Friday February 5

Lewes/Seaford/Newhaven editions

BARCOMBE
CAKE SALE: The cricket club will be holding a cake sale from 8.30am tomorrow, Saturday. Please find us in the forecourt of the village hall.
NEW VILLAGE HALL: The Blues Brothers evening raised £924 approx. Locals have said it was first class entertainment.

BISHOPSTONE
WHIST DRIVE: Players filled five tables last Saturday evening in the hall. It made the difference between winning and losing a close run thing. Refreshments were enjoyed with the half time raffle. The evening raised £55 for parish hall funds. Thanks to Teresa for organising everything.
SERVICE OF COMPLINE: Friday February 12 at St Andrews. In Gregorian Chant. Most appropriate for a place of worship more than 1300 years old. Practice 7pm, service 8pm. All welcome, music provided. Details Hilary 01323 896567.
COLD CALLING: Concerns have been raised over door knocking from local political parties. Although Bishopstone is a No Cold Calling Zone, any individual may call if they are not selling or advertising anything for sale. You still have the right to ask them to leave. If you would like further guidance on this or any other issues please attend the Sussex Police Neighbourhood West Ward Panel meeting. This is to be held on Thursday February 18 in the parish hall, 7pm.

CHAILEY
HAVE YOU ever wondered what being spiritual is all about? Fed up with stress or the madness of this world and how it affects you? Find out how all this could be transformed at a talk A Spiritual Path by Jane Barbour, a Spiritual Counsellor and Reiki Master today, Friday, at 7.30pm at Chailey Reading Room, Chailey Green, There is no admittance charge. For more information see www.thetouchofpeace.co.uk.
ESCC and Action in Rural Sussex are keen to discuss residents' needs for non-profit passenger transport services for those with restricted access to conventional public transport. Residents and representatives of local groups and organisations are invited to attend a public meeting to discuss community transport needs and to be informed about East Sussex County Council grant funding available for pilot projects. The meeting will be held in the main hall at Chailey School, Mill Lane tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 10am, for the agenda visit www.chailey.org. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to comment on community transport provision a short questionnaire is available to be downloaded from the website. If you have any queries please contact Mr Scott Lippa of Action in rural Sussex on 01273 405443 or Scott.Lipa@ruralsussex.org.uk.
PLEASE could anyone with information about the damage by horse riders (one horse was grey, and the rider was wearing a visibility jacket; the other horse was dark brown and the rider was wearing a horizontally striped khaki top) to North Chailey sports pitch on Sunday January 17 contact Sussex Police (Chailey Police Community Support Officer Steven Knowles Tel: 0845 60 70 999. Extension 27387).

COOKSBRIDGE/OFFHAM/HAMSEY
BELLY DANCING: Judith Bastide reports that the belly dancing/Egyptian dancing evening in the church hall was an enormous success. Patsy Bailey will be returning to do another session in April, this time a day-time one. Date to be confirmed shortly.
ON ASH WEDNESDAY, February 17, a simple lunch of home-made soup, bread rolls and coffee will be served in St Peter's Church Hall at £3.50 per head. Donations will be divided between Christian Aid and church funds. Names to Judith Bastide 01273 474356 as soon as possible so that they know how many to cater for.
SKITTLES is back on Friday February 26, at 7pm at the Chalk Pit Inn, Offham. This is now an annual event and greatly enjoyed by everyone. Could you let Judith know as soon as possible so that she can have some idea of how many bar meals to order. Ring 01273 474356.
BACK AGAIN: I am delighted to report that the 21 Exmoor ponies that were brought over to graze an area of the scarp slope at Blackcap on the Downs above Courthouse last year, are coming back on Wednesday. They will be grazing on another area. The National Trust, who own that part of the Downs, organise this with the Sussex Pony and Conservation Trust. Monty Larkin is the grazing co-ordinator for the Trust and, like last year, we will have the pleasure of seeing them arrive and being driven up the bridleway onto the Downs. The ponies are a native, hardy breed that have acquired a reputation as good conservation grazers. They eat course grasses and rough vegetation on steep slopes that many of the modern breeds of lowland sheep avoid. We got enormous pleasure last year watching them each day grazing above here, and watching them each evening come down to get water and then wander back to the top of the slope. We were sad to see them leave again for the Ashdown Forest for their summer grazing.
CENTENARY AWARD: To mark NFU Mutual's centenary the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust is launching a Centenary Award for post graduate students of agriculture. The Centenary Award will give annual bursaries to pay 75 percent of course fees for selected post-graduate students in agriculture (Masters of PhD). NFU Mutual has donated £250,000 to fund the programme. NFU Mutual's history is interwoven with that of farming in the UK, and the Centenary Award will aim to help generate a legacy for the future of agriculture. The award is open to students of the British Isles who have gained, or are currently expecting to gain a 2:1 or above in agriculture (or a closely related degree) and have been accepted or provisionally accepted on a Masters or PhD course in agriculture in the British Isles, commencing in autumn 2010. In addition to the above factors, the trust has identified three topic areas of interest for eligible students: Sustainable agriculture; climate change and agriculture; and international agricultural development. It is expected that around five students will be selected for the award. Prospective post graduate students who think they are eligible for the award should contact centenary-award@nfumutual.co.uk to request further details and an application form. The closing date for applications for courses starting in autumn is April 30. As we are, and always have been, a farming community there may be a student who would like to win this award. A couple of years ago when I mentioned about grants for students in agriculture I received a phone call from a reader to thank me for drawing it to her attention as her son had applied and was successful.
HERE TO STAY: That cock pheasant and his harem who I mentioned recently seem to have moved in here. Every morning at 6am tapping comes at the patio door, and now I know what is there I open it to find him on the step waiting for food. It was lucky that I had put the dog out this morning as when I responded to the tapping he boldly stepped into the kitchen and strutted about in front of me until I found a piece of bread. I then had to persuade him to step outside again. The little owl that I have been watching for the past fortnight sits for hours on a bare branch of an ash tree near the old orchard and I am watching carefully to see where it goes to late in the afternoon, but so far I have not discovered its hideaway.

Parish Council
RUMPELSTILTSKIN:A full house at Beechwood Hall last Saturday were hugely entertained by Miracle Theatre's panto for those who don't like pantos. With the front three rows reserved for them, the children were enthralled by sush a direct theatrical experience while there was lots for adults to enjoy as well. How lucky we are in the Parish to have such high quality shows on our doorstep. Thanks to Marion Hughes for promoting and Jodi Crispin for all her support. And roll on next year's panto.
NEXT UP at Beechwood Hall is renowned Australian blues guitarist and songsmith, Jeff Lang, playing on Saturday February 13 at 7.30pm. Tickets £7 adults,£5 concessions and children, from marion.hughes@btinternet.com, 07789 640347.
WEDNESDAY ROAST: If you're retired and partial to a roast dinner then Hamsey School is the place for you. Headteacher Mike Hirst is keen to open up the school to older members of the community by offering school lunch every other Wednesday, roast dinner day. It will cost only £2.50 and needs to be booked the previous Monday with Mrs Dymond in the school office on 01273 400370.
THE AFTERNOON CLUB next meets at 2.30pm on Monday at Beechwood Hall and new members are very welcome. There's bound to be a lot of talk about the school's community dinner day.
SEEDY SATURDAY takes place in Grange Gardens from 10.30am - 3.30pm on Saturday 6th February. Hamsey School PTA are running a tea and cake stall amongst the seed swappers and sellers, so do go along and support them.
POTHOLES have appeared all over the parish as a result of the recent severe weather. Those in Bevernbridge, Cooksbridge and Offham have been reported to
ESCC and repairs have started. If there's a problem near you, let the parish council know or report it direct to the county council.
TOO MANY SIGNS? With the painting of the road around the new traffic islands, work to implement the new speed limits is complete. The next step is the remeasurement of average speeds to check their effectiveness. There has been an inevitable increase in road signage but if you feel any are superfluous, please contact the parish council.

FALMER
CAR PARKING: Sue mentioned car parking in the village some weeks ago, and still some people from the university are parking on yellow lines just as you enter Mill Street, believing that because rubbish is covering the lines they will be safe from prosecution. Cars are also parking on the wide verge on Ridge Road just before the sports centre entrance, I can see we will never have a green verge there again, unless the university can use some deterrent to stop them; the university really should take some responsibility for the parking abuse in the village.
FALMER CONCERTS begin again on Saturday February 13 at 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Falmer Parish Hall. The Brighton Male Voice Choir will be performing Music from the Movies. Refreshments will be available, entrance is free and a retiring collection will be in aid of the Martlets Hospice and St Laurence Church.
CONVERSATION: I had a really delightful conversation last week, with someone who has lived in the village since 1952. We were both reminiscing about how the village looked many years ago before the new road was built and when Joy Bennett and her husband would help the Blackman’s on their land, which is now where the new stadium is being built. Joy remembers when Bert Blackman would work the land with a horse and plough and his nephew would call out ‘wait for me Uncle Bert, wait’ and Adrian Plowman, who is now a strapping tall young man, would proudly walk by the side of his uncle. What a picture that would have been. Joy was moved out of her house Yew Tree Cottage, in 1975 when the road was built and the houses on the south side of Middle Street were demolished but the yew tree still remains. Something I did not know was that those houses had cellars where they would store their winter logs. How things have changed.

GLYNDE/BEDDINGHAM
LATE CHEMIST: Today (Friday) Wyborns. Monday to Friday, Bakers.
CHURCH: The service on Sunday is Morning Prayer 10.15am at Glynde.
SOCIAL CLUB: World Folk Music from The Contraband, tonight, Friday, 8pm.
TREE PLANTING: The parish council together with the Glynde Estates are planting copper beeches, Norway maples and Kanzan cherries around the edges of the recreation ground, as part of a larger scheme of tree planting throughout the village, over the next four years. The plan of the proposed planting scheme for this year will be placed in the social club window during February.
MONDAY CLUB: The clubs Christmas Lunch, held at Caburn Tea Rooms on December 17 by kind permission of Phil and Rosie Norris, was enjoyed by all and a great success.
SNOW: Well the snow seems to have gone again for now, first we were all enchanted by it and by the time it went generally glad to see the back of it. Seeing all the school closures reminded me of the time when at the age of about six I was at Firle School and by the time the school bus was due to take us home we were well and truly snowed in and the bus didn't come. I, having never slept away from home was in a bit of a panic about what we would do but community spirit being what it is in our villages meant that Mrs Hollingdale and Mrs Morley, both mums with several children of their own took us all in gave us their children's pyjamas, fed us and put us to bed. I remember a big bowl of porridge in the morning before our dads arrived and carried us on their shoulders back to Glynde which makes me think it must have been a Saturday. It was a great adventure and I think about it every time we have a bit of snow. It was much more fun than being sent home early.
UNFORTUNATELY due to being ill I was unable to write the Pump during January, however if you have any belated news you would like published please let me know, also many thanks to everyone who phoned, called in or offered to help, I really appreciated it.

LEWES
U3A: Lewes Lectures 2010 - How Was It For You? Ordinary people tell the story of the NHS over 60 years. Linda Lamont and Fran McCabe, 2.30pm Thursday at the Council Chamber, Lewes Town Hall. Lewes Lectures are free and all are welcome.
BRIDGE: Tuesday Championship Pairs played January 12 and 19: 1, Mike Keeping and Janet Cattermole; 2, Ron and Margaret Buddery; 3, Alan Vandersluis and Bryan Twaites. Tuesday January 26 Duplicate Pairs: 1, Meic Goodyear and Roy Skan; 2, Jill Higham and Sheila Cripps; 3, Richard Burnett and Ann Butterfield. Thursday January 28 Duplicate Pairs; 1, Janet Cattermole and Micky Lodge; 2, Alan Disney and Adela Thomas; 3, Frank Hibbert and Roy Skan.
The AGM of Lewes Bridge Club will be held on Saturday March 6 at 12.30pm, Lecture Room, Lewes Town Hall. Lewes Bridge Club meets Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons. Contact number 01273 473026.
COFFEE MORNING: Lewes District Seniors Forum will hold a coffee morning on Thursday February 18 from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Cliffe Community Hall. Tea, coffee and biscuits are free. The Forum wants to hear the views of its members and others about issues relating to older people in Lewes District. Points can be made and questions raised with representatives and service providers for older people including the Falls Prevention Service and the Lewes Older People's Housing Strategy Group. For more information phone 01273 603576/478470 or 07947 422897. See the Forum website www.lewesdistrictseniors.org.uk.
FOOTPATHS GROUP: A frosty, grey day greeted the start of our four mile walk round Arlington reservoir. From the pub’s car park in Arlington, 19 of us took the bridleway beside St Pancras Church across fields through a flock of sheep towards the lane by Raylands Farm. We stopped to admire an unusual and beautifully executed wooden counterbalanced stile. Turning left along the lane, we followed a track round Sessingham Farm. A long, gentle incline around fields brought us to the reservoir’s Osprey Trail, which we followed round the north side of the reservoir. As the sun began to shine, the frozen ground thawed and the mud slowed our progress. The grassland areas here are managed wildflower meadows, and trees are routinely coppiced to provide shelter for wildlife. At the southernmost point, we sat at picnic tables for a coffee break and enjoyed the views back across the water. Thanks to South East Water for the luxury of running hot water in the toilet building. We continued with the reservoir on the left, round Polhills Farm, following an intensely muddy track, and at Farmhouse Corner turned along the access road on top of the dam wall. From this exposed high path there were good views towards the backdrop of the Downs, but a stiff north west wind made the water choppy. Over the years, the reservoir has become a popular wintering site for many birds from northern countries, so, at the end of the dam, we made a detour to the shelter of the bird hide and spent a while out of the wind watching the wildfowl. Had we had binoculars, we would probably have seen widgeon, mallard, shoveler. Leaving the dam we descended across fields, strewn with empty mussel shells, onto a path towards a gated metal bridge over the Cuckmere. Crossing a stile, and then a footbridge, we climbed towards Arlington’s Saxon Church, set among hummocks and hollows thought to mark the sites of former medieval dwellings. Walking through the churchyard, which is a nature conservation area, we came to the lane leading to back the car park at the village inn, for lunch round a blazing log fire.
Our next walk will be on Sunday at Copthorne. Meet at Brook Street car park in good time for a prompt 9.30am start. Non-members are most welcome on this or any of our walks. Copies of our programme are available from the Lewes Tourist Information Centre and our web site www.lewesfootpathsgroup.org.uk.
HISTORY GROUP: Our first meeting of 2010 will be at 7.30pm on Monday, when Jim Etherington will tell us about the history of Lewes Bonfire. The meeting will be in the King's Church Building, Brooks Road. All are welcome. Entry £2.

MALLING
SCHOOL: Last Saturday there was a music themed quiz night, in aid of the Friends of South Malling School. I found out my knowledge of musical lyrics could be written on the back of a postage stamp, and a very small one at that. Anyway, the church team came a respectable 'middle of the bottom half’, as someone the following Sunday put it rather diplomatically. Many congrats to the winning team, and to the fancy dress contestants. I can honestly say I wouldn’t have wished to meet the winner on a dark night around the estate, being a sort of combination of the Grim Reaper and Dracula. It was a very well supported evening, and a retiring collection was taken in aid of the Haiti victims, so many thanks to everyone involved in running this event and in taking part. We look forward to the next one.
SOUTH MALLING CHURCH: On Sunday there is the usually monthly informal family service at 10am, combined with a Christening, and all visitors are very welcome.
SUSSEX HARMONY: If you once sung in a choir, or fancy having a try at community singing, then every Thursday this choir practice at Malling Church from 8pm. They sing what is known as West Gallery Music, which involves a lot of singing with gusto, ending frequently with refreshments at a local Harvey’s hostelry. It’s all quite informal with the emphasis on making the singing as fun as possible, so do come along and give it a go. Their website if you want more info is www.sussexharmony.org.uk

MOBILE LIBRARY
THE LIBRARY will be visiting the following areas this week. Tuesday: The Bull car park, Ditchling 10.35am to 10.55am; Dumbrell’s Court, Ditchling 11.15am to 11.45am; The Fountain car park, Plumpton 12.10pm to 12.45pm; Old School lay-by, Plumpton 12.50pm to 1.20pm; Grantham Close, Chailey 2.25pm to 2.50pm; Chandler’s Mead, Cooksbridge 3pm to 3.45pm; Delves House, Delves Close, Ringmer 4.15pm to 4.45pm. Thursday: Opposite the Post Office, Firle 9.15am to 10am; Weald View, Barcombe 10.45am to 11.15am; Mill Lane, Chailey 11.45am to 12.05pm; Markstakes Corner, Chailey 12.15pm to 12.40pm; South Rough, Newick 1.50pm to 2.20pm; Oldaker, Newick 2.25pm to 2.55pm.

NEVILL
COTTAGE PLAYGROUP would like to thank the organisations of Lewes who supported their Christmas Raffle this year. The Christmas party was cancelled due to deep snow much to the disappointment of the children but on return to playgroup after Christmas, a New Year’s party was held where the raffle raised a record £120. Thanks again to all those who supported them. Continuing with the fund-raising they would like to announce a table top sale at St Mary's Social Centre tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 2pm. There will be 18 tables of top quality goods including rails of clothes, children's toys, CDs, computer games, bric-a-brac, cakes and refreshments. Do come along to see what bargains you can pick up. St Mary's Social Centre is in Christie Road Lewes.
CHRIST CHURCH will be welcoming the Rev Nigel Uden, who is currently the moderator of the United Reformed Church Southern Synod, to conduct worship on Sunday at 10.30am. On Friday February 12 the monthly Friendship Lunch will be held between noon and 1.15pm. All welcome to both.
WALLANDS: Thanks to Palain and Lauren for this news from their school .This week we had our table top sale to raise money for the Haiti Earthquake Disaster Fund. We managed to raise £429.17 so far but still have not got a total amount of funds raised as we still have money coming in from non school uniform day and other sponsored events around the school. The whole school had a great day raising money for a very worthy cause. There were a lot of teachers sporting some very strange hair styles. Our athletics team went to Burgess Hill for the county finals against nine other regions in East and West Sussex and they came fifth so well done to them. On Thursday we have our Brighton and Hove Albion football player coming to visit. Also we have an inset day on Friday February 12.
MY BLOG: Despite (out of absolute necessity) mastering many skills with my reluctant left hand I am still unable to open crisp and biscuit packets or the biscuit tin. You can imagine my frustration during long hours at home on my own but the upside is that it’s nice to be able to fit into those jeans again! Before you say it - using my teeth is not an option as I dread breaking anything else. Another positive is that I now realise how many hours I have wasted in the past ironing clothes that didn’t need to be ironed. I look forward to a better use of that time in the future. Good things are bizarrely emerging from this broken arm experience! For the past few days I have been walking with trepidation on the Downs avoiding anything that looks remotely slippery but with a promise of best behaviour from Mick it’s been good to be out. I had a lovely surprise when I spotted a green woodpecker feeding on the field near the sheep last week. I thought it was a gull at first until it took off and instead of flying back to the trees as I expected it to it swooped across the field with its distinctive woodpecker flight to another spot. It may not sound like an amazing thing to have seen but it was an amazing bit of bird spotting for me.
DOG BLOG: I have just found out that not all dogs have to answer a question correctly to get their bedtime biscuit. In fact having made some enquiries I might be the only one. They are usually mathematical or scientific questions and not easy I can tell you. I struggle to remember Pythagoras’s theorem and multiplication sums that venture into the hundreds but usually if Chris sees my brow furrowing into a puzzled look he helps me by turning it into a multiple choice for example What is Einstein’s theory of relativity or shake hands? I’ve never missed a biscuit yet so Eggheads here I come. Chris says it will be spellings next week.

NEWHAVEN
NEW PLAY SCHOOL: I was invited to visit Newhaven’s newest play-school last week. Although owner Jane Lucas knew me she checked before I was allowed through the door that I had been cleared by CRB and asked me for photographic ID. Noah’s Ark Nursery School and Day Care has brightened up the dilapidated building opposite the Pet Shop in Newhaven High Street and the inside is even nicer than the outside. It caters for children between 2 and 5 years old and when I visited they had just come back from a gym session in the Baptist Church hall. In the school holidays they will offer a play scheme for children up to 8 years old. They are planning an open day in the spring but you can get further details and a brochure now by contacting Jane on 07917 196532.
HAVENS ADVICE CLUB offers free independent specialist advice on housing, debt and welfare benefits. The advice is available through trained and qualified CAB and BHT staff at Summerhayes, Marshall Lane (near Arrow Tyres). For an appointment call Summerhayes on 01273 612360.
KNIT AND NATTER GROUP meets on Mondays from 2pm to 4pm in the Cafe, Hillcrest Centre. It offers friendly support for knitting enthusiasts, all ages and stages of ability welcomed and there are no fees or subscriptions. Bring along your knitting and enjoy refreshments in the cafe. Beginners are welcome and there is wheelchair access. For further details telephone 01273 516722 or 01323 890205.
PRAYER EVENING Monday, St Michael’s Church, Newhaven. Meet and pray in the church hall from 7.45pm to 9.15pm.
UNDER 5s SWIM organised by Denton Island Community Centre takes place at Seahaven Leisure Centre on Tuesday between 10.15am and 11.30am. £1.50 per adult, children under 5 years old free. For details contact Priscilla Peacock on 01273 582511.
QUIZ NIGHT Wednesday, Flying Fish, Denton. £9.95 per person including two course meal. Details on website www.flyingfishdenton.com or telephone 01273 515440.
BEETLE DRIVE run by Ladies Break at Age Concern Day Club, West Quay. Thursday at 7.30pm all welcome. For details telephone 01273 514858.
ANTI-VALENTINE: An evening for singles or those who hate the saccharin of Valentine’s Day, or those who just want a jolly good evening out. The Ark, West Quay, Saturday February 13 from 8pm. Live Bon Jovi Tribute Band, Bad Medicine. Dress to impress for this fun evening, no admission charge or tickets.

NEWICK
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The first meeting is on Thursday at 7.15pm for 8pm in the village hall when Reg Lanaway will give an illustrated talk on Through the Seasons in a Sussex Woodland. Admission £2, all profits go to the Village Hall Fund. Do come and join us. Membership subscriptions are now due. £7 covers a family subscription for the year, or for vice president a subscription of £8 or upwards. You can renew on the night before the talk.
VALENTINE'S DANCE: Newick Bonfire Society, Valentine's Dance next Saturday, February 13, in the village hall, 7.30pm for 8pm. Once again dancing to the versatile live band Alter Ego. Tickets £20 including supper (same price as last year) available from 723372 or 723233. It was a fantastic evening last year, so why not join us again.

PEACEHAVEN
DANCING TASTER: Have you got talent? Perhaps you are passionate about dancing, singing or drama. Well Harlequin Studios are holding an open week from Monday, to Saturday February 13 when you can try out any of their classes in ballet, tap, modern, dance, singing, drama, jazz, contemporary, adult tap, street, disco, ballroom and Latin. To find out more about developing your ability in any of these arts more information about the week is available by telephoning 01273 581742.
COUNCILLOR’S SURGERY: The first surgery this year will be held by town, district and county councillors on Saturday February 12 in the Meridian Centre from 10am to 11am. This is an opportunity to discuss one to one any local issues that may be concerning you. It is a drop in event so no prior appointment is required.
TWINNING ASSOCIATION: The next social event for members is on the evening of Thursday February 18. There is a visit to Brighton Greyhound Racing Stadium including dinner. Please let Roy or Sue know by Thursday February 11 if you want to go. New members are always welcome.
COUNCIL MEETINGS: There are no council committee meetings next Tuesday. The next scheduled meeting in the Anzac Room, Meridian Centre is for the planning and highways committee on Tuesday February 16 starting at 6.30pm.
MORNING MARKET: The Peacehaven Players are holding the Saturday market in the Community Hall, Meridian Centre tomorrow, Saturday, from 8.30am till midday. Next week’s market will be run by the Peacehaven and District Twinning Association and will have a Valentine’s Day theme. To book a table for this market contact them on 01273 585789.
COFFEE MORNING: Today, Friday there is a coffee morning in the Meridian Centre foyer being run by the local Access Group. On Tuesday Harlequin Studios will be serving teas and coffees. Behind the counter on Thursday it will be the Seahaven Scout Fellowship followed on Friday February 12 by the Meridian Evening WI, who no doubt will also be providing a range of those delicious cakes for which the Women’s Institute are so famous.
MP’s SURGERY: Your local Member of Parliament, Dr Des Turner will hold his monthly surgery tomorrow, Saturday, in the Meridian Centre between 11.15am and 12.15pm with a face to face chat. This is a drop-in clinic and no prior appointment is required.
COMPUTER TROUBLE: When I had trouble with my computer I invited the 11 year old boy next door to come round. His bedroom looks more like Mission Control. He just clicked a couple of buttons and the problem was solved. As he walked away I called after him 'So what was wrong?' To which he replied, 'An ID ten T error'. Not wishing to appear stupid I said 'What’s that, in case I need to fix it again' He grinned, 'Haven’t you ever heard of an ID ten T error before'. I admitted I hadn’t. 'Write it down', he said 'and I think you will figure it out'. So I wrote down: I D I O T. To think I used to like the lad once.

PLUMPTON
MORE JUMBLE: There will be a sale in the village hall tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm. Organised by Windmill Rangers, part of the Guiding group, there will be refreshments, cakes etc. Take donations of jumble to the hall during the morning or ring 01273 890345 to arrange collection. There are unlikely to be as many jumble sales in future as the village hall committee has decided that no organisation may hold more that one sale per annum to prevent overkill.
SAD NEWS: Ray Harland, former resident of Plumpton Green and groundsman at Plumpton Racecourse for a number of years, has passed away. I understand that the funeral has taken place.
PARISH COUNCIL: Plumpton Parish Council holds its next meeting in the village hall on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
TAKE CARE: Work to provide the new basketball court at the playing field is due to start next week. The area adjoins the children’s play area, so adults should be alert and keep special watch over youngsters in their care. They should watch out for themselves, too.
BEWARE: Some locals have received telephone calls from a company calling itself Crime Research UK, claiming to ring because of the upsurge in burglary in Sussex and telling at least one householder he had been selected to receive a high tech alarm free of charge. Beware as this could be part of a nationwide scam that has fleeced people out of large sums of money for systems that are third rate, if that good. Go to www.thestar.co.uk/action/calls-ring-alarms-bells.5821797.jp. It is an eye opener. I am one who has received a call from a very pushy salesman who tried to insist he was offering free advice with home inspection and not trying to sell anything. Pull the other one – it’s got alarm bells on it! The caller will have your name and address, but remember that this is easily obtainable simply by trawling the telephone directory, where your telephone number also invariably comes from. Remember the advice from Trading Standards. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
GARDENS AT WORK: On Wednesday the talk at the WI will be entitled The History and Work of Kew Gardens. Remember, our local Wakehurst Place is part of Kew. Guests and visitors are welcome to join in at the village hall at 7.30pm.
LOCAL HISTORY: On Thursday the Archaeology and Local History Group will be in the village hall to listen to a talk about Sussex by the Sea. Ring Gill Brunt on 01273 890137 if interested in joining in with the group.
SHARE YOUR HOBBY: The Village Action Plan is organising a Hobbies Showcase on March 7 in the village hall between noon and 3pm. You are invited to put on a display about your particular hobby so that people can see just how interesting and varied the range can be. A similar event some years ago was a great success with both visitors and exhibitors. Ring Beverley Barrell on 01273 891981 or Frances Barter on 01273 890421 if interested in taking part. For visitors it will be well worth a visit and will be a great social event with refreshments available. Note the date now.
STEP OUT: Plumpton Footpath Society will be off out on Sunday meeting at Pound Common car park (TQ378 208) at 2pm. Then off through Pound Common, Bineham Wood, the Moat, Long Wood, the Hook towards Popjoy Wood, Cottage Wood, Townings Farm and Chailey Common. A nice, local jaunt of about 3½ miles and all are welcome along. If you need to know more ring 01825 723716.
SELL OUT: Such is the popularity of the Sussex Express that all copies have been sold from our village shop by Saturday on at least a couple of weeks recently. Bim and Fal have promised to increase their supply so we will hopefully not be disappointed again. I shall be checking up on them.
GROUND DOWN: Plumpton Rugby Club hosted a last minute change of venue, with Newick's pitch unplayable. Despite home advantage, it was Newick that came away with a scrappy win 15-10. Plumpton never looked like losing this game, but a straight forward centre try 20 minutes from time put the nail in the coffin of an unforgettable game for Plumpton.
FIRST AID: The Village Action Plan has arranged a basic first aid course for Monday in the village hall at 2pm. It will cover First Aid equipment, avoiding cross infection. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, attending unconscious patients, emergency aid in case of heart attack, stroke, asthma, broken bones and more. There are two places available on the course which is being funded by VAP. Anyone interested please contact Jo Balchin on 01273 890622.

RINGMER
SATURDAY CLUB: This meets again tomorrow, Saturday, in the Church Room commencing at 10am. This is for all children of primary school age.
MEN'S CLUB: At its meeting on Tuesday, in the Church Room commencing at 7.30pm. Mark Powles will be giving at first hand his experiences last year taking part in his 1st London marathon. Mark was running on behalf of the British Legion.
TALK: On Thursday, DELTA is hosting a visit from a representative of the Sussex Air Ambulance and as this is an open meeting you are most welcome to attend. The meeting will commence at 1.15pm and tea/coffee will be available. A raffle is being held in aid of the Sussex Air Ambulance so it is hoped that this meeting will be well supported.
THE NO COLD CALLING Zone for Ringmer is to be decided on at the parish council meeting on Thursday, commencing at 7.30pm to be attended by representatives from Trading Standards, Neighbourhood Watch, etc. The public are always most welcome to attend these meetings.
JUMBLE SALE: This will be held in the village hall on Saturday, February 13 commencing at 2pm. Please bring jumble to the hall between 10am and 11am.
RINGMER U3A: Two new groups have been formed. The French Group will meet on Tuesday at 10am at Charlton, Lewes Road. Please contact Peter on 813638 for details. The Gardening Group will meet on Tuesday, February 16 at 2.30pm at The Old Bakehouse, Lewes Road. Details from Sue on 814597. New members will be welcome at both meetings. Advance notice of three talks on The Development of The English Language being held at 10.15am.on Tuesdays February 9 and 16 and March 23 in the village hall. All welcome.
SCAMS: East Sussex County Council Trading Standards, with other agencies, remains very concerned that local residents are being targeted by scammers. They are committed to preventing these crimes and dealing with the perpetrators. For general advice about scams please contact Consumer Direct on 08454-040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty. If you come across someone who you think is a victim of a scam or are a victim yourself please contact 01323 463466 or visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/consumeradvice and click on 'scams, fraud and product alerts'. Scams are very prevalent these days and are often aimed at the elderly and vulnerable. I personally know someone who was a victim of a foreign lottery scam and lost a considerable amount of money so do not be taken in by false promises.

RODMELL/SOUTHEASE
THE UNITED SERVICE at Southease on Sunday, which has now joined our Benefice, was very well attended, and most of us were able to cope with nearly all the hymns. There was just one unfamiliar one, where most of the people in our line sort of musical muttered. People do love to have a good sing with tunes they know.
ADRIAN ORCHARD of Southease PCC now writes in our church magazine so we can keep up with what's going on in Southease.
THE SNOWDROPS need a few more sunny days to be at their best but they are always a picture.
ALADDIN: The Rodmell Stage Company did a great job on this years panto, Aladdin, which was held in our village hall. We went on Friday night and thoroughly enjoyed it. The audience were not quick on the up-take on the jokes but that could have been because it seemed ot be mainly people from outside the village. It was probably full of actual villagers on the Saturday and Sunday performances. Aladdin, played by Joanna Wettern was great, you could hear every word she said very clearly. Widow Twanky played by our permanent Panto Dame Paul Mellor, gave her all in more ways than one and the Empress played by Paul's daughter Libby was also great. Libby is so obviously a chip off the old block. The whole Smart family took part with gusto and Major Domo played by Peter Foster with his dry humour was as usual a great success. Abanaza played by Jim Roberts, he of the great height and deep voice, stirred terror into the hearts of the audience and Tori Joyce, she of the ever smiling face, played the Princess very successfully. We have a new lady, Sam Penn, who played the Genie of the Ring and has taken the place of Sophie to set men's hearts a flutter. It would take too long to comment on the rest of the cast so all I can say is you all did a mighty fine job. Let's not forget all those loyal helpers behind the scenes who gave up their time to make sure all ran smoothly. A big thank you to them as it wouldn't be possible without them.
AGM: Don't forget the horticultural society AGM at 7.30pm in the village hell when Rosie Lloyd the East Sussex organiser for the National garden Scheme (the yellow book) will be giving an illustrated talk on the secret Gardens of East Sussex. It will cost £3 single/£5 couples/families to renew your membership for the year. Members renewing at the AGM will be entitled to up to five packets of free seeds. Don't forget membership cards can also be used to obtain reductions at Paradise Park garden Centre. Advance notice of categories for the spring show to be held on March 27: Flower Arrangements – A jug of spring flowers; Blue and White; a floating arrangement. Photos – Snow; Your Favourite Photo; Wildlife; Young people photo class – Your Favourite Photo. For the summer show the photo classes will be: Rodmell Skyscape; By the Sea; A Photo with a Humorouse Caption.
BIRDS: My writing about Cirl Buntings seems to have started up something as now a lady in Newhaven says she had to consult her bird book and that came up with Cirl Bunting. She had some in her garden last week. Maybe they are on the move from the south west. We have lots of robins and wrens around lately, also our sparrows, both hedge and house seem to be increasing.
CD: John Dartnell, our local Thespian and musician, has just had a new CD released in America called The Feelings Of A Fool and it seems to be doing well with radio plays and is now getting radio plays across Europe. One radio station in Germany did a special feature on the album last Tuesday. The physical CD and downloads are available through a company called www.reverbnation.com/johndartnell. They have started producing T-shirts and things with John's face on them, which he finds really amusing. Downloads of the album are also available from most download sites including I Tunes. John is still doing his radio shows on alternate Sundays, for the radio station North Carolina. His next show is Sunday February 14, 8pm to 10pm UK time, basically it is just two hours of music, madness, and mayhem but his American audience seem to thoroughly enjoy it. You can hear the show live here on the Internet at www.soundmachinenc.com. The radio station won Internet Station of the Year for 2009, by an American music magazine called New Music Weekly. John actually had a single in the New Music Weekly Indie Chart for 15 weeks last year, it peaked at number 9 which he thought was pretty good going.
STEVEN DEAN had an unexpected job to do recently. He delivered his own bay daughter, at home, much to the relief of his wife Tasha. Elouise was born on Thursday January 21 and I hear made a visit to our pub soon after to have her head wetted. Congratulations to the happy parents.

SEAFORD
CONGRATULATIONS: Well done to Seahaven FM who have now been broadcasting 24 hours a day since February 1, 2008. Our local radio station broadcasts on the internet but now has a licence to go on air. They are awaiting allocation of a radio band and hope to be on the air in the next few weeks. In the mean time I have found that I can get Seahaven FM via an app on my i-phone so I can listen to local news wherever I go.
FOLK CLUB: Tonight, Friday, the folk club will be meeting at the Royal British Legion Club from 8pm. It is a Singers and Musicians night when a multitude of people perform. This has been a popular event in the past so please turn up and take part.
BRING AND BUY: Tomorrow, Saturday, will be a Bring and Buy Sale at the Mercread Youth Centre in Mercread Road at 10am. There will be a raffle with refreshments and all money raised will go towards the Disaster Emergency Committee Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
RUGBY: Seaford Rugby Football Club take on Crawley in the Sussex Shield tomorrow, Saturday, at 2.30pm. The match takes place at the Salts and I am sure that they could do with your support.
FOOTBALL: Seaford Town Football Club will also be in action tomorrow, Saturday, when they play Wick in the John O’Hara Cup at the Crouch. The match kicks off at 3pm.
RADIO SUSSEX: On Monday our Mayor, Tracy Willis will be taking part in a radio programme called Wag Time due to go on air at noon on BBC Radio Sussex. I understand that this is the local radio equivalent of Loose Women so it may be interesting to tune in.
MORE FOOTBALL: The poor players of Seaford Town Football have yet another home match, this time at 7.45pm on Tuesday when they play Westfield in the league. This will be a floodlit match at the Crouch so if you are going dress up warmly.
NATURAL HISTORY: Seaford Natural History Society will be holding their AGM at the St Luke’s Centre at Chyngton at 2.15pm on Thursday. There will be member’s contributions on a variety of subjects. I wonder if the members have read my two recent history items in this paper about Seaford’s very own natural historian the Rev Robert Dennis?
COUNCIL MEETING:There will be a meeting of Seaford Town Council Finance and General Purpose Committee at 37, Church Street on Thursday at 7pm. Members of the public are welcome and questions can be asked at the beginning of the meeting.
YOUNG MAYOR: Students at Seaford Head Community College have been voting this week for the election of a Young Mayor. I believe it is important to get our young people involved in politics so that they grow up knowing that they have a voice to change things. It will also help them gain a sense of civic pride.
HANDYMAN GRANT: If you are over 65 and have savings of less than £23,000 (£46,000 for a couple) did you know that you maybe entitled to a grant of up to £200 to help with small repairs around the house? Further details are available from East Sussex County Council’s Supporting People team on 01273 482805.

TELSCOMBE
ROTARY CLUB: Newhaven and District Rotary Club raised the grand sum of £2,176 in their Christmas collections at Sainsburys in Newhaven. Shoppers are thanked for their generosity and the manager of Sainsburys is also thanked for allowing the club to collect at the store. Members did find some of the sessions very chilly but were buoyed up by the cheerful comments of people arriving at the store.
ALSO, the Newhaven Rotary Club has sent a Shelter Box to help in Haiti. The Shelter Boxes contain a 10 man tent with 10 sleeping bags and facilities for cooking, heating, lighting and a water purification system at a cost £490. The box itself can also be used to keep supplies dry.
MINI-MARKET: Worldwide Rotary Day is on February 23 and the Newhaven club is running a mini-market at the Meridian Centre on Saturday February 20. If anyone would like a stall, please contact Iris Donaldson on 01273 611241.
COUNCILLORS' SURGERY: This will be held at Telscombe Civic Centre tomorrow, Saturday , from 10am to 11am. This is your opportunity to discuss local issues with your town or district councillor. There is usually a district or county councillor present too. Please make the most of this opportunity to meet your town councillor and come along tomorrow. No appointment is necessary.
COFFEE MORNING: Telscombe Residents Association also holds a coffee morning on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to 11am at Telscombe Civic Centre to coincide with the monthly councillors’ surgery. A representative from the residents association will be there for an informal discussion regarding the issues that matter to you and your town.
TELSCOMBE CLIFFS WI will be holding their monthly meeting at the Telscombe Civic Centre from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday. New members are always welcome. For any queries or more details please telephone Pat Gray on 01273 583778.

Uckfield edition

BODLE STREET GREEN
CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday, St John’s Bodle Street, 9.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion. St Mary’s Warbleton, 8am Holy Communion, 10.45am Family Service.
WI: Unfortunately, the New Year’s Lunch planned for January 12 at The White Horse Inn had to be cancelled owing to icy conditions. However, a meeting was arranged for January 28 at Scolfe’s Restaurant and a good number of members were able to attend and enjoy an excellent tea. The speaker for the meeting on February 9, at 2.30pm, will be John Proctor whose talk is entitled A wrinkly goes back-packing in New Zealand.
PARISH COUNCIL: There have been problems with some of the new road name signs around Redpale/North Road and Shrieks/Shrikes Lane. The council is working to solve these. In the public adjournment Bryan Gibson reported problems with the road drains near St John’s church which caused a large sheet of ice outside the entrance to the church. The next parish walk would start from the White Horse Inn, Bodle Street, at 9.30am on Saturday February 20. For other matters, please see the Warbleton section. The next meeting is at 7pm on February 18 in the Dunn Village Hall.

BURWASH
TEA/COFFEE: Thank you to everyone who supported the events held last week end for the Admiral Nurses. The coffee morning held at the new pavilion at Burwash Common raised a fabulous £500. This was followed by a tea party at Mount House which made another £461. Also organiser Ruth Tomkins' daughter invited friends to lunch and raised another £100. This gives them another £1,000 towards their funds. Keep your eyes pealed for future events.
FLOWERS: The Burwash and district flower arrangement club have their next meeting on Monday at the village hall from 2.15pm. The first part of the meeting will be their AGM. This will be quickly followed by an Imposed Workshop, when members will take part but this time with a slight twist to the format. It is hoped that all members will go along, and new members and visitors are welcome too. For more information call Maureen Jenner on 01435 882045.
BLG: The Burwash ladies group have their next meeting on Wednesday at 2.30pm at the village hall. After cancelling last months due to the snow they were disappointed to miss the music of Courtney Kenny, and hope to have him entertain them later in the year. This month their guest speaker is Sarah Farnes of Downs Veiw Farm who's talk is I scream for Ice cream. Visitors and new members are welcome, with tea and raffle to finish the afternoon.
SHORT MAT BOWLS: The last match for the Burwash Short Mat Bowls Club was an away fixture at Five Ashes. The triples played first with John Howard, Valerie Cole and Margaret Waterhouse struggled against a strong team and lost 2-25. The other triple Mick Moore (in his first league match) Julie Hawkins and Joan Howard had a good game but lost 8-12. After tea the pairs played with Shirley Pope and Mary Taylor having a tough game which they won 15-13, and Keith and Gavin Wood taking their game 15-10. This gave both teams four league points. The teams next match is away to Pevensey on Monday.
PANTO: Tickets are now available for this years performance by the amateur pantomime society, which is an adaptation by the BAPS members called 'Allo, 'Allo, it's the three musketeers. The first performances will be next Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. with further performances on Friday February 19 at 7.30pm and Saturday February 20 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets can be got from the ticket office at the Burwash Newsagents, they are different prices depending on the day and time of the show.
FOBS: The friends of Burwash Surgery organise transport for patients who do not qualify for hospital transport and who cannot find friends or family to drive them. They urgently need someone to take the requests from the surgery and contact the volunteer drivers. They are looking for someone for a period of one year to start as soon as possible. If you can help contact either Frank Smith on 01580 819326 or Shirley Kerr on 01435 882112.
DARTS: Since the last report, the Bell team have played two away matches. The first against high flying Tenterden started very disappointingly with only Emma Cotgrove winning in the singles to leave the team trailing 5-1. However a fightback ensued with great wins in the doubles for Emma/Barry the Power Taylor and Mike Sherwood/Steve Holliday and a further win in the trebles for Mike/Steve/Laura Barden. Still a defeat by 7-4 but an improvement on the previous result against Tenterden earlier in the season. A pattern has emerged this season for the team with poor results in the singles (often caused by poor finishing on the doubles) followed by better results in the pairs/trebles. If the team could improve the singles results more victories would follow.
The second match to report on was away against The Bull A from Benenden. The first four singles were shared with wins for Mike Sherwood and Laura Barden before Steve Holliday made it 3-2. In the final singles, The Jellyman Glen Hopkins lived up to his nickname with a slightly nervous display and a nightmare on finishing before holding on to narrowly win. Two of the three doubles were won by Mike/Steve (with Steve at one point spectacularly busting a 136 finish T20, T20, single 16) and Glen/Laura. In the trebles, Steve, Emma and Gabor Puskas Kiss made the score 7-3 before the final leg was lost to leave a final score of 7-4 to the Bell, a third win of the season.
So two results with decent points secured as the team battle to get out of the relegation positions. Next up, Sandhurst Club in the league followed by the White Hart, Wadhurst in the Cup.

EAST HOATHLY
PARISH COUNCIL: The next parish council meeting is at 7.15pm in the village hall on February 22 and the next planning meeting is also the same evening at 7pm. At the last parish council meeting approximately 37 people attended who gave their support to the parish council for varying the use of the Long Pond Site to allotments. There were also a few in opposition to this proposal.
CHURCH: The service on Sunday is 11am Parish Communion.
BACON BUTTY CLUB: After the January break the club will meet again on Sunday in the school dining hall at 11am.
AGE CONCERN: The next Bingo session will be on February 18 at 2pm in the village hall. For further information please contact Jean Barnes on 01825 872145.
MOTHERS’ UNION: The AGM is to be held at Peggy Cottingham’s on Monday February 15, and the meeting will commence at 7.30pm. It will end on a less serious note with A Bee In Our Bonnet so please come along and confess to what it is that really irritates you day by day.
TWINNING QUIZ: The East Hoathly and Halland Twinners are holding a quiz evening in the Foresters on Thursday March 4 at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Teams of three to five people, please, and tickets are £10 a head which will include a substantial hot meal, with vegetarian option. Please ring John Graham for further information on 01825 840248 and to book a place, as numbers will be needed to help with the catering. The twinning weekend this year is from Saturday May 1 to Monday May 3 when the group are invited to visit Juziers. The cost is £65 per adult and £15 per child or student. Please let Andrea Goodridge (01825 840476) or John Graham (07939 223413) know as soon as possible if you would like to be part of this trip.
WALK: A reminder that on Sunday the preservation society will be joining forces with REAL (Residents of East Sussex Against Landraise) to walk over Halland Park Farm, one of the areas ESCC are looking at as a potential landraise waste disposal site. Please meet at Laughton Stores at 10.15am. Further details from Chris and Jenny Pellett 01825 872830.
DAVE PAYNE: Sue and family would like to thank everyone for their cards, telephone calls and messages of sympathy on the recent death of Dave. Your kind thoughts were greatly appreciated.
THOMAS TURNER’S DIARY: Friday 6 February 1756: 'This being a day for public fast and humiliation for to implore the blessing of the Almighty on our fleets and armies and to beseech Him, of His infinite and unbounded goodness to spare our nation from the dreadful calamity of an earthquake which hath been lately in many places of the world whereby Lisbon and many other places in Africa have been entirely ruined and brought as it were to desolation, and some slight shocks have also been felt in this our happy nation, and likewise in some of our northern colonies in America, my wife and I was both at church in the morn where we had an excellent sermon on the occasion (by the Rev Mr Tho Porter, M.A.) from psalm 18.3: ‘And the overflowing of ungodliness made ma afraid’…'

HEATHFIELD
HARRY AND ELISE: The scale of this tragedy is so great, it is almost impossible to write about. So I won’t even begin to try. Many other people have done so, and will do so, and there is nothing I can add to inform, explain or describe the events in any way that is meaningful and does not cause more hurt. Suffice to say, Heathfield has reacted to the whole dreadful affair with generosity, sympathy and discretion. Families on their way to school nearby walk their children past quietly, police have been courteous and the floral tributes grow by the day. Everyone I have spoken to in the High Street has shaken their head in bewilderment. Most of us knew the Donnisons and used to see Paul walking the youngsters or pushing them in buggies through the High Street. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
CROSS IN HAND WI: The entertaining and informative speakers this month were cheese mongers, David and Eleanor Robbins, with a selection of delicious cheese for to taste. Local specialities include Old Sussex from Stonegate and Sussex Crumble from Five Ashes. Cheese tasting, like wine tasting, has to be done properly, using all the senses for taste, smell, texture and appearance. To clear the palate, a glass of apple juice was served between tastings. Say Cheese is a Sussex company supplying the best local, British and continental cheeses, their motto is: at better, eat less, shop local, shop quality, support your small local producers and traders and keep the local economy thriving. Tea and cakes were then served by members. Gill Poulton won flower of the month and birthday flowers were presented to Sheila Leswell. Thirty one members attended. The Christmas lunch had to be re-arranged and will now be held at the Buxted Inn today, Friday. Other events to look forward to include a tea for new members on March 3, a summer lunch in Eastbourne; the Heathfield Carnival parade, with the ever-popular cake stall for carnival goers to enjoy afterwards. Next meeting at Cross In Hand village hall on February 24 at 2pm and the talk is called Churchill and Chartwell given by Mrs Woodward. Cross in Hand is a friendly group and always pleased to welcome new members. Find out more by telephoning: 01435 863881 or visit the W.I. website at www.esfwi.org.uk
CAB: Wealden Citizens Advice has been able to help an additional 673 clients since March 2009, when it received extra funding to extend its opening hours as part of a £10m boost from the Government. The funding was split between over 320 Bureaux across England and Wales to help them extend the vital service they provide and ensure even more people benefit from receiving free, independent and impartial advice during a time of recession. The Citizens Advice service has seen a large increase in enquiries linked to the downturn, with sharp rises in people seeking advice on debt, redundancy, benefits, mortgage and fuel arrears. The service, which celebrated its 70th birthday last year, recently announced that between July and September 2009 debt problems were up by 26 percent (to 573,000) compared with the same three months last year (455,296), confirming debt as the number one issue for CAB clients across England and Wales. Benefit and tax credit enquiries were up 24 percent (to 517,000). Debt and benefit problems, currently growing at an annual rate of 21 percent due to the recession, account for over 60 percent of the CAB workload. Wealden Citizens Advice chief executive, Caroline Mack said: 'The extra funding we received from the Government has helped us provide advice services to a lot more clients over the last few months than we would normally have the capacity to see. The period after Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people, so if you are struggling with debt or other problems now is the time to get help. We will continue to provide our extended service for the immediate future and are committed to seeing as many people as we possibly can.' As a result of extending its opening hours and thanks to a successful bid to East Sussex County Council’s Recession Fund, Wealden Citizens Advice is looking for more volunteers at its three bureaux in Hailsham, Crowborough and Uckfield, to help with the increase in clients. They also run a drop in weekly service at the State Hall, Heathfield. The money from the Recession Fund will provide full training and help to recruit more advisers throughout East Sussex to cope with the effects of the recession upon the people of the County. Volunteer advisers come from all walks of life and train for many different reasons but all are rewarded with the knowledge that they have been able to help people work out the answers to their problems. Adviser training courses will be starting soon across the district so if you are interested in volunteering with Wealden Citizens Advice please call Pauline on 01323 440323 for an informal chat. As well as becoming advisers, volunteers can also help out with reception, IT, admin, marketing, fundraising and social policy duties. Wealden Citizens Advice is particularly in need of a volunteer to help out with IT on an ad hoc basis across the district. Please call Caroline on 01825 762807 if you are interested in this role.
WILDLIFE TRUST: I know we are some distance away but the Trust is looking for volunteers to lend a helping hand with school children visiting its education centre at Seven Sisters Country Park (near Seaford) during term time. If you like working with children and are keen to share your enjoyment of the countryside with others then why not consider joining the team. Regular commitment is appreciated, but this could be as little as one day each month or as often as four days a week between March and July. You don’t have to be an expert but some knowledge or an interest in wildlife is useful. However, you do need to enjoy being outside, as most of your time will be spent out-of-doors.

MAYFIELD/FIVE ASHES
FEBRUARY WINTERFEST: This month sees Mayfield’s inaugural Winterfest indoor ice skating experience. It will run from Friday, February 19 to Tuesday, February 23. Mayfield’s Memorial Hall will be turned into a winter wonderland with a synthetic ice rink as the central feature. People who have skated on these rinks say they are just as good as the real thing. Tickets for the event, organised to raise money for the new Mayfield Village Centre, will be affordable and include ice skate hire. Organisers are allocating special reserved times for schools and local youth groups like Cubs, Beavers, Scouts and Guides. They also hope to be able to offer parent and toddler skating time, family time and teenager time. Winterfest will also feature a café serving hot drinks, cakes, soft drinks and snacks. Parents who don’t want to skate themselves will enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate while their children skate. The rink will keep everyone dry and warm regardless of the weather. Ice stewards will be on hand as well as first aiders to ensure everyone stays safe. Tickets are available online and can also be bought in Burnetts Estate Agents on the High Street. Look in next week’s Parish Pump for more details. This is being organised by the group raising money to pay for the new Mayfield Memorial Hall. Business sponsors are also wanted, if you would like to advertise around the ice rink get in touch via the website on: www.mayfieldvillagecentre.co.uk
The committee raised £1,900 for the centre from the season charity concert in November.
PRESENTATIONS: The Mayfield and Five Ashes Society will be making representations at a public enquiry regarding the diversion of footpath 13C which is part of the path between Mayfield village and Piccadilly Lane. This open public meeting will be held at the Memorial Hall on February 24 at 10am.
OPEN DOOR offers a confidential information service for the whole community. If anyone is new to the area or just wants to find out about something, they can help with a wide range of local and national information. Subjects covered include benefits, transport and local facilities. Every Wednesday between 9.30am and 11.30am a visiting Citizens’ Advice Bureau adviser is available to talk to people on a drop-in basis. Open Door is at London House on Mayfield High Street. For information ring 01435 873903.
MAYFIELD Post Office now offers a range of pay-as-you-go mobile phone SIM cards for major networks, some of which include phone credit pre-loaded. Full details from the shop.
COMMUNITY CARS: Do you need transport to hospitals, doctors, dentists or other medical appointments? Do you live within the parish boundary of Mayfield and Five Ashes? If so, find out about this service from the transport administrator on 01435 874788 by ringing between 9am dnd 10.30am and 5pm and 6pm Mondays to Thursdays.

UCKFIELD
JURY SERVICE: I’ve finished my jury service, thank goodness. I hated it. I was physically sick the night we gave our verdict. It’s given me a great respect for barristers and judges who have to sit through harrowing cases week after week.
THE UCKFIELD SINGERS will be presenting a programme of popular songs at Holy Cross Church on Friday February 26 at 7.30pm. Entrance is free, but you have to pay to get out. There will be a collection. The church clock is going to cost around £30,000 for repairs, so they need to raise as much money as possible. Check out www.globalwebcreations.co.uk/uckfieldsingers. The Uckfield Singers are currently looking for more male singers. The next big concert is in July.
USEFUL WEBSITES: As you probably know by now, I love entering competitions. But there are some cruel scams around all the time. Never part with money or (shudder) bank details, not even for delivery fees. When in doubt, check out www.consumerdirect.co.uk/scamnesty. If you get scam mail, there is now a bin available in Uckfield for this rubbish. Loads of companies now have 0870 numbers. These often have recorded messages to make your call longer. The company makes a profit on all calls. If you go to www.saynoto0870.com and tap in the 0870 number, it will give you their normal cheaper number.
ECONOMY TIP: Our farmers have had a terrible winter and lost a lot of vegetables through floods and snow. This means imports and higher prices. You can stock up on tinned veg and dried pulses until the summer. All pulses can be sprouted, and so can seeds, not just mustard and cress. Cabbages and radishes are ready in eight days. They’re very healthy and don’t take up any room. You can buy sprouting kits from health food shops, or just use a wet cloth or a jam jar. Check out www.primalseeds.org/sprouting.htm.

WARBLETON/RUSHLAKE GREEN
PLOUGMAN’S: The monthly lunch will be held at the Dunn Village Hall from 12.30pm. This is a good opportunity to meet people, and at the same time raise funds for the hall.
CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday, St Mary’s Warbleton, 8am Holy Communion, 10.45am Family Service. St John’s Bodle Street, 9.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion. Mt Hermon Christian Fellowship meets at the Rest Three Cups at 11am. Heathfield Chapel, 11am Morning worship and communion with Pat Reigh.
HISTORY GROUP: Charles Harding will talk about the Bayeux Tapestry at our meeting in the Dunn Village Hall on Monday. We meet at 7.30pm for 8pm.
PARISH COUNCIL: There were nine councillors present for the January meeting. None of our county councillors were able to come this month. It was announced that the new emergency radio operator is Mike Christieson, who has started his duties with the monthly radio check. This is part of a network that would maintain contact for the councils in time of emergency, eg the 1987 storm.
There have been problems with some of the new road name signs around Rushlake Green, Cowbeech Road, Redpale/North Road. The council is working to solve these. It was reported that M Holleran the sewage scheme contractor has gone into administration, and it was hoped that a new contractor would complete the works soon. (There were signs this week of work starting).The next parish walk would start from the White Horse Inn, Bodle Street, at 9.30am on Saturday February 20. Permission was given for the Rude Mechanical Theatre Company to use the Green for performances on July 15 and August 11. Permission was also given to The Village Players to use the Green for rehearsal and performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the latter on June 25 and 26.
Some of the precept is being put aside for the council to enter the IT generation, as a things like planning will be totally done online. It will in the near future not be possible to view planning applications on paper at the shop, but only at the council or online. The notice board on the garage at the shop will be replaced by two. One will be for parish council business. The other sponsored by the Warbleton Charity will be for general parish notices. We were addressed by members of Action In Rural Sussex, who told us of up to £5,000 funding available, to improve access to rural. Examples of this are transport, adult education, prescription services, youth services and IT. A steering group needs to be set up including representatives of the parish councils and local organisations, to establish priorities in the parish. This is a one off grant, not continuous funding. The next meeting is at 7pm on February 18 in the Dunn Village Hall.
FLOWER SHOW: There were record numbers attending the AGM on January 18. This was due to having a quiz night after the business concluded. This included society president, Peter Dunn. There was a slight financial loss, due mainly to a drop in income from the raffle and the evening event. Thanks are due to all who provided income by running the society’s stall or renting space for their own stalls on the day. The auction of produce generated more income this year. Wendy Greaves thanked the committee (and other halves) for their hard work which had contributed to a successful show. Children’s entries were up, as were those in the bakery section, particularly the men’s baking class. Photography entries were up. A successful Dawn Chorus Walk was held during the summer. There will be an outing to Wisley on May 8. There will be a display by Dancing Golden retriever Group this year.
Elections: Chairman Wendy Greaves, vice chairman Richard Lambert Gorwyn, secretary Isabel Collett, treasurer Tom Bodley Scott, membership secretary Margaret McCarthy, and show secretary Rosemary Wootton Whitling. Committee: Neil Weller (replacing Andrew Wickens), David Bysouth, Pauline Clifford, Mary and Robin Groves and Veryan Sharp. Andrew Wickens was thanked for his work on the committee, particularly for the use of the shop for distributing schedules etc. The subscription remains at £2.50 per annum. The next AGM will be on 17 January 2011. £46 was raised for the Haiti Disaster Appeal.
WINTER: There is no doubt that we have had a harder winter this year. Christmas 2008 saw a small clump of daffodils in bloom at the chapel on Christmas Day. This year they were just about to flower early in January when the snow fell and so they finally came out last weekend. Generally bulbs are much later in showing growth.

Hailsham edition

ALFRISTON
THE ALFRISTON PLAYERS once again delighted packed houses in this year’s panto. Martha Catell’s lively production of Rumplestiltskin had a cast of thirty-six, all of whom were on the War Memorial Stage for the final walk down. The panto, by Mike Goodwin, enabled Nick Catell, (the Mayor) and Roland Couch, (the Dame) together with three policemen (Cate Couch, Sarah Keith and Kay Loadsman) and Bob Kingdom and Graeme Moores, (the two heralds) to bring some comic routines into what is a very slight fairy story. Stephen Rabagaliati as Rumplestiltskin was particularly horrid and deserved the vociferous audience response he aroused every time he came into view. The Mayor’s daughter, sensitively played by Georgie Couch, would be forced into giving Rumplestiltskin her first born if he were to help her turn the straw into gold, necessary to save her father from being executed by the king. Of course eventually all was resolved but not before the audience had the chance to boo, hiss, shout and sing. We are a lucky village to have so many talents willing to amuse. The 14 young people (Xanthe Watkins only four years old) who danced and sang received well deserved cheers from the audience. The witty and sumptuous costumes designed and created by Sam Buck and her team gave just the right atmosphere to the show. The pit band of Chris Goodchild, Robin Steadman, Stuart Wood and Mark Hurst gave their usual tuneful support to dancers and singers throughout. Money raised from the sale of programmes and raffle tickets amounted to £291 which will go to Help for Heroes. A very large bear was raffled separately and raised £60.
After the show the Players’ annual award ceremony was held in The George. Performers and helpers are given accolades and prizes ending with the coveted glass head awarded each year to a player who has gone that extra mile. Last year’s holder, Nick Cattell reluctantly handed it on to a well deserving Sarah Keith.

HAILSHAM 
QUIZ NIGHT: Tomorrow, Saturday, evening at Summerheath Hall, doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start. Entry is £4 per person in teams of six. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. For further information contact Joy on 840382.
ST MARY’S: This is the Second Sunday before Lent. 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Authentic disciples. 10.30am All Age Special with crèche. The One and Only, 6.30pm Evening Prayer, Suffering and Glory in Christian Leadership.
RAMBLERS: On Sunday Pam is leading an 8.5 mile walk from Buxted to Hadlow Down. If you would like to go along please ring her on 01825 764937 for more details. For general enquiries about Hailsham Ramblers ring the club secretary, Jill on (01323) 843530.
KATALIN VARGA: This film will be screened on Tuesday by Hailsham Film Club at the Hailsham Pavilion. Doors open at 7pm with the programme commencing at 7.45pm. When Katalin Varga's husband discovers that Orban is not his son he casts both her and the boy out of their home and town. Varga is left with no other options than to set out on a mission, to find Orban's real father. She takes Orban on this journey with another goal in mind. As they travel through the Carpathians, she makes a decision that will lead her to reopen a sinister memory from her past. The hunt leads her to a place, that eleven years earlier she prayed she would never have to set foot in again. All HFC screenings are open to non members at normal cinema rates of £6 for adults (£4.50 for concessions). The pavilion has wheelchair access and hearing loop facilities.
ORGAN CLUB: If you like Live at the Apollo on TV, where you get to see top comedians in action, then you will definitely like what could be called Live at the Pavilion. Well, not quite, but on Wednesday Hailsham Organ Club will be presenting not only one of the UKs most entertaining organists, but a very funny man too. He is the legendary Tony Stace, and he will be providing loads of top class popular music at the Yamaha organ, and gales of laughter from 7.30pm onwards at the Pavilion, George Street, Hailsham. You don't have to be a member to enjoy the fun either, just turn up between 7pm and 7.30pm and for a very modest sum you will be entertained to perfection. For more details speak to Mel on 01323 440761, or Norman on 01323 844755, or email emjaymusic@waitrose.com.
FLOWER CLUB: The club meeting in January was the New Year’s Party, when members could invite one guest to come along and take part in the festivities. On the agenda was a fun quiz trying to figure out Sussex place names from cleverly scripted clues. To test the brainpower further, there was a second quiz trying to think of authors’ names having been given a book title. Guests and members enjoyed the light-hearted competition. The buffet table looked inviting as always and was set off by a really eye catching and attractive flower arrangement. The tables looked lovely, adorned with candle arrangements brought in by members. The raffle was of a very high standard, attractively presented and proved very popular. It was an excellent evening, enjoyed both by members and guests alike. The February meeting will be the AGM, therefore important for all members to attend and have their say. The competition is entitled Sheer Indulgence and is both for the Harmer and Barbara Rigelsford cups. If you are interested in flowers or flower arranging do come along, you will be made most welcome. Please call the club secretary on 840593 for more information.
ART EXHIBITION: To celebrate their 10th anniversary, South View Art Groups have been invited to put on an exhibition for the whole of February in Hailsham library. It is free, so do pop in and enjoy this colourful show of watercolours and some beautiful delicate work in coloured pencils. Any inquiries about any of the art sessions, please ring Eileen on (01323) 848361.
NATURAL HISTORY and Archaeological Society illustrated talk by Rodney Gunner entitled The Lost Village of Parham, West Sussex. The meeting will be held at the WRVS centre, Hyde Road, Eastbourne at 7.30pm on Friday February 12. Members free, Guests welcome £2.

HELLINGLY/HORSEBRIDGE
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: Members met recently for the projected images competitions round two, judged by club members David Bryant and Roger Scott. The beginner’s class had eight entries. Two images by Gerald Smith and an image by Peter Parks went through to the final. The Intermediate class had 12 images: Louis Pemberton and Gerald Hartley both had images through to the final. The advanced class had 31 entries. The photographers whose images were chosen to go through were Alan Spencer, Bob Sherrard, Lynette Benton, Jan Cunningham, Fiona Flower and Peter Weaver. There are three rounds altogether and the final will be on the March 25. Last week the club had a presentation by Peter Lovelock entitled Colour Workflow for photographers. Peter works for Colour Confidence and was demonstrating their products. This week the club had the annual landscape competition judged by Ken Scott ARPS. The society promotes all types of photographic mediums including use of new technology, with as varied annual programme as possible to encompass a wide range of photographic lectures and photographic works. The meetings are friendly and new members are very welcome every Thursday evening from 7.45pm at Hellingly Village hall. For more information visit www.hailshamphotographicsociety.co.uk, email info@hailshamphotographicalsociety.co.uk or Phone Jan on 01323 847528.
CHRISTINGLE SERVICES: On Sunday at 9.15am at Holy Trinity church at Upper Dicker and at 10.45am at St Peter and St Paul’s church at Hellingly.
SHEEP MANURE: There is plenty available for anyone who can make use of it. Hellingly Scouts are enjoying working towards their Smallholders badge along with Leader Paul Widgery who is able to let the boys learn how to look after his sheep for six months and through lambing. Obviously the Scouts get to learn the muckier parts as well as the fun and interesting and a bi-product of this is the result of cleaning out the sheep sheds. If you would like a sack or shovel load of manure for your garden or allotment, please ring Paul on (01323) 844626 early evening for details.
SCHOOLS OUT: There are lots of activities planned for 4 to 11 year olds at Schools Out, The Drive, Hellingly during the coming February school holiday, which runs between February 15, and 22. Bookings can be made on 01323 848490 and 01323 849944.
MODEL MAKING CLUB: The group has just decided to have their club meetings at a new venue, which is the Union Corner Hall in Hawks Road. The idea is to meet with other model makers, share tips and ideas, bring along the latest project you are working on and actually make models at the meetings. They are hoping to encourage anybody who is interested in any genre of scale model making to come along to the meetings, the first of which is on February 12 from 7.30pm until 10.30pm. All levels of expertise from complete beginners to experienced model makers will be most welcome. There is a spread of skill levels within the existing club membership. The usual cost of each meeting will be £2.50 per person, however any newcomers are welcome to come along for their first session free of charge. Tony Roberts organises this scale model making club known as the 1066 Model Club and they are affiliated to the Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicle Association (MAFVA) as the East Sussex branch. You do not have to belong to MAFVA to join the club. There will be another meeting on March 12. For further details then people can contact Tony 01323 849023 or at tony_robs@hotmail.com.
MOTHERS UNION: Meetings are held in Hellingly church on the second Tuesday of the month except January. The meetings begin at 7.15pm with a short service.

HERSTMONCEUX/WARTLING
SQUEEZE: Memories of a White Christmas are fading, yet just a month ago we were in the thick of it, and the January Squeeze Breakfast Club was only for the hardy. Inside the village hall the adults seemed drawn to folding and snipping large sheets of white paper to make giant snowflakes, as if there was not enough of the real thing outside. In contrast, the children preferred making brightly coloured pictures and turning them into calendars and greetings cards. Those that did struggle through the wintry weather were offered the usual breakfast fare, and while they were eating or rounding it off with a coffee, Free Church Pastor Jim Beveridge gave them something else to think about. Using a New Year survey published in a national newspaper as a basis, he asked them to consider which was their favourite Greatest Little Pleasure. Was it the scent of newly-cut grass, or the delight of putting on old clothes after losing weight? Top choice was to wake up from a good night’s sleep after a hard day, and to feel completely refreshed. Great as they are, none of these pleasures last, pointed out Pastor Jim. What does last, however, is God-given Joy Turning to Psalm 16, verse 11, Pastor Jim read, 'You make known to me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures for evermore'. Ask God to be your friend, he urged. Don’t let the good parts of your life lead you to miss the best parts of God’s Path of Life. The next Squeeze Breakfast Club is on Sunday from 10am until noon. The usual warm welcome is offered to all ages, breakfast will be provided and the theme will be Love your neighbour.
DRAMA: On Saturday February 13 at 6.30pm when the Saltmine Theatre Company visits the Free Church in Chapel Row. In the Beginning… is a dramatised version of the Creation as described in the book of Genesis, when God said 'Let there be…' and there was. Tickets at £5 per head are on sale at the village information centre, or from 01424 441281. The company regards the style of its production as unsuitable for young children, but teenagers and the rest of us, book now for drama on your doorstep.
ROMANTICS: Sunday February 14 it’s Valentine’s Day and to celebrate Alison from the Malthouse will be opening in the evening so that you can take your loved one out for a special meal. Three course meal served from 7pm, for details ring Alison on 833426.
THE REID HALL: New Year’s Eve 2010. It is the normal custom to offer the residents of the parish of Wartling an opportunity to book the Reid Hall, giving them priority over anybody else who wishes to book. Please make your booking before February 28 after which time they will be putting it out to people from outside the parish. For all enquiries or to book ring 833775.
WINDMILL HILL: I have been asked by a resident of Windmill Hill to remind dog owners of the doggie code, that is to clear up after your dog and not leave mess all around on pavements and grass verges. It is not very nice for anybody who inadvertently steps in it, and it takes only a minute to clear up making it much more pleasant for everybody. It has also been noticed that in some cases people do clear up after their dogs and then tie the bags onto a fence post etc, still leaving it for somebody else to clear. There is a dog bin in Victoria Road and the parish council have been approached about putting one somewhere up by the Horseshoe and Comphurst Lane which is a very popular doggie walking area. But for the time being please, clear up and take it home after all, we all like to think of ourselves as responsible dog owners and that is part of our responsibility.
CHURCH SERVICES: On Sunday Holy Communion (BCP) along with Advent Evensong will be held at Wartling church at 8am and 6pm respectively, with Family Service being held at Herstmonceux at 9.45am.

MOBILE LIBRARY
THE LIBRARY will be visiting the following areas this week. Today, Friday: Norman’s Bay Caravan Park 9.45am to 10.15am; The Ridgeway, Herstmonceux 10.40am to 11.20am. Tomorrow, Saturday: Opposite Denbigh Court, Hooe 1.50pm to 2.35pm; Millfield, Ninfield 2.50pm to 3.25pm; Downsview, Ninfield 3.40pm to 4.05pm; Catsfield village hall 4.15pm to 4.45pm. Wednesday: Deanland Mobile Home Park 9.15am to 11.20am; Chiddingly School, noon to 12.30pm; Community Centre, Hailsham East 12.55pm to 1.25pm; Southdown Court, Bell Banks Road, Hailsham 2.20pm to 3.05pm; Cedars, Milland Road, Hailsham 3.40pm to 4.20pm

NINFIELD/HOOE
CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP: The next meeting will be held on Wednesday at 2.30pm in the Reading Room. Visitors are made welcome.
ST OSWALD'S: 0n Tuesday February 16 from 11.30am until 1.30pm you can enjoy a Shrove Tuesday lunch of soup and pancakes. All are welcome, donations only requested. This has been a very successful social event for several years now. It is held in Hooe village hall.
GOLDEN CIRCLE: The members are to be asked to Say Cheese by their guest speaker on Tuesday February 16. Subscritions are due, programmes for the year distributed and new members warmly welcomed. The meeting will start at 2.30pm in Ninfield Memorial Hall.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The members meet to hear their guest speaker Colin Page telling them about Secret Landscapes. There has of necessity been a change to the speaker. The committee are grateful to Colin Page for helping out, they look forward to seeing and hearing him on Wednesday February 17 at 7.30pm in Ninfield Memorial Hall.
HOOE OPEN GROUP: One week today, Friday February 12, the meeting will be held in Hooe village hall. In January the meeting was cancelled due to the snow which means the meeting on February 12 will be a members meeting to discuss the programme for 2010. Edna looks forward to welcoming new members and visitors.
THE ST MARY'S Games Evening, which was cancelled recently, will now be held on Saturday February 13 in the Reading Room, at 7.30pm. You are most welcome to join in the table top games, enjoy the wine and nibbles and have a very pleasant time.
CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday, St Mary's Ninfield, 9.30am All Together, 6pm Holy Communion. St Oswald's Hooe, 11.15am Parish Eucharist. Methodist Church, 2.30pm Worship service and Holy Communion led by Rev Stephen Maunder. Wednesday, St Mary's Ninfield 10am Holy Communion.

POLEGATE
AT LEAST two weeks notice is required in advance for all reports to be included. Otherwise contact editorial dept direct.
THE COFFEE MORNING tomorrow, Saturday, at Polegate Community Centre is hosted by the Social Section. All welcome from 10am.
RADIO DGH: Tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday, Radio DGH will be in the foyer at Eastbourne District Hospital, and we will be on hand to tell you all about our free broadcasting service in the hospital. Also our studio will be open for guided tours. If you have any requests, we will be pleased to play them for you. Come along and meet us, we are there between 10am and 4pm on both days.
ELHS first meeting of the year is held on Tuesday at 2.45pm at St Saviours and St Peters Church, South Street, Eastbourne, where our speaker is John Markwick. His talk is entitled Made in Eastbourne, a clockmaker’s legacy. Visitors welcome.
VACANCIES in Polegate Sketching and Painting Group. Contact Bruce on 484568 or email brucemargrett@hotmail.com for more details.
CHANGING FACIAS: The St Wilfrid’s charity shop at 5 Gilda Parade had become an established feature by the traffic lights and opposite Brooks Carpets remain boarded. To Let at no. 73 Tess and Les Streeton, as Streetons news announced a change of ownership upon their retirement. It was a surprise to many that the Halifax Building Society at no 91 suddenly shut up their premises and Your Move estate agents literally moved in. Similarly our old post office corner property trading as Blazes Fireplace Centre had come to the end of its franchise and is moving to the Chaucer Estate now it has become an established business. So potentially a fresh business will arrive there in time. P Longstaff-Tyrrell.
CUCKOO TRAIL: The next task day is on Tuesday, meet under the bridge at Horam High Street. For more details contact Andy Mitchell on 01273 481637.

STONE CROSS/WESTHAM/PEVENSEY
LUNCH CLUB: The Bexhill and District Branch of the CSMA held their first lunch club of the year when members met together at the West Station Restaurant in Terminus Road on January 5. From reports received, the food was good and the company very enjoyable. All members are encouraged to attend these lunches they are good fun, with good food and sociable company, but you must let the organisers know beforehand that you wish to attend. The last monthly meeting was held on Tuesday January 19 in the Cooden Beach Hotel when Ron Gager gave a very enjoyable talk on train, both real and model. Ron described how he became fascinated with trains at the early age of 13 and with teenage friends, he ranged far and wide in his search for new locomotive sightings. He also described how he and friends found ways of entering into every railway yard in London as part of their train spotting hobby. Model rail enthusiasts include many celebrities such as Rod Stewart and Frank Sinatra, and in the UK there are five model rail magazines. In Germany it is one of the main hobbies and there are 14 rail magazines. In Hamburg there is the Miniatur Wunderland where the finished layout area will be 1800 square metres and almost 20,000 metres of track. The statistics for lights, figures, trees, signals etc are mind-boggling. It will be completed in 2014 and will obviously be the Mecca for enthusiasts. The art has moved on tremendously since most of us were children. Now there is computer control with cows mooing, trains hooting etc and many artists find satisfaction in designing and decorating these miniature models. The next monthly meeting is on Tuesday February16, when chairman, Des Hall, will present a Fun Quiz. The club chooses a charity to support each year and money raised is donated to the chosen charity. That chosen for 2010 is the Brown Bread Horse Rescue. It is thought that this is timely in view of the large numbers of horses which have needed to be rescued recently. The following outings have, so far, been arranged: May 14, visit to the Stone Cross Windmill; May 21, visit to the Brown Bread Street Horse Rescue; and on July 7 there will be a trip from Tenterden to Bodiam on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. The club is open to a wide range of civil and public servants and their families and offer a warm welcome to new members. For further information please contact the Secretary, Tony Calton on 01424 434496.
SCHOOL NEWS: Pevensey and Westham Boys Football Team have been active recently having drawn against Shinewater School but winning when they played Stafford School. They now have to wait for the results of matches played by other schools to find out if they are going further in the competition. Years 5 and 6 will be taking part in a swimming gala at the Sovereign Centre towards the end of next week and we wish them well. The school said a fond farewell to their caretaker Mr Bletheridge who has worked at the school for the past 14 years. The staff invited him to a farewell tea. Hankham School celebrated their 131st anniversary on Monday February 1. The school entered a team in a netball tournament organised by Hailsham Community College on Tuesday February 2. A bring and buy sale was organised in aid of the disaster in Haiti, it raised £151.31 which was passed to the Oxfam organisation. The younger children at the school have not been idle, they baked their own bread and made their own butter to raised money for the International Link School in Ethiopia and raised £36.75. Well done to them. The parent consultation visits have now finished and a total of approximately 40 parents were given tours of the School.
ST LUKE’S PLAYERS are producing their pantomime Babes in the Wood today, Friday, and tomorrow, Saturday. Whilst tickets for the Saturday are almost all gone, there are some available for the Friday night performance so if you want to see a good show, just go along to the parish centre for 7.30pm start and tickets will be available at the door, priced at £5.50 for adults. This promises to be a good show and not one to be missed.

WILLINGDON/WANNOCK/JEVINGTON
SLEEPING BEAUTY was the pantomime chosen by Willingdon Church Players this year, and their opening performance was on Thursday January 28. It played to a full house at Willingdon Memorial Hall. Sleeping Beauty was last performed by the church players in 1993 when Peter Bratt was very much involved, and as an active member of the church until his death in December last year, it seemed fitting that this pantomime should be dedicated to him. But since those early days, (this was the 42nd production,) the pantomimes have got better and better. The quality of the singing from Mike and Amanda Barber as the King and Queen of Arcadia, Carol Wrapson as Prince Michael of Monrovia, and Ellen Booth as Princess Beauty seemed to bring this pantomime into a different league. Accompanying piano music was ably provided by Fr David Charles, with Jonathan Cornell on percussion, with a little help from time to time from recordings. The minstrels, played by Fr Martin Onions and Liam Avery were a likeable pair, doubling as the narrators, with some corny jokes thrown in for good measure. Paul Martin as Fanny the Nanny was a larger than life character with more corny jokes about her outfit ‘I bought this for a ridiculous figure’ (in fact it would have been made by one of the wardrobe assistants, led by Chris Tucknott). Emily Martin made an excellent page to the king and queen, and Bumble,(Luke Martin) played his part well as the pompous chancellor, panicking over his royal duties and forgetting to send an invitation to Carabosse, the evil fairy, for Beauty’s christening – just as well really or there wouldn’t have been a story to tell. Her revenge was that Beauty should prick her finger on the spindle and die. It was only the intervention of the gorgeous little good fairies Ellen Humphreys, Ella Sayer and Clara Gott, that the spell was broken, and Beauty should just sleep for 100 years. The stage presence of Carabosse, played by Chris Tucknott, with that amazing black dress, and her dancing to ‘I put a spell on you,’ made her one of the outstanding performers in this pantomime. And it was worth waiting the hundred years for Mike Barber’s behind the scene rendering of Nessum Dorma – none shall sleep - with that magnificent baritone voice of his. The Conga routine from choreographer Rowena Brady and Babs Owen, (Willingdon Wonder Women,) received rapturous applause. Babs made their outfits herself and the apples, pears and bananas incorporated in the hats miraculously stayed on their heads. The spider dance from talented Amber Gott in the turret of the castle, to frighten the two minstrels, to the cries from the audience of ‘he’s behind you’ was another show stopper. There were so many young people in the pantomime either in the chorus, with small speaking or dancing parts, that it is impossible to name everyone, but the two talented Cornell sisters should be mentioned, Natasha, as the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Russian dancer, and Deanna as the stork and the dove. The ‘sweetie song’ sketch from ‘the backroom boys’ who produce the scenery, led by stage manager John Pritchett, raised a laugh and it all helped to make this a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment. Director Jenny Seaman should be congratulated for her tireless but rewarding work in producing such a wonderful pantomime.
JPK PROJECT: Jill Parker project co-ordinator of the JPK Project, which aims to provide supported residential accommodation for people with a learning disability, continues to attend various statutory meetings. Since the previous newsletter was printed in October last year, she has attended a Parent Carers Forum, Linden Court and Firstfields Forum, The Learning Disability Network, the Disability Involvement Group, and ESCC Providers Forum, which is a new group that Jill was invited to attend. She considered this to be an important Forum as JPK will eventually be providing a service. Liaison continues with the SE Area Director for Rehab. Jill has been assured that they are interested in undertaking the overall management of the JPK when it is established. For more information about the JPK Project or if your club or society would like her to give a talk about the project, contact Jill on 01323 486179.
DEMONSTRATION: Willingdon Flower Club will be meeting at 2.15pm today, Friday, at Willingdon Memorial Hall. There will be a demonstration by Nel de Jong Smith entitled Dutch Treat. The competition is entitled Prelude to Spring.
COUNCIL MEETINGS: There will be a planning meeting at 7.30pm followed by a cemetery committee meeting at 8pm on Monday at Willingdon and Jevington Parish Council office. Meetings are open to the public. For further information please contact the parish clerk Graham Parish on 01323 489603 or 01323 489104.
STREET MEETING: Local PCSO Richie Davidson will be holding a street meeting on Monday between 6.30pm and 7pm at the junction of Farmlands Way and The Millrace. These meetings not only provide the police with important information, but also give reassurance to the local community that the police are there to listen and act on residents’ concerns. Details of the meetings are delivered to about 50 nearby houses in advance and it is hoped that a representative from Neighbourhood Watch and the parish council might also attend. PCSO Davidson feels that these street meetings are proving to be more successful than the surgeries he has held in the parish council office.
CRIME: At the parish council meeting on January 25, it was reported that for the months of October, November and December 2009 there were 44 recorded crimes in the parish with 338 calls from the public. Of the 44 crimes, there were 13 thefts, nine vehicle crimes, eight burglaries, five criminal damage, five crimes of violence and 4 other crimes. PCSO Davidson’s report stated that there are no new crime trends locally. The main issue continues to be from vehicle crime - damage to vehicles and theft from them. Domestic violence accounts for the violence figures. Garden and garage thefts account for the burglary and theft figures. The advice continues to be to look at your own security measures to ensure adequate locks and alarms are fitted and to report any suspicious activity to police at the time it occurs with full descriptions of those involved.
GRANTS: Willingdon Primary School’s newsletter this week focuses on the Home Access Grant. This new government initiative invites parents on low incomes to apply for a Home Access Grant to purchase a computer and internet access to support learning at home. To be eligible for this grant, your child must be in years 3 to 9, usually between the ages of 7 and 14 years. To check if you qualify and to obtain a grant application pack you need to contact the Home Access Grant Helpline on 0333 200 2004 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm), or on a Saturday between 9am and 1pm.