Fairlight

Church Matters: There’s just the one service in our churches this weekend, and it’s Morning Praise at St Andrew’s at 10.30am.

More tea anyone?: All are invited for afternoon tea at Pett Methodist Chapel from 3pm to 5 pm this coming Sunday, August 24.

Food, Glorious Food: The Fairlight branch of the Trefoil Guild will be having a summer barbeque at their meeting on Wednesday next, August 27. Fingers crossed for good weather.

A Tower with a View: A reminder that the wonderful views from St Andrew’s Church tower can be had from 2pm to 5 pm each day this weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Weather permitting, of course.

Floral Club: For their August meeting, the Floral Club will have a visit from Sue Thompson, who will be presenting ‘A Few of my Favourite Things’. ‘Raindrops on Roses’ I can imagine, but ‘Whiskers on Kittens’ could be more of a problem. No doubt Sue has her own favourite things, which may not coincide with those of Julie Andrews. The meeting includes the usual flower raffle and sales table. Visitors are assured of a warm welcome. The time, place and date are 2.30 pm in the village hall on Thursday 28.

Auction of Promises: Will take place in the village hall on Saturday, September 6 at 7pm. There could be as many as 80 very attractive lots to bid for, including a villa in the south of France for six people for a week; A Day at the Races (Marx brothers not included); A spa day at Bannatyne’s; a Red Letter experience day; Theatre tickets; Vouchers for Leeds Castle, hairdressers, supermarkets, fish and chips and many more. There’s a £1 entry fee, which includes a glass of wine or juice, a programme and bidding number. Wine and soft drinks will be available to purchase during the evening. All the proceeds will be in aid of St Andrew’s Church. If you know of people who are unable to come, but would like to bid, then use your mobile phone to keep them informed, just like all the best telly auctions. If you’d like further details, you can get them from Pete Jennings on 752838

Open day: Pett Level Rescue Boat Open Day is this Sunday. There’ll be stalls aplenty, a barbeque, a dog show and a sea display, and the event will run from 12pm until 4pm. The Rescue Boat’s appeal for funds has now enabled them to complete the refurbishment of their old Boathouse but it appears that it will be necessary to replace their boat fairly soon. Your support remains more than welcome. Why not give them a look?

Life goes in cycles: Activate Youth Club is organising a Cycling Safety Course. It’s aimed at all children, aged eight and over, who would like to ride more safely on the roads in Fairlight. It consists of a morning course with Mike Cooper, an excellent cycling trainer, on Friday, August 29 from 10am to 1pm. The course itself is free, and is restricted to 12 participants, all of whom must wear a cycle helmet. The event is suitable for all who can ride their bicycle, but need to improve their road safety awareness and road use. Why not bring a picnic to enjoy afterwards?

Fancy free coffee and cake?: And a consultation at, and about, St Peter’s Church on Saturday, August 30 from 10.30am to 12pm. Up for discussion and suggestions is your answer to the questions, ‘What would you do with St Peter’s if you had £35,000 to spend?’, and ‘What further role could St Peter’s play in Fairlight?’ If you have any views to express, please go along on Saturday week or, if you will be unable to do so, email your ideas to [email protected].

Parish Council: Meets on Tuesday next, August 26, at 7.15pm in the village hall. This may be the meeting at which the salt and grit bin replacement is resolved and the council will also discuss purchasing a speed gun to be shared with Icklesham and Pett. Cllr Charles Mendelson will report on a meeting held with the Preservation Trust. Under Highways and Transport there will be discussion on the proposed possible (or probable?) cuts to our 344 bus service, and an item on the roadworks on Battery Hill. There will be a report on Neighbourhood Planning, and on the new Visitor Centre at Hastings Country Park. Land Management issues include the management of Knowle Wood, and a reminder about the forthcoming footpath enquiry. A report on the trees in Lower Waites Lane will be discussed, provided it has been received in time for this meeting. In addition to the anticipated Police Report, there is an item entitled Brighter Fairlight. It is not clear whether this means better lit or higher IQ. Either could be appropriate! Most likely, of course, is the fact that some bits of our delightful village are looking distinctly in need of a little extra TLC (tender loving care, not Fairlight’s Tuesday Ladies Club). To end the meeting, it’s the village soapbox section in the always popular Open Forum.

Hear, hear: The East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre mobile unit is extremely popular and well attended whenever it comes to Fairlight. Anyone with hearing difficulties of whatever level, or those seeking help and advice for their hearing aids, will be welcome to go to the unit when it next visits us, which will be on Thursday, September 4 from 1.30 to 3.30pm in the village hall car park. The unit is accessible to wheelchair users, and, in addition to the representatives of the Hearing Resource Centre, Adult Social Care will be coming as well, to provide individual information and advice on all aspects of hearing loss. If you need more information, please call 01323 722505, or email them at [email protected]

Welcome news: It is pleasing to be able to report that Norman Dengate, a respected ‘elder’ in the village, is back home once more after a number of trials and tribulations which all began with an unfortunate experience on the morning of Fairfest. Norman says a big ‘thank you’ to all who did so much to help him over the last few weeks. Betty Snow is another popular and prominent local resident who is home again and doing well. Hopefully, we can soon bring similar news of others who have been under the weather in recent weeks.

Keith Pollard

Brookfield, Broadway