What’s happening where you live...

seems able to inform residents when this service will be available in the parish. PARISH COUNCIL: Highways issues: Cllr Grandi, chairman of the parish council, had received assurances from Andy Corcoran of KCC Highways that plans for both the Collier Street Primary School road safety scheme and the installation of correct signs for the 7.5 tonne weight limit zone, would be moved forward as soon as possible. Marden Motor Club: For enthusiasts of all types of motor vehicles and all forms of motoring, Marden Motor Club holds monthly social meetings on the first Tuesday of each month. On April 5, the meeting will start at 8pm with a car related quiz followed by a chat and supper at the West End Tavern, Marden. The cost is £5 per head and regarding the food, you have what you get. For details, call club secretary Colin Addison on 01622 831471 or email c.addison@kgsdiamond.co.uk Riverside popup gallery: The lower floor of the Yalding post master’s home on the riverbank right beside the post office is now a popup art gallery. It will be open to the public from April 2 - September 30 with a rolling programme of art exhibits. The gallery will be open to the public every Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 2-5pm. The first artists to exhibit their work there are equine artist Cheryl Johnson and prize winning photographer David Jenner. Check the website for details www.riversidepopupgallery. weebly.com Garden society show: Yalding Garden Society holds its Spring show on Saturday April 2 at 2.30pm at Yalding ViHlage hall. All are welcome to go along and see the prize winning exhibits and enjoy refreshments. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Blood donors: There will be blood donor sessions in the village hall on Tuesday April 12 from 2-430pm and 5.30 -8pm. If you would prefer, you can book an appointment on 0300 123 2323. Date for diary: The annual World Custard Pie Championship will take place on Saturday, June 4. More details will follow nearer the time. Correspondent: Jenny Cosgrove Tel: 01622 630462 jenny.cosgrove@ hotmail. co.uk Parish council: On Tuesday, April 5, there will be a meeting of the planning committee in the village hall committee room at 7pm followed by the full monthly council meeting. All residents are welcome to attend and will have a chance to participate when invited. Showground: On Saturday, April 2, there is the Heritage Transport show. On display will be approximately 500 vehicles including motorbikes, cars, tractors, commercials and many more. Tickets on the gate cot £10 and children under 14 enter free, with gates open from 10am-4pm. Detling Players: The Players are rehearsing for their production of Ladies in Lavender. It will be performed on Thursday to Saturday, April 14-16 in the village hall, with a matinee at 2.30 on the Saturday. This will be the first amateur performance of the play of the successful film starring Judy Dench and Maggie Smith. Tickets are available from the website www. detlingplayers. co.uk or by calling 07842 169725. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com Council date: The parish council meets in the community centre on Monday, April 4 at 7.30pm.

Residents are welcome to attend. Keeping active: Are you retired or semi-retired and 50 plus, looking for things to do? DAMARA, the association for the active retired, meets at the community centre every month with an ever changing programme of things to do and see. The club next meets on Wednesday, April 13 from 1.304pm and will be entertained by the singing group Spare Parts. For details about the club call Tony Mulcuck on 01732 844195. New members always welcome. Staff needed: Cleaning and caretaking staff are needed for evening and weekend shifts at the community centre. Contact the parish council office on 01732 844749. Council vacancy: The parish council has a vacancy due to the resignation of Cllr Bill Cordwell. As no election has been called for within the statutory period, the position will be filled by co-option at the meeting on Monday, April 4. If you are interested in applying, contact the council office on 01732 844749. Kilnbarn quiz: The next Kilnbarn quiz will be on Sunday, April 24 with teams of up to eight at £2 per head. Cash prizes and a meat raffle. All welcome. Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com Any answers: A quiz will take place at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday, April 13 at 7.30pm. Take your own nibbles and drinks. For details phone 01622 737684 or 01622 739129. Daffodil Show: South East England Daffodil Society’s Daffodil Show will take place at the community centre on Sunday, April 10, with it being open to the public from 2pm -4.30pm. Entry free. Enjoy the spectacle of the favourite spring flower in all it’s colours and sizes. Messy fun : The next session of Messy Church at St Nicholas Church will be held on Monday April 11 from 3.30pm-5.30pm. Children of all ages welcome with their parents/carers. Craftwork, songs and a story followed by a sit down tea. For details phone 01622 862783 or 861382. Church bellringing: Novice bellringing will take place at St Nicholas Church on Monday April 4 at 7.30pm and there will be a bellringing practice on Wednesday, April 6 at 3pm. For details phone 01622 861143. Parish council: The parish council will meet at the community centre on Tuesday April 5 at 8pm. The public are invited to attend. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Farmers’ market: The next market is on Sunday, April 3 from 10am1pm in the Old School Hall. Spice of Life Indian Pickles, Carol May cards and Trophy pet foods will all be welcomed back. Don’t miss the selection of fresh fish, especially the dressed crab from Steve or the tasty sausages, bacon and meat from Sutton Park. Do you have any implements that need sharpening? If so, take them along to the May market for Paul Richards to sharpen. Note, this is the May market not April. Parish council: The next meeting is on Tuesday, April 5 at 7.15pm in the Old School Hall, Lower Road. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com Council date: The parish council meets in the Filmer Hall on Wednesday, April 6 at 8pm. Residents are welcome to attend. Free advice: The Citizen Advice Bureau will be holding an open surgery at Headcorn library on Friday, April 1 from 10am-noon. No need to book an appointment, just turn up. Correspondent: Fran Smith, 14 Pitt Road, Maidstone, ME16 8PA Mob: 07791 650955 Tel: 01622 720623 fransmith@ talktalk.net If you have an item concerning Fant, please contact the correspondent above. Correspondent: Joan Drury, Weirton Villa, Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, ME17 2AP Tel: 01622 853766 jdrury23@ btinternet.com Spring Show: Members of Grafty Green Gardening Club will be taking their entries for the Spring Show to the village hall on Tuesday, April 5. The meeting will begin at 7.30pm and after the judging Mr G. Francis will speak about container gardening for vegetables. Sue Burch on 01622 850381 will answer questions about the show schedule. Lord’s Supper: Holy Communion will be celebrated at 9.30am on Sunday April 3 in St Nicholas church Boughton Malherbe. Tuesday prayers will take place on April 5 at 9.30am. Nostalgia Night: Make a note of the date: Saturday April 30. John Collins will be presenting an evening of old and new photographs featuring Grafty Green. The village hall will be the venue and more details will be in next week’s column. Yoga Classes: Sue Burch (01622 850381) has announced a new series of classes. There will be sessions on Wednesdays from April 6 from 7pm-8.30pm and on Thursdays (April 7) from 9.30am11am. The fee for seven weeks is £42 and the classes will be in Grafty Green Village Hall. Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07527 449540 jackie.kmlocal@ hotmail. com Medical centre AGM: Correspondent: Rosa Sams, Uplands Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Maidstone, ME17 1NZ Tel: 01622 859412 rosa.sams@ googlemail.com On the cards: Whist drives are held once a month on a Friday in the village hall starting at 7.30pm. The next date is April 1. Correspondent: Mike Bennett Mob: 07470 362801 Tel: 01580 761943 mikebennettkm@ tiscali. co.uk Sunday stroll: Members of the village footpaths group will meet at the High Street War Memorial at 10.30am on Sunday, April 3, to travel by car to Rye Harbour for a walk of about six miles followed by an optional fish and chip lunch. Stout footwear is recommended for the stroll. New members are always welcome. For details contact Chris Dutton on 01622 890142. Coffee morning: All residents are invited to the village library from 10.30am on Friday, April 1, for the monthly coffee and chat morning to discuss and recommend favourite reads. For details contact Bob Chance on 01622 890406. Spring show: The village gardeners society stage their annual spring show at the village hall on Saturday, April 2 from 2pm. Entry to the public is free and in addition