Whatlington village voice

Certainly life was never dull! On behalf of The Good Companions I would like to thank Michael for taking time out of his busy schedule to come and give us a talk. we were all intrigued as to why the talk was called “Whiskey & Carrot” . I wonder if you can come up with the correct idea as to why this should be the title? Many thanks to Valerie & Rosemary for the delicious homemade cakes, Gordon for cakes, those who helped during the afternoon and just as important all those who attended to make the event such a happy and successful afternoon.

The Good Companions next outing is on Wednesday 19th August when hopefully we shall be visiting Lime Cross nurseries, Herstmonceux , to walk around the garden and enjoy tea in the newly refurbished restaurant. Details will be sent to all members but anyone is welcome to join us. Please telephone Hilda 01424 77358 for more details.

Donations are still coming into the Parish Church Appeal Fund which has now been running for nearly two years now and which stood at a magnificent £34,843.63. I say stood at because the church has now started to organise the “services” up to the church and bills have now been paid out of this account totalling £5379.79 For a small church and community I feel that the amount raised so far is terrific in this gloomy economic climate. although I think sometimes the economic climate is possibly made worse by how it is reported. Thank you for those who have given so generously..........your donation will help us to realise all the visions and dreams we have to make St. Mary Magdalene Church more welcoming to all those who visit it and worship there for many years to come.

News from Alex at The Royal Oak:We had a fantastic Bank Holiday Summer Party and BBQ last Monday at The Royal Oak. A huge thank-you to Paul and Jo Dengate for providing the live music, it really gave the afternoon a wonderful atmosphere and everyone enjoyed it. Big thanks also go to Steve Palmer for providing the marquee and organising the boules tournament which continued well into the evening as 14 teams were competing! Eventually the tournament was won by Mike Tapsfield and Jackie Everard who just beat Richard and Wendy Thorne in the final.

Tonight (Fri 31st) is Irish Music Night at The Royal Oak when a dozen or more musicians from all around the area meet together to share their love of traditional Irish tunes. This uplifting evening begins at 8.30pm and is always a popular evening. If you would like to book a table to eat, please call 01424 870492 as it does get very busy!

This Tuesday (4th) is when The Royal Oak readers meet again at 7.30pm to discuss the latest book “The Coroner’s Lunch” by Colin Cotterill. If you would like to join the Book Club who meet every 4-6 weeks over a glass or two of wine and cups of tea, please contact Alex on 01424 870492.

Wednesday 5th September is Jazz Night again at The Royal Oak when the New Orleans Rythmakers will be performing all the favourite Traditional Jazz standards. This is always a great evening of excellent live music from true professionals, so do come along from 8pm.Friday 7th September has been set for the Whatlington “Big Quiz”. A huge success last time, this event raised money for the annual Barn Dance and Hog roast. The quiz is for teams of up to six people, tickets are £10 per head which includes entry to the quiz and a two-course evening meal that night. This is a fun community event for everyone to get involved in, but space will be limited, so if you would like ticket, please reserve one on 01424 870492, or pop into the pub. There will be prizes and a raffle, so put a team together and see if you are brainier that your neighbours?!

If you would like to reserve tickets for the next Psychic Night at The Royal Oak with Robin Lown and Grant Colyer, please get in touch as space will be limited again. This was an amazing evening last time and will sell-out again, I’m sure. The date is set for Saturday 20th October from 7.30pm and tickets are just £10 per person, so call 01424 870492 if you are interested in coming along.

The Village Barn Dance and Hog Roast is on Saturday 22nd September this year and all Whatlington residents should have received their invitation in a previous copy of the Whatlington News. Helpers will be needed that morning to set-up and get things ready from 9am in the field behind the Village Hall, so if you have some time free that morning, do come along and get involved. Any queries, please email [email protected].

News from Steve about the Film Club:

While both ITV viewing figures and Whatlington Film Club attendances were hit by stay-at-home Olympic watchers, Steven Speilberg’s War Horse tempted a good crowd from their armchair starting lines along to The Oak last week.

Around 20 members – including a magnificent seven first-timers – witnessed the WW1 drama of the farm boy who enlists in order to track down his horse Joey, sold by his father to the cavalry at the outbreak of hostilities. More than a few audience sniffles accompanied young Albert on his mission through the trenches of death and fear.

Fast forward to the 1930s but staying in France, Paris to be precise, for the setting for the next showing: Hugo, on Friday 14 September. Perhaps one of the least-known of the films shown so far, this is a real charmer – a family film produced by Martin Scorsese, better known for grittier fare such as Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas and Cape Fear.

It tells the story of an orphan who lives within the walls of a railway staton and finds a mechanical model of a man that he believes holds the key to the mystery surrounding his father.

Film Club dates have now been set for the rest of the year as follows:

14 September: Hugo

5 October: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

27 October: Woman in Black

16 November: Midnight in Paris

7 December: Love Actually

21 December: A Christmas Carol

18 January: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

If you’d like to join the Film Club call Steve Turner on 01424 870041 or email [email protected]. Alternatively pop into the pub and ask for Alex or simply turn up on the night. The fee is £7.50 . . . for a whole year’s worth of movies.

Andrew Ratcliffe, Whatlington