Sally Nakajima - Village People feature

Sally Nakajima’s ambition in life is to always capture the moment. This stemmed from losing her father to cancer at an early age and having little to remember him by.

Her career spans across the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong – where her second daughter was born. Now based in Cuckfield, she spends most of her time photographing newborn babies in beautiful and imaginative ways.

By Joe Wayte

Sally was born in Dartford and grew up in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire where some of her family still lives. She graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Fine Art. Together with her husband and two daughters, Sally fell in love with the village and moved here four years ago.

“I’ve always loved the UK – I’m a home girl,” Sally explained, “and while living in Hong Kong we would visit the UK, staying with friends who lived in Balcombe. I told my husband that I didn’t care what the house was like, but we had to live in Cuckfield – I didn’t actually see the house till we moved in, fortunately I loved it.”

[read the full story on page 10 of June 2018's issue of Cuckfield Life magazine]

Echo Baby Photography

Cuckfield Life appoints new Assistant Editor

Jacqueline Elmore, assistant editor, Cuckfield Life

Jacqueline Elmore, assistant editor, Cuckfield Life

By David Tingley

Following a varied career in journalism, from television to local newspapers and from charities to national magazines, Jacqueline Elmore has returned to her roots both creatively and physically and I am excited to announce that she has become the new Assistant Editor at Cuckfield Life.

Jacqueline grew up locally and has lived in Cuckfield since 2013. “I spent some time away in New York, West London and Berkshire but always knew that I would one day return to this area. I even managed to drag my boyfriend (now husband) with me towards his in-laws!”, said Jacqueline. 

“We adore living in Cuckfield. My husband, a sceptic at first, often comments on how much he enjoys being part of the community and living in such a beautiful village. The fact that everything from local pubs to boutique fashion outlets sit right on our doorstep is an added bonus.”

Jacqueline is now fully integrated into Cuckfield Life and is already setting up interviews for next month’s edition. She would love to hear from any local residents, groups or societies who would like to share their stories for our Village People feature or perhaps want to reach out and get their message heard by the community.

Jacqueline’s role supports all aspects of editorial content, so do drop her, or me, an email to editor@ cuckfieldlife.co.uk when you have a suggestion or news item or event to mention. Our strapline is ‘local village talk by the village’ and, as such, we love to hear from our readers.

Please join me in welcoming Jacqueline to our special magazine.

5 minutes with... Alastair McPherson

Cuckfield Life like to interview residents of Bolnore and find out what makes them tick. Here is May's interviewee - Alastair McPherson...

5 mins with Alastair...

5 mins with Alastair...

Alastair is Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath. He works in the pharmaceutical industry, plays the piano and violin (not together!) and has a yacht master qualification…

How long have you lived in Bolnore? 14 years

What’s the best thing about being here?
We’re very lucky living within such amazing countryside and woods

Favourite ice cream flavour? Chocolate

How many houses have you lived in? Four

What would you like to see in Bolnore that isn’t here?
A vibrant village centre - with all the shops in use at once - we nearly got there a few months ago!

Favourite holiday destination?
Chanteloup - a Chateau in France where we’ve camped for the last few years and had an amazing time

Song you play the most? Anything from Coldplay

What would you do if you won £1million?
Pay off the mortgage, get a VW campervan and make sure the Woodside is sorted financially… and, with my Councillor hat on, sort out South Road!

What was the last present you gave someone?
Lego Friends Hospital for my daughter’s last birthday

Strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Octopus Rice in Portugal

Which would you rather give up for a month – TV or music?
TV - I have a picture in my study that reads ‘without music, life would not be fair’

Which App on your phone do you use the most? Sonos

What’s your proudest moment? 
Apart from getting married and the births of my two girls, it was probably the opening of the Woodside

Your advice for life? You can’t complain if you don’t get involved!


If you would like to provide your own answers for 5 Minutes With, simply email them to editor @cuckfieldlife.co.uk along with a photo of yourself, or do please encourage a friend to send their answers in!