Icklesham

The funeral has taken place of Mr. John William Seaby who lived with his wife Isabel in retirement in Icklesham for 25 years. John served in the R.A.F. as a fitter with ground crew and later used his skills in running garages in Halland near Uckfield and on Hayling Island. He had previously been the landlord of a public house in Olympia near Earls Court. We express deepest sympathy to all who knew John.

Broadband was to blame for last week’s disaster of a Village Voice I can think of many other b words to use about this system which messed it up but politeness and the Editor prevents me.

In the material which was sent but not received there was a a lot about three important events and I say sorry to the Friends of the School, the Craft fairs and the Icklesham Trust Committee, all of whom did not receive the full publicity they deserve. The only copy which was printed were the items which had come in late and were emailed in at the last minute.

Tomorrow Saturday 15 Dexter and Karen are celebrating a year of the Icklesham Village Store and all customers will be able to have mulled wine and minced pies during opening hours,They live up to the saying ‘’ Retail is Detail’’with the range of goods and services which they have developed.

Sunday 16 December in the Church 10.30 Parish Eucharist. Services over Christmas are Sunday 23 10.30 Morning Prayer and 4pm Village Carol Service. Christmas Eve 4pm Crib and Christingle Service. 11pm Midnight Eucharist. Christmas Day Parish Eucharist 10.30am.

The Church Christmas Fayre raised an excellent £853. Thanks to all who came and saw the Memorial Hall looking splendid. It was a great credit to all those involved.

Sunday 16 December The Craft Fair continues at the Harborough Nurseries in Guestling Thorn with seasonal refreshments available all day.

Sunday 16 December our sister church St. Thomas the Martyr, Winchelsea, has a fund raising event starting at 6.30. This Evocation of Christmas blends the music of the famous London group. the Pegasus Choir with the story telling of Ann Rachlin. The music will be a mixture of traditional carols and less familiar pieces. All who have experienced Ann,s story telling know how they have been enthralled. Ann has personally chosen her material .Michael Morpurgo is a teacher and a grandfather who writes for children .’’Warhorse’’ his stage and screen hit was first a young person’s story which my 13 year old grandson was absorbed by.Ann has chosen a story which is sensitive and appropriate. In the 60s I always made a point of listening to the actor David Kossof when he told Bible stories and Ann has chosen one which tells the Manger experience through the eye of a donkey. Another story is a tribute to Mothers at Christmas. Tickets are £10 which includes a glass of mulled wine. They are on sale at Winchelsea Post Office 01797 229525.

Sunday 16 4-6 Live Music at the ‘’Queen’s Head’ ’Lumpy & The Lumpettes do Smooth Grooves.

Westfield’ s Christmas Lights are an attraction. If you go then you can make a donation to St. Michaels Hospice. There is also a spectacular display at 35 St. Helen’s Park Road, Hastings which also collects for same good cause.

Rother Recycling has distributed details of collections over the holiday period. Most of Ickleham has Tuesday collections. For these households the next collection of green garden waste wheelie bins will be Tuesday 8 January 2013. Until then all collections will be black household waste Wheelie bins and at the same time the two boxes.Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are on a Tuesday so the plan is to collect on the following Thursday.

Fund raising for the New Pavilion the Icklesham Trust is trying to put together a Village Calendar. This would include as many societies/groups etc no not Calendar Girls. All that’s needed is a photo to the Trust by the end of May so they can be out by the Village Fete and sold up to Christmas.

Friday 21 December I hope to have a village calendar for the holiday period with all the opening times etc. Let me know if you want to be included