Crowborough News, December 2025, Issue 05

DECEMBER 2025 | ISSUE 05
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2 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
WELCOME
THREE stories stand out this
month which all demonstrate the
strength and importance of the
Crowborough community.
The first has been the news that the
Home Office intends using our army
training camp to house 540 asylum
seekers. At Crowborough News
we have tried to steer clear of the
party political arguments that have
surrounded this issue. Instead we have
focused on the issue and the very real
fears the proposal has sparked. We
applaud those who have stepped up
to fight this plan — especially the nonpolitical
residents’ group, Crowborough
Shield. Our round-up of some of the
meetings, protests, and actions by
elected bodies is on page 4.
But while the above has put
pressure and strain on our wonderful
community, we have also been
reminded of Crowborough’s resilience
and spirit this month. First a
wonderfully dignified and respectful
Remembrance Sunday parade and
service with hundreds of people,
young and old, paying tribute to our
fallen heroes from the First World War
and in conflicts since. And another
large gathering for the traditional
Airman’s Grave service, and again
on Armistice Day.
And despite our fears and anger,
and our sadness and reflection, there
has also been space for happiness
and hope. The Christmas Cracker
event organised by the town council
reminded us all that whatever
challenges we face as a town, we can
still gather together and celebrate the
festive season.
And inthis month’s edition, there
are plenty of other positive stories
to inspire and make us proud of our
community and the people in it.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Iain Luxford, Editor
It’s beginning to look
a lot like Christmas
BY IAIN LUXFORD
PHOTOS BY LUKE HAWKES
AND IAIN LUXFORD
THE festive season arrived in
Crowborough as hundreds of
residents packed the town centre
for the annual Christmas Cracker.
The event, organised by the town
council, drew the usual enormous
crowd for the lighting up of the
Christmas tree and the switching on
of the festive lights strewn above the
High Street and Croft Road.
Street entertainers kept young
and old busy as the build up started,
and stalls lined the street as dozens
of local groups and organisations
braved the cold to be part of the
annual celebrations.
Children boarded the train to visit
Santa, enjoyed fairground rides, and
to add to the festive cheer there were
singing performances from local
school choirs and groups.
Members of Crowborough
Players who are performing
their pantomime, Excalibur, at
the community centre later this
month were on hand to help switch
the switch and officially start the
Crowborough Christmas.
And in wonderfully fine tradition
the lights switching on wasn’t without
a slight hiccup. The lights above The
Broadway came on a minute too early
(with the practice countdown), and
after the real countdown the Croft
Road lights took a few minutes to
burst into life.
But as always it really didn’t
matter at all. What did matter
were the smiles, the chatter, the
laughter and the singing as the
Crowborough community.
Merry Christmas Crowborough!
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
CONTACT
ADVERTISING SALES — 01892 577124
sales@crowborough.news
Sir Henry Fermor School choir
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Ashdown Primary School choir

4 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
Protest march
Community to fight
asylum seeker plans
BY IAIN LUXFORD
IT has been a busy month of protests
and meetings as the Crowborough
community has mobilised to fight
Government plans to house asylum
seekers at the army training camp.
The news that 540 single men would
be housed at the camp by the Home
Office while their asylum applications
are considered, broke just as our last
edition was going to print.
In the past month there have
been protest marches at the camp
and through the town centre, and
a non-political residents’ group,
Crowborough Shield, has been
formed to fight the plans. It has
already begun legal proceedings.
Public meetings have been
organised by Sussex Weald MP,
Nusrat Ghani, and the local Reform
Party, and a community meeting
organised by Crowborough Town
Council and Wealden District Council
was often heated and angry.
At that meeting, held at the
community centre, there were calls
for Wealden District Council leaders
to resign. The resignation calls were
led by Kim Bailey from Crowborough
Shield, who said the community
needed proper leadership.
She asked Cllr James Partridge and
Cllr Rachel Millward why the district
council had declined to support the
residents’ legal action, or start its own.
The response was the council had
been advised against it. Amid cheers
and applause from the 300 members
of the public attending the meeting at
the community centre she said “You
must resign. You don’t understand
this situation. We need someone
who can take the lead and represent
this community.”
The Home Office’s Director of
Asylum Accommodation, Andrew
Larter, took questions but residents
were clearly not convinced by his
replies or his reassurances. He
was booed, and constantly heckled
by the audience — some of whom
angrily walked out.
Not even Mr Larter’s repeated
apology for the way the Home Office
had handled the issue and its lack of
community engagement was enough
to placate the angry audience.
There was a standing ovation when
Andrew Wilson said to Mr Larter:
“This is a disgrace. You have failed
this community, and you have
put us at risk.”
At the protests and at the public
meetings, concerns have been raised
about the impact the proposals would
have on local services, how schools
and children would be protected, the
security of the site, why the asylum
seekers could not be detained, the
effect on cadets who use the camp,
and the impact such a large group
of men would have on a community
with few urban services.
Crowborough Town Council
has also opposed the Govt’s
proposal (see page 20) and said
it is continuing to engage closely
with partners and recognises the
concerns the announcement has
raised within the community. It
said it is actively seeking clear and
accurate information on behalf
of Crowborough.
Wealden District Council has
again called on the Home Office to
visit the camp and has accused the
Government of failing “to provide a
single substantive reply to any of the
questions and issues we have raised.”
In their latest letter, the leaders
of the council, Cllrs Partridge and
Millward wrote: “Please will you and
your officials engage meaningfully
with us and local residents to
understand the strengths of our
collective concerns.
“We therefore write, once again,
to ask you to meet with us urgently
to discuss this situation. And whilst,
as stated above, we think it essential
you visit our town, if you are not
prepared to come here then we are
fully prepared to come to Parliament
to meet with you.”
Meanwhile, Rotherfield Parish
Council has also written to the Home
Office Minister, Alex Norris, to raise
concerns raised by villagers about
the impact the plan would have on
local health services, the need for
additional policing, the security of
residents, the suitability of the site,
the lack of security, and more.
Our MP, Nusrat Ghani, has also
been critical of what she says is a
lack of leadership from Wealden
District Council and was joined
by Kim Bailey from Crowborough
Shield in a meeting with Home Office
Minister, Alex Norris. Afterwards
she said: “We made it clear that we
are not confident in their decision
or the lack of leadership at Wealden
District Council.”
Ms Ghani, who says the training
camp had previously been deemed
unsuitable to house asylum seekers,
has also launched a petition which
she is urging residents to sign.
www.nusghani.org.uk/
NoAsylumHousing
In the forefront of the opposition
is Crowborough Shield, which has
launched a fundraising campaign to
pay for the legal action it is beginning
against the Home Office and
what it describes as the “unsafe and
unlawful” proposal to use the camp to
house asylum seekers.
This residents’ group has amassed
more than 2,700 followers on its
Facebook page in the short time
since it was set up. At the time of
writing its fundraising campaign had
raised more than £28,000. For more
information on Crowborough Shield
and the crowd justice campaign
“Crowborough Says No” visit:
www.crowboroughshield.com
The Home Office’s plan to use the
Army camp has attracted widespread
media coverage in the national
newspapers, and has also caused a
stir in Parliament where almost 40
questions have been tabled by MPs
demanding clarification and answers
from the Home Office.
The Home Office has said it does
not have a “go live” date for the
proposal and is still completing
assessments to ensure it was “safe,
compliant, and legal”.
Community meeting
From left Nusrat Ghani MP, Kim Bailey, Minister Alex
Norris MP, Mims Davies MP and Jeannette Towey

6 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
“He has had our backs for years, now
we have his” — fundraiser launched for
dad killed in Crowborough collision
BY IAIN LUXFORD
A fundraiser has been set up to
support the daughters of the man
tragically killed in the collision at
Boar’s Head in October.
Michael Davies, 47, a father of twin
daughters, was killed in the incident
on Eridge Road on 17 October.
Floral tributes have been laid at the
roadside ever since.
The GoFundMe campaign has been
set up by one of his best friends to
support Michael’s daughters, Danni
and Sophia, who the family said were
“his life and entire universe from the
moment they were born.”
It is being led by Barry West. He said:
“Michael (Mikey) has had our backs
for years — now we’ve got his.” The
money will help the girls with their
futures, “through their driving lessons
and getting them on the road… and
throughout their lives like their dad,
Mikey, would have.” He added.
Barry, speaking on behalf of the
Westys Warriors — the challenge
Michael Davies
team Michael was central to — said
Mikey was “the backbone of our
team,” a born leader who threw
himself into adventures from
Ashdown Forest training to the
Three Peaks. They now plan future
challenges in his memory, with
“every single penny going to his girls.”
Westys Warriors was set up by Barry
who, at the age of 19, was involved in
a car accident which would change
his life forever, it has left him unable
to use his arms and legs. Barry and his
team of “warriors” take part in some
extreme challenges to raise money
and awareness for BACK-UP a charity
that works tirelessly to support people
living with a spinal cord injury.
On the GoFundMe page, Michael’s
parents Kenny and Christine paid
tribute to their son and speak of
the huge impact his loss has had on
the family. “Having their dad taken
from them in such a horrific way has
devastated and totally stunned them.
“Michael had more than enough
love in his heart to comfort family
and friends alike. He was so so proud
to walk Shannon down the aisle,
handing her over to Ant at their recent
wedding, and he took great delight in
being a grandad to Tommy and Mia.
“Our beautiful man had such fond
memories of the girls’ brother Tom,
along with love for Tom and Tom
‘s partner Robyn, their gorgeous
children Oliver Willow Fawn and
Harrison. Happiness is such a
precious thing, such a huge part of
our son’s life and happiness was in no
small part to Sonia who gave Michael
two of the most beautiful girls.”
Appealing for support, Christine
and Kenny said they would, of course,
support the girls throughout their
lives. “Their dad, our Michael, was
always willing to help his friends and
people he hardly knew.
If you feel able and if Michael has
touched your lives in some way, we
would humbly ask you to make a
financial contribution to help secure
their futures. It would be an immense
thank you from Michael and a very
grateful thank you from us.”
To support Michael’s girls visit:
www.gofundme.com/f/tosupport-michaels-girls
Police have appealed for information
following the collision. Michael was a
pedestrian and the collision involved
a grey MG4. The driver of that vehicle,
a 35-year-old man from Tunbridge
Wells, was arrested on suspicion of
causing death by careless or dangerous
driving. He has since been released on
bail while police enquiries continue.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed
the collision, or who has dashcam
footage that could assist enquiries, to
make a report. Reports can be made
by emailing collision.appeal@sussex.
police.uk or by calling 101 quoting
Operation Camberwell.
Crowborough girls take
to Twickenham turf
MEMBERS of Crowborough Rugby
Club’s Under 11 girls got to play at
Twickenham earlier this month and
meet the England team.
The girls were invited to the ground
— the home of English rugby — prior
to the men’s England international
match v Australia.
It was an invitation that recognised
the Crowborough club for having one
of the fastest-growing and positive
girls sections in the region, and in
particular this age group.
Highlights for the girls included
bumping into Mario Itoje and
the other England players in the
tunnel, receiving the applause of
the Twickenham crowd as they
walked around the pitch after
playing next to the players as
they warmed up.
Director of Junior rugby, Ben
Pollard, was one of two coaches who
accompanied the girls on the day. He
said: “Many of our under 11 girls have
played since the under 6 age group,
and often talk about how much
they love being around the club.
This was a fantastic reward for their
commitment to the game and club.
“They were fantastic representatives
for us, not just in the way they played,
which received many compliments
from RFU staff, but also in the way
conducted themselves throughout
the experience.”
Crowborough cancer patient
completes 21-mile swim
THE Crowborough cancer
patient we featured last month
has completed her 21 mile
swim challenge and raised
more than £2,800.
Bryanna Ryder has limited mobility
using a chair or crutches to get about
but can swim and walk in water. She
was determined to do the swim for
the Pickering Centre in Tunbridge
Wells which, she says, has been “a
haven” for her.
To say thank you for the centre’s
support, and to mark it’s 21st
birthday, Bryanna planned to swim
or walk 21 miles in seven days. That’s
175 laps each day in the pool at the
East Sussex National. She actually
completed the challenge in six days.
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. It supports
Bryanna and others with support,
holistic treatments, coffee mornings,
art and crafts, or just somewhere
to go for a chat.
Bryanna, who has primary and
secondary cancers, added: “This
was all for Pickering Cancer Centre
which has helped me through my
cancer diagnosis so much. Thanks to
First responders team complete 10k
MEMBERS of Crowborough’s
Community First Responders
swapped their medical kit for
running shoes to take part in
the Crowborough 10K at the
start of November.
Leigh, Emily, Bloss, and Ellie
completed the route in 01:09
raising more than £1,000 for the Bill
Stephen Memorial Fund.
Crowborough Community
First Responders is a charity
providing specially trained
volunteers responding to
emergency 999 calls, alongside
South East Coast Ambulance. It
has also provided Public Access
Defibrillators — seven of which
have been funded by the Bill
Stephen Memorial Fund.
https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/
fundraising/ccfr-bsmf
those who supported me — we raised
a whopping £2,335.21+ £468.75 Gift
Aid. I am so grateful to everyone for
their support.”

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8 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
Crowborough remembers them
BY IAIN LUXFORD
LARGE crowds of Crowborough
people took part in a two minute
silence at the town’s war memorial
on Remembrance Sunday.
The silence, and the service of
which it was part, was the annual
event remembering those who
died in the first world war and in
conflicts since.
It followed the town’s traditional
remembrance parade which
started in Croft Road car park and
included local officials, veterans,
Crowborough’s army and air cadets,
representatives from various guiding
and scout groups, and others.
The service was led by Rev Steve
Rees from All Saints Church, and the
wreath laying was begun by town
mayor, Cllr Natalie Whittle.
Meanwhile hundreds of people also
gathered at the Airman’s Grave on
Ashdown Forest to pay their respects.
A lone bugler, Paul Gardiner,
marked the beginning and end of
the two-minute silence with the Last
Post and Reveille.
Rev. Dr. John Caperon recounted
the tragic events of 31st July 1941,
when a Wellington Bomber crashed
on the Forest, killing all six of its crew.
These young men were remembered
alongside 33 other men from the
local parish who also lost their
lives in the war.
Wreaths were laid on the Airman’s
Grave by Jonathan Squire (Chair
of the Conservators of Ashdown
Forest), Pat Arnold (Chair of the
Friends of Ashdown Forest), Robin
St Clair Jones (Chair of The Ashdown
Forest Foundation) Lolita Reeves (on
behalf of Maresfield Parish Council),
and many others representing
local organisations.
Lollipop volunteers appeal
THE search is one for a lollipop
person to help Rotherfield children
get to and from school safely.
The village school has appealed
for volunteers for the role,
ensuring the young people can
safely cross from the village hall
car park to the school in
North Street.
The move has the support of the
East Sussex County Council Road
Safety Team which, the school says,
will provide uniform, training, and
on-going support.
The school says the volunteers
can be parents or anyone from the
wider community and all will need
to have DBS checks completed
by the ESCC team.
It hopes to get a large enough
group of volunteers to create a rota
and allow for cover in the event of
last minute changes. Contact the
school office: office@rotherfieldcps.e-sussex.sch.uk
Fundraising in memory
of popular Crowborough
landlord tops £15,000
A quiz night at the Bricklayers
Arms has raised another £445
for Crowborough Community
First Responders.
The latest quiz total takes the
amount raised by the pub in the Bill
Stephen Memorial Fund to just over
£15,000. That money is being used to
fund defibrillators at locations around
the Crowborough area.
The Bill Stephen Memorial Fund
was set up by Bill’s wife, Dawn. The
couple took over the pub in 2008.
Sadly Bill suffered a cardiac arrest in
2023 and died.
Since then Dawn has been raising
funds in his memory and the
fundraising has so far paid for nine
defibrillators — the first one was
installed at the Bricklayers Arms in
Whitehill Road.
Dawn’s hard work raising funds
for The Bill Stephen Memorial
Fund was recognised by the BBC Make
A Difference Awards 2024, winning
The Great Neighbour Award. She
is President of The Crowborough
Community First Responders — a
team of trained volunteers who work
in partnership with the South East
Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust
to attend emergency 999 calls in the
area — and has since qualified as a
First Responder.

10 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
Rare eagle spotted over
Ashdown Forest
AN Ashdown Forest walker has
captured an amazing sight — an
incredibly rare glimpse of Britain’s
largest bird of prey.
Michael Tulley took to Facebook
to find out what he had seen. “This
morning I was on the forest and
managed to get a few shots of this.
Dare I suggest an Eagle? Very
much silhouetted against the sky
unfortunately.”
He posted the pictures in the
Ashdown Forest Wildlife group and
the response was amazing. Within
minutes it had been confirmed it
was a juvenile white tailed eagle —
probably one of a pair that fledged
from a wild nest in Sussex earlier
this year — 250 years after they
were hunted to extinction in the
south of England.
The post attracted (at the time of
writing) more than 600 likes, and
various astonished comments. “What
a fantastic sighting”, “superb”, and
“wow” being just a few.
White-tailed eagles — Britain’s
largest bird of prey — were hunted
to extinction in the south of England
in the 18th Century but a total of six
have now fledged since the start
of a reintroduction programme in
Katie Derham & Nusrat Ghani at Gateway to Nature
2019, using birds transported from
Scotland and released under licence
on the Isle of Wight.
White-tailed eagles, sometimes
called Sea Eagles, are Britain’s largest
birds of prey with a wingspan of up to
2.5 metres and were once widespread
across England. Human persecution
caused their extinction, with the
last pair breeding in southern
England in 1780.
When the chicks successfully
fledged, Forestry England project
officer Steve Egerton-Read said: “We
have been patiently monitoring these
Ashdown Forest reveals
its “Gateway to Nature”
VISITORS to Ashdown Forest
will be left in no doubt that they
are about to enter a very special
place and perhaps set out on a
walk of discovery.
The “Gateway to Nature” has been
unveiled to provide a welcome
and act as an information point for
the thousands of people who pass
through the Forest Centre every year.
The covered gateway has been
constructed from English oak and
features carvings of some of the
Forest’s most iconic species including
the Nightjar, Adder, Dartford
Warbler, Hobby, and Dragonfly.
Photo credit Michael Tulley
Ashdown Forest’s Chief Executive
Mark Pearson said: “We wanted to
create a bold structure that really
welcomes our visitors and provides
them with all the information they
need, including a map of the Forest,
details about what you can expect to
see and hear and what activities are
on offer for families and children.
It marks the start of everyone’s
adventure — a way into the Forest
Centre and the first step out on
walks to discover the beauty of this
unique landscape.”
The Gateway has been made
possible thanks to support from the
nests for many months and
hoping they would be successful.
It is always such an exciting time
but also incredibly nerve wracking.
“Returning lost species like the
white-tailed eagle is a key part
of Forestry England’s approach
to restoring biodiversity and
helping nature to recover. We
hope that in years to come
these iconic birds will become
a much more common sight,
inspiring future generations
and deepening their
connection with nature.”
High Weald National Landscape
Partnership’s Farming in Protected
Landscapes programme). There were
also generous contributions from
The Chalk Cliff Trust, The Titcomb
Foundation, and The Ashdown
Forest Foundation.
The High Weald National
Partnership’s Deputy Chair,
Councillor Eleanor Kirby-Green said:
“Ashdown Forest lies at the heart of
the High Weald National Landscape.
This new gateway invites visitors to
discover not only the centre itself,
but also the heaths, woods, and
streams that make this place unique.
It is part of a larger project that
provides opportunities for everyone
to experience this special area in
their own way.”
Broadcaster and journalist Katie
Derham who is an Ambassador for
The Ashdown Forest Foundation
said: “I cannot think of a better way
to welcome everyone. This beautiful
structure showcases the Forest’s
natural treasures and leaves visitors
in no doubt that they are about to
experience a very special place.
The Ashdown Forest Foundation is
honoured to be part of this project
and we are extremely grateful to
the other organisations who funded
the Gateway — helping to recognise
the national and international
significance of the Forest.”
The Gateway was officially
opened by Katie Derham and
Nusrat Ghani MP.
Support hospice
by getting your
tree recycled
WE may only be at the start of the
festive season but Hospice in the
Weald has launched its Christmas
Tree recycling fundraiser.
The hospice offers a simple,
eco-friendly way to dispose of
your tree once the celebrations
are over. Have your unwanted
Christmas tree collected from your
home and recycled.
Last year the tree recycling scheme
raised an incredible £57,675 to
support local hospice care with 120
volunteers using 54 vans to collect
more than 2,595 trees.
Christmas
tree festival
returns
THE annual Christmas Tree
festival at St Michael’s Church in
Jarvis Brook returns this month.
The popular event will feature
25 trees decorated by local
groups and organisations. The
free community event is being
held on Friday, 12 December and
Saturday, 13 December from 10am
to 6pm. Light refreshments will
be for sale in the adjoining Church
Hall where there will also be a
number of craft stalls.
The service is available to any
household in any of the postcodes
TN1-TN20. A spokesperson said:
“In exchange for a donation the
Hospice’s elves will collect and
recycle your Christmas tree.
No hassle, no waste, and no
needles in your car!”
The team of amazing volunteers
will be collecting trees Between the
10th and 12th January
For more information and to
find out and how to register for
a collection visit https://www.
hospiceintheweald.org.uk/events/
Wealden District Council has published the
arrangements for rubbish and recycling
collections over the festive period. The
changes to collection days take effect from
Christmas Day and carry on into January.
The normal collection arrangements don’t
return until Monday, 12 January.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 NEWS 11
Charity receives
prestigious King’s Award
for Voluntary Service
BY IAIN LUXFORD
PHOTO BY KATIE WELLER
EAST Sussex-based charity
Family2Family has been honoured
with the 2025 King’s Award for
Voluntary Service - the highest
accolade a UK voluntary group can
receive, equivalent to an MBE.
Family2Family, a charity supporting
families facing hardship, is
celebrating national recognition after
being named a recipient of the 2025
King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The award honours exceptional
contributions made by volunteer-led
groups to their communities.
Founded in 2018 by Hannah
Powell and Leila Parker,
Family2Family (renamed from
Baby2Baby &Beyond in 2024) collects
and redistributes good-quality
baby and children’s clothing, toys,
toiletries, and essential items to
families in need across East Sussex
and nearby areas.
Working through a network of
professional referrals from health
visitors, social workers and support
agencies, the charity aims to provide
not just practical support, but dignity
and compassion.
With a dedicated team of 40
volunteers, Family2Family
delivered essential items to more
than 1400 children through its
core service in the past year alone.
All items are donated by the local
community, lovingly cleaned,
sorted, and packaged before being
gifted to families.
With the addition of the special
‘Bags4School’ and Christmas
‘Gifts4Kids’ campaigns, the
charity has reached almost 3000
children across the local area in the
past 12 months.
Hannah, who is also Chair of the
Trustees, for Family2Family, said: “8
years ago, what is now a vital resource
was just an idea, and it wouldn’t have
been possible to bring it to fruition
without huge amounts of volunteer
hours, commitment, and belief.
“Aside from the obvious reward
of knowing the joy and relief
Family2Family brings to families
in need, my proudest moments are
those spent with our team. Seeing
them work together and choosing to
spend their time supporting others
whilst forging friendships is truly
humbling. I’m incredibly grateful
to all our volunteers who have been
involved along the way. It’s been an
honour and a privilege to see them
receive this recognition.”
Family2Family is one of 232
national charities, social enterprises
and voluntary groups across the
UK to be recognised this year. The
announcement, made annually on
14 November - His Majesty the King’s
birthday, marks the third year of
the award under King Charles III,
following its founding in 2002 by
Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate
her Golden Jubilee.
Representatives from the charity
will receive an official crystal award
and certificate from the Lord-
Lieutenant of East Sussex in the
coming months. In addition, two
volunteers from the organisation
will attend a Royal Garden Party at
Buckingham Palace in summer 2026,
alongside other national recipients.
For more information or to support
their work through donations or
volunteering, visit:
www.family2family.org.uk
Care home
celebrates grand
opening of the
Ashdown Room
HIGH Broom Care Home in
Crowborough proudly celebrated
the grand opening of its new dining
room this month.
The special event was attended
by the Crowborough Town Mayor,
Councillor Natalie Whittle,
who joined residents, relatives,
and staff for an afternoon tea to
mark the occasion.
Resident Mr Derek Page had the
honour of cutting the red ribbon,
officially declaring the new space
open. The dining room has been
named The Ashdown Room, a name
chosen by residents themselves
in recognition of High Broom’s
close proximity to the beautiful
Ashdown Forest.
Councillor Whittle took time to chat
with residents and staff, praising the
exceptional work carried out by the
High Broom team. “It’s wonderful
to see such warmth, dedication, and
community spirit here,” she said.
Connecting people
living with dementia
PEOPLE and their families living
with dementia can get support
and have some fun at a group
running at the Crowborough
Community Centre.
Set up in 2024 by Sarah Savill the
Connections Café meets on a Friday
afternoon for games, music and
quizzes, as well as mutual support.
Sarah said: “They get a lot from the
group because they get to meet others
going through the same things and
they can talk and have strategies that
might have worked for them that can
help someone else.
“I have one particular man who
comes with his wife. He’s confused
a lot at home and finds it hard to
communicate but when in the group
he’s singing, dancing, smiling,
and joining in the games. It’s really
lovely to see.”
Gatwick expansion stalled
by High Court Challenge
CAMPAIGNERS fighting the
Government’s decision to approve
a second runway at Gatwick
Airport have launched a High
Court challenge.
Communities against Gatwick
Noise Emissions (Cagne) alleges
officials unlawfully failed to properly
assess the environmental impact
of the project and so is seeking
what is known as judicial review
of the process.
Last month we reported how
the use of a second runway would
mean hundreds of extra flights
over Crowborough which is on the
Gatwick flightpath.
The £2.2bn privately-financed
project includes effectively moving
the existing northern runway to bring
it into regular use, alongside other
developments, such as extending the
airport’s terminals.
The northern runway can’t
currently be used at the same time
as the main runway because it is
too close. The plan involves moving
it 12 metres so both can be used
at the same time.
Gatwick estimates the expansion
could result in more than 100,000
extra flights per year by the late 2030s,
and says passenger numbers could
rise to 80 million.
Sally Pavey, chair of Cagne, said
the airport expansion would involve
“significant increases in noise and
more pressure on our sewage system,
whilst increasing global warming”.
According to the group’s solicitor,
Julia Eriksen, of law firm Leigh Day,
campaigners believe government
approval came “despite a number of
flaws” in the application.
The Campaign to Protect Rural
England’s branch in Sussex said it
supported Cagne’s judicial review
claim. The Govt and Gatwick said
they can’t comment while legal
proceedings are ongoing.

12 FESTIVE FACTS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
Festive fun facts and figures
EVER wondered how long it
takes Santa to deliver gifts in East
Sussex or how much money Slade
make from royalties from “Merry
Christmas Everyone” each year? If
you fancy fascinating your friends
with fun festive facts, look no
further! We’ve selected some of our
favourite seasonal trivia gems…
• US scientists calculated that Santa
has to visit 822 homes a second
to deliver all the world’s presents
on Christmas Eve, travelling
at 650 miles a second. With
approximately 9,000 households
in Crowborough, he gets our town
done in 10.9 seconds.
• With 231,905 households in East
Sussex that means he gets the job
done in our county in 4.7minutes.
He covers the Eastbourne borough
in 54.7 seconds, Hastings area
in 50 seconds, Lewes district in
51.3 seconds, and Rother in 49.7
seconds. It takes him longest to
deliver presents in Wealden where
he spends 1 minute 27 seconds.
• It’s technically illegal to eat
mince pies on Christmas Day in
England. In the 17th century,
Oliver Cromwell banned
Christmas pudding, mince pies
and anything to do with gluttony.
Six million rolls of
sellotape will be sold
in the UK in the run
up to Christmas
The law has never officially
been rescinded.
• The UK Brussels Sprouts
industry is worth £650million,
and the area of the country
covered by Brussels Sprouts
fields is the equivalent to 3,240
football pitches.
• It was East Sussex cook, Eliza
Acton, who first included the
Brussel Sprout in a recipe
for Christmas dinner. It
appeared in her cook book,
published in 1845.
• For a Christmas to be officially
classified as “white” a
single snow flake needs to
be observed falling in the 24
hours of 25th December on
the rooftop of the Met Office
HQ in London. The last white
Christmas in Crowborough
was in 2010 and we were not
alone — a whopping 83 per
cent of weather stations in the
country, recorded widespread
snow on the ground and many
snow falling.
• Hanging stockings out
The amount of
beer consumed in
the UK over Xmas
could fill 57 Olympic
sized swimming pools
comes from the Dutch custom of
leaving shoes packed with food for
St Nicholas’s donkeys. He would
leave small gifts in return.
• Mistletoe (Viscum album) is from
the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan,
which means “little dung twig”
because the plant spreads though
bird droppings.
• Six million rolls of sellotape
will be sold in the UK in the run
up to Christmas.
• According to Matalan, 82% of
people surveyed own a Christmas
jumper, with 25-34 year olds the
most likely to buy one.
• The average Brit consumes
around 7,000 calories
on Christmas Day.
• Eight million natural
Christmas trees are consumed
by the UK each year. Christmas
trees usually grow for about
15 years before they’re sold.
On average, three Christmas
trees are planted to replace
each one harvested.
• 10 million turkeys are cooked
in the UK every Christmas
and £48million is spent on
Christmas puddings.
• Who earns the most
royalties from their Christmas
songs? Well, Mariah Carey
apparently makes about £375,000
per year from All I Want For
Christmas and the Pogues
make about £400,000
from Fairytale of New
York. But top of the
tree are Slade, who are
reckoned to earn £500,000
per year from Merry
Christmas Everybody.
• In a survey carried
out in the UK in 2016,
Silent Night was voted
as the nation’s favourite
Christmas carol. O Holy
Night was second, Hark
10 million turkeys
are cooked in the UK
every Christmas and
£48million is spent on
Christmas puddings.
The Herald Angels Sing was third.
• In a recent Yahoo poll, viewers
voted the most popular
Christmas film of all time as
Home Alone, with The Muppet
Christmas Carol second, and It’s A
Wonderful Life, third.
• Brits love Christmas — UK
Christmas spending for 2024 was
an average of approximately £611
per person or £719 per household
on food and drink, travel,
decorations and presents.
• The largest ever Christmas cracker
was 63.1m (207ft) long and 4m
(13ft) in diameter and was made
by the parents of children at
Ley Hill School and Pre-School,
Chesham, Buckinghamshire on
20th December 2001.
With thanks to Google and a local
marketing agency for many of
these trivia gems.
The average Brit
consumes around
7,000 calories
on Christmas Day
East Sussex cook, Eliza Acton,
who first included the
Brussel Sprout in a recipe
for Christmas dinner. It
appeared in her cook book,
published in 1845

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 ADVERTORIAL 13
Eastbourne Coaches gears up
for major expansion as new
holiday programme launches
EASTBOURNE’S newest transport
success story is preparing
for its biggest year yet, as
Eastbourne Coaches announces
a major expansion, a new holiday
programme and a public brochure
launch event this January.
Founded in May 2023 by local family
man Julian Ledger, Eastbourne
Coaches has rapidly built a strong
reputation across the region.
With a long career in the transport
sector, Julian set out to create a
reliable, community-focused coach
company capable of serving schools,
businesses, charities, sports clubs
and private groups.
What began as a modest operation
with two drivers has grown into a
thriving business employing seven
fully qualified, enhanced-DBScertified
drivers.
Julian’s ambition was supported
early on by the arrival of Transport
Manager Antony Burkill, a seasoned
professional with extensive
experience in coach operations.
Together, Julian and Antony have
shaped Eastbourne Coaches into a
company known for professionalism,
safety and quality service.
RAPID GROWTH AND
A MODERN FLEET
Since its launch, Eastbourne Coaches
has worked with an impressive
and diverse list of clients from local
schools and colleges to language
schools, charities, sports clubs, private
businesses and even fellow coach
operators needing additional support.
Its flexible approach to private hire
has helped it become a go-to transport
provider for both regular bookings and
one-off journeys.
The fleet itself has grown in
capability and comfort. Eastbourne
Coaches now operates vehicles
ranging from 16 to 61 seats, with
the largest luxury coaches offering
toilets, air conditioning and light
refreshments. A milestone moment
came in May 2025 when the company
took delivery of a brand-new PSVARcompliant
Yutong coach, ensuring
full wheelchair accessibility and
reinforcing its commitment to
inclusive travel.
NEW HOLIDAY
PROGRAMME FOR 2026
As the company looks towards 2026,
Eastbourne Coaches is preparing
to enter an exciting new chapter:
the launch of a UK Tour Holiday
Programme. This expansion
transforms the firm from a private hire
specialist into a full-service holiday
operator, offering curated coach
breaks across the country.
A standout feature of the new
programme will be the home pick-up
service, providing customers with
a seamless start to their holiday.
Passengers will be collected directly
from their front door, removing the
hassle of meeting points or additional
travel arrangements.
The company is also embracing
modern booking systems, including
online reservations and secure card
transactions, making it easier than
ever for customers to plan and pay
for their trips.
To support this growth, January
will also see the opening of a new
customer-facing office at 3 Courtlands
Road in Eastbourne, where travellers
can drop in for advice, information,
or to book their next holiday. The
office will become a hub for the
company’s expanding operations and
a welcoming space for customers to
speak directly with the team.
The expansion also marks the
arrival of a new full-time member
of the leadership team. Julian’s wife
Tracey Ledger, who has a strong
background in travel, will be joining
the business from January.
Tracey will work closely with
customers planning their 2026 and
2027 holidays and is looking forward
to meeting travellers in person at
the new Courtlands Road office. Her
expertise in customer service and
travel planning adds another layer
of knowledge and family spirit to the
growing company.
To celebrate the new holiday
programme, Eastbourne Coaches
is inviting the public to an official
brochure launch event at The Hotel
Cumberland on Grand Parade.
Taking place on Wednesday 21st
January, the event begins at 3pm
and offers attendees the chance to
meet Julian, Tracey, Antony and the
wider team. Guests will be able to
learn more about the destinations
and experiences included in the
new programme while enjoying a
complimentary cream tea.
Everyone who registers in
advance will also be entered into
a prize draw to win a £200 holiday
discount voucher, making it a
particularly appealing afternoon for
travel enthusiasts.
Seats for the brochure launch are
limited, and anyone wishing to attend
is asked to email Tracey with their
name, address and contact number
at sales@eastbournecoaches.co.uk,
or call 01323 808080 to reserve a place,
and mention this newspaper when
calling or emailing.
Eastbourne Coaches is not
only focused on great customer
service but also on maintaining
high professional and regulatory
standards. The company is a member
of the Road Haulage Association
and the Confederation of Passenger
Transport, ensuring its operations
align with national best practice.
As a holiday provider, it is also
fully bonded by British Coach
Holidays & ABTOT (The Association
of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust
Ltd), giving customers essential
financial protection and peace of
mind when booking.
The business is an active member
of the Eastbourne Chamber of
Commerce, reflecting its strong
local roots and commitment to the
wider community.
LAUNCHING NEW 2026/2027
UK HOLIDAY BROCHURE
WIN £200
HOLIDAY DISCOUNT
PLEASE JOIN US...
on Wednesday, 21st January, from 3pm at Hotel Cumberland,
Grand Parade, Eastbourne for our launch afternoon
Enjoy a cream tea, enter our prize draw to win a £200 holiday discount and
chat to us about your holiday plans. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet the
team and hear about our new tour programme.
Places are limited so make sure you contact us to book yours
by either calling 01323 808080 or by emailing us on
sales@eastbournecoaches.co.uk and mention Eastbourne News
Luxury Coach travel, air conditioned coaches, Enhanced
DBS checked Drivers, toilets on board, refreshments
available. 16-61 seat Coaches available for Private Hire
Eastbourne Coaches are an absolute pleasure to work with.
Their vehicles are always clean, tidy and on time, their drivers
professional and courteous and their administration flexible and
communicative. ELAC Study Vacations
When it comes to creating memorable experiences for our
international students, Eastbourne Coaches has been an
exceptional partner for East Sussex College.
They offer excellent value for money without compromising on
comfort or quality. Their modern, well-maintained coaches give our
students a positive first impression of the UK and make
every trip a pleasure.
We’re proud to work with a company that shares our commitment
to professionalism and care. Thank you, Eastbourne Coaches, for
helping us deliver unforgettable experiences for our students!
East Sussex College.

14 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
Let it go, let it go
— fundraising
fireworks fill the
Crowborough sky
PHOTOS BY LUKE HAWKES
HUNDREDS of people packed out
Goldsmiths Recreation Ground
for yet another magnificent
firework display.
The theme this year was Disney
so the fireworks filled the sky above
Crowborough on 5 November to
music from Frozen, the Lion King,
The Little Mermaid and other
family favourites.
As usual the impressive display
was free but volunteers collected
donations for the Mayor’s
charities for the year. Welcoming
people to the event the Mayor,
Cllr Natalie Whittle, urged people
to support those charities —
Girlguiding in Crowborough, and
Family2Family — both of which
were doing a vitally important job
in our community.
This year the weather remained
fair and the colourful display
was made even more dramatic
seen against the backdrop of
November’s full moon — a
supermoon which appears especially
bright and large.

CASH OR AUCTION
in Association with Eastbourne Auctions Your Local Saleroom with the International Reputation
Bring items along for a FREE Friendly Advice
CASH OFFER or entry into our forthcoming Auction
For appointments visit Eastbourne Auctions website
or call Glen, Saleroom Manager on 01323 431444 option 2-1-1
Chinese Coin
Sold for
£4,900
Sold for
£1,150
Sold for
£1,450
Silver Crown
Sold for
£2,250
Sold for
£3,850
Sold for
£1,500
Sold for
£2,250
Valuations are
FREE in 2025
Items Wanted
Sold for
£1,750
Sold for
£1,750
Gold and Silver Jewellery in any condition
Costume Jewellery • Watches working or not
Coins, Medals and Militaria • Wines & Spirits
Oriental items – even when chipped or damaged
Antiques & Collectables • Records • Vintage Hi-Fi
Stamps • Music related or sporting items
Any quirky items or unique items we can write about and promote on TV
Sold for
£1,850
Sponsoring
the weather
Eastbourne Auctions
www.eastbourneauction.com
Auction House, Finmere Road, Eastbourne BN22 8QL
FULL Probate and House Clearance Service in Operation

16 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
Reflections on November and
looking ahead to the festive season
BY CLLR NATALIE WHITTLE,
CROWBOROUGH MAYOR
NOVEMBER has been a busy
month for me as Mayor. One of the
most poignant moments was our
annual Remembrance Sunday and
Armistice Day services at the town’s
war memorial.
Over the two events, hundreds of
residents gathered to honour those
who made the ultimate sacrifice for
our freedoms. It was heartening to
see so many children and young
people in attendance, laying wreaths
and listening intently to the stories of
bravery and resilience that shaped
our nation’s history. I wish to extend
my gratitude to the local schools,
veteran groups, All Saints, and
community volunteers who worked
together to ensure the event was
both meaningful and dignified. In
particular, it was wonderful to see
so many of our uniformed young
people in attendance, it makes these
events so special and lays at the heart
of our community.
My role as Mayor is nonpolitical
but it would be remis of me not to
acknowledge the spotlight that has
been placed on our town by the
Home Office decision to use the
army camp for Asylum Seekers. As I
write this, we are still awaiting news
from central government, and many
interested groups are working hard to
bring a resolution.
The end of November saw the
annual Crowborough Christmas
Cracker and Christmas lights switchon,
which is a much-anticipated event
for our town and brings the wonder
of Christmas into our High Street for
another year. Thank you to everyone
who made the event run so well and
highlight the importance of so many
groups within the town.
As we look towards December,
you may spot a new Elf out and
about in our town, knitted by the
wonderful Crowborough Sewing
Bees. Do keep a look out for him on
his travels through Crowborough
this Advent and Christmas season,
you can follow him on our Town
Council social media.
Preparations are already underway
for our much-loved the Civic Carol
Service, which is held at All Saints
Church, Chaple Green, on Thursday
4th December 2025 at 7.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend this
community carol service.
Once you’re in the swing for
Christmas Carols, Jarvis Brook
Community Association invites us all
its Christmas Fair and Community
Carol Singing. Taking place on 5th
December at Jarvis Brook Memorial
Hall, 6-8pm, Do pop along and
support this event.
Another must on the annual
Christmas event calendar
for the town is Crowborough
Players Panto, which this
year is Excalibur, which
they are performing at the
Crowborough Community Centre.
Performances are Friday 12th
December at 19:30, Saturday
13th December at 14:00 & 19:30,
Sunday 14th December at 14:00.
Tickets are available from the
Crowborough Players website,
www.crowplayers.com.
These are just a few of the
highlights for our town this
Christmas season. I encourage
everyone to join in these
celebrations, support local
traders, and enjoy the festive cheer
that Crowborough does so well.
On behalf of the Town Council,
thank you all for your ongoing
support, engagement, and
community spirit. Let us carry
this momentum forward as we
enter the festive season, ensuring
Crowborough remains a thriving
and joyful town.
I wish you all a Happy Christmas
and a wonderful New Year.
Community projects
at art studio
Rotarian brings motoring
history to life
A Rotherfield art studio and
coffee house is supporting
schools, families and the wider
community through art, education
and connection.
Katharine Jennings Fine Art Studio
and Coffee House, has long been a
thriving hub for creativity for all ages.
From after-school and Saturday art
clubs to adult workshops, pottery
painting and drop-in sessions,
the studio blends professional
teaching with a welcoming coffee
house atmosphere.
Founder, Katharine Jennings said:
“We’ve built something really special
here — space where everyone can
feel creative, supported and part of a
community. What makes us proud is
that we’ve done it all independently,
without external funding, sustained
purely by the people who visit,
create and share our passion for
art and coffee.”
Committed to nurturing creativity
beyond its walls, Katharine is also
providing art teacher training to local
primary schools, helping teachers
feel more confident delivering art in
the classroom and strengthening arts
education from within.
The studio has also launched a
cashback fundraising partnership
with a local primary school called
the ‘Cups of Kindness Happy Hour’.
During certain hours and days, the
coffee house offers double loyalty
stamps for parents producing a
loyalty card specific to their school
and when the card is full, the
parent/carer gets a free hot drink
and the price of that hot drink goes
directly to the school — helping fund
equipment, art materials, school trips
and year 6 residentials.
“We believe art should be part
of every child’s education,’ said
Katharine. “Our new fundraising
scheme helps schools raise money for
creative and enriching experiences
at a time when budgets are stretched.
It’s a simple way to keep creativity
alive in local education.”
These are just the studios latest
community projects. Over the years
it has personally sponsored children
from deprived backgrounds or
refugees to attend their art clubs.
The team also works closely with
charities such as Imago and Family
Support Work, helping families
facing challenges.
“Every cup of coffee and every art
session directly supports our mission
to make creativity accessible to all”,
Katharine said. “We’re proud that we
can make a real difference right here
in our community.”
AS the iconic RM Sotheby’s London
to Brighton Veteran Car Run took
place in November, a Crowborough
Rotarian’s creative talent
took centre stage.
To mark the 125th anniversary
of the legendary 1000 Mile Trial of
1900, the Royal Automobile Club
commissioned a commemorative
artwork from Crowborough Rotarian
Steve Goodwin, a name synonymous
with both artistic excellence and
motoring enthusiasm.
Steve’s striking lino print pays
homage to the 1899 Wolseley 3.5hp
Voiturette, a pioneering vehicle
designed and driven by a young
Herbert Austin during the original
1000 Mile Trial.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘OWL’
for its distinctive registration plate,
this historic Wolseley — one of only
two survivors from the 65 cars that
embarked on the gruelling city-to-city
challenge — now resides at the British
Motor Museum, Gaydon.
Steve said: “It was a lovely surprise
and a real honour to receive this
commission. The 1000 Mile Trial
was such an important event, and I
wanted to reflect both its historical
significance and the incredible public
interest it generated.”
Steve’s work blends two lifelong
passions: traditional printmaking
and motoring heritage. Having
started his career in a print shop, he
retains a deep love for pre-digital
techniques. Beyond his art, Steve is
an active member of the Tunbridge
Steve Goodwin
Wells Motor Club, where he has
organised countless events and even
volunteered as a marshal on the
magical Veteran Car Run.
Ken Maynard from Crowborough
Rotary Club said: “Steve exemplifies
the Rotary spirit— combining
professional skill, community
involvement, and a passion for
preserving history. His work doesn’t
just celebrate motoring heritage; it
inspires us to value craftsmanship,
tradition, and service. Crowborough
Rotary benefits from these skills as
can be seen from our website www.
crowboroughrotary.org and our
promotional materials.”
Steve’s pieces have featured in
the Royal Automobile Club’s Art of
Motoring exhibition, a highlight of
London Motor Week, celebrating
Britain’s finest automotive
artists. His commemorative
exclusive anniversary items can
be ordered online from the Royal
Automobile Club Shop at www.
royalautomobileclub.co.uk
For more information about
Steve and his artwork visit
https://inkycrow.art/

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 NEWS 17
Will free fitness sessions stop?
RESIDENTS are being asked to get involved to
help keep free outdoor fitness sessions running
in Jarvis Brook.
Our Parks, a programme which aims to give the
local community exercise classes was originally
funded by the East Sussex Public Health (ESPH)
through the ‘Tackling Inequalities through
Physical Activity’ fund. The programme faced
uncertainty following the end of the funding
agreement in September 2025.
Wealden District Council stepped in
temporarily to fund the continuation of the
programme until the end of December 2025,
whilst it explores long-term solutions.
A key feature of the Our Parks model is the
‘Coach Parker’ initiative, which empowers local
participants to become qualified volunteer
instructors to teach these classes. These
individuals receive free accredited training
to lead these outdoor group sessions such as
Bootcamps, HiiT, and circuit training.
Several ‘Coach Parkers’ are already delivering
sessions across Wealden, contributing to the
programme’s long-term sustainability. Wealden
District Council and Our Parks are now working
together to expand this model, with the goal
of having at least two ‘Coach Parkers’ in each
location by January 2026.
Councillor Kelvin Williams, Wealden’s
Better information for
NHS Sussex patients
NHS Sussex has launched a new online
facility that gives patients better information
about waiting times for routine hospital
appointments across the county.
The new waiting times facility is designed to
support people at the point of referral by showing
the latest average waiting times, in weeks, for a
routine first outpatient appointment.
Building on national tools such as the NHS
e-Referral System and My Planned Care, the NHS
says the Sussex tool provides “locally tailored
information that makes it easier for patients
to make informed choices about where they
receive their care”.
The facility is simple to use, includes an
accessible dropdown menu to support
people using screen readers, and will be
updated every month.
A spokesperson for NHS Sussex said: “This
development is part of wider efforts across the
local health and care system to improve access
Lead member for Public Health and Asset
Management, said: “We’re calling on residents
in Wealden to step forward and help keep these
much-loved free exercise sessions running in
our communities. By training as a volunteer,
you’ll play a key role in supporting the health and
wellbeing of your communities.”
To support this, a communications campaign
will soon be launched by Our Parks, with WDC’s
backing, to recruit more volunteers and promote
the benefits of becoming a Coach Parker.
For further information on the ‘Coach
Parker’ programme and the Our Parks
model please go to
www.coachparker.org.uk or
email info@ourparks.org.uk
and reduce waiting times. Over the past year, the
NHS in Sussex reduced the total patient waiting
list for all procedures by 9% compared with the
previous year.
“The number of people waiting more than
65 weeks for treatment has also fallen sharply
— from more than 6,500 patients in 2023 to 529
patients by March 2025.”
Chief Medical Officer for NHS Sussex, Dr
James Ramsay, said: “We know that waiting for
treatment can be worrying, and that people want
clear information to help them make choices
about their care.
“As part of our approach to reduce the time
people are waiting for care across Sussex, this new
waiting times tool makes it easier for patients and
their GPs to see how long they may need to wait
and to make decisions that work best for them.”
The waiting times facility is available now on the
NHS Sussex website and will be refreshed with
updated data each month.
Here for you, when it matters most
• Your local independent funeral director
– Supporting families in Crowborough
and its surrounding villages for 20 years.
• We are proud and active members of
SAIF, the association for independent
funeral directors.
• We can take your call 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. From the first phone
call to after the funeral service, we will
be by your side.
• We offer funerals to suit every budget
including direct cremations.
CHRISTMAS
SAT
06
SUN
14
SUN
21
WED
24
THU
25
AT
4.30 for 5pm
LIGHT UP A LIFE
An opportunity to celebrate the lives of loved ones we remember,
in aid of Hospice in the Weald.
6.30pm
CHRISTMAS UNCONVENTIONAL
Traditional carols in a contemporary style.
10.45am
POP UP NATIVITY
Come dressed as a character
from the Nativity and join the fun.
11am, 2.30pm, 4pm & 5.30pm
CHRISTINGLE
Booking essential.
Book online from 8am13 December.
11am is a small service especially for
those with disabilities and their carers.
10.45am
CHRISTMAS DAY
ALL AGE CELEBRATION
www.allsaintscrowborough.org
Tel: 01892 611811 (24 Hours)
information@testerandjones.co.uk
www.testerandjones.co.uk
• We adhere to SAIF’s strict Code of
Practice – so you can always be sure
of our care and professionalism.
• After a funeral has taken place, our
families benefit from our friendly and
dedicated Bereavement Group, and free
bereavement support through SAIF
Care if required.
Tester & Jones, London Road, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 2TT
4pm & 7pm
CAROLS
BY CANDLELIGHT
11pm
CHRISTMAS EVE
‘MIDNIGHT’
COMMUNION
CHRISTMAS DAY
LUNCH
Book online

18 NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
Booking system to use
waste site now in place
BY IAIN LUXFORD
THE controversial new booking
system to use the Crowborough
Household Waste and Recycling site
has been launched.
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 started on 24 November
and residents have been able to
book by phone or online since 10
November. It means you can no
longer simply turn up at the site in
Farningham Road.
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 has introduced a new online
portal giving residents the
opportunity to book a slot online,
but people can also book by
telephone. The slots can be booked
up to 14 days in advance and are
generally 30 minutes — or 15
minutes at some sites.
Arriving at the site you need to
have details of your booking and the
council says you may be asked to
show proof of residence, for example
a driver’s licence. People who want
to use the site who do not live in
East Sussex now have to pay £8.75
for each visit.
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 the council says in other areas
of the country where people had
opposed booking systems, they had
Nursery confident of improvements
THE managing director of a nursery
near Crowborough says staff are
“truly heartbroken” by the outcome
of its recent Ofsted inspection which
judged it to be inadequate.
Georgie Wintle of Oz Tots
Nursery at Mayfield said: “We
do not feel it reflects the warm,
caring, and nurturing environment
we provide for our children and
families every day.”
Nonetheless, she added, the
nursery has been quick to act on the
areas identified by the inspectors
for improvement. She said: “The
safety and wellbeing of the children
in our care is our absolute priority,
and we have acted immediately on
Ofsted’s findings.
“All staff have re-completed
safeguarding training, safeguarding
procedures have been reinforced,
and management now conduct
regular spot checks. Staff
supervisions are fully up to date,
and a new, consistent planning
cycle has been introduced across
all rooms to strengthen learning
and development.”
The report published at the end of
last month, concludes that the safety
of the children “is not fully assured
due to breaches in safeguarding
and welfare arrangements” and it
goes on to criticise managers for not
monitoring staff practice well enough
and not recognising when the quality
of teaching is poor.
Oz Tots registered in 2024 and has
94 children aged 0 to 4 on its roll.
The Ofsted report said it employs 18
members of staff, 11 of whom hold
relevant early years qualifications.
The Ofsted inspector said staff
were “warm and welcoming”
and “this helps the children to
feel secure and build positive
relationships with others”.
But it also said managers need
to improve staff understanding
of safeguarding and support staff
to improve their knowledge and
practice. Because those weaknesses
are not challenged “teaching is weak
and children do not receive good
quality interactions and experiences
soon become accustomed to it. More
than 50 per cent of councils now
operate some kind of booking system
for their sites.
It also insists 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, it claims.
that support their learning”.
The inspector acknowledged that
a high staff turnover has led to staff
challenges. And the report does
also highlight that children are
provided with daily opportunities to
explore their physical development,
the children have a secure sense
of belonging and are confident to
be independent, and that staff are
successful in establishing positive
partnerships with parents, “who
speak fondly of the staff”.
Ms Wintle added: “Since the
inspection, we have worked tirelessly
to strengthen every aspect of our
provision. Staffing is now more
Sussex
Police best
at answering
999 calls
SUSSEX Police is the best force
in the country when it comes to
answering 999 calls, according
to new figures.
Sussex Police topped the charts
as the best performing force in the
country for handling emergency
calls over a three month period.
This ranking is based on both the
time taken to answer emergency
calls and the proportion of
calls that are answered within
the national target of 10
seconds and under.
Despite the increased demand
seen over the summer period,
performance has stayed
consistently high. More than
95% of 999 calls have been
answered with the national target
time, while fewer than 5% of
non-emergency 101 calls have
been abandoned.
Chief Superintendent Rachel
Glenton, Head of Contact,
Command and Control, said: “I am
incredibly proud of our teams who
have worked tirelessly to achieve
this result. This result is not only
thanks to the improvements
we have made to our control
room, but more importantly our
dedicated call handlers. We work
24 hours a day, seven days a week
to ensure every call is heard.”
“Our commitment to
answering calls swiftly reflects
our dedication to keeping people
in Sussex safe.”
stable, safeguarding knowledge is
deeply embedded, and monitoring
of activities has been enhanced with
a renewed focus on each child’s
individual learning and development.
We continue to work closely with
the Local Authority, who have
been visiting weekly to support our
improvement plan.
Despite the inadequate rating
she said she was pleased Ofsted
had recognised some positives.
“Inspectors observed that children
are happy, settled, and confident
learners, forming strong bonds with
staff. They highlighted the strong
partnerships with parents, and the
positive feedback families shared.
These affirm the strong foundations
of our nursery and our commitment
to nurturing every child.”
At the heart of Oz Tots, she added,
“is a dedicated, passionate team who
go above and beyond every day to
nurture and inspire the children in
our care”. That team is now “eagerly
awaiting our reinspection, where
we hope Ofsted will see the genuine
quality, care, and commitment
that our children and families
experience every day.”

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 NEWS 19
Behind the scenes
at the best tennis
club in Sussex
Crowborough’s Tennis and Squash Club beat off competition from across the
county to be crowned the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Sussex Club of the Year
for 2025. And if that accolade was not enough it was also selected runner-up for
LTA’s Tennis National Club of the Year 2025. Tascha Hermann gives us a glimpse
behind the scenes to explain why the club is so highly regarded
ESTABLISHED in 1905,
Crowborough Tennis and Squash
Club has grown into one of Sussex’s
most dynamic and welcoming
sports clubs. It continues to shine
as a model of community spirit,
inclusivity, and sporting excellence.
Over the years, the club has evolved
from a traditional tennis venue into
a thriving multi-sport hub offering
tennis, padel, squash, pickleball,
racketball and table tennis.
Players of all ages and abilities are
welcome, with visitors able to simply
‘Pay and Play’ or enjoy the many
benefits of membership.
As the club moves into winter,
members are reflecting on a summer
filled with growth and energy. Courts
have been buzzing, social events well
attended, and new developments
are shaping a bright future for this
historic local institution.
This season also marks a moment
of transition for the club’s leadership,
as several long-serving General
Committee members have stepped
down after years of commitment
and dedication. The club extends
heartfelt thanks for their invaluable
service and warmly welcomes new
committee members who bring fresh
ideas and enthusiasm to guide the
next phase of growth.
Special thanks go to AJ and
Noah from CTA Sussex, whose
work in tennis and padel has been
instrumental in growing participation
and strengthening the club’s coaching
programmes, and to Johnny, whose
enthusiasm has revitalised squash.
The club has invested heavily in
improving facilities. Looking ahead,
exciting plans include new clay
courts, lighting and covers for padel
and pickleball, and a refurbished
veranda — all designed to enhance
year-round play and comfort.
Crowborough continues to make
its mark across Sussex, fielding
multiple competitive teams in county
and local leagues. The junior tennis
programme is thriving, supported by
the CTA Sussex Access to Happiness
Foundation, which helps local
families and encourages young
players to step into coaching roles.
Adult tennis is also booming, with
weekly sessions often fully booked
and more than 80% of members
engaged in coaching or match play.
Meanwhile, padel and pickleball —
two of the UK’s fastest-growing sports
— are thriving at the club. Weekly
padel mix-ins attract over 80 players,
while the pickleball team finished
runner-up in the inaugural Pickleball
Sussex League, with expansion plans
already in motion.
With over a century of history and
now the honour of being LTA Sussex
Club of the Year 2025, Crowborough
Tennis and Squash Club continues to
stand out as a beacon of community,
friendship, and sporting excellence.
Whether you’re a seasoned
competitor or picking up a racket for
the first time, Crowborough offers
something for everyone. For more
information about joining, coaching,
or booking a court, visit Crowborough
Tennis and Squash Club or follow the
club on social media.
Local couple jailed in Iran
now on hunger strike
THE family of a former Forest Row
couple jailed in Iran have called
on the Government to do more to
secure their release after learning
they are on hunger strike.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman
were on a motorcycle tour around
the world earlier this year when
they were detained in Iran. They
have been charged with securityrelated
offences.
The couple have appeared in court
several times but have not been
officially tried - or convicted. Both
are currently in the notorious Evin
Prison in Tehran.
Joe Bennett, Lindsay’s son, said he
was allowed a brief phone call with
his mum this month. He told the BBC:
“She told me not eating was the only
power she’s got. She said she felt lost
and let down by the government here
as well as the authorities in Iran.”
Iran claims the couple “collected
information” throughout the country
under the guise of being tourists. Mrs
Foreman was reportedly conducting
a research project during the journey,
asking people what makes a “good
life”, and had planned to present
her findings at a positive psychology
conference in Brisbane in July.
The Foremans, both 52, had
previously split their time between
Forest Row and Spain. Craig is a
carpenter, and on her LinkedIn
account Dr Lindsay Foreman
describes herself as an Executive
Group Coach, Facilitator, and
Corporate Consultant.
Back in 2022, the Forest Row couple
featured on Channel 4s programme
“A New Life in the Sun” as they
looked to relocate to Spain. At the
time Lindsay said: “As beautiful and
wonderful as Forest Row was, the
British pace of life and weather can
sometimes get in the way of living a
life that truly makes you bounce out
of bed in the mornings to another
beautiful day.”
The Foreign Office it was providing
the couple with consular assistance
and remained in close contact with
their family members.
The Free Lindsay and Craig
campaign is asking the public to
support their efforts by signing a
petition, writing to their MP and
sharing the story on social media.
www.freelindsayandcraig.com
Consultation into future of
local government launched
CROWBOROUGH residents are
being urged to have their say on how
council services are run in the future.
The Government has launched a
consultation into plans to replace
county and district and borough
councils in East Sussex with single
authorities, presenting two options
for East Sussex.
The One East Sussex option, put
forward by the East Sussex County
Council, district and borough
councils and developed with the
feedback of 14,000 people across
East Sussex, is one option being
consulted on. It would create a
single unitary authority covering
Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes,
Rother and Wealden.
However, our local council,
Wealden District Council, has
withdrawn its support for the “One
East Sussex” option for a single
council covering the entire county,
warning it would be too remote to
serve residents effectively.
A second option, put forward
by Brighton & Hove City
Council would see five unitary
authorities across Sussex.
Cllr Keith Glazier, Leader of East
Sussex County Council, said: “We
welcome the inclusion of our One
East Sussex plan which we feel offers
the best quality and value to our
residents and businesses, and we are
proud of the robust evidence-base
and solid partnership working the
plan was built on.
“It’s now important that the people
who will be most affected by any
changes make their views clear to
central Government so they can
properly understand the impact each
proposal could have before they
make a final decision.”
The consultation runs until Sunday,
January 11, 2026. Information can be
found at Consultation on Proposals
for Local Government Reorganisation
in East Sussex and Brighton and
Hove and West Sussex — Ministry of
Housing, Communities and Local
Government — Citizen Space.
The Government will make a final
decision in spring 2026.

20 CROWBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
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.
Army camp update from the
town council’s meeting
CROWBOROUGH Town Council has
formally expressed its opposition
to the Home Office’s proposal
to use the former Crowborough
Army Camp as temporary
accommodation for individuals
seeking asylum.
At a recent council meeting,
members voiced strong concerns
over the lack of consultation with
local residents, the absence of risk
assessments, and the potential
impact on the welfare of the town and
surrounding areas.
The council has resolved to
write to the Home Secretary, the
Minister responsible for Asylum
Accommodation, Mr Alex Norris, and
the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer,
requesting the cancellation of the
planned use of the site.
In addition, the council is
seeking an in-person meeting
between the Home Office and
residents living closest to the
camp, following procedures
similar to those undertaken
in Braintree and discussed in
the Wealden District Council
Scrutiny Committee.
Crowborough Town Council also
raised concerns about the ongoing
provision for local Cadet Units,
including access to safe parade areas
and adequate facilities. To clarify
these issues, the council plans to
submit a Freedom of Information
request to the Ministry of Defence
Community events
CROWBOROUGH Town Council
runs a varied programme of FREE
events throughout the year to bring
the community together. The events
team are working on the events
calendar for next year including
the return of our 1 day, local live
music event, Crowfest. More
details will follow.
The annual Christmas Cracker took
place on 28th November which is
always a fabulous, family friendly
start to the festive season and the
traditional switch-on of the town’s
New railway sign
YOU might have noticed the new commemorative
platform sign at Crowborough station which has been
donated by Crowborough Town Council The sign marks
Crowborough’s connection to the British writer and
physician best known for creating the iconic detective,
Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The event was attended by Sir Arthur’s great nephew
Richard Doyle, Cllr Natalie Whittle, Crowborough Mayor,
Chair of the Uckfield and East Grinstead Community
Rail Partnership, the Southern Station Manager, Josh De
Angelis Taylor along with members of the town council,
and local community organisations. Cllr Whittle said: “I
hope that this board will spark curiosity and demonstrate
that one person’s commitment to a place and its voluntary
organisations can make a lasting difference.
Christmas lights which give the high
street a lovely festive feel.
Before that, our fantastic firework
event was its usual sparkling show
and the remembrance events, run
in conjunction with Crowborough
Veterans were well attended.
We hope that you enjoy these
community events We still have
the Civic Christmas Carols to enjoy
on Thursday 4th December, at 7.30,
All Saints Church
Everybody’s welcome! We hope
to see you there.
and the Home Office regarding
the camp’s long-term viability for
training purposes.
The council highlighted that the
proposed accommodation of 540
individuals is disproportionate to
the town’s population and raised
questions about whether proper risk
assessments have been conducted
to ensure the safety of both residents
and asylum seekers. The council
also requested confirmation
that any use of the site would be
limited to 12 months.
A statement from the council
emphasised that Crowborough has a
proud history of welcoming refugees
in the past, but the current proposal is
considered unsuitable for the town.
Have Your Say on the
Wolfe Pavilion Project
THE Wolfe Pavilion Project
Roadshow is out and about in
the community giving residents
a chance to see the proposed
plans for improving the cricket
pavilion and café, and share
your thoughts with the team
behind the project
Our first roadshow stop was the
Farmers Market on 22 November
and we are pleased to confirm
that it is coming to the Repair
Café at Ashdown School on
Saturday, 6th December.
Everyone is welcome — drop
by, have a look, and let us know
what you think!
Car Park Lock-up Times —
DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT!
PLEASE be aware that the following car parks will now be locked by
4.15pm as we change to our winter lock-up schedule (1st Oct – 31st March):
Crowborough Country Park • The Ghyll • Alderbrook CAFC • Owlsbury
Allotments • Summersales Burial Ground.
Crowborough Town Council
joins in elf on the shelf fun
CROWBOROUGH Town Council
is delighted to support the
Crowborough and District
Chamber of Commerce’s Elf on the
Shelf competition. The Council
would like to thank the Sewing
Crow-Bees for creating the town’s
very own Town Elf!
Keep an eye out for the
mischievous elf as he embarks on
his travels around Crowborough,
accompanied by the Mayor.
NEXT MEETINGS
Monday 8th December Communications and Events Committee
Tuesday 9th November Environment Committee
Tuesday 16th December Finance and General Purposes 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

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 FEATURE 21
Thursday Cinema Club Cllr Sarah Glynn-Ives singing at Monday Supper Club Sian Welby at the Games Club
The Power of Good Company
How a daughter’s promise to her mum sparked a movement
bringing joy, dignity and connection to older people in
Crowborough It began, as so many important things do, around
a kitchen table.
LUCY Buck and her wife Dr
Delia Pop were caring for Lucy’s
mum, Hazel, who was living with
dementia. As Hazel’s world became
smaller, Lucy became more aware
of just how few spaces existed
that were joyful, welcoming, and
truly designed with people like
her mum in mind.
“Mum didn’t want to be defined by
her dementia”, Lucy said. “She didn’t
even want to hear the D word. What
she wanted was simple — to continue
to do the hobbies she enjoyed, in
familiar settings with people whose
company she enjoyed.”
From that seed of an idea came
The Good Company People, a
Crowborough-based charity
that has quietly transformed the
lives of hundreds of older adults,
carers and volunteers across the
town and beyond.
Co-Founder Dr Delia Pop said, “At
Good Company, we combine the
science of well-being with the power
of human connection.
“From movement and music to
purpose and peer support, every
element is designed to promote joy
and belonging. Ageing well isn’t just
about care — it’s about living on your
terms, with dignity, and continuing to
do what you’ve always enjoyed”
With a team of over 60 trained
volunteers, a growing timetable
of clubs, and a new headquarters
in Crowborough opening in 2026,
Good Company is in its final year of
developing a service which helps over
65s find connection, joy and purpose.
“Our ambition is to have
Good Company on everyone’s
doorstep,” said Lucy.
“We live in an area where over a
quarter of the population is over 65,
compared to the national average
of 18%. If we can make it work
in Crowborough, we can make it
work anywhere.”
ITV filming at the Constitutional Club
Rugby Club
CLUBS, CIRCLES AND
CONNECTION
At the heart of Good Company’s
success is its simple but powerful
approach: create the kind of spaces
people actually want to come to that
they’ve always done.
Emma Collie Concierge Lead
explained, “Good Company always
starts with a conversation. It’s a time to
listen and understand someone’s life
story. What is important to them, what
would they like to continue to do and
what is stopping them? What hobbies
do they enjoy, what places do they feel
comfortable in, whose company do
they enjoy and what are their hopes for
the future? From there, our support is
personalised, proactive and ongoing —
it’s a relationship.”
From Supper and Lunch Clubs at
The Blue Anchor, Snooker at the
Constitutional Club, to Walking Clubs
exploring the beautiful walks the
High Weald has to offer to Cinema
Club at Uckfield Picture House, every
club is based on the hobbies that
members enjoy in ‘normal’ settings.
For those living with a dementia,
clubs are hosted by trained volunteers
who provide good company and
engaging activities. The people who
support them are able to access
advice, talk things through, or
just have a cuppa with others in a
similar situation.
Jane Lee, Concierge Lead, said, “It’s
not about doing things to people, it’s
about doing things with them.”
A HOME FOR THE MOVEMENT:
GOOD COMPANY HQ
In early 2026, Good Company plans
to open a permanent home in
Crowborough. Good Company HQ,
a place our community can come
whenever they need for information,
connection, and a place for people
to share their own people, products,
services and advice to age well.
The space will be staffed by a mix
of trained volunteers and part-time
employees, offering:
• Drop-in for older adults and carers
• A quiet room
• A workspace and training room
• Peer support groups
• Advice
“Following my husband’s diagnosis of
dementia, I was fortunate enough to get
in touch with the good company people.
This happy relationship transformed
our journey through dementia into a
supported and social one. It is accepted
that the most valuable support in
dementia is to walk with those affected
and that is exactly what I have found
in Good Company. It is my sincere hope
that the help and friendship I have found
through good company should be easily
accessible to all those who are struggling
and worried about what the future might
hold, before or following a diagnosis. My
dream is for a welcoming place where
advice can be sought and offered, a place
where there is an open door that will help
transform anxiety and fear into strength
to face the future” — Anne Marie.
KING OF CLUBS — MR
RICHARD OSMAN
Richard is Lucy’s old TV boss (before
he was famous) and since she left
television, he supported her to set up
Child’s i Foundation, an international
children’s charity to support families
so they don’t have to put their children
into harmful orphanages.
At the time of Hazels’ diagnosis
Richard was writing a book about
old people solving murders. He
was passionate about reframing the
conversation about old people being
a ‘time bomb’ and ‘crisis’ to being an
untapped resource of lived experience,
time and professional skills to share.
Richard came up with The Good
Company People name and gave his
Thursday Murder Club branding — a
nod to the power of community,
mischief and friendship at any age.
“With the Thursday Murder Club on
Netflix, we are more excited than ever
to celebrate what older people bring
to the world. We will keep building
something bold, funny and full of
heart”, said Lucy.
Richard continues to champion
Good Company both publicly
and behind the scenes. He is
helping Good Company grow
from a local idea into a national
movement for change.
More recently, ITV’s This Morning
filmed a feature in Crowborough,
visiting the The Wednesday Games
Club at Crowborough Rugby Club
and The Wednesday Snooker Club at
the Crowborough Constitutional Club
with presenter, Sian Welby.
It highlights the powerful difference
a welcoming community can make —
and how a town like Crowborough is
leading the way.
A MOVEMENT BUILT
ON VOLUNTEERS
Good Company runs on generosity
— of time, spirit and energy. Its
trained volunteer Hosts are at
the heart of everything: greeting
members and making them feel
welcome, sharing your hobbies,
sparking conversation and most of
all, building friendships.
Good Company want to find people
who can volunteer at the Good
Company HQ, people who love art,
crafts to host new clubs, people who
can drive members to clubs, people
who are interested in fundraising
locally or help with administration.
You don’t need care experience —
just warmth, reliability and a good
sense of humour.
To find out more about volunteering
or supporting their work, visit www.
thegoodcompanypeople.org, email,
hello@thegoodcompanypeople.org
or call 07472 564519
A LEGACY OF LOVE
Hazel Buck passed away in September
2024. But her legacy lives on in
every Good Company Club, every
conversation shared, and every new
volunteer who steps forward.
As Crowborough heads into the
festive season, it’s clear that what
began as a daughter’s wish for
her mum has become something
far bigger — a movement that’s
reshaping what ageing with dignity,
joy and purpose looks like.
And, above all, a reminder that
everyone deserves good company.

22 REGULARS
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
GARDENING TIPS with Rachael Collins from Babylon Eco Centre
LOOK OUTSIDE FOR WREATH MATERIAL
My garden is now under a soft
blanket of fallen leaves and decaying
herbaceous plants along with some
perennials and grasses which proudly
remain upright with precious seed
heads. This approach to gardening
gives overwintering mammals and
invertebrates the maximum opportunity
to find somewhere to shelter or complete
their lifecycles. I truly believe this is an
approach we should all be taking if we
are to look after our native wildlife and
increase biodiversity in our gardens.
Because of this approach, during
December, I can often feel like an intruder
in the garden, especially on still days
where the odd rustle of leaves or scuttle
under the hedges seems to whisper ‘this
is our place now, please be quiet and let
us be warm and still so we can sleep!’.
My thoughts, therefore can turn away
from the garden and inward to my
family, friends and the place I call home.
I feel as if I too want to be where it is
warm and cosy. This, however, does not
mean I stop thinking about the world of
greenery outside but it is time to bring
the enduring beauty of plants into the
house to celebrate the turning of the
seasons and to remind us that Spring will
come again soon.
I love making things and have always
been drawn the look of natural seasonal
decorations. As well as being beautiful,
wreaths, garlands and table decorations
made of foraged plant material from
your (and neighbours or friends!) garden
are better for the planet that the shiny
tinselled and sequined affairs we see in
the supermarkets. Don’t get me wrong,
there’s nothing wrong with a bit of
sparkle and a string of fairy lights but we
can all do our bit to reduce the amount of
plastic we buy.
I try to think of the ‘bones’ of my garden
as the basis for many of my attempts at
Christmas wreath and garland making.
The silver birch, red-stemmed dogwood,
and weeping willow provide the bendy
twigs needed for the structures of large
decorations, the Viburnum tinus, holly,
ivy and even bits of my unloved leylandii
hedge all find their way into my home.
I even use dried hydrangea heads and
go foraging for our native hedgerow
Clematis or ‘Old Man’s beard’ for the
fluff ball seed heads which I use as
natural baubles.
At Babylon we have a ‘Wreath Bar’
with a wonderful choice of natural and
handmade additions to your wreath
including dried citrus fruits and velvet
ribbons so even if you don’t have enough
material in your own garden (yet!), we can
help you build a beautiful wreath.
It is wonderful to have plants that we
can use to make our home beautiful while
not taking too much away as to cause
detriment to the plant or to the habitat
it has created.
I feel like I can just about get away with
snipping bits of twigs and leaves in the
middle of the day as long as I tread lightly
and say ‘Thank you’.
Rachael Collins
VMA FITNESS with Philip Lear
FIND TIME TO MEDITATE
PEOPLE often ask how can I learn to
meditate? There are many apps and
resources out there about meditation
nowadays, however we all have the
ability to teach ourselves how to do
it for free. Some people may prefer to
have guided meditations and others may
choose to allow their mind to discover
meditation themselves. Meditation is
easy once you surrender yourself to it,
our minds can race around with so many
thoughts swirling that we often forget to
spend time with self.
You certainly don’t need to be a
Buddhist Monk to meditate, you simply
need time and space. There are a variety
of ways to meditate that can fit into your
day and there is no set time to practice.
Whether you meditate for 1 minute, 10
minutes or an hour, you will receive the
same benefit, being with self.
Before I suggest some ideas it’s
helpful to understand what happens in
your mind when you close your eyes.
Generally, you will get a bombardment
of ideas and information, thoughts that
extend to further thoughts, things you
have forgotten to do or feel you need
to do. Imagine you are standing on a
pavement watching cars go by, now
imagine the cars are your thoughts,
what can happen is you grab hold of
one of those cars and travel with that
thought in one direction, then you grab
hold of another car that’s travelling in
the opposite direction as the thought
evolves into a different thought. This is
how our mind works.
Now imagine you’re standing on the
pavement and just watching the cars
go by, no longer grabbing hold of them,
just watching, observing. Now you are
an observer of your thoughts, allowing
the thoughts to come and go without
attaching yourself to them in anyway.
When you can learn to do this for your
thoughts then you will also be able to
learn to do this with feelings of anxiety,
stress and fear, allow them to pass you
by without attaching yourself to them.
This is what meditation can teach you.
7/11 MEDITATION
Find somewhere comfortable and quiet if
you can, either sit on the edge of a chair
(this promotes a good posture) or kneel
on a soft floor with a cushion between
your legs, you can even lie down
(although you may end up sleeping).
Place your hands gently in front of your
diaphragm (just below your solar plexus)
overlapped with the palms facing up.
Now simply take a deep breath in and
count to 7, then breath out and count
to 11 (you can start with 5/9 if 7/11 is
too much). Then simply keep cycling
through these numbers, breathing in and
then out, focus purely on the numbers,
if any thoughts enter your mind, simply
accept they are there and bring yourself
back to your numbers and the breathing.
See if you can breathe in through your
diaphragm (expanding your belly as you
breath in and deflating it on the way
out). Do this for as long as you feel you
can, 1 minute, 3 minutes, even 5 minutes.
You are now meditating and this
practice in itself will be very healing,
once you have practiced this a few
times you can start expanding your
abilities to meditate.
GRATITUDE MEDITATION
This meditation is very powerful and
again can be healing especially if you
want to feel more thankful for what you
vmafitness.co.uk
have in your life and the people who are
part of it.
Start with the breathing meditation as
above, then after about 1 minute think
of one thing you feel grateful for in your
life, a person or something someone has
done for you or been there for you. Then
see them or that thing, now allow those
feelings of gratitude to expand and
reach every part of you, spend at least
1 minute thinking of this one thing and
all the positive consequences of them.
Then repeat two more times with two
different things/people to feel grateful
for. A good thing to do to track your
feelings is to journal how you feel before
and after meditation.

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 REGULARS 23
U3A
CHURCH VISITS GROUP
CROWBOROUGH U3A is one of the
busiest in the country with more than
700 members and 85 different interest
groups. This month we focus on its
Church Visits Group.
Lost panels, murals, Chagall
windows and a replica of the
Sistine chapel — there’s always
something interesting to see with the
Church Visits Group.
We are privileged to live in a beautiful
area of a country with a long history.
The churches we have visited have
been at the centre of towns and villages
for hundreds of years, many able to
trace records back to the Norman
conquest, when churches started to be
built of stone.
We have learnt about the buildings,
built and rebuilt by local people,
landowners spending their wealth
enhancing their church to the glory of
God and their own family.
The recurring theme has been the
difficulty of maintaining ancient fabric
with diminishing congregations, but
the dedication of volunteers in caring
for the buildings and endeavouring
to return the churches to their
place at the centre of community
life is impressive.
Whilst all visits have been interesting
some visits are particularly memorable
for various reasons:
• Battle church on 11th November when
the guns fired at 11 o’clock.
• Goring for the replica of the ceiling
of the Sistine Chapel, (in our opinion
preferable to a trip to the Vatican)
• Kilndown for the Bedgebury panels
for many years lost and forgotten in a
Cambridge college.
• Tudeley for the Chagall windows.
• Berwick for the murals by members
of the Bloomsbury group.
Our visits take place between March
and October. You can find more details
about this group, and the vast number of
others at https://crowborough.u3asite.
uk/welcome/

4 9 6 5 3 8 7 1 2
24 PUZZLES
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
PUZZLES
WORDSEARCH
US States
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.
ALASKA
ARIZONA
ARKANSAS
GEORGIA
HAWAII
IDAHO
INDIANA
IOWA
MAINE
MONTANA
NEVADA
NEW YORK
OHIO
OREGON
TEXAS
UTAH
WEST VIRGINIA
WYOMING
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
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
E
CODEWORD
17 16 3 26 2 14 15 4 10 17 3 16 26 26
15 16 5 9 14 18 8 14
4 22 10 4 13
4 17 4
25 10 4 17 17 16
K A N S M C A H A I X A R
P E L N O N W P N D I C T
A M N I N P O D V N F K H
N T C I T E I N I U A R V
O K E M A A U G J L T M D
Z A W X N M R G A T T A L
I K F A A I P S I F Z L H
R N V E V S K B K I A K J
A O Y T E A R T L G R Z O
U G S T E S A S N O K H N
G E O R G I A I Y C A R E
W R P O Z L M W I D N B V
E O H E H O E E I X S Z A
K I Z K Y N I I A W A H D
O K U W K L T O Q P S X A
25 10 14 24 4 10 21 14
P
4 7 9 25 10 2
E
10 4 5 13 13 5 18 6
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8 13 21 10 5
17 3 5 25 22 5 8 4 7 4 4 25 4 10
13 9 2 18 5 11 10 11
14 10 11 5 9 3 8 4 3 13 11 14 20 19
18 18 4 1 23
7 3 5 24 4 17 9 3 12 16 10 9 4 17
9 3 3 5 25 5 5 8 16
3 22 5 17 13 10 9 18 10 5 9 17 4
4 10 4 14 6 13 13 11
13 6 19 8 4 25 10 14 13 14 13 19 25 4
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
R
P
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Across
1 Soft indoor shoe (7)
8 Instalment (7)
9 Sequoia (7)
10 Self-centredness (6)
12 Origin (6)
13 Basically (11)
17 Eccentricity not easily
explained (6)
20 Disorderly fighting (6)
23 Frontier station (7)
24 Alphabetic characters (7)
25 Industrial plant for
extracting metal
from ore (7)
Down
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1 Surface on which pictures
can be projected (6)
2 Within the confines
of a building (7)
3 Devoutly religious (5)
4 Start again (4)
5 Game with numbered
balls (5)
6 Jester (5)
7 Cup without a handle (6)
CROSSWORD
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9
10 11 12
13 14
8
15 16
17 18 19 20 21
24
11 Currency (5)
12 Canonised person (5)
14 Hit without restraint (4,3)
15 Small ball of wool used
as a hat decoration (6)
16 Alloy of tin and lead (6)
18 Demise (5)
19 ___ pole, tribal emblem (5)
21 Remove a knot (5)
22 Creeping low plant (4)
SUDOKU CHALLENGE
Place a number (from 1 to 9 inclusive) into each square in
such a way that every digit appears once in each horizontal
row, each vertical column and each box of nine squares.
4 9 1 2
4 2
8 3 5 9
4 6 7 8
2 1
5 9 3 6
7 1 4 8
8 5
8 3 5 7
22
23
25
SOLUTIONS
8 3 9 1 6 4 2 5 7
6 4 2 8 7 5 1 3 9
5 7 1 3 2 9 4 8 6
7 2 5 9 8 3 6 4 1
3 6 8 2 4 1 9 7 5
9 1 4 6 5 7 8 2 3
2 8 3 7 1 6 5 9 4
1 5 7 4 9 2 3 6 8
4 9 6 5 3 8 7 1 2
8 3 5 7
SUDOKU
S U N F L O W E R S N U F F
W U A I O C M O
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© Puzzle Press Ltd (www.puzzlepress.co.uk)
CODEWORD
S L I P P E R B J B
C N I E P I S O D E
R E D W O O D N K A
E O U O G E K
E G O I S M S O U R C E
N R O A R
E S S E N T I A L L Y
B E N A P
O D D I T Y T U S S L E
B E O M N H W
B A T O U T P O S T
L E T T E R S I U E
E H M S M E L T E R
CROSSWORD
K A N S M C A H A I X A R
P E L N O N W P N D I C T
A M N I N P O D V N F K H
N T C I T E I N I U A R V
O K E M A A U G J L T M D
Z A W X N M R G A T T A L
I K F A A I P S I F Z L H
R N V E V S K B K I A K J
A O Y T E A R T L G R Z O
U G S T E S A S N O K H N
G E O R G I A I Y C A R E
W R P O Z L M W I D N B V
E O H E H O E E I X S Z A
K I Z K Y N I I A W A H D
O K U W K L T O Q P S X A
WORDSEARCH

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 SPORT 25
Soccer star makes world cup
final with England’s para Lions
BY IAIN LUXFORD
WE are super proud of
Crowborough News occasional
reporter, Jake Heasman, who was in
the England football team that made
it to the final of the world cup.
The 21-year-old journalism student
was part of England’s partiallysighted
team which sadly suffered a
last-gasp defeat against Ukraine in the
IBSA Partially-Sighted Futsal World
Championship Final.
The side looked as though they
were going into extra time in Antalya,
before Ukraine scored with just
eleven seconds remaining to seal
victory and another title. The England
team had booked their place in the
final with impressive wins over
Turkey and Japan.
It left Jake, who has now made the
final twice, with mixed emotions. He
said: “Representing my country in a
world cup final was an unbelievable
experience. To lose with 11 seconds
left was absolutely gutting but, given
some time, it will only make the
squad and myself stronger.
“Every time I pull on the shirt I
feel a huge amount of pride and
responsibility so to be able to say I
have played in two world cup finals by
the age of 21 is amazing.”
Para Lion, Jake, from Crowborough
is an established member of the team
having first broken into the senior
squad as a 17 year old. He previously
told England Football about his
condition and how it’s impacted his
football journey to this point, which
began Crowborough and progressed
via Brighton & Hove Albion’s
para football hub.
“I’ve got an optic glioma, which is
a non-cancerous brain tumour that
affects all aspects of my vision,” he
said. “Whether that’s long distance
or short distances, as well as my
peripheral vision, it’s all affected quite
heavily too so I can’t really see things
coming from the side either.
“Communication is a massive thing
in the partially-sighted game and
we all need to know where we are,
where the pass is coming from or
where it’s going to. So if you’re going
to play a pass, shouting that it’s going
to your right foot for example, really
helps all of us so you know where the
ball is going to go and what decision
you have to make.
“I started out in mainstream football
and I was a goalkeeper originally.
But when the eleven-a-side pitches
became too big for me to see because
of my sight — I couldn’t really see the
other end of the pitch — I found Futsal
and I started doing that alongside
mainstream football and it’s just
changed my world.”
Wolfe Bowls
Club celebrates
President’s 90th
birthday with
secret party
A surprise party has been held to
celebrate the 90th birthday of the
Crowborough Wolfe Bowls Club
President Peter Hounslow.
The surprise celebration — codenamed
“Operation Terrier” — had
been meticulously planned for six
months. Held at the club’s clubhouse
at Wolfe Recreation Ground, the
event successfully kept Peter
completely in the dark until the
moment he walked through the doors
to a jubilant welcome from fellow
members and friends.
Peter, who joined the club around
37 years ago, has long been a
respected figure at CWBC. Over
the decades he has served in nearly
every role available, contributing
to both the competitive and social
life of the club. Alongside his
wife Maureen, he has played in
competitive matches, friendlies, and
indoor short-mat games, remaining
an active and much-loved presence
within the community.
Beyond the bowls green, Peter is
also well known in the dog-show
world. A talented and experienced
judge, he is recognised in the ring
as Peter Hounslow “Ridgeway.”
He attends Crufts annually and
is particularly known for judging
Portuguese Podengos and Boston
Terriers. Dogs, he often admits, are
a strong contender for the second
great love of his life — right alongside
Maureen and bowls.
The evening was warmly supported
by club members, reflecting the
deep affection and respect held for
Peter. Laughter, stories, and heartfelt
tributes filled the night, marking
not just a milestone birthday but a
celebration of a man who has given
so much to the Crowborough Wolfe
Bowls community.
Beacon lifesavers
bring home medals
WELL done to members of
Crowborough’s Beacon Lifesaving
Club who brought home four
medals from the National
Lifesaving Championships.
Paula, Jack, Lachlan, Sam and Tom
were representing the south east
region in the championship finals
which were held in Leeds.
And after some amazing
performances between them they
won four medals. The results were:
Tom & Sam — 9th, aquatic SERC
(Simulated Emergency Response
Competition); 4th, life support;
8th, rope throw; 13th, Swim &
tow. Tenth overall.
Lachlan & Jack —1st, aquatic SERC;
5th, life support; 5th, rope throw; 4th,
swim & tow. Second overall.
Paula — 4th, aquatic SERC; 4th, life
support; 9th, rope throw; 1st, Swim &
tow. Third overall.
Badminton medals for
Crowborough pair
William and his Middlesex partner alongside former England and
International Champion, Gillian Gilks, who presented the awards in Kent
TWO senior badminton players
from Crowborough have scooped
medals at recent national
championship events.
Martin Staden and William Brown,
both of Crowborough, received
medals at the following tournaments.
Martin, a former Kent county player
Martin with Gillian
who has represented his country
on several occasions, won gold in
the Over 60 Singles at the Kent Gold
Masters Tournament in Gillingham,
and then gold in the Over 60 Singles at
the Northumberland Silver Masters
Tournament. He also took a silver
medal at the same event in mixed
doubles with his Scottish partner.
William, who plays for the
Trident Club in Langton Green
and represents Sussex in the Over
70 Masters, won silver with his
playing partner at the Kent Gold
Masters Tournament in Over
70’s Open Doubles.

26 SPORT
DECEMBER 2025
Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news
A strong November for
our hockey club
BY VICKY WAYMAN
World champ picks
up another accolade
THE mixed side began their season
with a 3-2 win over Hailsham. A
brace of goals for Harry Hook,
a short corner strike by Greg
Surridge and some close calls from
Cameron McCabe, Vicky Dennett
and Jen Brough ensured the Crows
dominated in their attacking third.
Home keeper Nick Sparkes made a
game defining triple save and other
great stops that ensured they took
all three points.
The Men’s Ones were on fire
winning 11-1 at home against
South Saxons in their Division
One encounter. They scored six
times in the fast-paced first half
with goals from Harry Turner,
Cameron McCabe, Ollie Yeomans
and Rohan Milne seeing them soar
ahead. They then went joint top of
Division One following a volatile 3-1
win over Lewes Twos with strikes
from Yeomans, Hamish Marr
and then McCabe.
The Women’s Ones hit their stride,
winning 3-2 at Littlehampton in
their Division One encounter. Crows
captain Sam Williams was first to
score, with an unstoppable strike.
Amanda Catling struck the leveller
for the Crows then Tabi Cater scored
following a Catling assist. Goalkeeper
Tilly Singleton made some excellent
saves. They were unfortunate to
then lose the next match 5-3 to
Mid Sussex Ones.
In Martlets Division 3, the Men’s
Twos continued their winning ways
with a 3-1 away win over Brighton.
Providing the goals were Ted Fulham,
Rohan Milne and Jude Fuller. There
followed a 4-3 victory over Lewes
Fours with a brace of goals from Will
Hook. Andy Orchid and Alex Seath
Women’s 4s Hockey
Man of the match, Cameron McCabe
sealed it for the visitors. In the next
fixture, goals from James Lee and
Seath brought an important 2-1 win
against Lewes Fives.
Playing at Beacon, the Women’s
Twos battled to three points against
Crawley Ones winning 2-0. The
first goal was scored by Jess Ikeson
following excellent work from
Matilda Whitney and Eve Taylor. The
second strike was courtesy of Meg
Shaw with a powerful hit that beat the
diving keeper.
Travelling to Littlehampton,
the Women’s Threes achieved a
convincing victory against Middleton
Twos, winning 3-0. Captain Fiona
von-Hinten opened the scoring.
Forward Lottie Currie doubled
their lead bamboozling the keeper.
The final strike was courtesy of
Jen Brough who was perfectly
positioned to slot home.
The Men’s Threes took on
promotion favourites East Grinstead
Fives at home and despite a
wholehearted performance lost 3-1.
Keeper Nick Sparkes made a series
of saves and Henry Stubbings was
alert in defence. They bounced back
and took a last minute 3-2 win against
Brighton 10s. Midfielder Eddie
Dennett opened the scoring with a
confident strike before Nate Potter
added a second. Forward Harvey
Holman sealed it with a strike into the
top of the net.
The Women’s Fours fought out a 1-1
draw against Brighton Rogues. They
were dangerous from the outset with
Bethy Catling going close twice. The
goal came when Josie Mitchell played
the ball out to Vicky Dennett on the
far post who calmly slotted the ball in
past the unsighted keeper.
Girls Development beat Brighton
3-2 with goals for Sally Bilton, Amelia
Cornwall and Lexi Halstead. The Boys
won 8-3 against Brighton with four
goals for Will Rendell.
Matt Weston
CROWBOROUGH’S World
Champion skeleton athlete has
picked up another award.
Matt Weston, now part of the GB
Olympic squad based in Bath but
who can still be spotted in his home
town — especially on the running
track at Goldsmiths — has been
named Skeleton Athlete of the
year at the British Bobsleigh and
Skeleton Awards.
Matt has shot to fame achieving
national headlines and worldwide
acclaim having won two skeleton
World Championships, with his most
recent victory in Lake Placid in March
this year. He is now in training for the
Winter Olympics which take place in
Milan in February next year.
Skeleton is the sport that grabbed
everybody’s attention and admiration
in recent Winter Olympics. The
athlete rides a small sled, known as a
skeleton bobsled, down a frozen track
while laying face down and headfirst.
In elite racing the athlete can
experience accelerations of 5g and,
amazingly, reach speeds over 80mph.
Its profile in the UK rose when Lizzie
Yarnold, won successive skeleton
golds in 2014 and 2018.
Earlier this year Matt told
Crowborough News he would
be training as hard as he can in
preparation for the Olympics and is
set on just one outcome. He told us: “I
take that mindset of nothing is going
to stop me from winning gold, so that
is the mindset I have, nothing is going
to get in my way.”
Social club takes pétanque prizes
IT was a clean sweep of trophies
for Crowborough Social Club’s
pétanque players this year.
Members of the club won the
Crowborough Petanque League and
also took home the trophy for the
cup competition.
There are currently eight teams
in the league and each team has
a minimum of 6 people and a
maximum of 10. Matches are played
on a Wednesday it runs from April
to October. The cup is a knockout
competition run alongside the league
during the season.
Goldsmiths have three teams,
the social club two, the Coopers
Arms also have two, and the
Wheatsheaf has one team.
Goldsmiths also play friendly games
Saturday mornings.
Crowborough Social Club petanque players
Medal haul for brothers at
swimming championships
TWO Beacon Academy brothers
have put the town firmly on
the map with success at the
Sussex County Short Course
Swimming Championships.
Bertie and Charlie Woodward,
both students at the academy were
among members of the Beacon
Swimming Club taking part in the
championships in Crawley. They
each amassed numerous medals.
Bertie qualified and raced in all
16 events for his age group and
took gold as the overall winner in
that group. Meanwhile, his young
brother qualified and raced in all 14
events for his age group and finished
runner up overall.
Well done to both!

Latest local news, visit: crowborough.news DECEMBER 2025 SPORT 27
Crows remain resilient in
the face of challenges
BY ABI GARETY
PHOTOS BY LUKE HAWKES
FOOTBALL seasons are rarely
linear. They bend, twist, and
occasionally buckle under
the weight of momentum,
brilliance, despair and chaos. For
Crowborough Athletic, the past
run of fixtures has delivered all of
that and more. Amongst the nail
biting draws, hard-earned points,
infuriating defeats we’ve also had
players leave and join us. What
recent weeks have shown is that
resilience is becoming one of the
Crows’ defining traits. Focus this
month is on just three of our seven
fixtures of the month.
CROWS 2-2 Margate
The first of these unfolded at the
Charles Century Community Stadium
in a 2–2 draw with Margate, a match
where even the weather seemed
determined to play its part. What
began under promising sunshine
soon devolved into swirling wind
and rain, mirroring the frantic
shifts on the pitch.
Margate signalled their intent
early, forcing Crowborough’s
defence into action before eventually
taking the lead with a dipping
finish over Holmwood.
But if there is one thing supporters
have learned this season, it is that
Crowborough do not fold easily.
Goldsmith’s composed equaliser on
32 minutes was reward for sustained
pressure, and as tempers flared
and challenges grew heavier, the
Crows stood firm.
The second half opened with a
moment of sheer brilliance when
Forster curled directly into the net
from a corner, sending the home
crowd into raptures. Margate rallied
late, capitalising on a defensive
slip to equalise, and what followed
was a chaotic, tense, breathless
finale in which bodies hit the turf,
whistles were relentless, and both
sets of supporters lived every second
through their fingers. When the dust
finally settled, a point felt fair and the
Crows could hold their heads high.
Hassocks 1-1 CROWS
The Crows strength and
determination was on display again
in the 1–1 draw away at local rival
Hassocks. With two previous 3–1
victories against them already in the
books this season, the Crows entered
the fixture seeking redemption after
a diabolical result the previous week
against Whyteleafe.
Against Hassocks however,
Crowborough showed exactly
why that previous result was not
representative of who they are. This
battle was intense from the outset,
end to end, full of challenges, near
misses, and the kind of inexplicable
decisions that leave even neutrals
shrugging in confusion.
Hassocks struck first in the 79th
minute with a thunderous hit
from distance, but Crowborough’s
response was immediate and
determined. Fresh legs from the
bench injected life into the attack,
and in the 85th minute King-Bassett
pounced after a chaotic goalmouth
scramble to level the score. It was a
deserved equaliser, earned through
grit and belief rather than luck. A
draw was the right outcome, a sign
that the team had reset, refocused,
and regained their identity.
CROWS 1-3 Sheppey
The third fixture however, brought
a reminder that football can be
unforgiving. A 3–1 defeat at home
to Sheppey United, only days after
beating them in the Velocity Cup,
was a tale of two halves. A delayed
kick-off, a sluggish start, and
defensive lapses saw Sheppey storm
into a 3–0 lead within 33 minutes.
Supporters watched on in disbelief
as the half unravelled, yet even in
frustration there was a sense that
this was an aberration, not a trend.
Crowborough’s second half response
confirmed exactly that.
Forster sparked the revival with
a goal early after the restart, and
what followed was forty minutes
of pressure, urgency, and rising
intensity. Sheppey responded
with physicality yet the Crows kept
pushing, kept believing, and kept
showing the character that has
become a theme in the season’s
narrative. The comeback was
not completed, but the fight was
undeniable. The damage had simply
been done too early.
These defeats have never reflected
the team’s ability or ambition. Time
and again, the team have shown
that they are not defined by the
scoreboard, nor shaken by adversity
but by absolute effort and unity. If
the last few matches have shown us
anything, we will bounce back with
100% effort. Every. Single. Time.
CAFC YOUTH
Crowborough Athletic Football Club
is proud to offer one of the most
inclusive and wide-ranging youth
football pathways in the area.
We offer development football for
U6s, helping our youngest players
build confidence, coordination and
a love for the sport. As children
progress, they can join our mixed
teams all the way up to U18, offering
a clear pathway through the youth
game with supportive coaching and
a focus on individual development.
Alongside this, our thriving girls’
section spans the majority of
age groups, giving players the
opportunity to train and play in
dedicated female teams as the club
continues to strengthen its girls’ and
women’s football provision.
To further strengthen what we
can offer as a community club, we
are now hosting additional mixed
youth training sessions, delivered
by our men’s 1st team assistant
coach, Scott Mason. These sessions
give players extra time on the pitch,
new challenges, and the chance
to deepen their understanding
of the game within a positive,
supportive environment.
If you have a child who wants to
play, whether they’re brand new
to football or ready to take their
next step, please do get in touch
cafcwgdev@outlook.com. At
Crowborough Athletic FC, football
truly is for everyone.
Women’s XV make
Crowborough rugby history
WOMEN from Crowborough Rugby
Club stepped onto the field for
their first ever
matchand wrote their names in the
history of the club.
Led by coach Adam Bavin and
captain Sharon Green, the newly
formed team faced East Grinstead,
a much more experienced
side, in a friendly.
The squad was a mix of U18 girls,
graduates from the youth ranks,
ex-players, and many newcomers.
Inspired by club captain Ollie
Jude-Trailor’s words: “Play for each
other, play for the shirt, and play for
yourself. Crows fly together!” they
took the field with pride.
Crowborough started strong,
retaining possession and showing
impressive teamwork. Despite
East Grinstead’s experience,
Crowborough’s defence held firm,
with standout tackles and quick
thinking from the younger players.
East Grinstead scored first, but
Crowborough responded with
relentless pressure. The gap at halftime
was only 15–10. In the second
half, East Grinstead’s experience
showed as they extended their
lead, but Crowborough’s spirit
never wavered.
A spokesperson for the club said:
“They all did as the club captain
asked — play for each other, play
for the shirt and play for yourselves
and wow they did that in spades.
We couldn’t be prouder of each
and every one of them! This team
is only going to grow and improve
as they gain experience and with
the excellent coaching we have
and breadth of players coming
up through the minis and juniors
Crowborough WRFC is going to be
a team to watch.
The final score was 46–10 to East
Grinstead, but the result is not
really what matters. “The day was a
triumph for women’s rugby, marked
by camaraderie, resilience, and
pride — an inspiring beginning for
Crowborough Women’s XV.”
New stand for the Brook
MORE exciting
times at Jarvis
Brook FC as
the club took
delivery of its
new stand.
The new stand follows other
developments at its sportsground
in Palesgate Lane now sponsored
by Tester and Jones Funeral
Directors, including floodlights.
The stand, named after Bob
Rumins, who was one of the
founders of the Jarvis Brook Juniors
in 1985, was officially opened
before the Brook’s game against
Godalming Town.
The club is playing at its highest
ever level — in the Southern
Combination League Division One,
after a successful 2024-25 season
last year which saw them not only
achieve promotion but also secure
the league’s Challenge Cup.

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