Staplecross

How busy we all seem to be, whether it’s those tasks in the garden that constantly demand our attention, the planning of last minute get-aways or the frantic reminders that the new school term is only a few weeks away. there just never seems to be sufficient hours in the day to cram everything in that needs to be done. How lucky we are then, that we have a Bank Holiday weekend now to give us an additional days grace or to just give us a much needed day off!. Whatever you are doing, try to make time to visit some of the many and varied attractions, events and activities that are on offer for the enjoyment of us all, throughout this beautiful and diverse area in which we live.

Down in the Brede High Woods, at Cripps Corner, the Volunteer Conservation Task Day for the month of August will take place on the last SUNDAY of the month, being AUGUST 25th. between 10am and 3pm. Your help in assisting Sue in her vital work is always much appreciated, Contact her on her email :[email protected] for further information. Also on THURSDAY AUGUST 29th. between 10am and 3pm, sees the last day out, this year, in our Family Bushcraft Days. This is a day of hands-on woodland bushcraft. Come along, learn new skills and put them into practise. Your children can go back to school with a new insight into what ‘bushcraft’ really entails. For more information and to book your place, please contact Martin on his email at:[email protected] or telephone him on 0845~ 2935734.

The Staplecross Bowls Club have no let up it would appear, as following on from all their matches of the last few days, this busy little club have many more matches lined up. The first of which is a home game on MONDAY AUGUST 26th.against B/H Hollington, This is a 4T match which is part of the Rother League. Then, on WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28th, another match on their home ground sees them playing Cross~in~Hand. This is another 4T, but a ‘Friendly’ this time. Two days later, on SATURDAY AUGUST 31st. finds them again at home, this time their opponents are the Observer team, where another ‘Friendly’ 4T match will be played. All these home games will begin at 2.30pm. On SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1st.The Club will begin the first match of the month with an away game.They will travel to Iden for a 4T match, part of the Mermaid League.This match will also begin at 2.30pm. If you are interested in seeing how this friendly club work, please contact Margaret on email at: [email protected] for all further details.

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY AUGUST 26th. is an ‘Open Day’ for those “Brede Steam Giants”. Situated in the beautiful Brede valley just six miles north from Hastings, on the A28 road to Ashford.(coming from Hastings, look for a narrow left turn near the top of Brede Hill, by the 40mph sign and just before the ‘Red Lion Public House’) stands the Brede Water Heritage Site with two of it’s original triple expansion steam engines housed in Grade 2 listed buildings. In the 1960’s, many of our Victorian and Edwardian engineering masterpieces were demolished, but some survived such as the Giants of Brede steam pumping engines. Many of us hanker after a return to the ‘good old days’ and the chance of seeing the past in action, and maybe participating in it’s preservation for the future. You will see several ‘period’ examples of British engineering being renovated to impressive high standards. All the restoration work is being undertaken by the society’s volunteers and they are always happy to welcome new members to share in the experience of working with heritage machinery. Light refreshments and homemade cakes are available at the “Tangye Tea Bar”, and sales and souvenir items are available on all open days and generally admission is FREE, but a charge might be made for ‘Special Events Days. For further details please contact them on email: bredesteamgiants.co.uk

Striding out on WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28th will be those keen walkers, the Rother Ramblers. They will be meeting at the church of St.Nicholas, New Romney at 10.15am. for an 8 mile circular tour of New Romney to Midley. Bring a picnic lunch and your four footed best friend is also permitted to join you. Contact Margaret and Stephen on 01424-223482 for all further details. Another 8 mile circular walk which is planned for SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1st. is from Pluckley to Egerton. Meeting at 10am at Pluckley railway station, again, dogs are permitted to accompany you. (sadly, parking charges apply). A pub lunch, or your own picnic lunch at the end of your walk at Egerton. amongst congenial company ,with or without your dog, brings to a conclusion another pleasant outing. For further details of this walk please contact Lionel on 01424~752452.

Still on the subject of walks, ~ Continuing up to WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30th. As part of the Bodiam Castle Events, ~ guided walks in the grounds of Bodiam Castle are offered. Get out and about with one of their guides on these short but very informative walks around the castle grounds, where you will discover some of the secrets of Bodiam’s past. These short walks of approximately 35~ 45 minutes long, will give you a bit more insight into the location of the castle and the grounds around it. Discover the mill pond and find out why there is a World War Two Pillbox within the grounds. Garner interesting facts that you never knew but often wondered about. Contact 01580~830196 or email [email protected] for further details and for all further events planned for your enjoyment.

Those brilliant members of the Staplecross Bonfire Society will be holding their 1st meeting following their summer break on MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd. As usual, it will be held in the cheery confines of the Cross Inn, Staplecross beginning at 8pm. This is an important meeting where all the details of the forthcoming Torchlight Procession and Bonfire celebrations are worked out, down to the last detail, ~ all to ensure a safe, happy and exciting evening for all the hundreds of followers who attend this historical event. I have been asked to advise you all of a change of date for the intriguing craft of “Torch Making”. This ancient craft will now take place on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH. on the car park of The Cross Inn public house, Staplecross. Hoping for a 10.0am start, The plea has gone out for MORE HELPERS. The more helpers they have, ( and there is a job for everyone ! ) the quicker the job of making 700 torches, ~ yes 700! ~ can be accomplished. These torches are so much a part of these processions, they add to the excitement, the atmosphere and the vitality of this much loved and well supported, annual tradition, and without them the enchantment of them would be ‘dimmed’ to say the least. So, come one, come all, the more the merrier. Be part of a group of friendly people in an excellent atmosphere and do your bit for a worthwhile charity.

Church services for SUNDAY AUGUST 25th.Trinity 13 will be 9.30am Holy Communion at St. James the great, in Ewhurst Green followed by a service at 11.15am Holy Communion (BCP) at St. Marks church in Staplecross. As usual, Reverend Gordon Winchester will conduct the services at both churches and as usual, he’ll be available to anyone who feels he can be of any help, in any shape or form, at anytime. Just ring him on 01580~830268.

Don’t forget, if you are holding, or planning an event, celebration, an activity or a ‘do’, and you’d like more news coverage, please contact me, and I’ll do my best to see you get it!

Please do give me as much notice as possible, in order to spread the word, for as long as possible. Thank you and whatever you are doing this Bank Holiday weekend, whether at home, or out and about, make the most of this glorious weather and enjoy yourself