Mountfield

Rock Cottage

Tomorrow (Saturday, August 3) sees a clash of those two titans of the Mountfield sporting scene, the cricket club (MCC) and the football club (MUFC). Events will kick off, literally, at 12.00 at the football field on Solomon’s Lane with a football match (30 minutes each way) between the two clubs. The next stop will be 1.30 at the New Pavilion, KGV Field, for the bar, barbecue and music. Then, at 3pm, the two clubs will again do battle in a 20-over cricket match. This will be enlivened by each batsman or woman being serenaded to the crease with a piece of music specially chosen for them.. There will be a raffle and the bar, music, food and fun will continue as long as folk want to stay.

The whole event promises to be riotous fun but there is a very serious purpose behind it which is to raise as much money and support as possible for the Erin Rose Appeal. Erin is a smiley seven-year old with a rare form of bone cancer. The full story — and it’s quite a story — plus some lovely photos is on the www.elinrose.co.uk website. At 6.00 it is hoped that either Erin herself or her Uncle Gethin, a former MCC player, will present the Erin Rose Trophy to the winning club. Everyone is welcome so join in the fun and support a good cause. All proceeds from the day will go directly to the Elin Rose Appeal.

We should remind you that also on Saturday there will be a barbecue and darts competition at the Village Hall courtesy of the Mountfield Club. The barbecue starts at 6pm and the Darts at 7.30 pm. Cash prizes for the darts — entry only £3. Everyone welcome, members and non-members alike.

Fast forwarding to the following weekend, the FOOT Scurry of East Sussex, organized by the East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt, will take place on Sunday, August 11. This will be a five-mile road race (on foot, not mounted!) through the Darwell Valley from Mountfield to Brightling. Runners will start at 10.00 at Mountfield Court by kind permission of the Fraser family and will finish at Brightling Park by kind permission of the Grisssell family. Breakfast and other refreshments will be served at the finishing line. There is ample parking at both ends – plus a bouncy castle at Brightling!

Please note that numbers will be limited so to be sure of your place, please download an entry form by 7th August (next Wednesday) from www.thescurry.co.uk and return it to The FOOT Scurry Secretary, Hannah Taylor, Holly Lodge, Mountfield, East Sussex TN32 5LP together with the entry fee of £10 per runner – cheques payable to ESRM Hunt, please. Entries will be accepted on the day, subject to availability, but these will be at the slightly higher cost of £12.

All entrants will be awarded a medal and there are prizes for the first lady and first gentleman home in each race. The prize giving will take place approximately one hour after the first runner crosses the finishing line. Proceeds are in aid of ESRM hunt whose income last season was so severely hit by the weather. So, if you fancy testing your fitness levels with a run through some of the loveliest countryside we have to offer, download your application form now.

A few weeks ago, we mentioned that ‘The Happy Club — the club for the blind and partially sighted, which meets in the Village Hall each week — was looking for a volunteer to help out with teas, activities, washing up and anything else which needs doing. Margaret who runs the club tells us that, so far, no-one has been in touch with her. As we said before, both of us used to do some chauffering for the club and they really are a lovely lot. So if you have any spare time at all (doesn’t have to be every week), please get in touch with Margaret on 01424 774158 or call in one Thursday between 10am and 2.30pm and meet her and the club members.

We mentioned the Foot Scurry above but there is other exciting news from the local hunt. Andrew and his team showed hounds at the recent Royal Peterborough Foxhound Show, the premier national hound show. Their serious haul of rosettes was topped off when Dante was named Champion Hound which is an astonishing achievement. Congratulations to all.

Before signing off we should just say that there is no more news on the fate of M and W school. You will have read in the Observer last week that there will be a consultation period which will allow all, not just parents, to air their views. For the moment, we know no more than that.

As ever, anything about the village for the village — let us know on 880 614 or [email protected]