Ninfield

On Friday February 8, the Hooe Open Group enjoyed their monthly gathering at Hooe Village Hall. Members and visitors were entertained, as well as informed as to the origins and value of their prized possessions by valuation expert Mark Sivyer. The appraisal took the form of the Antique Road Show with Mark Sivyer describing each item and assigning an age and value, some of which exceeded expectations. As usual the afternoon was rounded off with afternoon tea and a raffle with a selection of excellent prizes to be won. Next month’s meeting is on March 8; featuring a talk by Kelly Richards on the life and times of her aunt Anne Shelton OBE (for the benefit of the younger members of the club) she was one of the most popular singers during WWII and remained so for three decades. The reminisces of her life and times should prove both popular and entertaining, as the talk will be combined with the playing of some of Anne Shelton’s most well known songs. Guests will be welcome to attend at a cost of £2. Being the nearest meeting to Easter the members and guests will be given a Cadbury’s chocolate egg to mark the occasion. Further information on the club’s activities is available by contacting Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages tomorrow, February 16 at:

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

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

Ninfield, Downsview (off Church Lane), 3.40pm - 4pm.

Hooe Sports Football Club are playing Spartan 04 in the East Sussex Football League tomorrow, February 16 at home, kick off at 2pm. They play Ticehurst on February 23 at home in the East Sussex Football League. The club would very much like to hear from anyone who would be interested in becoming a player for the team. They also require a manager following the departure of Phil Smith. Please contact Luke Pont on 07872312266 if you are interested. You can track the club’s progress online: www.pitchero.com/clubs/hooesportsfc.

Ninfield Horticultural Society are meeting on Monday February 18, 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall. This months guest speaker is Derek Marsh who will the sharing his ‘Secrets of the Walled Garden’. Members and visitors are very welcome.

Ninfield Parish Council set the precept for the village at their January meeting and residents will see an increase of around £40 from last year. It wasn’t a decision taken lightly and the budget was on village noticeboards throughout December and January, but no questions were raised to the council. The council wants to make sure that residents are aware of the reasons behind the increase and will be holding a series of Open Events in February and March for your to meet your councillors, find out more on where the precept is being spent and to discuss key issues in your village. Flyers are being delivered to every household, but please come along on any (or all) of the following dates and venues:

February 20, 1-4pm, Memorial Hall

March 14, 6-9pm, Reading Room

March 23, 11-1pm, Methodist Hall and 1.30-2.30pm Potmans Lane

St Mary’s Church will be serving Lent lunches again this year, in the Reading room from 12 noon until 1.30pm. Homemade soup, bread and cheese, tea and coffee will be available with donations this year going to our local Bexhill Foodbank, which opened in December last year. The lunches will take place on February 20 and 27, March 6, 13 and 20. All are welcome, take a friend and enjoy some good food and social time for a local charity.

Hooe History Group are meeting on February 21 when Jim Bolter will be returning, this time talking about Medieval Churches. Those who were captivated by his talk about the war memorials will know that we are in for a very interesting evening indeed. March 21 when they hear about wheelwrighting from Dick Carey. From April onwards they will be changing the date to the second Thursday in the month. At present the meetings clash with those of Ninfield History Group and as so many folk would like to attend both they thought a change of day appropriate. Further details from Chairman Heather Sinden 01424 893422 or Secretary Pam Doodes 01424 892329.

Ninfield Flower Group will next be meeting on Monday March 4 commencing at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, where they will welcome Joyce Pannell with her demonstration entitled “Fun with Flowers”. All floral arrangements are raffled at the end of the evening. Non members are welcome entrance £3.00 which includes refreshments. Should you require any further information, or if you are interested in joining the group, please contact Susan at [email protected] or telephone 01323 844634 after 6pm or weekends.

East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre is a registered charity working in partnership with Adult Social Care to provide a no charge mobile information and advice service for Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people living in East Sussex. The vehicle, which is funded by the Big Lottery, is equipped to offer demonstrations of assistive equipment and hearing screening tests (if time permits). The mobile unit will be visiting Ninfield on Thursday March 7, and will be at Blacksmiths Inn Car Park, The Green from 10.30am – 12.30pm. The bus is accessible to wheelchair users and representatives from both the East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre and Adult Social Care will be available to provide individual information and advice on all aspects of hearing loss. For further information please contact: East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre, Tel: 01323 722505 (voice/text/fax) e-mail: [email protected]

Ninfield Flower Group are holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday March 16, commencing at 2pm in the Memorial Hall. Entrance 30p, with lots of bargains and refreshments to be had. Anyone who would like to donate but are unable to attend on the day can contact Jennifer on 01424 892878 or take your contribution to the Hall from 10pm onwards on the day.

Ninfield Village Society are holding a meeting and AGM in the Reading Room, 7.00 pm Tuesday 19 March. The meeting is open to anyone interested in learning about what the Society does and anyone with an interest in maintaining the amenities of our village. The 2013 Annual General Meeting of The Society will include a brief report on the work undertaken during the past year, and a discussion of future projects.

Following a short break when refreshments will be available, they have again enlisted Graham Keen to give them a talk and slide show this year about “Sussex Archaeology from Stone age to The Normans”. For information, please contact either Martin Wood, Chairman (892895) or Robin Goldsmith, Treasurer (892778).

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):

February 17, Holy Communion with Revd. Ian Wales

February 24, Worship and Praise with Deacon J Duckworth-Lloyd

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