Sussex Express and County Herald, Fri., Aug 25, 1967

Passports please

CUCKFIELD, population about 2,300, may be described as an old world village in the guide books, but it is nothing if not ambitious and, following the example of small states in various parts of the world, has decided to declare itself an Independent State.

Passports are being issued, and residents and visitors are warned that they are liable to be challenged by ‘Customs Officers’ and, if unable to produce a valid passport, requested to pay a fine - for charity.

This is all part of the ambitious plans in connection with the Donkey Grand National being held in the village on August Holiday Monday.

Passport offices have been opened in shops and public house, including the Mayor’s Parlour - Ye White Hart Inn.

Costing a fee of 5s, the attractively designed Cuckfield Passport offers free admission to the annual donkey races and, as pointed out by the organisers, it also ‘allows the holder to visit Cuckfield, buy in its shops and visit taverns without let or hindrance.’

A Mayor? Yes, the Independent State has also decided to elect its own Mayor with the whole world on the electoral role.

Provided you can afford it, there is no limit to the number of votes you may cast, each vote costing 6d. - shades of Eatanswill!

The profits of the venture go to help elderly and infirm people in the village and other local charities.