What’s happening where you live...

and, depending on the weather, there could be some muddy stretches. Everyone is welcome to join this walk. If you need a lift or would be willing to share a car or have questions about the walk please contact d.boniface@ hotmail.co.uk or by telephone at 01580 211430 or mobile on the day 07518 894 915. Marden Society: The autumn season for the Society will start on Wednesday 23rd Septenber at 8.00pm in the Vestry Hall. This is a change from the previous venue as it is hoped it will be more central for many of our members. Victoria Golding will talk about Kent’s Coronation Meadow, whch will link in with our own Marden Meadow. Tea and coffee after the talk, and a raffle. Hope to see many of you there. Thursday Club: There will be a coach outing to Hastings on Thursday 16th September. On Thursday 24th September Age UK will give a talk - the meeting is the Old School Room of the Memorial Hall from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Save and Stride: The annual sponsored Ride and Stride event to support Kent churches and the church or chapel of your choice will take place on Saturday 12th September. Contact co-ordinator Carolyn Millen on 01622 843383. Musical Hog Roast: Friends of Marden Heritage are holding a Musical Hog Roast on Sunday 13th September at Tunrpike House from 12.30pm to 4.30pm Tickets are £12 for adults, £8 for children (5-15), while under 5s are free. Tickets available from the Heritage Centre, Village Stores, West Stores or contact Kitty on 01622 832479 or e mail kitty@ joyshill.com Take along your own drinks, tables and chairs. A variety of musical entertainment will be going on throughout the afternoon 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 this year 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 and 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 sponsored to cycle or walk, the sponsorship money will be divided equally between the Friends of Kent Churches and the church of the rider or walker. For more information phone 01622 861382. Party For Everyone: A Tea Party will take place at St. Nicholas Church on Thursday September 17 at 3pm. Everyone Invited. For details or if you need a lift phone Joan Palmer on 01622 202239. Raspberry Tea: Oakdene Farm is one of the biggest producers of soft fruit in the U.K. Not only growing fruit but packing and distributing fruit throughout the country. This is a chance to learn about the way in which this is done and enjoy some of the products in the form of a Raspberry Tea at Oakdene Farm, Leeds Road on Saturday September 12 from 3pm to 5pm. For tickets at £5 call 01622 861245 or 01622 861374. Messy Church: This church will meet at St. Nicholas Church 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. Parish Council Meeting: Otham Parish Council will meet at the village hall on Monday September 14 at 7.45pm. Members of the public are invited to attend. Services On Thursdays: A Holy Communion Service will be held in St. Nicholas Church at 9.30am on Thursdays during September. Correspondent: Linda Weeks Tel: 01622 762422 parkwoodkm@ gmail.com Correspondent: Alison Dickerson, 75 Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BB Tel: 01622 762334 malcolm.dickerson@ btinternet. com St. Paul’s Church: Tuesday September 15, Celtic Quiet Time in Church at 10am Every Saturday there is a Short Service of Prayer and Intercession in Church at 9.30am. For all hall bookings contact 01622 762370 Correspondent: Janetta Sams, Uplands Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, ME17 1NZ Tel: 01622 859412 sams_uplands@yahoo.co.uk If you have an item concerning Platts Heath, please contact the correspondent above. Correspondent: Alison Dickerson, 75 Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BB Tel: 01622 762334 malcolm.dickerson@ btinternet.com Macmillan Coffee Morning: Kent Scouts are taking part in The World’s Biggest Coffee morning on Friday September 25 from 10am -12 noon at Lower Grange Farm, Grange Lane, Sandling, ME14 3DA, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and everyone is welcome. Visitors are welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and cake, take part in a raffle and take a tour of the site which has seen a major new development. So please pop along, say hello and support this worthwhile cause. Wildlife Study Days: The next Wildlife Study Days will be on Saturday September 12 there will be a Study Day on ‘Shield bugs’. An introduction to a diverse, fascinating and pretty group of insects. Learn about their lifecycle and ecology, where and how to find them and how to identify the common species as well as the more resent colonists. Discover how you can contribute to an ‘Atlas of Shield bugs and allies of Ken’. Led by Jonathan Barnard Entomologist. On Friday September 18, ‘Dealing with garden pests and diseases without damaging the environment’, we will explore ways we can manage our gardens to reduce incidents of what we consider to be pests and disease without continually reaching for the chemical sprays. Fee for this half day course is £15, led by Maureen Rainey who runs Kent Wildlife Gardening Awards. On Saturday September 19, ‘Introduction to spiders’. This course will provide an overview of spiders, probably the most unpopular misunderstood and fascinating group of organisms on Earth. Emphasis will be on the British spider fauna and time will be spent identifying spiders found in and around the reserve led by Greg Hitchcock, British Arachnological Society. Leaders are knowledgeable in their own topics but are also pleased to discuss other points of interest as these arise. We aim to create a relaxed atmosphere in which everyone can progress at their own speed. All can enjoy the Correspondent: Phillipa Gill, Curves 2 Senacre Square, Senacre, Maidstone, ME15 8QF Tel: 01622 662411 phillipagill@ hotmail.com If you have an item concerning Senacre, please contact the correspondent above. Vacancy: Are you somebody who would recognise a piece of local news? You could be just the sort of person the Kent Messenger is looking for to join our team of village correspondents. You don’t need a background in journalism, just an ear to the ground for what’s going on in your area. If you are interested contact Debbie Edwards, Villages Editor, phone 01227 475922 or email: messengervillages@ thekmgroup.co.uk Also use these contact details if you wish to place an article in this column. Correspondent: Andrew Watson, 9 Barn Meadow, Staplehurst, TN12 0SY Mob: 07715 572772 Tel: 01580 891986 staplehurst.report@ btinternet.com Reading Challenge Reminder: Don’t forget that the Summer Reading Challenge finishes this Saturday (12th Sept), so all the children who signed up and have finished, will receive a medal and certificate for all their hard