Sweet singing in the choir
The sound of carols filled the air when Maidstone Borough Council’s choir performed at The Mall. The musical group was one of 17 that sang in the shopping centre in King Street in the run-up to Christmas and all collected donations for their chosen charity. The council’s choir, which included Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Derek Butler, raised more than £135 for Maidstone Sea Cadets. Suzie Brindle, marketing manager at The Mall, said: “This is the second year they’ve performed here. People seemed to be enjoying their music.” The running total raised by all 17 choirs for their chosen causes is just more than £3,000 with more money still to come. Methodist Church: Christmas Day Service at 9.30am. St Peter’s R.C. Church: Christmas Eve, 6pm Vigil Mass; 10.30pm Mass of the Night. Christmas Day, 10.30am Mass. St Mary’s Church, Thurnham: Christmas Day Service at 11.30am. concessions £6 and group discounts available. Book on line at www. unitedplayers.co.uk or phone 07857 898178. Be aware burglars : Reports have been received at the parish council offices that burglars are targeting homes particularly on bin collection days. They wait for the refuse trucks to operate in the road so that there is sufficient noise to hide the smashing of property windows in order for them to gain entrance. Be vigilant over the Christmas and New Year period and inform neighbours who may not be aware of this danger. Peter’s Church, to support building maintenance. Calendars are available at the post office, Hair by the Green, The Curious Eatery at the Albion and St Peter’s Church. Alternatively, email Robin Fuller at rafuller@blueyonder.co.uk Seasonal services: On Christmas Eve, there is a 4pm Crib Service and 11.30pm Midnight Communion. On Christmas Day, there is 8am Holy Communion and 10am Family Communion. New Year’s Day is 10.15am Joint Family Service with Junction. Correspondent: Alison Dickerson, 75 Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BB Tel: 01622 762334 malcolm.dickerson@ btinternet. com Boxley Church: Christmas Day Eucharist Service at 9am, join us on Christmas Day for a traditional Christmas Eucharist Service. Vacancy: If you would like to be correspondent for Broomfield/Kingswood, email Debbie Edwards: dedwards@ thekmgroup.co.uk Kingswood Primary School: There will be an open morning for prospective parents on Friday, January 6 from 9.30-11.30am. There is no need to make an appointment, just turn up on the day. Kingswood church: The Christmas Day Family Service is at 10.30am and children are welcome to take and show a present they have received. Correspondent: Valerie Underdown Tel: 01622 843232 valerie95@ outlook.com Seasonal service: On Christmas Day, Holy Communion (said) starts at 8.45am. Refuse collections: Everyone should have received a label attached to their wheelie bin informing them of the collection schedule over the festive period. Instead of a collection on Monday December 26, the collection will take place on Wednesday 28, and the Monday January 2 collections will take place on Tuesday January 3. Bins need to be out by 6am. Christmas services: On Christmas Eve, at 3pm and again at 4.30pm there will be Christingle services in Yalding church. Midnight Communion at 11.15pm also takes place in Yalding. The Christmas Communion at St Margaret’s church will take place at 10.30am on Christmas morning. School news: The school Christmas fair, organised by the Friends of Collier Street School, (FOCSS) raised an impressive £2,381.