Fairlight village voice

Fair’s more than fair… Fairfest proved itself the fairest of them all on Sunday, with dry, mainly bright weather occasionally punctuated by a sharp breeze, as many hundreds of people, both local to the village and also from much further afield, enjoyed the multifarious offerings on display in the main marquee, the arena, the BBQ stall and the beer and wine tent. There were countless stalls this time round, plus an RSPCA Fun Dog Show, Classic cars in all their polished glory, Punch and Judy to watch and Archery to try out. Kids loved the mini-Olympics, and older people present loved the live music from local bands including the Salvation Army Band and the promising and talented ‘Dorey the Wise’. The real enthusiasts danced on to the bitter (and lager) end to the ever popular group ‘The Kytes’. The ‘Hip-Hooray and Ballyhoo’ may come from the Lullaby of Broadway, but on Sunday it was transposed a quarter of a mile to the west – The Lullaby of Wood Field. The Marching Band progressed up Commanders Walk with the King and Queen of Fairlight revealed as Drew and Sam Slaughter, good sports in their very heavy costumes. Jennifer Annetts together with her team of committee members and a vast number of other helpers had indeed put on a show for everyone to enjoy, and enjoy it they certainly did. The bone-dry ground meant that cars were able to park on the field itself, without clogging up all the approach roads. Many polished performers were on show in the marquee, as there were, too, in the arena where the young people who make up Acromax were highly impressive once again, along with the Belly Dancers (though not simultaneously!) Additionally, two ‘resident’ attractions on Wood Field – the skateboard ramps and the children’s play area – were well used during the day, the former by BMX bikers, and the latter, of which more in the next paragraph, by loads of youngsters with their parents. After the inaugural Festival in 2010, many expressed the hope that it would become an annual event, but the feeling this time round seemed to be that biennial was ideal, especially as the Fairfest organisation has enhanced the two year gap with divers other entertaining attractions in the village. They have two years to top this Festival!

Another local council cut… our photograph shows District Cllr Roger Bird cutting the ribbon to declare formally open the re-equipped, refurbished and re-vitalised Children’s Playground in the north east corner of Wood Field. Holding the other end of the ribbon is Parish Cllr Jennifer Annetts, who had been responsible for seeing the project through to fruition of behalf of the Parish Council. Cllr Bird explained that Rother had determined that profits from the reduced Council Tax raised on second and holiday homes had been placed in a ring-fenced Communities Fund, and it was this source that enabled the District Council to advance £5,000 for the Play Area, a sum that received matching funding from the Parish Council. Congratulations are due to all those who committed their time and energy to achieving such a successful outcome. In addition to children playing in the background of our photo, you can also make out some of the ring-fencing which surrounds the play area – obviously what the money was intended for!

Some events transcend village expectations… there are several events each year in the village that comfortably surpass rural hopes, and indeed attract aficionados over vast distances. Fairfest is one such, while Players’ plays and the Panto Group’s productions are others that get people coming hundreds of miles to see them. And coming shortly is another, when the boys of Canterbury Cathedral Choir under their Director of Music, Dr David Flood, will be presenting a concert of the finest historic and contemporary sacred music by some of the greatest composers of all time. They will be performing at St Andrew’s Church on Saturday, September 22 at 7 pm. This exceptional opportunity will cost you a mere £8 in advance or £10 on the night, and those wishing to experience a magnificent evening are advised to call either Alex Brodie on 813515 or Patrick Cox-Smith on 812560. Not only is the ticket price ridiculously reasonable, but it includes a glass of wine and light refreshments! With what must be the most un-toppable throw-away tag line for any event in the village, adverts state that ‘this concert follows the Choir’s highly acclaimed 2012 tour of the USA.’

It’s over… This month’s Parish Council Meeting has been and gone, but just too late for the Voice deadline. PC Paul Fielder will due to be there to deliver a Neighbourhood Priority Report and discussing future priorities., and we shall report on his section, as well as all the usual and normal Council activities. You are always welcome to comment and take your chance to influence your local priorities and talk with your Neighbourhood Policing Team about what you would like us to focus on in your area. If, however, you were unable to attend but would like to comment, be involved or receive the Priority Report please email [email protected]

Floral Club demonstration… Just over a week ago, Thursday’s demonstration by Area Demonstrator Carolyn Meer was entitled Recycling, reports Club Chairman Betty Snow.

All her containers were items she had recycled, such as bicycle wheels, dustbin lids, wood made into a window together with two window boxes and a Perspex cake stand, to name but a few. Her flower arrangements were excellent, making use of good variety of flowers and colours. Finally, she showed the plaiting of fern leaves to some of the members. There were nine floral prizes in the raffle and those who won went home very pleased with their winnings.

On Thursday, September 27, they will be having a further demonstration, this time by another Area Demonstrator, Angie Hyde, whose afternoon is entitled ‘Cabbages and Kings.’

A note for your fridge door – the Floral Club will be participating in this year’s McMillan Nurses Big Coffee Morning. But as this splendid event which does so much for cancer sufferers and their families is held on a Friday, when the village hall is busy with MOPPs, it will be happening here on Saturday, September 29 from 10 am to 12 noon. You’ll get a reminder, but please try to make it – an event for which the word ‘worthy’ might well have been coined.

And talking of MOPPs… today at the village hall, there’s Keith Osborne with Music for Health, not, as I thought last week, with Brian Howard at the keyboard. Brian will be here next Friday, September 7. Sorry, Keith, Brian and to Sheila, MOPPs organiser who must have wondered what had happened to her entertainment bookings!

And This Was Odd… Fairlight Players, with Keith Miller at the directorial helm, embark on rehearsals for their first production of their 62nd Season, which is to be Kenneth Horne’s neat and stylish light comedy, and the cast of nine will include two newcomers to Fairlight in Jodie Snow, grand-daughter of Betty (who is frequently featured in our Voice, as in the paragraph above), and Bez Cuss, who scored a palpable hit as Long John Silver in Rye’s recent Treasure Island. The remainder we will name later, but in the meantime just note that the play will run from Thursday 8 to Saturday 12 November at 7.30 pm each evening and a 2.30 pm matinee on the Saturday.

No end to their talents…? The Players are also preparing for a Murder Mystery evening, to be accompanied by one of the famed Players’ suppers, on Saturday October 20. Now the main production has been cast (above) selection and casting of a piece to engage the brain will follow. It is hoped that Libby Annetts will direct the show. Ticket availability will be announced shortly.

Dumped…? Have you seen a car lurking in an out-of-the-way spot for ages? Have you just missed being run over by a lunatic? If your answer to either question is yes, you might like to have a look at the following site, which might be able to help the community and/or calm your outrage.

http://www.operationcrackdown.org/

Two for the price of one… Have you noticed how filthy your car windscreen and windows have been after some recent rains brought with them an unusually high mud content? It rendered them suitable only for use as obscure glass in bathroom or toilet windows. Do not despair, however, for many people regard soft water as excellent for the rinsing of shampooed hair. Now, if you do it slowly and let the water trickle down your face, you can enjoy the benefits of a mud-pack at the same time…!

The Gardening Club’s monthly talk… is on Monday next, September 3, in the village hall and commencing at 2.30 pm. With the sub-title ‘And now for something completely different,’ the talk is ‘I Am A Tulip,’ to be given by Jacqui Aviolet (I’m not kidding here) and she promises an interesting and fun afternoon. All, as usual, are welcome.

And if you’re not planning on attending, the Garden Club hut is still open each Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon, so you can get your supplies in and potter in the garden.

Flicks in the Village… next Thursday, September 6, at 7 for 7.30 pm, it’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at Pett Village Hall, a highly rated Comedy/Drama with an ensemble cast of well-known British acting talent. As I missed telling you about their showing of J Edgar, which was possibly better suited to TV, this makes up for it with notice of a very worthwhile September showing.

There is such a thing as a free lunch… There must be a number of Hon. Treasurers who would value the opportunity which follows. Accounting compliance can be a minefield for voluntary, not-for-profit and charitable organisations. Rother Voluntary Action appreciates that trustees and committee members may at times wish to access the specialist skills and support of the private sector to help them comply with the increasing regulations and requirements for financial reporting. Ashdown Hurrey have been offering financial support to charities and not-for-profit organisations since 1981 and are well placed to advise and support those involved in meeting their commitments.

Do you need book-keeping advice? Are your accounts drawn up on the correct basis? Have you complied with the relevant legislation? Do you require an internal examination of your accounts?

Are you aware of the forthcoming changes for payroll and pensions? Can your organisation register for Gift Aid?

Rother Voluntary Action, on behalf of Transforming Infrastructure East Sussex, and in partnership with Ashdown Hurrey, invite you to a free seminar covering the accountancy basics for the voluntary sector. The presenters will be Steve Sampson FCA FCIE and Mark Weeks-Pearson FCCA, who are associates in Ashdown Hurrey LLP and have many years’ accounting experience dealing with both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Ashdown Hurrey LLP offer free initial meetings and specially discounted rates to charitable and voluntary organisations who are members of RVA or HVA.

The seminar and lunch will last from12.15 pm to 2.15pm in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, Bexhill on Sea TN39 3JX. If you would like to attend please contact Angela Alexander by email on [email protected]. As you would expect, places are limited. Please respond to Angela by 5th September 2012

Keith Pollard, Heathlands, Broadway