Playden village voice

And with it the first of the Christmas Catalogues !! Well, it is nearly the end of July.

The skies were a bit overcast but it didn’t actually rain on the Traditional Church Fete last Saturday. It was good fun and people must have been very generous, because over £1,080 was raised. Very many sincere thanks to everyone who worked so hard and also those who came along to support the event.

Denny Nicol says that her Olympic Torch run was a fantastic experience, amazing ! Friends who came along gave her the extra zip during the 300 metres, which did seem very long !! The shell suit was designed by Stella McCartney and made by Adidas. She had to take her passport !!! Once security marked, she will take her torch to Rye Primary school.

Playden Parish Council met last Thursday with all councillors present, plus District councillors Ramus and Osborne and ESCC Glazier. There were 3 members of the public.

The matter of the upkeep of the Green which gives Houghton Green Lane its name, was raised. It is a mess because it has not been cut. It is owned by the council, but cut by ESCC men. There has been a poor attempt to cut the edges.

The same lane also floods because the ditch is blocked. Cllr. Glazier suggested a site meeting with ESCC representatives.

The drainage of New England Lane was also called into question. Not only are leaves a constant problem, during heavy rain the drains on the main road do not cope with the water, missing the corner drain completely, and all the water floods down New England Lane, again missing the drains because they are obscured by the afore- mentioned leaves. Yes, we are only one lane in the county, but we do not have much to show for our council tax.

Considerable annoyance was expressed about the proposal to charge for green wheelie bins. They were originally offered as part of the recycle project, included in the council tax.Now that a new contract has been signed, there will be greater opportunities for recycled rubbish to be collected from doorsteps, including glass. The green bins will be on an opt-in, opt-out basis possibly from 2014. Cardboard will have to be left out and there will be free collection of this. Rother recycles 49% of collected waste.

All the green waste was supposed to be composted to create revenue, not cost us money.

This end of the county feels very neglected by Rother. A local centre for rubbish collection is urgently needed.

A statement was greeted with disbelief ; Bexhill believes that they are run by county members; we think the opposite ! At present there are 4 Bexhill councillors, 6 rural members.

£30,000 has been given to help with the refurbishment of the Womens’ Tower; money was spent on the bus on the De La Warr Pavilion.

Discussions are on-going to create Centres of Excellence for cases of Strokes, Surgery and Orthopaedics. The hospitals involved are the Conquest and D. G. H. Eastbourne, which will be open 24/7.

Cllr. Glazier reported on the road inspection at the Peace and Plenty. There are difficulties.

The road surface on the way to Iden from that corner is appalling.

They are still looking for a site for a collection point, but a skip costs £100,000.

Although willing to support the project, plans and costings are needed for a school hall.

There were no objections to the application for a hay barn at Poppy Field Farm.

The materials on the new roof at the Peace and Plenty are not matching as requested but should weather.

It was agreed that the wording of the Clerk’s comments on planning should be agreed at the meeting.

There are still 8 jubilee mugs available to purchase at £5.

An oak tree was offered for the Butt Field. One of the new trees has died, and it was thought that it would be replaced by the suppliers. £70 was raised at the Jubilee Party which will probably be used to start another event in the Butt Field.

The Military Road will be closed from 6th August from the junction with Houghton Green Lane to the county boundary.

The next meeting will be on 6th September and include a Priority Panel Meeting with PCSO Dan Bevan.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has Beginners’ Bird watching on Sunday 29th, 10.30 to 12.30, with binoculars and field guides available to use on the day. Meet at Rye harbour car park. Donations appreciated.

On Monday, 30th, 2 - 4 pm, Pond Dipping at Castle water. Booking essential on 01797 22 77 84. Meet at Brede Lock. Charge £2.

On Wednesday 1st August, 1.30 to 3 pm Minibeasts. Booking essential as above. Meet at Lime Kiln Information centre. £2 per child.

On Friday 3rd August, 10am to 12.30 pm come along and learn all about the birds that live here in the summer and have a go at some birdy crafts. Suitable for accompanied children aged 5 and over. Booking essential, as above, cost £3 per child. Meet at Rye Harbour car park.

The mid-week services will be as usual at 9.30 am and 3.30 pm on Tuesday.

The 11am service for 8th after Trinity will be Parish Communion led by the Vicar.

Marion Lovell, Abingworth, New England Lane.