Catsfield

Henley Down Cottage

What glorious weather last Sunday for the topping out ceremony to celebrate the completion of the repairs to the shingles on the tower at the parish church of St Laurence and the ‘unveiling’ of the new flag weather vane. A crowd of churchgoers and villagers gathered in the churchyard after morning service to watch two brave steeplejacks ascend the tower, carrying the gleaming new weather vane and set it in place at the top. They were rewarded with suitably ecclesiastically named bottles of Bishop’s Finger to mark the occasion! The old cockerel weather vane was on display in the church and Father Michael told the story of the bullet hole in its tail and how he had learnt the name of the culprit who shot it for a bet during the war!

The lovely weather continued for the sponsored walk around Battle in the afternoon in considerably raised temperatures, raising money for the upkeep of the church in considerably raised temperatures. Twelve people braved the heat and were rewarded by tea and cakes and a chance to relax and natter afterwards. It is expected that the wonderful sum of approximately £300 was raised. The next fundraising event will be a quiz night on September 7 in the Village Hall.

A fund-raising recipe book is planned for publication in time for the annual Christmas Market and everyone is invited to submit their favourite successful recipes to either Linda Keeley or Sandra Shoobridge as soon as possible please.

Vanessa writes that the CADS have tentatively chosen a pantomime - Panto Goes West or The Ballad of Hamster Gulch, same panto, two different titles! The read-through/audition for the pantomime will be on Thursday August 22, 7.30pm in Hermon Cottage. We understand this is summer holiday season, so if you are unable to make it but would still like to be considered for a part, please let me know. Can you also please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested?

Members of the WI Committee and other helpers spent a very enjoyable afternooon last Tuesday playing host to two coach-loads of disabled guests from Battle and the surrounding villages. This is a bi-annual event, which is a pleasure to have in the Village Hall, especially since there was enough tea for the helpers to sit down and eat before waving off the visitors and getting on with the washing up. Those in the know, bring their own aprons and rubber gloves while the others who feign forgetfulness have to stack away all the tables and chairs. Who has the best deal?

The two stoolball teams are having mixed fortunes with some of the very young players, Jonty, Adam, Charlie and Athene joining in the mixed matches. July 25 is another mixed match away to Staplecross. In the 90s most villages had their own ladies team, but sadly the interest in this is declining and there are only six teams locally.

No cricket last weekend, but on Saturday we play on the lovely Eastbourne ground versus Southbourne with a barbecue beforehand and on Sunday we play Crowhurst at home.

It has been suggested that through this column, I vent the rage of Catsfield residents at the huge number of contractors lorries which daily come speeding through our village, almost nose to tail at times and doing far more than 30mph. It is realised that this mention will achieve absolutely nothing, but it may help some residents feel slightly better for venting their anger!