Mountfield

We start with a final reminder of the FOOT Scurry on Sunday (August 11). This 5-mile road race will start from Mountfield Court at 10.00 and wind along Kent Lane to Brightling Park. Ample parking at both ends, breakfast and refreshments available at the finish line, plus bouncy castle. Go and cheer them off, cheer them along and cheer them in.

We can report that the recent exhibition held by Barbara Valentine and members of Mountfield Community Arts was a great success. As you know, Barbara was offering to do quick portraits of visitors and their children or pets in return for a donation to St Michael’s Hospice. In all, £320 was raised for the Hospice and Barbara was very grateful for all the support she received, and was very pleased to meet so many local (and some not so local) art lovers. In particular, she says thank you to the visitors who sat for portraits and who then donated so generously. Barbara’s art classes begin again in mid-September — more details nearer to the time on how to enrol.

Last Saturday was a busy day in Mountfield with the MCC v MUFC event in aid of the Elin Rose Appeal. Your Village Voices dropped in to both the football and cricket matches to see the fun for ourselves but this account is based on a much fuller report from Ben Southworth.

The football was a no-holds-barred affair complete with magnificent pre-kick-off Haka by MCC which immediately put a £50.00 pledge in the coffers. This was matched by a similar pledge from Tarquin if someone wore a Mankini. Ben Southworth duly obliged so it was £100 even before kick-off. MCC, in white (of course), played well but despite the cold beers at half time, finally lost 2 – 0, though even MUFC conceded that the scoreline didn’t reflect the close game.

The teams then moved up to the King George V Field where the music was playing, the BBQ was already lit and the beer tent open. Before hostilities resumed after lunch, it was agreed that the football team should have a handicap for the cricket match, which meant they had to come within 20 runs to lift the Elin Rose Trophy.

MCC batted first and, despite some respectable bowling from the football club, good knocks all the way down the order produced 187 runs from 20 overs. So, with the handicap applied, MUFC needed 168 to win. A slow start, coupled with tight spells from the MCC bowlers, including Martin Waite (Elin’s Dad), saw MUFC struggle to get the runs flowing. In the end, it was very close — only nine runs — before MCC became proud winners of the inaugural Elin Rose Trophy.

The cricket was enlivened by the repertoire of music and noises with which Joe Howell serenaded each new batsman, as well as every boundary, ball chase, dropped catch, etc.

Everyone obviously had a fantastic day, not least Erin and her family who enjoyed themselves in great company and a good atmosphere. It was also clearly fun for the two clubs to get together and it has been suggested that this might become an annual event. And, by the end, nearly £900 had been raised for the Erin Rose Appeal. (For more information, go to www.elinrose.co.uk.)

The fine weather continued into the evening for the BBQ and darts competition at the Mountfield Club. They have more events planned including a Family Quiz night and a Charity Darts tournament. Watch this space for details.

Here is the first part of Sue Kennedy’s report on the Mountfield Flower Show:

This was held on July 27 and was well supported considering the cantankerous weather this spring and early summer, the quality of the entries in all sections was extremely high and we thank all exhibitors, the committee and other helpers, without whom the show could not take place. The afternoon was hit by one thundery squall but this did not deter anyone and many enjoyed the games and teas as well as looking at the exhibits. Mrs. K. Garland presented the cups as follows.

Cup for points Flower and Plant Classes: Mr R.K. Garland; Jack Garland Cup Best Entry in Rose Classes: Mr. R.K. Garland; Cup Best entry Flower and Plant Classes: Mrs B.Ray; Cup for points Horticultural Classes: Mr S. Hills; Mr. W. James Cup for points Vegetable & Soft Fruit Classes: Mr S. Hills; Cup Best entry in the Vegetable & Soft Fruit Classes: Mr P. Edwards; Rose Bowl for points Floral Decorative Classes: Miss S Kennedy; Breach Shield Best entry Floral Decorative Classes: Mrs W. Mayers; Cup for points the Cookery Classes: Mrs J. Whines; Cup for Best entry Cookery Classes: Mrs J. Whines; Olive Warren Cup for points Handicraft Classes: Mrs B. Ray; Harman Cup for points the Children’s Classes: Owen Dray; Children’s Club Cup Best entry Children’s Classes: Owen Dray.

Thanks to Sue for that. We’ll show the Class Winners next week. You know where we are: [email protected] and 880614.