As I continue my journey around West Sussex. I came across another lovely village called Henfield. Even though I haven’t got the chance to have a long stay there, I was able to enjoy the scenery and peaceful ambiance of the place. Let me just give you an overview and brief background of the place that I am sure you would love.

Henfield has a very colorful history. It one of the largest villages and civil parish located in the Horsham District of West Sussex and lies 33 miles south from London, 12 miles northwest of Brighton and 30 miles east northeast of Chichester. The parish has a total land area of 4,258 acres and is populated by 5,012 people with 2,153 households and majority of which are economically stable and active. It is also considered as the third largest settlement in West Sussex after Steyning and Hurstpierpoint. Towns around the area include Burgess Hill and Horsham.

Henfield has an old but very attractive center. A modern and intensely used village hall at High Street, 13^th century St. Peter’s church, old, wide and attractive commons and inns, as well as interesting houses which are privately owned. A fire station is also found as part of the West Sussex Fire Brigade which is equipped with a single fire engine. The cat house is also a famous spot. This house was owned by George Ward who had a canary. The bird was killed by a neighbours cat and because of that, he painted the house with pictures of a cat holding a bird so that every time the owner of the cat passed by to go to church, the could remember the tragic event done to his pet.

The village also possesses the oldest cricket club in the world which dates back from 1771 and as well as the oldest Scout group in the country since 1907. As a nature lover, I loved my visit in Woods Mill which is now the headquarters of the Sussex Wildlife Trust and enjoyed the extensive natural trail which is one of the attractions there.

For fitness buddies, Henfield Leisure Centre has a sports hall and fitness suite which also features a skate park next to it.

Included with the village’s colorful history, this place was home to Colonel Henry Bishop which was previously appointed as the Postmaster General by King Charles II. He devised the first postmark used in England which is now known as a Bishop Mark, very precious to collectors. His creation was commemorated in 1963 in an exhibition by Henfield Stamp Club. Henry Bishop was buried in Henfield churchyard. 

I suggest you also visit Henfield and experience the serenity of the residents’ living. With that, I assure you that you will have a wonderful and memorable time with you and your loved ones along this trip. Please feel free to leave comments and register to this website as well to get bits and pieces as well as to join local forums here in West Sussex.

Let us keep in mind that this must be a year-round celebration and observance for us to be able to enjoy and live in harmony with Earth’s finite natural resources. For I know all of us will agree that we must preserve the world’s natural wonders for the generations to come. I hope that this will all inspire and influence each and every one of us to move now and protect Mother Earth.

The presently governing Labour Party will try to restore support and secure their office. However, the Conservative Party will try to replace them and seeks to regain the dominant position in politics. To hold the balance of power, the Liberal Democrats hope to make gain from both sides. On the other hand, The Scottish National Party have set a target of 20 MPs while smaller parties will try to extend their representation in the House of Commons.

This will be Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s first time to face elections after Tony Blair filed resignation. Main opposition party leaders, David Cameron (the Conservatives) and Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats) will also face the same challenge.

To exercise our freedom and rights, let us all together make the right decision and vote wisely to have a better future for our country.

TOY STORY 3

This upcoming fantasy comedy, computer-animated 3-D and IMAX 3-D film produced by Pixar Animation Studios, released by Walt Disney Pictures and Directed by Lee Unkrich, will surely capture the hearts of children and the young at heart. Featuring the voice cast of: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, and Wallace Shawn. Andy has now turned into a good-looking adult and would soon be heading off for college. Because of this, Woody, Buzz and the rest of his toys are now worried regarding their future. He decided to keep Woody and place all the other toys in the attic. When Jessie convinced the group to go to Sunnyside Daycare Center and start a life anew, they befriended other toys there such as Lots-O-Huggin’, Lotso Bear, and Ken. When Andy discovered this, he searched for them and they all decided to escape. To make things worse, Buzz was damaged upon their attempt to escape and was reset and reverted to a Spanish version. Now, they toys try to get Woody home before Andy leaves. This third installment in the Toy Story series will be released on July 23, 2010.

IRON MAN 2

After the massive success of IRON MAN in 2008, the helmeted hero is now back for this sequel from Marvel Studios. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring: Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johanson. After Tony Stark confessed his identity as Iron Man, the United States government demands him to hand over his powerful weapon which is the Iron Man suit. With Justin Hammer (Stark’s rival), the government attempted to create a duplicate suit. On the other hand, a mysterious foe which is Ivan Vanko created a powerful persona known as the Whiplash to revenge the Stark family. Along with these obstacles, he had a new assistant in the person of Scarlett Johanson and persistent recruitment attempts had also been done by Nick Fury. With this, Stark needs all the help he can get to overcome everything.

SALT

This thriller movie directed by Phillip Noyce and featuring the main cast of Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher will surely bring excitement in cinemas soon. Evelyn Salt, a dedicated CIA officer, is accused of being a Russian spy. Every attempt she makes to prove her innocence makes her mentor, Winter, grow more suspicious with her true motivations. The higher the stakes every time she eludes capture by an ambitious CIA agent named Peabody. The film was shot in Washington DC and New York wherein Jolie suffered a minor head injury during an action scene and was even taken to hospital. Fortunately, she was released the same day without life-threatening injuries. Brace yourselves for this film will be showing on August 20^th of this year.    

PRINCE OF PERSIA

This medieval Persian movie directed by Mike Newell and starring Gemma Arterton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Toby Kebbell and a lot more will be shown in theaters this May 28, 2010. The adventurous prince teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from destroying the world through unleashing a sandstorm. He was tricked by a dying Vizier to unleash the Sands of Time which later on destroyed the kingdom and transformed the people to ferocious demons. Because of his effort to save the kingdom and redeem his mistake, the prince and princess trie to return the hourglass by using the Dragger of time which also has limited control over the flow of time.   

BEAUTY SECRETS (Horsham)

This 20 year old beauty salon and spa located at central Horsham provides clients not only face and body treatments but also relaxation therapies which feature beauty packages for men, women and Mums To Be. Excellent customer service and extensive choice of treatments have been rendered by their highly trained Beauty Therapist and experts. The Rasul sensory steam chamber is one of the spa’s best facilities to help cleanse the skin. Beauty Gift Vouchers are also available from the salon which could serve as gifts or to give-away to your friends and loved ones. Free consultations are offered to all clients who are unsure which treatment would be right for them and for those who just need some information and advice. Light and healthy refreshments are also provided for Day Spa guests who can also enjoy the tranquil relaxation area. Two more branches are located at Godalming and Hove.

 THE HEALTH AND BEAUTY ROOMS AND DAY SPA (Worthing)

The holistic day spa and salon definitely provides an extensive range of beauty products along with health and wellness treatments. Packages include their exotic Spa Escape, Mini-spa Escape and an Ultimate Spa Day. Tanning services are also offered, especially during this summer season. Their top treatments include: Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy Massage and Espa Body Treatments. Products are also available ranging from cleansers, groomers, toners and a lot more! Gift vouchers are also sold from £10-£150 which would really make your girlfriends and loved-ones happy. And to give something back to their loyal customers, loyalty cards are also given away. Visit them at 4-5 Warwick Lanes, Warwick Street, Worthing.

BEAUTY WORKS (Brighton)

Complementary beauty products and treatments are offered by Brighton’s leading beauty clinic to enhance your mind, body and skin. The salon’s team of beauty therapists are very willing to assist you in your different needs such as Figure Enhancement, Make-up, Hand and Nail Treatments, Chiropody, Reiki Massage, Waxing, Electrolysis and Red Vein Removal. They ensure that each visit will be a special experience for they believe everyone deserves it. Gift vouchers can also be purchased for any treatments and amount and are valid for 3 months. Open 9am-9pm (Mondays-Thursdays), 9am-6pm (Fridays) and 10am-4pm (Saturdays).

THE BEAUTY STUDIO (Crawley)

Located at Three Bridges Road in Crawley, this salon offers a wide range of amenities such as facials, aromatherapy, hydrotherm and Hot Stone Massage. Face peeling, bronzing, waxing and also eye and nail care, including eyelash extensions, are some of their top services. Their senior therapist has over 20 years of experience and all of the staff have CIDESCO qualifications.

The characterization of beauty may vary from each individual. It may be a combination of psychological and physical factors but what’s important is that we learn to value and take care of ourselves, may it be through luxurious or simple ways. 

Annually during March, The Sussex Beer Festival takes place. This is a 3 day event participated by small and independent breweries featuring lots of varieties of beer, which are available for tasting and purchase. The non-stop party sometimes includes the launching of new breweries. Last month, it was held at Hove Town Hall from March 11 up to March 13. However, you have not missed out if you did not attend. This coming May 14 to 16 will be the Yapton Beerex 2010. 65 types of beer will be available including golden, hoppy beers that a lot of people really love. The venue will be Yapton Village Hall and the event will start from 6pm to 11 pm (Friday), 11am to 11 pm (Saturday) and 12pm to 3pm (Sunday), unless the beer runs out first! These festivals are often organized by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) which is run by volunteers under local branches. Pub festivals are usually managed by professional bar staff and student real ale societies. The staff serves chilled beer directly from the cask and takes payment in forms of cash or token. Included with the entrance fee are design-specific glasses which are considered to be collectable. A Beer list is also available to indicate where the different casks are located. Of course, in addition to that, food, entertainments and games are also present.

Top 3 Pubs in West Sussex include:

1. The Black Rabbit in Arundel

Offham, South Stoke, ARUNDEL, BN18 9PB

2. Foresters Arms in Graffham

Graffham, PETWORTH, GU28 0QA

3. Selden Arms in Worthing

41 Lyndhurst Road, WORTHING, BN11 2DB

See you soon at the upcoming Beer Festivals! Let’s take a gulp and relax.

 KICK-ASS

This 117 minute movie directed by Matthew Vaughn revolves around the nerdy student Aaron Johnson who loves graphic novels and decided to become a superhero one day. He called himself “Kick-ass” and discovered that it is not good to dress up in a costume while trying to attack two armed guys. But then, he caught the attention of two other costumed-heroes played by Nicholas Cage and his daughter Chloe Moretz. He also came to meet the major gangland boss played by Mark Strong who decided to eliminate the problem. The action is directed well and is very suave. Movie critiques rate it as Four out of five stars. Overall, the film is clever and filled with delightful comic moments.

 THE GREEN ZONE

Directed by Philip Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Yigal Maor and Said Faraj. This 115 minute film is more than just a documentary about the war in Iraq mixed with dramatic action. The grainy night-time shots provid the war zone atmosphere. As shown in the movie, many Iraqis are deeply concerned with their country even if there is extreme difficulty in imposing government factions. The movie is said to be a massive project and you will really believe and feel that you are in the heart of a war zone.  As rated, it had Three out of Five stars. 

THE BOUNTY HUNTER

The 110 minute film featuring Jennifer Aniston and Gerald Butler presents a modern-day classic from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Directed by Andy Tennant, the story runs in the idea of an estranged couple rekindling their love from a passionate guy who batters and bruises women’s hearts and a woman who is stubborn and work-orientated. The Chemistry between Aniston and Butler is overwhelming. The movie has gone through a lot of criticisms but it still draws out large crowds who want a bit of entertainment, decent music, and a romantic comedy with added excitement. For this, the film was rated Three out of Five stars. 

SHUTTER ISLAND

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this 138 minute film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kinglsey and Max von Sydow features the story of US Marshals who arrive on the island which is home to the criminally insane. It was their job to find an escaped prisoner. The director’s style is a tribute to the thriller films of the 40s and 50s with a very sharp and well-directed plot which will keep you on the edge of your seat. The music also creates a tense atmosphere which adds more excitement. To end with, this has Four out of Five stars.

The word Sussex came from the Old English Word: Supseaxe which means South Saxons

The division of West Sussex and East Sussex was established in 1189 after each obtained separate administrations.

The county’s motto: “We wunt be druv” reflects the strong-willed nature of the people during the past centuries.

The county flower is the Round-headed Rampion, also known as the Pride of Sussex.

Patron Saint of the county is St. Richard.

Arundel’s Catholic Cathedral was designed by Joseph Hansom, the designer of the first taxi, and was built in 1868.

The first casino in United Kingdom was opened at Metropole Hotel, Brighton, in 1962.

The Battle of Hastings was not fought in Hastings but on Senlac Hill which is 6 miles away.

The Rowley mile on the Newmarket racecourse is the longest horseracing straight in the world.

The Importance of Being Earnest was written by Oscar Wilde while he was living in Worthing in 1895 which is why the Hero of the Play is named Jack Worthing.

In Beach House Park, there is a memorial for pigeons killed in the Second World War.

During a clear day, from the top of Highdown Hill, you can see the Isle of Wight, Selsey Bill, Chichester Cathedral, Arundel Castle, Brighton, and Beachy Head.

Worthing pier was the 13th to be built in England in 1861 which cost £6,500.

The Dome opened in 1911 and was called Kursaal. Originally, it offered roller-skating, tearoom, dance hall and billiards.

The Millers Tomb is found in the Highdown Hill above Worthing. John Oliver was the eccentric miller who slept in his coffin under his bed.

The first holidaymakers came to Worthing in 1775.

The Oyster Pond, which is now a boating lake, was originally built to store oysters.

In the 19th century, Horsham became the home of religious Frenchmen who built one of the largest monasteries recorded.

The airport in Shoreham was licensed in 1910 and is the oldest municipal airport still in operation which has a fine Art Deco terminal building.

People born in Arundel are known as “mullets”, from the fish found in the river.

CHANCTONBURY RING

            The ring is famous for it’s prominent cluster of beech trees found along the South Downs. These trees have lived for more than 250 years and grow up to 150 feet tall. Miraculously, in spite of the hurricane that occurred on October 1987, a lot of trees have survived. According to stories, if you run backwards around the ring six times, you can summon the devil from the underworld. Chanctonbury Hill is also considered a hot spot for extra-terrestrial activities because of the numerous UFO sightings reported in the area.

THE DEVIL’S DYKE

            The popular destination is located in the South Downs north of Brighton. During summer season, a lot of walkers and mountain bike enthusiasts visit the place because it passes along South Downs Way and the Sussex Border Path. A lot of tourists also want to see and experience the habitat which has rare orchids, insects and butterflies. Pleasure seekers can view Devil’s Dyke from cable cars. However, some of the exotic modes of transportation here have long been abandoned for reasons unknown. Legend has it that the Devil tried to drown Wealden Churches by cutting a huge swath through to the sea one night. But upon finishing his task, an old woman lit a candle. This was confused by the devil as the sunrise, causing him to flee and leave the Dyke unfinished.

RACTON MONUMENT

            This ruined tower has been built on a beautiful hill south of Lordington House. It was designed as an adornment of the Stansted House, a nearby estate. The Racton Ruins is one of the most frightening and haunted places in West Sussex. There are a lot of reports regarding spooky events in the place such as bricks being thrown from the top of the unstable structure and there are also incidents of ghosts appearing and spectral beings. However, the it is now sadly a place for craze, drinking and drugs and a lot of the ghost stories are just made up by the people involved. But then again, the site is still considered evocative and spooky. There are plans to restore the monument because the brickwork is now in a very unsafe state.

CLAPHAM, WEST SUSSEX

            Since the 1960’s there have been a lot of human deaths, dog fatalities, UFO sightings, abnormal radiation and reports of strange events in the woods. There were also allegations that the place was used previously for a satanic cult ritual which includes offering sacrifices. The Blackpatch hill is also one of the great sights for Sussex motorists. It contains the remains of one of the most important Stone Age settlements found in southern England. The Angmerin Park Estate was created after the death of the 16^th Duke who owned the Land. On the other hand, St. Mary’s Church lies at the northern edge of the village, which serves as a sentinel against evil. The church is a thirteenth century construction which has an interesting monument of the Shelley family.

No matter what stories may lie behind these events and places, the good thing is that it gives us things to wonder and reflect upon. For as long as we have faith, these mysterious events would not be able to move us to lose what we believe in. And even if these places are considered haunted, we must be able to keep and maintain their natural beauty and essence. For mystery creates wonder, which is the basis of man’s desire to understand.

April 7-10, 2010:        WONDERFUL EASTER WEDNESDAYS (Chichester)

Starting 11am up till 4pm, there will be hands-on crafts activities and games for children of all ages for them to enjoy the school break and holidays. The event will be held at The Weald and Download Museum in Singleton which is well-known for it’s wonderful Gridshell building and lovely location in the Lavant Valley.

April 11, 2010:           Staple House Garden open day (Chichester)

If you want to have a view of the spring bulbs and other garden features, drop by Staples House Farm. There will be craft stalls and garden stalls with tea and cakes to keep you full and refreshed while enjoying the event. This is being organized to support St. Wilfrid’s Hospice which is where all proceeds will be donated. The garden will be open from 10 am up till 4 pm.

April 23 To May 1, 2010                 The End of the Pier International Film Festival

For movie goers and fans, there will be a short feature film competition for independent and new film makers. This is to commend and give prestige to the new directing talents from the UK as well as recent European and International theatrical releases. The Gala and Awards night will be held in Worthing, West Sussex.

April 25, 2010            West Worthing Tennis and Squash Club Open Day

The Club will be opening its doors to public with 24 tennis and squash courts, 2 full sized snooker tables, table tennis and bar for public use. Free coaching sessions will also be offered and National level matches, fun sessions and an all day barbeque will also be taking place. 

Summer Camps are also being organized everywhere. Summer jobs are offered. So what are you waiting for? Go out in the summer sunshine. Enjoy the summer breeze. Have Fun with the summer ambiance. Be productive while having a good time.