I was sitting outside Buy the Weigh, Ticehurst in the sun having a coffee (and no doubt a cake for my son) with my Mum and two young children last month. We were talking about my illustration work and Mum said ‘oh, you could draw the Ticehurst shops’. We had just been browsing some of them and were talking about how fortunate the village is to have such a special collection of small businesses and independent shops, and how they create such a wonderful close knit community.
Rather than adding this to my ‘one day…’ to do list I decided to just try and do it. Fast forward a month and I am launching my collection of Ticehurst illustrations series in the form of a set of five greetings cards and as individual prints. I had no idea it was only a month until I actually checked back and I am pleasantly surprised and dare I say it, a little bit proud, to have achieved it in that time (especially juggling looking after my two little ones and some bespoke commissions too). These are available to buy in my Etsy shop right now and will be stocked in some of the shops themselves allowing you to support them too.
So here they are, a little introduction to some of my favourite places to visit in Ticehurst and why I chose to illustrate them.
1. The Old Haberdashery
Before you even venture inside Sonia’s beautifully curated window displays are always a delight to behold. Frequently changing with so much care and attention, full of carefully positioned treasures creating an eye catching show of her exquisite taste.
Inside, the tiny shop is bursting at the seams with vintage and vintage inspired homewares, textiles and haberdashery. There are so many of beautiful pieces to look at and things to enchant the senses. It’s the sort of shop you just want to walk around and pick everything up and it difficult to leave without buying at least something (which is of course to be encouraged!). My Mum says she would like to get a chair and just sit inside and chat away to whoever is looking after the shop because it’s such a wonderful little space to be in.
Last week we watched one of the local residents wandering up the high street and she popped her head in and chatted away for a good few minutes through the open door, before continuing her journey home. That is exactly the sort of experience that makes this village and the small businesses inside such a special community.
2. Buy the Weigh
Run by Susan and Rob and with a brilliantly clever name, this wonderful zero waste shop is packed to the rafters with refills, supplies and ingredients to help you live a lower waste more conscious life. With lovely staff always happy to help, greeting you as you come in, there are lots of gift ideas and locally made delights as well as everything you could possibly need to refill from baking ingredients, to cleaning products, to breakfast cereals and store cupboard staples.
Outside a collection of tables and chairs are the perfect spot for a coffee (and one of their delicious apricot and oat cookies!) and to watch the world go by. It’s a fairly busy road but you hardly notice (unless you are my son who loves to spot exciting passing vehicles and occasional farm traffic) and it can be tricky to find a seat sometimes as it is a popular spot for locals to catch up. We bumped into the local walking society having a coffee and a chat here after one of their weekly walks, which perfectly sums up village life!
3. The Art Bunch
The brilliant and talented Andrea has her charming florist shop just around the corner on Church Street. Andrea creates all sorts of incredible florals, bouquets and bespoke creations for people, businesses, weddings and events around the local area. Her shop smells incredible and you are greeted by glorious foliage and blooms all year round.
The window display is always full of wonderful seasonal displays with florals, foliage and homeware carefully presented to entice you in. Selling a small range of cards and gifts the shop is perfect to pop into for a last minute present, as well as ordering in advance for those special occasions. In winter she also makes some of the most beautiful wreaths I’ve seen (and if I didn’t have my own wreath making tradition that I stubbornly stick to, it would be one of these adorning our front door.)
4. Greenfinch
A little further down the road is Greenfinch a beautiful old shopfront with lovely big windows that owner Jane styles magnificently, showcasing local Kent and Sussex goods. Inside the shop is light and spacious, which the perfect backdrop because it is full of interesting pieces, from clothing and homeware, to cards and gifts, jewellery and accessories, sculptures and artwork.
My son loves visiting as there are all sorts of things to spot, usually animals, his current favourites are the wicker hares and chickens.
Greenfinch also hosts events throughout the year including late night shopping, live music, local speakers and ‘meet the artist’ events and you can find out what’s on via their website or newsletter. I would highly recommend popping in if you have anyone to buy a gift for in the future, I think I could probably tick off most of my list in just one shop (or even better buy the whole shop for myself!).
5. The Bell
At the heart of the village this beautiful award winning pub draws people in from all over the country. They serve delicious food, have incredible rooms and four cosy lodges nestled into the cleverly designed garden outside.
Some years ago now we were in The Bell having a drink before a family meal and my Dad found the old guest book on a shelf. We looked through and found my Grandpa’s name, his parents and his best man from when they stayed at The Bell the night before their wedding. My grandparents got married in Ticehurst Church, so did my parents and so did my husband and I, my husband even managed a pre-wedding beer at The Bell before walking across to the Church with our guests. Aside from this being a wonderful pub, this is a place we have visited for years and has been a part of many family occasion.
That’s all for now…
I have really enjoyed creating these building illustrations and even more so because of the enthusiasm and kindness I have received from the owners of the small businesses involved. Thank you to them and to everyone who has offered support. I am always delighted to hear when places that mean a lot to me, also mean a lot to other people and the stories associated and memories they share.
I really do urge you to visit this picturesque East Sussex village if you are ever nearby and spend some time in the places that make it such a special community.
Now more than ever it is important to consider where we are spending our money and to support these treasured local communities, shops and small businesses that we want to see in the future.
Read a Bit More?
If you’d like to hear more about some places that I love then head over to my blog post here about five of the best places to visit in Tonbridge and why these hold a special place in my heart. Alternatively if this has sparked your imagination and you are thinking of somewhere you would like me to capture in ink and watercolour, you can get in touch here to enquire or read my blog about creating your bespoke illustrations or five steps to creating your bespoke house portrait, I would love to help you bring your treasured memories to life.