Upper and Lower Dicker Village News
ARLINGTON VILLAGE MARKET and coffee morning returns on Tuesday 13 January from 10am to 12 noon.
There is something for everyone with a good variety of sales tables. Some of the regular stalls are traditional fresh bread with other naughty goodies and fresh eggs, popular home-made cakes and savouries, all sorts of everything’ supporting local charities, a second-hand book stall with books about the local area, and other sundries, jewellery, cards, crafts and more. The Pop-Up Museum will not have an exhibit at the January Market but will return again in February. Everyone is very welcome. The Christmas market was very busy, it was lovely to see so many visitors taking an interest in the Museum’s ‘Infant King’ exhibit. This is a very sociable morning and there is always tea and cake. For further market information please contact Anne Hope, T: 01323 486219, M: 07760 424169, E: [email protected]. For further museum information please contact Wendy Holmes M: 07889 689844, E:[email protected].
MICHELHAM PRIORY EVENTS coming up in January are the Tudor Wassail on Saturday 10th for a magical event of dancing, drumming, fire and feasting to bless the trees and wish them good health for the year ahead. Then on Saturday 17, a Ghost Hunt. Both events must be booked at www.sussexpast.co.uk.
THE BLUEBELL TRAIL UPDATE owner John McCutchan, MBE says, “from the emerging bluebells in Beatons Wood to the emerging brochure for the 2026 season it is an exciting time looking ahead to everything that 2026 has in store.” He continues, “This year it was not difficult to find early emerging bluebells that had responded to the recent mild weather, but they will soon have a shock with the extreme cold the forecasters have warned us about.
The wild daffodils in the Millennium Avenue are well on their way without the cover of fallen leaves that are abundant in Beatons Wood, which benefit the early bluebells. It is a growing legacy created by Carolyn many years ago, when she started spreading the seed from a small patch in Bates Green Garden. Each year they increase from more seed shed and formation of new bulbs. Last year they were filling the space on both sides from Beatons Wood to the Gate House. The best time to see them in their full glory is in March. Those who plan to visit Bates Green Garden on a Wednesday or Saturday from 25 February until 1 April can explore Beatons Wood after walking through the Millenium Avenue.
BATES GREEN GARDEN UPDATE by Head Gardener, Emma Reece, says “as a new year dawns, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to all our subscribers for your unwavering support during 2025. Whether you have strolled through our winding paths listening to birdsong, joined us for a workshop, or simply enjoyed our updates from afar, your enthusiasm and encouragement have kept our Garden community thriving.
Looking out over the Winter Garden, there is so much to anticipate as we head into 2026. Even during these cooler, quieter months, Bates Green Garden is alive with subtle beauty. Soon, drifts of snowdrops will emerge, their delicate white blooms heralding brighter days. Crocus and hellebores will follow, adding soft splashes of purple, pink, and green to the borders. Winter aconites will create pools of golden sunshine at ground level, while the vibrant stems of cornus and the sculptural branches of salix stand out against the muted landscape. Do not forget to look up when out on your walks, the silhouettes of trees and shrubs are particularly striking on crisp winter mornings, revealing woody structure in a whole new light.