What’s, happening, where, you, live .
Parish Council owns allotments at Tonbridge Road, Teston not far from the border with Wateringbury. As there is no waiting list residents in Wateringbury are invited to apply for plots. The cost of rental for one year is £15.50. For details contact Michelle Tatton, clerk to Teston Parish Council Phone: 01732 521889 Email: testonparish@aol.com Local entertainment: Mike’s Karaoke and Disco will be returning to the Wateringbury Club by popular demand on Saturday November 22, starting at 7.30pm. First WWI casualty: October 1914 saw the first death in action of a local man. Robert Head, 24 years old, was born in Wateringbury, educated at Wateringbury School and lived at what is now Waterside Mews. Although he died in October 1914, the news of his death did not reach his parents until late January 1915. Robert was a Lance Corporal in the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) which had been dispatched to France immediately following Britain’s declaration of war. He was involved at Messines, a village six miles to the south of Ypres. A friend, writing to his parents, said: Robert “volunteered to leave the trench to try and find out if the Regiment were still in their position on the left of our trench. He had not gone 20 yards when a horde of Germans came up, hundreds in number. I am so sorry that poor ‘Bob’ went, but he deserved the VC for the gallant duty which he performed.” Robert did not get a VC but he is recognised on the Menin Gate at Ypres and on both the school and church war memorials. There were many more Wateringbury deaths to follow his. For details see the website of Wateringbury Local History Society www.sites. google.com/site/wateringburylocalhistory School Christmas Fair: The Friends of Wateringbury School are holding their annual Christmas Fair on Saturday November 22 from noon-3pm. This is always one of the highlights of the calendar, so go along for a fun afternoon. There are many stalls planned such as secret wrap, tree and biscuit decorations as well as Santa’s grotto which has always been a popular attraction. A chance to buy unusual Christmas gifts. Police choir: The Kent Police Male Voice Choir present a Concert of Seasonal and Non-seasonal Choral Music. This is an afternoon concert so an excellent opportunity for a family outing. It is being held on Sunday, December 7 at 3pm in Wateringbury Church on the Tonbridge Road. Tickets for adults cost £10 to include programme; children/full time students £5. For information and tickets phone 01622 813032 or go along and buy them at the post office Remembering with thanks: The special annual service to remember and give thanks for the lives of those we love who have departed this life takes place in the church at 3pm on Sunday November 23. If you would like the name of a loved one read out during the service tell the sidespersons on your arrival. Tuesday Evensong: This month the service of Evensong with the choir takes place in the church on Tuesday November 25 at 7.30pm. We did remember: Wateringbury kept its promise to honour our war dead. It was standing room only at the annual parish service of remembrance. All the village uniformed youth organisations were represented and proudly marched behind their flags to church. Our church wardens counted 160 children and 287 adults at the service, Correspondent: Jake Harfleet Tel: 01732 847858 joharfleet@ blueyonder. co.uk RNLI pub quiz: On Friday, November 28 at the Good Intent at 8pm there will be a fundraising quiz. Take a team or join others School Christmas Fair: Yalding School PTA is holding a Christmas market and fair in the school playground on Saturday, November 22 from noon-3pm. All the usual activities will be there including a raffle, guess the weight, barbecue and tombola, but a whole lot of novel features, too. A reindeer toss, Willie Wonka mince pies, crepes, face painting and mulled wine to name but a few. Father Christmas will be in his grotto and letter writing to Santa will be exciting the youngsters. Christmas lights: Volunteers will be putting up the village Christmas lights on Sunday November 23 from 10am, ahead of the Yuletide Market on December 6. They will extend further than ever as new lights have been purchased. If you would like to help with this lovely addition to Christmas festivities, contact Geraldine at chairman@yaldingparishcouncil. gov.uk There will be a beer or two with nibbles on completion of the work. Lioness Club activities: Paddock Wood Lionesses are holding a complimentary tea dance for the over 60s on Saturday, November 22 from 1.30-4.30pm, at Paddock Wood Primary School. There will also be bric-a-brac and tombola. If you are interested, call Marilyn on 01892 835448. On the same evening, they are holding a Trivial Pursuits style quiz night at 7pm, also at the school. Teams of six at £6 per head should be booked by calling Dawn Kirk on 01892 835949. Take your own drinks, glasses and nibbles. PARISH COUNCIL: Flood update. The parish council is holding a meeting to update residents on flooding issues on Monday, November 24 in the church at 7.30pm. Neil Gunn and his team from the Environment Agency will be there with facts and information. Refreshments will be served. Register your attendance at clerk@yaldingparishcouncil. gov.uk or call 01622 814134, as numbers may have to be limited. Business breakfast: The next business breakfast of the Network of Rural Business Forums takes place from 7.15am on Thursday November 27 at Kenward Conference Centre. There will be no December meeting. Contact Elaine@ nrbf.co.uk to book breakfast as a guest, or visit the website nrbf. co.uk Russett Players: The Players will be performing Alan Aykebourne’s dramatic comedy Neighbourhood Watch, at East Peckham Village Hall on Friday and Saturday, November 29-30 at 8pm. There is also a Saturday matinee at 3pm. For details contact Belinda Price on 01622 872385 or jillroper2@ btinternet.com Yuletide Market celebrations: The organisers have released a fully timed programme of events for the evening of December 6, for the Yuletide Market celebrations. At 4.45pm pre-school children will be carol singing at the village green in advance of Father Christmas arriving at 5pm to switch on the village Christmas lights. At 5.30, 6.30, and 7.30pm Punch and Judy shows take place. The local skiffle group, Rejuveniles, perform at 6 and at 7.15pm. At 7pm there will be carols in the church. The fairy on stilts will be parading the High Street, especially around the Morris dancers! The well established farmers’ market will be there, along with many good quality craft and gift stalls, plus seasonal goods. There will be food to tempt all palates, with most of it locally sourced. The High Street will be closed to traffic all evening. This event, above all, creates a true spirit of Christmastime.