Iden

THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS: Sometimes I like to watch something cultured on TV, like ballet, or Daniel Barenboim at the Royal Festival Hall, but at other times I’ll watch absolute rubbish, maybe a documentary about someone I probably wouldn’t sit next to on a bus. Recently I sat through ‘The Eurovision Song Contest’, and I wondered why I’d watched it. I remember when it was simpler, and more truthful. Sandy Shaw stood on the stage years ago in a little shift dress, barefoot, and sang ‘Puppet On A String’, and the simplicity of it was memorable .I wonder if we will ever go back to a ‘less is more’ time Maybe it’s me getting old and cranky, but does anyone remember Katie Boyle?
By Gill Griffin
Published 26th Jun 2015, 00:00 BST

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IDEN BOWLS CLUB: It’s pleasant to peek over the hedge and watch members of the Iden Bowls Club enjoying their summer matches. Bowls matches, with their sea of white garments against a background of green foliage are summer personified aren’t they?. The teas they serve are perfectly English too. Cakes and sandwiches, and pots of tea with tray cloths. [a bit of old world charm] For special matches there is a proper buffet, with everything under the sun to eat. It always amazes me, that without too much rigid planning, any club or society in Iden can manage to produce the perfect mixture of sweet/savoury items to wow a crowd. Everyone’s favourite recipe will be there, and there is nothing nicer than starting at one end and ‘grazing’ right through to the other. [you won’t want any supper!] If anyone would like to join Iden Bowls Club, please ring [01-797 280573], or [01-797 280568] No previous experience necessary. It’s good exercise, and very sociable.

WELL DONE BRU: Bru Wood won the Ted White cup at the first Iden Bowls Club competition which was held on Saturday 13th June. The competition, known as the ‘ Ted White Day’ was enjoyed by all. June Humphreys won the Ted White Plate. Well done to you both.!

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A SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION: There will be a service of Holy Communion at Iden Parish Church, on Sunday 28th June, at 9.30am.

THE POP-IN: The next Pop-In will be in Iden village hall on Monday 6th July, at11am. Everyone is welcome to sit down and be waited on, and enjoy lively conversation with fellow Iden folk.

BINGO: The next Bingo session will be on Thursday 9th July, in Iden village hall. Anyone is welcome from Iden, and the surrounding area. Doors open at 2pm, eyes down at 2.30pm.

You may have as many bingo books as you like, and there is also a ‘flier’, and a ‘jackpot’. At half time, there is a tea available, costing only a pound, and a raffle It’s a lively afternoon.!

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THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER: The atmosphere around us in summer always seems less muted than in winter time doesn’t it? Winter is a time for hugging the fire and being introspective, but the sun’s rays seem to nudge our whole village into action. Even the Rye to Tenterden bus seems to give an appreciative summery lurch, and turns over it’s engine in a much more positive way. Bits of conversations are heard here and there, not near enough to eavesdrop, but just that pleasant summer hum that lets us know that people are out and about, in a lighter mood, without the encumbrance of a coat, or even a cardigan. Rosebuds are bursting into flower on every trellis, balls are being thrown, and Iden villagers are out in force tending their gardens. It’s that “lets have a lolly” time, and the sun sits up in the sky looking smug, for very good reason, because it’s perked up Iden no end, and sent us all into a bit of a tailspin!

‘CONTACT ‘GRAND DESIGNS’!: The Collared Dove seems to sing it’s heart out once the weather turns warmer. Perhaps we hear it more because we have the windows open , but that rhythmic ‘coo’ can be heard everywhere, almost as though it’s flown in from L.A to be the star attraction. Apparently, it’s nest is only a simple arrangement of layered sticks, seen in trees and on buildings [Kevin McCloud could almost make a programme out of such a bird nest, celebrating it’s simplicity of design] I had no idea that the collared dove has only been nesting in Britain since 1955. It hailed, apparently from Turkey and the Balkans [Seeing it in our gardens with it’s little black neck band, it’s always seemed so very much ‘ours’].

CAMPING OUT IN THE LIVING ROOM: Speaking earlier about watching TV, I did manage to sit up for the election until 3am [I love the anticipation of it all]. When Prince George was born, I had a little carpet picnic, and watched the steps of the ‘Lindo Wing’ like the rest of the country, hardly even venturing out into the kitchen in case I missed something. Well there is little enough to get excited about in this house [except perhaps another bud on the African Violet!] I well remember the Queen’s silver Jubilee, even the dog was draped in red white and blue, and we had a crown cake, and a union jack cake [we couldn’t have a street party because we lived on a hill], but we had a party, as did everyone., all wearing union jack hats, singing Rule Brittania .Wasn’t it a lovely day? There is something about England’s pomp and ceremony that seems to unite us all, and gives us goose bumps!

CONTACT ME: If anyone would like to add anything to the Village Voice, I will gladly include it. Please ring Gill Griffin [telephone 01-797 280311]

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