Staplecross

ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL: I received a very welcome email recently, asking ‘If I would be kind enough to put this in the Village Voice, please’ ,~ so here it is. “ I write to thank the residents of Ewhurst, Staplecross and Cripps Corner, most sincerely for their overwhelming support in the recent District Council elections. I promise to continue to positively represent our community in all matters of concern.” received from Tony Ganly, Rother District Councillor for Ewhurst & Sedlescombe. It’s not often nowadays, for whatever reasons, that people take the time and trouble just to say ‘Thank You’ - so it’s really nice to hear about it when they do. So thanks Tony, for your courtesy and Good Luck in the next 4 years.
By Anne Reed
Published 22nd May 2015, 00:00 BST

LOTTERY SCAM: A letter arrived in our post recently,advising Hubby & I of a huge ‘People’s Postcode Lottery’ win. - needless to say we knew this was a scam as we don’t take part in this lottery. The letter looked very authentic and following the checking of various addresses, ‘phone numbers and references, we duly passed all this information on to the police. They were horrified to receive this and agreed that many people could be taken in with this fraudulent letter, especially the elderly, the disabled and the vulnerable. Their message is “Do Not Reply” to this correspondence, DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY for ‘processing’ charges etc. Just telephone 101 (Police number for Non Emergency calls) and pass all the details onto them for their Fraud Squad dept. to deal with. The old adage “If it’s too good to be true - it probably isn’t true.” certainly applies here. You can also get in touch with our own PCSO Demi on: [email protected] for any concerns regarding scams or other police matters. He’ll always be glad to help.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Off out again with this stalwart group of walkers as they have planned two more rambles for our enjoyment. Walk No: 1 is an 8 mile circular downland walk from Butts Brow to the Long Man. I remember doing this many, many times in my childhood, along with neighbourhood & school ‘chums’, as the Downs were our own ‘back garden’ and it has always been quite delightful (- little legs didn’t count the mileage then, we were too busy just having fun !). This will be a walk along less used paths from Butts Brow to the iconic ‘Long Man’, via Folkington. The meeting point for this stroll is at 10.0am. on Sunday May 24th. at the Butts Brow car park, above Willingdon. OS EXP 123.TQ579017.(Sat Nav BN20 9DP) Sadly car parking charges will apply. A picnic lunch is again suggested and Adrian will be your ‘Walk Leader for this trip so please contact him on 01273~514336 or mobile:07729~861854 for all further details. Walk no: 2 is another 10 mile circular tour, but this time it’s from Rushlake Green to Three Cups. Arranged for Thursday May 28th the group will be meeting at 10.0am at Rushlake Green. OS EXP 124.TQ627184 (Sat Nav TN21 9QE) On street park applies here and a Pub or Picnic lunch is again suggested. On this occasion, Tim will be your ‘Walk Leader’ and you may contact him on 01424~272459 or mobile 07831~768588 for all further information.

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STAPLECROSS BOWLS CLUB: Still keeping pace with their hectic fixture calendar the members have a very busy few days ahead of them as no less than five (5) matches will take place this week. Match no: 1 is for Saturday May 23rd. when the team host a match against Brenchley & Matfield on their club house lawns in Northiam Road, Staplecross. The following day Sunday May 24th. they are at home again for match no: 2. when their opponents are Gullivers team and for home match no: 3 the team play against Hellingly on Monday May 25th. All these home matches start at 2.30pm. On Wednesday May 27th the team are away for match no: 4 when they play Hastings (W) at their opponents ground with the match commencing at 2.00pm. Continuing with their away match schedule and for match no: 5 this will find the team playing against Hollington team on Thursday May 28th. If you get the chance to go along and cheer (quietly !) our local teams, please do so, as your support is always very welcomed. Please contact Evelyn for all information on how you can join in with this friendly and dedicated local bowls club. You may contact her on: 01580~830107 or email: [email protected]

STAPLECROSS STOOLBALL CLUB: Only one (1) match will be taking place this week and that will be on Tuesday May 26th at their home ground at the Playing field, Northiam Road, Staplecross. The team will be playing against Ashburnham and will start at 6.45pm. As always, your support is always very welcome and so are new members. If you fancy ‘having a go’ or want to take up a new hobby/sport, get some free fresh air and make lots of new friends, why wait, just come along, make yourself known and get started. If you’d like further details or more information on how to ‘join in’, please contact Pauline on 01580~830570 in the first instance.

THE CROSS INN: More news on what’s brewing within the walls of this popular village pub. The team have arranged another popular event in the form of a ‘Live Music’ day for this Sunday May 24th when two bands will provide music for us all to enjoy. ‘Dan Morrison’ will begin the gig at 4.00pm and will be followed in due course by ‘6Hr Stint’. To help us along the way and continue to keep us ‘in the mood and in the groove’, - so to speak - will be the delicious food available, including pulled pork rolls and Slider burgers! - both locally sourced and rather yummy. On Saturday May 30th (in case you were not aware) the F.A.Cup Final is upon us. Arsenal and Aston Villa are the teams that made it to the final this year and this match is arranged to be broadcast in the bar area. More yummy food in the form of ‘Pie, Mash and a Pint’ at a special rate will also be on hand for your enjoyment, if you can tear yourself away from all that excitement taking place on the big screen. For more details of these events and what else is planned for the coming months, either pop in or telephone 01580~830217.

ST.MICHAEL’S HOSPICE ~ OPEN GARDENS: This fantastic fund raising scheme is coming to our own parish community this week when two (2) glorious and very enviable gardens are opened to the public as part of the wonderful St. Michael’s Hospice~Open Gardens Programme. This is a rare opportunity to explore and enjoy the secrets of two hidden and private gardens not usually open to the public whilst raising always much needed funds for a very worthwhile charity. Both of these gardens are situated in Ewhurst Green and will be open on Tuesday May 26th between 10.30am until 4.00pm.-The first of these gardens is “Soggs House” which is in Lordine Lane (SatNav TN32 5TL) and comprises of a 12 acre garden which cleverly encompasses a small walled potager, a kitchen garden, a pond, paddocks, woodland, rose garden and a vineyard. This is a delightful garden to easily (and quite possibly deliberately!) get lost in as there’s so much to see and enjoy in every direction. Considering that a huge re-think, re-design and major project was very recently undertaken and is still a ‘work in progress’, this beautiful garden will still manage to bring so much pleasure to all those who come and visit. The second garden open is “Preachers” situated in Shoreham Lane, (SatNav TN325TB) and is a stunning garden surrounding a lovely period house and the clever use of old yew hedging to create ‘garden rooms’ is just magical. This well established garden with shrubs, climbers, herbaceous plants, climbing and shrub roses together with a herb garden is a real ‘must see’ and the views from the pond overlooking Bodiam Castle and the surrounding countryside just take your breathe away. Admission is £5:00 per person, payable at either garden, wheelchair access is limited at Preachers, but sadly unavailable at Soggs House. Guide dogs only are allowed; parking is as signposted and when you can tear yourselves away from all that ‘horticultural high’, a well deserved few minutes sit down with delicious refreshments can be found at Soggs House to help re-charge your energy to enable you to continue the pleasure. If you can, please make time, to go and enjoy two beautiful and very different gardens, lovingly tended over the years and that are simply a joy to see, scent and stroll in. I know that envy is a terrible thing and it’s also 1 of the 7 deadly sins, but in this case I think I may just be forgiven......

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THE HERDMAN ASSOCIATION: An evening out amongst congenial but probably competitive company and with a chance to shine is promised by this dedicated and friendly association in the form of their Quarterly Quiz Nights events. Taking place on Friday May 29th this time, the venue will be “Soggs House”, Lordine Lane, Ewhurst Green (SatNav TN32 5TL) Tickets are £4:00 with supper provided with a licensed bar. Teams of 4 per table. Doors are open at 7.00pm with the quiz commencing at 7.30pm. For all further information please contact Glenys on:01580~830491 or email [email protected] You can also check out the website at [email protected]

OUT and ABOUT: Between Saturday May 23rd and Sunday May 31st. lots of things will be happening at Bodiam Castle. As part of the May Games event alongside the Medieval toys and games, you’ll be invited to join “Happening History” for toy-making workshops. A ‘St. Edward’s Fayre’ is also being held at Bodiam Castle on Monday May 25th between 11.0am and 4.00pm. This promises to be a fun filled day with lots of games and various activities, from trying out the armour to exploring the local craft stalls. So why not bring your wee warriors, knights or Princesses to this very special castle and have a great day out.

UDIMORE GARDEN SAFARI: Just in case you haven’t had your fill of garden spotting (and who ever does?) next Saturday May 30th seven (7) beautiful gardens, lovingly tended by their proud -and justifiably so- owners in Udimore village, will be open to the public between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. This is the very first ‘garden safari’ undertaken by the village and I’m sure it won’t be the last, as this event promises a wide and varied selection of glorious gardens for us all to thoroughly enjoy. Tickets are £6:00 per person, but children are free. (nicely behaved children are especially welcome) Maps of the safari route along with your tickets can be collected from the Community Hall, which is situated near the church of St. Mary. Tea and delicious cakes will also be available here as well, for you to enjoy at any time along the trail, whenever you wish to take a few quiet moments to enjoy the welcome refreshments, recharge your batteries and continue on the safari. There will also be some plants for sale at the Community Hall, as well as some additional ones to further tempt you when you reach the garden at “Beauchamps”. Please support this lovely little event which is a fund-raising venture for St. Mary’s church as it’s a super afternoon out for a worthwhile cause.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: The Cross Inn, Staplecross are holding their next ever competitive Quiz Night on Wednesday June 10th. This is becoming very popular so tables do need to be pre-booked in order to reserve your seats. This has turned out to be a very successful evening and with super ‘pub-grub’ food being served during the interval, it would be prudent to book your seats ASAP. Tickets are £6:50 so please ring 01580~830217 to make sure you don’t miss out on a great evening amongst great company.

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The Ewhurst, Staplecross & Bodiam Garden Society are holding their Annual Rose Show on Saturday June 13th between 2.30pm and 4.15pm. in the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross. There are a huge number of classes to enter, so there’ll be something for every one, - of all ages and abilities to have-a go. For a Show Schedule and the rules of entries, please contact either of the Show Secretaries: Mrs Pam Underhill 01580~881839 or Mrs Maggie Whitaker 01580~830041.

The Herdman Association invite you to take part in the Inaugural Herdman Association Golf Tournament on Friday June 26th.This will be a 9 hole -’Ticket Only’ event with Player & lunch ~ £40:00 and Caddy & lunch ~ £20:00. and will be played at the Rye Golf Club, Jubilee Course. Stapleford Rules, - Handicaps welcome. Sorry, but this isn’t suitable for beginners. Presentations following play will be at the White Dog, Ewhurst Green. Deposit required when booking. Please contact Glenys on 01580~830491 or [email protected] for more details.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St. James the Great church, Ewhurst Green on Sunday May 24th.Pentacost. at 9.30am. This service will also include Holy Communion (BCP). A service will follow directly after at 11.15.am at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross which will also include Holy Communion. There will be NO SERVICE today at St. Giles church, Bodiam. Both services will be conducted by Reverend Gordon Winchester and if he can assist you in any church matters, then do please contact him either at the Rectory, telephone number 01580~830268 or by email: [email protected] If he’s out - and he frequently is,- please leave a message and he’ll return your call as soon as possible. He’ll gladly help you in any way he can.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If your Group, Club, Society or Charity is planning to hold an event, however large or small it may be, and you’d like a small mention of it within this column, to help with the promotion and publicity of it, then please get in touch. It’s never too early to tell me what you are planning and if it’s of interest to you - it’ll be of interest to us. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank You.