Staplecross

Tomorrow evening (Saturday) sees the Best Bonfire Night when Ewhurst and Staplecross Bonfire Society hold its annual event for all the family.

Important note to everyone, this year there is a change of venue and it is to be held in a field off the Cripps Corner to Staplecross road, on the north side shortly passed Beacon Lane.

A reminder to visitors that the road from Cripps Corner crossroads through to the Northiam Road, Staplecross, will be closed from 7-10pm for the torchlight procession between Staplecross and Cripps Corner. Car parking is available opposite the bonfire site with a request not to park on grass verges or block the road in any way in order to allow emergency vehicles safe transit.

A safety issue which has in the past been ignored by visitors is that it is illegal to let off fireworks on the highway, especially is during the procession, despite the best efforts of our bonfire society to dissuade this practise in previous years.

Fancy dress competitors will be judged at the village hall at 6pm. Tableaux assemble at Northiam Road at 7pm with the procession moving off at 7.15pm from Staplecross to Cripps Corner, then returning to the bonfire field, when the giant bonfire will be lit at 8.30pm followed at 9pm with the Grand Firework Display.

Dave Perkins has continued football coaching while the Herdman Field at Ewhurst Green is currently out of action and has moved to Staplecross School grounds thanks to head teacher Mrs Agar. There were 22 lads attending on Saturday morning and along with Tom Saunters there was some good practise. In recent weeks there have been two away and two home matches with two wins.

In addition, Dave has started another session on Tuesday evenings (again at the school) for those aged 6 and 7 and already there are twelve keen participants, with young mums and dads cheering them on. Dave says getting new players for the team from the newcomers heralds a bright future for Ewhurst United.

Looking forward to next April or May, Dave hopes to arrange a football tournament to coincide with the completion of the works at the Herdman Field.

The Ewhurst and Sedlescombe branch of the Conservatives will be holding a lunch at the Brickwall Hotel on Friday November 9 (1230 for 1pm). A mouthwatering Italian lunch is promised at a cost of £18.50. The tickets are available from Patricia Walker, Pear Tree Cottage, The Beacon, Staplecross (01580-830764) or [email protected].

The guest speaker will be Katy Bourne, the Conservative candidate for the Police and Crime Commission who will also be answering questions.

There is to be a Christmas Art Show at the Muddy Duck Northiam on November 24 and 25 between 11am-5pm. It is being organised by thirteen members of Artists of Rother Valley, with our own Glenys Griffiths featuring her work. There will be paintings, etchings, photographs, ceramics, glass, jewellery and cards – all original work – to view or to buy.

All those wanting to get in trim for the Christmas festivities may be interested in the various keep fit groups operating in Staplecross each week.

On Mondays in St Mark’s Church Room, Northiam Road between 6.00-7.30pm there is line dancing; this evening is for those absolute beginners with little or no dance experience. For those beginners/improvers and those with some dance experience then Fridays 6.00-7.30pm –again in St Mark’s Church Room.

Tuesdays sees the ever popular Pilates class in Staplecross village hall, 5.00-6.00pm and on Thursdays it is Yoga, again in the village hall and, I think, between 5.30-7.00pm.