Ninfield

The Weather: is now improving, in fact it became sweltering over the weekend! Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous...or vice versa!- any way, it all heralds the fact that Summer is on it’s way, with all the fun that that entails. There are lots of events, fetes and fairs coming up, and, no doubt people are baking cakes in readiness for the onslaught of demand.. So! Can I start the begging and plead, very nicely, for people to make cakes, sandwiches, sausage rolls etc for the Methodist Church Birthday Celebration, Cricket Match Teas, and Carnival’s Afternoon Tea and Cabaret, on the Queen’s Birthday weekend, in Ninfield, on the 11th and 12th June! Please let me know if you’re able to oblige! There will be invitations to the Tea Party and Show in the Memorial Hall, going out to all over 60’s, from 21st May, and posters will be up by then too. If by any chance you don’t get your invite in good time... PLEASE let me know, and also let Sophie in the Stores know; she will add you to the list she is constructing!! Hopefully everyone will have received flyers through their doors with the full agenda of things that are now firmly planned for the whole of that weekend.. there’s something for everyone and it’s going to be great fun, and thanks are due to all the fantastic volunteers from Village groups, societies and Churches for agreeing to create another chapter of Ninfield History! But first things first...!

Hooe Parish Meeting: Monday 16th May 7.30pm at the Village Hall. A.G.M and A.P.M - Clerk to the Council, Sally Durman, says that everyone is invited to come and hear all the recent updates from the Parish Council. There will be refreshments available and the opportunity to add ideas and comments in the Open Forum.

Ninfield Parish Meeting: Wednesday 18th May 7.15pm at the Memorial Hall ( Doors open at 7pm), its the A.G.M and A.P.M, and also a chance to catch up with all the societies and groups in the Village to find out what’s been happening over the last year, and what is proposed for the near future. There will be food, wine, teas and coffees; and, as always, lively chat following the presentations. County Councillors Bill Bentley and Lawrence Keeley will be giving their reports, as will District Councillor Pam Doodes; who will no doubt be sharing the very latest information from Wealden on the controversial proposed housing numbers. It’s a fun evening, and a good way of meeting new people, while maybe finding a new interest or group to join.

Ninfield Local History Group: Thanks Rod for the following...The next meeting is on Thursday 19th May at 7.30 in the Reading Room, Church Lane. The speaker will be Kevin Gordon who will be giving a talk on “Sussex Graves and Gravestones”. Although it may not sound like the liveliest of subjects, Kevin is renowned for being a very good speaker and always gives fascinating talks. If you are interested in family and/or local history, then looking at gravestones is a great place to start and can provide lots of information; some gravestones over 200 years old are still completely legible. Do go along on the 19th May, refreshments will also be available, entry for members is £1 and for non-members £3, everyone is very welcome.

Ninfield Working Men’s Club: There will be another famous Quiz Night on Saturday 21st May from 7pm ...so get those brains back in gear! You can’t miss the wriggly Tin Hut now, as they have a beautiful new Flag flying high on their flagpole.. created by the Craft Ladies who meet on the last Thursday of each month, the colours and design all pertain to the history of the Club, and it just looks brilliant!

Ninfield Action Group: Will meet next on Monday 23rd May at the Reading Room. Further information will be available after the Open Meeting, but there are updates due from the area co-ordinators, who are looking at the respective environments and taking notes that will link with the proposed housing numbers on allocated sites round the Village. If you would like to get more involved with the ongoing research and debate, please go along to the meeting on the 23rd...and the Open Meeting on the 18th if you can! email - [email protected] for any more information.

Allotments: Phil Ringrose has said that there are still 3 half plots available at a very reasonable cost. Quite a few people have taken a plot on recently, and it’s great to see all the good work being done! This is still a fair time to get going and start digging, so why not put all those good intentions to the test and create your own utopia, with the added bonus of reaping fruitful rewards at the end of each season! Go for it! Call Phil on 892792- he’s waiting for your call!

Bowls Club: On Saturday last (8th May) the Club held a ‘Fun Day’ and some new players joined in, making a very successful afternoon. On Sunday 9th, the Ninfield team played at home against Motcombe Gardens (an Eastbourne team) and the final result was - Ninfield 68 - Motcombe Gdns. 59...Well done Ninfield!!

Ninfield Methodist Church: Sunday 15th May- 10.30am Pentecost Service of Worship and Praise with Drina Hampson.

Ninfield Parish Church: - St Mary’s 9.30am - Family Service - then, St Oswald’s Hooe 11.15am - Parish Eucharist.

Messy Church: - The next Messy Church at the Methodist Hall will be on Wednesday 25th May from 3.30 - 5.30pm .

Defibrillators: As said before- there will always be a brief mention in this column as to the whereabouts and availability of these invaluable pieces of emergency aid... just in case you need to access one, and don’t know where the nearest is. In Ninfield - the Kings Arms P.H - by the entrance, on the wall. In Hooe - at the Red Lion P.H - on the front wall, main entrance.

Keep in Touch: Thanks so far for all the updates and diary entries...keep them coming, and don’t forget- it’s coming up to the busy summer time when SO many events are scheduled.. sometimes several on one day! So get your details and promotions in early! Call Sam on 893699, 07970650321 or email [email protected]. Thanks!

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @BattleObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.