Monthly Parish Updates

Here you’ll find a collection of  monthly updates from the Parish Council, first shared in The Parish Magazine. They cover a bit of everything going on in the village – from community news and local events to council decisions and projects. We’ve brought them together here so you can catch up at any time and stay in touch with what’s happening in our community.

We would like to begin this month’s update with a heartfelt thank you to Rev. Crutchley and Sally, who will soon be retiring. Their dedication, care, and countless contributions to village life over the years have made a lasting impact on our community. We are extremely grateful for all they have done and wish them both a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.

Please note that the date of the Annual Parish Meeting has been revised and will now take place on 20th May at Hapstead Hall. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and presentations from the Parish Council and local speakers will be made starting at 7 pm. We warmly encourage everyone to attend. It is a great opportunity to hear about the Parish Council’s priorities for the coming year, as well as to reflect on the achievements and progress made over the past 12 months.

We currently have an allotment available. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please contact the Parish Clerk for further details.

We are also delighted to share that the new swings and climbing frame have now been successfully installed. These were made possible thanks to the hard work and generosity of the Ardingly Rambling Dads, and they are already being enjoyed by local families. Our sincere thanks go to all involved.

To further encourage use of the playground, the multi-sport courts are currently being left open. A booking system is available via our website www.ardingly.org. where you can register to reserve the space, although informal use is also very welcome. We hope this approach will increase access and enjoyment, particularly in the warmer weather, and encourage everyone to get outside and stay active.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that work will soon begin on Hapstead Garden. We look forward to seeing this project take shape and to sharing updates in the coming months.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Ardingly Parish Council

With all the recent rain, we’re pleased to say the hosepipe ban has now been lifted — some good news at last!
 
2026 Community Award – Call for Nominations
We’re now inviting nominations for the 2026 Ardingly Parish Council Community Award. This annual award celebrates someone who has gone the extra mile for our village — often quietly and without fuss. If you know someone who deserves a heartfelt thank you, please do nominate them. Deadline: 1st May.
 
Improved Access to the Tennis & Multi-Sport Courts
You may have spotted the newly improved track leading to the tennis and multi-sport courts. A big thank you to Heidelberg Aggregates for generously donating 20 tonnes of stone, and to Phil Knight for expertly levelling the surface. The JobFather has also repaired the playground entrance fence and gate. These improvements have cleared the longstanding puddles and made access much easier for everyone.
 
Playground Improvements
There’s new equipment now installed in the lower playground, including swings and monkey bars. Benches to come shortly. The gates and fence of the playground has also been replaced, thanks to the Jobfather. At the upper playground, a replacement for the dolphin rocker is installed and new chain nets have been fitted to the basketball hoops. These updates will help make the playground even more enjoyable for children and families of all ages. Our sincere thanks to Ardingly Rambling Dads and other local donors who helped make this happen.
 
Allotments Available
The 2026 allotment season is underway, and we currently have plots available if you’d like extra space to grow your own fruit, vegetables or flowers. Recent drainage improvements and planned fencing works should make them even better this year. If you’re interested, please get in touch with the Parish Clerk. 
 
Village Survey – Thank You
A big thank you to everyone who took part in our recent village survey. With over 40% of households responding, your feedback gives us a really valuable understanding of what matters most to residents and will help shape our plans for the year ahead. A full summary will be available on the website, and the Parish Clerk is always happy to help with any questions.
 
We’re committed to listening and working together as a community. Please keep sharing your ideas — together we can continue to make Ardingly a wonderful place to live.
 
To make sure you don’t miss future updates, please sign up to our newsletter at www.ardingly.org. You can also follow the Ardingly Parish Council Facebook page for updates — you’ll receive Facebook notifications about parish news only, with no advertising.
 
And finally, here’s hoping for some brighter and drier weather ahead for us all!
 
Margaret Meldrum (Chair)

Parish Council News Updates

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