What’s happening where you live...

rebuild confidence and get back to life after stroke. So, if you have suffered a stroke, you are a carer for someone who has, go along to find out what help is available. Patients from other GP practices are welcome at these information evenings. The talk starts at 7.15pm in the Health Centre. Annual parish meeting: On Saturday May 20 the village centre north hall. Doors will open at 5pm, when a number of guest stalls, such as our community banker NatWest’s Augusta Cook-Avery who will be managing the new mobile bank, will be promoting their individual activities and interests. The meeting proper will start at 6pm, chaired by Rory Silkin, chairman of the parish council. He will introduce guest speaker Charlotte Jones – services manager for Involve Older People (formerly Brighter Futures). Presentations will follow from borough councillors Louise Brice and John Perry, and county councillor Eric Hotson and some reports from village groups. As there were three objectors to Andrew Watson’s chairing the scheduled ‘Question and Answer’ session, for which Cllr Silkin was to join our councillors to answer residents’ questions, the session will now be chaired by Rory, who will direct any questions to himself should the need arise. During the meeting electors (residents) may discuss parish affairs, and pass resolutions for consideration by our parish council. Residents are invited to join the councillors for light refreshments and drinks from 7pm. Sobell residents fly: Six Sobell Lodge wheelchair residents, and another from Lainie’s Farm were each given a full half-hour flight (actual flying time) in a light plane from Blackbushe Airport, during which they all took the controls. They flew accompanied by either their carer or volunteer. Resident Roy Salt, a volunteer driver for Sobell Lodge and who has some flying experience, said: “It was a great day and thoroughly enjoyed by all. You had to see the faces to understand that they had achieved something totally unbelievable. I flew with Philip and he actually flew the plane most of the time, it was amazing.” The Lions are in desperate need of volunteers to assist with fundraising locally, from which both residents and local organisations in need have benefited considerably over the years. If you would be interested in helping, contact Paulina Watson on 01580 891986, or Bob Ham on 07789 921602. Events like Santa’s Sleigh before Christmas are very rewarding to take part in, but unfortunately without more support there is a real danger that they just won’t happen. Blossom walk date: The Footpath Group are meeting at 2pm on the village green in Horsemonden on Sunday May 14. For details contact Michael Gillam on 01580 891928 email: micheal.gillam@btinternet. com Funtrain free trial: For details of a free trial for Monday classes in Chapel Lane, go to www.funtrain. co.uk Funtrain classes are for children age one to pre-school. The aim of the classes is to develop confidence, positive behaviour and independence. We have realistic expectations of pre-school children and help develop their listening and language skills while having fun. to get out. Refreshments and raffle. All proceeds to CMS. Correspondent: Tim Mumford Mob: 07736592918 Church open day: See the Langley

column. Plant sale: The church is holding a plant sale on Saturday, May 13 from 8.30am on Bearsted Green. Correspondent: Leila Ware Tel: 01622 842330 History society: The next meeting is on Tuesday, May 16 at 7.30pm in the village hall, when Dr Reuther will be speaking about London City Livery: the 108 companies and the City of London. Visitors are welcome. Guest admission is £4. Communion service: There will be a service of Holy Communion at All Saints’ church on Sunday, May 14 at 11am. Tea and coffee will be served afterwards Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07950 549887 Vinters Valley: Vinters Valley Park Trust will hold it s AGM on Monday, May 22 at 7pm in Grove Green Community Centre, Penshurst Place. Everyone is welcome to attend, no cost involved, and tea and biscuits provided. For full agenda contact Vic Davies or please visit the website at http://vintersvalley. co.uk/ Correspondent: Christine Byron Tel:

01622 812023 Christian Aid Week: Please support as generously as you can the annual house-to-house collections to help the work of Christian Aid, which will take place May 14-20. Sadly their work to help the poorest to help themselves and to survive severe droughts is still much needed in many parts of the world. Innominata Concert: Popular local singing group Innominata will be back by popular request for a concert in church on Saturday May 13 at 7 for 7.3pm. Tickets on the door cost £7.50 for adults, accompanied children free. Second Sunday services: With effect from May 4, the pattern of services in the benefice of East Malling, Wateringbury and Teston changed. On Sunday, May 12, and every second Sunday in the month in Wateringbury Church there will be a service starting at 10am led by members of the worship team. On the second Sundays, Morning Praise alternates with Matins. Do stay for coffee and fellowship after the service. New tricks: Start teaching your dog a new trick to perform on Sunday, June 4 at the village fete’s Not Too Serious Dog Show. The judges will also be looking out for the dog with the waggiest tail. Will your dog win? Festival of Football: Wateringbury Junior Football Club is 20 years old this summer. As part of the celebrations it is holding a football festival at the playing fields on Saturday, May 13. As well as the efforts and skills on the pitch, there will be refreshments and side stalls for your entertainment. The day will be split into two sections; the under 10s and under 11s in the morning tournaments, starting at 9.45am, and the under 9s and under 12s competing in the afternoon, starting at 2.15pm. A massive 72 matches are scheduled throughout the day. We have some amazing young talent in the village, so go along and support the boys and girls. ing its May Fair on Saturday May 13 from noon-3pm at Elmscroft. Various stalls and attractions, including pottery, bread making, pony rides, farm tour, plant stall, crafts, tea room, BBQ. Quiz evening: The Sports Club will be holding its annual quiz night on Saturday, May 13 from 7pm in the church. To book your team go on to The Sports Club website www.westfarleighsportsclub.com Lifeline: Do you have anything you would like included in the next issue of Lifeline? If so, email to editor@thefarleighs.co.uk by Friday May 19 at the very latest. Church news: The ancient Grade 1 listed building of All Saints Church is in need of some TLC and those who worship week by week are finding that the funds collected don’t quite meet the regular expenses. There are some funds available to help with the work which is needed but there is a shortfall of £50,000, which needs to be found through grants and appeals. Work has begun to raise the necessary funds but would ask you to consider how you might help by way of a one off gift or a regular donation. Parish council: The next meeting is on Monday May 15) at 6.30pm in The Good Intent pub. This will then be followed by the annual meeting at 8pm. This meeting is open to everybody so why not go along and found out what has been happening and, also meet your neighbours. Correspondent: Jenny Scott Mob: 07785 974951 Arts/crafts fair: Yalding Art Group hold their annual Art and Crafts Fair on Sunday May 14 from 11am-4pm at the village hall. There will be interesting and unique stalls including Valerie Refreshments who will be serving cream teas, hot dogs and much more. The walls will be mounted with the art group’s recent work for you to enjoy Open gardens: Yalding Gardens, formerly Yalding Organic Gardens will be open to the public on Sunday May 14 from 10.30am-4pm. The Yalding and District Beekeepers will be holding their annual fair and auction there at the same time. The entrance fee is £5 per person. Baptist events: On Sunday, May 14, at 10.30am a Holy Communion service along with Treasure Seekers Sunday School will take place at the Baptist Church. On Thursday, May 18, at 10.30am, there will be a Chat-a-While coffee and craft morning in the Baptist hall. Village Voices: Village Voices will be meeting on Thursday May 18 from 7.30-9pm at the school hall to enjoy singing songs from around the world and to start to rehearse their songs for the summer barbecue in August. Why not get involved by calling Karen on 01622 814267. Parish council: The annual parish meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 7.30pm at the village hall. This is the only meeting in the year when any resident can speak on any subject item without needing to advise of an intention to do so in advance. The chairman’s report will explain the progress of our Neighbourhood Plan and its relevance to housing developments in the parish and the up to date position with regard to flood resilience issues. This meeting will be followed by the annual parish council meeting, with an opportunity for us to meet our parish council, other elected representatives and our local police officers. After the business is complete, there will be chance to have a glass of wine and talk informally to council members. Stories and rhymes: The next stories and rhymes session for pre-school children with a parent or carer takes place at the village library on Monday, May 15 from 2.15pm. Do go along! Allo, Allo: The Russett Players of East Peckham will be staging their version of the old favour- ite Allo, Allo! in East Peckham ViHlage hall on Friday, June 2 at 8pm and on Saturday, June 3 at 3pm and 8pm. Tickets at £10 each (£8 for concessions) are available from East Peckham Village Stores or on the door. 100 club results: The Friends of Yalding Church 100 club draw was made last weekend. Jenny Gundry came first with number 61, Wendy Thurston second with number 47 and Francis James third with number 5. The next draw will be made on June 4. Contact Richard Young for information on 01732 669782. Local Plan response: Residents wishing to object to unsustainable development in the village by responding to the modification to the Local Plan need to do so by May 19. For information and help to respond contact Yalding Residents for Sensible Development on Facebook www.facebook.com/ yaldingresidents or email yaldingresidents@gmail.com Pre-school news: Twyford Preschoolers had a great day out at Eagle Heights last week. They enjoyed meet and greet with the huskies, a bird of prey display and seeing crocodiles and many more animals. The spring fair last Saturday was a huge success, thanks to all the wonderful staff and parents who helped to run it and came along to support it. There were bouncy castles, children’s games, bric-abrac, tombola, and the first Great Yalding Bake Off which was well supported. Thanks to all. May songs/celebrations: On Saturday, May 20 at 7.30pm, the Chancel Singers of Tunbridge Wells and friends will be putting on a concert in the church, in aid of School Gambia. Entitled May Songs and Celebrations, and directed by Christopher Harris, it will include folk songs, madrigals, canticles and anthems. Wine, nibbles and soft drinks will be available in the interval. Tickets at £10 each are available from choir members, on the door, or from: secretary@chancelsingers.org