Piddinghoe

CHANGING CONDITIONS: Having celebrated cleanliness and dryness in the village in this column last week it suddenly turned wet and smelly. There was a gushing underground leak from one of the rented residences, Roe Cottage, into The Street for three days before somebody from South East Water deigned to come and stop it. This is a shocking delay in these times when we get dire warnings of the planet drying up and endangered natural supplies through global warming. The excuse? South East’s man said TWO other leaks in Newhaven were already being attended to, ‘so no telling when the chaps can get there’. At least he answered the phone and so, surprise, surprise, did Lewes Council switchboard when the smell was reported. Just five minutes on holding the line before they picked up the receiver and the lady was very sympathetic. The high pungency in the Piddinghoe air was suspected to be from muck-spreading in the surrounding fields. The joys of country living and all that, of course, but it was far too long-lasting and she said it would be reported to Environmental Health. The sadness is, however, that, at the time of writing, it is?still apparent, more than a week later. Please Mr Farmer, enough must be enough.

LIGHTS OUT: In case Piddinghoers are wondering what’s happened to Nelson’s Column, the big old lamp post that shines out from the village hall approach path onto The Street, it has gone in for repair. However, the glow-worm lighting in the briar fence along the that path is back in working order. By the way, that new house being built adjacent looks like it will certainly fill the allotted space, doesn’t it? At this stage it also seems as though it will soar pretty high as well. At least it is finally getting there, for which we are all much relieved. Won’t it be great to say a final goodbye to all the lorries.

HIGHLY-RATED: We’ve all just had our Council Tax notices delivered and for the average F-band detached in the village it is a staggering near-£3,000 per annum. Still, there is news also that the extra we are paying the police in those rates means we now have 270 more officers. Has anybody seen any of them?

DUMPED: Some kind soul threw King and Chasemore’s For Sale board in the hedge alongside the C7 turn-off from Newhaven into Piddinghoe but the sales and lettings firm were quick to come and retrieve it when informed. BOOK CLUB: Next meeting will discuss The Sympathiser by Niet Thangk Ngyek at Halyards, The Street on Thursday May 16 (7.30pm). Newcomers are very welcome and if you want full details of Piddinghoe Book Club and their selected books phone Christine on 07944577774 or email [email protected]. PIDDINGHOE PLAYERS: Rumour is that, a day before the show, Le Hoe de Pidd, is already a sell-out for our local thespian group in their much-rehearsed second production. You never know if there are late ticket-returns, though. So why not call in at Old School, Village Green, to find out? It could be a real treat at £10 a head including eats and drink after curtain up tomorrow (Saturday) night.

MERCURY RISING: A good-sized audience of 18 for Bohemian Rhapsody, The Queen movie, at Film Night in the village hall last Friday. Rami Malik won an Oscar for his portrayal of frenzied Freddie but not all of us convinced. A good movie though, much-enjoyed. The Happy Prince is provisionally next up on Friday April 19. PILATES: Rebecca’s class is in three sections from 8.15am to 11.15am tomorrow (Saturday) morning in the village hall. CHURCH SERVICES Every second Sunday in the month (half-hour) and every fourth Sunday (one hour including The Eucharist) at St John’s. INDOOR GAMES: Equipment freely available for darts and table tennis etc in village hall from 7.30pm Wednesday nights. Just turn up. ART AND KNITTING: Back again on Thursday afternoons from 2pm in village hall with Jill and the ladies. YOGA : Tim Blair’s class is from 6.30pm on Thursdays in the village hall.