Catsfield

Tomorrow’s the big day and we hope the sun will be shining on the famous Catsfield Horticultural Society’s Fete and Flower Show held at the playing field from 1.30pm. The field will be a hive of industry from Friday afternoon, when the marquee and all the paraphernalia that are essential for entertaining hundreds of people for a traditional afternoon of village fun is put into place by dozens of hard-working volunteers. It is hoped that their months of planning and hard work is rewarded by a good turn out, thus ensuring that this event continues in the future, as this is far from certain. By the time you read this the ‘i’s will be dotted and the ‘t’s crossed to ensure that this year’s event will go with a ‘Swing’ from beginning to end. Cakes have been baked, photos taken and flowers primped for the various entries and the stall holders will be fully stocked with fun and games. Not to mention the arena events. All that is needed is for you to turn up to have fun.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Aug 2014, 00:00 BST

Please bring your contributions of cakes, plants, books, bric-a-brac, bottles or tombola prizes for the stalls to the field in the morning, if you haven’t already handed them to a committee member. The Show tent will be a big draw as the exhibitors eagerly look to see if their entries are winners and there will be a presentation of the cups to the overall champions towards the end of the afternoon. I wonder if there’ll be any surprises or will the same names as usual be taking the trophies home again! The ‘Swing’ at the end of course is the SWINGstreet Band who will be performing in the marquee from 8pm to 11.30pm and a lively evening is guaranteed, as anyone who remembers the Golden Jubilee celebrations can testify. So come along for the perfect end to a great village occasion and have a wonderful day!

The cricket match away at Ashburnham was called off last Sunday when the heavens opened twice before a ball was bowled. Hopefully, our match this Sunday against Sedlescombe 2pm at home will be on, as it will complete a very busy weekend for the village after the flower show, fete and dance. Plenty of time to relax afterwards, or perhaps not when the WI garden meeting takes place on Thursday 7th at Beryl Bodey’s house. The Committee looks forward to welcoming all our members, and if you need a lift please ring Ann Davey on 830477. Last Thursday saw a coach load of members and friends take to the road for the annual outing on the hottest day of the year so far. First stop was a visit to Hawkhurst Fish Farm for a stroll round the lakes and refreshment, then onward through the Weald to Hole Park Gardens. We managed to enjoy the extensive gardens, sometimes dodging the heat to find a seat in the shade, but the flowers, trees and extensive yew hedging were a marvellous sight. Bodiam and Ewhurst WIs were our hosts for tea in Staplecross Village Hall and they made us very welcome, so a very good, if slightly hot, day out

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Thanks to Father Michael for this account of last weekend at Crowhurst-

The Crowhurst First World War Commemorative Weekend was well -supported and helped us to learn more about that conflict and to reflect upon it. On the Friday evening the village hall was full for a lecture on the war poets of 1914 and throughout Saturday the church had a stream of visitors to enjoy the exhibition. As well as the photographs and other military items, many village groups had been involved in producing beautiful flower arrangements. The Toddler Group made poppies out of painted stones and the Horticultural Society had produced a planter of Flanders poppies. Out side in the churchyard you could step back in time and visit an officer’s bell tent of the Great War, or have a go on the Scout’s coconut shy.

In the evening a commemorative concert took place in church with songs and readings of the period whilst images were projected onto a screen. As the night fell crosses were planted outside at a Commonwealth war grave as a piper played a lament. On the Sunday the Lord Lieutenant attended a service of commemoration with standard bearers from all the uniformed organization of the village present. As the last post faded, five candles were extinguished to symbolize the five years of conflict before ‘Flowers of the Forest’ was played on the pipes.

Jill Jarrett

Broadview, Bexhill