Staplecross

EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL:- Several Public Information Notices (PIN) and an Appeals have come my way - to bring to your attention and all from the same source, - that of E.S.C.C. Item 1: A business case for a new model of health & social care has been approved by E.S.C.C. and the NHS. The plans which form the next stage of East Sussex Better Together, were approved in November and a ‘test-bed year’ will start in April. To find out more about this project, please contact news.eastsussex.gov.uk/east-sussex-better-together -- Item 2: This is in the form of an appeal - and this item of note is that more foster carers are desperately needed within East Sussex. Did you know that you can foster if you are: *Over 21 ( & there’s NO upper age limit) * Single, co-habiting or married. * Heterosexual, gay, bisexual and transgender. * From any background and culture. *Following a religion. *Renting your home. *Experienced with children - and you don’t need to be a parent. If you are interested in this emotive subject but is so rewarding and can - and does - make such a difference to our young peoples’ lives, and you’d like more information, please call 01323-464129, or contact [email protected] or text FOSTER to 80806 for an informal chat. Item 3: Is your ‘Bus Pass expiring soon ? -- ESCC is renewing 25,000 concessionary bus passes, due to expire in March and April. The older person’s bus passes, with a BLUE STRIPE, are automatically renewed, whilst disabled bus passes, with an ORANGE STRIPE, are being renewed on proof of eligibility. If you haven’t heard from ESCC - or you have changed your address, please call 0300-3309471 or email [email protected] to ensure you are included in this change-over.

EWHURST PARISH COUNCIL: Another item of interest - and on a lighter note -is a missive from Rother District Council asking us to consider the proposed name for the street which will serve the development currently about to get underway, and which is adjacent to Cricketer’s Field as well as the Staplecross Bowls Club on Northiam Road, Staplecross. The name suggested is: “Stockwood Meadow”.- Is there a name you would prefer, or that is perhaps more relevant, more in keeping, or more historical ?. Please send your suggestions in the first instance to Richard Farhall, Ewhurst Parish Clerk at www.ewhurst.info or on 01580-389433.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: ‘Making hay while the sun shines’ is always a good motto, and although not really making hay, the members of that popular walking group, the Rother Ramblers, are still doing their best to enjoy all that’s on offer, while this weather (of now) gives us sunshine and a little warmth to do so. Two more walks are once more arranged for our enjoyment and Walk No:1 is planned for Sunday April 2nd. This is an 8 mile circular of Ashdown Forest. The meeting point is at Kings Standing car park on the B2028.OS EXP135. TQ473301. (SatNav TN22 3JD) at 10.00am. The car park is east of the B2026 -High Road and just south of it’s junction with the B2188 -Black Hill. This is a dog friendly walk and a picnic lunch is suggested. Liz will be your ‘walk leader’ for today and you may contact her on 01424-732242 or mobile:07904-504915 for more details. Walk No:2 is slightly shorter and closer to home and therefore may appeal to those considering joining this friendly group of walkers. Arranged for Wednesday April 5th, this is a 6.5 miles circular stroll from Cranbrook. The meeting place is in the main car park behind the Co-Op in Cranbrook. OS EXP136. TQ775359. (SatNav TN17 3DN) at 10.00am. Once again, this is a walk where dogs are welcome to join in and walk alsongside you. There will be a refreshment stop midway, with the option of lunch at a local cafe upon return. Sue and Dave are to be your ‘walk leaders’ on this excursion and you may contact them on: 01424-441018 or mobile 07729-056527 for all further information.

EAST SUSSEX MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: That brilliant little Mobile Library van will be back trundling along our country lanes once more, as it continues with it’s full and busy schedule. This time the little white van will be visiting Ewhurst Green on Thursday April 6th for the first of two visits to this village, this month - second visit is due 27th-. The van is due to arrive at 10.40am and will be departing at 11.10am. - so please ensure that you don’t miss it. There are so many things of interest, certainly something within the portals of this wonderful and so far still free, Mobile Library Service vehicle,- so please come along and find out for yourself. With the vast array of services at your fingertips, Libraries are now certainly, more than just books.

SPRING FLOWER SHOW: Ewhurst, Staplecross & Bodiam Garden Society, will be holding the first of their little local horticultural shows at their next member’s meeting, which will be held on Thursday April 6th. at 7.30pm. NOT March 16th.-as inadvertently stated last week ! and will of course, be held at their usual venue, the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross, TN32 5QG. Their ‘Spring Show’ is a must for one & all and is truly a delight for all of our senses. It is such a treat to enter the hall and see not only all these glorious blooms, but to smell them as their scent wafts around the hall and welcomes you ! This truly does say...Spring is Here !. Being a part of the evening’s meeting, this is a ‘Must-Not-Miss’ event and ties in very nicely with our Guest Speaker for this month, who will be Katherine Lynn and her talk is entitled “Tiptoe through the Tulips” - very appropriate and also very Spring like !. Please consider entering a class - or two - in this fantastic little show as although Rules & Regulations are adhered to, the classes are simple and straightforward, - there are NO classes in which to panic or be frightened about entering. Show schedules are available and for more information please contact either of the Show Secretaries;- Pam Underhill on: 01580-881839 or Maggie Whitaker on:01580-830041 for all further details & of course,- kind help and guidance in all things horticultural. We are aware that there are many talented people in our villages who could submit good entries, but perhaps lack the confidence to do so. Now is your chance to join in and try it out and have a go !. Give them a call,- help is always at hand, even on the day of the show. The evening’s talk is free for members but any non-member/visitor will be very welcome for a miserly charge of just 2:00. A welcome cuppa amongst congenial company, during half-way and a superb raffle completes another fantastic show & social evening. - Don’t Miss It !.

STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL: A short and gentle reminder that Saturday April 8th is the day that Staplecross Village Hall will hold the first of their ‘Mammoth Jumble Sale’ events.. Doors open at 2.00pm and all are invited to bring big bags and enjoy filling them with bargains galore. A cake stall, a raffle and a welcome cup of tea or coffee completes the event and for those who can’t deliver their ‘donations’ to the village hall on the morning of the sale - from 9.30am onwards, - please contact Hilary on:01580-830704 or Anne on; 01580-831881 who will do their best to arrange collection.

EWHURST PARISH COUNCIL - ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: A last chance reminder to all residents of our parish community,- especially to all those who have recently moved into our Parish, - that Ewhurst Parish Council will be holding their Annual Parish Assembly on Tuesday April 11th in the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross TN32 5QG. The meeting will commence at 7.15pm, but arrive early, from 6.45pm to ‘mingle’ and enjoy the stalls & displays depicting some of the activities that are available within our parish,- enjoy all the delightful buffet provided by our own merry members of our local W.I. and meet your local Parish, District and County Councillors, as all three tiers of local government will be represented, and there will be time available, during the programme of events, to put your questions to them. ...So, settle down and enjoy the programme arranged for you. As always, - it promises to be a good evening.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst, will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday April 2nd. Lent 5. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion. There will be NO SERVICE today at St. Mark’s church, Staplecross, but a Family Service at St. Giles church, Bodiam, will follow directly after at 11.15 am.This will include Holy Communion. If there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further assistance, especially Baptisms, Weddings and sadly, Funerals, then for the time being, do please get in touch with the appropriate Churchwardens: ~ For all Bodiam matters, please contact Graham Peters - email at [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830203. For all Ewhurst Parish matters please contact Jo Goodwin - email [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830601. Help in some way is always at hand and always so generously given, so do please contact them.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If you are arranging an event in the foreseeable future, --- whatever the nature of the event and however large or small, if you’d like some extra coverage for it, - courtesy of the Observer Newspaper - then please get in touch. If it’s of interest to you, - it’s of interest to us. it’s never too early to send in any of the details and to tell us what you are planning. Many of you will be turning your thoughts to other events in the near future - remember - Spring is now officially here, despite our changeable weather, soon to be closely followed by the long Easter weekend, so many of you will be planning events for us all to enjoy, so please do contact me, as I’d love to hear from you and to help ‘spread the word’ on your behalf................Thank You.

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