Staplecross

COMMUNITY EVENTS-UPDATES: Last Saturday (7th) saw lots of to-ing & fro-ing at the Village Hall in Staplecross and the reason, of course was due to the first of the new season’s Jumble Sales taking place here. The Staplecross Village Hall Committee were the hosts for this very well attended event and with the stalls groaning under the weight of the goods for sale, a very busy time was had on both sides of the tables. The raffle stall with it’s large assortment of prizes was constantly keeping their helpers busy, and together with the adjoining cake stall which was full of delectable and tempting items - was also always well attended and their produce much appreciated ( as I can testify, the scones and apple pies were delicious & just right for Sunday lunch !) with many of the cakes and other yummy offerings being sold out almost immediately. A very rewarding and well deserved sum of £712:00 was raised and will be added to the Village Hall coffers. Hilary Ganly, Chairman of the V.H.Committee would like to say a huge “Thank You” to her fellow committee members and all the other stalwart supporters for giving up their time and energy in helping to make this event another success for the Ewhurst parish community. These ever popular events always bring much needed funds and great appreciation (-from all sides ) from all the clubs, societies and other various organisations that hosts them. For whatever reasons, - people just love Jumble Sales and as there are always winners on both sides, long may they continue.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Continuing with their enjoyment of these Spring-like weather conditions and the glorious countryside of this region, those stalwart members of the Rother Ramblers have three (3) more walks lined up for us all to enjoy. All greatly different, but all greatly enjoyable. Walk No: 1 is planned for Saturday March 14th and will be an 8.5 mile meander of Battle Great Wood, Sedlescombe and 1066 Walk. Those who would like to take part in this walk, please meet in the Public car park, in Marley Lane, at Battle Great Wood at 10.15.am. OS EXP 124.TQ765163.(SatNav TN330DJ). Please note: - a 15 minute walk from Battle train station. Train from Hastings 9.29am.-from St.Leonards - Warrior Square 9.32am which arrives at Battle station 9.42am. A picnic lunch is suggested. Janet is the ‘Walk Leader’ for this outing so please contact her on 01424~420570 for further details.-- Walk No: 2 is an 8 mile stroll of Boarshead and Jarvis Brook. Arranged for Wednesday March 18th, the meeting point is the Old Boarshead Road (was part of the A26) OS ESP 135.TQ536329. (SatNav TN63GR) at 10.0am. Please park at the northern end of the old road. Once more a picnic lunch is suggested and the ‘Walk Leader’ for today is Adrian and you may contact him on: 01273~514336 or mob:07729~861854.-- Walk No: 3 has an intriguing title of “The Legacy of Dr. Beeching” and is a slightly shorter stroll of only 6 miles. Taking place on Saturday March 21st, those interested in joining in with other fellow walkers on this ramble down more than ‘memory lane’, should meet at a slightly earlier time of 9.30am. at the Mill Road car park, Heathfield. OS EXP 124. TQ577213. (SatNav TN210XB) There will be a short refreshment break, midway, for your enjoyment and Rita and Lionel will be your ‘Walk Leaders’ for this excursion, so please contact them on 01424~752452 for all further information.

STAPLECROSS LUNCHEON CLUB: The members of this small but super, dining group will be really looking forward to this month’s meeting, as yet again, the choice of menu is a firm favourite. This very friendly social group will be meeting at the Village Hall, Northiam Road in Staplecross on Wednesday March 18th at 12.30pm, and where for the small cost of £6:00 per person, sit down to another delicious 2 course lunch followed by tea/coffee. On the menu this month is Beef Stew with all the trimmings followed by Apple Crumble and Custard. This is a lovely, simple place to eat out, once a month, with delicious,well cooked meals, for a sum that won’t break the bank but will allow you to enjoy it in delightful, congenial company. There are very few ‘rules’, ---sadly, you have to be part of the ‘Over 50’ years old brigade, - you have to promise, wherever possible, that if you are unable to attend the next month’s meal, that you please contact the organisers and tell them so. This helps to reduce not only the food wastage, but also the unnecessary cost in time, money and effort. There is no entrance fee and you don’t have to live within the parish, as many of our members come from other villages and outlying areas,- that’s a recommendation in itself,- Each and every meal is delicious, simple, very tasty and very satisfying. Many members wish that they could come more than once a month ! If you’d like to be included in this happy, lively and lovely group of people who would warmly welcome you, then please call Wendy on 01580~830567 or Dennis on 01580~830816 who would love to set a place for you at our table.

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MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: The super little Mobile Library service will be arriving in two (2) of our three (3) villages this Thursday March 19th. It will arrive in Cricketers Field, Staplecross at 1.50pm and will then depart at 2.20pm for Cripps Corner. The library van will continue to park on the car park of the White Hart Inn upon it’s arrival at 2.30pm and after concluding it’s business, will depart at 2.55pm for it’s last call of the day at Windmill Hill. Please do make as much use of this service as possible. It is still free to everyone, and is a vital part of our rural community. It offers so much more than ‘just books’, and enables many people who may find it difficult to attend or make use of the main branches to gain access to the many services that these Mobile Library vans can provide. Try them out, and see for yourself !

BONFIRE SOCIETY JUMBLE SALE: The tremendous work that the members of the Ewhurst & Staplecross Bonfire Society do is not widely known, and it should be. A well known and popular society, it is always looking for more ways to provide family orientated and fun filled events which in turn leads to opportunities to enhance the club’s charitable funds. One such event is a Mammoth Jumble Sale which is planned for Saturday March 21st - 2pm at the Village Hall in Staplecross. This promises to be a big event with bargains to be had in all departments. Refreshments will be available and a raffle and cake stall will also be available to tempt you. Items donated for the Jumble Sale can be brought to the Village Hall from 9.30am onwards or if this could be difficult for you, please contact either Brian on 01580~830570 or John on 01580~830744 who can arrange collection. This is a superb charity which organises many exciting and entertaining events throughout the year culminating in a fantastic Torchlight Procession which then leads to a magnificent Bonfire and Firework display in Staplecross village in November.The Society’s calendar of events is brought to a close in December, with another, - albeit rather smaller,- but just as amazing - Torchlight Procession, leading them to their own annual Carol Concert held in the local village church. This is the social event where the Bonfire Society hands over the monies raised throughout the year to the local chosen charities and good causes. This society, is thought, by many, to be one of the best societies in the area,- no doubt due to the dedicated , hard working but very friendly members of the group. New members are always encouraged as new ideas and new thoughts are eagerly sought. If you’d like to know more about what this group gets up to, and better still, how perhaps, you may be able to help, then please come along to one of their meetings and find out. The next one is due on Monday March 30th at their usual meeting place at the Cross Inn , Staplecross, beginning at 7.30pm. For all further information, please give either Brian or John a call on the contact numbers quoted above.

MOTHERING SUNDAY: --- SUNDAY MARCH 15th --- The shops are chock-a-block with all things ‘Mother’s Day’ from cards, flowers, chocolates, & toiletries. etc. etc. etc. These of course, are lovely in their own way, but here are a few suggestions given in which you can perhaps really make her day truly special and most of them are quite close by and so you can avoid wasting time travelling on these journeys

BODIAM CASTLE: Treat this special lady in your life to a Mothering Sunday Lunch at this unique and historical venue. You’ll need to pre-book a 2 course lunch in the Wharf Tea Room, held between 12.0Noon and 2.0pm. and where there are 4 choices of main course and 3 choices of dessert. Tickets are £25:00 per person and the price of lunch includes entry to the Castle for Mum. Call 01580~831324 to pre-book.

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SCOTNEY CASTLE - Mums go free! To celebrate Mothering Sunday, Mums will be given free entry to this lovely venue all day.( 10.0am until 5.0pm.) Give her a lovely day out and show her the atmospheric medieval moated castle surrounded by the glorious early spring flowers, stunning to see on any day. Then take her to tea at the delightful tea rooms and shop. (Normal admission charges apply)

SISSINGHURST CASTLE: - Why not treat Mum to a delicious roast dinner in the Granary Restaurant of this fantastic and very popular venue.(12.0 Noon until 3.0pm.) As a special treat there will be free truffles for all the Mothers as well, - even better ! Following the excellent repast, why not explore the stunning gardens to see the beginning of the spring blooms. Normal admission charges apply. Tickets are £20:00 per person - but pre-booking is not needed.

Whether you celebrate this day in a traditional manner, or a wildly extravagantly way, matters not. To each and every Mum, I hope you have a wonderful day, filled with love and kindness and pleasant memories to share and treasure, --- we all know just how well you deserve it.

BATEMAN’S:- Why not consider a Mothering Sunday Traditional English Tea, consisting of: sandwiches; scone; jam; cream; and a slice of Victoria sponge cake. Visit the House, gardens and/or mill. Perhaps also, stroll along one of the many walks here and admire the wildlife. Normal admission charges apply and tickets are £15:00 per person, Booking here, is essential so please contact them on 01435~882302.

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CHURCH SERVICES: MOTHERING SUNDAY. Church services for the Parish of Ewhurst will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday March 15th. Mothering Sunday. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion. A service at St. Giles church, Bodiam, will follow directly afterwards at 11.15.am. This service will also include Holy Communion. There will be NO SERVICE held today at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross. Both services will be conducted by the Reverend Gordon Winchester and if he can help in any church matter, please don’t hesitate to contact him- either at The Rectory, Ewhurst Green, or by telephoning 01580~830268 or via his email: [email protected] - He’ll be very happy to help however he can. If he’s out, just leave a message and he’ll contact you within a very short space of time.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If your Group, Club, Society or Charity is planning to hold an event soon, and you’d like more exposure or promotion, then please do get in touch with me and let me help ‘spread the news’. I’d love to hear from you..........Thank You.

Anne Reed