Cooksbridge, Offham & Hamsey

MORE SAD NEWS: I was so shocked when I opened my paper last week and read that Richard Turk had died. We met Richard not long after we had moved over to Courthouse and for over 33 years not only was he our very reliable electrician, but also a good friend who we were always pleased to see. He used to come and collect horse manure for his tomatoes and vegetables and loved to come and sit by the pond and watch the birds and wildlife. He loved his golf and was keen on horse racing, following the progress of my youngest son when he became a trainer at Newmarket. He could tell me where and when Nick was racing and knew all the names. Sadly earlier this year he told me that he was ill and I did not hear from him for a while. When he last spoke to me it was not good news at all. He is going to be so sadly missed by many friends, including myself, and those who I recommended him to, especially in this parish but above all by Tony, his brother, who has our heartfelt sympathy.

PARISH COUNCIL: East Chiltington PC met on Thursday September 8. On the agenda were planning issues which included discussions on SDNP/16/02212/FUL Unit 1 Wooton Farm. Demolition of existing agricultural building and surrender of open storage yard (B8 use) and construction of four holiday let units. PC objected. LW/16/0572 Orchard Barn, Honeypot Lane, Chailey. Conversion of an existing double garage into ancillary accommodation. PC did not object. SDNP/16/03618/FUL Warningore House, Novington Lane. Conversion of barn to holiday let/B&B, including demolition and rebuilding of the existing lean-to on the south west elevation. PC had no objection. Land south of Chiltington House, Chiltington Lane. Creation of ponds for the fish farm. To note any decisions by LDC. LW/16/0328 Mount Pleasant, Highbridge Lane. Provision of new crossover. Granted. LW/16/0572 Orchard Barn, Honeypot Lane. Conversion of an existing double garage into ancillary accommodation. Granted. Correspondence was received from a resident requesting the PC to support a ban on pesticides. The resident is concerned about the future of the sandpit and comments on a planning application.

UK Power has a new emergency number. On September 6 a new national phone number (105) was launched by electricity network operators for customers to call if they need to report or get information regarding a power cut in their area. Dialling 105 will put customers through to their local electricity network operator, the company that manages the cables, power lines and substations that deliver electricity to homes and businesses in their area. The ESCC Conference is on Thursday September 29. LDC parish conference is on Wednesday October 12 from 6pm to 9pm at Pelham House. SDNP East Sussex parish workshop will be on Monday November 21 in Lewes Town Hall. EC Parish Council are invited to the LDC parish conference on October 12.

A DOWNLAND YEAR: I never tire of reading Tickner Edwardes 1939 version of a year roaming around the Downs, which I am still only halfway through. But as September is now with us I decided I would read on and catch up with all the months which I may have missed by falling asleep when it gets to midnight. The following is what he wrote for part of September 1939: If your first acquaintance with the South Downs happens to be a distant view of them in early autumn, you are likely to be disappointed at what seems their dingy, burnt-up look. From afar scarce a vestige of greenery can be made out on all the shoalback hills. But once you have gained the heights, this sere and yellow cast disappears as if by magic. Hill and dale are clothed in living beauty. Their dun, parched look is due to the sunlight catching in the myriad dry grass-bents that everywhere lift above the sward. Beneath, the turf itself is still flagrantly, triumphantly green and thickly gemmed with flowers. Yellow hawk bit, lilac scabious, purple of knapweed and thistle and wild thyme, blue campion and harebell, rose red calamint, yellow, pink or white – is there any wild flower familiar to the lowlands that you cannot find new, yet in a minute, soberly brilliant replica, under this drab veil of grass heads covering the Downs. For years I loved going up onto the Downs with the dogs and sitting in amongst the wild flowers and herbs that still grow in abundance.

VILLAGE GREENS: When I came across a little book that I have had for years but never found time to read, I flicked a couple of pages an came across a whole chapter on village greens. As I know that East Chiltington have applied for Village Green status, I decided to read on. It appears that village greens were never just a green space where you could sit and watch cricket or bowls etc, as it states that the village green formerly played a much more important part in the life of the community than is the case today. It was often the scene of rough sport and even still rougher justice; but the ancient and, happily, bygone customs have left relics of great interest and much pleasure can be had hunting out their history and significance. The nearest village green which is illustrated with a picture is the Old Bull Ring at Horsham. Although I have not finished reading all of the chapter it is a fascinating insight into the past history of village greens. Because one of the village greens mentioned as a unique sporting relic to be found at Offham, near Maidstone in Kent which has a quintain post, I started to read further as of course I saw the name Offham. I have yet to read further and find out a bit more.

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