Ninfield and Hooe village voice

The speaker was Jim Bolter who gave a very interesting and in depth talk on the history of Michelham Priory, which dates back to 1229, when it was established by a small group of monks who followed the teachings of St Augustine. Up to its dissolution by King Henry VIII in 1537. The talk was illustrated by a Power Point presentation. The next meeting will be on Friday May 11 when Wiltshire Farm Foods will give a presentation of the home delivery service, with a chance to sample their range of products. If you are interested in joining a very friendly ladies club, where there is always a welcome when you step inside. Come along to Hooe Village Hall on the second Friday of any month at 2.30pm (Except August) and meet the members and enjoy their company, with an interesting talk followed by chat and a cup of tea. For more information on our programme call Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

Congratulations to Hooe Sports Football Club who brought home the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup (April 11) for the first time in their history, as they defeated Wadhurst United 3-0. Goals from Dane Smith, Gary Bryant and Nathan Phillips secured the win! For further information of the Hooe Sports Football Club please call 07872 312266. You can also track their progress on the website www.pitchero.com/clubs/hooesportsfc.

The next game of Whist Drive is on April 25 at 7.30pm in the Committee Room of the Ninfield Memorial Hall. Cost is £3 which includes a cup of tea or coffee. Go and give it a try - call 892057 and speak to Beryl for more information.

The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages tomorrow, April 28:

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

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

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

Ninfield Horticultural Society are holding their Annual Plant Sale on April 28, 9-11am at the Memorial Hall. A wide range of plants at excellent prices will be available.

Ninfield Jubilee Committee are holding a meeting on April 28, 10am at the Working Men’s Club. They really would like a couple more gardens to be available, especially on The High Street, Manchester Road, Standard Hill /Close or Standard Hill, as at the moment everything is around the Rec and it would be nice to go further afield following the carnival route! If you are willing to make your garden available or would like to know more information, please contact Sami on 893699 or Carol on 893326.

Ninfield Flower Group’s Jennifer, Pat & friends will be holding a “coffee morning” on May 2 between 10am and 12noon. All proceeds are in aid of the Memorial Hall Floor, she hopes that everyone will attend for the worthy cause. Their next meeting on the May 14 is being held at Hilliers Nursery Centre at Stone Cross. All members and friends will be welcome to join us for a talk on Plant Material, this talk will commence at 6.30pm at the centre,coffee/cake available and the Nursery will stay open to 8.15 if anyone would like to shop.

Ninfield Village Society are holding a Bluebell Walk on Saturday May 5, 10am - 12pm, meeting at the Reading Room, Church Lane, Ninfield. This is a free conducted tour of Church Wood to see this beautiful little wood, look at the recent work of the society volunteers and hopefully to see the bluebells and other signs of summer. This invitation is open to all. Refreshments will also be available.

The pram race will be held on the Rec on Monday May 7. Registration for races will begin at 11.30am, with races beginning at midday. Race categories are juniors (11yrs and under); seniors (12-18yr); adults; fun; veteran. There will be cash prizes for each race and fancy dress is optional. The carnival committee will be running a bar and BBQ along with selling raffle tickets for the Carnival Draw. There will also be an auction for an ‘animal house’, kindly donated by Skinners Sheds, to raise money for the Diamond Jubilee events. This is sure to be a fun afternoon! The carnival committee would be very grateful if any individual or society that has a cup from the pram race or carnival if they could return it ASAP. Please contact Lorna on 893644 if you have one of their cups at the moment.

The Tea Party and Cabaret for the over 60’s is on Saturday June 2 and the Jubilee Co. would like to know if anyone has a 60th Birthday or Wedding Anniversary within the week either side of Jubilee Weekend! Please call Sami on 893699 or email [email protected].

The theme of this years carnival, July 14, is the Olympics. Please get those thinking caps on for your floats. Due to Olympic commitments, the police will be unable to provide any support for the road closure. Therefore, we need at least 15 marshalls to help with the procession. We also would ideally like a vehicle with flashing lights at the front and rear of the procession. Marshalls will be needed between 10.30am-1.30pm. If you could marshall or are willing to provide and drive a suitable vehicle in the procession please contact Lorna 893644. To start the event in the Arena there will be an official Opening Ceremony with the ‘Olympic Flame’ lighting a beacon on the Rec to start the day. –100 PEOPLE ARE NEEDED TO PERFORM AN EASY ROUTINE WITH FLAGS, RIBBONS, HOOPS ETC!!!!! – 3 rehearsals will be required, Sami is organising it… so, call , email (893699 or email [email protected]) and go and join in a one-time only fun event!

‘Ninfield’s Got Talent!’ is back after huge demand following the fantastic success of last years competition. To register your ‘Act’ for this year’s extravaganza on Friday July 13 in the main Marquee, see Sami at the N.G.T stand on Pram Race day or email [email protected]. Closing date for entries will be over the Jubilee weekend June 2-4. There will be cash prizes for 1st,2nd and 3rd, with a special performance by one of last year’s finalists in the interval. If this was not enough, to end the evening there will be a Band for dancing till Midnight.

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)

1st Sunday of the month - 6pm Book of Common Prayer Communion

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)

PLEASE NOTE: Sunday April 29 - Combined Service at St Mary’s 10.30am

Sunday May 6 - Combined Service at St Oswald’s 10.30am, NO EVENING SERVICE

Sunday May 13 - Combined Service at St Mary’s 10.30am

Wednesday 16 - NO SERVICE at St Mary’s

Sunday May 20 - Combined Service at St Oswald’s 10.30am

Wednesday 23 - NO SERVICE at St Mary’s

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

April 22 - Worship & Praise with Revd. Ian Wales.

April 29 - Worship & Praise with Revd. Ian Wales.

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

Rachel Feeley, 17 Smith Close, Ninfield