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Ashburnham and Penhurst Parish MagazineMarch 2018
Ashburnham Estate Properties to rent
From time to time properties become available to rent on the Ashburnham Estate. If you would like to be contacted when something becomes available, without any obligation, please do let us know. Contact the Land Agent, Florence Wolfe on 01273 407012, Mobile 07458 117431 or email: [email protected] for this and any other Ashburnham Estate matters.
Holiday Flat availableAt Penhurst, near BattleFor long or short breaks
Two bedrooms, sleeps fourTwo well-behaved dogs welcome
Contact cottages4you.co.uk0345 498 6900 Ref. 29197
The Granary, Penhurstwww.cottages.com
Holiday Cottage on the Isle of Wight
! Quiet loca+on with parking! Sleeps 4 plus 1! Easy access to the beach! Beau+ful walks from the house! Ideal place to relax and unwind! Lovely secure garden with
furniture! Free WIFI
For more details, prices, pictures and full informa+on, go to
www.applehousetotlandbay.co.uk
ETB four star Gold Award
J. Birrell
Oil Fired Boilers, Aga and Rayburn
Servicing and Repairs22 Years Experience
Fully InsuredHome 01580 880804Mobile 079077 95603
JF Stoneworks Specialists in stone
x NEW MEMORIALS x CLEANING & RENOVATION x ADDITONAL INSCRIPTIONS x GRANITE & MARBLE WORKTOPS x STONE BUILDING RESTORATION x DOMESTIC STONE WORK
No. 2 Kingswell Estate, Beech Farm, Netherfield Hill, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0LL Showroom: 01424 774497
www.jfstoneworks.co.uk Email: [email protected]
Please send contributions for the April issue by Friday2nd MarchWe reserve the right of refusal & the right to edit any articles
KEEPING THE PAST AS A PRESENTAn+ques, Collectables & Unusual GiRs
Free Delivery within UKwww.chafferan+ques.com
01580 831835
Blue Tit -‐ photo by Jay Ashworth
British Summer Time starts on Sunday 25th March so don’t forget to put your clocks forward!
Registered with the General Osteopathic Council & the Institute of Osteopathy
East Sussex Osteopaths offer clinic appointments in
Dallington and Heathfield
To book an appointment, please call 07762 576 492
Calls for complementary advice also welcome
Sarahjane Prince Cert ed AoR MSMA (NHS registered)
Sports Massage Hot Stone MassageAromatherapy Swedish Massage Zonal Face LiftFoot, Hand & face Reflexology Fertility and Delivery Reflexology
Clinics in Dallington and Heathfield
07762 576 495www.eastsussexmassage.co.uk
[email protected] from the rooms of East Sussex
Osteopaths
Meridian Marquees
We provide a complete service for the ultimate party, wedding or
corporate event.
Our Marquees are an ideal venue in
all seasons. We provide heating, stunning interiors, a wide range of furniture, dance floors, stages and
much more.
For a free site visit and quotation
please contact us on
01424 89375707976 704632
TO LETSecure storage space available now
on The Ashburnham Estate.Contact Flo Wolfe for more
informa+on orto arrange a viewing – 01273 [email protected]
Chapel News
As I sit and write our News I realise that the nights are starting to get very slightly shorter but we are still having those grey damp days with an occasional sunny one. Snowdrops and Camellias are in full flower and Daffodils are about 6” high
all great signs that Spring is just round the corner.
Good Friday falls on the 31st March this year and in accordance with tradition the Chapel will be hosting the Good Friday Service at 10-‐30 a.m Revd. Peter Walker
will be leading our Service and this will be followed by hot cross buns.
We should all remember how Our Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross. It always amazes me how Isaiah a prophet who lived more than 700 years before Jesus was even born told us of the crucifixion. You can read about this in Isaiah 53 v 5, 7 and 10 Psalm 22 v 16 – 18 also speaks of this terrible day, (this Psalm was
written by King David who lived approximately 1,000 BC.)
Soon we will see lambs jumping in the fields, birds gathering nesting materials and longer days with hopefully lots of sunshine.
The Chapel sends you all our blessings and we look forward to seeing you soon.
If you have food or toiletries you would like to donate,
there is a collection point in Ashburnham Church
Holy Week Services
Sun 25th Palm Sunday Holy Communion with Children’s Activities 10.30am Ashburnham Church Passiontide Service -‐ 10.30am Penhurst Church Evening Service -‐ 6.30pm Ashburnham ChapelThu 29th Maundy Thursday Holy Communion with Footwashing 7pm Ashburnham ChurchFri 30th Good Friday Joint Service -‐ 10.30am Ashburnham ChapelSun 1st Easter Day Easter Holy CommunionApril 10.30am Ashburnham Church Easter Holy Communion -‐ 10.30am Penhurst Church Evening Service -‐ Ashburnham Chapel
Shipping Container to rentsuitable for all types of storage
at secure site on the outskirts of Battle/Hastings
20’x8’x8’ (1280 cu.ft)6mx2.5mx2.5m (37.5 cu.m)
£23 per weekFor more information ring
Fay on 07860 113413
Tom Gooders Tree Surgery
Fully qualified tree surgeons
All aspects of tree work professionally undertaken
07817 572291
Ashburnham Sports PavilionNow with heating and full
kitchen facilities. Available for hire for all recreational activities.
Charges for village focussed groups reduced to £15 per session.
Hirers liability insurance in place.Please contact Brian Holdstock on
01323 832082
DEEJAYCarpentry and Joinery
Props: DF & JC Tough
Windows, doors, kitchen cupboardsconservatories, all maintenance
Telephone: 01424 438814Mobile 07977 859582
Email: [email protected]
MallardsFor all your soft furnishing needs
Curtains, blinds, pelmets etc
Call Sharon 01424 892029
ROB DEDMAN
HOME MAINTENANCE
All work undertaken in and around the home
Painting and decorating Bathrooms and tiling
Tel: 01424 774764Mob: 07976 741950
References availableFully insured
Thought for the MonthDear Friends,
‘’If Christ is not raised, then our faith is in vain’’ (1 Corinthians 17:15)
The resurrec+on of Christ from the dead is at the very centre of the Gospel message. Because He rose from the dead as He promised, we know that all He said is true for He is God; we know that our sins are forgiven and we have the promise of an earthly life enriched by the power of the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul’s statement (as above) to the church in Corinth was based on his own experience of the Living Jesus.Faith without that would have indeed been fu+le, as it would also be true for us today.The early Chris+ans suffered greatly under persecu+on of which we learn in our history books is demonstrated by Chris+ans thrown to the lions in the amphitheatre of Rome. Was all this for a faith which was untrue?
Chris+anity today cannot be merely a pleasant or consoling religion. It is a demanding business. It is concerned with the salva+on through sacrifice and love of a world in which, as we can all see now, evil and cruelty are hallmarks.
Because we are all children of God we all have our part to play in His redemp+ve plan; and the Church consists of those loving souls who have accepted this obliga+on, with all which it costs. In the Holy Communion service at its close, the prayer which has us praying that we are sent out as ‘a living sacrifice’. What can that mean? It certainly means our giving of ourselves to God’s purpose. Such a sacrifice brings power by the Holy Spirit to help us on our Chris+an pilgrimage. For the first disciples this power was the giR of Pentecost and for them changed every situa+on in which they found themselves. This supernatural power is s+ll the inheritance of every Chris+an.
Such a resurrec+on faith can develop a Chris+an society which exhibits the truth of the Gospel message. We ought to pray for it, expect and trust it, and as we do this we shall gradually become more and more sure of it. For without this, our faith is in vain and Jesus was just a figure in history who died when he was crucified, and that was it.
Blessings for a Happy and Holy Easter! PeterEaster Day 1st April
Agmerhurst Granary, Kitchenham Road,Ashburnham, Battle, TN33 9NATel: 01424 892941 [email protected]
Free estimates and advice
Fast friendly service
Expert fitting by our own fitters
Home selection service
Domestic and commercial
Competitive prices
Fully insured
All work guaranteed
Over 500 rugs in our showroom
Customer satisfaction is very important to us and much of our work has come from recommendations and
repeat orders since we opened in 1998
Our showroom is at 36 London Road, St Leonards on Sea(opposite Boots)
Alternatively you can contact us and we will gladly bring samples to you!
Just call 01424 446222
We supply and fit Carpets, Vinyls,
Laminates, Real Wood, Safety Flooring
for every location and budget
10% Discount with this ad!
A Year in the Life of an MI Man
The annual meal at the Ash back in January was a raucous little occasion! An excellent night with some great food and good company.
I regret asking the gathered men what we should do to celebrate our tenth Anniversary, it was very hard to bring the evening back to order once a long weekend in Amsterdam had been suggested! Although I don’t think we’ll be
troubling Ryanair with this trip, there is plenty more being planned. Next month I will be reporting on the men-‐on-‐ice spectacle, also known as curling.
We will be playing golf twice in Sedlescombe and Headcorn and staging a clay shoot. Then there is the stock car racing at Arlington, going to the dogs in Brighton,
archery and bowling at Ninfield -‐ who needs Sky Sports?!
Just one thing, what are we going to do to celebrate ten years of manly endeavour? Watch this space and look out for tulips!
We next meet in the Ash on the evening of Tuesday 13 March, new members always welcome.
Richard 893130
Telephone Box at The Pound
Thank you to everyone who gave us suggestions for the use of the phone box. We were amazed at the variety and creativity of
all the ideas we received! Following a vote at a Parish Council meeting last year, it has been
decided to combine several of the suggestions, to create something that reflects “Ashburnham Past and Present” – with photos, maps, pictures, historical information and leaflets that can be viewed on the inside, plus local information, directions
and current events that can be read from the outside.
The first stage will be to paint and repair the phone box itself -‐ please let me know if you can help!. Then we would like to collect any interesting photos, memorabilia and historic artefacts that
you would be willing to loan (or allow us to copy) all of which will surely help us on the way to creating East Sussex`s smallest Rural
Museum in the form of our red phone box.
Watch this space for further newsThank you. Tina French (01424) 892580
Village Not
iceboard
Pub Quiz at the Ash Tree Inn
Tuesday 6th March at 7.45pm£1 entry, £5 set meal
01424 892104 Join us for a battle of wits!
Book Club Our next gathering will be at 2pm on
Friday 30th March at Street Cottage
For details call Nicky on 01424 892474We will be chatting about the books we have enjoyed since the last time we met: sharing, swapping, lending
and recommending
Village LunchWednesday 21st March
at the Village HallLunch is cooked for any older
residents in our villages who would like a bit of company and a delicious meal. Transport can be arranged. For more information or to book a place, ring Janet on 01424 892311
The Ashburnham and Penhurst Gardening Club
meets on Saturday 24th March for a visit to the gardens at Mere
House in Kent
For details please contact us via the website. www.ashpengc.org.uk
Table Tennis Club Meets at the Village Hall on Wednesdays at 7.45pm
Call Janet on 01424 892311 for more information
The Art Groupmeets at the Pavilion every
Thursday morning from 10am to 1pm
1st March Tutorial with art group founder Viv Walkington
Guests are welcome at a drop-‐in charge of £4 on non-‐tutor days or
£10 for tutored sessions.Arty hints and friendly chatter
always on offer!For more information see the
Art Group page on the Parish Websitewww.ashburnham-‐penhurst.net
March Meeting Mon 19th Jay Ashworth will be speaking about
Capability Brown at Ashburnham Place7.15pm for 7.30pm startAshburnham Village Hall
ASHBURNHAM & PENHURST WI
For more details see our webpage https://ashburnham-‐penhurst.net/
Follow us on Facebook
Exci+ng news from Penhurst -‐ we are planning a second edi+on of our popular cookbook to help raise funds for our upcoming re-‐ordering work at the Retreat Centre. Our first cookbook proved very popular, stuffed full of Janet’s delicious recipes and others from around the world. The new edi+on will s+ll have some Penhurst classics, alongside some favourites from our staff, volunteers and Penhurst family. We are planning to launch the new cookbook at our Family Day in April. Watch this space for more informa+on! Don’t forget to look at our programme online or call into the Retreat Centre for a paper copy. We have lots of interes+ng, crea+ve quiet days lined up for 2018 where you can learn a new skill such as wet fel+ng, jewellery making, pyrography, working with clay and canvas, watercolour pain+ng or making paper flowers. We are also running a weekend photography retreat in June, en+tled ‘Seeing the Light of Life’. All details are on our website so head there to find out more, you can book online too, or give us a ring in the office. We look forward to seeing you soon.
www.penhurst.org.uk01424 892088
The Coffee Stop
If you haven’t yet given it a try, chase those winter blues away and join us on 1st Friday
every month at the Pavilion
Hope to see you there!
(A community ini+a+ve supported by the WI and Parish Council)
Drop in any+me between 10.30am -‐ 12pm for a cup of coffee and a chat.
All ages and interests welcome.
The next one is on Friday 2nd March
100 Club
Sign up (or renew your membership) for this great fundraiser for the new village hall & be in with a chance to win a cash prize!
The monthly prize draw is held at the Pub Quiz at the Ash Tree Inn
To join up or renew your membership please ring Robin on 01424 892674
C. Waterhouse & Sons YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT FAMILY
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
High Street, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7ET www.cwaterhouseandsons.co.uk email: [email protected]
24 Hour Service—Please call (01435) 882219
Caring and personal service by a family owned company that has maintained its traditions of discretion, and professionalism over
four generations.
The Filling Station at Ashburnham Place
The Filling Station is an informal way of expressing the Christian Faith, meeting on Monday 12th March
The speaker will be Charles Whitehead, speaking on ‘Equipment by the Holy Spirit’. Charles is, amongst other things, chair of the
International Charismatic Consultation on World Evangelism and co-‐chair of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Conference.
His book ‘An Invitation to the Spirit-‐Filled life was published in April 2016
We meet at 7.15pm for Coffee and Cakes in the Great Hall, followed by a time of extended worship and powerful prayer ministry.
Come and be filled up!
For more details contact Catherine on 01580 881816 or [email protected]
Hydra Cleaning Services
Commercial and domes+cFully insured
o Windows – interior and exterioro Guber clearanceo Fascias and soffitso Weatherboardingo Pressure washing
All cleaned with our unique pure hot water system
Call James for a free quote,Tel: 07515460008
Email: [email protected]
www.hydracleaning.co.uk
WILL WRITING SERVICEUsual fee per will
£125 plus VATFree wills brochure available on request
(Lasting Powers of Attorney from £235 + VAT)
Tel: 01323 460395
Barry & Co SolicitorsBay Terrace, Pevensey Bay
East Sussex BN24 6EEPROBATE ADVICE
No obligation legal advice on initiating Probate and Estate Administration
Tel: 01323 768382Or contact
Pastoral Care for Ashburnham“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
Sometimes we face particular crises in our lives and we may need help. Ashburnham Church seeks to provide such help and support to any who are sick in hospital or at home, recently bereaved, or isolated through a lack of mobility or old age. Please get in touch with any of the people below, who will be happy to have an initial discussion about how we can be of help.
We also welcome requests for prayer. We have two prayer points: one on the notice board at the foot of the steps into the churchyard, and one just inside the church door.
Vicar: The Revd Peter Walker, Tel: 01424 892941Email: [email protected]
Other members of the pastoral team:John Cormode, Tel: 01424 8484125; email: [email protected] Hann Tel: 01424 893130; email: [email protected] French, Catherine Duggleby, Jennifer Oldroyd, Richard Hann.
If you are planning to visit any+me here is no+ce that we will be closed this year for the following dates:
SUMMER: Saturday 5th May -‐ Sunday 6th May, Saturday 19th MayTuesday 26th June – Friday 29th JuneSaturday 14th July – Monday 6th August,
CHRISTMAS: Sunday 23rd December -‐ Wednesday 2nd January
We may be closed for other dates during the year. NoNce of closures will be displayed in the Orangery and on our Facebook page or please call before visiNng.
Open: Tuesday – Sunday: 10.30am-‐5.00pmOrangery Tea Room, Ashburnham Place, BaVle, East Sussex, TN33 9NF.
Tel: 01424 894203 Email: [email protected]
The Grounds and Gardens at Ashburnham Place
AVAILABLE TO RENT
The Granary Apartment atBrakes Coppice Farm, Battle
completely refurbishedto high standard
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom flat
£830per month includingheating
all new carpetsFantastic viewsRates band B
Ring Fay on 07860 113413
Ashburnham Doggy Day-Care and Boarding
At work or out all day?Drop your dog off with me for
care and walkies!8am to 5pm - £20
Half day sessions £10Overnight care also available
Louise EdwardsTimberyard Cottage, Ashburnham
Call 01424 893239Or mobile: 07818 086004
Why not join us on Wednesday 9th or Saturday 12th May for our
annual Dawn Chorus Walk at Ashburnham Place? We meet at 7am for a walk around the lake with a local birder who will help us work out which birds we are
listening to. The morning finishes with a cooked breakfast up at
the house at 9am.
The event costs £20 per person.Go to the website for more
information and booking detailswww.ashburnham.org.uk
Yogaat the Pavilion
Come and join us for fun and friendly yoga sessions
All ages and levels welcomedMondays 9.15 to 10.45 am
For more information call Helen on01424 893033 07856472224 or
Duck’s Ramblings
I’d decided to head off a bit further for my annual migration, to India this year. Visit a few cousins, see the sights that sort of thing. The Taj Mahal looked good. Thought I’d have a photo with me, having a ‘Lady Di Moment’, in front of that iconic monument. This is where it all went pear shaped. The Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, was on a state visit and due there a couple of hours later. As you can imagine, the security was tighter than Brian’s wallet on an MI night. My tour guide, Mr K, tried to smuggle me past the guards but I’d been rumbled, dragged off into a dark room and interrogated under the full power of a 25 watt light bulb. Undecided as to whether or not I was a threat to the Israeli leader, I was incarcerated in a plastic bag for two days before being released. To be fair, there was a notice at the gate saying ‘No Ducks Allowed’. All was not lost, however, as the following day I managed to get sight the Taj from across the river and pretty spectacular it was too.
Managed some of the other wonders of India on the way round, The Red Fort in Agra, the Amber Fort in Jaipur and the Golden Temple in Amritsar ( They don’t do monochrome in India). Saw some Tigers on a reserve, flew down to Kerala and went on a boat in the backwaters, which was basically the Norfolk Broads only with palm trees and ended up in Bombay on Republic Day celebrating with most of the city’s 24 million inhabitants. Walking along the seafront turned into a rather slow business. Not because of the sheer number of people, but having to pose with groups of Indian families, demanding a selfie. I felt like my great, great grandfather, Donald, the big movie star, but it turned out it was Mrs K’s white hair they found so fascinating..........
Duck 22
the PlayCafé ‘too small for school’
Wednesday mornings (term times), 10am till 12 noonAdults must be accompanied by at least one baby or toddler!
You can find us at Ashburnham Church Hall, in the grounds of Ashburnham Place, Battle. TN33 9NF
You can park in the main car park and the Café is signposted from there. All are welcome to come for coffee, chat and play.
Plenty of toys, messy creative play, singing, outside fun, a quiet corner for tiny tots.
Give Margaret a ring on 01424 777011. If she’s not in, leave a message and she will ring you back as soon as she can.
Supported by Ashburnham Church
Looking forward to summer…?
The annual village Flower Show and Fete is due to take place on Saturday 28 July this year, and plans are already being put into place.
Lots of new ideas are buzzing and new people joining the planning process.
If you would like to be involved in any way, either with the planning in advance, or helping on the day – serving refreshments, running a sideshow, helping in the
Flower Tent – then do get in touch with one of the people below.
Brian Holdsock (clerk@ashburnham-‐penhurst.net)Richard White ([email protected])
Jennifer Oldroyd ([email protected])
Ashburnham Churchinvites you to a
At ASHBURNHAM PLACEOn Sat 28th April 2018 at 8.30am
Revd Peter WalkerThe New Priest in Charge of Ashburnham with
Penhurst
will be talking about“My Boomerang Won’t Come Back”
Adventures of an English clergyman down under.
To book your place in advance,please contact:
John French 01424 892580 or Richard Hann 01424 [email protected] [email protected]
A donation on the day of £5 would be welcomed
Battle Area Flexible Bus A booking needs to be made in advance -‐
call Peter (01424 -‐ 772001)Ashburnham to Eastbourne
B82: 15 MarAshburnham to Tenterden/Ashford B84:
Ashburnham to Tunbridge Wells B87:
Bus passes can be used on all services after 9.30am
"105" IS THE NUMBER TO CALL IF YOU GET A POWER CUT105 is a single helpline service for householders to report power failures or safety
concerns, or to get information during a blackout. Calls to 105 are free of charge and will put you through to your local electricity network operator. You can call 105 from landlines and most mobile phones.
Mobile Librarystops outside Ashburnham Chapel at
Pont’s Green 3.05pm-‐3.25pmon Tuesday 20th March
www.eastsussex.gov.uk/librariesEnquiries 0345 6080196
Phone Renewals 0345 6080195
Battle Area Community TransportEvery Tuesday-‐ 10am The Pound
10.05am Ash Tree Inn10.25am arrive Battle Abbey Green12.05pm leave Battle Abbey Green
12.30pm Ash Tree Inn
Parish Magazine Contact Details
If you would like to advertisephone Jennifer on 01323 832748 or email [email protected] you have a question about deliverycontact Catherine on 01580 881816To submit articles or village noticescontact Jay Ashworth on 01424 532972 / 07876 484945 or email [email protected]
For Ashburnham Church events and information go to www.ashburnhamandpenhurstchurches.org.uk
For Village events and information go to www.ashburnham-‐penhurst.net
For information about Church Services contact
Ashburnham Church Catherine Duggleby 01580 881816John Cormode 01424 848415Penhurst Church Anthony Ramsey 01323 764557 Ashburnham Chapel Fay Ramsden 07860 113413 01424 830078
Please note that the inclusion of advertisements for local services in this
magazine does not constitute a recommendation.
Readers are advised to make their own enquiries to ensure good service.
Refreshments available Contact Gill Ratcliffe on 01424 892674
if you have any jumble (will collect)
Entry 50p
Raising funds for the New Village Hall
Jumble
Sale
Ashburnham Village HallSaturday, 3 March @
10.00-12.00pm
come and find some treasure or a bargain!
PANTS Present
AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT with Supper
£10 ppSaturday 14th April at 7.30pm
Ashburnham Village Hall
For ticket information contactTina 01424 892580Sharon 01435 831165
Parish Council News
The vacancy on the parish council occasioned by the resignation of Richard Hann has so far attracted the interest of one person in being co-‐opted. The council will have the power to co-‐opt someone to fill the vacancy when they meet on 14th March so it is not too late to register your interest. Contact the parish clerk (details below) or any parish councillor (contact details on the parish website).
Cutting of grass verges seems to be entering a new managed phase following the appointment of Costain – CH2M as the highways contractor in April 2016. They outsource the work to Countryman Contractors Ltd and the verges fall into two classes – urban and rural. You may be surprised to learn that the parish does have verges that fall into the urban category – a tiny strip at Ponts Green near the junction with Farthing Lane and more in Brownbread Street near The Ash Tree Inn. These urban verges are supposed to be cut six times per year.
The other verges are rural and are contracted to be cut twice per year. Many will have noticed them being cut at the end of January 2018 and the one before that was October 2017. It seems churlish to question the timing of the cutting season but between October last year and January this year growth was minimal. Maybe the timing will evolve but after a long period of no cutting at all we must be grateful for small mercies perhaps.
Planning applicationsFor a summary of currently undecided or recently determined applications do take a look at the ‘Planning’ page at the village web site. It contains a link to the Rother DC planning portal if you want to view documents.
Dates of next meetings Council meeting: Wednesday 14 March 2018 at 7.30 pm in the Sports Pavilion. Please see the village website (Council Meetings) for up to date information.
All meetings are in public and members of the public are encouraged to attend. There is an agenda slot near the start of the meeting for members of the public to address the Council. The agenda is published online at the village web site three clear days before the meeting and hard copy is put on the notice boards at The Chapel and Penhurst Granary.
Brian Holdstock, Clerk to the CouncilEmail: clerk@ashburnham-‐penhurst.netLand line: 01323 832082 with answering machine. Text: 07836 716723If leaving a message be sure to leave your name and a call back number.
Gardening Notes -‐ Growing DahliasThis year I will be planting a selection of Dahlias in the Prayer Garden at Ashburnham Place and as I was researching the best methods of growing them I thought I would fill some of the space in this month’s magazine with a little guide! Dahlias have shaken off the rather unfashionable associations they had in the past and are no longer the preserve of gardeners growing perfect, huge gaudy blooms for entering into flower shows. There are a wide range of varieties available and colours range from subtle pinks and pure whites to deep purples and vibrant oranges. They come in a variety of forms as well, from pom poms where the tight petals form a perfect ball shape to cactus forms with spiky petals of different lengths thrown out from the centre -‐ a bit like fireworks. Some have dark leaves which set off the flower colours well and make a statement in the border. Dahlias are late summer flowers and will keep going right until the first frost which will destroy the foliage overnight. To keep the flowers coming through the season, pick them regularly, this encourages new buds to form. They make superb cut flowers, which last well in a vase. Dahlias grow from tubers which can be planted directly outside in late April, about 10-‐15cm deep. They need well drained soil and a sunny spot, you can add grit to the planting hole to help with drainage. They are large, bushy plants so think carefully about where to position them, the larger varieties will need staking. It is best to put stakes in as you plant the Dahlia so you don’t drive it through the tubers, new growth can then be tied in gradually. Slugs love the early, soft growth they put up so if you can, it is best to start them off in pots in an unheated greenhouse. This is best done during March. Take a large pot, 2-‐3l and fill about 1/3 with gritty compost, carefully lay the tuber on top and fill the rest of the pot with more compost, taking care to fill any air pockets around the tubers. Water in and keep frost free and watered while the leaves emerge. They can be planted out once the danger of frost has passed in April or May. To get the best from them they need a bit of attention as they grow, the main shoot should be pinched out, once it is about 40cm tall, to the top pair of leaves, this will encourage bushy growth. In order to get really strong flowers, you can also reduce the number of main stems to between 5 and 7, the plant will then concentrate all its growth into the remaining stems. We’re asking quite a lot of a Dahlia plant to keep flowering well for so long so they need plenty of food. Incorporate some well rotted manure or garden compost when planting and apply a general fertiliser at this time. Once flowers emerge, use a high potash liquid feed, such as tomato food, about every fortnight. Keep deadheading as well and you will have a long, beautiful show all summer! Jay Ashworth
March Diary
Thu 1 10am-1pm7.30pm8pm
Art GroupBell RingingHousegroups
Sports PavilionAshburnham ChurchVarious Locations
Fri 2 10.30am-12pm Coffee Stop Sports Pavilion
Sat 3 10am-12pm Jumble Sale Village Hall
Sun 4 10.30am10.30am6.30pm
Morning Praise with Children’s ActivitiesHoly CommunionEvening Service
Ashburnham ChurchPenhurst ChurchAshburnham Chapel
Mon 5 9.15-10.45am Yoga Sports Pavilion
Tue 6 10 am7.30pm7.30pm
Lent CoursePub QuizAshburnham Church PCC
Ashburnham Church HallAsh Tree InnAshburnham Church Hall
Wed 7 10am-12pm7pm7.45pm
PlayCafé Marriage CourseTable Tennis
Ashburnham Church HallThe Orangery Tea RoomVillage Hall
Thu 8 10am-1pm7.30pm8pm
Art GroupBell RingingHour of Prayer
Sports PavilionAshburnham Church Ashburnham Church Hall
Fri 9
Sat 10
Sun 11 10.30am
10.30am6.30pm
Mothering Sunday Service Mothering Sunday Morning PrayerEvening Service
Ashburnham Church
Penhurst ChurchAshburnham Chapel
Mon 12 9.15-10.45am7.15pm
YogaFilling Station
Sports PavilionAshburnham Place
Tue 13 10am8pm
Lent CourseMI
Ashburnham Church HallAsh Tree Inn
Wed 14 10am - 12pm 7pm7.30pm7.45pm
Play Cafe The Marriage CourseParish Council MeetingTable Tennis
Ashburnham Church HallThe Orangery Tea RoomSports Pavilion Village Hall
Thu 15 10am-1pm7.30pm8pm
Art GroupBell RingingHouse Groups
Sports PavilionAshburnham Church Various Locations
Fri 16
Sat 17
Sun 18 10.30am 10.30am6.30pm
Morning Prayer with Children’s ActivitiesHoly CommunionEvening Service
Ashburnham ChurchPenhurst ChurchAshburnham Chapel
Mon 19 9.15-10.45am7.30pm
YogaWI
Sports PavilionVillage Hall
Tue 20 10am3.05-3.25
Lent Course Mobile Library
Ashburnham Church Outside the Chapel
Wed 21 10am-12pm12.30pm7.45pm
Play Cafe Village LunchTable Tennis
Ashburnham Church HallVillage HallVillage Hall
Thu 22 10am-1pm7.30pm8pm
Art GroupBell RingingHouse Groups
Sports PavilionAshburnham Church Various Locations
Fri 23
Sat 24 Garden Club visit to Mere House Gardens
Sun 25Palm Sunday
10.30am 10.30am6.30pm
Clocks go forward Morning Praise with Children’s Activities Passiontide ServiceEvening Service
Ashburnham ChurchPenhurst ChurchAshburnham Chapel
Mon 26 9.15-10.45am7.30pm
YogaGardening Club
Sports PavilionAshburnham Church Hall
Tue 27 10-11.30am Lent Course Ashburnham Church Hall
Wed 28 10am-12pm7.45pm
Play Cafe Table Tennis
Ashburnham Church HallVillage Hall
Thu 29Maundy Thursday
10am-1pm7pm
Art GroupHoly Communion Service with Washing of Feet
Sports PavilionAshburnham Church
Fri 30Good Friday
10.30am2pm
Good Friday ServiceAfternoon Book Group
Ashburnham ChapelStreet Cottage
Sat 31
Easter DaySun 1 April
10.30am 10.30am6.30pm
Easter All Age Holy Communion Easter Communion ServiceEvening Service
Ashburnham ChurchPenhurst ChurchAshburnham Chapel
