Village Voice

When sending me e-mails: regarding entries for the Village Voice, would you kindly put Village Voice in the heading of your e-mail. If I don’t recognise your name I may discard the e-mail!

COMMUNITY NEWS & REVIEWS: STAPLECROSS BONFIRE SOCIETY -:An update of the result of the Jumble Sale that was held on Saturday last (June 9th) at the Village Hall, in Staplecross. As a result of all the hard work undertaken by the members of this super charitable and historic society, the fabulous amount of just over £600:00 was achieved and will be added to the Club’s coffers. This will be put to such good use when, at the end of the year, the Society will be able to make donations to their chosen charities and local good causes at their annual Carol Concert - this is another event not to be missed. If you would like more information regarding this event and other amazing functions being planned by our own “Bonfire Boyz”, please contact Brian on 01580~830570 - John on 01580~830744 or Louise via email; louise_gardiner@btinternet.com who will all be pleased to tell you more of what they are planning for the remainder of 2018.

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FLOWER FESTIVAL: Saturday June 23 and Sunday June 24 there is to be a flower festival in our Parish church. You will be able to visit and view the flowers 10am to 5pm on the Saturday and 12.30pm to 5pm on the Sunday. Margaret writes “Follow the footsteps to our Music all the Way Flower Festival. Our arrangers have been busy depicting lots of popular and old favourite songs for your pleasure”. Do try and make some time to visit and support your Parish church, enjoy the flowers , have a cup pf tea , cake and other delicious food on offer. There will also be a tombola, maybe you will find a bargain on the bric a brac stall, a book, or a cake to take home. Leading up to the event if you can provide a tombola prize or a cake to sell it would be most appreciated by the organisers. Call 01424 870808 or 870688 to donate or for further information.

The service at the Baptist Church: on Sunday June 17 is the Anniversary Service at 10.30am. The Pastor Ken Slater will take the service. There is an evening meeting at 7pm.

Badminton: Badminton continues through the summer as a convivial way to take a spot of exercise. Drop in sessions in the Pretious Sports Hall are at 5.45pm on Mondays and 7.30pm on Fridays.

Change of plan: The talk on the language and folklore of birds at the Literary Society’s meeting this evening (Friday) has been postponed as the scheduled speaker is unable to attend. Non-members who might have been thinking of coming along should note that the meeting will now be a Members’ Evening. This means that for those attending the theme is “Summer is a-coming in” and members are invited to bring along favourite poems, short extracts and original compositions. There may be some surprises too! If you don’t want to bring anything don’t be put off as you’re also welcome to just come and listen. Please ensure your readings are no more than 3 minutes in length, but by all means bring a second piece in case there’s time to go round a second time. As usual meet at the Court Hall at 7 for 7.30pm and light refreshments will be served on arrival.

PARISH CHURCH NEWS: Our service this Sunday at Whatlington church will be an 09.15 Holy Communion.

Village Fete: Thank you to Annie and helpers for all their hard work in organising last Saturday’s fete. We had wonderful music, children’s entertainer Laurie Temple, Acromax gymnastics display and Princess Baby Ballet in the arena, and all sorts of stalls and classic cars on the field. Even the weather was good!

BEAUCHAMPS OPEN GARDEN: For our eighteenth (and last) annual opening for the National Garden Scheme on Sunday, we were once again blessed with perfect weather. Despite a gloomy forecast some three days previously, the sun shone all afternoon, with occasional clouds and a refreshing gentle breeze, ideal conditions for garden visiting. We were extremely grateful to so many of you who came along to support us, helping to bring our total number of visitors up to a record (for us) of 130. It was nice to hear many appreciative comments: the garden was indeed looking its very best, the vagaries of a most unusual Spring having resulted in the last of the azaleas and some of the early roses flowering at the same time, with plenty else in between. The Friends of St Mary’s (and some of their friends) once again produced a mouthwatering array of cakes, which they served with tea all through the afternoon. Combined with some generous donations, and the sale of many of Matty’s huge collection of plants, the event raised £1,015 for the NGS, and £335 for the Friends.

The next service: at St Giles Church is on Sunday June 17 at 11.15am and is Holy Communion.

If you have anything: you wish to be included then please get in touch on tal814@live.co.uk

Catsfield Quire: This is the final reminder that the concert is on 16th June in the Catsfield Village Hall starting at 7.30p.m. It will be free to come in BUT there is a retiring collection. Refreshments will be available and participation in singing some of the pieces will be encouraged

Pews News: This Sunday, June 17, there is Holy Communion at 10.30 am at St Andrew’s, with the crèche available and Junior Church too.

SEAGULLS OVER BURWASH: Seagulls over Burwash is the local supporters group for Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club. The group will hold their AGM on Tuesday June 19, 7pm at the Bear. All members are invited and should book their place, for catering numbers, non-members are welcome to attend but should book a place by phoning Teskey 01435 884344 email tesbar80@btinternet.com. The meeting will be joined by Paul Barber, CEO of Brighton and Hove Albion, for a Q & A session on the Clubs first season in the Premier League.

Apologies: Once again I have to give my apologies for missing copy for the last two weeks. It has been quite a roller coaster of year so far, with my shoulder and arm, my dad passing and then an eye operation, not just for me but my hubby too. The up side was a lovely if somewhat shorter visit than normal from my lovely Canadian cousin and one of her sisters. And by the time you read this I will be returning from a much needed break. So I am really sorry if I have missed an event that you would have shared. I hope it didn’t spoil things for you and you had a good result.

IDEN PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: The Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 5th June, was held in Iden village hall. Ray Griffin chaired the meeting, and began by thanking our Parish Clerk, Mary Philo for arranging the previous Saturday’s ‘Available At Iden’ morning in the village hall, which demonstrated just what clubs and societies are at Iden’s disposal. He also added that Mary has very recently become a very young Grandma. Ray reminded us all of Iden’s ensuing cream tea, available to all. He then called upon Councillor Keith Glazier, chairman of East Sussex Council, who mentioned the usual bugbear, the potholes in the road, which are of constant concern. Keith expressed how difficult it is for the Council to make ‘ends meet’. 75% of council budget goes on our most vulnerable, children and the elderly, the remainder, being unfortunately thinly spread. Keith has recently been in extensive talks about identifying and prioritizing funding needs, the difficulties of which are present throughout the country. Councillor Paul Osbourne from Rother District Council spoke about being chairman of the ‘Community Grants Scheme’, which the Parish Council may need to consult about new equipment for the play area in the park, which is under review. Such equipment is hugely expensive. Councillor Sally Anne Hart from Rother District Council provides a monthly comprehensive report [available on the Iden village website], keeping us abreast of decisions affecting our area. One such she described was the major upgrade of the A21. Sally Anne’s predominant allocation is tourism, which encroaches on all aspects of council issues. The Parish council has donated £150 to the Air Ambulance. The Council expressed thanks to Tony Stanton, who is their much-valued internal auditor. A bench for the play area has been donated by John Hammel. Councillor Michael Miller stressed how important it is for people to remember to shut all gates leading from fields and farms, as sheep have recently been escaping into the roads around Iden, a hazard for both the sheep, and for drivers. The next Council meeting begins at 7pm [instead of the usual 7.30] to be held in Iden village hall, on Tuesday 3rd July.

School Fete: Tomorrow, Saturday 16th June will be a busy day in the village. First there is the School Fete opening at 12 noon until 3pm, adults 50p entry with children going free. Lots of great events, plenty to eat and probably to drink, all whilst supporting our local PTA and ultimately the children. There will also be lots of wonderful raffle prizes including the first prize of £100. Be there, join in, have a flutter, you might win.

SHE DID IT!: Having never cycled more than forty miles on the flat in good conditions, Martha Hollamby (14) signed up to attempt a charity ride round the Sussex countryside of a mere seventy miles. And she did it! Proud Mum Caroline writes that Martha cycled the 108.1 kilometre course in 5 hours 48 minutes and crossed the finish line with a smile on her face. She was back home by 4 pm in time for Caroline’s birthday party and up for school next day.