Ninfield

Hooe Open Group: The Ladies meet this afternoon (10th) at the Village Hall in Hooe at 2.30pm, and, as always, any visitors/prospective new members will be made very welcome. There is lively chat, often a speaker, and afternoon tea at these monthly gatherings on the second Friday, and if you’d like to find out more about what the Ladies get up to..!.. then call Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

Ninfield Action Group: Monday 13th February, 7.30pm in the Reading Room, Church Lane. This meeting will have all the latest details on the application submitted by ECE Architecture and RiverOak Homes, for up to 80 Houses to be built on land behind Manchester Road, Ninfield. There have been two meetings recently; a planning meeting held in the Memorial Hall on the 27th January, where over 80 people came to hear the proposals in detail, with the first comments and draft outline response by the Parish Council. Then the February Parish Council meeting, where more surveys and reports were discussed; Ninfield P.C also invited the Rother District Councillor for Catsfield, Cllr. Gary Curtis, to come, and get the current information to take back to his next Parish Council meeting, with the knowledge that water run off, flooding possibilities and highways /traffic movements are all important factors to be considered by the adjoining area when such a large development is proposed: Ninfield always welcomes the chance to work ‘cross border’ with Catsfied, Ashburnham etc- we are all proud villages, and have common interests.The deadline for all correspondence and submissions to the website at Wealden District Council has been changed by Wealden three times, causing much frustration and confusion. Ninfield Parish Council are working safely with date no.2 - 17th February as the final day for their response to be in, and advises everyone to get their objections/ comments in to [email protected] as soon as possible, by the 17th Feb, or definitely by the 23rd which is the last advertised end date by WDC. Please do go along to the N.A.G meeting on the 13th, there is still time for more reading of surveys and reports to be done, and all help is very gratefully received.

Ninfield & District Art Society: Wednesday 15th February; Another reminder that this fabulous new group meet every Wednesday a the Memorial Hall, from 2-5pm. All artists are welcome; beginners, improvers, advanced, those who want to try another style or medium; there will be advice and taster sessions available. The idea is to take along all your materials, paper, paints, pencils etc., relax and have a chat over tea, coffee and biscuits. The cost is £6 per session payable every 4 weeks in advance.

Ninfield Bonfire Society: Wednesday 15th Feb, at the Working Men’s Club, and everyone is welcome to go and find out all the latest plans for the events leading up to, and raising money for, the Firework night in October. New members are always welcome, and volunteers to help at the fundraisers are gratefully received! Please call secretary Carol Holland on 893326 for more information, or check out the website, there are some fantastic photos to see!

Ninfield Local History Group: Thursday 16th February, 7.30pm in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, and the speaker for the evening will be Malcom Pratt, talking on the ‘The Confederation of Cinque Ports’ Malcom has attended the History Group meetings before and always gives an entertaining presentation. Admission is £3 for visitors and £1 for members, there will be light refreshments as always, and further information can be sought from Rod Ffoulkes on 893635 or email at [email protected].

Ninfield Village Market: Saturday 18th February at Ninfield Memorial Hall from 9.30am - 12 midday. Following the success in December of the first of 4 Seasonal Markets at the Blacksmiths Inn; Chris Hutchinson and the Hall Committee have come together to fill the gaps in between, with Village Markets at the Hall. They will have a wide range of goods on offer at various stalls including meats, pies, plants, vegetables, cakes, preserves...and some non-food ones as well! There will be light refreshments in the hall for browsers and buyers, and a chance for orders to be taken on future stalls, or with the stallholders to order produce/ goods for pick up at the next months’ market. All dates will be advertised with posters, flyers and banners, and it is hoped that this will be another successful regular feature for the Ninfield Village diary. If you would like to have a stall at the Markets please call Chris on 893388 or email him at [email protected]. You can also visit the Memorial Hall Facebook page which has details of all the many and varied things that go on, with hire costs and contact details.

Ninfield Horticultural Society: Another reminder that on Monday 20th February, 7.30pm, the Horti Society will meet in the Memorial Hall when the speaker will be Derek Fitton. He will be giving good, sound advice on what to grow on your Patios and in the Conservatory this year...and how to do it! - it’s now time to start thinking about your Summer displays! There will also be a raffle and refreshments, lots of interesting ideas to take away and, as always, everyone is very welcome to attend!

Church Services: Ninfield Methodist Church - Sunday 12th February 10.30am - Service of Worship and Communion with Revd. Derek Brice

Parish Churches: Sunday 15th February - No Service at St Mary’s Ninfield, please go to the 11.15 am Combined Service at St Oswalds, Hooe.

Keep in touch: As the days are getting longer, so are the diary entries! Already we have lots of events coming up and new societies and groups forming, a real ‘Spring like’ feel! Please send any advertising wishes, comments, anecdotes diary entries to me, Sami Guard, 893699, 07970650321, [email protected] @guard_jane. Thank you!

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