Ninfield and Hooe Village Voice

UNCLE SAM'S DAY!! Yankee Doodle Dandy,  born on the 4th of July, and I just have the image of the AMAZING actor, and dancer,  James Cagney doing fantastic 'brush wing changes'- a very difficult Tap Dancing step- down a grand, wide staircase! Superb!  (I've done it myself in the past, yes, really! ...but H&S, a Risk Assessment and a profound attachment to my ageing ankles, would deem it an absolute NO today!!)

WONDERFUL SUMMER WEEKENDS! There's something happening on every one, as we go through the month of July. Keep an eye out in the Parish Magazine,  on Notice boards and on Socials,  and I'll do my best to get info here too!

NINFIELD BOOK EXCHANGE CAFÉ:  will take place on Friday 3rd July at the Methodist Hall  from 10 -11.30am. Sitting in the garden with a new read is the best way to end a warm summer day, so pop down and have a browse, while catching up with friends over a cup of your preferred beverage!

GARDEN PARTY: St Oswald's Church Saturday 4th July- 12- 4pm Featuring Hooe Village Band. There will also be; BBQ , Tombola, Teas, Cakes,  Raffle,  Bric-a-Brac,  Plants and Sideshows., everyone welcome, wonderful village Fayre event.

NINFIELD FLOWER GROUP: Monday 6th July, 6.30 for 7pm. Memorial Hall. Display of Floral Art by Angela Woodley,  titled 'Here comes Summer' Visitors £5, refreshments from 6.30pm.

NINFIELD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP: Thursday 9th July,  7.30-9pm, Methodist Hall. Presenter Simon Mansfield and his talk, entitled 'From Dives to Battlefield ', discovering William,  Duke of Normandy's journey to the battle with King Harold in 1066. Also! The Resource centre will be opening the Archives at Sparke Pavilion on Monday 27th July at 10am. To find out more about the Group, Talks,  photos  and stories, go to the website www.ninfieldlocalhistorygroup.org or email ninfieldlocalhistory.org uk

HOOE & NINFIELD OPEN GROUP. Our next meeting is 10th July same time but at the Bexhill Museum where we will have a talk by Julian, the curator and then have a look around. Look forward to seeing you there. Nicki & Heather

NINFIELD MUSIC NIGHTV- HOSTED BY NINFIELD BONFIRE SOCIETY. Saturday 11th July. Memorial Hall from 6pm. 4 Bands playing through the evening,  Bonfire Bar and Food. Adults £10 Children £5. Email [email protected] to purchase with bacs details, or call Sarah 07809684488.

NINFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: Coffee Morning- Monday 13th July,  11.30 Memorial Hall.  No speaker, just a chance to have a cuppa, eat cake and have a chat! The Summer Show is 15th August, so all focus is on that!

NINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL: Thursday 16th July, 6.30pm Methodist Hall.  Everyone welcome! Updates after the meeting to garner ideas and opinions for the spending of the CIL money delivered to Ninfield.

NINFIELD VILLAGE FOOD AND CRAFTS MARKET. : Saturday 18th July,  9.30-12.30pm. Time to stock up for the rest of the Summer,  as there is no market in August. Catch up over tea, coffee and breakfast rolls: this is the last event in the Hall before it closes Monday 20th July for necessary roof repairs.

NINFIELD BOWLS CLUB:  We encourage everyone to come along to club to give their support and to rally our players, the next home fixtures is 4th July.  Matches start at 2.30.  Tea and biscuits will be provided. And talking of biscuits, we are delighted that Lee from Astbury Windows and James from Haffenden Roofing have generously sponsored us this year, which means that we can now afford two biscuits rather than just the one with our cup of tea ! For anyone that has been thinking of playing bowls please come along and join us on any Tuesday and Thursday from 4.00pm to 6.00pm and we will do our very best to help you to become a good player. We will provide the bowls, the smiles and of course tea and ( two ) biscuits.

ST MARY'S CHURCH: Have you been? -Is just lovely...an historic place, so many familiar names within, and without...its a place to  wonder at, to find calm in,  to explore and to support. And,  IT NEEDS HELP!  Yes, that T.V drama classic-..the Roof needs repairing! And the Clock Tower too! The finances are so limited, and the costs in excess of £68,000. On Saturday morning an Anonymous donation was made for £1000 towards the fund - and the call is now out for any help in fundraising please!!

DARK SKIES : Is an informal whatsapp group, sharing pictures and information - If you would be interested in joining our group, please message/call 07707683187 or email [email protected]

FRIENDLY VOICES:  Through the Summer months, Friendly Voices weekly sessions are held in the Church.  Tuesday evening 7.30-8.30 and Thursday afternoon 2-3pm.  Please feel free to come in and join us or  just sit and listen.

LADIES  LOUNGE: Last Friday of the month - 4.30pm- 6 30pm-Ninfield Working Men's Club- an informal, and personal invitation to ALL LADIES , ALL AGES - everyone welcome; it's a fabulous afternoon for chatter, laughter,  support and friendship- and an opportunity to switch off and relax with like minded , marvellous women!! The Bar is open, there's coffee, tea, snacks and cake...! Come and join us, we'd love to see you! If you're working til 5 ish...try and drop in for half an hour on the way home. You will be made so welcome; and you might just find your essential 3rd Space...!!

WE ALL NEED...: A Third Space (or "third place") which is a social environment separate from your home ("first place") and your workplace ("second place"). Coined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, these community hubs are vital for relaxation, informal conversation, and a sense of belonging .To qualify as a true third place, an environment generally meets several key characteristics: The 7 Pillars of a Third Space Neutral Ground: You do not need a formal invitation to enter, and anyone can come and go as they please. Unstructured: The main activity is just to talk, relax, or casually observe. There are no strict agendas or requirements. Low Cost: Access should be affordable, meaning it does not act as a financial barrier to entry. Accessibility: Ideally, it is close enough to home or work that you can walk there easily. Regulars & Strangers: It serves as a home base for regulars, but is equally welcoming to newcomers. Conversational: The central draw is high-quality, casual dialogue, jokes, and teasing. Unassuming: The decor and atmosphere are welcoming and comfortable, not overly glamorous or pretentious. Common Examples- Community spaces: Public parks, libraries, community centers, and places of worship. Hospitality & Retail: Coffee shops, local cafes, pubs, and bookstores. Recreation & Hobbies: Gyms, bowling alleys, hackerspaces, and local clubs. Why They Matter? Sociologists argue that third spaces are critical for mental health, community bonding, and fighting loneliness. As more people work from home, the boundaries between the first and second spaces have blurred, making dedicated third places increasingly necessary for maintaining work-life balance and social connections. Ninfield Health & Wellbeing Group champion several great groups and societies within the Village of Ninfield; see the listings further down the column and don't forget...LADIES LOUNGE  &  MEN’S SHEDS

NINFIELD HEALTH AND WELLBEING GROUP : Ninfield Health and Wellbeing Group aims to promote the health and wellbeing of people in the local community. Established in 2018, the NHWG is an umbrella organisation supporting a range of activities.

FILM MATINEES: Summer Break! Films are held in Ninfield Memorial Hall. Screening and refreshments are free and films are dementia friendly and have subtitles. Doors open at 1.30 pm for the screening at 2 pm. Do come and join us for a friendly and relaxed afternoon. To ensure enough cake, please book a place by contacting Jackie or Rose on 01424 892422 or email Jackie [email protected]

BOOK EXCHANGE AND COMMUNITY CAFÉ : Methodist Hall 10-11.30 on Friday mornings. The Book Exchange Café will be on Friday 1 May with the Community Cafés open every other Friday morning. Donations asked for books and refreshments. There is a wide range of books and good company. You will be made to feel very welcome if you’d like to join us. Contact David on 07989729 or [email protected]

MEN’S SHED: Now an established friendly group meeting at Sparke Pavilion. 10 am last Friday of the month. Men putting the world to rights over free coffee. For more information contact Dave: 01424 892883.

HEALTH WALKS: Every Thursday. Trained local volunteers lead a gentle walk of about an hour. Meet 11 am at Sparke Pavilion at Ninfield Recreation ground near the main entrance off Church Lane. A few more walkers welcome. Please wear suitable footwear. Contact Robin: 07940324601 or robin@ plowmate.plus.com

WOMEN’S CRAFTING AND KNITTING CIRCLE:  Weekly 10.30 am – 12.30 pm on Friday. £5 per session. A well established friendly group. Phone Jane on 892428 for more details.

LUNCH CLUB: The next lunch club will meet on Thursday 25th June. If you would like a place, contact Sam White on 07484 847933.

DANCE/EXERCISE CLASSES. Samantha Hughes-Guard A.I.S.T.D (Hons) Please call 07970650321 or email me at [email protected] for more information. Please note revised Costs per person, per class.

MOVEMENT 2 MUSIC – Monday mornings 10-11.30am at the Memorial Hall- Chair based and Standing exercises for the Older but Still Active person.- great fun, lots of laughs and a sing along too -for improved fitness, balance and strength, and to enjoy a get together with friends . £6 per class, to include coffee, biscuits & Cake!. Everyone welcome... Ladies And Gents!! Such a good way to Move it, not Lose it!

LINE DANCE CLASSES!  At the Memorial Hall  - fortnightly  Tuesdays 2.30-3.30pm & Fridays 6.30-7.30pm:  We're all having a great time at both classes and now there are a few stetsons, boots and Rhinestones in the room! But the main objective is still to have FUN, It's Ninfield not Nashville!!! Come and join us...you'll be amazed at what you get out of it! £7 pp per class to include refreshments; Call Sami 07970650321

DANCERCISE – Wednesday evenings 6.30pm at the Memorial Hall – great exercise, great fun and the chance to learn new styles of dance. £7 per class.

BALLROOM – Fridays (fortnightly) 6.30pm at the Memorial Hall – learn to Waltz, Cha Cha, Jive – chase the Strictly series!!! £14 per couple, £7 per person, per class.

BURLESQUE – Fridays (fortnightly) 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall – Show Dancing, -think Chicago, Cabaret... Fabulous fun and great for getting the mind and body uplifted! £7 per class.

SILVERY SWANS BALLET CLASS : Thursday mornings 9.30am – at the Methodist Hall – the most serene, calm, glorious 50 mins of the week! £7 per class.

CHURCH SERVICES – METHODIST CHURCH Sunday 5th July,  10.30am, Church Anniversary/Bithday - Family Celebration with Reverend Ian Couchman.

PARISH CHURCHES Sunday 5th July St Mary’s Church, Ninfield- 9.30 am - Parish Eucharist. St Oswald's Church, Hooe- 11.30am Family Service.

PLEASE REMEMBER! ALL diary entries, reviews, stories and reports to Me please by Monday midday- and if anything is lost between the Online column entry and the Newspaper hard copy it will be due to Editor's space allocation NOT by my lax omission. Thanks. [email protected] 07970650321 FB Ninfield Carnival Fête & Events