Rodmell and Southease

OPEN GARDENS: Sunday, June 12, was a bit disappointing weather-wise for Lower Rodmell Open Garden day, but many people came and made lovely comments about the gardens, which looked so fresh after a shower of rain. People had worked for weeks to get their gardens in pristine condition and it was well worth the effort. The tea and cake venues were very busy and people seemed to enjoy the band on the lawns of Place House. Monks House also had many visitors and is becoming more and more popular with followers of Bloomsbury.

WILDLIFE: I hear that a rampant fox is seeing off the chickens around the village. Let’s hope it leaves pets alone. I have had to put several large spiders out and we’ve a rather annoying wood-mouse that will have to go, if I can get it to go into the humane trap. The woodpeckers have been busy in the grass on the goat pen, occasionally they have young ones with them. I look out and see the little red heads bobbing up and down. We have an odd assortment of birds coming at regular times, as they know when the breakfast, lunch and dinner scraps get thrown out for them. We have a large family of jackdaws, one who will eat from my hand, magpies, collared doves, crows, a very large seagull and several wood pigeons plus the robins, sparrows, wrens and blue tits. The two cats that appear to have adopted me sit side by side on the back door mat, watching what goes on and try to get to the scraps first.

SAD NEWS: I was sad when I read in the Sussex Express obituary column, that Susan Paice had died at 67 years, what I call a young age of these days. Sue and husband Tony were our neighbours for many years when they owned our pub. I remember that she used to organise wonderful weddings in the pub and was well-known for it. Condolences to the family.

WARNING: A warning to those who pay their National Trust membership by direct debit or standing order. I always check my bank statements but don’t always note if something has gone up. I happened by chance to look at the letter from the National Trust endorsing my new membership card and thought it was a lot of money for a single member. When I re-read the letter it said (senior (PEN)) £47.50 for those who are over 60 and have been members for at least five years. I have been paying £63 per year. I phoned them and explained that I noticed that I should have been paying £47.50 not £63. The person on the phone quickly apologised and said it would get sorted. I asked how many years I had been paying this higher rate and she said 13 years, but I would only be back paid for this year. I know I made a stupid mistake by not checking, but I really wonder who many more people have not noticed that the wrong amount has been going out of their account. I have been a member of the National Trust for probably over 40 years so they have certainly had their money out of me. I may cancel next year.

COFFEE CLUB: Please note that the Coffee Club will be on Tuesday at 11am and we will be guests of the National Trust at Monks House.

OUTING: On Tuesday June 14, Rodmell Horticultural Society had an outing to Sissinghurst. I managed to go on this day out because I have a lovely helpful neighbour who kept an eye on Mike for me and relieved me of my caring duties. Many, many thanks Cindy for your kindness. It was a nice day, warm but not hot, and the gardens looked lovely. I also managed to walk to the lakes in the company of another villager, had a lovely lunch and enjoyed a delicious mango ice cream, finishing with coffee and cake later at the plant sales coffee shop. It did me the world of good and I would like to say, on behalf of us all, many thanks to Jean and Jane for organising it.

DRIVERS: I am pleased to hear the police are coming down on drug drivers as well as drunk drivers. Having, in my youth, driven with a driver who had taken drugs, I now feel that people who take drugs and drive should definitely be stopped before they kill someone. They want more cars off the roads, they may get them if people get caught. Think of the consequences before you drink or take drugs and drive.

LATE NEWS: The seal is back in the River Ouse, seen at Piddinghoe and Southease.

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