Icklesham

Tomorrow 14 December is full of good cheer. The Church Markets have a”Thank You” for all their Market Suppliers and Supporters. So from 11am to 12.30pm join them for Mulled Wine,Mince Pies and Carols.Meanwhile Icklesham Village Store is approaching the end of its second year and to celebrate customers are invited to enjoy mulled wine and mince pies .

Sunday 15 10.30 Parish Eucharist in All Saints.

Sunday 15 from 4 till 6 The Queen’s Head live music with Rabbit’s Foot and their Bluegrass Roots.

The Parish Magazine is out, The December 2013/ January 2014 is so packed with news,dates,local adverts etc that its cost 50p -less than a postage stamp -is amazing. Essential reading if you live here. A year’s subscription for 11 magazines is just £5. Please place your order by calling Christine Wheeler on 01424 813740. Obviously the Village Voice can every week mention Ickleshams news and events but it cannot cover everything as fully nor can it advertise the many excellent local services. If you are running an event try to put it in both the Parish Magazine and the Village Voice then about 90% of the village will get to know.

The magazine reports on a moving footnote to Icklesham’s Remembrance Day Service. Canon Hugh Moseley’s address focussed on Robert “ Bob “ Packham who was killed in Italy aged 18 in 1944. Bob’s sister Mrs Joan Marsh and her family were in the congregation and so was Robiane Tortello-Myers and her family from Laurel Lane.Lance Corporal Robert Packham is buried at Mintuno Cemetery 70 miles north of Naples. Robiane spent her childhood in that region and has arranged with Mrs Marsh to lay flowers on Bob’s grave when she next visits the area. Many years ago Bob’s grieving parents, Horace and Harriet, did lay gladioli, his favourite flower, on his grave. They were only able to visit once.

There is a report on the Icklesham Cricket Club A.G.M by Stuart Baker.

“The Icklesham Cricket Club AGM was held in the Memorial Hall on Monday 11 November.We have decided to keep the Club afloat for another season although no fixtures are scheduled, it is hoped that we can keep the Club going as a social club during this period in the hope of generating cricket interest. We are going to contribute and encourage the Parish Council’s proposed ‘Street Games Summer Sessions’ on Icklesham Recreation Ground. The Committee was voted in on block. The Club will stay as a member of Icklesham Trust Committee, and will continue to support the proposals for a New Pavilion.”

Yesterday Icklesham Village Stores just had to close as Dexter and Karen were viewing the Prime Photography Exhibition of Portsmouth University in the New Theatre Royal Portsmouth. Samara Martin their 19 year old daughter had her photography on display. The exhibition is attracting visitors from London Galleries. Samara is on a degree course at the University.

Thursday 19 December in the Robin Hood car park the East Sussex Hearing Resource bus will be present from 10.30 am to 12.30pm. The Centre is a registered charity working in partnership with Adult Social Care to provide at no charge a mobile information and advice service for deafened and hard of hearing people in East Sussex. The vehicle has been Lottery funded and is equipped to offer demonstrations of assistive equipment and to give hearing tests.The bus is accessible to wheel chair users. Representatives from both the East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre and the Adult Social Care service will be available to provide individual information and advice on all aspects of hearing loss.

Friday 6 December. The Rye based choir “Wall of Sound Singing Ensemble” presented their show “ A Country Christmas”. Icklesham Parish Church of All Saints with St. Nicolas Musical looked its best by candlelight and its acoustics enabled the programme to be enjoyed to the full by both the audience and the choir. The programme was eclectic, vibrant and reflective. Musical Director and singing coach Sandra Scott who is both Rye and London based had chosen traditional Christmas Carols,Folk Music ,some of which was English,some Irish,and some Hebrew, Gospel and contemporary music for her 22 strong choir. The choir with ages ranging from 11 upwards responded to the challenge with joy and feeling. The evening showcased soloists from the choir. London based singer/songwriter Trevor John had hot footed down from a busy week with several concerts in the capital. His accompanying on acoustic guitar had humour and panache. His own lively klezmer (Jewish folk music) based composition “Gypsy Joe” was a highlight with deep resonant phrases. He was supported on the electric guitar by Brighton based music student Calum Munro. another treat was 11 year old Jonjo Murphy’s version of the Ink Spots standard form the 1950s “I Don’t Want to set The World on Fire”. Jonjo was great fun with his hats and performed with a mature level of confidence. The Choir are most grateful to Canon Hugh Moseley who introduced the evening and to Churchwarden Christine Wheeler who with choir member Sheila Field of Chantry House organised the evening. There were excellent refreshments and the Retiring Collection raised £175 for the Children, Society.”The Wall of Sound” is finishing 2013 on a high with December performances in Fairfield Church on Romney Marsh,Wishbarn Antiques in Rye and Small Hythe Place. The Choir rehearse once a week and are known for their welcoming and friendly approach. If you would like to join for a free taster session contact Sandra Scott 07533207003 or [email protected]