Beckley Village Voice

This year I have been given access to the minutes from when the village centre in Beckley was rebuilt in its present location in 1960 so there maybe some familiar names!

10.10.1960- Management committee minutes 8.15pm. Present . Dr. S.F.Mitchell (Chairman) Mrs. Downton; Mrs. Edwards; Mrs. Brown; Mrs Bull; Miss Masters; Mrs. Mitchell. Messrs Duffus; Major De Pree; Edwards; Larkin; Redley; Rees; Russell; Smith;Skinner . Col.Campell (Treasurer) and Mr. Neave (Secretary). 1. Minutes of the meeting 11th July and 12th Sept were read, confirmed and signed by the chairman. 2. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs Fotheringham-Parker and Mrs Ritchie. 3. Forthcoming entertainment, The chairman reported that the entertainment which was being promoted by the committee, the Borderline players and the Beckley Players would be held on Saturday 10th Dec. 4. Support and subscription. The chairman stated that a financial appeal by the Parochial Church Council had been postponed last year on account of clashing with the appeal then made by this committee and suggested that as the church appeal was to be made almost immediately this committees appeal for subscription should be put off until the New Year and it was resolved accordingly. 5. Constitution of committee. (a) Co-opted member. The chairman welcomed Mr J Skinner who had accepted the Committees invitation to be a co-opted member. (b) Borderline players and Beckley Players. The receipt of a letter dated sept 6th from the Ministry of Education was reported expressing the Ministry’s approval of the appointment of an additional Representative member of the committee by each of the following-The Borderline Players and The Beckley Players.(c) Appointment of a representative member , The Secretary reported that Mr R Catt had been appointed a representative member by the Badminton Club. (d) Appointment of a representative of the Beckley Conservative Association. An application was made by Major De Pree on behalf of the Beckley Conservative Association to be added to the list of representatives. A motion to grant the application was put to the meeting and there voted for the motion 11 and against 2. As the Trust deed requires that such a motion must be carried by a majority of not less than 2/3 of all members, the motion was not carried. 6. Sale of Intoxicants. The secretary reported that, if the committee were to permit the sale of intoxicants at the hall it would be necessary for a licensee to obtain an Occasional Licence from the justices and that he had ascertained that the licensees of the Royal Oak and The Rose And Crown were both willing, at least experimentally, to apply for such licences and to sell intoxicants at the hall when dances were held. After discussion it was resolved that the question be again deferred to see whether improved publicity and better conditions result in larger attendances. TO BE CONTINUED

Friends of Beckley Church AGM is 16th April @ Beckley Village Hall. Please come along and find out how they are raising funds for our lovely church-you may have noticed the roof is finally being replaced-meeting starts at 6pm.

The church is in need of a couple of church wardens. If you think you can help please contact Sister Liz on 07922012703 or [email protected]

Trefoil meet on Monday 21st April @ Beckley village hall 2pm . New members welcome. 01797 260537 or [email protected]

April 21st Open mic night at the Rose & Crown is every 3rd Monday of the month. Everyone welcome.

Sunday 27th April for our next amazing Farmers & Craft Market is on at the village. Stock up on all your Bread, Cheese & Local Produce, as well as crafts for your and gifts. WI serving refreshments of amazing bacon rolls & cakes. All proceeds help maintain our village hall. Free entry. 10-12.30pm Exciting news the village hall, which is at the heart of our community, now has solar panels installed so hopefully this will help with our running costs.

Keep a look out for the next event!!!! Every event the Diamond Divas put on is to raise money for Beckley Village Hall. Beckley Village Hall has long been the heart of our community—a space where friends gather, families celebrate, and local groups come together. From fitness classes and children’s activities to social clubs and special events, the hall is a vital hub for our village. But right now, it faces a serious challenge. Rising energy costs, increasing insurance fees, and a decline in bookings are putting its future at risk. Without support, we could struggle to keep the doors open and the lights on. This hall belongs to all of us, and we need your help to ensure it remains a thriving part of Beckley. Whether through donations, fundraising efforts, or simply spreading the word, every little bit makes a difference. If you’ve ever attended an event, used the hall’s facilities, or simply appreciated having this space available, now is the time to step forward. Let’s work together to keep Beckley Village Hall running—not just for today, but for generations to come.

For anyone struggling with the cost of food there is a community supermarket at The Hub on Rye hill will be back May 2nd and then every first Friday of the month between 10.30-11.30 where you can get £20 worth of food for just £6 (cash only). There is also the Rye food bank who offer more than just help with food. They have a direct link to Rother which locals can use to find out about services etc (in fact anything like the terminals in the library used to offer). They have a link to benefit support and debt counselling and they have someone who can give heating advice as well as a Family Support Worker – Gill (you do not need to be referred to seek Gills help. The Food Bank is open every Wednesday between 12-3pm in the Baptist Church in Cinque Ports Street Rye or can be contacted 07526 349847. You can also email them at [email protected].

Coffee morning@Beckley Village Hall on May 6th @ 10.30am run by FOBC. There will be a charity stall, books and bric-a brac as always.

The Beckley Lunch is held on the second Thursday of the month. Cost £10 for a 2-course meal. The next one is May 8th. We are a friendly group and everyone is welcome to enjoy the meal and chat. To book your place phone Keith Hedley on 01797 260720 or email [email protected] no later than the Monday before the Lunch.

BHS-Their next event organised by the horticultural society will be their SPRING SHOW on Saturday 17th May entries from 10am but show starts @ 2pm.

Big Cream Tea event- hosted by little Gate Farm on Sunday May 18th. Its £15pp and includes unlimited tea! Tickets must be booked in advance www.littlegate.org.uk . They are also hosting a charity Ball in Battle on Fri May 23rd. For more information please see the website.

Beckley History Society News. Subscriptions were due on 1st April (£5). Our Treasurer will be happy to receive these at any meeting you are attending. Future speakers are on 30th May when David Dennis will talk about Old Winchelsea. He will look at the changes in coastline over the centuries. On November 21 (please note this is 3rd Friday of the month) a talk about The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Calling all groups! Beckley Annual Parish Meeting is to be held on Thursday 29th May @ 6.30pm for 7pm in the village hall. Local groups and organisations are invited to attend and perhaps say a few words about what they do and how residents can be a part of their community. If your group would like to take up this opportunity to talk to the residents please contact [email protected]. All residents are invited and refreshments will be available.

The TGN has suspended its plastic plant pot recycling scheme so please do not leave any pots behind the village hall for the time being. Thank you.

Organist. Can you play the organ? Beckley and Peasmarsh churches are looking for someone to paly at their 10am services. If you can help out occasionally please contact Sister Liz on 07922012703 or [email protected]

Co-op- do you have a co-op membership card? If you do please consider nominating 1st Rye Scouts as your chosen charity. If you do the group will be granted some money towards their summer camp 2026! This is a yearlong promotion so please tell your friends and get them to nominate 1st Rye too….they don’t even have to live in the area!

Church services this month are on Sunday April 13th @8am & 10am. Mon 14th & 15th Compline at Vine Cottage. Fri 18th good Friday 12pm service, sat 19th April Messy Easter @ 2pm. Sun 20th @8am, Sun 27th @ 8am NB it may be necessary to move some services to Peasmarsh due to the roof works. For Baptisms, Weddings, funerals, Home Communion, funerals etc. please contact Sister Liz 07922012703 or [email protected]

Open Day- Beckley preschool are holding an open day on Tue 10th June between 1.45pm and 2.45pm. Parents and their children are welcome to come along and meet our amazing staff. For further information email [email protected] Beckley Preschool accept the 30 hour voucher. If you are looking for a space for your young child for sept please contact them email [email protected] They are term time only and open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9am - 3pm.

Beckley Parish Council has vacancies. If you would like to help make and keep Beckley a lovely place to live. Come join the council. Speak to the Chair Natasha (email natasha@ beckleyparishcouncil.org.uk) about what is entailed or the parish clerk Mary (email [email protected] or 01797 270 790). Also if you have any contributions for the quarterly magazine again contact the clerk. Parish Council Meetings are at the village hall and are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. Minutes, Agendas etc are available to view on the PC website or the two noticeboards- one at Four oaks end of the village and one opp Rose & Crown pub.

Yoga – did you know we have two yoga teachers at the village hall? Lolly runs a gentle yoga on a weds eve 7-8 on a drop in basis @ £7 per class and Andy runs Hath yoga on a Friday morning from 9-10.30 @ £10 a class.

Neighbourhood Watch, Beckley has a new FB group for neighbourhood watch. Please join for tips and advice on how to keep our community safe. If you are not on FB please email [email protected] to receive updates.

Cinque Ports FM. We have a fantastic local radio station now. Tune in to 95.1 FM service for a service covering Rye and surrounding areas. You can hear us in East Sussex in crystal clear FM stereo.

Community Speedwatch. Can you spare an hour a month to help with speed watch? The team are in need of a couple of extra helpers due to some members moving away. The purpose is to educate drivers rather than to penalise them. Please contact me on the email at the start of this column.

WI- If you would like to find out more about the exciting activities they have lined up or become a member please contact [email protected]. They meet up on the second Monday of the month in the village hall @ 7.30pm.

1st Beckley Brownies & Guides need you help! Adult volunteers are needed to enable girl guiding to continue in Beckley. Could you lend a hand? Find out more from Carlyn (Jay) by emailing [email protected]