Fairlight

Brookfield, Broadway

In church this Sunday, June 23… at 10.30am the Rector, Rev Richard Barron, will be leading a service of Morning Praise at St Andrew’s.

Water, water everywhere… nor any drop to drink. That was last Sunday for you and me from lunchtime until late in the evening, when at last a trickle of murky-looking liquid became available. Somehow we missed the bottled water replacements that Southern Water claim to supply when your water is cut off. Those thinking of applying for compensation would be better occupied in trying to devise methods for getting rid of the wrong kind of snow, or removing leaves on the line. Maybe a well-directed leaking mains water pipe would do both jobs?

In any case, Southern Water say there can be no compensation because it was a Mains Leakage. Oh. So that’s all right then.

Last Sunday’s weather… ready for the Fairfest Car Boot Sale on Wood Field Recreation Ground, presented a very cool, grey, rain-spitting day, entirely appropriate for the second week in April. But, of course, it was the third weekend in flaming June, which did not auger well for such an open air frolic as a Boot Sale. Nevertheless, those who had booked their places all turned up, and interest began earlier than expected. However, the weather and Fathers’ Day both took their toll on the proceedings by noon, and though Activate had the best part of an urn full of water for teas and coffees, that burst water main soon meant that the water closets had no water. Organisers and participants gathered in the Activate HQ for an impromptu picnic, and everyone went home for what turned out to be a gloriously sunny afternoon. Jennifer Annetts thanks all those who took part in the day, whether selling, buying or providing support and back-up. Fairfest are on duty again with a Wood Field barbecue on July 28. Better weather then, perhaps?

The Trefoil Guild… meets this coming Wednesday, June 26, from 10 am to 12 noon in St Peter’s Church on Broadway. The Guild offers Guiding for Adults, which includes the guys as well as the gels. Their meetings are always on the fourth Wednesday of each month, and if you would like further information, just ring Betty on 812694. This month the meeting is entitled Midsummer Madness. Thank goodness it’s not Midsomer Madness. We don’t want that sort of thing in Fairlight…

The Fairlight Flower Club… is run by a ‘flowerishing’ new committee, which came into office in March, and they have already presented their first two highly successful events. In April, it was a demonstration by Lucia Dean Taylor entitled ‘To Charm and Delight’, which certainly did what it said on the tin, being both charming and delightful. Then, in May, came a demonstration by Mandy Pulsford entitled ‘Once Upon a Time’. Mandy is shortly to be taking her NAFAS exams, and all would wish her every good fortune for a successful outcome. Next Thursday, June 27, the experienced Elsie Chaplin will be at the village hall with a demonstration entitled ‘Interior Design.’ The meeting will start at 2.15 pm, and any previous members of the Club will be most welcome, together with any visitors who are interested. For more information please contact Club Chairman Sheila Benson on 01797 223927 or Lynne Watts on 814732.

A Gardening Club monthly talk… is coming up on Monday, July 1. To be given by Alan Parker, a Club member and previous speaker, the talk is entitled ‘What’s On Your Doorstep? – Wildlife in Fairlight’, and the start time is 2.15pm in the village hall.

The Gardening Club Annual Show… is on July 20, and you are advised to start preparing and nurturing your entries so that they will be at their best on the day. Of course, this applies to fruit, flowers and vegetables, though it is probably not a good idea to start working just yet on your cakes, sponges and any other items in the cookery section. More details will follow.

Good things come in threes… and the first of a mini-run of cultural gems came to Fairlight Hall last Saturday when, despite the howling gale, there was a most enjoyable and superb recital by the Hastings Festival Piano Competition winner Tae-Hyung Kim. Picnics were enjoyed before the recital and luckily the pianist was under cover, from whence he was able to give a dazzling performance. Following the recital which was given by harpist Fiona Hosford on Tuesday of this week, the hat trick event on the near horizon is Valerie Tryon’s recital at St Andrew’s on July 6. Geoff Wyatt, at 33 Waites Lane, is the man to contact for tickets – or at the Post Office. What a carry-on for all Fairlight’s culture vultures.

At MOPPs today, June 21… you’ll be able to consume a delicious fish pie, and to follow it there’s Cheesecake. As we go to press, I’m not quite sure what the entertainment is. Get down there and find out for yourself!

There’s an Art and Flower Exhibition… at Pett Methodist Church this weekend. It’s open on Saturday, June 22, from 10 am to 4.30pm, and Sunday, June 23 from 2 to 4.30 pm. There will be art by local artists and photographers, and flowers by I’m not sure who. Entry to the event is free, and lunches and teas will be available. This weekend event is in celebration of the astonishing 165th Anniversary of the Methodist Church in Pett.

In nine days time… there’s going to be that British Legion Garden Tea Party at Margaret Pulfer’s home, Calais View in Channel Way, at 3pm on Sunday week, June 30. The £9.50 tickets are available for pre-booking only, so call Margaret on 814866.

Slip of the finger… in last week’s account of the Fairlight Players’ AGM. The business lasted 18 minutes, not the 38 minutes I claimed, and there was no mention of what followed, which was a 50 minute cockney revue and then a cooked saus and mash supper plus pud. All free to paid-up members, though the batting order is determined by the thought that, if reversed, people might eat quickly and slip off before the ‘fun’. The Committee doesn’t even give them the chance…! Thanks to the four girls and six fellas who gave it some welly with songs, poems, sketches and blistering one-liners, including Keith Miller on the piano and Ken Hall with his guitar as ‘warm up man’.

St Richard of Chichester… Patron Saint of Sussex, whose day was Sunday last, June 16, when it was being celebrated for the sixth time, had the official Sussex flag flown from St Andrew’s tower. Parish Council Chairman Andrew Mier was presented with the flag for use on just such an occasion some twelve months ago, along with similar flags being given to another 260 local councils. Hitherto, possibly the best known use of the six Sussex martlets is that by the Sussex County Cricket Club, but now we Sussaxons – that’s you and me – can look out for the flag with

added pride in our county.

They’re taking the mic… a round up from the Cove which sees the latest in their series of popular Acoustic Nights on Wednesday next, June 26. It all starts at about 8.30pm, when all-comers are invited to sing and play in and for the often packed bar.

The Cove’s charity auction, a fortnight ago tomorrow, raised some £860 to support three years old Mollie, who suffers from cerebral palsy, a wonderful outcome.

On Saturday, June 29 they are having ‘Forces Night’, a fundraising evening for Help the Heroes with music and nibbles. You’ll need to be in fancy dress, from the sound of it, with a military theme. The evening will get under way at 8 pm. More details will follow next week.

Wondering what to do on Friday, June 28…? Bingo! Yes, there’s an Activate Youth Club Bingo and Ploughman’s Supper evening in store that day. In the village hall at 7.30 pm, it’ll cost you £5 a head, and you can book your place by calling Wendy on 812297. There’s to be a bar, raffle and fun.

Scrap booking… Did you respond to the Activate appeal for scrap metal? And is what you offered still in your possession? Worry not, for you haven’t been forgotten and, in fact, Ken will be doing a run tomorrow, Saturday. Wendy says a big thank you to everybody who has made a donation; she’s sorry for the delay, but last weekend was a very busy one.

Another holey week… still no movement, apart from lengthening and deepening, of the serial potholes on Fairlight Road in the Martineau Lane area. We all know they are there, so why don’t County? Incidentally, a small cluster of white spray painted markings now delineates some four holes at the bottom end of Broadway. A fifth hole on the Lower Waites Lane corner, some couple of yards away from the others, has not been marked. Strange.