This photo was taken from the other side of the River Ouse in Lewes.
Anyone who has or does live beside a brewery will know that you often get a lovely malty odour in the air, the strength of which depends on how far you are from the brewery and the direction of the wind. I suspect it is either a smell you like or hate. I am not a beer drinker [or should that be ale?] however I do happen to like the smell. It often reminds me of my favourite childhood cereal - Sugar Puffs - [yes there are many others who also think I'm mad]. If you want to see the history and variety of products produced by Harveys, check out the last blog posting which has a link to their site.Now for the subject of this posting. The little hamlet of Offham.
Blink as you drive along the A275 and you may miss it. If fact if you are one of those who flaunt the speed limits, Offham is probably a blur as you charge round the 3, quite tight, corners. Do so at your peril though. The 30 mile speed limit is there for a reason, as those that have ended up in the tiny front garden of one of the main street houses, or in the field by the church will confirm. In the very short spaces between those tight corners there are spots where other road users need to turn off the road, so kill your speed, not them. Here endeth todays lesson.
As you drive from Lewes and come round the first corner at the 30 mile limit, on your right is the Old Post House.
Immediately after this is the turn off for Hamsey Village and St Peters Church of Offham.
Last year the proud parishioners successfully raised funds to build a small parish hall by the side of St Peters [tiny if you compare it to the normal size of any parish hall I had previously visited], the church is now the proud owner of lovely oak beamed premises where they can hold church related events.
If this is not large enough, a few years ago, the Parish Council and residents of Offham, Hamsey and Cooksbridge [as with all projects of this type, some more than others] worked hard to raise funds to build their own hall to replace the outdated building they used in Cooksbridge. The result was the beautiful, ecological building known as Beechwood Hall. It generates it's own heat and electricity and is a triumph for those involved. The current trustees work hard to maintain the hall and ensure it is fully used by and for the community with a variety of events.
The hall is available for hire at very reasonable rates.
Having shown you St Peters, I should add that this is technically the new church. The old church is Hamsey Parish Church and the current rector presides over both. Hamsey is still opened on occasion for special events and the graveyard is a treasure of information on the old families of the area. The Hamsey Church website gives some information on the names on the old graves and a contact [who has a wealth of knowledge on the area] should you wish further information. If you click on the link to St Peters, you can choose to view the information on either church.
Hamsey Church is not that far away, however you have to travel down the small country lanes to gain access, with limited parking at the church itself. I am told it is beautiful inside, as is St Peters, though I have not personally been in either church. You can view Hamsey Church over the fields from Offham as seen below.
Almost directly opposite the turning for Hamsey and St Peters is a cottage which was probably the gatehouse for what was once the estate of the local landowners. The Shiffners. They owned a great deal of Offham and its surrounding countryside.
These days the estate is split up with a variety of owners. There are however now 3 ' big houses ' which could be thought off as the remainder of the original estate.
Coombe, is accessed from the road by the side of the gatehouse, and is perhaps the largest of the 3.
Mount Harry is accessed from the B 2116 and
Offham House is just around the corner in Offham itself.
Both Mount Harry and Offham House used to participate in the National garden Scheme, however Mount Harry Estate recently withdrew from the scheme with their last opening in 2009. Offham House still continues with its open days and it normally has 2 openings a year. Complete with home baked cakes and home grown plants.
Mount Harry is famed for its roses [also appreciated by the local wild Roe Deer] and Offham House for its beautifully manicured lawns. In both cases the gardens are, and have been for a great number of years, tended by two, wonderfully modest, female gardeners.
The remaining surrounding area of Offham is farmland and the delightful South Downs.
The picture of Offham would not be complete without mention of its 2 hostelries. The first, Chalk Pit Inn, [which I am told is just within Offham boundary] is as you drive to Offham from Lewes and is before you reach the speed limit signs. If you intend to try it out beware, as it is just behind a bend, off the road on your left. You come upon very quickly.
The second is as you pass through the main [and really only] street in Offham. The Blacksmiths Arms.
The entrance to the car park is just past this building, not the one by the gatehouse cottage.
I have frequented both establishments at some point in time and while both have the feel of the country, they are both very different. Its a case of paying your money and making your choice. In both cases however, I enjoyed my meal, and recommend you try them yourself.
So, I am now at the end of my first month of the blog. My resolution is still in tact and I have learned a little about doing a blog, adding pictures and imbedding copyright information into the photographs. At least, I think I have.
Lets see how I get on in February.
Bye for now
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