2023
Wishing Everyone a Happy & Peaceful Christmas
The Parish Council have notified us of a survey being carried out by EHDC to gauge public perception of their services. It’ll be on the Parish Council website but you can
go direct to the link here easthants.gov.uk/news/2023/were-all-ears-tell-us-what-you-think
SUPPORT SHEET PRIMARY SCHOOL!
The Friends of Sheet School are holding their annual Christmas Raffle on 8th December. There are an amazing array of prizes, some of which are on the attached poster. There are also lots of Christmas food hampers to be won. Tickets are £1 each (in books of 5) and available to buy in the Queen’s Head every day, and at the Sheet Winter Warmer cafe this Friday 1st December. They will be available until Wednesday 6th December. There is no need to attend the draw – leave your name and number on the raffle ticket and we will give you a ring if you have won a prize and hand deliver it to you! Thank you for your support!
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Film Club presents ‘Mrs Harris Goes To Paris’ – Thursday 21st December
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a 2022 historical comedy-drama film adapted from the 1958 novel by Paul Gallico, directed and produced by Anthony Fabian. It tells the story of a widowed cleaning lady, played by Lesley Manville, in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress and decides that she must have one of her own. After she works, starves, and gambles to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris which will change not only her own outlook, but the very future of the House of Dior. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
To get us into the festive spirit mulled wine and mince pies will be served before the film, so come along early when doors open at 7.00pm. At the interval, in addition to the normal pizzas and calamari, a festive choice of turkey or brie and cranberry ciabattas and fries will be served.
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CAROLS ROUND THE GREEN – FRIDAY 22ND DECEMBER
Come and join the other Carolers. Gather at 6.45 ish at the Half Moon pub then at the Green thereafter from around 7 ish start with mulled wine and mince pies, etc afterwards in the Village Hall.
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Sheet Film Club held its annual collection for the Petersfield Food bank at the November film night. Members of the audience were very generous with their donations.
Enjoying a cuppa, cake and a chat at the Winter Warmer Cafe – every Friday in the Village Hall 2.30-4.30pm. Book swap starts Friday 1st December so bring any unwanted books.
ARCHIVE – November 2023:
The Parish Council would like to notify you all of 3 items which are outlined below. Please note that the Community Meeting regarding the PPS Survey is on Saturday 25th November.
PARISH PRIORITY STATEMENT SURVEY
Thank you to all who responded to the Survey – Sheet PC are currently reviewing the responses received and will be feeding back our findings at a Community Meeting to be held on Saturday, 25th November at Sheet Village Hall at 3.00 p.m. – residents are very welcome to come along to find out more.
VACANCY FOR A PARISH COUNCILLOR
Sheet Parish Council has a vacancy for a Parish Councillor which will be filled by co-option at the PC meeting on Tuesday, 12th December.
Nominations are invited and should be sent in writing to the Clerk at Rose Cottage, Ridge Common Lane, Stroud GU32 1AX before Tuesday, 5th December or by email to clerk.sheet@parish.hants.gov.uk
PULENS LANE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME
Please see below link to the webpage for the Pulens Lane Improvement Scheme. The feedback survey opens noon 20 November 2023 and closes on 7 January 2024 at 11:59pm.
There is also a drop in event on Wednesday, 22nd November with more info on location/time on the webpage.
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THE WINTER WARMER CAFE – Starts Friday 3rd November
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SHEET FIREWORKS – Saturday 4th November
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Film Club presents ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ – Thursday 16th November
Join us on Thursday 16th November for our next film, “A Bunch of Amateurs”, a quietly hilarious film about Bradford Movie Makers, one of the oldest amateur filmmaking clubs in the world. Once a thriving community, these days the membership is dwindling and the group struggle to keep the wolf from the door. Growing old amid flickering memories, one of the oldest amateur film clubs in the world is teetering on the brink of survival. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
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ARCHIVE – October 2023:
Reduction of the canopy of the Horse Chestnut Tree – In just 6 hours on 14th September an impressive team reduced our Horse Chestnut Tree considerably in an effort to save it. And it seems that the end result was that the split in the trunk closed a great deal once the weight came off the limbs. A lot went into the of planning of the operation by the Parish Council, many residents came to watch and many photographs were taken. The whole operation was quite a spectacle. We’ll have to give it some words of encouragement each time we pass and hope it’ll flourish.
Photo – Lucy Pringle
Photo – Lucy Pringle
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QUIZ NIGHT – In aid of Maddy’s Mark – Friday 13th October
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Film Club presents ‘The Worst Person in the World’ – Thursday 19th October
The Worst Person in the World is a 2021 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Joachim Trier. The film premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim, with Renate Reinsve winning the award for Best Actress for her performance in the film. On the verge of turning thirty, Julie is faced with a series of choices that force her to pursue new perspectives on her life in contemporary Oslo. Over the course of four years, she navigates love affairs and existential uncertainty as she starts deciding who she wants to become. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
ARCHIVE – September 2023:
CANCELLATION OF SHEET RACES – Whilst remedial works to the Horse Chestnut Tree will be completed in time for the planned Sheet Races, unfortunately the event has been cancelled. Actions which needed to be put in place ahead of the event, insurances, road closure permissions, etc, could not be put in place because dates for any works to the tree were then unknown, and led to the decision to cancel early on. Hopefully to be re-arranged in the future.
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HORSE CHESTNUT TREE – SHEET VILLAGE GREEN
Most of you will be aware of the large split which appeared in the trunk of the Horse Chestnut tree on the Village Green, following Storm Antoni at the beginning of August. Initially the weight was taken out of the two limbs most badly affected by the split to ensure the tree is safe and the Village Green has been sealed off to prevent public access. The Parish Council have issued a notice about their plans for the tree – click on the link to read: HORSE CHESTNUT TREE – UPDATE
Photo showing split , taken by Lucy Pringle
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A NOTE FROM SHEET PARISH COUNCIL:
Sheet Parish Council is responding to the South Downs National Park Authority’s (SDNPA) local plan review by consulting everyone in the Parish. The Parish Priorities Statement survey is a great opportunity for you to inform the SDNPA of your priorities and the future of the Parish.
The survey feedback will be analysed and the Council will hold an open session at the village hall to allow for final comments before the results are submitted to the SDNPA. The survey needs to be completed and returned by Friday 22nd September 2023.Survey responses can be posted at the village hall (survey box) or by scanning and emailing them to our clerk Jenny Hollington at clerk.sheet@parish.hants.gov.uk
If you wish to complete more than one survey per household, please copy the survey form and return as above or if you have not received your survey for any reason please email Jenny Hollington at clerk.sheet@parish.hants.gov.uk who will arrange for a survey to be sent to you.
Thank you for completing the survey, your views are important.
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CANCELLED – Saturday 16th September – RACE DAY!
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Film Club presents ‘Dream Horse’ – Thursday 21st September
Dream Horse, a 2020 sports comedy-drama film, is our Members’ Choice and tells the true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely race horse bred by Welsh bartender and cashier Jan Vokes. With very little money and no experience, she convinces her neighbours to chip in a bit each week to help raise Dream in the hopes he can compete with the racing elites. Dream rises through the ranks with grit and determination and goes on to race in the Welsh Grand National. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
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Neighbouring village, West Meon, are holding their annual Music Festival on 14th – 17th September: https://westmeonmusic.co.uk
ARCHIVE – August 2023:
The Minutes of the Sheet Association and Charitable Trust AGM are now on the website – AGM Minutes 2023
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On your marks, get set, go……. to The Sheet Races!
Advance warning of The Queens’ Head Day at the Races on Saturday 16th September – time to get the date in your diary and brush up your skills.
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Neighbouring village, West Meon, are holding their annual Music Festival on 14th – 17th September: https://westmeonmusic.co.uk
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ARCHIVE – July 2023:
SHEET ASSOCIATION AND SHEET VILLAGE COMMUNITY TRUST – AGM
The Sheet Association are holding their AGM on Thursday 6th July, to which all are invited. As well as dealing with Sheet Association matters, Parish Councillor David McKinney will be talking to us about the Sheet Parish Priority Statement. Village Hall, 7pm. Refreshments. Agenda: AGENDA SA and SVCT AGM 2023.pdf
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MISS POPPLEWELL’S GARDEN – SATURDAY 1ST JULY
The Rude Mechanicals’ production – Miss Popplewell’s Garden is on Saturday 1st July at 7.30pm on the Recreation Ground. On-line booking has now closed, but you can arrive early and buy tickets at the door. https://www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
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Sheet Primary School Summer Fete is on Saturday 15th July
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And for tips on how to keep your house cool in a heatwave, there’s a webinar on Tuesday 11th July – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-keep-your-house-cool-in-summer-tickets-665201825567?aff=oddtdtcreator
Community Funded Initiatives – As many of you will be aware, Sheet Parish Council has been working on a number of CFI projects over the last couple of years – these are aimed at slowing the traffic on the London Road, preventing large vehicles accessing Village Street and, more recently, widening the footpath alongside the Church to make it safer for pedestrians. The following works will be taking place in the coming weeks and hope they will not cause too much disruption.
- 18002898 – London Road – Gateways – W/C 24th July.
- 18002899 – London Road – Lining work – Completed by Wilson and Scott (June/early July 23).
- 18002900 – London Road – Pedestrian footway and crossing point W/C 24th July.
- 18002901 – Village Street – Gateway and signing W/C 31st July – Aug 11th
- 18002902 – Village Street – Footway and junction build out construction work W/C 31st July – Aug 11th
NO FILM CLUB THIS MONTH
ARCHIVE – June 2023:
CORONATION PICNIC 7TH MAY 2023
A great time was had by 350 or so who gathered for the Sheet Coronation Picnic in Village Street and around the Village Green, the perfect venue for another celebration – and on a perfect sunny day.
The ‘Great Sheet Bake Off’ produced some innovative (and tasty) cake designs! The school ran an ice cream and tea stall, and a crown making craft activity. And of course there was a Raffle. An extensive and fascinating exhibition was mounted in the Village Hall showcasing the history of Sheet and its many social events. And more joined in the evening fun with live music at the Queens Head garden.
Big thanks for all the hard work of the organisers, and also the residents who helped before and on the day. The raffle made £848 and Jonathan of The Queens Head kindly made it up to £1000, which was spilt equally between the Rosemary Foundation and Cancer research UK. This event was made possible by support from Sheet Parish Council, the Sheet Association and the Queens Head. Here are some photos of a memorable day.
Majority of photos courtesy of Lucy Pringle
This overhead photo taken by Eddie Hunt
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Film Club presents ‘Il Postino’ – Thursday 15th June
Il Postino is a 1994 comedy-drama film co-written by and starring Massimo Troisi and directed by English filmmaker Michael Radford. The film tells a fictional story in which the real life Chilean poet Pablo Neruda forms a friendship with a simple postman (Troisi) who learns to love poetry.
The film was critically acclaimed, earning numerous accolades including BAFTA Awards for Best Film Not in the English Language. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
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Don’t forget to book your tickets for the Rude Mechanicals’ production – Miss Popplewell’s Garden, Saturday 1st July at 7.30pm on the Recreation Ground. For full information and to book tickets go to https://www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
ARCHIVE – May 2023:
The Coronation Picnic is fast approaching and on the day there’ll be a special Exhibition in the Village Hall – ‘An Insight into the History of Sheet and a Celebration of Social Events Past and Present’. Don’t miss it – and be sure to have a go at the Competition!
Left of this photo shows a projecting Post Office sign for one of quite a few Post Offices in Sheet over the years, this one at the side entrance to the house aptly named The Old Post Office – see it more clearly in the Exhibition.
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The Winter Warmer Cafe closed its doors at the end of March. Many hot beverages, delicious cakes, chats, jigsaws, board games and colouring books were enjoyed by young and old, and trusty pets! A couple of photos of the last day.
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Film Club presents ‘Molly’s Game’ – Thursday 18th May
Molly’s Game is a 2017 American biographical crime drama film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin in his directorial debut. Molly Bloom, played by Jessica Chastain, a beautiful, young, Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
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Don’t forget to book your tickets for the Rude Mechanicals’ production – Miss Popplewell’s Garden, Saturday 1st July at 7.30pm on the Recreation Ground. For full information and to book tickets go to https://www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
ARCHIVE – April 2023:
Pop in out of the cold for a free cuppa, cake and a chat at the Winter Warmer Cafe at the Village Hall. Delicious home baked cakes. Jigsaws, crayons and colouring paper available for children. Fridays 2.30 – 4.30pm – until end March. All welcome.
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This month’s archive photos cover various Sheet parties – scroll down to see them. From an Empire Day parade in 1909 or 1910, to the Trafalgar Day party on the Millennium Field in 2005 – complete with ships, pirates and water cannons! The 1992 Street Party to celebrate the opening of the by-pass, a group shot of villagers on the Green at the Millennium party, the raft race around the Heath pond, the 2018 festivities with Will Glancy’s amazing Duck Race down Village Street, and the Big Jubilee Lunch to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. There will be an extensive photo exhibition of Sheet parties in the Village Hall on the day of the Coronation party – Sunday 7th May.
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Film Club presents Roman Holiday – Thursday 20th April
Roman Holiday is a 1953 American romantic comedy film directed and produced by William Wyler. It stars Audrey Hepburn as a princess out to see Rome on her own and Gregory Peck as a reporter. Hepburn won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance; the screenplay and costume design also won. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
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Early notification of this Summer’s Rude Mechanicals’ production:
Miss Popplewell’s Garden, Saturday 1st July at 7.30pm on the Recreation Ground.
It’s April 1940 and The Willows School for Girls, including Jocasta, Daphne and Dotty, will have to move lock, stock and the proverbial barrel from its idyllic home in Little Inkling, Sussex, to Buckinghamshire, where they will take refuge from the war. Lessons are suspended and they have two weeks left to have some fun and say goodbye to their friends. But it’s a disaster for Daphne. All she wants is to be kissed before she’s seventeen, but now she’s got to move away, she may never see Gerald again! A comedy of manners woven with poignancy and gently unearthing buried things from Miss Popplewell’s past. For full information and to book tickets go to https://www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
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SHEET PARTIES – ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Three photos of an Empire Day celebration 1909. The Carriage, and with procession down Farnham Road. Empire Day on the Village Green.
Invitation and Programme for the September 1992 Sheet Street Party to celebrate the opening of the By-Pass. Huge fun and games with so many activities, competitions and races! Wheelie bin races, tug of war, children’s bike race and more.
Below is an article in the Petersfield Post with photo showing face painting by Margaret Jennings and Wendy Larken at the September 1992 Street Party. Ambrose Barber, the chairman of the Sheet street party committee, said between 500 and 700 people joined in the festivities. Village vicar Peter Ingrams and the Rev Brian Cook both dressed up in Victorian costume for the day. And Mr. Barbour said one of the funniest moments was when he overheard one party-goer ask: “I wonder if they are real vicars?”
And below face painting 30 years later by Daisy Payne, at the 2022 Big Jubilee Lunch Party.
Round the Village Green at the Millennium party
Raft race round the Heath pond 2002
The Trafalgar Day party, complete with ships, on the Millennium Field 2005
The Ugly Bug Street Party – 2006 (photography Lucy Pringle)
And not so long ago – 2018 Street Party in conjunction with Sheet Church’s 150th Anniversary (photography Lucy Pringle)
And last year, 2022 – The Big Jubilee Lunch to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee where 340+ people sat down to lunch in Village Street.
(Photograph Eddie Hunt)
ARCHIVE – March 2023:
SPRING IS SPRUNG – WELCOME!
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Live Music at Churcher’s College in support of the RNLI – Saturday March 18th
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Film Club presents West Side Story 2021 – Thursday 16th March
How many of you saw the 1961 version at the Odeon Leicester Square?!
Produced and directed by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by screenwriter and playwright Tony Kushner, this new 2021 version of West Side Story tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love, set in 1957 New York City. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this new production stars Ansel Elgort as Tony, a former member of the “Jets” street gang, and Rachel Zegler stars as María, a young woman whose brother is the head of the Jets’ rival gang, the “Sharks.”
When Tony and María meet, they fall in love, but those close to them discourage their union. As racial and territorial tensions mount between the competing gangs, events unfold that threaten the young lovers’ happiness. Along with its iconic songs, the film features breathtaking new choreography from Justin Peck. A timeless story of love and social unrest, the film also features stunning cinematography by Janusz Kaminski. For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
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This month’s archive photos. Every village has its parking and traffic problems. The streets and houses were often built before motor vehicles arrived, and too narrow to take large trucks and houses too narrow to park more than one small car outside. A few shots to show how quiet and empty Village Street and The Green used to be.
How peaceful. This postcard has a postage stamp dated August 1912 when Village Street was called Sheet Street. You can see that numbers 6 and 7 were one house, with canopy over the front door.
This photo from the Petersfield Post 6th November 1975. Caption reads ‘These picturesque cottages in Village Street have frequently had their front porches demolished by heavy lorries. Residents hope that a vehicle width restriction on the road will improve the situation.’
These two photographs taken in September 1987 show the lack of cars parked around the Green and down Village Street 35 years ago.
This article in the Petersfied Post from June 17th 1992 celebrating the opening of the Petersfield by-pass, says in the first column …… ‘At the moment all that disturbs the peace and quiet is the constant thunder of traffic but all that is set to change. ……… the picture postcard village centre should really return to the tranquil peace and quiet of a bygone age when the new Petersfield by-pass is opened. Villagers will be getting out the champagne to celebrate when the stream of cars and lorries which flow through Sheet on the busy A325 is reduced to a trickle.’ The Villagers did indeed celebrate with a Street Party in September 1992 – but more of that next month when we have the ‘Sheet Street Party Archives’.
And a few old photos of struggling trucks.
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ARCHIVE – February 2023:
Film Club presents Compartment 6 – Thursday 16th February
Compartment 6 is a 2021 Finnish/Russian co-produced drama film co-written and directed by Juho Kuosmanen. Young Finnish archaeology student Laura (Seidi Haarla) is convinced by her lecturer – and lover – to take a trip to a site near the Arctic Circle. However, when she boards the long-distance train, she finds that she has to share her carriage with the boorish and belligerent Ljoha (Y Borisov), a foul-mouthed, misogynistic drunk travelling to his new job as a miner. Initially, they seem to have nothing in common, but……….For full info and to book tickets, go to www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilm
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Some of you will have seen this poster at the Village Hall – whilst this Quiz on Friday 3rd February is now sold out, we aim to do another one later in the year. If however you would like to contribute to Maddy’s Mark, or read about our charity, which we set up in memory of Maddy Lawrence who grew up in Sheet, our website is: www.maddysmark.com Thank you so much.
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– CHARITY FILM QUIZ POSTPONED
Film Club are pleased to announce the return of our Charity Film Quiz on Saturday 25th February in Sheet Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. All proceeds from the event will be divided between The Rosemary Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
Tables will be available for teams of six with tickets going on sale from Monday 5th February; so now’s the time to gather together your team as the Quiz could sell out quite quickly.
Tickets, priced at £15, will include food at the interval provided by the Queens Head and can be purchased on the Sheet Film Club website at https://webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilms
The bar will open at 7.00pm.
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Advance news of an event in support of the RNLI – Live Music at Churcher’s College – March 18th
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A relative of one of our past Sheet Village Association committee members, Peter Baillie, has kindly sent us a bundle of archive material. Peter was a committee member for many years before retiring in 1995. We’ll be publishing some of these photos and articles over the next few months.
Tanyard Cottages and Bridge Cottage before fields opposite were built on. Believed to be in the 1920s.
View to Old Sheet House, Village Street, Mill Lane and Old A3. Postage stamp on postcard dated August 1908.
Sheet Bridge, Old Post House with Toll House opposite. Postage stamp on postcard dated October 1907.
ARCHIVE – January 2023:
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MEMORIAL BENCH FOR WILL GLANCY
Some of you will have already noticed, and tried out, the new bench on the Green and will have realised that this is Will Glancy’s Memorial Bench. The bench was chosen for its shape; it invites anyone to come and sit opposite one another and chat. As welcoming, sociable and inclusive as Will himself always was. Hope you all enjoy it. The bench itself will soon have an inscription in memoriam of Will carved into the top rail. All was paid for by Sheet Parish Council to honour a much missed Councillor and friend who did so much for Sheet for many years.
The installation of the Bench was perfectly timed for the Carols Round the Green. Here are some Carolers enjoying a glass of mulled wine and a chat.
The bench is made from teak, from sustainably managed sources, and supplied in this country by Cyan Furniture. It is an 8’ diameter circle, and the 10’ diameter Indian sandstone base was cut and laid by local landscaper Ryan Kirkby, of Kaleidoscope Garden Design.
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Film Club presents Brian and Charles – Thursday 19th January
Brian and Charles is a heartwarming new comedy about friendship, love, and letting go. Comedian David Earl co-wrote and stars in Brian and Charles as an eccentric recluse. Trapped on a remote farm in northern Wales, Brian tinkers meaninglessly with scrap machinery in his garage. One day, trying to combat his loneliness, he makes something which unexpectedly works quite well : Charles, a seven-foot tall walking and talking AI robot who has his own awkward but loveable personality. Book tickets and see full info at www.webcollect.org.uk/sheetfilms
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On Thursday 26th January Heartstart, a Division of the British Heart Foundation, will be at the Village Hall covering basic life support skills and demonstration of our Defibrillator. They have visited us before but it’s a good opportunity for a recap on these procedures. For full information see Heartstart Training