Northiam village voice

Drop in to Michele Duke’s Open Day on Saturday 17th March 11am - 3pm at 1 Coppards Lane, Northiam. www.micheleduke.co.uk  or call to find out more 07801 621310. Michele has gorgeous Ladies Spring Fashions at her Style Studio - designer styles at high street prices, and she will help you choose clothes that suit your shape, size, age and lifestyle, so use the open day as an introduction to what is on offer on your doorstep.

Over the weekend, Bodiam Castle will be offering Medieval Merriments (music and dance) 11am-4pm.

Jess, from Hairtique, will be supporting Help the Heroes with a charity skydive on Sunday 18th March. If you would like to sponsor Jess there will be forms in Hairtique, Will’s Bakery and Northiam DIY.

The Over 60s club meets on Tuesday afternoon at 2pm in the Village Hall. The talk this time will be entoitled Steps – news of a new service whose main aim to is help people over 65 to remain independent.

Coffee Stop will be open in the Church Centre on Wednesday morning between 10am and 12 noon – everyone is welcome to call in and have a chat.

Northiam Seniors will be holding a Beetle Drive this week. New members are always welcome at this lively club, where pensioners can meet to enjoy cheerful company with a nourishing two course meal and after lunch entertainment. Other services are offered on a regular basis. Please call Ann (252343) or Jane (252973) if you are interested in visiting the club. Transport from local villages can be arranged.

This month’s walk for Rye and District branch of the National Trust meets at 10.30 am at the New Inn, Winchelsea on Thursday 22nd March for a circular 3½ or 7 mile walk., with lunch to be taken in Rye. If you wish to take part in the walk please confirm at least 24hrs before by email: phil@philmaynard.co.uk or phone: 01797 260637. 

Next weekend (24th and 25th) the Conservation Society will be repeating their popular 1911 census Exhibition in the Church Centre. Entrance is free, and the exhibition will be open from 11am – 5pm. There is now even more information, as the original work has been supplemented by photographs and documents which residents have previously brought along. As well as all this fascinating information, you may like to buy your copy of Jack Vidler’s memoir “Time Was”, or the definitive “O Rare Norgam”.

The Village Hall Trust will be holding a Book Sale on Saturday March 24th, and Marie will be happy to take donations in advance (please ring 253264). Jigsaws, DVDs etc will also be on sale, so this can be a very useful place to stock up.

Northiam Horticultural Society’s Spring Show will be held on March 31st. Schedules are available from Joan Davis (253458) and include baking, photography, flower arrangement, handicraft, flowers and vegetables and children’s sections. Please take a look at a schedule and take the plunge. It costs 20p to enter each exhibit, with the prospect of glory (as well as prize money and the thrill of taking part).

And thinking of Horticultural Shows, plans for the Jubilee Celebrations are well under way, with a special Summer Show starting the weekend. There is a separate schedule available for the Jubilee Show which is now available from Carole Rhodes (253292) or Joan Davis (253458) and has been beautifully decorated with a hand-painted gold crown. They are becoming collectors’ items as we speak!

As well as the Show, there will be children’s games, face-painting, a Dance with live music, participation in the national Big Lunch and act of worship, a fantastic Grand Raffle and the weekend will be rounded off by a torchlight procession to light the Beacon.

Please make sure that you make Northiam’s celebrations part of your Jubilee weekend (2-4th June). There will be a commemorative gift for the children, so please look out for registration details in the near future. I still have my Northiam Millennium mugs proudly on show!

Services (18th): 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Village Hall Service.

Karen Ayling, The White House, Dixer Road