Staplecross

Bowls Club: Closer to home, our own Staplecross Bowls Club is continuing with their busy schedule with the first match of 3, for this week, being played on Wednesday August 13th at the home ground with Horam as their opponents. For their second match, the club have an away fixture with Rotherfield (W) on Saturday August 16th. but happily, will be back on home soil for the last of this weeks’ fixtures on Sunday August 17th when the team play against Cranbrook. Spectators are always welcome at the Bowls Club ground, in Northiam Road, so if you happen to be in the vicinity, do drop in and enjoy the enthusiasm and skill of this fascinating game.

Rother Ramblers: Only one walk is planned for this week, and this one promises to be rather super. Maybe not for the feint-hearted as this is an undulating circular route around Robertsbridge. Covering ten (10) miles, it may be rather daunting to some, while others will merely take it in their stride ( !!!) All in all, there is some lovely countryside in this area with some beautiful views to enjoy which makes the effort so worthwhile.Those intending to participate in this stroll, will be meeting in the car park in Station Road, Robertsbridge (SatNavTN325BP) at 10.0am. There is additional car parking in Northbridge Street. A picnic lunch is suggested and of course, your dog is permitted to join you. David is the ‘walk leader’ on this occasion so please do telephone him on 01580~582432 for all further information.

Out & About: Some things to do or visit during this week :

Garden Exhibition at Great Dixter: Rosie MacCurragh has been drawing at Great Dixter Gardens over the past year. She has been recording garden life throughout the seasons~exploring this modern pastoral idyll and developing her drawings into etchings and woodcuts. In this exhibition of her work, which runs until Sunday August 31st she has captured both the hard work of gardening life and the quiet magic of an empty garden. The entrance to the exhibition will be included within the cost of an admissions ticket. So as well as strolling around these internationly acclaimed gardens you can also visit this inspiring garden exhibition ~ all for the one price. Visit http://www.greatdixter.co.uk/ for details.

Summer Fairs & Fetes: Just a quick mention of a couple of neighbouring events who would appreciate your support. Northiam are holding a Village Fair on the Playing Fields on Saturday August 9th from 9.0am until 4.0pm. You will find a Boot fair from 9.0am and a traditional Village Fair with children’s amusements, classic cars & motorcycles, a fire engine, refreshments, plants, a dog show and of course, lots of craft and charity stalls. Do try to pop in and have a wander around. Winchelsea are also holding their Summer Fete & fun Dog Show on the same day. Saturday August 9th. This traditional summer event will be held on the town’s Cricket Field overlooking the beautiful Brede Valley. Attractions will include a fun dog show, amazing birds of prey, the Pett Level Rescue Boat, Games for th children - and for the grown-ups.There will be craft stalls, refreshments, Battle Town Band, A Pimms bar, a Bar-B-Q, tombola and raffle. Entry is £1:00 per adult, - children and car parking are free. Try it for a family fun day out. There’s bound to be lots for you to see and do.

Wild Beach for Families: Re-connecting people and their marine environment is at the heart of the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Wild Beach ethos. A delightful Mid-Week event to take place on Wednesday August 13th between 2pm and 4.pm. at the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Come and dip your toe in, for a taster of what it’s all about and enjoy some family time on the beach, putting up shelters, making hot chocolate and playing some games. Suitable for accompanied children aged 5 and over. To meet at the Rye Harbour car park. Booking is essential, and donations are always most gratefully received and appreciated. For further details use any of the following contacts;- Telephone 01797~227784 or email to [email protected] or visit www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson,

Creepy Kent: and now for something ‘completely different’ on Thursday August 14th at 7.30pm, - Neil Arnold plans to take us on a spooky trip to the darker side of Kent, including Pluckley, the most haunted village in Britain, for the Tenterden & District National Trust Association.at the Tenterden Junior School, Recreation Ground Road, Tenterden. Visitors will be made very welcome and the cost is £4:00 for Members and £5:00 for non-Members. Telephone 01580~764791 for all further details.

Family Days Out: Most outdoor pursuits particularly those involving children, often result in large outlays of money,- inevitably preventing some families, especially when more than one child is involved, from participating. Well, Bedgebury Forest, close by in the Flimwell/Hawkhurst area, have several activities for children of all ages to enjoy, throughout the long school summer holidays. Beginning on Tuesday August 12th between 10.am and 3.pm there is a ‘Drop-In Summer Trail.’- every-one is invited to come to the classroom at the Visitor Centre, pick up a plant collectors bag, then follow the self-guiding summer trail to collect cones, leaves etc, from the forest floor. Bring your treasures or collections back, learn more about them and then try some drawings or make a collage from them to take home.The cost is £3:00 per child ( + normal admission charges) Booking is not required, but children MUST be accompanied by an adult during the whole event. For safety and comfort, please ensure that appropiate clothing and footwear are worn by all. Taking place two days later-Thursday August 14th between 10.am and 12.pm.and starting from the classroom at the Visitor Centre, adults and children of ages 5 plus, are invited to go behind the scenes at the Pinetum and meet a modern day Plant Hunter. Staff from this magical and mysterious place, travel all over the world collecting bulbs,rhizomes and seeds to raise in the nursery, to help save those trees from exitinction. Come & meet one of them, talk to them and find out what they do, how they do it and where. Come dressed to be a plant hunter and at the finish, you’ll be given some native tree seeds to start off your own garden collection. The cost of this session is £6:00 per child. Booking is essential as places are limited and children MUST be accompanied by an adult during the whole event Please Pre-book your place for free parking for the remainder of the day, in the main car park. For more information please contact the Visitor Services Information Office on 01580~879820. Another delight and tremendous fun for people of all ages is cycling. The Forestry Commission really encourages cycling on its land and once you’ve paid the admission charge of £9:50 per car, you can cycle for miles and miles in Begebury Forest in peace and tranquility and what is so important, in safety. Children can run, roam and ride to their hearts content along superb wide paths using a wide variety of tracks from the tough 8 mile mountain bike trail to a choice of ‘family’ tracks including one of 7 miles long and a shorter one of only 2.5 miles, just ideal for the really young ones, or those perhaps, who are not so confident and want to cycle along at their own leisure and capability. Bedgebury Forest with it’s ever changing seasons, the breathtaking scenery and vast areas of amazing trees to discover, is a joy to behold. Apart from cycling there are so many other things you can do with children, including a ‘Gruffalo Trail’. It truly is a magical place and if meandering along at a snails pace, on your own two feet is preferable to you, then there are paths all through the forest for you to discover at your leisure. For a big bunch of ideas and what’s on offer, go to www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-94vgc2 or you can telephone 01580~879820. All that remains now is to pack the picnic, pack the bikes, pack the kids and off you go. PS ~ don’t forget the camera !

Church Services: Church Services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday August 17th.Trinity 9. with a service at 9.30am which will include Holy Communion. A service will follow at 11.15am, at St. Giles, Bodiam, which will also include Holy Communion. There will be NO SERVICE today at St.Marks Church, Northiam Road, Staplecross. Both services will be carried out by Reverend Gordon Winchester and if there are any church matters that you would like to discuss further, please contact him at The Rectory, telephone 01580~830268 or via his email address - [email protected] he’ll be very pleased to help in any way he can.

Tell me your news: Please do let me know about your Club, Group, Charity or Society and any events you are planning. I will try my hardest to make sure that your celebrations, events, functions and “do’s” are publicised, therefore helping you to make it an even geat success Thank You.

Anne Reed

[email protected]