Ninfield

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for the Hooe Open Group as they were entertained by Pam Vieler. Pam provided the members with a most informative and entertaining presentation of life after the end of WWII, with a look back at the period when food rationing was restricting what one could buy, such as material for making ones cloths or having to paint your legs to resemble nylons, while living on a diet of SPAM (Special Processed American Meat), powered egg and very small amounts of butter, cheese and fruit. The older members of HOG’s remember it well; it was a time when families were very much pulling together to support each other as well as their neighbours, by helping out with the odd cup of sugar or even helping with a home birth, which was common at the time. It was a very good meeting with lively banter between members which made for a very congenial atmosphere. As usual the members enjoyed the tea and raffle, which as always has a number of very worthwhile prizes, also the Bring & Buy table was well stocked with many useful items. The Hooe Open Group is enjoying an ever increasing membership, with new members joining at almost every meeting, the September meeting being no exception.

Next month should also prove interesting, Sarah Page will be presenting the history of the Sussex Trug as well as demonstrating its manufacturing technique. If you would like to join a very lively group of ladies, why not come along to Hooe Village Hall on the second Friday of the month, the meetings commence at 2.30pm, for further information call Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

Ninfield Bowls Club have finished the season with a win against Fairlight on September 12, with a score 83-78. Their last game of the season against the Observer Team was cancelled on Sunday September 15 due to the weather. They managed to hold the club’s Finals day on Saturday September 14 with the following results:

Presidents Shield winner - Roger Bryant, runner up - Sue Haffenden.

Novice Cup winner - Sheila McCubbin, runner up - Jackie Richards.

Ladies Singles winner - Sheila McCubbin, runner up - Linda Bosden.

Gents Singles winner - Roger Bryant, runner up - Chris Haffenden.

100 Up winner - Audrey Beale, runner up - Brenda Haffenden.

Mixed Pairs winners - Carole Lawrence and Brian Osborne, runners up - Sheila McCubbina and Linda Bosden.

The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages on September 28 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.

Ninfield Local History Group are having an Open Day Exhibition at the Memorial Hall from 10am on Saturday, September 28, in order to showcase what has been accomplished in recording the many and varied aspects of Ninfield’s history. In addition to the ever popular “Who/Where Is It?” photos section (updated thanks to all those who contributed Names and places!) they will be displaying the superb Ninfield Centenary Village Map as a companion to the 1913 Deeprose Map already on display. This will be donated to the Parish Council for display in the Memorial Hall as a record of the changes and growth in the village. Advance Orders (with deposit, please) can be placed by anyone wanting a Village Map for family and friends. An ideal Christmas present for those who have everything else! (hint, hint!). They will have other maps on display showing the timeline of how homes and businesses spread through the village. To complement that, there will be a map of air crash sites, so again, any memories will be welcome. It may be the piece in the jigsaw which allows records of the Battle of Britain etc to be updated. Adding to the Village Maps, they will also have details of historic buildings such as Luxford House amongst others. Does YOUR house have some interesting facts? What do you know of its age, and who lived there before you? They have arranged for Hooe History Group to have their own display; as well as the local branch of the Sussex Family History Society, there will be 4 local and family history book sellers with their displays and also a confectionery stall. There will be refreshments available of course, and all help towards that will be appreciated, whether a member or not! Home-made cakes (is YOURS the best in the village?) scones etc can all be donated towards the event; tea, coffee and soft drinks (home-made lemonade etc) will be available at reasonable cost. If you want to come along, dressed as a Land Girl, Home Guard or in any other wartime related clothing, please do so! Lastly – but by no means least – there will be a display from Year 5 at Ninfield School with their work. Some of it will be based on James Broughton’s excellent booklet on his Ninfield School Memories. We are arranging for a copy to be presented to each pupil in Year Five. A Village Historical Walks Booklet has been compiled, providing information on the many interesting houses and places around Ninfield. A limited number will be available (First Edition!) at the Exhibition. Walking around the village is now a good excuse for some post Christmas lunch exercise, and showing off your local knowledge to your family and friends. Ninfield Local History Group look forward to seeing you. If you would like further information about the group, please contact Rod Ffoulkes by emailing: [email protected], or calling: 893635.

Ninfield Parish Council are meeting on October 3, 7.15pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Church Lane. All residents are welcome to attend.

On Saturday October 5, the Friends of Ninfield School have organised a ‘Back to School disco in the Memorial Hall. There will be a night of 70s, 80s and early 90s music to enjoy and dance the night away to! Doors open at 7.30-11pm. There will be a well stocked bar. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the school office or Ninfield Post Office. The Friends look forward to seeing you there.

Ninfield Flower Group are meeting on Monday, October 7 at the Memorial Hall, 7.30pm. This month they welcome Jean Allan with her demonstration entitled “Autumn Glory”. All non-members are welcome at a small charge of £3.00, which includes refreshments. All flowers demonstrated are raffled at the end of the evening. If you would like any further information regarding the above please contact Susan on 01323 844634 after 6pm or email [email protected].

Ninfield Flower Group are holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday October 12 in the Memorial Hall. Doors open 2pm. If you are unable to attend on the day and would like to donate, cakes or produce, it can be dropped off with Beryl Harmer, Chamberlain House,The Green,Ninfield (01424 892057) or contact Jennifer on (01424 892878). The money raised at our Jumble Sales is essential fundraising for the club.

It will be Ninfield Carnival’s AGM on Wednesday, October 16, at 8pm. It will be held at the Working Men’s Club. Their Chairman, Andy Gale, will be standing down. They have very few members at the moment and would warmly welcome some new blood. Please ring Lorna 893644, if you’d be interested in joining them, or turn up at the AGM.

Tickets for the Ninfield Reunion event at 2pm on Saturday ,October 19, organised by the Ninfield Local History Group are now on sale at the Ninfield Village Stores & Post Office. 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. To avoid disappointment buy your tickets now!

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.

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).

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

September 22, Worship & Praise with Mrs Margaret Bickerdike

September 29, Back to Church Sunday Service with Mrs Christine Thacker

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