Herstmonceux & Wartling

FREE WINE TASTING: On Thursday 26 May at Lime Cross Nursery from 7 to 9pm there is a free wine tasting event of the Wines of the Roussillon. Discover wines from Limoux, SW France. Try wines made by three different artisan producers, exclusively available in the UK through Lime Cross Nursery. Special case rate discounts on the night.

WALKING GROUP: On Sunday meet Trudy (845597)at 10am at Hailsham Leisure Centre for a walk of 4.5 miles around Piddinghoe.

On Tuesday evening the group meets at Chiddingly village car park at 6.30pm with Helen (845684) for a circular walk of 3-4 miles in search of the maze. Please ring walk leaders if you would like to go along so they know to expect you.

SUPER-DUPER SUMMER FAIR: This year Herstmonceux and Wartling are joining forces for the Summer Fair. It will be in Herstmonceux Church and churchyard on June 11th 2pm There will be cakes, plants, bric-a-brac, books, tombola and a raffle to name just a few of the things going on. Plus strawberry cream teas, cakes and savouries to eat. Why not come and join us. Lots of games and things to do will make this a really fun afternoon. Tables are available if wanted. Ring Pam on 833079.

LENT LUNCH: Before Easter there was a Lent Lunch in Herstmonceux Church where donations for the Send A Cow Charity were collected. There have been further contributions to this fund and it now stands at £152 which will go a long way to help. Send a Cow is a charity which equips people in Africa by providing them with the means to help themselves. The money can go to various things like garden tools and seeds, with training on how to use them or by buying chickens so that they can use the eggs or hatch them and sell the chickens on. They also provide training and support. Thank you to all those who donated and thank you to Jim and Kitty who provided the lunch - ‘Good Soup’.

QUEEN’S 90th BIRTHDAY PICNIC: The Friends of Herstmonceux Castle & Bader International Study Centre and the Management of Herstmonceux Castle invite the communities of Herstmonceux and Wartling Parishes to have a picnic in the grounds of the castle between 2pm and 5pm on 12 June to celebrate the Queens 90th Birthday. Entry will be free, just bring your picnic or you can buy refreshments from the Chestnuts Cafe or the BBQ on site. Activities are being planned and music will be supplied by Recycled. There will be a Fancy dress competition for all ages so feel free to dress-up in anything you have from the 90 years of the Queens life. Street posters and house to house leaflets will be circulated in mid-May giving further details, but if you would like to help with the event or wish to bring along an activity please contact Alan McInnes, Chairman, Friends of Herstmonceux Castle & BISC, email [email protected] or call 01323 833306.

COWBEECH BONFIRE SOCIETY: Friends and supporters of the Cowbeech Bonfire Society Charitable Trust gathered at the Merrie Harriers on Sunday 10 April to celebrate another year of fun-filled and financially successful social activities in the village of Cowbeech which this year were all blessed with good weather which is vital when almost all events are outdoors. The evening was a very pleasant social occasion with a delicious dinner, and much chatter and laughter. In addition many local good causes were presented with cheques totalling £8,500. Organisations which benefitted were groups for young people - the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers. We are all aware of the ongoing need to provide a permanent home for these groups as well as to support their increased running costs in the interim. In support of our local senior citizens donations were given to both the Ray and Sheldon Club and the Herstmonceux Luncheon Club who will use the additional money for outings and transport costs to ensure people are able to attend. Serving a wider catchment area but nonetheless vital for those locally in need of their services donations were made to Viewcraft - a craft and social group for blind and visually handicapped people which meets in Herstmonceux Village Hall on Tuesdays, and the Herons Ghyll Carriage Driving Club which enables people with disabilities to enjoy the experience and company of horses. St John Ambulance (whom support us at our Flower Show and Fete), St Wilfrid’s Hospice, and Demelza who offer hospice at home to chronically ill children were health charities who benefitted. The Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance Service were helped for the first time as they are particularly important in rural areas. Local sports clubs were also supported - the Herstmonceux Bowls, Cricket and Football clubs as well as the Hailsham Swimming Club and Mastersport and Play who support young people in water sports. Finally a donation was made to All Saints Church 9 Renovation Fund to assist with damp proofing and replastering the ancient and beautiful parish church. All the good causes who benefitted were present to receive their cheques and say a few words about what the money would be used for. As the MC for the presentations remarked this year CBSCT became a registered charity and the small group of 7 trustees who plan the programme of events is completely reliant on the support that is so willingly given by the residents of this small village community. It is a privilege and a joy to live there.

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