Fairlight village voice

The history of Bishop Barham and his parents (his father was also a Bishop) and his connections with Africa make fascinating reading, and should you care to learn more, I suggest you Google Bishop Barham and have an interesting browse.

Good day for news…? The owners of the Market Garden site intend to build some 22 dwellings in Fairlight, as we have already reported. The site lies in the heart of the village, between Fairlight Gardens and Lower Waites Lane. Access would be via The Circle, Bramble Way and Smugglers Way. The owners, Gem Select Ltd., were to have held a public exhibition in a presentation to local people. While this was to have taken place at the Cove yesterday, the welcome news has come through that there has been a postponement until Friday, May 11. It is not yet confirmed that the venue will still be The Cove. Originally, the meeting was slated for the village hall. We’ll let you know.

The exhibition will give an opportunity to assimilate what is proposed and to ask questions, fully necessary as it can be difficult for lay people to read plans and models and think through all the implications, so some reflection may be desirable before commenting.

No doubt the Parish Council, Fairlight Residents’ Association and Fairlight Preservation Trust will be assimilating what they learn before deciding how to respond. The Chairman of the Parish Council, Andrew Mier, would welcome any comments you may have after your chance to see the plans. You can email them to [email protected], or drop them in at Mistral on the Circle, or simply give him a call on 814178

It’s today… just a brief reminder that our MP, Amber Rudd, will be talking to us today at 3.00 pm in the village hall. Our County, District and Parish Councillors will all be there, too. Everybody will be made welcome.

Get your tickets now… for one of the final three performances of the Fairlight Players’ production of The Murder of Maria Marten or The Red Barn. It runs tonight and tomorrow at 7.30 pm, and there is a 2.30 pm Saturday matinee in between. Voted hilarious by those who have seen it (‘A real hoot’ – B. Owl), the play, with music and songs, has been directed by Keith Pollard, with musical direction by Iain Kerr. Iain, a brilliant and very funny member of the company, has been a consummate music professional all his life, and it’s well worth a visit to his web site at Kerroy.com to see some of his history.

The Gardening Club reminds us… that there are still some places left for the trip to the Ardingly Show on Thursday, June 7. Your day will cost £20, a price which includes entrance to the grounds, the coach fare and a tip for the driver. This outing is offered to non-members of the club as well as to members. The last day for booking is Bank Holiday Monday, May 7, which is also the date of the Club’s monthly talk. It could be convenient to book and pay at that meeting, details of which will appear next Friday. In the meantime, if you are interested please contact Betty Snow on 812694

Something very special… There is to be an Organ Recital at St Andrew’s Church, on Thursday, May 10, 7.30 for 8.00 pm. David Flood, Canterbury Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers, will be giving the recital. David received his musical training as an Organ Scholar of St John’s College, Oxford with additional postgraduate work at Clare College, Cambridge.

Appointed Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral in 1978, David became Organist and Choir Master at Lincoln Cathedral in 1986, and two years later he returned to Canterbury.

In addition to the daily sung services, he has been involved in many national and international occasions, and was responsible for the music at the enthronements of Archbishops Runcie, Carey and Williams, the visit of Pope John Paul II and the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

David’s reputation as one of Britain’s foremost choir trainers has crossed continents. He is in demand both at home and abroad, having given many organ recitals throughout Europe in the United States. Every year hosts an American Children’s Choir Festival involving over three hundred voices.

Not by numbers… many paintings of the Fairlight Art Club will be on display at their Annual Exhibition and Wine and Cheese Evening on Saturday, May 12 from 6 to 9pm. Tickets are £3 in advance from the Post Office or from Just Property (who are once more sponsoring the event). Alternatively you can phone 812587, 813104 or 813833 to make your booking. You can always pay on the door, though this will incur a 50p premium. This event is rated as one of the top highlights of the Fairlight year, so don’t miss it!

The Parish Council… has received a very welcome expression of interest in the vacant Parish Councillor post. The post is to be filled by co-option, and we shall keep you informed of the outcome in due course. There could also be an update on the appointee to the soon to be vacant position of Clerk to the Parish Council, and that news will be brought to you as soon as it is released.

Hosepipe exemptions… last week it was mentioned that, if you are Blue Badge holder, you are exempt from the hosepipe ban, and cited a PR person’s name and phone number to call in order that you can validate your position. Southern Water has now come up with a different number to call to register and this is 0845 278 0845 (a Wet Line as opposed to a Hot Line?!) Please have your badge number handy, as they will need that.

That Trestle Sale… in aid of the village hall is on Saturday, May 5. This is probably your last chance to get on the phone to Brenda on 813113 or Val on 814753 to book your £6 trestle now, and for the remainder who will not be selling, make a note of the date so that you can be buying at the sale.

What goes around, comes around… Fairlight News editor Richard Pollard would remind you all that the deadline for the June edition of the Fairlight News is Friday, May 11, now a mere fortnight away. Please send all contributions to Richard at [email protected], or call him on 812754, or pop round in person or post to Tanamera, 3 Rockmead Road, Fairlight TN35 4DJ

How would you like to Come Dine With Me…? No, it’s not an open invitation, but due notice that the ‘Come Dine With Me’ team are to be filming in the Hastings area and are trying to contact anyone who would be interested in taking part. For anyone who has not seen the program, four people take it in turns to cook a dinner for the other three, which is then rated by the diners, and whoever finishes with the most points after the four meals wins a cheque. If you’d like to give it a go, call Carol Ardley on 814178 or email her at [email protected]. She will be able to give you more details and/or send you a copy of the application form.

Keith Pollard, Brookfield, Broadway.