ALLINGTON

Correspondent: Jean Watson Mob: 07966 361434 Tel: 01622 687053

Christmas Market: St Nicholas Church will be holding a Christmas Market on Saturday December 6 to be opened by St Nicholas at 10.30am. Gold coins will be distributed to the children. Children’s activities in the church from 11am, with 10 minute services at noon and 1.30pm. Stalls include hand-made crafts, books, games and toys, gifts, decorations, honey products, bottle tombola, children’s science packs, home made cakes, Christmas greenery, table decorations, raffle, home made jams and marmalades, refreshments in the Christmas Café in the small hall. From 10.30am-2.30pm. Free entry

Looking Back: At the weekly Get Together meeting on Wednesday, December 10 in the Baptist Church from 2-15-3.45pm, there will be a documentary film depicting the main events of the 1950’s reminding us that ‘Those were the days’.

Saturday Club: There will be no Saturday Club meeting for primary school children in December.

Hi Kent support: The next Hi-Kent hearing aid support clinic will be held in the library on Wednesday, December 10 from 10-11.30am

Christmas readings: St Nicholas Church invites you to an evening of readings, mulled wine and mince pies on Sunday December 14 at 7.30pm in the main hall. Please feel free to come with a suitable (short is best) reading, or just listen and enjoy a glass of mulled wine. There is no charge but there will be a retiring collection which will go to the St Nicholas Soup and Sandwich run.

Mums and Babes: Next meet in St Nicholas Church on Friday, December 19 from 10am-noon thereafter the third Friday in every month offering an opportunity to relax and spend time with other new parents.

Thank you: Thank you to all residents, to Allington, Barming and Shernold schools, to the Silver Cross Youth Club and St Nicholas and Baptist Churches for so many gift filled shoe boxes for this year’s Operation Christmas Child. Not forgetting the Knit and Knatter group who made an amazing 289 matching sets of hats, scarves and gloves to go in most of the boxes. Thanks to you, Diane and Keith were able to deliver 306 boxes to the Ashford warehouse. From there the boxes will go to the Eastern Europe country of Belarus to be distributed by members of Samaritan’s Purse to bring a smile and love to a poor child this Christmas. Well done everyone.

Festive carol singing: Join members and friends of St Nicholas Church as they delight us with their carol singing outside Waitrose on Saturdays December 13 and 20 from 10.30-11.30am.

Soup and sandwich: The next Soup and Sandwich run organised by St Nicholas Church will be on Sunday, December 7. Donations of non-perishable food which could be taken to the Church would be appreciated. Correspondent: Gilly Hurley Tel: 01622 790734 AylesfordEccles@ aol.com

Correspondent: Ron Stubbs Tel: 01622 726962

Christmas presence: Friends in Harmony present It’ll All Be Over By Christmas or Songs of World War and Carols Old and New on Friday, December 5 in St Andrew’s Church, Tonbridge Road. Admission and refreshments will be free with a retiring collection taken for the charity for the homeless Winter Shelter. Audience participation will be invited for such well-known songs as It’s A long Way to Tipperary, Keep the Home Fires Burning and If You Were The Only Girl in the World as well as Silent Night, the carol sung at Christmas 1914. Instrumental solos by members of the choir will be featured plus piano accompaniment by Malcolm Coates who will also conduct the evening’s entertainment.

A group of people walking from Church Cross

Lighting-up time: House to St Margaret’s Church carrying their lit lanterns is a special occasion enjoyed by many. Preparations have been made for this to happen on Saturday, December 6 with a 3.30pm assembly in the car park of the Scouts’ Belmont Close hut for adults and children over eight who have already made their lanterns. They will be due to reach Church Cross House an hour later. Meanwhile, the families group with children under eight will meet at 3.30pm in Church Cross House to make jam jar lanterns and Christmas tree decorations (a charge of £1.50 per child is made to cover the costs of materials) and the groups will meet and proceed down Church Lane from 4.30pm. St Margaret’s Brass Band will play with mince pies, soft drinks and (adults only) mulled wine served for which donations will be appreciated.

History: It’s a Christmas Social (restricted to history society members only) for the meeting on Monday, December 8 which will take place in the village hall, Heath Road from 7.45pm. Normal service will be resumed on January 12, when Wilf Lower speaks about tall ships using the title Under Blowing Sails. The society’s new book, Barming Since World War Two is available from The Redstart, North Street as well as at the history meetings.

Ivy’s dinner: The Ivy Club will be holding its Christmas dinner at The Grange Moor Hotel, St Michael’s Road on Wednesday, December 10 (12.30pm for 1pm) and not December 10 as stated in the church magazines. This club is designed for the over 60s and offers a fare of talks by special guests, quizzes, games and bringand-buy sales plus occasional outings during the summer. Normally meetings are held on alternate Wednesdays in St Andrew’s Church hall starting at 2pm with January 7 the first meeting. Call Maureen (01622 721238) or Peggy (726783) for details.

Going like the clappers: The bells of St Margaret’s are back in the tower following their refurbishment by Whites of Appleton which was responsible for the installation in association with members of the Kent County Association Bell Restoration Team. Lessons in bell-ringing are usually held from 7.45pm on Fridays just ahead of the main practice at 8pm and the new ringers can be of any age but teenagers need to be accompanied by a parent while undergoing tui-

tion. Speak with David Earl, the tower captain, on 01622 728346.

Can you be friends: Of course you can. The Friends of St Margaret’s are looking to enlarge their circle and would be delighted to hear from you. Their prime function is to dream up ideas to raise funds for the maintenance of the church and next year will be its 20th anniversary so if you really value the ‘Church in the fields’ with all of its long history now would be a great time to join. Meetings are not held that often and fresh members are needed and that includes a new chairman. The present chairman Godfrey Reid-Marr will have completed four years by next May’s annual meeting and there is a danger that if no one steps forward to take that mantel the Friends could disband so have an informal chat with him on 01622 675005 or email him at grm2006@ hotmail.co.uk

Market - mark it: Plenty to see and purchase at the Christmas Market in St Nicholas Church and hall, Poplar Grove on Saturday, December 6 from 10.30am-2.30pm, with St Nicholas performing the opening honours. Crafts, books, games and toys will be there along with cards, Christmas decorations and produce. There will be 10 minute services at noon and 1.30pm. Free entry.

What are you doing: If you are running an event you will need people to come; to get that result you will need to inform them – that is obvious. One way to achieve that is to contact the editors of the two local church magazines who will be very happy to receive the details. Kathleen Bartholomew edits The Barming Link (St Margaret’s magazine and she needs copy for the January issue by noon on Tuesday, December 9 . Drop it in at 13 Maryland Drive or e-mail kab.barming@btinternet.com . Tony Deane is adjusting his green eye-shield as he awaits your copy for The Anvil, the magazine of St Andrew’s Church and he, also, is seeking your copy to help fill his January issue. That is needed by 6pm on Wednesday, December 10 and he can be reached on 01622 204569 or by e-mail at anvil.mag@ btinternet.com Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com

Coffee for charity: A coffee morning with a bring and buy sale

will take place at the Methodist Church on Saturday December 6 at 10.15am. All welcome.

Christingles: There will be Christingle Services, lovely celebrations for children of all ages, at Holy Cross Church on Sunday December 7 at 3pm and 4.45pm. The services will also include The Puppets.

Parish meeting: The parish council will meet at the memorial hall in Manor Rise on Tuesday, December 9 at 7.30pm. The public are invited to attend.

Bible activity: There will be a Bible talk or a DVD with a Bible theme shown to Maidstone Christadelphians at Madginford Hall in Egremont Road on Sunday December 6 at 4.30pm. All welcome.

Fellowship: The Methodist Church Ladies Fellowship will meet at the church on Tuesday, December 9 at 2.30pm when the topic will be Christmas Decorations.

Coffee and chat: A coffee morning will take place in the room at Holy Cross Church on Friday on December 5 from 10am -11.45am. Cost £1. For information phone Debbie on 07825 956777.

Choral concert: Bearsted Choral Society, under the baton of their new musical director Andrew Lowen, will perform a concert at Holy Cross Church on Saturday December 13 at 7.30pm. The music will be by Finzi, VaughanWilliams, Rutter, Willcocks and there will be carols with audience participation. Tickets cost £10 (students £5) will be available at the door or email tickets@ bearstedchoral.org.uk

Walk: The Walking Group of Bearsted and Thurnham Society will go on a walk of about 5.5 miles on Saturday, December 13. Walkers meet on Bearsted Green at 1.15pm. All welcome. For details phone 01622 736467.

Concert cancelled: It’s with great regret that Maidstone Mencap has decided to cancel the concert that it was due to hold on Saturday December 5 due to lack of ticket sales. Christmas messy fun: Messy Church for young people will meet at Thurnham Infant School on Sunday December 7 at 9.45am. The Puppets will also take part. Toddler Praise and party: A Baby and Toddler Service for parents, grandparents and carers with children aged up to four years will be held in the room at Holy Cross Church and Milgate Chapel on Friday December 5 from 1.30pm-2.30pm. The theme will be The Christmas Story. Songs. Fun. Games. Craft. Refreshments. Children are welcome to take a packed lunch from 12.30pm. Prayer and reflection: An Hour of Prayer and Reflection will be held in Bearsted Methodist Church on Monday December 15 from 11am-noon. Carols on the green: Carols will be sung on Bearsted Green on Wednesday December 17 at 7.30pm, led by the Salvation Army Band. Take a torch. Afterwards soup and french bread will be served at the Methodist Church. All welcome. Correspondent: Gilly Hurley Tel: 01622 790734 AylesfordEccles@ aol.com Correspondent: Robert Hanvik Mob: 07900 930824 robert.kentmessenger@ gmail.com Playgroup association: As a change to the dates previously advertised this year the annual Christmas play and fair will be held on Friday December 19, with the play rehearsal on Thursday, December 18. The group accepts children from the age of 22 months. If you would like to speak to someone about playgroup or you are interested in a place for your child/ren then contact Jane Clarke on 01622 747431 and she will be happy to assist. Spaces available. Website www.bmplaygroup.co.uk Christingles, Messy Church: The next session of Messy Church is on Saturday, December 13 in St Peters Church from 3-5pm. During the session, the team will be making christingles and having other activities. Then there will be a short Christingle Service with a few carols and puppets. The afternoon finishes with tea. All are welcome, and there is no need to book. Candlelit carols: The Salvation Army and school choirs will be singing carols by the tree on the village green on Monday, December 8, starting at 7.30pm. Entertainment will be followed by refreshments, including mulled wine, sausage rolls and soup. Correspondent: Alison Dickerson, 75 Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BB Tel: 01622 762334 malcolm.dickerson@ tiscali.co.uk Correspondent: Pam Merryweather, 13 Fir Tree Grove, Bredhurst, ME7 3LB Tel: 01634 610011 pamerry@ outlook.com Church Christmas fair: The St Peter’s Christmas fair is on Saturday, December 6 from 2-4pm in the village hall, featuring Father Christmas, children’s activities, grand draw, games, sweet and bottle tombola, St Peter’s Pantry, gifts and books. Entry adults 50p, children free. The Church Charity Shop next door will also be open from 1.30pm. WI: Roisin Murray will be story telling at the birthday/Christmas meeting on Wednesday, December 10 at 7.30pm in the village hall. Contact June Clare on 01634 .389966. Correspondent: Simon Poulton, 9 Cayser Drive, Kingswood, Maidstone, ME17 3QD kingswood-km@ live.co.uk Village Coffee Shop: The coffee shop will be in the village hall tomorrow Saturday. Serving teas/coffee, bacon/sausage sandwiches/ baguettes. PJ’s of Sutton Valance will be selling fresh bread and vegetables. East Sutton Park will be selling meat and plants. There will also be various craft stalls selling their wares. There will be a raffle. Road closure: Broomfield Road will be closed for up to a week from Monday December 8. This is for carriageway and drainage works. Diversion via Chegworth Road. Correspondent: Valerie Underdown Tel: 01622 843232. valerie.underdown @ tesco.net Correspondent: Jenny Scott Mob: 07785974951 jscott@ cfsbroadband.co.uk Temporary road closure: Yalding High Street will be closed to traffic for the Yuletide Market on Saturday December 6 from 4 - 9pm. In addition, roads into and through the village are likely to be very busy. Visitors to the market by car are advised to arrive in good time for the 4.45pm start. Coffee time: A coffee morning with a Christmas theme and bring and buy is to take place at St Margaret’s Church on Wednesday December 10 from 10am-noon. Go along and enjoy the lovely cakes and chat, while having a browse at the stalls. Proceeds in aid of church funds. Feels like Christmas: A busy week at school this week in the run up to Christmas. On Wednesday and Thursday December 10-11, key stage 1 children will be performing their Nativity play for visitors. The gates open at 1.40pm for a 2pm start. That is followed on Saturday December 13, by the school Christmas Fair. Village Christmas Fair: The Friends of Collier Street School are organising a fantastic Christmas Fair at the school on Saturday, December 13 from 2-4pm, with something for all ages and all tastes. This is a highlight of the village calendar and the whole community is most welcome to go along. Father Christmas will be there with one of his elves, plus lots of fun stalls with prizes for youngsters, including chocolate tombola. The FOCSS school craft stall will be stocked with hand made decorations, plus a children’s book stall and one with secondhand uniform. Outdoors, there will be a record 16 stalls with all manner of goodies from jams and chutneys to vintage crockery and wooden signs. The Christmas cafe will have home baked cakes and treats and chance to enjoy a

rest and a chat. Proceeds are to go towards iPads for the children to use in class. More road closures: The expected Jarmons Lane closure on December 1 was moved back to November 30 at short notice. The work was started but there is more to do so another road closure there is expected soon. In addition, another road closure for Claygate Road, just east of its junction with Jarmons Lane, is due to start on December 10. PARISH COUNCIL: Speedwatch: five new volunteers have come forward to run Speedwatch sessions in the parish. Their training will take place on December 8 at the home of one of the new volunteers. On Thursday, December 4, Cllr Barbara Grandi met with Guy Rollinson of the Community Speedwatch support team to risk assess new Speedwatch sites in Sheephurst Lane. Weight restriction: On November 18 and 19, signs were amended to include new roads in the 7.5 tonne weight restriction zone, which had previously been missed off the works order. Cllr Grandi has driven around the zone with Highways engineer Amanda Murdoch to ensure the signs are in line with the amended order. Churchyard gardening: The village Woodpecker group, which keeps the churchyard and graveyard in such good order, will be meeting there again on Saturday, December 6 from 10am-noon. Just turn up if you can help, or else call Margaret Ashworth on 01622 730323. WI Christmas fairies: The Yalding WI meeting on Tuesday, December 9 at the village hall at 7.30pm, will be a Christmas celebration for WIs of the district. There will be wine or a cuppa along with sausage rolls and mince pies. The entertainment will be Secret Santa and a special version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. The highlight, I suspect, will be the specially written Christmas play called The Grumpy Old Fairies. Sounds like lots of fun. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Christmas lights: The village Christmas lights will be switched on at a ceremony on Sunday December 7 at 4.30pm at the village beacon. There will be festive singing followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Quiz night: Coxheath Twinning Association will be holding a Christmas Quiz Night on Saturday, December 6 at 7.30pm for an 8pm start in the Scout hut. £7 per head including mulled wine and mince pies. Tables of six to eight. To book a table phone 01622 745536 or email to colin.leith@ btinternet.com Spiritualist Church: The Southern Cross Spiritualist Church will be holding an Evening of Clairvoyance on Sunday December 7 ) at 6pm at Boughton Monchelsea Social Club. Admission £3. Christmas event: Coxheath Scout Group will be holding a Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, December 7 from 2 -4.30pm in their hut in Westerhill Road. Many games including treasure map, tin can alley and bagatelle; also Santa’s grotto, sweet tombola and cake sale. Gardening club: The club will be meeting on Tuesday December 9 at 7.30pm at the Scout hut. Whether you are a novice or more experienced why not go along to meet like minded people, swop plants and information, etc, Membership is £20 per year and £2 per meeting, including refreshments. For information contact Hillary Carter on 01622 746648 or 07904 652070. PARISH COUNCIL: The PCSO reported that there had been four crimes recorded in Coxheath – two cases of assault, both related to one domestic incident, one theft and one case of criminal damage. Concern has been expressed about obscured sight lines at the junction of Burston Road/ Amsbury Road and Bramley Gardens/Heath Road. This will again be brought to the attention of the Highways Steward. It was felt that MBC was causing unacceptable delays in dealing with enforcement complaints. This had been taken up with the head of planning and the parish council would be notified as and when the questions had been answered. Planning. The following application was recommended for approval, subject to the addressing of concerns of parking; erection of a two-storey rear and side extension at 30 Wilberforce Road. The parish council was continuing to press MBC to deal with a number of suspected breaches of planning regulations in and around the village.

Poppy appeal: Thank you to everybody who supported this year’s Poppy Appeal in which £847.58 was raised in Coxheath. Correspondent: Jenny Cosgrove Tel: 01622 630462 jenny.cosgrove@ hotmail. co.uk Christmas Fair:

This popular annual event is on Saturday, December 6 from 1-3pm in the village hall. There will be a wide variety of stalls with gifts, cakes, preserves, cards, calendars, brica-brac etc on sale as well as there being games and competitions. Father Christmas will be in his grotto, teas are on sale and the finale will be the village raffle draw at 3pm. For details contact John Faller on 01622 730628 or email at jmfall@globalnet.co.uk

Family Service: On Sunday, December 7 at 10.30am, there is a Family Service in church. Everybody is welcome, there are activities for the children after the service and refreshments for all. This service for all age groups has been brought forward this month because of the Christmas

festivities.

Detling Singers: On Saturday, December 6, there will be a concert at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park featuring the Detling Singers. This starts at 6.30pm and is the Maidstone Mencap Christmas Concert. Tickets cost £6 and include mulled wine and a mince pie. Contact Ann on 07548 152201 for details.

Pre-school group: On Thursday, December 11, the Ducklings of Detling will be at the pantomime at Maidstone Hazlitt Theatre. Those who have booked and paid already should meet upstairs at the theatre to be given your tickets ready for the performance, which starts at 10.30am. The final day of term is Friday, December 12. For information contact Debbie on 07986 834820 or visit www. ducklings-of-detling.co.uk Correspondent: Chris Acott, 32 Acorn Grove, Ditton, Aylesford, ME20 6EW Tel: 01622 719592 chris.acott@ blueyonder.co.uk Pamper evening: A ladies shopping and pamper evening is being held in the Oaken Hall at the Community Centre on Friday, December 5 from 7pm-10pm. Entry free. Stalls include jewellery, bags, make-up, crafts, beauty treatments, personalised gifts plus many more. Go along and treat yourself and do some Christmas shopping.

Maidstone Mencap: Due to lack of support the Maidstone Mencap Christmas concert on Saturday, December 6 at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park has been cancelled.

Festival of Fair Trade: Communigrow, growers of local, fresh, seasonal produce are presenting a Festival of Fair Trade on Saturday, December 6 in the Church Centre, New Road, Ditton from noon -5pm. Stalls with local produce, arts and crafts, children’s activities, campaigns and films. Have fun and support your local fair trade. Free entrance.

Trivia: The next trivia quiz will be held in the Kilnbarn on Sunday, December 7 at 8pm. Teams of up to eight, £2 per person. There is also a meat raffle.

DAMARA: Ditton and Malling Active Retirement Association is holding its Christmas party on Wednesday, December 10.

Boot sale: 2374 Squadron is holding a boot sale in the community centre on Sunday, December 14. Ring 07948 289101 to book a stall.

Dances : Tickets are still available for Christmas and New Year dances at the community centre. Dancing to Todd Miller and the Joe Loss Orchestra on December 20 . On New Year’s Eve dancing to the Peter Eligate Showband. Tick-

ets £17 each. Phone 01732 844749 or visit the parish office for tickets.

Best decorated house: Get out the Christmas lights and decorations as there will be a Christmas lights competition again this year. Judging the decorations on the front of houses will be held week commencing Monday, December 15. Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com

Rejoice And Be Merry: The Early Music Group Cancionero are returning to St Nicholas Church on Sunday December 7 at 3pm with a concert entitled Rejoice And Be Merry, which will be a joyous blend of medieval and folk carols accompanied by hurdy gurdy, bagpipes, lute, fiddle and recorder. Christmas used to sound like this! It’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas mood and prepare for the shopping frenzy of the modern festivities. Tickets cost £10 for adults and they are free for children still at school. Tickets can be reserved by phoning 01622 861245 or they can be purchased at the door.

Any answers: A quiz will take place at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday December 10 at 7.30pm. Take your own nibbles and drinks. For details phone 01622 737684 or 739129.

Walk: A walk of about 5.5 miles will start from Bearsted Green on Saturday December 13 at 1.15pm. All welcome. For details phone 01622 736467.

Concert cancelled: It’s with great regret that Maidstone Mencap has decided to cancel the concert that it was due to hold on Saturday December 6 due to lack of ticket sales.

Christmas concert: A Festival of Christmas, carols for choir and audience, will be held by Maidstone Choral Union, conducted by Martin Hindmarsh, at Mote Hall on Saturday December 13 at 7.30pm. Those taking part will also include Kent Festival Brass, St. John’s Primary School Choir and St. Michael’s Primary School Choir. Tickets cost from £7 to £16 on the door. Children/student tickets half price. For tickets and details phone the Ticket Secretary on 01622 726193 or e-mail freda@ me169lbfsnet.co.uk

PARISH COUNCIL: Minutes Of the meeting held on November 4. Policing. PCSO Gurr will be covering the same areas as PCSO Stevens: Downswood, Otham, Bearsted, Detling and Thurnham. Countywide: Alison Allen is covering for Abi Jessop for the monthly report. The proposed weight restriction for the B2163 has been cancelled; Cllr Cooke would like to know as soon as possible if salt supplies are required for the spreaders? More interest is being shown in KCC’s budget consultation. The JTB is still trying to deliver a link road to the east of Leeds. Cllr Cooke commented that it was a good decision by MBC to reject Waterside Park, but then the cabinet designated the land as commercial in the Local Plan. Urgent matter: MBC agreed to supply an outer casing for the bin at the Spires shops within a couple of weeks. At the DCA meeting, a suggestion of a defibrillator was on the agenda, with the majority of members thinking it a good idea. There is no need for a dropped kerb, as the bins are being moved to the corner of the car park. Quotes have been invited for posts. Clerk’s report: MBC are prioritising replacement fencing for the area adjacent to Mallards play area, as it is close to collapse. Development. Checks are being carried out that a dormer window at 5 Gorham Drive can be classified as permitted development. Application support: MA504509, 33-42 Willow Rise, MA504513, 43-52 Willow Rise and MA504337, 17-26 Willow Rise: replace with white UPVc double glazed casement windows. Festive lighting. Quotes were circulated for consideration prior to the meeting for the Christmas carols and lights event. Unanimously agreed Aylesford Electrical quotation (£2,300). Members agreed to trial two motifs with LED bulbs at a cost of £2.60 per bulb. A quotation for storage received from Gala Lights (£567). KHS confirmed that all sockets/ timers are in place. David Nuttall agreed to be Father Christmas. Correspondent: Jake Harfleet Tel: 01732 847858 joharfleet@ blueyonder. co.uk

Life up a life: At The Friars, Aylesford Priory on Sunday, December 7 at 4.30pm. Book a place at one of the Light Up a Life Services and join a wonderfully uplifting occasion with local choirs and musicians, while celebrating the lives of loved ones lost and remembering those who are special to us. Candle card Christmas tree tags will be available, on which you can write your loved one’s name. These will be included in an act of remembrance at both services and brought back to the Heart of Kent Hospice where they will hang on the Christmas tree from December 8. Places are limited so book a place by calling the

fundraising team on 01622 790195 or email fundraising@hokh.co.uk.

Old school hall: Teams of six to eight are invited for the quiz night on Saturday, December 6 starting at 7.30pm. There’s also a raffle and prizes for the best joker, the winning team and the losers. Tickets £5 per person to include seasonal nibbles on each table. If you can’t put a team together but are happy to join with others give Mandy 07703 525138 and Gary 07985 377585 or email amandashoward@ hotmail.com

Farleigh’s WI: The following events take place on December 9. Medway District Carols and Batton at All Saints Church, West Farleigh, The Christmas tree festival at Rolvenden Church and Christmas flowers – exploding cracker. The WI Christmas show, which is open to everyone, is on Friday and Saturday Decembher 12-13. Tickets available from Pam Lindon 01622 726337. For information about WI contact Jacky Taylor 01622 236421 or jackytaylor50@gmail.co

Gardening club: The club meeting on November 13 was attended by about 20 people. They heard a talk by Ray Morris on how to create the best garden environment for wild birds, including feeding, hygiene and nest boxes. Refreshments were served and question time was especially popular. A donation of £125 was made to Children In Need, which is the total of all the money raised on the night, plus what would normally be spent on a visiting speaker. Thank you to all who supported this event. The next meeting is on Thursday, February 26, when retired professional gardener Laurie Manser will be returning for a second time – the theme of the evening to be revealed later.

Farmers’ market: The Christmas market is on Sunday, December 7 in the old school hall and car park. A lively atmosphere will be created by the Old School Samba Band. There will have a wide variety of stalls, many selling perfect Christmas gifts. Hand made cards, chocolates and fudge, delicious preserves and chutneys, woodcrafts, jewellery, needlework, table decorations and wreaths all created locally. Stock the freezer with sausages, stuffing, meats, cheeses, homemade bread and cakes and the cupboards with juices. Treat yourself or someone else to a plant or shrub and meet your friends for a homemade cake and hot drink from Mandy’s kitchen!

School Christmas fair: At the primary school on Saturday, December 13 from 1-4pm in Vicarage Lane. Grand prize draw with a firt prize of a 24” Smart TV, plus lots of other prizes to be won. This year we will also be supporting the Not for Profit organisation Pukka Ponies Equine Rescue based here in East Farleigh and they will be available in the playground with their lovely Shetland ponies dressed as reindeer for you to meet, pet and learn all about their worthwhile work. www. PukkaPonies.org.uk Stalls include home made craft from a variety of outside stalls. Plus the Friends chocolate tombola, festive stalls, present room, fun and games for the children and of course Santa’s grotto. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com

Free advice: The Citizens Advice Bureau will be at Headcorn library for an open surgery on Friday, December 5 from 10am-noon. Correspondent: Fran Smith, 14 Pitt Road, Maidstone, ME16 8PA Mob: 07791 650955 Tel: 01622 720623 fransmith@ talktalk.net

Fant Wildlife Group: The next workday is Saturday, December 13 10am -noon, when there will also be the traditional treedressing followed by mince pies and mulled wine. We will be using

bird feeders, ribbons, lanterns, ivy, mistletoe or any other type of decoration to decorate our chosen tree in support of the National Tree Dressing Festival. Website: www.fantwildlifegroup.org.uk or call 0759 8141322 Fant Wildlife can supply all the necessary equipment including gloves, but feel free to take your own if you wish. Why not come along to see what it’s all about? New faces are always welcome. Correspondent: Joan Drury, Weirton Villa, Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, ME17 2AP Tel: 01622 853766 jdrury23@ btinternet.com Coffee ime: Grafty Green Village tHall will be open from 10.30am and noon on Wednesday December 10, for coffee, cakes, tea and conversation. A warm welcome awaits all.

Important dates: Grafty Green’s annual quiz night will be held in the village hall on Saturday December 6. There is still time to call in at the village shop and buy a ticket costing £8.

Second important date: Six days after the qunz Night volume 2 of A Journey Through Time will be launched in Grafty Village Hall. The event will begin at 7pm with complimentary refreshments. On the agenda will be a talk by local historian Bronwen Sadler and a talk about the book. Residents will be able to collect their free copy. Copies for non-residents cost £15. Those buying copies need to take cash as cheques and cards cannot be accepted.

Worship and prayers: Holy Communion will be celebrated in St Nicholas church Boughton Malherbe on Sunday, December 7 at 9.30am. The weekly prayer meeting will be in Ulcombe church at 9.30am on Tuesday December 9. Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07527 449540 jackie.kmlocal@ hotmail. com

Friendly karate club: Kodomokai under fives karate training is a preparatory class for those wishing to study karate. Teaches everything from knowing left from right and simple knots, to respectful class behaviour. Also for five to 16 years Mon 7-8pm and Fri 6.30-8.30pm and adults Mon 8-10pm. Phone Malcolm 01622 736990 or just turn up at the community hall, Penshurst Close.

Parents and Toddlers: Fledgelings is a friendly Parent and Toddler Group looking for new members. There is a physical play area, arts and crafts, separate baby area and lots of toys. It meets 12.30-2pm, three Thursdays a month during the term time at the Community Centre. The cost of £3 per family, includes drinks and biscuits. Call Alison on 07803 502884. Correspondent: Rosa Sams, Uplands Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Maidstone, ME17 1NZ Tel: 01622 859412 rosa.sams@ googlemail.com Incorrect information apologies: The correct deadline details for the village magazine Network are as follows. Advertisements need to sent by noon on Friday, December 5, to Peter on adverts@ harrietshamfishscheme.org Articles also need to reach the editor on the same day by ringing 851701 or leave at Salon 62 or editor@ harrietshamfishscheme.org

PTFA fair: On Saturday, December 6, the Christmas fair will take place at Harrietsham School from noon-4pm Lots of opportunity to buy Christmas presents and listen to the school choir while enjoying mulled wine and mince pies.

Christmas day dinner: There will be a communal Christmas day lunch at Lenham Community Centre from noon-5pm. Contact Teresa on 07944 646651 by Wednesday, December 17, if you would like to