Staplecross

STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL: A week or so ago, I advised Ewhurst Parish residents that the Village Hall Committee had received a resignation letter from our Super- Duper Caretaker & Cleaner. Therefore, the Village Hall Committee now find themselves in the unhappy position of openly recruiting for the position(s) of Village Hall Caretaker and Cleaner and are now appealing for another ‘Saint’ to take over this mantle. This is a PAID position and could be ‘job-shared’ by 2 people if so required. It is not too difficult a job, but obviously, due to the very nature of the role, some weekend and/or evening hours will be required. Our Village Hall is one of the best in the region. It is clean, bright, cheerful with modern facilities and is popular and well used, not only by the ‘locals’, but by others for such events as parties, weddings and other celebrations. We, in the parish, are very lucky to have such a brilliant and well supported Village Hall within our midst, which makes it such an asset to our community. If you think this little job would suit you( & maybe a friend to ‘job-share’) and you’d like to help ensure that the maintenance and well cared for community facility continues into the future, then please telephone Hilary - our Village Hall Chairman on 01580~830704 who will be very pleased to discuss hours, terms & conditions, salary etc. etc. with our (hopefully !) new saviour.

EWHURST, STAPLECROSS & BODIAM GARDEN SOCIETY - ROSE SHOW: The weather had been so unpredictable in the days leading up to the annual Rose Show of this popular little horticultural club that many exhibitors feared they wouldn’t have anything left in their garden, let alone anything to exhibit. But, fear not, despite very inclement weather the classes were strongly supported and the many visitors to the show were delighted to see such a wide variety of blooms on show. It was another good year for the roses, which somehow managed to survive the atrocious wind and rain from the day before and when entering the village hall, the scent of the blooms ‘fair took your breathe away’! It was intoxicating ! All the entrants did well to put on a magnificent display, showing off their horticultural skills. The children’s entries were good, proving that this really is a community event resulting in the 3D flowers, made by the younger children being ‘borrowed’ for use in the forthcoming “Festival of Flowers” at St. James the Great church, Ewhurst Green of the weekend of 29-31 July. Delicious cakes and biscuits accompanied by tea, coffee and soft drinks were readily available for one and all, deftly administered by Cynthia Shepherd and Fiona Wouters in the kitchen. A superb raffle was well supported by all who attended and sincere and grateful thanks were extended to all the helpers, in any shape or form who generously helped out with the chores needed (often unseen) to make this show another success. Naturally, special thanks must be given to all the various judges who so kindly gave of their time to come along and judge the numerous classes. The results are as follows: Class 1~One specimen rose- any named variety. 1st. Daphne Longmuir; 2nd Pam Underhill; 3rd Anne Reed. Class 2~One specimen rose-any variety. 1st. Pam Underhill; 2nd Joan Gilson; 3rd Jo Goodwin. Class 3~Three specimen roses-different varieties. 1st Ann Brookes; 2nd Pam Underhill; 3rd Daphne Longmuir. Class 4~One stem cluster flowered (floribunda) rose. 1st Hilary Ganly; 2nd Pam Underhill; 3rd Joan Gilson. Class 5~Three large flowered roses of 1 variety. 1st. Pam Underhill; 2nd Daphne Longmuir; 3rd Joan Gilson. Class 6~Seasonal flower arrangement to include roses-open to all. 1st. Ann Brookes; 2nd Nil; 3rd Pam Dance. Class 7~No entries. Class 8~A green arrangement-open to all. 1st. Ann Brookes; 2nd Nil; 3rd Pam Dance. Class 9~No entries. Class 10~Three clematis blooms. 1st. Pam Underhill; 2nd Pam Dance; 3rd Maggie Whitaker. Class 11~Five fuchsia flowers floating in a bowl. 1st Pam Underhill; 2nd Ann Brookes. Class 12~ Flowering pot plant (not an orchid) 1st Pam Underhill; 2nd Ann Brookes; 3rd Richard Tobitt. Class 13~a pot plant grown for it’s foliage. 1st Chris Stevens; 2nd Pam Underhill; 3rd Ann Brookes. Class 14~Stem of a flowering shrub. 1st Jeanette Franklyn; 2nd Maggie Whitaker; 3rd Anne Reed. Class 15~ Stem of a shrub grown for it’s foliage. 1st. Pam Underhill; 2nd Maggie Whitaker; 3rd Ann Brookes. Class 16~Orchid pot plant. 1st Ann Brookes; 2nd Jeanette Franklyn; 3rd Pam Underhill. Class 17~Container of cut flowers from exhibitor’s garden. 1st. Pam Underhill; 2nd Ann Brookes; 3rd Pam Dance. Class 18~A hanging basket. 1st Pam Dance; 2nd Nil; 3rd Ann Brookes. Class 19~container of pinks-5 stems. 1st Ann Brookes; 2nd Pam Underhill; 3rd Maggie Whitaker. Class 20~Container of one stem of each of three distinct kinds of cut garden flowers. 1st Ann Brookes; 2nd Pam Underhill; 3rd Pam Dance. Class 21 ~ Container of one delphinium stem. 1st Pam Underhill; 2nd Ann Brookes; 3rd Nil. Class 22. Seasonal vegetable or salad, same variety, two in number. 1st Pam Underhill; 2nd Chris Stevens; 3rd Rosemary Stevens. Now we reach the entries for the Classes for the Young Folk.Class 23- sadly there were no entries from the Pre-School. Primary School Classes: Class 24~Reception, Years 1 & 2 ~ A 3D flower in any medium. 1st Harrison; 2nd James; 3rd Ellena. Class 25~Years 3 & 4~ A depiction of the life cycle of a plant. 1st Anon; 2nd Ella; 3rd Libby. Class 26~ Years 5 & 6~ An A4 picture of an endangered species. 1st Maddie; 2nd Harry B; 3rd Ayesha. Class 27~Years 7,8,9,10 & 11~ No entries. The Lady Knight Cup for the best rose entry was awarded to Ann Brookes; The Roseleen Bowl for the most points in the rose classes was awarded to Pam Underhill with Daphne Longmuir being a worthy runner-up. The Rose Show Cup for most points in the whole show was awarded to Pam Underhill with Ann Brookes being a notable runner-up. The Peggy Duncan Cup went to ‘Anon’ and the Sunderland Cup was awarded to Maddie Cummings. The next events on the calendar for this popular and friendly gardening society are the visits to Hampton Court Palace House and Gardens in August with another afternoon outing to Long Barn to follow. The Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Show will be on Saturday September 3rd. with over twice as many classes to consider, you’ll have a while to decide which ones to enter. For details of this and all other aspects of the garden society, please contact Ruth Close, on 01580~831918.

ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL: Businesses in Rother are invited to attend the first 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. The first seminar, entitled “Improve your Sales & Win more Business” will be held at Bexhill Town Hall on Tuesday July 5th 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

STAPLECROSS BOWLS CLUB: Back to their busy schedule once more are the members of this popular outdoor sports club as they have four (4) more matches arranged for this week. Match No: 1 is on Saturday June 25th with their opponents being Peasmarsh. This will be the first of three games to be played at their home ground in Northiam Road, Staplecross. TN32 5QH. and all of these home matches will be part of the ‘Mermaid League’. On Sunday June 26th Our team will face Ninfield in the only away game - and this match will also be part of the ‘Rother League’. Back home for match no: 3 this will take place on Wednesday June 29th. with the opposing team hailing from Iden. This will have a start time of 6.15pm. Tomorrow Thursday June 30th. finds our home club pitted against Hamstreet for the final fixture of the week and this match has an earlier start time of 6.00pm. If you are in the vicinity of the Clubhouse and grounds, please do pop along and enjoy watching the game. Support is always welcome and always appreciated.

STAPLECROSS STOOLBALL CLUB: The dedicated and energetic members of our local village sports club have three (3) more matches this week. The first is on Sunday June 26th. and is the Staplecross Tournament and will be played out on their home ground at the Staplecross Playing Field Northiam Road, Staplecross. This will commence at 10.00am. Match No: 2 sees the club team away to Robertsbridge with the match beginning at 7.00pm. The club return to their home ground for their final game of the week which sees them play against Icklesham, - again this match commences at 7.00pm. If you’d like to find out more of this unusual and fascinating game, or if you’d like to become a member, then please contact in the first instance, Pauline on 01580~830570 who will be very happy to talk to you.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Just three (3) walks are planned for this week, all different and all very pleasant. The first walk is planned for Sunday June 26th. and is an eight mile circular tour of Maresfield and Fletching. The Maresfield Recreation Ground car park is the meeting point OS EXP 135. TQ466239. (SatNav TN22 2EH) at 10.00am. Walk notes state - the Recreation Ground is on the left, just before the church, the road which runs from the A26 to the village centre. A picnic lunch is again suggested. Adrian is to be your ‘walk leader’ for this trip out and you may contact him on: 01273~514336 or mobile:97729~861854 for all further details. Walk no: 2 is very close to home as it is an 8.5 mile circular meander of Brede High Woods, - northward to Ewhurst Green. Arranged for Wednesday June 29th. the meeting point is the Brede High Wood Western car park. OS EXP 124. TQ794208. (SatNav TN32 5RT) again at 10.00am. Once more a picnic lunch is suggested and the notes state that the terrain is not too hilly. Martin will be your ‘walk leader’ for this stroll and you may contact him on 01~752793 for further information. Walk No: 3 is also on our doorstep but it is a slightly longer stroll of 10 miles and takes us on a circular from Peasmarsh, via Iden and Playden. Planned to take place on Sunday July 3rd. the meeting point will be “The Maltings”, at Peasmarsh. OS EXP.125. TQ890226. (SatNav TN31 6SR) at 10.00am. Parking will be ‘on street’ and a picnic lunch is the order of the day. Your ‘walk leader’ for this excursion is to be David and you may contact him on 01580~852432 for more details.

OUT & ABOUT: More wonderful and varied gardens for you to explore in the St. Michael’s Hospice -’Open Garden Scheme’ and we are now in the Battle vicinity with a mere ten (10) glorious gardens to visit. The date for this safari is Saturday June 25th.between 10.30am and 4.00pm. Admission is £5:00 payment at any garden and maps will be available for your guidance. Wheelchair access is limited but guide dogs will be welcome. Parking will be in the public car parks and on roads. The gardens available to view are as follows: “Great Beech”, in Kane Hythe Road, TN33 9QU. ~ “Karibu”, Netherfield Hill, TN33 0LH. ~ “Barrack Farm”, Caldbec Hill TN33 0AJ. ~ “Highfield House”, in Virgns Lane TN33 0JH, ~ “Guisecliffe”, 16, Virgins Lane, TN33 0JH. ~ “The Almonry Gardens, High Street, TN33 0EA. ~ “Bull Cottage”, High Street, TN33 0ED. ~ “Cordwainers Cottage”, 13b, High Street, TN33 0AE. and 25, High Street, TN33 0EA. Completing the route for today is “Little Friars”, 59-60, High Street, TN330EN. Please note that this is Battle’s ‘Big Weekend’ which includes a grand fete on the Recreation Ground where tickets can also be purchased. Please also be aware that there may be a rolling road closures between 11.00am and 11.30am, as the carnival takes to the High Street. On Tuesday June 28th - “Fishers Farm, in Fontridge Lane, Etchingham, TN19 7DD will play host as they open their stunning 3 acre gardens for you to enjoy between 10.30am and 4.00pm. Admission is £4:00 per person Sadly there is no wheelchair access but again guide dogs are permitted to accompany you. Refreshments will also be available as will parking. How to get there: From Hastings, drive North on A21, take A265 to Lewes. After the Level Crossing, take the 1st Left onto Oxenbridge Lane, then Right into Fontridge Lane, then follow the ‘Open Gardens’ signs.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: A ‘Summer Fun Day’ is planned to take place at the Cross Inn, Staplecross on Saturday July 9th. The Hosts, Staplecross Bonfire Society, promise that there will be loads to do for all the family, with many stalls to peruse, live music to enjoy, & great food to eat. Entrance is free which is another bonus. Don’t miss it !. Ewhurst “Festival of Flowers” and Concert is arranged to take place over the week-end of Friday 29th - Sunday 31st July at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green TN32 5TD. The Flower Festival will be open every day between 10.30am and 4.30pm. An evening concert with a superb soprano, Charlotte Beament and the a cappella singing group “Green Street Blues” - Bizet, Blues, Ballads and Barber shop with wine & canapes takes place on Saturday July 30th from 7.30pm. On Sunday a Thanksgiving Service for the ministry and life of the Reverend Gordon Winchester will be conducted on Sunday July 31st commencing at 11.15am. This promises to be a spectacular day out, tickets at £15:00 (& £8:00 for a restricted view) are rapidly selling out so for all enquiries re concert please contact Pat Smith on 01580~830857 email [email protected] or Jane Willing on 01580~831724 - jane_willing @Hotmail.com for details.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green, on Sunday June 26th.Trinity 5. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion (BCP) There will be NO SERVICE today at St. Giles, Bodiam, but a service which will also include Holy Communion (BCP) will follow directly afterwards at 11.15am at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross. If there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further assistance, especially Baptisms, Weddings and sadly Funerals, then for the time being, do please get in touch with the appropriate Churchwardens: ~ For all Bodiam matters, please contact Graham Peters- email at [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830203. For all Ewhurst Parish matters please contact Jo Goodwin -email [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830601. Help in some way is always at hand, and always so generously given, so do please contact them.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If you are arranging an event in the foreseeable future, --- whatever the nature of the event and however large or small, if 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 any of the 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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