ringmer church and village newstbds.org.uk/ringmernews/mag.pdf · as robert jenrick, chairman of...
TRANSCRIPT
Ringmer Church and
Village News
Summer in Gote Lane
August 2020 45p
£5.00 per year
www.ringmervillagenews.org.uk
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Ringmer Church and Village News
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly. Amen.
Prayer of St Richard of Chichester 1245-1253
Contents Ringmer Churches Message…… 2 Services at St Mary's…………... 2 Church Calendar……………….. 3 Church Notes…………………... 6 Ringmer Baptist Church……….. 10 Notices…….…………………… 11 Dates for your Diary…………… 15 Forthcoming Events……………. 18 Local Organisations News……... 19 Ringmer Parish Church………... Information
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Local Community Groups List… 30 Please Note: Depending on the quantity of articles received, the location of certain items may vary.
Editor: Edwina Morris, 27 Oakmede Way, Ringmer. Tel: 01273 813596
Items for publication are welcome and can be sent by hand, post or e-mail to [email protected] However, they should be received by the Editor before the 27th of the month. The Editor reserves the right to edit, cut or refuse to publish any contribution.
The magazine is published monthly and is also available on-line at: www.ringmervillagenews.org.uk
Adverts: Jayne Marshall-Roelich, Chanters, Broyle Lane, Ringmer. Tel: 07923 535294 or [email protected]
Subscriptions: Contact Mary & Jim Greenwood, at Lilac Cottage, Norlington Lane. Tel: 01273 812768
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Services at St Mary's Message from St Mary’s Monthly Sunday Services Dear Friends,
I was able to go out for coffee with a friend last week, and I’m not sure I’ve ever enjoyed such minutes of ‘normality’ as much before! The hour out, sitting at a small, noticeably clean, café table in a gentle pedestrian area set me thinking about how strange it is that something that used to be so normal, so usual, so uneventful, had become a major and noteworthy occasion in the year, to both look forward to and to enjoy, moment by moment as it unfolded, and one I wanted to tell everybody about, just because something simple and normal had, I felt, been gifted back to me. What a joy! I guess that as we emerge into this ‘new normal’ after these months of pandemic, each of us will be able to identify aspects of our lives which are being gifted back to us, however slowly we wish to embrace them. Moments of pleasure which used to be normal, regular, every day occurrences, but which now carry a much greater weight, and our enhanced appreciation, more than ever before. Some of these re-evaluations in our lives are, I think, of great importance as we move forward into whatever this ‘new normal’ world is going to look like. I sincerely hope that these reconsiderations of our values, of what really matters, and the joys we find afresh in them, will stay with us and positively shape our future, both individually and as a community. I pray too that the heightened awareness of God and spirituality, which many people have spoken to me of during these weeks of loss, uncertainty and deprivation, will flourish and bloom in the setting of this ‘new normal’. In the words of a young man whom I met in church yesterday as he came in to pray, and who told me how he has re-found God in these times and, with God, a deep and peaceful sense of spirituality. He commented: “We need to remember that God is here for us in the good times we are going into as well as in the tough times we’ve known.” Amen. I pray that this will indeed be our experience as we move gently and carefully forward into ‘new normal’. May God be with you, and close to you, in these emerging times.
With my love and prayers, Beth x
1st Sunday 10 am All-age Service 6.30 pm Not yet available 2nd Sunday 10 am Online Worship 6.30 pm Not yet available 3rd Sunday 8 am Not yet available 10 am Eucharist Service 6.30 am Not yet available 4th Sunday 10 am Online Prayers 6.30 pm Not yet available 5th Sunday 10am To be decided
Weekday Services Not yet available
Contact For Funerals, Interments, please contact the Vicar (see page 27). For Holy Baptism, Banns or Marriage, please contact St Mary's Vicar via the church administrator Shirley Squires on 01273 812417 or email [email protected] Please note that magazine items
should be sent to the Editor (see page 1)
The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Church.
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Church Notes St Mary’s Church Website: www.ringmerchurch.org.uk
During August, services will resume as detailed on page 2 (Services at St Mary’s). We are also delighted to say that St Mary’s is open daily for individual and family private prayer between 8 am and 5 pm (approx). Please take time to read the signs and notices there to keep everyone safe. Additionally, copies of Bible readings and prayers of intercession are available each week on the church website www.ringmerchurch.org.uk , via email, or can be delivered through your door. If you would find this helpful, please contact Anne Franklin email [email protected] Ringmer Church and Village News Due to the current situation with the coronavirus crisis and the advice of the Government and the Diocese, none of the events usually happening during the months to come may take place. If there is any change in this, details can be found on our website www.ringmerchurch.org.uk Therefore, Ringmer Church and Village News is now produced as an on-line document and is available from the beginning of the month from a link given on Ringmer Village News Facebook page, or by going to the website www.ringmervillagenews.org.uk and selecting the ‘Current Magazine’ button at the top left area of the page. The magazine adverts can also be selected from this page. Alternatively, the magazine can be directly accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.tbds.org.uk/ringmernews/mag.pdf Until normality returns, the editor would be grateful to receive any contributions from the various clubs, societies and organisations in Ringmer. The size of the magazine may vary according to the quantity of articles received.
Diamond wedding congratulations to John & Jenny Payne, Peter & Joy Jackson and John & Anne Stamper who are all celebrating their wedding
anniversaries in 2020. 180 years together! They are pictured here with our Archdeacon Martin.
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St Mary's Keeping in Touch Certain services have now resumed in St Mary’s as listed below. On selected Sundays, Morning Service will take place at 10 am following the procedure laid down on page 7; church goers should get there in good time to allow the procedure to take place (around 9.30 am). We continue to have a service on our website most weeks with huge thanks to our wonderful team. Do go to the church website to find the written, audio and any further visual recordings, images and texts at http://www.ringmerchurch.org.uk We are also delighted that St Mary’s is open every day between approximately 8 am and 5 pm for individual and family private prayer. Again, certain procedures which are displayed in the porch need to be adhered to. Many in the parish receive the weekly newsletters which anyone is welcome to have. If you let Shirley Squires [email protected] have your email address, she will be happy to email you a copy each week. If you need a paper copy, do call her on 01273 812417 and she will deliver one to you. There are also a few in the church porch, along with various prayer cards which you are welcome to take if they are of help. One of our priorities is to keep in touch with those we know value a friendly and encouraging voice. Many of our members are involved, so if you or someone you know would like to make contact with a 'befriender' do call 07552487694 and we can arrange this. Services at St Mary’s – We are very pleased that the PCC has agreed a plan for our services in church and online, via the website, for the time being. So, during August and beginning of September the services will be:
2nd August – an All-Age (Teddy Bear) service, 9th August - an online service, 16th August - a Eucharist service in church at 10 am, 23rd August - online prayers, 30th August - to be decided, 6th September - an All-Age service, 13th September - an online service.
We are also recording the live Sunday church services so that these can go also onto the website. If you plan to attend the services in church please call or email Shirley Squires on 01273 812417 or [email protected] as this will guide us to the approximate numbers likely to attend and keep a note of those attending as part of the government’s track & trace requirement. We have careful plans in place so everyone attending can feel really safe. We will take care to ensure we can all be socially distanced and meet all the church and government guidelines. It is wonderful to be able to worship in God's house together once again. Invitation to Julian Prayer (affiliated to the national network of Julian Meetings) For over 20 years there have been monthly meetings in St Mary’s for silent prayer. At first called Circle of Quiet people have met on the fourth Monday of the month in the Lady Chapel, until prevented by ‘lockdown’. We are pleased that the PCC agreed that this opportunity of ‘Waiting on God in the Silence’ could start again but with a revised time of 4-30 pm. This earlier time is to allow for the regular cleaning of the church after it closes at 5pm. The next meeting will take place on Monday, 28th September. The chairs will be placed at appropriate distance from each other. The meeting opens with prayer and then the ‘leader’ reads a short passage of scripture or spiritual writing to introduce the silence which is then kept for about 25 mins and then all say the Grace together. People arrive and leave in silence.
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Church Service Attendance Notes Churchwardens and Sidespersons The following information is for attending services in church. Our priority has been to make you feel safe and confident about coming into church to enjoy communal worship. We are following all government and Church of England guidelines, and trust that the safety measures are as simple and clear as possible. 1. Service times are listed on page 2. It might taker longer to seat everyone, so please arrive
around 30 minutes early. 2. At the entrance to the porch there is a poster reminding everyone of the following:
• You will receive a squirt of hand gel as you enter the church, and again when you leave. • You will be able to pick up your own copy of the service sheet as you enter, which you can
take home, and use for future similar services, or place in a basket provided. • Collection money can be placed in the brass dish on entry, or after the service. • We are required for the Track and Trace system, should anyone at any service discover
later they have Covid 19 symptoms, to have your name and contact details. These details will be kept for 21 days only, securely. We propose to do this using a simple register system and verbal agreement, but this is voluntary.
• You will be ‘escorted’ by a sidesperson to a seat that is 2m away from anyone else. Couples and family groups will be able to sit together of course.
• To receive communion (bread only), you will be directed by a sidesperson as to the route to take and wait, if necessary, 2m behind the person in front, and then the direction to return back to your seat.
• After the service you will be guided to leave by the main entrance, hand gel applied again, and able to disperse. Sadly, we need to ask you not to congregate on the paths to chat, so all can socially distance safely as they depart.
• Although there can be no singing at present, music will be a part of the service. 3. The disabled toilet will be open for all to use, and all 3 doors open to maximise ventilation. 4. If you need assistance at any time please remain seated but attract the attention of a
sidesperson. 5. The church will remain open after everyone has left, for individual prayer for the rest of the
day as normal, but the pews will be cleaned after the service. 6. The service is being recorded and will be on the church website www.ringmerchurch.org. later
in the day.
Thank you very much for your understanding. We may ‘tweak’ these arrangements as time passes or guidelines change and in the light of feedback. We may not be able to hug or even shake hands yet as we meet up in church, but smiles and waves and greetings from afar (outside!) will make all the difference.
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Chichester Diocesan Association for Family Support Work Nikki Kerr MinstF During the summer holidays, all of us at FSW have been thinking hard about how we can maintain our support for families when our usual range of summer activities won’t be possible. Of course, a lot depends on any further easing of restrictions, but our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our families, staff and volunteers, so we are taking each day as it comes. We are hoping to replicate some online activities that have so far only been carried out in specific deanery
areas and make them available to children across the diocese, but we are still working out how to make this possible! We have begun to welcome some staff back from furlough, although on reduced hours compared with their usual working pattern. It is great to have them back to relieve some of the pressure on staff who have been doing multiple jobs since March. The Mothers’ Union appeal has now finished but with the reopening of churches for private prayer, we are hoping that some of you will be able to recommence food collections for our foodbank. If this is possible, please be in touch with your local deanery committee member (if you have one), who will be able to give you more information about our collection dates and times in your area. If you don’t know who your local representative is, please be in touch with the office on 01273 832963 or by email to [email protected] and we will be able to give you more information. Please be aware however, that we are only able to operate our van two days per week at the moment and we already have a fixed schedule in place for food collections, so it may not be possible for us to come to you. Thank you for your continued support of all that we are doing. We greatly value your support and prayers.
Book Sale in aid of Homelink Tiddlers & Toddler Small Outdoor Meet-ups
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Notices Ringmer Parish Council
New Parish Council Office. Ringmer Parish Council is relocating the office on the 10th August 2020. Our new address will be: Ringmer Parish Council, Parish Rooms, Ringmer Academy, Lewes Road, Ringmer, BN8 5NR Our other contact details remain the same. Please amend your records accordingly.
Proposed Skate Ramp on the Village Green. Members of the Parish Council have seen your posters on The Village Green and are now aware of your campaign. The Parish Council welcomes your active interest in village affairs and look forward to discussing the issue with you as our consultation gets under way. In the meantime, the Council wants to make sure you are aware of how the Council got to this position and hope you find the following useful. The village skate park has to be replaced. Its existing site has been sold by Lewes District Council for affordable housing as part of the Football Club redevelopment. The existing skatepark is on land sold by Lewes District Council to Riverdale Developments as part of the new housing to be built on Anchor Field. A small area of recreation land around the Doctors' Surgery will remain as part of the scheme but is considered too small to relocate the skate park to. The Parish Council therefore began work with Lewes District Council last year to identify a suitable alternative site within the Village. An options appraisal was published in February setting out the pros and cons of each of the sites. The Village Green was one of the sites included within the options appraisal and, compared with the other sites, was judged to be the most practical. A copy of the options appraisal can be found on our website at the following link: http://www.ringmerparishcouncil.gov.uk/media/02.20.2020-skatepark-site-suitability-study.pdf . The accompanying discussion paper gives more background and is at: http://www.ringmerparishcouncil.gov.uk/media/02.20.2020-greens-amenities-skatepark-project-10th-feb-2020.pdf. The new skate park will be funded entirely from Development contributions. It will be made of solid concrete and will be safe and quiet. There will be no charge to villagers. A new site for the skate park has to be found. The Parish Council has investigated three possible sites. The Cheney Field Trustees have refused permission. Fingerpost Field is owned by Lewes District Council, is on the edge of the Village and is too small. It is therefore necessary to consider The Village Green as outlined in the detailed Option Appraisal which is in a link above. The Village Green and Cheney Field already contain several sporting and club facilities for all ages except teenagers. Siting the new teenager skate park away from housing in a secluded but monitored area of the Village Green appears a fair and reasonable option to consider. Parish Council meeting held on 9th July does included an agenda item which is to accept or refuse the recommendations of the Skate Ramp Working Group meeting. This was to allow the Working Group to carry out any recommendations and actions in order for the project to move forward. Please use the link to access the notes of the meeting; http://ringmerparishcouncil.gov.uk.84-18-198-198.enterprise3.lightning1.net/media/06.17.2020-skateramp-working-group-minutes.pdf There will be a formal Village wide consultation on the location of the skate park once details of its design have been finalized. Unfortunately, expert advice from Lewes District Council has been delayed because of Covid. In the meantime, you are welcome to contact any of the Parish Councillors, especially those on the Working Group, with the exception of Mandy Brown who would be happy to meet and discuss your concerns with you. Phone numbers and email addresses are on our website. As yet no final decision has been made. This will be after a consultation which is hoped to be launched in August.
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Anchor Field Development Project Tony Bonnington, Riverdale Developments The following is a general update on proposed works to the above site, which received planning approval on 18th June 2019. As Ringmer Football Club have established their new football ground nearby, vacant possession of the site will be obtained by us on 24th July 2020, with demolition of the existing buildings on site commencing 27th July 2020. It is anticipated that these works will take approximately 3-4 weeks. Prior to vacant possession, we will be carrying out Archaeological Investigation works (a requirement of the planning approval), commencing 6 July 2020. This work is anticipated as taking approximately 5 working days (permission has been obtained from the Planning Officer for these works to commence). We will also be erecting permanent site hoarding adjacent to the skate park and open space, to secure the site. Once the demolition works have been completed, we will commence installation of roads and sewers on site. We shall update you as works progress but, in the meantime, please contact our head office on 020 8330 4554, should you have any concerns. Ringmer Belles The HUGEST thank you to all the volunteers who have done the Ringmer Belle deliveries throughout this period; Joanna Songi, Linda Belinda, Victoria Vincent, Joanna Lang, Sarah Smith, Magda Bannister, Rhys Carter, Harriet Holmes, Kerry Richards, Lucianne Fleet, Cheryl Johnson, Julie Terry, and Rosemary Colebourn. Thanks are also due to everyone who enabled the service by passing messages on and helping to arrange prescription drop offs. It has been an amazing community endeavour - thank you so much to everyone who worked so hard to keep this running. Lewes District Citizens Advice – August Update
Everyone is preoccupied and scammers prey on this. Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had an unprecedented impact on the world and how we interact with each other. We’re spending more time online than ever before. This means it’s extra important to know how to avoid scams so you can keep yourself and your family safe online. Read our top tips to avoid online scams during this pandemic.
1. Do your research. 2. Don’t click on unknown links. 3. Be suspicious. 4. Never give out personal information or money to anyone you don’t trust. 5. Report it.
If you’ve been the victim of an online scam, contact the Citizens Advice Scams Action service online at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/get-help-with-online-scams/ or over the phone 0808 2505050. If you’ve been scammed out of money, report it to your bank first. It’s important we work together to keep our family and friends safe online. Share our top tips with your community to help protect them from frauds and scams. Examples of online coronavirus scams
• Companies offering fake holiday refunds. • Virus testing kits or vaccines. • Overpriced or fake goods such as facemasks, hand-sanitiser and hard-to-get goods. • Fake online resources such as sensationalist articles or false coronavirus maps. • Emails using voluntary action as a hook for people to share their personal details.
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Ringmer Village Library August Update Liz Owen
The Ringmer Village Library team is thrilled to be open again for the usual times – Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2 until 5 pm and Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10 am until 12 noon. The hours are the same but as you’d expect, other things are rather different. The Village Hall management committee has kindly agreed for us to temporarily expand into the adjoining room, so there is more space for socially distancing.
Come in through the main Village Hall doors and, under the new rules, adults should wear a face mask. One of our volunteers will greet you, show you where to put your returned books and ask you to use hand sanitiser before you touch anything. We allow in two households at a time. You choose your books, open them for scanning at the desk and then leave through the library door. The big extra in August is that we’re running the Summer Reading Challenge for children between 4 and 11 to read six books and collect rewards along the way. We know it’s been a weird year so far, and lots of children will have missed school and their normal routines. The theme this year is The Silly Squad, and it’s a big celebration of funny books, happiness and laughter – something we all need this year! During lockdown, our volunteers worked hard to ensure the lifeline of books and support continued through the delivery service. We’re continuing the doorstep service on Fridays for anyone who feels uncomfortable going out because they’re shielding or self-isolating. We are unable to safely offer group activities or individual computer help sessions for the time being. Our catalogue is online and fully searchable at https://ringmer.librarika.com/search/catalogs and you can browse our stock and order specific books to be delivered, or made ready for collection. You can contact us by phone 07934 046392, by email [email protected] or through Facebook RingmerVillageLibrary or Twitter @SaveRingmerLibr Maria Caulfield, Lewes MP August Update
As we nervously come out of lockdown and see pubs, hotel, shops and hairdressers re open, the focus for September now turns to schools. The Government has announced that schools will reopen with ‘full attendance’ in September with the Prime Minister coming to the House of Commons to tell us that “primary and secondary education will recommence in September with full attendance”, adding that “those children who can already go to school, should do so because it’s safe”. For many parents this will be welcomed news as they worry about their children
falling behind in their schooling but for others this announcement will cause worry. The Government has been watching carefully the many other countries around the world, particularly in Europe, who have had their children back at school for months now and the evidence is clear that children are at extremely low risk of catching the virus and there have been little or no outbreaks across other parts of the world linked to school openings. To allay concerns the Prime Minister has said the government will, “work with the sector to ensure we have a clear understanding of how to ensure minimal risk of transmission of the virus”. School reopening are now made much easier with the relaxing of the 2m distancing rules in certain sectors to 1m and the creation of in-school ‘bubbles’ to include whole classes so that classes only mix within their class to minimise large group contacts. A close eye will be kept on infection rates. Thankfully, so far with the easing of lockdown, we have not seen a spike of cases and, with the Track and Trace system working well, we can shut down local outbreaks, such as in Leicester, to minimise the impact nationally. We need to get the country moving again not just for jobs and the economy but for the mental health and well-being of the country. Schools returning is part of that but it will be done as safely as possible.
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Ringmer Food Bank Ringmer Food Bank, operated by Ringmer Baptist Church, opens from 11 am to 12 noon on Mondays (including Bank Holidays) in Ringmer Village Library. This service is available to individuals and families referred to us by local welfare organisations for emergency aid. The Baptist Church is also happy to help anyone who has had a setback and needs help, even if they don't have an official referral letter. Further details available from Gill Salisbury (01273 812145). Donations. The Baptist Church are very happy to accept donations which you can drop in to them in them on a Monday morning when the Food Bank is open. Additionally, donations can be left in the library dropbox (the black box outside the library front door), but not jars or anything breakable. They can also be left at the doorstep of 11 Delves Close. Ring the bell and stand clear for social distancing! There is a lot more demand for the food bank at the moment, so all donations will be very gratefully received. A big thank you again to all those generous and lovely people who continue to give donations of food and money to sustain the running of the Food bank. We are very humbled and grateful to you all.
St Peter & St James Hospice One of the ways you can help raise money for the Hospice is to donate items to their charity shops in Lewes or purchase from the great range of products they have. The first shop is at 58 High Street, Lewes BN7 1XE which is situated on Lewes’s bustling High Street opposite the County Court; it is best known for its high quality collection of ladies fashion, as well as its one of a kind pieces – have a rifle through the vintage rail and see what you find! The
shop also stocks paperback books, CDs and DVDs and often has an eclectic and quirky selection of glass, china and collectables. Parking, although limited, is available on the High Street outside the shop and also in various car parks nearby, including The Needlemakers, in West Street. Opening hours: Mon to Sat 9 am – 4.30 pm. Contact: 01273 481080. Our Lewes Furniture, Garden and Home shop at 11 East Gate Street, Lewes BN7 2LP is the largest of our St Peter & St James charity shops. It’s on the one-way system next to Waitrose with its main entrance. Inside, you’ll find a fantastic range of furniture including unique, antique and retro pieces alongside contemporary and brand-new bargains. The shop is also home to electrical and white goods, books, vinyl records, art, collectable glass, china, silver and curios. Parking is available at the rear of the shop in an NCP pay & display car park. Opening hours: Mon to Sat 9 am – 4.30 pm. Contact: 01273 479898.
Forthcoming Events The Ringmer Primary School Scarecrow Festival is back! Over the weekends of September 12/13th and 26/27th 2020, Ringmer will come alive with our Bird Frightening Friends! To adhere to social distancing, this event will be paperless this year, with application forms and scarecrow trails available to download. If you would like to create a scarecrow for this event, please email [email protected]. We’re excited to see your creations! Garden Show at Firle Place 2020. Due to the current situation we have had to make the very difficult decision to postpone our Garden Shows at both Firle Place, Looseley Park and Stansted Park this year. But on a positive note they are to become fabulous Autumn Events! The Firle Place Show will be on 16th – 18th October 2020. For further information, ring 01243 538456 or go to www.thegardenshowonline.com
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Local Organisations News Kings Academy, Ringmer - GCSE Results Day
Details are given below regarding our plans to distribute results and support students on GCSE Results Day, Thursday 20th August. Collecting the Results. We have received government guidance to continue with the ‘locked-down’ site and social distancing measures which have been in place for Key Workers, Vulnerable students and, subsequently, Year 10s since March. Each year we aim to celebrate the results with our students as well as support students where they may be disappointed with the grades they achieve. The Senior Leadership Team have discussed access to the site and feel that, given the size of the cohort
involved, it is possible for students to collect exam results in person and we will be offering this opportunity. The school site will therefore be open between 9 am and 11 am for students to collect their exam results. However, in line with the guidance, some ‘normal’ practices for Results day have changed and some additional procedures have been added: • Only students collecting results should come onto the school site. As per the guidance, we would
ask parents/carers not to enter the school site or gather at the entrance gates. • Social-distancing markers, one-way and queuing systems will be in place. We have a set limit of
how many people can safely enter the school hall and will count people in and out. We will ask students to queue outside the hall should the limit be reached.
• Students will not be able to nominate another person to collect their results. This is to limit the number of people coming onto the school site. If a student is unable to attend in person, they will receive their results via email (see below).
• Staff attendance will be limited to the Senior Leadership Team and those involved in administering the results. Again, this is to reduce the number of people on the school site.
All students will receive a copy of their results via email from 9 am on results day. We recognise that some people may be anxious about coming onto the school site, or may wish to avoid using public transport. We will, therefore, email students’ school email addresses with their results. Students should contact our IT Manager [email protected] if they are currently unable to access their school gmail account. Paper copies of exam results will be placed in envelopes for all students on results day and we will post home any envelops not collected between 9am and 11am, as is usually the case. Support on the day The Senior Leadership Team will be available to support students with queries regarding their GCSE results. We will also signpost career guidance in the light of student results, as is usually the case. The National Careers Service has also set up an exam results helpline during August 2020. Young people or their parents can contact the helpline on 0800 100 900 to speak to a professionally qualified careers adviser if they need advice on their next steps. The helpline will be open from 8 am to 10 pm from Thursday, 13th August until Friday, 28th August. After these dates, young people will be able to access ongoing support from the National Careers Service at any time by calling 0800 100 900, visiting the website nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us or searching for the National Careers Service on Facebook and Twitter. We will also provide details regarding the right to appeal the grade. This is a very limited option and it is linked to administrative errors. I would ask that you view the following resources put together by OFQUAL to be clear on how the grades will be awarded: • Video guide for students. • Infographic of the awarding process. There is also, as was publicised at the start of the lockdown process, the opportunity to sit exams in the Autumn. We should have more details relating to how this will work on results day. We look forward to seeing you all either on the results day or at some point thereafter. We will continue to monitor the situation regarding national and local infection rates, as well as any changes in government guidance over the coming weeks and update this plan accordingly.
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Ringmer WI Julie Terry This week our committee has met for the first time since the lockdown in March in a socially distanced way to prepare for the way forward; something we are looking forward to and hope our members are too. Our programme for the rest of the year looks very different to what we had planned but I’m sure it will be fun. The new normal is a strong learning curve for us all. Why not
come along and see what it’s all about. Contact Julie Terry 01273 982304 to find out more. East Sussex Federation of Women's Institute Website: www.esfwi.org.uk National Federation of Women's Institute Website: www.thewi.org.uk Ringmer Disability Social Club Coralie Clement
‘Do you remember?’ was the title of the very good talk given by Bob Cairns at the last meeting we held in March before lockdown. Little did we know then how appropriate it was as we have nothing more to look forward too at present other than what our memories can conjure up. So, for this month I am asking you “Do you remember the last coffee morning we held in the Village Hall? It was held on Saturday, 22nd of June 2019 and was a great success. Here are a few
photos of the event. We are now looking forward to our coffee morning in 2021.
If you are interested in joining our club as a member or a friend, contact Coralie (01273 813596). Website: www.tbds.org.uk/ringmerdisabilityclub
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Features Great Green Bush Cricket Michael Blencowe, Sussex Wildlife Trust
The sound of silence. I’m a huge fan of sci-fi B-movies and they don’t come any better (or worse) than 1957’s Beginning of the End. It’s the usual story; overeager government scientists’ intent on increasing crop yield inadvertently create giant irradiated grasshoppers the size of doubler decker buses,
which set about destroying Chicago. There are some similar creatures lurking around Sussex. OK, they’re not going to come stomping around Sompting any day soon but they’re still mighty impressive. The Great Green Bush Cricket can claim to be Britain’s biggest insect. Yet this Godzilla of the undergrowth is surprisingly hard to see. Its long, leaf-like body blends in amongst the brambles rendering it almost invisible. Bug eyes, impressive jaws and twirling antennae give it some monster movie credentials but there’s nothing to fear from this harmless native. There are about 35 species of crickets and grasshoppers (Orthoptera) in Britain. Crickets differ from grasshoppers by having much longer, thread-like antennae and they ‘sing’ by rubbing their wings together (while grasshoppers rub their legs against their wings). This song, or stridulation, is the male’s way of romancing a female – who, if interested, will reply. The best chance of finding the Great Green Bush Cricket is to head out on a warm August evening and listen for their downland duets – a loud, incessant rattle. Imagine an enthusiastic maraca player. I recently went for a walk through the flower-rich meadows of Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Southerham reserve. I was blown away by the wall of sound created by hundreds of crickets and grasshoppers but it became apparent that not everyone could hear this orthopteran orchestra. The sad truth is that as we get older our ears can’t tune in to the higher frequencies produced by these insects and species by species they fall silent. I have a compilation CD of the chirps and buzzes of Britain’s crickets and grasshoppers – a sort of ‘Now That’s What I Call Stridulation’. I played it this morning and track 24 had gone. It was there a few years ago but now… silence. I’ve started to lose my crickets. The beginning of the end. It isn’t just me who will be hearing less wildlife in the future. Our countryside is becoming quieter as crickets, bees and birds vanish. Wildflower meadows, the home to crickets and grasshoppers, have been lost and the wildlife that depends on them have silently disappeared. The ‘Silent Spring’ predicted by Rachel Carson in 1962 has seeped across every season. This August, get out and listen to the sounds of summer before they fade. Sussex Wildlife Trust is an independent charity caring for wildlife and habitats throughout Sussex. Founded in 1961, we have worked with local people for over half a century to make Sussex richer in wildlife. We rely on the support of our members to help protect our rich natural heritage. Please consider supporting our work. As a member you will be invited to join Michael Blencowe on our regular wildlife walks and also enjoy free events, discounts on wildlife courses, Wildlife magazine and our Sussex guide book, Discovering Wildlife. It’s easy to join online at www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join
Great Green Bush Cricket © Derek Middleton Sussex Wildlife Trust
27 (Local Groups Page 30/31)
Ringmer Parish Church - Information Vicar: The Rev’d Beth McCleave, Email: [email protected] The Vicarage, Vicarage Way, Ringmer, Nr Lewes, BN8 5LA. Tel: 01273 812243
Please continue to contact the Vicar direct with regard to funerals and interments and the Church Administrator (see below) re Holy Baptisms, Banns or Marriage, or if the Vicar is not available.
Churchwardens: Rosemary Colebourn, 32 The Avenue, Lewes Tel: 01273 470432 Mike Townsend, 9 Greenacres Drive. Tel: 01273 812425 Church Administrator (inc Church Room Bookings): Shirley Squires, 'Meran', Broyle Lane. Tel: 01273 812417 or email [email protected] Hon Secretary P.C.C: W Graeme Clark-Hall, Laburnam House, Lewes Road.
Tel: 01273 812308. Hon. Treasurer P.C.C.: Jonathan Franklin, 9 Delves Close. Tel: 01273 813189 Gift Aid & Envelope Hon. Sec.: To be announced. Floodlighting: Anne & John Stamper, The Firs, Lewes Road. Tel: 01273 812316. Caring & Sharing: To be announced. Organist: John Howes Choir Leader: Rosemary Colebourn Tower Captain: Pat Aylward, 1 Peartree Cottages, Lewes Road. Tel: 01273 812577.
Magazine
Editor: Edwina Morris, 27 Oakmede Way, Ringmer, BN8 5JL Tel: 01273 813596 Please note that magazine items should be sent to the Editor Hon. Treasurer: Sue Tibbenham, 2 The Elms. Tel: 01273 812494 Advertisement Manager: Jayne Marshall-Roelich, Chanters, Broyle Lane, BN8 5PQ. Tel: 07923535294 or e-mail [email protected] Chief Distributors: Mary & Jim Greenwood, Lilac Cottage, Norlington Lane. Tel: 01273 812768 Magazine Website: www.ringmervillagenews.org.uk Facebook: http://facebook.com/ringmernews
Items for publication are welcomed and can be received by hand, post or e-mail
[email protected] However, they should be sent to the Editor before the 27th of the month.
The Editor reserves the right to edit, cut or refuse to publish any contribution. To advertise regularly in the magazine, contact Jayne Marshall-Roelich via post, telephone or
e-mail [email protected] To request an annual subscription for the magazine, contact Mary & Jim Greenwood, at Lilac
Cottage, Norlington Lane. Tel: 01273 812768
Disclaimer Magazine contributions from Village Organisations or individuals are very welcome. However, please remember that contributors are responsible for their own articles and, although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions or copyright infringements in articles or advertisements received.
List Last Updated – July 2020 30
Local Community Groups Alcoholics Anonymous, Ringmer: For alcohol problems; phone the AA Helpline 0845 769 7555 or visit the meeting in Church Room each Tuesday at 12.30pm & the Village Hall each Friday at 12.15pm. The Arts Society Uckfield, Lewes and Newick for people interested in the arts & artistic heritage. Monthly lectures (Sep to June) are held on the 2nd Wednesday in The Civic Centre, Uckfield at 2:30pm. Guests £7. Web: www.theartssociety.org/uckfield-lewes-newick or email [email protected] Barn Dancing Society: Village Hall, Monthly most 3rd Weds at 8 pm. Contact Maureen 01273 814254. Bingo Club: Village Hall, Mondays 1.30-3.30 pm. Contact Ros Davis (01273 814578). Bowls Club: Rinks: Cheyney Green. Season starts 1st May. Secretary: Michael Bexton (01273 814046). Bridge Club: St Mary's Room, Village Hall, most Weds at 7.30 pm. Chair: Tim Owen (01273 814220). British Red Cross Society: Brighton & Hove Centre: 01273 227800, Medical loan: 01273 227814. Services available also include transport, first aid courses, carer’s support and escort (08000280831). Cheyney Croquet Club: Cheyney Field. Susan Tompsett 01273813810 or [email protected] Conservative Association, Ringmer Branch: Sec: David Bush, Downham, Broyle Lane (01273 812522). Cricket Club: Village Green. Secretary: D Bush, Downham, Broyle Lane, BN8 5PQ. Tel: 01273 812522. Disability Social Club (RDSC): Meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month in Ringmer Village Hall between 12 noon & 2.30 pm. Contact Coralie (01273 813596) or go to www.tbds.org.uk/ringmerdisabilityclub Ringmer Kurling Club (part of RDSC): Meets on 4th Wednesday of each month in Village Hall 12 noon- 2.30pm. For all abilities. Contact Coralie (01273813596) or go to www.tbds.org.uk/ringmerdisabilityclub Dramatic Society: Secretary, Angela Howard, 01273 813097, [email protected] East Sussex Community Choir: Meets every Monday 7.30-9.30 pm term time only, at the Performing Arts Centre, Sussex Downs College. Tel: 01273 336793 or see www.eastsussexcommunitychoir.org Evergreen Club: A social club, open to all over 55, meets in the Village Hall on most Thursdays at 2 pm. For details ring Gill or Graham Stapley, 01273 812976. Flower Club: Village Hall at 2 pm, 1st Wednesday in the month, Chair - Sally Pearce, Secretary – Patricia Willard (01273 812583). Green Party – Ringmer Branch: Contact Zoe Nicholson (01273 814749). Lewes District Art Club: meets in St Mary's Room in the Village Hall every Tuesday 2-4 pm. Contact Angela Howard (Chair) 01273 813097 or Mavis Stanley (Secretary) 01273814359. Lewes & District Probus Club meets monthly every second Tuesday for luncheon & meetings at the ‘Green Man’ pub. All retired professional business men welcome. Contact David Glen (07762796552). Lewes Camera Club: Meet every Monday (Sept-Mar only) 7.30 pm at St Mary’s Social Centre, Christie Road, Lewes, BN7 1PL. Contact the Chairperson for details (01323 811030). Lewes Carers Group: for carers of family/friends. Meets on the 2nd Wed of each month between 10-12am at the Phoenix Centre, Lewes. Contact James Patmore (01273 813802) or Care for Carers (01323 738390). Lewes, Ringmer & District Social Group for the Blind and Partially Sighted People: meets monthly, every second Monday. Local contact: Diana Shoult (01273 812348) or Sue Tibbenham (01273 812494). Lib Dems Ringmer & District Branch: Sec: Peter Gardiner, Broadlands, Lewes Rd, (01273 814246). Library (Ringmer): Village Hall, Open: Tues 2-5pm, Wed 10am-noon, Thurs 2-5pm, Sat 10am-noon. Storytime & Rhymetime Thursdays at 2pm. Contact the library on 07934 046392. Memory Moments Café: (for people with dementia & their family/carers) - meets in Ringmer Scout Hut every Thursday from 9.30 – 12.30. Contact: Ring 01273 494300 Email: [email protected] Mothers' Union: Meet every 2nd Tuesday in the month at 7.30 pm in Church Room. Contact: Anne Stamper (01273 812316) or Shirley Squires (01273 812417). National Trust Lewes Centre - an association of local NT supporters, open to all, with a varied programme of meetings, outing & holidays. Contact: Mrs D Bowker, 23 Langham Close, Ringmer, (01273 812137). RADAR is Ringmer's local Community Speed Watch Group approved by the Police. If you can help, please contact our Chair Ray Eggleton (01273 812962). 1st Ringmer Guides: Scout Hut, Wednesdays 7 - 8.30 pm. Guiders: Amy Wilkins (07971524650), District Commissioner Jennie Barnes (01825 769938), email: [email protected] 1st Ringmer Rainbow Guides: Scout Hut, Wednesdays 5 to 6 pm. Guider and District Commissioner Jennie Barnes (01825 769938), email: [email protected]. 3rd Ringmer Brownies: Village Hall, Tuesdays 5 pm to 6.30 pm. Guider: Teresa Sutton (01273 814992), [email protected] District Commissioner Jennie Barnes (01825 769938).
31 List Last Updated – July 2020
PureStretch Exercise Classes: Village Hall, Fridays 9.30-10.30am. Contact Wendy on 07980 307002. Ringmer Baptist Church: Sunday Services at 10.30 am and 6 pm in Village Hall. Contact: Neil Thornicroft (01825 750283). Ringmer Country Market: Village Hall every Tuesday, 10 am to 11 am. Controller: Mrs Sue Howes, The Old Bakery, Lewes Road (01273 812394). Ringmer AFC Clubhouse and 3G pitch are located at Kings Academy Ringmer. For information, email [email protected] , Ringmer AFC on Facebook and @ringmerafc on Twitter. Ringmer Good Neighbour Scheme: To request our services ring 07340 118758 between 10 and 11 am or 3 and 4 pm or email [email protected] Ringmer History Study Group: Chairman: John Kay, Fair Meadow, Rushey Green (01273 813388). Ringmer Horticultural & Home Produce Club: Contact Jon Race by email at [email protected] Ringmer Primary and Nursery School: Harrisons Lane. Head teacher: Miss Anna Crompton. For prospectus and viewing appointments, please telephone the school office on 01273 812463. The school website is www.ringmerprimary.school/home To arrange a nursery visit or enquiries, please contact Bev Powell, Nursery: 01273 812463 (day-time, term time) [email protected] Ringmer Ramblers: Fortnightly walks on Sunday at 10 am (about 5 miles) and more challenging monthly walks on Saturday mornings. Full programme available. Contact Jim Elsam 01273 812335, [email protected] Ringmer Rovers Junior Football Club: Football training for players aged 4-16 at Kings Academy Ringmer. Contact the secretary Catherine Kelly on [email protected] for more information. Ringmer Short Mat Bowls: Village Hall. Monday 2-4.30 pm, Tuesday 7.15-10.15 pm, Wednesday 10 am-12.30 pm. Contact Pat Escott (01273 813295). Ringmer Stoolball Club - Played on the Village Green from May until September. Juniors on Wednesday & Seniors on Thursday evenings. Contact: Stephanie Lambert (01273 812295). Ringmer Table Tennis Club: We welcome players at all levels for our daytime and evening sessions in the Scout Hut. Please contact our Membership Secretary Jo Miller on 01273 812840 for more details. Ringmer Tiddlers & Toddlers: Village Hall, Mondays & Thursdays 9.30 am to 11.30 am. Ring 07930 956464 or email [email protected] Ringmer Twinning Association: Contact Susan Noone (01273814986) or Heather Stewart (01273812532). Ringmer Volunteers: Footpath clearance, contact David Jones (01273 814980). Litter picking, contact Julia Morriss (01273 813595). Ringmer Youth Development Service: Youth Club for Years 7/8 & Duke of Edinburgh's Award for Years 10+ Email: [email protected] Ringmer U3A: Retired/semi-retired people study a variety of subjects, not for qualifications, but for its own reward. Info Ian Loughborough (01273 813010) or https://u3asites.org.uk/ringmer/home Ringmer WI: Village Hall, 1st Tuesday in month, 7.30 pm. Call Julie Terry (01273 982304). Royal British Legion - Ringmer Branch: St Mary's Church Room, 4th Monday in March, July, October & November – 11 am, Chair: Mr Dennis Perchard (01273958831). Sec: Mrs Julia Middleton (01273813047). Scout Group - 1st Ringmer: Scout HQ, The Green. Group Scout Ldr & HQ Bookings: John Saunders (01273 812681). Scout Troop: Tuesday, 7 - 8.30 pm. Leaders John Saunders (812681) Cub Pack: Thursday, 6 – 7.15 pm. Leader Ian Knight (814966) Beaver Colony: Monday 6 - 7 pm. Ldr Maxine May (813641). St John Ambulance-Ringmer Division: Village Hall, Mondays. BADGERS age 5-10, meet 6.30 to 7.45pm. CADETS ages 10-16 meet 6.30-7.45pm and ADULTS meet 8-9.30pm; call Joan (01273 812187). St Pancras R.C. Church: High Street, Lewes. Sunday: Mass at 9 am., 10.30 am (Family Mass). Saturday 6 pm, 1st Mass of Sunday. Parish Priest: Fr Jonathan Martin (01273 473309). St Peter & St James Hospice - Ringmer Support Group: Chairman John Payne (01273 812501), Vice-Chairman Bob Cairns (01273 812784). Uckfield Community Orchestra: Musicians aged 8 to 80 welcome. Whether you are young, retired or picking up your instrument again after a gap, contact us via [email protected] Village Hall Bookings: Booking Secretary: Bren Bonner (01273 813303), Mon to Sat, 8 am to 8 pm ONLY. Alternatively, email bookings to: [email protected] Yoga Classes in the Village Hall: Tuesdays 1.30-2.45pm, Thursdays 7-8.15pm or Fridays 9.15 – 10.30am. Contact Cathy Rollings on 01825 769516 or 07960 384079, or email: [email protected] Lewes Police Contact Details: Lewes Police Station, 6 North Street, Lewes, BN7 2PA. Tel: 01273 470101. For non-emergency, ring 101 or email: [email protected] For emergencies, ring 999.