Udimore

Beauchamps

• Last Thursday the AGM of the Friends of St Mary’s Church and the St Mary’s Vestry and Annual Parochial Church Meetings took place in the Community Hall. Welcoming the good number of Friends who attended the meeting, and thanking them and other Friends for their subscriptions, donations and support during the year, Celia Langrish was glad to report that their combined efforts had raised over £1,000. This had already paid for the fine new churchyard kissing gate, boiler room door and handrail for the steps up to the organ loft, and would also pay for a new protective external cover for the beautifully engraved “Sower” window, for practical improvements in the vestry and for some of the other work recommended after last year’s quinquennial inspection by our architect.

• Introducing reports from the Church Wardens, the Treasurer and the Overseas Committee, the Rector went on to thank all members of the Parochial Church Council for their support, and the many other parishioners who had contributed generously both with money and with time. He concluded a review of the church’s important place in the life of our community throughout the year by referring to two important imminent events: the expansion of the present Benefice of Brede and Udimore to include Beckley and Peasmarsh, and the commencement of work on the building of a new Rectory, adjacent to the present site of Brede Church Room.

• All Bunny Hawkey’s friends will be sorry to hear that she had a fall at Roselands last Sunday and broke a hip. She had a successful operation at the Conquest on Monday afternoon.

• Today (Friday) between 10am and noon PCSO Perchard and PC Collins will be at Brede Farmers’ Market, offering to permanently mark bicycles or any other valuable items you would like to safeguard against theft, making them less likely to be stolen (and more easily recovered if they are).

• In St Mary’s Church at 11.15am this Sunday everyone will be welcome at the usual monthly Family Service for All, followed by refreshments and a social chat.

• In the Hall at 4pm on Tuesday May 7 the usual monthly Messy Church will provide crafts and activities, celebration and a shared meal, for adults with children in tow. Messy Church now has a large regular following, but newcomers will be welcome too.