Cuckfield Dramatic Society presents The Ghost Train - OCT/NOV 2024

Cuckfield Dramatic Society presents The Ghost Train

When six passengers are stranded late at night at a soggy, decrepit railway station deep in the depths of Cornwall, stationmaster Saul tries his very best to dissuade them from staying by recounting the tale of the Ghost Train. Years before, six people died in that very station following a train crash on a night much like this one and ever since, the station has been haunted and anyone caught there overnight does not live to tell their tale.
As frightening as the story is, feeling they have no other option, our group decide to settle in for the night with terrifying consequences. Ghostly footsteps, ominous knocking and eerie lights passing by on the desolate platform outside. Is it truly a haunted train or could it be that not everything is quite what it seems?

Come and find out for yourself this spooky season and meet Richard and Elsie, belligerent and sarcastic to one another as their marriage comes to an end, in stark contrast to sweet Charles and Peggy who are still loved up in their honeymoon phase (literally). Then there’s Miss Bourne, the unintentionally hilarious spinster and her feathered companion Joey. Who could forget the ridiculous and wacky Teddie Deakin, the reason our company is stranded in the first place, and they’re none too happy with him for it!

Written by Arnold Ridley (of Dad’s Army fame) in 1923 after he himself was stranded at a railway station, the play was an enormous success with almost 700 consecutive performances, two revivals and more than one film adaptation.

There’s no better way to get in the mood this Halloween so come and see Cuckfield Dramatic Society’s production of Arnold Ridley’s The Ghost Train at The Queen’s Hall, from 30th October until 2nd November. Tickets, priced £10-£15, are available at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/cds

Cuckfield Museum Memorial Walk -2024

As part of a series of national commemorations this autumn to remember the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, Cuckfield Museum has devised a Memorial Walk around the village. The homes of 38 of the men who died in WWI have been identified and their houses marked with poster boards bearing the photograph (where possible) and information about the soldier. The boards will be up from 29th October until 18th November.

The Memorial Walk map will be available as part of a Cuckfield Remembers Commemorative Programme available in the High Street at our sponsors: The White Harte, Cuckfield Bathrooms, Marcus Grimes, Cuckfield I Wear and The Rose and Crown who will also be displaying WWI photographs taken in the village. Programmes will also be available in the Parish Office, Holy Trinity Church and the Baptist Chapel. The Queens Hall will be displaying photos of The Queen’s Hall when it was a VAD Hospital in WWI.

The programme will give information about events over Armistice time including a concert, drama, film show, tea dance and beacon lighting.

An exhibition to accompany these events ‘Peace at Last 1918 – Joy and Sorrow’ will run until 15th December at Cuckfield Museum.

Mid Sussex District Council September newsletter - 2024

Four Mid Sussex District Council parks receive coveted Green Flag Award

Mid Sussex District Council is delighted to announce that four parks in the District have received Green Flag Awards after achieving an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Beech Hurst Gardens and Victoria Park in Haywards Heath, St. John’s Park in Burgess Hill, and East Court and Ashplats Park in East Grinstead, in collaboration with East Grinstead Town Council and East Grinstead Memorial Estates, have been officially recognised as some of the country’s finest parks.

The news is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green spaces in the District so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy them.

Councillor Chris Hobbs, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Customer Services, said: “We are thrilled that four of our parks have received the Green Flag Award. This award highlights the hard work and dedication of our team who ensure our parks are well-maintained and enjoyable for everyone.

“It is wonderful to see our green spaces recognised as some of the best in the country and we are committed to keeping these parks beautiful for our residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

To read the full newsletter, click the images to enlarge them or pick up your copy of Cuckfield Life today.