Beckley

Holton Cottages

From Helicopters in Kandahar to Horticulture in Sussex Taliban to Tulips! Beckley Lad Joshua Sparkes (24), has just been awarded seven distinctions, gaining the highest qualification he could and also scooping the highly prestigious Horticulture trophy for being, “The horticultural student showing the greatest proficiency throughout the year”, awarded by Plumpton College. The prize is given for outstanding practical skills and knowledge awarded to the top student of the year. Despite only studying horticulture and landscaping for one year, mature student Joshua was at the top of his class and beat off stiff competition from all other Horticulture students. What makes this achievement even more outstanding is that this time last year Joshua was in the RAF and three years ago, was deployed to Afghanistan. Josh can now be found fighting weeds rather than the wars and training roses not troops. His change of career has surprised his friends and family but his passion for his new line of work is evident the moment you talk to him. He has begun to undertake his own gardening and landscaping projects locally and his depth of knowledge rivals that of someone twice his age. His outstanding achievements has led him to be selected by Hadlow College to begin his Royal Horticulture Level 3 qualification and further his knowledge and passion in his new career, so he really has gone from RAF to RHS!

If you are interested in contacting Joshua you can email him at [email protected] or follow J.S Horticulture on Facebook.

*We’ve all put a wheel up on the pavement when space is tight, whether it’s a quick run into the shop, or parking outside a friend house. Leaving your car straddling pavement and taking up the whole pavement especially in the main street makes life very difficult for some people. If you use a wheelchair, for example, or have a pushchair, it can be impossible to use a pavement if there is a parked car on it. So please have a thought when parking on the pavements in Beckley that there is room for a push chair night or daytime! The local police have now been informed, it is illegal so please be adware.

Mobile Library Visiting times in Beckley. August 5 and 19...Four Oaks by bus stop 1135am-12.15 and then in Beckley village centre car park 115-135pm... Why not join and enjoy the free books for all the family. www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries

Northiam horticultural society Summer show which is to be held in the Great Barn at Great Dixter on Saturday 29 June, 2.30pm to 4pm.This will be an opportunity for people to see the conversion of the Great Barn for events at Dixter

Tina’s update on the BSA events. The count down to the summer fete is on! July 6 12noon-3pm. Donation bins are outside school for small toys etc. Any large items of books/videos toys/bric a brac etc. we would ask you to hang onto until the day before the fete as storage is a problem.

We are going to run a plant stall so if anyone has planted too many tomatoes or is overrun with geraniums we would be grateful of donations.

One of the teachers has kindly agreed to run a nail bar at the fete and we would ask that if you have any unfinished/ unwanted nail varnishes that you no longer use if you would donate them to us for the fete. We are hoping to have “Sarah’s closet” up again at the fete and are asking for good quality clothing to be saved for this purpose -again storage is an issue so please hang onto these until nearer the fete.

One of our mums-Mandy Botting is running in the Hastings cancer research race for life in June. She has set herself a fund raising target of £1200. If she achieves this she has bravely agreed to have her hair shaved off at our summer fete. Her hair will then be donated to a children’s cancer charity for use as a wig for young cancer sufferers. If you would like to support this noble cause please call into the school office and ask about how you can sponsor this brave lady. https://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/tinas-troupe

There will be a balloon race at the end of the summer fete (all bio degradable) again this is in support of Mandy’s charity. balloons need to be purchased in advance (£1.50) and I think there will be space for a dedication on the labels if you would like to do so-some extra balloons may be available on the day of fete to purchase and there will be a prize for the balloon that goes the furthest. For any further info email [email protected] or call into school. Saturday 6th July 11am -3pm Beckley school summer fete. All Beckley societies are invited to attend and run a stall for their own cause so that this will be a real community event. Please contact [email protected] for more info.

BSA are after any unwanted Lego or Lego going cheap they would be interested as they wish to set up a Lego club. Please leave in the school fete.

Also any designer/named clothing that you no longer need the BSA would be grateful for, so that “Sarah’s closet” can make a return to this year’s fete. Any good condition items please drop off at the office.

Wednesday July 10 9.30-11am open morning at Beckley school. All the villagers are invited in to come and look around the school and celebrate the children’s wonderful work which will be on display.

The next Beckley parish council meeting will be held on Wednesday July 10 at 7.30pm in the small room above the the village centre. All welcome

So that residents are aware they can contact our district councillor Ian Jenkins via e mail. This will help the parish by giving you more immediate responses to questions or concerns. [email protected].

*Beckley Village Centre is available to hire. By people hiring and supporting fund raising events put on by the hall committee it will keep the hiring costs down. Why not book a Children’s party, wedding reception or conference. For further information on charges and hall bookings call Margaret Lenton 01797260420

A list of some of the clubs, societies, classes and groups in Beckley.

Why not join up today!

*Beckley Park Cricket Club 01580 830245

* Beckley Baby Club every Wednesday (term time only)

9.15-11.15 £2

*Aeroba-Funk. High/Low Impact Aerobics with an Old Skool Style and Mix’d S

Sounds (70’s, 80’s, and 90’s onwards) Suitable for all levels of fitness. Tuesdays 6.30pm.Emma 07809 887471

www.facebook.com/AerobaFunk

Pilates every Wednesdays 1.30pm contact Sarah Lush 07769651899

Taekwondo every Wednesdays 4.30pm contact Petra Darvill 01233 330128

Beckley Trefoil Guild meets Third Monday of the month in the Small Hall at 7.30 Secretary Julie 252404

[email protected]

Brownies Thursday 6.30pm

Table Tennis every Thursday mornings old & new members welcome Carol Cobby 01797 252382

Yoga every Friday mornings contact Evelyn Lamb 260569

Friends of Beckley Church Coffee Morning 1st Tuesday 10.30am

WI 2nd Monday 7.30pm contact Ann Jones 260527

Regular monthly Council Meetings are held in the Village Centre’s Meeting Room. Every 2nd Wednesday at 730. www.beckleyparishcouncil.co.uk

Village Lunch 2nd Thursday 12.30pm bookings Tony Bryant 260518

History Society Friday evenings contact Dennis Ward 260313

Beckley Horticultural Society 01797 260232

Beckley players 01797 230572

Beckley bowls club 01797 252129

Beckley Rangers club chairman Phil Brain on 01797 260513 or secretary Peter Sands on 01424 882579.

If you see anything suspicious in the village please call PC Nigel Collins 07787 685691 or 0845 6070999.

If you want to put everything is this column, please email. [email protected]