Pett

CORRECTION: In last week’s column I gave details about the Annual Cycle Ride in aid of Rye Bay Coastguard and the Pett Level Rescue Boat and said that it would take place on Sunday May 19. I have been advised that the date is actually Sunday May 12. Apologies for the error!

At the Annual Parish Assembly held on Tuesday April 16 the Chairman of the Parish Council, Andrew Dunlop explained the Council’s decision to increase the precept by 10% this year. As a result of a request for matched funding from the Pett Sports Association as well as giving support to Pett Village Hall, together with making grants to POPP, Pett Parochial Council, the Coronation Lunch and Pett Flower Show, there was a need to increase the precept significantly, particularly as from next year any increase will be capped at 2%.

The items raised in Public Time included housing, parking on verges, Pett Post Office, potholes and speeding.

Pett WI enjoyed a very interesting talk on Fairtrade given by Christine Ward on Friday April 19. Members learnt how the lives of three women, one from India, one from Pakistan and one from Africa, had been changed dramatically through their involvement in Fairtrade. There were also a wide range of Fairtrade items for sale, from jewelry, scarves and rubber gloves to coffee, tea, biscuits and chocolate.

The Craft Fayre held at Pett Village Hall on Saturday April 20 raised more than £500 for Pett Village Hall, which is desperately in need of funds to carry out essential repairs.

Sunday April 28 – Holy Communion, St Mary & St Peter, Pett at 9:30am led by Kay Burnett; Sunday Service at the Methodist Chapel at 10:45am.

On Monday April 29 the Village Choir will meet again at 7:30pm in Pett Methodist Chapel.

POPP on Tuesday April 30 will feature Ryan, a singer and entertainer. The session runs from 10:30am to 2:30pm and will include a two-course lunch for just £5.

On Wednesday May 1 the Mobile Library will be in Pett and Pett Level. It will start at the Church at 10.10am, moving on to Chick Hill at 10:50am and finishing at The Smuggler at 11.20am.

On Thursday May 2 Flicks in the Village will be showing Skyfall (12), a Bond film that people who don’t like James Bond will enjoy! A hard-drive, which lists all NATO operatives undercover in terrorist organisations is stolen, and used to make M (Judi Dench) – the head of British Intelligence – look bad. Though not in peak condition after a near-death experience, secret agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) sets out to recover the drive, which leads him to mystery man Silva (Javier Bardem), who has a revenge scheme in mind.

As well as winning both Baftas and Oscars, Skyfall is pretty much all you could want from a 21st Century Bond: cool but not camp, respectful of tradition but up to the moment, serious in its thrills and relatively complex in its characters but with the sense of fun that hasn’t always been evident lately. One thing’s certain: James Bond will return…

The film starts at 7:30pm with refreshments served from 7pm. Membership forms are available on the night or you can always pop into the Butchers shop in Pett and grab an application form.