Ninfield

During the week commencing September 30, a vehicle number plate was removed from a vehicle in the Standard Hill area of Ninfield, believed to have been overnight. Within the same area, some tools and equipment were stolen from a van on Monday October 7. The tools were later recovered a short distance away. If you saw anything suspicious or have any information that my assist the police with their enquiries, please contact our PCSO, Daryl Holter of the Battle neighbourhood team on 101.

Last Friday, October 11, the Hooe Open Group ladies club met at Hooe Village Hall to hear a fascinating talk by Sarah Page on the history and making of the Sussex Trug.

Trug making is a traditional craft which has been established in Sussex for at least 200 years. The word ‘Trug’ is derived from ‘trog’, an Anglo Saxon word meaning wooden vessel or boat shaped. Originally used as measures or scoops for grain or liquid, they have become world renowned for their strength, durability and usefulness. Queen Victoria gave one to each of her staff after seeing one on display at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Trugs are still handmade in the traditional way. Work begins with the handle and rim of sweet chestnut which is split with a cleaving axe and smoothed with a drawknife, using a wooden ‘horse’. After steaming, the chestnut is bent around wooden formers. ‘The Truggery’ at Coopers Croft, Herstmonceux, is housed in a cottage on the outskirts of the village which was built in the early 18th century. In the 1970’s a craft teacher named David Sherwood and his wife Sue took over the business just at the time Trug makers in East Hoathly were closing down. The Sherwood’s stepped in and acquired the complete workshop, bringing many of the specialist tools to ‘The Truggery’ in Herstmonceux. Also an expert trug maker called Ben Dadswell, who had been making Trugs since the age of fourteen, decided to stay on in order to transfer his expert knowledge and craftsmanship of Trug making to the new generation of owners. In 1995 David and Sue sold the business to Sarah Page and her family. By this time, all the older trug makers had passed on or retired and the younger ones gone away to do other things. Fortunately one man, Tim Franks, who had been taught by Ben Dadswell, wanted to return to carry on the Trug making craft. The members were enthralled at the excellent presentation and the opportunity to take a close look at many of the wonderfully made Trugs on display. The meeting came to a close at 4.30pm after taking afternoon tea and drawing of the raffle, which always offers a selection of worthwhile prizes. The Club welcomed two new members as well as two visitors, who it is hoped will join. Next month’s meeting will be on Friday November 8, when David Harrison from Carr Taylor Vineyard will deliver at talk entitled Vines & Wines, no doubt with a sample of this year’s vintage? For further information on the Hooe Open Group, call Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

Following last Saturday’s Bonfire and fireworks, local residents Pete and Carole Ballard asked me to include the following in this weeks column: ‘Please can you pass on our very big thanks to the Ninfield Bonfire Society for the truly fantastic display last night and for all their effort on the night and the fund raising that they do throughout the year. I am sure, like us, that most members of the village feel so fortunate to have these events organised for the community’s benefit and hope that these Village society’s get the support and contributions that they deserve.’

Ninfield Reunion event organised by the Ninfield Local History Group, is at 2pm tomorrow, Saturday October 19. The Reunion is for anyone who lived in the village anytime between 1930 and 1969. Admission is by advance ticket only as an afternoon tea is included in the price of £2 per person.

Sunday October 20, Ninfield and Hooe churches welcome the Bishop of Chichester as part of his visitation to the Battle and Bexhill Deanery. There will be a combined service of worship at St Mary’s, 10.30am which will be lead by the Bishop. All are welcome.

The new season of Ninfield Horticultural Society starts on Monday, October 21, in the Memorial Hall with their AGM. Regular and new members are very welcome at 7.30pm and annual subs are payable from that night. As a reward for attending the AGM, it will be followed by Kim Parks with some of his lovely local slides. This is usually a very entertaining evening and the society hopes to see lots of you there.

The next Neighbourhood and Panel meeting will be held in the reading room, Ninfield, on Tuesday October 22, 7.30pm. The speak will be from the Road Policing Unit advising about operation Crackdown and Anti-Social Driving. You are invited to go along and find out how incidents can be reported and ask questions to the speaker along with your questions to Daryl Holter, our PCSO.

There will be an Exhibition and Sale of pictures by a one time local artist who gifted his work to St Mary’s Ninfield on Saturday October 26, 2-4pm at the Reading Room, Church Lane, Ninfield. The works include pictures of both Ninfield and Hooe Churches together with sea and rural scenes from the local area. Entry is 50p/person. As well as all pieces on show being for sale, there will be tea and coffee with delicious cakes available.

The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages on October 26 at:

Hooe, opposite Denbigh Court, 1.50pm - 2.35pm.

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

Ninfield, Downsview (off Church Lane), 3.40pm - 4.05pm

Gala Night is back on October 26 at, 7pm - Midnight. A Fish and Chips Supper, Entertainment with Déjà Revue, Award Ceremony, dancing, Bar and a raffle. Tickets £14 per head. Call Sami on 893699, 07970650321, email [email protected] for booking and food choices, or see Sophie in the Post Office. This popular evening is back and all profits from the event will go to local causes.

Arthritis Research UK are holding a coffee morning on November 6 in the Reading Room, Ninfield. The cost is £1 for coffee and biscuits. There will be a raffle and bring and buy as well.

Battle & Ninfield Guild are next meeting on November 6, 2.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, where they will welcome the Beachy Head Chaplaincy.

Crafts for Christmas, Christmas Gifts and Table Top Sale returns this year, again in aid of Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice Care. At Ninfield Memorial Hall, Saturday November 9, 10am - 4pm. A whole host of craft stalls will be there. For further information, please call Pam 01424 892329 or Thelma 01424 892421.

On November 23, the Memorial Hall will be holding a ‘home-made’ fair. This could cover anything from knitted hats to jam, cards to cakes. It’s all to raise money for the hall and tables can be booked via Kaye Crittell 01424 892883 or [email protected]. Price £10 if you are from Ninfield, £12 if outside.

Ninfield Flower Group have tickets now available for their Christmas meeting on December 6, 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall. They will welcome “Tony Brown” with his seasonal demonstration entitled “Festive Delights” Tickets are available from Ellie Barron on 01424 893385 at a cost of £9.00, payable at the time of order please. This will include light refreshments. All floral arrangements done by Tony will be raffled at the end of the evening. If you would like any further information regarding the Group please contact Susan on 01323 844634 after 6pm or weekends, or email [email protected].

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 - 9.30am Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month)

Wednesdays - 10.00am Holy Communion.

St Oswald’s Services (Church of England, Hooe):

Sundays - 11.15am Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month).

October 20, 10.30am, combined service at St Mary’s, led by Bishop of Chichester.

Ninfield Methodist Church - all services at 2.30pm (unless otherwise indicated):

October 20, Holy Communion with Revd. Ian Wales

October 27, Bible Sunday Service of Worship with Mr Owen Birch

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