Mountfield

Unusually for this time of year, there is much to report and some important announcements and we start with the first concrete news of the proposed sewerage and sewage treatment works. Letters and information should have started going to householders this last week so many of you may already have the basic details.

Southern Water will be holding a drop in “surgery” for everyone to see the plans and discuss their own situation. This will be held from noon till 9.00 pm on Monday 25th November in the Village Hall. As well as Southern Water people, there will be representatives from Babcock International, the consultant engineers, and Clancy Docwra, who are the construction contractors.

It is probably helpful at this stage if we outline who will and won’t be served by the new scheme. The following households will be able to link to the sewerage system: all properties on Eatenden Lane from Castle Gardens down to the Old Bakery, all properties on Solomon’s Lane, all properties on Hoath Hill and New Cut, plus all properties on Church Lane from Mills Cottages to Hoath Hill. No other properties will be able to connect.

Next we have two important church announcement from Jackie Spriggs: “We are delighted to announce that after three years without a parish priest the Reverend Anne-Marie Crosse has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of our United Benefice of Brightling, Mountfield and Netherfield! Anne-Marie is almost local having been born in Brighton but comes to us from Worthing. She will shortly be moving into the Rectory at Brightling to settle in and get her bearings before being Licensed by Bishop Laurie Green and Archdeacon Philip Jones at St. John the Baptist Church, Netherfield on Friday 13th December at 5.00 pm, to which event all three congregations are invited.

“Before that, however, the Bishop of Chichester, the Rt. Reverend Martin Warner will come to our three parishes, as part of his Visitations of all the parishes in the Diocese of Chichester, during the first week of December. Details of this are not yet finalised so watch this space for further information.”

Jackie also has other news: “It was fortunate that the downpours last Saturday cleared overnight so that Remembrance Day was chilly but bright. How glad we were that Fred Stace, the one remaining member of Mountfield British Legion, was well enough to be with us and take part in the wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial after having so recently been in hospital. The Rev’d. Geoff Pickering conducted the service using the poppy as the basis for his talk, each letter representing Praise, Offering, Prayer, Peace and You, which we all took to heart. Now that an incumbent is about to be appointed, this was the last service that Geoff would be taking for us, and we are so grateful to him for the many Sundays he has come to us over the last three years.”

And Vicky Staley from the Old Vicarage writes with news of the Mountfield Children’s Christmas Party: “This year it takes place on Saturday, December 21, from 4.00 till 6.00pm. Entertainment will be provided by Uncle Bumble and a there will be a special visit by Father Christmas. All children in Mountfield parish of primary school age (or younger) are invited to attend this free event which is funded by the Mountfield Village Hall Committee. If children would like to attend, please send an email to [email protected] confirming the names and ages of the children. Alternatively please text/call 07900 827462. If any grandparents in the parish have grandchildren they’d like to bring along, they are very welcome to do so for a suggested donation of £5. We look forward to seeing all the children there!

Next, a quick reminder that if you have any ideas about plans for the bonfire or the 2014 Village Fête, the informal meeting to discuss plans for both is at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, November 19 in the Village Hall. If you want to contact Caroline Hollamby in advance, either call her on 880056 or via [email protected].

Mountfield Club’s darts team had a good victory last week over Kings Head, with wins for Danny, Tim, Richard, Barry and captain Steve Sutton. After a week off, the snooker team got back to winning ways in the Hurst Green and District Snooker League Division 3 with a win at home to Burwash Common. The visitors started the stronger, winning the first two frames, Sean Spillet losing the first and Bruce Sargant unluckily losing the second on the black. Kevin Gray won the third frame with a help of an 18 break to pull the match back to 1-2. Then captain Steve Smith won the 4th frame 91-23, with the help of a 24 break, to pull the match back to 2-2. Alex Gray kept his nerve in the final frame to win the match for Mountfield 3-2.

On New Years Eve the Club is laying on a Disco & Buffet to see in the New Year for members and non-members. Family tickets are only £17.00 and just £5.00 for singles or £6.00 on the night. To book your ticket, please phone Sally Hayler on 079 888 72016.

This column was filed before a very busy Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday (12th) so we will report on anything Voiceworthy next week.

There was one piece of bad news locally this week. A quad was stolen from a garage in the village a week ago which brings a fairly quiet spell to an end. Several people have also reported seeing a white van being driven round the lanes with a nasty looking piece of work at the wheel. In addition to quads, the name of the game seems to be metal. Indeed, we have inherited a section of sawn off exhaust that literally fell of the back of their van. So keep your eyes open. Of course, as we reported last week, we do not have our own PCSO at the moment so if you see something suspicious, either call 101 or 01273 470101.

And happier news. A couple of weeks ago, Robin reported distortion to the BBC TV signal via aerial (as opposed to dish). It turned out that he was not alone. Now Robin has written again to say: “Perhaps, if you feel you want to mention the matter again, it would be wise just to say that reception seems to have improved as the reason for the improvement is unclear.” To be clear, Robin does not suspect that anyone was trying it on (he does, he does) and that they then quietly put it right when they were found out (they did, they did). There you have it: the highest standards of journalistic integrity combined with The Power of the Village Voice!

You know where we are: 880614 (evenings) or [email protected].