The History of the Independent State of Cuckfield

From 1951 until 1965 all the money needed by Cuckfield concerns was raised at our annual Donkey Race meeting on the August Bank Holiday. This started in a small way on the land where Warden Park School now stands but was transferred in 1953 to the land at Whitemans Green, which is now the football pitches and “Rugger” ground. Here each year the Donkey Grand National took place and would be attended by some 10,000 people and 20 bookmakers. So well known did it become that is was featured in the British Tourist information brochure, which was distributed overseas. In 1965, however these fields at Mill Hall Farm were compulsory purchased by the Council for playing fields and our polite request to stage our Grand National there was refused. We were flabbergasted by this decision, as were the local good causes who relied on raising money there and it was then that my husband (Peter Bowring) suggested a Mayor’s Election. In those days each vote cost “sixpence”. It was billed as a contest between “Publicans & Sinners” and our first mayor was Joe Mitchell, Landlord of the White Hart.

Rhodesia had recently declared U.D.I. so we in Cuckfield followed suit and the Independent State of Cuckfield was born. We issued our own passports, stamps (which were used to deliver mail during the postal strike) and currency. Five cuckoos equalled one shilling, this money was accepted in Cuckfield pubs and shops and mostly kept as souvenirs.

To begin with a lot of Cuckfield residents thought the whole idea rather silly, but we soon proved our worth.

In 1971 the High Bridge on the A272 between Cuckfield and Ansty collapsed, Ansty was extremely worried at being cut off from shops, Doctors, Hospital etc. The county council refused to consider a temporary bridge and said we must wait until they create a permanent replacement. However our Mayor contacted them and persuaded them to change their mind and a ‘Bailey Bridge’ was duly put in place

On another occasion The Independent State of Cuckfield saved Cuckfield from a dreadful fate. In 1975 the Council proposed turning 32 acres of land at Sparks Farm, which is now a golf course into a refuse dump for domestic and industrial waste. Mr Bowring called a public meeting at the Queens Hall and asked the council to attend. A long battle ensued but, at length, the council dropped the idea and Cuckfield was spared this horror.

Our aims, when founded, were to ensure the welfare of all our citizens ‘young and old’ and to protect our surroundings.

Some of the things the money raised has been used for are:-

The repair of the Children’s paddling pool in the Recreation Ground

The modernisation and refurbishment of the Cottage homes

Camping equipment for the scouts

Playground equipment for the schools

Sponsoring of youngsters going on Operation Raleigh or similar expeditions

Help with college expenses

TV sets, kettles and reading lamps for our older citizens

Equipment for the Hospital

Our annual Christmas Dinner for any OAP in Cuckfield who would like to attend

Our only firm rule is that our money must be used for Cuckfield, but anyone living within our boundaries has only to ask and we will try and help.    

 Phyl Bowring