Choir delights audience in twin town
A choir thrilled crowds in the County Town’s French twin town. The Maidstone Choral Union travelled to Beauvais, near Paris, and performed at the city’s St Peter’s Cathedral. The 13th century building is Europe’s highest vaulted cathedral at 48 metres. The concert programme included works by predominantly English composers, including Elgar, Malcolm Archer, John Stainer and Howard Goodall. The choir also joined forces with their French counterparts for a performance of John Lennon’s song Imagine. Cllr David Pickett, president of the Maidstone Choral Union, said: “The choir was warmly applauded for the high quality of their singing. It was a testament to the time and effort that everyone put in and I very much hope this visit will pave the way for further cultural exchanges between the twin towns.” Rehearsals are now under way for the choir’s next concert, at Mote Hall at Maidstone Leisure Centre, on Saturday, October 28, starting at 7.30pm.
For ticket details visit www. maidstonechoralunion.org.uk Welcome Reverend: The Licencing Service of the Rev Dr John Huggins, as Priest in Charge of the Len Valley Benefice which includes the churches of Boughton Malherbe, Harrietsham, Lenham and Ulcombe, will be held at St Mary’s church Lenham on Tuesday, October 10 at 7pm. Details from the Benefice Office on 01622 850604. Bulb time: If you can spare an hour of your time to help plant the donated daffodil bulbs for the St John the Baptist churchyard, go along on Saturday, October 7 and join the working party. Full details from Paul on 01622 859634 Whist club: The winners of the September Whist Drive were Jean Collier and Gordon Hughes. The next Whist Drive is on Friday, October 6 from 7.30pm in the Ambrose hall, Church Road. Details on 01622 859410 Jersey Boys: The afternoon matinee organised by the Harrietsham Fish Scheme will be presenting the film Jersey Boys, about four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who formed the iconic 60s group Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The film will be shown on Friday, October 20, doors open 2pm for refreshments, film starts 2.15pm. Entrance £3. Evening show: Go along to the village hall to enjoy the film, The Madness of King George, which depicts the regression into madness during the late 18th century of the King of England. The film is presented by the village hall trust on Friday, October 20 from 7.30pm for 8pm start, entrance fee (including refreshments) £3 per person. Open days: Visit the Harrietsham Church of England Primary School to see what is on offer for reception class 2018, on Monday, October 16 from 1.30pm - 3.30pm. Details from office@harrietsham.kent.sch.uk or 01622 859261 Road closure: Church Road - A20 Ashford Road will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, October 25-26 from 7.30am-7.30pm to Marley Road. Alternative route via Marley Road, Church Lane, A20 Ashford Road and vice versa. Try your luck: See if you can win at bingo and help raise funds for the History Society Memorial paving project at the village hall on Saturday, October 7 at 7.30pm. Entry and six games of bingo for just £8 per person. Raffle with lots of prizes. Tickets available from Peter on 01622 851075 or Carole on 01622 850664. Ann Liddicoat: The funeral takes place at Vinters Park Crematorium on Friday, October 6 at 2pm. WI: Meets on Tuesday, October 17 in the village hall for Healthy Living. Christine Holland will help members prepare for the onslaughts of winter living when many summer life style habits stop. Members are looking forward to hearing advice on how to keep well now and all year round. Entrance £3, just after 8pm. Everyone welcome. Sugar Loaves pub: Don’t forget
Thursday night is quiz night Hollingbourne School: Term 1 ends
October 20. Village panto: All are invited to attend the auditions on Wednesday October 25 and Sunday October 29, for the 2018 pantomime The Wizard of Hozz. For information email members@hollingbournepantogroup.org Correspondent: Tim Mumford Mob: 07736592918 Grand Canyon Challenge: Kate Minett, a staff nurse at Benenden Hospital, is in training to take on the challenge of the Trek Together Grand Canyon Challenge this October. Kate, who lives in Staplehurst, will not only hike through areas of the Grand Canyon not accessible to many tourists, but will also be raising much needed funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Kate has chosen to support the charity because her husband, Dr Nigel Minett, a local GP for over 20 years at the Marden Medical Centre, then The Orchard Surgery in Langley, died of the disease in January 2012 aged 54. “On October 31 2011, my husband was admitted to hospital after developing jaundice. Up until that point, his only symptoms had been a few weeks of mild gastric discomfort. He was diagnosed the same day with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer which had already spread to his liver. We knew the score; survival rates from pancreatic cancer have not improved much in the last 30 years. Nigel died on January 19, 2012, only 10 weeks after he was diagnosed. “I had been thinking about what I could do to celebrate Nigel’s life and decided to join the Pancreatic Cancer UK Grand Canyon Challenge Trek in October. I am self-funding the trip to ensure that all donations that are received go directly to the charity to help to research into this foul cancer and support those affected by it.” In the UK pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all the 21 most common cancers, with just five percent of people living for five years or more after diagnosis. Pancreatic Cancer UK is taking on this tough disease through supporting those affected, investing in ground breaking research and lobbying for greater recognition of the disease. Leeann Wilmer, head of events, Community and Individual Giving at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “We are delighted Kate is taking part in the Grand Canyon Challenge and that she has chosen to support Pancreatic Cancer UK. We would like to wish Kate the very best of luck. The funds raised will help us to take on this tough disease, which around 9,400 people are diagnosed with every year in the UK. ” If you would like to support Kate you can do so at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/Kate-Minett For