Village Voices

Rhiannon Oliver

How to contact me: by telephone 01424 882037 or email [email protected]

November Parish Newsletter:I am compiling it at the moment, please if you have anything to submit ie, news from clubs& groups, quizzes jumble sales, concerts, adverts etc between November 2016 and beginning of March 2017 Please let me have it as soon as possible and not after 30th September. It can be emailed to the address above.

Friday 9 September: Pilates with Laura at 9.15am Brede Farmers Market in Brede Village Hall from 10am – 12noon with many local items for sale that you will not find anywhere else. Brede Short Mat Bowlers will be in Brede Village Hall at 7.30pm

Saturday 10 September: Emma’s Baby Ballet in Brede Village Hall at 10am

Sunday 11 September: The Church Services are as follows: Father Anthony White conducts the Mass service at 9.00 am in St Theresa’s Catholic Church on the old Northiam Road, if you need to contact the Father his number is 01424 773125

At St George’s Church: the Sung Eucharist starts at 9.30am in amongst the flowers, a lovely experience. Father Martin can be reached on 01424 883408. The Church’s Website is http://www.stgeorgesbrede.org.uk

This mornings service at the Methodist Church in Broad Oak at 10.30am. Will be taken by the Pastoral Minister Peggy Heim and she can be contacted on 01424 422350.

Monday 12 September: Yoga in Udimore Hall at 9.30am. In Brede Village hall at 7.30pm the whist players will be in action. The Village Hall is empty during the day, if you want to hire it please phone Carol Kynvin 01424 882123The Guiding section meet in the small hall of Brede Village Hall; the Rainbows meet from 4.15- 5.15pm, they welcome girls aged between 5-7 years, Julie Piper can be contacted for both on 01424 883464 or mobile 07863599537. The Brede Scout sections are all held in the Scout Hut Stubbs Lane, Beavers welcome Boys and girls from 6 years old they meet from 5.15pm to 6.15pm. Contact Cherry Merricks 01424 251242 or 07761730956. Cubs are 8-10½ years old and meet from 6.30 – 8.00pm there are also vacancies for children to join, the Contact is Colin Ward 01424 852413 The Scout Hut is a lovely Hall to book with disabled toilets and is available on all weekdays and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings and the weekend. It is £6.00 per hour. Please contact me Rhiannon Oliver at the above as I am the booking clerk for the Scout Hut. Whist is in Brede Village Hall at 7.30pm

Tuesday 13 September: Pilates with Laura in Udimore community Hall at 9.15am

Brede Painting for Pleasure at 9.30am in Brede Village Hall.

Join the Knit and Natter group at the Broad Oak Methodist Church at 10am

Brede Scouts meet, from 7pm – 9pm in the Scout Hut and any young person 10½ or over is welcome. The contact is Andy Bishop 07811339626

Wednesday 14 September: Pilates with Laura in Udimore community Hall at 9.15am. Brede Women’s Institute meet at 2pm in Brede Village Hall. The speaker is Layton Frewen the subject is Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Thursday 15 September: Pilates with Laura is at 9.15.Yoga is at 10.30am both in Udimore Community Hall. Stretch and Tone with Sally in Brede Village Hall at 9.30am

Friday 16 September: Pilates with Laura at 9.15am Brede Farmers Market in Brede Village Hall from 10am – 12noon and Brede Short Mat Bowlers will be in Brede Village Hall at 7.30pm

Do book the following soon as tickets are selling fast.

Saturday 1 October: Sue Lee from Brede who is an archaeologist will be ‘Digging up the Past’ a talk on behalf of the Friends of St Mary’s Church at the Udimore Community Centre from 3pm – 5pm. Tickets are £ 7.50 and include tea & cake, hurry to buy your ticket as they are sure to sell out fast as Sue knows her stuff and is very good. Contact Sue Rowan 01424882681 or Richard Holmes 01797223055 or Gillian Rothery 01424882774 or Liz Turgoose 01424 882657

Wednesday 19 October: the friends of St George’s are holding an illustrated talk by Dr. John Crook on Brede Memories. It will be held in Brede Village Hall at 7.30pm. Entry is £7.50 and includes cheese, biscuits and a glass of wine. Tickets are available from Marion Firman 01424 751165 or Pat Whately 01424 883069 This will be most interesting so book early so as not to be disappointed.

Saturday 29 October: Quiz Night in Brede Village Hall 7pm for 7.30pm start. Teams of 8 people, Fish & chip supper, £9.00, there will also be a raffle.

Quiz created & presented by Iain Cumming and Magaret Sandra on behalf of Brede Village Hall Management Committee. The Village Hall is a major resource for the Village, Funds are needed to keep it in good repair. Please support it and contact me, ASAP, Rhiannon Oliver 01424 882037 and before 15 October to book your team and food request.

Sunday 30 October: the Brede & Udimore Overseas Group are holding an English Tea Party with cakes scones meringues and jellies at Chitcombe Oast. Please put the date in your diary and contact either Liz Turgoose 01424 882657 or Judy Edwards 01424 882222 to book up for this afternoon of fun and food.

Please ::let me know in good time if there is anything you would like put in the column.

Burwash

Mary Taylor

[email protected]

Magic: Bertie the Magician will be back in the Burwash village hall tomorrow by great demand. He is a very popular entertainer who is enjoyed by both children and adults. The show will start at 2.30pm when Bertie Pearce will astound you with his slight of hand. You will have a great afternoon enjoying his expertise. Tickets are £5 for adults £3 for children available at the door. Refreshments will also be available. For more information please call Shirley Viney 01435 882497 or email [email protected]

Fete: The annual summer fete and Dog Show at the Burwash Common playing fields will take place tomorrow afternoon from 2pm. The 1066 pipes and drums band will be there to entertain throughout the afternoon. Attractions include a miniature agricultural steam engine, fun dog show for juveniles, veterans and rescue etc. Free children’s competitions and races, assault course, bouncy castle, games, tombola, and much more. The raffle has been sponsored by Barclays and the will be a barbecue and homemade cakes for refreshments. If you can help with donations to any of the stalls or with helping to set up and take down the stalls and gazebos etc, please call Jan & John McCartney on 882117.

Bateman’s: Today is heritage day at Bateman’s, the home of author Rudyard Kipling. You are invited to enjoy and explore the home and gardens from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free, and you can enjoy a lovely cup of tea with a delicious slice of cake afterwards. For more information please call 01435 882302.]

Cinema: If you still have energy to enjoy something else at the end of the day why not visit the open air cinema at Coolings Garden Centre in Knockholt in aid of Hospice in the Weald. Momma Mia is on show tonight with Top Gun tomorrow evening. The gates open at 6.30pm with the films starting at 7.30pm. please feel free to take along picnics, seating and warm clothing. Tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for children. £5 of each sale will go to the hospice. Call 01892 820580 or online ar www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk

BLG: The Burwash ladies group will meet at the village hall on Wednesday afternoon from 2.15pm. This lively group of ladies enjoy a wide variety of talks etc and would be pleased to welcome new members. At the end of each month they also have a group outing somewhere. If you are new to the village and would like to join them why not go along on Wednesday and see what they have planned for the rest of the year.

NSY: The Burwash Not so Young club also meet this week. They too will be in the village hall from 2.15pm on Thursday. The members are an energetic senior members of our community who have great fun with many different monthly meetings, which happen on the third Thursday of each month. They would be delighted to see you there so why not go along and meet them all.

Catsfield

Jill Jarrett

[email protected]

Sussex Historic Churches Trust Ride & Stride: This year Mike and Rosemary won’t be leading this annual ride but if anyone would care to take up the challenge, Mike has all the necessary bits of paper, lists of churches in Kent and Sussex etc. Whether you cycle or walk and would like to raise money for the trust, try a gentle ride or walk around the churches in Bexhill or Eastbourne or further afield tomorrow 10th September from 9am to 6pm. Mike’s number is 01424 892681

Message about ‘The Catsfield Boat Race’ on Sunday 18th September: To date we’ve had 17 boats register, which is fantastic for our inaugural event and teams are busy building them. We can’t wait to see them on the day! There’s still time to enter so please register using the website below. It would be great to get to 20 boats and remember that the money raised from the races and activities at the recreation ground afterwards will support village projects and St Michaels Hospice this year.

Don’t forget the races are between 11am – 1pm and road closures are in place during that time for The Green, Church Road and Church Lane. After the races there will be activities, a BBQ and bar at the recreation ground from 1pm – 4pm. Lastly any final offers of help on the day would be gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Scott Lavocah

Chairman & Founder of the Catsfield Triangle Association www.catsfieldboatrace.com

Last Night at the Proms: This latest event from the fundraisers for St Laurence Church will be a very special evening in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Saturday 24th September. ‘A Last Night at the Proms’ will feature songs from the musicals and include a flag waving, rafter raising, patriotic singing of Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory. The performers will be the Rother Community Choir and the choir of St Laurence Church. Tickets are available from Sandra Shoobridge on 01424 774708 costing £10 each to include supper, liquid refreshments will be available to buy.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning: This annual event will take place on Friday 30th September from 10am – 12pm at Jane and John’s home, Newlands, Skinners Lane – look out for the balloons! After many years hosting this event, Gwen is going to drink the coffee this year instead of making it for everyone else! Come along and support this fund-raiser for Macmillan Cancer Care.

WI: The ‘At Home’ meeting of the Catsfield WI on 1st September was missing a few members who were on holiday, but more than thirty were present for a very enjoyable summer’s afternoon in the Village Hall. There was a brief recap of the minutes of the last meeting in the absence of the secretary and the treasurer was presented with a donation of £30 from the Scrabble group towards the funds raised for our charity, the Air Ambulance Service. We were reminded that there will be a beach combing walk starting from the foot of Galley Hill, Bexhill on 22nd September at about 10.15am and leaving Catsfield car park at 10am. This will be at low tide and will head towards the west and the coffee shop!

Following all the notices, the main event of the afternoon was members talking about ‘My House in Catsfield’. We heard about twelve or thirteen different homes and the stories were fascinating – tales of renovation, history, discovery and facts about previous inhabitants of the village. The families of three or four members had owned the properties since their childhood and they had wonderful memories of their formative years spent there and one still lives in the same house. Others of us were comparative newcomers to Catsfield and had only lived in the village for a mere twenty or thirty years, but the feeling mentioned by all was one of this being a very special and unique place to live. After tea and the raffle everyone was saying as they headed home what a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon it had been. There had been much laughter, some sadness and the chance to get to know more about the lives of our fellow members and the history of very diverse and interesting properties with tales of old village life. How very lucky we are.

Sport: The first football match of the season and we played well and won. Although playing Hailsham Athletico, the match was held at Eastbourne. There was no opportunity to hear the shouts of “ole” from the opposition, as they failed to score, the result being 3 - 0 in our favour. Tomorrow we hope to continue our winning, if short, streak at home to Hollington United.

Etchingham

Colin Boylett

[email protected]

ETCHINGHAM CLUB: Live music at the Club tomorrow evening (Saturday September 10) with The Big Blue, music from 9pm, everyone welcome. More information on The Big Blue on the website www.the-big-blue.com . Everything you need to know about the Etchingham Club on the Club website www.theetchingham.club

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: Public Meeting next Saturday September 17, 12.00 noon, Etchingham Village halls. This is your chance to get involved in the future of our village. However much, or little, time you have to spare your input is essential to get our Neighbourhood Plan right for both the present and the future.

Following our successful application for the Civic Parish of Etchingham to become a Designated Neighbourhood Plan Area and a subsequent follow up meeting with Rother District Council, it is now time to call a Public Meeting to begin discussion on setting the Vision and Objectives for the Plan and to get the Steering Committee and its Task Groups in place.

Full details and further publicity will follow but this is chance to get the date in your diary so you can be there from the start of this project and make your voice heard. There will obviously be a call for volunteers to help in various ways but we would like absolutely everyone living or working in the village to feel they are part of this whether they have time to volunteer or not.

If you have any queries at this stage please phone the Parish Clerk, Paulette Barton on 01580 819048 (ansaphone if office closed) or email [email protected]

PROJECT EDWARD: On Wednesday September 21 TISPOL are running a European wide road safety campaign called Project Edward (European Day Without A Road Death). This is designed to support the EU in reaching their target of a 50% reduction in serious and fatal collisions across Europe by 2020.

The main method in promoting this project is by way of getting as many people to sign up to a road safety pledge as possible. Consider signing up to the pledge. this can be done either as a group, organisation or as an individual. The pledge can be located online via this link https://www.tispol.org/edward

In Sussex and Surrey we are looking to promote and support this project in as many ways as possible and will be using both educational and enforcement methods, Police teams and Speedwatch groups will be out in force on that day doing as many speed checks as possible, and other organisations will be running educational schemes on the day.

What is TISPOL? It is the European Traffic Police Network with Police Forces and safety organisations across Europe working together to make the roads safer.

The Etchingham Speedwatch group has six roadside sessions planned for the day and neighbouring villages are also working on planning roadside sessions.

SPEEDWATCH: Etchingham Speedwatch is looking for more volunteers for the group, it is not a difficult task and you do not need to devote a lot of time to the task, unless you want to. Being available for an hour a month or just occasionally is as useful as being available every day.

Speedwatch is NOT about catching people, but vehicles recorded over the prescribed limit are reported to Police and will receive a warning letter. The main purpose of Speedwatch is a visible presence to educate drivers to drive slower through speed limit areas, consider sparing a little time to help. There is just a little instruction to start with which is not complicated and is done online from the comfort of your home, once that is completed you are able to take part in as many or as few sessions as you wish. If you are interested, or want to find out more, register on he Speedwatch website www.communityspeedwatch.co.uk or contact the Etchingham Co-ordinator [email protected] . You can get updates on what the Speedwatch group is doing on Facebook www.facebook.com/etchinghamspeedwatch and Twitter @etchspeedwatch

SPEEDWATCH RESULTS: You may be interested in some of the basic results from the Etchingham Speedwatch group for the month of August. Sessions run = 22; Vehicles recorded = 262; Letters sent = 230; Fastest vehicle during month was 52mph. Three vehicles were referred to Police for further attention, 26 vehicles failed the check at DVLA mainly due to wrong colour or wrong vehicle details recorded. These are just some of the figures available, if you require more details contact the Etchingham Co-ordinator.

BONFIRE NIGHT 2016: A date for your diary ! With the kind permission of Mr Tim Crane, Etchingham Improvements Committee are pleased to announce that the Etchingham Bonfire Night will be held on November 12. Further details will follow nearer the date with timings and location.

CHURCH INFORMATION: Details of what is happening at the Church, and service details, can be found online at www.etchinghamvillage.co.uk/church

MOUNTFIELD RIDE/WALK: Mountfield Church Ride/Walk takes place on Sunday September 18. The full route is approximately 10 miles, but with opportunities to shorten according to fitness levels of participants. The full route will be almost entirely off road round fields and woodland that are not on public rights of way and therefore not normally accessible to the public.

Entry fees for riders are £15 in advance or £20 on the day, under 16’s £10 (£15 on the day), walkers £5 in advance or on the day. Dogs, on leads, are welcome. Free parking, refreshments at start and finish, setting off times are between 9.30 and 12.30.

If you require more information contact Peter or Valerie Miles 01580 880614 [email protected]

FUTURE EVENTS: Do you have events planned for later in the year? Send me the dates and basic details now, I can then give your event a mention well in advance of the date, people can note the date and I can then put the full details in nearer the date. Now might be a good time to give readers the date of your Christmas events, even if it is only the date with more details to follow later.

SENDING INFORMATION: Get information for this column to me as soon as possible. There are several ways to get your info to me, but email is preferred because there is less chance of errors during copying. I need information by 10pm on Monday to be sure it will be in time for inclusion, I can sometimes add extra items on Tuesday morning, but this cannot be guaranteed. You can deliver to 2 Park Farm Close, telephone 01580 819532 or 07484 635014 or email [email protected] you will also find a form on the village website ( http://www.etchinghamvillage.co.uk/village-voice ) to send your information from there, look for the Village Voice link near the bottom of the column of links on the left-hand side of the website page.

Fairlight

Keith Pollard

[email protected]

Church Matters: This Sunday, September 11, there will be a service of Holy Communion at St Peter’s at 8 am, and then one of Morning Praise at St Andrew’s at 10.30 am

Today at MOPPs, and next week, too: Today, Friday, September 9, the get together commences at 11 am with the group’s Annual General Meeting, when all the caring, feeding and fun are briefly suspended for the sake of the important business essential to the smooth running of all that members love so dear about MOPPs. Then it’s back to the feeding and fun with lunch consisting of turkey and ham pie, with gateau for afters.

Next Friday, September 16, the entertainment is MOPP’s Chairman Jim Saphin singing, as he does so well. Also available that day will be toe-nail cutting with Nicola, so don’t forget your clippers! Oh, and you’ll need your clappers for Jim… Lunch will be fish pie followed by fruit flan.

The group welcomed six new members in July, and I don’t know how I missed them. They are Barbara, Betty, Jean, Marion, Michael and Susan. They’re surely going to enjoy MOPPs !

Fairlight Gardening Club: Tuesday Ladies Club members should look away now, as what follows is a bit of a spoiler for their September 20 visit by Heather Goodsell! Heather was making a welcome return to the gardeners last Monday and she duly entertained the members with an amusing but very poignant tale of her pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury. In 2010, Heather sadly lost a number of her horse riding friends and one in particular, Polly, who died at St. Michael’s Hospice, inspired Heather and her daughter to ride to Canterbury as a memorial to her friend, and to raise money for the hospice. The swishing tale of the horse ride across the South Downs and beyond – typically filled with funny anecdotes – was both enjoyable and interesting, as was hearing how she now actively supports the St. Michael’s Hospice Riding Club.

A reminder concerning the Gardening Club next meeting, on Monday, October 3, when they will be paying a further visit to the gardens at Fairlight Hall. The trip is open to both members and non-members at a cost of £5 per person, which includes tea and cakes. If you would like to join the outing, please contact Karen Draper on 814154. The deadline for putting your name down is Friday, September 23.

Karen is prompt and meticulous in ensuring Voice knows what is happening and has happened in her Club. For this relief much thanks.

The Wine and Social Club: The Club has a ‘Carpenters Tribute’ evening next Monday, September 12 at the village hall at 7.30 pm. Entertaining those present will be Mick Rose, a popular and regular fixture at the Wine Club’s Christmas do’s, together on this occasion with Karen, standing in for the late, great Karen Carpenter. Non-members are welcome to attend, and it will only cost them £10 each. If you’d like to be there, you’d better get your skates on and call Peter Jones on 01424 813538 pdq.

Fairlight News: Under new management, that’s your Fairlight News, as previously reported. Ken and Joan Hall have safely delivered 12 excellent quarterly issues to us, with a print run of just short of 600 four times a year. They have developed various aspects of the magazine, adding, subtracting and generally fine-tuning what is a first-rate asset to Fairlight village life. Our sincere thanks are due to Ken and Joan for all they have done. Their heating bill will probably rise this winter without their editorial duties to warm the surroundings! As far as is known, one of the newcomers to the Residents association committee, Jenny Turner, will be vitally involved in the content of the magazine in future, plus one, (or is it two?) others. Fairlight News is all about communication, and we await the updated communication on the management structure when all may be revealed.

Activate: After the recent Open Meeting to discuss the future of Activate, it was announced that the existing youth club is closed – for good! But from the ashes of Activate is rising The Club, taking over where its predecessor left off, and now under the new leadership of Luci Mantel. She’ll be opening the doors of The Club on Tuesday, September 20, and running weekly on Tuesdays from 7 to 8.30 pm. Club welcomes all comers from 9 to 16 years. If you would like more information, please contact Luci at [email protected]. Meanwhile, ‘BusyArt’, the art and craft club, will be reopening for 5 to 11year olds on Thursday, September 22, running each Thursday from 3.45 to 4.45 pm. More on this is available from Wendy on [email protected].

The change of name for Activate has been made because Wendy Hatch and Activate have been

synonymous, and as Wendy is retiring from the Activate front line, this would create an unfair situation for the incoming Luci.

Wendy reminds me that the planning for Activate began in the Spring of 1997 with an open meeting at St Peter’s. The Club opened in early 1998 and the headquarters building started going up in 1999. This was a second-hand temporary classroom at Epsom College, which was re-designed by Ray Rowley and re-built by willing hands in the village, plus a lot of help from Nick Booker.

Luci Mantel came along to club with her little sister Abi, (and in fact Luci and Wendy found several photos of the two sisters when sorting stuff out. Their Mum and Dad were very supportive at that time, and Luci is no doubt hoping they will be again!) Luci will also be directing the Panto Group’s offering for next January, too.

Over the years, Activate trips have included those to various activity centres including Bewl Water, Avon Tyrell, in the New Forest, Stubbers at Upminster in Essex, and PGL at Windmill Hill, as well as holding local camps, and sleep-overs at the clubhouse. The furthest they have ventured was to Agistri in Greece in 2010 which, coincidentally, is where the present older group are about to go in October.

Activate rates highly in village estimation, along with MOPPs, the Playgroup and Pett Level rescue Boat, and it was this community opinion of Wendy’s efforts that led to her becoming, in 2009, the first recipient of the John Lutman Community Service Award, the only time the award has been given on the basis of total signature votes for each candidate in a genuine first past the post contest. Wendy’s total was vastly impressive. Wendy also started – and still runs – the local choir that has now been renamed Village Voices. I like it!

Acoustic Night: We’ve all caught up with the closure of The Cove, and many are more than a bit disappointed that nothing seems to be happening, when the local belief has been for a quick refurb and turn round to re-opening (fish restaurant and bar?). Among the delights now denied us is the ever popular acoustic night once a month has also come to an end. Good news, though, of the resumption of activities on this score as Ken Hall has managed to arrange the next acoustic session in the bar of the Fairlight Lodge Hotel. Everyone will be welcome, so do go along and get the new venue started with a bang! The first acoustic night is to be held on Wednesday, September 28 at 8 pm. If all goes well, the sessions will continue on the last Wednesday of each month. Watch this space!

Icklesham

Marion Lovell

[email protected]

GREETINGS: Unusual today, it is a wet Monday morning. September does seem to be time of change. End-of-summer holiday times, start -of-term for schools again, weather-change and so on.

CHURCH NEWS: The 9.30am service for the sixteenth Sunday after Trinity will be Parish Eucharist led by Rev. Malcolm Pickering. During the week we remember Sunday as Social Justice Day; Holy Cross Day on Wednesday 14th; Battle of Britain Day on Thursday 15th; Prince Harry’s birthday also that day - he’ll be 32; and Ninian, Bishop of Galloway, Apostle to the Picts in 432 on Friday 16th.

WEATHER: We do seem to be having storms nipping across the Atlantic. So far we have escaped the worst of the winds which have hit the northern parts of the country. But I am hoping for a lovely Indian Summer. September can be beautiful. There is a full moon on Friday 16th - the Harvest Moon, and there will be a lunar eclipse. Whether we shall see it I am not sure.

RACE NIGHT: This will take place on Friday 23rd September in the Memorial Hall with a 7.30 pm start. Profit will be shared between the New Pavilion Fund and the Robin Hood Bonfire Society. Admission is free. Please bring your own drinks. Former Icklesham Casuals captain Steve Beale will be compere for the evening. It will be Icklesham themed and a number of high quality horses will be taking part in seven of the races but maybe not the eighth and last. Some of the horses are called Icklesham Express, Main Road Marauder, Workhouse Lane Wonder, and Goldhurst Green Glory. Please look on the club website - www.icfc.co.uk for a full list of runners. If you would like to be the proud owner of any of these horses, the cost is £2 with the winning owner receiving £10. Please email David Mayne at [email protected] to make your purchase and support the fund raising. A full list of horses also appears in the September Parish Magazine.

QUIZ NIGHT: The first Quiz of the season is on September 10th at 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall. The profit will be shared 50/50 with Icklesham Trust and Icklesham School. It costs £2.50 per person, teams of up to 6 members in a team, bring your own food and drink. You do need to book - there is no turning up on the night. [email protected] is the email to contact for booking.

QUEEN’S HEAD: The live music at 4 pm on Sunday will be played by Jem Turpin and Jez Walker, playing folk rock. Food is served 12 noon - 2.30 pm & 6 - 9.30 pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon - 9.30 pm Saturday and Sunday. As well as the main menu there are always specials on the board to tempt you. I have yet to find out who the joker is who delights in giving alternative spellings to many dishes. Very clever, whoever you are.

CONTACT: Thank you for all incoming information about events. Keep it coming.

AND FINALLY: With the children back to school and students to colleges and university, may I wish all of them a happy term. That includes teachers and tutors as well.

Iden

Gill Griffin

[email protected]

BACK TO SCHOOL: I can feel autumn beckoning can’t you? The hydrangeas, a mass of vibrant bloom all summer, have taken on a faded, papery look .Rose bushes are still churning out flowers. Their way of thanking us for all the dead-heading, is to keep producing blooms until the brink of winter [tit for tat] Everyone mourns the passing of summer, and none more so than school children. It’s back to school time. Time to cram a lifetime’s learning into a few short years. The first few days are a little unnerving. A new teacher, a new classroom, a brand new timetable, and every year advancing to the serious nitty gritty of GCSE’S. Rows of school uniforms adorn the shops. Pens and pencils line up in W.H. Smith’s like soldiers. School shoes are the biggest expense [boy’s feet are almost as big as the boxes the shoes came in.] Games kit, is ordered, and new gum shields, and if the girl’s skirts get any shorter they might as well not bother. “Just who do you think you are lady Jane,” my mother would always say if I tried to sneak off to school in winkle pickers [or the best one was “ you turn my brain”] She always said that if I asked for a long list of ingredients for school cookery]. During The first school assembly there will be a speech about working hard, and working towards being an impeccable human being, the rudiments of which are hard to drum up in stiff new shoes, a new haircut, and a blazer that leaves room for growth [surely not four years worth though mum!] Packed lunches rear their ugly heads once again [Mum, I did tell you I’ve gone veggie?] It’s so hard to ring the changes [you’ll have to make do with a peanut butter bap and a yoghurt, I’m not made of money] Schools always used to smell of disinfectant, a smell that made your stomach sink to your boots on the first day back. I think it’s different now, Schools seem much more cheery these days, more pupil-friendly .When I washed up Mrs Padfield’s [our Domestic science teacher’s] demonstration pan of bottling syrup by mistake, I thought I was a goner!

A MATTER FOR SERIOUS CONTEMPLATION: Iden is a bright and breezy little village, all cheery waves, and friendly banter, until that is, we are faced with a potentially catastrophic event. Oh it could happen. We’ve all witnessed our weather doing things out of character of late, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to be prepared for some outlandish happening. So, on Wednesday, 14th September. At 7.30pm, in Iden village hall, representatives from East Sussex Fire and Recue Service, the Police, and medical services will be on hand to give advice on what to do if we are at the mercy of the elements, or some other serious event. It will be worth turning up, just to hear what the emergency exercise entails. The evening is the brainchild of Roy Campion, a member of the I.C.E team [Iden Community Emergency forum] Roy can be contacted for further information [telephone 01797 280147]

A SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION: There will be a service of Holy Communion on Sunday, in Iden Parish Church, at 9.30am.

KNIT AND NATTER: Approaching autumn, does seem to herald a need to knit, or do some form of craft. Once the winter woollies come out, the knitting needles are inclined to follow. On Tuesday 27th September a fortnightly ‘Knit And Natter’ begins in Iden village hall, from 2pm-4pm, at a cost of £2.50, including tea and coffee. Any craft, and of course any amount of natter will be welcomed.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING NEW: A new weekly Tai Chi class has begun. The well- known Yoga and Tai Chi instructor Matthew Hammond will take the class in Iden village hall each Tuesday from 10am-11.30am. The next class is on 13th September, and everyone is most welcome. Apparently, it’s very advantageous for health and well-being, so it’s worth a try.

STEPHANIE’S IDEN SIGN: Stephanie Harrison designed our Iden sign, which graces the entrance to our village. It’s a lovely portrayal of Iden fashioned in metal and very much admired. John Hazelden uses it to front the quarterly Iden magazine. It’s a fitting tribute to Stephanie’s artistry.

THE POP-IN: The next Pop-In will be on Monday19th September, at 11am, in Iden village hall. Everyone is welcome for a chat and tea and biscuits, plus some books and bric-a-brac.

BINGO: The next Bingo session is on Thursday 22nd September. In Iden village hall. Doors open at 2pm, eyes down at 2.30pm. There is much fun to be had. There is a flier, a Jackpot, a raffle, and a light tea served at half time. Proceeds go to Iden village hall. Do come along. Everyone from the Rye area is welcome.

A BRASS BAND IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE: On Saturday 3rd September, ‘Sussex Brass Band’ played in Rye Community Hall, in aid of ‘Magdala House Day Centre’ [in Ferry Road Rye], which welcomes elderly people, with a hot meal, companionship, and art therapy .The usual stalwarts who organized the concert and helped were Bill and Stevie Coleman, Dave Pelham [whose wife Rebecca provided the food], Jean Addie [ treasurer], and Di Davis, who is always there to help. A lovely evening, providing a mixture of modern, and wartime music to set our feet tapping. The band finished with a song called ‘Sussex by The Sea’, a song I’d never heard before. Many thanks to all concerned.

HI THERE KEN!: My cousin Ken regularly reads our ‘Village Voice , in Edmonton, Canada. Isn’t it amazing how the internet closes the gap on the vastness of the ocean. Not only that, if he visits, he comes to the Pop-In, and he came to our last Parish Council meeting. He is a bit of an Iden ‘groupie’. Like one of the ‘Miss Read’ books, we do epitomise a typical English village. My Canadian Granny loved the Royal family. She kept a scrap book of all Royal events, and she would show me the pictures and say “and here is a picture of Princess Margaret Rose”. I used to think of my English Granny as someone who smelt of mint sauce. The smell of fresh mint lingered on her and her chopping board, and I asked her once if she kept rabbits, because she had a meat safe in the scullery, during the post war years. One thing I noticed particularly when I left Canada and came to England to live, aged 11 years, was Izal Germicide loo paper. I thought it was amazing that they bothered to stamp ‘Government Property’ on every little square. One of life’s great mysteries is where we will end up living during our lifetime. We go where life leads us, and one thing is certain, wherever we go we leave a chunk of our heart behind!

Mountfield

Peter & Valerie Miles

[email protected]

SW CONSTRUCTION NEWS: SW report that Solomon’s Lane will re-open a couple of weeks earlier than scheduled — probably week ending September 9th but will be adding another closure to the end of the previous schedule in late March. There are a couple of other minor date changes (asterisked below) for the Hoath Hill and Eatenden Lane closures so the current schedule looks like this: New Cut: Sept 12 – 30, Church Road: Oct 3 – 28, Hoath Hill: Oct 31* – Nov 18, Eatenden Lane: Nov 21* – March 10, Solomon’s Lane: To be confirmed. This revised schedule will be posted on the parish website, parish notice board (if you can get to it!), and on various useful strategically placed telegraph poles round the village. There is still much to be sorted out but progress to date is covered below.

VILLAGE SIGN: Most people will have noticed that the village sign has been removed for safe keeping and restoration. It is currently at a health spa in a secret location on a regime of salads and saunas. As it happens, this proved to be a timely removal as when Jim and Peter inspected the sign, they found the old oak post was dangerously unfit for purpose.

RUBBISH/RECYCLING COLLECTIONS: There was a really constructive meeting between Kaye Hargen from the contractors, Russ Ingold from Kier who collect the rubbish and recycling, and Peter from the Parish Council. There are still a few bits to finalise but the two key parties now have planned for all of the scheduled road closures so there should not be the problems that beset Solomon’s Lane for the first few weeks.

SCHOOL BUS: Above all, by the time you read this, the new arrangements will already be in place for the school bus and should have been tested. These arrangements will stay in place for the duration of the construction works, regardless of the shifting road closures. For information, the bus will enter Solomon’s Lane from the London Road, turn in the bellmouth of the works access and pick up or deliver children at the new School Bus Stop which is in front of the gate to the Children’s Playground on Solomon’s Lane. This solution caters for all currently scheduled road closures, has the approval of ESCC, parents and councillors as well as, above all, Nigel the bus driver who has looked out for our children so brilliantly. It’s also pleasing to report that this solution came from Tony, the site foreman. It should also be said that it owes precisely nothing to those responsible at ESCC.

BARBARA’S NEWS: BarbaraValentine has written with various bits of news from Mountfield Park Farm: “I’m so much looking forward to our art classes starting a new term on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th and have just stopped by to admire the beautifully varnished Village Hall floor. Also looking forward to the Village Gathering, and will be doing quick portraits there as well as having a mini-exhibition of the students’ work.

Last week in my garden I found part of a stone-age axe head, and a sharpened stone that could have been used for skinning animals. I will bring them to the Gathering to see what everyone else thinks. I keep thinking of the stone-age hunter/gatherers in our little valley!” (We think Barbara means she will bring the artefacts to the Gathering, not the hunter/gatherers. It should be fairly easy to tell as soon as you enter the Village Hall. Or maybe not.)

VILLAGE AUTUMN GATHERING: The Mountfield Village Hall Autumn Gathering on Sunday September 25th (12.00 noon till 4.00 pm) is getting nearer. There will be plenty to eat and drink with a BBQ, tea and cake, and beer from the Club so you can sit and chat with friends old and new. In honour of the refurbished floor there will be a competition to find the most outrageous slippers in the parish so please wear your moccasins, fluffy mules, Disney slippers or whatever else keeps your toes warm on an autumnal Sunday afternoon. There will be music and maybe even dancing to christen the newly varnished floor boards. The Village Hall Committee will also be looking for the biggest pumpkin grown in the parish so bring yours along and see if it’s a prize winner. There will be an indoor play table for kids with craft activities to keep them amused plus the outdoor games will be set up. For rather bigger kids, there will be Speed Snooker in the Club with a prize for the person who can pot the most balls in five minutes plus table tennis for the fleet of foot, hand and eye. Anyone interested in a table to sell crafts or advertise a product or local event should contact Amy on 01580 881282. And it would be particularly nice to see anyone who no longer lives in the village. Above all, the Autumn Gathering is the best excuse in the world for a big natter with old friends and neighbours and maybe meet some new ones, all over a cuppa or a pint. What could be better?

HIGHWAYS MATTERS: There are two current issues. First the signage on the A2100 Crossing is not only underwhelming but, so ineffectual that traffic thundering past flattens the sign with its slipstream. Highways have been alerted. And after the deep hole in the pavement at the end of New Cut was reported, Highways came along and erected a large orange barrier which obscures all vision to the north of the junction. If you don’t understand that there is anything wrong with either of these situations, you could probably easily get a job in Highways.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: This will be held next Tuesday, September 13th, at 7.30 in the Village Hall. The full agenda will cover, among other matters, Southern Water construction works, (lack of) progress on improvements to the lighting at Riverhall Crossing, Highways matters, (see above), the memorial plaque from the M&W School site, and local broadband.

MOUNTFIELD CLUB: A reminder that the date for the Wayne Hardy Charity Darts night has now been moved to Saturday October 15th at 7.30. Entrance is £3.00 with all proceeds raised going to British Heart Foundation. For further information on any of the Club’s activities, please phone Steve Smith on 07720 298971 or email [email protected].

BRIGHTLING BARN DANCE: This is tomorrow, Saturday 10th from 7.00 pm with music from the Catsfield Steamers, licensed bar and BBQ. Tickets are £10.00 in advance from Victoria Fraser at Banks Farm, Mountfield (01580 880500) or £12.00 on the door.

MOUNTFIELD RIDE: Next weekend is the Mountfield Church Ride/Walk on Sunday September 18th. Due to the road closure on New Cut, arrivals from the London Road (A2100) should come via Solomon’s Lane and Hoath Hill. The Ride/Walk offers a 10 mile route (with opportunities to shorten it according to fitness levels) with almost the entire route off road and off any public rights of way. Entry fees are riders £15.00 in advance (£20.00 on the day), under 16s £10.00 (£15.00), walkers £5.00 either way. Dogs (on leads — they can be extending leads) welcome. Free parking. Refreshments at start and finish. Setting off times are between 9.30 and 12.30. Also some very good-looking marshals.

FISHY BUSINESS: A regular feeder of ducks and geese on Church Pond has been in touch to say that his impression that there are fewer fish in the pond was confirmed by his discovery this week of a plastic bag containing the filleted remains of three very large carp behind a hedge in New Cut. Please be vigilant, particularly at weekends. Carp are a particular delicacy in certain parts of Europe. Pick the bones out of that.

FINALLY: Have you seen the shiny new swing seats in the Children’s Playground fitted (finally but with finesse) by Jonathan Playfoot and Harry Keeler? The Parish council are looking into ways of replacing the chippings beneath with something safer and more efficient.

CONTACT: If you have anything for the Village Voice, we can be contacted on 880614 or via [email protected]. We always welcome contributions and feedback.

Ninfield & Hooe

Sami Guard

[email protected]

Opening Night Looms!: Well, actually, by the time you read this it’ll have been and gone! Tech. week went well..considering..! It’s amazing, but it really doesn’t matter how long a rehearsal period is... it’s ALWAYS fraught by the end, with the last Dress rehearsal a scrambled nightmare and the Actors emerging afterwards like bewildered rabbits in headlights!. But, that old adage ‘Bad Dress, Good Performance’ often holds true, and whatever happens, I’m sure that ‘Somewhere in England’ will have launched successfully on the 8th! The BBC came to film us last week, and were suitably impressed with our 1940’s portrayal of the radio broadcasts... seems like I found the right voice in the bag after all! Jolly good show! Anyway, having just got back from a quick circuit of the Sea Festival event (and purchased lovely breads, chutneys, olives etc!) it’s time to settle down and get the column out, before driving back to Bedford later.. it’s a quieter week for diary entries, so will be a little shorter, and maybe leave me time for a quick, pre-travel 40 winks..!

Hooe Open Group: Meet this Friday, 9th September at 2.30pm in Hooe Village Hall, and as always, new members are very welcome to go along and join in with this lively group of Ladies! There are Raffles, Cream Teas, Speakers and a lot of laughs on these Friday gatherings, so please call Edna Wallis on 01424 842591 for more details on what they get up to each month!

Ninfield Action Group: This coming Monday, 12th September, 7.30pm at the Reading Room, Church Lane; the Chairman, Paul Coleshill, will be very pleased to welcome residents at a meeting to update everyone on what has been happening over the Summer, with regard to the proposed planning / building issues, and the documents put forward by Wealden District Council. The latest consultation period is closing soon, and the Parish Council are submitting their last pieces of information, evidence and pleas for the reduction of the housing numbers suggested by WDC for Ninfield. If you would like to hear the latest information; add your voice to the mix or volunteer help in any way, please email [email protected]. Ninfield is strongly against over-development, but will support and promote proven, sustainable change.

Ninfield Local History Group: Will be meeting on Thursday 15th September, at 7.30pm in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane; when they will welcome back Ian Everest, who will be giving one of his extremely entertaining talks - this time entitled ‘Shepherds of the South Downs’. Light refreshments will be on offer, and new members are always welcome! A little later in the month, on Saturday the 24th September, there will be an afternoon at the Memorial Hall - a bigger venue, to accommodate an exhibition and displays, plus another chance to hear the fantastic talk given by Liz Darbyshire and David Swales on the History of Ninfield School. This was so popular and acclaimed last time, that the group have thankfully decided to do it again, entry is only £2 for non - members and £1 for members; so please take this golden opportunity to catch this fascinating and important look at a central part of Ninfield’s History. Doors open at 2pm with the talk starting at 2.30pm; if you’d like more information, please call Rod Ffoulkes on 893635 or email [email protected] AND! Don’t forget...the History Group Calendar.! 2017 will look a whole lot brighter if you purchase this unique and original Calendar showing scenes of the Village created and painted by resident, local artists. It’s only £6, can be bought from now on, and is an ideal Christmas present!

Hooe September Song Concert: I’ve had a message from Jack Rist at St. Oswald’s Church in Hooe, who has informed me that there will very soon be a fantastic Song Concert to raise more, much needed funds for the Church Roof Restoration project. On Saturday 24th September,7.30pm, the Church will host a stunning evening of well known songs and arias from the world of Opera and Operetta; and they will be performed by Grace Constable, Soprano and Gary Marriott, Tenor, with accompaniment by Duncan Reid. Tickets are available at £10 per head which will also include a Light Supper with a glass of wine. This will be a very popular event, and booking early is advisable! So! please call Janet Pattison on 01424 845087 and get your places now!

Ninfield Bowls Club: Thanks to Carole, who gives the following report.. A few results for the week after the Bank Holiday.. 31st August - Ninfield 63 Fairlight 82. Then, 2nd September, only 8 ends were played before the match had to be abandoned due to rain. 3rd September - Ninfield played the Visually Handicapped team from Hastings. They had a fantastic afternoon, in better weather, and all played well.

Hooe Parish Council: Will recommence it’s bi-monthly meetings on Monday 19th September, 7.30pm at the Village Hall, and all Hooe residents are invited to attend. Please contact Sally Durman on 893007 for any information.

Ninfeld Bonfire Society: Wednesday 21st September at 8pm in the Ninfield Working Men’s Club. This will be the penultimate meeting before the big event... The Bonfire and Fireworks Night to be held on Saturday 22nd October. Do go along and hear how things are progressing; call Carol Holland on 893326 or look at their website http://www.ninfieldbonfire.co.uk/ -for any more information.

Church Services: Methodist Church - Sunday 11th September 10.30am - Service of Worship and Praise.

Parish Church - St Mary’s Ninfield - 9.30am Combined Parish Eucharist Service - ( no service at St.Oswald’s)

Defibrillators: Can be found in the usual places - for emergency aid in Ninfield - go to the Kings Arms PH front entrance wall, in Hooe - it’s on the Red Lion PH front wall.

And Finally!: Please keep in touch, with the next few weeks of diary entries, or reviews/ stories from your Summer Holidays; and if you’re organising events this month, enjoy the early Autumn sunshine that has been forecast! Oh, and by the way.. the Hornet Sting?..still there and still irritating...Not impressed! Let’s hope the pesky creatures go into hiding soon! But while the weather is good...? I must admit.. its typical that the sun comes out when the youngsters go back to school...and typical that the costumes for this play in Bedford are somewhat heavy and hot to wear! Who needs weight watchers! Call 07970650321, email [email protected], Tweet @guard_jane Thank you!

Northiam

Karen Ayling

[email protected]

Badminton: Our two badminton clubs welcome players of all abilities, and provide all you need to learn or get back into the game. On Friday, the adult club starts at 8pm, contact Karen Ayling (01797 253375). The Monday club is run by Sue Clark (016797 253428) for one hour from 5.45pm. Both operate as drop-in sessions, so do just turn up and say hello! A thriving junior club is run by Pete Thomson (07815 84517), with three graded sessions on a Friday evening, starting at 5.30pm.

Autumn Show: The Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show is in Northiam Village Hall on Saturday. Take a look at the schedule (available through the village website: northiamvillage.co.uk) and see if anything takes your fancy. As well as horticulture, there is flower arranging, photography and the domestic section – and anyone can enter. Entries need to be taken to the Village Hall by 10.30am, with the Show opening at 2.30pm. There’s something for everyone - and it’s fun!

Open Garden:The gardens of South Grange, Quickbourne Lane, will be open under the National Gardens Scheme on Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm. There will be homemade teas, including sandwiches made to order, and plants for sale. Demelza Hospice Care for Children is the worthy charity. The gardens are accessible by wheelchair.

Rabbit Show: The Rabbit and Cavy Club will be holding a Show in the Village Hall on Sunday – take children along if you dare – they are seriously cute!

Line Dancing: We now have Line Dancing back in the village. Helen (who used to run a really popular class in Northiam) returns to the Village Hall with an absolute beginners class each Tuesday at 10am. If you fancy trying this out, why not go along when everyone else is starting from scratch? You don’t need any special clothing, just comfy footwear. Sessions are £5, and there is a discount for booking ahead. Good exercise, nice music, friendly people – what’s not to like? Call Helen (01797 252087) to book a place or find out more.

Toddlers: Northiam Tadpoles baby & toddler group meet every Tuesday 9.15 - 11.15am at Pretious Sports Hall, Main Street (the hall between the primary school and nursery.) The session is £2.50 per family (to cover costs) for age 0-5’s which includes a healthy snack for the children, drinks and biscuits for the parents/carers, there are lots of toys out for all ages and finishes with song time.

Womens Fellowship: Sally Bickersteth will be giving an update on all the wonderful work being carried out in Chitiwiri, thanks to the money raised by the various projects in Northiam. If you are interested in hearing more about this link with Malawi, Women’s Fellowship meets in the Church Centre at 2pm on Tuesday and you will be very welcome – no membership, no fees, no pressure!

Coffee Stop: Call into the Church Centre on Wednesday mornings for coffee and a chat at Coffee Stop, between 10 and 12 noon.

Footpath Walk: For a circular walk in Sandhurst, meet in the surgery car park at 9am on Wednesday. This will be a 9½ mile walk with a pub lunch and tea at the end of the walk.

Thursday Seniors: Thursday Seniors’ Club meets every Thursday in Northiam Village Hall from 10.30am until 2.30pm. All pensioners are welcome, and free door to door transport can be arranged for anyone in Northiam, Beckley, Peasmarsh and Broad Oak if you are on the Rye Community Bus route. The cost is £7 and includes welcome tea/coffee, a freshly cooked 2 course meal, extend chair exercises and a talk/entertainment. Call Joan 252568, Jane 252973 or Linda 252283 to find out more as a member or a helper.

Craft Fayre: The Bonfire Society are holding their next Craft Fayre on 17th in the Village Hall 10am – 2pm. Interesting local makers, home-made cakes and bacon rolls!

Harvest: St Mary’s Church will be holding a Celebration of Harvest at the end of the month, to include an art exhibition and various stalls. A great opportunity to appreciate the skills of a small band of dedicated flower arrangers who beautify our church throughout the year.

Church Services (11th)

St Mary’s: 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Praise

St Teresa’s: 9am Mass

peasmarsh

Jan Weston

[email protected]

Doctors’surgery: Peasmarsh - Due to low demand these have now been reduced to one per month which will be the first Tuesday of the month between the hours of 11.30 am and 12.30 pm. To book an appointment contact Rye Medical Centre on 01797 223333.

PEASMARSH PLAYSPACE PROJECT: Third Boot Fair to be held on Saturday 10th September at the Recreation Ground in Peasmarsh – 8.00-12.00 noon Booters - £5 for car £7 for Van.

Peasmarsh Flying Start Pre-School: are looking to recruit a Pre-School Assistant – 10 hours per week lunch cover 11.00 to 1.00 pm Term time only. Applicants must be enthusiastic, have a passion for childcare and display knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). An NVQ level 2 or 3 childcare qualification is preferred but not essential, as is prior experience of working in an Early Years Setting. The successful applicant must be prepared to study for relevant qualifications. To apply visit www.flying-start.org.uk/recruitment All applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Disclosure and provide at least two references. The Pre-School is an equal opportunities employer.

REGULAR EVENTS IN THE MEMORIAL HALL: Brownies – Mondays at 6.30 pm – re-starts 12th September

Sing for Fun – Wednesdays at 2.00 pm

Mothers and Toddlers – Thursdays at 9.30 am

Yoga classes – every Wednesday at 7.30 pm and every Friday at 9.30 am.

Zumba – every Thursday at 7.30 p m

FILM CLUB: Friday 9th September at 7.30 pm – Film is “Carol”- New Members welcome

FLOWER ARRANGING GROUP: Wednesday 14th September from 10.00 am to noon – Theme is A Monochrome Arrangement – new members welcome – contact Deirdre Bull on 01797 230208

QUIZ NIGHT: Saturday 24th at 7.30 pm. Entry fee £5.50 including Ploughman’s Supper, BYO drinks. Come as a team or join in with others.

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11th September 8.00 am Holy Communion at Beckley

10.00 am Holy Communion at Beckley

Seasonal produce: will be for sale in church porches from 9.30-11.00 on Sunday mornings, all money raised to go to church funds. Please feel free to bring along any excess produce you may have, together with some small change to make purchases.

BECKLEY AND PEASMARSH HARVEST FESTIVAL:Sunday 9th October Family Service in Beckley Church at 11.00 am followed by a hot, two-course Harvest Lunch in the church – Lunch tickets £8.00 for adults, £5 for children for more information and to buy tickets contact Mrs. Jennifer Als – 01797 230324 or Mrs. Diane Marsh 01797 260596

Pett &  Pett Level

Mary Saint

[email protected]

Church Services: Church Services on Sunday September 11 – Morning Worship, St Mary & St Peter, Pett at 9:30am. There will be a Sunday Service at the Methodist Chapel at 10:45am.

Village Voices: On Monday September 12 the Village Choir will meet at Pett Methodist Chapel at 7:30pm.

Pett Older People’s Project: POPP on Tuesday September 13 will feature skiffle group Field Stone Boys. The session runs from 10:30am to 2:00pm and will include a two-course lunch for just £5.

Mobile Library: The next visit will be on Tuesday September 13 when it will stop outside Pett Church from 10am until 10:30am.

Pett Gardening Club: Please note that this month there is no meeting in the village hall.

Pett Church Flower Festival: This will be held in Pett Church on September 17 and 18, starting at 10am on the Saturday and 11am on the Sunday. The theme is ‘All that glitters is not…’

All these flowers decorating our churches are beautiful and memorable but are also a tribute to God. In the Pett Flower Festival, there is the additional significance that each arrangement is dedicated by a generous sponsor to the memory of a loved one or of someone known and admired.

As you probably remember from previous years, the church and churchyard will be full of stalls including Tombola, raffle, bric-a-brac, sweets, plants, produce and cakes.) Teas and luscious cakes will be available.

So please do plan to visit the Festival and if you can contribute a prize for the Tombola, so much the better!

Robertsbridge

Sandie Madge & Sue Paine

[email protected]

St Mary’s Church: has its monthly breakfast at the Salehurst halt on Saturday 10th September between 8.30am – 10am. This month the speaker is Stephen Gurr who is from the Chestnut Tree Hospice. Also it gives a chance to chat over coffee about what is new at St Mary’s. If you would like to know more about this please contact Angela on 880307.

Also on Saturday is the `Sussex Ride and Stride`, which is a sponsored event in aid of Sussex churches and chapels. St Mary’s will be open between 9am – 5pm to greet any visiting walkers or cyclists. To find out more info. go to www.sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk

Church services this week Sunday 11th September start at Hurst Green Holy Trinity for Breakfast Church at 9.30am, then at 11am at St Mary’s Salehurst for Sung Eucharist.

Robertsbridge Community Choir (RoCoCo) :is starting again on September 14th at 7.30pm. This is at Robertsbridge Club in Station Road. Members pay just £3 per session. There is no audition and the only requirement is to enjoy singing. You will be made very welcome.

Monthly Whist Drive:this is not on in September but will be back at Robertsbridge Hall on Thursday 20th October. All abilities are welcome to go along and enjoy a pleasant evening of whist.

Robertsbridge Club: is holding a `School Disco` just for Adults on Saturday 17th September. Hits from 70`s, 80`s and 90`s. Assembly is 7.30pm and don’t forget your uniform. Entry for members is FREE and just a £3 entry for guests. Could be a lot of fun.

Robertsbridge Rainbows, Brownies and Guides: are holding a Quiz Night on Friday 23rd September at Robertsbridge Club opening at 7pm for a 7.30pmk start. It costs £5 per person with a maximum of 6 in a team.

Robertsbridge United Football Club: is holding a `Race Night` on Saturday 24th September at Robertsbridge Club with the first race at 8pm. Get there a bit earlier to sort out your table and drinks and have a great evening at the Races.

Robertsbridge Club: is holding a `Absent Friends` Charity music event on Sunday 25th September starting at 3pm. This is going to be a lovely musical afternoon remembering friends that have gone too soon.

STOOLBALL: Our final match of the season was a Mixed home game against Staplecross with the visitors opening the batting in this 8 over blast. Ginette[3] was caught by Richard Apps off the bowling of Keith Apps[1-10] with 24 on the board but a 111 run partnership between Adrian[92n.o.] and Lilly[29] was ended when Lilly was run out while Audrey[0n.o.] saw their innings close on 137-2. Our reply was steady with Keith[48] and Sarah Clark[6] opening with a 26 partnership before Sarah was bowled but Abigail Green[10] shared a 41 partnership before she was caught. Charlie Apps[5] joined Keith for a 34 run partnership before she was bowled and the very next ball Keith was caught with the score on 101. 37 runs needed from 17 balls put the pressure on the two new batsmen as the darkness fell but Lisa Fifield[5n.o.] and JJ Boast[32n.o.] batted skill fully to see us home by just 1 run in an exciting and very friendly match to end the season. On Sunday the Mixed team played at Hooe’s Tournament and won 2 out of the four matches to finish third however Ian Kitson won the Most Catches and Wickets trophy. This Sunday is our Mixed Tournament at the Cricket Ground at 10.30a.m. If you’ve not seen stoolball played before then why not pop down and enjoy this very Sussex game. There will be food and soft drinks available.

Sedlescombe

Judy Torrance

[email protected]

CREAM TEA AFTERNOON : This Saturday, September 10, there will be the annual Cream tea afternoon in the rectory garden by kind permission of Father Kevin starting at 3pm . Do keep the date free to go along and join in having a delicious homemade cream tea in lovely surroundings on hopefully a lovely day. If the weather should prove inclement then the event will be in the parish church.

SEDLESCOMBE AND DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB : The next meeting is this Wednesday, September 14 in the village hall. This month there is a visiting demonstrator, Graham King interpreting the title “I’ve had an idea”. If you love flowers and would like to see what you could be creating with them then make this a date in your diary. Doors open at 7pm in readiness for the demo to commence at 7.30pm. During the evening there will be time to catch up with friends and make some new ones hopefully, over a cup of tea or coffee. There will be also be the opportunity to buy flower arranging accessories at keen prices. Members please encourage a friend to enjoy the evening with you. Visitors are always welcome, so come along and see what it is all about. You may even be taking one of the arrangements home if you are lucky in the raffle! For details prior to the date please contact Janet on 01424 773708 or Sheila on 01797 223927

SDGS AUTUMN SHOW: Sedlescombe and District Gardening Society hold their Autumn show on Saturday September 24 in Sedlescombe village hall. Open to the public from 2.00 p.m. Presentation of Awards and Prizes at 4:00 p.m. Entries are encouraged in Cut Flowers and Foliage, Pot Plants, Vegetables and Fruit, Floral Art, Domestic, Handicrafts and Photographic Sections Entries from Young Gardeners specially welcome, Enter “Fantasy Land” in the Family Competition and win the Ferguson Cup Or win the Asselton House Cup in the “Great Apple Pie Contest” Entry is open to both members and non-members. Staging of entries between 8.00 to 10.15 a.m. Entry forms can be found online at www.sedlescombegardensociety.org.uk, at the Village Store or from the Show Secretary Brenda Page. Nuthatches, Balcombe Green, Sedlescombe, TN33 0QL Tel 01424870455

LIVE MUSIC AFTERNOON EVENT : Popular band, Loose Ends UnTied, proved a great hit when they played at the Summer fayre. They are hosting an afternoon of live music at Sedlescombe village hall on Sunday October 2 from 3pm to 5.30pm. Go along and have a gentle, fun afternoon listening to great melodies from the 20s,30s,40s,50s and beyond, played in a relaxed acoustic style. Have a dance and enjoy some tea and cake. Admission is £8, including tea and cake. Pay on the door. For more information look up www.looseendsuntied.com or Facebook/looseendsuntied

OPERA EVENING FOLLOW UP : The Friends of Sedlescombe Church Heritage Trust raised over £630 from this event. Thank you to everyone that attended this perfect evening in this perfect setting with Thomasin Trezise. We hope to welcome Thomasin back for another event in the near future and look forward to seeing you all again then.

POTTERY CLASSES : Would you like to try something new and put your artistic talents to use using traditional techniques and air dry clays? Isabel will be running adult classes for all abilities at Sedlescombe village hall on a Thursday afternoon from 2 to 4.30pm. Each session is £15 to include all materials and a refreshment break starting on September 15 through to October 13.

Later in the year starting November 17 through to December 15 from 2 to 4.30pm, Isabel will be running clay sculpture classes. Each session is £15 to include all materials and a refreshment break. For further details on either of these please contact Isabel on 07913825670 or 01424 871605 or isabel@ isabelfisherart.co.uk

SEDLESCOMBE THEATRE CLUB: As I write there are two spaces available for the coach trip to Windsor Castle on September 21. The Queens wardrobe will be on display featuring clothes, jewellery and accessories she has worn during her reign. If you are interested in joining this trip please contact Shirley on 01424 870475 or Jenny on 01424 871445.

HAVING A CLEAR OUT? : The Friends of Sedlescombe Church annual jumble sale takes place on Saturday October 22 in the Sedlescombe village hall. Please think to collect up your unwanted bric a brac, clothes, toys, shoes, books etc. in fact anything that you think could be sold to benefit the charity on this date. We would be pleased to take it from you, just deliver it to the hall on the day, it is as easy as that. If it is not possible for you to bring or store then please contact Pauline on 870412 to arrange a collection prior to the date.

HAVE YOU NEWS ? : I look forward to receiving your news to be published. If you are looking for new members for your club or organisation why not send me a small piece, outlining your club or organisation aims, activities, membership etc. or if you have an event coming up in the village or local area then why not let me have the details to advertise for you? This is a free service to the village offered by the Battle Observer and hope you will take full advantage of it. Please contact me by email at [email protected] or by calling 870344. Please allow a couple of weeks notice before an event to allow for full coverage.

Staplecross

Anne Reed

[email protected]

COMMUNITY NEWS & REVIEWS: Ewhurst, Staplecross & Bodiam Garden Society ~~ The Annual Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Show took place last Saturday (3rd) in the Village Hall. This superb horticultural show was promoted by the Garden Society as part of their Programme of Events and was the last for this current year. Despite the many wide and various classes offered to everyone - not just the residents of the Parish - sad to say, the entries were rather low and some classes remained unfilled. The standard of those that did enter was, as usual, superb and the sight and scent of the blooms on show, were a joy to see. There was a large variety of fruit and vegetables to ponder over, as well as the classes for flower arranging, home produce, handicraft; preserves, home baking and art-work in which to choose your own personal favourite from. Sadly, visitors to this show were also lower this year than as previous, but those that did attend, eagerly awaited the results of the show judges decisions whilst thoroughly enjoying the superb tea and delicious home baked cakes, as provided by Ruth Close; Susie Hewer and Maxine Hammond. Many grateful thanks are, as always, extended to all those who not only exhibited in one of the many classes, but also helped out in one of the many ‘hidden roles’ of this event, - without them, this little show could not have been held. The full results of the show will follow next week. The next event in the calendar of this popular and very friendly horticultural society will be Thursday October 6th 7.30pm in Staplecross Village Hall with the guest speaker being Alison Marsden, a great garden designer who will be helping us all get “More Impact for Less Effort” - as the title for her talk implies, - from our garden. Included in this month’s meeting will be the ever popular @ Apple Dessert Competition’. So please make a note of the date & time and we all look forward to welcoming you then.

ORGAN DONATION: DEPT. of the N.H.S. “The National Transplant Week” comes into the calendar once again from 7th ~ 13th September ~ Just 7 days to say “YES I DONATE”. I know that this is still rather a ‘taboo’ subject as no-one likes to think about -let alone talk about- death and the issues that surround this very emotional subject, but the organisers of this event want the entire nation to join in the conversation about ‘Organ Donation’ as a third of people who wish to donate their organs haven’t told their family and friends. So share your decision now, so it doesn’t go to waste. On average, - 3 people die every day because there just aren’t enough organs available. One day it could be you, or someone you love that’s in need of an organ transplant. You can add your name to the Organ Donation Register and help save others after you’ve gone. This can be done at any time, but why not do it now, as part of this ‘National Transplant Week’ .This register is confidential and secure. Medical staff consult it to see if a patient has made the decision to be a donor and ANYONE can register as a donor - AT ANY AGE. You can choose to donate some or all of your organs and you can change your mind at any time. It only takes a few minutes to register as all you need to do is visit http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ or call 0300 123 23 23 or pop into your own doctors surgery to pick up a leaflet. Currently, only 61% of people on the register have told someone of their wishes, their decision and that they are registered. Strangely and regardless of how you may have wished it, sadly your family’s consent IS needed for a donation to go ahead and letting them know your wishes now, will make it easier, less painful and less emotional for them in the future. By discussing this beforehand and letting them know your request will make a sad decision, easier, simpler and quicker So, if you’d like to do something unique and rather wonderful and give someone a new chance of life, then please, - “Lets Talk About It”.

ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL: Businesses in Rother are invited to attend the second meeting in a series of free events aimed at helping them improve and grow. RDC is working with business coaching and support company ‘Pro-actions’ to put on four business seminars this year in Battle, Bexhill and Rye. This second seminar, entitled “ How to Take Your Business to the Next Level and Succeed “ will be held at Battle Memorial Hall on Wednesday September 14th. between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Businesses attending will receive information, tips and advice on techniques to help them improve their sales success rates and win more customers. Cllr Martin Kenward, RDC Deputy Leader and Business & Voluntary Sector Liaison, said “It’s vital that we do whatever we can to work with partners to help boost the district’s economy. These seminars will offer companies a fantastic opportunity to benefit from expert advice and guidance which can help them to grow and develop. The events are completely free, but places are limited and booking is essential, - so I’d urge businesses to reserve their place as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out.” Further seminars will follow towards the end of the year with further topics. Anyone who would like to attend any of these seminars can book their place by calling Pro-actions on 03333~440517 or by visiting the events page of the website at http://www.pro-actions.com/events

SUSSEX HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST ~ RIDE & STRIDE ANNUAL EVENT: It’s that time of the year again when that stalwart chappie, Alastair Neill will once again jump on his trusty steed, - or in this case, his bike,- to take part in the Annual Ride & Stride Cycle Ride around the county. This year this charity event will take place on Saturday September 10th. You can choose the area that you’d like to ride or stride around, and Alastair will give you a list of the churches open & more importantly, those where you can get sustenance etc. from. Sponsor forms are also available from Alastair and remember that 50% of all the money you raise goes to our own church and the remaining 50% goes to the Sussex Historic Churches Trust. For further information on the Sussex Historic Churches Trust,- check out www.sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk/ If you fancy giving this a go, or better still, get up a group to accompany you, then why not ring Alastair on 01580~830245 or email him at: [email protected] You get to ride or stride through our glorious countryside, visiting beautiful and unique historic buildings, and the money you collect through your sponsorships benefits our community and helps preserve our history - winners all round, wouldn’t you say ?.

STAPLECROSS BOWLS CLUB: Bringing their busy 2016 calendar of fixtures slowly towards the close of the season the members still have a few more matches to play. Two matches will be played this week - one at home and one an away match. The first game will be played on Saturday September 10th at 2.30pm and will be the ‘away game’ with their opponents being Clive Vale. Match No:2 is to be played at their home ground at Northiam Road, Staplecross on Tuesday September 13th. This time the opposing team are from Horam (Alternat Years) and the match will commence at 2.30pm. In between these games the club will be arranging and playing in two finals events, so the teams will certainly not be idle, tho’ some may be looking forward to their well deserved Winter break. If you’d like to learn more about outdoor bowls and would like to have a try at this fascinating sport then please contact Brian on: 01580~830570.

ROTHER RAMBLERS: There are four (4) walks planned for this week, with two of them, very unusually, taking place on the same day. Walk No:1 is planned for Saturday September 10th and is a 7 mile circular stroll,- mostly coastal from St. Leonards. The meeting point is the “Eagle House Hotel”, Pevensey Road, St. Leonards. OS EXP124. TQ800093. (SatNavTN38 0JX) at 10.00am. The walking notes state; “Trip to Pier near end”, - a good fun reason to join in. This walk is to be one of the walks that the ‘London Blind Ramblers Group’ will join in during their visit. Jane and Peter are to be your ‘walk leaders’ for this meander and you may contact them on 01424~733300.or Mobile:07732~366090 for all further details. Walk no:2 will also be happening on Saturday September 10th and is a slightly longer route of 10 circular miles around Rye. The meeting point for this trip is West of junction of Kings Avenue with New Road (A259) Rye OS EXP125. TQ925207. (SatNav TN31 7LS) at 10.15am. The walking notes advise it’s mainly flat along river banks, across Walland Marsh, short climb over dunes at Camber Sands. Some stiles. This will be another walk in which members of the London Blind Ramblers group will also participate. Once more a picnic lunch is also suggested. For today, Tim will be your ‘walk leader’ and you may reach him on 01424~272459 or Mobile: 07831~768588. Walk No: 3 is planned for Sunday September 11th and is a 5 mile short meander around Battle which will include a fascinating local history commentary for all to enjoy. The meeting point will be Battle Railway Station OS EXP124. TQ755156. (SatNav TN33 0DE) again at 10.00am. This walk will be lead by Battle Ramblers and this group will also take the London Blind Ramblers group ‘baton’ for today. Please check out their website at rotheramblers.org.uk for all further information. Last, but certainly not least comes Walk No:4. Arranged for Monday September 12th. this promises to be a simple stroll of 6.5 miles of coast & countryside around Winchelsea. The meeting point will be Dogs Hill Road car park, close to the public toilets, Winchelsea Beach. OS EXP125. TQ918160. (SatNav TN36 4LX) at 10.15am. This will be the final walk for the London Blind Ramblers group visit and with a picnic lunch in Winchelsea Churchyard (!) and an optional choice of tea following the walk, at Winchelsea Beach Café, it seems like a good and enjoyable walk will be had by all ! Jane and Inga will be your ‘walk leaders’ for this excursion and you may contact them on: 01424~733300 or Mobile:07732~366090 (Jane) and/or Inga at 01424~812597 for all further details.

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: Once more, we look forward to welcoming the little Mobile Library Service as the van, carrying all the exciting goodies on board, wends it’s way through our little countryside lanes on it’s way to our little outlying rural communities. It’s first visit and only visit to this area for this month, which will be on Thursday September 15th. will be to Staplecross, where it will park in Cricketers Field, between 1.40pm and 2.10pm. Following on from that session, it will then meander down to Cripps Corner, - where it will now use the car park of the ‘Direct Recovery Yard between 2.20pm and 2.45pm. for the foreseeable future. This venue is on the Battle Road, over the bridge, toward Swailes Green. The residents of this little hamlet can then avail themselves of this vital and much needed service. This is a relatively new ‘stopping place’ - due to the closure of the local pub and uncertainty of it’s proposed future, please do still make as much use of the facilities on board when the van visits your areas. The Library is about more than just books, so please come along and see for yourself and help keep this service going for the benefit of all who live in our outlying rural areas and perhaps, cannot always easily access the Main Branch facilities.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL~ The Committee are holding a Fund-raising Mammoth Jumble Sale on Saturday September 24th from 2.00pm. So clear out your closets and cupboards of ‘stuff’ you don’t want anymore, - to make way for other stuff you do want !. Jumble ‘donations’ can be brought to the hall from 9.30am or if this isn’t possible, you can telephone Hilary on 01580~830704 or Anne on 01580~831881 who can often arrange collection of it. Also if you are able to help on the day, then please telephone either of the above ladies d offer your services. Your helping hands will be very much appreciated.

STAPLECROSS BONFIRE NIGHT: Just to advise you all that this years annual Torchlight Procession and Firework Display will be held on Saturday October 29th. Hosted by our very own Bonfire Society, - which meet in the Cross Inn at Staplecross - the first Monday of each month at 8.pm. New members are always very warmly welcomed to this small but mighty friendly social group who work tirelessly throughout the year arranging various functions and events which all raise money to benefit local good causes and chosen charities. Further details can be found on their web-site http://www.esbs.org.uk/ - or just pop in anyway and say hello.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green, on Sunday September 11th. Trinity 15. at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion (BCP) There will be NO SERVICE today at St. Giles, Bodiam, but a service which will also include Holy Communion (BCP) will follow directly afterwards at 11.15am at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross. If there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further assistance, especially Baptisms, Weddings and sadly Funerals, then for the time being, do please get in touch with the appropriate Churchwardens: ~ For all Bodiam matters, please contact Graham Peters - email at [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830203. For all Ewhurst Parish matters please contact Jo Goodwin - email [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830601. Help in some way is always at hand and always so generously given, so do please contact them.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If you are arranging an event in the foreseeable future, --- whatever the nature of the event and however large or small, if you’d like some extra coverage for it, then please get in touch. If it’s of interest to you, - it’s of interest to us. it’s never too early to send in any of the details and to tell us what you are planning, so please do contact me, as I’d love to hear from you and to help ‘spread the word’ on your behalf...............Thank You.

Udimore

Richard Holmes

[email protected]

BRENDA HARTILL’S OPEN STUDIO: At 3pm tomorrow (Saturday) at her Pound House gallery (opposite Church Gate) Brenda Hartill will be giving a print demonstration and a talk about her work.

Examples of her work over the last 45 years will be on show in her gallery throughout the weekend, between 11am and 5pm both tomorrow and on Sunday. These will include some of her most recent work: unique abstract collages and mixed-media paintings, embossed watercolours and encaustic wax and acrylic paintings. She is best known for her heavily embossed limited edition etchings and collagraphs, based on landscape forms. Among works for sale will be artist’s proofs of her figurative etchings, on offer for half price.

This is a great opportunity to meet one of the most talented of our local artists and to see a wide range of her most imaginative works.

CHURCH SERVICES: In St Mary’s this Sunday there will be a service of Holy Communion at 8am, and the monthly Family Service for All at 11.15am (followed by refreshments for all in church).

Westfield

Janice Bolton

[email protected]

Last Saturday’s Jumble Sale: in aid of Cancer Research and Myeloma UK made around £430, and the organisers would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped, donated jumble and who came to buy.

Westfield Women’s Institute: meets in the Parish Hall this afternoon at 2.15pm, when Ruth Ward will be talking about ‘The Beauty of Stained Glass’. The competition is an item of coloured glass. New members are always welcome; just come on the day, or ring the W.I. President Mrs Val Walkinshaw on 07927 403200.

Westfield Horticultural Society Autumn Show: is the not to be missed event tomorrow, Saturday September 10. Come to the Community Hall from 2.30pm, and give yourself time to admire the entries in the flowers, vegetables, home produce, arts and crafts classes. Refreshments, tombola and raffle complete a lovely afternoon.

Friendship Club: meetings have been changed back to the 1st and 3rd Mondays from 2-3.30pm, starting on 19 September, but at now at the New Inn. Members play bingo and whist, with a cup of tea and biscuits during the afternoon. New members are always welcome; contact Jean Hobson on 01424 753095.

F3 Women’s Group: celebrates its seventh birthday on Thursday, September 22, and you are invited to the bring and share meal at 6.30pm in the Parish Hall. Please bring a savoury dish; puddings and drinks will be provided. Lisa Coe is the speaker, with ‘A Tale of the Unexpected’, and entry is £2 as usual. Please let one of the committee know if you are coming.

The Westfield Village website: www.westfieldvillage.co.uk has all sorts of information about village organisations, events, news and views, Westfield Community Association and the Parish Council. Please use the website Contact page to leave contributions for this column.

Whatlington

Jean Scott

[email protected]

VILLAGE FETE: now that the money has all been counted I can confirm that a grand total of £925 was raised – this has kindly been topped up to £1000 by an anonymous donor. So grateful thanks to the donor and to all those who helped make the event such a success. The money will be invested in the village hall, it is hoped to improve the access routes for all users. Don’t forget you can hire the village hall and car park for £8 per hour, if you want to have a look at the facilities these can be seen on a virtual tour on the website www.whatlingtonvh.org. Bookings can be made via the website or by contacting Pauline Lyon 01424 256347. The Village Christmas supper is planned for December so watch this space for more details.

PARISH CHURCH NEWS: Sunday 11th September the church service at Whatlington will be our 10.30am Family Service, taken by Sue Chance and followed as usual with some light refreshments. This service is always enjoyable and ‘accessible’ for everyone - we do not have communion and offer a warm welcome to people of all ages, whether regular church goers or not. Car parking will be available at the village hall nearby as usual. Of special note this week is the news that after six years we finally have our chandelier returned, fully restored and ready to be hung back in place, surely one of the longest restorations going, but it does look good and will complete our post fire restoration.

Winchelsea

Cindi Cogswell

[email protected]

Radio Man: Tim Blackmore is back by popular demand to the Second Wednesday’s next meeting on Wednesday September 14th. This will be in the New Hall at 2.30pm and the cost as usual is £1 members and £4 non-members which includes a delicious home-made tea following the talk. Tim’s career began at the BBC in swinging 1960s London where he worked on the new breakfast show presented by Tony Blackburn. In 1971 Noel Edmonds with Tim launched his Sunday morning show on Radio 1. This was just the start of Tim’s vocation. The title of the talk is ‘To inform, educate and entertain’ and Tim will be recalling some of radio’s memorable broadcasting moments.

All change: The Literary Society will be holding its monthly meeting next Friday September 16th at 7 for 7.30pm in the Lower Court Hall. ‘All Change in the Book Trade’ is the theme of the talk given by Lizzie Lee, manager of The Rye Bookshop, involving the modern book business. On arrival light refreshments are available and guests are welcome to come and find out more.

Trade, Ships and Men: Dr Craig Lambert from Southampton University will be giving a talk on Saturday September 17th at 3pm in St Thomas’ Church. The talk is arranged by Winchelsea Archaeological Society and the theme is Trade, Ships and Men which concerns the Maritime Communities of Sussex 1565-1580. All are invited and the cost is £4 p.p. and free to members and under 16s, with proceeds in aid of the charity WAS.

Art success: The Millennium Artefacts Society staged yet another successful Art Exhibition over the August Bank Holiday and is most grateful to all the artists who exhibited paintings, pottery, photographs and jewellery. Twenty-two exhibits were sold and resulted in sales of £1791. After fees, payments to artists and raffle sale, net proceeds to the Society amounted to £900 which are pledged to the maintenance of the Town’s Millennium Artefacts. The Society is most grateful to the donors of the raffle prizes and to all those who assisted with the Exhibition.

Autumn show results: The Winchelsea Garden society held its Autumn show on Saturday 3rd and were delighted with the wonderful response, not only were there more entries than last year but members who had previously not shown before came forward and “ had a go “ to great effect. It was really very inspiring to see the amount and quality of fruit, vegetables as well as flowers a small community can produce, not forgetting some beautiful handicrafts, photographs and mouthwatering cookery, congratulations to everyone. The raffle team were kept very busy as were the tea ladies and if the noise level was anything to go by, a happy time was had by all. The results are as follows:

The society’s challenge cup for flowers. - Howard Norton

The Veness award for Dahlias. - John Dunk

The challenge bowl for floral art. - Celia king

The Cleveland challenge bowl for

Vegetables and fruit. - Gillian Alexander

The Armoury challenge bowl for

Cookery. - Margaret Gall

The society’s challenge cup for handicrafts. - Bren Dunk

The society’s challenge cup for the best

Exhibit in show. - Howard Norton

The David & Margaret Bowen memorial

Cup for the top exhibitor in show. - Howard Norton

Award for the most popular choice. - Alice Kenyon

Lifeguard Drone: It was shocking to hear about the latest drowning incidents in Camber and much sympathy goes towards their families. Hopefully lessons have been learnt. However, there is some good news and it is the recent invention of the Lifeguard Drone. These can be sent out by lifeguards on the shore and are equipped with a camera and rubber rings. In much less time than it takes a rescue team to battle through the waves the drone would reach the drowning holiday maker from above and and drop the rubber ring close by the victim. He (or she) would then be reasonably safe in the water while waiting for the rescue boat to arrive and pick him up. The latest drones come with lights and thermal cameras for night rescues and can also assist in the rescue of ships and sailing vessels that are in trouble. It is unlikely that they would replace human lifesavers since man and machine working together are a great combination.

Winchelsea Beach

Fellowship Lunch: This month the Fellowship Lunches resume and the next is on Friday September 30th at the usual time of 12 for 12.30pm in the Community Hall. The Lunches consist of various home-made dishes, along with a speaker and a request for donations to a specific charity. If you would like to come along to this popular event, please contact 01797 227168 as booking is essential for catering purposes.

Masquerade dance: Masks and disguises is the theme for the End of Summer Dance at the Community Hall on Saturday October 8th at 7.30pm. The tickets are £10 p.p. which includes a fish & chip supper and can be purchased from Hugh at Suttons, Sea Road or by contacting 01797 224820. No tickets will be sold on the door. All are welcome to see the summer out in fabulous style so do order your tickets soon. The rock ‘n’ roll group, the Geoff Bellhouse Band will have everybody on the dance floor when they play those favourite 50’s and 60’s tunes.

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