The Hurst. Dec/Jan/Feb 2023-24

ISSUE 23

the Hurst

DEC/JAN/FEB 2023-24

What’s going on in Hurst Green • News, views and information

Design: John Hawkins Print: Wealden Print, Hawkhurst

the Hurst

E D I TO R I A L

Welcome to the Winter/December edition of the Hurst.

Of course the next month or so is one of the busiest in both the Church and the village calendars.

Christmas is almost upon us (although if you frequent supermarkets and shops you would think it started in August). There’s a full list of Christmas Services at Holy Trinity (and some at St Mary Salehurst) within these pages.

Christmas is a time of giving and we have a lovely article about a charity walk in aid of Macmillan Nurses. Takes us all back to the heady days of summer. This issue also includes the first in our series of Heroes of Hurst Green. Ray Young has travelled the world and now brings his experiences to local (and not so local groups) in the form of talks about his travels. He raises money for our Air Ambulance Service. Through his efforts, he has raised more than £5,400 of much-needed funds for the Trust. Well done Ray! A fantastic effort.

If any of our readers feels we should put the spotlight on an individual or individuals who contribute to our village in some way, do let me know. We’d love to highlight them in a future issue of the Hurst.

Along with its regular columns, this issue has an update on the plans for improvements to the A21 and other roads within our village. Our roving reporter attended the latest meeting and his report can be read in these pages. If the improvements that are seemingly agreed actually happen, they should certainly improve life within the village, in the absence of a by-pass which seems to have been shelved completely.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody in the village a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful and peaceful New Year! Please don’t forget to get in touch if there’s anything you would like to include in the magazine. It is, after all, the voice of our village so please use it!

Francesca Wooldridge Deadline for next copy is 31st January thehurst.hg@gmail.com

U S E F U L C O N TA C T S

Allotment Association 01580 860251 Breakfast Club (75+) 01580 860760/860358 Brownies 01580 860742 Comedy Capers 01580 860221 Cricket Club 07796 976809 First Responders 07837 224905 Holy Trinity Church 01580 880282 (Vicar), 01580 860649

Hurst Green C of E School 01580 860375 Nursery School 01580 860375 x211 Parish Clerk 01580 860111 Rother District Council 01424 787000 Short Mat Bowling 01424 773478 Twinning Association 01580 860977 Village Hall Booking Agent 01580 860111/860425

H E L P F U L L O C A L S E RV I C E S

Cars Mobile Car Mechanic: Cliff Mercer 07909 911869 Dogs Holiday and day care: Lorely Watson 01580 880061 / 07796 392653 Pippin’s Pet Sitting and walking: 07717 681972 Sarah.janeheasman@hotmail.co.uk Eco-friendly products Joanna Girling 07443 411677 girling.joanna@gmail.com Electricians Gareth Skinner 07929 839309 Tim Russell 07771 687636 trussell.5@btinternet.com House Portraits Christine Masters Art 07833 342020 www.christinemastersart.wordpress.com 2

Leather repairs Kay Lloyd,Wealden Saddlery 01580 860860 Pest control Paul Messenger 07940 744411 paul@roecallservices.com Plastering and tiling Edd Ripley, 07875 494493 Plumbers Aaron Plumbing & Heating Ltd Aaron Rowsell 01580 230330 Steve Walker 07564 405702 Private car hire and taxi service Hugo, 01435 883803 Mob. 07931 605057 If you would like to be included in this list please email thehurst.hg@gmail.com This is a free listing.

NEWS FROM

Hurst Green Primary School The children in the Nursery at Hurst Green Primary School have been in the sandpit at every opportunity since our return at the end of October. They wear waterproof suits and they cannot wait to get in there!

On a very wet and windy afternoon recently, Willow Class visited Holy Trinity Church in the village. Before we went inside, we noticed the gravestones, particularly one with a poppy wreath on it.

We spotted the bell above the church and talked about how the bell is made to ring. Once inside we were excited to see the rope that would be used. We were all impressed with the huge door and noticed the wonderful painting on the walls and ceiling. We noticed that the windows were a different shape to those in our classroom and they had lovely colours and pictures on them. We looked at the font and some of the children explained about Christenings, what happens and why. The children were

impressed by the huge Bible with the gold edges on the pages, but we thought it would take quite a long time to read all of it.

One of the children was able to tell us that the pipes on the wall were for the organ and that we would be able to hear the sound coming from the holes in the pipes.

We enjoyed sitting on the pews and looking at the high wooden ceiling. We thought it would have taken a long time to build the church. Thanks to Helen for opening the church, and Zue for closing up after we left.

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Letter not from the Vicar!

It is time to introduce myself. My name is Anthea Williams, and I am a retired priest with permission to take services in the Diocese of Chichester.

At present, I am covering all the Sunday services at Holy Trinity which require a priest – that is, the services of Holy Communion which we have twice a month. This is to help Rev Annette recover from her recent operation, and it will continue until the middle of April as things stand.

I actually live in the parish of Salehurst, but can walk through the woods and fields from Great Wigsell, coming out at the pump on the main road – normally, with robes and books to carry, I use my car and park in Ridgeway, where some of you will already have met me walking to the church. I now know quite a few of your dogs, as they take you to the wood for their morning outing! Up to now, I have been helping by playing the organ and piano once a month, but for the present I have delegated this aspect to my trusty partner and colleague Martyn Williams, who is an actual ‘organist’ as opposed to someone who ‘plays the organ’.

Christmas is coming, when it is one service after another! I will be busy at St Mary’s Salehurst as well as at Holy Trinity. Here, we will be having an extra service of Holy Communion at 9.30 on Christmas morning, as well as on Christmas Eve at the usual time of 9am for 9.30. If you have family or friends staying, they may like to know about this. It will be a short service, but a chance to ‘check in’ for your Christmas Communion before the cooking takes over! I will be delighted to see you and your family.

Inevitably, it is the church services which are my focus while I am standing in, but of course I am available to anyone who needs to talk to a priest, and will be happy to help if I can.

Happy Christmas to you all! Anthea chaplain2sk@btinternet.com 01580 754948 (BT permitting!)

Christmas Services at Holy Trinity and St Mary Salehurst where indicated Sunday Dec 3rd 9am coffee for 9.30am Holy Communion 6pm Light in the Darkness Quiet carols at St Mary Salehurst Sunday December 10th 9am coffee for 9.15am Breakfast Church Saturday December 16th 4pm Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies Sunday December 17th 9am coffee for 9.30am Informal service 4pm Carols and Christingle at St Mary Salehurst Thursday December 21st 10am-12 Renew Coffee Morning Christmas Special at Holy Trinity Sunday December 24th 9am coffee for 9.30am Holy Communion 11.30pm Midnight Communion at St Mary Salehurst Christmas Day 9.30am Holy Communion 11am Holy Communion at St Mary Salehurst Sunday December 31st 9am coffee for 9.30am Informal service To make a donation to the work of Holy Trinity, use this QR code to go to our Just Giving page.

Thank you so much – it will make a huge difference.

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Æ

Allan Cheek continues his regular feature in the Hurst describing different walks of varying difficulty. Allan is happy to discuss this and other Hurst Green walks in more detail including the possibility of leading small groups.

For information, contact Allan by text/ WhatsApp 07803 50297

A clockwise circular walk via Rother Valley railway/Willards Hill/Fontridge Manor and Etchingham. 8.3 miles – a steady walk of approx 3.5 hours From the Clockhouse head south on the A21 taking the Bodiam Road at Silver Hill and right down Beech House Lane toward Salehurst. Look out for the second footpath stile on the right after approx 2/3 mile opposite the barn on stilts. Follow this path downhill through Springfield Wood to the hoses on Rother View.

• Turn right to find the twitten which leads to the crossing of the A21. When safely across follow the path into the mix of properties which once bordered the main road before the bypass (don’t get me started about bypasses).

• Head into the village along The Clappers and the current end of the line of the Rother Valley Railway (now approved for completion) and take the footpath immediately after, bordering the cricket ground. In 100yds go under the railway, bear left then right through a gate out into the open keeping straight on at various paths crossing to reach a footbridge and eventually under the mainline railway bridge, turn right then left into a grassy area with a straight path between trees at the end of which turn sharp right uphill and left into a narrowfenced path which emerges out into sheep pastures. Bear left and exit the field through a couple (?) of gates before dropping steeply 6

down across a footbridge and up out into an open field following the path over and back down to the bottom but turn left to find the less obvious footbridge with the path which leads left uphill toward Hackwoods Farm where you cross a track right then left through a hedge to follow a newish diverted footpath round below a modernised house.

• Head downhill to a footbridge past a lake on the left and back uphill past an array of renovated farm buildings and up a few steps before crsooing Ludpit Lane at Willards Hill.

Follow the path due west down and along to another footbridge which leads to a large open field slightly uphill and diagonally towards the top left corner before popping out onto Fontridge Lane.Turn right, cross over and head into Fontridge Manor drive taking the second turning on the right to follow the public right of way to the stile into the paddock downhill through a gate then keeping to the left to go through another gate looking on the left downhill to find another gate (these were mostly unmarked) Bear right to head toward the footbridge over the river Dudwell then follow the new farm track bearing right toward another gateway, keep left to find the final footbridge and head right up to the stile onto Borders Lane. Phew! Your last walk is right towards Etchingham village and return up Burgh Hill. This route was last tested late November and is probably best enjoyed after the winter to avoid the worst of the wet sticky stuff.

HURST GREEN PARISH UPDATE A21 Safety Package Hurst Green Village Hall meeting – Friday 27 October 2023 This meeting was called for by Hurst Green Parish Council and arranged by our MP Huw Merriman to gather and understand the information and progress of the improvements being carried out by Highways and their future plans to protect the village from the dangers of our heavy traffic flow.

Present at the meeting were Huw Merriman MP, Battle & Bexhill (chairing), three representatives from National Highways, two representatives from Sussex Police, six HGPC/RDC councillors and The Hurst’s special correspondent.

Highways reported that recent improvements include repositioning the village gateway closer to the village which enables them to reduce the speed limit at Coopers Corner to introduce a 40mph buffer zone into the village.

In terms of current activity, they reported: ‘’Section 4 works’’ – Hurst Green to Baldslow – (Oct 23 to April 24). This includes refreshing road markings through the village (including the HFS (High Friction Surfacing) near the school) and installing new road studs throughout the village.

Outcomes of the Pedestrian Improvements Survey • A New crossing at Holy Trinity Church – improved connectivity and safety - either zebra or uncontrolled.

• Improvements to the existing crossing at Station Road (not the Pelican but across Station Road itself) – reducing the crossing distance, increasing the centre island size • New crossing at Planters – improved connectivity to/from Bellhurst Woods

Outcomes of ‘Conflict Studies’: i.e. accident blackspots!

• Junction improvement to Ashdene Garages – to limit dangerous manoeuvres (e.g. overtaking) • Junction improvement to Coopers Corner – a new roundabout • Junction improvement to Station Road – introducing signals to the junction • Reviewed the case for safety camera enforcement Of course, one of the main questions raised by HGPC was when is all this likely to happen? The answer was at least 6 months for the crossings and 18 months for the roundabout. The funding for the improvements (approx. £20m – presumably for the entire A21) is now ringfenced unlike previous promises (bypass!). No further hope for a bypass.

A couple of questions were left unanswered: the Silverhill/Bodiam junction and safety considerations planned for the new housing and greenspace development opposite the School. There were promises to come back on these issues.

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In Search of the Summer Wine – “Even the good old British summer didn’t manage to dampen spirits”

A resident of Coleman’s Way, Ziad Kassem, together with his brother Omar and his nephew Hassan wanted to remember Kassem’s mother who died of metastatic cancer after a short illness in 2019.

Together they began to raise funds for Macmillan Nurses to help others who have to struggle with the illness.

The trio trekked the Autumn equinox 2022 and Kassem walked the South Downs Trail on the Summer equinox 2023. Here, he describes his adventures…

“I decided to walk the South Downs trail as a reconnaissance for my planned sponsored walk from Folkington to Alfriston and Cuckmere Haven, with my brother, Omar and my nephew Hassan. I was pacing myself for the charity walk for Macmillan Nurses. It would be a circuitous route. I was really in search of the Last of the Summer Wine as Compo was, and I took my sleeping bag with me.

I missed the last bus home and walked from Alfriston to Berwick. It was a brilliant starry night and I was half hoping and half wanting to sleep ‘à la belle étoile.” I would be in 8

the company of cows and bullocks who were huddling together in a field that I would share with them. There was no light pollution and in the canopy of stars I could see the Plough and the Great Bear.

Sure enough, there was a train strike and I was stranded. I ended up propping up the bar at the Berwick Inn. I also called in at the Cricketer’s Arms. Everyone else in there seemed to also be caught out and the place was packed with late night diners tucking in to copious platters of succulent lamb, grilled salmon and cauliflower cheese.

No nouvelle cuisine here! Just the din of cutlery rattling against crockery and glasses clinking with a loud hubbub of chatter and laughter. After a few lager shandies and elderflower juices, I decided to sleep in a field near Alfriston and then on a bench in the village.

Apart from the famous stars, I could see a bright moving light. It wasn’t a star and it wasn’t a plane. It was moving every few minutes relative to the horizon. Was it a Chinese spy satellite? A Sky craft? An enemy drone or Rupert Murdoch policing the Downs? There was a sharp downward

a Macmillan Charity Walk

up the path past Folkington Manor with trajectory and then it moved on and I Omar and Hassan, past beech hedges and woke feeling the cold on my face. I walked rowan ash trees with prolific berries, through through the empty streets of Alfriston a gate and over a stile, with views over a and found a congregation hall, the United sweeping panorama, a patchwork of fields Reformed Church. It was 3am and the and woods.There were little pebbledash door was ajar. I pushed the door open and cottages with flower beds, staked dahlias went in. I found a warm hall with seats and a vegetable garden with cavolo nero around the chapel filled with little stiff and sprouts, overlooking sweeping fields. At cushions. After praying I used the cushions the top of Windover, we could see, to the as a prop for my head and piled them at north, fields of rape and beans.To the west, the end of the seat. I fell asleep a second more herds of bullocks huddled near the time! At around 6.30am I went out and Cuckmere river.To the east lay Friston Wood read a memorial plaque on the exterior of and Jevington where once I had seen horses the chapel. There had been a major fracas train, with steeplechase and point to point in 1831 and a trustee of the church fences and tracks. had ousted the appointed minister “In the during a service to replace him by canopy of stars Further down the Cuckmere a certain George Betts (no, not the I could see the we could see the white horse of footballer George Best!).

Plough and the chalk marked out on the edge of Great Bear” the escarpment of High and Over, I walked back to Berwick from where lofty sloe bushes and trees Alfriston. The interior of the church towered.

I had previously harvested at Berwick was magnificently decorated sloes here with a friend. After all, sloes are

by Clive Bell of Charleston in the taste of considered a precious commodity by gin the post-Impressionist Bloomsbury Group drinkers! of the 1920s and 30s.

A week or so later, after the Autumn equinox, I retraced my footsteps and walked

To the south lay Cuckmere Haven, a little beach, and to the east of it a greater  9

by West Dean, a village evoking the shire village of Hobbiton with pebble dash cottages, timber-framed stone barns, a brilliant paddock of margueritas and a cool green pond with overhanging willow trees.

Beside the pond, ramblers can sit and rest, dream and, if the mood takes them, draw.

I’d walked ten miles on that day and fifteen miles the previous September.”

expanse of beach with impressive views of the Seven Sisters. We passed colonies of Canada Geese with their black, grey and white markings as well as kittiwakes and swans preening their features in the river.

It was here that Alfred the Great was said to have moored his ships in the 890s. It is now classified as a wetlands nature reserve and is truly a success story in terms of conservation. The area had been allowed to flood inland with a great expanse of water and is a special habitat that attracts migratory birds.

Omar, Hassan and I swung back round onto the road to Litlington, a village of thatched cottages. One of the cottages looked as though it could have belonged to Bilbo Baggins, with an immaculate thatch with trimmed surrounds running around the windows, and a grandiose front door.

The other cottages were smaller with beds of brilliant golden heliopsis – ballet dancers shimmering in the sun. We returned under the Wilmington Man and Windover, the highest hill in the area. It had been a six hour walk.

My journey alone on the Summer equinox, nine months later, was of equal duration and I followed a route from East Dean, past Birling Gap, Cuckmere Haven, West Dean, Alfriston and Berwick. I dropped 10

To contribute to Macmillan Nurses, please visit the Just Giving Page justgivingmacmillansnurses.com or send cheques made payable to Macmillan Nurses to 1 Coleman’s Way, Hurst Green TN19 7NY.

A big thank you to all the folks who supported our Coffee Morning this year in Hurst Green Village Hall. My special thanks go to all the wonderful bakers who made the cakes, the ladies who made the teas and coffees and the volunteers who manned the stalls.

With the support and prize donations from Caravan Tech, Planters Café, Rhoden Ltd and many local people, we managed to raise £495 from raffle ticket sales. Thanks to people like you giving so generously we raised £1,056.90 for Macmillan to help them in their amazing work of supporting those affected by Cancer. Thank you all for your support.

Elaine Ralph Coffee Morning Organiser.

Church: irrelevant, out of date and boring?

Or is there still a role for it today?

I suppose it depends on what you think church is. Basically, the Christian church is made up of groups of people who believe in God and want to follow the teachings of Jesus. These groups or congregations mostly meet up on Sundays in a building to sing worship songs, read from the Bible, pray and listen to a sermon which hopefully leads to more understanding of God’s plan and purpose for our lives.

The early Christian church, which began in 1st Century after the death and resurrection of Jesus, met in people’s homes, shared their lives together and were very visible within their communities.

The way they showed love and compassion and shared the teachings of Jesus with those around them, resulted in the growth of these fellowships.

So, what about today in this secular society?

Christianity is just one of many religions and whereas the UK was predominantly ‘Christian’ even up until the mid-20th Century, the church seems to have lost its way and authority amidst the plethora of alternative belief systems including atheism. Not only in our country but most of the western world has seen a decline in traditional church attendance. However, in Africa for instance, churches are growing and in places where there is oppression and persecution like China where the church has had to go underground, thousands are turning to God. Here in Hurst Green, our little group at Holy Trinity strives to survive. Sadly, there are no young people, families or children who come on a regular basis. Sundays are not set apart as a day of rest now but a time for family activities, shopping and just

Holy Trinity’s hand decorated William Morris patterned walls

catching up after a busy week. This is just a fact of life but maybe we have squeezed God out of the equation and maybe our spiritual wellbeing has been compromised?

Therefore, maybe a more relevant question should be, is God, irrelevant, out of date and boring? I will leave that question hanging although you can probably guess what my answer would be!

Annabelle Blackaby

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Heroes of Hurst Green A new column putting the spotlight on individuals who go over and above to help others or improve village life.

and he agreed. This talk and film lasted an hour and afterwards he was offered £40.

He declined to take it saying he enjoyed going over the holiday again and was pleased they had enjoyed his talk and film.

Our inaugural individual is Ray Young of The Ridgeway who, over the past five “Have you not got a charity you “Recently years has been regularly donating could give it to?” Well, in the Ray was money to the Kent, Sussex and coffee shop was a tin for the Air delighted to Surrey Air Ambulance Trust by Ambulance. Ray took the £40 receive a certificate to tell him he has virtue of being an Authorised and put it in the tin the next day. raised £5,471.48 Speak for this life-saving charity.

When the official came to collect for the Trust” the tin contents, she asked where Ray’s wife Alysoun put him the £40 had come from. Ray told forward and explains more: “It her and he asked if he would like to do all started in 2018 when Ray was a this more often and donate regularly. He volunteer at the café, shop and Post Office willingly agreed. in the old Catholic Church in Station Road.

He was serving coffee to a group of ladies from Burwash Church and noticed that one of them had an American accent. He pointed out that we had just returned from a holiday to Arizona, including staying at The Grand Canyon, and that we had taken film of this world wonder and the surroundings. She immediately asked him if he could give a talk about this adventure

Since 2001, Ray and I have travelled to 17 different countries, most of which many Britons have not had the opportunity to visit. These include China, India, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Peru, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, USA, Argentina, Brazil etc and have filmed the beautiful fauna and flora and, of course, the people themselves. We call them World Expeditions.

Burwash Walking Footballers Southern Combination over 60’s League – East Sussex Division Well, the new match kit certainly bought us some luck in our opening game. Against Atha Strollers of Bexhill Burwash dominated the game from start to finish and if it hadn’t been for ‘Old Raz’ the Strollers’ goal-keeper, still sprightly at the age of 77, it could have been a cricket score. As it was, we settled for a 2-0 win with goals from Chris Jones and Peter Henley.

In the second half, so solid was the Burwash defence that the keeper had nothing to do 12

apart from save a penalty in the last few minutes of the game. We won’t have a more comfortable victory this season.

Next up was an away game at against Hastings who last season inflicted our heaviest ever league defeat (1-6) - but that was then. This time Burwash totally dominated the first half with a couple of early chances bringing out good saves from the Hastings keeper. Chris Jones hit another long range shot that came back off the post before some great work by Dave Brett on the wing ended with a pin-point

Ray Young in 1994 Ray explains the political on the World Trade system, the education Centre Twin Towers in opportunities, population, New York country size, their cuisine and their flag with its meaning.

This year Ray has had 31 invitations to speak, from local organisations as as the W.I., Friendship Clubs, Retirement Homes, Seniors Clubs etc and some as far away as Eastbourne, Haywards Heath and Ashford. Next year is starting to fill and he has had twelve invites so far.

295659 or email rally67@pobroadband. co.uk. His talks and films last for around 55 Part of the key to Ray’s success is that he makes no charge for his shows but instead, as minutes.” an Authorised Collector for our county Air PS: I know that Ray would not wish to Ambulance Trust, he asks for a donation of be seen as a hero but he does indirectly their choice for this charity. By this method help others through his efforts. No… he collects between £20 and £100 each the real heroes are the air crew, doctors visit. Recently he was delighted to receive and paramedics who come immediately a certificate to tell him he has now raised at short notice, day or night. They have £5,471.48 for the Trust! helped those in need over 1500 times in the past year, and each ‘lift-off’ costs £400 If anyone out there is looking for a speaker in fuel alone! for their club, give Ray Young a call on 07804

and the irrepressible Peter Henley was there again to give Burwash a two goal cushion. Hasting subsequently had a lot of possession but without being able to fashion any decent chances or unduly worry John in goal

Chris Jones, Peter Henley, Nigel Gethins, Roy Smith, Dave Brett, Peter Manning, Laurence Worton

pass to Clive who stroked it into the back of the net just before half time.

Two minutes into the second half

Two wins from two and no goals conceded leaves us top of the league with a game in hand – a pretty solid start and shows that when we play teams of the same age we are uber competitive. Unlike last season where we were pitted against teams much younger than us.

Contact Steve ‘Minty’ Mintram on 01435 882444 for more information. www.burwashwalkingfootballers.co.uk 13

COMEDY CAPERS 2023 Hello. Remember Comedy Capers?

We have been putting on Children in Need and pantomimes for local people for over twenty years. It began after a conversation in the Old Bull Pub [where the Curry Pot once was}.

Wow! We had a blast putting those shows together, but unfortunately Covid stopped us in our tracks and when we recovered, we discovered that many of us had moved, gone to Uni and lost our momentum. For the last two years we have met up socially and danced at the village fete in ‘Morris dance’ style and we put together a few sketches for the lighting of the Christmas tree last year.

We would hate to see Comedy Capers disbanded but the current membership is now ‘getting on’ and sadly depleted .

Sussex Police... are open for PCSO recruitment and are looking for compassionate, driven and community-minded people to join the force.

Policing offers a fulfilling career with lots of benefits so if you are looking for a job that allows you to make a real impact (or know someone else who might be), continue reading below.

Why become a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)?

You’ll act as an integral part of the community, supporting those who need us most.

You will receive a starting salary of £32,633 (which includes unsociable shift allowance.)

You’ll become someone who is trusted and relied upon and engage with different people every day.

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We are asking you all if there is someone who can take up the challenge or baton and shake up and revive Comedy Capers. It would mean a lot of work and some new recruits, but we have the equipment, experience, costumes and money to put on another show.

If this is you please get in touch with Colleen at colleensburt@gmail.com You will gain a fully funded professional qualification as well as access to plenty of training opportunities to progress within your career.

Interested? Head over to our career pages and apply today, https://www.sussex.police. uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/ careers/jobs/pcsos/.

If you are unsure and would like to find out more about the role, you can book in a for a 1:1 career call with a recruitment expert at Sussex Police by emailing careers@sussex.police.uk, or sign up and attend a recruitment webinar where the team can advise you on the application process, eligibility criteria and much more.

Webinar details are posted to the Sussex Police Facebook page.

To find more information about other career opportunities at Sussex Police, visit www.sussex.police.uk/jobs.

The Poppy Appeal This year’s Poppy Appeal, under the leadership of the village’s longstanding local organiser, farmer Graham Browne, raised a total of £1416.11. Nine local businesses and eight volunteer residents went door-to-door and collected the amount which approached the total from last year. Considering the economic environment facing households, the team were grateful of the tremendous generosity shown by the village.

Many thanks to the businesses and individuals who contributed this year: Ashdene Garage, Aroma, Planters, Merriments Gardens, Eggs to Apples, Caravan Tech, Station Road store, Man Yee, The Social Club, I and S Peacock, D Johnson, R Young, B Hutchinson, A Cheek, T Browne, G Browne.

Graham Browne has been spearheading this appeal for the last 14 years and, to date, has raised an astonishing £23,000 for the Appeal.

Many thanks for all your efforts Graham.

Comedy Corner A new regular feature designed to bring a smile to the village!

Two nuns were driving through a forest in Transylvania when Count Dracula jumped out of a tree and landed on the front of the car. “Quick!” said the nun that was driving. “Wind down the window and show him your CROSS”…

The second nun wound down the window and shouted, “Get off the ******* bonnet this minute!!

A man was caught stealing in Saudi Arabia and had his hand chopped off. Six months later he was seen walking through a market holding his hand up with multiple stiches round his wrist! “I won my appeal” he said!!

HURST GREEN VILLAGE HALL WHAT’S ON WEEKLY MONDAY

11am Lunch Club (2nd Monday each month, 07798 556999 to book) 7pm Short Mat Bowls TUESDAY 8.45am Pilates (07798 663820) 7pm Jive & Lindy Hop (07766 881045) 8pm Parish Council Meeting (4th Tuesday of each month) WEDNESDAY 10am Upholstery (termtime) 5.30pm Brownies (termtime) THURSDAY 8.45am Pilates 1.30pm Short Mat Bowls 8pm Zumba FRIDAY 10am Breakfast Club (2nd & 4th Friday each month) Booking agent: Sue Endean 01580 860425, 07718 282605 Charity no. 229672

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