Northiam

The church will be beautifully decorated with a Harvest theme and will be open for refreshments 11-4 on Friday, 10-4 on Saturday and 1-4 on Sunday.

There will be a Harvest Praise Service on Sunday 7th October at 10.30am at which you would be very welcome. Money raised and gifts given will be in aid of Family Support Work, which supports local needy families. If you would like to donate a gift in recognition of Harvest, non-perishable items such as tins of soup, stew, beans etc, toothpaste, pasta, pasta sauce would be most suitable for the FSW worker to have ready to share with people who need them – there will be a box inside the church door to take your gift. Thank you.

Horticultural Society: Jude Lawton will be speaking at the next meeting of the Horticultural Society, today (Friday) at 2.30pm. The subject is Plant Heritage and Garden Plant Conservation and promises to be a very interesting talk. New members are always very welcome – just introduce yourself to someone!

Keep Fit: Sporting options in the Pretious Sports Hall are: Fridays, Badminton 7.30-9.30pm, Mondays, Badminton 5.45pm, Wednesdays, Judo 7pm, Thursdays Karate 7pm. The best way to find out about these clubs is to call into a class, or phone the Sports Hall on 01797 252297 (evenings).

Sporting/keep fit options in the Village Hall are: Friday, Boogie Bounce 10am, Sequence Dance Club 7pm, Monday, Shortmat Bowls 2pm, Pilates 6.30pm, Tuesday, Line Dancing 10am, Wednesday, Pilates 9am and 10am, Shortmat Bowls 2pm, Fitness 6.30pm.

There is also Fitness training on the Playing Fields: Thursdays 6am, LBT 12.30, Beats HiiT 6pm. Sunday Fitness Camp 9am.

WI: Meet in the Village Hall on the second Tuesday of each month for Northiam Women’s Institute. This month, Sue Hollings will be demonstrating Cooking the Italian Way. The competition will be an unusual item from my store cupboard, as well as the flower of the month competition. There will be the usual book stall, with paperbacks selling at 20p and the table sale.

Hist & Lit: Very welcome back after the summer break, the Historical and Literary Society opens this season’s lectures with Mary Smith speaking on British Children in Wartime. The talk is based on a remarkable pictorial record made by a school art teacher of the pupils and staff coping with life and lessons in wartime. With the addition of vivid recollections from Old Girls of Maidstone Girls Grammar School, Mary Smith’s talk is a must for anyone with an interest in the history of the Home Front in the Second World War.

Come along and join up for the whole season for just £10 - Tuesday 7.30pm Northiam Village Hall. This first meeting will include a short AGM.

Flu: It’s that time of year again! Time to get your flu vaccination. Although there was some debate as to the effectiveness of last year’s vaccine, there has been a re-assessment of the vaccination programme, and this year over 65s will receive a different vaccine from under 65s. This is to ensure that each group receives the best product for them. Over 65s will be vaccinated in alphabetical order, with the first clinic for those whose surnames begin with A-B on Wednesday (10th) 2-3.30pm at Northiam Surgery. Just turn up. Younger patients of the practice who are eligible for free vaccine will need to make an appointment. Pharmacies nationwide are providing both NHS and private services.

Thursday Seniors: Every Thursday, Seniors’ Club meets in Northiam Village Hall from 10.30am until 2.30pm. All pensioners are welcome, and free door to door transport can be arranged for anyone in Northiam, Beckley, Peasmarsh and Broad Oak if you are on the Rye Community Bus route. The cost is £8 and includes welcome tea/coffee, a freshly cooked two course meal, extend chair exercises and a talk/entertainment. Call Ann 252343 or Joan 252568 to find out more as a member or a helper.

Bank: The mobile Natwest Bank calls on Thursdays, 2.45-3.30pm in the Village Hall car park.

Parish Council: This month’s Parish Council meeting will be held in the Jenkins Room of the Village Hall at 7pm on Thursday. Parishioners are always welcome.

Indoor Boot Sale: Northiam Village Hall Trust will be restarting their Indoor Boot Sales next Sunday (14th). Bookings can be made via their website.

RDDAA: Rye & District Dementia Action Alliance are holding a fundraising event on Friday 19th October. Music will be supplied by The Fieldstone Boys who are a great local Skiffle band and the food will be bacon butties & beans followed by home-made apple pie and custard. All this for £7.50 a head - what a bargain!

Booking is essential, please reserve your tickets now with Daliea on: 07737 350896. Music and supper will be in Rye’s Tilling Green Community Centre, TN31 7BE.

Bonfire: Hooray for the darker evenings and bonfires and fireworks! Northiam’s Procession will be on Saturday 20th October, and we are holding a Guy competition again this year. Please make your Guy and put it where it can be seen (safely). Judging will be on the Village Green on the morning of the Bonfire, with prizes generously donated by Douglas Moloney. We look forward to seeing an interesting display.

Church Services: 7th: 8am Holy Communion 10.30am Harvest Praise