Village Voices - December 3, 2010

WESTFIELD

• Westfield Parish Church of St John the Baptist: Saturday: 2pm Friends Christmas Fayre - Parish Hall. Sunday, December 5, (Advent II): 8am Holy Communion (1662) 9.30am Nine Thirty Start (all-age service). 10.30am Parish Eucharist. Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion. Thursday 7.30pm, Christmas Choir practice. Friday 7pm Carols round the tree - Corbieres, Main Road.

• Family Support Work. This Sunday we have the opportunity to donate gifts of non-perishable food, to be used by the diocesan Family Support Work Outreach Team in Hollington. There is a special need for provisions over Christmas, so please give generously. Please note vouchers would also be appreciated.

• Christmas Fayre: The Friends of the Church hold their Christmas Fayre, 2pm-4pm on Saturday, December 4 in the Parish Hall. Decorations, cakes, cards, tombola, books, raffle, etc. Any offers of help or items for sale will be greatly appreciated. Speak to Joan Downing or call Ann Stocker (754355).

• As usual, we welcome the help of ‘extras’ to provide a full choir for the Christmas Carol Service on Sunday, December 19. Practices will be at 7.30pm on Thursdays, December 2/9/16. Please contact Janice (01424 753684) if you hope to join us. More details from Rev. Evan France, The Vicarage, Vicarage Lane, Westfield, Hastings, TN35 4SD; 01424 751029 ;or email [email protected].

• Would you like the broadband speed improving locally? Do you think Westfield broadband speeds need upgrading? BT is conducting a national vote to see which exchanges will be upgraded for broadband in 2011. Local businesses and domestic users alike are finding the broadband service in Westfield area to be exceptionally slow at times. If you would like to see this improved add your vote by visiting http://www.racetoinfinity.bt.com/ and following the instructions. 1000 votes are needed to get the service improvements to Baldslow, so please spread the word.

• The F3 meeting last Thursday was a real treat. Eleven ringers from Senlac Bells, with 61 handbells (five octaves), played a selection of Christmas music, before bravely inviting members to try their hand. Their leader, Alan, also described a brief history behind the use of handbells to make music, and explained the Senlac Bells logo depicts two boys with handbells, a detail copied from the Bayeux Tapestry. Two Christmas carols were sung to the bells before the mulled wine and mince pies were served. There is no F3 meeting in December, but all women are invited to the Scottish evening on January 27.

• Christmas in Westfield starts, as ever, with the festive lights along the main road and community carol singing on Friday, December 10, at 7pm. Join the band of local musicians by the Christmas tree near the village sign, and stay for home-made soup afterwards.

• Curry Night this Friday at the Old Courthouse pub, Westfield Village. For only £7 you can enjoy poppadums, starter and home made curry. Also their Christmas menu is available for bookings, 1st to 23rd December. Check www.oldcourthousepub.com for details

• Please support Westfield School Christmas Fayre today, Friday, 3.30pm-5.30pm in the Community Hall.

• Free guided walks during autumn/winter. All walks start at 10.30am, dogs are welcome, walks are free, but with suggested donation to St. Michael’s Hospice. Please contact Nick Brown on 07918 907265 beforehand to confirm if you would like to come along on any of the walks; do check on the day in the event of disruptive weather.

Wednesday, December 8 at Battle. Meet outside historic Battle Abbey. A very pleasant 4.25 miles walk following some of the 1066 Country Walk as we head down into Powdermill Wood which used to provide the finest gunpowder in Europe, and where we might see the free range pigs pictured in the book! Plenty of refreshment options available afterwards! Rating 2…. easy/moderate.

Please contact Nick on 07918 907265 for more information or if you are interested in joining the walks. There is no charge, but donations to St. Michael’s Hospice will be greatly appreciated.

• Westfield Village Carol Service. Community Carol singing around the tree (by the village sign) takes place on Friday,h December 10,7pm. Musicians from the village have provided the music for many years, but we need more players. If you play a brass or woodwind instrument please join us. Ring 01424 753684 for details.

• It seems a long way ahead, but the first 1066 Relay is planned for May 8, 2011 and planning needs to start early if the race is to go ahead. The 1066 Relay will follow the 1066 Country Walk route (Stage 4 passes though Westfield) and should attract a huge number of runners. Organisers are asking for the help of volunteers to act as marshals for about half an hour. Nick Brown would be delighted to hear from you Visit www.spanglefish.com/1066relay to find out about the race, or contact Nick on 07918 907265.

• Westfield WI meets in the Parish Hall on the second Tuesday of the month at 2.15pm, and the next meeting is the Christmas party on December 14. Ring 01424 753757 for more information.

• Westfield Community HUB has several events planned as Christmas approaches. You need to start now if you are to enter the Sloe Gin competition after Christmas, so call in for a recipe.

There will be a ‘Guess the Weight of the Squash’ competition today (Friday), with the winner announced at 11am.

On December 10, carol singing and mince pies at 11am will be followed by the HUB Christmas Lunch at ‘The Old Courthouse’. Please call in to book in advance.

On December 17, there will be more carol singing and the Grand Christmas Raffle at 11am. Please leave any raffle prizes with Andy at the pub.

To find out more, call in at the Hub at ‘The Old Courthouse’ on Fridays from 10am-12 noon, email [email protected], visit the website www.westfield-hub.co.uk, or ring 07531 766 830.

• Remember the Westfield Village Community Website carries useful and interesting information on village life, groups and business services. The link to this is www.westfieldvillage.co.uk

• Westfield Beavers have a few places at present for boys or girls aged six plus who are looking for fun and friends. We offer varied activities so come and give it a try. Contact Sue on 01424 425492 or Rose on 01424 754080 for more details.

• Westfield Football Club is still looking for helpers on match days and for preparation. More details from the secretary at [email protected] or visit www.westfieldfc.com

• The Friends of Westfield Parish Church hold their Christmas Fayre on Saturday, December 4, 2pm-4pm in the Parish Hall. There will be usual stalls including Christmas decorations, cakes, cards, tombola, books and raffle. Offers of donations of saleable items or to help setting up the stalls in the morning would be most welcome; just contact Ann Stocker on 01424 754355.

• Westfield School News. There is a prospective new parents’ morning for Westfield school being held today (Friday) at 9.30am. Please call the school on 01424 751404. The School Christmas Fayre is also today (Friday) from 3.30pm to 5pm held in the Community Hall, all welcome.

Villagers are invited to Year 5/6 Carol Concert on the afternoon of Monday, December 13, at 2pm. Please call the school office to confirm attendance.

There will also be a small group of Carol singers visiting Whitegates Retirement home to sing on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 15.

The last day of term is Friday, December 17, returning on Tuesday, January 4, with an Inset Day on Friday, January 7.

• There are very few, if any, places for the Westfield Golf Fellowship’s Christmas event, the annual trip to the Weald of Kent on December 29. Planning is underway for next years ‘Majors’, with some new courses being planned. The European Tour 2011 is now confirmed as Bournemouth from June 12. Email [email protected] or call Nick on 07939 587 796 for more details.

• The Rye and District Association of the National Trust hold their Christmas Lunch on Saturday, December 4 at The Orangery Restaurant at Powdermills Hotel near Battle. Full details have been circulated to members in the Autumn Newsletter. More details from Ros Adkins on 01797 253763.

• Rye & District Lions Club celebrated their 34th anniversary at their Charter Lunch last Sunday.

The lunch, at the Flackley Ash Hotel, Peasmarsh was attend by over 60 Lions and guests. The guests included the Lions South East District Governor, Mike Howes, Rye Mayor, John Breeds and the President of Rye & Winchelsea Rotary Club, Derick Holman.

In addition to Rye Lions and their partners, Lions and guests attended from many clubs in both the East Sussex Zone and Kent Zone.

President Conrad Freezer thanked the Lions for a record year of fund-raising and also for the best annual Rye Raft Race & Fete.

This had enabled the Lions to make many more charitable donations over the last year, many to local good causes, including St Michaels Hospice, Demelza House, Association of Carers and imn addition to several play-groups and nurseries.

This was only possible due to the willing help of Rye Lions, their partners and Lions Friends.

He also drew attention to the increase in membership over the last few years and said Rye Lions had recently been approached by several more potential members The Club now had 20 members and 23 Friends.

Mike Howes, District Governor, then presented past president, Bill Coleman, with a Membership Excellence banner for year-round growth and also presented the President’s Retention Campaign banner jointly to Bill Coleman and Conrad Freezer.

Rye Lions will not be “resting on their laurels” however as they will have a stall in the High Street at the Rye Christmas Festival on December 11.

They will also be collecting outside Jempsons, Peasmarsh and Jempsons Budgens in Rye in the week before Christmas. This will be followed by their sixth ‘Winter Warmer’ Brass Band Concert at Beckley Village Centre on January 21, where all proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support. Tickets at £6, which include an arrival refreshment, will be on sale at Beckley Motors or on 0845 833 2825.

• To send information for the Westfield Village Voice, please email [email protected]

GEORGE SUNDERLAND, Heathlands

CATSFIELD

• How fortunate we were with the weather for our Christmas market last Saturday. It snowed in Bexhill, but in Catsfield the sky was blue, the sun shone and the few flakes that fell in the morning did not last.

Well over a hundred people came to the village hall to browse at the colourful stalls, have a coffee or ploughman`s and chat to friends.

In his icy grotto, Father Christmas was part of a magical world of snow, where the Christmas elf welcomed in the children.

There was a raffle that seemed to be never ending, when it came to calling out the winners and attractive stalls that everyone enjoyed.

Each year the support and the funds raised for the upkeep of the church, improve.

This year the event raised £1,412, reflecting the great generosity of the people who came and the hard work of the faithful band, who make it all happen.

Up at the church, the oak and glass doors that are being built in the arch leading to the tower look superb.

They emphasize the clean lines of the pointed archway and will lead to an area that the children of the Sunday school, currently huddled into the vestry, will learn to feel is their own.

• This Friday, December 3, at 3.30pm, the Catsfield Primary School is holding a Christmas Bazaar, organized by the PTA.

Come along to their new school hall, which has been decorated for Christmas and you will find Father Christmas, stalls, teas and all sorts of festive activities, all in aid of the school funds.

• You will be just as welcome at their Nativity service at the church on Thursday, December16, at 2.15pm.

• For parents and invited guests only, the Primary School`s Musical Nativity, Hosanna Rock, will be performed on Thursday, December 9, at 2pm and at 6pm and again at 6pm on Monday,December 13. As every child from Years 1 to 6 is involved, there will not be a seat to spare!

• The December Women’s Institute meeting, the Christmas party, took place yesterday while the Christmas lunch is at the White Hart at Netherfield is on December 9 at noon for 12.30pm.

We are booked up to go to the Pantomime, Cinderella, in Hastings, on December 31, weather permitting!

• This month’s Parish Magazine has been distributed round the village and is on sale at the Village Stores and in the church.

It has something for everyone – a hilarious seasonal message for the gardeners (beware rats) and the theme of Nativity to take us to the heart of the Christmas message.

• This Sunday is the second in Advent and the Family Communion will be at the usual time, 9.15 am

PATRICIA SPEEDY, Longstone, Powdermill Lane

ROBERTSBRIDGE

• As I write it is snowing hard and reminds me that winter is fast approaching. Which in turn brings Christmas.

• Tonight Friday, December 3, is the Christmas Capers in Robertsbridge. This is when the village has fun and entertainment with late-night shopping.

The High Street will be closed to traffic from 6pm to 9pm with access to Fair Lane and Fair Meadow.

The festivities will begin at 6.30pm with a lantern lit procession that has a Dickensian Theme this year.

There will be live music, street entertainment, an assortment of good food and drink with stalls on the street and shops open to offer a Christmas good cheer.

If you live on the High Street, George Hill or Station Road there is a prize for the best decorated window, so quickly get creative there’s still time.

There will be a traditional Town Crier to enliven the proceedings, with the RoCoCo Choir singing Christmas Carols and there will be face painting for the youngsters.

There will be stalls selling vintage clothing, crafts, Christmas cards and other nick–knacks.

Starting at The Ostrich there will be a cake stall and Swarovski Jewellery available, and this year Culverwells will be opening with offers on Seasonal stock and Christmas Decorations.

They will be giving mulled wine or tea/coffee and nibbles to their guests.

There will be Indian delicacies, doughnuts, hot dogs, roasted chestnuts, mince pies, cakes and the odd glass or two of wine. What more could you want from a festive event?

The local community group, Robertsbridge Arts Partnership, which is supported by the Parish Council, Rother District Council and the Environment Agency, arranges this event.

If the snow keeps up it will be a very Dickensian Christmas scene.

• The Black Shed Gallery at Russet Farm, Redlands Lane, Robertsbridge, is presenting works in the form of a series of woodcut prints by local artist Martin Brockman (Brock).

The exhibition is called ‘Glutton and the Illusionists’ and is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 10am to 3pm until December 30 - or by appointment by ringing 01580881247.

This is in the same place as the Cottage Framers who have moved units in the last few weeks.

If you want to get a special piece of artwork or a photo framed then this is the place to go, as they will make a frame especially for you.

• Robertsbridge Bonfire Society is now fundraising for next year’s event, the Christmas Draw tickets are available and will be on sale tonight at the Floral Boutique as well as from the society members.

• The next Tea Dance Party will be on Wednesday, December 15, 2pm- 4.30pm. This is held at Robertsbridge Club and all are welcome. It costs £3.50, which includes music, dancing, tea and cakes and a raffle.

This one will be the festive Christmas one so a little tipple may have to take place of the tea. This is a nice social afternoon where dancing is not compulsory but having fun is.

• The next Bonfire Society meeting is on Thursday, December 16, at Robertsbridge Club, 8.30pm.

• For something creative why not join in with one of the Flower Arranging workshops now being run at the Floral Boutique. There is a festive theme running through the December ones. Ring 880977 for information on dates, times etc.

• Remember to look out for your neighbours when the snow is bad, also wild birds and animals have a hard time so a little water or food can help them immensely.

• People are saying how unusual is it to have snow so early, my Mum says that is used to snow from now until March when she was young, so lets get prepared, you never know!!

Sandi Madge & Sue Paine, The Floral Boutique, 20 High Street

PLAYDEN

• Very interesting to me when the pale landscape is lighter than the dark grey sky and sea. A real inversion of the norm.

And very pretty when the sun comes out. As usual, although it was forecast, the snow seems to have caught people out.

• The Playden Church Advent Coffee morning held in the Butter Market in Rye last Saturday raised a goodly number of pennies for church funds. It was a heroic effort and successful in spite of the cold weather.

There were not very many people about and most of those chose hot chocolate to drink in preference to coffee.

Profits were approximately £250 after most expenses had been paid, with a further £25 to add on from sales of cakes in church on Sunday.

Very warm and appreciative thanks to everyone who braved the cold to help.

• The Christingle Service is being held in Iden Church this year, at 3pm this coming Sunday (December 5). Everyone is welcome, especially children.

Refreshments will be served after the service. Please come and join us - parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbours. Iden looks forward to seeing you there.

• There is a Christmas shopping weekend being held at RSPB Dungeness Nature Reserve this coming weekend from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, December 4/5.

You are invited to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a home-made mince pie while you shop. The bird shop will be full of Christmas cards, calendars and gifts. Entry to the visitor centre is free.

• On Sunday you could also take part in a guided walk to look at winter arrivals, particularly the wide variety of water birds, shovellers, goldeneyes and smew should be coming ‘down south’ now. Booking is essential. Phone 01797 320 5 88.

The walk is from 11am to 1pm. There is also a photographic exhibition with pictures by David Featherbe.

• Alternatively you might like to take part in a festive beach clean of the rubbish washed up along the beach by the autumn’s storms.

There will also be a chance to see many wintering birds.

Your efforts will be rewarded with hot soup and mince pies at Lime Kiln Cottage afterwards. Bring work gloves if you have them.

Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10.30am and work until 1pm on Saturday December 4.

• The concert on Saturday evening at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Rye, by the Bromley Youth Chamber Orchestra and Newstead Wood School for Girls Choir, is in aid of Chernobyl Children.

The programme will include music by Handel, Greig and Elgar, and seasonal Motets and Anthems.Tickets are £10 from the church or at the door.

• Playden Floral Group will be meeting on Monday, December 6, at 2.15pm in Playden W.I.Hall.

• The service on Sunday for the second Sunday in Advent will be a Family Communion at 11am.

MARION LOVELL, Abingworth, New England Lane

ICKLESHAM

• The service in the Parish Church on Sunday starts at 10.30am. The Reverend Richard Orchard will take the Eucharist and if you have toys which you would like to donate toys to be used in less fortunate areas this is the opportunity to do so.

• Last week’s Christmas Fair had a happy, busy atmosphere and all those who worked so hard must be gratified at the excellent sum of more than £670 which was raised.

• The feelgood live music in the ‘Queen’s Head’ on Sunday 4pm-6pm is mod the rod delivered by O’Donnell & Bell.

• Nick Brown, of Westfield, has recently published ‘Walks in 1066 Country’ - a series of 14 local walks - and during the winter he is leading anybody who would like to come on six of these and they will be free. Each walk starts at 10.30am, dogs are welcome, and each finishes where it starts.

If you wish to make a donation St Michael’s Hospice is suggested.

The next walk is on Wednesday, December 8, when the walkers meet outside Battle Abbey. The walk is an easy 4.25 miles of pleasant countryside and there are, of course, plenty of refreshment possibilities afterwards.

The other walks planned in 2011 are as follows: Saturday, January 29, Bodiam Castle; Saturday, February 26, Pett Level; Saturday, March 19, ‘Queen’s Head’; and Tuesday, April 12, Rye.

For more walks’ information check Nick’s website www.spanglefish.com/1066routes. Nick would be grateful if you could contact him the day before each walk on 07918 907265.

• A week today - on Friday, December 10, the Icklesham Trusts Committee has its annual general meeting in the Memorial Hall.

The committee has the responsibility of management of the hall and the pavilion. Its members are representatives of Icklesham’s many clubs and societies.

If you want to make any comment or wish to become involved this is an excellent opportunity.

There will be reports from the chair and from the treasurer plus the election of the charity’s officers and committee members.

From 7pm there will be refreshments and the annual meeting starts at 7.30pm.

• The work team on the new pelican crossing come here from Medway and have made good progress despite the weather.

They started during very wet conditions and recently have had to cope with bitter cold.

However their worst hold ups are the result of the theft of several pieces of .expensive equipment. The police are now watching the situation.

LAURIE BOWMAN, Magpies, Oast House Field

IDEN

• Iden Church is holding a Christingle Service this year on Sunday, December 5, at 3pm. Everyone is welcome, especially children.

Refreshments will be served after the service. Please come and join us.

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbours - we look forward to welcoming you there.

• The lovely Iden Calendar is available in the Stores priced at £6. The photographs are all by Rod Stuart, who has had many of his images shown on Meridian television.

• Bowls came to the village in 1988 when Mr Ted White was asked to set this up. The short mat bowlers decided to look for a suitable plot on which a bowls green could be constructed.

Miss Josepha Aubrey Smith was approached and through her generosity, part of the Bell Field became the bowls green.

The club plays friendly matches and Mermaid league matches and were runners-up in 2010 .

A goodly crowd crowded into the village hall well before the 7.30pm start time for the Iden Bowls Club’s concert last Saturday. A sense of anticipation buzzed around the room.

This was rewarded by the opportunity to sing (rather tunelessly!) Mary Ellen led by local comedian John Harrison.

The brilliantly conceived Five Faces of Rolf Harris by Bowls Club members was followed by the five voices of the Bowls Club President, Geoffrey Chater reading a couple of poems.

After two more items, the first half closed with faltering magic by a parrot and Daniel Tyrrell, the ‘Wizard of Wittersham’.

After a pleasant social interval with a raffle organised by June Humphries, the second half opened with a hilarious, acted version of The Twelve Days of Christmas by Bowls club members.

Joan Tyrrell gave us, “Do I have to be Sexy at Sixty?” and John Harrison and Teresa Parsons showed an “honest” example of domestic life.

Joe Pilcher read the amusing “He’s got the World on string”, written by the late John Huggett, while John Smith took us back, with erudite language skills, to the conventions of the Vienna of Mozart’s time.

John also ably compered the whole Music Hall type concert with his customary aplomb, introducing the final version of Strictly Come Dancing choreographed by Jack and Jean Smith and other members, followed by a sing-along of wartime songs.

The dancing was scored by a panel of judges who gave scores mostly of the Ann Widdicombe variety!

Thanks were expressed to the many people taking part, front and backstage, and in the hard work of preparation, especially to Teresa Parsons who produced the show.

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers and chocolates at the end. We all went home much entertained and satisfied.

Many thanks to the Rev. Geoffrey Scott for his help in providing this report.

The next Bowls Club event will be the Jumble Sale on February 5.

Club funds were increased by £529. 80 from the concert. Teresa herself says, “A huge thank-you to all those who helped with the concert, on and off the stage”.

n The Parish Council will be meeting in the Village Hall on Tuesday, December 7, at 7.30pm. There will be a separate item on the agenda for you to raise any matter that may be of concern to you, and a chance to comment on any current planning applications.

• Iden Singers are working hard for the Carol Concert which will be on Tuesday, December 21 - please note the date.

• The 9.30am service for the second Sunday in Advent will be Family Communion.

MARION LOVELL, Abingworth, New England Lane, Playden

FAIRLIGHT

• Roll up! Roll up! This Saturday, December 4, the Village Hall’s ‘Christmas Fair’ runs from noon to 3pm. Hot jacket potatoes, with a choice of fillings, will be served from noon, plus mulled wine with mince pies and not forgetting the vast array of cakes and pastries on offer in the tea/coffee shop.

As well as these gastronomic delights there are games, raffles, tombolas and Christmas goods for sale.

So come and eat drink and be merry. It’s an event not to be missed. All the stalls and refreshments are run by the different clubs in the village making it a good opportunity to see what goes on in the Village.

The funds raised from this will all go towards the running of our much used Village Hall so do support this excellent event.

• Monday, December 6, brings the Gardening Club’s monthly talk. This week it is Colin Page with ‘Moods of the Marsh’.

Colin, as a lot of you know, is a brilliant photographer and is well worth coming to see. He will be bringing plants and cards for sale.

The talk starts at 2.30 in the village hall. All are welcome.

There is a vacancy on the committee for a ‘lecture secretary’. The post is not too arduous; it involves booking up the speakers for the talks in 2012. 2011 has already been done.

We hold our committee meetings once every two months. If you are interested please speak to a committee member or you can call me on 01424 814178.

• In the bleak mid winter! The Literary Society’s talk this week, on Wednesday, December 8, is, and I think very apt for the present weather, ‘In the Footsteps of Scott and Shackleton’ given by Patrick Coucher.

This starts at 2.30pm in the Village Hall and guests are welcome to attend for a very small sum of £1. Excellent value for an afternoon’s entertainment.

• What a load of rubbish! It was announced at the parish council that in the New Year we will be able to put cardboard in our green wheelie bin with the garden refuse for recycling. Which leaves less room for your garden waste!

Quite a lot of these green bins have got broken. This is often due to heavy earth being in the bottom. They are designed to take green rubbish only.

In future if your bin gets broken the collectors will put an orange ‘sorry we broke it’ sticker on it and it should in the fullness of time be replaced.

Parish Council meetings are held every fourth Tuesday and people are welcome to go along and listen to the formal part of the meeting and speak in the public forum at the end. There will be an election of councillors in May next year.

• And the winner is… Voting has started for the ‘John Lutman Community Service Award’.

This is an annual award given to some one in the community who has done something special for the Village.

The award was established last year to celebrate the 30 years service to our community by John Lutman.

Votes can be cast, before December 10, at the Post office, Farm Shop (voting slips provided) or email to [email protected]. The award will be presented at a date to be announced.

• Lest we forget. This year’s British Legion Poppy Appeal for the Five Villages, Pett District, raised a grand total of £4,131.32p.

John Pulfer, the District Appeal organiser, would like to thank all the helpers and collectors who achieved this, also all those who donated.

As you know this is an annual event and there is always room for more helpers, so if you would like to assist next year please contact John.

The British Legion hold their meetings every firstTuesday in the month at the New Beach Club, Pett Level, 7.15pm for 7.30pm, they last about an hour.

The British Legion welcomes new members to the meetings. You do not have to be an ex-service person to join. If you would like more details you can contact John Pulfer on 01424 814866 or turn up at the New Beach Club.

• Members of Fairlight Floral Club were treated to a wonderful flower demonstration by Stephanie Laing entitled with Christmas in Mind. Her beautiful arrangements got the members in Christmas mood. The members competition entitled a Table Arrangement was won by Jean Nash.

On November 30 the club celebrated its 30th anniversary and 23 members gathered at The Two Sawyers for a celebration lunch.

The next meeting, members only, is on December 9 and will be a Christmas Social when we will also be having an anniversary cake made by Marie Spencer.

• As yet the Fairlight Players have not been able to secure a new date for ‘Tea with Sir Donald Sinden’, although we are hoping to rearrange it for next year.

Therefore we will refund all the ticket monies shortly. When we are in a position to rebook all existing ticket holders will be given first refusal.

• I have had many enquiries after your resident reporter, Keith Pollard, and I am glad to say he is now home after his ‘nip and tuck’ and doing well. He thanks everyone for their enquiries and we all look forward to his speedy recovery when he takes the helm of the column once again.

In the mean time if you have any news let me know on either [email protected] , 01424-814178 or at Mistral, Shepherds Way. Thank you, have a good week.

P.S. I still have not found my black box!

Carol Ardley on behalf of Keith Pollard, Brookfield, Broadway

WINCHELSEA

• Tomorrow is the first Saturday in the month and the day of the church market, from 10.30am to noon.

On sale will be a variety of home-made/baked produce and a chance to enjoy a pre-Christmas get-together over coffee/tea and biscuits while helping towards church funds.

As usual a friendly place to sit and listen to Iain Kerr playing requested popular evergreen melodies in the background from the piano.

• Within the East Sussex County Council, Exploring East Sussex Programme, several free guided walks have been organised by the leader Nick Brown for winter/spring.

All the walks are taken from Nick’s recent book, Walks in 1066 Country, which is a series of 14 walks in the 1066 area and is recommended by the local tourist board.

The next walk to take place is on Wednesday, December 8, 10.30am, and you will need to meet outside the historic Battle Abbey.

It is considered a very pleasant 4.25 miles walk following the 1066 Country Walk and heading down into Powdermill Wood to see the free range pigs pictured in the book.

After the walk – rated as easy/moderate there are plenty of refreshments options available.

• The Second Wednesday Society meets on Wednesday, December 8, 2pm in the New Hall for the annual general meeting, at which mulled wine will be served.

At 2.30pm Mrs Susan Bridge will be talking on the subject of ‘The Life and Times of Dick Whittington’ which will be followed by a home-made pre-Christmas tea.

All welcome and the cost is: members 50p for tea and visitors £3.50 (includes tea).

• You are invited to join the Friends of Winchelsea Methodist Chapel for a Christmas Celebration of Words and Music.

Special guests will be the ‘Village Choir’ from Pett and District and there will also be opportunity to sing plenty of advent and Christmas carols and share readings together.

The celebration will be on Wednesday, December 8, at 7pm in The Chapel and will conclude with seasonal refreshments.

• The Winchelsea Singers hold their Annual Carol Concert, in aid of St Michael’s Hospice, on Saturday, December 11, 7pm in St Thomas’ Church.

Duncan Reid is the Music Director, Ivora Rees will be playing the piano and Jean Taverner, the organ.

There will be seasonal refreshments and entrance is £8 by programme at the door.

• Winchelsea Advent Windows Walk takes place between December 1-31, each day from 3.30pm-8.30pm.

A different window will be revealed in the town and to discover where these windows are you can buy a map from the Winchelsea shops or pub.

All proceeds will go towards special cots for the Conquest Maternity Unit.

• Also in aid of the ‘Advent Window Baby Cot fund’ a Coffee Morning has been arranged by the Winchelsea Art Group to see some of their recent work. This will be on Tuesday, December 14, from 10.3 am to noon in the Court Hall.

• On Monday, December 13, at 9.50am the train service to Ashford will commence from Winchelsea Station.

Eight minutes later the train to Hastings, Bexhill, Lewes and Brighton will pick up anyone travelling in that direction.

These are the first trains in the last five years to stop at Winchelsea Station and John Spencer, of the Rail Action Group, will be on the platform with well wishers to celebrate this achievement and there may be coffee/tea available.

He also hopes to see passengers there looking forward to using the new service from 9.40am.

You may want to be the first to take a return trip on the train!

A TV screen is due to be set up on the platform for train information as well as new lighting.

In addition two new cameras are to be installed to record all traffic on the level crossing and assist with security in the car park.

Cindi Cogswell, 31 High Fords, Icklesham

BREDE

• With reference the robbery at Broad Oak Stores last weekend when the cash machine was stolen following a ram-raid of the premises.

The two vehicles involved, previously stolen, have been found abandoned at Woodchurch, along with the cash machine which was still intact with the money.

The police would like information from anyone who was in the area of the crossroads in the early hours of Sunday, 28th November, as regards any suspicious activity that they witnessed.

If you have any information please contact the police on 0845-60-70-999 quoting Operation Arkley or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.

• Tomorrow, Saturday, December 4, the St. George’s Church Holly Fair is being held in the Village Hall from 11am to 1pm.

As well as gifts and activity stalls, mulled wine, mince pies, hot soup and rolls will also be available.

On the following day, Sunday, December 5, there will be a Concert of music for Advent and Christmas, in St. George’s Church at 6pm.

The Women’s Institute Rother Group’s Carol Concert is on Monday, December 6, at Westfield Church.

• Brede Bell Ringers will be erecting a Christmas Tree again this year outside St. George’s this week.

If you would like to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one or a special occasion a donation of at least £1 would be appreciated.

Please put your name and dedication in an envelope and drop it in to Andrew Burchett, Alexandra Cottage, Stubb Lane, Brede TN31 6EJ or give to any of the Bell Ringers.

There will also be an opportunity for you to make a donation at the Holly Fair or at the Brede Farmers Market (on the apple stall).

The proceeds this year are going to be shared between St. George’s and Help the Heroes and a list of dedications will be included in the Parish Magazine in the New Year.

• Also on tomorrow, Saturday, December 4, is another Open Day of the Brede Steam Engine Society at Brede Waterworks from 10am to 4pm.

There is plenty of free parking – just follow the signs near to the top of Brede Hill.

Enthusiasts of historic machinery are always welcome at these open days.

In the evening, at the Village Hall, the last dance for this year is being held from 7.30pm. Admission is £3.50 with the programme including most of the popular types of dances.

• The next meeting of Brede Women’s Institute is on Wednesday, December 8, at 2pm in the Village Hall.

This is the Christmas meeting with a competition for ‘The Holly and the Ivy’. n Brede Friendly Circle would normally meet on Thursday, December 9, but will be having their Christmas dinner at the Brickwall, Sedlescombe instead.

• Walkers and ramblers are invited to join the walk of about four miles from Battle Abbey and down through Powdermill Woods on Wednesday, December 8.

Full details of time etc. can be obtained from Nick Brown on 07918-907265.

• Tickets will be on sale shortly for Brede Players’ New Year production on Friday and Saturday, 7th and 8th January, 2011.

Their choice this time is a family fairytale entitled ‘Many Moons’.

Tickets are £6 (children £3) and can be obtained from Broad Oak Bakery or by calling 01424-883548.

• This week’s services at St. George’s Church are the Family Eucharist at 9.30am and Evening Prayer at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 5th, with Holy Communion on Monday, December 6th, at 6pm, Tuesday, December 7th, and Friday, December 10th, at 9am and Wednesday, December 8th, at 10am.

Brede School Carol Concert is on Monday, December 13, at 2pm.

Carol Singing will take place from about 8pm on Wednesday, December 15, at The Plough, Udimore.

• Trinity Methodist Church continues at Broad Oak again this Sunday, December 5th, for their normal Service at 11 am which will be conducted by Mrs. Jennifer Winnington.

The following Sunday, December 12th, will be their Carol Service at 3pm.

• Summary of this week’s activities:

The Village Hall: Saturday, December 4th: Holly Fair (11am to 2pm); Village Dance (7.30pm).

Monday, December 6th: Age Concern (10.30am), Rainbows (4.30pm), Brownies (5.30pm), Whist Drive (7.30pm).

Tuesday, December 7th: Painting for Pleasure (10am).

Thursday, December 9th: Tai-Chi (2 pm).

Friday, December 10th: Farmers Market (10am), Short Mat Bowls (7.30pm);

Scout Hut, Stubb Lane: Monday, December 6th: Beavers (5.30pm) and Cubs (6.45 pm).

Tuesday, December 7th: Scouts (7pm).

Community Hall, Broad Oak: Wednesday, December 8: Coffee Morning (10 am).

• If you have anything to be put in the column it can be sent e-mail to: [email protected]

JOHN MAY, Mill Lands, Brede

UDIMORE

• WE were away on Saturday and consequently had to miss the Grand Christmas Fayre in the new St Mary’s Community Hall, but several people have told me what a very successful event it was.

All the various stalls did good business, and the mulled wine and mince pies were very popular.

In Nadia’s competitions, an innovation this year, prizes were awarded to: 1 The Great Bake (a) traditional Christmas cake, Christine Compton (b) other cake, Rosemary Crouch (c) Preserves, Denise Pitcher. 2 The Perfect Winter Photo, Peter Marshall 3 Christmas table Decorations Made with Natural Materials, Gill Rothery.

The winning ticket in the raffle for the famous hamper was held by Penny Anderson.

The churchwardens have asked me to thank the many people who helped them in numerous different ways, both on the morning and for some time before that, enabling them to raise the good sum of £850 for church funds.

• EVERYONE who drove along Church Lane that morning had reason to be grateful to the county highways department for their timely repair of a series of nasty potholes which had been giving unwary drivers an abrupt jolt or two in recent weeks.

Officers of another department, bridle paths and footpaths, also took action last week: for the second time this year they were obliged to close the footpath linking our Plough Inn with The Queen’s Head, Icklesham.

The footbridge over the Brede, generally known as the Cradle Bridge, is in a dangerous condition and has been closed to the public. It’s hoped that repairs can be completed in the Spring.

Meanwhile, subject to landowners’ consent, it’s possible that the footpath may be temporarily diverted via the farm bridge some 250 yards upstream.

• TODAY (Friday) you’re reminded there’s due to be a Christmas Disco for Primary School Children 6-8pm in St Mary’s Community Hall. For tickets (£2) ring Cherry Merricks (07895 639773).

• TOMORROW (Saturday) the Bromley Youth Orchestra and Newstead Wood School for Girls Choir is giving another concert in St Mary’s Church Rye at 7.30pm, in aid of Chernobyl Children Rye. For tickets (£10) call either 01797 224935 or 01797 223188. If you enjoy good music, this is a concert not to miss!

• ON BOTH this Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm, you’re reminded that Brenda Hartill’s inspirational studio at Pound House (opposite Church Gate) will again open to the public. Do try to look in, to admire an extensive display of new work by Brenda and her friends, much of it for sale at attractive prices, and print-making demonstrations.

• NEXT Friday (December 10) please don’t forget the important meeting to launch Wild Udimore, at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Community Hall. It will be of very great interest for all Udimore residents who notice the wildlife we see and hear around us every day of the year.

• TWO advance dates (from the Parish Magazine): 1) Friday December 31, at the Plough Inn, New Year’s Eve dinner and party. Tickets (£30) ring 01797 223381. 2) Friday February 25 noon, in St Mary’s Community Hall, mid-winter lunch in aid of Four Overseas Charities. Tickets (£10) ring 01424 883463 or 01424 882657.

RICHARD HOLMES, Beauchamps, Udimore

PETT

• Boathouse held its inaugural meeting at Pett Village Hall on Sunday, November 28.

Boathouse is a performing arts project for young adults (16+) who are in supported education/training in the Hastings and Rye areas of East Sussex.

It has been set up by Olivia and her parents, family and friends, who recognise the need for young adults to participate in community based performing arts.

Many young people in supported learning socialise only in their college or place of training.

There was a need to provide a base where students can meet regularly and take part in a creative process, which works towards showcasing their skills.

Boathouse will provide a variety of theatre arts delivered by professional teachers, artists and committed volunteers and will include: Drama, Dance Singing and Signing choir, Theatre crafts and music workshops.

It is hoped to showcase work in progress in the spring, with a full production in the summer and a seasonal performance in December.

The pilot project will run throughout 2011, on Sunday mornings from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Pett Village Hall.

The project begins on 16th January 2011, in blocks of five weeks with breaks for half-term holidays, Easter and summer.

It is envisaged that there will be a nominal cost to participants of £3 per week.

For further details contact Kim Barry on 01424 815046 or email: [email protected]

n Church Services on Sunday, December 5, – Parish Communion, St Mary & St Peter, Pett at 9.30am; Sunday Service at the Methodist Chapel at 11am.

Mary Saint, Pett Road

WINCHELSEA BEACH

•The Bingo evening and annual Christmas Party will be on Wednesday, December 8 in the Community Hall.

Starting at 7.15pm for 7.30pm there will be refreshments and a raffle.

Bingo players must be over 16 and children are welcome with an adult.

This is the last bingo session for the year but it will restart on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, when hopefully the weather will be warmer.

• St Richard’s Church Fellowship Lunch will be on Friday, December 10, at noon for 12.30pm in the Community Hall.

These lunches are open to all and you will be able to enjoy some home cooking and a glass of wine with friends.

It is essential to book so please contact Joan Phillips on 01797 227394.

• Winchelsea Beach Community Association (WBCA) is holding its annual ‘Over 60’s Christmas Tea on Wednesday, December 15, at 3.30pm for 4pm in the Community Hall.

If you would like to attend please leave your name with Judy in the Post Office (W/B) or Sue on 01797 226618.

• PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) James Armstrong covers Winchelsea Beach, Winchelsea, Icklesham, Camber and East Guldeford.

He can be contacted on 07990704108 or to find out more the website is: www.sussex.police.uk

Cindi Cogswell, 31 High Fords, Icklesham

WHATLINGTON

• Tomorrow, Saturday, Mountfield & Mountfield School has a Christmas Fayre and Open Day at the school, 11am-1pm. There will be a lucky dip stall, face paints, tombola, games, craft activities for children, hot rolls and soup, cakes & snacks and tea/coffee. You may also like to visit Santa’s Grotto.

There’s also a chance to look around the school also, even if you do not have a child there yet! The school is situated on the A21 roundabout next to John’s Cross Caravans. Please do support our school, as these events raise necessary monies to provide necessary equipment. If you need any more information call 01580 880587

• May I thank The Forestry Commission for supplying the magnificent Christmas tree, that the schoolchildren were able to decorate before it was displayed in St. Mary’s Church, Battle. Thanks to the Mountfield & Whatlington School pupils, on behalf of the Parish Church, for decorating the tree so beautifully. Each pupil made and coloured a flame, that was cut out and placed on the tree.

On the top of the tree was a phoenix, rising from the flames, depicting the ‘rising’ of the Parish Church after the fire. The tree was part of a number of decorated by various groups and displayed in St. Mary’s Church Christmas Tree Festival. The theme was Charity and The Parish Church is one of the beneficiaries.

St. Mary Magdalene Church also had a stall in the church last Saturday, selling Christmas cards and Yew; they raised £257.30 .

• I have just heard the Parish Church’s Christmas Tree won the adult section of the decorated Christmas trees. People have voted over the weekend for the best tree is two categories. May I take this opportunity of thanking all those that voted for the school’s tree and all those who supported the stall.

• This Sunday, at 2.30pm, there is a concert in aid of the Church Appeal Fund at Whatlington Village Hall. We welcome back ‘Waits & Measures’, madrigal choir, to perform ‘A Taste of Christmas’ , which will include, carols and readings. The readings this year will include ‘A Welsh Christmas’ (Dylan Thomas), The Christmas Truce 1914, Eddi’s Service by Rudyard Kipling and Christmas in Central Africa.

Audience participation is much appreciated during the Carol singing; a reminder that Christmas is not far away! Mince pies and mulled wine will be served in the interval. Admission is free although there will be a retiring collection. This is not a church concert but a concert given by ‘Waits & Measures’ in aid of the Appeal Fund.

• On Friday, December 10, ‘Cantabile’ will be telling the story in song of The First Christmas, directed by Molly Townson with Richard Eldridge at the piano , 7pm for 7.30pm at St John the Baptist Parish Church, Sedlescombe. Tickets from The Village Stores, The Rectory (01424-870233) and at the door - priced £8 to include wine and mince pies. Proceeds are in aid of the church.

• The Royal British Legion, Battle Branch has some information about the branch and Mac writes: ‘The Royal British Legion provides financial, emotional and social support to serving and ex-service men and woman and their dependants all year round. We are the custodians of ‘Remembrance’, ensuring people remember those who have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

“Social activities include bingo, pool, quiz dates and darts and we can cater for birthday parties or for any other occasion.

“Please join us on Saturday, December 18, for our Christmas party where you will be entertained by the fabulous Joanne Day. The party start at 8pm and a buffet will be served. Guests are welcome at £5 per ticket and small contribution from members would be welcome.”

If you would like to join The Royal British Legion, Battle Branch, or require more details contact new club manager, Mac on 01424 774277 You do not have to be an ex-service person to join the Legion , just go to the branch inside the Memorial Hall, High Street, Battle, and fill in an application form . Membership fees are £13.50 per annum.

• As you may recall I am collecting food for ‘Surviving Christmas’ for hampers to be delivered to the vulnerable members of the community in Hastings, St Leonard`s and Bexhill area. Hampers usually contain soups, baked beans, spaghetti, tomatoes, fruit, tinned meat, tinned fish, tinned potatoes, tinned vegetables, evaporated milk, marmalade/jam, sugar, tea, coffee, long life milk, custard, mince pies, toilet rolls, toothbrush/paste, shampoo, soap, light bulbs, cake, smarties/ sweets, chocolate bar and toiletries.

I will leave a box outside my front door, in the porch, weather permitting, until December 15, for those who wish to donate. My address is Lismoyne, Oakhurst Road, Battle TN 33 0JL.

I will also leave a box in the village hall on the day of the concert, December 5 . May I personally thank the gentleman who has left four bags of goodies for this charity on Monday afternoon and also several other people who have given me donations.

• Alex says: “The log fires are well and truly burning at The Royal Oak now that December has arrived. There is still time to book your Christmas or New Year Party with us.

Our Christmas party menu can be downloaded on website www.royaloak-whatlington.co.uk and we don’t charge room hire for the use of The Barn - our function room that can hold 32 for a sit-down meal or about 50 for buffet.

• Last week’s pub quiz was a very closely fought contest, with ‘That team at the other end of the bar’ finally being the winners!

However the jackpot wasn’t won, so the prize money will roll over to the next quiz which is on Thursday, December 9, at 8pm. Why not put a team together and come along? Maximum of 6 people per team, £1 per person to enter and you even get a free lollipop!

The monthly Irish Music night at The Royal Oak was another wonderful evening with such talented musicians braving the cold weather to come from around the south to play some beautiful Traditional Irish tunes.

It is a pleasure to be able to host such a great night and we’re very grateful to Paul and Jo Dengates for their support. The next Irish Music night will change from its usual last Friday of the month slot to Thursday 30th December at 8.30pm for an Irish “Not New

Year’s Eve Party”!

This is sure to be a very popular evening -put the date in your diary and call us on 01424 870492 to reserve a table.

The latest Sunday Tasting evening at The Royal Oak was an Australian affair with five wines being sampled along with some nibbles.

• The Pinot Gris was a firm favourite, but we had to crack open a couple of bottles of South African red wine just for comparison and in the end the favourite was the South African Matumi Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon!

Suggestions for further Sunday night tasting around the fire include sausage tasting, bubbly tasting and chocolate tasting - any further suggestions always welcome!”

Thank you Alex for this. The pub has also kindly offered to sell Christmas cards in aid of The Appeal after this weekend, so if you are running short of cards you will know where to buy some!

n As Christmas is approaching many often think about those relatives with whom we have lost contact, and we turn to The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service for help. This service exists to restore and sustain family relationships by tracing relatives who have lost contact with each other, either recently or in the past. They believe everyone can benefit from the sense of belonging a family provides.

They handle more than 4,000 enquiries each year, with searches taking from as little as two hours to as much as two years. In 2007 the service concluded almost 3,000 cases representing a high success rate of 87% solved enquiries, or 10 people reunited every working day

A team of 14 staff handled 276 telephone calls daily, receivedmore than 24,000 written enquiries and posted a further 28,000 forms and letters during 2007. The average length of time an enquirer has been out of touch with a relative is 16 years though a record reunion in 1999 involved sisters who had not seen each other for 83 years

Write to The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN, Tel: 0845 634 4747 (local rate) / 020 7367 4747

Email: [email protected] or visit the website www.salvationarmy.org.uk/familytracing

The Family Tracing Service requires three key pieces of information to begin their search - full name of the person being sought; their date of birth and last known address. With this essential information they can begin the process of locating and contacting them.

Their staff of 14 includes skilled and experienced caseworkers, researchers and administrators in their London office.

A lot of their work is on the phone, writing letters and emails, and searching on the internet. Some search methods are confidential, which they have developed over more than 120 years.

They can also draw on support from The Salvation Army’s many centres around the UK and colleagues around the world.

Once they have found someone, the first contact is often made by letter with an assurance addresses will not be made known unless agreed. This pledge must be honoured.

People can correspond via the Family Tracing Service indefinitely until trust is established for locations to be revealed.

The Family Tracing Service began in Britain in 1885 as Mrs Booth’s Investigations Department. Poverty was rife in agricultural areas and families lived at bare subsistence level. At the same time, London and other cities, with their increasing number of affluent families, offered positions of employment for country girls. As they had never been outside their home town, they became easy prey to undesirables of the day.

And so it was within 20 years of the Army’s inception, William Booth, the founder, began to receive letters from anxious parents requesting The Salvation Army to assist in tracing the whereabouts of their missing daughters.

A department was set up to try and rescue these girls and to re-unite them with their families. In those days, paragraphs were placed in the War Cry asking if anyone know the whereabouts of these girls and other missing people and so commenced many years of special ministry in this area.

From that humble beginning, the service now has officers/staff in most western countries where The Salvation Army is established, conducting enquiries regarding missing family members.

• The renown Whatlington Pageant takes place on Sunday, December 19,3.30pm. I will be let you know where you will assemble to begin The Pageant, now you cannot use the church, next week I hope. The procession will be led by Canon Alan and include children dressed up as Mary, Joseph, Three Wise Men, Shepherds and Angels.

Children, if you would like to dress up as angels or shepherds contact Yvonne Underhill on 01424 775440. You will have no lines to learn and dressing up is really exciting! Then it will be led by Mary on a donkey with Joseph beside her. All will pause while Carols are sung, accompanied by Battle Town Band, and ‘Readings’ are read, to tell the beautiful story of Christmas, at various points, as we make our way to the Stable.

When everyone has gathered outside the stable, the doors will be opened to reveal the nativity scene, with baby Jesus in a crib surrounded by the shepherds and angels , with the Three Wise Men joining the scene. Warm refreshments will be served after the last Carol.

The church would like to thank Yvonne for all the hard work in organising The Pageant and Dr and Mrs Apthorp for allowing their barn to be used, and providing the warm refreshments.

All cars must be parked at the village hall car park, which will be signposted, as will the church. A collection will be held in aid of The Appeal Fund. Please wear warm clothing, suitable footwear; wellies, and have a torch to hand, as although the event starts while it is light, it will finish in darkness.

• Canon Alan is leaving on January 9, 2011 to be ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.

• Parish Communion, led by Canon Alan will be held at 8.30am in the village hall, which unlike the church will be warm. All are most welcome.

Hilda Aplin, Lismoyne, Oakhurst Road

HURST GREEN

• For the second week running there is not a great deal to report, so bearing in mind the saying ‘No News is Good News’ Hurst Green must be a pretty good place. Indeed this observation is born out by the success of the school Christmas Fayre which raised more than £1,000 for the reading scheme and trip funding. If that were not success enough the non-uniform day raised £123.38 for Children In Need.

• Another financial success was the Relics concert which knocked-up about £400. The full total of the week-end concerts and tea dance will be published next week when counted but reports are that the Saturday show was full and the Sunday show almost booked up. Unfortunately, owing to the bad weather the tea dance did not attract people who often come some distance to support these events, but the local people who did come had a rollicking good time.

• The Historical Society meets on December 8 to hear Charles Harding speak on What Sussex Churches Can Tell Us.

• Please remember to donate goods to the Boxes for Troops which can be left at Teknique Hairdressers. For the last two months there have been special offers of free blow dry with any full head colour for new clients and for existing clients there have been reduced prices in the beauty salon. The offers end this week end so there is still time to grab a head scarf and dash down - with of course, some bars of soap, razors etc etc. for the troops.

• The address for the Transport Accessibility Group for a better bus service to Hastings on Sundays is Mr. Tony Staines, 37, All Saints Road, Hawkhurst, Kent. TN18 4HS o1580 75 2825 following last week’s report.

• The church service will be at 9.30 again this Sunday. All welcome to attend.

• The Community Stores is looking really dashing so do go in a buy some local homemade goodies or in-store baked bread.

• Weekly Regulars: Carousel Angels , last Monday in the month for lunch and social gathering - ring Marianne 860 771 for more details

• Parish Council meets the last Tuesday in the month, 7.30pm. All welcome to attend.

• Chiropody Clinic Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. Jeremy Harris 01797 230251 mobile 0799991 7948.

• Aerobics Class, Tuesday 8pm-9pm.

• Martial Arts, Wednesday (Juniors) 6pm-7pm (Seniors) 7pm-8pm.

• Jumping Beans, Tuesday, 1.30pm-2.30pm.

• Trefoil Guild 01580 819 330.

• Maestro Babies (early music learning) 01580 880 135.

• Mobile Library calls on Friday at the village hall, 2.25pm-3.15pm.

• Jempsons’ Peasmarsh bus picks up The George on Tuesday at 1.25pm.

• There is a scheme for elderly or disabled council house tenants which offers help with small jobs in home or garden. for details and conditions ring 0845871 321.

• Items for this column please to 01580 860 340 or [email protected]. Letters/phone preferred please.

Flora Jenner, Max Gate, Burgh Hill

MOUNTFIELD

• Many thanks to those who supported our Christmas Craft and Coffee morning on Saturday, November 27.

Those who came were well served by the variety of stalls and the wonderful present possibilities to solve their Christmas present needs.

The hall looked great with its festive decorations and added to the ambiance of the occasion and the warm social atmosphere.

We raised £125.18, plus one Euro, for hall funds, but since Saturday the owner of the Euro has confessed his mistake and will exchange it for a £1. So we will have raised £126.18. Any offers for the 18p?

• Tomorrow, Saturday, December 4, is Mountfield & Whatlington school’s Christmas Fayre and Open Day, 11am-1pm.

There will be lots of things to buy and do, plus Santa in his Grotto, and hot roll and soup,cakes and snacks, teas and coffee, and the chance to look round the school. An opportunity not to be missed.

• On Tuesday, December 7, the children will be performing their Christmas play at 2pm and would be delighted to have an audience.

• Saturday afternoon of course is Mountfield Children’s Christmas Party at 4pm in the village hall for primary school age and under.

• Monday, December 6, there will be Extend class at 9.45am in the village hall. All welcome.

• Again Monday, December 6, Mountfield Lunch Club will be eating out together at Leeford Place. Please let me know by tea-time Sunday if you wish to join us or need a lift on 01580 880186.

• Battle Area Community Transport hold their annual general meeting at 4pm in Mountfield village hall to which you are invited.

• Mountfield Church has an evening of carols and supper at Johns Cross pub on Friday, December 10, but you’ll need a ticket for £10 for your supper - call Jackie Spriggs on 01580 880261.

Ruby Willis, 1 Brickyard Cottages

NINFIELD

• CONGRATULATIONS to Ninfield School Year 6 football team who played Battle and Langton on Monday, November 22, winning 8-0!

• Hooe’s Old Car Club Show has long since past but the time has come to distribute the proceeds. The committee welcomes written submissions from local groups and charities for grants of money. If you feel you have a deserving cause, please write, giving details, to: Chris Hone, Marwin Farm, Marley Lane, Battle, TN33 0RE, marking the letter ‘Hooe’s Old Car Club’. Submissions must be made by December 31, 2010. Your request will be considered at the next committee meeting.

• The Ninfield Flower Group meets tonight (Friday) in the Memorial Hall commencing at 7.30pm. This includes their Christmas demonstration by the very popular David Thompson, entitled ‘A Colourful Christmas’. Tickets to include refreshments will be £8.50. These are available from Elle Barron on 01424 893385.

All flower arrangements done by David will be raffled at the end of the evening. This is a very popular evening so book soon.

• Ninfield and Hooe residents are invited to the Catsfield Amateur Dramatic Society (CATS) Pantomine ‘The Lost Land of Narkurs’, (Narkurs is a hamlet in Cornwall). This will be held at the Catsfield Village Hall on December 2, 3 and 4, 7.30pm (2.30pm Saturday matinee).

Tickets are £7 adults and £4 children. To book your tickets, please contact Nora Philcox on 01424 892552. Please book early.

• Our local district councillor, Pam Doodes (Ninfield, Hooe and Wartling) now has her own website. To find out what Pam is doing for our local community, see the villages news and views and Pam’s contact details, please log onto: pamdoodes.com.

• St Mary’s Church Christmas Craft Fayre is tomorrow (Saturday, December 4), 10am-12.30pm in the Reading Room (Chruch Lane, Ninfield). Crafts, refreshments, cakes, raffle, tombola, and other games and activities. See Father Christmas and get your Christmas gifts!

• Kitchenham Farm, North Trade Road, Ashburnham, are holding a Christmas Fayre on December 5, 10am-3pm. This is aid of Help the Heros. All are welcome to go along and enjoy the usual Christmas festivities.

• Our local PCSO, Daryl Holter is holding a Policing Panel Meeting on December 7, at the Reading Room (Church Lane, Ninfield), 7.30pm. This is your chance to discuss any policing issues in the village with our local policing team. All Ninfield residents are invited to attend.

• Ninfield Memorial Hall are holding a Carol Concert at the hall on December 7, 7.30pm. The concert will feature The Hooe Brass Band. Admission is £3 for adults, children are free. There will also be refreshments and a raffle. All funds raised will go to the Memorial Hall floor fund.

• Over the next five years BT is rolling out superfast fibre optic broadband across the UK. The Race to Infinity is a nationwide competition run by BT whereby members of the public and local businesses can vote to get their superfast fibre broadband, BT Infinity, in their exchange.

The top five exchanges with the most registered interest as a % of the total telephone exchange size on 31st December will be added to BT’s fibre rollout plan. Exchanges need to get a minimum of 1,000 votes in order to enter the race. People will be able to register their interest via the web site.

BT will also donate £5,000 of computer equipment to a local community project. A total of 1,230 votes are required for our exchange that covers Ninfield, Hooe and the surrounding villages.

To register your vote, go to http://www.racetoinfinity.bt.com. As of Monday evening there were only 40 votes!

n Ninfield Horticultural Society is holding its Christmas Evening on Wednesday December 8, at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. They will be enjoying seasonal refreshments and games. Any edible contributions will be gratefully received. For further information, contact Rose Franks: [email protected].

• The Battle and Villages Lions Club invites you to an evening of Christmas music and carols with the Rother Community Choir.

This will be on Friday, December 10, at Ninfield Memorial Hall, 7.30pm with the concert starting at 8pm. Tickets are £5 per person, including a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

To book your tickets contact Wendy Cattaway 01424 844608/[email protected], or Hazel Rickard 01424 843888/[email protected].

• The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next in the villages December 11, as follows:

Hooe, opposite Denbigh Court, 1.50pm - 2.35pm.

Ninfield, Millfield (Manchester Road), 2.50pm - 3.25pm.

Ninfield, Downsview (Church Lane), 3.40pm - 4.05pm.

• The Ninfield and Hooe branch of the Bexhill and Battle Conservative Association are holding a social event on December 11, at Standard Hill House, Ninfield, noon. The cost is £5 per person to include Mince Pies and Gluhwein. If you would like to know more, contact Pam Doodes on 892329 [email protected].

• St Marys Church, Ninfield are holding their monthly Winter lunch on Wednesday December 15. The lunches are held in the Reading Room, Church Lane , noon to 1.30pm.

There will be soup, bread, cheese, tea and coffee and a chance for a good chat. There is no charge for these lunches but a donation to charity is appreciated. For further information, please contact Elaine on 01424 846477.

• Church Services for Ninfield and Hooe:

St Mary’s Services (Church of England, Ninfield): Sundays - 9.30am Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month)

1st Sunday of the month - 6pm Book of Common Prayer Communion

Wednesdays - 10am Holy Communion

St Oswald’s Services (Church of England, Hooe): Sundays - 11.15am Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month)

Christmas Church Services:

December 19, St Mary’s (Ninfield) Carols & Christingle Service 3.30pm

December 21, St Oswald’s (Hooe) Carol Service 7.30pm

December 24, St Oswald’s (Hooe) Midnight Eucharist 11.30pm

December 25, St Mary’s (Ninfield) Christmas Day Family Communion 9.30am

December 25, St Oswald’s (Hooe) Christmas Day Family Communion 11.15am

• Over the Christmas and New Year period, I would like to do a piece on all of the clubs/societies/groups that are in Ninfield and Hooe.

If you run one of the clubs/societies/groups, please would you get in touch with me detailing what your club/society/group is about, what you do, when you meet, fees (if any) and what help you may require from volunteers.

I would like to cover every age group and every activity (from football to the Golden Circle).

Please take this opportunity to make your club/society/group known to the rest of the community. Details can be sent to the email address below.

• Anything that you would like included in the Village Voice for Ninfield or Hooe, please email the details to me: [email protected]

RACHEL FEELEY, 17 Smith Close, Ninfield

STAPLECROSS

• Assuming the snow will have cleared by tomorrow (Saturday) morning, Barry and Brian and volunteers will be at St James’ churchyard giving it a monthly tidy up. Anyone wishing to join this happy band will be welcome.

• There was plenty of warmth in Staplecross village hall last Saturday, despite the freezing temperature outside, when there was a delicious hot supper for the forty or so people attending. Jazz pianist Ben Trigg provided the music during the evening which made for a successful fundraising evening for the Parochial Church Council, organised by Lizzie Stern and John Barnes and their team of helpers.

• The Staplecross and Ewhurst Bonfire Society holds its annual Carol Service in St Mark’s Church tomorrow (Saturday) December 4, which will be preceded by Society members in full costume processing from the war memorial in Staplecross at 6.30pm to the church in Northiam Road. After the service, those charities benefiting from this year’s fundraising will be announced and the cheques handed out.

• Ladies of the Women’s Institute will celebrate with a Christmas party on Tuesday afternoon (December 7) in the Church Room in Staplecross at 2.30 pm.

• Next Friday, December 10, it is the Christmas Party for Ewhurst, Staplecross and Bodiam Garden Society starting at 7pm in the village hall. This is also a great fun evening with food and quizzes.

Non-members are welcome to attend for a small fee. It is also “pay up time” for members to subscribe the £6 per person for next year.

• The next Coffee Morning in the Church Room (behind St Mark’s) takes place on Saturday, December 11, between 10am-noon and organisers welcome all those who wish to drop in for refreshments and see what bargains the stalls have, as well as meeting old friends and new.

• There will be Carols round the tree on the Green at Ewhurst on Friday, December 17, at 6pm. This is always a joyous occasion and there will be mulled wine and mincepies on offer.

• Those who enjoy walking may be interested in ‘Walks in 1066 Country’ by Nick Brown (www.spanglefish.com/1066routes, 07918 907265. ‘There is a programme of walks (to include dogs) through to next April. The next one is for Wednesday December 8.

Those interested should meet outside Battle Abbey to start the 4.25 miles walk that will take in Powdermill Wood which used to provide the finest gunpowder in Europe. There are plenty of refreshment options available after the walk.

The starting time is 10.30am and a call call beforehand to Nick Brown to indicate your participation is requested and also in the event of heavy rain (or snow, as forecast, as I write this!).

There is no charge for the walk, but a donation to St Michael’s Hospice would be appreciated.

• The timing of the confirmed minutes of Ewhurst Parish Council does not tie in very well with publication of this column, but for those who wish to follow what is happening in the parish, the following is an extract from the October meeting.

The salt bins for hazardous sections of road and sites agreed. (These have now been installed, just in time for this week’s weather conditions.)

The working group involved with the Herdman Playing Field reported there had been a meeting to drive the project forward.

Ian Stephenson had offered to be project co-ordinator on a voluntary basis and compile a draft specification for seeking competitive quotes from architects. The project will also register with HMRC for Gift Aid.

Sussex Coast College had withdrawn its offer of “donated” labour for Staplecross Social Club. As a result the club has withdrawn its application for a £5,000 grant from the parish council.

A safety audit had been requested for the provision of gateways as a speed deterrent on approaches from Northiam and Cripps Corner.

Jacqui Hyett said there had been a positive response for the provision of yoga classes and there may be a need to hold them in larger premises, maybe in the school.

PCSO Georgiou said much police activity in Ellenwhorne Lane where a burned out vehicle associated with the murder in Robertsbridge of Mr Julian Gardner had been found.

He said the “poaching season” had now begun. Landowners were asked that to avoid wasting police time by advising them in advance of organised/approved night time shooting.

County Councillor Peter Jones said that assuming a cheaper and safer scheme could be devised, it was likely ESCC funding towards the long overdue footpath between Cripps Corner and Staplecross could not be found until 2011/12.

Budget pressures have resulted in ESCC sharing services with other principal authorities. Councillor Jones said that although there were likely to be some cuts, ESCC was determined to keep down Council Tax.

A project by LEP was possibly to work with BT in order to bring high speed broadband to East Sussex, West Kent and coastal Kent.

Local resident Mr Stanley Prodinger advised Councillor Jones of damage to the B2244 Junction Road by very large supermarket vehicles and suggested weight restrictions were required.

Councillor Jones said it was unlikely because it was a public highway but he would arrange for the companies involved to be approached again.

MARY REEVE, Wodens Wood, Cripps Corner

NETHERFIELD

• Netherfield Church – Our Advent Carol Service certainly was a delightful spectacle. Attended by some 80 people the service was taken by Fr. Christopher Channer and the Rev. John Wrenbury.

The children led the candlelit procession and slowly the whole church was illuminated by masses of candles.

Advent carols and readings made up the service and it highlighted the lead up to the coming of Jesus and thus, Christmas.

Thanks especially to the children for their contribution and to all those behind the scenes who make services like this happen.

Remember, this Saturday, is December 4, and Father Christmas is coming to Netherfield Church.

Brunch with Father Christmas between 10am and noon is a must for the children.

Bring them along to meet Father Christmas, collect their gift and even have a go in the bran tub.

In the likely, very festive cold weather, come and enjoy a muffin or hot toast and a cup of tea or coffee.

Please take a few minutes to drop in and spoil the youngsters before Christmas.

Our next service will be the Family Service on Sunday, December 5 at 10am. Paul Smith. Churchwarden.

n Musical Ducklings - From 0-5 years. Contact Claire on 01424 838457 for more details.

• Darvel Down and Area Residents Association. Any resident requiring a lift to the hospital/doctors/opticians. Please call Jim Jefcoate on 838721 or Ron White 838296.(voluntary contributions welcome)

• WHITE HART: Come and join us on December 4 to celebrate our third anniversary at the White Hart.

We have a country singer NULA and all customers new and old are welcome to join us, 7pm till 11pm.

White Hart Bingo, Monday, December 6, eyes down at 7.30pm. Please note this is our Christmas special with extra goodies to win. Jackpot money last month was £70.

Don’t forget our special offer of fish and chips served with peas for only £4.95, food is served from 6pm till 9pm, you can place your order for half time.

White Hart Boules Pitch. The pieste is free to use, any clubs please feel free to come and use the pieste, FOC any time except match days which are Saturday afternoons though the season is now over.

We have a group of ladies and gents that play amongst themselves on Monday lunchtimes.

The Rover group joins us on the secondTuesday of the month - all welcome.

The Harley Davidson group meets on ths first Friday of each month - all welcome.

T.R.Cars meets on the last Thursday of the month - all welcome.

The Breakaway Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month. This is a ladies group that meet and chat, have talks, days out and are always looking for new members - all welcome.

• HASTINGS mobile library will be outside the shop from 11.50am to 12.10pm on Friday, December 10.

• To include your event or local Netherfield news please e mail me [email protected]

Maria Standen, Swallow Farm

NORTHIAM

• Last Saturday we had a very good start to preparing for Christmas with a workshop led by Vanda Goddard in the village hall. Carole Rhodes and her helpers from the Horticultural Society arranged for us to learn new ideas for decorating at Christmas.

I must admit, being so unartistic that I can’t even doodle, that I went with some trepidation, clutching my bunch of flowers, but everyone was very helpful and supportive.

I now have some decorations and flower arrangements of which I am unnaturally proud and a bit more confidence for the future! Well done to all concerned – and the soup at lunchtime was particularly yummy!

n The Primary School is holding an Open Morning today, Friday, 9.30am-11.30am for parents who have children due to begin school in September 2011, (or anyone else who would like to come along).

We are immensely proud of our school and staff and pupils delight in showing off their fantastic facilities.

Come along and see our wonderful Sports Hall, which enables the school to provide a minimum of two hours quality PE time every week.

Our field is massive and is fringed by mature trees, providing shade in the summer months. The chickens and guinea pigs are incredibly tame and love small children!

The Foundation Stage classroom is designed for our youngest children and boasts its own outside area and toilets.

For the last four years, our results have outstripped the county and national averages because the teaching is good, (Ofsted, 2010).

Northiam Primary School offers an exciting and enriching curriculum. Wherever and whenever possible, pupils are out and about thus ensuring that learning is first hand and meaningful.

Our children are happy and beautifully behaved. Our school is very much a part of the village – ours is a village school which likes to include our community in many of its activities.

In this way, we promote good relationships across the age ranges.

As a Church school, there are strong links with St Mary’s in Northiam, taking part in services to celebrate the Christian calendar; Harvest, Christmas, Mothering Sunday, Easter, Pentecost and finally a Leaver’s Service in July.

Jill Thewlis, headteacher, says “We look forward to seeing you on December 3rd - or if that date is inconvenient, just pop in anyway. You will always be welcome.”

• The Fibonacci Sequence will perform for Brickwall Music and Arts Society in the Drawing Room of Brickwall House this evening. Beethoven: Sonata in F for horn and piano, Reinecke: Trio for oboe, horn and piano, Brahms: three Intremezzi Op 117 and Hezogenberg: Trio for oboe, horn and piano. Lovely!

• In the Pretious Sports Hall we have the badminton clubs meeting at 5.30pm (Primary school-age), 6.30pm (Secondary school age) and 8pm (Adults). Dance Club meets in the Village Hall at 7.30pm for Sequence Dancing.

All the various Gymnastics clubs will be meeting in the Pretious Sports Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

• On Saturday, there is a Book Sale in the Village Hall,10.30am-1pm. The kitchen will be open for refreshments, and you are very welcome to browse. These are normally very relaxed occasions, and in addition to books, there will be a selection of jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, videos and an assortment of guidebooks. Many of the books are nearly new, and would make excellent presents.

• Each weekend leading up to Christmas, there is the opportunity to meet Father Christmas in his wonderful medieval grotto at Bodiam Castle. Tucked away at the heart of the castle, the unique grotto will be beautifully decorated with traditional decorations and soft sparkling lights to create a magical atmosphere for visitors.

Inside, Father Christmas will be relaxing in his arm chair, waiting patiently to meet all the good boys and girls and hear their Christmas wishes before giving them a special gift to take home.

Advance booking online at www.bodiamevents.co.uk or 01580 830196 to avoid disappointment. Cost: £7.50 per child (includes castle entry) or £3 for infants under 18 months. Outside the grotto, in the crisp winter air, children will love exploring the castle ruins with the castle’s seasonal challenge, which takes them on a festive adventure to track down the different clues hidden throughout. • For a more hands-on morning’s entertainment, how about joining Rye Harbour Nature Reserve staff on a Festive Beach Clean? Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10.30am on Saturday for a pre-Christmas clean up of rubbish washed up along the beach, followed by hot soup and mince pies.

• On Monday, Yoga, Shortmat Bowls and Pilates clubs meet in the Village Hall, with Badminton Club in the Pretious Sports Hall at 5.45pm.

• Willing Fingers will be making Christmas decorations, and you are invited along to find your inner crafty person. (If I can do it, anyone can!) If possible, please bring a ruler, a small stapler and pinking shears. Meet in the Church Centre at 2pm (ring Jean Brown – 252332 - if you have any queries).

• On Tuesday, Toddlers meet in the Pretious Sports Hall between 9.15am and 11.15am. The Over 60s will be having their Christmas Party in the Village Hall at 2pm. Street Dance sessions run in the Pretious Sports Hall at 5.30pm (6-12 years) and 6.30pm (13-18 years) call Charmaine Masters 07816 417538 for more details. Line Dancing is in the Village Hall at 7pm, with Keep Fit in the Pretious Sports Hall at 7.45pm.

• Coffee Stop opens in the Church Centre each Wednesday between 10am and noon. Over in the Village Hall, Wednesday starts with Pilates at 9am and 10am, then there will be Shortmat Bowls at 2pm and Karate Club from 7pm. Gymnastics runs in the Pretious Sports Hall from 6.15pm.

• Northiam Footpath Group will be walking from the Star Inn, Old Heathfield on Wednesday, leaving the surgery car park at 9.45am for the four-mile walk, which will end with a pub lunch.

• Nick Brown, the author of Walks in 1066 Country, is organising a walk each month under the banner of the East Sussex CC Exploring East Sussex programme. All his walks start at 10.30am, dogs are welcome, and the walks are free, but with a suggested donation to St Michael’s Hospice.

On Wednesday, December 8, the walk has the title Gunpowder and organic pigs! And is a four-mile walk which should take about 1½ hours. Meet outside Battle Abbey at 10.30am and follow some of the 1066 Country Walk heading down into Powdermill Wood which used to provide the finest gunpowder in Europe and is now home to organic pigs! Pre-booking advisable – phone 07918 907265.

• Northiam Seniors’ Club will having their Christmas Party this week, with Midnight Sunset providing the musical entertainment. The Parish Council meets in the Jenkins Room at 7pm.

• Next Saturday (December 11) the Primary School are holding their Christmas Fayre between 11am and 2pm and would appreciate your support (and you might enjoy nailing some bargains).

• It’s always good to hear of a new club starting up, so you will be pleased to hear that a Chicago Bridge Club will start in January. The first session will be on Monday, January 10, in the Jenkins Room at Northiam Village Hall, 2pm-5pm. The annual subscription will be £10, and session fees will be £2 per afternoon. Refreshments will be provided.

All ACOL bridge players from Northiam or further afield are welcome, and you can go on your own, or with a partner, as you prefer. The only requirement is that you turn up ready to play Chicago (not rubber) bridge in a friendly and relaxed spirit.

Please contact Judith O’Connor (252114) or Eve Willard (253431) to sign up, or e-mail [email protected] (that’s Northiam Friendly Bridge Club).

If you would like to attend a session before committing yourself, that would be quite acceptable, and you first session will be free!

• Services (December 5): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30 Morning Praise

KAREN AYLING, The White House, Dixter Road

SEDLESCOMBE

• As I look out this morning to a snowy scene, it really does look like winter has well and truly arrived.

Snow seems to be something that children are fascinated with and love and then there is the rest of us who have seen it so often before that we only seem to see problems which may or may not lie ahead.

How beautiful it is though especially around Sedlescombe, and how fortunate we are to have services near by such as the village stores and the post office.

• This Saturday, December 4, it is the turn of Sedlescombe Primary school to hold their amazing Christmas Fayre from noon until 3pm

There will be a magical Santa’s Grotto priced at £2 with a present for every child.

There will be lots of stalls to help you with your Christmas shopping and attractions for all the family including their amazing raffle with a most impressive range of prizes.

These include a balloon ride for two from Skybuss Ballooning, three-course meal at Sedlescombe Golf course, go-karting party worth £175 from Go Karting 4 Kids, tea for four at Leeford Place, dinner at the Brickwall Hotel, LWA Bodyshop interior and exterior polish value £60,back and shoulder massage with facial at the Beauty Rooms of Rye, First Choice Inflatable 14 by 12ft hire, Jumping beans half term classes plus there will be more to win.

These are just some of the fantastic prizes on offer donated by local businesses in the area so make your way there on the day to be in with a chance to win one of these super prizes. Entrance is only 50p

• The switch on for the village Christmas tree will now take place at 3.30pm on Saturday, December 4 – please note change of date – at the top of the Green in front of the Brickwall Hotel.

The Queen’s Head will be serving mulled wine and hot Pimms during December, which may be very welcome if this snowy weather continues.

The tree will be lit every evening throughout this month and should make a beautiful addition to the village this Christmas.

• Did you know there is a series of free guided walks of 1066 country available for you to participate in?

These are courtesy of Nick Brown and available as part of East Sussex County Council exploring Sussex programme.

The next one locally is on Wednesday December 8 at Battle at 10.30am.

Meet outside Battle Abbey to commence a pleasant 4.25 mile walk following some of the 1066 country walk, then head down into Powdermill Wood, which used to provide the finest gunpowder in Europe and where you might also see some roaming free range pigs.

The walk is rated 2 which is easy to moderate. Dogs are welcome.

The walks are free but it is suggested a donation to St Michaels Hospice would be appreciated. Please contact Nick Brown on 07918 907265 beforehand to confirm if you would like to go along, also it is advisable to check o the day in the event of heavy rain forecast – or in this instance snow fall !

• Sedlescombe Players’ ambitious production of this lively foot-tapping rock musical is set in ‘60’s America’ and stars (wait for it) a man-eating alien plant!

Rehearsals have reached an advanced stage and though we say it ourselves, we think it is going to be the talk of the village and beyond, and you will leave afterwards with an evening to remember.

Don’t just take our word for it though, tickets are about to go on sale for the performances which take place on 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th February, 2011, so make a note now of the dates and places for when you can obtain yours.

December 6, 13 and 20 in the foyer of the Village Hall from 7.30pm to 8.30pm; December 11 and 18 from outside Sedlescombe Village Store and Post Office between 9am and 11am; and from January 2 2011 you can call 01424 718059;

Tickets are priced at £12.50 each and include supper, wines and soft drinks will be available to purchase. This will be a memorable evening – don’t miss it

• A week today, on Friday, December 10, at 7.30pm, the Parish Church invites you to come and welcome the great festive event that is Christmas, with Cantabile and some talented young soloists who will be celebrating The Christmas Story in Song. Tickets; £8 from The Village Shop and the Rectory 870233 and at the door on the night, include mulled wine and mince pies.

• In early 2011, Friends of Sedlescombe Church Trust will be presenting ‘Sedlescombe’s got Talent’ and you are invited to take part in the evening.

There will be our own panel of judges and super prizes to win on the night.

Do you sing, play, recite, juggle, or have another talent you would like to share? Then please register your interest with Jean Dann on 882438 or Anthony Rand on 870722

• If you have an event coming up in the local area or would like to have a small piece, outlining your club or organisation aims, activities, membership etc. then please contact me by email to [email protected] or by calling 870344.

Judy Torrance, Asselton House

PEASMARSH

• Peasmarsh Parish Council is still urging the Highways department of ESCC to approve the installation of flashing VASs (Vehicle Activated Signs) in the village.

The funding for these has been raised through the annual precept.

On Friday afternoon three members of the Parish Council met Mr. Michael Higgs, from Road Safety Engineering, for a site visit and walked both ends of the village discussing possible positions for such signs and other options.

This is a step in the right direction, but it has taken us several years to get this far.

Once again we now have to wait for a response from county council level.

I just wonder how many more accidents have to happen in our village (like the one that actually happened last Saturday!) before our parish council’s hard work on our behalf over this problem gets results from the county council.

• The Peasmarsh Community is holding a Christmas Bazaar at Peasmarsh Church of England Primary School on Saturday, December 11.

It promises to be a morning full of fun for the whole family with a Santa’s Grotto, tombola’s, face painting, jewellery, gifts, pottery, flowers and Christmas crafts including cards, competitions, fun games, books, toys, homemade cakes and refreshments.

There will also be Carol Singing from both the Women’s Institute and the Peasmarsh School Choir throughout the morning. Doors open at 10.30am. Everyone welcome - ticket for the free prize draw on entry.

• Peasmarsh Flying Start Pre-School are holding an Open Morning on Tuesday, December 7, from 10am until noon.

The friendly staff welcome all pre-school aged children and their parents to come along to the ‘outstanding’ pre-school (ofstead 2009) and it’s “safe and stimulating environment”

The pre-school offers places from two years upwards and is situated in a beautiful rural setting.

For further details please telephone 01797 230 325 and press option 3.

• Peasmarsh Flying-Start Parent & Toddler Group is held every Tuesday afternoon during term time, at the pre-school in School Lane and welcomes all children under the age of five and their families. The group starts at 1.20pm and costs £2 per family.

• This Sunday both the 8am service will be at Beckley; there will be a service of Holy Eucharist at Peasmarsh at 10am and Sung Evensong at 3.30pm.

Mary Hitchins, 2 The Old Hop Gardens