Village Voice

How to contact me: by telephone 01424 882037 or email:bredevillagevoice@btinternet.com

Pass & Move at Netherfield Village Hall Playing Field: My good lady and I decided to see what all the talk was about regarding the football being played on a Sunday up at the Hall. Luckily for us, the weather was kind and the sun was shining as we walked towards this local hot-spot. A dad and his son had parked their car near the entrance to Plumpton College at Netherfield and as the lad was wearing orange footie gear we assumed they were on their way to the ground and that, unfortunately, it must be very busy from a parking point of view. In that assumption we were bang on the money, as the car park was jammed with vehicles of every shape and description.

COMMUNITY NEWS & REVIEWS: For a rather small community and parish, the residents have recently enjoyed no less than two (2) social events within two (2) days of each other !. Event No: 1 ~ STAPLECROSS MCP SCHOOL - Every parent - and Grand-parent - who attended the ‘HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICE’ was surely filled with love and pride (and no doubt, a few stray tears !) as they listened to the words and songs performed especially for them, by these precious children, at this special service which was held on Friday last (12th) at St. Mark’s church, in Staplecross. Two services were held this day - Swallows and Robins performed in the morning and were followed by Kingfishers and Kestrels in the afternoon. The little stories, poems and the uplifting harvest hymns from both services, were performed with much fun and enjoyment and were such a pleasure to hear whilst seeing all the items of food brought to the church for distribution later on, together with the monetary donations freely given, were not only humbling but were made more so by the willingness and the sincerity of the pupils to help those in need and much less fortunate than themselves. All sums of money collected during these services will be donated to the ‘Methodist Homeless Charity’ - and all the harvest produce - so generously given - will be donated to the Battle Food Bank in the very near future. Our own Canon Christopher Irvine was invited to come along and took great delight in both services and led us all in the closing prayers and thanks to the school. This is a ‘life lesson’ - not on the actual school curriculum - but one that should encourage them to be a kinder, helpful and better aware of the world around them in their later adult life - leading hopefully to a better world for us all. Following the afternoon service, the always much appreciated and welcome ‘tea & cake’ refreshments were served with the pupils taking on the roles of ‘waiting staff’ This was clearly a job they all enjoyed, as their attentiveness to our welfare was superb. This charming event was brought to a close with the announcement by Executive Head of School - Mrs Liz Avard - that Mr David Young - special Guest of Honour - will be leaving the School Governing Board to devote more time to other pursuits - including that of a new Grandad - and was presented with a small assortment of fun but sincere ‘Thank You’ gifts in appreciation of all that he has done for the school in his very long running and dedicated time that he served as a School Governor. For a variety of reasons, - everyone went home happy and cheerful and with a smile on their face proving this was yet another great and successful event in the school’s calendar.

If you have anything: you wish to be included then please get in touch on tal814@live.co.uk

SEW AND SEW: One of my favourite things in all the world is a bit of hand-sewing. Mind you, it’s not without its dangers. I don’t know how many times I prick my finger or lose my needle, and there is a frantic search lest someone in the family ends up in ‘A and E’ for exploratory surgery. There is just something about a needle and thread that makes me feel content. My husband likes it too because I rarely sew and speak. One of my fingers has even developed a bumpy, wayward look through over-use. Do you ladies remember being taught sewing? It was kind of special wasn’t it proudly coming home from school with a sampler or a shoe bag and in the days when we didn’t have a tele, there was something heartening about having our mums teach us cross stitch or embroidery to stave off boredom. One of my favourite jaunts is to a haberdashery shop to enthuse with someone else about rick-rack braid and fat quarters. If the cat gets on my lap and I find myself having to sew right up under my chin to accommodate her. I’m no good with a sewing machine [in fact I’m useless with any kind of machine], but a simple needle and thread makes me feel that my world is pared down to nothing more than a French knot and a thimble.

News from Whatlington Parish Church: The service at the village church next Sunday is an 09.15 Holy Communion. Looking further ahead to the end of the month, Oct. 28th, we have a 6pm service for All Souls, this will be to remember departed loved ones.

GREETINGS: Aren’t the nights drawing in? It’s been lovely getting out for a walk this week, and lots of other people thought the same. But I really don’t want to be reminded that Christmas is just around the corner. Charities and catalogues are all full of “essential” Christmas gifts and cards, and it’s too early. In my opinion, all this advertising should be banned until December appears on the calendar. Hope you’ve had a pleasant week.

THE GHOST: The excellent speaker Dr John Crook’s talk on “Stephen Crane, the Brede Giant and the Ghost Play of December 28 1899” tomorrow evening (Saturday) in Brede Village Hall, 7 for 7.30pm may well have sold out by now, but it would still be worth trying for tickets by ringing Marion Firman (01424 751165) or Pat Whately (01424 883069). The ticket price of £7.50 includes cheese, biscuits and a glass of wine. This is a fundraiser for The Friends of St George’s Church, Brede.

Last week-end: was very busy for some, with the autumn village tidy in the morning, and the seniors tea party and Messy Church in the afternoon. All were very successful, and there are some lovely photos on the Westfield Church and What’s on the Westfield Facebook pages. Thank you to all the organisers who gave up a lot of their time!

Awards Nominations!: Last Chance to Vote! If you’re picking up your Observer from the Lower Street Stores in Ninfield this morning- make sure you fill in the Voting slips for the Village Award and Roger Kent Memorial Award, as the vote closes this afternoon, Friday 19th October at 4.30pm Members of the Parish Council, aided by past winners, will count the votes, and the Awards will be presented on the 27th at the Gala Night (see below!)

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!

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION: This Friday is Quiz Nite. at the Church Mission Rooms, Fair Lane, Robertsbridge. 7pm for 7.30 start - teams of 6. Bar, Ploughman’s and a raffle. All proceeds go to Royal British Legion, celebrating 100 years.

ANNUAL JUMBLE SALE: There is still time to declutter and donate to the sale taking place in the village hall this Saturday October 20 , then come back as a buyer , doors open to buyers 11.30 am. Remember one man’s jumble is another man’s treasure – or woman’s ! Even if you do not think you will want or need anything you may be surprised what you will find Jumble to sell and helpers on the day are both needed and wanted, if YOU can help with either please contact the numbers given. For collection please give a call on 01424870808 or 870688 or please bring to the hall after 9am on the morning of the sale. This is one of the main fundraisers in the year for the church, please show your support. It does seem a win, win situation, you have a more organised, tidier life and the church have extra funds. Refreshments will also be served to keep you going through the sale.

Bonfire: It’s Bonfire Weekend!! Hooray!!

Sale & Tea: The Burwash Not So Young club invite you all to join them at the Burwash Village Hall tomorrow for their annual Autumn sale and tea. Doors will open at 2.30pm until4.30pm, entrance is £2 and includes a cream tea. There will also be stalls selling produce, books, bric a brac, jewellery, crafts etc and a raffle. All proceeds go to the club’s funds.

Pews News: This Sunday, October 21, it’s Holy Communion at St Andrew’s at 10.30 am. The Crèche and Junior Church will both be available. The Harvest Festival, for which I gave copious details last Friday, was actually in Pett, not at St Andrew’s, who had theirs the week before. Mea culpa! At Pett Methodist Chapel, at 10.45 am on Sunday there will be an All Age service be led by Mrs Pen Willcock.

Ceramic Poppies: A reminder to all thirty-five poppy makers that Mary will be returning to the Village Hall tomorrow, 20th October at 2pm to guide us through glazing our poppies before their final firing. There are still a few poppies left for sale at £5 each.

ETCHINGHAM FIREWORKS: It is firework time again, the Etchingham fireworks will be on Saturday November 10, same location as last year, the field near the bottom of Burgh Hill, by kind permission of Tim Crane. Bonfire, Fireworks, Hot Dogs, Beer, Mulled wine, Glow Sticks. BBQ from 6pm, Fire lit at 6.30pm, Fireworks T 7pm. Then why not finish the evening off at the Etchingham Club with music by the Logan Wilson Band from 8pm.