COMMUNITY NEWS

If you have an item for these pages, contact your local correspondent using the details provided. Alternatively, email kmgvillages@thekmgroup.co.uk and we will try to ensure it appears

If you have an item concerning Eythorne and Elvington, please contact the correspondent above. If you have an item concerning Fordwich, please contact the correspondent above. If you have an item concerning Godmersham, please contact the correspondent above.

Goodnestone/ Chillenden

Correspondent: Bridget Hawkins, 1 Church Cottage, The Street, Goodnestone, Nr Canterbury, CT3 1PJ Tel: 01304 840728 bridget339@btinternet.com Goodnestone Village Hall: The AGM of Goodnestone village hall will be held February 26, 7.30pm. Dover Mobile Library will be coming to Goodnestone, Friday 22, Park Close, 11.20am for half an hour.

Graveney

Correspondent: Crispin Whiting, Forge Farmhouse, Staplestreet,, Hernhill, Faversham, ME13 9UD Tel: 01227 750948 whitingcrispin@gmail.com Parish Council: The next full meeting will be Monday March 11, 7.30pm, village hall. There is a vacancy on the council and anyone interested in finding out further details should contact the clerk, Bex Ratchford 07941 987691. Bus Service Feedback: Bus users who were threatened with the loss of our village service last year may like to share ideas and give feedback on the new council portal at www.kent.gov.uk/busfeedback Boot Fairs: The regular boot fairs in aid of the village hall will re-start at Abbey School, Faversham, Sunday March 24. Villagers can still have a car boot for only £5 and there is no need to book. Sing Along: It’s karaoke night at the Four Horsehoes, Saturday March 2, 7.30pm. Come along and sing even if you can’t, it all adds to the atmosphere.

Greenhill

Correspondent: Wendy Dinley, 21 Greenhill Road, Herne Bay, CT6 7QG Tel: 01227 361592 wadinley@hotmail.com St. Peters Church: There will be no Little Fishes until Friday March 1. St. Martin’s Church, St. Peters parent Church, Herne now holds a coffee morning, Saturdays from 10am. Everyone welcome for coffee and chat and a look round the very ancient Church and see how the restoration is progressing. Greenhill Senior Citizens: At the moment our weather seems to be better than some parts of the country, but should we have a bout of severe weather the club might have to close so please look out for e-mails or Facebook messages or a phone call advising you that the club is closed. Health & safety advice please can people hang long coats, especially if they are damp, on the pegs in the lobby or the toilets where A) there is heating to help them dry B) round the backs of chairs they can be a trip hazard. Thanks to a generous donation from a former club member we have decided to get a phone line installed with Wi-fi so that we can have an answer phone so messages will not lost or missed. Have you noticed the sets of fingerless gloves on the table near the Charity Box? They have been knitted and donated by Moyra Mayhew and the monies are going to this years Charity The Fifth Trust. Tickets are now on sale to the St. Georges Day lunch. Members only booking for first two weeks. Our first Nosh & Knowledge with our new quiz masters Val & Paul Browning is Saturday March 9. Members £5, guests £7, this includes a Ploughman’s Supper. Saturday February 23, crib afternoon, 1.30pm. Briary School: World Book Day Thursday March 7 and Briary will be having a “Come as your favourite book character” day. Parents please do not feel under pressure to purchase expensive costumes, we would like the children to think about how they think their favourite character might look or dress. The new term starts Monday 25 February. Community Cafe: Meets Tuesdays, 10-11.30am, St. Peters Hall, Herne Drive. Last week we welcomed a representative from the Kent Air Ambulance to receive a donation of £250 from Robin Graham who owes his life to them after being in an accident by the Punch Tavern last March. As he said without them his wife would be a very young widow and his son would have been fatherless. Thanks also to all who donated towards the collection in memory of Rosemary Tregaskies, one of the lovely coffee ladies who died suddenly in the New Year. We will be sending £100 to a Cancer Charity. Next quiz will be Tuesday March 5 with Brian Smith. Greenhill PACT Group: The secretary reported she had written to CCC about the half completed work to a bungalow at the bottom of her garden which had been abandoned since last April 2018. The council will report back about what is going to happen to it. The Community Warden had also sent Neighbourhood Watch reports about attempted break-ins and criminal damage in the district. Also to be aware of a Cash Machine scam. While getting cash from an ATM a lady was told she had dropped a piece of paper, which she could see was a £20.00 note. She ignored the would-be scammer who picked the note up and walked off. His plan was as the person bent down to pick up whatever was dropped, he would then take both the lady’s card and cash. So please do not be distracted when using ATM services. Briary School has a new mini-bus as reported in this column two weeks ago. Under any other business it was reported that where Thornden Wood Rod junction of Greenhill Road was closed for resent services work to the new properties the road is now subsiding. Our local councillor is trying to get untaxed cars of Greenhill streets especially those parking on pavements. There was also a report of fireworks being let of at weekends regularly, upsetting cats and dogs, and in the reporters case she was walking her dog who nearly ran off as he does not like loud noises. Next meeting of Greenhill PACT, Monday March 18, 7pm, Briary School.

Hampton

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

Harbledown/rough Common

Vacancy: If you would like to be correspondent for Harbledown/rough Common, please contact us by email: kmgvillages@thekmgroup. co.uk If you have an item concerning Herne/broomfield, please contact the correspondent above.

Hernhill

Correspondent: Crispin Whiting, Forge Farmhouse, Staplestreet,, Hernhill, Faversham, ME13 9UD Tel: 01227 750948 whitingcrispin@gmail.com Parish Meeting: The annual parish meeting will be held, village hall, Wednesday April 24, 7pm. Spring Show: Fingers crossed for the early daffodils still looking good for the horticultural society’s spring show on Saturday March 30. Subs are now due, and are £6 single, £8 family, and should be passed to membership secretary Violet Croll 07974 641371. Local History: Even more documents have come to light since the last display of the old parish chest contents last year, and another chance to see them is offered at St Michael’s, Saturday, March 30. Further details from Peter Wilcock on 01227 750453. Boot fairs: The twice-weekly boot fairs at the old Farming World site off Staplestreet Road will start again on March 7, and will carry on Thursdays and Saturdays until the autumn. Gates open to sellers 9am and to buyers at 10am. Entry is 50p. For further details phone 07941 183547 or email kimgpattinson@gmail.com Parish Council: Next meeting is Wednesday February 27, 8pm, village hall. Further details from the clerk, Rebecca Parr 07876 221580 or at hernhillclerk@gmail.com Pub Poetry: Poet Maria Ferguson will perform Essex Girl at the Three Horseshoes, Saturday March 2. The acclaimed performance is about Kirsty, a 16 year old growing up in Brentwood back in noughties. She likes WKD, Elton John, Pie and Mash and Charlie Red body spray. She’s on a quest to win sexy Ricky’s heart and pass her GCSES. She also has a secret to tell you. One she can’t tell anyone else. Follow Kirsty’s story through the house parties and Irish pubs of Essex. From West Ham matches to choir practice, pre-drinks to registration, she will tell you what it’s really like to be an Essex Girl. If you have an item concerning Hersden, please contact the correspondent above. If you have an item concerning Hoath, please contact the correspondent above.

Ickham

Correspondent: Patricia Hodges patriciahodges44@btinternet.com For Music Lovers: Caritas Chamber Choir soloists, directed by Benedict Preece, will be performing in the Church, Sunday March 3, 3pm. Do not miss this opportunity to hear beautiful songs, skillfully executed in the peaceful surroundings of the ancient Church. Retiring collection in aid of the Church maintenance. Explore Local Pub: Choose from the restaurant area, the conservatory, which looks out over the garden and the fields beyond or the main area next to the roaring fire, and celebrate the approaching Spring season. If you prefer something more informal, there is a bar menu, perfect with a pint of local ale or a glass of wine. Traditional Sunday options make use of the best produce available to include a children’s menu. Apply for a local Friends Loyalty Card for 15% discount on weekdays. Visit https://www. thedukewilliamickham.com/ eating for more information. The Village Hall: The hall has undergone a programme of refurbishment and offers a large main hall with stage and separate kitchen and seating area; a fully equipped kitchen with double oven, fridge freezer and microwave; disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. Prices are competitive and further discounts are on offer for local residents and for regular bookings. The hall is the perfect place for a special celebration this Spring. As an alternative to the predictable hotel, this is an exclusive location, private to you and your guests, in a charming 1912 building surrounded by peaceful countryside. It is the ideal setting for your children’s party, wedding or family birthday, as well as a perfect venue for an arts & crafts or foodie fair. Information on the hall facilities and charges are provided on the website: visit http://ickhamvillagehall.co.uk/ or email the bookings clerk if you have any queries or would like to book the hall.

Kingston

Correspondent: Maureen Taylor, 3 Whitelocks Close, Kingston, Canterbury, CT4 6JG maureen_taylor3@sky.com League of Friends Jumble: Would you like to have a clear out of clothes and other items? If so, Barham and Kingston League of Friends of Kent & Canterbury Hospital would welcome your donations for their jumble sale. It will be held in Barham village hall, Saturday February 23, 10am-12pm. Items, but not electrical goods, can be left outside the village hall from 8.30am on the Saturday morning. Church services: The next service in St Giles Church will be holy communion, Sunday February 24, 11am. Garden Party: Following the successful garden party held at John Morgan’s home last year, the date set for this year’s event is Sunday July 7, 12-4pm. Come for lunch or bring your own picnic. Then spend the afternoon swimming in the pool, playing various games like croquet, or select an item from Margaret’s marvellous white elephant stall. Funds raised will go to Friends of St Giles Church.

Littlebourne

Correspondent: Melanie Moore currentmrsm@gmail.com Coffee Morning: Takes place on Saturday February 23, to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, at Littlebourne Village Hall 10 am -12 pm. If you have an item concerning Lower Hardres/nackington, please contact the correspondent above.

Lynsted/norton

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

Molash

Correspondent: Geoff Jenkins, Kings View, Shottenden Lane, Molash, CT4 8EZ Tel: 01233 740598 geoff.jenkins195@btinternet. com Church: 9.30am, Sunday February 24 Srvice of Morning Worship, St. Peter’s Church. This Service will be Lay-led by Gerry Willis and Geoff Jenkins Curry Feast: More than forty members of the Challock and Molash Gardening Society enjoyed last weekends curry night held in the village hall. Various delicious curries and accompaniments were enthusiastically devoured, followed by lovely desserts made by some members. A variety of quizzes, some serious, some silly provided entertainment and fun for all. Thanks extended to all who made it a successful and great night. Meeting: Meeting of the St. Peter’s Molash LCC, 7.30pm, Wednesday February 27, Wytherling Court. Included on the agenda will be the Blossom Ride to be held April 28 and the Church Faculty which has expired due to the length of time taken by Ashford BC to decide upon the planning application to which it refers. Fly Tipping: The recent spate of fly tipping in Fisher Street Road, together with details of a vehicle in close proximity, have been forwarded to the appropriate authority.

Newnham

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Nonington

Correspondent: Keith Cox Tel: 01304 244502 Mob: 07719 341361 Tel: 01304 842766 coxk@dovercollege.org.uk Tuesdaygroup News: The February meeting started with a very interesting talk by Simone Lantain about the “Alexander Technique”. She told us about the founder, Francis Mathias Alexander, who was born, in 1869, in Tasmania. He was an actor who had a problem with losing his voice. He developed non-medical ways of relaxing the body and the mind. As babies, human beings have the innate ability to move and balance their bodies which we lose when “life gets in the way”. After learning about the man, we were shown some ways to sit, stand and walk. Simone is hoping to start a group session in the village hall for us to find out more and be introduced to more wholeness techniques. Anyone interested can contact Simone on 01304 721153. She was introduced and thanked by Jan Gambrell. March 12, 7.30pm, we will hear from Anthony Stevens from the charity “The Fifth Trust” who run the Elham Valley Vineyard Restaurant amongst other projects. Donations For Homeless: Pauline thanks everyone who donated items for the homeless at Christmas and the New Year. Pauline will make monthly visits from now on, items can be left at Dolphins from Friday March 1, 4-7.30pm or on a Monday, 10am-1pm. Items most required are: clothes, boots, food, sweets, warm jumpers, warm coats, smellies, sleeping bags and other new bedding. Any tins especially soups, dog food, and fruit. Packages of tea, coffee, sugar and powdered milk etc paulinecatterall08@gmail.com Dolphins Have Started: Dol-