Staplecross

This column, this week, appears to be a very big and very mixed bag of goodies, as it seems that such a lot is happening and taking place all of a sudden, and all over the place.Everyone knows that tomorrow Saturday, June 14th is H.M. Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Official Birthday’.and with the Trooping of the Colour, makes for one of the exciting and colourful ceremonies taking place in London as a small group from the parish can testify, as they visit the capital to watch this take place every year. Also, unless you have only just returned from a trip to the back of beyond,~including outer space~ you will, of course, know that the FIFA World Cup Football Tournament has now officially ‘kicked off’ in Brazil (June 12th until July 13th) and until this reaches it’s climax of the Grand Final, will probably dominate our TV screens and our lives in some form or another. I don’t understand the fervour, the fanaticism of football, or the ‘off-side’ rule, but I do believe in supporting England, our country, so I sincerely hope we do well, and that we play a great honourable game and whenever we come home, we do so with smiles and good heart.....It also makes a change from talking about the weather !.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jun 2014, 00:00 BST

Another sporting event that is taking place all over the U.K. is “Bike Week”. Strictly speaking, this event is held nationally between 14th and 22nd June, ~ however Bike Week events will take place anywhere and everywhere from April until September as it’s an annual opportunity to promote cycling and show how cycling can easily be part of everyday life by encouraging “everyday cycling for everyone”. Demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling, the week aims to get people all over the UK, to give cycling a go, rethink their journeys and switch to cycling as the most convenient way to get around. whether this be for fun, as a means of getting around to the shops, school, the library or just to visit friends. One such event is happening on Sunday June 15th. down at the Bexhill Pavilion, Marina Terrace, Bexhill-on-Sea, (SatNav TN401DP.) and this is a ‘Kiddies Taster Training Event !. Primarily ‘a beginners and improvers day’ this event has four sessions with games and training, for children new to cycling or coming off stabilizers. It allows and encourages the children to develop balance, prior to peddling, and therefore confidence and enjoyment, - not forgetting pride at their achievements.and hopefully, instills a better sense of road awareness and safety. There are four sessions and they are FREE. There are still some places available, so please contact these emails: cyclesafesoutheast.co.uk or bikeweek.org.uk/us/ for more details.

How many of you know about “Sussex Day” ? How many of you knew we even had one? Well, this day was the brainwave of a Worthing resident, Ian Steedman, who in 2006 suggested this idea to West Sussex County Council who liked the idea so much, they officially recognised this day in 2007.The event takes place on 16th June each year to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of Sussex. This date is also St. Richard’s Day, who also is the patron saint of Sussex!. East Sussex also joined in and last year the Sussex Flag was flown in each of the six ancient rapes (or sub-divisions of Sussex) which included Hastings Castle,in the week running up to this special day.The Sussex Martlets flag is hoisted all over the County with special events taking place at various venues right across the whole of the county. The ‘Sussex Charter’ is read out, and our own unofficial county anthem, “Sussex by the Sea”,is also sung, at various venues up, down and across the county. Check out ‘what’s happening where’, at the Sussex Day website (http://sussexday.com/) and have a great day out.

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The Staplecross Luncheon Club will once more be setting their tables for another meeting of the dining group when the members all meet and greet one another, and sit down to enjoy yet another delicious meal in congenial company and nice surroundings. The date to book is Wednesday June 18th. 12.30pm and takes place in the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross. On the menu this month, is Fish Pie, followed by strawberries and meringues, - all really yummy and all home prepared and cooked by our own super chef June and her amazing team of helpers who, serve, clear, wash and put away, all with happy faces. Rules are few, ~ you have to be ‘over a certain age’ and ‘sign up’ and then just pay your measly £5:50 for a lovely 2 course meal, followed by tea/coffee. How great is that ? ~ but surely one of the best bits is~you don’t have to do the washing up afterwards !. Please contact Anka on 01580~830260 or Dennis 01580~830816 for more details and allow them to lay a setting for you at this friendly social table.

Further along the same road, and also the same date of Wednesday June 18th. the Staplecross Bowls Club at their home ground and clubhouse, have arranged an afternoon match with the visually handicapped. This will commence at 2pm. Then keeping up the pace the teams will continue with an away match against Alexandra Park on the following day,Thursday June 19th, but they’ll be back home on Saturday June 21st when they play Peasmarsh. I believe the match will commence at 2.30pm. The club will finish the week with another away match and this time their opponents are Ninfield. These results will all follow in due course. Spectators are always welcome, but If you feel you’d like to know more of this sport, or would like to become a member of this friendly team please contact Evelyn at [email protected] who would love to welcome you.

Out and about, as usual and enjoying meandering all over this lovely countryside of ours, are those members of the Rother Ramblers. This week they have two more delightful walks arranged for us to enjoy. The first is a “Strawberrries & Pimms” walk ~ doesn’t that sound good ? and this is planned for Thursday June 19th and is another of the lovely evening walks which are so enjoyable at this time of the year. The group are meeting in the Cuckoo Trail car park at Hellingly (SatNav BN274EU) at 6.30pm for a stroll of a mere 5.5mile around this lovely ‘neck of the woods’ so to speak. Gluttony is anticipated at the end of the walk, so I’m informed. The Pimms is to be provided so more enticement,~ just bring your own strawberries ( and perhaps any other delight) and enjoy a wander along Englands ‘green & pleasant land’, alongside friendly pleasant company ~ Sheer delight. As with most of these walks, your dogs can stroll too- but with no Pimms !. So for more details, please contact the ‘walk leaders’ who are Rita & Lionel in this case, on 01424~752452. A little longer walk, of only 10 miles is proposed for their second walk which is a Ninfield to Hooe circular. and this will take place on Sunday June 22nd and the group will meet at 10.0am outside Ninfield Primary School, in Church Lane, Ninfield (SatNav TN339JW) There is on-street parking and a picnic lunch is suggested. Best of all, your doggy pal can accompany you to also enjoy the fresh air. The ‘walk leader’ on this occasion is Richard and you can contact him on 01424~892865 for any further information.

The Annual Rose Show of the Ewhurst, Staplecross & Bodiam Garden Society will take place on Saturday June 21st at 2pm in the Village Hall in Northiam Road, Staplecross. There are lots of classes for all ages and abilities, including Rose classes, Flower arranging, Seasonal vegetables or salad and the ever popular Young People’s Classes. Schedules are available from the Garden Society and can also be obtained from the village shop in Staplecross. The entries can also be returned to the shop but must be returned before 5pm on Wednesday June 18th to be eligible. To help you enjoy the show on Saturday, there will be delicious home made cakes and of course teas. Pick up a schedule and enter a class- or as many as you wish- and have fun. For more information please contact Maggie on 01580~830041 or Linda at [email protected]. They’d love to hear from you.

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I’ve been requested by Sedlescombe & District Garden Society to extend an invitation to all and any resident of Ewhurst parish who would like to attend a “Gardener’s Question Time” evening. As part of their 70th Anniversary celebrations, this society have arranged this entertainment to take place at Sedlescombe Village Hall on Friday June 20th.from 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The celebrity panel will include Helen Yemm, gardening agony aunt for the Daily Telegraph; Edward Flint, head gardener at Tidebrook Manor, Wadhurst and Barry Newman, Chairman of the National Vegetable Society.Tickets which include refreshments are priced at £5:00 for SDGS members and £7:50 for non-members and are available from the secretary Sue on 01580~831996 or by email at [email protected] Advance bookings would be appreciated in order to establish numbers .It promises to be a most educational and entertaining evening and everyone from their neighbouring villages will be warmly welcomed.

I wrote in this column last week, of a new and exciting gardening project in the form of an allotment development within Ewhurst Parish and invited interested parties to register their interest in working one of these plots. Many of you did just that and I’m pleased to say that now only 3 plots are remaining so if there are still people out there who would love to grow their own, fruit, vegetables and flowers, in a beautiful tranquil setting then please hurry and contact Jacqui on 01580~830576 or via her email [email protected] This is a lovely allotment site, within a newly ring fenced area, and has been already ploughed and harrowed. There is water already connected and plans are afoot to arrange off road parking. All it is lacking is YOU and your fork and spade, and your vision. Take advantage of this super opportunity and be a part of this unique allotment at the very beginning.

The church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St.James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday June 22nd. Trinity 1. with a service at 9.30am which will include Holy Communion (BCP) There will be NO SERVICE at St. Giles but a service which will also include Holy Communion will follow at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross, and this will commence at 11.15am. As Reverend Gordon Winchester will still be away, his duties including the conducting of these services, will be taken by Reverend Simon Gurd. For further details and information on other church matters, please ring the Rectory on 01580~ 830268.

Don’t forget to contact me if there are any events etc. that you’d like me to help promote. This column encourages all local clubs, societies, associations, sports groups and any projects you may have to make announcements and inform the rest of the area all about your events. Hopefully this may encourage new members, or more spectators, or maybe just more support, financial or otherwise. Whatever you’re planning, please tell me, and I’ll tell everyone else and we’ll see what happens....Thank you.

Anne Reed

[email protected]