Lancing go global, UK's youngest winegrower
Lancing go global, UK's youngest winegrower
The best curated guide to East (and West) Sussex. What's on in your county, news, food & drink, sport, miscellaneous, history, humour and recommendations
On the agenda
It’s not often lower league clubs, especially one in the eighth tier of English football, have to postpone matches due to international commitments. But that’s what West Sussex’s Lancing was forced to do this month.
You see, Lancing have a couple of Bermuda internationals in their ranks and when the island faced Dominica in a Concacaf Nations League match, coupled with two English talents playing in the World Minifootball Federation Under-23 World Cup in Croatia, they were forced to put in a call to the might of Three Bridges to ask for a postponement.
Lancing’s players earn around 200 quid a week, with home crowds averaging under 300. It is still a village club - Lancing is supposedly the largest village in England - so the news drew record numbers across the globe to the club’s website.
"To have international players is something we're enormously proud of,” said chairman Barry Sutton. “We've got a Bermuda flag which we hang up behind one of the goals each home game."
The club are now staging a panto this Christmas at the Parish Hall to raise funds. "I'm one of the ugly sisters," Sutton added. "I'm Prince Charming," said the vice-president.
The Social Sussex recently went to an East Sussex vineyard overlooking Bewl Water to interview the UK’s youngest winegrower, Ashton Kirby (pictured above), who certainly eschews the traditional viticulteur.
His parents moved from Brighton as the pandemic took hold for a quieter life, which came complete with rundown vineyard. The now 22-year-old former Hurstpierpoint College student fell in love with the vines and now has over a dozen awards to his name, tending to his work usually in heavy metal T-shirts. Here’s the story.
What we’ve been reading:
Lewes’ Runaway cafe through to semi-finals of the World Cup of Stations
Fletching florist and cafe thrives thanks to word-of-mouth
Brighton curry house named best in the country
Council removes historic tree in heart of Ringmer village
Grade II listed The Powder Mills Hotel, Battle (above) is selling off almost 1,300 items due to a major refurb and some bargains are set to be had. The two-day event starts on Nov 5 at 10am. Sale catalogue is here.
Pub Watch
One Sussex pub has made The Telegraph’s 20 brilliant places for a Sunday roast.
Alberta’s at The Windmill, Brighton
Chef Ali Munro, resident chef at Alberta’s, can do you a classic(ish) roast with all the trimmings – pork belly and cheek, sirloin and ox cheek, or a vegan-friendly ratatouille – but he’s best known for Brighton’s only whole fry (£24pp). Prepare for a whole local chicken, southern-fried, and served with greens, roast roots, Yorkshire puddings, tatties, pork sausage and unlimited gravy. Phew! Pre-order to avoid disappointment.
Out and about
Experts at AllTrails have shared the most rated autumn and winter walking trails, including one in Sussex.
Seven Sisters and Friston Forest Circular
Difficulty level: Moderate
Elevation: 1223m
Why? If you'd like to catch sight of falling leaves along with breathtaking views of the English Channel. Not only will you wander Sussex's iconic Seven Sisters cliffs, but you'll explore the largest area of recently established forest in South East England.
Luxury hotel news… The Barnsdale, a hop and a skip from Rutland Water, opened two years ago as a sister hotel to the Signet Collection's acclaimed Mitre on the Thames at Hampton Court and The Retreat at Elcot Park, near Newbury. A fourth from Signet is being earmarked in Alfriston.
On the market
Cross in Hand - Mere House is a beautifully presented detached country home. Knight Frank - £1.5m
Hove - A unique contemporary seafront home, Medina House was completed in 2020. On at a cool £10m
Etchingham - Kitchingham Farm is a traditional residential livestock farm located in the High Weald Area. Strutt & Parker, £5m
Mayfield - The property is a wonderful Grade II listed country residence, believed to date back to the 16th century. On the Market at £2.5m
Piltdown - This delightful semi-detached country cottage exudes charm and character throughout. Hamptons - £575,000
Inside 'beautiful' £7m farm estate with cottage and traditional tiled house
Half-term idea
Farleys House & Gallery near Chiddingly is hosting a free family day on October 30, and would love to welcome children and their families to join them for a creative, fun-filled experience with ‘A is for Ant’. Reserve your free space here.