Hamsey News

Hamsey NEWS May 2015 Edition

The tranquility of Hamsey Lane

The Newsletter for Cooksbridge, Offham, Hamsey and Bevernbridge www.hamsey.net

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Hamsey NEWS

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Indoor & Outdoor Plants Fruit & Ornamental Trees Home Grown Seasonal Vegetables Shrubs & Herbs

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Tues-Sun 8am-5.30pm

Every day 8am- 6.30pm

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our opening times Oct 21-March 20 are and March 21 - Oct 20

Parish Council Elections �����������������������8

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Forthcoming Events �����������������������������34

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Hamsey NEWS

Hamsey NEWS

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Welcome to the Spring issue of the Hamsey News It looks like it’s been a busy few months in the Parish with lots to catch up on!

It’s election year across the nation and in Hamsey we also have elections for the Parish Council too. This issue features every candidate for the seven parish council seats so be sure to vote for your favoured candidates to ensure you get the representation you want.

A lot of hard work has been put into the Neighbourhood Plan and Mike Dodd has given a full update on its progress which makes interesting reading.

As always the Church has been busy with seasonal services and events. It sounds like a particularly boisterous time was had at the annual skittles evening - our thanks to Kevin Froude for the accompanying photos.

The Station Partnership have been as busy as ever, the station gardens are looking fantastic and full of spring colour just now.

We have a thriving bee community in Hamsey with several hives situated just off Hamsey Lane. Ian Price the bee-keeper, tells us about the bees and their history. He’s promised to sell some of his honey at the Village Fair too.

Talking of the Village Fair, there has also been a hive of activity around arrangements for the big day. Tamsyn d’Arienzo tells us more inside.

Recent good weather has made it possible for the children of Hamsey School to get more time outdoors. They have been planting trees and learning more about nature over the last few months.

Cooksbridge resident Doreen du Boulay has given a fascinating account of her rocket mass boiler, we learned something from that, having never heard of one before!

Rupert Radford Hardy of Offham has set up a Facebook page to assist local commuters affected by rail delays and there are details in the Station update. This is sure to be of interest to our many regular train travellers.

We have a new feature for this edition, A View From a Basket. This gives us one dog’s eye view of life in the Parish, featuring Ralph who is a Sussex Bulldog and has lots to say. The basket will be open to guest writers each month, so if you know of cats, dogs, hamsters, bunnies, fish or fowl who would like to let us know their views then we’d love to hear from them!

One of the wettest and windiest days saw the annual Village Jumble Sale take place at Beechwood Hall, there were queues outside the door and everything seemed to go very fast. Anita Walker has given us an update of the day.

We hope you enjoy this edition and as always if you have anything you’d like to contribute or any suggestions then please do let us know by emailing us on either ailsasuttie@icloud.com or lucy_jane_ward@yahoo.co.uk .

Ailsa & Lucy

To advertise in Hamsey News please call Mary on 01843 295371

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish News Litter Pick On a bright and cheerful Valentine’s Day, parish councillor Tamsyn D’Arienzo and husband Ronnie were joined by some willing residents and set off to clear litter and rubbish from the villages. A large quantity of rubbish sacks were filled with the usual junk that people thoughtlessly drop rather than take away and dispose of properly and this was taken off to the tip in Lewes. All the equipment needed, gloves, bags, litter pickers and safety jackets is held by the parish council, so this is a great event to organise each year, providing that enough people volunteer. Of course, if everyone took their litter home, we wouldn’t need to tidy up after them!

Planning There have been a lot more planning applications than usual for our small parish – must be the arrival of spring!

Lewes District Council and the National Park Authority have made the following decisions: LW/15/0017 Elm Cottage Cooksbridge Road Cooksbridge - Demolition of existing lean- to side extension and rear porch and erection single storey rear extension with side porch entrance – granted LW/14/0970 3 Wellington Cottages, Cooksbridge Road, Cooksbridge - Conversion of existing storage areas to form one bedroom dwelling – granted LW/14/0905 Ground Floor Left Station House Cooksbridge Road - Change of use from shop (A1) to photographic studio (B1) - granted APP/P1425/A/14/2220421 Land at Gradwell End, Mill Lane, South Chailey - 40 nursing and dementia rooms and 40 extra care units with associated support facilities- granted LW/14/0976 & LW/14/0977 Highwell, The Drove, Offham. Planning & Listed Building

Consent Application - Amendments to approved application LW/14/0524 for the erection of a rear conservatory extension and alterations to existing service wing and insertion of three conservation rooflights – granted LW/14/0975 Highwell, The Drove, Offham.

Listed Building Consent Application Alterations and repairs – granted SDNP/14/06196/FUL Hamsey Manor, The Drove, Offham. Outdoor swimming pool with landscaped surrounds and pool house – granted The application for redevelopment of the industrial estate at the former Hamsey Brickworks, South Road, South Common, to provide 49 houses and 12 business units (LW/14/0712) has been deferred. LDC has asked the developers to make some changes to their proposal. Hamsey parish council has expressed great concern that there are too many houses proposed and too few would be deemed affordable. The site was originally disregarded for housing by LDC as it was too far from any settlement or amenities but pressure to find more and more sites for housing seems to have overruled this earlier thinking. The parish council has asked that, should permission be granted, a safe pavement will be installed to enable residents of the new housing estate to access Hamsey school and the railway station without adding to the ever present parking problems in Cooksbridge.

LDC has made no decision yet regarding application LW/14/0943 for up to 25 dwellings on part of the Covers site in Cooksbridge.

Housing on this site has the support of the parish council through the ongoing neighbourhood plan.

Chair of the parish council, Ian Ginn, has been asking government and the District Council for parish councils to have a stronger voice on

Hamsey NEWS

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planning decisions which affect their parish.

Presently these decisions are often made by people without the local knowledge needed to assess impact on a community and under the newly introduced Localism act, Ian would like parish councils to have their voice listened to on planning matters.

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Malthouse Play area Lewes District Council has asked Towns and Parishes if they would like to take over ownership of some playgrounds presently managed by LDC and paid for by Hamsey residents through the council tax. Having looked at the present costs and the condition of the little park, the parish council felt it would like to take this on and the transfer of ownership is now in hand. Next year the little park will be managed by the parish council so if you have any views on equipment, maintenance etc. do get in touch with the clerk.

Grant funds The parish council is able to award small grants to community group for any projects which benefit residents of Hamsey parish.

Applications need to be made by September 2015 in order to be considered. There is an application form on the community website.

This year the parish council has been asked to give a grant toward the costs of the annual Hamsey festival and towards the cost of mowing the old churchyard at Hamsey church. Councillors have agreed to split funding the festival 50/50 with Beechwood Hall trustees and have suggested they get some competitive quotes for the cost of mowing the churchyard, to see if any savings could be made.

Parish news continues overleaf‌

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish News Annual Parish Meeting The meeting held every year, for residents of Hamsey parish to come along and raise any issue they might have, chat to councillors or just say thanks for the many hours given freely by those on the council, will take place this year on May 21st starting at 7pm, in Beechwood Hall. The newly elected members of the council will be attending as the annual meeting of the parish council will follow on, so why not pop along to tell the new team what the council does well,and what could (if anything!) be improved.

Pavement in Beechwood Lane Work has recently been undertaken on the eastern section of Beechwood Lane and a short section of the A275 in Cooksbridge to provide a safe crossing and footpath to the Beechwood Hall and park. This is a Community Match scheme. Community Match is one of a number of initiatives East Sussex County Council have introduced to help local communities help themselves.

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In this case Hamsey Parish Council applied for Community Match funding, provided a feasibility design and carried out the initial consultation in the community. The cost of the scheme is to be jointly funded by Hamsey Parish Council, the Trustees of Beechwood Hall and East Sussex County Council who will fund 50% of the cost. The parish council and trustees were very pleased to have been awarded a grant of £24,000 by the South Downs National Park Authority, which will greatly reduce the amount they have to find from their reserves.

The works have naturally caused some disruption and inconvenience and the trustees and parish council would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience.

Residents have constantly listed the footpath as a high priority ever since the hall was built and it is hoped that this new safe access to the grounds will encourage more residents to take a stroll up to enjoy Beechwood Rural park and play area.

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Hamsey NEWS

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish Council Elections Tamsyn D’Arienzo says…

In the 14 months that I have been a parish councillor, I have enjoyed being active on the Planning Committee and helping people with a wide range of local issues. Since last summer I have been working hard on the Neighbourhood Plan Writing Team, garnering local knowledge, working with some inspiring local talent and doing my utmost to present a fair and effective Plan to conserve our beautiful landscape whilst enabling growth where it’s needed. Through the Parish Council work and the Neighbourhood Plan creation I have embarked on the most fascinating, gratifying learning curve and I feel genuinely honoured to be a part of such brilliant teams.

I support local initiatives such as the campaign for an offpeak stopping service at Cooksbridge and the Parish Council’s outspoken rejection of the proposed bus cuts. I’m a volunteer for Speedwatch, where our presence reminds drivers to slow down in the village. I assist with marketing Chailey Children’s Centre as a Volunteer Centre Supporter and I volunteer with Sustrans, with a view to learning the basics for starting a Cycle Safety Club at Hamsey School and to keep in the loop for any cycleway opportunities for our parish.

I was always told to come to the table with a solution, not a problem so I arrived on the Parish Council with ParkPal. The driveway sharing scheme generously supported by 11 local Cooksbridge residents has been fully utilised by parents. New parking solutions are always being explored. My pet hate is litter, I just can’t walk past it, so I was heartened when a gang of likeminded residents joined forces to pick litter recently and enjoy a drink afterwards. We were rewarded with sunshine! This year I am Chair of the Hamsey Festival Organising Committee along with the brilliant team of hard-working and creative wizards working hard to make perfect our villages’ shindig of the year.

This year, if elected, I intend to keep up the momentum. I will continue work on: Litter, School parking, Neighbourhood Plan, Planning (housing), Speedwatch, opportunities for a Cycleway, Hamsey Festival, Green initiatives, Conservation and all things important to the community.

Hamsey NEWS

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Parish Council Elections Robert Baughan says…

Mike Dodd says…

My name is Robert Baughan and I’ve lived with my family in Malthouse Way, Cooksbridge for over 10 years.

I am standing for election to the Parish Council to work on behalf of all residents to protect and improve the environment in which we all live. Key priorities for me are the provision of a full seven days a week train service from Cooksbridge (I am the founder and an active member of the Cooksbridge Station Partnership which is currently spearheading this campaign) and the reduction of litter and fly-tipping throughout the parish.

I moved into Offham with my wife and three children 13 years ago. We were drawn by the beautiful countryside, relative peace and quiet and felt it a good place to bring up our young children, who have all been through the local schools.

I joined Hamsey Parish Council 8 years ago, as I saw it as a way of gaining a better insight into the parish and wanted to help the local community where I could.

A couple of the highlights for me during the past eight years was supporting and Chairing the Hamsey festival committee.

The Hamsey Festival has now become a very popular annual event within the Parish.

I am also Chairing the Steering Group who are working on the creation and adoption of our Neighbourhood Plan. Our plan will be important in helping to preserve the natural beauty of our environment, against the pressure for additional housing, whilst giving a blueprint for enhancing some of the vital services/facilities in the future. I feel it is important that all residents views and wishes are taken into account upon local matters.

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish Council Elections Ailsa Suttie says‌

I have been living in Hamsey Parish for almost 2 years having moved from London in 2013. Home for me and my dog is in Cooksbridge and one of the things that has made this such a great move for me is the sense of community and getting to know so many great people locally. I am keenly aware of what a privilege it is to live in such a naturally beautiful place and I believe we have a duty to care for our environment and to protect it for the future.

I work in Brighton as an HR Director and have a breadth of experience using both pragmatic and strategic thinking.

My interest in serving on the Parish Council is my belief in community matters. I recently became co-editor of the Hamsey News and have been learning more about where we live, what matters to those who live in the Parish and what is being done to improve life for us here. One of the things I’ve noticed, and that has impressed me, is the commitment that many people give to local issues and I would like to join them and offer my services to the Parish council in the hope that I can contribute in a meaningful way to how we live in Hamsey Parish.

Justin Harmer says‌

I was born and bred in Offham where we farm Beef and Sheep, my family has been farming in and around Offham and Hamsey for the last 250 years, our three children are all keen to be involved in Agriculture as well. We run Offham Farm Shop selling our own produce, we also run Mill Laine Barns holiday cottages which both bring people and custom to the village.

I have been a parish councillor for the last 8 years, I enjoy being involved in the community looking after the lovely villages and countryside around.

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Parish Council Elections Ian Ginn

says…

My wife Sue and I moved to Cooksbridge from Lewes in 2006 and I have served on the parish council since 2011. For the last two years I have been the chair and have represented the views of residents on a number of matters including the proposed cuts to the bus services, which I am pleased to say, will be less than was feared. I am head of the council team which looks at planning matters in the parish and a member of the speed watch group monitoring traffic speeds through Cooksbridge. I was was very pleased that the police and county highways departments took notice of our findings and reduced the limit through Cooksbridge and Offham from 40mph to 30mph. Alongside other members of the station partnership, I have been involved with trying to get a better train service for Cooksbridge. The partnership hopes to hear very soon as to whether we have achieved additional stopping trains. I am retired now and work as a bank mini bus driver for the Community Transport, Lewes area, which provides door to door transport in the community and days out – details from www.ctla.org.uk. You may well see me delivering this magazine to residents living south of the railway in Cooksbridge so please feel free to stop me for a chat whether its a problem you hope the parish council can help sort out for you or just a comment on the weather.

Kate Mcbrown says…

My name is Kate Mcbrown, I live in Cooksbridge.

I have been trying to sort out the parking issues within our parish and I have also been able to make the playground and field at Beechwood Hall more accessible for the disabled and for people with buggies.

I joined the council to help people in the community have their opinions and suggestions voiced.

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish Council Elections Rod Hearn says…

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My wife Sue and I have lived in the village of Hamsey, in the area known as North End, for almost 30 years. For a large proportion of that time I was a regular commuter to London, where I was responsible for the business development of an international investment firm. As a result, I am very familiar with the issues and opportunities associated with Cooksbridge station!

First attracted by the beautiful countryside and character of this area, I am keen to see that preserved, whilst recognising that any future growth needs to reflect the needs and wishes of the residents, particularly in terms of providing essential facilities and enhancing the sense of a community centre.

Having recently retired, I now run my own business consultancy and have more time to devote to wider interests and get involved locally. I was particularly encouraged by the Neighbourhood Plan opportunity and have been actively involved as a member of the steering committee and within that, the writing team who are in the process of finalising the Hamsey Neighbourhood Plan.

Working on that, has had a number of benefits, particularly an increased understanding of local issues and respect for the work and members of the Parish Council.

This has prompted me to take the next step and put myself forward as a candidate to best represent the interest of residents, on the Parish Council.

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Hamsey NEWS

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Police Report

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For the period of December to January there were 10 recorded crimes Dec

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Thefts Vehicle Crime

Total

4

4

1

Burglary Criminal Damage

Feb

1

1 1

1

1

2

Violence Other

2

Total

4

2 2

4

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Updates The one burglary reported in January was reported on the 20/1 & occurred at a business premises. There are no lines of enquiries regarding this. The one reported incident of criminal damage occurred in Offham of 28/1 & was in connection to a neighbour dispute.

This has been resolved by way of a small amount of mediation by me.

In February we had 4 reported thefts. One reported on the 5/2 is domestic related & there is no community impact. One reported on the 6/2 is in relation to theft of fuel & is being investigated. There were theft of signs reported on the 8/2 in Offham, there are at present no lines of enquiry regarding this.

There were theft of cages in Cooksbridge on the 14/2 again there are no lines of enquiry regarding this. The one other reported incident was reported on the 16/2 & again there is no community impact.

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Hamsey NEWS

News from Beechwood Hall & Rural Park Call for New Trustees

Zero Heroes Funds

Beechwood Hall and Rural Park is run by a committee of trustees who meet four times a year to discuss and agree issues relating to the running of the hall and expenditure of income generated. If you would like to contribute to your community by becoming a trustee or would like to find out more about the role please contact the Secretary to the Trustees, John Drury on 01273 400234 or 07969391239. The commitment for the role is relatively light and in addition to the four meetings, which typically last for 1.5 hours, there is a very small amount of time required for pre-reading prepared materials.

Trustees of the Beechwood Hall were very pleased to have been awarded a grant from the Zero Heroes recycling funds in order to replace the tired old fencing around the children’s play area.

The new fencing meets modern safety requirements and looks very smart.

There was enough money left over to provide a new picnic table within the play area so that mums and dads can take a little rest whilst youngsters enjoy the wide range of equipment on offer.

The table has been made by the local Monday Group, whose work is more often seen in a range of fine stiles and bridges designed to assist access to the countryside. This new addition to the play area is sure to be much in demand now the better weather has arrived.

Also remember that there is a concert to be held at Beechwood Hall on Friday 8h May - award winning singer Beck Sian (cousin of Kate Bush) and acclaimed guitarist Jonathan Kershaw will be playing their unique blend of ballads and Celtic music - doors open at 7.30 for 8 p.m. start. Tickets £8 and £6 for under 18s. Half the door proceeds will be for the benefit of the Hall so come along and support this one off event. Hamsey School PTA bar.

Annual Parish Meeting

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Hamsey NEWS

22nd February 2015 On Sunday 22nd February, Jane Taylor, Jane Disney, Jane Baldwin and Hugh Miller all took part in the 25th anniversary year of the Brighton Half Marathon, along with 12,500 other runners.

It was a chilly but bright day perfect running conditions. Jane Taylor and Jane Disney completed it in 1 hour 56 minutes, Hugh in 1 hour 58 and Jane Baldwin finished in 2 hours 8 minutes, (she has got short legs though!) To put this into perspective the winning man completed it in 1 hour 5 minutes and the winning lady 1 hour 18 minutes, and the last few completed it about 4 hours.

It was a fantastic day with huge crowd support as ever.

Jane Taylor and Mark Quinn Wilson (from Hartley Quinn Wilson) are also taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday 26th April.

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Hamsey NEWS

Annual Hamsey Parish Jumble Sale 2015 A BIG THANKYOU to everyone who helped to make the Jumble Sale such a success again.

This year we raised ÂŁ706-42p which will go towards Village Day and Community Events.

So many people helped again in different ways.

Due to the work on the footpath in Beechwood Lane the Jumble Sale was held a month earlier this year. Despite a cold wind the first person to queue came at 10.30 and by 11.30 we had quite a crowd who needed hot drinks before hypothermia set in. We had less clothes and far fewer books so were pleased with the final total raised. Thank you to Kevin and Tom for helping with leafleting and to Mavis for the publicity in The Parish Pump. We had so many kind and generous donations of Jumble.

Many people helped set up the Jumble Sale.

Thanks go to Jo, Nina, Julie, Jim and Jacqui for their help on Friday and for Jo and her

Jumblers having a well earned tea break

van helping to transport Jumble and clear on Sunday. So many worked tirelessly through the weekend. A big thank you to Shirley, Jo, Jodie and Marion, Peter, Julie, Dinah, Nina, Rob and Maggie, Caroline, Kate, Kara and Robert, Jacqui, Tony, Millie, Phoebe and Maisie, Jim and Tom. On such a chilly day Rob and Maggie had to set up their book and DVD stall in the store room. Susie, Joan and Sylvie in the kitchen did a wonderful job serving teas and delicious homemade cakes and Jim was a tireless washer up. The cakes were greatly appreciated. This was a Jumble Sale of chairs.

Many fine chairs came and went. I hope no one has been left out. I think once again it can be said of this wonderful team of people that they succeeded in running another memorable Jumble Sale.

Anita Walker

Rupert Radford Hardy of Offham looking pleased with his bargain!

Hamsey NEWS

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Great News For Walkers At long last there is a safe route through the countryside from Cooksbridge up to the South Downs. The National Park Authority has cleared a path on Highways land along the north side of the B2116 Ditchling Road.

Previously any walker brave enough to venture that way had to walk on or very near the busy road. Now there is a beautiful shady path through the trees.

The new path runs from Picketts to a point opposite Courthouse Farm, where it links with existing rights of way up to the Downs.

It can be accessed from Cooksbridge Station or Beechwood Hall using footpaths across the fields to Tulleys Wells and Picketts. If you want a shorter route to the Downs or just want to experience the new path, there is a useful lay-by opposite Picketts.

The parish footpath map has been updated and has been posted on notice boards. If you would like a copy please contact the clerk or kfroude@btopenworld.com

A keen walker gives the new path his approval

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Hamsey NEWS

Hamsey Festival 2015 Save the date!

Saturday 11th July

2-8pm Free Entry & Parking

Beechwood Hall & Rural Park, Cooksbridge See www.hamsey.net for details or Facebook Hamsey Festival 2015

Hamsey NEWS

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Live Music

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Food stalls & BBQ



Wine tasting & Sales

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Dog Show & Grooming

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Produce Competition

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Treatments & therapies

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Teas and Cakes

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Photo Comp.

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Sporting Events



Tug of War



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Hamsey NEWS

News from Cooksbridge Station Train Service

Gardens

Southern is overhauling the off-peak timetable from December and the Station Partnership has made a strong case for incorporation of hourly stopping services at Cooksbridge, seven days a week. Those who follow the local press will know that there has been a lot of supporting publicity, including specific support from MP Norman Baker and Conservative candidate, Maria Caulfield. The Partnership also had the opportunity to lobby Transport Minister, Claire Perry, when she visited Cooksbridge. We are now awaiting a response from Southern.

Julie Philpott has revived some of the planters and they will all be fully replenished in May. The daffodils are resplendent again in the many flower beds and work on maintaining the gardens has recommenced. Volunteers now meet at 9.30 am on the last Saturday of the month, so please join us if you can.

We are concerned about “fast running” at the station – when a scheduled service does not stop to make up time.

Please let us know if you are a victim of this practice.

This year’s gardening has begun with new shrubs being planted and a new garden being started, as well as a general post-winter tidy up.

The objective is to gradually transform the entrance and verges alongside Platform 1 and for that plants and shrubs are needed, especially perennials - so if you have any spare, please do donate them. Just leave them behind the ticket vending machine, but let us know you’ve done so, so that we know they’re there! Or you can of course put them in yourself.

The next session is 9.30am Saturday 25th April if you feel like coming along to help

Station Partnership members met with Transport Minister, Claire Perry, and Conservative candidate, Maria Caulfield, at Cooksbridge Station

Ruth and Stan enjoy the new bench

Hamsey NEWS

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Station

Facebook Group

A second bench has been fitted on the up-side platform and fresh artwork from the children at Hamsey School has been posted in the waiting room - some lovely skies in “Out Of Africa” contrasting with very British lighthouses in “To The Lighthouse”.

Offham resident Rupert RadfordHardy has set up a Facebook Group so that travellers to and from Cooksbridge can share travel alerts and, if necessary, link up to share a taxi home. You can find the group either by sending a friend request to Rupert or search on Facebook for the “Cooksbridge Station Partnership Group” and select “like” to join the group.

We have continued to press Network Rail about the serious puddling on Platform 2 and a recent threat to refer to Norman Baker with pictures seems to have stimulated the company to address the problem.

Network Rail has however yet to remove the concrete blocks which its contractors left in the car park many months ago.

Station Partnership Cooksbridge resident Dinah Pryor has now joined the Partnership.

If you have any comments or questions please contact any of us. robert.baughan@btinternet.com | iginn@btinternet.com dinah1307@gmail.com | kfroude@btopenworld.com

Ian Ginn presents Southern Stakeholder Relations Manager, Yvonne Leslie, with the Station Partnership’s case for hourly services

New artwork by Hamsey schoolchildren posted in the waiting room

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Hamsey NEWS

News from Hamsey School Spring at Hamsey!

The last couple of weeks of last term seemed to herald the arrival of spring with drying winds meaning the children could once again enjoy our wonderful field at playtimes.

As well as running races and playing football lots of younger children really enjoyed endlessly gathering and transporting grass cuttings to make mountains, nests and even stuff their coats!

Our learning inside and outside Back in the classroom our most recent learning has had a scientific feel to it: Badgers Class has been learning about inventions and inventors; Owls Class has been immersed in evolution, whilst the youngest children have become experts on anything related to dinosaurs! Later in the summer much of the children’s learning will again be science based, but with a more local feel to it with topics such as ‘On the Riverbank’ and ‘In the Meadow’. Let’s hope for sunny weather so the children can do lots of learning out of doors!

We are committed to continuing to use our outside space more effectively to enrich the children’s school life. We already have a well-

School tree planting

developed Forest School area and vegetable plots and to add to this we have now planted a small orchard. One cold morning in early March, a group of willing parents gathered to dig holes at the bottom of our field in readiness for groups of children from all years to plant traditional varieties of apple trees.

Once the site was prepared the children got busy and by the end of the day we had our mini orchard. Planting this was a fun thing to do and will be a great resource to enrich the science curriculum, as will our hens when they arrive later this term. Thank you to Jane Fairman for her idea of establishing an orchard and to the willing team of parents. Peter May, who supplied the trees and worked with the children, was truly impressed by the speed at which the orchard site was prepared!

A huge thank you to Susan and Justin Harmer who again allowed our children to visit Offham Farm. They also gave up lots of their time to work with the children to teach them about farming, and especially lambing. Our Year One and Two pupils experienced a wealth of ‘hands on learning’ including bottle feeding baby lambs, watching a new born lamb take its first wobbly steps and even saw a lamb born.

Hamsey NEWS

Clerk to the Governors We are currently looking for a new clerk to our governing body. This is a part time position and does not necessarily need a regular weekly commitment. The governing body and committees meet about 10 times a year, sometimes in the evening. If you are interested in finding out more about this position, please call 01273 400370, or email office@hamsey.e-sussex.sch.uk

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The Lavender Line is a preserved railway that boasts a fantastic family atmosphere in the heart of East Sussex. The railway travels for a two mile round trip between the village of Isfield and Worth halt located in the Parish of Little Horsted. At Isfield you will find the headquarters of the Lavender Line which includes our original Victorian station and signal box.

Come and enjoy the sights and sounds of a preserved railway whilst travelling through the beautiful Wealden countryside. A great day out for the whole family.

Summer events Summer Term is always busy and I am sure this year will be no exception. We are looking forward to a range of sporting events including Year 1 and 2 multi-sports at Wivelsfield School, a rounders tournament at Barcombe School and a swimming gala at Lewes Leisure Centre. Before these events though, our Year 5/6 Tag – Rugby team will be competing in the area final at Uckfield Rugby Club, having been successful in a tournament at the end of March. We of course also have our own sports day to look forward to, the PATINA parade for Owls Class and our end of year production of ‘Wind in the Willows’.

It would be lovely to meet some of you at any of these school events.

Helen Smith Headteacher

01825 750515 www.lavender-line.co.uk

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Hamsey NEWS

Hamsey parish Neighb The first stage of public consultation has been concluded and at the time of writing (21st March) we are in the process of going through all comments from local residents, businesses and interested parties (e.g. South Downs National Park and Lewes District Council) In some cases we have had to balance the comments and recommendations regarding our policies and wording, against what was presented in our draft plan, representing the views and input of the local residents.

Many of these recommendations and suggestions make good sense and are helpful and these will therefore be incorporated.

However, where we feel suggested changes are not in the interests and general wishes of residents, we will not make change and will evidence our rationale.

The tranquility of Hamsey Lane

There have been a number of meetings with land owners in relation to allocation of Local Green Spaces. The area around Beechwood Hall Rural Park is seen by most residents as an area of relative peace beauty and tranquillity and Local Green Space status would help protect this area from development.

Understandably some land owners do not necessarily want their land to be designated Local Green Space and some of the land very nearby has been put forward as possible development land in the past.

The landowners of land to the south west of Beechwood Hall ( Martin and Rose Armstrong) are putting in place a covenant to give protection against development on an area of their land in support of our Green Space objective, for which the steering group and the parish council are grateful.

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ourhood Plan 2014-30 Timetable It is expected that during the Spring we will be in a position to submit our revised plan for wider public consultation, again we will need to take comments and recommendation from both residents and statuary bodies into account, making any further changes before submitting for inspection, once the inspector has passed our plan then we will be able to go to local referendum.

We are still hopefully that this will happen later this summer!

Wider Development Pressures You may be aware that two fairly large nearby developments in Chailey and Wivelsfield were granted at appeal by the inspector, these had been previously declined by Lewes District Council and objected to by local parish councils.

This is perhaps no surprise with the government tipping the scales in favour of development and all major political parties driving for more housing developments.

The fact that Lewes District Council now have a draft 5 year housing stock through the core strategy agreed ( although increased to 6900 ) by the inspector, should give greater weight against any future speculative and unwanted development with objections more likely to be upheld at any future appeals.

It is interesting to note that the Campaign to Protect Rural England have put forward a cross party proposal that Brownfield developments should be the focus against the sometimes more profitable Greenfield sites, they have identified Brownfield sites which would take

approx. 1.5 million homes, the government currently has no such register!

Whatever your view on the need to build housing, the logic of Brownfield first is difficult to argue against, as once another field is gone it’s gone forever.

The Hamsey Neighbourhood Plan has Brownfield first as a key policy and principle.

Planning has been put forward for a development of 49 houses at the old Hamsey Brickworks.

Whilst supportive of sympathetic development at the site, this application is strongly opposed by Hamsey Parish Council, as it currently makes no provision for critical infrastructure, a pathway/cyclelane to the south or any community facilities or access to adjoining woodland. It is clearly seen as over development. Having a neighbourhood plan will also mean that our parish will receive 25% rather than 15% of any community infrastructure money from future housing developments such as this.

We will probably see further planning applications within our Parish in the short to medium term. At least when our Neighbourhood Plan is adopted it will give some protection as to what is built and where.

The overall objective being to ensure that growth is not at the expense of preserving and enhancing our natural environment .

By the next time I write we will hopefully be at an advanced stage.

Mike Dodd Chair, Hamsey Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

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Hamsey NEWS

Rocket Mass Heater in What do you do if you live off mains gas in an old cottage and want to keep warm and environmentally friendly? This rules out oil or coal heating, while possibilities include electric storage heaters, a wood burner or pellet stove, masonry heater or rocket mass heater.

Holland, Spain, Argentina, Wales and England to stay Friday - Monday. They included plumbers, architects, masonry stove installers, interior designer, mini-rocket stove designer, a psychologist and all were concerned with environmental and green energy issues.

Electricity is expensive and dry storage is tricky for pellets - and you don’t usually get to sit in front of a friendly flame. Our ceilings are too low for a masonry stove and there is no central chimney for it to work well. We started off with a wood burner boiler combined with solar panels to heat the water and while that worked well for water to bathe in, we couldn’t get enough enthusiasm out of it to run radiators.

After a week-end of hard stove- building Sjang brought the pre-made metal top/doors and heat exchanger from Holland - our livingroom had a made-to-measure working rocket that would run on any wood with a maximum 20% moisture content and without chemical impregnation, in a smaller firebox than the wood burner. Other requirements to comply with HETAS included insulating the chimney and providing a hearth, ventilation - our 1750 cottage draughts helped the air circulation and CO2 safety monitors and fire alarms.

Zoe, my daughter, researched rocket stoves, an old technology much used in Northern and Eastern Europe and more recently revived and brought up to date by Dutch rocket engineer, Sjang van Daal. Rocket stoves seemed to combine the benefits of a wood burner with greater efficiency (using the smoke for secondary combustion and thus releasing fewer chemicals into the atmosphere) and also a radiant heat store - similar to that provided by a masonry stove - but in the form of a bench. We also discovered Sjang ran 3-4 day workshops to build rockets on site.

Participants learn the principles and get handson experience of building a rocket, while home owners see the production and development of their own made-to-measure rocket. We started negotiations with Sjang in 2013.

Could Sjang come up with a design from a distance and could we find the necessary materials in UK? What about building regulations/HETAS accreditation? Could we find enough workshop participants? In April 2014, 11 intrepid rocketeers turned up from

We mainly used the rocket in summer 2014 to top up hot water from the solar panels but were concerned we would not get enough heat for the winter. Sjang sat down at the drawingboard again and came up with a modified heat exchanger, which he installed in glorious weather in November. Our lovely plumbers, unavailable in April, were on hand to help in November and amazed at the performance we got - 65 degrees in the heat store in an hour.

We can direct more heat to hot water or to the bench through a lever or to the radiators through a conventional timer switch.

The core of the rocket is a firebrick passage to run smoke into the bench before it goes back to the chimney. The covering is ordinary bricks and adobe. Other materials included cement tiles for the top of the bench, and cement. Like all non-automatic systems, it has to be fed, but a quick hot burn for 1/2 hour in the morning sets it up for the day and it can be relit at night.

Maintenance is straightforward - there are

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27

Cooksbridge 3 entry points into the passages, which can be vacuumed weekly and the heat exchanger gets a swizzle from a bottle-brush - all in less than 30 minutes. The tiny bit of wood ash is good for the trees in the garden. We are still deciding the final colour it will be - reddish at present from the clay/adobe.

Other advantages are:

• There is an electric pump, but the system works by gravity feed, so is not reliant on the pump if there is an electricity cut • Waste wood can be collected in summer small pieces are better than expensive logs.

Kiln-dried waste is good.

• The top keeps water/soup warm - not hot enough to boil • There is space at the side to dry off wood made wet by rain or damp washing • The bench is warm in the morning as it retains radiant heat and much loved by the cat and those coming home in the wee small hours.

• It is cheering and fun to operate.

• It is a low tech, economical answer to help keep fossil fuels in the ground, reduce pollution, use renewable and waste resources and cut dependency on less environmentally friendly ones.

The Rocket Mass heater in Doreen’s cosy living room

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Hamsey NEWS

Meet Ian…and his bees Hello, my name is Ian White and if you walk, drive or ride up and down Hamsey Lane you may have seen me looking after my bees or at least seen the hives. I took up beekeeping about five years ago. I am also a member of the Brighton & Lewes Beekeeping Association. I have been fascinated by and read about bees for years. There are so many aspects of their lives and behaviour that, as a hobby beekeeper, keep me fascinated and engaged. If it’s not the fact that the colony is led by a Queen and all of the worker bees are female; it’s that bees

Ian and his bees

are small chemical factories that take flower nectar and turn it, by the use of enzymes and evaporation, into honey; or it could be that they collect sap from tree buds and bark to make into a resin called Propolis which they use to seal gaps in the hive and which acts as a mild antiseptic; or it’s the delicate hexagonal wax comb they make from glands between the plates on their thorax; or how, in complete darkness, they feed, communicate with and nurture each other. All of this is in addition to my own interest and pleasure in making the

Hamsey NEWS

29 Lovely runny honey

equipment needed to manage them.

When I started beekeeping, I kept the first hive in my garden in Lewes. As the number of hives and bees increased, this was not so practical, so meeting Steve Kelly when I did was very beneficial and I moved my hives to Hamsey Lane in early 2014. At present there are five hives but I hope to double this the number in the coming year. The site has, over the years, been the home to a pigeon loft and allotments and Steve kept bees on the land for at least 20 years until he stopped beekeeping a couple of years ago. If you have passed the site recently you may have noticed some changes; Steve operated on a semi-professional basis and as such used different sized equipment to mine. It took a few months for him to dispose of 20 years of accumulated ‘stuff ’. This left me with a collection of very dilapidated sheds which I’m in the process of replacing.

Last year, during Lewes October Feast, I was fortunate to meet local food writer and honey fan Hattie Ellis, who, during the research for her book Sweetness and Light collected at least 100 jars of honey from around the world. Hattie was in Lewes to give a talk and demonstration of honey tasting with some of her collection and I offered to provide a

jar of my own local honey as a comparison. Some homeys are ‘mono floral’ - predominantly one plant, such as Orange and Mango, and tasting of this; others, such as Heather, have a very distinctive flavour.

My honey is a multi-floral honey as the bees collect nectar from any source they can find in around a roughly three mile radius of the hive. In the early part of the season the bees will collect from Willow, Hazel and Blackthorn; as the season progresses, from wild and cultivated flowers and finish the year on Ivy and Blackberry. My favourite, apart from my own, is Honeydew Honey, a specialty honey from forested regions in Germany and New Zealand, made by bees collecting the honeydew from aphids and turning that into honey. It has a rich caramel flavour and is almost black. In 2014 I managed to collect 60lb of honey from my hives; my main objective for the next couple of years is to produce and sell honey in greater quantity.

If you want any more information about Bees and Beekeeping visit www.brightonlewesbeekeepers.co.uk or The British Beekeeping Association www.bbka.org.uk or if you see me in Hamsey Lane, please stop and have a chat.

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Hamsey NEWS

News from your Parish Church A Packed Church We seem to lead such busy lives these days that I know it’s not always possible to get to church as often as we would like. It was really nice therefore to see the church bursting at the seams at Christmas (standing room only at Hamsey Carols and Christmas morning). Because of the printers’ deadlines this report had to be filed before Easter but I am confident it will be a similar story then.

Hamsey Season

In Memorium: Iris Winch

Don’t forget that there are services at Hamsey Church on the first Sunday of the month from May to September with 8am Holy Communion and a 6pm Evensong. It’s such a very special place and the “Hamsey Season” goes all too quickly. As usual Evensong on May 3rd will include a Rogation procession and the blessing of the crops.

At the end of March we were all saddened to learn of the death of Iris Winch, the oldest member of our congregation. She celebrated her 100th birthday last August. She and her husband, Sidney, lived in Cooksbridge for many years. Although she has since been living at Nightingales, Care Home in Newick she did not forget her old friends and neighbours. She was there every month at Monday Club meetings and was always at Offham Church for important festivals - most recently last Christmas for the Nine Lessons and Carols in Offham Church.

It was a real privilege to have her with us at last year’s Remembrance Sunday Service. With the 100th Anniversary of the start of World War 1 Iris had her own poignant thoughts - she was actually born on the day the war started.

Do also put 7pm Friday June 19th in your diary when Michael Kennedy and his choir will make their annual visit to sing the beautiful service of Compline.

It is such a memorable occasion. Almost every year we seem to have a perfect summer evening for a real musical feast and then another feast of strawberries and cream afterwards! See you there.

She will be much missed and we extend our sympathy to her son Donald and his wife Doreen.

The Church Hall was packed for a glorious evening

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Skittles winners - The Offham Set

Skittles Team - Mount Harry Monsters

Skittles Team - Rector & Co

Fleur de Paris Duo

The Church and the Community

the winning 2014 team and is already planning a hat trick when his team defend their title in 2016. The rest of us intend putting in some very serious practice before then!

This winter has been brightened up by plenty of social events - it’s been so nice to be joined at them by lots of friends and neighbours from our villages. People of Hamsey, Offham and Cooksbridge certainly know how to enjoy themselves!

Our final event of 2014 was the New Year’s Eve Lunch in the Church Hall - a very relaxed, convivial time was had by all.

In February we chased away the Winter Blues with our annual Skittles Evening at the Chalk Pit Inn. As always it was a very happy (and noisy!) evening - our apologies if you had just gone there for a quiet drink! Our thanks especially go to Phyl Burchett for her meticulous, efficient scoring and to youngsters Imogen, Harry and Tristan who tirelessly stood up the skittles after each round. Thanks for saving our backs!

Many congratulations to the winning teamOffham Set. Team Captain, Kevin, was part of

On March 27th Fleur de Paris Duo gave a memorable concert in the Church Hall.

Professional musicians Lo and Nigel live in Offham. They are already much in demand and the future looks very bright for them. The Church Hall (transformed into a French bistro for the evening!) was packed for a glorious evening of French chansons and swing from 30s to 50s Paris. There was a free glass of wine for anyone dressed in French style so there were several berets in evidence (not forgetting an authentic looking onion seller, several French maids and a guest appearance by painter Paul Cezanne!) Don’t worry if you couldn’t get a ticket - the Hall was packed to capacity- we very much hope to repeat the evening.

Churh News continues overleaf…

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Hamsey NEWS

Church News, continued…

Annual Visit to Chichester Festival Theatre Thursday June 25 Leaving Offham 10.30 Returning about 8.30) We try to arrange a coach trip ever summer to see a musical at Chichester Festival Theatre with a carvery supper on the return journey This year’s choice is “Damsel in Distress” - based on a story by P.G. Woodhouse with music by Gershwin.

That sounds very promising!

Please be in touch with Judith (01273 474356) as soon as possible if you are interested in joining the outing.

It’s always great fun.

And of course this is a community event organised by the church with no hidden agenda to get you there on Sundays!!

Unsung Heroes More than most organisations the church relies on a largely unseen band of willing volunteers. We are so lucky at Offham Church. Every month Ursula Hare makes wonderful birthday cakes to share at coffee time in the Church Hall after the 10.30 Sunday service. Recently, as every year, she not only made a superbly decorated Mothering Sunday cake but also spent hours making beautiful posies to be presented to mothers in the service from daffodils in her garden.

In addition to singing in the Church choir and, like Ursula, teaching in Sunday School, Phyl Burchett is in charge of Church Newsletter distribution.

It’s a big job involving a lot of work sorting and delivering the right numbers of newsletters to the distributors every month.

We are immensely grateful to both of them for all they do. Look out for more unsung heroes in the next edition!

Derek Bastide Rector

Monday Afternoon Club 2015 got off to a really good start when Patsy Bailey from Newick helped more than twenty of us to blow the winter cobwebs away with a very happy singing and dancing afternoon in early March. The Church Hall was filled with the sounds of so many old time favourites as we waved chiffon scarves in the air to “Catch a Falling Star” and then danced the Hokey-Cokey – sitting down! Now that takes real skill!!We were certainly ready for lots of cups of tea and delicious cake after that.

Patsy gave us such a brilliant afternoon that we immediately booked her to come back in September and also in 2016.

Now we are looking forward to lots more enjoyable Monday afternoons. On April 13th, we shall be welcoming Michael Bird on a return visit to the club. He is a man of many

interests and this time he is promising us a talk on daffodils. We are very fortunate that as a National Daffodil Judge, Michael has a space in his diary to fit in a talk to the Monday Club at a very busy time in his year. Then on May 11 there should be another fascinating afternoon when speakers from Sussex Air Ambulance Service will be coming to tell us about their valuable work. It promises to be a really interesting afternoon so do come and join us if you can.

We are a very friendly group. If you are retired do pop along and join us on the second Monday of the month- 2pm in the Church Hall. Lifts are always available - contact Judith 01273 474356 or Caroline 01273 477151 to arrange one.

Judith Bastide

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Contacts Clerk to Hamsey Parish Council clerk@hamsey.net or 01273 890621 Book Beechwood Hall 07762 118985 Report noise pollution 01273 484340

01273 51-55-05 email gdtravelbuses@yahoo.co.uk

AIRPORT SPECIALIST 1-16 seaters

To report fly tipping 01273 484999 Police (non emergency) 101 or 0845 60 70 999 Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Use this number to provide anonymous information about crime or criminals and you may get a reward British Transport Police 0800 405040 Age UK 0800 169 6565 Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 Dental helpline 01273 403546 Trading standards 01323 418200 trading.standards@eastsussexcc.gov.uk Hamsey CP School 01273 400370 Rev. Derek Bastide 01273 474356 www.offhamwithhamsey.org.uk

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To advertise in Hamsey News please call Mary on 01843 295371

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Hamsey NEWS

Forthcoming Events Thursday 7 May

Monday 8 June 2pm

Beechwood Hall

in Church Hall, Tea and Chat

Friday 8 May

Thursday 25 June (leave 10.30am)

Doors open 7.30pm for 8.00pm start Tickets £8 from 07762 118985 or school PTA members

“Damsel in Distress. Open to everyone.

Contact Judith (474356) for details

Elections for Parish Councillors

Concert at Beechwood Hall

Monday 11 May 2pm

Monday Afternoon Club in Church Hall The Sussex Air Ambulance Service

Thursday 21 May 7pm

Monday Afternoon Club

Church Coach Trip to Chichester Festival Theatre

Saturday 11 July

Hamsey Festival Beechwood Hall and Rural Park

Monday 13 July 2pm

Monday Afternoon Club

Annual Parish Meeting for Residents

Afternoon Tea in Caroline’s garden

Beechwood Hall

Hamsey Parish Council Meeting

Thursday 21 May (to follow the parish meeting)

Annual Parish Council meeting Beechwood Hall

Thursday 16 July Beechwood Hall

Monday 27 July (leave 9.30am)

Sunday School and Toddlers Tunes trip to Drusillas

To advertise in Hamsey News please call Mary on 01843 295371

Hamsey NEWS

35

Regular Events Church Hall

in Beechwood Hall

Details from 474356 Mondays

Monday Afternoon Club 2pm, second Monday in the month

Wednesday Evenings

Pilates

7.30pm in Offham Church Hall

Thursday Mornings

Toddler Tunes

10am in Offham Church Hall

Term Time Only 9am Tuesdays

Running Club Meets at 27 Chandlers Mead

Every Friday 9-11am

Babies and Toddlers at Hamsey School

Every Friday

After school Cake Sales at Hamsey School

Details from 07762 118 985 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday mornings and Wednesday evenings

Yoga

Monday evenings

Dance Classes

Tuesday evenings

Choir

Wednesday and Friday mornings

Keep Fit

Two new classes are proposed to run at Beechwood Hall soon‌

After school on Mondays

Family Kung Fu Class Learn Chinese Martial Arts in a safe, controlled, family environment. Styles include Chang Chuan, Wing Chun, 5 Animals. Kung Fu has been used for centuries in China to improve health and to learn self-defence. A major aim of the training in our Kung Fu syllabus is for the student to become an all-rounded, healthy martial artist who is a productive member of society.

8.30-9.30am Mondays

Tai Chi Chuan

Begin by learning the Short Yang Form and Qi Gong exercises. Benefits of this gentle form of exercise include: Develop awareness of your body and breath, reduce stress and recover health Learn to dissolve tension and realign your posture Discover a wonderful martial art to harmonise the body and mind For more information on these contact: Audra Marshall - audra1@aol.com 07971 296698

A concert at Beechwood Hall Friday May 8th Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Hamsey school PTA Bar. Come to Beechwood Hall to see awardwinning Australian singer Beck Sian (cousin of Kate Bush) and acclaimed English guitarist, Jonathan Kershaw.

Currently based in West Sussex and touring the UK and internationally with a unique show, which comprises a blend of haunting, beautiful ballads and Celtic fused, emotive guitar.

Performances present a unique entertainment experience, appealing visually as well as aurally, and creating a powerful and special atmosphere.

“We like to take the audience on a journey with us - crossing wild seas, running

through dark woods, roaming castle turrets, encountering ghostly maidens in the moonlight - all through our music.”

The duo have successfully performed in a variety of special places, including National Trust properties, abbeys, ballrooms, art centres, and recently, in the Schauspielhaus Theatre in Leipzig, Germany. Now is your chance to catch them at Beechwood Hall for one night only.

Tickets are available from the hall manager: 07762 118 985 priced at £8 and just £6 for under 18s.

“A touchstone for the best of several musical styles. A truly enjoyable listening experience.”

Michael Lohr (Renaissance Magazine)