Fairlight

In church this Sunday, June 9… Kay Burnett will be leading the 8 am Communion Service at St Peter’s, and then it’s Morning Praise at 10.30 am at St Andrew’s, which will be led by Ken Holmes, with Kay Burnett speaking.

Resuming operations… Laurie Beetham of The Fairlight Preservation Trust has undertaken the first visit of the popular tours of the Rockmead Road Landslip Site, and the pumped well workings in Rockmead Road. Each visit lasts about two hours and is subject to the time of the tides, and prevailing weather conditions.

Cllr David Thatcher went on the visit last Saturday, reporting that it was a very enjoyable and interesting walk, taking in the history of the Trust’s work in saving Fairlight from the ever encroaching Sea. Laurence Beetham explained how the drains work, with a visual inspection of one drain in action, together with an explanatory look at the pump-house. This was followed by a cliff walk, ending up going along the beach, and including the rock bunds that have been put in place to slow the sea’s attack on the cliffs at vulnerable points. You can read about any particular part of the project but it is recommended that you go on one of the tours as this will obviously give you a much better insight into the working of the scheme. Cllr Thatcher observes that, if you are unsteady on your feet or experience some breathing problems, the second part of the visit would probably not be suitable for you. Laurence says groups of about ten are preferable, so if you’re interested look out for the next organised tour and get in early. All Fairlight residents are welcome; if you would like more information, you can get in touch with Mr Beetham at [email protected].

It’s the Fairlight Players’ AGM tomorrow… and, if past results are anything to go by, they can expect any number between fifty and eighty to go along. What, to a stuffy business meeting on a Saturday evening? Oh, yes. But then the free supper and entertainment possibly make a difference to people’s perception of what they’re in for!

Perfect pitch…? The Fairfest Car Boot Sale is making you an offer you won’t be able to refuse! Pitch prices have been dropped by 20% for cars, and a third for trailers and vans. This means it’s only £8 for each car, and from a mere £10 for your trailer or van. The sale will be on from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, June 16, on the Recreation Ground, accessible from Commanders Walk or via the twitten from Meadow Way. There’s plenty of time to gather together all those wonderful, hoarded things you no longer need, sell them to someone who does, and then go off for a posh slap-up meal. With regular fries. Refreshments and toilet facilities will be available at the Activate Headquarters. Call Terry Mosley on 812144, or Jennifer Annetts on 812476, or email Jennifer at [email protected] to stake your claim.

Our Parish Council met on the Tuesday of last week… There were ten members of the public present and, in addition to the normal rounds of day-to-day business and planning matters, the evening’s item of most interest and importance was that Vice Chairman Alan Grant had decided to relinquish his position. Alan had served the council faithfully for the past nine years, and been Vice Chairman for the last two years. Council Chairman Andrew Mier thanked Alan sincerely and gratefully for all the work he had done for the village, and a token of appreciation changed hands. Alan’s position on the Council will be taken by Cllr Rev Val Gibbs.

The weather held… for the Village Hall Summer Fair. A good and steady stream of people patronized the stalls throughout most of the time the fair was running, though it appeared there were not quite as many as there had been last June. We haven’t heard the financial outcome yet, but when we do etc., etc!

When the Tuesday Ladies Club next meets… it will be a very special event, as they will be welcoming the well-known harpist Fiona Hosford to come along and play. They hope that many people, not just members, will take advantage of her visit and enjoy this special treat. Gentlemen are welcome at their meetings, too. It will cost you £4 to get the music, wine and a finger buffet. Everything starts at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, June 18, in the village hall.

The Tuesday Ladies Club, again… for there are still a few places remaining to be filled on their coach outing to Newnham Court Shopping Village, near Maidstone, on Tuesday, June 25. The cost to non-members is £6.50. If you this appeals to you, please contact Mary Stewart on 813031

Any old iron…? Activate Y.C. would like to ask all of our local friends whether you have any scrap metal lurking in the corners of your sheds or garages, that you would like to get cleared. We would gladly get rid of it for you and would even be able to collect it from you. The scrap would then be re-cycled and the profit from the exercise would go to the youth club. This opportunity is only available for the month of June, (they don’t intend to become permanent local scrap-dealers), but they have already benefitted from the recycling of the rubbish of one couple. Please contact Wendy on 812297 or email her at [email protected]. This sound like a very good idea to help residents have a bit of metallic clear-out, and to turn in a bob or two by doing it. A modern take on the old Corona and beer bottles we used to collect and return as nippers.

Coming shortly…in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Margaret Pulfer will be running a Garden Tea Party at her home, Calais View, Channel Way, Fairlight on Sunday, June 30 at 3 pm. Tickets are priced at £9.50 each, available for pre-booking only, so do give Margaret a call on 814866. There will also be a raffle, which will give the funds of this very worthwhile charity an extra boost. In your diary, or on the fridge, now, please!

All Washed Up… is the title of Mick Dutton’s forthcoming art exhibition, with the items creatively fashioned from material he has found on the beach. Many will have met his artwork during the First Responders Open Garden event last year. The show is open on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 at Argosy, 11 Rockmead Road. If you want more details, give Mick a call on 0775 776 3790.

An Art Exhibition… by Anna Wilson-Patterson will be open tomorrow, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 at Spark Cottage, Fyrsway, from 11 am to 6 pm. This opening pattern will be followed for the next two weekends, as well. This is all part of the South East Open Studios event, and if you would like more details, please call Anna on 812038.

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf… a really brilliant idea, but one that clearly needs considerable funding so that all who are in need can benefit. FRA Committee member Sally Watson has become extremely deaf over recent years, and is now passionately involved in this fine cause. There is a sponsored walk tomorrow, Saturday, June 8 commencing at 10 am from the Café in the Park at Alexandra Park. Depending on your agility you can opt for either 1 mile, or the 5 to 6 mile course. Later, much later, Sally will be having afternoon tea in her garden at Tombrec, Briars Close in aid of the hearing dogs again. Details and a reminder will follow nearer the date. In the meantime, should you wish to support the walk with sponsorship, rather than actually walking, please email Sally at [email protected], or text her on 0787 468 6824. Unfortunately, Sally is unable to use a landline phone.

There’s little doubt… that the main pothole bugbear at present remains the string of offending chasms on the south side of Fairlight Road just before, and after, the turning into Martineau Lane. They will shortly be forming a deep, wide daisy-chain of pitfalls for the unwary, who will not be able to avoid them if a bus or large vehicle comes along the other way at the wrong moment.