Balcombe

CAROLS AROUND THE TREE: Put down your humbugs and start brushing up on your carols, because the Balcombe Christmas Tree Society’s Carols Around The Tree event is on Saturday 17 December. Mary and Joseph are making the long walk from the church on their donkeys from 5.50 pm, followed by a band of miniature merry men singing festive ditties, and Father Christmas has even taken time out of his busy schedule to be there – I don’t know if you’ve heard but this can be a rather busy time of year for him…so if he can make an appearance we know you can too! All funds raised go to worthy local causes. If you know of such a cause and would like to be considered for funding, please email [email protected], who will be delighted to put your proposal forward to the committee – all will be considered without exception. Father Christmas will be meeting younger children from 5.00 pm, the procession starts at 5.50 pm with the carol singing kicking off at 6.00 pm. Father Christmas will then be making a return appearance to meet the older children after the carols.

BUS & TRAIN SERVICES – BUS SURVEY: There are two consultations going on at the moment. West Sussex County Council is running a Bus User Survey seeking to understand the likely impacts of proposed changes to a number of local bus routes. They are proposing to withdraw Service 37 from Haywards Heath to Crawley (and servicing Balcombe) but extend the Service 40 Brighton, Haywards Heath and Cuckfield at school times and during the daytime on Mondays to Fridays to Balcombe and Crawley. This service would use the old route up Bramble Hill turning left onto the Haywards Heath Road and vice versa. Buses will leave Balcombe on Mondays to Fridays at 1005 and 1230 for Crawley returning at 1210 and 1410. Buses from Balcombe to Haywards Heath will depart at 0810 on schooldays and 1227 on Mondays to Fridays returning at 0939, 1204 and 1504. Have your say and complete the survey https://haveyoursay.westsussex.gov.uk/highways-and-transport/bussurvey or any comments or questions can be emailed to [email protected]. The closing date is 18 December.

HALF MOON: Villagers hoping to secure the long term future of the Half Moon have formed a Community Benefit Society – the Balcombe Community Pub Limited which gives the legal entity for communal ownership of the pub.

The Business Plan and Community Share Offer Documents are now available and can be viewed on the website, www.savethehalfmoon.co.uk, and hard copies will be available shortly from the Half Moon Inn, Threads, and Balcombe Stores. Members of the steering group say “The Half Moon is important to Balcombe. The pub is not just a place for food and drinks. It helps create cohesion in the community, provides local character, contributes to the local economy and is an important focal point for the village. Once the pub is gone, it would be very difficult to get it back. We really must not let this opportunity pass us by.” They strongly urge you to consider the Business Plan and Community Share Offer Document, and to pass it on to anyone you think might be interested in subscribing. The minimum subscription is £250 and this can be a group of people clubbing together although only one vote would be given in this situation. In the meantime, if you have any immediate questions, they can be contacted at: [email protected]

PARISH MAGAZINE COPY: is due in today Thursday 15 December.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH: Sunday 18 December THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8am Holy Communion, 10.00 am Parish Eucharist, 6.00 pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

Wednesday 21 December 10.00 am Said Eucharist, 2.00 pm Play and Praise for pre-school children and their carers. Hear the Christmas story and join in our Christmas Songs and crafts.

Saturday 24 December 4.00 pm Family Crib Building Service and the arrival of the Posada following its journey through the village, 11.00 pm Midnight Sung Eucharist by Candlelight

Christmas Day 25 December 8.00 am Holy Communion, 10.00 am Family Eucharist

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING: takes place for an hour on Sunday 8 January between 11.30 – 12.30 pm in the Victory Hall Car Park. Thank you Balcombe Estate for providing this service once again.

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