Udimore

Beauchamps

I couldn’t include advance details of Bunny Hawkey’s funeral in this column last week (as I had hoped), as by then it had already taken place. In the congregation in St Mary’s Church that Thursday afternoon were over thirty of Bunny’s friends, whom in his address Fr Martin Harper reminded of her many accomplishments, and many contributions to the life of the village. Because the Community Hall wasn’t free that afternoon, after her burial many of us gathered for a garden tea party at Parsonage Farm, by kind invitation of Robert and Leonie Wheeler, an occasion for the exchange of many personal reminiscences. Any of you who were unable to be at the service will be interested to know that donations to the NSPCC in Bunny’s memory may be made via Ellis Brothers (The Old Fire Station, 3 Ferry Road, Rye, TN31 7DJ).

The following Sunday, the first in July, saw the introduction of a new service in St Mary’s, a Family Sung Eucharist. At the more manageable time of 9.30am, and with music, this attracted a larger congregation than the first Sunday in the month 8am service used to, including a family of children, and it’s to be hoped its popularity will go on increasing. Meanwhile this Sunday, July 14, services will be the same as they used to be on the first Sunday in the month: 8am Holy Communion, and 11.15am the ever popular Family Service for All (with refreshments in church after the service). This will be the regular pattern of services for the first two Sundays in the month from now on.

From 2.30pm to 5pm this Sunday David and Rhiannon Oliver will be opening their mature garden at 2 Bellhurst Cottages, Chitcombe Road, Broad Oak, to help raise funds for the casing of Brede church clock. Bellhurst Cottages are just beyond the Rainbow Trout, on the righthand side of the road. Entrance to the garden is via a gate attached to the red brick wall at the far side of number three. You’re invited to come along and meet Chocolate, Fudge, Milky Bar and their six young children, and to enjoy their small children’s play area. Cream teas will be served. Entrance £2, children free.

At 6.30pm on Wednesday (July 17) the Parish Council will welcome your support for the bi-monthly meeting in the Community Hall. Please see the parish notice board at Church Gate for details of the agenda.

Many of us have witnessed examples of extremely inconsiderate, dangerous driving in the last few months, on the main road or lanes. Our best way of bringing this problem to the attention of the police (and involving them in action against irresponsible drivers) is to report all such incidents to Operation Crackdown (01243 64 2222). Always take a careful note of the registration number of the vehicle involved, including it in your report, with details of time and place, and a brief account of the incident.