Sedlescombe

This Saturday, March 29 Sedlescombe Pre School is holding an Easter Fayre at the Village Hall from 2-4pm. There will be Easter crafts and activities for families to enjoy, face painting, cream teas, a chocolate tombola and an Easter bonnet parade. There are tables available for other Societies or crafts people to take part, if you would like to be part of the event then please get in contact with Jenny Eldridge on 01424 870761. They are also inviting entries to the Great Sedlescombe Easter Bake Off for a £2.00 entry for over 16’s, children can enter for free. Any Easter related edibles can be included. Don’t forget to go along and join in this spring time fun. All profits will go to Sedlescombe Pre School to help fund new learning equipment and activities.

During the next few weeks, everyone in the parish of Sedlescombe will be made aware that the draft Sedlescombe Neighbourhood Plan has been published and that anyone can either support it, or suggest amendments to it. The consultation lasts until 5pm on Tuesday May 6 but the sooner comments are sent to the Parish Council the better. For those with internet access, the draft Plan and other supporting documents, as well as a response form can be accessed easily on www.sedlescombe.org.uk. However, no-one need be left out and a file of the same documents has been left in the Village Shop, at the Queen’s Head, Brickwall Hotel, Doctors’ Surgery and Village Hall. There is a yellow painted box in the shop for your response forms.

The Parish Council will soon be delivering its latest Annual Report and Directory to every home in the parish of Sedlescombe. A summary of the Neighbourhood Plan proposals and a response form is included. Also included is the Agenda for the forthcoming Annual Parish Assembly on Tuesday April 29 in the Village Hall with doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. This promises to be a lively meeting with plenty of opportunity for you to have your say. There will be a special prize draw which anyone attending will be eligible to enter and also another for one of the Parish Council’s band of volunteers. As usual there is the opportunity for any village organisation or business to have a display table around the hall. Please contact the Parish Clerk on 01424 870508 to book a space.

The AGM of Sedlescombe Village Hall Committee was held last Thursday evening. Having served on the committee for a combined service of over 40years Pauline Glew, Reg Glew, David Torrance and Jenny Mitchell stepped down with some sadness and joy to see a new committee elected to continue with their good work. Gifts and a vote of thanks were given on behalf of all the regular user groups and the new committee.

The new Village Hall Committee is: Chair: Mark Fisher 01424 871605 [email protected], Secretary: John Parsons 01580 831996,Treasurer: Isabel Fisher 01424 871605, Building Maintenance: Mike Davies, Booking Secretary: Stella Brabants 01424 871436, Committee Member: Gill Tapp, Committee Member: Alan Smytherman. Mark Fisher the new Chair has not served on this committee but is looking forward to the challenge. He said, “I really don’t know what I’m getting myself into but I’ll give it a jolly good shot and obviously I’ve got the support of the rest of the committee.” He had been put forward by his wife, Isabel who has been on the committee for 3 years and now takes on the role of Treasurer. Mike Davies and Gill Tapp remain on the committee and all other posts are taken by newcomers. The committee is looking forward to working together and with all the hall users to make Sedlescombe Village Hall the place for your group, meeting, class, quiz, party or celebration. Contact Stella Brabants on 01424 871436 to book the hall.

Sedlescombe short mat bowls club had a short ceremony at last Tuesday’s meeting when two long standing members of the club were awarded honorary membership. President Bob harris presented David Green and Ernie Burgess with scrolls recording their membership. david Green was a past vice Chairman for many years. The club is celebrating eight years since its formation in May 2006 and meets every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the village hall. New members are always welcome.

Zambia in Sedlescombe! Pestalozzi’s popular series of cultural events continues with an African theme. Enjoy informative displays, exciting performances and tasty regional food on Thursday April 10, 6:30pm at Swiss Hall, Pestalozzi, Ladybird Lane, Sedlescombe, TN33 0UF. Entry is £5 or £2 for under-12s, entry includes a plate of delicious Zambian food. For more information, call 01424 870444 or email [email protected].

Sedlescombe School news: Mrs Ham writes: The whole school has recently enjoyed a fantastic performance of ‘The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe’ by a travelling theater group performed in our school hall - it was a huge success and such good value at only £3 per child. We are getting ready for our outdoor Easter Pageant on April 4, starting round on the Village Green at 9.30am, the village community and families are welcome to join us for this special occasion of the retelling of the Easter story.

Our school netball team has won 3 tournaments in one week, they are such talented players, with great sportsmanship too. They are now going to represent East Sussex Primary Schools at a tournament in Crawley in July, how exciting. Congratulations girls!

Our school football team is through to the semi-finals of the Collins Cup at St. on March 27, and they are in the finals of the Hopkins Cup at Horntye on March 28. Good Luck boys!

Our school choir has recently sung in the annual Hastings Festival Choir Competition, and performed two songs beautifully. They sang “The love I have for you my Lord” and then “Catch a falling star”. They received lovely comments from the adjudicator, and they came joint 4th, with the top 3 places going to the private schools of Hilden Grange, Battle Abbey and Creative Dance of Crowborough.

Our school caretaker, Mr. Harris and his wife are retiring from our school this Easter, having worked here for around 12 years. They have been a huge asset to our school team and kept our school in tip-top condition. We shall miss them very much, and wish them a long, healthy and happy retirement.

A date for your diary. Saturday April 12 there is to be a courtyard sale at Sedlescombe rectory from 10am until noon. More details to follow.

If you have an event coming up in the local area or would like to have a small piece, outlining your club or organisation aims, activities, membership etc. then please contact me by email to [email protected] or by calling 870344. Please allow a couple of weeks notice before an event to allow for full coverage

Judy Torrance, Asselton House