Northiam

Today (Friday) is the monthly Coffee Morning Market in the Village Hall from 9am. Always a good opportunity to have a chat with friends. Dance Club meets in the Village hall at 7.30pm.

On Sunday morning, Ann Fursdon will be speaking at St Mary’s 10.30am Morning Service about her medical work in Chad – all very welcome.

Northiam Bonfire Society have teamed up with Brede Shooting Club for a Clay Shoot on Sunday 1st September at Conster Manor Farm, Broad Oak, Brede – just follow the Hastings Road from Northiam & look out for the signs!

There are two events running, firstly a Have a Go stand for novices, just £6 for 10 shots, and secondly a standard Clay Shoot with £75 high gun and prizes to 3rd place. Fibre wad cartridges. For details, please call 01797 252506.

At the Have a Go stand, everything will be provided (including tuition) and there will be refreshments for when you want to take a break and watch the experts. It should be a great day out. It all starts at 10am, with the last entry at 1pm.

I think everything is back to normal after the summer break (odd how September always feels like a new start, even if the weather stays lovely). Pilates meets in the Village Hall at 6.30pm on Monday, with Badminton at 5.45pm and Zumba at 8.15pm in the Pretious Sports Hall.

The Over 60s meet on Tuesday in the Village Hall at 2pm, but I haven’t been told what their theme is this week – always good fun, I know, and the chance to catch up with what everyone has been up to.

Pilates classes restart in the Village Hall on Wednesday at 9am and 10am, please ring Sarah Gaddie 07912011273 if you would like to find out more or would like to have a trial lesson.

Coffee Stop opens in the Church Centre each Wednesday between 10am and 12 noon and everyone is very welcome to drop in for a chat.

The WI meets in the Jenkins Room on Wednesday at 2pm, when Bob Hinds will entertain with some reminiscences of his life in the RAF with a talk entitled “On a wing and a Prayer”. The competition will be a RAF related item, plus the usual flower of the month. Visitors are always welcome, please phone Margaret Hinds - 01797 253341 - for details.

Karate Club is from 7pm in the Village Hall.

Northiam and District Seniors’ Club meets every Thursday from 10.30am-2.30pm in the Village Hall. New members would be very welcome; come and join in if you are a pensioner and would appreciate a day out in cheerful company with a nourishing two course meal provided and after lunch entertainment. The first visit is free then £7 a week thereafter. Please ring Ann 01797 252343 or Jane 01797 252973 to learn more - free door to door transport can be arranged if you need it for those in Northiam, and for Beckley, Peasmarsh and Broad Oak if you are on the Rye Community bus route. This week, Rob Hinchcliff entertains with folk stories and music.

The Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 7th September, if you would like a Schedule of Classes please contact Joan Davis on 01797 253458. You don’t have to be a member to exhibit, and it’s delightfully unstuffy with people always ready to help. Yes, alright, it’s usually me who needs assistance!

There are classes for everyone – baking, photography, fruit, vegetables, flowers and the arrangements. A single entry is just as welcome as someone who manages to enter 10 or more classes. The new system of being able to enter on the day means that you can see how much time you have on Friday night/Saturday morning and just do what you can.

It also removes the embarrassment of finding your (potentially) prize flowers have been flattened by hail or a roaming badger!

Exhibits need to be set up between 9am and 10.30am, then the doors open at 2.30pm with prizegiving at 4pm. Even if you haven’t put in an entry, it’s a wonderful sight, and you may find some inspiration.

Messy Church has moved to the second Sunday of the month, so the next one will be on 8th September at 4pm when we look forward to hearing about what everyone has been doing during the summer holidays and learning about the Prodigal Son.

On 14th September, there will be a Race Night in the Muddy Duck run by the Bonfire Society. Local firms are invited to sponsor a race, so watch out for sneaky highwaymen out to take your money! Individuals can buy a horse for a race at £3, which will be on sale in the Muddy Duck after the next bonfire meeting on 9th.

Services (1st): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Praise