Ninfield

Ninfield Bowls Club played Pett on May 7, winning 83-43. Their game against Westfield (at Westfield) on Saturday, May 10, was cancelled due to the rain. Luckily, they were able to play Hastings Observer on Sunday, May 11, with a result of Ninfield 54, Observer 65.

The Hooe Open Group (Ladies Club) held their May meeting on Friday, May 9, at Hooe Village Hall. It was a very well attended meeting to be entertained by Olivia Breeze, the daughter of singer Alan Breeze, who was for many years the lead singer with the Billy Cotton Band Show. Most of the members remembered the very popular post war live radio broadcasts featuring Billy Cotton and Alan Breeze. Olivia went back to her childhood, when the family lived in West Ham and later moved to Norfolk. Her father started his singing carrier in the clubs and pubs in the East End of London where he could expect to earn about 10 shillings per night working the theatre queues in the West End. In his lifetime he produced some 78 recordings “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” being one of his best known. He also specialized in dubbing songs for actors on film and stage who could not sing. He met Billy Cotton in 1932, which changed his life forever; he stayed with the Billy Cotton Band for a total of 36 years. To end with Olivia led the members in a rousing rendition of “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” which was highly enjoyable. The club also welcomed three new members, which takes the total membership to nearly 40. The next meeting will be on Friday, June 13, which will be a summer cream tea and topical quiz. If you would be interested in joining in with a lively bunch of ladies, why not go along on the second Friday of the month to Hooe Village Hall. For further details contact the organiser Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

Ninfield Village Society would like to thank all those who took part in the litter pick on Saturday, May 10. Despite the awful weather, a hardy band of villagers ranging from Madeleine at 7 years to Terry at 89 years set off enthusiastically to collect litter. The Society would like to thank Ninfield Parish Council for supplying refreshments and Mark Williams of Keir who provided equipment and enthusiastic support for the event.

Ninfield Parish Council – Chairman’s report 2014:

“This is my 4th report as the Chairman of the Council and in each one it appears I mention ‘facing challenges’. Sorry, but it’s the same story this year. The main challenge facing the village over the next few years is development of new homes. You would all have received notification of the Rydon Homes exhibition at the end of 2013 and I know that a number of those local to Ingrams Farm attended. But please don’t be complacent and think ‘this doesn’t affect me’. Ingrams Farm is only one of at least 5 potential development sites in the village and throughout 2014/15 Wealden District Council will complete a review of all potential sites to assess the suitability of each. And be aware – development will probably not be restricted to just one site.

As a council, we will do our best to be involved in the assessment process and to keep the village informed, but we can’t do it alone and need additional help. It may be to read through some documents, help to gather essential data, to be a member of a working party or just reinforce points we raise throughout the process - but if you are really concerned about the future of housing development in the village – we need you to get involved. Please email the clerk if you would like to put your name forward.

Planning decisions have certainly been a source of frustration over the past 12 months and the relaxation of planning regulations has resulted in certain developments being approved at District level despite the Parish Council strongly recommending refusal. We have had the opportunity to raise some of these concerns and how these decisions are communicated in a recent meeting with Kelvin Williams, Head of Planning and Environmental Services at Wealden. It doesn’t mean that decisions will be over-turned, but hopefully we have a clearer understanding between the planning department and the Parish Council. The other enduring issue we have is litter and fouling of pavements and open areas by dogs and horses. Again, we would ask everyone to be aware of their surroundings, have consideration for others, and clear up after themselves, their dog and/or horse. This message especially goes out to the parents of local lads who use the recreation ground – please remind them that their litter needs to go into one of the 5 bins on the recreation ground and not left strewn across the ground. On a more positive note, we are moving ahead on the upgrade of the play area and new equipment should be installed later in the year. We have also built up the funds for the repair/replacement of Sparkes Pavilion, which should start in 2015, and have had a very good response from both the Cricket and Football clubs with offers of assistance. The past year has again seen a change in members of the council. Health and family commitments have meant that 3 councillors have had to step down this year: Gail Hook, Tricia Hutchinson and Julia Wilkins. All have been a loss, but special thanks must go to Julia who stepped down after 7 years. On a positive note, we have had 2 new volunteers step forward: John Cheshire and Nick Gallivan Young and both bring different and new skills and perspective to the council. Of course that means we still have an open vacancy and if you would like to find out more about what’s involved, please speak to any member of the council. We also had a change in our County Councillors and I have to admit that council meetings are just not the same without Roger Thomas (we all know that he would have been in his element this past winter) but we still have continuity with Cllr Bill Bentley and Cllr Keeley is beginning to familiarise himself with Ninfield. As usual, I shall finish this report by thanking various people. Neighbourhood Watch, The Village Society for arranging an annual litter pick and maintaining Church Wood, our internal auditor Ron Upstone (now moving onto pastures new) our clerk and my fellow councillors. It isn’t just their hard work on the council, but also the support they give to various village organisations – so thank you Sam Guard, Pete Holland, Craig Skinner, Paul Beddows, Pam Doodes, Nick Gallivan Young and John Cheshire.

Thank you, Kaye Crittell.”

Ninfield Methodist Church are holding a Coffee Morning to support Christian Aid week tomorrow, May 17, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. All are welcome to attend and support the work of Christian Aid.

Ninfield Golden Circle are next meeting on May 20, 2.30 p.m. in the Methodist Hall for a talk by John Schofield on Victorian Magic, all welcome. For more information call Jean on 212663.

There will be a coffee morning on Wednesday, May 21, at 10.00 a.m. at The Methodist Hall, Ninfield to raise funds for the Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice. The hospice, which takes young people from our area, does a splendid job. Not only does it administer much needed love and medical support to young people with life threatening illnesses, but also much needed support and respite care for families. Further details from Pam Doodes, 01424 892329 or Thelma Nance, 01424 892421.

The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages on May 24 at:

Hooe, opposite Denbigh Court, 1.50p.m. - 2.35p.m.

Ninfield, Coombe shaw (off Manchester Road), 2.50p.m. - 3.25p.m.

Ninfield, Downsview (off Church Lane), 3.40p.m. - 4.05p.m.

Ninfield Working Mens Club will be holding a charity table top sale on Tuesday, May 27, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the club. There will be bric-a-brac, books and raffle. If you have naything that you would like to donate, please call 892239 or 892182. The funds raised will go towards their charity for the year - Caring Dogs. All are welcome to help raise funds for a worthy charity.

Ninfield Flower Group are meeting on Monday June 2,commencing at 7.30 p.m. in the Memorial Hall. They welcome Lucinda Knapman with her demonstration entitled “Fabulous Flowers”. Non members are welcome for a small charge of £4, which includes refreshments. All floral arrangements demonstrated are raffled at the end of the evening. If you would like any further information regarding the group please telephone Jennifer on 01424 892878 or email on [email protected]. Alternatively, you can look at their website www.ninfieldflowergroup.co.uk.

The Bexhill & District Community First Responders, who cover Bexhill, Ashburnham, Ninfield, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Hooe , Whydown & Normans Bay, will be meeting on Wednesday, June 4. This is at Bexhill Fire Station at 7.30p.m., every first Wednesday in the month. If you are interested in finding out more please contact the Team Leader, Mike Dean on 07970024135.

Are you able to give an hour of your time for a fabulous cause - the Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice? Sainsbury’s in Town Hall Square has allocated Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, for supporters to collect money for Chestnut Tree House outside the store. They are delighted to have been offered this slot but, as they were expecting just one day, they may be short of willing helpers during the days! Would you be prepared to give an hour or two of your time? You will not be on duty by yourselves, there will be two or three together. Many hands make light work! This is a rewarding and fun activity because people are willing to give to such a good cause. So - please - if you would like to help contact Pam Doodes 01424 892329 or Thelma Nance 01424 892421 who will be delighted to hear from you.

Ninfield Horticultural Society are meeting on June 16, where a visit has been arranged to the Walled Nursery at Hawkhurst. This starts with a talk at 2pm on the history of the 13th century estate. There will be time to look round and buy plants as well as enjoying tea and cake. The talk is free to Horticultural members and £2 for non members. Booking is essential with Rose by 6 June: 892422 or email: [email protected].

Ninfield Local History Group are meeting on June 19, 7.30 p.m. at the Methodist Church Hall. Kevin Regan will be giving a talk looking at D Day and the V1 Campaign over Sussex. 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.

St Oswald’s Church are holding a concert by the Ninfield School Music Makers on June 19, 6.30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. There will be a retiring collection for Ninfield School and St Oswald’s Church.

St Oswald’s Church are holding their annual Garden Party on July 5, 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. Hooe Silver Band will entertain with refreshments, cake stall and raffle.

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.

Church Services for Ninfield and Hooe (www.ninfield.org.uk):

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).

Ninfield Methodist Church - all services at 2.30p.m. except the first Sunday of the month, where they hold a Family Service at 10.30a.m.

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