Hadlow Down Book Club Review – December

 Grief “like sliding down the outside of a really long glass building while nobody can see you”.

The book group has followed the Lucy Barton novels by Elizabeth Strout so we were interested to read the third in the Amgash series Oh William! (2022) which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize this year. Amgash was of course the remote settlement where Lucy grew up in abject poverty and in an abusive home before marrying William, moving to New York and becoming a successful novelist. Continue reading “Hadlow Down Book Club Review – December”

Services at St Mark’s during December:

Services at St Mark’s during December:

Sunday 4th December 9.00 am  – All-Age Service

Sunday 11th December 9.00 am – Parish Communion

Sunday 18th December 9.00 am  – Parish Communion

Saturday 24th December 5.30 pm – Crib Service

Sunday 25th December 9.00 am – Christmas Day Service

There are other Christmas services at St Margaret’s and St Mary’s in the Parish but I need to find out from the Rector what the timings are because this hasn’t been decided yet. I’ll let you know soon.

ST MARK’S CHURCH NEWS – December 2022

I’m writing this in early November, and I feel that Christmas is almost upon us. That time of fun, families, and conspicuous consumption, although the latter might be a little more restrained this year!

A good number of shops and garden centres started decorating in September, which I think is a bit premature; tv channels are already wallowing in Christmas-themed films about good-will to all men; always with a happy ending, and hey, Strictly Come Dancing is on again – a sure sign that Christmas is around the corner. Continue reading “ST MARK’S CHURCH NEWS – December 2022”

An Evening With Owls

LAST FEW TICKETS AVAILABLE !!!!
‘An Evening with Owls’ is coming to Hadlow Down Village Hall, presented by the UK Owl and Raptor Centre.
This evening talk will provide a unique insight into the world of Owls and will give you the opportunity to see some of the largest and smallest species from around the world…
Date: 13th November ’22
Time: 19:00
Tickets cost £5.50 per child, £7.50 per adult and £28 for 4 adults. Visit www.owlandraptorcentre.co.uk/eveningwithowls for more information and to book your tickets!

Bonfire Celebrations Sadly Cancelled


Following on from an inspection of the Playing Field this morning  – Guy , David and I  ( and the wider HDPFA committee) have taken the sad and hard decision to cancel this year’s Bonfire Night.

The reasons behind this decision are :

  • Saturated ground conditions and standing water
  • The forecast  Wind speed on Saturday night is too high
  • The Bonfire would propose a risk with the forecast wind speed

We would like to thank all of the volunteers involved who have been involved in the build up to the event for all of their hard work and our generous sponsors too who we will be in touch with directly.

Please make a date for your diary of November 4th 2023 for next year’s Bonfire.

With thanks

Fi and the HDPFA team.

 

Bonfire Night Celebrations at The Playing Field

The Hadlow Down Playing Field Committee look forward to welcoming the villagers of Hadlow Down to the annual Bonfire and Fireworks display on November 5th.

Delicious Flapjacks, Toffee Apples, Hot Chocolate ,Tea and Coffee will be available alongside Cider , Sussex Ale, Mulled Wine ,Red and White Wine , soft drinks and traditional hot dogs and burgers .

Your safety is paramount at this event , so please dress accordingly with stout and waterproof footwear ( as the field will be very muddy ) and warm  clothing especially hats and gloves. Please do pay attention to The Marshalls at the event ,as they are there to ensure your safety.

Children under 16 years of age must be very closely supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times especially in the vicinity of the Firesite.

We do not allow Dogs or any Pets at this event ,so  please keep them safely indoors.

Parking : Please respect your neighbours , especially those neighbouring the Playing Field and where at all possible, leave your cars at home and walk down to The Playing Field.

Wilderness Wood have very kindly offered their parking at the wood for residents and guests alike.

Timings :

  • 6.00pm    Gates open to public at the playing field for refreshments *
  • 7.15pm    Torch Lit Procession starts to form up outside The New Inn
  • 7.30pm    Procession departs New Inn and proceeds along short route to Playing Field.
  • 7.45pm    The Traditional chant will be recited and torches are cast onto the Bonfire.
  • 8.45pm    The Spectacular Firework Finale will commence.(will not exceed 10 mins)
  • 11.00pm   Bar closes and site is secured for the night.

*This is different from what has been published in the official Bonfire Programme which says 7 p.m – our error – sorry . Feel free to come down to the Playing Field from 6 p.m

We look forward to seeing you all and please do give generously on the night as this is a fundraising event for the maintenance  and upkeep of The Playing Field.

Please keep safe !