Ninfield

Hooe Open Group: The Hooe Open Group (Ladies Club) held their monthly meeting on the afternoon of Friday, October 10, at Hooe Village Hall. The speaker was Barry Wilkinson who for many years was a prison warder, commencing work in the 1970’s at Northeye Prison, which was located at the top of Barnhorn Road. This prison was for the less violent criminals, originally totalling about one hundred offenders, who passed the time engaged in rehabilitation activities. The day came when Barry was transferred to the main East Sussex jail in Lewes, where most of the violent criminals were incarcerated. It was a complete contrast to life in Northeye. In former times, inmates would spend many hours working on a twelve foot “Tread Mill” working side by side, round and round for hours on end. There were even small hand driven mechanisms associated with each cell, where the Warder could increase the tension and thereby the effort required to turn the handle, which got the warders the nick name “Screw”. There were also parties engaged in sewing mail bags and if the bags were not required the prisoners would have to unpick them and then resew them again, just to keep them occupied. How things have changed! Today there are recreation and study facilities, giving the prisoners the opportunity to improve both mind and body. It is hoped that Barry will come again next year as he has many a tail to tell, both in and out of the prison service. As usual the afternoon was concluded with afternoon tea and a raffle, which always has many worthwhile prizes on offer. If you would be interested in joining a very jolly group of ladies, who like to socialise why not come along to Hooe Village Hall on the second Friday of the month at 2.30 p.m. For further details contact Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

Ninfield Homemade Fayre: The return of the Home Made Fayre tomorrow, October 18 at the Memorial Hall. Over 25 stalls plus a story-teller! They have ceramics, scarves, cards, sausage rolls, jewellery, pet portraits, cakes and much, much more. Doors open at 10 a.m. and monies raised will go towards further refurbishment of the Memorial Hall.

Christian Voices: Christian Voices, the Musical Drama Group, will be performing their next play tomorrow. It is called “Let My People Go” and is based on what happens when Moses and Aaron tell the King of Egypt to let his slaves go free. The play was written by Alan Young and the songs composed by Dave Chamberlin. The performances will be in aid of the Bexhill Street Pastors. Christian Voices will be performing at Ninfield Methodist Church on Saturday, October 18 at 3 p.m. As usual, entry is free. All are invited to attend.

Ninfield Horticultural Society: On Monday October 20, their new season starts with the AGM at 7.30 p.m. in the Memorial Hall. It is hoped many current and new members will come and just to remind you, it is the time to pay the annual membership fee of £4. As a reward for attending the AGM, this will be followed by the welcome return of Kim Parks with some of his local wildlife slides. We look forward to seeing you there.

Ninfield Golden Circle: Their monthly meetings are held in Ninfield Methodist Church Hall in Church Lane at 2.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. They are a cheerful group of Ladies and Gentlemen who enjoy an interesting programme of Speakers and demonstrations. Tea and biscuits and a raffle are also available. Do join them for a happy afternoon. Our next meeting is on October 21 at 2.30 p.m. in the Methodist Hall, with Joyce talking on ‘Memories of B & B’.

Messy Church: ‘Messy Church’ will be at Ninfield Methodist from 3.30-5.30 p.m., October 22, for young people ages 5-11 yrs. with their parents or carer. The theme in October will be ‘Saints Alive’ & include a meal. All welcome to these popular events.

Village Open Meeting: Housing Survey - the Parish Council have collated the responses to our Housing Survey and will be sharing the results with the village at an Open Meeting on October 22. The meeting will be at the Memorial Hall and doors will open at 7 p.m. Please come along for an update on SHLAA sites, housing allocations, key information from the survey and our next steps. The Parish Council cannot stress enough the importance of your attendance at this meeting.

Mobile Library: The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages on October 25 at - Hooe, opposite Denbigh Court, 1.50 p.m. - 2.35 p.m. Ninfield, Coombe shaw (off Manchester Road), 2.50 p.m. - 3.25 p.m. Ninfield, Downsview (off Church Lane), 3.40 p.m. - 4.05 p.m.

Village Gala Night: Ninfield Village Gala Night returns for it’s 9th Annual event on October 55, at Ninfield Memorial Hall. A Fish & Chip Supper with Licensed Bar, Cabaret, Awards, Disco and Dancing. The Ticket price is £13 per head ( 50p cheaper than last 2 years) and that includes Supper (choice of Fish, Chicken, Sausage or Veg. Burger) plus Cabaret, featuring ‘Deja Revue’ (London West-End, Brighton Venues). It will also include the Awards Ceremony – Village Award, Roger Kent Memorial Award, Carnival Assoc. Presentations and dancing to the International Music & Light show. Dress Code is Formal/Smart, and doors open at 7 p.m. with carriages at Midnight. This has proved to be a brilliant evening, so early booking is essential! Tickets, tables and food orders through Sami Guard on 893699, 07970650321 or email: [email protected] – or see Sophie in the Post Office! Please fill in a nomination form in the Post Office for your choice of Award Winners, closing date October 17.

Halloween: It has become a tradition in Ninfield for the Dance and Drama Club, in association with the Youth Forum, to do an organised Trick or Treat parade around the Village, this year’s being on October 31. Fancy Dress is a must and prizes are given to the scariest Child and Family! We have been proud to see such a fantastic group – sometimes nearly 100 people – parade through the streets, where residents await with sweets, or tricks of their own! – and collecting for the Youth Forum and Local Projects. This year, the Landlords of the Blacksmiths Inn, Ian and Kathy, have asked to join the fun and create a special evening at the Blacksmiths; to include food and games for the youngsters with a spooky cave, bobbing for apples, flour dips etc, followed by a Halloween Party Night for the Adults with food and Disco. The Ninfield Dance Club will be performing in the Car Park; that’s the children and, hopefully Les Belles Burlesques… Vampires watch this space!! Get those costumes ready and come and join a fun evening! Please put a notice in your window if you do not want to be disturbed by trick-or-treaters… This event will always respect non participants.

Ninfield Flower Group: Monday, November 3, commencing at 7.30 p.m. in the Memorial Hall, Ninfield Flower Group welcome Graham King with his demonstration entitled “The Turn of the Tide”. Non members are welcome for a charge of £4, including refreshments. All flowers demonstrated are raffled at the end of the evening.

First Responders: The Bexhill & District Community First Responders, who cover Bexhill, Ashburnham, Ninfield, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Hooe , Whydown & Normans Bay, will be meeting on Wednesday, November 5. This is at Bexhill Fire Station at 7.30 p.m., every first Wednesday in the month. If you are interested in finding out more please contact the Team Leader, Mike Dean on 07970024135.

Ninfield Parish Council: The next meeting for Ninfield Parish Council is on November 6, 7.15 p.m. at Ninfield Methodist Church Hall. All residents are invited to attend.

Crafts for Christmas Craft Fair: The 4th Annual Craft Fair will be held on Saturday 8th November in The Memorial Hall and will be open from 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. The charity this year is Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice. This year there are a number of new crafts on offer, the variety gets better every year. As usual, refreshments will be served all day, so why not meet your friends for a chat over coffee, a light lunch or afternoon tea and cakes? Any enquiries please to Pam Doodes 01424 892329.

Remembrance Sunday: As this year is the anniversary of the start of World War 1 an afternoon of Commemoration of the event has been created, alongside the marking of Remembrance Sunday on November 9. This will be held in the Memorial Hall, doors open at 1.30 p.m. and will include light refreshments, a wreath laying ceremony with the Ninfield Scouts and the Parish Council, a short presentation from the History group on the usage of the Hall during wartime, a poignant piece by the Drama club enacting a WW1 scene, some popular songs from the era performed by youngsters from the school and a short sermon from a ‘WW1 Chaplain’. Then there will be tea etc. and a natter, with doors closing by 5 p.m. This is an all inclusive village event, there is no charge, all residents are invited to come and be part of the Ninfield Commemoration of the First World War It’s a time to remember, and to be close to the people we love.

Finding out more: Don’t forget that you can find out more community information from both villages and Wealden District Council on our district councillors (Pam Doodes) website or the Ninfield Parish Council website: www.pamdoodes.com / www.ninfield.webplus.net.

St Mary’s Services (Church of England, Ninfield): Sundays - 9.30a.m. Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month). Wednesdays - 10.00a.m. Holy Communion.

St Oswald’s Services (Church of England, Hooe) - Sundays - 11.15a.m. Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month).

Ninfield Methodist Church service/events: All services at 2.30 p.m. except the first Sunday of the month, where they hold a Family Service at 10.30 a.m. October 19, Service of Worship & Praise with Mr. D. Hanson. October 22, 3.30-5.30 p.m. ‘Messy Church’. October 26, Service of Worship & Communion with Revd. Peggy Heim.

Contact me: Anything that you would like included in the Village Voice for Ninfield or Hooe, please email the details to me: [email protected].

Rachel Feeley

17 Smith Close