Netherfield

“The morning seemed a long time coming. Trying to disassemble those sights, my logical thoughts and the things my brain tells me could not have happened, taxed an already overburdened head. Could I cope with another challenge? My slumber was fitful and short. With the rising sun forcing its rays slowly through my window, I knew the time had come to seek the answers.

I showered, dressed and prepared my breakfast. Fruit to sharpen my vision and coffee to dispel the last remnants of the night. It was nine o’clock. As I cleared away I steeled myself for the task ahead. Those first steps were the hardest. What would I meet? What would I find?

I opened my front door. My eyes looked at the heavens. The sky was a murky grey, almost devoid of any shades of white. I pulled my coat around me as the air retained the chill of the northern wind that had brushed and billowed, tracking our shores as it traversed the globe from the sub-zero conditions raging in Siberia. Perhaps that was an omen I should not ignore?

There was a covering of frost on certain plants, mirroring the feel of the day. It was now winter I guess, but to date the season had not reflected the title that usually denoted its weather. It had been fairly mild and pleasant. Were we now receiving our just deserts? I pulled the door to, bowed my head and started on my journey. As the cold hit my my thinning scalp I realised that a hat would be better protection than bending forward into the maelstrom. Leaves swirling on the pavement in a mini vortex tried to attach themselves to my shoes and trousers. Their lack of success did not prevent the action being repeated many times. A thin layer of street dust, powdered by wind, shoes and tyres, began to settle on the lower reaches of my turn-ups

Where was I heading? To the font of all knowledge? The local library seemed to fit the bill as the “off” point. Would it turn out that way?..........

To be continued.

Remember any budding authors in the village or surrounding areas, you can still write a chapter in serial form leading up to Christmas. You can add to the storyline for next week, with the editor of this column (Maurice Holmes) selecting one from all the entries sent to the email address that follows. [email protected]. The number of words can range between 150 to 200 or more. Remember it is an on-going story and should last about 6 to 8 weeks and to do that each week must have a cliff-hanger of an ending. Just a bit of fun leading up to Christmas. So get your grey cells working and think of the next chapter. The Battle Observer comes out on Friday so entries must be received by the Monday morning to be sure of being printed the following week. Age is not a barrier as is open to all.

The Messenger: The Messenger, our monthly Parish Magazine, is now on sale at the Netherfield Village Stores, priced 50p. They have been delivered around the 4 parishes voluntarily for many years, I call around Darvel Down and can add anyone to my journey! For readers new and old, it is a lovely and informative view of village life, and well worth reading. Gillian Slack. 01424 838825.

Autumn Fair: Please come and enjoy yourselves at the Autumn Fair to be held at St John The Baptist Church, Netherfield on Saturday 17th October, 10-12. There will be a wide variety of stalls including Bric-a-brac, produce, books, jewellery, tombola as well as one for refreshments. There will be games to entertain the children and parents who haven’t grown up and hopefully the chance to start some early Christmas shopping! We look forward to welcoming everyone to a morning of fun and fellowship. Emma Kersey Treasurer to the PCC

Netherfield Mobile Library: The library is due again in Netherfield, outside the Village Stores on 20 October, between 13.00 and 13.20. For those who already enjoy the delights of taking out a book, this month new authors recommended for perusal can be found on http://www.lovereading.co.uk/. Ella will be happy to see you in the bus and will chat to you about the ease of joining, if you are not already a member, or recommending a good read if you want to try something different. New titles include “The 3rd Woman” - Jonathan Friedland, a 2015 re-issue of a 1967 crime novel. “13 Photos Children Should Know” - Brad Finger, a 2011 book containing photographs of the Beatles to princess Diana. If it is not on th bus it can be ordered.

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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