Rodmell and Southease

RODMELL SHOW: Which took place on Saturday August 20 was sadly a victim of wet weather. Having had a lovely warm week beforehand, it was disappointing for all those who had put such hard work into organising it. Despite the pouring rain the Patcham Silver band played on in their tent, but just as the dog show was about to start the heavens really opened and everyone who was able to, made a quick dash for the exhibitor's tent to shelter. The poor stallholders made valiant efforts to cover their stalls with tarpaulins and plastic covers, battling against the gusty wind with set determination and getting soaking wet. The tea and cakes went down very well and, let's face it, now everyone can say they've been served a slice of cake by Dame Kiri, who joined in with gusto and also supplied some delicious cakes from a New Zealand recipe made by a guest who was staying with her and who also helped serve the cakes. On the whole, despite the rain and wind, it went off very well with the support of stalwart villagers and friends. I cannot comment on the evening event as I didn't go to it, maybe someone will let me know how that went.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Sep 2016, 01:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:58 BST

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Rodmell & Southease newsRodmell & Southease news
Rodmell & Southease news

GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME: The idea of setting up a Good Neighbour Scheme in Rodmell and Northease was raised in this year’s annual parish assembly newsletter. About 30 residents responded to the survey and indicated they would be able to offer a little of their time to help out. There were offers of help in all the categories – the weekly phone rota, lifts, collecting (eg prescriptions), form filling/computers, pet-care, small household repairs and befriending. Since then the committee of Judith Bradbury (chair), Clare Gillies (vice chair and treasurer), Catriona Grant (secretary), Carolyn Orchard (membership secretary) and myself and Caroline Archer (publicity) has been formed. We have received a welcome start up grant from Action in rural Sussex and are now actively pursuing other avenues of funding. The next big step for us will be to get all our volunteers through the minefield of the necessary DBS checks. Action in Rural Sussex are supporting us in this and we will be running a drop-in session at the Abvergavenny Arms on September 6 when everyone’s forms and ID will be checked on the spot.

After that we will be on the home strait and hope our scheme will be up and running in the autumn. We will do a further letter drop to all residents in due course when we are ready to go live with details, of course, of the all-important dedicated phone numbers to ring if residents find themselves in need of help and support.

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JUMBLE SALE: There will be a jumble sale in October for Village Hall Funds. Please do keep your jumble or phone Christine (01273 475943) or Brenda (01273 470847) for collection.

CARE HOMES: It is worrying to read in the press that a record number of beds in old age care homes disappeared last year. It seems the sector is heading for a severe crisis. As someone who has been dealing with care and nursing homes on behalf of my parents over the past 27 years and has seen the decline of their finances because they were people who did save for their old age and were penalised for it, leaving them upset and bewildered, I can understand why now people are saying that they will spend their money while able to and then live off the government as others do. The system is very unfair to those who help themselves as they feel penalised for it. The statistics I quote from an article I read: There are about 487,000 beds in 20,000 UK care homes, operated by 5,871 owners. There were 407,000 beds in 2006. The number of beds has risen sharply each year until now to meet the needs of an ageing population. A crisis is heading this way I feel.

DEMENTIA: I recently went to talks by various medical people on the subject of Dementia at the care home where my mother used to reside until she moved to Peacehaven. Lime Tree House, Residential Care Home at Ringmer is very good at promoting these awareness venues and I found it very interesting and helpful. Dr Frauke Dingelstad GP, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFFP of River Lodge Surgery gave the first talk followed by a nice gentleman named Chris of the Know Dementia Group. Chris was followed by Zunera Khan, Centre for Age Related Diseases of King’s College, London, who in turn was followed by Rebecca Futrall, Alzheimer’s Research UK in East Sussex and Julia Johnson, Dementia Friends Information Session. Free snacks and drinks were provided by Lime Tree House during the day and I would like to thank them for putting on such a useful event.

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