Catsfield Village Voice

Don’t forget to come to the Village Hall on Thursday 18th December from 6pm – 8pm and drop in to sing Christmas carols in the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to come for as long or short a time as they want, and join in a hearty singing of all the favourite carols and seasonal readings hosted by the church choir with Bob playing the piano. Mince pies and mulled wine will be served and a donation for St Michael’s Hospice would be greatly appreciated. Bring your family and friends and let your heart sing this Christmas!

Catsfield WI held its Christmas Party last week, entirely planned and organised by Gail, one of the committee members. Of course, singing Jerusalem started the meeting and business matters were kept to the minimum. Each table had a bag of various types of greenery and everyone had an oasis container and a candle with which to create a festive table decoration. There was also a bag with some decorative embellishments to complete the arrangement. Whilst everyone was busy being creative, Becky, the borrowed pianist for the afternoon was playing a selection of well-known carols and everyone was singing along. Gail had written a hilarious WI version of the Twelve Days of Christmas with accompanying photographs and there was great amusement as everyone joined in singing it – I think we’ll be hearing it again for many Christmases to come! The competition for the best Christmas jumper was won by Audrey in a cheeky little number and the table arrangements that were made earlier were judged and the winner was Joanna, both were awarded Christmas-wrapped prizes. A lovely festive tea was served and the lucky dip basket was brought round for everyone to take home a gift, then the Raffle was drawn. An extra surprise was the announcement made that on the following day it was to be our (possibly) oldest member, Kath’s 90th birthday, she was presented with a special cake and everyone sang Happy Birthday. It was an excellent Christmas Party and thanks go to Gail for planning it so meticulously and making it such a success, at least 34 members and guests went home smiling. The next meeting will be held on January 8th at 2pm (as the 1st Thursday is New Year’s Day) and the speaker will be Jay Ashworth talking about the ‘History of Ashburnham Place.’ Visitors are welcome.

A reminder - On Sunday 21st December at 4pm the traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held in St Laurence Church.

On Tuesday 23rd December at 3.30pm the Children’s Crib Service will be held in St Laurence Church. Do you have little ones who would love to dress up and join in the story of the Nativity? There will be a rehearsal on Saturday 20th December at 2pm in the church and Mums, Dads and proud grandparents are all welcome to come and see them perform on 23rd.

On Christmas Eve 24th December Midnight Mass will be held at the Church of St Laurence at 11pm

On Christmas Day at 10am the Christmas Family Eucharist will be held this year at St George’s Church in Crowhurst.

A date for your diary – The traditional Burns Night Dinner will be held on Saturday 24th January in the Village Hall from 7pm. A three-course dinner will be served with a ‘wee dram’ for the toast and tickets cost £15 each. These are available from Sandra on 01424 774708 or 07545292533 and it is advisable to book early as this popular event is always a sell-out.

A message from Victoria - To Catsfield 100 Club Members, thank you for supporting Catsfield Village Hall Maintenance Fund just by being a member, you have helped considerably to keep things ticking over this last year. You are valued and much appreciated.

Jan writes – I look back fondly on Christmases past spent with Mum and Dad in the old Victorian house which lent itself to festive decorations and especially the tree which Dad always dressed. The fairy on the top was handed down from his great grandparents and she had become a little frail to say the least, but it wouldn’t have been the same without her. On Christmas Day, after accepting help with preparing the veggies, Mum insisted on getting on with the dinner, shut in the kitchen on her own. Dad meanwhile had a wide assortment of games in his repertoire and he entertained us children all morning. There was always a table in the corner with dates, sweets and chocolates and we had to be careful to keep room for the wonderful meal that Mum been producing in the kitchen. Happy childhood memories.