Icklesham

CHURCH NEWS: The service at 9.30 am on Sunday will be Parish Eucharist led by Rev. Canon Robin Whitehead. This day is called the Sunday after Ascension. During the coming week we remember the Liberation of Guernsey and Jersey on Monday, and Sark on Tuesday, which happened in 1945. On Thursday we think of Simon of Cyrene, bearer of the Cross of Christ.

WEATHER: It’s a drizzly damp morning this Monday. Unfortunately the Morris dancing in Hastings will be much dampened. Probably the crowds will still be out to see this ancient tradition of Old England. Does anyone still have a Maypole? Perhaps we should have a team dancing in Icklesham next year?! All the beautiful white blossom on the blackthorn hedges is beginning to fade now. It has been especially lovely this year. It will be replaced by the hawthorn or May blossom. Do you cast your clouts before the flowers are out, or the month? With very variable weather, it is perhaps best to dress according to each day.

GREEN: The Morris celebrations are called Jack in the Green. What is green? A mixture of two primary colours, blue and yellow. But how many hundreds of variants are there? Look at grass, a newly sprouting field of wheat, new leaves on an oak tree, hedges, willow trailing leaves, rose leaves, .....see where I’m going? I much enjoyed half an hour in a bluebell wood last week, under the tiny new leaves only just breaking out or even still in bud. The sky was truly cerulean blue, the sea, seen through the still pretty bare branches was also blue. A lovely peaceful interlude.

NEW PAVILION UP DATE: The Lottery Draw for April took place at Icklesham Casuals v Hastings Rangers (2-2) match at Icklesham Recreation Ground last Saturday afternoon. It was drawn by Ray Bowles, general builder and carpenter phone 01424 717 446 for a quote. 1st, £50 Fred Ferryman; 2nd, £25 June Dyer; 3rd, £15 Will Band; 4th, £10 Nick Soan; 5th, £5 Ann Rachlin; & 6th ,£5 Judy Foster. New members are always welcome. It costs £12 per year (23 pence a week) for 12 monthly draws. This is an easy way to support the project. If you are not able to support the other fundraising events, there is no limit on the amount of £12s that any one person or family would like to subscribe. The payments can be made by Direct Debit, cheque or cash. For further details contact David Mayne [email protected] or [email protected] or fill in the form in the Parish Magazine. And each gentleman can be contacted on Facebook. The more members, the bigger the prizes. Thanks to everyone for their continued support.

QUEEN’S HEAD: The live music on Sunday from 4 - 6 pm will be played by Cut the Mustard, Hot Stuff ! There will be details soon about the mini Beer Festival over the next Bank Holiday. some are already available on queeshead.com@QHIcklesham

PLAYDEN WEEKEND: There is an exhibition of arts and crafts in Playden Church which may be of interest to local craftpersons. It is open on Friday 6th May from 5 - 7 pm; Saturday 7th May from 10am to 5 pm; and Sunday 8th May from 1 to 5 pm.Most items will also be for sale. There will be paintings, drawings, cards, jewellery and possibly pottery and wood craft. Pretty churchyard too, with activities for children during the daytime opening. And, I speak from experience, the refreshments are splendid.

CONTACT: The usual plea to keep news, events and results drifting my way please. The preferred way to communicate these days seems to be by email. Years ahead, there will be no social history to be gleaned from letters, because so few people actually WRITE any more. You could pop round if you wish. Contrary to perceived opinion, I am often in !!

AND FINALLY: Happy gardening, if you enjoy it. I reckon that the tree are about a month behind in their foliation, in spite of the warm early months of the year. “The oak is out before the ash, so the summer will be a splash.” I wonder.

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