Lenham Focus | March '14 by Falcon

MARCH 2014 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 3 Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

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Welcome... I start this month’s as I did last month’s, with a plea for help from you the readers. We are a small parish magazine that is put together and distributed by a small but dedicated team of people all of which work on it in the very little spare time they have for no reward except the satisfaction that they have provided an important community resource.

Welcome

We all have full time jobs and families and I think we would all like help with the individual roles that we undertake. The roles include finance, advertisement, editorial, distribution and proof reading so if you are interested please get in touch. The magazine has run for some years now on a ‘skeleton crew’ and I can only rely on people’s good will for so long. Without fresh input I can only see the Focus disappearing with its place taken by a more corporate, profit driven publication. I hope this can be avoided but it can only be done with your help, so if you think you can assist in anyway please get in contact. Let’s not let the Focus become another Ironmongers (although please read inside for the welcome return of the Ironmongers shortly), an important village resource that disappears only to be replaced by a large, faceless organization.

James Collett Focus Editor 01622 850608

lenham-focus@tiscali. co.uk

Lenham Focus Volume 16 Issue 3 | March 2014 Circulation 2000

MAR 14 Editor: James Collett 01622 850608 | lenham-focus@tiscali.co.uk Advertising: Annie Drylie 07956629772 | advertslf@gmail.com Treasurer: Sue Marchant 01622 858511 | 07788163828 | lenhamfocusinvoices@gmail.com Distribution: Gez Clark 07784 447200 Proof Reader: Jane Hewish Social: Jemma Cockell Printed by: Gemini Print

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Your Focus Team We are the team behind the Lenham Focus, we build the magazine from start to finish every month. For you.

Writing: James Collett

Although James is not, and never has been, involved in publishing he works on the Focus to ensure the village is always up to date with events and to provide local businesses with a low cost publication to advertise in. As with all the team he gives up his time in between work and family and is always grateful to the contributors who make the job so much easier.

Design: Flowbox Flowbox are an innovative young creative agency based in Maidstone. Established in 2012 they have been providing the Focus with their time and design services for free. Flowbox works with all sorts of clients from one-man bands to huge corporations. If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re after, get in touch! thinkflowbox.co.uk

Contributors

Photography: Andy Flood Andy has been providing photography to the focus since the launch of the new design. Consistently he has provided amazing shots, especially the front covers. Most recently the January and February edition! Check out his Flickr Photostream! http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 35132157@N04/

Photography: Richard Gare

Photography: Peter Bailey

Richard has provided some fantastic shots recently of in and around Lenham in the snow, and all of the Lenham Lights! Check out the inside back page of this issue.

Peter has in the past provided some stunning photographs to the Focus. None in this issue, but we hope to receive some more soon!

Photography: Elliott Round Elliott was commissioned to take some photos of Lenham when the new design came out. Now at Greenwich University he doesn’t do any photo’s for us anymore but hopefully will in the future!

This is just a small snapshot of the focus team, we’re awaiting some photos and introductions for the crucial members. Keep an eye out in future editions for the rest of the team.

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Borough Council Corner I did not write last month because our family have mainly been concentrating on looking after Rob our son who had a work accident and broke 3 limbs. This meant that I was unable to carry out much active council work so far since January, so we could look after him. Thankfully he is recovering well.

I have endeavoured to work with residents who have contacted me with flooding, pot holes, street lights, litter, fly tipping and housing matters. Thank you for keeping me informed. Platts Heath polling station. I understand that the borough council are carrying out an audit of polling stations for elections and that the St Edmunds Centre, Platts Heath is being considered as an option for voting for elections. The consultation for the draft proposals runs from February 2nd until April 7th. The Acting Returning Officers proposal is to use St Edmunds Centre, Platts Heath “as electorates from this polling district have complained that

Borough Council Corner

Cllr Tom Sams Harrietsham & Lenham Ward t: 01622 859412 m: 07718173329 tomsamscllr@gmail.com

the distance to the centre of Lenham is a fair distance from the village of Platts Heath”. As I understand it there will be a further consultation in September for the final proposal, before a final decision by end of this year. And finally, there is a proposal which comes out within the draft local plan which residents may wish to comment upon when it comes out for consultation 21st March until 7th May, The increase in potential housing numbers for Lenham Parish is an area of strong concern for myself and I shall give more detail next month. Kind Regards

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Forthcoming Events March 1: Armitage Shanks March 8: Magic Mayhem Magician March 29: Mel Harris, Singer/Musician

Quiz Night

1st Tuesday Every Month Members and Guests Only . All events start at 8pm.

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enjoy d n a e m o C The Kent Police Male Voice Choir Saturday 29th March 2014 at 7.30 pm at The Vine Church, Boughton Lane, Loose ME15 9QF Tickets £8.00 Contact Paul Rodman 07966 424945

or Mike FitzGerald 01622 743270 or Maidstone Day Centre 01622 674064 Event organised by Friends of Maidstone Day Centre in support of homeless and vulnerable people @MaidstoneDayCtr

Maidstone Homeless Care

Day Centre

Maidstone Day Centre

Food For Thought

Community Food Share Scheme

Goodsell House

maidstonedaycentre.org.uk Maidstone Christian Care

You can give online through our website www.maidstonedaycentre.org.uk or text MDCC33 £2 / £5 / £10 to 70070 to donate now eg MDCC33 £10 Gift Aid support - via our newsletter Homeless Care Limited Registered Company Number 08414392 Registered office: 15 Knightrider Street Maidstone Kent ME15 6LP Registered Charity Number 1151412

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Dates for Your Diary MAR

Saturday 8th March 2014 7.00pm to Midnight Dinner & Cabaret Evening

Starring the Classic music of Frank Sinatra Also including Matt Monroe & Nat King Cole Performed by Ian Gallager The UK’s top classic Sinatra Tribute Act Tickets £35.00 each Tickets available from: Lenham Community Centre & Lenham News Agents.

MAR

Kent Plant Heritage Group invite you to a talk ‘Ferns for your Garden’ by Jude Lawton

Dates for Your Diary

MAR

Lenham Community Centre 12 Groom Way, Lenham, Kent, ME17 2QT Tel: 01622 853800 Mobile 07900585733 10th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday March 9th 2014, at 2.00 pm Hollingbourne Village Hall ME17 1TR Homemade Teas, Plant Stall, seeds from member’s gardens Admission free. Information: Jude Lawton 01732 522317 judelawton@btinternet.com

The Pepusch Condort All Saints Church Ulcombe 7:30pm

Innominata All Saints Church Ulcombe 7:30pm

SPRING FLOWER SHOW Saturday 22nd March 2.30 pm Hollingbourne Village Hall, ME17 1TR Spring flowers, home economics, craft and children’s classes Light Refreshments Entries to show secretary by 20th March

MAR

Innominata All Saints Church Ulcombe 7:30pm

MAR

Leeds Castle and Hollingbourne Garden Society

Kent Police Male Voice Choir The Vine Church, Boughton Lane The Vine Church, Boughton Lane, Loose, ME15 9QF Tickets £8.00 Contact Paul Rodman 07966 424945 Mike Fitzgerald 01622 743270 Maidstone Day Centre 01622 674064 Event organised by Friends of Maidstone Day Centre in support of homeless and vulnerable people.

Concert by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity (formerly the Army Benevolent Fund) at Sutton Valence School at 7pm on Thursday, 27th March 14. supported by pupils from the school. Tickets £18. Jools Holland HOPES to be able to attend, and when he does, he joins in. Call for an application form from Chris Parkinson, Belmont, Eastwood Road, Grafty Green, ME17 2DQ cfgparkinson@tiscali.co.uk Tel 01622 858132 Our soldiers need your support! Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

Climate Change is Happening Pat Crawford provides the Hadlow College comment and advice column.

Stories about flooding in the Somerset Levels have travelled all round the world. Photographs from the area are particualrly dramatic - hence the media concentration - but flooding has devastated people’s lives in many parts of the UK. Television interviews with some of the people affected by flooding reveal situations that one interviewee described as ‘scenes from a horror movie’. The Environment Agency, fire crews, the police, the army, volunteers from local communities – and many other organisations and individuals have been - and are involved in rescue efforts. Weather forecasters find themselves short on ‘good news’ stories – flood warnings predominate. The latest longrange predictions indicate the rain will continue through to May. Meanwhile aportioning ‘blame’ for the flooding is occupying a great deal of media attention. Chancellor George Osborne apparently said people understood ‘that the rain is not the fault of any one person’ no doubt people in drought ridden countries would welcome meeting

Climate Change is Happening

the individuals who can create rain! A slip of the tongue that is unlikely to have amused those suffering the consequences of flooding. The other issue exercising minds relates to whether or not ‘the weather’ we have been experiencing should be termed an Extreme Weather Event and, if the answer is ‘yes’ whether or not it relates to climate change. If so, we are then back to the old argument: ‘manmade’ v. ‘natural’? As a matter of interest, a 29page report - co-authored by no less than the Met Office’s chief scientist Dame Julia Slingo - was published in February. The report described how it is “possible to identify a contribution from climate change” for some of the recent major flooding events. But it also warned that, because of the UK’s notoriously variable climate, it was not yet possible to establish a definitive connection and more intense research is urgently needed. Debate is good – however, it can take the focus off the real issues. Currently the priority should be – and is – dealing with flooding and trying to alleviate the problems of

those suffering. At a recent Rural Focus Group meeting chaired at Hadlow College by the writer of this column, members representing the CPRE Protect Kent, East Malling Research, Greenwich University, LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) and other rurally- related organisations debated some of the knock-on challenges we face in the immediate, medium term, and possibly long-term, future. The debate included discussions about the effects on the national and regional economy and the ways in which people’s livelihoods and household budgets may be affected. Is there – or will there be – need for permanent relocation of some commercial/residential properties? What are the long term implications in regard to the Environment Agency, the way

it is funded - and whether or not funding protocols should be amended to allow for emergencies of an extreme nature? Food security – is sufficient attention being given to the ways in which farming is affected? Are we generally aware that many other countries are suffering a variety of Extreme Weather Events that will also impact on food production? Is there sufficient recognition of the potential for food shortages globally? Do we need to be more alert to the possibility of food price hikes? It is unlikely that any government, body, institution – or individual – anywhere in the world has definitive answers to these questions! Pat Crawford can be contacted: 07771 635684 pat.crawford@ hadlow.ac.uk

Property News Update from your local independent estate agent – Philip Jarvis Estate Agent There has certainly been some early indications this year that the housing market is changing. Most of us are keen to know how the property market has altered in recent times and indeed, what has influenced the prices of properties both for sale and to let in the local area. As a result, the team at Philip Jarvis Estate Agent have decided to hold

a House Moving Event on Saturday 29th March 2014 from 11.00am – 2.00pm. The event will host a variety of property professionals including local solicitor Thorneloe & Co and a team of sales and lettings professionals from Philip Jarvis Estate Agent. Everyone interested or are perhaps thinking of moving are welcome to join them in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Continued... December 2013 was the busiest December since opening in 2008 and January also saw a marked increase in sales and lettings. The outlook for those wishing to move in 2014 seems positive. The team at Philip Jarvis Estate Agent are however, keen to give their clients and customers the complete picture of what is happening and a much more precise analysis with expert advice for those perhaps thinking of moving over the coming year.

In addition, for all those who come to the House Moving Event on 29th March 2014, there will be an opportunity to claim a voucher worth ÂŁ500.00 off their next house move with Philip Jarvis Estate Agent, in 2014. Philip Jarvis would also like to take this opportunity to introduce their two newest recruits: Zoe Kerr joins the established team as a full-time Lettings Administrator. The rental market in the Lenham and surrounding areas is buoyant and the increasing demand for rental properties in the vicinity has led to this new position being created. Zoe lives in Lenham with her fiancĂŠ and puppy and is getting married later this year, yes, in Lenham.

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Zoe has extensive experience, the latest working for a local accountancy firm. This experience will certainly be beneficial in her future role. Jake Leigh joins the team as Sales Executive, supporting the rest of the sales team. Jake joins us from sixth form at Swadelands School where he is in the final stages of completing AS Levels in Business Studies and Sports Science. There is now a large experienced team of seven based at the office at 1 The Square, Lenham, who look forward to meeting you at the House Moving Event on 29th March 2014 (11.00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2.00pm) If you require any further information please contact us: T: 01622 858241 E: homes@ philipjarvis.co.uk W: www. philipjarvis.co.uk

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Clubs, Societies, Organisations and Gatherings Lenham Archaeological Society

Time to write an article again and nothing much archaeologically has happened in Lenham. Our Jan meeting was an interesting talk by Rod Le Gear (an archaeologist from Ashford) on Aerial Photography and many of his pictures were his own, taken when he had a Flying licence and flew regularly from Rochester. Feb 27th is our AGM and is followed by short talks by some of our members. March 27th is a talk by Richard Filmer (an excellent speaker) “Rural Romania revealed “…he tells me it is like a step back in time in farming practice and ways of life. Recent news has grabbed everyone’s attention ….Richard III being found under a car park in Leicester! Someone quipped that it was a long stay car park! What some people do not know is that this area has a connection with the last Plantagenet. Richard’s son (also Richard) escaped retribution from the Tudors by slipping off to follow a quiet rural life in Kent. The exact spot that he was buried

Clubs, Societies, Organisations and Gatherings

is marked by an inscribed tomb near Eastwell church. No need to dig him up to confirm, it was said at the time that it was he, so why should it be questioned? For if one starts quests to prove buried kings are under marked gravestones what is gained? It is only the missing Kings that it would be interesting to locate. At least, that’s my opinion ….let sleeping monarchs lie. There is also a well at Eastwell of course and it is called the Plantagenet’s well. The meaning of the name comes from French …the plant, the genet or broom, and they used to wear a sprig of broom as a symbol. Perhaps Broomfield has a connection? It has certainly got a well or spring. Richard the Lion Heart was also reputed to have visited Charing and brought back a curious stone from the Holy Land. The whole subject of Richard Plantagenet is very interesting. In succession he would have been Richard IV and this poses many unanswered questions. What name did he go by whilst living in Eastwell? Did he have any children? Are they the descendents used to check the DNA evidence on his father?

What might have happened had he succeeded his father … presumably the Tudor line would have not taken the crown … no Henry VII or Henry VIII? No Reformation and no loss of Monasteries ….a completely different England? Plenty of research for local Historians to do! Happy hunting! Lesley Feakes 606@feakes.com Lenham Gardening Society Welcome, lets hope that the rain has stopped and that you have been able to get out in the garden, I can’t remember when we have had such weather. Anyway Spring is near so lets hope for a better time then last year. Our January speaker, Lesley Feakes, gave a very interesting talk on the Mountains of the Moon, a range of mountains in Uganda, East Africa. The pictures were amazing and despite problems with the equipment the presentation went well. Our next meeting will be on March 20th, our speaker, Peter Cox, will talk about Rose growing something a lot of us would like to know more about. The competition will be Five Daffodils/

Narcissi same variety and/or A Spring Photo max 12” X 10”. At the last meeting we circulated lists of possible outings which members could vote on. We have decided to go to the Hampton Court Flower Show in July (poss, dates 9th, 10th & 11th). This is a very popular show so early booking will be required. The subsidised cost will be approx £25 to members, non-members will be £32. Those wishing to go will need to put their names down at the April meeting with a £10 nonreturnable deposit. Details of the other outings will be announced ASAP. We had five new members at our meeting January which is very pleasing, so why not join them and come along to our March meeting, you will be very welcome. Keith Varney Chair LGS

Lenham W.I. Well, here I am again. I hope that with the weather we have had so far this year you haven’t all developed gills and fins and swum off to warmer climates!! Our speaker at the March meeting will be talking about her ‘Adventure in Peru’ while in April we will be having a visit from Julia Davies whose topic will be

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Continued...

‘Cooking for 1or 2’.As you can see we continue to have a very varied selection of speakers, something to interest everyone, we hope. When the Community Centre was opened the W.I. was approached to provide catering facilities for groups hiring the hall for meetings. For the past 10 years this has provided a very valuable income for Lenham W.I. The organising genius behind this enterprise has been Janet McDonnell and thanks to the amazing efforts of her, and her team of helpers many members have been given bursaries, to enable them to experience courses at Denman College, we have had several successful Day Schools, and have always been able to afford good speakers and had no financial worries. After 10 years service organising and co-ordinating the catering activities Janet has decided, understandably, to step down. Mere words cannot express our gratitude for all she has done over the years, and we hope that she now finds time for herself and her family. Thank you Janet. Gill Simes RBL Women’s Section Hopefully Spring has arrived so on the 27th March we are holding our annual spring tea. This will be

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held in the Community Centre at 3pm for a 3:30pm start. Tickets are £6 from Eve on 01622858478. We look forward to seeing all our old and new friends. Enid LaPlain Young at Heart 60+ Hello, I hope everyone is coping with all the wet weather we are having. Our meeting for March is on Thursday 20th, from 2-4pm at the Community Centre. We will be having music and singing so hope you have your vocal chords tuned up. We look forward to seeing you all. If anyone needs a lift please contact Jenny on 01622859208 Jenny, Olive, Sue, Tom, Martin, Zoe and Nina LenValley Community Hub Club – Age UK Hi everyone, I hope you are all keeping well and by the time we get to our March meeting the rain will have eased off. Our next meeting in on Thursday 6th March at the Social Club from 2-4pm. We will be having a talk on the Air Ambulance. We do hope you can make it and look forward to meeting you all. Martin, Tom, John, Jenny, Zoe and Nina

Maidstone Operatic Society Maidstone Operatic Society has been busy rehearsing for our annual musical. This year it is the wonderful ‘Half a Sixpence’ which hits the Hazlitt Theatre in April (7th - 12th). The cast includes both Lenham’s Andrew Robinson, who plays Chitterlow, Harrietsham’s Kim Frazer.

and

‘Half a Sixpence’ is a heartwarming family musical with lots of toe-tapping songs including Half a Sixpence, She’s Too Far Above Me, If the Rain’s Got to Fall, and Flash, Bang, Wallop! Based on a novel by H G Wells, it tells the rags-to-riches story of Arthur Kipps, a young draper’s assistant in Folkestone, who climbs the social ladder before finding true happiness.

finding that ‘Half a Sixpence’ is better than none!

We would love as many of you as possible to come to support and enjoy a “Flash, Bang, Wallop” of a show! Get your tickets soon as they are selling FAST! Ticket prices range from £12.00 - £16.00, and are available NOW from Margaret Fitzgerald - 01622 891506 until 6th March 2014. After 6th March, tickets may be purchased from Hazlitt Booking Office 01622 758611 So come along and join us in

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Thoughts & Reports Christian Message March 2014

Was it a goal or wasn’t it? If you are of a certain age, like me, you will remember the ‘goal’ scored by Geoff Hurst in England’s victory against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final. It must be one of the most frequently shown clips and one of the most widely debated of sports incidents in our time. Even today, with the help of slow motion replays and computer simulation, it seems that nobody can be completely sure. We have to feel sorry for the referee on the day, but he had to come to a decision. And so it is in our lives. We have to make decisions and the right choice is often far from clear. For instance, have you been offered a ticket as you drive into a car park by someone as they are leaving and there is unspent time on their ticket. Might that be thought of as stealing from those who run the car park, or can we justify it by saying that time has already been paid for by someone else? The right choice, we might decide, is not clear. Jesus did say: ’give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the

Thoughts & Reports

things that are God’s.’ Mark 12: 17 The guidance Jesus gives us as we make our decisions is that the whole law is summed up in the command to love. This was the new commandment that Jesus gave us, that we should love one another. Even in the Old Testament we have examples of how to make right decisions in the way we live our lives. Recently I have been reading from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, where he is telling the people to prepare for a long exile and so gives them advice on how to live in a foreign land. He tells them to live alongside the Babylonians seeking and praying for Babylon’s welfare, a very different attitude from the desire for vengeance and plans for rebellion that others are forming. We too might be seen as living in a foreign land - a land where much of our secular lives are lives that can be seen as lives being lived in exile from the moral and ethical certainties that we like to think Christianity would offer. But that is not the way of Christ, he never promised us an easy life where having to make right decisions about right and wrong,

good and evil would be easy. Sometimes the choice is clear, sometimes confusing, sometimes easy, sometimes hard, sometimes mattering little, sometimes much, but, whatever the case we need to seek the will of Christ to make up our minds as to the best way forward. Just the same as Jeremiah, we are called to live in the place and time we find ourselves in today. Jeremiah’s advice is not easy to follow, denial, anger and opposition to many situations we find ourselves in are natural responses. Jesus himself commands that we ‘love our enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you’ Luke 6:27-28 Peter also offers advice on our decisions on how we live in often difficult circumstances. He says that others in our society will see how those who follow Christ are living that they ‘will see their honourable deeds and glorify God.’ 1Peter 2: 11-12 We do know that Jesus himself would break the law, for instance healing on the Sabbath. He tells us that the whole law must be summed up in the command to love. We must pray for understanding of what that means so I pray that may the truth shape

our decisions, our attitudes and our life, to God’s glory. Amen Reverend Millie Hart - Associate Priest ZAMBIA TEARFUND BOREHOLES PROJECT Many of you will know that the four churches of the Lenham Valley Benefice have been raising funds under Tearfund to dig boreholes in Zambian villages to give them direct access to clean water. On Sat, 1st Feb, Sue Birch organized a Yoga class and coffee morning in Ulcombe village hall to raise money for the project. This raised an astonishing £336 and we would all like to thank her for her efforts. Mary Parkinson

God’s Healing Despite some shortcoming we have an excellent health service with access to good local doctors and hospitals. Thanks to their skill many who are sick do recover from serious illnesses. Divine healing is also available and is complementary to the work of the National Health Service. The writers of the New Testament describe Jesus healing lepers; restoring sight to the blind; enabling the paralysed to walk and opening the ears of the deaf. Yes, you may say, but all that happened Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

Continued... many years ago. There are actually many today who would testify that they have experienced God’s healing in their lives. He is still at work! On Sunday March 16th at 6.30pm in St John the Baptist Church Harrietsham there will be a healing service. Rev Dr Paul Kirby, Senior Chaplain for the East Kent Hospital Trust will be the speaker. Together with local Christians he will pray for those who ask for prayer and for the sick whose names are brought to the service. One day Jesus said to a man, What

do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51) Why not come along and tell him what your need is? Joan Drury

The Pilgrims Way Artists Invite you to their 17th Annual Summer Exhibition in Lenham village 14c Tithe Barn, Kent ME17 2QD Friday 16th May to Bank Holiday Monday 26thth May 2014 10am to 6pm daily - entrance & car parking free (Late night 8pm Friday 16 th. Closes 4pm on 26th May) 30 local artists, potters and sculptors exhibiting over 300 works. Illustrated catalogue of exhibitors £1 ARTISTS DEMONSTRATION EVENING WEDNESDAY 21st May 6:30pm to 9pm. Entrance £5

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including refreshments Come along and see the artists at their easels and discuss their work Members Craft Stalls Friday, Saturday, Sunday 23rd – 25th May 10am to 4pm in the adjoining barn: Jewellery, Ceramics, Fabric, Glass, woodwork Refreshments available at all times

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GENERAL / SOCIAL NUMBERS Archaeological Society Badgers (St Johns Ambulance) Badminton Bowling Club Brownies (2nd Lenham) Drama Gardening Society Guides (1st Lenham) Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Nursery School Lenham Players Lenham Wanderers Lenham Social Club Harrietsham and Lenham Scouts Harrietsham and Lenham Cubs Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union Pilates Classes Royal British Legion St John Ambulance Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institute Youth Centre St Edmunds Platts Heath Country Ways Quilters and stitchers Lenham Valley Business Association

Lesley Feakes Mrs Manley Linda Bird Lyn Fuller Andrea French Gail Kelly Keith Varney Mrs J Thomsett Mrs Pat Abson Ami Rathmill David Abson Alf Smith Club Events Nick Still Mrs A Seales Mrs J Thomsett Vivien Elcomb Mr W Peter Mrs Bond Mrs C Toner Nicki Folland-Smith Karen Yardley Jan Haines Alan Reading

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Borough Councillors:

Tom Sams John Barned (Roads, Pavements)

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Kent Highway Services Dog Warden Cat Protection Drugs Helpline Heaths Countryside Corridor Lenham Enhancement Ass. Lenham Country Market Lenham Community Centre Lenham Heath Parish Hall LenValley Practice Non-Emergency NHS Care Member of Parliament Parish Council Clerk Parish Police PCSO Police Constable Rural Community Warden St Edmonds Platts Heath Reporting Potholes

Lost and Found FREE CALL Ruth Lovering Brian Llong Kevin Fitzsimons Margaret Mitchell Sharon Reed Doctors Surgery NHS Hugh Robertson MP Margo McFarlane Dave Rowley Brian Waghorne Martin Sherwood Karen Yardley

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Accounting & Business Services Air Conditioners Alarm Systems Barbers Beauty Parlours an therapist Builders/decorators

Butchers/Meat Carpentry Carpets/Flooring Caterers Catteries 34

Charted Surveyor Childminder Chimney Sweep Chiropody Cleaning/Housekeeping Clothing Computer Services

Cosmetic Clinic Dance Dressmaking/alterations Electricians/Gas fitters

Estate Agents

Contact Numbers

Stonebridge Associates RB Air Cybereye Security Sweeney Todd Mobile beauty therapist Alpha Andy and Paul Apollo Elwood (Painter/decorators) KRS Building/decorating KSE Home Improvements Lenham Decorating Services SR Interiors (painters/decorators) Stuttle Dyer (painters/decorators) G B Lister Snoad Farm Carpentry and General Building P Humpries Carpets direct Beaubray Caterers Little Dene Boarding Cattery Inkstand cattery James Collett Debbie Brett Invicta Chimney Sweep Afeneh Smith (mobile service) Heathers Chiropody Surgery Amy McLaughlin Phynix Domestic cleaning House proud valet The Little Attic A.C. Computers Harrietsham Computers Lynn MS Computer services The LenValley Cosmetic Clinic Lenham Ballet School Pam Hills AD Pink Electrics Barrie Weston Contractor Electrical Solutions Invicta Power Services/ Gas Fitters MGI Electrical Rockland Electrical Philip Jarvis

851542 07751466536 858612 07734950329 07738505575 762164 850437 07808414965 01634308933 851126 851400 858565 737225 859675 858220 01795890700 850364 858719 01233714999 763269 858510 859469 850608 01233714247 08003289877 853640 850376 07813030527 880028 07975513315 07530183895 850462 859442 745654 859969 852805 850329 858827 884774 01233712663 858794 850930 850055 07902017349 858241

Fitness Funeral Directors Gardeners Garages Greetings Vards Grocers Guitar Lessons Glass and Glazing Hairdressers Handbags and Jewellery HandyMan Holiday Let Home care Landscaping Locksmiths Logs Newsagents Osteopathy Pest Control Pharmacy Plumbers Pubs Roofing Schools Solicitors Taxi Tree Surgeons TV Ariels Veterinary Surgery Will Services

Activate Body and Soul 853750 A W Court 850840 Just a Mow 859940 The Big Mow 07871088119 Gowers Garage 858210 Tricia Oliver 859226 Lenham Village Store 858255 Chris 07957214822 Glass n glaze 01233840768 Bow Window 858787 Phase Hairdressing 850001 Smartyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 851150 Immyblingy 298129 Simon 01795890052 Dorset Cottage 851766 Audley Care 633101 Simplicare 01732526934 Ireland Landscapes 844605 Maidstone Landscapes and Paving 851222 A Short 07738658751 Seasoned Logs 07733328715 Len Valley news 858262 Graham Yates Bsc Ost (Hons) 01304379954 A D Pink 884774 Pest Purge 842481 Saxon Warrior 858287 All Fix Plumbing 851186 Epic Plumbimg 210298 Pure Plumbing 769722 The White Horse 859511 Carter Roofing 01795886084 R and D Roofing 858291 Lorenden 01795590030 Thornloe and Co. 859416 Arshed Mahmood 07770725129 Gez Clark 07784447200 Ambilly Tree Surgeons 859113 R & P TV ariel services 631717 Harrietsham Vets 858666 Maidstone Wills and trusts 08453884495

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Regular Daily & Weekly Events Daily Monday Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday 36

Saturday Sunday

Activate Fitness Facilites

Line Dancing LenARA Brownies 2nd Lenham Pilates classes Line Dancing Redbacks Explorer Scouts

Activate Sports Swadelands 7am--8.30am & 5pm--9pm St Johns Hall, Ham Lane 4.30- 6.00pm 7.00-9.15pm Community Centre 8.-10.00pm Community Centre 9.30-11.30am (8-11 years) 6.30- 8.pm Community Centre 8.pm Swadelands Ham Lane 7.00-9.30pm Cadets (10-18) 6.00-8.00pm Swadelands Ham Lane 7.00-9.30pm Community Centre 7.00pm-8.00pm 8.30 -9.30pm Community Centre 7.30- 9.00pm Lenham Primary Sch 6.15- 7.45pm Community Centre 11.30-12.30pm St Edmunds Platts Hth 8.pm Kingswood Scout Hut 7.15-9.15pm

H/sham&Lenham Beavers Guides 1st Lenham H/sham&Lenham Scouts Judo Club LenARA Keep Fit Lenham Youth Club

Harrietsham Scout Hut Community Centre Harrietsham Scout Hut Community Centre Community Centre Swadelands Ham Lane

Activate Fitness Facilites French Books for Children Tea/Coffee/Cakes Sunday Schools

Activate Sports Hall Swadelands 8am- 5pm Harrietsham Primary School 9.30-11.30am St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church 10.00-12.00noon see separate church services page

St Johns Ambulance Badminton (Feathers) Parent & Toddlers Group Harr & Lenham Cubs Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Youth Club St Johns Ambulance Lenham Youth Club Pilates classes

2nd Tuesday Derby & Joan 2nd Tuesday Royal British Legion 2nd Tuesday Citizens Advice Bureau 1st Tuesday Lenham Valley 1st Wednesday Parish Council Meeting 4th Wednesday LenARA (active retired) Last Wednesday Archaeology Club 1st Thursday Reading Group 2nd Thursday Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institute 3rd Thursday Last Saturday Len&Har. Disability Grp 2nd Sunday Lenham Country Market

Regular Daily & Weekly Events

Lenham House Lenham Social Club Harrietsham Village Hall Business Association Community Centre Community Centre Community Centre Lenham Library Community Centre Community Centre Lenham House The Village Square

5.45- 7.15.pm 7.00- 9.00pm 7.30- 9.30pm 5.30- 8.30pm 2.00- 3.30pm 7.30-10.00pm

2.00pm 8.pm 10.-12noon 6-8pm 7.30pm 2.pm 7.30pm 4.45--5.45pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.30am 9.- 1.00pm

Paul Grant Roofing Contractors All aspects of roofing work undertaken. Listed Building Specialist Strip / Re-tile / Kent Peg / Slating / Leadwork 35 years experience All work fully guaranteed For a free quotation and friendly advice on any roofing matter. OďŹ&#x192;ce: 01622 850855 Mobile: 07850740637 paulgrant747@gmail.com www.paulgrantroofingcontractors.co.uk Card payments accepted 37

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Lenham Parish Council Brief report on the LPC meeting held on 5th February 2014

Public Participation:

Members of the public who wished to speak; Mr I George reported the lights in Old Ashford Road were still not working after his reporting of them 2 months ago; the Clerk advised that KHS had reportedly undertaken the repair; the Clerk will investigate further the problem with KHS. I/G also reported that there was some graffiti in the gentlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public toilets on the doors. The Clerk advised I/G that refurbishment work of the public toilets was to be undertaken shortly and the problem graffiti would be dealt with then; the chairman interjected and advised I/G that if the graffiti was of an offensive nature the problem would be dealt with ASAP. Mr. B. Llong reported to the LPC that the fence on the Robins Close Green was now right down; the chairman advised B/L that the Clerk would get in touch with the Kent Highways Authority and ask them to repair the fence. Mr. N. Osborne and Mark Crutcher gave an update on the problems

Lenham Parish Council

with the Lenbus; they had been informed that the insurers had now written off the vehicle. There is to be further meetings on how the service can be maintained in to the future, i.e. replacement bus, or if indeed it can be continued in its present form. Mr. G. Clerk who runs the local taxi business has been carrying out the Thursday run in to Maidstone on behalf of Lenbus, this will continue until the end of February when a decision will be made on the future of the Lenbus. Dave Rowley (PCSO) reported that there had been 6 reported crimes over the last month; the majority were Criminal Damage and theft that were carried out in a variety of places in the Parish. D/R advised that there had been some incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour carried out by youths in the village, but he hoped he had nipped this in the bud by talking to some of the parents of those who were involved in the ASB. Martin Sherwood the parishes Kent Community Warden reported that two initiatives had come out of the Winter Warm event they were Family Mosaic who will visit

the elderly and if they fit in to the right category Mosaic would carry out free boiler repairs and other repairs, secondly, the Kent Fire and Rescue Service will make free home visit to inspect the premises of the elderly and to advise on fire precaution. M/S has the contact numbers if anybody should require them. KCC Ward member Jenny Whittle gave her apologies for not attending the meeting, Jenny had sent in a brief report as follows; J/W has submitted an application to fund a traffic speed survey on the A20 by the Faversham Road/ A20 junction following a meeting held on the 10th January 2014. J/W is awaiting a date for this and will keep the LPC posted.

to contain the sheep in the experiment of them grazing the grass instead of having it mown; we will have to see the results later in the year and then make a decision whether to continue with the grazing or go back to mowing.

The Chairman opened the main meeting:

Cllr. C. Huggens had distributed his report and asked if any Councillors had any questions on his written report on the Planning meetings held on 15th January 2014 and 3rd January 2014, there were no questions muted. C/H reported briefly on a meeting held with MBC Planning Officers over the proposed SHLAA sites that have been put forward for future development, but the list is not complete, which holds up the LPC Neighbourhood Plan development.

The chairman read out an advisory/Clarification of Councillors responsibilities when dealing with Contractors and the process of gaining quotes for works that need to be carried out on behalf of LPC. Matters Arising: The Chairman thanked Mr. John Arthur Boyd for erecting the fence at the back of the Church

Reports & Committees/ Spokespersons: Finance & General Purpose: Quotes are being sought for a qualified tree surgeon to accompany Parish Councillors when carrying out a tree audit of trees that the LPC are responsible for maintaining within the parish.

Planning:

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LPC Continued...

Neighbourhood Plan: The LPC has agreed to appoint a professional company to put together a NHP once further public consultation has taken place. Groom-Way Development:

Cllr. Osborn gave an update on the additional Affordable Housing for the Groom Way site; the LPC had held a meeting with Golding Homes and Golding Homes are ready to submit plans and 2 further public meetings will be held on the proposed development. MBC Planning department have raised some questions of which the LPC will have to answer over the proposed site being developed out-side the Village Envelope. The Chairman advised that the sale of LPC land in Groom Way was now nearing completion; The Clerk will make an appointment with the solicitors to sign the outstanding necessary paperwork, as and when it is ready. Highways and Transportation: Cllr. Jackson reported that the new wording for the petition requesting a 40mph speed limit

LPC Continued...

on the A20 through Lenham has now been completed and he would ask the retailers in Lenham to have the petition papers in their outlets so that their customers could sign it if they wished; Cllr. Jackson and the LPC are hoping for a good response. Law & Order: The Chairman advised that he was going to attend a meeting with the Police Commissioner later in the month and asked Councillors if there were any issues they wished him to bring up, there were none. The Chairman had given the leader of Speed-Watch Mr. B. Llong an invitation to attend a police seminar on the scheme; B/L agreed to attend the seminar. Web-site development: Cllr. Osborn gave an update on the new website in the absence of Cllr. Drylie, he reported that Flowbox would have draft pictures or scenes of the village on the front page; a link on the web-site is already set up and the hope is that the web-site will be up and running by June this year. Environment:

Cllr. Greenwood reported that he had gained quotes for a variety of work to be carried out on trees in the Church Yard and the Cemetery. It was agreed to gain further quotes for clearing up the Twitten, the pathway between Ham Lane and Maidstone Road. The Chairman advised Cllr. Greenwood that a letter from the Church Warden concerning plaques being laid in the designated area for the scattering of Ashes had been received by the LPC, there were some anomalies which needed to be ironed out, Cllr. Greenwood agreed to talk to the Church Warden and report back to full Council. Reports from Out-side meetings: Cllr. Greenwood reported on the Harrietsham Parish Council meeting he had attended, Cllr. Osborn gave a report on the meeting with Golding Homes over the extra three units of affordable housing proposed for Groom Way, which seemed to be positive. Cllr. Gillett reported on a meeting held with Lenham Allotment Association about the next steps to take to try and secure the continuity of the allotments for the future generations of Lenham Parishioners.

Budget Recommendations: The in depth budget report collated by Cllr. Drylie was read out along with a spread sheet for the coming year, and it was agreed by the full Council to agree to the budget as set out by Cllr. Drylie and the F&GP committee. There will be no increase on the Precept this year, but with ever more cut backs by MBC and Government Cllr. Drylie advised that the following year the Precept might have to increase, just an advisory caution. The Parish Clerk advised that she had organised a meeting with a waterways specialist company on February 13th to inspect Glebe Pond and for them to give advice on what action is needed to bring the pond up to a suitable standard, the consultation is free of charge.

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Church Services Services in March 2nd March – The Sunday next before Lent 8am Lenham BCP Holy Communion 8am Harrietsham BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Harrietsham Family Worship 9.30am Boughton Holy Communion 11am Lenham Holy Communion 11.15am Ulcombe Family Worship 44

Ash Wednesday 5th March 7.30pm Imposition of Ashes in All Saints Ulcombe 9th March – First Sunday of Lent 8am Lenham BCP Holy Communion 09.30am Harrietsham Holy Communion 11.00am Lenham Morning Worship 11.15am Ulcombe Holy Communion 6.30pm Boughton Choral Evensong 16th March – 2nd Sunday of Lent 8am Lenham BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Harrietsham Morning

Church Services

Worship 9.30am Boughton Holy Communion 11am Lenham Holy Communion 11.15am Ulcombe Morning Worship 23rd March – 3rd Sunday of Lent 8am Lenham BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Harrietsham Holy Communion 9.30am Boughton Family Worship 11am Lenham Family Worship 11.15am Ulcombe Holy Communion 30th March – Mothering Sunday 8 am Lenham BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Boughton Mothering Sunday Service 9.30am Harrietsham Mothering Sunday Service 11am Lenham Mothering Sunday Service 11.15am Ulcombe Mothering Sunday Service 6.30pm Harrietsham - Informal

Last Call for the Great War! The Hatch Charity’s book on Lenham and the Great War is due at the printers at the end of this month, so if you can help with information or photographs please do get in touch as soon as possible or they can’t be included. Even if you don’t know exactly what your ancestors did in the war, but know that they served in it, we still want to know what

happened to them after their return, so photographs of them after the war are also wanted. It’s the last practical chance that Lenham has of gathering material from this era of its history, so please contact me if you think you can help. Amy Myers at 01622 859915, or amy. myers@btinternet.com

Can you help? 1st Harrietsham Guides is a popular Guide Unit with an enthusiastic group of girls aged 10 to 14 that meet on a Tuesday evening from 6.45pmtil 8.30pm in term time. Unfortunately, for personal reasons our current Guide Leader is no longer able to continue to run the unit and unless we find someone to take over we will have to close at the end of the summer term. This would be a disaster as guiding is a vital part of our community and the girls will be devastated. Please, please, please could you give a couple of hours a week to join our team? It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a guiding background or

have been out of guiding since you were younger - all you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to give some of your time to this worthwhile and rewarding activity that enriches the lives of so many young people. If you think you could help by either becoming a full time leader or by working with us to create a leader’s team, please ring Sue or Kate for more information and to discuss how you can get involved. We look forward to hearing from you. Sue Morris 01622 850948/07740822244 Kate Davies 01622 850563 (evenings only)

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Emilia’s Little Heart This year has started amazingly with a donations and fundraising already coming in from all directions, which means we have been able to start to fund our projects for 2014.

The Intensive Care App - ‘Healing through Play’ is now underway and we hope to have an official launch at the Evelina London in April. It will be downloaded for free on iPhone and iPad, so anyone who has access to these can see where their money has gone to. Kent and Canterbury has had their site survey from Aura Canopies, for their new UV protective canopy which costs £2500 and means that the outdoor play area being created can be used all year round. We would like to thank Mike from Aura Canopies as they have been able to do this one for us at cost. We hope to officially open this in April, keep an eye out for photos in later editions. We currently do not have the funding for the UV protective canopy for William Harvey, as this will be nearer to £20,000. However the children who visit this hospital will not go without as we are able to fund two new scooters and trikes, and hopefully a sand and water table by start of the Spring.

Emilia’s Little Heart

The Evelina London has a new project that kicked off in February half term. Our sponsoring of art and craft boxes is now also sponsoring an Art and Craft Holiday Club for patients and siblings. We spent £1000 of money raised by Dan, Jo and Parize last year in setting it all up. The donations got underway with Christmas and we would like to thank the individuals, Lenara and Sunshine Health Visiting Team for thinking of the charity and instead of sending cards they made a donation to us instead. Maybe this next year we could get the children in hospital to design a Christmas card for the charity and raise money by giving them to local schools and businesses. Let us know on facebook or twitter if you think this is a great idea. We also receive donations through individuals who put their coppers in a pot and although they might feel it is only small change, to the children it supports it makes a huge difference to their day when they receive a sticker (only costing 2p) or a certificate (only costing 4p).

Thank you to everyone who thinks off the children in the hospitals we support. We also received money from St Mary’s the Virgin, West Malling and St Michael & All Angels, Offham for £100 from their Away Giving 2013. We really appreciate them thinking of us again and continuing to support our work. We have been fortunate to have been nominated by people who know our work for Waitrose Allington (November), Tenterden (December), Ashford (January), Kings Hill (January). They filled in one of the community support forms and we were extremely lucky to by chosen. In total from Waitrose we would have received over £1500 by the end of February, which will be put towards the new outdoor play equipment we intend to purchase for William Harvey and Kent and Canterbury. Thank you so much to anyone who was able to drop into the store and put their counter in the box, every counter goes towards the amount we receive. We were also nominated for Asda stores and was chosen by Asda Sittingbourne for January and February. With this one it is the most counters by the end of the two months wins £200, the other two charities for that time get £50. I will let you know how we get on

next time. We have been selected by Teynham C of E Primary School and SBK Healthcare Events (http://www. sbk-healthcare.com/about-sbk/ sbk-charity) as their Charity of the Year, and we look forward to hearing about their fundraising efforts. We hope they have fun whatever they plan to do. I was extremely fortunate to be invited to Teynham School and meet the children and tell them about the work of the charity. There are lots of things going on with regards to fundraising which I will update on facebook, twitter and our website www. emiliaslittleheart.org.uk, as and when they come up. A local one for you though that is being organised by a couple of local young girls doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award which you can be part of is: ‘Boogie Nites’ - 70s Disco White Horse Pub, Sandway Saturday 26th April 2014 7.30 - 12:00 Tickets available in local shops Keep an eye out for the posters. Hope to see you there! If you would like to keep up to date with our work please check out the website www.emiliaslittleheart. org.uk or facebook or twitter @ emiliaslitheart.

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Lenham Ironmongers is back in town... After it’s sad demise in October 2010, shopping in Lenham has become all the poorer. If you don’t believe that, think of all the conversations you have had with

your friends and family over the loss of the carpet cleaner, the inability to finish that job today for the lack of a tube of silicone or to fix something with the odd bracket or screw. Add to that you are likely to be sitting in the dark because you just can’t buy a light bulb in Lenham.

Whilst the shop is small, Lenham Ironmongers will once again have a physical presence in the village, enabling you to finish those jobs on time and find the odd tool or screw you require. The carpet cleaner will also be back, and we might even clean your carpets too for an additional charge.

The loss of the Ironmongers in terms of their friendly, helpful and loyal commitment to their customers is enormous. With their mottos, ‘If we don’t have it in stock, we will get it for you’ and ‘cheaper than B&Q’ and of course ‘without the added cost of petrol’, Lenham has indeed missed it’s Ironmongers.

Of course Keith can’t even dream of displaying the amount of items previously available, but rest assured, with the added bonus of a remote stockroom, Keith can make the items available to you within the day and at most within a couple of days.

David and Lynne continued with their internet business, but without that shop front - the Ironmongers was lost to many of us. However, with his impending retirement, David has transferred the business into the capable hands of Keith at Len Valley News on the High Street.

Lenham Ironmongers is back in town...

Browse through the catalogue and visit the Ebay shop to identify even further household and hardware goods at competitive prices. Let us do the hard work for you, together with a veneer of old fashioned values of commitment to customer care, advice and experience. Sadly we can’t mix paint for you as previously (how cool

was that machine!) but we will stock a range of basic colours and finishes with of course the promise to always get you exactly what you want. In the garden, forget lugging heavy bags of peat and soil into the boot of your car, we can deliver to your door saving both a messy car and an expensive journey to the garden centre. On a range of household lines we can also deliver competitive

prices on a consistent range of well known branded products, tried and tested to do the job. Keith is over the moon to be nominated by David as his successor and is excited to expand the range as far as possible. Of course we wish good luck and all the best to David and Lynne in their retirement and very much hope to see you all soon in the new Lenham Ironmongers.

Lenham Village Store

Well here we are in March already, as I write this newsletter it is pouring down with rain and is quite cold so I very much hope that the weather is brightening up, even if it’s just a little bit!.

that whatever you are doing this year for Mothering Sunday that you all have a lovely day. We can make bespoke hampers for anyone looking to get their mums something a bit different this year.

This month brings Mothering Sunday on the 30th, I know that we should all treasure our mums everyday but it is nice to make an extra special effort on this day to spoil them and thank them for all they do for us. Also to take some time out to fondly remember mums who are not with us anymore. We all hope

In March this year we have a very special birthday! Matthew turns 30 on the 26th March! so please join us in wishing him a very happy 30th birthday!!! Have a great month everyone. Love from all of us from Lenham Village Store.

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Cherry Rype has come to fruition for Lenham Yes we have won funding! Do you live in Morella Walk, where did the name come from? 56

You can now find out through ‘Kent Orchards for Everyone Project’. That name may sound familiar; do you remember ‘Orchards for Everyone’, the pilot project? We are now pleased to announce that we have received £220,000 Heritage Lottery Funding to roll out the pilot project across 15 community orchards in the Mid Kent Downs and west of Maidstone. This project will support Lenham village community in celebrating and conserving Cherry Downs, your very own traditional community orchard. It is a fantastic opportunity to involve orchard communities and stimulate those nostalgic

Cherry Rype has come to fruition for Lenham

memories of years gone by. It will create a footplate for villagers to celebrate their heritage, to volunteer and collaborate in surveys and educational events in their traditional orchards’. It will help to establish good management practices within our community orchards. Watch this space for hijinks in the ‘Orchard’, something for everyone

Focus On Nature Moon Flowers During just a few intervals between the constant rainfall of this winter, there have been some precious, brilliant nights when our local landscape has been illuminated with the soft, cool energies of our satellite moon. I recall one particular night of the early crescent moon when the whole circumference was magically outlined, a phenomenon explained way back by Leonardo da Vinci, as caused by light reflected back from Earth to the moon’s surface. Just a few of our native wild flowers have been given lunar names, one of which is Cow Parsley – Anthricus Sylvestris, known lovally in earlier times as ‘Moonlight’, the leaves of which, with the recent lack of frozen ground, are already emerging. Later in the summer, the roadside verges which crisscross our county will be totally covered with it’s white flower heads. The second wild lower in this category is the Ox-eye Daisy – Leucanthus Vulgare, also known as ‘Moon Daisy’. ‘and where high grasses wave Shall great Moon daisies blink’ (R. Bridges)

The early English herbalist John Pechey wrote ‘this plant casts forth beams of brightness’ and highly recommended it to be boiled in water to make a posset drink to treat asthma and as ‘a cure for diseases occasioned by drinking cold beer when the body is hot’! It will bloom in midsummer and when Europe became Christianised, it was linked with the festival of St. John, when strings of these daisies were tied around cottage doors ‘as a sure protection against lightning strikes’. Finally we come to one of my favourite wild flowers, the Greater Stitchwort – Stellaria holostea, also known as ‘Moonwart’. The name Stitchwort goes back at least to the 13th century when it appeared in the early English herbals as an important treatment for various pains in the side (stitch). It has the most beautiful, delicate flowers blooming in early Spring, which will bring a suggestion of cool moonlight to our local woods and roadsides. Just writing about these plants makes me inpatient for longer hours of daylight and milder temperatures, but for the moment I must content myself with the promise of the next full moon to rise above the horizon. Derek Budge

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Interesting, Rewarding, Challenging Red Cross Fire Emergency Support Service (FESS)

You may not have heard of FESS the British Red Cross volunteer fire emergency support service which operates in conjunction with Kent Fire & Rescue Service to support those affected by fire both during and the immediate aftermath. Working with a specially adapted vehicle volunteers respond much the same as a fire crew (without blue lights and sirens) to provide immediate refuge and assistance to those displaced by a fire incident; the assistance can vary from a cup of tea, emergency clothing, liaising with other agencies for on-going help, even taking initial care of pets. Would you be interested in becoming part of a FESS team based at Gravesend, Maidstone or Thanet? What’s needed? Good

Interesting, rewarding, challenging

interpersonal skills, diplomacy, communication and teamwork skills, a willingness to work voluntary ‘on call’ shifts’ and able to get to the respective base within 25 minutes and undertake necessary training. Further information on FESS and many other volunteering opportunities with British Red Cross please go to the web site: www.redcross.org.uk or contact hbright@redcross.org.uk or call 01622 625111

The Lenham Toddler Group In conjunction with the tenth anniversary of the Lenham Community Centre, it is also an appropriate time to recognize and celebrate the ‘Lenham Toddler Group’. The group, which welcomes children and their parents, meets every Tuesday morning from 09:30 to 11:30 at the Lenham Community Centre during school term time. The organization is now fourteen years old and held its early sessions in the old Lenham village hall. Approx 28-40 children and parents attend on average and enjoy a variety of games, crafts and other activities. Who’s behind the Lenham Toddler Group? The leaders are Rebecca, Kelly, Hayley and Sally. And a big thank you to Margo McFarlane, Lenham Parish Council clerk for all the help and support she has

given behind the scenes! Rebecca says that a major development for 2014 is a concerted fundraising effort to ensure that the group can continue to offer its vital services in the Lenham community and introduce some add-ons such as a ‘soft play area’ with appropriate equipment for babies. In addition to cash donations, the Group always welcomes gifts of toys and related items.

For more information call Becky on 859504 or Kelly on 433841 or drop in on a Tuesday morning and see for yourself what goes on at the Lenham Toddler Group…. Text and photo by Jim Myers

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Prize Crossword Please leave your completed crossword entry at LENHAM LIBRARY on or before the 20th of the month

Across clues 1. It is used to keep the birds off the crops. (9) 5. Water vapour. (5) 9. Used for waking you up in the morning. (5) 10. Thoroughly wet. (9) 11. Term for the first child in a family. (6,4) 12. Loyal, not a lie. (4) 14. Common name for conjunctivitis. (4,3) 15. He was known as ‘Longshanks’, being very tall. (6,1) 17. Litter for cattle. (7) 19. Looking at lasciviously. (7) 20. A jot. (4) 22. The grey nose cape. (3,4,3) 25. Not factual. (9) 26. You can walk on them. (5) 27. Children’s playthings. (5) 28. Tardy eyes (anag.). (9)

Down clues 1. …., the final frontier. (5) 2. A ship should be, before it sinks! (9) 3. Tangled up with. (8,2) 4. Ludicrous. (7) 5. .. ….. Kings of Orient are. (2.5) 6. Kind. (4) 7. Come in! (5) 8. Very annoying. (9) 13. A term of endearment. (7,3) 14. Advertising. (9) 16. Lit once more. (9) 18. A place for storing wheat, for example. (7) 19. Extras in cricket. (3,4)

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Success comes from working together.

Are you missing out on new business opportunities? What do you do to find more business? How do you go about finding new ways to get more business? What to you do to meet with other business people with similar business difficulties to yours? Are like minded sole traders easy to find? Are the professionals you need there for you? Well, they could be . . . But you do need to put yourself in the right places. For many, the right place has been Lenham Valley Business Association networking meetings. The first Tuesday of every month (apart from June) we meet somewhere around the Lenham area and we network. There is an interesting speaker for just 20 minutes, then we make sure we know who else is in the room (people we might want to meet) and then we network until 8pm. That way you meet interesting people who have something interesting to say. You know exactly who’s there and you can be introduced to the specific people you need to help your business along. It is so easy. No stress, no fuss. If you prefer you can bring your partner along with you, not your business partner (unless it is one and the same) but your life partner. Many do. The next presentations are listed below. At the end of May there’s a biggy - networking with South Maidstone Business Association at the Weald of Kent Golf Club, but meanwhile, here’s two right on your doorstep: • Tuesday 1 April presentation by James Burrows, from Jigswa Kloud on business efficiency and cutting costs at The Harrow Inn. • Tuesday 6 May an entertaining presentation by 3 members of LVBA with a presentation called ‘The Ladder’.

. t i e k i l t h g i m t s u j u o y t i try

Come on, come along for free . . .

New members and one off visitors welcome or you can try it out free and see how you like networking with LVBA. Please register on our website, on the online registration page. Events are organised and presented by Alan Reading who has been networking from the days when it didn’t have a name, he also brought speed dating to Kent from London in the nineties! Keep up to date (& to join) www.lenhambusiness.co.uk or call 01622 820841 Advertisers

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Last months crossword solution Last months winner was Jenny Fairhall, of Lenham

We specialise in the following roofing services: •Period & New Tiling • Slating •Leadwork • Facias & Soffits • Chimney Re Pointing or Removal • Flat Roofing • Guttering • Velux Installation •Repairs to Re-Roofs

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Published by Lenham Focus Lenham Focus is published by the Lenham Focus Team. Any opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not the publishers. 67 Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine to ensure that they are correct and accurate at the time of printing and the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The publication of advertisements does not constitute an endorsement by the publishers. Authors of articles and advertisements in Focus take full responsibility to ensure they obtain any prior permission for use of copyright materials. Focus is Distributed by Volunteers to: Lenham Village, Lenham Heath, Platts Heath, Sandway, West Street, Woodside Green and Warren Street. For â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Out of Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Readers Distribution Natwest Bank Lenham, Chequers Fish Bar, Lenham Post Office, Len Valley Newsagents and Harrietsham Post Office. Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

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Residential Sales & Lettings

Meet property professionals in a relaxed atmosphere at our ....

House Moving Event 29th March 2014 11.00am – 2.00pm Save this date in your diary to discover just what really is influencing house prices in YOUR area right now. Discover which properties are selling and letting in your local area and why? Get general advice on how to prepare for a house move, how to improve the energy efficiency of your home and why you need an energy performance certificate. Chat through the legal implications of selling, buying and letting a property with local solicitors – Thorneloe & Co. Make sure you take advantage of this FREE, no obligation, House Moving Event and call us now on 01622 858241.

1 The Square, Lenham ME17 2PH T: 01622 858 W: philipjarvis.co.uk E: ho