Northiam

We start the week with the Village Coffee Morning Market in the Village Hall today (Friday) between 9am and 12 noon. Stalls include jewellery, cards, ceramics, cheese, meats, jams, vegetables, plants, furniture, candles and wooden items. Coffee and cakes are on offer so you have an excuse to sit down and have a 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.

There will be a Nearly New Sale on Saturday in the Village Hall from 10am until 12 noon, with ladies’ and children’s clothes, handbags, shoes, hats and jewellery.

In the evening, there will be a presentation of a series of interesting short films of various subjects, including local places and events, with music and commentary, presented by Seaford Photographic Society in aid of the NSPCC. Home-made soup will be served during the interval, and you are invited to bring your own wine and glasses to make the evening go with a swing. Please contact Pat Beardsmoore (01797 252602) if you haven’t got your tickets yet (£6.50).

Staplecross & Ewhurst Bonfire Society host their Firework Procession and Bonfire on Saturday from 7pm. You may be aware that some people are hoping to resurrect Northiam’s Bonfire Society, so if you are interested, this would be a good opportunity to see what’s involved (or join with Battle on November 3rd).

Don’t forget to put your clocks back on Saturday night and enjoy an extra hour snuggled up in bed!

The Footpath Group set off from the surgery car park at 1pm on Sunday for a 5 mile walk incorporating Woods and Water, starting from Ham Street car park at 1.40pm.

Bridge Club meets in the Jenkins Room each Monday at 2pm, for Chicago Bridge. Please call Judith (252114) or Eve (253431) to find out more. There’s badminton in the Pretious Sports Hall at 5.45pm – new players very welcome.

Coffee Stop opens the doors of the Church Centre each Wednesday between 10am and midday for a cuppa and a chat, and nothing more taxing!

Dr Majeed’s patients who are eligible for flu vaccination should go to Northiam Surgery on Thursday between 2-3.30pm.

News from the Primary School as pupils break up for half term: Over the past few years, the school has begun to develop the field behind the buildings as an outdoor learning space and now have a playing field, an allotment, a mini-farm yard with chickens, turkeys and quail, pets’ corner, a willow igloo and much more, all of which delight, stimulate and educate our children. There are plans to enhance this area even further and, to do this, the school needs to raise funds for vital resources and equipment.

The staff have been looking for new ways and opportunities to raise funds, and have signed up to programmes where the school will become a collection point for redistributing and recycling old clothes, inkjet cartridges and old mobile phones. In return, they will receive cash payments, which will be put towards new projects to help the children.

You can help our school by donating clothes, shoes, old mobile phones and inkjet cartridges. In the run up to Christmas, when you clear out those cupboards and drawers of unwanted belongings, bring them down to the school. There will be boxes in reception for you to leave your donations.

If you shop at Jempson’s, look out for their Jempson’s Cash for Schools leaflets. Please fill in the leaflet and specify Northiam School as the recipient - then your points will be converted into cash and sent directly to the school. It is an easy and convenient way of supporting us. Leaflets are available at Jempson’s and at the school reception.

The children at Northiam School truly appreciate their outside space - they will tell you that the chickens are one of the best things about school! Your support for this initiative will mean a great deal to them.

Another valued village institution is the Iden and Frewen Educational Foundation. Young people from the village who are undertaking further or higher education, an apprenticeship or equivalent or sporting activities at county level may be eligible for a cash grant from the Foundation. Applications should be submitted in time for consideration by the Trustees on Monday 26th November.

If you know anyone under 25 who fulfils the requirements, get them to contact the Clerk for an application form (01797 253254).

Services (28th): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Praise (Bible Sunday)