Brede

Contact: telephone 01424 882037 or email [email protected]

To Brede crafters I would like to extend my deepest apologies. Liz Jenkins contacted me to say that the information I received and then printed was wrong about their Christmas craft fair. In fact I am delighted to report that they had a very successful day with 22 tables selling wares and the crafters made a profit of £487.81. I am reliant on accurate information being passed to me for the column so if you are a leader of a group or organiser of an event please contact me as soon as possible either to promote it or report how well it went.

Most important news: Ruben from the Broad oak stores has informed me that the current contract for the post office service ends next Friday December 20th he needs help ASAP he has a contract that will enable the Post Office to open all week, but he has no one qualified to run it. If he does not find people to run it then the contract will be terminated and we will never have the chance to open one again. He thinks people of the village could run it, as in other villages; they would have to have training but could do a morning or afternoon session. Those who run it would be paid in commission on what they sell and also a small amount from the shop this has to be organised more and it was brought up at the Parish Council Meeting but there is no money available in this years precept. Ruben is pleading for help, if any one is already trained please could you run it until February when he himself plans to be able to help. Contact Ruben ASAP.

Friday 13 Holy Communion service is at 9am in St Georges Brede. Brede Farmers Market 10am – noon in Brede Village Hall selling a wonderful array of foods and fresh produce; and homemade crafts good for Christmas presents It is still not too late to dedicate a light for someone you care about, the Tree is now up outside the Church with the lights attached; see Andrew at the Market or Please put your name in an envelope with a donation of a £1 and post it or drop it in to Andrew’s house Alexander Cottage, Stubbs Lane Brede TN31 6EJ.

The Bell Ringers will put a list of dedications on the Church notice board and the sum raised in the Parish Magazine in the New Year. At 1.30pm the National Trust continues their seasons talks following the market and at 7.30pm the short mat bowlers will be doing their best to aim true.

Saturday 14 December Holy Communion service is at 9am in St Georges Brede. The Methodists will hold a Christmas Celebration in Winchelsea Chapel then at 7pm in St Thomas’s Church Winchelsea the Winchelsea Singers are doing a Carol Concert in aid of St Michaels Hospice

Sunday 15 December Third Sunday of Advent, there will be a family Eucharist at 9.30am in St George’s Church. Please note no morning service in the Methodist Church. Instead at 3pm there will be a Carol Service and the Reverend Peggy Heim will lead the service. Seasonal refreshments will be available after the service and all are welcome.

Monday 16 December Age Uk Day Centre offers older people the chance to have a day together fro 10.30am looking at stories in the news and playing a Christmas word game. Christmas lunch. Following lunch the entertainment will be Carol will be singing. Members meet in Brede Village Hall, for any queries please phone 07850 987120

The Whist Players are in the main Hall at 7.30pm. Rainbows meet in the small Hall at 4.00pm followed at 5.30pm by the Brownies. In the Scout Hut Beavers begin at 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Cubs follow from 6.30pm – 8.00pm. Guides meet at Udimore Hall at 7.15pm

Brede School Pupils are putting on a special performance of the Snow Queen at 2pm limited tickets are available from Father Martin Harper for a suggested donation of £2 contact him 01424 883408 Carol Singing in the Parish at the Red Lion about 8pm do join them for an evening relaxing with friends and singing your heart out. when doing the Carols.

Tuesday 17 December Holy Communion Service at St George’s Church 9am

Painting for pleasure group will meet at 9.30am in Brede Village Hall

Wednesday 18 December Holy Communion Service at St George’s Church 10am

Thursday 19 December Holy Communion Service at 9am Brede School Carol Service 2pm both at St George’s Church. In the Village Hall side entrance the Doctors Surgery is at 12 noon and at 1.30pm in the main hall the National Trust continue their talks.

Friday 20 December Holy Communion Service at 9am in St George’s. 10 –12am Brede farmers Market. 7.30pm Short Mat Bowls, both in Brede Village Hall

Last week those who attended all the events had a wonderful time. The School Christmas Fair was well attended and The Red Lion was overflowing with people, the lively Christmas market was in the Church, the hog roast was very tasty and went very quickly, the brass band players must have been frozen they were outside. Father Christmas had a collecting bucket and all the money given to him went to St Michaels Hospice

The Cranbrooke Town band gave a marvellous performance beginning with Star Wars theme tune. It could have been better supported and it is hoped you will all put it down in your 2014 diaries for December 3rd 7.45pm so if you have heard how good it is from others you will not miss out. John May informs me that this year’s RBL Poppy appeal raised just over £1,600 in the Brede and Udimore area. The RBL would like to thank all those who contributed and especially to the collectors who went out in some terrible weather conditions, and to the businesses that allowed collecting boxes on their premises.

The Concert in St Georges Church was fantastic Bexhill youth gave the most brilliant performance of Carols, as did Opera South East, Gary, Ann and Grace and Vocality the singing was followed by a lovely supper. The Christmas Tree festival was popular and people from the various groups had made an incredible effort with the ideas that had turned into their trees. It concluded with the Christingle and every seat was filled it was wonderful to see so many families and children in the Church enjoying the service. The children especially liked receiving their Christingle, which is an orange depicting the world with sweets, and dates on sticks representing all that is grown and a red ribbon showing that Jesus shed his blood for us all and a white lighted candle the sign that Jesus is the light of the world. What a lucky Parish we are to have had so much to entertain us, and it continues.

Future events

Friday 10 January Brede Players present Wind in the Willows in Brede Village Hall at 7.30pm tickets are £6 adults, £3 children Saturday 2.30pm and 7.30pm adults £7 children £3 there will be refreshments and a raffle. Tickets are available from Broad Oak Bakery, Bobby Boud 01424 882549 or Bruni Llovet 01424 883548

Saturday 25 January Friends of St Georges quiz night 7.30pm Teams of up to 8 tickets cost £8.50 each and includes fish and chips book your table with Marion Firman 01424 751165 ASAP

Activities for the week

At Brede Village Hall

Mondays - Age Uk Daycentre 10.30am, Whist 7.30pm.

Rainbows 4pm Brownies 5.30pm both in the small hall

Tuesday – Painting for Pleasure 9.30am

Thursday – Doctors Surgery at 12 noon National Trust continue their talks at 1.30pm.

Fridays – Farmers Market 10am Short Mat Bowls 7.30pm

Scout Hut – Mondays - Beavers 5.30, Cubs 6.30pm

Udimore Parish Hall –

Monday - Guides

Wednesday – Yoga

Friday Pilates and Gardening club

Brede School performance of the Snow Queen at 2pm

Carol Singing at the Red Lion 8pm