1st Hassocks Girl Guides earn gold

1st Hassocks Guides are proud to announce that four of their Guides have achieved the highest award available to Guides, the Gold Award. I was delighted to be asked to present Kathryn Blake, Charlotte Failes and Carolyn Morris with their Gold Award earlier this month. They join Emma Robinson, who achieved hers in April.

“To gain the Gold Award, we needed to complete all six Theme and Interest Badges,” said Charlotte. “To achieve this, we have completed activities such as attending camps and sleepovers, cooking outdoors, facing our fears on a zip wire and improving our canoeing skills.” They have tried rifle shooting at the Ardingly county day, where Kathryn led the renewal of the Guide Promise in front of over 400 people.

“We have also raised funds for good causes and donated to local food banks. As senior Guides, we also have extra responsibilities such as planning meetings for the younger girls,” added Kathryn. “We have all enjoyed our years in Guiding so much. We have been given so many opportunities to try out new things and we have developed new skills, had fun and made new friends,” said Carolyn.

They would also like to thank their leaders, Pennie and Dawn, for encouraging them to reach for Gold! The Guides are now looking forward to their next adventure, which is helping to raise funds for the guide hut at their Summer Fete on Sat 8th July, 12-2pm at the Guide Hut, Semley Road. For more information on Girlguiding in Hassocks and Ditchling, please email beaconguidingdc@gmail.com.

Bella June Flowers and Reflex @42 scoop Sussex awards 2023

Two businesses on Hassocks high street are winners in a county-wide competition. The Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023, in which customers nominate and vote for the local businesses they value most, romped to a close in June. Across the UK, an astonishing 77,000 businesses were nominated and 800,000 votes were cast in 2023.

In Sussex, the winner of the Muddy Stiletto Award in the florist category is Bella June Flowers. Managing Director, Kelly Harding says: “I was so excited just to have been nominated again this year for Best Sussex Florist, but to win first place is the best feeling.” The awards are particularly important in these challenging times, and Kelly adds: “Being a small business owner whilst juggling family and life can be tough and it’s easy to forget you’re not alone, and now I feel a rejuvenated sense of love and support for my little shop and the whole high street.” She wants to give huge heartfelt thanks to each and everybody that voted for all our local businesses in the village, and says: “It means so much!”

Reflex @42 won the Muddy Stiletto Award in the Hair Salon category. Owner and manager of the salon, Hayley Elphick, appreciates the support of the local community and says: “We are very honoured to have won the Muddy Stilettos Best Salon in Sussex again. I want to thank everyone because we honestly couldn’t have done this without our clients and all those around here who voted for us. This amazing achievement means more to us because it’s voted for by YOU.”

Hassocks Art Trail this July 2023

Follow the Hassocks art trail

Click to enlarge

Local artists are opening their houses on 1st and 2nd July from 11am to 4pm.

Why not begin near the High Street by visiting De La Casa, Woodsland Road, Chancellors Park and Clayton Avenue, then enjoy a short stroll around Ewart Close, Bromley Close. You could return to the high street along Orchard Lane.

There will be a range of artists on display, some of whom have been featured in Hassocks Life. Their work includes woodblock and lino prints, stained glass, painting, photography and embroidery.

For artists and addresses, please click the image.

Clayton's Jill Windmill

By Deirdre Huston

The earliest reference to a windmill on Clayton Hill was Duncton Mill in 1765. After forty and eighty five years respectively as working mills, both Jack and Jill mills fell into disuse. Simon Potter is a longstanding Trustee of The Jack and Jill Windmills society who has been involved since 1978. He first visited the mill as a boy when his mother worked as secretary to Henry Longhurst who owned the house at Jack mill. Restoration work commenced in 1979. A strong team of volunteers formed during the 1980s and, in 1986, Jill’s millstones produced flour for the first time in eighty years! Over the years, Simon has seen what a valuable role volunteers play in maintaining the mill and making her accessible to a wide cross-section of visitors, and he says: “We do tours, showing people around, do maintenance to keep her running and some of us are also actively involved in milling.”

Many volunteers find the site is a lovely, restorative place to wile away a day, an oasis of calm away from busy day-to-day life. A bank of cowslips, ox-slips, wild orchids and daffodils add colour and help attract wildlife. Nicola recalls how one day they watched a stoat. Some local volunteers help maintain the grounds and grassy area. Nineteen-year-old trainee millwright, Adam Winsor is another regular volunteer at Jill mill, and says: “I love coming to help at Jill mill, up on the downs.” He also enjoys helping with milling flour at Oldland Mill, and has been awarded a grant through the Heritage Crafts’ Endangered Crafts Fund, which hopes to increase the likelihood of endangered crafts surviving into the next generation. “Being a millwright is an endangered craft,’ he says, and adds: ‘It would be great if younger people get involved as this craft is worth saving.” During National Mill Weekend, several volunteers are busy scraping paint from the lower body because on the south side, where the sun is most intense, because the heat causes paint to peel away leaving timbers exposed. Simon explains: “Over the years, we’ve tried various options, but none has worked, now Ace Coatings South, on Ditchling Industrial Estate, have recommended specialist ‘Zinsser’ paint but the only drawback is that we have to scrape away all loose paintwork.

Over the summer, Jill mill will be open most Sundays from 2pm to 5pm, but they urgently need volunteers as there are many gaps in the schedule, meaning they may not offer refreshments on some dates which affects fundraising. Simon says: “We need people to help with the teas and coffees; some volunteers also like to make cakes with flour milled at the mill.” They also need volunteers to help show people around and get involved with maintenance. There are lots of different ways to get involved and Simon is keen to welcome in new volunteers, and create a new team to shepherd Jill mill on to future glories. He says: “Anyone interested should pop up on an open day on a Sunday or contact us through the website.” The windmill makes a wonderful landmark. If you are interested in finding out more, please see: www.jillwindmill.org.uk

To read the full article all about Jill Windmill, pick up June’s copy of Hassocks Life today.

Keymer Health launches in Hassocks

Keymer Health

Hassocks resident Adam Meyer has launched a new online health shop, which aims to serve the village and beyond. To represent the village and his home, Adam has named the store Keymer Health. Having been educated at all three of the village schools, Adam has lived in the area all his life, and has represented the village in football, cricket and badminton. Now, he hopes to provide the local community with high quality food supplements and vitamins, as well as vegan skincare products that are suitable for sensitive skin.

Adam was previously studying Neuroscience at Sussex University, when a period of ill health intervened. Having to defer his academic studies, the resulting period of illness forced Adam to learn about nutrition, inflammation, and the immune system. Changes to his immune system resulted in a series of sensitivities that led to a greater awareness of the potential harm of certain foods and additives. The Keymer Health product range has been designed with this in mind.

Adam explains, “One of the main reasons I started Keymer Health was because I wanted to create a range of products that I myself would want to use. Ever since that illness, there are so many commonly used foods that my body just can’t tolerate anymore. We have a long list of things we will never use in our products such as soy, gluten, and titanium dioxide. I understand there are others out there in the same boat as me, so I aim to keep the ingredients list as short as possible!”. Adam retains the ambition of one day opening a shop in the village, but, for now, orders must be placed through the website. Residents with BN6 postcodes automatically get assigned free postage for online orders. Find out more at www.keymerhealth.com

Get to know Hassocks food bank

By Robin Holford, Chair

The first UK food bank started around 2000, when the Trussell Trust began providing three days’ emergency food to people in Salisbury who face going hungry as a result of a sudden crisis. The cause might be losing a job, problems with getting benefit payments, ill-health and ageing, relationship breakdown or bereavement.

Now there are over 2,500 food bank outlets across the UK. About half are operated by the Trussell Trust and the others work independently, like the Burgess Hill Community Food Bank (BHCFB) established in 2013. With the support of the BHCFB trustees, a satellite food bank was opened in Hassocks. Set up in 2020 by youth worker and community activist, Gary Pickett, it is at the rear of Powell House, next to the URC Church. It opens 10am-12noon on Monday and Friday.
Enough food for three days is issued in exchange for an electronic voucher (see below). The need is real. The cost-of-living crisis across Europe has reduced the ability of low-income households to buy enough to eat and some, especially among the elderly, feel they have to choose between heating and eating. Refugees settling here can also receive support. As Gary points out ‘a sudden personal crisis can happen to any of us and the very least we can do as a community is to make sure they are fed and to show we care’.

As a community it seems Hassocks really does care!

Last year over 450 visits were made to Hassocks Food Bank by families and individuals to receive food - enough to support 700 adults/teens and 400 kids for three days. This was made possible with donations of food and money by individuals, retailers and businesses from the village and across Mid-Sussex. BHCFB purchased a substantial amount of goods in 2022 because weekly demand across the food bank and its satellites (Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint) rose to almost double the average for 2021.

So far in 2023 this higher demand continues, outstripping food donations even more. Look out for our collection baskets at the URC church (Mon & Fri mornings), Budgens, Mansell McTaggart and Bella & Megs. The kinds of donation that will really help local people are on our website: www.burgesshillfoodbank.org.uk. Volunteers at the food bank said: “Looking at our wealthy, vibrant village, it might be a surprise that a food bank is needed. But a change of circumstances can affect any of us. Being able to offer the simple gift of food is a wonderful thing to be able to do!”

Another important way to help is to spread the word about what the food bank does. A list of partner agencies in Mid Sussex who issue food e-vouchers is on the website. When contacted they will take client details and email the voucher. Clients can print it out or take it on a mobile phone to redeem at the food bank. If you are house-bound and cannot arrange a collection, please tell the agency so that a delivery can be made.
Gary says: “It is vital that those in need know how to find us and use us, and feel completely comfortable getting in contact. Our whole operation is completely discreet and confidential with absolutely no judgements made.”

If you are struggling to make ends meet the nearest e-voucher partners are:
• Hassocks Parish Centre, Adastra Park: 01273 842714 or email: info@hassocks-pc.gov.uk
• Carers of kids at Hassocks Infants School can contact the office
• Burgess Hill Town Council Help Point: 01444 247726 or email: helppoint@burgesshill.gov.uk Or go to Hassocks Food Bank from 10am to 12noon on Monday or Friday.

Celebrate the coronation at Oldland Windmill

Oldland Windmill

We all recognise this much loved landmark which marks the border between Keymer and Ditchling, but have you ever seen inside this fascinating piece of local history and remarkable engineering?

On April 2nd, Oldland windmill starts its summer season of open afternoons offering the chance to see inside this fascinating windmill which still grinds flour. There will also be refreshments and memorabilia. If you miss the first afternoon, don’t worry, there is one planned for every month. What’s more, there will also be a special ‘Coronation celebration’ event on May 7th, where a complimentary minibus will be available from the Thatched Inn. What better spot to mark this historic occasion, which has been decorated in recognition of previous monarchs. The windmill is restored and maintained by volunteers. Visitors are encouraged to make a small voluntary donation to help with upkeep of this fabulous mill. See www.oldlandwindmill.org.uk

Keymer Parade welcomes new team at The Barber Shop

A big welcome to a new team at Keymer Parade. Nuri Buyukkilic opened The Barber Shop at the beginning of March. He says: “On our opening day, we held a charity event to support people who’d suffered during the recent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey. A big thank you to everyone who supported us.”

You may already know Nuri from Hoppa, a barber shop in Burgess Hill. He has worked there for five years, but when a possibility arose to work in Keymer, Nuri was happy to take on a new challenge, and says: “I couldn’t miss this great opportunity.” Nuri has done barbering for eight years. He worked his way up from scratch and is fully trained like his full-time colleague, Ali Kaharaman. The pair know each other from Hoppa. Ali is delighted to have the chance to work in Keymer, and says: “The village is nice and quiet with friendly people.” The third team member, Lauren Marie, from Hurstpierpoint, attends college while also learning hairdressing skills in the shop. Nuri says: “It takes time for people to learn about Turkish barbers, but, in Burgess Hill, many people came to value what we’re about.” As well as doing modern barbering for people of all ages, the team use Turkish products and offer specialist Turkish services, such as an old-fashioned razor cut, a Turkish head and shoulder massage, ear inflaming, and ear and nose wax removal. Whenever they do a wet shave, they use a hot towel to clean the neck area. The friendly team are looking forward to getting to know the community in Hassocks.

Studio at No 6 welcomes pelvic floor exercises in Keymer Road, Hassocks

Gym and Tonic

Get strong at new studio

Local fitness instructor, Elizabeth Hawkins will be teaching pelvic floor classes at the new ‘Studio at No 6’, on Keymer Road. Elizabeth says: “As a certified pilates teacher, yoga teacher, and pelvic floor specialist, I have seen the benefits of pelvic floor exercises in improving the quality of life for many individuals.” She adds: “Many people are unaware of the importance of a healthy pelvic floor and how it can affect their daily lives.”

The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for supporting the bladder, bowel, and uterus, and are involved in sexual function. Weakness or dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles can lead to urinary and faecal incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapses and sexual dysfunction. Elizabeth says: “My new pelvic floor classes are designed to educate individuals about the pelvic floor, its function, and exercises that can help strengthen and maintain these muscles.” She adds: “This class has the added effect of slimming the waist and flattening the belly.”

The classes are suitable for all individuals, regardless of age or gender, and are particularly beneficial for women who are thinking about getting pregnant or have given birth, however long ago. It can help men with prostate problems and prevent hernias. The classes will include both educational components and exercises that target the pelvic floor muscles. Participants will also receive individualised attention and guidance to ensure that they are performing the exercises correctly.

A private consultation will be necessary before joining the group classes, which start on 17th April and run on a Monday afternoon. Elizabeth says: “I believe that offering these classes will fill a gap in our community’s health and wellness offerings, and I am excited to see the positive impact they will have on individuals’ lives.” For further information, see: www.gymandtonic.health

A little history of Keymer Lodge in Hassocks

In February 2023’s issue of Hassocks Life we asked if anyone knew any information about ‘Keymer Lodge’ indicated by a remaining pair of gate piers off Keymer Road. Reader Jonathan Taylor has kindly provided the following insight, which we’ve tried to illustrate for you to see clearer.

By Jonathan Taylor

Keymer Lodge was easternmost of a pair of large semi-detached houses on Keymer Road. It must have been built before 1874 and demolished after 1955, judging from its appearance on the large scale maps held by the National Library of Scotland (www.maps.nls.uk).
To the east of Keymer Lodge was a large, detached house – Highlands – on the site now occupied by The Poplars. Highlands Close presumably got its name from the house. A trace of the driveway to Highlands survives as a depression in the ground just to the east of the Keymer Lodge gateway.
The other semi-detached house, to the west of Keymer Lodge, appears to have been accessed from Willowbrook Way, and its original gate piers survive as the entrance to 12 Willowbrook Way.

Do you have any history questions, or facts to ask or share? Get in touch via our email address: editor@hassockslife.co.uk.

Hassocks elections this May 4th 2023

Do you want to make a difference to your local community? Making decisions on the services and facilities provided by Hassocks Parish Council?... Have you thought about becoming a parish councillor?

Parish councillors have responsibility for representing your local community, delivery of services and improving the quality of life and community wellbeing.

To be a councillor you need to be:
A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or be a citizen of another Member State of the European Union.
At least 18 years old.
An elector of the local council; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves; or work in the area local council serves; or live within three miles of the local council boundry.

If you’re interested, click the picture to enlarge for more details or visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections-voting/upcoming-elections

Nominations open on Tuesday 21st March 2023 and close at 4pm on Tuesday 4th April 2023.

Learn how to use a Defibrillator in Adastra Hall, Hassocks

We’d like to encourage everyone living and working in the village to familiarise themselves with the sites of the life-saving defibrillator machines and learn how to use them.

An estimated 60,000 people each year in the UK have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and, sadly, less than 10% of those people will survive. Yet, if a bystander is able to start CPR they could double a person’s chances of survival.

Hassocks has an impressive thirteen defib machines that we know about. Four of them are available 24/7 as they are fixed to the outside of the address. The other units would only be available when each location is open.

All of the machines are portable and contain full instructions. And when using it while on a call with 999, the operator will talk you through using it. However, local first aid trainer Katie Jardine is on a mission to help educate the people of Hassocks. During the free training session, organised in conjunction with Adastra Hall Hassocks Community Association, Katie will be sharing how to use a defibrillator. The short session will include: what is a defibrillator, how to use it, where are they located, and a recap on how to perform basic CPR.

Katie, from Andersson First Aid Training, who has run this free session in Cuckfield in the past, is very happy to share what she knows: “The aim is simply to help people to understand what would happen, if they were in a situation where a defib would be beneficial. In my experience members of the public are fearful of these devices - even though they are very easy to use.”

The last time Katie ran a public session like this elsewhere, it proved very popular, as lots of residents were keen to help themselves be useful - should they need to be. Although you don’t need to, you can register to attend by sending an email to: katie@anderssonfirstaidtraining.co.uk - or just turn up at 7pm on Friday 28th April, at Adastra Hall.

Huge success for South Downs Nurseries' Christmas grottos

A Sussex children’s charity is starting the new year with a huge boost thanks to the 10,000 people who visited their Christmas grottos. The Budding Foundation, based in Lancing, helps young people across the county, especially those in-need or affected by trauma or disability. It worked with South Downs Nurseries in Hassocks and Old Barn Garden Centre at Dial Post to raise a gross amount of over £68,000 from visits to see Santa.

“It was an amazing achievement,” says Sarah Mead from Tates garden centres. “We welcomed 4,500 children, some from as far away as New Zealand, Spain, the USA and Italy.” The charity made free visits available to 800 families, including those settling from Ukraine, young children in supported accommodation and SEN pupils.

The Budding Foundation’s founder, Clive Gravett, is delighted with the help from Tates of Sussex in supporting the grottos and helping to raise a substantial sum for the charity. “These funds will enable us to continue supporting young people in Sussex, especially those living in deprivation,” he said. “In the last 12 months our grants have helped improve the lives of over 500 young people across the county, and support many families suffering poverty. “Our Santa experience raises the bulk of our annual funds, with the help of our fantastic volunteers, aged 18 to 80, who in the five-weeks leading up to Christmas make it happen.” Already plans are taking shape for this year’s events and Clive is interested in hearing from anyone interested in joining the team in 2023.

A refurbished Hassocks Library and a new reading challenge for 2023

There have been some exciting developments at Hassocks Library. The library had a refurbishment in January and library users are already noticing the difference! Hassocks resident, Vicky Dean, who works at the library, is pleased with the sleek new front desk. She says: “We have more room to work, and the modern design makes the library feel more friendly and spacious.”

There is also new shelving in the Children’s Area and a new toy library. “The toy library runs in the same way as the books,” says Val Bayfield, who is also a Library Assistant with Vicky at the library. “You can borrow up to three toys for three weeks using your West Sussex library card.”
Bigger local libraries, like Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath, have more substantial toy libraries, but this new initiative allows Hassocks to stock a small sample of toys, in line with other West Sussex libraries. “It gives children the chance to participate in the toy library system through Hassocks Library,” says Vicky.

Throughout this year, all West Sussex libraries are taking part in the West Sussex Reading Challenge. The challenge is for all ages and encourages you to read for pleasure and share your love of books. To join in just make 12 reading resolutions that to inspire and challenge you. Each month, select a book of your choice based on the challenge. In February, the challenge is ‘A book that has been adapted for the screen.’ Local libraries will display a selection of books to meet the challenge, but you may come up with your own ideas too, across all reading genres. Pop down to the library to find out what it’s all about, or register for the reading challenge here: www.arena.westsussex.gov.uk/west-sussex-libraries-reading-challenge-2023

The Repair Café in Hassocks relocating in January 2023

By Juliet Merrifield, HKD Transition

From 28th January, the Repair Café will be relocating to the Age Concern Centre on Dale Avenue. Along with Hassocks Village Market, we’ll be part of a new village hub and we hope to see lots of people there.

You can bring items for repair between 9.30-11.30 am. We can usually complete simpler repairs that morning by 12.30pm, and more complex tasks can be taken home by our repairers for pick up later. No need to book, but if you’re not sure we can work on something, do email or message us on Facebook.

The Repair Café’s second year was very successful, with many more items brought for repair: a grand total of 246 assorted hedge trimmers, toasters, radios, clocks, vacuum cleaners and jackets, shirts and coats needing zips and buttons. There were also some more unusual items successfully repaired: a 60-year-old doll missing an arm, a raclette grill, a violin, a 70-year-old leather holdall, a small wooden box with a ‘magic’ closure and a toy rabbit that had been chewed by a puppy.

Thanks to generous donations we covered all our costs and ended the year with a small surplus. Our amazing and talented repairers achieved an 80% success rate – not everything is repairable but we can have a go and more often than not we can get things fixed. We can also offer advice on items that you may be able to fix yourself or refer you to professionals who can help with things that we can’t.

We’re always keen to recruit new repairers to keep up with rising demand so if you’re good at fixing things, whether electrical items, sharpening tools, sewing zips or other more specialist items please do contact us at repaircafe@hkdtransition.org.uk.

Mid Sussex Applauds recognise The Monday Group in Hassocks - 2022

The Mid Sussex Applauds Awards 2022 took place on Sunday 20th of November, showcasing the amazing people, groups and organisations in Mid Sussex.

The ‘Take Pride in Mid Sussex’ category recognises residents who dedicate their time and energy into keeping Mid Sussex clean and green, take pride in their local area by creating community gardens, painting local spaces, upcycling or encouraging others to recycle. Dedicated Hassocks volunteers at The Monday Group were joint winners of this category, which was sponsored by ID Verde.

The Monday Group is made up of volunteers who build and maintain stiles and other wooden structures on public rights-of-way across the district and wider afield. In 2021 there have been 227 jobs completed including 73 stile repairs and 33 new stile, 56 clearance jobs and seven gates. Their work helps to open up access to nature and the outdoors, allowing many people who would otherwise struggle to enjoy the exercise and fresh air. Many of you will have walked on the extremely helpful new wooden walkways between Hassocks and Ditchling, or sat on one of their benches, climbed one of their stiles, or walked through one of their gates, such as the new kissing gate near Parklands Copse.

The Monday Group were also delighted to have been chosen as winners of the Peer Nominated Award. A nominator said: “The stiles are always well-finished, the work is done neatly and without fuss. Everyone who walks locally has occasion to grateful to this group.”

The Hassocks Village Market moves to Age Concern's car park from Jan 2023

From January 2023, Hassocks Village Market will be at a new site.

For twenty years, the market has been a familiar sight every month on the forecourt of National Tyres Centre, but now it is moving! Market Manager, Catriona Hawksley says: “A big thank you to the National Tyres Centre for hosting us. We’ve had lots of different managers and staff, and they’ve always been very supportive.” Catriona explains: “For a while, there’s been a lot of uncertainty about the market’s site because it might be developed at some point, so we’ve been on the look-out for somewhere new.”
She continues: “We’ve had lots of friendly talks with local charity, Age Concern, and we’re really excited to be moving the market to the Age Concern car park.”

The new site will have more space which will enable the market to include more stalls. But that’s not the only advantage! Catriona says: “The new site will be less noisy because it’s away from the road, making it a more pleasant and sociable shopping experience, more conducive to people meeting and chatting with friends.” All the usual stalls will be there: look out for fresh vegetables, meat, a bakery, cheese, beer, cakes, chocolate, plants, chutneys and jams, Middle-Eastern inspired foods and salads, Rushfield’s pies and sausage rolls, homemade soaps and natural cosmetics.

“We are hoping there will be more craft stalls too, such as jewellery and homemade candles,” adds Catriona. This is very much a local market. “Many of our stallholders live or produce their goods in Hassocks, while others are from nearby villages or towns.”

Local charity, Age Concern, will have their shop open and they will have their own stall. Market visitors will also be able to purchase hot drinks and light refreshments from their café.

The first Hassocks Village Market at the new site will be on 28th January from 9am to 12.30pm and thereafter on the 4th Saturday of the month, as usual. Why not go along and show your support?

A great fixture result for Hassocks FC this Boxing Day - 2022

Hassocks Football Club

By Scott Mccarthy

Boxing Day football is one of the great Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom. And yet it is one Hassocks has been starved of since 2018 thanks to the Southern Combination League fixtures computer giving the Robins a run of three December 26th away days in a row. Which is why there was such excitement when the 2022-23 schedule came out and the Beacon was given a Boxing Day game to host.

Crowds are always large and the 11am kick off time means that everyone attending can be back home by 1pm, having got some much needed fresh air (and hair of the dog from the Robins’ Bar if required) before round two of turkey, sprouts and the rest commences.

The other reason why non-league football on Boxing Day is so popular is because fixtures are reserved for local derbies. That added spice of friends playing each other on the pitch, colleagues supporting different teams from the sidelines and bragging rights up for grab will warm up even the coldest December morning.

Hassocks against Burgess Hill Town games on Boxing Day are the stuff of legend. When the Hillians won promotion to the Isthmian League, the Robins against St Francis Rangers became a staple of festive football with entertainment always guaranteed. In more recent times, Hassocks have taken on Haywards Heath Town over the holiday season. With no other Mid Sussex club in the Southern Combination Premier this season, it is Steyning Town who will provide the Boxing Day opposition. Geographically this may not be much of a local derby, but the two have frequently swapped players and managers in the past for there to be enough of an edge to the fixture. The similarities between the clubs provide another layer of intrigue. Both have struggled over recent years until this season, when both appointed new managers who have transformed their team’s fortunes to the point that both are eyeing up a top five finish. All the ingredients are there for a classic Boxing Day spent watching non-league football. It would be great to see you at the Beacon enjoying it.

Hassocks welcomes Sawai Thai Massage to the High Street

Say hello to Sawai Thai Massage

Sawai Khampha came to visit a friend in Hassocks and noticed there was no Thai massage shop here. She’s lived in Rottingdean for about four years, and says, “I was driving to London to work, and my husband complained he never saw me!” She spotted an empty shop she thought might be suitable. She says: “I talked it over with my husband and we decided it was a good idea.” She says: “The people in Hassocks are very friendly. I’ve chosen the right place!” At the end of November, another masseur will join Sawai’s team which means they can do a couple’s massage if people want treatments at the same time.

Sawai was born in Thailand. She completed a training programme in Thai Massage with the Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society and The Association of Traditional Thai Reflexological Massage. Her grandfather was a masseur, and she wonders if this influenced her to take up the profession. When she first came to England, around 2003, she continued training, and achieved a Level 3 Certificate Diploma in Massage Therapy and a Diploma in Pregnancy Massage from the Fami Hair and Beauty Institute. “I love this job,” says Sawai, and adds: “In the beginning, I trained to help my husband who had back ache: he was a paramedic who did lots of lifting, and then, one day, he couldn’t get up.” She helped him recover and he now works in A&E in University Hospitals Sussex. Once he was better, Sawai wanted to use her skills to help other people. “People come in with different problems, such as back pain, sciatica or migraines.” Sawai looks forward to looking after everyone in Hassocks.