Cooksbridge, Offham & Hamsey

AFTERNOON CLUB: The Monday Afternoon Club is on August 8 in Offham Church Hall at 2pm. The talk will be by the Revd David Perks on his Travels in Europe, followed by tea and delicious homemade cakes. Contact Judith on 01273 474356 if you require a lift.

PARISH COUNCIL: When Hamsey Parish Council met in July there were six councillors in attendance along with Mrs J Toomey, clerk to the council, and two members of the public. A Bevernbridge resident gave an overview of the plans for development of the Old Brickworks site. Permission has been granted for 49 homes and the same developer now owns the Knights Yard site. They may plan to replace the work units with housing and plans seen by Cllr D’Arienzo show the eight work units which LDC insisted on as part of the original permission, now included in the new site and replaced by more housing. There may also be an application to build on the old allotments, which is not a brownfield site. Council considered a grant request of £150 for the Monday Afternoon Seniors group which was proposed and seconded.

Planning. LW/16/0408 Springles Farm, Town Littleworth Road, Barcombe. Conversion of existing barn into three dwellings, a site visit by the PC had been carried out and council felt the conversion was a good use of the disused building. They support this small scale development. The devolution of the Malthouse Way Playpark has been completed. The figures for maintenance as provided by LDC appear to be considerably higher than quotes received by the PC. Clerk to write to LDC to inform them that the PC will take on the maintenance. Clerk to add the playpark and equipment to the council insurance and to arrange the annual playpark inspection. Both Cllr D’Arienzo and Cllr Ginn offered to inspect the play area for any problems. Residents should be encouraged to contact the PC with their suggestions for the playground.

Southern are due to consult on timetable changes from December 2018. There was no update on safety proposals at the Hamsey Level Crossing. Council discussed plans by Covers to demolish the old Goods Shed. Permission had been granted by LDC but the parish council were not informed. The goods shed is listed as a community asset in the Parish Plan and council are very disappointed. Cllr D’Arienzo reported that the Speedwatch equipment is shared with the Barcombe group. More volunteers are needed to use the equipment and an article is to go into the next newsletter. There will be another Litter Pick on Saturday October 8. This could be advertised through Hamsey School newsletter. More volunteers are needed. Talks are ongoing with LDC regarding waste bins and recycling divisions.

Cllr Ginn offered to deliver the Community Newsletter to 17 properties on the edge of the parish but another volunteer would be appreciated to share this. Perhaps by bicycle. The next meeting is on Thursday September 15 in the village hall, Beechwood Lane at 7.15pm.

POLICE: Note the new PCSO structure. Email is [email protected]. This is the team account and will be monitored on a daily basis but should only be used for non-priority matters and general contact. Crime and incidents are best reported at the time they are happening or as soon as reasonably practicable, 999 in an emergency and 101 for everything else.

TRYING TO KEEP UP: Having spent many hours with my two grandchildren watching and having to take part in the latest trends as they were growing up, such as hours playing monopoly and listening to tears and tantrums over who was the rightful winner, toy soldiers scattered around the floor, fashion dolls and wigs that needed combing and the memory game which big sister always had to win, albeit with a lot of cheating undercover, much to the annoyance of her brother. I thought life could only get better as they reached their teens, but no, along came tablets and iphones which seem to be attached to them all the time. It is a miracle that their hands and eyes are still active the amount of time they sit tapping away. There is a rule here that they are not allowed to have them at the table when we are eating. Imagine how my heart sunk this week when my grandson came in looking very pleased with himself and told me he had been out and caught some Pokemons. Just as well that I read a lot and knew what he was talking about. I do think it could become dangerous when you read about the three girls who went into the sea at Hastings at 9.30pm searching for these weird creatures. And to think that a man in New Zealand has given up his job to go searching for Pokemon Go as a full time occupation. Thank goodness I don’t have to go searching as I feel I have done my bit. I wonder what will come next.

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