Hamsey News

Hamsey NEWS Winter 2014/15 Edition

Aerial shot of the tour of Britain as it passed Bank Cottages, Offham. By David Moore

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

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Intr oduct ions Alisa

Hamsey NEWS

Our new Co-Editors are Ailsa Suttie and Lucy Ward, here is a little about each of them.

I moved to Cooksbridge in May 2013 following 18 years in London, I was looking for a complete change and I’m glad to say I’ve found it! I wanted to be close to the South Downs and to be able to get out walking more frequently, although I’ve since found that sometimes it’s just enough to soak up the beauty of our surroundings out here, so much more beautiful than Clapham Common!

I made my move complete when I gave up work in London and began a new role in Brighton in January which has really added to the balance of life for me and its great having more time in the evenings. People here have been so welcoming and there is a sense of community that I had been missing since leaving Edinburgh all those years ago. It’s that feeling of community that made me want to get involved with the Hamsey News, so many people here are doing so much to improve and enrich life for the Parish and I hope I can contribute too by continuing the News.

If you have any ideas, comments or suggestions for future editions please drop me an email on ailsasuttie@icloud.com or if you see me being dragged along by a Jack Russell just stop me for a chat.

Contents Parish News ����������������������������������������������4 Planning applications ������������������������������4 The Neighbourhood Plan ����������������������8 Monday Afternoon Club ������������������������9 Church News ������������������������������������������10 Beechwood Hall News ��������������������������14 Crime Report ����������������������������������������15

Lucy

Hello, I have only been living in Cooksbridge for five months, I moved out of Brighton to be able to offer my three rescue dogs a better life where they can run and play in open countryside.

We feel blessed because our dreams came true and we have the added joys of new friends, inclusion in a rural community and daily walks on the downs. I believe that Cooksbridge and Hamsey is our little bit of heaven! I have more time to enjoy being at home because my time spent travelling to the University of Brighton has been reduced considerably; the train takes half an hour compared to an hour through Brighton traffic jams. As a social scientist I value the strong sense of community and like to be involved in resolving social issues such as bus cuts.

The dogs and I are often walking at Beechwood, we are all friendly so if you would like to say hi we will be pleased to meet you, alternatively drop me an email lucy_jane_ward@yahoo.co.uk

School News ������������������������������������������16 PTA News ����������������������������������������������17 Cooksbridge Station ������������������������������18 Gardening advice ����������������������������������20 School parking ��������������������������������������22 Contacts ��������������������������������������������������24 Forthcoming Events ������������������������������26 Regular Events ��������������������������������������27

Hamsey NEWS

Hamsey NEWS

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Welcome to the autumn issue of the Hamsey News As you may know the summer issue of the News was Kevin Froude’s last as editor. He has handed the mantle over to Ailsa Suttie and Lucy Ward as co-editors, we hope that we step up to the mark and follow in his footsteps to provide you with an enjoyable and informative Hamsey News!

We make no apologies for including a lengthy section in this issue devoted to the proposed bus cuts and what this could mean to us here in Hamsey. Many thanks to Tamsyn d’Arienzo for writing up a summary of the meeting held at the Beechwood Hall in September.

The Tour of Britain passed through Offham on Saturday 13th September and it was great to see so many people lining the road in support. We have included a selection of great photos contributed by several people.

Thanks also to Judith and her team for a delicious afternoon tea on the Church Green.

It is exciting to see that the hard work and determination put in by the Station Partnership has reaped rewards, read on to hear the good news!

Progress is being made on the Neighbourhood Plan, read on for details, thanks to Mike Dodd for an informative piece on this.

There is much activity going on in the Church with harvest Festival upon us and a packed itinerary coming up towards Christmas.

The Royal Voluntary Service is setting up a Good Neighbourly Service and I’m sure this will be of use to many in our Parish.

The School and PTA are as busy as ever with lots of activities and fun things happening.

Another initiative we are keen to highlight is the Community Speedwatch Campaign spearheaded by Tamsyn d’Arienzo. The number of motorists speeding through the Parish is increasing and it is important for all our safety that we raise awareness of this, thank you to Tamsyn and her team of volunteers for their commitment to this. If you would like to get involved please do contact Tamsyn.

Thanks go to Barcombe Nurseries, Maggie and Martin, for a yummy winter curry recipe.

Thank you to all our contributors for their news and for the hard work that goes into all of the initiatives going on in Hamsey parish.

This is what makes it such a great place to live. If you have any ideas or articles that you would like to see included in future editions please let us know.

Ailsa & Lucy

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish News PARISH COUNCIL The Planning and Environment Committee has met to discuss the following applications: • SDNP/14/04847/LIS 17 Bank Cottages, The Street, Offham.

Replacement of two rear windows and one rear door with new versions of the same design.

The parish council had no objections to the application.

• SDNP/14/04918/FUL The Old Wheelwrights Shop The Street Offham BN7 3QD Amendment to planning approval SDNP/13/01762/FUL for a two bedroom bungalow to replace the flat green sedum roof with a pitched roof of slate.

The parish council committee felt that there were strong grounds for having the flat sedum roof and objected to the application for a change from flat sedum roof to a pitched slate roof.

• LW/14/0712 Former Hamsey Brickworks, South Road, South Common. Outline Planning Application - Redevelopment of industrial estate with 12 x B1 (business) units and enabling residential development of 49 units.

This application is for an area of approximately 1/3 of the total site, the rest being ancient woodland and ponds. This is a beautiful natural habitat which currently has a large flock, approx 50, of visiting Canada Geese as well as a variety of water birds which are frequent visitors during the year.

Hamsey parish council, having listened to the concerns of residents regarding the speed of traffic on the A275 past the site and concerns over the restricted access road and the number of units proposed, the parish councillors put a number of questions to the developers.

Whilst the parish council might not be against some development, it was felt that no infrastructure was in place to

The ancient woodland is a carpet of Bluebells in the spring

Hamsey NEWS

support development at the present time – no cycleway, no footway to connect to schools and transport links and not enough green space available to potential residents. Therefore, Hamsey parish council objects to the application on grounds of over development of the site and lack of infrastructure to support a development of that size.

WASTE & MINERALS The Parish Council considered their response to the ESCC waste & minerals sites plan and agreed that in support of the Bevernbridge residents they would request that the Old Hamsey Brickworks Site be removed from the safeguarded sites list.

FOOTWAY TO BEECHWOOD HALL The parish council has applied to East Sussex County Council to match-fund the cost of constructing a footway to Beechwood Hall and a pedestrian island on the A275 GREENWICH MERIDIAN SIGN The parish council is funding construction of a sign to mark where the Eastern and Western hemispheres meet at Hamsey Common on Hamsey Lane. Engraving is underway and the Monday Group will then weatherproof and install the sign.

ROADS AND TRAFFIC Parking problems at the end of Chandlers Mead are caused by cars parking on the roundabout which is ruining the grass and making it difficult to use the turning circle. The parish council has contacted Lewes District who still own a number of the properties. LDC will send out a letter to residents at that end of Chandlers Mead asking them to be more considerate when parking.

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish News COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH The Community Speedwatch programme is now up and running in the parish.

Thanks to Ian Ginn, Tamsyn d’Arienzo, Jane Disney, Jane Baldwin, Mr Reeves, Owena Lewis and Rupert Radford-Hardy for volunteering to do their bit by donning their high visibility jackets and gunning for speeding motorists (as they slam on their smoking brakes), sending a clear message that speeding is not accepted in our parish.

Rupert decided to join the cause after the sad demise of his cat, Moghi, on the A275 at Offham recently. Rupert said that he passionately believes that the speeding has to be controlled or others will lose beloved pets and it’s likely we will see elderly people and children hurt.

If you too would like to join, please get in touch with Tamsyn d’Arienzo on 01273 473771 or 07921 227623’ BUS SERVICES The Parish Council called a public meeting because the County Council has proposed drastic bus cuts in an effort to reduce their budget, alongside a proposed increase of up to 30% in bus fares. Many of our essential rural bus routes have to be subsidised because they aren’t profitable.

Hamsey parish councillor Tamsyn D’Arienzo says “Some of our most vulnerable residents are the people most likely to be affected and frustratingly their voices are not always heard. It is important to speak up on behalf of others in our community less able to do so and also for future generations because

Ian Ginn chaired a meeting to discuss the bus cuts. L-R: Jenni Toomey, parish clerk.

Sarah Osborne, Lewes District Councillor for East Chiltington and Plumpton, Kate McBrown, Hamsey parish councillor, Ian Ginn, Chair, Hamsey parish council, Rosalyn St Pierre County Councillor for Hamsey parish and Barcombe.

Hamsey NEWS

historically, when these services are gone people rarely succeed in getting them back.”

There were some really emotive points raised at the meeting and they make interesting reading in terms of the real impact cutting the service will have. (Note: The consultation closed at the end of September) Bus services are essential to rural life. Many of us are literally cut off without them.

There are no train services from Cooksbridge at weekends and throughout the day.

People will miss basic services that will not change their times to suit squeezed bus timetables.

Lack of and expensive transport is the single biggest barrier given by Job seekers to finding work Rural communities have been told they have to plan for a certain number of new homes yet they are taking away the services for these people despite a mission to apparently cut car emissions.

Many more teenagers are being bought cars to transport themselves around, despite Sussex being in the worst 25% of districts for road fatalities. A local boy nearly died, aged 17 years, when involved in a serious accident at Chailey and it will only become more common place if youngsters can’t hop on a bus or a train to see friends, get to the gym and sports and social activities.

Older people can feel isolated. These cuts will mean that they physically are isolated.

Some bus drivers report that they are the first people their older passengers speak to in a day and maybe their last.

Working shift pattern trends are changing.

Many more people are working part time,

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zero hours, late or early shifts and this 9-5 assumption is not realistic. Six formers don’t start and finish when other pupils do. A PCSO from Cooksbridge will not be able to get to work for her shifts.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle from Lewes Stop The Cuts Campaign explained that we don’t have to cut services to save money: Up North they tend to use Voluntary Partnerships where profitable route contracts are split and mixed with less profitable routes so one company doesn’t take all of the burden (Compass in our case) of the less profitable and therefore most at risk routes when it comes to cuts. Effectively the profitable routes subsidise the less so.

In London and most European cities they use a Quality Bus Contract scheme. A Quality Bus Contract Scheme would mean that East Sussex would be responsible for deciding where buses run, how often they run, what fares and tickets are available, what quality standards buses run to and what happens if things go wrong. Made by local councillors, these decisions would be based on local needs and priorities and affordability.

These are both viable options, the County has to be more savvy about who is making money out of their residents and making sure the service stays a service and not just a profiteering exercise.

It’s vital that as many people as possible speak up to back up the County Councillors who have joined together on this, it will have a long term and real effect on our community.

Tamsyn D’Arienzo

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Hamsey NEWS

Hamsey Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2014-30 I am pleased to be able to report that during the summer the writing team have made significant progress in creating a draft Neighbourhood Plan for Hamsey Parish. It takes into account feedback from residents and local businesses, evidence both historic and current, with input also from outside bodies including Lewes District Council (LDC), Action in rural Sussex and independent consultants from Planning Aid. RESIDENTS CONSULTATION The next major step in the process is a six week consultation phase when all residents of Hamsey and other stakeholders can look at the draft plan and make comment.

We are holding an open morning on Saturday 29th November between 10am and 1pm which is an opportunity for you to meet members of the team and give any comment on the draft plan. You will be able to access the plan from Monday 24th November on www.Hamsey.net or pick up a hard copy from the school, Offham Garage or the Rainbow Inn. This consultation phase for residents will last for six weeks and any comments will either be used to make changes to the plan or if not, they will be recorded and a reason Your one-stop wood shop Bespoke Staircases Wooden Furniture Antique Restoration

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for not incorporating them given.

WIDER PUBLIC CONSULTATION When the final draft is in place then in will go to a wider public consultation which LDC will organise. We can’t predict what if any, issues might be raised at this point with a need to be addressed, but once this has happened we could be looking at late spring 2015 to go to referendum.

THE REFERENDUM Our plan will include a number of policies covering future use of land in the parish, which will guide how any future development in the parish is approached by the local planning authority (LDC). It is these policies which you will be able to vote upon at the referendum.

LOCAL PROJECTS We have also identified (through residents’ feedback) local projects which would benefit Hamsey. These also form part of the local plan and as such are not voted on, however the Steering Group decided to include these within the overall plan for a more holistic view. I look forward to giving you a further update in the winter edition.

Mike Dodd Chair Hamsey Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

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Hamsey NEWS

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Monday Afternoon Club The highlight of our summer meetings was on August 11th when we hosted a very special birthday party to mark long time Cooksbridge resident Iris Winch’s 100th birthday. Iris has now moved to Nightingales, a residential home in Newick but hardly ever misses our meetings. The church hall looked very attractive with bunting and balloons to celebrate Iris’s big day. Church organist, Joan Parish, produced an amazing birthday cake in the form of an Edwardian hat beautifully decorated in lilac icing complete with sugar irises (of course!).Music for the afternoon was in the very capable hands of Callum Poole, Ursula Hares’s grandson, who led singing of some old time favourites on his guitar. He then widened our horizons with a quick burst of Heavy Metal!

By the time this newsletter appears in your letter box we’ll all be thinking about Christmas (how many shopping days

to go…?) We are already planning the Monday Afternoon Club Christmas Lunch for 12.30 pm on Monday December 8thin Offham Church Hall. It’s always such a very happy occasion with a 3 course hot meal( including turkey and ham pie and Christmas pud) wine, crackers and seasonal music, We’d love as many people as possible to come so do contact me (474356) if you are a retired present or former resident of our villages. It’s a lovely start to the Christmas festivities.

And looking further ahead we have a very full and varied programme planned for 2015. Do join us in Offham Church Hall at 2pm on the second Monday of the month.

You’ll be assured of a very warm welcome – not to mention some delicious cakes!

Lifts always available. We look forward to seeing you.

Judith Bastide

Chailey & Newick Painting Group Chailey & Newick Painting Group’s annual exhibition and sale of members’ work takes place this year on Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, 23rd, from 10 am - 5 pm, at Chailey village hall (on A275, just south of the Five Bells).

All framed paintings will be new to the exhibition, representing the fruits of our artistic labours over the past 12 months.

We will also present unframed work and, as ever, there will be the opportunity to stock www.chaileyandnewickpaintinggroup.org.uk

up on our very popular artists’ greetings cards. Members will be demonstrating their painting skills throughout the exhibition and visitors will be able to relax with a hot drink and a piece of home-made cake.

Admission is free, there is plentiful parking and also wheel-chair access.

We look forward to giving a warm welcome both to familiar faces and new visitors alike at this very enjoyable weekend event.

Carlina Oliver (Chairman)

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Hamsey NEWS

News from your Parish Church GUYS AND DOLLS

BRAVO CYCLISTS!

August may be thought of as a quieter month as so many people tend to be away on holiday but much still happens in and around Offham Church. Our annual coach trip to Chichester Festival Theatre (this year 36 of us went to see “Guys and Dolls”) was generally voted our best ever – and the Carvery Supper on the way home was well up to the usual standard! The theatre trip is one of those really nice occasions when an event is organised by the church but is well supported by the whole village community.

Look out for details of our annual skittles evening next February which is also a fun event open to everyone.

The beginning of September saw great excitement all round Sussex when the penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain Cycle Race came to the county. We couldn’t believe our luck when we saw the route went straight past Offham Church. So many people came to enjoy the All Day Refreshments served in the Church Hall (and later on the Church lawn in the afternoon sunshine) by a brilliant team of helpers. We did though give ourselves half an hour off to join the rest of Offham residents lining the roadside to cheer on Bradley Wiggins and the rest of the cyclists.

What a great afternoon that was.

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Hamsey NEWS

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TOB Cyclists as they flew through Offham

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Hamsey NEWS

Church News continued WE WILL REMEMBER THEM There were two poignant evenings in August marking 100 years since the outbreak of WW1.

Hamsey Evensong in August was on the eve of the centenary .The church was beautifully decorated with sheaves of corn and poppies as a backdrop to the Rector lighting 13 candles – one for each of the young men from Hamsey parish who gave their lives in the conflict. He went on to give a thumbnail sketch of each of them fleshing out who those young soldiers were whose names appear on our war memorial.

Later in the month, on Friday evening August 22, Jo Hughes arranged an evening in Offham Church Hall devoted to more general memories of World War 1.People

r ed ve , r e at ride ove h w ou tc i y ve ha e w Large ra ng bikes av e of ailable Extensiv e st ock parts an d access of ories Servicing an d re pa fully qual ified mec ir by hanics There’s so met for everyo hing ne

brought along poems and memorabilia to share and the evening finished with some musical recollections.

SAD NEWS In June there were great birthday celebrations in Offham Church Hall to mark Bill Hudson’s 96th birthday so it seemed particularly sad that shortly afterwards he had a fall and has now left Cooksbridge to live in a Nursing Home in East Hoathly. We were even more saddened to learn of the death of his wife Phyllis who had not been in good health for several years. The Rector took her funeral service in Offham Church on August 26th. We extend our sympathy to their daughter Anne and her family at this difficult time.

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY There is so much to look forward to in the next few months.

Harvest Festival is on Sunday October 5th.

It’s a time when the church always looks (and smells!) so wonderful. This year most of the harvest produce will be given to Lewes Food Bank. The Harvest Supper in the Church Hall is on Friday October 17th.

It’s always a very good evening so do call the Rectory (474356) for more details if you would like to come.

In November the mood changes to the solemnity of Remembrance Sunday on November 9th. The first part of the service is in Offham Church before we move outside at 11am for the Last Post and wreath laying.

With all the conflicts in our world at the moment these simple actions seem to have added significance.

And so to December and Christmas.

Hamsey Carols is at 3pm on Sunday December 14th, the children’s Nativity Play (and fingers crossed – we think we have a live baby this year!)is at 10.30 am on Sunday December 21st and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 6 .30pm on the same day. Both as always are in Offham Church. And on the big day itself- Midnight Mass starts at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve and Family Communion at 9.45 am on Christmas morning. The latter is probably the most joyful of all the services with always a very large number of excited children I look forward to seeing you at some – or maybe all! - of these services.

Derek Bastide Rector

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Hamsey NEWS

Beechwood Hall News The trustees of Beechwood Hall are pleased to report the completion of the resurfacing of the veranda area by local company Terra Firma of Hailsham. The non slip surface also includes a ramp to the field. Additionally, a ramp has been constructed leading from the car park to the playground. Both works have greatly improved accessibility for wheelchair and pushchair users; the works look great and definitely enhance the hall and surrounding area. A grant application has been made to “zeroheroes” to replace the fence around the playground. Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to vote for this project, let’s hope our funding bid is successful.

Sadly the hall notice-board and adjoining chestnut fence abutting the car park has been badly damaged by an act of vandalism when a car was reversed into the board and fence, breaking its rear windscreen and destroying the board. The police have been informed and repairs are underway.

Fortunately, we experience little damage

due vandalism but members of the public are asked to be vigilant and report any suspicions of such acts to the police

Regular events at Beechwood Hall Details of all the classes are available from 01273 890621 • Yoga with Robin Tassie every Monday morning and Wednesday evening.

• Yoga with Paul Collins Monday Late mornings Yoga with Lisa Murphy every Tuesday morning • Dance classes every Monday evening • Community Choir every Tuesday evening • QiGong Classes with Rose Furhemann on Thursday mornings • Keep Fit with Katie Wier on Friday mornings • There is potential for a Pilates class starting on Wednesday mornings if there is enough interest to run one.

Royal Voluntary Service Support for Disabled People The Royal Voluntary Service are setting up a Good Neighbourly Service. These are voluntary groups that look to support & help local residents with some of the basic day to day living needs. They are looking for volunteers within the Lewes District who have some spare time to offer support for residents over 50 with disabilities in order to reduce social isolation. This would involve helping neighbours with things

like shopping gardening transport form filling or just being a friend to chat to. The Royal Voluntary Service are able to provide support to individuals & groups willing to start a scheme in their area.

If you are interested please contact Nadine Fry on 07423471017 or e mail nadine.fry@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk for more information.

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Crime Report UPDATES

BURGLARY 1 1 2

We had 4 incidents of criminal damage in September.

These were damage to a vehicle in Offham on the 9/9, damage to a window at Station Mews Cooksbridge on the 15/9, damage to a tree in Chandlers Mead Cooksbridge on the 17/9 & damage to the sign at Beechwood Hall on the 20/9 which may or may not have been due to a car accident in the car park.

Sally-Anne Reed

CRIMINAL DAMAGE 2 4 6

OPERATION CRACKDOWN

VIOLENCE

Since the beginning of the year Crackdown has been working with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership looking at how we can store the data that is generated by the reports crackdown receives. With over 157000 reports now on crackdown, this data can be used to provide an accurate picture of where anti social driving takes place.

The new “dashboard� for interrogating the data that crackdown receives can be found at www.dashboard.sussexsrp.org.uk It also shows what crackdown did with the information. This is now public information that you can use - there is no password to enter, so please have a look and see what you think.

At this time crackdown is up to date with reports and currently processing speedwatch reports within 24 hours.

July August September TOTAL THEFTS 2 2 VEHICLE CRIME

OTHER TOTAL 3 3

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Hamsey NEWS

News from Hamsey School Autumn at Hamsey School September and a new school year arrived, but when we re-opened in a spell of glorious weather it felt like we were still in the middle of summer! This meant that all through September, we have been able to make full use of our wonderful field for break times, PE, Forest School and other outdoor learning opportunities. We have also welcomed our new Reception children and their families, as well as children new to the school in other year groups.

It has already been an incredibly busy term. Badgers Class are learning about life in Roman times which was brought to life when a Roman soldier visited them for the day and really put them through their paces!

They even learned some Latin phrases.

Hedgehogs and Foxes have had a slightly more gentle time with a focus on traditional tales and alternative versions of them and they thoroughly enjoyed a puppet show in only the second week back. Meanwhile, our oldest children have been learning about the First World War and are looking forward to a visit to London to see the stage production of War Horse in November.

The children have also been enjoying lots of different after school activities this term

including gardening, mini forest school, multi sports, fun club for our youngest children, netball, sewing and textiles and code club. Code club gives the opportunity for children to have a go at programming computers and is very popular with our older year groups. With such a range there seems to be something for everyone!

We have all been working hard learning songs and poems to present at our Harvest Festival in St Peters Church, Offham. For this traditional celebration the children also bring non-perishable food gifts, which are distributed for us by the church.

Christmas is only just round the corner and with it some dates for diaries! This year, our celebrations include the Christmas Fayre held at the school on Friday 5th December from 3.00pm – 5.0pm, followed by ‘A Musical Christmas’ on the afternoon of Tuesday 16th December in St Peters Church, Offham. This will be presented by Years 4,5,6 and include a mixture of contemporary Christmas songs, along with some traditional carols. Not to be outdone, our younger children will be presenting their Christmas performance in Beechwood Hall on the afternoon and evening of Thursday 18th December. It would be lovely to see some of you at these events.

Finally, we have an open morning planned for Thursday 20th November from 9.30 – 11.00. If you have a child who is due to start school next year, please do come along and see us at work and play! Also, if you know anyone else who might be interested in visiting our school, please let them know about this date. We look forward to seeing some of you soon!

A Roman soldier visited the school

Helen Smith Head teacher

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PTA News Another school year is upon us and once more we welcome all the new children and parents who have started at the school!

Harvest festival is upon us and it still feels as like summer – long may it last.

We want to say a big thank you to Emma for chairing the Hamsey School Fundraisers this year and her great vice chair Anna and of course the lovely Rachel for her continued Treasurer role. Plus all the parents and carers that gave their time and energy to our school fundraising efforts. Throughout the year the team raised a grand total of £3,051.58. With this money we are able to help pay for Forest school classes and cover the cost of the bus to Lewes leisure centre for swimming lessons for all the children.

We are meeting for our general AGM soon to discuss how best to spend the rest of the money and to appoint a new chair.

Our Christmas Fair will take place on the Friday 5th December at the school Hall. We welcome any input into this event, the more festive the better- stalls and activities are needed, so please contact us at the school if you are interested in running /organising a stall. Just baking a few mince pies or coming along with your little ones would be great – all are welcome! We always need a good Santa and helper so please let us know if you would like to fulfil this role!

Remember we’ve registered our school on www.easyfundraising.co.uk. This is a website that helps charities, schools, sports clubs, community groups, and other good causes to raise money when their supporters shop online. So please go on the website, register and choose us (Hamsey Community School PTA) as your chosen cause. It’s a great way to help us fundraise by doing your normal shopping.

Already this term we have had visits from a puppet theatre and a Roman Centurion, while a few parents planned a whole school art day to create beautiful woodland willow creations to brighten up the hall. These days are certainly turning the Hamsey school environment into a fantastic creative space for the children to work and play in. Long may these Art days continue- any people in the community who would like to share their skills with the children please feel free to contact the school.

The Spooky Craft Fair for the children is at 3.15pm- 5 pm on Wednesday 22nd OctoberFeel free to come along and join in the funWatch out for the posters! There are prizes for fancy dress and best carved pumpkin….

A Hamsey pupil studying for Forest School

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Hamsey NEWS

Cooksbridge Station Partnership GREAT NEWS! ANOTHER STOPPING TRAIN AT COOKSBRIDGE! A long campaign by the Station Partnership, supported by residents and travellers, for five additional weekday services has yielded one success – from Jan 5th 2015 the 2047 from London Victoria will stop at Cooksbridge.

There is now (at least) one down-train an hour from 1547 to 2147 and the new service will be particularly useful for those working late in London.

This is only the second success since the campaign started in earnest in 2009.

Southern are extremely resistant to persuasion to stop more services, citing small passenger volumes, impact on overall

journey times and network constraints.

We do not accept the arguments and the campaign will continue, again with a focus on some target additional services which we can argue in detail. If you have any opinion on the most useful 4 or 5 additional services, please get in touch. We will also be seeking more media coverage for a general campaign for parity with Plumpton, i.e. the provision of an hourly service 7 days a week. We have already written to the new CEO of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern Franchise introducing ourselves and making it quite clear that we won’t be going away!

Station Facilities Southern has made efforts to deal with the problems with the ticket vending machine

Station Partnership members Kevin Froude, Robert Baughan and Ian Ginn celebrated the additional stopping service

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New artwork for the station waiting room has been provided by Hamsey School (TVM) but reliability remains an issue.

This is particularly frustrating for travellers wanting to collect pre-paid tickets from the machine. The Station Partnership escalates every problem reported. Southern has agreed to fit a “daylight visibility screen” to reduce glare and help customers use the machine on the occasions that it is working.

The Station Partnership is grateful to both Southern and Hamsey PC for their generous grants. The next major investment will be a second bench on the upside, located close to the waiting room.

Thanks to Helen Smith and Allan Wright – and the pupils at Hamsey School – for the great new artwork for the waiting room. It’s well worth a look.

Gardens The planters have looked splendid all summer, thanks to the expertise of Julie Philpott and the dedicated team of waterers.

The garden at the front of the station, though relatively new, is already looking very mature. The gardens on the approaches to platform 1 need more time to develop and further plants will be added in the autumn.

The more we do the greater the maintenance load. We have now established a regular gardening session at 9.30am on the first Sunday of each month. Please do feel free to come along. Also two more waterers to complete the current team of 5 would be most welcome. If you can help in any way please contact one of us.

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20

Hamsey NEWS

Some seasonal words from Barcombe Nurseries

Learning to live with Weeds Harry, our soon-to-graduate apprentice, has come back inspired from his last training session with the Soil Association. I caught him ‘mowing’ the Kale today; that is - in between the rows. Not only does it stop the weeds suffocating the vegetables, but cutting them down, releases the nitrogen, from the clover, but also the weeds, to nourish the soil.

Adrian Halstead who set up Barcombe Nurseries in 1997 has never been one to worry about tidying his borders. As a result they are buzzing with the busyness of pollinating, pest-eating insects and birds. It is impossible to keep ‘on top’ of the weeds; that is not to say it isn’t alarming to watch them grow, and a constant item on the to do list. They are challenge to work with rather than against.

We pull, we hoe, we disturb, we flame-weed and we mow; we do it standing up, kneeling down or lying horizontally on the solar panel ‘lazy’ weeder. It’s all about timing: before they set seed; until the vegetable seedlings get large enough to protect themselves; regularly so the roots never

take hold. It is about knowing which weeds to tackle and which to leave - the ‘good’ weeds that won’t twist themselves around the crops’ roots, like chickweed which acts as a low, ground covering canopy - and the ‘bad’ weeds, like bindweed, that do. We had team of volunteers spend a whole day this beautiful summer trying to clear the nursery of the Gallant Soldier weed - our most recent interloper which can reproduce, it seems, from seed, or stem or root! One good thing - and there are many - about the Autumn and Winter is that the weeds slow down. We can take a welcome breather and survey the oranges, greys and chestnuts of the Pumpkins and Squashes peeking through the diminishing foliage. This year’s wonderfully juicy Leeks are big enough now to grow above their competitors for soil and sunlight. And the Kale, well, that has now been ‘mown’!

Barcombe Nurseries is an Organic Vegetable Grower and Box Delivery Scheme within 2 miles of Hamsey and Cooksbridge. We combine our own crops with those of other Organic growers in East Sussex and further

Garden Studio 38 Prince Edward’s Road Lewes East Sussex

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Hamsey NEWS

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afield to create a varied, affordable box that is delivered to your door. If there are things you don’t like or perhaps grow yourselves we can substitute them for other vegetables of the same value. (See advert) We are holding a Farm Walk and Pumpkin Carving afternoon on Saturday 25th October from 3-7pm. You would be very

welcome to join us, but please let us know if you plan to come so that we can make enough soup to offer you as the evening draws in.

Contact us on 01273-400011 or through barcombenurseries@tiscali.co.uk or see our website www.barcombenurseries.co.uk for more details.

Now try a delicious and warming recipe from Barcombe Nurseries:

SQUASH AND CHICKPEA CURRY A fragrant and spicy way of using freshly harvested ripe squash. This is best with a fresh homemade curry paste, but any shop bought pastes of your choice are fine! This recipe feeds two with rice and chapattis as a side.

One Onion, finely sliced.

1 tbsp Whole Cumin seeds 3 tbsp Curry paste of your choice.

500g Squash, chopped into 1 inch pieces One Tin of chickpeas 200ml Water 100g Plain yoghurt One Bunch of Coriander, finely chopped ½ Lemon, juiced

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Preheat oven to 200C. In an oven proof casserole dish (preferably with a lid) heat 2 tablespoons of oil and fry the Onion gently for about 5 minutes. Add the Cumin and fry for another minute then add the curry paste. Fry this off for a few minutes until all the fragrant flavours have infused with the oil and onions. Add your squash and chickpeas and fry for another few minutes, stirring often till it is covered in the mixture. Add your seasoning to taste and then top up with the water. Bring to the boil, place a lid on and bake for around 30-40 minutes till the vegetables are soft.

Take out of the oven, and let it sit for about 5 mins, then stir in the yoghurt, coriander and lemon juice and serve.

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22

Hamsey NEWS

Park Pal

Driveways currently shared A big ‘Thank You’ from Hamsey Parish Council, Hamsey School, their neighbours and Hamsey School families to those residents who are kindly sharing their driveways during school pick up and drop off times on week days.

Cllr. Kate McBrown, Wendy Derby, Andrea Campbell, Jane Disney, Jane Baldwin, Jim and Suzie Edwards, Kirsty Curran, Lucy Ward, Danya and Steve - you are all brilliant.

Danya and Lucy had only just moved to the village when they offered to share their driveways. Parents traveling from Lewes can park at one of 2 available driveways near to the Old Malthouse.

After a very positive Welcome Meeting for new parents, we now have more parents signed up for driveway sharing than we have driveways. We have some Barcombe and Chailey families who would be particularly grateful for use of a driveway north of the level crossing and a lovely family with a tiny baby to carry who I know would appreciate a safe, nearby place to park.

If you would like to help, or to ask any questions, we would love to hear from you: Tamsyn D’Arienzo 01273 473771, 07921 227623, tamsyndarienzo@yahoo.co.uk

Hamsey NEWS

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24

Hamsey NEWS

Peace Fields Chailey school invited Hamsey, Fletching, Barcombe, Wivelsfield and Plumpton schools to play in a junior football tournament on 16th October. Prizes were awarded to teams for fair play.

In the week leading up to Christmas 1914 groups of German, British and allied soldiers stopped fighting to sing festive songs. Some on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ventured in to “No man’s land” to exchange gifts and to play games of football.

Today the truce is remembered as a symbolic moment of peace and humanity.

An action taken by soldiers caught up in the conflict of WW1. Arguably, the horrors of war made men turn to a form of childhood, to play a game of football, to momentarily

forget their tragic situation. It was a humanitarian act that every child and adult needs to engage in together.

Working in partnership with the Peace Village, Messines, Belgium (site of the 1914 Christmas Truce) the Peace Field Project (PFP) invited schools not only to commemorate WW1 and the Christmas Truce but also to celebrate peace, through reflecting on a moment in history that inspires humanitarianism.

Hamsey School teams, years 3 & 4 and5 & 6 played well and showed true sportsmanship, shaking players’ hands at the end of each match. A great time was had by all, so thank you to Chailey School for organising it.

Pics show the Badgers (left) and Owls (right)

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Hamsey NEWS

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

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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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Hamsey NEWS

Forthcoming Events Sunday November 2

Thursday November 20th

Cooksbridge Station from 9.30am

Hamsey School 9.30-11.00am

Gardening session Saturday November 8

The Love Your Bus Campaign

Organised by Lewes Stop The Cuts is holding a rally in Lewes precinct to protest against the cuts to bus services and the 30% increase in fares. There will be people there who will tell you how they will be affected by the cuts. Your contribution would be very welcome too. Do come along to the rally and join us in delivering a symbolic bus to County Hall after the rally Lewes Precinct 11.00am Contact lewesstopthecuts@gmail.com if you would like further information

Open Morning

Saturday & Sunday November 22/23 Chailey & Newick Painting Group’s

Annual Exhibition

Chailey Village Hall 10am – 5pm Saturday November 29

Open Morning

to comment on the Neighbourhood Plan. Beechwood Hall between 10am – 1.00pm.

Friday December 5

Christmas Fayre

Hamsey School 3.00-5.00pm Sunday December 7

Sunday November 9

Gardening Session

Offham Church 11am

Monday December 8

Remembrance Service Thursday November 13

Hamsey Parish Council meeting Beechwood Hall. 7.15pm

Cooksbridge Station from 9.30am

Monday Afternoon Club Christmas Lunch Offham Church Hall 12.30pm

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Hamsey NEWS

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Regular Events Sunday December 14

Mondays

Hamsey Church 3pm

2pm, second Monday in the month, Monday Afternoon Club in Church Hall

Hamsey Carols

Tuesday December 16th

A musical Christmas

Tuesdays

with years 4, 5, 6 Hamsey School St.Peter’s Church, Offham

9am Running Club meet at 27 Chandlers Mead (term time only)

Tuesday December 16th

Wednesdays

Carols and Mince Pies Evening.

Christmas music from the choir with audience participation for the traditional carols. Seasonal refreshments provided.

No charge but retiring collection for charity.

Beechwood Hall. 7.30-9.30pm.

Thursday December 18

Hamsey School Christmas Performance

Beechwood Hall. Afternoon & evening Sunday December 21

7.30pm Pilates in the Church Hall (term time only)

Thursdays 10am-11.30am Toddler Tunes in the Church Hall

Fridays 9am-11am Babies and Toddlers at Hamsey School (term time only) After school cake sales at Hamsey School (term time only)

Children’s Nativity Play Offham Church 10.30am Service and Carols 6.30pm Christmas Eve

Midnight Mass

Offham Church 11.30pm Christmas Day

Family Communion Offham Church 9.45am Thursday January 15

Hamsey Parish Council meeting Beechwood Hall. 7.15pm

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