Catsfield village voice

The entertainment will be provided by Rother Community Choir and the St Laurence Church Choir will also be performing.

Tickets are available now from the Village Shop at the cost of £5 and that will include a drink and light refreshments.

On Sunday 26th August the service of Holy Communion will be at the usual time of 9.30am.

With only a few more games to go, Catsfield Cricket Club seem to be on a winning streak, having beaten Newenden away on Sunday. Newenden got 202 for 6 before tea with Nick Gurr taking 5 for 36. Nick also contributed 16 to our total of 206 for 7 with two overs to go and time to gather in their excellent village pub for a drink afterwards. Keith Cook got 24, Sanjay 37, Jamie Bristow-Diamond 41, James Wilson 44 not out and Martin Gurr just beating Nick with 19. The next game is at home on Saturday against Parkhurst.

The funeral of Carole Bryant took place in the village last week. Carole, nee Oliver, was born in Manston, The Stream, Catsfield, she attended the village school and Claverham and then left to get married to Roger and live in Bexhill, although her link to the village was always strong. Her mother was Eva Shepherd whose family lived on The Green alongside the Gurrs, Banisters and Honnisets, to whom she was closely connected. Carole’s father was Laurel Oliver from Battle and her uncle owned Olivers Printing Works in Lower Lake, now a small housing estate. There was a large gathering in the Village Hall afterward the funeral where friends Joan, Valerie and Ann recalled the many entertainments put on by Mrs Broadley, whose daughter in law Daphne, also a village girl, has recently died. Our condolences go to both families.

The annual ‘Ride & Stride’ event is a sponsored course around the churches in Sussex & other counties. The event is fairly unique in there as no fixed route - thus it encourages people to see the wonderful churches and chapels we have in the area and to explore parts of Sussex that they may not normally see. It is an event that all ages can enjoy - families are welcome to take part as well as individuals. Everyone who takes part will be raising much needed funds, which assist in the repair and maintenance of our historic churches. For those of a competitive nature, there are prizes available for time and number of churches visited.

The ‘Ride & Stride’ takes place on the Second Saturday of September each year - this year that is Saturday 08 September 2012. The event runs from 09:00 until 18:00. Any church or chapel may join in and will be listed in the Places Open List. Any rider or walker can ride or walk where they choose, and may start and finish at any church, visiting as many or as few as they like, in any participating county. Other than by bicycle, the only accepted alternative is on foot, wheelchair or horse.

Mike Cooper writes- We have yet to receive our sponsor forms, however there will be a ride for those interested. We will be leaving Catsfield Village Car park at 9 am on 8th September (in our cars, I hasten to add!) to go to St. Dunstan’s, Snargate, where the kind church warden lets us park in the field opposite the church, so long as we don’t let any sheep out! We should be setting off from there soon after 10 am for a ride round Romney Marsh visiting several churches as we go. Lunch will be taken at St. Mary Magdalene, Ruckinge, you can bring your own or buy a lovely ploughman’s from the church, plus delicious cakes! (has loo!)

Most of the churches provide drinks but not always loos. Should be back at Snargate by about 4.30pm. Cannot promise any bike transport but people can phone me and I will see what I can do. Cannot take any random children i.e. must be accompanied by their parents or similar!

Due to lack of visitors over the years, St Laurence church will be open but not manned.

At the time of writing, we are in the middle of a heatwave (which will probably be over by the time that you read this!) ‘The Catsfield Flyer’ reminds us all in a message from Sussex Police to make sure that our homes are kept secure during the summer months. When we have windows, doors, sheds and garages often left open during the warm weather, it is the ideal chance for the opportunist burglar to gain entry. Please be aware whilst out in the back garden, that all doors and windows at the front of the house are firmly closed.

Jill Jarrett, Henley Down Cottage