Staplecross

STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL: Have you been watching any of the recent 2016 Olympic Games ? Have you been inspired to take up a new sport or perhaps return to one ? The sport I’m particularly referring to is Badminton ! - and the reason is that the Staplecross Village Hall Committee are saddened that this game is no longer played at the Village Hall. It really seems a shame because not only does the hall have all the equipment you’ll need to play this super sport laying idle in the cupboard, including a fully marked out court but it is such a fun and friendly game to play that can also help as part of a fitness regime, actively supported by the government to promote a healthier life-style. Is there anyone out there who would like to see a return of this game to the village ? Would you like to learn how to play this sometimes fast & furious but such fun game? Or are you a (lapsed) player who would like to return to the game ?Would you like to come along and play and meet other like-minded people who also love playing this sport ? Would you like to help start up a group,- either just for fun or perhaps to become part of a league? Whatever the reason or the interest if you’d like to enjoy playing Badminton within the portals of this superb village hall, then do please get in touch in the first instance with Hilary (Chairman ) on 01580~830704. You don’t even have to be a resident of the parish to play this game at the hall, as anyone and everyone will be very warmly welcomed and will hopefully, enable us to get this sport (& shuttlecocks) off the ground once more, in the foreseeable future.

THE HERDMAN PAVILION: FREE CRICKET COACHING: - This is a gentle reminder for all the youngsters who love or have an interest in “Cricket” that there are just two (2) Saturdays left of this superb opportunity. With the glorious sunny days & lovely long evenings now upon us - for a while at least, - why not make the most of this fun and free tuition event during the remaining school holidays and use them to practise all that you’ll be taught ? An exciting opportunity is available for only two more sessions for ALL young cricketers, - both Boys and Girls - between the ages of 6 and 12 who would like to either learn the art of cricket or improve their skills in this very popular sport. FREE cricket coaching will be held at the Herdman Pavilion and Field at Ewhurst Green (SatNav TN32 5TB) on Saturday mornings until Saturday September 3rd inclusive and between 10.00am and 12.Noon. Please bring the appropriate sport gear, - tee shirt, joggers and trainers. Please note grown-ups, there is limited parking on the road only, - NOT on any pathways, please, -- so please park prettily and be considerate to the residents. For all further information of this superb free sporting chance, while the sessions last, please contact Dave Perkins on 01580 ~ 830469 who would be delighted to tell you all that’s involved and what to expect from this event.

STAPLECROSS M.C.P. SCHOOL: Just a short and gentle reminder that the new school term - & year - begins on Wednesday September 7th. This is because the school will be having an additional INSET day at the beginning of the week, causing the new term start dates to be re-shuffled. The school will not only welcome a new intake of wee pupils into the Reception class (Swallows) of this amazing little village school, but will send their ‘ongoing’ pupils ( EX Year 6) all the very best wishes as they start their new academic phase in the Senior Schools.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Just two (2) more walks this week which brings us to the end of August, but hopefully not the end of our summer weather. Walk No:1 maybe quite an excursion for some walkers (-like me who prefers the slow meander of a sloth or a snail-) but the views I’m told are quite stunning therefore well worth the extra leg effort and mileage ! This is planned for Sunday August 28th and will be a 12 mile circular walk from Battle, via Catsfield and Netherfield. The meeting point will be at Battle Abbey Green, High Street, Battle - in front of the Abbey. OS EXP124. TQ748158. (SatNav TN33 0AB) at 10.00am. Please note; there are several nearby car parks available but which sadly are paying/ticket operated. This walk offers great views of the rolling High Weald with some stiles and a picnic lunch is suggested. Tim is to be your ‘walk leader’ for this trip and you may contact him on 01424~272459 or mobile 07831~768588 for all further details. Walk No:2 is a mere 7 mile stroll and is intriguingly entitled “Heathfield - a Millennium of History” This has been arranged to take place on Wednesday August 31st with the meeting place being the entrance gates to the Heathfield Community College, - situated off B2096, Cade Street - OS EXP123. TQ600210. (SatNavTN21 8RH) again at 10.00am. There is parking in the college lay-by (during holidays) and a picnic or pub lunch is suggested. John will be your ‘walk leader for tis outing and you may contact him on 01424~773998 for all further information.

STAPLECROSS BOWLS CLUB: Three (3) matches are arranged for this week and ALL of them are HOME GAMES, - so there really isn’t any excuse for not going along to support your local outdoor bowls club at their Clubhouse and lawns on Northiam Road, Staplecross (SatNav TN32 5QH). Match no:1 is on Sunday August 28th and will be played against Tenterden. This game will be part of the ‘Mermaid League’. The following day - Monday August 29th - The club will again be ‘at home’ when they next take on a team from B/H Hollington and this match will form part of the ‘Rother League’ The week & month is brought to a close when the team play Cross-in-Hand on Wednesday August 31st. All matches will commence at 2.30pm. If you’d like more information on how to become a part of this dedicated and friendly bowls club then please contact Brian on 01580~830570 in the first instance. A warm welcome awaits you.

EWHURST,STAPLECROSS & BODIAM GARDEN SOCIETY: FLOWER, FRUIT and VEGETABLE SHOW: This is the advance notice that the very popular horticultural society will be holding their annual Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Show on Saturday September 3rd. at the Village Hall in Northiam Road, Staplecross, commencing at 2.30pm. This is an amazing event to not only take part in, but to just come along and visit. The classes are wide and varied, ranging from obviously the flower, fruit & vegetable sections, from whence this show gets the name, but also includes; flower arranging classes; home produce - including preserves, bread-making, gingerbread bakes, puddings and tray bakes, - as well as the popular handicraft section which encompasses knitting, needlework, crochet, photography, paper-craft, artwork in the form of a picture in any medium, including paint and an object made in either, wood or metalwork, pottery or sculpture. There will be over 50 classes in all to choose from, perhaps making a selection difficult, but proving once again that this is a brilliant little horticultural show to take part in, as there is something for everyone to have a go at. Entry fees are a mere 30p per class, and staging may begin between 9.00am and 11.00am. Late entries are at the Show Secretary’s discretion, by 10.30am on the Show day. If you haven’t already got an entry form, please contact either of the Show Secretaries; Mrs Pam Underhill on 01580~881839 or Mrs Maggie Whitaker on 01580~830041 who will be delighted to guide you in the right direction. Closing date for this wonderful little show is Wednesday August 31st. -so you still have plenty of time to choose your class and fill in your entry form. - It’ll be a great show for everyone to enjoy whether you exhibit in a class, or just come along to admire the exhibits and show your support for a true village and community event.

OUT & ABOUT: Inspired by the 950th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, - A “Festival of Contemporary Art” will be held between September 3rd and October 16th 2016 in Hastings and 1066 Country. This festival will feature a huge range of exhibitions, which will include Art; Vocal productions; Children’s (& adults) workshops; Processions; Films and Plays; Stories; Battle re-enactments and even a 17 mile foot race following the 1066 Country Walk from Pevensey - where William landed to Battle -where the historical battle took place. Many productions will take place outside, in the fresh open air and at various venues along the route. This is a celebration of a lifetime, and celebrates a unique part of our history and our heritage. There is surely something for everyone to enjoy so try to go along and visit some of the amazing projects.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: Just a quick reminder of some events coming up that you must try and come along to. Question: ?? Are you concerned about local policing ? If the answer is yes - and you’d like to discuss this and other concerns you may have, then this event may be just the one for you!. The Ewhurst Parish Council have arranged for Acting Inspector Dan Russell, of Hastings & Rother Local Policing Team, to come along to St. Mark’s Church Room, Northiam Road, Staplecross on Thursday September 8th. 7.00pm.- where he will outline the new role for Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) and hopefully answer any questions and queries you may have. Please check out ewhurst.info - or contact Richard Farhall - Ewhurst Parish Clerk - for all further details.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green, on Sunday August 28th.Trinity 14. 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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