By Bradbury Williams
Cuckfield’s John Thorpe has won a top award for his leading role in a community project to fund and build a state-of-the-art village centre in Ansty. At the prestigious Mid Sussex Applauds event in Ardingly his tireless efforts over the last decade were recognised, as he was named the winner of the ‘Stronger Together Award’. Working in close partnership with key stakeholders, including the Ansty Village Hall Trust and the Ansty Cricket Club, he was instrumental in raising the required £1.25M and project managing the complex build, in the face of a global pandemic.
The centre is well-equipped with a large village hall, fitted with a top quality AV system and hearing loop, a clubroom with a bar and expansive balcony, along with a snug snooker room. It’s also home to a Premiere League Ladies Cricket team and a growing hub for disabled cricket in Sussex.
“I was delighted to receive the Stronger Together Award. The delivery of the Village Centre was a team effort drawing together the project trustees, the partner bodies and the parish and district councils,” said John. “I am very grateful for their support, and to our designer and contractor, Sports Clubhouses Ltd, who worked closely with our Contracts Manager, Owen Travis, to see the project through a variety of challenges, not least the impact of Covid 19,” he added.
The community champion awards event, at the South of England Showground, was led by Councillor Margaret Belsey, the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council along with Neil Hart, the High Sheriff of West Sussex, accompanied by award sponsors. “It is fantastic to see so many people from our community being appreciated and rewarded for the amazing work which happens in our district,” said Counsellor Belsey. John was nominated for the award by Ansty and Staplefield Parish Council, who strongly supported the long-running campaign for a new centre, replacing the former World War 1 troop hut that served as a village hall for the last 100 years. Jon Gilley, Chair of the Ansty Village Centre Trust, said: “John was an obvious nominee for the parish council, without his determined vision for the AVC it would never have come to fruition.” Following a successful launch in October, the Ansty Village Centre is gearing up for its first Christmas and a team of volunteers are planning a varied range of events for 2022, alongside the busy weekly programme of fitness classes. The centre is also an increasingly popular special event and party venue. Key contact is enquiries@ anstysussex.uk.