COMMUNITY NEWS

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members are welcome and membership costs just £5 per year. Coffee Morning: Monthly Raise the Roof coffee morning, village hall, Saturday February 23, 10am-2pm. Children’s activities and light lunches will also be available. League of Friends : 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. Romance Fraudsters: Action Fraud have the following advice to prevent people using dating sites from falling prey to romance fraudsters who may simply want to steal your money or your identification: Avoid sharing too many personal details, never respond to any requests to send money, or have money transferred into your account; pick a reputable dating website or app, and use the built-in messaging service. If something feels wrong, then it is usually right to question it. Speedwatch in Blean: In response to increasing concerns about the speed of cars and volume of traffic through Blean, Speedwatch has returned to the village after a 2 year hiatus. Speedwatch is run by volunteers and the initiative aims to slow traffic down by raising awareness of speed. The speed of individual cars is measured and displayed electronically for the drivers to see as they pass a checkpoint and details of cars that drive in excess of the speed limit are passed on to the police. Speedwatch will be in action regularly in various locations in and around Blean. For details of how to volunteer with Speedwatch in Blean, contact Mike Gladman 07572 049446. Blean Woods Update: If you visit the wood, you may find areas of ride shoulder and heath with smashed young tree stems littering the ground. This is what a mulcher can do to vegetation; essentially a crude machine that obliterates woody growth through brute force. It is a quick and relatively cheap way of achieving the conservation objectives of keeping parts of the wood as open habitat. The broken shards of wood rot down relatively rapidly, and there will be plenty of open space for herbaceous plants to get established, making the rides better for butterflies and keeping the heathland more open for our nesting nightjars and tree pipits. During the January bird count, the 2 kilometre set route revealed remarkably few birds, and only eleven species were recorded during the set hour, the most notable absentees being classic woodland birds such as three sorts of woodpecker, nuthatch and tree creeper. Even “common” birds were hard to find, no robins and just single wren and wood pigeon. For further information on conservation in Blean woods, contact Michael Walter michaelwalter434@gmail.com or 01227 462491.

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

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 in 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. Church Services: Sunday February 24, St Mary’s, Patrixbourne: Matins at 9.30 am. St Peter’s, Bridge BCP Holy Communion 8am Community Worship 11am. Tuesday 26 9.30am Holy Communion with coffee afterwards. Thursday 28 9am Little Lambs Toddler Group in Bridge Pavilion. Lent at St Peter’s: A series of 4 engaging talks to encourage our journey of faith, 7.30pm, Thursday, March 7 and the following three Thursdays, when the Vicar will share thoughts with Miriam Westendorp, formerly of the preaching team at Gold Hill Baptist Church. Lower Hardres Cafe: From March 6, every Wednesday afternoon at the John Baker Whitie Hall, 2-3.30pm. Pancakes: Shrove Tuesday March 5, Bridge Pavilion from 3.15pm after School for pancakes and fun. Please let Estella know if you can help. Fair Trade Fortnight: Please support African farmers by buying chocolate, cocoa, biscuits from stall in Church on February 24, thank you.

Broad Oak

Correspondent: Barb Dice, 6 Pleydell Crescent, Sturry, Canterbury, CT2 0LQ Mob: 07421 029548 Tel: 01227 710218 Food: Greenfields Cafe, Sturry Hill open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9am-2pm, open Sunday 8.30am-12.30pm. Closed Monday and Wednesday. Hot food and free wifi. Phone 01227 713222. Meeting: The next meeting of Sturry Parish Council will be, March 6, Hersden community centre, 7pm. Contact 01227 710443 www.sturry-pc.gov.uk and planning a development meeting will be held March 18, Sturry social centre.

Chartham

Correspondent: Nan Akehurst, Swan Haven, Rattington Street, Chartham, CT4 7JQ St. Mary’s Church: There will be an additional service of Evening Praise, 4.30pm for 5pm, February 24. The Ladies Group: Next meeting, Monday February 25, 1.30pm for 2pm in Chartham village hall. Details from Maggie 01227 738738. Litter Pick Up: Meet at the Post Office, St. Augustines, 11am, February 24. Friends Saturday Cafe: Saturday March 2, 10am-12pm, takes the form of an art exhibition, to be held in St. Mary’s Church, the exhibition will be from 10am-5pm. Royal British Legion: Meeting, March 7, village hall, 7.30-9.30pm.

Chartham Hatch

Correspondent: Mike Bantin Mob: 07803 175384 Tel: 01227 733585 mikebantin@outlook.com If you have an item concerning Chartham Hatch, please contact the correspondent above.

Chestfield/ Swalecliffe

Correspondent: Deborah Johnson kentishmaid58@btopenworld.com Annual Parish Meeting: Chestfield Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday March 25, 7.30pm at the W I Hall, Chestfield Road, Chestfield. The format of the evening will be to receive the Chairman’s report followed by five-minute ‘slots’ from each local organisation representative to give updates from their preceding year. All welcome St Johns Church: Team Prayer this month, Mondays, 5pm. It would be good is some of us came along. 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. Swalecliffe Primary School: Parent Governor Election Results, thank you to all of you who took the time to vote, Christopher Cornell and Aurella Smith-anthony were duly elected. (The Governing Body co-opted one of our parent governors at their recent meeting, so we ended up with two spaces). Coastal Alliance Spelling Bee Competition the school have been winners of this competition for the last two years and this year they came second. Well done to the whole team, you make Swalecliffe very proud. Year 3 visited Uncle Ben’s Greengrocers, Swalecliffe, this week and would like to thank them immensely for their kind hospitality, their choice and range of vegetables that they cut up and encouraged the children to try, and for making the trip so special for the children. We would also like to commend the children on their excellent behaviour. They were all well prepared to make their soup. The School Council are keen to make Swalecliffe as environmentally friendly as possible and have set up a crisp packet recycling scheme. This will be operating in the infant and junior halls during lunchtimes. Please encourage your children to post their crisp packets into the boxes provided. Term 4 starts on Monday February 25.

Chilham

Correspondent: Elisabeth Arter, April Cottage Pilgrims Lane, Chilham, Canterbury, CT4 8AB Tel: 01227 730752 garden@arter2.plus.com 100 Club: 100 club Winners on Friday February 15 were first prize of £50 Joan Marriott, £15 Sue Wonfor and £10 Peter Wead Bowls: On Friday Chilham played an away fixture against Eastling. Richard Ende, Jim Stanford and Chris Bradley lost by 17 points to 13. Joan and Martin Ingram and Michelle Elvidge beat the home team by 17 points to 12. Next match is against Aylesham. Chilham Football Club: After three weeks without a game owing to the weather, Chiham were looking forward to a game of football on Saturday February 16, but the game was cancelled at the last minute by the University although Chilham were awarded the points. Chilham are due to be at home again on February 23 in a league match against Faversham United, kick off 2pm. PARISH COUNCIL: Borough Councillor Stephen Dehnel gave his report to the Februay meetingcovering the following matters: Progress made by KCC to address A252 road safety concerns; Resurfacing of Bagham Junction; Hawkins Rough successful enforcement action and further action being taken; Globe Theatre at Chilham Castle, May 17-19; Chilham Chase July 6; and Borough Council elections and proposed focus for next 4 year term on rural areas. Taylors Hill Toilets Risk Assessments: A paper proposing risk assessments in relation to emergency lighting and water hygiene had been published with the agenda. Following consideration, Council approved the risk assessments. The Annual Parish Meeting will be April 18, large hall, Chilham village hall has been booked from 7.30pm and the meeting will include the presentation of a KALC Community Award to Peter Higgs and refreshments. Snowdrop Teas: At St Cosmos and St Damian Challock parish, Sunday February 24, 12-5pm. Home made teas, books, bricabrac, tombola, cd’s, DVDS and music. The Church is located at the end of Church Lane, 1 mile off the A251 and A252 and there should be a carpet of snowdrops flowering in the churchyard.

Chislet

Correspondent: Alison List Mob: 07976 843645 alison.list@btinternet.com Parish Council Meeting: The Parish Council Meeting will be Thursday February 21, Hersden community centre, 7.30pm. Church Service: Sunday February 24, Family Communion 9.15am. Until electrical repairs are completed in the Church, services will be held Marshside Methodist Chapel.

Conyer

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Crundale

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Davington

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Correspondent: Allyn Thomas allyndgthomas@aol.com

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

Dunkirk

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Eastling

Correspondent: Hilary Harlow, Pinks Farm, Eastling, Faversham, ME13 0BA Tel: 01795 890338 hilary.harlow@me.com Church: Services for Sunday, February 24, will be 8am Communion at Eastling and 10am Communion at Throwley, both service are Book of Common Prayer.

Eastry

Correspondent: Robert Barwick, Kyrenia, Mill Lane, Eastry, CT13 OLD bob.barwick@btinternet.com Eastry Theatrical Company: Present a Pantomime of Beauty and the Beast in Eastry village hall, February 22-23. Evening performances start 7.30pm on both days. Matinee performance starts 2pm on 23. Doors open half an hour before each performance.tickets £5.50 and are on sale at Eastry Post Office or Eastry Pharmacy. Please come and support us in this un-missable show. The cast includes a lot of well known faces from your village. Bangers & Bingo: Eastry village hall. The next session will be Saturday March 2. Doors open 7pm, eyes down at 7.30pm. The Big Breakfast: This popular twice yearly event will take place in the village hall, Saturday March 16, 8.30am-12pm. Come along and enjoy a full english breakfast with all the trimmings plus tea or coffee. Bring family and friends and enjoy a meal that has been prepared for you, served by waitresses in a friendly atmosphere.

Elham

Correspondent: Maggie Tappenden Tel: 01303 862467 talktomaggiemay@yahoo. co.uk Church Services: Anglian Church Services Sunday February 24, 2 Before Lent, Creation Sunday 8am Holy Communion CW2, Elham; 8.45am Matins BCP, Acrise; 9.30am Sung Eucharist, Elham; 11.15am Wootton Worship, Wootton. Wednesday February 27, 8am Elham Valley Group Morning Prayer, Lyminge. Sunday March 3, Next Before Lent Quinquagesima. 8am Holy Communion BCP, Elham; 9.30am Sung Eucharist, Elham; 9.30am Holy Communion BCP, Acrise; 11.15am Eucharist, Denton. Methodist Church Services Sunday February 24, 9.30am (Woodley). The church hosts two prayer meetings in the Methodist Hall, open to all persons of any denomination or none. On the first Thursday of each month, 7.30pm, led by Rev Kevin Taylor & members of the Church & including a cup of tea. Bi-monthly, on a Saturday morning, 8am, led by various Ministers followed by breakfast at 8.30am, please let David Whitethread know if you are coming, for catering numbers 840650. The next Thursday meeting will be March 7. The next Prayer Breakfast will be April 6. Church Events: Coffee Morning, February 23, 10.30am. This is being hosted by Sally White, 3 The Street, Swingfield Street, CT15 7HA. Donations to Village Hall funds. Annual Pancake Branch, t Mary’s Church Hall, Elham, Saturday March 2, 10.30am12.30pm. Just £2.50 for a hot drink and your first 2 pancakes with a great choice of sweet and savoury toppings. Friendship Lunches during Lent will be held in St Mary’s Church hall, 12.30-1.30pm, Thursdays March 4, 21 and 28, and on Thursdays April 4 and 11. Come and join us for a selection of homemade soups, bread, cheese and an apple and a hot drink for just £5. Forthcoming Lenten services in Elham Valley Group. Ash Wednesday Service March 6, venue to be advised. Elham Valley Group Fellowship Worship and Refreshment for Lent. Wednesday March 13, 6.30pm Paddlesworth Church; Wednesday March 20, 6.30pm Acrise Church; Wednesday April 3, 6.30pm Postling Church; Wednesday April 10, 6.30pm Elham Church.