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teas or coffees plus sandwiches/ cakes and, of course, conversation. It’s a great way to relax. Thank you: TAG (Tovil Action Group) would like to thank all the volunteers who came on Saturday to help with the litter pick and clear up. They collected 80 bags of rubbish and vegetation. Thank you so much for the hard work that everyone gave. PARISH COUNCIL: At the September meeting the following issues were discussed. Purchase of alarm bell for Parish Office agreed up to the cost of £50. Damaged fence on the left of Cave Hill, entering from Straw Mill Hill: The parish council would take on and fund this repair at the approximate cost of £250. The following planning applications were discussed. 16/506116/ FULL 3 Church Street, erection of a staircase to the fire exit. Approved. 16/506178/FULL 87 Farleigh Hill, subdivision of the property into two self-contained flats. No comment. 16/505279 Tesco Stores, Farleigh Hill, amended details to the previous advertising signage application. No comment. The clerk was asked to contact the borough council and obtain details of planning training taking place later in September; this information would be passed to all councillors. Correspondent: Leila Ware Tel: 01622 842330 leilaware@ outlook.com Charity concert: See the Grafty

Green column. Farewell to Dick: There will be a joint Len Valley Churches Celebration Service at St Mary’s Church, Lenham on Sunday, September 25 at 11am, when people from all the churches in the benefice will be saying farewell to the Rev Dick Venn and his wife Helen, who are retiring. This will be followed by a celebratory lunch. PARISH COUNCIL: At the September meeting, Rachel Robinson was welcomed to the parish council following co-option. The council is now complete with seven councillors. KCC is consulting on its draft Waste Disposal Strategy 201735, which sets out the position, identifies the future pressures and presents the ambition and priorities for the household waste disposal service. It is keen to know what people think about the strategy, the key priorities involved and the specific objectives set out. It would welcome any comments or concerns that will help improve the strategy before KCC moves forward to implementation, supported by further public consultation in 2017. The consultation closes on the October 2. For information visit http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/ consult.ti/WasteStrategyKCC/consultationHome. The council welcomed the initiative of four parishioners to buy The Harrow. The details of how to manage it were still to be resolved. A questionnaire had been distributed in the village to ascertain whether people would like the pub to offer additional services such as a café, small shop etc. Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07527 449540 jackie.kmlocal@ hotmail. com Music for Destiny: This is an exciting young and growing church and which wants to enjoy live gospel music for services on Sundays from 10.15am-noon. If you are looking for somewhere to play, or if you are not getting the chance to play regularly at your church and could join us on some Sundays, call pastor Jason Livingston on 07525 039149 for information. The church is are based at Vinters Park Community Centre. Correspondent: Christine Byron Tel: 01622 812023 Crafty coffee: The next Coffee Break meeting is on Wednesday September 28 from 10.30am -12.30pm in the church. These are pleasant mornings with tea, coffee and home-made cake with optional craft activities. Recently some have been trying their hand at drawing with guidance given if requested. Canon Brenda Hurd: The 10am Communion Service at the church on Sunday, September 25, will be with Canon Brenda Hurd. New school’s 40th birthday: Wateringbury CE Primary School’s anniversary celebration takes place on Saturday, September 24 from 2pm-5pm, celebrating 40 years on the Bow Road site, 19762016. There will be lots of fun and memories including: Rededication of the school building by the Bishop of Rochester; school tours and performances; historical displays; 1970s high tea and the launch of Raise the Library Roof campaign. Past and present pupils, parents, staff and governors are all welcome to go along and join in. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk WI: Members of The Farleighs WI were given a fascinating talk by Susan Shaw at their September meeting on exhibiting for NAFAS at the Chelsea Flower Show. Her experience in being part of the team that designed, built and produced such a fantastic display was really interesting and the photographic display gave them an insight into the amount of hard work and hours that are involved. Members meet on the second Wednesday of each month so if you would like information phone Diane Scott on 01622 814476. Charity event: The Farleighs WI will be holding a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer on Thursday, September 29 from 11.30am-1pm. in the WI Hall in Forge Lane. Support this worthy cause and go along for coffee and cake. Joint Flood Group: The newly formed Joint Parish Flood Group (JPFG) will be meeting on Friday, September 30 at Collier Street. Nearby parish council representatives, including Yalding, will be invited as will members of the Medway, Teise and Beult Flood Group. MP Helen Grant will be there and the agenda items will include feedback from JPFG chairman David Goff on his recent meetings with the Environment Agency’s Mark Douche about finding alternative solutions for flood protection in the area. Youngsters’ football success: Last weekend all three youngsters’ sides of Yalding and Laddingford FC won comfortably. The Under 13s, having moved to a higher league, defeated Range Rovers by 12-2, while the Under 14s visited Sevenoaks and came away with a 2-0 victory. The Under 16s visited Ditton in the cup, with a depleted squad, but won comfortably 4-1. Saturday sees the start of both a new Under eight side and a new Under 12 side. The U8s are at home at The Kintons at 10am; do go and give them some support. The Under 12s visit Staplehurst. Village Voices celebration: Village Voices’ members attended an evening barbecue in lovely weather on September 14, in the garden of Karen and Tony Di Marco. The occasion was to celebrate their performance at the recent School Gambia (formerly GamBLE) fundraising barbecue, and indeed their success as a great asset to the village. Members enjoyed food cooked by Tony and great hospitality and company. Many were expressing what enormous pleasure and fun they get from singing with the group. New members of all or no singing experience are welcome to join. Call Karen on 01622 814267 for information. The group next meets to sing on Thursday, September 29 at 7.30pm in the school hall. Village Pensioners’ Club: The group next meets on Tuesday September 27 from 2-4pm at the Social Club. All retired persons will receive a warm welcome, good company and refreshments along with a bingo session. Sunday services: The Rev Paul Kish, our newly appointed vicar, will take his first Sunday morning Holy Communion service on September 25 at 9.30am in St Peter & St Paul’s Church. At 6.30pm on that day, there will be a Taize service held in the Lady chapel. An All Age Service will take place at 10.30am at the Baptist Church. George events: Children and parents of Twyford Pre-school are to hold their party at The George on Friday September 23. Classic cars owners and enthusiasts, with or without their vehicles, are invited to The George on Sunday September 25 from 12.30-3pm to chat and drool with like minded folk. Take the family along as there is plenty for the children to do and roast lunch will be on the menu along with the usual extensive menu. Yuletide Market: The now famous Yuletide Market takes place this year from 4.45-8pm on Saturday, December 3 in the High Street. All bookings for stalls at the event must be made by Friday, September 30. If you wish to make such a booking, or to discuss the possibility, contact Clare Curley on Flicker was rescued from an overcrowded house where she was living in unsanitary conditions with more than 60 other cats. The beautiful four-year-old Bengal has had very little human interation, and finds even the smallest amount of attention scary. She is very anxious, so needs an understanding owner to help 01892 730744 or complete the form in the current parish magazine. WI news: The produce show on September 13 heralded lovely lemon curd, brilliant Victoria sponges and exceptional fruit, vegetables and flowers, considering difficult growing conditions. These were the words of judge David Tomlin, who rearranged the “unusual vegetables” to look even more suggestive and commented after tasting the winning sloe gin that after one taste he had to go outside to recover! Whatever happened to jam and Jerusalem! Grants for students: University students just starting their first year, or continuing their courses, can apply for a scholarship from Yalding Educational Foundation, provided that they attended Yalding, Laddingford or Collier Street primary school for at least two years as youngsters. Full details are in the current parish magazine, but hurry, the deadline for applications for an award for the academic year 2016-17 is October 1, 2016. If you have no magazine, email jscott@cfsbroadband.co.uk for a copy of the details.