Staplecross Village Voice

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY ~ Armistice Day. The date of the 11th day of the 11th month and especially at 11am- is a very special and unique date in world history, in particular for the people of the UK as this is the day set aside to commemorate all those who helped bring an end to a long and tragic war.

Special services, parades and prayers are held up and down the country allowing us to say “THANK YOU” to all those paid the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives to help achieve this. Ewhurst Parish is no exception, as on a bright but rather chilly morning a very large gathering of residents, met at the War Memorial in Staplecross to pay homage in their own way. This assembly seems to grow ever larger in numbers which is a humbling and emotive sight, especially as more children are attending with some even laying their own memorials.

Several new residents to our parish commented on how proud and delighted they were to see such a large ‘turn out’ for a relatively small village. Many wreaths now adorn this unique War Memorial and once again several members of our own Bonfire Society, resplendent in their black & white ‘uniforms’ also joined us here and laid their own commemorative wreath. The short and simple service, was again lead by a well known resident John Moore-Bick and allowed us time to say our own private ‘Thank You’ and was closed with the immortal lines ~ “all those whose gave their today that we might have our tomorrows”

BODIAM BONFIRE NIGHT –This is another exciting and noisy night in the programme of our local Bonfire Societies Celebratory Events. This will take place on Friday, November 14. This is always a popular event – and with FREE ENTRY - it is sure to be very busy and noisy and will be held at The Castle Inn. .A substantial bonfire is promised here which will be lit at 6pm and will be accompanied- as always - by a fantastic firework display.

To keep everyone feeling happy and to aid with the ambience – the food stands will include a hog roast – soups – a chip van and a chilli outlet – with veggie & vegan options available. Parking will be available at the National Trust car park, - so please park pretty to allow for a large turnout and to avoid disappointment. For all further information, please contact 01580~ 830330. Please remember this is another dark village, so come prepared with warm clothing, suitable shoes and torches !

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE ~ 'SWITCHING ON’~ CEREMONY. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION On Monday, November 17, approximately 2pmis when - school curriculum AND weather permitting - the pupils of our brilliant Primary School will all come along for a very special event. A cheerful Christmas Carol - or two – is always enthusiastically sung and then the countdown to the 'switch on' will begin...and low & behold (fingers crossed !) the tree will magically light up!

The pupils always love this little treat - especially when chosen to work the magical console that sends out the message to light up the tree. Any resident who would like to come and watch this would be very welcome...... Mums & Dads, Grandma's & Grandpa's. -Families & Friends, Neighbours, --- Everyone is welcome to come along and watch this charming little event. It only takes a few minutes and the children just love to see the Community Christmas Tree come to life! Please come & join in the carols. Perhaps a mince pie or even a nip of mulled wine (NON ALCOHOLIC – for those driving ! ) or a hot cuppa, on offer this year, might help to moisten those vocal cords! - We all look forward to seeing you there

E.P.C. & Village Hall Trustees – COMMUNITY OPEN SPACES – (C.O.S.) A very warm welcome is extended to all residents – whether longstanding or have recently moved into our lovely parish, - so please come along and join us and make use of this valuable community space. The next date will be on Monday, November 17 between 12 Noon and 2pm. As always, lovely, plain and simple refreshments will be on offer with a choice of hot or cold drinks.

This delicious lunch is FREE to our residents, so please come along enjoy the food, the friendship and time spent amongst warm and welcoming people. Many interesting ideas are being considered for future events. -- please tell us what you’d like to occur here and perhaps come & help us make it happen ! For further information of these few sociable hours please contact Sue Lyne on 01580~831775 who would be delighted to tell you of the many exciting treats left in store for us all.

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE - CRAFT CLUB. - This craft group is open to anyone who would like to come along to either bring something they are working on or just to see what goes on or maybe find something they would like to have a go at or learn to do. The next meeting is on Tuesday, November 18 at 2pm in the Village Hall..The cost is £2 per person to include a cuppa and biscuit/cake etc and this is to cover the cost of the hall hire.

This is always an enjoyable afternoon so come along and find out for yourself. For all further information please contact Pauline on 01580~830570 for more details

STAPLECROSS LUNCHEON CLUB – The next monthly meeting for this popular 'over 60's, sociable dining group is on Wednesday, November 19. at 12.30pm. inStaplecross Village Hall. With a delicious two course luncheon to enjoy – followed by tea/coffee and then the raffle draw, -and finishing with the announcements of all the local events being undertaken within our welcoming community, it’s not surprising just how popular this little ‘luncheon club’ has become. We are always very happy to welcome those - of a certain age (60+) - to come along and join us.

If you are new to the village or close by, this is a superb way of meeting new friends and joining in the various activities that are announced at the end of the meal. The cost of these delicious two course meals – which also include tea or coffee, is all for the miserly sum of £7:00 per person. To avoid food wastage and allow for smooth running of this meeting, booking is essential, so please reserve your place by contacting Sallie -on 01580~ 830000 or Pauline on: 01580~830570

EWHURST PARISH COUNCIL - 'OPEN MEETING' Ewhurst Parish Council - Continuing with their monthly 'Open Meetings', - the next meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 19. at the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross, TN32 5QG. at 7pm. Please Note: This will be the last EPC ‘Open Meeting’ for 2025 as EPC do not meet in December. Please come along and meet your local Councillors - from all levels. - not just your local Parish Councillors, but from Rother District Council, as well as East Sussex County Council. They are here to serve you and will have the parish of Ewhurst - as well as your best interests at heart. They always do their best to help solve any problems or concerns you may have - it's what they are here to do. Please come along - Ask your questions and 'Have Your Say".

COMMUNITY CHARITY COFFEE MORNING - The date for the next Charity Coffee morning which again is to be held in The Staplecross Social Club Northiam Road, adjacent to the Village Hall is on Thursday, November 17, from 10am – 12 Noon. The charity we shall be supporting – as we nudge ever closer to Christmas will be the ‘Surviving Christmas’ appeal. This will be the last Community Coffee meeting for 2025. with all donations going to ‘Surviving Christmas’ charity. For more information of what is entailed, please contact Doreen - on 07400~451253. Please come along and support these worthy charities.

EWHURST & STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL TRUSTEES’- Gentle Reminder - This is to inform you of a ‘Pre-Christmas’ delight which will take the form of a table top “Winter Market” and this will be held in the Village Hall Staplecross on Saturday, November 29 – between 10am - 1pm. Naturally this is to encourage you to pop along and peruse the stalls and which will in turn - hopefully help out with the annual worry of ‘What to give to ??? this year?

The stalls at present include; jewellery;- hand made soaps;- plants;- W.I. lots of hand made gifts – cakes etc. Many more items are sure to be included here to ease the strain and stress of “Christmas Shopping “ I understand there may be still a table or two vacant, so if this is an outlet suitable for your craft skills, why not contact the Co-organiser Sue – on 01580~831775, who can provide you with all the information you need to help make this another successful Winter time event for all participants.

CHURCH SERVICES -CHURCH SERVICES for the Parish of Ewhurst continue at St. James the Great church, Ewhurst Green on Sunday, November 16, 2nd before Advent - with a Holy Communion service (CW) – at 9.30am. This will be followed by a Parish Communion service directly after at St. Giles church, Bodiam at 11.15am. There will be NO SERVICE at St. Mark’s church, Staplecross today.

Please remember that ‘Food Bank Collections’ at St. James, Ewhurst Green are on the first of every month. Every donation is always gratefully received and warmly welcomed - even more so in these difficult and worrying times. Please also note the following: MORNING PRAYER will be held at St. James. Ewhurst Green, every Wednesday morning at 8.30am PRAYER REQUESTS; - Opportunities to leave requests for prayers – the ‘prayer basket' is available again at both churches to enable anyone who wishes to have a prayer said for a loved one - a neighbour, friend or just for humanity!

If there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further guidance or assistance - however large or small - especially Baptisms - Weddings - and sadly - Funerals, then for the time being please get in touch with any of the Church Wardens. For St. James church, Ewhurst Green ~ 01580~830601. For St. Mark's church, Staplecross ~ 01580~830830 or St. Giles church, Bodiam ~ 01580~830203 or 830327. Messages can still be left on the Rectory telephone - 01580~830925 - and are dealt with daily. Help in some way is always at hand and always so generously given so please do contact them.

HAVE YOU NEWS FOR THIS COLUMN? PLEASE CONTACT ME.