Netherfield

Netherfield Church – The funeral of Cecil Saunders took place on Thursday 6th December where he was laid to rest in our churchyard. The service was conducted by Lord Wrenbury who gave a full summary of Cecil’s life in Netherfield, his service to our country and the very long connection his family have with this village. The British Legion standard was present at the service. The church was full of family and friends who came to pay their respects. Afterwards everyone gathered in the village hall to reminisce. Although Cecil had not been seen about for some years due to declining health, I think everyone will have the lasting memory of him sitting on the church wall, keeping an eye on things, waving and chatting to all who passed by. Our thoughts and prayers are with Leslie and the family.

After this sad loss to the village it was good that on the Saturday the focus moved to the younger members and Brunch with Santa was again a great success. Children came in sufficient numbers to the church to make the event really worthwhile. They all visited Santa in his grotto, received their gift and then moved on to enjoy their bacon buttie. There was also great demand for the lucky dip basket with the smaller children almost disappearing into the paper shredding seeking their reward! I must mention the polar bear, who by popular demand was on duty at the door again, welcoming everyone with a song. He or maybe it is a she, is fascinating to the children. It was good to see families sitting down together enjoying the breakfast and chatting with other families and friends and the children all playing with their presents and lucky dip toys. The variety of stalls kept people even longer, checking out the festive gifts on offer, jewellery and wooden crafts. Our desire is to welcome everyone into the church for a festive occasion and to give the children something to remember which, hopefully, will stay in their minds as part of Christmas and allay any negativity towards our church. Only time will tell but it did prove the efforts to maintain and encourage the link between Netherfield School and our church is working. There are many people to thank for making the event happen; the support from the school and pre-school; the helpers who prepared the church and grotto (and cleared up afterwards); the brilliant cooks who created the breakfasts; all the stall holders who put so much into making the goods on offer and Father Christmas for finding the time to visit us again! And we made a profit of over £200. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us.

This Sunday December 16 is the Toy Service with Holy Communion at Mountfield at 10 am. Next Sunday December 23 is a Carol Service at Netherfield and please note it is starting at 3 pm. The very popular Crib Service is on Christmas Eve starting at 5.30 pm also at Netherfield. Mountfield host the Christmas Day Holy Communion at 10 am and then the final service is on Sunday December 30 which is a Holy Communion at Mountfield at the usual time of 10 am. Netherfield School hold their Carol Service at the church on Wednesday December 19 starting at 10 am. There will always be a warm welcome for everyone attending our services and we would be delighted to see you over the Christmas period. Paul Smith, Churchwarden.

WHITE HART Thursday December 20 we are holding our monthly Quiz night which will have a Christmas theme, starting at 7.30pm and finishing at approximately 10pm, all proceeds raised go to Netherfield Church. Food is available from 5.30pm till 7.15pm, we offer, as a special deal, Scampi or Fish & chips at only £5.00. It would be great to see some locals attending and helping to raise money for their local church. To reserve a table call us 01424-838382.

Remember you can now buy your national Lottery tickets in the shop.

Netherfield Village Hall bookings - Marrissa Stepanek 01424 838106, or call in at the village shop.

WHITE HART - There are various groups meeting throughout the month including Boules, The Rover group, The Harley Davidson group, T.R.Cars and The Breakaway Club, if you would like to know more about any of the dates and times or the darts and football teams please give Sean a ring on 01424 838382. White Hart Boules Pitch. The pieste is free to use, any clubs please feel free to come and use the pieste, FOC any time except match days which are Saturday afternoons throughout the season.  We have a group of ladies and Gents that play amongst themselves Monday Lunchtimes.

THE MOBILE LIBRARY will be outside the shop from 11.50 – 12.10 on Friday December 21.

To include your event or local Netherfield news please e mail me [email protected]