Village Voice

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Netherfield Village Hall Jumble Sale: The weather held fine on Saturday last, although a little cold, but the queue for the first Jumble of the year, started to assemble just before 9.00 in the morning. As usual everybody seemed full of anticipation. Could there be a real bargain to be had, not only in the clothes line, but also hidden amongst the bric-a-brac? When I looked out of the window, just before 10.00, the trail of would-be purchasers was winding around a fair proportion of the car park, albeit in a very orderly fashion. At this point I would like to thank all those who contributed the items we had for sale, for without their donations the event would not be happening.

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Tonight (Friday 12th) RAP present - I’m a soul man, a live tribute to The Blues Brothers at The Robertsbridge Club. Doors open 7.30 for 8pm start. Tickets £10.00 available at Judges, The Village Store or at The Club.

Team Belle: The exciting ‘Eggtastic Easter Event’ taking place in the Village Hall is today, Friday 12th April from 12pm – 2pm. Join in with Arts and Crafts, Tea and Cake, Chocolate and Bottle Tombola. Face Painting, Eggxcellent Raffle, and the chance to meet and have your photo taken with the Easter Bunny. Entry will be £1 per child and adults free – including entry into the Easter Competition, with an Easter prize for every entry. Come and help raise more money for Belle.

THE IDEN PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Chairman Ray Griffin opened the meeting, and asked the chairman of East Sussex Council, Keith Glazier to speak. Keith was asked why the roads in East Sussex are seemingly in a worse condition than many other counties. Keith explained that East Sussex would need at least 400 million pounds to deal with the state of our roads, which is not financially feasible. We have inherited our historically poor roads, potholes and poor surfacing having been an on-going problem for so long that the council in present day is not able to compensate for their destruction. We can only afford to repair as and when. However, the council appreciates local people reporting potholes, and will always endeavour to repair them as promptly as funds allow. Houghton Green’s potholes are on Keith’s list for repair. Rother District Councillor Sally Anne Hart said that Rother have given £330,000 for ground improvements to Western Carpark in Camber. Sally Anne hopes to help instigate a grass-roots Crime prevention campaign in Rother, which will include input from G p’s, schools etc., to try and improve crime statistics, which are particularly high in the Hastings area. Fly Posting [roadside advertising] was highlighted by a member of the audience, and Sally Anne said that road side adverts require specific sanction from Rother. unofficial fly posting can be reported to Rother on line. Sometimes posters are even being attached to road signs and can look messy and out of place. Local community posters can be put up on a very temporary basis and removed promptly, but even those should be sanctioned. Rother District Councillor Paul Osbourne said that a new Rubbish collection starts in June, under new management. All households had notification of dates at Christmas time. Mary Philo, our parish Clerk is to organize a litter-pick at New Bridge shortly, as the area soon becomes untidy.

Big News!: Yes, straight in this week as there’s a lot of interesting items to list and Easter events to mention too...So!

CHURCH SERVICES: In St Mary’s this Sunday, Palm Sunday, we meet in the Community Hall car park by 11.10am, for a procession to the church for the 11.15am service, which will be followed by refreshments.

Spring Show: The Garden Society is having its annual Spring Show of flowers, fruit, vegetables and appetising cookery items this Saturday April 13th at 2pm in the New Hall. Admission is free for all to come and see the prizewinning entries and refreshments will be served during the afternoon.

PARISH CHURCH NEWS: Sunday 14th April is Palm Sunday and the church service at Whatlington will be our monthly 10.30am Family Service, tailored to incorporate the handing out of Palm Crosses to remember Jesus entry into Jerusalem on a Donkey, when the people strewed his way with Palms.

When sending me e-mails: regarding entries for the Village Voice, would you kindly put Village Voice in the heading of your e-mail. If I don’t recognise your name I may discard the e-mail!

LENT LUNCHES: The last of the Lent lunches is today, Friday April 12 at Margaret’s home, 2 Forge Cottages, The Green from 12 noon to 1.30pm. Everyone is welcome to go along and enjoy a bowl or two of homemade soup with crusty bread at just £3 each. A warm welcome awaits you. last Fridays lunch raised £52. These lunches have been hosted by Margaret with the help of her friends for many years now covering the period of Lent and enjoyed by many whilst helping those less fortunate than ourselves. The proceeds from all the lunches this year will be donated to Starfish Malawi and Seaview project in St Leonards, a grand total will be available next week. Margaret would like to thank all the helpers, soup makers, servers, washer uppers and raffle ticket sellers but most of all you, the visitors who have supported over the past six weeks.

DUCK RACE: Etchingham Schools Parent Committee have taken over the running of The Duck Race to help raise much needed funds for Etchingham Church of England Primary School. The event will be taking place on Sunday April 28. You can buy ducks for the race at the Post Office or Planters Farm Shop and Cafe for £2.50. There will be the usual competitions for Best Decorated Ducks in various age ranges. The category this year is a Favourite Book Character, or the ducks can come as they are. For those with a more technical bent, there is a Motorised Race. Judging starts at 11am and races start at 12:00. The venue is the field behind Wealden Cake Company and Find Health and Beauty by kind permission of Dr and Mrs Ahrens. There will be a BBQ, cake stall, teas and coffees for sale plus a book stall.

Spring Show: What a wonderful Show! We were treated to some of the most amazing and imaginative floral arrangements, a colourful range of Spring flowers, culinary masterpieces, creative artistry in a range of fields, and large displays made by children at Frewen College and Messy Church. Add to that the chance to meet up with friends and neighbours – a great day was had by all. Congratulations to the committee for continuing to put on Shows which encourage gentle rivalry and mutual support and embrace newcomers.

Pews News: This Sunday, April 14, is Palm Sunday, and there will be a service of Holy Communion at St Peter’s at 9 am. Then, at 10.30 am, there will be Morning Praise at St Andrew’s. The crèche will be available, but there will be no Junior Church this Sunday. At Pett Methodist Chapel, the 10.45 am service for Palm Sunday will be led by Mrs Jennifer Winnington. This is the day when Pett Methodists will be having a donkey procession from the grassy corner by Allards on Pett Road along to the chapel. Meet at 10 am and process to the church with the donkeys and flags!

GREETINGS: There are still some nasty coughs and colds about – do hope you are keeping free of the germs. If not, stay home and rest, and, importantly, don’t share them around. Take a few moments to just enjoy the lovely spring flowers all around us.

Sad News: another member of our community passed away. June Dengate and her family moved into Broad Oak the same year as my family which was over 50 years ago. June’s Cremation is on Monday 15 April at 11.45am. Please add the grieving family to your prayers.