Fairlight

Fairlight Players: Their Spring production of The Cat and the Canary opened last night, and there are but three shows to go – tonight, Friday at 7.30 pm, and then twice tomorrow, at 2.30 and 7.30 pm. As I write, the play looks in very good shape, and only needs an audience to respond to the comedy and thrills. Why not join them and have a great evening out, and give the cast the rewards they deserve? Tickets are a measly £6 each, and can be had at the Post Office, the village’s perpetual and invaluable box office. If you can’t get there in person, you could always give Carol Ardley a call on 814178, and she’ll fix it for you. Or simply turn up on the door – if you’re lucky, you should be able to get in - but not on Saturday evening, which is already totally sold out.

The Village Hall: They’ll be holding the Village Hall AGM on Monday next, April 27 in the, er, village hall. It starts at 7.30 pm, and representatives of all affiliated clubs and associations should be present. The Management Committee for the ensuing 12 months will be voted in. The hall is such an important part of our village life – it must be mentioned six or seven times each week in this column. Fairlight residents are warmly invited to attend, and have their say and a vote.

MOPPs this week and next: Today at MOPPs, Friday, April 24, it’s Mad Jack’s Morris Dancers and the free toe-nail cutting service, and lunch of roast lamb, and cheesecake. Then next Friday, May 1, they’ll be entertained by Keith Osbourne’s Music for Health, and will be able to enjoy their Chicken Chasseur, followed by Gateau

Don’t forget: There’s a super Saturday coming up for the church a fortnight tomorrow, on May 9, with the Christian Aid Spring Fair, in the village hall from 10 am to 12 noon, and a quick trip up Battery Hill for the Auction of Promises at the Fairlight Lodge Hotel, starting at 7 pm. You’ll be able to bid for a stay in holiday homes in Poland and France, days out, restaurant meals, vouchers and much more. And there are further details to come!

Christian Aid Week runs from May 10 to 16 this year, so please be sure to pop the odd pound or two, or more, in your envelope ready for collection.

An appealing prospect: Pett Level Rescue Boat, a much loved local institution, is at again. Having achieved a new boathouse and a comprehensive update on the old boat station, they are appealing to raise £28,000 for a replacement large boat, necessitated by ‘Elf and Safety’ rules which mean their existing vessel has but a short time left in service. They are 10% there already, with £2,800, and will receive some monies from the re-sale of the current boat. But the bulk of the work is still to be done, and it’s in the capable and prolific hands of fundraiser John Pulfer. If you’d like to add your support to this worthy cause, please give John a call on 814866.

Not-so-Strictly Come Dancing: That’s the Fairfest organised Dance on Friday, May 1 in the village hall from 7.30 to 11 pm. Tickets are still only £8.50 each, and the event is in support of Stage 3 of the Cliff Preservation scheme. Music is by the popular Kytes, plus buffet, bar and raffle. Leaflets are around in the village stating that the finance requested for the cliffs work has been secured, but this does not necessarily tell the whole story. In fact, money from the public is as necessary as ever it was, so you can do your bit by going to the dance and have a great time doing it. The Post Office has the tickets, and so does organiser Jennifer Annetts on 812476.

Bowls Club: The green was opened last Saturday, April 18, when there was a good turn out of club members who all enjoyed a welcome drink and nibbles to celebrate the start of the new season.

Although a chilly wind prevailed, the afternoon was bright and sunny, and they soon got their first friendly game underway. There is a full fixture list of games throughout the season, along with a host of social events. The fixture card is displayed in the club notice board with home games highlighted, should any prospective new members wish to watch a game.

Parish Council Meeting: All the fun of the Fairlight Council next Tuesday will see discussions on an update and course of action concerning the new Visitor Centre, and an update on the Village Shop and the Warren Estate valuation are expected, always providing there actually is progress to report. Speedwatch gets a mention, as does the poor state of finger posts. Planning and Neighbourhood Plan are on the agenda, and there are no fewer than nine items under the Land Management heading. The popular Open Forum will conclude the evening’s business.