Ninfield and Hooe

BOOK EXCHANGE CAFE: Today, Friday, the Book Exchange Cafe is open in the Methodist Hall from 10am to noon. It’s great seeing people take advantage of these monthly sessions, with the opportunity to have a fun social occasion as well as find a new book to read. Held on the first Friday of every month, all monies raised will help support this and other village activities, all encompassed in promoting the health and well-being of people in our community. The book stocks are good and DVDs will soon be added to the range of choice. If you have any donations, please contact David on 01424 892248 or at [email protected].

FLOWER GROUP: Ninfield Flower Group meet on Monday in the Memorial Hall, 7.30pm with a demonstration by Gaenor Circus entitled Through the Ages. Non-members welcome at a small charge of £5 to include refreshments; all flowers used will be raffled at the end of the evening.

PANCAKE LUNCH: St Oswald’s Pancake lunch. On Tuesday St Oswald’s Church invites everyone to join them for a pancake lunch with soup in Hooe Village Hall between noon and 2pm. No tickets required, just drop in. Any donations to the church please.

NINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL: Meet on Thursday in the Methodist Hall, 7.15pm. Here is an important agenda item, the need for new parish councillors. You will see notices on Facebook, the Website, notice boards and in the Village Stores with the following plea.’Are you interested in the future of our village and community, a team player, a good listener, a good communicator,able to draw conclusions and make decisions that will serve the whole community? Can you explore and expand ideas that benefit the village, build consensus, build relationships across a broad range of groups and individuals, become a voice for your community? Ninfield needs new parish councillors, new ideas, new views. You do not need to have previous experience of local government, just a passion for your village and it’s future. There is no political affiliation, the role of parish councillor is to listen and represent their local community when discussing council business and working with outside bodies. For more information contact Jackie Scarff, Clerk to the Council, on 07725 843505, or email [email protected], or speak with one of the current councillors. Time is running out. With no Parish Council, all decision making will revert to external parties, that being the principal authority, usually the district council in our case, Wealden District Council, with no interest in, or knowledge of, our village. Take the next step, become a parish councillor at the forthcoming elections. Ninfield Needs You Closing date for application March 26. And please come to the meeting on March 7.

COMMUNITY FILM: Friday March 8, Community Film Afternoon in the Memorial Hall, doors open at 1.30pm, film starts at 2pm. The Musical Matinee will be Easter Parade, starring Judy Garland. The afternoon, with raffle and refreshments is free of charge. It is both dementia and hearing loss friendly and a great chance for friends, families and neighbours to get together and enjoy a wonderful time at the movies. Please call or email to book your place, so numbers can be gathered for refreshments etc 01424 892422, or [email protected].

HOOE BOOK EXCHANGE: Saturday March 9, Hooe Book Exchange in the village hall Hooe from 10am to noon. Come for a coffee and a natter, while upgrading your reading material. Every second Saturday of each month.

JUMBLE SALE: Saturday March 9, Flower Group Jumble Sale in the Memorial Hall, doors open at 2pm. Anyone unable to attend but who would like to donate items, please call Jennifer on 892878 to arrange pick up, or email [email protected] for more information on all events, shows and meetings.

VILLAGE SOCIETY: Ninfield Village Society have their annual Litter Pick arranged for Saturday March 9, with volunteers meeting at Sparke Pavilion on the recreation ground at 10am. Earlier than the Spring Clean advertised in all the press, the Village Society believe it’s vital to get the rubbish which has accumulated over the winter months, before the grass mowing season commences. Refreshments will be provided, and there is a good supply of reflective vests, sacks and litter-pickers to be used. Supervised children are very welcome. Your Village Needs You.

TALKING POINT: Tuesday March 12, Talking Point, 7pm to 8.30pm in the Methodist Hall. Subject The NHS.

MOTOR CLUB: Tuesday March 12, Robertsbridge and District Motor Enthusiasts Club. This will be the inaugural meeting of this new club, on March 12, in the The Ostrich, Station Road, Robertsbridge, commencing at 8pm. The Ostrich Pub is directly opposite the Rail Station next to the level crossing. All motor car enthusiasts are welcome to attend. If you don’t own a vintage or classic motor car, but have an interest, please go along and see what this new society is proposing. This came to me for inclusion in this week’s column from Michael Hennessey, thank you.

CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION: Wednesday March 13, Ninfield Carnival Association meet at 8.15pm at Ninfield Working Men’s Club. The next meeting to really pin down some of the vital details and create more Carnival magic. Please come and get involved it’s great fun, lovely people and fab way to meet like-minded souls who just want the best events for the village. Can you help on the day, Saturday July 13? Can you sponsor a raffle prize? Could you give some time to man a stall/game or the bar? Can you make a cake for the tea tent? Please let me know on the numbers/email at the end of the column. Thank you.

VILLAGE MARKET: Saturday March 16, Ninfield Village Market 9.30am to midday. Every third Saturday enjoy browsing and buying, then coffee, cake and a natter in the Pop Up Cafe. Call Chris on 893388 for more info or to book a stall.

NINFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: Meet on Monday March 18, in the Memorial Hall, 7.30pm. Speaker Sarah Page, who is the local expert on Sussex Trugs and their history.

HOOE PARISH COUNCIL: Meet on Monday March 18, in Hooe Village Hall, 7.30pm.

NINFIELD BONFIRE SOCIETY: Meet on Wednesday March 20, 8pm in the Working Men’s Club.

LOCAL HISTORY: Thursday March 21, Ninfield Local History Group meeting in the Methodist Hall, 7.30pm. Speaker John Bishop with a film show ‘A Farmer Moving South.

HOOE HISTORY SOCIETY: Meet on Thursday March 21, in the Village Hall, Hooe 7.30pm. Speaker Geoff Hutchinson, Rudyard Kipling.

ANNUAL SPRING SHOW: Ninfield Horticultural Society Annual Spring Show, Saturday March 23 in the Memorial Hall. Viewing from 2.30pm, refreshments and prize-giving. Schedules are in the Village Stores. Please try and enter one of the many and varied classes. Call Rose on 892422 or email [email protected] for more information.

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday, 10.30am Methodist Church, Family Cafe Worship with breakfast.

PARISH CHURCHES: Sunday, St Mary’s Ninfield, 9.30am Parish Eucharist. St Oswald’s Hooe, 11am Family Service.