Ninfield

Big Heartedness: A few weeks ago, I started the column with a sort of glossary...some words and phrases with their basic interpretations, and I tried to represent the feelings of frustration, desperation and need pervading in our lovely Village. '˜Big Heartedness' is this week's starter, and running along side it, '˜Community Spirit' and '˜People Power'. Now, these are not the latest runners and riders in the forthcoming Grand National...these short phrases sum up the last 5 weeks in Ninfield; and the massive task undertaken by Parents, Governors, Staff, Parish Councillors, Clerk and Residents to save our excellent Village Primary School, and get the building of two new replacement classrooms, with extended play area, reinstated. By working hard, coming together, communicating frankly and transparently, keeping the faith, and bending where necessary for the common good; and after many sleepless, stressful days and nights, last week, East Sussex County Council joined the rest of the representatives who have fought so passionately, and, in a meeting led by our MP Huw Merriman, announced that the project was to be reinstated with immediate effect. There may be a statement somewhere in this Observer; and this time it will be from ALL the various parties involved; but nothing can say exactly what happened, how huge this has been for Ninfield-in so many ways...and how much strength and support has been shown, by so many, in order to safeguard the future of our School... to everyone concerned, WELL DONE.

The Village Spring Clean: Held last Saturday ,17th March, after being rescheduled due to the Snow from the ‘Big Beast from the East’...and Robin Goldsmith has sent a message asking that HUGE thanks be given to the hardy 15 or so volunteers who cheerfully turned out to face down the ‘Little Beast from the East’, and picked enough litter to fill 20 large bags! The refreshments were very gratefully received at the end of the morning; thanks to Ninfield Parish Council for their warming support! And, thanks to WDC and Keep Britain Tidy group for the equipment. Well done Ninfield...I’m sure Hooe will have better weather on Saturday 14th April for their rescheduled event!! If you’d like another go at the litter picking, please meet in the Red Lion Car Park at 10am on the 14th!

Ninfield Singalong Choir: This Friday evening, 23rd March, from 8 - 9.30pm in the Methodist Church Hall- this is the first gathering of all people who would love to SING!! Purely for the FUN and JOY of singing; no competitions, no pressure, just PLEASURE!!! The try-out evening is free, so what is there to lose! Please bring water with you, and your sense of adventure, and have a giggle making friends, making music and then making it a regular date in your diary! Jo Wood, the lovely Choir mistress, will be waiting for you -Go For It!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ninfield Horticultural Society: This Saturday 24th March - Ninfield Memorial Hall, The Annual Spring Show. Doors open to the public, after all the judging, from 2.30pm, and there will be lots to see! Classes in Flowers, Floral Art, Pots and Crafts, with Children’s Classes too; all guarantee a spectacularly colourful visit, and, with refreshments available- tea and homemade cakes, you’re sure to have a lovely, leisurely afternoon, viewing all the stunning displays. Rose will be on hand to encourage any new members who would like to join the Society, and for more information call 892422, or email [email protected]

Ninfield Local History Group: Monday 26th March in the Archive Room at Sparke Pavilion, from 10am- 12 Midday, the N.L.H.G are running a slide show that is, basically.. An Identification Parade! The members would love people to come along and put names to faces, in some fantastic old photographs that have just come to light. If you are generally interested in the area in which you live; and are fascinated by the history of the recurring names, old houses and Halls, do go along to Sparke Pavilion on Monday mornings 10-12; you can even try researching your family tree with the I.T on site. Call John Cheshire for more information on all events, meetings etc, on 01424 -892248

Ninfield Parish Council: An early mention for the next meeting, to be held on Thursday 5th April, Methodist Hall - Planning meeting 7pm, Full Council meeting 7.15pm. This is a great opportunity for people to come and find out, first hand, what has been happening with all local items of interest. There will be a packed agenda, as always, and each topic will be discussed, debated and decided with open, fair and full conversation. If you would like to join the team, and become a Parish Councillor, please come to the meeting, make yourself known and see how the process works; it can be hard work, it can be stressful on occasion, but it is, generally, extremely rewarding, and the meetings quite fun... in a strange sort of way!! Please do make a date in your diaries that this, and all P.C meetings, are held on the first Thursday of the month- except August and January- for more information and details, contact Jackie Scarff- Clerk and R.F.O to the Council- at [email protected].

Ninfield Memorial Hall Quiz Night: Saturday 7th April- doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, and teams of 6 are required for the Quiz of the Year! Booking please to Jennifer Collett on 892878, and at £6 per head, to include a lovely Ploughman’s Supper, it’s great value for money! There will be a Raffle too, and all proceeds go towards the ongoing, next phases of the refurbishment of the fabulous, historic Hall, that serves the residents of Ninfield and surrounding area so well. So, now is the time for a Brain Cell Surge!!- Whatever your preferred method - Ginko Biloba, Oily Fish, Eat An Encyclopedia..get those ‘little grey cells’ in tip top condition so you can face the many and varied questions put together by Jan and Martin Wood. It’s great fun...even when you haven’t got a clue.. Honest!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chairman’s Farewell: Past Chairman, and Booking Secretary, of the Memorial Hall, Adrian Dommersen, has sadly passed away, and his funeral will be held on Thursday April 5th at 11.30am - St Mary’s Church, Ninfield. All the current, and past Hall Committee members remember the dedication and hard work that Adrian gave to the Hall, and send his family their best wishes and thanks. R.I.P

Church Services: Sunday 25th March - Methodist Church 10.30am- Palm Sunday Worship with Margaret Bickerdike.

Wednesday 28th March - 3.30-5.30pm Messy Church- ‘Second Chances..’

Parish Churches; Ninfield - St Mary’s 9.30am Procession and Eucharist. - Hooe- St Oswald’s 11am Procession and Eucharist

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Maundy Thursday (29th March) Eucharist 7pm - St Mary’s Ninfield.

Good Friday (30th March) 11am Stations of the Cross - St Oswald’s Hooe - 2pm The Final Hour -St Mary’s Ninfield.

Keep in Touch: It would be great to have your diary entries etc by 6pm on a Monday evening...and, thanks so much for all enquiries of concern and best wishes sent to my Esteemed Mama, who has just had her second knee replaced...A ghastly operation, extremely painful : she has cheerfully said ‘It’s The Worst Op.in the World’..and has decided she ‘won’t be doing that again’...!! Onwards and Upwards now...brilliant E.M! Please call 893699, and/or text 07970650321 email [email protected] Thank You!