Rodmell and Southease Parish Pump

Life has been a little difficult of late, as I haven’t been able to use my car, and have had to rely on buses and friends and villagers to help with lifts. It has opened a window of life to me for seeing how people (especially older people) have to cope. I have had to cope with cancelling medical appointments because they don’t fit with bus times, and I am talking for a lot of people I know who cannot walk far, and find when they get off a bus, they still have quite a way to walk to their destination. I understand the supermarkets in Lewes are cutting their times in their carparks because people are using them for car parking but not for shopping. I use Tescos a lot, but always shop there, but admit to going to do other things around the town whilst I’m in their carpark for convenience and because I don’t find the parking systems easy to use now. Like many others, I used to cope well, but that has now changed as life has changed, and many people are feeling more and more isolated by life’s changes, which can lead to more stress and mental conditions which puts more onto our NHS. Do your checking when you use a supermarket carpark or you may find you get a parking fine. Seaford is good for parking, and the Morrisons supermarket has an underground carpark with lifts so if you are finding it difficult to shop in Lewes it’s an alternative. It’s worth checking other areas nearby where you can shop more easily.

It’s been farewell time to Monty Don and his gardening programme. ‘Gardeners World’ and I found his farewell speech a very sad moment of time. However, I am sure we shall still see him at Chelsea etc.

November 5th has now been and gone and enjoyed by many and now it’s time to think of Christmas, and for many a time of worry about the finances. The shops and garden centres have had their shelves filled with Christmas goods since October, where at one time Christmas didn’t start until December and seemed more exciting. People are also wearing their poppies for November 11th much earlier these days I notice. No doubt as soon as December has passed, we shall have Easter Eggs in the shops etc.  in January. I posted Christmas cards abroad this week and also purchased two books of 2nd Class stamps – the bill was £50. The joys of getting Christmas cards will no doubt disappear, and windowsills and beams can’t be decorated with text messages etc. so another Christmas tradition will disappear.

However, Rodmell is still holding on to tradition by holding a Christmas Fair on Saturday 14th November in our church from 12am – 4pm, entry is £2. There will be interesting stalls and teas, coffees and cakes served in the church. (Parking at the Croft). I have no idea yet if there will be Carol Singing around the village. I used to love it when we had lots of villagers and friends going around the village carol singing and people used to invite us into their homes for food and drink. Unfortunately, I cannot do this any longer and miss it.

As I was cooking breakfast for my guests on November 5th a man appeared at my door and wanted to know who had an old black dog in the village as he was worried it was running loose on the roads (not a good idea on the C7 early morning rush time). As we have quite a few new people in the village now, I don’t know people and their dogs like I used to so wasn’t much help. I suspect it had been frightened the night before (4th) by fireworks and had run off. Evidently, it didn’t have a collar and name tag. Hopefully it was chipped and is now safely back with its owners. Over the years, this has happened quite often, and I used to put lost dogs in my goat stable until owners could be found. Fortunately, I no longer have horses or ponies in the field, so that is one less thing to worry about on Bonfire Night!

I was so pleased to see that Cuckmere Buses celebrated their Golden Anniversary on October 26th (50 years) this goes to show that they are giving people what is needed, giving village residents the same freedom to travel as their urban counterparts. I believe we had it coming to Rodmell for Monks House and Bloomsbury connections in season, but we could really use it all year round for at least some days of the week for those who now don’t drive or don’t want to drive. I know people who live in the Seaford area who love it and often use it. Maybe our villages will get the chance one day.

Quite a few people write or phone me or stop me in the street to say thankyou for making observations about our lives, and problems that arise, they even come to our pub to speak to me. I don’t mind writing about certain subjects, but it would help if more people phoned or wrote to the organisations or people concerned because the more people put their ideas, observations or complaints forward the more ‘power to the people’ so be brave, write to councils, Age Concern, the media in general and put forth your comments. This world is for all of us, not just for ‘the few who flex their muscles’. Two world leaders come to mind.

The talk and film show by Ian Everest, was as usual a great success, and a great evening which brought members of our farming communities together in human fellowship and communication. I would like to thank Ian for all his efforts in doing his research and putting another evening together which gave so many so much pleasure. Also thank you to all the helpers and the gentleman from Plumpton Agricultural College who gave us information about the college and its various courses which are available to all who are interested in keeping our agricultural heritage going. We look forward to the next talk Ian.

Ali tells me that there is a new editor at the Sussex Express - Jonathan Lampon, he grew up in Seaford and his grandparents lived in Rodmell he told Ali ‘When my grandparents lived in Rodmell there was a farrier called Mr Dean. I remember him fondly because he also ran a small petrol pump on the main road and my grandparents would go to him to fill up.’ He has also said he is working to improve the layout of Parish Pump which has been vexing people recently.