Icklesham

CHURCH NEWS: The service at 9.30am this Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter, will be Parish Eucharist led by Rev. Canon Robin Whitehead. This will be followed at 10.30 am by the Annual Parish Church Meeting, held in the Manor Chapel. Church Wardens and members of the PCC will be elected. It is hoped that as many people on the Electoral Roll as possible will be present.

CHURCH MARKET: These lovely convivial meetings resume on Saturday 16th April - TOMORROW - from 11 am until 2 pm. Please note that they will be held in the Memorial Hall now, so as well as the usual coffee and delicious cakes, there will be more in the way of hot food for some really tasty lunches. There will be cake and plant stalls too. Any donations to either of these would be very much appreciated.

HER MAJESTY’S BIRTHDAY: At 6pm in 21st April there will be a joint Benefice non-denominational Service of Thanksgiving at St. Thomas’s Winchelsea. The plan is to have a service lasting about 40 minutes with prayers, readings, hymns and music, then refreshments in the New Hall, followed by the lighting of the beacon at 7.30 pm. The Winchelsea Beacon will join others throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and UK overseas territories.

WEATHER: April is living up to its reputation of sunshine and showers. Good growing weather, but the ground is not warm enough for seeds yet. Many gardens are looking really good as their owners get on with mowing, hoeing and trimming untidy things. My clay soil is still claggy though.

WINCHELSEA SINGERS: On Saturday 16th - tomorrow - Winchelsea Singers will present The Creation by Haydn, starting at 7 pm. Entry is by programme at the door, costing £10. A bar will be available. This is lovely music in a local venue, and will be well worth going.

FIVE VILLAGES HOUSE: The beautiful new Minibus was duly delivered last Saturday. Thos who went on a little jaunt in her came back saying, “It’s lovely”. Apparently much more comfortable than the old one. Refreshments were served in the lounge, and a small token of thanks and appreciation were given to Martyn Kilbey, who had master-minded the whole project. I almost felt like saying, God bless all who ride in her!. Hopefully there will be a picture and a better report somewhere else in the paper.

BILL MACDONALD: We were very sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Bill Macdonald. He was the last postmaster at Icklesham before the post office closed. He had achieved local fame for his sausages. People made a special trip to buy them, or stopped on their was along the A259.

SUMMER FETE AND FLOWER SHOW: This will take place on Saturday 6th August from 1 - 4pm. A number of great attractions has already been booked. To make this a real village success, many helpers are needed to set up, run stalls and events, and pack up, all on the day. Last year there was a great shortage of helpers. Be a volunteer and contact Stuart to set his mind at rest that help will be available. OR, if you are able to help in any way on the day, or you would like a stall for something you are involved in, please contact Nick Warren on 07942 880 858.

QUEEN’S HEAD: The live music on Sunday 17th will be played by Lucky Saddles, playing new riders. There will be a Quiz on Wednesday 20th beginning at 8.30 pm. All proceeds are in aid of St. Michael’s Hospice.

QUIZ REPORT: 15 teams entered the April Quiz night and a total of £334 was raised for the New Pavilion Fund. The early leaders were Casuals but Confident and One Out All Out and by round three Stalybridge Celtic, All sorts and Empty Heads had put in their challenge. After round 4 , which was a 5 minute round, Saints and Sinners, Nobby’s Nuts, Team Name, 30 Somethings and Golden Arrows joined the leaders. After round 6, the Gambling round, 5 teams failed to score because they chose to gamble. This gave an opportunity for Table in the Corner to creep up on the leaders. Fab 5 and Undefeated were beginning to score well. By round 7 the 30 Somethings were in cruise mode. Round 8 Flower Power put in a perfect round to finish 5th overall. 30 Somethings ended up comfortable winners, with Allsorts 2nd and Team Name 3rd. Thanks to all that supported not only last night but since September when we began this programme of social evenings. High Fords Hooligans and Mabel’s Table and Casualties could not make this quiz, but they have been good supporters and deserve a mention. Thanks to Sean, Mags and John for help last night and all those who donated raffle prizes. The Quiz money that WE have raised from September is as follows :Icklesham Trust, £220; Church, £350; Macmillan Nurses, £268; Youth Club £195; Toddlers £195. For the New Pavilion £2390 of which £770 was from the Murder Mystery evening, sponsored by the Robin Hood. The Grand Total raised since September is £3618, an excellent effort by all. Those on social media Facebook like the “Icklesham Quiz Night” page and all the information is on there.

CONTACT: Please keep sending in information about events, or previews, or reviews or anything really for which you would like some free publicity. Pop round or use the e-mail.

AND FINALLY: It’s raining now, so does that mean we shall have some sunshine soon? Hope so.

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