Piddinghoe

LEST WE FORGET: It was something of a gala weekend in the village with the first production by the newly-formed Piddinghoe Players of War and Peace in the village hall on Saturday night and the wonderful Remembrance Service led by Revd Mary Sitwell in St John's Church on Sunday. The Players showed the value of their intense rehearsal-schedule with an entertaining two-hours performance, obviously with a Conflict-and-Armistice theme, containing old-fashioned song, dance, rhetoric and audience-participation plus a lively bar and delicious snacks. The Sold-Out notices were soon up (although it has to be said the village hall has only a capacity of 30 at the tables) for this type of event and all who attended enjoyed themselves immensely. Further productions are promised in the near future after a considerable donation from the proceeds was made to The Poppy Appeal. The theme continued, of course, 24 hours later when the church was packed to the brim with villagers and friends. Revd Mary set up a splendid and moving Remembrance show, recruited villagers to do readings, along with hymns, prayers and songs from the two Great Wars. Drinks were provided afterwards while Gill and David and Christine led the village bell-ringers who perform every Sunday in the Church at 9.15am. It must have taken a huge amount of hard work and although it was meant to last just 35 minutes, few would have noticed how long it did actually go on due to the sheer enjoyment of it all. The brilliant piper Vanessa Bristow-Rose stole the show with her powerful rendition of Battle's Over benefiting from St John's marvellous acoustics but Michael Bunting's vocals were also a delight and the contribution from members of Seaford Silver Band, including the playing of The Last Post, was a joy. There were word-perfect readings from Gavin, Bridget, Jim, David, Janet, Jennifer and Dr Mike With all the candles alight the Church looked a picture and especially the lovely flowers provided by Marcia.