Staplecross

A week or two ago, I made a remark, in this column, of how quiet life appeared to be within our parish. ~ Well, as with all things of this nature, as soon as this sort of statement is made, ‘things happen’, just to prove you wrong~and how wrong am I!. Whatever reason is given, it would seem that the three villages that make up Ewhurst Parish have suddenly burst into being once more.The Diary dates for September,held in the Village Hall at Staplecross appear to be filling up rather rapidly already, as the various clubs ,societies and social groups resume their activities after their summer recesses.

The Staplecross Bonfire Boyes, part of the East Sussex Bonfire Society, will hold their first society meeting on MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd. Starting at 8pm in The Cross Inn Public House, in Staplecross, where the members will go through the detailed planning for the forthcoming Bonfire Night Celebrations.This really is an important meeting to ensure that this exciting evening is a safe and happy one for all who take part, either within the actual procession or by simply enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of this event Please do attend this club meeting, if you can, as help ( and new members) to this charitable organisation is always most gratefully and warmly received. Please contact John Lederer who is the Publicity Officer for this great little society on email: [email protected] for all further details.

The Staplecross & Ewhurst Green Women’s Institute will be once again meeting at St. Marks Church Room on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd following their summer recess.Starting at 2.30pm. the members will enjoy the talk entitled “ A Year With Nature at a Sussex Reservoir” given by their speaker Mr.Robin Harris. The accompanying Competition is “A Wildlife Image”. This is a super group of friendly and happy ladies who will always make prospective members more than welcome at any of their meetings.Just contact Ann Prodinger on 01580~831944 for further details of this meeting and of all further events in their programme.

Another Social Group who will also be resuming their activities following their summer break, will be the Staplecross Yoga Group. Re-commencing on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5th. and every Thursday after that, this ever popular activity will take place at the Staplecross Village Hall from 5.30pm until 7pm. These classes are run by a qualified local teacher who is a member of the “British Wheel of Life” and are open to all ages and abilities. Each session is only £6:00 if booking a whole term, but a ‘drop in’ price is available. For a more tranquil form of excercise, why not consider joining a class, just ring Mandy on 01580~ 830288 for all further details.

I have been asked to advertise this charity day appeal on behalf of the Macmillan Cancer Support and I do so willingly. Many people suffer from this dreadful disease and because of that, it touches the lives of us all. On THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5th between 10am and 5.30pm those glorious gardens at Merriments Garden Centre, in Hurst Green will be open in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support. Tickets will be on sale at Merriments at a cost of £5:50 for Adults and £2:50 for Children. These gardens are always such a pleasure to wander around at anytime, encouraging us to plan or plant our own pieces of heaven and there is always the Sales shop and of course, the Tea Shop, to relax in afterwards.This is such a worthwhile charity,desperately in need of funds, so please, do your best to pop along and not only give your support, but have an enjoyable few hours doing so.

Staying outside in the fresh air, the Staplecross Bowls Club continues with their busy schedule. On WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4th commencing at 2.30pm, the team are at home hosting a 5T ‘Friendly’ match against Herstmonceux. The following day, also beginning at 2.30pm, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5th finds them again at home for another 5T ‘Friendly’ match and this time their opponents are Hastings. On SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th the team travel for an away match against Clive Vale. This match also starts at 2.30pm and is a 4T ‘Friendly’. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8th sees the Club back on home ground for “Finals Day”.This exciting and eventful day will start at 9.30am and we wish them all “Good Luck” and hope that all teams taking part, have a wonderful day playing the sport they love.

Still enjoying the free fresh air, but travelling more to enjoy it, the members of the Rother Ramblers walking charity are meeting on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd at 10.0am in the Public Car Park in Burwash for what promises to be a fascinating 9 mile circular walk of “Fullers’ Follys”. A picnic lunch is recommended and dogs are permitted to accompany you. Please contact Carol on 01580~852432 for all further details. The Group are next meeting on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th at 10.0am in the Public Car Park, Brede Lane, Sedlescombe. This will be a slightly shorter circular route between Sedlescombe and Cripps Corner and our faithful four legged friends can accompany you as well. I wonder what they will make of the music festival taking place at this time. For all further information please contact Tim at 01424~272459.

The “Big Green Cardigan” Music Festival returns to Cripps Corner for it’s third year over the weekend dates of FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6th, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th and SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8th. This festival offers ‘Blues’, Folk’ and World Music’ amongst others and many first class acts have been confirmed. This small intimate festival’s music policy, ~ is that there isn’t one !. This music festival is all about enjoyment of the event, and the music and respect for musicians, audience and the environment. From early morning yoga to films to a late night cafe and a few surprizes in between. Of course there will be lots of music, no distinctive style ~ any style is possible from blues to klezmer to jazz ~ but it’s promised it will be all of a high standard. There are no cars allowed in the festival field, or the camping field but the large car park is very close by. Dogs are NOT allowed into the festival except for guide dogs. Campfires are NOT allowed anywhere on site. The bar is open almost all the time and alcohol is requested not to be brought into the event due to licensing and health & safety consideration.The festival will have camping available, a large car park, a quality bar and good food at sensible prices, and promises a few surprises. There is plenty of room for camping and the campsite will only allow tents, to help the relaxed feel, there will be no vehicles within the campsite. Unfortunately, the campsite can only cater for tents, So, sorry, NO Caravans or Campervans !. This music festival is not geared towards families or children and with that in mind, there is no admission for those under14 years of age. For ticket sales contact email: biggreencardigan.co.uk/tickets Tickets range from £66:00 p/p for the weekend which includes camping and car parking. and a group ( 6 weekend tickets) offer is available priced at £330:00 Other ticket prices vary according to which day or event you attend. Youth tickets for 14~17 year olds can only be bought in conjunction with an adult ticket. Let’s hope the weather keeps fine for them and a good time is enjoyed by all.

A few miles away, a diferent sound of music altogether will be heard on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th when we go “Around Britten with Matthew Barley”. Set within the historic and magnificient surroundings of the beautiful Bodiam Castle, the extremely talented cellist Matthew Barley celebrates Benjamin Britten’s anniversary with this unique recital experience. Matthew will begin his musical evening at 6pm and will soon have you spellbound as he invites you to join in the Celebrations in these stunning medieval surroundings. All tickets are £17:50 which includes a glass of wine. Bring your own picnic or you can order a gorgeous hamper (from a choice of two) from those lovely people at Bodiam Castle. Please telephone them on: 01580~830196 or go online at nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle for further details. What a spectacular and magical evening this could turn out to be.

Back in Staplecross, the Ewhurst, Staplecross & Bodiam Garden Society are holding their Annual Flower,Fruit & Vegetable Show on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th. Held in the Village Hall at Staplecross and starting at 2pm there are 53 Classes ~ yes 53! to consider.There are Vegetable Classes,~ Flower Classes,~ Fruit Classes,~ Flower Arranging Classes,~ Home Produce Classes and Handicraft Classes. Classes 46 (Ladies only) and 47(Men only) should prove very interesting as it’s the entries for the best of Chocolate Brownies ! This is always a popular event and well supported but the public, but sadly,the number of ‘competitors’ appears to have dwindled over the last few years. So why not have a go at entering one of these super and very varied classes yourself? All further details regarding this show, classes available, rules and costs can be obtained from the Show Secretaries: Mrs. Pam Underhill 01580~881839 email at:[email protected] and/or Mrs Maggie Whitaker 01580~830041 email [email protected]

Returning to Bodiam Castle today SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8th and starting early at 7am. will find an activity very unusual for this area. Today is the Bodiam Castle Triathlon. We have all seen those athletes on the television running, swimming and cycling in various events but we can now see it all in real life! This event consists of a 500m swim ( in and around the actual castle moat, no less) a 22k bike ride and a 6k run~all this before lunch ! Bodiam may not be so well known or as large as other castles but it lacks nothing in terms of scenery or character. Competitors will be immersing themselves in a piece of real history as they swim round the moat and under the bridge, all amongst those magnificent and HUGE carp, then they will have a short dash to the transistion zone where they’ll hop onto a bike for a wizz out to Staplecross, then onto Northiam and back via Sandhurst. Following that, they’ll then be running off road, exiting the castle grounds, heading East before looping South to pick up the River Rother before heading home back to the finish along the river. This will be a great day out for all the family as well, they plan to run an open air Bar-B-Q alongside their HQ marquees.As with all events of this calibre additional helpers are always needed and gratefully received. Marshalls are especially welcomed. Fancy having a go yourself? Age is never a barrier. Just contact the organisers for any and all further details.at www.velocity-events.co.uk/the-bodiam-castle-triathlon

Church Services this weekend SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1st.Trinity 14. will be held at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green at 9.30am. Holy Communion. It will be conducted by the Reverend Gordon Winchester. There will be NO service at St. Marks. Church in Staplecross. Should you need to get in touch with Gordon for any reason, please contact him at the rectory on 01580~830268 or via his email at [email protected] He will return your call/email within a few hours.

As I say every week, please contact me if you would like me to promote your outing, celebration, charity do or social event. I would be happy to advertise it for you, please just give me as much notice as possible in order to maximise coverage.