Iden

PAT'S AMAZING PARTY: Iden villagers, friends and family were invited to celebrate Pat Buckland's 80th birthday last Saturday. Held in the village hall, it was a party to beat all parties, and was arranged by Pat's daughter Mandy, and son-in-law Paul, who provided all the little touches which made Pat's day so memorable. Besides a wonderful tea party, [the fare was was baked by Paul], there was music and dancing, and to crown it all, a show put on by a team of Lindy hoppers who got friends and villagers up on the floor dancing. As many of us know, Pat is very deserving of such special revelry in her honour. She has for many years supported Magdala House Day Centre in Rye, which provides meals, activities and companionship for the elderly. Pat has been involved in various activities to support the day centre, and is well known around the village for her empathy and acts of kindness. Well done Pat, well done you for being the Belle of the ball! It was your day. A fitting acknowledgement of a special lady.
Iden newsIden news
Iden news

THE PUB IS OPENED FOR BUSINESS: ‘The Bell’, Iden’s lovely old pub has opened it’s doors once again with new tenants, Victoria and A.J Gordon. The restaurant is now serving a new and exciting menu, and Bar Snacks are now available if you just want something to go with a pint [a blackboard full of snacks to peruse.]. We wish Victoria and AJ much happiness in their new venture. They are young, and bursting with ideas, but both have had considerable experience in the field of hospitality, so already the customers seem happy bunnies.

A SEPTEMBER TABLE TOP EXERCISE: Roy Campion, of ICE, [Iden Community Emergency Forum] is planning a Table Top Exercise sometime in September. It is hoped that members of the local community will participate. Ice already has plans in place to form a link between emergency services and the community. It should provide short term response to natural emergencies such as storms, deep snow and floods, until the professionals arrive. This exercise is to present to the general public an emergency situation to be dealt with spontaneously. A scenario will be presented, and input from everyone will be welcomed. Ice members will be joined by members of Fire and Recue, Police and Medical services for advice and constructive criticism .The exercise will be further publicised, once a date and time is known. Roy Campion can be contacted on 01-797 280147.

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A SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION: There will be a service of Holy Communion, on Sunday, in Iden Parish Church, at 9.30 am

THE POP-IN: The next Iden Pop-In, will be on 25th July, at 11am, in Iden village hall. Do come along, for tea /coffee, a book sale, bric-a-brac, and lively conversation. PLEASE NOTE - Rod Stuart’s village calendars are for sale both in Iden Stores, and at the Pop-In.

BINGO: The next session of Iden Bingo will be on Thursday 25th July, in Iden village hall. Doors open at 2pm, eyes down at 2.30pm. Anyone in the Rye area is welcome, for a raffle, a flier, a jackpot, and a light tea at half time. It’s great fun. Do join us!

CAROL STILL NEEDS DONATIONS: Carol Bourne is still needing donations of bric-a brac, books, and household goods [no electrical goods though] for Iden fete’s ‘Bargains Galore’. Please ring Carol [telephone 01-797 280464], and she will advise where to leave donations.

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AND DON’T FORGET THE FETE [AS IF WE WOULD!]: Iden Fete is on Saturday 30th July. The actual fete starts at 1pm, but the huge Boot Fair opens in the morning, and there will be refreshments available early on. It’s a grand day’. Everyone loves Iden Fete.

COMING SOON: During August Bank Holiday weekend, there will be a flower festival in Iden Parish Church, plus stalls in and around the churchyard for villagers to enjoy.

THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: This month’s Parish Council meeting was held on Tuesday 5th July. Ray Griffin chaired the meeting, and began by thanking all those who helped at the recent cream tea, to support the village hall. He also thanked John Hazelden for a very successful first edition of the Iden Magazine. [next one due out in August] Rother District Councillor Sally Anne Howe, spoke about the 2015-2016 recycling performance plan, which judges recycling figures. Rother obtained 42%. There is a campaign to support improvement. For Information regarding waste disposal we may e-mail [www.rother.gov.uk/waste disposal ] We can also contact KIER, if bins are not collected. Sally Anne also spoke about Rother’s Voluntary Action Meeting, to improve community care, including care for carers, and to improve local voluntary groups and community centres. There are she said huge numbers of unpaid carers in Rother .Sally Anne spoke about the fixed penalty notices for fly tipping. The £400 for fly tipping may be reduced to £280, if paid within 10 days.

Paul Osbourne, chairman of Rother District Council said that small monetary grants are available at the council’s discretion, for those in dire need. Roy Campion brought up his Table Top plan for ICE [see above] More defibrillator training was suggested. The council discussed at length the possibility of tree felling, once it’s been fully established which, if any trees in the playing field need to come down. More discussion is needed and professional advice taken, as this is a costly, serious matter. Mary Philo our Parish Clerk gave her financial report. The minutes can be read in full on the village notice board, or on our Web Site [idenvillage.wordpress.com] The next meeting will be on Tuesday 6th September, at 7.30pm, in Iden village hall [no August meeting]

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OPENING THE DOOR TO A DIFFERENT COUNTY: There is a certain ‘floppiness’ about the countryside this year. [in the nicest possible way]. The roses are beautiful as usual, if slightly overblown. The rain this year has brought about an abundance of amazingly prolific verges, and trees with an overgrowth of leafage. Isn’t it nice to drive along appreciating the light and shade around Iden, especially when coming across a darkened hooded area [a bit like of going under the Blackwall Tunnel?] There is a delicacy about the leaves, as though they’ve overstretched themselves. The cow parsley was so fertile that it threatened to grab us as we walked by, and the grass, well don’t even go there .We could walk into a field and disappear into it’s length, and never be seen again. A few years ago we visited the Lake District, and I was amazed how tall the trees and foliage seemed to be, due to prolific rainfall I suppose. When you think about it, enter almost any county in England, and it’s like opening a door into a different room. Some are very similar, but always with their own idiosyncrasies. Some counties are so distinctive that you can almost imagine a door handle, right there by the Welcome to The County’ sign. This year our own county is looking particularly lush, and every bush and flower seems to me to be having a heyday.

CONTACT ME: If anyone has anything they would like to add to the Village Voice, please ring Gill Griffin [telephone 01-797 280311]

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