Mountfield

RUBBISH!: We start off this week with this from Jackie Spriggs: “A very rare species of creature has has now been spotted by several Mountfield residents, those who are out and about quite early, round and about the lanes and strangely, for such a shy animal, by the A2100. The only distinguishing feature is a thatch of pure white on his head, otherwise his pelt is dark, blending in with the road verges and motorists, focusing on the road ahead, might only be fleetingly aware of his white crest in their peripheral vision. Traffic bothers him not as he is bent on his purpose: ridding the environment of the detritus jettisoned by the uncaring from their vehicles as they pass through our territory. Yes, Mountfieldians, we are blessed to have a WOMBLE in our midst, his mission the War On Mess Blighting Local Environment! You know who you are, Mr WOMBLE, and you are doing a grand job which hasn’t gone unnoticed and is very much appreciated! Jackie”

MOUNTFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: They will be holding their annual Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy Plant Sale on Sunday May 17th 10.30-12.30 at 4, Eatenden Lane. Go along for some coffee, a good natter with good neighbours, buy some flower and vegetable plants, enjoy the lovely cakes and, if you have spare plants, take them along too to sell.

VILLAGE HALL FLOWERS: Chris Holden writes: “Please come along to the Village Hall on Sunday May 31st and help with the planting of flower tubs, making our Village Hall beautiful for the summer. Any donations of plants would also be much appreciated. All help and donations from 11.00 am. Help us make our hall blooming beautiful this summer.” For more info, contact Chris on 01580 389053.

ROAD CLOSURE: Be aware that the road round Deer Park in Brightling, between Woods Corner and the junction with Sheepshaw Lane will be closed or some major — and much needed — surface patching from Wednesday May 13th to Friday 15th.

CHURCH WALKS: We will have a full report on these in next week’s Village Voice when all three have been completed.

FINALLY: A while back, we were exploring up Eatenden Lane when we came across a cant of perhaps one and a half acres which had been largely clear-felled. Doubtless helped by a good churning by machinery, the exposure to light has produced an astonishing, dense mass of broom over the entire area. On the glorious Monday Bank Holiday, this huge population was in full flower. An extraordinary sight. Which reminds us of Tim Tidmarsh’s story about when they ploughed up Niplands (opposite the gate at Bull’s Cross) for the first time since the war years and up sprang a fine crop of chicory, which was grown as a coffee substitute during the war. As ever, if you have anything for the Village Voice, we can be contacted on 880614 or via [email protected].