Chailey

SPRING SHOW: The Horticultural Society’s Spring Show is tomorrow, Saturday, at the village hall, so now is the time to get a schedule. They are available from The Five Bells, South Chailey Stores or Peter Estcourt via [email protected] or 07803 179708. The Horticultural Society encourages everyone to take part and it’s easy to enter, with entries being charged at no more than 10p or 20p per class and children free. If you would like more details email chaileyvillageshow @outlook.com. Everyone is welcome to go along at 2.30pm and see the exhibits, there will be a fantastic display of spring flowers I’m sure. Also home-made refreshments and prize giving at 4pm.

SPRING TRACTOR RUN: Is taking place on Saturday March 30. Organised by Chailey Classic and Vintage Tractor Club the Run is based on the theme Mad as a March Hare Spring River Run the idea being to follow the course of local rivers and streams into Lewes. Everyone is welcome to go along either as a spectator or with a tractor. Meet at Tinkers Park, Hadlow Down (TN22 4HS) by 10am for a 10.15am departure to Five Ash Down, via the lanes, for the first stop, at about 11am, at The Pig and Butcher. Complimentary tea and coffee, plus bacon butties at a subsidised price of £2 will be available. Thanks to Ian and Emma for their support. The Run will continue at 11.30am to The Laughing Fish, Isfield, arriving at 12.15pm where the affiliated Morris side Spirimawgus will be in attendance. At 12.45pm the Run will set off for Barcombe where it will meet a Tinkers Steamer which will lead the Run into Lewes, past the Elephant and Castle, via the one-way system into Cliffe High Street, past the Dorset Arms and into Harveys Yard where all the steam, tractors and vintage vehicles will park up. There will be live folk music, a barbeque and a bar courtesy of Harveys Brewery. The club are extremely grateful to Harveys Brewery for hosting this gathering and for their tremendous support of this event. The Club are again collecting for St Peter and St James Hospice who will have a presence at the Brewery too. For more details email [email protected] or visit http://www.chaileytractorclub.org/.

WILL WRITING: Will writing appointments free of charge. Throughout April local solicitors have generously agreed to offer a limited number of appointments free. Instead of paying the solicitor for professional advice it is asked that you donate to St Peter and St James Hospice. The suggested donation is £120 for a Single Will and £180 for a Joint Will. Just choose one of the participating solicitors at https://stpjhospice.org/events/make-a-will-month/ and arrange an appointment, quoting St Peter and St James Hospice. For more information, please contact the Fundraising Team on 01444 470710 or email [email protected].

PLANNING COMMITTEE: All Chailey residents are invited to attend the Parish Council’s Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday April 2, at the Reading Room, Chailey Green; starting at 7.30 pm. Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak about any planning or related matter. The full agenda can be found on the Council’s website at chailey.org. They look forward to seeing you.

CHAILEY WI: Meet on Tuesday April 2 in the village hall at 7.45pm when Rukshana Master will give an interesting talk titled Tales from the British Raj. Prospective members and guests are always welcome and a donation of £3 will include home-made refreshments. For more information call Margaret Smith on 01825 723519.

LUNCH CLUB: Takes place on Thursday April 11 at St Peter’s Church, on Chailey Green. The meal is freshly prepared and home-cooked with a main course, choice of puddings and tea/coffee all for £5 per person. Just go along from 12.30pm to 2pm, the access is easy and there are disabled toilet facilities. If you require transport or further information please contact [email protected] or call 01825 722286.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Chailey Heritage Foundation are looking for volunteers to take part in the Greater Brighton Cycle Challenge, either 30 or 60 miles, on Sunday May 19. Also the Foundation would be extremely grateful for volunteers at their Focus 10K at Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath, (www.chf.org.uk/event-f10k.html) on Sunday June 2. Helpers need to be there between 8am and 2pm and food and beverages will be provided. Please let the Foundation know if you can help on 01825 724444 or fundraising @chf.org.uk.

CHAILEY SCHOOL: The planning application to provide a new building to the popular and successful Chailey School in East Sussex was granted planning permission by Lewes District Council on March 12. The new modern and sustainable building will enhance the teaching and learning environment, reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs therefore increasing funding for education. There will also be more opportunity for community use of the facilities. Speaking at the Planning Committee Cllr Mark Evans of Chailey Parish said that architects had listened to their concerns and he had received ‘a preponderance of favourable comments from our and neighbouring communities’. Councillor Sheppard, who proposed the motion to accept the officers’ recommendation to approve the plans praised Chailey School for ‘their fantastic staff and amazing results’. He went on to say that ‘the developers had done all they can for the school and neighbours’.

Headteacher Helen Key gave the committee detailed insight into the constant issues and compromises the school face with the current no longer fit for purpose main teaching building. Mrs Key spoke after consent was given ‘I am delighted with the result of tonight’s committee meeting which will bring so many benefits to our students, staff and the Chailey community. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and look forward to the next steps of this exciting journey.’ Ed Sutton from Bowmer + Kirkland the firm who will build the new building said, ‘The result is great news for the Chailey School community. We look forward to continuing to work with everyone involved as we progress the new building plans.’ Students from Chailey School were in attendance to watch democracy in action.