Cooksbridge, Offham & Hamsey

PLANNING APPLICATION: LW/16/0695 East Chiltington. Land South of Chiltington House, Chiltington Lane. The creation of ponds (part retrospective) and the provision of associated buildings with a supervisory dwelling to serve a fish farm producing caviar. Planning permission for the dwelling (only) sought initially for three years in order to demonstrate enterprise viability for London Fine Foods Group. This application has caused a lot of concern, especially for the residents who live in the lane and those who live adjacent to the site. There is also the question of extra traffic coming and going to the site and when the application was first submitted the route for any delivery lorries was to be Wickham Lane, which would then take them into Chiltington Lane, which again is a narrow country lane with several hazardous bends which should be taken into consideration by LDC planning committee and officers. A poster has been erected in the lane from the objectors and there is also a website. For those who wish to object they have to write to LDC Planning Dept by September 15.

HAMSEY PC: Hamsey Parish Council meet on Thursday in the village hall, Beechwood Lane, at 7.15pm.

MONDAY AFTERNOON CLUB: Railway Tales will be the title of the talk given by Roger Parish on Monday. Roger will draw on years of experience working for the Indian Railway and construction of the Jubilee Line. Members of the Monday Afternoon Club should have a most interesting afternoon, as it will be an illustrated talk which will be followed by a lovely tea with homemade cakes. 2pm in Offham Church Hall. Remember the club is for all retired members of the community to drop in, there is no need to commit to every meeting. Lifts are always available, contact Judith on 01273 474356 to arrange one.

FLINT WALL RESTORATION: St Peter’s Church. The very popular Pop-Up Café returns tomorrow, Saturday in Offham Church Hall where all the profits will go to the Restoration Fund for the flint wall. From 2pm onwards delicious homemade cakes will be served and savouries (well behaved dogs welcome).

RIDE AND STRIDE: This sponsored walk/cycle ride for the Sussex Historic Churches Trust is tomorrow, Saturday. If you would like to put your name forward to do a duty at the church to welcome the cyclists or walkers, or require a sponsorship form to take part in the cycle ride, contact the Rector on 01273 474356 for further information.

SINGING WORKSHOP: I now have all the details for the event which is on Saturday September 17 from 10.45am to 5pm. Fund raising workshop and bring and share lunch. Gorgeous songs, taught by ear, open to all, no experience necessary. Led by Julie Nye, community choir leader and harmony singing enthusiast. Start with coffee at 10.45am in Offham Church Hall; 11am singing; 1pm lunch; 2pm singing; 3.30pm walk or drive to Hamsey; 4.30pm walk or drive to Hamsey Church to sing what has been learned, for an informal sharing with friends and family. Refreshments available. Cost £20 (in aid of Old Hamsey Church). For further information and booking please contact Julie on 07970 522058 or email [email protected]

DRIVE CAREFULLY: Having just written about the accident in Beechwood Lane, I was alarmed to hear from a resident that her daughter was driving along the lane recently when some idiot thought they were on a race track with no thought for anyone else using the lane, resulting in the poor young woman ending up in the ditch. When are these motorists going to accept that it is a country lane and should not be used as a race track.

TALL STORIES: With two very well-known properties within the parish having been on the market for some weeks now, with a price guide of well over £4 million for each property, there have been some amusing tales of who has visited. I have been asked whether I know who has actually bought either of them. Then I have received calls to tell me who has visited one of the properties, namely James Dyson and Mohammed Fayed. The answer to the questions is I don’t know but promise if I should hear that Richard Branson, One Director, Adele or even Donald Trump wants to build another golf course in the parish, I shall let you all know at once.

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