Northiam

Well, exciting times! We have a Bonfire Society!! 29 people came to the inaugural meeting in the Muddy Duck, where Mel Watts, Chairman of the Sussex Bonfire Council, gave expert advice and support. Nick Searle was elected Chairman, and after enthusiastic debate, the next meeting was fixed for Monday 10th December at 7pm in the Muddy Duck. All interested parties are very welcome, and plans can start to be made for the 2013 Bonfire Season. Please contact Nick on 253754 or [email protected].

Today (Friday) is the monthly Coffee Morning Market in the Village Hall from 9am until midday. Stalls include jewellery, cards, ceramics, cheese, meats, jams, vegetables, plants, furniture, candles and wooden items as well as the coffee and chat.

The badminton clubs meet in the Pretious Sports Hall on Fridays. 5.30pm for Primary school-age, 6.30pm for Secondary school-age, and the adult club starts at 8pm. Dance Club meets in the Village Hall at 7.30pm for Sequence Dancing. Kelly Bourne provides the entertainment at The Muddy Duck 9-11pm.

There will be a Quiz jointly hosted by the WI and the Bonfire Society on Saturday evening in the Village Hall. If you would like to join a team, please call Nick or Thelma on 253754 to see if there are any spaces left. For those who have booked, the Hall is open from 7m to start quizzing at 7.30pm.

Messy Church prepares for the festive season with Messy Christmas on Sunday at 4pm. As usual, there will be some excellent craft projects, possibly some Christmas carols with the talk, and a light meal to start our Christmas celebrations.

Coffee Stop opens the doors of the Church Centre each Wednesday between 10am and midday for a cuppa and a chat.

This week the WI will be holding their Christmas Party, hosted by Linda, on Wednesday 12 for 12.30pm, with food provided by members. Anyone not at the November meeting who needs further details please contact one of the committee members (new or old), or Christine Neale 01797 253086.

The Regency Singers will entertain the Thursday Seniors’ Club this week. And then it’s our chance, as we will be gathering around the village Christmas tree at 6.30pm for carols.

There will be a final Flu vaccination session at Northiam Surgery on Friday 7th December 2-3.30pm.

On December 14th, there will be a production by Shades Theatre Group of Mr Scrooge and the Spirit of Christmas First in St Mary’s Church Northiam at 7.30pm. Entry £2.50, under 14s free, with mince pies and mulled wine after the performance.

Northiam Primary school children are making up shoeboxes of food to be given out by the Salvation Army in Hastings to needy people. The school are eager to involve the community, and you can help by filling a shoebox with Christmas food and bring it into the school  or call the school and a collection will be arranged. All boxes need to be received by the 12th December. The school are still collecting used clothes and shoes. Please leave black bags at the school or call 01797 252141 to arrange a pick up.

Tickets are now on sale for the New Year’s Eve Dance in the Village Hall. There will be two live bands, a DJ and a magician, and each table of eight will be pre-booked, so you can plan to be with your friends. To make it all a bit more interesting, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask – some are available from Lynn & Mervyn Hayes when buying your ticket. The cost is just £12 a head (£5 for under 12s) and includes some finger food on the table. Tickets are on sale in the Parish Office (253990) or Rose Cottage (253443).

Rye and District Lions Club are holding their 7th Brass Band Concert, actually on Burns Night, Friday 25th January, at Beckley Village Centre.  All money raised will, as every other year, go to Macmillan Cancer Support. Tickets are available from Beckley Motors at £6.50.

Services (2nd): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Praise, 4pm Messy Church