Staplecross

The quiet sleepy village of Staplecross came alive last Saturday when the main road between Staplecross and Cripps Corner reverberated to the sounds of drums and other instruments, the happy revelry of hundreds of people in amazing costumes making up the historic annual procession, as they made their way slowly down to Cripps Corner and back. Many of the participants were holding aloft the torches recently made here in the village, which are symbolic of all the Bonfire Societies.It was a wonderful sight to behold and to also see the huge number of supporters follow the procession back onto the field to further enjoy the crackling fantastic firework display with the magnificient bonfire as it’s centre-piece. The Staplecross Bonfire & Torchlight Procession had finally arrived amidst weeks of hard work, careful organisation and tight planning. Thankfully, the weather was kind to all who supported this excellent event allowing all those who attended a clear dry night and by all accounts, a wonderful time was had by all who braved the dark, the cold and the noise to support this magical evening. Thank you to all who gave generously to the collection tins & buckets. The monies collected will all go to local charitable causes and will be much appreciated.

The Ewhurst & Staplecross W.I. will be meeting on Tuesday November 5th. for their A.G.M. when amongst those stalwart ladies a committee is chosen to lead this superb group of ladies forward into another interesting and sociable year. We may not be the largest local W.I. group, but what we lack in numbers we certainly make up with in activities. There is a busy book club, which often leads to diferent points of views being offered, depending on how one interpreted the book. The Lunch Group is gaining popularity as various ‘hostelries’ are sampled and the Craft Group is continuing to thrive as this is a subject close to the hearts of all W.I. ladies. Quilt-making, I believe is the exciting project, being undertaken by several of the members at present. The new year ahead promises more in the way of great speakers, a wide and varied programme of events and a very warm welcome is extended to any lady who feels this social group could be just the thing for them. This W.I. meet every first Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm at St. Marks Church Room, Northiam Road, Staplecross. Telephone Ann Prodinger on 01580~831944 for details and any further information of what’s on offer. Come along and give them a try ~ I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.

Braving the elements once more, and putting most of us huddled inside our little homes to shame will be those ‘out & abouters’, the members of the Rother Ramblers. This group have two really interesting walks lined up for our enjoyment. The first is arranged for Thursday November 7th and is a lovely Country walk of only 8 miles but the destination and route is unknown to me~ very mysterious !. The friends are meeting (and parking) at 10.0am opposite the ‘Smugglers Inn and the Beach Club’(TN30 7NA) A picnic lunch is suggested but sadly, on this occasion, dogs are NOT permitted to accompany you. All further details, especially to where you may be heading, can be obtained by telephoning Jerry on 01424~751164. The second fresh air activity offered for our benefit will take place on Sunday November 10th and promises to be a gloriously, colourful Autumn walk on the Sussex Border Path. This group have arranged to meet at 10.15.am at Etchingham railway station.(TN19 7PA). As in many previous walks a picnic lunch is suggested and this time your four legged friend is more than welcome to join you .Who could possibly object to strolling a mere 10 miles (!) admidst such beautiful spectacular scenery and in a lovely special part of the country. For those that would like to join in on this walk, please contact Janet on 01424 420570 who will be pleased to give you more information.

Still out and about in the free, fresh air are those folks of The Woodland Trust, down at the Brede High Woods just along the road at Cripps Corner. Keeping busy, as usual, in maintaining these wonderful woods for our benefit, that lovely man, Martin, has arranged another uncommon and exciting event for our education and enjoyment. This time it’s a ‘Fungi Forage Day’ Taking place on Saturday November 9th. between 10.am and 1pm. This little event, promises to be not only unusual but a wonderful way of learning about the many diferent varieties of fungi that abound within our countryside. Do you know the diference between a mushroom and a toadstool? Which are edible and which are poisonous? You’ll be surprised at what you’ll learn and what a super way of doing so. Just contact Martin on: [email protected] or 0845~293534 for more information and to book and reserve your places.

Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will held at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday November 3rd.Trinity 23 or 4th before Advent. Commencing at 9.30am.with Holy Communion, the service will be conducted as usual by Reverend Gordon Winchester. There will be NO service held at St. Marks church in Staplecross on that day. This Saturday November 2nd. being the first Saturday of the Month, brings around once more, the chores of churchyard tidying at St. James the Great, in Ewhurst Green. Not a back-breaking task by any means and extra pairs of hands are always appreciated to ‘lighten the load’ of those two super chaps, Brian Scowen and Barry Walker, who always keep these areas so neat and tidy for our benefit and peace of mind. If you can spare any time at all, please contact Brian on 01580~830570 for details of times and what’s involved in this necessary and so worthwhile little job.

Once again, if you want me to help spread the word about any event you are planning, be it a fund-raiser, an exhibition, a celebration, in fact anything at all, just contact me and I’ll do my best to give you extra coverage. Please allow as much time as possible for publication.