Icklesham

Remembrance Sunday in the Parish Church: Our Service in All Saints was moving and dignified. The congregation filled the church and was of all generations from those who lost close relatives in the First World War to the local school children who placed the crosses representing those from Icklesham who lost their lives in both wars. Wreathes were laid at the memorial in the church and also at the original wooden plaque which is in this village’s First World War Memorial -The Memorial Hall and at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. In the procession which marches along Whitehall after the ceremonies at the Cenotaph were 2 men from Icklesham. Brian Pitt was with fellow members of The Intelligence Corps - a unit in which he has served for many years. Philip Merricks was representing The Home Guard in which his Father Jack served throughout the Second World War when a German invasion was so close a unit called an Auxiliary Unit of 6 was formed secretly. Jack was its Patrol Leader and after the invasion its role was sabotage and assassination. The British High Command thought they would survive no more than two weeks. The Germans regarded such resistance as outside the rules of war and in both wars retaliated by killing civilians. If this had happened Icklesham’s fate would have been horrendous.

The Robin Hood Bonfire Society 5 November: The huge cumulo-nimbus threatened all day but the heavy rain never came. The fireworks were brilliant. Many other local Bonfire societies supported the Robin Hood actually preferring to come to Icklesham rather than the giant event in Lewes. The Society made a profit of over £4000.Phil Seymour says “As Chairman of the Robin Hood Bonfire Society, I would just like to extend a big thank you to all the members and more importantly to the villagers of Icklesham for their continued support in making the bonfire an enjoyable and worthwhile evening for all involved and raising money for local groups and organisations.”

A Shot in the Dark: Tom Firth, our local archer, was given the task of starting the bonfire and surely a flaming arrow from a distance of 50 metres was what was needed. So on the afternoon of 5 November he practised till every shot was on target.Returning in the evening it was pitch dark and from 50 metres on that cloudy, moonless night the bonfire could not be seen. .Tom knew the techniques to use,fired blind and hit the target which then blazed dramatically. Tom is delighted. His dream of an archery club is closer with a probable base near the Robin Hood. A lot of details to be sorted out of course including the name. Archers or Bowmen? I prefer the latter which is Anglo-Saxon rather than the Norman French Archer - but I’m biased.

November Village Quiz: Tomorrow Saturday 15 in the Memorial Hall starting at 7.30pm. The Ladies Darts club are in charge and are generously sharing the proceeds between the New Pavilion Fund and MacMillan Nurse.

All Saints with St Nicolas: Sunday 16 November 10.30 Parish Eucharist

Queen’s Head Quiz: Wednesday 19 November pub quiz in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.

Icklesham Players: The auditions for the February 2015 pantomime meant that almost all the parts were filled.

Christmas Fayre: This is a Church event with Santa Claus in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 29 November from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Stalls ,raffle and refreshments.

Christmas Craft Fair: Saturday 6 December starting at 10am in the Hall.

Icklesham Trust AGM: The Trust runs the Memorial Hall and the Pavilion.Its Committee consists of representatives from Icklesham’s clubs etc plus from the village community.The AGM is on Friday 5 December at 7pm for a 7,30pm start. Everybody is invited to join the committee members for wine and nibbles before the meeting. What a great opportunity to raise any issues about the Hall and the Pavilion which may concern you.

Laurie Bowman

Magpies, Oast House Field