Netherfield

The hoover problem has been solved, thanks to a very kind friend of the church. . Thank you all for your support. Gillian 01424 838825 evenings.

Mountfield Village Hall Cinema Club: January saw a bumper crowd at the hall for film night so we hope that our next offering will be just as popular. On Saturday February 18th we’ve got Absolutely Fabulous The Movie. Come and join us for one of 2016’s top British comedy films. With chocolate, pop-corn, caffeine, beer and wine all available it should provide all your creature comforts. Doors open 7.30pm. £5 donation is suggested towards the upkeep of the hall. Films coming in 2017. Friday March 17th, James Bond - “Spectre”

Claverham Monday Badminton Club: Monday 6 February. An empty hall at Claverham. Not the usual haul of players waiting to pit their skills. Then, members of the Claverham gang began their entry trickle, rackets at the ready. In all, 13 stalwarts of the game came to do battle. Games were fast and furious. Shouts, calls and moans could be heard resounding rafters of the hall. And yet, we were short of the ladies, who not only bring a sense of glamour but a calmness, which is needed when this sport is meant to be a fun time and not a gladiatorial spectacle in the walls of the Colesseum. It was a good week. First week for all newcomers is free. It starts at 20.00 (or 8.00 pm in old money) and goes on until 22.00 (or 10.00 pm). The normal cost is £5.00. That is £2.50 per hour for a good time. If you are interested ring Maurice 01424 838410, text 07957588172 or email [email protected].

Reflections on a garden: Plants and shrubs grow in the beds and as they do they require more space to keep them happy. Bordering our drive are a number of small brick-built walls which contain these fruits of nature. In the summer, when in full bloom, the plants tumble over the bricks and the flowers give the brickwork an air of permanence and history. Unfortunately, as they grow they put an enormous strain of the cement which holds the wall together. The elements too take their toll, as the rain seeps into the bricks and the sun dries and bleaches on an ever recurring cycle.

One small wall finally succumbed to the stresses and strains of housing a full and glorious range of flora. Nature knows no boundaries; not even cement! A corner segment, three bricks long, two bricks wide and three bricks high detached itself from the footings and the rest of the wall and moved into the drive, obviously looking for pastures anew.

This morning, Tuesday, I had the unenviable task of replacing this corner break, back into its true position. It is amazing how much soil needed to be removed before it would sit flush with its Georgian mates.

It was then onto the pond. The pump seemed to be having a problem pushing the water up to the top of the waterfall. Oh how I wish we had a natural spring.

More next week.

Contact: If you have any stories or articles of interest that will give our readership a reason to buy the paper please contact me on 07957588172 or via email at [email protected]

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