Beckley

The extracts from the School log book: are in celebration of the fact that our village school will be 200 years old in 2018. In 1818 at a meeting in the Rose and Crown it was decided to set up a Board School administered by a board of local parishioners. Mr Blackmore’s entry for this week in 1900.

16.3.1900-Farmers now want boys on the land. They can earn from 1/-d to 1/6d a day for their parents. Average for week 54 + 73 =127.

21.3.1900-School visited by Edward Baker, Diocesan School Inspector.

23.3.1900-Owing to a very severe cold and hoarseness Master was not able to give oral lessons during the week. Many of the children also suffering from colds. H Sheather- Pupil Teacher-absent on Thursday and Friday suffering from cold and sore throat. The attendance in the mixed Department is deplorable. The Compulsory Clauses of the Education Act are, in this district simply ignored. Average 53 out of 72 in the Mixed Dept., 66 out of 84 in the Infants = 119 out of 156 in total.

NB- at times the Victorian Beckley School had over 200 children on roll in two classrooms….today it has four classrooms with just over 100 children on roll!

An Amazing Art Exhibition: One night only!!!!! The children of Beckley School are exhibiting their artistic skills. I have seen some of the work and it’s fabulous, there are some talented pupils in our school. Come and see the children’s art work on 20th March at the village hall from 4pm – 8pm. The children are holding the art exhibition as part of their 200 celebrations. The canvas works are inspired by famous artist’s styles.

Messy Church: after school 3.30pm March 20th and then again on 17th April

Easter Lilies, Computers and Holy Communion!: Sunday 18th March in Beckley Church at 8am Holy Communion/Eucharist. There are always toys, activities and people at the back of the church during the 10am service to keep the little ones occupied during the proceedings. This year Easter Sunday falls on April 1st. If you would like to have a lily in remembrance of a loved one and their name read out in church on Easter Sunday, please leave your donation of £3.50, with the name of the person to be commemorated, in a sealed envelope with Beckley Primary School by Friday 23rd March. Please ensure you write “For Beckley Church” on the envelope. Church Parish Computer: There is a new parish computer, based at Vine Cottage. If you have any information which might be relevant to the Parish records and could be of use to the clergy please could you let them have a copy for their files. Email files to [email protected] - this is also the email address for any items you wish to be included in the parish magazine.

Edward 1st and the Beginnings of Modern Britain: A talk by James Dickinson follows the Beckley Historical Societies AGM. Friday 23rd March at 7.30pm in Beckley Village Hall.

Dahlia Propagation Course: 24th March and again on April 7th in the village Hall. A hands on course for up to ten people. Cost is £25 but you get to take home all your cuttings and a tuber. The course will be run by Zoe Gleisner of Orchard Farm Flowers. For further info or to book contact Zoe on [email protected]

Race Night: Rose and crown in aid of the Northiam Bonfire Society. March 24th 7.30pm. Horses available now at £4, bets on the night 50p.

Murder Mystery Night: Saturday 24th March 7.00pm. The Rye and District National Trust are hosting a fun event, presented by the Playden Players at Brede hall. Tickets are £10 per person and include a freshly cooked supper. To book a table contact Julie Etches on 01797225317.

2018: is going to be a very exciting year for Beckley. The village school will be celebrating 200 years (the above books are part of this anniversary), the WI will be celebrating 100 years and there will be new playground equipment installed in the Jubilee Field. To mark all these events hopefully there will be a …

Big Village Fete, Dog Show and Horticultural Show; Jubilee field and village hall. NB the main road WILL be closed. Fete 12-4pm 30th June. SAVE THE DATE!!!!!

DID YOU ATTEND BECKLEY SCHOOL? - Can you help? As part of the above mentioned celebrations there will be a BSA raffle at the fete. The BSA are busy seeking some unusual prizes. If you can offer an experience e.g. a helicopter ride, a photoshoot, a night in a hotel or similar. Maybe you are able to offer a service such as give a manicure, haircut or make a birthday cake ….all offers welcome! If you wish to support your community please contact me and you will be included in any publicity as a thank you.

Bric a brac; Wanted in advance of the fete in order that it can be sorted. If you have any unwanted good quality items please contact Trisha Lamplugh on 01797253526

Potholes etc: if you are aware of any potholes in the Beckley area that you feel need addressing please log on to the parish website and follow the “fix my street” link. The more complaints East Sussex receive the more likely they are to get fixed! This is also the site to report fly tipping or any other issue with the village’s roads.

Next Full Parish Council Meeting; April 11th 7.30pm village hall.

Mobile Library: Sadly we will be losing the mobile library service from May due to budget cuts. However Northiam Parish Council are putting together a package (that hopefully ESCC will agree) to keep Northiam library up and running. Beckley residents are invited to make use of this service once the mobile library ceases and will be warmly welcomed. The Northiam library is situated next to the Parish Office within the snooker club building. Open Thursday and Saturday afternoons between 2 - 4 pm

Wild Woodland Club: Swallowtails great woodland club for kids is back! Sessions are 10-3pm on 5th April, 31 may, 9 August, 25th August. Book online at Sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson.

Beckley Lunch Club: Thursday 12th April 12.30pm in the Village hall. A two course lunch with coffee or tea for just £4.00. Everyone welcome but pre-booking is essential. Contact Tony Bryant 01797260518 for more information or bookings.

Farmers Market: Saturday 14th April come along to the village hall 10-12 and support the local producers. Lovely bread, meat, plants, soaps and sweets amongst other items.

A268 Resurfacing: The new proposed date is April 3rd but we will wait and see! When it does happen the works will start outside a property called Westview and continue south. If you live within the works then please respect the workers’ space and safety by approaching with care and consideration. Email:[email protected] or Phone: 0345 60 80 193

Coffee morning with stalls, books etc: Friends of All Saints hold a monthly coffee morning on the first Tuesday of the month. The next one is 3rd April 10.30 – noon in the village centre in aid of RNLI. If you would like to run a stall contact Keith on 01797260720.

Soil Improvement workshop; Saturday 14th April at 12.30pm, learn how to make a real difference to the structure of your soil. Run by Josh Sparkes. Please contact Beckley Horticultural Society for further details.

Quingo!: Beckley School Association presents an evening of bingo mixed with a quiz! Everyone welcome. Funds raised go towards the schools 200th year celebrations. Beckley Village Centre April 21st. 7.30pm start.

The History of Beckley School : a talk by Bernard Bavistock. Beckley village hall May 12th 7.30pm. Bernard has kindly agreed to repeat his talk from several years ago as part of the 200 celebrations.

Volunteers always wanted: Beckley Preschool are looking for volunteers who can spend an hour a week interacting with the children. Anyone of any age can volunteer and no skills are needed - you could read stories, make playdough model or help at lunchtime. If you think you could offer some time to the youngsters of the village please pop in to preschool and see the staff.

Free Childcare: Beckley Preschool offers 15 hours free childcare to all those eligible. They meet every week day except Thursdays during term time. Sessions run 9-3 except Wednesdays which is till 1pm. Preschool have great links to the village school and try to join in with each other’s events where possible. Preschool have just won a grant from “Awards for All” to get ict equipment for the children to use to support their ict skills and learning. Pop onto the village hall during a session for more information.

Got a new baby or an active toddler? : Parents can meet other parents every Wednesday during term time at Busy Bees (Baby and toddlers Group) Beckley village hall £2.50 per family 9.15-11.15am free tea, coffee for parents. Free snacks for the children. This is also a great way to meet preschool staff and for the children who maybe transitioning up to the preschool get familiar with everyone.

Beckley Speed watch: - This has been running for over a year and about 1000 vehicles have been registered as speeding through our village….and it’s not just cars! So far some motorists have been recorded as doing as much as 65mph in the village. Several offenders have been caught more than once and the police will be following this up. The more evidence speed watch can gather the more power we will have to request changes. More volunteers needed for an hour a month to help slow traffic down in our village. If you are interested in helping for just an hour a month please contact [email protected]

Village Hall Groups/Clubs: Buzzy Bees-Babies & Toddler Group – Village hall weds- term time- 9.15-11.15am £2.50 a family. Beckley Preschool- Village Hall- term time Mon 9-3 Tues 9-3 Wed 9-1 Fri 9-3- 01797 260 582- www.bpnn.co.uk. Village Primary School- 01797 260 342- www.beckley.e-sussex.sch.uk. Messy Church-Beckley Church- 345-530pm Dee cox 01797253938 [email protected]. All Saints Church – Fr Martin Harper -Tel: 01424 883408. www.beckleyandpeasmarshchurch.co.uk. Friends of Beckley Church-coffee morning- 1st Tuesday- 10.30-12.30-Village Hall- 01797 260360. Farmers Market – held every 2nd Saturday of the month - Village Hall- 10-12pm. Parish council -All Welcome- meet every 2nd Wednesday - Village Hall – 7.30pm. WI – 2nd Monday 7.30pm –Village Hall-01797260450. Trefoil 3rd Monday of month –Village Hall- 01797 260537. Pilates –every Monday 6.30-7.30pm & Wednesday- 1.30-2.30- Village Hall-07769651899. Taekwondo every Wednesday-4.30pm Village Hall- Start from age 5. Petra 01233 642357. Brownies & Guides- Thursdays term time- 6.30 pm- Village Hall- 07967533343. Table Tennis- Every Thursday- 9.30-11.30am– Village Hall- 01797 252382. Tennis Court- Located at top of the Playing fields free to play and unlocked. Yoga- every Friday 9.30-11am –Village Hall- Romy 01424 421876. Lunch Club- All ages- 2nd Thursday-Village Hall- 12.30- 01797 260518. History Society-01797 252173 Horticultural Society- 01797 260232. Beckley Players (Am/Dram)- 01797 260898 Beckley Bowls- 01797 252129. Beckley Cricket Club- 07599175491 Beckley Rangers-football- 01797 260513. Village Hall Hire- 01797260846 [email protected]

Parish website; The Parish council has spaces on its website www.beckleyparishcouncil.org.uk and they are happy to advertise village events on this page. Please send details to [email protected]

Beckley also has some Facebook pages: Search for the groups: Beckley Village Society, Better Beckley Project and Bargains in Beckley (A free selling site)