Staplecross

Life, it would seem, is either played at a snails pace or that of a race-horse’s. One moment the summer time stretches endlessly before you and the next it’s gone in a flash and we hurtle into panic mode as that list of chores we promised we would get around to doing, now is unavoidable. The garden still needs attention, despite it being the ‘slowing down period’ as plants appear even though it’s not their proper season . The new school term approaches and that inevitably means hours spent replacing outgrown or ‘lost’ school uniforms, as well as new shoes, bags and all the other paraphernalia that accompanies school life. Clubs, Social Groups, Societies, Sports Clubs and various other meetings are starting to resume after their summer recess and are we ready for them as it only seems five minutes since the summer holiday period began. Holidays appear a dim and distant past and to help us along we are constantly being informed that Christmas is now only 16 weeks away!. For some, there really isn’t enough hours in the day. This adage must apply to all those people who organise all the activities that go on within our parish. A few of these are printed below for your perusal and delight.

A quick reminder that the Ewhurst, Staplecross & Bodiam Garden Society are hosting their Annual Horticultural Show. Commencing at 2pm. on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th. and is held at Staplecross Village Hall. There are lots of classes available and a huge variety to choose from and to suit all ages.As well as flower, fruit and vegetable classes there are flower arranging, home produce, sumptuous baking and handicraft. Even if you haven’t entered a class yourself, it is a lovely show just to visit and admire (or envy). Many an idea has been garnered from just this sort of show. Refreshments are available

That wonderful organisation, The Mobile Library, which keeps all those people with a love of literature constantly and happily supplied, will continue to wend it’s way through our villages. Arriving first at Cripps Corner and parking at the White Hart Public House car park every THURSDAY at approximately 10.15am until 10.40am it will then move onto Sedlescombe village,before arriving back at Staplecross, where it will park in Cricketers Field, between 11.50am and 12.20pm. After serving all the village residents the library van will meander through Brede, Northiam and Bodiam before finally arriving at Ewhurst Green at 3.40pm and departing at 4.10pm. There really is no excuse for missing out on any of the latest book releases and the Mobile Library also stocks DVD’s, Audio tapes, Childrens titles and much more. Please contact : eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries for further details.

The Staplecross Pre-School Playgroup held at St. Marks Church Room,Northiam Road, opens it’s doors once more on MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9th. All the children will be lovingly welcomed back after the summer recess.All no doubt eager to paint, dress up, build, play, and listen, and all the while learning and making new friends. There are still just a few vacancies for places at this popular and much loved playschool and all further details can be found by contacting the owner Jo Perkins on 07979~481383.

Those fresh air friendly people who form The Rother Ramblers have organised two more walks for our enjoyment. The first is for TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH. where they will meet at the top of Church Lane, Brede at 10am. They will then set off for a circular 6 mile walk from Brede to Doleham taking in spectacular views along the way.Dogs are permitted on this little walk with a refreshment stop only, but a possible pub lunch after the walk will serve to entice those who may consider accompanying and joining the group. Please telephone Dave on 01424-441018 for further information. The next date in this groups diary is for SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14th. where the group will meet at Rye Railway Station at 11.0am. A picnic lunch on this walk is recommended and once again your four legged friends may walk with you, as you meander on a very pleasant Rye circular walk via East Guideford, Iden and Playden. This is a longer walk of 10 miles and for those who would like to join in this ramble, please contact Derek on 0208-788-1373 for all details .

The Staplecross Bowls Club keep up their busy momentum when they are away to Horam on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10th.The teams are playing a ‘Friendly’ 4T with a start time of 2.30pm THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12th finds them away again, this time to Sidley Martlets. This will be a 4T match, a part of the Rother League, and with a start time of 2pm. Back home at the Clubhouse, in Northiam Road, on home ground on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14th with a 2.30pm play off, the club are up against Biddenden. Once more this will be another 4T ‘Friendly’ match. It’s back on the road for the club on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th when they play an away match with Peasmarsh.Commencing at 2.30pm. this will be another 4T, but part of the Mermaid League. What a busy and committed club this is and if you want any more information regarding this friendly group, please contact Margaret at her email: [email protected] for all further details.

Another energetic but very worthwhile activity that will be taking place on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14th is the “Ride & Stride for the Sussex Historic Churches Trust”. Yes, It’s that time of the year again when like~minded people come together for the annual cycle ride~ or stride~ around the churches of the County. The nice thing about this event is that you choose the area that you’d like to “Ride or Stride” around and a list of churches open ~ and more importantly ~ those where you can get some substance ! ~ will be given to you, along with a sponsor form. From the money you collect with this sponsorship, 50% will be given to our own church and 50% to the Sussex Historic Churches Trust. The clever chappie who is the co~ordinator for Bodiam and Ewhurst and is helping to organise this great little event is Mr. Alastair Neill. So if you live in either of the parishes of Bodiam or Ewhurst and you feel like joining in, please call him on 01580~830245 or email him at: [email protected]

Still out in the fresh air, but at a much less strenuous pace, those caring conservationists down at Brede High Woods, situated at Cripps Corner, are organising two more activities for our enjoyment. The first is the popular ‘”Moth Trapping” Day which will take place on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13th at 7.45pm. This will be the last one for 2013 and places can be reserved and further information obtained by contacting Heather on her email: [email protected] The meeting place will be in the Old Car Park. TQ 804 206. In the event of adverse weather, please contact Heather to check that the meeting is still going ahead. A treat is in store for us in the second activity arranged for our enjoyment, which is a splendid “Heathland Walk”. Taking place on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th from 10am to 1pm this will be a wonderful walk across the heathland under the knowledgeable care of Martin Felstead. You will learn about the importance of heathland environments and the abundance of wildlife that live within it. This is a free event, but numbers are limited so for more information and to book and reserve your please contact hime on his email: [email protected] or telephone him on 0845 2935734.

A delightful musical evening has been arranged for SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14th,Beginning at 7.30pm this exciting and very pleasant event will be performed at the church of St. James the Great in the heart of Ewhurst Green. Entitled ~” I Got Rhythmn”~ The Tongswood Chamber Choir have arranged a charming programme for our pleasure, ranging from madrigals to musicals. Tickets for this melodious event can be obtained from any of the Churchwardens = Lizzie on 01580-830380. ;John on 01580-830830. ;Graham on 01580-830203. or Deborah on 01424-838357 or can be purchased on the door at £10:00. This very appealing and enjoyable evening is in aid of that wonderful charity St. Michael’s Hospice and the church of St. James the Great. Do please come along and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful evening,

The Ewhurst Parish Council normally meets on the second (2nd) Thursday of every month. Meetings start at 7pm and are held in the Church Room of St. Marks church, Northiam Road, Staplecross.The meetings are open to both the public and press and many matters, all of interest and importance are discussed and dealt with at these meetings.The next meeting to take place will be on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12th. Do try to come along and see what we do on your behalf. Look for the big banner outside. I have been requested by the Parish Clerk to draw attention to a rather unpleasant problem that is occurring within the confines of the Children’s play area which is situated in Northiam Road, next to the Church. We are having problems with a few people putting ‘Dog Waste’ in the litter bin which is situated inside the play area. Dog walkers who use this area are asked to note that the Dog Waste Bin, that was previously outside the Children’s Play area has now been relocated a little further along Northiam Road in front of St. Mark’s Car Park. Most of you are aware that this has been moved, but a few dog owners have been going into the actual Play Area and putting their dog waste in this litter bin, perhaps thinking that this is a shared litter bin. PLEASE STOP DOING THIS !!. Just walk the few extra steps and place your dog waste in the correct bin and help keep Staplecross a more hygienic,healthy and safer place for the children to play within and for us all to live in. Any queries or problems concerning this or any matter within this parish, please contact our Parish Clerk, Mr. Richard Farhall on his email contact: richard.farhall1 @btinternet.com in the first instance .

A few weeks ago I mentioned that that sterling little group of thespians namely S.C.A.T.S. (Staplecross Amateur Theatrical Society to the uninitiated) were faced with a daunting problem. They are faced with that sad dilemma of lack of adults willing to offer their skills at ‘treading the boards’ in this society. They are desperately looking to enlarge their troupe of entertainers. There are lots of wonderful children, willing and able to join in, and they know they can’t do without their special input, but sadly, NOT ENOUGH ADULTS and without the adults it’s almost impossible to put on a production of some sort. You don’t have to be an ‘Oscar’ winner or any winner, just interested in becomming part of this society It would be such a great shame to see these very popular productions come to an end as they give such a lot of enjoyment to so many. Please think it over and if you feel that you or someone you know, may be interested in joining this merry band of troupers, in whatever capacity,please come along and see what goes on both behind and in front of those stage curtains. A meeting is now arranged for FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13th starting at 7.30pm in the Staplecross Village Hall to discuss the future of this Society. Contact Pauline on 01580~830570 for more details of what’s involved, or just turn up, they’d love to see you and they would make you very welcome. Please do your best to support this group, it would be lovely to see some new faces as without new blood, this patient will surely fade away.and that really would be a great tragedy.

There will be a mammoth Jumble Sale on behalf of the Staplecross Village Hall on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14th. Obviously this will take place in the Village Hall, in Staplecross with the doors opening at 2pm. As well as all the bargains to be had, there will be a super raffle, a cake stall, and teas, coffees and soft drinks served throughout the afternoon. If you have any jumble to donate,collections can be made to relieve you of it, or just bring it to the hall from 9.30am on the day. Just ring Hilary on 01580~830704 or Pauline on 01580~830570 for any further information. Now is the time to de~clutter your home just in time for Christmas. Please give generously !.

Another quick reminder of the appeal for volunteers in helping to make 700 torches ~ and that’s a lot of torches ~ for the forthcoming Staplecross Bonfire Celebrations. The ancient art of making these torches will take place on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH. on the car park of the Cross Inn in Staplecross. Hoping for a 10am start and with the more helpers they have, the quicker the job can be accomplished. I’m reliably informed that there is a job for everyone. So just turn up on the day or contact the Publicity Officer on his email contact ;[email protected] Be part of a group of friendly people in a cheery atmosphere whilst helping to carry on an ancient tradition.

The church services for the parish of Ewhurst on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8th Trinity 15. will be a 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) service at St. James the Great, in Ewhurst Green, and then followed by a Morning Praise service at 11.15am at the lovely little church of St. Marks in Northiam Road, Staplecross. Both services will be conducted by the Reverend Gordon Winchester For the answers to those questions you have about baptisms, weddings or any other matters please do contact Gordon at the Rectory on 01580~830268. He would be delighted to help you in any way he can. If he’s out, he’ll ring you back ASAP when he returns.

As always, if you would like help in spreading the news concerning your function, fund-raising event, a special celebration or any item of interest, please contact me as soon as you can to allow for as much coverage as possible. I’ll do the best I can to make it more widely known and therefore a better and more successful day for you.