Udimore

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Friends of St Mary’s midday barbecue is sure to be a convivial and enjoyable occasion. Whether by the church pond or (if it comes on to rain just then) in the nearby Community Hall, besides barbecued hot dogs and ‘burgers there will be a licensed bar, tombola, raffle and bookstall. It’s due to run till 2pm, but please come as early as you can, while there’s still plenty of food and drink! Entry is free, proceeds from the barbecue, bar and stalls will be for the upkeep of St Mary’s Church.

Later In the afternoon there will be time to visit a local garden opening (till 5pm) for the very first time under the National Gardens Scheme. Knockbridge House, Icklesham, the home of Jo and Charles Sandeman-Allen, has a 7 acre mature garden full of interesting features. Admission costs £3.50, children free, dogs welcome (on a lead). Teas will be served, light lunches too on Sunday, when the garden will be open again, between 11am and 5pm. An abundance of fine plants for sale both days.

Also on Sunday, between 2 and 5pm, the 3 acre wild woodland garden of Mountfield Court will be open for the NGS, offering a fine display of azaleas, rhododendrons and other flowering shrubs. Entry off A21 at John’s Cross. Admission there too costs £3.50, children free, dogs welcome (on a lead). Teas and plants for sale.

In St Mary’s Church the Sunday services will be Holy Communion at 8am and the monthly Family Service for All at 11.15am, followed by refreshments served in the Hall.

Next Friday (May 16) between 10 and 11am Richard Perchard, our very helpful Police Community Support Officer, will be at the Farmers’ Market in Brede Village Hall, offering help and advice on any matters which may be of concern to any of us. Speeding on B2089 is clearly still one of these matters: you may have noticed a police officer with a speed-recording camera in the village last Sunday morning, just too late to book two motorcyclists who had roared through at a terrific pace less than an hour before. Better luck next time!

Richard Holmes

Beauchamps