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Articles by Robert Veitch
Parkers Car & Truck Rental Celebrate 75 Years
Mr Parker began renting out cars from a site in Western Road, Haywards Heath in 1945, although his company was not formally registered until September 1949. When he retired, his sons, Maurice and Aubrey took up the reins. In the 1950s car hire cost around £10 a week, and Ford Prefects occupied a significant percentage of the forecourt. Some cars came with heating, although air conditioning was via the window handle. Petrol was 45p a gallon.
Reader's View: Republicans have forfeited their say
Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination on Aug. 22 with a masterful speech that was masterfully presented. She outlined policies covering a broad range of domestic and international positions she will take when elected president. Rep. Pete Stauber suggested she should have done all that three and a half years ago, as was reported in the News Tribune . Let me suggest that three and a half years ago President Donald Trump should have accepted the peaceful transfer of power.
Bespoke Dreams from Eridge Green Kitchens
As a child, Rob Wheeler, the owner of Eridge Green Kitchens, spent school holidays learning to make furniture in his father’s workshop. After leaving school and three or four years of labouring on other people’s projects he struck out on his own. “I love cooking and entertaining, and I’m a cabinet maker by trade, so I can advise on design and functionality.
Highweald Estate: Wines of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Nestled in the pristine medieval landscape of the High Weald, among West Sussex’s rolling, wooded hills, lies Highweald Wine, one of England’s finest sparkling wine estates. It was there that I met my amiable host, Winemaker and Managing Director Robin Langton. His enthusiasm for English Sparkling Wine is infectious and it wasn’t long before I was learning more about this fascinating place, with a glass of sparkling wine in hand.
Hip Hip Hooray
Hugh Apthorp trained at St. Bartholomew’s in London and developed his expertise in hip surgery in Perth, Australia.
Artelium Wine - Crafted in Sussex
Stepping into the Artelium Tasting Room is to step into a beautifully restored barn populated with comfy, cosy sofas, engaging art, and several bottles from the range on display. It’s instantly appealing, relaxing and draws you towards the bar. Waiting inside was the owner, Julie Bretland, along with marketing and hospitality manager, Hannah Simpson-Banks.
Business is Blooming for Floral Image
A top the steps of the mezzanine office complex at the UK base of Floral Image, the friendly smile and outstretched hand of Anna Ball welcomed me. The raison d’être of Floral Image is to bring lifelike flowers into businesses in a sustainable way, brightening spaces and putting smiles on faces. At any one time in Sussex, there are over 1,200 displays in offices, restaurants, hotels, care homes, dentists, hairdressers and so on.
An Authentic Finish with Kitchen Carousel
Stephen Hamilton started Kitchen Carousel in 2016, with his ‘right hand man’ and partner, Amanda Borradaile, although he has been involved in kitchen design, construction and project management for around 40 years. As we sat in his workshop, mug of tea in hand, his enthusiasm spilled over. “Trees are not just wood, they’re the lungs of the earth and we would not function without them.
On The Road with Harvey Self Drive
Harvey Self Drive was incorporated in 1973 and Michelle Marshall started work there in 1993, before purchasing the company in 2002. The workshop, yard and office are tucked away in the Sussex countryside near Hurstpierpoint, with glorious views of the South Downs. “It’s a year for anniversaries,” Michelle told me, “and we are planning to celebrate all of them.” She runs a team of four that includes Alan, Dan, and Dave the mechanic who comes in twice a week.
Interpreting a Vision with Kitchen Carousel
Stephen Hamilton started Kitchen Carousel in 2017, with his ‘right hand man’ and partner, Amanda Borradaile. But to think he has only been involved in the business for a few years is to misinterpret the truth. Stephen has been involved in kitchen design, construction and project management for around 40 years. As we sat in his workshop, mug of tea in hand, his enthusiasm spilled over. “I have the heart of a cabinet maker, I love wood, workshops and machines.
Advertising Feature: Plan Bee
Carl is relatively new to beekeeping but his passion and enthusiasm for bees was clearly evident throughout our conversation. He’s a keen follower of Dr Leo Sharashkin, who wrote Keeping Bees With A Smile and an advocate of horizontal hives, which allow bees to live as close to their natural lifestyle as possible. Horizontal hives are a relatively new concept in the UK and with this is mind Carl built a prototype for his own colony, and is now building them for customers.
Advertising Feature: Plan Bee
Advertising Feature: The relationship between bees and humans dates back thousands of years, so its reassuring to know that Carl Slade is making beekeeping easier for both the novice and experienced apiarist; we sent Robert Veitch to meet him. Carl is relatively new to beekeeping but his passion and enthusiasm for bees was clearly evident throughout our conversation.
Advertising Feature: Highweald: Wines of Outstanding Natural Beauty
One of the wonders of Sussex is the capacity to create food and drink of outstanding quality and Highweald Wine is one such example, producing English Sparking Wines of exceptional standard – Robert Veitch went to find out more, and enjoy a glass or two. Nestled in the pristine medieval landscape of the High Weald, among West Sussex’s rolling, wooded hills, lies Highweald Wine Estate, one of England’s finest sparkling winemakers.
Advertising Feature: Step Into Your Spotlight
The performing arts industry has never offered so many opportunities for careers and for fun, as Robert Veitch discovered when he met Florence Tingley from the Pauline Quirke Academy, ahead of the launch of the new Haywards Heath Academy. Florence Tingley’s effervescent personality and positive mindset were infectious as she enthused about her new venture – the launch of The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in Haywards Heath.
Bonkers For Conkers
Playground battles, world championships, a Balkan immigrant and a sport invented on the Isle of Wight; Robert Veitch looks into a few links to the horse chestnut tree THE KING & I In the autumn of 1984, as in most years, playground football was usurped for a couple of weeks by an insatiable appetite for conkers. The search for a decent tree and the successful foraging of a bag full of reliable specimens was essential to a good season.
Tea With Christina
Advertising Feature: There’s something about afternoon tea that defies the ages and passing of time, as Robert Veitch recently found out when he visited Christina’s in Henfield Henfield is fast becoming a haven for foodies and inside a 19th century building is a tea and gift shop run by Christina Hoad and Brian Clemenson, who have just celebrated the first anniversary of their opening.
Robertsbridge And Bodiam Walk
We like at least one epic walk each summer so we sent Robert Veitch on a Rother Valley ramble, full of rivers, railways and resplendent scenery. It’s a grand walk that makes for a grand day out, so pack your knapsack, grab a coffee and head for Robertsbridge From the Station Road car park, or the station (if that is your start point), head west, about 20m past the level crossing, then take the footpath on the right.
Starstruck
News Home More from Features PHOTO: NEIL JONES / SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK If you can remember ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ from childhood, looking up at the sky at night with a sense of awe and wonder then that sense of being starstruck will always be there, as Robert Veitch discovered when his lucky star led him to an expert Sandra Voss is Science Director at The Observatory Science Centre, having worked there since 2003. Her physiology PhD is from the Royal Veterinary College.
Glynde And Firle Walk
High summer is with us so we sent Robert Veitch to one of the highest points of the county, for a walk with two starting points; one high and one low. His friends Cheryl and Jo provided the company, the wit and the good looks, while all three enjoyed the superb scenery FROM GLYNDE At 8m (26 feet) above sea level Glynde Station is the altitudinal low point of the day. Follow the pavement south from the station, around the corner and past the redundant pub.
Cooksbridge to Hassocks Walk
With street parties all the rage this jubilee season, we sent our own magnificent seven out for a walk this month, under the tutelage of resident rambler, Robert Veitch.
A Royal Timeline Part 2: 1988 - 2022
News Home More from Downtime Photo courtesy of The Keep ARG_3_4409L The Queen has lived through many changes during her seventy- year reign. Robert Veitch looks back through time and reports on some important, some less important, and some more local events that have happened during the Queen’s royal timeline We continue with a selection of events that have occurred during the second half of The Queen's reign.
A Royal Timeline Part 1: 1952 to 1987
News Home More from Downtime Photo courtesy of The Keep/ ARG/3 The Queen has lived through many changes during her seventy-year reign. Robert Veitch looks back through time and reports on events that have happened during the Queen’s royal timeline, both locally and worldwide. The Queen was born on 21st April 1926 to a father that was second in line to the throne.
Where Were You In 2012?
Do you remember the London Olympics and Paralympics of 2012? If so, then read on as we are interested in your memories.... London 2012 sent a euphoric wave across the nation, from the first moments of the Olympic opening ceremony to the last moments of the Paralympic closing ceremony. But there was so much more to it than the events that occurred between these two points in time.
On The Road With Ditchling MOT's
An MOT may not seem like the most exciting necessity, but in order to keep your vehicle safely on the road, it pays to choose wisely where you take your vehicle and as Robert Veitch found out recently, Ditchling MOT’s Ltd is an excellent choice When the Ministry of Transport test was first introduced in 1960 the aim of the legislation was to ensure cars were safe and roadworthy.
Fantastically Foxy Food
Advertising Feature: Tim Earley has been executive chef of The Fox Eating and Drinking House in West Hoathly since 2014 and it’s become his pride and joy in the years since then, as Robert Veitch discovered on a recent visit to remember There’s a sunny, welcoming atmosphere behind the door of The Fox Eating and Drinking House, in the form of the front of house team, Georgie, Rebecca and Sophie.
A Different Kind Of Project At Hangleton & Knoll
Robert Veitch reports on the unique Hangleton & Knoll Project – a community development charity that creates opportunities for its’ residents to be both the focal point of decision making and primary beneficiaries of those decisions “We’ve been working for the community, with the community, managed by the community, since 1983,” chief executive Jo Martindale told me. “The only other similar organisation is in Glasgow.” Jo has been in post since 2011 and is one of 17 full and part time employees.
Tasty Turkish Cuisine
Advertising Feature: There’s a restaurant in Haywards Heath that’s been creating a buzz during the last couple of years, so we sent Robert Veitch to meet the team, chat to the owners and check out the menu There’s a deceptively spacious interior behind the door of Fatma’s Kitchen, conveniently located on the corner of Broadway and Heath Road in Haywards Heath. Once inside, the welcome from restaurant manager Şükriye Yildirim is every bit as pleasant as the light and airy interior.
Tasty Turkish Cuisine
Advertising Feature: There’s a restaurant in Haywards Heath that’s been creating a buzz during the last couple of years, so we sent Robert Veitch to meet the team, chat to the owners and check out the menu There’s a deceptively spacious interior behind the door of Fatma’s Kitchen, conveniently located on the corner of Broadway and Heath Road in Haywards Heath. Once inside, the welcome from restaurant manager Şükriye Yildirim is every bit as pleasant as the light and airy interior.
Running Down A Dream
News Home More from Downtime The idea of distance running can invoke many emotions, both positive and negative, so after looking at the local running schedule for the rest of the year Robert Veitch went in search of an expert to inspire us all There’s no doubt David Bradford is a genial and modest man, keen to talk down his talent and achievements which he believes to be achievable by most people, yet those same ‘most people’ might see them as beyond reach.
Running Down A Dream
News Home More from Features The idea of distance running can invoke many emotions, both positive and negative, so after looking at the local running schedule for the rest of the year Robert Veitch went in search of an expert to inspire us all There’s no doubt David Bradford is a genial and modest man, keen to talk down his talent and achievements which he believes to be achievable by most people, yet those same ‘most people’ might see them as beyond reach.
Sound Advice From Sussex Audiology
Advertising Feature: Most of us take good hearing for granted, but what are the options when the quality of our hearing begins to decline? We sent Robert Veitch to learn more from the experts at the Sussex Audiology Centre in Hove Marvin Gaye may have heard it through the grapevine, but it’s far better to hear it first hand and at each of the three Sussex Audiology Centres, you’ll be hearing it from an expert in their field.
Horsted Keynes Walk
With the arrival of British Summer Time and longer hours of daylight we sent Robert Veitch to pastures new for a walk to remember, encapsulating the rolling landscape and living history surrounding the pretty village of Horsted Keynes From the Chapel Lane car park stroll back towards the road, the green and crossroads, crossing over to the bollards and heading downhill beyond them towards the distant church. Continue along Church Lane, dipping downhill then up the other side.
Horsted Keynes Walk
With the arrival of British Summer Time and longer hours of daylight we sent Robert Veitch to pastures new for a walk to remember, encapsulating the rolling landscape and living history surrounding the pretty village of Horsted Keynes From the Chapel Lane car park stroll back towards the road, the green and crossroads, crossing over to the bollards and heading downhill beyond them towards the distant church. Continue along Church Lane, dipping downhill then up the other side.
The Oldest Of Trees
Ginkgo biloba is the only example of the oldest living tree species and has been called a living fossil as explained by the ever-youthful Peter Erridge Ginkgo biloba first appeared 290 million years ago when they were the dominant form of tree, with many species and foliage similar to present day specimens. Conifers and broadleaved trees evolved at a later time. The oldest living specimen, believed to be 3,500 years old, is found in China.
Moving On Up With Jonathan Lea
It has been a busy and productive twelve months for the Jonathan Lea Network, a fast-growing and far-sighted firm of solicitors based in Sussex, as Peter d’Aguilar recently discovered, in conversation with Jonathan Lea The firm recently moved to a much larger office on the ground floor of 21 Perrymount Road in Haywards Heath, close to the station and also the Broadway, proving ideal for meeting clients located in the area and allowing for lots of space to accommodate new employees.
A Very Fine Furnishing Experience
Advertising Feature: The industrious team at Fine Furnishings create bespoke furniture at their Lindfield base, so we sent Robert Veitch along to see the team in action and learn more about what they do Clare and David Gorringe have owned Fine Furnishings since 2019, although David was head upholsterer at the company from 1994. “It was a long apprenticeship,” he joked as the pair welcomed me into their showroom.
A Green Thumbs Up
Advertising Feature: With spring on the horizon we sent Robert Veitch to meet the experts at GreenThumb who are working hard to create beautiful, healthy lawns for their customers, all year round The boundless enthusiasm of Helen Sheriff, Gavin Hawkins, Mark and Michele Walton is something to behold. Ask them anything lawn related and their eagerness to offer a solution is obvious.
Advertising Feature: A Green Thumbs Up
Advertising Feature: With spring on the horizon we sent Robert Veitch to meet the experts at GreenThumb who are working hard to create beautiful, healthy lawns for their customers, all year round The boundless enthusiasm of Helen Sheriff, Gavin Hawkins, Mark and Michele Walton is something to behold. Ask them anything lawn related and their eagerness to offer a solution is obvious.
Storrington Walk
New Year, new location, new walk, same old writer… Robert Veitch travelled to Storrington and uncovered a gem that gets 2022 off to a fabulous start! From North Street car park exit, turn left and walk towards Storrington High Street. At the T-junction, turn right and then turn left immediately after, into Church Street. Look up to the heights of the horizon from where the distant line of leafless trees begins to beckon.
Sound Advice From Sussex Audiology
Advertising Feature: Most of us take good hearing for granted, but what are the options when the quality of our hearing begins to decline? We sent Robert Veitch to learn more from the experts at the Sussex Audiology Centre in Hove Marvin Gaye may have heard it through the grapevine, but it’s far better to hear it first hand and at each of the three Sussex Audiology Centres, you’ll be hearing it from an expert in their field.
Moving Generosity
Last summer St Peter & St James Hospice relocated their distribution centre from North Chailey to a new location in Hurstpierpoint as Robert Veitch recently discovered The previous distribution centre was located at the hospice in North Chailey but became too small to cope with the volume of donations being received. The move to new premises in Hurstpierpoint has provided much needed space and better accessibility for donations to be made and processed.
Advertising Feature: A Grand Residence
Advertising Feature: The dilemmas that come with an ageing relative may be many, but a safe and caring place to live is paramount, as Robert Veitch discovered on a recent visit to The Victoria Grand in Worthing Choosing a place to live can present its own set of conundrums for those in their prime, but it’s all the harder for those entering later life. The peace of mind that comes from knowing a loved one is in a comfortable, secure, sanctuary, can be found at The Victoria Grand in West Worthing.
Doorstep Carols
News Home More from Features Last Christmas a new initiative helped bring people together after a tough 2020 and this year, on the 15th December, it’s hoped the event will spread nationwide as Robert Veitch found out Last Christmas, Doorstep Carols involved around 125,000 people and helped raise over £10,000 for the charity, MIND UK. It’s hoped the 2021 iteration of Doorstep Carols will be a supercharged event, reaching out across the country, in partnership with a multitude of charities.
Field Of Dreams
For the folk that restore and maintain vintage agricultural equipment it’s a year round labour of love, as Robert Veitch discovered when he met three members of SEVAC, the South Eastern Vintage Agricultural Club We had done a show at Frant and Rotherfield before we set up on our own. We started in a pub with six or seven people and an idea,” recalled Bernard Pike, “but by the evening of the inaugural meeting at a farm near Sheffield Park 30-40 people had got word.
Crawley Down Walk
With November upon us, we asked Robert Veitch to find an interesting walk in a new location and upon mostly solid ground; he set out from Crawley Down with a skip in his stride and returned to the office beaming from ear to ear after a memorable ramble From the car park walk east along Burleigh Way, then turn right into Copse Close, then follow the footpath at the end to the next road.
Advertising Feature: A Dining Delight At The Crabtree
Advertising Feature: The seasons might be turning and the temperatures might be falling, but one Sussex pub is creating a clamour all of it’s own, raising the bar, creating a culinary phenomenon and exciting diners, as Robert Veitch discovered at The Crabtree Pause before entering The Crabtree, because the view south to Truleigh Hill is one to please the soul, then step inside, absorb the life affirming heat from the inglenook fireplace, and relish the friendly welcome from behind the bar.
Youth Groups in Action - Cubs
News Home More from Features Being a 21st century cub is primarily about having fun while learning a few essential life skills for children aged 8 – 10½ writes Robert Veitch Cub Scouts is the most popular section of Scouting with over 8,100 packs nationwide.
Have You Got The Willpower?
St Peter & St James Hospice in North Chailey is one of thirteen hospices in Sussex, so we asked Robert Veitch to find out a little more about what they do, how they are funded, and their ongoing relationship with donkeys St Peter & St James Hospice has origins in the 1950s, when Jim Dinnage, a Wivelsfield farmer returned home after an evening in the pub with a donkey called Billy.
Youth Groups in Action - Youth Clubs
News Home More from Features There’s often far more going on at a youth club than those passing by might realise and these agents for social change sometimes miss out on the credit they deserve writes Robert Veitch In 1960 a government report outlined a need for activities outside of school to be provided by local authorities.
Youth Groups in Action - Sea Scouts
News Home More from Features Did recent Olympic water sports excite your child? Have they got too much energy and an inquisitive nature? The Sea Scouts may be the organisation for them writes Robert Veitch There’s something life enhancing about inhaling an airborne essence of salt, of a marine environment thick with nervous anticipation as the rigging on a dinghy mast flaps frenetically in the coastal breeze. Such is life on the ocean wave, or for Sea Scouts – inland coastal waters and estuaries.
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