WADHURST TOWN IN FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2006

WADHURST LIGHTS UP FOR CHRISTMAS
In an effort to brighten up Wadhurst High Street over the Christmas period, Wadhurst Rotary Club alongside Wadhurst Business Association and supported by the Wadhurst Partnership, are organising a late night shopping evening on Friday 15 December.

Arrangements are still being made but it is hoped that nearly all the shops and many businesses will stay open on the evening till 8.00 or 8.30pm.

The vast majority will be lighting up their windows with Christmas lights, and along with Christmas Trees and other planned decorations the High Street  should be a picture. Many forms of entertainment are also being arranged including an appearance of Wadhurst Brass Band, Carol Singers will be performing and a  range of events will be laid on for the children.

Mulled wine, mince pies, hot chestnuts and many other types of food and drink will be available.

Please put the date in your diary. Further information from Alan McGee on 01892 784 274 or John Cooper on 01892 782 247

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT TO PUT YOU IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!
The last of the Lamberhurst Music Festival 2006 programme takes place on Saturday 9 December at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Lamberhurst. The Trinity College of Music Chamber Choir will be making a welcome return to Lamberhurst after a gap of four years under their conductor, Stephen Jackson. They will sing a selection of choral pieces around a Christmas theme.

Bar open 6.45pm
Tickets cost: £12.50
Post: LMF, The Down House, Lamberhurst TN3 8ET
Phone: 01892 891 115

ST JOHN AMBULANCE WADHURST DIVISION is holding a Table Top sale of Christmas crafts on Saturday 9 December, in the Commemoration Hall, 9.30am until 12noon. Table tops are for sale at £10 for one or £15 for two, contact Marj 01580 200378 or Cindy 01892 784714

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - WADHURST & TIDEBROOK BRANCH
11.11.11. On Saturday 11 November at 11.00am in the Memorial Chapel in St Peter & St Paul’s Church a two minutes silence will be observed. Please be seated by 10.45am.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - 12 November
10.00am The Parade will assemble at Gloucester Place.
10.15am Wreath-laying service at the War Memorial.
10.50am United Service in the Parish Church

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BAND CONCERT
On Saturday 7 October, the Wadhurst Brass Band gave an excellent concert in aid of the Wadhurst & Tidebrook launch of this year's Poppy Appeal. This was very well attended and the reports have been very encouraging.  The Band's guest artists were again this year, Jane and Howard Spurr who gave their usual excellent entertaining performance. During the evening a Certificate of Appreciation from the Poppy Appeal was presented to Mr. Algy Hoare by the Poppy Appeal Organiser for their many years support of this very worthwhile cause.
The Organiser would like to thank everyone who helped during the evening and also the public for their continued support.

GENTLE YOGA FOR PEOPLE WITH ME/CFS/FM 
Very gentle exercise, breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation all designed specifically to help these problems. Classes are held weekly on Monday mornings at Fazan
Court at 11.15am. Details from Angela Stevens 01892 782865 or e-mail

WADHURST FOOTPATHS SOCIETY
The guest speaker at our annual meeting on 30 November will be Janina Holubecki of the High Weald AONB unit. Her talk will be about the way in which pig droving from prehistoric times has influenced the whole of our local landscape and has, in particular, given rise to many of the sunken lanes hereabouts. Depending upon time she may also give a general introduction to the High Weald landscape character.

Miss Holubecki will be describing how the practice of moving the pigs from summer to winter pasture has given rise not only to the lanes that we see but has also led to the creation of settlements that have become our present day villages; the dens and hursts that are so familiar in our local place names.

Miss Holubecki is an enthusiast for her subject and her talk will be fascinating. It is highly recommended, and all are welcome to come to St George's Hall for a 7.30pm start.

Members and friends meet on the last Sunday of each month in the car park behind One Stop, Washwell Lane, Wadhurst at 2.00pm. The next walk, on 26 November and will be a Rotherfield Circular led by R Bell.

FAMILY SUPPORT WORK (F.S.W.)
Mammmoth Book Sale - Friday 24th and Saturday 25th November
Boxes will be placed at the back of Stonegate, Tidebrook and Wadhurst Churches and at Carillon Cottage during the first week of November. Any books that need a new home can be left there but please make sure larger quantities are of manageable size!

Family Toy Service - Sunday 26 November at Wadhurst and Tidebrook Churches.
We are hoping everyone will want to be a part of this lovely way of extending a hand to those less fortunate. The toys will go to the Chichester Diocesan Association for Family Support Work (as gifts for their Christmas parties) and to disadvantaged youngsters at Smile International (for similar children abroad).
- The toys need to be in tip top condition;
- Please do not wrap them - as they need to be carefully chosen for individual youngsters;
- Gifts for young teenagers particularly welcome;
For further information please call Carillon Cottage 01892 785 658 or Jill Brewster 01580 830 008

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH POLICE SURGERY
The next Wadhurst and Sussex Police Surgery will be held on Thursday 30 November from 2.00 to 4.00pm and 7.30 to 9.00pm at Wadhurst Fire / Police Station Conference Room.

TRADITIONAL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH on Rother District is in the process of being re-vamped. Please could any existing co-ordinators who would like to remain on the system contact Sarah O'Shaughnessy, Crime Prevention Officer on 01424 456451 or by e-mail and I can arrange to send out the new Data Protection Forms.

Due to problems with the Ringmaster in the past year, the system is now empty and I do require new forms in order to be able to re-instate your relevant areas.

STONEGATE FARMERS MARKET
Saturday 11 November, 10.00 to 12.30 in Stonegate Village Hall. Over twenty stalls selling wonderful local produce and refreshments. For more information: 01580 20 0386

WADHURST INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
WIP meets every second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, upstairs in The Greyhound Pub, Wadhurst. The next meeting is on 12 November. Yearly membership is £12 to cover the cost of the meeting room, etc. WIP is not a social club, anyone can come along to meetings and have a drink and a chat, but should show some interest in photography. We are not a camera club, there will never be any competitions, everyone should be encouraged to bring their work to show the group.

WADHURST AND DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB
The next meeting will be on 2 November titled “Baubles, bangles and beads,” by Mrs Janice Yardley.

WADHURST HISTORY SOCIETY
Some of the Wadhurst History Society’s work in the next few months will be focusing on Wadhurst between the years 1936 and 1946. We should like to be able to include as many memories as possible from the people of Wadhurst so that we can prepare a definitive history of what Wadhurst was like in these crucial years. “Wadhurst” includes Shovers Green, Churchsettle, Cousley Wood, Sparrows Green, Durgates, Best Beech, and Tidebrook.

Please will you trawl your own memories and think about how your parents, grand-parents, older friends talked about those years. Many of you or members of your family served in the armed forces and as civilians in war-related work – would you be willing to share your memories and thoughts with us, please? How did people react to the national and international events of the period:- the death of George V, the Abdication, George VI and his family, Winston Churchill and the national government, the Phoney War, Dunkirk, doodlebugs and flying bombs, the various battles on land, sea and in the air, Peace, the return of the troops, continued rationing …and so much else besides?

Those of you who live in large houses in Wadhurst may have records as to how they were used during the war years. Please could you look at them and see if there would be anything relevant to our research. Perhaps you could lend them to us or write down for us the important details. We know that many were requisitioned around the time of the preparations for the Normandy landings – was yours one of them?

At home, the War Effort inspired many to work for charities, to knit, to salvage goods like saucepans etc and, of course, to make do and mend. What did you and your family and friends do? Were you at school? Do you remember the changes caused by the arrival of the evacuees or were you evacuated yourself? Was your home requisitioned for use for the war effort in any way or did you have evacuees living with you?

Many groups and societies will have archives from this period. Please could the leaders/secretaries of groups, including sports teams who would be willing to lend us their archives for a while, contact 783 212.

Activities on the home front were important in those years and provided much needed diversion from the daily worries and the difficulties caused by rationing, restrictions, the all-too-evident enemy action overhead and the disquieting news from abroad. Entertainment, especially dancing and the cinema, were wonderful sources of relief as was home-made entertainment. What programmes were your favourites on the radio and what memories do they conjure up? Families, businesses, everyone was affected in some way. Can you help us?

If you would be willing to lend us (or even give us) relevant documents or artefacts of the period, we should be delighted to be able to consult them. Please contact David James, Markwicks, Lamberhurst Road, Cousley Wood, Wadhurst, TN5 6HG (01892 890 330 or Heather Woodward, Chequers, Stone Cross Road, Wadhurst TN5 6LR (01892 783 212).

erhaps you can also think of people who have now left Wadhurst who might be able to supply useful, interesting material and would pass the request on to them.  Before it is too late, it is important for future generations to understand Wadhurst and its inhabitants over the centuries. This major project will therefore be significant as our researches in other areas continue. Eventually all this work is for the benefit of the people of Wadhurst.

Thank you in advance for whatever you can provide in order to help us.

Wadhurst History Society is looking forward to welcoming back an old friend of Wadhurst on Thursday 9 November. The Rev Michael Insley will be giving a talk in the Commemoration Hall at 8.00pm on The Last Prize Fight. Visitors are welcome for a small donation. The Bar opens at 7.30pm.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE, WADHURST meet in Carillon Cottage, every Thursday evening from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Volunteers are always needed to help us carry out our work. Any spare time you can give will be very welcome. There are many rewarding opportunities, whatever your skills. You do not need to wear a uniform!

Wadhurst Division's area covers the following villages, Roberts bridge, Etchingham, Hawkhurst, Hurst Green, Lamberhurst, Mayfield, Stonegate, Ticehurst, Burwash and Burwash Weald.

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!
The Mullins Memorial Fund proudly publishes its Annual Christmas Quiz on Friday 1 December with no price increase yet again. It should provide something to keep all the family and friends challenged and perhaps frustratedly entertained during the Christmas festivities, as a break from celebrating and eating. The Quiz sheets will be available at only £1 from Carillon Cottage and from the Belmont Surgery. They should be returned by Friday 5 January 2007.

Requests come in to the Mullins Memorial Fund regularly and the Trustees are very pleased to be able to help in as appropriate a way as possible. Please inform one of the Office Bearers on 782181, 782835 or 783212 of anyone who you feel might benefit financially, practically or emotionally from their support. Whatever is done is done in complete confidentiality.

WADHURST TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Wadhurst Twinning Association is putting on an Evening in Alsace as their New Year Social in the Youth Centre on Saturday 13 January 2007. A hot supper and a film, an extensive display, a raffle and plenty of good company will guarantee a thoroughly enjoyable and sociable evening together. Tickets £8 (with £5 for 16 and unders) are limited in number and will be on sale at Newingtons from Monday 4 December until Saturday 6 January 2007 only.

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
Thank you so much to all those people who kindly supported us at the World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 29 September, where we raised £530 for the charity, which goes into the local fund. Please put the date in your diaries for 2007. It will be on 28 September in the Commemoration Hall. Again, many thanks. Maggie Flegg and her helpers

WADHURST PROBUS CLUB will meet on Tuesday 7 November at 10.00am in the Wadhurst Social Club. The speaker will be Dr Robert Harrison who will give a talk entitled "Sussex Medieval Churches".

WADHURST WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
We were all greatly saddened by the unexpected death of Pam Doggett. She was one of our longest serving and most active members and we were pleased that many of us were able to attend her Service of Thanksgiving in the parish church. She was always one of the first to offer any help required and was a reliable person to give the vote of thanks with apt and humorous remarks. Her vibrant personality brought joy to all who knew her. We will miss her.

To return as promised, to last month’s meeting when Roger Paine talked about his “Ditty Box”. He joined the Royal Navy aged 16 and left after 28 years having attained the rank of Commander. He had served in all types of ship and explained the history of the Ditty Box. Before modern ships, sailors slept in very small spaces and they all needed somewhere to keep their personal items and so in 1880 the ditty box came into service. They were made of wood with a brass nameplate, were totally secure and every sailor in the Royal Navy was issued with one. In the 1930s they were changed to leather cases and Roger Paine brought his along to show us. It contained memories of his service life and the stories made for an entertaining afternoon. Another very interesting speaker.

Yesterday was our Harvest Lunch which was delicious and well up to the expected standard. We are lucky to have some very accomplished cooks in our branch.

Fully replete we looked forward to Mrs A Vernon reading us “Pages from My Mother’s Diary”. Her mother, who was born in 1895, broke her hip at the age of eighty and to pass her long convalescence wrote her memoirs. They were entertaining reminiscences of upper middle class life at the beginning of the 20th century. Mrs Vernon read us the part which gave a complete picture of summer holidays at Herne Bay. Life was very simple in those days. Listening to a good storyteller is very relaxing especially after a large lunch! But it was so interesting that everyone was still wide awake at the end.

Next month is our AGM and is on Thursday 9 November at 2.00pm in St George’s Hall. The competition is Autumn Foliage and the trading stall is Christmas Goods.

THE LATE PAM DOGGETT
Rosemary, Lesley and family would like to thank everyone for all the support, letters and cards received following their sad loss. Many thanks also to all those people who joined us both for the Thanksgiving Service and later in the Commemoration Hall. She will be greatly missed by us all.

MUSIC FOR MIDWINTER
A concert to be given by Polyphony in Wadhurst Parish Church on Thursday 21 December at 8.00pm. Michael Fields will direct this concert of seasonal music, which will include the Bach Cantata, “Sleepers Wake”, and other Christmas music. Polyphony will be joined by guest soloists Ansy Boothroyd (soprano) and Bryan Husband (tenor), so keep the date free and come and join us!

AFTERNOON FELLOWSHIP
The next meeting is on 23 November in St George’s Hall at 2.30pm and is titled, ‘A world without leprosy?’ by Arthur Brooks. As always a warm welcome is extended to all.

WADHURST GARDENING ASSOCIATION
Our AGM is on 13 November at 7.00pm, St George’s Hall, and the speaker is Heather Fook and the competitions are a pair of onions and an exhibit of Cones and Berries in a basket.

Master Classes are starting again on 25 November, details here. You do not have to be a member of WGA to join.
Mary Terry (01892 783154)

OPEN CIRCLE
Beginning this month on Friday 24 November you are warmly invited to join our Open Circle for tea, coffee and a chat in a safe supportive environment, with people who understand that life doesn’t always go smoothly. From time to time most of us feel a bit down – dark nights closing in, loneliness too much, relatives or friends too far away for an easy visit – whatever the reason, Open Circle may have the answer. Being alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. The Circle meets on the fourth Friday of each month from 10.00am to 12noon at Carillon Cottage, so why not give it a try.

If you would like to know more about this new venture please ring Barbara Liddle (01892 782985), or ring Carillon Cottage (01892 785658).

HOSPICE IN THE WEALD
A coffee morning in aid of Hospice in the Weald is being held in Carillon Cottage on Tuesday 5 December, at 9.30 to 11.30am. This is the first of an occasional (or possibly more frequent) series of get-togethers similar to the regular monthly coffee mornings organised by Pat Latham. Friends old and new are welcome.    Val Tunbridge (01892 782498)

MAMMOTH JUMBLE SALE for Marie Curie Cancer Care, Saturday 11 November at 9.30am in the Commemoration Hall, Wadhurst. We prefer to collect any jumble before the sale. Please telephone the Tompsetts on 01892 782208

ANTIQUE & COLLECTORS FAIR for Marie Curie Cancer Care on Saturday 16 December from 10.00am to 4.00pm in the Commemoration Hall, Wadhurst. Admission 50p. Ideal opportunity to purchase last minute Christmas presents.

MINI MARKET will be held in the Methodist Church on Saturday 4 November from 9.30 to 11.00am, and will include an extensive Traidcraft stall—an opportunity to do wome early Christmas shopping!

CARE FOR THE CARERS
Are you caring for a relative or friend? Would you like to meet other carers for a coffee and a chat? Then come along to our monthly meeting at Carillon Cottage, every third Thursday from 10.30am - 12noon. For further details please contact Sarah Burchett (01323 738390).

LITTLE BLACKPOOL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ILLUMINATION
This now annual even will take place on Saturday 2 December at 2 Courthope Avenue.

The church bells will start ringing from 6.15 to 6.45pm. You can go and see the bell ringers at work. Wadhurst Brass Band will be playing in Courthope Avenue from 6.15 to 7.15pm. Fireworks display at 7.20pm.

All donations will go to the Wadhurst Surgery and Commemoration Hall forecourt. Please come along and give us your full support. Collection tins will be in the local shops.

WITS & WISDOM QUIZ SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER
WOW is holding its annual Wits and Wisdom Quiz evening on Saturday 18 November in the Commemoration Hall, Wadhurst, commencing at 7.45pm. The bar will open at 7.15pm selling wine, beer and soft drinks. All proceeds from the evening will go to the Special Care Baby Unit at Pembury Hospital. The cost is £42 per table (£7 per head) which includes a ploughmans supper, a deposit is required with the reservation. Anyone who would like to make up a table consisting of six (only) people should telephone Alison Rose on 01892 782608 or pick up an entry form from Newingtons Newsagents. The closing date for entries is 11 November. If you cannot make up a complete table but would like to participate please contact Alison.

MAYFIELD AND DISTRICT U3A
Our next general meeting is on 23 November at the Mayfield Memorial Hall at 2.00pm when Pat Mortlock will speak on the subject of Tonbridge Castle. Visitors are welcome at £1 per head, members free. We now have 139 members, why not come as a visitor, see what we do and you could well be our 140th?

There will be no meeting in December so our next meeting will be on 18 January when Professor Cockell of the Open University will come down from Milton Keynes to tell us about Mars and Extreme forms of Life.

SACRED HEART PARISH QUIZ NIGHT
Another opportunity to pit your wits against local teams! Having secured the services of a renowned Compiler of Quizzes and a Question master extraordinaire, The Sacred Heart Church will present it's first ever Quiz Night on Saturday 25 November in the Commemoration Hall at 7.30pm. The bar will open at 7.15pm. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and the rest to the Parish Building Fund. Please call Toni Buckley by 20 November (01580 201057) to book a table for your team of up to eight people. If you would like to come along but cannot make up a team, please let Toni know. The cost of £8.00 per head includes a hot supper.

MRS. MONICA BASSETT
Hilary and Family would like to thank everyone who attended the Service of Remembrance and are pleased to announce that £953.53 was donated to the International Myeloma Foundation in her memory.

WADHURST MONTESSORI
As part of the worldwide Montessori centenary celebrations Wadhurst Montessori Pre-school is holding some informal information sessions in October and November. If you would like more of an insight into Montessori education please phone Briony Russell on 01892 783543 for full details of dates, times, etc.

SAP DRIVERS 2007
The results from the recent questionnaire to SAP Drivers on the proposed new system for 2007 was that the scheme was supported by 45 of our 54 active drivers. On this basis it is planned to go ahead with the new scheme in January. A rota showing duty and reserve drivers from Monday to Friday each month will be issued in November. Full details of the scheme will be included. Initially the callminder service will continue at weekends.

STICKY FINGERS & OASTIES are holding a Jumble Sale on 25 November from 9.00am to 1.00pm at the Commemoration Hall, Wadhurst. If you would like to donate any jumble, please contact either Nicky on 783294 or Denise on 784484.

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

MULLINS MEMORIAL FUND
The Mullins Memorial Fund, set up originally by Mr and Miss Mullins, is celebrating its 90th Birthday this year.

Their intention had been to provide a “Cottage Hospital for Wadhurst as a memorial for those who had died or who would die” in the Great War. Nowadays the funds are used to support local institutions and schools, and to give discrete individual assistance to those who need help. Such help is usually practical though often the members of the Mullins Memorial Fund Committee are able to provide much needed emotional support at a difficult time.

The Committee actively continues to raise money for its projects, including the ever-popular Christmas Quiz, and it consults as widely as possible to seek those who would benefit from support and help.

The Mullins Memorial Fund would be very grateful to be told of anyone who would benefit financially or emotionally from their support. Please inform one of the Office Bearers on 782181, 782835 or 783212. Whatever is done is done in complete confidentiality.

The Mullins Memorial Fund tries to help the people of Wadhurst when they need support – sometimes we give emotional help, at other times we can help practically or financially. To be able to respond quickly to people’s needs, we regularly raise money in various ways.

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES are on sale in the Methodist Church from Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 2.00pm from
30 October to 13 December. The shop is run by SAP Volunteers and gives everyone an opportunity to buy their favourite charity cards ensuring that 80p in the pound goes to charity. Please note that the shop is closing on 13 December - don't delay buying your Christmas Cards this year! 

1ST WADHURST BROWNIES are holding a Jumble sale on Saturday 4 November, in the Commemoration Hall, 9.30 to 11.30am. Jumble can be delivered to the hall on Friday 6.00 to 8.00pm, or ring 01580 200302, 01892 784315 or 01892 785879 for collection

BABIES AND UNDER FIVES
Babies and under fives bring your parent or carer to St George's Hall at 2.00pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for Son Spot. Come and enjoy an hour of fun activities, Bible story, singing, craft and ‘tea’. (All finished in time for school pick-up) Very friendly, lots of fun, relaxed and welcoming.  Tell the grown-ups that there is no charge, you can just turn up.

The next meeting will be on 2 November with the story of Zaccheus, and then again on 16 November when the story will be ‘David and Goliath’. For more info call Ruth on 01892 784117.
"My children still talk about Sonspot and even now they want to come if they are on holiday from school!" (parent of child at primary school )

WADHURST BRASS BAND
An enjoyable evening was had at The Poppy Concert, which, despite there being a clash with the Wadhurst History Society who went on an outing the same day and weren’t back until late, it was great to see so many people there. For Emily, who plays third cornet, it was her first full concert with the Band having begun playing with the Training Band and now progressed to playing with the Main Band; well done Emily. It was a pleasure, once again, to have Howard and Jane Spurr with us. Howard in good voice and Jane with her fingers whipping up and down the piano keyboard. The Band was also one of the privileged to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the British Legion for the Poppy Concerts that we do to start the ‘Launch of the Poppy Appeal’. Thank you very much to The British Legion.

I did not reach my aim to be playing my baritone for the Poppy Concert so I guess it’s, once again, patience!!!!! I will get back to playing that baritone one day; I am not going to give in.

Our next concert is the Christmas Concert on December 9 and once again, we look forward to seeing you all there. Time you read this article, Jenny and I will have the dates fixed for carol playing. As always, we will be out and about in Wadhurst and the surrounding villages. Times and dates will be in next month’s Focus.

That’s it for this month, more from Jenny in December.       Lydia Fuggle

Brass Band dates for your diary
Saturday 9 December Christmas Concert 8.00pm

Contacts:  Jenny Cooper Band Manager and Training Band 01892 782247
Lydia Fuggle Secretary and Training Band 01892 782308

KENT AND SUSSEX BORDER LIONS CLUB
If you are interested in joining the club or would just like to come along to a meeting you would be very welcome indeed. We meet every third Wednesday in Hurst Green Village Hall at 7.30pm. David and Pam Francis (01580 200672)

WEALDEN CITIZENS ADVICE – THE CHARITY FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
Wealden Citizens Advice has bureaux in Crowborough, Hailsham and Uckfield and holds outreach advice sessions in Heathfield, Wadhurst, Polegate and Willingdon. Last year we helped over 13,000 local people deal with over 19,000 problems covering everything from benefits and housing to asylum and employment. If you need to chase a benefit claim, sort out your money problems or make a complaint about a consumer problem – Wealden Citizens Advice can help. But the contribution Wealden Citizens Advice makes to our communities goes much further than advice.

Last year Wealden Citizens Advice secured about £400,000 in benefits for people over 60 who receive disability benefits. In an area with a higher than the national average population of elderly people this income not only makes a huge difference to the quality of peoples’ lives but is ploughed back into the local community where it is spent. Every time one of our advisers prevents someone from becoming homeless by helping them with financial management or representing them in court at a possession hearing, they save the council the cost of re-housing them.

Across the district we have more than 75 volunteer advisers, receptionists, administrators, IT support workers and fundraisers but in order to develop our service, especially towards those most in need, we urgently need to recruit more volunteers. To become an adviser you do not need any previous qualifications, skills or experience as all volunteers receive comprehensive free training, however, you will need to be open-minded, non-judgmental, be able to listen, learn and work in a team.

All volunteers get free training, expenses paid and are fully supported and supervised throughout their involvement with the CAB. Our trained advisers are from all walks of life and every volunteer gains something different from their volunteering, whether it’s putting their existing skills and experience to good use to help others, gaining invaluable work experience to enhance their employability, getting involved with the community or making new friends. The CAB certificate in generalist advice work is equivalent to NVQ level 3 and nearly one-third of volunteers go on to full time education or employment.

Few people realise that it is an independent charity reliant on funds raised locally and the commitment of trained volunteers from the local community. At Wealden Citizens Advice we have to work very hard to secure funding and are extremely fortunate to have the support of district, town and parish councils as well as donations from the general public. Without this support we could not continue to provide this vital local service and many people would have no-one to turn to.

Wealden Citizens Advice would be pleased to hear from anyone who is interested in training to become a volunteer adviser or providing admin or IT help. Please phone Pauline, Ann or Judy on 01323 440323 for an informal chat.
For more information and advice please log on to www.wealdencita.org.uk

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
In liaison with Crowborough CAB, Carillon Cottage now offers a fully trained CAB adviser every Wednesday morning, 9.00am to 12 noon. Please feel free to call in and ask to speak to the CAB person or else ring 01892 785658 to make an appointment.

WADHURST NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH - Crime Bulletin
Updates from 12.09.06 to 17.10.06.
12 - 09. Whitegates Lne.at12.45 Chainlink fencing cut, rusty wheelarched, old white transit van driven across field, orange bottle light on roof, 2000 litres - £200 to £300 of diesel stolen from yard tank, drove off through yard gates, male driver, brown shoulder length hair, baseball cap, damage to fence £500.
12 - 09. Bewl Water.Between17.45and18.15,Landrover Freelander, N/S/F window smashed, glovebox searched, jacket stolen, cost £130.
13 - 09. Bewl Water.2 bikes stolen, blue/white Konalisa 28speed off roader, chimano brakes/gears -£1000,and Appolo21speed £150.
14 - 09. Stone X Rd. Between 21.00 and 08.00 Bicycle stolen from rear garden.
14 - 09. London Rd, Ticehurst. Between 12.30am and 4.30am, Recovery vehicle broken into and tools stolen.
17 - 09. Wadhurst Church. Over a period of a week, theft of copper sheathing around boiler room hatch, similar thefts in Kent.
19 - 09. Wadhurst Stn. Bicycle stolen from bike rack.
20 - 09. Southview Rd. Susp.male, 40-50yrs, wearing glasses, brown hair, white shirt/grey trousers, trying to buy Antiques.
Update : This male caller was found, stopped and checked out by our PCSO, his details were taken, and he was asked to leave Wadhurst immediately. He had no Wealden District Council doorstep trader's licence. He was in a grey Daihatsu Fourtrak 4x4, with a female accomplice, parked in Southview Rd recreation ground car park.
21 - 09. Station Rd.at 5.15pm, white male, 40/50 yrs, wearing only blue shorts, blond, balding at back hair, exposed himself to two teenage girls, and then ran off into the bushes.Please be on the lookout for this offender.
21 - 09. Dewhurst Lne.During day, black Saracen, 24 gear, rough trax, off road bicycle stolen from premises.
23 - 09. Brinkers Lne.Between 20.00 and 23.30, Blue Peugeot, broken into, credit card stolen.
26 - 09. High Street. Overnight of 24 / 25th Blue graffitti sprayed onto shop premises.
27 - 09. Sparrows Green Rd. Suspicious young male doorstep callers, trying to sell items from large black bags.
Update: These young males were found, stopped and checked out by our PCSO, their details taken, and were asked to leave Wadhurst immediately. They had no Wealden District Council doorstep trader's licence. They arrived here by minibus from the Midlands, and claimed to be (x) offenders. Their vehicle was also parked illegally in Wadhurst High Street.
30 - 10. Bewl Water. Early afternoon, handbag stolen from a parked car.
04 - 10. High Street, Ticehurst. Institute payphone damaged to cost of £193, line cut, money stolen £185 .50.
05 - 10. High St, Wadhurst, Walters Cottages.2 males tried to steal works van.
06 - 10. Wadhurst Station. Train Tunnel at Snape Wood end is heavily graffitied with tags, British transport police informed.
07 - 10. Cockmount Lane. Between 04 / 06,Vehicle fuel line cut and fuel stolen, also happened to other Vauxhall vehicles in area.
07 - 10. Station Hill. Attempted theft and break in to caravan at FTA centre.
10 - 10. Jonas Dr. Chimney pot planter stolen from front garden, value £40 to £60.
10 - 10. High St, Wadhurst. In One Stop at 13.45, over £190 in wallet stolen from Uplands student, with personal details card, cards left in wallet and handed into shop. Student was in a group of about 10, in shop when stolen.
10 - 10. Distraction Burglaries occurring across Sussex, two males posing as Waterboard, poss in a red / maroon Peugeot 309.

Please be careful on opening the door to unknown people, especially doorstep callers trying to sell you goods or services.

Please do not buy such goods or services at the door. Anyone trying to sell you goods or services must have a Wealden District Council Trader's Licence and identification as to exactly who this person is. Please also be aware of bogus Water board, Gas Company or other "service" company's callers. If in any doubt always call the company they claim to be from, reporting their identity they may show you. Please never let anyone into you home, without first checking. If in any doubt please call the Police immediately on 0845 60 70 999, or if the person is aggressive or violent please call the police on 999. Thank you.

Message – Further information - Door to Door Antiques dealers.
When selling valuable items or antiques check that the dealer belongs to the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA)before you agree to sell. Also be wary of Antique Roadshows that mimic the BBC Antique Roadshow. These dealers may not have been vetted or endorsed by the BBC nor belong to BADA.

The advice from BADA is ‘Never sell to ‘knockers’, the term commonly used for so-called dealers who call at your door on the off-chance you have something to sell. It is most unlikely that you will receive a good deal’. For more information go to http://www.bada.org/advice.html

PLEASE REPORT ALL CRIME IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE ON 0845 60 70 999, OR IN EMERGENCY ON 999. Thank you.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Tim Page, Wadhurst Community Area Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator.
Tim Page, Wadhurst Representative to Wealden District Council for WRF - Wealden Residents Forum for Wadhurst residents and tenants.
Tel: 01892 783313Mobile: 07956 932354 E-mail

Crowborough Police Station (0845 60 70 999) or 999 in an emergency
Marc Simmonds, Police Community Support Officer for Wadhurst. 01892 785903
marc.simmonds@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Community Police Constable: Steve Etherington, where possible by e-mail
Alternatively available on 0845 60 70 999 ext 34225.

WADHURST WEBSITE
coverage includes Ticehurst, Flimwell and Stonegate. The site can be found at www.wadhurst.info, www.ticehurst.info, www.flimwell.info and www.stonegatevillage.info, as well as www.wadhurst.org.uk .     Webmaster: Michael Harte (783 292)

THE VILLAGE DIARY
The Village Diary is available in Carillon Cottage. Please call in to check dates or to record Village events. The Cottage is open every morning from Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 12 noon and on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2.00 to 4.00pm.

Email addresses for Focus are now:
For advertising enquiries: focus_ads@vovi.co.uk
For editorial copy: focus_news@vovi.co.uk