Northiam

Badminton: Badminton Clubs in the Pretious Sports Hall run on Fridays, with the Junior Club at 5.30pm and 6.30pm (Primary & Secondary ages), with the adult club following on at 8pm. The Monday club runs for an hour from 5.45pm. All very welcome – we have two courts so can accommodate a range of abilities.

Dancing: Your alternative on a Friday evening, is our popular Dance Club, which meets in the Village Hall for Sequence Dancing from 7.30-10pm. It costs £2 which includes tea and biscuits, and is suitable for all ages. Sequence dancing is very sociable, fun and good exercise without being exhausting! If you would like to find out more, contact Brian – 01580 881877 – or pop along to the Village Hall and see for yourself, you will be very welcome.

Jumble Sales: Northiam Village Hall Trust will be holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday 13th September, starting at 2.30pm, and jumble can be left at the Hall in the morning.

Northiam Nursery and Beckley pre-School will be holding a Jumble sale on Sunday 28th September. If you have any jumble to donate, please take it to Beckley Village Centre on weekdays 9-12, or call 260582 to arrange for collection.

Open Garden: For an opportunity to see the garden at South Grange, Quickbourne Lane, in its early autumn splendour, the garden will be open under the National Garden Scheme on Saturday and Sunday (13th & 14th) 11am-5pm.

Ride & Stride: The annual Ride & Stride event Saturday is a sponsored course around the churches in Sussex. The event is fairly unique in there is no fixed route - thus it encourages people to see the wonderful churches and chapels we have in the area and to explore parts of Sussex that they may not normally see. Any rider or walker can ride or walk where they choose, and may start and finish at any of 600 churches and chapels taking part, visiting as many or as few as they like. Other than by bicycle the only accepted alternative is on foot, wheelchair or horse.

Messy Church: Messy Church returns from the summer holidays, with New Beginnings. An apt title as many of the children will have started school for the first time, or moved into a new class. All welcome (but you may have to make something!!).

Trefoil Guild: The Trefoil Guild is a non-uniformed section of Girlguiding UK. Many members are ex-Guiders or have been connected to the Guide Movement in their youth but membership is open to anyone (male or female) aged 18 or over who is willing to make or renew the Guide Promise. Its main aim is to support the younger members of Girlguiding but as with all age groups, (Rainbows; Brownies; Guides and Senior Section), to aid self development and above all, have fun. There are opportunities to make new friends, take on challenges, help the community and travel. Beckley Trefoil Guild meets on the third Monday of each month at 2pm in Beckley village hall, to have speakers, fund raising events, outings and parties. Members hail from all villages surrounding Beckley so if you would like to join, or find out more, please call Rosemary Burchett (Chairman) 01797 252347.

Coffee Stop: Coffee Stop opens in the Church Centre every Wednesday from 10-12 for a chat.

Footpath Group: Leave the surgery car park at 9am for a 9 mile walk in the Teston Valley, pausing for a pub lunch.

Scout Leaders Wanted: The Cub Scouts are in need of a leader. If anyone is interested in taking on this incredibly fulfilling role, please give Jacky Broad (01797 253228) a call. We have one of the oldest Scout troops in the country, and it has given a fantastic start to many of our youngsters.

Music: Northiam Chamber Orchestra is looking for new members! It meets on Thursday evenings in the Village Hall. Peter Fields (07792 3291450), the conductor, would be very pleased to hear from anyone interested. The orchestra will be holding a concert in October.

Younger students: The Iden and Frewen Educational Foundation will be meeting in November to consider applications for grants. If you know of anyone who might be eligible, please do let them know about this wonderful fund! Christine Browning (253254) will be able to talk them through, but grants are available to residents of Northiam who are under 25 and undertaking further or higher education, apprenticeships, or sport at county level. My children benefitted from this, and it gave them a useful amount of money, and a priceless link with Northiam.

Bonfire Procession: Northiam’s second Bonfire procession will be a lot earlier this year - on Saturday October 4th, which will be the first of our local Senlac processions. We hope that you will keep the date free, and perhaps invite your family and friends to come and join in the fun.

St Mary’s Services: (14th): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Praise, 4pm Messy Church

Karen Ayling

The White House, Dixter Road