Staplecross

LOCAL SPORTS NEWS: With Easter now well behind us, many activities, especially along the ‘sport activities’ lines, i.e. - bowls, cricket and stoolball, will now be flexing their muscles and checking things out in preparation for another busy season ahead of them. In particular, our own local Bowls Club and Stoolball Club will soon be seen and heard at their respective team grounds along Northiam Road, Staplecross, in the very near future, as their busy 2016 fixtures gets underway once more. The Fixture List and information for the Staplecross Stoolball Club will be available very soon, as their season shortly begins in earnest.

CHARITY FUND-RAISING DRAW: Just a quick reminder that the draw for the winning ticket for a flight in a Spitfire aeroplane, will take place at The Cross Inn, Staplecross on Saturday April 16th. -THAT’S TOMORROW - at approximately 9.30pm. This is an amazing opportunity for some lucky person to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime flight in this unique, historic little aeroplane. The runner up in this draw, will also receive a superb prize as it is a ‘Tour for Four’ lucky people to enjoy a trip around the “Historic Aircraft Collection”, based at Duxford, Cambridgeshire. There will be winners all round here tonight, as this is a huge fundraising event in which ALL the profits will be divided equally between two of our local charities, both well known and both very worthwhile; St. Michael’s Hospice and the Royal British Legion. If you have bought a ticket for this draw (or maybe you have been given one as a gift) - then please make sure you are there, at the pub, to see this draw take place --You have to be in it to win it and fingers crossed, - it could be you ! But even if it isn’t, - you can feel proud to know that you have contributed to two amazing charities and by doing so, have enabled them to continue with their fabulous work.

‘JOBS FAIR’ EVENT: Rother District Council have sent in - via our local councillor, Mr. Tony Ganly, an advance notification of a ‘Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair’ which is to be held at the De La Warr Pavilion, in Bexhill on Friday April 29th. between 10.00am and 3.00pm. This has been created in response to local employers, who are keen to actively recruit new staff or offer apprenticeships and training opportunities. The Jobs Fair is a ‘not-for-profit’ event and is supported by local businesses. It is free for businesses and delegates. Please pass this information on to whoever you feel may benefit from learning more and attending. It would also be nice to encourage, and see as many young people as possible visit this event, as who knows what exciting new horizons this event may lead to. The link to the event on the De la Warr Pavilion’s website is: www.dlwp.com/event/jobsfair and the twitter hashtag is: #BexhillReady --- check them both out for information and of course, endless possibilities.

STAPLECROSS BOWLS CLUB: An invitation from the members of the Staplecross Bowls Club, is extended to one & all, to come along to their “Coffee Morning” which is to be held on Saturday April 16th at 10.30am. at their Clubhouse, Northiam Road, Staplecross, TN32 5QH -to enjoy a short social time, to meet the members and say hello. This could also be a good opportunity to ‘talk bowls’ which may also encourage you to come along to their “New Member’s - Taster Day” which is being held on Sunday April 24th. 2.30pm, also in their clubhouse. If you have ever thought of taking up this fascinating sport, then this may be just the right time for you to come along and have a go !.- All the equipment will be there for you to try out and that includes friendly advice, instruction and encouragement.- you need bring nothing else - other than flat, comfy shoes which are the only request from the club. In the meantime, if you happen to be just passing their lawns, whilst a match is in progress, - their first fixture is a ‘Bowls Drive’ and is set for Saturday April 23rd.beginning at 2.30pm.- at their home ground, - then please, do stop and watch them play. These matches are always a pleasure to watch as we marvel at their skill and your support on these occasions is always most welcome.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Just out enjoying themselves as they meander around this beautiful countryside of ours, are the members of that rural walking group, the Rother Ramblers. Never ones to let our ever changing weather conditions spoil their enjoyment, the group have two (2) more walks arranged for us to enjoy this week. Walk No: 1 is planned to take part on Sunday April 17th and is a delightful 11.5 mile circular tour around Goudhurst. The meeting point for this walk is the car park at Goudhurst, - just south of the village pond on the Bedgebury road. OS EXP136. TQ722376. (SatNav TN17 1AE) at 10.00am. There is free parking, and loo’s (which is always a bonus when ‘out & abouting !) As usual, a picnic lunch is suggested with the possibility of a pub stop ! - yet another treat - Heather is to be your lady ‘walk leader’ for today, and you may contact her on 01580~752652 for all further details. Walk No: 2 - although slightly shorter , is nevertheless, still just as delightful and is an 8 mile circular stroll from Rolvenden, This walk is arranged for Wednesday April 20th and the meeting place for this excursion is Rolvenden church. OS EXP 125. TQ844313. (SatNav N17 4LN) There is the added hope of seeing bluebells out in bloom along the way, - so fingers crossed for a chance to view this amazing sight, which is such a delightful part of England’s ‘Spring in Bloom’ period. As always, a picnic lunch is suggested and your ‘walk leaders’ for this trip will be Sue & Dave, and you may contact them on 01424~441018 or mobile no: 07729~056526 for more information.

STAPLECROSS LUNCHEON CLUB: This week we shall all be looking forward to another delicious meal as provided by ‘resident’ cook, Sally and her merry band of helpers. The diners will be making their way to the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross (SatNav TN32 5QG) on Wednesday April 20th beginning at 12.30pm , where they will sit down to enjoy a delicious repast consisting of: Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, roast potatoes and fresh vegetables followed by a really yummy Apple Crumble and custard, finishing with tea or coffee. Last month, we were pleased to welcome a few new ‘friends’ to our little dining group, and this goes to show how important this group is to a great number of people within our community and as a result a little reminder of the appeal made recently, on behalf of this little dining group is repeated here. I have often told you of the delicious 2 course meals that are provided every month at the Village Hall in Staplecross and where for a very small cost of £6:00 per person, a small group of happy and very friendly diners meet up to enjoy the simple, delectable and home cooked meal, eaten amongst congenial company, in comfortable surroundings. Well, sadly for any number of reasons, the numbers of those attending these lunches, are declining and the hard working organisers now find themselves in a bit of a quandary and are now looking into the economic and validity of continuing to provide these lunches. The Luncheon Club has a superb group of people ‘In Charge’ -so to speak - who do all the hard and messy work involved in this, including;- selecting the menu’s, preparing the food, who cook & serve, clear & clean up, who lay out the hall & tables and tidy it all away after we’ve gone home. These lovely people really enjoy doing it, - but there does come a time when the costs going out outweigh the diners coming in!. Hence this ONGOING APPEAL !. This super little dining group is looking for -’MORE BUMS ON SEATS’ - Yes, WE NEED YOU !. Additional members are urgently needed and would be so very welcome. The meals, as I’ve said many times before, are always delicious, freshly cooked with the provisions often locally sourced, and of great variety. A vegetarian option is always available for those that require it. Rules are few and far between and you don’t even have to live within the parish boundary as several of our diners travel from outside, (-which just shows you how great the meals are! ) Please come along and join this lovely club group and help prevent another local social club from being lost to the community. We meet every 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12.30pm in Staplecross Village Hall. If you feel that you’d like to come along and join us, then why not ring either Sally on 01580~830000 or Dennis on 01580~830816 to find out more about us. We look forward to welcoming you.

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: Once more, we look forward to welcoming the little Mobile Library Service as the van, carrying all the exciting goodies on board, wends it’s way through our little countryside lanes on it’s way to our little communities. It’s first visit, on Thursday April 21st, will be to Staplecross, where it will park in Cricketers Field, between 1.40pm and 2.10pm. Following on from that session, it will then meander down to Cripps Corner, - where it will use the car park of the White Hart Inn, - courtesy of the kind landlady, between 2.20pm and 2.45pm. The residents of this little hamlet can then avail themselves of this vital and much needed service. Please do make as much use of the facilities on board when the van visits your areas. The Library is about more than just books, so please come along and see for yourself and help keep this service going for the benefit of all who live in our outlying rural areas and perhaps, cannot always easily access the Main Branch facilities.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St, James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday April 17th. Easter 4. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion. We are pleased to inform you all that the Reverend Graham Atfield, - has once more, kindly agreed to conduct this service in lieu of Gordon Winchester, who continues his treatment with a brave heart and a smiling face, as always and is doing so well-Our good wishes and prayers continue to be sent to him, Judy and their family, with our love and support to them all. Reverend Atfield is no stranger to our district as he has taken many of our services over time and we look forward to welcoming back an old friend to our parish and our beautiful churches. A service will follow directly after at St. Giles church, Bodiam at 11.15 am. and this service will also include Holy Communion. Reverend Graham Atfield will also conduct this service. 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, 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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