Lewes Village News

FOR YOUR DIARY: Charity Barn Dance for Bevern View on Friday June 19 at Barcombe Village Hall. Tickets £18 including ploughman’s supper. Call 01273 400752 or email [email protected]. Please note advance sales only, no tickets on the night.

CRICKET NEWS: ESCL Div 2 Barcombe v Newhaven. Barcombe 86 all out in 37.3 overs:

Tom Chaplin 23, Allan Trower 12, Joe Wheatley 11. Newhaven 66 all out in 25.2 overs: Paul Coppard 5-14 in 12.2 overs, Josh Wheatley 4-27. Barcombe 30 points beat Newhaven 10 points by 20 runs.

After last week’s crushing defeat,Barcombe faced Newhaven at the BRG on a glorious May afternoon. They knew they needed a performance to reignite their season. As usual Barcombe skipper Josh Wheatley lost the toss on a wicket livened by earlier rain. Bowlers on both sides were salivating but it was Newhaven’s who had the first crack. At 14-4 Barcombe were circling the drain and the zero point vultures were spotted licking their beaks above the oak tree. To say batting was difficult would be an understatement. Barcombe’s lower order battled hard and, despite wickets falling at regular intervals, showed derring-do to help the score along to a low, but competitive 86. Tom Chaplin, on debut, top scored with 23 and the last wicket pair of Ed Marler and Paul Austen added a crucial 15 runs at the end in a cultured partnership.

After a hearty tea, Barcombe knew early wickets would put pressure on the visitors batting line up. Allan Trower and Paul Coppard produced accurate opening spells and Coppard made the early breakthrough’s hooping the ball around corners to claim two wickets in two balls. The fielders were stopping everything, putting their bodies on the line for the village and it seemed that the team sensed blood. Trower did his best to get Newhaven back in the game by suffering the yips for the second week in a row but his replacement, Josh Wheatley, steadied the ship and chipped away, with Coppard, at the Newhaven batting order the ball was ripping sideways and the Barcombe bounce made batting very interesting. Newhaven’s lower order offered little to no resistance and Coppard and Wheatley tore through them to bowl them out for 66, giving Barcombe a vital 30 points. In the words of Paul Coppard ‘We drink when we’re finished.’ Let there be beer. Rogue films catch of the game goes to Joe Wheatley for his stretching effort at gully. Lewes Communications call of the game goes to Josh Wheatley for removing Trower from the attack. Spice Merchant stinger of the game goes to Ed Marler for his diving stop at mid on.

PLANT SALE: Barcombe Garden Club enjoyed another record year for plant sales last Saturday. Buyers from Barcombe and surrounding villages packed the village hall and were joined by gardeners in the know from across Sussex and even some London boroughs, helping to make this annual event such a success. Special thanks go to Jane Ricketts and all the many helpers and supporters.

PARISH COUNCIL: A call for new members. Now that national election fever has subsided it’s time to concentrate on local matters. Barcombe Parish Council should have 11 members but has five at present. So there’s room for willing hands, particularly those from the younger generation(s). If you would like to be considered for co-option, please contact parish clerk Julia Shelly, either by phone (01825 766356) or by email ([email protected]). Or speak to any councillor, a list is on the parish council website, barcombe.net. The main qualifications needed are an open mind, a readiness to get involved and some spare time.

ADULT BALLET: Do you want a fun and inspiring way to keep fit? Then come and try Adult Ballet at Barcombe Village Hall on Monday nights. Beginners from 6pm to 6.45pm, Intermediate from 6.45pm to 7.45pm. Try your first class for free. Call Lianne on 07957541057. This class is offered through Turning Pointe School of Dance.

Chailey

KIDS FOR A QUID: Kids to travel for a quid on the trains at the Bluebell Railway from tomorrow, Saturday, to Sunday May 31. For more details call 01825 720800.

CRICKET: Tomorrow, Saturday, sees Chailey in a league game away to Cuckfield III starting at 1.30pm. Prospective players and supporters are most welcome. To find out more about call 07709 946880.

PENTECOST: Celebrations will be afternoon teas in St Peters Church tomorrow, Saturday, from 3pm to 5pm. Everyone is invited to join in and enjoy the teas.

ST PETER’S CHURCH: Services this Sunday are Holy Communion at 8am and Parish Communion at 10am. Transport can be arranged by calling Peter Martin on 01825 722680.

FREE CHURCH: Services this Sunday with Trevor Dickerson at 10.30am and with Giles Woodcraft at 6.30pm. Refreshments will be served after all the services.

TRACK TREK: The Bluebell Railway’s sponsored walk is on Sunday and is about 4.5 miles. Register by e-mailing [email protected] and more information and a sponsorship form is at www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/.

OPEN GARDEN: There is an Open Garden on Monday at Northfields, East Grinstead Road, North Chailey, from 2pm to 5pm to support the St Peter’s Church Re-ordering Fund. This garden includes rhododendrons, azaleas, a beach grass garden, a polytunnel and vegetable patch. Entry is £4, with under 12’s free. There will be a plant stall and homemade refreshments.

QUIZ: There will be a charity quiz the Horns Lodge Inn, on Tuesday at 8pm. Teams of up to 7, £2 per person entry. For more information call Linda on 01273 400422.

SWISH: Clothes swap party. Deliver five items of clothing to the Free Church on Thursday between 6.30pm and 9pm or take them on Friday May 29 from 7.30pm to 10pm and swap them for something new. Entry is £3 which includes a drink and cake. Contact Janet on 01273 400785 for more details.

TREASURE HUNT: There will be a children’s treasure hunt suitable for children aged 5 years plus, organised by the Commons Society on Saturday May 30. Meet at Romany Ridge car park at 2.15pm to hunt with Ian Woolsey and his intrepid treasure hunters.

PARISH COUNCIL: The planning and environs committee of the parish council meet at the Reading Room, Chailey Green, on Tuesday June 2 at 7.30pm. Members of the public may attend and will be given an opportunity to make representations if they so wish.

OPEN GARDEN PARTY: This takes place on May 30 at St Peter and St James Hospice from 1.30pm to 5pm. Come and support the work that our wonderful and dedicated team of volunteer gardeners do on behalf of the Hospice. Enjoy the tranquil and beautiful setting of the Hospice with views of the South Downs. See our two new donkeys. Enjoy a stroll in our Woodland Walk. See the award-winning Reflective Garden donated by Plumpton College. Plant and vegetable stall – homegrown plants, as well as bedding donated by South Downs Nurseries, and South Downs’ own ‘plant doctor’, will be available to give advice from 2pm to 4pm. Band, Work in Progress, playing 2pm to 4pm. Opportunity to play Chip Chuck, and other stalls. All proceeds to the Hospice. Homemade refreshments. Admission £2, children free.

MUSEUM: The Windmill and Rural Life Museum will be open on Sunday May 31 from 3pm to 5pm. £1 for adults and 50p for children aged 10 to16 years. For more details call John Smith on 01825 723519.

KNIT AND NATTER: Love knitting and chatting or would like to learn to knit then you will be most welcome at the Free Church on Tuesday June 2 at 7.30pm. Go along with your current project or if you are just learning wool, needles and tips will be available on the night. For more details call 01273 890114.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: The WI meet on Tuesday, June 2, at 7.45pm at the village hall when the speaker will be Nigel Whitley who will explain the work of St Dunstan’s charity, now called Blind Veterans UK. The charity gives all blind veterans access to services to help them discover life beyond sight loss. Visitors and prospective members will be made most welcome. For more details call Carol on 01825 723757.

GRANDPARENTS TODDLER GROUP: The Grandparents and Toddler Group meets on Wednesday June 3 between 9.30am and 11.30am at the Chailey Children’s Centre. The group has the use of a wonderfully equipped room and a safe outside area full of things to do. This is a great chance to meet other grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren.

LUNCH CLUB: The lunch club, open to everyone, is at St Peter’s Church on Thursday, June 4, from 12.30pm. The cost is £5, do go along and meet people and enjoy delicious freshly prepared home cooked food.

VOLUNTEERING: Whether you have skills or no previous experience and can offer at least a day a month you are invited to find out more about volunteering at the Bluebell Railway. To help you narrow your choice of departments you can ask for a recruitment pack on 01825 720800 or book a place on one of the find out more tours; the next tour is on Sunday June 7 from 10.30am until around 4.20pm.

DO YOU LIKE MUD RUNS?: The Mud Monsters Run is a 5k or 10k or challenging run in East Grinstead, with many muddy obstacles on the way. If so, would you like to join those helping to raise funds for the refurbishment of the sports pavilion, at the sports ground just off the A272. Whilst the Sports Club has a commitment for a large part of the refurbishment cost, thanks to the generosity of the parish council, but additional funds need to be raised. To take part please contact Gary Strangwood at [email protected] or on 07824 565707 and he will send you details of how you can join in. Alternatively, if running and getting muddy isn’t your thing sponsorship for the runners will be much appreciated and again please contact Garry to advise of sponsorship.

PARISH COUNCILLORS: Six people Stephen Avery, Roger Barnard, Mark Evans, Katherine Matthews, John Millam and Peter Olbrich put their names forward as parish councillors. There are five more places and they would very much like to co-opt interested residents to the parish council. Being a parish councillor is a positive way to help our village thrive and develop. If you are interested but would like to know more before making a commitment call Mark Evans on 01825 722554. For an application form contact the parish clerk, Bettina Newell on 01444 831453 or at [email protected].

Cooksbridge, Offham & Hamsey

CHURCH SERVICES: Whit Sunday at St Peter’s Church. 8am Holy Communion, 10.15am Sunday School in the church hall, 10.30am parish Communion followed by coffee in the church hall.

HAMSEY PARISH COUNCIL: For those who don’t have access to a computer, your Hamsey Parish Cllrs elected on May 7 were voted for as follows: Tamsyn D’Arienzo 217, Mike Dodd 193, Kate McBrown 160, Robert Baughan 159, Ian Ginn 157, Justin Harmer 156, Ailsa Suttie 142. Rob Hearn, not elected.

EAST CHILTINGTON: The Cllrs elected for East Chiltington Parish Council are as follows: Stephen Israel 122, Farmelo Christopher 102, Carol funnell 100, Elizabeth Harrison 99, Justin Fleming 91, Michael Webber 89, Julia Tingle 85. Rivkah Cummerson, not elected.

Residents met their parish councillors on May 14 at the annual parish meeting and the annual meeting of the PC in the village hall, Cooksbridge. The agenda for the PC annual meeting had several items of interest which included the latest planning issues as follows: Warningore House: Tennis Court ECPC have no objection, assuming the screening that is being proposed is a condition of the permission. North Hall, Novington Lane: Re-advertisement, amended plans. Demolition and erection of rear extension. Granted by LDC. Birchington Farm, Novington Lane: Change of use and conversion and extension of commercial buildings to residential use and demolition of redundant agricultural buildings (revised resubmission of planning permission. Granted by LDC.

Correspondence received from residents incudes traffic speed in Honeypot Lane. Resident suggesting a community Facebook site. Information regarding a holiday venture group coming to East Chiltington July/August. Response from TECT re Facebook page and request for Village Day to move to June 20. Copy of response received by resident regarding Broadband speeds. Request for an allotment (Newick resident). ECPC enquiry re parish council elections. Enquiry re Neighbourhood Plan for EC. Resident enquiring why EC is not producing a Neighbourhood Plan. Resident having problems reading the EC Trust Minutes (TECT).

SPEEDWATCH: An update on the speed watch training that took place in April with PCSO Steve Knowles and residents of East Chiltington and one from Plumpton. It was requested for an observation vehicle for Honeypot Lane. If it was possible to narrow down the worst times then this might be a possibility, otherwise no resources available etc. Advised that no 40mph sign possible on Honeypot Lane. Advised that unless fatalities result, the 60mph running the 0.5 mile from South Common road would remain since this is ESCC Highways policy. Advised by PC Huggett of the Road Traffic Unit that records show only two collisions/accidents in recent times on Honeypot Lane, neither due to speeding. Advised that a 200 metre clear line of signs is required for the mileage signs to where volunteers might stand to collect date on speed. It was advised by PCSO Knowles that it was not possible to stand 200 metres from the 30mpyh sign because it was on a bend by the surgery, which is considered dangerous in case vehicles brake suddenly on seeing high vis jackets and volunteers collecting speed data. The recommended place to check speeds is opposite Chailey School on Mill Lane, which does not have the same issues due to parked cars restricting speeding.

FARMLAND BIRD COUNT: More than 127 different species of birds were recorded in this year’s big farmland bird count, organised by the Fame and Wildlife Conservation Trust. The five most common birds seen on farms were blackbirds seen by nearly 90 percent of farmers, followed by robin 10 percent, blue tit 79 percent, chaffinch 75 percent and carrion crow, which was seen by more than 70 percent of farmers taking part.

LITTER: Following my piece about the litter campaign, there was an interesting letter from someone in West Sussex who has hit the nail on the head. She was writing as both a lover of wild flowers and a loather of litter noticing how fast-food waste and drink containers travel (from source) and are routinely disposed of in our rural environment. Also noticing a similarly mindless and notoriously British act in the name of tidiness, mowing. Last summer she was delighted to see scabious and various other wayside flowers growing along the road where she lived, only to discover a week later that an industrial-sized mower had scalped the verges, thus destroying the flowers and ironically revealing the mingled and mangled litter we all so despise.

RAGWORT: Many call this the yellow peril because of the danger to livestock. It will be in bloom again soon, but perhaps a thought should be given to the Cinnabar moth which can be seen on the flower during the summer. Females lay their eggs on the leaf undersides of ragwort. The caterpillars munch away on ragwort foliage, absorbing the toxic and bitter alkaloids, becoming unappetising and toxic themselves. Their appearance suggest as much, each yellow segment is ringed with a belt of black, a colour scheme that says danger, eat at your peril. Later, the pupae will see out winter and spring in a small toffee brown varnished case. This is one flower that although very pretty to look at, does need to be kept under control before it goes to seed. My father-in-law used to have it all pulled by hand because of the danger to his beloved Arab horses. It is quite hard to pull form the ground as I have discovered and the smell is awful. You must use gloves.

Falmer

BARBECUE: We are all keeping our fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us this weekend for our Parish Pentecost Barbecue at St Laurence house on Sunday. We are hoping lots of people from the parish will come along to celebrate. Food will be provided (including veggie options) but people are asked to bring their own drink.

TV: Tonight, Friday, I will be settling down in front of BBC2 at 9.30pm as our own dapper, humorous and indomitable Jon Glover will be featured on the programme Britain’s Greatest Generation. Jon took part in the D Day landings and the programme features recollections and stories from veterans who were there, as well as others describing different life changing events that took place during World War Two.

TEAS: We will be serving home-made cake and teas in the village hall on Sundays from May 31 until September 6. Our Summer Season of teas is always popular and people come back year after year to enjoy the peace and quiet of Falmer accompanied by delicious home-baked cake.

WILDLIFE: A brood of ducklings appeared on the pond last week, there were four youngsters, unfortunately it looks as though the seagulls have already picked off three of them as there was only one left today. I hope another pair of ducks manage to breed. We were visited by four male and one female tufted ducks last week. They flew in on Friday at around 10am then flew off again at about midday. I wonder where they came from and why they decided to make a (literally) flying visit. Honey bees seem to have moved into the church for the second year, not actually inside thankfully. The bees are occupying a hole in the wall at the back and are not posing any kind of threat. Above them we seem to have our usual nest of jackdaws who can be heard during services scuffling around and calling to each other.

FAMILY EVENT AT THE KEEP: The Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth (CIRCY)’s Curating Childhoods project and the Mass Observation Archive are jointly hosting an event tomorrow (Saturday) to encourage children and young people to create and share digital diaries of their everyday lives.

The free family event will take place at the Mass Observation Archive, Woollards Way, Brighton, BN1 9BP from 10am to 1pm. Children are encouraged to bring along their day diaries and find out more about documenting and archiving a record of their day. There will also be games and activities led by members of the Everyday Childhoods project and Cameraheads from the Youth Photography Project.

Firle

LIGHTING THE BEACON: On Sunday, the Diocese of Chichester is launching its Strategy for Growth, starting with lighting beacons throughout Sussex, including a beacon at Firle at around 7.30pm tomorrow, Saturday, evening. People are meeting at Firle Church at 7pm and walking up (or you can drive). There are refreshments afterwards, back at the church. All are welcome.

Lewes

FOOTPATHS GROUP: On May 10 we took the train to Fishersgate and then followed a path full of wild flowers which made the process of escaping the outskirts of Brighton bearable. Then we climbed onto the Downs and on top of Southwick Hill, immediately above the tunnel, where we stopped for our obligatory coffee break. Striking west we arrived at Mossy Bottom Barn where the fields were full of bullocks and sheep with their lambs. A short climb took us to the road into Shoreham that runs to the east of the River Adur. The views here are of Lancing College, Shoreham Airport and the sea. We walked on into Old Shoreham where the five morning walkers carried on into Shoreham to catch the rail replacement bus service into Brighton. The ten all-day walkers crossed over the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge, picnicked and carried on along the banks of the Adur. Of considerable interest was the community of house-boats we passed, many had house numbers. The boats were many and varied. There were a couple of landing crafts and a wooden mine sweeper amongst boats of all shapes and sizes. The constructions on top of the hulls for accommodation were even more varied. The last part of the walk was along the shore to Lancing. The sun came out and the sea sparkled. We stopped at the kiosk by the lagoon and enjoyed ice creams before finding our way to Lancing station where we also picked up the rail replacement bus service back to Brighton. Hilda and Graham were the leaders.

The next walk is on Sunday May 31, Peacehaven to Lewes, 8 miles. Meet at Lewes Railway Station car park at 9.30am. This walk will be part of Lewes Hike and Bike Festival and will follow the Greenwich Meridian Trail. We will proceed to Peacehaven by train and bus.

Malling

SOUTH MALLING SCHOOL: The school was treated to an amazing experience on Monday morning when the award-winning Lewes Gospel Choir came to sing to the school in assembly. The children were spell-bound as the singing filled the Hall. Children from Year 5 and 6 will be joining the choir at the Brighton Dome on Sunday June 7 for what promises to be an uplifting and exceptional musical experience. If anybody would like to come and watch tickets are on sale via the Brighton Dome website using this link brightondome.org/event/7419/lewes_sings_gospel/

Year 6 went to Newhaven Fort on Tuesday for Safety in Action. This is always an exciting event and helps the children learn about the different rescue services. The school was delighted to see so many parents and carers at their open afternoon on Wednesday. They were able to share some of their children’s learning from this term and see the wonderful work they have completed around the topic of Our World. Year 6 have also begun their work on creating designs for this year’s Moving On parade. The theme is one that is very relevant to South Malling as it is all about wildlife on the South Downs and has been supported by the Sussex Wildlife Trust. We look forward to seeing their fantastic creations in the weeks to come.

A lollipop lady has been appointed for the Church Lane crossing but the school is still waiting for the relevant paperwork to come through. They are very much hoping this will be sorted out for when they get back after the holidays. The Governors of the school are also in the process of investigating whether a zebra crossing could be put in place as well. It is half term week next week. School reopens for the children on Tuesday June 2. Happy half-term.

SOUTH MALLING CHURCH: (Now a Trinity Church) will be celebrating Pentecost this Sunday, starting with a breakfast at 9am followed by Morning Praise, a relatively informal service led by the band. The service itself starts at 9.30am and you don’t need to have come to the breakfast to enjoy the service at its usual time. Pentecost is sometimes called the Birthday of the Church because it marks the day when God’s Holy Spirit galvanised the disciples into telling the story which has built the largest Faith Community in the World and which is still growing. All are welcome.

Mobile Library

MOBILE LIBRARY: Friday: Opposite Lamb Inn, Ripe, 9.20am-9.45am; Berwick Village Hall 9.55am-10.25am.

Nevill

COTTAGE PRE-SCHOOL: The pre-school at St Mary’s Social Centre are now taking applications for September. For a place please contact the supervisor, Karen Reed, on 01273 476177 between 9am and 12.15pm Monday to Friday.

RECITALS: St Anne’s Church will host first-class lunch-time recitals on Thursdays throughout the summer. The recitals will begin at 1.10pm and end at 1.50pm, and refreshments will be available until 1pm. A retiring collection for Church Funds instead of a collection. On May 28, Brighton Chamber Ensemble. Details for future recitals can be found at www.stanneslewes.org.uk. Church Watch: St Anne’s will be open for visitors from 9am to 3pm on Thursdays, until the end of September.

ST MARY’S SOCIAL CENTRE: The Trustees have written to our new MP, Maria Caulfield setting out all of the details of our very well used and prized Community Asset which is under threat from the District Council. They are asking for her support to keep St Mary’s from development.

They have hundreds of users every week not only from the Nevill and Wallands area but from the town and its surrounding area and support a wide range of people from the very young to the elderly. Many organisations rely on the facilities that they provide. It must be saved for all of our community.

CHRIST CHURCH: Next Friday, May 29, we have our half term Messy Church. This will be from 10.30am and will finish with lunch at noon. The theme will be Pentecost and there will be craft activities for all ages and then a short act of worship. No need to book. Worship this Sunday at 10.30am will be a Pentecost themed service for all ages and will be led by Rev John Gordon. Following this we will be having our Congregational Meeting. On Wednesday the Think Tank will be meeting from 7.30pm with Alex Kirby who will be leading the evening with the theme of What Price the Media We Deserve.

Newick

COUNTRY MARKET: The Newick Country Market will be open as usual today, Friday, in the village hall from 10am to 11am.

CINEMA: The next film to be shown at the Newick Cinema will be on Sunday in the village hall. The film will be The Theory of Everything. Tickets are £6 doors. Doors open at 7pm, film starts at 7.30pm. You may email and reserve your tickets at [email protected] or telephone 01825 723392. There will be an interval for refreshments.

Plumpton

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT: The Owlers’ Sabotage Theatre Company, the horse drawn bunch of itinerates will be performing in All Saints’ church tonight at 7.30pm. Their play will all be about smuggling and contraband in the 19th century, which will doubtless be of great interest to our Rector, a former Customs and Excise Officer and now a brewer. It sounds like it will be a great evening’s entertainment. Tickets at the door £10 but concessions get in for £5.

LOCAL WALK: On Sunday the Footpath Society will descend on 1 Delbury Cottages, Chailey (TQ557 978) at 2pm before embarking on a four and a half mile walk over Memorial Common, Chailey Green, Frick Wood, Kingshead and back to Memorial Common and then tea at Delbury Cottages. If you need to know more just ring 01825 723716. Non-members of the society always receive a warm welcome on these walks.

PARISH COUNCILS: At the new Plumpton Council’s first meeting Paul Nicholson was again elected chairman and Reg Stone (me) was elected vice-chairman. The various members of the Council were allotted responsibilities on the committees and, in a break with tradition, those committees will elect their own chairmen. In East Chiltington the chairman is, once again, Stephen Israel and vice-chairman is Buzz Harrison.

RATS: Apart from the human variety that break into sheds and homes, there seem to be an awful lot of the animal variety about in the village and they cause a great amount of damage and spread disease. People that throw out food for birds, although unintentionally, actually encourage the vermin, as they (the vermin) are very happy to steal from our feathered friends and even if the food is placed on a bird table or in a swinging container, large amounts of it fall to the ground to be gobbled up by rats and mice. These rodents breed at an alarming rate and can easily gnaw their way into compost bins, sheds, homes and anywhere that they sense the slightest whiff of food or even just shelter. If you suspect a problem with rats then call the pest control department at Lewes District Council. The service is free if it relates to rat infestation.

BARGAIN HUNTER NOTICE: There will be a jumble sale in Plumpton village hall on Saturday next week and it will be in aid of that valiant Monday Group who carry out repairs and renewals of styles on our footpaths and are involved in other such maintenance. Seconds out at 2pm as usual.

FANCY SOME COMPANY? :You need never be lonely in Plumpton as the Pop-in Parlour at All Saints’ church annexe opens its doors every Tuesday from 11am. Drop in to enjoy a cuppa, a light snack or a bowl of homemade soup. At the same time you can have a chat with old friends and probably make some new one, if you wish. It’s an opportunity to socialise within our village community and absolutely everyone is assured of a warm welcome.

PLUMPTON HIGHWAY: The parish council has been assured by ESCC that remedial works to rectify what many consider to be a botched job in dressing the length of Plumpton Lane and Station Road last summer will shortly be undertaken by the original contractors at no cost to the public purse. I’m waiting.

ANOTHER SMACK-UP: There was recently yet another traffic collision at the Station Road/South Road junction by the Plough. As no blood has been spilled it is maintained that it is not a dangerous junction, as is similarly argued in respect of the Plumpton Lane/Ditchling Road junction. The fact is that there have been numerous collisions at these two points over the years but because no lives have been lost neither the police nor the highways authority will acknowledge any dangers. Now let’s face it there are dangers that are caused totally by inconsiderate, inept and downright foolhardy drivers. So how can we stop them in the absence of any sign of effective policing? The answer has to be by way of effective traffic control. Partly hidden signs, coloured surfaces and the like will have absolutely no effect. Solutions could be traffic lights, mini roundabouts or proper policing, but there are insufficient police officers now and their numbers are being reduced. The answer must rest with ESCC which should stop wasting money on preposterous, so called traffic calming measures on roads that have just had the speed limit lowered and concentrate on areas where money can be usefully and effectively spent. In my view the problems are caused totally by people and these idiots must either be controlled or taken off the roads. With a declining Police Force and a lax judiciary the latter is unlikely.

PLUMPTON WI: At our May meeting we discussed the resolution concerning the removal of the distinction between nursing and personal care when assessing the needs of individuals. We concluded that we were probably in favour but will leave it to our delegate to decide when she gets further information at the national AGM. Following this we had a talk by the Lowland Rescue organisation featuring Molly the dog which was much enjoyed by everyone. Next month’s talk on Wednesday June 10 is entitled The Organ - A Humorous 55 Years by Peter Willson. Please come along at 7.30pm when all will be welcome. (Marilyn Nye).

Ringmer

HISTORY STUDY GROUP: Lewes was one of Alec Clifton-Taylor’s Six More English Towns which first appeared on television in 1981. The history group will meet at 7.45pm tonight (Friday) in the village hall to revisit the key features that were broadcast at that time.

TWINNING ASSOCIATION: Ringmer welcomes its visitors from Geschwenda and Belgentier for its Twinning Partnership Reunion 2015. The highlight will be our Dance Festival tomorrow, Saturday, in the village hall. The show from 2pm to 5pm will include performances by Ringmer Academy, Empire Dance Studio, Bettina, and the Tanzteufel Dance Group. Our Barn Dance at 7.30pm will be led by Tony Dunn. Soft drinks and nibbles will be available, but bring your own alcoholic drink. All welcome. Entry to both events is free.

BRIDGE CLUB: At its meeting on Wednesday May 13, the result of the duplicate pairs played was: 1, Liz and Tim Owen; 2, Joan Evett and Sandra Dudley-Williams; 3, Jenny Charman and Michael Slot. The club next meets in the St Mary’s room of the village hall on Wednesday at 7.30pm.

BOWLS CLUB: Last week’s results: Ringmer v Saltdean 95-44, Ringmer v Maresfield 92-41. If anyone missed the open morning and would still like to have a go, we are at the Green on Saturday morning between 9am and 10am and Tuesday evening from 6pm to 8pm. Please come along and see us.

OPEN GARDEN: Ryders Well House, Ryders Well Lane, off the A26 just about opposite Wellingham Lane, will be opening its garden in aid of St Peter and St James’ Hospice on Sunday May 31 from 2pm to 5pm. Set in 4.5 acres, there are herbaceous borders, lawns, pond, stream garden, mature trees, wild garden and a shady courtyard for teas.

FLOWER CLUB: Ringmer Flower Club would like to thank those who attended the morning market for their support. It was a very successful morning which was greatly enjoyed and raised a substantial amount for club funds. Thank you so much.

Rodmell & Southease

SEEDLING SALE: The spring seedling sale on Saturday May 16 put on by Rodmell Horticultural Society was a great success. Gardeners brought, bought and swapped their seedlings with other local gardeners. This is always a good event.

SOLD: I’m amazed at how many houses in the Newhaven area have sold notice boards outside. One agent in particular seems to be doing very well. I wonder if this areas is now seen as up and coming. As prices are more reasonable here, first time buyers can actually afford to buy in this area.

RAT-RUN: If you are driving towards Lewes between 4pm and 6pm, you may find the C7 traffic backed up to Southease at times as people use it as a rat-run from Lewes to the coast road. It is the same in the other direction in the mornings at times, when people are driving to work at Lewes and the universities and, of course, the school runs.

FENCE: One of our local farmers has recently put up a very substantial fence near Northease. Perhaps he’s fed up with cars leaving the road and ending up in his fields when the roads get slippery with ice or rain. The standard of driving on the C7 doesn’t improve, especially the tail-gating problem, which so many people who stay here in the village comment on.

VERY BUSY: Our pub, which is the hub of the village, run by the lovely Jon and Lucie, is becoming so buys at weekends and Thursday nights (steak night) that if you are thinking of having a meal there, it’s advisable to book, especially if you are one of the many walkers doing the South Downs Way.

We live next door to the pub and find Jon and Lucie very amicable neighbours. If you live near a pub you need to learn to live with a few inconveniences such as noise and parking, but on the whole we don’t have much trouble and it can always be sorted out by talking. Quite often pubs that are music venues cause bad feeling by not asking bands to keep the noise down. As our pub only now has the occasional music evening and are quite considerate about noise, we don’t have much of a problem. I usually leave a pub card in the B&B rooms and tell people if it’s too noisy just ring them on your mobile and ask for the noise to be turned down. There’s always a solution. I love live music in pubs, it’s an age long tradition.

LETTER WRITING: I read in the press recently that letter writing is becoming fashionable again, good. I write loads of letters to people all over the world who love getting ‘snail mail’. So readers, get writing again and keep our post offices open and our postal workers in jobs. Also hand writing is an art that is fast disappearing.