Catsfield village voice

It has been a wrench leaving Catsfield after all these years, 38 at Longstone, but it is a great relief that willing people have come forward to do the jobs I have so enjoyed. Village Voice will be written by Jill Jarrett, from Henley Down, so you all know it is in good hands. Her book about the history of Henley Down is one of the treasures I shall take with me to Devon.

My career as journalist started, fortunately not with Mr Murdoch, but with the Sussex Express in 1987, when the Parish Pump columns were introduced. When the Battle and Rye Observers came back into publication soon after, Village Voice was born. Like the village shop, the local paper is a lifeline for our small communities and we must do all we can to keep them afloat. What a superb edition we had of the Battle Observer for the Jubilee, showing how different our villages are and capturing the spirit of the occasion.

Despite the rain, we shall meet for Lunch Club on Friday and hope that lots of members will be there for the chicken supreme and sponge pudding. We need more members, so if you would enjoy Libby`s home cooked lunch, and all the gossip, do join us.

Next Friday the 22nd, the very successful fund raising for the Parish Church continues with a Beetle Drive in the Village Hall at 6.30 pm, £3 for adults, £1 for children or £7.50 for families of 4 or more.

tickets from the village stores or Sandra.

The service for the Second Sunday after Trinity is Parish Communion at the usual time, 9.15 am

Believe it or not, Henry VIII was at our June WI meeting, and entranced his audience with tales of his life and wives. It was all part of the Jubilee Celebrations in which our WI played such an important part.

This month there will be the June Strawberry Tea, which is in aid of our charity for the year and WI funds, while in July there will be the summer outing to Merriments and Scotney Castle. Good luck!

Patricia Speedy, Longstone, Powdermill Lane