Fairlight

Macmillan Coffee Morning: Tomorrow, Saturday September 27 will see the village hall a hive of activity, and all in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support, the fantastic charity that shines like a beacon at some of the greyest, most depressing and most personal of times. The first such morning in the village raised £1,600 last year, and the organisers, Sue Clarke, Karen Draper, June Dyer and Betty Snow, will be there to meet, greet and ensure you part with a few bob for coffee and cake, and try like nobody’s business to beat last year’s not inconsiderable amount. Of course, you’ll be wanting to help them achieve their aim. The event runs from 10 am to 12.30 pm.

Rapunzel: The auditions for next January’s Panto Group production, Rapunzel, will be taking place this evening in the village hall commencing at 7 pm. The script to be used is by Lazy Bee, and their website suggests that there are parts for up to 25 people, so it really is essential that as many as possible get themselves down there and have a go. Group Chairman Ben Burford will be directing this year.

Flicks in the Village: The Invisible Woman is coming to Flicks in the Village on Thursday October 2, when you will be able to see her (!) in Pett Village Hall at 7 for 7.30 pm. It tells the tale of Ellen Ternan, the actress who was to become the mistress of Charles Dickens, forced to become almost invisible in an attempt to keep the relationship a secret. Felicity Jones plays Nell, as she was known, with Ralph Fiennes playing Dickens and, indeed, directing the film. Their age difference of 21 years almost mirrors the real-life difference, which was 27 years. Now might be a good time to join the Flicks Society, to be able to enjoy monthly films at only £4 a time!

The Literary Society: The Society will start its 2014-15 operations in October, though under a new name. With a very long and successful history behind it in the village, it has been decided by the membership that ‘Literary Society’ seems to imply that much worthy work will be read and analysed at their meetings when, in fact, what happens is that well-known local speakers give a talk or presentation. So, by popular vote, their name will henceforth become ‘Speaker’s Corner’, which more accurately reflects what the Society does now. Meetings are held on alternate Wednesdays in the village hall at 2.30 pm, and the first two meetings in October will be on Wednesday, October 8 - A Sussex Farm during the 1950s, with Ian Everest, and Wednesday 22 - Scandals - Sensational, Salacious, Sad with Chris McCooey. There’s more news of the Society to come very soon. In the meantime new members are always welcome, and you are welcome to attend any talk as a guest, on payment of a small fee.

MOPPs: Today, Friday, September 26, the Regency Singers will be entertaining before the chefs serve up turkey and ham pie followed by Angel Delight and fruit. Next Friday, October 3, Celia King will be along with her Chair-based Exercises, and then it’s a lunch of Pasta Bolognese or cottage pie, with cheesecake to follow.

The Village Choir: The choir will be rehearsing every Monday until October 13, after which they take a three week break before resuming on November 10, continuing weekly until December 15. They actually have a fairly busy time in the immediate future, with fixtures arranged at POPPs at Pett village hall on Tuesday, September 30 at 11 am; at MOPPs at Fairlight village hall on Friday, October 17 at 11am, and in a Concert at Pett Parish Church on Sunday, October 19 at 3pm. This last date will hear the group present their new, sea-themed programme for the first time.

The Fairlight Preservation Trust: will be holding its AGM in the village hall on Sunday, October 19 at 2.30 pm. This early note makes sure you write it on a Post-it note and stick it on your fridge so you don’t forget. The Trust is hoping that by the date of this meeting they may have an indication from the Environment Agency with regard to the possible funding of the essential project to fill the gap between the two berms.

Separate Tables: With the Fairlight Players’ rehearsals in full swing, it’s time to note that tickets will go on sale in about a fortnight. Keep your eyes peeled on this column, the village email system and all the power poles that are the traditional home of village posters!

Activate Youth Club: is a vital organisation in the village, which is run by two teams of volunteer staff. One team provides the weekly helpers at club sessions and the other makes up the management group. This latter team obviously deals with the business side of the club. It meets about four times a year and looks after the running of the club including the maintenance of the building. At present, the club is seeking a few more folk who would be willing to join the management team. If you think you would like to help in this way they would like to hear from you. Please contact Wendy Hatch on 812297 or [email protected]

Keith Pollard

Brookfield, Broadway