Hello Friends, 

We are very happy to kick this newsletter off with the headline news that after many weeks of hunting we have managed to find a property in Hassocks!! 

It’s a lovely and light, with a supportive landlord, and is close to the high street – so all shops, amenities and transport links are close by.

With this final big piece of the jigsaw in place, we have now submitted our final application for approval to the Home Office, and await news on the time-frame and next steps from here. 

This is a very exciting development, and allows us to now move into getting ready for the family’s arrival.

Some of the SDRP team visiting the property to kick off the furnishing job with a fantastic gifted print of the South Downs by local artist Sue Collins.
Some of the SDRP team visiting the property to kick off the furnishing job with a fantastic gifted print of the South Downs by local artist Sue Collins.

***WE NEED YOUR HELP TO FURNISH THE PROPERTY***

Our next BIG job is to furnish the property so that’s it’s ready for when the family get here. 

We have decided to do this it in stages to make sure everything fits in and the coordinating of it all is manageable. The first round of items we’re looking for is the following:

  • 1 x double bed with clean mattress
  • 1 x large corner / L-shaped sofa (max dimensions 282cms deep x 415cms wide)
  • 1 x TV unit (max 125 cms wide)
  • 1 x double wardrobe – ideally with interior drawers 
  • Cutlery
  • A decent Laptop which will serve the whole family
  • Cups / mugs
  • Drinking glasses
  • Saucepans (different sizes)
  • Frying pans (different sizes)

If you have any of the above and would like to donate it for the family, please contact us by email and let us know. We are looking for clean items in excellent condition please and if you can include a photo that would be great.

If you are having a Spring clean and have other household items you need re-homing, please send us an email with details and we can look at our list of required items and get in touch with you on an individual basis. 

Any questions on donating for the house, please drop us an email to sdrefugeeproject@gmail.comwith HOUSE in the subject line please.


IN OTHER NEWS: 

Hassocks Village Ceilidh – Friday 13th May 2022

Tickets for the Hassocks Village Ceilidh are now on sale!

The event, rescheduled from November last year, will take place on Friday 13th May and feature live music from The Black Cat Band, a bar serving local ale, and raffle. 

No previous Ceilidh experience is necessary as all dancers are instructed by a live “caller” and at the time of writing there are some tickets left, which can be purchased via the Eventbrite page here or in person at The Purple Carrot Cafe (thankyou Chris!).


Scouts & Guides – 2 Hills & 3 Mills Sponsored Walk

The Scouts and Guides of Hassocks, Hurst and Ditchling have decided to support SDRP this year by taking on the ‘2 Hills & 3 Mills’ sponsored walk on 22nd May. 

The 10mile route, which takes in Ditchling Beacon, Wolstonbury Hill, and the Jack, Jill, and Oldland Windmills, features start points in all three villages. All sponsorship funds raised will be split between the participating troops and SDRP. We wish all walkers clear skies for the day!

If you’d like to sponsor the Guides and Scouts you can do so here: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scouts-guides-2hills3millswalk220522


A Weaving of Jazz Jewels and Poetry

Saturday 18th June, 6 – 7.30pm

SDRP’s own Lou Beckerman is following up on last years fantastic Raise the Roof concert with a more intimate performance of poetry and songs with pianist Joss Peach. 

The concert is a benefit for the Holy Trinity Church in Hurstpierpoint and SDRP, and tickets are available via:

margaret@112a.co.uk

01273 835113


PLANT SALE IN UNDERHILL LANE! 

Many thanks to one of our volunteers, Heike, who is running a plant sale from her house in Clayton – until the stock runs out!

If you would like to pick up some bargains and help our cause, park in the Clayton Recreation Ground carpark and follow the signs 250m down Underhill Lane.


Jane, Malc, Liz and Julian’s Long Walk Home

Four local friends have decided to raise money for the project by attempting to walk home to Hassocks from Winchester along the South Downs Way. The 70 mile route will be tackled in relay sections from dawn until late on one day!

If you’d like to sponsor the trek you can do so here:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/long-walk-home-forsdrp


BIG THANKS…

Huge thanks to singer Alan Leith and pianist Marcus Martin for their fabulous concert S’WONDERFUL GERSHWIN! on 2nd April, celebrating the life and music of George Gershwin, and raising well over £600 for the project via donations from the generous audience! 

Many thanks also to the United Reformed Church for hosting.

ALAN LEITH (vocals) and MARCUS MARTIN (piano). Pic: Alison Mohammed

So, if you made it this far, you’ll agree it’s a busy but exciting time for the project! As ever, thanks to all of you who have donated, advocated, attended and generally spread the word. 

If you’re reading this and are not registered for the newsletter, please do sign up to the ‘Supporters Mailing List’ on the SDRP homepage here for future updates, or get in touch on the links below.

SDRP x