Staplecross

A couple of notices have been received from our comrades at East Sussex County Council to say that their Highways Dept. team are already getting ready for Winter and have been out & about along their ‘Gritter Routes’ having ‘test runs’ with their gritter lorries, to make sure that the drivers are familiar with their routes and that there are no obstructions. This is welcome news as with the horrid weather that we are experiencing at present and more on the way over the coming weeks, it’s good to know that we have this little team hovering in the background, throughout the worst conditions, looking after our roads and helping to keep us safer on them. As and when you do see them, look out for their ‘Special Names’, as each lorry has been given their own unique name, ie True Gritt or Gritt Lightening. Daft, some may say, but it’s just a bit of fun and if it makes you smile, it’ll brighten your day, so a good job all round. See how many you can spot on your journeys. Less of a smile is Notice No: 2 which is advising us of a few road works, none of which are actually within our parish, but are still very close neighbours and which may cause a bit of a delay in your journey. 1) A2100 London Road, continuing urgent remedial works to the level crossing, under temporary road closures with diversion in place, until November 22. 2) C27. Powdermill Lane, Battle. BT Openreach. 2-way temporary traffic lights, until November 24. 3) A2100. London Road, Battle/Mountfield, Essential tree works under two-way traffic lights until November 25. 4) B2244 Junction Road, Cripps Corner/Hawkhurst road. BT pole works under two-way temporary traffic lights. until November 26. 5) C24. Lydd Road, Jurys Gap site, Camber, essential coastal defence works until December 1. 2) B2089 Udimore Road, BT Broadband works until December 2. 6) B2089 Udimore Road, Udimore, BT Broadband works, under two-way temporary traffic lights until December 2. Don’t forget that Robertsbridge village will be hosting their own Bonfire Procession on Saturday 21 with Hawkhurst Bonfire Procession bringing the ‘bonfire season’ to a close a week later on Saturday November 28 and there will be temporary road closures in place in and around both areas. Some of these road works are on-going and some may exceed their ‘finish dates’ but please be aware of the working crews and make allowances for them, especially in the ever darkening evenings. You can find out about all current and planned road works at http://roadworks.org and for the Gritting Routes by contacting : eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/ roads/maintenance/saltingandgritting/default.htm or for any highway query, by contacting [email protected] who will be happy to provide further details on any Highways issues.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Ahead of the walks planned for next week is the AGM and Social Gathering for this fit and friendly walking group. This will take place tomorrow, Saturday, in the Townroe Room, St Peter’s Community Centre, Bexhill Old Town, beginning at 2pm. Parking is available in the Manor Barn car park, just a few minutes walk away. Included in this meeting will be the finals of the popular Annual Photographic competition the Where Were We? competition which together with the many splendid and delectable culinary on offer are sure to delight all those attending. This meeting is intended to be a fun and friendly few hours spent amongst congenial company as well as important decision making and they would love to see you there. Back to the fresh air bit. Walk No: 1 is an eight mile circular tour of Cowden to Chiddingstone Heath and is planned for Sunday. The meeting point is Cowden Railway Station OS EXP 135. TQ476417. (SatNav TN8 7DS) at 10am. No station car parking charges applied last year, but please bring change just in case. A picnic lunch is also suggested and Rita and Lionel will be your walk leaders on this occasion and you may contact them on 01424 752452 for further details. Walk No: 2 is a six mile circular stroll around Beckley. This should produce some beautiful autumnal colours as well as the scenery to enjoy along your meander. The meeting place is in the layby, opposite the Rose & Crown pub. OS EXP 124. TQ840235. (SatNav TN31 6SE) again at 10am. A picnic lunch or a pub lunch at the end of the walk are the options on offer today. Jane and Peter are your ‘walk leaders’ for today and you may contact them on 01424 733300 or mobile: 07732 366090 for more information.

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: This week it’s the turn of Staplecross and Cripps Corner villages to enjoy the services of this brilliant and still free, service provided by East Sussex County Council. The ever welcome little library van is due to arrive at Cricketers Field, Staplecross on Thursday November 26 at 1.40pm until 2.10pm when it will then meander down to Cripps Corner, at 2.20pm where it will park on the car park of the White Hart Inn, courtesy of the very kind landlady, before leaving for pastures new at approximately 2.45pm. Please make use of this superb service which is so important to residents in rural areas. We don’t know, in view of the ongoing government cut-backs just how much longer we will be able to enjoy these free amenities, so please continue to use it and enjoy it, as much as you can.

ADVENT FAIR: Hosted by the PCC this amazing and much awaited Advent Fair could be the perfect place to either finish your Christmas gift shopping, if you’re well organised or simply to begin it, if you’re not. Taking place in the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross on Saturday November 28 between 11am and 3pm. This could be your One Stop Christmas Shop as there will be lots of stalls, raffle and tombola stalls, deli stalls, bottle stalls for the grown-ups, games and activities for the children and lunch and all day refreshments. This could solve any quandary you may be in over what gift to buy for whom, so why not give it a visit and see for yourself. It could be the just the perfect place to find those very special Christmas presents for those very special people. Pop along and shop early for Christmas.

ADVENT CAROLS: As we edge ever closer to that magical time of Christmas, Nativity and Carol singing events will be springing up everywhere. This event is one of many to come I’m sure, but it’s so special that it must be top on your list for this Sundays’ enjoyment. It’s for an Advent Carols event and will be held at Mark’s Church, Northiam Road, Staplecross on Sunday November 29 at 3.30pm. Everyone is very welcome and would be just the thing to remind us all of what Christmas is really all about. Please do try to come along and join in this magical afternoon, bring family and friends and just enjoy it.

THE CROSS INN: Just a quick reminder of the treat that is in store for you, if live music is what you enjoy. Planned to take place on Monday November 30. For those in the know, The Fabulous Red Diesel will be playing at The Cross Inn, Staplecross beginning at approximately 9pm. For those that aren’t in the know, I’m told they’re good, but why not pop along to this super little pub, and find out for yourself.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: Reminders that the Festive Season is almost here, advertising this via television, radio, flyers and notice-boards seem to be constantly bombarding us from all angles already, so I’m just going to sneak in a special few at a time. These events are relevant to our parish community, and if possible, should not be missed. Date No: 1 Reverend Gordon Winchester will be arranging three Advent Bible Studies over the coming few weeks. The first will begin on Thursday December 3; the second will be on Thursday December 10; concluding on Thursday December 17. These studies will take place at The Old Coach House, Ewhurst Green at 7.30pm. All will be welcome, but do please let Gordon know, in advance, by telephoning 01580 830268 to allow them to plan for numbers. Date No: 2 Staplecross MCP School will be holding their own Christmas Fair in the Staplecross Village Hall on Friday December 4 between 2.30pm and 4pm.This event promises to be a delightful array of all things Christmassy and to make it a great success, all it needs is you. Please come along and support our amazing village school, you are sure to find just the right gift for the right person. Date No: 3 belongs to our own Bonfire Boys as Saturday December 5 is the date for the Staplecross Bonfire Society annual Carol Service. This is a Christmas Carol service with a real difference. How many of you can say that you’ve been escorted to a Christmas Carol Service by flaming torches? Everyone is welcome to attend this event, which begins at 6.15pm at the War Memorial, in Staplecross and from there, the torch lit procession wends its merry way along Northiam Road, to the glorious little church of St. Mark’s for a wonderful and uplifting Christmas Carol Service. This is an exciting event, as it allows us to not only enjoy the beautiful carols in a beautiful setting, but afterwards in the church room, to enjoy the Mulled Wine and Festive Nibbles that are provided by this popular and charitable social group. There then follows the result of all their hard work and various selfless projects undertaken throughout the past year, when the presentation of the cheques are awarded to their chosen charities and to other local good causes. The evenings’ event truly does have that Feel-good Factor, so do please come along and be a part of it. Date No: 4 Well, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it as it encapsulates the whole true meaning of Christmas. Please reserve Thursday December 10 at 2pm or Friday December 11 at 6pm for the Staplecross MCP School production of The Nativity. No-one tells the story of Christmas better than school-children and our village school is no exception. The pupils have been working on this for weeks memorising their lines, practising their movements and singing their songs and all with joy.

Both performances will be held in the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross. The Head Teacher, Mrs Liz Avard together with all her wonderful staff and assistants, extend a warm invitation to you all in the hope that you’ll be able to join them on either of these dates. It promises to be magical, tear-jerking and heartfelt production plus funny as only children can make it, whether intentional or not, Please come along and enjoy the telling of The True Story Of Christmas, as told by our precious wee ones, in the best way possible.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday. Sunday before Advent at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion (BCP). There will be no service at St Giles church, Bodiam today, but a service at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross will follow directly after at 11.15am. This service will also include Holy Communion. Both services will be conducted by Reverend Gordon Winchester and if there is any church matter on which you feel he may be of further assistance, then do please get in touch. You may contact him either at The Rectory, Ewhurst Green, or by telephone on 01580 830268 or via his email [email protected] He’d be happy to help in any way he can.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If your group, club, society or charity is planning to hold an event in the near future, especially if it’s a Christmassy Do or perhaps an event coming up in the New Year and you’d like extra coverage, then do please get in touch with me to take advantage of some free publicity. Time marches on and the Festive Season is almost upon us, so please let us help you to promote your event. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, posh or poor, if it’s of interest to you, it’s of interest to us. It’s never too early to let me know what you are planning so please contact me whenever you can...........Thank You.

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