Staplecross

CRIPPS CORNER VILLAGE SIGN: Many of our parish residents were delighted with the new village signs which were erected in our three (3) villages not so long ago, but several of you have recently been in touch enquiring about the ‘missing’ sign in the hamlet of Cripps Corner. Fear not, residents, the sign has not gone for good, but has been returned to it’s maker’s forge/workshop to be repaired. During the recent road works, undertaken by BT, as a matter of course and safety, 4 way traffic lights and several barriers were erected in this works area. The many large vehicles which constantly use this road, found it very difficult to turn at the triangle outside the pub, and as a result of this, our lovely new sign suffered a bit of a bash ! Many of you reported this damaged sign to the Ewhurst Parish Council, as concerned with the safety factor, and leaning at a precarious angle it did look a bit ‘frail’ and rather odd, wobbling away in the wind - but not to worry, I’m reliably informed that this delightful village sign will be returned to the hamlet as soon as the repairs are completed and we all look forward to seeing it perched once more upon it’s pedestal.

STAPLECROSS MCP SCHOOL: Term 4 is going very quickly as Good Friday falls on March 25th this year and lots of fun and interesting events are planned for this new month. The PTFA would like to say a big “Thank You” to everyone for supporting their fundraising efforts of last term. They are also really pleased to announce that the school’s coffers have swollen by almost £200:00 as they raised £48:75 from the Kingfishers’ cake stall and nearly £150:00 from the end of term Disco event. These events always prove popular and of course, it’s the pupils of this great school who benefit the most, as profits from these activities are always ploughed straight back into the school enabling further projects to be arranged.

EWHURST PARISH ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION: Many residents may not be aware that there are still two vacant plots for rent, at the allotment site, situated in Lordine Lane, Ewhurst and this may be just the perfect time to consider taking one on. Last year, an amazing number and variety of fruit and vegetables were grown, to the delight of the growers, and of course, those that shared in their bountiful harvest. Each of these vacant plots, are a manageable size of 42’ x 22’ and come complete with their own private, lockable shed and have water harvesting equipment laid on to each unit, each of these plots are part of a well cared for allotment area, which is well fenced and offers some parking. The old adage - “Nothing tastes as good as when picked from your own garden and grown by your own hand” - is certainly true in this case. If you are interested in becoming a member of this little group and enjoy ‘growing-your-own’ fruit & vegetables and would like to obtain your own plot at a reasonable rent, to take this enjoyment a little further, then please contact Jacqui on 01580~830576 or email [email protected] for more information.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Still enjoying the fresh air and delightful scenery of our lovely part of East Sussex, the members of the Rother Ramblers have arranged two (2) more walks for us all to enjoy. Walk No: 1 is planned to take place on Saturday March 5th when those interested will all join up for an 8 mile circular country walk to south of Herstmonceux, passing the castle, on route. The meeting point for this outing is the car park in Herstmonceux OS EXP 124. TQ634125. (SatNav BN27 4LQ) at 10.00am. Parking is in the Village car park, behind the pub OR in the Village Hall car park. Buses from Hastings and Bexhill (Bus No: 98) pass by. As usual, a picnic lunch is suggested, and as this is described as ‘easy walking’, this stroll may appeal to many. Janet will be the ‘walk leader’ for today, and you may contact her on 01424~420570 or mobile number 07901~580859 for more details. Second ‘walk of the week’ is on Thursday March 10th and is a delightful ‘figure of eight’ meander via Beals Green and Four Wents. This is a slightly longer stroll of 10 miles but with beautiful countryside to look upon, you’ll never notice. The meeting point is at 10.00am at the Hawkhurst public car park, off the A268, near Tesco’s. OS.EXP136. TQ764304.(SatNav TN18 4HZ) This week you may have a choice of a picnic lunch on Moor Green or lunch in the Eight Bells pub nearby. Your ‘walk leader’ for this excursion is Carol and you may contact her on 01580~852432 for all further information.

EWHURST & STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL: Last notice and reminder that the Village Hall Committee will be holding their A.G.M. at the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross on Tuesday March 8th at 7.30pm. As you are all aware, our Treasurer and our Hall Booking Clerk have recently retired from these positions and as a result, over the past few weeks, several appeals have been put forward to the residents of our parish (& beyond) seeking their replacements. Well, I am happy to say that both these vacancies have now been filled. The new officers will be announced and welcomed on board at the AGM - ready to take on the respective roles. We all thank them most sincerely, for taking up the mantles, and for which we are all most grateful. The Village Hall Committee, has, in it’s role as ‘caretakers’ of the premises, promised to maintain the building to the continued high standard that it currently holds, for the benefit and enjoyment of all those who use it. To continue with this schedule, several ideas and plans have been put forward, and some even into operation mode, to enable this work to continue. As part our committee work, we endeavour to fund raise as much as possible, through our various events undertaken throughout the year, hopefully to provide the funds for this maintenance work. We are always happy to accept monetary donations of any calibre, towards these projects and if you would like to contribute to the present or future funding of this beautiful village hall, then do please get in touch. You can contact the current Chairman Hilary Ganly on: 01580~830704 or at her email: [email protected] or better still --- come along to our A.G.M. meet the Committee, see what happens and maybe put forwards ideas of your own as to how and what you would like to see take place in this community meeting place. All suggestions will be gratefully received and looked at closer PS.- Our next event will be the first of our Annual Mammoth Jumble Sales and will be held at the Village Hall on Saturday March 19th at 2.00pm. ‘Jumble’ donations will always be accepted most gratefully and any willing helpers - the more the merrier - will be received with open arms and smiling thanks and cups of tea !. For more information on both these items, please contact Hilary, once again, via her contact points, as previously stated.

VILLAGE - IN - BLOOM: Many of you may well remember the flurry of activities that took place in and around Ewhurst Green during the summer months of last year which was all made worthwhile because as a result of all their hard work, Ewhurst Green came out top in it’s class. At the S.S.E.I.B. Awards Ceremony, held last September in Brighton, Maggie Whittaker & Susie Hewer, the two lady co-ordinators who were mostly responsible for this success, were delighted to receive the ‘Silver Gilt’ award together with the award for top entry in the ‘villages’ section. But - best of all - they won the East Sussex County award for the highest number of points given to an entry ! What a fantastic achievement that was !. Now you may wonder just why I’m re-telling last year’s news - well Ewhurst Green are going to re-enter the competition this year, and to this aim will be commencing on the village tidy up in preparation for this event. The first chore on the calendar is the “Bramble Bashing” around the bus stop. This is planned to take place on Wednesday March 9th. at 10.00am. Now is the time to get your thickest gloves, work clothes, and boots on, dust off your suitable gardening tools and head down here to have a hearty bash at these pesky brambles ! It would be really wonderful to scoop this award again this year, but work needs to be started in earnest to achieve this goal. If you could give just a hour or so, we’ll be well on our way to doing so. You don’t have to live within the village, as Ewhurst Green forms part of the parish community so we all share it. If you’d like to help out, in any capacity, please do contact the ‘organiser’ Maggie Whitaker on 01580~830041. Your help and support would be very much appreciated by all.

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: Once more, we look forward to welcoming the little Mobile Library Service as the van, carrying all the exciting goodies on board, wends it’s way through our little countryside lanes on it’s way to our little communities. It’s first visit, on Thursday March 10th. will be to Staplecross, where it will park in Cricketers Field, between 1.40pm and 2.10pm. Following on from that session, it will then meander down to Cripps Corner, - where it will use the car park of the White Hart Inn, - courtesy of the kind landlady, between 2.20pm and 2.45pm. The residents of this little hamlet can then avail themselves of this vital and much needed service. Please do make as much use of the facilities on board when the van visits your areas. The Library is about more than just books, so please come along and see for yourself and help keep this service going for the benefit of all who live in our outlying rural areas and perhaps, cannot always easily access the Main Branch facilities.

EWHURST PARISH COUNCIL: This EPC meeting will take place on Thursday March 10th at 7.30pm at St. Marks church room, Northiam Road, Staplecross.This meeting is open to the public and press alike and allows all residents of Ewhurst Parish community the perfect opportunity to come along and have your say. Along with your own Parish Councillors, there are usually representatives from both Rother District Council (Mr. Tony Ganly) and East Sussex County Council (Mrs Angharad Davies). During ‘Public Question Time’, you’ll be able to question, query, comment or complain on any or all of the things going on within our parish. We are here to listen to what you have to say and what you want ( or NOT want) to happen within this community. We are all working hard on your behalf, to make our parish and our community a better, safer and happier place to live, work and enjoy being in, and it goes without saying, that we would welcome any suggestions you may have to help us all to achieve this result. Look for the big banner outside, - there’s usually sufficient car parking available for all, and all will be made very welcome.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: Lots of events are planned to take place at the Staplecross Village Hall over the coming months as part of the Committee’s fund raising efforts and to make sure you don’t miss out on any, please make a note of these dates in your diaries and calendars: 1) The Staplecross Village Hall Committee will be holding the first of their mammoth Jumble Sales on Saturday March 19th. Doors open at 2.00pm and ‘donations’ can be brought to the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross from 9.30am onwards. If this could be a problem for you please telephone Hilary on 01580-830740 who may be able to arrange collection. So reserve this date, bring big bags & little money for bargains will be had in all departments !. 2) The date has been set for a great night in at the Staplecross Village Hall. A friendly and fun-filled Quiz Night has been arranged by the committee to take place on Saturday April 9th. at 7.30pm. This event is also to help raise funds for the hall. A brilliant Quizmaster in the shape and form of Mr. Peter Hook will preside over the questions and a supper of a variety of soups with yummy crusty bread will be included in the cost of £8:00 per person. For further details and to book your place at this great event, please contact Hilary Ganly on 01580~830740. It promises to be a fantastic evening, so don’t miss out.

Diary Date 3) is for a Talent Competition which will take place in our neighbouring village of Sedlescombe. This notice is to entice & encourage all those budding performers, whether you sing, dance, tell jokes, juggle, do magic or make music, - in fact any kind of entertainment is welcomed. Residents from local and all surrounding areas are cordially invited to come along and take part. The date for this evening entertainment is Friday May 20th at 7.00pm in Sedlescombe village hall. There is no fee to enter but the winner will be awarded £100:00 with prizes also for runner ups. To assist you, there will be a professional sound system & engineer available. Places will be limited to allow for a fair opportunity for all taking part and if you’d like to be on the stage taking part alongside them then please contact Jean Dann on 01424~882438 to book your place, discuss timings and any other details you may wish to know.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St, James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday March 6th. Lent 4. - ‘Mothering Sunday’. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion. We are pleased to inform you all that the Bishop of Lewes, the Right Reverend Richard Jackson, - has kindly agreed, - and is looking forward - to conducting this service in lieu of Gordon Winchester, who continues his treatment with a brave heart and a smiling face, as always. A Family Service will follow directly after at St. Giles church, Bodiam at 11.15 am. Bishop Richard Jackson will also conduct this service.There will be NO SERVICE at St. Mark’s church, Staplecross today and if there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further assistance, then do please get in touch. You may contact either of the churchwardens ~ Graham Peters -on [email protected] and telephone no: 01580~830203 for Bodiam church matters and for Ewhurst Parish church matters, please contact Jo Goodwin-on [email protected] and telephone no: 01580~830601. Help in some form or another, is always at hand, so do please contact them.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If you are arranging an event in the near future, --- however large or small and you’d like some extra coverage for it, then please get in touch. If it’s of interest to you, - it’s of interest to us. It’s never too early to send in your details and to tell us what you are planning, so please do contact me, as I’d love to hear from you and to help ‘spread the word’ on your behalf.........Thank You.

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