Fairlight

If you have a song to talk about or a story to share, please speak to Patrick, our organist, who is planning this service. Later, at 6 pm, there will be Holy Communion at St Peter’s.

And there’s a reminder that on Saturday week, August 9, there will be a Tribute of Remembrance and Commemoration on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. This will be at St Andrew’s, beginning at 7 pm.

For the third time, Fairfest has come and gone… leaving almost nothing but glowing reports of the multifarious activities on offer. Probably the only downside to the whole event was the sudden serious illness suffered by one of the organisers in the final countdown to the start time, but swift attention from Andrew Mier and John Brooker plus, in short order, First Responder Dot James and then two paramedics, an ambulance and a Doctor, as I write the patient is now under observation in the Conquest and doing well.

For the Festival itself, there were far more people in attendance than at the two previous biennial iterations, a large number of whom clearly came from outside the village. Despite the event being held earlier in the summer than the first two ‘fests’ (a fact that caused me to miss the occasion as it clashed with the three days of my septennial holiday) a not very short but extremely sharp downpour threaten to put paid to the proceedings, with the water getting into the electrics of the sound equipment. As it turned out, people sheltered until the worst was past, and the festival returned to acoustic life. King of Fairlight Keith Jellicoe had opened the afternoon with Queen Linda Savarese at his side, and throughout the day MC Jim Saphin kept all well informed about what was going on. The Fun Dog Show attracted many entries, while in the arena Acromax Gymnastics Group were as proficient as they had been at earlier Fests. Rye Dance Centre and Rye Ukulele group were much appreciated newcomers to the event. The Art Club show in a marquee kindly donated by Booker and Best attracted much interest, as did the Residents Association’s village archive display. The WWI exhibition was not large, but very evocative. The Village Choir was in good form, as were Friends in Harmony. 60 classic cars made a special display, as did our First Responders, the British Legion, Pett Level Rescue Boat and Hastings Lions. Dogs, of the hot variety, plus burgers and buns, were in demand throughout, augmented by the arrival of the Fish and Chip Van during the afternoon.

This round-up will be completed next week, picking up winners of this and that (Fancy Dress and Hula Hoops, for instance), but in the meantime congratulations to Jennifer Annetts and her team, who must be totally pleased with the results of all their monumental efforts, as well as completely creamed.

During the break-down of all the bits and pieces on Monday morning, one helper lost his mobile phone. If you should happen upon it, please let Carol know on 814178.

The Parish Council… met on the Tuesday of last week and, following a month with neither Police presence nor report, it was pleasing to be able to meet PCSO Ruth Seal for the first time. An experienced PCSO, Ruth has recently transferred here (and elsewhere) but is ‘ours’ only until October. However, her updating report omitted burglary items that Councillors expected to hear about, and Ruth promised that the records would be checked for accuracy. It was suggested that Fairlight, plus Pett and Guestling, might consider sharing the purchase of an £895 speed camera between them. Regarding the salt/grit bins (which will soon be a necessity!) the price was likely to be £175 each including VAT, but with concrete bases additional for each. It was noted that former Councillor Richard Pollard had secured County agreement to purchase on our behalf two of the bins needed.