Features
The fascinating history of stoolball and the locals who played
I remember well the stoolball games I played at school mainly because the bat was so wide, it gave me some hope of hitting the ball! But did you know it began as a medieval courting game? Stoolball originated in the Kent, Sussex and Surrey area and began in the C15th. It was played by... Read more
8th June
Farrago womenswear comes of age
Coming of age can be a celebration of maturity, a rite of passage, even a milestone. But in Farrago’s case it’s a time to look forward after having had to spend much of the past year unable to open its doors. Farrago is a well established womenswear shop, and it has occupied the same site... Read more
18th May
An update from Wealden Funeral Services – your local independent funeral directors
As we hopefully come out of this COVID pandemic and look to the future we thought it was time to update the people of Heathfield and surrounding villages with changes that are taking place locally with regard to funerals and with us as well. The good news is that, as a whole, the number of... Read more
13th May
Joy at new freedoms for local care homes – Oakdown House and Carricks Brook
Everyone, everywhere is talking about ‘the end of lockdown’, this too is the topic of conversation at two local residential homes for adults with learning disabilities. The prospect of freedom and ‘normality’ is exciting but staff and residents of both Oakdown House and Carricks Brook are moving forward with caution, keeping everyone safe is still... Read more
29th April
The Pet Food Shop celebrates 50 years in Heathfield
Tucked away off Station Road, in Station Approach, The Pet Food Shop in Heathfield is a treasure trove of everything to do with pets and a place where you can be sure to find the best quality food for your furry friends. The Pet Food Shop is celebrating 50 years of trading this month and... Read more
26th April
Are you one of the many women missing out on £1,000s of state pension?
Here Stephen Palmer of Cranwell Wealth Solutions, a local Uckfeld and Heathfield financial planning practice, explains who should check their state pension to find out if they are owed far more. Who should check? Back in October 2020 Martin Lewis highlighted an issue of under payments of state pension that will affect many women. The... Read more
21st April
Who is the special link between Cross-in-Hand, Waldron and Harrods?
Did you know that Cross-in-Hand and Waldron have a link with the luxury London department store Harrods? Charles Digby Harrod was born in Whitechapel in 1841. His father Charles Henry Harrod was a grocer and tea dealer and had opened a Harrod’s shop in Stepney but later speculatively rented premises in the up and coming... Read more
15th April
Plan to push the boat out, put your feet up or maybe visit the local castle this Easter
As Spring finally arrives, Easter is a wonderful opportunity for family time, celebration, feasting, treats and getting together. It can be a good opportunity to take some time out and time off and treat yourself and your loved ones with a little picnic or a lazy afternoon tea. Or with Herstmonceux Castle opening to the public... Read more
25th March
Financial planning expert Steven Sanders talks about ISAs, reviewing personal goals, pensions, the stockmarket and more
Personal finances are high on the agenda for many people following the year-long pandemic. Heathfield News talks to local Financial planning practice, Cranwell Wealth Solutions, who have a high street branch in Heathfield about the issues many face and the advice they would give to alleviate people’s concerns. Steven Sanders has worked for Cranwell Wealth... Read more
18th March
Looking for a job. Have you considered working with vulnerable adults?
One of the ‘A’ Level students enjoying the garden with one of the residents. If you have been impacted during the pandemic by job loss then read on. Oakdown House have gained many new staff over the past year, quite a few have found themselves furloughed or without work, and have decided to give a... Read more
15th February
The sporting legend who went to Skippers Hill
Charles Burgess Fry was born in 1872 in Croydon and is my interesting life with a local link this week (Article by local historian and writer Nicola Walker) Charles – known as CB Fry – was a sporting legend. Charles spent much of his childhood at Skippers Hill Manor in Five Ashes and is... Read more
9th February
Lockdown Valentine’s Day – lift someone up by spreading the love
As a candlelit dinner in your favourite posh restaurant is not going to happen this year, you might be wondering what to do to make this coming Valentine’s Day a touch more special than a ‘normal’ day. Here are a few ideas: If you’re looking for something to share with your significant other this Valentine’s,... Read more
4th February
Why we should all help reduce light pollution
Would you like to help maintain the beauty of the East Sussex countryside, by monitoring light pollution and the darkness of the night sky? Wealden retains some of the darkest skies in the South (one of the reasons why the Royal Greenwich observatory was in Herstmonceux from 1957 to 1979), and the Milky Way is... Read more
31st January
The bizarre connection between Hellingly and Alan Bennett’s ‘The Lady in the Van’
Margaret was born at The Dicker in 1911 to Hailsham Rural District Council Highways Surveyor George Bryant Fairchild and his wife Harriet (Burgess). George was employed by the Hailsham Council for 28 years and was a member of the local Labour Party. Harriet was very involved with the Hellingly and Hailsham communities, organising and winning... Read more
12th January
Make Veganuary dry and embark on a food and drink adventure at home
With travelling off the menu for a while and no opportunity to taste different foods abroad, the owner of an artisan food platform is encouraging people to embark on a food and drink adventure at home. Taking part in MeltedInside.com founder and Sussex resident Candy Bowles’ triple challenge during January will involve trying a whole... Read more
29th December
Festive Focus on Food and Drink
It has been a year of restrictions, and as a result, many of us are learning to enjoy catering at home, it has been a time of discovery, of trying new things, and most of all shopping from local suppliers. During lockdown local stores and businesses turned to delivery services and many of us were... Read more
11th December
Disney blockbuster Mary Poppins was written in Mayfield cottage
This week’s interesting life with a local link is author Pamela Lyndon Travers OBE who wrote the ‘Mary Poppins’ books at her home in Pound Cottage near Mayfield during the Winter of 1933/34. Born Helen Lyndon Goff in Queensland, Australia in 1899 to wealthy parents, Helen was the eldest of three daughters. Her father died... Read more
2nd December
New tuition service for Primary School children
Lockdown has had a significant impact across all years of schooling, but no more so than at Primary School level, as young children find it much more difficult to concentrate and struggle with online teaching. According to the BBC news and Ofsted, children are roughly 3 months behind where they should be, with 44% of... Read more
26th November
Brave Dallington resident who worked undercover against the Gestapo
This week, I am glimpsing into the life of Arthur Breen – husband of french resistance fighter Michele Breen, who I wrote about before, having seen their interesting gravestone in Dallington churchyard. I say glimpsing because in World War Two, Arthur was a member of the SOE – the Special Operations Executive – and information... Read more
12th November
Vines Cross turkey farm has the perfect solution for smaller gatherings
Vines Cross turkey farmers JR Sheffield are gearing up for a busy Christmas with their butchers reporting footfall across the year up 50 percent compared to last year. But press reports that turkeys are being starved or being put on a reduced diet so they fit a potentially smaller Christmas gathering are totally unfounded says... Read more
5th November
The diminutive heroine buried in Dallington
The epitaph on a fairly recent gravestone in Dallington Churchyard has always interested me and I knew it would make a great research project – the brief detail hinted at such an amazing life. Claude Michele Wattebled de Ducla was born outside Bordeaux in 1922. When France was occupied in 1940, Michele was being educated... Read more
4th November
Amazing woman who fought for women’s rights buried in Brightling
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the brave Arctic explorer Benjamin Leigh-Smith, whose wooden leaping board grave marker I came across in Brightling Churchyard. I also researched the life of Benjamin’s sister Barbara, who is buried next to her brother. Barbara Bodichon was one of the founders of the UK suffrage movement which... Read more
22nd October
Incredible story of intrepid explorer buried in Brightling
On a recent trip to Brightling Church, I came across the ‘leaping board’ grave of Benjamin Leigh-Smith. The line ‘Five times he sailed the Arctic Sea and for his Country’s good, braved countless hardships and perils’ caught my eye. And so it was interesting to discover that ‘He was one of the most intrepid explorers... Read more
7th October
Would you know where to start if you had to arrange a funeral?
At age 53 I am incredibly fortunate to have never had to arrange a funeral. So when I was invited to step through the doors of Wealden Funerals I took the opportunity to pose some of the questions that people might normally not want to ask. Once inside, a black and white photo on the... Read more
1st October
Tragedy of train crash in Mayfield
No one expected tragedy to strike when they boarded the 8.18am London train from Eastbourne on Wednesday 1st September 1897. The train was made up of the engine (the ‘Bonchurch’) and was coupled to five passenger carriages and a milk van. The train was unusually busy that day as discounted tickets to London were... Read more
22nd September
Secret scandal surrounding local fishmonger
The Horam war memorial lists ‘R Felgate’ among its WW1 fallen. When war broke out, Roland Felgate enlisted in Eastbourne into the Royal Sussex Regiment and died around the 14th July 1916 aged 21. His body was never recovered and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. But Roland’s last name was not... Read more
9th September
Carricks Brook staff help residents enjoy sports day
The pandemic has been challenging for the staff and residents of Carricks Brook, a small, family run care home in Dallington for adults with autism and challenging behaviours. But, the staff have worked hard to successfully adapt daily life to ensure that the residents can still lead happy and fulfilling lives. This summer the residents... Read more
3rd September
Historian uncovers Old Heathfield Russian connection
This is the first in a series of articles kindly written by local historian, Hellingly resident and author of ‘Here Dead We Lie’ Nicola Walker Whenever I’ve been wandering around the graveyard at All Saints Church, Old Heathfield looking for war graves or sometimes family, I’ve often noticed this gravestone and wondered about the story... Read more
2nd September
DIY expert realises dream with Heathfield shop
Six months after taking ownership of his first shop, Chris Cook hasn’t looked back and the business is going from strength to strength. Chris struck up a relationship with the owner of Balcombes DIY in Hailsham Road, Heathfield, and then one day went home and told his partner that he would love to own the... Read more
27th August
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
