Hassocks, Hurst, and Ditching u3a groups thriving

Many of us associate September with the start of a new academic year. U3a is a national movement which supports people in their ‘third age’ to continue their learning and interests in an informal environment, and we have a thriving local group.

Hassocks, Hurst and Ditchling u3a now has 357 members, exceeding pre-Covid levels. This great local organisation is open to anyone who is not working full-time, costs very little with an annual fee of £15, and offers great opportunities to ‘learn, laugh, live’! The local branch offers a wide range of subjects and activities.

Future Lives shares information and resources to inspire, influence and inform members about how we can improve our future lives by discussing and learning about relevant subjects. The new and very popular Men’s Meeting group meets on the second Monday of the month. The first meeting was a lunch in The Hassocks Hotel dining area. Local Outings enables members to contact others with similar interests to arrange outings or trips together, for example, art, films, live performances, places of interest, and music.
So far, members have attended events at the Ditchling Players, the Brighton Dome and the Brighton Fringe Spiegeltent, with upcoming events planned at Adastra Hall and The Old Market in Hove.

In the Board Games group, members learn and play games brought along by the group leader and members. This group meets monthly at The Purple Carrot café in Hassocks. The Russian Studies group reads and discusses Russian literature and culture. All you need is an interest in Russian culture, broadly defined, as the group works with translated materials. These are just a handful of our 40+ interest groups. We also have an open monthly meeting where all are welcome. To find out more visit www.u3asites.org.uk/hhd, or email: hhdu3amem@ gmail.com.

Teddy and the Big C campaign update - Aug 2023

By Kat and Alastair Lichten, Teddy’s mum and dad

Teddy’s campaign has continued to grow and grow! At the time of writing, we have raised nearly £175,000 towards our £250,000-£300,000 target for Teddy to access ground-breaking cancer treatment abroad.

In September, we are pleased to be supported by the wonderful Hassocks Goes Gold appeal, who will be donating the proceeds from poster sales to Teddy this year. You can also still pick up raffle tickets until 13th September from de la Casa for a gorgeous Coatimundi soft toy donated by Hassocks Pet Centre.

During August, Teddy enjoyed a wonderful day out, organised by Thameslink. Teddy got to meet the driver of the train and then he got to sit in the cab while the driver drove the train to Three Bridges. Fortunately, Teddy was on top form that day and could fully enjoy his special experience. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far by donating, taking on a sponsored challenge or organising an event.

Scroll down to see some wonderful fundraising events you can join in on…

Taste wine and fundraise for Teddy’s treatment

By Amanda Felix

An exciting new fundraising event has just been launched for Teddy and the Big C. Giles Cutlack of South Downs Cellars will host a wine tasting evening in Adastra Hall on Friday 27th October. Giles will take the audience on a lively journey through a range of wines with accompanying nibbles in aid of Teddy’s campaign.
Book early to guarantee your places on the online seating plan.

Thank you in advance for your support for Teddy and we look forward to welcoming you. Tickets cost £20 per head and are available online at www.buytickets.at/rathergoodevents or you can pay in cash at Bella & Megs Café on Keymer Road, Hassocks. If you have any questions please contact Amanda Felix on: amandajanefelix@ outlook.com.

Green fees for Teddy

Burgess Hill Golf Centre is holding a fundraiser for Teddy on Saturday 30th September. There will be prizes for ‘nearest the pin’ on the course and ‘putting hole in one’. Jess Armstrong-Kerr of Burgess Hill Golf Centre says: “Join us at the Burgess Hill Golf Centre for a family fun golf day to fundraise for Teddy and the Big C. One hundred percent of green fees will be donated to Teddy’s cause!” This wonderful event will run all day, and you can book online or just turn up on Saturday 30th September. Jess explains: “Golfers can play the nine-hole course for £20, knowing they are donating money to Teddy’s Campaign with Solving Kids Cancer.” A children’s putting competition will also run all day and cost five pounds to enter, again with all proceeds donated.

Role-Playing Games Day at Dice and Drinks Café

Reserve a space in your diaries for Teddy’s Role-Playing Games Day at Dice and Drinks Café in Burgess Hill on Saturday 14th October. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to RPGs, there will be fun for all. Tickets cost £10 per person and there will be afternoon and evening sessions available - see Teddy and the Big C on Facebook for more info or scan the QR code.

Mid Sussex Health Care - Flu Clinics 2023 in Hassocks

Hurstpierpoint Surgery -
Saturday 30th Sept 8.30 - 12pm
Monday 2nd October 6pm - 7.30pm
Saturday 21st October 8.30am - 12pm

Hassocks Surgery -
Saturday 7th October 8.30am - 11am
Monday 9th October 6pm - 7.30pm

Ditchling Surgery -
Saturday 14th October 8.30am - 12pm

https://www.midsussexhealthcare.co.uk/

Click to enlarge

Chelsea Pensioners charm Adastra Bowling Club

On 19th July, 22 members of Adastra Bowling Club travelled to London to play a return match against the Chelsea Pensioners. Last year, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Adastra Bowling Club, the Chelsea Pensioners came to Hassocks. An invitation for a return match was issued to be played on their home green at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the iconic veterans of the British Army, the Chelsea Pensioners.

Regular tours of the buildings and grounds of the Royal Hospital are conducted for both private groups and public visits, and the group were met by Alan Gill, the Secretary of their Bowls Club and an authorised tour guide. Having showed the visitors around, Alan took them to the Bowling Green on a lawn in front of the famous building. An excellent, friendly match took place, with Adastra winning. They were proud to announce that one of their players was over 90 years old, but Adastra Bowling Club had three players present aged over 90!

The visitors were treated to a meal and then convivial drinks in ‘The Covid Arms’ afterwards, where the Hassocks club presented a generous cheque as a donation. As they were waved off, Adastra Bowling Club promised to return and visit the Chelsea Pensioners again soon.

Hassocks' tennis courts upgrade

You may have noticed the work taking place on Adastra Park Tennis Courts. This is part of an exciting project to refurbish the courts and provide a new automated entry gate and online public booking system. The Parish Council, who own and manage the tennis courts, has made a substantial investment towards the refurbishment, alongside receiving additional funding and support from the LTA Tennis Foundation and UK Government as a part of the Parks Tennis Project to refurbish public tennis courts across Britain and open up the sport to more people. Weather permitting, it is hoped that the tennis courts will be ready for use by mid-August with a formal launch planned in September.

Further details about when the courts will open and public booking information will be posted on the Parish Council website when these are available: www.hassocks-pc.gov.uk

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