Plumpton & East Chiltington News - May 2021 - Plumpton Parish Council
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Plumpton & East Chiltington
News
May 2021Z. R. LANDSCAPES
Landscaping
Fencing
Hedge Cutting and Treework
Turf Laying DRIVER TRAINING
Driveways CAR, LGV, PCV, FLT, HIAB
Patios 40 East View Fields
And More Plumpton Green BN7 3EF
Zac Robins 07949 220721 Tel: 01273 890410
landscape@nsza.co.uk www.hillsofplumpton.co.uk
CONTACT FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
Eastwood Heating & Plumbing
Keep your energy bills low by making sure your boiler is serviced regularly. A well
serviced boiler keeps your energy consumption low and can Identify faults early,
avoiding expensive breakdown cost.
Plumpton Green based Heating Engineer
for all Oil and Gas appliances
please call James on 07876 294262 or 01273 890526
104339 528262
Plumpton Stores & Post Office R. A. Brooks & Son
Y
Your local village store is now open:
F D M M
5.45am to 7.30pm Monday to Friday P -P F P
35 Wivelsfield Road, Ravenoak,
7.00am to 7.30pm Saturday
Haywards Heath Allington Road,
Newick
7.00am to 1.00pm Sunday 01444 454391 01825 722895
01273 890229
email: info@brooksfunerals.co.uk
www.brooksfunerals.co.ukPLUMPTON & EAST CHILTINGTON NEWS
May 2021 Page
Plumpton Parish Council 2 We are seeing lots of changes and
East Chiltington Parish Council 5 challenges in our parish and we hope to
District councillor 6 keep you up to date through the
Station Partnership 6 magazine. This month the Church news
Maria Caufield 9 includes an announcement about our new
Rector.
Local planning statement 10
Strawberry Fair 10 Our distributor, Christine, has decided to
DR’s Diary 12 retire from adding fliers to the magazine,
Bird Watch 13 details of alternative ways to advertise are
on page 9.
Wisley Gardens Trip 15
Rude Mechanicals 15 If a group you are involved with has plans
Church Services 16 for 2021 do let us know.
Events Calendar 17 This is your magazine..
Don’t Urbanise the Downs 19 PECNcopy@gmail.com
Climate Change 20
Tennis Club 22
PPTA News 22
Plumpton & East Chiltington
Wildlife 24
Footpath Detective 27
Plumpton School Auction 28
Chailey Commons Society 31
Citizens Advice 33
1Plumpton Parish Council Pavilion
www.plumptonpc.co.uk In the Playpark renovations should
hopefully have been completed to
Notes from the Parish Meeting 13th renew all the support timbers for the
April 2021 (remote meeting over slide and tunnel area.
ZOOM).
On the Playing Fields the Plumpton
Expiry of LDC Local Plan Part 1 is Racecourse team very kindly agreed to
covered under a separate article in this use their new tractor and slit-rolling unit
month’s magazine. to help prepare the outfield for the
cricket season. Grateful thanks to them.
Village Hall
The skatepark is now open, with users
Everything is on track: following SkateBoard GB and Covid19
guidelines (max 6 users or two
From 19th April children’s clubs, families).
Ladybirds, Wings and Turning Pointe
will be back in the Hall. Parishioners are reminded to please not
take glass onto the playing field or into
From 17th May Badminton, Pilates, the play and skate parks. Dangerous
Bowls and Tap can restart. shards of broken glass have recently
been removed from the middle of one
If everything continues to go to plan, of the football pitches.
as from the 24th June, we should be
back to a normal service. The PPC is planning to add an extra
'dog poo' bin (at the Playing Field
We have received 2 quotes for the entrance) which should make things
fencing required in the twitten, a third easier for dog owners to dispose of
quote is imminent then a decision will their bags.
be taken.
Finance
We are struggling to get quotes to
replace the Village Hall gutters. Only Finances for 2020/2021 for Plumpton
one of the contactors contacted has Parish Council, the Village Hall and the
turned up and we await the quote. Playing Field 2 were all approved.
Three others have so far failed to turn
up to quote. Next meetings:
Finance Committee 7:00pm, Annual
We have 2 quotes to handle the pigeon Parish Meeting 7:30pm, Parish Council
droppings from the roof and await a 7:45pm, 4th May 2021. (Remote
third. Meetings over Zoom)
The beds at the side of the hall have
been dug out and we’d like to formally
give our thanks to Councillor Jim Brown
for all his help.
2A clean carpet
FLORAL ART isn’t all we
guarantee……
Mobile Florist - Wide Delivery Service
NICHOLA MASSINGALE • Carpet Cleaning & Repairs,
retufting & reweaving
Phone: Plumpton (01273) 891301
• Upholstery Cleaning
Mobile: 07970 462337
. •Weddings • Funerals• • Rug Cleaning including Wool &
Silk
•Spec ial O cc as ions •
•C ontrac t • D ried• • Curtain Dry Cleaning on-site-at-
the-window
• Carpet Moth Treatment Service
Rupert Thacker • Fire & Flood Clean-Up Service
Furniture Restoration Services Now celebrating 24 years of providing 1st class
service
Including Furniture repairs, Polishing etc. of in Plumpton, Plumpton Green, East Chiltington,
Antique, Contemporary, and Reproduction
Furniture Lewes & Brighton.
Fletching, E Sussex, TN22 3TQ Call Paul or Liz on 01273 733339
Tel : 01825-713111 (Workshop) For a free no-obligation quotation
Mobile: 07950-035044 Or email paul@servicemasterbrighton.co.uk
Email: sales@rupert-thacker.com
Website: www.rupert-thacker.com See our website for special offers
www.servicemasterbrighton.co.uk
Robert Symes
The Hairdressers
TREE SURGEON Sarah And Mandy
East Chiltington
Tel: Plumpton South Road Wivelsfield Green
(01273) 890080 01444 471224
Free Es mates
3Starflower Arts & Massage
Creative Art Workshops
Collage, Felting, Papermaking etc.
Holistic Massage & Aromatherapy
Home Visits for Women
Sarah Holloway BA(Hons) PGCE MIPTI
E. Chiltington, 07751 986790
www.starflowerarts.weebly.com
www.starflowermassage.weebly.com
Plumpton Pilates
Morning and evening group classes
in Plumpton Village Hall.
1:1 Pilates at home also available.
Please contact Charis 07881 825007
charispilates@gmail.com
ALLEN UPTON PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES
SERVICES
• Member of the Institute of Plumbing • Registered Plumber •
General Plumbing Installa on & Repairs
Free Es mates and Advice
Tel: Plumpton (01273) 890668 or 07711 712 477
Email: allenplumit@hotmail.com
4relevant information and other key
factors are communicated to both
groups.
In March TECT purchased a large
quantity of Snowdrop bulbs which were
distributed to anyone who was
E.C New Town proposal at North
interested, to plant around the village to
Barns farm
make it even more beautiful next spring .
The Parish Council is doing
In a similar vein those of you who have
everything they possibly can to
visited Hollycroft recently may have
prevent the inclusion of this site in
noticed two large planters at the
the next Local Plan. A strategy group
entrance ,kindly constructed and donated
has been formed and is working
by Steve Funnell.
independently to this end. Any
TECT have offered to pay for the
questions to the Chair, Mary Symes
purchase of some suitable plants which
mary_symes@hotmail.com or
will be done as soon as the late spring
Clerk, Jenni Toomey
frosts have passed.
clerk@eastchiltington.net
Lewes District Council is aware that
The annual Parish meeting will be held at
the planning system as it stands is
Beechwood Hall Beechwood Lane
hard for the public to navigate and is
Cooksbridge 24th May 7pm and will be
currently working on a document
immediately followed at 7.30 by the
which they hope will simplify the
Parish Council annual meeting.
information and make it clearer what
If you have any concerns or questions
actions the public can take to have
please contact the clerk who will refer
their views heard including a timeline
queries to the councillors as the parish
of key points in the Local plan update
council continues to operate but
stages.
remotely. All normal council functions are
being carried out by the clerk from home.
Independently from the Parish
E mail :clerk@eastchiltington.net
council the campaign group that has
been set up has, since the printing of
the April magazine, changed its
website address to:
www.donturbanisethedowns.com
You will have seen a copy of their
flyer in the previous parish magazine
and posted around the locality . The
site offers practical ideas for those
who wish to protest or want to offer
practical help.
Early actions are in preparing the
case against the proposals and
securing professional advice in order
to do this. The Parish council is also
in regular communication with the
Don’t Urbanise the Downs protest
group and will ensure that all
5Report back from Rob Banks, your District Councillor
Local Plan Part 1
I have been meeting with various groups of residents on the Lewes District Local Plan
Pt 1. As part of the feedback from this, I have been pushing for timetable of public
consultation and involvement. I have seen evidence that a draft timetable is being
drawn up. Next stage currently expected to start early July which will involve public
consultation.
Work continues to try and persuade the government that a lower figure applies. I will
continue to oppose large sites such as the Eton College proposal and speculative
development such as Nolands Farm.
Other local news
Following my request a Lewes District Council officer met with Cllr Peter Morgan to
look at the options around extra refuse and dog waste bins and signage at the
playing fields.
I have reported potholes on Plumpton Lane and on Chapel Lane in East Chiltington.
It was good to see the 30MPH roundels had been re – painted at the entrances to
Plumpton following my request, along with replacement bollards on Station Road.
Nolands Farm site: As I write this, a planning application has just come in for 89
houses, which I will be strongly opposing along with County Councillor Sarah
Osborne. More information at https://tinyurl.com/rmyupe5b or search on-line for
Lewes Planning Portal, or contact the council on 01273 471600.
robert.banks@lewes.gov.uk
07986 755246
THE STATION PARTNERSHIP TEAM
We will soon be planting up our planters at the station with our summer
displays.
We would like to thank the following for their generous support;
Plumpton College
Plumpton Racecourse
Hills of Plumpton
RW Engineering
SCOOPSWEB
Fresh Catering and Events
and one resident (Anon )
If anyone would like information about the work we do or may like to join us,
please contact;
David Richards: 01273 890267
6TIME FOR YOU
LK Events Ltd
We’re a Sussex based company Jessica GELeration Manicure
specialising in high quality catering Jessica Classic Prescription Manicure
Jessica Zenspa Pedicure
Weddings, Drinks Parties, Christenings Day or evening appointments
Funerals, Family Parties Gift vouchers available
Contact us for a quote Conveniently situated in Plumpton
Green
01825 723226 or 01825 722774
info@lkevents-sussex.co.uk Kim Fahey IFHB
www.lkevents-sussex.co.uk Tel: 01273 891447 Mob: 07845045766
Email: kimfahey@btinternet.com
Tree Surgery ● Hedge Maintenance
Fire Wood
Stump Grinding ● Strimming
Woodland Management Schemes
Experienced ● Insured £5m
Free Quotation
BSc (Enviro Mgt) ● LOLER Inspector
NPTC
Charlie Layfield
Office: 01825 724655
Mobile: 07888 838423
www.treewise.co.uk
Heath Farm
Holiday Cottages
South Road, Plumpton Green
Three 4 star cottages sleeping
two, four and six. Suitable disabled
Minimum 2 night stay
Regret no smoking or pets.
01273 890712
www.heath-farm.com
7P. M BUILDERS
5 School Cottages,
East Chiltington
For all your
building
needs
Tel: 01273- 890964
Mobile 07813 114470
YOUR LOCAL BUILDER
Painter
Decorative Paint Finishes,
Domestic, Business
& Building Trade
Michael Webber
michael.webber6@yahoo.co.uk
01273 890779
07880 558 556
2 School Cottage
07890 546417 East Chiltington
Lewes BN7 3AY
Servicing, Repairs and Deadly Serious
MOTs Pest Control
Campervans
Horseboxes James Otway
Trade vans
Cars 07702 208475
deadlyseriouspestcontrol@gmail.com
Call Martin on Odintune Cottage
East Chiltington, Lewes
01273 479777 East Sussex, BN7 3AN
www.rdhcommercials.co.ukMaria Caufield MP
The Lewes to Uckfield line has been closed for decades and there have been
many attempts to re open it. We have made what many now consider a final
bid to get it open.
I have been working with local MPs and councillors from across the South East
submitting a bid as part of the Restoring Your Railway (RYR) Programme. This programme
funds 75% of costs, up to £50,000, of successful bids to help fund transport and economic
studies and create a business case to reinstate 7 miles of former railway line between Lewes
and Uckfield, as part of a Brighton Mainline 2 project.
Brighton Mainline 2 would transform the movement of people and freight across Sussex and
Kent, covering a population of approximately 705,626 people. The area is currently poorly
served by rail mainline access with either single track branch lines or lines in need of third rail
electrification. As a result, many residents in Lewes are dependent on car usage to travel. With
no motorway and little dual carriageway in the area, congestion, emissions, air pollution and
delays are high. This project would significantly reduce car and HGV usage as part of the
Governments’ net zero carbon emissions target.
The scheme aims to firstly reopen the Lewes to Uckfield line (closed in 1969) and the
Tunbridge Wells Central and Eridge (closed in 1985) and Ashurst Triangle (closed in 1969),
thereby linking Kent and Sussex as two strategic parts of the South East by rail.
The Lewes to Uckfield line, as a seven-mile missing link, would provide new direct routes from
Eastbourne, Seaford & Newhaven, putting some towns on a mainline for the first time since
these lines were closed decades ago.
The transport problems this scheme would work to solve are to increase rail capacity across
Sussex and Kent in an area that has, according to current train operators reached capacity, as
well as provide an alternative rail main line option for residents on the current Brighton Main
Line so that if the current line fails, needs repair or experiences an incident that rail services
can continue for passengers. It would expand public transport options for residents across
Sussex and Kent where the lack of a commercially viable bus service means rail is the only
solution, meet the net zero carbon targets by taking cars off the road, and boost tourism to
seaside resorts and the South Downs National Park by improving connectivity.
We will find out this Summer if our bid has been successful.
Flyers in your magazine
After much careful thought and soul searching, I have decided to no longer place inserts in
your magazine, so The Rude Mechanicals insert will be the final one. Stuffing 860 magazines
takes a lot of time and delays the delivery of the magazine to households – to say nothing of
the risk of paper cuts, not good in a time of COVID.
Alternatives for those wishing to advertise are:-
• A one-off or regular advert. Various sizes are available including the back page.
Information on costs in available from pecntreasurer@btinternet.com or 01273 891427.
• Our printers Devon Print Ltd will insert your flyers automatically and will even print
them for you. Further information available from Ayman El-Tawil, ayman@devon-
print.com or 077955 66066.
Christine Millum
9Plumpton Parish Council Update for Residents from
Plumpton Parish Council on
www.plumptonpc.co.uk Additional housing targets for
Lewes District Council (LDC)
The Parish Council recently wrote to Cllr Emily O’Brien who is the Lewes District Council Cabinet
member for Planning and Infrastructure. The Parish Council was curious to know how much
support there was within LDC for a large new settlement at any potential site across the
District, such as the one possible on the Eton College Land. Needless to say, the question was
not answered directly but did include the following helpful paragraph: -
I can confirm that at LDC we are simply following the government process for developing a local
plan which starts with an open ‘call for sites’ inviting landowners to submit their land for
consideration. The fact that a landowner chooses to submit their land in no way implies that we
as a council have sought or endorsed their choices, we are simply following the mechanisms set
out by government.
We are no further down the path of knowing what the housing target will be for Plumpton or
East Chiltington but what has happened in the last few days is that an Outline Application for the
Nolands Farm development of 89 houses has been lodged with LDC. An Outline planning
application allows the developer to “test the water” with their application without having to go
into great detail (and expense) on exactly how site access would work, surface water drainage,
what building materials would be used etc. etc. If Outline Planning is granted the developer can
be reasonably sure that investing in a detailed application would be worthwhile, i.e.
approved. The site was previously refused permission in 2019 for 45 houses, on the basis that it
was not part of our neighbourhood plan, represented an unacceptable incursion of development
and urbanisation of open countryside, resulting in harm to the rural and natural character of the
landscape around Plumpton village, and had access issues at Station Road. The Parish Council
would urge all concerned residents to make their views known either by writing to LDC or using
the Planning Portal – details are on the Parish Council web site.
Village Strawberry Fair
26 June 2021 Noon til 4pm
on Plumpton Village Green
We are pleased to announce that a traditional Village Strawberry Fair will take place on the
last Saturday in June. There will be stalls from around 25 local clubs and societies, to remind
you of activities that you can do as we come out of lockdown and they are organising fun
games including a strawberry shy, splat the rat, hook the duck, nerf game, beat the goalie
and a crockery smashing stall. The Scouts are still looking for more crockery, so do drop off
donations to the Scouts HQ.
There will be an entertainment showground too, which will include music, dog
show and a children’s strawberry fancy dress competition. There are two
categories, under 5 and between 5 and 11. To enter, please send the child’s
name, age and an adult’s contact number before 19 June to
plumptonvillagesociety@gmail.com
Look at www.villagesociety.plumptonpc.co.uk - our new website, for fuller
details of the day. Please contact us at the above email address, website contact form, or
ring Lee Stevens on 07887 562721 for any queries.
10Problems with computer HOME CHARLES CARS
or digital devices
Call James Plumpton Based
07894 454037
or email: spiller.james@gmail.com
Private Hire Taxi Company
Also qualified PAT tester, lives in Plumpton • AIRPORT TRANSFER SERVICE
• PRESTIGE VEHICLES
• COMPETITIVE TAXI PRICES
,
• CORPORATE ACCOUNTS
• CREDIT CARDS WELCOME
● Small local classes (max 4) • SALOONS AND ESTATES
● From £10 pp per hour • PROFESSIONAL, RELIABLE DRIVERS
● Beginners, 1-2-1, conversation
● Facetime 1 - 2 - 1(no contact)
077 344 89222
email: seegreen@waitrose.com homecharles@btinternet.com
Zumba with Lucy
Now on Zoom, £3.50
Wednesday 7pm
Thursday 6.15pm
Saturday 9.30am
A fun, energetic dance class
suitable for everybody.
Contact: zumba_lucy@outlook.com
Alexander Technique LEARN HOW TO SHOOT A
can help to naturally overcome: BOW
• Back, neck and joint pain Plumpton Bowmen hold
• Muscle tension and stiffness Beginners’ Courses twice a
• Poor posture year in April and October on the
• Breathing and vocal problems
• Anxiety and stress-related conditions Playing Field.
One to one lessons tailored to your needs We hold Have-A-Go sessions
For more information contact: the 3rd Sunday of the month
Caroline Canner MSTAT from April to August from 11 –
01273 891174 07754147380
caroline.canner@gmail.com 12.30pm.
Alexandertechnique.co.uk For further information see:
www.plumpton-bowmen.org.uk
11DR’s Diary will be full of bargains, a good way to 'buy
their silence' on the cheap.
England’s Green and Pleasant I think its fantastic that in villages the
Land length and breadth of England there are
small groups of hardy souls, beavering
away, planning and hoping that this year , it
One of the things I missed most last
can go ahead.
summer was visiting village fairs. There's
Oh, and hoping that it doesn't rain.
something quintessentially English about
them , described brilliantly by Ray Davies
on The Kinks album The Village Green
Preservation Society ,...'God save
strawberry jam, draft beer, etc,etc..' PLUMPTON & EAST CHILTINGTON
OK, so sometimes , standing inside a big
marquee amidst the strawberry jam, GOOD NEIGHBOURS
draught beer, etc,etc,..resplendent bunting
on display, it may seem like a crime scene MAY
waiting to happen in a shoot for
Midsummer Murders and I'm expecting The Good Neighbours have worked
Inspector Barnaby to step in just as some throughout the villages during the
poor soul succumbs to death by Victoria lockdowns and continue to operate
sponge . ( well, he was warned about his
collesterol!)
tirelessly to improve people’s lives.
The Village Fair encapsulates all that is
English. Apart from the We have been transporting people to
jam,chutneys,preserves,etc,..there's always hospital,
other local crafts and produce.
doctors, opticians, dentists &
The gathering likely covers the whole social
spectrum, from ''them at the big 'ouse'' to vaccination appointments, collecting &
those in social housing. And so it should, no delivering prescriptions, shopping,
one is excluded. Bound to be a dog show, posting letters/parcels, taking pets to
replicating the whole spectrum thingy. the vets with their owner, changing
Some will be able to trace their lineage back
to the Norman Conquest, others to the back bedding, making regular telephone
streets of Bucharest. calls offering reassurance and
There's always a few hardy souls manning friendship whilst face-to-face visiting is
the plant stall, collectively, they will have restricted.
many summers behind them tending their
greenhouses and allotments. Certainly a
much smaller carbon footprint than a truck We have a number of dedicated
load from Holland. volunteers willing to assist in any small
Always worth a go on the tombola. Even way. If we can help anyone, please
the prizes are subject to the status quo .
call one of our Coordinators on
You might win a decent bottle of bubbly,
there again , it me be an unwanted
Christmas gift that's been languishing in a 07478524152 or 07786152215
draw since pre lockdown.
The bookstall is a real Pandora's box,
ranging from well fingered James ****
Patterson's ( he must write one a day!) ,
gardening tips to the occasional leather
bound tome. Not forgetting Fifty shades of
grey, of course.
The stall with kids toys, games and puzzles
12Bird Watch them but the change in the climate is
suspected to be a factor. It was always
By early May, many of our thought that the increasing hours of daylight in
summer visiting birds will have spring triggered the start of the migration. This
arrived and some of them will has not changed but temperature has. This is
have well established nests. One of the fine when the insects on which these birds
excitements of birding is to record and depend for food, are also present but on a
welcome them as they arrive. Over the years year such as this, when we had such a cold
many will have logged the dates the first blast in April will have made it difficult for
migrants arrive and there is no doubt that these early birds to survive. Thus, the
now, most turn up on our shores up to two protracted arrival period assures at least the
weeks earlier than in previous years. later ones thrive.
The spring migration continues over There are some species that will not
several weeks. This is to ensure that, during arrive until well into May. Those that have a
their long and hazardous journeys, a period of specialist diet like Nightjars that feed on moths
adverse weather conditions do not wipe out do not come until it is warm enough for plenty
the entire population. I can remember of these insects to have emerged. The Hobby
watching Swallows arrive in off the sea near is a fast-flying small falcon whose diet is
Beachy Head as late as the Bank Holiday at largely dragonflies and young Swallows do not
the end of this month, by which time the first turn up until there are plenty of each. Spotted
to have arrived were feeding young in the Flycatchers, so uncommon now in this part of
local stables. Having completed their epic the country, once bred in any sizeable garden
journey, they alighted on brambles and a are another of the later species to arrive.
barbed wire fence for rest and then to feed on
the flying insects before moving inland to find Last month, just after I sent in the
breeding territories. piece about gulls, A record and photograph of
a Common Gull was sent it to the Sussex
The first to arrive will be the Ornithological website showing one bearing a
experienced adults, probably the males, who, colour ring that could be read in the field. It
after spending the winter deep in Africa, had been ringed as an adult, so at least five
navigate themselves to the same territory years old, on the Baltic coast of Poland in
where they bred the previous year. This is an 2005. This bird is therefore at least twenty
amazing feat and borne out by the Constant years old and widely travelled.
Effort Study we used to carry out in Brock’s
Wood where we found previously ringed birds R.J.L.
in the same areas in subsequent years., One
Nightingale, a female, returned for five years,
four of those in exactly the same place. Sadly,
there are fewer of these locally now and for
the past few years none in that wood.
Blackcaps, much more common, also returned
annually. The study was to check on surviving
adults and the proportion of juveniles to adults
each year in over a hundred sites across the
country. The results were analysed by the
scientific staff at the British Trust for
Ornithology. To recapture and handle a bird
that had been ringed some years before and
made the migration journey safely to its
territory is very exciting.
The reason some arrive earlier is
more complex. Firstly, there are more birders
reporting and better communications between
13Live music every Saturday and
Sunday, 2.00 - 6.00pm tapas and
snacks
Details of Sessions on chalkboard outside
and on the Fountain Inn website
MARK WATTS DRAINAGE
Sep c Tank Problems…?
Blocked soakaway?
Drains backing up?
Obnoxious smells?
Sep c Tank Conversions
Treatment Plant Installa ons
Servicing of Treatment Plants-
MARK WATTS DRAINAGE
01273 812 331 – 07990 553 747
14PLUMPTON VILLAGE SOCIETY
Are you longing for a change of scenery?
Lovely as it is, would you like a trip away from Plumpton?
Plumpton Village Society is organising an outing to
WISLEY RHS GARDENS
Thursday 27th May 2021
leaving at 9:30 a.m. returning for 5:00 p.m.
picking up from the lay-by near The Half Moon, by the Station and by The
Fountain.
Because of Covid restrictions, places on the coach are limited and these will
be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, with a reserve list in case
the guidance changes.
The cost of the coach is £16 and admission is £12:20
Members of the RHS, plus a guest, will be able to enter free,
so the cost will just be £16 for the coach fare.
Wisley require contact details of all people visiting and, for that reason, we are asking those
interested to fill in an application form for the visit.
For more details and to request a form contact Rod and Alyson Owens, 01273 891610 or
email rodaly@talktalk.net
The Rude Mechanical Theatre Co presents
Li0le Lily Harley
PLUMPTON VILLAGE GREEN
30 JUNE 2021
Picnics from 5.45, with the performance star9ng at 7.30.
This new play, in the Rudes characteris=c physical style, tells the story of Charlie
Chaplin’s childhood in Lambeth.
Full of music hall and silent movie magic!
Featuring Chaplin’s powerful classic music, ‘Smile’.
See the insert flyer for more details www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk 01323
501260
15Church Services for May
Sunday 2nd May Easter 5 Godparents Sunday
All Saints 10.30am Family Communion
Sunday 9th May Easter 6 Rogation Sunday
All Saints 10.30am Family Communion
Thursday 13th May Ascension day
All Saints 3pm Ascension day service
Sunday 16th May Easter 7 Sunday after Ascension Day
All Saints 10.30am Family Communion
Tuesday 18th May Licencing of Rev Anne Dunlop by Bishop of Lewes
All Saints church 7pm Licencing service
Sunday 23rd May Pentecost Whit Sunday
All Saints 11.00am Family Communion
Sunday 30th May Trinity Sunday
All Saints 11.00am Family Communion
Sunday 6th June Trinity 1 Environment Sunday
All Saints 11.00am Family Communion
Church News
After a reasonably short interregnum, the churchwardens and the Parochial Church
Council (PCC) are delighted to announce that the Rev. Anne Dunlop will be licenced
by the Bishop of Lewes to the parish of Plumpton with East Chiltington cum
Novington, on Tuesday 18th May at 7pm in All Saints church. Due to ongoing Covid
regulations numbers will have to be limited to allow for social distancing.
During our time without our own priest, Rev. Anne Dunlop has been helping with
weddings and funerals, and she is looking forward to a number of forthcoming
weddings already booked for this summer. Rev. Anne Dunlop will share her time and
duties between our parish and the parish of Hamsey and Offham, where she
currently resides. We expect her to move into the rectory in Plumpton Green in due
course. There is universal delight at Rev. Anne Dunlop’s appointment, given the
qualities and experience she will bring.
If you are a regular member of the congregation, or a newcomer to the village,
please note that from Sunday 23rd May, which is Rev. Anne Dunlop’s first service, all
Sunday services at All Saints Plumpton Green will move to the slightly later time of
11.00am. This is in order to accommodate her leading Sunday morning services at
both the Offham and Plumpton churches.
Continued on page 18
16VILLAGE EVENTS CALENDAR
VH = Village Hall HQ = Scout HQ TC = Tennis Club
StM = St Michael’s ANX = Church Annex PAV = Pavilion
ECC = East Chiltington Church Sch = Plumpton School ALC= All Saints Church
2021
26th June - Village Strawberry Fair VH
30th June - Rude Mechanicals VH
10th July - St. P & St. J Jumble Sale 2pm VH
18th July - St. P & St. J - Mill House Open Garden
7th August - Horticultural Society Summer show VH
18th September - Horticultural Society Autumn show VH
2nd October - Plumpton Apple Pressing VH
23rd October - Tennis Club Jumble Sale VH
20th November - Tennis Club Quiz
26th November - Horticultural Society AGM VH
27th November - St. P & St. J Festive Fair VH
BOOKINGS
Village Hall & Pavilion: Jane Donovan 07747 050903 or 01273 891036
Church Annex Howard Wood 07794484373
COPY DEADLINES
16th May for June
14th June for July
Copy to The Poplars, Station Road
or email: pecncopy@gmail.com or Telephone: 01273 891 427
17Church News Continued...
The churchwardens and the PCC would like to record a big thank you to the
Archdeacon of Brighton and Lewes, Martin Lloyd-Williams, for the support he has
offered during the last few months, not only behind the scenes, but also through his
inspirational preaching. After the Easter Service we gave him and his wife a bottle of
malt whiskey and a bunch of flowers as a small presentation of thanks.
The Archdeacon’s last service for us is likely to be a special service for Ascension day
on Thursday 13th May at 3pm in All Saints church.
All Saints church was beautifully decorated for Easter
Sunday, thanks to all the wonderful people who donated
flowers and gave of their time and skills. Thank you also to
all the amazing volunteers who offered hot drinks and
Easter eggs outside after the service.
In other news, St Michael’s church in the grounds of Plumpton college, which had not
been used since a carol service in December 2019, has recently received a deep
clean in readiness for a funeral service and committal. Thank you to Josephine
Butler for her generous financial support, and thank you to Trevor and Janet Hook
for helping to prepare St Michael’s for its deep clean, and for cleaning and repairing
the altar frontals.
In next month’s magazine the Rev. Anne Dunlop has promised to tell us a little about
herself and her new role in our parish. We know that she is looking forward to
walking out in the parish and meeting as many of you as possible.
The church annex will be available to hire from Monday 17th May.
HW
Churchwardens
East Chiltington - Amanda Inglis 07941 241148
Plumpton Green - Howard Wood 07794484373, David Dawson 01273 890134
18New Action Group Opposes Plans for New Town at
East Chiltington
‘Don’t Urbanise the Downs’ is a non-political action group set up by local residents to
oppose the proposed creation of a 3,000-house new town on 500 acres of land
owned by Eton College at East Chiltington. Almost 900 supporters have already
signed up to the group and we are urging others to join us, so that we can stop this
scheme in its tracks.
We believe the enormous scale of the proposed town, would see East Chiltington,
Plumpton and Chailey, sucked together into one immense urban sprawl, as the
green spaces between our rural villages disappears.
Part of the character and charm of this lovely place, appreciated by residents,
visitors and leisure users, is its lack of public services – no schools, shops, mains
drains or gas and mostly single-track lanes. So the construction work needed to
build a new town with infrastructure from scratch would take years to complete -
blighting the area and causing traffic chaos. Once completed, the population of East
Chiltington would grow by 1200% to upwards of 6,000 residents with around 4,200
additional cars adding to congestion with over 3.5m additional car journeys a year.
Yet there is no need for a new town here. Local housing targets are already being
met, with surrounding towns and villages delivering thousands of new homes each
year. Just as countless numbers of people do today, their future residents should be
able to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of rural East Chiltington – with its fields, footpaths,
bridleways, country lanes and views of the South Downs National Park.
Concreting over the green fields of East Chiltington would scar the downland
landscape forever and destroy the habitat and eco systems we should be protecting
for future generations to enjoy – including the rare wildlife, plants and ancient trees
that make this place so special.
You can find more information at www.donturbanisethedowns.com and if you feel as
passionately about this as we do, then please sign up to join us.
Marc Munier, East Chiltington resident and lead for Don’t Urbanise the Downs
19Climate Change
The Future of Transport?
In many ways this is one of the hardest areas to predict the future.
Before Covid hit, one might have argued that the way forward was to encourage people to
make use of public transport. Trains currently go through Plumpton station almost empty. The
franchise agreements have been torn up – who knows how long it will be before people go back
to using trains regularly, whether for work or pleasure?
Similar arguments can be made for rural buses – but these were not being used by people
frequently in rural areas and the financial viability of the current arrangements for services has
to be questioned. The Government seem to recognise that running bus services in rural areas
requires a different mechanism to towns. To this end it has set up a Rural Mobility Fund, with
£20 million set aside to trial on-demand services in 17 different locations, including minibuses
booked via an app that people pick near their home at a time that is convenient to them.
As well as dealing with the economic aspect of public transport, the Committee on Climate
Change has recommended that all bus and coach sales in the UK need to be fully zero emission
by 2040, with 50 per cent of new vehicle sales zero emission by 2030. The average age of a
bus on UK roads is eight years. This results in the need to rapidly deploy zero emission
technology in this sector to meet the net zero target set out in legislation. A tall order!
In the meantime, we are seeing the growing demand for electric vehicles. As a result of the
Government’s so-called ‘green revolution’, a target has been set such that new cars and vans
powered wholly by petrol and diesel will not be sold in the UK from 2030, but it is likely that
some hybrids may be permitted.
If this is rising up your ‘green’ agenda, you can get a discount on the price of brand new low-
emission vehicles (up to a value of £35,000) through a grant the government gives to vehicle
dealerships and manufacturers. You do not need to do anything if you want to buy one of
these vehicles - the dealer will include the value of the grant in the vehicle’s price. The
maximum grant available for cars is £2,500. If you want to know which vehicles are eligible go
to https://www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants
It seems the village is full of great ideas about how to tackle the impact on climate change from
vehicle emissions. The following are just a few:
a) why have a car sitting in your garage if you are away? Why not hire a vehicle on a monthly
basis, as and when needed? There are a number of company websites that offer this service
such as https://on.to/
b) could we have an electric car-share in the village? This might suit you if you only drive
short, occasional distances and don’t need a car on your drive all of the time.
c) could we have an electric bike share-scheme in the village?
If you have any other ideas about private or public transport, or would like to explore any of
these ideas further, please do get in touch.
Carole and Paul Nicholson
carole.nicholson3@virgin.net
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21An Update from Plumpton
Primary PPTFA and news of
their Online Auction 19-21
May.
It’s Good To Be Back! By this time of year we have normally run a
number of super successful fundraising
Well it’s great to be back on court! It’s fun, events for Plumpton Primary School. These
its fitness, its freezing! But I’m sure we’ll be regular events, thanks to our thriving
basking in the sun by the time that you read supportive community, help fund invaluable
this in May! resources and experiences for our children,
Play has returned and the courts have been such as Forest School and the widely loved
well used after reopening the club on the music sessions, those special extras that
12th April followed by the return of enhance learning and add real enthusiasm
supervised club sessions on the 18th. There’s to our Children’s school week.
something for people of all ages, abilities We are not going to let the challenges of
and fitness levels, whether it’s a gentle the past year deter us!
doubles or the frenzy of cardio tennis!
To boost this year’s fundraising for Forest
The Easter Camps went well. These are for School the PPFTA are hosting a Summer
kids aged 6 to 15 with different sessions Auction…Online!
covering different age groups, allowing 3
hours of play on 3 consecutive days. The This year more than ever we realise the
sessions, which use mini tennis balls, are a power of the great British outdoors!
great way to introduce the next generation Engaging in Forest School can contribute to
to the game and were fully booked and the development of collaborative learning
much enjoyed. There are 3 more camps skills, by encouraging children to work with
coming up in July and August. Coaching is others on challenging outdoor activities.
also available for adults in groups or 1:1. This type of learning equips children with
practical skills and an appreciation for being
With the required optimism, we have also outdoors, the benefits of which for mind
committed to naming dates for the Tennis body and health are well researched.
Club Jumble Sale on the 23rd October and to
the eagerly awaited return of the Quiz on the Not only is this a wonderful way for us to all
20th November, both at the Village Hall. come together to support our local school
but with some incredible prizes coming your
As always, if you want to find out more, get way from fabulous local sponsors, this is an
involved or even come down to the club for event you do not want to miss out on.
a try out, then contact Lesley Satchell on
07590 354420, e- Once live between 19th – 21st May, you will
mail info@plumptontc.org.uk or go to be able to bid on these items helping raise
www.plumptontc.org.uk which has all the funds and supporting the much loved
information on training camps, club events Plumpton Primary School. Now is the time to
and a range of membership options. pre-register your interest in the auction and
We hope to see you soon. to receive updates once bidding begins.
Plumpton Tennis Club Please share with family & friends, near and
far – every penny of support really does
Play | Enjoy | Improve count.
PS: If you are running a local business and And, of course, if you or your company have
would like to raise your profile as we move anything to kindly donate for the Auction to
out of lockdown, please contact us about help us raise these valuable funds then the
court sponsorship at Plumpton Primary children would be
committee@plumptontc.org.uk eternally grateful! “
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23Plumpton & East blossom into the house as it would bring only
illness and misfortune to do so. Its distinctive
Chiltington Wildlife scent was thought to resemble that of rotting
corpses, not as spooky as it sounds as this has
Hawthorn - The May Tree been identified as trimethylamine which is the
chemical produced by decaying human bodies.
In Marcel Proust’s Remembrance of Things Thorn trees longevity has given rise to
Past, the narrator recalls, amongst many legends such as that of the twice-flowering
other things, his encounters as a child in the Glastonbury Thorn and of one of the oldest
French countryside with blossoming hawthorns in England, the ‘Witch of Hethel’ in
hawthorn: Norfolk.
I found the whole path throbbing with the Left to its own devices a hawthorn tree can
fragrance of hawthorn-blossom. The hedge grow to a height of about 10m. They have a
resembled a series of chapels, whose walls slim trunk, round crown and will withstand the
were no longer visible under the mountains rigours of an exposed site. However the utility
of flowers that were heaped upon their of hawthorn is not as a timber tree. It is
altars. tough, dense and thorny - ideal hedging
material. Even the origins of its name, from
Proust’s other recollections include a the Old English haga, shares Germanic roots
swooning description of its ‘bitter-sweet with the hecg/hegge - hedge. Hawthorn
fragrance of almonds’ but the above passage hedges contributed to the ‘enclosing’ of Britain
captures possibly the best, if rather prosaic, with millions of acres of open land delineated
definition of hawthorn, a blossoming hedge into familiar field grids from the late
tree. Hawthorn is a tough cookie. It is long- eighteenth century onwards.
living, can thrive on thin chalk soil and
tolerate dense shade. Despite being Hedgerows are an essential habitat and refuge
overlooked in favour of taller and more for a myriad of species, provide shelter and
glamorous neighbours, its prickly hedge prevent soil erosion. Long-established hedges
ubiquity makes it probably the commonest have the greatest value and none more so
tree is Sussex. than Hawthorn. Hedgerows have been
identified as a priority habitat for conservation
There are two, very similar, Hawthorn action within England’s Biodiversity 2020
species in Sussex. The Midland thorn targets. This is an attempt to redress the stark
(Crataegus laevigata) is a tree of ancient fact that, due to a variety of factors, hedge
hedgerow and woodland edges on stiff clay. removal exceeded hedge planting from WW2
It tends to flower one-two weeks earlier than onwards.
its Common relative with pinky-white flowers
that are not as sweet-smelling. It has darker Hawthorn hedges are wildlife havens and a
haws with two seeds in each fruit and its less beautiful harbinger of summer. So this May,
-lobed leaves are generally a darker, glossier be like Marcel, get out there and admire
green. The Common thorn (Crataegus them:
monogyna) has more deeply lobed leaves.
The white, or occasionally pink, flowers have I promised that when I grew up I would never
one style and consequently the haws copy the foolish example of other men, but
produce only one seed. It is more highly that even in Paris on fine spring days, instead
scented. of paying calls and listening to silly talk, I
would set off for the country to see the first
Hawthorn blossom usually arrives in late hawthorn-trees in bloom.
spring from May through the early June but
is weather dependent and its timing and For more information:
quantity can give rise to all kinds of forecasts hedgelink.uk
as to subsequent summer weather and the National Hedgelaying Society
harshness of winter. It is also subject to
other folklore beliefs. Despite its beauty it is Jean Stewart
is regarded as bad luck to bring hawthorn
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26Footpath Our route continued north to Black Hill, the
Detective’s high point of the Low Bradley Moor. Here are
the remains of two large burial mounds said to
Diary: be of two Bronze Age chieftains. Following the
correct path got a bit tricky, mainly because
A Footpath Detective’s Diary the ground got a bit boggy and typically we
May 2021 tried to keep our feet dry. So many times this
A small moor with a lot of memories tactic results in navigational errors. After a bit
of wandering around the top of the moor we
This walk itself is a bit of a memory in that I picked up our route west of Black Hill and
did it last September when allowed to visit toward Kildwick Moor.
my cousin in Cononley, Yorkshire. Our
starting point was the village of Cononley and Once across the boundary wall of the moor we
our purpose a stroll up the hill opposite then found a path to descend toward Low Bradley.
down to the next village for a pint and lunch, The path went through a number of fields used
simple. for grazing sheep and cattle. As we
approached the village the path got steeper. If
We headed across the meadows to the River you happen to follow this route watch out for
Aire and turned south along its bank admiring the cow pats, they are slippery on such a steep
the waterfowl pecking in the greenery at the slope. We emerged onto the lane by the chapel
edge. We turned onto the lane and crossed and I was expertly directed around the lanes to
the busy A629 and then scurried up the bank the pub for our lunch.
onto the nicely refurbished tow path of the
Leeds – Liverpool canal. We walked a short Following a sit in the sun and well refreshed
distance south along the canal before turning we continued through the village down to the
onto Main Street, Farnhill. After passing canal and its tow path. We turned south
Farnhill Hall and Boxtree Farm we turned left following a considerable bend in the canal,
onto a path to climb quite steeply at first to passing Mill Ing Bridge and on to
Crag Top Farm and then less so onto Farnhill Hamblethorpe Bridge. Here is a memorial to
Moor. seven Polish Airmen that were serving in the
RAF. On September 23rd 1943 their Wellington
Birch trees and bracken were already turning bomber HZ251 was on a training flight from
into their autumn colours and on the ground RAF Silloth in Cumbria, when for reasons
a lot of toadstools red with white spots had unknown, the port wing spar failed and the
emerged. We continued our ascent to the wing detached. The Wellington crashed beside
monument, also known as the Jubilee Tower. the Leeds Liverpool Canal killing all on board.
It is a white painted monument with rounded In 2007 the memorial was erected in memory
dome top and has a carved stone cross on of them and ‘Lest we forget’.
the top. It reminded me of those in Greece.
It is carved with a rose, shamrock, thistle We continued along the canal and then back to
motif and the initials VR. These initials are the lane into Cononley with its old textile mill
the clue to the purpose of the monument. It now converted into posh apartments and the
was built in 1887 to celebrate the Golden lead mines in the hill above now deserted. A
Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Close by are carved little farming remains but the cow barns in
stones that explain its erection and the Meadow Lane are now also converted into
restorations of 1935 and 2000 and other old posh dwellings. At least the pubs remain and
graffiti stones. It is on a gritstone outcrop will hopefully have survived lockdown.
with a stunning view across Airdale with the EJH
village of Cononley in the foreground. Some
of the gritstones have much older carvings,
cup mark ring carvings. Exactly what their
meaning is seems uncertain but I have read
that they were made by Bronze Age people
that most likely had a settlement on the hill.
2728
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30Chailey Commons
Society w ww .cha ile yc ommo ns.o rg.u k
It is good news that there are further relaxations in the Pandemic restrictions but
understandably they continue to limit the Society in our meetings and activities. We
still appreciate being able to get in touch with our members by email, post and the
website and we try to put up posters where possible for everyone to see and to join
us if they can.
Our efforts are moving forward all the time for the planned Exmoor ponies return to
Red House Common. We are grateful to all those who have contacted us to join the
team of the people who are going to keep a daily watch on the small herd. These
‘Lookerers’ have been getting together and hearing from the Trust directly with some
talks and training.
We hope that the ponies will arrive during May and take up residence on Red House
Common. We have been doing all we can to make the common safe and our
Countryside Officer, Andy Mitchell, has been busy with liaison between the various
people and agencies involved. The water troughs have been cleaned and we must
ask that they are kept clean for drinking purposes only – no access or use by dogs
and children please for obvious reasons.
If you walk in the common, please respect the ponies and leave them to graze. No
feeding and do take care to control dogs nearby to them. Check our website for
contacts to report anything which does not look right.
As the restrictions are eased, we plan to recommence some walks on the commons
so we will be in touch with our members and display posters. Welcome to our new
members joining recently and we look forward to meeting you at our events.
For possible planned activities, visit our website – www.chaileycommons.org.uk or
our Facebook page www.facebook.com/chaileycommons/
William Coleman
01444 831098
31Baby & Toddler Group Charlotte 01273 891086
British Legion Reg Lanaway 890070
Brownies girlguiding.org.uk
Chailey Commons Society William Coleman 01444 831923
Cricket Club Kelvin Speirs 890785
Dance Classes for Children Carol Grant 01444 243592
Flower Club Gill Wells 890561
Football Club Ian Earl 891099
Footpath Society Judy Lawrenson 01273 472277
Guides girlguiding.org.uk
Happy Circle Cherie Winchester 891592
Haywards Heath Town
Ladies Football Club Peter Hickman 01444 257822
Honeybees Preschool 890885
Societies Horticultural Society Ken Beard 890572
Hospice Support Group Sue Akers 891701
Clubs Junior Football Darryl Bailey 07792 686673
Oil Buying Group Diane Marks 07929 336065
Groups Pantomime Society Duncan Taylor-Jones 01273 649259
Plumpton Activity Scheme Jacqui Wallis
plumptonactivityscheme@gmail.com
Plumpton Bowmen Andrew Holdsworth 890001
Plumpton Camera Club Tim Honess 01273 890582
Plumpton & East Chiltington Linda Watson 07478 524152
Good Neighbours
Plumpton Rude Mechanical Lee Stevens 07887 562721
Theatre Co. Friends
Plumpton Short Mat Bowls Malcolm Beard 890826
Plumpton Tennis Club Lesley Satchell 07590 354420
Plumpton Village Society Lee Stevens 07887 562721
For changes or new
PPTFA Marie Leviston 891497
entries:
phone: Rainbows girlguiding.org.uk
01273 891427 Rugby Club Mike Allen 890076
Email: Scouts Rodney Hill 890410
pecncopy@gmail.com Southdown East Pony Club Mike Nichols 01444 452295
Stoolball Club Jo Taylor 890450
Turning Pointe Dance Classes office.turningpointe@gmail.com
Wildlife Group David Philips 07768 886358
Plumpton & East Chiltington News
Advertising & Admin: Barry Luck
Email: pecntreasurer@btinternet.com 01273 891 427
Typesetting: Penny Acton
Email: pecncopy@gmail.com 01273 891 427
Distributed by: Christine Millum 01273 890854
Printed By; Devon Print Ltd. 077955 66066 www.devon-print-comLewes District Citizens Advice
15 – 19 Chapel Street Southover House 37 Church Street
Newhaven Lewes Seaford
BN9 9PN BN7 1AB BN25 1HG
Contact : Jackie Wilkes 01273 007556 @Lewescab1
www.lewesdistrictcab.org.uk
Jackie Wilkes, Chief Officer of Lewes District Citizens Advice:
Does this sound familiar?
My energy bill really shot up. I’ve tried to contact my energy supplier for
support, but no one ever seems to answer the phone or respond to my
emails.
It’s normal for your energy bills to change throughout the year depending on how
much gas and electricity you’re using. But if your bills seem strangely high, it’s
important to investigate why.
Firstly, check your meter is working properly and your usage has definitely not
gone up. Check when you’re using night storage or immersion heaters, these can
cause very high bills if used incorrectly.
It could be that your bill is an estimate, you might need to give your supplier a new
meter reading. Check your last meter reading to see if it matches the one on your
bill. If you still don’t have an answer, your supplier might have raised their prices.
Customer Service varies between suppliers; we hear of many bad experiences. If
you’re struggling to get through to them, make a formal complaint. We offer advice
on how to do this. We publish a comparison table every three months which rates
suppliers’ customer service, based on things like telephone wait time, email
response time and the accuracy of their bills.
If you’d like to talk it through with someone contact your nearest Citizens Advice
for support or the consumer helpline.
Citizens Advice Helplines
Adviceline call 0800 144 88 48 . Monday- Friday 9am to 5pm.
Email advice www.eastsussexcab.co.uk
Chat online to an advisor on our website citizensadvice.org.uk/contact-us.
33You can also read
