Mountfield

We should like to record our thanks to all the people who have helped to make this Village Voice a success. Now when someone passes on, people think to let us know and we can make sure that all the friends and neighbours know what’s happened and what arrangements are in place. There is a handful of folk who have been particularly good friends to this column over the last three years. They know who they are and to them we say a big thank you.

SOUTHERN WATER: Monday, June 6th, should see the start of operations with the construction of the treatment works (sewage plant) and the sewerage works. Thursday last week saw the drop-in session at the village hall where there were representatives of SW and the contractors, MGJV (basically Morrisons, to you and us). Yes it’s going to be at least nine months hell of traffic, mud, road closures and cock-ups. On the other hand, we were impressed with all the key folk who pitched up. I was left with the distinct impression that, given the common sense of Mountfield residents and the pragmatic good nature of the boys in high-viz, most problems will be sorted at local level. It made us think of when Kent Lane was resurfaced from Brightling to Church House a couple of yeas ago. We were driving to the station one morning and there was the gateman — can’t remember his or his terrier’s name now — sitting on the step of his camper van sharing a cuppa with Fred Stace. That just said so much about so many things. If that’s the worst that breaks out, we can sort it.

DANNY OVERY: A reminder of the funeral arrangements for Danny whose funeral will take place at 1.15 pm on Friday 10th June at Hastings Crematorium. Family flowers only please. Danny’s mates will provide a full motorbike cortege from his home to the scene of the accident and then down to the crematorium, being joined by more bikers at Abbey Green. Afterwards, everyone is invited back to Mountfield Club to celebrate Danny’s life.

BIG SCREEN SOCIAL NIGHT: The next Big Screen Social Night will be on Saturday June 18th with the screening of “The Imitation Game” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Charles Dance, Tuppence Middleton and others. More details next week but the important thing is to get the date in your diaries now. And invite friends and family. It will be the usual £5.00 donation with complimentary film and refreshments. Doors open 7.30 pm.

MOUNTFIELD CLUB: On Saturday June 4th, Steve Smith will be hosting another Quiz Night. There will be a £2.00 entry fee per person with all funds on the night going towards the Danny Overy fund. Please text or phone Steve on 07720 298971. The Club is also on the look out for more darts and snooker players for their summer and winter leagues. If interested for darts, please phone or text Bruce on 07935 008620 or, for snooker, Steve on 07720 298971.

NATIONAL MOTH NIGHT 2016: Always a pleasure to hear from Robin Harris who tells us that National Moth Night 2016 will be June 9th, 10th and 11th. Smarter readers will already be thinking: “but that’s three nights, not one”. And those smarter readers will be quite right. There is a good reason for this apparent contradiction. In order to take account of such things as the very variable weather conditions across the British Isles on any one particular night and the availability of people to take part, National Moth Night can be any of the three nights. The theme for 2016 is Hawk-moths – the generally large and colourful family of moths that start to appear at this time of year. Robin hopes to run his moth trap on at least one of the nights mentioned above – which night(s) will depend on the weather conditions. Anyone interested in seeing what turns up in his trap is very welcome to come along and have a look. Contact him on 01580 880621 to make the necessary arrangements.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: A reminder of the three key dates for the Mountfield Horticultural Society. First, the coffee morning and plant sale will be at 4, Eatenden Lane at 10.30 on Sunday 19th June. Go along and sell some plants, buy some plants, have coffee and lovely cake — and a good natter. Then, the annual outing will be a coach trip to the ever-popular RHS Wisley on Sunday July 3rd, open to members and non-members. Contact Celia Morris on 01580 880458. Finally. the Annual Flower Show will take place on Saturday July 30th Village Hall. For the photographers amongst you there will be four open classes, “Country Wildlife”, “Shrub in Flower”, “Sunset or Sunrise” and “Bridge”. And this year there is also an under-16 class enitled “Mountfield Village”.

COMMUNITY ARTS: Barbara Valentine writes: “Members of the art groups at Mountfield Community Arts have been raising money for St Michael’s Hospice this term by having a weekly raffle of framed prints of my paintings plus the occasional original painting and prizes donated by one of the group. Also, a skilled gardener in the Tuesday class has been bringing very good potted plants to sell, and those and the raffles made £332. Added to the £75 that I raised with the quick portraits at Netherfield School Fete last week, that comes to £407. Half of that was in bagged-up coins, so when I took it to pay into the Hospice’s bank account on Friday, the tin was so heavy that I could hardly lift it onto the counter! We still have the rest of the Summer term to raise some more so can I take this opportunity to say that I am always pleased to do a quick portrait of dogs for the Hospice. Barbara.”

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

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