Nevill

ADDITIONAL CAROLS: Carols, Mince Pies and Community Coffee with a sing-a-long will be held on Friday December 14 from 7pm to 8.30pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Highdown Road, where there will be a retiring collection for Nevill Good Neighbourhood scheme. There will also be Carols on Neville Green on Sunday December 16 from 2.30pm and 3.30pm. All ages welcome to both.

CHRISTMAS FAIR: St Anne’s Christmas Fair raised £1,217 for Parish funds. Thank you to all who contributed.

CHRIST CHURCH: Today, Friday, we have another Christ Church Tots session for pre-school children and their carers from 9.30am to 11.30am. The charge is only £1 per family. This Sunday is Advent Sunday, when we start to prepare for the birth of Jesus and its place at the heart of our Christian belief. Our service at 10.30am will be led by David Coleman from Seaford. All are welcome at both. The well-attended meeting of the Think Tank on November 21 heard a fascinating and thoughtful presentation by Jan Nawrocki, a senior consultant in the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. His presentation, How Surgeons Think, drew on his considerable experience as a practising surgeon, and in the education and training of junior doctors, to reflect on the stresses involved in a surgeon’s work and the importance of judgement and teamwork, as well as technical skill. Many of those present asked questions and contributed to discussion after the talk.

LEWES NEVILLE WI: Members heard from David Porter about life living above Clayton tunnel, a railway tunnel on the Brighton line which runs under the Downs near Hassocks. It was built in the 1840s and it has a tower at either side. Above there is a cottage where our speaker lives. He gave us a lively account of the history of the tunnel and the various families who lived in the cottage. We learned that there are advantages and disadvantages to living there, on the plus side there are splendid views and it is surrounded by beautiful countryside: on the down side the cottage is very cold in winter. Surprisingly, the noise of the train is not that intrusive. The speaker was very interesting and entertaining. Next month will be our Christmas party and members are asked to wear a Christmas jumper or something Christmassy and to bring a plate of food on the theme of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

ST MARY’S GARDENING CLUB: It is the AGM followed by Christmas festivities at the club on Monday. Members are asked to contribute a plate of finger food and a raffle prize if they wish. There will also be a quiz or two to test our brains and entertain us.

LANDPORT BOTTOM EXTRACTS: Additional dog waste bin has now been re-sited on the motor road close to the gates leading into the Tumuli and Small fields. All the sheep have been removed from Landport Bottom and the shepherd will advise when they will be returning; they will graze the Tumuli and Main fields throughout the winter. Volunteers have been cutting back vegetation in the Tumuli field, and around the pond in the Main field. Due to very dry ground the bonfire scorched the ground in larger areas, and the damage is worse than usual. Whilst it was felt that the grass would soon recover, the damage was not good for chalk grassland plants. Enquiries will be made to address this issue.

ADVERTISING: I shopped in Smiths this week and with my receipt, I received an additional piece of paper looking like a receipt, but which is advertising Pharmacy2U. This is not helping our local pharmacies but actually taking business away from them. Why, when we can get a more personal and efficient service from our local pharmacies, would we want to use this service, which I think is based in Leeds and who have to post the medication, which means if it doesn’t fit in your letter box, you would probably have to collect it from the Sorting Office. Let us be loyal and support our local businesses. They get a tough enough deal with the high rates they have to pay, without us deserting them.

ST MARY’S SUPPORTERS CLUB: Bingo tonight, Friday, with cash prizes and raffle. Eyes down at 8.30pm. Everyone welcome. Singer and entertainer Richard Ratcliffe performs his one man cabaret of music and comedy on Saturday December 8 at 8.30pm. Everyone welcome (non members £2 entrance fee). Why not look on our website, stmaryssupportersclub.co.uk to see what events are being held and how to make a booking.

JUMBLE SALE: Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society are holding a jumble sale tomorrow, Saturday, in Ringmer Scout Hut. Doors open 2pm with collection of jumble tonight, Friday. Leave by front gate with leaflet. They are unable to collect anything large or electrical items. Thank you.