Northiam village voice

What a treat we had on Friday, with the Conservation Anniversary party in the newly restored barn at Great Dixter!

Northiam Chamber Orchestra played throughout, with an uplifting repertoire rounded off with patriotic songs to send us home on a high. Mervyn, of course, shared out the Union Jacks! The Barn itself has been restored so sympathetically – even the descriptive notices are in a subdued tint on cardboard – a beautifully empathetic touch.

It is a measure of the size of the place that well over 200 people (and the orchestra) fitted in comfortably, with room to roam about poking into the working areas of the oast houses, and admire the old marks on the beams and the beautiful new staircases.

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Congratulations to all the musicians for such an extensive repertoire, played in what must have been quite difficult conditions – it suddenly went very cold for the evening, but our orchestra was up for the challenge, and we all went home with a song on our lips.

Thanks to the lively Committee, I am sure that the Society is safe for the next 25 years or more.

The Village Coffee Morning Market will be held today (Friday) in the Village Hall with a range of interesting stalls and popular refreshments. 9-12.

If you haven’t got a ticket for the Harvest Celebration Concert this evening (still Friday), you will still be welcome at St Mary’s Church at 7.30pm for an evening of music and poetry taking us through the farming year. Peter Fields (violin), David Ruddock (piano), Trevor James (guitar) and Rebekah Gilbert (singer) will join local readers and musicians, and it will only cost you £5 to include interval refreshments.

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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.

The Conservative Association Quiz Night starts at 7.30pm on Saturday in the Village Hall.

The Footpath Group leave the surgery car park at 1.30pm on Sunday to Ramble around Robertsbridge. The 5 mile walk leaves Robertsbridge Car Park in Station Road at 2pm.

Monday brings us Bridge or Short Mat Bowls at 2pm and Pilates at 6.30pm in the Village Hall. Badminton is at 5.45pm and Zumba at 8.15pm in the Pretious Sports Hall.

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On Wednesday, there will be Pilates in the Village Hall at 9am and 10am, and Coffee Stop will be brewing in the Church Centre at 10am.

The WI meet in the Jenkins Room at 1.30pm on Wednesday for a members’ meeting, where there will be a clothes swap with money raised going to the Canterbury Oast Trust. The competition is Autumn Leaves and there will be the usual book table and flower of the month.

Short Mat Bowls will be at 2pm in the Village Hall, and Karate at 7pm.

On Thursday, the Seniors’ Club will enjoy Judith Kinson Burke as ‘The unmistakeable Molly Brown’. Lace Group meets in the Jenkins Room at 6.45pm, and Northiam Chamber Orchestra practise at 7.30pm.

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The first lecture of the season for the Horticultural Society will be on Friday 5th. October at 7.30pm with Mr. Graham Usher speaking on the Four Gardens Of The Royal Horticultural Society. If you are interested in joining the Society, please introduce yourself at any lecture.

Spot next year’s trends at the Great Dixter Plant Fair, which features specialist nurseries from all over Europe and takes place on Saturday October 6th and Sunday October 7th (11am-4pm) and includes talks every 30 minutes by participating nurserymen. The entrance fee is £7.50, which includes entry to the garden. Free for Friends of Great Dixter and Annual Ticket Holders.

The Line Dancing Group are holding a Charity Jumble Sale in the Church Centre on Saturday 20th October. If you can donate any jumble, please call 252087, or pop it along to the hall in the morning. The sale is in aid of Oasis Domestic Abuse Service and Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary.

Services (30th ): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Harvest Festival

Karen Ayling, The White House, Dixter Road