Hellingly & Horsebridge

CHRISTINGLE SERVICES: This Sunday at Upper Dicker at 9.15am and Hellingly Church at 10.45am. Children's Society candle collecting tubes are on the table by the door in church, please take one if you wish, or pass onto families likely to be in church. They can be returned on December 9 or passed to a sides-person at a later date. This is a special service, especially as 2018 is the 50th anniversary of Christingle Services. Please note that this will not be a communion service.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Dec 2018, 05:00 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2019, 07:29 BST

GARDENING CLUB: The church yard gardening group will be meeting on Monday at 9.30am to noon. If you would like to come along and help you would be most welcome. Please bring along your own tools but refreshments will be provided.

COMEDY NIGHT: Get your tickets now for the next event at Blackstock Estate on Friday January 25. The sell out stand up night returns with amazing and very funny stand up comedy talent from across the UK. Doors open 6pm, show from 8pm. Tex Mex and burger menu, shared table £9.95pp. Bookings and more information on 01323 848006 or visit www.blackstockestate.co.uk.

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CORSICAN PINE: It is with sadness that the Corsican Pine in Hellingly Cemetery needs to be felled. The Parish Council (PC) have undertaken a full tree survey of all the trees on land that it owns. The report came back informing the PC that the Corsican Pine at Hellingly Cemetery had significant disease. The Pine has a Tree Preservation Order which means that an application had to be send to Wealden District Council (WDC) for approval for any works to be carried out. This was done and agreed. The Officer at WDC said ‘I have visited the Corsican Pine at Hellingly Cemetery that is subject to a request for removal. Sadly, it is evident that there is significant basal decay, with exposed decaying heartwood, and this extends to a height of at least 5 to 6 metres, where the tree then bifurcates. Given the extent of this decay and structural integrity concerns, alongside the location of the tree, adjacent to the highway and pedestrian footpath, I will be recommending this application for approval. I think a replant may not be appropriate either at this location as it would involve excavation in the cemetery grounds and so I will be recommending that this requirement is waived. I would expect that there may be some local disquiet about the tree removal, as there has been in the past, and in anticipation of this, I have taken a number of photos that clearly demonstrate the dysfunction. My view is that the proposal is perfectly reasonable in order to protect public safety. The works by a local company are planned for early January 2019.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS: The Michelham Priory Victorian Christmas this weekend is based on the story A Christmas Carol. Come and enjoy the house decorated for Christmas through the ages. There will be Carol singing, bell ringing, A Christmas Carol children’s drama sessions, dress up and take your own Victorian selfie, children’s crafts, and much more. But most importantly of all, Father Christmas will be there. Tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday 11am to 4pm at Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker.

WW2 EVACUEES CHRISTMAS: For the last of Michelham Priory’s Christmas events they will be celebrating a WWII Christmas next weekend December 15 and 16. There will be lots going on throughout the day, you can take part in a wartime classroom lesson and try your hand at writing a message in Morse Code. You could participate in a Home Guard Drill or how about making a super special paper aeroplane and take part in a flying competition. There will be a talk each day on the Home Guard or women in WWII. How about learning more about the Evacuees that stayed at Michelham during WWII. The Victory V’s will be singing on Sunday 16 from 2-3pm so have a dance and a sing along. There will also be a children’s trail and crafts and the house will be decorated for Christmas through the ages.

ARLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL: Next meeting Thursday (planning applications only) 7.30pm Upper Dicker Village Hall. Minutes available at the Village Shop or see http://www. arlingtonparish.org.uk for all APC information.

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CAROLS AT THE SHOP: Monday, 6pm to 7.30pm at the Village Shop. Sing along to all our favourite carols. Father Christmas has been invited and will bring a sack of goodies for all the children. Mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies compliments of Bede’s and the Village Shop. Everyone is welcome, the more the merrier.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH: At Dicker Hall, Sunday December 16, noon for 12.30pm. £7.50 per person for three courses plus tea or coffee. Bring your own other drinks. Entertainment. Soup, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast and new potatoes and vegetables. Mince pies and cream. Coffee, tea and mints. Please book by Sunday December 9 with Glynis 01323 846924 or Christine 01323 844285.