Staplecross

There’s not going to be a lot to report this week as the majority of social groups and societies within the parish will soon be closing their doors and putting their feet up for a well deserved but very well earned rest, even if only for a few days.

Our school and pre-school playgroup will be coming to the end of this special term, with pupils of all ages, enjoying the fun and frolics that this festive period entails, with nativities, parties, plays and pantomimes filling up their days and becoming all the more excited as “THE DAY” draws ever nearer.

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No doubt, all the various members of staff, from both institutes will also be looking forward to a few days of R & R and will celebrate this brief respite from the noisy, madcap world of children, in their own way inimitable way. I hope you all enjoy this Christmas break, you deserve it and you’ve earned it.

A quick, gentle reminder that TONIGHT, FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th, - there will be an evening celebration of Christmas with “Carols On The Green” Starting at 6pm at Ewhurst Green. Anyone and everyone will be most warmly welcomed and as previously mentioned, mulled wine and mince pies will be available for all to enjoy. Everyone likes to sing, especially at this time of the year, and it doesn’t even matter if you can’t sing, as the enjoyment and companionship of being a part of this festivity will more than make up for a few wrong notes ! So come along and be a part of this lovely, simple little village Christmas celebration .Bring your family, friends and any one else who’d like to join in or just listen to the age old story of Christmas being told in a song.

Neither the dampness in the air, nor the dropping of the air temperature seems to put a stop to the activities of those stalwart fellows of the rural footpaths, the Rother Ramblers. Following a short interval of rest, ~ no doubt spent planning more walks of wonder for our delight~ three more walks have been arranged for our pleasure, all taking place over the next week or two. The first to tempt us, will take place on THURSDAY DECEMBER 26th. ~Boxing Day~ Just the thing to work off some of those extra pounds we may have, inadvertently, put on, the previous day. This particular walk, is a 5 mile Sedlescombe circular and could be just the ticket to set us up for the rest of this holiday season. The group are meeting at 11am in the Brede Lane car park,in Sedlescombe (TN330RG) A short refreshment break will take place during this walk and dogs are permitted to walk with you as usual.For further information regarding this stroll, please ring Howard on 07511~133272. A slightly longer, but equally enjoyable walk is planned for SATURDAY DECEMBER 28th when an 8 mile “figure of eight” tour of Biddenden takes place. This group will be meeting at 10am. in the Millenium field car park in Biddenden.(TN276DD) This will have quite a ‘festive air’ to it as mulled wine and mince pies are encouraged to be brought along. Naturally your doggy pals, are also warmly welcomed For details of this interesting walk, please contact Lionel on 01424~752452. Perhaps in preparation for the New Years Eve imminent celebrations, the next walk is again just a wee one of only 6.5 miles and will be a ‘Winchelsea Wander’. These folk will be gathering together at 12 Noon at the Winchelsea Railway Station (TN364JX) on MONDAY DECEMBER 30th. before strolling on to this quaint and fascinating little village that is steeped in history and folklore. There will be a short stop for refreshments during this ‘wander’ and a possible pub foray after this walk comes to an end. Mans’ best friend is also permitted to accompany you and your companions and what better way to spend a few hours outdoors. It’s also a fitting way to bring this year to a close, enjoying the fresh air, good company, beautiful scenery, gearing us up in readiness for what 2014 will bring. For more details regarding this walk, please telephone Dave on 01424~661018. Rother Ramblers is a local group of Britain’s walking charity and all additional information can be found on http://www.rotherramblers.org.uk/

The coffee morning hosted by Ewhurst PCC, and held at St. James the Great church, in Ewhurst Green, last Saturday December 14th was very well attended. The gift and produce stalls together with the superb Christmas Raffle drew a goodly crowd and as a result of all this, a magnificient sum of over £850:00 was raised. The four Christmas trees, decorated by the pupils of Staplecross Methodist Primary School, were beautifully adorned and only added to this festive event and made it the more special by the care and attention that went into the placing of every ornament that was hung upon the branches. When lit up later that same night when the “Carols by Candlelight” service took place, they brought a real sense of tradition and enchantment to this special event.. This evening performance was augmented by the Tongswood Chamber Choir with their Musical Director Andrew Witham singing seasonal selections from Vaughan Williams, Joubert, Pearsall and Warlock. Following this delightful and very enjoyable service, refreshments of soft drinks,glasses of wine with canapes, amongst pleasant congenial company rounded the day off perfectly. The Ewhurst PCC would like to offer their most grateful thanks to all those who helped make this a successful event.

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Church services for Ewhurst parish will commence on SUNDAY DECEMBER 22nd. Advent 4 and will be held at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green at 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) and will be followed shortly after by a service at St. Marks church, Northiam Road, Staplecross at 11.15am. again Holy Communion (BCP) Following on in great tradition on TUESDAY DECEMBER 24th, Christmas Eve, there will be a special service at St. James the Great, only, at Ewhurst Green, commencing at 11.30pm. (please note the time!) On Christmas Day. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25th there will be a service held at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green only. 9.30am Holy Communion. NO service at St. Marks in Staplecross. SUNDAY DECEMBER 29th. Christmas 1.again, there will only be a service at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green. Commencing at 9.30am Holy Communion will take place. Reverend Gordon Winchester will be officiating at all of the above services and as always, will be on hand to help in any church matter, however needed. Please ring him on 01580~830268. If he’s out, and he frequently is, just leave a message and he’ll return your call upon his return.

This, unless I hear to the contrary, brings my missive to a close for this festive season. I hope that each and everyone of you has a wonderful Christmas time full of glad tidings, great joy, peace and harmony. May I send special Yuletide greetings to you all for a magical and memorable time, however you choose to celebrate it and may the New Year of 2014 bring you all Love, Luck and Laughter. ~ enough to last the whole year through. A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.