Cooksbridge, Offham & Hamsey

SAD NEWS: Residents of the parish have been shocked and very sad to hear of the death of Phyllida Stewart Roberts who lived in the parish for very many years and was well known throughout the county. Her funeral took place at St Peter’s Church on Tuesday August 23 followed by private burial at St Peter’s Church, Hamsey. She will be so sadly missed by her family and many friends, not just in this parish but around the district and way beyond. Our sympathy goes to Andrew and the family.

HAMSEY: Where has the year gone? It will be the last Hamsey Evensong of the summer on Sunday, September 4. There will be Holy Communion in Hamsey Church at 8am and Evensong at 6pm.

OFFHAM CHURCH: Saturday September 10, Pop-up Café returns to Offham Church Hall. Delicious homemade cakes and savouries served from 2pm. Profits to Offham Church Flint Wall Restoration Fund. Do pop along and take your friends and neighbours. (Well behaved dogs welcome). If the sun is shining and you’re out for a walk this could be just the thing to sustain you on the way.

RIDE AND STRIDE: Saturday September 10 is also the annual Ride and Stride sponsored cycle ride. All details from the Rector on 01273 474356.

AFTERNOON CLUB: The Monday Afternoon Club meet on September 12 in Offham Church Hall at 2pm. The speaker will be Roger Parish who will talk about years of experience working for the Indian Railway and construction of the Jubilee Line. It will be an illustrated talk and should be a fascinating afternoon. If you require a lift, contact Judith on 01273 474356.

SINGING WORKSHOP: Saturday September 17 at Offham Church Hall in aid of Hamsey Church roof Restoration Appeal. Gorgeous songs taught by ear, no experience necessary. Contact Julie Nye, community choir leader on 07970 522058 for more information.

OH DEAR: I could have headed it ‘We Told You So’. When the subject of the pavement in Beechwood Lane used to come up regularly from those that opposed it, I used to get regular calls telling me the reasons why they opposed it. Mainly they did not want to see the lovely country lane spoilt by a concrete pavement which would make part of the lane narrower and there would be an accident waiting to happen. Last week it did happen. Two cars, one coming down the lane and one turning in from the A27 collided head on. Fortunately no one was injured but the cars were damaged. Ever since the pavement was installed one resident has had more than her fair share of troubles with ESCC Highways. When it rains her garden floods, and I have been informed that part of her hedge has died. It should also be remembered that there is a problem with the pavement to do with the height of the kerbing. ESCC admitted that it did not meet the required standards, being far too easy for a vehicle to mount the pavement. In March Hamsey Parish Council agreed that ESCC should be asked to put it right, which I believe ESCC agreed to do. They stated that when the work was carried out the road would have to be closed, but so far nothing has happened. Over the weekend another resident who lives in the lane said that it is used as a race track. Something needs to be done to make the lane safer before there is a very serious accident.

HUGE: One of the white buddleia’s has self-seeded itself right outside of my utility room window and is covered in beautiful white blooms which is not only attracting the butterflies, but also huge bumble bees which are fascinating to watch as they collect the pollen. A couple of days ago I spotted 20 all at once and some had bright yellow bodies and were huge. I keep reading letters in the press from people saying they have not seen any butterflies this year, which is strange, because I have never seen so many as this year and so many species. I still have a humming bird hawk moth on the buddleias, again an amazing thing to watch. The swallows have had their second brood and are swooping above in the evenings catching insects, but it won’t be long before they depart again to warmer climes for the winter. Always a sad time to see them fly off.

BRADNESS GALLERY: One day course on Tuesday September 13, Landscape painting in Watercolours with Michael Cruickshank. Two day course, Saturday and Sunday September 17 and 18, Painting Abstracts with Emma Burnett. If you would like to join a course in September, contact Michael or Emma on 01273 400606.

SNAKES ALIVE: I have not seen a snake around here for quite some time so was taken by surprise when I went onto the patio to feed the birds as a huge snake slithered in front of me and went into the pond. I watched as it swam across, got out onto the patio and slithered away under one of the shrubs. I shall not venture near there until I am sure it has gone.

AT HOME: That sweet little robin that I mentioned came into the kitchen at the weekend, perched on one of the worktops and watched me as I chopped up some runner beans. The trouble was that because I had left the door open I then got some unwelcome wasps. All I hope is that the stray cat, who has made itself at home in the garden, does not take the robin.

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