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Family soap business wins international business award
Sussex-based soap and luxury products manufacturer Christina May is celebrating after winning the International Business of the Year category of the South East Region Federation of Small Business Awards 2020, sponsored by Lovetts Solicitors, and being named a finalist in the Good Retail Awards 2021*. Multi award-winning Christina May now manufactures and exports a range... Read more
19th January
Pollution levels in Wealden on decline
Local levels of Nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter remain below the national air quality threshold according to Wealden’s 2020 Air Quality Annual Status report. “High levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution have become a problem in some cities,” said Councillor Philip Lunn, Wealden Cabinet member for Community & Public Health. “I am pleased to report... Read more
19th January
Dallington Primary School launches book appeal
Dallington CEP is a delightful, rural, primary school, tucked away on the windy ridge at Dallington, in East Sussex. 2020 was a tough year, with many children being educated at home, however the school did stay open for key workers and the small team of dedicated staff juggled working to support the school’s pupils with... Read more
18th 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
Brass band able to hit the road thanks to winter wonderland trailer
When a Warbleton Brass Band member realised that COVID restrictions would mean the band wouldn’t be able to perform the normal Christmas concerts in the community he had to find a way around the problem. As well as providing entertainment, getting out and about was also vital for raising funds to keep the band going... Read more
7th January
Major incident declared in Sussex to maximise Covid response
In line with several other parts of the country, a MAJOR incident has been declared in Sussex to best respond to unprecedented pressures of Covid-19 on the county. The same decision has been taken by several other local resilience forums in the South East. The Sussex Resilience Forum (SRF) which co-ordinates and communicates between health,... Read more
6th 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
East Sussex dementia charity aims for Christmas number one
Staff working for an East Sussex charity, which helps people in Heathfield and Horam, is hoping they’ll be simply having a wonderful Christmas time as they eye a Christmas number one spot for their fundraising single. Local people are being asked to buy a copy to help charity Dementia Support East Sussex to continue its... Read more
17th December
Rother to enter Tier 3 from Saturday 19th December
Rother which neighbours Heathfield and includes many surrounding villages like Burwash Common, Burwash Weald, Burwash, and Dallington; now finds itself included in Tier 3 and with a set of new restrictions. The figures for the rise in infection have been alarming and although they are not high compared to some other parts of the country... Read more
17th 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
Heathfield College pupils bring festive cheer to care homes
“I think it’s safe to say that this year has been a tough one for everyone. However, residents in care homes are among the people who have been most negatively affected by The Virus Who Shall Not Be Named, and so students at Heathfield Community College have taken it upon themselves to try, in their... Read more
7th December
Family carpet firm boosts retail operation in Heathfield
Pennells Carpets, the local, independent carpet and flooring company is moving its entire retail operation to Heathfield. For many years Pennells Carpets has had retail outlets in both Uckfield and Heathfield. Now the family run business has chosen to focus on Heathfield where it has been successfully trading since 1982. The company’s warehousing will be... Read more
7th 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
Rainbow Ranger roams Heathfield
Maybe you have seen the Rainbow Ranger on a night time jaunt around Heathfield, or just wondered who the multi coloured, glow in the dark character is? We tracked him down to find out more. Although, his name is a mystery, we can call him ‘RR’. This resident of Heathfield explained the thinking behind what... Read more
1st December
Home brewing kit sales surge during lockdown
A home brew kit business based in Horam is reporting record-breaking sales during lockdown with people having more time for hobbies and trying new things. Bev and Andy Toogood of AlmostOffGrid.com are seeing a huge increase in the demand for home brewing kits, ingredients and equipment. Their online shop, which was launched in October 2016,... Read more
30th November
Broad Oak mum and care worker wins lottery prize
It was an exciting start to the weekend for one lucky Broad Oak resident after winning £30,000 in the People’s Postcode Lottery. Care worker for the elderly, Vicky Channing, 32, landed the prize when her postcode, TN21 8TN, was announced as a winner on Saturday 28th November. Vicky found out how much she’d won over... Read more
28th November
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
Burwash based Indie band go global
Wild Horse, a Burwash based Indie band have been getting creative during lockdown. Unable to perform at live gigs, the boys have been going online to bring their music to their fans. In October they played on a Coastal Currents dedicated music showcase; performing their latest album live to an audience of over 10 thousand... Read more
26th November
Speak out against domestic abuse urges council
Wealden residents are being urged to speak out against all forms of domestic abuse as the number of recorded cases over 12 months exceeds 1,000 for the first time. From November 2019 to October 2020, Sussex Police received 1,037 reports of domestic abuse, which is a 4.5% increase compared to the same period last year.... Read more
24th November
Your chance to win a free-range turkey!
We’re giving you the chance to win a delicious oven-ready, free-range bronze turkey that has been reared and prepared locally for you by J & R Sheffield Turkeys in Vines Cross, near Horam. The winner will receive a turkey that will easily feed at least six people with leftovers for turkey sandwiches. Collection will be... Read more
17th November
Mixed emotions as new look Heathfield Christmas lights switched on.
Social media posts have long aired the disappointment felt by many at the ritual turning on of the Heathfield Christmas lights. The tastefully positioned, somewhat sublty lit trees, have provoked ridicule at best, and stronger words at worst. But, this year there is good news! The Heathfield & Waldron Parish Council have funded additional decorations... Read more
13th 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
Frogheath Landscapes and Wealden Works pull together to help school leavers.
Frogheath Landscapes is no stranger to apprenticeships, the award winning, Burwash Weald based company regularly takes on apprentices to work in their busy landscaping business. They recently struck it lucky with Harrison Tamkin, who came their way via Wealden Works, a local charity offering young people help finding employment. The charity annually supports 40 young... Read more
10th November
#shoplocal for Christmas gifts, it’s never been easier!
With a new lockdown just started and Christmas not far off, local traders are looking for ways to encourage people to #shoplocal and buy their Christmas presents from them, rather than larger online retailers. With much of the High St closed and popular markets, like the one in Heathfield cancelled, traders and crafts people were... Read more
9th 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
Heathfield Young Farmers join in ‘pass the welly’ fundraiser
Sussex Young Farmers Clubs is taking part in a national Give it Some YFC Welly Relay to help raise urgent funds to help secure its future. One of their Junior clubs is Heathfield YFC, who will also be participating in this fundraising event. Sussex Young Farmers Club is always keen to see younger members (and... Read more
29th October
Heathfield photographer adds more credentials to her name
Award-winning Heathfield photographer Sarah Tate has added another accolade to her collection after being appointed as a judge for her industry’s prestigious awards. Her confirmation as a judge followed on from last year’s news that Sarah had been named a Fellow of the industry’s most prestigious body – The Master Photographers’ Association. Sarah has had... Read more
25th October
Bumper harvest at Off the Line Vineyard!
We are lucky to have lots of excellent vineyards around Heathfield and this harvest time has been a good one. One of our favorites, Off the Line Vineyard is delighted to announce that it has been a bumper harvest this year. The quality of the fruit was exceptional and yields good. The weather has been... Read more
22nd October
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
Covid 19 shuts Cross in Hand Primary School
Parents were shocked to find out this morning that Cross in Hand CEP School was shutting for two weeks after a member of staff tested positive for Covid 19. The school is a popular local primary on the outskirts of Heathfield, East Sussex. It is the first local school to have had to shut completely.... Read more
20th October
Renters on the move in East Sussex face huge challenge to find property
During the last few months, the housing market has been one of the many things that have seen unpredictable change during the lockdown and coronavirus period, particularly with lettings. Many estate agents are urgently looking for properties to let out and to sell while, in contrast, the demand for people wanting to rent or buy... Read more
20th October
Family soap entrepreneur shines in regional awards
Sussex-based soap and luxury products manufacturer Christina May is celebrating this month after winning the Family Business category of Institute of Directors London & South Director of The Year Awards and being a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2020. In the IoD awards Managing Director Oliver Butts beat hundreds of other companies to... Read more
14th October
New Music Bunnies, pre-school activity comes to Heathfield
When Valarie’s husband relocated to Heathfield for work, she had to bid farewell to rural Somerset, and settle into the East Sussex town. A mother to two small children, she decided to follow her dream to run sensory inspired classes for pre-school children. “After months of lockdown isolation I think it really is a good... Read more
8th 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
Confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross in Hand
A local primary school is thought to be the first in the Heathfield area to have a confirmed COVID-19 case among pupils. Public Health England says that there has been a single confirmed case at Cross In Hand School Primary School and appropriate advice has been given. The Public Health England spokesperson was not able... Read more
24th September
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
Heathfield boy with severe peanut allergy involved in pioneering trials
A Heathfield Community College student who is severely allergic to peanut is giving hope to others with nut allergies after taking part in a successful trial. James Redman, 12, can now safely tolerate seven peanuts thanks to a ground-breaking trial at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. James, from Heathfield, was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy... Read more
15th September
Heathfield failed by inadequate broadband provision
Despite the welcome announcement from ESCC of new funding from central Government to help those out of work and support business growth in East Sussex, The Heathfield News was shocked to learn that anyone moving to Heathfield, business or residential, is unable to connect a new account to fibre broadband. BT has confirmed that the... Read more
11th September
Win a wonderful collection of soaps
Here’s your chance to win a wonderful collection of products courtesy of local, award-winning business The English Soap Company. The prize includes soaps fragranced with Honey and Camomile, English Lavendar, Lily of The Valley and Briar Rose. There is also a White Jasmine and Sandalwood pure soy candle and a luxurious coconut handsoap for the... Read more
10th 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
New platform gives artisan food and drink producers opportunity to connect with customers differently
A Burwash entrepreneur has launched a virtual multi-brand store to help artisan food and drinks ‘makers’ flourish and discerning shoppers to discover, learn about and purchase mouth-watering products made with passion. The MeltedInside.com platform welcomes and features makers from across the UK selling everything from seaweed seasoning produced in Yorkshire by SeaGrown to South American-style... Read more
24th August
New art gallery launches in Mayfield
A sculptor has transformed one of two flats he bought on Fir Toll Road in Mayfield into an art gallery. Richard Field has gathered what he describes as an ‘incredible’ collection of sculptures and art for the grand opening of Melford Gallery on Friday 21st August. For more details see our What’s On page. Many... Read more
20th August
Tips to reduce water use, keep cool and keep safe from fire
South East Water, the NHS and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have all issued heatwave advice. South East Water is asking customers keep using tap water for drinking, hygiene and cooking only as the heatwave continues. The company has seen record-breaking demand for water which has outstripped how much can be pumped through its... Read more
11th August
Lucky Nellie rescued by off duty Heathfield firefighter
Local woman Sophie Strevens and her son were out walking in Darches Wood with their young Border Collie Nellie, who enjoys a swim especially in this hot weather. After a few minutes of playing in the water Nellie, the collie, got caught in a thick bramble vine which wrapped itself around her tail. She couldn’t... Read more
9th 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