Chailey

LAMBING AT TOWNINGS FARM: Tomorrow, Saturday, from 2pm to 4pm Carole and Kevin Uridge invite members of the Commons Society and children to visit the farm for lambing time. There will be group visits to the lambing barn all afternoon. Meet by the Farm Shop Townings Farm, Plumpton Lane North Chailey BN8 4EJ. Please take care; advice should be taken for pregnancy, allergy and other health issues before farm visits. For more details of the visit contact William Coleman on 01444 831098.

CHAILEY FREE CHURCH: Has services every Sunday. A Morning Service at 10.30am and an Evening Service at 6.30pm. All welcome to the services, visit www.chaileyfreechurch.com for more details.

WARRS HILL FOOTPATH: East Sussex Highways are consulting on the long-standing project to run a footpath alongside Warrs Hill Road from the New Heritage to the A275, a project to be paid from funds set aside as a Developer contribution when building the New Heritage. Public consultation runs until Friday April 29 and details, plans and an online version of the survey are available at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay.

ST GEORGES FETE: Takes place on Saturday April 23 at Markstakes Corner, South Chailey. There will be arena events including a tug of war competition, Burgess Hill Rumblers drumming display and Chailey and Newick Rainbows and Brownies dance display. There will also be children’s rides, a barbecue, beer tent and a Fun Dog Show. Entries for the dog show will be from noon and classes include: Prettiest bitch, handsome dog, best pair, waggiest tail, best rehomed/rescued, best veteran, best puppy (up to 18 months), most appealing eyes, best crossbred, young handler and dog the judge would most like to take home. Entry for the dog show is £1 per class and an advanced registration form can be obtained from [email protected] or by calling Diane on 01273 401900. If you are able to offer a tombola prize and/or some help with activities on the day please call Diane on 01273 401900 and let her know.

CHAILEY WINDMILL: The Mill and Rural Life Museum will be open for the first time this year on Sunday April 24 from 3pm to 5pm. Admission charges are £1 for adults and 50p for children aged 10 to 16 years. For more details call John Smith on 01825 723519.

BLUEBELL WALKS: At Sheffield Park and Garden are on Wednesdays April 27 and May 4 from10am to noon. These guided walks are a chance to explore exclusive areas of the garden and parkland and enjoy this natural wonder. The cost for adults is £5 and booking is essential on 01825 790231.

COLLECTORS FAIR: Toy and Rail Collectors Fair is on Saturday April 30 from 10am to 4pm at the Bluebell Railway’s Horsted Keynes Station. There will be stalls on the platform and a marquee within the station car park with railway artefacts and model railway equipment. Admission ticket costs £3 per person which covers both Horsted Keynes Station and the marquee.

WILD ART WEEKEND: At Sheffield Park and Garden is from Saturday April 30 to Monday May 2 at 11am to 12.30pm each day. This is an opportunity to create masterpieces from natural materials and tick off one of the National Trust list of 50 things to do before you are 11¾ . The cost is £3 a child and booking is essential on 01825 790231.

ANNUAL CHAILEY LINK WALK: Is on Monday May 2 starting at 10am from the North Chailey Sports Ground where route details will be available. The walk is just over six miles but if required can be reduced to four miles by means of a short cut. At this time of the year the scenery is particularly beautiful, beginning by crossing Memorial and Pound Commons then proceeding through ancient woodland, with a profusion of bluebells and views to the South Downs. At the finish there will be the usual barbecue; provided free to all participants on completion of the walk. There will be certificates for the children as well as a biscuit for any dog who would like one. For more details call John Smith on 01825 723519 or Trevor Smith on 01273 891008.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The society had a very successful Spring Show and entries were up and there were a number of new exhibitors. The standard was very high especially in the flower arranging and daffodils sections. A good crowd gathered in the afternoon to see the exhibits and enjoy a cup of tea; whilst meeting new and old friends. The cups were awarded to Parsons Cup (flowers) Duncan Clark, Spring Cup (most outstanding exhibit in flower classes) Diane Ellis, Bo-Peep Cup (handicrafts and cookery) Elizabeth Swain, Society Cup (floral exhibit) Diane Ellis, Angelica Cup (children) Ella Staplehurst and Eddie Finch. Drivepoint kindly sponsored the best exhibits in pot plants, daffodils and photography and these were won by Peter Estcourt, Maureen Durrant and Diane Ellis. A record number of children have entered the growing of potatoes in buckets competition to be judged at the Summer Show on Saturday July 16.

DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Chailey Sports Club Appeal. The Sports Club and parish council have spent much of the last year working on the ambitious £55,000 project to repair and refurbish the Pavilion at the Sports Ground. They have secured funding of close to £40,000 and are now looking to raise the final amount needed to ensure they meet their goal of providing a facility that will serve the various sports clubs, and everyone in the local community, for the next 20 years. They are now asking you, the local businesses and local residents, to make donations to help them meet their ambitious goal. Chailey residents of many years and sporting enthusiasts, Rob and Ann Tillard, have very generously offered to match all monies raised in this appeal £ for £ up to a maximum of £5,000. So for every £100 given by you the Sports Club will receive £200. Every contribution will be gratefully received so please give what you can to what is a great local cause. When the work is done all those who have contributed will be invited for a drink at the refurbished Pavilion to see what has been done and celebrate the official re-opening of the Pavilion. This is your Pavilion for the benefit of the children and members of your village to play sport. Please give generously to enable them to continue to enjoy sports. The Sports Club Bank details are Lloyds Bank Account Number 60368368 Sort Code 77-63-14 if you would like to make a donation. Please use your initial and surname as a reference so they are able to invite you personally to the opening celebration. Alternatively a cheque can be sent to Chailey Sports Club via the Chairman, Gary Strangwood, at 14 Mill Brooks, South Chailey, East Sussex BN8 4AW. For more details do email Gary at [email protected]. Thanks in anticipation for your support.

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