Hamsey News

Hamsey NEWS Winter 2015/16 Edition

Members of the Monday Afternoon Club enjoyed a delicious Christmas Lunch

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

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Hamsey NEWS

Very exciting news has just come in!

An application to the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme has been considered by the shortlisting panel and our project for a new youth shelter at the Beechwood Park, has been chosen to receive a grant.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? This is such hot news that we cannot tell you much more right now but you will be able to vote for this project in your local Tesco store from Saturday 27th February 2016 until Sunday 6th March 2016. and the more votes we get, the larger the amount we will receive.

Please check out the community website on www.hamsey.net and the parish noticeboards for updates on this exciting project and get on down to Tesco to cast your votes.

Replies to a survey at the Hamsey Festival 2015 were overwhelmingly in favour of a traditional style for the new youth shelter.

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CONTENTS Welcome ����������������������������������������������5 Parish News ����������������������������������������6 Beechwood Hall ��������������������������������8 School report ��������������������������������������9 Neighbourhood Plan ����������������������10

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.

Station News ������������������������������������12 Church News ������������������������������������16 Afternoon Club ����������������������������������19 Rhubarbs Recipes ����������������������������20 Events ������������������������������������������������22

PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES A big thank you goes out to all the local businesses that have advertised and supported Hamsey News Please support local businesses and mention Hamsey News when responding to advertisers

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Hamsey NEWS

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Hamsey NEWS

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WELCOME TO THE WINTER 2015/16 ISSUE OF THE HAMSEY NEWS Wishing you all a belated but very Happy New Year and welcome to the first issue of the Hamsey News for 2016!

As ever its been busy in the Parish and there’s lots to catch up on in this edition. Mike Dodd has given us a comprehensive update on the Neighbourhood Plan and Kevin Froude has some interesting news on the Station Partnership, there is a survey to complete with this edition too. It would be really helpful if as many people could complete this as possible, in an effort to support the great work the team do in trying to get us better train services.

Rhubarb’s Recipes makes a return this issue and to go along with it we have a new column ‘The Spirit of Hamsey’ in which Wendy Darby tells us how garden produce and the fruits of foraging can be turned into liqueurs. Cheers, Wendy!

Anita Walker will be running the jumble sale again this year so please read her article and

donate if you can.

The Village day is still looking for volunteers to ensure it goes ahead, Tamsyn has given us some words on that. If you could give some time it would be much appreciated as it would be such a shame if it didn’t happen this year. Please contact Tamsyn if you can offer any help.

The Litter Pick went ahead earlier this month and it was surprising how much was collected from the Parish. I was surprised, in particular, to hear how much dog mess was cleared away especially bagged mess which had been left in the lanes. I would think this may be left by dog walkers who come into the parish for the lovely walks but if you see anyone leaving this then please ask them to remove it.

I hope you enjoy this issue and if you have anything you’d like to contribute just send it my way (ailsasuttie@icloud.com).

Warmest wishes.

Ailsa

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Hamsey NEWS

Parish News FINANCE The parish council is pleased to be able to maintain its share of the council tax with no increase to residents. Despite making a large donation toward the new pavement in Beechwood Lane and continuing to support maintenance of the Beechwood park and Hamsey Old Churchyard, council reserves are still looking healthy.

PLANNING

THE MALTHOUSE PLAYPARK

The following decisions have been made

by Lewes District Council/ The South Downs Park Authority:

The parish council continues to chase up Lewes District Council who agreed over a year ago to hand responsibility for the little play park in Malthouse Way over to the Hamsey parish Council. The parish council is keen to be in a position to make improvements to the park.

• LW/15/0718 Field Adjacent To Hamsey Manor,The Drove Offham - Increase roof height of the stables, tack room, field shelter and hay and lambing barn by 50 cm – granted • LW/15/0587 Land At Cosy Dene, Cooksbridge Road, Cooksbridge - Erection of detached dwelling - granted • SDNP/15/03962/FUL Erection of a fabric canopy to cover the area in between the filling station and the shop - Offham Filling Station, The Street - granted • LW/15/0659 Sunnyside, Resting Oak Hill, Cooksbridge - Removal of bay window and porch to south east (front) elevation and erection of porch and lean to and double fronted bay windows and replacement sash windows to first floor – granted • The parish council was pleased to note that the emerging plan from the South Downs Park Authority is a landscape led plan, much in line with parish council views.

• Parish councillors will continue working with residents of the Bevernbridge Area to try and get the best possible outcome from the recently approved application for a large housing development on the Old Brickworks site.

MAINTENANCE IN THE PARISH Following alerts from residents, the parish council has pressed for clearing works on the pavement between Offham and Lewes and this has now been carried out. The PC has also requested measures to prevent the recent flooding that occurred near the junction of the B2116 and A275.

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD The noticeboard in Whitfeld lane which was no longer needed by the parish council will be used by a Hamsey resident to display community notices and any relevant useful local information.

If you would like to put a notice up there please contact the clerk in the first instance.

SPENDING A PENNY Trustees of Beechwood hall were asked if a toilet available for public use could be provided in the Beechwood Rural Park. The enquiry was passed to the parish council who own the hall and park.

Despite some concerns over possible misuse of the facility, the parish council agreed that if trustees will share the cost of installing a porta loo, this will be trialled for 30 weeks from the Easter holidays.

Hamsey NEWS

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January Litter Pick Thanks go to Pete, Terry, Micky, Margot, Jim, Dinah and young Luca who joined Cllr.

Robert Baughan and Cllr. Tamsyn d’Arienzo on Saturday 9th January for the first litter pick of 2016. What a shocking amount of rubbish so few people collected. So much so that Margot and Jim had to purchase extra bin bags from Offham garage during their mammoth trek between The Chalk pit and the school. Cllr.

Baughan had to make 2 journeys to Lewes Waste and Recycling site.

Next litter pick is on Saturday 9th April, 9.30am at Beechwood Hall this time.

As the Annual Parish Jumble Sale is on the same day (2pm), why not take the opportunity to drop off some of your unwanted items at the hall when we meet. ‘Thank you’ teas and coffees for all litter-picking volunteers back at the hall at 11.30am!

The theme for this litter pick is Clean for the Queen, as litter pick groups nationwide coordinate events to clean up Britain ahead of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

New Litter, Waste and Recycling page on www.Hamsey.net.

We will be regularly updating our community website with information on all things litter. If you would like to see additional information listed here please send the request to clerk@ hamsey.net and the litter team will endeavour to update it with what’s most useful to you.

Hamsey NEWS

Beechwood Hall Trustees Following consultation at the last Hamsey Festival, trustees will be looking to replace the rather tired youth shelter with a new but still traditional design of shelter. Grants are currently being sought and it is hoped the new shelter will be erected in time for the summer weather.

Current news from the Trustees is that they are seeking a replacement for John Drury who has moved out of the Parish and did great work as secretary. An invitation is extended to interested parties to put their names forward to take on this role and join the team who are responsible for progressing Hall business. Trustees meet four times each year and the secretary would need to produce the agenda for each of those meetings, take notes and write up the minutes from the meetings. There might also be a small amount of paperwork to do throughout the year, but John has already got all the required paperwork in place for the hall to run correctly. The hall manager, treasurer and chair of the trustees will offer full support for anyone wanting to take on this role.

Trustees would like to thank Sue Edwards for her kind assistance with maintaining the lovely flower beds around the hall. Visitors to the playground have often commented on how cheerful the planter boxes look. Sue has now decided she would like to take a break and so trustees are looking for one or two residents who would like to take over this small but much appreciated task.

To indicate your interest in either role, please contact the parish council clerk, Jenni Toomey: clerk@hamsey.net

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Children’s Christmas party On the 19th of December, the village held a Christmas party that was attended by 40 children from within the parish. They had a great afternoon with the help of an entertainer and lots of tasty food to eat. Thanks go to the Beechwood Hall trustees who very kindly donated the money for this to happen. I would also like to thank Natalie Welfare and Tamsyn D’Arienzo who helped me to put such a great afternoon together. Also, I would like to thank Julie who also helped out. Look out for information on our next event coming soon.

Kate McBrown

Fun and games at the Christmas party

School Report CHRISTMAS AT HAMSEY CP SCHOOL A Primary school at Christmas is a hive of activity and excitement – and Hamsey Primary was DEFINITELY both as we celebrated the festive season with singing, dancing, acting and decorating in the run up to the end of term.

This term saw us achieve a milestone in our school’s history when we reached 100 pupils – a testament to our great reputation both near and far!

We supported the Children In Need charity in November with spotty costumes, a sponsored “Pudsey Workout” across the school and a wellattended cake sale at the end of the day. Once the money was all gathered and counted we had raised over £700, and all had a thoroughly good day to boot!

RESULT FOR CHILDREN IN NEED The younger children in our school busily rehearsed for the much anticipated Christmas nativity story – we love to choose a version with a twist to perform each year - and this year we presented “Prickly Hay” – told from the perspective of those who lived and worked in the barn where the baby Jesus was born. All the hard work by our Early Years and Key Stage One staff paid off, as the final production at Beechwood

Hall was absolutely fantastic – our Year Four carol singers set the tone for a great Christmas, the Cowboy Choir sang like angels, the actors were magnificent and our parents and carers were visibly moved by the performances of their children.

Our Badger Class (Years 3 and 4) experienced the passion and culture of Brazilian Carnival – I expect many of you heard the drums reverberating around the village from the school in the middle of December! This was a fun, action-packed way to round off their work on The Amazon Rainforest. We were joined by local dance instructor, Alison, and a carnival drummer from Brighton, Alex, to recreate the sounds, dances and colours of a vibrant carnival. It was a real tonic on a cold, overcast day to see the whole school – and some of our parents – dancing with us around our playground at the end of the day!

Elsewhere around the school, our oldest pupils – Owl Class (Years 5 and 6) – participated in the county-wide “Big Sing” at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne. For many of the children it was their first time performing in such a large venue and with such a large group of children from around East Sussex, and their singing was enthusiastic and beautiful.

We here at Hamsey School hope that you had a Merry Christmas and that the New Year is both Happy and Prosperous for you all!

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Hamsey NEWS

Hamsey Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2016-30 Since the autumn newsletter, two key stages in the process towards adoption of the Hamsey Neighbourhood Plan have happened and been successfully concluded: 1, The six weeks regulation 16 consultation.

2, The independent examination report.

1. THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION TOOK PLACE FROM 29 SEPTEMBER AND ENDED ON 10 NOVEMBER 2015 There were representations from 12, mainly statutory consultees totalling 17 separate submissions: • East Sussex County Council • Highways England • Historic England • Lewes District Council • Marine Management Organisation • National Grid • Natural England • South Downs National Park Authority • Sports England • Southern Water X2 • Sigma Planning for Rydon Homes X2 • Henry Dodson X4 The details of these representations can be easily accessed via the internet, from the front page of the Hamsey Neighbourhood plan Lewes District Council.

2. THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION REPORT Towards the end of November these representations together with the proposed Neighbourhood Plan were handed over to the independent examiner for scrutiny. The report resulting from the examination was sent to Lewes District Council who subsequently copied the report to Hamsey Parish Council.

As you may well imagine, the writing team and steering group awaited with baited breath!

A fair number of Neighbourhood Plans in England have been rejected at this stage, which is a massive set back and we knew that there are always a good number of recommended changes made by examiners on plans, which in essence must be accepted.

First impressions gained from reading the report were very positive and accordingly, the writing team were able to meet just before Christmas and go through each point, word for word. Overall the team were very pleased with the response and unanimous in their agreement with the examiner’s findings and recommendations.

Whilst there were a modest number of changes required to the polices, the result will make the polices within the plans, vision and objectives stronger, which is indeed great news.

Having said this, the examiner also wanted us to separate the policies/projects within the plan. It is of course the polices which will be voted on at referendum not the projects. We will naturally be working to ensure that these changes are made without watering down the aspirations, often met and defined by the projects within the plan.

The examiner has recommended that once modified the plan should proceed to referendum.

By the next edition of the Hamsey newsletter, I hope to be in a position to advise when the referendum will be, this date will be largely determined by Lewes District Council.

Now at this advanced stage the Neighbourhood Plan has to be taken into account, should any planning applications be made within the parish.

This will of give a further level of protection from unwanted development should such development be in contravention of the polices.

Of course as you are probably aware this government is very much in favour of increasing house building numbers throughout the land.

Personally I feel that their general care and stewardship of our land and the loosening of some planning restrictions shows a level of disregard for the countryside, whilst their

Hamsey NEWS

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Like many other councils, Lewes District are seeing an increase in speculative planning from landowners and housing developers and I am sure that we will see some emerge in Hamsey Parish. However, with Lewes District Councils minimum housing numbers agreed for the next period and with the Hamsey Neighbourhood plan at this advanced stage, we should (in line with the wishes of the majority of local residents) be in a stronger position to successfully stop unwanted and unnecessary developments.

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Hamsey NEWS

Cooksbridge Station COOKSBRIDGE AREA RAIL ACTION GROUP The Cooksbridge Station Partnership was established in conjunction with Southern with the objective of maintaining and improving the environment of our station. We have decided that it would be clearer to establish a different organisation to campaign for additional stopping services and this will be called the “Cooksbridge Area Rail Action Group”. The two organisations run in parallel with overlapping membership. If you are interested in getting involved in either, please do get in touch.

TRAIN SERVICE We are continuing to campaign for enhanced services in three broad areas: 1 Some key additions to existing “peak” services including an early morning train to London and a late evening return train to Cooksbridge 2 An hourly service both to and from London during the day 3 An hourly service in both directions at the weekend It will be extremely difficult to convince Southern to adjust the structure of the existing timetable because of all the knock-on ramifications.

However, we believe we have identified ways in which our objectives can be achieved by more efficient running within the existing structure.

We shall write early in the New Year with our proposals, following up with a meeting in February, in time to influence the May 2016 timetable. We have asked MP Maria Caulfield if she is able to attend to support our case.

Should Southern continue to reject our case we will then need to review carefully whether and how to carry the campaign forward. In particular we will want to hold a meeting with residents and travellers to assess the degree of support and to share ideas. In the meantime you can help by completing the questionnaire enclosed with this magazine.

PASSENGER NUMBERS The number of journeys made to and from Cooksbridge in the year 2014/15 was 46530, an increase of 5% on the previous year. Volumes have increased steadily over the last ten years and are now 74% higher than 2004/5. These figures understate actual usage and obviously fall far short of potential usage, should a comprehensive service be provided. For comparison purposes, the 2014/15 figure for neighbouring Plumpton was 137566.

DELAY REPAY Travellers are entitled to compensation for delays in excess of 30 minutes.

Compensation varies according to the length of the delay and is based on the price paid for the ticket. Claims can be made online or by post using forms provided at manned stations. You will need to be able to produce your ticket, ticket receipt or copy season ticket as evidence. Southern make payments in vouchers though these can be converted to cash at a ticket office. In his Autumn statement the Chancellor indicated an intention to reduce the delay period for compensation from 30 to 15 minutes. This will no doubt alarm Southern given its punctuality record!

FAST RUNNING On occasion Southern directs a train to miss a scheduled stop at Cooksbridge to make up time on a delayed service. If this happens a subsequent train should make a special stop.

This is particularly vital if it the stopping pattern is altered for the last stopping service to or from Cooksbridge – for example the 1024 from Cooksbridge to London or the 1920 from Lewes to Cooksbridge. You can confirm this at Cooksbridge by using the emergency call facility at the station.

At Lewes this can be checked with station staff, ensuring that they contact Network Control if they are uncertain.

Hamsey NEWS

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“Cooksbridge”

Class code D-3, designation 0-4-4T This class of steam engine was designed by Robert J Billinton for LB&SCR to be used on outer suburban and secondary passenger duties. A total of 36 were built and they were initially known as D Bogies or Bogie Tanks.

These locomotives were very well proportioned in the usual Brighton manner and were numbered 363 to 398. The class were all named after local towns and villages and these were painted in large letters on the side tanks. “Cooksbridge” was number 384.

The Cooksbridge engine provided 60 years of service, built in 1893 and withdrawn in 1953

Giving good service from the 1890s until the early 1950s, the D3s were usually to be found on ordinary passenger trains, both on the main line and branches, particularly the LB&SCR’s Kent and Sussex routes. In later years they became the backbone of the many push-pull services operated by the Southern Railway and this work was their lot for a considerable number of years.

The “Cooksbridge”, built in December 1893, was withdrawn in October 1953 and cut up for scrap.

HAMSEY SCHOOL RAIL SAFETY TRAINING In November we organised for Years 5 and 6 at Hamsey School to experience a Rail Travel workshop given by the Sussex Community Rail Partnership Education Officer.

The children were encouraged to think about all forms of transport and the particular advantages of travelling by train. In addition they had a talk on Rail Safety, which is of course very relevant to children going to school in a village bisected by a railway line. In the Spring they will travel to Lewes by train, something they can currently only do first thing in the morning.

Cooksbridge Station Partnership

PLEASE COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED QUESTIONNAIRE Though Southern is currently focussing upon the operational implications of more stopping trains at Cooksbridge, at some time we expect it to raise the question of demand for additional services. We know from previous surveys that there is considerable community support but we need to update this.

iginn@btinternet.com

Can you please therefore take some time to complete and return the questionnaire enclosed with this issue of Hamsey News.

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Cooksbridge Area Rail Action Group robert.baughan@btinternet.com

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Hamsey Festival

Hamsey NEWS

2016

We have had 5 brilliant volunteers come forward to help organise a community event this Summer. Some wonderful entertainment has been suggested by Daisy.

BUT - we need at least one more person, preferably more, to help coordinate the event.

The day or evening does not have to follow traditional format so if you have ideas, time and willingness to help make this much-loved community event happen this year, please do get in touch as soon as you can.

Beechwood Hall is reserved for the weekend of 9/10th July but alternative dates may be possible if booked early enough.

I am happy to hand over details, contacts and general information from last year.

Contact: Tamsyn d’Arienzo tamsyndarienzo@yahoo.co.uk

Hamsey People- Good Neighbour Scheme Thank you to the 9 volunteers who have so far returned forms from the last edition of The Hamsey News and volunteered their help in some way. Tamsyn will be in touch soon with each of you.

If you or someone you know could use some help with lifts/prescription pick ups/ household/ garden tasks or perhaps you are experiencing loneliness and would benefit from some company please get in touch so we can find you a local person to help.

Tamsyn and Julie will be calling at homes in the parish soon to speak to residents and hopefully see who could use some help. Both will have identification, they won’t ask to come into your home and as with all doorstep callers, call 101 if you are at all unsure.

RESIDENTS’ SOCIAL GROUP

People really do want to be useful so please don’t feel bad about asking.

Several residents have responded to the suggestion that getting together could be fun.

Due to the dreadful winter weather the first meeting has yet to take place but a chat over coffee is planned and will be a chance to suggest the type of activities that could be enjoyed.

Call: 01273 473771 email: tamsyndarienzo@yahoo.co.uk or call at: Nursery Cottage, Cooksbridge.

If you want to join in you would be made very welcome. Please contact Daisy at daisydee70@hotmail.com or 01273 400561

Hamsey NEWS

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Children’s Easter Egg Hunt! (weather permitting) Children and grandchildren very welcome

Easter Event Beechwood Hall Good Friday 25th March 2-4pm

Teas, & Coffees, Cakes, Refreshments Meet your neighbours! All welcome

Donations of cakes would be wonderful! Please contact Natalie on 07751 372067 or Email cupcake123@talktalk.net if you can bake.

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Hamsey NEWS

News from your Parish Church CHRISTMAS 2015 CELEBRATIONS

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES!

Never mind No Room at the Inn it was almost No Room at the Church (don’t worry we always manage to squeeze everyone in!) both at Hamsey Carols on December 13th and then on Christmas morning at Offham Church. On both occasions the two churches were full to bursting – and in fact we think there were more people in church here over the Christmas period than ever.

After all the fun and magnificence of Christmas, the New Year can feel a bit flat. Some nice things are being arranged by the church which should go some way to beating the Winter Blues. We certainly hope to run our annual Skittles Evening but it’s possible there will be a change of venue as the Chalk Pit changes ownership. Keep an eye on the church newsletter for more up to date information on this and other fun event

On the Sunday between Hamsey Carols and Christmas we had our annual Nativity Play performed by members of the Sunday School and the Toddlers Tunes group. Just as we all have our favourite Christmas tree decorations that come out every year so there are some favourite Nativity costumes which reappear every year.

A few years ago, Judith bought the headdress worn by successive Josephs from a Palestinian street seller in Nazareth – you can’t get much more authentic than that! Meanwhile every year whoever plays Mary always wears the same dress made by Ursula Hare for her daughter Cheryl who played the part more than thirty years ago.

NOT LONG TO EASTER! Mothering Sunday and Easter are very early this year. Mothering Sunday falls on Sunday 6th March. We shall have a very simple Family Service at 10.30am in Offham Church with posies for mums to show our love and thanks for all they mean to us. As always there will be delicious cake and coffee afterwards in the Church Hall.

See you there!

Later in the evening of December 20th there was a glorious Nine Lessons and Carols Service – how lucky we are to have such a magnificent church choir- followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Church Hall.

Three weeks later on 27 March it will be Easter Sunday. Look out for the March church newsletter which will have all details of Easter services. Our main one of course is the 10.30 family Communion on Easter Sunday followed by an Easter egg Hunt in the Church Grounds.

Carols by candlelight at Hamsey Church

The traditional Nativity Play

Hamsey NEWS

SAD NEWS We were sad to learn of Phil Botting’s death on 29th November last year just five months after his wife Vicky passed away. Phil was born at Hamsey Place and lived and farmed in this parish all his life. At his funeral, taken by the Rector, in Offham Church on December 9th a poem was read which seemed to sum up the Phil we all remember:

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Horses he loved and laughter and the sun A song, wide spaces and the open air The trust of all dumb living things he won And never knew the luck too good to share His merry spirit seems our comrade yet Freed from the power of weariness and pain

We extend our sympathy to his family – may he rest in peace.

OUR THANKS TO MOIRA How lucky we are to have such a distinguished artist, as Moira Hoddell ARCA, living in the parish and playing such a full part of Offham Church life. You will have seen her delightful illustrations of Offham and Hamsey churches on the front of every Church Newsletter but you may possibly not know that her pen drawings appeared regularly in The Daily Telegraph between 1962 and 1985. Her drawings and watercolours are represented in many distinguished collections including The Library, Windsor Castle.

Moira has also been a very diligent newsletter distributor making sure that residents in the Beechwood Lane area receive their Newsletter on time- whatever the weather. All good things must come to an end and at the end of 2015 Moira felt the moment had come to hang up her distributer’s badge. We are so grateful for all her hard work over many years May God bless you all Derek Bastide Rector

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18

Hamsey NEWS

News about Hamsey Church Everyone knows that we have an amazing and beautiful thousand year old church at the heart of our parish. Hamsey church is mentioned in the Domesday book, and it still stands on its little hill dominating the river valley, seen from the Downs, from Lewes, from the river banks – it would be hard not to notice it.

But I guess not everyone knows that we could be in danger of losing it – I certainly didn’t until last spring. When I heard that the Parochial Church Council felt the parish could no longer support two churches into the future, and that Hamsey would have to be closed, with an uncertain fate, I was horrified. Grade 1 listed, Hamsey is an architectural gem – it is one of only two churches in Sussex that escaped modernisation by the Victorians: they built Offham church instead, more conveniently to the villages, and left the old church to its lonely vigil over the flood plain. Historically it is fascinating – it still has its ancient (and very uncomfortable!) pews, medieval stonework, and at least one bit of graffiti from 1670. It would be criminal to let it crumble, just for lack of money.

So a group of us, who all felt the same about Hamsey church, got together and said “Not on our watch!”

We obtained the agreement of the PCC and the church authorities to let us start a Friends of Hamsey organisation to save this precious little church. This leaves the PCC able to concentrate on the upkeep of Offham church, which also needs support and where funds are still being raised for the work recently completed on the church tower.

We formed a committee, some church-goers, some not, to examine the possibilities. The most pressing problem is to repair the Horsham slate roof, which is in a dangerous state. Two members, Andrew Featherstone and Dan Renton, with experience in project management and grant application, are putting together a case for funding to the Listed Places of Worship Roof Fund, with the wholehearted support and help of the Diocesan church architect. We also have generous offers of help, not least from a trust fund set up by a local family whose support of Hamsey started years ago.

Once the roof is repaired, and the church is completely safe, a programme will start for its onward maintenance and further conservation.

This is where we hope everyone who treasures Hamsey Church locally will become involved, and the support given so far has been heart warming.

We envisage concerts of all kinds; school visits, historical tours, weddings, christenings.

Voluntary help will be needed for all this, for looking after the church, taking visitors round it, helping conservators, caring for the graveyard, selling tickets for events, etc. In Sue Rowland we already have a very knowledgeable historian, who is compiling information for a booklet on the

Hamsey NEWS

19

church and the interesting graveyard.

christened in Hamsey, in this country and abroad.

And of course we will continue to make approaches to other charities for funding, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, and all the money we raise will go exclusively to Hamsey Church.

If you support these ideas, and would like to become a Friend of Hamsey, she hopes you will get in touch with her, giving your details, including your email, address if possible, at friendsofhamsey@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can telephone Jo Hughes on 07887 643 940 or Alice Renton on 01273 473 404.

In late January the committee is meeting to make more plans, including for a launch event of the Friends of Hamsey in the spring. Tamsyn d’Arienzo is currently compiling a list of all the people who have shown interest or offered to help.

She plans to contact families who have loved ones in the graveyard, people who have been married or

Hamsey church is an inherent part of our community, and if all our three villages are involved, we surely cannot fail!

Alice Renton

Monday Afternoon Club RECENT MEETINGS

PLANS FOR 2016

2015 was another highly successful year for the Monday Afternoon Club. Numbers keep swelling and there were 35 of us at our Christmas Lunch on Monday December 14th. Club members sat down with a glass of wine (or two!) to smoked salmon, followed by Caroline Featherstone’s delicious piping hot turkey and ham pie with all the trimmings. We still had room for Christmas pudding and Cherry’s delicious mince pies! We’re already looking forward to the 2016 Christmas party – do put the date, Monday December 12th in your diary.

We are now looking forward to a full and varied programme in 2016. Our first meeting on Monday January 11th is a Tea and Chat session- there should be a lot to catch up on after Christmas! Then on Monday February 8 we shall be paid a “flying visit” by some beautiful owls (and their human handlers).I for one am looking forward enormously to learning more about these magnificent and mysterious birds. There has long been at least one roosting in the trees outside the Rectory, so we frequently hear that familiar and eerie “to whit to whoo”call.

New Year celebrations will be long over by the time this edition of Hamsey NEWS comes through your letterbox but all of us running the Monday Afternoon Club –Caroline, Cherry, Janice, Meriel and myself- would like to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy 2016. Do remember that the Monday Afternoon Club is open to all retired residents and former residents of our village. We’re a very friendly group so do pop along and join us on the second Monday of the month- 2pm in the Church Hall. Lifts are always available- contact Caroline 01273 477151 or myself 01273 474356 to arrange one.

Club members enjoy Christmas lunch

Judith Bastide

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Hamsey NEWS

Rhubarb’s Recipes CASSANDRA’S SAVOURY PIE

A very warm and Happy New Year to you all. I sincerely hope you all had a wonderful start to the New Year and a Christmas break full of delicious food, drink and family time.

INGREDIENTS:

I am delighted to share two new recipes with you, both of South African origin: one from my sister in law Cassandra and the second from my Africaans landlady, Hester who I lived with during my four years studying at Hotel School. Both dishes are extremely simple to do and are utterly delicious! The one-pot chicken is an ideal dish to prepare in the morning before work (or night before) and leave in the fridge until you want to chuck it in the oven.

• 2 eggs

The savoury pie is a family favourite of ours and my sister in law is under strict instructions to produce this for us at least weekly! Delicious hot or cold actually and best served with “chips” (French Fries!) and a dash of HP sauce on the side!

Happy Cooking and don’t forget if you would like to share some simple family favourites, please do get in touch with me on rupertradfordhardy@btinternet.com

• 125 grams grated strong cheddar • 250 mls fresh milk • 220 grams plain flour • 150 grams chopped bacon • 2 tsp mixed herbs or dried parsley • 1 tsp mustard • 2 medium sized onions chopped • 1 tin whole kernel sweet corn • Seasoning to taste

METHOD: Sauté the onions and bacon Beat the eggs into milk and flour well before then adding all other ingredients. Mix well and then pour into a greased pie dish and bake for 45 mins at 350F (180C) until top is golden brown.

Delicious served with a crispy green salad or alternatively cooked greens. If feeling naughty, fries or potato wedges are also good accompaniments!

There may seem to be a lot of onion…don’t worry!

Great cold in a lunch box.

Can be prepared in the afternoon and left in the fridge before baking.

Hamsey NEWS

HESTER’S ONE POT CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS: • Skinless chicken thighs (with or without bone) - 2 pieces per person • One onion sliced into half rings • Green, Red and Yellow peppers sliced into half rings • One pack of mushrooms - chopped • Wild rice - 1 cup (or according to portions you need to serve) • Small bottle white wine • 1 tin of creamy mushroom soup ª Mixed dry herbs, Garlic & Seasoning to taste

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Keep your jumble for your spring turn out

This year we are going to hold the Jumble Sale just after Easter at Beechwood Hall on Saturday April 9th at 2pm. We all remember the cold winds that blew for our early February Jumble Sale last year. It is always good to spill out on to the field and veranda when possible. We also hope for warmer weather for those who queue to come in.

If you have items you need to be collected please contact Anita and Tom Walker from March 1st at 01273 472595 or email us on anita@tommwalker.co.uk

Choice of rice is up to your preferences and any can be used.

All offers of help for leafleting, collecting and storing Jumble, sorting from 2am on Friday 8th April or in the morning on Saturday 9th from 10am as well as helping at the Jumble Sale, will be gratefully accepted. Volunteers are also needed for cake making and serving teas. This year April 9th is also a village litter picking day so we can all combine to clear out and clear up together. Last year the Jumble Sale raised over £700 towards supporting community events at Beechwood Hall through the year. This was only possible because of the wonderful team of volunteers who help every year.

A pork chop version can also be done - simply replace the mushrooms and mushroom soup with tomatoes and a creamy tomato and veg soup.

Please contact me at the above contact numbers if you are able to help in any way.

Thank you.

Tastes even better the next day heated up!

Anita Walker

METHOD: In a large baking dish place all ingredients, chicken then vegetables, then herbs and garlic.

Add wine and mushroom soup plus one tin of water on top of all and stir. Lastly sprinkle the rice over the liquid and cover (seal as well as possible) with tin foil.

Bake in oven for 90 mins or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is cooked to a risotto consistency.

22

Hamsey NEWS

Forthcoming Events Monday 11 January | 2pm

Thursday 10 March | 7.15pm

Saturday 9 April | 9.30am

Monday Afternoon Club

Hamsey parish council meeting

Litter-picking

Tea and Chat OffhamChurch Hall Monday 8 February | 2pm

Beechwood hall

Saturday 9 April | 2pm Monday 14 March | 2pm

Monday Afternoon Club

Monday Afternoon Club

Owls will be paying us a “flying” visit! (Accompanied by two bird handlers!)

Talk on the work of Pestalozzi Village Offham Church Hall

Wednesday 10 Feb | 12.30pm

Nice and Simple Buffet Lunch (Open to everyone in the village of course) Offham Church Hall Sunday 6 March | 10.30am

Simple Mothering Sunday Service with flower posies for all mothers. Everyone very welcome. Offham Church

Jumble Sale Beechwood Hall Monday 11 April | 2pm

Monday Afternoon Club

Good Friday 25 March | 2-4pm

Easter Egg Hunt

Tea and Chat Offham Church Hall Monday 9 May | 2pm

Everyone welcome Beechwood Hall

Monday Afternoon Club

Sunday 27 March | 10.30am

Keeping Fit and Healthy with Patsy Offham Church Hall

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE followed by Easter Egg Hunt in Church Grounds Offham Church

Arnolds of Lewes Removals & Storage Service

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Thursday 19 May | 7pm

Annual Parish Meeting Beechwood Hall

To advertise in Hamsey News please call Nick on 01843 225701

Hamsey NEWS

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Regular Events

OPEN TO ALL

Offham Church Hall Details from Judith 01273 474356

Sunday mornings | 10.15am

Sunday Club Offham Church Hall

Beechwood Hall Details from Jenni 07762 118985

Tuesday mornings | 9am

Term time only

Yoga with Paul

Pilates

Beechwood Hall

Monday mornings | 8.15am

Tuesday mornings | 11.30am

Tai Chi Chuan

Yoga with Lisa

Beechwood Hall Monday mornings | 9.30am

Yoga with Robin Beechwood Hall Second Monday | 2pm

Wednesday evenings | 7.30pm

Offham Church Hall Thursday mornings | 9am

Beechwood Hall

Yoga with Donna

Tuesday evenings | 7pm

Beechwood Hall

Choir practice Beechwood Hall

Thurs mornings | 10-11.30am

Tuesday evenings | 7.30pm Term time only

Monday Afternoon Club

Pilates

(social group for all retired

Wednesday mornings | 9am

Toddler Tunes Music and fun for Under 5s Offham Church Hall

Offham Church Hall

Friday mornings | 9am & 10am

members of our villages)

Keep Fit with Katie

Keep Fit with Katie

Offham Church Hall

Beechwood Hall

Beechwood Hall

MAN AND A VAN From here to anywhere

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No load too small No distance too far Lewes: 07801 149 615 www.manandavanbrighton.co.uk martin@manandavanbrighton.co.uk

P !

O ST ESS PR

Very exciting news has just come in!

An application to the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme has been considered by the shortlisting panel and our project for a new youth shelter at the Beechwood Park, has been chosen to receive a grant.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? This is such hot news that we cannot tell you much more right now but you will be able to vote for this project in your local Tesco store from Saturday 27th February 2016 until Sunday 6th March 2016. and the more votes we get, the larger the amount we will receive.

Please check out the community website on www.hamsey.net and the parish noticeboards for updates on this exciting project and get on down to Tesco to cast your votes.

Replies to a survey at the Hamsey Festival 2015 were overwhelmingly in favour of a traditional style for the new youth shelter.