Old photos unearthed - Local History

Residents Anthony and Sarah Parham found these old photos in their new house when they bought Grapevine Cottage. But they didn’t have any dates - can anyone help the couple locate them in time? “We know the shop, now our dining room, has been a handbag shop, fishmongers, office, jewellers and saddlers over the years and this shot must be Victorian, along with the street shot, we think,” Anthony comments. The couple have taken up to date shots to compare them with. 
     Grapevine Cottage was built circa 1450 and still features one of the only village bread ovens in the back of the fireplace in the home.

Page 13.

Hurst Life now available to pick up on the High Street

We are pleased to announce that residents and visitors to Hurstpierpoint can now pick up a free copy of Hurst Life magazine from our beautiful stand outside The Jam Pot, 89 High Street.

Hurst Life launches at Sussex Pages Prestige Networking event

The first issue of Hurstpierpoint's community magazine - Hurst Life - launched at a business networking event held at Hurst College last weekend. 

The April issue of Hurst Life is out today (Monday 30th March 2015), being delivered to all homes in Hurstpierpoint, and also available to pick up in numerous shops on the High Street. 

David Tingley, editor of the community magazine, is pictured at the Sussex Pages Prestige Networking event. 

New wine bar opening on High Street

     There is something new coming to the High Street this month as a Hurst resident prepares to unveil Morley’s Wine Bar and Bistro.
     Toby Payne knows he’s got a huge task on his hands as he is completely gutting and refitting what was T’Hurst at 42 High Street. “This place has had a lot of change in recent years, so I have decided to almost completely start again,” Toby commented. The whole kitchen has been thrown out and replaced. The bar is reduced in size and redesigned, and the courtyard outside is also being renovated. The tones for the new interior will be simply pale gray and white.
     “We want this place to be all inclusive,” Toby continued. “We will be serving breakfast and morning coffees, lunches and afternoon cakes right through to sophisticated dining in the evening. We look forward to welcoming mums and toddlers, dogs and their owners in the courtyard and retirees out for lunch - and anything in between!”
     Toby, who grew up with both parents working in the hospitality sector, is used to the drill of running a restaurant. He spent 13 years working for Virgin Atlantic in their global catering division and, before moving down to Hurstpierpoint from Wimbledon, he was running three private members’ clubs in London. 
     The refitted restaurant will have capacity for up to 50 diners inside, plus plenty more in the south-facing courtyard and garden, and will be managed by Kate Howard (pictured with Toby). Morley’s opens on Good Friday and will available for reservations from Easter Saturday 5th April.

Available on page 7

Round Hurstpierpoint by Bike - Sussex Nomads Cycling Club

By Ashley Knowles

     So you’ve been watching the weather for months, your bike cowering at the back of the garage, cobwebbed and unloved? Well, it’s time for that to change; there’s a feeling in the air of a new season with fresh promise. It’s time to grease your chain, pump up your tyres and head out into the countryside.
     This ride is a relatively short introduction to the beautiful, secret lanes that surround you. Avoiding the main roads, you’ll find peace, quiet and a sense of exploration. You can ride the route with any roadworthy bike and you should manage the distance if you’re at least moderately fit … but don’t underestimate the steady ascent in the middle! Take a snack and plenty to drink, and remember that you’re doing this for fun. Pace yourself, and take a break if you feel you’re overdoing it.
     From the centre of Hurstpierpoint, head east towards Hassocks. After the sharp left-hand bend at the entrance to New Way Lane, turn left on to College Lane. Be careful as you pass the houses here, as there’s very little room for cars. At Hurstpierpoint College, take the left turn on to Chalkers Lane, then the first right on to Danworth Lane and relax; you’re now in countryside proper.
     You don’t need to navigate now for a mile and a half, until you reach the end of the lane. Turn left on to Gatehouse Lane and almost immediately go across the Goddards Green crossroads by the Sportsman Inn. Mind your head as you cycle under the vehicle barrier, and carry on along Bishopstone Lane until you hit the A2300. Cross carefully on to the continuation of Bishopstone Lane, then immediately turn left on to Job’s Lane, a hidden back-way parallel to the A-road. After two-thirds of a mile, turn right on to Stairbridge Lane and continue north for two and a half miles, in the process crossing the A272 onto Buncton Lane. You should detect a change in the landscape; you’re seeing the same unremarkable but charming Sussex fields but the road has started to head upwards.

Read full story on pages 10/11.

Village People - Chris Bradford

Chris Bradford, author

By David Tingley

“It was whilst travelling on a bus in New Zealand, entertaining the other passengers with my guitar. That’s when I knew,” Chris said, as he told me when he knew he wanted to be a professional musician. Yet somehow his journey led him to become a bestselling children’s writer.

Chris Bradford lives in Hurstpierpoint with his wife Sarah and two sons Zach and Leo. Chris is an accomplished author with 23 books in print, sold around the world in 20 languages. He is best known for his Young Samurai series set in 17th Century Japan as Jack Fletcher trains to become a samurai warrior. However writing fiction wasn’t Chris’ first dream. 

At 22 he left Exeter university with a degree in English Literature under his arm. “But not with any desire to write literature,” Chris explains. No, music was his thing, but first he had to get some travel out of his system. He travelled around Africa, the United States, Australia and New Zealand - where he had the ‘light bulb moment’.

On his return to the UK Chris turned his thoughts and energies into, in his words, “becoming a rock star”! He studied at the London Music School and soon formed a band with friends – Clearway. “We were a five piece rock band with a bit of funk thrown in,” Chris explained. “A kind of cross between Coldplay and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They were great years!” 

He describes the success of Clearway as ‘surviving rather than thriving’. They played to packed clubs and recorded a number of albums - albeit self-funded. The band’s highlight was undoubtedly playing at the 21st Celebration of the Commonwealth in front HRH Queen Elizabeth at Kensington Gardens in 2001. 

But Chris now had his heart set on becoming a songwriter and, through his carefully planned networking amongst the industry, he was invited to join the comittee of The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA). Here he represented young songwriters and found himself sitting next to composers who had written for the likes of Cliff Richard, Elton John and Elvis. One of the first ideas he brought to the table of BASCA was for them to produce a book about how to write a definitive hit song. To his surprise they all loved the concept and he was tasked with talking to publishers about the book. To his even greater surprise publishers loved the idea too, and it wasn’t long before he was offered a deal!

Read the full story in the April issue of Hurst Life

Neighbourhood Plan - 92.4% VOTED 'YES'!

From Hurstpierpoint Parish Council website:

Local community supports Plan

The Referendum took place on 12 February 2015 and 2139 electors voted, which was a 42% turn-out. 92.4% ( 1972 electors) voted in favour of the Plan, which means that it will now become the formal planning guidance for the Parish. Council Chairman John Wilkinson said “The Council is delighted to have the support of local people. We know some of the proposals are not everyone’s first choice, but the Plan provides a clear and credible future for restrained development in our villages.”