Icklesham

CHURCH SERVICE: On Sunday 11th January the service will be Parish Eucharist at 10.30 am with special prayers for the Baptism of Christ. But before then, if you happen to be available on Friday afternoon at 2 pm, there is a cleaning party in church, to tidy up after all the decorations are put away.

PARISH MAGAZINE: If you would like to receive the magazine each month of the year, - actually 11 copies - please contact Christine Wheeler on 813 740. It will cost £5 for the year.

QUEEN’S HEAD: The live music this coming Sunday will be played by Tea Chest Blues.This is probably self-explanatory.

WEATHER: What a mixed weekend it was. Saturday should have been ashamed of itself! But the sun on Sunday morning was really lovely and I enjoyed sitting in the garden for half an hour. Then it went and spoilt itself by coming over all foggy. Still unseasonably warm.

YOUTH CLUB: The new sessions are on Tuesday evenings in the Memorial Hall beginning at 6 pm.

ARCHERY IN ICKLESHAM: Don’t forget the meeting on Tuesday 13th January at the Robin Hood Inn to discuss the setting up of the new Archery Club. Come along at 19.00 hours to discuss the formation of the club and the annual and membership fees. If you plan to attend, please either email Tom at [email protected] or phone 0746 019 0298.

HEALTH TIP: I have been reliably informed that drinking two mugs of hot chocolate each day can delay the onset of dementia. Whoopee!

ICKLESHAM STORES: The fruit and veg Hamper valued at £25 was won by Helen Stringer. Congratulations to her.

FLOWER CLUB: The Flower Club holds its first meeting of the year on Tuesday 13th January at 2.15pm in the Memorial hall. The title for the afternoon is “A Petite (not more than 9 inches) or all foliage. New members are always welcome whether you are a complete beginner or have some experience. The charge is £1.20 per session which includes tea and lots of chat. Christine says bring foliage and scissors or just yourself; anything else you may need you can get at the club. If you would like to know more, ring her on 01424 814 927.

VILLAGE DIARY: The new diary is up in the Village Stores, for you to check any dates or add something of your own. We must try to keep it up to date.

MURDER MYSTERY EVENING: Have you booked 24th January for the exciting “solving of the clues” evening at 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall? There a dastardly deed will be perpetrated in a play and you are invited to work out “who dunnit.” Ticket price is £8 and supper will be included, but you must bring your own booze. There will be a raffle too, and a Table Quiz. Teams of 6 can enter but if you have eight people for example, just make two teams of four. To book call Stuart Baker on 814 408.

AIRPORT: Do you think we shall be adversely affected by the larger planes using Lydd Airport? Or will we be pleased to hop on a plane locally to jet off to the continent? Any thoughts about this?

OBITUARY: This lovely letter has come to me telling of the death on 24th December, of ALBERT DAVID CANE. Being new to the village, I didn’t know him, but probably a lot of other people did. Albert was born in 1927 at Canadia, a small area on the outskirts of Battle.The family moved to Icklesham when Albert was a baby, living at 4 Broad Street, moving to Brook Farm and finally to 8 Council Houses. All his working life was spent working for the Merricks family; a house boy at 14 and retiring at 65. His 50 years were recognised at the Sussex Agricultural Show. The presentation was made by Princess Alexandra. He went to Icklesham C. of E. school and to the Senior School in Rye during the war. He became an early member of Icklesham Casuals organised by Will Dunlop: the cricket team: took part in the 1970 Youth Club, the Horticultural Society, the Cycle Speedway on his mother’s sit-up-and-beg bike: coarse and sea fishing and playing bowls. He kept bees at the Manor. He became responsible for the production and picking of the fruit. During his working life he had worked in oasts hop drying, when hops were grown on Brook Farm. Son Stephen attended Icklesham School and was a member of the Icklesham Cricket team Albert’s Mother Lucy was a member of the local Eldridge family, widely spread around Icklesham, Rye and Udimore. Several generations are in the churchyard. The funeral is to be on Monday 19th January at 11.45 am at Hastings Crematorium. Afterwards there will be a gathering at the Robin Hood Inn from 12.30 pm when friends will be welcome. I offer sincere condolences to the family of this local man who obviously joined in very many village activities.

CONTACT: If you have anything which you would like to appear in the Village Voice column, please contact me on 815 247 or pop round. Copy by Sunday each week please.

AND FINALLY: Hope you all have a good week.

Marion Lovell

7 Oast House Field