Fairlight

Just the one service this Sunday, September 22… and that is the 10.30 am service of Morning Praise at St Andrews. It will be led by Ken Holmes.

Today at MOPPs… there’s a lunch of scampi and chips, with Bakewell tart for pud, while the entertainment is a Natural History slide show, with Felicity Bullock. Next Friday, September 27, they’ll be having beef casserole, with trifle for afters. The good souls from the Edinburgh Woollen Mill will be the day’s visitors.

You for coffee…? Tomorrow, Saturday, September 21, it’s the Macmillan Coffee Morning from 10 am to 12.30 pm in the village hall. There you will find coffee, tea and homemade cakes, and also a load of craft and art stalls, a raffle - and a memory tree. Many have been preparing for the morning, under the aegis of Sue Clark and Betty Snow, so now all you have to do is get along and enjoy what’s on offer, in the sure knowledge that you are supporting a fantastic organisation. You may even find the time and the opportunity to support other McMillan coffee events in the district, but charity does begin at home…!

A reminder won’t go amiss… Studio TN35 is the name of a small group of local artists, who will be exhibiting paintings, pottery and jewellery tomorrow and Sunday, and then again on the following weekend, in the village hall from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm on each of the four days. Everything you see and admire will on sale, and at price that should attract you to compete a deal or two. Do give them a look.

The Players’ latest production… is cast and rehearsals are well under way for Prescription for Murder, the Norman Robbins’ play that Roland Garrad is directing in readiness for its presentation in November. The cast consists of Rebecca Prior, playing Barbara Forth; Keith Miller as her husband, Dr Richard Forth; Emily Belfield as Dorothy Livingstone, the lady wot does; Pauleen McLaughlin as neighbour Mary Haigh; Greg Slaughter as Mary’s husband, Allen; Tom Miller is computer salesman Eric Dawson, and April Kitney as Julia Moore, Richard’s former girlfriend. Ticket availability will be announced a little nearer the date – keep your eyes peeled for press, poster and email notifications.

Who killed the Hotel Manager… All the puzzling news from The Failright Hotel, two stars, where Rex Wilts comes to an unfortunate end. Can you work out whodunit, and who was a helper in the dastardly deed? Just as last October, the Players are probably best placed to put before you a murder mystery, together with supper. Saturday, October 12 is the date, in the village hall at 7 for 7.30 pm, with tickets at £8 each for a fish and chip supper (though there is an option to have chicken and chips instead of fish) Last year’s event was a sell-out, so be warned…

A considerable lowering of Fairlight’s average age… with the birth, on September 11, of Megan Eloise to Katie and Oliver Gronow; she’s a little sister for Rebecca. Megan gets a mention as she is my newest next-door neighbour, but she’s going to have to be very noisy to beat my dogs!

Time on your hands…? Allen Lawrence, the village hall’s highly respected and efficient Bookings Secretary, wishes to give up the job. He will be missed by the countless organisations with whom he has had dealings in recent years. Is there anybody out there who would like to be considered as Allen’s replacement? Allen has already got in place, or in diary, the regular bookings for 2014 of all the local groups, and is fully prepared to talk a new incumbent through the does and don’ts. Please contact Hall secretary Shirley Gilbert if you are interested – she is on 813441.

An acoustic evening at the Cove… on Wednesday next, September 25, the latest in what is proving to be a very popular and much enjoyed series of eclectic entertainment. Enjoy!

The Parish Council… meets on Tuesday next, September 24, in the village hall at 7.15 pm. As we reach the deadline, the agenda has not been published, so I am unable to tell you what important items to look out for. Just go along – there are usually ten or twelve members of the public present, unless there are far-reaching items that would affect all the residents. It is an interesting exercise to watch this first tier of government at work.

The Floral Club… had a great success with their last meeting, which consisted of a demonstration given by Stephanie Laing entitled ‘Inspired by .....?’ Indeed, the afternoon proved to be an inspiration, and the members thank Stephanie for a lovely afternoon. The club’s next meeting is next Thursday, September 26, at 2.15 pm in the village hall, when they are looking forward to the return of demonstrator Sophie Beaney, whose afternoon is entitled ‘Sophie’s Choice.’ Visitors will be most welcome, and if you require more details, please call either Sheila Benson on 01797 223927 or Lynne Watts on 814732.

Your wake-up call, Sleeping Beauty… well, not just for her, but for anyone, be they children or adults, who’d like to be in her show. Not tonight, but on Friday next, September 27, the auditions will be taking place in the village hall at 7 pm for children and 7.30 pm for adults. If you fancy a bit of fun (and hard work!) to help you get through December and January, go along and join in. Jennifer Annetts will be directing the 2014 offering, late in January next year. If you can’t make it to the audition, but you’re interested nevertheless, make contact with Jennifer either on 812476 or by email to [email protected] Rehearsals do not start yet, so don’t worry!

The Trefoil Guild… meets on Thursday next, September 26, but don’t looking for in their usual home, St Peter’s, as they are having a social in the house of one of their members. Normal service will be resumed next month!!

A long way off… but if you don’t put a note on the fridge now to remind yourself, you’ll probably miss it. It’s the Marsham Conservatives’ Autumn Lunch on October 26, at the village hall in Pett, at 12 noon. The guest Speaker will be Tunbridge Wells’ MP Greg Clarke, a very active campaigner for improvements to the A21. Our own MP, Amber Rudd, will also be present, and the cost is £12 per head for a good lunch with drinks included. If you’d lime to go, Anne Bird, on 813636, is the person to contact.

Disturbing news…? The national press this week has published a league table of the places where Viagra is most commonly prescribed. Hastings comes fourth, with 41 men per 1,000 getting the pill. No doubt, this percentage does not apply to Fairlight, where dwells as fine and active a bunch of people of all ages as you could wish to see. Hastings is probably high on the list since the pier burnt down, but we have plenty to keep us occupied in the village. Don’t forget, if you are going to take this medicine, swallow the pill quickly. You know why, or can guess …!