Staplecross

Anne Reed

EASTER ACTIVITIES: Lots of things are happening with our parish community and with our schoolchildren still enjoying their Easter break there are still many enjoyable activities, both inside and out, for them, their parents, grandparents or carers to enjoy. The National Trust, have arranged several Easter events all over our region, during this period, so there should be something for everyone to enjoy.- At Bodiam Castle, - an ‘Outlaw Academy’ is taking place between Tuesday 7th and Friday 10th April between 10am and 4pm and is inviting you to join them in a special seat of learning in this grounds of this fantastic castle. Learn how to support yourself from the land around you and survive whilst escaping from the harsh justice of medieval times. Great fun all round!. Normal admission charges apply (Free to N.T. members) plus £6:50 per person, which includes the trail and booking is essential. Contact 01580~831324 for further details. Sussex Wildlife Trust are holding two more exciting events which promise fun for all the family as well as discovering more of our local sea-shore. The first is on Wednesday April 8th between 1.30pm and 3.pm. Meet at Rye Harbour car park where you’ll soon find out more of the weird and wonderful world of mini-beasts,- Suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are £3:00 per child and booking is essential. The following day Thursday April 9th a small event between 10.am and 11.30am is planned. Offering fun and friendly encouragement to find out more about the wonderful marine life that abounds here, with a short exploration of the rock pools on Pett Level beach, this is a fascinating way of spending time outdoors in the bracing sea air. This event is suitable for accompanied children aged four - 12 years and wellies or sturdy boots (suitable for paddling in the rock pools) are highly recommended. Please meet alongside the “Smuggler Inn” on Pett Level Road (SatNav TN35 4EH) Again booking is essential and tickets are £3:00 per child. For more information on both these activities and to see what else is planned throughout the rest of 2015, please contact: [email protected] You may telephone them on: 01797~227784. For the ‘Grown-Ups’ there are several events planned for their enjoyment -- on Saturday April 11th at 2.30pm at Winchelsea Beach Community Hall local geologist Ken Brooks will give an introductory talk about geological interest in the area, followed by a walk the following week (Saturday April 18th) to see some examples.-Sadly, only those attending the talk, will be entitled to join in the walk, so make sure you sign up.! Bookings not necessary but donations very much appreciated. There’s a Beginners Bird Watching event at Rye Harbour on Sunday April 12th between 10.am and 1.pm. This will help you to distinguish between one species from another. Binoculars can be borrowed on the day - how good is that ! Once more bookings not necessary but donations appreciated. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. Please contact the Information Centre on 01797~227784 as above, for all further information.

STAPLECROSS & EWHURST GREEN W.I.: Looking forward to their next meeting, as these ladies always do, the members of this local Women’s Institute will, no doubt enjoy listening to their speaker for April - Mr David Clark -who will be talking to us about “Melody Makers 1900 - 1950” on Tuesday April 7th. Taking place at 2.30pm at St. Mark’s Church Room, Northiam Road, Staplecross, this entertaining speaker will be sure to continue their enjoyment of the 2015 programme. Many more speakers discussing a variety of subjects ranging from craftwork, to beauty to Wealden walkways are planned throughout the year, and as well as various outings and our own members special Garden Party held in July these are just a few of the activities on our Programme of Events for us to all look forward to. If you’d like to become a member of this lively, friendly and welcoming group and you’d like more information of what is planned for the remainder of this year, please contact Ann on 01580~831944. She’d love to hear from you.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Two more walk are planned for our enjoyment this week with the first arranged for Wednesday April 8th. Described as ‘West Dean- along the riverside and a little uphill’- this charming stroll is an eight mile meander with some beautiful scenery along the way and is sure to be of interest to many. Please meet at 10.0am at the car park, -1.25 miles south of Litlington and 0.05 mile north of Exceat. OS.EXP 123. TQ518003 (SatNav BN25 4AJ) A picnic lunch is also suggested for your enjoyment. Please contact Martin who will be your ‘Walk Leader’ on this occasion on 01424~752793 for all other information. Walk No: 2 will take place on Saturday April 11th and is much closer to home being a St. Leonards - Hollington 6mile circular ramble. Please meet at the Seafront car park by Grosvenor Gardens, St. Leonards at 10.0am OS. EXP 124 TQ789087 (SatNav TN38 0AG) A short refreshment stop is suggested halfway with the usage of the café amenities if desired, at the end of the stroll. Paula is your ‘Walk Leader’ for this outing, so please contact her on her mobile on: 07740~899559 for all further details.

EWHURST,STAPLECROSS & BODIAM GARDEN SOCIETY: This group will not only be holding their usual monthly horticultural meeting this week, but will also be including within this meeting their very popular ‘Spring Show’ .Taking place on Thursday April 9th at 7.30pm in the Village Hall in Staplecross, their speaker for this event is to be Mr. Ed Flint who is the Head Gardener at Tidebrook Manor. His talk will be entitled “ My Favourite Perennials” - a subject close to many a heart and with such a wide and varied amount to choose from, will no doubt, be the cause of many discussions along the way. The “Spring Flower Show” is the first of three exciting and very different horticultural shows that are staged by this garden society within their yearly events programme. There are only 12 classes of this small show - and very simple ones at that, thus enabling, and encouraging, many people to take part in this local show as classes are open to members and NON members alike. Exhibits should be staged from 7.0pm to 7.30pm and NO fees or entry forms are required. All details and further information of the schedule for this show can be obtained from the Show Secretaries: - Mrs Pam Underhill either by telephoning: 01580~881839 or via email: [email protected] or Maggie Whitaker on 01580~830041 or via email: [email protected] Please don’t be intimidated by this show, - read the schedules, talk to the organisors and just enter a class. It’s a village society, holding a small spring flower show and it’s a fun, friendly invitation which could lead onto bigger and better things. The members are waiting to welcome you to this meeting, so come along and have a go.- it’s also a great group to also become a member of.

THE HERDMAN ASSOCIATION: The next event in the busy social calendar of the Herdman Association will take place at the superb pavilion in Ewhurst Green on Friday April 10th between 6.0pm and 10.0pm. I refer to, of course, the Fun Games Night. Becoming increasingly popular with all those who participate in the entertainments of the evening, many more games, both inside and out are planned for the foreseeable future. Activities to date include table tennis; snooker/pool; darts; shove ‘alfpenny; dominoes, draughts, chess and other board games. If you’d like to see additional games included in the programme, please contact Glenys on: 01580~830491 or email: [email protected] Costs are small at Adults £2:00,- Young adults (18-18 years) £1:00 under 16s go free. -Brilliant !. - but children must be accompanied by an adult and light refreshments, by way of nibbles, - soft drinks and tea & coffee, or wine/cider/lager will be available. Pop along and find out for yourself what’s on offer and meet old friends or make new ones, - either way it seems like a fantastic evening for every-one, so give it a try!.

STAPLECROSS BOWLS CLUB: Following on from their working and tidy up day of tomorrow Saturday April 4th, -in preparation for their busy season in the year ahead, the members of this dedicated bowls club, both players and supporters alike, have arranged a ‘Coffee Morning’ which will take place on Saturday April 11th at 10.30am. in the Bowls Club Pavilion, Northiam Road, Staplecross. Along with simply enjoying a leisurely break among congenial company, this could be the perfect opportunity for those of you who may be considering learning this sport. Come along and meet the members of this friendly club and learn more about the game. Whether you have never played before, or want to improve your skills or just want to enjoy the game just for the pleasure it brings, this could be the right chance to take that step and make it happen. An Opening Day Bowls Drive has also been arranged for Saturday April 18th 2.0pm for 2.30pm start. and New Members sessions on both Sunday April 19th at 2.30pm and Friday April 24th at 6.0pm - all to take place at the Bowls Club.- all we now need is you !.All are welcome and for all further details of the clubs fixtures for the months ahead or to become a supporter of the group, please contact Evelyn on 01580~830107 or via her email at: [email protected] or contact the present Bowls Club Chairman, Brian Scowen on 01580~830570. They’d love to hear from you and you’ll always be made very welcome.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - EWHURST PARISH COUNCIL - ANNUAL ASSEMBLY: In case you haven’t received the Ewhurst Parish Council Report through your letterbox and are therefore unaware of this important date for ALL residents of our community, the E.P.C. are cordially inviting all interested members of the parish to their Annual Parish Assembly which will be held on Tuesday April 14th at 7.15pm in the Village Hall, Northiam Road Staplecross. Arrive half an hour earlier or so, and help yourself to delightful refreshments, kindly provided by our local W.I. - have a chat with other parishioners and your local Councillors, including Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council. Visit the stalls and displays which promote the various local groups and societies As usual, there will be plenty of time to raise any concerns you may have which are relevant to the parish, and to make suggestions, as all three tiers of local government will be represented. This meeting is open to the public and press and all the Councillors, - as elected by you, - look forward to meeting you and to listening to what you have to say. We are here to serve you, so please come along and tell us how best we may do just that.

STAPLECROSS LUNCHEON CLUB: Next meeting, Wednesday April 15th. 12.30pm held in the Village Hall in Staplecross. This is a small, but very friendly dining group -for those of a certain age ( 50+ ) which meet once a month for a delicious 2 course lunch plus tea or coffee to follow and costing just £6:00 per person. A very warm welcome awaits you, so please contact Sally on 01580~830000 or Dennis on 01580~830816 for all further information and to reserve you a place at our table.

PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBULATOR (PAD) TRAINING: Following the installation of three PADs at our three local pubs, --the Cross Inn at Staplecross, the White Dog at Ewhurst Green and the White Hart at Cripps Corner, a free training session on how to use these amazing and life saving pieces of equipment has been arranged. Organised by Ewhurst Parish Council in partnership with Rother Responders, this is one event you really aught not to miss. The date is Thursday April 16th between 6.30pm and 8.30pm and the venue is: St. Mark’s Church Room, Northiam Road, Staplecross. TN32 5QH. All members of the public are cordially invited to attend and you’ll be encouraged to have a go at using a training machine and to find out about the various aspects of them and what they can do. There will be a short presentation at the beginning of the session, but you can drop in at any time. Please come along, allay any fears you may have regarding these machines, talk to any of the Responders in attendance and find out what they do You’ll feel more capable of using the ‘De-fibs’ and more confident in yourself following one of these sessions, and who knows when these new found skills may be suddenly and unexpectedly be brought into use and how grateful you’ll feel about knowing how to use them and perhaps helping save a life.

ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPICE: Take the challenge - ‘Face the Fire’ --Are there any residents of Ewhurst Parish who are brave enough to face the fire ? St. Michael’s Hospice and Sara Lee Trust invite you to a “Fire Walk” on Saturday April 18th at 6.0pm at the Hastings & Bexhill Rugby Club. This evenings event promises to be a roaring success with live music from Section Five Drummers, Jiggery Pokery, and a grand fireworks finale. The FireWalk is very kindly sponsored by Swiftlite Charcoal and anyone wishing to put their best foot forward to raise money for either charities should contact Marcia at St. Michael’s Hospice on 01424~456381 or Maria at the Sara Lee Trust on 01424~456608.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green with the first of the Easter services, beginning on Friday April 3rd. GOOD FRIDAY. at 9.30am with a Good Friday service. A service at St. Giles church, Bodiam, will follow directly after at 11.15am. This will also be a Good Friday service. Continuing on Sunday April 5th. Easter Day. A service will be held at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green at 9.30am. and there will be children’s Easter themed activities for use during the service which will include Holy Communion. Coffee and cakes, for adults, always a treat and warmly welcomed and an Easter egg hunt in the churchyard - or inside the church if weather is too unkind and is wet. A service will follow directly after at 11.15am. at St. Giles church, Bodiam with an Easter Communion. There will be NO SERVICE at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross, on this day. All these services will be conducted by Reverend Gordon Winchester and if he can be of any assistance to you, in any church matter, please get in touch with him - either at the Rectory, Ewhurst Green, or by telephone 01580~830268 or via his email [email protected] He’ll be very happy to help in any way he can.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If your Group, Club, Society or Charity is planning an event in our local area or you’d like a mention of your activities, then please get in touch and allow us to further promote and publicise your event. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank You.