Northiam

Yet another great quiz on Saturday – this time the Bowls Club challenged our grey matter with a very good quiz and some excellent fish and chips. Worthy winners, Rub of the Green, led a tight field, and we had the interesting challenge of a tie-break for the booby prize!

Each Friday, Dance Club meet at 7.30pm in the Village Hall for sequence dancing. Badminton clubs are in the Pretious Sports Hall at 5.30pm (Primary) 6.30pm (Secondary), and 8pm (Adults).

It really must be spring – this Sunday is the last of our indoor Boot Sales in the Village Hall. If anyone would like a stall, please contact Marie Edwards on 01797 253264, otherwise, the Sale is open from 9-12.

On Monday, Bridge Club meets at 2pm in the Jenkins Room alongside Short Mat Bowls in the main Village Hall. Badminton and Zumba are held in the Pretious Sports Hall at 5.45pm and 8.15pm respectively, and Classical Pilates in the Village Hall at 6.30pm.

The Historical and Literary Society will welcome back our old favourite Geoff Hutchinson for the final lecture of this year’s series. A popular speaker on a riveting subject – Smuggling in Sussex and Kent – the season should go out with a bang.

Pilates classes in the Village Hall start at 9am and 10am on Wednesday, with Coffee Stop open for business at 10am in the Church Centre.

The Footpath Group have got me stumped with their walk today – By George! There ain’t no Dragons Here! Leave the surgery car park at 9.20am to start at Barley Lane car park in Hastings Country Park at 10am. Enjoy a pub lunch in Hastings Old Town.

Shortmat Bowls is in the Village Hall at 2pm, and Karate Club at 7pm.

Thursday Seniors Club will be entertained by Pearl, and the Citizens Advice Bureau is available in the rooms at the back of the Village Hall between 10am and 12 noon.

A rather contentious planning application will be considered at Northiam Parish Council at their meeting on Thursday evening – 7pm in the Jenkins Room. Jempsons Supermarkets have submitted a plan for amendments to a change of use at JJ Carpets, Stonecourt Mews.

Jempsons, of course, are local, but not as local as our very own Nigel Fothergill who has built the Spar into such an essential part of our village life. Not only does the Spar supply a lot of us with things we have run out of at inconvenient times, for many people in the village, the Spar provides daily, regular essentials. If you don’t shop there, I challenge you to check it out, and be surprised at the good value and range of products in store.

Please take the time to look at the planning application RR/2013/308/P and give your opinion.

Northiam Village Hall Trust will be holding another of their very popular Book Sales on Saturday 16th March from 10.30am – 1pm. There will be the usual large selection of books and ephemera. Marie (253264) is collecting all the items for sale, so please call her if you need your donation picking up.

Northiam Bonfire Society will be holding its inaugural AGM in the Muddy Duck on Tuesday 19th March, followed by participation in Pie Night (every Tuesday). Members and prospective members are invited to come along from 7.30pm – in full regalia if possible – and really get this show on the road!

On 30th March, Showtimers are running a 50s & 60s Hop (dance, disco whatever you will) at and in aid of Northiam Village Hall. Guests are encouraged to dress up to add to the atmosphere of really good old music plus vintage video from that iconic era. A limited number of tickets are available for this event and can be bought at The Muddy Duck or Northiam Post Office for only £3 each. There is a bar, naturally, plus complimentary nibbles. It sounds like a great evening!

Start planning your entries for the Spring Show, which will be held on April 6th. There is still time to make items to enter the handicraft section or to take photographs – picking flowers will have to wait. The schedule can be downloaded from the village website, following links to the Horticultural Society.

Northiam Bonfire Society will be holding a Craft Fair in the Village Hall on Saturday 20th April. If anyone would like a stall, please contact [email protected]

The Horticultural Society is planning a trip to Hampton Court Flower Show on Friday 12th July. If you are interested please get in touch with Linda Belton 252984 as soon as possible as bookings need to be made fairly soon to get a good price. At least 40 people are needed to make this worthwhile; the cost is £32 a head to include coach and entry ticket, which will need to be paid by the 22nd March.

Services (10th): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Praise