Staplecross

EWHURST, STAPLECROSS & BODIAM GARDEN SOCIETY: The many members of this popular gardening club who attended last Thursdays meeting (6th) thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as not only was the speaker helpful, informative and very knowledgeable, she was also extremely funny. Alison Marsden, who is RHS qualified gave us all some insider tips into how to create more impact for less effort, - which was so appreciated by us all !. The evening rounded off beautifully with the annual “Apple Dessert” competition in which us mere mortals were allowed to join in and taste the delicious ‘posh puds’ created by various other members. All were extremely yummy and with or without cream deserved to win. Sadly there can be only one and as judged by our guest speaker, the accolade of the evening went to Pam Dance who won this friendly completion with her offering of her superb, very authentic ‘Appel Strudel’. In second place was Peter Brookes with his gorgeous ‘Spicey Apple Meringue Pie’ and trailing into third by a mere whisker was Doreen Beeden, with her delectable ‘Apple Frangipane Tart’. After tasting all that was spread out before us, we all made our way home, taking with us, the ‘feel good factor’ and I’m sure, a pound or so heavier !. Another great evening from our super local gardening society and if you’d like to know more about what’s in our programme or better still, how to become a member, please contact either Maggie on: 01580~830041 or Gill on 01580~830551.

ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL - BUSINESS SEMINAR: Businesses in Rother are invited to attend the third meeting in a series of free events aimed at helping them improve and grow. RDC is working with business coaching and support company ‘Pro-actions’ to put on four business seminars this year in Battle, Bexhill and Rye. This third seminar, entitled “ Marketing for Growth” (-including an introduction to social media for business) will be held at Bexhill Town Hall, London Road, Bexhill on Wednesday October 19th. between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Businesses attending will receive information, tips and advice on techniques to help them improve their sales success rates and win more customers. Cllr Martin Kenward, RDC Deputy Leader and Business & Voluntary Sector Liaison, said “It’s vital that we do whatever we can to work with partners to help boost the district’s economy. These seminars will offer companies a fantastic opportunity to benefit from expert advice and guidance which can help them to grow and develop. The events are completely free, but places are limited and booking is essential, - so I’d urge businesses to reserve their place as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out. Further seminars will follow towards the end of the year with further topics. Anyone who would like to attend any of these seminars can book their place by calling Pro-actions on 03333~440517 or by visiting the events page of the website at http://www.pro-actions.com/events

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Still enjoying the free, fresh air & the Autumnal scenery of this area, the members of this popular walking group have arranged two (2) more walks in this region all for our enjoyment. Walk No: 1 is booked for Sunday October 16th and is a 9 mile circular stroll of Alfriston to Firle- via South Downs Way and Old Church Road. The meeting point will be Kings Ride, Alfriston. OS EXP123. TQ519030. (SatNav BN26 5TH) at 10.0am. The walk notes state there are only two stiles, so this shouldn’t deter from the pleasure of this stroll. The ‘walk leader’ on this occasion will be Liz - and this will be her first lead for the group, so please do come along and show your support. You may contact her on 01424~732242 or mobile: 07904~504915 for all further information. Walk No:2 is planned to take place on Thursday October 20th. and is a slightly shorter route of only 7 miles arranged to meander from Wilmington in a circular route to Litlington. The meeting place will be the Long Man car park, Wilmington. OS123. TQ543041.(SatNav BN26 5SW) at 10.am. There will be a coffee break as well as the almost mandatory picnic lunch. Rita and Clive will be your ‘walk leaders’ for this outing and you may contact them on 01424~882674 or Mobile No: 07969~446867 for all further details.

LUNCHEON CLUB: Once more the members of this lovely little Dining Group will be meeting on Wednesday October 19th. from 12.30pm in the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross. As stated before, new members (of 50 years young and over!) are still desperately needed to help keep this very friendly and happy social group from becoming just another sad village reminder of yet another lost activity. More BUMS ON SEATS! are needed to ensure this continues to exist, so please come along and enjoy all the delicious food that’s placed before you. On the menu this month, and back by popular request, will be that firm favourite - Roast Lamb, fresh seasonal vegetables with all the trimmings, followed by Apple Crumble and Custard for dessert. All this, for the miserly sum of £6:00 per person. including tea/coffee to finish with. If this is not to your taste - or dietary needs - then please let the organisers know, and an alternative meal can always be provided for you. The menu’s are always very varied, delicious, plentiful, reasonable and freshly cooked and with no clearing up or washing up involved, there’s really no reason for you not to come & be a part of it. -- so no excuses. ‘Rules’ are few & far between, - you have to be ‘of a certain age’,- and promise, whenever possible to attend each month - this avoids unnecessary wastage in food, time, money and energy - so important in this day and age, when economy matters. You don’t even have to live within the parish as many of our valued diners come from outside our villages. Also, you don’t have to have lived in the community for a generation or more, before you are ‘entitled’ to join. This means that if you have recently moved into the parish, especially in any of our three villages, then this could be just the opportunity you need to make new contacts, colleagues and of course, new friends. So please, just give the two organisers a ring - Sally on 01580~830000 or Dennis on 01580~830816 for all further details and to make your reservation. Please come along and support us, and you’ll soon be a very welcome and much valued member of this lovely, sociable, dining group.

CHATTER IN THE CHURCH: On Thursday October 20th. beginning at 2.30pm. Sara Stonor, Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, will be coming along to St. James the Great church, in Ewhurst Green, to talk to us. As well as being very active in the Diocese of Chichester, Sara is Vice-Chair of the Trustees of the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, and is a noted embroidery needlework teacher. Tea and cake will be served after the talk, which is admission free. This talk is certainly not just aimed at the ladies, so whatever your gender, age, walk of life, race, colour or creed, please do come along to what promises to be a happy and enlivening afternoon. This will be the first “Talk @ St. James” and we all look forward to welcoming you there.

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: That brilliant little Mobile Library van will be back trundling along our country lanes once more, as it continues with it’s busy schedule. This time the little white van will be visiting Ewhurst Green on Thursday October 20th for the only visit this month. It is due to arrive at 10.40am and departing at 11.10am. - so please ensure that you don’t miss it. There are many things of interest within the portals of this wonderful, free, Library Service vehicle, so please come along and find out for yourself.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES - “MAKING & MAYHEM” EVENT: A gentle reminder that half Term will soon be upon us and this event may be of interest to you and your ‘wee ones’. It would appear that there are always several activities going on within the community aimed at the ‘grown-ups’ and why should they have all the fun ! ~ Well this next event is purely for any of our younger citizens - at primary school children in particular, - but all will be welcome. The Village Hall Fundraising Dept. have arranged a fun “Making & Mayhem” event which will take place during the school half term on Wednesday October 26th at Staplecross Village Hall, between 10.00 and 2.00pm.- and perhaps beyond ( the wind factor plays a part here ! ) The ‘making’ part will consist of making a wide and varied selection of craft activities suitable for child size fingers, skills, interest & attention spans. These activities will include many child size model kits for them to have fun making, together with other craft projects; a choice of hand puppets; a selection of ‘Halloween’ crafts and of course, a wildlife project ! more or less if time permits - of course the best bit is that they’ll be able to take them home with them. The ‘mayhem’ - no doubt, will arrive on it’s own accord but will also be part of the fun ! Booking for this event is essential to allow for people & projects to be given sufficient time for tuition, enjoyment and completion of projects and ALL children must be accompanied by an adult who will also provide their own packed lunches. The costs of this amazing activity event is just £5:00 per child. This event is hoping to provide a fun and friendly few hours, learning through playing, whilst allowing them to reap the rewards of all their own hard work. For all further information and to book a place, please contact Hilary on 01580~830704 or Anne on 01580~831881. Please make a note of the date and they’ll all be able to say “ I built that “ and will ensure that Half Term need never be boring again! !

STAPLECROSS BONFIRE SOCIETY: BONFIRE NIGHT: Another gentle reminder to advise you all that this years annual Torchlight Procession and Firework Display will be held on Saturday October 29th. Hosted by our very own Bonfire Society, this event has often been referred to as “The Best Village Bonfire Night” - and quite rightly so, - and as a result always attracts a large supporting crowd. With over 1000 flaming torches to light up the way along the dark, unlit pathways, the noises from the bands which accompany all the various supporting Bonfire Societies bands this promises to once more be an amazing event. Don’t Miss It !. If you’d like to learn more of how this and other events like it are produced, then why not consider joining the group. The members meet in the Cross Inn at Staplecross - the first Monday of each month at 8.pm. New members are always very warmly welcomed to this small but mighty friendly social group who work tirelessly throughout the year arranging various functions and events which all raise money to benefit local good causes and chosen charities. Further details can be found on their web-site http://www.esbs.org.uk/ - or just pop in and say hello.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St, James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday October 16th.Trinity 21. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion. A Service which will also include Holy Communion (BCP) will follow directly afterwards at St. Giles church, Bodiam at 11.15 am. There will be NO SERVICE at St. Mark’s church, Staplecross today and if there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further assistance, or guidance,- baptisms, weddings or sadly funerals; - then do please get in touch. You may contact either of the churchwardens ~ Graham Peters -on [email protected] and telephone no: 01580~830203 for Bodiam church matters and for Ewhurst Parish church matters, please contact Jo Goodwin-on [email protected] and telephone no: 01580~830601. Help in some form or another, is always at hand, so do please contact them.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If you are arranging an event in the near future, --- however large or small and you’d like some extra coverage for it, then please get in touch. If it’s of interest to you, - it’s of interest to us. It’s never too early to send in your details and to tell us what you are planning, so please do contact me, as I’d love to hear from you and to help ‘spread the word’ on your behalf.........Thank You.

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