Icklesham

On leaving school he joined the Army and served in the 12th Royal Lancers. At one time he was posted in Palestine. Then after the War he worked as a groom in Bedford where his love of horses started.

He returned to Rye Harbour and in 1953 Bob and Barbara married in Winchelsea Church. They lived in Spring Steps, Winchelsea before moving to High Fords, Icklesham over 50 years ago. Their daughter Mags was born a few years later.

Bob was a gardener at the Manor in Icklesham and then worked for a family in Winchelsea before working for Southern Water(now the Environment Agency).

He was a very successful sportsman. He was in the Rye United team which won the Sussex Junior Cup. In 1961 he had a season with Icklesham Casuals scoring 31 goals in 34 games and helped t he Club to win the Hastings League Division One. Bob also played cricket for both Icklesham and Winchelsea.

In 1983 Mags married Stuart Baker . Stuart shared many of Bob’s interests as both were active sportsmen and keen gardeners.

Bob retired in the early 1990s and shortly after he and Barbara moved to The Five Villages House.

Bob was a very proud family man who enjoyed watching Sean, his grandson playing football and cricket for Icklesham and seeing his granddaughter Stacey perform with Icklesham Players and listening to her playing the piano,

In 2009 Bob was so pleased to become a Great Grandfather when Sean and his wife Michelle had Marc.

ON Friday 4 July he died in The Laurels Nursing Home where he had been living for the last few weeks.

Icklesham expresses great sympathy to all

Bob’s family and friends at this very sad time.

Last Saturday’s Church Market raised £309.45 for Church funds. Thank you everybody who contributed.

Sunday 27 July 10.30 Morning Prayer in the Parish Church.

Sunday 27 4-6 Queen’s Head P.Prescott & P.Hudson R & B

Monday 28 Brown bins collected(garden waste only)

Thursday 31 Black bins collected (household waste)

Saturday 2 August - a week tomorrow- Icklesham fete and the Horticultural Society’s Summer Show. It starts at 1pm and there is free parking in the adjacent field. The Memorial Hall has the Summer Show and the Recreation Ground will be full of activity with the Wealden Brass Band,BBQ,Bowling,Putting Archery and Classsic Cars plus lots of stalls. Sandra Stunt who is organising the fete says she could do with some more helpers so why not give her a ring on 01424 814401 and get involved in the fun.Cakes - if you would like to make some your work will be much appreciated either by the Church who will have a stall or the Horticultural Society who will be doing refreshments in the Hall. If you have any bottle -squash, bubble bath etc the Horticultural Society have a bottle tombola. “Bitz and Pieces” is a Church Social Committee stall selling anything to help restore All Saints ‘ Norman tower. They’ll take toys ,jigsaws, plants etc.

The Fete has a Grand Raffle with cash prizes of £100,£50 and £25 plus other prizes Tickets are now on sale for just £1 at Icklesham village Store and elsewhere.

Tuesday 29 July. Rother Responders have 2 free training sessions showing how to save a life using a PAD - a Public Access Defibrillator. The Robin Hood hosts the sessions at 7pm and 8pm. The Pub already has a PAD available for emergencies.

In August Street Games reruns to the Recreation. In 2013 the activities which they organised for free were thoroughly enjoyed by lots of local children. It’s every Tuesday 6 till 8 pm,’

Laurie Bowman

Magpies, Oast House Field