Horam & Vines Cross Village Diary

Proud to have 23 verified 5 reviews.

White Feather FUNERALS

Female led, independent funeral director. Supporting and empowering you in celebrating a loved one’s life, at the end of their life, however you choose.

Traditional to contemporary and everything else in between. Independent personal service. Transparent and open minded.

Lucy and Dawn at White Feather were excellent in all aspects of organising my dad’s funeral. Due to family coming from abroad we needed to arrange things quickly. From our first meeting I found Lucy’s compassion and understanding, and easy character, gave me confidence that everything would be arranged efficiently and to a high standard, which it was. I chose White Feather Funerals as I loved the fact it was female led, and as dad had been cared for by 5 female carers at home, felt it was fitting that his final journey be conducted by ladies. I would not hesitate to recommend Lucy and Dawn to anyone seeking a truly compassionate, efficient, and down to earth team. Thank you so much White Feather. Mrs A

"Feathers appear, when Angels are near."

WHATS ON IN THE COMMUNITY

CROSSWAYS CHRIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday 1st February 10am - 12 noon

at Christchurch, Horebeech Lane, Horam.

EVERYONE WILL BE MADE WECOME INCLUDING CHILDREN.

Meet with friends, make new friends and enjoy good coffee/tea and homemade cake. We meet the first Wednesday of every month, everybody is welcome.

We shall look forward to seeing all.

MEMBERS OF CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEATHFIELD & DISTRICT ARE OFFERING THESE

“WARM WELCOME SPACES”

THROUGH THE WINTER OF 2022/2023

Meets on Tuesday 28th February at 2pm.

Our speaker is Phil Williams.

The meeting will be followed by afternoon tea.

All welcome.

free hot drinks, sometimes soup, cake or pudding and activities. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy these facilities.

MONDAYS

St. Bartholomew’s Church, Cross in Hand in the new ‘Alleluia Room’ from 10.00am to 4.00pm every Monday from December 5 th (excluding Boxing Day December 26 th) – hot drinks, lunch and activities.

Welcome Baptist Church from 1.00pm to 4.00pm from January to March (and possibly other afternoons if needed).

St. Bartholomew’s Church Burwash “3Cs” – 10.00am to 12.00, Cake Coffee and Chat.

TUESDAYS

Union Church “Tuesdays Together” in the Church Hall from 2.00pm. to 4.00pm on alternate Tuesdays (alternating with the Lunch Club). A time of laughter puzzles and quizzes .

CHERRY TREE COURT WELCOMES YOU ALL.

A warm welcome awaits you.

Every Monday we hold a bingo and raffle evening, join us from 6pm for a 6:30pm start.

Every Friday we gather for a coffee morning from 10:30am.

We look forward to seeing you!

Find us opposite Horam Chapel.

WELL-BEING

PODIATRIST & CHIROPODIST

13 years specialist wound care NHS experience.

All aspects of podiatry & chiropody including:

Toenail cutting * Ingrowing toenails

Corns & calluses * Cracked heels

Athlete's foot * Verrucae therapies

Foot pain * Insoles & orthotics

Diabetic footcare & assessment

Appointments at the address formerly known as Horam Natural Therapy Centre and home visits available.

Mara Ragaiolo BSC (Hons) Podiatry. HCPC registered and member of the College of Podiatry.

Mob: 077031 56799

Horam Natural Therapy Centre, High Street, Horam, TN21 0EL.

Chimney Sweep

Sadly, due to Victorian health & safety regulations, only children of under 14” shoulder measurement may be employed.

A Clean Sweep - your local chimney sweep

Make sure your fireplace is safe with a professional sweep.

• All types of residential chimneys swept.

• Wood & multi-fuel stoves cleaned and serviced.

• Inspection & preparation of all chimneys for stove installation.

• Bird guards & cowls fitted.

• RSPB nominated bird removal man for East Sussex.

• Smoke test & certification for every sweep.

• Member of Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps (APICS).

• Now certified woodburner installer.

Ross Atabey on 01435 812153/07941 315214

Email: acleansweep009@gmail.com

acleansweephoram

MARIA SMITH SPORTS & REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPY

How can sports massage help you?

-relieves tension

-improves circulation

-enhances wellbeing

-eases sore/tight muscles

-improves joint mobility

-increase flexibility & range of motion

Fully air conditioned studio in Horam or mobile service available.

Appointments: 1 hour = £40 45 minutes = £35

Each massage caters for your needs – relax and unwind!

Tel: 07786 220179

Email: mariasmassage21@gmail.com

Website: mariasmassage.co.uk

Pilates Classes in Horam

Exercising in a relaxed atmosphere enjoying the fun that exercise produces through the release of endorphins.

Please book your space with Nancy on 07881 941360 or email at nancyprocterpilates@gmail.com

www.nancyprocterpilates.com

For a brochure please call Jane on 01435 813418 / 07817 429594 or email: janeappleby691@gmail.com

Therapies and treatments available in a quiet and relaxed setting in Horam

Happy New Year !

Is 2023 the year for you to make some changes in your personal life? Our therapists are here to help you reach your health & wellbeing goals

These are some of the wonderful treatments we can offer you :-

♦ The amazing QXED Biofeedback therapy

♦ Hypnotherapy & NLP

♦ Aromatherapy & Massage

♦ Reflexology

♦ Learn relaxation techniques and find a new you

♦ Wonderful Neal’s Yard remedies and products

♦ Beauty treatments using 100% natural products

♦ Holistic therapy and meditations

♦ Kinesiology including food sensitivity testing & advice

♦ Coldwave (low level/healing) laser therapy

And

♦ Weightloss planning with The 1:1 Diet with Cambridge Weight Plan

Give us a call to book something just for you …

All our therapists also offer vouchers which make great birthday gifts if you know someone would like a treat especially for them

Ray Wicker - for all your Double glazing and Carpentry needs!

Double glazing:

• Replacement of windows and doors in UPVC, aluminium and timber.

• Service & repairs to your existing double glazed windows eg replace old misted glass units, replace broken handles, hinges and locks, re-trim and seal old windows.

• Install UPVC fascia, soffit and guttering - full replacment or cap over.

• Install new or replace shiplap cladding in UPVC or timber.

Carpentry:

• Hang doors, fit door liners, architrave, locks, handles skirting etc.

• Custom built in wardrobes/shelves, build flat pack furniture etc.

• Stud walls, insulation board, plasterboard.

• Build garden sheds, summer houses, garden decking etc.

• Fit curtain poles and blinds.

• Replace kitchen/bathroom silicone.

• Install new kitchen carcases, doors etc.

All jobs considered big or small. Please call Ray Wicker on 07960 503844

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

VINES CROSS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

A huge thank you to everyone who braved the arctic conditions to join the Christmas Carol singing at The Brewers Arms. A festive crowd fortified against the cold by mulled wine and mince pies, and skilfully guided by ‘PJ’ from Christ Church, Horam, sang lustily and enthusiastically to kickstart the Christmas celebrations.

Also, a big thank you Fiona for hosting the evening at our local pub and to all the local businesses and VCCA members who donated prizes for the raffle. Special thanks to: the Co-op (Horam); Cherry Spring Studio, Horam Riding Stables, Thorndale Furnishers (Hailsham), Rivermead Nursery, Ana’s Flowers and Skip Maskell who donated a bottle of 25-year-old whisky.

The raffle proceeds will cover a donation to local charity ‘Wealden Works’ and help fund our future programme of VCCA events e.g., the ‘Easter Bunny’ - which gives Easter presents to Primary School age children in the VCCA area; and the Coronation party.

A good number of people asked the VCCA to make the ‘Christmas Carols’ an annual event. Great idea! So, watch out for the 2023 Christmas Carols.

Finally, a very happy New Year to everyone from the VCCA Committee!

CHARITY LIGHTS

To all those lovely people who so generously supported the charity event this year by visiting and donating I would like to express my gratitude. Thanks to your amazing efforts we have raised a fantastic £625.00 for Alzheimers.

T

It’s

At Horam Village Hall we offer a warm welcome to everyone celebrating their special occasion . Village halls make the perfect venue - decorate it in your own theme, extend wi th a marquee on to the recreation ground or just add an ice cream van - make it your day! In addition to our usual facilities, we offer a Banqueting Package for an extra charge . This includes all day hire of hall including previous evening for set -up, b anq ueting tables and chairs for 104 persons, white tablecloths, white crockery and cutlery . For more info visit www.horamvillagehall.co.uk to check availability and send a booking request, alternatively call 01435 813295.

Free!

primary school children and their families aimed at 1st Saturday of every month. 10am-12noon (children need to bring a responsible adult with them)

Different activities, including:

Cooking

Bible stories

Craft Snacks and more!

Games

More info: horamchapel.org.uk/h2o

HORAM PARISH COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 2023

DISTRICT AND PARISH ELECTIONS 4th May 2023 7am to 10am.

District and Parish Council elections are to be held on Thursday, 4th May 2023 from 7am. until 10pm.

The Government have, this year, introduced Voter Identification. All those persons entitled to vote must show an approved form of photo identification before voting in a polling station. A free Voter Authority Certificate will be available from the Electoral Registration Officer at Wealden District Council. Nomination Papers will be available from the Elections Office at Wealden District Council.

The deadline for new and existing Postal Vote/amendments to existing postal or proxy applications is 5pm on Tuesday 18th April 2023 and

The deadline for new applications to vote by proxy is 5pm. on Tuesday, 25th April 2023.

If you are interested in standing for the Parish Council you must be:

• 18 years of age or over;

• Be a qualifying Commonwealth, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a relevant citizen of the European European Union and continues to be a local government election elector for the area of the parish; or

• you have, during the whole of the 12 months preceding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in that area; or

• your principal or only place of work during that 12 months have been in that area; or you have, during the whole of those 12 months resided either in the parish or within (4.8 km) of it.

Please contact the Clerk if you would like to know more about the role of a Parish Councillor.

OUR HORAM PCSO – EMAIL ADDRESS

If you wish to bring anything to the attention of our PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) for Horam (Cathy Gilling) please email catherine.gilling@sussex.police.uk.

There is a dedicated email address (roads.communications@sussex.police.uk) for reporting instances of speeding. However, for emergencies contact the Police by phoning 999.

PARISH CLERK - can be contacted either by e-mail: clerk@horam.com or 07900 576236. The offices will be open from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Sciatica - Simply

Sciatica is a common and often debilitating type of pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. There are several causes of this irritation, each causing a variety of symptoms and different severity of pain; each of these causes may require a different type of handling, treatment, and exercises. Have you ever had sciatica? You will know how painful and all-consuming it can be!

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, being almost as thick as your little finger; going from the pelvis, through the buttocks, down the legs to the feet. There are two, each exiting either side of the spine between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae just above the pelvis, joining with branches from the 1st - 3rd sacral segments, the triangular bone in the pelvis at the base of the spine. After leaving the pelvis it passes through the buttocks and travels down the back of the leg to the knee where it divides into 2 branches; the tibial nerve that travels down the back of the calf to the foot and the common peroneal nerve that travels down the front and side of the calf into the foot.

Muscles that receive motor input, i.e. about how to work, from the sciatic nerve are in the posterior thigh; the hamstrings, and the hamstring portion of the adductors. Divisions of the nerve indirectly innervate all the muscles of the leg and foot. The sciatic nerve passes under the piriformis muscle and rarely through it!

Skin receiving indirect sensory (feeling) innervation is the back and side of the leg, the side, sole, and top of the foot.

Common Symptoms are pain, burning, tingling, or numbness radiating down the leg or foot. Pain can also be from tight tense muscles that are part of the symptom or could also be part of the cause. The pain may be felt all along the path of the nerve or may skip parts and just be felt in the foot or calf. Often the nerve pain in the leg may mask any feeling of pain in the back.

Serious Causes need medical diagnosis and/or treatment.

• Loss of bladder or bowel control needs urgent attention.

• Progressive weakness in the lower limb, i.e. foot drop where you cannot lift your foot.

• Disc herniation where the disc swells and bulges pressing on nerves.

• Disc prolapse where the middle part of the disc, the nucleus pulposus bulges through the outer ring of the disc.

• Stenosis, narrowing of the spinal canal from a variety of causes.

• Spinal problems such as spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra slips forward over another, and cauda equina.

• Rare causes can be cysts, epidural veins, and tumours.

Less Serious Causes can also be debilitating and vary in intensity. Common causes can be postural imbalances, particularly from prolonged sitting or desk work with poor ergonomics; especially combined with a lack of proper/appropriate exercise. Couches are responsible for many back problems as they may not support your posture well and often encourage slouching. Myofascial imbalances, muscle spasms, minor accidents or injuries, inflammation, and postural/biomechanical changes, such as those in pregnancy can all cause sciatica.

Exercises with disc problems can depend on where the bulge is as to the exercise needed/tolerated. Many disc problems occur from bending forwards, e.g. lifting. In these cases, forward bending exercises can aggravate and what is needed is more strengthening and lengthening towards gentle backward bending. This is particularly true when you are unable to sit down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0O_SHJAO6c shows some simple sciatica stretches. The muscles along the entire nerve pathway as well as the back will need stretching and strengthening at some stage of recovery. Coming soon is another simple video of stretches and strengthening exercises for sciatica where you can bend forwards, including stretches of all related muscles along the nerve pathway.

Osteopathic Management Studies are conflicting regarding preferred management. Manipulative therapy showed useful for back pain though not always for sciatica. Targeted exercise and stretching can be helpful; bed rest is not helpful and staying active and strong is important in the long term; though debilitating pain of acute sciatica can make it difficult to exercise. Acupuncture dry needling to specific muscles helped as did targeted deep soft tissue massage.

We are happy to advise you on your health matters.

Lin Bridgeford DO KFRP MICAK MICRA FSCCO MSc

Registered Osteopath & Kinesiologist & Senior Yoga Teacher

Master Hypnosis and NLP Practitioner and Trainer, Sound Therapist

Aether Bios Clinic, Saltdean and Horam Healthcare Clinic, 01273 309557 07710 227038 www.osteo-info.co.uk YouTube search Aether Bios OR Lin Bridgeford , Instagram linbridgeford https://linbridgeford.wordpress.com contains all my articles as blogs

Time to get walking again!

With Spring on its way we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?

Walking in Sussex https://www. walkinginengland.co.uk/sussex has loads of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

John Harris (who maintains the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Sussex (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.

So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

John Harris

www.walkinginengland.co.uk

john@walkinginengland.co.uk

How To Report A Pothole

To report a pothole use the following wesbite: www.eastsussexhighways.com/report-a-problem/roads/pothole-in-road

If you think the issue is an emergency please contact 0345 60 80 193

East Sussex Service standards: Dangerous potholes will be made safe within 2 hrs and fixed within 24 hrs. Less urgent potholes will be fixed as soon as we have a crew working in the area. This is usually within a week. Completed works are monitored to ensure the road is safe for public use.

Services for February:

Sun 5th 10.30am Family Communion

(with creche & children’s groups yrs1-6)

Sun 12th 10.30am Family Worship

(with creche & children’s groups yrs1-6)

Sun 19th 10.00am Together@10Church for Everyone

(please see information elsewhere in the Diary)

Sun 26th 10.30am Family Worship

(with creche & children’s groups yrs1-6)

An audio copy of the Sunday morning reading & sermon is available on our website within 24hrs of each service.

Other Activities:

Crossways - drop-in for refreshments & chat (Wed 10.00-12.00 - 01/02/23)

Bible Study - Growth Groups

Jumping Beans - Parent & Toddler Group (term-time -Thursdays 10.00-11.30)

Fellowship Group (Tuesday 28th February at 2.00pm)

Supporting Horam Christian Care Group

Christianity Explored Course - Starting soon! Please contact the Vicar if you are interested.

If you’d like the opportunity of talking with someone, or if you’d like us to pray for or with you, please do make contact with us:

Vicar: Revd PJ Guy 01435 813372 vicar@christchurchhoram.org

Warden: Maryanne Ford 01435 817769

Helen Clement 01435 813385 www.christchurchhoram.org

THE HORAM FUN DAY 2023

Plans are under way for the next one. SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY 9th JULY

Taking place on the Horam Recreation Ground 12:30pm to 5pm.

Interested in having a stall? Please contact: Brenda Macklin 01435 812018.

If you wish to help in any way, more volunteers are needed please contact Dave on 01435 812462 / 07889 652586 or email davesuesutton@uwclub.net

Information will be in the Village Diary each month.

CLEAN WINDOWS WITH OUR PURE WATER SYSTEM.

We can clean all of the below up to 60ft.

Windows, solar panels, fascias, soffits & conservatories.

For a free no obligation quotation call or email us today! DBS Checked and approved.

Telephone Jason 01435 408048 ~ 07739 039944

Email: ascleaning@live.co.uk

ORCHARD FRAMING

www.orchardframing.co.uk

ORCHARD FRAMING BESPOKE FRAMERS

UNIT 4, MERRYDOWN BUSINESS PARK, DISCOVERY WAY, HORAM

( entrance opposite the village hall ) 01435 812075

All framing requirements covered, off the shelf frames and mounts.

Email: info@orchardframing.co.uk Closed Monday.

Tuesday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 1pm* 01435 812075

We don't just treat backs.....

• Neck & shoulder pain

• Sciatica

• Frozen shoulders & RSI

• Arthritis & joint stiffness

• Headaches & migraines

• Stress/tension

• Sports Injuries

• and much more....

Our Osteopaths are Specialists in:

• Baby, Mum & Child Osteopathy

• Cranial Osteopathy

• Animal Osteopathy

We are taking all necessary steps to keep our patients and us safe in light of Coronavirus, therefore your appointment may feel a little different if you have visited us before.

Ground floor premises with disabled access. Weekday, early evening & Saturday appointments available.

Call our dedicated booking line below to make an appointment. Located

v RESIDENTIAL CARE v DAYCARE v RESPITE CARE

‘Our aim is to provide each resident with a caring and secure environment and the means to live life to the full extent, with privacy, independence and dignity’.

En suite and garden view rooms available

For enquiries call us on 01435 812170

Vines Cross Road, Horam TN21 0HF

Catherine Hearne BSc (Hons) Ost, Nicola Leonard B.Ost DPO

Soul, mind & body - True Yoga is a union of all three. Rama has 20 years experience of teaching Yoga with children and adults.

Group and private sessions available at Holmbush House, Hellingly. Prices start from £15 for small groups.

Contact for details and to book - 01435 810235 WhatsApp +38 06776 71331.

Sharon Hamby

Curtains, Blinds & Soft Furnishings

Call 07899 780145 or email: shcurtains@gmail.com

Tailor made service to suit your needs & budget Using your fabric or mine. Poles & tracks supplied & fitted. Full range of linings & interlining. Alterations & renovations of preloved curtains. Professional, reliable service direct from an experienced local maker.

Helpkeepyourhomewarmthiswinterwithbespokecurtains&blinds.

Kate Raven

PROFESSIONAL CURTAIN MAKER

ALSO: BLINDS, CUSHIONS, CURTAINS, PELMETS, SWAGS AND TAILS. Tracks and poles supplied and fitted. Private tuition available.

KATE RAVEN - 07967 828389

PROFESSIONAL CURTAIN MAKER TO THE TRADE FOR 30 YEARS

YOGA & MEDITATION CLASSES WITH AN AUTHENTIC YOGI.

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts Explorer, Paul Sutton, 01435 813023/07803 051048.

Bowling Club, Alan Archer, 01435 865536.

Cross In Hand Bridge Club, Jan Moore, 01435 863001.

Heathfield & Horam Football Club, Becki Chiweda 07366 034310.

Brownies, Mary Jones, 07814 373402.

Christ Church Fellowship, Pamela Blakey, 01435 810348.

Dementia Supper Clubs, Lyn Leeves, 07740 338120.

Diamond Dance, Lizzie Owen, 01435 812543/07985 306178.

Eastbourne & District Canine Society, Mrs Chris Cleland, 01323 506151.

Heathfield Choral Society, Chris Thompson, 01323 833921, chairman@heathfieldchoral.org.uk

Heathfield & District Horticultural Society, Nick Jeggo, 01435 830725.

Heathfield Folk & Dance Club, Joy Charlesworth, 01435 873551, sec@heathfieldfolk.org.uk

Heathfield Food & Wine Circle, Lorraine Cooley, 01435 812704.

Heathfield Road Runners, Fleur Blanford, 01435 812926, info@heathfieldroadrunners.com

Heathfield Bridge Club, Richard Gatwood, 01323 764384.

Heathfield Repair Cafe https://www.facebook.com/Repair_Cafe_TN21 or email us at heathfieldrepaircafe@outlook.com

Heathfield Silver Band, Mallory Hansford, 01435 862398, mallory@heathfieldsilverband.org

Horam Christian Care Group to Ann Procter 01435 812157.

Horam Parish Allotment Society, Rebecca Landau-Wildy, 01435 813085.

Horam Parish Council, Horam Centre, Sally Blades, 01435 812151, (Tues, Thurs & Fri morn).

Horam Flower Show, Dave Cooley on 01435 812704

Horam Fun Day, Dave Sutton, 01435 812462/07889 652586.

Horam Guides, Jo Sutton, 01435 813023.

Horam & Heathfield Flower Club, Phyllis Stevens, 01435 863224.

Horam Pre-school, Angela Wood, 01435 813295.

Horam Tennis Club, Sara Goodacre, 07484 121445, horamtennisclub@gmail.com.

Horam Residents Group, Lucy Atabey, 01435 812153.

Horam Toddlers, Gill Delves, 01435 408405.

Horam Village Hall. For hire or information call Angela Wood on 01435 813295.

Horam WI, Kim Dunn, 01435 813942.

Manor Oak Surgery, 01435 812323. Out of hours Doctor, Between 8-8.30am 01825 732 333 & 6-6.30pm 0300 5555 252.

Non emergency medical, 111.

Non emergency police, 101.

Oxney Vines Cross Tug @ War, Mike Hutch, 07850 382619.

Pottery Club, Sue Ramsay-Smith, 01435 810390.

Rainbows, Brenda Macklin, 01435 812018.

RSPCA, 0300 1234 999.

Vines Cross Bonfire Society, Mark Woods, 07976 426286.

Vines Cross Community Association (VCCA) Ian Evans 07867 553440

Wealden Youth Choir, Tea Killick, 07808 222535.

Welcome Art Group, Lee Smith, 01435 862110.

• Curtains • Blinds

• Tracks & Poles

• Soft Furnishings

Free local measuring service

_________________

Tel: 01435 812768

email: flo.landais@icloud.com

l Curtains

l Blinds

l Tracks & Poles

l Soft Furnishings

Free local measuring service

Tel: 01435 812768

email: flo.landais@icloud.com

Here is a proof of your advertisement which will appear in this edition of Your Please check carefully. If you wish to amend your advertisemnt in any way, Your Little Black Book is produced in association with Page to Page Design Contact by e-mail: pagetopage7@gmail.com or telephone: 01435 868300.

We will proceed to publish as shown above unless we receive any Thursday 18th October 2018

FULLY INSURED FULLY INSURED HART

Thank you for advertising in Your Little Black Book.

Motor Services

Offering a friendly service with over 20 years experience. Car & trailer servicing, repairs & M.O.T’s.

Date Proofed: 09.03.18

Remarks:

TRAILER HIRE AVAILABLE. Car trailers, box trailers & horse boxes.

• Collection & delivery service. FREE within a 5 mile radius from garage.

• Courtesy car available if required.

Date Passed:

01435 408568

• Mini service.

• Full service.

• Diagnostics

• Holiday check from £20.

• Winter check from £20.

• Clutches, exhausts & brakes.

PLEASE NOTE

Follow the road out of Horam High Street to Maynards Green, turn left at the oast house Unit 18, Bridge Farm, Horam, East Sussex, TN21 0BP

If you are considering new copy or illustration changes, please forward Tuesday 16th October, otherwise your advertisement will printed

SUSSEX FREE RANGE EGGS

Buy from the hens at Riverside Farm, Laundry Lane, Vines Cross. Also available at Pomfrets Butchers, Spar Broad Oak & Davies & Son.

Tel 01435 812588

CONSUMER ADVICE: KEEP REFRIGERATED AFTER PURCHASE

Riverside Farm, Laundry Lane, Vines Cross, East Sussex TN21 9ED

Egg stamping explanation

0 = Organic, 1 = Free Range, 2 = Barn, 3 = Cage, UK = Origin, 99999 = Producer ID

'All the months of the year curse a fair februeer"

Just as for January, no good will come from a warm February, cold and dormancy is still what’s called for in the garden. If the wind is in the east at the beginning of the month, winter is likely to remain for some weeks to come, indeed snow and ice may be expected, but if the wind is mild and westerly we may expect the worst of winter to be behind us. During clement spells of weather we should be pressing on with the steadily lengthening list of jobs to be carried out in the garden.

Winter flowering shrubs may be pruned as they finish flowering. With winter jasmine train as many recently flowered shoots along the wall as necessary and cut back the rest to four buds from the base, these should then make good growth for next winter.

Buddleia Davidii is a subject that greatly enjoys hard treatment, sometime between St. Patrick's Day and Good Friday prune back to four or so buds. Hydrangea paniculata may be treated in the same way, likewise the red and yellow stemmed dogwoods, the stems of these may be used as cuttings; place them in fine soil in a sheltered out-of-the-way spot and they should make root by autumn.

All too often we see weak and sickly plants in the border, but this can be avoided with a just a few hours' light work; those plants which have not been recently moved may be fed with a general fertiliser, preferably with manure or compost lightly dug in at the same time.

It will pay to start spraying the roses at the end of the month as the stems will most likely be hosting overwintering fungal spores, the main thing is to prevent the appearance of mould on the leaf, by which time it is too late to eradicate, regular applications as directed should see off the fungus for the rest of the year.

Box edgings may be planted and if wallflowers, forget-me-nots and polyanthuses are still to be put out, this should be done without delay, we may also be planting hollyhocks, verbenas, foxgloves, sweet williams and canterbury bells.

The keen vegetable gardener will have been greatly cheered by that most glorious of early winter sights, namely the the upthrustings of a line of sturdy green cotyledons, heralding the successful germination of their broad beans. Our thoughts may at last be turning to which crops we might sow to encourage and cheer us through the long gloom of Lent. Any ground preparation or early seed sowing must be governed by the weather; excess rain or cold should see us off to the shed for yet more tool sharpening and brooding over seed catalogues. and the disgraceful state of English cricket.

If the weather is fine and 'open' and the reader has a south facing or otherwise sheltered vegetable patch, we may sow some seed under cloches, assuming of course a fine tilth has first been achieved. Onion, pea, parsnip, lettuce, broad bean, Brussel sprouts and radish may be tried. Radishes must be grown fast to be tender and mild, any check to growth leads to hot and woody specimens, disdained even by the poultry. Protect from frost. Garlic and shallots to go in around Valentine's day.

Mice find peas dipped in diesel or paraffin an unappetising snack.

That long-neglected rhubarb clump may now be lifted and divided. One good eye per clump. For sticks to be proud of, divisions should not to be harvested until next year.

Fruit trees grown in lawn or meadow will benefit from a helping of nitrogen.

Chives may be divided and replanted at the end of the month.

For most right-minded people these last few months have been trying and tiresome and diversion may always be had in the garden,: the ever-lengthening list of jobs to be carried out before Spring should leave no time for ennui or melancholy and any work carried out now will greatly ease the pressure later on.

RIVER MEAD NURSERY

Foords Lane, Vines Cross, Horam, East Sussex TN21 9HB

Telephone No. 01435 813353 Email – info@rivermeadnursery.co.uk

Website - www.rivermeadnursery.co.uk

We have a wide selection of plants:-

Bedding Plants, Herbs, Vegetable Plants, Perennials, Shrubs, Fruit Bushes, Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees, Grasses, Cacti, Agaves. Also available –

Home grown produce (seasonal vegetables, herbs, fruit, cut flowers and eggs).

Opening Times: Winter 9am-dusk Monday - Saturday

PLANNING APPLICATION WD/2022/0257/MAJ

15 NEW DWELLINGS IN THE CENTRE OF VINES CROSS VILLAGE

Yet another planning applica/on has been submi4ed to Wealden council, this /me for a development of 15 houses in the /ny hamlet of Vines Cross.

Those of you who know the area will understand the pressure this will put on Vines Cross and the surrounding villages. This new development alone represents a 20% increase in what is essen/ally a very rural community with no local services.

The need for any addi/onal housing given the many hundreds of new homes already planned and built in Horam, Heathfield, Hailsham and East Hoathly and surrounding areas is ques/onable to say the least.

Add to this the nega/ve visual aspect, the totally inadequate water management proposals of the site, the close proximity to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and designated ancient woodland.

There is no considera/on given to the impact of addi/onal traffic or of the planned access point onto Ballsocks Lane, which is narrow, steep and has a blind bend, or on the surrounding road network heading out in all direc/ons.

We are all already feeling that our local resources are stretched too thin. It’s hard to get doctors appointments, schools are oversubscribed and there is regular flooding where there never used to be with sewage overflowing onto roads and into gardens.

The bo4om line is that anyone with even a small piece of land will feel that its open season for house building and our rural landscape will cease to exit. This development, as with many in our area is both unwanted and unjus/fied and will cause serious harm to our local community and our built and natural environment.

It is hard to find anyone in favour of this development and to para phrase Micheal Gove’s recent statement regarding changes to the Levelling Up Bill, we should be “placing local communi-es at the heart of the planning system.” Wealden Council need to listen to the local community and refuse this applica/on.

Please contact the Vines Cross Community Associa/on or email me at lesleymedlock@mac.com to be kept up to date.

WHAT’S ON IN THE COMMUNITY

Happy New Year! Young at Heart has kicked off with a flying start with Little Tinkers Nursery School, Parkside and Bedes all joining us to provide a welcome distraction for our members.

We’ve been extremely fortunate to have been visited by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, who joined us along with Parkside Primary School. A wonderfully engaged afternoon which the children and members loved. Our trip to Bedes was an art session which everyone learnt the art of marbling - fabulous results and huge thanks to Bedes sixth form for their time and patience!

Cherry Spring Studio continue to provide our craft and Rowana Mladek continues to support us with Qigong. Angela Brooks and Cake and Wine Club Choir raise the roof every Thursday! Nobody should be lonely. Please contact Rachel, 07971032667, if you have a friend or relative who might be interested. Kindly sponsored by Wealden Funeral Services and Trevaskis Consulting Ltd.

A full day of lunch, crafts and activities with pupils from local schools

Book a FREE TRIAL DAY and come and join us we would love to meet you!

Please call 07971 032667 or visit youngatheart.me.uk

Term-time: Thursdays 10.00am-11.30am (50p per morning)

Horebeech Lane

Horam TN21 0DT

www.christchurchhoram.org

HEATHFIELD COMMUNITY CLUB

WHAT’S ON IN THE COMMUNITY

Next date: Saturday 11 February 2023, 9:30am – 12 noon, Horam Village Hall, A267, Horam TN21 0JE.

Second Saturday every month, same time: We hope to see you! Help us preserve our environment and dent our throw-away culture. Everyone is welcome and all services are free, but donations are welcome. Yummy home-baked cakes and refreshments while you wait! https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeTN21

On most occasions we will be able to repair: Computers ~ Electrical items ~ Cycles ~ Minor mechanical problems ~ Furniture ~ ~ Musical instruments ~ Small Sewing repairs

Heathfield Repair Café is generously funded by Heathfield & Waldron Parish Council, Wealden District Council and Co-op Horam.

NEW TELEPHONE ARRANGEMENTS AT OUR SURGERY

We are absolutely committed to helping our patients get the care and support you need, as quickly and as easily as possible.Having taken on board patient and staff feedback, we are delighted to announce that will have launched a new telephone system.

The new system is far more user friendly and we hope that it will improve your experience of telephoning the surgery. We have moved to one universal phone number for all of our sites - 01825 732 333.This is the current Buxted phone line but will become the number for all of our sites, and our East Hoathly and Manor Oak phone lines will cease to be active from the end of March. Having one phone line will mean that there will be an increased number of people able to take calls and support patients to get advice and book appointments when needed.

Our branch opening times will also be aligning within the next few weeks so all are open from 8am to 6.30pm. This will be a change for those patients who have previously called the Manor Oak line and have waited until 8.30am for these to open each morning.

On a trial basis we will be increasing the number of calls which are able to be queued at any one time to 70 (up from 40). If you are between caller 20 and 70, the system will offer you a call back facility to save you from waiting on the phone. The call back system will be in operation from 8am until 11.30am each day and then again 2pm to 3.30pm. These times will be subject to review so that we can test and assess how the system is working.

It is important we get this right and we will be offering patients the opportunity to provide feedback on the new phone system in early April so that we can tweak things if we need to. If the system obviously requires significant adjustment before April we will look to implement any changes before then. Contacting our team by phone is only one way to reach us and we have also recently started to use an online E-hub appointments option for patients. We will provide further news on this including how to access the E-hub shortly.

Buxted, East Hoathly and Horam Patient Group

Tree Surgery Hedge Cutting Hedge Laying

Tel 01435 868836

Mobile 07885 950755

Company Established 25 yrs. Fully Insured. NCH ARB Approved - ARB Approved N.C.T.P Certified

We are very lucky to have such an amazing charity locally that cares for our wildlife. WRAS are always grateful for donations of towels, pillow slips, blankets and cat food. These items can be left at: Unit 8, The Shaw Barn, Whitesmith, BN8 6JD.

Why not visit their charity shop in Eastbourne? 01323 643111. Any animal in trouble call 0781 50 78234, for anything else call 01825 873003.