Northiam

South East Open Studios begins today, with three artists opening their studios in Northiam – Christine King at the K&ESR Station, Vincent Matthews in Monk’s Way and Terence Ayling at The White House, Dixter Road. Across the south east, there are nearly 300 artists and makers inviting you into their studios to see them at work, and view the results. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see a range of artwork, and perhaps find one which resonates with you. Brochures with all the opening times are available from the Muddy Duck, local shops and the studios, and you will be very welcome to drop in and browse. SEOS runs from June 7th to 23rd.

This evening, Friday, there will be a Drinks and Nibbles Party at 7.30pm at Northiam Nursery. Angie Lewis will be there with her beautiful handmade jewellery to view and buy, and all purchases made will raise money for the nursery, so get your friends together and have a lovely evening!

Badminton clubs meet in the Pretious Sports Hall every Friday at 5.30pm (Juniors) 6.30pm (Secondary) and 8pm (adults). Dance Club in the Village Hall starts at 7.30pm.

Northiam Village Hall Trust will be holding another of their popular Book Sales on Saturday 8th June from 10.30am until 1pm.

Rother Levels Conservative Association’s Summer Lunch is at Sahebs on Sunday 9th June. Baroness Debbie Stedman-Scott of Rolvenden will be speaking about her employment charity Tomorrow’s People supporting young people in isolated rural areas to find work. Buffet lunch £16 (in advance from Sue Grant 252503 or Peter Brabbs 252214).

On Monday, Hairtque are holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Cancer Research, with tea, coffee, cakes, raffle, gel nails and more. If you can’t be there, raffle tickets are on sale already from Hairtique.

Badminton Club meets in the Pretious Sports Hall at 5.45pm, and Zumba at 8.15pm. Classical Pilates is in the Village Hall at 6.30pm.

Buzzy Bees, Northiam’s toddler group run by Northiam Nursery, meets every Tuesday at Northiam School between 9.15am and 11.15am, costing £2. New parents wishing to visit the Nursery are welcome at any time, call 01797 252799 or see www.bpnn.co.uk.

On Tuesday 11th, there will be an open exhibition of the plans for the development of the Donsmead site 3-8pm (not as stated in the Parish Magazine) in the Village Hall. Persimmon Homes are proposing to build 65 houses on the site east of Station Road, and a full planning application will be the next stage after this consultation, so this would be a good time to make your views known.

Wednesday brings us Pilates in the Village Hall at 9am and 10am and Coffee Stop in the Church Centre between 10am and 12 noon. The Footpath Group meets in the surgery car park at 3.45pm, heading to the Red Lion, Brede where the walk will start at 4pm, and supper will be enjoyed at the end of the walk. I presume numbers might need to be known, so call Margaret and Neil (252620) to book.

Karate is in the Village Hall at 7pm, and Wednesday night is Bingo Night at the Hayes Inn, from 7pm.

The Bonfire Society’s Garden Safari is on Sunday 16th June when a selection of private gardens will be open for the first time, so keep the date free – it’s Father’s Day, so an easy treat already organised for you! A ticket for entry to all the gardens is £5 and will be available from all the gardens taking part in a circular walk from Park House in Dixter Road to Badgers in Strawberry Fields. Teas will be on sale in Northridge, so pace yourselves!

The Village Hall Trust invite you to a Midsummer Supper Dance on 22nd June. Tickets are £15 (£5 child) available from the Post Office and Anchorage, next to the school, and include a two course hot meal and dancing to a live band – Coco.

The Historical and Literary Society’s special Summer Lecture, features international storyteller Dave Arthur with I Remember When.. an evening of folk tales, songs and music from Sussex and Kent at the Barn Theatre, Smallhythe Place on Friday 19th July at 7.30pm. Tickets are £13 for members, £15 for non-members, including wine and nibbles and are available from Michael Clark 01797 253428.

The Iden & Frewen Educational Foundation will be considering applications for grants at their next meeting on June 24th. Cash grants are available for educational purposes to residents of Northiam who are under 25 years of age, undertaking further or higher education, an apprenticeship or equivalent, or sporting activities at county level.

For information and application forms, please contact the Clerk to the Trustees, Christine Browning, by phone (01797 253254) or e-mail [email protected]. Applications must be made using the appropriate form. Those who have previously received grants are eligible to re-apply, but will also need to contact the Clerk.

As part of a joint initiative with Sussex Police to tackle inconsiderate speeding through the village, the Parish Council is looking for volunteers to join the Community Speed Watch groups in Northiam. Volunteers will be trained by Sussex Police in the use of a radar gun and will work in teams of three. Each team will be expected to record vehicle speeds for a number of two hour periods on several days. If there are sufficient volunteers, the timing of the periods will vary during the day. Vehicles exceeding the speed limit will be reported to Sussex Police, who will take further action. If you are interested, please contact Cllr Julia Keep on 01797-252395 or the Parish Clerk (Sue Keighley) on 01797-253990 or email [email protected].

Services (9th): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Holy Communion www.northiamvillage.co.uk