Northiam village voice

Children aged 12 and under will be eligible to receive a commemorative mug, but you will need to register for this, so please do read through the leaflet to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. You may need time to prepare your outfit for the Jubilee Dance, or encourage the youngsters to make fancy dress for the Sunday parade.

I am looking forward to one of those lovely weekends when you catch up on old friendships, and perhaps make some new ones, enjoy a bit of friendly rivalry over the magnificence of our broad bean exhibits and relax over a glass of bitter and a scrumptious piece of cake made by someone else!

However, before we get to that, the NSPCC are holding a Coffee Morning this Saturday between 10am and 12 noon at Farthings, Main Street, Northiam – a great opportunity to see the lovely gardens of an historic village house and enjoy coffee and a chat, whilst browsing stalls of bric-a-brac, cakes books, and, of course, the raffle. Entry is £2.50.

Then the Horticultural Society’s annual Plant Sale will start in the Village Hall at 2pm, with over 2000 plants to tempt your green fingers. Plants have been sourced from Great Dixter and the Committee’s gardens, so there should be some interesting and useful plants on offer at some very competitive prices! There will be a variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables and other assorted plants, arranged on tables by price, which makes things a lot easier.

Get there early for the best bargains, but if you prefer a more leisurely approach, there will be teas and cakes outside if the weather is kind, and a plant crèche for your new babies! Whilst you are there, don’t forget to pick up your schedule for the Jubilee Flower Show on June 2nd, which promises to be the start of a very exciting weekend.

There will be a Dog Show in the Village Hall on Sunday, 10.30am – 12 noon, in aid of St Michael’s Hospice. Registration is from 10am, with judging from 11am. Entry is £1.50 per class, 3 classes for £4, and there will be stalls, tombolas, raffles & refreshments. For more details contact: Amanda Hildreth 01424 456371

Every Monday, the Bowls Club hold a club night from 6pm and would be pleased to see anyone who would like to try the sport. Expert coaching is available, and woods can be provided. Just turn up to the green, which is on the right hand side of the Playing Fields, or call Trevor Monk 252307.

On Tuesday, the Over 60s will be visiting Rochester leaving from the Village Hall car park at 10am.

Meet in the surgery car park at 9.30am on Wednesday if you would like to join the Footpath Group to Spring around Battle, which is an eight mile figure of 8 walk, with lunch in Battle. If you are staying put, the Coffee Stop will welcome you to the Church Centre between 10am and 12 noon for coffee and a chat.

The Thursday Seniors’ Club will enjoy a slide show from Bob Elson this week.

Next Friday is the Conservation Society’s AGM, with Miss Victoria Williams giving an update on the Conservation work at Great Dixter. If you heard Miss Williams last year, you will be keen to hear her again, it’s a great treat to hear someone so expert in her field with such an enthusiasm for her job. And if that isn’t enough to tempt you, there will be a glass of wine and some nibbles to fortify you! If you aren’t yet a member, please do come along and meet other people who want to preserve the best in our village. For the princely annual fee of £2 you can help to make a difference.

Services (13th): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Holy Communion

Karen Ayling, The White House, Dixter Road