Plumpton

CIRCULAR WALK: ( six miles) passing Bo Peep Farm, Tilton Farm, New Barn with lunch on route at the Cricketer’s Pub, Berwick, and an interesting diversion to Berwick Church and Charleston Farmhouse (exterior only) takes place on Wednesday April 6. Meet members of the Footpath Society at the lay-by in Alciston, past the pub (Rose Cottage) for a 10.30am start. For more details call the walk leaders, Jennie and Dave Langley, on 01323 896831 or 07884006238.

CIRCULAR PLUMPTON WALK: (4-4½miles) followed by Cream Tea on Saturday April 9. All welcome to join the Footpath Society just meet at 2 Strawlands (Map Ref: 324 239) ready to start at 2pm. For more details call the walk leader Jo Taylor on 01273 890450 or 07870142108.

‘JAPONISME IN WESTERN PAINTING’: is the subject of the Newick & District Decorative and Fine Art Society meeting, at the village hall, on Tuesday April 12. In staid Victorian England Japanese art, fashion and aesthetics became all the rage. To be truly fashionable your house, your furniture, the paintings on your wall all had to follow this tradition. In 1863 the painter James McNeill Whistler posed a Greek woman in Japanese kimono and fan before a Japanese screen. Entitled ‘La Princesse du pays de la porcelaine’ it is a superb example of how western and eastern art can be combined. The lecturer is Juliet Heslewood, MA, who is an author and art historian. Juliet studied History of Art at London University and later gained an MA in English Literature at Toulouse. For over 30 years she lived in France where she devised and led study tours on art and architecture. Visitors are always most welcome and the cost is £7 on the door with, as always, tea and biscuits afterwards and a chance to talk to the speaker. If you require any further information please ring Marjorie Blunden on 01825 723250.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: A good number of members listened to Frances Stenlake talking about the women suffragist founders of Plumpton WI. She explained that the suffragists were peaceful advocates of women’s rights to vote as opposed to the sometimes violent activities of the suffragettes. Many of the women who started Plumpton WI in 1918 were local suffragists whose family names were known to members. The next meeting has a change of speaker to the advertised programme as Andy Thomas will be speaking about Lewes Bonfire on Wednesday 13 April at 7.30pm at the village hall. All are welcome.

JUMBLE SALE: in aid of Plumpton Churches takes place at the village hall on Saturday April 16. Please take jumble donations to the hall from 9am and do go along at 2pm; with clothes at 20p each there are sure to be lots of bargains. Along with jumble there will be a tombola, refreshments, good as new items, bric-a-brac, books, toys, clothes and linen.

WOODY COUNTRYSIDE WALK: (5½ miles) taking in Kingscote station on the Bluebell railway with an optional lunch in West Hoathly is on Saturday April 23rd starting at 10am. Meet at West Hoathly, North Lane, south of the church (Map Ref: 364 326). For more details call the walk leaders, Gill and Geoff Gamble, on 01273 891218 or 07719540121.

SOUTHWARK NOOKS AND CRANNIES: on Wednesday May 11 is a very special guided tour, organised by the Newick & District Decorative and Fine Art Society. There are a few spaces left on this tour which will be led by Andrew Davies, one of the Society’s favourite lecturers. For details and to book a place please contact Annie on 01825 721458.

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