Ninfield

HOOE OPEN GROUP: On Friday, December 12, the Hooe Open Group held their annual Christmas luncheon at the Cooden Beach Golf Club. This year, the numbers of members has increased by almost 20% therefore the attendance was well above last year, almost filling the room to capacity. The event was, as always, organised by Edna Wallis who presided over the luncheon to make certain that everything worked like clockwork, she was ably assisted by Maureen Poppy, who got the seating arrangements organised. Each member was treated to a free raffle ticket, the prize being a wonderful basket of Christmas goodies. The event was the culmination of a very successful year for the Club, with a first class programme of speakers and social events to match. It is anticipated that 2015 will see continuing growth of what is now a very popular and friendly group of ladies who enjoy each other’s company. The next meeting is on January 9, when the Club will hold its AGM. This will see the beginning of another year and hopefully a further increase in membership. If you are interested in joining, just come along on the second Friday of any month to Hooe Village Hall at 2.30 p.m. and you will be more than welcome by this bunch of very friendly ladies. For further information contact Edna Wallis on 01424 842591.

TELEPHONE SCAMS: Ninfield Neighbourhood Watch has forwarded the following warning of telephone scams that are currently circulating - Banks and police have issued a joint warning to be alert for scam phone calls, after new figures showed a steep rise in the number people being targeted by fraudsters. Almost six in ten people surveyed said they have received a suspect call, a sharp increase from four in ten in a similar study carried out last summer. The upsurge in scam calls has resulted in a threefold rise in the amount of money lost to fraudsters – up to £23.9m over the last year, according to industry group Financial Fraud Action UK. These ‘cold call’ scams often involve fraudsters deceiving victims into believing they are speaking to a police officer, a member of bank staff, or a representative of another trusted organisation. Typically the criminal will then try to convince the individual that they have been a victim of fraud, and will ask for personal and financial information in order to gain access to their account. This can include card details, four digit PINs and password. Fraudsters sometimes try to persuade their victim to transfer money to another account, hand over bank cards directly to a courier or withdraw money from a branch. To arm consumers with the information they need to spot these scam calls, the UK banks, building societies and card companies have launched a ‘Joint Declaration’, backed by Chief Police Officers from across the country. The declaration clearly sets out all the requests that the bank or police will never make, but a fraudster might. The bank or the police will never: Phone you to ask for your 4 digit card PIN or your online banking password, even by tapping them into the telephone keypad. Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping. Ask you to transfer money to a new account for fraud reasons, even if they say it is in your name. Send someone to your home to collect your cash, PIN, payment card or cheque book if you are a victim of fraud. Ask you to purchase goods using your card and then hand them over for safe- keeping. Any caller making these requests is a fraudster. Criminals may encourage their victims to call the bank to verify their identity. However it is possible for them to keep the line open for up to two minutes, so when the victim attempts to make a new call they are in fact still speaking to the fraudster. To beat this, if a call is suspicious, the advice is to hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line, or where possible use a different phone line, and then call the bank or card issuer on their advertised number to report the fraud. To get the word out on this growing threat, it’s important for everyone to spread the warning message to friends, family members or neighbours who may not yet know about it.

HOUSING: An update from Ninfield Action Group (NAG) regarding the recently submitted outline planning for 55 houses at Ingrams Green: Wealden District Council are accepting comments up to December 22. December 9 was for the Parish Council and immediate neighbours to respond. The Application went in so hurriedly, it was hand written and consequently missed the required 3 weeks Notice in the local press and on the site. So if you have views on the proposal, send them to Mrs Claire Turner, Wealden District Council Planning Department, Council Offices, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham BN27 2AX..Please remember the Reference WD/2014/2359 (views can be submitted a minute to midnight on December 22!). Nearly 100 objections have been received from residents. That may not be a record, but shows the fast response and feeling on this. If nothing else, it certainly has brought a resurgence of community spirit and a talking point among virtually all you meet. You might feel that Ingrams doesn’t bother you, but if that goes through unchallenged, others will follow and THEY may affect you, but it could be after the horse has bolted... Much has been said but there could also be rare flora on the site, as it has been practically undisturbed for many years. Don’t forget the group also have a closed group facebook page - Ninfieldactiongroup - for residents to register and see what is going on. If you have any questions or comments, please use the facebook page to get involved.

STAMPS: Ninfield Working Mens Club are asking you to save your stamps for their charity, Canine Partners, who work in conjunction with Guide Dogs for the Blind. Stamp donations can be dropped off to the working mens club or you can call Marjorie on 892239.

MOBILE LIBRARY: The East Sussex County Council Mobile Library service will next be in the villages tomorrow, December 20 at Hooe, opposite Denbigh Court, 1.50 p.m. - 2.35 p.m. Ninfield, Coombe shaw (off Manchester Road), 2.50 p.m. - 3.25 p.m. Ninfield, Downsview (off Church Lane), 3.40 p.m. - 4.05 p.m.

NINFIELD METHODIST CHURCH: Ninfield Methodist Church looks forward to celebrating Christmas 2014. A new event for their Church will be a CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL, with decorations by local groups, on Saturday/ Sunday December 20 & 21 December, 12 noon – 4.00 p.m. when you can go and see the Trees. On Sunday December 21, the Festival will include a Family Carol Service at 2.30 p.m. This will be a special family service, with their Minister the Rev. Ian Pruden, where you will be able to sing and join in with all your favourite carols and eat some mince pies! Some young people from the village will also be taking part. Then on Christmas Eve (December 24) at 4.30 p.m., they will enjoy and worship God together in a ‘Christingle Service’ for all ages. The Ninfield Scouts & other young people will take part as they share together in a service that shows Jesus as ‘The Light of the World.’ The outside of their Church will be lit by lanterns & inside by candlelight. Do go along and enjoy this service as you prepare for Christmas 2014. A very Happy Christmas to you all from Ninfield Methodist Church.

CAFE CHURCH: Ninfield Methodist Church are holding a Cafe Church on Sunday, January 4, 10.30 - 11.30 a.m. You are invited to their monthly family service which includes breakfast. Cafe Church services take place on the first Sunday each month.

FIRST RESPONDERS: The Bexhill & District Community First Responders, who cover Bexhill, Ashburnham, Ninfield, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Hooe , Whydown & Normans Bay, will be meeting on Wednesday, January 7. This is at Bexhill Fire Station at 7.30 p.m., every first Wednesday in the month. If you are interested in finding out more please contact the Team Leader, Mike Dean on 07970024135.

NINFIELD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP: Ninfield Local History Group are next meeting on January 15, 7.30 p.m. in the Methodist Church Hall. The meeting will be a talk entitled ‘Sussex Characters-Wacky, Weird & Wonderful’ by Chris McCooey. For further information, please contact Rod Ffoulkes (Chair) [email protected] Tel: 893635.

FINDING OUT MORE: Don’t forget that you can find out more community information from both villages and Wealden District Council on our district councillors (Pam Doodes) website or the Ninfield Parish Council website: www.pamdoodes.com / www.ninfield.webplus.net.

St Mary’s Services (Church of England, Ninfield): Sundays - 9.30a.m. Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month). Wednesdays - 10.00a.m. Holy Communion.

St Oswald’s Services (Church of England, Hooe): Sundays - 11.15a.m. Parish Eucharist (Family Service on 1st Sunday of the month).

NINFIELD METHODIST CHURCH SERVICES/EVENTS: All services at 2.30 p.m. except the first Sunday of the month, where they hold a Family Service at 10.30 a.m. December 21, Carol Service, with Revd. Ian Pruden. December 24, Christmas Eve Christingle, 4.30 p.m. December 28, United Service at Christchurch, 10.30 a.m. January 4 10.30 a.m., Cafe Service with Deacon Jean Duckworth-Lloyd. January 11, Covenant/Holy Communion with Rev. Ian Pruden. January 18, Worship and Praise with Mrs C. Jones. January 25, Worship and Praise with Mrs Topsy Brice.

CONTACT ME: Anything that you would like included in the Village Voice for Ninfield and Hooe, please email the details to me: [email protected]. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas.

Rachel Feeley

17 Smith Close