Staplecross

Today, FRIDAY AUGUST 16th. starting at 6pm The Staplecross Social Club, in Northiam Road, Staplecross will be hosting a charity night in aid of the East Sussex Air Ambulance, Please come along to give your support to this very worthwhile organisation, without who’s aid and comfort in often difficult and emotional times, many peoples lives may not have been saved. Most of us hardly give them a thought, as we go about our daily routines, and most of us I hope, will never need to make use of them, but sadly for those that will, this humble event via a little village social club,will hopefully,help make that journey just a little bit easier. On a lighter note, and certainly more louder, the following night SATURDAY AUGUST 17th. at the same venue, sees the return of the popular Joe Ryttlewski Band. So come in and listen to this group, enjoy a pint in congenial company in pleasant surroundings. More musical events are planned on a regular basis for your enjoyment and these will be published as they arrive.

If you fancy a ‘step back in time’ treat, either for the children, or the grown~ups then just take a trip on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Today and tomorrow, FRIDAY AUGUST 16th and SATURDAY AUGUST 17th a special event is being arranged for all of you madcap motoring enthusiasts in the form of a Morgan Sports Car Club Rally. This treat begins at Bodiam Railway Station and will travel along what to many, is the finest example of a rural light railway spanning ten and a half (10.5) miles of beautiful countryside between Bodiam and Tenterden. Those Morgan Automobiles, so beloved of enthusiasts will be on show at Tenterden Railway Station for all to admire and when you’d had your fill of them and after perhaps having had a little stroll through this pretty town, return to the train for a nostalgic trip home. On WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21st departing at 6.30pm the KESR have arranged another Fish & Chip Supper aboard one of the trains. Contact the Sales Office for further details and a menu. The sights, sounds and smells will certainly bring back many a reminder of what to many, would have been a common everyday sight, ~ that of a steam train. Based at Robertsbridge and Bodiam, this wonderful little Light Railway Company is organising several treats for all & sundry over the coming weeks. Their dream of rebuilding the old railway line running from Tenterden to Bodiam has taken another step forward to being achieved. Enthusiasts who are working on this project are seeing their dream inch ever closer as the first half mile track, coming the other way back from Robertsbridge, is nearing completion.This has sent hopes soaring that the missing three miles could finally be brought to a conclusion ~ and complete a track that was last used more than half a century ago. To travel on this amazing railway, which incidentally is manned completely by volunteers who share a love of this unique form of transport, allows us all to relive the past, if only for a short time. Remember the noise these metal giants made then,and the swirling bits of grit that blackened your face ( and clothes) in seconds,~ which incidently, were the bane of Mothers lives, (and of their wash days) because ALL children had to lean out of the window, full of excitement and anticipation, to better observe their journey, ~ remember also, the sights of these mighty engines as they arrived at the station in a cloud of swirling steam. and the smells of the coal and the fire in the engine, of the steam, of the carriages. Sadly to some,another charming era long gone. At one time all little boys wanted to be a train driver when they grew up. Now grown up boys,( and girls) can be. Anyone can experience the power and majesty of steam through the various Railway Experiences offered by the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The company have a great selection of treats to suit all pockets. Simply call the Sales Office on:01580~765155 and start planning that special occasion or just indulge a childhood dream.

Although the venue is not in ‘my patch’, I’ve been asked by a local resident if I would just mention the following event and I’m happy and proud to do so. Taking place on SATURDAY AUGUST 17th between 11am and 3pm is the Bexhill Museum~Special Kids Craft Fair. Being held at the Sackville Road Methodist Church Hall,S ackville Road, Bexhill, with free entry, this craft fair has lots of exciting craft stalls, teas and coffees and cakes for sale, all in the hope of enticing you to part with some of your hard earned cash. and is hoping to raise lots of funds for a local group ~SpecialKids, Bexhill. All monies raised will go a long way to help this wonderful organisation arrange various activities, outings and treats in the holidays for children with any disability. Please contact Sharon Minter on 07563~571213 or email [email protected] or contact specialkidsbexhill.com/contact if you wish to get involved or can help in any way with this very worthy organisation.

That busy sporting group, the Staplecross Bowls Club, will again be taking to the green on WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21st.when they have an away match at Cross in Hand.This 2.30pm start will be a 4T Friendly match. SATURDAY AUGUST 24th sees the team return home to the Clubhouse in Northiam Road, where at 2.30pm sees them begin a 3T Friendly match against Hastings Visually Handicapped Team. The following day SUNDAY AUGUST 25th, with the team once more at home, they will, this time, play Tenterden in a 4T which is part of the Mermaid League. Again this match will commence at 2.30pm. Please contact Margaret Simmons on: [email protected] for all further details.

The Rother Ramblers have chosen a particularly beautiful area to walk through on WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21. Meeting at 10.30am in “The Lodge” car park on the B2026 to Hartfield. The walk today is a 9 mile circular tour of the Ashdown Forest. You can take your dog, and a picnic lunch for when you get to stop to admire those stunning views.All interested people can get in touch with the leader of this trip who is Adrian on 01273~514336. You will find them closer to home on SUNDAY AUGUST 25th. as they are planning a slightly longer circular tour of Ewhurst of just (just!!) 11 miles. The group are meeting in Ewhurst Green, opposite the White Dog pub at 10am. A pub lunch or picnic is left as your choice and sadly Man’s Best Friend is not invited on this trip.The person to contact for details of this ramble is Mike on 01424~716840. As with all the walks planned with the Rother Ramblers Association, you may contact them via email at: [email protected] for further events, dates and details.

As always, those knowledgeable folk down at Brede High Woods, along the road at Cripps Corner, have arranged another fantastic Family Bushcraft Day. This will take place on THURSDAY AUGUST 22nd between 10.am and 3pm. As always, it promises to be a fabulous family day out with loads of things to do and learn. A real ‘Hands~On’ project where you will be taught new skills on woodland bushcraft and then you’ll put them into practise. If you can’t manage this date, the next & last one for this year, will take place on THURSDAY AUGUST 29TH. again between 10pm and 3pm. As always, for more information, and to book and reserve your place, please contact Martin Felstead via email on : [email protected] or you can contact him on 08452~935734. Coming up on SUNDAY AUGUST 25th is the Volunteer Conservation task day. Don’t they come around quick? This is the day that you help Sue ‘tidy up’ and perform those menial tasks often not noticed, but always so necessary to helping manage this glorious woodland of ours. A helping hand is always welcomed, and naturally, it makes the task less onerous. A bonus is all the fresh air you’ll get. Email Sue on: [email protected]

Do you have what it takes to inspire the next generation to make the right career choice? If so, a campaign called “Inspiring the Future” is encouraging volunteers to visit schools and colleges to talk about their jobs. ~ The idea is that the students gain insight into the world of work and benefit from hearing first hand experiences. The scheme is open to anyone whatever their job, from young apprentice to seasoned executive. The East Sussex County Council is one of many local organisations that has already joined the national campaign and volunteers include Chief Executive Becky Shaw and Business Admin apprentice George Carpenter from Hailsham Children’s Centre. George has said “Being an apprentice has been amazing, enabling me to develop my skills and become more confident. It will be great to share this with students close to my age, as I feel they can relate to me and also benefit from the apprenticeship programme. If you can offer “One Hour,~ Once a Year”, to visit a school and talk about your career you can sign up at :inspiringthefuture.org

Church Services for the Parish of Ewhurst for this SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH. Trinity 12. will only be taken at the church of St. James the Great, in Ewhurst Green. 9.30am Holy Communion. Conducted by the Reverend Gordon Winchester, who will be pleased to discuss any matter or problem, whether happy or sad, with you. Please telephone him on 01580~830268 and he will be glad to help you in any way he can. There will be no service at St Marks Church, in Staplecross.

Last, but not least, please keep all your notices coming into me. I’ll gladly publicise everything I can, which I hope in turn, will get your event, of whatever nature, a wider coverage. May I just remind you to give me as much notice as possible to allow for greater publicity.