Rodmell and Southease

CHRISTMAS: My Christmas was okay with the help of friends who came to lunch on Christmas Day, I managed to have a cheery time, leaving Mike in No 1 cottage quaffing ‘humbug’ and being quite happy finding the sort of programmes he likes watching on TV. Mainly politics and alternative humour. He had to put up with a turkey dinner and trimmings though. I hear of so many men that just can’t tolerate Christmas and so I feel it’s best to leave them to it and get on with your own celebrations. Many thanks to everyone for all the gifts and cards. I was still opening gifts on the day after Boxing Day and trying to find places to put them. There were some lovely unusual ones this year.

I DIDN’T MAKE IT: To the Candlelit Service at Southease this year as I was preparing for visitors on Christmas Day. I also never made carol singing which I understand went well, or the Christmas Day service but I did make the lovely Rodmell Carol Service. There always seems so much to fit in before and over the Christmas period.

SPRING: I’m really looking forward to spring now. Some bulbs are already popping up and my friends ornamental cherry three has been out in blossom for several weeks.

LAST YEAR: 2016 was not a good year for many as well all know, what with all the celebrities ‘popping off’ and my mum died on October 31, so it seemed a bit strange for me not having her around. I also had in the post today a parking fine from Aldi having spent one hour and 40 minutes in their car park on December 21 and not one hour 30 minutes. The fine was £70 or £40 if paid promptly. I wonder how many more people got caught. When you think how much money people may have spent there it does seem a bit unreasonable to be so churlish over 10 minutes. I just won’t shop there so much now.

TALK: For those that love travel and horses, you may like to come along to a talk by Ann Chance, who is giving a light hearted talk on ranching, Saddle Sore in Montana. It’s for Rodmell and Southease WI on January 17 and visitors are welcome at 8pm.

SAD NEWS: Sadly I have to report that Olive Kemm, a well-known and much respected Rodmellian, died on December 28 at her home in Rodmell aged 85 years. I have very fond memories of Olive, as for some years she was my singing teacher and she gave me the opportunity to sing with some famous people at the concerts she used to organise locally. She once said to me, that had she have had me as a pupil at a young age I would have been well on the road to fame. Quite a compliment from a very gracious lady.

Her funeral takes place at St Peter’s Church, Rodmell at 2pm on Monday followed by cremation at Woodvale Crematorium, North Chapel at 3pm. Donations if desired to The Alzheimer’s Society c/o Bennett Funeral Service, 13 Bridge Street, Newhaven BN9 9PH. Tel: 01273 611004.

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