What’s happening where you live...

At the YMCA: There are drop in badminton sessions available every Wednesday from 7.30-10pm. The cost is £3. There are a whole host of keep fit sessions throughout the week including body combat, pilates, yoga and more. Visit www. maidstoneymca.org.uk/activities/ health-fitness/exercise-classes for times, days and prices. Correspondent: Leila Ware Tel: 01622 842330 leilaware@ outlook.com New Year quiz: The next quiz night will be on Saturday, January 28 at 7.30pm in the village hall with Jack, the regular quiz master. This is always a popular event. If you would like to book a table contact Frances on 843862 or Mimi on 843592. Teams are usually about six to eight participants, but if there are only two of you, don’t worry they can match you up with other quizzers. Tickets cost £10 per person to include a hot supper but take your own drink and glasses. Sunday service: There will be a service of Morning Worship at All Saints Church at 11am on Sunday, January 15 at 11am. Join together afterwards with the rest of the congregation for tea and coffee. Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07950 549887 jackie.kmlocal@ hotmail. com Community coffee morning: The residents association will hold another coffee morning on Friday, January 20 from 10am-noon. Go along for a coffee, cake and a chance to chat with fellow residents. Any cake donations will be extremely appreciated and can be taken to the hall on the day. A small raffle will be held. The association is asking for ideas from residents as to what other community events it can hold at the community centre throughout the coming year. Correspondent: Christine Byron Tel: 01622 812023 Tickets selling fast: One of the highlights of village life, the Players’ pantomime, takes place in the village hall on Friday and Saturday January 27-28. It is Sleeping Beauty with prince and princess, king and queen, fairies, cats and a few surprise characters. Don’t miss out, get your tickets from the post office or Handy Stores. All tickets are priced at £10 with a child concession of £5 on Saturday matinee only. Church tower appeal: The bell tower of the village’s 700 year old church needs to have its wooden shingles replaced. More than half of the £60,000 needed has been raised from grants and donations. If you would like to help by sponsoring a shingle there is an easy way to do so via text giving. To donate £3 text WATS45 £3 to 70070 or to donate £5 text WATS45 £5 to 70070. A commemorative book giving the names of all who contribute will be prepared and kept in the church. Kent disasters: On Wednesday, January 18, the history society talk on Kent Disasters will be given by Roy Ingleton. The society meets in the village hall at 7.40pm for tea or coffee with the talk starting at 8pm. Visitors welcome at a cost of £3.50. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Coffee: The parish council is hosting a coffee morning at the Good Intent on Saturday, January 14 from 10am-noon. Go along and meet your neighbours and your councillors. Lots of coffee and cakes. It is an opportunity to have a chat and informally raise any issues you have relating to the village. Parish council: The next meeting is on Monday, January 17 at 7.30pm at the Good Intent. Villagers are welcome. Birthday celebration: There will be a cocktail party on Thursday, January 19 at the Tickled Trout to celebrate its first year. Free canapes and drink to all attendees. It will also offer the chance to meet the new manager Ben Hughes. Let Ben know if you are attending at manager@thetickledtrout.com or phone 814717. Jumble sale: The annual Twyford Pre-school jumble sale is on Saturday, January 21 from 9.30am-noon at the village hall. An admission charge of 30p will apply to adults attending, and there will be refreshments on sale. All proceeds go to the pre-school. Any items you are able to donate should be taken to the village hall; ideally on Friday January 20 from 8.30am-3pm when the pre-school is in session. Sadly storage is an issue if items are left at other times. Parish council: The next meeting of Yalding and Laddingford Parish Council is on Tuesday January 19 at 7.30pm at the village hall. All residents are welcome to attend but anyone wishing to address the council on any matter should inform the clerk at least 24 hours ahead of the meeting on 01622 814134 or by email to clerk@yaldingparishcouncil.gov.uk Baptist church: Holy Communion will be taken at the Baptist service on Sunday, January 15 at 10.30am. Sunday School will also be open. On Thursday, January 19 at 10.30am, the Chat-a-While and craft morning at the Baptist hall offers a welcome to all comers. Refreshments, good company and a chance to spend an hour or so pursuing craft projects or not. Village Pensioners’ Club: The next meeting is on Tuesday, January 17 from 2-4pm at the Social Club. Bingo, refreshments and chat make this a pleasant couple of hours for retired villagers. Reading in church: Father Paul Kish is keen to encourage anyone who would like to join the list of readers at church services. Children, young people and in fact anyone who would like to read at a service and needs a little support and training is invited to St Margaret’s in Collier Street on Saturday, January 21 starting at 9.30am with breakfast, and ending by noon. Current readers may like to go along and offer support and experience. Inform one of the church wardens if you plan to go along. (Rachel on 01622 814159 or Andrew on 814251.) Epiphany evensong: On Sunday January 15 at 6.30pm an Epiphany evensong will take place at St Margaret’s church at Collier Street. All are welcome. 100 club winners: The Friends of Yalding Church 100 Club draw took place last weekend. The winners were; first Tricia Oyler with number 37, second Sue Williams 94 and third Jean Young 98. The next draw is on February 5. Youngsters’ football: Football resumed again last weekend for the young teams at Yalding and Laddingford FC. The under 8s came up against a very strong K Sports side and lost 3-0. while the under 12s suffered a heavy defeat at Wittersham. The under 16s coach resigned last week due to family commitments, meaning a quick reorganisation within the club so that the game at Roseacre could go ahead. The team, with new signing Jacob and the returning Tommy, played probably the best football of the season to see the team into a 3-1 lead, but stamina told and two goals in the last 10 minutes meant the score ended 3-3 with Yalding goals from Alex Faulkner, Dan Newton and Wesley. On Saturday January 14, the U7s are at home to Leybourne, the U8s travel to West Kingsdown and the U12s are at home to West Farleigh. On Sunday afternoon the U16s host MPE in the cup.