Ninfield

Ninfield Local History Group: At their July meeting, Julian Porter from Bexhill Museum gave a most entertaining talk with slides on the De La Warr family and their influence on Bexhill. The De La Warr name began in the 1700s and Julian took them through the family history with its ups and downs. Bexhill was developed by the family and Julian showed the group maps of Bexhill in the first half of the 19th C and demonstrated how it changed from a small hill top village, to a town on the coast in just a few years when the 7th Earl developed it into a seaside resort on continental lines. It was the 8th Earl who built the Kursaal on the sea front as a pavilion for refined entertainment in 1896. This was quite successful as he had interests in the London theatres and had acts coming down to entertain, but it was mainly for wealthy visitors. He also had the cycle track laid down and in 1902, organised the first official motor race in this country which was won by Serpollet in his steam car at over 50mph. The Kursaal was demoished in 1936. The De La Warr Pavilion was championed by Herbrand Edward Dundonald Brassey Sackville, the 9th Earl, and was opened in 1936 after a RIBA competition for the design.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Aug 2014, 08:15 GMT

Hooe Open Group: On Friday, August 8, Hooe Open Group visited the Carr Taylor Vineyard at Westfield. Despite the weather forecast saying it was going to be a wet day, the club was blessed with a dry and almost sunny morning for the commencement of the tour of the vineyard and winery as well as an explanation and tasting of the vintages. The group was expertly conducted through the mysteries and heritage of viticulture (wine making) by David Harrison, who explained in great detail the correct way to prune and train the vines, of which Carr Taylor has 40 acres producing eight distinctive varieties of grape. Due to climate change over the last decade or so, the average temperature in southern England has risen by almost 1.6 degrees, which makes it the ideal climate for growing white grapes, which previously was the preserve of the French or Germans. In particular this applies to the growing of the crop for producing sparkling wine. Carr Taylor in recent years has been awarded gold medals for their sparkling wine in direct competition with the best French Champaign. Another very interesting development in viticulture is the management of the vines by remote control. This involves a highly sophisticated machine which is guided by satellite, able to monitor the growth of the vines and select those that need to be replaced, automatically planting new vines to millimetre accuracy. The complete tour lasted about two hours, including a Ploughman’s lunch, which was eaten on the terrace, in warm sunshine, before heading home. August and December are the only two months that the Hooe Open Group meets away from Hooe Village Hall, the December event being the Christmas Luncheon at Cooden Golf Club. If you are interested in joining a very friendly and jolly group of ladies, who enjoy each other’s company, why not go along to Hooe Village Hall on the second Friday of the month at 2.30 p.m., you will be made very welcome. Their next meeting is September 12. For further information call Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

Chestnut Tree House: The recent coffee morning/mini lunch fund raising event was a great success. Even though the day started with the promised rain, Carole’s friends, including other members of the Christian Women’s Fellowship, arrived to brighten up the day and set up the bric-a-brac and tea tent in what looked like a gazebo festival! The day followed their lead and the weather cheered up incredibly to be hot and sunny by lunchtime. Four members of the Spinning Jenny Band attended to play some tunes and the result of the day was an amazing £525.... and rising! There were some generous donations included in that total but the rest was from the generosity of the people that came and the wonderful effort that the ladies put in to make the day a financial success as well as an enjoyable event. A thank you to all who attended for supporting Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice.

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Housing Questionnaire: There is a box for completed housing questionnaires that has recently been handed out by Ninfield Parish Council regarding additional housing in our village. This is located at the Post Office. Please submit your completed questionnaires to this box or back to the parish Councillor that gave it to you.

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Ninfield Bowls Club: It has been a few weeks since we had the latest from Ninfield Bowls Club, so there is a bit to catch up on. There have been a few wins along the way: July 27, they played a league match against Gullivers, loosing 33-46. July 29, they played Clive Cale, Hastings, winning 64-50. Another league match on July 30 against Hawkhurst saw them loose 42-84. A win came again on July 31 against Hailsham, when they won 87-77, even with a loan of a player to the opposition. On August 3, they also had 2 ladies and 2 men attend a Round Robin competition at Staplecross Bowls Club. It was a long day, playing a total of 42 ends, but sadly they didn’t win however, they enjoyed a lovely lunch and good weather. Last week saw them have a winning streak, spurred on by the good weather. August 3, they played Herstmonceux, winning 73-57. They played St Johns Mead (Eastbourne) on August 6, with a 92-79 win. Their final game of the week, a Rother League match against Westfield saw them gain 8 points with a 72-51 win. This will hopefully move them to 5th in the table. The last league game of the season will be August 13 against Sidley Martletts and then all 10 clubs in the league meet at Ninfield in September for a ‘Final Fling‘ when the final scores will be given. Fingers crossed for Ninfield!

Ride 100 London: Last Sunday, two teachers from Ninfield CofE School, Lorna Watson and Marc Palmer, completed Ride 100 London. They battled against extreme weather conditions to complete the course. During the ride, they encountered ex-hurricane Bertha and endured very heavy rain, badly flooded roads and strong winds. Lorna has been fundraising for Great Ormond Street Children’s charity as the hospital have enabled her son Edward to breathe more easily. He has had a number of operations at Great Ormond Street Hospital and is still a regular visitor there. The family will always be in debt to the excellent medical service they have offered Edward and the facilities and expertise which are available there. To sponsor Lorna please donate at https://www.justgiving.com/Lorna-Tomasetti1/. Marc has been fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation which is a charity that is trying to find a cure and better treatment for type 1 diabetes. This is an illness which has affected Marc’s family, with his Mum having type 1 diabetes. To sponsor Marc please donate at https://www.justgiving.com/Marc-Palmer/.

Summer Show: Ninfield Horticultural Society have their Summer Show tomorrow, August 16, 2.30 p.m. at Ninfield Memorial Hall. You are invited to make your entries, schedules including entry forms, are available from the village Post Office or from Rose (892422). Entry details need to be in by Wednesday 13th please. Whether you are an entrant or not, please do go along to this friendly, colourful show.

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Mobile Library: The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages tomorrow, August 16 & 30 at Hooe, opposite Denbigh Court, 1.50 p.m. - 2.35 p.m. Ninfield, Coombe shaw (off Manchester Road), 2.50 p.m. - 3.25 p.m. Ninfield, Downsview (off Church Lane), 3.40 p.m. - 4.05 p.m.

Hooe History Society: August is the month when members of Hooe History Society meet together for a social evening whilst still learning a little about the village. This year is no exception! So on August 21, they will be meeting at the earlier time of 7.00 p.m. at New Lodge Farm, TN33 9HJ. They have been invited to wander around the Garden, Woodland, Lakes and Nature Reserve, to hear about the wildlife and nature on the site and how Joan and John worked to create this hidden special place. Following this experience, they will enjoy a BBQ and social time together. Car parking will be available, just follow the signs, and it might be sensible to wear suitable shoes! To cover their costs there will be a charge of just £2.50 for the BBQ. Please take your own drink, they will supply glasses and a bucket of iced water to help keep white wine and beer cool! It would be helpful to know the approximate numbers so that they can organise catering, so please let Heather (893422) or Pam and Peter (892329) know if you will be attending. The more the merrier, so if you forget to register just come anyway, you won’t be turned away! Should the weather be wet there will be limited cover for the BBQ, but you will need to wrap up for the wander.

Arthritis Research UK: On Saturday August 23, our local Arthritis Research UK fund raisers are holding an open gardens from 2 - 4 p.m. This is your chance to see John’s OPEN Garden at Barn Cottage, Standard Hill Mews then Afternoon Tea at Campions, Standard Hill. Suggested Donation of £4. There will also be a Bring and Buy Stall, Cakes, Produce and of course a raffle.

Beating the Bounds: Ninfield Village society is repeating the successful Jubilee walk of Beating the Bounds. This will be Sunday, August 31, and will start from Sparkes Pavillion at 9.00am. Maps will be supplied for you to either follow the route with their guide, Robin Goldsmith or go it alone at your own speed. The walk, which follows the eastern part of our boundary, is approximately 8 ½ miles and at a gentle pace will take about four or five hours to complete, with ‘get out spots’ along the way for those who wish to do a shorter walk. Please carry water and any snacks you may need and be aware that short stretches of the walk are on public roads. Arrangements have been made for a comfort stop at approximately half distance. No booking necessary. This is a free walk although any small donation to the Society will be graciously received. Enquiries to Robin Goldsmith 01424 892778.

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Ninfield Flower Group: The group would like to thank everyone who attended their Flower Festival in the Ninfield Methodist Church in aid of the Sussex Kindey Trust on the 2nd and 3rd August. Their next meeting is on Monday, September 1, at the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30 p.m. They shall welcome Jo Durkin with her demonstration entitled “All things Bright and Beautiful.” Non members are welcome at the cost of £4.00 which includes refreshments. All flowers demonstrated are raffled at the end of the evening.

First Responders: The Bexhill & District Community First Responders, who cover Bexhill, Ashburnham, Ninfield, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Hooe , Whydown & Normans Bay, will be meeting on Wednesday, September 3. This is at Bexhill Fire Station at 7.30 p.m., every first Wednesday in the month. If you are interested in finding out more please contact the Team Leader, Mike Dean on 07970024135.

Ninfield History Group: Ninfield Local History Group are not meeting during August. Their next meeting is on September 18, 7.30 p.m. at the Methodist Church Hall. This months talk is ‘Mad jack Fuller’ with Geoff Hutchinson. For further information, please contact Rod Ffoulkes, Chairman, NLHG 01424 893635 or email [email protected] or see their Website/Facebook page: www.ninfieldhistorygroup.org / http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ninfield-Local-History-Group/206758869459743. This is followed on September 27 when they have ‘An afternoon of Local History’ in the Memorial Hall with a slide show of Cyril Wells’ photographs and ‘An Illustrated Talk On Shops And Businesses’, with light refreshments available.

Appalachia Music: The Whitetop Mountain Band, from Virginia USA, are coming to Ninfield, courtesy of Bluegrass Plus Club, on September 20. They will be playing Appalachia music (traditional music of the region of Appalachia in the Eastern United States). The evening will also feature Alive and picking. The venue is Ninfield Memorial Hall, 8-11 p.m., tickets are £12 per person. There is a limited number of tickets. To book your seat or obtain further information, please contact Ray or Sheila on: 01424 893390 / 07956266534, or email: [email protected].

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Dog Show: Ninfield Working Men’s Club is holding a Charity Fun Dog Show on September 21. Entry Fee £1.00 per class. Arrival Time:12.00 p.m. Judging Starts:1 p.m. Pedigree & Novelty Classes. Rosettes For 1st - 5th Places. RCCS or JW dogs need not be registered with the KC. Enquires for Dog Show phone: Malcolm or Hayley 07806420350. Stalls include Boot/Table Sale, Raffle & Tombola, Cake Stall, Teas & Coffees, BBQ & BAR etc. Ample free parking. Their Charity this year is Canine Partners. If you have any unwanted items suitable for Raffle/tombola prizes or any jumble/bootsale items you would like to donate please ring Marj on 892239 or Maureen on 892182.

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): Sundays - 9.30a.m. Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month). Wednesdays - 10.00a.m. Holy Communion.

St Oswald’s Services (Church of England, Hooe): Sundays - 11.15a.m. Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month).

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Ninfield Methodist Church: 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. August 17, Holy Communion with Revd Derek Brice. August 24, with Deacon Jean Duckworth-Lloyd. August 31, Worship & Praise with Revd Ian Pruden

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

Rachel Feeley

17 Smith Close

Related topics:Bexhill MuseumDavid Harrison