What’s happening where you live...

Remembrance: On Sunday, November 13, there will be a short service of remembrance starting at 10am at the church then at 10.50am all will assemble at the monument at the top of The Street for the outdoor ceremony, which includes laying of the wreaths and The Last Post. Afterwards warm drinks, etc will be available in church. For details, phone the church warden on 01622 630898. Detling Strollers: On Thursday, November 17, the walk will be around Sutton Valance. Gather outside the village hall at 10am for shared transport. All welcome, the return should be by 1pm. Information from John Munson on 01622 630231. Taste Of Christmas: Coffee and muffins will be served in St Martin’s church on Saturday, November 19, at the Taste of Christmas event. Starting at 10am, there will be Christmas fare for sale, a fair trade stall and a raffle. WI: The next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 16 and the speaker will be Rod Leeming on VIP Protection. The competition is an ink pen. Doors open at 7pm, visitors welcome. An interesting programme for 2017 has been compiled. Go along to see for yourselves what fun can be had, refreshments at the end of the evening, a sales table, and occasional raffles. Churchyard renovations: On Tuesday, November 15 at 10.15am, the community joint venture will be celebrated with the Archdeacon of Maidstone, the Ven Stephen Taylor. There will be a celebratory drink afterwards. Detling, although a small village, has a network of diverse, knowledgeable and passionate people who have a capacity to punch above its weight when it comes to resolving village issues. This was made evident when a group of villagers took on the renovation of the new churchyard. In late spring this year, a renovation plan was formulated for dealing with the boundary along the south side of Church Lane. On completion of the initial clearance the volunteers worked on the removal of ivy and convolvulus from the remaining trees, stone picking, removing roots, levelling and raking to form a new boundary to prepare for grass seeding. The clearance of this boundary highlighted the need for a boundary fence, Glebe Fencing, a Detling company based company, was approached for its advice and support. It generously supplied, installed and donated the high quality fence. As the boundary was mainly formed of chalk, the gift of topsoil and grass seed from Messrs Clancydocwra, based at the south end of Hockers Lane, was gratefully received. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com Book now: Tickets are on sale for this year’s seasonal events at the community centre. On Friday, December 9, it’s Eighties night with Back to the Eighties live band; tickets £10. On Saturday, December 17, dance to Todd Miller with the Joe Loss Orchestra; tickets £17. See in the New Year with the Peter Elligate Showband; tickets £17. Tickets are available from the parish office. Call 01732 844749 or email clerk@dittonparishcouncil. gov.uk Race night: There will be a Children in Need charity race night in the Kilnbarn on Saturday, November 19. All welcome. There will also be a Christmas Eve disco and karaoke and live entertainment with singer Ryan Damant on New Year’s Eve. Remembrance: On Friday, November 11, there will be a short service at the war memorial from 10.50am and on Sunday, November 13, there will be the full Remembrance Service at the community centre at 9.45am followed by the parade down to the memorial where there will be another short service and the laying of wreaths. The Scouts will be serving refreshments in the Scout Hut following the parade. All welcome. Council date: The community centre committee meets in the community centre on Monday, November 14 at 7.30pm. Residents are welcome to attend. Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com Remembrance: There will be a Remembrance Service at the war memorial on Otham Green on Sunday, November 13 at 11am. Party for everyone: A tea party will take place at St Nicholas Church on Thursday, November 17 at 3pm. Everyone welcome. For details or if a lift is needed phone Joan Palmer on 01622 202239. Messy fun: The next meeting of Messy Church at St Nicholas Church will take place on Monday, November 14 at 3.30pm. All children with their parents/carers welcome. Craftwork, a story and songs followed by a tea. For details phone 01622 861382. Seasonal music: There will be a concert of seasonal music with Bel Canto at St Nicholas Church on Sunday, November 13 at 3pm. Those taking part will include Kathryn Norman (soprano), Brian White (bass/baritone) and Richard Kemp (piano). Entry free. Retiring collection for the benefit of the church. Church bell ringing: Novice bell ringing will take place at St Nicholas Church on Monday, November 14 at 7.30pm and there will be a bell ringing practice on Wednesday, November 16 at 3pm. For information phone 01622 861143. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Remembrance.: There will be a Remembrance Sunday Service on November 13 beginning at 10.30am at the church. WI: The Farleighs WI is holding a table top sale on Saturday, November 12 from noon-4pm in the WI Hall, Forge Lane, to raise funds for the continuing renovation of the hall. Go along and bag a bargain. Christmas fair: The school fair is on Saturday, December 10 from 1-4pm. If you are interested in having a stall, phone Kelly Lyon on 07969 065098 or kellylyon@ talktalk.net Roadworks: The whole of Forge Lane will be closed from Monday, November 14 for up to four days for carriageway repairs by KCC Highways. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com Festive fair: The annual Christmas fair will be held at the Filmer Hall on Friday, December 2 from 6pm. Admission includes a glass of mulled wine. Attractions include a cake stall, bulbs, Holly and Mistletoe, turkey sweep, tombola, books, produce, gifts, raffle and much more. All welcome. Correspondent: Fran Smith, 14 Pitt Road, Maidstone, ME16 8PA Mob: 07791 650955 Tel: 01622 720623 fransmith@ talktalk.net Wildlife Group: The next activity session takes place on Saturday, November 12 from 10am-noon. Details on the website: www. fantwildlifegroup.org.uk Correspondent: Joan Drury, Weirton Villa, Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, ME17 2AP Tel: 01622 853766 jdrury23@ btinternet.com Time to remember: There will be a Remembrance Sunday service in St Nicholas church Boughton Malherbe on November 13 at 10.15am. Tuesday prayers will be in the same building on November 15 at 9.30am. Crafty Grafty: Make a note of the date Sunday, December 4. From 11am-3pm, a variety of hand made craft items will be on sale in Grafty Green Village Hall. Father Christmas has agreed to attend. Meet him and enjoy refreshments and buy some of your Christmas presents. For information contact Carolhulm@gmail.com or phone 07990 574214. Unwanted textiles: Unwanted except that the Phil-The-Bag organisation pays money for them. Grateful thanks from the committee to those who took more than 60 bags of clothes, shoes and soft furnishings to the village hall recently. Richard Pilborough, the committee chairman, estimates that about £200 has been raised. Diary date: The next Saturday soga practice is planned for December 3 at 10am in Grafty Green Village Hall. The class costs £7 and is open to anyone. Baptism information: Parents wishing to inquire about baptism are invited to an information evening in the Booth Hall, Harrietsham village hall on Thursday, November 17 at 7.30pm. Advise the church office (01622 850604) if you plan to attend. Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07950 549887 jackie.kmlocal@ hotmail. com RSPB: The local group will meet in the community hall on Thursdy, November 17 at 7.30pm. Paul Stancliffe will talk on Project Cuckoo. Group members £3.50, visitors £4.50. Reserve quiz night: Vinters Valley Nature Reserve quiz night is on Saturday, December 3 at the community hall (next to Tesco car park). Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Prizes for winning team and raffle. Entrance by ticket £6 per person, available by emailing chairman@vvpt. co.uk Give name, phone number and number of tickets required. Teams of up to eight. Take your own nibbles and drinks. All monies raised will go towards the upkeep and running of the reserve. Correspondent: Rosa Sams, Uplands Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Maidstone, ME17 1NZ Tel: 01622 859412 rosa.sams@ googlemail.com Bogus unexpected visitors: Help for elderly parents, neighbours or friends worrying about bogus callers and unexpected visitor calls. Support them by visiting www.kent.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers-and-rogue-traders/ for tips on protecting your home and what to do if someone unexpected stops by.printed posters are available by contacting communications@kent.pnn.police.uk. Table tennis: The club will restart in January providing sufficient numbers are interested. It will run every second and forth Mondays from 7pm-9pm. The cost is £4 per person per session. Contact Ken on kennykay100@hotmail. com or ring on 07791 042985 to express your interest. Gardening society: The group’s next meeting takes place on Tuesday November 15. This will be a joint meeting with the history society. The speaker will be Russel Bowes who will give a presentation on Sir Joseph Paxton, designer of Crystal Palace and gardens of Chatsworth House. Poppy appeal: The annual coffee morning will take place on Friday, November 11 from 10am-noon at St John the Baptist church. Entry costs £1, which includes a drink and cake. JPK fun quiz: The JPK charity quiz and curry will take place on Saturday, November 26 in the village hall starting at 7.30pm. Contact Jackie on 01622 859310 for details and booking. Tables or individuals welcome. Lenham Valley and South Maidstone Business Association: See Lenham. column. Remembrance: The Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday, November 13, starts from the station around 10.40am, with the service starting at 10.50am. Plan for road closures from 10.30am. Markets: The farmers’ market will be held in the village hall from 9.30-1pm and the flea/collectors market in the Methodist Church Hall from 9.30am-2.30pm on Saturday, November 12. Arts and crafts: On Saturday, November 19 from 10am-3pm in the village hall, there will be an Arts, Crafts and Gift Fair. Woodturning, stocking fillers, decorations and art on offer. Refreshments available. Correspondent: Liz Willy , 108 Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne, ME17 1UA Mob: 07928668924 elizabethwilly@ btinternet.com All Saints Church: A Service of Remembrance to be attended by members of the Leeds and Hollingbourne branch of the Royal British Legion, who are celebrating their 95th anniversary, will take place on Sunday, November 13 at 10.50am. Wreaths will also be laid at the village war memorials in Leeds and Hollingbourne. Parish council : The monthly meeting is on Monday, November 14 at 7.30pm in the Cardwell Pavilion. Residents welcome. WI: The monthly meeting will feature a talk on Pluckley, reportedly the most haunted village in England. New members welcome. It takes place on Tuesday November 15 in the village hall. Dennis Chambers has been studying the reported hauntings in Pluckley since 1980. A researcher of psychic phenomenon for 60 years informs the question mark in the title - the story is never complete. Copies of his guide book will be available at the meeting and members will be organising a little surprise as well. Visitors welcome after 8pm for and 8.15pm start. £3 on the door, phone 880383/433. Fair: A Christmas Craft Fair with 17 stalls of locally produced gifts for all the family will be held on Saturday, November 19 from 10.30am-3pm in the village hall. All welcome. Parish magazine: A new editor is required for the Parish Magazine, which is published monthly by the All Saints’ Parochial Church Council with some financial support from the parish council. Jean Duffy, the editor, is to stand down shortly as she plans to concentrate on her other interests. Unless a new editor is found quickly it is possible that the December issue may be the last. If you are interested in applying for the post of editor or would like information contact Jim Findlay, churchwarden on 880244 or email at jwmfindlay@hotmail.com Correspondent: Helen Ward Tel: 01622 820810 herald@hunton.org.uk Gardening club: The group will meet at the village club on Friday, November 18, when there will be a talk from a tree warden. The club will be open from 7pm with soup, bread and cheese, tea or coffee and home made cakes on offer for a donation of £5, again raising funds for the club and the church. The talk will begin at around 8pm. All welcome. For information contact Lesley on 01622 820210 or email lesley.a.lee@ btinternet.com