Northiam

Badminton: Our two badminton clubs welcome players of all abilities, and provide all you need to learn or get back into the game. On Friday, the adult club starts at 8.15pm, contact Karen Ayling (01797 253375). The Monday club is run by Sue Clark (016797 253428) for one hour from 5.45pm. Both operate as drop-in sessions, so do just turn up and say hello! A thriving junior club is run by Pete Thomson (07815 84517), with three graded sessions on a Friday evening, starting at 5pm.

Hospice: The big Coffee Morning in aid of St Michael’s Hospice will be on Saturday 5th November in the Village Hall 10am - midday. There will be a great cake stall, craft stall with items made and donated by talented Northiam ladies, St Michael’s own stall selling gifts and cards, and amazing raffle table and tombola. Donations of prizes or bric a brac would be gratefully received - contact Linda Belton (01797 252984).

Bereavement Service: There will be a special service at St Mary’s on Sunday 6th November at 4pm for anyone wishing to remember a loved one. The service will consists of hymns, readings and prayers and will be followed by a cup of tea and the opportunity to chat, if wished.

Shortmat Bowls: The Village Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2pm is the venue for Shortmat Bowls. Contact Doreen Rolles (252443) to find out more.

Toddlers: Northiam Tadpoles baby & toddler group meet every Tuesday 9.15 - 11.15am at Pretious Sports Hall, Main Street (the hall between the primary school and nursery.) The session is £2.50 per family (to cover costs) for age 0-5’s which includes a healthy snack for the children, drinks and biscuits for the parents/carers, there are lots of toys out for all ages and finishes with song time.

Line Dancing: Line Dancing is in the Village Hall each Tuesday at 10am. New people are very welcome - you don’t need any special clothing, and just comfy footwear. Sessions are £5, and there is a discount for booking ahead. Call Helen (01797 252087) to book a place or find out more.

Women’s Fellowship: This month’s meeting will be the AGM, at which the decision may be made to close the Fellowship after 45 years. Anyone who is interested in keeping this happy group alive should please attend the meeting, or contact Isla 253258. Otherwise, it will be a bittersweet occasion when happy memories are shared. An outing for Christmas dinner, however, is already being planned!

Hist & Lit: Patsy Erskine-Hill will share The Scandalous Life of Lady Digsby at the next meeting of the Historical and Literary Society on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Coffee Morning: Call into the Church Centre on Wednesday mornings for coffee and a chat at Coffee Stop, between 10 and 12 noon

Thursday Seniors: Thursday Seniors’ Club meets every Thursday in Northiam Village Hall from 10.30am until 2.30pm. All pensioners are welcome, and free door to door transport can be arranged for anyone in Northiam, Beckley, Peasmarsh and Broad Oak if you are on the Rye Community Bus route. The cost is £7 and includes welcome tea/coffee, a freshly cooked 2 course meal, extend chair exercises and a talk/entertainment. Call Joan 252568, Jane 252973 or Linda 252283 to find out more as a member or a helper.

Parish Council: All parishioners are very welcome at the next meeting of the Parish Council on Thursday 10th at 7pm in the Jenkins Room, which I should imagine will be very popular following the bombshell that our Council is endeavouring to acquire the Blue Cross site. We are so fortunate to have many people in the village who are committed to make this a success, so let’s hope it’s possible.

Children in Need: You may know that Mike Hatchard has just completed a cycle ride towing a piano from Land’s End to John O’Groats performing over 50 concerts, covering 1400 miles. On Children in Need day, 11th November, Mike will perform five concerts in one day, with the final two in Bexhill and Hastings. His target is to raise £12,000 for Children in Need.

Flu Vaccination: Northiam Surgery will be holding sessions for all eligible patients – over 65, chronic conditions, carer etc. on 10th and 15th November. If you are unable to get to any of these, or are not eligible for the free flu jab, most community pharmacies are also offering this service (both NHS and private), so there’s no excuse to miss out!

Church Services (6th): St Mary’s: 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Holy Commuinion, 4pm Bereavement Service

St Teresa’s: 9am Mass

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