Iden

THREE CHEERS FOR THE PEOPLE IN RED T-SHIRTS: Iden fete, on July 30, was a spectacle enjoyed by its usual mass of people. Many thanks to all the Iden Fete Committee, in their red tee-shirts, and to anyone who helped to organise the fete, and assemble and dismantle stalls. Thank you also to anyone who provided cakes for the W.I stall, donations for the tombola and Bargains Galore (and to Carol and Chris, and their team who ran Bargains Galore). To Josie and Debs, and their team in the pavilion, to Dave Studely who fried sausages and burgers all day, to Jim Woods on the Grand Draw, Jed Say, collecting the entry money, to all those who parked cars (a hot, tiring job) to John Harrison our faithful commentator, who kept us abreast of everything that was going on, to the treasurer Bob Hammond, anyone who ran a stall, and indeed to anyone who turned up and supported our Fete. The crowds of people wafting around perusing stalls with gay abandon are always at their most delightful. They were, happy, hassle -free, and in generous mood. We saw whole families, dogs included, enjoying harmless fun, so relaxed, that they were almost horizontal. My mum always told me not to eat in the street, but we can eat anything we fancy at a fete. Burgers, candy floss, honeycomb, ice cream (all so wonderfully allowable, and who can see us anyway behind a candy floss). On July 30th, we wallowed, absolutely wallowed in frivolity. It was great.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Aug 2016, 14:44 BST
Updated 5th Aug 2016, 15:45 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

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THE BOOT FAIR: Tacked on to the fete was our usual enormous Boot Fair, which was very much enjoyed by all. Another string to Iden Fete’s bow (it never ends).

A BEAUTIFUL SERVICE: On Friday July 22 the funeral of Malcolm Halmshaw was held in Wittersham Church. Those that attended said that the service, and the music were beautiful, and the address by family, particularly moving. Stella Halmshaw, Malcolm’s wife, was until her retirement, vicar of Wittersham Church, following which they moved to Iden. Malcolm had a distinguished career in the teaching profession, and had given Stella tremendous support, during their time at Wittersham. Our thoughts and prayers are with Stella and her family.

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STELLA: I’m sure that the congregation in Iden Parish Church would like to join me in thanking Stella for conducting services, following Malcolm’s death. In spite of her own sadness, she gave wonderful sermons and we are all very proud of her.

THE POP-IN: The next Pop-In, will be on Monday August 8, at 11am, in Iden village hall. It’s so nice to start the week with coffee/tea, biscuits, bric-a brac, a book stall, and to just unwind and have a chat. Do join us.

BACKGROUND BUZZ: Summer’s heat is almost always accompanied by the sound of bees, or flies buzzing, in that restless, intense way they have. They are letting us know that summer for us may be a drowsy, laissez-faire interlude, but they are in their busiest (no one sleeps when I’m around) mode. The sound of their flitting and buzzing can be a comforting expression of summer, and may either lull us into a deeper sense of relaxation, or be extremely annoying. A fly in the bedroom at night can drive us mad, especially when it settles on a light bulb, and does its wild dance. It’s an exhibitionist, hoping that we’ll buy into its performance. After all, who are we to sleep when a little fly is still able to fire on all cylinders. It seems to me, that once inside, a fly is happy to call our home its own. It happily explores our rooms like a winged estate agent, but a bee knows full well that it’s wandered into the wrong place, and clings to the window wanting to get out, and buzz around its beloved sage or lavender, or whatever plant it loves the most. Most of us have an inherent need for people and creatures to be happy, bees and flies included, but if I find a Blue Bottle eying up my food, I’m like Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry. (Have I got five swats with this fly swatter or six.? Are you feeling lucky Punk?)

A SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION: There will be a service of Holy Communion this Sunday in Iden Parish Church at 9.30am.

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FAIR AND FLOWER FESTIVAL: Here’s one for the diary. This Bank Holiday, at the end of the month, there will be a Flower Festival in Iden Parish Church, plus a fair, with stalls surrounding the church, for a bit of Bank Holiday fun. It will be a family affair, so do come.

BINGO: The next Bingo session will be on Thursday August 11, in Iden village hall. Anyone from the Rye area is most welcome. Doors open at 2pm. Eyes down at 2.30pm.There is a Jackpot, a flier, a raffle, and a light tea at half time. It’s a fun way to spend a Thursday afternoon. Do give it a try, you might just win, and you will certainly enjoy lively companionship.

ISN’T IT NICE TO HAVE A BOOK ON THE GO?: There is nothing nicer is there than climbing into a book, and settling down amongst its pages? Rest your feet on a full stop and your head on a couple of speech marks and for a while you may be breakfasting with a family, or a couple of love struck 20 year olds, who are about to have their lives turned upside down as the story unfolds. Your own life is momentarily forgotten as you snuggle into the rocking chair belonging to the main character (which probably wouldn’t be your choice of chair at all, but for the moment feels pretty darned comfortable). The author of your book has full control. His ideas go every which way as he drags you through his prose. One man’s meat is another man’s poison when it comes to fiction. The author opens a trap door in his head (so to speak), climbs in, and begins to weave a story, the contents of which surprise even him (or her of course), because plot and vocabulary can be a such a loose cannon. He may not get it right for us, but if he does hit upon a story which enthrals us and offers us the escapism we crave, he is well and truly the master, and we are momentarily his slaves.

CONTACT ME: If anyone would like to add anything to the Village Voice, please ring Gill Griffin (telephone 01-797 280311).

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