MISSING: Isn't it funny how many comments there are when my piece fails to appear, and the rare comment when it does? Last week, I laboured over it for ages but what appeared certainly gave Westfield good coverage pictorially. Sadly some items were relating to last weekend's events and others will have to be acted upon quickly.

LIBRARY: A reminder that today, Friday, is when the mobile library van visits Westfield at the usual two stops of Geary Place, Moor Lane, from 2.25 to 3.15pm and then Churchfield by the A28 from 3.30 to 3.55pm.

CHAZZING: This is your chance to go chazzing in Westfield tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, in the Community Hall from 2 to 4pm. As you will have read recently in the Observer, Chazzing is the art of charity shop buying. The Table/Indoor Boot Sale is the obvious place to start, keep your shopping local, just as you would support the local shops instead of travelling to the metropolis. Items vary and will include clothes, books, toys, household, collectables, consumables etc. There may be a chance to make a last minute booking for a table at £6 each, call 01424 755721. Teas and coffees will be available.
If you are not selling, please drop in to support the sellers and the event for the Community Association.

BURNS' NIGHT: Many people gather for a Burns Night supper round about the birth date of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, either highly serious or an occasion to enjoy company and traditional food. Fancy marking this occasion with a haggis, neeps and tatties? In Westfield, there has been the opportunity all week to enjoy this menu for £5 at The Old Courthouse, and this continues until Sunday evening, no booking required. Alternatively, or as well, at The Plough Inn on The Moor, there is the chance to be merry on Saturday, where the haggis meal is available at £6.95 but with the offer of buy one get one free, please book on 01424 751066. Kilts, sashes and ties etc. would contribute to the scene but any reference to the poet is very unlikely.
Incidentally, Royal Mail published this week a set of commemorative postage stamps marking the 250th anniversary of his birth. There are two first class stamps - one featuring a portrait of the bard and another bearing the words of one of his most famous songs, A Man's A Man For A' That.

CHURCH: At the parish church of St John the Baptist, Westfield, on Sunday, Holy Communion (1662) is at 8am, and as it is the fourth Sunday in the month already, Prayer Gathering is at 9.45am. then Family Service at 10.3am. Morning Prayer is now said on Fridays and Saturdays each week at 9.30am.

MYSTERIOUS: Don't miss the chance to buy tickets for the Murder Mystery Evening organised by the 1st Westfield Scout Group on Saturday January 31 in the Parish Hall. The Scout Leaders or Archers the butchers have the tickets at £5, include supper, tea and coffee available or bring your own drink and glass. Alternatively, to book and obtain further details phone 01424 754080 or 753684. This will be an evening of entertainment, prizes and mystery. Come with a team of about six people, or make up a team on arrival, for a 7.30pm start.

OLD COURTHOUSE: Don't forget the opportunity to buy a pint of lager or real ale for £2 a pint runs until the end of January - Andy selects which will be the daily special, so drop in and find out or check out the website – www.oldcourthousepub.com The kitchen is always open from 12 noon till 9pm with a varied menu. Remember also the forthcoming events: Quiz Night at The Old Courthouse on Saturday March 7 with the Cricket Club and March 21 a Karaoke with supper, tickets available from Westfield Football Club.

PLOUGH: For lovers of TV football, call in at The Plough for Live Premiership and European Football on a 42 inch screen. While stocks last, there are bottles of Carlsberg only at £1 each from kick-off until the first goal is scored. Also, don't forget the new 'Merry Hour' Monday to Friday, 5.30pm to 7pm, when all pints are only £2.20 alongside free pool and juke box.

HORTICULTURAL: Schedules for this year's activities with Westfield Horticultural Society are due to be delivered to members this weekend; 'under new management' they will have a new look. It is said to be good to have a change, so member or not, during the next week or two see a copy for the classes in the Spring Show at the end of March and decide which class you could enter.
BARN DANCE: Westfield Community Association will be holding another Barn Dance with The Reel Thing on Saturday February 28 in the Community Hall.
Please make a note of the date now, tickets at £5 will be available from mid February.

CARDS: Richard at Westfield News in Chapel Lane has taken delivery of a new range of BW cards to widen the choice of occasion when you love to send these witty, true to life cards. There is no need to go to Battle, Heathfield or Hastings Old Town, BW cards are on our doorstep in Westfield.

WALK: We were without Emmie and Megan on Sunday's monthly Footpath walk in the parish but had they read that they were expected, they would have been out like a shot. It was a lovely afternoon for a walk with a good view of a barn owl to round off the outing.

PLAYPARK: One of my bête noirs is calling children 'kids'. We trust the new play equipment will be treated in an appropriate manner and not as if they are in the farmyard; no butting of fences or people. The official opening of the new play area on the Recreation Ground was held on a bright crisp day a fortnight ago. There were pictures in last week's Observer. Keith Cheetham, headteacher, and staff members brought a class from school to play on the new structures after witnessing the planting of a walnut tree in memory of Anne Norris, MBE, 'who would have loved to be here now to see all this' said her daughters.

LIGHTS: Thanks all round for Westfield Christmas Lights Display 2008. The number of households taking part seems to increase each year, and contributing through their electricity bills. The Church Lane properties certainly provided a glorious spectacle for drivers on the A28, residents and visitors who came to Westfield especially to see the lights, either individually or by coach. We were particularly grateful for the cheque donation sent by post from one party and thank them again for sending it; they were welcomed when they came. Overall, the wonderful sum of £3,412.78 was collected from people who came to view the scene, so thank you to them. This figure was £146 up on last year, so considering the financial climate, this was absolutely staggering. The collection was again for St Michael's Hospice in St Leonards-on-Sea, where so many of our friends welcome the service given, either for themselves or their relatives. Ken Munday rallies his troops for the season and keeps me informed, thank you to you all.

AIR AMBULANCE: There are three collection boxes in Westfield for the Sussex Air Ambulance for anyone wishing to donate a small amount of cash for this worthwhile charity which relies on donations for its operation. It is always comforting to know that the craft is soon on the scene of an accident during daylight hours and expert help is at hand. Profits from the prize draw help to raise the £1.5 million a year needed to fund the life saving helicopter. The Air Ambulance Lottery is promoted across the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Many people show their support by entering the weekly lottery with a £1 ticket, when the first prize is £1,000, second prize £250 with ten further prizes of £25 each. To join, each member receives a Membership Card containing their unique Membership Number, and an Air Ambulance car sticker. Each chance costs £1 per week though there is no limit on the number of chances you can have each week. You will be allocated a 5-figure membership number, unique to you, which is entered into each Wednesday's draw, when the computer randomly selects 12 weekly winners. The rollover lottery, the Super Draw, for which you have to be a weekly member, is due to find its second winner at the end of January as the jackpot has not been won and has grown to £25,000, the maximum prize, tickets also £1. Payment may be made by cheque (suggested minimum £13), Direct Debit or Credit/Debit Card.
For further information, please call the Air Ambulance Lottery office on 01622 833 833 ask for our Lottery Department or visit the Kent/Sussex Air Ambulance website.