WADHURST TOWN IN FOCUS - JUNE 2009

WADHURST TREFOIL GUILD: Monica Jones chaired the May monthly meeting which started with prayer then future events, dates, venues etc. were discussed. Following the business meeting Joan Reed provided some recipes for members to try and provided delicious samples of her home made Quiche, Bara Brith and Chocolate Cake. A very enjoyable end to the afternoon.
The next meeting will be on 8th June at Dene Farm at 4.00p.m. when a 'sausage sizzle' will be provided for the Wadhurst Brownie Packs.

WADHURST FOOTPATHS SOCIETY: Members and friends meet on the last Sunday of each month in the car park behind One Stop, Washwell Lane, Wadhurst usually at 2.00pm. Next meeting: Evening Walk, Bateman’s Circular 6pm.

WADHURST WINEMAKERS CIRCLE: The next Friday evening meeting at the Recreation Ground is on 5th June. Contact Ruth for details on 750674.

KENT & SUSSEX BORDER LIONS CLUB: We meet every third Wednesday at Hurst Green Village Hall, all are welcome. Ring David Francis on 01580 200672 for more information.

MAYFIELD AND DISTRICT U3A At our next general meeting to be held on18th in the Mayfield Memorial Hall at 2.00pm, our speaker will be Chris McCooey and his subject will be 'Scandals - Sensational, Salacious and Sad'. Chris is a well known freelance speaker and writer with several books to his credit.
As always there is no entrance fee for members but visitors are asked for a small donation. Edward Neafcy

WADHURST GARDENING ASSOCIATION Wadhurst gardeners thoroughly enjoyed hearing Mrs Valerie Baines talking about Gardening for Butterflies at their meeting on Monday May 11th. Mrs Baines described and illustrated the anatomy and habits of many butterflies and showed in her beautifully detailed botanical paintings the flowers and plants which butterflies need to breed and feed upon in the spring, summer and autumn.
Next month's meeting, on Monday 8th June, Helen Yemm will be speaking on The Progress of a Garden. The competition will be a pair of lettuces and three flowers in a vase.

CARE FOR THE CARERS: Are you caring for a relative or friend? Would you like to meet other carers for a coffee and a chat? Then come along to our monthly meeting at Carillon Cottage, every third Thursday from 10.30am - 12 noon. For further details please contact Sarah Burchett (01323 738390).

PARENTS AND TODDLERS GROUP: will be holding a sale on27th June.30-11.30amthe Commemoration Hall. Come along and buy nearly new baby/children's clothes, toys, books and equipment. All proceeds will go to the church hall. Any donations of children's ware gratefully received. Please call 01580 201158, or 01892 785314 to arrange collection. Many thanks to all those who supported the last sale and helped us to raise £600.
Meetings are held every Monday at St George’s Hall from 9.30am. Everyone welcome! For further details please contact Nina on 01580 201158.

TEA WITH TIGGER: Bring your babies and toddlers for a chat over a cup of tea and biscuits on Tuesdays from 2.00 to 4.00pm at Carillon Cottage. For further information contact Carillon Cottage, Tel 01892 785658.

STONEGATE FARMERS MARKET: Please note the market is held the second Saturday of the month, 10.00 to 12.00. For information call 01580 200386.

AFTERNOON FELLOWSHIP. For the next meeting on 25th June we shall be enjoying our tea and the garden at Westerleigh with thanks to Mr Toynbee.

NEW WADHURST RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION: For more information please contact 01892 782294. All are welcome.

MINI MARKET  will be held in the Methodist Church on Saturday 6 June from 9.30-11am.

WADHURST INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHERS meets every second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, upstairs in The Greyhound Pub, Wadhurst.

The MULLINS MEMORIAL FUND Committee would like to thank most sincerely Rachel Ring, Kate Metcalfe, Shirley Boorman and Debbie Butcher and others for all the hard work they put in to make the recent event staged at the Mount such an unqualified success.  The venue on an almost balmy Spring evening had a delightful ambiance and thanks are therefore also given to the Mount for allowing us to use their lovely buildings.
The supper, the entertainment called ‘Victoria Plums’ and the  particularly well-supported raffle proved very enjoyable and great fun.  The generosity of everyone who attended and supported our efforts meant that a cheque for £1400 has been received by Mullins.  This will be used to help people in Wadhurst and the Fund will be able to respond quickly to any appropriate request for help.
Thank you to everyone who helped in any way – we really are very grateful.

The WADHURST TWINNING ASSOCIATION  held its Annual General Meeting recently and this included a very enjoyable social get-together where their popular Treasurer, Neil Rose, was his usual dynamic self.  It was, therefore, a terrible shock to hear only a few hours later that Neil had died in his sleep.
Neil was always an enthusiastic member of the Twinning and he had initiated many events including the Treasure Hunt and  had regularly visited Aubers, on more than one occasion as our own personal coach driver.  His efficiency was legendary, and his wise and sensible counsel and infectious sense of humour were much appreciated.  His friends in Wadhurst and Aubers will miss him greatly.
We send our most sincere condolences and sympathy to Alison and the family.

The Twinning Association welcomed a party of 20 Aubersois for their week-end visit in May, which they clearly enjoyed despite the variable weather.  Saturday was spent with the families, some doing a guided tour of Tunbridge Wells with Alison Finlay, others going to Scotney.  The evening saw most at the Church for the Entente Cordiale concert and that again proved an enjoyable evening together.
The following day dawned very wet but the planned walk went ahead for those feeling keen, whilst the final preparations for a five-course lunch at the Primary School were completed.  Almost 70 people assembled and the chatter of conversation in the two languages plus franglais was well interspersed with plenty of laughter.  Unfortunately the visit was all too short but we now look forward to our own return to Aubers during the week-end of 8th and 9th May 2010 when we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the Twinning Charter and we commemorate the 95th Anniversary of the Battle of Aubers Ridge.  The president of the Jumelage d’Aubers, M. Jacques Dehut,  asked that their very best wishes be passed on to all the inhabitants of Wadhurst

The Twinning Barbecue will be held at the Youth Centre on Saturday 11th July.  Tickets at £10 will be available nearer that date.
For further information about the Twinning and its other activities, please contact John McKenzie on 01892 784342 or Heather Woodward on 783212.

THE WADHURST HISTORY SOCIETY holds its next meeting on Wednesday 10th June when Dr Annabelle Hughes talks about Mediæval Houses – tracing their occupants.  This will be in the  Commemoration Hall, 7.30 for 8pm  and visitors are welcome for a small donation.

Thanks to the generosity of Mr and Mrs William de Salis, the History Society Barbecue will be held at Combe Manor on Sunday 19th July at noon.

The History Society is now researching Wadhurst in the 1950s and 60s and through to the 1990s.  This means we would like to have input from all age groups so perhaps some of the students at Uplands and the Primary Schools would like to tell us of their contemporary impressions of Wadhurst and Wadhurst life. Would you be willing to be interviewed or prefer to write down your memories?  We are trying to find out as much as possible about life in Wadhurst, about the changes as regards buildings and work, the personalities, the significant incidents or events, yearly celebrations………there is such a lot we should like to discover and record for future generations to understand how Wadhurst developed and moved on during the second half of the 20th Century.
Were you at school?  What work did you do in Wadhurst or were you a commuter – before the name was invented?  How did you travel?  What entertainment did you enjoy and what were your leisure activities?  What were your reactions to international affairs such as the Berlin Airlift and the Cold War, political changes, the death of George VI, the coronation of Elizabeth II, the death of Churchill, the end of rationing?  In more recent years what do you feel about the world today, internationally, nationally and locally?
There’s a great deal we need to learn before it is too late.
If you can help in any way, even by lending documents for us to scan, we should be very grateful.  Do contact David James on 01892 890330.

‘WADHURST IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR – life in a Wealden market town:  1939 – 1945’ – the latest publication from the Society is on sale at Barnett’s Bookshop and the Post Office for £12.

WADHURST WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: There was no speaker at the May meeting as Members discussed the resolution to be put forward at the National WI AGM at the Albert Hall on 3rd June.  The Resolution,  SOS for Honey Bees, passed unanimously by those present at the meeting was: “Honey Bees play a vital role in the pollination of food crops and in our environment.  In view of concerns about the accelerating decline in the UK honey bee population, this meeting urges HM Government to increase funding for research into bee health”.  After business was concluded tea was served and we took part in a light-hearted quiz Who said that? –  the point of which was to match the catchphrase to the right celebrity.  Next month (June) we will be entertained by Jane and Howard Spurr.  The Trading Stall will feature costume jewellery. Competition: A mask.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: Crowborough CAB runs a confidential advice service in Carillon Cottage every Wednesday from 9.00am to 12 noon. No appointment necessary. Just drop in or call 01892 785658.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF WADHURST meet every Wednesday at 7.45 for 8.00pm in ‘The Greyhound’.
It was with a deep sense of shock that members learnt of the passing of their President Neil Rose who died in his sleep early on Tuesday morning 12th May 2009.
It was hard to believe that Neil, so recently the happy leader of a Rotary walk on his beloved Exmoor, is no longer with us. Neil’s kind, unfailingly cheerful demeanour, will mean a great loss to the many whose lives he motivated through his own brand of infectious enthusiasm.
We have lost a friend with many inspired interests ranging from the Church, the Magistracy, Kent & East Sussex Railway, Narrowboats, driving motor coaches for pleasure, Rotary and much, much more. To each he invested a dedicated and passionate commitment. We are left with the memory of a kind and thoughtful leader, a good friend and companion – a truly lovely man.

Over the course of May preparations for our eighth Charity Variety Show in the Commemoration Hall on June 5 & 6 were firming up. Whilst there is absolutely no doubt as to the theatrical nature of some of our members it was felt that their abilities were perhaps best utilised in running the bar.
Before those dates one of our members Chris Kyle, married to Aune a lovely Finnish lady, is giving a talk on Finland (3 June) the sometimes overlooked and forgotten member of the group of five Nordic neighbours.  With a population of only 5.3 millions it is the most sparsely populated country in Europe.
On Wednesday 17 June Rotary takes to the air. - or rather those that can fit into a glider cockpit might. The clubs annual trip to the East Sussex Gliding Club at Ringmer will see a number of members trying to emulate Steve McQueen in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ only to be brought back to earth rather quickly to the less than forgiving Sussex soil.

The charity ‘WaterAid’ works in 17 countries providing water, sanitation and hygiene education to some of the world's poorest people. On 24 June Ron Willis is coming to the club to present on current developments.
In conclusion a reminder that the ‘Scarecrow’ weekend (18&19 July) is fast approaching. Everybody is encouraged to get busy building bigger and better scarecrows to help make the 2009 festival the best yet.

WADHURST & DISTRICT ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: This friendly society welcomes anyone with an interest in astronomy. Wednesday 17th June 2009  is our annual Telescope Evening- This month several members will give short talks on their own personal favourite astronomical aids, gadgets or telescopes which will also be useful for people considering starting the hobby. The presentation will then be followed by a free coffee/tea break followed by "The Night Sky this Month". Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday in every month and begin at 7:30pm. Members and visitors are invited to arrive any time after 7:00pm.  The venue is the Upper Room of the Methodist Church at the south end of Wadhurst opposite Uplands Community College. Members Free, Non-members £2

WADHURST DRAMATIC CLUB: “A Midsummer Night's Travesty” :  22nd & 23rd May : Well Done Congratulations to the WYTKIDZ and everyone else, not least Wendy Barr, Director and Alison Finlay, Co -Director, for the romping success of this production. And a big “thank you” to those volunteers in Carillon Cottage who more than ably shouldered the job of providing Box Office services for this production. We look forward to seeing further WYTKIDZ presentations at the Commemoration Hall, so if you missed this one – shame on you – but don't fret: there'll be further opportunities...!
October Production The Club's next production (22nd, 23rd & 25th October) will be two hilarious One Act comedies by David Tristram. Entitled 'Last Tango in Little Grimley' and 'The Fat Lady Sings in Little Grimley' they will be directed by Richard Bruce. If you're still feeling glum about the 'squeeze or sleaze(!) by October, make sure you book places for this show which as well as being guaranteed to give you a good, long laugh, will also include a tasty hot supper during the interval between each play. More on all this later....
Club Coffee Morning The next Club Coffee Morning at Carillon Cottage, High Street, Wadhurst will be on Saturday 6th June (10.30 to 12.00 noon). Everyone welcome, so please feel free to drop in for a coffee (or tea) and a chat, particularly if you'd like to join the Club or to find out more about what it does and the programme of activities it organises.

STONEGATE OPEN GARDENS will take place this year on Sunday 14th June. There will be the usual teas, stalls and a raffle with some familiar and new gardens to explore. Tickets and parking will be located at the church. As usual, all proceeds in aid of St Peter's Church. Put in your diary now and we look forward to seeing you on the day.

CHARITY VARIETY SHOW Tickets for the eighth Charity Variety Show organised by the Wadhurst Rotary Club and directed by Kath Bishop are selling fast. Two nights, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th June at 8.00pm will see the Commemoration Hall turned into a veritable ‘Theatre of Varieties’. In addition to the many splendid acts assembled by Kath The Wadhurst Brass Band conducted by Algie Hoare will also be performing. Licensed bar, full waiter/waitress service, raffle. Tickets still available from Carillon Cottage. All proceeds to various local and rotary charities.

WADHURST SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Wadhurst Summer Music Festival 2009 will consist of the following concerts:

‘Polyphony Concert - Michael Fields - Midsummer Mass
Saturday 13 June - Parish Church - 19:30 Tickets £10

Fulham & Hammersmith Choral Society - Rossini 'Petite Messe Solennelle'
Saturday 20 Jun - Parish Church - 18:30 Tickets £10

‘Violet’- The Scandalous Story of Violet Gordon Woodhouse
Saturday 27 June - Parish Church - 19:30 Tickets £10

Organ recital - Alistair Curtis
Saturday 11 July - Parish Church - 19:30 Tickets £8

Royal British Legion Summer Concert - Rebecca Caine, soprano
Thursday 16 July - The Mount Tickets £10

Jazzmatazz: Michael Fields & friends
Sunday 16 August - Greyhound - 20:00 Tickets £8

Trio Goya - fortepiano, flute, cello
Sunday 6 Sept - Parish Church - 15:00 Tickets £10
Put the dates in your diaries - tickets will be on sale through the website www.wadhurstmusicfestival.info and at Carillon Cottage 3 weeks before each concert.  Children under 16, accompanying an adult, will be admitted free!

TTSE (The joint Anglican/Methodist study programme to which everyone is invited).  The next meeting is on Sunday 21st June when Rev Jeremy James will be leading our study of ‘Petition’.

WOMEN OF WADHURST would like to thank everyone who supported them at The Entertainment and Supper event they organised at the Mount on 2nd May when the wonderful sum of £1400 was raised for The Mullins Memorial Fund, one of Wadhurst’s charities 
Our thanks also go to the Mount Camphill Community and the local businesses who placed advertisements in the programme.

LAMBERHURST MUSIC FESTIVAL Frances Bourne, a highly acclaimed soloist, will be singing at Lamberhurst Memorial Hall on Saturday 27 June at 7.30pm. She is in great demand on the concert platform, and has sung with many of Europe’s leading conductors, opera companies and choirs.  She will be accompanied by pianist Robert Houssart.  Doors open 6.45pm
Tickets: £12.50 – under 15s free
Post: LMF, The Down House, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8ET
Telephone: 01892 891115
Details: www.lamberhurstmusic.co.uk

ADVANCE NOTICE of a Ladies Breakfast to be held on Sat 3rd October at The Mark Cross Inn 8.30 – 10.30am. Speaker Pam Vale-Taylor, Chaplain to Hospice in the Weald. Tickets £10 (profits to Hospice).  Further information 01892 782931.

HOSPICE IN THE WEALD Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving
Bereaved families and friends of patients at Hospice in the Weald are regularly invited to Services of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at The Hospice.  However we have many requests for an Annual Remembrance Service and so we will be holding our second Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at 6.30pm on Thursday 4th June at St Peter's Church, Pembury (the "Upper Church" by the traffic lights in the village).  Those attending will be offered an opportunity to light candle and bring a single stem flower in remembrance.  Names of those being remembered will be read out.
This service is not just for those who have been supported by Hospice in the Weald, but is open to anyone who would like an opportunity to remember their loved one.
For further information, please contact the Hospice on 01892 820500.

HOSPICE IN THE WEALD: Many thanks to Rosemary Collins for hosting the coffee morning in April, & to all those who supported the event. The splendid sum of £180 was raised.
If anyone is interested in hosting a a similar coffee morning in the future, please contact Val Tonbridge on 01892 782498. It is always enjoyable to have different venues for these popular occasions.

HOLLYWOOD COMES TO WADHURST The theme for this years ‘Scarecrow Festival’ organised by the Wadhurst Rotary Club has been announced as ‘Hollywood - Heroes, Humour or Horror’. It is anticipated that over 120+ scarecrows will adorn the streets of Wadhurst over the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July. In keeping with the general theme a number of ‘Scarecrow Oscars’ will be awarded with their proud creators walking the red carpet to receive their prizes.
The 2008 Scarecrow Festival raised over £7,000 for various local and Rotary charities. An estimated 4,500 visitors over two days came to admire the scarecrows, listen to the music, refresh themselves and look for bargins at the Farmers Market or amongst the stalls in the Commemoration Hall. All this and more is being planned for 2009 when, in spite of the current economic gloom and doom, Wadhurst for a weekend in mid July will become Tinseltown.

FOOTBALL FUN DAY – SATURDAY 6 JUNE
Come along and join the football fun at Sparrows Green Recreation Ground – there’s something for everyone!  The fun starts at 4pm with games, a 125m inflatable assault course, tombolas, tattoos… and all you could eat and drink with our hog roast, BBQ and bar.
Entry is just £5.00 per family and your ticket price includes FREE bouncy castle, FREE beat the keeper, FREE 50m dribble and FREE football tombola ticket!
Ensure you don’t miss out on the event of the calendar year – it’s fun for all the family.
Wadhurst United Junior Football Club Football Fun Day & Presentation Evening – for more details please call Debbie Curtis on 01892 783907.

WADHURST BRASS BAND
Looking Forward to Summer
Rehearsals are now well underway for our forthcoming concerts at the Pantiles bandstand in Tunbridge Wells. I’m sure there will be plenty of old favourites as well as one or two new numbers. As always it would be lovely to see some familiar faces in the audience and, as we are playing two concerts, why not make a day of it? Here’s hoping that we have the weather on our side.

Training Band
The Training Band gets together every Thursday evening under Jenny’s expert leadership.  Everyone is welcome – any age, it’s not just for the young ‘uns and we have instruments for you to use. So if you fancy a go, give Jenny a call.

More Players Needed – Especially Cornets
Do you play the cornet, or the trumpet and fancy giving it a try? We are looking for players to help out on our “front bench”. For the uninitiated, this is the lead section of the band, equivalent to the 1st violins in the orchestra and very important. We are a friendly bunch who enjoy playing a wide variety of musical styles and an active schedule of concerts and other events. Please contact Jenny our manager if you are interested, her number is 01892 782247.

Contacts:          Jenny Cooper    Band Manager  01892 782247
Lydia Fuggle     Secretary               01892 782308

WADHURST WEBSITES
coverage includes Ticehurst, Flimwell and Stonegate. The site can be found at www.wadhurst.info, www.ticehurst.info, www.flimwell.info and www.stonegatevillage.info. Note that www.wadhurst.org.uk has ceased to be a working link - so change your Favorites link now!    Webmaster: Michael Harte (783 292)

The Wadhurst Summer Music Festival website is here, Wadhurst Parish Council can also be found here; our parish church here, Neighbourhood Watch here and you can see what rubbish is collected in our streets here

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