Author: Eddie Westfield

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An Evening With Owls

From Daniel Clark:
An Evening with Owls is coming to venues near Hadlow Down this November & December!

Join us for a magical evening in the company of our beautiful owls. From little to large, step into their world as they fly just inches over your head. Discover the hidden lives of these secretive birds as we travel the world meeting owls from frozen forests and sun-baked grasslands.
🗓️ Hadlow Down Village Hall – 16th November – 6pm.
🎟️Tickets available today via the website at www.owlandraptorcentre.co.uk/eveningwithowls
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Panto Read Through

The Hadlow Down Drama & Variety Club are delighted to announce that the HDDVC will be performing a pantomime on the 13th and 14th March, 2026.
Julie Twigg will be directing the panto we have selected, which is Dick Turpin. We felt this panto would be a bit different, and is not one that we have performed before.
On the 3rd December at 7.00pm, in the Village Hall, we will be holding a ‘read through’ evening; an opportunity, for those interested in joining the cast, to get a flavour of the panto prior to casting.
We always welcome new members and hope that you will feel you can join the cast, help backstage or support front of house.
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4th. Viscount Hood

Hon. Francis Wheler Hood
4th. Viscount Hood of Whitely

Set In the graveyard at the north east corner of St. Mark’s Church, Hadlow Down, outside the vestry, there is a most notable gravestone.  The grave itself is surrounded by a low hedge and the memorial stone, in the form of a large cross that lies prone, is decorated with a curious and unique labyrinth design which has five paths that have no obvious source.  Labyrinths and mazes do appear on gravestones occasionally, particularly in historical graveyards, often symbolizing spiritual journeys, remembrance, or even as a form of memorialisation. Labyrinthine designs can vary in complexity and material, from simple chalk outlines to more elaborate stone or tile work.
The grave is the last resting place of 4th. Viscount Hood of Whitely, Lt Colonel Francis Wheler Hood. 1838-1907.

Francis Wheler Hood was born in Marylebone, London on the 4th. July 1838 and baptised at the parish church of St Marylebone, Middlesex on 11th. August 1838 his father was Samuel Hood, 3rd.Viscount Hood of Whitely and his mother Mary Isabella Tibbits.  He had two brothers Albert and Alexander Frederick Gregory.  The family were living at No.38 Nottingham Place, Marylebone, London when he was born. Continue reading “4th. Viscount Hood”

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The Hadlow Down Summer Show – Conditions, Rules, Hints & Entry Forms

The Hadlow Down Summer Show – Conditions, Rules, Hints & Entry Forms

                          Hadlow Down Summer Show

                                                          CONDITIONS

  1. All classes in the schedule are open to all persons to exhibit on the payment of 30p per entry.
  2. Entry forms and fees to be handed in BEFORE THURSDAY 6PM JULY 31ST
  3. Entries will NOT be accepted after this date
  4. All fruits, flowers and vegetables, except decorative classes must have been grown in the exhibitor’s own ground.
  5. Only one exhibit per class may be entered by any one exhibitor.
  6. Exhibitors shall, upon request, allow members of the show organisers to visit the place where their exhibits were grown.
  7. All jams and other preserves in the Domestic section, must have labels clearly stating the contents and date of making.
  8. Exhibits to be brought to the hall between 8.30am and 10.00am on show morning. Judging begins at 10.00am.
  9. Judges have the power to withhold any prizes where the subject of the competition is considered unworthy or where there are insufficient entries.
  10. Any exhibit not according to the schedule will be disqualified.
  11. The Show organisers do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to any exhibit.
  12. PRIZE GIVING 3.30pm. No exhibits to be removed before 4pm.
  13. This year, for the first time, we will be auctioning exhibits that have been donated after the show. Exhibitors who do not wish for their exhibits to be sold in aid of Hadlow Down Summer Show, should remove them between 4.00pm and 4.20pm. The donated exhibits will be auctioned at 4.20pm.

Continue reading “The Hadlow Down Summer Show – Conditions, Rules, Hints & Entry Forms”

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Book Club Review – September

‘Jewish is a way of seeing the world, a strong consistent background theme.’

Our book this month is Going Home by Tom Lamont 2024. It is set in the Jewish community in Enfield and centres on Joel, an articulate two-year-old whose mother dies leaving him in the care of her friend Teo. It is about the four adults who take on responsibility for him in their own way. Teo who has moved away from the community to a job in the police force and a flat in Aldgate is the responsible one who takes on the grieving youngster and  learns to care for him and love him. Then there is Ben, the feckless rich boy, the opposite of Teo but also his best friend, and Vic, Teo’s father, dying of a degenerative condition and determined that Joel will not grow up in the care of the Social Services as he once did. Finally, Sybil, the only woman of the four and a progressive rabbi trying in vain to reform the intransigent members of her synagogue. All of them interact with Joel in their own way and find their lives challenged and enriched by him Continue reading “Book Club Review – September”