Catsfield village voice

So many people owe her a great debt of gratitude for the time and energy she has put into this community over the past forty years. She is a former Chairman of the Parish Council, Vice-President of the WI, founder of the Village History Group and the Catsfield 55 Lunch Club, she ran the local Book Club, has been an enthusiastic member of the Battle U3A and wrote the Catsfield Village Voice for twenty years in its various guises. We send all our good wishes and love to Patricia and Peter in their new life in Exmouth and wish them every happiness, they will be greatly missed.

Many thanks to Janet and Victoria for hosting Patricia’s party on the Village Social Club evening and organising a huge and delicious selection of snacks and drinks for us all. It would be good if this event encouraged more people to regularly attend the Tuesday Social Club and meet up with old friends for a relaxing evening of pleasant company and conversation, with games on hand for those who wish to play. It starts from 7pm and goes on until 10pm, but you can go at any time between those hours and stay for as long or as little time as you wish. The cost is £2 – go on, give it a try!

The Beetle Drive to raise much-needed funds for our village church is this evening (Friday 22nd) in the Village Hall at 6.30pm. Admission is by ticket only priced £3 adults; £1 children; or £7.50 for families of four or more, so hurry to the Catsfield Village Stores to get your tickets now, because it is bound to be a fun-filled evening!

By popular demand, Catsfield History Group will be showing part of their exhibition as displayed at the Jubilee Celebrations earlier this month. This will take place on Saturday 23rd June from 11.00am to 4.00pm at the Village Hall in Hermon Cottage - entrance is free.

Why not combine your visit to the exhibition with a famous ‘WI Strawberry Tea’ taking place in the Village Hall on the same day from 3pm – 5pm. There will be delicious scones piled with fresh strawberries and cream, served with tea or coffee for just £4 and £1 for children. Also a cake stall, with homemade WI cakes for sale. This is to raise money for our charity of the year ‘East Sussex Admiral Nurses’ and the proceeds from the sales of cakes will go to WI funds.

Sunday 24th June the Birth of St John the Baptist will be celebrated at the Parish Communion service at St Laurence Church at 9.15am

The WI meeting on June 7th got off to a fine start with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem, perhaps members were still full of patriotic good spirits following the wonderful village Jubilee celebrations in which the WI played a large part. The tables in the hall were decorated with Union Jack tablecloths and serviettes and festive mood continued. The President thanked all the members who had worked so hard to help make the Jubilee long weekend so successful and said how proud she was of Catsfield WI. After dealing with the business side of our meeting, the members settled back, unsure what to expect from Tony Harris, our speaker.

After an introductory talk and the additions of a few small ‘props’, King Henry Vlll appeared in full stature and character, he bellowed and cajoled, strutted and pleaded as he regaled us with the stories of his life with each of his six wives and attempted to convince us that each of his marriages had been just for his country and not at all for himself! The audience was ready for their tea after all the drama, emotion and laughter of the performance, having learnt quite a few facts about Henry Vlll.

Catsfield cricket club were very lucky to get a game in on Sunday away against Sidley, which they won. Nick Gurr got a spectacular caught and bowled which helped towards the victory. The match due to be held on Saturday at Catsfield had to be cancelled due to the wicket being too wet. Only five games have been played so far and prospects for Saturday’s match away at Brightling Park don’t look good, but being higher, their pitch may be drier than ours. The following Saturday 30th we are playing a touring team with whom we had a most enjoyable game last year. Trying times for the groundsman (and his wife).

Have you received your invitation to join the Horticultural Society?  If so, please pay the fee of £2 to David Wilson, obtain a schedule for the Summer Flower Show and Fete and enjoy the summer, whatever the weather.

This has been my first attempt at writing your Village Voice and do I hope that I can maintain Patricia’s high standards. Please let me have any comments – good or bad! If you have a village activity planned that you think merits a mention here, please email me at [email protected] or telephone 01424 830403 and I will attempt to include it if possible.

Jill Jarrett, Henley Down Cottage