Burwash Village Magazine

BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE

December 2020

St. Bartholomew’s December 2020 | Back to contents 1 St. Bartholomew’s Church Christmas Services 2020 If allowed under covid regulations Booking a place for services is required due to limited places due to covid social distancing regulations. To book email Vicky Patterson on [email protected] or calling 01435 884135

Church News Page Village Life Page contents Church’s Who’s Who 4 3Cs Coffee 6 Sunday 6th December Services 5 Patients Participants Group 6 Parish Communion at 10.00 am - Blessing of the Greetings from Sally Epps 6 Armistice Day 7 crib. Gifts may be left in the porch from 30th Nov - 6th Dec. These much needed gifts will Flower Club 8 be delivered to Family Support Work Features and regulars Burwash Playing Fields Association 8 Christmas Cards 9 Gleanings from the past Throughout Church Roof – job done! 9 Food for Thoughts 10-11 Family Support 12 Sunday 13th December - Said Matins @10.00am Handel’s Messiah 14-16 Mayfield U3A 12 Parish Matters 19 Scouts 13 Limden Brook Organics 20-21 Neighbourhood Watch 17 Sunday 20th December - Parish Communion at 10.00am Countryside Notes 22-23 Village Hall 24 - Sunday 20th December Nine lessons and Carols at 6.00 pm A service of readings and music

Get intouch The deadline for contributions for January’s edition is Tuesday 15 December Christmas Eve - A service of communion will be celebrated by Archdeacon Edward Dowler If you know of any activity or event going Please email all contributions to [email protected]. If contributions go to on in or around Burwash we should be other email addresses we cannot be sure to receive them. at 8.00 pm publicising or if you have ideas for feature All contributions may be edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy. articles in the Burwash Village Magazine, please get in touch with one of the Distribution: Sophie O’Connor. Tel: 882825. Christmas Day - Family service with Nativity story and music at 10.00am editorial group: If you’d like to subscribe to the magazine please contact Vicky Patterson on 884135. please feel free to dress in costumes If you’d like to advertise in the magazine, please contact Neil Presland on 884034. Vicky Patterson 884135 Published by St Bartholomew Parochial Church Council. Neil Presland 884034 Designed and produced by Ren Fitch www.intelligent-realities.com.

Or email Sunday 27th December - Parish Communion at 10.00am [email protected]

The Churchwardens and PCC would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Safe New Year.

2 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 3 For baptisms, funerals and weddings please contact a Churchwarden. For all general enquiries relating to church matters please contact the Churchwarden. The church is normally open on weekdays during daylight hours. Anyone who requires access to the church outside these times should contact Vicky Patterson.

St Bartholomew’s Church Who’s Who Tel Email St Bartholomew’s services in December who’swhoRector servicesSunday 6 December 10.00am Toy and Crib Service Churchwarden Vicky Patterson 884135 [email protected] Sunday 13 December 10.00am Matins Richard Harden 882556 [email protected] Sunday 20 December 10.00am Holy Communion – Common Worship Assistant Churchwarden David Dunham [email protected] Sunday 20 December 18.00pm Nine Lessons Treasurer Chris Woodburn 883196 [email protected] Thursday 24 December 20.00pm Midnight Communion – Common Worship Sacristan Linda Young 882748 Christmas Eve Tower Captain (bell ringers) Nigel Jarvis 01580 819462 [email protected] Planned Giving Secretary Sally Gomer 882793 [email protected] Friday 25 December 10.00am Burwash Nativity (with a difference) Sunday Club Hilary Stewart 883261 [email protected] Christmas Day Cherry Redhead 882016 Sunday 27 December 10.00am Holy Communion - Common Worship Shirley Viney 882497 Sunday 3 January 10.00am Holy Communion - Common Worship Church Flower Guild Diana Workman 882528 Pew Sheet Shirley Viney 882497 [email protected] Hopefully from the 2nd December 2020 will will be able to hold Sunday Friends of St Bartholomews Chris Woodburn 883196 [email protected] services, lockdown permitting. The Church will also be open for private prayer Village Magazine Editorial Group Neil Presland 884034 [email protected] on Wednesdays 9.00 - 15.00pm. Vicky Patterson 884135 Due to the safe distancing regulations we are limited as to the number of people we are able to accommodate for the Sunday service. Village Magazine distribution Sophie O’Connor 882825 If you wish to attend please contact the Church Warden, Vicky Patterson [email protected], in order that we can allocate you a space. If you are a household or bubble please also say how many will be attending. Please look out for e-bulletin updates on services and private prayer during December in the event that Government guidelines on lockdown and other regulations change after this service schedule goes on line.

4 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 5 FAIRFIELD SURGERY - PATIENT GROUP (PPG) DO YOU KNOW Message from the surgery re Flu WHERE YOUR NEAREST vaccination DEFIBRILLATOR IS? Flu vaccine stock is being issued to the surgery at intervals. More flu clinics will be THIS COULD SAVE A LIFE! held in late November and into December and patients will be invited to attend Locations of our defibrillators: when the dates have been confirmed. • Burwash: outside the Burwash Alternatively, you can ring the surgery to go Village Hall, to the left of the on the waiting list if you are eligible. The entrance. surgery has been told not to vaccinate the newly eligible group of 50 - 65 years • Burwash Common: outside the old yet (unless they fall in a clinically at risk Burwash Common Pavilion to the 3Cs coffee morning group and would normally be eligible for left of the front door. the flu vaccine) Once the surgery has been In a very brief period of permitted socially- • Etchingham: advised by the government on the process distanced gatherings, the 3Cs coffee - in the telephone box on Market for vaccinating this new cohort of patients group met in my garden to say goodbye to Square, next to the School. and provided the flu vaccine we will let you Rev’d Sally. Although it doesn’t look like it, - at the station on the wall outside know more information. we did keep carefully distanced from each the Bistro’s gate. other, mainly because we sat in separate Claudette Neville, PPG Secretary - on the wall at the Post Office. areas of the garden only coming together 01435 883 043 for the photo. [email protected] SOME REFLECTIONS ON Shirley Viney ARMISTICE DAY: 11 NOVEMBER 2020

One hundred years ago today at 10am, every year for the last ninety-nine years a lovely autumn day with the morning and today will be our Memorial’s one mist giving way to mellow sunshine, a gun hundredth Silence. Christmas Greetings from Join the PPG – no work invited to join the Virtual PPG by providing carriage left Victoria station with twelve Rev Sally and David required! their email address. You will then be senior officers including Admiral Beatty, The Westminster Abbey service ended with sent any relevant health information on Field Marshal Haig and General Lord Horne some now rarely heard words of Rudyard Dear Friends In the last 10 months healthcare has a regular basis. I recommend that you acting as pall bearers. The route took Kipling. become more important for all of us than become a Virtual member as it involves We continue to live in challenging times them via Constitution Hill, the Mall and perhaps at any other time in our lifetimes. no activity on your part but will keep you The tumult and the shouting dies; and at the time of writing this David and I, Trafalgar Square to the new stone Lutyens So, we (the PPG), want to encourage as informed. Just email ppg.fairfield@gmail. as I expect you also, are praying that we Cenotaph in Whitehall where it arrived at The Captains and the Kings depart; many patients as possible to be more com to request membership. will be able to celebrate Christmas in our what has now become the well-known 11th Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, involved, especially at a local level. This churches with our loved ones by our sides. The PPG committee represents all the November Armistice ceremony. It pulled can be at a minimum where you are just Fairfield patients and is made up of up to across Whitehall immediately behind the An humble and a contrite heart. Whilst settling into life in our new home, kept informed via email of any health 12 members. Anyone who would like to be King and he placed a wreath on the coffin Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, we have enjoyed receiving emails and information relevant to Fairfield patients. more involved is very welcome to join the of the Unknown Warrior. As the first note phone calls bringing us news of the church Although, if you would like to join our committee. This only involves a meeting of Big Ben chimed out, the King pressed Lest we forget - lest we forget. and village and, prior to lockdown mark committee, you would be more than every 2 months which is being held via a button and the covering flags fell away (Some of this Burwash history was recalled 2, seeing the occasional visitor. We look welcome. Zoom at present and the minutes are from this empty tomb and the Silence was on “11.11.11” at the closed, ceremony forward to welcoming more of you to The Patient Participation Group (PPG) published on the Fairfield Surgery website. profound. After the ceremony, the gun at the Burwash War Memorial by the Cowfold in 2021. carriage carried on to Westminster Abbey is not a familiar organisation to many The local PPG is affiliated to the National President of the Royal British Legion, Wishing you a blessed and safe Christmas patients so here is some information for where the Unknown Warrior was laid to rest Burwash Branch, immediately before The Association of Patient Participation in soil brought over from France. and praying for a new year full of faith, those who are not familiar with PPGs. (N.A.P.P.) Exhortation and Silence. It is published hope and health for all. Four weeks and two days earlier General with his kind permission for all those Every GP Practice should have a PPG which For more information contact: members of our communities who were God Bless provides a patient voice for the Practice. Lord Horne had been in Burwash to Claudette Neville unveil our own High Street Memorial. So required to observe their Commemoration With love and prayers To find out more about Fairfield PPG go to at home this year.) https://www.fairfieldsurgery.co.uk/ppg. PPG Secretary, 01435 883 043 as a village we can claim that we had a Sally and David aspx?t=2. PPGs work in partnership with email: [email protected] connection with one of the pall bearers on The Civil Parish of Burwash Rolls of Honour that memorable day. xx practice staff and GPs. This partnership are: here between patients and their practices is As the flags fell away from the Cenotaph https://burwashparish.org.uk/wp- essential to achieving high quality and in London and the two minutes Silence content/uploads/2020/10/2020-Sept. responsive care. began, the same two minutes Silence MASTER-On-line-RoH.pdf All patients of Fairfield Surgery are began in Burwash. That Armistice Day potential members of the PPG and are Silence has been held at our Memorial

6 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 7 Burwash and District marked Christmas Trees. There is also a BURWASH PLAYING FIELD Christmas cards Flower Arrangement Club donation tube inside the Church which you ASSOCIATION can use. Any queries, please ring Maureen The Burwash Brownie leaders are pleased I think we can all agree that Christmas will Jenner on 01435 882 045. (Reg. Charity No. 3051910) to announce that the annual Christmas be different this year but I’m glad to say card delivery service will be going ahead We can then look forward to 2021 and the Swan Meadow, Ham Lane, Burwash that one thing won’t change! Once again, programme we have planned. Obviously, this year, taking in the covid rules. The the B&D Flower Arrangement Club will be this will depend on future restrictions, but Swan Meadow Updates boxes will go out at the beginning of decorating two trees in the porch at St we will adjust it when we need to. December. One in the stores, thank you Bartholomew’s Church. They will be on 100 Plus Club Draw results to them for agreeing. The other one will be Here is the updated plan for 2021: display from Friday 11th December ready The November draw was made by Lucy in the garden at Violet Cottage, opposite to welcome you into the church at the Monday, 8th February afternoon. AGM. Guyll at Steve Bennett’s home as the pubs the Butchers, weather permitting. If the permitted times. are closed due to lockdown. The draw was weather is wet you are invited to put you Wednesday, 10th March, morning. cards the Violet Cottage letter box and Unfortunately, because of Covid 19, St witnessed by Val Bennett and the event Workshop led by Phyllis Stevens they will be added. The cost is again 25p Bartholomew’s Fundraising Committee is was captured on video and sent to BPFA, per card and this should be put in the box not able to hold a Christmas Tree Festival Monday, 12th April, afternoon. Robin many thanks Steve. White, subject TBA. with your cards. this year. The Committee usually raises in 1st ball number 33 Roz Parrott £65 the region of £9,000 every year towards Monday, 14th June, afternoon. Susan Last post will be on Thursday 17th what the Treasurer calls the ‘housekeeping’ Shaw - Chasing Rainbows. 2nd ball number 332 Fred Vigor £40 December at 4pm and sorting will take for the Church, that is gas, electricity 3rd ball number 273 Jane Vereker place on the Friday. Delivery will take place and general running expenses. This fund Thursday, 15th July, evening. Diamond over the next three days depending on the raising is a separate item and should not Anniversary, Michael Bowyer - Summer There were 270 club members in the draw weather and the availability of adults to Delight. this month. Why not become a member be confused with the recently held Appeal help. All proceeds will go to the Brownie’s have been sprayed to prevent woodworm. to raise funds for the repair of the Church and have several chances each month funds. Church roof repairs – job Monday, 13th September, afternoon. done! A considerable amount of debris was roof. Helen Hare, subject TBA to win a prize and support the Burwash playing field along the way? Xmas Lunch found between the rafters when the The two trees in the porch will be lit up existing tiles were taken down and this Wednesday, 3rd November, morning. I am sure most of you will know by now The roofing repairs to St. Bartholomew’s continuously from the 11th December Watch out for announcements about has been removed. The contractors also Workshop led by Angela Merryfield that unfortunately, because of covid and are now complete – a project which has over the Christmas period, and if you activities at Swan Meadow and the discovered that the ceilings had been the restrictions imposed, we are unable taken two months and cost very nearly would like to make a donation to Church Monday, 8th November, afternoon. pavilion, as soon as we can, we will open constructed in two layers – the original to have our usual Christmas Day lunch £100,000. funds, please send it to Chris Woodburn, Michelle King, subject TBA up for the community. In the meantime, and the internal boarding carried out in for those who will be alone. I am really PCC Treasurer at Oak House, Heathfield thank you for your continued support. First and foremost huge thanks are owed 1966. Overall, these improvements will Wishing you all have a very Happy sorry about this, it would have been our Road, Burwash, TN19 7HN or pay your to all those who have made it happen, help weather proof the building, offer Christmas and a Healthy and Peaceful Contact - Rod Clifton at 01435 883656 15th year. I do hope that those of you who contribution directly to St. Bartholomew’s the contractors, the architects, the folk better insulation and reduce heat loss. In New Year. or [email protected]. normally come will have kind neighbours Church PCC, Sort Code 60 10 30 Account at Garstons for allowing the delivery of addition, a modern lightning conductor who will make sure you are all ok, that you Number 11584580 (marked Christmas Claudette Neville, Secretary, BPFA [email protected] tiles and equipment and, especially, to has been fitted along the ridge of the Nave have a meal and maybe some company. Trees). Cheques should be made payable 01435 883 043 those who both donated in anticipation of roof. Repairs have also been made to the I will keep my fingers crossed that we can to St. Bartholomew’s Church, again, the Appeal and responded to the Appeal West Porch. Happily, there have been no [email protected] come together again next Christmas. when it was launched. So far 49 people accidents Mary Taylor BEM and organisations have given generously; More gleanings from the the PCC is very grateful that as a result we The total cost of the project will be past have been able to embark on the project £98,991 after the final ‘retention’ is with confidence and without draining released in April 2021. To date the Here is a gleaning from a gleaning from the our reserves to dangerous levels. This money has come from The Friends of St. Burwash Parish Magazine! It was originally is particularly important in the current Bartholomew’s, which has passed on printed in September 1936’s magazine, climate in which we have seen lower £60,000, partially out of its own reserves and reproduced in December 1994. collections in Church, fewer fees and no (£14,550), all of the money it has received fund raising. from the Appeal (£25450) and all specific In every Parish the magazine is donations it received prior to the launch undoubtedly a most important part of the The project has seen the replacement of of the Appeal (£20,000). In addition, the parochial machinery. It is desirable that it tiles on the north and south sides of the Curteis Fund has contributed £30,000 should also form a monthly record of the nave and aisle roofs with locally made and the Garfield Weston Foundation has various social activities, etc, not merely ‘Aldershaw’ hand-made tiles. The 1920s pledged £5,000; the remainder will be those which are strictly ecclesiastical. It horsehair roofing felt has been removed drawn from specific donations into the certainly ought to be taken regularly by and replaced with ‘bat friendly’ felt. General Fund. Many donors have agreed to every household of Church people in the Interestingly, it was found that the north Gift Aid their donations so there will be an Parish. As announced in the account side of the roof was only partially covered added bonus for us in due course. of the last Church Council Meeting, it in horsehair. The timbers were, however, has been decided to issue, in future, a found to be generally in good condition Chris Woodburn printed magazine, with a new cover, to (two being replaced due to rot) and they contain not only full particulars of Church Services, but details of all the various local organisations and news of their doings. Amen!

8 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 9 sugar, eight ounces of suet, one nutmeg, This one is not to be tried! But procure some very old rum, add about So long, farewell… and a quarter-teaspoonful of salt. I thought it interesting from an three tablespoonfuls. Beat the white of the twelve eggs until very stiff, place this Put the pudding into a well-floured cloth, historical perspective. If you tried This month is my last month editing the meringue on top of the eggnog, and you tie it closely, and boil it for four hours. The Burwash Village Magazine (BVM). After giving rotting meat to the deserving may feel reasonably assured that your correspondent to whom we are indebted five years, which included the revamp poor nowadays, you would quickly guests will have no cause to complain for this receipt says, that the cost of the of the Broadsheet into the BVM (not the become the deserving sued! about your mode of entertainment. ingredients does not exceed half a crown, Blessed Virgin Mary!) and the Covid- and that the pudding is of sufficient size for From: The Country Housewife’s Hot Port Wine Punch. enforced and hopefully temporary move a party of sixteen persons. Companion; William Ellis, 1750. to a digital format, I think it’s time to hand Should a hot drink be desired, one may over to others with different skills, new We can vouch for its excellence, but as it How a poor Woman makes palatable always depend upon the “hot port wine ideas and more energy. is rather apt to break when turned out of Mince-Pyes of stinking Meat. punch” that “The Only William” esteemed the cloth, a couple of eggs would perhaps as the most appropriate of Christmas A long time ago I worked at Number Ten, improve it. Sweetmeats, brandy, and This is a poor industrious woman that rents tipples. To prepare it mix a quart of claret which was amazing – both a joy and a spices can be added at pleasure. a little tenement by me of twenty shillings with a quart of Rhine wine and two quarts privilege. Occasionally, though, when a year, who for the sake of her poverty is of port wine, and put them over the fire, things got tough I had to remind myself of Mashed potatoes, 1 Ib.; carrots, 8 ozs.; every week relieved, with many others, with two pounds of sugar. Let them heat that. Through gritted teeth. Like when flour, 1 Ib.; suet, ½ Ib.; sugar, ¾ Ib.; by the most noble lord of Gaddesden slowly, for they must not be permitted to Margaret Thatcher started unloading her Food for thought (but Let’s start with a recipe from 1553. currants and raisins, 1 Ib. each ; nutmeg, Manour; who killing a bullock almost every boil, and stir them sufficiently to assure dishwasher I’d just stacked in a tearing probably not for eating!) 1; little salt: 4 hours. First catch your wild boar… week for his very large family, he has the the sugar being dissolved. When the hurry before returning to a late-night From: The Cookbook of Sabina Welserin; If you believe Christmas cards and offald meat dressed, and is so good as to mixture has become very hot pour it into a speechwriting session, because she As Christmas is going to be rather 1553; version by David Friedman schmaltzy Christmas films, it always snows have it given away to the poorest people tureen in which there shall be the juice of wanted the plates rinsed first. Did I tell her different this year for most of us, at Christmas (when did that last happen in the neighbourhood. But it sometimes four lemons, and half a bottle of the best how to run the country? No. Did I need How to cook a wild boar’s head, also how I thought we might go the whole in Burwash?). Assuming that will be the happens, through the negligence of arrack; stir for a moment and serve. For a her turning into a domestic goddess at that to prepare a sauce for it. hog, so to speak, and look at some case this year, here is a way to incorporate careless servants, that this charitable Christmas Eve or Christmas night party no time of night? No! Gritted teeth: “it is a joy meat is apt to stink in hot weather, for want and a privilege to work here.” Christmas recipes which have rather A wild boar’s head should be boiled well the environment into your cooking and hot drink can be better. in water and, when it is done, laid on a improve it. Please note this recipe came of its due cleaning, boiling, and laying it in fallen out of fashion – one or two of In case you were wondering, ‘The Only Running the BVM has similarly been a joy grate and basted with wine, then it will from what we would now call a health food a cool place: However, the poor are very William’ referred to is William Schmidt, a and a privilege… It has definitely had its them with very good reason! be thought to have been cooked in wine. cookbook, which in 1854 was described glad of this dole, as it does their families celebrity bartender in Chicago and then moments, but I’ve learned a lot about what Afterwards make a black or yellow sauce as ‘cooking on hygienic principles.’ It also considerable service. And to recover such I have shamelessly half-inched these New York in the run-up to Prohibition, who is going on in and around this fabulous with it. First, when you would make a black involves potatoes… tainted meat, this woman, after boiling and recipes from www.theoldfoodie. was famed for his ‘elaborate, high-camp village and the great people who live here. sauce, you should heat up a little fat and cleansing it well, chops and minces it very 1854: Christmas pudding made with snow drinks with inventive, often-florid names.’ And the magazine is a brilliant way to com. To be fair, as the blog is little brown a small spoonful of wheat flour in small, and when mixed with some pepper, (and potatoes). Cocktails and cocktail making has gone highlight these and keep people in touch. more than curation of recipes from the fat and after that put good wine into it salt, chop’d sage, thyme and onion, she in and out of fashion over the years, yet Long may it last! a variety of sources, you could argue and good cherry syrup, so that it becomes Mix together a pound and a quarter bakes it: This for a savoury pye. At another one source described him as ‘godfather of black, and sugar, ginger, pepper, cloves of wheaten flour or meal, half a pint of time she makes a sweet pye of this flesh, No doubt the new editor will introduce that OldFoodie filched them too! modern mixology’. and cinnamon, grapes, raisins and finely sweet cream, a pound of stoned raisins, by mixing a few currants and plumbs themselves in future editions. For the chopped almonds. And taste it, however it four ounces of currants, four ounces of with it. But in either form the taint is so Born into money which soon disappeared, time being, keep the contributions seems good to you, make it so. potatoes, mashed, five ounces of brown lessened that it is hardly to be perceived. he started working as a bartender as coming in to the usual email address: sugar, and a gill of milk. When thoroughly a boy and published two books of his [email protected] If you would make a yellow sauce. Finally, I thought a bit of Christmas worked together, add eight large spoonfuls concoctions to much acclaim. With no Have a jolly Happy Christmas Then make it in the same way as the black of clean snow; diffuce it through the mass cheer was in order, in the form family, when he died of dementia in 1905, sauce, only take saffron instead of the as quickly as possible; tie the pudding of alcoholic drinks. Here are a group of friends and regulars raised the Deborah Knox Watson syrup and put no cloves therein, so you will tightly in a bag previously wet in cold water, two recipes, the first of which is funds for his funeral, so he was not buried also have a good sauce. and boil four hours. definitely not from a Weightwatchers in a pauper’s grave. To quote his own If you thought adding vegetables into The book states that “It is a singular fact cookbook! words: cakes and puddings was a recent trend, that puddings may be made light with From: The New York Times, December 15th ‘A man in my profession should never think again. Carrots, beetroot and snow instead of eggs – a circumstance 1907. forget that he is a gentleman. However courgettes are one thing, but this is of some importance in the winter season, well-mixed a drink is, much of the flavour the first time I’ve come across mashed when eggs are dear and snow is cheap. Eggnog will be lost unless politeness is added. potatoes in a pudding! Two large tablespoonfuls are equivalent to To make a gallon of this eggnog will require A true artist should infuse courtesy and one egg. The explanation is found in the A vegetable plum pudding from Modern a pound and a quarter of pulverized sugar, quality into all his liquid pictures.’ fact that snow involves within its flakes a Cookery for Private Families by Eliza Acton, twelve fresh eggs, a quart of cognac, half Deborah Knox Watson large amount of atmospheric air, which is 1845. a pint of champagne, two quarts of fresh set free as the snow melts.” milk, one quart of rich cream, and about (Cheap and good.) a tablespoonful of powdered nutmeg. Mix well together one pound of smoothly- Mix these ingredients thoroughly, then mashed potatoes, half a pound of carrots incorporate with them the yolks of the boiled quite tender, and beaten to a paste, dozen eggs that have been beaten to a one pound of flour, one of currants, and froth. Stir persistently and steadily until one of raisins (full weight after they are the blend is perfect; pour the result into stoned), three quarters of a pound of the well chilled punch bowl, and if you can

10 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 11 Family Support Work Mayfield and District U3A challenge. Anxious to preserve a valued, shared interest, we keep in touch by A message of thanks from Lesley Another month passes and still no real phone and work at home on community Woodburn activity to report upon. We do, at last, have projects. Initially we responded to a call for a ray of hope now that a vaccine is near. headbands needed by NHS and care home What a bumper harvest we have had. We staff. By making headbands with added have seen huge generosity from churches During this lull in activity it was considered buttons, masks can be attached and ears and schools from across the Deanery. it might interesting to ask our group protected. leaders if they would like the opportunity to explain to the readers how they are Autumn 2020 and we are making lap quilts organized and a little about their activities. for rooms at the recently opened Cottage THANK YOU VERY MUCH This, we hope, may generate new interest Hospice - Hospice in the Weald at Five and perhaps new members for when times Ashes. Several of us have links with the In particular we had asked for tinned goods are back to normal. organisation and had previously suggested – meats, fruit and vegetables. These that perhaps some additions for the rooms together with milk, squash, tea, coffee, The first group to volunteer were the might be welcome. Our first effort was a cereals, pasta, rice and biscuits, loo Textiles Group. The Group’s committee patchwork lap-quilt which could also be rolls, cleaning materials and toiletries will have written a most interesting piece used as a bed throw. All the rooms are ensure that our families in need of support outlining the good work of the group as set named after trees so another suggestion will not go hungry. out below. was wall hangings reflecting nature. At All of this year’s Harvest offerings were Our members live in Mayfield, Burwash a pre-arranged visit to the hospice to taken to Heathfield as they are the and Heathfield. In normal times we meet discuss ideas with the staff, wall hangings collection point for moving the food twice monthly for a couple of hours. Each were rejected on safety grounds but directly on to FSW. The FSW van was full of us has an on-going personal project more quilts like the one we had already and St. Bartholomew’s and the School and the whole group contributes from time created and taken as an example would be filled the boot of an estate car. From the to time, to a community project. There most welcome. These will certainly keep Deanery there were 12 large supermarket are exhibitions and textile fairs to visit the group active, albeit individually and trays, upwards of 60 carrier bags of tins, too. Some meetings are for sharing and remotely, until we can meet again. including some large bags for life. We learning new skills and techniques. Our December meeting usually revolves received an enormous cardboard box Aside from activities like silk painting, around a Christmas Lunch, but as things full of cereals, boxes of assorted jars and seasonal craft activities, crochet, knitting, are, any possible arrangements are on packets, nappies and baby milk. All of machine and hand sewing, we also hold. However, the committee are still these will find a good home very quickly enjoy tea, cake, conversation and lots of hoping some form of celebration will take as you will see from the latest account of laughter. place. FSW’s work, in numbers, for last month: For a group based on practical activities, Colin Izzard - 242 socially distanced visits and covid-19 ‘lockdown’ and continuing 01435 872601 134 phone calls supporting 49 restrictions have presented a real grandparents, 318 parents and 305 1ST BURWASH & ETCHINGHAM SCOUT GROUP children - 28 supported meetings with other On behalf of our Group we wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to a bright New Year when agencies hopefully life will return to normal - 16 on line group sessions Keith Lloyd – President and Chair - 265 food deliveries made A quote from one of our families: “This service is truly remarkable and no amount of words can thank you enough for the support you have provided us with.” Very many thanks to you all. It is so good to know that, with everyone’s help, we are making a REAL difference. We carry on this work all year round but in the run up to Christmas it becomes even more important. Lesley Woodburn

12 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 13 But audiences are fickle, and despite his that, assuming a ten-hour working day for often stored in decanters containing lead, about the oratorio in the Anglican church. fame, he was actually going through a that period, he wrote 15 notes a minute. could have poisoned him. Wig powder, Opera and classical composers were bit of a rough patch, when he wrote the Which is fast. which Handel used for many years, was often the subject of moral outrage in Messiah. His last two operas had bombed also made of lead. Lead poisoning would the 1700s. During a 1727 performance He didn’t get much sleep during those and in 1741 it was rumoured that he faced account for the symptoms he suffered, of one of Handel’s operas, two leading weeks and didn’t eat much either – despite bankruptcy and would leave England. including paralytic attacks, temporary sopranos came to blows on stage, while his reputation as a foodie. It is popularly With the threat of debtors’ prison hanging blindness and his infamous bad temper. the audience rooted them on. Five years supposed that Handel suffered from what over him, Handel was delighted to accept later, Handel’s opera, Esther, infuriated the we now call a binge-eating disorder, but This temper caused a dispute about an invitation to visit Ireland to perform a Bishop of London when it was performed was then referred to as “an inordinate seating in an orchestra pit to turn into a series of concerts. While there was asked by cathedral singers – this mixing of the extravagant hunger.” His friend, artist near-fatal duel with fellow musician Johann by a group of charities to compose a new sacred and secular worlds was something and set designer Joseph Goupy, once Mattheson. Fortunately, Mattheson’s work for a benefit performance, proceeds many objected to. complained that Handel had served him sword thrust was blunted by a metal of which would help free men from debtor’s a very meagre meal; he was then shocked button on Handel’s coat. To try to dodge such controversy, Handle prison in Dublin. to discover Handel had sneaked into the advertised Messiah as “A sacred oratorio”, This temper also led to Handel threatening This prompted him to start work on next room and was secretly gorging himself avoiding using the word ‘Messiah’ and to hurl soprano Francesca Cuzzoni out of the the score for the libretto – a “scripture on all kinds of delicacies he hadn’t shared it’s possible that he chose Dublin for the window during a rehearsal. “I know well that collection on the subject of Messiah” with his guest. Goupy took his revenge by premiere in order to test the work out on you are a real she-devil, but I will have you which his friend and collaborator Charles producing an unflattering caricature of the an audience away from Anglican bishops. know that I am Beelzebub!” he screamed. Jennens had already given him. hefty Handel, sporting a pig’s snout, sitting But even in Ireland there was concern; the astride an organ, surrounded by fowl, Handel wrote the initials SDG at the end dean of St Patrick’s cathedral, Jonathan Jennens was cross to learn the premiere wine bottles and oysters (pictured). Their of his manuscript of Messiah, which Swift – he of 6 inch Lilliputians and 72 foot wouldn’t be performed in London, writing friendship didn’t survive… stands for Soli Deo Gloria – To God alone Brobdingnag giants fame – threatened to a friend “It was some mortification to the glory. Despite this and the sacred publicly to forbid singers from St Patrick’s me to hear that instead of performing it There is some conjecture that his voracious subject matter, there was controversy from taking part in it. here, he was gone into Ireland with it.” appetite for food and wine, which was Nor was Jennens impressed by Handel’s work on his libretto. In a letter to Edward Holdsworth he wrote: “I shall show you a collection I gave Handel, called Messiah, which I value highly. He has made a fine entertainment of it, though not near so good as he might What is Christmas without and ought to have done. I have with great Handel’s Messiah? difficulty made him correct some of the grossest faults in the composition; but he Normally at this time of year you and Germany. But he was too independent retained his overture obstinately, in which cannot move for performances of to remain too closely attached to any one there are some passages far unworthy of Handel’s Messiah – in fact this time benefactor for long. Handel, but much more unworthy of the Messiah.” last year I sang in two performances In 1710, when he was 25, Handel came of it, one with Lux Aeterna in to London and lived in Brook Street Grumpy though that sounds, Jennens and until his death in 1759, aged 74. His Etchingham Church. Sadly, this year Handel were close and Jennens wrote the appearance on the London scene created libretti for many of his works, including is rather different, so in case you are rivalries in the music world which split Saul, L’Allegro il Penseroso ed il Moderator, missing it, I thought I’d give you a bit audiences between those who preferred and Belshazzar. He always gave Handel of background to both Handel and the conventional Italian opera style the libretti for free and they were always what is undoubtedly one of the most of composers like Giovanni Bononcini published anonymously. (1670 – 1747) and Handel’s new Italian famous and frequently performed Handel began composing Messiah on operas. In 1725 poet John Byrom (who 22 August 1741 and finished the final oratorios. Did you know that Messiah wrote the hymn lyrics Christians Awake!) orchestration on 14 September – a mere has been recorded about a thousand immortalised this rivalry in verse: times? 24 days later. Some say compared to Bononcini George Frederic Handel was born in Some people think this speed was due 1685 in Halle, Germany into an affluent That Mynheer Handel’s but a Ninny; to divine inspiration, but actually he was family. His father was a barber-surgeon Others aver, that he to Handel just really good at writing quickly. He and originally wanted Handel to go into composed several operas of similar civil law, until persuaded by the Duke of Is scarcely fit to hold a Candle length during the short periods between Weissenfels that the young boy was a Byrom also referred to the sparring theatrical seasons. musical genius. He composed his first pair as Tweedledum and Tweedledee! The score is 259 pages long and although opera, Almira, when he was 18 and spent Whichever camp you are in, Handel quickly I haven’t counted them myself, there are five years as musician, composer and established himself as the pre-eminent roughly a quarter of a million notes. A conductor at courts and churches in Italy composer in England. quick bit of mental arithmetic will tell you

14 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 15 fundraising concert at Thomas Coram’s act, but it’s quite often moved to the end of you bother with that when you can have a More gleanings from the Foundling Hospital in Bloomsbury, during the concert, as a grand finale. Sometimes ‘robot’ vacuum. past which he included the Hallelujah chorus. a conductor goes for a double whammy, A house in darkness when neighbouring It went down so well that the next year he singing it twice – before the intermission premises have lights on is much more Here’s an interesting snippet I came across performed the entire Messiah for them, and at the end. likely to attract unwanted attention. in the December 1998 Broadsheet and it became an Eastertime tradition at To stand or not to stand, that is the the Foundling Hospital for some 30 years Christmas An amazing true story is that Rudyard question. Argument rages over whether after that. Kipling was taught to play golf by Sir Arthur or not it is good practice to stand up Who knows what Christmas 2020 will be Conan Doyle and that they used to play at Only the first third of the work describes during the Hallelujah chorus. The story is like? Whether or not we will be able to Crowborough with the famed escapologist the events surrounding the birth of Christ. that George 11 stood for it at the London safely spend it with family and friends? But Harry Houdini. Now that’s what you really The second act covers the death of Jesus premiere, but actually there’s no evidence whatever the season brings one thing you call Celebrity Golf! Nonetheless, Handel’s name drew such and the third is about his resurrection. that the king was even in attendance at can rely on is that thieves see the season a crowd that audience members were That, combined with the fact that its that event. First mention of this story was to be jolly much differently to most of us. This little nugget, written by Pam Weaver, advised to leave their hoop skirts and was gleaned from December 1992 first performance was in April, suggests in a letter written 37 years later. None Please don’t leave shopping and presents swords at home to ease overcrowding! it was meant as Easter music and that the less, it’s become a bit of a thing and if The Christmas cracker arrived in the Neighbourhood Watch on view in your car even on your drive But Handel’s reputation wasn’t the only is when – in the UK at least – it was royalty stands, you stand… or presents in sight from outside your 1940s. In his London sweet shop, Mr traditionally performed for the first 200 draw to the first performance in Dublin; There’s no such thing as a definitive property. Similarly, after Christmas don’t Thomas Smith sold sugar almonds years or so of its existence. But by the Burwash, Burwash Common, Burwash many people came to see the contralto, Messiah – even Handel constantly leave any packaging outside your home wrapped in pretty paper. Each small 1960s it had become a firm Christmas Weald and surrounding areas Susannah Cibber, who was at that time revised and rewrote parts to better meet that could advertise something shiny and parcel contained a little love motto and staple, performed hundreds of times all embroiled in a scandalous divorce. When the abilities of soloists and available Recent local incidents new inside. his patrons loved them. When he added a over the world throughout November and little snap which went off as the parcel was she sang “He was despised and rejected instruments. In 1789, Mozart re- There were a number of garages, sheds December. Stay safe and best wishes for the end of pulled apart, the idea proved so popular of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted orchestrated it with the words in German. and outbuildings broken into overnight 2020 and the New Year. that he had queues stretching right down with grief”, the Reverend Patrick Delany, One explanation why it has moved But Mozart was humble about his rework, Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th the street. the Chancellor of Christ Church, Dublin, to Christmas could be that there is writing that any alterations he made should November. If you haven’t checked yours Contacting the Police was so moved that he leapt to his feet and relatively little work written specifically not be seen as an effort at improvement. now is the time to do so. At the time of If you ever find yourself in a situation shouted “Woman, for this be all thy sins for Christmas, while there’s loads written Messiah was a favourite of Handel’s writing I don’t know if anything was stolen. where you really feel immediate action; More gleanings from the forgiven thee!” for Easter. Another slightly more cynical and on 6 April 1759, when blind and in Ambulance, Fire, Police or Coastguard, is past suggestion is that those performing it to If you rely on a padlock to secure property, Messiah was first performed in the New failing health, he insisted on attending necessary you should call 999 or 112 and raise money for charity know that people’s please remember that it is only as strong Music Hall in Fishamble Street in Dublin a performance at the Theatre Royal give as much detail as possible to let them Of course, Covid may make the likelihood spirit of giving is greater at Christmas! as the fixings it is securing and that it is a on 13 April 1742, with a ticketed dress in Covent Garden. He died eight days lot stronger to bolt through than screw on. determine the appropriate response. of being able to drive around at Christmas rehearsal the day before. John Wesley The entire Messiah runs for nearly three later. His total estate was £20,000 – a For non-urgent matters you can contact a bit more limited and certainly lots of (co-founder of the Methodist Church) was hours. There are 20 choruses and much of millionaire by today’s standards. The bulk Current trends office parties will not take place this at the premiere. Wesley, as you may know, Sussex Police by email at 101@sussex. it is complicated, although Handel kindly he left to charities, with the remainder This time of year with darker evenings can pnn.police.uk use the non-emergency year. Nonetheless, I very much liked the disapproved of gambling and condemned relegated the most difficult 16-note runs going to friends, servants and his family prove lucrative for burglars and thieves approach Steve Mintram and Charlie gamblers who “made a trade of seizing on number 101 (101 calls cost a flat 15p from for the chorus to first part. It is technically in Germany. Not given to modesty, as a who are looking for properties without landlines or mobiles) or online at www. Drake took in the 1990s to remind people young and inexperienced men and tricking difficult for soloists. Many tenors struggle posthumous present to himself, he also lights. Hopefully 2020, with more people not to drink and drive. Here is December them out of all their money.” Perhaps in sussex.police.uk which is more user to reach the high A on ‘dash’ in ‘Thou shalt bequeathed £600 to pay for his own working from home due to Covid, might friendly now. 1995’s contribution: part this aversion was based on his own break them’, and for sopranos, singing monument at Westminster Abbey. be different. If your property is going to be Better Sleigh than Slay… inability to spot a winner. In his journal ‘Rejoice greatly’ in the original 4/4 version Please remember Police often seek dash I’ll end with the words of the Dublin empty after dark please use a light or lights following the premiere, he wrote “there is challenging. Everyone has their own cam footage after a serious crash or Our Christmas message is full of cheer, Journal’s reviewer talking about the first on a timer, if you are a technophobe like were some parts that were affecting, but personal favourites, of course, but it’s criminal incident and you may be able to ever performance. me, or to switch lights on and off, open or To all of you and your near and dear; I doubt it has staying power.” How wrong probably true to say that for most singers shut the curtains. help even if you didn’t notice anything, can you be? their favourite chorus is ‘Surely he hath “Words are wanting to express the something may be recorded. We wish you joy and lots of fun, I used to suggest recording household 142 people were released from debtors’ borne’ in part 2. So for both performers exquisite delight it afforded to the admiring Steve Mintram A safe and peaceful time for everyone. and audience, it is a marathon and that’s crowded audience. The sublime, the noises such as a vacuum cleaner and then prison after the premiere and the leave it playing on a loop but why would remainder of the £400 profit from that why it’s rare that anyone performs the grand and the tender adapted to the most There is a serious message too, entire thing. It’s just too long for modern elevated, majestic and moving words, performance was used to support a To keep our roads safe for all of you; hospital and infirmary in Dublin. audiences. conspired to transport and charm the ravished heart and ear.” When you party, if you over imbibe, The second performance profits went to The Hallelujah chorus is easily the best Handel – I haven’t been able to find out known and most popular chorus, and Deborah Knox Watson Make sure there is someone sober to drive. how much he made! Handel himself is said to have loved it. Christmas is a time for lots of sharing, When he completed the chorus, Handel Messiah was performed for the first allegedly told his servant “I did think I did Not for accidents, injuries and car time in London in 1743 at Convent see all Heaven before me and the great repairing. Garden Theatre. It was not well received. God himself seated on his throne, with his So as the end of ’95 draws near, Eventually Handel cancelled six further company of Angels.” performances scheduled for that year and Enjoy your Christmas and New Year. it wasn’t performed again in London until The Hallelujan chorus can provide 1749. conductors with a dilemma when thinking about cuts – where to put it? In the full Then Handel was asked to perform at a score it comes at the end of the second

16 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 17 More gleanings from the constructive it may be an idea to form an Burwash Parish Matters, not the money available to spend on this These poppies were collected together past action group to co-ordinate and maintain December project at the moment and it is has been and Val Palmer-Bennett has spent many pressure – having clearly identified the vandalised. Rather than remove it, we are hours sewing them onto a net. The first Given the current work going on to try main problem areas faced by the parish. Burwashparish.org.uk going to encase it in a wooden box until one was completed last year and given to manage and reduce the amount of More gleanings from the [email protected] such time as we have the resources to to St Bartholomew’s. The second net speeding traffic coming through the village, past bring it back to life. was completed this year and was proudly By now you should displayed on the junction of the A265 and I was interested to come across an article There has been a suggestion that the have received the Stonegate Road. in the December 1991 edition (29 years In the December 1990 edition, Geoff wooden box should then be painted or through the post ago!), extracts below: Turner writes: decorated in some form. If you have an The Burwash Internet Hub which was due a letter from the idea as to what this might be, and have the to launch on Wednesday 4th November Roughly 42,000 vehicles traverse Burwash Goodwill starts here! Council with details artistic creativity and necessary skills to has been postponed: a new date will High Street every week… If one per cent of the Traffic Calming It is strange the power that what we carry it out, please let us know. hopefully be given in the January magazine. of these vehicles are driven at a recklessly Measures being say has over what we think and do. As We will offer support and guidance across high speed, it means they total 400 per developed by the Christmas draws near we start saying nice a wide range of devices(laptops, tablets week or more than 20000 each year… Parish Council. It things to people by way of greetings and and smartphones) as well as operating contained a questionnaire which we hope The only practical way to stop speeding farewells. For most of the year we can systems (Windows, IOS, Android) and you have had time to consider and return through the village is to install physical get by with a grumbled ‘morning’ or ‘bye’. advice on how to load applications onto to us either in print or online. deterrents such as sleeping policemen But in those last few days we start to say a tablet or smartphone. You can either or chicanes. A few drivers might ignore ‘Happy Christmas,’ ‘Have a good day,’ Full details are in that letter and on the bring in your own or you can use one of our them, but not many and we should have a ‘God Bless’ and so forth. What is more, we Burwash Parish website burwashparish. laptops or tablets. We also offer guidance cheap and efficient answer to the problem, start to mean it. We actually do feel that org.uk. The closing date for your on safely using the internet to help you with twenty-four hours a day… we wish people well, that we want them to questionnaire to be returned is (or was your day to day activities and also have a Let us for the moment forget bureaucratic have a good time and be happy. depending on when you read this) 28th facility to print or copy. However due to the quibbles about finance and this and that Somehow we commit ourselves to a November and the results will be published restrictions placed on us by the continuing type of highway. If public opinion wants different way of looking at things – the on the website shortly after that. pandemic we need to put the face to face service advice on hold for a while. something done, the sooner its voice is Christmas way. We commit ourselves by Some have already contacted us as a From time to time, the Council is allocated heard the better. We have all seen what apparently trivial things, the way we greet consequence of our September letter and additional funding for specific purposes. When we are able to return then we will people power can do, haven’t we? Please people, the way we respond. And because those letters and emails will be added Rother District Council have allocated just put measures in place to operate and get in touch if you are keen to act. we all do it, somehow the nature of the to the responses from this more formal over £3200 for infrastructure in Burwash, ensure a Covid-safe environment. If you Ted Dowman world changes. questionnaire. You may have responded and we have decided to pass this on to the are currently in need of help or advice you I would just like to suggest then, that if to other surveys on the issue of Traffic Primary School as they have to replace the can call or email the parish clerk who will Next, I don’t know who wrote the ‘Burwash Calming in the past: please don’t ignore playground surface below the outdoor play then pass on your details to a volunteer Bits’ section of the Broadsheet in the we really want to see a better future, it has more to do with small changes in a this one which is part of East Sussex equipment. who will offer you telephone or email late 1990s, but I love their no-nonsense Highways formal process in evaluating the support. All requests for help/advice will lot of people than big decisions by a few We are very proud of the staff and pupils at approach. I came across the following in scheme. need to be pre-booked by either calling powerful ones. And just as there has to the School and the hard work of all those December 1998, continuing the theme of or emailing the parish clerk, who will then be someone to give the first Christmas We know that money who have managed to keep the school the battle to reduce traffic and speeding in pass on your details to a volunteer who will greeting so there has to be a first someone doesn’t grow on open and the children and staff safe during Burwash: meet you at your allotted time in the Parish to take the first step to a better world. trees which is why, what has been a very traumatic time. Speeding the Parting Guest – Mr Tuck, the Room. Contact details are at the top of So I wish you all a very merry and joyful despite the pressure Area Highways Manager for East Sussex on the Parish this article. County Council bravely faced a packed Christmas. There I’ve done by bit! Now whose turn is it next? Council’s finances Thanks also to those for decorating Parish Council meeting on the 10th to extend the Traffic their own pubs, shops and houses. The November. However all he could do was to Calming Programme traditional Christmas Tree Festival at St clearly state that his department’s budget throughout Burwash Bartholomew’s has had to be put to one was NIL and cry that the government and other projects side this year so it is good to see that the criteria for lower speed limits and traffic we would like to pursue, the Council has spirit of Christmas is alive and well in our calming made it impossible to do anything limited the increase in the precept (the communities. about the problems of Burwash. So quite amount of tax that can be raised by the The Parish Council hopes that you have why he has a department at all is very Parish) to 5% in the next financial year. a peaceful Christmas, however it is to be hard to understand. To even consider We would like to do more and indeed there celebrated. It will certainly be one to be slowing traffic at Burwash Common is is much to be done but the Pandemic has talked about in future years. not possible as the houses to one side hit many families hard and we could not of the road face the wrong way to qualify justify increasing the precept more than With best wishes against the said criteria! Large and even that at this time. We still compare well with In 2018 a number of people from the Cllr Brian Newman larger lorries can thunder down the A265 other villages of a comparable size. with impunity with the blessing of the parish of Burwash, plus their friends and government and the EEC. Once again the One of the projects that has gone, but is family from across the world, knitted and boys with the clipboards, rule books and not forgotten is the abandoned telephone crocheted hundreds of poppies which were paper mountains win, little or nothing can box by Oakley’s Garage. We have had hung between the trees in Burwash village be done and Burwash residents young many suggestions as to what use it might for Remembrance Day. Some people have and old will continue to be at risk. To be be put – mostly helpful! - but there is wondered what became of their efforts.

18 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 19 ago we had a lot of problems and no As with most things, infrastructure plays an The farm is in area of outstanding natural solutions,’ he admitted. In contrast, today important role. Sam sources all his electric beauty with dragon and damsel flies, he says they still have a lot of problems fencing and water kit from Kiwitech, one of dormice, roe and fallow deer, nightingales, but a lot of solutions too, mainly down the leading manufacturers of equipment cuckoos, early purple orchids and bluebell to the introduction of regenerative for grass ‘pastoral’ farmers. The better woods. Sam believes every part of the farming practices. ‘It was fascinating the infrastructure the less time it takes farm’s ecosystems is connected, which just seeing what was possible with some him to set up the paddocks. ’It takes me means farming methods need to be infrastructure. Then everything I learned 20 minutes to check fences, move the planned to mimic nature and work within about regenerative agriculture and soil water trough and set up temporary fences the natural order of things. seemed to make a lot of sense,’ he said. if I need to. I can plan a week ahead but To help build up their direct meat box They use one-hectare paddocks with normally do five days to make better use of sales, Sam and Becky recently had a electric fences and mobile water drag time,’ he said. professional logo designed to reflect their troughs, moving stock every 48 to 72 This year they turned out in February by name and farming practices. The logo hours. In practical terms, Sam and Becky protecting their minimum grass cover to depicts the Limden river that runs through keep the majority of their cattle in two give them maximum growth in early spring the farm and the mob of cattle with a flock large mobs of between 70 and 90 animals when the grass is at its most nutritious. of swallows following them. The next step is in relatively small paddocks. Interestingly, Sam said it takes cattle up to to launch a website, which they are working There is a growing movement of farmers six weeks to adapt from the winter sheds on themselves: https://www.limdenbrook. A peek at life at Limden and food producers globally who are to grass, so the sooner they can be turned farm/ You can also follow their journey on Brook Organic beginning to recognise the importance of out the better the daily live weight gains instagram via @limdenbrookfarm. It’s early soil health, with more attention being paid are. days, but so far they have sold a couple of to water management, fertiliser use and their animals in 10kg beef boxes, as well Husband and wife team, Sam and Becky Sam and Becky have also found they are similar. as selling between 25 and 30 animals Newington, are the latest in a long line able to turn out earlier and not house the direct to local butchers and other farmers of Newingtons to farm at Burgham Farm, Their practices have also been hailed stock until later in the autumn/winter selling to the public, things they are keen Etchingham. Sam’s ancestor James took as potentially game-changing in the (depending on weather conditions). to expand on. Enquiries: sjnewington@ on the tenancy just over two centuries ago. climate crisis, helping pull carbon from Another advantage of a longer rotation is hotmail.com 07815 648989 Sam and Becky moved to the family farm the atmosphere and sequestering it in the making the land more drought resilient in 2012, by which time it was no longer a ground. and helping to extend grazing into winter. For other farmers looking to learn more dairy farm since his parents had decided They are also beginning to see small about box sales and grazing management, In Sam and Becky’s case, the family to sell their organic dairy quota in 2000. improvements in the soil year on year. Sam recommends joining the Pasture for farming journey outlined in Gabe Brown’s They initially worked alongside Sam’s Life Association (PFLA) discussion group. seminal book Dirt to Soil really resonated, This winter he experimented with out- father rearing and finishing store cattle Farmers don’t have to be 100% grass fed prompting them to learn more about wintering a small group of cattle. He until he decided to retire from farming, to join the group and Sam said he has the microbiology of their soil and how pointed to a few of the out-wintered with Sam and Becky becoming tenants found many of the topics discussed in the changing their grazing practices could ones amongst the larger group, and they two years ago. With some uncertainly forum very helpful. Sam and Becky are improve their farm. certainly looked to have more condition around farm succession, they focused on not PFLA certified because they have to than similar cattle that were housed. building up their own stock, starting out Sam explained that in theory the cattle buy in rolled organic wheat to feed during with a small flock of ewes. Over the years should eat a third, trample a third and Following Sam around the pasture, he the winter months, alongside hay and they have gradually built up their store leave a third before moving to a fresh stopped to inspect several cowpats, silage. Without this they wouldn’t be able bullock enterprise, buying in organic dairy paddock. He believes it is important to kicking off the dry crust to reveal dung to maintain the energy level requirements bull calves to rear. Last year they decided move the cattle on before they have a beetles busy at work. He said that it can needed, especially for some of the to get out of sheep, due to recurring foot chance to eat the grass down below the take as little as three days for them to larger framed dairy crosses, effectively issues, though Sam says they would like ankle. ‘Leaving a healthy residual results in completely obliterate the dung and take it preventing animals going backwards. to start a new lower maintenance flock. a quicker regrowth,’ he commented. down into the soil, all part of a healthy soil Sam said he had no idea how Brexit or ‘Ideally a self-shedding breed with the aim web. A teaspoon of healthy soil contains It was fascinating to witness Sam moving Covid-19 will work out for farming, but of selling all the meat direct in boxes or more bacteria than there are people his group of 71 cattle on the home farm. he’s ready to evolve the farm as the future individual cuts from the farm’. on the planet! Earlier in the year a PhD It was a quick and effortless process, with unfolds. In the short to medium term, Sam student recorded dung beetle numbers Burgham Farm has 80 hectares of all the animals remaining very calm and and Becky are passionate about refining and activity on the farm, while a visit from permanent grassland. Sam and Becky moving from one paddock to the next in and implementing regenerative farming a group of dragonfly enthusiasts resulted are equal partners in their regenerative less than five minutes. The process of practices on their farm with the ultimate in a mention in the nationwide Dragonfly farming business Limden Brook Organic moving the herd regularly every few days goal of increasing their stocking density as Newsletter. and, between them, manage over 160 is known as mob grazing. This mimics they continue to improve grass yields. Sam hectares of permanent pasture, 40 of the movements of wild, herding animals Sam was also invited to the Sussex said they would also like to start a suckler which are used for mob grazing and in nature which stick together to avoid Wildlife Trust conference as one of its beef herd one day. We look forward to another 40 for silage. The other 80 predators. Asked about the benefits farmer experts talking to ecologists following their progress in the future. hectares of land are rented from Bellhurst of mob grazing over set stocking, he about mob grazing. Sam was pleased to Trust, an adjacent landowner. explained: ‘You don’t have cattle grazing report that most of them were not anti- regrowth, which happens at anything over food production and were in favour of For now, the focus is on improving their three days, so you are getting better grass regenerative farming practice. store bullock enterprise; a challenging utilisation and maximising dry matter business model to get right. ‘Six years yield.’

20 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 21 was magnificent and just stared back at Woods Corner. From its vantage point in to be a mother and go outside in daylight More gleanings from the me as I stood their quivering, trying to the afternoon sunshine, it could survey the hours, so I have long been aware of when past regain my composure before I could cycled whole of Burwash back across the valley. I should be working. Gloriously, I now home. Human nil, deer 1. He was the In such clear sunshine, the entire valley have the perfect work versus quality of life Taken from December 1994’s edition most handsome stag I have ever seen in balance ………I can be outside between looked spectacular, with blue skies, of the Burwash Broadsheet, here are a this area. Sadly, the deer have also been jobs, be in nature, feel the wind on my bright green fields because of the mild number of folklore explanations for the jumping into the roads with some nasty face, write in bed and earn money when temperatures in October, and the fabulous Robin’s redbreast gathered by Janet M accidents reported, so do watch out or it most people are asleep. Try not to panic, autumnal leaves fluttering down in every Burke is deer nil and car nil, at the very minimum. find YOUR biological clock again …..take shade of red, yellow and chestnut. (On the 4th November there was a dead a hint from all these birds I’ve written Firstly, that in trying to fan the dying female roe deer at the Junction of Borders On the 5th November after the morning fog about ……they know when the seasons embers of the small fire keeping the Lane and the A265.) and freezing temperatures a young barn are changing, we need to get retuned and Holy Family warm in the stable, the tiny owl flew right round the rough field next to rediscover our real human rhythms. We are bird’s feathers were singed, turning Mink have been sighted again: this the sewage works at 2.30 in the afternoon NOT all the same. them red. The blood legend, in contrast, time beautiful looking specimens near sunshine in search of an extra meal, tells of the robin’s efforts to remove the Perrymans Lane, but they are not native In the same issue of You magazine there presumably because its prey had been in thorns pricking the head of Christ at the and are destroyers of chickens, fish, ducks was an extract from Kate Humble’s new short supply at night. It is always amazing crucifixion and in the process smearing and anything else which gets in their way. book. She explains how various tragedies to see an owl flying in daylight especially if his breast with blood – the stain remaining pushed her her to “more of a quietly On a rare sunny autumnal afternoon it is hunting. thereafter as a ‘badge of compassion’. forming and growing realisation - maybe flocks of pied wagtails and various finches The oldest tradition, however, refers In the afternoon sunshine of this first consciousness is the right word - that life were sweeping along the Rother Valley, back to pagan times where the robin was week in November the birds seem to be could be lived differently, more simply, picking at the grass between the sheep. considered the ‘fire-bringer’, and thereby going into overdrive: Jays dashing along and that I might be happier for it.” She The Rother had overflowed its banks and bringer of warmth to the earth. To primeval Brickyard Lane, goldfinches dancing in goes on to list important points as “Toast the valley looked like one great lake from tribes suffering an Ice Age midwinter this and out of the hedge on Shrub Lane, pied and Marmite”, “Brambling” and “Working Etchingham along towards Mayfield. It must have had great significance and wagtails in flocks feeding in the floodwater in Bed”. In the last section she paints a looked beautiful in the sunshine, although man’s close and affectionate relationship next to the Rother, leaving prints in the picture of how, full of guilt, she takes her no joy for the farmers, and off Shrub Lane with this cheeky, fearless little bird has damp mud, tits of all varieties feasting on computer to the bedroom at 2.15 in the a collection of ducks were diving and continued to this day. the berries in the hedges all around the afternoon, takes her pencil case, sits splashing about in the flood waters above village and, best of all robins singing in the upright by moving the pillows, gets the the sheep field. The local kestrel was flying shrubbery. (photo here) dogs to join her and so forth. “And three further up the hill as his usual territory was hours later I press SEND. Deadline met.” under water. We must try to have a very Happy Christmas, even if it is different. The next “It’s about finding or rediscovering, the I have received reports of sparrow hawks Countryside Notes is going to be a report aspects of life that really matter,” she diving down to eat pigeons on School Hill of every single day in Lockdown, which declares at some point. Well, I could not and even attacking the crows. One crow you will all have been helping me with. I agree more: I’m writing this in bed with two Countryside Notes seem to be everywhere in vast numbers laid on the ground with his talons facing have done the 5th November, to start you huge dogs curled up beside me to keep me this year. Some are still juveniles and I upwards: this worked and the sparrow off, but everything else will come from warm! Home-made cake and decent tea It is only just November and here I am hope the weather does not degenerate hawk flew off. I witnessed a crow attacking the villagers ….. no excuses for not going complete my must-haves. writing notes which you will read in into winter frost too rapidly. a kestrel at the bottom of Ham Lane, and for a short walk and finding something This is all well and good, I hear you say, December. Above all else I can report on this occasion the kestrel conceded Fortunately there is a bumper crop of to lift your spirits. If you are stuck inside, but how do we pay the bills? We need to rain and yet more rain, but October did defeat and flew off towards the Rother. huge acorns this year. The chestnuts are get some binoculars and do some nature fortunately produce some exciting wildlife help one another, shop local, trade locally plentiful but small from lack of rain in the On School Hill once more I had to stop and watching from the windows. Can’t wait to encounters. The first week in November and help others to find their route, which Summer. There are so many squirrels walk back down the hill to check what I see what we find! has seen wind, rain, fog, frost and beautiful may be very different from what they were that it is hard not to tread on them on thought I had seen: a terracotta coloured autumnal afternoons, when the fog has Life has changed for all of us, but used to: some jobs will not come back, but the footpaths and they keep running in hen pheasant on top of the stable roof. lifted. Nature has been going crazy in the perhaps we can see it as a chance to others will emerge. For now, start reporting front of my bike, which I never remember It was the same colour as the tiles and afternoon sun as if everything knows that make changes for the better. Elizabeth your sighting to me to cheer yourselves happening before. They normally have my eyes had not deceived me. As I Winter is on its way. Day wrote an article in You magazine up …… nature can be wicked but it is also their first litter in the Spring and, if food approached the gate eight hen pheasants (30th August 2020) “If I were PM work beautiful. This area is lovely and we need is plentiful, another in the Summer. This flew off but the odd one out was still on I finally managed to get eye to eye with would start at midday”. She explains that to do all we can to keep it that way. Let’s year some had another litter very late in the roof. I thought it must be a chicken but one of the Burwash white squirrels, while she is not a morning person and that keep positive. the Summer. A fair number have been no, it was a “red” hen pheasant. On the cycling up School Hill in the rain. It ran into her best writing time is from 4 pm to 7 Caroline Hubband squashed on the road, but the magpies 4th November I saw a plump adult French the hawthorn hedge to escape me. It had pm. She says that she decided to be a and buzzards do not leave the evidence on Partridge in the old stable yard, probably been busy carrying acorns away from the journalist partly because she needed a show for long. searching for grain. I have not seen French edge of the road. They are genuine albino job where she could work from home on Partridges in Burwash before, although squirrels as this one definitely had pink A huge roe stag jumped out right in front her own biological clock. She explains how I often see Grey Partridges (the native eyes, a pink mouth and delicate pink feet, of me on Borders Lane and then got all Lockdown has changed everything and we English Partridge) in the rougher meadows all set off by the completely white fur. I tangled up in the hedge and fence poles have moved away from the 9 to 5 routine. I off Borders Lane. have been trying to get close enough to on the other side of the Lane. After a great was fortunate to work from home for many check this out for several years: so there’s commotion, he finally strutted into the On the same day a very large female years as a Consultant and Translator. I the answer at last. They are rare indeed. field still with lengths of brambles hanging buzzard was perched on top of a telegraph worked at night, so that I had quiet (I had down from his double level antlers. He The grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) pole at the top of the hill on the way to two boys to parent) and this enabled me

22 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 23 More gleanings from the past

In December 1994, Helen Lawes asked ‘Would it be any different?’ If he came to us now, God’s Son on Earth, A twentieth century man, And appeared in the middle of Regent Street Offspring struggling with Maths?

Creating a traffic jam… Retired graduate schoolmaster offers Would the awe-struck Constabulary hold up a hand, expert, affordable tuition And hush the abuse flying around? Or would it be, ‘Come along there, move along son, Alec J Whiteman 01580 861304 Or your grubby feet won’t touch the ground”? If he walked in the park or a quiet village street, And said, ‘Little ones, come to me,’ And gathered the children from where they played And took one of them on his knee… Would the mums push them forward Their faces aglow, and beg him ‘Here, Lord, please bless mine!’ BURWASH VILLAGE HALL We decided that Christmas wouldn’t be of all other village groups in 2021: it will Or united in hate, keep him under restraint the same without our Christmas Hamper happen eventually! And rush off to dial 999? Raffle, which is why we have decided Charity registration no: 305350 May I remind you that, when the groups to host the muted event in December If his words, wrapped in mind-blowing, laser-lit sound start meeting again after their Christmas This year, to help brighten the outside of rather than in January. Previous delighted break, the children’s parents are asked to Brought a message of hope for us all; the Village Hall, there will be a (donated) winners have commented that the hamper wait on the pavement when bringing and King John’s Nursery Christmas Tree and lights outside the is packed with goodies (all donated by If his faithful disciples spelled out his name collecting the children. Please give them a Village Hall – for which we are very the members of the Hall Management wide berth if you are in the vicinity: we shall In red paint, four feet high on a wall… grateful! We hope these new extras will Committee) and one of the best they be very grateful for your help. Would we listen in awe or say ‘Turn off that creep, Farmers Market help brighten the Christmas mood in have seen. All for £1 per ticket, on sale Burwash. Fantastic produce from local growers and makers at the opening event. Further details of Our very best wishes to you all for a happy You’re polluting your minds, you’re nothing but sheep, Home cooked lunches, tea and cake date and time will be widely publicised and healthy Christmas season, even if it is Subject to Covid restrictions, we are also Pop music will ruin you all.’ Plant nursery, shop and beautiful gardens tentatively planning a muted opening nearer the time, as these depend on the quieter than other years. Second Saturday of every month If the PC on Oath said ‘Last night your Worships event in December so that you can see timetable of the work at the Hall. However, Carry on taking care and keeping safe. 9.30am-12pm the result of your help for our fund-raising it may be that not all of the work has been I picked up this vagrant at one, events over the last couple of years. It completed by then. To find out about booking the Hall for an would not be a village hall event without event, please call Peter Angove 01435 Claims his name’s Jesus Christ, a relation of God We haven’t quite managed to do all that 883288 refreshments, but this year we shall be we had hoped to achieve, but we have (Makes a change from Atilla the Hun)… offering biscuits wrapped in silver foil (no replaced the very important Oriel windows For all other queries, please contact me: Sheepstreet lane, Etchingham, East Sussex, TN19 7AZ www.kingjohnsnursery.co.uk names mentioned!) and tea or coffee Would their Worships rejoice that their Saviour had come, at the front of the building, and the side Shirley Viney [email protected] in recyclable cups. Visitors can enter by windows to the Snooker room. And reverently fall to their knees; the main entrance doors where they will 01435 882497 find hand sanitisers. There will be a small The Dance Class and Musical Theatre Or barely glance up at the hairy fanatic, display of recent photos taken during the have been running their classes following With one or two slates coming loose in the attic, process of installing the new Oriel windows the very stringent safety rules imposed by inside the main Hall, and visitors can our Government. As soon as is possible, And fine him for Breach of the Peace. leave by the fire escape doors, again with restricted use of the facilities for the hand sanitisers nearby. Someone will be members of the Snooker Club, Dance ‘on duty’ for crowd control on the slope Classes and Musical Theatre will be approaching the main entrance. resumed after the current Lockdown. We also look forward to welcoming the return

24 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 25 clubs,Local clubs, societies and other societies useful contacts and other Contacts Sport and fitness-related Burwash Short Mat Bowls Club: Burwash Guides and Brownies: Support Groups and Village Life Burwash Duplicate Bridge Club Practice session for the Wealden League in Meet in the Burwash Common guide hut. local government A friendly club which meets on Friday Burwash village hall each Monday afternoons at the Parish Room of Christ the Contact Beverley Boakes on 883473. Burwash Cricket Club: from 6.30pm. Bateman’s: King Catholic Church (opposite Burwash Village club playing on Sundays. British Red Cross Rudyard Kipling’s home, run by the Village Hall). Guests always welcome. Contact: Mary Taylor on 882107. Explorers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers: British Red Cross Local Services (Red National Trust, with a full programme of Contact: Paul Morgan-Jones on 882832 Cross Week, first aid group equipment and events and activities throughout the year. Contact Jo O’Donnell on 883654. or Meet at the scout hut, Bear car park. Burwash Snooker Club: wheelchair loans). [email protected]. Contact Cliff Wilson on 882126. Contact 882302 or www.nationaltrust. Burwash Ladies Group: Plays in Burwash village hall. Contact 0800 0280 831. org.uk/batemans for more details. With the ongoing Covid situation and Contact: Mike Hill on 07518 914391. Burwash Football Club: Musical Theatre: future uncertainties, the BLG Committee Members of the East Sussex League and Musical theatre classes from 4 -19 years, Royal British Legion: Burwash Amateur Pantomime Society has made the difficult and sad decision running since 1890, home ground is Swan Kipling County Carriage Driving Group: Saturdays in Burwash village hall. The active Burwash Branch supports the (BAPS): to close the group. A particular thank you Meadow and new players are welcome. Carriage driving for the disabled. Legion in supporting ex-Servicemen. Annual production involving all ages! Contact: Jonny or Sandra Ball on 882946 goes to founder members and all those Contact Kevin Bray on 864628. Contact [email protected]. or [email protected] Contact: Charles Merchant on 882360 Contact David Cowell on 883615 or who have given their time to give pleasure or Frank Sanderson on 882345 or Fred Jane Lloyd on 883264. to so many over the years. Priscilla Rawlins, Margot Sanderson & Margaret Burwash Junior Sports and Fitness Club: Marshall on 884298. Parish Footpath Walk: St Bartholomew’s Sunday Club and Follows. Sporting and social activities for 5 – 16 Relaxed local walks of about 6 miles on Pathfinders: Burwash Bonfire Society: Neighbourhood Watch: year olds, Saturdays 10.30 – 12pm on 3rd Monday of every month, 9am from the Friendly group meeting in the Rectory on Fundraising and organising the Bonfire Burwash: Save Our Fields: Swan Meadow, Burwash. Bear car park. 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month from Contact Steve Mintram on 882444. Night firework display. 9.45 – 11am. Sunday club for children Set up to oppose inappropriate Contact: Pauline Wilson on Contact Roger Cloke on 884312. Contact Natalie Crabtree at development of new houses in Burwash 883273 or Rod Clifton on 883656. aged 3 – 9. Pathfinders for Year 6 Admiral Nurses: [email protected]. upwards. Parish in the High Weald Area of Seagulls over Burwash Helping to support and co-ordinate care Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Burwash Lawn Tennis Club: Contact Celia Merchant on 882360 or for people with dementia and their carers. Burwash Common Pavilion: Burwash Brighton & Hove Albion [email protected] With two courts in Swan Meadow, the supporters club. [email protected]. Contact Ruth Tomkins on For bookings contact Alison Hayes on club encourages people of all ages to play 01580 200743. 882650 or [email protected]. Contact Simon Forster on simon. Burwash Village Hall: tennis. Broadoak Preschool - [email protected]. For bookings contact Peter Angove on Contact: Sue Findlater on 01580 Nurturing environment to children aged 2-5 Burwash Parish Council: Burwash Common After Eight Club: Open Monday to Thursday 08.30 - 14.30 883288 or 880628 or [email protected]. Walks for Strollers: Meeting on 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Meets monthly, open to all ladies for talks, [email protected]. Friday’s 08.30 - 12.00 outings, theatre and dining. Gentle walks through the countryside. Contact Emma Neil Burwash over 50’s Walking Football Meet at 9am in the Bear car park on 1st Call 01435 864326 or email [email protected]. Contact Jan McCartney on 882117. Fairfield Surgery: [email protected] Group: Wednesday of the month. Open Mon-Fri 8.30 – 6.30pm. (Phone 111 Meet every Tuesday evening for a kick- Contact Ijon Jenner on 882045. Rother District Council: Burwash Community Fund: when surgery closed.) around. Age is no barrier as we currently St Bartholomew’s Tuesday Drop-In: Town Hall, Bexhill on Sea, TN39 3JX. Contact Rod Clifton on 883656 or Halina Contact: 882306 (fax 882064). range from 51-78 years of age. Meet in church every Tuesday in term-time Contact 01323 787000 Keep on 882183 or email 2012bjcf@ Contact Steve Mintram 882444 for more from 8.30 for children to have a snack gmail.com. For young people on their way to school. Mums/Dads/ Friends of Burwash Surgery: information. East Sussex County Council: Carers and pre-school children come in Help less mobile people travel to Burwash Community Internet Café: afterwards for coffee and a chat. County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewis. appointments and collect mediation Burwash Playing Field Association: Burwash CEP School Contact: 0345 6080190 Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Drop in or contact Celia Merchant on from the surgery and deliver them to Dedicated to managing and preserving With an Outstanding OFSTED rating, the 10 – 1pm. Etchingham post office for patients to head teacher is Debbie Gilbert. 882360 or [email protected]. Swan Meadow. Sussex Police (non-urgent): Contact Lesley Elmslie on 883510 or collect. Contact Kevin Bray, Hon. Treasurer, on Contact 882440. St Phillips Parent and Toddler Group: Contact [email protected], or call [email protected]. Contact: Contact Chairman Frank Smith 864628 or Halina Keep, Hon. Secretary 101 (101 calls cost 15p from landlines or Meet every Thursday 10 – 12pm in the on 01580 819326 or Secretary Sue on 882183, email hek20nov@gmail. Burwash CEP School Parents, Teachers mobiles) or online at www.sussex.police. Burwash Defectives Mumford on 01580 819415. Requests Burwash Common Pavilion. uk/contactus. com. To book the Sports Pavilion, and Friends Association (PTFA): Murder Mystery Evenings, fund-raising for transport or delivery of prescriptions contact booking Secretary Rod Clifton Organise social and fund-raising events to Contact: Anne Everall on 883247. events for your own cause. For details and should be made via the surgery on on 883656 . support the school. to book a date. 882306. Burwash Sports Pavilion: Contact: Contact Del Smith Tel 07543 665532 or Kelly Medhurst on email [email protected] Patients of Fairfield Surgery For bookings contact Rod Clifton on [email protected] Participation Group: 883656. or Lindsay McFarlane on Involving patients and staff to consider [email protected] and improve conditions in the practice from a patient’s perspective.

26 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 27 Local clubs, societies and other useful contacts

Contact Claudette Neville on 883043 or Hobbies Jane Coleman School of Dancing: [email protected]. Dance classes for young people. In Burwash Village Hall The Barnsley Foundation: Burwash Horticultural Society: Thriving branch of the society. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday A trust with limited funds to assist the afternoons. education of local young people. Contact Richard Maude-Roxby on 882243. Contact: Katie Dahlstedt on Contact: Sally Epps on 882301 or Joanne 01580 200961 or Brown on 830869. [email protected] Burwash Flower Club: A programme of demonstrations, craft or Rachel Elliott on 01580 714442 or [email protected] For the elderly clubs and outings. Contact: Claudette Neville on 883043 or Mayfield Film Society: [email protected]. Age UK: Friday evenings from September to May at Mayfield Memorial Hall. Home from hospital visiting service and a Burwash Monday Painters: friendly lunch club every fourth Monday of Contact Timothy Cornish on 872165 or the month at the Bear Inn, Burwash. Meet to paint on Monday afternoons in Burwash village hall (Oct to Apr) and at [email protected]. Contact Jean Plummer on 883483. various outdoor locations May - Sept. All ages and abilities welcome. The Arts Society Wealden Heathfield: Music & Movement Exercises Contact: Anne Everall on 883247 meets at 2.15pm on 2nd Tuesday of the for the over 60s: or Jenny Pettman, email: month at Heathfield Community Centre, Every Tuesday 9.45 – 10.45am in the [email protected] Sheepsetting Lane, Heathfield TN21 OXG Burwash Sports Hall. for talks. Visitors welcome. Contact: Isabel Salmond on 882452. Burwash Quilters: Contact membership secretary on For all those with an interest in quilting, 873258 for further details. Not So Young club: meet Monday mornings in the Burwash Social events and guest speakers, 3rd village hall. Vinehall Concerts: Thursday each month in Burwash village Contact Julie Lewis on 01580 200280. Series of international classical concerts hall at 2.15pm. at Vinehall School, Battle. Contact: Isabel Salmond on 882452. Heathfield & District History Society: Contact Andy Vater Meetings are held in the Ian Price [email protected] Burwash Housing Association Room, Heathfield Community Centre, or 01580 883092 for details. Transport For the Elderly, providing homes for over Sheepsetting Lane. Visitors are welcome. 60s in our community. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of Burwash Pottery the month and start at 7.30pm. Pottery classes for all levels. Small Contact: Claudette Neville on 883043 or classes with lots of individual tuition [email protected]. Contact Peter Thompson, Chairman, on 01435 and support, concentrating on hand- 882856 or building and decoration techniques. Also Local Burwash based electricians serving Mayfield and District University of the perfect creative parties for both adult and the Weald of Kent and Sussex, taking 3rd Age (U3A): Secretary, Joy Charlesworth, on children. pride in all aspects of our work. With a full programme of activities and 01435 873551. Contact Mary Clarke on OUR SERVICES AT A GLANCE: speakers. [email protected] Heathfield and District Philatelic Complete / Partial rewire Power to outbuildings Contact Brian Grimwood on 01892 or 07786 422870. Society: Fault finding Fuse board upgrades 852128. Lighting design Campervan / Mobile Meets at the Heathfield Community Outside lighting kitchen mains electrics Centre, Sheepsetting Lane, Heathfield and power TN21 OXG on 3rd Tuesday of the month • Removal and from September to April. Storage Specialists Contact Bob Ely on 01292 852659 or For info contact: Matthew Richmond or Ann-Marie Richmond • Aggregate Suppliers T: 01435 882861 [email protected]. M: 07840 058760 family movers & storers since 1933 E: [email protected] W: electricalsolutionssouth.co.uk Tel: 01435 863774 • Mob: 07885 852769 www.andyvaterremovals.co.uk

28 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 29

Get ready for a

External decoration New kitchen • •

• • • Full design and planning Kitchen and bathroom fitting Cracking Christmas! • New build and loft conversions • • Painting and decorating Renovations • Wall and floor tiling Extensions, conversions and • • Landscaping and fencing alterations • • Driveways and Patios • All aspects of roofing Electrical NIC EIC registered Carpentry and joinery Plastering and Rendering Village Shop & Cafe Heating and plumbing (Corgi Registered) Look no New Opening Hours: L OT Monday - Saturday OUT S OF SEA SIDE further TI 8.30am - 3.30pm NG • Breakfasts • Lunches • Takeaway Top floor flat conversion Complete New Build than your Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten Free Options

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Bespoke Pre-paid Funeral Plan available ‘The Independent Way’ POP IN FOR SOME FIND US ON FACEBOOK! FRESHLY BAKED Burwash Village Store BREAD High Street, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7ET www.cwaterhouseandsons.co.uk www.Frogheath.co.uk  01435 883516 email: [email protected] FANTASTIC PROMOTIONS EVERY 4 WEEKS • IN-STORE BAKERY WITH HOT FOOD TO GO • LINK CASH MACHINE • CHILLED BEERS & WINE • LOCALLY From pretty courtyards to country estates, we provide creative, practical, design and build services. 24 Hour Service—Please call (01435) 882219 SOURCED PRODUCTS • NEW FISH RANGE • EXTENSIVE FRESH RANGE Follow us on Facebook for inspiration and ideas. LONDIS IN BURWASH • HIGH STREET • BURWASH • EAST SUSSEX TN19 7ET • TEL: 01435 882226

30 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 31 ADAM WATTS & ASSOCIATES Rupert Thacker TAXATION AND ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES e Restoration and Conservation of Antique Furniture

Suppliers of country furniture A comprehensive service of repairs and polishing to both antique and modern furniture. * ~ Free Estimates ~ Tax Returns for Individuals, e Old Barn Workshops, Flitteridge Farm, Splaynes Green, Partnerships and Companies Fletching, Nr Uck eld, East Sussex TN22 3LT Telephone: 01825 713111 ~ Mobile: 07950 035044 [email protected] ~ www.rupert-thacker.com Book Keeping and Accounts Preparation for all businesses Many aspects of garden work including:

Capital Gains Tax Calculations Paving, fencing, hedge cutting, garden walls, turfi ng, digger and equestrian works. VAT Returns and Payroll Free estimates • Fully insured * Call Andy on 07980 689733

If you’d like to advertise Tel: 01580 860264 | Mob: 07590 033151 [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.andyrusselllandscapes.com in the magazine, please contact Neil Presland on 884034. Tim Russell Electrical

NIC EIC/JIB Part P Approved Electrician Inspection & Testing

All electrical work undertaken

Lessons 2 hours per week daytime and evening lessons available 07771 687636 One-day courses Bespoke parties half day or full day courses for you and your friends Sales and Commissions Items for sale on my website Claremont, 109 Shrub Lane, Bespoke handmade pieces to your speci cation Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7EB

Contact me on: 07786 422870 • Email: [email protected] • www.burwashpotter.co.uk [email protected]

32 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 33 ROBERTSBRIDGE GARDEN MACHINE CENTRE Station Car Park, Station Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5DG Locked Out? ANDREW WATERHOUSE T: 01580 880686 • F: 01580 880526 Faulty Locks? [email protected] Carpenter & Joiner E www.robertsbridgegardenmachinecentre.com Call Altkey Locksmiths Property Maintenance For all your Carpentry and Building Requirements. No job too small. A friendly family run business for all your garden machinery needs. Service • Sales • Parts Telephone: 01435 860709 Mobile: 07802 506461 Main agents for: • Lock opening and ﬁ tting AL-KO, Mitox, Tanaka, Cobra, Kawasaki, Weibang and Ego • UpVC Door & Window Repairs Delivery and Collection available A family run business since 1968 • Independant Locksmiths • Free Survey • Fully Insured F.J. JARVIS & SONS • Domestic & Commercial FAMILY BUTCHER EST. 1870 • 24hr Emergency Repairs Burwash: 882213 Etchingham: 819239 • No Call-Out Charge Specialities include Burwash Beauties Free range pork Modern Service, Traditional Values 21 day mature beef Local lamb 01435 408304 / 07557476699 Genuine French Bread Dry cure bacon Email: [email protected] All flues catered for - Certificates issued - Experienced family run business Homemade Pies Marinated Meats [email protected] Website: www.altkeylocksmiths.co.uk www.jarvisbutchers.co.uk

Burwash Taxis 24 hour pre-booked service FEET FIRST Friendly and efﬁ cient service GIVE YOUR FEET A TREAT

Business & Holiday Airport Transfers PHILIPPA SIMPSON DipCFHP, MPSPract FHP FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONERS Eurostar Transfers Ferries and Cruise Terminals Home visits only Social and Sporting Events Weddings *Nail Trimming *Corn Removal *Callus Reduction *Fungal Nail Treatment Are you looking for help or instruction *Ingrown Toe Nail *Verruca Treatment *Diabetic Foot Care on how to get the best from your London Transfers iPad/Tablet or Mobile Phone? *Foot Care Advice Call Sue Roach Account and Card Payment Mobile: 07831 134864 Landline: 01435 867052 Please Telephone Philippa 07921 620806 Discount for over 65s Tel: 01435 883803 • Mobile: 07931 605057

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34 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 35 JUDY MALING

Telephone (01435) 882906 POPES COTTAGE ANTIQUES All antiques bought and sold

High Street, Burwash, Etchingham, East Sussex TN19 7ET

Part Time Gardener – Burwash

Retired with some spare time - would you like to help us in our garden for a few hours when necessary at an appropriate hourly rate?

If so please email [email protected] with your details etc.

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At Chaplin’s Hair & Beauty Treatment Rooms, High Street, Burwash Reﬂ exology www.podiatrywellnessclinic.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01435 882485 Mob: 07929 656255 Specialist Fertility Reﬂ exology

Foot problems can occur for anyone – children, young people and adults alike. Your Aromareﬂ ex problems may be acute or chronic. I am a fully qualified podiatrist and pride myself in not only providing appropriate care but also on educating people so that they can Facial Reﬂ exology have the knowledge to improve their own foot health. Atlantean Healing

PAUL’S SERVICES Angelic Reiki ! CLEANING ~ HOUSEKEEPING Conditions Treated: Also Available: Gutters, Conservatory roofs cleaned GENERAL HELP AROUND YOUR Crystal Healing o Corns & Callus o Toenail Surgery HOME OR GARDEN Hedges cut, Sheds, Fencing, Decking, Pergolas, Paths, o Ingrown Toenails Patios jet washed, Garden clearance, Play frames, Verruca Needling Thickened/Difficult to Cut Nails o INCLUDING PET CARE Garden furniture o Orthotics/Insoles o Plantar Fasciitis o Mowing, Strimming small gardens to ﬁ elds with a ride Diabetes and the High-Risk Foot Reflexology If you need any of the above please do not hesitate to on or tractor and topper o o o Heel Pain give me a call. I am based in Burwash and can provide And much much more, too much to list o Metatarsalgia references upon request. Any job considered, not just in the garden Carol Burgess 07921 381761 o Clawed Toes o Verrucae & Warts I am exible and can do most hours/days that would suit. So if you need anything done give me a ring for a very [email protected] Flat Feet good quote.And a fast and friendly service o o Bunions Please call Kelly 01435 882321 Phone me on Www.heavenlysouls.co.uk Lorraine Humphrey B.S.c (Hons), State Registered, HCPC and full member of (Please leave a message) or email me on Mobile: 07817 401989 Unit 1, Brooksmarle Farm, Ham Lane, Burwash, TN19 7ER the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. [email protected] ~ thank you

36 BURWASH VILLAGE MAGAZINE December 2020 | Back to contents 37