District news - February 15

HOOE LUNCH: Well the weather was unkind in the early morning but brightened enough to encourage people to attend the Soup and Pancake lunch in Hooe village hall. The hall looked most attractive, it was warm and full of people and much chatter. The soups were delicious and hot, the pancakes served with lemon and sugar were light and tasty, they were followed by coffee. It really was a SOUPER DO.

Sincere thanks are due to all the people who worked hard organising the event, cooking the food and serving it so cheerfully. It was a most successful time and thoroughly enjoyed by the many people who attended and helped raise 230 which will be used to fund the next event which will possibly be a Ploughman's Lunch I am told.

HOOE OPEN GROUP: Last Friday's (8th) meeting was very enjoyable. Most of the members were present and had remembered to return the little pots complete with the 5p pieces being collected this year for a Hooe charity. They took them home again for more of the same next month!

Carol Holland's talk "The Marital Problems of a Registrar" was informative and very amusing causing many chuckles and some outbursts of laughter, it was very well received. Carol had thoughtfully brought a booklet detailing the service above and beyond births, deaths and marriages offered by registrars. Carol was warmly thanked by Edna and a member and given a gift and flowers in appreciation of a delightful talk. During the refreshments Carol visited each table answering more questions. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon indeed.

The meeting next month is on Friday, March 14 when men are invited to join their ladies to hear Albert Hall give his talk "Boys Town".

Details nearer the date.

NINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL: Quite a few residents attended the parish council meeting on Thursday, February 7 when items on the agenda included the Parish Plan, Road Safety Week, a No Cold Calling update and the Questionnaire. The parish council chairman, Roger Kent, reported that quite a few questionnaires had been returned to him from the post office which apparently enabled him to work out percentage answers so far. This surprised some people in the hall as it was presumed that returned questionnaires would be checked by several councillors together after February 15 when all questionnaires were presumed to have been returned. Please remember your entry must be returned to the post office by today, Friday, February 15.

Discussion on the uncertain future of the Kings Arms which would affect the car park followed. If in future parking is not possible the recreation ground will have a footpath which will be surplus to requirements.

Ninfield Bowls Club have submitted a planning application for a car park of their own. This would be an essential club requirement should they lose the right to use the Kings Arms car park especially on match days.

It is anticipated that full details and your copies of the questionnaire will be available at the Annual Parish Meeting to be held in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday, March 12. Unsure of the time of the meeting at present, will try to find out in good time.

East Sussex County Cllr Bill Bentley who has been working hard in support of Ninfield's Traffic Calming told of plans for London to off load 2.2 million metric tonnes of rubbish in East and West Sussex and in Kent. The charge money will be paid to London. East Sussex County Council are fighting the government tooth and nail said Cllr Mr Bentley as they have been reducing theirs.

Finally mention was made of potholes near the new roadworks. Monitoring of Tarmac is being carried out by Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council. The Parish Plan welcome pack is being prepared for future discussion by the parish council.

As you can see it really is worth a visit to these meetings.

NINFIELD GOLDEN CIRCLE: The annual meeting which was postponed in January will be held on Tuesday, February 19 at 2.30pm in the Memorial Hall. Changes to the committee will be unexpected but one never knows. Visitors are invited to go along to meet the members before deciding whether to join this friendly group.

NINFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The speaker at the meeting due to be held on Wednesday, February 20 is Colin Page. Colin has called his talk "Taken all in my stride". Members know there will be a raffle, a prize for these monthly events would be welcome. Refreshments are provided too.

Visitors are always welcome just go to the Memorial Hall, Bexhill Road in time for a 7.30pm start.

MOBILE LIBRARY: A reminder that this welcome service will be in our two villages next week so I do hope you will have read those you now have. Did you borrow any at the last visit Anne, lambing leaves little time for reading.

MISHEARD: Small person on his knees at bedtime included this in his prayer, "Thank you for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy".

CHURCH SERVICES - Sunday, February 17

St Mary's, Ninfield - 9.30am, Parish Eucharist; No Evensong.

St Oswald's, Hooe - 11.15am, Parish Eucharist.

Methodist Church - Worship Service led by Rev Stephen Maunder.

Wednesday, February 20

St Mary's, Ninfield - 10am, Holy Communion.