Chailey

MESSY CHURCH: On Monday April 4 from 4.30pm to 6pm there will be fun activities, games, singing and a family tea. The Messy Church is for all ages and the cost is £1 per family. Call 01273 400785 or email [email protected] for more details.

MY FRIENDS THE ELEPHANTS: Is the subject of a talk by Edward Paget, at the village hall, at the Women’s Institute meeting on Tuesday April 5 at 7.45pm. Please take an elephant with you to the meeting. Visitors and prospective members will be made most welcome, the cost being £3 which includes homemade refreshments. To find out more about the group call Carol Brown on 01825 723757.

FIND OUT MORE: Volunteering at the Bluebell Railway. A Find Out More Day is taking place on Sunday April 10. Anyone, skilled or unskilled, who can offer a day a month or more to the Railway are invited to find out more about volunteering in our various departments. And if under 16 years, you can gain experience in the 9F Club. Book your place on an orientation tour, and get more information about the opportunities at the Railway by phoning 01825 720800 or emailing [email protected].

MULTI-LOCO DIESEL GALA: At the Bluebell Railway takes place from Friday to Sunday, April 15 to 17. The event organised jointly by the Bluebell Railway and GB Railfreight (GBRf). GBRf is celebrating 15 years of operation in 2016, and this is the first of several events in which money GBRf raises will be donated to charity. Locomotives will be drawn from a selection regularly used by GBRf. A selection of sales stands also will be in attendance, including a special GBRf stand where limited edition 15th anniversary memorabilia will be available to purchase. For more details visit http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/diesel-weekend/ or call 01825 720800.

ST GEORGES FETE: Is one of the bonfire society’s biggest annual events and takes place on Saturday April 23. The society are keen to hear from you if you are interested in having a car boot space or a stall; just contact them via www.chaileybonfire.co.uk or call Clare on 07985 112968. Also contact Clare if your local organisation or village group would like a stall. This is an excellent village event and raises funds for our magnificent firework display, in November, and the Christmas Party for the older members in the village. The day will I have no doubt be as exceptional as it was last year; there are already more than 40 cars booked for the boot sale along with lots of stalls. There will be arena events including a tug of war completion, 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 and entries for the dog show will be from noon. Classes start at 12.30pm and 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 the 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. Now all that’s needed is more help with activities on the day. If you can offer some time, even if it is only an hour, whether in the morning to assist with setting up or the afternoon to help man a stall that would be great. Please just call Diane on 01273 401900 and let her know when you’re available to help.

CHAILEY WINDMILL: The windmill stands on Chailey Common adjacent to a Yew Tree which is said to mark the centre of Sussex. The windmill was built in 1830 and for the first 14 years of its life was at Highbrook. In 1844 it was moved to Newhaven, where it stood for 20 years, and it was then moved by oxen to its present position on Red House Common. It ceased milling in 1911 but remained in working order until 1928 when it was wrecked in a gale. During the war it was camouflaged and used as sleeping quarters for nurses from Chailey Heritage. The Mill and Rural Life Museum will be open for the first time this year on Sunday April 24 from 3pm to 5 pm. Admission charges are £1 for adults and 50p for children aged 10 to 16 years. For more details call John Smith On 01825 723519.

TOYS AND RAIL: This 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.

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