Fairlight

A church note mentions Easter Lilies, and if you would like to make a contribution in memory of a loved one, please let Vanessa Reid know, on 813955, as soon as possible.

Next week is week four in the series of five sessions making up this year’s Lent Course. On Wednesday, March 18 at 7.30 pm, and repeated on Thursday, March 19 at 2.30 pm, the topic will be Religious and Racial Intolerance, with both sessions being led by the Rector, Rev Richard Barron, at St Peter’s on Broadway.

MOPPs today and next week: Today it’s Keith Osbourne’s Music for Health, on Red Nose Day, and a lunch of turkey and ham pie with fruit flan for pud, while next Friday, March 20, Jim Saphin sings, and there’s a free toenail cutting service. Then lunch is liver and bacon followed by lemon meringue pie. The toenail cutting will not be simultaneous with Jim’s singing, and nor will it be Jim who does the cutting, he assures me, not even in time with the music!

Tuesday Ladies Club: The club meets on Tuesday next, March 17 in the village hall at 2.15 pm, when the speaker will be Paul Joy, and his subject will be Hastings Fishing Fleet. Paul is a lifelong fishermen, vitally involved with the Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society. This will be an interesting and informative event, no doubt. Go along as a guest if you’ve not yet joined them. Men folk are welcome, too.

Wine and Social Club: Last Monday, the Wine and Social Club enjoyed a session entitled Sea Shanties. Rob and the boys – five of them – delivered sea shanties to a packed sing-along house on a highly enjoyable evening, with the members all invited to join in. Next month’s meeting is the Club’s AGM, which shouldn’t take up too much time. Then it’s one of Chairman Frank James’s well known and much loved quizzes but this one, he tells me, is one with a difference.

Post Office and Shop: The committee is working away in the background, and the news is that the Officers and Committee will be confirmed in post very shortly, and could well include three new committee members. Also announced is that the scheme will take a major step forward on Friday (today!) when the second stage application to the Lottery goes in. After that, stage three will be approaching over the horizon, which is the endgame for the project. In addition, it is worth repeating that money already received for shares is not being returned at the moment, and that new share subscribers are being welcomed daily. At a completely risk-free £10 each, this is an excellent way to prove your support and approval of the scheme, and a good strategic move to help get it up and running.

The Country Park: Well, there’s a surprise – the Hastings Council’s own application went through quite safely last Wednesday, although not without a measure of vituperation against those who had dared to question several factors in the scheme. Those not resident in Hastings were not permitted to speak, despite the fact that the nearest Hastings resident to the site is a heck of a lot further away than the Fairlight residents, who start at about a mere 50 yards. It is not a question of Fairlight v. Hastings. It is more that several local people see the plans as being seriously flawed. But nobody in favour of the plans seems able to recognise this. No doubt those who have observed the flaws will continue to keep a close eye on the proceedings…

Speakers Corner: At their meeting next Wednesday, March 18, in the village hall starting at 2.30 pm, Clive Richardson will be along to talk about the Estate Village of Firle. A short distance east of Lewes, Firle may not be unique, but it is extremely interesting. Should be a really good talk.

A very attractive proposition: That’s Fairlight’s own Evening of Music in Canterbury Cathedral. This popular biennial event comes round again this summer, and it will involve leaving by coach at 6 pm to return by approximately 10.30 pm. Provided the numbers more or less fill the coach, the cost is unlikely to exceed £10, which includes the private evening admission to the cathedral. It will be a first class occasion, having the cathedral only for those attending, and being able to join in with the church choirs in singing, or simply listening to, hymns and songs, with intervals of well known classics played on the magnificent cathedral organ. This note echoes that posted by organiser and Fairlight Church Organist Patrick Cox Smith in the current Fairlight News, although that notice does not mention a date. Well, here it is – Friday, June 12. If you’re interested in joining this excellent trip, please call Patrick on 812560 as soon as you are able.

East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre: has specially adapted and converted bus, which comes to the village regularly to dispense batteries, tubes and, mot importantly, advice for people who either have or may need hearing aids. They will be in the village hall car park on Monday next, March 16 from 1.30 to 3.30 pm, with representatives of both the Hearing Resource Centre and Adult Social care. The vehicle is funded by the Big Lottery, and offers demonstrations of equipment to help the hard of hearing, and can undertake hearing screening tests, if time permits. If you would like further information please contact them on 01323 722505 by voice or text, or email [email protected]

Would you care to join the Battle Ladies Luncheon Club?: The club meets at Sedlescombe’s renowned Brickwall Hotel, at 12.30 for 1 pm on the second Wednesday of each month. An excellent lunch plus a guest speaker make each meeting a pleasure, with talks such as ‘Through the Rockies to Alaska’, ‘The History of Hastings Pier’ and ‘Sussex Ambulance’ coming up along with many more throughout the year. Each two-course lunch plus speaker’s fee will cost you less than £20. After a trial lunch or two, should you decide to join, the annual membership fee is £15. You may also take along a guest if you so wish. If your appetite is whetted, have a word with Margaret Pulfer on 814866, or maybe by email to [email protected].

Gone to pot-holes: Like the forthcoming election, we can announce Waites Lane – No change. Broadway – No change. Others – No hope. There are bits of road they seem to have given up on! What price the complete repair of Farley Way? Ha! No takers!!

Keith Pollard

Brookfield, Broadway