What’s happening where you live

for 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 and refreshments will be available. Assistance guide dogs only. Volunteers needed: Are you looking to meet new people? Get involved in the community? Be active? Learn some new skills and have a few hours to spare each week then why not contact us about how you could help the Heart of Kent Hospice. Just a few opportunities - administration, retail, drivers, gardening, day therapy, event helpers. Contact Laura Woodham on 01622 792200 ext 225 or email laura. woodham@hokh.co.uk Correspondent: Ron Stubbs Tel: 01622 726962 That’s history: Last Monday’s Bob Ogley talk on Kent in the 19th century was well received by members of the history society. Introducing himself, Mr Ogley who lives near Sevenoaks, said that immediately after the great storm of 1987 he saw a sea of fallen trees and his newspaper background inspired him to record it. He hired a light plane and took about 100 aerial views of the devastation. Then he contacted various publishers to assess the interest, found it wasn’t great and, urged on by his wife, decided to publish it himself. The initial order of 5,000 copies sold within a week and more runs were needed with the eventual total of 250,000 copies printed. Soon after that, he decided to leave his post as editor of the Sevenoaks Chronicle to write other books. History being one of his interests, he concentrated on that subject but with local connections. Kent, he said, is rich in characters who have made a major impact in their various fields and he cited Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens and Joseph Bazalgette among others. The society’s next talk will be on Monday, October 12, when Jim Davies will tell the history behind Kent’s Coalfields. This will be in the village hall, Heath Road starting at 7.45pm. What’s in a name: Flower Names, Folklore and Fiction is the title of a presentation by Heather Silk making a welcome return to the horticultural society on Monday, September 21 at 7.30pm in the village hall, Heath Road. So, if you are puzzled by any of the names of plants do ask about their origins. Away win: Barming District Guides have been busy snapping pictures during their summer holidays. Their results will be displayed in the Scouts and Guides HQ in Belmont Close from 10am–4pm pn Saturday, October 10, to which everyone is invited. Entry is free and refreshments will be available. RNLI quiz: One of the most popular quizzes held locally is that organised by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Maidstone branch. This will be held on Friday, October 16 with a prompt 7.30pm start. Teams of eight players per table will compete with each participant paying £8 and that price includes a hot fish and chip supper. As you may imagine arranging to ensure the food is hot for so many players will take some doing but it will be done so your early booking would be especially appreciated. Take your own drinks and nibbles. Reserve your place by calling John Ashbolt on 01622 725435 or Alan Cocks (751004). Glorious food: Breakfast at the rectory will be awaiting ladies on Saturday, October 3. An hour has been allowed for the meal from 8.30am followed by a walk to nearby Church Cross House for time together with this social occasion ending around 10am. A £2 donation on the day is suggested. As space is limited, booking is advised so call Fliss North on 01622 726263 now. ACF occasion: An arts, crafts and flowers festival is being lined up for Friday, September 25 from 2pm – 5pm, Saturday (26th) and Sunday, September 27 both days from 10am-5pm as part of the celebrations commemorating 90 years of St Andrew’s Church. Entry is free and refreshments, including homemade cakes, will be available. A tombola stall will be an added attraction as will the Hartnup Street Honey Lady who will have a display of products and some for sale. Stewards, cake-bakers and tea-makers, meeters and greeters are among the volunteers sought to help with this special event. Do volunteer now; you’ll have to wait another 10 years for the centenary! Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com Bearsted and Thurnham WI: This WI’s meeting on August 26, was spent gliding along on the waterways, courtesy of Roger and Sue Bryant who entertained members with a talk on Britain’s Canals - Mania, Redundancy and Regeneration. The journey took members along the canals while learning about the history and watching slides that illustrated the talk. The Chinese invented Pound Locks (enclosure of water with gates each end) 1200 years ago. The first canal in UK was built in 1755 by men using picks and shovels, given a clay lining up to 4ft thick to stop the water seeping away and all privately funded. Pop Choir Voiceful: On Mondays from 8pm-10pm, the new Pop Choir Voiceful has it’s rehearsals at the memorial hall in Manor Rise. New members welcome. No auditions and no musical notation. Everyone aged from 17 welcome to a free tester session. For information phone 07476 732910. Taize: A Taize Service will be held at Holy Cross Church on Sunday September 20 at 7pm. We Will Remember Them: As part of remembering those who fell in the Great War, an Act of Remembrance and the laying of a wreath takes place on the centenary of the deaths of those listed on Bearsted and Thurnham memorials. An Act of Remembrance will take place in respect of George Clarke at Thurnham Church on Friday, September 25 at noon. His home on Detling Hill was destroyed in WW2. Churches together: Bearsted Area Churches Together will meet at the Methodist Church on Thursday September 24 at 7.30pm. Families Service: A Families @ 4 Service will be held at Holy Cross Church on Sunday September 20 at 4pm. Songs. Story. Activities. Refreshments. Toddler Praise: A Baby and Toddler Service for four year olds with their parents, grandparents or carers will take place in the room at Holy Cross Church on Friday September 25 from 1.30pm-2.30pm. The theme is harvest with harvest gift donations for Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter Scheme welcome. Songs. Fun. Games. Craft. Refreshments. Bible talk: Maidstone Christadelphians will be given a talk entitled How the Story of the Old Testament Fits Together by Neil Mullen at Madginford Hall in Egremont Road on Sunday September 20 at 4.30pm. Church meeting: The parochial council will meet on Tuesday September 22 at 7.30pm. Coffee Morning: Bearsted and Thurnham Lawn Tennis Club will be supporting Macmillan Coffee Morning at the club house in Church Landway on Friday, September 25 from 10am-noon. In addition to the tea, coffee and cakes on offer, there will also be the opportunity to buy items for the Pampered Chef range, jewellery, Christmas and other greeting cards, leather goods and have a manicure from the nail technician. Madginford WI: October 8 Is Craft Night – so go along and see what Wendy has to make during the evening. The WI offers women the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and campaign on wide-ranging issues. Visitors always welcome –meetings are held at 8pm-10pm on the second Thursday in each month (apart from August) at Madginford Hall, Egremont Road. For information call 01622 738455.