Northiam

The White House, Dixter Road

What a wonderful weekend! Proper summer weather and a fantastic Flower Festival. Once again I am amazed at the talent people have in our village – the flower arrangements were truly stunning and ranged from descriptive to stylistic, created by experts and novices and even grown and made by small children!

The flowers were complemented by some excellent art, with paintings from Keith Collins’ art group, and music from visiting organists (and our own Howard Froggatt) and the most welcome return of Mike Hatchard.

All in all a great way to spend a weekend, catching up with old friends and meeting quite a few people who are planning to move into the village. Thank you to everyone involved – all the people who put so much time and skill into making the arrangements, the catering team, the organisers, the artists and musicians, businesses who donated to the Raffle of Promises and all the teddy bears who brought their owners along for the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Most of all, of course, thank you to all of you who came and supported (and we hope, enjoyed) the Flower Festival.

Still taking advantage of this new-found summer, the Historical and Literary Society are holding the Peter Bond Summer Lecture this evening (Friday) at Smallhythe Place. Dave Arthur entertains with an evening of traditional folk songs, tales and music from the south of England. It’s a ticket only affair, so if you haven’t got one, you may be lucky only if Michael Clark (253428) has had any returns.

On Friday evenings throughout the summer there will be Pay and Play sessions in the Pretious Sports Hall 7-9pm. The first session is free, and then just £2 per hour. The hall will be set up for badminton and table-tennis, with all equipment provided. The same options are on offer on Wednesdays from 6.45pm to 7.45pm. These are open sessions where the sports hall is open to the community outside normal club times. There is no coaching provided, although a sports hall officer will be on site to help.

Dance Club meets in the Village Hall for sequence dancing at 7.30pm on Friday. There will be a Rabbit and Cavy Show in the Village Hall on Sunday.

Coffee Stop opens in the Church Centre each Wednesday between 10am and 12 noon and everyone is very welcome to drop in for a chat.

Thursday Seniors’ club will hear from Sally Bickersteth at their meeting this week. Having seen the bright colours of the Starfish Malawi flower arrangement, I am sure everyone will be looking forward to hearing more about this wonderful project and the people Sally met when she visited. The Citizens Advice Bureau will be visiting the hall between 10am and 12noon.

Also On Thursday, Rye and District Association of the National Trust will be walking just three miles from Brede High Woods to the Royal Oak Whatlington, but stopping en route at Sedlescombe Vineyard for wine tasting! 3½ mile return – is that a result of imbibing? Anyway, call Phil Maynard to book (260637).

Please make a note in your diary for the Village Fair which will be held on Saturday August 10th on the Playing Fields. All the usual attractions – the boot fair, stalls for local societies, crafts and other sales, good things to eat and drink, and games for all the family.

Services (July 21): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Come Praise www.northiamvillage.co.uk