1. travel
2. tourist facilities
3. hotel

Copthorne Magazine July 2015
June and July 2015
Page 5
Inside on page 4
Opening Afternoon at The Parish Hub
and Jazz on the Green
Page
Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Local contacts
Carers Group
Liz Logan 01342 713338
Copthorne Evening WI
Sandy Ward 01342 713076
Copthorne Archive
[email protected]
Copthorne Art Group
Peter Chatfield 01342 712010
Copthorne Cots2Tots
(parent & baby/toddler group)
Natalie Lincoln 01342 713803
To add your organisation or change details, please contact
the Editor – [email protected] or 01342 715380
Copthorne Players
www.copthornevillagehall.co.uk
Jane Burr, 01342 712550
Copthorne Silver Band
Crawley Bridge Club
Sheila Feasey, 07889 681268
Helen Kent 01342 719779
Copthorne Social Club
01342 712747
Copthorne Parish Church
Vicar
Rev Dr Simon Hill 01342 712063
Churchwardens
Sue Williams 01293 887466
Monica Polley 01342 713584
Fairway Infant School
Head: Mrs. B. Davison
01342 713691
Franciscan RC Convent
01342 712088
Heatherley Cheshire Home
Volunteer Co-Ordinator
Tess Ashton 01342 712232
[email protected]
Copthorne Carnival
Treasurer
Graham Casella, 01342 714291
[email protected]
Elizabeth Cramp 01342 458254
PCC Secretary
Jack and Jill Pre-School
www.copthornecarnival.co.uk
Barbara Riches 01342 713648
Registrar 07756 577317
[email protected]
www.jackandjillcopthorne.co.uk
Copthorne Chapel
Copthorne Scouts
Pastor Barry Mortlock 01737 221401
www.copthornechapel.org.uk
Membership Secretary
Jill Creek, 01342 714982
Local Action Team
Copthorne Consort Choir
Vacant
Sophia 01342 712742
Copthorne Sports and
Community Association
www.copthorne-sca.co.uk
[email protected]
Jaqi Davis, 01342 716870
Paul Smart 07913 493974
www.facebook/
copthornesportsandcommunityassociat
Vacant
Copthorne Cricket Club
www.copthorne.play-cricket.com
Copthorne Guides
(including Rainbows, Brownies, and
Rangers)
Jo Wickes 01342 716094
Copthorne Junior School
Head: Mrs Ann MacGregor
01342 712372
Copthorne Ladies Club
Margaret Payne (President)
01342 713826
Sheila Wilson (Secretary)
01293 885675 07708704408
Copthorne Ladies Stoolball Club
Hilary Clough 01342 718563
Copthorne Music Group
Celia Smart, 01342 713172
ion; twitter: CSCA2
Copthorne Table Tennis Club
Karen Lelliott 01342 719069
Copthorne Village Association
[email protected]
www.copthornevillage.org
Facebook—Copthorne Village
Association
Copthorne Village Badminton
Club
Mothers’ Union
Neighbourhood Watch
N T C - TS Swiftsure
Commanding Officer Stephen Gilbert
01293 571533
Chair Andy Carse 07545 939056
[email protected]
www.ntc.org.uk/swiftsure
Peter Pan Playgroup
General Enquiries 07745 255501
Waiting List: 01342 714692
www.peterpanplaygroup.co.uk
Royal British Legion
Chair, Worth and District Branch
Ian Hornsby 01342 714754
Mavis Madeley 01293 565588
Copthorne Village Hall
Sunshine Preschool
Adele Ruddock 07716864623
[email protected]
07963 501762
www.stjohnssunshinepreschool.co.uk
[email protected]
Worth Parish Council
Jennifer Saunders 01342 713407
Council Offices, Village Hall Bungalow,
Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down,
RH10 4HE
[email protected]
www.worthparishcouncil.co.uk
Page 2
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
Editorial
New Beginnings
The Copthorne St John’s Church Hall may have had more regenerations than Dr Who,
but I hadn’t realised that, in its first form, it was a small and humble church and
community hall the size of a large sitting room that witnessed my parent’s wedding party.
It was situated in the grounds of the old Victorian Vicarage and could be accessed from
Copthorne Bank. Maybe someone has some photos of it?
Then it became the hall we all know. I remember taking ballet classes in it when it
was just built - it seemed so new and posh compared to the (then) old floorboards of the
Delmar. Longer than the career of Tom Baker, it has seen us through the seventies to
2015 with prayer groups through to playgroups; although I particularly loved Wednesday
Night Club, in which we would play anything from British Bulldog to Colditz.
Despite being a temporary structure the hall battled on through time and had almost
doubled its expected lifespan before it finally regenerated again. Who would have thought
its latest form would be more like the Tardis. Tucked away unassumingly in the grounds of
the church, the brand new Parish Hub is a trick of mind and space with its beautifully large
open rooms and facilities.
So here’s to new beginnings: Sunshine Pre school can breathe out again; the Parish
Council can continue their work in brand new offices; clubs like Copthorne Art Group can
move in excitedly and there may be others who have an idea in germination and are
looking for a place to grow. Alongside the Pavilion, the Village Hall, the Delmar Morgan
and the Scout and Guide Centre, the new Parish Hub is yet another fantastic facility for
Copthorne.
Fiona
Anniversaries are a very special time of the year. They can be memories of
happy times and of course, they can be times of sadness. In October, it will be
our Wedding Anniversary. My wife and I will have been married for 43 years.
And throughout the year, we have anniversaries of the deaths of loved ones,
and they can be painful times when we think of their lives and the joy they
brought to us. We thank God for these memories. As my wife and I have
happy and sad memories we know that God will be with us in those times.
My prayer is that as you go through this year with your memories, may you
too know the hand of God and His peace in your memories as well.
We have our Church Anniversary at Copthorne Chapel on the weekend of 4 th-5th July and we will be
celebrating our 193rd year as a Chapel. On Saturday 4th at 2.30pm we have Steve Piggott and The
Horsham Singers coming to us. This will be followed by tea with plenty of food. On Sunday 5 th we
will have our morning service at 10.30am. Come and celebrate with us if you can. You will receive a
very warm welcome. If you are staying for the tea on the Saturday, please contact us for numbers
on telephone number set out below.
Whatever your Anniversary may be this year, may God bless you at these special times.
As always if you would like to speak to me at any time. Please call me on 01737 221401
God bless you all.
Pastor Barry Mortlock
TEA AFTERNOON
- Come and have a Cuppa and Cake and meet friends old and new on Fridays 5th June and 3rd July at the Parish Hub
Cost £2 to pay at door - Time 2.00 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there - for more details contact
Sandra Fudge - 01342 712709.
Contact the Parish Office if you would like a lift. (712063)
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Easter Camp 2015
On Friday 27th March,
13 scouts and 6 leaders
set off for a weekend at
Parkwood
scout
campsite
near
Brighton. After eating packed tea and exploring
the bunkhouse the scouts planned their route for
Saturday’s hike and then took part in a wide
game. After a cooked breakfast on Saturday the
scouts set off on their hike over the South Downs,
the weather was wet and windy but the scouts
managed to complete their hike and in the
evening they watched a movie with popcorn and
fruit cocktails. On Sunday after breakfast and
tidying the hall they set off for Brighton Sealife
Centre where they spend an enjoyable morning
E
very so often chance throws certain
remarkable people in our path and
last week I had the good fortune to
meet one, Sarah Nock, a local author.
Radiating elegance and young and spritely in
mind, this inspiring lady has lived in the village
for many years and, by her own admittance,
has lived a fulfilling life here. She has been
living with Parkinson’s for over 20 years and
has written a unique book ‘Pondering on
Parkinson's’ that goes a long way towards
raising awareness about the condition and
relating, in a light and entertaining way, to
those suffering from it too. The book has
collected an array of outstanding reviews, one
of which states,
'Bravely, she jokes about the symptoms and at
the same time educates the "non-club
members" as to what is really happening…
People need reassuring that “you haven’t
actually lost your marbles;” in fact, she delivers
a morale booster, for it is acknowledged that
PD is a syndrome of intellectuals.'
looking at fish, turtles and having a ride in the
glass bottomed boat.
For lunch they went to Harry Ramsdens and
had fish and chips. Then they were off home
for a welcome bath!
Supporting the Air Ambulance
On Tuesday 17th March 1st Copthorne scouts
had a visit from Keith Smith from Kent, Surrey
and Sussex Air Ambulance, who gave the
scouts and cubs an informative talk about air
ambulance and the scout group presented him
with a cheque for £564.73. The scout group
raised the money by holding 2 events, the first
held by the beavers, cubs and scouts was a
Christmas Market on Saturday 7th December
and raised £360.28 and the second on
Thursday 29th January by their Ash pack cubs,
Strength from Words
It is clear after talking to Sarah, that she is in
admiration of those for whom words are
building blocks of feats of literary architecture
that go beyond the normal two up two down.
The good thing about passion is that it is a
place to escape and be enlightened and I think
this is all the more reason that her passion for
poetry is so motivating. She has read poetry
to people who are lonely or dying, which is a
beautiful idea and should be encouraged on a
much wider scale. I can see her relish the
words as she recites one of her favourite
poems written by her friend Jennie Horsman
from ‘Sarah’s Midnight Anthology’. As Jennie is
also local it deserves to be printed in this
magazine.
Late Evening
Beneath arched arms of shaded trees
Late evening hangs its dusky veils
And Summer breathes across warmed walls
Where ivy runs its darkened trails
Abroad from barns and aging tiles
Bats weave a fast elastic flight,
They flaunt their fancy trickery
Beyond a screen of steely light
As fading soft sleeved boughs unite
And roosting birds in eves confide,
Last faint searching squeaks are heard
Then bats and night collide.
Pondering on Parkinson's is published by Ferry
House Books and can be bought through Amazon as
a paperback, a Kindle book or an audio CD
Does anyone feel inspired to set up a poetry
reading club in the village?
Page 4
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
who made cakes and then had a
cake auction and raised £204.45.
The Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air
Ambulance needs approximately £6
million a year to keep the life saving
helicopters in our skies.
Each year the scouts choose a local
charity to support. If you would like
more information about how you can
help the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air
Ambulance
please
visit
www.kssairambulance.org.uk or call
01622 833833.
Huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard
helping with the Christian Aid door to door
collection and a huge thank you again to those
who so generously gave monies for their work
both by envelope and on-line. Around £3,000 has
been raised at the time of going to print. When I
first went overseas (1975) the work of the
voluntary aid organisations was much less
prominent than it is today. I think the reason for
this is the recognition that no one is more effective in realising real change to peoples’ lives than
organisations such as Christian Aid. In financial terms the big international aid programme will
continue to dominate but in effectiveness no aid programme comes close to the voluntary sector in
making your pound count. So thank you once again.
Simon Hill
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
HEATHERLEY
SUMMER FETE
Saturday, 4th July
from 1 to 4pm
Effingham Lane, Copthorne RH10 3HS
Congratulations to Kate Gillespie who ran two
marathons in two weeks to raise monies for
Heatherley’s Big Build. If you would like to sponsor
or raise funds for Heatherley, please contact Tess
Ashton, Volunteer Coordinator at Heatherley on
01342 712232
The Wild Bunch
I wasn’t sure whether to keep sheep or goats to tame the
unkempt field at the back of my garden until I discovered
Soay sheep, the most goat like sheep you’ll come across.
They must be the closest thing to what our Bronze Age
ancestors were rearing, a wild rugged breed of sheep.
They like to browse as much as they graze so are very
suited to the field that was full of bramble patches, young
trees springing up, overgrown hedges and broadleaf
weeds, nettles and thistles. It wasn’t that many years
since the field was cut for hay which goes to show how
quickly nature conquers.
The good thing about Soays is that, being wild and rugged, they look
after themselves. The downside is that, unless you keep them tame
by regularly enticing them into a penning area with food, you’ve little
hope of catching them. Herding them is not the same as with most
sheep. They don’t flock together, they panic when cornered and
scatter, and even take flying leaps to get past you. They’re feisty
little things, half the size of other sheep. They can live feral in the
right terrain, but in a soft field they need their feet trimmed twice a
year. Their wool will shed naturally, but I tend to help them off with it
by plucking it out and save some for felting.
They lamb in April and take care of it themselves. No staying up all
night in the lambing shed with this breed, you simply wake up in the
morning to find a new arrival in the field and it’s a joy to see them
springing around. Every autumn numbers need reducing, so the
winter begins with a freezer full of meat, and a pleasure it is to dine
on good quality, home produced, flavoursome lamb.
My name is Steve Collins and I live in the Lodge at Heatherley Cheshire Home. I am a paraplegic and a
wheelchair user. I live alone with my two dogs, a husky and a lurcher. In the years that I have been here I
have built up a smallholding with a gaggle of geese and a small flock of Soay sheep. I work at Beechfield
Secure Childrens’ Unit where I also keep a few sheep in the grounds.
www.spinalroots.net
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Copthorne Magazine July 2015
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Jazz on the Green 2015
in the Parish Hub if wet
with the
Riverboat Shuffle Jazz Band
Sunday 7th June, from 12.30pm
Buy lunch at the barbeque, or bring a picnic, to this excellent free musical
extravaganza sponsored by St. John’s Church, Copthorne, 712063
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Copthorne Magazine July 2015
St John’s warmly invites you to join us at any of our Sunday
services.
8.00am Holy Communion following the Book of Common
Prayer
10.00am Parish Communion based on Common Worship
followed by refreshments.
6.00pm Evening Prayer—a short meditative service
There is a Service of Holy Communion
every Wednesday at 10.30am.
Morning Prayer is said on Thursday and Friday mornings at 9.15am
FROM THE REGISTERS
Copthorne Flower and Produce Show
Marriage blessing
5th April
Pam Andrews and Greg Hill
Saturday 26th September2015
Funerals
2nd April
Martin Standen-Grant
Dates for your diary
Churchyard Working Parties
Saturdays 6th June and 4th July
from 9am.
All welcome, unbelievable
refreshments provided.
Naomi’s Friends
Fridays, 12th June and 10th July at
The Parish Hub, Borers Arms Road
at 2pm.
Carers
Friday 26th June and 31st July at
The Parish Hub, Borers Arms Road
from 1.30pm.
Mother’s Union
Wednesday 10th June in church.
Tea Afternoon
Fridays 5th June and 3rd July 23.30pm at The Parish Hub, Borers
Arms Road
This year’s classes are:
Best Decorated Cushion Cover
Best Photograph of a ‘Celebration’
Best Animal Mask
Best Shell Picture
Best Basket home-grown Garden Produce
Best 5 home-grown Runner Beans
Best home-grown Fuchsia
Tallest Sunflower in a Pot
Best Flower Arrangement around a candle
Best Gingerbread
Best 4 Cheese Scones
Best Jar of home-made Chutney
Best Jar of home-made Jam
The last four to be judged on taste as well as looks.
All the classes are open to adults and children.
Start planning your entries and keep watching
the Copthorne Magazine for more details.
Contact details:
Vicarage: 01342 712063
Sue Williams: 01293 887466
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
M.E. [Myalgic Encephalomyelitis] Awareness
My name is Kim. I have suffered with the severe form of M.E for well over 25 years now! Your
knowledge of M.E may be that you understand the sufferer may feel a little extra tired now and
again. I can tell you from personal experience that it is a lot more complicated than that. There are
a long list of symptoms including:
Extreme fatigue
Flu like symptoms
Extreme weakness
Muscle aches and pains
Digestive problems
Nausea
Balance problems
Chest pain
Back pain
Dizziness
Brain fog
Poor sleep
Short term memory problems
Sensitivity to light, smell & noise
Rapid pulse
Unfortunately I suffer from the extreme end of the spectrum of this debilitating illness. I spent
nearly 20 years bedridden unable to join in with the World around me, relying completely on my
family to look after me. Even having to be turned in bed, and relying on my carers to be lifted to a
sitting position. Unable to even hold the shortest of conversations!
Unfortunately when I first became very unwell back in the 1980’s, and I was still at school, very
little was known about it, and the only medical advice I got was to keep pushing myself. Which I
did, starting work at Lloyds Bank where I stayed for nearly three years before having to give up
because of my deteriorating condition. I know now that pushing myself was completely the wrong
thing to do, and why I find myself in the position I am in today.
It is vital to get an early diagnosis, also good advice about pacing daily activity & rest. Then a
better level of health can be achieved. Because this was not the case for me I have had to reconcile
myself to the fact that I will never be fully well as the damage was done in the early years when I
was told to keep pushing myself! I have made small improvements in recent years, and I am able
to join in with the World around me a little. However I still spend a lot of time resting in bed, and
the symptoms are always there, but to varying degrees. I do always try to keep positive though,
and look to the future, not the past. I do still have periods where I am very unwell, but I have
always had the belief/faith that I will get well again one day. I just have to be very patient.
My reason for writing this is to hopefully bring more awareness to how debilitating this illness can
be, and to dispel the myth that it is just a case of feeling a little tired sometimes. Also how with a
little more understanding and help those suffering out there will find it that little bit easier to cope.
And as someone who has suffered from this debilitating condition for well over two decades now,
and waited patiently for a cure, I think it is only fair that a lot more time & money was put into
research to end the suffering.
If you are interested further please look at the Action for M.E. website which has a lot of
information, help and advice.
Kim Rowland
PARENT – BABY/TODDLER GROUP
Wednesday 1:30-2:30pm
at “The Parish Hub”
After a year’s break, Cots2tots is re-opening on
Wednesday 3rd June at “The Parish Hub.” The
toys are looking forward to coming out of their
boxes and being played with and the kettle will
most definitely be on! Cots2tots is the only baby/
toddler group in the village and is a great place to
meet new people. If you have just had a baby or
have a toddler / pre-schooler that likes to play,
please just come along!
Looking forward to seeing lots of faces, old and
new, on 3rd June. To cover the cost of hiring the
hall, we ask for a donation of £2 per family.
Page 10
At each session we provide:





Baby area with mats/
bouncy chairs, and baby toys;
Wide range of toys & activities;
Outdoor play area with ride-on
toys;
Baby weighing scales;
Craft / Sensory play;
For more info, please contact
Natalie on 07846 157928 or
email [email protected]
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
THE COPTHORNE VILLAGE MILLENNIUM GROUP IS
DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE AN EXCITING NEW VILLAGE PROJECT:
“THE COPTHORNE ARCHIVE”
In the early stages of the planning of the new church hall – The Parish
Hub – it was proposed that a room be made available for use as a village
archive, for the collection, dissemination, recording and archiving of
photographs, maps, documents, etc., relating to the village of Copthorne
and its residents. This has now become a reality and thanks are due to St John’s PCC for their
support.
How will this work? We are relying on the people of Copthorne to donate or lend material, such as
photos, your family tree, old deeds, etc., to the archive, which will be scanned and collated. One of
our first tasks will be a number of records relating to St John’s Church. In due course access to the
archives will be available by membership, with an annual subscription, and details will be publicised
in Copthorne Magazine. We would like to hear from Copthorne residents who have an interest in the
history of the village and would be willing to assist in this project. Previous experience as an
Archivist would be wonderful(!) but a good level of computer literacy and attention to detail will
suffice for the time being.
VACANCY: MINUTES SECRETARY The CVMG has a vacancy for a Minutes Secretary, to take the
minutes of our meetings and circulate them to the Group by email. We meet approximately six
times a year, in the evening, and would like to hear from anyone who is interested in taking on this
role.
A NEW CD OF OLD PHOTOS, DOCUMENTS, EARLY BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE
REGISTERS ON SALE AT THE CARNIVAL ON 27TH JUNE
In 1999, when we published the book, Copthorne, The Story So Far, we had a large quantity of
photos and documents that had to be left out, due to lack of space. We’ve now produced a CD of
nearly 700 items relating to the village and its people.
THE CD WILL COST £5 AND BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE COPTHORNE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION
STAND, TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF THE COPTHORNE BOOK (£10) AND THE PARISH MAP (£5).
All profits will go entirely to the Copthorne Archive
Email The Copthorne Village Millennium Group at: [email protected]
COPTHORNE
CARNIVAL 2015
Everything is now arranged, booked and in place for
this year’s carnival, which will take place on Saturday,
27th June on the Village Green.
The theme is MYTHS AND LEGENDS, which will give
scope for lots of interesting floats and stalls, and don’t
forget that there are cash prizes for the best ones.
We have a great day of non stop entertainment organised for you both in the arena and on the
stage. In the afternoon we have several old favourites, but also have the Ariel Theatre Company,
and the Burgess Hill Marching Band performing for the first time. From early evening we have three
live bands again. We are starting with Back2skool, returning after last years great performance,
followed by a big village favourite The Bowmen, and finishing with Saviours of Soul. Between them,
there will be a great range of music and plenty to get everyone up dancing.
There are a great range of stalls to provide a good variety of things for you to spend your money on,
and help our village organisations raise much needed funds. There will also be the usual BBQ and
other food available together with the always popular Beer Tent.
The Carnival has its own Facebook page that some of you have seen and contributed to already.
Please pay it a visit and share it with your friends. It is continually updated with information on the
event. Please come along, it is a fantastic day out.
We are always looking for helpers, so if you would like to serve on the committee, or just help on
the day please contact me.
Graham Casella
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
COPTHORNE CLUBS
This is a general guide to see what is going on in the village, where and when. For more
details and confirmation of times and prices please contact the club involved
(see p2 for their numbers). If you have a club you’d like to add to the list please contact
the magazine on [email protected]
Copthorne Village Badminton Club
Copthorne Evening WI
Held at the Junior School on Thursday evenings
7.30 - 9.30pm term time only.
Held on second Wednesday of the month from
7.45 – 9.45 at the Village hall. Previous
speakers have included BBC garden expert and
a Caribbean singer!
Copthorne Cricket Club
We have a Saturday team in Mid Sussex Division
3 and our season runs from early May through
to the end of August. We play each team home
and away and also play in the T20 tournament
that is run by the league. We welcome players of
all standards and are looking to play more
Sunday friendly matches too, although currently
we do not have a youth team set up.
See
www.copthorne.play-cricket.com
for
fixtures.
Copthorne Ladies Stoolball Club
We play at King George V Field on Monday and
Wednesday evenings 6.30 - 8.30pm, one home
and one away match during the summer (mid
May to end July) with the occasional cup match
in August. Our indoor season runs from late
September to late March, every other Sunday
night either 6-7pm, 7-8pm or 8-9pm in a school
hall in Haywards Heath.
Copthorne Ladies Club
Meets on the first Thursday of every month
(not during August) 8pm – 10pm at Guide
Headquarters. A friendly group originally
formed as the Young Wives club, it has lots of
interesting speakers. Full at present but with a
waiting list.
Mother’s Union
Meets on the second Wednesday of the month
in the church or the Parish Hub.
Copthorne Players
There are usually two shows a year and rehearsals
will take place 3 months prior to performances.
Rehearsal times are usually on Monday and
Wednesday evenings in the Village Hall.
COPTHORNE ART GROUP
Copthorne Table Tennis Club
Meets at the Village Hall on Sunday evenings
from 7 – 9pm from the third Sunday in
September to the last weekend in March (term
time only).
Copthorne Art Group
Meet us on Thursday afternoons at the Parish
Hub from June 4th from 1.30 – 4pm for a friendly
afternoon’s painting and drawing.
Carers Group
Meets on the last Friday each month from 1.30 3.30pm for friendship and support for all carers
who care for someone at home.
In this
environment you can find encouragement and a
listening ear, over a cup of tea and home made
cake. There is also bereavement support
provided by our follow-up group Emmaus.
You are probably aware that we have a
thriving Copthorne Art Group who have met
regularly for several years now, on Thursday
afternoons, originally in the old Church Hall
and latterly in “The Gap” whilst the new hall
was being built.
We are all looking forward to moving into the
new “Hub” Community Hall on Thursday 4th
June. 1.30 till 4.00 pm.
With this new beginning for the Group we
wondered if any interested artists in the village
would like to take this opportunity to join our
group for a very friendly afternoon’s painting,
drawing etc. It is not a class as such but
simply a group of folk who enjoy painting in a
very social environment.
Copthorne Cots 2 Tots
Popular parent baby toddler group now reopening at the Parish Hub every Wednesday
from 3rd June 1.30 – 2.30pm. A great place to
have a cup of tea and meet new friends, big and
small!
Visit www.copthorne.org for all the
village news, pictures and peoples’
stories. Send details of your
forthcoming events for inclusion in the
Village Diary, or details of your local
business, to [email protected]
Page 12
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
And for the kids… see websites or contact club for full
details of times and venues
Act One Beginners
Acting classes for 4-19 yr olds in Copthorne and Felbridge.
www.actonebeginners.co.uk
PARENT – BABY/TODDLER GROUP
Wednesday 1:30-2:30pm
at “The Parish Hub”
Copthorne Youth Football Club
The village club running teams from U6 through to 16.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/copthorneyouthfc
Happy Feet Song and Dance Company
Friendly, hardworking and inspiring dance and theatre school
offering classes in Musical theatre, Jazz and Tap
www.happyfeetcopthorne.co.uk
Girlguiding Copthorne
Providing Guiding fun for Rainbows (5-7), Brownies (7-10),
Guides (10-14) and Rangers (14+)
www.girlguiding.org.uk
[email protected]
Copthorne Scouts
We have two Beaver Colonies, two Cub Packs, two Scout troops.
Matterhorn Explorer Scout Unit also meets at our Headquarters.
www.1stcopthorne.scoutsites.org.uk
Page 13
If would like to advertise
your village club here
please contact
[email protected]
THE COPTHORNE
CONSORT
An amateur choir seeking good
singers.
Rehearsal s
on
Tuesday evenings in Copthorne
at 7.45pm. Please contact
Sophia on 01342 712742 for
more information or come
along to The Delmar Morgan
Centre.
Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Rainbow News
1st Copthorne Rainbows are busy working
towards gaining some ‘Growing up wild’
badges. These badges are a LASER (London
and South East Region) initiative and aim to
encourage all Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and senior section to engage
with nature, to explore the outside. There are 8 badges to collect altogether. The Rainbows have
been making lovely bird feeders, flying kites, bark rubbing, following a trail, sticking natural items
on a leaf shape and to top it all a Bluebell walk in the woods. Growing up wild is not just for
members of girl guiding, it’s also for parents/guardians to do with their children! It’s about getting
outside and exploring!!
2nd Copthorne Rainbows had a visit from ‘Orlando’s Story’ recently, which is a 2 week safety
awareness program which aims to give children the tools needed to keep safe if they become lost
in an urban or rural environment. They teach survival skills that last a lifetime, search and rescues
do’s and don’t’s and many more important facts.
In week 1, Rainbows learned about the world of air scent searching
and how to keep safe if they become lost, basic steps they can take
to help the search teams find them quickly.
Orlando, a fluffy black and white border collie (now retired level 1, air
scent search dog) visited at the end of the evening and Rainbows
were taught how to greet dogs safely and basic animal behaviour…..
In week 2, the team recapped the 8 important points and we were
then treated to a visit from Buddy a black retriever Labrador working
dog. The Rainbows were told what to do if a stranger approaches
them and what a ‘stranger’ is.
Role play cards were used in small groups and showed different scenarios including- ‘you are out
with your family when you become separated from them and you are on your own- what do you
do?’ The team asks “What if?” questions and repeated important points.
The Rainbows all had a fun time as well as learning about keeping safe and of course they loved
meeting Orlando and Buddy! If any units are interested in inviting Orlando’s Story team in, you
can contact them on their website- www.orlandostory.co.uk
Bookings can be made
now for the hire of the
Monsignor Tony Barry
Parish Hub. Downstairs
there is a hall with a
Church of St. Edward the
seating
capacity
at
Confessor
tables of 120 with a
Hillcrest Close, Pound Hill, Crawley
fully equipment kitchen
suitable
for
large
Sunday Mass at 11.00am
functions. On the first
Worth Abbey
floor there is a meeting
Sunday (concelebrated Mass) at
room with a seating
09:30am
capacity of 54 (40 seated around tables). Both
St Francis & St Anthony,Crawley the main hall and the upstairs meeting room
are fully accessible with audio-visual and sound
(the Friary)
systems, and Wi-fi. All booking enquiries in the
Sunday Mass at 09:30am and
first instance to the Parish Office (01342
11:30am
712063).
Roman Catholic Services
Next Issue…10th July (Copy Date)
Page 14
23rd July (Distribution)
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
A wise old bird page 7
SPORTS DAY WINNERS
Just
over
90
members took part in
the Copthorne Guide
& Scout annual fun
sports event.
They
all
enjoyed
throwing
events,
novelty races and an
inflatable
assault
course.
Certificates
were presented to all participants and the winner in each section
received an engraved trophy.
COPTHORNE SCOUTS & GUIDES
Page 15
Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Coffee and Walnut Cupcakes
samskitchen.net
This delicious winning combination is perfect with......well, a
cup of coffee! The combination of coffee and brown sugar
works so well together, whilst the walnuts add a lovely crunch
and flavour. One is never enough.
Cupcakes
1. Before you make the cakes make the coffee mix so it has a
chance to cool completely. Mix the instant coffee with 3 tbsp
of just boiled water, stir well and set aside to cool.
Cupcakes
175g soft spread
175g soft brown sugar
175g self raising flour
½ tsp baking powder
3 eggs, lightly beaten
50g chopped walnuts
1½ tbsp instant coffee
(some of this will be used
in the buttercream)
Buttercream
175g soft butter
275g sieved icing sugar
12 half walnut pieces
Equipment
Muffin tin
Cupcake cases
Mixer
Spatula
Piping bag and nozzle
2. Beat the spread until very soft, add the brown sugar and beat
until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, flour and baking powder.
Mix together. Slowly add 2 tbsp of the coffee mix while
mixing. Fold through the chopped walnuts and divide between
the cake cases, they should be just over half full.
3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until just firm to the touch and a
skewer comes out clear. Cool in the muffin tray for 5-10
minutes then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Buttercream
4. Beat the butter for about 5 minutes until it's soft and fluffy.
Sieve in half the icing sugar and slowly beat together. Add the
rest of the icing sugar and 1 tbsp of the coffee mix (made at
stage 1). Mix again. If you need more liquid to attain a good
piping consistency then either add a little more coffee mix or
a little milk.
5. Load into a piping bag, if using one or spread on the top of
each cake. Top with a piece of walnut.
A drizzle of dark chocolate across the top also looks and
tastes lovely.
Preheat oven 170°C, 150°C fan, GM3
Makes 12
Samba the night away at St Catherine’s
Hospice’s Midnight Walk!
It’s time to shake your maracas for the St
Catherine's Hospice Midnight Walk!
This year's exciting carnival-themed Midnight
Walk will take place on Saturday 27 June in
Horsham Park, kick-starting at 10.30pm. You
can Samba your way round a seven, 13 or new 20 mile route to
make your evening even more challenging. The whole evening will
be jam packed with Brazilian entertainment, carnival costumes and
an energetic atmosphere you won’t want to miss, all while raising
much needed funds to help St Catherine’s care for terminally ill local
people in your community.
St Catherine's Hospice provides vital, free end of life care for
terminally ill people across Horsham, Crawley, East Surrey and Mid
Sussex. Events like the Midnight Walk play an important part in
raising the £6 million a year in voluntary income that is necessary for
St Catherine's to continue to give this support.
If you would like to take part or find out more, visit www.stch.org.uk/
midnightwalk or call 01293 447364. There will be no on the night
registration. The Midnight Walk is kindly sponsored by Capital IFX.
Page 16
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
The Cubs and
Beavers
went to
Buchan Park
for a Welly
Walk and
they had to
collect items
with which
to make a
robot.
Page 17
Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Page 18
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
Copthorne Village Association
Preserving our Heritage for Future Generations
www.facebook.com/copthornevillageassociation
Email: [email protected] www.copthornevillage.org
Post: The CVA, c/o Copthorne Bank Post Office, 6 Copthorne Bank, Copthorne
COPTHORNE CARNIVAL - We’ll be there! Please come and visit our stand on Saturday 27th June to
talk to us for latest news and information on village preservation matters. You can also join the
association or renew your membership.
Members of the Copthorne Village Millennium Group will also be on hand to introduce their exciting new
village project - The Copthorne Archive - which will be housed in its own space in The Parish Hub. A
new recently produced CD of village photos, documents, maps, etc will be on sale, as well as the book,
Copthorne The Story So Far and Parish Maps.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Members of the CVA are invited to our AGM on Wednesday 29th July
at 8pm at The Parish Hub. Membership can be renewed and NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS
WELCOME - £5 per year per household – or make a donation – we cannot continue our efforts to
organise the village's voice without your support. The more members we have the greater our impact.
Pay via standing order (see our website www.copthornevillage.org), or by cheque (payable to
Copthorne Village Association) with your house number and street name as reference on the back.
Send to CVA, c/o Copthorne Bank Post Office, 6 Copthorne Bank, RH10 3QX
EMAIL NEWSLETTERS - if you don’t already receive communications from us by email please let us
have your email address and we’ll make sure you’re kept informed about issues which affect our village.
Disclaimer: The information contained here is provided by the Copthorne Village Association (CVA) for general guidance only. Please note: the
information is subject to change. Always check that is it is up to date. The CVA does not guarantee or warrant the information as error or
omission free. The CVA is unable to provide any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness or any other
aspect of the information supplied. In no event shall the CVA or its agents, officers or volunteers be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever
(including but not limited to liability or loss of use, data or profits) arising out of or in connection with any content on, or accessed by, use of
this publication, copying, display or other use hereof.
‘From the Top’ performances at 3pm on
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June
2015. A refreshing variety show once
again hits the Hawth stage, performed
by the local cast of young and talented
students of Happy Feet Song and
Dance Company.
Happy Feet is a thriving musical
theatre school in the heart of
Copthorne. Renowned for its unique,
caring and family approach, building
self-confidence and a love of the
performing arts.
You can be guaranteed an afternoon of
spectacular and uplifting family
entertainment. Enjoy the show!
Copthorne Magazine is published six times a year by Copthorne Parish Church and issued free. The
magazine is distributed by a team of volunteers to over 2,000 homes. Copy is always welcome for inclusion,
so please forward contributions to the Editor c/o Parish Office, Copthorne; or to [email protected]
Distribution: Parish Office.
If you are able to help deliver the magazine, please contact the Parish office.
For the Village—By the Village
Page 19
Copthorne Magazine June 2015
WORTH PARISH COUNCIL
Q
QUALITY
PARISH
COUNCIL
NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2015
Letter from the Chairman
Some of you may have noticed that we did not have an election for Parish Council members on the 7 th May
alongside the General Election. This was due to us having 8 nominations for 8 places in Copthorne and 8
nominations for 9 places in Crawley Down. While the fact that we have 1 vacancy in Crawley Down is a little
disappointing, it was gratifying to have several new people put themselves forward to replace the retiring
Councillors, especially in Copthorne where we have 4 new Councillors. The vacancy in Crawley Down will be
advertised shortly and we hope that anyone who is interested will put themselves forward to fill the vacancy. Due
to publication deadlines, this Newsletter has to be prepared before the first meeting of the new Council. However,
at that Parish Council meeting on the 11th May, a Chairman and Vice Chairman will have been elected to lead the
Council for the coming year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank two of our long-serving Parish Councillors who stepped down this year.
Richard Blackmore and Mike Livesey have served on the Parish Council for over 40 years between them. They
have both served with distinction as Chairman of the Council and Chairman of Committees for many years. Their
experience and wisdom will be greatly missed.
If everything goes to plan, the 10th June will be a milestone in the development of the Parish Council. This is the
planned date on which we should be moving into our new office in the new Copthorne Hub in the grounds of the
Parish Church. This will provide a proper functional office for our staff to work from and a permanent meeting room
for Council meetings. Once the move is confirmed, it is our intention to have a formal opening to which residents
will be invited, probably prior to one of our Council meetings. During the week of the move (June 9 th - 12th), the
council office will be closed while we pack, move and unpack. It is our intention to have a member of staff available
in an office at Crawley Down once a week for people who are not able to travel to the new office. Once this has
been arranged, notices will go up on notice boards and the Council website.
Chris Phillips
Neighbourhood Plans
We have been delighted to welcome new members to Copthorne’s Sub Committee. This has helped to enable the
process of writing the documents to gain momentum and also fresh minds to assess the work that has been done
and give up new ideas. I still hoped to get a document for publication and consultation in the late summer, but
many more hours of painstaking work are still to be done.
By the time people are reading this article, Crawley Down’s Plan should be with an independent inspector for
examination. We have received comments from interested parties for the inspector to consider and unfortunately,
despite our consulting them every step of the way, Mid Sussex District Council have raised a series of objections to
the finished document. This has soured what was an already fraught working relationship with the District Council.
It will be up to the inspector whether the document has to be amended to take account of these objections.
Please check the Worth Parish Council’s website for the dates when the various documents for Crawley Down and
Copthorne are available for public consultation. This will be your chance to influence the direction in which the
villages will be developed over the next 20 years.
Chris Phillips
Chairman, Neighbourhood Plans Committee
Page 20
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
General Purposes & Finance
As this Newsletter had to be submitted for publication prior to the first meeting of the new Council, no Committee
chairmen had been appointed. As I am retiring from the Council (after 21 years!), therefore, I would like to take
this opportunity to say it has been a privilege to have served since 1994. The Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Finance
Officer are the backbone of the Council, without whom it could not operate. My thanks go to them for their support
to all members, their hard work and professionalism. The Council meeting on April 27 agreed the Annual Return,
including the accounts, the annual governance statement and the internal auditor's report for the year 2014/15. It
is a tribute to the officers' hard work that no changes had to be made. For the new Council, it was reassuring that
Copthorne had eight candidates for the eight seats in the ward, while Crawley Down had eight candidates for
their nine seats. Accordingly, all were duly elected and I congratulate them all and wish them every success.
The new offices in the Copthorne Parish Hub are being leased for a 25 year term. Funding for the first fifteen
years has been achieved by means of a loan from the Public Works Loan Board to be repaid over the fifteen
years. As the interest rate is fixed, all repayments are identical and, as the current repayments are equivalent to
current commercial rents, the Council will make a significant saving over the next fifteen years.
Mike Livesey
Chairman (now retired), General Purposes & Finance Committee
Planning & Highways
Our meetings cover all planning applications made in the Parish and a review of Mid Sussex District Council
(MSDC) decisions, as well as issues relating to our local highways and byways. Our published agendas describe
the planning applications and other matters being considered and members of the public are welcome to come
along to see and hear how our decisions are reached.
MSDC has approved its draft District Plan for public consultation. Please look at their website to view the Plan.
We are particularly pleased that they have significantly strengthened policies DP9 (to protect and enhance the
countryside) and DP10 (preventing coalescence) but disappointed this has come too late to influence the West of
Copthorne and the Wychwood applications which were both approved. Nevertheless, together with our emerging
Neighbourhood Plans, these policies will certainly provide a much stronger defence against future unwanted
developments.
If you are making an application to Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC), or wish to object to an application, please
keep an eye on our published agendas, attend the relevant planning meeting and, if you wish, speak to us about
your plans or your objections and send your objections to MSDC, who are the decision-makers.
Any issues with roads, pavements or signposts should be notified to West Sussex County Council by calling
01243 642105.
Lindsey Field
Chairman, Planning and Highways Committee
Other Matters
As reported in our last newsletter, following pressure from this Council, MSDC issued an order requiring that any
proposed work on the Royal Oak Pub is subject to a planning application. The Pub was previously registered by
this Council as an Asset of Community Value. This gives community groups an option to submit a bid should the
owners wish to sell. Accordingly, at the April 13 th Planning committee meeting, the Council unanimously agreed
that the Parish Council submit an intention to bid on behalf of the Community. The Council will consider leading
the bid and working with the Community interest group “Save the Royal Oak Group” who have the same
objective. The submission was made to meet a deadline which the interest group could not meet and provide a six
month window during which the interest group could attempt to raise finance for the bid. The Council itself will not
be part of any financial bid but will provide whatever non-financial support it can. The Council wishes the “Save
the Royal Oak Group” every success.
As reported by the Chairman, the Council office is moving to the Copthorne Parish Hub. The new Council meeting
room (fully equipped with the latest audio-visual systems) on the first floor of the Hub is available for hire to
community groups, organisations, clubs or firms requiring a meeting space for up to 54 people. Please contact the
Clerk's office for details.
Page 21
Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Meetings
As the next (Autumn) edition of this Newsletter is not published until the October / November issues of the village
magazines, and a new schedule of meetings was to be presented at the May 11th meeting of the new Council, after
the deadline for this edition, June - September meeting dates (other than that of June 8th) were not available as we
went to press. These are published on the Council's notice-boards and website. For Monday evening meetings, a
meeting of the Planning and Highways Committee precedes each of the other Council or Committee meetings (all
Planning meetings start at 7:30 p.m. with the first 15 minutes available for members of the public to address the
Council). Other Planning Committee meetings may be held at other times to align with District Council Planning
Committee schedules. Please see our noticeboards and website for details. The first June meeting will be :
June 8th Council, Fairway School, Copthorne.
All subsequent meetings (including any daytime Planning Committee metings, and those of the Neighbourhood Plan
Committee and the Copthorne Neighbourhood Plan sub-committee) will be held in the Council meeting room at the
Parish Council's new office in the Copthorne Parish Hub, Borers Arms Road, Copthorne, RH10 3ZQ.
The Neighbourhood Plans Committee meets usually once a month (but frequency can vary, depending on issues and
deadlines). Dates therefore are set as required. Please check our website for those as none has yet been published
for the June - September period. The meetings always start at 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public.
YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS
Copthorne and Worth Ward
Crawley Down Ward
Mr. J Allen
Fagus
65 Newtown
716694
Mr P B Blakemore
Mrs D Curzon
Mr. A Dorey
Mrs L Field
3 Pinetrees Close
29 Spring Gardens
22 Westway
Hendersyde
Copthorne Bank
46 Newtown
19 Knowle Drive
16 Calluna Drive
715775
713886
07802359123
Mr A J Lacey
Mr C Larkin
Mr C T Phillips
(Chairman)
712256
714199
717339
712668
MID SUSSEX DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Copthorne & Worth Ward
Mr. E. Matthews, 3 Dexter Drive, East Grinstead 301002
Mr. A Dorey
see under Parish Council
WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Imberdown Division
Mrs. H.A. Brunsdon,
83 Blount Avenue,
East Grinstead, RH19 1JN
327200
PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS
Clerk to the Council
Mrs Jennifer Saunders
Assistant Clerk
Miss Sue Kipps
Responsible Finance Officer
Mrs Ellen Smith
–
E-mail
–
Mrs E. M. Anscomb 1 Royal Oak Cottage
Mr. P. A. C. Coote
San Felipe, Lake View Road
Furnace Wood, Felbridge
Dr I. P. Gibson
Kiln Wood, Turners Hill Road
Mr K J H Scott
Preferred Lie, Rufwood
Mrs N Stein
18 Larches Way
Mrs J. Suckling
15 Buckley Place
Mr R. Webb
Withywindle, Kiln Close
Mr. G. Williams
7 Woodlands Close
(Vice Chairman)
715720
713443
716790
712213
716437
714499
719029
714554
Crawley Down and Turners Hill Ward
Mr. B. Forbes,
5 Turtledove Ave, Turners Hill Park 719866
Mr. P.A. Coote
see under Parish Council
Mr. N. Walker
10 Clays Close, East Grinstead
327330
Worth Forest Division
Mr. W. Acraman,
2 Staplefield Ct., Brantridge Lane
Staplefield, RH17 6EN
01444 400079
Council Offices Village Hall Bungalow, Turners Hill Road,
Crawley Down, RH10 4HE. until 8th June then from 15th June
The Parish Hub, First Floor, Borers Arms Road, Copthorne RH10 3ZQ
Tel: 01342 713407
[email protected]
Website:
www.worthparishcouncil.co.uk
The Council Offices are moving from the rear of the Village Hall in Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down to new
offices at The Parish Hub, Borers Arms Road, Copthorne, RH10 3ZQ on June 10th
They are open to the public 9.30am to 12 noon on Mondays to Friday.
Staff can be contacted there at other times by telephone on 713407 or you can always leave a
message on the answering machine or send an e-mail.
Page 22
Copthorne Magazine July 2015
Simon writes on a ‘Grave Matter’
I’ve been meaning to write about our churchyard rules for some time and a recent, somewhat
‘controversial’, ruling by a Consistory Court on the matter has prompted me to set finger to
keyboard. First, let me explain. We have an Open Churchyard. This means that burials can take
place within the consecrated area of the churchyard. Whilst a churchyard is open for burials it is the
responsibility of the church to maintain it and I am very grateful to everyone who comes along to
the churchyard working party on the first Saturday morning of each month to help with the
maintenance. Do join us if you can (there are always excellent refreshments!). We spent about
£2,500 last year in maintaining the churchyard, and I am especially grateful to Worth Parish Council
for their grant and to others who have made generous donations towards the costs. If you would
like to contribute towards the maintenance of the churchyard please contact the Parish Office.
Whilst a churchyard remains open every parishioner (those living within the ecclesiastical parish),
anyone dying within the parish, and those whose names are on the electoral roll of the parish have
the right under common law to be buried in the churchyard. As incumbent (vicar) I only have the
right in common law to prescribe where, within the churchyard, the burial is to take place. This
much is clear. The controversy arose over the question of a parishioner who wished to reserve a
grave space. There is provision within church law for this but the ruling handed down is that it is
within the rights of the Parochial Church Council to refuse any such request. At St John’s we took
the decision some time ago to only allow those entitled under Common Law to be buried within the
churchyard and that our policy is not to reserve grave spaces. I hope this will be seen as
unambiguous and fair. Let me though try and allay any fears that the churchyard will soon be filled.
At the present rate of interment there is sufficient space for many years, as there is for ashes
interred in the Labyrinth and for which there are no restrictions as to where the deceased had
previously lived.
Our churchyard is a place of peace and comfort; a place of rest and hopefully will remain so for
generations to come. It is somewhere to come and ‘remember’, somewhere that brings solace. It
is a place of tranquility where, in one’s own time, we can find the reassurance that brings strength
for daily living found in the hope of our Lord’s resurrection. Our ‘charge’ is to pass this heritage of
rest and comfort to future generations. This is why there are rules for monuments and the like so
as to preserve the special character of the churchyard for the benefit of all, now and into the future.
The full regulations can be found in the Chancellor’s General Directions for Churches and
Churchyards on the diocesan website: www.chichester.anglican.org.
There are practical considerations concerning monuments. Certain types of stone engrave better
than others and consideration is always given to a stone’s suitability for the particular churchyard.
Inscriptions are encouraged to inform future generations of the deceased and a few telling words
describing their life are always welcomed. (For those whose ashes are interred in the Labyrinth we
have a Labyrinth Roll in the church where similar information can be recorded.)
We have to give cognisance to health and safety, and ease of maintenance. This is why, for
example, vases must be unbreakable and sunk into the ground. Glass jars are especially vulnerable
when cutting the grass to flying stones, which is why I remove them! Likewise mementos are not
allowed because they change the character of the area and can make it difficult for others whose
loved ones are buried nearby and they also make maintenance much more difficult. Perhaps,
though, the most difficult issue pertains to flowers. Fresh cut flowers are always welcome and, in
burial plots, we encourage the planting of spring bulbs for example. (Please remember though that
the plot remains the property of the church.) Artificial flowers are not permitted apart from
Remembrance Poppies or Christmas wreaths. I know this is difficult and I try and turn a blind eye to
seasonal silk flowers that are not faded but I do generally clear away any such flowers, as well as
withered flowers and mementos, at the beginning of each month to preserve the freshness of the
churchyard.
Our churchyard is not only a haven for us humans as we enjoy its surroundings. It is also a haven
for wild life and wild flowers. Our churchyard offers a green area for birds and butterflies, badgers
and toads, flowers and bees etc. For Spring and Summer months some grass in less used parts of
the churchyard may be left un-mown so that the area can support a wide variety of wild life and
flowers.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Page 23
Copthorne Magazine June 2015
MAY MEETING
COPTHORNE LADIES CLUB
APRIL MEETING
The club welcomed Margaret Kimber of the
R.N.L.I. (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), who
gave us an in-depth talk on their history and
function. Margaret’s involvement began as a
swimming lifeguard and instructor. She then
worked at the R.N.L.I. shop in the Brighton Marina
and today raises money for the Institution giving
talks and selling their merchandise.
There was a “full house” for our May
meeting talk by Amanda Millar entitled
“Working with Bats”. Amanda was from the Bat
Hospital in Hurstpierpoint, which currently has
49 patients.
Bats are very vulnerable, with fragile bones
which are easily damaged and come to the
hospital with various injuries, including
accidents with cars, from cats, also poisoning
(often from rat poison) and, most bizarrely,
from fly papers. The delicate wings can be
badly damaged by a bat flying into a fly paper,
leaving gaping holes in the wing. It has also
been known for bats to perish by being drawn
into turbines. Amanda spends £100 a month
on mealworms for the patients in her hospital
and oatmeal and organic carrots are also part
of their diet.
William Hillary introduced lifeboats in 1824.
These were rowing boats which over the years
have improved to become the specialized marine
vehicles we have today. Following the horrendous
floods in Uckfield a few years ago, for example,
there are now four flood rescue boats with
There are 1,200 species of bat throughout
specially trained crews to undertake this type of
the world, nineteen of which are in this
mission.
country. They can be found in lofts, eaves of
Improvements to life jackets make them buildings, while in the countryside in
adjustable and more comfortable to wear while woodpecker holes or natural hollows in trees.
helmets are lighter and have air blown into a tube They feed on mosquitoes, midges and a variety
at the back which protects the head when worn in of other insects. The oldest known bat reached
rough seas.
41 years! We were privileged to see some
The largest rescue boat is at Newhaven, which small bats which Amanda had brought with
has the capacity to take 180 people on board. It her, which clearly relished being stroked. It
carries a doctor in the crew and in case of a major certainly gave us a new understanding of bats
incident there is a special cabin equipped with an and we all enjoyed her unusual and
operating table. Lifeboat crews are trained in first entertaining talk and accompanying slides.
aid to the highest level, and all are committed Anyone finding an injured bat should contact
the Sussex Bat Group website and collection
volunteers.
would be arranged.
Margaret told us many fascinating facts about
The meeting ended with notices. Jean is
the R.N.L.I. and said as a charity they rely on
recovering
from her operation and best wishes
legacies, boxes in shops, donations and various
were
sent
from
the club. Also, the R.N.L.I.
fund-raising activities. Our President thanked
Margaret for her excellent talk and a donation was were delighted to inform us that £189.50 had
made on behalf of the club. The meeting ended been raised from donations and sales at our
April meeting.
with notices, refreshments, and a raffle.
Val Edwards
Care Home Open Day
FRANCIS COURT invites you
Saturday 20th June
Understanding Dementia
11.30 - 12.30pm - Line dancing
12.30 -2.30pm – Barbecue
2.30 - 3.30pm Louise Trinick sings western
Tuesday 2nd June, 2pm – 5pm

Understand what dementia is and how
memories are lost
style!

Learn about language changes and
overcome communication barriers
3.30 - 4.30pm - VIP's (very important ponies)

Positive approaches to living with dementia

Get your copy of our free dementia guide
Pebbles and Sooty will be making an appearance
dressed in themed costumes, accompanied by
more live music
Meet our friendly team and have the
opportunity to tour our home

Enjoy complimentary refreshments, meet
other carers and share experiences
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Copthorne Magazine July 2015
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
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Copthorne Magazine July 2015
Here at the Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick our Mad Hatter tea parties are now up and running.
We have been bombarded with party requests and are thoroughly enjoying Celebrating 150 years of
Alice and Wonderland, with this new concept to afternoon tea. Chef has created an impressive menu
including open and finger sandwiches, Scones with orange marmalade and clotted cream, and a
selection of cakes and treats. For larger group bookings we are able to offer you your very own
private themed tea room, giving you and your party that extra bit of privacy. £25 per person to
include a glass of sparkling wine or Hot chocolate on arrival. A great way to catch up with friends, or
for a special celebration. We are able to tailor parties to suit, Hen, Baby shower, Birthday etc please
speak to our events team for more details. [email protected]
Also tickets will soon be on sale for our Halloween Charity Ball at Effingham Park raising money for
the repair of the Church’s Lytch gates. Saturday 31st October please reserve yours now!
If you have any questions about any of the above or would just like to pop into the hotel and
speak to someone in our events team then we would love to welcome you along at anytime. If you
haven’t yet applied for your loyalty card and would like one then please contact
[email protected] or 01342 348870.
St John’s Church Vestry is available for meetings during the
week for up to a dozen people.
To hire, please contact the Parish Office on 01342 712063
Simon rambles on …
‘A Grave Matter’ is rather dull. Who wants to
think about their ‘grave spot’? (Quite a number
from the number of phone calls!) So I thought
that I would offer a few ramblings on life. The
other afternoon I was asked to go into school.
New guidelines from Ofsted state that a
governor has to witness the opening up of the
SATS papers and monitor the tests so that the
Headteacher can sign off that no teacher has
‘helped’ the youngsters in their test. What
bureaucratic proverbial. What have we done to
get ourselves into a situation that Ofsted feel
that they can no longer trust a head or, for that
matter, schools feel that they have to cheat the
system?
As soon as I was released from my duties I
dashed back to plant out my sunflowers for the
Flower and Produce Show (September 26th). I’ve
obtained the newly released variety ‘Giraffe’ the tallest sunflower ever. Going to win this year
even if it does send me to the grave. I must
admit I was a little out of breath after digging in
the compost for my marrow and courgettes
though. Now here’s an offer. Write down on a
piece of paper with your name and address the
weight of the largest marrow that I will grow this
year for September 26th, place in a sealed
envelope with a pound coin, drop through the
vicarage door and whoever gets closest wins a
bottle of wine, or a box of chocolates if under
age. All monies towards the churchyard fund.
(Have a sneak preview when the garden is open
for Vicarage Teas at the Carnival (27th June). My
marrow will be the stuff of legends.
I was left befuddled at Parish Training evening
by HMRC acronyms concerning GA. Anyway, all I
ask is please don’t put £50 notes in the
collection plate because we can’t claim GASDS
on it. Three twenties would do nicely (help
yourself to a tenner change from the plate).
Our living room is full of boxed tables, chairs,
china, glasses, toilet roll holders, a keyboard –
all destined (I hope) for the Parish Hub. Again
many thanks to everyone who contributed to the
Wedding List, without which the Opening Dinner
would have to be fish and chips out of
newspaper. Do come along and have a look on
Sunday, 31st May from noon onwards. Enjoy a
simple lunch or / and an afternoon tea as you
have your face painted whilst bouncing on the
bouncy castle and sculpturing balloons into weird
effigies.
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Thank you to all our
advertisers for supporting
the Copthorne Magazine.
Your advertisements
enable us to promote
clubs and activities across
the village.
Copthorne Magazine for
the village by the village
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Copthorne Magazine July 2015
As we indicated in our last issue the new
poundhillmedicalgroup
Electronic Prescribing system was introduced
on 2nd April. It is fantastic that some 10,000
___________________________________________
As we mentioned in the previous issue of the
magazine our
Practice was assessed
by
the
Clinical Quality Commission Inspectors in March
with very positive comments on the day. We are
extremely pleased to inform you that we have now
received the official report from the CQC. In
general we received good comments in all areas of
the service and organization of our Practice for the
care of our patients which is very pleasing indeed.
Our sincere thanks to all our staff for their hard
work on behalf of our Patients and Practice. The
full report is available at both Surgeries and online
on
our
Practice
website
on
www.poundhillmedicalgroup.co.uk.
It
is
very
pleasing
that
our
new
telephone
numbers for both surgeries, 01342 774888 for
Copthorne and 01293 540620 for Pound Hill, have
been a great success. Some 2000 calls are being
dealt with each week.
requests have already been registered on this
new system. Both Pound Hill and Copthorne
surgeries are now sending all prescriptions
electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.
This
means
you
will
not
need
a
paper
prescription anymore and you can request
repeat
medication
(Rivermead)
and
directly
from
Copthorne
Pound
Hill
(Kamsons)
Pharmacies. You will need to nominate a
pharmacy, if you have not already done so and
this can be done at either the pharmacy itself
or the surgery. Full details can be found at
http://systems.hscic.gov.uk/eps
Please remember that general Practice services
or information is available on our website or in
the Friends wall libraries at both Copthorne and
Pound Hill surgeries.
Perry Anderson
Practice Manager
Peter Chatfield
Chairman Friends Group
“Just keep going. Everybody gets
better if they keep at it.”– Ted Williams
Welcome to May’s CYFC club report. March and April has
provided some wonderful moments for the club with our
U16 side winning their League and the U13’s completing a
fantastic League and Cup double.
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone connected with these sides.
While the season draws to an end and we all look forward to our end of season awards and BBQ day in
July, discussions are already taking place for next season! As the club continues to grow with a playing
membership of nearly 200 children across 9 teams pitch improvements have been taking place at King
George’s Field, new kits are being ordered and league places confirmed.
The Values and Vision for the club are FUN for all, OPEN to all and to be CREATIVE in your play. I
firmly believe that within the club we have the right people who do provide the correct environment for
our children to flourish and with the continued support from all those involved in the club, either now or
in the future, we can build the club to allow the children to progress further in their enjoyment of sport.
We are always looking to build our squads and next season we will have teams from U6 through to our
new U18 side. All new players are always welcome and we would also welcome new volunteers who
wish to help with their local football club.
If you would like to become involved in our club, either as a player, coach, volunteer or sponsor please
contact us via our website www.pitchero.com/clubs/copthorneyouthfc/ by Email
[email protected] or via twitter @pagsbuckle Many Thanks
Paul Buckle, Chairman CYFC.
This report is supported by club sponsor Mansell McTaggart
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Copthorne Magazine June 2015
Copthorne Local Policing Team
Your local officers for Copthorne are
PC Anthony Cheeseman & PCSO Tim Wainwright.
East Grinstead Police Station
[email protected]
A notice from Sussex Police in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council
In an emergency always call 999
If you wish to report a crime, non-emergency incident or any suspicious behaviour call 101 and ask
for Police Contact Centre or report via e-mail at [email protected]
COPTHORNE POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD PANEL
As always the past few months have continued
to be a busy time for our 3 village, Copthorne,
Turners Hill and Crawley Down, teams. Weekly
police reports continue to inform of us the
trends for crimes in our area. Burglary and
vehicle crimes remain high on the list and
everyone is asked to secure their property at
all times and to keep a watchful eye for any
suspicious activity around our neighbourhood
and very particularly for those who are elderly
or most vulnerable. Without a village
Neighbourhood Watch it is most important that
we all help by reporting any suspicious activity
or vehicles directly to the police on 101 or emailing [email protected].
Sadly at our last panel meeting in April we
were informed that, not just nationally but
here in Sussex the police have been instructed
to make cutbacks and savings amounting to
£56M. We have been informed that the new
Local Policing Model and its implications for
residents would be made available within the
three village communities.
We do know that East Grinstead Police Station
is to close and a new Police Office is to be set up
at Chequer Mead.
The serious parking issues in all our villages
remain a top priority and firm plans are being put
in place by the Traffic Police and particularly the
Fire and Rescue Teams to carry out practical
assessment of this serious problem in our
villages. Illegal parking is one problem but serious
and inconsiderate parking restricting access for
emergency vehicles is a much more serious
consideration. Practical assessment by the Fire
and Rescue has already been applied in East
Grinstead with good effect and is intended to
move into our villages shortly.
There has been an unforeseen delay with
Speedwatch operations in our village following the
re-calibration of the equipment but it is hoped
operations will be resumed very shortly. We
would like to take this opportunity to thank all
those who have given support for our scheme and
the comments and support for the work of our
team for helping to try to keep our village a little
safer, it is greatly appreciated.
It’s been a busy spring at Francis Court – and we’re looking forward to an even busier
summer! In April we had the exciting news that our Copthorne care home has been once again
rated by CQC as ‘good’ – the second highest rating possible for a home. In the unannounced visit,
inspectors spoke with colleagues, residents and their families – we were really happy to hear about
all the fantastic things people said about the home that the CQC published in their report.
At Francis Court we believe passionately in being active members of the Copthorne community and
sharing our knowledge. That’s why we’re running a free event on Tuesday 2 nd June 2pm – 5pm with
independent specialist Rachel Niblock from Dementia Adventure. Rachel will be covering a wide
range of areas to help understand what it might be like to live with dementia, as well as answering
questions and offering advice.
As part of the UK-wide initiative, to celebrate Care Home Open Day on Saturday 20 th June, from
11.30am to 4.30pm visitors to Francis Court care home will find it completely transformed into a
Wild West village! The open day is an excellent opportunity to tour the home and its many facilities,
and ask any questions you may have.
To find out more about these events and to RSVP for our dementia event, please contact Customer
Relationship Manager Karen Davies on 0333 4343 030 or email [email protected]
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