Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Has the Marlowe laid a golden egg?
It’s been 10 years since Ben Roddy first stepped onto stage in the Marlowe Theatre’s panto. If you’ve been to see the Canterbury show in that time - and thousands of us have - you’ll know the incredible fondness audiences have for his irrepressibly loud, over the top performances and quick-fire wit. And if you go to this year’s show, Mother Goose, you’ll really feel the love, because Evolution Productions have made him the star of it all.
Last night, no one was left in any doubt at just how much love there is for Ben (who never forgets to give late comedian Dave Lee, who played the Dame before him, a name check) as the round of applause at the end to mark the milestone went on... and on - and would have probably continued for longer had he not told the audience: “Look, I’ve got a bus to catch, you know.”
The show has all the elements every Marlowe panto-goer has come to know and love and just the right mix of familiarity and new ideas.
Its slick production, fastpaced gags and dance routines are as polished as ever, though obviously we all love it when it goes wrong (even if we know it might be staged). Highlights last night were Mother Goose’s chosen man in the audience, Andy, naming her 8ft goose Sally rather than Susie - which the all-singing, all-dancing routine that followed had been based on - a confetti cannon with no button to press, that then went off at the perfect wrong moment, and Mother Goose’s high-flying scene, which saw her bikini-clad figure getting awkwardly caught up in the wires. Sharing the limelight with Ben was musical director Chris Wong, who has notched up 25 years with the Marlowe and who was seen on stage more than in any other year, including in the legendary ghost scene - after all, he has played the Ghostbusters theme tune for it 13,500 times. He’d also waited a quarter of a century for his first line, and it was worth the wait.
The show did seem to include several more musical numbers than in previous years too, which may have been in his honour too. Medway’s Dr Ranj is making his panto debut this year and it’s clear to see he is relishing it, getting to show off some Strictly moves and talking to the audience.
The show wouldn’t be what it is without all its elements working at their peak and that includes Lloyd Hollett as Billy Goose, Matt Devitt as Squire Squashem, and, for me, the surprise of the night, Marc Pickering as Demon Vanity, the best baddie in quite a few years, whose comeuppance was to be banished to panto in Chatham. And of course all the supporting cast and young dancers, who did not put a foot wrong. The Sheppey joke also snuck in there, despite the cast declaring it wouldn’t be, and chants of “You don’t get that in the Dartford panto” also raised some laughs.
Whitstable actress Jenna Russell, as Fairy Goodfeather, was a delight, and the extra entertainment which was wheeled in (I won’t say more than this) had the wow factor.
With such a huge weight of expectation now on the show, it wouldn’t be surprising if the panto did disappoint one year. But this year isn’t it.
■ Mother Goose, sponsored by Superior Healthcare and Walker Construction, runs at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury until Sunday, January 12. To book tickets got to marlowetheatre.com or call the box office on 01227 787787.
Sue 01304 842009. Sustainable Adisham: Are hoping to set up a repair cafe. If you can offer any skills to help repair items please contact Judith. white@armingford.co.uk Sustainable Adisham will be back at Big Breakfast April 2020.
Crime PCSO and Neighbourhood Watch: Contact for PCSO Richard.bradley@ kent.police.uk Please report all crimes or anything that is suspicious. Roger Pring is the village coordinator, if you notice anything suspicious please contact 07782 173776.
Waste: Collection times 6am-6pm. Household and food waste will be collected Friday December 13. Recycling, garden waste and food waste will be collected Friday December 6 and 20. Library Van: Outside the school, Friday December 13 and 27, 1-1.45pm.
Ash
village hall. Coffee, tea, mince pies and a stall selling cakes, mince pies and chutneys. Inge Davis 831403 will be pleased to receive offers of home made food for the stall. Grand Raffle will take place at 11.30am. If you haven’t bought tickets yet ring John Andrews 831907. History Society Celebration: Barham Downs History Society is holding its Christmas bring and share supper and quiz, Monday December 9, 7.30pm, village hall. If you haven’t booked for the party get in touch with Cynthia 831541 / ct.lewsey@yahoo.co.uk or Jill 832135 / jilt@vfast.co.uk and don’t forget to bring knife, fork, spoon, glasses and drinks.
WI Christmas Meeting:
Due to the General Election falling on the same date as the WI meeting, December 12, and the village hall being used as a polling station, a festive afternoon for members will be held in St. John’s Church. Bring along any toys or gifts for the mothers and children at the women’s shelter.
School Christmas Fair: Barham School, Saturday December 14, 2-5pm. Tempting treats from a range of independent businesses, hot food, mulled wine, Father Christmas and live music. Village Carol Singing: On the village green, Saturday December 14, 6pm. Christmas Dance: Village hall, Saturday December 14 to the music of Chicory Tip. Tickets £9 from Linda Davies 01227 832536. Bring your own food and drink. Proceeds will go to Kent Air Ambulance.
Carol Concert: Given by Kent College Choristers, Saturday December 21, 6pm, St. Giles Church, Kingston. Tickets £10, children free, include mulled wine and mince pies. Tickets from Maureen Taylor 01227 831738 or John Morgan 01227 831047.
Benefice Services: Sunday December 8: Barham: 9.30am Holy Communion and Reveal at 6.30pm. Adisham: Morning Prayer 11am: Kingston: Family Communion 11am.
Bekesbourne
Beltinge, CT6 6JB Tel: 01227 367426 gaby1davis@gmail.com
If you have an item, please contact the correspondent above.
Bishopsbourne
Correspondent: Malcolm Mitchell, The Old Cottage, Bishopsbourne, CT4 5HT If you have an item, please contact the correspondent above.
Blean
Correspondent: Tamsin Parry Mob: 07791 400367 tamsinblean@gmail.com Scam Warnings: A Blean resident recently received a call, allegedly from HM Customs, saying a police officer would call in 30 minutes to collect a £100 fine due to a tax fraud. The caller, who requested a number of personal details, claimed that failure to pay would lead to the resident’s arrest. Another Blean resident has received a letter claiming to be from the People’s Postcode Lottery, from an address in Liverpool Street, London. The organizer is named as Coral & Reed Financial Services Plc and has been found to be fraudulent. Blean Gardeners: Met Thursday, November 28. The meeting commenced with the AGM. Mr Leetham summarised the year’s activities and then presented the accounts. Members of the Committee were unanimously re-elected. Looking towards 2020, Mr Leetham said that we were committed to buying tables to replace the unwieldly staging which did not belong to the Gardeners.
Pam Bathhurst then gave a talk, supported by film and stills on the life of the Medway Queen, herioine of Dunkirk.
Next event, ticket only (sold out), Christmas Social, 2pm, Friday December 13. The first meeting of 2020 will be Thursday January 23, 2pm. Mobile Library: Visits Blean every other Tuesday, 3.15pm and parks outside the village hall. It is next scheduled to visit Tuesday, December 15.
Christmas Fair Thanks: Thank you to all the wonderful community volunteers who came together, to help decorate the village hall and to help organise and run the Christmas fair which took place on Saturday November 30. An amazing £930 was raised, which will be put towards ongoing and current hall projects. Anyone wishing to get involved in fundraising and volunteering at community
Correspondent: Shirley Cox, Heathwood, Ittinge Farm, Elmsted, TN25 5JX Mob: 07985 132213 Tel: 01233 750531 Shirley.cox22@yahoo.com Parent/grandparent & Toddler Group: Friday December 6, 9-11am, Bossingham Pre School (the building behind Stelling Minnis School). We are delighted to introduce this group, all are welcome. £2 per family, drinks & snacks available. Battle of Britain Talk: Friday December 6, 7.15 for 7.30pm, SMVH CT4 6AG. Following an excellent first talk by David Brocklehurst MBE, David is returning to provide a second instalment ‘Adventures Setting up the Battle of Britain Museum’. Entry £5 including refreshments. Tickets available from SM Village Stores or at the door.
Christmas Carols: Friday December 13, 5pm, Stelling Minnis Primary School, Bossingham Road CT4 6DU. Please join us, all welcome, refreshments. More details anne.marie.faith@bt internet.com
Christmas Fair: Saturday December 7, 2-5pm, School Hall, Steling Minnis Primary School CT4 6DU. Free entry, something for all the family, games, gifts, Christmas Eve Boxes, Santa’s Grotto and more. Silent Auction lots include, overnight stay in Shepherd’s Hut, skiing lessons, channel crossing with your car. falconry and archery, Leeds Castle tickets and much much more.
Festival of Christmas Wreaths: St Mary, Stelling, Saturday December 7, 1-4pm, music by Chartham String Band. Sunday December 8, 12-3pm. Followed by a Christingle Service. Make a wreath, prize will be presented to the most popular wreath from each class. Wreaths made by the children are judged by the public. Refreshments available. Collection to the Children’s Society.
Boughton
hall. New members welcome, contact 01227 731234 for details.
Chartham Gardeners: November meeting, speaker Sue Buckingham ‘Wild Flowers of Kent’. Competition winners: Flowering Pot Plant: 1 Sheelagh Smith, 2 Jackie Richards, 3 Joan Croucher; Floral Art ‘Rememberance’: 1 Maureen Blanks, 2 Jackie Richards, 3 Debbie Barker; Men Only, Cake Competition: 1 Bernard Moat, 2 Ray Dungay, 3 Peter Smith, 4 Alan Croucher. Next meeting, December 10, 7pm for 7.30pm, Chartham village hall, it is the AGM and social evening. Chartham Primary School: Christmas Fair, December 6, you can visit when school ends. The Firs Nursery will also run a stall.
Chartham Hatch
Correspondent: Carol Newton, Lamley Cottage, Canterbury Road, Godmersham, CT4 7DR Mob: 07768 074698 carolnewton84@gmail.com Carol Singing: Sunday December 8, 9.30am Matins at St Mary’s Church will be led by Roz Waller. Gardeners’ Association: The village hall is being used as a Polling Station on December 12, the night of our scheduled meeting. This means we have to move the date of our meeting to Wednesday December 11, 7.30pm. This meeting is our Members Night, members of the Society provide the entertainment. It is one of the highlights of the year during which we will be drinking mulled wine, eating mince pies and being highly amused and entertained by the talent and interests of our members. The subject of the Monthly Points Competition is a table decoration to include a candle. Look forward to seeing you all to begin our celebrations for Christmas. Non-members of the Society will, of course be made very welcome.
Community Carol Singing: Singers and musicians of all ages are welcome to join in the Crundale Community Carol Singing around houses in Crundale, Thursday December 12, 6-8pm. Parking and start at ‘Glenwood’, Denwood Street, Crundale CT4 7EF. Hot drink and mince pies at the end kindly provided by the Hewitts. Family Carol Service: St Mary’s Church, Crundale, Sunday December 15, 4pm. All welcome.
WI: Friday December 13, 6-8pm, Christmas Carols at Godmersham Park supported by Old Wives Lees Community Choir and accompanists. There will also be a raffle and wine and canapes. Tickets £15 will be available from the Post Office, Chilham, The Farm Shop, Chilham or direct from Jane Garrett coppinsfarmhouse@ gmail.com
Winter Footsteps Walk: Sunday December 8, 2-4pm. Meet at the lower King’s Wood car park, White Hill Road, Challock TN25 4AP. Please dress for the weather and bring a torch. Text 07523 203458 or email enquiries@ friendsofkingswood.org Pay on the Day £4.
Denton
3,000 have been recorded speeding in Doddington. In Wychling, 112 vehicles have been recorded speeding. The great majority of those recorded speeding are not recorded again. There has been no further support from Wychling. Planning matters: i. Ref: 19/504932/FULL Address: Down Court Farm, Down Court Road, Doddington ME9 0AT. Proposal: Erection of a grain store with lean-to’s and construction of screening bund and associated landscaping. Councillors considered the application and the concerns raised by residents. Councillors discussed the size of the proposed grain store and its appropriateness within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the potential for an increase in traffic and Councillors recognised that Doddington is a farming community and that Down Court Farm is a working farm and provides local employment. The applicant had also taken positive steps to address the concerns of residents, but that one or two reservations had yet to be resolved. The residents were encouraged to discuss these with the applicant. Councillors agreed by the casting vote of the Acting Chairman to support the application subject to residents’ concerns being addressed. ii. Ref: 19/505148/LDCEX Address: The Manor House, Lady Margaret Manor Rd, Doddington. Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate (Existing) for the retention of 3no. outbuildings for use incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house. Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal. Highways: Annie Thurgarland, KCC Flood Management has been in discussion with Mr Leigh-pemberton of Torry Hill and is currently formalising plans with KCC Highways. KCC Highways are going to create some grips which will divert flow off Faversham Road onto Mr Pemberton’s land to reduce the amount of water which reaches Doddington from this side. The drainage to the lagoon on the Old Lenham Road has been improved by Mr Attwood and this is working more effectively.
The planned work on the fields along Old Lenham Road has unfortunately been stopped as it was impacting on farming works. There were other proposals for Old Lenham Road to be agreed with landowners and farmers.
KALC Community Aware: Councillors agreed the award will be made bi-annually and nominations will be sought from residents in due course.
Next meeting, Monday December 9, 7.30pm, Doddington village hall. There is a public time for residents to raise issues.
Eastling
December 8, 10.30am morning prayer at Throwley; 10.30am Caféstyle, Eastling village hall.
School News: Acorn class visited the pumpkin farm at Sevington. The following day their parents joined them to help carve and decorate the pumpkins in the classroom. Willow class had their first class assembly on the theme of famous scientists. During national anti-bullying week Shooting Star Entertainments delivered a production of the Ugly Duckling to the younger children and Captain Wonderweb to KS2 as part of the school’s work on Anti-bullying.
The Friends of Eastling School’s annual pumpkin decorating competition took place on October 31 with Tish Neaves, chair of governors, having the difficult job of judging the entries. The school is delighted that this year FOES have agreed to donate a substantial amount towards the cost of a new school minibus. The annual Christingle service will be held in St Mary’s Church, Tuesday December 17, 2pm. Term finishes Wednesday December 18.
New Year’s Eve: Call Trudy 07881 630219 to book a table of 10 or share a table for the New Year’s Eve Disco Party in the village hall, from 8pm, Tuesday December 31. The hall will be dressed in cabaret style with tablecloths and soft lighting. There are a limited number of tickets available, £5pp, payable in advance.
Eastry
Correspondent: Robert Barwick, Kyrenia, Mill Lane, Eastry, CT13 OLD bob.barwick@btinternet. com
Eastry Church: Sunday December 15, 6pm, Carols by Candlelight followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Monday December 16, 6pm at the Five Bells, Carols round the Christmas tree, mulled wine and mince pies provided by Mary.
Church Hall: Tuesday December 17, Singalong with carols and tea, all welcome. Church Hall: Wednesdays, service of Holy Communion is held, 10am followed by coffee and biscuits. All welcome.
Eastry Silver Screen: Saturday December 14 in the village hall, ‘Nativity’. Doors open 7pm, film starts 7.30pm. Free entry. Refreshments available to buy. Donations to hall funds will be welcomed to help put on further events. Horticultural Society: December meeting, Tuesday 10, village hall, 7pm, the main item of the evening is the bring and share Christmas supper. Bring your own drinks. Musical entertainment will be provided by Barry Goff. Please bring along some cash to buy tickets for charity raffle. Hearing Aid Clinic: Friday December 13, village hall, 10am-12pm, come along to have your aids serviced. Batteries available, no appointment necessary.