WADHURST TOWN IN FOCUS - JANUARY 2008

MULLINS MEMORIAL FUND
The Mullins Christmas Quiz, available from Carillon Cottage, Newingtons and the Belmont Surgery should be returned to the Surgery by Monday 7 January. Entries will be accepted only on the official forms.

If you know someone who you feel might benefit financially, practically or emotionally from our support, please pass the information on to one of the Office Bearers on 782181, 782835 or 783212. Be assured that whatever we do is done in complete confidentiality.

WADHURST TWINNING ASSOCIATION
The Twinning Winter Social is always an enjoyable and festive occasion during the darker  nights of the year and takes place on Saturday 12 January in the Youth Centre, beginning at 7.30pm. We are hoping that a small group of friends from Aubers will be joining us. A hot supper, a film about France, a raffle and plenty of good company will guarantee a thoroughly enjoyable and sociable evening together. Tickets - £12.50  (with £7 for 16 and unders) - include a hot meal and a pre-supper drink. Tickets are limited in number and will be on sale at Newingtons until Saturday 5 January only – that way, we can finalise numbers to the outside caterers.  Everyone welcome.

Stop Smoking Service: Is your New Year resolution to quit smoking? Increase your chances of success by attending drop-in sessions run by the Stop Smoking Service at Belmont Surgery on Wednesdays 11.00am to 1.00pm starting on the 9 January. You do not need to be a patient of the surgery and no appointment is needed. You will get free friendly support and advice and nicotine replacement on prescription. Other venues and times are available, phone 0800 9178896 for more information.

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

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).

WADHURST TREFOIL GUILD : A Christmas lunch was enjoyed by all of us. Our next meeting is the 7 January at 2.15pm in Carillon Cottage; Poetry and Prose is the subject.

SLIM FOR HEALTH : Small friendly and supportive class run by professional nutritional expert starting Tuesday 22 January in Stonegate Village Hall. Fed-up with "yo-yo" dieting? Learn how good nutrition can help you to lose weight safely and effectively with all round health benefits. Six fortnightly sessions with e-mail support between classes. For more information call Jenny on: 01580 200739.

WADHURST HISTORY SOCIETY held its AGM on Thursday 13 December and, after the business meeting, everyone enjoyed the social get-together. The Debonnaires then presented an entertaining programme of music and words which included a specially written Wadhurst Psalm by Barbara Liddle. To thank them for their contribution  to the evening, the Society presented a generous cheque which, at the request of the Debonnaires, was donated to the Sussex Air Ambulance.

The new season of talks begins on Thursday 10 January in the Commemoration Hall, 7.30 for 8.00pm.   Richard Pitcairn-Knowles will be talking about his ancestor Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles – Photojournalist. On Wednesday 13 February, Chris McCooey makes a welcome return to talk about Sussex Heroes – 32 men and women, and one dog.

Many people in Wadhurst are interested in doing their own family research and the Committee and Task Groups would appreciate any help such people might be able to give the History Society so that, as quickly as possible and certainly before it is too late, we can accumulate a full picture of Wadhurst over the years. People in their 80s now will have their own memories plus what they heard from their parents and grand-parents about life in the early 20th Century and in the 19th Century in this (at that time) farming community. That community has now changed greatly as we are all very well aware. We need to track those changes and their implications on our community so that future generation can understand when, how and why they happened.

Would you therefore be interested in researching the Industries and Agriculture of Wadhurst, or the Development that has so altered Wadhurst, or the big Estates and the important Buildings and  Houses of the environs of Wadhurst, or the History of the Families of Wadhurst, or would you like to interview members of “old Wadhurst” families and long-standing residents? If so, please would you contact David James on 01892 890330 or Heather Woodward on 01892 783212.

Currently some of us are developing the research on Wadhurst between the years 1936 and 1946 which includes Shovers Green, Churchsettle, Cousley Wood, Sparrows Green, Durgates, Best Beech, and Tidebrook. Others are working on Life in Wadhurst between the Wars 1919 to 1939. Because there are huge gaps in our knowledge of Wadhurst, any help you may be able to offer would be gratefully received, as also would be documents and artefacts.

WADHURST FOOTPATHS SOCIETY
Members and friends meet on the last Sunday of each month in the car park behind One Stop, Washwell Lane, Wadhurst at 2.00pm. We will meet again on 27 January when we will walk through Tidebrook, Snape, and the Deer Park. All welcome.

The booklet "Walks around Wadhurst" published by the society describing a range of circular walks in the area around the village, has been completely revised and updated, with two additional walks bringing the total to 17, and with suggestions for linking the walks to make longer outings. The revised booklet is now on sale at Barnett's bookshop, price £3.

PARENTS AND TODDLERS GROUP
Meetings are held every Monday at St George’s Hall from 9.30am. Everyone welcome! For further details please contact Nina on 01580 201158.

MURDER MYSTERY "M'NANGO VALLEY"
WOW would like to invite you to "M'Nango Valley" a murder mystery evening on Saturday 9 February. An explorer has returned recently from his adventures and has plans to open a theme park in Wadhurst - he hopes to win the support of the locals (you!) but not surprisingly he encounters some opposition and what with one thing and another this leads to a murder! Would you like to join us for a home cooked three course supper and help solve the crime?

Tickets are £15 per head, available from Janet Goldsmith 01892 783264. It takes place at Uplands Community Technology College, the action starts at 7.30pm and a team of talented local actors will be performing. The bar will sell wine, beer and soft drinks and the seating is arranged in tables of six. All proceeds will be going to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

MINI MARKET in the Methodist Church will not take place in January but we look forward to seeing everyone at the next Mini Market on 2 February.

FAMILY SUPPORT WORK  (FSW )
A grand total of £5,562 was raised from the Mammoth Book Sale! The best yet, so thank you to everyone for contributing to this amazing result.

Although the Family Toy Service didn't include the Guides and Brownies this year, there was still a wide range of lovely new toys for distribution through FSW & Smile - thank you again for helping to bring happiness at this time of year.

To round the year off - I never realised 'spreading muck' could bring so much cheer - £100 for Knowles Tooth thanks to Peter Dwyer!                                                                     Jill Brewster

MAYFIELD AND DISTRICT U3A
The Mayfield and District U3A January meeting will be on Friday (not Thursday) 18 January. Our speaker will be our local MP Charles Hendry on ‘Corridors of Power’. We hope to follow this with a visit to Westminster late in 2008

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MAKIKNG WINE?
The Wadhurst Winemakers' Circle meets at the Sports Pavilion, Sparrows Green, on the first Friday of the month where we have regular speakers on various subjects and wine tastings. The next meeting will be on 8 January at 7.30pm. If you would like more information please contact Rose on 01580 200504 or Shirley on 01580 201250, or just turn up.

LECTURE ON AFGHANISTAN
On Thursday 21 February Major Hamish Bell will speak about his Battalion's experience in Afghanistan late last year. The meeting will be at 7.30pm in St George’s Hall and non-RBL members are very welcome. A collection will be taken for the Royal Anglian Regiment Charitable Fund.

STONEGATE FARMERS' MARKET
Saturday 12 January, 10.00am to 12.30pm in Stonegate Village Hall. Over twenty stalls selling wonderful local produce and refreshments. For more information call 01580 200386.

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, starting on  8 January. For further information contact Carillon Cottage, Tel 01892 785658.

WANTED: Are you getting married on Saturday 17 May 2008 and having your reception in a marquee?
Might CTIW borrow it (the marquee) on the Sunday evening for our annual ‘Songs of Praise’ service with the Wadhurst Brass Band? Telephone 01892 785041.

WADHURST INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
WIP meets every second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, upstairs in The Greyhound Pub, Wadhurst. The next meeting is on 8 January.

OPEN CIRCLE
Too old for Sticky Fingers and OASTies? Too young at heart for Cameo Club? But in need of a bit of cheerful company, coffee and a chat? We meet on the fourth Friday of each month . Why not come along to Open Circle at Carillon Cottage on Friday 25 January, 10.00 to 11.30am?

WADHURST BRIDGE CLUB
New Members are most welcome to join a group of friendly players of varying standards. Help and some tuition is given. Friday afternoons 2.00 to 5.00pm at Sparrows Green Pavilion.
Telephone Margaret McAuley on 01435 867824 or 07964 347898.

WADHURST BRASS BAND - www.wadhurstbrassband.co.uk
AN EVENING OF “FIRSTS” AT THE CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Make sure you have recorded Saturday 8 December as a truly momentous occasion in the history of (Wadhurst) music making. Not only did the current incarnation of our Training Band make its public debut but we also witnessed the birth of a new phenomenon – WBB’s answer to the Spice Girls.

The Training Band presented three pieces including the Elephant March (in which David Healy maintained the proud tradition of trombone players making a spectacle of themselves – well done Dave), and a seasonal medley which the rest of the band couldn’t resist joining in with. So congratulations to everyone and special thanks to Jenny and Lydia for all their efforts.

Then, after a splendid evening of entertainment, and just when we were starting to anticipate the usual post concert libation, Ken announced a final encore of Jingle Bells with a special feature. Jenny and Lydia were joined by Wendy and Christabel to provide the vocals which surely must soon be released to challenge for the Christmas No1 slot. The only thing we need is an appropriate name for the group!

So ends 2007. A year which saw our 50th anniversary, another visit to Aubers, an excellent programme of events closer to home, and finished on a real high note as our next generation of players showed that Wadhurst Brass Band is alive and well.

Don’t forget everyone is welcome to come and join in the fun. Our rehearsals are at Uplands Community College on Thursday evenings. Training Band at 7.00pm, and main band at 8 o’clock. Get in touch with Jenny by phone or via our website if you fancy it.

Dates for 2008 – see you there!

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

WADHURST WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Focus deadline day is before our December meeting but we are expecting a good turnout for the Christmas Party. May we wish all our members both, past and present, a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2008!

Thursday 10 January is the next meeting in St George's Hall at 2.00pm. Mrs S Bridge will be speaking about The Life and Times of Dick Whittington. The competition is a cat ornament and the trading stall will be toiletries.

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)

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

Email addresses for Focus are now:
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