East Dean with Friston
Parish Magazine
Volume 75 April 2021 No 885
Special Online Edition – Stay at Home
FROM THE RECTOR
Back in our
buildings!
IT is good to be able to tell you if you
have not already heard that we are
returning to our buildings for church
services across our benefice in April.
We have, of course,
been continuing to meet
just as much as before
the latest lockdown (if
not more so in fact) but
via Zoom.
However, for Easter
Sunday we will be back
in our church buildings and you are, of
course, more than welcome to join us for
any of our services.
On Sunday Easter 4 th , Easter Day, there
will be a 9.00 and 10.00 service at East
Dean, an 11.15 service at Friston, and an
11.30 service at Jevington, and you are
very welcome indeed! If you can’t get in
to an earlier service, feel free to try one of
the later ones!
We’re also having a Maundy Thursday
Communion Service on April 1 st at 3pm,
and on Good Friday, an Hour at the
Cross contemplative and meditative
service at 12 noon. Both of these are in
East Dean Church.
‘Church is a hospital for the broken,’ as
the saying goes, ‘not a museum for
saints’. And when we understand the
human condition we realise that in various
ways we are all broken in some
way, shape or form. That’s also
why churches should be a ‘place
of grace’ where people can find
forgiveness and find hope to
become more and more the
people Jesus wants them to be.
Going to church does not ‘make’ someone
a Christian, any more than going to a
garage makes someone a car. But
worshipping with other Christians is
something a Christian always wants to do
– following Jesus is a team sport, not a
solo pursuit. (Indeed, it is pretty
impossible to genuinely survive
spiritually, let alone flourish, in the
absence of regular worship).
We look forward to welcoming you once
again this Easter!
David Baker (Rector)
T: 423266 E: davidbaker1966@gmx.co.uk
www.edfj.co.uk
Front cover: Spring window, taken by Carol Starr
Digital photographs for the cover are most welcome, vertical format, min.886 x
1181pixels, and may be sent by email to Christine at
eastdeanfristonmagazine@gmail.com
Parish Register
Funeral
East Dean, March 5 th
followed by burial in Jevington
Churchyard
Mark Harley, aged 59
Jesus said, ‘I am the
Resurrection and the Life.’
Janet Johnson
1939 - 2021
Janet lived all her life in the village. She
married Brian Johnson who with his
brothers had moved here as a boy. They
had two daughters, Sharon and Lisa.
Brian’s fishing boat, so long a feature of
Birling Gap beach, was named Sharlisa
after them; Janet never went out in the
boat.
For 33 years she was caretaker for the old
Village Hall, the Farrer Hall and the
cricket pavilion and then the new Village
Hall. She kept the diary, took the
bookings, collected the fees and set out
the chairs and kept the kitchen in order,
walking to the halls several times a day.
She retired ten years ago.
She was always friendly and cheerful with
a ready laugh.
Everyone loved Janet.
Camilla Crump.
John Dann reminds us that Janet’s family,
the Martins, was one of the old East Dean
families, like the Fullers and the Danns,
‘’stretching back into the mists of time’.
You can read more about village history in
‘East Dean and Friston, The Story of Two
Downland Villages’, the comprehensive and
fascinating record produced by John and
Sheila Surtees in 2008. Still available new
and second hand from Amazon.
Joan Harrison
August 5 th 1925 - March 8 th 2021
The family of Joan Harrison are very sad
to announce that Joan passed away
suddenly on Monday March 8 th at the age
of 95.
Joan was active, healthy and independent
right up to the end. She was looking
forward to spring and longer days in her
garden, not to mention the end of
lockdown and seeing more of her
neighbours, friends and family.
Joan (and our Dad John) moved down
from London nearly 40 years ago, first
living on Deneside and then moving to
Wayside in 2005. They were always really
happy living in East Dean with their
various dogs and never regretted making
the move.
We would like to thank all her friends and
acquaintances in the village, especially for
being so kind and supportive since Dad
passed away in 2018.
Christine and Philip Harrison
ppendix
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The following is a summary of the main
points discussed at the Council meeting on
March 4 th . Full minutes (and reports) are on
our website or available from the Parish
Clerk (811870).
Items for decision
Business in Progress (Report 4)
a. Notices calling for candidates for the
By-election on May 6 th have been
posted. Closing date for applications is
April 8 th . The PC will not be paying for
poll cards (cost £1258) as these would
duplicate those sent out for County and
P&CC elections.
b. A donation of wildflower seeds has
been received from the Rotary Club.
Location for planting to be decided.
Future Meeting Arrangements
The emergency legislation allowing remote
PC meetings lapses on May 7 th but physical
meetings cannot take place before 21 st June.
So far central government have not acted to
resolve this. As a result the PC have had to
make contingency plans. These include:
APCM to take place on May 6 th .
Clerk authorised to make payments.
Annual Village Meeting cancelled.
PC meeting on June 4 th to be “informal”
Planning meetings also to be “informal”
July 1 st meeting moved to June 29 th to
allow annual accounts to be approved.
If government policy changes these plans
will not be needed.
Cricket Club
New hire agreement approved for 2021. The
Cricket Club will only be charged pro-rata
for the weeks that the season takes place but
will still pay for additional water usage.
Signage for litter and dog waste bins
New signs had been fixed to litter bins to
show that they can also be used for dog
waste. Next step is to move dog waste only
bins to better locations near twittens.
Payments and Receipts
The main expenditure in Feb was £1058 for
contractors to spread bark chippings along
footpaths. A total of seven van loads of
chips were spread and the council have since
received thanks from residents. The chips
were supplied free of charge by Climpsons
for which the PC are very grateful.
Councillor Reports
a) County Councillor
Cllr Shing announced that he would be
standing for re-election on May 6 th .
b) Bank Account – the end of month
balance was £69,308.67.
c) Traffic Management
Arrangements are in hand to begin
Speedwatch training as soon as
permitted so as to begin operations soon
after June 21 st .
d) Rights of Way
Liaison meeting held with ESCC on
March 2 nd . A proposal to site a speed
advisory sign discussed, also traffic
survey in summer and improved signage
during road works. Exceat bridge to
have temporary traffic lights until new
bridge is built.
e) Environment
A safety survey of trees on PC land to
be carried out for insurance purposes.
RA volunteers to sow wildflower seeds
on biodiversity strip in Rec. and carry
out litter picking around village.
f) Recreation Ground
Tennis court to be re-opened on March
29 th . Work has begun on alterations to
the pavilion for the Cricket Club.
Next Meetings
Parish Council meeting: April 1 st
Planning Committee: April 20 th
Visit us at: www.edfparishcouncil.org.uk
Contact us: clerk@edfparishcouncil.org.uk
? ? ?
Who’s missing?
Is it You?
You may be just the person
our village needs.
Would you like to –
Represent the views of local people.
Bring fresh ideas about local
services. Help keep our village a
good place to live in.
On May 6 th there will be the
opportunity to elect three Parish
Councillors to fill the current
vacancies. No prior experience is
needed, just a desire to help our
community.
If you are interested please contact
the Parish Clerk on 01323 811870 or
clerk@edfparishcouncil.org.uk
The Closing Date is April 8 th
Who was "HP"? Can you help?
A wooden bench near the pavilion bears the
inscription "In memory of HP who loved the
Downs". The bench is now broken and
unusable and the Cricket Club would like to
recycle it into a cricket bat stand. Before
this happens, the council would like to
contact anyone who knows the history of
the bench or of "HP". If you can help, please
contact the Parish Clerk on 01323 811870
or clerk@edfparishcouncil.org.uk
Magazine Donations
Many thanks this month to Mrs V.
Field, Mrs J. Thurman and Mr & Mrs
J. Willcocks, as well as an ‘Anon’
donor.
If you would like to donate, please
send a cheque, payable to East Dean
& Friston Parish Magazine, to Mrs
B. Boucher, 6 The Link, East Dean
BN20 0LB. If you prefer to pay by
standing order or bank transfer the
details are:
East Dean and Friston magazine
account
Sort Code 20 27 91
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Update from Maria Caulfield, MP
I am a passionate campaigner for protecting
our green spaces, and in my time as your
Member of Parliament I have worked
alongside many of our local communities to
oppose developments on greenfield sites.
We have heard repeatedly over the past
couple of weeks from some of the District
Councillors that the government is imposing
785 new homes in Lewes. Having requested
an urgent meeting with the Ministry for
Housing, Communities and Local
Government (MHCLG) on the matter, I
have since discovered that these assertions
are simply not true. Any plans to increase
housing numbers were dropped in December
last year, but we do face the possibility of
more houses being built in Lewes should the
council not renew the current Local Plan.
Lewes District’s current Local Plan is now
five years old and will require updating by
May of this year. MHCLG wrote to the
council back in January and then to the
leader in early February, offering support in
renewing the plan from the Government
Chief Planner. Should the Local Plan not be
updated by the council, then the housing
target will revert to this figure of 785. If we
are to avoid this, the council needs to take
action, but so far no response to the
government’s letter has been received. It is
disappointing to say the least that there has
been no communication from the council at
such a critical time.
I have been meeting regularly with the team
at Lewes District Council to resolve this
matter and have made it clear that MHCLG
will look at an application urgently to ensure
that it is approved in time. The council must
act now to update the Local Plan, thereby
protecting our green spaces and preventing
the overdevelopment of our towns and
villages here in Lewes. I would encourage
all residents in the district to get in contact
with their local councillors and make it clear
that action is required as a matter of
urgency. I will continue to do all I can,
working alongside the council, to get this
issue resolved as soon as possible.
This issue will impact on the Wealden side
of the constituency too, where there is also
no local plan in place and we are seeing
speculative developers taking advantage of
this in places such as Polegate with the
Hindsland development. We need housing
but we need our green spaces too and I will
do all I can to protect them.
If your neighbour doesn’t
have the internet, please
print this magazine so they
keep in the picture. The
next edition will be a ‘hard’
one.
Climbing Everest and walking 1000
The M
miles are two ambitious challenges
undertaken by residents with kind
hearts.
Karen and Roger Trace write:
‘Well, we finished our "Everest" Challenge
by the end of February, as planned.
Mount Everest is 29,032 feet high (it grew a
couple of feet in 2020 following a new
measurement!). Both of us have climbed
29,618 feet over the Seven Sisters, each
walk around five miles and taking an
average 1.5 hours to complete, and both of
us covering 208 miles.
We have really enjoyed the challenge and
more importantly we have raised so far
£1,669 for "Rays of Sunshine”, a children’s
charity formed in 2003 to brighten the lives
of children who are living with serious or
life-limiting illnesses. Thank you so much
from the both of us to all of the Individuals
who sponsored us. It is very much
appreciated.’
Roy Payton, alias ‘Roller Roy’ – see
Google and YouTube –is undertaking an
‘Adventure for Dementia’, aiming to walk
1000 miles early
this year in honour
of the late Dame
Barbara Windsor.
If you would like to
support ‘Dementia
UK’, donating is
very simple via
https://www.justgi
ving.com/fundraising/
roy-payton3. Money is transferred directly
to the charity and there will be no other
communications. But if you leave your
email address, Roy would like to thank you
with a copy of his poem A Dementia
Adventure’.
NHS Parcels of Love Appeal
A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who
generously donated to the recent Sew
Sussex NHS appeal.
In total we donated twelve large bags full of
gifts, 75 handmade scrubs hats and £200 in
cheques.
Sew Sussex were delighted with the
donations from the East Dean and Friston
Community (and some from Eastbourne
too).
They have sent these photos to share with
you all.
Karen Wintle
As with most voluntary groups, it’s been a
strange time for the RA members as
everything has been in limbo with
lockdown. Finally we look like we can start
our first project of the year, and the
Residents’ Association environmental and
village volunteers will be working to
prepare and plant a 35 metre strip of wild
flowers on the Recreation Ground in April.
This will be the start of a series of projects
to help protect and enhance the wonderful
natural environment that surrounds us for
the benefit of nature, visitors and residents
alike.
In late May our Parish will be taking part in
the Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean. Look
out for more information nearer the time,
but hopefully many residents will want to
take part in some way. Certainly our RA
volunteers are keen to get involved. Our aim
is to rid the village and the surrounding area
of the litter that has accumulated during the
various lockdowns, and also hopefully raise
the issue of littering of all types and the
detrimental impact it can have on the natural
world. It would be great to think that having
been tidied throughout the area our villages
may be less likely to be littered in the future.
If you wish to get involved, or have any
pressing issues you want us to reflect and
possibly act on, please get in touch on
EDFRAecocare@gmail.com
If you are not already a member, please
think about joining the RA – together we are
a stronger voice that really can make a
difference.
edframembershipsecretary@gmail.com
Lesley dUrso
Church services in April
Please check our website for further details
www.edfj.co.uk
East Dean – 9.00 and 10.15
Friston – 11.15
Jevington – 11.30
Tel: 01323 423266 // 01323 370032
Email: davidbaker1966@gmx.co.uk
freddie_strong@yahoo.co.uk
Church Information
Registered Charity No. 1131638
www.edfj.co.uk
Rector Revd David Baker, The Rectory, Gilberts Drive, East Dean
BN20 0DL 423266 email: davidbaker1966@gmx.co.uk
Associate Vicar Revd Andrew Spear 422316
Reader Tony Rogers 483967
Churchwardens East Dean: Phillip Hill 423990, Stephanie Carter 422124
Friston: David George 422178, Carl Fillery 423501
Benefice Secretary Carol Hyatt 486648, email: carol.hyatt@nextdirection.org.uk
Church Administrator Christine Jeffery 423311 eastdeanchurch@gmail.com
Verger East Dean: Paul Summers 423143
PCC members Ex Officio: F. Strong; the Churchwardens; Members of Deanery
Synod: to be elected. Elected members: L. Belhriti, G. Carstens,
C. Collins, P. Hewitt, A. Pelczarski, A. Pienaar, P. Porthouse,
F. Richards, L. Sculpher, S. Snelgrove
Treasurer Peter Hewitt 739749
Electoral Roll Officer Linda Keller 422091
Benefice Director of Music Mark Roper 725345
Safeguarding Officers: Jacques Pienaar 423341 and Phillip Hill 423990
Family Support Work Francine Judd 422145
Parish magazine Editor Christine Jeffery 423311 eastdeanfristonmagazine@gmail.com
Co-editor Peter Jeffery
Treasurer: Beryl Boucher 422390 6 The Link, BN20 0LB
Advertising: Bill Hallett 422185 edfmagad@gmail.com
Distributor: Jerry Gottlieb 422004
Deliverers: Mr B. Adams, Mrs J. Anderson, Mrs J. Booth-Clibborn, Mrs A.
Brownlow, Mr B. Childs, Mr M. Delaney, Mrs S. Drury, Mrs R. English, Mrs J. Ford,
Mr R. Franklin, Mr D. and Mrs B. Greaves, Mrs C. Greenwell, Mrs S. Hallinon, Mrs
J. Harms, Miss J. Hewitt, Mrs J. Hicken, Mr C. and Mrs D. Hirchfield, Mrs C.
Holliday, Mr N. Holloway, Mrs M. Honey, Mrs J. Jarvis, Mrs T. Larmer, Mr B.
Mepham, Mrs J. Morris, Mr P. and Mrs J. Olive, Mr C. Pitcher, Mr and Mrs C.
Preece, Mrs R. Robinson, Mrs K. Salmon, Miss R. Shaw, Mrs M. Sharpin, Mrs J.
Smith, Mr A. Sudbury, Mr M. Thomson, Mr and Mrs R. Trace, Mrs J. Warriner
MID-WEEK ACTIVITIES
Alpha Course Peter Hewitt 739749
Church Wide Fellowship 2nd Tuesday in Village Hall at 2.30pm
Paul Summers 423143
Home Groups Wed evenings Brian Lea 423226 and Phillip Hill 423990
Thurs mornings Peter Jeffery 423311 and Paul Summers 423143
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The Beehive
Supervised Crèche for 0-3s at East Dean Church
9.30am Communion Services only ~ Christine Jeffery 423311
Climbers and Explorers for 3-10 year olds ~ Gillian Carstens 423801
Pathfinders for 10-14 year olds
NSPCC Plant Sale
We will be selling lovely home grown plants
as usual again this year, probably by order
and delivery around the village, at the end of
April. Look out for details – we will be very
grateful for your support as always.
Jan Haydock
The East Dean & Friston Art Group
will be restarting its weekly sessions in the
Village Hall from the first
Tuesday of September,
however we will still be
happy to accept new
members from the village
as we will be having weekly outdoor
painting days at various locations in the
local area as soon as we are allowed. If
interested you can contact me by email on
Johnwarr3945@gmail.com
East Dean & Friston Bowling Club
Lockdown is slowly leaving us and we have
nearly arrived at the start
of the new season, so what
is better than to get outside
and meet other people and
make new friends!
Bowls is a happy healthy activity and our
Greens are set in readiness for the coming
season. Existing members already know the
great pleasure and benefits that the game
provides so why not join our small friendly
club set in a beautiful location in the
village?
We will be having an Open Day, date to be
announced, so do please come along and
have a go. We have experienced players to
coach you and show how easy and what fun
it is. We are offering a discounted New
Membership Rate that includes use of club
bowls.
Further Details: Membership Secretary
Jackie Florey 01323 423016
East Dean & Friston CC (EDFCC)
would like to make youth
cricket available to local girls
and boys who want to try out
the sport we all love. As such,
we’d like to offer All Stars (5-
8 year olds) and Dynamos (8-11 year olds)
cricket again in 2021.
In the 2019 season we managed to attract
more than 30 children along and whilst we
had hoped to build on this in 2021, it’s
looking unlikely to happen unless 3 more
adult volunteers step forward.
We can’t offer fame nor fortune but if
you’re looking for some purpose in your
life, we offer you the opportunity to make
something great happen here in your local
community. Enjoy being part of a Club once
more and help local children to enjoy sport
in our village.
With the support of the Club committee,
you’ll work with a small team of volunteers
to plan and deliver the All Stars and
Dynamos Youth cricket activities over the
summer of 2021.
If you can tick any one of the following
boxes, you’re ideally qualified for the
role:
I can breathe
I am between the age of 18 and 105
I can organise people
I can motivate children (and / or parents)
I enjoy marketing, promotion and or public
speaking
I can use a computer and navigate the
internet
I have health & safety qualifications
I like taking responsibility
I enjoy celebrating my successes over a
glass of beer or wine or coke at the Tiger
If you’d like to be involved, please let me
know asap
via eastdeanandfristoncc@outlook.com or
text 07900 677169 or call 01323 422265
Jason Woodford, EDFCC Vice Chair
High St, Alfriston,
Recruitment
Open May 2021 following
refurbishment, it will
provide 30 bedrooms, an inn
with all-day casual dining,
a more formal restaurant and
will also cater to events and
weddings.
We are delighted to be
recruiting for the following
departments:
Kitchen, Reception,
Restaurant, Housekeeping,
Laundry & Porters
Please send us your CV and
Covering Letter to:
jobs@thepolizzicollection.com
The Anti-Covid Jab, at the Old School
Surgery
Recruitment
I had the jab the other day, the needle was
so thin, Open May 2021 following
The refurishment, nurse was very gentle, it will I didn’t provide feel it
going 30 in. bedrooms, an inn with
all-day casual dining, a
more formal restaurant and
will also cater to events and
Sharron showed me to a chair, the nurse
told me her name,
I wish I could remember it; it really is a
shame.
She entered in my details, we chatted for a
while,
Her face was covered with a mask, I
couldn’t see her smile.
I’m sure that she is pretty, I cannot tell a lie,
But although I couldn’t see her face, she
had lovely eyes.
She was very thorough, knew what she was
about,
I didn’t feel the needle go in, just felt it
coming out.
When I have my second jab, I will not
complain,
If I have that gentle nurse, to do the job
again.
I don’t often go to doctors, I try to stay
away,
But, pleased to get my vaccine, to keep the
Covid at bay.
The staff were highly organized, they are a
happy throng,
Although I arrived there early, I didn’t wait
for long.
John Dann
THE LIFE INVISIBLE
How can this late-born tiny thing
Such virulent misfortune bring?
If we to virus hordes are prey
What over viral swarms holds sway?
We share this planet, you and I
With life unseen by human eye …
And thus, piqued, hapless man defends
His share, 'gainst forces Nature sends.
David Evans
East Dean.qxp_Layout 1 04/11/2019 13:16 Page 1
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Turn the
clock back to
April 2011
From the
magazine
articles for
that month here are some snippets that
will remind you of people and events from
a decade ago.
Although it had little to do with the topic of
‘West Dean’, at Church Women’s
Fellowship as it was then known, Christine
Holliday and Mollie Bertin recall ‘Flora
warmed us up by relating how she was
literally thrown in at the deep end when
she first arrived here six years ago: she was
asked to take a 92 year old female resident
of West Dean swimming at Motcombe
baths. This lady, who was an eminent
Doctor, insisted on swimming widths and
Flora had to pacify the irate swimmers
doing lengths who dared cross her path!’
‘The market has of course had its peaks and
troughs,’ reports Sam Stanisstreet, ‘and
when the recession hit in 2009 I was
concerned as to whether our customers
would be able to continue supporting us
and so maintain our viability. The fact that
the market continues to survive throughout
the quieter months and thrive in the
summer is a credit to the loyalty of our
stallholders, the quality of their produce,
the support from the hall trustees, and
most of all our valued customers, many of
whom attend every week.
East Dean & Friston Village Market has
become more than just a weekly shopping
outing. Stallholders and customers alike
have become firm friends and the market
had developed a real community feel.’
In the Village Hall take your pick of two very
different events: There’s the Back to School
Disco Party. ‘Already there is much interest
amongst many residents and the joy of
letting their hair down at one of our more
unruly events. St Trinian’s uniforms are
being prepared, school prefects have been
appointed, the school dinner menu has
been considered, and members of the
teaching staff are reviewing their
equipment and other paraphernalia. We
shall then dance the night away to a Disco
playing music of that era, with an occasional
visit to the bike shed if required!’
And/or accept your invitation to
THE ROYAL WEDDING
You are invited to the wedding of
Prince William to Catherine Middleton
on Friday 29 th April at 11am
beamed live from Westminster Abbey to
our Village Hall.
‘… Our celebrations will commence at 10am
and a right Royal Ploughman’s will be
available as the couple leave the Abbey. A
glass of fizz will then be served followed by
Wedding Cake.’
But maybe something more strenuous
appeals. If so, ‘The Players are planning our
Autumn Production “Stepping Out” which
includes a tap dancing routine. We are
looking for ladies who either can Tap Dance
or are willing to learn.’(Many of us will
recall what a triumph this production
was…).
Micheldene WI’s speaker is ‘George Rose, a
comparatively young man in his mid-forties
who on arrival seemed a bit reluctant to
enter the small hall: it turned out that he
was expecting an audience of about ten and
was rather daunted to see nearly 50 ladies
sitting in semicircles eagerly awaiting his
talk on the benefits of Tai Chi. … George
had taken up Tai-Chi 26 years ago after
suffering from a curved spine and hip pain,
and since practising he has never had a day
off with back pain again. He explained how
regular Tai Chi exercises help to massage
the organs, loosen up joints and relax
muscles, and stressed that the risk of injury
when practising moves is very low. …
George demonstrated some simple moves
and got everyone to attempt them – and
needing a volunteer to help with a
demonstration he did not hesitate to pick
out one of our youngest and prettiest
members, and an excellent job she did too.’
But maybe what we most enjoy hearing
about is what happens on our own
doorsteps. In April 2011, Betty Hollingdale
recalls –
Lambing
With Spring fast approaching my mind goes
back to when I was first married. Charlie
was a shepherd and we lived on the farm
here on Beachy Head.
Lambing time was always such a busy time I
rarely saw Charlie as he spent so many
hours at the lambing yard, sleeping in the
shepherd’s hut at night.
I can remember having new born lambs in
the kitchen on sacks to keep them warm
and having to bottle feed them until they
were strong enough to go back to the flock.
Sometimes a lamb whose mother had died
would look a little odd draped in a fleece
taken from a dead lamb before being given
to the dead lamb’s mother. This always
seemed to work well.
Charlie never altered his watch in the Spring
or Autumn during Double Summer Time, as
he said the sheep didn’t know their food
was going to be early or late!
Shepherding has changed so much since the
40s and 50s, but it is still so nice to see the
lambs gambolling around the fields in the
Spring, and I can still see the sheep when I
open my door or look out of the window. I
wouldn’t change that for the world.
At out Thursday home group we are looking
at the 23rd Psalm through the eyes of a
shepherd and now I can see the connection
between how a shepherd cared for his
sheep and how our Lord takes care of all of
us.
Taken by Lloyd Brunt, a magazine cover
photo from April 2016
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Are you fed-up with doing the same
old walks?
Walking in Sussex
www.walkinginengland.co.uk/sussex is the
website for you!
With hundreds of walks to download and
print, free, it also has books of walks,
contact details for all the walking groups in
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want to walk on your own or with a group
all the information is there in one place.
John said ‘There is so much walking
information on the web but it is difficult to
find. Walking in Sussex (part of the
Walking in England suite of websites
(www.walkinginengland.co.uk) – one for
each county in England) has brought it
together in one place so whether you are
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With walks from half a mile to twelve miles
plus long, and a note of suitability for
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So home or away, check out the websites
and get walking
A Week to Remember
As thoughts turn to holidays after more than
a year of pandemic, I recall an unusual tour
of Britain in April 2011. More than 1500
miles were covered by rail and every inch of
the way the train was hauled by a preserved
steam locomotive. Spread over eight days it
was a marathon which reached scenic lines
in the four corners of the island and the
lucky passengers can say they visited both
Wick and Penzance, though thankfully not
on the same day. It was a leisurely week,
with stops at comfortable hotels and
excellent on board catering in classic style.
The thirteenth such tour was to have taken
place during lockdown but it never
happened and the future of the enterprise is
in doubt due to the crowded nature of the
network and the relatively slow speeds of
steam engines, some of which are now
nearly ninety years old. Nevertheless two of
the remaining Mallard class dealt very well
with a gallop from Kings Cross to
Edinburgh on the first day, passing the
stretch where the world speed record was
set. Photographers were out in great
numbers to capture sights that are a rarity –
express steam on the main line. Ten
locomotives were used during the week and
none failed at any stage, much to the relief
of the organisers. The preservation of
railway lines, locomotives and equipment
may well be a pastime dominated by men,
but the tour was very much a family affair
and included plenty of people who were not
born when British Railways got rid of steam
in 1968. It was a great week, not least
because viewing our beautiful countryside
from a carriage window is infinitely better
that doing so from behind the steering wheel
of a car.
Peter Jeffery
May deadline
April 15 th
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