Tour chance to hop in le saddle and raise charity cash
Correspondent: Mike Bennett Mob: 07979 672985 Tel: 01580 761943 mikebennettkm@ tiscali. co.uk Cream teas: Supporters of St Peter and St Paulo’s church hold their final homemade scones and cream teas of the summer in the historic building from 2-4.30pm on Sunday, September 13. Farmers Market: All the freshest fruit, vegetables and flowers from local growers, plus rural arts and crafts, will be available at the monthly Farmers Market at the village hall on Saturday, September 12 between 10am-2pm. Bloomin Headcorn: All residents are invited to attend the first annual meeting of Bloomin Headcorn in the village hall at 10.30am on Saturday, September 12. The community group that is supported by the parish council has exciting ideas for the year ahead. They already have plans for volunteers to plant large blocks of daffodils on Days Green and crocuses around trees in Maidstone Road. In the spring the group will hold a planting day of a mini meadow area next to the children’s playground and there will be a bug hotel and bird box making. Full information about the group is available by contacting 07503258769. Flea Market: The monthly Flea and collectors market will be held from 9.30am-2.30pm in the Methodist Church hall on Saturday, September 12. Entry is free and some stalls are still available. For details contact Ron Haggerty on 01622 890735. Grow you own: Budding local gardeners that would like to expand to grow more fruit and vegetables have the opportunity as a limited number of plots have become available at the village allotrments in Ulcombe Road. For details contact Jo Barker on 01622 890836. Head leaves: Departing after five years as head teacher Julie Barker has praised the community for its support of the village primary school and called for continued public interest in supporting Sarah Symonds who will be leading the team in the coming year and fund raising events being planned. Open surgery: Elected parish councillors will be available to discuss any matters of community concern with residents at a drop-in surgery in the village hall between 10am-noon on Saturday, September 12. Honey show: The Weald of Kent Beekeepers will be holding their annual honey show in the village hall between noon and 4pm on Saturday, September 26. Entry is free and the event will include an observation hive with live bees and demonstrations of candle making. Prayer meeting: The Rev Tony Old is launching a new weekly one-hour prayer meeting in the parish church between 8.309.30am on Thursday, September 17 to which all Christians are invited. Correspondent: Liz Willy , 108 Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne, ME17 1UA Mob: 07928668924 elizabethwilly@ btinternet.com Correspondent: Helen Ward Tel: 01622 820810 herald@hunton.org.uk Parish Council Meeting: The Parish Council will meet at the village hall at 7.30pm on Monday, September 14. Church Service: A service of Holy Communion will be taken by Rev Eileen Doyle at St Mary’s Church on Sunday, September 13 at 9.30am. Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com Ride and Stride: Kent Churches Ride and Stride will take place on Saturday September 12 from 10am to 6pm. Are you prepared to ride or stride for sponsorship? It’s likely to be fairly local. If not, will you be prepared to look after one of the churches and welcome riders or walkers who visit the church and give them a drink and a biscuit or cake? A rota of one hour slots will be drawn up. If you are prepared to cycle or walk, the sponsorship money will be dividend equally between the Friends of Kent Churches and the church of the rider or walker. For information phone 01622 861382. Coffee/Computer: A coffee morning and computer training will take place at Langley Village Hall on Wednesday September 16 at 10am. Messy Church`: This church at St. Nicholas Church will meet on Monday September 14 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. The format is for children with their parents/ carers to enjoy a couple of hours of fun activities, games and music, finishing with a buffet style tea. For details phone 01622 861383. Family Service: A Family Worship Service will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday September 13 at 10.30am. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com Beautiful gardens: Arnold Yoke and Inverarnold, both situated in Back Steet, will be re-opening their gardens in support of the Heart of Kent Hospice on Sunday, September 20 from 2-5pm. Arnold Yoke features formal landscaping complementing a 15th century farmhouse with exuberant shrubs and herbaceous perennials giving intensive colour from April to October. Inverarnold houses a fascinating collection of more than 200 deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs planted in former orchards. Entrance is by suggested donation of £5 to visit both gardens. There is limited wheelchair access. Library visit: The mobile library visits on Thursday, September 17, calling at Brogden Crescent from 2.50-3.05pm, Ten Bells pub from 2.10-2.25pm, Farmer Close from 2.30-2.45pm and opposite the school from 3.15-3.45pm. Correspondent: Janetta Sams, Uplands Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, ME17 1NZ Tel: 01622 859412 sams_uplands@yahoo.co.uk HI Kent: The group will be at the Community Centre on Thursday, September 17 from 1.30-3pm.No appointment necessary. This is a free aftercare clinic for NHS hearing aid users providing free batteries and cleaning. For any enquiries please call 01622 691151 or enquiries@hikent.org.uk Voices for Hospices : Hospice shop supporters are welcome to attend Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore at Mote Hall , Maidstone Leisure Centre, on Saturday 31st October at 7.30 p.m.The semi-staged performance , which includes music by Arthur Sullivan with a libretto by W.S. Gilbert is brought to you by the Hospice Festival Choir and Orchestra. tickets available at £16.00 for Circle £12.50 for Stalls £10.00 for Gallery in advance by contacting the office on 01622 790195 . Young at Heart: All welcome to meet at the community centre on Thursday, September 17, from 2-4pm. Fred will be providing the entertainment by playing songs old and new on the organ. Anyone needing a lift can ring Jenny on 01622 859208 Lenham players: The annual meeting of the group is to be held on Wednesday, September 16 at 8pm in the Osborne room. Next production is The Ghost Train on October 23 and 24 October. Contact Jan on 01622 850747 Correspondent: Robert Hanvik Mob: 07900 930824 robert.kentmessenger@ gmail.com Almshouse Opening: One of Linton’s five almshouses will soon be available at an attractive rent that includes heating, hot water and other facilities. Interested parties must be age 60+ and retired; applications must be in by September 30. Preference will be given to those having connections with Linton. The property will be let unfurnished and consist of living room; fitted kitchen, without appliances; bedroom and bathroom. Each house has its own small garden, and there also is a communal garden. Application forms are available from the Clerk to the Trustees, Mrs K Cooper, Linton Park Almshouses,c/o Forge Cottage, Linton Hill, Linton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AW (telephone: 01622 741494, email: cooperkathryn@
btopenworld.com). Church Fundraiser Reminder: Final reminder: The Friends of Kent Churches ‘Ride & Stride’ event will be held on Saturday, September 12. St Nicholas Church will be open on the day for riders and walkers to sign in, and Linton residents are gathering sponsors for local cyclist, Peter Ross, who will be cycling round churches across Kent on the day. Half of the sponsorship money raised will to to St Nicholas; the remainder will go into a fund administered by the Friends of Kent Churches. Correspondent: Robert Hanvik Mob: 07900 930824 robert.kentmessenger@ gmail.com Wives Group Meeting: The Loose Valley Wives Group will meet on Wednesday, September 16, in All Saints’ Church, at 7.30pm for its annual beetle drive. Visitors are welcome. For details, contact Ann Emery on 01622 741559. Scouts Jumble Sale: This is a final reminder about the upcoming Loose Swiss Scouts jumble sale. It will take place at the Vine on the New Line Learning site on Saturday, September 19. Jumble can be dropped off on the day between 9.30am and midday; the jumble sale proper will open at 1pm. Admission is 30p. Council Committee Meeting: The Loose Parish Council’s Pavilion and Playing Field Committee will meet on Monday, September 14 at 7.30pm, at the Parish Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Walnut Tree Lane. Anyone with questions or issues associated with the pavilion and playing field should attend. Alternatively, they can email Assistant Clerk Anne Rigby (lpcasstclerk@btconnect.com). Members of the public are welcome to attend all Parish Council meetings. Copies of the agenda can be found on the notice-boards (corner of Holmesdale Close; top of Old Loose Hill, post office end; and outside Loose Primary School) or on the Parish Council website: www.loosepc.kentparishes.gov.uk. Correspondent: Hannah Qureshi Mob: 07527 449540 hannah.kmlocal@ hotmail. com Age Concern: Free beginners computer classes for borough council taxpayers over 50 years. Learn to browse the internet, surprise people with an email, fill in forms online and other useful skills. To book your eight (twice weekly) two-hour sessions, call Want to raise money for charity? Get on your bike.
Villagers from Boughton Monchelsea will take to their bikes, trikes, roller blades, skateboards, scooters and even wheelbarrows as part of the annual Tour de Franc fund-raising race on Sunday .
Riders will don berets and maid outfits as they make the journey from the village hall to the Scouts hut for barbecue food and drinks.
Money raised in collection buckets along the route will be donated to the Scouts group and Dandelion Time, a Kent charity supporting children and families fragmented by trauma, abuse and neglect.
The event started eight years ago when the Tour de France came through Maidstone and villagers decided to put on their own version.
Riders will set off at 3pm, with a trophy for the best-dressed rider.
There is no cost to take part in the ride.
For further details, call Karen Filmer on 01622 744292 or Robin Fuller on 07889 081028. 01622 753618. Classes held at Age Concern, 11 Mill Street. Knit and Stitch: Meeting every second Saturday, at 1-3pm for sewing projects in a social atmosphere. Find us at Nucleus Arts Cafe, 7-8 Granada House, Gabriels Hill, ME15 6JR. For further information contact Sue on 07970 314402. Below 65 Gallery: Until September 30th, The Below 65 Gallery presents EDGE by Making Art Work. This group show is made up of various members’ responses to the brief “Edge”. Expect to find a contemporary visual assault from this innovative collective. This is to coincide with the first Art Market in Maidstone’s historic Market Hall on September 19th. Gallery opening hours: 9.30am-4.30pm Monday-Saturday at Gilbert and Clarke Frame and Print, 65 High Street. For information phone 01622 685146 or visit www.gilbertandclark.com Parent and Toddler Group: Little Fishes is a parent/carers and under 5’s group who meet at Maidstone Baptist Church hall every Wednesday afternoon during term time. New members welcome, come in any time from 1pm until 2.45pm. Please note a change of date for our first week - it will now be Wednesday 16th September. Maidstone Mela: Come and celebrate Maidstone’s rich and vibrant cultural diversity with music, singing, dancing and food from around the world. There will be a variety of performances on stage from 12:30-6:60pm. Around the stage, there will be food stalls as well as lots to see and do. This FREE event will be taking place on Sunday 13th September in Mote Park. For info visit www. maidstonemela.com Hazlitt Film Society: The film society based at the Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, ME14 1PL is about to enter its 67th season showing a variety of world cinema from classics to contemporary greats. The 67th season is almost upon us starting on September 14th with ‘Still Life’. Twelve films run from September to April with screenings on Monday evenings at 8pm. The theatre has around 350 seats and a licensed bar offering refreshments before and after screenings. Parking is under the nearby Fremlin Shopping Centre. For info and membership prices: 01622 753922 or visit www. maidstone-film-society.org.uk Alzheimer’s Society Meetings: Tuesday 15th September, carers’ support group (for carers of people with dementia). 3rd Tuesday of every month, 10am-12pm. Peer support group for those in the early stages of dementia. 2nd Parents and Toddlers: Wednesday 16th September and every Wednesday 1pm to 2:30pm during term time, a parent and toddler group meet at the Methodist Church, School Hall, Tonbridge Road. We have toys for children and tea for adults so come and join the fun. Betty 01622 754564. Philatelic society: The Maidstone and Mid Kent Philatelic Society will be holding the first morning meeting of the season on Thursday, September 17, at Mote Park Indoor Bowls Club, Willow Way, next to Maidstone Leisure Centre, from 10.30am. Bill Kemm will be visiting with a display entitled British Post Offices in Latin America. Visitors always welcome. For details call 01622 675784. Open Event: St Augustine Academy at Oakwood Park is inviting parents to join us on Thursday 17th September (6-9pm) or Saturday 19th September (10am-2pm) at one of our Open Events. Tours on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9.15am from 22nd September need to be booked on 01622 752490 – please see www.saa.woodard.co.uk for more details. Bowls Club Events: On Wednesday 23 September and Sunday 25 October 10am-5pm, The Mote Park indoor bowls club (Willow Way, ME15 7RN) is holding two open days to introduce people to bowls. Tutors will be on hand so come along, learn a new sport, make friends and have fun! Bowls is social and competitive game, open to any age and ability. Free tea/coffee and all equipment is provided (wear casual clothing and flat soled shoes). Each open day is followed by four free sessions on Monday evenings or Thursday afternoons. Call 01622 691124 or visit www.moteparkibc.com for details. Tea and Music: Sunday 20th September 3pm to 4:30pm, Tea for a Tenner is taking place at All Saints Church, ME15 6YE. Come along and enjoy our fundraising event. There will be music by “Bel Canto” and Bryan Gipps. Tinnitus Support Group: The tinnitus support group has been set up to allow people with tinnitus to meet, share experiences and