THE STEYNING SOCIETY
Registered Charity No. 269859 www.steyningsociety.org.uk
OCTOBER 2019 NEWSLETTER
LATE PAYMENT OR UNDER-PAYMENT OF SUBSCRIPTIONS
At the time of writing (Sept.2019), the value of outstanding subscriptions is over £250. Please let the Treasurer have your subscription as soon as possible if you have not already paid in full or let him know if there has been a change in circumstances or if you no longer wish to remain a member of the Society.
As all members know the subscriptions were raised on March 1st. The details are: Single membership: £10, joint membership (at same address) £15. All subscriptions are now due on March 1st each year.
If members can pay by Bank Transfer or Standing Order it is much appreciated as it makes the Treasurer’s life much less challenging! Our Bank details are: Account No 60832235 Sort Code 20-98-74. Payments by cheque or cash are also absolutely fine. Please send cheques to the Treasurer: Adrian Gobat, 41 Goring Road, Steyning, BN44 3GF.
If we don’t hear from you by the end of October, we will assume that you no longer wish to remain a member of the Steyning Society.
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH FLOWER FESTIVAL
The Festival was a great success, with more than 2000 visitors over the three days. A sum in excess of £6300 was raised from donations at the church and monies raised at Penfold Hall from refreshments, plants and crafts. Many people paid a return visit, as they were so impressed with the displays and the ingenuity that had gone in to representing the film titles. For any who missed the Steyning Society’s display, here are Christopher Robin and Pooh in One Hundred Acre Wood. Congratulations and many thanks to all the team who did such a wonderful job creating our display, also to the Church Flower Ladies and Friends of the Church who organised the event. Congratulations are also extended to our member Patsy Walton for winning the Best Front Garden display this year
FINANCIAL MATTERS
The Steyning Society has awarded some money towards a joint project with the Horticultural Society and Steyning in Bloom for a new ‘Entrance into Steyning’ sign,marking 90 years since the Horticultural Society was formed. The foundations are already in place outside the Catholic Church, so watch that space!
The organisers of the Tree Planting scheme in Steyning have been asked to submit a grant application for support. The aims of the scheme are to help fight climate change, act as natural flood defences and increase wellbeing. No decision will be taken until locations are known. Repairs to some of the oak posts at the Church Street corner have been carried out by West Sussex County Council.
The Steyning Pathway, an iron archway highlighting the entrance to the twitten leading from Newmans Gardens car park to the High Street, a project which the Society has supported, will be officially opened on Sunday October 27th at 2pm. The roof of the arch has been laser-cut to represent an ordnance survey map of the High Street.
The Society has joined the Council for the Preservation of Rural England.
STEYNING COMMUNITY PLAN
Horsham District Council has announced that they will be preparing a new Local Plan for the district and any neighbourhood plans must be submitted before the end of November. The Steering Committee and Parish Council decided to submit a pared back plan, excluding site assessment and housing allocation, before the end of November, rather than put it on hold. If the plan is approved by the community at a referendum early next year, it will allow Steyning to influence future policies on Climate Change, Biodiversity, Character and Local Green Space. The Parish Council decided that it would allow Horsham District Council to allocate housing sites through the new Local Plan. We will respond to the plan and we also hope that members will respond to it.
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
The Society is proposing to invite other organizations to participate in next year’s Heritage Open Days from 11-20 September. The free events to celebrate England’s history and culture are run locally by a wide range of organizations, coordinated nationally by the National Trust and the People’s Lottery. Participating groups will investigate options and ideas to celebrate our unique historic heritage, with over140 listed buildings along with Conservation areas. These Open Days provide the opportunity to involve the local community in understanding and appreciating where they live.
If you can help or wish to get involved, please contact Committee member Tony Struthers Tel 01903 814180 or tonystruthers@me.com
OUTINGS
We have had two successful outings recently, to Gilbert White’s home in Selborne and to Oxford and ‘Talking Maps’.
Future outings: 27 November: The Poppy Factory, Richmond upon Thames, with time to visit the town. A maximum of 35 people can be accommodated, so book early. The cost for coach and gratuity is £17. Meet at Steyning Centre car park at 8.30am
29 January 2020: Tate Britain, with an optional visit to the William Blake exhibition. There will be time to spend in London. The cost for coach and gratuity is £16; the optional William Blake exhibition is a further £18 – this should be booked in advance with Jane. The coach will set off from Steyning Centre car park at 8.30am.
CHRISTMAS SUPPER
This joint event with Steyning Museum will take place on Friday December 20th at the Steyning centre. Pre-supper drinks will be provided in the Saxon Room from 7.00pm, followed by a three course supper with wine in the main hall at 7.45pm.
There will be a vegetarian option for the main course – please indicate on the booking form if you require it. We shall hold a raffle – please buy tickets on the night as this helps us to break even. There will be a short talk by Rick Goring about the Wiston Estate which is the third largest employer in Steyning. The meal is open to non-members and is always a very enjoyable occasion. The cost of the supper and drinks will be £22. Tickets will be on sale at the meeting on 18 October.
BOOKING FORM FOR OUTINGS
To Jane Oxley, 56 King’s Stone Avenue, Tel. 812334 email: mike.jane@btinternet.com
Name(s) _________________________________ Tel.No__________________
Address_______________________________________________________
____ Tickets for Poppy Factory @ £17 £
____ Tickets for Tate Britain @ £16 £
Total: £
Cheque payable to The Steyning Society
BOOKING FORM FOR CHRISTMAS SUPPER
To: Tom Aubrey, Orwell Cottage, 27 High Street, Steyning, BN44 3GG (Tel: 879986)
Name(s)_________________________________ Tel.No:___________________
Address____________________________________________________________
Joint Christmas Supper 20 December
______ Tickets @ £22 £
Total: £
______ Vegetarian option requested
Cheque payable to The Steyning Society
