Crowborough News, November 2025, Issue 04

NOVEMBER 2025 | ISSUE 04

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR CROWBOROUGH AND SURROUNDING AREAS

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

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CHAPEL PLACE - TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BIRTHING UNIT PROTEST — P2

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2 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news

WELCOME

ONE of the best things about what

I do is discovering things I never

knew about the town in which I

live. That was certainly true this

month when I went along to the

Apple Day event organised by the

Crowborough Community Orchard.

What a brilliant bunch of people and

a fantastic initiative. It’s protecting

heritage apples, great for the

environment, but most of all brings

people together.

November is a month in which we

rightly take part in remembrance

events to ensure the sacrifices of

people in the first world war, and in

conflicts since, don’t get forgotten.

Details of Crowborough’s events

are in this edition, plus also a special

feature on a particularly horrific day

for Sussex in 1916 which has become

know as The Day Sussex Died.

We take our hats off this month to

the remarkable athletes from Vision

Taekwondo which is based in the

town centre. They’ve returned form

the World Championships in Croatia

where they collected a hatful of

medals for England. And a special

shout out to 14-year-old Gaby Lear

who became World Champion in her

age group and discipline.

Less positively while we applaud the

collective effort to resume birthing

services at Crowborough Hospital,

we remain concerned about its long

term future with the Maidstone &

Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust remaining

non-committal. We also now know

that the controversial new booking

system for our household waste site

goes live on 24 November.

Finally, a word of thanks to

our advertisers — without whom

we wouldn’t be able to produce

this community newspaper

and keep it free.

See you at the fireworks and the

Christmas Cracker!

Iain Luxford, Editor

Crowborough Birthing Unit

protest draws large crowd

BY IAIN LUXFORD

MORE than 200 people joined a

protest to demand that NHS bosses

reinstate birthing services at

Crowborough Hospital.

The protest rally was organised by

the Friends of Crowborough Hospital

and Sussex Weald MP, Nusrat Ghani.

Crowborough Mayor, Cllr Natalie

Whittle also attended.

Concern for the future of the muchloved

midwife-led birthing unit in

Southview Road has been growing

ever since the Maidstone & Tunbridge

wells NHS Trust suspended births at

the centre until May next year.

The crowd, waving placards and

watched by TV and radio news

crews, chanted “Bring back births”

and “Give mums a choice, hear our

voice”. Among them were people

of all ages including young mums

who have given birth at the centre,

and some who are disappointed they

won’t be able to.

Also among the crowd was 83-yearold

Kay Southard, who has been a

midwife for 48 years — 40 of which

have been at the Crowborough

Birthing Unit. For the past 12 years

she has volunteered at the unit.

She fears the “temporary” pause in

births might not be temporary. She

said: “I first came here in 1986, and

all the time I have been here, they

have been trying to close it. They say

we’re short of staff but that’s only

because they keep taking staff over to

Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone.”

Kay said the Crowborough unit is

special and so different from services

at a large hospital. “Hospitals are like

a conveyer belt. They want to get you

in and out as quickly as possible. This

is a smaller unit, no-one is rushing you

home, it’s relaxed and so homely.”

Laura Fletcher is a mum who

couldn’t give birth at Crowborough

last time because it was closed.

“When I was told it was shut, I was

really disappointed, and as a first time

mum I was anxious and nervous.

This unit is a completely different

experience, so many people talk

about the community feel and the

care they receive.”

With her third baby due in

February, Emily Turner said

she really wanted to have it at

Crowborough. “My first two babies

were born here and it’s the most

amazing birth experience. The

midwives were fantastic and it’s a

real home from home environment.

The after care I’ve had from here has

been out of this world. I was adamant

I was going to have my third baby

here but that’s obviously not now

going to happen. I am disappointed,

upset, and anxious.”

Kay Moss, from The Friends of

Crowborough Hospital was delighted

with the turn-out at the protest. “It is

absolutely brilliant. We had no idea

how many people would turn up and

to see so many people just shows

much this community values this unit.

There are so many generations here

too — women with their children, and

with their grandchildren.”

She said she feared the births might

not resume and has discovered that

a number of other midwife-led units

in other parts of the country are

also under threat. The Friends have

submitted an FOI request to the NHS

Trust demanding to know who made

the decision to pause births, when

it was made, and what consultation

there had been. Like Crowborough

News, they have also asked what the

trust has been doing to fill vacancies

and prevent staff shortages.

Kay said the Friends would continue

the fight. “I think today has sent a

strong message to the NHS trust. We

want and need our birthing unit open.

Let’s hope they listen.”

Speaking after the protest, Nusrat

Ghani MP, said: “I am concerned that

the local NHS Trust is deliberately

running the service down. Staffing

issues can only be solved by

recruiting more staff, which the

NHS Trust is not currently doing. So,

they are either overcomplicating the

situation or there is something that

they are not prepared to tell us.

“The decision of the Maidstone

& Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to

close the birthing unit overnight is

underhand. It was wrong and we will

fight this. They are denying mums

the choice of accessing a midwiferyled

birth locally and rushing

them into having a clinical birth

outside of the area.”

When we approached Maidstone

and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust for

an update, a spokesperson repeated

its previous statement. It would not

offer any guarantees about the future

of birthing services, and would not

give details of any actions it has taken

to solve the staffing shortage.

“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.”

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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Council urges Govt to minimise asylum

seeker impact on Crowborough

WEALDEN District Council has

called on the Government to

minimise the impact housing

asylum seekers at the army

training camp will have on the

Crowborough community.

Council leader, Cllr James Partridge,

speaking after the council was told

the Home Office plans to use the

training camp to house 600 asylum

seekers, said the local community

would be “rightly concerned”.

He said the Home Office had

informed the council and other local

service providers that it intends

to use the camp as a temporary

asylum accommodation centre

for up to 12 months from the end

of November 2025.

He added: “I have written to the

Secretary of State for Migration and

Citizenship to make it clear that local

people will be rightly concerned

about the effect using Crowborough

camp as asylum accommodation will

have on them and the wider area and

to urge him to plan accordingly.

“I believe we should work with

the Home Office to ensure their

plans are as effective as possible

and there is as little impact on the

community as possible.

“We will continue to discuss the

situation with other local service

providers and to press the Home

Office to make sure that the site runs

well within our local community, as

it did in 2023, when we welcomed

people from Afghanistan”.

It is not the first time Crowborough

Army Camp has been used as a

temporary solution. In recent years it

provided 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.

The Home Office has not yet

provided any details of what services

or infrastructure will be provided

to support the hundreds of male

asylum seekers who will be moved

into Crowborough. However, asylum

seekers with an active application are

entitled to access NHS services. Most,

though, do not have the right to work.

Concerns have been raised about

the standard of accommodation

on the site and its suitability for

housing large groups of people. But

the Ministry of Defence has said

that while the site “is not “luxury

accommodation by any means” it is

“adequate for what is required”. The

Government says it meets health and

safety standards.

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.

It is not secure.

4 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


Booking system to use waste

site starts this month

BY IAIN LUXFORD

THE controversial and unpopular

new booking system to use the

Crowborough Household Waste

and Recycling site will start

later this month.

East Sussex County Council decided

earlier this year to introduce a

booking system for anyone who

wanted to use the site and others —

despite thousands of people across

the county opposing the plans. The

system starts on 24 November.

The council says the new booking

system for all of the county’s waste

sites will improve queues, deter

business and trade waste which

should not be disposed at the

taxpayer’s expense, and ensure only

East Sussex residents get to use the

facilities without charge.

It is introducing a new online portal

giving residents the opportunity to

book a slot online, but people will

also be able to book by telephone.

The council also insists waste sites

will continue to be free to use for

household rubbish. The introduction

of a booking system for all of its

10 household sites will save the

council £50,000.

The decision is controversial

because it came despite a big

public response to the council’s

consultation. Of the more than 5,000

who replied, 91 per cent responded

negatively. Officers admitted that

72 percent, or 4,352, responded

“extremely negatively”. There was

more public response about the

Crowborough site than the others.

But in recommending councillors

should agree to the new scheme,

officers said that in other areas of the

country where people had opposed

to booking systems, they had soon

become accustomed to it. More than

50 per cent of councils now operate

some kind of booking system for their

sites, they added.

Officers also insisted a Govt report

in 2023 showed there was no evidence

of a rise in fly-tipping linked to the

introduction of booking systems.

Neither Kent nor West Sussex had

seen an increase in fly tipping when

they introduced their booking

systems, they added.

But Crowborough residents

were far from convinced when

Crowborough News broke the story

in the spring. Here are some of the

comments that followed the story on

our Facebook page:

“91% said no and they do it

anyway - supposed to be elected

to serve the residents not do what

they want regardless. Probably

going to start charging us next and

that will stop even more using the

household waste site.”

“What was the point of the

consultation when residents’

opinions are ignored?”

“Not sure why councils ever bother

asking residents what they want, they

never actually take notice anyway

and just go ahead with whatever they

please. Just to satisfy some rule to say

they asked I suppose.”

East Sussex County Council has

published a Q&A on its website

answering some of the questions and

concerns residents have raised. You

can find it here: www.eastsussex.

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

Calls for faster bus services

from Crowborough

A BUS user is calling for faster

journeys and improvements to

the 29 Regency bus route linking

Crowborough with Tunbridge

Wells and Brighton.

Federico Barbarossa, who has

launched an online petition, says

the existing 29 timetable is too slow,

takes an excessive amount of time

and is therefore not a viable public

transport option.

The 29 service generally takes two

hours to complete the trip from

Tunbridge Wells to Brighton. The 29X

service, a faster service with limited

stops, operates only once early in the

morning. It shaves almost 20 minutes

off the complete journey.

Federico said introducing more 29X

services during the day would be good

for bus users and the environment.

“This modification could significantly

reduce travel time, making it a viable

alternative for those who currently

find the journey burdensome.

As it stands at the moment, the

timetable does not meet the needs

of people who commute for work

or school, he added. “The journey

takes an excessive amount of time,

a more efficient travel option is not

just a matter of convenience — it is

essential for those who commute

daily, whether for work, education, or

personal reasons

Federico said he understood the

potential challenges in making the

changes but emphasise the longterm

benefits for residents and the

environment. He urged bus users to

sign his petition calling on Brighton &

Hove Buses “to consider this proposal

earnestly and work with us to

improve the transport links between

our communities to Brighton”.

Nick Hill, Commercial Director

of Brighton & Hove Buses said:

“Regency route 29 has been improved

in recent years and now provides a

daily link running every 30 minutes

on most days to Tunbridge Wells,

Uckfield, Lewes and Brighton.

“Brand new buses were introduced

this year at an investment of £9

million. Adding an additional

express bus every hour is unlikely

to be financially viable, and

converting an existing bus to an

express bus would result in local

communities no longer being served

having halved their service. We

will however continue to look at

opportunities to further improve the

service in the area.”

To sign Federico’s petition visit:

www.change.org/p/improvebus-service-29-for-fasterconnections-to-brighton

Brownies plants

to spread a bit

of kindness

MEMBERS of 5th Crowborough

Brownies have earned their

Guiding for Good badge in the most

heartwarming way.

They planted crocus bulbs,

decorated thoughtful labels, and set

off on a walk — leaving their creations

on doorsteps around town to brighten

someone’s day. The anonymous

gift was accompanied by a short

poem which read:

The crocus bulbs inside this pot

will flower in the spring.

The only thanks we ask of you

Is the pleasure it will bring.

This random act of kindness

is a gift from us to you.

Please pass this act of kindness on

just like the Brownies do.

One grateful recipient took to social

media to say thank you. “Found

this on my doorstep tonight.

Aww, this absolutely made my

day. Such a lovely act of kindness

— please thank the Brownies for

spreading a little sunshine. I will be

thinking of them when the crocuses

bloom in the spring. I will definitely

be passing on an act of kindness

to someone else.”

Community Award for

Crowborough Pantry

THE work of Crowborough

Community Pantry volunteers

has been recognised with a

community award.

The award, from Community Action

East Sussex, recognises the “the

benefits and impacts you’ve made to

your community”.

A spokesperson said: “We’re so

proud of this achievement — and

even prouder of the incredible team

that made it possible. A few of our

volunteers attended the awards

ceremony to represent the whole

pantry family, and we couldn’t

have been happier to see their hard

work celebrated.

“This award is for every single

volunteer — from our day-time and

night-time food collectors, to the

warm and welcoming front-of-house

team, to the brilliant behind-thescenes

crew who keep everything

running smoothly. You give your

time, energy and enthusiasm

and we thank you.”

The pantry team, part of Green

Transition Crowborough, collects

perfectly good, donated food that

would otherwise go to waste and

redistribute it to anyone who needs

it — no matter their circumstances.

Its aim is to save waste and

help the community.

6 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


High Street plans submitted

A major redevelopment of

the Broadway buildings in

Crowborough High Street could

bring new flats and shop units.

Plans have been submitted

to Wealden District Council to

redevelop the section of the

Broadway currently home to Global

Travel and other empty shops into

a three storey building with 16 flats

and four shops.

The application describes the

proposal as “a comprehensive

redevelopment” of the buildings

which would “restore a coherent,

high-quality frontage to The

Broadway” with four modern

shops and 16 “well-planned homes

above that meet space standards

with good outlook, daylight and

shared Amenity”.

The plans include eight onebedroomed

flats, two two-bedroomed

flats, and a further six affordable or

social housing one-bedroomed flats.

The applicant says the buildings

currently on the site, on the corner of

the Broadway and Nevill Road, “make

inefficient use of the plot”. The new

design, they add, “has been carefully

conceived to sit in conjunction with

the adjoining Bugatti House and

is deliberately stepped to remain

slightly lower in height.”

No on-site car parking is proposed

“reflecting the physical constraints of

the site and its sloping

Topography” but the applicant

says transport surveys had shown

there were more than 300 parking

spaces within easy walking distance.

“This evidence supports the delivery

of a car-free scheme in this town

centre location without creating

a severe residual impact.” And

the new buildings will include 18

secure cycle spaces.

The consultation on the proposals

runs until the end of October. For

full details visit: https://planning.

wealden.gov.uk/Planning/Display/

WD/2024/0017/MAJ

Contractor chosen for school redevelopment

THE building contractor who will

oversee the multi-million pound

redevelopment of a new secondary

school in Crowborough has

been appointed.

Acre Wood Academy, formerly

Grove Park School, is being

transformed in a £17million project

to bring both the primary and

secondary school buildings on to the

same site. The work will be carried

out by the construction company

Willmott Dixon.

The project will involve building a

brand new secondary building for the

school in Church Road which caters

for children with special educational

needs and disabilities. Church Road

has been closed to traffic during

August while what appears to be

preliminary works involving UK

Power Networks and the access to the

school site are carried out.

East Sussex County Council is

behind the bold scheme which is

planned for completion in September

2027. It says the new purposebuilt

facility will benefit not only

local children but also the rapidly

increasing number of children with

special needs across the county.

The school, which provides for

pupils aged 4–19 with a wide range

of special educational needs, has

also become part of London South

East Academies Trust (LSEAT) and

has described the move as “the start

of a new era”.

The school’s secondary and sixth

form classes currently take place at

Beacon Academy. While secondary

provision will move to Church Road,

the current arrangement would

continue for sixth formers.

The investment comes following

a big leap in the number of young

people in the county with special

educational needs. The numbers

of school aged children and young

people aged 4-19 in East Sussex with

an Education, Health, and Care Plan

(EHCP) has been rising steeply in

recent years, from 3,126 in 2018-19 to

3,494 in 2021-22, an increase of 12%.

As a result of the rise in numbers

of pupils with an EHCP, particularly

those with Profound and Multiple

Learning Difficulties (PMLD), pupil

numbers at Grove Park School

(now Acre Wood Academy), the

only special school in the north

of the county, had also increased

significantly — up 33 per cent in

the last 10 years.

The new school building will

accommodate up to 60 pupils,

including two classrooms for students

with Profound Multiple Learning

Difficulties. The site will provide 28

additional car parking spaces and

the new secondary school building

will be linked to the existing primary

school by a covered canopy walkway.

Bonfire fundraising thanks

THE organisers of the Rotherfield

and Mark Cross Bonfire and

Carnival night have thanked

villagers and supporters after

raising more than £1,400.

The annual event, part of

the programme that form the

Sussex Bonfire tradition, took

place on 4 October.

A spokesperson said afterwards:

“We don’t think we can quite put into

words with what it takes every year

to put on this special night. It takes

a village - and it truly does. There is

not one person’s part that doesn’t

count, from the public, to the local

businesses, to the behind the scenes,

and the centre stage participants.”

The Rotherfield and Mark

Cross Bonfire Society said it was

“overwhelmed and proud” to report

that for the three chosen charities,

it raised an amazing £1440.10 —

more than £100 more than last year.

Remembrance in

Crowborough

THIS year marks the 80th

anniversary of the end of the second

world war and Crowborough will

be remembering all those who

have served and sacrificed for

their country at the Remembrance

Sunday and Armistice Day

events in the town.

The Crowborough Remembrance

Sunday Parade will take place on the

morning of Sunday, 9 November.

The parade will assemble in the Croft

Road car park at 10:15am where it will

march to the War Memorial, Chapel

Green, for the traditional wreath

laying ceremony at 11.00am followed

by a service of remembrance at

All-Saints Church.

“A massive, massive thank you to

everyone involved. We can’t do it

without a single one of you!”

In addition, there will be a service

at St Michael & All Angels Church,

Jarvis Brook, at 10.30am, to which

all are welcome.

The Armistice Day Commemoration

will take place at the War Memorial,

Chapel Green, on Tuesday 11

November. People are invited to

muster to pay their respects at the

War Memorial at 10.30am. There

will be a welcome and address by

the Town Mayor and prayer led

by The Rev Steve Rees starting at

10.45am. At 11am there will be

maroons fired off to signify the

commencement of two minutes

silence followed by a wreath

laying ceremony.

The recent coffee morning at Bar Trend in Crowborough organised by Becky Pettit and Tracy

Taylor raised more than £900 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Dozens of people joined in,

including town mayor, Cllr Natalie Whittle.

8 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


Tree-mendous turn

out for community

orchard’s Apple Day

THE annual Apple Day at

Crowborough’s Community

Orchard was as much a celebration

of community as it was of the UK’s

biggest selling fruit.

Dozens of people, young and

old, attended the event held at the

Orchard in Herne Road which is run

by volunteers and is home to 180 trees

and more than 150 varieties of fruit

— mainly apples.

Visitors at the event on 18 October

could learn about the trees, taste the

apples, make up some apple juice,

get involved in some wood craft, and

see the work that is involved. Among

those attending was the mayor, Cllr

Natalie Whittle.

David Martin from the Community

Orchard was delighted at the

turnout. He said: “First and foremost

this is a community project so it’s

wonderful to see so many people

here. The project is about bringing the

community together, working and

learning together.”

But as part of Green Transition

Crowborough — a partnership of

groups working to create a more

sustainable Crowborough and

improve the environment — the

orchard is also about more.

David added: “We have a heritage

section where there are some truly

endangered varieties. We also have

a Sussex section which has been set

aside for varieties of apple that have

been developed by growers in Sussex.

If we continue to grow these heritage

varieties we can stop them from

vanishing forever.”

Those heritage varieties include the

wonderfully named Knobby Russett,

the Alfriston, and Sussex Mother.

Among those sponsoring a tree at the

event was Rafferty who chose a tree

that is a similar height to himself. He

said he was looking forward to seeing

the relatively young tree, a Saltcote

Pippin Sussex, grow and produce fruit.

Local dancer wins

prestigious national award

A former Beacon Academy student

has won a prestigious national

award for dancers who overcome

adversity to succeed.

Max McIlvenny, from Crowborough,

has received the inaugural Robin

Windsor Dance Award from

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)

and mental health charity SANE.

The award recognises individuals

who have used dance to overcome

adversity and improve mental

wellbeing. It was created to honour

the late dancer and SANE ambassador

Robin, celebrating his commitment

to both dance and mental

health advocacy.

Max is a dancer who trained at

The BRIT School in Croydon. He is

currently enrolled at Wilkes Academy

of Performing Arts in Swindon where

he is in his graduate year.

His selection was based on his

compelling demonstration of how

dance has positively impacted his

mental health journey, specifically

his body dysmorphia. The judging

panel, comprising RAD Artistic

Director Alexander Campbell, SANE

Chief Executive Marjorie Wallace

CBE, and other notable figures,

was impressed by his dedication

and resilience.

Max received a £500 cash prize,

career coaching, and a dance class

with Alexander Campbell at RAD

headquarters in York Road, Battersea,

London, where he was presented

with the award.

Max said: “Dance truly has been

the light in the darkest times. This

beautiful artform allows my thoughts

to pause, I get to live in the dance

indulging in each moment to the

fullest. It has made me realise that

our bodies are not just flesh and

bone, they are vessels that we need

to cherish, love and take care of, it’s

sensational what they can do.

“After I graduate, I visualise myself

performing internationally, being

able to showcase my abilities to

audiences worldwide. Whether

it is a West End contract, tour,

cruise, contemporary company,

as long as I’m putting smiles on

audience members faces that’s what

fills me with joy.”

Mr Campbell and Ms Wallace said:

“On behalf of the RAD and SANE, we

are delighted to present Max with this

award and to honour Robin in such a

powerful and meaningful way. Max

exemplifies Robin’s belief in dance’s

ability to heal and guide us through

the tough challenges we face in life.

“Robin spoke openly about his

struggles and he would have been so

moved by Max’s story and his bravery

in speaking about his mental health.

We congratulate Max on winning this

award and look forward to following

his journey in the dance world.”

A spokesperson for Beacon

Academy said: “We are incredibly

proud of Max. His journey, talent, and

resilience truly embodies the spirit of

this award, and we are thrilled to see

his dedication to dance and mental

health advocacy being celebrated on

such a stage. Huge congratulations,

Max, on behalf of all of us here at

Beacon! We can’t wait to see all that

you achieve next!”

Epic trek raises thousands

for Crowborough charity

TWO friends have completed an

astonishing six-week 800km walk

through the north of Spain and in

doing so have raised more than

£4,000 for charity.

Wendy Burns and Alison Green

tackled the tough Camino del Norte

Challenge for The Good Company

People charity where they are

both volunteers.

Before the pair started on 25 August

they appealed for sponsorship support.

“We’re walking to support The Good

Company People, a community we’ve

been volunteering with since the start,

five years ago. Over the six weeks, we’ll

be putting one foot in front of the other

for a cause that means a lot to us. Every

step counts, and we’d love your support

along the way.”

The Camino del Norte is the

toughest of all the Camino routes. The

path stretches along Spain’s northern

coast, passing cliffs, beaches, and

the hilly Basque Country. Starting in

San Sebastián, the friends walked to

Santiago de Compostela.

The Good Company People is a

charity which covers the Rotherfield,

Crowborough, and surrounding

areas. Through weekly clubs, its

members can enjoy a range of

activities and spending time together.

Its volunteers make sure that older

adults, people living with dementia,

and their carers don’t have to

face ageing alone.

Its aim is to help people over 65

live independent and fulfilling

lives for longer. This includes those

who are feeling isolated, noticing

changes in how they think or feel,

caring for someone, or living with

dementia. It believes having good

company nearby helps everyone

enjoy life more.

The charity announced Wendy

and Alison’s success on its Facebook

page: “Our amazing fundraisers and

volunteers Wendy and Alison have

finished their epic walk! We are so

proud of them for covering 800 km

and raising over £4,000 via their

JustGiving page. We cannot wait to

hear all about their adventures over

the next couple of weeks.

“Good Company could not exist

without people like Wendy and

Alison who give their time and

energy to support others. We rely

on community fundraisers to keep

our clubs and circles alive, and to

make sure older adults, people living

with dementia and carers always

have someone to turn to. When the

community supports the community,

everyone is stronger.”

If you want to support them

visit: www.justgiving.com/

page/wendyandalison

Join us for

our next

events

Heather View care home,

Crowborough

Stroke friendship café

The fourth Tuesday of each month, 2pm - 3.30pm

Carers café

The first Wednesday of each month, 10am - 12 noon

Prosecco, crafts and chocolate

afternoon

The third Thursday of each month, 2pm - 3pm

Friendship and support café

The last Friday of each month, 10.30am - 12 noon

Trusted to care

To attend please call

01892 346895 or email

amy.gullett@careuk.com

10 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


Real life rescues feature

in fundraising calendar

BY IAIN LUXFORD

PHOTOS BY KATIE WELLER

A wildlife charity on the outskirts

of Crowborough which rescues

and rehabilitates thousands of

injured wild animals each year,

has launched a fundraising

calendar featuring some of the

animals it has helped.

With the support of local

businesses, who have each sponsored

a month, Folly Wildlife Rescue which

is based in Broadwater Forest near

Eridge, aims to sell 4,000 of its 2026

calendars to raise £40,000.

As well as including a patient a

month and telling that animal’s story,

the calendar features some amazing

shots by Crowborough photographer,

Katie Weller, and illustrations from

artist Jennifer Russell. The calendar

was launched at a special event for

the business sponsors.

Set up in the early 1990s by husband

and wife team Annette and Dave

Risby, the charity is now led by sisters

Liz Chandler and Hannah Hall with

a team of workers and more than

250 volunteers.

At the calendar launch Liz said:

“This is very much more than a

calendar. We treat about 3,500

animals each year and this calendar

tells the story of some of them. It

shows their journey into here and

through rehabilitation.”

When the Risbys first started

taking in injured wildlife it was

at their home at Folly Cottage in

Eridge. As word spread about how

they would help wildlife in need of

care, more and more people started

bringing in patients.

Liz said: “It took over our home,

it took over our lives, but it was

truly wonderful. All day and all

night people would turn up with

injured birds, badgers, deer,

hedgehogs and more.”

As the wildlife hospital grew

and grew, fundraising began for a

dedicated wildlife hospital building.

Finally the dream became a reality

and in 2012 Folly moved into its new

home in the Broadwater Forest.

At the calendar launch Hannah

took the sponsors through each

month and introduced each animal

patient that featured. They include a

badger, a deer, a baby tawny owl, a

dormouse, a rabbit, a hedgehog, and

for December (of course) a Robin.

Each has Folly to thank for its rescue,

rehabilitation and then release.

The stunning photographs in the

calendar were taken by Katie Weller,

a freelance photographer from

Crowborough who runs Chapter

Thirty Six Photography. At the launch

she was asked how hard it had been to

get such amazing shots. She said: “It

was sometimes difficult, the robin for

instance wasn’t terribly happy about

me being in the aviary with him, and

it wasn’t easy when the badger was

more interested in nibbling my laces!

But it was an amazing experience

and it has been an absolute

pleasure for me.”

The £10 calendars are on sale

on the Folly Wildlife website or at

the centre itself. They will also be

in various shops and cafes in the

run up to Christmas. All proceeds

will go directly to the charity’s

continuing work.

Skatepark expansion needs

fundraising support

Crowborough’s

fireworks to

soar skyward to

Disney themes

PLANNERS have given the thumbs

up to a major expansion of the

public skatepark in Jarvis Brook —

but the project will only go ahead if

funds can be raised.

Wealden District Council has agreed

the plan which will more than double

the size and breathe new life into the

skatepark in Jarvis Brook Recreation

Ground which is nearing the end of its

life following years of erosion.

Bev Pashley from the Artytime

Scrapstore which submitted the

application said: “This is fantastic

news. We just need to find the money

to build it. We need the skating,

scooting and bmx community to

come together to support this.”

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.

THE tune will be “let it go, let it go”

as the organisers of the annual

Crowborough Fireworks light the

touchpaper for this year’s event.

Because the musical theme for

the always spectacular event on 5

November at Goldsmiths is Disney

movies — so expect choreographed

displays to music from movies

including The Little Mermaid, Cars,

Moana, The Lion King, and, of

course, Frozen.

The annual community event

which is always spectacular and

attracts hundreds, is organised by

Crowborough Town Council. Starting

from 7pm, there will be hot food &

drinks to enjoy before the Firework

display begins. At 7.15pm there will

be a welcome from the Town Mayor

and the lightning of the Beacon,

followed by the display at 7:30pm.

The Crowborough Miniature

Railway will also be open and

offering train rides from 6.30pm until

crowds disperse.

Entrance to the display is free

but the town council will be

collecting donations for the mayor’s

charities, which are local charity,

Family2Family and the Girlguiding

Crowborough District.

BLOB: Parking is limited at the

recreation ground and visitors are

advised to use the free car parking in

the town centre. Once the car park

is full (which typically is around

6.45pm), the car park closes, and no

vehicle movement will be permitted

until after the display finishes.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news NOVEMBER 2025 11

Come along

to our Open Day

6th December

10am-1pm

At Stephen Tester Funeral Directors,

we believe every goodbye should be

personal, gentle, and true to the

people it honours.

A quiet

space to

reminisce, reflect

and remember

Our Beacon Chapel is at the heart of

what we do — a warm, peaceful place

where families can pause, reflect, share

memories, or be together. It’s also

available for those choosing an

unattended cremation — a simple

cremation without a formal service —

offering the chance for a private, heartfelt

farewell in a calm, supportive setting.

If you would like to talk with us at

Stephen Tester Funeral Directors

and see our chapel, we’d be glad to

welcome you and guide you through

whatever you need. Day or night, you

won’t be on your own.

01892 577166

www.stephentesterifd.co.uk

Beacon House Park Road Crowborough TN6 2QX

12 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


TV celeb to host

Crowborough

charity’s key

fundraiser

AWARD winning author, actor and

TV celebrity, David Walliams is to

host a key fund-raising event for a

Crowborough based charity.

The star is to host the Dragonfly

Ball for Taylor-Made Dreams in

November — a black tie fundraiser

that includes entertainment,

performances, star prizes, a raffle,

and casino tables — all alongside

three course meal.

Taylor-Made Dreams which was

formed in Crowborough supports

children with life-limiting illnesses

and their families across the south

east. The Dragonfly Ball, held every

other year, is a key fundraiser for

the charity which not only provides

support to families but also helps

make dreams come true for children.

This year’s ball will be held at the

Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel

Suzi Mitchell, CEO of Taylor-Made

Dreams said: “We’re delighted to

announce David Walliams

will host the Dragonfly Ball this

year. As someone who has supported

our charity over the past few

Basepoint to welcome

Santa for Christmas market

THE Christmas spirit comes to

Basepoint, Crowborough on

Thursday 4th December when

the business centre hosts its first

all-day market.

The best of local crafters and

makers will be showcasing their

wares in aid of Wealden Citizen

Advice, who have offices in the

Centre. The market will occupy the

reception area and the large meeting

room at the serviced offices in Pine

Grove from 9.30am until 4.30pm.

Manager Gill Evaroa worked with

Crowborough Pop Up Market’s

Jill Wedge to put together a fun

and festive day featuring art,

craft, photography, local wines

and spirits, jewellery, textiles,

ceramics, jams and chutney, candles,

cushions, bags and more!

Gill said: “I wanted Crowborough

to see us a centre for all the local

community. We are home to dozens

of small local businesses and host

business networking each third

Thursday of the month in our

Business Lounge for Crowborough

Connections as well as The Rotary

Club, GTC Business Group and

other local networking groups.

This is something for all our clients,

visitors to the town hall and library

years, we’re honoured that David

has taken time out of his busy

schedule to be with us on the evening.

“Following months of planning and

preparation from the Taylor-Made

Dreams Team, we’re looking

forward to welcoming over 350

guests for what will be a truly

amazing evening”

Tickets to the glamourous

black-tie event are available at

£150 per person, purchased as

tables of 10. For more information

please contact Dave Richardson:

dave@taylormadedreams.org.uk

and anyone who is free to pop in

during the day!”

As well as top notch shopping, the

day offers two local choirs — Rock

Choir at 11.45am to 12.30pm and

Singing for Fun at 4pm, who will both

perform in the foyer. Company of

Critters will be there from 3pm for

after school visitors and there will

be free mince pies and mulled wine!

And Father Christmas himself puts

in an appearance from 2.30pm. We

also have RealmsVR showcasing their

Virtual Reality festive experience

which is at Basepoint Crowborough.

Hamish back at university

THE Crowborough teenager

who lost all four limbs to sepsis

has made good on his promise

to walk back into university

— less than a year after he was

fighting for his life.

Former Beacon student, Hamish

Wilson was taken ill shortly after

starting at Southampton University

in October 2024 and while doctors

saved his life, he eventually had to

have both legs amputated, as well

as one hand and the fingers of his

remaining hand.

He went off to university as a

healthy, sporty 18-year-old and within

a month was fighting for his life in

Two choirs, one voice!

MEMBERS of Crowborough Choral

Society have recently returned

from Rellingen, near Hamburg in

Germany, where they sang with

their twin choir, the Rellinger

Kantorei. The choirs have been

twinned since 1979, but this was

their first joint performance since

the Covid pandemic.

The two choirs joined forces to

sing Brahms’ German Requiem in

a concert held in the magnificent

Rellingen church, performing

to a packed audience and

receiving great acclaim.

Members of the German choir

hosted their English friends for a

wonderful four-day visit. As well

as plenty of rehearsal time, also

included were excursions into the

city of Hamburg and the surrounding

countryside. In addition, the visit

Probus

bowled over

by skittles

match

CROWBOROUGH Probus members

took a step back in sporting time for

their latest meeting.

The group, for retired professionals,

met at the Royal Oak in Barcombe for

lunch and a traditional skittles match.

The skittles match took place both

before and after the lunchtime buffet

and comprised of four ends with

players bowling a traditional wooden

ball at nine original wooden skittles.

The total scores of each end formed

a league table of the participants and

the results were very close calling

for an exciting tie breaker. The

bottom placed player was awarded

a packet of “Skittles” sweets for his

efforts whilst the overall champion

claimed the winners award of a

bar of Toblerone.

intensive care. He became severely

ill with pneumonia and a form of

meningitis which caused a lifethreatening

sepsis.

But after numerous operations and

specialist treatment in London, he is

now walking on his prosthetic legs

and is progressing with treatment

for his hands. Earlier this summer

he said he was determined to walk

back into his university and his

philosophy studies.

In his latest interview he said he

was back doing “everything I used

to do”, adding he does not want

to let his experience change him

and “let it win”.

meant reunions with old friends, and

the forging of many new friendships.

The Rellinger Kantorei will make a

He told the BBC: “I feel quite

proud of myself that I’ve managed

to come back because I remember

a lot of people in hospital were

telling me that they thought

one year was too early. But I do

everything I used to do. It’s fun

living with my friends again. I

think there’s no point in letting

something like this change you

because otherwise you’re letting it

win. It feels nice to be back and I’m

impressed with myself.”

Hamish lives in an adapted home

with eight student friends now wants

to get running blades, so he can

start running again.

return visit to Crowborough in 2027

to perform in Crowborough Choral

Society’s 60th Anniversary Concert.

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14 IN REMEMBRANCE

NOVEMBER 2025


The Day Sussex Died

BY IAIN LUXFORD

THIS month we will remember the

millions of lives lost and destroyed

on the battlefields of World War One

and in conflicts since. During the

1914-18 war — supposedly the war

to end all wars — there were many

unimaginable days of horror. One of

the lesser known but darkest days

of the conflict has become known as

“The Day Sussex Died”.

Over the four years of the First

World War there were more than 16

million civilian and military deaths

— making it was one of the deadliest

conflicts in the history of the human

race. For Sussex, one particular

infamous but often forgotten

day stands out.

The Battle of the Boar’s Head was an

attack on 30 June 1916 at Richebourgl’Avoué

north of the Somme. It was

the day before the infamous main

Somme offensive and members of the

Listen to the wraiths of morning in Flanders fields of grey,

Can you hear The Royal Sussex who came and went away

And linger still in graves unknown amidst the furrow and the thorn.

But never flinched, duty done, these sons of Sussex bred and born.

Anon.

British Army, most of them members

of the South Downs Battalions from

the Royal Sussex Regiment, were

told their objective was the nearby

salient, a bulge in the line known

as ‘The Boar’s Head’. It was to

be ‘bitten out’.

The 11th, 12th, and

13th battalions bore

the unofficial title of

‘Lowther’s Lambs’, men

of the South Downs who

had joined up together to

fight together and became

part of the wider Royal Sussex

Regiment. The Battle of The Boar’s

Head would be their first real action

in the war. For very many of them, it

would also be their last.

The truth of the situation was

this was really a diversionary

raid designed to distract the

Germans and draw them

away from the preparations

for the main Somme

battle a day later.

Initial plans had been

made which involved

the 11th Battalion leading

the attack, with the 12th

Battalion on their right, and

the 13th Battalion in reserve. When

he saw the plans, Lt.-Col. Harman

Grisewood, expressed serious

misgivings that if his untried troops

attacked over unfamiliar ground a

disaster might result. He is reported

to have informed his brigade

commander: “I am not sacrificing my

men as cannon-fodder!”

Harman Grisewood was

promptly sent home on leave

and the preparations for the

attack continued.

Two of the South Downs battalions,

containing men recruited from

across East and West Sussex, attacked

the enemy front position before

dawn. They expected to have surprise

on their side, but sadly they were

wrong. The Germans had known they

were coming for several days and the

artillery bombardment had had little

effect on the German wire. As a result,

the attack was a futile disaster.

Despite all the odds, heavily outnumbered,

and suffering withering

machine gun attack, the Sussex

soldiers initially took and held the

German front line trench and then

the second trench for several hours.

Left: 11th Battalion Southdowns. Image credit, Ian Barton. Above: Southdowns at Cooden camp

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news NOVEMBER 2025 IN REMEMBRANCE 15

Battle map showing Sussex battalions

Eastbourne VC Nelson Carter

The recruiter, Lowther

But running low on ammunition and

facing a fierce German counter-attack

the battalions eventually had no

choice but to retire.

There is even a story that one man

brought back a notice in English

from the German lines, announcing:

“Come on, Sussex boys. We’ve been

waiting for you for three days!”

Following the short but hugely

costly attack there were tales of great

courage. Company Sergeant Major

Nelson Carter from Eastbourne

single-handedly captured a German

machine gun post and used the

weapon to cover the retreat before

fleeing German trenches himself.

He then repeatedly re-entered No

Man’s Land to rescue wounded men

and carry them to safety. On his final

trip he was shot through the chest

and killed. He was posthumously

awarded the Victoria Cross

for his bravery.

A fellow officer wrote the following

to Carter’s widow: “When I last saw

him he was close to the German line,

acting as leader to a small party of four

or five men. I was afterwards told that he

had entered the German second line, and

had brought back an enemy machine

gun, having put the gun team out of

action. I heard that he shot one of them

with his revolver. I next saw him about

an hour later (I had been wounded in the

meanwhile and was lying in our trench).

Your husband repeatedly went over the

parapet. I saw him going over alone and

carrying in our wounded men from ‘No

Man’s Land’. He brought them in on his

back, and he could not have done this

had he not possessed exceptional physical

strength as well as courage. It was in

going over for the sixth or seventh time

that the was shot through the chest. I saw

him fall just inside our trench.”

Other awards for the South Downs

included twenty Military Medals,

eight Distinguished Conduct

Medals, four military crosses and a

Distinguished Service Order.

In fewer than five atrocious hours

the three South Downs battalions

of the Royal Sussex Regiment had

366 killed - 17 officers and 349 men,

including 12 sets of brothers, three

from one family. A further 1,000 men

were wounded or taken prisoner. The

13th battalion was almost completely

wiped out. No wonder in the

regimental history it is known as “The

Day Sussex Died”.

Returning from his enforced leave,

Lt Col Harman Grisewood, who

had been sent home for refusing to

“sacrifice my men as cannon fodder”

was relieved of command.

Of all the dark days of war, for Sussex

this surely has to be the darkest.

They shall grow not old, as we that are

left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor

the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning

We will remember them.

THE LOWTHER’S LAMBS

Lieutenant Colonel Claude Lowther,

owner of Herstmonceux Castle.

The son of a Royal Naval Captain,

Lowther was educated at Rugby

School and after leaving school he

entered the Diplomatic Service.

In South Africa during the Second

Boer War he served in the Imperial

Yeomanry until 1900 and was

recommended for the Victoria

Cross for gallantry at the 1900 Battle

of Faber’s Put. After leaving the

army he became MP for Eskdale in

Lancashire until 1906. He was fond

of the arts and a man of refined taste.

In 1911 Lowther moved to Sussex

where he bought and began to restore

Herstmonceux Castle.

In 1914 he raised three battalions

for the Royal Sussex Regiment —

the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Southdowns.

These battalions became known as

“Lowther’s Lambs”, a nick-name

referring to the well-known Sussex

breed of Sheep, the “Southdown”.

Their mascot was Peter, a lamb

from Applesham Farm at Lancing.

The last reunion of the Lowther Lambs

Peter died in 1928 and is buried at

Herstmonceux Castle.

Lowther wanted all the men who

served in these battalions to be truly

Sussex men. It didn’t matter where

they were living at the time, as long as

they were born in Sussex.

He said: “If you join the Southdowns

you will join a very gallant regiment

— one of which every man can

be justly proud. You will know by

the Roll of Honour how they have

distinguished themselves. And if they

do not return, their names will live for

ever to the glory of the county — the

county where I have made my home;

the county I love very much. I am

determined to make it impossible

for any man in my regiment to

go into the workhouse or die in

destitution. It is four to one against

them, and I call every one of you to

join the Southdowns, for Sussex is to

stand by her sons.”

Boars Head history board

Boars Head Memorial Nelson Carter memorial in Eastbourne A corner of France, forever a piece of Sussex

16 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


Paddington joins walker

for fund-raising trek

No waste of energy for

Ashdown Probus Club

BY JACOB WHITE

A walker who works for a

Crowborough-based bathroom

products manufacturer who

battled blisters and muscles aches

to walk 57km has raised more than

£1,500 for charity.

Chris Hill, 39, a digital designer for

Imex Ceramics UK on Sybron Way

took part in the South Coast Ultra

Challenge 2025 completing the walk

in 14 hours and 23 minutes. His

efforts raised £1,760 for Eastbournebased

charity, St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

He said: “As I was walking to honour

the memory of my late mother and

raise money for the charity that

looked after her, I wanted to take

something of hers along the journey

with me, so I chose her beloved

Paddington Bear.”

Chris’ mother Lynn passed away in

October 2024 after a year-long battle

with cancer, in the final few weeks

before her death, St. Wilfrid’s Hospice

gave important care to Lynn.

Speaking about crossing the

finishing line with trusty Paddington,

Chris said: “I felt a mixture of relief

and pride at the realisation of what

I had just achieved, the longest

distance I had previously walked was

28km, I was in unknown territory as

to how my body would react.’

“I had been suffering from blisters

with about 20km to go and my legs

were staring to ache. It was a real

struggle, but I was determined to

finish no matter what.”

To read more about Chris’

fundraising journey, and to donate

to his fundraising efforts for St.

Wilfrid’s Hospice, visit: www.

justgiving.com/page/chris-hill-44

Members of the Ashdown Probus

Club learnt all about how East Sussex

household waste is converted into

electricity instead of being put into

landfill at their latest meeting.

Members of the club, for retired and

semi-retired professionals visited the

Newhaven household waste energy

recovery facility where they were

given a tour and watched a video

describing the facility which operates

in similar fashion to a traditional

power station with the incinerators

converting household waste

into electricity.

Full details and activities, visit:

www.ashdownprobus.org.uk. For

memberships, contact the Secretary:

info@ashdownprobus.org.uk or

Mobile: 07782 358100.

Focus on Guiding

Town Mayor, Councillor Natalie Whittle with the Guides

BY TOWN MAYOR,

CLLR NATALIE WHITTLE

Being the Mayor has allowed me

to forge connections with so many

incredible organisations in the town

that I would not otherwise have

encounter. As the mother to boys,

Guiding in Crowborough and Jarvis

Brook is one such group, and this year

I was proud to ask them to be one of

my nominated charities.

Since May when I was elected, I have

spent time with Guides, Brownies and

Rainbows in Crowborough and Jarvis

Brook and I have been developing

these links. I was invited to visit the

celebration of the 50th anniversary

of the Scout and Guide Hall in Jarvis

Brook earlier in the summer and I saw

an amazing collection of memorabilia.

Guides from Jarvis Brook visited the

Town Council chamber and took

part in a mock debate, with some

real thoughtful discussion around

difficult issues.

I was also honoured to join their

celebrations of 60 years of Guiding in

East Sussex, which introduced me to

the delight that is a camp doughnut

(dangerously nice). It’s been a varied

programme of activities, and these

last few visits have really taught

me how important these spaces

and opportunities are for young

women and girls.

Girlguiding in Crowborough District

has been involved in all the major

town events, Sussex Day, the Bonfire

& Carnival’s summer fete, and

Carnival Day itself, raising funds for

guiding and supporting events which

make a difference to the Community.

Naturally, I attend events that the

Town Council host, like the Summer

Fair and the upcoming Fireworks

Night Celebration at Goldsmiths’ on

the 5th of November, but the real

delight is being asked along to events

that I would otherwise not have

been aware of.

Guiding is always represented

at our Remembrance Day Parade,

which this year will be on Sunday 9th

of November. Guiding is a relatively

small, uniformed group within the

town, but has an important presence,

nonetheless. Look out for them

amongst our amazing young people

when they gather alongside veterans

and others to remember the sacrifice

given by our services.

Local estate agent wins

prestigious national award

WELL done to the Crowborough

branch of Peter Oliver Homes

estate agents which has won a

prestigious British Property Award

for Customer Service.

After being mystery shopped

five times, the judging panel

said the Crowborough team was

“head and shoulders above the

rest” and awarded the team its

top Gold Award.

A spokesperson for the firm said:

“This award is a real reminder

that the agent makes all the

difference — and that getting on

the phone, listening, and helping

customers is what matters most.

A huge well done to Wendy and

the Crowborough team — what

an achievement!”

A small piece of

Crowborough’s history has

been given a makeover

THE charming old hand water

pump in New Road, which has

just been given a bit of a spruce up

by Crowborough Town Council,

once provided drinking water

to the cottages along what was

formerly Tubwell Lane.

These old pumps were widely

installed in villages, towns, and

rural areas in the 19th and early

20th centuries to provide reliable

community water sources before

piped water supplies became

common. Now it stands as a lovely

reminder of years gone by.

You can spot it by leaving the

High Street, walking down New

Road past Costa Coffee, and heading

towards the Wealden District

Council car park — it’s tucked away

just on the right.

A spokesperson for the town

council said: “Over the years,

the pump got a bit lost in the

undergrowth, so we’ve tidied it up

Award-winning estate agents, Peter Oliver Homes

again for residents and visitors to

enjoy. Take a stroll, have a look, and

step back in time!”

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news NOVEMBER 2025 ADVERTORIAL 17

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18 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


Get that festive

feeling at the

Christmas Cracker

celebrations

WE don’t know about you,

but for us a key event in

the run up to Christmas is

the annual Crowborough

Christmas Cracker event.

Not only does the town council

organised event bring together

hundreds of people from the

local community but with music,

stalls and the switch on of the

festive lights, it’s a great way to start

feeling festive.

This year the town centre event

starts at 4pm and runs until 6.30pm

on Friday, 28 November. Watch as

the Christmas lights are officially

switched on at 6:00pm, and enjoy

performances from The Rock Choir,

Crowborough Players, local bands,

and school choirs.

Expect a delightful array of street

performers, festive stalls, and

delicious food vendors lining the

High Street, creating a vibrant

atmosphere for all to enjoy. Plus,

children and families can hop on the

land train to visit Santa in his Grotto at

the Social Club on Croft Road.

School friends

raise thousands

THE Friends of Ashdown Primary

School raised more than £18,000 for

the school during 2024-25.

The £18,715 was raised by parents

and friends of the Crowborough

school through a range of fundraising

events including discos, fairs,

auctions, cake sales, and even a

“break the rules day”.

The money has helped fund a

number of school activities and

projects, including £15,000 towards

the new playground pledge.

A spokesperson said: “Every single

penny raised goes straight back into

supporting our children, funding

opportunities, experiences, and

resources that the school budget

just can’t stretch to. A massive thank

you to everyone.”

Hospice in the Weald

Christmas Market

WITH a variety of stalls showcasing

the best from local businesses and

talented craftspeople, the Hospice

in the Weald Christmas Market

takes place on Saturday, 29th and

Sunday, 30th November, from

10.00am until 4.00pm.

Held at the hospice in Pembury, in

addition to visiting the range of stalls

you can book a meeting with Santa,

enrol to a Christmas wreath making

All things

festive for

floral society

TICKETS are on sale now for

Crowborough Flower Club’s big

Christmas event next month.

“The Joy of Christmas” takes place

on Thursday, 4 December at the

community centre and will feature a

special festive demonstration from

Area Demonstrator, Gaenor Circus.

There will also be floral festive

gifts on sale, as well general and

floral raffles, and other Christmas

sales. Tickets cost £13. Contact

vanessabradford27@gmail.com

Don’t forget the Rotary quiz

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

workshop, and indulge in some

festive food. There is a suggested

donation of £5.00 entry fee.

In addition, for this year, as a special

event the market will be open on

Friday the 28th of November, 5.30pm-

8.30pm. This is a ticketed event, so

numbers are limited. in addition to

having the first chance to view the

stalls, refreshments are included in

the ticket price of £12.50.

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.

Charity

fundraiser

for Tanzania

A Crowborough charity is

hosting a “Rocking Music Night”

this month to raise funds for its

projects in Tanzania.

After living and working in Lindi,

South East Tanzania with VSO for

three years, Steve and Sue Scorer

decided to continue helping the

local people in need – so set up

Friends of Lindi in 2018.

Initially this was in the form of

sponsoring two local children to

attend the only English Medium

Primary School in the town. With

the help of friends and family this

number has now grown to six.

Other projects have followed as

funds have been raised. These have

included setting up street libraries

where there are no books, and

sponsoring vocational education.

On 15 November the charity

is holding a music night on 15

November at the United Reform

Hall in Croft Road. The event, which

starts at 7pm features Sussex-based

classic rock band, Far Cry, as well as

guest performers Chris Shepherd

and Ella Brown.

For more information visit:

www.peoplesfundraising.com/

event/rocking-charity-musicnight-in-crowborough

Community

Centre hosts

annual

Christmas

Market

SHOPPERS will be able to get

unique Christmas gifts and

support local creatives and

business owners at the annual

Community Centre Christmas Fair

later this month.

From crafts, decorations, gifts and

food, there will be plenty to enjoy at

the festive event which takes place

on Saturday, 22 November from

10.30am until 2.30pm.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS 19

Ashdown Forest deer warning

as annual rut begins

MOTORISTS using the Ashdown

Forest are being urged to slow down

and be deer aware as the annual

mating season begins.

Every year there are hundreds of

incidents involving deer and vehicles

on the roads across the forest — and

the risk is especially high at this time

of year when the rut begins.

The rutting season is when the

deer become more active as they

extend their territories in search of

mates. They are most active around

the morning and evening rush hour,

meaning there is an increased risk of

collisions with vehicles.

Ash Walmsley, Ashdown Forest

Countryside Manager said: “During

the rut, the male deer compete

for females through aggressive

behaviours including roaring,

parallel walking and antler fighting.

If two stags are of a similar size and

strength, they will lock antlers and

fight for dominance.”

There are three species of deer

living on Ashdown Forest: Fallow,

Roe, and Muntjac. A recent survey,

undertaken by the High Weald Living

Landscape Deer Project, estimated

that there were 13 fallow deer for

every square kilometre of Forest.

The forest has issued the following

tips to reduce the risk of a deer

collision, and what to do if you

are unfortunate enough to be

involved in one:

• If your headlights are on, use

full beams when you can but dip

them if you see deer because

they may ‘freeze’

• Lower your speed when you see a

deer. More deer will likely follow

the first one you see, so be aware

• Always be prepared to stop.

Avoid suddenly swerving to

avoid a deer. Hitting oncoming

traffic or another obstacle

could be even worse

• If you must stop, activate your

hazard warning lights

• Do not approach an injured deer as

it could be dangerous

• If the deer is injured but alive

and either in the road or could go

back onto the road call 999 and

ask for the Police

• If the deer is alive but injured

and unlikely to go into the road,

please call 101 and Police will

contact a deer warden

• If the deer is dead but causing a

road obstruction, call 999

• If the deer is dead but not in the

carriageway, please contact

Wealden District Council for

collection (guidance may

vary in areas outside of the

Wealden District)

• The British Deer Society has

identified the Ashdown Forest as

a hotspot for deer collisions. Their

UK DVC (Deer Vehicle Collision)

map of the area identifies the Forest

as a high-risk.

Rise in electric

vehicle fires

highlighted after

van blaze

A burnt-out electric van in

Crowborough has highlighted a

growing trend in electric vehicle

(EV) fires, recovery experts say.

CMS Rescue & Recovery was called

to remove a Volkswagen ID. Buzz

from a pub car park in August, after it

caught fire while charging.

The firm warned that incidents

like this are becoming increasingly

common, posing new challenges for

recovery and storage.

A spokesperson for CMS said.: “The

electric vehicle fires are something

we are dealing with more and more

now. They cause a few logistical

issues with storage needing to be

sectioned off, and we are seeing more

manufacturers taking these vehicles

back to investigate.”

The recovery operation required

careful planning. Two fire engines

escorted the recovery truck back

to the company’s yard in case the

vehicle re-ignited. After two weeks in

secure storage, Volkswagen collected

the van for investigation.

Experts say that while EV fires

are still relatively rare, the number

of reported incidents is rising as

more electric vehicles hit the roads,

raising questions about safety during

charging and storage.

Cancer patient to raise

funds with 21 mile swim

A CROWBOROUGH cancer patient is set to

swim 21 miles to raise funds for the treatment

centre which has been a “haven” for her.

Bryanna Ryder has limited mobility using

a chair or crutches to get about but can swim

and walk in water. She’s doing the swim for the

Pickering Centre in Tunbridge Wells.

To say thank you for the centre’s support, and to

mark it’s 21st birthday, Bryanna plans to swim or

walk 21 miles in seven days. That’s 175 laps each

day in the pool at the East Sussex National.

She said: “I use the Pickering Centre regularly.

They have helped me and many others with

support, holistic treatments, coffee mornings,

art and crafts, or just to have a chat. It has been

a haven for me and my family

through my diagnosis.”

The Pickering Centre covers Kent and East

Sussex and is completely self-funded. It is an

independent registered charity and is nonmedical

— its aim is to support the emotional side

of a cancer diagnosis. It has won a Queen’s Award

for Voluntary Service.

Bryanna, who has primary and secondary

cancers, added: “I want to give back so that others

can continue to get help and support in their time

of need. We are so grateful to them for all they

have done for us and the local community.”

To support Bryanna visit the web page:

www.justgiving.com/page/bryanna-swim21

Tel: 01892 611811 (24 Hours)

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20 NEWS

NOVEMBER 2025


Will’s Café and Grill gets poor hygiene

rating — for the second time

THE café in Crowborough that

pledged to make improvements

after being given a one-star

food hygiene rating earlier in

the summer — has been rated

one star again.

Wealden District Council’s

Environmental Health service has

issued Will’s Café and Grill in the

Broadway with a Food Hygiene

Improvement Notice — “for poor

standard of cleaning in the kitchen”

and “lack of training and food

hygiene awareness”.

Crowborough News first reported

that the café and grill had been

given a one-star food hygiene rating,

the second lowest, following an

inspection by environmental health

officers on June 4, 2025.

At the time the owners of the

family-run business told us they only

took over the café in February and

had been working hard to improve

it — investing in new equipment, new

bins, and repairing areas highlighted

by the inspection.

They were confident the café was

much improved and would get a four

star rating when it was reinspected.

Instead, the follow-up inspection

on 10 September has resulted in the

same outcome — one star with “major

improvement necessary”.

According to the Wealden District

Council website the district has

almost 1,500 outlets that are subject

to food hygiene inspections. At April

2025 only two had the one-star rating.

There were no zero star ratings, and

most, 970, have the top five-star “very

good” assessment.

A hygiene improvement notice is

a formal legal document issued by

an enforcement authority to a food

business that is failing to comply with

hygiene regulations. It requires the

business to take specific steps to fix

the identified problems within a set

timeframe, and failure to comply is a

criminal offence.

The second inspection result will

come as a surprise to the seven

reviewers on Trip Advisor who all

rated the café either “excellent” or

“good”. This gives the café an average

Trip Advisor score of 4.6. Some of

the positive comments included:

“Delicious, nicely presented. Lovely

friendly staff — felt very welcome”

and “I cannot speak more highly

of this fantastic café restaurant.

Visited, for the first time, with

family after various word of mouth

recommendations and we were

not disappointed.”

The inspection was carried

out by food safety officers at

Wealden District Council and the

results are published by the Food

Standards Agency.

Wealden’s Environmental Health

Enforcement Policy says it has a duty

to protect public health. In deciding

what action to take against a business,

one of the considerations will be a

business’ past performance. The

council has a range of enforcement

options from cautions, fines,

or even closure.

For details of the FSA inspection

visit: https://ratings.food.gov.uk/

business/1738919/wills-cafe-andgrill-crowborough

Economy v Environment — debate as

Gatwick’s second runway gets the go-ahead

A typical day of arrivals on westerly operations

A typical day of arrivals on easterly operations

Business fair brings

firms together

HUNDREDS more aircraft will

be using the flightpath over

Crowborough after the Govt

approved plans for a second runway

at Gatwick Airport.

The decision has been welcomed

by some as boost for the economy,

but by others as “catastrophic”

for the environment and the

local community.

The northern runway, which will

be put into permanent use, already

exists parallel to Gatwick’s main one,

but cannot be used at the same time,

as it is too close. It is currently limited

to being a taxiway and is only used

for take-offs and landings if the main

one has to shut.

The £2.2bn expansion project

will see it move 12 metres north so

both can operate simultaneously,

facilitating 100,000 extra flights a

year, 14,000 jobs, and £1bn a year for

the economy, according to Gatwick

Airport. It would also mean the airport

could process 75 million passengers a

year by the late 2030s.

Gatwick handles an average

of approximately 726 aircraft

movements (landings and take-offs)

per day and bringing the second

runway into use will allow for nearly

190 additional flights per day once

fully operational. Gatwick is already

the second busiest airport in the

UK, and the busiest single runway

airport in Europe.

No public money is being used for

the expansion plan, which airport

bosses say could see the new runway

operational by 2029. The expansion

was initially rejected by the Planning

Inspectorate over concerns about its

provisions for noise prevention and

public transport connections.

The government says it is now

satisfied the airport has addressed

concerns and made additions to its

plan. Nearby residents affected by

noise will also be able to charge the

Source: Flightpath information from Gatwick Airport’s Aviation Noise report

airport for the cost of triple-glazed

windows. And people who live directly

under the flight path who choose

to sell their homes could have their

stamp duty and estate agent fees paid

for up to 1% of the purchase price.

However, although Crowborough

is directly under the flightpath for

arrivals into Gatwick, it is unlikely to

be eligible for any compensation.

The Campaign Against Gatwick

Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) says it

still has concerns about noise, housing

provision, and waste water treatment.

It says the second runway will add an

extra million tonnes of carbon into

the atmosphere. The group says it will

lodge a judicial review.

Friends of the Earth is among the

many environmental groups angry

at the decision. It says the economic

benefits have been “massively

overstated”. A spokesperson said:

“With emissions from aviation rising

as climate extremes increasingly

batter the planet with more intense

floods, droughts and wildfires, it’s a

struggle to see how the government

can conclude expansion at Gatwick

is a wise move.”

MORE than 30 firms came together

for the very first Crowborough

Business Fair, a collaboration

between Basepoint Crowborough

and Crowborough Connections.

The event, which was officially

opened by Crowborough Mayor, Cllr

Natalie Whittle, gave local business

people a day of networking, learning,

and collaboration. Local MP, Nus

Ghani, also attended.

Cllr Whittle praised the initiative

and spoke about the importance

of providing platforms that

encourage local business growth and

community partnerships.

Guest speakers included Chris

Murphy, The Speaking Mentor, who

shared expert guidance on effective

communication and presentation,

and Chris Lyle from Let’s Do

Business, who offered valuable

insights into business development

and the support available for

growing enterprises.

The fair was hosted in the

professional setting in Basepoint

Crowborough, led by the centre team,

Community Manager Gill Evaroa and

Assistant Community Manager Josh

Matthews, who worked closely with

Crowborough Connections to deliver

the inaugural event.

Gill said: “It was a wonderful

event with an incredibly friendly

feel. The turnout and energy in the

room showed just how strong the

local business community is here

in Crowborough.”

Zoe Britton of Arracan Group

- Coordinator of Crowborough

Photo credit Michelle Wallis, Candid Photography

Connections Business Networking

Group added: “The conversations

were flowing, networking and

relationship building in the fantastic

setting of Basepoint Crowborough,

the speakers were incredible.

Thank you to everyone who had

an exhibition stand, to those who

attended and supported the team

with this incredible first event. I am

incredibly proud to have been part of

an amazing team”

The Business Fair provided a

valuable opportunity for attendees

and local businesses to make new

connections, exchange ideas, and

strengthen relationships within

the local economy. Organisers

confirmed the success of this first

collaboration has laid the foundation

for similar events in the future, giving

Crowborough’s businesses a regular

space to come together and grow.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news NOVEMBER 2025 REGULARS 21

U3A

U3A UKELE GROUP

BY BRIAN CHILD

THE ukulele group came into being

in 2019 as a result of a suggestion in

the U3A newsletter to see if anyone

was interested in such a group. After

a positive initial meeting in June 2019,

a first session was held at a room in

Crowborough Fire Station.

The attraction of this room was that

for U3A meetings, the Fire Authority

did not make a charge for the room. This

however had some strict instructions

to ensure room was open for firemen to

come through the room in the case of an

urgent call out!

The group grew from just a few in the

following months, and in early December

we felt we were up to performing at

the Community Centre in a show called

“U3A has got talent”!

Unfortunately, of course, everything

came to a halt when Covid struck, and

we could not meet. During this period

we did try to continue to keep in touch

over Zoom, and tried to play and sing,

but that was too difficult as we could not

keep together because of the time lag.

We did reform in 2021 and had to

arrange an alternative venue, ending up

in the Community Centre on the second

and fourth Fridays of the month. As

time went on, the group grew and we

began to be asked to go to various local

organisations, such as Care Homes,

the elderly, and also to church based

meetings for different groups, and even

performed on one occasion at a local

primary school, to entertain them, and

hopefully brighten their day!

The group actually gains great

pleasure in performing to these groups,

and we get a lot out of it ourselves.

We now number in the region of 25,

and are lucky to have a great venue

now to practice at the Crowborough

Community Centre.

Just so you have an understanding of

the Ukulele world, the instruments are

basically in five groups, soprano, Concert,

tenor, Baritone and Bass they all have

just four strings although eight string

Concert and Tenors are now available.

Another new design is coming with five

strings but with a high G and a low g.We

also use Kazoos for a bit of fun.

What you will need to play in a Ukulele

group is a Ukulele, music stand, a Kazoo,

a tuner and what is very useful is a stand

for your Ukulele when not playing. Some

use a felt plectrum as opposed to fingers.

Music, so covering 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s

and 80’s. Our music ranges from gospel

to modern blues. Old London songs to

ABBA. Rock-n-roll to ballads. We don’t

read the dots but have chords printed

on our lyric sheets. So its all about

the strumming and learning chords

but having fun.

We look forward to continuing to play

together and also playing for other local

groups. If you are interested we can be

contacted via the Crowborough U3A

Website under groups where there is a

link to send an email.

OPEN DAY EVENT SHOWS

POPULARITY OF U3A GROUPS

It was standing room only at the open

day arranged by Crowborough U3A

to showcase the huge number of

interest and activity groups people can

get involved with.

The event was held at the Crowborough

Community Centre on 16 October and

hundreds of people came along to see

displays of some of the 80 plus different

groups that are part of the U3A set up.

The Crowborough branch of the U3A,

which is for anyone no longer in full-time

employment, is one of the busiest and

most popular in the country with more

than 700 members. Its aim is to bring

people together who share interests,

learn new skills, and socialise.

The groups cover a wide and diverse

range of subjects and meet with different

frequencies at the community centre or

other venues in the town. They include

local history, walking, poetry, gardening,

canasta, sea shanties, theatre, table

tennis, croquet, folk music, literature,

photography, and many, many more!

The main hall at the community centre

was packed with groups and visitors for

the event. The groups showcasing what

they do included the embroidery, card

making, ukulele, singing for fun, railway,

and woodwork groups — as well as

numerous others.

To find out more about Crowborough

U3A and the full list of groups, and

how to join, visit: https://crowborough.

u3asite.uk/welcome/

22 REGULARS

NOVEMBER 2025


GARDENING TIPS with Rachael Collins from Babylon Eco Centre

WINTER BLUES? PLANT CHEERFUL

CONTAINER GARDENS

MY ideal garden conjures images of

borders billowing with kaleidoscopic

herbaceous perennials and grasses

wafting in the breeze, all covered in

bees and butterflies. So, at this time of

year, when said wonderful colour and

movement fade to brown, soggy leaves

and sticks, I can start to feel a bit sad.

To mitigate my sadness and bring a

bit of fresh planty joy back into my life,

I like to make sure I have vibrant winter

pots on my patio, where I can see them

from the lounge window. This helps me

feel good on many levels: first, a quick

dopamine rush when buying the plants;

a good dose of Vitamin D when planting

them on a sunny day; and then a calming,

mindful experience when looking at

them with a cuppa in hand. With careful

selection, you can also think of your

winter pots as nursery beds for small

evergreen shrubs, perennials and grasses

you might like to plant out into your

borders the following spring.

Last month, I talked about planting

bulbs in pots for my patio, which leaves

me with pots which look like they are

full of soil and nothing else! On top of

these early-spring-flowering bulb pots, I

like to cram in as many cheery violas as

I can. Even modern hybrids (as long as

they are grown peat- and pesticide-free)

will benefit wildlife by providing a food

source for pollinators. On top of pots filled

with tulip bulbs, I like to pop in some

Wallflowers (Erysimum), which have

evergreen leaves and will flower around

the same time as the tulips.

In larger pots, for structure, I like to

experiment with mixtures of evergreen

perennials. My favourite winter shrubs

are those which provide either food

or scent, so I tend to use young sweet

box (Sarcococca), Skimmia (both great

for shade), Rosemary (great for sunny

sites) and Bay. Other great choices

are dwarf pines, Hebe’s, Heathers and

Wintergreen (Gaultheria).

For colour, choose from Hellebores,

Heuchera, Ajuga, Euphorbias and

Primroses all of which come in a wide

variety of leaf and flower colour.

Evergreen ferns such as species of

Dryopteris and Asplenium add green

lushness, but these are best placed in

pots in sheltered and shady sites to

prevent them from wind and sun scorch.

To give movement and texture, add

evergreen grasses, such as species of

Carex, e.g. Carex ‘Frosted curls’ , or

Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus

nigrescens), which is great planted in the

shade with ferns.

For success with winter pots, make sure

your pot is frost-proof, the compost is

well-drained — mix in a little grit to help

drainage - and raise the pot off the floor

on pot feet or bricks.

Molly, the retail manager here at

Babylon, gives some suggestions

for treating yourself to a new

frost-free planter.

At Babylon we have a small but

interesting range of pots. We like to

source products that stand out, ones that

you don’t see every day.

One particular brand that stands out to

me is the Errington Reay & Co “Elements”

range. Not just for appearance but also

for practicality over the winter period, as

they’re frost-proof. Handmade here in the

UK, this is why I love them.

Their natural colours fit in well to

showcase the gorgeous array of plants

you choose to pot up.

Each one has its own unique finish

and, once planted up, they stand alone in

the garden, looking wonderful. Perfect

for any scene, these pots give class and

sophistication.

VMA FITNESS with Ellie Lear

HEALTH AND FITNESS: SMALL

STEPS MAKE BIG CHANGES

vmafitness.co.uk

DO you move daily? My motto is ‘use it

or lose it’. You need to keep your body

mobile and active to achieve health and

life longevity.

You don’t need a gym membership or

fancy equipment to take care of your

health. Some of the best things you

can do for your body and mind require

nothing more than a bit of movement

each day either at home, in the garden or

at a local park.

Regular movement, even in small

amounts, can have a big impact on your

overall health. Physical activity helps

to maintain a healthy weight, supports

heart health, strengthens muscles

and bones, and improves balance and

flexibility. It’s also great for your mental

wellbeing. Daily movement can help

boost your mood, reduce stress, improve

sleep as well as reducing the risks of

common health conditions including

type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and

joint stiffness.

Whether you’re at home, in your

garden or enjoying some outdoor space,

here are a few easy ways to get moving:

• Walking: A brisk walk around the

block or through the park is one of

the simplest and most effective ways

to stay active.

• Bodyweight exercises: Squats,

lunges, or even gentle wall push-ups

help to build strength using your

own body weight.

• Stretching or light yoga: Great for

flexibility and joint health. Stretching

is an excellent way to start or end

your day. There are lots of yoga

classes to follow on you-tube.

• Dancing: Put on your favourite music

in the kitchen and move however

feels good — it’s great cardio and a lot

of fun for all ages.

• Seated Options: Staying seated

doesn’t mean staying still. There

are plenty of gentle ways to stay

active from a chair:

• March your legs up and

down while seated.

• Do arm circles or slow

punches in the air.

• Try leg extensions — slowly lift

and hold each leg.

You don’t need to do it all at once.

Just a few minutes a day adds up

over time. The key is consistency

— building movement into your

daily routine in ways that feel

comfortable and enjoyable.

So whether it’s a stroll round

Goldsmiths, doing 10 squats whilst

the kettle boils or stretching during

your favourite TV show, every little

bit counts to improving your overall

wellbeing. Give it a try, your future self

will thank you.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news NOVEMBER 2025 CROWBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL 23

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 looks ahead: A positive

vision for our growing community

AT Crowborough Town Council,

our focus is simple: making

Crowborough an even better place

to live, work, and play. With 16

councillors elected every four years,

we meet regularly in Full Council

and committee meetings to make

decisions that matter to our town.

Our committees cover everything

from planning and development,

sport and recreation, environment,

communications and events, to

allotments, cemeteries, and finance.

We’re proud to operate

transparently, welcoming

residents to attend meetings —

either in person or via Zoom — to

ask questions and share their

views. Every decision is made

with the community in mind,

and our dedicated staff, led by

the Town Clerk, work tirelessly to

Investing wisely: How your local

Council supports Crowborough

CROWBOROUGH Town Council

takes its financial responsibilities

seriously. Each year, committees

set budgets for the coming

year, which are reviewed by the

Finance & General Purposes

Committee before approval by

Full Council. The local precept

(the portion of your council tax

that funds the town council’s

services and activities), collected

on our behalf by Wealden District

Council, ensures we have the funds

to deliver essential services and

invest in the town’s future.

Our approach balances careful

investment with value for money.

Staff costs, maintenance, grants,

and improvements are monitored

closely, with independent audits

ensuring transparency. We are

planning significant investments

maintain our parks, sports facilities,

nature reserves, cemeteries,

allotments, and buildings.

The Town Mayor, elected annually,

represents Crowborough with

pride and supports local charities

throughout their term, highlighting

the importance of community

spirit. Together, we strive to create

a safe, sustainable, and welcoming

town for everyone.

while keeping a sensible approach to

spending — because a thriving

Crowborough starts with responsible

management of public funds.

Bringing people together:

Events, facilities, and community spirit

ONE of the highlights of council life is

supporting events and facilities

that bring the town together. Our

Communications and Events

Committee plans everything from

the annual Remembrance Parade to

the Summer Fair, Fireworks Night,

Christmas Cracker, Festive Lights

and more, while promoting local

clubs and activities.

We’re also exploring ways to

improve communications through a

new website, helping residents stay

connected. From sports facilities

to parks, recreation grounds,

and a planned climbing boulder,

our initiatives focus on making

Crowborough a lively, welcoming

hub. You will soon see a new play

park at Silver Jubilee Pleasure

Ground on Green Lane, and we are

working on upgrading the play park at

Adam Field too.

These projects celebrate

Crowborough’s unique identity while

encouraging social engagement,

physical activity, and local pride.

Building a better community, together

OUR vision is clear — Crowborough

should be an excellent place

for everyone. Through careful

planning, community engagement,

and smart investment, we are

working to achieve that vision. From

enhancing parks and recreation

facilities to hosting community

events and improving council

infrastructure, Crowborough

is moving forward guided by

sustainability, transparency, and

care for all residents.

CONTACT US

We love hearing from our residents!

Whether you have a question,

want to share your ideas, or simply

want to stay up to date with what’s

happening in Crowborough, there

are plenty of ways to get in touch and

find out more.

Send us an email at info@

crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk

or give us a call on 01892 652907.

You can also visit our website and

social media pages or pop into

the council offices at Pine Grove,

Crowborough, TN6 1DH or you

are welcome to come along to

one of our council meetings — we

always welcome members of

the community.

A greener, more connected

Crowborough: Enhancing

outdoor spaces

SUSTAINABILITY is at the heart of

our long-term plan. Environmental

improvements are underway

across the town, from sensory

walks to composting initiatives on

all council sites, water harvesting

tanks at allotments, and projects

to enhance council assets with ecofriendly

features like solar panels

and heat pumps.

Crowborough Walking Trails,

planned for 2025/26, will encourage

residents and visitors to explore

the town on foot, supporting both

wellbeing and tourism. Upgrades

to Eridge Field will ensure outdoor

spaces are ready for events and

recreation, while longer-term

projects, such as a Youth Pod,

will provide modern, safe spaces

for young people.

These initiatives show how we are

protecting Crowborough’s natural

beauty while making it accessible and

enjoyable for everyone.

Looking ahead:

Major projects shaping

the next five years

EXCITING projects are on the

horizon. The major refurbishment

of Wolfe Pavilion, funded through

the Wealden District Council

Community Led Infrastructure

Fund, will create a modern

facility for sport and recreation.

A new café at Wolfe Recreation

Ground will provide amenities

for visitors, and we are exploring

options such as a splash pad

for water play.

We are also considering a presence

on the High Street, where a potential

Crowborough Museum and Tourist

Information Hub could celebrate our

town’s history and attract visitors.

Meanwhile, we are reviewing future

projects for unused land at Owlsbury.

We are exploring sustainable

approaches, such as growing our

award-winning blooms locally in

poly tunnels instead of sourcing

them elsewhere.

Every project is carefully planned,

with realistic budgets and timelines,

to ensure sustainable growth and

positive outcomes for Crowborough.

Residents are encouraged to stay

involved, attend council meetings,

and keep up to date through our

website. Together, we are shaping a

future that is safe, sustainable, and

full of opportunities for all.

NEXT MEETINGS

Monday 3rd November — Planning and Development Committee

Tuesday 11th November — Sports and Recreation Committee

Tuesday 18th November — Full Council

Monday 24 November — Planning and Development Committee

Tuesday 25th November— Allotments and Cemetries 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

Facebook: @crowboroughtowncouncil

X: @CrowboroughTC • Instagram: @CrowboroughTownCouncil

7 1 4 9 8 5 3 6 2

24 PUZZLES

NOVEMBER 2025


PUZZLES

WORDSEARCH

Made of Paper

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.

BAGS

BOOK

CERTIFICATE

CONFETTI

DIARY

ENVELOPE

FILTER

INVOICE

KITE

LANTERN

MAGAZINE

MAP

MENU

NEWSLETTER

PLANE

PLAYING CARDS

TICKET

TISSUE

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

ROOF

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

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

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

Check-box

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

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

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CODEWORD

3 9 25 20 12 11 18 22 3 10 14 3 11 15

8 18 20 5 10 17 10

8 10 7 9 20 11 3 23 8 3 9 26 20 16

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10 15 14 14 18 20 14

12 20 2 12 20 6 20 9 26 5 18 12 11 20

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Panels Frame/Panels Conversions Replacements Cork Spray

S G Z A O E U I F D O R J

U D E F L T O O T E M Y R

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9 Directing a course (8)

11 Belonging to that

woman (4)

14 Expresses

approval of (7)

15 Collection of facts (4)

16 Foot covering (4)

17 Discharge (7)

18 Divisions of a week (4)

21 Became fully

aware of (8)

22 Line of contrasting

colour (6)

24 Pined for, desired (6)

25 Put in (6)

Down

1 Month of the year (5)

2 Behind (5)

3 Device used to

propel a boat (3)

4 Comprehends (11)

CROSSWORD

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

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14

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21

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6 Garden pest (4)

8 Founded (11)

10 Not any person (6)

12 Make possible (6)

13 Effervescent (9)

19 Similar (5)

20 Aroma (5)

21 Bread bun (4)

23 Bronze (3)

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.

7 3

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Conservatory

Roof Solutions

www.roofx.uk

0800 00 33 55

22 23

SOLUTIONS

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

CODEWORD

M E A D O W U N I O N S

A F A N M L

R E T I R E D P U

C E S T E E R I N G

H E R S T R E O

N P R A I S E S B

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WORDSEARCH

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS 25

Awards for top teacher and

community volunteer

A CROWBOROUGH teacher and a

Jarvis Brook community volunteer

were among those celebrated at a

recent Community Awards evening.

Organised by Ashdown Radio

with Wealden Volunteering,

the community awards are

held bi-annually to applaud the

incredible work and efforts of those

in our community.

Among the winners were Fran

Newman from Sir Henry Fermor

School who scooped the Teacher

of the Year Award – “A teacher

who inspires pupils through their

enthusiasm and commitment and is

always willing to go the extra mile.”

And the award for Good

Neighbour of the Year went to Bev

Pashley who is behind a number

of community projects in Jarvis

Brook including the ambitious

project for a new arts and youth

centre, and also the expansion of

the skatepark. The award celebrates

“a neighbour that goes above

and beyond to help those in their

neighbourhood”.

Held at the East Sussex National

Hotel in Uckfield the awards evening

was hosted by the organiser of

the awards and Ashdown Radio’s

Business Development Manager Gary

King, assisted by Judith Austin CEO of

Wealden Volunteering.

A spokesperson for Wealden

Volunteering said afterwards: “These

awards shine a light on some of the

amazing efforts, and give a little

recognition to that, but it’s truly

inspiring seeing how many work so

hard to better the lives of others.”

Hair and beauty

salon hosts

fundraiser

AFRODITE Hair and Beauty Salon

in Crowborough hosted a “Turn

the Salon Pink” charity evening

in support of CoppaFeel! and

Breast Cancer Now.

The event at the salon in Connors

Yard welcomed Crowborough

Mayor, Cllr Natalie Whittle, and

featured educational videos, pink

decorations — including handmade

wreaths from the WI Uckfield

Divas — and fun games supplied by

Breast Cancer Now. A raffle with

prizes from local businesses helped

raise £110 so far, with donations

still coming in.

Founded by sisters Frankie and

Amy in May, the Afrodite salon

has also introduced advanced

treatments including a new Oncology

Massage, designed to support clients

affected by cancer.

Crowborough Athletic Women

are back — and in style!

BY ABI GARETY

CROWBOROUGH Athletic Women

made history this month, securing

their first win for a Crowborough

women’s side since the 2014/15

season, when the club last fielded a

team at Jarvis Brook.

The 4–1 victory over Haywards

Heath Town marks a monumental

moment, not only for the players

on the pitch but for the entire club

and its commitment to bringing the

women’s game to the forefront at

Crowborough Athletic.

The Crows produced a strong,

resilient performance from start

to finish, pressing high and setting

the tone early. A thunderous strike

from centre-back Anna Purnell and

a clinical hat-trick from Player of the

Match Camilla McPhail ensured the

team claimed all three points in style.

A spokesperson said: “It was a proud

day for everyone connected with the

club, with several of Crowborough’s

girls’ youth players joining as

mascots and a lively crowd cheering

from the stands, a clear sign of the

growing support for the women’s and

girls’ pathway.

“This victory represents far more

than a scoreline; it’s a statement of

intent and a celebration of progress

for Crowborough Athletic as they

continue to invest in and champion

women’s football.”

The GOSTART1968 studio is above Banfields estate agents, Broadway,

Crowborough and is open five days a week viewing is by APPOINTMENT.

What we offer:

Original art pieces and prints

A range of signed books and cards

Advice and practical lessons on how to create art

GOSTART1968 is run by Dr Gary Hatter. Dr Hatter received his

Doctorate in July 2025 from Charter University. He has a PGCE, MEd and

a degree in fine art.

His last exhibition was in Queens Park, London. In four days he sold 45%

of his art pieces. His next art exhibition in April 2026.

DBS registered. Come and see a working art studio in action.

Hatter1968@hotmail.com 07587273 185

26 SPORT NOVEMBER 2025


Crowborough club scoops medal haul

at Taekwondo world championships

A Crowborough teenager has beaten

off competition from around the

world to be crowned a Taekwondo

World Champion.

Gaby Lear, 14, won gold in the

pre-junior Pattern section of the

Taekwondo World Championships

held in Croatia this month. She

was also presented with the trophy

for Overall Pre-Junior Female

at the event for the most points

accumulated in her age range.

Gaby was one of eight members of

Crowborough’s Vision Taekwondo

Club who were part of the 50-strong

England team competing in the

championships. A total of 1,500

competitors from 53 nations took part

in the four day event.

There was also success for

Crowborough’s Ellena Lobley and

Ryan Hosking-Potton who won silver

in the women’s pattern and silver

in the pre-junior sparring events

respectively — making them both

World Vice Champions.

The Crowborough contingent

amassed an amazing eight medals

Ellena Lobley. World Vice Champion

— helping England to a total of 18

and ninth place in the medal table.

The Crowborough group was Nick

Edmunds, Ellena Lobley, Ruby King,

Dexter Williams, Oliver Wright,

Eloise Jenkins, Ryan Hosking-Potton,

and Gaby Lear.

There are 5 events at the World

Championships: Patterns,

Sparring, Pre-Arranged Sparring,

Special Technique (flying kicks)

and Power Test (board breaking).

The competitors compete first

Team England’s Team Crowborough

as individuals and then teams on

the final day.

The Crowborough medals were:

• Gold, Gaby Lear, Pre-Junior

1st Degree Pattern — WORLD

CHAMPION

• Silver, Ellena Lobley,

Female 3rd Degree Pattern,

Vice World Champion

• Silver, Ryan Hosking-Potton,

Pre-Junior Male, -45kgs Sparring,

Vice World Champion

• Silver, Gaby Lear Pre-Junior

Female, -48kgs Sparring,

Vice World Champion

• Silver, Gaby & Ryan, Pre-Junior

Pre-Arranged Sparring, Vice

World Champions

• Bronze, Dexter Williams &

Oliver Wright, Junior team

Special Technique

• Bronze, Dexter Williams,

Junior team Pattern

• Bronze. Ellena Lobley,

Female Team Pattern

A spokesperson for the

Crowborough club said: “Our

contingent had an extremely

successful week. Not everyone

had the results they were hoping

for but we still saw some top draw

performances and incredible amount

of experience gained.

“The team spirit and the

sportsmanship on the National Team

was testament to them all and the

Gaby Lear — World Champion and

best overall pre-junior female

Ryan Hosking-Potton — World Vice Champion

hours of dedication in their training

in the gym, training hall and on the

track. We are proud of these results.”

Golf club celebrates 130 years

IN the summer, Crowborough

Beacon Golf Club was named one of

the top 100 golf courses in England.

It was a fitting endorsement as the

club prepared to celebrate its 130th

anniversary in October. The Ladies

Vice-Captain, Angela Fry, told us a bit

more about the history of the club.

Golf began at Crowborough on a

wet October day in 1895 when Lady

Cantelupe hit the first shot on the

new, rather primitive, nine hole

Crowborough Beacon Golf course.

Over the following three years more

holes were added and by April 1898 a

full 18 holes was complete.

In 1896 the Ladies’ section was

formed with the first Ladies Captain

being Miss W.M. Langridge. The

first Ladies’ committee meeting

was held on 5th June that year

making Crowborough Beacon one

of the first clubs in Sussex to have a

ladies section.

Enid Wilson

In 1906 Crowborough Beacon Golf

Club Limited became the registered

freehold owners of the land. Work

began on a new clubhouse and

the new one, much as it is today,

was completed and open for

business in 1907.

Over its history, the club’s course

was influenced by renowned course

architects Harry S. Colt and Dr.

Alister Mackenzie.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lived with

his wife, Lady Jean in Crowborough,

in a house called “Windlesham”

overlooking the golf course from 1907

until his death in July 1930. Sir Arthur

was a keen golfer and in 1909 became

a committee member followed by

being elected as Captain the following

year - 1910. Although a member

of other clubs, Crowborough was

nearest and dearest to him.

Sir Arthur, the creator of the great

detective, Sherlock Holmes, penned

many of his best works whilst looking

out of his study window across our

great golf course. His second wife

Lady Jean Conan Doyle was Ladies

Captain in 1911.

Enid Wilson was one of the greatest

golfers of her day who lived locally

and was a member of Crowborough

Beacon Golf club. She was British

Ladies Amateur golf champion three

years in a row, 1931, 1932 and 1933.

Enid never turned professional and

instead embarked upon a successful

career in golf journalism with her

own column in “Golf Illustrated”

and writing numerous articles for

other golfing magazines. Later

Enid became the Daily Telegraph’s

womens’ golf correspondent

retiring in the 1970s.

At the age of 71 Enid was still

playing off a handicap of five, then

two years later she came down

to four! She could still be seen

tramping the fairways with her old

leather bag slung over her shoulder

well into her 80s.

Today the club is still a members’

club that continues to host significant

events on its heathland course

which is situated on one of Sussex’s

highest points.

To commemorate this anniversary a

celebratory dinner was held on Friday

3rd October with members wined and

dined in a style befitting the era. This

included such delicacies as pottage

soup, chicken livers, gammon, fried

white fish accompanied by boiled

potatoes, pickled cabbage, turnips

and white beans. Plum pudding and

custard as well as Stilton with toasted

pulled bread, salted butter pat and ale

onions finished off the evening with a

few glasses of port.

On Saturday 4th October members

were given a chance to ditch the

modern equipment and play with

hickory shafted clubs in a team

scramble. This gave them an insight

into how difficult golf was for the

founder members of the club. Many

of the competitors embraced the

occasion by dressing in period clothes

as well as getting used to Hickory

clubs. Coping admirably with the

ancient equipment were winners

on the day, Nick Beck, Max Howard,

Terry Hughes and Andy Selfe.

More information can be found on

the Clubs website: www.cbgc.co.uk

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

Jarvis Brook shines through

a memorable October

OCTOBER proved to be a landmark

month for Jarvis Brook Football

Club, with exciting cup ties,

record-breaking crowds, and

a vibrant atmosphere echoing

across the Tester and Jones

Sportsground. While challenges

surfaced, the spirit and strength

of this community club were on

full display — reminding us once

again just how fortunate we are to

call it our own.

The first team may have

experienced a slight dip in league

form, but progress in both the League

Cup and County Cup gave supporters

plenty to cheer about. The undeniable

highlight came on Tuesday 7th

October, when Jarvis Brook hosted

Worthing in the Sussex Senior Cup —

our most high-profile opponents to

date from the National League South.

Though the scoreline favoured

the visitors, the occasion was a

resounding success. A record crowd

of nearly 500 filled the ground in a

show of outstanding local support,

creating a special atmosphere

Strong start continues

for Crowborough Men;

Women show fight

despite tough fixtures

that will live long in the memory.

Worthing proved to be fantastic

guests, earning praise for their

professionalism and sportsmanship

both on and off the pitch.

Off the field, October brought

change to the dugout as manager

Jacob Baldwin and assistant Reece

McQuade stepped down from their

roles. Both men leave behind a legacy

of commitment and progress, and

the entire club extends its heartfelt

thanks for their contributions. As the

search for a new manager begins,

the team has shown its resilience,

with senior figures stepping in to

maintain stability.

Leading by example is club captain

George Holman, whose leadership

on and off the pitch continues to

reflect everything Jarvis Brook

stands for. His presence has been

a steadying influence during this

time of transition.

Elsewhere in the club, October

brought plenty of success stories.

The reserve team is going from

strength to strength, driven by a

focused management group and a

determined squad. Meanwhile, the

Under-23s delivered an impressive

away performance at Peacehaven,

showcasing the depth of talent

coming through the ranks.

The heartbeat of the club — its

youth and junior section — continues

to thrive. With growing demand

across all age groups, the future

looks bright. Weekends at the club

are a hive of activity, with training,

matches, and smiles everywhere you

look. It’s this energy and passion at

grassroots level that keeps the Jarvis

Brook spirit alive.

In a month that mixed triumph

with transition, the overriding

feeling is one of pride. October

reminded us that while results

may vary, our commitment to

community, development, and

enjoyment of the game remains

unshakeable. Here’s to many

more memorable months ahead at

Jarvis Brook FC.

BY VICKY WAYMAN

CROWBOROUGH Hockey Club’s

Men’s Ones continued their strong

form, earning four points from

two matches. They secured their

first home win of the season with

a commanding 5-0 victory over

Horsham Threes, featuring goals

from Harry Turner (penalty flick),

Chris Cowan (drag flick), and

further strikes by Hamish Marr,

Olly Yeomans, and James Partridge.

Their next fixture was a 2-2 draw

against Crawley, despite missing six

regulars. Crawley scored twice from

short corners, but Crowborough

responded through Cameron

McCabe and Hamish Marr, with

Mikey Orchard’s goalkeeping

ensuring a share of the points.

The Women’s Ones played two

tough matches, losing 3-1 to East

Grinstead despite Sandra Hepple’s

excellent saves and a powerful

equalizer from captain Sam Williams.

Late goals saw East Grinstead pull

ahead, and midfielder Charlotte

Richardson suffered an injury.

In their next match, Kate Baxter

scored twice, but the team fell

4-2 to Eastbourne, with defender

Millie Rymer-Gough sustaining a

head injury. Despite the losses, the

team showed fluidity and promise

for future games.

Women’s Twos maintained their

strong start, winning 2-1 against

Eastbourne with goals from Lottie

Currie and Matilda Whitney. Daisy

Howes was named player of the

match for her defensive work. They

followed up with a thrilling 5-4 home

win over South Saxons, with Currie

scoring twice and additional goals

from Fiona von-Hinten, Whitney,

and Caroline Cardoza. Olivia Springer

impressed on her debut, and Emma

Chrismas was also in fine form.

Men’s Twos, previously unbeaten,

lost a top-of-the-table clash to East

Grinstead. After trailing 3-0 at

halftime, they fought back with late

goals from Darren Pullman and

Steve Burns, and nearly equalized

through Ted Fulham. The previous

week was a bye.

Men’s Threes enjoyed a perfect run,

winning both matches. They beat

South Saxons 2-0 with goals from

James Lee and Harvey Holman, and

then Worthing Sevens 4-0, featuring

two goals from Nate Potter, one from

Eddie Dennett, and another from

George Lawson. Goalkeeper Albie

Stubbings and Sam Shearn were

standout performers.

Women’s Threes lost 3-1 to Burgess

Hill after goalkeeper Alice Deadmon

was injured, with Ana Ditrich

stepping in. Sally Bolton scored

Crowborough’s goal. The team had a

bye the following week.

Women’s Fours drew 0-0 with

Brighton, thanks to Amanda Catling’s

goalkeeping and Rachel Catling’s

return. The next week, they lost

7-1 to Hailsham, but improved in

the second half. Jennie Turner was

player of the match, and Willow

Cureton impressed on her debut.

Jen Brough scored Crowborough’s

consolation goal. Captain Bethy

Catling suffered a head injury and

was unable to continue.

The boys’ development team lost

8-1 to Eastbourne but improved

after halftime, with Will Rendall

scoring. The girls’ development team

dominated much of their match

against Eastbourne but lost 2-1, with

a disallowed goal and strong passages

of play. Both teams had two bye

weeks due to half term.

28 SPORT

NOVEMBER 2025


Sport

Momentum builds

for the Crows

BY ABI GARETY

PHOTO BY LUKE HAWKES

It’s been a breathless few weeks

for Crowborough Athletic FC, a

spell that’s seen the side tested

by tight turnarounds, tricky

opponents, and the unpredictable

English weather. Yet, through

it all, the Crows have shown

what they’re truly made of,

resilience, belief, and unity.

From late drama to composed

control, every game has carried

its own story, and together they

paint a picture of a team steadily

building momentum.

27 Sept, Isthmian SE

Ashford 0-1 CROWS

Next came a gritty away battle at

Ashford United, and what a contest it

was. Played in front of a lively crowd at

the Green Box Stadium, it was a game

full of intensity from start to finish. The

early stages were physical, with both

sides throwing everything into each

challenge. The breakthrough arrived

in the 68th minute after the hosts were

reduced to ten men for a foul inside

the box. A calmly taken penalty gave

the Crows a vital lead, and from there

they showed composure to manage

the game superbly.

4 Oct, Isthmian SE

CROWS 1-3 Herne Bay

Then came the visit of Herne Bay,

played amid the swirling winds

of Storm Amy. Conditions made

football difficult, and while the Crows

equalised early after falling behind,

the visitors made better use of the

elements to take control. Despite

tireless effort and several promising

set pieces, the Crows couldn’t find a

way back, falling to a 1–3 defeat. It was

a frustrating afternoon, but one where

character still shone through, the

kind of test that often brings a squad

closer together.

7 Oct, Isthmian SE

CROWS 3-0 Erith Town

If that setback stung, the response

was emphatic. Back home against

Erith Town, the Crows produced a

commanding 3–0 performance that

showed their quality and togetherness.

Aiye opened the scoring before

doubling the lead with a stunning

free-kick that curled in off the post.

The energy, pressing, and defensive

organisation were spot-on, and when

Steve Smith, back from a long layoff,

added a third early in the second half,

the result was never in doubt. Connor

Pring ran the midfield with relentless

energy, earning a well-deserved Player

of the Match award.

11 Oct, Isthmian SE

East Grinstead 3-4 CROWS

The momentum carried into East

Grinstead away, another match that

showed both the brilliance and the

drama that have defined this run.

Despite falling behind early, the Crows

stormed back through goals from

Aiye and Pearson to lead 2–1 at the

break. A blistering spell after halftime

saw Pearson add a perfectly timed

header to extend the advantage to 3–1

before Foster struck moments later

to make it 4–1. Pearson’s brace and

tireless work earned him Man of the

Match, while Goldsmith’s 100th club

appearance added a fitting milestone

to a pulsating afternoon.

14 Oct, Isthmian SE

CROWS 0-2 AFC Croydon

18 Oct, Isthmian SE

CROWS 3-1 VCD Athletic

The run concluded with a 3–1

Connor Pring v VCD Athletic

home win over VCD Athletic,

another demonstration of focus and

composure. Goals from Pearson,

Smith, and Goldsmith sealed the

points in a match where the Crows

controlled large spells and managed

key moments intelligently. Even a late

consolation for the visitors couldn’t

dampen the sense of satisfaction

at full time. It was a performance

defined by teamwork rather than

individual brilliance, the kind of

display that keeps confidence high and

standards even higher.

Across this demanding spell

of fixtures, the common thread

has been commitment. Every

player, from starters to substitutes,

has contributed to a stretch of

performances that reflect the club’s

values: togetherness, graft, and

pride in the shirt. To the supporters

who travel, cheer, and stand

through every moment: your backing

makes a difference. The players

truly do feel it. To the lads, for your

continued work, resilience, and

spirit, thank you. You make every

matchday worth it.

• As of 21 October, Crowborough

Athletic FC are tenth in the

Isthmian South East league.

Mixed fortunes for

Boro during October

BY RICK HOWE

PHOTO BY DENYS CLARKE

18 October 2025

Crowborough RFC 1st XV 12 – 21

Ashford RFC 1st XV

Crowborough RFC suffered a

21–12 home defeat to Ashford in

a frustrating performance that

fell short of expectations. Despite

fielding one of their strongest sides

of the season, Crowborough were

second best for much of the contest as

Ashford’s powerful pack dominated

possession and territory.

The visitors took control early,

driving over for a converted try before

their scrum-half added a second

after exploiting gaps in a static home

defence. Injuries to Harry Marchesi

and Gus Weir further disrupted

Crowborough’s backline.

Just before half-time, Sam Skinner

finished in the corner to reduce the

deficit to 14–5. Dave Bennett’s closerange

try, converted by Ed Croft,

briefly brought Crowborough within

two points, but Ashford’s relentless

forward play sealed victory with a

third converted try.

Crowborough showed

determination late on but lacked

cohesion in attack. They will

aim to regroup before facing

Deal on 8 November.

11 October 2025

Park House RFC 1st XV 10 – 12

Crowborough RFC 1st XV

Crowborough RFC edged a dramatic

12–10 victory away to Park House,

earning a hard-fought win at one of

the league’s toughest venues.

The home side’s powerful forwards

CRFC v Ashford

dominated early territory, but

Crowborough’s disciplined defence

resisted repeated attacks. Park

House struck first through their

inside centre, before Henry Carter’s

interception launched a 60-metre

break that ended with Ed Croft scoring

and converting to give Crowborough a

narrow 7–5 half-time lead.

Missed kicks from both sides kept

the contest tense. Park regained the

lead with a well-worked line-out

drive but again failed to convert. With

the clock in the red, Crowborough

capitalised on a Park handling error

— Croft moved the ball wide for

Sean Bate to crash over in the corner

and seal the win.

It was a determined defensive

effort, and despite seven missed kicks

overall, Crowborough’s resilience

delivered a valuable away triumph.

4 October 2025

Crowborough RFC 1st XV 50 – 15

Charlton Park RFC 1st XV

Crowborough RFC produced their

best performance of the season

with a commanding 50–15 win over

Charlton Park at Steel Cross. Despite

missing ten squad players through

injury, the home side showed

cohesion and confidence, with strong

defence and clinical attacking play.

An early try from Harry Marchesi

set the tone, followed by a wellworked

maul finish from Sam

Edwards and a training-ground move

that saw Will Pitman cross for the

first of his four tries. Ed Croft added a

charge down try before Pitman struck

again to secure a bonus point.

Even after going down to 13 men

with two yellow cards, Crowborough

remained composed. Charlton

Park responded with two tries

through fly-half Sam Spriddell,

but late scores from Richard

Tasker and the outstanding Pitman

completed the rout.

Man of the Match was scrumhalf

Ed Croft, whose control and

composure guided Crowborough to

an emphatic victory.

• As of 21 October, Crowborough

RFC sit seventh in the

Counties 1 Kent league.

Crowborough News, November 2025, Issue 04

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