What’s happening where you live...

PARISH COUNCIL: At the August meeting a verbal report on lone working security was noted from discussions with YMCA: it was agreed to install an emergency alarm bell for the protection of parish council staff. This will be an item on the agenda for the September meeting. It was noted that 14 companies have been asked to tender for the grounds maintenance contract and there have been two positive responses to date A meeting will be arranged with Pearson’s Landscapes Ltd, the current grounds maintenance contractor, to discuss current issues and their tender for future work. The Clerk will arrange the meeting and will inform Councillors so that they can attend if they so wish. The qualifications of those querying Health and Safety procedures was raised. Correspondent: Leila Ware Tel: 01622 842330 leilaware@ outlook.com Harrow Inn Update: Plans to revive the Harrow Inn are moving forward. Many people have offered their services for the various jobs involved in running a community pub/café/shop, but there is still a need for more volunteers; also further offers of investment to fund the start up. There will be another meeting at the Village Hall on Thursday, September 1, at 7.30pm. If you can offer help or want to see inside The Harrow and garden at the rear, with a view to making constructive suggestions as to its future use, contact simonodam@ aol.com Barn Dance: The Annual Barn Dance will be held on Saturday October 1, later than usual to avoid clashing with the Lenham Barn Dance. Dancing will be to Rattle the Boards, an excellent band, with a very patient caller! Tickets will cost £12.50, including supper and are now available for purchase by calling Mimi on 843592 or Frances on 843862. Sunday Service: There will be a service of Holy Communion at All Saints’ Church on Sunday, August 28, at 10.45am. Tea and coffee will be served afterwards. Please note that service times will be reverting to an 11am start as from September 4. Correspondent: Christine Byron Tel: 01622 812023 Poppy Collectors Needed: Our village organiser Larry Collins is seeking volunteers to help with the door to door collections for the Royal British Legion Annual Poppy Appeal. So if you can spare an hour in early November to collect from a street in the village please contact angelaecollins@ hotmail.co.uk or phone 01732 872302 evenings/weekends. Your help is much needed and will be appreciated. Part-time Caretaker wanted: Wateringbury CE Primary School is delighted not to be losing its caretaker, Mr Barry Reynolds, completely. However, due to Barry’s new role as a devoted grandfather, he will be reducing his days at school from 5 to 3. The school is looking to appoint a part-time caretaker and welcomes expressions of interest from community members. Contact: headteacher@ wateringbury.kent.sch.uk Anniversary Appeal: As part of its celebrations to mark 40 years on the Bow Road site, Wateringbury Primary School has launched an anniversary capital fundraising campaign to replace the library roof. Donations and support are now being sought from local businesses, individuals and community organisations to help the school to raise the £50,000 needed to replace the roof and windows and to install adequate heating, ventilation and furniture as well as new books and resources. It already has £15,000 in the pot for the project. Head teacher Chasey Crawford Usher said: “Although the 40th anniversary is cause for celebration, it is also an opportunity to shape the next 40 years for our school. The library sits at the very heart of our school and we want to ensure that it remains fit for purpose to inspire and excite generations to come. After years of trying to patch the leaking roof, it now requires urgent replacement and since our capital budget has decreased from £46,000 to just under £6,500 over the last six years, we can only achieve this vision with the help of our wonderful community. All donations, big or small, will be warmly welcomed.” Any individuals or local businesses wishing to make a donation can find out more at www.wateringbury.kent.sch.uk or donations may be sent to the school (cheques payable to Wateringbury CE Primary School) at Wateringbury CE Primary School, 40th Anniversary Campaign, 147 Bow Road, Wateringbury ME18 5EA. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Fun Day: A Fun Day has been organised for tomorrow (27th) at The Tickled Trout, between noon and 5pm. I don’t have any details but the W.I. are organising the cake stall. Classic cars’ event: On Sunday August 28, the monthly get together of classic cars takes place at The George from 12-3.30pm. Bring your vehicle or come along to chat with owners and enthusiasts. Plenty for the children to do in the lovely riverside garden and an extensive menu is always available. Out for tea: Six Yalding residents attended the monthly pop-in tea party at Collier Street on August 17, when there was input from PC Patrick McCartan of the burglary team at Kent Police CID. The main message was not to open the door to strangers without an appointment and to use the chain on the door. Distraction crime and doorstep crime is a big problem among elderly residents. The community warden Mira Martin and Linda Sinclair from Maidstone and District Neighbourhood Watch were also giving out leaflets and advice and answering questions. A lovely tea of home baked sausage rolls and cakes with a welcome cuppa was provided by Margaret Ashworth and a raffle completed a useful and enjoyable afternoon. Yalding Educational Foundation: If you have just accepted an offer of a place at university, and spent at least two of your primary years at the village school, Yalding Educational Foundation may be able to provide a small scholarship each year to help you with your studies. See full details in the parish magazine or email the clerk to the trust, jscott@cfsbroadband.co.uk for a copy of them. Church events: All age worship takes place at St Peter & St Paul’s Church on Sunday August 28 at 10am. The annual church fete is on Saturday September 10 in the church grounds from 1-4pm, and all are welcome to join in the fun. On Thursday September 2, collectors will be calling on householders to collect any items they may like to donate to the stalls at the fete. Bottles, tins, bric-a-brac, books or a raffle prize would be very much appreciated. Baptist events: On Sunday August 28 at 10.30am morning service with Sunday School takes place at the Baptist Church. On Thursday September 1 at 10.30-noon, the popular Chat-a-While coffee and craft morning will be held in the Baptist hall. All are welcome to come along for the whole session or to make a quick visit. Village Pensioners’ Club: The Village Pensioners’ Club meets next on Tuesday August 30 from 2-4pm at the village Social Club. All senior citizens are welcome to go along for bingo, tea and chat. Yalding Art Group: Yalding Art Group (YAG) moves its weekly sessions back to the Baptist hall for the new term after working at the Riverside Gallery through the summer. Anyone interested in joining YAG, is welcome to a free taster session on any September Thursday from 10am - 12 noon at the Baptist hall. New gallery exhibition: Riverside Gallery holds the last of its summer series of exhibitions throughout the month of September with Wateringbury’s Kate Neame’s lino cuts and screen prints, Jessica Exall’s animal puppets with clothes on, and Mike Goddard’s amazing sculptures. Visit the gallery on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays from 2-5pm or by appointment. Village Voices: On Saturday August 27, the last Village Voices rehearsal before the GamBLE barbecue on Sunday, will now take place at the new time of 4pm, when the group will run through the songs in order at the barbecue venue, which is Thatcher’s in Benover Road. If you still need barbecue tickets, please call Karen on 01622 814267 or pay at the gate. Mower theft: Yalding Cricket Club’s mower has been stolen from a secured container at The Kintons some time between Saturday August 13 and Tuesday 17. As this is essential for ground maintenance, the club is left with a huge problem, as the loss will not be covered by insurance. Stampy is a very gentle and affectionate boy who would be perfect for any family. Sadly his docile nature meant he was bullied by the other cats he lived with so he will need to be only cat in the home, but he is fine with children and has a big heart with lots of love to give. Stampy is around two years old.

If you think you could offer him a home call Maidstone RSPCA on 01622 891222.