Catsfield

Henley Down Cottage

Tomorrow, Saturday May 18 from 10am – 12 noon the Village Hall will be buzzing with keen gardeners hurrying to buy from the mammoth plant sale held each year to raise money to assist the work of Christian Aid. There will be a sale of delicious cakes and a raffle also so do come along and enjoy this very successful village event.

On a freezing cold May Thursday evening our ladies stoolball team played Robertsbridge and won, although how anybody could catch a ball with the wind whistling around is a mystery. It was nice to watch the menfolk looking after several youngsters and a few dogs while the mothers were enjoying themselves. Apparently some new red kit is on the way, which may make the girls look warmer. A full fixture list is being put on the notice boards, but 21st May they are playing Hooe at home which is always a good fixture and on 23rd our mixed team is playing Crowhurst away.

There was a cricket match on our ground on Saturday, but it was a Bexhill team who are hiring our field which will help defray some of the costs in running the Playing Field. Unfortunately, our match on Sunday was cancelled, as anticipated, because the opposition couldn’t field a team. The disappointment was tempered by the cold wind and the fact that it rained about tea time. Sunday 19th May we hope to play Hastings Wanderers at home.

Friday May 10 saw a splendid concert in the Church put on by the marvellous Bob Andrew who organised, played the piano and conducted throughout the evening. A varied programme was put on by the excellent combined Catsfield and Crowhurst senior and junior choirs, interspersed with two lovely violin pieces by Oliver March, a regular winner at the Hastings Festival and Ella Andrew singing her recent successes at that event. Amelia Midgley sang with great confidence and Gloria Jones gave us an Ivor Novello song.

Mike Cooper delighted us with two numbers including a Dorset folk song, which reminded the audience of the wealth of country music that there is out there but is very seldom heard. We were very lucky indeed to hear Lucy Ashton sing four songs in her perfect soprano voice in the lovely church with its ancient stone and stained glass windows brightly shining. She is a star in the making. A lot of work went into the planning, rehearsals and refreshments, so another lovely event was enjoyed by all those who were there. The evening raised the grand sum of £518, a much-needed boost to help the dwindling church funds.