Plumpton

FASCINATING CIRCUIT: Of Ditchling, Streat and Westmeston, a walk open to everyone, takes place on Sunday. The walk leaders are Sue and Robin Akers, on behalf of the Footpath Society. Meet them and members of the society at 10am at Ditchling village hall car park, for a most enjoyable 4.5 mile walk. For more details call 01273 891701 or 0775423361. DOWNLAND WALK: From Jevington, across Lullington Heath Nature Reserve to Litlington, with lunch at the Plough and Harrow pub, is the Footpath Society’s first walk in March. Meet at 10.30am at the car park in Jevington (Map Ref: 014 562; at the end of the village on the right if coming from the Polegate direction) on Wednesday. For more details call Bernie Kempton on 01825 722649 or 07791247025. PLUMPTON COLLEGE: Is hosting a course Information Morning on Saturday March 5. Prospective students can find out more about what the college offers at this event, including the wide range of successful land based courses, made to measure courses, training opportunities and apprenticeships. The rural sector needs thousands of new entrants in the coming years to become more highly skilled and technologically advanced, so undertaking a course at Plumpton College could be the perfect decision to make to get on track for an exciting career choice. The college is pleased to welcome more students than ever from non-farming backgrounds, as well as a higher percentage of female students and those with excellent academic qualifications. Education at the college stretches from the 14 to 16 school programmes through post 16 school entry and introductory levels, Diploma courses at Levels 2 and 3 to Foundation Degree, the BSc Degree level provision to the unique Master’s Degree in Wine. The College offers an inclusive programme for everyone. Student provision includes accommodation on campus at the main college location in the centre of the South Downs National Park, a range of bursaries and loans, subsided transport within Sussex, pastoral provision and a lively social calendar. At the information morning College staff will help with course choices and the application process, as well as offer information about student support, subsidised transport across Sussex, loans, finance and careers. There will be an opportunity to speak with specialist academic and support staff, along with current students. Visitors can then take a tour of department student facilities as well as student accommodation on campus. This information morning is aimed to be as helpful as possible to enquirers, so pre-booking is needed on 01273 890454. You can also contact the college on this number for more information or a copy of the College prospectus or visit their website, www.plumpton.ac.uk. JUMBLE SALE: Takes place at the village hall on Saturday March 5 in aid of the Activity Scheme. Please take jumble donations to the hall from 9am and do go along at 2pm; with clothes at 20p each there are sure to be lots of bargains. Along with jumble there will be a tombola, refreshments, good as new items, bric-a-brac, books, toys, clothes and linen. BENIN BRONZES: Is the subject of the Newick and District Decorative and Fine Art Society meeting, at the village hall, on Tuesday March 8 at 2.15pm. The Benin Bronzes are a group of more than a thousand commemorative metal plaques that decorated the royal palace of the Benin Kingdom in modern-day Nigeria. These marvellous images, sculpted in high relief, are some of the best examples of lost-wax casting. In 1897 most of the plaques were removed and taken to the British Museum where they received great popular acclaim as, until this point, African Art had been dismissed by most Europeans as simple curiosities of pagan cults. Not surprisingly since independence Nigeria has been requesting their return. They have become an important example in the international debate over restitution, comparable to that of the Elgin Marbles. The lecturer Dr Claire Walsh has worked for the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Open University. Visitors are always most welcome and the cost is £7 on the door with, as always, tea and biscuits afterwards and a chance to talk to the speaker. If you require any further information please ring Marjorie Blunden on 01825 723250. WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: The February meeting was a social evening during which members played games and answered quizzes whilst enjoying a glass of wine and soft drinks as well as the usual refreshments. At their next meeting on Wednesday March 9 at 7.30pm, at the village hall, the speaker will be Frances Stenlake talking about The Suffragist Founders of Plumpton WI. All are welcome. FOOTPATH SOCIETY WALK: (4 miles) on Saturday March 12 starts at 10.30am at the car park in the centre of Bramber, Map Ref: TQ 186 105. The walk will include Annington, St Botolph’s Church and the River Adur. For more details call the walk leaders Gerry and Brenda Arnold on 01444 241463. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.sussexexpress.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Sussex-Express/ 3) Follow us on Twitter @sussex_express 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Sussex Express - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.