Icklesham

GREETINGS: How are you getting on with the shopping and decorating? Ahead of the game or feeling overwhelmed by it all.? Isn’t it strange how everything happens BEFORE Christmas day, when really the 12 Days of Christmas happen AFTER . It seems that it all goes very quiet in those days leading up to twelfth Night, when we should have been doing our celebrating and raising the Lord of Misrule and generally having fun. Perhaps these days we are so exhausted in the run-up that we just flop, glad to have some quiet time. There are certainly lots and lots of lights on houses and trees to brighten up the dark evenings.

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CHURCH NEWS: The 10.30 am service for the 4th Sunday of Advent will be Parish Eucharist led by Rev. Richard Orchard. The 9 Lessons and Carols will be later that same day at 4 pm.

DECORATING: On Saturday morning 19th December - TOMORROW -from 9.30 am the ladies will be decorating the church ready for the Carol Service and Christmas celebrations. If you would like to join them please go along on the morning with your flowers and foliage. For more information please contact Christine on 01424 814 927

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WEATHER: Still very mild and not very seasonal. How many cards have you had with snowy pictures on them? What has happened to our ‘cold and frosty morning?’ There are lots of flowers thinking that it is spring - daffodils, roses, flowering trees, pulmonaria ,primroses, and that big-leaved plant which I call elephant’s ears which has lovely spikes of pink flowers. Tuesday 22nd is the Winter Solstice, when the sun is as far away as it gets. So, in theory, the days begin to lengthen again and the nights get shorter. It won’t show very much just yet.

LOTS OF MESSAGES FROM STUART.

NEW PAVILION LOTTERY: The draw for December was made by Mrs. Janet Pegg at the Quiz night. The winners were 1. Bruce Rigglesford, £50; 2. Robin Shearer, £25; 3. Jane Taylor, £15; 4. Sue Leach, £10; 5.Anne Grainger, £5; and 6. Ian McLean, £5. The draw is open to all and with Christmas fast approaching this could be a good time to purchase an annual subscription of £12 to use as a present. We will offer 6 month tickets for £6 if that suits better. Thanks to all those who give their support.

QUIZ NIGHT: The Quiz last night raised £195 each for Toddlers and Youth Club. 16 teams entered with the lead changing all through the evening. The main contenders were Mable’s Table, Team Name, Empty Heads, 30+ Somethings, All Sorts, Casualties and Staylybridge Celtic. The 30+Somethings have always contested well, but this time they introduced an Ol’ Timer into their team, hence the 30+. This proved to be the difference as in the end they ran out comfortable winners, closely followed by Stalybridge Celtic and Casualties. Thanks to Lisa, Ruth, Lynn and co. for sorting out the raffle, those who donated raffle prizes, and all who helped with clearing up , Mags, Sean and last but not least, a big thankyou to Nick Warren for sponsoring the prizes.

TODDLERS: The group meets in the Memorial Hall every Wednesday - term time only - from 10.15 til 11.45 am.and it costs £1.50 per family.

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MURDER MYSTERY EVENING: This will be on Saturday 23rd January 2016 in aid of New Pavilion Funds. The Harborough Village Trust Committee are preparing for a special meeting in order to vote on the proposal for a brand new sports pavilion. But it seems that one or two members are not in favour of going ahead with the controversial plans to tear down the old one.As representatives from the various village societies including Harborough Casuals football club, the art group, the bowls club and the amateur dramatic society meet to take the final ballot, the chairman begins a mission to disclose certain facts which will persuade each of them to consider very carefully about changing the way they vote. A mission that will ultimately end in murder. What is the mystery concerning the local building company, can the treasurer really be trusted, and what secret is the local doctor keeping from the rest of the village? For all the answers and the chance to play detective yourself and solve the murder, come along to see the Playden Players as they perform their new Murder Mystery entitled the Village Trust Murders.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: It was decided at the recent meeting that all profits from their three shows in 2016 will go towards the new project.

UPDATE ON THE OLD PAVILION: The refurbishments to the Old Pavilion were originally costed at £200 to the Trust and Village. This was the insurance excess. The interior damage was omitted from the quote for the refurbishment, therefore the Trust will be liable to pay that bill which, including the excess, painting interior and security fencing will be approximately £800. At this point, thanks to Michael Osborne for the work carried out on the interior.

TRUST AGM: At the Trust AGM the matter of next year’s fete was discussed. Would the Village like a Fete next year? If yes, many helpers, ideas and commitment would be needed, Then a Fete Committee will be formed. Let a Village Trust representative know your thoughts - Karen at the shop is now a Village Representative. This would also be a good opportunity to boost New Pavilion Funds.

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BOWLS CLUB: Tonight there is a Christmas Dance/gig in the Memorial Hall from 7 pm until 11 pm. Something Else will provide the music. Tickets are £10 each and they will be on sale at the door, including supper.There will be a raffle.

QUEEN’S HEAD: The live music on Sunday from 4 - 6 pm will be played by Steve Riv playing World music.

ROBIN HOOD: On Sunday 20th December at 5. 30 pm there will be a Christmas Carol afternoon tea including an afternoon of Christmas music with Yvonne bell house encouraging you to sing-along. It costs £ 9.95 per person. Please wear smart clothes or Christmas costumes. On Christmas Day there will be sittings at 12 pm and 3 pm. 4 courses cost £39.95 per person, children under 12 at £19.99 per person. Boxing day food will be served until 3 pm. 3 courses at £24.95 per person. Mr. Steve Sinatra will be singing and dancing the afternoon away.

SCHOOL NEWS: The school was proud to receive the Sainsbury’s School games Silver Award. The year 3 and 4 football Team came a super second place in the nine team tournament held at Buckswood .All players received a goody bag and silver medals form Mr. Wallis. Congratulations to Jacob, Eve, Connor, Amaro, Billy, Theo and Solomon. Carol singing last week raised £60. The children who took part were Lily-Rose, Harry, Grace, Mia, Amelie and Holly. Also singing were children from the Acorn Nursery - Ava, Chloe and Nancy. Well done and thank you. The Head Teacher’s awards this week go to Caterpillars, Jasmine; Spiders, Leo; Dragonflies. Siena and Bees, Zac. The class awards go to Caterpillars, Oliver and Holly; Spiders, Lily-Rose and Finley L; Dragonflies, Kyle and Lilli and Bees, Ned and Mrs Robinson. Special Head teacher awards go to Harry Kilby who swam 100 metres to raise £100 for Cancer Research and Isabella who passed Grade 2 ballet. Caterpillars class won the attendance award. Don’t forget the Carol Service at 9.30 THIS MORNING in church. At the end of today, the school breaks up for the Christmas holidays. The next term begins on 5th January.

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CONTACT: Please keep information about clubs, meetings and events coming my way. Phone 01424 815 247, pop round or use the e-mail.

AND FINALLY: Enjoy the week. May you have a lot of fun, be amazed at all the lights and don’t eat too many mince pies.

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