Ninfield

Rachel Feeley, 17 Smith Close

On Friday 9 August, a very sunny but windy afternoon, 25 members of the Hooe Open Group took to the water on the “African Queen” ably guided by boatman Paul acting the part of Humphrey Bogart. The guided tour of Sovereign Harbour was a very interesting experience; even if there was not a crocodile in sight. The boat took just 40 minutes for the round trip, after which the members of the club took up their seats in the Simply Italian restaurant for afternoon pastries and refreshments. A great time was had by all. Next month the club will be meeting back at the Hooe Village Hall, when the invited speaker will be Pam Vieler who will recall her memories from after the end of WWII. If you would like to socialise with a group of very friendly ladies, who enjoy each other’s companionship, why not come along to Hooe Village Hall on the second Friday of any month, the club commences at 2.30pm and ends with tea and a raffle at 4.30pm. For further details, please contact the organiser Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

A catch up on the last few weeks of Ninfield Bowls Club: August 7, Ninfield played St Johns Mead winning by just one point, 84-83. Three of the club’s ladies took part in the Peasmarsh Ladies Tournament on August 9. Despite having an enjoyable time, there were no wins. The club were victors once again on August 10 when they won against Westfield 68-57 in a Rother League match. They took a defeat on August 11 against Pett, loosing 37-77. Also on August 11, 6 members (2 teams of 3) of the club took part in the Hellingly Open triples Tournament.Vic Lawrence, Carole Lawrence and Linda Bosden had a fantastic 5 games (loosing the first one by 9.30am). However, by lunch time they had picked up on the leader board and by 3.30pm they were the winners on the first section (10 clubs from Sussex) by 1 point. The 1 point was enough to get them into the final against the winners of the second section, a very strong team from Seaford. Starting off 4 points down, the Ninfield trio came through to win the competition 9-5. Each match was a series of 6 games. The club were presented with a silver winners cup. The three bowlers were pleased with their win, albeit a little shocked! The second team from Ninfield also had a great day. On August 14, the club played Sidley Martlets in a Rother League match loosing, 62-76. they had a further loss on August 17 against Ringmer with a score of 59-71. And finally they won their match on August 18 against Guestling, 70-58.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ninfield Flower Group are holding a flower festival entitled “A Festival of Festivals”, August 24 - August 26. The festival will be held at Ninfield memorial Hall, 10.30am-5pm daily. Entry is £2/person with proceeds going towards The Sara Lee Trust along with a donation going to the Memorial Hall. There will be refreshments, a raffle, tombola, plant stall, crafts and other items. The group look forward to welcoming you.

Sammi Guard’s Dance /Drama Club will be performing a Show at the Memorial hall on Friday August 30 and Saturday August 31. Doors will open at 5.30pm with the show starting at 6pm, entrance £1 which will include a raffle ticket. Light refreshments will also be provided. The Show is called “Tadaah!” and will be their third one, following “Pzzazz!” and “Ooomph!” in previous years. It should be a good fun entertainment!!!

The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages on August 31 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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Michaelmas Onion Festival is back on Sunday September 8, 11.00am – 5.00pm at Hope Cottage Farm Shop, Hooe Road, Ninfield. There will be the Fun Dog Show with the first class at 1.00pm and a scurry for your dogs or children to try out! For the Onion Festival, there are competitions for growing the largest onion or garlic; plaiting 8 onions or garlic with a ribbon; best decorated onion; odd shaped vegetable; best onion marmalade (list ingredients, no trade names); best jam (list ingredients, no trade names); favourite cake (list ingredients); these need to be delivered to the onion tent by 12.30pm ready for judging. There are competitions for adults and children – so have A GO. For full details and for an entry form www.ninfieldbonfire.co.uk.

There will be various arena events, games, competitions, and lots more besides, something for all the family, Punch & Judy, bouncy castle & steam train for the children; archery, falconry, crafts and foods; try your luck with the human vegetable machine, tossing horseshoes or lifting bricks! And of course there will be a raffle, tombola, bar, bbq & refreshments. So please go along and show your support for Ninfield Bonfire Society as they raise money to put on the bonfire and fireworks display in the village.

Ninfield Local History Group are having an Open Day Exhibition at the Memorial Hall from 11 am on Saturday, September 28, in order to showcase what has been accomplished in recording the many and varied aspects of Ninfield’s history. With the Centenary of World War One next year, and the 70th Anniversary of D Day, the group are recording events within our area such as the V1 doodlebugs and V2 rocket attacks. Those with memories of the V1’s buzzing overhead will be very welcome to share them! Also any aircraft crashes or other incidents of note. Please contact Rod Ffoulkes on 893635 if you would like to get involved or share your memories.

A date for your diary: Ninfield Local History Groups are hosting an Afternoon Tea/School Reunion Event on Saturday October 19, 2-5.30pm at the Memorial Hall. This is a repeat of the very successful event held earlier this year. It will be a celebration event linked into their Heritage Lottery Fund project of recording the memories of EX Ninfield School pupils. In due course, they hope to work through the subsequent decades, so everyone will have a turn! Those who have already participated in their recorded “All Your Memories” project will been offered complimentary tickets (on an RSVP basis) as their “Thank You”. If you were a pupil at Ninfield School BEFORE the 1970’s and would like to attend, tickets can be bought at £2 each by phoning John Cheshire on 01424 892248. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Exhibition (details as above) and the village shop in the near future.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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

August 25, Worship & Praise with Dawn Novis.

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