Sedlescombe

This evening, Friday December 14 there is a Grand Draw in the Queens Head, all the proceeds will directly benefit Sedlescombe Sports Association, Sedlescombe Football clubs and the Youth club. there are many great prizes on offer including Christmas hampers, meals at the Brickwall Hotel and Queens Head in Sedlescombe and the White Hart at Cripps Corner to name but a few so if you haven’t purchased your tickets yet in support of these local groups there is still time to buy some from Sedlescombe stores or the venue. Good Luck.

The village is looking more splendid and festive than last year with not one but two Christmas trees supplied by Sedlescombe Societies Association sited at the Brickwall Hotel and the Queens Head. Thanks must go to Ralph Dellow and Bob Harris who have once again organised this and also to these two local businesses for donating the power and light for the benefit of us all to enjoy.

Don’t forget if you would like to get in the festive mood then what better than to visit Sedlescombe village hall at 7pm on Monday 17and Tuesday 18 December, when the Key Stage 2 children will be performing ‘Rock around the Flock’, a junior Nativity play. This is open to everyone, entry is only £1 with tickets available on the door. Donations will be collected as you leave for St. Michael’s Hospice.

Also the children will be singing carols around the village on the evening of Thursday December 20 from 6.45 to 8.00pm, to collect for St. Michael’s Hospice. Members of the village community are welcome to join in, meet by the village pump at 6.45pm, wrap up warm and please bring a torch.

This year marks the first time that Pestalozzi has welcomed Belizean students to their programme. Rudolph and Daniel will share their culture, music, food and stories over the evening of Wednesday December 19 from 7.30 to 9.30pm and guests will gain an insight into everyday life in Belize. You can find out more about all these upcoming events on their website: www.pestalozzi.org.uk/events .If you should have any questions about these events, please do get in touch with Jonathan Williams, their new marketing officer on 01424 871901.

There is good news from St John the Baptist Parish church, they have a new boiler this means that the church has heating now.

On Sunday, December 23 there will be family Eucharist at 10am also a service of none carols and lessons by candle light later in the day at 6pm followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

On Monday December 24 the annual crib service will take place at 4pm, this will tell the story of Christmas with the help of the children in church. Everyone is welcome to attend mums, dads, grannies and granddads and especially children. Costumes will be in church for the little ones to wear as angels, shepherds or kings, they are also welcome to wear their outfits if they have them.

Midnight Mass will start at 11pm , an opportunity to make your Christmas communion and witness the blessing of the crib, if that is too late for you or your family then family Eucharist will be at 10am on Christmas day. All services will be led by Rev. Kevin Mepham.

A reminder to the volunteer church flower ladies, decorating for Christmas will take place all day Saturday December 22 and through the afternoon on Sunday December 23 from 12.30 until 3pm and again on Monday December 24 until 1pm. Flowers will be provided but please bring your own foliage.

You may have seen in last weeks edition the article regarding the silver award in the Tourism South East - Beautiful South awards for Excellence in the B&B category across the South East won by Monique and Derek Wright who run Kester House Bed and Breakfast. What a great achievement after such a short period of ownership, congratulations to both of them. On Sundays they also have afternoon tea in this beautiful house, I’m sure vouchers are available for this if you are looking for an ideal gift for someone special. For further details visit their website www.kesterhouse.co.uk or contact 01424 870035.

Rother Community Friends working with Sedlescombe Friendship Club.You may remember the questionnaires that were distributed and collected, the response was encouraging particularly from the people ready to volunteer. The idea is to try to establish the needs of the older folk in Sedlescombe and to combat loneliness and isolation. It is understood that many of the needs of older people are already addressed by other organisations in the Village but it is hoped to ‘plug ‘ any gaps that are in evidence. It has been agreed that Valerie Wright and Ralph Dellow with Val Smith form Rother will be part of a steering group that will help with the ‘set up’, until a committee can be formed from the volunteer helpers. It is hope that the Churches and any other local organisation in the Village will give their support. The next stage is to arrange meetings with the volunteers before Christmas to discuss the way forward. Follow up information on this project will continue through the voice in the new year.

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