The first port of call for anybody seeking information about the village or the activities within the village.   Links to local businesses and village groups plus general information.

New to the Website   4th August   Nina Grout added to Memories of Rayne & Family History.     3rd August   Table Tennis Club 2008 Honours and Championship records updated.     2nd August   Neighbourhood Watch updated.     2nd August   Wildlife Reports updated.     1st August    Rayne W.I. meeting report.   plus various updates to this page, the Village Diary or Directories. Minor changes are not noted here.

Local News !

• The Family History Group initiated by the Village Society last met on 19th May.   Members updated the meeting with progress made since March.   The next meeting will be on Monday 11th August 7:30pm, 4 Brunwin Road.   If you are interested, please ring Maurice on 326742  or email Webmaster and messages will be passed on. 
  
  
• CHANNEL SWEEPING - 19th August 2008   BDC undertake a programme of channel sweeping in the village.  The sweeper has a programmed route concentrating on main highways where there are kerbs.
  Please ensure that road channels are accessible to the sweeper by moving your vehicles, if possible, on this date.  Future Dates: 26 November, 25 February 2009.
  
  
• Rayne Twinning Association have a few spare seats on the coach for their annual Joint Committee Meeting to be held on Sunday, 5th October in the charming medieval town of Veurne, just across the Belgian border.   Free time will be available to explore the town before lunch with our friends from Verberie (those wishing to make their own arrangements for lunch will be welcome to do so).  After lunch a visit to a local place of interest will be organised.
  Departure from Rayne will be 05:30 hours with travel on the Shuttle, returning to Rayne approximately 21:15 hours.  Cost £35 per person for the seat in the coach plus lunch (details to be advised).   If you are interested in this trip, please contact Betty on 345810 or Sheila on 326742.
  
  
• RAYNE VILLAGE CALENDAR   Following the success of the postcards and the notelets of Rayne, The Rayne Village Society is considering producing a Rayne Calendar for 2009 and would invite villagers to submit any postcards or sketches they may have of the village which could be considered by the committee.   If you do have any which you would like to be considered please contact Sheila on 326742.
  
  
• MEMORIES OF RAYNE   Last summer, a number of residents who have been living in the village for many years, very kindly took the time to recount their memories of life in Rayne some years ago.  These memories are gradually being put onto the village website and some of them are being featured in "Rayne Reminiscences" in this magazine.  These memories have proved to make very interesting reading as life in Rayne has changed so much over the past 50 years.
  
  If you have not yet spoken about your early years and have any interesting stories to recount, or know of anyone else in the village who has, please contact Sheila Steer on 326742.
  
  
• Rayne Email Newsletter has been in operation for a while.  Until now it was necessary to send an email to be added to the mailing list or to unsubscribe or to change your email address.  Now this part of the process has been automated and selecting EMAIL NEWSLETTER on the menu to the left under 'Village Life' will take you to a screen where you can add or change your address.   Why not join the mailing list for news in the village.   An average of one email per week is sent, so you won't be inundated with emails.
  
  
• Nominate a Neighbour Packs - These packs are aimed at reducing distraction burglaries and promoting your safety at the front door.  The packs are available free of charge from the Community Information Point.
  
  
• Rayne Forum ~ This is where you can comment on life in Rayne, put forward your ideas or ask for help on any subject at all.  So if you have anything to say, say it here or just go and have a look to see what others are saying.
  
  
• Village Postcards Postcards with scenes of the and village which have been obtained by the Rayne Village Society are on sale at the Village Post Office at a cost of 28p each.
  
  
• RAYNE COMMUNITY INFORMATION POINT is open (Mon and Thurs 9:30-12:00).  The Parish Clerk - Pippa Potter - is available for consultation regarding Parish Council matters or other advice where possible.
  Do you want to check out the Village or Parish Council web sites, or look for something on the internet but don't have access to a computer?   You can use the computer when the Community Information Point is open and a booking system is in operation to ensure everybody has a chance of logging on.   Don't worry if you need help, a taster session with a member of the Web Steering Group can also be booked.   For more information, or to book your place, contact the Clerk 01376 552489.   Mobile Phone Contact - You are also able to send text messages to the same number.
  The Parish Clerk - Pippa Potter - clerk@raynepc.fsnet.co.uk
  Alternative email:- clerk@rayne-essex.gov.uk