Etchingham

FLOWER & DOG SHOW: The weather was kind last Saturday, so again there was a good attendance at the annual Flower and Dog Show, held in Queen’s Garden and the Church. As usual there were a lot of excellent entries in all the show categories. Unfortunately I do not yet have a report on the event from the organisers so I will include that next week, but I do have a list of the cup and trophy winners.

FLOWER & DOG SHOW TROPHY WINNERS: These are the winners of the Cups and Trophies, the full list of winners in every category will be published in the next edition of the Parish Magazine which will be available at the end of the month. The British Legion Cup, awarded to the Exhibitor obtaining most points in Class 1 to 29 inclusive, Bobby Baldock. - The Whins Trophy, awarded to the Exhibitor obtaining the most points in the Flower Arrangement Classes 30 to 34, Linda Neve. - The Wishdown Cup, awarded to the best exhibit in Classes 1 to 29, George Baldock. - The Warren Trophy, awarded to the best entry in the Children’s Section, joint winners Daniel Millea and Zoe Tooke. - The Chandler Cup, awarded to the best entry in the cookery class of the Children’s section (71), William Ashenden. - The Improvements Committee Cup, awarded for the most points gained in the Domestic Sections (35 to 46 inclusive), Linda Neve. - The St. Jude Trophy, awarded to the best exhibit in the Handicraft Section, Mary Dale. - The Brookside Trophy, awarded to the best exhibit in the photography section, Irene Baldock. - The Butler Cup, awarded to the best Flower Arrangement in the show, Linda Neve. - The Drivers Cup, awarded to the grower of the heaviest marrow, Linda Neve. - The Macdonald Shield, awarded to the best Gladioli in show, Bobby Baldock. - The Silver Tray, awarded to the dog with most points, Maria Williams with Frazer.

PHOTO DISPLAY: We put on a display of old photos, postcards and memorabilia in the Church during the Flower and Dog Show, the display received a lot of visitors and a lot of interest was shown in many of the items. A large part of the display will remain in place for a few weeks, so you can go in a take your time looking at the pictures, the church is open daily 11am to 4pm.

NEXT PHOTO DISPLAY: The next planned display will be at the 2015 Fete and again at the Flower and Dog Show. There was a lot of interest in the few WW1 items on show, First World War commemorations continue over the four years until 2018, so we hope to expand on the WW1 display for next year. If you or your family or friends have items that would be interesting to borrow or copy for the display we would be very interested. We are looking for any interesting photos, documents and any interesting items from the period, not just military items, but items that show what life was like during the war years. Perhaps you have some items that have been handed down to you by your parents or grandparents, anything that relates to the 1914-18 period would be interesting, military items, parts of uniforms, letters, newspaper cuttings, almost anything will be of interest to give an idea of life a hundred years ago. Most of the photos and documents I can make copies of and return the originals to you, items that cannot be copied I can make a list of who has what and collect from you a few days before the display. If you have items to loan or copy please contact me so that I know what is available to help with planning, contact details at the bottom of this column. I am particularly interested in finding photos of the men named on the War Memorial to add to the notes I am compiling on each of the men named, maybe you have a photo in your family albums or know someone who might have one.

SAFETY EVENT: Tomorrow (Saturday September 20) I will be joining our PCSO, Iain Tomsett, at a Volunyeer/Safety event at Bexhill Fire Station, demonstrating how Speedwatch works and how we use the various pieces of equipment. The event is hosted by East Sussex Fire Service and will feature many aspects of Community Safety and how volunteers can help make our communities safer. Volunteers with the Police include Speedwatch volunteers, Special Constables, Street Pastors and Police Cadets, come along and find out more about community safety and how you can get involved. The event takes place between 10.30am and 3pm at Bexhill Fire station in Beeching Road.

SPEEDWATCH VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED: We currently have six trained operators and could a lot more sessions if we had more volunteers. Volunteers have to attend a short instruction session at battle Police Station, for instruction on safety while operating at the roadside, training in the use of the equipment is then undertaken by the group co-ordinator. The volunteers are then able to be deployed on Community Speedwatch sessions. Find out more about Speedwatch by going to the village website and clicking on the Speedwatch link www.etchinghamvillage.co,uk If you would like more information about becoming a Speedwatch volunteer phone 01580 819532 or email [email protected] .

MOBILE LIBRARY: The next visits of the Mobile Library will be September 25 3.40pm to 4.20pm. Since the closure of the village hall the library van parks on the forecourt of Bracon Place on the east side of the level crossing.

PERFORMERS WANTED: it is now nearer next Christmas than last, so apologies for mentioning the ‘C’ word this early in the year, but it is time to start thinking about the Christmas concert and play in the church. The event will fall on Saint Lucy’s Day, December 13, so the script will feature the Scandanavian celebration of Sankta Lucia, Saint Nicholas, along with a traditional Sussex Mummers Play. Previous participants will be invited to a planning meeting in September, some new people to join in will be most welcome. If you or your friends fancy getting involved contact Philip Hinde 01580 819434 [email protected]

DIARY DATES: Saturday October 26, Halloween Party; Saturday November 8, Fireworks; Saturday December 13, Christmas Concert in the Church. Venues for the Halloween Party and Fireworks are still to be confirmed and will be announced when known.

INFORMATION: If you have given me details of your event to put in this column, please remember to send me some details after the event so I can let your supporters know how successful the event was, how much you raised, interesting facts etc. Your supporters will be interested to know how you did. Get information for this column to me as soon as possible, if you have a diary of events planned for the year let me have the dates and I will put in a list of village events for the year so that people can put the dates in their diaries. There are several ways to get your info to me, but email is preferred because there is less chance of errors during copying. I need information by 10pm on Monday to be sure it will be in time for inclusion, I can sometimes add extra items on Tuesday morning, but this cannot be guaranteed. Just a little reminder, I get plenty of information about events that are taking place, but I get very little follow up information, after your event try and remember to send me brief account of how successful your event was, it can be as simple as a thank you to those that attended and how much money was raised etc. You can deliver to 2 Park Farm Close, telephone 01580 819532 or 07941 786244 or email [email protected] .

Colin Boylett

2 Park Farm Close