Iden

MOVE DOWN THE BUS PLEASE: Last week I wore one of those 24hour blood pressure recorders and my husband said I looked like a clippie collecting bus fares. It took some getting used to, and at one point I had its tubing hanging in a pan of baked beans. Oh, it's no fun getting old. I forget people's names [that's the worst] and call everything a thingamabob. Mind you, there is always an up- side, a looming second childhood is quite an advantage. I find myself getting thrilled about sniffing lavender and having my own herb garden outside the back door has me smiling fondly at the parsley, sage, chives and thyme that come back every year uninvited. I enjoy McDonald's, re-runs of '˜Friends', department stores, and if I was wealthy, I'd buy a carousel for the back garden and ride up and down on the horses supping '˜Slush Puppy'[the stuff that makes your tongue blue.] Old age has a richness to it, a deepening appreciation of so many things. I must say I was glad to get rid of the blood pressure machine though. I had visions of getting hung up on the bedpost by one of it's trailing leads!

THANK YOU, LADIES: On Sunday 23rd September Sheila Ward and Debbie Tiltman organized a very enjoyable afternoon of tea, coffee and cake in aid of Macmillan breast cancer care. Not only were there oodles of sumptuous cakes, but I have never seen so many raffle and Tombola prizes. Thank you to all those who donated cakes and prizes, and to all who served teas and manned stalls. It was one of those pleasant afternoons consisting of cake and conversation [ what could be nicer?] and Iden Bowls Club provided a homely place of entertainment. Thank you Debbie and Sheila. Thank you also to the many shop-keepers in Rye who donated prizes to such a worthy cause. The afternoon made £590. 70. WELL DONE GIRLS!

IDEN AND DISTRICT NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY: On Friday 12th October, at 7.30 pm, in Iden village hall, a new programme of Natural History lectures begin with Brian Gallop talking about April in Turkey. Visitors pay £3, and the subscription fee is a minimum of £14. These lectures are of very high standard, and echo the beauty of our own surrounding habitat.

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A QUIZ NIGHT WITH FISH AND CHIPS: There is a Quiz Night in Iden village hall on Saturday 13th October [6pm for 6.30pm] Tickets are available from Iden Stores priced at £11, which includes a drink. Teams of 6 or less at a table. The minimum prize is £50.Last date to buy tickets is 10th October. There will be a vegetarian option for the meal. For queries please ring 01797 280315. Bring your own favoured condiments for the fish and chips!

A MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING TODAY!: There is a Macmillan coffee morning today at Ferry Road Health Centre, at the surgery from10am-12noon.

IDEN CHURCH SERVICES: There will be no morning service this Sunday, but at 3pm in Iden Parish Church, there is a special ‘ Harvest Praise ‘ for all the family this Sunday [30th September]. The church will be decorated with Harvest flowers and seasonal fruits. Donations of non -perishable produce will be gladly received, to be distributed to local causes. There will be Harvest hymns and appropriate readings, and afterwards all are welcome to tea in The Old Hall. If you would like to contribute something to share, please bring it along.

HANDBAGS: I remember my tiny, slight mother carting around a handbag I could hardly lift. Her handbag had a guarded feel like some secret fortress, an Aladdin’s cave of everything which might come in handy. Now, I’m just the same, carting around the kitchen sink. There is nothing neat and minimalist about my handbag, something I envy in other people’s bags. I like a big bag, so I can take upstairs odd bits of this and that, and bring down in my bag what belongs downstairs, so consequently it’s sometimes full of all kinds of things which don’t belong in a handbag like a pillow case and an empty Coke can. At a theatre one day my husband said to the man checking the bags “I wouldn’t put your hand in there unless you’ve had a tetanus- shot. Tidying my bag is like doing out the attic, but I guarantee to have plasters , tissues, perfume, antacids, antihistamine, a sealed crepe bandage, antiseptic wipes numerous pens, paper, a book, cough sweets, winter gloves, a hairbrush, little gold safety pins, scissors for the church flowers, a tape measure and a small picture of Holman Hunt’s ‘Light Of The World’. What I find strange is that women rarely leave their handbags behind. We pick them up automatically without remembering having done so. They are such an integral part of us like a third arm!

CONTACT ME: If anyone has anything to add to the Village Voice, please ring Gill Griffin [telephone 01797 280311]