Ninfield

HOOE OPEN GROUP: The Hooe Open Group had their meeting on Friday, May 8 and enjoyed a very interesting talk by Barry Wilkinson on the subject of being a prison warder. Barry spent all of his working life in the prison service, first at Bexhill’s Northeye Prison, transferring later to the County Jail in Lewis. It was interesting to know how prison life has changed over the last century, from a severe regime to a softer approach, where prisoners have a rather more considerate life style, sometimes better than they would enjoy outside the prison walls. Although Lewis Prison still has the same layout as when it was built in the 19th Century, the facilities provided for the inmates recreation and wellbeing are vastly different. Cells now have individual flush toilets, replacing the Victorian Slop Bucket and for entertainment Cells are equipped with TVs. There are also training courses on many subjects as well as further education covering the three R’s, in order that on release a prisoner has a better chance of securing worthwhile employment. It is not surprising that many offenders are not against being sent to prison, as life in a modern prison is far from grim, especially at Christmas, when for many prisoners it is better than living on ones own. The next meeting of Hooe Open Group will be on Friday, June 12, at 2.30 p.m., which will be a cream tea and a general knowledge quiz. For information of the club’s activities call the social organiser Edna Wallis on 01424 842591 or e-mail: [email protected].

NINFIELD METHODIST CHURCH: The Ashburnham Place Christian Drama group will be leading the Sunday afternoon service at Ninfield Methodist Church on May 17 at 2.30 p.m. Their theme will be ‘The Faithful Shepherd.’ Do go along and enjoy this special and creative service which will be followed by light refreshments in the hall.

NINFIELD GOLDEN CIRCLE: At their meeting on May 19, Michael Hoad will be giving a talk on ‘Weald to Walland’. This meeting will as usual start at 2.30 p.m. and will be in the Methodist Hall in Church Lane , Ninfield. They are a friendly group so do go along and join them.

NINFIELD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: There is a meeting on May 19, in the Reading Room, Church Lane Ninfield at 7.30 p.m. Ninfield residents are invited to attend. There are important changes to the group, their chairman, Mrs Thelma Nance is retiring and they need another member on the committee. There has also been recent changes in our PCSO. If you would like to get involved, or find out how these changes affect our community, please go along to the meeting.

NINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL: Ninfield Parish Council are holding their AGM and Annual Parish meeting on May 20, 7.15 p.m. at Ninfield Memorial Hall. Planning Committee meetings precede the full council meetings, starting at 7 p.m. All Ninfield residents are invited to attend. The agendas for all public Parish Council Meetings are posted on notice boards throughout the village and are also available on their website: ninfield.webplus.net.

EAST SUSSEX HEARING RESOURCE: East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre is a registered charity working in partnership with Adult Social Care to provide a no charge mobile information and advice service for Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people living in East Sussex. The vehicle, which is funded by the Big Lottery, is equipped to offer demonstrations of assistive equipment and hearing screening tests (if time permits). The mobile unit will be visiting Ninfield on Thursday, May 21, at Blacksmiths Inn Car Park, The Green from 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. The bus is accessible to wheelchair users and representatives from both the East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre and Adult Social Care will be available to provide individual information and advice on all aspects of hearing loss. For further information please contact: East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre,Tel: 01323 722505 (voice/text/fax) e-mail: [email protected].

NINFIELD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP: At their April meeting, Kevin Gordon gave a very interesting talk about the village of Tidemills. This village grew up around the tidal mill which was very successful for some years, but which fell out of use when the railways came. He had a lot of tales about the residents of the village and the owners of the mill. Their next meeting is on Thursday, May 21, when they will have Janet Enninghton giving a talk on ‘Witches, Warlocks and Wellingtons, Ritual Protection of the home.’ The meeting will be in the Methodist Hall in Church Lane, Ninfield and starts at 7.30 p.m. Members pay £1 per meeting, Visitors £3 per meeting. For further information, please call Rod Ffoulkes on 893635.

HOOE HISTORY SOCIETY: On Thursday, May 21, the Hooe History Society meet in Hooe Village Hall to hear Geoff Mead’s talk about Sussex Agricultural History. Geoff is an interesting, informed expert on this subject and already members have been discussing how much they are looking forward to the evening. The evening starts at 7.30 p.m. The society would be delighted to see members, friends and family from near and far! They charge just £2.00 for visitors inclusive of coffee and biscuits. For further details please contact Heather Sinden on 01424 893422.

MOBILE LIBRARY: The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages on May 29 at:

Hooe, opposite Denbigh Court, 10.40 a.m. - 11.10 a.m.

Ninfield, Downsview (off Church Lane), 11.20 a.m. - 11.45 p.m.

NINFIELD FLOWER GROUP: On Monday, June 1, commencing at 7.30 p.m. in the Memorial Hall, Ninfield Flower Group welcome Sue Thompson with her demonstration entitled “A Few of my Favourite Things”. Non members are welcome at a charge of £4.00 to include refreshments. All flowers demonstrated will be raffled at the end of the evening.

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.

St Mary’s Services (Church of England, Ninfield), all services 9.30 a.m. unless otherwise stated - May 17, Family Service, May 24, Parish Eucharist, May 31, Combined Parish Eucharist, 10.30 a.m.

St Oswald’s Services (Church of England, Hooe) all services 11.15 a.m. unless otherwise stated - May 17, Parish Eucharist, May 24, Parish Eucharist, May 31, No Service

NINFIELD METHODIST CHURCH SERVICES/EVENTS: All services at 2.30 p.m. except the first Sunday of the month, where they hold a Family Service at 10.30 a.m, May 17, Worship & Praise, May 24, Service of Holy Communion with Revd. Ian Pruden, May 31, Trinity Sunday Worship & Praise with Mr Barry Turnwell

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