Mountfield

FAMILY BONFIRE: Caroline writes: A record year all round! We finally made a small profit which will go to go towards children’s the Christmas party (see below). The evening saw our biggest turnout ever with people travelling from far and near, including lots and lots of families and small children, underlining the fact that we pride ourselves on being a family friendly event. It was generally agreed that the display was better than ever.

The whole event was made possible by a great team of helpers and organisers who made it all happen. Thanks to Jempsons for supplying the pallets and to the team who built and supervised the bonfire; to Mountfield Parish Council for their financial donation; to the Committee of course; and to all the friends and family who spent a large part of Friday in preparation and safely hosted and served the crowd on the night.

It has to be said that the evening was only able to go ahead thanks to Nick John of Southern Water and Kaye Hargen from MGjv, the contractors, and their respective teams who built the event into their forward planning so actively. Both Nick and Kaye turned up for the event and wrote afterwards to say how much they enjoyed it all — “a lovely atmosphere and really well run”. (Kaye drove all the way to and from home in Woking while Nick lives on the Isle of Wight!) Particular hero on the night was Tony Devine, site foreman at the compound on Solomon’s Lane, whom many people will have met over recent months. Tony worked throughout, marshalling, acting as parking attendant, putting out cones, letting the firework crew in beforehand and out again right at the end of proceedings before making his way home to south London — a long day.

SW CONSTRUCTION: This is probably the right point to give an update. Following the late running in Church Road caused by the old culvert that was uncovered, it should now re-open by Friday November 4th. This means that the closure of Hoath Hill, from approximately the post box by the old pottery to the Riverhall junction, will now be from Monday November 7th to Friday December 2nd. All residents of Hoath Hill received a letter drop to this effect from SW last week.

HOATH HILL PARKING: There is an important appeal from SW, MGjv and, above all, Kier that on Wednesdays, everyone parks on the east side of Hoath Hill only as the collection vehicles will need to reverse out, in the case of the evening collections, in the dark. Again, this was emphasised in the SW letter last week.

CHURCH MATTERS: Jackie Spriggs writes: We are delighted to announce that All Saints Mountfield, after many weeks of closure, is once again open for business following the complete re-roofing of the south side. It looks magnificent, and slightly domed tiles have been inserted at intervals to allow easy access for our resident rare species of bats.

During the work the whole of the inside of the church was swathed in polythene, and the tilers did a really good job of clearing up inside when the banging and bashing was completed. This was followed by Jodie and Maisie Last giving a deep clean throughout, including a first ever steam clean of the floor tiles, which have “come up lovely”! Thanks, girls, you did a cracking job! [We hope not literally…]

So at last we will be able to hold a very belated Harvest Festival on 20th November at 10.00 am. As this is the week before Advent Sunday, when the church is traditionally stripped of floral decoration until Christmas, we are only doing minimal florals but hope that people attending will bring tinned or packeted goods as all donations will go as usual to the St Nicholas Fellowship in St Leonards-on-Sea for the young people in their care. The service on Remembrance Sunday on 13th November will commence at 10.50 am in readiness for the observance of the Silence at 11.00 am. Rev’d Ann-Marie will be officiating at Mountfield this year.

MOUNTFIELD VILLAGE HALL BIG SCREEN SOCIAL NIGHTS: As the dark evenings of the autumn come round again, the new season of social nights kicks off with the showing of Eddie the Eagle on Friday November 25th with refreshments and plenty of time for socialising. Doors open at 7.30 pm and there is a suggested donation of £5.00 per person towards the upkeep of the hall. Everyone is welcome so go along and chuckle at this hilarious movie based on the true story of Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards when he made his ski jumping challenge at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. “Delightfully feel-good,” Empire.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY: This year’s party will take place on Saturday December 10th in the Village Hall from 4.00 till 6.00 and will be run by DNA Kids who are THE kids party specialists. Oh, and there will be a special visitor at the end of the party… The event is open to all Mountfield children of primary school age or under. As ever, the grandchildren of anyone living in the parish are welcome in return for a small contribution. Please can they email [email protected] or ring 01580 882147 to book places for an event that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

DIARY DATES & REMINDERS: Just the one new date: Saturday December 17th, Coffee morning and Christmas raffle draw from 10.30 -12.30 in All Saints Church, Mountfield. And one reminder: Mountfield Horticultural Society’s AGM will be held on Saturday November 5th at 3.00 in Mountfield Village Hall with tea and cake for all.

KEYS FOUND: If anyone has lost some keys, please contact Steve Sutton on 880916.

CONTACT: If you have anything for the Village Voice, we can be contacted on 880614 or via [email protected]. We always welcome contributions and feedback.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @BattleObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.