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Welcome to Christ Church, Blacklands & St. Andrew, Laton Road, Hastings
General News and Notices
The deadline for the September edition is Noon WEDNESDAY 21st August
If you have articles or items of interest for the newsletter, please ring Debbie Dann on 01424-717004 or email on debbie@dann-home.me.uk
The advertisers pay for most of the cost of the paper copies of the newsletter so we do not charge for it, however we are not able to endorse or guarantee the service they give. If you would like to make a contribution to the cost of the newsletter please place it in the box at the back of the Church.
The paper newsletter is printed by Plastica. For all printing needs please contact print@plasticapools.net
Parish Giving Scheme
Blacklands PCC has registered (as with many other parishes) to partake in this scheme, and a small "Church Growth Team" has been formed to work on the details. Their initial contacts will be with the 84 members on the (new) 2013 Electoral Roll. More news next month. Don Valentine.
Women’s Fellowship
At our closing Meeting in July we enjoyed a ‘toe-tapping’ afternoon with Rita Allcorn & Teresa Hayward who played a variety of music on their piano accordions followed by delicious meringues & sponge cakes cooked by Vi Waters & Jan Evans, a fitting way to conclude the season!
Our next meeting will be our AGM on 9th September at 2:30 p.m., when subscriptions will be due and the new programme of events will be available.
Helen Gossling Tel: 01424-423124
Parish Group
The 2012/13 programme concluded recently when 33 members enjoyed a 3 course dinner at the Moorings at Pevensey Bay. On a beautiful evening at a great location on the beach a delightful meal was served in a very convivial atmosphere. All in all a nice way to head into our summer break.
The 2013/14 programme commences on Monday 16th September at 7:30 p.m., with the AGM which will be followed by a light hearted quiz. Membership renewals will be welcome at this meeting as will of course any new members.
Paul Cabban
Tea N’ Chat
We will not be meeting in August but will begin our afternoons on Monday 2nd September starting at 2:00 p.m.
Please try to support this friendly group or at least come and give us a try.
For more information contact Debbie on 01424-717004
Bible Study Group:
Please speak to Jean Wilson if you would like to be part of The Bible Study Group
Heritage Open day Scheme
On 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th September our church will be open all day as part of the Heritage Open day Scheme. We will need lots of volunteers during these four days to serve teas and show people round so if you feel you can help please see Jean, Leslie or Helen Gossling.
Parish Giving Scheme
Blacklands PCC has registered (as with many other parishes) to partake in this scheme,rh and a small "Church Growth Team" has been formed to work on the details. Their initial contacts will be with the 84 members on the (new) 2013 Electoral Roll. More news next month. Don Valentine.
Joan Francis: R.I.P.
Joan Francis, a very long standing member of our church passed away peacefully in July. There will be more about Joan in the September issue of the newsletter. We give thanks for Joan’s long and active life.
Eileen French: R.I.P
I have known Eileen for 47 years ! With other Civil Service families (husbands moved to new Ashdown House) she moved into newly-built Kenwood Close in 1966. Very quickly she became a regular worshipper at St.Helen's church, where I was a churchwarden, from then on integrated with the parish family. For 25 years she weekly cleaned St.Barnabas (scrubbing the original Marley tiles long before carpet tiles covered them) and brass-cleaning at both churches, 'Sorter', for days before half-yearly Jumble Sales, member of Women's Fellowship (formerly 'Young Wives' !), catering assistant; you name it, Eileen was nearly always around!
Eileen was justly proud of her children, John and Christine, who shared with her in some of her parish activities. Her daily work for many years was in the kitchen at Sandown school, to which she cycled along The Ridge. In her retirement she enjoyed until this year being a member of St. Helen's Lunch Club, not just because the food there is delivered from Sandown School kitchen !
After the death of her husband, Charlie, Eileen moved downhill to Windsor Place, later she was followed into Avebury Court by her longest close friend, Diana Thurston, where both became active members of Blacklands church for some years until 2010, when ill-health separated them Into individual care homes. Years of failing eyesight never deterred Eileen; at Healey House she made her Sunday morning journey to St.lohn's, Pevensey Road ('a bit higher than Blacklands, Don'); she paid several visits to Diana in her Eastbourne nursing home, and attended her funeral 6 months ago. To me, Eileen was truly a 'GOS' person (God first, Others second, Self last). She loved company (and holidays !), but she loved her lord most of all. We give thanks for her long life, and her concern for us, always. We will not forget her.
Don Valentine
Anthony (Tony) Birmingham: R.I.P.
Another friend we said goodbye to in July was Tony. An active supporter of Blacklands Church. A supporter rather than attender. For many years he was the treasurer of the Blacklands parish group, eventually moving on to the much more difficult role of raising funds at church social events where he ran numerous raffles, was a bingo caller and also enjoyed acting the Father Christmas role.
After a long bravely fought illness Tony died peacefully in the local hospice.
(Unfortunately, for technical reasons, the pictures of Eileen "Cruising down the river" and Tony could not be transferred into the web-site. David (web-master))
Heat Wave Alert
We all love the sunshine, but it's really important to be ready for the summer heat as it can catch you by surprise. You may not know this, but heat stroke is a life-threatening condition and can develop if heat exhaustion is left untreated.
It's important to be aware of friends and neighbours during a heatwave and to let people know if you are on your own and have any concerns. Here are our top tips for staying cool:
- Stay inside during the hottest time of the day
- If you’re travelling by car or public transport, always take a bottle of water.
- Use sunscreen lotion of factor 15 or above
- Splash your face with cool (not very cold) water, or place a damp cloth or scarf on the back of your neck to help you cool off
- Limit activities like housework and gardening to cooler times of the day
- Wear loose, lightweight, cotton clothing
- Drink lots of fluids and eat more cold foods such as salad and fruit, which contain water
- Eat normally – even if you aren’t hungry, you need a normal diet to replace salt losses from sweating
What else can you do to stay cool?
Keep an eye on the weather reports from The Met Office, which will let you know if a heatwave is on its way.
Also if you have breathing problems or a heart condition, your symptoms might get worse when it’s very hot, so it may be a good idea to contact your GP for advice.
Church Together in Hastings & St. Leonard’s and Loaf Project.
First Sunday Walks
Sunday 4th August at 2:30 p.m., Bodiam and Beyond. Now a popular annual 4 mile walk along the River Rother and exploring the countryside around. Meet at Bodiam car park.
Sunday 1st September at 2:30 p.m., Ramble around Robertsbridge. Meeting at Salehurst Church (turn right at the roundabout at the end of Robertsbridge Bypass) 3.5 miles.