Features
Time to enjoy the Cuckoo Trail and a wine tour and tasting at Off the Line Vineyard
A perfect opportunity to enjoy award winning rosé wines produced in Off the Line Vineyard, Hellingly, East Sussex. During August you can visit this, state of the art vineyard, find out more about the wine with a tasting and enjoy a self-guided walk. Wine is available by the glass, and the cellar door shop offers sales... Read more
7th August
From rat race to Rushlake Green – a year in the life of a first-time village shop owner
For first-time shop owner Tony, his inaugural year in retail is one that he will never forget and a time that presented more challenges than he could have ever imagined. Tony purchased Rushlake Green Villages Stores last July in order to fulfil his dream of returning to the country and escaping the London rat race.... Read more
6th August
Time for 18-25 year olds to take back financial control urges Cranwell Wealth Solutions
Young people in the 18-25 year old age group have experienced testing times of late – with the lasting effect of the 2008 financial crash, unattainable housing, higher tuition fees and Brexit all playing their part. Now, with the enormous impact of Covid-19 on their further education and employment prospects, this generation face tough times... Read more
24th July
Stylist gets ready to hit the road*
A mobile stylist from Five Ashes is gearing up to re-connect with customers in their own homes for the first time in many months. She will be wearing full PPE and adhering to the new rules since the coronavirus outbreak to keep herself and customers safe. *Amy has been busy practising wearing her PPE by... Read more
2nd July
Off the Line Vineyard celebrates English Wine Week with a virtual tour and tasting 26 & 27 June 2020
Join Off the Line Vineyard to celebrate English Wine Week! This year English Wine Week runs from Saturday 20 June to Sunday 28 June and Off the Line Vineyard, in Horam are offering a special virtual tour and tasting experience so that you can enjoy the vineyard and taste their three rosés with your household... Read more
17th June
Is yours one of the 1.6 million unclaimed pension pots worth £19.4 billion?
Have you exhausted your list of lockdown chores yet? Research published in May 2020 from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) suggests that tracking down old pensions might be one task worth adding. Here Cranwell Wealth Solutions of Uckfield and Heathfield explains how many pensions are currently being left unclaimed. According to the ABI, there... Read more
5th June
Quick fixes and advice from Cuckoo Hair
Cuckoo Hair may be temporarily closed but they are busy supporting their clients through out this challenging time. For many, not being able to have their regular salon visit is tough. Leanne, co-owner of Cuckoo Hair is offering complimentary consultations over the phone to give advice on how best to handle hair and scalp maintenance,... Read more
18th May
Ideas for celebrating VE Day 75 at home
The May Bank Holiday was moved this year to encourage three days of celebrations to mark VE Day 75, over the weekend of 8th to 10th May. The Coronavirus lockdown has had a big impact on this, with most events cancelled. But, don’t dispair you can still join in from home, to mark this significant... Read more
6th May
Guy is king of the castle during lockdown
It’s the time of year when Herstmonceux Castle and Grounds are at their most colourful with displays of daffodils, tulips, magnolias and primroses. Normally there would be hundreds of visitors walking around the estate, people attending special events like Easter egg hunts and others enjoying the tearoom and tours of the castle. But as a... Read more
15th April
Award winning wine importer launches delivery service for Heathfield area
Mayfield based, Las Bodegas, is the UK’s leading importer of wines from South America. They also stock an impressive selection of wines from Spain and France. Normally, they supply exclusively to independent wine shops and restaurant trade customers; but the recent crisis, which has seen restaurants closed, has challenged the business to think about a... Read more
15th April
“Our amazing, valued workers – making a difference” life at Oakdown House, Adult Care
Sue Fletcher, a member of staff at Oakdown House, contacted us because she wanted to let people know that during this difficult time, carers and support staff are working harder than ever to keep vunerable people safe at places like Oakdown House, a centre for adults with severe learning difficulties in Burwash Common. This is... Read more
14th April
The worst days are often followed by some of the best days – a take on the financial markets by Cranwell Wealth Solutions
We have written many articles for Heathfield News over the years and recently established a new branch of our business within the high street; sadly only to close it temporarily in recent weeks. Never have we faced times as uncertain, complex and worrying as we do right now. I would like to take this opportunity... Read more
30th March
Last minute, safe ideas for Mother’s Day
During a time of crisis we can easily lose focus on the nice things in life like celebrating birthdays and special events. But these should not be forgotten. We may not be able to celebrate with get togethers or meals out, but we can arrange deliveries, send cards and phone our loved ones. It’s a... Read more
21st March
Find out about Vibrational Essences with Min Peterken at Wholefoods Healthstore
On March the 12th, from 10.30am, Min Peterken will be sharing her range of Vibrational Essences with customers at The Wholefood Healthstore on Station Approach, Heathfield. If you are interested in alternative healthcare it is an excellent opportunity to find out about the unique benefits of these essences. Vibrational essences can be used as a... Read more
5th March
Healthy half-term activities that won’t break the bank
Christmas celebrations seem like only yesterday and for many parents half-term has arrived incredibly quickly. Right now you are probably wondering how to keep the children occupied and off their gadgets without spending too much or travelling very far. Fortunately the weather forecast looks promising, so the kids can get outside in the fresh air.... Read more
13th February
Are you feeling sad or S.A.D.?
It’s cold and wet, cloudy and grey the sun hasn’t shown it’s face today………. It’s that time of year again, the days are shorter and for some people it marks a clear downturn in mood and a tendency to withdraw into themselves. Although we generally agree that people are more cheerful in sunshine than in... Read more
11th February
Let a massage melt away your stress
We have some great beauty businesses, who are members of the Heathfield News, providing a full range of treatments to suit everyone. This week we were invited to try a treatment by the award-winning Emma, from Emma Smith Beauty. You will find her treatment rooms tucked away between Station Approach and the Tesco carpark at... Read more
23rd January
Men, are you looking after your eye health?
Heathfield Opticians, Melina Joy, are excited about this year being 20/20; but most of all they would like to encourage men to look after their eye health. This tongue-in-cheek story from Catriona explains how. This IS an exciting new year. You probably don’t realise quite how exciting it is, especially for opticians, so I... Read more
21st January
Create your own experience this Christmas advises Heathfield psychologist
What does Christmas mean to you? Is it all about the religious experience, or is it the songs, mince pies and desire for snow? For most of us, in 21st Century Britain, it’s closely associated with family and friends. It’s a celebration in which all the social and family dynamics are activated, for good or... Read more
13th December
New ‘zero waste’ services at Wholefoods Health Store in Heathfield
Heathfield’s only healthfood store, Wholefoods Health Store on Station Approach, is celebrating its first anniversary at their new location. Rita Quinlan, the owner has been in the supplements and healthfoods business since 1989 and this is the third location she has occupied in Heathfield during this time. The store is packed with well known ranges... Read more
11th December
Variety is a key word when working at Oakdown House
Who wants to do the same thing day in day out? Not many people! Oakdown House is a residential home for adults with learning disabilities, it supports residents with a range of different needs in four different units within a beautiful country setting. No two days are ever the same so variety is assured when... Read more
28th November
Heathfield Traders unite to bring festive Christmas fun to Heathfield
This time last year, shops in Heathfield were reeling from the impact of having the High Street closed for the best part of the month of November. Campaigns like the one we ran #shopheathfield which promoted the need to support our local shopkeepers coupled with the activities mounted by the businesses themselves helped to keep... Read more
27th November
From Hellas to Heathfield – how a young Greek couple created a thriving business in a small East Sussex town
Dora and Thanasis are from the coastal Greek town of Volos, one of the largest and most attractive cities in Greece. This busy town is backed by the mountainous region of Pelion and enjoys a wonderful seafront with charming little restaurants and of course some beautiful beaches. However, Dora and Thanasis said goodbye to this... Read more
24th November
Monumental stonemasons – Burslem, a thriving business creating memorials large and small
Tucked away on the road between Bells Yew Green and Frant, monumental stonemasons since 1880, Burslem has established a reputation for the highest quality finished products and customer care. They have nearly 140 years of experience providing and restoring memorials for generations of families across the south east of England and larger memorials for clients... Read more
20th November
Which Christmas tree should you choose? We have all the answers and advice
The benefits of having a real tree in your home at Christmas have been well publicised over the last few years. Studies show pine needle aroma can help lighten moods and reduce stress. In addition, while technology is making it easier for family members to do their own thing, choosing and decorating a real tree... Read more
15th November
Vines Cross turkey business is a real family affair
Established over 65 years ago, the Sheffield family farm has produced turkeys for the seasonal market since 1950. The farm was originally brought by Jim’s father and mother, Jack and Rita Sheffield (hence J&R Sheffield). The farm was originally run as a mixed farm and then, following the end of the Second World War with... Read more
9th November
Halloween, bonfire and half-term ideas
It’s a busy time of year with half-term, Halloween and bonfire season coinciding. Love or hate bonfire season and Halloween, we have some ideas for you and tips from our Members. With Halloween falling in the middle of half term there is a big buildup to the main event. Some spooky activities are taking place... Read more
25th October
As nights draw in, it is a good time to think about the challenges of night driving
The nights are drawing in and Winter is on its way. Many people find that they don’t feel comfortable driving at night and reorganise their travel to avoid night driving. While others drive at night but feel less confident. This can be due to many factors. Around 75% of motorists report feeling stress when driving... Read more
22nd October
Putting protection back on the table
Protecting yourself and your family is just as important as investing money for the future. When it comes to exciting financial purchases, life insurance is unlikely to top the list. Most of us would rather bolster our investment portfolio, buy a rental property or improve our pension provision. But it is vital if your loved ones... Read more
16th October
Need some extra space? Safe + Secure Storage can help
Natasha Robinson has turned an empty barn into a thriving business, with her Safe + Secure Storage solution. She showcased the business as a winner of one of the sponsored New Enterprise Zone showstands, at The Heathfield Show, in May of 2019. ” It was a good boost to our business to do the show,... Read more
8th October
Friendly Creatures – a fresh approach to dog training
Friendly Creatures is a new dog training service, created by Lydia Burke an animal behaviourist from Burwash Common. We went over to watch the training and get a feel from Lydia about her ethos and what she is offering dog owners. “As far back as I can remember, I have loved being around animals and... Read more
7th October
Sussex soap company goes from strength to strength
Hidden away on a small, farm-based industrial estate in the sleepy country lanes of Waldron in rural East Sussex is a business that is quietly and confidently flourishing. Christina May started nearly 20 years ago after the co-founders Bob and Juliet Butts discovered some vintage soap moulds lying disused in a machinery workshop on a... Read more
30th September
Bursting the retirement bubble
Savers drawing a pension income they don’t yet need are in danger of leaving a hole in their finances when they eventually hit retirement. New research suggests that people are taking money from their pension long before they really need it, putting them at risk of depleting their savings before they retire. Half of those... Read more
11th September
Was the property market a bit overweight?
Was the property market a bit over weight? Paul Wilson ponders the current market. What most people do when they see the inches piling on is to diet. Losing a bit of weight is a healthy thing to do. The property market acts in much the same way. After a period of excess, when things... Read more
10th September
Five step guide to improving home security
Figures from the Office for National Statistics for the year up to September 2018 show the number of domestic burglaries in England and Wales was 644,000 – and that’s an improvement on the previous year! It’s a statistic that demonstrates to all householders that no home is immune from the threat posed by burglars, but there’s plenty you... Read more
6th September
Archery – an activity with multiple benefits for everyone
I have watched various forms of archery and tried things like air rifle shooting but never thought this very ancient activity would be something I would enjoy or be strong enough to do. An hour or so and a ‘taster’ session with the highly experienced Adrian Caddy who runs ACA certainly changed my mind. We... Read more
29th August
Work experience is a win-win for us and Anna
We often receive requests from students wanting work experience and we are always delighted to help if we can – it’s our way of ‘giving back’ to the community and helping young people embark on their careers. Our recent trainee was a delight and we know she is going to be a successful journalist. We... Read more
8th August
Heatwave led to fan-tastic sales for High Street trader
Temperatures of up to 34.2 degrees encapsulated Heathfield and the surrounding areas last month. Reminders to drink plenty of water, seek shade and stay cool were put in place to help stay hydrated and healthy in high temperatures. Ensuring that the above advice has been taken on board means that you can safely enjoy the... Read more
5th August
Shining a light on wonderful Thorpe Gardens
Perhaps like me you have driven past Thorpe Gardens on the road between Horam and Cross in Hand hundreds of times. I live in Hellingly and belong to Cross in Hand Tennis Club so it is a regular route for me – especially in the summer. Thorpe Gardens is almost apologetic in its marketing –... Read more
4th August
Here’s what to do if you don’t get the A-Level results you want
With A-Level results day just three weeks away, many students are being advised to prepare for clearing. Here’s what you need to know and how you can get ready for results day. Plan now for Clearing!Many people think that university clearing is only open on A-level results day and for a few weeks afterwards – but this... Read more
29th July
Ideas to keep the kids occupied this Summer – clubs and workshops
The Summer holidays can be a real challenge for parents. Some parents are looking to find ways of having their children cared for, while other parents are searching for ideas to keep their children occupied during the long holidays. Parents of younger children often want to find activities they can share with their kids, and... Read more
17th July
Burial vs cremation – the numbers don’t stack up says Heathfield funeral director
Do your loved ones know what you want to happen to your body when you die? A recent poll commissioned by Axell-Eames suggests this is not the case. When the funeral director firm asked people about their funeral preferences, 76 percent of people chose cremation while 24 percent opted for burial. And yet the company’s... Read more
16th July
Investing the exit proceeds of your business
Building a successful business can involve a lifetime of work; so when the time comes to sell; would you know the best options for investing the sale money wisely? It’s important to make sure you and your family can enjoy the benefits for many decades to come, but how? Here Stephen Palmer, Founder and Director... Read more
11th July
Heathfield Ironmongers celebrate their 100 year anniversary!
This year is the 100th anniversary of the Heathfield Ironmongers on Heathfield High St, to mark this milestone in the first week of July you will see some amazing competitions and offers in store. Over a 100 years ago, before World War 1, a Hailsham based ironmongery company called A.F. Smith, opened the original... Read more
27th June
Wine Festival launches, Saturday 1st June 2019 at Hidden Spring, Horam
It’s all go at Hidden Spring Vineyard, Horam, East Sussex. Not only have they just been awarded a silver medal at the 2019 International Wine Challenge for their Bacchus (2017); but they are hosting the first Sussex Weald Festival of Wine on Saturday, June 1st. Five outstanding Sussex vineyards have united to create a FESTIVAL OF WINE a... Read more
29th May
If you love horses – make sure you come along to The Heathfield Show
The Heathfield Show has built up a brilliant reputation over the past few decades as a first- class venue attracting top class exhibitors and serious competitors There are 90 horse classes over the day with almost 600 entries each year. Classes start early in the morning with six dedicated equine rings showing horses and ponies... Read more
24th May
Monster trucks return and first for Shetland Pony Grand National
From the heavy horse parade to the Shetland Pony Grand National and Big Pete, The Monster Trucks & The Grim Reeper, ring one is the place to watch some spectacular entertainment. The Monster Trucks will be returning to the Heathfield Show on Saturday. Big Pete is one of Europe’s largest Monster Trucks with a full-size... Read more
23rd May
Bigger and better Arts and Crafts Marquee at this year’s Heathfield Show
Last year’s new format Arts & Crafts marquee was a huge success. This year 2019 there is an even bigger and better marquee. This dedicated area will be for like minded creative businesses to showcase and sell their hand-crafted, unique products. From wood crafts and metal smiths, glass, ceramics and textiles, through to artists and... Read more
23rd May
Foodie Delights at The Heathfield Show
Food and drink are a major attraction for visitors to The Heathfield Show. You will find everything from fairground fodder to local specialist producers, food trucks and a Food Tent. Farmers’ Markets are a a great opportunity for producers to sell directly to the public. People love shopping at Farmers’ Markets – it’s the only... Read more
22nd May
See some of the best livestock in the country at The Heathfield Show
Cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and poultry will be in abundance at this year’s show. As well as the chance to get up close to all types of livestock you can watch some of the best breeders and handlers in the country compete against each over for the coveted trophies and rosettes. There is also the... Read more
21st May