Crowborough News, October 2025, Issue 03

OCTOBER 2025 | ISSUE 03

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR CROWBOROUGH AND SURROUNDING AREAS

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2 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news

WELCOME

I have always been clear that

Crowborough News is all about

community. When you open each

edition, I hope you will see people

you know, recognise places you’ve

been, and read about events you’ve

attended. It’s also about informing

people about news that will, or

could, impact our community. When

negative or complex stories arise, we

will report them fairly and accurately

— you have the right to know and

form your own opinions.

This month illustrates that

balance perfectly. We celebrate

the wonderful annual bonfire and

torchlit carnival procession as part

of the Sussex Bonfire tradition. We

also marvel at Dave Pettitt, who,

despite having chemo for cancer,

completed the Great North Run. And

we have the inspirational story of the

Crowborough girl who beat cancer,

who now, with her artistic mum, is

helping other young people tackle

mental health challenges.

But a collective community

response is needed to the news that

birthing services at our hospital are

to be paused until May next year,

with real fears about the future.

Views will be divided, I’m sure, on

news that Burger King wants to

open a takeaway in Crowborough.

Meanwhile, various people have

contacted Crowborough News

this month with news that the

Crowborough Army Camp is about to

be used by the Government to house

asylum seekers or migrants. We are

aware that some businesses on the

site have been asked to leave, and the

Home Office has also acknowledged

that it is considering military

accommodation as an alternative to

hotels. However, it has not yet been

confirmed that Crowborough is one

of them. We will see.

Anyway, enjoy this October edition!

Iain Luxford, Editor

THE TEAM

IAIN LUXFORD — EDITOR

editor@crowborough.news

PAUL GIBSON — REGIONAL EDITOR

paul@regionalmediagroup.co.uk

JAKE HEASMAN — SPORTS REPORTER

editor@crowborough.news

DEAN COOK — PRODUCTION

design@magazineproduction.com

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sales@crowborough.news

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without express permission of the editor.

Call to arms — Crowborough

Birthing Centre needs you!

BY IAIN LUXFORD

THERE are fears for the future of

the birthing unit at Crowborough

Hospital after birthing

services were suspended until

spring next year.

The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells

NHS Trust has not responded to our

request for a definitive promise that

the services will resume in May, other

than to say that its statement below

clearly gives the timeline for the

suspension of services.

And in a video posted on Facebook

after an emergency meeting with the

Trust and the Friends of Crowborough

Hospital, MP Nus Ghani called on

the community to send a very clear

message about the importance

of the centre.

In the video she said: “We have

learnt they will be taking a decision

between January and May on whether

to reopen the birthing centre. I need

you to join the fight to keep this centre

open in the long term.” She described

the NHS decision to stop birthing

services at Crowborough Hospital as

“unacceptable” and added it was a

“dire situation”.

Meanwhile the Friends of

Crowborough Hospital told

Crowborough News they were

“beyond concerned for the future

of the hospital and birthing unit that

we love so much”. The decision,

the Friends added, would cause

upset for both mothers planning

to have their babies at the unit and

would be “demoralising for the

brilliant staff”.

The Crowborough News broke the

news that because of staff shortages

in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells,

births at Crowborough would stop

from 2 October until May next year.

Staff at Crowborough would move

and all births would now take place at

Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells.

The news was made even more

disappointing by the fact that less

than two weeks previously hundreds

of people had gathered at the

Friends’ annual summer fete to raise

thousands of pounds for the hospital

and services delivered from there.

A spokesperson for the NHS

trust said: “Due to ongoing staffing

shortages we have taken the difficult

decision to temporarily pause births

at Crowborough Birthing Centre

from 2 October until May next year.

Antenatal and postnatal services,

including parent education classes

and the Infant Feeding Café, will

continue at the centre as normal.

“Each month between 10 and 20

babies are born at Crowborough

Birthing Centre and more than

400 babies are born at Maidstone

Birth Centre and Tunbridge Wells

Hospital. While we know this will be

disappointing news for the people

who are affected, our priority is to

provide safe, high-quality and reliable

maternity care for families and we are

working with partners across Kent

and Sussex to look at how we deliver a

long-term, sustainable service.

“We remain committed to ensuring

women and birthing people have

choice and our services at Tunbridge

Wells Hospital and Maidstone Birth

Centre, both of which offer highquality

midwifery-led care with

access to birthing pools, reflect our

dedication to personalised care which

supports each person’s preferences.”

When we asked for a firmer

reassurance that the centre would

definitely reopen, the spokesperson

said the above statement set

out the timeline.

Residents fight fast food plans next to care home

BY IAIN LUXFORD

CROWBOROUGH Town Council

has called on planners to throw out

plans for a Burger King fast food

outlet in the town.

Last month Crowborough News

reported that a plan to double

the size of the Morrisons petrol

station shop had been agreed by

Wealden District Council (WDC). A

subsequent planning application has

revealed the extension is for a new

Burger King takeaway.

But Crowborough Town Council

says creating a Burger King on the

site will cause extra noise, litter, and

disturbance which will affect nearby

residents including the Heather

View Care Home.

In urging WDC to dismiss the

proposals, the council adds that

Crowborough already has plenty of

takeaway outlets and raises concerns

about the impact the fast food giant

would have on local businesses.

In addition it says the junction

is already tricky — adding more

traffic and pedestrians could make

it worse, parking and delivery driver

drop-offs would put more pressure

on an already busy site, and the

forecourt layout isn’t safe for people

walking across.

The proposals have faced opposition

with more than a dozen letters of

objection received in the first week

it was submitted. These claimed

it would cause noise, litter, extra

traffic, and anti-social behaviour

while damaging local businesses

and affecting the Heather View Care

home next door. One letter says

the plan is “entirely inappropriate

for this location” and “would have

a severe and detrimental impact on

the health, safety, and amenity of the

local community.”

Burger King says it would “cater for

motorists who wish to purchase food

‘on-the-go’ but it will also include an

indoor seating area giving customers

the opportunity to consume their

purchased goods on the premises.”

The new Burger King would be

linked to the existing Morrisons

shop through a new opening. The

extension would more than double

the size of the building from 75

square metres to 160 square metres.

The existing jet washes on the site

which would be replaced with four

parking spaces.

The fast food firm insists the “food

to go” outlet will cater primarily

for users of the petrol filling station

and therefore would not generate a

material increase in new trips on the

local highway network.

It says: “The number of ‘new’ trips

generated by the site whose sole

destination is the food to go outlet

will be minimal and would not have

a material impact on the operation of

the site or local highway network.

“It would therefore generate

six new two-way trips during the

weekday peak hours and eight new

two-way trips during Saturday peak

hour. The remaining trips to the outlet

during these peak periods would be

a combination of diverted trips and

shared trips, and thus already present

on the local highway network.”

The scheme will provide an

adequate level of car parking,

according to the applicant, who

has also provided planners with a

detailed environmental noise survey

which, following noise mapping,

concludes the new Burger King would

have a low impact. “Noise levels

from the proposed plant fall within

acceptable limits.”

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news OCTOBER 2025 ADVERTORIAL 3

Nightmare on Realm Street

– Halloween at Realms VR

THIS Halloween, something

terrifying is lurking in

Crowborough, and it’s waiting

for you at Realms VR located

at Basepoint. Forget the usual

pumpkins and jump scares. At

Realms VR, you don’t just watch

horror, you live it. Step into another

world, strap on your headset, and

get ready for the most immersive

Halloween experience in Sussex.

WHO WE ARE

Realms VR is Crowborough’s fully

immersive virtual reality escape

room venue, that offers VR escape

rooms and VR gaming sessions,

since opening in June, we’ve hosted

hundreds of players, from friends and

families to corporate teams and school

groups. Our mission is simple: to take

entertainment to the next level, giving

you a chance to step into something

incredible. This is a brand-new kind

of experience. At Realms VR, groups

of 2-6 people enter a virtual world

where teamwork, quick thinking, and

courage are the only way out. You’ll

see it, hear it, and feel it as if it’s real,

because inside VR, your mind believes

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

it is. With a wide range of games for

ages 7+ and escape rooms for ages 12+

we have games that suit any interest,

from escaping a submarine, saving

earth from an asteroid, cooking up

virtual burgers, or sling shotting

snowballs as penguins…

THIS HALLOWEEN:

NIGHTMARE ON

REALM STREET

For October only, Realms VR

transforms into ‘Nightmare on Realm

Street’. We’ve handpicked our scariest

games, guaranteed to get your heart

racing and your adrenaline pumping.

• DEAD CORPSE — Trapped in a

zombie-infested world, survival

depends on how fast you and your

team can work together. One

mistake, and the horde is on you.

• MANOR OF ESCAPE — A haunted

manor filled with sinister secrets.

Dark corridors, cursed rooms, and

something evil watching your every

move. Can you escape before the

clock runs out?

• ALIEN INFECTION — Abducted in

the dead of night, you wake up in a

forest under alien control. Strange

lights, eerie sounds, and nowhere

to hide. Will you fight back, or

become part of the experiment?

These aren’t passive experiences.

This isn’t a film where you sit and

watch. At Realms VR, you are

inside the nightmare.

WHY YOU CAN’T MISS THIS

Halloween comes once a year, we put

you inside the story. Imagine the thrill

of a traditional escape room mixed

with the limitless worlds of VR. That’s

what makes Realms VR unique.

And it’s not just the games. It’s about

the buzz when your group emerges

from the virtual world, laughing,

shouting, and replaying the wildest

moments. It’s the memories you’ll

talk about long after the night ends.

As a five-star rated venue across

Google and TripAdvisor. Families

love us. Friends recommend us.

Businesses trust us for team building.

This Halloween, you’ll see why.

THE OFFER

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• Teams of 2-6 players aged 12+

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• Games last around 45 minutes

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• Located at Basepoint, Pine Grove

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with free parking

Whether you’re planning a spooky

night out with friends, a Halloween

date, or a family adventure, Realms

VR is the only place you can live

your own horror story this October.

Don’t just watch horror this

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4 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


Big plans for the Ashdown

Forest as Wealden’s most

famous bear turns 100

BY IAIN LUXFORD

ALMOST half a million pounds will

be invested to “position Ashdown

Forest as a national treasure” during

the centenary celebrations of

Winnie the Pooh next year.

Wealden District Council has agreed

to earmark £450,000 for a series of

events, activities and improvements

as part of the celebrations of the

100th birthday of the world’s most

famous bear and the forest’s most

well-known resident.

The money, coming from council

reserves will support The Ashdown

Forest Foundation for a whole

programme of events and activities.

It was agreed by the council’s

Cabinet recently.

Council leader, Cllr James Partridge,

told the Cabinet meeting: “Ashdown

Forest is considered very important

by very many people. It is an

internationally important site with

this kind of heathland very rare. It is a

landscape which has to be managed to

protect the habitats of the rare species

that live there.”

He said it was the real Christoper

Robin, son of AA Milne who lived on

the forest, who had saved the forest,

and the centenary of Milne’s most

famous creation, Winnie The Pooh,

would be important across the world.

A “world class” team is being

brought in to manage the series

of events and activities, and the

anniversary was an opportunity to

educate people about the importance

of the forest, and also inspire future

generations to look after it, Councillor

Partridge added.

And the Council warns that without

this level of funding, celebrations

may go ahead nationally without

the importance of this part of East

Sussex being recognised. Wealden’s

investment is also likely to unlock

similar funding from the Arts Council

and other key stakeholders, such as

Disney, which wouldn’t be available

without the council’s commitment.

The events will not only benefit

the forest, Councillor Partridge

said, but local schools, community

groups, and business — especially

the hospitality industry. The events

would create a “huge cultural”

opportunity for the area.

Plans for the celebration already

include making big improvements to

the forest’s visitor centre including a

new “landmark installation” lifesize

pop-up book with characters from

the original EH Shepard illustrations

leaping out of the book and

into the forest.

Other plans include a new outdoor

shelter for workshops, activities,

learning and play, and five new

signed accessible walking trails

that will keep visitors on official

footpaths and protect sites. These

new educational walks will be

sign-posted with illustrations of the

original characters and each will have

a difficulty rating, for example Tigger

for those with high energy, Piglet for

a shorter walk.

Alongside the series of high

profile events, there will also be a

participation and learning campaign

to include illustration and story-telling

workshops, as well as children’s

reading and writing activities.

Robin St Clair Jones, Chair of

the Ashdown Forest Foundation,

welcomed Wealden District

Council’s support and urged

everyone to get involved. He said:

“If you love Ashdown Forest, this is

a golden moment to rally support

and imagination.

“A wide array of cultural and familyfriendly

events are planned, including

guided walks, craft workshops,

and performances — all inspired

by the Hundred Acre Wood and its

beloved characters.”

Cancer patient completes

Great North Run

Travel agent marks

60th anniversary

DESPITE receiving chemotherapy

treatment a Crowborough runner

has completed the Great North Run

to raise funds on behalf of his wife.

Dave Pettitt, 58, refused to let his

bowel cancer diagnosis get in the

way of his running — and particularly

running for the charity, Versus

Arthritis, on behalf of his wife, Becky,

53, who has arthritis.

He completed the gruelling 13

mile run, which starts in Newcastle

and finishes in South Shields in

just 2 hours 15 minutes, raising an

astonishing £6,500 — smashing his

fundraising target of £4,000.

Becky had been due to compete

in the 2022 race but her plans were

scuppered when she got the shock

rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. She

deferred her place hoping she would

be able to compete in future but

instead has had to give up running.

Dave stepped in to take her place

but four weeks after committing

to run in Becky’s place he received

the unexpected diagnosis of stage 4

bowel cancer. Inspired by his wife’s

determination he is refusing to let his

treatment stand in his way.

“It popped a rather inconvenient

bump in my training to say the least,”

Dave said. As someone who is used

to pushing himself to great lengths

physically, running and cycling

regularly for 15 years, he was left

feeling unsure how his treatment

would leave him feeling physically

and what he would be capable of and

sought advice.

But he said he was determined

to compete and complete the run.

“When I am running it’s the only time

I focus proactively on sending my

cancer a message, it’s not welcome

and it can do one!” he added.

Versus Arthritis is the leading

dedicated charity funder of arthritis

research and has been involved

in breakthroughs which have

Dave and Becky Pettitt

changed the landscape for people

with rheumatoid arthritis, reducing

chronic pain and helping them regain

independence. The charity is working

towards a future where people can

live free from the pain of arthritis.

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive

of Versus Arthritis, said: “Over

10 million people in the UK have

arthritis — that’s one in six living

with the pain, fatigue and disability it

can cause. Something Becky knows

all too well. The Great North Run is

an incredible event and every year

I am in awe of the dedication and

commitment from all those taking it

on. Dave’s commitment to continue

fundraising for Versus Arthritis

despite his cancer diagnosis is both

admirable and inspiring to us all.”

https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.

enthuse.com/pf/dave-pettitt

AN independent travel agency

in Crowborough has celebrated

a remarkable 60th anniversary

this month having weathered

the covid storm.

Beacon Travel, in the Broadway,

first opened its doors on 5 September

1965 with original owners Trevor

and Sheila Williams at the helm.

They sold the business to Paul

Philpott in 2010 who has been

running it ever since.

Paul said: “Trevor and Sheila are still

a part of my life and their faith, love

and friendship to me and in me has

been unwavering through the years.”

It’s a bit of a strange anniversary

because of the effect covid had on

the business, but Paul said the firm

is bouncing back.

“It feels a bit hollow to be

celebrating the milestone as I have

been working here alone since Covid

and unfortunately had to make my

loyal staff redundant. But I still feel it

is worth marking as I will be moving

forward with the travel agency

into a new era.”

Paul said after a very busy year he’s

now planning to take on an extra

member of staff. He’s also hoping to

reinstate the previously popular day

trip programme.

He said: “There are no formal

celebrations, but I will be raising a

glass to the good fortune of being able

to continue this historical business

in the town. I would like to thank

all the many lovely customers and

interesting people that I have met in

my 19 years at Beacon Travel and I

am eternally grateful for the love and

support that I have received over the

15 years as owner.”

6 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


Cancer survivor wants to

help other children cope

BY IAIN LUXFORD

A REMARKABLE girl from

Crowborough who successfully

defeated cancer is using her

experience to help other young

people manage their emotions

during life’s ups and downs.

Mabel’s world turned upside

down when in July 2020, at the age

of seven, she was diagnosed with

leukaemia. For her and her mum,

Nicky Knowles, it was the start of

a two-and-a half year nightmarish

journey of operations, transfusions,

medicines, treatments, fear, ups,

downs, and determination.

But it was one that ultimately ended

in happiness in December 2022 when

Mabel, who is now 12 and a pupil at

Beacon Academy, was able to ring the

bell to mark the end of her treatment.

But the pair learnt so much during

Mabel’s treatment, they wanted to

find a way of sharing this with others.

Welcome to Mabel Mouse and her

woodland friends.

Nicky, a hair and make-up artist, is

also a very gifted artist and together

she and Mabel have created a set of

beautifully illustrated “Feel Good

Cards” featuring Mabel Mouse and

friends, offering encouragement and

help to anyone having a tough time

and facing adversity.

Nicky told Crowborough News:

“When I was first told Mabel had

leukaemia it was such a massive

shock. I can’t really describe it but it

felt like everything just stopped. It just

seemed so unreal. Life just changed

completely in five minutes. It was

horrific. Probably the hardest thing

was looking at Mabel and knowing

that my job as her mum was to look

after her and to take care of her. To

have that taken out of your hands…

you feel so powerless.”

Mabel was swiftly taken to hospital

in London for specialist treatment

and the pair’s ordeal began. “The

treatment made me feel really

unwell, and so tired.” Mabel said, “But

I was also scared, very sad and also

just wanted things back to normal.”

Over the next 864 days of treatment

Mabel had 27 blood transfusions and

11 platelet transfusions,

as well as powerful

medicine treatments.

But thanks to friends and

family, they soldiered

on and learnt different

ways of coping with

the ups and downs.

Nicky said: “We were lucky to have

some amazing friends, family and

professionals who helped us so much

and taught us so much. It became

evident that mental well-being

was just as crucial for Mabel as the

medical treatment. One friend sent

Mabel some personalised guided

meditations, another set up a Good

Vibes Gang for Mabel and her friends

— so many people did so much. With

their help we were able to devise

effective coping strategies that

kept us going.”

And ultimately Mabel’s story is a

happy one. She recalls the day Nicky

told her the doctors had said her

treatment was officially over. “It was

so amazing, and also so emotional

at the same time. It was as we left

school. I was so excited but I also just

burst into tears. Me and mum walked

home just crying.”

Nicky said that reflecting on the

support they had had from friends

and professionals, they wanted to

find a way to pass it on to everyone

else, either in a similar situation or

just needing a little self-care.

The Mabel Mouse cards provide

encouragement and support to help

children recognise their emotions

and manage them. There are words

and techniques to keep calm,

advice about breathing, talking to

others, using your imagination,

laughing, being positive, relaxing,

finding distractions, facing fears,

and so much more.

Nicky’s inspiration for the main

character obviously came from

Mabel. “When she was born she was

only 5lb3oz and was tiny. I called

her mouse for a few weeks until we

settled on Mabel as her name. But

we kept Mouse as her middle name

because it meant so much.”

And the characters started to

take shape in the children’s chemo

treatment rooms at Pembury

Hospital where Nicky designed some

artwork to encourage and cheer up

other patients — a mouse and her

woodland friends. “The hospital

really loved them and the characters

came from there.” Nicky said.

She added she hoped the cards

would help others. “The thinking

behind them obviously helped Mabel

when she was so unwell, but they’re

not just for sick children. They’re for

everyone. I think it’s really important

to help children recognise and

manage their emotions.

There’s so little

support for children

with their mental

health and even if

they get a referral they

can be on a waiting list

for two years — then it

could be too late.”

Mabel agreed. She said:

“They are all things that

helped me, and I hope they will

help others too, not just children

but anyone really.”

Nicky is selling the cards on

her website www.lifeiswild.co.uk

and some of the proceeds are

being donated to cancer charities.

The website also tells you more

about these two remarkable and

inspirational Crowborough people.

Local beer is crowned

best in the world

AN East Sussex brewery with a pub

in Crowborough has beaten off

competition from countries around

the globe to produce the best beer in

the world — and it’s official.

Lewes-based Harvey’s Brewery

which has 45 pubs including

the Wheatsheaf in Mount

Pleasant, Crowborough, has

scooped the Supreme Champion

Award at the International Beer

Challenge in Portugal.

The winning beer was Old Ale,

which is served at the Wheatsheaf.

Miles Jenner, Head Brewer & Joint

Managing Director said: “Winning

the ‘Supreme Champion’ Trophy, in

competition with a wealth of beer

styles and brewing nations, is an

accolade we had not expected.

The Harvey’s Brewery, which is

the oldest independent brewery

in Sussex, also picked up the

award for best Brewery (UK) at the

prestigious awards.

The 2025 International Beer

Challenge received entries from close

to 30 countries, including Argentina,

Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil,

Chile, China, France, Germany,

Ghana, Guyana, Indonesia, Japan,

Lithuania, the Netherlands, Nigeria,

Paraguay, Portugal, the Republic of

Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka,

Taiwan, Uganda, Ukraine, the United

Kingdom and the United States.

8 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


War memorial “desecration” claims

angry Crowborough pub manager

COUNCIL plans to move a

Crowborough bus stop and

re-position it in front of a war

memorial have been blasted

as “desecration”.

Dawn Stephen, the manager of

the Bricklayers Arms in Whitehill

Road, is furious at what she says

is the insensitivity of East Sussex

County Council which wants to

move a bus stop a few yards from

outside the Chinese Takeaway to right

outside the pub.

“It’s absolutely horrendous”, Dawn

said. “I really can’t believe it. They

want to put the bus stop right by the

small mound which has our pub sign

and also the memorial to the six US

airmen who lost their lives when

their plane crashed on land behind

the pub in 1943.”

Dawn said that a memorial service

is held every year at the memorial

plaque — often attended by relatives

of the six Americans who died

that day. The Crowborough and

District Veterans Association

organises the memorial.

“It will be an eyesore and it’s

completely insensitive.” Dawn

added. “I have told them about it

being a memorial and they are just

dismissive. They’ve just said `it won’t

affect that’, but it will — they want to

cut part of the mound away.”

The bomber, a B26B Marauder

named “Hell’s Belle” came down just

behind the Bricklayers Arms in 1943.

It had been on an aborted mission

to destroy Nazi V1 rocket launcher

sites in France. But, forced to turn

back because of terrible weather,

the aircraft’s controls iced up and the

crew lost control.

The memorial to the crew and the

incident is positioned at the front of

the pub with a small garden and the

mound — in front of which ESCC

wants to move the bus stop.

The B26, piloted by Lt Homer

R McClure crashed at 9.58am at

Springhead Farm — now part of the

housing estate behind the pub. Lt

McClure, from Oklahoma, had been

flying his 30th mission and sadly

never met his twins who were born

the day after he came to England.

Dawn said she is angry at the

plans for other reasons too. “It’ll

be dangerous because there’s no

pathway — it’s right on the road. And

with the frequency of buses it’s bound

to make access to the pub more

difficult. Deliveries will have to wait

and it’ll be awkward for customers.”

An East Sussex County Council

spokesperson said: “The existing

bus stop in Whitehall Road is on

private land and the landowner has

withdrawn permission for the council

to use it. As a result, we are having to

look at alternative sites and, due to the

requirements of a bus stop, options

are very limited.

“This option is outside the

Bricklayers Arms, and we have

approached the owner of the

pub to discuss the proposal. We

are aware of the memorial to the

bomber crew but believe the bus

stop can be installed sympathetically

and within the boundary of the

adopted highway.

“We want to prevent losing the

bus stop altogether, which will

have a negative impact on those

who rely on public transport in

the town. We continue to work

towards finding a suitable stop and

will continue discussions with the

local community.”

TV celebrity thanked

and congratulated by

Crowborough charity

A Crowborough based charity

which supports children with life

limiting illness and their families

has thanked and congratulated its

celebrity patron, John Bishop.

The comedian,

who has been

involved with

Taylor-Made

Dreams for

many years, is

celebrating 25

years of stand-up.

The charity,

which was

founded in Crowborough in 2014, and

supports eligible children aged 3 to

18 in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Essex,

said: “We would like to say a massive

congratulations to our Patron John

Bishop, who is celebrating 25 years of

stand-up this year!

“John helped to bring laughter into

Taylor and Suzi’s lives at a time when

it seemed almost impossible to smile,

and has continued to help bring

that same positivity into the world

through his charitable support. A

wonderful comedian, doing so much

to support others. From everyone at

Taylor-Made Dreams, thank you for

an incredible 25 years of comedy.”

Since becoming TMD’s Patron, John

has helped to make dreams come

true for numerous young people,

supported events, and earlier this

year he hosted his first John Bishop

& Friends comedy show in support

of Taylor-Made Dreams. That event

at the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge

Wells raised more than £33,000

for the charity.

Taylor-Made Dreams was set up in

2014, in memory of and inspired by

Taylor Mitchell, who sadly lost his

four-year battle against his terminal

condition in September 2011, aged

just 15. After completing Taylor’s

own list of wishes, his mum, Suzi,

recognised the gap in charitable

services to realise the unique wish

lists of children with life-limiting

illnesses, alongside therapeutic

and counselling support for

the whole family.

Army Camp could house

asylum seekers

A question mark remains over

whether asylum seekers or

unauthorised migrants awaiting

deportation could be moved into

Crowborough Army Camp.

It is claimed the camp, on the edge

of the Ashdown Forest just south of

Crowborough, is set to house at least

600 migrants moved from hotels by

the Government.

The Home Office told Crowborough

News it was looking at sites as

alternative to hotels but stressed

nothing had been agreed.

It would not comment on the local

claims or confirm the Crowborough

camp was one of those under

consideration. However, when we

asked the spokesperson to deny

Crowborough was one of the sites

being considered, it also said it

was not its policy to comment on

potential sites.

Several reliable and separate sources

have contacted Crowborough News to

say business users of the Pippingford

Park site have been told to move out.

It is not clear whether the potential

migrants would be those who have

failed in their asylum applications

and are awaiting deportation, or

asylum seekers yet to be assessed.

However, as the Crowborough Army

Camp is not secure, it seems likely

they would be free to come and go

as they please.

In a statement to Crowborough

News, the Home Office spokesperson

said: “We have committed to close

all asylum hotels and to achieve this,

we will look at a range of cheaper,

more appropriate sites like disused

accommodation, industrial and exmilitary

sites so that we can reduce

the impact on communities.

“We are working closely with local

authorities, property partners and

across-government so that we can

accelerate delivery and more detail

will be set out in due course.”

The camp, in Pippingford Park

and on land owned by the Ministry

of Defence, is used mainly as a

temporary training camp, especially

by cadet forces from various parts

of the country. It contains barrack

accommodation for up to 1,200

people and also includes various

firing ranges, and training facilities.

Two years ago it was used to

provide accommodation for Afghan

nationals who had assisted the UK

Govt during the Afghan conflict and

had to be moved out of the country

for their safety.

Crowborough camp can trace

is origins back to the early part of

the 20th century when the area

surrounding Crowborough Town

and the Ashdown Forest were

taken over by the War Office during

the 1st World War. Crowborough

camp was established and used

extensively during the war, originally

as a tented camp.

During World War 1 the Canadian

Army moved in and established

itself in and around Crowborough

establishing the Machine Gun School

here. The areas around Crowborough

Camp were used extensively to

accommodate and training prior

to the D Day invasion in 1944, by a

number of military units.

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10 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


Decades of memories

remain as W.I. group

moves home

Railway bridge repair

cost rises sharply

AFTER calling the WI Hall in Ghyll

Road their home for more than

90 years, the St John’s WI group

is relocating to the Crowborough

Community Centre.

Members of the group gathered

at the hall for one last time this

month to celebrate its time there

The party included a fish and chips

lunch, reminiscing good times and

a surprise performance of ‘so long,

farewell’ from the Sound of Music by

the group’s committee.

And with the National Women’s

Institute turning 110 years old this

month it felt a fitting time for a new

era to begin in Crowborough.

Susanna Way, co-chair of The East

Sussex Federation of WI’s, said: “ I

understand the memories that have

been made here are immense and

that’s so wonderful.”

The WI have played a huge

role in the UK since The First

World War with all of the groups

following the values of fellowship,

truth, tolerance, justice and

advancement of education.

There were a few tears and lots

of laughs as the day came to an

end and the final meeting on Ghyll

Road was adjourned.

Susanna said: “I just hope people

can keep holding the memories as

it’s been such an important place

for people. I’m really excited for the

group, you have to look backwards to

look forwards.”

The group will still meet on the first

Wednesday of the month at 2.15pm at

the community centre

THE cost to replace a bridge on a

steam railway near Crowborough

will be £100,000 more than thought.

The Spa Valley Railway, which runs

between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge

launched a fundraising campaign

earlier this year to raise £300,000 to

replace the steel Broom Lane Bridge

which is badly in need of repair.

But after the design phase of the

works, the railway says it now thinks

the replacement bridge is likely

to cost £400,000.

The railway said that while

repairing the corroded areas of the

bridge which was built in 1890 was

possible, it would only temporarily

extend its life and potentially

cost the same, if not more, than

constructing a new one.

A spokesperson said: “We were

presented with two options: repair

the corroding metal work on the

bridge or replace it with a brand-new

one. After carefully considering the

possibilities, it became clear that

replacing the bridge was the most

cost-effective solution.

“We must do something before the

corrosion reaches a point where we

cannot operate trains. We know a

bridge isn’t glamorous, but without

it, we might be unable to run trains

over the entire length of our railway.

To ensure the railway can continue in

the meantime, the bridge is regularly

inspected, is subject to an enhanced

monitoring regime and has a speed

restriction in place.”

The railway’s campaign has so

far raised more than £63,000 to

replace the bridge.

Sing for Fun, and raise

funds for hospice

A women’s choir in Crowborough

has set its sights on raising funds

for Hospice in the Weald and wants

more voices to get involved.

Singing for Fun has already raised

£1,000 for the charity and wants

to double that at its Christmas

concert. Preparation starts this

term for the concert which takes

place on 8 December.

Mo Morris, the Chair, said: “We

currently have around 45 members

but are always happy to welcome

newcomers. You don’t have to be

able to read music or even be a great

singer. The whole idea is, as the name

indicates, to sing and have fun.

“We are extremely lucky to have

both an amazing accompanist and

a marvellous Musical Director, who

encourage us to stretch ourselves

musically, while also enjoying a lot

of laughs. We sing everything from

pop to madrigals, with traditional and

original music thrown into the mix.”

However, there is also a serious

side to the choir. Each year it chooses

a local charity and holds a Summer

Concert and a Christmas Concert,

to raise money for them. In 2025 it is

supporting The Hospice in the Weald.

So, if you’re looking for

something to do and think you

might be interested, please check

out its website:

www.singingforfun.org.uk

A sunny summer of

community connection

Crowborough News has invited our

mayor, Cllr Natalie Whittle, to write a

monthly column highlighting the work,

activities and events she is doing in our

Crowborough community.

BY CROWBOROUGH MAYOR,

CLLR NATALIE WHITTLE

WE’VE had a summer blessed with

warm weather, at points, somewhat

too hot, but, as I write, the cooler

weather and nights are drawing in

and I have an opportunity to reflect

on a busy summer.

July welcomed us into summer

with the beloved Crowborough Town

Summer Fair, with numerous stalls,

offering everything from delectable

treats to sustainable advice in the

EcoHub, run by Green Transition

Crowborough. Our local voluntary

organisations were again out in

force, running everything from

BBQs, like the1st Crowborough

Scouts, to tombolas and cake stalls.

There really is a special atmosphere

at Summer Fair.

It was a blistering hot day, and

whilst the anticipated dog show didn’t

go ahead due to the heat, we were

all delighted at how well the fair was

attended and it buzzed with families

making the most of the sunny day.

At the end of the month, and

once again, blessed by hot

weather, I was privileged to be

asked to open this year’s Friends

of Crowborough Hospital Fête. I

was heartened by how this annual

event brings all parts of our town

community together in aid of a most

magnificent cause.

Looking back, the Summer of 2025

was brimming with purpose, and

connection. From the exhilaration of

fairs, to supporting the Hospital Fete,

each occasion reminded me of why

I love our town and am privileged to

serve. I am grateful to everyone who

has kindly invited me to participate

in their events so far this year. I have

cherished the opportunity to meet

everyone and be part of them all.

I hope to see you all in the coming

months, there are plenty more events

ahead of us and I look forward to a

wonderful October.

12 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


Heather View care home

raises £1,700 for

emergency services

A care home in Crowborough

treated the local community to

a taste of paradise while raising

money for an air ambulance charity.

The team at Care UK’s Heather

View, on Beacon Road, welcomed

family and friends to their Hawaiianthemed

summer fete. Guests could

play games, win prizes and browse

stalls offering handmade goods set

up by members of the community

and residents. Visitors also tucked

into a barbecue prepared by

the home’s chef.

The home raised £879 for Air

Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex,

which was matched by Care UK to

bring the total to £1,758. The funds

will go towards helping the service

continue to save lives in the region

24/7 all year round.

Pat, aged 79, said: “I enjoyed being

able to showcase our homemade

crafts and run a stall. It was lovely

to see all the families and children

enjoying the event.”

Sadie Hudson, Home Manager

at Heather View, said: “We are

incredibly thankful to everyone who

joined us for our Hawaiian summer

fete. We are truly grateful to those

who donated and took part in the

raffle and all the games.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to

the team for transforming the garden.

This wouldn’t be possible without

everyone’s effort and enthusiasm,

which made the day a huge success!”

Heather View has been designed to

deliver the highest standards of care

and enable residents to live active and

fulfilling lives. The home provides

full-time residential, nursing and

dementia care, as well as short-term

respite care. It offers plenty of space

for activities and facilities include a

pub, music room, hair and beauty

salon and cinema.

For more information about Heather

View, please contact Customer

Relations Manager Amy Gullett

on 01892 883 574, email

amy.gullett@careuk.com or visit

www.careuk.com/heather-view.

Skatepark expansion plan

THE public skatepark in Jarvis Brook

could be more than doubled in size if

plans are given the go-ahead.

A planning application is being

considered by Wealden District

Council which would breathe new

life into the skatepark in Jarvis

Brook Recreation Ground which is

nearing the end of its life following

years of erosion.

Local users have campaigned for

a new and improved skatepark that

can serve the local community and

in the summer the park was given

a paint makeover by local artists

and young people.

The new concrete addition to the

existing skatepark “will provide a

more modern, inclusive and safe

riding facility for local wheeled

sports participants” according to

the application.

The plans show the extension would

more than double the size of the

park and vastly improve the facility

with new ramps and obstacles. The

design is contemporary and has been

designed by professional skatepark

designers. It will be built by trained

professional skatepark builders.

Flying visit for

Crowborough

Probus Club

Fundraising quiz brings

community together

IF you fancy testing the old grey

matter while having a bit of

community fun and raising much

needed funds, don’t miss the

Crowborough Community Quiz

later this month.

The annual event takes place at the

community centre from 7.30pm on

Friday, 24 October.

Organised by not-for-profit groups

The Crowborough Players and

Crowborough Community Centre it’s

collaboration fundraiser event. The

Crowborough Community Quiz will

see five fun rounds of questions test

your knowledge.

Tickets are £8 per person. Teams

of up to 10 people can be created.

Individuals and smaller groups are

welcome, and can be put together

into a larger team on the night.

A licensed bar with drinks and

snacks will be available, the profits

of which will be added into the

fundraising total. For ease of service,

the bar will be card only and table

service will be available.

For tickets visit: www.eventbrite.

co.uk/e/crowborough-communityquiz-tickets-1220754622939

HISTORIC military planes and

history were on the agenda as the

Crowborough Probus Club held its

summer social event.

The event was a visit to The

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

near Chichester which was an RAF

fighter station.

Led by Mel Parsons, 16 members

and friends were able to enjoy

displays of many aerospace

exhibits covering the First World

War to the Cold War including

fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters,

engines, and a unique collection of

aviation memorabilia.

The club, for retired professionals

and business people, meets for

friendship, conversation and events

throughout the year. It holds a

monthly lunch as well as a range of

events throughout the year including

picnics, barbeques, croquet, day

trips and holidays.

It is welcoming new members. Call

the club secretary on 01892 740377

or by email on spicer191@btinternet.

com. www.crowboroughprobus.org

Scarecrow display’s pothole-themed twist

THERE’S a recurring theme to this

year’s display of scarecrows at Motts

Mill — potholes.

Now in its 18th year, the annual

community event has become a

tradition amongst the residents

of the small hamlet near Lye

Green. Many properties on

Corseley Road take part — coming

up with their own creations

during September.

This year, the theme for

some appears to have been the

condition of the road, though

ironically, the potholes were

being filled as Crowborough

News stopped by to check out

the scarecrows.

14 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


Bonfire and carnival

celebrations raise

thousands

WORDS AND PICTURES

BY IAIN LUXFORD

Hundreds of people turned out for

what is one of the biggest occasions

in Crowborough’s community

events calendar — the annual

carnival and bonfire procession —

raising more than £4,100.

Organised by the Crowborough

Bonfire and Carnival Society, the

event kicked off in the afternoon

with the fete on Chapel Green

featuring all the usual rides, fancy

dress competition, and stalls.

Then in the evening it was the

traditional torchlit procession around

parts of the town. The evening

culminated with the big bonfire

on Chapel Green.

Great to see so many lining

the route and so many taking

part. And, as always, wonderful

to welcome so many visiting

bonfire societies from Sussex

towns and villages to join

our procession.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news OCTOBER 2025 NEWS 15

16 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


Scale of council

debt is revealed

BY IAIN LUXFORD

THE huge scale of the financial

challenge facing our two local

councils has been revealed with

figures showing they are more than

£250million in debt.

Latest figures from the Govt show

East Sussex County Council owes

£200,141,000 while Wealden District

Council is £53,612,000 in the red.

But they are not alone — councils

up and down the country are being

forced to borrow more following cuts

in Govt grants since 2010. Only 32

councils are without debt and across

the country the total owed by councils

is £122billion. In some parts of the

country authorities are selling off

assets like schools and care homes, in

order to make ends meet.

Figures from the Department

for Levelling Up, Housing and

Communities, show that across the

whole of East Sussex the six main

local authorities owe more than

£597m at the end of the 2024/25

financial year.

Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC)

held debts of almost £183million.

Meanwhile, Hastings Borough

Council (HBC) had debts of about

£64m, Lewes District Council (LDC)

about £57m, Rother District Council

(RDC) close to £29m and Wealden

District Council (WDC) almost £53m.

But these debt levels were

significantly lower than some found

elsewhere in the UK - more than 20

councils had debts of more than £1bn.

Chief executive of the Local

Government Information Unit

(LGIU), Dr Jonathan Carr-West,

said “public value” would continue

to be eroded until the government

came up with a long-term solution

to council debt. The Govt has

admitted the funding system for

councils was “broken” and said it

was pushing ahead with reforms to

address the problem.

Dr Carr-West added: “I think

it’s worth, as always, reminding

ourselves why councils are in that

position. There were a series of

decisions taken in the years after

2010 that meant the government

grant to councils reduced very

dramatically and councils were

encouraged to use their own

resources, their own ingenuity, to be

part of the local economy and to raise

money themselves.

“That led to a lot of councils

borrowing money, mainly from

the Public Works Loans in order to

invest in commercial property in

new developments. And councils

took on quite a lot of debt to do that.

For many of these councils, that has

been a success.”

He said it would be a mistake to see

this as being about some councils

that had “gone rogue and gone off to

borrow loads of money”. With about

400 councils across the country in

debt it was a very consistent pattern.

The issue, he said was not so much

the debt but the bigger picture. “For

me, the key question we need to look

at is not necessarily the council’s

overall level of debt, but its ability

to pay back that debt and how that

compares to the level of revenue

those assets are bringing in.

East Sussex County Council said

it had reduced its debts by £5m in

the past year in line with its treasury

management strategy, which seeks

to reduce debt levels where possible.

Wealden District Council said its

additional borrowing was to fund

housing development.

MP visits Crowborough as

part of summer surgery tour

ACCESS to GPs and the state of

local roads were among the issues

raised by residents with the MP

for Sussex Weald.

As part of her Surgery Summer

Tour, Nusrat Ghani held public

surgeries in Crowborough,

Rotherfield and across the

constituency to help residents with

local and national issues.

The tour spanned across Wadhurst,

Frant, Groombridge, Hartfield,

Crowborough, Hailsham, Cowbeech,

Bodle Street Green, Rushlake Green,

Punnett’s Town, Broad Oak, Cross

in Hand, Mayfield, Town Row, Five

Ashes, Hadlow Down, Maynards

Green, Heathfield and Horam.

She said a wide range of issues had

been raised including speeding,

parking, road conditions and issues

with Highways; concerns about

business rates, tax regime and

employment costs especially in the

hospitality sector; small business

support; and issues around access to

education and SEND provision.

Residents also had concerns about

eligibility for childcare support;

food security and farmers’ tax;

connectivity issues and broadband

provision; access to healthcare and

GPs; and planning proposals.

Nusrat Ghani said: “I always pledged

to make myself accessible to residents

of all corners of Sussex Weald, even

in the most remote villages. I was

overwhelmed by the positive reaction

at every single stop and I’m grateful to

all residents who came by to say hello

or to share their questions, concerns

of personal difficulties that I might be

able to help with.

Children’s sports

coaching company

wins regional award

A Crowborough coaching company

which inspires children to be active

through sport has been named

Children’s Sports Club of the Year

for London and the south east.

The husband and wife team,

Dan and Erin Papper who set up

and run Jumping Juniors said they

were “absolutely delighted” to

scoop the award, especially as it has

been a tough year.

The firm has been running for four

years and runs various holiday and

weekend sports and activity clubs

for children, as well as schools PE. It

describes itself as “passionate about

helping children thrive through

sports and activities”.

Dan said: “We are absolutely

delighted to receive this award. As

a small, family-run business led

by husband and wife, we never

imagined we would achieve such

recognition. We are incredibly proud

and deeply grateful to our dedicated

staff and loyal customers.”

He explained the year had been

especially difficult for the couple.

“Erin’s mother sadly passed away

Council praised for

services protecting

children in East Sussex

CHILDREN in need of additional

support or at risk in East Sussex

have access to services that makes a

positive difference to their lives.

That’s the welcome conclusion of an

Ofsted inspection of how East Sussex

County Council (ESCC) manages

services to protect children.

A focussed inspection of

arrangements for children in need

and child protection planning also

found that continued investment in

services for vulnerable children and

a “relentless focus” on supporting

social workers and staff was helping

to drive ongoing improvement in the

lives of children and families.

The report praised the local

authority for evaluating its work to

learn and develop where needed.

Carloyn Fair, director of Children’s

Services, said: “I am extremely

proud of the fantastic work that is

being done to support some of the

most vulnerable children in our

county. Whilst this inspection does

not give a rating, it is extremely

positive endorsement of the work

of the teams and the impact on the

communities we serve.”

East Sussex County Council’s

“strong” focus on providing a wide

Jumping Juniors

in March at the age of 59, and my

grandmother passed away in May.

Despite these personal losses,

the business has been a source of

strength, bringing us joy through the

smiles of the many children who take

part in our activities.”

“We cannot thank our amazing

team enough for their support

and for helping us through such a

challenging time.”

range of support to children and

families was praised by inspectors

who said the approach helped ensure

consistent, high-quality practice

which supported progress and

improved lives.

The authority’s work with key

partner agencies and family

members was also commended

in the report as an effective way of

information-sharing and responding

to changing needs.

Cllr Bob Bowdler, the county

council’s lead member for

children and families, said: “This

report is testament to the hard

work and dedication of our staff

members who work tirelessly to

protect vulnerable children in

our communities.

“I was delighted to see such positive

comments about their efforts and

commitment to providing the

very best services to children and

their families. It was also great to

see recognition of the investment

the county council makes and our

ongoing commitment to further

improve the quality and impact

of our services.”

A full copy of the report can be

found on Ofsted’s website.


Battle lines drawn with disagreement about

how East Sussex should be governed

New Funeral Directors opens

with distinguished guests

A single council for the whole of

East Sussex will be too big and

will not serve local communities

effectively according to Wealden

District Council (WDC).

The council’s Cabinet has decided it

cannot support the “One East Sussex”

proposal for a single council covering

the entire county, warning it would

be too remote. It is also concerned

the proposal starts with a £50 million

financial shortfall.

The Government is looking to

reorganise councils in East Sussex and

asked local authorities for their views

and for suggested proposals. It wants

to abolish the so-called two-tier system

of county councils, and district and

borough councils — replacing them

with a single council, known as a unitary

authority, to provide all services.

The issue in East Sussex is not whether

the council system should be simplified

with just one council, but how large that

unitary authority should be.

With the support of the other district

and borough councils, East Sussex

County Councilis submitting plans for

one single council covering the whole

of the county — with the five local

districts and boroughs abolished. Its

consultation said people supported

the idea of one council but it also

admitted that almost all, 97 per cent of

people, had raised concerns about local

representation.

It says the one council approach

would fit Govt guidelines in that

councils should serve approximately

500,000 people — roughly the same as

the population of East Sussex.

But WDC has now decided that the

“One East Sussex” model would simply

be too large. It is also concerned that

rural communities such as Wealden

would suffer with priority given to the

larger coastal towns and areas. Instead

it wants a number of slightly smaller

single councils.

Councillor James Partridge, Leader

of Wealden District Council, said: “A

single East Sussex unitary council

covering approximately 550,000

residents would be far too large and

unwieldy. It would lose touch with local

communities and be unable to provide

the responsive, high-quality services

our residents deserve, and — as our

consultation clearly showed — want us

to prioritise.

“In particular, we run the risk of

rural communities being underserved,

and under-represented. We

know that residents appreciate close

connection with local councillors who

understand their area.”

The council’s Cabinet strongly

believes that five unitary councils

of 300-400,000 residents each

would better serve Sussex residents

because they would:

• Stay closer to local

communities while achieving

necessary efficiencies

• Better understand and

respond to local needs

• Provide stronger

democratic representation

• Maintain civic pride

and local identity

• Be large enough to deliver quality

services cost-effectively

Councillor Rachel Millward, the

council’s deputy leader, said, “We

believe smaller councils work better

for residents. A council serving

300,000 residents would be big

enough to be efficient but small

enough to stay connected to the

communities they serve.”

Councillor Partridge added:

“Whatever the outcome, we will

continue delivering for Wealden

communities as long as we can —

investing in community infrastructure,

nature restoration and affordable

housing. We will continue to lobby

government for deeper investment

into our public services and do all we

can to ensure any future authority

is designed with our residents’

needs in mind.”

STEPHEN Tester Funeral Directors

hosted some VIP guests for

their recent business launch

in Crowborough.

Steven said he was “thrilled that

so many distinguished guests

made it to our long-awaited formal

opening celebration”. They included

special visitors from SAIF — the

Society of Allied and Independent

Funeral Directors — Ross Hickton,

President, and Terry Tennens,

CEO, and Crowborough Mayor, Cllr

Natalie Whittle.

Duo complete Reykjavik

marathon for Children’s Charity

WELL done to

Connor Parker

and George

Coleman from

Crowborough

who completed the recent

Reykjavik marathon.

The pair are raising funds for

Crowborough-based Taylor-Made

Dreams which helps children

with life-limiting illnesses In Kent,

Sussex, Surrey and Essex, to have the

opportunity to make their dreams

come true. They have already raised

more than £1,700.

To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/

campaign/connorgeorgeiceland

marathon2025

Reducing Risk, Saving

Lives – Together.

Please take part in our short survey to have

your voice heard on the plans for the future

of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

Our plan is focused on improving public safety, reducing the number of

incidents, and saving lives, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our

communities.

Please scan the QR code or visit www.esfrs.org/savinglives to have your say

18 NEWS

OCTOBER 2025


Team of friends

defies the elements

to complete Three

Peaks Challenge

FOUR friends from Crowborough

have battled “horrific” weather

conditions to complete the famous

Three Peaks Challenge and raise

thousands for charity.

The team of four, all connected to

Crowborough Rugby Club, managed

to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and

Snowdon in under 24 hours — despite

60mph gales, sub-zero temperatures,

heavy rain, and flooding.

And in doing so James Lee, Chris

Keene, Mike Churchyard, and Andy

Bover have already raised more than

£8,000 for Prostate Cancer UK —

shattering their initial £2,000 target.

Speaking to Crowborough News

after the completing the gruelling

feat, James said: “It was truly one

of the most amazing and one of the

hardest things I have ever done. The

hiking and climbing was bad enough

but the conditions were absolutely

horrific. We arrived at the summit

of Ben Nevis in 60mph winds and

with temperatures -5C. We literally

couldn’t stand.”

The Three Peaks Challenge tasks

competitors with summitting the

highest peaks in Scotland, England,

and Wales — including driving

in between — in under 24 hours.

That means walking more than 25

miles (up mountains) and scaling

more than 3,000 metres (almost

10,000 feet). The Crowborough

team finished in an astonishing 23

hours 19 minutes.

James said: “It was really very tough

— mentally as well as physically. We

felt safe because we were in Mike’s

hands and he’s a trained mountain

leader, but at times the weather

was apocalyptic.” The group never

felt like giving up, however. “I had

written 6,000 across both hands

which was the amount we had raised

at the time. Any time I thought `this

is impossible’ I simply looked down

at my hands and there were 6,000

reasons to go on.”

Of the group three did the mountain

challenges while Andy was the driver

who, despite flooding and road

diversions successfully delivered

them to each mountain.

James said the motivation for the

challenge was a personal one. “My

father was diagnosed with stage

4 prostate cancer in November

last year. It was a massive shock

for the whole family and I wanted

to do something positive out of

something so terrible.”

That meant completing the

challenge was very special. He

described the moment. “It was sheer

euphoria, and it was also extremely

emotional. I phoned my dad straight

away and we were both emotional.

He couldn’t believe we had done it

and was so proud of us.”

As well as raising money for the

Prostate Cancer charity, James said

he hoped the challenge would also

get a very clear message across to all

men. “The truth is prostate cancer

is a silent killer. I would urge every

man to get checked regularly. I know

many think it involves an invasive

examination, but normally it’s not,

and it’s just a PSA blood test. It’s so

easy and can save your life.”

Crowborough’s

orchard with

community

at its core

DID you know Crowborough

has a community orchard?

Later this month you’ll get the

chance to find out more at its

annual “Apple Day”.

The event at the orchard in

Herne Road, takes place from

10am on Saturday, 18 October,

and promises family activities

like apple pressing and a

chance to taste local apple

juice and cakes.

The orchard, which started

life in 2022, is a community

project run together with

Ashdown Primary School. It

is part of the Green Transition

Crowborough — a partnership

of groups that promotes local

action to address climate

change and encourage

sustainability.

In the last 30 years or so

hundreds of community orchards

have been established across the

country. The idea is to create an

orchard that is planted and tended by

members of the local community for

the benefit of their community.

A community orchard tackles many

issues at once and provides a wide

range of potential benefits.

It’s a way of enhancing biodiversity

and providing a carbon sink, it

provides healthy outdoor activity

for young and old, it provides

organic, locally grown food at zero

food miles, and it protects heritage

varieties of fruit.

But a spokesperson for the orchard

said it was also about learning and

getting people involved: “It provides

an opportunity for children to

learn where their food comes from.

Local people can learn new skills:

how to plant and prune trees, how

to cook and preserve fruit and so

on, and it provides a simple way for

people to get involved in growing

their own food — even if they cannot

take on the bigger commitment

of an allotment.”

In November last year the orchard

was expanded thanks to a grant from

The Coronation Living Heritage

Fund to celebrate the coronation of

King Charles III and his dedication to

preserving the natural environment.

This funded 42 funded fruit and nut

trees, including apple, plum, pear,

walnut, almond and cobnut varieties.

Local golf course among

the best in the country

CROWBOROUGH Beacon Golf Club

is one of the best in the country,

according to the online golfing

magazine, Golf World.

Golf World, which dates back to

1947 and is known as an authoritative

voice on golf, has published its

course rankings for England —

and Crowborough has made it

into the top 100.

The club said it was “delighted” to

share the news that it was ranked

94th best in England — which is an

amazing achievement given that

there are in the region of 2,500 course

in the country.

A spokesperson said: “This

recognition is a true reflection of our

historic course, stunning heathland

setting, and the hard work of our

dedicated team who keep the course

and club at the highest standard. A

huge thank you to our members,

staff, and visitors — together you

make CBGC such a special place.”

Golf World ranks courses across

various categories including: design,

setting, memorability, playability,

consistency, and presentation.

Of the Crowborough course, Golf

World said: “It re-enters the top

100 with some margin to spare.

Crowborough is an always interesting

and adventurous journey over

fascinating heathy terrain. No two

holes are the same and there are some

absolute beauties among them.”

With its 94th ranking it has ranked

above many bigger and more famous

course — including the Belfry which

has played host to the Ryder Cup.

Crowborough Beacon Golf Club was

founded in 1895, and its heathland

setting is on one of the highest points

in Sussex, providing far-reaching

views to the sea 22 miles away. Its first

assistant professional was Horace

Thomas Rawlins who was the first

Beacon Golf Club

ever winner of the US Open in 1895.

Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle was club

caption from 1910.

In the Golf World rankings there

was good news too for a couple of

other neighbouring courses near

Crowborough. The Royal Ashdown

Forest at Forest Row actually made

it into the top 50. It was ranked 43rd

and Golf World said its unique charm

was “natural magnificence on a grand

scale”. And Piltdown Golf Club near

Uckfield scored higher than Beacon

— coming in at 77. “A gorgeous setting

for a very well-presented course…

with a visual feast of heather.”


Teenage band from Crowborough

releases third single

YOUNG musicians from

Crowborough who have found

inspiration in their music lessons

at Beacon Academy could be set

for the big stage.

The group of teenage friends who

only formed their band “My Left

Eye” following a chat in Morrisons

in February, have just released their

third single — “Don’t Say Maybe”

— and it’s made it onto Spotify

and Apple Music.

The band formed when friends Felix

Harvey and Zachary Dyton (both 17),

suggested starting a band together.

They enlisted Felix’s younger brother

Leo, 14, as lead vocalist and Logan

Griggs, 17, as the drummer.

Felix, Zachary and Logan were in

the same year at Beacon Academy,

where they all met. Zachary and

Logan are still there, but Felix

has gone on to study Music and

Music Technology A-Levels at

Uckfield College.

Needless to say, they are delighted

with how their music has taken

off. They said: “We feel very proud

and grateful to be releasing music

because we thoroughly enjoy writing

songs and playing together. We all

feel great amounts of pride in our

songs and our online presence.”

In the band, Leo plays the bass and

is lead vocalist, Felix is the pianist,

violinist and occasional vocalist,

Zachary plays the electric and

acoustic guitar, and Logan plays the

drums (and helps to create ideas

on the guitar when the band are

in the studio).

They are quick to credit music

lessons at Beacon Academy. Studying

music at Beacon helped Zachary

reignite his passion for playing the

guitar. Having not played for many

years, the practical music lessons at

Beacon inspired him to pick up the

guitar and start strumming again.

Beacon also had an impact on

Logan’s musical development.

He had regular drum and guitar

lessons at the school that opened up

numerous opportunities for him to

play live at events such as Beaconfest.

Felix studied music GCSE at Beacon

and thoroughly enjoyed his time

there. Leo is about to start studying

Music GCSE at the school too.

My Left Eye have so far released

three singles on Spotify and Apple

Music (and other music platforms)

using a music distributor called

Distrokid. This allows the band

to upload as much music as they

want, including lyrics and credits

for their songs.

And they hope this is just the start of

their musical journey: “Our ambition

is to perform at large venues — we’ve

only played one live gig together so

far — and, one day soon, to create

an album. We would also love to

work in professional studios like

Abbey Road. We hope to eventually

achieve these goals.”

Beacon Academy’s Head of

Music, Tom Cryle said: “At

Beacon we place great value on

music and the performing arts,

and it’s always fantastic to see

our students share their talents at

community events. My Left Eye

were a real highlight at our 2025

BeaconFest event, and we are

immensely proud to see how they

continue to grow as musicians.

Our Music, Drama and PE and

Dance departments work hard

to give students extra-curricular

opportunities to explore their

passions and develop new skills,

and it’s wonderful to see the

confidence, creativity and joy

that these experiences bring to

our young people.”

Ambitious plan to reverse

wildlife decline in Wealden

MORE than £1million is set to be

spent on a major five-year project to

improve and protect the nature and

wildlife of Crowborough and the

Wealden district.

Wealden District Council is

teaming up with the Sussex Wildlife

Trust (SWT) and has earmarked

£1.2million for the “Wilder Wealden”

project, including employing

project staff for SWT. The ambitious

plan was agreed by the council’s

Cabinet in September..

At that meeting councillors were

told: “The natural environment forms

an important part of the identity of

the district. Not only is wildlife in

decline but the district also has to

provide new homes. New approaches

are, therefore, required to ensure that

wildlife is protected and enhanced

as part of what makes the district a

special place to live and work.”

The Wilder Wealden project will

be a five-year collaboration with

Sussex Wildlife Trust to establish

Nature Recovery Networks

across the district.

Councillors heard “This unique and

ambitious project aims to reverse

the decline in biodiversity while

strengthening climate resilience. By

enhancing and expanding wildlife

habitats, we not only support nature

recovery but also create landscapes

that absorb carbon, buffer against

extreme weather events such as

flooding, and contribute to long-term

environmental stability.”

The project will see the recruitment

of new specialist SWT environmental

staff who will work with landowners,

organisations and communities to

reverse the declines in wildlife that

have taken place over the last 20

to 30 years. This work would also

incorporate Council owned land

as appropriate.

Together the council and SWT

will create an action plan outlining

how the aims will be achieved and a

partnership board will be established

to monitor the project’s progress. An

annual report will also be prepared

by the Trust which will formally

reported to Cabinet on an annual

basis. The action plan will be drawn

up in coming months and the project

is expected to start in 2026.

Officers told councillors that the

aims of the project would be the

creation of nature recovery networks

as well as habitat restoration,

improved water quality and habitat

restoration including:

• Help wildlife thrive across

the Wealden District by

restoring habitats and

supporting biodiversity

• Create networks of land protected

and enhanced for wildlife, allowing

habitats to expand and species

populations to grow making them

more resilient to change

• Increase awareness of community

actions that improve their

local natural environment

and highlights the benefits

wildlife provides

• Maximise the opportunities from

protecting and enhancing wildlife

to tackle climate change and reduce

its impacts across the district

• Encourage and support

volunteering, landowner

participation, and citizen

science to monitor and restore

nature, fostering community

ownership and pride.

They said the project “marks a

progressive step towards a greener,

healthier and more connected future.

It represents the district council’s

commitment to creating a long-term

sustainable legacy, one that brings

people together through a deeper

connection with nature.

Although Wealden District

Council looks set to be abolished

in the reorganisation of local

government in East Sussex, the

officers’ report added that the Wilder

Wealden project was for the long

term. “It is designed to endure beyond

the lifetime of Wealden District

Council, laying the foundations

for nature recovery across the

district and beyond.”

Rotherfield bus battle defeat

CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle

to get a half-hourly bus service

reinstated linking Rotherfield to

Tunbridge Wells.

East Sussex County Council (ESCC)

says it cannot subsidise the 51 service

to return it to half-hourly without

affecting other services.

A petition presented to ESCC had

called for the 51 Stagecoach service,

which has been reduced to hourly,

to be returned to its half hour

frequency. Objectors said the reduced

service, which also links the village

with Heathfield and Eastbourne,

made getting to work, school and

appointments much more difficult.

But this week ESCC has rejected

the petition after Stagecoach said

it had had to revert to an hourly

frequency because of “significant

financial losses” in running the

service alongside relatively low

passenger numbers.

The company said the 51 had not

covered its operating costs for many

years, with the situation having

worsened since the Covid pandemic.

Annualised losses of their inter-urban

and rural routes serving Eastbourne

were well over £1 million, with

the 51 route the main contributor

to those losses.

ESCC funds some 51 services getting

children to school.

But in a report to the council’s Lead

Member for Transport, officers

said: “Fewer people are using buses

following the Covid pandemic which

has impacted operating costs. At

the same time the cost of running

buses has increased due to increased

employer national insurance

contributions as well as higher fuel

costs and the cost of vehicle parts.

The impact of these higher costs

is that fewer bus routes are now

commercially viable.”

On-bus surveys undertaken last year

by the council confirmed that there is

a relatively low number of passengers

on the 51 service. Surveys on various

days in October and December

showed an average of 10 passengers.

The council has used Govt funding

to improve bus services “to support

a number of routes to ensure some

level of bus services remain for

communities that would otherwise

have lost services entirely.” They

said. It added it could not allocate any

more funding to reinstate the halfhourly

51 service without affecting

other services.

The Council said it will, however,

continue to collaborate with

Stagecoach to improve the reliability

of the 51 service through improved

timetabling and real-time passenger

information, addressing concerns

about service delays.

20 CROWBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL

OCTOBER 2025


Crowborough Town Council update

Crowborough Town Council is working hard to protect the services and facilities that matter most to our

community — and to make sure residents are kept up to date on what’s happening in the town. From health

services and transport to civic awards and local planning, here’s the latest news.

Crowborough Birth Centre:

We’re standing up for local families

ONE of the biggest issues on

the Council’s radar right now

is the temporary closure of the

Crowborough Birth Centre (CBC).

The NHS has said the centre will

close from 2nd October 2025 until

May 2026 due to staff shortages. Right

now, the CBC only has 5.5 midwife

days per week — well below the 10.71

days needed to operate safely.

The Council, local campaign

groups, and our MP Nus Ghani are

all taking action. A meeting was

held with NHS representatives,

and a petition has already

gathered 1,500 signatures. The

Council has decided to write to

the NHS Trust in the strongest

terms to oppose the closure and to

ask for transparency around the

decision, including the Quality

Impact Assessment that should

have been done. Local residents

have made it clear: the Birth

Centre is a vital service, and we

want it preserved.

Minor Injuries Unit: Reliable Services Matter

WE’RE also concerned about

repeated unscheduled closures

at the Minor Injuries Unit. Access

to urgent care is crucial, and the

Council has resolved to write to

the NHS Trust to demand clear

Council changes and new faces

WE’RE pleased

to welcome Scott

Walters as our

newest Councillor,

representing

Jarvis Brook Ward.

Wolfe Pavilion project

THE Wolfe Recreation Ground

is a popular space for sports

and community activities,

particularly cricket and football.

We are planning a refurbishment

of the pavilion to better serve

everyone, including:

• New changing rooms

for sports teams

• A public café open to all visitors

• A function room available

for community hire

At the same time, the Council

has declared a vacancy in

Crowborough South East following

a long-term absence of Cllr Suzanne

Dixon, and we’ve said goodbye

to David Hedges.

We’ve been working with

Crowborough Cricket Club to

meet their needs and we now want

to hear from you!

We’d love your feedback on our

proposed designs to help make the

pavilion functional, welcoming,

and enjoyable for the whole

community. This survey should take

just a few minutes to complete, and

your input will directly influence

the final plans.

plans to keep these services

open and reliable for everyone

in Crowborough.

The Mayor thanked both

outgoing Councillors for their

service and commitment to

the town. Look out for more

information on how you can

become a councillor.

Looking

ahead

CROWBOROUGH Town

Council is committed

to keeping residents

informed and engaged.

Whether it’s health services,

transport, civic recognition,

or local planning, your

voice matters.

Updates will continue

through Crowborough News

and other channels, and the

Council encourages everyone

to get involved, ask questions,

and share your views.

Together, we can make

sure Crowborough

continues to be a thriving,

vibrant, and welcoming

community for everyone.

Keeping Crowborough

Moving: Transport Updates

GOOD transport links are essential

for our town, and the Council is

working to make sure residents are

kept in the loop.

Southern Rail has been asked

to send a representative to future

Have you heard about

our Civic Awards?

CROWBOROUGH Civic Awards are

back! The Council has approved

a new schedule for nominations

and will present the awards at

the Annual Town Conference

in March 2026.

This is your chance to nominate

someone who has made a real

difference in the community —

whether through volunteering,

sports, culture, or other

contributions.

Uckfield Railway Line Parishes

Committee meetings.

The goal is to ensure passengers

get timely updates and that local

concerns are heard directly by those

running the line.

The Council encourages

everyone to get involved and

help celebrate the people who

make Crowborough a great

place to live. See our website for

more information.

Local Government changes

and community planning

THE Council is also looking at how

Crowborough may be affected by

local government reorganisation

and devolution.

Over the summer, the Town Clerk,

Mayor, and Deputy Mayor met with

other local councils to discuss what

this could mean for Crowborough.

One key area is thinking about

which local assets and services the

Town Council might want to take on

in the future. We have discussed how

we are keen to save our car parks

and open spaces.

A public meeting will be held to

give residents a chance to learn

more and ask questions about these

changes. We want everyone to

have a say in how Crowborough’s

services and assets are managed

moving forward.

We hope to hold this meeting

in November when more

information is available.

NEXT MEETINGS

Tuesday 7th October — Finance and General Purposes Committee

Monday 13th October — Planning and Development Committee

Tuesday 21st October — Communications and Events Committee

Tuesday 28th October — Personnel Committee

All meetings are held at Pine Grove Council Offices and are

open to the public. Check our website for timings.

CROWBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL

Council Offices, Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1DH

TELEPHONE: 01892 652907

EMAIL: info@crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk

WEBSITE: www.crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk

Sewing Crow-Bees receiving their award in 2023


Food waste to be collected

FOOD waste is set to be collected

from households in Crowborough

and across the Wealden district

from next year.

The new food waste collection

service is planned to start from March

2026, and will see every household

issued with “caddies” — one for

use inside the home and a larger

one for outside.

The existing waste contractor,

Biffa, will be delivering the

collection service and, at a

recent meeting of Wealden

District Council’s Joint Waste

and Recycling Committee that

20 new collection vehicles had

been ordered and were being

manufactured in Scotland.

Biffa said it had begun analysis

for the new waste collection

rounds and expected to have this

completed in the autumn. It’s

not yet clear how the collection

rounds will, or won’t, align with

existing waste and recycling

routes and rounds.

The food waste scheme is being

introduced across the whole East

Sussex Joint Waste Partnership —

made up of Hastings Borough, Rother

District and Wealden District councils

and was first announced when the

contract with Biffa was extended to

June 2033, in January.

By law all local authorities will

have to have a food waste collection

service in place by 31 March 2026,

and funding for the scheme is

coming from the Govt.

As well as introducing a food waste

collection, the contract extension —

worth approximately £119m over the

seven years — also includes improved

environmental credentials with the

new fleet of waste collection vehicles

being operated on hydrotreated

vegetable oil — reducing carbon

emissions by up to 90% as well as the

transition to electric vans and cars.

During Biffa’s current term,

the councils have experienced

an increase in the partnership’s

recycling rate from 37% in 2019 to

46% in 2024, as well as a significant

drop in missed bin collections.

Speaking after the contract was

extended, Cllr James Partridge,

leader of the council, said: “The

extension of our contract with

Biffa is great news for Wealden

residents. It will secure a high

quality, value for money, waste

collection and cleaning service

for another seven years and mean

we can focus on improving waste

management services, promoting

recycling, and providing a cleaner,

more sustainable environment

for our district.”

Bluebell Railway near

miss investigation

AN investigation has been launched

after a train nearly hit a person on

the Bluebell Railway.

The Rail Accident Investigation

Branch (RAIB) said the incident

happened in August and while no-one

was hurt and no damage was caused,

the investigation had been reported

and in line with process, it would

be investigated.

The RAIB said the incident

happened when a steam locomotive

moved unexpectedly while it was

being coupled to a second steam

locomotive on platform 1 at Sheffield

Park station. This caused both

locomotives to travel together for

approximately 4m at slow speed.

At the time the movement took

place, a volunteer member of staff,

who was undertaking the role of

shunter, was on the track between

the two locomotives, coupling them

together, the RAIB said.

“The unexpected movement forced

the shunter to walk along the track

between the two moving locomotives

to avoid being struck. When the

movement stopped the member

of staff was able to climb back

onto the platform.”

The volunteer was not injured but

was shaken by the incident, the RAIB

said, and there had been no damage

was caused to either locomotive or to

the infrastructure of the railway.

The Bluebell Railway is the world’s

first preserved standard-gauge

steam-operated passenger railway,

which ran its first public train in 1960.

Founded by the Bluebell Railway

Preservation Society to preserve

a rural line, it runs historic steam

locomotives and carriages on a route

from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead,

a journey of about 11 miles.

The railway boasts one of the

largest collections of vintage steam

locomotives and carriages in the UK,

with the aim of preserving railway

history for the public. It is a popular

tourist attraction and film location

and reconnects with the national rail

network at East Grinstead. It has also

hosted hugely popular visits by the

world’s most famous locomotive, the

Flying Scotsman.

The RAIB said its investigation

would establish what had happened

in the lead up to the near miss,

including the actions of those

involved, the management of

staff, the training involved and any

underlying factors. A full report will

be published in due course.

22 REGULARS

OCTOBER 2025


GARDENING TIPS with Rachael Collins from Babylon Eco Centre

IT MAY BE AUTUMN,

BUT GET PLANTING!

what the weather. In terms of bringing

a little joy to our lives, for me there is

little which can beat a bright yellow

swathe of daffodils nodding in the breeze

or a big terracotta pot full of candycoloured

tulips.

Then, there is the benefit to pollinating

insects. Many of our spring bulbs

(although unfortunately not daffodils or

hybrid tulips) provide pollen and nectar

to early emerging pollinators and with

our increasingly mild winters, we need

to think about providing early sources

of nectar right through the winter

and early spring.

To have success with bulbs, we need

to know what conditions each of them

Rachael Collins

thrive in. For those of us gardening on

IN October when the weather turns heavy Wealden clay which sits wet

colder, wet, and windy, the temptation in the winter, we can get away with

to hunker down in the warm and dry planting border daffodils, snakes head

is strong but there is so much to be said fritillaries and camassia to our hearts

for getting out there and planting some delight but might find less success with

bulbs for the promise of spring.

everything else!

Firstly, there is the benefit to us, feeling Most other spring bulbs including

the elements, the wind and the rain alliums, crocus, and dwarf iris, all provide

makes coming inside to a hot cuppa all fantastic sources of early nectar for

the more satisfying and there is well pollinating insects but really do need

documented evidence which supports free draining soils to thrive. This leaves

the benefits to our health and wellbeing us with lots of options, improving the

when we get outside all year, no matter structure of clay by adding lots of organic

matter in spring and autumn mulches,

planting bulbs in pockets of drier areas or

planting in raised beds or pots in compost

mixed with a little grit.

For me, planting bulbs in different sized

pots and putting them somewhere you

can see them from a kitchen window,

gives such a joyous feast for the eyes

when we are coming out of a dreary

midwinter and can motivate me to go

outside and start the early spring jobs.

For those of us looking to increase

biodiversity in our lawns and look

after them like mini meadows, as

long as it doesn’t sit boggy and wet

in winter, spring flowering crocus is

a great start as the flowers emerge

before the grass gets too long to see

them, these can be followed by the

shorter camassia (Camassia quamash)

later in spring.

There are some bulbs which prefer to

grow amongst the canopy of deciduous

trees and shrubs in rich moist soil

including a species tulip — Tulipa

sylvestris, snowdrops , blue bells

(Hyacinthoides nonscripta), winter

aconites (Eranthis hyemalis), wood

anemones (Anemone nemerosa), hardy

spring flowering cyclamen (Cyclamen

coum) and grape hyacinths (Muscari

armeniacum) however, these are

sometimes best bought from nurseries

in the spring to plant ‘In the green’ as

they tend to establish better. All these

bulbs will thank you for incorporating leaf

mould into their growing environment.

To get started, all we need is a decent

pair of waterproofs, sturdy boots, and a

woolly jumper (and some bulbs from your

local garden centre or nursery of course!).

Happy planting!

VMA FITNESS

HEALTH AND FITNESS: SMALL

STEPS MAKE BIG CHANGES

vmafitness.co.uk

Philip and Ellie Lear are the team that run VMA Fitness in the centre of Crowborough.

The centre runs a wide range of classes to help people keep fit and active including

Taekwon-Do, kettlebells, fitness kickboxing, fitness yoga, and body blast.

IF you are waiting for the perfect time

to start a new fitness regime then

now is as good a time as any. There

will always be interruptions caused

by life’s unexpected curve balls that

postpone that first step but movement

will always benefit your life so we

must make it a priority. Movement isn’t

just about building muscle or burning

calories, it’s about reclaiming your focus,

your energy and your confidence in

your busy life.

This month, as routine starts to settle

after the summer and the autumn air

turns crisp it might be time to focus on

your own health and wellbeing before

the next season arrives. It’s never too

late to get started and carry you through

to the colder months ahead.

It could be that you find a new class

to attend, a group fitness environment

might be the encouragement you need

to stick to a fitness schedule. A class

that includes some weights or resistance

work will help improve your muscle

tone, balance and bone density. You

might like to work with a personal

trainer to help establish good technique

and learn how to work out correctly

and avoid injuries. A dance or cardio

style class will help to improve your

balance, co-ordination and heart health.

Not everything has to be high intensity,

a yoga or Pilates class will help your

physical and mental wellbeing.

Maybe you prefer to take advantage

of the outdoors this autumn and the

beautiful surroundings in our local area.

Cool, fresh air is a huge mood boost and

feels like an enjoyable way to get some

extra movement into your day. Maybe a

short 15-minute walk to start your day

or a longer post-dinner stroll to help aid

your digestion. A walk outside can help

improve your physical and mental health

and exposure to natural light will help

balance your circadian rhythm. Invite a

friend to join you to walk and talk, share

stories and keep each other motivated

and accountable.

Seasonal eating is a great way to stay

in tune with the seasons, this month

try apples, plums, squash and sweet

potatoes. Eating a variety of colourful

foods will help balance you plate, increase

your fibre, antioxidants and vitamins to

support you as we approach the cold and

flu season. Aim to have half of your plate

filled with nutritious fruit and vegetables.

Let this be your sign to get started

today, however small, a positive change

will improve your lifestyle, boost your

mood and create a stronger, more

empowered version of you. Let’s go,

you’ve got this.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news OCTOBER 2025 REGULARS 23

U3A

CROWBOROUGH U3A’S

PICKLEBALL GROUP

Crowborough u3a was founded in 2006

and is one of the busiest in the country.

It has more than 700 members with 80

enthusiastic interest and activity groups

meeting monthly, fortnightly and some

weekly, in the homes of members, or in

hired venues.

Those interest groups range from

Archeology to Wine — with a vast array of

other in between, including: bird watching,

local history, photography, sea shanties,

Spanish, croquet and many more.

u3a is for those people no longer in

full-time employment. It gives people the

opportunity to meet people, make new

friends, learn new skills, share knowledge,

and continue learning and being active.

THIS MONTH THE FOCUS IS

ON CROWBOROUGH U3A’S

PICKLEBALL GROUP

Our group came about after a chance

conversation amongst some members

of Crowborough u3a’s Table Tennis

Group. Somehow the possibility of trying

out the sport of Pickleball cropped

up, and I rashly mentioned that (pre

covid) I had played this sport through

Paddock Wood u3a, so in short order it

fell to me and my wife Pat to set about

trying to establish such a group within

Crowborough u3a.

After a couple of taster sessions in

early 2024 using borrowed equipment,

we found that we had enough interested

people to justify going forward.

Fortunately, Crowborough u3a’s

management committee were supportive,

as the sport was seen as a way to

improve members’ fitness, and thankfully

they financed the purchase of some

OPEN DAY WILL SHOWCASE

HUGE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES

equipment for our use.

At this point you may well be

wondering what on earth is pickleball?

Essentially it is a racket based singles

or (as in our case) doubles sport, using

smooth faced solid paddles to hit a

perforated plastic ball over a tennis

height net set up on an indoor or outdoor

badminton sized court. The ball is served

across the court diagonally, via an

underarm stroke of the paddle. Scoring

is along badminton lines, until one pair

has reached a score of 11 with a 2 shot

lead, failing which play usually continues

until one pair has achieved such a lead.

To gain a better understanding of the

game it is best to see the game actually

being played, for example there are many

Youtube videos to watch.

Time now for a bit of history- the game

of pickleball evidently originated back

in 1965 in Washington State, U.S.A. as a

back-yard game for kids, using leftover

equipment from several other sports.

One explanation of the name ‘pickleball’

is that it may have derived from the local

pickle boats, whose oarsmen were chosen

from the leftovers of other boats. Since

then pickleball has become increasingly

popular, indeed through the years 2021

to 2024 it was the fastest growing sport

in the U.S.A., ending up with almost

20 million players (sometimes known

as ‘picklers’). Its popularity has spread

elsewhere in the world, not least in

the UK where it has really taken off

lately (as has Padel which is a racket

sport that shares some characteristics

with pickleball).

After 18 months our group has grown

steadily to around 30 members. We now

play every Friday afternoon for 1.5 hours

indoors at Goldsmiths Leisure Centre

in Crowborough, using their badminton

courts. We appreciate the support we

have had from Freedom Leisure, which

runs Goldsmiths and have invested

in pickleball nets for communal use.

Typically our players have played one

or more other racket type sports before

gravitating to pickleball, which many see

as less physically demanding for our age

group than tennis or squash for example.

Whilst we aim to be competitive, we

happily accommodate players with a

range of abilities, the emphasis is on

keeping fit and having fun in a sociable

environment! For the future we may

arrange occasional games against other

u3a pickleball teams, and seek external

coaching if it seems appropriate.

Tel: 01892 611811 (24 Hours)

information@testerandjones.co.uk

www.testerandjones.co.uk

Here for you, when it matters most

THE organisation which provides a wide range of

activities and events each week for hundreds of

people across Crowborough is to showcase what

it’s all about.

Crowborough u3a was founded in 2006 and

is one of the busiest in the country. It has more

than 700 members with 80 enthusiastic interest

and activity groups meeting monthly, fortnightly

and some weekly, in the homes of members, or

in hired venues.

And this month it is holding an open day to

provide visitors with more information about those

groups and how they can get involved. The event

takes place in the main hall at the community

centre on Thursday 16 October from 2pm.

Those interest groups range from Archeology

to Wine — with a vast array of others in between,

including: bird watching, local history, photography,

Spanish, croquet and many more. At the event will

be displays and performances by a large number

of those groups including woodworking, science,

archeology, ukulele, and sea shanties.

A spokesperson said: “u3a is for those people no

longer in full-time employment. It gives people the

opportunity to meet people, make new friends,

learn new skills, share knowledge, and continue

learning and being active.

“u3a stands for the ‘University of the Third

Age’ and is an international movement. But don’t

let the word ‘university’ put you off. The ethos

is that people learn from and with each other,

not for qualification but the joy of learning.

No qualifications are required and there are

no age limits.”

Visit: www.crowborough.u3asite.uk/welcome/ for

more information

• Your local independent funeral director

– Supporting families in Crowborough

and its surrounding villages for 20 years.

• We are proud and active members of

SAIF, the association for independent

funeral directors.

• We can take your call 24 hours a day,

365 days a year. From the first phone

call to after the funeral service, we will

be by your side.

• We offer funerals to suit every budget

including direct cremations.

• We adhere to SAIF’s strict Code of

Practice – so you can always be sure

of our care and professionalism.

• After a funeral has taken place, our

families benefit from our friendly and

dedicated Bereavement Group, and free

bereavement support through SAIF

Care if required.

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

9 1 6 4 2 5 7 3 8

24 PUZZLES

OCTOBER 2025


PUZZLES

WORDSEARCH

Signs

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.

BUMPS

BUS STOP

CLOSED

DANGER

EMERGENCY

FOR SALE

HALT

NO U-TURN

POLICE

QUIET PLEASE

SLOW

STAIRS

TAXI STAND

UNSAFE

WALK

WARNING

WAY OUT

YIELD

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

ROOF

CODEWORD

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.

8 2 2 1 12 13 19 26 8 22 9 23

5 15 1 15 8 6 16 13 24 13

26 22 13 24 2 21 8 14 24 3 15 8 21

23 20 9 7 26 8 21 15 24

13 18 18 9 3 9 13 6 21 8 1 24 8

24 6 9 24 26 6 3

25 1 9 13 2 3 13 6 3 13 17 26 8 21

12 4 9 1 10 13 20

13 19 9 3 21 13 6 23 13 24 20 26 9 6

6 13 11 13 24 3 5

18 20 9 19 6 26 2 21 8 20 17 9 8

L I P

26 21 8 16 13 20 3 24 24

24 8 6 9 9 12 8 10 26 24 9 6 17

3 26 1 21 20 8 14 24 19 26

13 8 24 6 13 24 1 6 2 13 13 6

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

P

Panels Frame/Panels Conversions Replacements Cork Spray

V D L N W V O I B X G O Y

Q P Y O O H J K F U D K O

H X T G L F L O N N M Z D

T L A H S A O S L B V P E

A V L Y W H A R W Q B M S

X S Z T C F T V S D E H O

I R L N E N T N A A F S L

S I Q O U E E U A U L V C

T A X U P D C G O Q T E X

A T H T V O B I R Y K A R

N S Q U I E T P L E A S E

D T W R D I R S P O M W G

W A R N I N G U S U P E N

W D L E I Y I Y P U H D A

V Q B I L B M G J U B J D

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I

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1 Marked by eagerness to

resort to violence (12)

9 Plant used in the

making of tequila (5)

10 Seasoned, colourful

rice (5)

11 Sharp knock (3)

12 Drinking vessel (5)

13 Fast-running African

flightless bird (7)

14 Football (6)

16 Material (6)

20 Variety of mandarin

orange (7)

22 Come about (5)

24 Collection (3)

25 Excuse for failure (5)

26 Throw with great

effort (5)

27 Effective, welltimed

act (12)

Down

2 South American

animal (5)

3 Supervise (7)

4 Item used to brew a

hot beverage (6)

5 Energy supplied (5)

8

CROSSWORD

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

9 10

11

12 13

14 15 16 17 18

20 21 22 23

25 26

27

6 Paid fighter (7)

7 Juvenility (5)

8 Scottish dish (6)

15 Hanging spikes of flowers

found on various trees (7)

17 One more (7)

18 Foundation garment (6)

19

24

19 Hairs surrounding the eyes (6)

20 Muscle cramp (5)

21 Bring together (5)

23 Writing implement (5)

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.

6 5 7 3

4 2 5

3 8 9

7 1

1 3

9 8

5 2 9

2 6 4

8 7 9 2

Conservatory

Roof Solutions

www.roofx.uk

0800 00 33 55

SOLUTIONS

6 8 7 9 3 4 2 5 1

3 9 2 5 7 1 8 6 4

5 4 1 2 8 6 3 9 7

2 6 3 7 4 9 1 8 5

1 5 4 8 6 2 9 7 3

8 7 9 1 5 3 6 4 2

7 3 5 6 1 8 4 2 9

4 2 8 3 9 7 5 1 6

9 1 6 4 2 5 7 3 8

8 7 9 2

SUDOKU

A S S U M E P O A V I D

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O V E R S T A Y R C H A T

D L I Z O A T H R

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S E E N

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

CODEWORD

B L O O D T H I R S T Y

H L V E N O O

A G A V E A P I L A U

G M R A P U D T

G L A S S O S T R I C H

I E T E

S O C C E R F A B R I C

A L N O

S A T S U M A O C C U R

P K N S E T H S

A L I B I H H E A V E

S N T E E L T

M A S T E R S T R O K E

CROSSWORD

V D L N W V O I B X G O Y

Q P Y O O H J K F U D K O

H X T G L F L O N N M Z D

T L A H S A O S L B V P E

A V L Y W H A R W Q B M S

X S Z T C F T V S D E H O

I R L N E N T N A A F S L

S I Q O U E E U A U L V C

T A X U P D C G O Q T E X

A T H T V O B I R Y K A R

N S Q U I E T P L E A S E

D T W R D I R S P O M W G

W A R N I N G U S U P E N

W D L E I Y I Y P U H D A

V Q B I L B M G J U B J D

WORDSEARCH


Crowborough Choir to

tackle major Mozart work

CROWBOROUGH Choral Society

(CCS) will perform one of Mozart’s

most celebrated works next month.

The society is teaming up with the

Hastings Philharmonic orchestra to

perform The Great Mass in C Minor

on Saturday, 29 November at 7:30 pm

at All Saints Church.

The performance will be conducted

by CCS’s Music Director, Anthony

Osborne, and will also feature four

distinguished soloists. Tickets and

further details are available at

www.crowboroughchoral.com.

Mozart’s Great Mass is a large-scale

masterpiece, at times written for

Towns and parishes benefit from levy on developers

BY IAIN LUXFORD

PARISH and town councils across

Wealden are receiving a share of

just over £2.45 million funding

-levied from companies building

new houses in the district.

The money is from a fund called

the Community Infrastructure Levy

(CIL). It is a charge that councils

impose on new developments to pay

for improvements to infrastructure

two choirs. Unlike his more familiar

Requiem, it has a distinctive style;

several of the solo movements are

strikingly operatic.

He composed the Mass in 1782–83

to fulfil a promise he had made

to his fiancée—later his wife—

Constanze: that he would write a

Mass and take her to Salzburg. At

its first performance, on Sunday, 26

October 1783, Constanze herself sang

one of the solos.

Music Director Anthony Osborne

said: “Crowborough Choral

Society is a long-standing group

of experienced singers, and we

that are required because of

development. For example, it could

be the delivery of play areas, parks,

roads, public transport, health

facilities, schools and flood defences.

The amount of CIL received by the

district council and passed onto parish

and town councils has been steadily

increasing over the past few years.

The parish and town councils in

the Wealden district receive 15%

of the CIL monies generated from

are excited to be performing this

major work, often regarded as one

of Mozart’s greatest achievements.

We are very much looking forward

to collaborating with the Hastings

Philharmonic Orchestra and our

professional soloists.”

Founded in 1967, the choir

rehearses on Wednesdays from

relevant development where a

development takes place in their

parish. That increases to 25% where a

Neighbourhood Plan is adopted.

CIL monies passed to parishes can

be used to support the development

of the parish council’s area by

funding the provision, improvement,

replacement, operation or

maintenance of infrastructure;

or anything else that is concerned

with addressing the demands that

5.30 to 7.00 pm in the Crowborough

Community Centre’s main hall. It

also holds social events and Saturday

singing workshops. The Society

welcomes new singers of all abilities

and operates a bursary scheme

offering free singing lessons. All

new members are eligible to apply

for this scheme.

development places on the area.

Councillor Ian Tysh, lead councillor

for Planning and Environment,

said: “The CIL allocated to

neighbourhoods empowers parish

and town councils to play a vital role

in seeking to maintain residents’

quality of life. Their shares of the fund

will enable them to improve the reach

of local services and facilities and

cope with the demands created by

new development.”

Rotary

quiz – book

your place

THE Crowborough

Rotary Club is

gearing up for

one of its most

anticipated events

of the year: its

Annual Charity Quiz Night.

Taking place on Friday, 14th

November 2025 at 7:00 PM at

the Crowborough Community

Centre. This now annual

event promises fun, friendly

competition, and fundraising —

all in the spirit of Rotary’s motto,

“Service Before Self.”

Teams of up to six are invited

to test their knowledge across a

range of topics with Quizmaster

Simon Scales of Radio Ashdown.

Early entry is advised and you can

register and pay online for £8 per

person on the Rotary website

www.crowboroughrotary.org

There will be refreshments

including tea, coffee and a bar.

selling beers, wines and soft drinks

A raffle and auction will add extra

excitement to the night, with

all proceeds supporting its 2025

Charity Hospice in the Weald.

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26 SPORT OCTOBER 2025


Final day heroics save

Crows from the drop

BY OLI HEATH

CROWBOROUGH Cricket Club

completed a dramatic great escape

to preserve their Division 7 East

status, surviving by the barest of

margins following a nail-biting final

day showdown in Eastbourne.

The Crows travelled south knowing

that victory would keep them safe,

while defeat would almost certainly

result in relegation.

Adding to the tension, opponents

Eastbourne 3rd XI were also fighting

for their survival, while another

crunch clash involving Bexhill meant

three teams were sweating over every

run and wicket.

Batting first, Crowborough’s

openers Dan Foden (21) and Abdul

Zabadne (4) got the visitors off to a

steady start, putting on 30 for the first

wicket. But sharp spin bowling and a

brilliant direct hit soon left the Crows

wobbling at 34-2.

Matt Cole (16) and Chiggy Chauhan

(27) steadied the innings with a mix of

patient rebuilding and the occasional

boundary, but just as partnerships

started to form — wickets continued

to fall. At 125-8, Crowborough’s

hopes were hanging by a thread.

That was until Kyle Hastilow

strode to the crease.

The all-rounder delivered when it

mattered most, smashing 37 runs in a

counter-attacking innings. Supported

brilliantly by No.10 John Foskett

(15), the pair added vital late runs to

carry Crowborough to a competitive

185-9 from their 40 overs — a total that

seemed unlikely an hour earlier.

Buoyed by those crucial late runs,

the Crows carried their momentum

straight into the second innings.

Manoj Subramanian (3-23) and

Chiggy Chauhan (2-20) tore into

Eastbourne’s top order with pace

and accuracy, reducing the hosts

to 60-6 and leaving Crowborough

firmly in control.

But, as is often the case in cricket,

the pendulum refused to stay still.

Eastbourne’s lower order mounted a

spirited fightback, dragging the score

to 114-6 — just 72 runs shy of their

target, with four wickets in hand.

Step forward, skipper Paul Langton.

Rolling up his sleeves when his

side needed him most, the captain

made an instant impact — claiming

two wickets in two balls to halt

the Eastbourne charge and drag

Crowborough closer to the finish line.

Langton wasn’t done there. He

claimed a fourth wicket in a decisive

spell before opening bowler James

Anderson (no, not that one) returned

to clean up the final batter and spark

joyous celebrations from the Crows.

After the match, Paul Langton said:

“I am so proud of the lads really.

This season has been a struggle.

Poor availability, injuries to key

players. But to win three of our last

four and pick up 103 points from

a possible 130 to stay up, it’s an

unbelievable effort, but this is what

Crowborough is all about.

“I’ve won promotions and leagues

with my previous club, but this was

right up there amongst the best team

achievements I’ve been part of.”

Away from the 1st XI’s action,

Crowborough Cricket Club’s 2nd XI

enjoyed a season full of growth and

promise. Under the steady leadership

of skipper Andy Wilkes, who

impressed with the bat all season, the

side showed plenty of determination.

Andy’s superb performances earned

him the well-deserved Division 12

East (North) Batting Trophy, scoring

an impressive 391 runs in just 8 games

at an outstanding average of 55.

While the results didn’t always

go the team’s way, the season was

rich in learning opportunities. The

squad featured many of the club’s

promising youth prospects, gaining

valuable experience week in, week

out, under the guidance of Andy and

senior club members.

Crowborough Cricket Club has had

its struggles this year, but the passion

and hard work of its members are

seeing it through the difficulties

they face and they look forward to

a brighter future and challenging

higher up the Sussex cricket pyramid.

Crowborough

world champion in

Olympic training

at Goldsmiths

LOOK who was back in

Crowborough and making

full use of the running track at

Goldsmiths recently! Yes, it’s

Crowborough’s very own world

champion and international

skeleton star Matt Weston.

Based in Bath as a full time athlete

with the GB Bobsleigh and Skeleton

squad, Matt is nevertheless a frequent

visitor to his home town.

When Crowborough News spoke

to Matt earlier this year he did say

people might see him keeping

up his training regime at the

Goldsmiths track when he’s back

in town. And this month he shared

a reel on Instagram showing his

admiring dog watching him as he

practised his sprint starts at the

Crowborough track.

He told Crowborough News

previously: “I like coming home to

Crowborough. I think growing up

here has helped shape the person I

am, and it was a nice area to grow up.

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!”

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.

Matt has hit national headlines and

won 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 in February.

And it certainly looks like training

for Olympic Gold has already begun

in earnest. In his Instagram post Matt

said: “Sprinting is always better when

your two favourites are watching.

The summer has been a very good

one so far — putting the final pieces

together before the fun begins!”

Swimmers make a splash for

international friendship

CROWBOROUGH swimmers

have been doing their bit for

international relations competing

in a traditional annual gala

against young people from

Germany and France.

For more than 30 years Beacon

Swimming Club and a team of

swimmers from Greven in Germany

have been holding the annual gala

— taking it in turns to travel to each

other’s respective towns.

And this year they were joined

by a team from Crowborough’s

French twin town, Montargis , who

had previously been part of the

competition but had not competed

for a number of years.

The swimming competition

was staged at the end of August in

Grevens lovely but slightly chilly

outdoor pool early on the Saturday

morning. Each club entered their

own team and then joined together

to from an international team

to create extra competition and

also to encourage the swimmers

to bond together.

Beacon came out victorious

but the club said the event is

about so much more than the

swimming competition.

Laura Harrison said: “The

swimming is always enjoyed and

fiercely fought but it is the time spent

with the German families that most

benefits these young swimmers. Most

would admit they are placed well

out of their comfort zone by staying

with host families for the weekend

but by the end of the weekend, firm

friendships are made despite the

language barriers.”

And there was more to enjoy than

just the swimming. The weekend also

included trips to Münster, go-karting,

fairgrounds, and most importantly

an awards ceremony followed by

an epic party.

Laura added: “There are so few

opportunities for our young people

to put down their phones and just

enjoy being young and the German

team encouraged them to do just

that. It was an honour to be able to

share it with them and they can be

very proud of how they represented

their club, community and families.”

And it appears German hosts

fully enjoyed the occasion too.

On the SV Greven swimming

website it said new friendships

had been made at the event and the

party afterwards. “The party was

in full swing late Saturday evening,

no one would have guessed that the

young revellers had only met the day

before. The SV Greven swimmers

danced and celebrated together

with their guests from the partner

clubs as if they had known each other

forever. Dancing and celebrating

continued until late into the evening.

After the weekend, guests and hosts

agreed — the 2025 exchange was a

complete success.”

Next year, Beacon will host and

stage the competition.

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

Crowborough Rugby Club’s

mixed start to the season

6 September (Counties 1 Kent)

Cranbrook 5 v 17 CRFC 1st XV

The opening of the new season, saw a

new look ‘Boro side take to the pitch.

The game was played at real pace

by both sides, with the constantly

changing point of attack, ensuring that

the defences were kept honest.

Crowborough’s back row were the

first to prove their effectiveness, with

Josh Rhodes and captain Adam King

providing strong robust running

lines to support the growing halfback

partnership of Sean Bate and

Sam Skinner, while Henry Carter

put in several seismic tackles to

stop the home side attacks firmly

in their tracks.

It was to be ‘Boro that got onto the

score sheet first, when after 9 minutes

Oscar Thatcher slotted a penalty

after several infringements by the

home side. 0-3.

A throw to the front saw Jonah

Houghton exploit the left touch line

reaching the 10 metre line before

feeding the supporting Harry

Marchesi. Sean Bate arrived on his

shoulder splitting the cover defence

which allowed Bate to canter in to

score under the posts for an Oscar

High hopes for hockey club

BY VICKY WAYMAN

CROWBOROUGH Hockey Club

has begun the new season

with high hopes.

After friendlies against Marden

and a successful club open day, the

sides continued to play friendlies

with the Men’s Threes first to get

into league action.

They began the new season with a

close 1-0 home defeat to St Francis.

Stuart Smith’s side gave a promising

performance but could not quite get

the goal they deserved. Their next

league opponent is Eastbourne.

The Men’s Twos made a super start

with a 4-2 win away to Mid Sussex.

First to score was Matt Crompton

followed by a brace from winger Will

Hook, assisted by Jude Fuller. Last to

find the net for Boro was Alex Seath.

The home side got two back and

Crowborough lost a player to a green

card for Ian Easton.

It was a friendly only for the

Men’s Ones with Harry Hook’s side

winning 5-1 win at Sutton Vallance.

Harry Turner opened the scoring

and then there was a brace apiece

for Sam Chick and man of the

match Freddie Lee.

The Women’s sides played a series

of friendlies to prepare for the

season’s launch. The Ones / Twos

Thatcher conversion. 0-10. Half-time.

Crowborough took the game to the

home side after the break determined

to get the next quick score and kill

off any comeback. The score duly

came when Josh Rhodes, cutting

an excellent outside to in line took

an inside pop pass from Skinner

to breeze through the gap to score

under the posts for Jonah Houghton

to convert. 0-17.

Cranbrook were determined not

to go down to a zero point game and

scored out wide on the right although

the kick fell short. This gave the

home side improved impetus, but

time ran out as ‘Boro recorded their

first away win at the Kent side in

many years. 5-17.

Women’s Ones

13 September (Counties 1 Kent)

Sevenoaks 2nd XV 48 v 5 CRFC 1st XV

For the second week running,

the Crowborough line up was

much changed, through injury

and availability.

The above result, not too dissimilar

to that of the corresponding fixture

12 months ago, was not so much a

reflection of these changes, as it was

of the dominance shown by the home

side’s back division, that sought out

then exploited, the gaps in defence.

Probing runs by the Oaks caused

consternation and only for several

brave cover defence tackles

particularly from, Will Pitman and

Edward Croft was the score kept

below 50 points.

But the Oaks backs did not have it

all their own way, with the forwards

getting in on the action with fine

tries by the prop, and the recently

arrived South African player, who

like many of the Oaks side had clearly

performed in higher leagues.

Although the ‘Boro side has talent

in abundance, the understanding,

confidence and familiarity that comes

from training and playing with a

settled side cannot be underestimated.

This was one of the main differences

between these two sides, with Oaks’s

Grace Mercer

line speed bordering on the offside,

closing down any chance of

moving the ball wide.

In the set pieces, Crowborough held

the larger Oaks pack in the set scrum

and competed well in the loose, but

at the lineout without a recognised

thrower, and when Henry Hicks

went off injured, Oaks had a perfect

platform to launch their attacks for

most of the game.

At half time the score was 24 — 0, but

it was to their credit, that in the 2nd

half, and in spite of leaking further

tries, Boro did not allow their heads

to drop. As the game moved towards

the final whistle they got their just

reward and avoided the zero point

game, with a forwards try scored by

Will Creasey who had battled strongly

all afternoon.

combination side played at home

against a Hailsham combination side

and won 7-1. There was a hat trick

for Meg Shaw as well as further goals

for Lucy Smith, Nikki Churchward,

Flo Fuller and Poppy Cureton. The

Threes / Fours combo team travelled

to Eastbourne and despite a hard

fought performance lost 2-0. Back

at Beacon, the Girls Development

played in the highest scoring game of

the day, performing an excellent part

in a 5-5 draw with Burgess Hill.

The first week proper finished

with all adult sides unbeaten. The

Men’s Ones announced their return

back into Division One with a 5-3

victory against Eastbourne with

goals from Ollie Yeomans and

Harry Turner. The Men’s Twos went

on a goals rampage winning 12-2

against Worthing 5s. Amongst the

scorers were Will Hook (5) and James

Lee (2). Playing away at Eastbourne

the Men’s Threes performed

incredibly well to secure a 0-0 draw

with just 11 players travelling.

Captain Stuart Smith, Harvey Holman

and Eddie Dennett all came close

to breaking the deadlock in a fine

team performance.

At home, the Women’s Ones began

the day strongly with a 2-2 draw

against Brighton. The Women’s Twos

then gave an excellent performance

to win 4-1 against Middleton while

the newly promoted Women’s Threes

recorded a 4-4 draw with Horsham.

There was a hat trick for Sally Bilton

and a goal for Fiona von-Hinten.

28 SPORT

OCTOBER 2025


Sport

A rollercoaster of grit,

goals, and lessons learned

BY ABI GERATY

PHOTO BY LUKE HAWKES

CROWBOROUGH Athletic’s

recent run of fixtures has had

everything: drama, late winners,

tough defeats, hat-tricks, and even

a forgotten pair of shin pads. For

supporters of the Crows, it’s been a

whirlwind few weeks, marked by

grit, determination, and plenty of

footballing stories worth telling.

23 August, Isthmian South East

Sevenoaks 1 — 0 CROWS

Since we last reported for the

Crowborough News, we spent a

frustrating afternoon against

Sevenoaks Town. Here, the Crows’

efforts didn’t quite translate into

goals. Crowborough flew out of the

blocks, dominating the opening

exchanges and carving out chance

after chance. Sevenoaks, content

to sit deep and counter, took their

moment in the 25th minute with a

goal against the run of play. From

there, it was a test of patience and

resilience. Despite substitutions

and waves of pressure, the equaliser

never came, and Sevenoaks walked

away with a 1–0 win. “One of those

days” was the general feeling — the

Crows had been the better side on the

pitch, but football is a game decided

by the scoreboard.

25 August, Isthmian South East

CROWS 3-1 Hastings Utd

6 September, FA Trophy

Hassocks 1 — 3 CROWS

Crowborough travelled to Hassocks

and returned with a memorable 3–1

victory, their first away win there in

some time and also mirroring the

score previously at home in the league

this season. The match was anything

but routine. Aiyelabola briefly left

the pitch early on after realising he’d

forgotten his shin pads, and just before

half-time, the hosts were reduced

to ten men after a reckless elbow on

A thriving September for

all ages at Jarvis Brook FC

BY JOSH ALLCORN

AS we find ourselves in the midst

of a busy September, Jarvis Brook

Football Club is proud to reflect

on a month of real progress,

development, and community

spirit. Across the board — from our

senior squads to our youngest junior

players — it’s been a hugely positive

start to the new season.

SENIOR TEAMS

SHOWING STRENGTH

AND DETERMINATION

Our senior teams have kicked off

their campaigns with great energy

and commitment. The First Team

has shown solid improvement week

on week, with strong performances

both at home and away. There’s a

growing confidence among the squad,

and supporters have been treated

CAFC v Sittingbourne

to some entertaining football and

hard-fought results.

History for the club has been made

in recent weeks with the First team

playing their first match under the

lights in the Division 1 Cup, beating

Mile Oak 1-0, thanks to a goal from

Jimmy Hoy. The following Saturday,

we made the trip to Tooting to

Balham to compete in the FA Vase

for the first ever time. After going a

goal up, we were harshly reduced to

10 men and had to play for an hour

with a man short.

Despite their hard work and efforts,

the boys ended up going down 3-2,

with a penalty in the last minute the

deciding factor. As ever, the boys did

themselves and the club proud and

we all made the journey home with

our heads held high.

The Reserves have also hit

the ground running, blending

experienced heads with promising

Ajayi. The Crows took advantage, with

Forster equalising in stoppage time

before Goldsmith and Ajao wrapped

up the win in the second half. It wasn’t

without chaos, injuries, lengthy

stoppages, and substitutions left those

providing live updates scrambling,

but ultimately, persistence and

composure paid off.

9 September, Sussex Senior Cup

Billingshurst 2 — 5 CROWS

Next up came a trip to Billingshurst,

where the Crows secured a 5–2

victory but not without being tested.

Despite the two step gap between

the sides, Billingshurst were spirited

and never gave up the fight. David

Ajao was the star of the night, netting

his first hat-trick for the club. Goals

young talent. With encouraging

results and increasing squad depth,

it’s clear that the future looks bright

for both senior sides as they build

momentum for the months ahead.

The new U23 team demonstrates

what this club is about. Providing

a pathway into senior football with

many of the squad made up of our

u18 players. Whilst results have

not always gone their way, they are

demonstrating great football and

great character and I am confident

they will see an upturn in result soon.

JUNIOR SECTION THRIVING

Our junior section continues to grow

and thrive, with record numbers of

young players pulling on the blue and

white jersey. From the U7s learning

the basics to the U18s developing into

confident, capable footballers, it’s

been a fantastic month of training,

matchdays, and smiles all round.

from Muggeridge and Forster added

the gloss, but Billingshurst’s energy

meant the visitors had to stay sharp

throughout. The game also provided

one of the lighter notes of the season

— live score updates that were out

of sync. A night of social media

suggesting the Crows were both two

goals up and only one goal ahead at

the same time. Technology may have

faltered, but the team didn’t.

16 September, Isthmian South East

Croydon 2 — 1 CROWS

Then came Croydon Athletic away

— a clash that was as fiery as it was

competitive. Played at Merstham

FC for reasons unknown, the

match swung back and forth before

Crowborough fell to a narrow 2–1

defeat. Rush’s solo goal after a long

clearance from Holmewood was a

highlight, but missed chances in the

final third proved costly. The game

was also notable for Josh Turner’s

50th appearance in Crows colours,

while Henry Muggeridge turned in

another captain’s performance to

earn Man of the Match. Despite the

result, the performance gave plenty

of encouragement — not least with a

rematch against Croydon looming.

20 September, FA Trophy

CROWS 1 — 6 Sittingbourne

Unfortunately, that optimism

was checked in the most recent

outing, as Sittingbourne handed

the Crows a harsh lesson with a

6–1 defeat. Crowborough were

Special mention must go to

the newer age groups, who have

embraced the club’s values and

shown great enthusiasm on and off

the pitch. The dedication of our junior

coaches is truly inspiring — their

commitment to creating a fun, safe,

and developmental environment for

all players is what makes Jarvis Brook

FC such a special place.

stunned by the visitors scoring

straight from kickoff and quickly

doubled their advantage. A brief

resurgence around half-time

saw Rush pull one back and

Pearson test the goalkeeper, but

Sittingbourne proved ruthless.

Defensive lapses and disjointed play

were punished, with six different

scorers finding the net for the home

side. The bright spark came once again

from Rush, who worked tirelessly

and got the Crows’ consolation

goal, earning Player of the Match.

League it wherenit really matters,

although hope to progress in the FA

Trophy we can easily put that to bed

marked “an off day”.

Looking back across the run

of fixtures, it’s been a spell of

highs and lows. There have been

moments of brilliance — Ajao’s

hat-trick, Rush’s relentless energy,

Forster’s timely strikes — alongside

lessons in discipline, composure,

and finishing. The Crows have

shown that when they click, they

can dominate games and entertain

supporters. But they’ve also learned

the cost of missed chances and lapses

in concentration.

One constant throughout has

been the spirit of the team and

its supporters. From applauding

sportsmanship at Hassocks to

acknowledging Sittingbourne’s

fans as “a true credit to their club,”

Crowborough continue to show

what non-league football is all about:

community, resilience, and respect.

THANK YOU TO OUR

INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS

None of this would be possible without

the army of volunteers and helpers

who give their time week in, week out.

Whether it’s coaching, refereeing,

running the line, organising fixtures,

working in the bar, setting up

pitches, or simply offering support

on the sidelines — we see you,

and we thank you.

Your contributions keep the club

running and help shape positive

experiences for every player who

wears our badge. Jarvis Brook FC

is built on community, and that

community spirit shines through in

everything you do.

LOOKING AHEAD

With momentum building and a

strong sense of togetherness across

all age groups, we look forward

to October with excitement and

belief. There’s a lot more football

to be played, and many more

memories to be made.

Thank you to all our players,

coaches, parents, and supporters —

let’s keep pushing forward, together.

#UpTheBrook

Crowborough News, October 2025, Issue 03

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