Staplecross

Forge House, Cripps Corner

Who wants ‘ Fresh Air, Fun and Free Environment Education’, ~ well for all those that do, make sure you turn up at the Brede High Woods on Sunday July 28 for another Volunteer Conservation Task Day. As always, it’s the last Sunday of the month. Starting at 10am. until 3pm. this amazing , informative and very worthwhile day out is lead by Sue who always appreciates a helping hand in assisting her in caring for this beautiful woodland. Not only will essential chores be undertaken, but you will learn so much yourself ~ all in all, a great day out with benefits all round. Please contact Sue on: [email protected] for more info. Staying in the glorious Brede High Woods , ~ have you ever envied or admired the knowledge of Ray Mears or Bear Grylls? . Well, that clever Martin Felstead chap, is organising Family Bushcraft Days during the Month of August. Although I don’t envisage jumping into icy lakes or plunging down the sides of mountains, or even catching and cooking wriggly eegy beegy grubs, after joining in on one of these events, I bet you’ll go home with far more knowledge of ‘Bushcraft’ than what you arrived with! Beginning with THURSDAY 1st. AUGUST.between 10am and 3pm.This promises to be a fascinating day of ‘Hands-On’ woodland bushcraft, where you will learn new skills and put them into practice and, at the same time,enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest. For further information and to book and reserve your place, please ring Martin on 08452~935734 or email him at [email protected]

Staying out in the fresh air and back up the road in Staplecross, the Staplecross Bowls Club are having a very busy time of the year. Saturday July 20 Starting at 2.30pm, will see them at their home ground, playing a ‘Friendly’ 4T against Guestling. The following day Sunday July 21, will again see this stalwart band of players back at the home ground for a 4Tfixture in the Rother League with another 2.30pm start, this time their opponents are Northiam. Both these matches are ‘Triples’. After two days rest and another 2.30pm start. on WEDNESDAY 24th.July the Club will be pitted against Battle for another ‘Triple’ match again in the Rother League. On Thursday July 25 the club will be the home host for a 6.15pm evening start match against Rother for a ‘Mermaid Selling’s’ League. Following a day of rest, the teams will be out in force for another weekend of matches;~ SATURDAY 27th.JULY sees them playing a ‘Friendly’ against White Rock at their home ground in Staplecross. A 2.30pm start for a 5Tmatch.Finishing off the hefty weekend match schedule, the club will be guests of Pett Bowls Club for a 2.30pm start of a 4T match in the Mermaid League. Phew!!!!!!! ~I hope I’ve got that right !. Whoever says that outdoor bowls is too slow or boring doesn’t realise just how much skill and stamina is needed. However, new players and/or members are always warmly welcomed and tutors are on hand to encourage you to hone in on your skills. Just contact the Bowls Club secretary at [email protected] for further details and all information.

For a faster pace in sport and decidedly noisier, cross the road to the Staplecross Playing Field, where, following on from their away matches against Pett on July 18 and Brightling on July 23. The Staplecross Stoolball Club will be battling it out at a home match against Catsfield. This game will commence at 6.45pm on Thursday July 25. After a few days rest, on Tuesday July 30 with again, a 6.45pm start, the team will be back in action at their home ground. This time their opponents are from Crowhurst. That rounds off their fixtures for July and all results, good and bad, will follow in due course.

For a more sedate ‘out and abouting’, (one hopes!) some ladies of the local Womens’ Institute under the guidance of their President, Mrs Ann Prodinger, are planning, on Tuesday July 23 an afternoon summer trip to the Lavender Farm at Hadlow in Kent. The following week, on TUESDAY 30th JULY, ‘The ladies Who Lunch’, section of this very friendly group, will be found, testing and tasting the wares of the Rainbow Trout as part of their monthly enjoyment. To join this merry band of ‘maidens’ or to just enquire on what’s taking place within their 2013 programme, please contact Ann at: [email protected]

On behalf of the Head teacher and her fantastic members of Staff, a massive THANK YOU is extended to all the parents, PTFA and friends of the Staplecross Methodist Primary School for all their hard work and support, however & whenever given, in ensuring that the Schools’ Summer Fayre was the resounding success that it was. The generosity of the parents shone through in the amazing multitude of prizes donated and it seemed that everyone went home with something. The fantastic sum of £1045:00 was raised and this will go to much needed school projects. The Annual School Sports day was held on Monday and although a very close run thing, the trophy finally was won by the RED TEAM. This event really proved that winning isn’t everything. All the participants had a great time, with the races being more fun than fitness. The children cheered on their siblings with great gusto in the toddler race and when the Mums and Dads raced for their bottle of wine, this brought even more noise in the form of yelling and cheering for one and all. The next exciting major events are the school performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The dress rehearsal will be performed in front of the school’s favourite mini critics,~ the Staplecross Pre-School Playgroup. ~That will show them that this ‘Big School’ isn’t just about lessons but fun as well, and certainly something to look forward to.! It will be a lasting memory for both staff & pupils, particularly their Year 6, who will be leaving them soon. Not before they have managed their spectacular speaking and singing in the performances, a “work share” afternoon for their parents, their leavers’ service at St. Marks Church, a leavers party and culminating in an amazing and magical trip on the Eurostar and then onto Paris, on the last day of term A very full and busy two weeks will certainly have earned them their summer school break.

A very happy, sunny and safe Summer is wished to everyone. Remember school restarts 5th. SEPTEMBER

Following a lively and very interesting Ewhurst Parish Council meeting of Thursday last, a poster is being circulated and displayed throughout the parish asking “ Are you concerned about speeding vehicles in this area? “ and “Would you like to find out more about how you can help reduce speeding?” If the answer to one or both questions is YES ~ then please come along to a ‘Community Speedwatch Information evening’ on TUESDAY 23rd.JULY ( 7pm Start) This important event is being held at St. Marks Church room, Northiam Road,Staplecross. TN32 5QH. This evening is presented by Ewhurst Parish Council and fully supported by Sussex Police. The Parish Council has now agreed and signed a lease with Nick and Christine Hedges who have most generously made available a field in Lordine Lane, Ewhurst Green. For use as community allotments. The next step is to formally constitute the Ewhurst Parish Allotments Association and then for the said association to enter into a sub-lease with the Parish Council. Of course , there is quite a bit of work involved in preparing the site, such as fencing the 16 half plots, enriching the growing area and providing a water supply. Consequently, the plots will not be available to cultivate until next spring. If you have not already made known your interest in having a plot please contact the Parish Clerk Richard Farhall on 01580 880115 or email him at - [email protected]

The Arthur Herdman Pavilion, the new sports/community pavilion at the Herdman Trust Playing Field in Ewhurst Green, will be officially opened on Saturday 27 July between 5pm and 5.30pm. The ceremony is open to all parishioners, so why not come along and check out the new facilities? The pavilion and playing field will be available to hire for recreational activities, meetings, fetes and so on. Although they are currently looked after by the Herdman Bequest charity, the intention is that the facilities will soon be managed by the Herdman Association, another local charity.

Dave Perkins, that much loved Ewhurst resident and football coach, would love to see any ex-players or supporters going back 38 years or more attend the opening of this long awaited new pavillion. Please come along to the opening ceremony or the evening B-B-Q and see what Ewhurst Football Club has achieved since you were all last here... Dave (and all his colleagues) will be so proud to show off what ‘The Herdman Bequest Charity’ has managed in the last few years. The Opening event will be followed, at 6.30pm by the annual Ewhurst Green BBQ, consisting of a pig roast (including burgers, sausages, salads, ice cream and wine), a bar and live music from the Ballaregan Boys. Tickets are £15 (£8 for 6-12 year-olds) and may be obtained from Glenys on 01580 830491, or email [email protected]

Church Services within the Parish will be taking place on... SUNDAY 28th JULY (Trinty 9) at St. James The Great, Ewhurst Green 9.30am. Holy Communion (BCP) followed by a church servic at St. Marks Staplecross, 11.15am Holy Communion (BCP) all services will be conducted by the Reverend Gordon Winchester.

Please dont forget to let me know any information and details of any upcoming events or items of interest that you wish to have published. please allow at least two weeks prior to your event.