Staplecross

Last Sunday, November 10th -all across this wonderful country of ours, North, South, East and West, up hill and down dale, and all points inbetween, complete strangers came together for a few short minutes with the same object in mind. That of paying their respect to those gallant men and women, from all of the services ( not just the Armed Forces) and from all Rank and File and all walks of life,who through their ultimate sacrifice, helped make and shape this world which we all share. These groups of people stood, with heads bowed and silent prayers offered ,to say “Thank You”, for each and every one of these comrades who “gave their tomorrows for our todays”. Ewhurst Parish was no exception as a Remembrance Service was held at St. James the Great in Ewhurst Green at 9.30am attended by some 52 parishioners, this was then followed by wreath laying and commemoration at the little war memorial which sits proudly within the grounds of this beautiful church. At 11.am Staplecross held their own commemoration ceremony at the War Memorial in the heart of the village and was attended by a good number of residents. The oration was read by Flt. Lt.James Cyster (RAF Retired) with wreaths laid on behalf of Ewhurst Parish Council and Ewhurst Parochial Church Council. Later in the day at 3.30pm a Remembrance Service was also held at St. Marks’ church in Staplecross and the occasion was marked by a wreath being laid against the memorial board inside this simple but quaint little church. A fitting close to a special day.

Church services for Ewhurst parish begin at 9.30 am Holy Communion at St. James the Great in Ewhurst Green on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17th. 2nd before Advent (Trinity 25) There will be NO services at St. Giles, Bodiam or St. Marks’ Staplecross on this day. For any questions you may have regarding happy matters, and not happy matters which may involve any of the churches within Ewhurst parish, please contact Gordon Winchester on 01580~830268 who would be very pleased to help you in any way he can.

A leaflet is currently being dropped through as many Ewhurst Parish residents mailbox’s as possible in order to appraise them of a new scheme to help save money on those ever increasing energy bills. Called the “Big Community Switch” this is a new, easy way to save money on your energy bills where by coming together as a group, you could get a better deal and the company iChoosr do all the hard work for you. Sign up by MONDAY NOVEMBER 18th , which is the last day in which to register your interest to find out how much you could save ~ you’re under no obligation to switch and you will NOT be contacted by sales people as part of this process. The scheme is backed by local councils and is being run by a large group of local authorities together with iChoosr~ however you can sign up regardless of where you live.Unlike price comparison sites, you don’t need access to the internet to benefit. You can register by phone or in person at participating council offices or you can ask someone you trust to register online for you. How does this scheme work ? Well,~ Sign up for free to express your interest.Energy suppliers are then invited to take part in the auction to bid against each other to offer the best deal. The lowest offer will be the winning supplier. You will receive an email from November 29th with an offer based on the usage information you’ve supplied. If you decide to accept the offer you’ll need to confirm before January 13th.2014. after this date the offer will expire. If you choose not to accept the offer, you will not be contacted again about this deal, but will have the option to receive information about future community switches, again, there will be no obligation to participate. iChoosr will then take care of the entire switch for you.When signing up, make sure you have an annual statement or a recent bill from your energy supplier as relevant details will be required..Follow the questions and once signed up you’ll receive an email requesting you to confirm your registration. Your name, address and contact details will be kept confidential and will only be passed onto the new supplier if & when you decide to switch.For answers to any questions you may have regarding this scheme, just call the free number 0800~0488285 manned from 8am until 5.30pm or email them at bigcommunityswitch.ichoosr.com You may also contact our parish clerk Mr Richard Farhall on [email protected]

Those lovely ladies of Staplecross and Ewhurst Green W.I. will be meeting up again on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19th at 2.30pm.for another afternoon full of chat and (supposedly !) hard work. Taking place at St. Marks Church Room, Northiam Road, Staplecross, this is their afternoon for craft work where these merry maidens spend a couple of hours amongst friends whilst applying their skills to their chosen craft item and at the same time managing to thoroughly enjoy themselves. When work gets too much, or spirits sag, a nice cup of tea and a gorgeous piece of cake will always replenish those flagging energies. New prospective members are always welcome and any lady interested in coming along and joining this very friendly group should do just that. For all further details please contact Ann Prodinger on 01580~831944.

Staying in Staplecross village but in a bigger venue at the Village Hall, the Staplecross Luncheon Club will be throwing open the doors of the hall on WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20th at 12.30pm. Members of this very friendly group of people, ‘Meet,Greet and Eat’ here every 3rd Wednesday of the month when they sit down to a delicious two course lunch followed by coffee/tea and chat time. On the menu this week I’m reliably informed is Liver & bacon with all the trimmings followed by ‘Spotted Dick’ with sauce ~not custard ~ and with this wonderful food being cooked by our super chef June, as always, it’ll be just yummy. The entrance is free for this modest dining club with a £5:50 charge for the meal which is ‘as cheap as chips’ and twice as nice. The ongoing popularity of this social group is shown by the quality of the food and the variety of the menu and it has only one rule. ~ you have to be ‘Over 50 years of age’ ~ I.D. is not required. How good is that ?. So if you wish to enjoy a well earned rest from the cooker and all that boring washing up afterwards, ( and who wouldn’t, once a month, ) just give Anka Buss a call on 01580~830260 to register your interest and to book your place at the table.

Despite the awful weather settling in around us and outside temperatures dropping once more as we head into the final months of the year, those jovial members of the Rother Ramblers seem impervious to this unpleasant weather. Two more walks are arranged for our enjoyment, the first of which will take place on WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20TH where the members will go on a leisurely 7 mile trail of discovery through Hailsham and Hellingly. Sounds rather exciting, doesn’t it ?. Meeting at 10.15am.at the Cuckoo Trail free car park at the junction of South Road and Western Road in Hailsham. (BN27 4DQ) A picnic or a cafe lunch is suggested and as dogs are permitted, your four footed friend may accompany you. For more further details please call John on 01424~773998. Second in our diary of delights is a rather longer but just as beautiful walk. A 10 mile circular trip between Rolvenden and Tenterden is arranged for SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24th. The group are meeting at 10.0am. in the High Street in Rolvenden, near the church. (TN17 4LS). On street parking is the order of the day,- as is a picnic lunch. Once again your dog is allowed to join you in this walk. David is the chappie to contact regarding this excursion please contact him on 01580~852432.

I know it’s not in my parish but I have been asked to help advertise a worthy charity event, and I’m very happy to do so. Vinehall School (TN32 5JL) situated between Whatlington and Mountfield are holding a Christmas Fair at the school for Rwanda Aid. Taking place on SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23rd. between 8.30 am and 1.30pm this Fair could be just the place to get your Christmas shopping off to a flying start and at the same time give much needed support to a worthwhile cause. The cafe is open from 8.30am for breakfast, lunch and refreshments and the many stalls set up for your delight and enticement include gifts, toys, jewellery, fashion accessories, home accessories and hand-made food items. If that isn’t enough to encourage you to come, there is children’s entertainment arranged for their pleasure also, including Santa & reindeer, various crafts, face painting, nail painting, ‘tattoos’ and balloon modelling. This means that you can shop in relative peace and quiet whilst knowing the kiddies are being looked after and enjoying their ‘own time’.For all further information please contact Jenny on: 07857~538883 or search Facebook for Friends of Vinehall Christmas Fair.

Don’t forget, if you are planning or holding an event in whatever capacity, a celebration, a Christmas Fete, anything at all, and you’d like extra coverage, please just drop me a line and I’ll do my best to help it get additional notice. Christmas IS just around the corner so don’t get caught out, it’s never too early to contact me.