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The Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath was overawed by the generosity of the community at the Bentswood Hub Family Christmas Party hosted by My Choice Children’s Homes.   Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, said:   “Christmas is such a wonderful time of year and this weekend; I was delighted to be invited to a number of events to celebrate the festive season!  A highlight for me was being invited to Bentswood Hub’s Family Christmas Party, hosted by My Choice Children’s Homes at their offices on Mill Green Road.   It was a fantastic free event for children, who were able to enjoy a disco, party food and a wonderfully festive themed grotto, where they had the chance to meet Father Christmas!  All the presents were so generously donated by the community and I’m thankful to all those that donated to make a child happy this Christmas.   This is the ninth year Bentswood Hub have run their free family Christmas event and I’m deeply grateful for the joy they bring to so many families at this time of year.  I would like to thank the Bentswood Hub, My Choice Children’s Homes and all those involved in supporting this event.  Such a beautiful show of the true Spirit of Christmas!”

The Mayor of Haywards Heath was thrilled to turn up as a special surprise guest at a 100th birthday party for Mrs Dora Durrant at Crossway’s Residential Care Home. The Mayor joins Dora & staff from Crossways The Mayor joined Dora’s family and staff in a fun filled afternoon party, with cards, flowers and presents, singing, dancing and delicious cakes and treats.     Town Mayor, Cllr Stephanie Inglesfield, says:   “I had the privilege to attend Dora’s 100th Birthday Party at the Crossways Care Home in Lindfield. The afternoon went like a dream. Dora is a stunningly beautiful lady, all smiles and elegance. After singing along to Que Sera Sera and more old hits, we all happily sang and danced the afternoon away, with Dora enjoying the afternoon in the company of her son and daughter-in-law, the residents and the lovely staff from the home. Dora thanked everyone for the party and her cake and her treasured birthday card from the King and the Queen was proudly on display by the cake.   Kelvin, the care manager, and his team took great care of us all with their usual kindness, gentleness and professionalism. It was a joyful afternoon celebrating a special birthday for a very special lady!” Dora was born in Ramsey, Huntingdon, one of ten children.  She moved to Burgess Hill when she married in 1959 and lived there for 63 happy years, bringing up her family and as an active member of the local Baptist Church.  Dora moved to Crossways two and a half years ago.

The Mayor had the privilege of joining one of the local ‘Time for Dementia’ programme visits, to learn more about the initiative run by the Alzheimer’s Society, as her chosen charity for the year. The Mayor with Tony, Caroline and students on the Time for Dementia visit Town Mayor, Cllr Stephanie Inglesfield, said:   “This was a special visit that I will for ever remember.  Thanks to my involvement with the Alzheimer’s Society, I have discovered the Time for Dementia programme.  For the last ten years, this initiative has brought together medical students and families who live with dementia.  This enables the students to gain insights into what life with dementia is like as they visit the families in their homes.   Importantly, this will eventually help them become well rounded doctors who go further than treating patients, doctors who help people with families, professions, friends, aspirations, plans and responsibilities, all of which are involved and affected by their diagnosis.  It is a great learning opportunity for the students and a precious opportunity for the families, as many want their experience to be put to good use by the medical profession.  They want the human side of the condition to be better understood and for future patients to feel affirmed and be well supported.   Around a cup of tea and biscuits, we spent two hours catching up like old friends with Tony and Caroline and the students.  Tony and Caroline were happy to explain how they adapt to the changes in their lives and how they do it in a way which is practical, pragmatic, positive and joyful.  They have a life filled with family and friends, love and banter, walking their dog and now getting ready for Christmas.  Tony and Caroline are a wholesome couple, who manage their situation self-confidently and despite the challenges, they role model common sense and hope for us all.    Thank you to this very special and lovely couple, Tony and Caroline, for inviting me to share their programme visit, to the wonderful students who take part in the programme and to the brilliant Sam Swanson, our Time for Dementia Officer for Sussex, for organising this informative and insightful visit for me.”