Iden

There are lots of special services in Iden from now on.

On Sunday 16th, the Christingle Service is at 3pm in support of the Children’s Society.

The very special Iden Singers Carol Service is on Tuesday 18th at 7.30pm. Refreshments in the church afterwards.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, 19th and 20th, the pupils of St. Michael’s School will perform their Nativity Play at 2 pm.

On Friday evening 14th -- tonight, Mr. Ian Hunter will give an illustrated talk on Rajastan and Gujarat, Tigers, Lions and Cranes. This begins at 7.30 pm. Visitors are welcome, entrance is £3.

Iden Parish Council met on Tuesday 4 December at which 4 Parish Councillors were present together with District Councillors Paul Osborne and Nick Ramus. Apologies were received from County Councillor Keith Glazier and Parish Councillor Chrissy Rodger There were also 10 members of the public present

There was nothing to report under planning, except that the Rother District Council had agreed the application for the Barons Oak Barn extension

A useful meeting with the Iden Pavilion Association had recently been held and the way forward determined

A survey has been sent to every household asking for their input into the Community Emergency arrangements and how they can help should Iden be faced with an unexpected disaster. Residents are asked to return this to Iden Stores by the middle of the month

The Village has many ash trees, many in the Churchyard and approach to the playing field. The Council is to make an inventory of these specimens as they are likely to be affected by the virus that is now spreading across the country. Prompt action will be required once any tree is seen to be infected. The potential loss to the environment would be considerable.

A appeal was also made for a Tree Warden – is there anyone in Iden who will undertake this important role on behalf of the council?

The budget for 2013/4 was discussed and Councillors were given a draft which will be agreed at the January meeting. However there is much uncertainty regarding Government policy about the final settlement with local authorities and this will need to be taken into account before the precept is settled (the amount taken from the Council Tax to cover the Parish Council’s expenditure)

The notice board at the Randolph’s Lane end of the village will need renewing and it is hoped this can be done locally

The new speed limit is now being enforced and regular checks are being made by the police- in the process motorists have also been caught using mobile phones (they will be prosecuted) and the local bus was tracked doing 42mph!

Residents should by now have received the regular update from Rother District Council which particularly refers to the refuse collections over the Christmas/New Year period.

The next meeting of the Council will be on Monday 7 January at 7.30pm in Iden Village Hall (note date not usual Tuesday)

The annual Carol Service will take place at Iden Church on Tuesday 18 December at 7.30pm All are welcome to come to this very popular and well attended service where the Iden Singers will be performing and there will be appropriate readings. Afterwards, everyone is invited to mulled wine and minced pies!

The Christingle Service will be on Sunday 16 December at 3pm in Iden Church. This is always a lovely occasion and everyone is welcome to attend- please bring as many children as possible!

The mid-week services will be at 9.30 am and 3.30 pm on Wednesday as usual.

The 9.30 am service for the 3rd Sunday of Advent will be Parish Communion.