Udimore

Easter Day was celebrated in St Mary’s Church by a large congregation representing all age groups and Udimore people from many phases of our history, ranging from recent arrivals in the village to former residents now living elsewhere (among the latter it was a pleasure to welcome Annie Hicks, accompanied by Roger, who used to drive for Farrant and Reid delivering Udimore apples to Hastings and Covent Garden). In this category it was also a pleasure to welcome back Cathy Bingham to accompany us at the organ, keeping us all singing the familiar Easter hymns at the brisk pace best suited to the occasion. “Signs of peace” have seldom been more enthusiastically or comprehensively exchanged in St Mary’s than they were this Easter!

On Easter Monday morning, a cuckoo was heard in the Brede Valley, our first in Udimore this year, but perhaps some of you may have heard one earlier?

Between 1pm and 5.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) seven of Winchelsea’s Secret Gardens will be open to the public, much earlier in the season than usual, giving us a special chance to enjoy some of the floral delights of Winchelsea in mid Spring. £5 covers the cost of visiting all seven gardens, children free. Teas will be served in the New Hall and there will be plants for sale. On June 21, for Winchelsea’s more usual mid Summer opening, you will be able to visit twelve gardens, including seven not open tomorrow.

In St Mary’s Church this Sunday Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8am, Evening Prayer at 6pm.

Richard Holmes

Beauchamps