Etchingham Village Voice

FISH AND CHIP TUESDAYS: The Etchingham Community Interest Company (CIC) is pleased to announce that Julian’s Fish & Chip Van will be open in the Bistro Car Park every Tuesday, 4pm to 7.30pm. Julian and his son are popular regulars in Burwash, serving delicious Fish & Chips, and other goodies on Saturday evenings. This is a new venture for Etchingham, so to avoid queuing, you might want to telephone your order in advance, but not essential. You are welcome to just turn up to enjoy delicious fish & chips, sausage & chips, or whatever else takes your fancy. For enquiries, or to place an order 07582 858101.

A21 ROADWORKS: Road works will start at the junction of the A265 (Station Road) and the A21 in Hurst Green, this work is to create a signalised junction with controlled pedestrian crossings. The works will commence on February 23, under 24/7 temporary traffic lights, until the end of June.

MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES: Stage Buds, Musical Theatre classes for children in Etchingham Village Hall, Mondays 4pm, Mini Buds, ages 3-5, Fridays 3.45pm, ages 4-8. Learn to sing, dance and act, build confidence, learn to perform, make new friends. Get in touch for more information or to book [email protected]

PLAYGROUND FUNDRAISING: The village playgrounds in Etchingham are run and maintained by a charity Trust, The Etchingham Recreation Grounds (Queen's Garden) Trust [ERGT], the Parish Council is the sole Trustee. A couple of years ago all the play equipment in Queen's Garden was replaced, at a considerable cost. This equipment will, of course, need replacing at some point in the future, so the Trust is aiming to raise at least £1,000 every year to build up the funds, so that when the time comes to replace or update items some of the funds will already be in place and less fundraising will be needed at the time, and also ensure there are funds available for repairs when needed. When you are shopping online you can help raise funds, at no cost to you. log into Give as You Live (GAYL) first and use the link on the GAYL site to go to the site you are buying from, GAYL will pay a small percentage from your purchase to ERGT, to join Give as You Live to raise funds for ERGT, use this link to sign up https://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/ergt . There are over 6,000 online businesses on GAYL, and it is not just shopping, also insurance and holidays and other services. We have now set up a new donation page at GAYL if you want to just donate a cash sum www.donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/etchingham-playgrounds if you are having a clear out and planning to give away some items, perhaps suggest a donation to the playground fund.

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH: Can you help Etchingham Community Speedwatch (CSW)? Etchingham CSW always needs new volunteers to replace those that have to give up for personal or health reasons, or moved out of the village. Speedwatch is NOT about getting drivers fines or points on their licence, it is designed as an educational tool to remind drivers of the speed limits in our villages. Yes, those observed exceeding the speed limit by a significant amount have the car details forwarded to the Police and the registered keeper of the vehicle will receive a warning letter, no further action will be taken unless the vehicle details are recorded by CSW groups on numerous occasions. Etchingham CSW has been operating since January 2014. Volunteers do not need to spend a lot of time at the roadside – half an hour a month is just as useful as several hours. Our sessions are normally half an hour but can be longer.

The first step is to visit the CSW website https://www.communityspeedwatch.org/ where you can find out all you need to know about CSW, to volunteer go to the ‘Register’ tab and select ‘Join existing’, then follow the instructions to register. As soon as the registration is complete the local co-ordinator will be sent your contact details, he will contact you to complete the joining process and get you started on sessions.

ETSR 100 CLUB: Have you joined the ETSR 100 Club to help raise funds for the running and maintenance of the Village Halls, there is a monthly draw with three cash prizes, for more details on how to join contact the ETSR Administrator, at [email protected] or 07855 239848.

HIRE THE HALLS: It is easy to hire the village halls for your next children’s party, celebration, club meeting or whatever else you have in mind. For all information about the halls please take a look at the updated website etchinghamvillagehalls.co.uk or contact the ETSR Administrator, at [email protected] or 07855 239848.

ETCHINGHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL: Save the dates – this year the Etchingham Music Festival will be held from June 27 to July 5, look out for more information nearer the time with details of the Concerts and how to book tickets.

CHURCH OPENING: The Church is open daily, 10am to 4pm, for visits and private prayer.

CHURCH SERVICES: A new pattern of services will be tried this year. This is necessary because St Philip's in Burwash Weald no longer have their own priest-in-charge, and the Rector is therefore trying to divide his time more equally between all three parishes in his Benefice.

On the first Sunday of each month in Etchingham, starting Sunday January 4, there will be a Family Communion at 9.30 a.m. This is a shorter and more accessible service.

Children are however warmly welcomed at ALL services: there are plenty of toys in the Play Area, and no unrealistic expectations of silence (our Rector has two young children of his own, and welcomes the sound of other peoples' children!)

Home-made cakes will be served with tea and coffee afterwards.

The future pattern will be: First Sunday in each month: 9.30 am Family Communion - Second Sunday in the month: either 10.30 a.m. BCP Holy Communion or 4.30 p.m. Compline (alternating with St Philip's). - Third Sunday in the month: 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion. - Fourth Sunday in the month: 9.30 a.m. Matins. Notice will be given in the ebulletin of services, and times will be pinned up on the notice board outside the Church each week. Do ring the Churchwardens if you have any queries.

CHURCH SERVICE TIMES: Sunday February 8, 10.30am, United Benefice Service, Reverend Thomas Pelham; February 15, 10.30am, Holy Communion, Canon Lucy Murdoch; February 22, 9.30am, Matins, Reverend Thomas Pelham – 10.30am United Benefice Service St. Bartholomew’s, Burwash.

CHURCH CONTACT: For Baptisms, Funerals, Weddings and all Pastoral matters, contact Reverend Thomas Pelham 07856 256174 [email protected] , for other Church related matters contact the Churchwardens, Caroline Moore 01580 819272 and Mary Barnes 01580 819142

YOUR EVENTS: As soon as you have the details send them to me to add to this page, get the details to me as soon as you have them to get maximum publicity. Get information for this column to me as soon as possible. There are several ways to get your info to me, but email is preferred because there is less chance of errors during copying. I normally need information by 10pm on Sunday, Monday afternoon at the latest, to be sure it will be in time for inclusion. You can deliver to 2 Park Farm Close, telephone 01580 819532 or 07483 211838 or email [email protected] email is preferred, if possible, as it reduces the chance of errors during copying.