COMMUNITY NEWS

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details from Peter Wilcock 01227 750453. Poetry At Pub: Poet Maria Ferguson will perform Essex Girl at the Three Horseshoes, Saturday March 2, 8.30pm. Housing Development: Work has started on building 14 Passivhaus (environmentally friendly) houses on the old Silversands Nursery site opposite Dunster House, Staplestreet Road. The plans, approved in 2015, are for six three bedroomed semis, three three bedroom detached , three four bedroom detached and two five bed detached homes. Previous plans for the site have included a caravan sales business, a 28 home development and a 50 bedroom hotel. If you have an item concerning Hersden, please contact the correspondent above.

Hoath

Correspondent: Sue Nash, Greenacre Church Road, Hoath, Canterbury, CT3 4LA Tel: 01227 860291 sue@greenacrehoath.com Gardening Society: Meet Wednesday March, 7.30pm, village hall, CT3 4LA. Maureen Rainey from Kent Wildlife Trust will give an illustrated talk about dealing with garden pests and diseases in an environmentally friendly manner. Visitors will be warmly welcomed by the members at, what should be, an interesting and instructive evening.

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. Foodie News: The Duke William has a new head chef and a new menu. George Marsh worked at Rocksalt for a couple of years, as well as personally helping Mark Sargeant in restaurants around the world, one of his favourites being Singapore. He has gained plenty of culinary experience and is now focussed on making The Duke William his own by bringing in dishes he thinks all will thoroughly enjoy. Hayleigh, Darryl, George and the team invite all local residents to join them for a great evening on Thursday March 7, 7pm for a complimentary drink and nibbles.

Kingston

Correspondent: Maureen Taylor, 3 Whitelocks Close, Kingston, Canterbury, CT4 6JG maureen_taylor3@sky.com Green Waste Collections: Canterbury City Council have announced that Serco will re-commence green waste collections a fortnight earlier than originally planned. Kingston’s paper, plastics and bottles recycling and green collections are normally on a Friday. Garden waste for The Street and Closes starts again March 1, and Church Lane should be March 8. Gardening Talk: Wednesday March 13, Fern Alder has been invited by Barham and Kingston Horticultural Society to give an illustrated talk on ‘Wildlife Gardening’. The talk starts 7.30pm, Barham village hall. Successful Jumble Sale: Thank you to all supporters and those that came to the League of Friends jumble sale, February 23. The total received was £287.97. and they were also able to distribute some surplus goods to local charities.

Correspondent: Melanie Moore currentmrsm@gmail.com

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

Lower Hardres/ Nackington

Correspondent: Verity Howard roger.a.howard@btinternet. com General News: I have no upto-date news to put into our Community News slot. Lower Hardres and Nackington are two separate villages and not a lot happens. Although we have one Parish Council and one Village News magazine, we have two very different Parish churches. St Mary’s Nackington is small, very old (mentioned in the Domesday Book) and tends to have an elderly congregation. St Mary’s Lower Hardres is again a very old Church, but larger than Nackington and has a younger congregation. The services alternate so that there are never two services taking place at the same time. We belong to a Benefice consisting of five churches, Nackington, Lower Hardres, Bridge, Patrixbourne and Bekesbourne. These villages are all included in the Community News pages and therefore have their own stories to tell. Although we no longer have a village school, post office or pub, we do have an excellent Farmers’ Shop at the bottom of Hardres Court Road which sells everything except fresh fish. The Gardeners Society is still active and has been for over 130 years. There are three shows every year, Spring, Summer and Autumn. The shows are held in the John Baker White Memorial Hall, our village hall, again in Hardres Court Road and the Spring show will be held on Saturday April 6. Another local activity I must mention is cricket. The summer season will soon be upon us and Street End Cricket Club, corner of Hardres Court Road and Stone Street, will be looking out pads and bats for their weekly matches. They have a very attractive ground which is well worth a visit. Finally, we do have an active Neighbourhood Watch team and they keep us safe. For full information, I would recommend all our villagers, if they haven’t already, to subscribe to the monthly Lower Hardres and Nackington Village News Magazine, £5 per year. Please phone our Distributor, Jan Andrews 01227 713660 for more details.

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: The congregation at last weeks Creation Sunday Service of Morning Worship, conducted by Canon Brian Chalmers, was slightly more than the average Sunday. Epistle Readings were recited by Geoff Jenkins and Tony Dodd, with Geoff reading the prayers. Application: Ashford BC has received a planning application for a replacement conservatory, new and enlarged windows to the North West elevation in respect of Little Bower, Shottenden Lane Five Church Walk: The years walk is to be negotiated in clockwise direction: Molash, Chilham, Godmersham, Boughton Aluph and Challock. The event is being held on bank holiday Monday May 6. Churches will open in ample time for walkers to start at 10am. Church will close 6pm. Start and finish at any Church

Newnham

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Nonington

Correspondent: Keith Cox Tel: 01304 244502 Mob: 07719 341361 Tel: 01304 842766 coxk@dovercollege.org.uk Sock Exchange meeting: The next meeting of Nonington blokes, aka “The Sock Exchange” - will be at the hall, Thursday February 28, 7.30pm. Rob Orridge will be the speaker on the history of 617 Squadron, “The Dam Busters”, from the Second World War to the present. The Sock Exchange is open to all Nonington males and costs £5 for the annual membership and just £2 per meeting to cover refreshments and such like. Coffee Stop: Thursday February 28, 10am-12pm. Pop in to the Chapel cafe for light refreshments and catch up with all the local news. Locals and visitors always welcome. Saturday Farmers Market: At the hall will be Saturday March 2, 9.30am-12pm. There will be: Fresh bread and cakes, cards, jams, veg, baby knitwear, bird boxes, felt items and materials for sale. Light refreshments are available throughout the morning. Please pop in to support your local market. Please note that the change from the first Friday to the first Saturday of the month is to encourage a visit from those who work during the week. Please come along if you can.

Northgate, Canterbury

Correspondent: Janet Back, Northgate Ward, Community Centre, Military Road, Canterbury, CT1 1YX Tel: 01227 785293 admin.nwcc@btconnect.com Bingo Groups: Do you like to play bingo? If so why not go to the Northgate Centre, Military Road, Canterbury CT1 1YX, 01227 785293. We have three bingo groups throughout the week. Wednesdays 2-3.45pm, Thursdays 2-3.45pm and Friday Night Bingo 7-9.30pm £1.50 entry. All welcome, but must be over 18 and a member of the centre to play. Come and meet new friends, have an afternoon/ evening out. Marz our chef is providing hot cooked meals before ‘eyes downs’, so don’t worry about rushing to cook a meal before you come out to play, turn up, sit, eat and relax before the fun starts.

Oare

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

Oaten Hill, Canterbury

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

Ospringe

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

Painters Forstal

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Petham

Correspondent: Kris Pole flaxlandblues@gmail.com Rainbows and Brownies: Rainbows and Brownies in Petham have spaces in their Units. Do you know any girls between the ages of 5-7 and 7-9 who would like to come and join us for fun, games, activities and a lot of laughter? For more information please contact: Daffodil (Rainbows) 07818 248912 or Brown Owl (Brownies) 01227 738766. If you have an item concerning Preston, please contact the correspondent above. Correspondent: Daphne Andrews, 31 Bedingfield Way, Lyminge Tel: 01303 862865 daphneandrews@googlemail. com George Inn: Thursday February 28, there will be jazz performed by The Roaring Twenties Orchestra, 8.15pm and Sunday March 3, local musicians will be playing and singing traditional songs. Everyone is welcome to come and listen to these performances and if you would like to have a meal, it is advisable to book your table in advance. Contact Michael 01227 709170 or email landlord@ thegeorgeonstonestreet.co.uk Post Office: The local post office in Lyminge will be re-opening on Thursday February 28, 1pm. It has relocated to the Premier Food Store, Canterbury Road next to the Coffee Cabin. Women’s World Day of Prayer: This annual service will take place in Lyminge Methodist Church, Friday March 1, 11am with coffee available from 10.30am. All welcome. Methodist Chapel: The service on Sunday March 3, 9.30am when friends from Elham Methodist Church will also be attending, will be led by the local congregation and Rev. Alan Hewitt. A warm welcome is extended to any visitors who also would like to join us. If you have an item concerning Selling, please contact the correspondent above. If you have an item concerning Sheldwich, please contact the correspondent above. If you have an item concerning Shepherdswell, please contact the correspondent above. If you have an item concerning Shottenden, please contact the correspondent above.

St Dunstan’s, Canterbury

Correspondent: Geoffrey Learner, 55 Whitstable Road, Canterbury, CT2 8DG Tel: 01227 639117 glearner@sky.com Parish Church: Sunday March 3: 8am Said Eucharist; 10am Sung Eucharist; 3pm Messy Church in the hall; 6.30pm Evensong and Compline at Eastbridge. Lunch Club: Monthly meeting, Wednesday March 6, 11.30am in the hall. Soup and sweet lunch, £3. Horticultural Society: Meet Wednesday March 6, 7.45pm, Ashford Road Community Association Hall, Thanington for a talk by Julie Wassmer, author of the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries. Fairtrade Event: Saturday March 9, 10am-3.30pm, Methodist Church hall.

St Peter’s, Canterbury

Correspondent: Carolyn Farrar Mob: 07778 391820 Tel: 01227 455994 carolyncfarrar@gmail.com Parish Church: Sunday March 3: 9.30am Sung Eucharist. 6.30pm Evensong and Candlelit Compline at Eastbridge Hospital. Ash Wednesday: March 6, 7.30pm, St Peter’s Eucharist and Ashing. Contemplative Prayer: Wednesday March 6,This will not take place, because of Ash Wednesday services. Methodist Church: Sunday March 3: 10.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion; 6.30pm Taize Service.

St Stephen’s, Canterbury

Correspondent: Shirley Hagger, 69 Broad Oak Road, Canterbury, CT2 7PN Tel: 01227 456602 brightberries69@gmail.com Special Service: Lady Loretta weekend, Countess of Leicester and Anchoress of St Stephen’s will be celebrated with a memorial weekend, March 2-3. March 2 there will be a talk on Lady Loretta, 11.15am, given by Dr Julie Hopkins, followed by a short memorial service accompanied by the Gregorian Society, 12pm. Theology Discussion Group: The next meeting will be Tuesday March 5, 7.30pm. The topic will be ‘Digesting the Word; Spiritual and critical reading of Scripture’ and will be led by Revd. Alan le Grys. If you would like to make a donation in honour of Alan’s son, please do so to ‘Crohn and Colitis UK’. Food Bank: The amount donated has decreased. There is a yellow bin in the Church porch. Please remember those who are struggling to cope. Every little you give will be a help. Christian Aid Charity Event: Saturday March 30. The Galliard Trio in Concert, 7.30pm, St Peter’s Methodist Church. Music featured will include Mozart, Bartok, Bach and Mussorgsky. Tickets £10, students £5 from Jean Barber 831956 or Doro Thyssen 479164. Ash Wednesday: Wednesday March 6: Holy Communion 10.15am; 7.30pm Sung Eucharist with imposition of ashes.

Staple

Correspondent: Margaret Ann Russell Mob: 07818 401048 pipmccredie@hotmail.com Welcome to Yoga: Village hall, Mondays 6.30-8pm. Everyone welcome: men and women of all ages, levels of fitness, flexibility and experience. Second session free. Please contact Sue 07825 027208.