Etchingham

We are currently looking into the possibility of the Etchingham Speedwatch Group purchasing a speed device just for the use of the Etchingham group, this would make the group session much more flexible. Sessions could be run at times that best suit our volunteers rather than being dictated by the equipment availability calendar, it would also enable us to target the times that have been highlighted by the survey equipment as the times with the highest number of speeding vehicles. The equipment we require would cost around £900, the Parish Council has agreed to provide some of the funding and is investigating other sources for the remainder. The Etchingham group has been operating since January and has now run 111 sessions that have resulted in 761 vehicles reported for exceeding the speed limit, 619 drivers have received Police warning letters. We currently have six trained operators and could a lot more if we had more volunteers. Volunteers have to attend a short training session at battle Police Station, for instruction on safety while operating at the roadside, training in the use of the equipment is then undertaken by the group co-ordinator.

If you would like more information about becoming a Speedwatch volunteer phone 01580 819532 or [email protected]

Display: During the Fete we had a display of old photographs, postcards, documents and memorabilia in the Church, depicting much of the village history, and a lot of interesting items from neighbouring villages. A number of visitors said they did not get a chance to look at the items on display, or did not have enough time to see everything they wanted to, because the Church had to be closed early for concert rehearsals. So a lot of the items remain on display and will still be there for at least another two or three weeks. The Church is open daily 11am to 4pm, so you can go in and take a look at any time.

We will be putting the display on again during the Flower and Dog Show, as this year is the centenary of the start of World War One we want to try and add some items from the 1914-18 period, if you have items we can borrow. We are looking for any interesting photos, documents and any interesting items from the period, not just military items, but items that show what life was like during the war years. If you have items to loan please contact me as soon as possible so that I know what is available to help with planning, contact details at the bottom of this column.

PCSO: The new PCSO for the village has now taken up his post and is gradually finding his way around the area and getting to know people, if you see him about in the village stop and have a chat to introduce yourself. If you need to contact him his name is Iain Tomsett [email protected] Mobile; 07810813409, or call 101 and ask to be put in touch with PCSO Tomsett. Iain will be holding regular “Meet me in person” sessions at the Bistro. Iain will be at the Bistro at 9.30am on Tuesday August 5 and on the following dates; August 14: September 1 & 16. Your chance to pop in and meet Iain, make him aware of any problems, ask him questions or just introduce yourself. Iain’s mobile number is the same one that was used by Tom, so if you have it in your phone just change the name.

Mobile Library: The next visit of the Mobile Library will be Thursday August 14, 3.40pm to 4.20pm, the next three occasions are August 28, September 11 & 25. Since the closure of the village hall the library van parks on the forecourt of Bracon Place on the east side of the level crossing.

Jubilee Wood update: The Improvements Committee want to update the village on the trees in the Jubilee Wood. So far about 100 of the trees have been re-sleeved with rabbit proof sleeves and new wooden stakes, they have taken delivery of the remaining sleeves and stakes and these will be fitted soon. The new sleeves should give sufficient protection until the trees are large enough to cope on their own. A supplier has been secured for the plaques and a design chosen, they will be contacting anyone who has not yet provided wording for their plaque. Once all the plaques have been made they will arrange a day for fitting and hope to tie that in with a BBQ or afternoon tea event.

Performers wanted: it is now nearer next Christmas than last, so apologies for mentioning the ‘C’ word this early in the year, but it is time to start thinking about the Christmas concert and play in the church. The event will fall on Saint Lucy’s Day, December 13, so the script will feature the Scandanavian celebration of Sankta Lucia, Saint Nicholas, along with a traditional Sussex Mummers Play. Previous participants will be invited to a planning meeting in September, some new people to join in will be most welcome. If you or your friends fancy getting involved contact Philip Hinde 01580 819434 [email protected]

Village Calendar: You may or may not be aware that there is a calendar for village events on the village website www.etchinghamvillage.co.uk for village residents and organisations to add details of events. This gives the village an online calendar of events without the need for the website admin to spend time updating. The calendar is included on the website but is NOT updated as part of the site update programme, it is up to village residents and event organisers to add details to the calendar. To add events to the calendar go to the website Home Page and scroll down until you reach the ‘Events Calendar’ section, click on ‘ACCESS THE CALENDAR HERE’ and follow the instructions on the page. If your event has a fixed start time it is probably best to add it as an ‘Appointment’. Please do not send the details to the website admin to add, the idea of the calendar is for village residents and organisations to use the calendar to find out what events are on and add their own, this may then help to avoid clashes of dates. You will need a Password to add entries, I emailed the password to most of the people that I knew would need it, if you do not have the password or have forgotten it, send an email to the address below. However, if you find you have entered some details incorrectly or need to alter some details later, you will not be able to edit the entry once added, only the Admin can do that, if you need to alter something in an entry send an email to [email protected]

FLower & Dog Show: The Flower and Dog Show this year will be on Saturday September 13, so start nurturing your plants to get the best exhibits for the show. Get busy making your handicraft items, and photographers get snapping the photography classes this year are ‘Frozen in time’, ‘Yellow’, ‘Portrait of Etchingham’ and ‘Victory’. More details nearer the date.

Information: If you have given me details of your event to put in this column, please remember to send me some details after the event so I can let your supporters know how successful the event was, how much you raised, interesting facts etc. Your supporters will be interested to know how you did. Get information for this column to me as soon as possible, if you have a diary of events planned for the year let me have the dates and I will put in a list of village events for the year so that people can put the dates in their diaries. There are several ways to get your info to me, but email is preferred because there is less chance of errors during copying. I need information by 10pm on Monday to be sure it will be in time for inclusion, I can sometimes add extra items on Tuesday morning, but this cannot be guaranteed. Just a little reminder, I get plenty of information about events that are taking place, but I get very little follow up information, after your event try and remember to send me brief account of how successful your event was, it can be as simple as a thank you to those that attended and how much money was raised etc. You can deliver to 2 Park Farm Close, telephone 01580 819532 or 07941 786244 or email [email protected] .

Colin Boylett

2 Park Farm Close