Staplecross

LOST & FOUND: I have been asked to discover the owner of the following and hopefully re-unite them; - a pair of youths ( or just a small size) Goal-keepers gloves (or perhaps they are a pair of Skate-boarding gloves ! - excuse my ignorance - ) and a tubular, plastic drinking bottle. These were both found at the Staplecross Playing Field on Thursday last (May 5th). If these items are yours, and you can describe them to me accurately, I’ll be very happy to return them to you. Contact details as follows: 07827~428319 or [email protected]

STAPLECROSS BOWLS CLUB: This is set to be another busy week for the teams of our local Outdoor Bowls Club as we have three (3) matches lined up, two at home and one away, in the space of six days ! The first match is an away game against Winchelsea and will take place on Saturday May 14th. This fixture is part of the ‘Rother League’. Match no: 2 will be played on the following day Sunday May 15th commencing at 2.30pm at the immaculate grounds of the Club on Northiam Road, Staplecross. (SatNav TN32 5QH) The opposition team will be Rotherfield. The second and last match for our club, before the weekend, will be on Thursday May 19th, once more at home, with the opposing team hailing from Polegrove. As always, if you get the chance to come along and show your support for our local club, then please do, It’s always nice to see people watching the matches and support is always welcomed. If you’d like to know more of the game & what’s involved, then do speak to a member of the club or contact Brian on 01580~830570.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: As our glorious English weather continues to keep us on our toes this week, and is showing us her many different faces, changing rapidly from heatwaves to hailstorms and all aspects in between, the members of this popular walking group have arranged two (2) more walks for our delight this week. Walk No: 1 is a 10 mile circular tour from Rushlake Green, encompassing Brightling Down and Three Cups. Taking place on Sunday 15th May the meeting point will be opposite the ‘Horse & Groom’ pub, on Rushlake Green. OS EXP 124. TQ626184. (SatNav TN21 9QE) at 10.00am. Please park prettily around the Green and respect the residents. There are some long, and steady climbs to achieve, together with some stiles, but nothing insurmountable! There will be some superb views to enjoy, making any aches & pains received, so worthwhile !. Also the almost obligatory picnic lunch is another bonus, -- or an enticing pub lunch, - you decide. Tim will be your ‘walk leader’ for this excursion and for all further details, you may contact him on 01424~272459 or mobile 07831~768588. Walk No: 2 is an EVENING WALK, - one of a few arranged for their Summer Programme - and if this present, beautiful sunshine continues, may prove to be a fantastic evening event. Planned for Tuesday May 17th it is just a mere 5 mile circular stroll from Rye to Rye Foreign. The meeting place this evening is to be the Rye Railway Station. OS EXP125. TQ918205.(SatNav TN31 7AX) at 6.30pm. No picnic lunch required here, but drinks and crisps, at Rye Foreign is suggested. Nothing strenuous involved in this little meander, but a delightful walk all the same. Rita & Lionel will be your ‘walk leaders’ for this little stroll, and you may contact them on 01424-752452 for more information.

STAPLECROSS STOOLBALL CLUB: Sadly, only one fixture to report this week, and that is a home match on Thursday May 19th when the team will be host to a team from Robertsbridge. Play commences at 6.45pm and if you’d like to come and watch this unusual and vigorous game being played at their home ground of the Staplecross Playing Field, at Northiam Road, (- indirectly opposite the Bowls Club ground) then your support and encouragement will, naturally, be very welcomed. If you’d like to learn more of this unusual and little known sport, then either contact Pauline on 01580~830570 or come along to one of their fixtures and make yourself known. New members are always sought and made welcome by the fellow players and supporters alike of this very friendly and energetic club, - so please, - just come along and say ‘ hello’.

STAPLECROSS M.C.P.SCHOOL: Another event planned by the P.T.F.A. and in aid of supporting our fantastic little village school will be the annual “May Fayre”. This year, this superb event will be held on Friday May 20th at 3.30pm on their own little playing field adjoining the school. There will be lots of stalls to hold your attention, including one selling lots of cakes, - all yummy and delicious as usual, and a ‘must have’ addition for a English summer afternoon tea!. There will also be a plant stall, which is always popular at this time of the year. There will, of course, be some much needed and much appreciated refreshments available, to help you along as you stroll from stall to stall. To entertain and delight the children, there will be some games, face painting and a bouncy castle. Please come along and support our local village school - this is always so much appreciated by the Head Teacher, Liz Avard, all her Staff, the PTFA and of course, the wee ones, the pupils themselves. With your support, - everyone benefits.

ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPICE ~ PLANT & PRODUCE MARKET: Every-one is invited to this amazing fund- raising event which is sure to be a very popular date in many peoples calendars. This is just the right time to search out new plants for the garden, so why not combine it with more home produce for the table. This little ‘market’ will enable you to browse through a lovely selection of plants and produce stalls in beautiful surroundings and then enjoy a well earned rest of tea and cakes in the tearoom. This is planned for Sunday May 15th between 10.00am and 2.00pm at St. Michael’s Hospice Gardens, Upper Maze Hill, St. Leonard’s-on-Sea, TN38 0LB. Entrance is free, which allows you to perhaps purchase another ‘must have’ plant without feeling guilty !. For further details - or to enquire about a possible late table booking, please contact Jodie on 01424~456380 or email: [email protected]

ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPICE ~ OPEN GARDENS: If you’re not too busy in your own gardens, or nursing aches & pains brought on by over zealous horticultural activity due to the sudden heatwave, then perhaps a visit to either (or both) of these charming and very different gardens may be just the treat you need. On Tuesday May 17th two stunning and delightful gardens are opening their garden gates in support of our local St. Michael’s hospice unit. Enticement No: 1 is “Mountsfield House”, Rye Hill, Peasmarsh, Rye, TN31 7NH. and is reached by a sweeping gravel drive lined with fine old yew trees, limes and rhododendrons. Although this garden is laid mostly to lawn, nevertheless, it is still a delight and a beauty to behold. It’s classic Georgian design offers a variety of evergreen and deciduous shrubs with colourful flowerbeds and of course, a wonderful walled garden. In comparison, - Enticement ( or Property No: 2 ) “The Stables” an adjacent property to “Mountsfield House” is an exquisite tiny garden which will provide inspiration for visitors who themselves have a miniature garden. This pocket-sized plot of green-fingered heaven has over 200 amazing plants which produce a spectacular floral display with colours and textures throughout the year. How to get there: From Hastings, take the A259 to Rye, then the A268 to Peasmarsh, and then follow the “Open Gardens” signage. These glorious gardens are both open from 10.30am -until - 4.00pm. Guide dogs are welcome but unfortunately the limited wheelchair access may be prohibitive to some. There is free parking available and delicious refreshments will be available at this venue. Admission is a miserly £4:00 per person, and is a wonderful way of raising always, much needed funds. This clever conception works so well, as you, the visitors, get the gift of enjoying other peoples efforts and results whilst also gathering ideas and inspiration, to take back to your own little piece of England, and at the same time, this wonderful, very worthy charity gets the benefit of all that generous ‘dosh’ which will go some way to making the work that they do and the service they provide easier and nicer for all those in their care. It also helps to raise awareness of the Hospice and all the many services they offer. The ‘St. Michael’s Hospice - Open Gardens Programme’ for 2016, have arranged for over 50 gardens all across Hastings and Rother to be open for visitors on special days throughout the coming Summer months - including many new ones not previously included in the programme. Don’t worry, - I’ll keep you updated so you don’t miss a single one !. The Hospice will be hosting their first Garden Party at “ Mountfield Court “, Johns Cross, in June with live music and sparkling wine; - the well known horticulturalist,- Sarah Raven - will be opening her lovely garden ‘ Perch Hill’, at Brightling, in August and ‘Peasmarsh Place’ will also be open for visitors in the Autumn. Do please try to visit as many as possible whilst knowing that your enjoyment and donations, will be of greater value to others. So, --- all in all, - a truly lovely calendar of garden visits and explorations to keep you inspired throughout the coming months. Enjoy them all.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St, James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday May 15th. Pentecost. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion. We are pleased to inform you all that the Reverend Graham Atfield, - has once more, kindly agreed to conduct this service in lieu of Gordon Winchester, who continues his treatment with a brave heart and a smiling face, as always and is doing so well-Our good wishes and prayers continue to be sent to him, Judy and their family, with our love and support to them all. Reverend Atfield is no stranger to our district as he has taken many of our services over time and we look forward to welcoming back an old friend to our parish and our beautiful churches. A service will follow directly after at St. Giles church, Bodiam at 11.15 am. and this service will also include Holy Communion (BCP) and Reverend Graham Atfield will also conduct this service. There will be NO SERVICE at St. Mark’s church, Staplecross today and if there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further assistance, then do please get in touch. You may contact either of the churchwardens ~ Graham Peters -on [email protected] and telephone no: 01580~830203 for Bodiam church matters and for Ewhurst Parish church matters, please contact Jo Goodwin via her email, which is: [email protected] and telephone no: 01580~830601. Help in some form or another, is always at hand, so do please contact them.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If you are arranging an event in the near future, --- however large or small and you’d like some extra coverage for it, 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 your details and to tell us what you are planning, 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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