pett & pett level news
TRANSCRIPT
Pett & Pett LevelNews
November 2021
DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS November 2021BESPOKE FURNITURE PEST CONTROLJennings-Bramly Furniture 18 Rother Pest Control 16EAT, DRINK, STAY Wanedale Pest Control 16Bramley & Teal Holiday Cottages 14 PETS & LIVESTOCKGeorgie Porgie's Pudding & Pie 22 Best Paw Forward 20New Beach Club 30 Canine Companions Dog Boarding 36Stream House B & B 30 Fresh Start for Hens 4GARDEN SERVICES Hayley’s Hounds 161066 Tree Care 46 PLUMBING & ELECTRICALGarden Gems 32 A A Farnes 4PJ Turner 4 Ecoheat Sussex Ltd 24HEALTH & WELLBEING Hannington-Gilbert Electricians 10Country Carers 26 PRINTING SERVICESCountry Carers - We Are Hiring 26 Country Print 20Dawn Turner 36 PROFESSIONAL SERVICESEyemasters 14 Funnell & Perring (Solicitor) 30Five Villages 38 Hastings & Rother Legal Services Ltd 40Food Intolerence Testing 4 Rush, Witt & Wilson (Estate Agent) 48Tara Begbie Footcare 46 PROPERTY MAINTENANCEYoga For All 18 B Walker - Flat Roof Problems 34HOUSEHOLD SERVICES Chris Sherwin ‘A Man That Can’ 16Bargain Floors 22 Dream Doors 8Conquest Cleaning 6 KR Windows 34Events-Travel 6 Your Local Handyman 38Laundry Ninjas 42 STONEMASONSNeil Burgess – Technology Services 6 Yew Tree Stone 20Surelock Homes - Locksmith 12 VEHICLE SERVICE & REPAIRSTelly Addicts 38 Garage on the Level 10LOCAL PRODUCE SUPPLIERS Gem Auto 12The Old Butcher’s Shop 46 WEB DESIGN SERVICESSeafood Delivery 36 Neil Burgess – Think Different 8
If you wish to advertise in Pett Level News our annual rates are: Full Page £220; Half Page £110; Quarter Page £55
Front cover: A Wall Germander. Courtesy of Alan Kenworthy
Printed by Impression IT, Hastings 01424 852116
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THE NEWS TEAM ARE: - Mike Wilkins, Editor, 07710080148 John Case, Assistant Editor,
07525032198 Richard Bradshaw, 07958390899, Lesley Wilkins, Advertising, 01424 813206
Brenda Kirkham, Subscriptions, 01424 815022 Sarah Adams, Distribution Co-ordinator,
01424 812323 And not forgetting our distribution team of up to 20 volunteers If you would like to receive a monthly copy of Pett & Pett Level News and you do not
live in the area, then we offer a Subscription Service for £15 per year. Please
contact Brenda on 01424 815022 or email [email protected], or save
yourself £15 by downloading the latest issue from pettnet.org.uk DEADLINES: Copy
(letters, articles, announcements) - MID-DAY THE 15TH of each month. Adverts (new,
changes, payments) - MID-DAY THE 1ST of each month.
Copy must be sent, by email, to [email protected] If you want to provide something handwritten please contact us first otherwise it may not be printed. Copy must be accompanied by your name, address and phone number. When submitting letters the writer should give due consideration before naming individuals, either directly or by implication. No letter will be published anonymously. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to cut, crop, edit or not publish any copy received. Pett & Pett Level News is published by Pett Parish Council supported by a team of volunteers. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein. However, neither the publishers or the news team can be held responsible for any errors or omissions (E&OE). Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the
authors of the individual letters, articles, announcements and adverts, and they do not necessarily represent the views of the the publishers or the news team. Neither the publishers or the news team can uphold or recommend any advertiser here within this publication
Dear Reader It is that time of year again, when the clocks will be changing and Christmas arrangements will start to made. Are you sending cards this year? Or will you decide to make a donation to a local charity instead?
The Parish Council have a vacancy for a councillor, could you make a difference to our parish? Or maybe you could become the Flood Warden. Another community project is the Guardians of Pett Churchyard, the initial work party on 16th October was very well supported - why not pay a visit to the churchyard to see the results of their hard graft. Would you be interested in giving up a few hours on a Saturday to join the next work party,? The more the merrier!
Two articles of local interest, one from Trevor Brooks with his reminiscence of the summer of 1943, and tales of Pett Level with some great pictures from Peter Woodroffe. Have you got any interesting local stories to share? We would love to hear from you.
Some dates for your 2022 diary - An Archive Resource Centre Open Day at the Methodist Chapel in February, and the Macmillan World Coffee Morning at the end of September. RBR
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Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor I hope you can find space in the next Parish Magazine/News for this note of thanks:-
I feel a vote of thanks should go to all the ladies and gentlemen who were involved with the organisation of the Flower Festival in the church over the 2nd and 3rd October.
The church looked wonderful and all the helpers were both welcoming and keen to make the Festival go with a swing. The 'Stalls' which had to be accommodated inside - were well attended by buyers and browsers - and the cake stall looked amazing.
A special thank you must go to Cathy Norris (and her family) - for all her hard work and the support she gave to everyone involved.
I was very happy to be asked to be part of it. Here's to the next time! Pauline Barker
Dear Editor, I was extremely disappointed to learn that Judith Dean has stood down from the Parish Council. Judith has served on the Council for many years and contributed hugely to the running of the Parish.
I have worked with Judith both as a parish councillor and a district councillor for several years and have always found her to be a person who knows what matters in our neighbourhood and uniquely, possessed the necessary skills to get the job done!
Good luck with your other activities …. You will be sorely missed. Cllr. Chris Saint
Coffee and cakes to buy, books and jigsaws to borrow will all be available once more at the Village Hall on Wednesday 3rd November from 10 until 12. We look forward to seeing you. Anna and Vivien, Anne, Tim and Fran
Coffee Morning and Community Library
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Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor Readers may not be aware that in September local services and individuals played a major part in the rescue of more than 50 migrants from the Channel the previous month.
Apparently these unfortunate people, including women and children, were left at sea for hours ‘while the Home Office was contacted’. Eventually they were brought into Pett Level beach and given food and drinks. We have written to an MP who cares about such matters, asking that this inhumane delay be investigated.
The ignorance surrounding the refugees in the affluent and educated South-East is astounding. They are not here to ‘rape and pillage’ and scrounge benefits. Most are fleeing war-torn countries and torture. Some have seen their families killed. We have the absolute privilege of teaching English to young teenage boys who come here. They are desperate for an education and a future. Many want to be doctors so they can help others. These are the people who could be attempting to save our lives in the Conquest a few years from now.
We understand that some services involved in the rescue didn’t want the fact publicised for fear of reprisals and criticism. We also heard that some people said the refugees should have been left to drown. Why do they think their lives have more value than those much less fortunate? What a shameful indictment of our society that such views exist. Perhaps if bombs were raining down on Pett Level they might actually get the picture.
We wonder if the clergy In the surrounding churches spoke out on the subject and used the pathetic souls washing up on our beaches as an object lesson in compassion and Christian responsibility. What a Godsend for an interesting sermon.
Yours faithfully Greer Harris. Jennifer Schuessler Editor’s note: It should be pointed out that the churches in Pett & Pett Level have been without a full-time vicar since Richard Barron retired in September 2020.
IMPORTANT: HELP NEEDED AT PETT POST OFFICE Can anybody please help with the Post Office set up
every Monday and Thursday? 12.00 to unload and then 3pm to pack up
For more details contact [email protected]
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Pett Parish Council Needs You!
Would you like to support your community?
Do you have ideas to improve life for residents? Simple small ideas can make a huge difference to the community.
Pett is made up of lots of ordinary folk and it is the everyday person’s voice
that needs to be heard.
So make a difference Become a parish councillor.
The parish council has a vacancy. You might be co-opted or may
have to stand for election
Training is available and is mostly still online.
If you are interested contact David Penfold by 10th November 01424 813 003 [email protected]
Jasmine Cottage, Elms Lane, Pett
I want to say a special thankyou to the local businesses who contributed generous vouchers as raffle prizes at our recent Flower Festival at Pett Church. They were The Royal Oak, the Old Butcher’s Shop and Susannah’s Beauty Treatment. Covid has caused the church income to decrease and it must have created huge problems for the local businesses and this makes their generosity even more significant. The comment made to me at The Royal Oak was “locals must help locals.”
And so, thank you very much indeed! I hope your businesses thrive in troubled and in joyful times! AH
JOINING IN Angela Hawksley, raffle ticket seller
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Memories of 1943 by Trevor Brooks
I was recently given some copies of the Pett and Pett Level News by my daughter (a Pett resident) and was very interested to read the articles about The Summer of ’43 .
In 1943 my class at Bromley Grammar School was asked for volunteers to help the war effort during the summer holidays, by working on a farm near Tenterden as the farm labourers had been called up. I was 13. The whole class volunteered, so about 15 of us got a train from Bromley South to Sevenoaks, then another to Headcorn, and finally on to the Kent and East Sussex Railway to Tenterden. We were billeted at the Church of England National School opposite St Mildred’s Church in Tenterden. We slept on mattresses on the floor, and as the only washing facilities were the school hand basins, the vicar allowed two boys at a time daily to enter the vicarage to have a bath! In the event of an invasion, church bells would be rung to warn the populace. Curiously sometimes the bells rang a tune or chimed certain hours which seemed incompatible with the invasion warning.
We were transported daily to nearby Shirley Moor Farm where we worked stooking the cut sheaves of wheat - no combine harvesters then! A number of Italian POW’s also worked on the land, “guarded” by a Pioneer Corps Private. They were friendly chaps who taught us an Italian folk song (one had an accordion) and I still remember a bit of it. They were happy to be fed, housed and away from the conflict.
One day, while working in the fields, we saw, away to the South, a huge plane just skimming the treetops which then came down in a marshy field. We ran to the scene. The Flying Fortress had suffered damage and the fuselage was on the ground. It was eerily quiet, and we were unaware that the crew had already bailed out - apart from the pilot. Because the engines were fixed under the wings, they had hit the ground and their cowling had shattered. I picked up a fragment as a souvenir and still have it 78 years later! We mulled around but the police soon arrived and we were ushered away.
On another occasion, on a day off, a group of us cycled to Hastings – we had brought our own cycles with us. I believe there was a 5 mile exclusion zone from the coast for anyone without a permit, but we ignored that. The seafront had huge rolls of barbed wire strung along it in case of invasion, and so was inaccessible. We parked our bikes on Castle Hill and walked up to inspect the Castle ruins – open and free. We then discovered one of the bikes had a flat tyre, and although we had a puncture repair kit, none of us had the experience to use it. Luckily a bus driver, whose bus was parked on the hill, saw our plight and kindly mended the puncture, saving a long walk back to Tenterden.
Many thanks to Pett & Pett Level News triggering so many memories. 11
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Pett on the Knit - Heather Godwin
Willing volunteers have already started on the squares to make the blankets needed by Knit for Peace for the Afghan refugees , which I mentioned in the October issue. We calculated we need 288 squares to make the largest blanket so please knit furiously! Crochet squares are also welcome but, if possible, please make them in the same diamond shape as the knitted ones. This gives more stability to the finished items.
If you don’t want to make squares, that’s fine, Knit for Peace also needs mitts and socks in all sizes, cardigans/jumpers and knitted toys for babies and children.
If you can’t knit or crochet don’t worry, but it would be great if you could donate some wool. Double Knitting synthetic wool in any colour will be gratefully received. I’ve been told Aldi have some good deals at the moment and so does Rye Market. Please bring the wool to the Coffee Mornings, or to me at 2 Brambletye, Pett Road, near the Methodist Church. I can always come and collect – any questions please contact me on 07977 100 296 or [email protected]
The dimensions and pattern for the squares are repeated below. The size is slightly smaller than the ones we made last winter, so should be completed more quickly! Jenny Crisford has kindly offered to crochet them together to make the specific size of blankets required. Squares should measure 12.5cms (5 inches) square, be made of synthetic DK wool, and knitted on No 4mm (old fashioned No 8) needles.
Blanket Square Pattern: (knit diagonally) Cast on 1 stitch. Row 1: kf&b (2 stitches) Row 2: K1, kf&b (3 stitches) Row 3: K1, kf&b, k1 (4 stitches) Row 4: K1, kf&b, k2 (5 stitches) Row 5: K1, kf&b, k3 (6 stitches) Row 6: K1, *K1, kf&b, knit to end of row* Repeat the 6th Row from * to * until side of the square measures 12.5 cms or 5 ins exactly. Begin to decrease. Next Row: K1, k2tog, knit to end of row. Repeat this row until 2 stitches remain. Next Row: K 2 together. Tidy up wool ends by sewing into square.
Abbreviations: K = Knit, Kf&b = knit into the front and back of the same stitch, K2tog= knit two stitches together,
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The Garden Club - June HarrisGarden Club Notes, October 2021 - June Harris
We were again fortunate to welcome many existing and one new member to this month's meeting - it's great to be able to return (almost) to normal, to enjoy an interesting and entertaining talk and to socialise with friends. Jay Ashworth, the Ornamental Gardens Manager at Ashburnham Place, near Battle, was our speaker and the subject was the changes over time to the gardens, the central focus being the
work Lancelot (Capability) Brown undertook for the owners around 250 years ago, in redesigning the gardens and land around the house. By the time Brown became involved, this vast estate of thousands of acres had already been in the Ashburnham family for centuries, having been gifted following the events of 1066. The family wealth derived in part from the iron and coal industries and successive generations spent lavishly on the latest fashions both within the vast main house and on the gardens and surroundings. Before Capability Brown's redesign the gardens followed the then fashionable trend of order and control over nature; straight avenues criss-crossed the woodland; box parterres and formal ornamental planting all demonstrated the skill of the owner and the gardeners in subjugating nature to their will.
During his lifetime Capability Brown (1716-1783) is believed to have worked on around 260 gardens, many of them the vast estates of the landed gentry. By the time he became involved at Ashburnham in 1767 his style and professionalism was famous throughout the country - if you had wealth to flaunt there was no better way than to have your gardens transformed by him in this latest fashionable style. Brown's landscapes turned the ideal of control over nature on its head, working with rather than against nature, whilst being clever in that they are still, nevertheless, controlled and contrived landscapes. The plans for the work at Ashburnham, detailed on a map an astonishing 6ft x 4ft, survive to this day in the archives of the Ashburnham family and the actual work took about 4 years!
A major part of his new design was the creation almost from scratch of the Broadwater and Front Water lakes, formed from the strips of fields which lay between the gardens in front of the house and the woodland. A favourite motif of his, based on a loose letter S, was incorporated to allow the lakes to appear to have always been part of the landscape, to meander apparently naturally creating mystery by being seemingly endless - the observer cannot see the end due to the curves. Brown incorporated complex engineering within the practical aspects of the build to future-proof the lakes against flooding under any circumstances, the system surviving to the present day, testament to his abilities on all fronts. Brown disliked formal ornamental gardens so these were replaced with a sweep of grass up to the main house. He resited the drive to its current approach and opened up rides and views around the lakes from the woodland. He completed his by now famous open parkland design with many carefully sited specimen trees, carefully sited to create areas of interest across the parkland and beside the water and highlighted different areas with small buildings, a temple, a grotto, etc. His also is the seven acre walled kitchen garden which continues to supply the current estate and the local area with produce.
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The Ashburnham estate passed out of the immediate family in the 1950s, on the sudden death of the then owner. The vast art and furniture collections were auctioned off to pay death duties, much of the land was sold off or retained by the family, with the remainder, including the by now almost tumbledown house passing to a somewhat astonished clergyman, John Bickersteth. He had long cherished a vague idea of creating a retreat, a place of quiet and contemplation for those in need of a break from difficult times in their lives. He began to see a possibility for the house and remaining 220 acres of gardens, to realise his idea and from this was created the present Ashburnham Christian Trust, a thriving community and theological college and conference centre. The gardens today, with Jay at the helm, continue to evolve, to be managed with a light hand and to follow modern ecological and sustainable principles, with nature and its needs at heart. There are rose gardens, a wisteria walk, a walled ornamental garden with flowering plants, also meadow, naturalistic and prairie planting geared to biodiversity into the future. Benches have been placed throughout the grounds to allow visitors to rest and contemplate the many vistas and scenery. The Gardening Club is hoping to visit the gardens next year for a guided tour, but in the meantime the Trust's cafe, the Orangery, is open all year round to visitors.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 9th November when our speaker will be Geoff Dann from Hastings explaining Fungi and Fungi Foraging.
Garden Club Notes, October 2021 - June Harris
A Voluntary Role in the Parish The parish council is looking to fill the following role:
Flood Warden The role of the Flood Warden is primarily one of communication and you will be the personal link with the local community, ensuring that flood warnings reach everyone. Additionally, you will be the anchor of a more general emergency plan for the community. Assistance will be provided by the District Council and the Environment Agency. All costs will be covered while you focus on making sure that everyone is prepared.
Contact the Chairman of the Parish Council, David Penfold, on 01424 813003 or email [email protected]
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Recollections of Pett Level - Peter WoodroffeArchive Resource Centre based at Pett Methodist Chapel
The Archive Resource Centre for the parishes of Fairlight, Pett, Pett Level and Guestling including Three Oaks is now based at Pett Methodist Chapel. We are now resident in the light and airy room at the rear of the chapel. Thanks to Wendy Hatch and the team for giving it a lick of paint, we have added some additional electrical sockets, purchased some cabinets and desks (huge thanks to Alan Butler for putting the flat packs together for us) and there will be broadband connection installed in the near future.
In the meantime, we will be looking to purchase the computer software to enable us to begin to catalogue the documents, maps and photographs that will constitute the beginning of this local archive.
We plan to hold an open day on Saturday 12th February 2022 from 10am to 4pm, this will give us the opportunity to show to our supporters and other interested local people, what their financial help and support has meant in the process of bringing the archive to life. More details on the Open day programme nearer the time. Put that date in your diary for this important step forward for conserving our local history.
Save this date in your diary Saturday 12th February 2022
10am to 4pm ARC Open Day
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Dog Walking & Home Pop-In Service since 2014 for Pett,
Fairlight, Winchelsea & Rye by husband and wife team Terry &
Julie.
Website www.spanglefish.com/bestpawforward
Telephone us on:01424 812506
or07837 252187
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Guestling Bradshaw Church of England Primary School ‘Learning Together for Life in all its Fullness’
(Based on words of Jesus, John 10, verse 10)
Harvest Celebration Last week the whole school gathered for our Harvest Festival. It was a wonderful celebration with poems, bible readings, artwork and beautiful singing. We are very proud of all our children. We were joined by some special guests, which included Mrs Plank, our Chair of governors, Reverend Joy and Merial as well as some other guests from our local churches. We gathered to think about the amazing world God has given us. We remembered how he has provided us with so many wonderful gifts and the importance of saying thank-you and sharing the gifts he provides.
Mrs Andrews
Thank you to all the families of Guestling Bradshaw who contributed so generously to our Harvest Food collection. Donations were taken to Pett Church to be auctioned. The proceed will be divided between the two charities mentioned below.
In preparation for Harvest, children were asked the question: What does the word valuable means? After sharing lots of thoughts and ideas, together we decided that many of the most valuable things cost no money at all: friendship, family, knowledge and learning are some of the ideas they shared. We talked about how it is easy to take for granted many things we have- like running water, food and shelter.
Harvest Prayer Generous God, At this harvest time we thank you for all the good things you give us. As we thank you for our food, we remember all those who do not have enough. We pray for the homeless, and those who depend on the charity of others. We pray for the work of Sea view and Farm Africa. We pray that the harvest of the world be shared more fairly. Lord of the harvest: hear our prayer
The charities which benefited from our Harvest collections are:
Farm Africa: is a charity which helps farmers improve production and make the most of their land. It helps rural communities make a decent living from farming, while protecting the environment for years to come.
Seaview: a local charity which supports hundreds of vulnerable people. Many people’s lives are improved with the support and assistance provided by Seaview Project's staff and volunteers.
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Pett Level Independent Rescue
November already and with the clocks going back long dark nights, high tides and windy weather prevail as a busy 2021 draws to a close. At the boathouse though, our activities remain ongoing, so here’s a quick update ...
● Last month, our school-visits volunteer Steve paid a visit to a local school, where he talked about safety using some of the great videos we now have. This videography has been donated by skilled well-wishers, which is very exciting for us as videos offer a great way to show what we do and, particularly on school visits, for demonstrating the dangers of the shoreline.
● A total of 6 new volunteers have joined this year, so all training programmes have been widened to include our new volunteers. As well as our Sunday morning sessions, volunteers are also running training on Wednesday evenings down at the boathouse, to help everyone stay rescue ready.
● And of our existing crew volunteers, 3 are undergoing helm training, to boost the availability of qualified helms for both our boats.
● Our Calendar 2022 photo competition winners were announced last month. Calendars are soon arriving, hot off the press and are available for sale from our boathouse, from Christmas Craft Fairs and online via our social media.
● Barbara’s charity shed has now closed for the winter. Donated items are still being accepted for our online auction though so if you have any usable household and gift items to donate, please contact us.
An exceptionally muddy low tide launch recently - the launch vehicle had to pull rather than push the boat for launch and recovery as the mud was so deep!
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Pett Level Independent Rescue
As winter looms, beach safety and prevention remains a continued focus for us. This month’s focus is on dog walkers particularly as the summer restrictions for dogs on areas of Pett Level beach no longer apply, bringing an extra presence of dog walkers. If your dog’s recall is poor, please keep it on a lead so it cannot run into a danger zone and ensure that it (and you) do not walk below the cliff line, as seasonal rock falls continue.
Additionally, when the tide’s on the turn, remember the incoming tide floods in quickly and early - well before the published high tide time. It’s important not to assume you or your dog can outrun it, so please help visitors to be aware to make their way back to safety well before high tide time.
So, until December and the end of 2021, please stay safe, take care and be beach aware. To keep in touch, please check out our website https://plirb.com and our social media: Twitter @PLIRBRescue; Facebook @PettLevelRescueBoat and @supportingPLIRB and Instagram @pettlevelindyrescueboat.
Hey! Didyou know?
R E A L L Y G R E A T S I T E . C O M
Blueberries help prevent memoryloss. Don't forget!
Stay away from the cliff line, beware of crumbling cliff, slippery rocks, trip hazards
& spots of sinking sand & mud
Remember too: THE TIDE FLOODS IN QUICKLY - always check tide times & bring a mobile phone - don't assume you can outrun the incoming tide
Pets at Pett Level ?
If there's a problemcall 999 & alert the coastguard
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Church News - November 2021
7 November 10.30, St Mary & St Peter Pett, Holy Communion led by Rev Kay Burnett
14 November 10.45, Joint Remembrance service held at Pett Methodist Chapel, followed by a walk to St Mary & St Peter church at 11:30 to lay wreaths.
21 November 10.30am St Andrew’s Fairlight, Holy Communion with Rev Kay Burnett
28 November 9.30am, St Nicholas, Pett Level, Holy Communion led by Rev Kay Burnett
Flower Festival - Glitz & Glamour Glitz and Glamour was the theme of this year’s Flower Show in Pett. Over 30 stunning arrangements were on display in St Mary & St Peter Church, co-ordinated by the village Flower Festival group. ‘Oscars’, ‘Casino Nights’, ‘Venetian Masked Balls’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ were among the titles of the glitzy arrangements.
Our thanks must go to the amazing Flower Festival Team - Cathy Norris, Gill Plank, Val Gill, Jan Marsh, Fran Molyneux and Angela Hawksley for organising such a wonderful weekend and to all the flower arrangers, who gave of their time, money and talents to raise £2000 for the two churches in Pett & Pett Level. Thank you!
Cathy Norris, chair of the group said “It was lovely to see so many people through the door despite the awful weather. It was just what the village needed after the last 18 months.”
Gill Plank commented “the displays, as always, were creative, and demonstrated the amazing skills of the arrangers. We also need to thank the tea team who provided the most delicious refreshments throughout the two days.”
The Church Council would also like to express their gratitude to the many people who made the show happen, including Paul Norris and Mike Marsh for behind the scenes work and to all the folk who ran stalls over the two days. We were also grateful to our local MP, Sally-Ann Hart for supporting the flower show - she was even lucky enough to win a raffle prize! And lastly, thank you to everybody who visited the Festival and for all your lovely comments.
Photographs of the flower arrangements can be viewed online at Rye News - https://www.ryenews.org.uk/living/glitz-and-glamour-and-razzmatazz
John Case, Churchwarden, St Mary & St Peter’s Church in Pett & St Nicholas in Pett Level Nine Acres, Pett Road, Pett Village, TN35 4HE [email protected] 01424 812224 or 07525032198
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Hugh Seaton, who, around 1935, owned the Pett Level Estate, built the Market Stores which was later converted to the village shop (just by the existing Post Box) It is now a house. To its left he put up an estate office that was thatched and faced in stone from the beach. The object of this was to facilitate the sale of building plots at Cliff End, all of which fell into the sea many years ago! Behind these two buildings he built a large garage for buses (and high enough for
double-deckers). His idea was that Pett Level would be the terminus for the buses from Hastings. H e s u f f e r e d a disappointment and financial loss when he learned that the b u s d r i v e r s a l l wanted to live in H a s t i n g s ! T h e garage-that-never-w a s w a s t h e n converted into a large junk shop and was known as the
Emporium. You could buy anything from engine parts to buckets and spades for the beach.
Upon the outbreak of World War Two there was general concern that the massive roof of the Emporium, which was made of white asbestos, would serve as a landmark for enemy bombers. My mother, Raby Woodroffe, decided to do something about it. She first consulted Steve Dowling, who lived at The Roundels, in Pett. Steve was a famous artist on account of being the
originator of the best known cartoon of the day, namely ‘Jane’ which appeared every day in the Daily Mirror. Jane was a curvaceous young lady. Many just bought the Mirror to follow Jane’s antics. My mother asked Steve to prepare a colour drawing of the roof detailing the necessary camouflage. Steve duly complied.
Recollections of Pett Level - Peter Woodroffe
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Steve’s brother, Frank, whose weekend home was almost opposite Shelley’s, was a successful editor of Picture Post, despite major disagreements with Sir Edward Hulton, its owner (that is another story which strays into my professional life).Somebody else was persuaded to provide vast quantities of paint in the appropriate colours. Then the real problem cropped up: who was going to get themselves to the top of this tall building, crawl over the slopping roof and paint it? Nobody wanted to do it. Eventually my mother persuaded a man called Lane to do the job. He was a fighter pilot in WW1, who had been shot down. As a consequence, he was terrified of heights. This brave man scaled a long ladder and did the whole job single-handed. I watched him do it from the safety of terra firma.
As the danger of invasion increased in 1940, my mother formed a class of ten local ladies (one of whom was Lydia Cooke, Rosemary Moon’s mother) to study for the nursing examination. As there was no tutor available, my mother, who had no nursing experience, studied the text books in advance of the classes and then acted as the tutor. Her one fear was that the class would pass the examination and she would fail! In the event, they all passed.
Reg Cooke, (Rosemary Moon’s father) was the Coastguard Officer for Pett Level. He related to my parents an incident observed by a Coastguard officer with his telescope which was recorded in the Coastguard Log. A vicar came to the (deserted) Cliff End beach. He undressed and put on his bathing costume, putting his clothes in a neat pile next to his haversack. The tide was out and so he made his way to the distant shoreline. Two pretty young ladies arrived on the beach and sat down next to the vicar’s belongings, took out his camera, removed all their clothes and took photographs of each other naked. They then put the camera back into the vicar’s haversack, dressed and left the beach. History does not relate what happened when the vicar’s wife went to the chemist to collect the developed photographs or what the discussion was between the vicar and his wife.
Seaton built Stonewalls and its lodge in 1934. He was an engineer and knew that there were potential problems beneath the site of the house. No doubt he reckoned that the house would see him out and others would have to face up to the serious problems posed by the site. Reg Cooke told my parents at the time that the house was sited on a layer of clay which was sitting close to the edge of the (underground) cliff: he predicted that one day it would collapse into the sea. In 1969 I decided to look into the possibility of purchasing Stonewalls. I well remember, as a boy, hearing Reg’s prediction. Before committing myself I commissioned Wimpeys to carry out a geological survey, which would show if the house could be saved. This confirmed that Reg was quite right. I then engaged an engineer, who advised that it would be necessary to build a massive piled wall in front of the house to hold it up. He added that, had he been instructed by a County Council, his task would have been easy: but to design a structure appropriate for the domestic pocket would be almost impossible. As it was, there had been a frightening landslip four feet deep just forward of the front portico. Despite all the serious problems I decided to proceed with the purchase.
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To an extent, I enjoyed the challenge that they posed. Once the purchase was completed, my engineer advised that in view of the precarious state of the house, I should not occupy it until he had designed and built a piled wall. I responded “Of course I’m going to occupy the house. I have just bought the place!”. Six months later the piling team arrived, having just built the piled foundations of the “skyscraper” Hilton Hotel in Park Lane.
They constructed piles that went through the clay and deeply penetrated the underground rock. This made it possible to have a terrace in front of the house, instead of a steeply sloping bank. At the western end of the wall we finished off the terraced area with a semi-circular wall that also had foundations going down a long way: and since that area was very steep, the wall was supported by thick
cables running under the lawn to a massive concrete block. We also constructed a set of stone steps in front of the underground cliff heading towards the beach. It was necessary for these to sit on stilts that went down twenty-two feet to reach a firm foundation. These engineering works were costly, and for the most part they couldn’t even be seen!
The next problem was far more fraught. The defence of Stonewalls from the sea was dependent upon the littoral drift of shingle. This is the natural
movement of single along the coast from west to east brought about by the prevailing South West wind. The shingle in part washes from Chesil Beach in Dorset to Dungeness: in the days of Elizabeth the First there was no Dungeness: but over the centuries the littoral drift of shingle built it up. In 1970, just a year after I purchased Stonewalls and built the piled wall, the littoral drift came to a halt. The shingle in front of Stonewalls moved eastwards: Cliff End Beach lost all its shingle, with the result that the surface of the beach was down to the clay. This had a catastrophic effect: the sea started to attack the ancient cliff surface and the ground in front of Stonewalls: it threatened the engineering works that I had just put in at Stonewalls. The beautiful cave above Cliff End beach, formerly occupied by Stone Age man, started to be washed away. As a boy, I used to climb up into the cave (in which Seaton grew mushrooms) and then its rear exit, up a steep slope. This led to a small amphitheatre surrounded by trees, alas, now all washed away by the sea. I concluded that this was a meeting area for the Stone Age man community. The cave has been professionally surveyed and Stone Age artifacts were found, but the survey did not include the topography behind the cave. When the beach was bereft of shingle, I found a number of large, perfectly shaped rectangular stones in ironstone. These clearly could not have been formed by nature: I think these may have formed steps from the rear exit of the cave or for part of the amphitheatre. I also found that the sea had neatly collected piles of old nails, washed into crevices and corners no doubt from wrecked ships. Some were clearly antique.
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Recollections of Pett Level - Peter Woodroffe
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I located Seaton’s daughter some time after his death. I wanted to know what foundations, if any, had been put in when he built Stonewalls. I was suspicious that there were none! The recent demolition of Stonewalls revealed that there were foundations of a sort: these consisted of substantial blocks at the corners, but not much between them. She told me that she remembered a platform being formed into which old bedsteads and other items of metal junk were thrown in as reinforcement. She also told me of the “buried treasure” at Cliff End left behind by French smugglers that used the cave. I asked her what had been buried. She said it was Sevres china. This sounded such an improbable “treasure” that I almost believed the story. I have seen no sign of it.
On the subject of treasure, one day I observed on a fresh fall of limestone a smearing of what looked like solidified dried pale coloured paste. My mind turned to Rhodes’ discovery of the gold at Johannesburg through his sighting of a smear of Barytes on the rocks, which was the clue that gold existed there. I wondered whether this was Barytes. As a matter of curiosity I took a sample of the smear and had it analysed. Sure enough if was confirmed to be Barytes. I was advised that the indication was that gold would exist in the cliff but only in small quantities. Before the inhabitants of Pett Level descend upon the beach with pickaxes, I should point out that all un-mined gold belongs to the Crown.
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Pett WI News - Belinda Woods, President
The fizz bottles were popping and there was a buzz of excitement at Pett Village Hall in September for our return to the Catherine Holman room after a long 18 months away! Our speakers included David Rowan and Mark Dimmock from East Sussex Hearing, a small independent charity based in Eastbourne who have been serving the deaf and hard of hearing community throughout the county for over 20 years. They gave a thought-provoking and interesting awareness building presentation. As it was a special occasion, we encouraged everyone to sing Jerusalem (which these days we keep for high days and holidays btw!) and it was great to have the strong voices of two chaps joining in – even if one was a Welshman but didn’t seem to mind the reference to walking upon England’s mountains green! (As I have to say our Marjorie, also from the valleys, does every time with much enthusiasm!)
Our raffle for the evening supported the charity and thank you to Sally Watson for donating such a fabulous prize (particularly as I had the winning ticket!!)
Pett WI are pleased to be supporting a charity coffee morning being run by Sally on Saturday 20 November at Fairlight Village Hall between 10.30-12.30pm to benefit the charity further. There will be all sort of wonderful stalls including member Sandra Clark’s fab Funky Hen boutique items and of course a cake stall which I know members will be busy baking for! Entrance is £5 and includes refreshments.
Along with our sisters from Hastings and Ore WI members will be taking part in a Reindeer Run being held on Wednesday 1 December at Alexandra Park. £5 entry fee which will go to the Conquest Hospital’s Macdonald Ward Courtyard Makeover Appeal! By the way absolutely no running is required but the wearing of antlers or any other reindeer-related garb is very much encouraged!
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for updated news regarding our ongoing support of Rye Foodbank. We are also supporting Savehaven Women, the Seaview Centre and occasionally Dom’s Food Mission. Financial donations can be by cheque (made payable to Pett WI) and sent to our Treasurer Jane Sweaney at Oakhurst, Pett Road, Pett, TN35 4HG or made directly into the Pett WI bank business account - Lloyds Bank - Sort Code: 30-98-97 - Account No: 70587368 - with the reference for both as "Foodbank" please. Thank you.
In September members of our Ladies who Munch Club had not just a fabulous fine dining experience at Mark Sargent’s Rocksalt restaurant but also a wonderful time exploring the recently renovated Folkestone arm and surrounding area. We were blessed with a beautiful day and enjoyed getting to know each other outside of our monthly meetings.
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CANINE COMPANIONSDOG BOARDING
(Rother District Council 5 Star Rating)
- Away for the day- Going on holiday / business
trip- Unable to work due to illness
Leave your dog in the capablehands of a fellow dog owner in asafe, friendly home environmentwith large, secure garden.
Please contact Angela GastrellHome: 01424 813593 Mobile 07411 405049
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Organised by Rye Harbour Sailability some member participated in an afternoon tea event at Playden WI Hall when we listened to the original Calendar Girl, Angela Knowles (Miss February by the way!) who gave such a warm and highly
e n t e r t a i n i n g account o f the story of how she and her Rylstone WI friends began that very famous calendar!
All being well we a r e h o p i n g t o resume our Theatre and Cinema Club aga in f rom the spring of 2022.
T h e N o v e m b e r meeting will take p l a c e o n Wednesday 16th at 7.30pm and will
include our annual meeting. We currently keep our committee to six in number including three officers President, Treasurer and Secretary but welcome interest from any member who would like to take more of an active part in running this fabulous group! We will also be hearing from Adam Millicent, Rye Branch Manager of Nationwide, is giving us talk about the latest scams out there!
Our membership is currently full but email [email protected] to go on our waiting list and please follow our Facebook page to keep up to date with all our events. We usually meet the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm (until 9.30pm) in the Catherine Holman Room at Pett Village Hall but in December we meet the second Wednesday and during January the third Saturday from 10am until midday.
A reminder to members that at this time we have no plans to serve hot drinks at our meetings but soft drinks and the fizz will be chilling and waiting for you as always!
Pett WI News - Belinda Woods, President
Come and say hello to us at this month’s Pett Church Christmas Fair at Pett Village Hall
on Saturday 27th November from 11am we are in charge of refreshments so we will be getting those
aprons on again!!37
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helpingprovideemergencysupportforlocalpeopleincrisis
Ifyou'dliketocontribute-we'recollecting:
• Non-perishable,in-datefood(tins,packets,cartons)• Toiletries• SanitaryProducts• HouseholdProducts
PettWICollectionPoints
• PettVillageHall(Lobby)• TheOldButcher'sShop-Pett• 1Arthur'sClose,PettRoad,Pett• "NaniniTal",CliffEndLane,PettLevel• FairlightPostOffice&Stores• TheBarn,Shepherd'sWay,Fairlight
FinancialDonations:Ifyou'dliketomakeafinancialdonation,thiscaneitherbemadebycheque (made payable to Pett WI) and sent to Jane Sweaney at"Oakhurst", Pett Road, Pett, TN35 4HG or made directly into thePettWIBankAccount-LloydsBank-SortCode:30-98-97-AccountNo:70587368-withthereferenceforbothas"FoodBank"please.
Formoreinformation,orifyouexperienceanydifficulties,pleasecontactCampaignCo-ordinator,HilaryDymotton07768323131
Thankyou!
PettWICommunityAid(WICAID)
RyeFoodBankAppeal
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THE 833 LOTTERY CLUBJOIN TODAY!
Joining the 833 Lottery Club run by the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, will not only support running the DISCOVERY CENTRE, but also give you an opportunity to WIN in
the monthly lottery draw!YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE
60% of the money is held for use by the Discovery Centre 40% is allocated for PRIZES which YOU could win!
September 20211st Prize £77.28 2nd Prize £32.20 3rd Prize £19.32
At this date we had raised a total of £3943 for the Discovery Centre and the first 833 Lottery Club spend will be a
PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATORto be installed at the Discovery Centre by the new year.
Annual membership of £24 buys one lottery ticket with12 monthly chances to win. You can buy up to 5 tickets at £24 each for yourself, your family or
your friends!Pick up a leaflet from the Discovery Centre
or email [email protected] Prize Draw is held at the Discovery Centre on the 2nd Saturday of each month; winners are notified by email.
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Pett Flower Show & Fayre
PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS! Many people suffer from asthma and other chest related ailments that are seriously effected by inhaling smoke.
Speak to your neighbours and check that their windows are closed. Try to have a bonfire when the smoke does not blow across their house, garden or washing. Wet or new weeded plants make for a very smoky bonfires,
so wait until they are dry or if possible compost them and get free fertiliser for the next year
Saturday 30 July 2022
This year’s show was a great success at Pett Village Hall, so the committee have agreed to hold the 2022 show there again on the date shown above. The show will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
When the accounts for this year’s show are finalised, there is likely to be a surplus, which the committee will be reviewing; some may be spent on improvements to the show equipment, but the committee would like to consider making donations to local good causes. Suggestions are welcome and a final distribution will be agreed at the AGM in the Spring.
Following the aggrieved letter from “Disgusted of Pett Level” in the September edition of the parish news, the committee discussed the possibility of holding a Dog Show at the Hall. The absence of a show this year was in part because the people who have run it in the past, and to whom we are very grateful, were not able to run it this year. In addition, the committee concluded that there is not sufficient space in the immediate grounds of the Hall, while the field that the owners kindly allow us to use for parking will not necessarily be available for other activities. We are keeping this under review as we are in discussions with a lady who is willing to run a Dog Show for the village, but maybe on another date and at another venue.
The committee are appealing to Aggie and her canine pals to step forward to assist the organisation of the Dog show. Just get in touch with any committee member.
We apologise for the delay in distributing the cups and trophies to the winners as we have needed to source a new engraver following the retirement of Tony Meek, who has always done excellent work for us.
Philippa M Strickland, Chairman P&DHS
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Pett Parish News - 20 years agoLooking back through old copies of the Pett Parish Magazine, I alighted on the November 2001 edition and wondered what was going on in our Parish at that time. The magazine consisted of twelve pages without any advertising. The lead story, that month was Reverend Robin Balch leaving for a new parish in Chesterfield. Alongside this, the batting averages of Pett Cricket Club and the church rotas for both Pett and Guestling. Here are some extracts are below:
THE FRIENDS OF THE NEW VILLAGE HALL. Thank you to everyone who made the quiz night such a fun evening and a success, another £221.21 goes in the village hall pot.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. Saturday 24 November 2.00-4.00pm in the village hall. Santa’s Grotto, art and craft stalls, books, bric-a-brac, gifts, cakes, raffle, games and competitions, hot mince pies and mulled wine. Donations of raffle prizes and cakes to sell warmly received. Some tables still available £8.00 each.
PETT RECTORY. By now many of you will have seen the ‘For Sale’ sign outside Pett Rectory. The decision to sell the Rectory lies with the Diocesan Property Managers at Church House. A new rectory for the Benefice is being built on Battery Hill at Fairlight.
FAIRLIGHT PLAYERS. Mrs J Wren writes: The Fairlight Players will present There Goes The Bride, a farce by Ray Cooney and John Chapman at the Fairlight Village Hall on Thursday 15th, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th November 2001 at 7.30pm. Admission by programme £2.50 available from the advanced booking office, Fairlight Post Office Stores, telephone 813221 or on the door.
PETT LEVEL NATURALISTS SOCIETY. Next meet on 16 November, when Phillipa Harrison will be talking about the Water Vole. Meetings held in the village hall at 7.30pm. Visitors and new members always welcome.
NATURE NOTES. My favourite report was of a blackbird eating cotoneaster berries, then sitting on a fence and spitting out the bits. What a wonderful story and I am assured it’s true. AT
GUESTLING HARVEST WEEKEND. Guestling Bradshaw pupils brought donated produce to the church, which had been decorated by the ladies of the parish. On Saturday, there was a supper and quiz games at the Three Oaks Village Hall, which raised raised £142.52 for Farm Africa. On Sunday, Reverend Owen Thomas led the Harvest Thanksgiving Service, the uniform organisations were in attendance. A total of £287.92 was sent to Farm Africa.
2002 JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. Residents were asked to contact the Parish Council with any ideas of how to mark the next year’s celebrations.
PARAGRAPH FROM THE PAST THANKS TO JOHN TAYLOR NOVEMBER 1919. The Rector F. C. A. Young writes “On Thursdays we meet at The Cedars to sew, that we may raise money for the War Memorial.
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Fairlight Players
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Fairlight PlayersTickets are now on sale from Fairlight Post Office for our forthcoming production, Wait Until Dark. This play has been a long time coming as we were well into rehearsals in Spring 2020 when the first Covid lockdown brought everything to a shuddering halt. And it is a play that has everything … suspense, drama, death-defying stunts (I exaggerate only slightly) plus some gentle humour. On top of that, a spectacular set and effects. This is one that you will not want to miss. It is worth mentioning that, due to the acquisition of comfy new chairs at the village hall (which I know you will appreciate) the seating capacity is some 17% less than it used to be, so waste no time and get your tickets from Fairlight Post Office before they all go.
There will be additional precautions at the Saturday Matinee performance. At, what we are referring to as a “socially-distanced” performance, the maximum ticket sales will be reduced by a further 50% to ensure that we can offer more distance between members of the audience (or groups thereof) and their nearest neighbours. In addition, the audience and helpers will be asked, unless they are in possession of a medical exemption, to wear a mask whilst inside the building. We hope that these additional precautions will offer a little reassurance to those who are still nervous about gathering in public. If you find it difficult to get to Fairlight to buy your tickets, just telephone Sue on 07377 915741, and she will obtain them for you. Alternatively, you can e-mail Sue at [email protected] We very much look forward to seeing you again. It’s been a long time! Keith Miller (Chair) The Fairlight Players www.fairlightplayers.org.uk
PETT VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
500 CLUB WINNER FOR SEPTEMBER Drawn on 6th October 2021
1st GEORGE PHILLIPS 2nd DOREEN MCCAUSLAND 3rd RICHARD COOKE
Pett Village Hall is a registered charity in England and Wales No 1005693
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Fruit and Vegetables Local Seasonal Produce Available to order
Locally Made Bread Local Milk Range of Groceries
Newspapers Mon - Sat 1st & 2nd Class Postage Stamps in stock
OPENING HOURS Monday 8am - 1pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 4pm Thursday 8am - 4pm Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday 8am - 4pm
Beef, Lamb, Pork and Chicken raised to High Welfare Standards and locally sourced wherever possible
Wide range of Homemade Sausages and Burgers
For News and Offers follow us on Facebook: @pettbutchersshop PETT ROAD, Guestling Tel: (01424) 812148 Email: [email protected]
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Two years ago last September a Macmillan Coffee Morning was held in the Village Hall, hosted by the lovely Jo Johnson, who had organised the event for several years. As usual it was a huge success, raising much needed funds for the iconic Macmillan Cancer Support charity.
Little did we know this was to be the last Coffee Morning hosted by Jo. Just a week after the event, to everyone’s sorrow, Jo suddenly died. A couple of months later I was approached to see if I might be interested in organising the event in 2020. I said it would be an honour.
Then along came the pandemic and events organised and planned for 2020 all bit the dust. 2021 has been an uncertain year: I was involved in a seven-month long work project, government guidelines came and went, and came and went again, so the Coffee Morning was shelved.
However, the good news is that the Hall is booked for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday, September 30th and I invite everyone who helped with the previous events to share with me their knowledge and experience and volunteer for next year. Anyone else who is keen to get involved is welcome, too, so put the date in your new 2022 calendars as soon as possible!
If you would like to support the event, please start saving unwanted birthday and Christmas presents, or start making craft items, or put aside anything you think might raise funds for the charity.
Planning meetings will be held next year and will be announced in this magazine and on Facebook and on Pett on the Nett.
Heather Godwin
World Biggest Coffee Morning Friday 30th September 2022
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Guardians of Pett Churchyard – Mike Wilkins On Saturday 16th October the Guardians met for their first work party. I was joined by twenty-two others which was many more than I hoped for. We focused on clearing two much neglected areas, these being the hedge at the rear of the churchyard and the memorial garden at the front abutting with the old wall and twitten. The planting of the hedge was organised by Carol Pecorini in 2007 (Carol joined us on Saturday). It is a mixture of shrubs to encourage biodiversity and we hope that over the next couple of years it will once again become that haven of biodiversity. The memorial garden, dedicated in 2000, was intended to be a place for the scattering of ashes and one of tranquillity and mediation. Much of this has now been cleared back to the wall and so we can now envisage, in time, sitting in the dappled light under the old maple tree.
During our original planning we stumbled across a ‘leaping board’, an unusual grave marker made of wood and not dissimilar to a bed headboard. This had almost rotted into the ground. This has now been renovated and will soon be on display in the porch of the church. Alan Kenworthy continues his recording of plant species. He is up to around eighty now, with more likely to be identified as the seasons change. This month our magazine cover shows a ‘Wall Germander’. This was
historically grown as a herbal medicine to be used for gout and other ailments. It is very unusual to find this plant growing in the wild – up until now our nearest known example is at Camber Castle. I would like to thank all of those who turned up for their support and their tremendous efforts in making this so successful, and also to thank Andrew Norcott for removing the waste that we created. I would urge you to visit the churchyard and appreciate how it is being transformed into a place that we can all continue enjoy for now and for the future. If you want to know more about the Guardians then please call me on 07710 080148.
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Greetings to all our Members,
Well, the summer is now behind us and, by the time you read this, we should have held our first General Meeting in a long time.
Hopefully, lockdowns are now a thing of the past. Subject to any new restrictions, we will continue to open Thursdays – Sundays between midday and 8pm; and from 4pm – 10pm on Mondays when Matt Barden hosts his popular quiz nights. There is also the acoustic night held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Despite all the problems that the Club (in addition to everyone else!) has had to face over the last couple of years, membership levels have more than held up, and we currently have over 800 members; thanks are due to everyone who has helped and supported us during these times. One of the reasons that we have managed not only to survive but to grow, has been the excellent food being offered by Jo and Louis in the kitchen. So please continue to support both them and us through the winter.
Some members have asked when we can go back to putting on live music. We have looked at various options, and it seems that many of the members using the club on a Sunday afternoon (when we have previously hosted bands) are not so keen. So, we are going to experiment with alternatives, starting with a blues evening on Saturday, 20 November. The popular local band Stormy-T and Bluesman’s Lane have been booked, and Jo will be providing a suitably-themed menu. The music starts at 8:30pm, and the themed menu will probably be available from 6pm (the normal menu being available earlier in the day, but with a short interval to allow for preparation). Details will be confirmed in due course but, as ever, please check with Facebook and our website (and read our bulletins) for details of changes as well as everything else that is happening in the Club. Best Wishes from the NBC Committee
Pett Level, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4EH Tel: 01424 812080
Email: [email protected] www.thenewbeachclub.co.uk
New Beach Club, Pett Level
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Pett Parish Council - David Penfold, ChairI have to report that Councillor Judith Dean has decided to resign from the council in order that she can spend more time on other activities. Sorry as I am to see her go, I would like to thank her for all the work she has done over her years on the council and wish her good luck with her other activities.
Judith’s resignation means that there is a vacancy on the council. Rother District Council has been notified and a notice has been posted. There is a period within which a group of ten parishioners can call for an election (although this, of course, relies on there being at least two candidates). Once this period has elapsed and there has been no call for an election, then the council is able to co-opt. As you will see from elsewhere in the parish news, we are calling for people to put their names forward. If you feel that you can make a contribution to the community by becoming a parish councillor, then please let me know. You can also suggest other people, but please obtain their approval first. As I have said previously, younger and/or female volunteers will be particularly welcome.
The working group on the Queen’s platinum jubilee has had a preliminary meeting. I should note that what I said last month about the WI organising a village lunch was incorrect. My apologies, but I was incorrectly informed. However, the WI is considering in what way it can help over that four-day weekend. The Sports Association and the Methodist Chapel are also considering what they can do. On the other hand, the parochial church committee has decided that they will hold a special service on the Sunday. Although the format and details of the service are to be determined, it is likely to be a ‘civic’ service involving as many groups in the parish as possible. In addition, the working group is still examining the options regarding an evening event, probably on the Friday evening. If you are planning an event, please let me know. I also hope to contact neighbouring parishes to see if we can co-ordinate with them as well.
I am pleased to say that, thanks to Peter Felton, the broken parts of the Chicken Rocker in the playground have all been replaced and it is fully usable. As I noted last month, the PCSO has been asked to keep an eye on the playground, but, if you see the apparatus being misused, please let the clerk or myself know. Again, I would remind you that users of the playground should be under 12.
Finally, I have to report the death of Evelyn Darnell, well known to many in the parish. In a generous gesture in about 2000, Evelyn and her husband donated the land on which the village hall now stands. In addition, Evelyn has allowed the field behind the hall to be used for car parking when the village hall car park is unavailable or full. The parish owes much to the Darnell family for their contribution to the community and I am sure that all will join with me in sending commiserations to them.
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WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?
Roads, road markings, verges, signs, drains, potholes, fallen trees, footpaths, etc https://www.eastsussexhighways.com/report-a-problem https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk 0345 6080190 Councillor Keith Glazier 07957 377844 [email protected] Planning, refuse & recycling, fly-tipping & pollution, dog & pest control, beach bye-laws http://www.rother.gov.uk/residents 01424 787000
Councillors Andrew Meir 01424 814178 [email protected] Roger Bird 01424 813636 [email protected]
Pett Level - Sea Wall Environment Agency 03708 506 506
PETT PARISH COUNCIL may be able to help you find out who to contact if you have a problem, can help escalate if your problem is not being dealt with, and can assist in lobbying the relevant authorities in the event of continued poor service. The Council are responsible for: the maintenance of recreation ground and play
area (with the exception of the bowling green, sports pavilions, tennis courts and cricket pitch which are leased to the Pett Sports Association); the defibrillator and phone kiosk opposite the Royal Oak; the war memorial at Pett Church; several roadside benches, noticeboards and village signs; Website (PettNet); Pett & Pett Level News Magazine. The Council also can provide a parish wide view on planning applications but the Local Planning Authority who makes the decision is Rother District Council. We usually meet on the second Tuesday of alternate months and all are welcome. For more details about what the council does and how you can get involved then contact any of the councillors below or the council pages on PettNet.org.uk Councillors Alan Crouch (Vice-Chair) 01424 813145 [email protected] Andrew Dunlop 01424 813368 [email protected] David Penfold (Chair) 01424 813003 [email protected] Chris Saint 01424 813047 [email protected] David Terrell 07968 584276 [email protected] Mike Wilkins 01424 813206 [email protected] VACANCY Parish Clerk Mary Philo 01797 270790 [email protected] Island Cottage, Swan Street, Wittersham, Kent, TN30 7PH Tree Warden Marcus Foster 07812 024070 [email protected] Flood Warden VACANCY GAS LEAKS National Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999 POWER CUT UK Power Networks 105 WATER LEAK Southern Water emergency service 0800 820 999
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in Pett Village Hall Saturday November 27th
10.00am - 1.00pm
Stalls, Crafts, Christmas Goodies, Raffles, Refreshments, Games and Much More!
The Village Choir will be singing carols If anyone would like a table for their own crafts please contact Gill Plank on
01424 812154 or email [email protected]
The Friends of Pett Church
Christmas Fair