Ewhurst Green, Cripps Corner and Staplecross village voice

On Monday, the Battle and District U3A restarts with local actress and entertainer Sam Guard’s talk “Gossip and Giggles from 40 years in the theatre”. This morning meeting, beginning at 10.30am (doors open 10.00) is held in the Battle Memorial Hall and is aimed at those whose full time profession has finished and who wish to keep minds and activities busy. The many groups include Bridge, Book Club, Chess, Digital Photography, Family History, Life Story, French Conversation, Gardening, Lunches, Music, Petanque, Scrabble, Shakespeare, Short Tennis, Singing, Theatre, Walking, Wood Carving. There are always room for more groups from interested members and welcome new members who live in the wider Rother area.

Next weekend there are several events of interest.

The Ewhurst and Staplecross Bonfire Society has a Fun Dog Show on Sunday September 9 at Beckley – it will be signposted from the A28 – in Mary Mason’s Field. The details are: Entries from 10.30 am, with judging to follow at 11.30 am. The cost is £1 per dog per class. There is ample free parking and refreshments are available.

Ewhurst, Staplecross and Bodiam Garden Society will be holding the annual Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show on Saturday September 8 at 2pm in Staplecross Village Hall. There is as always a varied schedule and should you not have green fingers, or the weather had put paid to your produce, then there is a section for jams, jellies, marmalade, chutney, gingerbread, bread, scones, trifle, chocolate brownies to a given recipe (two categories, one for the men and one for the ladies!). In handicrafts – hand knitting, crochet or needlework, object any medium wood, metal, pottery, sculpture etc, picture, photograph of garden subject, paper craft. There is a wide range for you to choose from and details are in the Society’s schedule, or from Staplecross Stores for non-members who may also enter classes.

Another event on September 8 is the annual cycle ride around the churches of the county. Cyclists, or those who walk as the event is not restricted to wheels, choose their route. There is a list of churches open on the day, and especially those offering sustenance. Sponsor forms are available from Alastair Neill (01580-830245). Fifty percent of money raised goes to our own church and the other half to Sussex Historic Churches Trust.

Ewhurst Parish Council has found a piece of land that may be suitable for allotments and asks that anyone whose garden is not large enough to grow their own vegetables and is interested in an allotment to attend a Allotments Open Morning between 10am and noon on Saturday September 8. The site is in Lordine Lane Ewhurst Green and will be identified by balloons.

Merriments Garden Centre is again supporting Macmillan Cancer Support by having a special Open Gardens in aid of this worthwhile charity on Wednesday September 12 between 10.00am and 5.30pm. The admission for adults is £5, with children aged between 5-16 at £2 per head.

Hilary Ganly is holding a One Day Workshop on Saturday September 22 at the Church Room (at the rear of St Mark’s church) Northiam Road, Staplecross. The theme this time is Flower Painting and Hilary is taking bookings at £40. The time is 10.00am-4pm. To contact Hilary, you should ring 01580-830704, or email [email protected].

MAry Reeve, Wodens Wood, Cripps Corner