Sedlescombe

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH: EASTER SERVICES on April 2 an Agape feast will take place at 7pm, this will include soup and a roll, cheese and fruit with bible readings for Maundy Thursday. Please phone Father Kevin on 870471 if you wish to attend to know numbers for catering.

Good Friday April 3, the church choir will be singing “ Cross of Christ” as always to welcome everyone to join together to listen to this beautiful music.

Saturday April 4 the church will be decorated with lilies and daffodils by the dedicated voluntary flower arranging team from 10am onwards in preparation for the Easter services. Later that evening, Saturday April 4 at 8pm the Easter Vigil service will take place.

Easter Sunday April 5 Parish Eucharist at 10.30am, the church will then be open from 12.30 to 4pm for visitors to enjoy tea and cake whilst viewing the beautiful Easter flowersand also open again to visit on Monday April 6. Do try and make some time over the weekend to visit.

COFFEE MORNING AND MINI MARKET: The next coffee morning and mini market will be in the village hall on Thursday April 2 from 10 to 11.30am. All the usual stalls and refreshments will be on offer. A perfect opportunity to meet up with your friends for a coffee or tea for £1 plus they will have hot cross buns and cheese scone available too. All proceeds to benefit St John the Baptist church. For more details please contact 870808.

VILLAGE HISTORY PRIZE: Only two weeks to go -Sedlescombe Parish Council has decided to instigate a new annual competition to encourage interest in Sedlescombe’s history. The winner will be awarded a Cup to hold for a year. The Cup has been named after Pauline Raymond who retired in 2014 after nearly 40 years working as Clerk to Sedlescombe Parish Council. The competition will be open to anyone of any age, whether they live in Sedlescombe or not, and will take the form of a Sedlescombe local history project not exceeding 10 pages of A4 paper with or without illustrations. The closing date for this year’s entries is 5 April. The rules of the competition can be viewed on the Parish Council noticeboard outside Sedlescombe Stores.

MEET YOUR CANDIDATE: If you missed the opportunity recently of meeting Huw Merriman, the recently selected Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, there is another date this Monday March 30 at 7.30pm in Battle at the Almonry, High Street and the following evening on Tuesday March 31 at Northiam village hall at 7.30pm . No booking required just go along on the date at the time.

TIBETAN CULTURAL EVENING: On Thursday 9 April, 6:30pm, there will be a Cultural Evening, a fantastic night out for all the family, with engaging entertainment and authentic Tibetan cuisine. Meet our Tibetan students, enjoy their performances and learn about their lives. Tickets are £7.50 or £2.50 for under-12s and include a plate of delicious international food, a drink and a sweet treat. Due to popular demand, tickets for the cultural evenings must be purchased prior to attending. To book and purchase your tickets, please call 01424 870444 or email [email protected].

TABLE TOP SALE: There is to be a table top sale in the village hall on Saturday April 25, open to the public from 1pm, sellers to set up from 12noon. Tables are available to hire at £10, please call Margaret on 01424 870808. In aid of St John the Baptist church.

SEDLESCOMBE’S GOT TALENT: There seems to have been a bit of confusion locally regarding the date for this event, it is definitely in Sedlescombe village hall on Friday 5 June from 7pm. Two years ago, when it was last held, there was a wealth of talent that came forward to compete for the £100 first prize. There is no entry fee but limited spaces to give everyone a fair chance to shine on stage. . Do you love to entertain? Then come and be part of the show Nearer the date audience tickets will be on sale, with any profits raised from this event going towards the church renovations now taking place so please mark your diaries to either take part or come along to enjoy the evening. Organised by the Friends of Sedlescombe Church Heritage Trust . To book your place to perform on the night please call Jean Dann on 882438.

A NOTE FOR YOUR DIARIES: On Saturday July 18, the evening of this years Summer Fayre, there will be a fantastic evening of musical entertainment in the village hall with the legendary Mike Hatchard and Herbie Flowers. This will be a first for Sedlescombe so please come along and join us for a great evening of fun, good food and exceptional music. More details to follow nearer the time but in the meantime “save that date”.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DR CAROLINE HARGREAVES: Mary Ann Durrell reports as one of the congregation at St John the Baptist parish church, at the memorial service which took place on March 11 , to remember and celebrate the life of Dr Caroline Hargreaves who sadly passed away last month. Caroline served Sedlescombe as a family GP for over 20 years before retiring due to ill health. “Every pew in the Parish church was packed, so many had come to pay their respects. Mrs Valerie Tegg and Dr Timothy Jardine-Brown gave the readings and Dr Steven Stern delivered a tribute to Dr Hargreaves, his friend for many years.

He spoke warmly of her dedication to patients during her time at Sedlescombe Surgery and also of the good working relationship she had had with all the staff. It is generally acknowledged that Dr Hargreaves was a caring conscientious G .P, but we had to smile when Dr Stern told us that the young academic Caroline, an exemplary pupil, even had excellent reports form the brownies where she was complimented on friendliness and tidiness. Further anedotes illustrated her love of parties, highly adventurous holidays, skill in riding and the fun she had had as a part owner of a race horse. Rev. Mepham led prayers for the sick, the medical professions, carers and all those engaged in healing. After the Blessing and Dismissal, the service was concluded by Jack Henty, Huntsman S.E.Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt sounding “Blowing Away” on his horn. As the last nte hung in the air the congregation slowly filled out, many signing the Book of Condolance

IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT: coming up in the local area or would like to have a small piece, outlining your club or organisation aims, activities, membership etc. then please contact me by email to [email protected] or by calling 870344. Please allow a couple of weeks notice before an event to allow for full coverage.

Judy Torrance

Asselton House