Village Voices - February 4, 2011

The February meeting of Ewhurst, Staplecross and Bodiam Garden Society is on Thursday at 7.30 pm at Staplecross village hall.

The guest speaker is Jacqueline Aviolet whose talk is entitled “I am a tulip – what are you?”

As always there will be refreshments and a raffle. Non-members are welcome to attend at the bargain price of £1.

Next Thursday also sees the Parish Council meeting which takes place in the church room, behind St Mark’s at the winter time of 7.00 pm.

Local residents are encouraged to attend to hear what is happening for their benefit and there is a chance to contribute to the meeting at the discretion of the Chairman, David Young.

The Rector Gordon Winchester invites all to attend “Christianity Explored” a course designed to cover fundamental points of the Christian Faith.

The course began last evening and will run for the next five Thursdays at 7.30pm (finishing by 9.00pm) in St Mark’s Church, Northiam Road, Staplecross.

The purpose of the group will be to explore the Christian Faith with those who do not yet believe or who are uncertain of their beliefs; for those who would like to attend a refresher course; for those who would like to contribute their own understanding of the Christian Faith and so help the informal discussions in each session.

The Safer Rother Partnership is working with Sussex Police by enabling the marking of items of value in our homes with a free UV pen (available from Battle Police Station or the Community Help Point in Market Square).

Should these items be stolen, there is a greater chance of recovery.

Another scheme being put forward to aid recovery is “Immobilise” which is the world’s largest free register of personal property and used by all UK police, including the Sussex force.

This involves registering items on the Immobilise website (www.immobilise.com).

PCSOs will be visiting the Parish Council shortly to explain the advantages of the Immobilise scheme.

The police recommend you follow some basic rules to protect the contents of your property:-

Close and lock all ground floor doors and windows when retiring to bed.

Secure doors and windows when leaving house, or when in garden.

After dark, leave light on/or a timer switch when out.

Intruder alarms are an effective deterrent.

Mark valuables using UV pen with postcode and house number.

Photograph those items unsuitable for marking.

MARY REEVE

Wodens Wood,

Cripps Corner

WHATLINGTON

The Village Voice has been quite long in the last few weeks so I felt that I should not add to it.

I would, however, like to make a few more comments about what was said at the meeting at the beginning of January when the church presented their plans for the restoration of the Parish Church to reassure you.

The church in no way will be in competition with The Village Hall; it just will not have the facilities the village hall has.

The church will continue to use the hall for coffee mornings, harvest supper etc.

Also two members of the church are on The Village Hall committee and I know that they with other members are promoting the use of the Village Hall.

As mentioned sometime ago this hall did belong to the church up until the 1950`s.

There is also some concern that the Insurance Monies will not cover the cost of restoring the church.

We have been assured by our Loss Adjuster and Architect that this there will be adequate monies to rebuild our Church, “like for like”.

As mentioned the Loss Adjuster has quoted a figure of £800,000 to cover the restoration but the Insurance Company have indicated that if more money is required then it is available.

To date, we have spent just over £50,0000. I think that the most expensive outlay will be the roof and how amazing that we look if we able to use lighting to show its beauty.

Decisions on whether there are pews put back into the church or chairs, has not been decided.

Which flooring to have will depend on whether under floor heating is suitable and the church will be advised on this.

I have seen the pulpit and lectern in situ in a safe place near Peterborough. Both need much restoration but again no decision has been made as to whether they will return to the church.

The main concern at the moment is the roof which is Phase 1 of the restoration. I feel sure that another meeting will be held before any major decisions are made.

If you have any queries about the restoration of your church please do contact any member of the PCC who will be willing to answer these.

There was a gentleman at the meeting who read out a letter saying that instead of rebuilding the church we should use the money to spread the gospel.

Unfortunately this money could not be used in this way but his ideas are commendable and I would like to thank him for having the courage to stand up and express his views.

Parish Council Update: Among matters discussed at last parish council meeting:-

During the Open Session a parishioner advised the meeting that the 14th December 2010 court hearing had upheld the Abatement Order on Whatlington Garage in regard to odour from their paint spraying machine.

The order comes into force on the 13th March 2011. Should a problem arise with odour from the paint spraying parishioners need to contact the Environmental Officer at Rother District Council.

The continuing problem of blocked storm water drains was also raised. We were promised they would be dealt with before Christmas. The clerk is to contact the highways reminding them of their promise and asking for the work on the drains to be carried out as soon as possible.

Both our District and County councillors explained in detail the problems both councils are having with the reduced funding from government and how they plan to deal with this.

The council are anxious to continue with the tradition of a village children’s Christmas party, for which there are funds, and will be asking in the newsletter for someone in the village to come forward to organize this.

Due to possible expenditure of £1200 - £1600 for an election and in order not to increase our Precept, which will remain at £7000 the eight year without an increase, councillors have put on hold work on the pipe for the village spring and resurfacing the car park. They are however looking into possible grants for the work on the car park,

The council also agreed to give written support to any grant application Mountfield & Whatlington school make for their nursery building.

The next council meeting will be the Annual Parish Assembly on the 17th March 2011 with the speaker being Matt Pitts from the High Weald who will speak about the AONB.

This is also the meeting where local groups and councillors give a short report on their activities during the past year. The meeting will start at 7.00pm with the main parish council meeting following.

Here is the update from the Royal Oak:

We had a wonderful Irish Music evening at The Royal Oak last Friday evening. There were 13 musicians last week that met at the pub to play traditional Irish tunes together.

The live music really does create a great atmosphere and you can’t help tapping your foot or “chair dancing” along!

This live music event happens on the last Friday of every month at 8.30pm and we’d like to extend a big thank-you to Jo and Paul Dengate for organising the sessions and to all the musicians for coming along and creating a unique evening.

The Royal Oak pub quiz last week was closely fought again, and having come in second place by just one point the week before, the Better Half A team finally won last week - well done to them!

The quiz has been well supported over the last few weeks with at least 6 teams competing and some healthy rivalry is developing - why not put a team together and join us? We hold the quiz every Thursday evening, beginning at 8pm.

Don’t forget that we put a “Peak Preview” question on our Facebook page on the Wednesday before the quiz to give you a bit of a headstart!

Whilst on the subject of quizzes, please don’t forget that The Royal Oak has registered for the St Michael’s Hospice inter-pub quiz.

This will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 24th February and we’re keen to field some good teams and be in with a chance of winning the trophy for the highest score in the area!

If you would be interested in taking part, please register your team with us in advance on 01424 870492 so that we can make sure we have enough materials on the night.

Parish Communion will be held in the Village Hall at the usual time of 8.30am.

Hilda Aplin

Lismoyne Oakhurst Road

BODIAM

It was a sad night for Bodiam Parish Council at the last meeting.

Heather Lewis, the clerk for 30 years, stepped down.

Heather did not do the job by half and put in a lot of unpaid overtime.

I know when myself as chairman talk to other council chairmen and say we have the best clerk around, we did in Heather.

Must say a thank you to Heather’s other half who took phone calls etc, who we do sometimes forget when we have meetings and meetings.

Yet one more sad event for Heather is most times the other half cooks the meal when she is at meetings, now she will have to do it.

Perhaps Heather, you could still say you are off to a council meeting.

The chairman will back you up, I know.

All the very best Heather, we will not forget you.

News next week of the new clerk.

The dates for the mobile library service for Bodiam are February 10 and February 24 from 3.05-3.30pm. Stops at Levetts Lane.

For enquiries, phone 0345 6080 196.

Date for your diaries - the next estate inspection for Amicus Horizon housing officer Marie Lapierre is March 1, meeting at the playground in Levetts Lane at 1pm.

We were sorry to hear about Ken Blanch who lived for many years at a home in Levetts Lane.

Ken is not in the best of health.

We all know that Ken will fight, but must have his many friends from the Castle Inn and Bodiam for support.

I know he would like to spend his last days in a convent. This will not take place as Ken will win.

GEOFFREY GOODSELL

13 Levetts Lane

UDIMORE

AS another part of the Udimore Local Action Plan, the formation of a village wildlife group was further discussed at an informal meeting last Thursday.

It was agreed that the group’s proposed name is to be the Udimore Wildlife Society.

Everyone who was at the initial “Wild Udimore” meeting on 10th December will be informed of the date of the meeting, in early April, when the Society will be formally launched.

Meanwhile, there will be a guided walk round part of Court Lodge Farm on Sunday afternoon, February 27, more details in due course.

If you missed the initial meeting but would like to consider joining the society, or would like to hear more about it, please contact Bob Turgoose (01424 882657).

THE monthly Family Service for All will be at 11.15am this Sunday, in St Mary’s Church. As usual this will be followed by a social get-together, with refreshments.

IN two weeks’ time, at 7pm on Friday February 18, there will be “An Epicurean Evening of Poetry and Prose” in St Mary’s Community Hall, by invitation of the Brede and Udimore Churchwardens.

All contributions to the evening’s programme of favourite pieces of poetry and prose will be welcome.

If you have some ideas, please ring Gary Marriott (01424 882412) or Ann Barker (01424 883515), whom you should also apply to for tickets: the price of £12 will include wine (or soft drinks) and a fork supper. All proceeds from this event will be divided between the parish funds of St George’s and St Mary’s.

RICHARD HOLMES

Beauchamps

IDEN

Iden Bowls Club will be holding a Jumble Sale tomorrow, Saturday 5th, in the Village Hall from 1 pm.