ISSUE 128 MARCH / APRIL 2020 FREE

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF , ERIDGE & BELLS YEW GREEN

“Eridge Rocks”, by Debs-eye/Flickr. See page 12 for walks to do in the Parish

IN THIS ISSUE… 3 4 7 8 10 14 Letter from Church Services, Frant Nursery Parish Council MP Nus Ghani What’s on in the the Rectory by features & News School news news and updates on her role as Parish: events, the Reverend from the Pews and details of a the Maritime useful contacts Brendan Martin fundraising quiz Minister & dates ADVERTISEMENTS PARISH NEWS

From the Rectory

New Season, New Life. us for Alpha. It has been fantastic to meet lots of I recently bought myself a new toy, a strimmer for new people, in fact we had so many it became quite the garden, and I’ve been spending the last few a task to fit us all in The Stables hall! No doubt the weeks playing with it and hacking back the garden. promise of good food and wine helped with people The level of satisfaction I get slicing through wanting to come, but it was also that we have so those yards and yards of dead stinging nettles, little time to think about the big questions of life, bracken and bushes, is way beyond any gardening meaning, purpose and God, that we all came with experience I have had before! As my friend Andy questions and great discussion! One of the things says, “if you want to make an omelette you’ve got to we discussed was about whether there is ultimately crack some eggs,” and our garden is definitely well beauty out of chaos and life out of death? cracked right now. In fact, it is at the carnage stage We looked at Jesus and his dying on the cross of its transformation. and his physical resurrection from the dead. It had to be done over winter, if I waited I would Which is something Christians across the world have simply been fighting against the growth of will celebrate again this Easter. The evidence for the weeds in spring, a battle I would have lost as I Jesus; his life, death and resurrection is amazingly don’t always have as much time as I hope or need persuasive and can bring hope and perspective as for these things. One of the most lovely things we go through the chaos that is our life so often. about having hacked them back though is the new So much of life seems to be fighting the weeds. growth and new life that has appeared! Out of the The things we have to sort, the difficulties we mess of the brambles, and out of the devastation of have to go through, the sadness around us that we my strimmer violently sending shards of old weeds experience. But the good news of Easter, the good everywhere, out of this devastation has come forth news of Christianity is that there is beauty and life new life! to come! A faith to take hold of. There are seeds of In the middle of what was a heap of weeds, dozens new life brisling through! I hope and pray that this and dozens of bulbs have shot up, no doubt grateful Springtime you might be able to join with us to pull for the sun they are finally able to see. back those weeds of life to find the beauty there is to Out of the carnage, beauty. Out of the death, life. see below. Over the past few weeks lots of people have joined —Rev Brendan Martin

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Instructor training, and alongside when a stone memorial tablet fell off another member of our church who the North West wall of the church. St Alban’s, Frant & Holy Trinity, Eridge is already a qualified instructor, am Fortunately it happened during the looking to see how we can develop our night, but it destroyed a display screen Rector youth and children’s work to get children and badly damaged our rather lovely The Reverend Brendan Martin — 01892 752003; [email protected] outside to enjoy, learn and care for oak pedestal table. We now have to creation, and looking to God as creator. think about how to put it back and who We are hugely excited about this new will pay! venture. We love the idea of making We were very sad to hear that June the most of the countryside around us, Talbot, a member of our congregation how we can understand the plants and for many years, died following a fall animals around us, care for them, and during the Christmas break. June had get excited about encouraging (and lived in Home Farm Court since 1991, building!) the habitats in which they and at 93 years old she was very fit and live and thrive. We want to see how we active. Until a few years ago she played www.frantchurch.org www.eridgechurch.org can use the resources of the countryside golf regularly, and she still attended Churchwardens Services for Churchwardens to make new crafts, for fire lighting, the ‘Older and Active’ keep fit sessions Jane Emler—532233 Jonathan Lynn—864304 for survival skills and for cooking in the Stables, the ease with which she Crawford Burden—07789 170275 March/April 2020 Christopher Hall—750385 outdoors, as well as having great fun could still touch her toes was the envy of making assault courses, big games, many. She was also a valued and regular Ed Pascoe plans our new forest archery and more. member of the Wednesday House Group. 9:30am Family Service...... 1st March...... Communion 11:15am clubs for youth and children. In October last year, I led a group of As a girl in London, June worked for In Lent this year, we are joining the 9 kids on a pilot programme lasting 6 a legal firm, then for Esso. She was a 9:30am Communion...... 8th March...... Morning Prayer 11:15am church of ’s, LiveLent: Care for weeks. During this time we explored dedicated animal lover and In the 1970s God’s Creation. Over 40 days we are some of these activities (below are she worked for ‘Beauty without cruelty’ 9:30am Morning Service...... 15th March ...... Communion 11:15am reflecting on some passages from the pictures of this time). Having received a charity opposing animal testing and Bible, but also taking action on how we fantastic feedback from both kids and the fur trade. The charity was run by 9:30am Family Service...... 22nd March...... Communion 11:15am can care for God’s creation right now. parents, we are excited to develop our her friend Lady Dowding, the wife of ...... Mothering Sunday...... You can join us too by downloading the community and countryside links with Air Chief Marshall Lord Dowding the app, search LiveLent: Care for God’s Forest Clubs after Easter. Commander at the Battle of Britain. 9:30am Communion...... 29th March...... Morning Prayer 11:15am Creation. June will be very much missed as part of This is not something we want to News from the Pews our church family and in the community. 9:30am Family Service...... 5th April...... Communion 11:15am limit to a few weeks in lent, and from At the time of writing, (the second The Alpha Course got off to a good ...... Palm Sunday...... Easter we will be thinking about how we week in February) there are 3 daffodils start at the end of January. At the time can, as a church, broaden and deepen and masses of snowdrops out in the of writing there have been 2 sessions ...... 9th April...... Tenebrae Communion 8:00pm our links to the countryside around us, churchyard. Spring is coming! with around 30 people attending. Those ...... Maundy Thursday ...... particularly with our young people. I Christmas seems a long time ago now, providing the meals rose to the challenge am about to finish my Forest School but just a word about the Christmas of having to cater for rather more than 10:30am Family Service...... 10th April ...... Last hour at the Cross 2:00pm services before we move on to 2020. we anticipated, and we enjoyed splendid ...... Good Friday ...... At all but the midnight communion 3 course meals plus coffee. We watched service on Christmas eve, numbers were videos entitled ‘Is there more to life than 9:30am Family Communion...... 12th April ...... Communion 11:15am well up on previous years. At the Carol this?’ and ‘Who is Jesus?’ during which ...... Easter Day...... Service it was a privilege to hear the we heard the testimony and considered school choir sing the lovely carol ‘Noel’ opinions of historians, scientists and a 9:30am Morning Service...... 19th April ...... Communion 11:15am by Chris Tomlin. I don’t think I can find varied group of young people. The videos words to describe the Crib Service on were appropriately light hearted, one 9:30am Morning Service...... 26th April...... Communion 11:15am Christmas eve, but through the noise, young lady said that she thought that the excitement and the giant party Jesus was probably a ‘cool dude who did There is a Sunday Club for 0–14 year olds at Frant when it isn’t a family service—all welcome! poppers, the message of Christmas rang good things!’ But they were certainly through in a clear and unforgettable thought provoking, and prompted some way. It was rather disappointing that interesting discussions and questions. the snow machine didn’t work, but next The course has 7 weekly sessions, so year, definitely! On Christmas morning hopefully everyone will see it through. everyone was too busy and excited to Monday 3rd February was a day of notice that there was no heating. On this great celebration when Zachary Finn occasion the solution was simple, new Pascoe made his appearance. Weighing WORSHIP AT BELLS YEW GREEN batteries required for the thermostat. in at 8lb 3oz he is the 4th child of Ed We breathed a sigh of relief as church and Julie our Youth Workers and a baby Sunday Services: 10.30am heating systems can cause lengthy and brother for Benjamin, Nora and Jesse. Good Friday service at 10.30am; Bible Study & Prayer: Thursdays, 7.30pm costly problems. Congratulations (and good luck!) to the Enquiries: Ken Davies, 01732 357791 The New year started with a bang Pascoe family.

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along with other archive material and more into her copious bed covers and also reminiscences of many of the old pretends to hide and always gets away girls who she managed to track down. with it as refuses to go outside between The air raid shelter is now used as an 9pm and 8am unless is picked up and put educational resource giving primary outside, then just harbours on the step school children a real feel for what their playing the super forlorn look until she great-grandparents lived through. gets whisked inside again. To top it all, A speaker for the March meeting on she even has a jacket to wear. I do make a the 26th has yet to be confirmed. Then particular point though of having a huge Frant Nursery School in April (23rd) instead of our normal shake off right beside her when I come Since returning from our Christmas afternoon session, we will be having back in which irritates her intensely as break we have welcomed two new our AGM followed by a Fish and Chip droplets of water land on her. Luckily, children and their families to the Supper; we also hope to have a display of The Owner does not seem to notice this, nursery. The children have been very local photographs at this meeting. as she will be busy extracting herself from busy investigating ice this term as part The ‘Young at Heart’ exercise classes her wellies and coat and huffing about of our winter topic. We’ve done a lot of continue on the first and third Thursdays mud everywhere. craft activities, making Gruffalos, robots of the month in the Stables at 2.15. New The Owner though is getting into a flap and of course lots of painting and baking members always welcome. about all the daffodils and plants coming too! We’ve also had fun celebrating Enquiries Valerie Palmer 750559 up so early in the milder temperatures Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day and concerned about everything being with various crafts and activities. Chorus confused and then possibly getting some We are having our annual fundraising » Holy Week Concert cold snaps which will do them no good. quiz night on Friday 28th February, The well-known and highly respected Even the geese have started laying eggs held at the Bells Yew Green village hall, to local choir, KENT CHORUS, will be already which is far earlier than normal. raise funds for the the Nursery. Tickets presenting their Holy Week concert in Sadly, the chicken who refused to nest are £12.50 each and include Fish & Tunbridge Wells on April 4th - Palm in the house and always wanted to nest Chips! Frant Nursery School has spaces Saturday. The programme features in the tree beside The Girls house was available for children from 2 years old up Haydn’s moving and compelling “Seven taken by the infamous Fox. It was sadly to starting school in all of our Morning Last Words of Christ”, together with inevitable and how she would have held and Afternoon sessions. We open at highlights from Pergolesi’s beautiful on in the branches through the storms I 8.30am Monday to Friday. “Stabat Mater”. There will also be settings don’t know. It always makes The Owner Established in 1986, Frant Nursery of “Ave Verum Corpus” by Byrd, Mozart sad though if a chick gets taken as she is situated in the heart of the village and Elgar. does her utmost to make sure The Girls and provides a safe and nurturing Both main works, whilst bringing out are always as safe as possible. environment for young children. the Passiontide story, are able to look On a happier note though, the Owner For further information to arrange beyond the darkness of Good Friday has just been on the phone discussing a viewing or for our prospectus please to the ultimate triumph and joy of with Dolly’s Owner about meeting up contact: Melissa Hill 01892 750736 Easter Day. This concert is the perfect today for a walk later and then staying on [email protected] preparation for all of us for Holy Week for supper. That sounds so wonderful as and Easter: please do join Kent Chorus will mean that we can lay beside the fire Frant Parish Friendship Group. for this very special event. together after our walk as we dry off from For our first meeting of 2020 we were Concert is on Saturday April 4th at a muddy wet walk… and I shall make sure extremely lucky to have as our speaker 7pm. St. Luke’s Church, Tunbridge The Thug Pug is well out of the way from Mary Smith – retired head teacher of Wells, TN4 9JH. Thre’s an interval with our special space nestled cosily with the Maidstone Girls Grammar School. refreshments. Tickets - £12 (under 16s warmth of the fire surrounding us hidden Her talk entitled ‘A Schoolgirl’s War’ free) - from Kent Chorus singers, on the from the winds… was enthralling. Whilst head she had door or contact [email protected] overseen the discovery and restoration First Aid Course of a World War II air raid shelter in Woof Meanderings Frant Parish Council have kindly the school grounds. This in itself was Well, goodness me what winds have been provided funding for a Red Cross First a fascinating find but following some surrounding us with so much force and Aid Course for babies and children to research she came across the war time causing endless damage.I am normally be held at The Stables in Frant on 25th diary of the then art teacher Miss Keen. quite robust at ignoring the weather April this year. 10am - 2:30pm. The This documented the years 1939 to conditions and just push on outside on course would be ideal for parents with 1946 and was illustrated with the most jobs and walks with The Owner whatever young children, grandparents or youth amazing artwork. It totally brought the weather, but I have to be honest as on aged 16+ who babysit. £5 per person to to life the hardships and adventures a good few occasions recently, I have been cover costs. Teas and coffees provided of both girls and staff. Mary Smith faltering in the doorway and trying to but bring a packed lunch. Only 15 places became so interested in Miss Keen and avoid going outside. Clearly, I then relent available! For more information and to her diary that she has written a book and ‘go for it’ as am no sissy. Annoyingly book your place, contact Julie Pascoe at incorporating the artwork from the diary though, The Thug Pug just burrows down [email protected]”

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Parish Council News with his wife and family, the fourth service as part of the cost. Retoucherie The parish council are becoming generation to farm there. in Tunbridge Wells is a superb option for increasingly concerned about new Keith has two grown-up children who repairs/alterations. housing schemes within our area. Local were educated in the local schools, and authorities are under legal pressure two grandchildren. Upcycling from central government to deliver Now retired from full-time farming, This is a bit of trend at the moment and more and more housing across the south Keith works part time with his daughter there are some good projects working to east. Despite the parish being almost gardening for local people, and as a help people, for instance, Stitched Up entirely within the AONB, the parish District Councillor. based in Manchester. council is seeing more and more schemes He is also a Parish being proposed within our area. Most Councillor, and an active member of the Only wash clothes when necessary of these are extensions of Tunbridge local beekeepers’ association and the You can make your clothes last longer by Wells creeping towards Eridge, Frant Withyham Speedwatch group. reducing the temperature that you wash and Bells Yew Green. The Parish Council Keith can be contacted through the them at and the number of times you wants to see more affordable housing Withyham Parish Office, or directly by wash them. within our communities, but we believe email [email protected] they should be developments that or by phone on 07941 578427. The Brecknock arms support our community spirit, rather He also attends the Blackham Village Sad to see that after over 150 years the than being suburbs of Tunbridge Wells, Market every 1st Saturday of the Month, Brecknock in BYG looks forlorn , unloved with their backs to our villages. We have and the Community Café and now closed! Originally lodgings been making our representations to the each 3rd Saturday in the Month, where for the Coach drivers and their horses councils in both Wealden and Tunbridge he will be available for you to chat about attending Frant Station to collect Lord Wells, and we hope they will listen. In the any local concerns that you have. Camden’s guests, it soon became the Frant Green of our management regime. as Siegfrid Jerusalem, Doris Soffel and meantime, we will start sending out our Public House for the village. The original By the time you read this I hope you Finally I would like to make a plea for Maxim Vengerov. Her experience and local survey to residents and hopefully Mountains of clothes village pub (and brewery) was the Tiger will all notice that there has been some Frant Green protection. Frant Parish versatility make her an appreciated build towards our own Neighbourhood Many of you may be preparing for somewhere up Middle Road. planting on the lower part of Frant Council are looking into methods to guest with leading German orchestras Plan that will help shape future housing your annual spring clean! Perhaps this The Parish Council made the Green, and around the Parish field protect Frant Green from car erosion ,including the West German Radio development in our parish. includes a clothing sort out too? If so, you Brecknock a Community asset two (above and below). This is to complete however in the meantime various parts Symphony Orchestra Cologne, Bamberg On a more positive note, we have may have a slightly different take on how years so it can’t be sold for 6 months to the work to reintroduce habitats with of The Green are being cut away by cars SO and Beethoven Orchestra Bonn. received planning permission to you go about this if you saw the report allow the Community a chance to make money provided by Lund grant. and lorries while others turn to mud As a chamber music artist with the proceed with the new green behind the on TV recently about what happens to something of it if they so wish. Probably Right now things don’t look very exciting in this wet season. I understand that Keramion Quintet, Christina has church in Eridge. This is an exciting our unwanted clothes. The statistics are no longer viable as a pure drinking pub, but as summer arrives life should start to parking is an issue around the village but performed in countries as far afield as project to commemorate those from certainly thought provoking – perhaps which it was for many years and as such emerge in those new areas. if you do have to park around The Green Austria, Africa and South America as Eridge who served in the First World making some of us think about whether it has joined many other similar village We had some interesting news about please don’t ramp up your car onto the well as in many German cities. In 2010, War and also provide a shared space replacing perfectly good clothes is so pubs that have now closed. Some of the range of plants on Frant Green from green or dig into its side. This precious she played at a promenade concert in for the community. There is some work necessary. course have been reborn as a centre of an independent man who is researching place that we all love is slowly turning London’s Royal Albert Hall with the to compete, fencing the new area and Here are some statistics: 85% of Village life, Café, deli, meeting place etc village Greens in . He found: to mud and once each bit is gone it will West German Radio SO Cologne. agreeing how exactly the green will be textiles go into landfills each year - as well as a Pub. Hope springs eternal “Excluding trees I recorded 65 species never return. In recent years, Christina returned to used, but we hope to have an official United Nations Economic Commission as they say and although down the (of plant), by far the highest of any of the her family roots in Wales where she is in Eridge Centenary Green inauguration for Europe. £140m worth of clothing Brecknock is not yet out. It would be very village greens I surveyed”. St Alban’s spring concert demand as a soloist and accompanist, this year. from the UK ends in landfills every sad indeed and a great loss for Bells Yew This is really good news for the success Piano recital of well known popular while occasionally travelling back to year - Greenpeace. 2,720 Litres of water Green if the Brecknock was unable to classics (including works by Chopin, Germany for musical engagements. » Introducing your “new” Wealden used to produce just one cotton shirt - rise once again. Rachmaninov and Debussy) on Sunday Tickets at £12.00 (including tea) District Councillor. Environment Justice Foundation. 26th April 2020 at 3pm in St Albans available from Frant Stores, or telephone Cllr. Keith Obbard Give unwanted GOOD QUALITY Church (followed by afternoon tea) 01892 532233. was elected last May clothing to charity shops or resell them Christina Mason-Scheuermann Do come and spend a Sunday to represent the Allowing your clothes to be reused again, studied at the Royal Academy of Music afternoon listening to this lovely music Withyham Ward of through donating to charity or reselling London, with renowned Professor from a very accomplished lady. the on Gumtree or eBay, ensures that they Harald Craxton. There she won the Council, an area receive the maximum wear. If you have Macfarren Prize and Gold Medal, the Paddock Wood Choral Society which covers the villages of Blackham, old, stained clothing do not just offload Harold Samuel Bach, Lilian Davies, Invites you to join us for “An evening Withyham, Groombridge, Eridge, and this at charity shops as it will end up Kate Steel and Rae Leeming prizes, with Handel”, featuring “Dixit Mark Cross, and all the rural bits in adding to a clothing mountain overseas. as well as being awarded the coveted Dominus”, “Dettingen Te Deum”, and between. Only a small percentage of donated Tobias Matthay Fellowship. Her first the Coronation Anthem “The King Keith is a long-standing member of clothes sent abroad ends up being resold/ recitals were with the legendary cellist Shall Rejoice”. On Saturday 21st March the Green Party, and has had a life-long reused. Why not use your old fabrics Jacqueline du Pre. 2020, 7.30 pm, at St. Andrew’s Church, interest in sustainability, rural affairs, which are beyond reuse as cleaning Christina moved to Germany for Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood. and the environment. cloths around the house? further study and continued her Tickets £12.50 (Under 19’s free) from He spent 25 years running the Repair your clothes: There are plenty career in that country for many years, our website www.paddockwood-choral. successful Cherry Gardens Farm shop of tailors who can fix up your clothes performing as both soloist and chamber org.uk, or Box Office: 01892 836250, or and PYO business near Groombridge and even some retailers who offer this music partner with famous artists such [email protected]

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Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani MP at the Port of Southampton as she metting with ABP Apprentices

A Safer Country Means a More responsible for commercial shipping. The Arts Society Ashdown Prosperous Country Every day, I see how important security Forest » By our MP Nus Ghani is, both at home and overseas. I work » Lecture: The Role of the Arts 2020 represents a fruitful opportunity closely with the Ministry of Defence in the Cycle of Crime Prison and for more prosperity and security. That is and industry representatives to make Re-Offending by Angela Findlay. why an unwavering commitment to our sure that our commercial ships are Years of working as an artist within the Armed Forces is increasingly important. safe wherever they may be in the world, Criminal Justice System in England and As your MP, I have always campaigned especially in the Strait of Hormuz, amid Germany have given Angela Findlay for proper care for those who serve our rising tensions in the region. unique insights into the destructive and country today, as well as for those who At home, we must also make sure that costly cycle of crime, prisons and re- did so in the past. A new rail card for we offer vulnerable people the safety offending. In this thought-provoking talk veterans is a momentous step in the net they need. Overdue updates to the she offers a deeper understanding of the right direction. Complemented by a Mental Health Act and a much-awaited minds, lives and challenges of offenders. scheme of guaranteed job interviews for Domestic Abuse Bill move us closer to With extraordinary slides of art projects veterans applying for public sector roles, that objective. and prisoners’ art, she demonstrates how the policy aims to offer those who have I know from helping my own within the process of creating art of any put their lives on the line for this country constituents how struggling with mental discipline, there are vital opportunities flexibility and opportunity when they health issues and trauma can make one for offenders to confront their crimes and leave service. It also shows new recruits feel helpless. I have taken inspiration develop the key life skills so essential in that, whatever happens, they will never from their hopes and their courage to leading a positive and productive life. be left to their own devices. lobby for better mental health provisions The lecture will take place on12th We also must also make sure that all and a bill to protect families from the March 2020 at 2pm at personnel, past and present, are free devastating impact of domestic abuse, Community Centre, Pine Grove from the threat of vexatious claims. This ever since I first took my seat in the Crowborough TN6 1FE. Refreshments. means that our military men and women House of Commons. Members free, Guests £6. can do their jobs without fear of repeated My aims for Wealden are clear: safety, investigations down the line. fairness, and prosperity, as part of a In my role as Maritime Minister, I am compassionate country.

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is next to a small Church. Continue up to 150 – 50BC survives a short distance the track to a small car park. There is a from the southwest boundary of this bus stop at the entrance to the lane and a ancient woodland. car park at the base of the rocks. There is www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/woods very good access to all 40 hectares of the nature reserve including the rocks and » Hargate Forest the going is flat with no gates of stiles. Set just south of Tunbridge Wells is big, Climbing on the rocks is dangerous broad and beautiful Hargate Forest – and should only be attempted if you are perfect for those “getting away to the a properly equipped and experienced country”. Part of the heavily wooded climber. High Weald, the mixed woodland site supports an abundance of butterflies not » Friezland Wood often found in the region and a rich bird Small but packed with interest, population. It is popular with people too! Friezland Wood on the Kent-East Sussex Hargate has a good track, ride and border is something of a British rarity, path network where you can complete a thanks to the unusual rock formations circular walk but some sections can get on its western side. Rising out of the muddy. highest cliffs of the Weald, the Ardingly Set on sloping land, there are extensive Sandstone rock formations are so views from the regenerating heathland unusual they have earned part of the site areas and a brook flows through its SSSI status and nurtured a rich mixture southern section. The Woodland Trust of lichens, ferns and bryophytes. has created ponds throughout the site. Set on a steep north-facing slope, the The old forest, in the south, has the site has three distinct sections: its upper real feel of ancient woodland and boasts slopes feature oak, ash, alder and birch some fine old beech trees. Look out for the verge – it is open usually from about under close control and on the paths at with an abundance of wood anemones, lily of the valley – rare in the region. 7am until dusk. all times, both to preserve the wildlife bluebells and some bramble. The vertical Work is ongoing to thin conifers and Nature trails: People can pick up a free which includes several species of rare Walks in the Parish Above: Friezland Wood. Below: Eridge rocks support yew, sessile oak and holly, control rhododendron, encouraging trail guide and follow marked nature ground nesting birds, and for the benefit With spring on the horizon, and Rocks. Right, above: Hargate Forest. with a flatter area supporting a stand regeneration of native trees and boosting trails through this quiet and peaceful of visitors who may be nervous of dogs. hopefully things a little drier underfoot, Below right: RSPB Broadwater Warren of alder with nettles, buttercups and biodiversity. Size: 61.7 ha (152.46 acres) site The RSPB describe it not as a place of Please clear up after your dog – dog bins here are some reminders of lovely walks celandines. big “bird spectacles” but as somewhere to are due to be provided at the entrance. in our Parish: Popular with local people, Friezland » RSPB Broadwater Warren enjoy bird song, rare habitats and being Conditions underfoot: This is the has a good network of paths though Access: The reserve is open all year away from it all. Wealden Forest Ridge – it gets muddy! » Eridge Rocks some can get muddy and waterlogged in round and entry is free. The RSPB Habitat restoration: The first phase Most paths are flat or gently sloping, but A majestic sandstone rock outcrop winter. opened a small woodland car park in of habitat restoration began in the there are a few fairly steep slopes. amongst mixed woodland. It comes The remains of a hill fort, dating back 2009 to stop visitors having to park on winter 2009-10, with the clearance As a charity, the RSPB depends on the as a surprise to many that there are of an area of self-sown conifer trees. goodwill and financial support of people substantial cliffs tucked away in the Since then it has been and will continue like you. Please visit www.rspb.org.uk/ woodlands of the high weald of East to be ongoing. The RSPB is at pains supporting or call 01767 680551 to find Sussex. Giant boulders some 10 metres to prepare people that this kind of out more. high greet the visitor to Eridge Rocks. restoration looks very raw to start with. These rocks are designated a SSSI due It takes a couple of years for the original to the community of plants growing vegetation, buried as seeds in the soil, on them, but they have their own 135 to begin to flourish again. ­­The “Parish News” is published by the Church million year interest owing to a variety Future plans: As the heathland is and distributed free by volunteers. The publisher of weathering effects upon the crust that restored, it will be divided into several acknowledges the support of the Parish Council. encloses a soft moist core. Explore a little large fenced blocks, where small Any views expressed in this magazine are not further and you will find that this stony numbers of livestock will be used to necessarily shared by the Publisher. The “Parish projection extends for some 600 metres. maintain the habitats, as in years gone News” reserves the right to edit submissions as it Its shady nooks, deep fissures and giant by. Access will be maintained through sees fit. Publisher: Brendan Martin. Editor: Carmel Kinley. Design: Jonathan Christie. Advertising: bastions are topped with ancient and these areas. Susan Piccioni. gnarled beech, yew and holly. There will be path improvements, What you can see: Cretaceous including an all-user section of path to Printed locally by LR sandstone outcrops, rare mosses, get less-able visitors into the heathland. Online Print Services liverworts and ferns, bluebells and The RSPB plan to create a heritage 01892 752277 woodland birds. trail in the next year to help visitors [email protected] www.lr2k.co.uk Getting around: Eridge Rocks is understand some of the rich history of Printed on paper from located in , four miles south the site. managed forests & of Tunbridge Wells. From the A26 turn Dog walking: The RSPB welcomes controlled sources. into Warren Farm Lane, whose entrance responsible dog owners. Dogs should be Please recycle after use

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Parish Diary Useful contacts Council contacts March/April 2020 Frant Chairman » Wednesday 18th March Frant CofE Primary School William Rutherford: 752254 Frant Garden Club Joanna Challis: 750243 [email protected] 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Frant Nursery School Frant Ward Talk by David Carey, Dunorlan Tree Melissa Hill: Anne Frances: Warden [email protected] [email protected] Frant Sunday Club Johanna Howell: 750141 » Saturday 21st March Ed Pascoe: [email protected] [email protected] PWCS An Evening With Handel Frant Bowls Club Debbie Park: 319906 St Andrew’s Church, Paddock Wood (see David Oliver: 611994 [email protected] page 9) Frant Cricket Club William Rutherford: 752254 David Pearson: 750789 BYG Ward » Saturday 4th April Frant Garden Club Stuart Crookshank: 518631 Kent Chorus Holy Week Concert Dianna Tennant: 752029 [email protected] St Luke’s Church (see page 7) Frant Panto & Drama Society Andy Macdonald-Brown: 891273 Alan Richardson: 01892 825378 andrew.macdonald-brown@ frant-pc » Thursday 23rd April St Alban’s Bell-Ringers gov.uk Frant Parish Friendship Group AGM Mary Freestone: 750269 Sue Wallis: 750635 The Stables (see page 7) Frant Stables [email protected] Julie Pascoe: 07850 091428; Eridge Ward » Sunday 26th April [email protected] Andrew Best: 5279319 St Alban’s Spring Concert Frant Parish Friendship Group Clerk to the Council St Alban’s Church, Frant (See page 9) Brian Gill: 750266 Rosie Karim: 01892 653357 Frant Film [email protected] » Wednesday 29th April Colin Steadman: or www.frant.info Frant Garden Club [email protected] Wealden District Councillor 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Frant and Eridge Church Office Keith Obbard: 07941 578 427 Colin Moat of Pineview Nursery 01892 752261; [email protected] Talk and plants for sale [email protected] County Councillor Frant Open Spaces Group Bob Standley: 783579 Jan Steadman: District Councillor [email protected] Johanna Howell: 750141 Frant Memorial Hall William Rutherford: 752254 Brian Gill: 750266 Parish Council meetings Clerk, Frant Parish Council Full PC meetings are held at 7.30pm Rosie Karim: every 3rd Wednesday of the month. www.frant-pc.gov.uk; 01892 653357 Planning meetings are held on the first Monday of the month. Eridge Eridge Garden Club Police Contact Details: Jean Howells: 864310 To report a crime or incident dial 101 Regular Meetings Eridge Cricket Club For other police enquiries contact the Luke Forbes: 670073 Wealden unit on 01273 404938 or Little Fishes: Baby & Toddler Group Eridge Village Hall Hire www.sussex.police.uk/wealden/ Every Tuesday 10—11.30am in The www.eridge-village-hall.co.uk Stables, Frant. A warm welcome to all. Eridge Choir Ignite (School Years 3–6) Michael Stevens: 852739 meets each Thursday (term time only). Parish News can be downloaded Encounter (School Years 7–13) Bells Yew Green from: www.frantchurch.org Contact Ed Pascoe for more information: Bells Yew Green Chapel or www.eridgechurch.org [email protected] Ken Davies: 01732 357791 Coffee Morning at The Stables, Frant BYG Cricket Club Advertising enquiries: 750285 or Every Wednesday, 10:30am—12noon. Andy Brooks: 07876 011782 [email protected] Come for a hot drink, a cake and a chat. Short Mat Bowls Club Sunday Club Open to anyone aged 0-14, Pam Mepham: 891426 Contributions for our next issue and meets during the 9:30am Sunday BYG Village Hall Hire should be sent to the Editor: service at Frant (except for the 1st Chris Bacon: [email protected] [email protected] Sunday of each month when the children Friends of Bells Yew Green or 01892 750217 join in with our family service). 07944 712000 Next deadline: 10th April 2020

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