Scattered Flea Market - 16th July - Bolnore Village

Bolnore resident Dan Weaver has started what he hopes may become a regular event in the village.

By Dan Weaver

As the days are longer, the attention is drawn to the garage and an opportunity to unpack those final boxes and decide... do I really need these?... are we ever going to use those?... some of these things have got to go!

The realisation of the early morning car boot or time loading single images on to Gumtree sapped my energy... If only they could come to me at a leisurely time.

Within minutes, I had the idea... and posted online... ‘I have an idea for the residents of Bolnore Village to get rid of/sell items from your home, the garden or the garage, and would like some feedback as to whether you think this would be a good idea and if you would participate as a buyer or seller.

Imagine a map of our village with households participating. Like a car boot/garage sale on your drive or in front of your house, and residents walk around the village looking at the items to buy!’

Within a few hours I had approximately 70 likes or positive comments. With the opportunity of selling anything from antiques to cakes, vegetables to clothes, games to furniture, The Scattered Flea Market was born... 

A week later, we had already got nearly 40 households signed up and have been adding more daily. One resident intends to have BBQ for buyers, others cake stalls and ice cream.

There will also be hard copies at the entrances and at strategic points around the village to help navigate.

Potentially, this concept could become an annual event... Possibly doing a late spring-cleaning one and a late summer one that sells seasonal fruit and veg from our gardens. I believe we are extremely fortunate to be part of a community with the potential to do this type of community event.

So if you, too, would like to participate in Bolnore’s first Scattered Flea Market as a buyer or if you’re a resident, a seller, contact email me (danjweaverdesign@yahoo.com).  

Please speak to your neighbours too, as they might also want to do this...

Come and discover some treasures between 10am-4pm!

View fullsize

Cuckfield Preschool Playgroup celebrate 'outstanding' Ofsted inspection

By Becca Chatterton, Chair

Despite the recent lack of suitable summer weather, the sun managed to peep out from behind the clouds for a couple of hours on Sunday 26th June to join us in celebrating the ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection for Cuckfield Preschool Playgroup.

Staff, committee, parents and children enjoyed the Cream Tea Party with outdoor games, scones, cake and the odd glass of fizz. We were also delighted to welcome Parish Council Chairman Nigel Page to the event, which was planned immaculately and at relatively short notice by Angela Wade (Vice Treasurer), Liz Thurlwell (outgoing Secretary) and Leigh McKay (incoming Secretary) and a lovely afternoon was had by all. From the contributions of food and drink, including a splendid cake crafted by a friend of Sarah Moss (Treasurer), to the final clear up the sense of teamwork shone through as always. Sarah Paterson (Manager) was presented with gifts by the committee to commemorate the third ‘outstanding’ inspection in succession.

Although many of us have children moving on to big school in September, we will remember the positive impact the enthusiasm of this outstanding team has had on our little ones. Does anyone have a tissue, please?

Staplefield Village Fete - 2016

Budding young circus performers enjoyed picking up tips from the experts at the Staplefield Village Fete and Car Show on Bank Holiday Monday last month.

The workshops, run by Circuswurx were a new attraction at the popular annual event, held on the village green.

Opened by Mid Sussex MP the Rt. Hon. Sir Nicholas Soames, the traditional event offered the usual popular stalls and sideshows including fairground rides, Pimms and strawberries, a barbeque and beer tent, traction engines and the classic and vintage car show.

Children from St Mark’s School delighted the crowds with Maypole dancing, while the Magog Ladies Morris Dancers entertained onlookers in the Victory Inn car park.

The ever popular Punch and Judy Show went down a treat with families, while dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes paraded in the ring for the annual dog show, sponsored by Cuckfield Pet and Country Store. With categories including Bad Hair Day, Golden Oldie and My Dog’s Got Talent, there was a chance for every pet to win a prize!

Organiser Maggie Chamberlain said the event had been a great success: “We had spent the morning in trepidation, wondering if it would rain, but we were lucky. The weather stayed dry and the crowds turned out!” She added that the village was delighted to welcome the return of Elvis impersonator ‘Philvis’, and dog show compere Clive Panto, who travelled from his home in France to take part. “We are already building this year’s experience and searching for new attractions for next year,” added Maggie.

All money raised from the event is donated to St Mark’s Church and the Village Hall, with a donation to St Mark’s School, and other worthy causes.