BREDE STEAM ENGINE SOCIETY
Sussex Rural Enterprise category
The Award was presented for their work restoring and displaying heritage water pumping engines at Brede, East Sussex . This magnificent collaboration between Southern Water and The Brede Steam Engine Society has resulted in the restoration of a collection of water pumps together with a range of steam engines displayed in their traditional Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Of enormous educational value this museum vividly represents our industrial archaeological heritage and displays, in an inspiring environment, the scale and brilliance of British engineering. The engines are lovingly cared for by a team of volunteers led by husband and wife team, Mrs and Mrs John Foxley and are opened to the public once a month free of charge. This truly is a gem to be discovered in rural East Sussex !
BISTRO @ THE STATION in ETCHINGHAM
Sussex Rural Enterprise category
This is a most unusual but highly commendable project with the de Etchingham Community Interest Company having been formed at the outset to steer it through, the purpose being to fill the gap created by the loss of so many village amenities. The original station master`s house has been totally refurbished to create a Bistro managed by Paul Collins. The décor is simple but tasteful, with clever touches to remind one of the station's setting. The opening times and menus have been arranged to meet the requirements of the commuters and village groups, even allowing for customers to text their order for a latté from the comfort of the train, to be met with it on the platform and so to continue their journey! The upstairs rooms are let out for village events, parish council meetings and private functions.
GURKHA SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGE at NORTHSTOKE
New Sussex Landscape category
The restoration and rebuilding of this rare and historic suspension footbridge, which had been irreparably damaged by a falling tree in 2008, has been one of vision, determination and sheer hard work, inspired by leadership from the Amberley Society, chaired by Grahame Joseph. The involvement of the 70 Field Support Squadron Ghurkas in the re-building of the bridge has given it a special meaning. Many obstacles were overcome before the Queen's Gurkha Engineers could complete their magnificent restoration within budget and ahead of schedule. Although the Council would undoubtedly have replaced the bridge, it would, for reasons of cost, inevitably have been of a utilitarian design. Instead the end result is a beautiful copy of the original footbridge and, with it, the re-opening of a path for local people and walkers amidst the River Arun meanders. It is rewarding to see that the new O.S. map of the area identifies it as the Gurkha Suspension Footbridge.
GREENPOWER CENTRE at FONTWELL
New Sussex Landscape category
This inspirational building, being the headquarters of the Greenpower Education Trust is aesthetically very satisfying and, with its almost exclusive use of sustainable materials seems to meet almost every requirement one could think of. Innovative design features include a spiral staircase, stacking chairs made of nettle fibre, bamboo tables and straw insulated walls. A wildflower roof provides insulation and reduces traffic noise. The building also serves as a base for ongoing experimentation in the use of various materials and systems through its continued close links with the owners and designers Fordingbridge plc. In addition to the building itself the promotion of engineering by the Trust as a career for young people means it is serving a great need at a time when engineering would appear to have taken a dip in popularity amongst the young.
LODSWORTH LARDER LIMITED at LODSWORTH
Sussex Rural Enterprise category
This is a most unusual and innovative project whereby an eco-friendly building has been erected from locally sourced, sustainable materials to provide a local shop in the centre of the village. Apart from two employed staff all others serving in the shop are volunteers and all profits are fed back into the shop or shared out among local community projects. The shop has well displayed produce and every effort is made to respond to requests or suggestions from customers. These include the provision of an internet connection and some postal services.
RESTORATION OF PRIORY PARK in LEWES
New Sussex Landscape category
A long neglected site of the former Cluniac Priory, now transformed into an area of historical, archaeological and recreational interest to both the general public and educational establishments. The sympathetically restored landscape is a pleasant environment for dog walkers, cyclist, children and school groups with well designed benches, footpaths and interpretation boards. This was a carefully planned and executed project involving grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage. During the judges visit they spoke to several passers by who said they were delighted at the transformation of the site which means it is now a valued open space for locals and tourists alike. A Management Plan to ensure the future preservation of the site is currently being drawn up.
RUSHFIELDS FARM SHOP near POYNINGS
Field to Table category
This Farm Shop is a worthy addition to the popular 27 year old family run Garden Centre by the Langridge family. The building has been erected using an oak timber frame and blends in with the local landscape. The shop is spacious, open and well planned with a wide selection of beautifully displayed foods, 80% of which are locally sourced. The shop employs six part-time staff and has its own butchery, visible to customers , with a full-time butcher. It is well placed between Henfield and Hurstpierpoint, and also Pyecombe, which has recently lost its own shop.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
ARUNDEL FOOD FESTIVAL
Field to Table category
A self-funding and self-organising Chamber of Commerce initiative driven by Mike Imms and Jonathan Brantigan. The first, week long Arundel Food Festival was held in October last year, the objective being to celebrate and advertise local produce and help put Arundel “on the map”. This year's Festival opens on the 15 th October and promises an exciting programme of events, once again with the aim of bringing together those responsible for the production and supply of food in and around Arundel in order to give residents and visitors an exciting and memorable experience.
GOODWOOD HOME FARM WHOLESALE CHEESE PRODUCTION - Field to Table category
This impressive, new cheese making enterprise, which makes excellent use of redundant calf sheds and surplus milk from the Goodwood organic dairy herd, is still in its infancy. Led by Farm Manager Tim Hassell, the intention is to create ‘a cheese board' of three new cheeses for the local wholesale market. One of these cheeses, the ‘Charlton Cheddar', is already in production, sales brisk and the project is progressing well. Although two of the new cheeses are not yet all on the market, as they have to undergo final shelf life testing, the appointment of a full-time cheese-maker – someone who is clearly highly skilled and dedicated to his job - means the aim of encouraging people in the Goodwood and surrounding areas to buy locally made cheeses would seem to be well within reach.
THE Centre for Sustainable Food, Farming & Forestry at Netherfield - Sussex Rural Enterprise category.
Linked with Plumpton College the Centre offers an excellent programme of short training courses for farmers and all who work in the countryside and related businesses in the High Weald where, by nature of the landscape, farms are often small and many farmers work alone. The courses cover rural skills, farm management, business and financial management, management of stock, butchering, safety requirements - the list is endless and is constantly evolving to meet ever changing needs, to offer small rural businesses invaluable advice with regard to constantly changing legislation and to provide invaluable networking opportunities for the sharing of current concerns.
COMMENDED
FINDON DELI and TEA ROOM
Sussex Rural Enterprise category
Converted from a disused bike shed, Findon Deli offers a welcome, friendly, meeting place in the heart of the village and provides quality produce from local Sussex suppliers. Owner/Manager - Jaqueline Thompson employs five part time local residents. The judges were impressed by the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and willingness to meet the needs of the villagers, including home delivery to elderly customers if required. Seating for 14 inside and for a further 30 outside, means there is ample space for local people, tourists or walkers alike.
