Lenham Focus | May '14

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MAY 2014 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

LENHAM FAMILY FESTIVAL 5TH, 6TH, 7TH & 8TH JUNE 2014 Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

PILGRIMS WAY ARTISTS

EXHIBITION 02

TITHE BARN LENHAM KENT ME17 2QD

16-26 MAY 2014 10 am - 6pm DAILY FREE ENTRY & PARKING CONTACT NO: 01233 770425

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Welcome... to the Focus! Lenham is looking glorious with beautiful flowers

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as we appreciate the efforts of the Lenham Enhancement Association. Why not take in the very best of nature and if you enjoy walking, join the Bluebell Walk on 4th May. For an evening of entertainment and culture the Lenham Players’ production ‘St Georges Day Revue’ on the 3rd May is a must. The hugely popular annual Pilgrims Way Artists’ exhibition is at the Tithe Barn from 16th May and the long awaited re-opening of Lenham Swimming Pool from 31st May. The build-up has started for the Lenham Family Festival which is to be held on 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th June 2014, with the main all day event

Welcome

Annie Drylie Temporary Focus Editor

day being held 07956629772 on Saturday 7th June at the editorialslf@gmail.com Community Centre. We are already hearing competitive banter in the lead up of the hotly contested tug of war competition!

Last but not least, we would like to give a very welldeserved ‘Thank You’ to Cllr. Nigel Godfrey, who is stepping down as Chairman of Lenham Parish Council, after seven years of tirelessly working on behalf of all the parishioners; to improve the village and fight for our best interests.

Lenham Focus Volume 16 Issue 5 | May 2014 Circulation 2000

MAY 14 Editorial: Annie Drylie, Margo McFarlane 07956629772 | editorialslf@gmail.com Advertising: Annie Drylie 07956629772 | advertslf@gmail.com Finance: Sue Marchant, Mark Dunbar 01622 858511 | 07788163828 | lenhamfocusinvoices@gmail.com Distribution: Gez Clark 07784 447200 Proof Readers: Jayne Hewish, Katy Bennett Social: Jemma Cockell Printed by: Gemini Print

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Copy Deadline: 7th of the preceding month. Please leave copy at 39 Ham Lane or contact us.

Advertising rates (Sep 2012) Eighth page Quarter Page Half Page Inside Cover Full Page Inside Cover Half Page Full Page Outside Back Cover Front cover available once a year per advertiser Print + Deliver Single Sided A5 Insert Double Sided A5 Insert

£13 £21 £38 £79 £58 £69 £88 £120

£250 £275

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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: Annie Drylie Whilst our editor James takes time out from the Focus, Annie who normally arranges advertising has agreed to cover editorial on a temporary basis until new help arrives. Your Focus Team is here to ensure the village is always up to date with events and to provide local businesses with a low cost publication to advertise in. We as a collective give up our time for free to produce this publication for the local community and we are always grateful to contributors who make the job so much easier.

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We are always on the lookout for contributions, in particular editorials, out and about Lenham stories, jokes, words of wisdom and any good news/ success stories.

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 there’s something you’re after, get in touch! thinkflowbox.co.uk

Contributors

Focus Update We recently held a meeting to find volunteers to help within the Focus and we are happy to report we have new members joining the team – Margo McFarlane (Editorial), Mark Dunbar (Finance), Katy Bennett (Proofreading) and Joy Hales (Distribution). Welcome!

Within this meeting with James’ support we also agreed to form a committee and hold a monthly meeting on the last Tuesday of each month, to discuss how to continually make improvements to the publication whilst keeping the content local and relevant.

Flowbox requested that any photographs forwarded be ‘high resolution’ so they can be

Please note we would like to thank all volunteers involved in giving their time so generously to the Focus for example, the many distributors who cover such wide areas on foot, Dr Martin Porter who thanklessly produces our

included, that advertisers submit their existing adverts in Tiff, PDF or JPEG format and in the correct size as shown on page 63.

We often receive feedback that each monthly edition is delivered late. When analysing each process within the Focus it became evident that editorial and advertising ideally needs to accept material until 7th of the preceding month in order to provide the requested time necessary to Flowbox, Printers, proof readers and distribution so, can we please ask any material comes in at the correct times so we can deliver the Focus in a timely manner, many thanks.

Current Timeline

crossword puzzle and Jayne Hewish who has been proof-reader for the Focus to date for the last 13 years.

Editorial Team

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Home Safety Event PCSO Dave Rowley and Community Warden Martin Sherwood invite you to discuss personal safety advice and tips on securing your home, garden and outbuildings.

Meet representatives from Neighbourhood Watch, Kent Crimestoppers and Kent Fire and Rescue Service for an informal chat.

We look forward to meeting you on SATURDAY MAY 3rd at the

Community Centre 10am to 1pm.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information about the event please call PCSO Dave Rowley on 0777 222 6097 or Martin Sherwood on 0797 7981 993.

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The White Horse Sandway ~

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Tuesday Lunch & Evening.

Wednesday to Saturday until 3 1 course for £7.50 / 2 courses for £10.50 3 courses for £13.50

Beer Festival 4th-6th July Live Music all week with Dougal playing on Sat night, Morris dancers, military vehicles and face painting. Hog roasts all over the weekend with local beers + cider.

Live music 1st Friday of the month + Sat 25th May from 5 01622 859511 Lenham Heath Road, Sandway whitehorsesandway.co.uk

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Forthcoming Events May 04: Caribbean Day

May 10: Live Band 'Sea Monkeys'

Quiz Night

1st Tuesday Every Month New members always welcome, apply to club Members and Guests Only . All events start at 8pm.

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The Great British Kitchen is open for bookings from 7pm. Free parking is available, please use the Broomfield Road entrance from the A20.

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Dates for Your Diary

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MAY

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Home Safety Event organised

by PCSO Dave Rowley and Community Warden Martin Sherwood at the Community Centre from 10am to 1pm.

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MAY

The Heart of Kent Hospice ‘Bluebell Walk’ starting from Harrietsham Village Hall.

Registration begins from 9am.

Prices are £10 per adult or £25 for a family of 5 www.hokh.org

MAY

Dates for Your Diary

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Messy Church will be joining with Harrietsham PTFA for their May Village Fair at the Booth Field between 12 noon and 4pm.

St Mary’s Church ‘Cameo Opera’ for a wonderful evening of music singing Popular Opera, Operetta & Songs from Broadway and West End musicals. This concert begins at 7.30 pm Tickets are £12 and include a glass of wine and nibbles. Available from the Church on Saturday morning’s coffee, Lenham newsagents or from Ann Clarke. Tel 851028

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MAY

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St Mary’s Len Va l le y P e t s’ Service in St Mary’s Church Lenham at 11am.

May Pilgrims Way Artists ‘17th Annual Summer Exhibition’ at Tithe Barn 10am to 6pm daily.

MAY

Lenham Players ‘St Georges Day Revue’ at Lenham Community Centre at 7.45pm. Tickets £6.00 each from Len Valley News or by phoning 01622 853800 (mornings only). Bring your own drinks and nibbles.

16-26

MAY

MAY

1

Community Hub Quiz 2.00-4.00pm

Royal British Legion members’ lunch.

MAY MAY

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7

JUNE

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Lenham Archaeology talk ‘The Development of Houses’ by David Carder 7.30pm Osborne room in the Community Centre. All welcome including nonmembers.

Lenham Family Festival main event day

June 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th June – Lenham Family Festival

Opening of Lenham Swimming Pool

The Honywood & Douglas Charity LENHAM (Registered Charity No.211272) The Trustees hereby give notice that the following Alms-house accommodation is available:A first floor flat comprising bedroom, sitting room, kitchen and bathroom at Douglas Court, Faversham Road, Lenham.

A one bedroom bungalow comprising sitting room, kitchen and bathroom at Honywood Almshouses, High Street,

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Lenham.

Applicants must be 60 years of age or more, able to look after themselves and have lived in the Parishes of Lenham or Boughton Malherbe for at least two years.

Applications should be made in writing to the Secretary, as below, to reach her no later than 30th May, 2014.

Mrs. Pat Sutton, 18 Headcorn Road, Platts Heath, Lenham, Kent. ME17 2NH Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

Clubs, Societies, Organisations and Gatherings Lenham Archaeology With the sad news of the passing of Elaine Collett and too many other articles last month our Archaeology news got left out.

Not that we had anything ground breaking (excuse the pun) but I will do a bit of back filling now.

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At our AGM there was discussion as to whether LAS should continue running as numbers are falling. Andrew Rayfield announced that he was standing down as Chairman (for personal reasons) so a vacancy remains at present.

Debate remains on whether we should change our name. For some time I have wondered if the name Archaeology puts some people off joining. Many of our talks (about 75%) are history anyway so the argument “Oh you are not a history society” is hardly fair comment!

Historians may have missed an excellent talk in March on “Mudlarking on the Thames” and the keen ones among you just should not miss Dr Jean Stirk’s “Finding the History of your house” on April 30th. Perhaps if LAS adopted the name ‘Heritage’

Clubs, Societies, Organisations and Gatherings

the new nomenclature would cover all, even Family History.

History comes under the blanket of Archaeology but Archaeology is not completely covered by the term History. History states that North America was ‘discovered’

by Columbus! Not quite correct because there were people there, millions of them, before he actually discovered it in 1492.

More correct…. he was the first European to discover America?

Still not correct because archaeological evidence is that the Vikings had considerable settlements on Greenland and legends that they sailed further south to what is now “New England”.

There is even more evidence.

Written records say that a Welshman, visiting NA with the first Europeans, claimed he could converse with the tribe of Mandan Indians! Now that particular tribe is extinct, so the historical evidence drifts into the foggy realms of myth. But there is something else … late last century the Sioux Indians demanded that the bones of all native people held in museums should be returned to them for

reburial. But archaeologists held out against that ruling as some skulls showed evidence of not being Red Indians at all and certainly not Sioux, as they showed features denoting they were of European origin! Back to the theories about the Mandan Indians!

So what I am trying to explain is that archaeology has a far wider net than just the written word. As things are found out by archaeology (not necessarily by digging holes!) then that information gathered is added to the field of history.

More about Heritage:I suggested in the article that got shelved that our “Lock-Up” could become a building to carry our heritage forward for all to appreciate better, here is my suggestion Richard Greenwood (and I believe John Nye) were once very keen to make the Lock-Up into a small museum. But the small room is made even smaller by an inside layer of brick reinforcing, built during WW2 as protection for a Home Guard office.

As KCC said this reinforcing

should not be removed “as it was part of the history of the place”…. fair enough…. leave it in , but put a small table in the room , spread with maps an old style lamp and two life size figures complete with Dad’s army uniform and tin hats.

The mock-up could be separated from viewers by a wooden screen and bars (not authentic for the lock-up but makes it more spooky!) The key to view the Lock-up could be left with willing nearby neighbours. Wall space could have a cabinet with spitfire bullets shells and mortars that we have found field walking, so the net result is a heritage exhibit …to interest many people and visitors!

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Another feature of “Heritage” that came up recently was this:There is a Planning Application on the Conservation land behind the UR church on Maidstone Road. If the land beside the cricket field is left out of the equation there is still the added piece south of Parapet house. In my thinking Conservation land should be cared for and that bit is not!

BUT if a competition were put forward for architects to design houses (mixed units ) of heritage Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

Continued... status designs we could have a housing development nice enough to grace our conservation area, nice enough that people would wish to walk round just to admire them ! Granted it might put the selling price up a little but it is difficult to expect “affordable” housing in today’s market but one and two bed units with a few 3 beds are more sensible than detached 2-4 bed houses. Just a thought.

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Heritage archaeology? One never knows ….there might be some under that land but I am not up to digging for it now, KCC need to organise that. Saxons here we come?

Oh, I forgot to add, the talk on May 28th, 7.30 Osborne room in the Community Centre is very aptly: - “The Development of Houses” by David Carder.

All welcome including nonmembers.

Extra General Meeting to discuss the future & way forward for LAS is on June 25th 7.30pm.

Lesley Feakes. Committee member of LAS

Continued...

Lenham W.I. At our March meeting we had a very interesting and amusing talk from Susan Shaw on her ‘Adventures in Peru’. Our monthly competition, which this month was: ‘something associated with Peru’, produced several incarnations of Paddington Bear, which was very fortunate, since he actually featured in the talk !! At our April meeting we had a welcome return visit from Julia Davies. This time, giving us good ideas on ‘Cooking for 1 or 2’.

May sees our A.G.M. and in June we will be finding out about ‘The Life of a Japanese Lady’, from Lesley Gould.

We had a very successful ‘Day School’ on April 5th .In the morning we had a Taster of Tai Chi (very relaxing!!), and in the afternoon, a talk about ‘The Flemish Weavers in Kent’ History is a lot more interesting when it is about your local area.

Ladies, don’t forget, if you would like to join a friendly group, come along and try the W.I. We’re not just Jam and Jerusalem!!.

Gill Simes

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Clubs, Societies, Organisations and Gatherings Continued...

Len Valley Community Hub Club AGE UK Our next meeting will be Thursday 1st May 2.00-4.00pm.

We will be having a surprise quiz (one of Martins!!!) so prepare yourselves.....

We hope you can come and look forward to seeing you all.

Martin, Tom, John, Jenny, Zoe and Nina.

Royal British Legion – Women’s Section There will be no meeting on the 22nd May but we shall be holding our members lunch.

For information contact Sue on 858478.

Enid La Plain

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Lenham Parish Council We would appreciate your thoughts and comments concerning the suggestion that a one way traffic system be implemented along SCHOOL LANE and GREEN LANE PLATTS HEATH. This idea has been put forward by a member of the public and following discussions at the recent Lenham Parish Council meeting

Clubs & Soc Continued..

on 5th March 2014 It was agreed to ask for your comments.

Please contact the Clerk Margo McFarlane On 01622 859682 margo.mcfarlane@btinternet.com THANK YOU

Church Services Saturday 3rd May 5.30pm – 6.30pm Prayer and Worship in St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham 3rd Sunday of Easter 4th May 8am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: BCP Holy Communion 8am at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: BCP Holy Communion 9.30 at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Family Worship 9.30am at St. Nicholas, Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion 11am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: Holy Communion 11.15am at All Saints, Ulcombe: Family Worship Sunday 11th May – 4th Sunday of Easter 8am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: BCP Holy Communion 9.30am at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Holy Communion 11.00am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: Pet Service 11.15am at All Saint’s, Ulcombe: Holy Communion 6.30pm at St. Nicholas Boughton Malherbe: Choral Evensong

8am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: BCP Holy Communion 9.30am at St. Nicholas, Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion 9.30am at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Morning Worship 11.00am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: Holy Communion 11.15am at All Saint’s, Ulcombe: Morning Worship 3pm at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Rose Service Sunday 25th May: 6th Sunday after Easter 10.00am at St. Nicholas, Boughton Malherbe: Benefice Service with Holy Communion with dedication of kitchen and toilet by Archdeacon Stephen Taylor.

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There will not be a 8am Holy Communion service in St. Mary’s Lenham or 6.30pm Informal Service in St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham.

Sunday 18th May: 5th Sunday of Easter

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St Mary’s Church Many thanks from all at St Mary’s for the excellent tidy up organised by the Parish Council on April 5th. Thank you to all who came and worked hard. What an improvement!

Rev Dick

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Cameo Opera - Popular Opera St Mary’s Church is delighted to welcome back Cameo Opera for a wonderful evening of music singing Popular Opera, Operetta & Songs from Broadway and West End musicals. This concert begins at 7.30 pm on Saturday 17th of May. Tickets are £12 and include a glass of wine and nibbles.

Available from the Church on Saturday morning’s coffee, Lenham newsagents or from Ann Clarke. Tel 851028 Ann Clark & Vera Congdon Pet’s Service All creatures great and small....

Whether your pets are large or small they, accompanied by you of course, are warmly invited to the Len Valley Pets’ Service in St Mary’s Church Lenham on Sunday May 11 at 11am. If you do not have any pets, soft toys will be equally welcome! Refreshments

St Mary’s Church

(and animal treats) will be served afterwards. All Welcome!

Any enquiries to Rev Millie Hart on 01622 859753. ....the Lord God made them all Ann Clark & Joan Drury St Mary’s Church Flowers May 3/10 Mrs Porter and Mrs Barr May 17/24 Mrs Perks and Mrs La Plain May 31/June 7 Mrs Jones Brass cleaning - Mrs Greenwood Very many thanks to all who made donations to the Easter lily fund.

Their generosity is much appreciated.

Sue Greenwood Messy Church On May 17th, Messy Church will be joining with Harrietsham PTFA for their May Village Fair. Messy Church activities will be taking place throughout the day so come and find us on the Booth Field between 12 noon and 4.00 pm.

Thoughts & Reports Christian Easter Message May 2014 Dogs in a Manger!

Some readers may be surprised to learn that, even in these days of mobile phones, the public telephone box outside Grafty Green post office is used regularly.

Old fashioned coins are useless in this box. A card is the required currency. Not that this troubles the users for they are of the fourlegged variety and, like HM the Queen, they do not carry money.

You have guessed it! They are dogs. I have even seen a queue.

Tia, Holly and Toby are regular users. But why are they in a phone box? The reason is that they need a safe haven while their owners collect their newspapers and natter to other shoppers.

There is no discrimination. All dogs, whether pedigree or mongrel are welcome to relax in the box. They are safe. Even Gus, the adored shop cat, cannot get near them!

refuge.

Those who trust in Jesus know where to go to be safe. A place where everyone is welcome. Open the book of psalms and you will find details. Here are two examples: Psalm 31:1 In you Lord I have taken refuge and Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength. Notice too, the words of Jesus, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

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There are no KEEP OUT notices in God’s kingdom nor is there discrimination of any sort. All are welcome. Do try this place of safety.

Joan Drury

Reflecting on the canine goings on one morning it occurred to me that Christians like Tia, Holly, Toby et al have a safe place in which to take

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Lenham Wanderers Football Club Presentation Day Sunday18th May At William Pitt Field

Lenham Wanderers will be holding its Junior Presentation Day on Sunday 18th May at William Pitt Field in Old Ham Lane starting at 12.30. Everyone is invited to this fun day which has been very successful over the years.

On the day there will be games for all the kids including some old favourites – beat the goalie and cross bar challenge plus a few friendly games of football for everyone to take part. This will be a good opportunity for the Dads to

Pilgrims’ Way Art Group Art time again! Pilgrims’ Way Art Group has their Exhibition in the Tithe Barn (behind Church Square). Parking for the exhibition is behind the Barn access along through Court Lodge drive, off the High Street, through the white gates to the left of the Fire Station.

Entrance is free. If we have fine weather it is lovely sitting outside in the sun at the back of the barn

take on the boys - so don’t forget your trainers.

There will be food and drinks available throughout the day although the club will not be selling alcohol.

The Club’s presentation will start at 4pm where the kids are presented with the trophies for all their hard work throughout the 2013 /2014 season. This will be followed by a small raffle to raise some money for the club.

Lenham Wanderers looks forward to seeing everyone on the day.

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sipping a cup of coffee of tea (small donation requested.)

About a quarter of the artists are resident in Lenham and the others from the surrounding areas.

Always there are a few new guest artists and the selection of work ensures a great range of styles and subjects. Something for everyone.

Even if you have no spaces on your walls please come and see the exhibition, it’s well worth it!

Please refer to the inside front page for more details.

Lesley Feakes

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Cancer Research Uk North Downs Walk DATE – Sunday, June 22nd 2014.

VENUE – Harrietsham Village Hall, Church Road – ME17 1AP. START FROM – 8.00am.

LAST REGISTRATION – 11am.

WEBSITE – www.wealdofkentrotary.org.uk FOR FURTHER DETAILS – Phone the North Downs Walk-line on 01622 890650 For 29 years the Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent has organised this event, which offers the option of a 3, 6 or 9 mile walk across the beautiful North Downs.

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On completion all walkers are given a free Ploughman’s Lunch, strawberries and are entertained by a local Jazz Band.

See the website for Maps/Poster/ Route Details/Registration Forms etc. all of which may be downloaded.

Apart from the beautiful scenery the event has the added bonus that walkers may retain 50% of their sponsorship money for their own charity/church/school etc. with the remainder going to CRUK. Alternatively, you may register at the Hall on the day for a minimum donation of £15 per person.

To-date this Walk has raised over £440,000 for local & national charities, with over £210,000 for CRUK alone.”

We look forward to seeing you.

North Downs Walk Committee Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent

Lenham Ironmongers @ Len Valley News Again, I must begin with a huge thanks to the populace of Lenham and surrounding areas for the vast amount of positive comments, orders and recommendations

Cancer Research Uk North Downs Walk

LENHAM IRONMONGERS appears to have received this month. I can’t deny it’s been a struggle to fulfil everyone’s requests given the small amount

of space I can commit to LENHAM IRONMONGERS at the moment, however, with the benefit of a free delivery service for household goods, small garden items and compost; we appear to be growing from strength to strength.

In terms of delivery, there is however a nominal charge for some building products added to our growing stock levels listed below: fence panelling & posts sand, shingle, ballast, cement & post fix Clearly, requirements for the above are very individual, so do come and ask me for a quote. I can guarantee to be as competitive as I can.

Take out the carriage and petrol

costs and you can only be winning financially whilst also supporting a local business.

Every comment, suggestion and order is much appreciated.

I need to know what you would like to see in an Ironmongers, so do keep your positive comments coming!

Kindest, Keith STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS CARPET CLEANER PRESSURE WASHER LAWN SCARIFIER ALL INSTORE FOR HIRE NOW!!

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New Lenham Parish Council Website The new Lenham Parish Council website is now live. You can access the new website at http:// lenhamparish.org.uk.

The website contains information on what the parish council does and we will be posting all our meeting minutes and important parish news to it.

local clubs and organisations to post to the website, which can be for attracting members and advertising upcoming events. If you are interested in posting to the website please contact the Parish Council Clerk Margo McFarlane, at: margo.mcfarlane@btinternet. com

But we intend for the website to be for more than parish council business. We are also offering the opportunity for

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Norbury Colbran The village is much saddened by the loss of a really lovely man who was known and respected by everybody. He died the day after his 85th birthday.

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Nobby, as he was known to all, was born in Lenham and went to the old primary school. He was the son of Ted and Bessie, Ted being the local barber.

Norbury started his working life on the farm of Sid Cox, and then worked at Gower’s Garage. He joined the army and for two years after the war was with the REME in Hanover. He then took a job at Caffyn’s.

Norbury joined the St. John Ambulance in 1958, but had been associated with it since leaving the army. It became a central part of his life. He did so much

Norbury Colbran

for our Division, and only retired as Secretary in 2008. In 1965 he received the Victoria Medal, and continued to be given ‘long service’ medals. This was truly justified as he did a grand total of 12,885 duties! He was the longest serving member of our Division by far, and a familiar figure to many of us as he stood on the corner by the post office collecting for St. John.

I have been told that his proudest moment, other than the arrival of Trevor, his son, was when he met Princess Anne when he was on duty. He was also thrilled at being made a Serving Brother in 1996, for service to St. John, in London.

For several years he took charge of the hanging baskets at the Dog and Bear, and they were a tribute to him.

His final ‘official duty’ was at the Jubilee celebrations at the Tithe Barn. What was his favourite moment? Listening and joining in with the wonderful Jasmine Kittermaster as she sang ‘We’ll meet again’. I hope we do, as Nobby was a very special man.

Dr Martin Porter

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Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off to work we go!

Many thanks to the willing band of workers who helped tidy up the churchyard during the morning of Saturday the 5th April.

Many thanks to the willing band of workers who helped tidy up the churchyard during the morning of Saturday the 5th April.

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About thirty adults and children joined forces and cut back, cleared away, mowed and trimmed the grounds and removed copious amounts of ivy from the wall; in a concerted effort to take a pride in the wonderful heritage we are fortunate enough to share in our village.

It was like watching army ants, all diverging on one area, rolling up their sleeves (the helpers, not the ants!) and making a difference through team work. Community cohesion, big society, call it what you will, it works!

The church coffee morning helpers generously provided some much needed refreshments for which the team were grateful and thoroughly enjoyed.

Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off to work we go!

Apart from some lost car keys (later reclaimed) the day went off without a hitch.

The churchyard was left considerably improved and the helpers pleased with their efforts.

Perhaps we should consider having a spring clean at the cemetery, any volunteers?

Margo McFarlane

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 Mother’s Union Pilates Classes Royal British Legion St John Ambulance Women’s Institute 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 Janet Moll Alf Smith Club Events Nick Still Mrs A Seales Mrs J Thomsett Vivien Elcomb Mr W Peter Mrs Bond Mrs C Toner Karen Yardley Jan Haines Alan Reading

Borough Councillors: Kent Highway Services Dog Warden Cat Protection Drugs Helpline Heaths Countryside Corridor Lenham Enhancement Ass. Lenham Country Market Lenham Community Centre

John Barned (Roads, Pavements)

Lenham Heath Parish Hall LenValley Practice Non-Emergency NHS Care Member of Parliament Parish Council Clerk Parish Police PCSO Police Constable Rural Community Warden

Sharon Reed Doctors Surgery NHS Hugh Robertson MP Margo McFarlane Dave Rowley Brian Waghorne Martin Sherwood

Lost and Found FREE CALL Ruth Lovering Brian Llong Kevin Fitzsimons Margaret Mitchell

01622 850275 01622 842603 01233 756762 01622 851538 01622 851646 01622 850671 01622 850228 01622 859009 01622 858561 07967 128056 01622 850747 01622 859802 01622 858890 01622 859789 01622 859829 01622 859009 01622 853887 01622 850520 01622 205452 01622 850048 01622 858208 01233 714699 01622 820841 01622 851142 03000 418181 01622 602117 01732 847572 0800 776600 01622 842257 01622 859733 01622 679709 01622 853800 (am) 01622 858581 (pm) 01233 713317 01622 858341/859204 111 01622 851616 01622 859682 07772 226097 07870 252317 07977 981993

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Accounting & Business Services Air Conditioners Alarm Systems Architectural Services Barbers Builders/decorators

Businss Consultant Butchers/Meat Carpentry Carpets/Flooring Caterers Catteries 34

Charted Surveyor Childminder Chimney Sweep Chiropody Cleaning/Housekeeping Computer Services

Cosmetic Clinic Counselling Service Dance Dressmaking/alterations Electricians/Gas fitters

Estate Agents Fitness

Contact Numbers

Stonebridge Associates 851542 RB Air 07751466536 Cybereye Security 858612 Kent Design Studio 01580 230413 Sweeney Todd 07734950329 Alpha 762164 Andy and Paul 850437 Apollo 07808414965 Elwood (Painter/decorators) 01634308933 KRS Building/decorating 851126 KSE Home Improvements 851400 Lenham Decorating Services 858565 SR Interiors (painters/decorators) 737225 Stuttle Dyer (painters/decorators) 01233 840004 Nick Posener 851931 G B Lister 858220 Snoad Farm 01795890700 Carpentry and General Building 850364 P Humpries 858719 Carpets direct 01233714999 Beaubray Caterers 763269 Little Dene Boarding Cattery 858510 Inkstand cattery 859469 James Collett 850608 Debbie Brett 01233714247 Invicta Chimney Sweep 01622 632641 Afeneh Smith (mobile service) 853640 Heathers Chiropody Surgery 850376 Amy McLaughlin 07813030527 Phynix Domestic cleaning 880028 A.C. Computers 850462 Harrietsham Computers 859442 Lynn 745654 MS Computer services 859969 The LenValley Cosmetic Clinic 852905 Prism 07554336626 Lenham Ballet School 850329 Pam Hills 858827 AD Pink Electrics 884774 Barrie Weston Contractor 01233712663 Electrical Solutions 858794 Invicta Power Services/ Gas Fitters 850930 MGI Electrical 850055 Philip Jarvis 858241 Activate Body and Soul 853750

Funeral Directors Gardeners

Garages Greetings Cards Grocers Glass and Glazing Hairdressers Hall Hire Handbags and Jewellery Holiday Let Landscaping Locksmiths Logs Newsagents Osteopathy Pest Control Pet Food Pharmacy Plumbers Pool Services Pubs Restaurant Roofing Schools Solicitors Taxi Tree Surgeons TV Ariels Veterinary Surgery Will Services

A W Court 850840 Just a Mow 859940 The Big Mow 07871088119 Mower Repairs 07989333145 Belmont Gardens 01795 590243 Gowers Garage 858210 Tricia Oliver 859226 Lenham Village Store 858255 Glass n glaze 01233840768 Phase Hairdressing 850001 Smarty’s 851150 Lenham Comm Centre 853800 Charing Heath Hall 01233 713317 Immyblingy 298129 Dorset Cottage 851766 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 Natural Instinct 07905928247 Saxon Warrior 858287 All Fix Plumbing 851186 Epic Plumbimg 210298 Pure Plumbing 769722 J W Engineering Services 851713 The White Horse 859511 Lenham Social Club 858890 Leeds Castle 767777 Carter Roofing 01795886084 R and D Roofing 858291 Paul Grant Roofing 850855 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 01580 292320

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Regular Daily & Weekly Events Daily

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 Mary’s Church 10.00-12.00noon see separate church services page

Monday

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

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday 36

Saturday Sunday

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

Monthly Events 2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 1st Tuesday 1st Wednesday 4th Wednesday Last Wednesday 1st Thursday 2nd Thursday 3rd Thursday Last Saturday 2nd Sunday

Derby & Joan Royal British Legion Citizens Advice Bureau Lenham Valley Parish Council Meeting LenARA (active retired) Archaeology Club Reading Group Women’s Institute Lenham Gardening Soc. Len&Har. Disability Grp 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

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.

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Lenham Parish Council Brief report on the LPC meeting held on April 2nd 2014.

Public Participation:

38

Members of the public who wished to speak; Mr. Kingsley Hughes a representative of Design Scape gave a presentation on how his company could help LPC with its Neighbourhood Plan, on how much work was required of the company and how much work had already been carried out by the LPC; tentative quotes were from £10K to £17k plus. The Chairman thanked K/H for coming out to give his company’s presentation saying that the LPC would be looking for a professional company to finalise its NHP, and three quotes would be sought for the work at a later date, when all the specifications had been collated, as to what work was required.

Cllr. Greenwood advised that one of the street lights was still out coming in to Groom Way via the footpath; the Chairman advised that there was still an electrical fault in the area and the Clerk had advised KHS of the ongoing problem.

Dave Rowley (PCSO) reported that

Lenham Parish Council

there had been 8 reported crimes over the last month, 4 of which were Criminal Damage, which occurred in Honywood Road, Faversham Road, Lenham Heath and Cherry Close estate; D/R also advised that he had received phone calls over noise and abusive behaviour. D/R reported that the date for the Keep Lenham Safe event was Saturday 3rd May 2014 between 10-00am and 1-00pm in the Lenham Community Centre.

Martin Sherwood the parishes Kent Community Warden reported that he had written an article for the Focus magazine on how to deal with door step traders. M/S reported he would try and help with the problem of dog fouling in the Churchyard by way of handing out notices on the problem at different times of the day if necessary. M/S also highlighted another computer scam that was being sent out, it is a health scam concerning White Platelets, if the attachment is opened the computer becomes infected by a virus, be aware.

KCC Ward member Jenny Whittle gave her apologies for

not attending the meeting, but advised that the traffic survey for the A20 was recently undertaken and the results will be sent to her shortly; J/W will inform the LPC when she has them. J/W advised that she had also received complaints about the Southern Boundary fence at Swadelands School; she had contacted the Headmaster Mr. R. Baddeley on this and is waiting to hear from him.

The Chairman opened the main meeting: Matters Arising: Planning Committee vacancy/ Chairmanship: It was agreed by full Council to leave this item over to the next meeting, it had been recommended by the Planning committee that the meetings should be chaired on a rota basis until a new chairman came forward.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read through and all matters that needed action were acted upon.

Reports & Spokespersons:

Committees/

Finance & General Purpose: The minutes were agreed and duly signed.

Planning: Cllr. C. Gillett went through the planning reports and asked if any Councillors had any questions on the written report on the Planning meetings held on 19th March 2014 and 31st March 2014, there were no questions muted.

C/G gave verbal reports on two meetings the LPC had held with potential developers, Glebe gardens and the Reform Church.

Cllr. Barr wished to make a statement to the effect he had no intention of selling off the Cricket field for housing, subject to the game of cricket is still allowed to take place there.

39

Neighbourhood Plan: The LPC had agreed to advertise the meeting on the NHP at an open meeting with MBC Planners to be held on the 16th April between 2-00pm and 8-00pm at the Lenham Community Centre; the LPC hopes for a good turnout of parishioners to voice their opinions on the 1,500 houses that MBC propose to develop in Lenham up to 2031.

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LPC Continued...

40

Groom-Way Development: Cllr. Osborn gave an update on the additional Affordable Housing for the Groom Way site; it was agreed that the LPC would write to head Planning Officer of MBC Mr. Rob Jarman and ask for his input on the proposed scheme. .

Highways and Transportation: Cllr. MartĂ­n Jackson had circulated his monthly report, the petition requesting a 40mph on the A20 through Lenham has now been completed and Cllr. Jackson will be collecting them shortly from the shops. M/J reported that the speed equipment to survey the speed of traffic along the A20 has now been completed. Cllr.

Barr requested that Cllr. Jackson investigates with KHS as to when the Old Ashford Road from the Post Office to Groom Way will be re-surfaced.

Law & Order: The Chairman advised that he had nothing new to report.

Web-site development: Cllr. Drylie, advised that there was not a lot to report on, Flowbox should have the web-site up and running by the end of April this year, subject to a few further tweaks to the site. Cllr. Drylie requested that Councillors go on to the web-site and inform him of

LPC Continued...

any further changes they thought would enhance the web-site.

Environment: R/G advised that the dog fouling in the Churchyard would most likely be noticed at its worst on the first grass cut of the season.

The grass cutting contractor had advised the Parish Clerk that he would not cut the Churchyard or Ham Lane again because of the dog fouling nuisance, because of danger to his health. It was agreed although the problem was serious there was no way the LPC could kerb the problem themselves, and it was up to the contractor to wear the appropriate clothing for the task at hand, as it must occur all over the place, not that the LPC condone the practice of owners not clearing up behind their dogs. The full Council agreed that by the contractor giving the LPC this ultimatum he had made his contract void and the Clerk will inform him of this; the LPC will use alternative grass cutting contractors until another permanent contractor is in place.

Reports from Out-side meetings.

Cllr. N. Godfrey had circulated his report on the Harrietsham Parish Council meeting he had attended.

KALC/ Rural Kent: The Chairman reported that the next Kent Association of Local Councils was to be held on the 7th. April, Cllr. Greenwood and he would attend.

on the LPC meetings, as I am standing down as Chairman, a role I have carried out for some 7 years, to make way for younger blood with new ideas; N. Godfrey.

This will be my final brief report

Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off to work we go…. again!

Thirty five volunteers’ joined the Annual Spring Clean event organised by the Lenham Parish Council on Saturday 12th April at 9am.

The age group of attendees ranged from two to seventy plus.

There was an excellent turn out of Lenham Guides lead by, as always, Julia Thomsett. Some of the Guides were attending for the third year running and their continued support is much appreciated, as is the efforts of the Mills’ family who are also regular attendees.

areas of concern were the William Pitt field and Ham Lane.

The lovely ladies at St Mary’s church kindly provided much needed refreshments and respite at the end of a busy morning.

41

If you are interested in joining a group to clean and cut back vegetation at the cemetery please contact Margo McFarlane 859682 margo.mcfarlane@btinternet.com Make a note in your diary the Annual Spring Clean for 2015 will take place on Saturday April 11th.

Thank you.

Fifty plus bags of litter was collected throughout the parish,

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Lenham Family Festival 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th June 2014 Community Centre Lenham

The annual Festival is a weekend of music, drama, dance and entertainment in and around Lenham with the main event day on Saturday 7th June at the Lenham Community Centre.

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The event promotes a family ethos in which locals have the opportunity to let their hair down and enjoy the events; therefore prices throughout the event will also have this in mind.

Main Event Day – Saturday 7th The event is staged in two segments. The daytime 11.00 am to 4.00 pm and the evening 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

During the day, inside the hall there will be stalls from all the local groups and organisations with an opportunity for those attending to eat and drink whilst enjoying entertainment from Lenham ballet school, Grafty Green dancers, Lenham Players will perform a sketch of ‘Dinner for One’, music from Coffee House Quartet, community singing led

Lenham Family Festival

by Gill Symes, Lenham Promotes Talent 2012 winner Will Calver and of course a hotly contested Tug of War competition!

Various groups will be displaying information and crafts such as Lenham Art Group, Lenham Spinners, and the Royal British Legion. Outside the hall there will be entertainment from young and talented up and coming bands ‘For the Kicks’ and ‘Junction 7’. We also have solo artists such as Jamie Middleton and Andrea Turner as well as our open mic slot.

As this is a Family Festival there will be plenty to see and do for babies, toddlers and youngsters.

Our main raffle draw will take place at the end of our daytime event at 4pm where various prizes can be won!

In the evening, musical entertainment will be outside (weather permitting) with heavy rock cover band Blackshot 21 and funk and rock band Vita La Groove.

Guy the Butcher plus the Scouts will provide a BBQ and the bar

throughout the day and evening in our specially created beer garden will be provided by Lenham Social Club.

Thursday 5th June to Sunday 8th June Please see our events listing page for a full breakdown of our wide and diverse entertainment at the many venues around the village Presentation of Charity Money All money raised will be presented to the charities on Friday 27th June 2014 at Lenham Social Club. You are invited to attend the handing over of the cheques.

Parking There are no parking facilities (apart from disabled parking) on the Community Centre site in order to make the environment as child friendly as possible. ‘Please do not bring your car if you are within walking distance’

Children’s drawing competition Earlier in the year we asked local children to create a logo or design that represented the Festival and Lenham. We received a tremendous amount of drawings of which it was hard for the committee to pick a top three as there were so many excellent entries, however after much deliberation we would like to congratulate Madeline G, 2nd Lenham Brownies as winner by showing Madeline’s picture on the front cover of our Festival programme. Our other top winners were Sophie Anne, 2nd Lenham Brownies and Hannah from 2nd Lenham Brownies.

43

All picture entries will be shown during the main event day within the Community Centre.

Madeline’s winning picture

Where is the Festival?

Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT Please go to our website www. lenhamfamilyfestival.co.uk

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Family Festival Cont..

Sophie Ann’s Picture

supplying this month’s front page for the Focus. We look forward to seeing you there!

Lenham Family Committee

Let The Games Begin!

44

Hannah’s picture

Please go to our website lenhamfamilyfestival.co.uk for all information and updates including timings.

Thank you to Alan Reading for

Family Festival Cont..

WHO WILL BEAT THE MIGHTY REDS? JOIN US AT THE FAMILY FESTIVAL DAY SATURDAY 7TH JUNE 11am to 4pm AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE GET YOUR TEAMS READY FOR THE CHALLENGE TO WIN THE ALAN OBBARD TUG OF WAR TROPHY PREVIOUSLY WON BY THE RED LION TEAM AT THE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS JUNE 2012 TIME FOR A NEW VICTOR? PLATTS HEATH RULE! OR DO THEY? BRING ON THE GIRLS…..TRY AND WIN THE ALAN OBBARD TROPHY FROM THE LADIES OF PLATTS HEATH THE WINNERS OF THE 2012 CHALLENGE. SATURDAY 7TH JUNE 11am to 4pm AT THE LENHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE PREPARE YOUR TEAM NOW!

Family Festival - Event Listing Page Thursday June 5 Social club 2-­‐4pm Community Hub with Entertainment by Swadelands students

!

Friday June 6th Social Club 7.30 For the kicks Saturday June 7th Community centre 11.00 pm to 4.00 pm Inside the hall

Outside Main stage 10.30-­‐4

Outside Support stage 11-­‐4

Karate

Junc9on 7 from10.30

Jamie Middleton & friend

Dance

Renegade

Two and Tuppence

Ballet School

Ukulele band

Youngsters open mic

Community singing

For the Kicks

Andrea

Lenham Payers

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Will Calver

Coffee house quartet Fred & Sid Evening 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm Blackshot 21 & Vita La Groove Sunday June 8

! !

The square 9.15am onwards

St Marys church

Sixpenny Piece

Andrea and pianist

All contributors will be performing free of charge and all monies will be donated to this year’s chosen chari8es Cancer Research UK, Demelza Hospice Care for Children and The Alzheimer’s Society

!

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My only love sprung from my only hate 46

+ Juliet

Did my heart love till now ?

William Shakespeare’s

Romeo + The Tithe Barn Lenham, ME17 2QD

Friday 18 July, 7:30pm Doors open from 5:30pm

Tickets from the Hazlitt Box Office changeling-theatre.com

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The Lenham Swimming Club

! ! !

48

2014 MEMBERSHIP FORM We hope to be able to offer the following swimming sessions commencing Saturday 31st May – end of August:

6.00 – 7.30pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

2.30 – 4.00pm

Saturday and Sunday

Membership Fee

Charge per Swimming Session Members

Non-­‐Members

Adult -­‐ £5.00

£2.50

£3.50

Child -­‐ £3.00

£1.50p

£2.50

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………

To Join The Lenham Swimming Club, please complete the form below and hand it in with your fees when you aEend for your first swim. Please detach and keep the top secJon as a reminder of Swimming Session Times.

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ADULT MEMBERSHIP: Names: Address:

Phone No: Emergency Contact Details:

Lenham Swimming Club

! ! !

Elaine Collett I once read a quote by Thomas Campbell, it said “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”.

Truer words could not have been spoken of Elaine, a beautiful woman who had never-ending love and compassion for those around her. Both these qualities live on in her two beautiful children, Sophie & Jack who are just as special as

she is. To know Elaine was to know a true friend and I feel so blessed to have known Elaine and to have been able to count her as a friend.

Elaine, You are so missed by us all xx Jemma Little Country Garden 49

The Lenham Swimming Club Join Today – Beat the Rush!

As you will know from last month’s Focus we are working hard to open the Swadelands School pool on Saturday 31st May. To join The Lenham Swimming Club, please detach and complete the membership form on page 48 In order to beat the rush, you can take your form to Gloria Flood, 42 Robins Avenue, Lenham

together with your membership fee. Alternatively, you may bring your form along to your first swim.

Households may include several individuals on the one form.

We look forward to welcoming you to the club in a few weeks time!

Chris Hills Chairman – Swimming Club

The

Lenham

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Focus on Nature

50

We hear a lot about the need to save energy these days and rightly so. A similar need has conditioned the evolution of some of our wild plants, a good example being the common Stinging Nettle.. Urtica dioica. It has some intriguing and odd early local names, E.g.

‘Hidgy-Pidgy (Devon), ‘Heg-Beg’ (Scotland), and ‘Naughty Man’s Playthink’ (Somerset).

As we well know, it has a stinging mechanism which is situated on the mature leaves and on part of the stems. Each stinging cell is quite large and bulbous, tapering as a hair which terminates in a point. Those hairs are hollow and the point contains silica, so is very brittle. If gently touched, the brittle portion of the hair breaks off and the residual sharp hair can penetrate skin. Pressure builds up in the bulbous base, forcing stinging liquid into the wound. But if the leaves are very firmly handled, the whole stinging mechanism is broken down.

Tender-handed stroke a nettle, and it stings you for your pains: grasp it like a man of mettle, and it soft as silk remains.

‘Tis the same with common natures; Use ‘em kindly, they rebel; but be rough as nutmeg graters, and the rogues obey you well.

Focus on Nature

(anon) Such a complex system is quite energy-expensive, so it is fascinating to discover that in a large nettle colony, such as the ones I see alongside the nearby section of the North Downs Way, there is a very high density of stinging cells in the plants around the periphery of each colony, where protection is most needed. That contrasts with very few, if any such cells in the nettles of the central region where protection is unnecessary, and so a considerable energy saving is achieved.

Young nettles are very rich in valuable vitamins A and C, plus minerals (iron, potassium, magnesium, sulphur), and can be cooked like spinach or made into a tasty soup. It has been recommended in some herbals for arthritic conditions and urticarial.

Another much earlier use was the weaving of nettle cloth, traces of which have been found in Viking Bronze age tombs. The cloth was woven in Scotland up to the early 1900s and was found to be even more durable than linen, feeling soft and comfortable when made into blankets.

Several of our wild butterflies

Cont.. use nettles on which to lay their eggs, providing their caterpillars with rich nourishment. If you see a nettle with the border of some of its leaves stitched together

with silk, forming a shelter, that is a sure sign of a Red Admiral butterfly’s handiwork.

Derek Budge

Be Aware Recently a resident was telephoned by a company in the Maidstone area who sell a ‘Lifeline’ - like product. The first point of contact was a cold telephone call followed by a confirmation phone call. This seems like an approach previously used by a company selling a similar product who made a number of calls to secure an appointment for a salesman.

The resident, who did not want a lifeline, made an appointment but fortunately told a neighbour before the salesman arrived. The neighbour was able to speak to the salesman who did not gain access to the resident’s home. In addition the neighbour was able to obtain details from the salesman which I have passed to Trading Standards.

I would like to remind you all that if you need to obtain products or services there are a number of better ways to get them.

For example through personal recommendations, your Housing Association, the Kent Trading Standards Buy with Confidence

Scheme or Age UK to name just a few.

In most cases the law states that for goods valued at more than £35 the customer must be given written notice that they have 7 days to change their mind. If in doubt discuss the situation with someone you trust before committing yourself, signing anything or providing personal information.

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Here are two useful numbers: Buy with Confidence Scheme 08454 04 05 06 Age UK, Maidstone 01622 75 36 18 If you would like to ring me for advice please do.

Martin Sherwood Kent Community Warden for Harrietsham and Lenham Mobile: 07 977 981 993 Email: martin.sherwood@kent. gov.uk Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus

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Climate Change is Happening CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING. Pat Crawford provides the HADLOW COLLEGE COMMENT AND ADVICE COLUMN.

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The thinking divide regarding employing GM technology in food production is hotting up – and becoming ever more polarised.

The fundamental differences relate on the one hand to belief we shall be unable to feed the vastly expanding global population without recourse to GM - and on the other, that once the genie is out of the bottle we may lose control – with devastating results.

‘For’ or ‘against’ should be decided objectively but, bearing in mind that leading scientists back both sides of the debate, it is hardly surprising the man-in-the-street’s views are subjective. The other issue is that food producers tend to argue one way – and consumers the other.

Many EU countries remain sceptical and a recent vote concerning insect- resistant maize resulted in ministers and diplomats representing 19 of the 28 countries opposing approval.

Latest statistics indicate that last

Climate Change is Happening

year – 2013 – 18 million farmers in 27 countries grew biotech crops representing a 3% year-onyear increase. The ten countries leading biotech production each planted more than one million hectares. Most of the growers – some 90% - making use of the technology are resource short and poor. Five EU countries are reported to have planted 148,013 hectares of biotech maize last year – an increase of 18,942 hectares since 2012. This year Indonesia is expected to undertake commercial planting of the world’s first drought-resistant sugar cane. Between1996-2012, China is reported to have generated economic benefits in excess of $15 billion from biotech cotton crops; $2.2 billion was generated during 2013.

The United States continues to be in the lead with 70.1 hectares converted to biotech production.

Brazil ranks second with Argentina third, India fourth and Canada fifth. Bangladesh has approved a biotech eggplant developed via a

private/public partnership with an Indian company. The same country is seeking approval for Golden Rice and a biotech potato. The planting of biotech maize has been approved in Panama. Countries including Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Nigeria are conducting trials while the Philippines are nearing completion of trials with Golden Rice.

How many people have heard of the ISAAA? The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications is a notfor-profit organisation which aims to alleviate poverty and hunger by sharing knowledge. The group is chaired by Clive James who for thirty years, has lived and worked in developing countries including Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Would you like to know more about GM? Or impart your knowledge or share your views to others?

The Rural Business Group which I chair is organising a debate on Wednesday 4th June 2014 and the topic will be:

the debate should register their intention by emailing full contact details to pat.crawford@hadlow. ac.uk – 01732 852243. Please register before 28th May 2014. The venue is Hadlow College Animal Management Unit, Ashes Lane, Hadlow, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 0AU. The meeting will commence with a light buffet supper and networking at 6pm followed by the debate at 7pm. Admission is free but donations towards the cost of supper are welcomed.

59

‘GM is necessary to provide the human race with food security.’

Three speakers will promote the motion and three will oppose it.

Readers who would like to attend

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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. A London station and waterfalls. (8) 5. Well-known American music company founded by Berry Gordy in 1959. (6) 8. One time near-worthless French coin. (3) 9. Pussy’s ‘Fowl’ friend was one! (7,3) 10. Name for an inhabitant of the Orkney Islands. (8) 11. …… Cooper. Actress whose career spanned seven decades. (6) 12. A friend, particularly in the military sense.

(4) 14. A shocking event is often described as being this. (10) 17. Collection of young people who meet regularly. (5,5) 20. A word used to identify things. (4) 23. The technical term for a bristle on an earthworm. (6) 24. Left over. (8) 25. Single items of clothing worn by some men as their only garment. (10) 26. Abbreviation for the largest English island. (3) 27. Murderers could be this here until 1964.

(6) 28. A teacher. (8)

61

Down clues 1. A person who has ideas on what the future might be like. (9) 2. An advisory administrative body of people. (7) 3. Exert too much. Cook too long. (6) 4. Someone who performs to music on a rink. (3,6) 5. Ran or coped. (7) 6. A container holding 8 pints could also termed this. (3,6) 7. One wanting to wed will ask ‘…. … marry me? (4,3) 13. Talking incessantly. (9) 15. Feeling sick. (9) 16. Plant that produces cooking oil. (9) 18. Female character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. (7) 19. Looked momentarily. (7) 21. Another name for an ophthalmologist.

(7) 22. Another name for alveolus. (3,3)

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Success comes from working together.

Networking is about finding out It might be finding out about who lives just down the street; where the local carpenter works; where you can buy a particular product at the best price; how to market yourself or finding out what is going on right on your doorstep. Talking creates awareness and increases your knowledge. LVBA is about that too! Each month included in our networking meetings is 20 minutes from invited speakers who have something interesting to say. Come and find out for yourself.

• Tuesday 6 May at The White Horse in Sandway, Lenham an entertaining presentation by 3 members called ‘The Ladder’.

• Wednesday 28 May with SMBA at The Weald of Kent Golf Club speaker Hilary Steel (top right), Editor of Kent Women in Business Magazine • Tuesday 1 July speaker Emily Chapman (middle right) from Loud Monkey Social network update.

• Tuesday 5 August at The Oak in Charing.

Speaker to be arranged.

• Tuesday 2 September at The Dog & Bear, Lenham. Speaker to confirm.

• Tuesday 7 October at The White Horse.

Speaker Helen Topliss (right), Business Advisor at Mid Kent College.

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

Come on, come along for free . . .

New members and one off visitors welcome or you can try it out for free we are sure you’ll 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!

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 Annette Tomarken 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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Lenham Surgery Tel: 858341 Mondays to Fridays 8:30am-6:30pm Closed 1-2pm Dispensary 8:30am-6:30pm Closed 12:30-2pm Urgent matters out of hours telephone. 0845 1450121 (6-6.30pm only) IC24. 111 (from 6.30pm) 64

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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.

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          

     

       

     

        

     

        

     

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