Strood CommunityAd Magazine

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Strood Magazine Second issue

www.thefirstaidco.com 07717 843117

Summer 2015

: KCC approved paediatric training provider : 3-day and 1-day First Aid at work, summer holiday courses and much more : Basic resuscitation courses available for adults and children aged 8 and above

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Community Coaching and Training Ltd

Low cost training from £30

Free training for single parents

Are you interested in?

The Lone Parents Project is aimed at equipping and empowering single parents of all ages in readiness for sustainable jobs and enhancement of career pathways. It is available for the unemployed and unskilled single parents on benefits and low income. Monthly inspirational and creative workshops that empower the group to be motivated and gain high willpower.

• First aid course • Emergency first aid at work • Health & safety • Food safety • Fire safety • Fire marshalling / warden • Risk assessment • Manual handling of loads • Manual handling of people • Medication awareness • Confidence building • Customer service skills

• Safeguarding vulnerable adults • Dementia awareness • Challenging behaviour • Visual awareness • Hearing awareness • Care planning awareness • Lone working • Self-harm awareness • Child sexual exploitation • Medication management • CV writing and workshop • Retail skills

Community Coaching and Training offers the above courses starting from £30. Available to the general public.

• Motivation and confidence building • Overcoming barriers to work • Realistic career exploration • Personal skills development • Building the capacity of participants through training and mentoring • Other short courses

Contact Ronke on 01634788808 or 07402860780 ronke.emmanuel@communitycoaching.co.uk 15a High Street, Strood, Kent ME2 4AB www.communitycoaching.co.uk

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY! Hair, skin & beauty Household items Decorations Handwash & sanitizers Hair products & salon

Gifts Confectionery Birthday cards Books Stationery

Kitchenware Cooking utensils Food & drinks Cleaning products Bin liners

17 High Street • Strood • ME2 4AB • 07443 942192 VISIT OUR NEW HAIR SALON UPSTAIRS 2

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Welcome ...

to the second edition of the Strood Community Magazine. This will be the Summer edition, packed full of information to keep you up to date on local issues, clubs and events.

We are always eager to hear from the people of Strood, so we can cover the issues that really matter to you.

If your part of a local club, voluntary organisation or charity please get in touch and we can help promote you as much as possible.

In this edition we have articles on Strood Sports Centre, Emmaus Medway and the first Huguenot museum opening in Britain.

If you have a story you think may be of interest to your community, please contact us by emailing jon@community-publishing.org or post to Community Ad, 7 Cecil Square, Margate. Kent CT9 1BD. You can also call us on 01843 834160.

Magazine

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PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES A big thank you goes out to all the local businesses that have advertised and supported the Strood Community Magazine To advertise please call Liam 01843 293062 Published by Community Ad Web Ltd 01843 834160 email info@communityad.co.uk web www.communityad.co.uk The views expressed in any published content are solely those of the contributors. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in the publication. The contents of this magazine including images may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, downloaded or displayed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Community Ad Web Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary and artistic works in the pages in this magazine have asserted their moral right pursuant to Section 77 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of those works. The Publishers reserve the right not to publish a submission or part of a submission that they consider defamatory or otherwise inappropriate for publication. CommunityAd wishes to advise all readers that it does not endorse or recommend any products or services contained herein. CommunityAd does not, therefore, take any legal responsibility for the advice given by any of the advertisers.

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Strood Sports Centre First phase completed…

Strood Sports Centre has undergone a major £1.9 million refurbishment, transforming the centre into a more modern, spacious and inviting facility for all of Medway to enjoy.

The project was funded by Medway Council and has been completed in phases enabling the centre to remain open throughout while keeping disruption to a minimum. The refurbishment is part of the council’s commitment to help local people to be fit and healthy.

Customers are welcomed into a new bright reception area, where they are able to see for themselves, a brand new gym more than double the size of the original. The new gym boasts state-of-the-art equipment including power plates, Trixter indoor cycling and a functional training zone.

The redevelopment has also created a new larger fitness suite, dedicated indoor group cycle studio and three dance studios which host FitSteps, the phenomenon dance and fitness craze from the dancers of Strictly Come Dancing. The dance studios will be themed to offer environments suitable for large classes, high-energy classes and relaxation sessions such as yoga and tai chi.

The plans are really exciting for Strood Sports Centre. The new facilities are going to provide a boost for the area and encourage more people in Medway to get into fitness and take advantage of this great new facility.

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qUseful Numbers Useful

Banks

Clubs, Groups & Associations

Nationwide 4, Friary Precinct 0845 266 0886

Strood Yacht Club Temple Manor Marsh, Knight Road ME2 2AH 01634 718 261

Lloyds Bank 129-131 High Street 0845 3 000 000

Strood Youth Club Montfort Road ME2 3HU 01634 335910

Barclays 86 High Street ME2 4AT 0345 734 5345

Strood Conservative Club 49 Cuxton Road 01634 717364

HSBC 104 High Street ME2 4TS 03457 404 404

Strood & Frindsbury Working Men’s Club 2 Frindsbury Road, 01634 718425

Halifax 79 High Street ME2 4AH 0845-740 4404

Cheeky.com Breakfast Club Gordon Infants School, Gordon Road ME2 3HQ 01634 717423

Cinemas & Theatres CineWorld Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way 0871 200 2000

YEW TREE LODGE An elegant residence in a rural setting SPECIALISTS IN DEMENTIA CARE Private residential accommodation for the elderly and EMI

Respite, temporary and permanent stays Accommodation comprises single, twin-sharing and en-suite rooms to accommodate 34 residents

www.yewtreelodge.com 01634 253184 /253234 Stoke Road · Hoo St Werburgh · Rochester · Kent ME3 9BJ

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Strood Volleyball Club Strood Sports Centre, Watling Street ME2 3JQ 01634 723888 Bridge Housing Association Crescent House, Canal Road ME2 4DR 01634-717024

Community Centres & Village Halls Strood Community Project Saint Francis of Assisi Church Hall, Galahad Avenue ME2 2YS 01634 714572 Woodside Community Centre Chestnut Road ME2 2LH. 01634 256397 Magazine when responding to advertisements

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Doctors Marlowe Park Medical Centre Wells Road ME2 2PW | 01634 719692 Court View Surgery 2a Darnley Road ME2 2HA | 01634 290333 Apex Medical Practice 1st Floor, The Medical Centre, Gun Lane, ME2 4UW | 01634 720 220 St Mary’s Medical Centre Vicarage Road ME2 4DG | 01634 291299 Dentists Longford Dental Centre, 27 Darnley Road | 01634 723086 Thakray Dental Practice 11 Central Road | 01634 716840 Louise Lunness-Barnes Dental Clinic 4 The Parade, Allington Drive ME2 3ST 01634 713422 Photay & Associates 122b High Street ME2 4TR | 01634 295855 Pharmacies Bryant Road Pharmacies 59-61 Bryant Road ME2 3EP | 01634 718039 Hobbs Pharmacy 41-43 Wells Road ME2 2PW | 01634 714455

Bespoke

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Private, General & Cosmetic Dentistry • New dental practice • Friendly, relaxed atmosphere • All aspects of modern dentistry, including • In-line invisible braces • Tooth whitening • New dentures • Emergency 1 hour denture repairs • Easy parking call us now to make an appointment

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ANTHONY GRAY CLOCKS Since 1975, our team of skilled craftsmen has been restoring and conserving fine 17th, 18th and 19th century clocks and barometers for discerning collectors and members of the trade in several countries.

Coles Pharmacy 29 Darnley Road ME2 2EU | 01634 718508 Leisure Centres Strood Sports Centre Watling Street ME2 3JQ | 01634 333945 Beefs Gym Unit 1a, Priory Road ME2 2EG | 01634 726227 Please mention

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Parsonage Farm Marshborough Kent CT13 0PG

07860 378 122

Restoration Services High Quality Watch Restoration Wheel and Pinion Cutting Dial Restoration Clock Hand Making Gilding · Engraving Case Restoration Valuations

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The Answer to Health and Happiness?

Do you want to keep active, keep well and keep engaged with other people – all at no cost to you? You can achieve all these things, and more, as a volunteer.

Charlotte wanted to return to work after her youngest started school but was low on confidence and work-place skills.

Volunteering put her on track to getting a job. Mark had retired but was getting frustrated and bored. Volunteering gave him something fresh to think about and new people to meet.

Whether you have decades of life experience or are just starting out after leaving school, Strood Community Project welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds. They recognise that some people might use it as a means to achieving a personal goal (such as improving your employability) and so long as you can make a worthwhile contribution that’s perfectly fine.

Volunteering is also a chance to give something back; a chance to make a real difference to people from the local community who might be struggling; a chance to share your skills and what you have learned in life. And when you know that your involvement has averted a personal calamity or saved a home from

A

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breaking up the sense of achievement and satisfaction is immense.

The range of opportunities for volunteers at Strood Community Project is broad – including driving a van for the charity shop; being a receptionist in the office; advising someone how to gain control over their debts; supporting someone to use a computer for the first time; operating a til in the shop; being a mentor to a young person.

Why not call Rhonda Sands for an informal chat about our current volunteering opportunities.

“I don’t know where I’d be without Strood Community Project” – Suzanne, volunteer.

123-125 High St, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 4TJ | 01634 298747 advicecentre@stroodcommunityproject.org.uk Reg. Charity No.1143225 | Reg Co. No. 7286359 Please mention

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We all want the best education AGES for our children ENROLLING

NOW

At Tuition Academy we give them the extra help they need to reach their true potential.

Offering high standards of supplementary support in English, maths and science Key Stage 1, 2 and 3, SATs, 11+ Grammar, GCSE & A level from just £25 for two hours tuition.

5-18

For further information, please call 01634 714449 or email your enquiry to medway@tuitionacademy.co.uk

www.tuitionacademy.co.uk

With fully qualified teachers at our newly refurbished centre on the Medway City Estate, we offer personal tuition after school and at weekends in a small classroom environment, all at affordable prices.

We don’t coach…we educate!

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The first Huguenot Museum in Britain opens in Rochester With the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund Britain’s first museum dedicated to the history of the Huguenots opened in Rochester this May. Since the early 1960s the French Hospital, La Providence, has been situated at the heart of Rochester High Street. Originally founded in London in 1718 to provide accommodation and assistance to Huguenots and their descendants, this institution has over the years amassed a beautiful collection of artefacts which relate to the history of French Protestants and the Hospital. It is this collection that forms the basis of the museum displays which give an overview of the history of the Huguenots in England.

Huguenots in France, their arrival in England, the skills and trades they brought with them and the organisations they created.

The displays also set the arrival of the Huguenots in the context of the wider history of refugees in Britain.

Using the stories behind the artefacts the galleries cover the persecution of the

10

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Please include the telephone

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GLOBE PLUMBING & HEATING

FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS COMPETITIVE QUOTES

01634 730392 sales@globeplumbing.co.uk www.globeplumbing.co.uk

Strood Chiropody & Podiatry For family historians and researchers the museum has a small archive room. Here researchers will have access to publications and academic articles from the Huguenot Society, normally only available at The National Archives. We also have a state of the art museum store where researchers can call up objects and archives from the museum’s collection to research. The museum catalogue is currently being developed but will be available to view prior to a visit at www.huguenotmuseum.org and will be updated regularly as we work our way through the cataloguing of the collection. The archive room will be available during our opening hours but we do ask that visitors book an appointment before they visit to ensure we have space to accommodate them.

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Fully comprehensive, family-friendly service including Biomechanics & Nail Surgery Paul Miller BSc(Hons) HCPC State Registered Practice

01634 294884 St Mary’s Medical Centre, Vicarage Road, Strood ME2 4DG £30 per treatment session

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01634 290370

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rochesterphysio@aol.com

Back and neck pain · All sports injuries Acupuncture · Sprains and strains Soft tissue and joint injuries · Home visits Private health insurance accepted Evening and weekend appointments available

www.rochesterphysiotherapy.co.uk St Mary’s Medical Centre, Vicarage Road, Strood ME2 4DG

The Huguenot Museum is open Weds-Sat 10am-5pm on the top two floors of 95 High Street, Rochester, Kent. Entrance is £4 for adults and £3 for concessions and can be validated for 12 months with gift-aid (entrance to the archive room is included in the price).

For more information or to get in touch visit www.huguenotmuseum.org or call 01634 789347. You can also email learning@huguenotmuseum.org

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Man & Van Fully Insured Competitive Rates Kent & Home Counties Enhanced CRB Checked Light Collections & Delivery davidjpenfold@talktalk.net

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v · e · w h i te & c o

Solicitors

A friendly and professional firm, with offices situated in Strood and Rainham, Kent, offering an efficient legal service in your local area and specialising in: w Residential and commercial conveyancing w Landlord and tenant matters w Re-mortgages and transfer of equities w Equity release w Wills and probate w Lasting powers of attorney w Matrimonial and children issues

w Pre-marital agreements w Declaration of trusts w Divorce and separation w Employment law w Property disputes w Change of name deeds

Strood office 01634 739195 w Rainham office 01634 376555 enquiries@vewhitesolicitors.co.uk

w w w. v e w h i t e s o l i c i to rs . c o . u k Do you need a Helping Hand?

Our local care team has been providing award winning quality homecare since 1989.

The Home Care Specialists

A family run company we offer you a one-to-one full time Live-in Care service that enables you or your loved one to remain at home with compassion and dignity by assisting with: personal care, companionship, errands and housekeeping.

To find out how we can help you, call: 0808 180 1016 or visit: www.helpinghands.co.uk 12

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Re c Ca rui N rer ting ow s

So if you are looking for an alternative to residential care or as a short term answer whilst recovering from illness or operation - then we’re here to help.

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Emmaus Medway Trustee Opportunities Have you ever thought about getting involved in Governance? After seeing the departure of a number of trustees over the last year, we are keen to hear from people who are looking to support the organisation by helping us with governance. Like a school governor, a trustee contributes to the organisation by providing support and challenge to lead staff and by shaping the strategic direction for the organisation. These are not operational roles but purely strategic ones so you will almost never be called upon to attend events or meetings during normal working hours.

The trustee board meets up to 12 times a year in the evenings, and has an away day to consider larger items of strategic development.

The opportunity is open to anyone but we would particularly welcome people who have experience in business management or retail.

If you are interested in progressing this further than please do contact our Director, Martin on 01634 814195 or email him at martin.sissons@emmausmedway.org

Companions We have seen a lot of movement when it comes to Companions, seeing a high turnover, which is not unusual for an Emmaus Community. At the time of writing we have 19 Companions and are activity recruiting from local agencies and wider afield. We have formed particularly good links with local prisons and Probation services and other homeless agencies.

This does reflect the perceived national trend of more young people finding themselves homeless. Many of them are keen to move on quickly but find that Emmaus does offer them the support and structure they need to rebuild their lives and confidence.

Emmaus Medway continues to support local people by offering them accommodation and support in return for them volunteering in the social enterprise. This does not always work out for people and we have seen the support we provide being truly transitional with Companions moving on in a short timescale, but we do recognise that Emmaus is not for all.

Davis Decorators

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www.davisdecorators.co.uk 14

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Donating Goods There are a number of ways to donate items of furniture and other household items. Call us on 01634 827698 to arrange a collection or to email us either at enquiries@emmausmedway.org or donations@emmausmedway.org. We also have a website www.emmaus.org.uk/medway and two shops; one on Rochester High Street next to the station and one on Chatham High Street opposite Debenhams.

Volunteer Drivers needed

The Community Business

For those of you who are aware of what we do, you will know that we are not your usual charity as everyone who works directly in the Community Business is in fact a beneficiary of the service and as such lives in the Community as well. This can mean that we do struggle to ensure that we have all the skills we need from our Companions to run the Social Enterprise which does not seem to be a problem apart from it comes to drivers. If you can spare some time on a regular basis, be it a morning, afternoon or even a whole week we would be grateful to hear from you. Just contact our Director on 01634 814195 and he will be able to talk you through the process. You never know within a matter of weeks you could be driving one of our Luton vans around Medway and beyond.

We now have two shops in Rochester and in Chatham, which are both trading well. However, they both rely on donations of support from the general public. We need donations of all household items including furniture and electrical items to ensure we can meet the demands on the business form our customers.

And remember we do collect items for free.

We also offer an inexpensive house clearance service and can carry-out light removals.

There are challenges ahead for the Rochester shop as we rely on the number of customers coming and going from the railway station to make the shop location ideal. With the station moving we are concerned that we may need to look for additional shop premises in the local area, perhaps in Gillingham to ensure that our trading income remains at a level which is high enough to support the Community.

We are also still in the process of installing new till and stock control system which will bring efficiencies to the business side of the organisation.

A We have a new website which is

www.emmausmedway.org and have a regular presence on both Facebook and Twitter. You will also see regular adverts in the local newspaper, hear them on the radio and be able to click though to our donations page on line through our relationship with the Kent Messenger Group.

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We also now sell clothes at our Chatham shop which is proving quite popular. We accept donations of clothes at either shop but it you have lots to donate then why not contact us on 01634 827698 and we can arrange collection.

And if you are interested in bric-a-brac then we have a lot of offer in both shops.

The best way to keep up to date with what’s on offer is to come and visiting the stores on a regular basis to grab a bargain.

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Churches in Strood St Nicholas Church High Street, Strood ME2 4TR On Thursdays Strood Drop-In Centre is open in the church 11am-3pm ALL welcome from all walks of life to come and relax, enjoy a cuppa, make friends, seek help.

On a Saturday a coffee shop is open 10am till 12 noon in the Lower Hall.

Sunday services 8am Holy Communion (BCP); 10.30am Sung Eucharist (Common Worship) Refreshments available in lower hall after this service 6.30pm second Sunday of the month Solemn High Mass 6.30pm fourth Sunday Evensong (BCP)

St Francis of Assisi Galahad Avenue, Strood ME2 2YS Our church fellowship meets at 10.30 am and uses Holy Communion (Common Worship) most weeks (except 2nd Sunday when we have 8 am Holy Communion (BCP) and 10.30 am All Age Worship.

We have a hall and a small room for hire For further details please contact Peter Gibbs on 01634 717644

English Martyrs RC 37 Frindsbury Road, Strood ME2 4JA Mass times Saturday 10am & 6pm; Sunday 10.30am; Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri 9.30am Holy Days 8.00am, 9.15am or 10.50am during school term; 8.00pm Confessions Saturdays 11-11.30am; 5-5.30pm

TO ADVERTISE please call Liam on 01843 293062 16

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CURTAINS

BY SONIA K

Cut out the designer come straight to the maker Curtains, Soft furnishings & blinds Own fabric made up or samples available Alteration work undertaken Established since 1985

please ring for a free quotation 01634 352318 / 07715 629 791 sonia68@hotmail.co.uk / www.soniakcurtains.co.uk or find me on facebook - Sonia Dowsett

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NO CHIMNEY? NO PROBLEM!

TREE SERVICES • All tree work undertaken • Fully qualified & insured • Free quotes

Traditional and contemporary designs Multifuel and woodburning stoves All types of chimney liners installed Prepacked coal and logs Chimney Sweep Service

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The local independent retailer that gives you more

Visit our showroom and book your free design consultation today Unit 23 Castle View Business Centre Gas House Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1PB 01634 827242 | info@kitchencentrekent.co.uk www.kitchen-centre.co.uk

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Proud members of

Where reputation matters

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DLJ Gymnastics DLJ Gymnastics at Strood Academy goes from strength to strength!

DLJ Gymnastics Club first came to Strood Academy in September 2013 with just 2 classes – since then this number has expanded to 6 recreational classes both taking place on various weekday evenings and on Saturday morning, with gymnastics fun days running during half terms and the summer break – with classes suitable for all children of ages 4-12 of all abilities. With a wide range of equipment available including beams, bars, tumble track and lots more with British Gymnastics Awards given to help encourage progression, the qualified and experienced DLJ coaches will ensure that your child has lots of fun at the sessions while learning lots along the way!

In addition to the community sessions,the DLJ Stars, a floor and vault gymnastics squad group formed in 2014, now train at Strood Academy for 2 hours per week in preparation for competitions taking place regularly across Kent.

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This squad now boasts several Kent and South East regional champions and at their most recent competition, the squad had 12 1st- 4th place finishes out of 21 gymnasts competing, with 5 silvers and 3 new Kent champions crowned from the DLJ squad!

DLJ Sports Coaching also recently ran a very successful gymnastics competition, the DLJ Championships, which included over 100 children both from Strood and other DLJ Sports Coaching gymnastics community and school sessions across the Medway/Gravesham area – this annual event gives those attending our community clubs who may not wish to join a competitive squad group a chance to experience competition – each child took a medal home with some competitors picking up a gold, silver or bronze group medal to accompany this one!

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Wannabe a singer, actor or dancer?

Then reach for the stars and join...

Tap t Dan ce

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Classes for children from 2 to 18 years of age.

Take part in shows, pantomimes, examinations, cabarets, festivals or just come along for fun!

Danielle Wells-Gaston, Head Coach at DLJ Sports Coaching, said “I am so pleased at how the gymnastics club at Strood Academy is developing. Children seem to really enjoy the sessions and there is a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere within all of our Strood Academy sessions – it has been great to see the development of the children as they have progressed with us! We would definitely love to welcome some new members to our community sessions and maybe find some new DLJ Stars for our squad group. Our squad have done so well at recent competitions and have been a credit to the club - they have all worked really hard and have done themselves and the club proud!”

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SMALL CLASS SIZES

Small group and private lessons for all ages and abilities starting from 4 months.

Our classes are conducted at a range of modern Private well-equipped pools

Go to www.dljsportscoaching.com for more information about DLJ Gymnastics Club sessions at Strood Academy. Simply fill in the online enquiry form which will show you the sessions we have available and we will be in touch to discuss securing your child a place at one of our sessions. Or you can call 07736313082 or email danielle@dljsportscoaching.com

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gravesend@angelasswimschool.co.uk

07432 530104 Medway Towns Cobham Hall Longfield Istead Rise Gravesend

angelasswimschool.co.uk

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Strood

EST 2008

SUFC

ROOD ST

United Football Club

UNITED

JOIN US! EST 2008

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BOYS / GIRLS UNITED ROOD ST

FOOTBALL COACHING

DOCKSIDE P R O P E R T Y S E R V I C E S

EST 2008

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Follow Us Strood United Football Club

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Friend & Grant

Chartered Accountants

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Strood

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Every Saturday

EST 2008

SUFC

Cedar Primary School

UNITED ROOD ST

Cedar Road, Strood, ME2 2JP

9:00 - 10:00 = Years R, 1, 2 & 3.

10:15 - 11:15 = Year 4 & Year 3/4 girls.

EST 2008

Professional qualified coaches First aid trained SUFC DBS accredited

SUFC

EST 2008

UNITED ROOD ST

UN I T E D!!!!!

Every player welcome ROOD ST

For more information contact Dan 07801 274 983

DOCKSIDE P R O P E R T Y S E R V I C E S

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COMPUTER & GADGET SPECIALISTS We repair PCs & Macs iPhone & tablet repairs

Games systems built to spec

We also repair Samsung

Desktop & laptop repairs HDD & OS upgrades

Custom computers

Miranda

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS

SPECIALIST REPAIRER FOR OVER 20 YEARS

ALL REPAIRS GUARANTEED Misted / Broken Glass Units, Door & Window Handles, Locks & Hinges Patio Door Wheels & Tracks

SPARE PARTS SHOP

• Built to your spec • Choice of colours & designs • Gaming, photo, video • Home & works systems

Units 15-16 Dickens Court Enterprise Close, Medway City Estate Kent ME2 4LY

Medway Computers 01634 294 999 www.medwaycomputers.co.uk

01634 717400 www.mdgrepairs.co.uk

6 Rochester Court, Anthony’s Way, Medway City Estate, ME2 4NW

Have your say Strood Community Ad Magazine welcomes letters and comments received for publication on matters to do with Strood, its activities and community.

Please write to: The Editor Strood Community Ad Magazine First Floor 7 Cecil Square Margate Kent CT9 1BD Community Ad Web Ltd reserves the right to moderate and edit the content of any correspondence according to the requirements of the magazine.

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Please send us your pictures of Strood for a chance to have them displayed on the front cover

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CHEQUERED FLAG sales • service • repairs • mots • & more

mot tests

£25 only with this advert

01634 711866 M2

A228

Cuxton Road Diggerland

A228

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loNg-ruNNiNg, FamilY-owNed BusiNess

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A&E Locks & Property Maintenance Lock Fitting · Repairs · Upgrades 24/7 emergency lock and door opening

Most building maintenance work taken on

call John on 07910 044188

TO ADVERTISE please call Liam on 01843 293062

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Domino

Plumbing & Heating

• Boiler servicing • Central heating • Bathroom installations • Gas safe • Boiler supply & installation

01634 799592 | 07747 824508 BREWSTER FINANCIAL PLANNING LTD

With 23 years experience, I provide a wide range of services to individuals, families and businesses. I have the expertise to help you in all financial areas including: - SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLANNING - RETIREMENT PLANNING & PENSIONS - INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING regulated by the FSA - LIFE COVER My emphasis is on maintaining a long-term relationship with my clients and to provide them with trusted financial advice.

01634 323761 | 07944 946804 richard.brewster@sjpp.co.uk

www.richardbrewster.co.uk

KAYES ELECTRICAL Kent Ltd THE COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SERVICE All types of electrical wiring New consumer units (fuse boxes) Electrical inspecting and testing Emergency lighting Fire and smoke alarm systems Landlord certification Oven and appliance repairs Shower installations Electric heating installations Security lighting emergency call outs Data cabling

For free estimates and impartial advice contact us on 01634 578785

www.kayeselectricalkent.co.uk

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How retirement will look in 2015 On 21 July 2014 the government released their response to the ‘Freedom and Choice in Pensions’ consultation, effectively giving the go-ahead for the sweeping pension changes that were proposed as part of the 2014 Budget in March. These changes could radically alter your plans for retirement.

More Freedom in how you draw your income

Taxation on death to be reviewed

In theory, the flexibility will allow you to treat your pension fund in the same way as any other investment: you will be able to take withdrawals whenever you want.

The tax position on death under the current rules is that lump sum payments from any money remaining in drawdown is subject to a death tax charge of 55%. The same tax rate also applies to any remaining pension fund not being used to provide benefits, if the death occurs from age 75 onwards. As part of the new reforms, the government intends to abolish the 55% tax charge from money inherited from pension funds, regardless of the age of death. It has also extended the same generosity to money in drawdown, if the death of the holder occurs before age 75. For deaths after age 75, the tax rate for money inherited from drawdown will reduce to 45%.

From April 2015, if you are a member of a defined contribution pension scheme and aged 55 or over, you will be able to draw money from it as you see fit. You can receive a tax free cash sum of up to 25% of the amount you take, then you will have the freedom to access some or all of the remaining fund as income, taxable at your marginal rate of income tax. So if you want to access all of the money from your pension, you will be able to take it as a lump sum.

As tempting as it sounds to get hold of your money when you want it, in practice, the tax treatment may discourage you from extracting large sums in a single year. So unless you really need the extra income, you may want to withdraw your pension savings at a slow rate that is more tax-efficient.

Although the new pension freedoms mean you will no longer be compelled to buy an annuity, if you are looking to secure a guaranteed income for the rest of your life, an annuity will still be an appropriate option for you, especially as it’s impossible to tell how long you will live.

The new rules are effective from April 2015 but importantly, it is the date the claim is settled rather than the date of death, which determines if the money is paid at the new rates.

A To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management,

Retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning or to arrange a free initial consultation please contact: Richard Brewster DipPFS, Financial Advisor, Brewster Financial Planning 01634 323 761 | 07944 946804 | richard.brewster@sjpp.co.uk www.richardbrewster.co.uk

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The Kent Disability The Kent Disability League began in the 2005/2006 season to create opportunities for footballers with varying impairments and levels of ability to compete in the same environment, providing regular competitive and fun football playing opportunities for children and adults.

Prior to this there were only a handful of disability teams across the county who played friendly games of in one off regional competitions. The KD League soon established itself and grew at a phenomenal rate, partly in response to the demand for more localised competition.

visual Impairments, deaf, Down’s syndrome and amputees, alongside players with various learning disabilities. All the divisions encourage mixed participation, male and female, where the Kent DL became the first to run mixed adult disability football.

Seven years on, there are now over 50 small sided teams regularly taking part in the Kent DL with over 300 adult and almost 200 junior, male and female, players taking part, making it the largest county disability league in the country. The clubs which compete in the Kent DL play pan-disability football, where teams consist of players with varied physical disabilities, which can include cerebral palsy,

Clubs competing include Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, Canterbury City, Bromley Green Valiants, Sheppey United, Maidstone United, Folkestone United, Thanet Galaxy, Deal All Stars, Milton & Fulston Spiders, Swanscombe Tigers, RMB United, Anchorian Equals and BCD. The Kent DL was originally run and administered by the Kent FA; however, all Kent DL operations are now the responsibility of the new league committee (volunteers), which include representatives from various clubs within the Kent DL. Towards the end of the 2014-2015 season the Kent Disability League was selected as the South East Region FA & McDonalds Charter Standard League of The Year 2015.

Unlike other county football leagues and divisions, where clubs compete in home and away fixtures, due to the distances between the Kent DL clubs, fixtures are played as monthly tournaments throughout the football season at one venue for adult teams and another venue for juniors. Fixtures are played in a round-robin short match format, with varied divisions from under 11s through to under 13s, under 16s and up to adults.

Although the Kent DL is affiliated to the Kent County FA, it is now the responsibility of the committee to run disability league football throughout Kent, ensuring the league has long term sustainability, which also requires the league to become self-funded.

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League

BESPOKE PLUMBING

To continue with these ongoing disability football competitions the Kent DL is in need of funding and support to assist in ensuring the league can continue to offer football tournaments, matches and activities for competing clubs and players, from supplying equipment, specialist footballs, training kit and facilities hire, to sponsorship of the Kent DL.

A

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or making donations for equipment to the KD League, please contact fundraiser David Ramzan by email, fundraising@kentdl.co.uk or call 07860 713619

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www.bespokeplumbing.com Full central heating systems Boiler changes Bathrooms fully designed and installed including tiling, building work and plastering, supply or install only Free quotations - what we quote is what you pay Full public liability

Free phone 0800 068 4840 Office 01634 253 336 Mobile 07717 886 825 POWER FLUSH YOUR HEATING AND SAVE ££££ ON YOUR GAS BILL! Local, family-run business, with over 25 years of experience

Tel: 01634 361115

www.kitchenculturekent.com

★ FREE

installation available for limited period only

Showroom at: 75 High Street, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7HS

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Getting to know the Woodland Trust The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, championing native woods and trees. It operates in an environment where tree disease, inappropriate development and changes in land use have reduced woodland cover in the UK to a meagre 13% compared to 37%in the rest of the EU.

The Trust gives a voice to woods and trees, and tries to protect them where current planning law does not. There are 69 ancient woodlands currently under threat in Kent, and 21 have been lost in the last 10 years. Just one example of this is Oaken Wood. Although an important habitat for pipistrelle bats, dormice, reptiles, 37 species of bird and a range of plants, in July 2013 permission was granted for Gallaghers to quarry the area. 79 acres of precious ancient woodland was lost as a result. The Trust campaigns for 28

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better protection for ancient woodland, and it hopes that people will think twice before they are mindlessly destroyed.

Only 12% of Kent’s population live within 500m of a 2 hectare woodland and it suffers a below average woodland cover. The Trust believes that communities and families should be able to experience woods and trees as part of their everyday life, and aims to increase these figures.

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If you want to explore woods in your area, here are a few recommendations: Hucking Estate (Hollingbourne) Hucking Estate is a mix of ancient woodland, and open grassland, nestled in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It is scattered with archaeological remains, wonderful walks, and breathtaking views.

Dering Wood (Pluckley) Saved from development in the late 1990s, Dering Wood is home to more than 25 species of butterfly and rare beetles and renowned for its stunning display of bluebells and wood anemones.

tree packs scheme. This will enable schools and groups to create their own woodland, giving the next generation a personal connection to trees. Applications for the tree packs scheme are currently still open, with trees due to be delivered in November.

The threats to woods, and the need to create more is an unrelenting battle - and the Trust simply cannot do it alone. There are many ways to get involved - planting trees, volunteering and making donations towards its work are just a few examples.

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Denge and Pennypot woods (near Chartham) This ancient semi-natural woodland is home to many invertebrates, including the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly. It is perfect for scenic dog walks during the summer months.

To find more woods in your area go to: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ visiting-woods

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Insulated Conservatory Roofs

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Too cold in Winter? …then we have the solution.

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Don’t let a on your car put a in your pocket!

Rochester Roofing We paint the chips - not the car

Professional quality repairs at a fraction of body shop costs 3Mobile or CarCare Centre 3Same day service 3We come to you • Bumper scuffs • Paintwork scratches • Minor dents • Small accidental damage • Alloy wheels

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DIGITAL HEARING AIDS

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Local family business Personal service in the comfort of your home Free demonstrations After-sales service

For a Free hearing assessment call

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D2 Services Medway Ltd Car serviCing & repairs Medway & Kent 28 years of experience

servicing, repairs and MOt tests for all makes of cars

01634 296967

www.d2servicesmedwayltd.co.uk

Unit 2 Alma Place · Strood · Kent · ME2 2AE 30

• New Roofs • Repairs • Lead Work • Tiling

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Take Care Home Help Supporting your independence

For the elderly and those with a disability or unwell.

An old fashioned home help service to assist with housework, provide support to shops, outings and appointments Gardening and handyman jobs undertaken

01634 316821 CRB checked Fully insured Reliable and friendly

nominated for the

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Creases Ironed Away s Washing & ironing services s Sports kits, uniforms, duvets s Curtains, bed linen & clothing s Domestic & commercial

Prompt & professional service 3c Holborough Road Snodland Kent ME6 5NH

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Strood Academy is a “good school” Ofsted June 2013

Open Evening

Wednesday 30th September, 6-8pm

Open Mornings

6th 7th 8th October, 10.45 start

“This is a thriving and rapidly improving academy. The Principal and her senior team are ambitious with a strong moral purpose.

They are rightly proud of the improvements they have made to the academy and they are passionate about ensuring that all students are cared for and achieve well from good teaching. Students feel secure because their teachers have established orderly routines and made their high expectations clear.”

a 21st century facility with traditional values

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