Mayfield and Five Ashes Village News

MAYFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SEEDY SATURDAY

Lifting The Gloom: Seedy Saturday 2026. Looking for something to do on a chilly February morning? Come join us in the Mayfield Scout Hall on Saturday, 7th February 10 am to 12.30 pm for our 3rd Seedy Saturday event.

It'll be a warm, welcoming space with free entry and absolutely everyone's invited. It's a great place to lift the spirits for a couple of hours and enjoy a warm drink and a homemade treat, even if seeds aren't your thing. And if seeds are your thing, well, it'll be like being let loose in the sweetie shop with no parental controls. Perfect for the seedaholics amongst us. They're in the sowing date and free. What's not to love! You'll be amazed by how many varieties of flowers, herbs and vegetables we've got available. All in little packets so you can grow a few of many things. What fun! Donations are always appreciated as they help us cover our costs but not expected. Thanks to our generous seed company donors, we've a great stock of seeds available, over 2000 packets already and will have more by the time the day rolls round. There are many different varieties of veg, flowers, herbs and perennials for you to pick from. Our aspiration to encourage everyone who lives in our beautiful High Weald to grow things from seed is back with seed sowing demos by Tessa for those who are new to the game or would appreciate a refresher. If you're lucky enough to have children or grandchildren around, bring them along.There's a dedicated Critters Corner just for them with free seeds and goody bags. Our 2026 Children's Sunflower Growing competition kicks off too with free giant sunflower seeds and growing guides. And if that's not enough, free squash and biscuits on offer for those 14 or under. Makes it a very affordable family friendly event. Did I mention the raffle, wild flower seeds and hardy annual plants we'll have on offer too? Hope to see you there!

AN ODE TO A ROAD A272

To some people, it is a lovely, lovely lane. To others, the worst b****y road in the south.' Not my words, but those of Dutchman Pieter Boogaart, author of 'A272 - An Ode to a Road.' Other British roads might be more famous, the A1 for example which heads through dramatic Northumbria to Scotland, or the A30 which wiggles, frustratingly slowly, via St Michael's Mount to Penzance.But to my knowledge, none of the others has a book written about it. When we started to focus on problems - flooding, ice, junctions - faced by drivers on the A272 and decided to include it in our social media page, The New A267-272 Road Safety Group, I unearthed my 25-year old copy. It's a delight. While you are stuck in traffic, or swerving to avoid a pothole, take a deep breath and think about the beauty of what is really a lane with ideas above its station. Running from Poundford, at the Heathfield end of Hadlow Down in the east to Winchester in the West, Pieteer Boogaart refers to it as 'the epitome of England.'; and wrote the book to prove his point. Did you know that Poundford is on a watershed - all the tributaries of the Eastern Rother, the Cuckmere, the Uck, the Ouse and even, a mile or so away, the river Medway, spring from here? He describes the history and geography of the landscape it passes through, lots of things I didn't know. The only time the road hit national media was in 1969 when a Monty Python sketch showed Pablo Picasso being introduced on a bicycle and the excited comment was: "It's the first time a modern artist of such stature has taken the A272." Cross in Hand (not strictly on the A272 but close enough) is where crusaders gathered. He cites the family owned Wilderness Wood; the history of ironworking in the 14th century in Hadlow Down and St Margaret's Church in Buxted, another village closely connected with the Wealden iron industry where Buxted-forged iron made the cannon that defeated the Armada. Maresfield (owned by William the Conqueror's brother,) has its Bow Bells milestone and the Duke of Wellington's cedar tree. Then there's Piltdown where Charles Dawson found relics he believed to be an early human ancestor. The bridge over the river Ouse takes you into Newick with a village pump erected to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. There's also the Bull Inn dating from 1510, believed to be a resting place for pilgrims taking the 'low road' between Canterbury and Winchester. Newick is twinned with the French village of Itteville whose residents visit for the famous Newick Bonfire. I could go on. There are also footnotes (where does the name 'Weald' come from, What was an oast?) The book is fascinating and made me view the A272 in a new light as I thump into potholes and worry about the durability of my tyres.

St DUNSTAN’S CHURCH

St Dunstan’s Organ Trust is presenting a series of three recitals featuring the splendid Walker organ played by three young and upcoming organists. The second of these recitals will be performed by Thomas Blew, who holds the ARCO diploma, is in his final year at school and is Organ Scholar at St Giles, Farnborough. He is also enjoying a busy schedule with the National Youth Orchestra. The recitals are part of a series of events highlighting the quality of the organ in St Dunstan’s Church, but also the fact that wear, tear and damp have taken their toll on the instrument such that it now needs major repairs and servicing. All proceeds from this recital will go towards the maintenance costs of the organ. This recital will feature a ‘meet the organist’ interview and a ‘Classic FM Moment‘ of lighter repertoire. Pre-recital drinks will be available from 5.30pm. This concert is presented by St Dunstan’s Organ Trust and supported by the Mayfield Festival. Tickets and box office Sunday 15 March 2026, 6pm St Dunstan's Church, High Street, Mayfield, TN20 6AQ £12.50 (age 25 and under: £5) To book tickets, please go to the Mayfield Festival website

MAYFACS

Activities: Friday 30th January: Bereavement Café at Mayfield Cricket Club 10 - 12 (next month at The Institute, Rotherfield.) Saturday 31st January Jumble Sale at Mayfield Cricket Club 10 – 12. Monday 2nd February: Shed session 9.30 - 12.30pm. Yarners at the Sew Inspired Shop 1.30 - 3.30pm: Tuesday 3rd February. Men on the Move 9.30am meet at Court Meadow. Tuesday Afternoon Club at Colkins Mill Church 2-4pm. Wednesday 4th February: Baby & Toddler Group in the Scout Hall 9 – 11am. Men’s Shed session 9.30 - 12.30pm. Thursday 5th February Minibus Trip to Bexhill (Booking essential) Shed session 9.30 - 12.30pm. Poetry Group at Coach House Cottage, Royal Oak Mews 11 - 12.30pm. Friday 6th February Mayfacs Matinee Film – Salt Path at Five Ashes Village Hall.

MAYFIELD BAND

About our Band. It is not known when the Mayfield Band was formed, although one of the earliest photos shows the Band playing in Mayfield High Street in about 1902. It has always been a traditional village band, and has played at flower shows, fetes and village celebrations in most of the local villages and towns at some time. We also play four or five concerts each year. We are privileged to have our own band room, which was built by the players themselves, and is situated in Court Meadow (King George V playing fields) in the heart of the village, with ample car parking facilities. We have a proud history, with family links going back generations, and many contesting successes over the years.

As an amateur band, we pride ourselves on being inclusive, and we have members from a large age and ability range. We have a learners group, a youth band (which is really a training band as we have several adult learners as well) and the senior band. Our members are from a large area, although most of our young people are very local. There are a number of families that play in the band, where children and parents have learned to play alongside each other. Banding is a highly social activity, and no more so than in Mayfield. The senior players are always keen to help the younger ones, and the emphasis is very much on learning and developing through fun, and a little hard work. The good thing about banding is that it’s never too late to learn!

We practice on Friday nights in our Bandroom, just behind the Mayfield Memorial Hall in the village centre. There are various beginner groups, starting at 5.00, followed by the youth band at 6.30 to 7.30 pm, and the senior band at 7.30 pm-9.30 pm.

We always welcome new players, from beginners, including adult beginners, to virtuosi.