Burwash

Canada: This last week has been busy. Without warning my cousin Gail announced we were taking a trip to Ontario to visit her daughter MaryAnn. Gail lives in New Brunswick! We left at about 1pm and headed west, the weather was fine and dry. Traffic was light as we headed towards Quebec but began to build up the further west we went. I noticed how the other drivers were so much more curteous to the drivers of the heavy haulage vehicles than we are. The weather deteriorated as night fell and we drove through very heavy rain with spray from the lorries adding to visibility problems, but we arrived at MaryAnn’s after some 10 hours and 1,000 kilometres. MaryAnn was not expecting us and was so surprised to find us on her doorstep. We spent a wonderful four days with her shopping and sightseeing. One funny story - we went shopping in Walmart and bought several items. After paying we left and set off the alarms. We waited for someone to come, then tried again, still no one came so MaryAnn went to the customer service. They said it was ok. Next day we went back to Walmart and set the alarms off going in! The tag was in my cousin’s clothes. Only she could set the alarm off with her underwear...

Coffee: Thank you to everyone who went along to the Burwash Village hall’s coffee morning held in Shirley Viney’s garden. Despite the downpour midway through they made £369. While the hall users have taken their summer break, some minor alterations have been made in the cloakroom to house the tables, making more room. Thanks to Peter Angove for overseeing this and Barry Taylor and Peter Skipwith for helping to make good and paint the cloakroom. The snooker club have also been busy painting their room and doors on the stage.

Fair: Final preparations are busily being made in readiness for the annual Burwash Bank Holiday fair, which takes place on Monday afternoon at the Swan Meadow playing field, Ham Lane, Burwash. The fun will begin at 1pm and continues until 5pm. There will be something for all ages to enjoy - boat swings and bouncy castle for the little ones, coconut shy, crockery smash for the older generation, raffles, tombolas, bowling and lots more. Stalls to buy from include cakes and produce, books, plants, bric-a-brac and more. Food and drink will be affordable and available all afternoon. To help keep you entertained our friends 21 Whiskeys will be playing thoughout the event. If you would like to get involved, help would be appreciated, especially by the playing fields association helping to erect, run and dismantle the stalls, the village hall and St Bartholomew’s church with the refreshments. Contact Steve Mintram or Eddie if you can help. Parking is available on the playing field.

Coffee: The Burwash Ladies Group are holding a coffee morning and open garden on Wednesday at Grandturzel Farm, Fontridge Lane from 10am to 12pm. There will be a raffle and bring and buy. Entry for members is £1, £2.50 for non members. Proceeds will go to the East Sussex hospices and the BLG. You are all welcome to attend.

Bonfire: News that the Burwash Bonfire is in danger of disappearing from our calender is sad. The organisers have raised the funds to run the bonfire for this year only. Burwash playing money required for this year’s display but no longer have the time required to do everything to secure the future. Thankfully a volunteer has come forward to run this year’s event and the BPFA are going to help him and the other stewards, but they do not have the manpower or time to take it on permanently. Hence the event will not continue after this year if people don’t come forward to help. The monthly quizzes at the Rose & Crown and collections on the night of the display pay for the night but keen volunteers come forward. Help this family occasion to continue, call Terry Parker on 01435 882813 and offer your services.

Mary Taylor

Holton Cottages