Whatlington

Christmas Event at the Village Hall: Following the success of the late summer Fête, the Village Hall Committee would like to stage another community event for your entertainment, and to raise some more funds for the Hall’s repairs and refurbishment. This will be held on Friday, December 5th and will feature a simple but delicious hotpot supper and scrumptious seasonal desserts, for £10.00 a head. This will include soft drinks, but please bring your own wine. Other entertainments on offer, which will be finalised shortly, may include a timely Raffle with fine prizes that will come in very handy for Christmas; Christmas carols; an unusual quiz and one or two select stalls selling irresistible home-made goodies, both edible and not! Further details will follow, but please put this date in your diary and let us know for catering purposes by November 22nd if you would like to come, either via the website: www.whatlingtonvh.org; or by ringing Annette on 01424 871629 or Patricia on 01424 870549.

Another Award for the Church: In addition to the recent award from the Sussex Heritage Trust the restoration has just been given a Commendation in the national English Heritage Angel Awards, so we now have another certificate!

Battle Commemoration: On Saturday 11th October there will be a special service at Whatlington Church to mark the Battle of Hastings. This has become an annual event and remembers all those who died in that fateful battle when Saxon England fell. King Harold was the Lord of the Manor of Whatlington and it is likely that he may have heard Mass said here before the battle. The Saxon army certainly marched through the village to meet at the Hoare apple tree on Caldbec Hill.

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Whatlington Film Club: Whatlington Film Club has announced its line-up for the rest of the year and beyond. The club meets in The Barn function room at the Royal Oak, with its big screen, overhead projector and surround-sound system, plus of course the chance to eat and drink while watching the movie. Each film has an interval to allow movie-goers to take more refreshments on board. Membership is just £7.50 per person for a year – less than the price of a ticket for a single film at local cinemas. Coming soon are; October 22 - Alan Partridge: Alpha Pappa Steve Coogan brings his small screen, small minded, small town alter ego – the Norwich radio DJ Alan ‘Aha’ Partridge – to the big screen. In one of last year’s best comedies Partridge finds himself in a drama of his own making when a fellow DJ takes the entire radio station crew hostage. Partridge is just as vain, self-centred and buttock-clenchingly cringeworthy as ever. November 19 - Belle Inspired by a true story, this 2014 hit movie tells the story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed race girl raised by aristocratic relatives. Such connections bring her a degree of acceptability but the colour of her skin keeps many social doors closed to her. December 17 - About Time What would Christmas be without a rom-com directed by Richard Curtis – he of Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and so on. This is the story of a 21-year-old who, discovers he is able to travel through time and uses this skill in a bid to win the object of his affections. January 21 - Wild Hogs Laugh off the January blues with this tale of four middle-aged men, including Tim Allen and John Travolta, who decide to ride their motorbikes into the sunset. It’s like Easy Rider but these dudes are definitely born to be wild.

Harvest Festival: Sunday 12th sees the Whatlington Harvest Festival, the first in the church since 2009. This year the service will be at 10.30am, in place of the usual All Age Service. Following the service there will be a short break before Harvest Lunch, which will be in the church at 12noon. This service usually attracts a good attendance, so we look forward to welcoming people to our award winning restored church. Parking for both services will be available at the village hall car park and at the small church private car park, for those less able to walk. Some outstanding items have now been concluded from the restoration with the return of the restored Baptismal Roll and the List of Rectors, both of which had suffered water damage in the fire and both of which have undergone extensive work with a specialist conservator. Also returned are the two stone corbels, believed to possibly be medieval, these show a male and a female head, thought to be King Edward I and his Queen, Eleanor. Edward had just ascended the throne at the time the present church was built around 1275. Both heads have been cleaned and recently re-fitted below the roof plates either side of the nave.

Parish Council Meeting: The next Parish Council meeting is next Thursday 16th October at 7.30pm in the village hall. Open Session 7.30pm - 7.50pm.

The Royal Oak: Don’t forget the 1066 Battle of Hastings Celebration Banquet at The Royal Oak on Tuesday, October 14th at 7.30pm! We will also be presenting live music with Santino Fabbricatore on Friday, October 17th from 8pm.

Patricia Begg

Riccards Spring