Ninfield

HOOE OPEN GROUP: The next meeting of Hooe Open Group will be Today, October 9 at 2.30 p.m., when our Member of Parliament, Huw Merriman has been invited to meet the members and outline his vision for our area, as well as the country at large. Visitors will be welcome. However all questions for Huw must be sent to Edna Wallis two weeks in advance:([email protected]).

MP DROP IN: Today, Huw Merriman MP will be spending the afternoon in Hooe meeting local residents and attending Hooe Open Group. Following the HOGs meeting he will cross to The Red Lion at 4.15 p.m. until 5.00 p.m., where he hopes to meet many local Hooe residents. So, if you would like to talk to him, have concerns you would like to raise with him or any suggestions you would like to discuss please drop in, no appointment necessary. There will also be a warm welcome from the landlord, Lee. Further details if required from Huw’s office 01424 736861 or District Councillor Pam Doodes 01424 892329.

JUMBLE SALE: Ninfield Flower Group are holding a Jumble Sale tomorrow, October 10, at Ninfield Memorial Hall, 2 p.m. An entrance fee of 50p will get you into lots of bargains, refreshments and more. Anyone who is unable to attend but would like to kindly donate, please contact Jennifer Collett on 01424 892878.

CHRISTIAN VOICES PERFORMANCE: Christian Voices, the Musical Drama Group, will be performing their next play in October. It is called “The Runaway Slave” and is based on the Bible Story from the New Testament of Paul, Onesimus and Philemon. The play was written by Alan Young and the songs composed by Dave Chamberlin. Christian Voices will be performing at Ninfield Methodist Church Hall on Saturday, October 10, at 3 p.m. As usual, the admission is free, with refreshments to follow and all are very welcome to attend.

HOOE CLEAN UP: Everyone is invited to join a team from Hastings Conservation Volunteers on Sunday, October 11 from 10.30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m., for the annual clear up of Hooe’s own very special wildlife site, Hooe Common Nature Reserve. Go with the family and friends, or by yourself, and join in for the day or just an hour or two. It is a worthwhile and interesting way to spend an autumn sunday. Further details from Peter Doodes 01424 892329.

CARNIVAL NEWS: The next Carnival meeting is the A.G.M on Wednesday October 14 at the Working Men’s Club at 8.30 p.m., and the Committee will be providing food; Chilli, Curry, Chicken and chips. You are invited to go along and listen to all the exciting new ideas, have your say on the Theme for the events and give a pledge to help for an hour when you can…. Every little helps to create such a treasured Village event! You will be very welcome!

CHARITY CURRY NIGHT: On Wednesday October 14, Lorna and Kev Tomasetti have organised a charity curry night to raise money for Hastings based charity ‘Charity for Kids’ and a group of their members who are currently climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money to purchase a swim spa for their son Edward Tomasetti. Edward suffers from a rare collagen disorder and experiences daily pain in his joints. The swim spa will allow the family to provide much needed hydrotherapy for their son. Tickets for the event cost £20 and can be purchased from Lorna or Kev by telephoning 893644 or 07880501805. The curry night will be held at the Chille Tree, Bexhill at 7.30 p.m. Please support the kind people who are currently walking up the mountain for Edward!

NINFIELD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP: After a very interesting talk by Clive Richardson on the cat creeps and twittens of old Hastings last month, a visit to see these to be on a future agendas, they are stepping back somewhat. When, for their next meeting on Thursday, October 15, Helen Poole, formerly of the Sussex Archaeological Society, will talk on ‘Sussex and the Napoleonic Wars. Helen is a very good and knowledgeable speaker so members are looking forward to that. As usual, they meet at 7.30 p.m. in the Methodist Hall in Church Lane Ninfield. Admission is £1 for members and £3 for non members. Coffee / Tea and biscuits included. For further information contact Rod Ffoulkes on [email protected] or phone 893635.

HOOE HISTORY SOCIETY: On Thursday October 15, Hooe History Society welcomes Barry Wilkinson to their meeting. Barry’s career was a Prison Officer based at North Eye Prison, his talk will relate some of his many experiences and stories about the workings of an open prison. Many of us in Hooe still remember that night when the prison was set alight, the night sky was bright with the fierce burning. It will be fascinating to hear Barry’s account of that night and of other more routine happenings.

The popular 2016 Calendar will be on sale at the meeting. This year it features the historic properties of Hooe. The society have managed to keep the price the same as last year; £6.00 buys you a great calendar for your wall or fabulous Christmas gifts for your family members near or far as they are easy and inexpensive to send. If you can’t wait until October 15 they can be purchased from Pam and Peter Doodes at Catslide, Hooe, telephone 01424 892329.

As always you will receive a fabulous welcome if you decide to go to their monthly meeting, just turn up ready for the 7.30 p.m. start in Hooe Village Hall. Further details from the Doodes, telephone as above.

HOME MADE FAYRE: Ninfield Memorial Hall are holding their 3rd Home Made Fayre on Saturday October 17 at Ninfield memorial Hall. Once again there will be a variety of stalls including: ceramics, glass, freshly made pies, cakes, jams and cosmetics. Teas and coffees will be available on the day and there will be an activity space for children. The Fayre will be open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. with all monies raised going towards to the continued upgrade of the Memorial Hall. All stall holders are local and everything hand-made. It’s well worth a visit.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: Their new season starts on Monday October 19 with the AGM at 7.30 p.m. in the Memorial Hall. This will be followed by another selection of Kim Parks’ wonderful local slides. Annual membership fees of £4 can be paid that evening which will give you free entrance to all their events. New members always welcome. Do go along for an enjoyable evening.

GOLDEN CIRCLE: Their next meeting is on Tuesday, October 20, at 2.30 p.m. when they have David Powell returning to talk this time on “CLOUDS”. His previous talk was very interesting and entertaining so I am assured this will be as enjoyable. Members may even learn something useful to enable us to predict our weather in the future. This meeting will, as usual, start at 2.30 p.m. and will be in the Methodist Hall in Church Lane, Ninfield. For more information call Jean Holmes on 212663.

BARN DANCE: Why not begin half term with a good old dance at the Memorial Hall on Saturday, October 24?. Lorna and Veronica have organised a dance to raise much needed funds for Ninfield’s successful Scout group (for all sections). Tickets cost £5 per adult and £2 per child, which can be purchased from Ninfield Post Office, Sandra Creasey, Lorna (893644) or Veronica. There will be a live band, disco, bar and tuck shop - starts 7.30 p.m. This event was very popular last year, so please book your tickets early!

HALLOWEEN PARADE: On October 31, for the 13th year running, Sam will again be organising the Halloween Parade round the village for all the youngsters (and parents!), which will start at the Blacksmiths Car Park at 4.30 p.m. and end up in a gathering at the Hall, with full lights and effects, from 5.30 – 6 p.m. Competitions will include Best Fancy Dress Child, and Family, also a Pumpkin Carving Competition, and it’s hoped that all the pumpkin entries will be lit up on display for the rest of the evenings’ event.

HALLOWEEN MASQUERADE BALL: On Saturday October 31, Halloween Night, the Memorial Hall in Ninfield will be transformed into a spooky, Gothic mansion; ready to welcome suitably attired guests for a fabulously freaky, fancy dress Dinner and Dance! The driveway will be lit up in ghoulish green so the headless horsemen can drop their passengers at the doors for 7.30 p.m…Sharp!

A Food Hall with a whole Hog Roast accompanied by rolls or Jacket potatoes, alongside tureens of Chilli or Curry and rice, Sweeny Todd’s Pies, plus vegetables and salads will keep the Werewolf from the door and there will, of course, be dancing to a chillingly brilliant, renowned Live Band. Surprises abound, killer games and bobbing for apples; a frightening flash of a cabaret followed by one avant garde award; All this will be washed down with strange coloured drinks from Frankenstein’s Laboratory… or The Bar as it’s commonly called!

The Rave from the Grave is a Fundraiser for the Hall, organised by Sami Guard and hosted by the Carnival Committee… and everyone hopes it will be a real humdinger of an evening! Full on fancy dress is a must, with Masques optional!; bring your pet bat, and there will be vampires on hand to ensure you have a bitingly good time! Tables can be booked, and all tickets will be on sale from September 26 – at £18 per head, to include all food, dancing and revelry – from the Village shop in Lower Street, or from Sami Guard – tel;- 07970650321 – Email- [email protected].

For any more information or to book tickets, please call or email Sami……… don’t forget to book early!!! IT WILL BE SOOOOOOO GOOD TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHILDREN IN NEED QUIZ: Battle & Villages Lions Club are holding their Children in Need Quiz on Friday, November 13 at Ninfield Memorial Hall. Tickets are £6. 50 per person, to include a Ploughman’s Supper. All proceeds go direct to Children in Need. For details please phone Susan on 01424 870169 or Wendy on freephone 0845 8335826.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Their next meeting is on Tuesday, November 24 in the Reading Room at 7.30 p.m., do please put it in your diary and go. Ted Kemp, leader of Rother Neighbourhood Watch, will come and show his video of SCAMS. This should be very informative as it is so easy to get caught out. Tea / coffee and biscuits are provided and no charge is made. For further details of Neighbourhood Watch, please contact Rod Ffoulkes email [email protected] or phone 893635.

SEASONAL FLOWER DEMONSTRATION: Ninfield Flower Group’s seasonal demonstration this year will be held in the Memorial Hall on Friday, December 4. They shall be welcoming the very talented Nigel Whyles, with his demonstration entitled “Deck the Halls.” Tickets will be £10.00 are now available now for booking. Please contact Helen Cunliffe on 01424 844916 to book your place.

DEFIBRILLATORS: In the event of an emergency, they are located at the following locations, 24/7 Hooe: On the front wall of The Red Lion PH, Ninfield: On the wall to the right of the entrance to The Kings Arms.

FINDING OUT MORE: Don’t forget that you can find out more community information from both villages and Wealden District Council on our district councillors (Pam Doodes) website or the Ninfield Parish Council website: www.pamdoodes.com / www.ninfield.webplus.net.

NINFIELD METHODIST CHURCH SERVICES/EVENTS: All services at 10.30 a.m. October 11, Holy Communion with Revd David Freeland. October 18, Worship and Praise with Mrs J. Winnington. October 25, Worship and Praise with Mrs M. Bickerdike.

CONTACT ME: Anything that you would like included in the Village Voice for Ninfield and Hooe, please email the details to me: [email protected].

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.