Hooked on Crochet!

Are you looking to pick up a new hobby this year? How about something creative, that you can start straight away, is probably within walking distance of your home and has no expensive set up costs? Want to find out more? Claire Cooper visited Sussex Crafts to find out why villagers are getting hooked on crochet and knitting.

By Claire Cooper

Stepping into the little craft shop on the High Street is like entering an Aladdin’s cave with walls crammed floor to ceiling with colourful craft materials and knitted and crocheted treasures!

Venture further inside and it’s soon clear why dozens of customers look forward to their weekly (sometimes daily!) visits here. Sitting around a large table in a bright and cosy workroom are a group of knitters each beavering away on their own creations while catching up on each other’s news over a cup of tea and a biscuit. Overseeing the happy group, and ready to step in and help with any hitches, are shop owners Philip and Sebastian.

The pair have run the shop for 10 years and during that time have expanded the business to create a haven for knitting, crochet and other arts and crafts.

For French-born Sebastian, who worked as a hotel Maître d’, and Phillip, who ran the Kitchen D’or catering business in Burgess Hill for 15 years, opening the shop fulfilled a lifelong ambition. “I’ve alwasys been creative and made my own cards, but had always wanted to open a craft shop,” Philip recalled. “I was looking at premises in Brighton when a friend told me there was a business for sale in Cuckfield. I came here and it was perfect!”

Surprisingly, Philip didn’t know how to crochet until he started running the shop. “I had a telephone call from a former Cuckfield resident who had written a book explaining how to crochet and asked if I would stock it.” Not only did Philip say yes, he decided to try the book for himself and learn to crochet. Once he started, he couldn’t stop. “I was hooked!” he said.

Read full article on pages 12/13.

Thorpe Park Tickets Give Away

Explosive, electric and eccentric, Brainiac Show Live! returns to THORPE PARK Resort for a nine-day thrill spectacular over February half-term from Saturday 14 February. 

Strap on your safety goggles and join Brainiac Live’s mischievous band of scientists for the ultimate entertainment show with a science spin. From freezing household objects with liquid nitrogen to exploding bins, rocket propelled chairs, giant airzooka and testing how to make a really big BANG, who knew science could be this fun. 

Guests can catch one of four 45 minute shows that will take place each day between 14 – 22 February as well as enjoying the Park’s thrilling family friendly rides (*selected rides available). 

For more information visit www.thorpepark.com 

For your chance to win five tickets to THORPE PARK Resort this half- term simply e-mail your name and address to competitions@cuckfieldlife.co.uk before 28th January.

PRIZE DRAW TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.              These are the terms and conditions which apply to the Prize. By accepting the Prize, entrants will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the following terms and conditions.

2.              There are two prizes consisting of: five tickets to the February Half Term event between 14 February and 22 February 2015.

3.              The prize promotion is open to all UK residents aged 18 years or over except:

(a)        Any employees of the Merlin Entertainments Group or members of their immediate families; or

(b)        Any employees or representatives of any agencies, suppliers or third parties associated with any attractions in the Merlin Entertainments Group

4.              Only one entry per person is permitted.

5.              Submission of entries will not constitute proof of receipt and no responsibility will be accepted by the Promoter for entries or acceptances which the Promoter does not receive. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss or corruption of data in transit. No responsibility will be accepted for entries or acceptances which are lost, delayed or damaged in the post or elsewhere. Illegible, incomplete, late or defaced entries will be disqualified.

6.            The prize promotion closing date is 28th January 2015 (the "Closing Date") and any entries received after the Closing Date will not be accepted by the Promoter.

7.              The winning entries will be selected at random on 28th January 2015 and the winners will be notified on email within three days. Confirmation of the Prize will be communicated to the winner via the contact information provided by the winner at the point of entering. Details of the winner will be announced on the 15th February 2015.

8.              Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the winner.  If the winner cannot be contacted, or is unable to comply with these terms and conditions, THORPE PARK Resort reserves the right to offer the Prize to the next eligible entrant drawn at random.

9.              The tickets will be posted to the winners before the event.

10              The Prize is not transferable to another individual and no cash or other alternatives will be offered, unless specifically agreed by THORPE PARK Resort. The Prize is not valid in conjunction with any other offer, concession or online/call centre booking. THORPE PARK Resort reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of the same or greater value at any time.

11.              THORPE PARK Resort cannot accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment suffered by the winner or as a result of accepting the Prize.

12.              The winner [and their group] are responsible for any expenses and arrangements not specifically included in the Prize, including any necessary travel arrangements, costs, travel documentation or additional meals.

13.              The winner [and their group] agree to the use of their name, photograph and disclosure of county of residence and they will co-operate with any other reasonable request by THORPE PARK Resort relating to any post-winning publicity including all social channels.

14.              THORPE PARK Resort’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

15.              In the event of a discrepancy between these terms and conditions and the details in any promotional material (including but not being limited to any e-marketing) or any other terms and conditions provided or as referred to at the time of the entry, these terms and conditions shall prevail.

16.              Merlin reserves the right to alter theses terms and conditions at any time and for any reason.

Village people - Dawn Hall & Janine Watts

The controversial sale of The Ship and opening of the new Co-op store has been the talking point of the village for the last few months. And while many villagers have been lamenting the loss of the pub, their biggest concern has been the future of the much loved Wealden Stores.

But rest assured – store owners Dawn Hall and Janine Watts have no intention of shutting up shop. On the contrary the pair are fighting back with exciting new products and plans for the future, spurred on by the support and good wishes of the village community.

By Claire Cooper

Dawn and Janine came to Cuckfield from Colchester in September 2000, buying the Wealden Stores and moving into the adjoining house with their five young children.

“We shared a dream of moving to a village and running two ‘lifestyle’ businesses,” said Dawn. “We began looking in Sussex and when we came to Cuckfield we fell in love with the location. The Wealden Stores had everything we were looking for – two businesses (the post office and shop) and huge accommodation with seven bedrooms - plenty of space for our two growing families.”Despite having no experience in running a shop, the pair took the plunge. “It was a very steep learning curve and we relied on the existing staff to show us the ropes,” said Janine.

Initially Dawn and Janine kept the shop as it was, focusing on getting up to speed with running the business. Then it was time for a few cosmetic changes. “The shop was a little run down and tired, sort of shabby without the chic!” said Dawn. “We spruced it up and then began to change and increase the stock.”

Then there were the early starts to get used to! Dawn and Janine’s day starts at 5.30am when the daily papers are delivered and sorted. The doors open at 7am, to catch the early morning trade, closing at 5.30pm. The store is open every day, including Sunday from 8am to 12 noon. “What we originally thought was a lifestyle business actually took over our lives but it’s been worth it!” said Dawn. 

Read full article on pages 10 & 11.