A two-day course at Woods Mill taught by Janine Creaye for those who want to learn the basic techniques of woodcarving whilst creating an achievable small relief design. This course will cover the best tools to use, tool sharpening, and wood staining. A short time will be spent on the reserve looking for natural inspiration. Sussex Wildlife Trust commissioned four carvings from Janine in 2011 and they can be seen at Woods Mill, in situ, or here. Sundays 13th & 20th July, 10:00am-4:00pm, £110 for both days. Course information sheet [PDF] and booking (only two places left).
Latest News of Local Interest
B/lock your gates!
There’s an illegal occupation on the football field in Poynings, and the people may be moved on .. Mid Sussex District Council and Sussex Police are aware of this. If you have any issues about this occupation, phone Sussex Police on 101 (the non-emergency number), quoting crime reference 1487 of 26 June. As ever, if you see a crime being committed (or just about to be), phone 999 instead.
Richard Corner, 219
Postscript 1: roads into Poynings were blocked by the police last night and access to Fullking from the East was via Clappers Lane only. The roads are clear now but the occupation persists. The photo below was taken at around 11:00 this morning.
Postscript 2: the recreation ground had been vacated by 12:50pm.
FPC Planning 6:30pm 2nd July
Body found on Truleigh Hill
The Argus has a lot of additional information.
A23 still on schedule
The West Sussex County Times reports:
Southbound traffic will be diverted onto the newly constructed carriageway in two phases, with the first planned in early July and the second at the end of July.
During the month, the southbound entry slip road at the Handcross junction — which has been closed since February while it was be rebuilt and improved — will be re-opened.
The work will be carried out overnight, between 8pm and 6am, and only one carriageway will be closed at a time. Dates will be publicised of the closures nearer the time.
Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the A264, A24 and A272.
Local history continues
Hassocks Station plaque
Fulking residents will remember Gina Field as one our MSDC Councillors, when she came to Fulking PC meetings. By 2003, Gina had taken a back seat at the PR business she founded (Field McNally Leathes PR) — still based in Hurstpierpoint.
One of her key local campaigns was to persuade the train companies to retain frequent services through Hassocks Station, and also to improve the indifferent 1970s station building. She always saw Hassocks as a vital stop on the London to Brighton line, and a gateway station for the forthcoming South Downs National Park.
Hassocks Station was rebuilt and opened in July 2013. The improved underpass opened a few weeks ago, and it allows disabled people to use lifts to traverse the station, whether they are rail travellers or not.
This plaque is now at the main entrance to the station.
Richard Corner
Horsdean traveller site gets ministerial approval
The Argus reports:
The Department for Communities and Local Government have confirmed that they will not be calling in a planning application for 12 permanent residential traveller pitches at Horsdean .. the Secretary of State confirmed the site will be given the go-ahead following his scrutiny. Brighton & Hove City Council will now be able to go ahead with their plans to create the site, which extends and improves an existing traveller transit site just to the east of Patcham on the north side of the A27.
Earlier coverage here.
Dyke Farm House open garden
Sunday 29th June, 2:00pm–5:00pm visitors are welcome to bring a picnic. Tea & cakes. Donations on the gate in aid of the Martlets Hospice. Parking at Manor Farm will be signposted, a 5 minute walk from the garden.
In A Gadda Da Vida
Shoreham Cement Works may yet become the Garden of Eden. Upper Beeding Parish Council is planning an open day with a bus trip and guided tour for August to give local people the chance to find out more. Parish Council Chairman Simon Birnstingl asks “The Eden Project was made on a similar site, could we do something similar?”. Read more at the Shoreham Herald.