Pett village voice

After months of organizing and meticulous planning by Pett WI and Pett Church, the day of the Pett Jubilee Lunch finally arrived. It all began with a Jubilee Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for our community and our Queen at the Parish Church, conducted by the Revd. David Wotton. More than seventy people, including our Councillors and representatives of many of the village organisations joined in some favourite hymns and prayers.

The weather forecast was far from bright but that didn’t matter as the event was being held in Pett Village Hall. People started arriving, some coming from the Civic Service at the church, at around 11:30am. Everyone dressed for the occasion. The Union flag was everywhere – on hats, T-shirts, scarves and aprons, and there was a wonderful mix of hats and crowns. In keeping with the Jubilee theme many people wore a mixture of red, white and blue.

As they went into the Village Hall they were greeted by a memorabilia display, including photos of Pett over the last 60 years; the chance to buy a raffle ticket and the opportunity to take part in a treasure hunt. The main hall was dressed up for the day, festooned with patriotic bunting, tables decorated in red, white and blue, each with a beautiful floral centerpiece.

The band played in the background, songs form the last 60 years, which really added to the atmosphere of this wonderful day, whilst everyone greeted friends and family, admired outfits and found themselves somewhere to sit. After a few words of welcome and a short Grace, the lunch began. What a magnificent spread! Turkey, beef, ham, salmon, quiches and savoury tarts were combined with salads of every description. Fears of running out of food proved unfounded.

As the band took a well-earned break, our local MP Amber Rudd arrived. This was one of several Jubilee events she was attending on the Jubilee Sunday and she went to work with a will! She drew the raffle, judged the best hat/crown competition and made the Loyal Toast with everyone raising their glasses of bubbly. There followed a rousing rendition of God Save the Queen, accompanied by the band.

Then came a truly regal feast of puddings. The tables were groaning under the weight of all the dishes on display: trifles, cheesecakes, tortes and meringues and the creative use of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries to create culinary Union flags.

Finally the band played its last number, there were last minute visits to the Memorabilia Room, children left clutching their Jubilee mugs and the clearing up began. It had been a great lunch and Pett certainly celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee!

The organisers would like to thank all those involved who made this lunch into the success that it undoubtedly was: the members of Pett WI and Pett Church and also those who had little or no connection with either but still wanted to do their bit for this community event. Appreciation and grateful thanks to everyone.

Church Services on Sunday June 10 - Parish Communion, St Mary & St Peter, Pett at 9:30am; Sunday Service at the Methodist Chapel at 10:45am.

On Monday June 11 the Village Choir will meet again at 7:30pm in Pett Methodist Chapel.

At POPP’s on Tuesday June 12 there will Music for Health with Keith Osborne. POPP’s runs from 10:30am to 2:30pm at Pett Village Hall and includes a two course lunch for just £5.

At the meeting of Pett Gardening Club on Tuesday June 12 Robert Bond, Pett’s bee expert will give a brief update on our local bees, how they are doing and what you can do to help them, particularly as the weather has not been kind to them so far this year. The meeting starts at 7pm in Pett Village Hall. New members are always warmly welcomed. The subscription is £12 per year or £2 per meeting.

The Mobile Library will be in Pett and Pett Level on Wednesday June 13. It will start at the Church at 10.10am, moving on to Chick Hill at 10:50am and finishing at The Smuggler at 11.20am.

On Friday June 15 the speaker at the Pett W.I. meeting will be Mr Clarke with a talk entitled ‘The Last Voyage of the Queen Mary’. The meeting starts at 2:30pm in Pett Village Hall. If you have not tried the W.I. before, do come along for an interesting afternoon and a delicious tea.

The official grand opening of the Pett Level Rescue Boat Boathouse extension takes place on Saturday June 16. The Chairman of the 1066 Federation of Small Businesses for East Sussex, Federation of Small Businesses and for the East Sussex Economic Advisory Board, Brett McLean of Hastings will be performing the ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:30pm

Members of the public are invited to watch the opening of this much-needed extension, starting at 12:30pm.

Mary Saint, Pett Road