COMMUNITY NEWS

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Correspondent: Lorraine Jones, 36 The Street, Adisham, CT3 3JL Tel: 01304 840005 lorraine.j.jones@ btinternet.com Church: Services at Holy Innocents this month at 11am. Sunday 17 morning prayer. Sunday 24 Holy Communion. Midweek Benefice Holy Communion is held each Wednesday 10am at St Johns Church Barham. School: Bluebell Class were visited by My Rural, they met some animals and critters and learnt all about their habitats. Collective Worship was on the theme of Internet Safety. The children learnt the meaning of ‘consent’ and that they should always remember “My internet, My choice” in regards to staying safe and feeling comfortable when using the internet. Little Kickers: This activity takes place at the village hall for children from 18 months to 7 years. For details please contact Thomas Biddle 0208 3038711 or tbiddle@littlekickers.co.uk Keep Fit: Tuesday, 7.308.30pm aerobics and conditioning, last Tuesday of the month is circuits £4 per class. Friday, 5.40-6.30pm is legs, bums and tums, £3.50. Both classes run by Kelly just turn up at the village hall. Big Breakfast: Saturday March, 2 10am-12pm, last orders 11.30am. Pop along to the village hall for a delicious breakfast or just a coffee catch up with friends and neighbours while raising money for our village hall. Volunteers also needed for serving, setting up and clearing up, please contact Sue 01304 842009 if you are able to help for an hour or two. Waste: Collection times are now between 6-6pm. Household and food waste will be collected Friday February 22. Recycling and food waste will be collected Friday February 15. Garden waste collections will begin again on March 1. Please make sure your bins are collected from the highway and pavements after they have been emptied. Any problems with waste not being collected please contact the council by phone or via the website. Calendars for collection dates will no longer be delivered to households. Information can be found at canterburycitycouncil. gov.uk. A calendar can be requested from Serco. Library Van: This will be outside the school Friday February 22, 1-1.45pm. Toddlers: Meet in the village hall during term time, Thursdays, 9am. Warm welcome for all, pop along and join the ladies for a coffee and a chat. My Rural: Available in Adisham a wide range of animal activities for families, groups and individuals. Different themes and animals available. All include a site tour and hands-on time holding and feeding the animals. Please contact Jo 07845 123947, joanna@myrural.co.uk Check out the Facebook page or go to www.myrural.co.uk Chip Van: Don’t fancy cooking, the fish and chip van will be in the village on Tuesday evenings for details contact https://www.facebook.com/ howeandco16/ Village Hall Summer Event: Details to follow but save the date, Sunday July 7.

Ash

Correspondent: Jean Ryan, Old Barn Cottage, Hoaden, Ash, Canterbury, CT3 2LG Tel: 01304 812148 jeanryan42@gmail.com WI monthly meeting: Thursday February 14, village hall, 7.30pm, when there will be a demonstration of How Chocolate is Made by Katie Bewshear. Hopefully there will be some free samples. This is Ash WI’S 73rd birthday and we will be celebrating suitably with tea and homemade cake. Don’t forget your flower of the month as the collection for Associated Country Women of the World has recommenced. This raises funds toward helping women in third world countries to help themselves through practical assistance and education. We’ll also be collecting items for the local Foodbank and hearing more information about competing in the Members’ Spring Show. Contact the President 01304 812148 for information. Good Companions: The social group for the over 60s meets Tuesday February 19 in the Library Room at the village hall, 2-4pm. All are welcome to drop in for a game of cards, Scrabble or bingo, followed by a chat and a cuppa. Contact Jackie Hinkes 01304 812532. Church Cafe: Held every Wednesday in the heated porch at St Nicholas Church from 10-11.30am, with coffee, tea and homemade cake. If you are new to the village, this is an ideal introduction to life in Ash village. Ash Society: Members meet Thursday February 21 at the village hall, 7.30pm when Charlie Dunn will give a talk Over the Farm Gate. All welcome. Contact Ray Cooper 01304 813861. Big Hall Quiz: The annual quiz run in aid of your village hall, will take place Saturday March 2, 7 for a prompt 7.30pm start. By popular request, Mark Towlson returns as the dastardly Quizmaster with his equally dastardly questions designed to catch you all out. Don’t delay and get your table booked with David Greaves on 01304 813010 or by email david2greaves@gmail.com Maximum of 8 people per table at £6 per head. Please bring your own supper and drinks, and plenty of money to spend on the super raffle. Spring Heritage Talk: All are welcome to the Heritage Group’s illustrated talk, Thursday March 7, village hall, 7.30pm. Peter Ewart & Cressida Williams will jointly present Bygone Ash from our Parish Archives. Admission £3 on the door. Youth Club: Pie Factory Music is running free sessions, lead by a designated leader, for young people of 8+ years in Ash every Friday, village hall, 4-6pm Activities include photography, music, arts & crafts, cooking, drama, T-shirt design, computer coding and table tennis, come along and see what’s happening. This is a Parish Council initiative. Zumba Gold: Classes resume Tuesday February 19, village hall, 9.15am, tailored for the older or over-weight person, Zumba Gold is movement of the body at slightly slower speed than straight Zumba. Need a workout that makes you puff? Turn up in loose clothing and non-slip shoes.

Aylesham

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Badlesmere

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Barham

Correspondent: Diana Forrest, Derringstone Hill House, Barham, Canterbury, CT4 6QD Tel: 01227 831304 diforrest@vfast.co.uk Pensioners Lunch: Saturday February 16, so hopefully all those who would like to take part have let Linda Davis know by now 01227 832536. It’s sure to be an enjoyable event. Jumble Sale: The Barham and Kingston League of Friends jumble sale, Saturday February 23, 10am-12pm, Barham village hall. If you have goods to donate please leave them at the village hall on the day from 8.30am. No electrical items accepted. Pancake Day: Watch out for further information on the pancake races being organised on March 5 at the village shop, starting 3.30pm. Bring your own frying pan. Last year it was a very successful event. Come along and watch. Extraordinary Meeting: ‘A reminder to all shop shareholders that there is an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Nailbourne Community Store Association Limited, taking place Thursday February 21, Grabham Room, village hall, 7.30pm. It’s not too late to purchase shares. Enquire at the counter in the shop. Benefice Services: February 17. Barham: 9.30am United Morning Prayer with Methodists; Womenswold: 9.30am Holy Communion; Adisham: 11am Morning Prayer; Bishopsbourne: 11am Holy Communion with Baptism.

Bekesbourne

Correspondent: Jill Thomas, The Gatehouse, Old Palace Road, Bekesbourne, CT4 5ES Tel: 01227 832573 s.thomas.jt@gmail.com Church: The service on Sunday February 17, is Sung Eucharist at 9.30am. Sunday March 3, the Songs of Praise service starting 10am will be about preparing for lent and will be followed by pancake eating and racing. Bring a frying pan if you plan to race. Wine and Wisdom: The annual quiz evening will be held, 7.30pm, Saturday March 9. Book at table of 6-8 with Graham Duplock 01227 830271 or Vicky Woolnough 01227 379126. Take your own drinks and nibbles. £5 a head.

367426 gaby1davis@gmail.com

If you have an item concerning Beltinge, please contact the correspondent above.

Bishopsbourne

Correspondent: Malcolm Mitchell, The Old Cottage, Bishopsbourne, CT4 5HT Church Services: There will be a baptism during the service at St Mary’s Church Sunday February 17, 11am. Otherwise there will be services at the following churches in the Barham Downs group: 9.30am Communion, St Margaret’s, Womenswold; 9.30am morning prayer (with Methodists), St John’s, Barham; 11am morning prayer, Holy Innocents, Adisham. Floral Tributes: Beautiful double snowdrops planted in memory of a horse will be on show at Charlton Park, Sunday February 24, 10am2pm. Walkers of all ages (and well-behaved dogs on leads) will be able to enjoy the mass of 200-year-old double snowdrops planted in the wood next to Charlton Place manor house. Coffee will be available and a minimum donation of £2.50 is being sought which will go towards the upkeep of Bishopsbourne’s historic St Mary’s Church.

Blean

Correspondent: Tamsin Parry Mob: 07791 400367 tamsinblean@gmail.com League of Friends : The League of Friends of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital are holding a coffee morning, Monday February 25, 10-11.45am, 2 Garden Close, Rough Common. There will be drinks and cakes, a raffle and a sale table. £2 on the door and all profit to the hospital. Community Lunch: Friends of Blean Church are holding a fish and chip lunch at the village hall, Wednesday February 20, 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome and the cost is £10 per person. Contact Liz 781771 or Barbara 760162 or email lizappleyard@compuserve,com to book your place.

Bossingham / Upper Hardres

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Boughton

Vacancy: If you would like to be correspondent for Boughton, please contact us by email: kmgvillages@thekmgroup. co.uk

Bramling

Correspondent: Kim Tatman, Appletree Cottage, Bramling, Canterbury, CT3 1NB Tel: 01227 722912 kim.tatman@btinternet.com 2018 Charity Fund : Friday February 8 the crowd at the Haywain were pleased to welcome Terry Smith, a trustee of the Pilgrims Hospices, his wife Maureen, a volunteer, and Lydia Todd, a member of the Hospices fund raising team. They were at the Haywain to receive a cheque for £11,600 representing the monies raised for the hospices throughout 2017 by the Bramling Charity Fund. With £300 going to the Kent Air Ambulance, the overall total of £11,900 was way over and above the previous year’s £9,451. Over the years the Bramling Charity Fund has raised a total of £83,204, of which over £78,896 has gone to the Pilgrims. Kim Tatman, chairman of the charity fund, outlined the various events through which the money had been raised. Then Terry gave a short talk, thanking us for the money raised, and going on to describe how the Hospices finances are managed. Thanks to everyone who has run or supported the various events and please keep coming forward with donations of produce, fruit, sugar, empty jars (with lids), and new ideas for events. Trivial Pursuit Quiz: Following the Pilgrims cheque presentation, Kim and Jo Tatman staged a Trivial Pursuit Quiz (with various twists) with 6 teams taking part. The winners on this occasion were the R0und Table in the corner team, gaining prizes of cheeses. The raffle, run by Sue and Dave Howling, raised £129, entrance money and donations totalled £100, and a hamper which had been given to the Pilgrims Hospices was auctioned for £70. A total of £299 (with money still coming in) was raised and this will kick start Bramling’s 2019 fund raining for the Pilgrims Hospices. Elvis Concert : On Saturday February 9, Haywain landlord Kevin Costello gave a solo concert in his Elvis persona, which was very well received by a packed pub. An impromptu collection was held and £80 was collected for the Pilgrims Hospices

Bridge/patrixbourne

Vacancy: If you would like to be correspondent for Bridge/ Patrixbourne, please contact us by email: kmgvillages@thekmgroup. co.uk Bridge History Society: The February meeting will be held, Bridge village hall, Thursday February 21, 7.30pm. Jenny Watson-bore will talk about Princess Pocahontas, the daughter of a Native American Chief who was welcomed to England by King James I but died at Gravesend in 1617. Members £4, non-members £5 to include refreshments. Women’s Institute: Bridge with Patrixbourne Women’s Institute has as the guest speaker, Tuesday 19, 7.30pm, Bridge village hall. Frances Lake from Avante Care (the care company which runs The Haven in Bridge). Frances will be heading an information session entitled “Become a Dementia Friend”. If this is of interest to you or you would like to find out more about the WI, then please come along. The competition this month is for an interesting item beginning with the letter “N”.

Broad Oak

Correspondent: Barb Dice, 6 Pleydell Crescent, Sturry, Canterbury, CT2 0LQ Mob: 07421 029548 Tel: 01227 710218 Bingo: Sturry group League of Friends are hosting a bingo evening at Broadoak village hall, February 22, 7pm sharp. Diary Date: Soup and pudding lunch, March 14, 12.30pm, Broadoak village hall. A choice of 6 soups and 6 puddings, £6 per person. Contact 07757 291146 www. sturry-fordwichtwinning. co.uk

Chartham

Correspondent: Nan Akehurst, Swan Haven, Rattington Street, Chartham, CT4 7JQ Coffee & Cake Concert: Saturday February 16, St. Mary’s Church, 10.15am. There will be piano duets from Dave Oakden and Lise Cribbin. Chartham W.I: Next meeting, Thursday February 21, 7pm for 7.30pm, village hall. If you have an item concerning Chartham Hatch, please contact the correspondent above.

Chestfield/ Swalecliffe

Correspondent: Deborah Johnson kentishmaid58@btopenworld.com St John’s Church : New Beginnings is a short weekly course on Faith. Questions, thoughts or doubts about the Christian faith? Find answers this Lent. A weekly course, led by Fr David Vannerley and Naomi Smith, from Wednesday March 6 to Wednesday April 17, St John’s Centre. For more information and to book a place email swalecliffestjohns@ gmail.com St John’s ADCM will be held on Wednesday April 2, 7pm, St John’s Centre. Before that we shall be completely renewing the Electoral Roll. All need to re-register this year and you will be receiving a registration form shortly.

Chilham

Correspondent: Elisabeth Arter, April Cottage Pilgrims Lane, Chilham, Canterbury, CT4 8AB Tel: 01227 730752 garden@arter2.plus.com PARISH COUNCIL: Parish Question Time 2019: A paper proposing an approach to this years community engagement had been publicised with the agenda. Council agreed that Council changes the focus of PQT2019 to obtain parishioners views on 1) Parish council performance over the last 4 year term 2) Parish council objectives for the next 4 years. Cllrs were asked to submit suggested consultation topics to the clerk by Friday February 15 so that a draft questionnaire could be considered at the March meeting. Conservation Area Management Plan: A paper proposing the next steps to finalise the CAMP had been publicised with the agenda. Council agreed the following plan 1) Meeting with Clague and ABC to agree what needs to be done to maximise the relevance of the work done so far to the planning process 2) Formal parish consultation meeting involving representatives from Clague