Piddinghoe

SUPER GIRL FRIDAY: Our intrepid teenaged volunteer, Jenny Cornish has landed safely in Kathmandu with the rest of her charitable aid-group and they will shortly be moving in with their host families in the Lanjung region of Nepal to start their work aimed at easing at least some of the vast poverty there. On arrival they had to go through some special training to make sure their efforts are properly channelled and, unfortunately, she and one or two others went down with a nasty virus but they are believed to be much better now. Jenny, 19, lives in Brookside with her family and has raised money to help finance her trip by doing odd jobs and,running errands and giving lifts in her car to immobile local residents. She works as a lifeguard at the Seahaven pool and leisure complex. The people there have helped her raise money as well but it is an emotional time all round with her brilliant mum Claire stoicly fighting an illness of her own but she’s in good hands with husband John and Jenny’s other siblings.

CURTAIN UP: Piddinghoe Players have finally revealed details about their next production to be staged at the village hall on Saturday March 30. The group made their debut in November with War and Peace which gained notable critical reviews and so a full house is expected again this time for Le Hoe de Pidding, described as a ‘not so French’ satire in two Acts. The potential audience are assured of an entertaining evening (from 7pm to 10pm) as several of the cast are former professionals with much experience while the newcomers also impressed last time. Tickets are £10 available from Sheila on 01273 514768 with sales likely to be of the hot-cake variety.

SILVER SCREEN: Film Night in Piddinghoe Village Hall is all set again for Friday April 22, presenting the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, the story of major pop-band Queen and Freddie Mercury at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). All the anticipated musical treats are featured along with a graphic storyline. And, of course Rami Malik’s statue-gleaning turn which is just, well, mercurial. All at £3 seats in all parts including refreshments and wine available via donations to Hall funds. Ten classic film-buffs turned up for the 1961 film noir, La Dolce Vita in February which was still two more than the eight that attend enjoyable The Bucket List in January but the projectionist anticipates they will be packed in for BR and is considering an advanced-sale facility.

CHURCH SERVICES: This Sunday the half-hour reading and prayers led by Rev Mary Sitwell at St John’s (8am) with, in two weeks, Rev Tim Mills set to take over the one-hour service (9.30am) including The Eucharist.

BOOK CLUB: The reading group meet at Halyards, The Street with Vanessa as host on Thursday (March 14) at 7.30pm. Under discussion is Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. New members very welcome with full details available from Christine at [email protected].

Village Hall events this week.

PILATES: With Rebecca tomorrow morning (Saturday) (8.15am to 11.15am, three classes).

INDOOR GAMES: Table tennis and darts equipment freely available on Wednesday nights from 7.30pm.

ART AND KNITTING: Jill ladies gather on Thursday afternoon from 2pm with brushes and needles, and the teapot of course.

YOGA: Tim Blair’s class starts at 6pm on Thursdays. £8 drop-in. Discount when you book six sessions.