Hurstpierpoint Village News

DROUGHT: Our MP, Alison Bennett, has highlighted the worrying situation following the Government’s declaration of severe drought in parts of East and West Sussex.  With Ardingly Reservoir less than 20% full, the situation is extremely concerning. She supports the Government’s decision to increase monitoring of water levels and the steps they are taking to protect public water supplies and notes that we can all make small changes to reduce our water use. There is practical advice on www.letssavewater.com/what-you-can-do. For example, If you reduce your shower to 2 minutes, that saves 28 litres of water. Saving water at home is not a substitute for water companies tackling leaks and investing in their infrastructure, but it is one practical way we can all help protect supplies for our communities and the environment while these exceptionally dry conditions continue.

RECYCLING SUCCESS: Residents across Mid Sussex are being thanked for helping the district recycle more and waste less as part of Recycle Week 2026 (14 to 20 September), after the district's recycling rate increased from 41% to over 60% following the introduction of the new 1, 2, 3 waste service. Recycle Week, organised by Recycle Now, is the UK's biggest annual celebration of recycling. This year's campaign highlights how recycling the right items in the right way makes a real difference, helping to save energy and keep valuable materials in use for longer. Well done, all of us. 60% is good, but let’s try to improve on that!

HURSTPIERPOINT & SAYERS COMMON PARISH COUNCIL:  www.hurstpierpoint-pc.gov.uk  October meetings: 22nd - Full Council. November meetings: 2nd – Planning; 12th -Finance Governance & Estates; 19 – Community Engagement; 26th -Full Council.  All are open to the public and most take place in the Village Centre with others in Sayers Common Village Hall.

HOME FIRES, A short play, 8 November, 5 pm, Danny House: The terms of The Armistice were agreed at Danny House so it seems fitting that this short play - a collision of WW1 and WW2, should be performed in their Great Hall. Thick As Thieves and Nyx Theatre bring ‘Home Fires’ to this wonderful house steeped in History. Songs from the trenches …and the pubs, Poetry, Letters and beautiful storytelling by four incredible local actors - we hope to see you there. For more info and tickets go to: https://ticketlab.app/event/40040-Home-Fires-tickets.

EARLY EVENING MUSIC IN HOLY TRINITY CHURCH: Saturday 21 November 6 pm.  Do join us for MUSIC AND WINE GREATEST HITS! The final event in this year’s gigs brings together local talent, lovely music and lots of fun. Doors, and the bar, open at 5.30 for 6-7.30 pm music. Entry £10. Licensed bar.

ALADDIN, Players Theatre, Hurstpierpoint, Monday 28 December 2026 – Saturday 2 January 2027. Oh, yes it is!!  www.hurstplayers.org.uk. Join us as we travel to a magical land somewhere East of Hurstpierpoint... There will be love, villainy, magic, flying carpets, songs, jolly japes, brilliant costumes, questionable antics …and all the usual fun! Forget about your troubles for a couple of hours and have a laugh with us at Hurst Players Theatre - what else could you wish for? Doors and the theatre bar will open 30 minutes before the show starts. In addition, ice-creams will be on sale during the interval. Tickets online or in person at PSP Homes, 106 High Street.

HURST VILLAGE CINEMA:  22 October, 7.30pm: Rebuilding (PG); 25 October, 3 pm: The Christophers (15), 2.30 pm, described as ‘A flagrant vehicle for Ian McKellen to pull out all the stops in this playful film from Steven Soderberg. It has a low-key heist feel to it, perhaps not surprising from the director of Ocean’s Eleven and Logan Lucky, in which McKellen plays a once-celebrated painter in reclusive decline whose estranged children hire struggling artist Lori (Michaela Coel) to secretly finish his unfinished works for future profit. Hugely watchable. Tickets Charlotte Grace and  www.hurstfilms.com.

PLEASE SEND ME YOUR PROGRAMMES. Many groups and organisations send me information about their activities, but many don’t! If you are a member of a committee or group in the village that would like people to know more about what you do, please let me know and I shall be delighted to include the information.

Thank you for reading this column. It is also available online on www.yourworldnet/sussex/west-sussex/mid-sussex.  Please keep the information coming so that I can keep people in touch with what is happening. It’s particularly useful for people who don’t use social media or the internet.