Category: Notices/Information

Please click on the link below to see details/dates of industrial action on Southeastern Railways.

Industrial action on Southeastern Railways

Mountfield Village Hall – Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 26th July 2022 at 7.00pm

This is an appeal to all residents of Mountfield – your Village Hall needs you.

The Hall is arguably the most important building in the village. Through the diligent efforts of its Trustees and with some government lockdown support, it has survived the pandemic in very good shape but, as things have come back to life, the hike in energy prices are now giving great cause for concern. Few organisations could absorb the rise of 77% in electricity costs which we suffered in January 2022 and the Hall is no exception.

Having invested in a state-of-the-art, fully wireless AV system with electronic screen, integrated high-speed broadband, an automated online booking system, and with a self-contained committee/meeting room, fully equipped kitchen, well-appointed toilets (including baby-changing and disabled facilities) and ample car parking, the Hall has kept up with changing expectations BUT, and it’s a big but, the Committee of Trustees (which manages the Hall on behalf of the Mountfield community) needs your help, if the Hall is to survive and function in coming years.

The Founding Charter for the Hall, created in 1965 when the building was gifted to the community by the Mountfield Estate, expects a Committee of Trustees numbering well into double figures. With two retirements expected at the AGM, the Trustees will number just four– which is well below the “critical mass” required to maintain and manage the Hall on your behalf.

We have lots of ideas for the future, but the Hall needs more Trustees to join the Management Committee. It needs more helpers and volunteers, and it needs the moral support and backing of its villagers.

Please come along to the AGM on 26th July, beginning at 7 pm, and support the Hall.

The High Weald Walking Festival will launch on 10th September at the Ashdown Forest Centre.  All details are on the link below.

Launch of the High Weald Walking Festival

All are welcome to a Jubilee Celebration Service at Mountfield Church on Sunday 5th June at 10.30am.  To be conducted by the Rev. Julia Lewis.
Followed by a Champagne Toast and nibbles!

Reference my post of 13.05.22 about the temporary closure of All Saints Church for repairs to the nave – very happy to tell you all that the repairs are complete and the Church is open again.

Repairs to the floor of the nave and chancel will start on Monday 16.05.22 and last a week.  During this time the church will be closed.  Notices have been posted on the door, Village Hall noticeboard and Church noticeboard.

Please see below details of the Council Tax Rebate Scheme, these have been sent by our District Councillor – Eleanor Kirby-Green.

The 20,000 households in bands A-D who pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit will receive the £150 into their bank account in around 2 weeks.  This follows the April Council Tax payment which verifies the bank details used to pay the April instalment as current and genuine.

The 9,000 households in bands A-D who pay their Council Tax by other means will be contacted to encourage them to give their bank details so we can pay direct.  Otherwise a post office payment scheme may be available, or at last resort, a credit onto their Council Tax bill.  This credit is not desirable as the scheme is meant to be a cash back scheme.

The 15,000 households in bands E-H who do not automatically qualify, will be able to apply for a discretionary scheme, if they reach certain criteria.  A cross-authority scheme is being agreed across East Sussex and will be subject of a Cabinet report in June.  There will be enough money in this scheme to support about 1,900 further households with £150.