jubilee Meadow, there is a large

open meadow for residents to enjoy

as part of The Ghyll woodland.

The site is well used by residents,

and the playground is used daily

but the council says “The condition

of the playground has slowly

deteriorated, and it is now in need of

refurbishment.”

It is inviting contractors to tender

for the work which includes

providing a playground which

must be fully wheelchair accessible

and appropriate for children aged

1–12. All equipment must include

features designed to support

children with special educational

needs (SEN), including autism.

The council is telling wouldbe

contractors the equipment

and surfaces need to be low

maintenance and the work, which

is scheduled for September and

October, must be within the

£55,000 budget.

6 NEWS

August 2025


No date yet for new waste

site booking system

BY IAIN LUXFORD

RESIDENTS are still waiting to

hear when the controversial

new booking system for the

Crowborough Household Waste

and Recycling site will start.

East Sussex County Council decided

earlier this year to introduce a

booking system for anyone who

wanted to use the site and others —

despite thousands of people across

the county opposing the plans.

The council says the new booking

system for all of the county’s waste

sites will improve queues, deter

business and trade waste which

should not be disposed at the

taxpayer’s expense, and ensure only

East Sussex residents get to use the

facilities without charge.

It will be introducing a new

online portal giving residents the

opportunity to book a slot online, but

people will also be able to book by

telephone. The council also insists

waste sites will continue to be free

to use for household rubbish. The

introduction of a booking system for

all of its 10 household sites will save

the council £50,000.

At the time Crowborough News was

going to press, the East Sussex County

Council website still does not have

fixed date for the introduction of the

scheme. It simply says it is coming

“in early autumn”.

The decision came despite a big

public response to the council’s

consultation. Of the more than 5,000

who replied, 91 per cent responded

negatively. Officers admitted that

72 percent, or 4,352, responded

“extremely negatively”. There was

more public response about the

Crowborough site than the others.

But in recommending councillors

should agree to the new scheme,

officers said that in other areas of the

country where people had opposed

to booking systems, they had soon

become accustomed to it. More than

50 per cent of councils now operate

some kind of booking system for their

sites, they added.

Officers also insisted a Govt report

in 2023 showed there was no evidence

of a rise in fly-tipping linked to the

introduction of booking systems.

Neither Kent nor West Sussex had

seen an increase in fly tipping when

they introduced their booking

systems, they added.

But Crowborough residents were far

from convinced when Crowborough

News broke the story in the spring.

Here are some of the comments that

followed the story on our Facebook

page: “That’s shocking. No-one I

know supports this. And we wonder

why people don’t bother taking part

in public consultations. Crowborough

works brilliantly. Rarely have to wait.

So I ask myself who benefits from

this? Will there be fewer staff? Is the

next stage charging?”

“91% said no and they do it

anyway — supposed to be elected

to serve the residents not do what

they want regardless. Probably

going to start charging us next and

that will stop even more using the

household waste site.”

“What was the point of the

consultation when residents’

opinions are ignored?”

“Not sure why councils ever bother

asking residents what they want, they

never actually take notice anyway

and just go ahead with whatever they

please. Just to satisfy some rule to say

they asked I suppose.”

“Exactly as we all said, whatever

plans they put forward are always

already decided.

OK, so I don’t use the Crowborough

facility very often. However, I have

never had to queue or wait for a

space in several years. Is it really

that busy that booking is needed?

Is this to fix a problem which

doesn’t exist?”

East Sussex County Council has

published a Q&A on its website

answering some of the questions and

concerns residents have raised. You

can find it here: www.eastsussex.

gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/bookingsystem-coming-autumn-2025-faq

All aboard!

New buses for

Crowborough

BRAND new buses complete with

free wi-fi, newspapers, social

seating, and adaptations for the

disabled, are set to be launched

in Crowborough.

Brighton and Hove Buses has

announced the launch of 24 new

Regency buses this summer run

on the Regency Routes 28, 29 and

29A, which connect Brighton,

Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells.

A spokesperson for Brighton and

Hove Buses said: “They feature a bold

new design, and a host of upgrades

designed to enhance the passenger

experience. On board, passengers

will find comfy upgraded seating,

USB-A and USB-C charging at every

seat, and free Wi-Fi as standard.

Upstairs, they can enjoy a social

seating area and a dedicated table

with integrated wireless phone

charging. Free morning newspapers

will also be available on board.”

He added the vehicles would

also include key accessibility

features such as dementiafriendly

flooring, audio-visual

next stop announcements, and a

hearing loop system.

The new British-built buses

represent an investment of over £7

million and form part the company’s

wider £19 million investment

in new vehicles for East Sussex

since last year.

Nick Hill, Commercial Director

at Brighton and Hove Buses, said:

“We’re proud to be investing

in our communities with these

24 brand-new Regency buses.

They represent our continued

commitment to making local travel

more comfortable, accessible, and

inclusive for everyone. We can’t wait

for our passengers to experience

them first hand.”

Crowborough man

meets his lifesavers

A FATHER from Crowborough who

was haemorrhaging blood from an

abdominal aortic aneurysm has

defied the odds and reunited with

his lifesavers.

Antony Linward, 68, was at home

with his wife in the early hours of 11

November 2024 when he started to

vomit blood and lose consciousness.

Antony’s wife immediately called

999 and spoke to Emergency

Medical Advisor, Beth Panton. While

providing advice over the phone

advice to Ayten, Resource Dispatcher,

Cathleen Carter, was skillfully

coordinating a team of six clinicians,

as well as the Air Ambulance

Charity, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and

Kent Fire and Rescue to attend

the couple’s home.

On arrival, Antony was in a state of

peri-arrest meaning he was unstable,

weak, pale, vomiting large amounts

of blood and was experiencing

multiple organ failure.

Newly qualified paramedics, Robert

Hammond and Georgia Anderson,

Paramedics, Libby Pillet and Rosie

Pimm, Community First Responder,

Robert Cray, and Operating Unit

Manager, Dave Hawkins worked

together to stabilise Antony before he

went on to spend a total of 52 days in

hospital before being discharged to

return to the family home.

Now, five months on, Antony was

determined to meet his lifesavers

in person and so paid a visit to

SECAmb’s Paddock Wood Make

Ready Centre to reunite with Beth,

Cathleen, Robert, Georgia, Libby,

Rosie and Dave where they heard

more about his recovery.

Antony is now spending time at

home recovering and getting used to

his new normal.

Antony said “I truly cannot thank

them enough for helping me when

disaster struck on 11 November.

They really are my lifesavers,

and I don’t think I would be here

today without them.”

Libby said: “It was a pleasure to

reunite with Antony after such

a traumatic time and to see him

doing so well.”

Cathleen added: “I remember it

like it was yesterday and I’m so glad

I have been able to meet Antony

to see the impact that my role has

on our patients.”

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8 NEWS

August 2025


Residents get a glimpse behind

the scenes of the Crowborough

Community Hub project

Have your

say on

Crowborough

train service

THERE was a real buzz in

Jarvis Brook as the community

got the first glimpse of

what will eventually be the

Crowborough Community Hub.

Dozens of people turned out for the

open day at the Crowborough Station

to get a better idea of what the new

hub will look like when the ambitious

project is complete.

Work has already started on the plan

which will see the disused section

of Crowborough Station turned into

several rooms for community use.

It will also house the Crowborough

Pantry. So far the work stripping

out the old building has been

done. The aim is to complete the

project by Christmas.

The Chair of the Community Hub

Committee is deputy mayor, Cllr Paul

Goddard. He told Crowborough News:

“This is such an exciting community

project. When it’s finished it’ll be space

that local clubs and groups can use,

and it will provide a new permanent

home for the pantry. It’ll be a real

community space, for the community,

run by the community.”

It has taken four years of talks

and negotiations since the idea was

first suggested, and it’s a significant

project which will cost £250,000.

But Cllr Goddard is not daunted. He

added he was confident the project

would succeed. “Yes, with the huge

amount of support we have from the

community, I am confident.”

The financial ball has been set rolling

by Southern Rail who provided a

£50,000 grant from its Your Station

Your Community Fund. The firm’s

Senior Community Partnerships

Manager, Patrick Ladbury, was at

the event. He said the company was

delighted to be supporting the hub

project “because we recognise the

value this is going to bring”.

Southern Rail have signed over the

lease to the Community Hub which

will be operated as a Community

Interest Company (CIC), which means

any profit will be reinvested into the

community project.

Mr Ladbury added: “It’s great to

see this large part of the building

getting back into use. Stations are

real community hubs. We have a few

similar projects but the scale of this

makes it even more unusual.”

Jo Stonebrook is the Chair of the

Crowborough Pantry, which will have

its new home at the hub. The pantry

redistributes food that otherwise

would go to waste and be thrown away

by supermarkets. It involves more

than 30 volunteers, and they have 36

collections from various supermarkets

and shops. It’s currently located in

Beechview Parade, Walshes Road.

Jo said: “This is going to be great.

It’ll give us so much more space,

we’ll have an office, a kitchen, and

it’ll be so much more accessible. The

whole operation of the pantry will be

more cohesive.”

There was a real buzz of excitement

as people looked around the building,

saw the architect’s plans, and read a

bit about the history of the building.

Visitors were encouragement

to submit ideas and suggestions

on post-it notes.

The event also welcomed one

particularly special visitor, Marion

Doyle, 78, whose father, Harold

Mitchener (“Mitch”) was the

Crowborough Station master. She

grew up in the flat that is part of the

building now being renovated as the

hub. Now living in Crawley she was

thrilled to see what was happening.

“I think it’s wonderful. This always

used to be such a busy place with

people coming and going, and a

station really should a community

hub.” But she also had a personal

reason for being happy about the

scheme. “I still have friends in

Crowborough so I visit from time to

time and it has been sad seeing this

part of the building, where I grew up,

abandoned. It’s now getting a new

lease of life.”

TRAIN users in Crowborough are

being asked to give their views on

the Oxted to Uckfield railway line.

A survey of passengers has been

launched by the Uckfield Railway

Line Parishes Committee (URLPC)

which has been overseeing

the operation of the Uckfield

Line for 40 years.

Its aim is to monitor the service, to

campaign for improvements to the

line’s infrastructure and rolling stock,

along with the reinstatement of the

Uckfield to Lewes section.

To mark the Committee’s 40th

Anniversary, it has established a

Facebook page to give people an

opportunity to let them know about

their experiences — good, bad, and

indifferent — when using the railway.

The committee said: “For 40

years we’ve been monitoring your

railway line. Now it’s your turn to

help shape its future. Whether it

was smooth, delayed, overcrowded

— or just ordinary. Your experience

matters. We’ll use your feedback in

meetings with the train company’s

managers to push for real

improvements.”

Children chose the county’s favourite read

Check your energy meter

CHILDREN from

across the county

have voted for

their favourite

read as the winner

of the annual East

Sussex Children’s

Book Award has

been announced.

Hercules: The Diary

of a (Sort Of) Hero

by Tom Vaughan

was revealed

as this year’s

winner at a special

awards ceremony.

Written as a series

of diary entries,

the book is the first in the author’s

acclaimed Hercules series.

Telling the tale of

Hercules Braver’s

challenge to survive

his new secondary

school and live up to

his name, the book

is a poignant yet

hilarious story full of

mythical magic and

real-world mayhem.

Winning author

Tom Vaughan said:

“It is an absolute total

honour to win the

award, especially

as I grew up in

Sussex. Winning

this award is super,

super special because it’s voted for

by the children.

There is no greater honour than

when I see kids picking up Hercules

and enjoying his exploits and

adventures. It touches my heart that

children are reading it.”

Since December children aged 8 to

11 from across the county have been

reading six shortlisted books before

voting for their favourite last month.

300 pupils from 14 primary schools

attended the awards event.

The East Sussex Children’s Book

Award is an annual competition run

by East Sussex Libraries that aims to

introduce children to new children’s

authors and encourage a ‘county wide

conversation’ about books.

For more information on the Award

and the shortlisted books visit

www.eastsussex.gov.uk/escba

CROWBOROUGH residents

are being urged to check

their energy meters to avoid

losing their heating or facing

higher energy bills.

At the end of June, the Radio

Teleswitch Service (RTS), a system

that uses radio signals to switch

electricity meters between different

tariff rates, stopped working.

Energy companies should be

contacting affected customers

about changing their meter, and

East Sussex County Council is

encouraging residents to take

immediate action when they do.

Figures show that more than

10,000 properties in East Sussex

have a RTS meter. Not changing the

RTS meter is likely to affect your

heating and hot water and result in

a loss of heating or an increase in

energy bills if it gets stuck on, so it’s

important to take action.

Residents may have

an RTS meter if:

• their home has a separate switch

box near the electricity meter

with a Radio Teleswitch label on it

• their home is heated using

electricity or storage heaters

• there is no gas supply to their area

(usually households in rural areas

and high-rise flats)

• they get cheaper energy at

different times of day (Economy

7, Economy 10, or Total Heat

Total Control tariffs)

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news August 2025 NEWS 9

Community comes

first for new

Crowborough Mayor

CROWBOROUGH has a new mayor

who says that community is among

those things that are most precious

and most matter.

Cllr Natalie Whittle took over the

Mayoral Chain from former Mayor,

Cllr Matthew Street earlier this

year. And she’s already enjoying the

ceremonial non-political role.

“It is great being invited to so many

community events, and they can be

so diverse. It’s a real privilege to have

this role and I will do everything I can

to promote local business and local

community organisations.”

Cllr Whittle who is married with

two sons — the eldest at university,

the youngest about to go into the sixth

form at Beacon Academy — said she

really wanted to make a contribution

to the life of the town which was why

she applied for the vacancy on the

town council in 2021.

She said: “We moved here in

March 2004. Crowborough has

been very good to us as a family,

it has been a great place to have

kids, and a great community to be

part of. Right from the start when

I was pregnant and the amazing

experience and support I had at the

Crowborough Birthing Centre. And

then swimming groups with the boys,

cubs, scouts, nurseries, schools,

and so on. It is a great community

to be part of.”

Cllr Whittle had a career in the city

before children and then the Covid-19

pandemic changed everything

— like it do for so many. She

became involved in the Supporting

Crowborough Network, helping

vulnerable neighbours.

“That was a bit of a catalyst for

thinking about things that are

most precious, and what matters

most. One of those things is

community.” She said.

But she also understands being

a councillor is not for everyone. “I

am blessed, now that my children

are older and I’m not working — I

have the time to be able to commit.

I completely understand that a lot

of people don’t have that time or

opportunity — and being a councillor

can be a big commitment.”

Pictured right, Councillor Natalie Whittle

As well as the civic events and

invitations, Cllr Whittle also sits on all

the town council committees and, in

her apolitical role, also chairs the Full

Council. Hers is a ceremonial role,

however, and not to be confused with

very different decision-making roles

of city mayors.

£40k Needed

for Jarvis Brook

Memorial Hall

Determined Hamish

plans uni return

THERE are renewed calls for

funding support for a building

that has been a community

venue in Jarvis Brook for more

than 100 years.

There’s a big question mark over the

future of the Jarvis Brook Memorial,

a registered charity, which badly

needs thousands of pounds worth of

essential repairs.

The land which the hall is built

on was given to the people of Jarvis

Brook by wealthy landowners in the

1920’s for the purpose of education

and recreation. The hall was built and

handed over to the people.

Over the years it has been home

to a large number of groups and

shows. These include a playschool,

primary school, scouts, guides, dog

training, ballet, Scottish Country

dancing, Canasta group, Guide Dog

training, Pets as Therapy training,

Yoga classes, Crowborough Pantry

training — and families use it for

children’s parties etc.

Gaynor Kendall, who has set up a

“GoFundMe” page to raise the much

needed funds, said: “We now have

certain problems which need to be

addressed for the safe keeping of the

hall and so that it may be repaired to

keep for everyone’s use.

“At the moment we have been

given estimates totalling almost

£40,000 which may not be the full

total. We will have to apply for a

grant from possibly the Lottery

fund and anywhere else that helps,

as our only income is from the hire

charges we get in.”

If you can donate or want to know

more visit: www.gofundme.com/f/

repairs-to-jarvis-brook-memorial-hall

THE inspirational Crowborough

teenager who lost all four limbs

to sepsis says he is determined

to walk back into university

again in September.

Former Beacon student, Hamish

Wilson was taken ill shortly after

starting at Southampton University

in October 2024 and while doctors

saved his life, he eventually had to

have both legs amputated, as well

as one hand and the fingers of his

remaining hand.

He went off to university as a

healthy, sporty 18 year-old and within

a month was literally fighting for his

life in intensive care.

Just weeks after starting university

Hamish suddenly became severely

ill with pneumonia and a form

of meningitis which caused a

life-threatening sepsis. He was

transferred from Southampton

General Hospital to Royal Papworth

Hospital in Cambridge as his kidneys

and heart were failing. Hamish

almost died four times in the first two

days he was in hospital.

But after numerous operations and

specialist treatment in London, he is

now walking on his prosthetic legs

and is progressing with treatment

for his hands. He told the BBC he is

now rebuilding his life, including

using public transport alone and

going to nightclubs.

In his latest BBC South East

interview Hamish said he “doesn’t

Photo: BBC South East News

see the point in getting really upset

about it anymore”, and after his

latest round of surgery he is enjoying

being on his own for the first

time in six months.

And he is remarkably resilient and

pragmatic about the sudden upheaval

in his life. “It’s happened, and

nothing’s going to change it,” he said,

“I think I might as well just deal with it

and get on with it as well as I can do.”

And after being surrounded by

and dependent on others since last

October, he says he is enjoying finally

having more space alone. “I’ve never

really had a panic about being on

my own. I hadn’t been left on my

own for six months, so this is the

best thing ever.”

10 NEWS

August 2025


Europe’s largest literary

chain started here

BY IAIN LUXFORD

Image posted on Facebook by Robert Pitts

WITH its knowledgeable staff,

unrushed atmosphere and local

community links, Waterstones

brought a fresh approach to bookselling

when it started to arrive

in our high streets in the early

1980s. But none of this would have

happened without an independent

local book shop in Crowborough.

The well-known book chain, which

now has 283 stores and employs

thousands of literary-loving staff was

the creation of Sir Tim Waterstone.

The celebrated entrepreneur,

philanthropist and author who has

just celebrated his 80th birthday,

grew up in Crowborough and is very

clear about the origins of his love

of books — and his vision for how

bookshops should be run.

He told Crowborough News that it

was in Crowborough that it all began.

“In the middle of the high street, on a

section called The Broadway, was this

bookshop, called The Book Club. It

opened for business shortly after the

war in 1947, I think, and later became

a major part of my life, especially in

the school holidays. Considering that

the population of the village and its

surrounding area was so modest in

those days, two or three thousand

of us at the most, it was a shop of

generous size, with a quite excellent

and wide range of stock.”

Mr Waterstone said he paid

frequent visits to the shop, owned by

the “dauntingly severe” Miss Santoro,

and would often hear her being coldly

unhelpful with her customers’ lessthan-informed

enquiries.

“But once she got used to my

incessant presence in her shop,

browsing away for hours along the

shelves but never buying anything,

she treated me with great kindness,

and great purpose, and led me to

books she thought I would like. She

provided me with a bench that she

pretended was reserved only for

me, and smiled whenever I entered

the shop. She was angry with me

just once, when she saw me licking

a finger before turning a page. I still

think of that — and her — if I ever

catch myself doing that now!”

Sir Tim has told the tale of his

life and the business he began in a

memoir, The Face Pressed Against

the Window. It is a fascinating but not

always comfortable read for anyone

keen on biography but it’s especially

engaging for anyone familiar with

Crowborough. He recounts watching

second world war dog fights in the

skies above the village, crashed

German fighter planes, fleeing the

mistreatment of his father, the “plug

ugly” All Saints Church, and his

home in Mill Drive.

Snaring rabbits which he sold to

the local fishmonger for a shilling a

piece — until he was caught redhanded

by his furious mother,

encounters with Canadian soldiers

billeted in the village, the Italian

prisoners of war who did local jobs,

and the familiar sight of two spinster

sisters riding side saddle into the

village together with a tame parrot

— are some of the other memories of

Crowborough he shares.

But it’s not all pleasant memories.

Quite apart from the difficult

relationship he had with his father,

Tim was sent to Warden House Prep

School, “a simply terrible place”

on the outskirts of Crowborough at

the age of six.

While researching his memoir Sir

Tim said he revisited Crowborough

and was surprised at how much

the place had changed. “I did drive

down to Crowborough one early

Autumn morning to look at the

village once more, only to discover

it was no longer a village at all, but

now a town! The high street was

unrecognisable really. I enjoyed my

trip that day, but I confess it left me

rather full of melancholy as to the

degree of change that Crowborough

has seen over the decades. All

good change, of course. Life

never stands still.”

“But there are happy memories too.

There were some strong personal

friendships I formed in the village,

and I remember those friendships

still, and with so much warmth.”

But it’s Miss Santoro and her

bookshop that have left the most

significant Crowborough mark for

Sir Tim. He said: “I think she began

to grasp early on that I came from

a home where books had no role

and next to no presence, and that I

was a small child who clearly had

an intense instinct and desire to be

around books. And she, childless

herself, and perhaps that was the

point, took to that, and set about to

teach me and to help me. All she

wanted to do was to help me along,

to educate me if you like, and she

certainly succeeded in that.

“I have no doubt at all that it was

Miss Santoro who kindled within

me the bookseller vision that three

decades later emerged into life as

Waterstone’s. Much of Waterstone’s

inherent values, perhaps most of

Waterstone’s values, were being

tested out there by Miss Santoro

before my very eyes. The quality of

her stock range, which as I have said,

was broad and decidedly literary in

style. Her marketing outreach into

the community, the comfort and

warmth of her shop.

“Her extraordinary personal

knowledge about books, and their

quality and their titles and their

authors, and her enthusiasm for

promoting her favourites. And — yes

— me too really, the boy, the browser,

sitting quietly in his allotted place

and left undisturbed to read just as

much as he wanted, and as often as

he wanted, even though he never

bought anything at all. If Miss Santoro

had lived long enough to see it, my

suspicion is that she would have

watched me driving Waterstone’s

into existence without a single

ripple of surprise.”

So next time you’re browsing the

shelves of Waterstone’s, attending an

event, sipping a coffee as you read,

or getting a book signed by a local

author, think of Miss Santoro, her

little shop in Crowborough, and how

she inspired a small boy with a fresh

approach to book selling.


Carson’s — best in Sussex

30th year of link with the Gambia

WELL done to everyone at Carson’s

Tea House in Crowborough which

has scooped a coveted “best

in Sussex” award.

The venue, which serves locally

roasted coffee, locally sourced bread,

meat, beers, spirits and wines says

it is “on a mission to reinvigorate

British Tea Culture”.

It has been named “Best in Sussex”

in the “café” category Muddy Stilettos

Awards. It beat off competition

from other venues across East

and West Sussex.

The Muddy Stilettos Awards are a

UK-wide competition that celebrates

and recognizes the best independent

lifestyle businesses in various

Eco bin lorries

categories, including boutiques,

cafes, and family attractions.

The awards are unique because

they are determined by public votes,

giving local communities a chance to

support their favourite businesses.

NEW bin lorries that

run on vegetable oil

will be introduced

in Crowborough

as part of a new

contract for collecting

household rubbish.

The East Sussex Joint Waste Partnership has announced an extension of its

contract with Biffa. Worth £119m over seven years, the contract will include

a new fleet of waste collection vehicles being operated on hydrotreated

vegetable oil — reducing emissions by up to 90%.

PUPILS at Beacon Academy have

celebrated the 30th anniversary

of their link with the west African

country, The Gambia.

This year, in partnership with

Self Help Africa, 67 of the school’s

Sixth Form students, staff and

volunteers spent a week supporting

rural communities through

sustainable, community-led

projects. After months of dedicated

fundraising which raised an

incredible £34,000 — they helped fund

vital initiatives, including:

• A new medical centre and

health supplies

• School buildings,

classrooms and a library

• A motorbike ambulance and a

milling machine

Top spot for nature

EAST Sussex is one of the country’s

top spots for a nature walk,

according to a new report. And it’s

also pretty popular when it comes

to windsurfing too!

The outdoors and activities retailer,

GO Outdoors, has analysed Google

search data from December 2023 to

November 2024 and compared this to

the previous 12 months to reveal the

• A women’s garden and

agricultural projects

Over the past 30 years the annual trip

has not only strengthened life-long

top trending activities for 2025.

The research also looked at the best

regions of the UK to try these hobbies

— and it reveals what most of us

already know — East Sussex is a great

place to get outside and enjoy nature,

ranking 7th best county/area in the

UK for wildlife trails and open spaces.

According to the data, there are 313

wildlife trails in East Sussex and the

links with Gambian communities but

students have also been involved in

funding and developing dozens of

community projects and initiatives.

county achieved an average wildlife

trail review score of 4.4. The county

also received a nature walk hotspot

score of 8.06 out of 10. The county

that came top was Devon leads

the way with a 10/10 nature walk

hotspot score. The county offers 600

wildlife trails. As far as windsurfing

is concerned, East Sussex came in

8th in the list.

12 NEWS

August 2025


Crowborough’s

Schools Academy

set to expand

BY IAIN LUXFORD

THE successful trust which runs

Beacon Academy in Crowborough

is to expand once more — bringing

Hailsham Community College into

the partnership.

The MARK Education Trust grew

in 2022 when Uplands Community

College in Wadhurst joined Beacon.

Now, from September Hailsham will

become the third school in the trust.

Beacon’s Headteacher, Anna

Robinson, who is also the CEO

and Executive Headteacher at

MARK , has been supporting

Hailsham in an advisory capacity

and the trust has been working

with East Sussex County Council

(ESCC) and the Department of

Education on the plans.

In a letter to parents, the MARK

Chair of Trustees, Clare Collins, said:

“Hailsham has much to offer our

trust. As another East Sussex school

in a similar context, it is close enough

for our expertise and opportunities

to be shared, not only to benefit the

education of our young people but

also the continuing professional

development, retention and

recruitment of our staff.”

She added Hailsham also includes

a primary phase with nursery, infant

and junior provision. “This has been

rated Good by Ofsted, and as the

nursery and primary occupy a newly

built school, it is a considerable

asset to our trust.”

Ms Collins said everyone was

excited about the opportunity “We

are excited about the opportunities

this growth will bring, and remain

committed to ensuring that

students at Beacon Academy,

Uplands Academy, and what will be

Hailsham Academy, benefit from our

collaboration, working together to

achieve our mission of providing

the very best possible education

for our students, preparing them

for life, so they can stand equally

alongside their peers, locally,

nationally and globally.”

Anna Robinson was appointed

Headteacher of Beacon Academy

in 2015, and she became Executive

Headteacher of MARK Education

Trust in September 2022. She has

overseen a transformational journey

for the school. In 2019, it celebrated

record-breaking A-Level and GCSE

results with the Progress 8 measure

making Beacon East Sussex’s

top-performing school for three

consecutive years, as well as being

first across Sussex, and in the top

1.8% nationally.

Beacon’s results continue to reflect

academic excellence with sixth form

students excelling despite national

shifts in A-Level rigour, and the

vast majority of its students’ secure

places at their first-choice university,

apprenticeship or employment.

After a rigorous Ofsted inspection

in 2024, Beacon Academy received

an Outstanding rating across

all categories.

MARK welcomed Uplands

Academy (formerly Uplands

Community College) into the trust

in September 2022. Located in

Wadhurst, East Sussex, Uplands is

a good school with vast potential,

driven by an inspiring student

and staff body.

Ms Robinson said: “Together,

we make a strong, unified team,

focused on delivering whole

school improvement. Centralised

business services support our

schools to develop and sustain

excellence in every classroom. Our

trust’s schools remain oversubscribed

across year groups: a testament to

our committed team’s dedication

to our mission.”

She added: “Our growth strategy is

implemented thoughtfully to ensure

that each of our schools retains its

unique identity while continuously

striving for excellence through

collaboration connected by our

shared vision.”

Subject to the final regulatory

approval, will join the MARK

Education Trust on 1 September 2025.

Glowing report for

Jarvis Brook school from

government inspectors

“Pupils love learning at this

welcoming school” — that’s the

conclusion of inspectors who visited

Jarvis Brook Primary School in May.

Although schools are no longer

given a judgement for overall

effectiveness, the inspectors said

Jarvis Brook, which was previously

judged to be “good”, is maintaining

those standards.

In a glowing report they say pupils

work hard, concentrate and listen

to their teachers, behave well,

and have high levels of respect for

each other and staff. The school,

Ofsted says, “has high ambitions

for pupils”, including those with

special educational needs, and

rightly prioritises pupils’ mental and

physical health.

It has an “ambitious curriculum”

and leaders at all levels “work hard to

maintain the standards of education

in the school”.

Among the other areas singled

out for praise, the inspectors said

teachers have secure subject

knowledge and explain learning

clearly, and teachers know

pupils well. The pupils, they add,

“demonstrate excellent attitudes to

learning, which supports the sense of

calm that pervades the school”.

The only area singled out for

improvement was aspects of the

writing curriculum.

In a letter to parents, head teacher,

Jacqueline Zadeh, said: “We are really

pleased the inspectors praised all

aspects of the school so highly. As a

staff team we work unstintingly to

ensure our children feel cared for

and comfortable wellbeing-wise, are

offered a curriculum replete with

rich learning experiences, and are

encouraged, enabled and empowered

to be the very best people they can be.

Inspectors rightly identified this.”

However, the inspection did also

identify areas for improvement.

The inspectors said writing in

younger years needs more focus

on foundational skills, such as

handwriting and constructing simple

sentences and the adaptation of the

curriculum for SEND pupils is not yet

consistent across all subjects.

The headteacher, Laura Cooper

said: “The inspection was a thorough

and robust process where every

aspect of our school was put under

the inspection team’s microscope!

It was also an opportunity for

the strengths of the school to be

acknowledged and our plans for the

continued success and development

of the school to be validated.

“We were delighted to receive

acknowledgement that the safety

and welfare of our pupils remains

our top priority allowing us to create

a happy and safe school where our

pupils flourish.

“The inspector has given us a

strong endorsement, supporting the

overwhelmingly positive comments

from parents. Predictably, the

Inspector agreed with our own

self-evaluation and development

plans; on which we can build so that

we continue to provide an excellent

education for all our pupils.”

Crowborough

school is “Good”,

say inspectors

THE Headteacher of a

Crowborough Primary School

has paid tribute to “the incredible

hard work and professionalism

of all the staff, the endeavour

and excellent behaviour of our

pupils and the support of parents

and carers” after it was rated

“good” by inspectors.

Ofsted inspectors said St. John’s

Church of England Primary School

was “good” across all key areas:

quality of education, behaviour and

attitudes, personal development,

early years provision, and leadership

and management.

In a report published this

week following the inspection

in March, they have highlighted

effective teaching, good character

development, and the wide range

of extra-curricular opportunities

offered to pupils.

They said pupils at St John’s feel

a deep sense of belonging and they

embrace the school’s vision to “live

life in all its fullness”, which teaches

them resilience and perseverance.

The inspection also highlighted

several areas where the school excels,

including the broad curriculum, and

in areas like early reading.

It provides skilled support for

pupils with special educational

needs, has effective safeguarding

arrangements, and has an open and

positive culture that prioritises the

interests of pupils. The majority of

parents expressed positive views

about the school.


New manager to improve Ashdown

Forest link with residents

ASHDOWN Forest wants to

improve engagement with

residents and visitors and has

appointed a new manager

to do just that.

Beth Morgan has joined Ashdown

Forest as Head of Engagement and

Development and says she wants

to champion the forest “as a place

where wildlife and people can

thrive together.” The new role is

designed to increase and enhance

engagement with residents, visitors

and other stakeholders.

She said: “Ashdown Forest is one

of the most unique and remarkable

landscapes in Sussex. I’m delighted

to join the team to help welcome and

inspire visitors to this very special

place. I moved to Sussex with my

family as a teenager in the mid-1980s

and spent as much of my spare time as

possible exploring Ashdown Forest.

She said: “There is a wide range of

individuals, groups and organisations

who engage with the Forest in

a variety of ways. I’m delighted

to be working to ensure that we

engage actively and positively with

all stakeholders.”

CEO Mark Pearson is thrilled

that Beth has joined the team. He

said: “Engaging with a large and

diverse range of people is essential

— from those who already know and

love the Forest to wider audiences

for whom nurturing a personal

connection with nature is vital

to reversing biodiversity loss on

Ashdown Forest and beyond.”

Beth Morgan

Fashion studio scoops

prestigious business honours

Charity nominated

for national award

CROWBOROUGH-BASED AYM

Studio has received a King’s Award

for Enterprise, one of only 197

organisations nationally to be

recognised with the accolade. The

awards celebrate outstanding

achievement by UK businesses.

Alie Mackintosh, founder of AYM

Studio, said: “It is an immense honour

to have built a business in the UK that

has been recognised by His Majesty

The King for a King’s Award.

“I am proud to have built a business

that celebrates what Made in the UK

stands for; a dedication to quality,

a celebration of skill and a passion

for thoughtful design that makes a

positive difference.

Founded in 2012 and employing

eight people, AYM Studio creates

what it describes as ‘conscious

clothing’. It has a growing reputation

for sustainable, ethical fashion

designed and made in the UK.

Each piece is handmade in the

UK by craftspeople paid above

the living wage.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise,

formerly the Queen’s Awards for

Enterprise, were renamed in 2023

following the accession of King

Charles III. Now in their 59th year,

the awards remain the UK’s highest

official business accolade.

FAMILY2FAMILY, which began

in 2018 as Baby2Baby and now

operates across the county, has

been nominated for The Kings

Award for Voluntary Service.

The charity said it was “thrilled”

at the news. Its assessment took

place in the spring and it is now

waiting to hear if it has been

successful. Representatives from

the charity attended a reception

earlier this week where they

had the opportunity to meet with

other

nominated

organisations

who are all doing work

in the community.

Through the simple act of

redistribution, this growing charity

seeks to alleviate poverty and

associated adversity by gifting good

quality baby and children’s clothing

and essential items to those in

need of support in East Sussex and

surrounding areas.

14 NEWS

August 2025


Sun shines on

summer fair

WORDS AND PICTURES

BY IAIN LUXFORD

IT was all the fun of the fair for the

hundreds of people who turned out

for the Crowborough Summer Fair

in the glorious sunshine.

With bright blue skies and soaring

temperatures, the field at Goldsmiths

was packed with people, attractions,

demonstrations and dozens of local

stalls showcasing the work of local

groups and companies.

Attended by the Mayor, Cllr Natalie

Whittle, the arena events included

various displays by Crowborough

Rugby Club, BMX stunt riders

Fusion, Jewel Performing Arts, and

Vision Taekwon-do.

The 40-plus stalls included The

Crowborough Farmers’ Market,

guides, scouts, Jarvis Brook

Football Club, the Bonfire Society,

Crowborough Community First

Responders, the Crowborough &

District Veterans and Supporters, and

the town council.

Local PCSOs Amy and Leon were

also enjoying the sunshine and

meeting fair-goers, while at the

Eco hub, the various groups of

Green Transition Crowborough

were being showcased. These

included Crowborough Pantry,

the Crowborough Repair Café,

Artytime, and the Crowborough

Community Orchard.

It was a packed afternoon of

community fun summed up by one

anonymous gent overheard as he

left: “I think that was the best one

ever.” Absolutely!


16 NEWS

August 2025


“Verily the most

villainously ugly spot

I saw in England” —

The Ashdown Forest?

IF WE asked you where Britain’s

modern iron and steel industry

began, maybe somewhere like

Sheffield might be a reasonable

guess. You are probably unlikely to

select anywhere outside the north

of England, and unless you’re

particularly keen on local history,

you almost certainly wouldn’t

choose a location just a few miles

from Crowborough.

But believe it or not, in 1496,

England’s first blast furnace was

built near Coleman’s Hatch, on the

Ashdown Forest — marking the

beginning of Britain’s modern iron

and steel industry.

It’s really hard to imagine it now,

given the astonishing beauty of

the forest and the High Weald of

which it is part, but by the mid-16th

century there were 50 furnaces

and forges, and that number had

doubled 25 years later. All over the

Weald large numbers of people were

employed in digging ore, cutting

wood and transporting both raw

materials and products.

There is actually very much more to

the Ashdown Forest than Winnie the

Pooh, though of course the bear with

little brain and his creator AA Milne

are rightly celebrated as famous local

residents. And, as we know, calling

it a forest is a little misleading, given

that only 40 per cent of the area is

covered in woodland.

Ashdown Forest originated as a

medieval hunting forest created

soon after the Norman conquest of

England in 1066. By 1283 the forest

was fenced in by a 23 miles pale — a

boundary comprising a ditch, bank

and fence — enclosing an area of 20

square miles (13,000 acres). Parts of

this pale — at least the ditch and bank

— can still be seen today.

Thirty-four gates and hatches in

the pale, still remembered in place

names such as Chuck Hatch and

Chelwood Gate, allowed local people

to enter to graze their livestock,

collect firewood, and cut heather

and bracken for animal bedding. But

crucially, the pale kept in the deer

which were the targets of the hunting.

The forest continued to be used

by the monarchy and nobility for

hunting into Tudor times, including

notably Henry VIII, who had a

hunting lodge at Bolebroke Castle,

Hartfield and who famously courted

Anne Boleyn at nearby Hever Castle

— events, the consequences of which

would resonate through British

history for centuries to come.

In 1693, more than half the forest

was taken into private hands, with the

remainder set aside as common land.

The latter today covers 9.5 square

miles (25 km2; 6,100 acres; 2,500

ha) and is the largest area with open

public access in South East England.

William Cobbett

In 1822 the forest got some bad

press as renowned chronicler and

champion of rural tradition, William

Cobbett, famously described it in his

Rural Rides Sussex Journal entry of

8 January 1822.

He wrote it was “…verily the

most villainously ugly spot I saw in

England. This lasts you for five miles,

getting, if possible, uglier and uglier

all the way, till, at last, as if barren

soil, nasty spewy gravel, heath and

even that stunted, were not enough,

you see some rising spots, which

instead of trees, present you with

black, ragged, hideous rocks.”

So much for Cobbett, who was

probably having a bad day, and to

be fair it is likely that the landscape

did still bear the scars of the iron ore

extraction and smelting.

Apart from its historical significance

there’s more that makes it special.

Ashdown Forest also has a rich

archaeological heritage. There is

evidence of prehistoric human

activity, with the earliest evidence

of human occupation dating back to

50,000 years ago. There are important

Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Romano-

British remains.

And the ecological importance of

the forest’s heathlands is reflected

by its designation as a Site of Special

Scientific Interest, as a Special

Protection Area for birds, and as a

Special Area of Conservation for

its heathland habitats. It is part of

the European Natura 2000 network

as it hosts some of Europe’s most

threatened species and habitats.

Important populations of heath

and woodland birds are found on

the forest, notably the Dartford

Warbler and the European

nightjar. Because of this, it has been

designated as a Special Protection

Area and it is a popular destination

for birdwatchers.

So, it’s worth reflecting and

reminding ourselves regularly what a

wildlife gem sits on our doorstep. And

this is especially true since in the late

1980s it was nearly lost completely.

In 1987 the Lord of the Manor of

Duddleswell, the 10th Earl de la Warr,

put the freehold of Ashdown Forest

up for sale, raising the prospect

of it being sold off piecemeal to

private investors.

Thankfully a public fundraising

campaign was organised by the

Friends of Ashdown Forest and

the Conservators to enable East

Sussex County Council to purchase

the Forest and preserve it intact as

a public asset for posterity. This it

did in 1988. Phew!

www.wealdeniron.org.uk/history/

www.ashdownforestresearchgroup.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Landscape_of_Ashdown_Forest


Crowborough’s new

town burial ground is open

Former Mayor, Councillor Matthew Street officially opening the Summersales Burial Ground

CROWBOROUGH has a new town

burial ground replacing the

cemetery in Herne Road which

opened more than 100 years ago.

Former Mayor, Cllr Matthew Street,

cut the ribbon to officially open the

new Summersales Burial Ground

earlier this summer.

Summersales Burial Ground is

located in a meadow in London Road,

about a mile from the town centre

near Forest Fold Church. It is owned

and managed by Crowborough

Town Council. It replaces the

Herne Road Cemetery which is

now almost full.

Summersales offers coffin and

ashes interments (in the Forest

View Garden of Remembrance),

as well as three new options —

natural burials in the Summersales

Meadow; the Ashdown Family

Garden, allowing families to be

buried together in one location;

and Summersales Lea, an area for

four circular garden beds, which

will be available to book for the

scattering of ashes. There is also The

Children’s Garden.

At the centre of the plot is The

Summersales Room, a bright standalone

building with a glass frontage

and seating for up to 40 people. It

has AV available with a screen for

video and music. The room can also

be hired for memorials. The burial

ground is now open for visitors daily.

Crowborough Town Council

said: “We understand that burying

a loved one is a difficult and

sensitive time, and we hope that the

Crowborough Summersales Burial

Ground will become established as

a place of peace and tranquillity for

all who visit it.”

Petitioners call

for bus cut u-turn

Campaigners calling for a u-turn on

cuts to Rotherfield’s bus service to

Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne,

have launched a petition.

Led by Heathfield student, Erin

Wigham, 20, the petition calls on

East Sussex County Council to work

with Stagecoach to return the hourly

bus service to its previous twice an

hour frequency.

Stagecoach’s 51 bus stops opposite

the Kings Arms in Rotherfield

en-route from Tunbridge Wells to

Eastbourne. Its other stops include

Mayfield, Heathfield, and Hailsham.

The timetable changes were

introduced at the end of March.

Erin’s online petition has attracted

more than 1,600 signatures so far. On

the petition page she writes: “Many

locals rely on the 51 Stagecoach bus

service to Eastbourne as it’s a more

energy efficient and cheaper way

to travel. Taking the bus is also an

accessible way for elderly, disabled

and people who don’t or cannot

drive to travel.”

Erin, a 20 year old student studying

Media at South Downs College,

says she is completely reliant on

the bus service as neither she

or her mum drive.

In a statement, Stagecoach said: “In

some areas, including routes in East

Sussex and Kent, we’ve made changes

to better match our services with how

they are being used.

“We remain committed to providing

accessible, dependable services

and to working collaboratively with

local authorities and passengers

as we adapt to a changing

transport landscape.”

To sign Erin’s petition visit: www.

change.org/p/stop-stagecoachfrom-changing-the-51-serviceto-eastbourne-to-hourlyfrom-half-hourly

A D V E R T I S E R P R O M O T I O N

Direct Cremation

— the truths

DIRECT cremation has become an

increasingly popular choice in recent

years, often promoted as a simple, low-cost

alternative to a traditional funeral.

Large national providers advertise heavily,

offering call centre convenience and budgetfriendly

prices. But what these adverts don’t

always tell you is what’s included, where your

loved one will be cared for, or who’s handling

the arrangements.

At Wealden Funeral Services, a local,

independent, family-run funeral director

with over 20 years of experience supporting

our community, and with three active

generations working together, our family

believes your family deserves more than

just a transaction.

Unlike anonymous national call centres, we

care for your loved ones as if they were our own.

When you choose us for a direct cremation,

you’re selecting:

• A single, familiar, friendly point of contact

from start to finish

• Local care — your loved one remains

within the community

• No subcontractors or hidden transportation

across the country

• The option to include personal touches

such as time in our chapel

• Eco-conscious choices, like jute coffins to

lessen environmental impact

• Competitive or better pricing compared to

call centre options

Wealden’s Direct Cremation Service provides

the simplicity families seek in a direct

cremation, combined with the dignity,

flexibility, and personal care that only a local

funeral director can offer.

We believe in transparent pricing, honest

conversations, and supporting you in the way

that suits you best, whether that’s organising

everything remotely or having a face-to-face

chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

Contact us on 01892 487435 or email

hello@wealden-funerals.uk

18 NEWS

August 2025


Huge council shake-up on the cards

BY IAIN LUXFORD

THE biggest shake-up of local

government in Crowborough and

across East Sussex since the 19th

Century is just around the corner.

The consultation on how council

services will be delivered in our

county has concluded and next

month (Sept) the councils in East

Sussex will submit a plan for how

things should change.

The Government wants to

reorganise local government

so that everyone in East Sussex

gets their services from just one

council. This could mean the county

council and district and borough

councils, including Wealden District

Council, would be replaced by a

single authority.

With a new council expected to be

elected in 2027 and start work in 2028,

East Sussex County Council (ESCC)

and district and borough councils

are working on plans and are asking

residents for their views.

The five districts/boroughs and

the county council are presenting

a united front, but a letter to the

Govt from Wealden District Council

suggests the smaller councils

have been given little choice but to

support their own abolition given the

time constraints and government

criteria limits.

Many expected the new single

councils would be smaller than ESCC

but bigger than the districts. But now

the interim plan is to replace all the

councils with one that covers the

whole of East Sussex — meaning the

end of Wealden, Lewes and Rother

District Councils and Hastings and

Eastbourne Borough Councils.

ESCC insists all councils would be

abolished, including itself, although

it’s difficult to see how this new

council would be anything other

than a reincarnation of ESCC with

more powers. The cabinet of ESCC

has backed this interim plan which it

says has been drawn up with partners

from borough and district councils.

It says a new local authority on

the current boundaries of East

Sussex appears a clear option for

reorganising local government

and could meet the government’s

ambitions for streamlined

local government.

Cllr Keith Glazier, leader of East

Sussex County Council said: “In

response to Government plans we

have worked with our colleagues in

the districts and boroughs to draw

up an initial plan for a single local

authority for East Sussex that could

provide best quality and value for all

its 550,000 residents.

“Final, detailed proposals will

be submitted to Government in

September and we now need to hear

the views of residents, businesses

and other partners to ensure the plan

we develop will deliver the greatest

benefits to our communities.”

In the interim plan, ESCC says it,

and the five district and borough

councils, have set out what they

believe any new local authority would

have to achieve including:

• Improving outcomes for residents

and communities

• Making best use of resources now

and for the future

• Enhancing local democracy,

local identity, transparency,

accessibility, local decision

making and accountability

• Supporting and driving decision

making and public service reform

at both Sussex and local level

• Providing a stronger and unified

voice to help attract investment

and tackle priorities

But the apparent united front might

not be as strong as ESCC is claiming.

In a letter to the Govt, Wealden council

leader Cllr Rachel Millward said while

all six council leaders had worked

collaboratively to deliver an Interim

Plan as requested, the Govt’s criteria

and time-frame meant there was only

one option — a single unitary authority

for East Sussex.

Cllr Millward said: “Given this limit

and the very short time we have had

to give other options appropriate

consideration, we have agreed to the

proposals set out in the plan.”

She made it very clear that the

interim plan is not a done deal. “It

is important, though, that we leave

the door open for the potential to

adjust our plans as the work gets

underway to develop the proposals

and, especially, in the light of

responses to public consultation.

The landscape and demography of

East Sussex is wide and varied, and

the challenges we face in our district

are distinct from the challenges

faced by other districts and boroughs

in the county.”

NB: The plan to reorganise

local councils into a single, or

unitary, authority is separate from

devolution plans under which a

new Sussex Mayor would be more

decision making power from

central Government.

Council faces its “most challenging

financial position ever”

EAST Sussex County Council has

overcome huge challenges to

deliver vital services to thousands

of residents, its annual report says.

The “State of the County” report

reveals how the authority supported

more than 30,000 people through

adult social care services in 2024/25

and had contact with more than

48,000 children and young people

through its children’s services team.

But the report also comes with a

warning that the council faces its

“most challenging financial position

ever”, and there is significant

uncertainty about future funding.

The report also highlighted the

maintenance of more than 2,000

miles of road — including the repair

of more than 23,000 potholes on

roads and pavements. More than

two million items were issued

through the county’s libraries, and a

quarter of a million tonnes of waste

was dealt with.

But as well as the authority’s

achievements, the report looked at

the challenges that lay ahead due

to demographics and deprivation

resulting in increased demand for

services, and soaring costs. And it

came just a few months after ESCC

put up council tax by almost 5 per

cent and agreed £13.5million worth

of service cuts as it set its budget for

the year ahead.

The report predicts almost one in

three of the population of East Sussex

will be 65 and over by 2029, more

than 80,000 older people will be living

with a limiting long-term illness by

2030, and 20 per cent more children

will have with registered support for

special needs (Education and Health

Care Plans) in the next three years.

In the 2025-26 budget setting

Hookstead in Goldsmiths Avenue,

which caters for adults with

learning difficulties, was one of four

social care centres that had been

earmarked for closure in the budget.

But an eleventh-hour u-turn saved

Hookstead from closure. Most of the

£7.4million cuts from other social

care services for vulnerable people

and those with learning difficulties

went ahead, though.

At the time ESCC said the only way

Cllr Keith Glazier, Council leader

it could deliver essential services

and set a £578.8million balanced

budget in 2025/26 was to increase

council tax and still make more than

£13million in saving.

Among the other savings agreed

in the budget setting, funding for

drug and alcohol services was be

cut by £407,000, and support given

to young people aged 16 and over

with housing is to be slashed by a

huge £3.8million over the next three

years. Public health services also

faced the budget axe, with more

than £1million worth of savings

earmarked from prevention activities

to improve public health.

In Children’s Services, £1.5million

will be saved by reducing the number

of children in care and by using fewer

costly agency foster placements —

recruiting more county foster carers

instead. £728,000 could also be cut

from the home to school transport

budget — especially reducing the

number of solo taxis.

On-street car parking charges would

rise 5% under the budget proposals

and a review of waste disposal sites

will look to save £335,000. A new user

booking system for Crowborough

Household Waste site and others

will be introduced.

Adult learning services in libraries

will be “refocussed” to an online

offer, while Trading Standards and

Road Safety are two other areas

that will have to make cuts. Almost

£300,000 worth of job cuts in the

council’s Governance Services

department will affect the team

supporting councillors, performance

and research staff, and the council’s

communications team.

In both the State of the County

report and the Budget setting ESCC

has warned that unless there is

a “significant and permanent”

increase in funding, it will have

to consider even more extreme

savings option in the following

year and beyond.

The council says it will continue

to press the Govrnment to address

the “fundamentally unsustainable

position we face” by delivering

increased funding and service

reforms. It will continue to clearly

articulate “the consequences of

funding shortfalls for people,

communities and businesses

in the county.”


New rules ban bonuses for water bosses

SOUTHERN Water has been banned

from paying bonuses to its top bosses

under new rules that come into force.

The company, which manages

Crowborough’s waste and drainage,

is one of six water companies who

have been told that they cannot

issue bonuses for the financial year

2024/25, which concluded in April.

They have all been banned

under new Govt rules which

prevent bonuses from being paid

if a water company does not meet

environmental or consumer

standards, does not meet financial

resilience requirements, or is

convicted of a criminal offence.

According to the Department for

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,

more than £112 million in bonuses

and incentives have been handed out

by water firms in the last ten years.

Under the new rules, Southern

Water will not be able to pay

bonuses to the chief executive or

chief financial officer, for the 24/25

financial year.

In 2021, Southern Water received a

record £90 million fine after pleading

guilty to thousands of illegal sewage

discharges which polluted rivers

and the sea in Kent, Hampshire, and

Sussex. The offences were found to be

caused by deliberate failings, causing

major harm to protected areas,

conservation sites, and oyster beds.

During the trial, the court were

told Southern Water deliberately

presented a misleading picture of

compliance to the Environment

Agency, with the judge saying that

Southern Water had shown “a

shocking and wholesale disregard

for the environment, for the precious

and delicate ecosystems along the

North Kent and Solent coastlines, for

human health, and for the fisheries

and other legitimate businesses

that depend on the vitality of the

coastal waters.”

Despite the record fine, that year

the company’s CEO received a

bonus of £183,600, as part of a total

pay package of £764,000, up from

£428,000 the previous year.

The company also raised customer

bills by an average of 47% on 1 April

2025 saying it needed the money for

infrastructure improvements and

insisting that bills had been kept

artificially low for too long.

A Southern Water spokesperson

said: “We note the government’s

announcement, and await

full details of how this will

impact our existing approach

to performance-related reward

— this is already closely tied to

the delivery of improvements

in customer satisfaction and

environmental performance.

“Any bonuses are paid by

shareholders, not customers,

and are overseen by an

independent committee.”

Crowborough to benefit from

new Community Fund scheme

VMA FITNESS

THE creation of dedicated ward

budgets for councillors to spend

on supporting improvements

within their communities has

been approved by Wealden

District Council.

Each of the 45 councillors will be

allocated £10,000 to fund projects

and initiatives that directly benefit

their wards. The funding, totalling

£450,000, will come from General

Fund reserves and represents a costeffective

mechanism for addressing

local priorities identified by residents

and councillors alike.

Councillor ward budgets have been

successfully used by councils across

the country to support grassroots

initiatives that may otherwise lack

financial backing. This approach

strengthens community engagement

and empowers local representatives

to drive meaningful change.

Councillors will be able to

collaborate within their wards,

combining their allocations

where appropriate, and will assist

community groups in submitting

funding applications. They will also

be responsible for ensuring that

funds are used in accordance with

approved projects.

Cllr Greg Collins, lead councillor for

Finance, HR and Customer Services,

said, “I’m delighted to see this scheme

come forward to delivery, as it

realises a long-held ambition. These

schemes are very common across

similar councils in England. Within

Wealden, as elected members for

their wards, councillors are ideally

placed to understand local needs, and

this scheme helps them meet those

needs quickly and easily.

“This scheme will enable members

to seek out opportunities to direct

funds where they are most needed

in their individual wards, places and

communities they know best.

“By investing in locally led

improvements, from the bottom up,

we at the council are reaffirming our

ongoing commitment to fostering

strong, vibrant communities.”

SIMPLE STEPS TO MAINTAIN

YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS

vmafitness.co.uk

VMA Fitness in Crowborough is run

by Philip and Ellie Lear. It’s a popular

fitness centre but also a centre of

excellence for Taekwon-do. Master

Philip Lear has been Taekwon-do World

Champion twice, European Champion

once and World Cup Champion three

times as well as over 20 British, English,

Welsh and Scottish titles that have

spanned an international competition

career that lasted 18 years. He now

focuses on teaching and coaching and

has created over 100 black belts in

Crowborough alone. As well as being

a trained PT instructor. He has also

trained with the British Mindfulness

Academy and runs Mindfulness and

Meditation courses for people. Eleanor

Lear is a qualified Level 2 Fitness to

music instructor with FitPro as well as

a Level 2 Kettlebell Instructor. In 2007

she started Crowborough Kettlebells

which is hugely popular in the town.

They will be contributing a health

and well-being column each month to

Crowborough News.

Welcome to your first edition of

health and wellness in Crowborough

News- a little boost to feeling stronger,

living healthier and making lasting

lifestyle changes.

In a world full of fad diets, extreme

workouts, and conflicting health advice

online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But wellness is about progress. Whether

you’re a busy parent, a retiree getting

back into shape, or someone who just

wants to feel better day to day, the

foundation of good health starts with

small, consistent choices.

Start simple: hydrate more. Most of us

are dehydrated without even realising

it. Drinking enough water can improve

your energy, your focus and even reduce

headaches and fatigue. Try starting your

day with a glass of water before your

morning tea or coffee.

Next, move daily. A brisk 10-minute

walk, stretching while watching TV,

taking the stairs or parking at the far

side of the car park will all help your

daily movement goals increase.

Maybe you would like a bit more of a

workout. Try this short workout three

times this week:

• March or light jog on the spot

• Sit and stand from a chair

• Press up against the wall

• Forward lunge

• Seated twist

Do 45 seconds of each exercise with a

15 seconds rest and repeat 3 times

Movement is medicine, and

consistency is key.

Finally, be kind to yourself. Wellness

isn’t just physical, it’s mental and

emotional too. Stress management,

quality sleep, and taking breaks all

play a vital role in your overall wellbeing.

Try taking a short 5 minute

breathing exercise daily

• Sit or stand tall with your

shoulders relaxed.

• Inhale deeply through your nose

for a count of 4.

• Hold your breath for 4 counts.

• Exhale slowly through your

mouth for 6 counts.

• Repeat for 60 seconds.

This simple exercise calms your nervous

system, lowers stress levels, and

improves mental clarity. It’s a great

reset at any time of day and only takes

a minute. In all, it’s the small wins each

day that underlay the maintenance of a

healthy lifestyle.

20 REGULARS

August 2025


U3A

KEEP MINDS AND BODIES ACTIVE WHILE HELPING

PEOPLE MEET NEW FRIENDS AND CHALLENGES

BY JAKE HEASMAN

THE University of the Third Age is

giving people the opportunity to learn

new skills, meet new people and enjoy

themselves whilst keeping their body

and mind active.

Or that is the hope of Chairman and Vice

Chairman of Crowborough’s U3A, Trevor

Probert and Brian Child respectively.

Trevor said: “The emphasis is still on

learning but with a very social slant,

we are trying to get people out of

their houses and find others who have

interests which are similar to their’s.”

With U3A being set up nationally over

35 years ago, Crowborough is a franchise

of the organisation and has been going

strong for over 25 years.

There are over 800 participants who

are a part of Crowborough’s U3A with

over 80 groups offering various ‘courses’

from pub lunches to archeology.

Brian said: “People come because

they always go home smiling and it

is really nice and fulfilling when you

get a group that moulds together and

becomes a community.”

Typically, the groups are aimed at

retired or semi-retired people but Brian

said that even a 20 year old like myself

could attend groups but I might struggle

to keep up with their banter!

Despite having the name university,

you do not have to take out a huge

loan to take part in the groups, with

memberships costing £15.

Courses are also not run in daunting

seminar rooms and lecture theatres but

instead in local community spaces like the

Crowborough Community Centre and in

people’s homes.

Brian said: “The fact is we are still

continually learning and the groups have

started from people who have had an

interest in that subject.”

Brian Child and Trevor Probert

Trevor said that no matter how much

or little knowledge someone has on a

subject, everyone is welcome!

He added: “The leaders want

people to learn about what they are

passionate about.”

Despite all the learning (or eating and

socialising in some cases) there are

opportunities for participants to get to

know one another.

Brian said: “Because most of us

have a tea break in our sessions, that

allows participants to mingle and get to

know each other.

“The groups do a lot of good work in

that they really combat loneliness.”

Both Trevor and Brian are open to

new groups being created to expand the

people of Crowborough’s knowledge on

various subjects.

Trevor said: “You always go

home smiling and people make

fun of each other.

“We have had parrots brought in for

some groups and it gets people out of the

house and it can be a bit of a life line.”

There are a variety of courses too,

so if you are planning to go away to

Italy on holiday and want to be able

to order a pizza, bite size courses are

available to help you get to grips with the

basics of a subject.

Brian said that people have started

shorter courses, developed a passion for a

subject and then become a leader of their

newly discovered hobby.

Trevor added: “Come in and do not

be shy, make the first step as the

world is wonderful!”

Budding learners who are interested

in the U3A can find out more on: www.

crowborough.u3asite.uk/groups/

Crowborough’s U3A has more than 80 different groups. Each month we’ll be featuring

one of those groups. This month it’s the Sea Shanties Group which meets every fortnight

on the first and third Tuesday, 2pm, at the Community Centre. It’s led by Brian…

YO HO! ME HEARTIES

— CROWBOROUGH’S

SEA SHANTY GROUP

BY BRIAN LAWRENCE CHILD

“THE group started purely by chance.

Our group co-ordinator said at one of our

monthly meetings that he thought we

had enough groups. I thought that was

a shame as I had a couple in mind that

might be of interest. He wanted to know

what I had in mind and I told him either

a shanty or folk group. That same night

a note was put onto our website that we

were starting a new group — sea shanties.

Within a week I had nine people join!

Our first meeting was on Tuesday,18

July in 2023 — so more than two years

ago. At that first meeting we had a short

presentation on what sea shanties are

and where they came from. Although

the actual singing of these songs may

date back several hundred years, the

origin of the word ‘”shanty” is more

recent. Only traceable back via the

dictionaries to around 1869, there are a

number of variations in the spelling of

shanty, including chantey and chanty.

Some say it comes from the French word

“chanter”, ‘to sing’, while others think it’s

the English “chant”.

Singing has been a part of life at sea for

centuries. But sea shanties traditionally

take a very particular form. They are

generally “call and response” songs, with

one singer (known as a ‘shantyman’)

leading and everyone else replying

with the chorus. They have a regular,

heavy rhythm. There may be dozens of

versions and verses, but the tune and

tempo remain constant.

But why are we singing Sea Shanties

when we are 20 miles away from the

sea? Well, the songs are easy, they flow.

We are not a choir so our members don’t

have to be at every session — we are

flexible. You don’t need to remember

lyrics as they are all printed out, in fact

you don’t even need a good singing

voice, although it helps. We run very

much as the old square riggers would

have operated! You wouldn’t be asked

as you boarded, “right me boy, can you

sing?”. It would have been more, “can

you whip a rope?” Over the last two

years we have become friends and have

created a community.

Our first gig was for the Good

Company People at their lunch group

in the Blue Anchor and since then we

have done quite a few gigs for local care

homes and groups out as far as East

Grinstead. We don’t charge but we do

request that they provide tea and coffee.

Talking of tea and coffee, at our sessions

we provide tea, coffee and biscuits

which comes as part of the £3.00 a

session subs and each session is for two

hours and that is two a month.

We are looking for musicians to

broaden our presentations. We dress up

as Seamen of the period and the ladies

as pirates and molls and we also use

backdrops and atmospheric lighting. All

of which adds to the enjoyment for both

the audience and the crew.

Every year or so we create a new

booklet of about 12 shanties so that

we don’t get bored singing the same

shanties all the time — luckily there are

hundreds to choose from as far back as

the 16th Century.

The working shanty came to an end in

the early 1800’s when the Royal Navy

banned them, so the sailors did no more

but carried on singing sea songs. Over

the years people recorded the songs

and passed them on using the power of

print. The tunes were carried on in folk

songs and also kept alive by the fishing

communities many of which are still

sung today. Recently sea shanties have

been given a revival by the Fisherman’s

Friends and Nathan Evans with his song,

The Wellerman.

So the next time you board one of the

old square riggers like the Cutty Sark

or HMS Victory try to imagine what

the sailors would have been singing

shanties to. The sailors might have been

press ganged, be pirates (or how they

preferred to be called privateers), Royal

Navy (who also used press gangs to fill

their crews), or fishermen. So excuse the

pun, but have we ‘wetted’ your appetite?

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news August 2025 MOTORING 21

A D V E R T I S E R P R O M O T I O N

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Friendly Faces and Expert Help

Our dedicated Sales, Service, and

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Whether you’re choosing your first

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We’re proud of the service we

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VISIT BIRCHWOOD MG

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6 1 5 8 2 7 9 4 3

22 PUZZLES

PUZZLES

WORDSEARCH

Containers

Can you find all the listed words hidden in the grid below?

They may run either forwards or backwards, horizontally,

vertically or diagonally, but always in a straight line.

BASIN

BATH

CHURN

DISH

ENVELOPE

GLASS

IN-TRAY

JUG

KEG

KETTLE

PIGGY BANK

POCKET

PURSE

STEIN

STRONGBOX

TEA CHEST

TEAPOT

WASTEBASKET

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

August 2025

Across

1 Noise (5)

4 Unaccompanied

musician (7)

8 Notice of intent to

pay (inits) (3)

9 False name (5)

10 Acts out without

words (5)

11 Large panel showing

the results of a

contest (10)

13 Tenant (6)

15 Disease of the skin (6)

18 Profession of reporting

news stories (10)

22 Get the better of (5)

23 Bring out an official

document (5)

24 Small hotel (3)

25 Outer covering (7)

26 Before due time (5)

Down

1 Hardly at all (8)

2 Divisions of

quantity (5)

3 Undress (7)

4 Light evening meal (6)

CROSSWORD


Make your business the answer everyone’s looking for!

Our puzzles page is where readers pause, ponder, and play and is the perfect place to plant your brand. With high

dwell time and guaranteed eyeballs, it’s a smart move for any local business. Call 01892 577 124 for details.

Each letter of the alphabet has a different number. Substitute numbers

for letters to make words that will complete the puzzle. The letters at

the side and the check-box below the grid may help you keep track.

Check-box

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

I

E S C E R W T A R E I S S

W W T E A C H E S T S S C

A N E E L E D A K F E A E

S N A S I T M E W C F L P

T T G E K N T S E T O G O

E Z R T E B E E R B Z P L

B A A O U Y S L K J N I E

A L I P N Z Q N L R F G V

S B G A K G I J U G F G N

K S A E M S B H H Z V Y E

E B H T A W C O C D Y B A

T S C B H A W V X H D A S

B I R L Y A R T N I F N E

R E K U N A A D S G R K R

S A U N P X M H P T E A A

CODEWORD

14 15 7 25 14 15 7 17 2 17 7 6 16 10

21 19 8 1 16 1 7

6 16 22 21 17 24 2 1 3 10 19 16 7 3

6 16 17 2 12 24 11

4 2 17 16 21 18 6 12 19 7 4 1 12

1 7 3 12 26 12 17 1 10

16 3 13 17 21 19 12 16 16 24 16 7 19

10 6 14 19 16 10 18 3 1

T I C

20 17 21 16 19 15 19 5 12 12 19 12 17

25 9 6 21 16 17 21 12 12

16 9 14 6 8 10 7 12 23 16 25 19 24

6 16 20 24 5 14 10

26 16 7 6 12 3 10 12 16 25 7 18 21 17

12 21 12 3 3 17 19

17 12 25 10 1 12 19 16 13 15 19 12 25 19

T

C

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8

9 10

11

13 14 15 16

21

18 19 20

22 23

25 26

5 West Indian dance (5)

6 Soak in a liquid (7)

7 Duty (4)

12 In a brutal way (8)

14 Child’s two-wheeled vehicle

operated by foot (7)

16 Culinary art (7)

17 Long-tailed black and

white crow (6)

19 Dry red Spanish wine (5)

20 Cheapskate (5)

21 Head honcho (4)

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Place a number (from 1 to 9 inclusive) into each square in

such a way that every digit appears once in each horizontal

row, each vertical column and each box of nine squares.

1 2

2 4 6 1

8 7 4 9

9 7 5 6 4

4 5

7 6 1 3 9

3 4 2 6

2 8 5 1

1 9

17

24

SOLUTIONS

1 9

12

3 7 2 5 1 6 4 9 8

4 6 9 2 7 8 5 3 1

5 8 1 3 9 4 2 7 6

7 5 6 1 4 3 8 2 9

1 4 8 9 6 2 3 5 7

9 2 3 7 8 5 6 1 4

8 3 7 4 5 9 1 6 2

2 9 4 6 3 1 7 8 5

6 1 5 8 2 7 9 4 3

SUDOKU

P H O S P H O R F R O L I C

A T Y U I U O

L I Z A R D F U N C T I O N

L I R F E D J

Q F R I A B L E T O Q U E

U 1O N2

E V E R U C

I N G R A T E I I D I O T

2 4 6 1

C L P T I C B N U

K8 R A 7I 4T H9

T W E E T E R

S9 M 7L A I 5R 6 A 4 E E

I M

4

P L Y C O E X

5

I S T D

L I K D W P C

7 6 1 3 9

V I O L E N C E I S O B A R

E A 3 E 4N 2 N 6 R T

R E S C U2 E 8T 5I G H1

T E S T

© Puzzle Press Ltd (www.puzzlepress.co.uk)

CODEWORD

S O U N D S O L O I S T

C N I O U I M A

A L I A S P M I M E S

R T R P B E K

C S C O R E B O A R D

E B R S S

L E S S E E E C Z E M A

Y C M U V

J O U R N A L I S M A

B O I G S I G

O U T D O P I S S U E

S E J I N N E L

S U R F A C E E A R L Y

CROSSWORD

E S C E R W T A R E I S S

W W T E A C H E S T S S C

A N E E L E D A K F E A E

S N A S I T M E W C F L P

T T G E K N T S E T O G O

E Z R T E B E E R B Z P L

B A A O U Y S L K J N I E

A L I P N Z Q N L R F G V

S B G A K G I J U G F G N

K S A E M S B H H Z V Y E

E B H T A W C O C D Y B A

T S C B H A W V X H D A S

B I R L Y A R T N I F N E

R E K U N A A D S G R K R

S A U N P X M H P T E A A

WORDSEARCH

24 HISTORY

August 2025


More to Conan

Doyle than

Sherlock Holmes

YOU probably know that Sir

Arthur Conan Doyle lived in

Crowborough, and that he created

the famous fictional detective,

Sherlock Holmes. But there are

some other fascinating facts

about our town’s most famous

son that you might not be aware

of. Crowborough News set

about investigating.

He was knighted…but not for the

reason you think.

He became a “Sir” in 1902 having

been knighted by King Edward

VII. But his honour was for his

work on a non-fiction pamphlet

regarding the Boer War, not for

creating his national fictional hero,

Sherlock Holmes.

He believed in fairies

He was convinced that fairies

existed. He even wrote a book, The

Coming of the Fairies, about the

authenticity of the Cottingley Fairy

photographs (a famous hoax).

And he also believed in a

number of mediums

But this came at the cost of his

friendship with Harry Houdini,

who at the same time was

trying to disprove the claims

of the Spiritualist movement.

Following his death, a séance was

conducted at the Royal Albert Hall.

Thousands attended, including his

wife and children.

He obviously loved the South

Downs and East Dean

“I shall retire to Sussex and keep

bees”. He retired Sherlock Holmes to

a cottage on the green in East Dean

near Eastbourne. The cottage bears

a plaque describing the fictional

sleuth as “Consulting Detective

and Bee Keeper.”

He was a keen sportsman, and

used to play cricket (with an

illustrious chum)

He helped to popularise skiing and

predicted that in the future hundreds

of Englishmen would come to

Switzerland for the “ski-ing season”.

He was also an avid cricketer, playing

on the same team as Peter Pan

creator, JM Barrie.

He was a goalkeeper (but not for

Crowborough Athletic FC)

Under the pseudonym AC Smith,

the writer played as a goalkeeper for

amateur side Portsmouth Association

Football Club, a precursor of the

modern Portsmouth FC.

He ran for Parliament, twice

Conan Doyle’s political aspirations

led him to run for parliament once

in Edinburgh (as a member of the

Unionist Party) in 1900 and once in

the Border Burghs in 1906. He was

never actually elected.

He died holding a flower

His dramatic death on 7 July 1930

saw him collapse in the garden of his

home in Crowborough, Windlesham

(now the Windlesham Manor Care

Home in Hurtis Hill). Clutching his

heart with one hand and holding a

flower in the other, he apparently

whispered his last words to his wife:

“You are wonderful.”

Conan was not part of his surname

Conan was one of his two middle

names. He started using it as part

of his surname after leaving school.

His full name was Sir Arthur

Ignatius Conan Doyle.

He was one of the earliest

motorists in Britain

Despite never having driven one

before, he bought a car and took

part in the Prince Henry Tour

in 1911 — an international road

competition organised by Prince

Henry of Prussia.

He didn’t like Sherlock very much

In 1891 he wrote to his mother:

“I think of slaying Holmes … and

winding him up for good and all. He

takes my mind from better things.”

He even raised his fees extortionately

to put his publisher off but found

instead they were happy to pay more,

thus making him one of the best-paid

authors of his day.

He had a row with George Bernard

Shaw about the Titanic

After the Titanic sank in 1912, Doyle

and George Bernard Shaw had a

very public disagreement about the

disaster. Doyle was outraged by the

dismissive and bitter comments made

by the playwright regarding the many

acts of heroics that took place aboard

the ship as it went down.

He was something of a

detective in real life

Conan Doyle got involved with

The Curious Case of Oscar Slater

— the murder of Marion Gilchrist,

a wealthy old lady from Glasgow.

He uncovered new evidence,

recalled witnesses and questioned

the prosecution’s evidence, all

of which was then published as

a plea for Slater’s pardon. The

writer’s remarkable findings led

to calls for a retrial and after it

was revealed the legal authorities

had withheld evidence, Slater was

released from prison.

FALCONRY

PHOTOGRAPHY

WORKSHOPS

IN THE HEART OF EAST SUSSEX

NEW HALF DAY WORKSHOP

Budding or experienced photographers

are being offered the opportunity to

take part in a new series of workshops

designed to develop skills and spend time

with some stunning birds of prey.

Set within the stunning grounds of

Herstmonceux Castle and Gardens, the

workshops, in association with East

Sussex Falconry, allows photographers to

learn, or practice their skills through a

series of exercises with our experienced

Photographer and Falconer.

For only £85 per photographer,

the half-day experience will take

place on Monday, 18th August.

For more information, call

07970 245934, scan the QR code or

visit sussexairimaging.co.uk.

IDEAL

GIFT

VOUCHER

Tel: 01892 611811 (24 Hours)

information@testerandjones.co.uk

www.testerandjones.co.uk

Tester & Jones, your local independent

SAIF-approved funeral director that has

supported families in Crowborough for

more than 20 years, would like to wish

Crowborough News the best of luck with

its new much needed local newspaper.

Tester & Jones, London Road, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 2TT

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news August 2025 WELLBEING 25

Gardening for well-being and wildlife

Just outside Crowborough near

Duddleswell is a wonderfully

unique centre called Babylon Eco.

It’s not only somewhere to eat,

somewhere to find inspiration

for your home and garden, it’s

also a place dedicated to the

environment. Every month, we’ll feature a piece

from Babylon Eco’s Head Gardener, Rachael Collins

about plants, well-being, or the environment — or all

three! This month, she looks at how gardening can

be so good for your health and well-being.

A little over two years ago, I

dreaded going to work in the

morning to a concrete monolith of

a hospital. I spent my time doing

a job which was frustrating and

impossible with the resources

to hand. I was unfit, unhappy

and unfulfilled.

Two years later, I am on my

feet most of the day, outside in all

weathers, doing a job I love with

great people. I’m much fitter,

happier, more fulfilled and excited

for the future.

Aside from the obvious differences

in the aesthetics of where I work and

the nature of what I do, I’ve spent a lot

of time unpicking exactly why I feel

so much better.

Having retrained in horticulture

in my 30’s after a career as a health

professional (and a practicing martial

artist!) I have a unique perspective on

how our wellbeing is affected by our

environment. I want to share some

ideas on how gardening that benefits

wildlife and biodiversity can improve

your wellbeing.

What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing is simply ‘a state of feeling

healthy and happy’. A complex

interplay between physical, mental,

emotional and social wellbeing

which reflects how someone feels

about their life and how they are able

to manage stress.

So how can we get to this state

of wellbeing through gardening?

The NHS, MIND and the RHS use

these five pillars.

1. Connecting with people

2. Being active

3. Taking notice — observing

4. Learning new things

5. Giving.

How has my wellbeing improved

through gardening in relation to

engaging with these five pillars?

Connecting with people — Here at

Babylon, I get to talk to customers

about their gardens, share skills and

knowledge with the team and I’m

getting to know the lovely people who

are attending the gardening course

I’m running. I also run gardening

talks, meeting people from the

wider community.

Being active — Apparently 30 minutes

of gardening is the equivalent of 30

minutes of yoga or badminton!

I walk miles everyday here, I’m

always happy to help people to

their car with bags of compost and

we move hundreds of plants every

day not to mention dragging the

hosepipes about!

Think of gardening as an exercise

session and remember to stretch and

warm up beforehand. Exercise lifts

our mood especially when outside

surrounded by the elements. During

the gardening course sessions, we

practice some simple deep breathing

and gentle Chi Gong exercises to

gently stretch our muscles, oxygenate

our bodies and clear our minds.

Taking notice/observing — Observe

your garden in different ways — look

at how the long grass moves in the

wind, the birds fly, the water ripples

on the pond, the intricacies of a

dandelion flower, the patterns on a

butterfly wing. We’re not making a list

of jobs to be done or thinking about

how the weeds (native wildflowers!)

are encroaching — just looking with

wonder. This is one way to practice

mindfulness in the garden.

These observations help to tune us

in to the seasons and give us clues

as to the right time to start jobs in

the garden. For example, when new

green shoots appear under last year’s

herbaceous growth — this is the time

to remove old leaves and flower

stems. Light can then reach the

new growth and the old growth has

provided habitat for overwintering

wildlife, before decaying and

returning to the soil as food for slugs,

beetles and worms.

Learning new things — Wow! I have

learnt a lot from my job and I still have

so much to learn.

I love going to events and talks

by people who are experts in their

field, people like Martin Crawford

(Forest gardening/ Agroforestry),

Kate Bradbury (Ecologist/wildlife

gardener) and Piet Oudolf (new

perennial planting movement).

There is lots to learn about

ecological gardening — including

the soil, the organisms living within

it and their relationship with the

plants as well as habitat creation

and general garden practices. The

participants in the gardening course

at Babylon have engaged brilliantly

and are sharing information

with each other to enhance their

learning experience.

Domestic gardens in England make

up four and a half times more than

our natural nature reserves! Learning

what can be done in your garden

to increase biodiversity and to help

alleviate flooding/drought is such a

positive empowering feeling when

it can feel tough for one person to

make a difference.

Giving — This one is simple. For me,

the giving of my time and knowledge

to others in addition to my job has

been a pleasure.

www.babylon.eco

26 SPORT

August 2025


Magnificent season takes Jarvis Brook

FC to their highest ever level

BY JAKE HEASMAN

A cup win and promotion for

any team is considered a hugely

successful season and for Jarvis

Brook Football Club these victories

tasted even sweeter after the

rollercoaster the club has been on.

Missing out on promotion to the

Southern Combination Football

League Division One after missing an

off-field deadline last year, the club

is now preparing for step six football

both on and off the pitch — after a

magnificent season.

When promotion was finally

clinched, first team boss, Jacob

Baldwin, said: “I just felt relieved;

finally we have done it. It was such a

stressful experience being rejected

last year. Now we can breathe.”

The feeling of being able to relax

slightly seems to be felt across

the whole club as Chairman, Carl

Berwick, said: “I felt relieved, it was a

huge weight that had been lifted.”

A superb start last August saw

the team go unbeaten in their four

opening fixtures, scoring 21 goals

and conceding just four! Despite a

1-0 loss to eventual league winners

Rustington, the squad’s spirits

weren’t dampened.

A successful September and October

saw a long away day to Chichester

and a defeat at home to Ferring. A 9-0

thrashing of Bosham in the Division

Two Challenge Cup and a 6-0 win in

the league over the same opposition,

which included Liam Edwards scoring

two hat tricks in two games, ensured

the Brook returned to winning ways.

Baldwin said that ‘every season

is a challenge’ and that the squad

was ‘forced back to square one’

after losing a few key players before

Christmas. But despite this, the

Brook continued their fine form

and Edwards’ flurry of goals was

a catalyst for a run of wins — the

team undefeated for the rest of 2024

in the league.

Whilst maintaining their fine league

form, the team had to turn attention

to the cup with a quarter final against

St Francis Rangers at the start of

November. For a team that Baldwin

describes as ‘committed, having a

good attitude and willing to learn’,

was there any doubt that they would

come out as 3-0 winners and progress

to the semi-finals?

Mid-November saw a top of the

table clash against Rustington

which ended in a 1-1 draw and a

win just before Christmas against

Chichester City B. The team received

a late Christmas present in the

form of a 1-0 win against high flying

Hailsham Town which both Baldwin

and Berwick recognised as an

‘important’ fixture.

Baldwin described wins against

Hailsham Town as ‘huge’ and this

result meant that the Brook had not

lost a game since September. The

team maintained their winning

ways with victories over TD Shipley,

St Francis Rangers, and Worthing

Town respectively.

Throughout the season, Berwick

has recognised a ‘community spirit

throughout the whole club’ with

youth team players having the chance

to be first team mascots and creating

a ‘fun, safe environment’ for everyone

to play football.

Arguably the squad’s biggest game

of the season so far came next in the

form of Russington in the semi-final

of the Challenge Cup. Rustington took

the lead after half an hour. Baldwin

said: “We had a heated half-time

exchange. We were not playing well

— we were just surviving. Then all of

a sudden we were a different animal

for 20 minutes and I just knew we

were good enough.” Two goals in 15

minutes after half-time was enough to

secure their place in the final.

The side’s impressive away form

continued in the league with a 1-1

draw against Upper Beading and

another hatful 7-0 against Bosham

in which, you guessed it, Liam

Edwards scored again.

With the season coming to the

business end, victories against Capel

and Southwater, a draw against St

Francis Rangers and a loss delivered

by TD Shipley, left The Brook facing

Capel on the final day.

But before the squad could focus

on their last game of the season,

though, a final awaited. Southwater

were their opponents. A 1-0 win

with the only goal coming from

top scorer Edwards in the 42nd

minute. Cup winners!

Defeat against Capel in the final

league game was academic. Jarvis

Brook FC had already secured

second place, and this was enough

for promotion. But at this level,

promotion is not guaranteed, and it

meant hard work behind the scenes

ensuring floodlights and a stand

would be installed in preparation

for next season.

Reflecting on the season Baldwin

said: “I will give everything to this

game and if a club gives it back you

will have me forever. I feel love and

respect from everyone at the club.”

Berwick added: “The end goal was

getting promotion as it opens up

more senior football but it is so much

more than that, like the floodlights,

which will create a legacy that

will be left for all the other players

coming through.”

The club is now preparing both on

and off the pitch, leaving Baldwin

to feel that they can ‘compete

at this level’ — the highest level

it has ever been.

Marathon man in the running for BBC award

THE former Crowborough student

who ran 366 marathons last

year — one each day — has been

nominated for a BBC Award.

James Cooper, 37, who took on the

astonishing feat last year to raise

money for the Samaritans after his

uncle took his own life, has been

nominated for a BBC Sussex Make A

Difference Award after raising more

than £130,000 for the charity.

James, from East Grinstead, and a

former pupil of Beacon Academy,

then crowned that achievement by

completing the London Marathon

— running most of the way with

TV and radio celebrity, Romesh

Ranganathan. This, he described

as “the most fitting way to close the

book” on his fundraising mission.

“Getting to share the experience

with Romesh is something I’ll never

forget. No matter how tough things

got, Rom kept putting one foot in

front of the other — never once failing

to acknowledge the incredible crowd.

Character and class personified.”

During 2024 he completed 366

marathons, going through 22 pairs

of trainers and burnt nearly 6,000

calories a day.

His achievements have now

been recognised with the BBC

award nomination. He said: “A big

thank you to whoever nominated

me as, after being nominated,

a group of community leaders

selected people from hundreds of

nominations in eight categories.

I’m one of the finalists in the

Active category.”

He is one of 32 finalists who have

been invited to an awards ceremony

at Longfield Park Racecourse

on 22 September.

James said: “Months after crossing

the finishing line, it means a lot

to still be recognised for the most

unforgettable year of my life.

I proudly feel this nomination

is for everyone that made the

year what it was.”

James thanked all the people

who have supported his amazing

fundraising feat which collected

£134,000 excluding gift aid. “Thanks

to everyone who has supported the

Smilinggg 366 mission. To have raised

this much fills me with the deepest

sense of pride.”

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news August 2025 SPORT 27

Going for Gold — Crowborough’s skeleton

world champion trains for Olympic glory

BY JAKE HEASMAN

THE world champion skeleton star

from Crowborough has reflected

on growing up in the town and

how it has helped him achieve his

sporting success. He spoke to our

reporter, Jake Heasman.

Matt Weston, 28, now lives in

Bath as he is a full-time athlete as

part of the GB Skeleton squad. But

even though he is living in the south

west, Weston has not forgotten his

roots. He said: “I think growing up in

Crowborough has shaped who I am

as a person as it is a nice area to grow

up in. “I have lots of fond memories

of Crowborough”

Matt added that people might find

him sprinting around Goldsmiths

Leisure Centre running track when

he is not in Bath training for the 2026

Winter Olympics, which are being

held in Milan. “It feels homely and

nice to come back and see some

faces I have not seen for a while.

I feel some more support when I

come home too!”

He went to St John’s CE Primary

School and Bennett Memorial

Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells

but has hit national headlines and

worldwide acclaim having won two

skeleton World Championships, with

his most recent victory in Lake Placid

in March this year.

And he now has his sights set on

replicating his world championship

success at the Winter Olympics next

year. “It is always nice to perform in

front of family and friends who are

normally cheering too loudly, and to

do that at the Olympics will be even

more special. I am really excited to

see how my success this year will help

me during the games next year.”

Although Matt is at the top of his

game, he said it was important

to always keep learning. “People

make mistakes and you can be upset

about them, but every mistake has

lots to be learnt from and if you

don’t see them as valuable then

you’re missing out.”

Despite being a winter Olympian

and two time skeleton World

Champion, he has also was a medal

winning England taekwondo

representative and an avid rugby

player as he played for Sevenoaks

rugby club. What makes Matt’s his

international sporting success so

remarkable is that he only took up the

skeleton sport in 2017!

Skeleton is the sport that grabbed

everybody’s attention and admiration

in recent Winter Olympics. The

athlete rides a small sled, known as a

skeleton bobsled, down a frozen track

while laying face down and headfirst.

In elite racing the athlete can

experience accelerations of 5g and,

amazingly, reach speeds over 80mph.

Weston stuck with the local

theme when asked about his sporting

idols as he revealed it was Lizzie

Yarnold, who is from Sevenoaks

and who won successive skeleton

golds in 2014 and 2018 that inspired

him. He said: “In my first ever year

in skeleton I saw Lizzie win Olympic

gold. That was a massive inspiration

for me and my whole career since

then.” He admitted that he “aspired

to be like her” but also wanted to

“overtake some of her records” when

he first started.

Weston will be training as hard

as he can in preparation for the

Winter Olympics which will take

place between the 6th until the

22nd of February where he will

undoubtedly only have one thing

on his mind. He told us: “I take that

mindset of nothing is going to stop

me from winning gold, so that is the

mindset I have, nothing is going to

get in my way.”

Crowborough’s golden

European champion

Martial arts stars from

Crowborough have put the town on

the map after scooping medals —

including a gold — at the European

Taekwon-do Championships.

And congratulations to

Gaby Lear, our very own

European Champion!

There were no fewer

than five members of

Crowborough’s Vision

Taekwon-do Club

representing England at the

championships which were

held in Sarajevo. They were

among almost 900 black belts

from 32 countries taking part in

the 4 day event.

The Vision club competitors were

representing England across all age

ranges, Pre-Jnr, Jnr and Adult.

And there was a magnificent gold

for Gaby Lear who won in the Pre-Jnr

Female 1st-2nd Degree Pattern to

become European Champion with a

30 strong category. Meanwhile Dexter

Williams brought home bronze in

the Jnr Male 75kgs+ Sparring against

some huge opponents in the 25

strong category. They were part of

the England delegation which won a

total of six golds, one silver

and five bronzes.

Philip Lear from the club

said: “We are so proud of

all our Vision Taekwon-Do

Crowborough competitors who

train regularly at VMA Fitness

in the high street.”

On social media, he had

a special message for his

gold-winning daughter, Gaby.

He posted: “Words cannot

express the incredible emotion I

feel right now. I’m so proud of how

Gaby prepares herself, the effort

she puts into her training, how often

she trains and then how composed

she is when competes. She couldn’t

do any of this without the amazing

support from her super mum Ellie

Lear. Proud dad.”

Beacon swimmers

make a splash

Well done to Beacon Academy

Swimming Team who took to

the national stage at the English

Schools’ Swimming Association

Championships. Competing

against the best in the country, the

Crowborough swimmers delivered

outstanding performances and

clocked numerous personal bests.

Huge congratulations to Bertie

(Y8), who is English Schools’ 200m

Butterfly Champion in the 13–14 age

group, and also took silver in the

200m Breaststroke.

28 SPORT

August 2025


Sport

High flying Crows

secure promotion

and cup win

BY JAKE HEASMAN

PHOTOS: LUKE HAWKES

PHOTOGRAPHY

AN historic season awaits

Crowborough Athletic FC after a

remarkable 2024-25 which saw the

Crows finally clinch promotion

and lift their first silverware.

After coming so close to gaining

promotion from the Southern

Combination Football League

Premier Division previously, the

question was would the 2024-25

season be third time lucky for

Crowborough Athletic FC?

But it was a nervy and jittery start to

the campaign with a home defeat to

Petersfield Town followed by a draw

at home to Eastbourne United. One

point from two matches.

They calmed nerves with a win over

Shoreham but it wasn’t the turning

point. Defeats against Haywards

Heath then against South Park in the

cup continued the sluggish start.

Confidence was briefly lifted with

a home win against Shoreham in

the first round of the R.U.R Cup. But

once again it was a false dawn. A

three game losing streak followed

including defeat in The FA Vase to

Wick, a 5-3 defeat at Bexhill United

(which team boss, Sean Muggeridge

described as a ‘kick up the backside’)

and a loss at Newhaven.

They avenged this Newhaven defeat

with a 3-1 win in the second round of

the Peter Bentley Cup just three days

later. And this time it seemed to be the

spark of belief the team needed.

An eight game winning streak

followed including a 5-0 thrashing

of Wick in the league and a 6-0

hammering of Arundel in the R.U.R

Cup. At the start of October, arguably

the Crows biggest game of the

season so far came against Burgess

Hill, who are now members of the

Isthmian Premier Division, in the

Sussex Senior Cup.

Danny Wood, head coach, said:

“When I think of this season I am so

proud of the boys. When we played

Burgess Hill we did not have our

strongest eleven but the players

came in and really worked hard.

To concede in the 93rd minute was

gutting.” The Crows cruelly lost 1-0.

But then the club would then go

unbeaten for the whole of November

and December. Why was there a

sudden change? Muggeridge said:

“It’s the community spirit we have,

I cannot emphasis enough how

important the youth teams and

supporters got us over the line. Our

supporters have been massively

important to us.”

2025 got under way with a win

against Wick, a draw against

Petersfield Town, and victory

against Forest Row in the third

round of the Peter Bentley Cup.

Sadly, the run came to end with a 3-1

loss at Eastbourne United. But the

Crows steadied the ship with a win

over Newhaven, a last gasp draw

against Bexhill, and a confident

4-0 win against Horsham YMCA in

which a Harry Forster hat-trick was

the highlight.

The club’s first quarter final arrived

in the middle of February against

Eastbourne United. A tight encounter

finished level and the Crows

eventually prevailed with a 4-3 win

after nail-biting penalties.

This resilience and determination

triggered another unbeaten run

of eight games including a 5-0 win

against AFC Varndeanians (Samuel

Smikle hat-trick) and a 1-0 win in the

semi-final of the R.U.R Cup against

Haywards Heath Town in March.

Muggeridge said: “You have

to improve, even though we

started winning, we had to keep

on improving”. The winning run

came to an end, though, at the end

of March in a top of the table clash

against eventual league champions,

Hassocks, which the Crows lost 3-0.

But then it was the final of the

R.U.R Cup. Eastbourne United were

the opponents at Sussex County FA

in Lancing. Eastbourne took the

lead but Crowborough responded

emphatically with two goals in two

minutes from Harry Forster. A

late added time goal from Leo

Vowels secured the win

and the Crows’ first ever

piece of silverware!

With confidence high three league

wins followed with victories over AFC

Varndeanians, Pagham, Lingfield

and a draw against Saltdean United.

The Crows final league game was

a 1-0 win over Loxwood at home

but, finishing second in the league,

meant they missed out on the

automatic promotion place to league

winners Hassocks.

So, it was play-off time for the

second promotion spot. They beat

Petersfield Town in the play-off semi

to set up a play-off final with familiar

opponents. For the fifth time this

season Eastbourne United were the

team they had to beat. After such a

season, it would come down to this 90

minutes. Two quick goals came from

Samuel Smikle secured a 2-1 win and

promotion to the Isthmian League

South-East Division.

But it wasn’t quite done. There

was one more chance to win yet

even more silverware in the final of

the Peter Bentley Cup. But despite

Samuel Smikle scoring within the first

five minutes, it was not enough and

the Crows lost 3-1 to Hassocks.

But that defeat couldn’t dampen

spirits. An historic season.

Promotion, a cup win and another

final, the Crows could not ask much

more than that.

Summing up the rollercoaster

ride Muggeridge said: “It has been

an amazing season, we have been

building towards this for the past four

years and we just have not been able

to get over the line. But experiences

from those seasons have got us over

the line this year.”

2024-25 will go down in

Crowborough Athletic FC history

and it’s a season of which the whole

club should be proud. And playing

at their highest league level ever

means another bit of history will

be written this year too. Good luck

high-flying Crows.

Crowborough News, August 2025, Issue 01

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