Northiam

The idea is to hold an initial meeting and if people are willing, to try to start some fundraising. Ideas include a Country & Western/Barn Dance, an auction of promises and smaller, more immediate fundraising. Your ideas are welcome. Initial fundraising monies would go towards costs currently being incurred in the rescue of abandoned and dumped horses that have all been saved from miserable, lonely deaths (see DENS Facebook page - www.facebook.com/animalwelfareandsupport).

While a serious ongoing issue, the Friends hope that people will have fun during

the fund raising activities and enjoy their involvement. The key aim is to help DENS establish a permanent site locally, with all the horse welfare, local employment and visitor facility benefits this would bring. As part of this scheme, they are looking to start a village petition, urging the Blue Cross to allow their centre and nearly 30 acres of grazing and equine facilities, to be used for the original purpose that the late Kitty Comport intended in her bequest, even if only until the centre is closed and sold.

On Friday evenings, the badminton clubs meet in the Pretious Sports Hall at 5.30pm (Primary school age), 6.30pm (Secondary school age) and 8pm (adults). In the Village Hall, Dance Club twirls away from 7.30pm.

The Over 60s meet on Tuesday for a demonstration from Riverside Nurseries. This lively group meets twice a month in the Village Hall, starting at 2pm, and always welcomes new faces.

There will be a free training session on How to Save a Life in the Village Hall on Tuesday evening 7-9pm. We now have the defibrillator outside the Spar, so the more of us who can use it confidently, the greater the chance that it can be used to save a life.

Coffee Stop will be brewing in the Church Centre from 10am on Wednesday and everyone is very welcome to drop in for a chat.

The WI meet in the Jenkins Room at 2pm on Wednesday, and this month will be the Resolutions meeting. Each year, Institutes across the country meet to discuss a resolution which will be put to a national vote at the AGM, which is to be held in Leeds this year. The resolution is to promote organ donation and members will have the opportunity to express their views on the subject and to vote whether to support the resolution or not. It should be a thought provoking meeting. Following the discussion, there will be a light hearted quiz and possibly a surprise speaker. The competitions are An item from my collection and the Flower of the month. Visitors are always welcome.

Thursday Seniors will be enjoying hearing Dave Collins non his keyboard this week, Citizens Advice Bureau will be available to everyone between 10am and 12 noon.

The Parish Council meets at 7pm in the Jenkins Room.

Next Saturday (10th), St Michael’s Hospice will be holding a Coffee Morning in the Village Hall from 10am until 12 noon. There will be Home-made Cakes, Bring & Buy, Raffle, Bric-a-Brac, Gifts, Books & Toys. All proceeds to St Michael’s Hospice. Enquiries to: 01797 253844.

The next clothing collection for Chitiwiri will be on May 16th, and Sally is taking donations. If you fancy a clear out – clothes, bedding, curtains, belts, shoes, soft toys – your unwanted items can be turned into money to make huge differences in Malawi. If the weather is fine, please leave donations in black bin bags in the parking area of Forge Cottage (formerly the Post Office), or call 252108 to make arrangements.

Saturday 17th May is a busy day for everyone, but a perfect way to buy extra plants for the garden with a clear conscience! The annual Christian Aid Coffee morning will be held in the Church Centre 10-12, with cakes, bring and buy and raffle, with an extensive plant sale at The Byre House.

Then you ate invited to the Village Hall at 2pm, where the Horticultural Society will be holding their Plant Sale, with over 2000 plants on sale, many from Great Dixter but also from the expert hands of Society members. Fabulous plants and helpful advice for growing them – there will be perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables.

Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club will be holding their annual walk on 18th May, in aid of Rye Hospital and St Michael’s Hospice and walker scan retain 50% of their sponsorship money for their own chosen charity. Details and application forms are available on [email protected].

When shopping, don’t forget that the Primary School is collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers. There is a collection box in the school foyer.

I am taking bookings for the Bonfire Society Quiz Night on Saturday 24th May in the Village Hall. Teams of 8 - £60 for a table, with wine and ploughmans provided and a licensed bar. Please contact me, Karen Ayling – 253375 - to book a table.

The Trustees of the Iden and Frewen Educational Trust will be considering applications for grants at their next meeting, to be held on 30th June 2014.

Cash grants are available for educational purposes to residents of Northiam who are under 25 years of age, undertaking further or higher education, an apprenticeship or equivalent, or sporting activities at county level. Applications may also be made by charitable organisations operating within the village, such as clubs, societies and institutions, which exist to promote educational, religious, physical or mental benefits for young people through their leisure-time activities.

For further information and application forms please contact the Clerk to the Trustees: email: [email protected] or by phone: 01797 253254. Please note that applications by individuals must be made using the appropriate form. Would those who have previously received grants and who wish to apply again please contact the Clerk.

Services (4th): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Holy Communion

www.northiamvillage.co.uk

Karen Ayling

The White House, Dixter Road