Whatlington

St Mary Magdalene Parish Church service on Sunday 11th November will be a Remembrance Service for all the family at 10.30am in the village hall. All welcome.

Sunday 16th November will be Holy Communion at 8.30am also in the village hall.

Back to school at Mountfield & Whatlington primary school was Monday 5th November following the half term break.

All the pupils were very excited as usual for the first day back with most very eager to feedback on the halloween and bonfire celebrations they had attended.

Thank you to Valerie for sending a report from the Parish Council meeting that took place on the 18th October.

“The recent parish council meeting was a quiet affair with only three parish councillors, our District Councillor and three members of the public attending. However that did not deter the proceedings, among the matters discussed were:-

Following the councils request to the Highways Agency for the speed limit on the A.21 going south to be extended, they have advised they have been discussing this and it will be done once funding has been found and no objections to the change received.

Broadband – East Sussex County Council have advised their aim is to ensure 90% of properties and business premises in East Sussex to have access to Superfast Broadband by 2015.

The problem of the village spring not running has moved on with the highways now involved. They will be carrying out work on the drains by the hall which hopefully will result in our spring running again. The work as always is dependent on finances so a date for the work is not yet known.

The Parish Plan questionnaire is being worked on and will be distributed to all properties, in the parish, in January.

The council have agreed to give a grant of £450 to our Parochial Church Council towards the cost of the glass plaque, which originally the council were to purchase themselves, but the plaque is now to be incorporated in the new west window.

The next meeting of the council is on Thursday 17th January 2013 at 7.30pm. “

Thank you to Hilda Aplin for sending the report below and the good companions info.

“May I take this opportunity of thanking all those who generously donated to “Surviving Christmas” and “Hope in the Community- Medway Foodbank” in memory of the late Hamish Aplin. You will be pleased to

hear that we have been able to send/donate £430.00 to both worthwhile charities. A tremendous sum and one I am very grateful to be able to donate. “Surviving Christmas” is a local charity which I have supported over a few years and as indicated it helps the most vulnerable at Christmastime. I also felt the need to give a “foodbank” which again helps local people. These “foodbanks” are popping up in most major towns and cities now and highlight the problem many families are facing; not being able to put food on the table. I therefore asked my daughter if she would like to support her local “foodbank” as The Medway District is a very deprived area and in much need.

Thank you so much for your generous gifts, your sympathy cards and letters of condolence, which all helped us at a time of great sadness.”

The final arrangements have now been made for the Good Companions Christmas luncheon. As mentioned previously this will be held at The Plough, Westfield on Wednesday November 28th, 12 o`clock for 12.30pm. I have sent out to all members a menu to choose from but if anybody else would like to join us please do contact Hilda on 01424 777358 and I will gladly send you details of this outing.”

News from Alex at The Royal Oak:

We had yet another great weekend at The Royal Oak, with our Irish Music enthusiasts entertaining a packed bar on Friday night, then we were proud to welcome 40 competitors and guests of John French’s International Hedgelaying competition on Saturday and again on Sunday for a traditional English Sunday Roast with homemade Yorkshire Pudding!

The next Royal Oak Readers book club meeting will be on Tuesday 27th November at 7.30pm to discuss the merits of “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”. This has quite recently been made into a film, so expect a date for a showing of this in the new year too!

The next live music night is on Friday 30th November when the Traditional Irish Tunes night will return to their usual last Friday of the month slot. This is always an excellent evening, so if you would like to book a table, please call 01424 870492.

Don’t forget the regular events at your local pub - come and get involved in Games Night every Wednesday from 8pm - this is a good opportunity to meet new people and take part in some light hearted competition, whether it be Shove Ha’penny, dominoes or cards. Then Thursday night we hold a quiz from 8pm - now so popular that space can be limited, so please call if you would like to book a table for your team of up to six people - 01424 870492.

The Royal Oak Christmas Party Menu is available throughout December, please see our website www.royaloak-whatlington.co.uk for a copy of the menu.

Just a reminder of my email address for sending any Whatlington information for this article [email protected]