Ewhurst Green, Cripps Corner and Staplecross village voice

The Annual Parish Meeting was held last week with a good number of local residents attending to hear what progress had, or not, been made in the past year. Again local clubs and societies had tables illustrating the many activities that take place in the parish, including the proposed plans for the Herdman Field, all backed up by the annual report that had been circulated to all households beforehand.

There was an interesting presentation by Chief Inspector Martin Sims of Sussex Police on the tackling of wildlife crime in the county. Fascinating though his talk was, it was lengthy and impinged on other speakers and time for local residents to air their views in time for the 9 o’clock deadline.

Fergus Cameron the Recycling officer for Rother District Council reported on the increased recycling successes since the 1990’s meaning that very little is now sent to landfill.

District Councillor Tony Ganly, who serves on the RDC Cabinet and responsible for recycling, followed this report with his own illustrating the cost effectiveness of recycling by joining up with other district councils and said investigation into kerbside collections of household waste were taking place.

County Councillor Peter Jones said that very day the go ahead for the link road skirting Bexhill had been given by the Government. Once built this would lead to regeneration in the area with new jobs as well as new homes. He again added to the recycling debate by saying electricity from burning rubbish was also providing electricity, with the waste ash being utilised for roads. He said that County had made its departments more cost efficient to counteract the restrictions made by Government. Faster Broadband is being brought to the area and he impressed on the audience the importance of this is to fill in a survey (www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/consultation/2011/broadband/survey/aspx) in order that this parish does not fall behind before the funding runs out. He concluded that after 16 years on the County Council, many as Leader, he would not be standing at the County Elections in 2013.

Hilary Ganly, Chairman of the Village Hall Committee, said there was a good standard of facilities offered and the hall was in use on most days. There was always room for greater use and said the committee welcomed ideas for events for the younger element. Mary Baker who is responsible for bookings had a table set for dining at the side of the hall illustrating that the hall is used for private bookings for parties, celebrations etc (01580-830963). In addition Hilary said the committee was looking to the future on the options on the building, continued maintenance, new build, if so where?

Questions from the floor were limited due to the over-run of speakers, but those put to the meeting were improvements to the A21, speed limit extension of 30mph in Ewhurst Green, the contravention of Planning permission at Bramble Farm and what plans were there to expand manufacturing for export in the county.

Last Saturday morning the presentation of playground equipment was on display in the village hall. There was a magnificent pictorial array of equipment, both for the tinies, the teens and perhaps also for the grannies as their little ones are occupied with their own equipment! The Parish Council’s aim is to get youngsters out into the fresh air and away from screens (in what is known as “deficit disorder”). The equipment would be installed at the playing fields in Staplecross and Ewhurst Green. Depending on the feedback, one can only suppose it will be to try and get funding – and this equipment does not come cheap.

Plans are well in hand for the Jubilee celebrations in the parish, starting on Sunday June 3, through until Tuesday June 5. There is a great variety of activities planned throughout the three day event, including lighting of the beacon at Staplecross playing field at 10pm on the Monday. More details in the coming weeks.

Nearer on the calendar is the May Parish Council meeting at 7pm in the Church Room, Northiam Road on Thursday (May 10). Members of the public are invited to attend and may speak at the discretion of the Chairman.

The next event in Ewhurst and Staplecross Bonfire Society’s fundraising is a Beetle Drive to be held at the village hall at 6.30pm next Saturday (May 12). Always a good fun evening; should you require supper then please book in advance to Marion Brown 01580-765764. Entry is £2 (£1 for children). The previous evening again at The Cross, it is the monthly meeting of the Society at 8pm when all interested in the Society are invited to attend with members.

Mary Reeve, Wodens Wood, Cripps Corner