Playden

Abingworth, New England Lane

The conclusion is that gardeners are an intrepid bunch of people! Saturday morning was one of those drizzly mornings when everything and everybody gets soaked through. The weather improved soon after lunch, and there was even some sunshine later on. Did it deter the visitors to the open gardens? It most certainly did NOT. Round they came, being most complimentary, enthusiastically partook of tea and cakes, and left us thinking what nice people they were. We had locals from both our villages, visitors to Rye, friends from Hastings, and friends from Germany who have been before. Many said that they no idea all these lovely gardens existed. As we have said before, most people drive past, not realising that there is a village here.

Have just heard that the Friends of Playden Church have raised over £900 with this event. Very many thanks to everyone who worked so hard, and also thanks to all the visitors who came to see us. See you next year - Midsummer Gardens will be open again Would members of the Iden and Playden Garden Society please read the report by the Chairman, Mr Morris Metcalf, in the Iden Column.

The Playden Floral Group will have their next meeting on Monday July 1 at 2.15pm in the WI Hall. Susan Scrivens will advise about container gardening.

Playden Parish Council will meet on Thursday July 4 at 7.30pm in the Playden WI Hall. It is hoped to have a presentation by children from the school who are concerned about speeding in Houghton Green Lane. There may also be a representative from the Highways department who may be able to address some of these concerns.

On Saturday July 6 Playden School will be holding a Wild West Summer Fair at the school from 2pm to 5 pm. There will be many traditional stalls and games, and lots of food and drink for parents and children.

A week on Saturday, July 6, there is to be a walk to investigate the most westerly part of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. This will start and end at the public toilets on Dogs Hill Road.No booking is necessary, but donations would be appreciated. The walk is about four miles, beginning at 10am and lasting until 12noon.

Playden Community Friends is a new neighbourhood group which aims to benefit everyone in the village by matching requests for help with volunteers who are able to assist. The service will offer practical help; perhaps shopping, simple household or gardening tasks, an occasional lift to a doctor or other necessary visits, help with letter writing, computer assistance or simply befriending others.

If you would like to know more, or offer some of your spare time to help others in Playden, please contact Rev. Teresa Munro 01797 229219 or Alan Blackham 01797 223255.

Mid-week services continue at 9.30am for Morning Prayer and 3.30 pm for Evening Prayer on Tuesday.

The 11am service on Sunday will be Parish Communion.