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gation at St Mary’s church, the Square, for the Ashing service on Wednesday, February 14 at 7pm. Pancakes: Pupils at the Platts Heath primary school, Headcorn Road, will hold an ‘unofficial’ pancake day in school on the last day of term, Friday, February 9. Term four begins on Monday, February 19. Happy pancake day! First meeting: Welcome back after the Christmas break to the first gathering of the Young at Heart 60+ club members. The popular and well-established club meets on the third Thursday of each month, the next meeting will be held at the community centre in the main hall on Thursday, February 15 from 2pm-4pm. If you require help with transport or would like information contact Jenny 01622 859208 or Nina 01622 851970. Carvery time: Lenara members will enjoy a lunch get together at The Kennington in Ashford on Wednesday, February 21. The group welcomes new members, contact the chairman for details on 01622 851217. Book ahead: The ‘Ministry of Biscuits’ a clever, original, hilarious tuneful satirical musical entertainment for all ages, will be presented at the community centre, Groom Way on Saturday, April 28. Tickets at £10 each from Len Valley Newsagents High Street or phone the office on 01622 853800 (mornings only) Country market: Fresh local produce, crafts, plants, and assorted stalls selling good quality goods on Sunday, February 11 from 9am-1pm at the Square. Enjoy the medieval square, tour the church of St Mary’s or enjoy a coffee or meal at the various eateries. Pop along to the community centre, Groom Way to the Antique and Collectors Fair from 9.30am-2.30pm entrance to fair £1 per person. Plenty to do and see at the market and fair. Plain, purl: Plus many other stitches, if you enjoy knitting or would like to learn a new skill, join the Country Ways knitting group, the group meet in the Appleton room at the community centre, Groom Way on the first and third Monday of each month 1.30pm4.30pm. Details from Margaret on 01622 858581. Free clinic: Help is available free of charge at the regular clinics held by the local charity Hi-Kent which supports people with hearing loss. NHS hearing aid users can have replacement batteries provided, clean and re-tube and advice on ensuring the aid works correctly. The clinic is held at the community centre, Groom Way monthly. The next clinic is Thursday, February 15 from 1.30pm-3pm. No appointment needed. Details on 01622 691151 or enquiries@hikent.org.uk Drop in: The KCC Community Warden holds a drop in surgery at the library in the Square on most Tuesdays from 10am-11am. Martin Sherwood can be contacted on 07977 981993 or martin.sherwood@ kent.gov If you would like to discuss any matters ring and leave a message or if you wish to speak in confidence a one to one meeting can be arranged. Martin is also available on Fridays 10am-11am at the Booth hall in Harrietsham. PARISH COUNCIL: Members of the parish council met with representatives of the KCC library service at the Lenham library to discuss the use of the first floor facilities. KCC confirmed the library service is to remain in the Square and the library will have improved access, redesigned shelving and an upgrade. Do support the library which is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Details on 01622 859140 Following meetings with drainage experts, it is expected a new soak way will be required at the Maidstone Road car park. Subject to funding it is hoped to improve the inadequate drainage which has caused regular flooding issues. This may necessitate the car park being closed while works are undertaken. Councillors will discuss further once final costings and work schedules were confirmed. Details on 01622 859682. Three parishioners had expressed an interest in joining the council as members for the south ward, which covers Sandway, Platts Heath and Lenham Heath. If all three agree to co-option to the council this would mean the council is at full capacity with 13 members, nine from the north ward and four from the south ward. The new members would officially join the council at the March meeting. Details on 01622 859682 Correspondent: Tim Mumford Mob: 07736592918 Hi Kent: Diary date: Embroiderers’ Guild: Archaeology: Heart of Kent Hospice : The Heart of Kent Hospice will be hosting Popup stalls in The Mall on Friday and Saturday, February 23-24. On sale will be new knitted goods, including blankets, dolls clothes, baby knits, dressed dolls, etc plus soft toys and bric-a-brac. Fundraising barn dance: The Maidstone branch of the RNLI, will be hosting a charity barn dance on Friday March 2 at 730pm at Fant Community Centre, Fant Lane, Maidstone. Dancing to the music of John Sweeney. Ticket £10 includes a ploughman’s type supper. Take your own drinks and nibbles. To book tickets contact John Ashbolt 01622 725435 or Alan Cocks 761004 Correspondent: Mo Clayton Tel: 01622 831529 Thursday Club: On February 15, there will be a quiz in the Village Club from 2pm-4pm. Horticultural society: The AGM of the society is on Tuesday, February 13 at 7.30pm in the Vestry Hall. After a short meeting Colin Moat (of Pineview Plants at Wrotham Heath) will give a talk entitled 50 Greys of Shade. The annual photographic competition will be held, the subject being My Favourite Rose. A trophy will be awarded to the winner. Walking Group: On Saturday February 10, Group A will meet at the Medical Centre for a Photographic Tour in Marden. Group B will walk to the orchards in Plain Road and return, meeting at the library. Both walks will meet at 2pm. Correspondent: Tim Mumford Mob: 07736592918 Soup and Snowdrops: St Mary’s Langley is hosting its Open Church, Soup and Snowdrops event on Saturday February 10 from 10am3pm. See the snowdrops in flower and sample the home made soups, cakes and breads. Quiz: Downswood Community Association is holding another quiz night on Saturday February 24 at Downswood Community Centre from 7.30pm. Teams of eight, must be booked on 01622 862730; £5 per person (includes raffle tickets). Correspondent: Linda Weeks Tel: 01622 762422 Park Wood Newsletter: The Fusion Centre has received funding from the Golding Homes Community Chest to produce four editions of a newsletter which will be delivered to 4,000 homes in Park Wood and surrounding areas. It will cover everything that happens locally and all local groups, schools, churches etc are welcome to be part of it. The centre is looking for local people to get involved and need help to decide the name of the newsletter and its content, and also need people who would like to collect and write stories, features, puzzles etc for the newsletter. They would also welcome offers of help from volunteers who could deliver copies to their street. The centre is hoping that adverts will pay for the newsletter in the longer term. If you can help in any way, or would like to advertise within the newsletter, contact Aimee Bartlett on 01622 691177, or visit The Fusion Centre, 2 Cobb Way. Correspondent: Tim Mumford Mob: 07736592918 Ladies breakfast: The next Ladies breakfast (St Martins/St Hilarys) will be on Saturday February 10 at St Hilarys House, off Senacre Square from 9am. Breakfast, speaker, all welcome Correspondent: Janet Burnett, The parish Office, Sutton Valence Village Hall, North Street, Sutton Valence, ME17 3HS Mob: 07759159552 Tel: 01622 844135 PARISH COUNCIL: The council met on January 11. The parish council had been approached about placing a maston on council land. The clerk would arrange a site meeting. Planning: 17/504602 Charthurst, Chart Road, erection of a single storey rear, side extension and porch – approved. 17/505249/FULL Pavilion View, Warmlake Road, single storey rear conservatory - approved. 17/505402 Boundary House Warmlake Road erection of a single storey rear conservatory - approved. Chart Sutton Parish Council have agreed to pay for a new ‘Unsuitable for HGV’ sign to prevent HGV’s from entering Chart Road from North Street. WI: Members will be meeting on

Tuesday, February 13 in the village Correspondent: Dawn Page Tel:

01622 812691 Have a rummage: It’s nearly time for the next jumble sale. It will be on Saturday, March 3 in the village hall . Look out items to sell: Clothing, household, bric-a-brac etc. An excellent opportunity to clear out unwanted stuff. In aid of Teston Children’s Church. Testonites: Tickets for the annual Testonites Revue will be available from Monday February 12 by phoning 01622 812691. This 25th anniversary show, entitled Silver Stars, will run from Thursday to Saturday March 15-17 in the village hall. Tickets cost £10 adult, £5 student, and include a theatre supper. Correspondent: Leila Ware Tel: 01622 842330 The Good Gnus: The Friends of All Saints Church will be welcoming The Good Gnus on Friday March 16 at 7 for 7.30pm. They are three musical humorists, Dr David Flood, organist and Master of the Canterbury Cathedral Choir Boys, also Chris Price and Jon Williams, both university lecturers in Canterbury, who offer an evening of fun, quick fire wit and gentle satire, wrapped in songs by Richard Stilgoe, Peter Skellern, Noel Coward as well as their own, all presented in the ‘manner of Flanders & Swann’. Book your ticket on 01622 842988 or 891889. Price £12 including wine and nibbles Communion Service: There will be a service of Holy Communion at All Saints’ Church on Sunday, February 11 at 11am. Tea and coffee will be served afterwards. WI: Evergreens: Lifeline: Britain in Bloom: It has been suggested that West Farleigh enter into the Britain in Bloom competition and people are being sought for people to help design a plan. They are keen to hear from anyone, not just keen gardeners. Register your interest on The Farleighs Facebook page or email to editor@thefarleighs.co.uk Little Angels: Do you look after a baby or an under five? If so, why not take them along to All Saints Church on a Friday between 1pm and 2.30pm and meet other children and enjoy playing. Parents, grand parents,carers, etc are welcome. If you would like information phone Becky on 07949 646865. Tree warden wanted: There are a lot of interesting and well-looked after trees in West Farleigh which have received commendations from Kent Men of the Trees. Due to the untimely death of Chris Stockwell, a tree warden is now required. Do you have an interest in the trees in the village and would be willing to take on this job? No experience is necessary, training will be given. If you would like details contact Mick Merrit on 01622 813990 or email to merritOnw@btinternet.com Date for diary: Barn Dance, in aid of the RNLI on Friday March 2 in Fant Community Hall. More details nearer the time. Correspondent: Jenny Scott Mob: 07785 974951 Little Fishes: The group for preschool aged children and toddlers will be meeting on Monday February 12 from 1.45-3pm in the church. The children enjoy an activity, some music, a Bible story, and a healthy snack, while parents and carers enjoy tea and chat. Contact Rachel on 01622 817337. At the George: On Saturday February 10, singer Nick Lorrence will be back at the George for an evening of live music. Then on Wednesday February 14, romantic couples will enjoy a set Valentine’s menu for two in the restaurant. Pop in to book your table or call 01622 814376. Baptist events: On Sunday February 11, at 10.30am a service with Holy Communion and junior church will take place at the Baptist Church. Note the usual twice monthly Chat-a-While coffee and craft morning will not take place on Thursday, February 15. Back in time: The WI meeting on Tuesday, February 13 at 7pm at the village hall will feature Julia Davis exploring the intriguing title, Rattling the Family Bones. The competition is for an old family photograph. Visitors and new members welcome. Call Vivien Peters on 01622 871152 for details. Village Pensioners’ Club: On Tuesday February 13 from 2-4pm, the club will be open to all retired residents for bingo, chat and refreshments at the village social club. For information, call Peter at the club on 01622 814123. Buy quiz tickets: Yalding School PTA is holding a quiz night on Saturday, March 3 from 7pm at the village hall. There will be a licensed bar, but visitors should take their own snacks. Tickets at £6 per person are available from the village post office, a PTA member, or by calling Karen Lambert on 07766 704647. All proceeds will go to the school. Teams should consist of four to eight persons. Village Supper Club: A new venture is to be started on Monday, February 19 at 5pm, when a monthly supper club takes place at the village hall at 5pm. Residents over 50 are invited to join in for a two-course supper, and some company. Food, drink and lifts will be provided free of charge. To book your place, call Sue Gerrish on 01622 814163 or Rachel Curley on 814159. 100 club winners: The Friends of Yalding Church 100 club draw took place last weekend. First prize went to Yalding Church bell ringers with number 80, second to Ann Lee-Davey with number 4 and third Glenda Revell with number 73. The next draw is on March 7. Please call Richard Young on 01732 669782 for information..