Icklesham

VILLAGE STORE: It is really sad to see that the big board advertising our shop has gone. It is our own fault. A huge “thank you” to Karen and Dexter for the past four years of service to the village. It was not only a shop, it was a meeting place for the villagers to have a chat and exchange news and gossip. We shall miss you, and thank you.

CHURCH NEWS: There were over 100 lilies displayed beautifully in the church for Easter Sunday. All the flowers really looked a picture. It was good to welcome Fr. Robin to the service. As he said, we don’t wish friends a “Merry Easter” do we? Joyful maybe, or Blessed, but not merry, because it wasn’t and still isn’t for many people. But it was sad news about James Wesson. His funeral will be on 8th April at St. Thomas’, Winchelsea. The service this coming Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter, will be Parish Eucharist at 9.30am, led by Rev. Malcolm Pickering. The Annual Parish Church Meeting will be held after the service on Sunday 17th April. It is hoped that most of the people on the Electoral Roll will be able to attend the meeting --- all 65 of you ! The Bishop of Lewes will be meeting with Church wardens and Treasurers of Winchelsea and Icklesham to discuss possible options for the benefice. The APCM may well provide glimpses of the future for the churches.

COMMEMORATIONS: Monday 4th April is the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, transferred. Tuesday 5th April is Hock Tuesday. I didn’t know about this one. For many centuries the second Tuesday after Easter was a holiday in England, commemorating the victory over the Danes by Ethelred in 1002. The church and other landlords received an annual tribute, Hock Money, as compensation for granting their tenants the holiday. Those who were unable to pay were “in hock “ until the debt was discharged.

WEATHER: Horrid, horrid storm Katy last weekend. The wind howled around the chimney and rain lashed the windows. “K” is the eleventh letter of the alphabet, so have we had eleven storms this year already? On Easter Saturday I was very pleased to see a field with a flock of sheep with their lambs, mostly twins. Such a lovely sign of spring. Then came this horrid storm. Many years ago I was told the new born lambs could cope with wind OR rain, not both together. So how did these poor little creatures fare over Sunday night? I fear there may be lots of casualties.There was no shelter in the field, not even a hedge. I grieve for them.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SPRING SHOW: The show is in the Memorial Hall open to the public at 2 pm. All profit from this first show of the year will go towards the New Pavilion Fund. It will be very interesting to see what flowers are left after the winds and rain, and how the local gardeners have protected their plants. Hopefully they will have advice on what should be planted now, seed-wise.

ROYAL OAK, PETT: There will be a Pub Quiz on 6th April starting at 8.30 pm. Every Tuesday there is a Pub Games Night, darts, bar skittles, rings, shove ha’penny and bagatelle. Games will be set up at 5 pm so come along to have a go or practice. At 8 pm a friendly competition is arranged. The menu is strongly influenced by local produce. Booking is advisable on 01424 812 515.

QUEEN’S HEAD: The live music this coming Sunday will be played by Deep Sea Drivers, playing Soul, Funk and Groove. There will be a Quiz Night on Wednesday 6th April starting at 8.30 pm. All proceeds will go to St. Michael’s Hospice. Food for the restaurant is local produce and locally caught fish in season as far as possible.

CONTACT: Please let me know about any forth-coming events, fixtures, meetings etc. etc. and they can be publicised in this column. It’s good to keep in touch.

AND FINALLY: I wonder if the “April Showers “ will be gentle, garden-watering events, or nasty blasting storms again? As I write, all is calm again outside with blue sky visible. We need to be getting on with the gardening, but my grass is under water again in places. But cheer up, the bluebells are beginning to show their colour already. Usually they are May flowers, but this year? Who knows.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @RyeObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.