Catsfield

Jill Jarrett

Henley Down Cottage

Catsfield football team played a difficult game on Saturday away against Sandhurst, which despite goals by Alex, Nigel and Ben we lost 5 - 3. The pitch was wet and several fouls were committed, which sometimes happens on sticky ground. We are still suffering from injuries, but several players are returning to fitness and the team is looking forward to another cup match on Saturday.

The WI held their annual meeting on 1st November where we welcomed several guests who listened to the excellent report by Secretary Beryl Bodey on our activities throughout the year. Treasurer Ann Clegg reported that despite losing the opportunity of restoring our savings with the cancellation of the Harvest Supper, the Institute’s funds are in good shape. Ann Davey was re-elected President and two new members volunteered to join the Committee. Yes, I did say volunteered which was very encouraging, especially since one very loyal member has reluctantly resigned. After all the official business had been conducted, three very competitive games of bingo were played with caller Thora Webber in her “bingo glasses”. We have put her name down for the Euro Millions Draw, who needs all that electronic wizardry when you can do it all with a plastic bag and cardboard numbers?

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During last week’s half-term holiday, Father Michael in his role as Scout Leader, took a group of twelve scouts from Catsfield and Crowhurst plus several helpers to Belgium for a three day visit to some of the WWI sites. Their accommodation was in Ypres where they stayed in the Belgium Scout Hall. They began their trip by visiting the Flanders Fields Museum and in the evening they all went bowling. On the Friday they went to the Battle of Passchendaele Museum and experienced the reconstructed WWI dug-outs and tunnels, before going on to the Tyne Cot Cemetery. They visited some of the thousands of war graves, laid a poppy wreath and planted poppy crosses. Later they had the opportunity for some shopping and exploring.

In the early evening they attended the daily service of remembrance at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in WWI and whose graves are unknown. The scouts were privileged to form a uniformed guard of honour and were able to lay a wreath to the fallen. Later a showing of the film ‘War Horse’ had been arranged for them with the addition of a feast of delicious waffles! Saturday morning was spent playing games and making friends with the members of the Belgium scouts and many addresses were exchanged before setting off for home after a memorable and educational experience.

Tomorrow is the St Laurence Church Bonfire Night Quiz at 7pm in the Village Hall. The tickets cost £5 per person which includes a welcome drink and a hot dog supper. Come prepared with a Bonfire Night related Team name and make the evening go with a Bang!

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday and the Parish Communion service including the Act of Remembrance will be at the church of St Laurence at 9.15am

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Tomorrow, Saturday the East Sussex Mobile Library will be in its usual place outside the Village Hall from 4.15pm – 4.45pm.

Make a note to visit the St Laurence Church Christmas Market on Saturday 1st December to buy some presents and goodies from the various stalls, enjoy a Ploughman’s Lunch, visit Santa (if you’re not too big to sit on his knee!) or win the Raffle. It all happens in the Village Hall from 10am – 2pm. Entrance 50p, children free

Due to a production error at the newspaper, the following copy was missed from last week’s newspaper. We’re happy to reproduce it now...

Passers-by may have noticed that there is a defibrillator located on the front of the Village Hall between the notice boards. The ‘South East Coast Ambulance Service’ and the ‘British Heart Foundation’ have jointly

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Funded several of these units which are primarily being installed in the rural areas. There will also be some training for anyone who is interested.

A date has not been set yet.

Roger Williams, who is the joint proprietor of Parkgate Manor, was one of the remarkable volunteers helping out at both the Olympics and the Paralympic Games, travelling back and forth to London throughout the summer. He worked extremely hard co-ordinating the safe transportation of the athletes to their events and also arranged transport for the VIP’s and as a result, he was nominated by his team as an outstanding volunteer. This earned Roger the honour of being one of about eighty volunteers selected from many thousands to receive an invitation to Clarence House, where he was introduced to Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Catsfield played well against top of the table Hollington at home on a pitch that was in good condition after all the rain we have had. The drainage system is working well. We lost 2- 0 but it was a good performance. Saturday we are away to Sandhurst, so hopefully can keep improving to rise over our present position of third from the bottom, or as we prefer eighth from the top.

Did you know that William Markwick, who lived in Catsfield Manor in the eighteenth century and owned a lot of the surrounding land, was an enthusiastic naturalist? He documented the wildlife for miles around and his diaries, writing and drawings are stored in the Hastings Museum. He died just before Gilbert White was born and some say his observations were of equal importance, but he did not get the same recognition.

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As most of you will have heard, my dear husband Jim died unexpectedly and peacefully in his armchair last week. We have lived in Catsfield for more than thirty years, but I am still amazed and so deeply touched at the kindness and thoughtfulness shown to me every day in cards and messages from local people and the lovely things they have said about Jim. Thank you all so very much, it is greatly appreciated and means so much to me and my family.