A summer of cycling in Hassocks

By Andy Hansen, Greener Hassocks and Ditchling

A ‘summer of cycling’ is being organised by Greener Hassocks and Ditchling. So far, we have organised a launch event with great speakers; a women’s ride; a 40-mile social ride and free bike checks. Most recently, we organised a wonderful Play Street event in which a residential road was closed for a couple of hours so that children could play out safely. We’d like to thank all those who took part and we hope you enjoyed yourselves.

There’s still time to sign up for upcoming events. You could book a free bike check, courtesy of Dr Bike, who will be at Proper Cycling and Coffee on Tuesday 1st July, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. If you have an old bike that needs a bit of TLC, or want to check that your children’s bikes, pop down to Proper and Dr Bike will give them the once over. Stay on for the briefing and Q&A session to find out more about the Kidical Mass bike route, and how you and your family can have a great time on the day.

Due to popular demand, Dr Bike will also be at the St Lawrence Show in Hurstpierpoint on 5th July. No need to book! Just turn up with your bike and Dr Bike will be happy to check them over for you.

Kidical Mass is a large, fun ride for parents and children on Saturday 12th July from 2-4pm. We will have stewards riding with you, making sure everyone stays safe. The good folk from Cycling Without Age will be riding their trishaws with us, making this a truly multigenerational event. The route is short, level, and we have checked it out several times. It should be a lot of fun, as well as a demonstration of the interest in cycling in Hassocks, and a lobby for better and safer cycling facilities.

Register for the Kidical Mass ride or book your session with Dr Bike via Greener Hassocks and Ditchling: www.greenerhassocksditchling.org.uk/onyourbike

Buy local this Christmas on Hassocks High Street and more

A shopping ‘list’ by Kelly Leppard. Kelly, owner of Bella June Flowers and a passionate shopper, approached Hassocks Life because she wanted to do everything she could to encourage local residents to start their seasonal stocking up right here in the village.
Whilst we weren’t able to include every shop by name, it’s our hope that highlighting some of the excellent calibre on offer here makes the case for exploring more shops at your leisure.

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Start your Christmas shopping in Hassocks this year….

Lighting and homewares from My Vintage

Bikes & cycling accessories from Proper

Wine & chocolates from Hassocks Wines - 13 Keymer Rd, Hassocks BN6 8AD

Gift hampers from Adastra Deli

Stockings, fillers & toys from QD Stationery

Candles, incense & gifting from Indigo

Christmas trees from South Downs Nurseries

Houseware, tools & sundries from Hassocks Hardware

Cushions, throws & Christmas table-scaping from Marram

Wreaths and garlands from Bella June Flowers

Vouchers and make hair care from Thatchers

Beauty gifts and vouchers from Profiles

Plus loads of others! Start your Christmas shopping in Hassocks this year.

Hassocks' own Ross and Rachael story at Proper

By Deirdre Huston

Many of you may already know Rachael at Proper. She is that sort of person, very community-minded, and determined to support others and make a success of things, however difficult the circumstances. Born in Crawley Hospital, Rachael grew up in Horsham. She has since managed a variety of cafes, pubs and music venues across Sussex, spending time in places such as Uckfield, Brighton and Chichester, before settling in Hassocks.

The Bridge House was an early venture for Rachael. Located at Copsale, on The Downs Link cycle trail, the pub hummed with activity in summer, but its rural position meant it attracted little custom in colder weather. As a lover of the music scene, Rachael organised gigs, and the pub took off as a music venue.

“We went for it!” remembers Rachael “There was music seven nights a week and we held mini-festivals in the garden. It was really good fun.” They attracted some renowned artists like Frank Turner and, as the venue developed a reputation for being a friendly home-from home, some bands came from a long way away. “I was like a mother figure to these touring bands. I’d come down in the morning and there would be people sleeping everywhere.”

Around this time, Rachael first met her business partner. He had noticed The Bridge House listed as a music venue on a poster, and, hoping to arrange a gig for a band he was managing, he popped into the pub. He and Rachael hit it off and have been friends ever since. “He had a very successful recording studio in Uckfield,” explains Rachael, “and we worked in a similar way,”

Wanting new challenges, Rachael moved on from The Bridge House. “At one point, I had two pubs, a coffee shop and a music venue,” she recalls, “it was mad.” After a while, she fancied trying something different. “I got out of the pub and coffee shop business,” she explains, “and did the nine-to-five thing for six years. I loved being in an office, but I was hankering after having my own place again, because that’s my real buzz, music and coffee shops.”

One day, Ross called, and asked how she felt about opening a cycle café. “Sometimes you have to trust your gut and straight away, I knew it was the right thing to do,” recalls Rachael. The business partners undertook a year of careful planning. They were looking for three factors when choosing location: it had to be somewhere a lot of cyclists rode past, near a school and a train station. A shop in Hassocks became available.

To find out what happened next, how Rachel grew within the community and what connection could Ross have to a cycling club, pick up a May issue of Hassocks life today.

Hassocks Bike ‘n’ Fun returns this month

Hassocks Bike ‘n’ Fun 2019

The community bike ride returns later this month, as resident Pippa Crouch takes over the reins this year.

The event will take place on Sunday 30th June 2019 and will feature two safe, marshalled routes – a four and eight mile ride. Both start from The Hassocks Hotel with registration at 9.30am. The shorter route will go via Oldland Mill (which will be open until 1pm) and Ditchling, ending back at The Hassocks. The longer route will go via Oldland Mill, Ditchling, Underhill Lane, Hurstpierpoint and back to the same place.

Pippa explained: “This fun event is for the whole community, regardless of age and cycling ability.” The event will be kindly marshalled by volunteers from the Proper Cycling Club, and will feature a BBQ too.

For more information pop into Proper Coffee, QD Stationery or like the Facebook page – search for Hassocks Bike ‘n’ Fun.