Fairlight

‘The clocks, the clocks’… as Henry Irving didn’t say. No, it’s not tonight, but tomorrow, on Saturday night, usually before you go to bed. Pedants, of course, will get up at 2 am on Sunday to move the hands forward an hour. Unless their timepieces are radio-controlled, in which case the machines will do it for themselves, and all at the proper time. Anyway, make sure they’re showing the right time on Sunday when you rise, or you’ll get where you’re going to find you’ve missed it.

It’s the Mothers’ Day Special… this Sunday, March 30 at St Andrew’s Church at 10.30 am. All are invited to celebrate for and with their mothers at this service for ‘Mighty Mums’.

Coming next week… is the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, which will be held on Thursday, April 3 at 7.30 pm at St Peter’s Church. This is an important meeting in the life of Fairlight churches, when two Churchwardens will be elected. There are also vacancies to fill on the PCC, and nomination forms for both posts are available in church, or you could have a copy emailed from [email protected]. All completed forms must be returned by April 3. Copies of the Annual Review and Annual Report & Financial Statement are also available in each Church. Please come to give thanks for all those who have served, and those who will continue to serve, as volunteers in the life of the church; to support those who offer themselves for nomination; and to hear plans and hopes for the future. On this last point, there is to be a Consultation Evening in May, and we will bring you more detailed news nearer the date

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Messy Church is coming to Fairlight… This is a form of church for children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality. Maggie Boulter, Fairlight’s Junior Church co-ordinator, has given the PCC a short presentation on the concept of a Messy Church, and operations will commence will begin on Wednesday, May 7 from 4.30 to 6 pm in either the village hall small hall or St Peter’s Church. Several planning meetings have been held, and there is a list of volunteers. So, if you would like to get involved, or would like further details, please contact Maggie on 812104.

The Players’ Quiz Night… was a huge success, thanks to the highly appreciated Linda and Steve Eades questions and answers, and food by Marion Pollard, with Theresa Hall and Carol Ardley. Mention, too, for the out-cooks Glynis and Jo who stuffed their ovens with trays of main course, and to Jan and Brian, John and June, John and Sue, Ken and Joan, and Kathy and John, each of whom loaned a Hostess heated trolley to ensure the repast was piping hot. (But not the salad!)

With the spring social event over, concentration on the April production takes precedence over all else, especially as the posters are up and tickets are now on sale at the Post Office. Those tickets are still a highly reasonable £6, and the play, the hilarious Holiday Snap by Michael Pertwee and John Chapman, will run from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 April, at 7.30 each evening and with a 2.30 matinée on the Saturday.

In common with many other local groups, the Players are finding that numbers of those who’d like to try their hand at acting or directing are distinctly limited. People of any and all ages would be welcomed, though it’s true that teens, twenties, thirties and forties are particularly sought after. Experience is really not necessary – newcomers would be given help and guidance. The two brand new novices who appeared in the November production are thriving, and are back again in this April’s show. Please don’t just read this and think ‘oh dear’. Either have a go yourself, like you’ve always secretly wanted to, or give your children, grandchildren, siblings, maiden aunts, friends, neighbours a gentle prod – no, make that a substantial shove. They, and you, will surely thank you and will never regret it!

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A Quiz at the Cove… another in their regular series, a popular event, and it’s all happening on Wednesday, April 2 at 8 pm. And it’s all in the hands of Linda Eades, such a recent success for the Players, as mentioned above. Be there – a swift half or two and then pencils at the ready!

A reminder for Flicks in the Village… this coming Thursday, April 3, in Pett Village Hall at 7 for 7.30 pm. The film is Philomena starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. The film has been acclaimed, and attracted no fewer than 25 various nominations for awards, principally for the two main stars, and then garnered a number of awards as outright winner.

The next Bowls Club Whist Drive… is next week, on Friday, April 4 at the village hall, 6.30 for 7 pm start. This is the penultimate drive of the current winter season, with the final hands being dealt on Good Friday, April 18. This is the day before the green is opened, on Easter Saturday, at 2.30 pm. The Club’s Coffee Morning last Saturday saw the village hall very busy with the usual large number of visitors to the popular event. Eyes down!

Looking into the Fuschia…the Gardening Club’s next talk is on Monday, April 5 in the village hall. The speaker is to be George Puddefoot from Riverside Fuchsias in Dartford and his talk will inform the members ‘How to grow better fuchsias’. Riverside is a family-run nursery which holds the National Fuchsia Collection. They have more than 1,000 varieties, so Mr Puddefoot certainly knows what he’s talking about! He will also be bringing plants for sale.

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This year’s Gardening Club outing will be to The Walled Garden Nursery in Hawkhurst on Monday, July 7. The cost for the trip is £10 per head to include refreshments and fare. You can book at the monthly talk on Monday week, or by calling 814154. It’s quite possible that spaces will be limited, so you are advised to book early.

The Marsham Conservatives’ Spring Buffet Lunch… is on Saturday week, April 5, at the village hall. The Government Chief Whip, Sir George Young Bt CH MP, is the principal speaker, and tickets for the event can be reserved by calling Ann Bird on 813636. The cost is £12 per ticket. Our MP, Amber Rudd, will also be in attendance.

Another piano recital… by the famed British concert pianist Valerie Tryon, who will be leaving her home in Canada for the express purpose of giving us in Fairlight a second chance to appreciate her incomparable playing. The date for her recital is Saturday, May 10, at St Andrew’s, commencing at 7 pm. Valerie’s programme will include Beethoven, Ravel, Debussy, Gershwin, Verdi/Liszt, Liszt and Chopin. There are 12 pieces in all.

It is hoped the recording Valerie made the year before last of the César Franck Symphonic Variations together with Manuel de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain, which are both with the Royal Philharmonic, will be available for sale at the concert. Unfortunately, the recording Valerie made last year, after her Fairlight visit, of the Rachmaninov No.1 piano concerto will not be available until July. Geoff Wyatt, on 813300, is the man to call for more details, should you require them. Meanwhile, it is advisable to book as soon as possible.

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Potholes – less galore than before… Waites Lane has had its share of attention in the past week, and much better it is for the trouble taken. Broadway’s turn is coming, I’m assured by the respected East Sussex Council man Mr Cop, as also is the resurfacing of the 100 plus yards of the A259 in front of the Hastings Academy. But in the meantime, there is the little matter of a three foot by two foot by two foot deep mini-sinkhole on the footpath on the east side at the top of Smugglers Way to be analysed and dealt with. The largish hole in the bus lay-by opposite our ‘shopping precinct’ (Just Just Property and HairBase) is a bit of a problem for Southern Water, as you can see directly into their sewer chamber. I looked in, and am sure I could see a pair of eyes looking back up at me. Judging by the faint, unmistakable sound of zither music, I think it was Harry Lime.

Keith Pollard, Brookfield, Broadway