Netherfield

Swallow Farm

Sadly our regular bus service is stopping at the end of December there will be a new limited service run by Battle Area Community Transport. This will be running on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, there are also buses running to Eastbourne, Ashford, Tenterden, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells please call into the shop to pick up a timetable or contact Lyn on 01424 772001 Monday – Friday 9am to 12pm, [email protected] or check on line www.bact-online.co.uk.

Netherfield Church - The main event last week was the service on Friday December 13 to License our new Priest in Charge, Ann-Marie Crosse. Not the most pleasant of evenings outside, however, in the church, the gathering of visiting clergy, readers, other guests, the resident congregations from Brightling, Mountfield and Netherfield, the Rural Dean, The Archdeacon of Lewis and Hastings, the Right Reverend Dr. Laurie Green and The Reverend Ann-Marie Crosse prepared for the service. The Eucharist with Licensing was conducted by Bishop Laurie and contained all the necessary pomp and ceremony expected at such an occasion. All went well and to plan. It was a delightful experience full of hope and expectation for the future with thanks given to those clergy who have supported us and to everyone who has worked throughout the interregnum to keep things going. We now look forward to a period with more continuity, stability and guidance from Ann-Marie. The much needed presence and pastoral care in our communities will be most welcome. We all hope Ann-Marie will be as happy living here as we are to have her giving the service we so much need.

Following the service everyone enjoyed the refreshments with a glass of wine or juice and stayed to chat and congratulate Ann-Marie. As always in our church it was a relaxed and friendly occasion which all seemed to enjoy. May I thank everyone from all three parishes who contributed and worked hard in so many different ways to make the occasion a great success.

Further information on the services up to Christmas are as follows:- This Sunday December 22 there will be a Holy Communion at 8 am and a Carol Service at 3.30 pm both at Mountfield. On Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24 at 5.30 pm we have our Crib Service at Netherfield, this being a service by the children of our village for the children. A superb start to the Christmas celebrations for families, in re-affirming the true meaning of Christmas. On Christmas Day at 10 am Holy Communion will be celebrated at Netherfield. The final Sunday of 2013 will be a service at Mountfield. Paul Smith, Churchwarden.

Netherfield Village Hall bookings - Marrissa Stepanek 01424 838106, or call in at the village shop.

White Hart - There are various groups meeting throughout the month including Boules, The Rover group, The Harley Davidson group, T.R.Cars and The Breakaway Club, if you would like to know more about any of the dates and times or the darts and football teams please give Sean a ring on 01424 838382. White Hart Boules Pitch. The pieste is free to use, any clubs please feel free to come and use the pieste, FOC any time except match days which are Saturday afternoons throughout the season. We have a group of ladies and Gents that play amongst themselves Monday Lunchtimes. Please all check our websites for updates of up coming events www.whitehartnetherfield.com. On Thursday January 16 there will be a Quiz Night in aid of Netherfield Parish Church, the charge is £2.50 per person with a maximum of 6 players per team. Please come along and help raise money for a worthy cause. Food is served from 6pm with the special being sausage, chips & peas or Scampi & chips for only £6.00

The Mobile Library will be outside the shop from 11.50 – 12.10 today, Friday December 20.

To include your event or local Netherfield news please e mail me [email protected]