Ewhurst Green, Cripps Corner and Staplecross village voice

ESTHER Jones of Sheringham Close, Staplecross, passed away last week just a few days short of her 73rd birthday. She was born in Sittingbourne and moved to East Sussex for the Guiness hop-picking and spent about fifty years living locally including Cripps Corner and Staplecross. She was a well known face and always answered the call to help out at village jumble sales. She leaves three children, Tom, Joby and Tina, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The funeral will take place at St James Church, Ewhurst Green, on Monday July 16 at 11am.

Many congratulations to Micky and John Seymour of Shoreham Lane, Ewhurst Green who yesterday clocked up sixty years married. Well done to our Diamond Couple, who over the years have contributed to the parish in many ways. John was on the Parish Council for a number of years, Micky has taught at Staplecross School, as well as being on the board of governors and both have been good supportive friends to many.

There is to be an Arts, Crafts and Produce Show at Newenden church tomorrow between 10am-4pm, where our own talented artist Glenys Griffiths will be having a stall of her paintings, including those on silk, and greetings cards of flora and fauna.

While we await summer, local amateur group SCATS are looking forward to next January. This is the time when the society puts on the village pantomime. This takes plenty of planning and it all starts on Tuesday (July 17) at 7.30pm in Staplecross village hall. The panto to be performed, find out who would like to be in it, what role to play and who would like to be onstage or behind the scenes will all be discussed. Should you have a thespian feeling and would like to participate, then Tuesday evening is your venue. Pauline Scowen is happy to give any information to those interested and should you not be able to attend then she can be contacted on 01580-830570 or email [email protected]

Metal thefts throughout the country are seemingly widespread and our own parish has suffered several incidents. The police are asking everyone to keep a watchful eye with school holidays approaching and school buildings quite often targeted. Should you see/hear anything suspicious, you are asked to ring 0800-555111 or report to www.crimestoppers-uk.org and your anonymity is guaranteed.

Bus timetable changes are taking place this month and should you be a regular traveller and wish to find out your particular service, the contact is, www.stagecoachbus.com. Battle Area Community Transport is launching several new bus services providing new Day Out travel on a pre-booked basis. Information may be obtained from www.bact-online.co.uk.

The NHS is planning a public consultation entitled Shaping Our Future, aiming at future provision of stroke, general surgery and orthopaedic services in East Sussex improving health services with high quality, safe and sustainable care for patients. The consultation will run for 14 weeks until September 28, with press announcements. Should you be interested, details are available on www.esht.nhs.uk/shapingourfuture