1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

DIRECTORY
Vicar:
Churchwardens:
Reader:
Youth Worker:
Hon Treasurer:
Bookkeeper:
Hon Secretary:
Stewardship:
Organist:
Parish office:
Noah’s Ark:
Safeguarding:
Electoral Roll
Officers:
Head Sidesman:
Head Server:
Bell Ringers:
100+ Club 2000:
The Beacon Editor:
Advertising:
Distribution:
The Revd David Wallis
The Vicarage, 2 Charlton Gardens,
Lewes Road, Ditchling, BN6 8WA
Tony Blanchard
St Margaret’s
Keith Hine
Mike Sewell
Streat Church
Mark Moody-Stuart
St Martin’s
Doreen Kallman
Colyeen Blanchard
Vacancy
Mark Moody-Stuart
Sue Sewell
Margaret Bovill
Mark Llewellyn-Slade
John Sandford
St Margaret’s
Email: admin@beaconparishes.org
Phone:
Katherine Grant
Carolyn Webb
Tony Blanchard
Ditchling
Paul Charman
Streat & Westmeston
Andrew Martin
Tony Coomber
Ditchling
David Cragg
Pam Gaskin
Graham Sharpless
Sue & George Hancock
Jenny Bell
Ditchling
Margaret Moore
Paul Charman
Streat & Westmeston
01273 843165
01273 842243
01273 843370
01273 890366
01273 846525
01273 844743
01273 842243
01273 846525
01273 890366
01273 845319
01444 242792
01444 233552
01273 843165
07811 157677
01273 842856
01273 842243
01273 844743
01273 846123
01273 845069
01273 845383
01273 843182
01273 845368
01273 890298
01273 843194
01273 843805
01273 844743
Full membership of the PCC can be found on the website:
www.BeaconParishes.org
The Revd David Wallis’s day off is Monday
The Beacon Parish is a registered charity, number 1132488
Front cover: St Margaret’s Church Choir, Sunday 25th January 2015, after the
last service before the choir disbanded
The Beacon March 2015
The Magazine for the Parish of Ditchling, Streat & Westmeston
Contents
The Beacon Churches Calendar March 2015 ............................................................ 2
The Churchwardens write........................................................................................... 3
In Memoriam ...........................................................................................................4
Beacon Parish Church Duties March 2015 .............................................................. 5
Prayer Diary – March 2015 ......................................................................................6
Bible Notes ...............................................................................................................9
News from the Beacon Parish ..................................................................................11
Our Cathedrals - Leicester .....................................................................................13
News from Chichester Diocese.................................................................................14
What’s On in March 2015 .........................................................................................16
What’s On in April 2015 ............................................................................................17
Children and Young People.......................................................................................19
Ditchling Women’s Groups .......................................................................................21
Village News ...............................................................................................................23
Nature Notes..........................................................................................................29
The Beacon in the Past ..........................................................................................30
Weddings and Baptisms
To book a wedding or baptism in any of the Beacon Parish churches please see
the following pages on the Beacon Parish website.
•
•
www.beaconparishes.org/weddings to book a wedding and for further
information about weddings including fees and a wedding pack.
www.beaconparishes.org/baptisms to book a baptism and for further
information about baptisms.
The Beacon Parish Office
Open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings
9.30 am to 12 noon (the place to direct any enquiries)
01273 843165 email: admin@beaconparishes.org
www.beaconparishes.org
1
The Beacon Churches Calendar March 2015
Morning Prayer at Ditchling: Wednesday at 9.00 am
1 Sun
3 Tues
4 Wed
8 Sun
11 Wed
15 Sun
18 Wed
22 Sun
25 Wed
29 Sun
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Holy Communion (BCP)
Holy Communion & Junior Church
Holy Communion
Village Prayers
Holy Communion
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Holy Communion & Junior Church
Morning Prayer
Holy Communion
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Holy Communion (BCP)
Holy Communion & Junior Church
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Holy Communion & Junior Church
Holy Communion
PALM SUNDAY
ALL AGE HOLY COMMUNION
The service begins at the Vicarage in
Charlton Gardens from where we set out
on the Palm Sunday procession through
the village.
Ditchling
Ditchling
Westmeston
Streat
Ditchling
8.00am
9.45am
9.45am
10.15am
9.30am
Ditchling
Streat
Ditchling
9.45am
9.45am
9.30am
Ditchling
Ditchling
Streat
Ditchling
8.00am
9.45am
9.45am
9.30am
Ditchling
Ditchling
9.45am
9.30am
Ditchling
9.45am
Everyone is very welcome to attend any of the church services listed
above. You will be sure of a warm welcome. Coffee, tea and delicious
homemade cakes and/or biscuits are normally available after the Sunday
9.45 am services in St Margaret’s, Ditchling, Streat Church and St Martin’s,
Westmeston. We look forward to seeing you at any of the services in the
Beacon Parish.
2
The Churchwardens write
Dear Friends
The Churchwardens are very pleased to announce that Fr David
has been appointed Chaplain to the High Sheriff of East Sussex
(but will, of course, continue to be Vicar of the Beacon Parish).
Juliet Smith will be declared as the new High Sheriff at a
ceremony in Lewes on Friday 27th March when Fr David will
begin his appointment. The High Sheriff is the Queen’s
representative in the county. Fr David’s role is to offer support and spiritual
counsel to the Sheriff as she exercises her duties. The High Sheriff will be holding
a Judges’ Service at St Margaret’s on Monday 15th June.
Please join with us in praying for the new High Sheriff and Fr David as they work
together.
Keith Hine & Tony Blanchard
Souper
Saturday
Delicious Homemade Soups,
freshly baked bread, tea, coffee & cakes
Saturday 7th March, 12 noon – 2 pm
St Margaret’s Church
All very welcome!
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Village Coffee
Morning
Noah’s
Ark
Tuesday 3rd March,
Parent & Toddler Group,
0 – 5 years
10.15am Southwind, Streat
Coffee and tea will be served from
10.45am and will be preceded by a
simple service. All are very
welcome.
St Margaret’s Church,
Wednesdays 1.30pm (except
school holidays)
Pastoral Visiting
If anyone feels they, or someone they know, would like a pastoral visit from
someone at the Church, please call the Parish Office during the mornings
(Tuesday to Thursday) with your request (01273 843165). Alternatively, you
can email the Parish Office on admin@beaconparishes.org.
A group of people from the churches in the parish has been appointed to assist
the clergy with pastoral visitation, prayer and home communion; and also help
with understanding and completion of forms and documents (non legal). After
you have made contact, the Parish Office will make arrangements for a visit and
you will be contacted by your visitor.
In Memoriam
In March we remember:
2nd
10th
11th
13th
17th
23rd
27th
29th
7th
11th
11th
16th
22nd
26th
28th
29th
Arthur Mott
Euan Keat
Dorothy Hunter
Florence Lillie Taylor
Margaret Lynch
Harry James Booth
Madge Hunt
Albert Morrow
4
Marybud Chignell
Michael Hoare
Valerie Hoare
Neil Robinson
Tony Best
Marjorie Lee
Jill Holmes
James Ager
Beacon Parish Church Duties March 2015
Time
1
Church
Service
Lessons
nd
2 Sunday of Lent
Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16
Mark 8: 31 - end
Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16
Holy Communion
9.45am Ditchling
Romans 4: 13 - end
& Junior Church
Mark 8: 31 - end
8am
BCP Holy
Communion
Ditchling
Readers
Sidesmen
No Flowers in Lent
Yvonne Sen
Yvonne Sen
Di Martin
Carl Belfield
Maralyn
Hine
Clare Farrands
Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16
George
WestPaul
Romans
4:
13
end
Hancock
9.45am
Holy Communion
meston
Charman
Mark 8: 31 - end
Mark MoodyStuart
rd
No Flowers in Lent
8 3 Sunday of Lent
Exodus 20: 1 - 17
Holy Communion 1 Corinthians 1: 18 9.45am Ditchling
& Junior Church
25
John 2: 13 - 22
Exodus 20: 1 - 17
9.45am Streat Morning Prayer
John 2: 13 - 22
15 Mothering Sunday
8am
9.45am Ditchling
9.45am
BCP Holy
Communion
Ditchling
1 Samual 1: 20 - end
John 19: 25 - 27
Holy Communion 1 Samual 1: 20 - end
& Junior Church
John 19: 25 - 27
Streat Holy Communion
1 Samual 1: 20 - end
John 19: 25 - 27
22 5th Sunday Lent
9.45am Ditchling
Holy Communion
& Junior Church
Jeremiah 31: 31 - 34
Hebrews 5: 5 - 10
John 12: 20 - 33
29 Palm Sunday
9.45am Ditchling
All age Holy
Communion
Narrated Gospel
5
Nick Upton
Di Martin
Judy Essex
Yvonne Sen
Mike
Middleton
Sue Sewell
No Flowers in Lent
Jenny Bell
Jenny Bell
tba
Margaret
Bovill Sally
Willis
Myrtle Skelton
Sue Sewell
George
Hancock
No Flowers in Lent
Helen Sills
Andrew
Martin
Brenda Hall
No Flowers in Lent
Jenny & Jasper
9.45am
Bell
Prayer Diary – March 2015
Feast Days
1 Lent 2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Lent 3
9
10
11
12
13
14
Prayer for the world church &
Prayer for this diocese
Mbale (Uganda)
Pray for the Secretariat, Church
House
Mbamili (Nigeria)
Slindon with Eartham & Madehurst
Mbeere (Kenya)
Walberton with Binsted
Mbhashe (Southern Africa)
Rural Deanery of Chichester
Meath & Kildare (Dublin)
Apuldram; Fishbourne
Medak (South India)
Boxgrove, St Mary & St Blaise
Melbourne
Chichester St Paul with
Westhampnett
Meru (Kenya)
Pray for Diocesan Safeguarding,
Church House
Mexico
Chichester, St Wilfrid
Eastern Michigan (USA)
Gibbs Chichester, St Pancras & St
John
Minna (Nigeria)
Donnington, St George
Minnesota (USA)
Prior Earnley with East Wittering &
Almodington
Missionary District of Oeste-Brasil
Lavant, St Mary
Milwaukee (USA)
North Mundham with Merston &
Hunston
6
Prayer for places in the
Beacon Parish
East Gardens
Farm Lane
Fieldway
Folders Lane East
High Street
Lewes Road
Lodge Hill Lane
Long Park Corner
Mullberry Lane
Neville Bungalows
Neville Cottages
Neville Flats
North End
Nye Lane
Prayer for the world church &
Prayer for this diocese
Lent 4
Missouri (USA)
(Mothering
Jonathan Prichard (Land
registration & Clergy Retirement
Sunday)
Officer)
Mityana (Uganda)
Portfield All Saints
Mombasa (Kenya)
Selsey, St Peter
Monmouth (Wales)
Sidlesham, St Mary
Montana (USA)
Tangmere & Oving
Montreal (Canada)
West Wittering & Birdham with
Itchenor
Moray, Ross & Caithness
Deanery of Worthing
Lent 5
Morogoro (Tanzania)
Pray for the Workplace Chaplains
Mount Kenya Central (Kenya)
Broadwater
Mount Kenya South (Kenya)
Durrington, St Symphorian
The Annunciation Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Ferring, St Andrew
Feast Days
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29 Palm Sunday
30 Monday
of Holy Week
31 Tuesday
of Holy Week
Mpumalanga (Southern Africa)
Findon, Clapham & Patching
Mthatha (Southern Africa)
Findon Valley, All Saints
Muhabura (Uganda)
Goring-by-Sea, St Mary
Prayer for places in the
Beacon Parish
Orchard Lane
Sandrocks
Shirleys
South Street
South View
The Twitten
Underhill Lane
Waterman’s Cottages
Wellhouse Lane
West Street
Middleton Manor Estate,
Middleton Court &
Middleton Lane
Lewes Road East of the
Church
The Street & Church
Cottages
Westmeston Parish Hall,
Acorns Nursery School
Westmeston Farm Estate
Multan (Pakistan)
Underhill Lane North side
Mumbai (India)
Underhill Lane South side
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Bible Notes
Amidst the unrest in the Middle East, more and more Arabs are asking for God’s
word. Three years ago there was little interest for Bible Study groups, now there
are waiting lists to join, especially among young people.
A team of Middle Eastern Arab Christian theologians and writers are working hard
to assemble a Study Bible in the easy to read Arabic translation, which will fulfil a
growing need amongst the Arab Muslims who are asking about Christianity and
the Bible.
The verse of the month comes from Amos, who like Joel of last month, prophecies
about the Day of the Lord (a day of judgement). But in God’s continual mercy he
sends us warnings to give time to repent from injustice and not putting God first.
In Chapter 4, the Sovereign Lord declares; I gave you lack of bread (v6), withheld
rain from the harvest (v7), struck gardens with blight (v9), sent plagues (v10), yet
you have not returned to me (vs. 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11). So finally after the people
have repented and turned back to God fully, he promises in Amos 9:11-15; “In that
day I will restore, … I will repair, … I will rebuild and plant again says the Lord your
God.”
Jill Veness
9
The Beacon Parish
Time Out in Tournay
A week of rest and reflection led by Canon Peter Sills
7 – 14 September 2015
The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Tournay is a Benedictine community,
founded 50 years ago, and situated in the glorious foothills of the Pyrenees in
south-west France. The warm welcome, the peace and quiet and the beautiful
liturgy provide space for the spirit and make it the perfect place for some time
out. The surrounding area is rich in natural beauty with many places of
pilgrimage and is noted for its Romanesque Churches. This week will combine
time for reflection and experiencing the life of the community with visits to
some of the pilgrim places nearby.
Accommodation will be in the monastery guesthouse on a full board basis, and
the cost will be £380 per person (there is no single supplement) covering
accommodation, meals, visits and transport in France. Participants are asked
to make their own travel arrangements to and from France.
Full details now available in Church or from Canon Peter:
CANON PETER SILLS | 01273 842760 : sills824@btinternet.com
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News from the Beacon Parish
Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll for the Beacon Parish is again being revised, to ensure it is as
accurate as possible, in preparation for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting,
which is on Sunday 19th April.
So please take time to view a copy displayed at the back of the churches, and
advise if you have any information regarding any of the following.
•
•
•
Anyone wishing to be included on the Roll please complete an ‘Application
for Enrolment on the Church Electoral Roll’
If you are aware the details of someone on the Roll have changed.
If you are aware that someone on the Roll has left the parish, moved or is
deceased.
Contact Tony Blanchard, Paul Charman (Streat and Westmeston) or any
Churchwarden.
Tony Blanchard
Churchyard Volunteers
The next churchyard working party will be at Westmeston on Saturday 7th
March starting at 9.30 am.
Marieanne Hickman
St Margaret's Flowers for Easter
The Flower Guild will be doing the flowers for Easter on Saturday 4th April from 9
to 11 am. There will be a plate at the back of the church for three weeks before
Easter Sunday for donations towards the flowers, and all contributions will be
very much appreciated.
Jenny Bell and Gwen Searle
St Margaret’s Choir – the last Sunday
St Margaret’s Choir sang as a robed choir for the last time on Sunday 25th
January. Fr David included two anthems in the service for the choir to sing. The
first was Holy, Holy, Holy by Schubert and the second, Lead me Lord by Samuel
Wesley, was sung at the end of the service and was followed by the choristers’
prayer, which has usually been said in the vestry after the service. As the choir
filed out, the congregation applauded.
11
All members of the choir are saddened to end over 200 years of choral singing in
St Margaret’s and none wished the choir to end, but no choir can continue
without a choirmaster.
Tribute to the choir
It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to the choir. Circumstances have
changed over the last two years and with no regular organist it has not been
possible to have weekly choir practices. The years have taken their toll and the
numbers in the choir have diminished and those who are still there are finding it
more difficult to maintain the standard they would like and so it has been
decided to disband the choir.
As a congregation we have so appreciated the lead they have given in the
services and we shall miss the group of blue robes in the choir stalls. For them it
is the end of an era; they have so enjoyed each other’s company, choir outings
and choir parties. They have sung at weddings and at funerals and have made
highlights in the church calendar, like Christmas and Easter, special occasions
and we do hope that there will be an “occasional choir” that will continue to play
a part in these major events in the church life.
We hope the choir stalls will not be empty – that members of the congregation
who love to sing will sit up at the front and give a lead to the congregation.
Whether up in the stalls or amongst us in the body of the church, members of
the disbanded choir will still give a lead as they sing with us week by week. We
want to thank them for their dedication over many years – 20 plus for some of
them – and for the way they have enhanced our worship and to remind them
that the end of one way heralds the beginning of a new way.
Rachel Williamson
MACS reconstruction appeal
Storms and torrential rain in Malawi have
devastated parts of the country. 176
people have died and more are missing.
Many of these are children. 200,000
people are homeless and recently sown
crops swept away. The destruction of
crops means there will be poor harvests in
much of the country this year. Cholera
and other water borne diseases will be a real threat.
MACS has sent £4,000 to the Diocese of Upper Shire, a badly affected area, to
help with this urgent humanitarian crisis. However, MACS has also launched a
reconstruction appeal to help people repair houses, classrooms and health
12
centres and to replant crops where possible. If you can help, please send
donations to the MACS Treasurer, Colin Gardner, 217 Main Rd, Hawkwell,
Essex, SS5 4EQ.
Sally Huband
The Beacon Churches “100 Club”
The winners of the last 2014 Draw were Yvonne Sen and Mike Middleton both
receiving a prize of £20. We have now collected all the shares for the 2015 “100
Club”. Many thanks for your support again this year.
Pam Gaskin 01273 843182
The End of the Beacon Magazine?
By the end of this year this magazine will be discontinued unless someone is
willing to take over the job of editing it. It takes 6 to 8 hours per month to edit
the magazine ready to be sent by email to the printers. Editing the Beacon
requires the use of MS Word or other similar software with, preferably, photo
editing knowledge as well. If you think you may be able to take on the job of
editor or just to find out a bit more about what is involved please let me know by
emailing me at sharpless@btinternet.com.
Graham Sharpless
Our Cathedrals - Leicester
The church of St Martin in Leicester was built on the site of a Roman temple by
the Normans and enlarged in the 13th and 15th centuries. In the 19th century the
church was again restored and rebuilt and the 220ft spire was added. In 1927 the
church became a cathedral, the new Diocese of Leicester being separated from
the Diocese of Peterborough.
The church has a fairly large nave with wide aisles and an organ at the west end.
The ‘Great South Aisle’ was added about 600 years ago and was a special part of
the church with an altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In 2012 Leicester and its Cathedral gained greater importance following the
discovery of the remains of King Richard III underneath a nearby car park.
Richard was killed in 1485 during the battle of Bosworth Field and was buried in
the Greyfriars Priory Church Choir, very close to the present Cathedral. The
Priory was demolished in 1538 and by the 20th Century had been built over. In
September 2012 the remains were discovered and in February 2013 the
University of Leicester confirmed that they were those of Richard III.
13
We visited the Cathedral in August
2014, just as work was starting to reorder the Cathedral for the reinterment
in a new ambulatory under the tower
later this month. According to the
Cathedral website “the mortal remains
of King Richard III will be received by
the Cathedral on 22nd March and will lie
in repose for three days before being
reburied on the 26th March 2015”.
There will be a service of reinterment
on 26th March, broadcast live on
Channel 4.
Across the road just to the south of the
Cathedral is a new Richard III Visitor
Centre on the site of the Greyfriars
Priory. The centre opened only two
weeks before our arrival and includes
forensic and other evidence.
Leicester Cathedral is one of the most recent parish churches to be made a
cathedral and would probably not be of significance to those living outside the
Diocese, but the discovery of the remains of Richard III has put the city and its
Cathedral on the map. It is also just possible that the remains of Cardinal Wolsey
are buried in Leicester as he died there in 1530 while travelling from York to
London to face charges of high treason. He was buried in Leicester Abbey, which
was demolished after the dissolution.
Graham Sharpless
News from Chichester Diocese
For more information on news items see the Diocesan website at
www.chichester.anglican.org/news.
New Dean of Chichester Installed
The Very Reverend Stephen Waine, the former Archdeacon of Dorset, has been
installed as the new Dean of Chichester in Chichester Cathedral. This special
service included a sermon by the new Dean, who spoke of his ‘sense of privilege
and deep joy’ to be installed as Dean and also outlined his view of Christianity as
‘not a private religion, or a spiritual comfort blanket, but rather a radical agenda
of justice, giving voice to the marginalised, power to the powerless’.
14
15
What’s On in March 2015
Village Coffee Morning, Southwind, Streat
3
Tue Ditchling Downs WI meeting, Friends Meeting
House
p 4 10.15 am
p 21
7.30 pm
p 21
2.15 pm
5
Ditchling WI meeting, Ditchling Village Hall
Thu Ditchling Film Society film I Wish, Ditchling Village
Hall
p 25
8 pm
7
Sat
Churchyard Volunteers, St Martin’s, Westmeston
p 11
9.30 am
Souper Saturday, St Margaret’s Church
p3
12 noon
10
Tue
NADFAS lecture History of Art in 12 Masterpieces,
Plumpton Village Hall
p 27
2.15pm
13
14
Fri The Plaegan Piano Trio, Brighton Unitarian Church
p 28 12.30 pm
Sat Annual Spring Bulb Show, Ditchling Village Hall
p 26
2 pm
17
Tue
p 23
10 am
19
Thu PCC Meeting, St Margaret’s vestry
20
Fri
21
31
Sat
Ditchling Village Association Coffee Morning,
Ditchling Village Hall
Ditchling Newcomers’ Party, Ditchling Village Hall
7 pm
8 pm
p 23
Deadline for contributions to the April Beacon
The Friend's of St Margaret’s Church Trust AGM,
Ditchling Village Hall
Sussex Chorus French Sacred Music, All Saints
Church, Hove
Tue Whist Drive, Westmeston Parish Hall
10.15 am
p 28
7.30 pm
p 16
7.15 pm
WHIST DRIVE
st
Tuesday 31 March 2015, Westmeston Parish Hall, 7.15pm
The next Whist Drive will be held on Tuesday 28th April at 7.15pm
Everyone is welcome to join the friendly team of players.
For more details contact Doreen Kallman (01273 844743)
16
What’s On in April 2015
2
4
Ditchling Film Society film Tracks, Ditchling Village
p 25
Hall
St Margaret's Flowers for Easter, St Margaret’s
Sat
p 11
Church, Ditchling
Thu
7
14
17
Thu PCC Meeting, St Margaret’s vestry
19
Sun
Tue Village Coffee Morning, Southwind, Streat
Fri
p4
8 pm
9 am
10.15 am
7 pm
Deadline for contributions to the May Beacon
21
Annual Parochial Church Meeting, St Margaret’s
Church, Ditchling
Ditchling Village Association Coffee Morning,
Tue
Ditchling Village Hall
28
Tue Whist Drive, Westmeston Parish Hall
30
Thu
Deadline for Applications for Grants from
The Turner-Dumbrell Foundation
17
11.15 am
p 23
10 am
p 16
7.15 pm
p 25
18
Children and Young People
Ditchling (St Margaret's) CE Primary School
Ditchling Dinosaurs!!
What an exciting term we have had since Christmas! Would you believe,
dinosaurs visited Ditchling and Year One were ready and waiting. The children
became real life palaeontologists and discovered hidden dinosaur facts and
fossils in and around the school. From dinosaur dancing to fossil creations, the
children made socks into dinosaur puppets and designed and created their own
Dinosaur Island. Our prehistoric learning journey has captured the children’s
imagination and inspired some spectacular, creative thinking.
Endosaurus
PS…watch out!! The Tyrannosaurus Rex was never found; lucky for you Year One
continue to be on the case!!!
1 Amundsen
1st Ditchling Scout Group
Beavers – Since the beginning of the year the Beavers have been pleased to
welcome three new members. Activities during the most recent weeks have
included looking at types of codes, some time spent thinking about disability
awareness and an arts and crafts evening aimed at stirring creativity and
imagination.
19
Cubs – A big success in January was the Mid-Sussex District Scouts Swimming
Gala in which in the Cubs Section, we came 7th with a representative in all the
final races bar one.
Following an invitation from Ditchling Morris Dancers, some of our Cubs joined
in with the Wassailing Celebration at the beginning of the year. It has been a
good time of the year to go star-gazing, so an evening hike was devoted to the
Astronomer Badge. Our thanks to two Dads who shared their telescopes and led
to the discovery of Jupiter!
A new Pioneering Badge has been made available for Cubs so our members gave
it a try with some basic knotting and the building of practice towers indoors.
Scouts – Even greater success this year at the Annual District Swimming Gala in
which we came 2nd out of 10 teams in the Scouts Section, the result going down
to the wire in the final race. Congratulations to all our swimmers on a really
great evening.
Other events before half-term included a night hike over Ditchling Common and
an evening of First Aid.
Alec Gaskin – Chairman – 01272 843182
20
Ditchling Women’s Groups
Ditchling Downs WI
David Porter was our guest speaker for our February meeting. His subject was
‘How Do You Beat a Fraudster?’ Not an easy task but with David’s advice and a
few techniques we began to see how not to fooled by the fraudsters of today.
For example if you are phoned by a fraudster who is impersonating a
bank/finance company/online company and they explain that your card/account
has been compromised they plausibly ask you to phone them back on a number
you have, either on the back of your card or account details. Apparently you
hang up and the fraudster stays on the line, they often have a recording of a dial
tone so when you pick up your phone to dial the number you are actually still
connected to the fraudster. David’s advice is to either wait 5 minutes or
telephone a friend first, which when the fraudster answers by saying the name
of the bank etc you know that this is a scam. But really his main advice was do
not phone back. A bank would never phone, they would always contact you by
letter. If you are worried by anything at all a good site to contact on the internet
is ACTION FRAUD.
It is our turn to host the DVA Coffee Morning on 17th March in the village hall so
please join us for a slice of cake and a coffee with friends.
For our next meeting on 3rd March, at the Friends Meeting House, 7pm for
7.30pm, we have a talk on Shoreham Lifeboats. Visitors will be very welcome.
Enquiries to Barbara Dollings 01273 843892
Barbara Dollings, 01273 843892
Ditchling WI
For our February meeting, we had a very interesting talk by David Porter on ‘Life
above a railway tunnel’. We were shown lots of interesting photos of how life
has been over the years since 1839 - 1841 when 3000 men built the 1.25 mile
long tunnel, 270ft under the downs so the trains could travel to Brighton. In
1849 the cottage was added, above the Clayton end of the tunnel, to house the
tunnel keeper and his family. There was also a cottage above the south end of
the tunnel which subsequently collapsed. Now, some 350 - 400 trains travel
through the tunnel every day. But this is not what disturbs the residents of the
cottage; it’s the traffic speeding up and down Clayton Hill! Flower of the month
was won by Jonn Grinsted.
Our next meeting is on Thursday 5th March at 2.15pm. John Cave ‘Songs with
Guitar’.
Briony Coomber 01273 845069
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Village News
Ditchling Village Association Coffee Mornings
The next Ditchling Village Association Coffee Morning will be on Tuesday March
17th in the Ditchling Village Hall between 10 am and 11.30 am. It is sponsored
by the Ditchling Downs WI. Dates for coffee mornings in future months are
shown below.
Date
April 21st
May 19th
June 16th
July 21st
Society
Ditchling Players
Morris Dancers
Horticultural Society
Ditchling Society
Ditchling Village Association Newcomers Party
To All Newcomers to Ditchling since March last year, we look forward to meeting
you at our annual Newcomers’ Party on Friday 20th March at 8 pm in the Village
Hall. You will soon be receiving an invitation from your Good Neighbour but if
you don’t, please get in touch with us so that we can send you one. This is a
lovely evening and a great way to meet other newcomers to the village and
representatives of the many clubs and societies that exist here making Ditchling
the village it is.
Please contact Pam Gaskin on 01273 843182 e-mail:
pamandalec@care4free.net.
Pam Gaskin
Old Woman's Song
There is a hue to life
Which dims and glows,
Waxes and wanes
With the pain and joy
Of being.
As we grow old and struggle to recall
The shades and warmth
Of that reflective light,
It achieves a melancholic tinge
As we cringe from thoughts of tomorrow
And so we seek to install
The brightness and lightness
Of yesterday
While memories play
With our heartstrings
Alison Lesley
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Applications for Grants are invited from
THE TURNER-DUMBRELL FOUNDATION
The income which enables the Foundation to make grants comes from the
letting of the agricultural land at Lodge Hill and Bowries Fields, together with
rents from the Turner-Dumbrell Workshops and the generous endowment from
the Settler Dr Richard Turner.
In 2014-5 The Foundation made grants totalling £25,000.
The Trustees are looking to fund applications for interesting and innovative
projects that benefit the community while closely reflecting the Foundation’s
grant making objectives.
These are: To support charitable institutions or charitable purposes in Ditchling
or in the immediate locality, with particular reference to St Margaret’s Church;
Education and the Practice of Preventive Cardiology (by the encouragement of
healthy lifestyle and exercise). If you received a grant this year and are applying
again, the Trustees will require an update on how your project is proceeding.
Application forms are available on our website at www.turnerdumbrell.org/grants or can be requested in writing from the Secretary:
Mrs Roma Leon, 22 Beacon Road, Ditchling, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8UL.
Email: secretary@turner-dumbrell.org
Completed applications should be sent to the Secretary by email, no later than
30th April 2015.
Ditchling Film Society
On Thursday, 5 March 2015 we shall be showing I Wish which is a complex,
delicate drama about Koichi, a twelve year old boy who has been separated from
his brother, Ryu, as a result of his parents’ divorce. The mother, Nozomi, has
returned to live with her parents and taken a demeaning supermarket job in her
hometown. She has also taken withdrawn, thoughtful Koichi with her.
Meanwhile, the father, Kenji, has stayed in Osaka, where he was pursuing the
laid back, slacker lifestyle that so infuriated his wife, failing to hold down day
jobs whilst in the evenings trying to be a guitarist in a band. Kenji has taken the
easygoing and smiley Ryu to live with him. Initially this was a temporary
arrangement but as time progressed, it appeared to be hardening into
permanence which spurred Koichi into hatching a plan. Having heard that the 2
newly built bullet train lines created a supernatural energy at the point where
the trains whooshed past each other, if the boys contrived to skive off school
and make a wish at this focal point, their happiness could be restored. Played by
real-life brothers who give terrifically relaxed and natural performances, this is a
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very genuine and deeply satisfying film about two youngsters living through their
parents’ painful separation.
Director: Hirokazu Koreeda 2011. 128 mins. PG Cert.
On Thursday, 2 April 2015 our film will be Tracks set in the Australian outback
about Robyn Davidson, a 27 year old woman who decides to walk 1,700 miles
west from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean accompanied only by 4 camels and
her dog. The film charts her adventures en route and the varied people she
meets, including Mr Eddy, an Aboriginal man, who imparts some invaluable local
wisdom to her. A photographer commissioned by National Geographic magazine
takes pictures of her along the way and leaves canisters of drinking water along
the driest section of her route. Romance threatens for a while but is
outmanoeuvred. This beautiful film transforms the desert into an amazing blaze
of texture and colour and as Robyn’s journey progresses, she almost seems to
blend with the landscape around her.
Director: John Curran English 2014 113 mins 12 Cert.
The films will be shown in Ditchling Village Hall. Our films start at 8.00pm.
Doors open at 7.30 pm. Free coffee and biscuits beforehand and wine can be
purchased by the glass. There is ample free parking behind the hall. Guests and
temporary members are welcome for the sum of £5.00 payable at the door.
Rowena Cager and Melanie Samuel
Annual Spring Bulb Show
Saturday 14th March, 2pm – 4pm. Ditchling Village Hall
After an extremely wet winter we are looking forward to seeing you at our first
Show of the year whether as a visitor or exhibitor, a warm welcome will await
you, your support is very important to us. This Show displays the beauty of the
spring bulbs and the Hall will be filled with their scent. Flower arranging classes
include Simplicity: Springtime in Paris: a Television Show. There is also a class
for snapshot photography; the theme for this Show is “Cyclists”. Children's
classes include “Best home grown Tete-a-Tete narcissus” and “Garden in an
eggshell”; there are two classes for each, 6 years and under and 7 to 11 years.
There are also classes for crafts and cooking. Our President Peter Eastwood will
also be on hand to offer advice if required.
When you have viewed the exhibits why not sample our refreshments (tea and
homemade cake for £1.50.) There is also Muriel’s famous raffle - tickets £1 each.
Entrance is 50p for non members, children free.
New members are always welcome; if you would like to join please phone our
Membership Secretary on 01273 844218, individual membership is £3, family £5.
Mary Holman, Hon Secretary (01273 845167)
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The Ladykillers by Graham Linehan (13th to 16th May)
I'm pleased to say that the audition held in January was a great success and we
have now fully cast our spring production with the cast busy learning their lines
and moves and backstage beavering away, as they always do, to ensure that
everything is just right.
Some of you may not be familiar with the name Graham Linehan but may have
seen some of his work on the television, such as 'Father Ted' & 'The IT Crowd'
(both BAFTA award winning comedies). In November 2011 his stage adaptation
of this Ealing comedy debuted at the Liverpool Playhouse before moving to the
Gielgud Theatre, London, where it broke box-office records and received rave
reviews. For those of you who remember the film this is a highly successful reworking of the original with a freshness and slightly up-dated feel without ever
compromising its original charm and atmosphere. With this production we are
pleased to welcome both some new faces to the Players as well as some more
familiar ones too.
Tickets for the production go on sale at Clifford Dann, High Street, Ditchling (Tel
No: 01273 843344) from the 20th April. We look forward to seeing you at one of
the performances.
David Tettersell, Ditchling Players
Newick & District Decorative and Fine Art Society
Plumpton Village Hall, 2.15pm, Tuesday March 10th
History of Art in 12 Masterpieces by Aliki Braine
So which masterpieces will Aliki chose? Alike is well qualified to tell us having
studied at the Ruskin School of Fine Art Oxford, the Slade and the Courtauld
Institute London.
So where will she start? Perhaps she may begin with one of the wonderful cave
paintings at Lascaux and then continue with examples from Egypt, Ancient
Greece and Rome. Followed presumably by one of the superb Italian religious
paintings of the 15th Century, and then definitely Rembrandt, the Mona Lisa and
Michelangelo, they must always be included. Next the Impressionists, surely
they should get a look in . . but where after that? Edvard Munch? Sutherland?
Or possibly end with Tracey Emin and her unmade bed? Or perhaps not!
To find out why not come and join us? Visitors are always most welcome and
the cost is £7 on the door with, as always tea and biscuits afterwards, and a
chance to talk to the speaker. If you require any further information please ring
Marjorie Blunden on 01825 723250.
Annette Shelford
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The Plaegan Piano Trio
Friday 13 March 2015, 12.30 – 1.15 pm
Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road,
Brighton
Helen Sills Violin
Michael Nebe Cello
Alan Brown Piano
The Plaegan Trio returns with an exciting
programme in which Haydn’s third Trio in C
major (Hob XV:27) is contrasted with Mendelssohn’s Trio in C minor (Op. 66).
Sussex Chorus French Sacred Music
Saturday 21 March 2015, 7:30 pm, All Saints Church, Hove
Duruflé Requiem, Dupré Cortège et Litanie (Organ), Widor Toccata from
Symphony No. 5, op.42 no 1 (Organ), Gounod Messe Solennelle de Sainte
Cécile
Artists will be Michelle Jarman – soprano; Tabitha Reynolds - mezzo-soprano;
Paul Smy – tenor; Douglas Rice-Bowen – baritone; Adrian Bawtree – organ and
Alan Vincent - conductor
Tickets: £15, concessions £12, students and children under 16 £5 available from
the Dome Box Office 01273 709709 or www.wegottickets.com/sussexchorus.
Brighton Festival Chorus Bach St John Passion
Semi-staged with orchestra
Good Friday 3 Apr, 3pm, Tickets £5 - £25, Concert Hall, Brighton Dome
James Morgan conducts the 120-strong choir with orchestra in what promises to
be a moving and dramatic semi-staged production of Bach’s masterpiece.
Bach’s powerfully meditative interpretation of the Gospel of St John is a work of
startling immediacy yet subtle nuance, recreating the psychological and
emotional conflict of Christ’s final days before his public trial and crucifixion.
Bach’s dramatic vision is brought vividly to life in this intimate Proms-style
performance, which takes the singers in and amongst the audience.
For tickets contact 01273 709709 / brightondome.org.
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Nature Notes
As March arrives we may be encouraged by the longer days that winter is behind
us. This may well not be the case for this is a period of uncertain length and is
known in the countryside as “the Hungry Gap”. Creatures that have survived the
cold weather up to that point probably have low reserves of fat and bodyweight
so a prolonged shortage of food is the last thing birds or small mammals need at
this time. It is essential to maintain any regular feeding until well into spring. In
addition to this, a safe roosting area is necessary. At dusk most birds just seem to
melt away to spend the night in cavities or more likely in evergreen foliage. This
is where Ivy is so valuable in winter when little else has a covering of thick leaves
for this protection.
It is perfectly natural that late cold spells add to the mortality of the population
of birds and when this happens, those that do survive, are the strongest and
hardiest and should pass these qualities on to their descendants. They will also
command larger territories from which they will secure a food supply for their
nestlings, rear larger broods and with less competition more will survive to
maturity. With most species an optimum population is restored in a couple of
years.
There was a report on the News this morning that there is an increase in Barn
Owl numbers. Good, this is to be celebrated and always a treat to see, but surely
hardly news when it was well known that last year was a bumper year for
rodents on which they feed and many reared large and even second broods.
Conversely in a few years when the rodent population reaches the low point,
numbers of all birds of prey that rely on them for food will also dwindle. Then we
will be expected to wring our hands and say what a wicked world we live in! This
sort of undulation in population of a predator species responding to abundance
or scarcity of the prey on which they rely is well known to most of us who have
an interest in the world around us.
By the middle of the month Chiffchaffs will be in song in the woods around. Their
numbers have increased over the past years to about double they were more
than twenty years ago. Theirs is an easily recognised song as they rather
monotonously repeat their mane. Many more now spend the winter here and
could have bred in more northern regions and come here because it is warmer.
Indeed a few of them show characteristics of the race found in Siberia which is
much whiter.
At the end of the month there will be reports of the first Sand Martins and,
perhaps, Swallows arriving. These are usually to be found flying up river valleys
or over lakes and reservoirs and I know one doesn’t make a summer but it is a
good sign of the progression of the year. One of my favourite signs that spring
has arrived is when we see the first Orange-tip butterflies patrolling their
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territories along damp areas of woods or roadsides where the plant food, Lady’s
Smock, on which their eggs are laid and upon which the caterpillars feed.
The best time of year is approaching!!
Reg Lanaway
The Beacon in the Past
Below are excerpts from a previous issue of the Ditchling Beacon.
40 years ago
From the Vicar (Tony Way)
Unity Service: I am sure that all who attended the combined service at the
United Reformed Church in Hassocks in January must have been impressed by
the attendance (I am told there were at least 250 present) and the service itself.
Clock Repair Fund Appeal: At the time of writing (12th Feb) the Fund stands at
about £130 which is well on the way towards the £180 needed. This is the full
and revised estimate of what it will cost to put the clock in full working order. I
am very grateful indeed to all who have subscribed, and particularly the Council
of the Village Association who have voted £50 out of Association Funds.
Parish Fund Raising: The P.C.C. has set up [a new sub-committee] to organise
functions to help increase our parish income. … I am very grateful to them for
taking on this task and for the excellent ideas that they have come up with
already. I am sure that they would welcome any further suggestions, especially
from people who are prepared to help carry their own ideas into action. I know
there will be some who will regret the necessity for this kind of money raising,
but I am afraid that inflation has now made it essential. If we are to keep up our
present commitments and build up some kind of reserve for the future we must
increase our current income. One very large item which we know we will have to
face before very long is the reshingling of the spire. Let us hope that we shall be
eligible for some help from the newly set up government fund for the repair of
places of worship; although £1m, whilst sounding a very large sum, will probably
not go far as the buildings come within the scope of the scheme.
Holy Week and Easter: I find myself trying to find words to express the same
message every year at this time. It is simply this; if we wish to know the fullness
of Easter joy we can only expect to do so by entering as fully as possible into the
meaning of Good Friday. Geoffrey Fisher in an overseas broadcast at Easter 1951
said this, “No one saw the Risen Christ or can see Him now, unless he sees too
the Crucified Christ – and not only Christ enduring the physical suffering of the
Cross, but why and how he came to endure it.”
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DITCHLING
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If you would like to contribute to our magazine on church and village
community matters, or receive further copies, please get in touch with:
Graham Sharpless, 23 North Court, Hassocks, BN6 8JS
Tel: 01273 845368 E-mail: sharpless@btinternet.com
For more information see www.BeaconParishes.org/beacon
Copy deadline for the April 2015 edition is
Friday 20th March
Contributions should, where possible, be sent by email to the email address
above either in the body of the email or as a Microsoft Word file. For events
please ensure that all necessary details are included, such as title, venue, date,
time, ticket prices and availability.
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