Hurst Green

2 Park Farm Close

The Hurst Green Community Shop and Café. We now have a confirmed opening date: Monday May 20. And not before time – I am advised that those working frantically on site to produce the finishing touches (board members, volunteers etc) have been deluged by enthusiastic passers-by popping in to see the progress. “Wow”, “Amazing”, “Can’t wait to come here for a coffee” were typical reactions.

By the time you read the next Village Voice you will be able to visit the shop and café and see the results for yourself - and admire the rather grand 6ft penny farthing feature installed by the outside seating area, produced by Hurst Green’s own blacksmith, Richard Pelham. The manager is working furiously on finalising stock lists and local produce lines and soon the shelves will be filled ready for opening. In the meantime, why not go to the shop’s Facebook page, just go to Facebook and search ‘Hurst Green Community Shop and cafe’ for a sneaky photo of the inside of the shop – well worth a look!

South East Open Studios, Every year many artists in the region take part in the South East Open Studios event, which this year take place June 7 to June 23. Two Hurst Green artists are taking part this year, and will have their work on display in the village hall Jun 7 to June 9, open times will be Friday June 7 10am to 6pm, June 8-9 11am to 6pm.

Ella Clarke produces detailed pencil drawings, prints and cards. Hastings boat scenes, owls, birds, butterflies and flowers.

Margaret Thomson produces colourful oil paintings of flowers and fruit, along with prints and greeting cards, her work is driven by a love of gardening. Both artists will have work for sale and refreshments will be available. For more details of artists in the area that are taking part visit the website www.seos-art.org , or pick up a guide from a local shop.

Can you take on this column, I will only continue to provide the Hurst Green Village Voice column for a limited period, we need someone in the village to come forward to take it on so that hurst green continues to have a column. If you might be interested in taking it on, it is not difficult, get in touch with me or contact the Battle Observer directly.

Get details of your events to me as soon as possible, so that I can give your event advance publicity, if you have a program of events fro future months let me have details and I will include in the column. To be sure of inclusion in the next edition get your details to me by 10pm on Mondays, but as early as possible to enable me to prepare the item and check any queries with you. You can use any of the following methods to get your information to me, Colin Boylett, 2 Park Farm Close Etchingham, TN19 7DQ, telephone 01580 819532, mobile 07941 786244, email [email protected]